JENSEN BEACH — More than 300 lacrosse supporters, some waving sticks and some wearing jerseys, attended Tuesday’s Martin County School Board meeting to ask the School Board to consider adding lacrosse into the school district.

Even though a rule change, which would broaden the number of sports that could become athletic clubs in the county’s high school including lacrosse, was removed from the agenda that didn’t stop hundreds of lacrosse supporters from coming out to the meeting at Jensen Beach High.

“Let these kids play. Let them play lacrosse in the county high schools,” said Chris Anderson, president of the Martin County Pioneer Lacrosse youth league.
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VERO BEACH — Indian River County Administrator Joe Baird refused to take a Breathalyzer test but failed most of the sobriety exercises he performed Saturday when he was charged with driving under the influence, according to an arrest affidavit released Monday.

While Baird faces some legal consequences for the charge, county officials said the matter wouldn’t have professional ramifications.
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STUART — To contend with the ongoing budgetary uncertainties facing local governments, Stuart City commissioners Monday unanimously approved an early retirement incentive package for city workers.

In addition to regular retirement benefits, city employees who would be eligible for retirement by Sept. 30 can opt to receive 36 months of paid insurance at their current coverage and premium level or a lump-sum, before-tax payout of $20,000, said Stuart City Manager Dan Hudson.
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The Wellington investor who bought Port St. Lucie’s upscale Tesoro development out of bankruptcy has grand visions for the community — and they don’t center on golf.

Glenn Straub, a polo magnate in Palm Beach County, hopes to bring a giant equestrian complex to Tesoro at the southern edge of St. Lucie County.

He wants to build barns, show rings, training rings — and everything else needed for the high-end horse crowd.

“It will be a satellite to Wellington, and we’ll have shows once a week,” said Straub, who owns Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club in Wellington.

To accommodate the Port St. Lucie complex, he’s in talks to buy more property just east of Tesoro, which sits north of Becker Road. He hasn’t decided how many acres, he said.

The goal is to have the equestrian digs up and running in time for season next year. (more…)

PALM CITY — A throng of people in the former fire station on Southwest Martin Downs Boulevard Thursday evening celebrated the opening of the new home of the Palm City branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County with food, dance and exploration of the building’s colorful rooms.

The facility replaces rooms leased from Immanuel Lutheran Church as the Palm City Boys & Girls Club’s base of operations, and club members said they are happy with the large, bright facility.

The building, leased from the county, is impressive compared to the second-floor space the club used in the church, said 9-year-old Kylie Bass, who started attending the club with her sister after school last year.

“It’s so big, and the other one’s so small,” she said.

The new building at 1150 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd. comes with a gymnasium and basketball court, computer room filled with new flat-screen monitors, kitchen, teen leadership room and more. (more…)