(CBS12) — An alleged reckless motorcyclist crashed into a Port Salerno home after striking a parked car on Wednesday night The Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said that witnesses reported that the motorcyclist was driving near SE Village Road and SE Michael Drive Deputies reported that there was no one inside the home was injured during the incident Officials said that the motorcyclist was transported to Lawnwood Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries 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 PORT SALERNO — Fire rescue crews extinguish a fire on a boat that was started by a lightning strike Tuesday evening according to Martin County Fire Rescue officials Fire rescue crews responded at around 9 p.m to a reported boat fire in the 4500 block of Southeast Manatee Terrace officials said on the agency's Facebook page according to Martin County Fire Rescue spokesperson Cory Pippin firefighters found the 35-foot boat engulfed in flames and worked to put out the blaze Pippin said a surveillance video from a nearby business showed a lightning strike caused the fire The boat sustained significant damage and is likely totaled A nearby boat also sustained exposure damage He said T\the boat was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported Martin County: Two Palm City middle school students face charges related to bringing weapons to school Martin County: Sheriff's operation results in 30 people charged with selling vape products to minors Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048 (CBS12) — A lightning strike sparked a fierce boat fire in Port Salerno on Tuesday night The Martin County Fire Rescue (MCFR) said that they responded to the boat fire just before 9 p.m in the 4500 block of Southeast Manatee Terrace they reported finding the 35-foot boat engulfed in flames The report says that firefighters helped control the blaze but the intense heat caused damage to a nearby boat as well the flames were extinguished before they could spread further the State Fire Marshal was alerted to investigate the cause of the fire Surveillance video later revealed that a lightning strike was responsible for igniting the boat 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 the historic fishing village south of Stuart in Martin County is known for being the original hub for the South Florida commercial fishing industry It is home to the last remaining commercial fishing dock in Martin County which is used to provide fresh seafood to local restaurants and markets It is marked by the Manatee Pocket, a bay that stretches from the city to the St. Lucie Inlet, where the area's restaurants, art galleries and fishing/boating stores are located. Some restaurants have a "hook and cook" policy meaning the chefs will cook your catch of the day Here are some of the best restaurants in Port Salerno: Do you have an upcoming event you want to be potentially included in this weekly roundup You can also upload your event to TCPalm's event page at events.tcpalm.com PORT SALERNO — Most businesses were not impacted by the Jan. 2 algae bloom in Manatee Pocket that was confirmed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is worried that a bloom festering this early in the year could mean future trouble for the local inlet “It was like a neon green slime,” said Christine King describing the algae bloom on the water’s surface “This was the first time I’ve seen it in two years.” Algae blooms, which typically crop up in warm waters during the summer, have the potential to severely impact boating and waterfront communities. Harmful algae blooms can secrete toxic chemicals that can cause rashes and respiratory infections, according to FDEP They also can create dead zones that kill fish and damage the local ecosystem Still, even benign algae blooms can grow on boats and damage vessels directly in a process called “biofouling,” which can corrode key components and cause blockages “It’s going to affect the boaters who keep their boats in marinas," King said "They’re going to have to have them cleaned that gets into parts of boats that it shouldn’t get into You have the people who want people to want to go swimming Other Manatee Pocket marinas — Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club Pirate’s Cove Marina and Hinckley Yacht Services — told TCPalm they did not see the bloom nor have business operations or customer feedback been negatively impacted More: Lake Okeechobee releases suspected in algae bloom in Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno More: Lake O discharges: Over billion gallons dumped into St. Lucie River through Jan. 9 Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority dockmaster King is worried about what this sighting means for the upcoming year, and said it’s no coincidence the bloom occurred during the brunt of Lake Okeechobee’s latest discharges Nearly 26 billion gallons of polluted freshwater has been released into the St Lucie River — which flows downstream into Manatee Pocket — to lower Lake Okeechobee's level from Dec Discharges are expected to continue into March “People need to do something before dead dolphins wash up on shore,” King said If we’re seeing this blue-green algae in winter Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com or 904-466-4755 MARTIN COUNTY — Damage was reported throughout the county following Hurricane Milton's winds 1 in Port Salerno was closed Wednesday near Cove Road after a suspected tornado caused significant damage to buildings Martin County Fire Rescue posted on X at 9:33 p.m "It’s estimated that dozens of homes have been damaged there have been no fatalities reported at this time." The suspected tornado happened around 5:40 p.m Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue vehicles blocked both southbound lanes of U.S 1 starting at the intersection with Southeast Morningside Drive wires down throughout Martin County following suspected tornadoTrees and live wires were down houses were destroyed and neighborhoods were impassable Wednesday evening in Martin County It's "absolutely atrocious," said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder No of the deputies nor Snyder suffered any injuries because of the storm He urged people to stay indoors and off the roads (CBS12) — Neighborhoods in Port Salerno were bracing for Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night but instead they came face-to-face with a tornado Many of the neighbors in one Port Salerno neighborhood met each other for the first time while helping each other put their homes back together “People need to take this stuff seriously man,” said Tom Perusi Perusi had hunkered down in his Port Salerno home with his wife a twister narrowly missed his house and toppled his boat upside down like a toy His neighbors across the street took a direct hit from the tornado and everyone was coming together to lend a helping hand in the aftermath “It’s really everybody,” said Christina Hunter “Just dropping everything and getting to work.” “When people are in need," added Ron Bova I’ll come out for my neighbor (always) at the end of the day.” Terri Root was still traumatized Thursday from what she heard as she was taking cover in her home last night on Southeast Caroline Avenue “I thought my neighbors had died!” said Root How is the weather similar doesn’t even fit I don’t even wanna be here for another one.” “We’ve got a lot of people out here doing what we can,” said Matt Hewgolod “But it’s gonna take some time off some people that that lost everything last night and I can’t even fathom that.” 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 PORT SALERNO − A cat that was severely injured after being shot by a pellet gun in the area of Southeast Mitzi Lane and Southeast Dell Street had to be euthanized Tuesday according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office A resident on Southeast Mitzi Lane reported seeing a female cat named "Kitty Kitty" dragging herself by her front legs across the street at approximately 12:16 p.m A Sheriff's Office investigation found that the cat had been shot in the middle of her back by a pellet gun The incident happened in the Manatee Creek community which is southeast of Hibiscus Park and northwest of Heritage Ridge North The cat's owner told detectives "Kitty Kitty" was home at 7 a.m Tuesday and appeared to be fine but by noon she was found injured and in extreme distress Certified Animal Services Officer Amanda Heffron on Thursday said the cat lived indoors but was known to go outside too "She was tiny; she was maybe a six pound cat," Heffron said Heffron said an orange-and-white cat who belonged to the same owner was spotted with "Kitty Kitty" and would not leave her side "The two cats must have been together when the incident happened," Heffron said Investigators scoured the neighborhood looking for homeowners with front door or security cameras She said people don't always know to call and report seeing an injured animal or a case of suspected animal cruelty "This kind of behavior is unacceptable and it's unnecessary," Heffron said and we can get justice for this cat and any past cats that have dealt with this issue." Sheriffs officials are asking for the public's help to identify the person responsible Anyone with additional information can call the Martin County Sheriff’s Office at 772-220-7000 Martin County: Port St. Lucie man in jail, accused of sexually assaulting Hobe Sound woman at her home Martin County: Two men accused of stealing $3,000 worth of merchandise from Burlington Coat Factory MARTIN COUNTY − A 105-year-old Port Salerno woman is in the hospital after a tornado destroyed her house has lived in the same house in Rocky Pointe for as long as her great-grandson Rylee Huston He said she lives alone and is extremely independent "She is as independent as anyone can probably wish to be at that age," Huston said was in the bathroom at the time," Huston said Huston said his great-grandmother was pulled out of the house by her neighbors and she is currently in the hospital with a gash in her foot that needed surgery and bruising on her back He believes falling debris caused the injuries "I live about 6 miles away from her so we sped over there the moment we had heard The neighbors had pulled her out of the house and she was able to give my dad's information," Huston said and then we all rushed over there immediately." Huston said he has a great relationship with his great-grandmother They always celebrate her birthday and in recent years she has not wanted to travel long distances so the family goes to her house to celebrate holidays She always told me lots of stories of her life and her travels because she's traveled basically the world on a boat She used to take so many cruises," Huston said Huston said he is not the only one in the family helping out and aunt have all been around to help through the entire situation "My family is working as a pretty tight knit group right now to try to figure out what's going to be happening," Huston said "Everyone's been putting in a lot of effort to go see her to get as many things as we could from the house wreckage and then to just try to figure out what are going to be the next steps when she decides what she wants to do." Huston said he does not know for sure what the next steps are for the house. He said the family wants to help his great-grandmother find a new place in any way they can. A GoFundMe account has been created to raise money to help her get home from the hospital to her temporary housing and back into her own home but that is currently not exactly a finite plan right now," Huston said "It could be anything from a condo to her own place but definitely not any kind of assisted living or nursing homes at this moment in time." Huston said his great-grandmother would rather be anywhere else than the hospital right now because she loves being independent she's always wanted to be out and about and doing her own thing," Huston said But we'll slowly work on getting her somewhere she feels comfortable." Post Hurricane Milton: 'It looked like a war zone' Port Salerno continues to rebuild after tornado Post Hurricane Milton: Martin County comes together after suspected tornadoes and Hurricane Milton hit (CBS12) — A middle school in Port Salerno was severely impacted by the wrath of Hurricane Milton The Martin County School District told CBS12 News on Thursday that Murray Middle School was severely impacted by the storm See also:Gas station destroyed in Palm City after Milton The photos they shared show damage to the band and chorus room as well as the roof of the agriculture building The School District stated that crews are currently there assessing the damage (CBS12) — A Martin County community is grappling with devastating damages after a swarm of possible tornadoes ripped through the area CBS12 News reporter John Evenson was in Port Salerno surveying the damage He reported that a possible tornado cut its way through the area and caused serious destruction as two demolished cars were flipped over A downed powerline was also captured on video with a piece of metal hanging from it Martin County Fire Rescue (MCFR) announced on its Facebook page that U.S 1 and Southeast Federal Highway were closed after there was significant damage to structures light poles and powerlines on both sides of the highway The Martin County Sheriff's Office and MCFR are on the scene helping residents assess the damage to the home Snyder said during an interview that deputies had to transfer people to the hospital because ambulances couldn't get through the debris on the roads MCFR estimates that dozens of homes have been damaged some severely.Snyder said at this time no fatalities have been reported See also:Emergency shelters open ahead of Milton, county-by-county list Earlier in the night, the Sheriff's Office imposed an overnight curfew that went into effect at 9 p.m and was scheduled to remain in effect until 6 a.m.MCSO said the curfew is in place to protect citizens local businesses and prevent potential criminals from taking advantage of citizens to keep drivers off roadways that currently have debris and downed powerlines The fire department also asked that people stay off the road (CBS12) — FEMA landed in Martin County after three possible tornadoes left behind a trail of devastation in the region landed at the Witham Field airport in Stuart where she met with local officials including the Martin County Manager Don Donaldson Donaldson told the FEMA administrator that the county needed help with debris removal and housing assistance CBS12 News Jim Grimes spoke with the FEMA director in Port Salerno where he asked her if the FEMA budget could support the victims of Hurricane Milton "We are watching our disaster relief fund very closely because we've got some significant back-to-back storms I absolutely have enough money to support the people's needs right now for both Helene and Milton," Criswell said See also: Residents, businesses devastated by tornado, hurricane damage in St. Lucie County She added that FEMA is also dealing with a lot of recovery projects due to the fact the organization has over 100 disasters that are open across the country "And so we're assessing how much we're drawing down each day in support of the people for Hurricane Helena and Milton so I can make sure I'm asking for the appropriate amount to get me through the rest of the fiscal year," Criswell said was one of the most impacted areas by the tornadoes that sprung from Hurricane Milton's outer bands The Port Salerno community came together in front of a supply center where those impacted by the storm can get hot meals and water CBS12 also learned that when the tornadoes touched down in Martin County 600 people experienced significant damage to their homes and 10,000 people are without power throughout the county CBS12 News found that the monetary assistance FEMA could offer would be around $15,000 to $20,000 If a victim of Hurricane Milton lost everything people are directed to contact the congressional office where there is information on other federal agencies and funds that can help people in need of assistance — A 105-year-old woman is on the mend after a tornado destroyed her home in Martin County while she was inside Her independence was uprooted last Wednesday night “The neighbors had pulled her out from the bathroom,” Rylee Huston said She’s healing and also dealing with a badly bruised back ‘I want to go home,’ but she doesn’t have a home to go to.” Rylee Huston isn’t sure if Jane Huston’s home can be rebuilt or where his fiercely independent great-grandmother will live when she gets out of the hospital “But I just want her to get back to where she wants to be.” Rylee Huston has started a GoFundMe page to help his great-grandmother get back on her feet once she's out of the hospital. To donate, click here WPTV is learning more about the victims in the shooting at the FSU campus learning that one of the people killed worked for Aramark TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds Martin County was hit by two tornadoes spun off from Hurricane Milton — an EF1 tornado in Port Salerno and an EF2 tornado in Hobe Sound and Port Salerno Officials from the National Weather Service in Melbourne have been assessing damage daily across the Treasure Coast from tornadoes embedded in Hurricane Milton’s outer bands of rain They found the two Martin County tornadoes resulted in at least two people being injured An EF3 tornado was confirmed Friday in northern St. Lucie County and southeast Indian River County but it was rated an EF2 tornado when it killed at least six people in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village the warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Melbourne told TCPalm it was the first of many tornadoes the office expected to confirm across the area “This was a historic tornado outbreak in the Treasure Coast community,” Ulrich said Hurricane Milton: Deadly tornado path grows from Fort Pierce to Vero Beach The first tornado surveyed Saturday in the Stuart area was confirmed at EF1 strength The tornado touched down just south of U.S where a camper home was tossed and a person inside was injured It then moved across Southeast Federal Highway where it hit parts of the Colonial Heights subdivision in Port Salerno Several mobile homes experienced significant damage to roofs and carports A few experienced major damage when they were moved off their foundations A continuous damage path was noted north into the New Monrovia subdivision in Port Salerno where many homes had moderate to major damage and several manufactured homes had complete roof loss Murray Middle School also had roof and vegetative damage Damage continued northward into Rocky Point Several homes in the western half of the community had minor to moderate damage to roofs One home on Southeast Dennis Way had total roof loss Video from a resident along the waterway indicated the waterspout dissipated before it approached the Jensen Beach Causeway The second tornado surveyed Saturday in the Stuart area was confirmed at EF2 strength The tornado touched down in a wooded rural area in between Interstate 95 and U.S but radar indicated it may have touched down farther to the south The track was expected to be updated as more damage was surveyed The damage began in the Lost Lake Golf Club subdivision in Hobe Sound before the tornado moved north into The Preserve of Hobe Sound where vegetative damage was extensive and many concrete block homes experienced significant tile loss The tornado moved north into the Mariner Sands Country Club community where some of the most significant damage along its path occurred Several wood-frame homes experienced total roof loss and partial wall collapse because of winds estimated at 110-120 mph One resident who was trapped under his fallen roof was rescued and transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries The strong tornado then intersected the Manatee Creek subdivision in Port Salerno where nearly 30 wood-frame homes experienced major damage in the form of roof loss and/or wall collapse from winds up to 120 mph The tornado persisted into the Rocky Point area of Port Salerno where the eastern side of the subdivision experienced more sporadic damage to roofs soffit damage and downed trees and power lines the tornado likely became a waterspout as it moved into the St The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) The state confirmed a nontoxic algae bloom in Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno on Jan A prime suspect is Lake Okeechobee discharges that started a month ago Lucie River with freshwater and nutrients that feed algae executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart Perry has asked the Department of Environmental Protection to do more tests to prove him right or wrong "They don't just appear by themselves," Perry said of algae blooms "The discharges are harmful to the estuaries and need to stop." Algae blooms: It's the lake, stupid What are Lake Okeechobee discharges? Risks include water pollution and toxic algae blooms The Army Corps of Engineers has released over 23.75 billion gallons of water into the river since Dec which has lowered the lake level from 16 feet on Dec Discharges are expected to continue into March as the Army Corps tries to lower the lake level to either 11.5 feet for 60 days or 12 feet for 90 days if it can't achieve the lower level Lake O discharges contain polluted freshwater from two sources: the lake and rainfall runoff that drains from White City in Fort Pierce south to the C-44 Canal that runs from the lake to the St The South Florida Water Management District Tuesday acknowledged the river's salinity level is in the "stressful range" for marine life such as oysters Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter — Lightning ignited a boat fire on the Treasure Coast Tuesday night following a series of strong storms Martin County Fire Rescue said their crews responded to the 4500 block of Southeast Manatee Terrace just before 9 p.m firefighters found a 35-foot boat fully involved A nearby boat was also damaged by the flames Fire Rescue said surveillance video revealed that lightning caused the blaze — Two weeks after deadly tornadoes hit the Treasure Coast recovery for the victims has entered a new phase — rebuilding WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny was there as a Port Salerno community looked for solutions as they navigated the tough road to recovery Inside the Port Salerno Civic Center on Wednesday storm victim Steven Newkirk searched for some answers and a place for him and his mother to stay for the night Newkirk and his mother shared a home in Manatee Creek but the storm made it unlivable He's unsure what his insurance will cover or repair Newkirk and his mother have been staying at the nonprofit Elev8Hope "This is one of my families that we help," Rina Shpiruk Newkirk said he's applying for help from FEMA he received another week for a place to stay through Elev8Hope featured representatives from Citizens Insurance the state Financial Services Office and others how many people are going to be a total rebuild," Overdorf said who can't and today's opportunity is to understand all that who said she has roof damage at her home and got a starter check from Citizens Insurance it's going to go a long way," McClain said Read WPTV's latest "Coverage Collapse" stories below: 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JFB Construction Holdings (Nasdaq: JFB) a construction company focused on commercial announces that it is commencing the largest single multi-family development construction contract in company history The Company will act as the general contractor for The Preserve at Port Salerno a 79-unit townhome development with clubhouse and pool amenities in Port Salerno “We believe that the increased proliferation of larger multi-family residential developments such as condominiums and townhouses will be instrumental in JFB’s growth,” said CEO Joseph F our largest single contract ever in which we will serve as the general contractor is a 79-unit townhome development with an additional community clubhouse and amenities with a designated preserve area We believe projects such as this one will be key to our future success providing increased opportunity to manage larger construction projects and establish our continued leadership among our regional competitors in managing jobs at this scale.” The Preserve at Port Salerno is a new luxury townhome project of upscale two-story rental townhomes ranging from 1600 to 1700 square feet located within quiet Port Salerno / Stuart The community offers luxurious yet earth-friendly amenities and is located within minutes of the Intracoastal Highway providing effortless access to the South Florida urban-coastal lifestyle JFB Construction Holdings (“JFB”) offers generations of combined experience in residential and commercial construction and development Having the experience of building Multifamily communities and over 2 million square feet of commercial and retail which has led to the quality and production we are known for JFB’s reputation has been built on its clients' trust and the value it brings to each project JFB is proud that most of its projects are obtained through 100% referrals and repeat customers and that to-date it has provided general contracting and construction management services in 36 U.S CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains “forward-looking statements” You can identify forward-looking statements as those that are not historical in nature particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements Actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of JFB Construction We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events which we derive from the information currently available to us Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance including statements regarding the use of proceeds from the sale of our shares in the Offering; and the uncertainty regarding future commercial success These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement Forward-looking statements are only predictions The forward-looking statements discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks including those described in JFB Construction’s prospectus filed with the SEC We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments JFB Construction Holdings Contact:Joseph F. Basile, III561-582-9840.joe@jfbconstruction.net Investor Relations Contact:CORE IRMike Mason516 222 2560investors@jfbconstruction.net Overlooking Stuart’s Manatee Pocket, The Pearl strives to be a diamond among the many casual bars in nearby Port Salerno The outdoor restaurant and cocktail lounge has a yacht club feel but is far from pretentious who hopes to deliver the kind of elevated experience one might find in Palm Beach or Miami “We’re blessed to be in a beautiful area,” says Olsen “We’re trying to bring upscale flavor to the waterfront in Port Salerno.” The 4,000-square-foot space is adorned with couches and 22 bar stools Patrons who arrive by car or boat (the eatery sits on a private marina and there are public docks nearby) can sink into a comfy couch and make new friends or bring a crowd and gather in the modular While The Pearl opened its doors last October the warehouse-style building—which was originally a fish house and then housed art studios—is being retrofitted in phases with completion expected by the end of this year Chef Evan Baxter has been working his magic out of a food truck where he prepares the restaurant’s tapas-style dishes like lobster mac and truffle cheese as well as delicious homemade sauces and jams Once the new kitchen is ready for operation Chef Baxter will have more room to clean and prepare fish and Olsen has plans to work with local fishermen to serve daily catches as well as oysters (it is called The Pearl Olsen—who has a background in bartending and owns Libations Mobile Catering a bar-service company—worked with The Pearl team to develop an inventive (and cheeky) cocktail menu The Pearl invites guests to get “nauti” with the Blue Pill cocktail Other standouts on the tiki-themed cocktail menu are the Tan Lines Margarita (made with tajin foam) the Coffee Colada (a piña colada with a coffee finish) Olsen says he tests new items at farmers’ markets in Stuart and Hobe Sound seeking feedback before adding them to the menu “There was a lot of tasting involved in the development of the menu,” Olsen says It’s always fun to see people’s reactions.” 4745 SE Desoto Ave. (CBS12) — A morning walk on the beach led to a St Kitts woman finding a decade-old message in a bottle that came from Martin County was taking a morning walk on the beach when she came across a message in a bottle that was written by a former student at Port Salerno Elementary School the Martin County School District (MCSD) says See also: Tar balls wash up on Palm Beach shores, beachgoers face sticky situation The Martin County School District says Jaynes was excited to read the student's words about the kindness of his teacher Mr The Message in the Bottle project was started by longtime volunteers Gregory and Nancy Marvin The project saw nearly 150 bottles adrift in the Gulf Stream between South Florida and the Bahamas on their boat Over the years the bottles have washed up in Bermuda MCSD says the lesson this story is: "You never know where you'll land in this life — A light pole at the entrance of Port Salerno community has not been replaced after being damaged from a tornado caused by Hurricane Milton It’s been more than three months since Hurricane Milton hit Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast areas leaving a path of destruction from a tornado outbreak For people living in one community off Cove Road in Port Salerno they are concerned about their safety after a light pole at the entrance of the neighborhood was damaged by the storm and has yet to be replaced tell WPTV reporter Tyler Hatfield that they have to use tiki torches in order to light up the entrance “It's pitch black down the street,” said Jones that some residents can't find the entrance at night a tornado from Hurricane Milton took out the light pole two out of four streetlamps and damaged multiple homes in the community Jones said crews finally picked up the pole at the entrance just after the New Year and put a traffic cone in its place it becomes a safety hazard for people getting in and out of the neighborhood Jones said one neighbor put up tiki torches Jones told me neighbors and members of the HOA have contacted Florida Power and Light to replace the light since October “Get out here and put up the lights that we're paying for and put this big one up out front so we can get in and out of the neighborhood,” said Jones Jones said FPL already has work orders out to fix the street lamps inside the neighborhood I brought the neighbors concerns about the repairs of the light at the entrance to FPL FPL spokesperson Kamrel Eppinger said the following in a statement: “Due to the devastation caused by recent hurricanes FPL has experienced delays for streetlight repairs.  We’re aware of the streetlight outage in Country Club Cove in Martin County and are striving to have repairs completed by the end of the week We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to make the necessary repairs safely and quickly as possible.” — One of the areas most devastated by Wednesday's tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton is the tight-knit New Monrovia neighborhood of Port Salerno in Martin County Residents said two tornadoes ripped through the community in a matter of 30 minutes WPTV reporter Kate Hussey stood in what's left of Bill Gore's home on Colee Street The frame of the home is the only thing left remaining Gore showed Hussey what once was his kitchen He said he and his wife decided to ride out the storm with their in-laws a few streets down and weren't at their home when the tornado ripped through They came back to find not just their home gone were pulled from the wreckage of their own home Gore said he believes if he and his wife had been home at the time they wouldn't have made it out alive I really understand what the people in North Carolina are going through Here I was praying that God would give them comfort and peace and safety and now I'm in that boat Gore said he has no idea where he's going nor what he'll do next but said he's incredibly grateful for so many community members who have come to help him cleanup The couple told Hussey they were sitting on the couch when they heard what sounded like a freight train the only area of their home without windows and clutched each other and their service dog "We could hear the trees falling on our house our windows were breaking and thankfully we have impact windows and a cement house," said Sarah Owens I think we both would not be here today." In just a few minutes while WPTV was speaking with the Owens family on Friday three people came up and offered to help them clean up and see if they were alright They are now waiting to hear back from their insurance company as to whether their house can be rebuilt Jerry Smith lost his roof for the second time due to a hurricane Smith said he wasn't home when the tornado ripped through but got a frantic call from his wife and daughter who clung to each other as the winds whipped around them ripping off the roof right before their eyes Smith said it's the second time this happened: in 2004 Hurricane Jean ripped the home off its foundation "I don't think it's a good idea for us to try to rebuild this time Smith and his family are staying with loved ones until they can figure out a permanent solution Janette Johnson is grateful she and her six grandchildren are still alive the roof is gone and the second story is almost completely missing Johnson said she was inside her home with her six grandchildren when they heard a deafening noise and immediately huddled in the stairwell with her hands over her head Her grandchildren clung to each other in a ball on the floor of the kitchen watching in horror as the wind ripped off the roof her grandson was on the second floor playing video games Had the tornado ripped through just a few seconds earlier Johnson said her grandchildren are shaken but physically okay She's now living with family as she waits for the insurance adjuster to give her direction on where to go next I'm just so grateful he spared our lives," said Johnson Johnson and her neighbors have stayed incredibly positive on the wall of what's left of her upstairs bathroom is a sign that reads 'faith.' said she's clinging to her faith to get her through Faith is what's helping Diana Dotson comprehend her irreparable loss Her cars were thrown from her driveway into the street she was feeling tired and went to take a nap in that very bedroom but for some reason She came back out and 15 minutes later she heard a deafening noise realized the home she's lived in for 47 years was gone but I'm glad I wasn't in that bedroom to be trapped but I must be something for him to spare." Crews came together Friday to help Dotson begin to clean up and towed the trailer away Other volunteers picked up debris or handed out food and water She's one of many that have now begun to rebuild WPTV was there as person after person showed up at a Martin County distribution center to get water and tarps Dozens of community members searched for help in this time of need led by Jimmy Smith of the NAACP of Martin County water and supplies to the New Monrovia Park community Thursday and Friday the brother-in-law of Dotson and nephew of Johnson cooked up barbecue for victims affected in the area of Geraldine Street and 46th Avenue He was joined by the Salvation Army and other community leaders and elected officials "We've just come together as a whole community we're just so excited to see all people of all sorts of backgrounds coming in Smith said he'll be back out in the community serving up meals starting at 11 a.m and is also collecting donations for those impacted including clothing and other essential supplies Just down the street from the relief effort Pastor Ricardo Weaver of City Church is urging donations to his fellow community as well despite his church suffering its own irreparable devastation Weaver showed Hussey the frame of the church the only thing left standing after the tornado ripped off its roof throwing it into a nearby church's parking lot and taking with it a multitude of furniture and objects Rain also inundated the building left uncovered after the tornado turning it into what Weaver described as a 'pool.' said it's not the first time the church was devastated by a tornado a tornado ripped the building off its foundation entirely "So we're standing in the structure they rebuilt after that first tornado and to experience this 50 years later is a sign," said Weaver "I want to believe in my heart that because God allowed this he is going to ensure as we move forward that we’re going to do so with strength and courage and passion and fire Yet because of the devastation in his surrounding community Weaver isn't asking for donations for his church but instead hoping people can direct their efforts to the livelihoods lost who was inside her home with her daughter and son when a tornado ripped off her roof taking with it many of her belongings inside She said she was inside her kitchen when her son heard a noise that sounded like gunshots but I kept trying to go through the hallway to find out why she went running through the back," said Queen "I done lost my house after 39 years of living and raising my children Queen is now living with her granddaughter as she figures out her next move she's just thankful she made it through alive when I leave I hope somebody will have something,' but I just say even though she doesn't know what to do next Her granddaughter, Bettie Ford, has now set up a GoFundMe page to help her recover. You can donate by clicking here PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The mother of a two-year-old who got ahold of a gun and shot himself in the head resulting in his death is facing jail time The arrest just means we finished a chapter," Port St Lucie police chief Leo Neimcyzk told CBS12 News on Friday who now faces counts of possession of a firearm or ammo by a convicted felon and culpable negligence for allowing a minor access to a firearm was booked on counts of allowing a minor access to a firearm resulting in injury or death The couple was arrested on Friday by the United States Marshal Fugitive Task Force in the parking lot of a Dollar General located in Port St “Who leaves a loaded firearm besides their child’s toy I don’t know what is," the chief added See also: Accused killer's wife claims 'delusions' fueled murder of Boynton Beach neighbor Investigators say there were five adults and another child in the home his father and his grandmother were in other parts of the home when the shooting happened Police said the mother was on the with the child when she suddenly heard a gunshot That's when she looked and saw the child with a gunshot wound to the head kept a total of two handguns unsecured in the master bedroom of the house Photos taken at the scene show a brown and black gun laying next to an orange truck and another gun sitting tucked in between a stack of diapers Cruz a has a bond of $55,000 and Wesley's bond was set at $15,000 we've been following the story of residents in a Martin County neighborhood concerned about the high cost of a septic-to-sewer conversion project the county got some good news that could relieve some of that financial burden WATCH BELOW: Could grant help residents make the switch to sewer Nick Armstrong moved into the New Monrovia neighborhood of Martin County two years ago and there's one thing he wants to get rid of He'd like to say farewell to this old septic tank and connect to a central sewer system "Why can't it be affordable for people to tie in?" Armstrong asked Martin County commissioners this week got word that as part of the governor's $100 million grant announcement for Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvements the county is getting the biggest chunk — $12.5 million That will help fund the conversion of nearly 1,000 septic tanks in the New Monrovia/Port Salerno area we eliminate the contributions of these nutrients that cause algal blooms in the river," Sam Amerson Martin County's director of utilities and solid waste This project is part of a 10-year plan to eliminate 10,000 septic tanks countywide WPTV followed this story two years ago when the county received a similar grant amount from the state but had to give it back when residents complained the assessment hookups were too high but I think we're going to be well below $12,000 for each home," Amerson said But in a community still recovering from last fall's tornadoes "It's scary to think you could lose your house over a major improvement," said Jennifer Dotson Cody-Kemp Her family has lived in New Monrovia for generations They're not against the project and are hopeful that connection fees would be just a fraction of what was previously discussed They're not making money anymore," Cody-Kemp said "It would be really beneficial for people in this specific community to have a helping hand," Nicholas Armstrong said The county will finish crunching its numbers to see exactly what it will cost each homeowner to hook up construction could begin by the end of the year and wrap up in 2027 (CBS12) — A remarkable day at Murray Middle School in Port Salerno in Eastern Martin County just five days after a tornado ripped through here and the surrounding communities The southeastern corner of this campus is where you saw the most damage a classroom and some of the walkways getting hit by the tornado But most of the school is looking good this morning and that is what allowed Superintendent Michael Maine to make the decision to open the school up Monday They're going to find some other place in the school to have the Ag classes and have band and chorus practice it's isolated to that side of the campus," Maine said and we were able to we already had six vacant portables that were on property so we're just moving the chorus room and the band room and the Ag teachers over those six empty portables until we can get these buildings The principal of the school also sent out a social media post which reads: "It has been a whirlwind of a few days but I have never been prouder to be a leader at Murray Middle School Our school and district team along with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions are putting in the work to make sure that our students are returning to a clean and safe campus on Monday The outpouring of love and support we have received quite literally brings tears to my eyes and I look forward to partnering with you until all needs are met." at the Martin County Fairgrounds for the people in this community items are available to residents who have been affected by the tornadoes - including tarps laundry and restrooms will be available at the Martin County Fairgrounds Maine about the rest of his school district He says that some of the schools are dealing with some electrical issues He also said there's a lot of excitement around the district because the big high school football game the Martin Bowl between Martin County and South Fork High Schools He says it's an important night for the rest of the district to come together after what has been a very difficult week — Port Salerno neighborhoods near Rocky Pointe Cove saw lots of devastation Wednesday as a tornado swept through the area and downed power lines covered many streets This was one of several areas in Martin County that witnessed tornado landfalls WPTV’s Zitlali Solache and photojournalist Khalil McLean were with Martin County Sheriff William Snyder when they spotted a tornado near the Woodmill Pond homes WPTV and MCSO drove through the complex’s damage from the tornado — that left downed trees A couple who lives on the Woodmill Pond — recounted their experience “All the air just felt like it got sucked out of the room,” stated Kevin and Lisa Carlson But you can tell that there’s something major out there.” Josh Noble also lives in the complex with his parents — and said he heard about the tornado warnings We just heard rumbling and then and we all got in the bathroom,” stated Noble “I definitely wasn’t expecting one to come right where I live.” MCFR officials say they have received nearly a hundred calls — but no fatalities have been reported as of now 1 in Port Salerno remains closed near Cove Road due to the damage 🚨 US 1/SE Federal Hwy in Port Salerno remains closed near Cove Rd after a possible tornado caused significant damage to structures, trees, light poles & power lines on the highway.Deputies continue to work the scene & firefighters are helping residents & assessing the damage. pic.twitter.com/sS23UqgWGr See more of WPTV's coverage of impacts from Wednesday's tornado outbreak from Hurricane Milton: Three more tornadoes were confirmed Wednesday to have hit the Treasure Coast last week That brings the total to at least eight different tornadoes — six confirmed and two still being investigated — to hit the three-county area on Oct 9 from Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne Officials have been assessing damage daily According to preliminary reports released Wednesday: it was rated an EF2 when it killed six people in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village EF1 tornado in Fort PierceThe EF1 tornado lasted 10 minutes with estimated peak wind of 95 mph Emergency dispatch call logs show the tornado likely touched down in northern Fort Pierce near the Belcher Canal a few structures had partial roof loss in the area of St The tornado continued northwest across the Treasure Coast International Airport airfield where several small planes were tossed and flipped The airport recorded a wind gust of 60 mph at 4:21 p.m Radar data suggests the tornado intensified as it moved over the open airfield and moved into a mainly forested area on the north side of the facility As the tornado intersected residential areas more substantial damage was found to a few homes including those on Sparkling Pines Circle and within the Island Pines Golf Club where the tornado likely reached peak wind speeds of 85 to 95 mph It continued northwest toward the Lakewood Park area in northern St where an EF2/EF3 tornado crossed paths about one hour later That made distinguishing damage from the more significant tornado extremely difficult interviews with Lakewood Park and Spanish Lakes residents suggest the first tornado produced minor to moderate residential damage While the radar-indicated debris signature continued northward there weren’t any reports of significant damage north of the county line It’s assumed the tornado lifted before it moved into Indian River County The EF1 tornado lasted 14 minutes with estimated peak winds between 80 mph and 90 mph The first indication of tornado damage was found in the Crane Landing Sawgrass Lakes and Tulip Park subdivisions of Port St That included minor residential impacts of missing shingles and soffit damage as well as sporadic tree damage northward into communities next to Florida’s Turnpike that included Cashmere Cove The damage was consistent with peak winds of 65-75 mph The tornado then crossed into the Fort Pierce area where it caused significant structural damage to a metal canopy system at the St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office on Midway Road Peak winds were estimated to be about 90 mph It then appeared to weaken and likely lifted as it approached the Interstate 95 interchange with Okeechobee Road The EF0 tornado lasted 35 minutes with estimated peak winds between 75 mph and 85 mph The tornado touched down in a wooded area to the south of the I-95 interchange at Martin Highway in Palm City Martin County Fire Rescue reported a tractor-trailer had been flipped by the tornado near mile marker 109 The tornado continued north along the interstate downing many trees along its path with estimated peak wind speeds of 75-85 mph As the tornado moved north-northeast into the Rosser Reserve subdivision in Port St many residential structures had minor to moderate damage to shingles where a home had major damage when part of its roof was peeled back because of winds of up to 85 mph The tornado appeared to weaken as it continued north into St Lucie West because not much more than large branches and a few downed trees were noted Lucie had mainly minor damage to roofs and siding The tornado appears to have lifted as it approached the I-95 interchange at Midway Road Here’s a breakdown of the Treasure Coast tornado damage surveyed so far by the National Weather Service in Melbourne in the order the tornadoes touched down in Martin near Stuart)Rating: EF2Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mphPath Length: 5.7 milesMaximum Path Width: 400 yardsFatalities: 0Injuries: 1Start Time: 5:35 p.m.End Time: 5:46 p.m.EF Scale for tornadoesThe Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: MARTIN COUNTY − The sun shines on Cocobean's face as she's lifted into the water on a stretcher It only took a few seconds Thursday morning for her to swim off into Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno after being away from 'home' for three months The 9-foot-long, 775-pound manatee spent the past three months at SeaWorld Orlando, where she was rehabilitated after people found her in Manatee Pocket with boat strike injuries. The injuries caused her to be buoyant and to swim on her side. The passers-by spotted her in the water and called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said every manatee rescue such as Cocobean's requires 10 people but for her rescue FWC biologist volunteers and the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce were called to assist volunteers brought out foam pads to lay Cocobean on photos and checked her microchips that SeaWorld implanted the FWC can scan the chips and know her identity Howell said there are about 100 manatee rescues a year statewide She said 25% to 30% of manatee mortalities are attributed to watercraft injuries people do not realize that they have hit a manatee and will keep moving FWC volunteer Buddy Gilmore said following watercraft rules such as going an idle speed in a no wake zone is important in preventing an incident with a manatee Even having someone be lookout for manatees can help The FWC always releases the manatees to where they were found Howell said Cocobean was found in Manatee Pocket so she was released there since she would be familiar with the area and will know where to find food and have time to acclimate "We chose this ramp over Sandsprit (Park) because it's more quiet so we're not putting her right out into fast speed boat traffic," Howell said It depends on the injury for how long a manatee stays in rehabilitation With a watercraft strike such as Cocobean's medical staff will make sure that the injuries have healed properly it's a good sign that it is ready to go back into the water who said his daughter is a former FWC volunteer came with his wife from an hour away to watch the manatee release He said he has seen multiple manatee releases because he loved watching his daughter work "It's exciting to see animals like this that are so endangered," Cassel said watching them all go out and circle it in the water."  Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048 MARTIN COUNTY — Local non-profit organization has partnered with the Save Our Salerno movement to provide temporary housing to Port Salerno residents who lost their homes during the tornadoes from Hurricane Milton Project Lift works with struggling teens in the area by teaching them skills such as carpentry Each of the temporary homes will be two stories and include appliances such as a washer Project Lift CEO Robert Zaccheo said the situation was an opportunity to help people in the community "It's not even just helping the people who lost their homes and that's just overall an amazing story." Zaccheo said the temporary homes will be put on the residents' properties so they can be close to their homes while they rebuild Two temporary homes were brought to properties in New Monrovia the week of Nov "They're hurting in a way that I don't think anybody can imagine right now," Zaccheo said "We said we'll figure out the details later but right now we need to get a house on that property so that family can be whole again." Family members were not available to be interviewed So far there are six homes ready to move onto residents' properties for them to live in but because they still need permits from the health department Only a couple houses are being moved at a time so the permitting process goes smoothly "Project Lift has houses ready to go that people can move into so they don't have to be displaced and they can oversee the reconstruction of their homes and not have to be sleeping on somebody's couch," Zaccheo said Save Our Salerno was founded about 1 ½ years ago and has since been working to aid the community in any way it can It has established a local scholarship program and dispatched trucks of building materials to Cedar Key after Hurricane Milton a local businessman who started the Save Our Salerno movement Elev8Hope and the Martin County Firefighters Benevolent Association have also partnered with Save Our Salerno to house residents Cass said since there is a limited number of temporary homes available they wanted to move them from property to property so more residents can move back to the area as soon as possible and once they are habitable we can move (the temporary homes) to the next property and pull those people back into their neighborhood," Cass said "Our hope is to get in there and do it like an old-fashioned barn raising where the neighborhood gets in and bangs nails I think they're going to come out as an even stronger community than they already were." Zaccheo said once the residents are able to rebuild their houses they can choose what they want to do with the temporary homes on their properties "There were some really good ideas that were thrown around and one of the ideas was let them keep it on the property as an accessory dwelling or maybe they can rent it out to have some income related to their property," Zaccheo said "Maybe it will increase their land value." Port Salerno: 105-year-old woman survives Port Salerno tornado that destroyed her house Port Salerno: 'It looked like a war zone' Port Salerno continues to rebuild after tornado — The Mauri family is picking up the pieces They live in Port Salerno's Rocky Point neighborhood in Martin County and were one of the many homes hit by Wednesday's tornadoes A nearby neighbor, Kelly Grandinetti, decided to step in and help. Grandinetti founded the Rocky Point Tornado Relief group on social media She adds the group received an outpouring from the community “Surviving through the tornadoes and coming out completely unscathed and seeing how many of our neighbors weren’t so lucky — I knew we had to do something,” Grandinetti said Grandinetti says funds helped the Mauri family find temporary housing She adds the community has helped donate food beautiful thing to see the neighborhood come together after such a terrible tragedy — and to help very deserving people,” Grandinetti said The Mauri family is grateful they made it out alive, although they lost their home, vehicles and the family's business boat. The family has started a GoFundMe page as they wait for an insurance adjuster Grandietti knows this is a long road to recovery for many families in Martin County but she wants to help in every way she can The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado occurred Wednesday in the Port Salerno-Stuart area on Wednesday near U.S There were reports of branches down and minor damage to a home but no reports of injuries in this area There were other possible tornadoes that occurred throughout parts of St spurred by the outer bands of Hurricane Milton as it churned toward Florida said there was damage between Gatlin Boulevard and Becker Road with "debris all over the road" with what appeared damage to vehicles "Trees were splintered" and "just they had been literally taken apart," Overdorf said in a phone call with WPTV "It was obvious that the tornado had touched down there." WATCH BELOW: Possible tornado tears through Cobblestone community in Palm City He said he wasn't sure if the possible tornado preceded west or toward Cheney Brothers facility he said the possible tornado occurred in the industrial areas of the Tradition area of Port St WPTV reporter Meghan McRoberts also spotted significant damage from a possible tornado at 4700 Midday Road at the St Sheriff Keith Pearson posted on Facebook that a 10,000-square-foot building was damaged by the storm where patrol cars are parked Pearson said no deputies were inside the building at the time and no injuries were reported There was twisted iron at the scene along with damaged vehicles at the nearby post office Sheriff William Snyder said there was a "definite tornado" at mile marker 110 on Interstate 95 with debris that possibly came from the Cobblestone development in Palm City Residents are urged to stay home while this tornado outbreak is occurring deputies respond to multiple areas after tornado damage WPTV spoke to Martin County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Christine Weiss about the tornado outbreak "As a former reporter and a current PIO (public information officer) I have never seen what we are seeing today," Weiss said "I have never seen calls for tornado damage in multiple tornadoes." Weiss said deputies were calling from "call to call" and the agency was using "every resource" that they had She said the area that seemed the hardest hit was Southeast Burning Tree Circle and Mariner Sands Country Club where there were multiple reports of injuries including traumatic injuries the roof blew off and it blew her through the front door Weiss said deputies had difficulty accessing that community because of downed power lines and debris blocking access roads "I've never seen anything like this before," Weiss said Weiss said it was unclear how many people have been injured in Martin County but paramedics were trying to get people to hospitals as quickly as possible Due to the significant damage caused by multiple tornadoes in Martin County as well as dangerous and deteriorating weather conditions expected throughout the night "This curfew is in place to protect our citizens and local businesses and prevent potential criminals from outside the area from taking advantage of our citizens during this vulnerable time as well as to protect citizens from driving on roadways obstructed with debris and downed power lines We urge everyone to remain indoors for their safety," the sheriff said in a Facebook post "If you have a legitimate reason to be out during curfew hours please be prepared to inform deputies of your circumstances Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to protect our community." This is a breaking news story and will be updated — A group of paddleboarders will take on a 36-mile journey down the St highlighting concerns over Lake Okeechobee discharges that affect waterways along Florida’s coast The "Lake 2 Ocean Paddle Race" begins at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam and ends at Sandsprit Park in Port Salerno said the race aims to raise awareness about water quality issues They've already raised $2,000 toward clean water efforts and hope to raise even more on Saturday Portwood explained that the discharges have a visible and lasting impact on the local waterways “I saw that nasty brown sludge water all the way down past Jupiter last year and we don’t want to see that again," he said “There’s beautiful waterways all around here but you can’t enjoy them if it’s getting polluted.” Thirty participants will take on the challenge We’re in the waterways and some days you come out here and it’s crystal clear and other days you come here and it’s brown,” said Barnes The proceeds will go to Friends of the Everglades a nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring Florida’s estuaries executive director of Friends of the Everglades explained that while a new water management plan has been implemented recent discharges continue to put ecosystems at risk “We need a long term break so that the seagrass can recover and have a meaningful rebound,” said Samples Portwood said the frequency and impact of the discharges has even changed how he trains for paddle races this is kind of our safe refuge for training because if we get a lot of high winds we come in here because it’s protected but during those times we weren't able to.” the solution lies in continued restoration efforts we can fix this problem through the Everglades restoration project,” he said As they get ready to launch their paddleboards Saturday participants hope to make waves — not just on the water but in the ongoing conversation about Florida’s environmental future You can donate to the race here By Jon Shainman and Zitlali SolachePublished: Feb 2025 at 12:11 PM ESTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMARTIN COUNTY — Jennifer DeShazo with the Martin County School District says recent attendance numbers in county schools are concerning “We have noticed that our numbers are nowhere near where we would like them to be,” said DeShazo Baseline attendance ranges from just about 90% to 96% at the elementary level those numbers dropped 1% to 4% almost across the board Port Salerno Elementary saw fewer than half of their students in class It’s important to note that across the country Monday a campaign called the “Day Without Immigrants” was held encouraging immigrants not to go to work or school to show the importance of immigrants to the economy “We need students in school so they can have that contact with their teachers and their peers and be learning and progressing as we would like them to,” said DeShazo The drop coincides with recent immigration activity “ICE has not set foot on any Martin County campus?” WFLX asked DeShazo And it’s not something that we anticipate,” she said I spoke with a mother and daughter at dismissal time at Port Salerno Elementary They both told me they’ve both noticed fewer kids in the classroom and they’re not alone WFLX’s Zitlali Solache also heard from parents at Tuesday’s school board meeting “Attendance has plummeted because kids are fearful of going to school so that’s obviously an issue,” stated parent Brendan Kreeger Some parents are calling for the school district to not allow ICE agents on campus “We heard yesterday that there was [a] rumor going around that there was going to be an ICE raid at Stuart Middle,” stated parent Sarai Condreras “These aren’t conversations that I should be having with my middle schooler be able to come home and not be able to worry about the politics of immigration.” Condreras says the school district has been quiet about the subject and wants them to address safety with parents and students Palm Beach County Schools sent no data but a statement that reads in part: “We remain committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for students while following all relevant state and federal laws and regulations.” overall attendance was 91.8% back on Thursday Lucie County Schools said it “has observed an increase in absences among our Hispanic student population… and staff are proactively reaching out to parents to understand their concerns and to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance.” DeShazo is hoping the declining figures are temporary “We have every confidence in the Department of Education that they’re aware and this is something that school districts throughout the state are concerned about.” She added this message to parents who may be concerned: “I don’t want families to think it’s something involving children I think that’s the message we want to get out that our schools are safe and welcoming places.” (CBS12) — A multiple-vehicle crash involving at least one death has closed down all lanes of I-95 North in Port St Florida 511 reported a crash involving multiple vehicles at Mile Marker 124 on I-95 North at around 3:41 a.m See also:Raccoon and otter test positive for rabies in St. Lucie County, residents warned Lucie County has been closed from Exit Ramp 120 The Florida Highway Patrol noted that the crash did involve at least one fatality Hurricane Milton slammed across the Florida Peninsula tearing off the roof of a major sports venue and destroying countless homes At least four deaths were reported as of Thursday morning in St. Lucie County on Florida's Atlantic coast, where officials said tornadoes touched down, NBC News reported Many captured the devastation at Tropicana Field in St showing the facility's roof ripped off by winds a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph sustained winds amid several tornadoes The system was exiting the state early Thursday near Cape Canaveral but the Space Coast was still being lashed by strong