FORT PIERCE — The Treasure Coast Opera Society will not perform for the 2009-2010 season. Finances are to blame.

“The New York State Opera closed. The Baltimore Opera closed. The Orlando Opera has closed,” said TCOS co-founder Anne Abood. “Everyone is skating on thin ice.”
(more…)

STUART — Described as a loving father and caring person, Jerome Hutchinson was found early Monday morning face down on the sidewalk leading to his East Stuart residence.

The 24-year-old man had been shot in the chest, the second to die in an exceptionally violent weekend in Stuart. The first was Michael Morrison, 43, found early Saturday morning on his back next to his Jeep at The Crossings at Indian Run Apartments less than four miles away.

Morrison also had been shot in the chest, but police haven’t found a nexus between the two killings, police spokesman Sgt. Marty Jacobson said Monday.
(more…)

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…)

An initiative to help Spanish-speaking parents get more involved in their children’s education took off Thursday at the Cassidy Community Center in Golden Gate

“Bienvenidos a los padres de los estudiantes de Martin County High School” (Welcome, parents of Martin County High School students) read a sign at the meeting, which was conducted entirely in Spanish as part of the school’s ongoing outreach program to Spanish-speaking families.

Martin County High School Spanish teacher Heldie Moore said she hopes the program will inspire Hispanic students at her school to achieve greater academic success. Since many Hispanic parents in the area don’t speak English, they are often reluctant to come to their children’s schools – but parental involvement is key, Moore said. (more…)

Note to teens facing a potential prison term: don’t use your MySpace page to post photos of police officers and wish “AIDS and genocide to all law enforcement.”

That’s what Stuart resident Jesse Alan Walker, 19, did while awaiting a June trial in which a jury convicted him of robbery with a firearm related to a 2008 home invasion armed robbery. At trial, he was accused of planning the robbery with two then-20-year-old co-defendants, who once played football for Jensen Beach High School.

“I hate the (expletive) police,” Walker posted on MySpace last December, along with photos of Stuart Police officers and derogatory comments.
(more…)

FORT PIERCE — Resident Linda Salisbury fought for years to get city hall to begin televising public meetings so she could watch her elected officials in action from the comfort of her home.

In July 2006, Salisbury got her wish.

But with the city facing a $3.6 million deficit in the budget next year, Mayor Bob Benton said he’s going to suggest at an Aug. 4 budget workshop that the city do away with televising live meetings to cut costs.

The city budgets $150,000 to televise meetings and bills the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority a portion for meetings, Finance Director Gloria Johnson said. (more…)

STUART — Elise Schifano adopted 3-year-old Rudy in January and says the miniature collie has been part of the family ever since.

Sixteen days ago, though, when Schifano was taking Rudy to the vet, she opened the car door and he made his get-away.

He has been missing ever since.
(more…)

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The attorney for County Administrator Joe Baird says the police traffic stop that led to Baird’s arrest on DUI and speeding charges was illegal.

And on Wednesday, attorney Bobby Guttridge plans to ask County Judge David Morgan to throw out the case, according to court documents. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — City property owners will see their taxes go up, and the Port St. Lucie City Council and a workers’ union will see their pay remain the same, all to help the city out of an $11 million deficit.

“The is the worst budget year that I’ve experienced,” Vice Mayor Jack Kelly said.

At the final day of its budget retreat, the council Friday unanimously approved a 26 percent property tax increase, boosting the rate from $4.22 to $5.34 per $1,000 of taxable value. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — Which would you prefer?

A 26 percent property tax increase, cutting 117 city jobs, having 16 fewer police officers, closing the city Parks and Recreation Department and its facilities or not tuning into PSL-TV.

Those are the options the City Council plans to discuss Thursday and Friday as the group looks at an $11 million deficit for next year’s budget. (more…)