Keeping Communities Connected and People Informed
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Martin County Storm Resource Updates
A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) is open at the Robert Morgade Library, located at 5851 SE Community Dr., from Sunday, October 13 through Thursday, October 17 from 10 a.m. –7 p.m. daily. The MARC is designed to provide residents with federal, state and local representation of agencies offering a variety of services and support.
A state-supported Point of Distribution (POD) by the Florida National Guard will be opened at the Martin County Fairgrounds starting Monday, October 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. –7 p.m. Items available to residents who have been affected by the tornadoes will include tarps, water and meals ready to eat.
A Comfort Station that includes showers, laundry and restrooms will be available at the Martin County Fairgrounds starting Monday, October 14, 2024, from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. for people who were affected by the storm.
Martin County Community Information Center:
Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: (772) 287-1652 (hours subject to change)
When the CIC is not open or staff is busy on other calls, a voicemail is available. The staff at the CIC check the voicemail often during normal hours and then again at 7:00 AM for the hours that they are closed.
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.
Education Foundation of Martin County Recognizes This year’s Teacher of the Year Candidates
In Photo: Twenty-three teachers have been nominated for the Education Foundation of Martin County’s 2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year awards program.
Photos by: Doreen Poreba
Stuart — Teachers, often referred to as the unrecognized superheroes of society, are getting their due recognition by the Education Foundation of Martin County with its annual Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration presented by Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart. Every year, the Foundation invites each school in Martin County to nominate one of its teachers for this prestigious award. There are 23 candidates for the 2024-2025 program, as follows.
Shannon Allred, Bessey Creek Elementary School,Vanessa Molina-Council, Citrus Grove Elementary School,Elaine Sanchez, Crystal Lake Elementary School,Ashley Kemler, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School,Coral Kelly, Felix A. Williams Elementary School,Alicia Carter, Hidden Oaks Middle School,Jill Stuart, Hobe Sound Elementary School,Alexis Matonti, Hope Center for Autism,Sara Patterson, Indiantown Middle School,Chenae Jackson, J.D. Parker School of Science, Math & Tech,Karen Madalena, Jensen Beach Elementary School,Samantha Pankhurst, Jensen Beach High School
Katherine Manahan, Martin County High School,Megan McChrystal, Murray Middle School,Stephanie Carlson, Palm City Elementary School,Ashley Martin, Pinewood Elementary School,Kristin Guillen, Port Salerno Elementary School
Kimberly Brannon, SeaWind Elementary School,Laura Green, South Fork High Schoo,lKelly Dawedeit, Stuart Middle School,William Price, Treasure Coast Classical Academy,Jean Wright, Warfield Elementary School,Tammie Meder, Willoughby Learning Center
Three of these candidates will be announced as the winners in the elementary, middle and high school categories at the celebration slated for Friday, October 25. Of those three winners, one of them is named the top Martin County Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Martin County in the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education's Teacher of the Year. In addition to the teacher awards, one school is selected as the evening’s Spirit Award Winner, which recognizes the school whose staff demonstrates the most creative interpretation of theme and an over-the-top energy during the evening’s festivities.
The public is encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite teacher nominee online at www.EducationFoundationMC.org and sharing how this teacher makes a positive difference at school or in the community.
Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, part of the Murgado Automotive Group, Inc., has been the presenting sponsor of the Martin County Teacher of the Year event for 11 years.
Devin Carlson, the company’s partner and general manager, said, “For over a decade, we have had the honor and pleasure of supporting the teachers of Martin County. These teachers
Martin Youth LEADERship Kicks Off 26th Year of LEADERship Training
Article by Jeanne Dunn -Martin Youth LEADERship / Photos by: Robin Hall - Out2News.com
40 students of this year’s Martin Youth LEADERship Program held their first monthly session of the school year (LEADERship Day) on September 17 at the Kane Center. Session Chairman Alec Connolly offered the students a full day of ice-breaking, team building, and leadership exercises that helped students find their leadership style, and introduced them to goal setting. Connolly worked with volunteers Eroy Burns and Alex Connolly of Gulf Stream Council Boys Scouts of America and Cindy Groover, past President of LEADERship Martin County. In conjunction with the volunteer leaders, the program would not be possible without the support of the individual high school staff that assist: Brett Hawkins, from Martin County High School; Jeanine Bushman, from South Fork High School; Marianne Vinette from Jensen Beach High School and Michele Villwock from Clark Advanced Learning Center.
In October, Martin Youth LEADERship will travel to Tanah Keetah Scout Reservation and participate in C.O.P.E. (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), for a day of learning and team building on... Click here for additional photos of this school event.
“Calamity Information”
Mileage Referendum Renewal
Stuart - Martin County voters will be asked to consider reauthorizing the “up-to” one-half-mill property tax for a second time when they report to the polls in November.
In 2018, Martin County voters approved an initial millage rate referendum, which was renewed in 2022. Changes to Florida law mandate the appearance of referendums on general election ballots, which necessitated the reauthorization being presented to voters this year to prevent a year of missed collections should voters approve the measure.
Since 2018, the Martin County School Board has designated five funding categories for funds generated by the referendum: school safety and security (including funding additional Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies to serve our high school campuses as School Resource Officers), mental health programs (including funding for additional counselors/social service workers), recruiting and retaining teachers and support staff (to assist our efforts to remain competitive in our local labor market), professional development and academic initiatives. The Board’s existing funding categories were established using input provided by teachers, staff and members of the Martin County community.
“As a School Board, we are grateful for the engagement and generosity of our entire community as we ask them to consider a renewal of the 'up to' one-half-mill property tax referendum,” said Jennifer Russell, School Board Chair. “We deeply value the perspective of our families, employees and community. As has been the case since 2018, 100% of all referendum dollars collected will remain in Martin County for the benefit of students enrolled in our local public schools.”
Should voters approve a second reauthorization of the referendum in November, the District will distribute allocated funds to teachers and support staff based on direction from the collective bargaining units - the Martin County Education Association (MCEA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #597 - while maintaining three additional Martin County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SROs) at its high schools and two at the early childhood learning campuses.
Mental health programs funded through a successful reauthorization will include the continued funding of additional guidance counselors, school psychologists, intervention problem-solving (IPS) coaches and multi-tiered systems of support staff (MTSS) positions.
“We continue to seek ways to enhance safety and security in our schools while supporting our students’ mental and emotional health,” said Board Chair Russell. “We appreciate and value the District’s relationship with the Martin County Sheriff's Office, which allows us to have additional deputies protecting our schools. We also look to continue doubling down on support for mental wellness, with more trained eyes on children and opportunities for professionals to build proactive, nurturing relationships with our students. These goals would be achieved with the millage reauthorization we are asking our Martin County voters to consider."
Hurricane Preparedness
It's Florida Prepareness Month Build a Disaster Preparedness Kit
Stuart - Governor DeSantis issued a proclamation declaring September as Florida Preparedness Month. The Florida Division of Emergency highlights the importance of Florida residents and visitors preparing for natural and man-made hazards.
“With one named storm already having made landfall this season, I want to emphasize to residents that being prepared doesn’t have to be complicated or costly,” said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “September is the historical peak of hurricane season, so residents need to follow the core five preparedness steps of ensuring disaster plans are in place; fully stocking a disaster supply kit; knowing their evacuation zone and the hurricane impacts their home can withstand; keeping car gas tanks at least halfway full; and knowing to evacuate only tens of miles inland to a safe shelter if necessary.”
FDEM continues supporting ongoing recovery efforts in counties impacted by Hurricane Debby and has already obligated over $100 million in recovery funding to areas in need.
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs until November 30, with September marking the historical peak of hurricane season. Every household and business is encouraged to take the necessary steps to finalize their disaster preparedness plans during this time.
Steps to Being Prepared for Floridians
Make a Plan—Each household should have a disaster plan specific to the needs of everyone in the family, including consideration of children, pets and seniors. Everyone in the household should assist in developing the emergency plan and understand it. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare to make a plan.
Build a Disaster Supply Kit—Every household should have a disaster supply kit with enough food and water to last each individual for at least seven days. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit for a full disaster supply kit checklist.
Know Your Zone, Know Your Home—Residents need to know if they live in an evacuation zone, a low-lying flood-prone area, a manufactured home, or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. It is important for residents to know their home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. This information helps residents better understand orders from local officials during a storm and make informed decisions. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know for more information.
Keep Gas Tanks Half Full and Electric Vehicles Half Charged—Residents should keep their vehicle’s gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible. For Floridians with electric vehicles, it is recommended that the battery be maintained between 50% - 80% capacity at all times, depending on the type of vehicle and what the vehicle’s manual recommends. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/HalfwayFull for more information.
Evacuate Tens of Miles, Not Hundreds of Miles—If an evacuation order is called for an area, residents will only need to evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds, to reach a safer location. A safer location could be a shelter made to withstand high winds and heavy rain or a stable structure not in a flood zone. Ultimately, residents need to make informed decisions and know what options are available in their community.
Visit FloridaDisaster.org for emergency information and to learn more about Florida hazards.
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.
Nala’s New Life Rescue Becomes Part of Jeff Corwin Documentary
Palm City - For more than 25 years, Nala’s New Life Rescue in Palm City has been rescuing dogs and cats that have been abandoned or mistreated. For them, Nala’s is a place of refuge and healing, where they can recover and be adopted by a family.
Nala’s is named after a beloved pit bull who was rescued as a puppy. She became a mascot at Nala’s because she was a comforting companion for so many dogs who found their way to Nala’s. She passed away from bone cancer in 2008.
Well known locally, Nala is now getting national recognition as part of a documentary being filmed by naturalist Jeff Corwin for his Wildlife Nation: Expedition Florida series.
Corwin was informed about the growing number of dogs abandoned in South Florida. He and his team spent months investigating and filming around the Homestead area. He heard about Nala’s... Click here for additional information
New Construction in Martin County Adds $790 Million Market Value to Tax Roll
Stuart, FL - The Martin County Property Appraiser’s Office released the 2024 estimated preliminary taxable values
to the ten Martin County Taxing Authorities yesterday. The Taxing Authorities will use the estimated taxable values to
prepare their upcoming budgets and determine their proposed millage rates.
The numbers show that Martin County taxable values are at $34.7 billion, an increase of 9.63% compared to last
year’s number of more than $31.6 billion.
The total growth in market value increased by 5.61% to $56.4 billion, compared... Click here to read more!
The Martin County Office and Tourism Opens Submissions for Inaugural Martin County Tourist Development Destination Distinction Awards
Stuart – In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing and the Martin County Tourist Development Council are excited to announce the opening of submissions for the inaugural Martin County Tourist Development Destination Distinction Awards. These awards aim to honor individuals, teams, businesses and organizations within Martin County that exceed expectations and serve as tourism ambassadors by surpassing their typical duties. Through their outstanding performance and actions, these nominees create experiences that leave visitors...Click here to read more!