Florida News That Impacts You – March 17th, 2026
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.
- PBSO is set to launch a new initiative aimed at protecting houses of worship amid increased threats across the country. Called the HOW, or House of Worship, Incident Alert Notification Program, automated alerts will go out to registered churches, synagogues and mosques through texts, phone calls and emails when high-risk activity is detected within a quarter-mile. PBSO will be hosting a breakfast presentation to inform clergy and staff of the new program on May 12th, from 9 to noon at the Hilton Palm Beach PBI.
- Additional alleged victims of a former nurse at Palms Wellington Surgical Center in Royal Palm Beach have come forward. Joel Vega, who is out on bond from the initial arrest stemming from alleged sexual abuse of a victim while under anesthesia, has been accused of similar conduct by two additional victims.
- An 18-year-old illegal alien living in Stuart has been arrested for the possession of child pornography involving children under the age of seven. The Guatemalan national was detected by the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
- We’ve had our warmest temperatures for the day already as a cold front has made its way into our area. Showers remain possible this morning. Temperatures will drop into the 50’s along the Treasure Coast and low 60’s throughout the Palm Beaches later this morning. Similar weather is expected tomorrow as well.
- Gas prices were on the rise again Monday. Prices are 13 cents higher for regular unleaded this morning at $3.86 per gallon on average statewide. In Palm Beach County the average price is $4.00 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.89, it’s $3.85 in St. Lucie, and in Indian River County the average is $3.88 per gallon.