PALM CITY _ The Martin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating a shooting that took place this morning outside of an apartment complex in Palm City.

Detectives responded to the shooting at 2:30 a.m. at 3459 Southwest Cornell Avenue, sheriff’s office news release said. Port St. Lucie resident Davon Campbell, 18, was taken to Martin Memorial Medical Center to be treated for a gunshot wound to his right leg. Detectives believe Campbell, a passenger in a truck occupied by three others, was shot in the leg after an altercation at the apartment complex, the release stated. No other injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Sal Rastrelli at (772) 220-7060, or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477.

PALM CITY _ A Palm City lighting company is lending its help to the Haiti relief efforts. Sol, Inc. will be providing solar lighting systems to help aid workers operate past dusk, a company news release stated.

The company is working with Florida Congressman Tom Rooney’s Stuart office, several relief agencies and government agencies to transport solar lights to Haiti. Missionary Flights International, based in Fort Pierce, has agreed to fly some of the solar lighting systems and Sol, Inc. volunteers.

“We know that once our solar lighting systems are installed, we will effectively double the amount of available relief effort time by allowing aid workers and rescuers to work around the clock when previously operations had to cease at dusk,” Rick Schuett, CEO of Sol, Inc. said in a statement.

The total donation is expected to exceed $400,000 with assistance from suppliers and a solar light matching program, the release stated.

MARTIN COUNTY — Three men were taken into custody after the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said it discovered a marijuana grow house in the 6800 block of Southwest Gaines Avenue Monday.

Carlos Don Bailey, 37, of the 4900 block of Bimini Circle, Palm City; Donald Sidney Dugan, 46, of the 1500 block of Southwest Ifflo Avenue, Port St. Lucie, and John Charles Costello, 37, of Palm Bay were charged with cultivation and trafficking of cannabis. Costello and Dugan were being held in lieu of $210,000 bail, and Bailey was being held in lieu of $105,000 bail.

Deputies said they found 123 marijuana plants in the home. They continue to investigate the operation, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Lamaur Stancil

Sol, Inc., a Palm City-based manufacturer of outdoor solar lighting, has appointed a new business development manager for its international operations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Andy Chaguaceda, who will be based in Miami, has 30 years of electrical sales experience and has worked in Central America, the Caribbean and South Florida.

Sol, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets commercial and industrial-grade solar powered and energy efficient lighting systems. They have installed more than 38,000 systems worldwide.

PALM CITY — Retired attorney, Pauley Kellum was a Marine First Sergeant during World War II. He spent 15 months in the hospital after being severely wounded during the liberation of Guam and was then discharged with little ceremony.

“I took the GI Bill college aid and became a lawyer,” the 89-year-old Palm City resident said. “I thought that was it.” (more…)

STUART — A Palm City man, who was driving without a license when he was involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2000, was arrested Saturday morning for driving on a suspended license.

Charles E. McComas, 24, was stopped on the west side of the Palm City Bridge about 10 a.m. Saturday, after a Martin County deputy’s radar registered his vehicle travelling at 54 mph in a 35 mph zone. (more…)

STUART — A Stuart woman was killed Thursday night as she was attempting to cross the southbound lanes of U.S. 1 in the 1700 block of Northwest Federal Highway.

Stuart police report Martha Clearwater, 42, was airlifted to Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce with severe injuries following the 7:15 p.m. accident and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
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PALM CITY — A 64-year-old motorcyclist died after a Toyota Tundra collided with his bike Thursday on Martin Downs Boulevard near the Florida’s Turnpike entrance, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Thomas M. Niebauer, of Palm City, was driving a 2005 Suzuki east on County Road 714 about 6:15 p.m. as Theresa M. Finnegan, 47, of Port St. Lucie, drove a 2008 Toyota Tundra west. (more…)

A minor league pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles farm system was charged with driving while under the influence Sunday night, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
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PALM CITY — The Palm Cove Golf Club is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest for vandalism to its golf course.

The club has been vandalized before but never like this, said Jay Pacholczak, Palm Cove Golf Club greens superintendent, who added a $2,500 reward is being offered. (more…)