— A 79-year-old man is dead following a shooting in Fort Pierce Fort Pierce police responded to North 23rd Street and Avenue D at around 4 p.m WATCH: Family demands answers after 79-year-old man killed Fenelias was pronounced dead on the scene by St Facile Volcin told WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield about her husband of 40 years “The bullet almost get in to the house,” said Volcin Fort Pierce police are still searching for the person who shot the 79-year-old in his driveway The family is now left with an unfillable void they're not gonna see grandfather,” said Volcin The entire family told WPTV they want answers “Find out who killed my father,” said Fenelias “My husband never had any issue with anybody The investigation is ongoing as police search for the suspect FORT PIERCE – Fort Pierce Police are investigating a weekend shooting case that left a 79-year-old man – not thought to be the intended target − dead May 4 went to the scene in the area of North 23rd Street and Avenue D and saw the 79-year-old man with a gunshot wound Eric Chan on May 5 said investigators do not believe Fenelias was the intended target noting the location where shell casings were found “We believe it was a stray shot,” Chan said “It was a very large crime scene because of the distances where we found shell casings.” sat in front of a home May 5 at Avenue D and North 23rd Street with family members around her Apparent bullet marks were in the side of the salmon-colored home nearby speaking in Creole translated by Cereste Bonheur said she wants the person responsible captured “I need to find them and I need to bring them to justice to know why my husband gets shot for no reason.” She said she and other family members were behind the home at the time of the shooting who came to Fort Pierce from Haiti more than 10 years ago said her husband had no issues with anyone and that since he retired he’s been like a “house husband.” She said he used to work on a farm picking fruit He didn’t go out often besides going to church to pay the consequence of shooting my husband,” Volcin said.She described her husband as a “very quiet man.” but he never have any argument with nobody,” she said Two guns: Man near deadly shooting shown on surveillance video with two guns in St. Lucie County Deadly crash: Motorcycle rider dies after multi-vehicle crash in Fort Pierce Chan asked those who may have information to come forward and said investigators are canvassing the area “We need the community's help in providing any witnesses so that we can have some leads to follow up on,” Chan said “We don't have anybody providing any solid information that we can go on.” Those with information are asked to contact Detective Jesse Love at 772-302-4790 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477 Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com Becker Preserve in Fort Pierce will be closed for about two months starting May 5 so crews can construct a new canoe and kayak launch facility as well as a pedestrian bridge from the preserve to a spoil island The project will cost about $138,000 for design which will be done by Summerlin Marine Construction LLC The project is funded by a Recreational Trails Grant a federal program that provides financial assistance to agencies of city state and federal governments to develop recreational trails The Richard E. Becker Preserve is a 13-acre junglelike park off Selvitz Road and is part of the headwaters of the North Fork of the St The majority of its trail system was cut off by the Ten-Mile Creek oxbow restoration project which restored the natural bends in the river That $1 million restoration project, funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection involved planting native vegetation around the preserve and dredging muck and debris from the historic riverbed and floodplain to restore river flow that was blocked during the early 1900s "The preserve offers a rare glimpse of 'the real Florida' — a place where the past and the present come alive in the canopy of the floodplain forest and in the primordial swamps and wetlands," the county's website says Ten Mile Creek oxbow: DEP-funded project will restore river bend removed in 1900s Belvedere Terminals: Fort Pierce fuel farm sparks public safety, water pollution concerns A half-mile of hiking trails pass the historical spoil mounds left when the creek was channelized The county bought the preserve after voters in 1994 approved a $20 million bond that was matched with private and public grants allowing the county to purchase $76 million worth of land for preservation While the preserve is closed, the county encourages the public to explore other public preserves that are open year-round from dawn until dusk, listed at stluciepreserves.com Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter One person is in the hospital following a shooting in Fort Pierce on Friday According to the Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) the shooting occurred on 25th Street and Orange Avenue (CBS12) — One person is in the hospital following a shooting in Fort Pierce on Friday See also: Rescue rings installed near waterways in Palm Beach County to prevent drownings FPPD detectives say the shooting appears to be an isolated and there is no threat to the public — A student was arrested Monday at a school in St Lucie County after a loaded firearm was found inside a backpack According to a sheriff's office Facebook post two students at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy were involved in a "school administrative investigation" conducted by a dean Lucie County Sheriff's Office School Resource deputies were present During a search of one student's backpack by the dean deputies intervened and detained both students The sheriff's office said one student was arrested on a charge of possession of a weapon on school property "The safety and security of all students and staff remain the highest priority for the St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office," Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in the Facebook post "We will continue to work closely with our school administrators to ensure swift action is taken whenever a potential threat arises and we are committed to doing everything necessary to keep our schools safe." Principal David Alfonso said in a statement to parents that anyone bringing a firearm to campus will be arrested and face severe consequences with the recommendation for expulsion based on the Student Code of Conduct The principal also urged parents to speak to their children about the importance of school safety Some parents like Kewanna Simpson are left uneasy She said her daughter is a student at Westwood and was unaware of the arrest “My daughter attends Westwood High School and if anything were to happen I would not know what to do," Simpson said "Being at the school would be my first priority." Lucie School District and the principal regarding the incident: FORT PIERCE − A 23-year-old motorcycle rider died following a May 1 multi-vehicle crash on Okeechobee Road in the 5000 block of Okeechobee Road east of Interstate 95 Police on May 2 identified the deceased as Alejandro Godoy Police stated a preliminary review determined a silver sport utility vehicle traveled east on Okeechobee Road and started to change lanes Gunfire heard: Police hear shooting and recover handgun, magazines following search in Fort Pierce 'Like the OK Corral': Deadly shooting in St. Lucie County “The force of the impact caused the motorcycle to continue forward and collide with a silver Toyota,” police stated Godoy was taken to a local hospital where he died Police reported the investigation is ongoing and asked those with information to contact police at 772-467-6800 — Fort Pierce police are investigating a shooting near South 25th Street and Orange Avenue Police say one person was transported to a local hospital They say this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public Fla (CBS12) — Here are the top stories with the most viewed photos from this week (CBS12) — A Loxahatchee man is behind bars after the discovery of romantic and racist messages between him and the teen behind a mass shooting late last year at a Wisconsin school A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) affidavit alleges Damien Blade Allen made clear in TikTok chats that he had identified seven potential locations and made threats to commit mass shootings at them "There is no doubt in my mind that they have stopped a mass shooting that was going to happen," Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said about the investigators working the case It's just a matter of what day was going to set him off to go do it." had multiple weapons that could be used in such shootings The affidavit points out that while investigators believe he clearly violated the law they also believe he was serious in his threats to commit such atrocities “Even though posting a written threat to conduct a mass shooting is sufficient to constitute a violation of the statute he clearly proves his intent to carry out the mass shootings at the 7 locations based on his statement ‘Once you get to a point there’s no going back,” the arresting officer wrote (CBS12) — An 84-year-old man is accused of selling counterfeit designer items after more than $200,000 worth of counterfeit merchandise was seized from his store in Delray Beach The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) announced on Thursday that its investigators dismantled a counterfeit goods operation run by Ronald C the owner of "Ronnie's Shoes" at 6578 W Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach revealed Axelrod was selling counterfeit high-end designer handbags and accessories after an anonymous tip about counterfeit items at "Ronnie's Shoes." A PBSO deputy conducted an undercover operation on December 11 buying several counterfeit items from brands like Chanel Further undercover operations by a detective and other agents confirmed the sale of counterfeit goods at prices significantly lower than their Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) The counterfeit items included handbags and accessories from brands such as Louis Vuitton while their MSRP ranged from $1,070 to $4,500 Expert brand representatives confirmed the items were counterfeit with Louis Vuitton providing an affidavit verifying the fraudulent nature of the goods and young professionals are all flocking to the area as it has the reputation of being safe "We moved here about five weeks ago," John Platz said "There's a lot of great new construction a lot of great value for buyers," Treasure Coast realtor Melissa Saumure said Lucie is making a massive investment in its future a $615 million plan to upgrade infrastructure The city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes improvements to roads while also greenlighting dozens of new housing and commercial projects they are investing $127 million into 72 projects "Include everything from road improvements to water and sewer to storm water management," Port St Lucie Strategic Communications Manager Scott Samples said The money will also be going towards a training facility for the Port St Lucie Police Department "We're really trying to find ways that we can expand on recreational activities quality of life in general," Samples said Read the full story here (CBS12) — A shooting in Fort Pierce on Wednesday has left one man dead that has been identified as 27-year-old Edson Sainnatus and prompted a significant law enforcement response Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) Deputies are actively investigating the area around Edwards Road and South 23rd Street Sheriff Richard Del Toro said deputies responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 12:19 p.m A sergeant was flagged down by witnesses who directed him to a person walking away from a car that was still running and had bullet holes The individual was taken into custody without incident they found a man dead from gunfire on the side of the road Several firearms were discovered in the area and five people have been taken into custody SLCSO said multiple people got out of a car and exchanged gunfire then the car was shot at multiple times and they fled the area SLCSO K-9 units tracked the area north of the intersection Lucie County Sheriff's Office had their aviation unit out looking for any one else involved Read the full story here (CBS12) — A fifth person is now behind bars nearly two years after a deadly Lake Worth Beach shooting The details of this case are spelled out in a PBSO arrest report Sheriff's detectives say five armed people met outside a house in Lake Worth Beach and began shooting firing dozens of rounds in the span of just 10 seconds I had just walked back inside from letting my dog out and I remember hearing the gunshots," said Maya Smith a resident who lives near the scene of the shooting Smith lives just a couple of houses away from where a house at 409 2nd Avenue South in Lake Worth Beach was riddled with bullets the night of July 12 Read the full story here Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video (CBS12) — A Sunday afternoon shooting in Fort Pierce left an elderly man dead and detectives are trying to track down who killed him The Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) explained officers found the victim shortly after 4 p.m when they responded to a report of a shooting near the North 23rd Street and Avenue D intersection emergency responders found Olange Fenelias suffering from a gunshot wound The 79-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene See Also: $4M Lamborghini yacht partially sinks in Miami Beach, 32 aboard rescued The FPPD Criminal Investigations Unit has taken over the investigation into the killing The police department did not indicate if officers have identified a suspect or if anyone is in custody Anyone with information about Fenelias’ death is asked to call 772-302-4790 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477 Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video A potential SpaceX rocket launch is on the horizon — and if all goes according to plan Though rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island people from the Treasure Coast can sometimes see this #SoFlorida phenomenon Below is more information on rocket launches from NASA and Cape Canaveral and suggestions on where to watch them from this part of Florida Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all the missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot) For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space have posted rocket launch photos and video on X the social platform formerly known as Twitter get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic (CBS12) — Some residents in Fort Pierce are dealing with what they say is an unbearable problem Their problem involves trash that is brought by train from Miami-Dade County People who live on South Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce have a beautiful view of the water from their front yards But railroad tracks are located behind their homes and angry about tons of trash arriving here by train from Miami-Dade County See also: Residents fed up with trash on trains from Miami-Dade County "We've got lots and lots and lots of flies we never had before and we're inundated with flies," said Edward Koch and he showed us fly traps that are filled with flies these fly traps in his backyard fill up with flies that are attracted by the odor of garbage on trains that bring trash to Ft and the whole house is full of flies," Koch said." Others who live on South Indian River Drive are also upset with the trash issue and flies come in with me," said Kip Lyman another resident whose home is near the railroad tracks we've had an increase in the rodent population,n and a tremendous increase in the fly population This is a public health issue," said Dr a veterinarian who lives on South Indian River Drive Trash from Miami-Dade County is brought by train to Fort Pierce in enclosed containers which are then loaded onto semi-trucks and hauled to a landfill in Okeechobee County The empty containers are then brought back to Fort Pierce on trucks and loaded onto a train for the trip back to Miami-Dade County "This is an unsanitary nuisance that they have created and they need to resolve it by taking this trash and these trash containers somewhere else," Dr When the containers full of garbage are brought from Miami-Dade County to Fort Pierce they are covered with a tarp of heavy-duty composite plastic When the empty containers are taken from the landfill in Okeechobee County back to Fort Pierce waiting to be taken by train back to Miami-Dade and the stench and the flies and rodents multiply," Dr We reached out to the Fort Pierce Mayor's Office asking what officials are doing about this I'd like to know if I could get a comment from someone at City Hall about this," we said "What do you think of Miami-Dade's trash being brought all the way up here?" we asked David Hall I wish they could do something to deal with that problem on their own turf," Hall said they fear the stench and the flies and the rat problem will get even worse We got this statement from Dawn McCormick “WM is providing an environmental solution to Miami-Dade County in the aftermath of its waste-to-energy fire in February 2023 The waste-by-rail program transports Miami-Dade County trash in fully enclosed containers via Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to the Fort Pierce railyard where the containers are loaded onto trucks and taken to Okeechobee Landfill Moving this waste mainly by rail reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% and we are maintaining open communications with them as well as St Lucie County and City of Fort Pierce officials as FEC is applying for the permits needed to relocate its Fort Pierce railyard operations further west outside the city.” National Public Gardens Day is celebrated every second Friday of May before Mother's Day Here are 5 botanical gardens — the only three on the Treasure Coast and two nearby Opened in 2010 on 20 acres along North Fork of St. Lucie River; built using native plant communities as foundation Skateboarding: 5 of the best skate parks on the Treasure Coast Snorkeling: 5 of the best spots on the Treasure Coast this summer who established its collection of fruit trees to help produce new food resources 15 acres at Florida Tech; home to 400 species of palms at one point but freezes reduced number to about 60 A new Venezuelan-American restaurant with a bakery and cafe is opening within the next week in Fort Pierce Aji Dulce Cafe Gourmet announced it will open a second location in Fort Pierce after opening the first location in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 12, 2024 The restaurants are owned by husband-and-wife team Dave Shaw and Carolina Chopite They moved to Miami six years ago before they moved to Port St Carlo Chopite also runs the restaurant with his mom "We just want to give to the people the best experience of the Venezuelan and American food," said Carlo Chopite The new location will offer the same products but it also will have a selection of new desserts and items the quality that defines us will remain unchanged," said Carlo Chopite Port St. Lucie: Venezuelan-American restaurant opens first location Recently opened: New restaurants serve pizza, American-style sushi and finger-lickin' wings 772-353-5640, website, Instagram What's your favorite sub shop on the Treasure Coast there were 90 for Meeter’s Deli in Port St 12 for Armani’s Italian Market in Vero Beach two for Two Fat Guys from Brooklyn in Port St two for Miranda's Subs & Bakery in Fort Pierce one for Johnny D’s Market & Bistro in Vero Beach and one for Beach Bites in Wabasso (CBS12) — A student was arrested Monday morning after a loaded gun was discovered in a backpack at a Fort Pierce high school Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) explained that its deputies were on hand as the dean of Fort Pierce Westwood High School conducted an investigation involving two students The 9mm pistol was found during a search of one of the student’s backpack See Also: Two busted in gift card scam at Publix stores across St. Lucie, Martin counties “The safety and security of all students and staff remain the highest priority for the St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Richard Del Toro and we are committed to doing everything necessary to keep our schools safe.” the students were detained and one of the students ended up being arrested on a count of possession of a weapon on school property Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video "Our investigators are working diligently to uncover all the facts surrounding this tragic incident," said Sheriff Richard Del Toro "The arrest made is an important step forward We are committed to pursuing every lead to ensure justice is served for the victim and their loved ones." After executing two search warrants on Wednesday night Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) said they were able to identify Carlos Covarrubias as a suspect on Thursday morning SLCSO reported that the shooting happened on Wednesday around 12:20 p.m SLCSO said multiple people got out of a car and exchanged gunfire then the car was shot at multiple times Lucie County Sheriff's Office had their aviation unit out looking for anyone else involved The sheriff confirmed that multiple shell casings were found at the scene but the exact number of gunshots fired is still unknown with detectives collecting video evidence and interviewing witnesses Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the shooting or whether the deceased was a target or an innocent bystander has been accused of Possession of a Weapon or Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and is being held at the St Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. 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Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video Lucie County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting near Edwards Road and South 23rd Street in Fort Pierce that left one person dead The sheriff's office identified the victim as Edson Sainnatus WATCH: Witness recounts moments after shooting Sheriff Richard Del Toro said Wednesday that two vehicles He said video of the incident shows the two vehicles pulling up just south of Edwards Road and 23rd Street and people getting out and exchanging gunfire The smaller vehicle then took off while being shot at Two people fled the scene — one person on foot and one person in a vehicle Five people were taken into custody during the incident Del Toro said a nearby residence is also part of the investigation and that the victim had a prior incident with a person involved in today's shooting Edwards Road has been shut down between 25th Street and Sunrise Boulevard WPTV's Zitlali Solache spoke with neighbors who live near the scene “When I saw the police going down with their K9 dog “With the noise of the helicopter outside for two to three hours and they said no schools in the area were on lockdown The investigation is ongoing and people are urged to avoid the area WATCH: Resident waited at gas station for two hours during active crime scene This is a developing news story and will be updated (CBS12) — A shooting in Fort Pierce on Wednesday has left one man dead that has been identified as 27-year-old Edson Sainnatus and prompted a significant law enforcement response "We're using all our resources accordingly," Del Toro said "We have deputies and detectives all over the area." "We're gonna be looking at the residence checking out once we identify who the victim is." The sheriff's office plans to execute a search warrant at a nearby residence as part of the investigation plenty of manpower out here," Del Toro said emphasizing the importance of public vigilance "If anybody sees anything suspicious in the area please don't hesitate to call 911." and authorities are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested following a homicide investigation of a deadly shooting in Fort Pierce, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a post to Facebook Working through the night following Wednesday's shooting detectives executed two residential search warrants as part of their investigative efforts WATCH: 1 dead after shooting near Edwards Road in Fort Pierce on Thursday on a charge of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon "Our investigators are working diligently to uncover all the facts surrounding this tragic incident The arrest made is an important step forward but this remains an active investigation," Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in the social media post "We are committed to pursuing every lead to ensure justice is served for the victim and their loved ones." The investigation remains active and ongoing and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available by Skyler Shepard | Jamilka Gibson (CBS12) — Twelve elementary school students were on a school bus when a window was shattered in Fort Pierce on Tuesday Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) said the incident occurred near Kings Highway and Ocala Avenue a person was driving erratically behind the bus it's unclear if the person is involved Sheriff Richard Del Toro provided an update that nothing out of the ordinary was found on the bus He said the sheriff's office cannot confirm that there was a projectile but will be reviewing video of the school bus to confirm but a spokesperson for SLCSO said a window was broken The sheriff's office said it's coordinating with the St Lucie County School Board investigators into the broken rear window Kim Rioseco lives in the neighborhood and said she witnessed frantic parents arriving to the scene to pick up their children “They were all shaken up," Rioseco said Which is typical just hugging their babies.” and the sheriff's office said there is no known threat to the community Michael Struzinski recently moved to the neighborhood He said although he does not have children the news is concerning but I have nieces and nephews and I would be very protective of them and very worried for them," Struzinsk said "I’m sure If I was a parent to get that call I’d be very scary.” The sheriff's office said the school board is checking the video recording on the bus Before Fort Pierce's leaders move forward with their plans to charge people for parking at local beaches they would be wise to consider a cautionary tale about a couple of cities a few hours to their north the AAA Auto Club designated Waldo and Lawtey two North Florida towns along the route between Gainesville and Jacksonville AAA made the decision after complaints from travelers and its own investigation concluded "profit, not safety, was the primary motivation for issuing traffic citations" in those two municipalities likely prompting an unknown number of tourists to pick alternate routes rather than venture through Waldo or Lawtey Local businesses probably bore the brunt of that bit of national notoriety known for having quotas for issuing speeding tickets was disbanded and traffic enforcement was turned over to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office in 2014 (Disclosure: A Waldo cop once tagged this columnist for speeding while he was on his way from the Jacksonville airport to a Gator sporting event before that happened.) The influential motor club finally relented in 2018 citing changes in Waldo's and Lawtey's enforcement practices as reasons to normalize travel habits So what does any of that have to do with what Fort Pierce officials are considering It clearly illustrates that policing for profit is not a good idea Opinion: Fort Pierce should be a regional treasure, not a landing spot for castoffs but revenue estimates by PCI and the city — based on charging $3 per hour $20 per day and $60 annually at all three parks — would generate about $900,000 annually Commissioners made it clear generating more money to cover city expenses is the driving force behind the policy change Opinion: Can Fort Pierce residents and SEAL Museum reach a compromise on expansion plans? "We're not generating one penny of revenue to offset our costs that we are experiencing on a daily basis," Commissioner Michael Broderick said at the meeting last month "Our general fund cannot continue to underwrite persons outside of our community using our assets for free." in addition to providing park maintenance funding paid parking would increase turnover in the limited number of parking spots on South Hutchinson Island There are a number of problems with this line of thinking The rich folks who can afford to live on Hutchinson Island can walk or ride their bicycles to the beach at least not without turning a day at the beach into a grueling endurance test while Broderick and other commissioners may intend to get out-of-town visitors to "pay their fair share" for using city beaches they are in reality placing a greater financial burden on those in their own community who can afford it least They are also putting themselves in the unenviable position of trying to sell a product other "competitors" are giving away for free Lucie or anywhere else within reasonable driving distance choose to pay for parking at Fort Pierce beaches when they could go to beaches outside the city limits — in Vero Beach It doesn't matter if Daytona Beach or Miami Beach or Rio de Janeiro are charging for beach parking Those aren't options Treasure Coast residents would consider as alternatives Fort Pierce officials don't care about the equity issue and they believe their community is exempt from the usual laws of supply and demand There's still a fundamental problem with having a private company take over what would normally be a function of the city's police department I wasn't able to get details of the proposed contract between Fort Pierce and PCI before my deadline but if the city is planning to pay PCI anything other than a flat rate for its services If the city approves a contract where it gets a portion of what PCI collects in parking fines every month and the company gets to keep the rest of the money that's an incentive for parking rules to be enforced in the harshest manner possible consider a scenario where a sunburned family of four returns to their car — beach chairs picnic baskets and other accessories in tow — five minutes after a parking meter has expired he or she might well decide to take mercy on the family and let them go with a warning Would PCI's profit-driven parking enforcers be so lenient PCI's foray into beach parking enforcement has run into some controversy up the coast in South Carolina the Anastopoulo Law Firm has filed a class action lawsuit against the cities of Isle of Palms and Folly Beach both of which hired PCI to handle beach parking enforcement it issued more parking tickets in four months than the city had in the entire previous 12 months,” Roy Willey A South Carolina television station reported PCI takes in about 24% of the cost of each ticket The lawsuit challenges the cities' ability to legally delegate a police power to a private company News reports indicate the South Carolina attorney general believes the move to be a violation of state law there When I asked Fort Pierce city commissioners if they were aware of the South Carolina lawsuit "I am aware of the allegations against PCI," Broderick wrote in an email "The City Of Fort Pierce will not enter into an agreement that is in violation of city ordinance Our staff are looking into measures to insure we do not have any issues with the program we are looking to undertake." Taylor said he became aware of the lawsuit last week the city did not have the proper code/ordinances in place to allow a third party to issue parking citations," Taylor wrote in an email These ordinances and regulations would be coming before the board before any paid parking would be implemented." Taylor added he would have concerns about having a private company enforce beach parking rules even if it were allowed by local ordinances "During research done by our legal department it was determined that the majority of municipalities in Florida that have paid parking manage it themselves retaining 100% of the funds generated," Taylor wrote is for turnover purposes to increase traffic to neighboring businesses Taylor suggested there were other areas where the city could test a private vendor-administered parking pilot project including a lot across from the Manatee Center but there are other options it should consider instead of beach parking What about leasing space for food trucks at the beaches Or setting up a dunking booth where residents could pay for the privilege of soaking their city commissioners although I would join commissioners in taking a turn in the dunking tank if they go that route.) Fort Pierce officials need to hit "reverse" on their beach parking plans This column reflects the opinion of Blake Fontenay. Contact him via email at bfontenay@gannett.com or at 772-232-5424 was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce by his mother where he tested positive for methamphetamine Sullivan was transported to Coral Shores Behavioral Health on April 22 He was found unresponsive there the evening of April 25 and said he was acting erratic and he said 'there were demons in his dreads' and cut all of his dreads off Martin County: Two in Stuart face drug charges after Sheriff's Office stages 'Operation Tooth Fairy' Stuart: Retiring Police Chief Joseph Tumminelli looks back on 30 years of law enforcement He said the Sheriff's Office is waiting for surveillance video from Coral Shores showing nurses doing their checks on the patients and any activity from Denzell Denzell passed away the evening of April 29 and an autopsy was performed on April 30 according to sheriff's spokesperson Christine Christofek Budensiek said the autopsy came back inconclusive but the Sheriff's Office is still waiting for results of other testing Bruising was seen on Sullivan's arm and chest from life saving measures used by Martin County Fire Rescue Budensiek said the machine used hits the person's chest and that is where the bruising on Sullivan's body came from Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048 a group of residents has dealt with thousands of tons of garbage a day rolling into the Florida East Coast Railway yard here Those train cars full of trash sometimes sit in the yard for hours until they're loaded onto 18-wheelers and driven more than 30 miles to the Okeechobee Landfill issues they say can persist well into the evening after empty railroad cars have began their journey back south Miami-Dade used its waste-to-energy incinerator in the suburb of Doral to burn about 1 million tons of trash per year it left the county scrambling to find someplace to send its trash which signed an emergency contract to ship about 2,500 tons of trash a day to its Okeechobee Landfill "WM is offering an environmental solution to Miami-Dade County in the wake of its waste-to-energy fire which was an emergency situation for the county," said Dawn McCormick chief communications and community relations officer for WM of Florida the trash was transported the entire way from Miami-Dade to Okeechobee in trucks WM had reached an agreement with the railroad to begin shipping the trash to Fort Pierce by rail residents began contacting city leaders for help according to hundreds of emails obtained via a public records request and reviewed by TCPalm the railroad and city officials was coordinated by Christine Kesl whose Indian River Drive property extends to Second Street It is like we live next to a garbage dump," Kesl wrote to Mayor Linda Hudson on Aug but also warned that the railroad can be difficult to work with and sometimes it's difficult to reach the right person to make things happen," Hudson wrote back to Kesl before forwarding her email to then-City Manager Nick Mimms Residents along the FEC corridor are used to the sounds of cargo and Brightline trains but the 70-80 Waste Management trains per day brought with them new problems residents now contend with new sounds and smells Beeping noises from reversing 18-wheelers are heard before dawn and the insect-and-animal-attracting smells can linger late into the evening Residents asked the city if any of this violated city code After Kesl asked Hudson and Mimms about possible violations two city code enforcement officers were sent to the rail yard One reported "a really bad smell." The other city Director of Community Response Peggy Arraiz said no code violations were observed Mimms was arrested on charges of bid rigging and official misconduct we have had very little success in getting FEC to cooperate with their railway operations," Cox later wrote Kesl said she suggested to WM's McCormick that the trains could be sent west In an October 2024 presentation by WM and FEC for city officials the companies announced FEC was doing just that "building a new rail facility further west." Once the new facility is done unloading will no longer be done at the Fort Pierce rail yard Yet there are conflicting estimates as to when that would happen The presentation lays out an 18-24-month timeline putting completion between April and October 2026 FEC spokesperson Robert Ledoux told TCPalm via email that the facility would open "sometime late next year," seemingly matching the initial timeline Ledoux declined to comment further and said FEC does not do interviews Kesl said a WM official told her FEC would complete the "the new spur track and switching yard within 12 months," putting completion before the end of 2025 The trash from Miami should not have a negative impact on us all." City leaders eventually brought in the Florida Department of Health the administrator and health officer for St Sperber told Cox and Hudson that investigators found no violations Trains were parking further south until they were ready to unload and a chemical deodorizer was now being used but it appears the concerns have been addressed," Sperber wrote Kesl emailed McCormick that coyotes had been seen around the railyard "The neighbors and my tenants have seen coyotes by the tracks One neighbor said that they have never seen coyotes in the 42 years they have lived here," Kesl wrote "Everyone is nervous for their safety and the safety of their pets." who is there six days a week starting at 4:30 a.m. Residents' emails also showed concern over the safety of the chemical deodorizer Sperber identified the chemical as CupriDyne When will Miami-Dade be able to handle its own trash again?In her Nov Kesl told McCormick the neighbors want assurances that whenever unloading is moved it will not create a similar problem for others "We all do not want it to negatively impact another community in Fort Pierce," Kesl wrote Kesl also asked when Miami-Dade County would again be able to take care of its own trash That question may be impossible to answer until Miami-Dade County leaders make decisions Mayor Daniella Levine Cava initially wanted a new incinerator built but those plans have stalled after public pushback including from President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump Trump National Doral golf course is located near the incinerator site Levine Cava announced she would no longer support rebuilding the waste-to-energy plant a Miami-Dade County infrastructure committee voted in February to continue considering a new incinerator What next for Fort Pierce residents?All of this leaves the Fort Pierce residents wondering when things will actually change Kesl said she wants to see WM and FEC stick to the timeline she was told "The original timing related to the switching yard and the trash I and my neighbors would like to see them deliver on the one McCormick said WM and FEC continue to do everything they can to help both Miami-Dade County and those in Fort Pierce "We are working and have been very open with the residents in Fort Pierce We want to be a good neighbor," McCormick said It is important for residents to know that all containers are covered during the entire journey from Miami to Okeechobee Hudson told TCPalm the trash transfers in Fort Pierce will remain an issue until unloading is moved west "It appears we cannot regulate the actual rail activity which would include the WM rail cars being transported," Hudson wrote "I am grateful that the neighbors alerted us to this situation because it seems the situation cannot be addressed soon." to watch city leaders seemingly be powerless "We don't understand why it's always Fort Pierce," Kesl said "Fort Pierce is the legacy Flagler railroad town and we get the not-so-nice end of every deal." Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com LUCIE COUNTY — A 27-year-old man is dead and five people were taken into custody following a shooting incident in the area of Edwards Road and South 23rd Street that caused a road closure for much of the afternoon Sheriff Richard Del Toro said several firearms were found following the gunfire incident Del Toro said a sergeant got to the scene and was flagged down by witnesses pointing to a person walking away from a car found running that was struck by gunfire “It appears that two vehicles pulled up just south of Edwards Road on (South) 23rd Street,” Del Toro said in a late afternoon news briefing “It appears the subjects got out of the vehicle He said the vehicles involved appeared to be a Dodge Durango and a smaller vehicle “(The) small vehicle took off southbound on 23rd before coming back basically northbound on 23rd to leave the area where our sergeant picked him up and the other witnesses saw him turn on to Nicholas Road,” Del Toro said “That vehicle was shot at multiple times as it fled the area.” He said “a large exchange of gunfire” occurred that left Sainnatus dead Del Toro said a house at the scene has a connection to the case “I think this is where one of the people lived that had a prior incident with the person that is deceased,” Del Toro said Del Toro said officials believe all those involved are in custody He said investigators gathered video footage of the incident “The vehicle that was fleeing the scene was shot up pretty good as it fled.” Deputies and detectives were throughout the area as were at least three crime scene vehicles a mobile command bus and a medical examiner’s office vehicle earlier in the afternoon A large contingent of law enforcement vehicles remained at the scene as of at least 6:30 p.m speaking earlier in the day near Edwards Road and Sherwood Lane said the body was found to the south of him He said investigators found multiple cartridge casings in the area of South 23rd Street and Edwards Road said he was sitting at a table just outside his home when he heard multiple gunshots “At first I thought it was kids shooting fireworks He then saw a young man running through with his hoodie up she said she was working in her home when she heard “a series of pops and then .. a pause and then I heard a series of pops again.” 39 years on: St. Lucie County 1986 cold case homicide victim identified New details in circuit judge arrest: Informant says judge, assistant were 'party animals' Platt initially thought it was a car backfiring “I went out my back door to go and look to see “Then I just started hearing a lot of sirens coming back and forth so I just assumed that it must have been a shooting." She said she has lived here for more than two decades and this is the first time something like this has happened firefighters reported seeing light smoke and made entry through a bay door a small fire was found and quickly extinguished (CBS12) — A structure fire was contained in Fort Pierce early Thursday morning Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) said crews responded to a report of a commercial structure fire at 5:24 a.m A thorough search of the building confirmed that it was unoccupied (CBS12) — At least three people from Fort Pierce are among the five dead in a rollover crash on the Turnpike over the weekend Twelve people in all were in the Ford passenger van around 7:30 p.m on Sunday as it headed north through Osceola County A Florida Highway Patrol investigation found the driver lost control of the vehicle The van went off the right side of the highway and stuck the guardrail before rolling into a ditch The five who died were pronounced dead at the scene but the report states three of them – a 73-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man – were from Fort Pierce FHP expects to get positive identifications on those who died from the medical examiner’s office four of them were listed as being in critical condition at the time Six of the seven had to be flown to area hospitals for treatment while the other three were from Pompano Beach CBS12 spoke to a family friend of a victim who said the van was filled with migrant workers headed to Georgia to pick berries when the front tire blew out "People were all trying to make a better life They were trying to make an honest living," Jones said FHP's investigation into the wreck remains ongoing WKMG reported that the crash closed the Turnpike near Kenansville for nearly 12 hours Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video (CBS12) — A Buc-ee’s is coming to Fort Pierce — and it's already reshaping the area around it The Texas-based travel center will rise just off I-95 and Indrio Road But the project’s impact goes far beyond brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets Developers say the Buc-ee’s announcement has triggered new interest from homebuilders and retailers — all eyeing this largely undeveloped part of St which hasn't really had much development in a while "Other developers and investors are taking notice a 21-acre wooded lot is now listed for sale — and being marketed specifically for its proximity to the upcoming Buc-ee’s "There’s going to be a need for housing with all of that," Mackin said "A lot of larger homebuilders and townhome developers have been reaching out." Buc-ee’s is just the anchor tenant in a much larger project The company purchased its roughly 35-acre site in July 2024 for nearly $10 million from Indrio & I-95 Development LLC — owned by South Florida developer Gustavo Lumer Lumer’s company still controls about 800 acres earmarked for the broader Indrio development Plans for the area include: See also: New funding play: Martin County Schools to sell naming rights to athletic facilities Locals say the area has been quiet for years it’s going to grow," one resident said which I’m excited about — it’ll make getting around a lot more convenient," another added “The only thing that’s a concern is traffic — and that’s what comes with development,” a nearby resident told us While Buc-ee’s is still waiting on final site plan approval construction could begin in just a few months — with opening day expected just over a year later One driver was seriously injured and another jailed after a suspected DUI crash in Fort Pierce late Saturday (CBS12) — One driver was seriously injured and another jailed after a suspected DUI crash in Fort Pierce late Saturday Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) deputies say they responded to a two-vehicle crash at Kings Highway and St the collision resulted in serious injuries for one driver and serious charges for the other the intersection was closed in all directions Friday night was found to be impaired at the time of the collision according to deputies See also: Palm Beach Gardens road rage tip nets guns, meth, steroids, and over 1,300 pills Richard was medically cleared before being transported to jail and booked for: SLCSO notes that Richard will be held without bond at the St The investigation remains active at this time (CBS12) — A 204-acre transformation is underway in Fort Pierce bringing something you won’t find anywhere else in Florida: a world-class Developers have reportedly already broken ground on Koa Bay a roughly $595 million master-planned surf community located at 10050 W progress is difficult to assess from the outside due to the dense tree coverage in the area The site, which currently has cattle roaming, will soon be home to a mix of shops, hotels, restaurants, and 1,100 new homes—all centered around Wavegarden Cove a cutting-edge surf lagoon capable of producing 450 waves per hour catching a wave often depends on the weather "I’m really excited about it," said one beachgoer so I like to be out here on the beach." I tried one of those simulated waves," another beachgoer recalled Koa Bay aims to offer something much bigger The Wavegarden Cove will generate consistent with designated sections for both beginners and experienced surfers this system is designed to be ten times more energy efficient making it one of the most sustainable surf parks in the world Koa Bay will also feature the world’s first floating surf pool designed to give people of all skill levels a controlled environment to practice and improve "I used to go to surf camp when I was younger," another beachgoer shared "Some days were disappointing because there weren’t enough waves This would be a great opportunity for young surfers to learn." Approved by city commissioners in 2022, the half-a-billion-dollar project is expected to create thousands of jobs and bring a major tourism boost to the area But it’s not just a surf park—it’s being built as a fully integrated the development will feature co-working spaces Two hotels and a mix of retail and dining options will also be part of the community positioning Fort Pierce as a premier surf destination in Florida "We were stuck trying to find something to do," one beachgoer said "I think it would be cool to learn to surf," added another Some residents worry about an increase in traffic—and then there’s the cost When asked how much they’d be willing to pay beachgoers estimated around $30 per session with exclusive membership options for frequent surfers Full-time residents of Koa Bay will get priority access and additional perks with membership prices starting at $11,250—plus a $45,000 initiation fee Koa Bay’s website states the residential phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2026—bringing the Treasure Coast a new wave of development the city of Fort Pierce is finally seeing movement at the long-dormant King's Landing site city leaders and developers broke ground on a new luxury waterfront community marking a major milestone for downtown redevelopment WATCH BELOW: Ground broken on King's Landing project after years of delays The transformation of King's Landing has been in the works since 2019 the city had partnered with the Audubon Group to begin construction in 2023 Earlier this year, INB Homes stepped in and purchased the property for about $2.6 million "It's been great," Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson said We'll start as soon as you give us permission,' and that’s exactly what they did." will feature luxury residential units in a prime location once occupied by a power plant overlooking the Indian River Lagoon "It was a lot of work getting it to where it is today," Bill Rosenwasser "We know that a local vendor who lives near the project will always stand behind his work much more than a vendor coming from a different city." He emphasized the use of all-local contractors and vendors attention now shifts to sales and construction According to Brooke Harris with Keller Williams Realty interest has remained strong despite early project delays but we had delays in the project," Harris said The first two villas are expected to be completed within nine to 10 months and city officials say this is just the beginning Future plans for the site include a new hotel and more residential units Additional commercial development is expected to roll out over the next year following an April 27 single-vehicle crash on Florida’s Turnpike about 18 miles north of Yeehaw Junction were in a 2004 Ford van that was northbound about 7:38 p.m a Fort Pierce resident who sustained serious injuries lost control because of “a possible tire malfunction,” the FHP stated The van overturned several times and ran off the roadway in an April 28 interview said a number of vans carrying farm workers left Fort Pierce to go to Georgia to pick blueberries She said those on the van are of Haitian heritage Brianvil said she’s involved in outreach in the Haitian community because her husband is Haitian.Dymond Logan on April 28 identified one of the women who died as her mother-in-law Marie Volsaint Terjuste She liked to make people laugh and she liked to have open conversations with others,” Logan said “She always showed love to everyone that came around.” including two sons here and others in Haiti She said Terjuste has been in the country for about 16 years “Our love and our heart is just going out towards what happened,” Logan said Fresh developments: St. Lucie County 1986 cold case homicide victim identified New details in circuit judge arrest: judge, assistant were 'party animals,' informant said The seven people injured were taken to two different hospitals (CBS12) — If you're planning to hit the beach this summer Big changes are coming to some of Fort Pierce's most popular waterfront spots Later this year, the city will launch a Paid Parking Pilot Program at Jaycee Park The goal is to generate sustainable revenue that will go directly toward keeping these public spaces clean Fort Pierce has stood out as one of the few coastal Florida cities without paid parking But as the area grows and public demand for well-maintained amenities rises—while traditional funding sources shrink—the city says it’s time to explore new options money collected from parking fees will be reinvested into infrastructure upgrades City officials say this move will allow them to maintain high-quality public spaces without raising taxes on residents that’s where I’m going to go,” one woman told us while unloading her car But free parking at these beaches is about to become a thing of the past The city says the changes won’t happen overnight and they’re committed to rolling out the program thoughtfully The new system will be managed through parking meters Rates may fluctuate depending on the time of day meaning weekends and popular beach spots could be pricier The city is also exploring dynamic pricing which would raise rates during peak hours or busy seasons and it’s going to cost you,” said one man sitting on a bench “You just gotta get used to paying up—and get here early.” Those who don’t pay or overstay their time can expect tickets And the penalties won’t stop there—late fees and administrative costs could pile up if violations aren’t addressed Fort Pierce residents may have a way to catch a break The city is looking at offering discounted or free parking through annual or seasonal permits While the details are still being finalized you’ll probably need to show proof of residency to qualify—and there might be limits on how many vehicles per household can apply “Especially if you're a Florida resident you shouldn't have to pay just to park your vehicle at a public park,” one man near his motorcycle commented See also: High-speed Corvette crash splits Camry, kills young passenger in Boynton Beach Some beachgoers feel tourists should foot the bill. “Florida license plates are probably taxpayers of some sort. I think there should be a difference between locals and visitors,” added another beachgoer. There will also be exceptions for disabled drivers with valid placards. Plus, the city may offer exemption decals for emergency workers, contractors, and others. Businesses may have the option to validate parking for customers. City officials say they’re still working out the exact rates, enforcement policies, and permit options for locals. They’re also continuing to finalize other details like signage, rates, and a formal rollout schedule, which they expect to release in the coming months. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Police search for missing 15-year-old Fort Pierce boyby Grace Bellinghausen The Fort Pierce Police are seeking the public's help in locating Ayden William Reyes (CBS12) — The Fort Pierce Police (FPPD) are seeking the public's help in locating a missing 15-year-old boy Ayden William Reyes is believed to have run away from his home on Bent Creek Drive Police describe Reyes as a 5'9" Hispanic male with black curly hair and brown eyes See also: Stuart Officer on leave after fatally shooting a man sprinting at him with a knife Police urge anyone with information to call 772-979-3471 residents and city leaders have an idea for what might replace the sewage-treatment plant on South Hutchinson Island prepared by Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council in consultation with local stakeholders was presented to the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency for the first time Tuesday The proposal includes multiple ideas across nearly 75 acres on either side of the South Causeway Bridge condominiums or apartments and more in a space dubbed "Causeway Cove Village." It would be located where parking for the Causeway Cove Marina currently is and would include a redesigned marina space where the wastewater treatment plant currently sits is a public park dubbed "Sunrise Park," which would feature an amphitheater passive open spaces andpathways and an event pavilion with an observation tower at the southern point of the peninsula Sunrise Park would connect to the existing Museum Pointe and South Causeway parks via a refreshed "Under the Causeway" space underneath the bridge The existing parks would see upgrades as well including a new boat ramp at Museum Pointe Park The master plan presented Tuesday is just a proposal and any real decisions on what the space will be used for remain far off acting in his role as an FPRA board member pointed to one possible hurdle that will need to be cleared: The properties in question have three different owners which owned by Fort Pierce Utilities Authority but will eventually be transferred to city ownership even all property owners were on the same page no work can begin at the FPUA site until the plant is decommissioned and demolished The current plant on the island is not expected to shut down until about two years later Demolition is expected to begin shortly thereafter but a timeline for the property to be ready for future development is not yet known More: 'We can't fumble the ball now,' commissioner says as King's Landing project inches forward More: DeSantis appoints SFWMD board members; Treasure Coast environmentalists 'disappointed' having a master plan is an exciting step towards a long-held goal of moving the plant and redeveloping the property who said there has been talk of moving the plant since "before I was born I think," said he likes the plan Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Urban Design Director Dana Little also made clear to commissioners that if they like some parts of the plan more than others they can pick and choose "This master plan isn't an all-or-nothing proposal," Little said FORT PIERCE — The iconic African Art, Antiques and Gifts shop at historic Kraaz Square The African store — a longtime cultural fixture on the corner of U.S. 1 and Orange Avenue in downtown — lined with sculptures of African animals, did not have its lease renewed and is being forced out, according to its owner, Senegalese art salesman Ndiaga Niang shea butter and black soap — all imported from artists across Africa who has been a tenant in the building for more than seven years is well known for his cordial greeting to each customer: "Welcome to Africa." A restaurant eventually will occupy the same corner space While no restaurant has yet leased the space "We’re starting to get a foodie scene downtown." Niang is a holdover tenant from the previous owner of Kraaz Square to current owner Images Two LLC for $31.5 million although hoping the landlord still will reconsider and extend his lease art is a way of preserving and sharing culture His art-sales career began when he sold T-shirts in New York City as a side hustle while working full-time washing dishes "Art is universal," Niang told TCPalm in 2021 More: DOGE fired Fort Pierce Forest Service employee despite praise for protecting Florida Trail More: Family of Fort Pierce MLK Day shooting victim suing event organizers, local governments cardboard boxes lay beneath the clothing and jewelry racks in order to move out by the end of the month He plans to move his store elsewhere but did not say where I just do it little by little," he said as he finished packing a box full of djembes Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com or 904-466-4755 (CBS12) — Fort Pierce beachgoers might have to shake their piggy bank before hitting the waves as officials plan the city's first-ever paid parking program The City is eliminating free city park parking at three popular parks by the end of the year as officials seek to fund infrastructure improvements the parking changes will affect Jaycee Park See also: Demolition starts at Palm Beach Gardens Publix destroyed by EF-3 tornado The initiative is designed to fund the maintenance and improvement of parks Officials claim Fort Pierce has been one of the few coastal cities in the state without a paid parking program revenue restrictions and increased demand have caused a change in attitudes The funds generated by the parking program will be reinvested into: (CBS12) — A former Fort Pierce Police officer could face criminal charges after he removed his body camera and punched a person in the face According to the Fort Pierce Police Department (FFPD) former officer Jean Valbrun responded to Avenue L after receiving reports of a man According to an arrest report against the suspect he was involved in a fight with another man As officers attempted to detain Harrington he began to resist without violence by tensing up and bracing his arms in front of him As Valbrun handcuffed Harrington and escorted him to the police vehicle Police say other officers on the scene took custody of the man Valbrun removed his body-worn camera and punched the suspect in his face The officer's actions were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for investigation of possible criminal charges and an internal affairs investigation Before both investigations could be completed “The Fort Pierce Police Department holds its officers to the highest professional and ethical standards I am extremely proud of the officers that intervened and reported this incident The actions of this individual are not representative of the dedicated men and women of the Fort Pierce Police Department who work tirelessly to serve and protect our community with integrity and respect for the law,” said Chief Diane Hobley-Burney Matthew Malhoit worked in FDLE as a member of the Alcohol Testing Program under the authority of the state Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission which is an area that does police officer certifications He said it's possible the state will also review Valbrun’s certificate “FDLE issues those to individuals when they meet the minimum requirements to be a police officers that they can carry agency to agency but FDLE’s Standards and Training can suspect or revoke those That is designed to provide well-being for the community to ensure bad cops aren’t jumping from agency to agency,” Malhoit told CBS12 News Tuesday night (CBS12) — What began as a routine civil matter ended in a disturbing discovery at a Fort Pierce home—two dogs found dead deputies responded to a home in the 2100 block of Dade Road Sunday regarding a dispute over lawn equipment deputies walked around to the backyard—where they came face to face with a horrifying scene described as male and female pitbull-type mixes were hanging by their necks from an engine hoist—bound by a tangled mix of chains “They basically saw two dogs hanging from what looked like kind of an engine hoist,” said St he basically said the dogs had done that to themselves we weren’t buying that explanation—it just doesn’t make any kind of sense.” identified as 42-year-old Salomon Cruz-Perez now faces two counts of aggravated animal cruelty resulting in death Cruz-Perez allegedly claimed the dogs had done it to themselves Deputies say he told them the dogs had been missing and that he found them hanging like that when he went outside we weren’t buying that explanation,” Del Toro said Sheriff Del Toro added that the man had previously contacted Animal Control about euthanizing the dogs “I don’t know if there’s any type of mental health issues going on with this gentleman but this is obviously not the way to do this to an animal,” Del Toro said I’ve been in law enforcement 26 years—I’ve never seen anything like this.” The property is covered in signage: multiple “NO TRESPASSING” and “PRIVATE PROPERTY” warnings along with a “BEWARE OF DOG” sign and surveillance notices Investigators secured a search warrant Sunday and worked through the night until 4:30 a.m Lucie County Animal Control and are being sent to Orlando for a necropsy to determine how they died Cruz-Perez was initially booked into the St Del Toro hopes the case sends a message about responsible pet ownership “If you want to get rid of your dogs or any type of animal for any reason there are humane ways to do that,” he said “You can contact the Humane Society—there are no-kill shelters that can help rehome your dog And we intend to prosecute this case to the fullest.” Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video Some features on this page require the use of a different browser Spoil Island SL3 underwent large-scale enhancement in 2010 the island was replanted with native vegetation and the campsites were refurbished. The spoil island is well on its way to a healthy natural ecosystem Indian River-Vero Beach to Fort Pierce Aquatic Preserve is 12 miles long and encompasses 9,500 acres The aquatic preserve extends from the southern Vero Beach corporate limit south to the north U.S Highway A1A bridge in Fort Pierce and includes Big Starvation Cove The aquatic preserve is bordered by the cities of Vero Beach and Fort Pierce The aquatic preserve is accessible from the east by U.S Numerous parks and boat ramps provide direct public access to the aquatic preserve The Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves is a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and was selected as a 2017 & 2018 Leave No Trace hot spot. To learn more about Leave No Trace in the Indian River Lagoon, contact Matthew Anderson, 772-448-5935 The Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves provides a variety of volunteer opportunities from projects in ecosystem science Volunteers help with activities such as wildlife monitoring annual seagrass monitoring or microplastic sampling The Shoreline Restoration Project enables volunteers to get involved in shoreline stabilization through native plantings volunteers take a hand in improving visitor access through activities such as invasive plant removal or installing picnic tables For more information, please contact our office at IRLAP@FloridaDEP.gov or call 772-448-5935 For other opportunities to help preserve the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding aquatic preserves, consider joining the Friends of the Spoil Islands The spoil islands of the aquatic preserve are popular destinations for picnicking and camping The Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources Master Site File indicates there are scores of historical sites adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (IRLAP) System and include Spanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Many of the aboriginal shell mounds along the IRLAP System were destroyed for roadfill for U.S There are currently no Events/Public Notices that match the selected criteria (CBS12) — A Thursday night at a Fort Pierce Cemetery turned into chaos as a brush fire erupted into a raging inferno Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) reported that at 9:08 PM multiple fire units rushed to the scene near Kings Highway and US1 only to discover en route that the brush fire had escalated to a full-blown structure fire at Hillcrest Cemetary firefighters reported encountering a 50-foot by 30-foot maintenance building engulfed in flames See also: Martin Co. school bus involved in 4-car wreck The report stated that the intensity of the fire posed significant challenges particularly due to the cemetery’s layout and the absence of nearby fire hydrants crews implemented a tanker shuttle to ensure a continuous supply of water Emergency personnel reported no injuries among staff or visitors at the cemetery The cause of the fire remains under investigation — A crash on Florida's Turnpike in Central Florida on Sunday night killed five people WATCH BELOW: 5 dead after crash on Florida's Turnpike The crash report said a 2004 Ford E-350 van was traveling northbound on the Turnpike at mile marker 211 identified as a 66-year-old man from Fort Pierce lost control of the van "due to a possible tire malfunction." This caused the vehicle to overturn several times and run off the road striking a guardrail and overturning into the ditch The driver was taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center with serious injuries Four passengers in the van were taken by helicopter to Osceola Regional Medical Center in Kissimmee Two other passengers were taken by helicopter to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne FHP said five passengers were pronounced dead at the scene The names of the victims have not been released The FHP said the crash remains under investigation.