STUART — A Martin County jury tomorrow will likely begin deliberating the case of former Jensen Beach pastor Rodney McGill and his wife, Shalonda McGill, accused of orchestrating a real estate scheme that ended in more than $1 million in foreclosed property from three unwitting investors.
After a week on the other side of the witness stand, the former pastor and real estate investment pitchman took the stand in his own defense Monday, telling a jury that unscrupulous mortgage brokers were the ones to blame for an alleged mortgage scheme that ruined the credit of the women he and Shalonda helped invest in local properties. (more…)

VERO BEACH — Schoolmates of one of two teenagers accused of making bomb threats to Vero Beach High School have been writing letters of support for the accused.

Taren Lee Stage, 17, of the 1100 block of 39th Avenue Southwest was arrested in late April on charges of making six false bomb reports to the high school. The threats repeatedly forced evacuation of hundreds of students and staff during school hours from March to April.

The investigation is continuing.
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MARTIN COUNTY — Residents of Stuart West and Cobblestone decided Tuesday night to pursue an injunction against the creation of a new Interstate 95 weigh station they feel will inconvenience, irritate and endanger their communities.

Employees with the state Department of Transportation were bombarded with questions and concerns about their plan to place a truck weigh station on south I-95, close to the Palm City exit and across the highway from Stuart West, Cobblestone and The Fox Club Golf Club. (more…)

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…)

JENSEN BEACH — Mystery writer Hallie Ephron is scheduled to visit Jensen Beach High School Friday to teach students about how to be a successful suspense writer.

Ephron will hold a workshop for the school’s creative writing students. She also will be speaking with English classes in which the students are reading her new novel, Never Tell A Lie.