Keeping Communities Connected and People Informed
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We love all the photos that our community sends us!
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City of Fort Pierce Commission Seek Members for Advisory Committees
Fort Pierce – The City of Fort Pierce Commission is calling on residents, property owners, and business owners to actively engage in shaping the community by serving on one of three important committees: the Parking Committee, the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee, and the Board of Examiners of Contractors. These committees play a vital role in advising the City Commission on critical matters.
Parking Committee
The Parking Committee serves as an advisory body to the City Commission on parking-related issues. Its responsibilities include evaluating current parking resources, studying alternatives, and recommending policies and procedures to enhance public parking in the City of Fort Pierce.
Eligibility: Applicants must be residents, property owners, or business owners within the city.
Meeting Schedule: Second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee
This committee ensures transparency in the use of funds from the Infrastructure Surtax. It reviews funded projects to confirm compliance with voter approval and state law. While the committee operates solely in an oversight capacity and does not determine project priorities, preference includes applicants with backgrounds in engineering, planning, or finance.
Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of the City of Fort Pierce.
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Board of Examiners of Contractors
The City Commission is also seeking state-licensed contractors to serve on the Board of Examiners of Contractors.
Eligibility: Applicants must be St. Lucie County residents for at least two years and hold a state license in one of the following fields:
Architect
Engineer
General, Residential, or Building Contractor
Swimming Pool, Roofing, or Specialty Contractor
Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Air Conditioning Contractor
Meeting Schedule: Second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
Application Details
The deadline to submit applications for all committees is December 23, 2024.
To apply or learn more about these committees, including responsibilities and qualifications, visit the City of Fort Pierce Boards and Committees page or contact the Office of the City Clerk at 772-467-3065.
House of Hope Tournament Serves Up Howling Good Time
Stuart – Creative costumes, spooktacular drinks, and hauntingly fun games made the 2024 Serve Some Hope Tennis & Pickleball Charity Tournament a howling success for House of Hope.
Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles teams in both tennis and pickleball took to the courts for the entire November 1 to 3 weekend. In fast-paced play, 155 participants battled for bragging rights on the Harbour Ridge Lakeside Center courts while raising more than $26,600 in donations.
“The competition was friendly but fierce,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “We’re grateful to the players and to Harbour Ridge for their efforts to raise funds that will go directly into helping our friends and neighbors in need.”
House of Hope reaches more than 26,000 people each month, empowering them to overcome hunger and hardship. Last year alone, House of Hope distributed nearly 1.2 million pounds of food, including more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce; allocated more than $102,600 in financial assistance; supported 30 area nonprofits with food and clothes closet items; and helped 8,000 individuals directly through its basic needs, enrichment, workforce development, financial assistance and nutrition education programs.
Tournament sponsors include Lichtenberger Family Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation Martin - St. Lucie, Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, Treasure Coast Legal, HBKS Wealth Advisors, FPL, Alan B. Miller Medical Center, Brigite & John Babine, Performance Health & Chiropractic Inc., Sue Whittington – Travel Advisor at Jill Venturi & Associates, Diadem Sports, Life Chiropractic Center, Maureen Holley DMD, and South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
“A successful tournament depends on the work of a lot of people. We want to give a special shout-out to everyone at Harbour Ridge for giving us access to their beautiful location,” Ranieri.
A full recap of the winners in both the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles Divisions for Tennis and Pickleball is available on the House of Hope website, hohmartin.org/servehope, and a photo album of the event has been posted on facebook.com/Hohmartin/photos_albums.
“We congratulate all the participants,” Ranieri said, “not only for their skill and determination on the courts but also for giving their tremendous energy to helping the people we serve.”
To learn more about House of Hope or make a donation, visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.
Education Foundation of Martin County Announces Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Port St. Lucie — The Education Foundation of Martin County announced its Teacher of the Year winners during a special celebration at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center on October 25. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School took top honors and was named the 2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will go on to represent Martin County in the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education's Teacher of the Year.
Devin Carlson, partner and general manager of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award.
The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter of Hidden Oaks, who won the middle school category, and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high school category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees competing for the top spots.
In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won the Spirit Award, which was based on its theme, costumes, props and enthusiasm.
Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom teacher. She grew up in low-income housing with non-English speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability. They both attended...Click here for additional photos.
Temporary Closure of Jensen Beach Boat Ramp for Junior Olympic Sailing Festival
Stuart – The Jensen Beach boat ramp, located at 2065 NE Indian River Drive, adjacent to Indian RiverSide Park, will be closed from Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 8, for the Junior Olympic Sailing Festival. The event is hosted by the United States Sailing Center-Martin County. The ramp will close on Friday, December 6 at 5 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, December 8 at 5 p.m.
Boaters are encouraged to use the boat ramp on the Jensen Beach Causeway, located at 2004 NE Causeway Blvd., Jensen Beach. For more information, contact Carlos Morales, Events-Volunteer Coordinator at 772-221-1430.
Find more information about Martin County Parks and Recreation’s facilities, special events, activities, and programs at www.LoveMCparks.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyMCParks.
Martin County Commissioners Vote to Move Forward
for a Brightline Station in Stuart
Stuart - During the Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 a Brightline Stations could be back on track!
Martin County commissioners voted unanimously to begin negotiations to lease and allow for the application to apply for federal grants to build the train station.
The decision was met with a show of support from many in attendance after a two-hour discussion with county Commissioners voting unanimously to build a train station in the downtown Stuart area.
The City of Stuart backed out of a deal with the high-speed rail line and at today's meeting there were some residents who still disapproved of the plan. The county will be on the hook for up to $15 million on construction costs, with the rest of the estimated $60 million total being covered by federal and state grants. The county would own the land while Brightline leases it.
If the county can't obtain grant money before June of 2027, the company can walk away from the deal. Some residents are concerned that taxpayers would be on the hook for the whole thing. Today's vote was 5-0 in favor of the proposal.
Lynora’s Family is Thrilled to Bring Their Favorite Award-Winning Recipes to Palm City this December
Palm City - Rooted in family traditions and paired with sexy vibes, the next generation of Lynora’s restaurants is bringing sultriness to Palm City. The newest location for the award-winning Italian restaurant known for authentic flavors and family-run traditions will open this December at 3215 SW Mapp Rd, Palm City. This marks the sixth Lynora’s restaurant and the first in Martin County, a milestone in the expansion of this beloved South Florida institution.
With significant growth over the past few years, Lynora’s brings time honored traditions with a fresh twist to diners from Boca Raton to Jupiter. Each Lynora’s location continues the family legacy by featuring dishes created from recipes passed down from generation to generation such as the house-made meatballs, rigatoni alla vodka, mussels in crusta, and the variety of traditional Neapolitan woodfired pizzas.
The decision to expand into Palm City was a natural one, as the community aligns perfectly with the Lynora’s vision. There is a true sense of community, which is important for the family, with members each playing a key role in the day-to-day operations.
“Our journey began in 1976 when my parents, Raffaele and Maria Abbenante, immigrated from Ponza, a small Italian island where my mother spent her childhood cooking alongside her mother, Clementina, and her grandmother, Lynora,” shared Angelo Abbenante, who grew up in the Lake Worth restaurant. “Armed with our family’s recipes, my mother introduced South Florida to the authentic flavors of Italy by selling pizza by the slice in her new hometown of Lake Worth.”
Since that fateful year when Lynora’s was first opened, there have been new locations and an array of awards, including those for the best Italian restaurant, the best pizza and the best happy hour in Palm Beach County for many years.
In this new location, diners can expect vibrant murals, over 140 seats both indoors and on the expansive terrace, and a few BIG surprises that will be unveiled after opening. The award-winning happy hour will be offered daily from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. (until 7:00 pm at the bar), offering half-off all libations. In addition to its celebrated menu, the new location will offer catering and private dining options, making it ideal for any occasion, from family gatherings to intimate corporate events. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a piece of Lynora’s home with them by purchasing the restaurant’s homemade pasta sauces, currently available at Publix, Whole Foods, and online at shoplynoras.com.
"We invite the Palm City community to experience the full flavors of Italy with us, whether you’re cooking with Lynora’s products at home or dining in one of our restaurants," said Angelo Abbenante. "We can’t wait to welcome everyone this December."
For More Information
Visit www.lynoras.com or contact Lindi Holland at [email protected] or 561-602-0974 for additional details on the opening of Lynora’s Palm City location.
St. Lucie County Solid Waste Division
Place separated debris at the edge of your property near the road.
Debris must be placed on right of way not on property
Separate Debris
Yard waste – Not in bags, leaves, logs, plants, tree branchesConstruction & Demolition – Cabinets, Doors, Counters, Lumber, Roofing, Tile, Windows
Bulk Waste – Mattresses, Carpet, PVC, Furniture, Pressure Treated Wood
White Goods – No Food, place food with household garbage. Air Conditioners, Dishwashers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Stoves, Washers/Dryers, Water Heaters
Normal Non-Storm Related Household Garbage – Your designated hauler will be collecting your household garbage.
Do NOT block the roadway or stormwater drains.
Do NOT place debris under power lines and trees, or near poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, utility boxes, or other structures that can delay removal.
Do NOT place debris on driveways or sidewalks.
Do NOT mix household hazardous waste or electronics with other debris, bring them to the St. Lucie County Bailing and Recycling Facility for proper disposal.
City Awarded Mental Health America Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health
In Photo: The Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. The City of Stuart is a Gold recipient. Only one in four employers receives this designation.
The City of Stuart is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 2024 Gold Beel Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America (MHA). The Bell Seal is a first-of-its-kind workplace mental health certification recognizing employers striving to create mentally healthy workplaces for their employees.
MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health, well-being, and illness prevention for all. MHA has spent decades researching mental health in the workplace and introduced in 2019 the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health to recognize companies and organizations that understand the value of addressing mental health at work and implement policies and practices that support employee well-being.
The Bell Seal recognizes employer advances in workplace mental health by awarding Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum recognition levels. Only 1 in 4 employers meet the standards for Bell Seal certification. The City of Stuart underwent a rigorous evaluation of its policies and practices in four areas: workplace culture, benefits, compliance, and wellness programs.
Gaining status as a Bell Seal-certified organization demonstrates the City's ongoing commitment to employee mental health and well-being.
City Manager Michael Mortell said, “Our leadership recognizes that an investment in employee mental health is an investment in the organization’s financial, social, and emotional health.”
The City of Stuart is committed to providing the best for its employees and looks forward to continuing work to ensure they uphold the standards the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health set forth.
Learn more about MHA and the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health at mhanational.org/bestemployers.
NOTE: As reported earlier this year, the City of Stuart also was the recipient of the Cigna Healthcare 2023 Gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a workplace well-being program. Gold is the highest designation an employer can receive.
