Lockdown at Samuel S. Gaines Academy lifted
A lockdown is in place for Samuel S. Gaines Academy on Jenkins Road in Fort Pierce

Okeechobee man, 70, shot in the buttocks leads deputies to marijuana grow house
A shooting involving a 70-year-old-Okeechobee man led Sheriff's deputies to seize more than $200,000 in marijuana plants, according to a press release Thursday.

Stuart Gators fan loses $500 trying to buy tickets to BCS game
Stuart resident Michael Ciferri called Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday after he opened up a UPS package to find no Gator tickets and his $500 long gone.

Palm Beach Commissioner McCarty resigns amid corruption scandal
In her resignation letter, County Commissioner Mary McCarty said she accepted free and discounted hotel rooms and services. She also said she failed to recuse herself from bond issues that benefited her husband's employers and "through them both my husband and me." "I am disgusted with myself for, once again, placing the commission that I respect so much in an untenable situation." The resignation takes effect at 5 p.m. Thursday.

2 fake officers awaken Stuart man in search for vehicle
Deputies, called Wednesday night to a home on Southeast Bridge Road, were told by the victim that on Dec. 28 around 4 a.m., two men dressed in dark clothing, wearing stocking caps and badges around their necks woke him up after banging on his door, according to the report. The victim said he didn't call authorities immediately because he didn't know the men were fake officers.

S. Florida man accused in 100-crime spree linked to con in Indian River County
Derrick Lewis, 31, of North Lauderdale, is accused of presented himself as a Florida Lottery official at a 7-Eleven convenience store to make off with $1,820 in scratch-off tickets. Throughout southeast Florida, Lewis is accused of committing about 100 crimes after his release from prison in July.

Visitor defecates on Fort Pierce woman's porch
A 31-year-old woman on Wednesday found a likely unwelcome surprise on her porch -- a human bowel movement with an "overwhelming" stench, according to a police report released Thursday. The victim told investigators the doorbell to her home in the 700 block of Beach Court rang, and she saw a red Jeep Cherokee blocking the driveway. However, she didn't recognize the vehicle, so she didn't answer the door.

Leekin to accept plea deal in Port St. Lucie child abuse case
Judith Leekin, 63, was arrested in July 2007, accused of forcing her 11 adopted children to sleep on the floor of a utility closet, binding them with plastic ties and handcuffs, beating them and keeping them away from school and medical care.

Bullets don't injure fleeing man, but tree does
Early morning gunfire at an Avenue D establishment didn?t injure the 25-year-old man. Running from the scene at Wilson?s Game Room, however, proved a different matter, according to a recently released police report.

Ron White plea deal accepted in Vero Beach
California comedian Ron White won't serve time in jail on drug charges as a judge has accepted his plea deal.

Jury finds Chaney guilty of bank robbery
Sebastian area resident James Chaney Jr. is guilty of all charges in connection with a Roseland bank robbery in 2007, including using a fake pipe bomb, a jury ruled Wednesday.

Sebastian businessman's trial on grand-theft charges could start in February
Sebastian businessman Damien Gilliams' trial on state grand-theft charges could start in February or March, his attorney, Nicole Menz, said Wednesday.

Man nabbed after woman says he performed oral sex on her as she slept
Detectives charged a man with sexual battery after a woman said the man performed oral sex on her while she was sleeping, according to an arrest affidavit.

Port St. Lucie man charged with sexual battery, resisting arrest
A Port St. Lucie man accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Indiantown, according to an affidavit released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Indian River County Sheriff Loar names Elder as second in command
A longtime state law enforcement agent and assessor was named Wednesday as second in command for Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar's new administration.

Stuart man, two juveniles arrested in connection with burglary
A Stuart man and two male juveniles have been arrested in connection with an attempted armed burglary that happened Wednesday morning, according to an affidavit released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Stuart man, two juveniles arrested, accused of using shotgun to break into concession stand
A Stuart man and two male juveniles have been arrested in connection with an attempted armed burglary that happened Wednesday morning, according to an affidavit released by the Martin County Sheriff?s Office.

Indian River Sheriff Loar names undersheriff
A longtime state law enforcement agent and assessor was named Wednesday second-in-command for Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar?s new administration. As undersheriff, Tim Elder brings a work ethic that will enhance the overall operation of the Sheriff?s Office, Loar said.

Officials: Polk man went singing, dancing after murdering father
Robert Farley was singing and dancing to the Temptations classic "Papa was a Rollin' Stone" soon after he shot and killed his elderly father on New Year's Eve, officials said Wednesday. "This was an unfortunate and bizarre murder from the beginning," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement, "and, when you see Robert Farley dancing and singing this song, after having just murdered his father, it just becomes even more bizarre."