Suni Sands hotel and marina plan clears a first council vote
Also: a teen HEAT trip, a hospital honor and a big turnout for an Alzheimer's walk
A 4-acre shell midden near the Jupiter Inlet would pass to the town if a hotel and marina plan wins final approval. Countywide, voters approved all three local ballot questions.
Town Council voted 4-1 last week to advance zoning and comprehensive plan changes for the former Suni Sands mobile home park. It was a first vote; a second comes later. Mayor Jim Kuretski said the votes were not final, and the site plan was not before the council.
Developer Charles Modica proposes a 110-room hotel and restaurant, 44 condos, shops and a 17-slip marina, with 14 waivers. Town planners said the plan is not consistent with the comprehensive plan. They said the marina and docks would interfere with the view of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
If the project is approved, a January settlement gives the town the 4-acre preserve with the shell midden. The town could also buy a 1.4-acre view corridor for $10.5 million. The council must approve a project by Dec. 31 to fulfill the deal. Nearly 40 comments opposed the plan, and one resident spoke in favor.
Healthgrades honors Jupiter Medical Center for outpatient orthopedics
Healthgrades placed Jupiter Medical Center among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for outpatient joint replacement in its 2027 ratings. The hospital also received Healthgrades' 2027 Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award. Healthgrades gave it five stars for outpatient total knee replacement for a third straight year, and for COPD treatment in 2027. Healthgrades says it rates hospitals using risk-adjusted outcomes data.
Earlier this year, the hospital opened the Tim and Jayne Donahue Patient Care Tower, with two floors for orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation. It also announced a collaboration with Hospital for Special Surgery.
WPTV meteorologist Walter Kelley spends a day with Jupiter Fire Rescue
Walter Kelley slid down the pole, jumped into heavy gear and leaned into the hose at Jupiter Fire Rescue. The WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist spent a day learning what the job takes. He also rang the bell and blew the horn.
Kelley said the day covered equipment, training and teamwork. What stood out most to him was the focus on safety first. He came away with deep respect for the crew and urged neighbors to thank first responders when they see them.
Voters approve the schools tax, parks bond and library bond
The School District's 1-mill property tax passed with 77% of the vote. It continues an existing levy for four more years, from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. The money goes to school safety and police, mental-health services, arts, music, PE and career teachers, and teacher pay. Spending would continue under an independent citizens committee.
A county parks bond passed with 66%. It lets the county borrow up to $280 million for parks and recreational facilities. A Library District bond passed with 64%. It allows up to $175 million in bonds to build, expand and renovate libraries. Both bonds are repaid through property taxes over no more than 20 years.
Alzheimer's walk at FAU's Jupiter campus raises more than $334,000
More than 1,000 people walked through FAU's John D. MacArthur Campus for the Walk to End Alzheimer's Palm Beach. The event raised more than $334,000 for the fight against the disease.
Walkers carried flowers from the Promise Garden. Each color marked a connection to dementia: blue for people living with it, yellow for caregivers, purple for loved ones who died and orange for a future without it. The Alzheimer's Association estimates 51,600 Palm Beach County residents age 65 and older live with Alzheimer's.
Town teen trip heads to a Miami HEAT game Nov. 22
- When
- Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026 · 2 to 11 p.m.
- Where
- Kaseya Center, Miami
- Price
- $110 resident, $138 non-resident
The town's Teen Night program is taking ages 12 to 15 to watch the Miami HEAT play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Nov. 22. The trip runs from 2 to 11 p.m., with the game at Kaseya Center in Miami. The fee is $110 for residents and $138 for non-residents. It covers game admission, round-trip charter bus service and staff supervision.
Space is limited. Registration closes Sunday, Nov. 15. Questions go to Bryson Newman at BrysonN@jupiter.fl.us.