United Way campaign kicks off
After meeting and exceeding last year's donations goal, the United Way of St. Lucie County unveiled an even higher contribution target during its campaign kick off event Sept. 19.
This year's goal is $1.8 million, which is $250,000 more than what was raised in the successful 2005 initiative.
Each year, the United Way uses money from donations to address issues in the community.
"Our experience tells us the best way to help the most people is to focus on the underlying causes of the most serious problems," said United Way of St. Lucie County CEO Karen Knapp.
"In St. Lucie County, the United Way is focused on critical issues like reducing youth substance abuse, expanding services to the elderly, increasing access to health care for the uninsured and providing stability and independence for individuals and families in crisis. We will measure our success on how we move the needle on critical issues that affect our quality of life here in our community."
To make a donation, make checks payable to the United Way of St. Lucie County and mail it to: United Way of St. Lucie County, 4800 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34982-7078. Donations can also be made online at www.unitedwayslc.org/donate.html.
For more information, call the St. Lucie United Way office at 464-5300.
Teens say they stole guns for money to buy clothes
Two Fort Pierce 18-year-olds arrested earlier this month in the June burglary of a local gun shop, told police they stole two assault rifles and a handgun because they needed money to buy clothes for school, according to an arrest affidavit.
Police reports say that James Theodore Fox and Robert Lee Carson, juniors at Fort Pierce Central High School, made the unusual confession Sept. 7, shortly before each was arrested at the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and charged with armed burglary of a structure, grand larceny of firearms and dealing in stolen property.
Mr. Fox and Mr. Carson used sledgehammers to break through the metal roof of T.H.B. Gun Sales, 4131 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, to gain access to the store, the report says. The incident occurred on June 29, when both suspects were still 17.
The two told police they buried the guns near the 13th Street spillway, put the word out that they had guns for sale, then received $200 from a man known as "Big Mike" in exchange for information about where the guns were buried, according to the reports.
The St. Lucie County School District implemented a dress code this year that, among other restrictions, requires all of its students to wear collared shirts. The district does offer help to students who can't financially afford to meet the obligations of the code.
Residents file complaints after shutters not installed
Four Midway Road residents have filed fraud complaints with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office after allegedly being cheated out of hurricane shutters they paid hundreds of dollars for.
The complaints are aimed at Pro-Tech Shutters Inc., which recently went out of business, according to police reports.
Unfortunately for the victims, Pro-Tech required a 50 percent down payment for its services. Months after handing over the down payment, none of the complaining parties have received shutters. The down payments ranged from $665 to $1,929.
Police arrest man for peeking under skirts
Port St. Lucie Police arrested a man last week after a woman shopping in a Wal-Mart Supercenter discovered him looking up her skirt.
Harry Tasker, 77, of 518 S.E. Anchor Lane, Port St. Lucie, was arrested Sept. 11 and charged with video voyeurism.
According to Officer Yaniz Hernandez, a 23-year-old woman contacted police last month after she discovered Mr. Tasker using what she described as a camera cell phone to look up her skirt.
Officer Hernandez said Mr. Tasker told her in an interview that he likes to look up women's skirts or dresses using a mirror he picks up in the discount store. He also told police he has been doing it for 13 years.
"He said that's what he likes to do, and has done it for 13 years without getting caught," Officer Hernandez said.
He also denied taking any pictures of his victims.
Police conducted a search of his residence, and took into evidence Mr. Tasker's computer, media cards and a camera cell phone.
Mr. Tasker was released from the St. Lucie County Jail on $2,500 bond.