VIERA — For five years, the Palm Bay couple considered Gary Sebastian, the father of their 14-year-old daughter’s best friend, a close acquaintance, trusted to protect their child during the girls’ weekend sleepovers or to hang out at their home during get-togethers.

So, they were stunned when they discovered last summer that 41-year-old Sebastian had been sending their daughter inappropriate text messages, mailed her a package filled with sex-related items and provided her with alcohol on at least one occasion.

And they weren’t satisfied Wednesday when a judge sentenced the former Palm Bay firefighter to three and a half years in prison and five years of sex offender probation. (more…)

Services for a Martin County firefighter-paramedic who was killed early Sunday when his motorcycle and a car collided west of Boynton Beach will be held Thursday, according to Martin County Fire Rescue.

James Reeder, 42, of Stuart worked for Martin County Fire Rescue since 2000 and was promoted to firefighter paramedic in 2002.

During his career, he worked on the Technical Extrication Rescue Team (TERT) and water Rescue Team / Dive Team. (more…)

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 — Hoping to save $300,000 in overtime costs this year, the Martin County Commission decided Tuesday to hire nine new fire rescue workers.

County Administrator Duncan Ballantyne said he asked the commission to approve the new workers because they will be needed even if the county takes over the city of Stuart Fire Rescue Department.

A financial analysis showed it would be cheaper for the county to hire the new fire rescue workers than to pay overtime to fully staff ambulances and fire trucks, Ballantyne said. (more…)