Bringing you News that Counts
Bringing you News that Counts
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July 14, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE · Expansion of South County Courthouse Complete · County Residents Have Saved More Than One Million Dollars with County Prescription Discount Card · Governor Crist Signs New Anti-Gang Law In Historic County Courtroom · Residents Attend 2008 Hurricane Season Update · New Hagen Ranch Road Library Branch Opens · Volunteer at Mounts Botanical Garden
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Expansion of South County Courthouse Complete
During the next eight months, the older sections of the building, constructed in 1989, will be renovated. After these Phase 3 renovations are completed, the entire building will be open. The newly constructed $20 million addition includes a probate court, three new courtrooms, three hearing rooms and ample office space for all courthouse functions. The new two-story lobby has a spiral staircase and plenty of light shining in from the east windows. The main entrance has been constructed on 2nd Avenue facing east. Parking will be in the garage until the end of the Phase 3 renovation. The south lot behind the courthouse will be open after Phase 3. Some things will remain the same in the old section of the courthouse. Visitors will still be able to see the column that was salvaged from the 1916 historic county courthouse located in West Palm Beach.
County Residents Have Saved More Than One Million Dollars with County Prescription Discount Card
That’s how much money residents have saved with the Palm Beach County Prescription Drug Discount Card. The county launched the discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The county is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo), which offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at almost 300 Palm Beach County pharmacies. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor the NACo prescription discount card. As of June 1, more than 34,000 residents have filled over 76,000 prescriptions for a total savings of $1,056,188. Best of all, there is no cost to county taxpayers for Palm Beach County to make these money-saving cards available to residents. The cards are available at participating pharmacies, Palm Beach County government buildings and County libraries.
Governor Crist Signs New Anti-Gang Law in Historic County Courtroom
The anti-gang legislation includes tougher penalties, additional tools for police and prosecutors and creative new ways to disrupt the ability of gang members to negatively influence neighborhoods. It also strengthens witness protection laws. Many of the provisions in this legislation were based on recommendations of the Statewide Grand Jury.
Residents Attend 2008 Hurricane Season Update
New Hagen Ranch Road Library Branch Opens
The facility will feature: -Increased access to computers: 40 Internet and word processing computers in the adult area, eight computers in the children’s area, and three in the teen area. In addition, library catalog computers will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building. -More meeting room space: Three meeting rooms – a large room accommodating 225 people, a smaller conference room accommodating 50 people, and a room for children’s programming with space for 50. -More materials: Space to allow the current selection of books, CDs, and DVDs of approximately 82,000 to grow to 150,000 items. -Study space: More quiet space including five study rooms. -Customer service: Two express check-out stations will be available to allow for fast, efficient service. -Space for young people: A themed area designed especially for children with whimsical seating/shelving, ample room for materials, and comfortable seating. -Parking: 213 parking spaces, more than double the number of parking spaces at the previous location, 14 of the spaces are for handicapped parking. -Accessibility: A drive-up materials return, in addition to interior and exterior walk-up returns, wider aisles and lower shelves to allow for easier retrieval of items, increased lighting levels, incorporating both natural and artificial sources, and a covered walkway leading to the entrance. -Attractive environment: Beautiful natural setting with scenic water views from the reading area, lofty and spacious ceilings, an abundance of natural lighting, and comfortable seating areas throughout the branch.
Volunteer at Mounts Botanical Garden
Horticultural volunteers help in all aspects of garden maintenance, from planting and grooming to maintaining plant records. Learn while you work hands-on at Mounts Botanical Garden! Special event volunteers work with the public or behind the scenes to support Mounts' exciting special events, including the finest plant sales in Florida, action- and information-filled children's events, fund raising events and more. Help with decorations, collecting admissions, supervising children's games and crafts, or answering the public's questions about Mounts Botanical Garden. Membership volunteers support the Garden by pitching in with membership activities, including bulk mailings, copying, data entry, and other office work. You may also assist with the New Member Welcome Party, annual dinners, or signing up new members at special events. Mounts Bookstore
volunteers help the
public find the information they need in one of South Florida's best specialty
book stores. Preview the latest
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than one million dollars. 
