By Samantha Joseph
Staff Writer
MARTIN COUNTY - It was a difficult year for many in Martin County, as news of record foreclosures and rising unemployment broke with each set of data released from local, regional and state officials.
But despite the tough economy, one restaurant patron left a tip so large for a Hobe Sound waitress that it made national headlines and earned a spot among the top stories in Martin County.
Here's a look at these and other stories that shaped the news:
1. Local charities face large shortfalls as client roster grows: A drop in donations meant that local charities had to juggle fewer resources at a time when a growing number of residents turned to them for assistance.
At House of Hope, for instance, Calls for help from the organization skyrocketed 80 percent in the last 18 months, with many first-time applicants seeking assistance, administrators said.
The agency's emergency financial-assistance program, which provides one-time aid to people in crisis, helped 379 families at last count, up about 55 percent over the previous year.
Its food pantry had to rev up distribution to expand its reach 46 percent, serving 126 tons of food, the equivalent of about 296,000 meals.
The spike in demand left leaders of Martin County's nonprofits fearing they might have to start turning away applicants.
"That's what gives me sleepless nights," said Jim Vojcsik, executive director of United Way of Martin County. "The last thing that we want to do is have to cut the funding to these programs at a time when people need them the most."
Even before the nationwide economic slump, 8.2 percent of Martin County residents, or about 11,400 people, lived at or below the federal poverty line, earning about $13,200 annually for two people or $20,000 for a family of four, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation and the U.S. Census Bureau.
More than 16 percent of children and single mothers and about 6 percent of people over age 65 live in poverty.
"It doesn't take long for families like these to get into crisis situations," said Diane Tomasik, House of Hope's communications director.
The crisis gave rise to a series of stories about the ways in which residents sought to ease the financial burden.
2. Recession hits churches, causing cut backs: Not even the Almighty, or at least his flock, was immune to the effects of the economic downturn.
As unemployment rose on the Treasure Coast, some Martin County Christian churches are reported a drop in their congregation's attendance and financial giving.
While many religious leaders focus more on spiritual guidance than encouraging their members' financial donations, many say that the drop in church collections reflects the downward economic trend, as congregants struggle with job losses or pay cuts.
"A whole lot of people are concerned about finances and the economy," said the Rev. Rick Evans, pastor of Renaissance Community Church.
Congregants at the Grace Place reported similar experiences, turning to the church's leaders for both spiritual guidance and help with their earthy needs, such as food and rent payments. Church employees got daily requests from members needing groceries, a significant increase over two years ago, when the requests came about once or twice a month.
But at many churches, including Renaissance Community, member donations were dwindling by up to 35 percent.
"That's pretty much the kind of downturn that people have seen in their salaries," Rev. Evans said.
His congregation has also shrunk during the economic recession, with about 20 percent moving to find jobs outside of the area.
4. Jensen Beach pastor, wife convicted in sham real estate deals: Another local congregation lost two key members, but this time, it was because law enforcement officials arrested its pastor and his wife on fraud charges.
Instead of life on the pulpit, a Jensen Beach pastor and his wife face several years behind bars after a conviction on first-degree grand theft, racketeering and nine counts of obtaining mortgages by false representation.
Rodney and Shalonda McGill faced up to 60 years in prison on theft and racketeering charges, plus up to 45 years on the mortgage fraud convictions.
But the pastor got a 20-year prison sentence with 10 years' probation. His wife got a 10-year prison term with a decade of probation.
Prosecutors said the pair defrauded Central and South Florida investors of more than $8 million in sham real estate deals.
Court and arrest records claim the pair sold property in Martin and St. Lucie counties using fraudulent documents, while leaving investors to pay $1.15 million in mortgage loans.
Prosecutors later added a felony charge to the list, saying Mr. McGill continued to commit crimes while detained at the Martin County Jail.
5. Investigators use Internet site to identify car-theft suspect: A man suspected of committing a felony made the news when his cyber trail led investigators to his door.
When a Martin County woman reported to deputies that a friend had stolen her car, investigators turned to MySpace.com for a positive identification.
The Web site allows users to create profiles and post videos, photographs and other information to allow them to connect with friends and meet new people.
But for the Stuart woman who lost her vehicle, the site helped her show investigators exactly whom they should seek out.
Deputies charged Anthoney Milliner, 20, 940 N.W. Ninth St., Pompano Beach, with grand theft and grand theft of an automobile.
6. Waitress gets a boat as a tip: Meanwhile, the Internet proved to be a friend to a local woman, who sent the national media searching for her story after a patron left her a hefty show of appreciation.
A waitress at the Catfish House in Hobe Sound was doing some of her own fishing, thanks to a very generous tip.
After a diner left the restaurant one day, Cindy Brown unknowingly became the owner of a fully equipped 26-foot Shamrock, with a 350 Ford engine.
The customer, who asked not to be named, has homes in Hobe Sound and New Jersey. He said he was so impressed with Ms. Brown's level of service that he requested one of her tables on every visit.
The story made the national news and entertainment show, Inside Edition, while talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, called the Catfish House on live television to talk to Ms. Brown.
7. State Farm announces plans to cancel homeowners insurance: Unlike Ms. Brown's news, one national story caused panic for thousands on the Treasure Coast.
The news of the market leader's intention to cancel its homeowners' insurance business sent policyholders scrambling to ensure continued coverage.
State Farm announced last January that it would cancel property and casualty coverage after Florida insurance regulators denied it a rate increase of more than 47 percent.
The firm said that billions in losses during the 2004 hurricane season forced it to borrow $750 million from its parent company, State Farm Mutual.
State Farm officials added the company was likely to become insolvent by 2011. It could reach its demise even sooner they say, if its policyholders sustain hurricane damage around $175 million before then.
But last December, State Farm reconsidered its plans to pull out of Florida, after reaching a consent order with state officials, according to published reports. The agreement allows the company to increase rates about 14 percent and cancel high-risk policy, according to reports.
8. Candidates vie for political office: Republican contenders Joe Negron and Jeffrey Krauskopf defeated Democratic opponents for state Senate and Stuart City Commission seats, respectively.
Mr. Negron defeated opponent Bill Ramos for the seat Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, vacated one year before the end of his four-year term.
He won 76 percent of about 18,700 votes cast to represent a district that includes Martin County, northern Palm Beach and parts of Indian River, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
Mr. Krauskopf, meanwhile, captured 67 percent of the vote in a Nov. 3 race for the Group II Stuart City Commission seat, marking the start of his 13th term in the city's political arena.
The veteran politician has also served as mayor six times.
He defeated his first opponent in nearly 10 years, novice campaigner Jeffrey Callahan, a Martin County Fire Rescue marine safety officer.