Vannia Joseph

Baton Rouge

News Anchor and Reporter at WPTV-TV (West Palm Beach, FL)

Anchor/Reporter @BRProudNews | Florida Bred☀️ l Fanm Kreyol 🇭🇹|USF Alumna 🐂 | DST 🔺|All views & opinions are my own

Articles

Riviera Beach sees major drop in homelessness thanks to new police-led team approach

1 week ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — A bold new approach to homelessness in Riviera Beach is showing results—and fast. The number of unsheltered individuals in the city has dropped by more than half in just one year, thanks to a collaborative initiative between law enforcement, health workers, and community partners. According to Palm Beach County's 2025 Point-in-Time Count, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Riviera Beach fell from 236 in 2024 to just 107 this year. WATCH: Maj.
Food donations to Boca Helping Hands drop 40%, prompting urgent plea for help

1 week ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A food bank in Palm Beach County is looking for help to keep its mission going. Boca Helping Hands reports a dramatic decline in food donations and is now sounding the alarm. As of March 1, Boca Helping Hands has received just 866,000 pounds of food — down from 1.4 million pounds at this time last year. That's a staggering 40% drop in donations, leaving shelves emptier and putting pressure on the organization's ability to serve those in need.
Good Samaritan helps rescue teens caught in deadly rip current

1 week ago | abc17news.com | Vannia Joseph

By Vannia JosephClick here for updates on this story PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida (WPTV) — A day at the beach turned into a desperate fight for survival after a group of teenagers was swept away by a dangerous rip current off South Palm Beach. One of those teens, 17-year-old Oliver Bernabe Vasquez Ordonez, tragically lost his life. But amid the chaos, a Good Samaritan says he was simply in the right place at the right time.
Good Samaritan helps rescue teens caught in deadly rip current

1 week ago | ktvz.com | Vannia Joseph

By Vannia JosephClick here for updates on this story PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida (WPTV) — A day at the beach turned into a desperate fight for survival after a group of teenagers was swept away by a dangerous rip current off South Palm Beach. One of those teens, 17-year-old Oliver Bernabe Vasquez Ordonez, tragically lost his life. But amid the chaos, a Good Samaritan says he was simply in the right place at the right time.
Good Samaritan helps rescue teens caught in deadly rip current

1 week ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A day at the beach turned into a desperate fight for survival after a group of teenagers was swept away by a dangerous rip current off South Palm Beach. One of those teens, 17-year-old Oliver Vasquez-Perez, tragically lost his life. But amid the chaos, a Good Samaritan says he was simply in the right place at the right time. Andrew Mannino had originally planned to spend the day with his family at Juno Beach, but due to heavy crowds, they headed south instead.
More 4 Less Wholesale and Retail in Lake Worth Beach is shutting its doors for good

2 weeks ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — Another longtime business in Lake Worth Beach is shutting its doors for good. More 4 Less Wholesale and Retail, a small clothing store known for its affordable cultural fashion, will close by the end of June. The store has been part of the community for the past eight years, but the co-owner says a challenging economy and changing consumer habits made it increasingly difficult to keep up.
Restoration of iconic Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth Beach gaining momentum

2 weeks ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — For more than 15 years, the historic Gulfstream Hotel has sat vacant—its once-grand halls silent, its future uncertain. But after years of delays, legal battles, and development hurdles, the iconic property is finally showing signs of life. Construction is now underway at the nearly century-old hotel, and General Manager Lawrence Cassenti said big changes are on the horizon.
'We're going to lose millions': 2 Florida bills could eliminate CRAs statewide

2 weeks ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — Local leaders in Lake Worth Beach are sounding the alarm over two bills moving through the Florida Legislature that could terminate Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) statewide. Senate Bill 1242 and House Bill 991 propose a sweeping end to CRAs, which have long been used to fund projects aimed at revitalizing economically distressed areas.
Lake Worth Community High School's food program in need of partnerships, volunteers

3 weeks ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of students at Lake Worth Community High School rely on their school's food pantry to get through the day, but that resource is quickly running out. With 100% of students classified as economically disadvantaged, a critical food program is now at risk as key partnerships dissolve. "There was a time that this room was full from wall to wall," said Rebecca Harley, community partnership schools director at Lake Worth Community High School.
Authorities searching for driver after deadly crash in Vero Beach

3 weeks ago | wptv.com | Vannia Joseph

VERO BEACH, Fla. — Investigators in Vero Beach are working to identify the driver involved in a fatal crash that left a woman dead and an entire neighborhood without power. The crash occurred just before 10 p.m. Wednesday night on 43rd Avenue. When officers arrived, they discovered the passenger, 26-year-old Crystina Atkison, dead inside the vehicle. The driver, however, was nowhere to be found.