WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Here are the top stories with the most-watched videos from this week.

Pump station to move 3 billion gallons of water from Lake Okeechobee to Everglades daily

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — When it rains too much in South Florida, Lake Okeechobee fills fast. With nowhere for the extra water to go, the Army Corps of Engineers has long pumped it east and west — toward the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers — carrying pollution that fuels toxic blue-green algae, closes beaches, and hurts local businesses.

Governor Ron DeSantis says that cycle is finally changing.

Standing on the edge of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) project site in western Palm Beach County on Thursday, DeSantis called it “another major step” in restoring the River of Grass and cutting those harmful discharges.

“Today is another major step that we are taking to restore the country’s most unique and prized ecosystem, the Florida Everglades,” DeSantis said.

Read the full story here.

Why St. Lucie County residents pay the highest property taxes in Florida

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — St. Lucie County residents pay the highest overall property-tax rate in Florida, and many are asking why. At recent commission meetings, frustrated homeowners said rising bills are outpacing wages. “It’s hard for working-class people to have their property tax jump up so much,” resident Maureen Kennedy told commissioners. “Where are we supposed to get this money? Our salary’s not being increased by that.” Another resident, Kurt Ferguson, called the taxes “ridiculous” and “totally ridiculous.”

Florida’s latest tax data shows St. Lucie’s combined millage rate sits near 22 mills — higher than Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, and well above the statewide average. Millage refers to the amount paid per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, and St. Lucie’s higher rate means a larger bill before factoring in rising values.

Real-estate agents say the tax burden is starting to shape the housing market. Treasure Coast Realtor Natalia Rhinehart says some buyers immediately look elsewhere. “I have a lot of buyers who start here in St. Lucie County but end up in Indian River,” she said. “We already have a reputation — people say, ‘We heard you’re the most expensive for taxes.’ And it’s true, so they don’t even bother.”

County leaders point to rapid population growth, aging tax structures, and low property values relative to neighboring counties. “St. Lucie County is sort of a victim of its popularity — its natural beauty, its geographical location,” said County Commission Chair Jamie Fowler. “They came with more disposable income and created this buying frenzy.” She noted that retirees, Northeast transplants, and families from South Florida have driven up demand for housing and services.

Read the full story here.

See also: Miami deputy ‘brutally attacked,’ shot and killed while on duty

President Donald Trump hosts Gatsby-inspired Halloween party amid government shutdown

PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Mar-a-Lago celebrated Halloween on Friday with an “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” event, complete with flapper costumes.

According to the pool report, the theme of the Palm Beach Halloween party was ‘A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,’ a Fergie song from the 2013 movie “The Great Gatsby,” with Leonardo DiCaprio.

The event was held amid an ongoing 31-day government shutdown, and hours before 42 million Americans lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The report called the lawn of Mar-a-Lago a “smoky party scene,” with guests dressed up in flapper costumes at “decked out” tables.

Read the full story here.

Boca Raton Mayor feels Mamdani win is a big opportunity for the city

BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — In Boca Raton, the reaction to Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City Mayor’s race is a mixed bag.

Lots of New Yorkers have ties to Boca Raton. They go back and forth between the two. But the Mayor of Boca Raton predicts that could become a one-way trip soon.

Boca Raton’s Mayor says the city is ready to welcome with open arms any business that wants to flee the Big Apple. Mamdani’s platform has ruffled a lot of feathers in Manhattan.

So will they fly south for the winter and stay for good?

Read the full story here.

Mother accused of allowing teen Halloween drinking party in PSL

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Halloween night party ended in handcuffs after officers say minors were caught drinking outside a home where adults were gathered inside.

On Halloween night, officers with the Port St. Lucie Police Department say they responded to the 11000 block of SW Fieldstone Way after receiving complaints of a large party with crowds of minors.

Upon arrival, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) was also investigating the homeowner, 41-year-old Audrey Mahaney, who is allegedly known to allow house parties where teens consume alcohol.

Before DCF arrived, large crowds of teens were reportedly seen going in and out of the home and gathering on the lawn where bottles of alcohol were scattered.

Read the full story here.

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