Trolley service starts in Fort Pierce
In an effort to improve downtown parking and traffic circulation, the city has been preparing to begin offering free trolley service this week.
The trolley is scheduled to operate on a loop in the Fort Pierce business district, hitting each designated stop every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Stops include the courthouse, the Avenue D transit system and parking lots at the Manatee Center and Fort Pierce Community Center.
The city acquired the 35-foot, 20,100-pound trolley in February for $120,000.
With a seating capacity of 31 and standing room for 20 more passengers, the city hopes this classic form of transportation will appeal to everyone.
"In the downtown area, we're trying to encourage an upscale ridership," said Jon Ward, Fort Pierce Community Redevelopment Agency director. "A lawyer looking for a parking place to dine in a fine restaurant won't take a bus, but will take a trolley."
A 2002 model, the trolley is air-conditioned, has only 20,000 miles on its odometer and is powered by a six-cylinder engine.
CeeCee Lyles honored
The city of Fort Pierce rededicated the CeeCee Lyles memorial during its Fourth of July festivities.
The life-size bronze statue was sculpted in 2003 as a tribute to Ms. Lyles, a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93 who perished in the attacks on America.
Ms. Lyles spent six years with the Fort Pierce Police Department before becoming a flight attendant in 2000.
On Sept. 11, 2001, she called her husband, Lorne, also a former Fort Pierce PD member, from the air to say goodbye after her plane had been hijacked. The call served as evidence for what went on aboard the plane.
Florida artist Chris Riccardo sculpted the statue in her honor.
Coke retains attorney
Fort Pierce City Commissioner Christine Coke has retained local attorney Robert J. Gorman to represent her in potential litigation against a former commission candidate who recently filed an ethics complaint against her.
Rick Reed, who was Ms. Coke's unsuccessful opponent in last year's election, alleges ethics violations related to Ms. Coke's family's business dealings with the city. The complaint is still under investigation.
Ms. Coke contends she followed all necessary procedures for selling office products to the city while in office. She is now pursuing legal action against Reed over the complaint, which he made quite public. She believes it was filed with malicious intent to injure her reputation.
Floresta Drive one step closer to being widened
The Port St. Lucie Planning and Zoning Board approved last week a plan to widen Floresta Drive.
The plan calls for to north-south road to be widened to four lanes from two, with traffic circles at several major intersections. Sidewalks are included in the plans.
The City Council still needs to approve the plan, and if they do, construction will begin on the first segment by next year. The first segment will be from Southbend Boulevard to the Elkcam Waterway, just north of Whitemore Drive.
Police uncover more grow houses
Port St. Lucie Police have raided more than 50 marijuana grow houses in the city since May.
The latest raids came last week at a 2141 S.W. Bayshore Blvd. and 2545 S.W. Altosta St.
The latest finds put the number of grow houses discovered since May 8 at 51.
The latest arrests in connection to the marijuana grow houses were on July 6.
Police believe the houses are connected.
PSL population passes 150,000
The third-fastest growing community in the country has passes the 150,000 mark.
According to city estimates, there were 150,917 residents at the end of June.
Despite the population increase, there were fewer building permits issued. The Building Department issued 221 permits for single-family homes, 100 less than in May.
In June of 2005, there were 752 permits issued.