Volunteer tax assistance available for St. Lucie County residents

Trained volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be providing free tax preparation assistance at three locations throughout St. Lucie County starting in February.

VITA sites offer free tax filing assistance to residents making less than $60,000 per year. Assistance will be offered at the following locations:

St. Lucie County’s Family Success Center, 714 Ave. C, Fort Pierce: Feb. 6 through April 12.
Incubate Neighborhood Center, 532 N. 13^thSt., Fort Pierce: Feb. 4 through April 8.
Indian River State College, Bldg. Y-Rm. 102, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce: Feb. 16, 23 and March 2, 9, 23. Closed March 16.

All locations are open for walk-ins only. Residents will be helped on a first-come; first-served basis. None of the locations will be taking appointments.

A list of potential paperwork that residents will need to bring to have their federal taxes prepared includes: Proof of identification, Social Security numbers, birth dates of family members, property tax bills, all income documents, including wage and earning statement(s) W-2, W-2G, 1099-R from all employers; interest and dividend statements from banks (forms 1099-Div); a copy of last year’s federal and state returns (if available); health care expenses; donation receipts and bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

Volunteers at all the sites have been trained by the Internal Revenue Service. For more details about this program, visit: www.irs.gov.

For those who make more than $60,000, but less than $73,000 can prepare their own taxes using the “My Free Taxes” at the link www.myfreetaxes.com. Please call 211 for more information.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email [email protected]

Jan. 26, 2023|

St. Lucie County Commissioners Schedule Interviews for Six Finalists for the Administrator Job

St. Lucie County Commissioners narrowed down the field of applicants to replace County Administrator Howard Tipton to six finalists, who will meet with county staff, commissioners and the community over a two-day interview process on Thursday, Jan. 26 and Friday, Jan. 27.

Tipton, who spent nearly eight years as St. Lucie County’s eighth county administrator, stepped down on Jan. 12 to become the city manager for Longboat Key on Florida’s west coast. During a special meeting on Jan. 17, St. Lucie County Commissioners, with help from consultant Colin Baenziger & Associates, reviewed more than two dozen applications for the county administrator position and agreed to interview six candidates:

Dale "Doc" Dougherty, city manager for Garden City, MI
Darren S. Gray, deputy county manager for Osceola County, Fla.
Derek R. Scrapchansky, town manager for Topsham, ME
Eric R. Johnson, city manager for Norcross, GA
George C. Landry, public utilities director for St. Lucie County
George M. Stokus, assistant county administrator for Martin County.

St. Lucie County staff will take the candidates and their spouses on a bus tour of the county on Thursday, Jan. 26, followed by a meet-and-greet event with county department directors that afternoon. County commissioners will host a community reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Havert L. Fenn Center, located at 2000 Virginia Ave., for the public to meet the candidates.

Candidates will spend the morning of Friday, Jan. 27 conducting one-on-one interviews with each St. Lucie County Commissioner, followed by a special County Commission meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, where all five Commissioners will interview each candidate as a Board.

St. Lucie County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Roger Poitras Annex, 2300 Virginia Ave., to decide which candidate will be offered the position of St. Lucie County’s administrator.

Jan. 20, 2023|

Attorney and long-time political activist Krista Storey to lead St. Lucie County Democratic Women’s Club

Krista Story, Esq.

Fort Pierce, January 12, 2023 – Krista Storey, an attorney, has been elected president of the Democratic Women’s Club of St. Lucie County. Storey, a resident of Fort Pierce, has been legislative liaison for the Club. Storey was also a Voter Protection team leader for the Florida Democratic Party. She coordinated dozens of St. Lucie County volunteers serving as poll watchers and canvassing board observers from 2020 through 2022.

The Democratic Women’s Club of St. Lucie County has 150 members. It focuses on voter registration, participating in governmental affairs, supporting county-based community organizations as well as a range of election year candidate support activities. There are more than 60 Democratic Women’s Clubs with over 3,000 members in the state of Florida.

Storey served as a local government attorney for nearly four decades. She recently retired from her position as a senior assistant county attorney for Martin County, where she spent 25 years specializing in land use and
comprehensive planning. Storey is currently a partner with Emerald Law, a South Florida-based law firm.

According to Storey, the St. Lucie County Democratic Women’s Club will focus in 2023 on increasing the diversity of its membership with the goal of providing more effective community outreach in areas such as voter education and the discussion of key public policy issues.

Jan. 13, 2023|

ARC of Martin County and ARC of St. Lucie County merge to become ARC of the Treasure Coast – a powerhouse for good

ARC of Martin County and ARC of St. Lucie County merge to become ARC of the Treasure Coast - a powerhouse for good

The ARC of Martin County and ARC of St. Lucie County have merged to become the ARC of the Treasure Coast starting January 2023. The Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged is dedicated to assisting, supporting, and empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their fullest potential.

ARC has grown steadily over the years since it began in 1956. This merger will bring these two distinguished groups together to form a powerhouse for good. The Treasure Coast division will provide vital services from Vero Beach to Palm Beach Gardens and Okeechobee.

Some of ARC’s exceptional programs include summer camps and After-School programs for children. Residential and supported living services, day training programs, community inclusion services, transportation, intensive behavioral services, and Advanced Employment Services for adults.

Keith Muniz has been President and CEO of the ARC of Martin County and will remain in that role for the ARC of the Treasure Coast.

“The merger allows us to create a stronger unit to help more people who are unserved or underserved along the Treasure Coast. While our name is changing, we will still be providing the same critical services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges, as well as support for their families,” said Muniz.

ARC has a number of events each year to raise funds and welcomes financial donations from the community. Volunteers are also needed. To find out how you can help, please visit www.arcmc.org.

Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to assisting and supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their fullest potential through residential, vocational, behavioral, and other related healthcare services.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news

Jan. 5, 2023|

Free history festival returns to downtown Fort Pierce Jan. 14

Treasure Coast history will come alive in downtown Fort Pierce on Saturday, Jan. 14, as the 6th Annual Treasure Coast History Festival is celebrated.

This year’s festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Second Street in front of the Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. Second St.. Besides historical exhibitions outside the theater, the festival also features three presentations inside the theater, all tied to events that began in 1923, exactly 100 years ago.

Access to all events at the festival is free, compliments Indian River Media Group, publisher of Indian River Magazine, Space Coast Living, Fort Pierce Magazine and Port St. Lucie Magazine, and presenting sponsor, St. Lucie Battery and Tire. Also assisting in production of the festival are Main Street Fort Pierce, the St. Lucie County Historical Society and the Sunrise Theatre.

The first presentation inside the Sunrise Theatre begins at 9 a.m. and celebrates the centennial of the school that would become Lincoln Park Academy. Back in 1923, few black students were able to attend high school — there was no black high school south of Palatka — and local parents got together to begin a high school in Fort Pierce that would provide an education for black teenagers. The presentation features eight panelists deeply tied to the school, including former School Board member Samuel Gaines, who has written a history on the school. Other scheduled panelists are Veryl Moore, Francina Mimms, Hassie Russ, Harry B. Williams, Ernestine English, Dorothy Jackson and Dave Perry.

The second presentation, at 10:30 a.m., celebrates the Sunrise Theatre, which opened as a vaudeville theater in 1923, the fulfillment of the vision of impresario R.N. “Pop" Koblegard. Two of Koblegard’s granddaughters, Wendy Bishop and Mary Ann Bryan, will help recall the theater’s early days and transition to a movie theater while other panelists, including Main Street Fort Pierce Executive Director Doris Tillman, will share how the theater was restored and reopened to its current splendor in 2006. The session includes a video presentation of rarely seen photographs tracing the theater’s history.

The final presentation inside the theater is at 12:30 p.m. and features a Cow Creek Reunion, bringing people together featured in Indian River Magazine’s Cow Creek Chronicles series that followed the lives of C.F. Raulerson, who founded what would become the Cow Creek Ranch in 1923, and his descendants. Scheduled guests on the panel include Debra Sloan, great-granddaughter of C.F. Raulerson and daughter of Jo Ann Raulerson Sloan and T.L. “Tommy" Sloan, and several of the original Cow Creek cowboys who will talk about the early days of Florida cattle ranching and share their folk traditions that continue today.

The presentations inside the theater are emceed by Gregory Enns, publisher of Indian River Magazine and author of the Cow Creek Chronicles.

Planned exhibitions at the street festival include historical re-enactors from the Seminole War who established Fort Pierce, historical books for sale from the St. Lucie County Historical Society and the Florida Classics Library and exhibitions on the notorious Ashley Gang, a cow camp exhibition from Carlton family descendant Rick Modine, the history of the Spanish treasure fleet that sunk off our coast in 1715, the Navy SEAL Museum, the Treasure Coast Genealogical Society, the Port St. Lucie Historical Society, the Fort Pierce Art Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Fort Pierce Woman’s Club, Main Street Fort Pierce and Indian River Magazine.

The festival also features food vendors, including a genuine Summerlin family fish fry.

Access to all events is free and no tickets are required, but if you would like a guaranteed seat to the sessions inside the theater visit https://indianrivermagazine.com/history-festival-reservations/

For more information, call 772.940.9005 or email [email protected]

Dec. 29, 2022|

Dyer Difference Award Helps Children in Crisis

John Dyer and Jonathan Holmes present the December Dyer Difference Award to Debbie Butler of Guardians for New Futures.

A sad reality of life in 2022 is that there are children among us who have been victims of sexual and physical abuse by the very people they trust and love more than anyone in the world. Understandably, removing a child from a dangerous living situation is simply not enough. That’s where Guardians for New Futures and the recently opened Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) come in. The CAC serves children throughout the 19^th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties and provides a multidisciplinary team of professionals to coordinate all the necessary resources and services that child might need at the most difficult time. By combining all the services in one place and with one cohesive team of professionals, a child who has already been traumatized can choose to share the story just once in a setting that is designed to be comfortable and child-focused. Since opening the doors in July, CAC has already served nearly 200 sexually and physically abused children, and is on track to serve approximately 1,200 each year. The Dyer Difference Award will help aid in the creation of a Healing Garden on site.

Toys for Tots Coordinator Star Knudson accepts the Dyer Difference Award from General Manager Jonathan Hardie.

Even during the happiest season of the year, we all need a little magic to believe in, especially those among us who are most tender of age. In Indian River County, the spirit of Christmas lasts all year long, and there is no question at all about the existence of Santa and Christmas miracles. Last year, Toys for Tots of Indian River County distributed more than 52,000 toys and helped make Christmas a little brighter for 8,269 children. Since its inception in 1947, the Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots program has been providing holiday toys and gifts for children who might not otherwise receive them. Seventy-five years later, the need is larger than ever to help children throughout Indian River County, and volunteers have been working hard all year long to meet the needs and create a few Christmas miracles right in our own backyard.

The Dyer Difference Award is all about celebrating the beauty and kindness in our midst. For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations made monthly between the St. Lucie and Indian River Counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions. If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.

Dec. 23, 2022|

Circles and Cycles set theme for Port St. Lucie Business Women board installation

Circles and Cycles of Life were the themes of the Installation of new Board members at the Port St. Lucie Business Women’s (pslbw.com) Dec. 1 holiday party, which took place at Gator Trace Golf and Country Club in Port St. Lucie. “Circles of seasoned members join with circles of younger members of the Port St. Lucie Business Women,” said Installation committee co-chair Susan Fines. “There are many ways the older generation can help and mentor the younger women, not only in business but also providing friendship and support throughout life cycles,” she added.

In 1980, four women in the banking field decided that women in St. Lucie County should be better recognized. They invited other women into their circle and became the Port St. Lucie Business Women. Throughout the organization’s 42 years, members have bonded while serving as officers, participating on committees, organizing fundraisers and seminars, and gathering for social events. To date, more than $200,000 in grants have been awarded to non-profit agencies serving women and children and more than $125,000 in scholarships have been given to women eager to complete their education.

Former president Maureen Darcy (2000 – 01) conducted the Installation of incoming officers. “Our members have come from a variety of fields: banking, real estate, health, education, the legal profession, advertising and public relations, the media, accounting, and public service,” began Darcy. “We have watched with pride as they moved up the ladder of success. We have had business owners, city council members, judges, church ministers and many others. Now is the time to move on. Tonight, we take the first steps into the future with the installation of our new officers.”

Newly elected Board members were informed of their duties and asked to pledge themselves to perform such duties. They were presented with potted plants and blank journals individually selected for each position. Incoming Board members for 2023 are Devon Dwyer, President; Mindi Fetterman, Vice President; Elaine Anderson, Secretary; and Stephanie Morgan, Treasurer. After the presentation, members formed a circle around the newly installed officers to show that the membership supports its leadership.

At the end of the program, former president Marilyn Lawless (2005 – 07) related the following.

"In closing our evening, the ancient native legend of the circle of friends says that at the end of the evening, friends would gather around a bonfire and share their hearts. They would speak of the good qualities of each other and remember times shared. As the embers faded, their friendship was said to be sealed anew, bringing them closer together. . . and so, this is us!

The Port St. Lucie Business Women is a 42-year-old, 501 (c) (6) non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting the interests of businesswomen and serving our community. For more information, visit www.pslbw.com. Follow their Facebook page for updates about events, programs and community involvement.

Dec. 9, 2022|

Comcast Opens Xfinity Store in Port St. Lucie

Comcast Opens Xfinity store in Port St. Lucie

Comcast today announced the opening of a new Xfinity Store in Port St. Lucie. The store is designed entirely around the needs of Comcast customers, allowing them to experience the latest Xfinity services firsthand, plus handle account-related tasks like signing up for new services or exchanging equipment.

The new Xfinity Store has an open, inviting environment and features multiple counters staffed by Xfinity sales consultants, comfortable seating areas and displays that illustrate all the features of Xfinity’s full range of products and services, including Xfinity Internet, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity Voice, and Xfinity Home products. The latest mobile devices from Apple, Google, LG, Motorola and Samsung, as well as wireless accessories are available for purchase at the store.

Plus, customers can pay bills, get answers to account-related questions and return old equipment or pick up new equipment. They can even schedule appointments online ahead of time for certain service requests by using the online Xfinity Store Locator to find the nearest store and selecting the “Book Appointment” button.

“This new store will give our St. Lucie County customers the opportunity to try our products and services and see how they fit in to their lives. For example, parents can see first-hand how they can use our xFi platform to make sure their children are not getting too much screen time. And someone watching their budget can see how Xfinity Mobile can save them money on monthly cell phone bills,” said Javier Garcia, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Comcast’s Florida Region. “We’re also able to take great care of our customers in a conveniently located and comfortable environment with top-notch service for whatever they need.”

As a part of Comcast’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, customers can also come to the store for assistance with the Affordable Connectivity Program and Internet Essentials.

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides qualified individuals and households with a monthly credit of up to $30 to pay for internet and/or cellular phone service. Comcast is an ACP program participant and qualified customers can use the ACP credit towards any tier of Xfinity Internet service, including Internet Essentials.

Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. It provides low-cost, in-home internet service for qualified households, the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for less than $150 before taxes, plus multiple ways to access online digital literacy and skills training.

The Internet Essentials tier offers 50 Mbps internet service for $9.95 a month for qualified households. The Internet Essentials Plus tier offers 100 Mbps internet service, which is twice as fast, and costs $29.95 a month. The ACP’s $30 a month credit for internet and/or cellular phone service completely covers the monthly bill for Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus.

The new Xfinity Store is located at 277 SW Port St Lucie Boulevard in Port St. Lucie in the shopping center with Winn-Dixie and is open seven days a week. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 6:00 pm.

This store is replacing the Comcast customer service center that was located in the same shopping center at 261 SW Port St Lucie Boulevard and closed permanently October 21.

Comcast now has 45 Xfinity Stores throughout Florida. For more information about Xfinity products, services, and retail stores, call 1-800-XFINITY or visit www.xfinitystores.com

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Nov. 17, 2022|

12 3 Next

St. Lucie County

Volunteer tax assistance available for St. Lucie County residents

St. Lucie County Commissioners Schedule Interviews for Six Finalists for the Administrator Job

St. Lucie County Commissioners narrowed down the field of applicants to replace County Administrator Howard Tipton to six finalists, who will meet with county staff, commissioners and the community over a two-day interview process on Thursday, Jan. 26 and Friday, Jan. 27.

Dale "Doc" Dougherty, city manager for Garden City, MI

Darren S. Gray, deputy county manager for Osceola County, Fla.

Derek R. Scrapchansky, town manager for Topsham, ME

Eric R. Johnson, city manager for Norcross, GA

George C. Landry, public utilities director for St. Lucie County

George M. Stokus, assistant county administrator for Martin County.

Candidates will spend the morning of Friday, Jan. 27 conducting one-on-one interviews with each St. Lucie County Commissioner, followed by a special County Commission meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, where all five Commissioners will interview each candidate as a Board.

St. Lucie County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Roger Poitras Annex, 2300 Virginia Ave., to decide which candidate will be offered the position of St. Lucie County’s administrator.

Attorney and long-time political activist Krista Storey to lead St. Lucie County Democratic Women’s Club

ARC of Martin County and ARC of St. Lucie County merge to become ARC of the Treasure Coast - a powerhouse for good

Free history festival returns to downtown Fort Pierce Jan. 14

Dyer Difference Award Helps Children in Crisis

Children’s Services Council announces

Community Impact Award winners

Circles and Cycles set theme for Port St. Lucie Business Women board installation

Clerk seeks Valentine's Day wedding ceremony reservations

Reservations are now being accepted for a Valentine's Day wedding ceremony performed by Clerk Michelle R. Miller, uniting multiple couples in marriage at Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens on February 14, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Comcast Opens Xfinity store in Port St. Lucie