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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STUART — A Martin County grand jury on Wednesday returned first-degree murder and robbery indictments against two Stuart residents accused in the April 5 beating death of Keith A. Hall, who died three days after being attacked.

Charged are James Louis LaForteza, 29, and Kobi Anderson, 15, who authorities say beat Hall into unconsciousness to steal $40 he’d shown the man and teen in an attempt to buy drugs. (more…)

It’s common to see Treasure Coast teens and preteens using cell phones for sending text messages and photos.

But it’s also becoming common for teens nationwide to send other things via their phones or computer Web cameras, including explicit and sexual photographs that have given the phenomenon a new name — sexting.

“It’s been going on for several years here. We just didn’t call it this,” said Detective Brian Broughton of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. “Now it has a little buzz word, but basically we’re referring to the same thing — when children would take nude pictures of themselves and send it to other children.”
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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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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…)

PALM CITY — A throng of people in the former fire station on Southwest Martin Downs Boulevard Thursday evening celebrated the opening of the new home of the Palm City branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County with food, dance and exploration of the building’s colorful rooms.

The facility replaces rooms leased from Immanuel Lutheran Church as the Palm City Boys & Girls Club’s base of operations, and club members said they are happy with the large, bright facility.

The building, leased from the county, is impressive compared to the second-floor space the club used in the church, said 9-year-old Kylie Bass, who started attending the club with her sister after school last year.

“It’s so big, and the other one’s so small,” she said.

The new building at 1150 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd. comes with a gymnasium and basketball court, computer room filled with new flat-screen monitors, kitchen, teen leadership room and more. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — By the time 16-year-old Ryan Rust of Port St. Lucie turns 30, he wants to accomplish his dream — to win a NASCAR championship.

But in the meantime, he’ll be working alongside more than 50,000 others worldwide, meeting the needs of American military personnel serving overseas. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 19-year-old bicyclist sustained critical injuries Monday night after being struck by a dark-colored vehicle that fled the scene, police said Tuesday.
John J. Mejias, of the 2700 block of Northwest Hatches Harbor Road, was pedaling north on Floresta Drive south of Thornhill Drive about 8:20 p.m. when a vehicle hit him from behind, Officer Alex Gaufillet said, standing at the scene.
Mejias, who was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, ended up about 130 feet from where he was struck. (more…)

By MICHAEL LaFORGIA

FORT PIERCE — A 13-year-old boy was shot in the belly and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg Saturday night near 25th Street and Avenue I, police said.

The 13-year-old was flown by helicopter to a trauma center - police didn’t specify which - after Fort Pierce police found him bleeding at 2505 Avenue I about 11 p.m., according to a statement circulated this morning.

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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — One of two teenagers killed when the car they were in crashed into a canal will be buried today, while family members will bury the other on Jan. 31.
Authorities Monday found Justin Michael Clark-Moore, 19, of Port St. Lucie, in the back seat of a 1983 Toyota Corolla that had plunged into Belcher Canal. His funeral is scheduled for today.
On Tuesday, the body of 17-year-old Steven Donovan of Fort Pierce was found in the canal. Donovan’s older sister, Christine Walton, 23, Steven’s guardian, said she had been hanging out with the boys and having dinner early Sunday evening before everyone in the home went to bed. But, Steven left the home sometime Sunday.
“This was out of character for him,” Walton said. “He was a wonderful kid.”
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