The Observer Newspaper has been closely following the District 2 commissioner race in Deerfield Beach, and of the four candidates, Ben Preston has cleared the hurdles to become the next commissioner by a very close vote of roughly 15 votes difference. Read Thursday’s paper to learn more about today’s special election or watch election coverage on ObserverTV.

ObserverTV is broadcasting LIVE from City Hall tonight 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tune-in for LIVE updates on election results and a LIVE interview with the winner at 7:30 p.m.

Potter fans interviewed by host Rachel Galvin of Observer TV at Paragon Theater. Photo by Paul Kepinski

Midnight Muggle Madness

On Thursday, July 14, fans lined up at Paragon Theater in Deerfield to see the last installment from the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” Some dressed up like characters from the film to be part of the Harry Potter experience. The series of films began in 2001, based on the books by J.K. Rowling. Since then, every book launch and movie release has caused a buzz. Now that it is over, most fans are saddened, but looked forward to seeing the final film and getting closure. See video under Observer TV.

University of Miami Hurricane football players will take a break from the gridiron to ride out with Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies Saturday night in Deerfield Beach.

The Canes on Patrol program was created in 1996 by Deputy Butch Santy, a veteran law enforcement officer who’s been with BSO since 1976. The community initiative allows the UM student-athletes to interact with youth and other residents while patrolling with BSO deputies and learning firsthand what it means to protect and serve.

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti will address the troops and several UM players Saturday, July 16 at a 6 p.m. roll call at the BSO Deerfield Beach district office. Following the briefing, the players will ride along with deputies throughout the district.

Among those players assisting deputies will be: wide receivers Laron Byrd, Kendal Thompkins, Tommy Streeter, Allen Hurns, Rashawn Scott and Phillip Dorsett; offensive lineman Brandon Washington; running back Mike James and tight end Cory White.

Congressman Allen West (FL-22) announces today he will be holding two tele-town hall meetings in July via telephone conference call. Congressman West intends to have two town hall meetings a month-one in Broward County and another in Palm Beach County. However, this month, a decision by House Leadership to stay in session during the District Work Week to focus on debt ceiling negotiations, means the in- person town halls will not be possible.

The tele-town hall format has become increasingly common among Members of Congress and will allow Congressman West to reach out to thousands of constituents at once. During the tele-town hall, constituents will dial in, and be given the choice to ask a question directly to Congressman West; or”simply listen in to the town hall meeting.

“While I would prefer to be in my district as I have done for the last six months and conduct my town halls in person, the constituents of District 22 sent me to the House of Representatives to address the important issues facing our nation, which requires me to be in Washington, D.C.,” West said. “I am glad there have been advances in technology, allowing me to reach my constituents from a distance. As always, during these calls, all subjects will be open for discussion, from Medicare to the debt ceiling.”

July Tele-Town halls are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, July 14th, 7 p.m. est

Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m. est

(877) 229-8493  –  Passcode: 17808#

By Diane Emeott

The four members of the Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously to deny a site plan application to convert an existing retail building, formerly The “Reel” Cigar Store at 504 S. Federal Hwy., to a detoxification facility.

Attorney Scott Bachman, representing Deerfield Florida House, argued that it was a permitted use in a B-2 zoning district. He said his client had met the six standards outlined by Planning & Growth Management Director Jerry Ferguson.

After numerous residents spoke against having a detox facility in their neighborhood, Chairman pro tem of the Planning & Zoning Board Todd Drosky said he was not focusing on the permitted use but on the compatibility issue with RS5 residential property to the east. His fellow board members agreed.

See more from the discussion in an upcoming issue of the Observer newspaper

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy grad Andrew Smith, above, is named to the Class 1A all-state first team. Photo by Gary Curreri

Andrew Smith leaves a legacy at Highlands Christian Academy as he heads off to Liberty University in Lynch-burg, VA.

The Orlando Sentinel and SourceHoops.com recently named the 6’ 8”, 190 lb. guard/forward, who received a full basketball scholarship to Liberty University, to the Class 1A All-State team.

Also named to the first team were Ismaila Dauda, a Grandview Prep senior; Jean Prophete and Farad Cobb (who helped lead Summit Christian to the Class 1A state basketball title) and Jordan Warner, of Florida A and M.

Smith, one of the Knights’ captains and leaders, played basketball since fourth grade at Highlands Christian Academy, where he played elementary, junior high, junior varsity and three years of varsity.

 Deerfield’s Pellitteri headed to FSU for beach volleyball

Deerfield Beach’s Steph-anie Pellitteri will make history this year after signing a national letter of intent to play beach volleyball at Florida State University, the inaugural sport beginning in 2012.

Pellitteri will be joined by former South Lake High School teammates Jeassica McGregor (Groveland) and Aurora Newgard (Groveland) to make up FSU’s first-ever sand volleyball recruiting class. All three heralded recruits possess enormous accolades stemming from their amateur careers at the high school and club levels.

“I’m very excited about this first sand volleyball signing class,” said Florida State University Director of Volleyball and Indoor volleyball head coach Chris Poole. “Aurora, Jeassica and Stephanie are all three exceptional players, but, more importantly, they are exceptional young ladies. They are among the very best in the nation as beach players, and we are fortunate that they have made a commitment to Florida State University.

“They will be the pioneers for not only a new sport at FSU, but a new sport on the college level,” Poole added. “Our U.S.A. Women’s Beach team has won the last two Olympics, and the sport was among the most watched of each of those Olympic Games.”

Pellitteri was a standout performer at Pompano Beach High School, where she was the captain of her indoor volleyball squad. She began playing sand volleyball for Club Beach Dig in the summer of 2007 and continues to excel with the same team.

While playing for Club Beach Dig, Pellitteri has boasted some key victories over the years, including the 18-under Open Division East Coast Beach Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale last August.

Pellitteri also became a Junior 18-under Regional and National Dig the Beach champion. She has been invited to several camps at the sand volleyball Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, which are invitation only. Her two sisters, Kristina and Brittany, are also top junior players.

Well-accomplished beach volleyball player and coach Danalee Corso was recently named the head coach of the squad.

By Rachel Galvin

Alfred Baureley

Local cyclist Alfred Baurley knows the importance of hard work. This 17-year-old high schooler from North Broward Prep moved from a novice Category 5 cyclist to a Category 3 status within eight weeks, allowing him to qualify for the USA Cycling Elite, U23 and Juniors Road National Championship, which was held June 22-26 in Augusta, GA.

Although this transformation seemed incredible, the seeds of the determination something like this would take were already set, evidenced by his cycling from Key West to Deerfield in one day last fall (Observer, Sept. 9, 2010). But still, the speed with which he so drastically improved was amazing due to the fact that it usually takes cyclists 2-3 years to make that sort of jump.

Baurely, a member of the Cool Beans Racing Team of Ft. Lauderdale, said, “My team has motivated me to become a better cyclist.”

“Alfred has exceeded all expectations in terms of progressing through the categories as a Junior cyclist,” said David Guttenplan, of Boca Raton, who has been coaching the teen since March. “This is unprecedented and speaks volumes about his potential as a cyclist. It is now a matter of keeping going forward to let his potential shine through.”

Baurley, also affiliated with the professional cycling promoter Z-Motion, has competed throughout Florida. He had a win in a 36-mile race in Homestead followed by other top finishes. Alfred currently ranks at the top of the chart within the Junior category in overall standing in the Bill Bone Pro Am Series.’ With his determination and skill, he has made a name for himself in our state in cycling. So nationals seemed a worthy challenge.

His hard work paid off and at the end of June, he went to Georgia to try his hardest in the national competition.  There, he competed successfully in the 30k individual time trial and earned a strong finish in the hard-fought 50k Downtown Augusta Criterium Race. Then, it was on to the real test, a 2 ½ hour 96k road race on hilly terrain. Held at Fort Gordon, a military reservation originally activated for infantry and armor training during World War II, the competition was steep.

The terrain and climate proved perhaps the most
worthy of opponents. Many dropped out, unable to handle the searing heat. Other cyclists crashed. In the end, out of 147 riders, only 85 crossed the finish line. For Baurley, it was the bicycle itself that gave him trouble. His front wheel hub broke loose in a 45 mph downhill chase. According to his mother, Carina Baurley, an on-site mechanic said the odds of that wheel staying attached were basically non-existent.

“I almost fainted when Alfred lifted the handle bar and fork right off the wheel, after the race,” she said, adding, “We gratefully accept that miracle over the national title!”

Baurley, undeterred, is already planning for the next race.

Photo courtesy of A&E TV - a scene from the TV show the Glades

The NE 14th St. Causeway Bridge in Pompano Beach will be closed by the Florida Department of Transportation to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles from 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 14th, to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15th for filming of The Glades television show.

Also, the bridge will not open for boats from 9:00 a.m. Friday, until 5:00 a.m. Saturday. 

Please seek alternate routes at the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge to the south or Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge to the north.

Originally, “The Glades” was slated to film July 7th and 8th, but had a last minute change due to the weather.

On Monday July 4th, Deerfield Beach celebrated Independence Day with a fantastic display set up by Zambelli Fireworks.  ObserverTV was granted exclusive access to the firing area that Zambelli Fireworks set up at the end of  the International Fishing Pier. Also, ObserverTV interviewed people and asked them what “independence” means to them.  See what people had to say by clicking on ObserverTV to view.