At around 6:25 a.m. this morning Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue (Deerfield Beach) responded to Advance

Auto Parts at NW 3 and Hillsboro for a reported fire. Units from Deerfield and back up from Engine 23 quickly

knocked down the fire inside the store that was centered on the

north side of business.

To see video of the scene after the knockdown click on ObserverTV “Latest Video’s”

Early this morning BSO deputies responded to a vehicle burglary that just occurred in the 900 block of SE 15 Court.  A perimeter was quickly established with K9 and Aviation Unit responding.  One suspect was apprehended by the K9, a second suspect was arrested by deputies nearby.  The suspects committed 30 burglaries to unlocked vehicles.  Deputies have recovered several cell phones, GPS devices, and other electronics.  Please lock your doors and do not leave items of value in your vehicle.  Call 911 immediately if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

Broward Sheriff’s office brought out the 2 thieves on their way to be booked. They showed  the goods that they  had stolen from the vehicles in The Cove neighborhood in Deerfield Beach. ObserverTV was there.

To see video of the 2 guys who ripped off all the cars in The Cove and a table full of the items -click on ObserverTV- “Latest Video’s”

–By Rachel Galvin–

On Sunday, Oct. 9 The Pink Heals Tour made a stop in Deerfield Beach. Not only was there a parade of pink firetrucks, but also activities on the beach, including a Mammovan where women could have a mammogram for only $99, vendor booths, kids activities and more. Commissioners Preston, Miller and Ganz spoke as well as emcee radio DJ Paul Castronovo (and his wife Gina, who beat breast cancer) and Sheriff Al Lamberti, among others. This is the 2nd year for Pink Heals, created by retired firefighter Dave Graybill, which helps show love for women and awareness for breast cancer. Broward Sheriff’s Office also held a PAL boxing event at the fire station, on Hillsboro and Federal, benefiting 16-year-old Cody Meiers, a young athlete who was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Look for video coming soon on ObserverTV and see the Oct. 13 issue for more details.

Reports from the National Weather Service have indicated an extremely wet and windy weekend, and while we here at Observer Newspaper aren’t meteorologists, take precautions as you travel this weekend. Report below from National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ172&warncounty=FLC011&firewxzone=FLZ172&local_place1=Pompano+Beach+FL&product1=Short+Term+Forecast

In short, look at the image to the right and the blue and red indicates high levels of rain, wind and moisture headed to South Florida.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF SOUTH FLORIDA...INCLUDING THE
  FOLLOWING AREAS...COASTAL BROWARD...COASTAL MIAMI DADE...
  COASTAL PALM BEACH...FAR SOUTH MIAMI DADE...INLAND BROWARD...
  INLAND MIAMI DADE...INLAND PALM BEACH...METRO BROWARD...METRO
  MIAMI DADE AND METRO PALM BEACH.

* THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

* PLENTY OF DEEP LAYER MOISTURE SPREADING NORTH OVER THE LOCAL
  AREA WILL LEAD TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF RAIN THROUGH THE
  WEEKEND. RAINFALL TOTALS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE 3 TO 6 INCH
  RANGE THROUGH THIS TIME WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS
  POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY OVER THE COASTAL AND METRO LOCATIONS.
  RAINFALL TOTALS OVER THE PAST 12 TO 24 HRS HAVE ALREADY REACHED
  THE 1 TO 2.5 INCH RANGE. THESE SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AMOUNTS
  COULD CAUSE FLOODING OF ROADS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS THROUGH
  THIS TIME.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Sunday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.

Boca Raton Plaza Suites, at pool by Tiki Bar

2901 N. Federal Hwy.

Boca Raton, FL 33431

DJ, beer, hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, jello shots and raffle. $20 adults/ $5 kids. Proceeds go to Karen Rice to help with medical bills. Karen is currently battling Cancer. For information, contact954-324-6994. To donate, also visit www.wepay.com/donate/181410.

Pink fire engines and pink patrol cars will be the center of attention as they parade through Deerfield Beach this Sunday for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Pink Heals Tour 2011, raising awareness and funds for cancer charities.

The Pink Heals Tour was first brought to Broward County in 2010 by firefighters from then-Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue (now, proudly part of the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue family). In continuing this tradition, BSFR, the International Association of Firefighters Local 4321 and the city of Deerfield Beach have planned a day-long, family fun event that, in addition to the parade, includes free entertainment, health screenings, food for purchase by local vendors and a survivor celebration.

Riding in the parade will be Sheriff Al Lamberti, along with BIG 105.9’s Paul Castronovo and his wife Gina, a cancer survivor, and Deerfield Beach elected officials. The parade will depart Quiet Waters Park at 11:30 a.m. and proceed north on Powerline Road, east on Hillsboro Boulevard and travel along the beach to the main beach parking lot located in front of BSFR Station 75 at South Ocean Way and Southeast First Street. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. followed by a fire truck pull, Police Athletic League boxing match from 1 – 3 p.m. (tickets for the match are $15 to benefit the Children’s Cancer Caring Center) and a free concert from entertainer Amber Leigh at 2 p.m. Luminaries on the beach honoring cancer survivors and victims at 7 p.m. will close the event.

There will also be fire rescue and law enforcement equipment displays and demonstrations, a car show, kids play area with bounce house and other family-oriented events.  For more information on the Pink Heals Tour 2011, visit www.pinkhealsdb.com or www.pinkfiretrucks.org.

The Knights lift the sword after their victory over Coral Springs Christian. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Arelious Burns carried 18 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns to lift Highlands Christian to a 48-7 victory over visiting Coral Springs Christian School in the annual Battle for the Sword. This annual match-up dates back to 2002 when the Crusaders defeated the Knights, 43-27, in their inaugural game.

During the past nine years, the Crusaders had won six consecutive games, before the Knights reversed their fortune and won the sword the past four years in a row. The Knights suffered a difficult stretch from 2004-2006, losing all three games by one point: 29-28 (2004); 21-20 (2005) and 7-6 (2006).The Knights’ first win came in 2007 – ironically, with a one-point win 45-44.

“Winning four straight games against our rivals has been great,” said Highlands Christian Academy coach Jordan Adair. “I’m especially happy for our seniors, who were able to go through their entire high school careers without losing ‘The Sword.’

“We expect this win to propel us to a very successful second half of the season. We’ve struggled at the start, but we’ve played some tough competition with a lot of newcomers this year, and we knew it would take time for us to gel and build team chemistry. The difficult start has helped us to build character, and it will pay dividends down the line.”

A 24-yard punt return by Courtney Fowler set the Knights up in great field position its first TD, while Jay Mentecky tossed a 31-yard TD pass to Tyson Graham as time expired in first half to stake Highlands Christian to a 34-7 lead. Graham also added a 50-yard punt return, while Wilfred Hunter and Matt Elder each had interceptions.

Adair said the team has a huge contest coming up in two weeks against Jupiter Christian School.

“That game will decide our playoff fate,” said Adair, whose team is 1-2 in the District 7-2A race and 1-3 overall. “If we can build on last week’s win versus CSCA, we’ll have some momentum heading into that game.”

Bucks win first

Brandon Powell ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns as Deerfield Beach spoiled host Douglas’ homecoming, 21-0. Douglas only managed to gain two first-downs in the game and turned the ball over seven times with three fumbles and four interceptions in the District 11-8A win. The Bucks (1-4) earned their first win for new head coach Allen Jackson as they held the Eagles to just 46 yards of total offense for the contest. The defense forced three fumbles and four interceptions.

Tigers rally again

Blanche Ely rallied from a 14-9 halftime deficit as they scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Monarch, 37-14, in Deerfield Beach. It marked the second time in as many weeks where the Tigers (4-1, 2-0) came from behind to win.

Ely quarterback Alex Edwards threw for 87 yards and rushed for a touchdown, while Tyquan Fields passed for 80 yards and two scores. Devante Peete hauled in a 46-yard score and Darren Allen caught a touchdown pass and ran for another. The Tigers’ Robert Scott also rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown in the District 14-7A win.

Photo by David Volz

–By Rachel Galvin —

On Oct. 2, Dunn’s Run15th Annual Race kicked off from Deerfield Beach and back with thousands of participants, running or walking toward the finish line. Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The race has raised about $3 million for the organization through the years. Not only was this early morning (7:30 a.m.) race an opportunity for people to show their competitive spirit and beat their personal best, but also was a way to show support for the community. Many arrived to walk or run with their teams or individually. Some walked with their children or pushed them in strollers while enjoying the sunrise and the beautiful beach view. Congressman Allen West came all the way from Washington D.C. to partake in his tradition of running with the American flag through the streets of Deerfield. Even CRA director Keven Klopp came out to run for the first time this year.

Then there were the competitors, like Brian Dillard, who won the 5k in the men’s division, and Rachel Ginsberg, who won in the female division. The Deerfield Beach High Cross Country team had many runners compete this year and place. Awards were given for various age categories. For more results, visit www.splitsecondtiming.com.

In addition to all the running and walking, there was also much mingling and browsing through vendor booths. Panera bread came out to serve up some good eats and the band Atlas Shrugged performed.

Check ObserverTV to view race start

Click here for results from the 5k race

Click here for results from the 5 mile race

Sunday, Oct. 9,  9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Duffy’s Sports Grill

401 N. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL  33441

Sponsored by Olympia Flame Diner and BSO Fire Dept. Awards, dash plaques, live music and fire truck parade. Register at Duffy’s and caravan down to beach. 954-410-5536.

Ft. Lauderdale’s George Deeb, 70, runs the South Florida Senior Softball Club in Pompano Beach. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

For three days a week, members of the South Florida Senior Softball Club hit the diamond in Pompano Beach. There are no set teams and it is inexpensive. However, the competition can be fierce.

Ft. Lauderdale’s George Deeb, 70, runs the club, which is an offshoot of the club that started in Deerfield Beach in 1962. Deeb started the Pompano Beach-based club three years ago when Deerfield began renovating Pioneer Park.

“We started here three years ago when we were left with one field and over 100 men,” Deeb said. “The older men stayed up there, and the younger men came down here. We created an Over-50 club and that became South Florida Senior Softball two years ago,” he said.

It costs $35 a year. The members get shirts and hats, plus they will go out once every other month during the season when the snowbirds are down, and they will also host a Christmas Party. Games are played Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 9 a.m.

“I make up all of the teams and assign the players to the teams based on who is there that day,” Deeb said. “It is the best thing we have ever done. It is also good for the guys who just turned 50, so they don’t have to play with guys who are in their 20s.”

Deeb said there are retirees, as well as firemen, police officers and EMS workers who can play multiple days based on their schedules. Players come from as far away as Aventura and as far north as Delray Beach.

Normally, the games are played at 4-Fields complex, but have been at Kester Park in Pompano Beach after spending some time at Blanche Ely High School. They should move back to 4-Fields in a few weeks.

“I retired when I was 65, and I am 70 now,” said Deeb, who had a hip replacement last year. “Many of the members in our club play on national championship travel teams. The guys are terrific, and we have made a lot of friendships over the years.” The players range in age from 49 to 76, and the average age is in the mid-60s. Deeb said the mission statement is to provide seniors, like themselves, who are retired, or on the verge of retirement, an opportunity to come and play ball at their leisure with no pressure.

Ely continues to roll

Darren Allen completed seven of nine passes for two touchdowns and returned a punt 55 yards for a score as host Blanche Ely throttled Coconut Creek, 56-8, to run its record to 3-1.

Robert Scott hauled in a 40-yard score from Allen and added a 3-yard run for another Tigers’ score. Also scoring for Blanche Ely were Edensky Loremues, Jordan Fields, Adrian Burton and Avery Johnson. Alex Edwards threw for two scores, while John Belfort added seven extra point kicks.