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.
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A young man was found shot to death face down on the sidewalk leading to his Stuart apartment overnight.

Stuart police report they were called at about 12:03 a.m. to 931 Nassau Ave. for reports of shots fired in the area. They found 24-year-old Jerome Hutchinson sprawled on the sidewalk with a gunshot to the chest. He died there, police report.

Witnesses said they heard three gun shots and saw three or four men run from the scene. Those witnesses said they men then jumped into a silver Ford Escort with tinted windows and “some type of black stripe designs down the sides of the car” and sped away, police reported.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Mike Gerwan at 772-220-3918 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.

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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TALLAHASSEE — The long-sought Indian Street Bridge, along with 16 other transportation projects expected to bring money and jobs to the Treasure Coast, got the green light from the state Joint Legislative Budget Commission Wednesday.

The 14-member commission comprised of Senate and House members agreed, without debate, to accept $3.8 billion in federal dollars that will pay for a cornucopia of projects targeting transportation, health and education.

Backers say the package will help the state recover from the worst recession in decades.
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Significant traffic tie-ups could again affect motorists today on U.S. 1 as paving continues between Rio Mar Drive and Midway Road.

Tie-ups were expected to be worse for southbound traffic as the highway in some areas is down to one lane. Shortly before 8 a.m., southbound traffic was backed up about two blocks at Midway Road. There were two lanes open northbound and traffic was moving along fine at that time.

Florida Department of Transportation officials had said U.S. 1 between Rio Mar Drive and Midway Road would have a lane closed in one direction at a time for final paving through 7 p.m. today. This work, which was expected cause traffic delays, can be done only during daylight hours because overnight temperatures are too low for this type of asphalt work, officials said.

Other work in this 3-mile-long construction zone requires overnight lane closures in each direction from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work is part of the widening of U.S. 1 from four to six lanes. Other improvements include new streetlights and traffic signals, landscaping, 6-foot-wide sidewalks and 4-foot-wide bike lanes. The $27.3 million project began in May 2006 and is scheduled to be completed March 9.
TCPalm Staff

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Motorists and business owners hoping the New Year would bring the end of cones and construction on U.S. 1 between Rio Mar Drive and Midway Road might have to wait another month or two.

Unforeseen concrete underneath the road that needs to be removed pushed the $25.9 million project’s finish date back. By the end of February, the state has committed to getting the project to a point where all work won’t be noticed by drivers passing by, said Barbara Kelleher, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation District 4.

Work on retention ponds and other off-site work could still take place after February, but the work will not affect the road itself, so drivers won’t notice it. (more…)

Telephone utility work in Martin County will temporarily close a few lanes and sidewalks along some Palm City roads in the next several weeks.

From Wednesday through Dec. 26, Southwest Fifth Terrace and Southwest Dyer Point Road will experience intermittent lane and sidewalk closures.

From Dec. 22 through Jan. 12, Southwest Mapp Road at Southwest Dyer Point Road will experience intermittent lane and sidewalk closures.

From Dec. 22 through Jan. 12, Southwest Mapp Road at Southwest Murphy Road and Southwest Matheson Avenue will experience intermittent lane and sidewalk closures.

Lane closures will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use caution through these areas.