STUART — A constitutional challenge is prompting the Martin County commissioners to rethink a strict noise ordinance they enacted in February to crack down on loud music at bars and other businesses.

Deanna Kernan, the owner of the Martin Downs Sports Resort in Palm City, and Susan Masterson, the resort’s manager, have asked a county judge to declare the noise ordinance unconstitutional because it is “overbroad.”

Kernan, 42, of Palm City, and Masterson, 39, of Stuart, also have asked Judge Stewart Hershey to dismiss the misdemeanor charge they violated the county’s noise ordinance because music from the resort could be heard more than 150 feet away. (more…)

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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MARTIN COUNTY — New York Mets baseball player Angel Pagan has been arrested for traffic violations, according to Florida Highway Patrol arrest report.

On Thursday troopers stopped Pagan, 27, for speeding on Interstate 95 when during a license check deputies learned he was driving on a suspended license and had several warrants, the report states.

The report did not say how fast Pagan was traveling.

Pagan had a valid Arizona’s license but also has a suspended Florida license for not paying a traffic fine on June 15, 2005 in St. Lucie County, the report states. Pagan was on the disabled list following surgery to have a bone spur removed from right elbow. He is recovering from elbow surgery at the Mets facility in Port St. Lucie.

Also, he had a failure to appear traffic summons on Oct. 22 in Martin County and a Martin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license is suspended, the report states.

By Keona Gardner, TCPalm.com

Before you turn on that sprinkler, check the time, check the date and check over your shoulder.

The water management districts covering the Treasure Coast are revving up efforts to catch illegal lawn waterers.

But they’re going at it in different ways:

The South Florida Water Management District, which includes Martin and St. Lucie counties, is relying on local governments for enforcement. The St. Johns River Water Management District, which includes Indian River County, plans to hire private contractors.

At a workshop Thursday, officials with the South Florida district, gave a pep talk to local law enforcement officials charged with enforcing watering restrictions. Representatives from the Stuart and Port St. Lucie Police departments, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Jupiter Island Public Safety Office attended. (more…)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

VERO BEACH — Two students have been charged with making multiple bomb threats to Vero Beach High School, authorities said.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Thursday charged Taren Lee Stage, 17, with six counts of making a false bomb threat. Deputies pulled Stage out of a class about 10:30 a.m. Thursday and took him to the Sheriff’s Office. The charges are second-degree felonies, which Stage will face as an adult, Sheriff Deryl Loar said.

Early Thursday evening, the Sheriff’s Office also charged Brittany Ann Walker, 18, of the 300 block of 21st Avenue, with one count of making a false bomb threat, according to Walker’s arrest affidavit.

Deputies also have identified a “person of interest” in connection with the bomb threats, according to Walker’s arrest affidavit, but that person was not named. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Jeff Luther declined to release further information, saying the case still is under investigation.

Stage, whose affidavit was not released, implicated Walker when deputies questioned him, according to Walker’s arrest affidavit.

While in custody, Walker told Stage she received a text message that he had been arrested and she knew she “was next,” the affidavit states.

Six bomb threats were called into VBHS since March 3 — four in the last week. One bomb threat was called into Sebastian River High School on March 3. According to the affidavit, in some of the calls, Stage gave the phone to Walker to dial the school and then she’d hand the phone off to the “person of interest.”

The students used three different phones and blocked the phone numbers from appearing on the school’s caller ID system, officials said.

Luther said deputies took their time to make sure they had those responsible for making the calls. (more…)

VERO BEACH — Absenteeism has doubled at Vero Beach High School in the last week with bomb threats starting off four school days.

And for many students who did show up for school this week, the decision came after a serious conversation at home.

“My daughter tried not to go Monday because of the Columbine anniversary,” parent Darby Dickerson said. “But I told her you can’t let two dead folks from 10 years ago stop you.”
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JENSEN BEACH — The downtown Jensen Beach bar scene has been a little quieter than usual lately.

A rule limiting noise at entertainment venues passed last month to give Martin County residents some peace and quiet. But it’s also giving a financial migraine to live music bars, specifically ones with outdoor entertainment such as Crawdaddy’s and JB Pip’s Tiki Bar and Grill in Jensen Beach.

“We just had our 10-year anniversary, and this is by far the biggest blow we’ve had,” Crawdaddy’s owner Mark Kren said. “It’s like a stake in my heart.”
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PORT ST. LUCIE — Local business operators can breathe easy about potentially paying hundreds in fines for violating the city’s window signage code.

About a dozen local business owners and managers came to the City Council’s Monday night meeting to discuss their signage issues. Code enforcement officers did a random sweep across the city last month, and the majority of businesses in the Westport shopping plaza received window signage code violation warnings.

“We all know what the economy is doing to the local businesses,” said Mayor Patricia Christensen. “We want to try and help. We’re not here to hurt.”
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