PORT ST. LUCIE — A 50-year-old man was arrested after reportedly hurling a knife that smashed out a car window following an apparent traffic-related dispute, according to a police report released Monday.

Timothy C. Boudah, of the 1400 block of Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard, faces aggravated battery and throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle charges following the Sunday night incidents.
(more…)

JENSEN BEACH — The downtown Jensen Beach bar scene has been a little quieter than usual lately.

A rule limiting noise at entertainment venues passed last month to give Martin County residents some peace and quiet. But it’s also giving a financial migraine to live music bars, specifically ones with outdoor entertainment such as Crawdaddy’s and JB Pip’s Tiki Bar and Grill in Jensen Beach.

“We just had our 10-year anniversary, and this is by far the biggest blow we’ve had,” Crawdaddy’s owner Mark Kren said. “It’s like a stake in my heart.”
(more…)

Beth Mazzouccolo, a widow with two children and her 86-year-old mother living at home, is concerned about landing a new job and being able to pay for health care.

But she’s hopeful that President Obama’s $75 billion housing plan will allow her to reduce her monthly mortgage payments.

With her unemployment benefits soon to run out, Mazzouccolo’s income tax refund has allowed her to catch up on her $1,600-a-month mortgage on the Fisherman’s Cove duplex in Stuart that is now worth nearly $40,000 less than the $195,000 she bought it for two years ago. (more…)

STUART — The party hearty crowd at local bars is going to have to tone down the sound as a result of stricter new noise rules set to go into effect this weekend.

The Martin County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to ban noise from traveling more than 150 feet beyond an entertainment venue’s property line during the day and evening.

The new rules will ban noise from crossing an entertainment venue’s property line between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (more…)

STUART — For the kids at the East 10th Street Recreation Center, shooting hoops or playing football for the Stuart Hornets is all a part of growing up.

Taking a few swings with the bat or playing soft toss on the diamond is not, a reflection of baseball’s diminished grasp in some areas of the country especially those populated by black youth. (more…)

MARTIN COUNTY — For Gary Guertin, the almost 68 miles of ocean that separate Stuart from Grand Bahama is not a divide, it’s a bridge.

And it’s an opportunity to capitalize on Stuart’s waterfront resources and promote the two destinations.

The general manager of the Harborage Yacht Club & Marina in Stuart has formed partnerships with marinas and resorts in the Bahamas in the hopes of attracting customers to Stuart as they travel out to sea. Others said partnerships with the Bahamas could be helpful if they brought business, although they were wary of the costs. (more…)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Vacation packages and sporting events between St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama Island could be available as soon as spring 2009.

Representatives from Grand Bahama Island signed a non-binding agreement with the county to formalize a partnership, which, at this point doesn’t include any obligations for either government.

In an effort to boost tourism to both locations, officials want to offer vacation packages between the two locations. (more…)