STUART — To prevent another tragedy, like the Aug. 4 crash that killed three teenagers in Stuart, it’ll take prevention, awareness and parent involvement.

That’s what officials with Project Northland, a substance abuse prevention organization aimed at Martin County middle school students, believe could make the difference.

On Thursday, Project Northland’s parent action committee held its first meeting of the school year with about a half dozen parents. The group’s mission is to reduce underage drinking and other risky behaviors among local teens through community involvement and awareness. Thursday’s meeting was planned before the fatal crash that killed three teens. (more…)

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Theresa Caputo of Stuart, in black, hugs another woman Wednesday at the scene of a memorial that was built along Cove Road near Stuart. Caputo, a mother of three, said her children all knew and grew up with those killed. (DEBORAH SILVER/Treasure Coast Newspapers)

A few teenagers in board shorts and T-shirts lifted their sunglasses just long enough to wipe away their tears and hug one another in the grass along Cove Road Wednesday afternoon as they stood above a swelling memorial site.

Amid her tears, a mother bent down, reached through the letters, flowers and mementos and clutched a golf ball in her hand.

Angela Coady said she knew one of her son Nick’s friends had put it there intending for it to stay, but when she saw it she decided she had to take it with her.

“The last time I saw him he was going to play golf. He was happy as a lark,” she said. “The next time I saw him, he was dead.”

Nick Coady, 18, and his friends — Christopher Harold Briglio, 18, and Connor William Graver, 16, — were all killed early Tuesday when the Jeep Grand Cherokee that Coady was driving slammed into the back of a John Deere truck and overturned.

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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two of the youngest people to dial 911 this month were given a citizens award by Sheriff Deryl Loar for composure under pressure.

Amanda Reynolds, 8, and her brother Zachary, 7, of Indialantic were visiting their grandmother, Beverly Ferguson, of Vero Beach on July 1 when the 71-year-old was struck by a dizzy spell, she said. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — An investigation stemming from an earlier racketeering case landed a pair from Palm Beach County, including a scrubs-wearing health department nurse and a Loxahatchee man, behind bars last week, according to police and recently released arrest affidavits.

The Friday apprehension of Robert Allen Cline, 46, and Nicole M. Ruby, identified as a licensed practical nurse, stemmed from a probe that brought the arrests last month on racketeering charges of Kayla “Lady K” Resseque, 21; Thomas “Red” Cravatt, 44; and 53-year-old Donald J. Mack, also known as “Macaroni,” “Mack,” “Peewee” and “Roni.” (more…)

STUART — More than a century ago, shipwrecked sailors who washed up on the Treasure Coast immediately looked for mile markers nailed to trees and posts to direct them to safety.

These markers were designed to be easily understood by men from every country and education level. Over time they were lost to history, but replicas are currently on display at the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar. (more…)

The United Way of Martin County Board of Directors approved its annual funding to local agency programs, distributing more than $1.5 million raised during the 2008-09 campaign.

Funding is focused on priority areas addressing the community’s needs such as helping children and youth achieve their potential, providing stability and independence for families and individuals in crisis and increasing access to health care services.

About 70 volunteers on citizen review panels examined applications for United Way support and chose who would received money, United Way Executive Director Jim Vojcsik said.

The 2008-09 United Way of Martin County campaign raised almost $2.1 million. Of the remaining total, $100,000 is set aside for unfulfilled pledges. About 16 percent is used by United Way of Martin County for fund-raising and administrative expenses. The balance will support community research, planning and initiatives such as the Earned Income Tax Credit program and the Shared Services Network mobilization to reduce youth substance abuse. (more…)

FORT PIERCE — A Georgia man accused of walking naked along a beach about 100 yards from two children and their parents faces an exposure charge, according to a recently released arrest affidavit.

Kevin Francis Gallagher, 61, reportedly was spotted Tuesday afternoon by a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy in a patrol boat. He also had a gun in a bag.

The deputy sighted Gallagher, of Snellville, Ga., about 100 yards north of where two children and their parents were swimming. The incident occurred in the 5500 block of South Ocean Drive.

“There was also a couple that told me they were walking down the beach towards the suspect and had to turn around and walk the opposite direction because the suspect was standing at the water edge,” the affidavit states.

Arrested on a misdemeanor charge of exposure of sexual organs, Gallagher was handcuffed and a gun was found in his carry bag.

The affidavit does not specify why Gallagher, listed as unemployed, was walking naked.

By Will Greenlee, TCPalm.com

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — School transportation officials saved almost $3 million last year by consolidating bus routes and changing school bell times.

Marty Sanders, executive director of growth management for the district, told board members Tuesday night the district hopes to continue saving money by trimming bus routes and eliminating additional buses.

During the 2008-2009 school year, about $2.77 million was reduced from the transportation budget over the previous school year, Sanders said.
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More Treasure Coast students soon will be able to ditch classes at bricks-and-mortar schools.

Instead, they’ll head to class without leaving the house.

Starting with the new school year in August, all Florida school districts are required to offer virtual schools because of a 2008 law created to give parents more choice over how their children are educated. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — A lock on the door was the only notice Jessica Rufo got that Hayes World Day Care & Learning Center had closed.

Rufo, a St. Lucie County School District employee, is keeping her 3-year-old daughter at home for the summer, but had left Hayes World about $500 to hold a spot for Elizabeth in the fall. Driving by the Darwin Boulevard center this weekend, Rufo noticed locks on the door.

A message on Hayes World’s phone service said the day-care center is “temporarily closed,” but offered no other information.
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