ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
“I want him to be remembered as someone who wore his heart on his sleeve and he was there to help anybody at the drop of a hat.” Brian Morales
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 1/ISSUE 28
Mayor: City making progress
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013
By Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@yourvoiceweekly.com
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Retired educator still educating Teri Pinney hasn’t had an empty plate of job duties Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Rylee Griffin, 8, Andrew Reis, 8, Kenrieque Campbell, 9 and Reese Tooch, 9 were led by Port St. Lucie Police Officer Steve Camara on National Bike to School Day Wednesday, May 8. The students rode from McChesney Park to their school, Manatee Academy in St. Lucie West.
Fallen heroes remembered for their sacrifice By Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@yourvoiceweekly.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — To perpetuate a vow to never forget its fallen heroes, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office held its annual wreath laying ceremony on Monday, which also marked the start of Law Enforcement Memorial Week in the county. “They hit the streets with one mission and that’s to keep us safe and our community safe,” Sheriff Ken Mascara said during his address. “Each and every one of them leaves their door SERVING THE TREASURE COAST SINCE 2001
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and accepts the responsibilities knowing that if necessary they will make the ultimate sacrifice in that mission.” Mascara also promised to better recognize and honor the six deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty since 1915. News releases to the press and Facebook alerts to commemorate the death anniversaries of the fallen deputies are sent out to remind the public of the somber days. Larger signs have also been erected at the Pappy Holerger training range and the Sgt. Gary
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Text ‘n driving
High school students get a life lesson in a simulator
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Film Festival on women’s issues Lunafest coming to St. Lucie West for Inner Truth Project Center
Solar power’s new affordability and sevice
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Everything is big in Texas 6-foot, 6-inch Texan puts on the Mets uniform
See HEROES page 14
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PORT ST. LUCIE — In her annual state of the city address, Mayor JoAnn Faiella assured residents that their future looks bright, despite what some may consider a tumultuous few years. “The city council takes every opportunity to foster business growth, encourage job creation and improve the quality of life,” Faiella told a crowd at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center on May 10. “My fellow city councilmembers and I are optimistic about the city’s future. We see improving property values and new businesses opening every week,” she said. “We are confident the trend will continue.” Using outdoor sporting goods store Bass Pro as an example, Faiella said many new jobs are on the horizon. An estimated 150 jobs will be created from the Gatlin Boulevard store when it opens. Tradition Medical Center, set to open in December, will create hundreds of new jobs, Faiella said. Construction is also on the rise, Faiella said. Last month alone, the city issued 1,780 building permits, the mayor said. “(That’s) the most the city’s had for six years,” Faiella said. An optimistic Faiella said the city’s growth is transforming the area into a hub for research and politics. “Is it any surprise both presidential candidates made it a point
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