ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
“To think that you used to see through that water.” U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 1/ISSUE 51
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
Beach goers forewarned of flesh-eating bacteria Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@YourVoiceWeekly.com
TREASURE COAST — State health officials want swimmers to beware of a silent saltwater killer that’s claimed the lives of 10 this year and infected a total of 33. Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally-occurring bacteria found in warm coastal waters during the summer. People can become infected with the bacteria when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters. People with open
wounds can also be exposed through direct contact with seawater. The flesh eating bacteria tends to thrive best in brackish water like the Indian River Lagoon, but is a separate issue from the toxic bacteria and algae Lake Okeechobee discharges have brought, said Martin County Health Department environmental health director Bob Washam. But an out-of-state study may suggest otherwise. Vibrio vulnificus is “ not necessarily related to a specific pollution source. The two most signif-
icant factors for finding them in surface waters are temperature and salinity,” according to informational documents posted on the state of Maryland’s Department of the Environment’s website. “Recent research has suggested that nutrients may play a role invibrio concentration. V. vulnificus bacteria are not commonly found in the winter when water temperatures are low, but may be common in the summer and early fall when water temperatures are
Baby benefit
Fusion in SLW, holds drive for ailing infant
See BACTERIA page 7
Who ordered pie?
4 Murphy’s law
Q&A with freshman congressman
3 Generational Crusade
Resident continues fight for clean waterways
6
Best artists
Backus Museum hosts juried art show
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Centennial drama Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Steve Monette, Renaissance Charter School of St. Lucie West athletic director, takes one for the team with a whipped cream pie to the face by student Taylor Cole. A.J. Garcia, middle school band and choir director looks on glad that this time it wasn’t his during the school’s annual Fall Fest Saturday, Oct. 19 on the school property.
High school’s drama kicks off with variety
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