STUART — A group of residents suing Martin County because they contend the extension of airport runways at Witham Field has damaged their property values will have to wait until December to find out how the trial will be handled.

Attorneys for the group have filed motions asking they be allowed to file a class-action suit, a request opposed by Martin County, which operates Witham Field. (more…)

Accused of selling hurricane-damaged vehicles without telling customers, the owners of a former Chevy dealership in Stuart have inked a settlement with the state attorney general’s office.

Attorney General Bill McCollum announced last week that the onetime owners of John Jochem Chevrolet Inc. will pay $46,000 in restitution to about 48 customers. Other affected buyers have until mid-July to claim a portion of the money.

McCollum’s office started investigating the company in March 2006, after receiving a complaint from a customer who bought a car without knowing it was damaged during Hurricane Wilma. (more…)