West Boca – Sun Sentinel

Deerfield Beach man arrested in West Boca crash that killed scooter driver, PBSO says

Angie DiMichele — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:20:08 +0000

A 35-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a crash last summer that killed a man riding a scooter west of Boca Raton, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

John Arthur Adams, of Deerfield Beach, was driving a 2024 Chevrolet Trax shortly after 11 p.m. July 16, near Sandalfoot Boulevard and North Branch Road.

Alexander Daniel Acevedo, 28, of Boca Raton, was driving an electric scooter east on Sandalfoot Boulevard when Adams’ Chevrolet drifted over a center turn lane and partly into the eastbound lane where Acevedo was riding the scooter, the Sheriff’s Office said. The front of Adams’s car collided with the front of the scooter, violently flinging the scooter and Acevedo into the air, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Adams was driving at 82 mph, in a 30 mph speed zone, while maneuvering a left-hand curve in the road just before colliding with the scooter, a probable cause affidavit said.

Acevedo landed on the shoulder of Sandalfoot Boulevard, and his scooter was broken into pieces, according to deputies. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Adams was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in connection with a July 2025 crash that killed a Boca Raton man riding a scooter, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said. (Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office/Courtesy)

A deputy who spoke with Adams said Adams smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and seemed tired, the affidavit said. The passenger in his car told the deputy they had been at the beach and had “a few shots” of alcohol. Results from a blood test showed Adams’s blood alcohol content was at .07 percent a few hours after the crash, under the legal limit of .08, and showed positive for THC.

Neither he nor his passenger were injured.

Adams was arrested Wednesday morning on a warrant for one count of vehicular homicide, PBSO said in a news release.

A condition of his pre-trial release is to be monitored by GPS and to surrender his passport, court records show.

Book review: Gregg Hurwitz’s ‘Antihero’ adds new depth to hard-hitting, high-tech Orphan X mythology

Oline H. Cogdill — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:58:16 +0000

‘Antihero: An Orphan X Novel’ by Gregg Hurwitz; Minotaur; 416 pages; $30

Evan Smoak — the protagonist of Gregg Hurwitz’ highly entertaining, action-packed series — can be considered both a hero and an “Antihero.” Hurwitz continues his high standards of mixing hard-hitting drama and high-tech equipment with an in-depth, at times emotional, character study in “Antihero,” the 11th installment in this popular series.

Evan’s world comes with provocative backstory that Hurwitz continues to build on with each novel, though new readers will appreciate that each can stand on its own. Evan is Orphan X who, at age 12, was trained by the U.S. Department of Defense to be an assassin. From the beginning, his handler told him the hard part would not be making him a killer — it would be keeping him human. The novels explore Evan’s personal battle with his violent nature while embracing his humanity.

To save himself, Evan put himself in danger by leaving the Orphan program to reinvent himself as “the Nowhere Man.” He’s still an assassin, though he doesn’t always resort to killing. Instead, he’s dedicated to helping people who were “being terrorized … who had nowhere else to turn,” completely pro bono.

“Antihero” plunges Evan into his mission, as he is out to rescue Anca Dumitrescu, a young woman who has been kidnapped and is being tortured in the Bronx. He leaves the safety of his high-tech Los Angeles apartment, which is more like a hideout, for the East Coast. Evan’s “mission” puts him back in touch with uncontrollable billionaire Luke Devine, once his target but now a quasi-ally. Politically connected on a global basis, the erratic Luke’s “force field of influence complicated the world.” To contend with Luke, Evan has to become “more complicated himself.”

Hurwitz ladles intense action that erupts immediately from the first line of “Antihero,” as Evan focuses only on saving Anca, heedless of any injuries to himself, while utilizing every ultra-sophisticated machinery available. No matter how out-there those weapons and equipment seem — and these are indeed high-tech — Hurwitz keeps every detail grounded in reality.

(Minotaur/Courtesy)

The plot’s thriller aspects are balanced by Evan’s personality. His persona as X and Nowhere Man has led to a stoic, solitary existence, often denying himself pleasures and friendships. He still may not exactly have friends, but he has allies, people he cares about and on whom he can count. One person puts a fleet of helicopters and private planes at his disposal — it does help to have wealthy people on your side. A young woman, who is a computer expert and a former Orphan operative, has become Evan’s surrogate daughter, and he genuinely cares about her dog, which he rescued. He knows emotions are “messy,” requiring courage that he’s not sure he has.

Evan knows that feelings are dangerous in his line of work, but the broader danger is that he could lose his soul if he remains unfeeling. He also is learning to give into pleasure. He delights in buying a pair of mega-expensive, “decadent” boots, and it’s the first time he has bought anything because “it caught his fancy.” Readers will cheer this on. He loves exorbitant vodka, so refined it is beyond the highest of top shelves, but he limits himself to the one perfect drink.

In each outing, Hurwitz edges deeper in both action and Evan’s psychological growth. “Antihero” is another stellar adventure.

Meet the author

Gregg Hurwitz will discuss “Antihero,” in conversation with Oline H. Cogdill as part of the Writers LIVE! program, at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the West Boca Branch Library, 18685 State Road 7, Boca Raton. The event is free, but registration is required. Information: 561-470-1600; pbclibrary.org/writers-live.

Uptown Boca’s newest anchor: How Life Time is capitalizing on West Boca’s growth

Abigail Hasebroock — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:33:39 +0000

In West Boca, where the population is booming and new residential developments are trying to keep up, some people are looking to set themselves apart.

That’s where Life Time West Boca steps in. The upscale fitness space, which recently opened at the popular Uptown Boca shopping center along Glades Road, caters to a wealthier demographic, said Susan Setna Mistri, the senior general manager for Life Time in West Boca, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton.

“They are looking for that little clout in the neighborhood,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Oh I drive a BMW, I go to Life Time.'”

Life Time is the latest offering to open at the popular West Boca shopping destination — giving a sense that a significant puzzle piece for the center is now in place. Earlier in 2025, the center welcomed two other large tenants, Whole Foods Market and Homesense, a homeware store.

Life Time is occupying part of a space that once was originally meant for a movie theater, which was set to be a cornerstone project until the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction and reduced the popularity of movie theaters in general.

That led Uptown Boca years ago to look elsewhere to fill it. Eventually, the perfect fit came with Life Time.

On a recent weekday morning, a light stream of people filtered in and out Life Time, some to work out and others for a tour. Life Time describes itself as an “athletic country club” rather than a gym.

For $339 a month, Life Time West Boca members can attend workout classes, sink into a cold plunge, use the sauna or buy a post-workout meal from Life Time’s cafe. And for an extra fee, members can book a massage.

It will join many other Life Time locations in Florida, including in Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Coral Gables and Miami. Nearly 200 Life Time sites exist across the United States and Canada, and some even feature co-working spaces and child care.

Calvin Carbone, who is visiting from New York, uses the sauna at Uptown Boca's latest anchor tenant, Life Time fitness club, west of Boca Raton on Tuesday. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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The other businesses and brands situated in Uptown Boca are “like-minded,” Setna Mistri said, making Like Time’s placement very fitting.

“It’s a very vibrant lifestyle hub in West Boca,” Setna Mistri said. “We thought we definitely had an opportunity to capture the West Boca market.”

Other Uptown Boca tenants include Just Salad, Yoga Six, Carmela Coffee Bar, 3Natives, Lynora’s, Tipsy Nail Bar, Sephora, Zoom Tan, Zen Sushi, BurgerFi, Paradise Grills, REI, Sloan’s Ice Cream and more.

Shoppers walk past Uptown Boca's latest anchor tenant, Life Time fitness club, west of Boca Raton on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Uptown Boca’s success is emblematic of the growth West Boca has seen in recent years.

As new tenants were added to Uptown Boca’s roster, new people continued moving into the area and have wanted places to eat, shop and work out.

Just north of Uptown Boca is Lotus Edge, a GL Homes community, part of which currently is under construction and will offer hundreds of new homes when completed. And earlier this year, homebuilder Lennar proposed more than 700 homes for the nearby 27-hole Boca Lago golf course.

“This has been a very successful plaza,” said Michelle Soudry, a publicist whose firm represents Life Time West Boca.

Uptown Boca’s latest anchor tenant, Life Time fitness club, is shown west of Boca Raton on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

West Boca defeats West Broward in the Class 6A state championship | PHOTOS

Mike Stocker — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 22:20:15 +0000

The West Boca Raton Bulls and the West Broward Bobcats clash today in the FHSAA Class 6A State Football Championship. This matchup marks the largest-school state final between Broward and Palm Beach counties in 20 years. View photos of the action as these two regional rivals battle it out for the Class 6A trophy.

Prosecutors drop case against armed West Boca man who detained ding-dong-ditch prankster

Shira Moolten — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:18:09 +0000

Palm Beach County prosecutors have decided not to pursue charges against an armed man who detained a 14-year-old boy after he and his friends allegedly ding-dong-ditched at his home near Boca Raton.

Santiago Cairo, 40, was arrested in October on charges of aggravated assault. That evening, a group of three teenage boys had arrived at his home on Boca Circle as part of a series of ding-dong ditch pranks in the neighborhood, according to a probable cause affidavit. But Cairo thought they were attempting a break-in. He went inside, grabbed his gun, returned outside, found the 14-year-old boy and ordered him onto his knees, telling him “you messed with the wrong guy,” according to the affidavit.

The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office had until Thursday to file charges. On Tuesday, prosecutors wrote that they would not be pursuing the case, saying, “although there was probable cause to make an arrest, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution.”

“A decision to enter a No File is based on the specific facts of each case, the strength of the evidence, victim/witness cooperation, and the applicable law,” Marc Freeman, a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office, said in a statement. “The decision in this case was made after a thorough and careful review by experienced prosecutors of all evidence, witness statements, and discussions with the victim.”

The father of one of the boys, who asked that his name not be used, said that the three families had agreed that not pursuing charges was the best course of action because they did not want the boys to have to relive what happened in court.

The 14-year-old who was detained by Cairo is still deeply shaken by what happened, the father said. The teen who was detained no longer comes to visit his friend, who lives in the same neighborhood as Cairo, because he is scared.

The three boys, two 14-year-olds and one 15-year-old, attend school together and are best friends, the father said. They were coming back from the neighborhood YMCA between 7 and 8 p.m. when they decided to prank some of the nearby houses. They had ding-dong-ditched at two other houses when they got to Cairo’s. After he confronted them, two of the boys continued running, the father said, but one of the 14-year-olds stayed behind, leading Cairo to detain him on the ground until deputies arrived, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The altercation came amid several recent cases both in South Florida and throughout the country in which ding-dong ditchers were held at gunpoint, shot, or killed. The West Boca Raton neighborhood where Cairo lives is less than a mile from where 16-year-old Mark Drewes was shot in the back after fleeing from a ding-dong-ditch in 2003. The shooter later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

After the October incident, the father said, the parents talked to the teens about the dangers of what they had done.

“We’re apologetic,” the father said. “The boys shouldn’t have been ringing doorbells, not Santiago’s, not anyone else’s. It’s inconsiderate, it’s dangerous obviously, and we want to be good neighbors.”

Still, as Cairo’s arrest garnered media attention, the father said he grew disturbed by commenters on social media who appeared to blame the boys and even encourage violence against them. He emphasized that all three boys come from “great families;” his son is a straight-A student.

“These aren’t boys that are out terrorizing the streets,” he said. “They’re not stealing things, they’re not causing harm to any property. They crucify kids for playing video games and being on their phones all day, and then when they go out and be kids like we all reminisce about, they say they deserve to get shot.”

Cairo had a different perspective. He told the Sun Sentinel Thursday that he still believes the teens were attempting a break-in and that he never pointed his gun at the boy.

Cairo had been renting his home in the West Boca neighborhood for a little over a year. Prior to the incident, he said, he had concerns about security following car break-ins and neighbors having their doors kicked in. He said he purchased an advanced fingerprint lock for himself and a neighbor as well as an AI-powered camera system for all of his windows. That October evening, while walking his dogs, he said, the camera system sent his phone an image of what appeared to be a dark figure holding an object outside of his door, leading Cairo to grab his gun and call 911.

After his arrest, Cairo’s attorney, Luis Cartaya, provided prosecutors with surveillance video showing that his gun, which was equipped with a flashlight and laser, was clearly “pointed in a downward position at all times,” Cairo said.

“Mr. Cairo never pointed the firearm at the individual,” Cartaya told the Sun Sentinel in a text. “I sent these over to the State along with some facts supporting our position and I think they realized they had to ‘No File’ the charges. I’m glad I was able to help Mr. Cairo through this process as I felt he was wrongfully accused and his life was turned upside down.”

Cairo said he was “relieved” to see that prosecutors opted not to file the charges, but the arrest and ensuing media attention harmed his reputation and hurt his business. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office petitioned for a risk protection order against Cairo the day after his arrest, and a judge granted a temporary one, leading deputies to confiscate his six guns.

Still, Cairo stands by his actions.

“As a community member, I will defend my property, and I will defend my neighbors,” he said.

A hearing on whether to grant a permanent risk protection order against Cairo is scheduled for Dec. 4.

West Boca’s Shadowood center announces many new shops as movie theater is demolished

Abigail Hasebroock — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:54:48 +0000

West Boca’s Shadowood shopping center is undergoing a dramatic revitalization, bringing in new shops, food options and public green space.

The mixed-use center at 9887 Glades Road used to be called Shadowood Square, but it has been rebranded as, just simply, Shadowood.

One of the notable businesses was the recently shuttered movie theater, VIP Shadowood 16, which had originally opened in the 1980s. It’s now being demolished to make way for five new retail spots, which have yet to be announced.

EDENS, the developer for Shadowood, is bringing nearly 110,000 square feet of new and renovated retail space to the center, according to a statement.

Demolition work has begun at the site of a former movie theater at Shadowood, a plaza in West Boca, shown on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

In addition, Shadowood announced a lineup of some of its upcoming and current tenants:

— A new J. Crew Factory, a clothing company, with opening plans coming soon.

— A new Joe and the Juice, which offers coffee, juice and food, with opening plans coming soon.

— A new Maman, a coffee shop, with opening plans coming soon.

— A Nomu Sushi and Pub, which opens later this month.

— A Blo Blow Dry Bar, which now is open.

— A Dave’s Hot Chicken, which now is open.

A Shadowood sign lists some of the stores located at the West Boca plaza, located on the northeast corner of Glades Road and U.S. 441 in West Boca on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Along with the shops and dining, a promenade and public green space will be available for events.

Construction could take up to two years, with all the retail expected to be open by late 2027.

The new and renovated retail spots will add to the buildings that already operate at Shadowood, including a Sprouts, McDonald’s, Starbucks and Walgreens.

Renderings illustrate Shadowood, a redeveloped version of the former Shadowood Square shopping center at 9887 Glades Rd. with new shops, food options and public green space. (Courtesy/EDENS)

Cardinal Newman wins in overtime against West Boca | PHOTOS

Michele Eve Sandberg — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:21:34 +0000

The Cardinal Newman Crusaders (6-2) delivered a dramatic 26-20 overtime victory over West Boca Raton (6-2) on their homecoming night. The photo gallery captures the late-game heroics, including linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali’s crucial block of the extra point that forced overtime. Senior running back Phoenix Donghia then scored the game-winning 6-yard touchdown to seal the Crusaders’ thrilling win in West Palm Beach.

West Boca Raton opens season against Palm Beach Central | PHOTOS

Jim Rassol — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:08:05 +0000

West Boca’s Javian Mallory (3) dives for a touchdown in the first quarter as Palm Beach Central’s Taivon Hyatt (8) makes the tackle Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at West Boca High School. (Jim Rassol/Contributor)

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This West Boca movie theater was a staple for decades. It’s saying a final goodbye.

Abigail Hasebroock — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:00:20 +0000

A longtime West Boca movie theater is expected to shutter this Sunday — the space set to be redeveloped.

The VIP Shadowood 16, at 9887 Glades Road, has been a fixture at the Shadowood Square shopping mall. It originally was opened by the Wometco movie theater chain, nearly 40 years ago, back in 1987.

“The long-running history and memories made at this theater abound its hallways,” VIP Shadowood 16 wrote in a statement on its Facebook page. “We’ve enjoyed our time welcoming the Boca Raton community to the theater for the last year and a half, but it is now time for a new chapter at Shadowood Square as the center redevelops the space for alternative uses.

“We want to thank our loyal guests for their support and patronage as we vacate the theater to make space for the next great development to serve the community.”

Attempts by the South Florida Sun Sentinel to reach VIP Shadowood 16 for additional comment on Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Shadowood 16’s statement about its closure garnered nearly 100 comments on Facebook, with many expressing disappointment at the loss of a site holding memories for many.

“There are so many memories attached to this theater from when my children were little kids all the way up to now that they are full-grown adults in their 30’s. I mean, this was the place that was happening on the weekends back in the day. So sad to see this end,” one user wrote.

A moviegoer, who on Friday was wrapping up a final theater visit with her family, joked, “We made it on time!”

Shadowood Square currently has a mix of tenants, including Best Buy, Old Navy, Walgreens, Sprouts, Carrot Express and a Starbucks. Some spaces still are available for lease.

West Boca Raton’s first day of high school football practice | PHOTOS

Joe Cavaretta — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:22:19 +0000

West Boca High School tight end Caleb Hermane catches a ball during the team's first practice of the year, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Boca Raton. Teams across Florida are getting back to work despite the heat. The Bulls are the defending 6A state champions. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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