From public safety concerns in neighboring Fort Pierce to real estate tax alarms in Port St. Lucie, this week’s news roundup covers significant events impacting the wider Treasure Coast region and Florida. Here is a summary of the top stories making headlines nearby.
Attempted Online Sale Ends in Violence in Fort Pierce
Residents are being reminded to exercise extreme caution when conducting transactions facilitated by online marketplaces following a violent incident in nearby St. Lucie County. Detectives report that four people were shot on a Sunday afternoon in what authorities describe as an ambush.
The incident took place on the 3600 block of Avenue R in Fort Pierce. According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary investigations indicate the meeting was arranged for an online marketplace transaction but escalated into violence in front of a vacant house. Deputies and St. Lucie County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the scene to render aid to the victims.
Port St. Lucie Homeowners Facing Sticker Shock
In a story relevant to property owners across the Treasure Coast, residents in Port St. Lucie are voicing concerns over dramatic increases in property tax bills. The City and County have launched a workshop to address the confusion as some recent homebuyers report seeing their taxes double.
“I bought this home in June of 2024… The previous owner was paying about $3,200. I homesteaded, then got reassessed — and now my tax bill is $6,240. It’s the same house.”
One homeowner noted that this reassessment has added more than $500 a month to his escrow payments, highlighting the affordability crisis hitting those on fixed incomes or dealing with concurrent insurance hikes.
Martin County Air Unit Rescues Lost Cyclist
Just south of Indian River County, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed high-tech resources to rescue a bicyclist in distress. An out-of-town visitor exploring the Dupuis Management Area encountered difficult terrain and strayed off the marked trail, eventually becoming lost.
Dispatchers utilized the GPS coordinates from the cyclist’s cell phone signal to track his location. The “Air 1” aviation unit was then able to pinpoint the man from the sky and guide ground deputies to his location for a safe recovery.
Massive Great White Shark Caught from Shore
In a story capturing attention statewide, anglers on Pensacola Beach landed a rare and massive catch from the shore. Dylan Wier and Blaine Kenny of Coastal Worldwide were guiding a 48-hour shark fishing trip when they hooked a great white shark estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds.
The 12 to 13-foot apex predator took the bait within the first 12 hours of the trip. After fighting the shark for nearly an hour, the crew brought it to the shallows to document the catch before safely releasing it back into the Gulf.
Boca Raton Nurse Terminated Over Viral Video
In regional news, a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital has been terminated following a controversial social media post. The nurse was identified in a TikTok video making graphic and profane comments regarding White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The hospital system took action after the video, which wished physical harm upon the expectant mother, sparked significant online backlash regarding professional conduct in the healthcare sector.
