Blake Fontenay

2 months ago | tcpalm.com | Blake Fontenay

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum wants to add a new building to its campus north of Fort Pierce. Some condominium residents who live nearby worried about noise and traffic from special events if the expansion plans were granted. The St. Lucie County Commission granted the museum permission to expand, but with some concessions to address neighbors' concerns. Editor’s note: Blake’s Takes are quick-hit reactions to news across the Treasure Coast.

Mar 26, 2025 | tcpalm.com | Blake Fontenay

Brightline has spent $6 billion-plus in infrastructure along the West Palm Beach-to-Orlando stretch of the route, and the station is something that primarily benefits Treasure Coast residents. In their application for a federal grant to fund a Brightline station, Martin County officials put together a cost-benefit analysis for the project. Reduced air pollution, fuel savings, reduced traffic and faster travel times are worth $206 million to $400 million over 30 years, the analysis found.

Mar 17, 2025 | tcpalm.com | Blake Fontenay

Frank Bruni, a New York Times columnist and Duke University professor, will hold a March 25 talk as part of the Rappaport Speaker Series. The talk will be held at Temple Beit HaYam of Stuart, 951 SE Monterey Commons Blvd., beginning at 7 p.m. that evening. Bruni will discuss why public confidence in the media and higher education has eroded in our country.

Feb 12, 2025 | tcpalm.com | Blake Fontenay

A quick refresher course: Fort Pierce is in this position because City Manager Nick Mimms was arrested on charges of bid rigging and official misconduct last summer. The choices don't get any starker than the one Fort Pierce city commissioners will face in a few days. For much of its history, Fort Pierce has been derided — mostly by outsiders, but by some locals as well — as an impoverished backwater that would never amount to much.

Feb 10, 2025 | tcpalm.com | Blake Fontenay

Rappaport speaker Juliette Kayyem says disasters should no longer surprise us. There's no need to live in a perpetual state of panic, but there is value in being ready for the unexpected. Kayyem stresses the importance of finding a balance between "tuning out and freaking out."She might not describe herself in exactly this way, but Juliette Kayyem is a professional worrier.