Pumpkins & Palm Trees turns six at Las Olas Oceanside Park
Pumpkins by the ocean, a seven-year fleet cost case, a federal billing probe, and new ways out of Fort Lauderdale.
Picture a trick-or-treat trail where costumed young performers line the route, singing songs from the Broward Center's current season. That's noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Las Olas Oceanside Park.
- When
- Saturday, Oct. 24 · 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; market 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; pie competition 10 a.m. to noon; trick-or-treat trail noon to 2 p.m.
- Where
- Las Olas Oceanside Park
- Price
- Free; optional $10 Carnival Wristband or $12 Carnival Wristband + Pumpkin
Plan the day around a few windows. The Oceanside Community MKT runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., festival and carnival activities go 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Broward Center's Spotlights trail hands out treats and show tunes from noon to 2 p.m.
Come early for the student bakers. FRLA Broward's pie contest, also in its sixth year, runs 10 a.m. to noon. Much of the lineup costs nothing: a photo station, balloon art, the MODS STEMobile, lawn games with candy prizes, plus a shot at a Freeride bike.
The two carnival wristbands are optional. Either one covers unlimited inflatables plus five classic games that pay out in plush prizes, and the $12 version adds a pumpkin to decorate. Pumpkins are limited, so organizers recommend buying ahead at www.FallFestFTLB.com; wristbands are also sold onsite.
How Fort Lauderdale's electric fleet math adds up
Every non-emergency, light-duty city vehicle is slated to run on electricity by 2035. There is no mass purchase: each car, truck or van switches when its regular seven-year replacement comes due.
For taxpayers, the projected savings come to about $4 million over seven years, if fuel costs stay flat. Buying electric costs $5.4 million more across 630 vehicles. But the city spends $9.01 million on gas for its current fleet over seven years, against roughly $2.1 million to charge an electric fleet and install chargers. Maintenance falls too, to a projected $1.93 million from $3.19 million, since EVs need no oil changes and go easier on brakes.
City staff are already driving the technology. Fleet Services switched its whole loaner pool to Nissan Leafs, so any employee who borrows a car gets an EV.
The estimate is conservative: it holds fuel spending flat for all seven years. "Our $4 million savings projection assumes fuel costs never go up," the city team said, and the model was built before gas prices climbed this spring and early summer.
Fort Lauderdale autism therapy chain confirms a federal billing probe
An 81-page affidavit in New Hampshire federal court lists the possible crimes agents are examining, including wire fraud, healthcare fraud and a money laundering conspiracy. ABA Centers of America, founded in 2020, says it is "working" with investigators and "will respond at the appropriate time."
The affidavit alleges the company billed healthcare benefit programs for services that were not medically necessary, and billed sessions held in Massachusetts as if they took place in New Hampshire, where plans paid higher rates. It also asserts that founder Christopher M. Barnett acquired a corporate jet and rented a waterfront home here worth millions. No business or person has been criminally charged, and these are allegations.
In the civil case, Publix and its health plan want about $15 million in damages, saying the firm generated large, unjustified claims. Judge Raag Singhal let six of nine counts stand and gave ABA's lawyers until Oct. 16 to respond.
Disney picks Port Everglades for its new ship, the Disney Believe
The Believe's first sailing is set for December 2027. The new ship is part of a 15-year Disney agreement with the port to boost tourism. Disney says the Believe draws on its characters who believe in themselves.
JetBlue launches daily Fort Lauderdale nonstops to Barranquilla
The new flights reach Colombia's Caribbean coast and use the airline's existing Airbus A320 fleet out of its Fort Lauderdale focus city. Cali service is set to follow later in October. For residents with relatives or business in Colombia, it means one more way to get there without a connection.