Martin County firefighter paramedic James Reeder, right, helps move a Murray Middle School student in February 2008 after a pickup hit the rear of a school bus.

A Martin County firefighter-paramedic was killed early this morning when his motorcycle and a car collided at the intersection of Old Boynton Road and Military Trail west of Boynton Beach.

James Reeder, 42, of Stuart was driving north on Military Trail at 6:30 a.m. when Jeffrey Havens, of Margate, was attempting to make a right turn onto Military Trail from Old Boynton Road.

Reeder was wearing a motorcycle helmet. He was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he died. Havens suffered minor injuries.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies ask anyone with information about the accident to call (561) 688-3688.

Two firefighters arrested Tuesday on charges of growing marijuana for sale are no longer employed by the St. Lucie County Fire District.

One resigned and one was fired, according to Catherine Chaney, district spokeswoman.

Firefighter and emergency medical technician Herman Michael Gonzalez, 36, of Palm City had posted a $105,000 bond after his arrest for operating the third largest grow house to be raided in Martin County in the past 10 years. It was in a rental warehouse in the Tropical Farms area of unincorporated Martin County.

To see video inside the grow house, click here

Edward J. Nobles II, 37, of Fort Pierce, a firefighter-engineer, was arrested based on information obtained after Gonzalez’s arrest. He was found to being growing marijuana at his home. He posted $10,000 bond and was released by the St. Lucie County Jail. Investigators did not say how or if the two men are connected.

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STUART — Two Martin County Fire Rescue members were suspended without pay for two shifts, required to take sensitivity training and received disciplinary letters, for using the “N” word in an e-mail that was part of the preparations for a party, Fire Rescue Chief Thomas Billington said Monday.

“Both men have apologized profusely,” Billington said. “They had no intent to demean anyone, but it was sent over the county e-mail system and we can’t allow that.” (more…)

STUART — A Martin County firefighter accused of causing the July 2005 death of a colleague while boating drunk pleaded no contest to a felony charge of boating under the influence Thursday, less than a week before his manslaughter case was scheduled for trial.

Firefighter-paramedic Walter Rothe could have faced 15 years in prison had a jury convicted him of manslaughter by boating under the influence in the death of Battalion Chief Charles “Chip” O’Hara.
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