Concerns over continued growth and development are echoing across neighborhoods in Port St. Lucie, with some residents worried that the quiet lifestyle they once counted on could soon change.

WATCH:

A family living near Crosstown Parkway and Fairgreen Road is now speaking out about a proposed rezoning plan that could transform roughly over nine acres from residential land into retail and office space.

Never thought this would happen, said nearby homeowner Joseph Mucciolo.

The site sits just yards from existing homes, and neighbors say the potential shift could bring increased traffic, noise, and activity to what has been a peaceful residential area.

Today its my block, and tomorrow its yours, said Margaret Mucciolo.

The Mucciolo family moved to the Tradition area seven years ago, drawn in by what they describe as a quiet, natural setting in their backyard.

Now, they fear that could soon be replaced by commercial development.

People dont wanna hear noise. They dont wanna hear trucks at 2 a.m. They dont wanna smell gas and oil, they said.

Beyond the disruption, the Mucciolos also worry about the long-term impact on nature and green space.

Silence is acceptance, so I urge everyone who has concernstruthfully speaking, you all should, Margaret Mucciolo said. Once you take away natures habitat, you dont get it back.

The uncertainty is already raising difficult questions about the future of where the Muccilos call home.

I hate to say this, but if these things come to pass, we may seek other grounds and other places to go, Joseph Mucciolo said.

The proposed rezoning is still under review. It was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting on April 7 and has been tabled until the next meeting on May 5.

Final approval would be required from city leaders before any development can move forward.

WPTV's Dave Bohman obtained documents showing the Florida Department of Agriculture has reached a $300,000 settlement agreement with Urban Air Adventure Park following an investigation into the December death of a 6-year-old in a go-kart crash in Port St. Lucie.

The agreement, similar to a fine, comes after inspectors found several operator violations resulting from the investigation into the death of Emma Riddle.

WATCH: Urban Air agrees to $300,000 settlement

Among the findings, go-kart drivers are required to be 18 years old, but the investigation found the 6-year-old girl, and not her mother, was driving the go-kart that crashed before her death.

The report says go-kart drivers need to be 60 inches tall. Riddle was just 49 inches.

The manufacturers manual reads, "The ride operator is required to check that the seat belt is latched properly and adjusted correctly for each patron."

Riddle was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The investigation also found the go-kart was traveling faster than the manufacturer's recommendations.

According to the settlement agreement, Urban Air agreed to pay $300,000 within 30 days.

Amusement ride safety expert Brian Avery has not seen this report but says operators in charge of rides sometimes fail to perform needed safety checks.

"We know historically that a lot of the operators are employing young people who might not have a vested interest in the safety of every guest. They might not appreciate the risk associated with the activities, and therefore, they become complacent," Avery said.

One question WPTV is still looking to have answered is whether the Urban Air franchiser can afford to come up with the $300,000 settlement agreement in 30 days.

In my last investigation, I found court papers that showed Urban Air owed $270,000 in rent and $80,000 in tangible property taxes.

Urban Airs owner has not returned my calls.

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION:

This week, the Port St. Lucie City Council approved a $1.5 million design to overhaul the congested intersection at Village Parkway and Tradition Parkway.

WPTV has previously reported on the traffic concerns along this corridor. On Thursday, we listened to neighbors about their safety concerns at the intersection and learned what is being done to fix it.

WATCH BELOW: New $1.5 million upgrade coming to 'nightmare' intersection

During a workshop on Monday, city leaders moved forward with a plan known as "Build Alternative 3" to make the intersection safer, less congested and more accessible to Interstate 95.

The new design will extend left turn lanes in all directions, convert lanes into turn lanes or through lanes, improve drainage and add dedicated turn signals. The city will also relocate a bus stop farther west on Tradition Parkway to add more vehicle space.

City Councilman Anthony Bonna said the additions were made after hearing from neighbors.

"The three biggest words and most important words in this presentation for me were per resident feedback," Bonna said.

Jackie Ward has lived in Port St. Lucie her whole life and runs a pest control company. She drives through the intersection daily and experiences the congestion firsthand.

"The traffic here is awful," Ward said. "The traffic has grown here exponentially, especially in Tradition. It's just crazy. ... Whether it's turning left onto or going whatever direction. It's a nightmare."

During Monday's city meeting, Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin agreed with that assessment.

"This intersection is a nightmare, all throughout the day, all throughout the night, especially during peak time in the evenings," Martin said.

Ward said the traffic lights also need work to keep vehicles moving.

"It's like, it's not in sync," Ward said. "You can see how it's already backed up."

Ward hopes the $1.5 million makeover will work, but she thinks the city needs to slow down growth for real solutions.

"The infrastructure, I don't think, can handle how rapidly we are growing," Ward said.

A St. Lucie County family is holding onto every moment with their 3-year-old daughter after a devastating diagnosis, and they're not facing it alone.

Elizabeth Waner, described by her parents as a "very girly girl" who loves ballet, dancing, music and the color purple, is now in the fight of her life after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor.

Even in a hospital room, her personality shines. Cozy in a red wagon and dressed in a purple princess gown, Elizabeth still finds ways to light up the space around her.

"Before the tumor hit, you couldn't not notice her," her father, Mark Waner, said. "She wouldn't let you not notice her."

Gina Waner, Elizabeth's mom, said it seems everything changed in a single day. After dropping Elizabeth off at daycare like any other morning, she noticed something was wrong when she picked her up.

"Her left eye just turned inward, and it just stayed stuck," she said.

Initial visits to an optometrist and ophthalmologist showed no issues with her eyes. But an MRI at a childrens hospital revealed the heartbreaking cause: a tumor on Elizabeths brain stem.

She was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, these tumors make up only about 10% of pediatric brain tumors.

"She has like the second rarest form of the high-grade glioma you can have," Mark said.

Since the diagnosis, Elizabeth's condition has worsened quickly. Within weeks, her parents said she has lost most of her mobility.

"Within the past month, she lost like all her mobility. She can't walk, she cant stand on her own, she cant eat anything but soft food, she can barely drink water," her family shared. "It's so quick how much she's fading."

The Waner family has put their lives on hold, traveling from St. Lucie County to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where Elizabeth is receiving specialized care.

Treatment options are limited. The tumor cannot be surgically removed, and while radiation may help ease some symptoms, it is unlikely to be a cure. Now, the family is facing unimaginable decisions shifting from trying to extend time to making the most of it.

"All we can do is try to make sure that shes comfortable with what she has and what she has left," her parents said.

"Our No.1 goal is to make sure the time she has left, she's the happiest," her family said.

As the Waner family navigates this difficult journey, support from the community has been growing.

"It's insane to see how many people came together for us not even knowing who we are," her father, Mark Waner, said.

A fundraiser to support the family is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse in Port St. Lucie. The event is hosted in partnership with Men At Arms, and 10% of all meal purchases during that time will go directly to the Waner family.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to help with medical expenses and ongoing care. You can contribute here.

Port St. Lucie residents along Rosser Boulevard are demanding immediate traffic safety improvements after police data revealed 319 crashes have occurred on the roadway since 2020, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

WATCH BELOW: 'They passing cars like it's a highway,' Maria Acosta tells WPTV's Tyler Hatfield

Maria Acosta, who has lived along Rosser Boulevard for nearly a decade, said the once-quiet street has transformed into what neighbors call "Rosser Racetrack" due to excessive speeding and dangerous driving conditions.

"When I bought this house, I said, 'Oh, it's so quiet,'" Acosta told WPTV. "Not anymore."

The longtime Port St. Lucie resident said she no longer allows her grandchildren to play in the front yard due to safety concerns about speeding vehicles on Rosser Boulevard.

"They're not allowed to go to the front because of that, because of the speeding," Acosta said. "They're passing cars like it's a highway."

WPTV first reported on Rosser Boulevard safety concerns in July following a fatal crash in front of resident Peter Overhuls' home. The crash underscored the severity of the traffic safety issues plaguing the Port St. Lucie neighborhood.

"If it would have been the other way, a pickup truck would have been right in my living room," Overhuls said.

The March opening of Rosser Lakes Preserve along the roadway has intensified residents' worries about increased traffic volume and potential for more accidents on Rosser Boulevard.

"How many more people are going to be killed on this road before something's done?" Overhuls asked.

Port St. Lucie Police Department data shows officers have issued more than 1,256 traffic citations on Rosser Boulevard since 2020, and the department reports increased enforcement efforts in the area. However, residents say temporary enforcement measures are insufficient to address the ongoing safety crisis.

WATCH BELOW: 'This is not going to stop,' Peter Overhuls tells WPTVs Tyler Hatfield

Port St. Lucie city staff conducted a traffic calming study in 2020, but officials said Rosser Boulevard did not meet the criteria for traffic safety modifications at that time. Since then, the city has added sidewalks, signage and road striping to the area.

City officials told WPTV that residents must request a new traffic calming study and obtain a petition signed by 50% of neighbors to initiate any permanent traffic safety improvements on Rosser Boulevard.

As Port St. Lucie continues rapid growth and development, residential streets like Rosser Boulevard face increasing pressure from higher traffic volumes. The combination of new attractions like Rosser Lakes Preserve and ongoing residential expansion creates urgent need for proactive traffic safety measures to protect families and prevent future tragedies.

We want to be your voice and help you find solutions.

While we hold our monthly Let's Hear It meet-ups, we know many are not able to attend, but we still want to hear from you and start taking action to get you answers. You can e-mail us at LetsHearIt@wptv.com.

Port St. Lucie City Council on Monday unanimously approved a new design plan for the intersection of Village Parkway and Tradition Parkway.

WATCH: $1.5 million design plan for busy intersection approved

WPTV has been following concerns about the intersection and listening to residents. In August 2025, city officials held a public meeting to gather input from drivers and pedestrians about what the intersection needs to make it safer. Last summer we reported that since 2020, there have been 2,035 traffic citations at the intersection.

City council members were shown three different build designs, and the "capacity improvements" that would potentially help with congestion.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Some residents say they avoid intersection

The third option was chosen, which Alia Awwad, planning group lead for transportation for civil engineering firm DRMP, said would best alleviate congestion, specifically afternoon rush hour traffic.

The third option proposes extending the eastbound left turn turn lanes back, and extending an eastbound dedicated right turn lane. It would also relocate a bus stop on the south side of Tradition Parkway to allow more vehicle space. A third through lane would also be added.

"The three biggest words, and most important words, in this presentation were 'Per resident feedback,'" said Council Member Anthony Bonna, voicing support for the third option. "And I just want to give a word of encouragement to residents. Anyone who thinks or says that the public meetings don't matter or things are already decided before you go to the public meeting, that's absolutely not true. We value our public feedback."

That proposal would cost an estimated $1.5 million, the most expensive of the three options. It would take four to six weeks to finalize the design for bidding.

A new study by Consumer Affairs ranks Port St. Lucie as the No. 1 mid-size housing market for buyers in the country for 2026, citing metrics like availability and affordability in cities with a population of 250,000 to 499,000.

Kelley Decowski, a real estate agent on the Treasure Coast, told WPTV it is a buyer's market with more homes to choose from and lower prices.

WATCH BELOW: Port St. Lucie ranked the top mid-size housing market for buyers

"A few years ago, if you wanted to live in a particular neighborhood, you had one house and 25 people were fighting over it," Decowski said. "Now, when you go into a neighborhood, you'll have five or seven homes to choose from, which is really nice from the buyer's perspective."

According to Zillow, the average home price in the area is just over $380,000, which is down more than three percent since last year.

"It's absolutely growing and thriving. It's a great place to live," Decowski said.

WPTV took the study to Decowski, who noted the shift in inventory is giving house hunters an advantage.

"When you go into a neighborhood, you'll have, you know, five or seven homes to choose from, which is really nice from the buyer perspective," Decowski said.

While the market has improved for buyers recently, Decowski noted it still looks different from what it did a decade ago.

"It's not as good as it was maybe 10 years ago, but it's definitely better than we've seen in the last few years," Decowski said.

On the "Let's Hear It Port St. Lucie" Facebook page, resident Eric Reikenis commented that the city's housing inventory has been increasing over the last four years. He noted that prices are negotiable, sellers are offering incentives, and buyers have more options.

WPTV spoke to Stacey Williams, who moved to Port St. Lucie seven years ago from Miami. Her mother just bought a house last year, but Williams wished she had moved now. 

"We got a good price," said Williams. "But it's a (lower) price now,

Williams said her daughter is also currently looking for a home in the area.

"She has a lot of options, and that's a good thing," Williams said.

While the sticker price might look good, Decowski advises buyers to look at property taxes and other fees that could increase monthly payments.

"Taxes do tend to be a little higher in St. Lucie County than they are in Martin County," Decowski said. "Dig into what that monthly cost is going to be, the price of the house, the taxes, the insurance, the HOA fees to really be able to compare apples to apples across county lines."

Despite the extra costs, recent buyers tell WPTV they are still happy with their purchase.

"I love Florida. Go to the beach anytime I want to. Yeah, it's great," recent buyer Danny McKinney said.

A St. Lucie County teenager is earning statewide recognition and heading toward the national stage after receiving a top honor.

Enrique Rosario-Liz, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie Countys Ken Pruitt Clubhouse, has been named the organization's 2026 Youth of the Year for the state of Florida. The award is the organizations highest honor, recognizing leadership, academic excellence, and service.

WATCH WPTV'S COVERAGE BELOW:

The announcement was made among top Boys & Girls Club members from across the state. This is the third time in six years that a member from St. Lucie County has earned the state title.

Rosario-Liz immigrated from the Dominican Republic to Florida at age 8 without speaking English. He has since transformed his experience into a mission to help others.

"I want access to a fair education for all, especially for youth like me who are immigrants," Enrique Rosario-Liz said.

"I also stress that I want us to just be kids, because thats what the Club gave to me," Rosario-Liz said.

Now a valedictorian at Port St. Lucie High School, Rosario-Liz is preparing to attend the University of Florida this fall. At the Club, he teaches Spanish to fellow members, helping bridge cultures and build confidence among immigrant youth and their peers.

He credits mentors at the Club and his involvement in the Keystone Club leadership program for helping shape his voice and platform. Through those experiences, he found support and a sense of belonging that he now works to create for others.

"As State Youth of the Year, Enrique is already creating meaningful change in our community," Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County CEO Will Armstead said.

"He stood out for his leadership and his focus on expanding opportunities for immigrant youth," Armstead said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County serves more than 16,000 youth annually across 29 locations, focusing on mentorship, academic success, and leadership development. The organization maintains a 97% graduation rate and logs thousands of community service hours each year.

"The truth of the matter is we dont scope them out," Armstead said.

"They stand out, they do it on their own. We pull it out of them," Armstead said.

With his state title secured, Rosario-Liz will represent Florida at the regional Youth of the Year competition in June. If he advances, he will move on to the national stage.

He plans to continue advocating for immigrant youth, ensuring others have the same opportunities that helped shape his journey.

WPTV spoke with the mayor of Port St. Lucie on Tuesday to get her thoughts on a recent multi-million dollar settlement with the city's former trash hauler.

Mayor Shannon Martin said she wants $24 million from Friday's settlement with Waste Pro to be returned to residents.

WATCH BELOW: Mayor wants money from trash settlement returned to residents

"I'm committed to making sure that our residents get paid back for what they had to deal with during that time," Martin said.

The mayor said staff still need to discuss logistics and figure out how many households were affected.

"It's the residents who went through all these issues and suffered as a result," Martin said. "We want to make sure that we do it diligently, very efficiently and effectively."

But it's a decision that Martin said will have to be determined by the entire city council. There's no exact timeline for when the city council will discuss the $24 million.

Waste Pro is also urging the city to return the money to taxpayers.

The settlement came after WPTV reported on Port St. Lucie's trash troubles for years, which included missed garbage and recycling pickups during the pandemic.

"It was a mess," said Port St. Lucie resident Bert Doward. "Trash would pile up."

Waste Pro blamed pandemic staffing shortages, but the city said it breached its contract for the standard of service.

Police in Port St. Lucie are investigating the death of a man who was reported missing earlier on Friday but had not been seen for two days.

Investigators said the man, Alexander Joseph Solma, 32, had high-functioning autism and was last seen on Wednesday at approximately 4 p.m. near his home in the 900 block of Southwest Aurelia Ave.

Police said Solma was known to wander and often walked along the C-23 canal banks.

His family told police that Solma had left the residence before, but typically not longer than 6-8 hours. According to police, his family's concerns grew when the man's cellphone was found at home, as well as the length of time he was gone.

The Solma family relocated to Port St. Lucie from New York two years ago and told police they believed the time to report an individual missing was 72 hours.

"They were under the impression Florida has the same reporting standard; however, this is inaccurate as there is zero wait time required in either state," police said in a statement.

Police said just before 11 a.m. Friday, Solma was found dead in the 600 block of Southwest Belmont Circle.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Alexander Solma during this incredibly difficult time," Port St. Lucie Public Information Officer Brittany McNally said. "We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent death. We also urge community members to remember that there is no waiting period to report a missing person, especially when they are considered endangered."

Police said they are actively investigating the case, and we are waiting for further confirmation from the medical examiner's office.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Solma between Wednesday evening and Friday morning is urged to contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department at (772) 871-5000 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.

A settlement has been reached between Port St. Lucie and its former trash hauler following years of contentiousness.

The city announced Friday they reached an agreement with Waste Pro that resolves the legal dispute related to its prior solid waste collection contract.

The agreement includes a cash settlement of $24 million to the city.

"This payment fully resolves the lawsuit and includes both sides agreeing to release each other from all outstanding claims and formally dismiss the case," the city posted on its Facebook page.

Officials said they will now review options for the appropriate use of the settlement funds, which will be discussed at future council workshops or public meetings.

All of this comes after WPTV has tracked trash complaints from Port St. Lucie residents for years.

The problems came to a head during the COVID-19 pandemic when the city was inundated with complaints about trash being left outside homes for weeks.

The city claimed Waste Pro breached its contract for its standard of service, while the company blamed a pandemic labor shortage. 

Waste Pro sent WPTV the following statement regarding the settlement:

Lowe's announced a new store is opening in Port St. Lucie in early June.

The store will be located at 13845 SW Village Parkway in Tradition, and will feature 94,000 square feet of retail space and a 30,000 square-foot garden center.

The retailer will also bring more than 100 new jobs to the area. Hiring is currently underway.

As Port St. Lucie experiences explosive growth, Lowe's is investing in the surge in homeowners moving to the area, highlighting "updated kitchen and appliance showrooms designed to make interior renovations more accessible, alongside in-store technology that simplifies project planning."

The area is also getting a new Costco retail store and distribution depot in 2026.

The new store joins an existing Lowe's at 701 NW St Lucie Boulevard.

An elderly man and woman were rescued from a vehicle that had rolled into a pond in Port St. Lucie early Wednesday morning.

Port St. Lucie police say a single-vehicle crash was reported just after 4:30 a.m., near the intersection of East Caribbean and Cam De Entrada.

WATCH: Officers rescue driver and passenger from submerged vehicle

Investigators say the driver, an elderly woman, made a wrong turn and attempted to reverse back onto the road when the car slid down an embankment and into a pond.

Officers arrived and found the car submerged up to its windows. They were able to remove the driver and the passenger, and elderly man, and transport them to St. Lucie Medical Center. The driver and passenger are said to be OK.

Police in Port St. Lucie are seeking a burglar who entered through the roof of a Golden Corral restaurant, causing extensive damage.

The agency said officers were called to the restaurant, at 651 Northwest St. Lucie West Blvd., on Sunday at 4:38 a.m. after management received an alarm notification indicating a possible burglary in progress.

When officers arrived, police said they discovered a smashed window and evidence of an attempted forced entry on a door.

Officers requested assistance from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office K9 unit to help search the interior of the restaurant. Police said the building was ultimately determined to be clear of any suspects.

During the investigation, officers spotted additional signs of forced entry on the building's roof, including a large, one-foot-wide hole.

The Fort Pierce Police Department drone unit responded to help with the investigation, searching both the roof and attic space.

"Inside the building, officers found extensive damage to the manager's office and throughout the ceiling," Port St. Lucie police said. "Several electrical cords connecting the alarm and camera systems had been cut, the peephole of an exterior door had been removed, and several alarm keypads were damaged and ripped from the walls."

Investigators said because this is an ongoing investigation, they are not disclosing whether anything was taken during the burglary.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

April is National Donate Life Month, and the Legacy Donor Services Foundation is teaming up with the St. Lucie Mets to turn Americas pastime into a powerful platform for awareness.

Before the first pitch, donor families will be recognized during a pregame ceremony, honoring loved ones who gave the ultimate gift. The night will also feature stories from recipients whose lives were saved or improved through donation.

Fans can bid on gameworn jerseys in a special auction following the event, with proceeds benefiting Donor Heroes, a nonprofit that awards scholarships to children whose loved ones made lifesaving donations.

Organ donation myths often keep people from registering yet the facts speak for themselves:

With more than 100,000 people nationwide waiting for a lifesaving transplant, advocates say every YES matters. In 2025, only about 0.55% of people who passed away became donors, making each registered donor crucial.

What do you want me to Shine A Light on? What are you most proud of where you live? Email me at tawalker@wptv.com.

Port St. Lucie police are investigating a multi-car crash involving a school bus carrying 14 children.

The crash happened Friday just before 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Southeast Lyngate Drive at Southeast Elkhart Terrace.

Police said the school bus was stopped, with another car directly behind it, when a third car failed to stop, striking the rear car and pushing it into the bus. One child was transported to a local hospital for neck pain.

The remaining children were transferred to another bus and safely taken to their school.

Family, friends and fellow officers celebrated as Port St. Lucie police Sgt. Erik Levasseur received a Purple Heart on Wednesday.

It happened during the Port St Lucie Police Department's 4th Quarter Awards Ceremony at the MidFlorida Event Center.

Every person in this room had a part in my recovery, said Levasseur.

WATCH: Sergeant wounded in line of duty receives Purple Heart

Levasseur told WPTV Reporter Tyler Hatfield that hes grateful for the honor now wrapped around his neck.

It's very overwhelming, and the support I got from this whole thing, I hate to say it again but its overwhelming, said Levasseur.

Sgt. Levasseur was shot in the face while responding to a call in the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive on Dec. 1. The 27-year veteran had multiple surgeries to repair facial injuries, had a wired jaw and was relying on a tracheotomy, according to police.

He also had two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his eyes.

WATCH: Sgt. Levasseur speaks about recovery

In early January, more than a month after the shooting, Sgt. Levasseur was released from the hospital.

Dr. David Rubay from HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital operated on Levasseur the night he was shot. Now he's seeing his patient, a hero, thriving outside the hospital walls.

He's able to talk and communicate with no deficit. That's phenomenal. That's a miracle, said Rubay.

It was also an emotional day for Chief Leo Niemczyk.

I was very fearful that we might not have another day with Sergeant Levasseur," said Niemczyk. His internal courage and fortitude to push through this has been something that we should all model ourselves after.

Levasseur said he is focused on getting back to protecting and serving.

Its going to be a long time before I can come back, said Levasseur. But I am very eager to get back to work.

Months after a Tradition resident told WPTV a fallen crosswalk sign damaged his truck, the in-street markers at roundabouts in the community have now been removed.

WATCH:

Back in August, David Cates reached out to WPTV after he hit a crosswalk sign that was lying flat in the road near Rowley Way and Community Boulevard in Port St. Lucie.

Cates said the impact caused more than $2,500 in damage to his truck something he believed could have been prevented.

After WPTV began asking questions about the signage and who was responsible for maintaining it, changes have now been made.

Six months later, all in-street crosswalk markers at Tradition roundabouts have been officially removed.

I started smiling because by the time I got to the third roundabout last month, I saw that they were all gone, and I knew they had made some changes, Cates said.

According to the City of Port St. Lucie, several of the signs were not installed according to federal standards and were not properly anchored to the pavement.

City spokesperson Scott Samples sent WPTV reporter Brooke Chau this statement:

However, city officials say the decision to remove the markers stemmed from the Tradition Community Development District (CDD).

and noted that

For Cates, the change brings relief for drivers traveling through the busy roundabouts.

I dont have to worry about a car in front of me trying to stop or swerve from one of the signs, he said. Drivers in Tradition wont have to worry about the same thing happening to them now."

Cates says he is still out the cost of the repairs and has not yet fixed all of the damage to his truck, as he hopes to still resolve with the Tradition Community Development District.

We want to be your voice and help you find solutions.

While we hold our monthly Let's Hear It meet-ups, we know many are not able to attend, but we still want to hear from you and start taking action to get you answers. You can e-mail us at LetsHearIt@wptv.com.

A new nature preserve, called Rosser Lakes, opened this week in Port St. Lucie. It's the first property acquired in the city's Naturally PSL Land Bank a new initiative to purchase land to conserve and protect it.

The Rosser Lakes Preserve is located right off Southwest Rosser Boulevard, east of Interstate 95.

WATCH BELOW: New nature preserve opens in Port St. Lucie

The park comprises 105 acres of walking and biking trails and two lakes for recreation.

Scott Samples with the City of Port St. Lucie said about 72 percent of the city's developable land is already being built.

To protect more of it, the city created a land bank and already has 273 acres for conservation, including Rosser Lakes.

In addition, the city also created a community trust to help with fundraising efforts to acquire new land.

"This is a result directly of us talking to residents and asking them what they wanted, and this is the fulfillment of that, said Samples.

WPTV Port St Lucie reporter Tyler Hatfield spent Wednesday listening to neighbors using the park.

Glen Sabat, a Port St Lucie resident, spent the morning fishing.

Sabat said he's excited that the city is protecting land from more development.

"It's what Florida's about. Everyone moves here away from the cities to get to something like this, and we don't want it to go away," Sabat said.

RELATED STORIES:

Two new lawsuits have been filed against Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie, alleging customers were seriously injured at the facility due to negligence and poor supervision.

One alleged victim claims he broke his ankle after falling into a shallow ball pit. The parents of another child claim their son was hurt when someone dove at him in the dodgeball area.

The lawsuits come after 6-year-old Emma Riddle was killed in a go-kart crash at the location on Dec. 6, 2025. The go-karts are no longer operating at the facility.

Emma Riddle's family has not yet filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Urban Air, but their attorney told me they plan to do so shortly after completing their own investigation.

The owner of the Urban Air franchise has not returned calls for comment.

A 5-year-old child with special needs drowned Monday night in Port St. Lucie, police say.

Officers said they responded to a residence in the 700 block of Southwest Crean Terrace at about 8 p.m. regarding a missing 5-year-old boy with autism.

WATCH BELOW: Police hold news conference after child drowns in Port St. Lucie

When police arrived, they learned the boy, Zam Tuang, was missing from the residence.

It was reported to police dispatch that family members searched for the child before calling 911.

Officers arrived and canvassed the area and looked at video surveillance cameras, discovering that it appeared Zam opened the garage door. The video showed the boy leaving the home at about 7:15 p.m.

Police said the video showed the boy, who does not know how to swim, moving eastbound on foot.

Officers deployed a drone, K-9 bloodhound and additional road patrol units to the area.

At about 9:45 p.m., police said Zam was located in a body of water at the intersection of Southwest Juliet and Southwest Hampshire Lane.

According to authorities, officers attempted to resuscitate the child until fire rescue arrived and took the boy to a local hospital. However, Zam was pronounced dead at about 11 p.m.

Police said at this time, the drowning appears to be accidental, and there is no evidence of foul play.

During a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said that since he became the head of the department in November 2024, this is the third child with autism who has drowned.

"Immediately dial 911. It's human nature to attempt to locate your child," Niemczyk said. "Get us rolling as soon as possible. Don't be afraid that we get there and you locate them. We're going to be happy about that. Go ahead and call."

Niemczyk said there were "many, many" steps taken to secure the child within the home, saying the little boy opened two garage doors to exit. However, there was about a 45-minute delay before the parents called 911.

The police chief said they are holding an autism event on April 18 at 9 a.m. at a community center across from the police station, encouraging families to attend to help avert future tragedies.

This drowning comes after a 2-year-old drowned in Greenacres on Wednesday.

Port St. Lucie is getting a new Costco retail store.

City leaders on Monday approved the sale of a 22-acre parcel of land to Costco for $6 million, marking a major step toward bringing the warehouse retailer to a city whose residents have long called for one.

The land is located in Southern Grove, in the city's southwest corner an area that has seen rapid growth and development in recent years.

WATCH: Costco is latest marker of growth in Port St. Lucie

Mayor Shannon Martin said the deal reflects growing recognition of Port St. Lucie's expanding economic profile.

"What it means is that these stores are starting to recognize our demographics. They're recognizing that our median incomes have gone up. They're starting to recognize that people want Costco here," Martin said.

For many residents, the news was welcome.

"Everybody in our community has to go to Stuart or Palm Beach for Costco," Jeff Beck said.

The retail store will be located east of SW Village Parkway and south of the newly constructed SW Marshall Parkway. It will be built adjacent to a Costco distribution center in Port St. Lucie that's slated to open this month, though construction on the facility is ongoing. The distribution center is expected to employ more than 500 people.

Costco is the latest in a series of major projects planned for Southern Grove. Developer Gustavo Lumer has been planning an entertainment district for the region for several years and said the Costco announcement adds momentum to those plans.

"And now that Costco is coming next door, it's even better," Lumer said.

While Lumer said he cannot yet disclose specific tenants, he offered a preview of what's in store.

"Incredible tenants are coming. We are talking to many restaurants, a hotel site," Lumer said.

A separate developer is also eyeing a 60-acre parcel at Becker and Village for 660 multi-family residences, a hotel, and 250,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

Lumer said the growth is transforming the city's long-term outlook.

"It's going to be one of the nicest cities in Florida in the next three to five years," Lumer said.

St. Lucie County Economic Development Council President Wes McCurry said Southern Grove's jobs corridor has built out in far less time than originally planned, and he pointed to the area's mix of housing and amenities as a key driver.

"Because you had housing nearby. You had places to go eat and shop nearby. That's appealing to employers who move into that area," McCurry said.

No construction start or end date for the new Costco has been announced.

The New York Yankees made a trip across the state to take on their crosstown rival, the New York Mets, in Port St. Lucie on Sunday as teams continue to prepare for opening day later this month.

Fans from both teams packed Clover Park for the afternoon action.

"I love all baseball. The New York Yankees, the New York Mets. I go way back in the game. I just love watching good baseball, said fan Jonas DeWitte.

Fans in attendance watched top prospects take the field and make a few memories.

"The smell of the hot dogs, the taste of the cold Coca-Cola, being able to get the kids a baseball out there on the lawn, I just love being at the ballpark," said DeWitte.

A day out at the ballpark is a day to remember for many, including two future major league baseball hopefuls in Auden Downes and Liam DeWitte.

"Being out here and having fun," said Downes.

"Just being on the field and catching home runs. I like giving them to the kids," said Liam DeWitte.

Baseball fan William Irwin traveled to Port St. Lucie from New York City, and hes not here for anything else besides watching his New York Mets get ready for the season.

I'm a Met fan through and through. Ive been this way all my life," said Irwin

As a lifelong Mets fan, he knows the Mets havent won the World Series since 1986, and admits he wants to see it happen this year.

When asked about the possibility of seeing a Mets-Yankees World Series, his response was classic.

"I'm a Mets fan through and through; the Yankees could kick rocks," said Irwin.

The home team won Sunday's battle of New York with the Mets beating the Yankees 10-4.

We learning construction is coming along for this new BMX track in Port St. Lucie. Itll be in the new Tradition Regional Park and the city said it'll be the first of its kind in the world.

I spoke to neighbor Lance Sparks, whos been using the hills on the construction site as a bike ride. Sparks said the new track, can give him a new option.

WATCH BELOW: 'Something that we're able to make more inclusive to everybody,' Scott Samples tells WPTV's Tyler Hatfield

"I don't have to ride the dirt hills now, said Sparks.

I went out on the track with Scott Samples of Port St. Lucie to look at the progress. Construction began last fall and is expected to be completed summer 2026.

The wood, the ramps and the turns on the track were all designed by a computer. The city said its the first track like this in the world.

"Its the first time this has ever really been done, said Samples. Very unique. Really creates a very cool and for very specific type of track."

Samples said it'll be the first of it's kind that is completely concrete and adaptive for anything on wheels.

Not just BMX bikes, whether they want to skateboard, whether they want to do it on a scooter, whether they want to do it on a three wheeled recumbent bike, there's a lot of opportunities, said Samples.

He said the track will be open to the public.

"Something that we're able to make more inclusive to everybody, instead of just a certain segment of the population, said Samples.

The park will also include a learning center for young riders to learn road safety. The city said they also just received an agreement with U.S. BMX. Pending council approval, the track can host sanctioned U.S. BMX events.

You'll start to see people coming in from around the state, around the country, perhaps internationally, and that really helps us to grow our economy as well, said Samples.

Read more of WPTV's related coverage below:

Could another Costco be coming soon to the Treasure Coast?

In a Thursday statement, Port St. Lucie said city leaders will consider a purchase and sale agreement with Costco Wholesale for about 22.8 acres of land in Southern Grove. This area is located west of Interstate 95, south of Tradition Parkway and north of Southwest Becker Road.

WATCH BELOW: PSL leaders to meet Monday regarding Costco

The city said Costco is proposing to build a 170,000-square-foot retail store and gas station on the land, which is located adjacent to a distribution depot currently under construction.

A Governmental Finance Corporation (GFC) meeting will be held at Port St. Lucie City Hall on Monday at noon to discuss the purchase and sale agreement.

The GFC is a not-for-profit, city-created corporation that is responsible for financing and managing capital projects related to real estate assets. The corporation is governed by a board comprised of all five City Council members.

The city said a purchase and sale agreement is a formal, legally binding contract that outlines the terms and conditions for buying or selling property.

If approved, city officials said Costco Wholesale will be able to move forward with plans to build the retail store in Southern Grove.

Officials said Thursday that a Costco store "has been a top request from residents for many years."

WPTV reported in January that the Costco distribution center in Port St. Lucie is expected to open this month. This facility is expected to employ more than 500 people.

The first Costco on the Treasure Coast, a 160,000-square-foot store located off Kanner Highway, opened last year in Stuart after years of debate.

There are four Costco stores located in Palm Beach County.

A new 13-acre park opened at the Port District in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It's called The Preserve and features about half a mile of trails and elevated walkways with connections to the boardwalk along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

WATCH BELOW: New 13-acre preserve opens in Port St. Lucie

"This is what residents have told us they wanted to see," said Scott Samples with the City of Port St. Lucie. "They wanted to see more access to natural areas, and in particular, they were interested in seeing more trails. This was a way for us to bring that to them."

The park costs about $970,000 to build. Around $400,000 was funded through a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. The rest was funded through the Parks Impact Fee Capital Improvement Project.

The Preserve is located next to The Grove, the city's planned entertainment district that will feature restaurants and bars.

"This will fit right into it," said Samples. "It could be a place where, after you finish a meal, you can come for a walk."

Construction of the park started in August 2025.

The conservation area and scenic preserve officially opened on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

A missing special needs child was safely rescued this week in Fort Pierce after a collaborative effort from law enforcement, including a little help from man's best friend.

According to a news release from the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the agency was assisted by the Fort Pierce Police Department in locating the 13-year-old boy.

Fort Pierce police officers responded to the 2700 block of U.S. Highway 1 at about 4:21 p.m. Monday after the report of a missing teen.

Authorities canvassed the area, and additional assistance was requested from the Port St. Lucie Police Department just after 6 p.m. for a bloodhound K-9.

WATCH BELOW: Bodycam video shows K-9 finding missing child

Using security footage from a nearby gas station, police said they were able to ascertain the child's direction of travel.

A bystander also informed a Fort Pierce police sergeant that they had just seen a child matching the description walking toward the train tracks.

Police said the bloodhound, named Hoot, helped track the scent, leading officers to a wooded area adjacent to the tracks. Video shows the bloodhound working to locate the boy at about 6:30 p.m., according to a timestamp on the police body camera footage.

Foot patrols, drone surveillance and the K-9 converged on the location, where the child was safely found with only minor scrapes. A timestamp on the video shows the child was found just before 7 p.m.

Police said the boy was promptly reunited with his family.

"The rapid notification to law enforcement, combined with strong interagency cooperation and community vigilance, was instrumental in achieving a positive outcome," Port St. Lucie police said in a written statement Wednesday. "It is imperative that law enforcement authorities are notified immediately if a child or adult with special needs is missing."

The Port St. Lucie Police Department said it has made an arrest in a fatal crash after a months-long investigation.

Marc Swantic, 42, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred last year on Oct. 31 on Southeast Crosstown Parkway and Southeast Sandia Drive, police said.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Victor Santiago was riding a motorized scooter in a marked crosswalk at around 5:45 a.m. when he was struck and killed by a black Mercedes-Benz driven by Swantic.

Data from the car's electronic data recorder (EDR) showed that Swantic was actively accelerating in the moments before the deadly collision. The car went from 59 mph at 5 seconds before impact at 72 mph in a posted 45 mph zone, the affidavit said. The data also showed that the gas pedal was pressed as high as 98% during this period.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement's blood toxicology results received on Jan. 30 showed the following substances in Swantic's blood at the time of the crash:

A certified drug recognition evaluator concluded Swantic was under the influence of a combination of "a CNS stimulant and a narcotic analgesic" and was not safe to drive, the affidavit said.

During a court-authorized search of Swantic's car on Nov. 3, 2025, investigators said they found a locked box in the trunk containing multiple prescription-strength medications, including 13 doses of methadone (one empty), bottles of clonazepam, omeprazole, propranolol hydrochloride, alprazolam, and clonidine HCL. A case of Narcan was also found in the trunk.

Based on the evidence collected, police determined that Swantic "intentionally and willfully" drove a car in a "reckless manner" that resulted in the death of Santiago.

Swantic faces numerous charges, including vehicular manslaughter and DUI manslaughter.

A Port St. Lucie family says what they believe is a loophole in Florida's My Safe Florida Home program is leaving elderly, low-income homeowners without critical hurricane protection and they're calling on the state to close what they describe as a growing gap.

WATCH: WPTV reached out to Florida CFO for solutions

Helen and Alfred Nonnemacher, who are in their 80s, applied for a home-hardening grant to replace their 20-year-old windows, which they say are now leaking, taped together with packing tape, and unable to open and close properly.

Alfred Nonnemacher is also recovering from a stroke.

"So these are the inefficient windows that my in-laws have," said the couple's son-in-law, Steve McGuigan. "You can see the water damage here, water has seeped through there. This one is actually taped. They actually taped it with packing tape to keep it in place... just very disturbing to me," he added, showing investigative reporter Kate Hussey the home.

Yet the couple was denied a My Safe Florida Home Grant.

The family says a licensed inspector visited the home in August for a two-hour inspection and denied them that same day. Though the inspection report is no longer available, the family says they were rejected because of the shutters.

"When I saw that report, I was just like, devastated, heartbroken," said Helen Nonnemacher. "You go through all this, and you know that you're qualified, and then they say no, and it is very disappointing, heartbreaking, almost."

According to the program's website, the state generally disqualifies homeowners who already have hurricane shutters from receiving grants for impact windows. The Nonnemachers have shutters but because of their age and Alfred's medical condition, they cannot physically put them up themselves.

"See how long and big they are?" said McGuigan, showing WPTV the shutters. "Even one panel is pretty heavy. In any storm, this would be a huge concern."

"You know, it's scary, and these windows would never hold up to something like that," added Helen Nonnemacher.

McGuigan first brought the family's concerns to our "Let's Hear It" community event in Port St. Lucie, where he and his wife came looking for help.

We took video and photos of the home to mitigation expert Calvin Johnson, who said the windows should be replaced regardless of whether shutters are present.

"That's probably the window itself that's leaking," said Johnson, looking at the photos. "Water would definitely get inside there."

"And that compromises the rest of the home?" Investigative Reporter Kate Hussey asked.

"Yeah, exactly," Johnson replied.

Johnson said he sees this situation regularly families denied because they have shutters, but physically unable to deploy them.

"Yes. Absolutely, we get that a lot," said Johnson.

Johnson also warned that failing to have working protections in place could put homeowners at risk of losing their insurance coverage.

"Your insurance company wants everything to be working and everything to show proof that you got those protection in place," Johnson said.

WPTV reached out to Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia's office about the Nonnemachers' case. In an email, his office encouraged the family to file a disability waiver exemption by submitting a support ticket at MySafeFLHome.com.

"We encourage homeowners like Mr. and Mrs. Nonnemacher to file a waiver due to disability, which they can do by submitting a support ticket at MySafeFLHome.com, understanding that the licensed inspector determined that Mr. and Mrs. Nonnemacher's home already has adequate protection against hurricanes and is therefore ineligible for grant funding from the program," the CFO's office said in an email statement.

The office also said a team member would reach out directly to the Nonnemachers to help them through the process.

The CFO's office pointed to the program's governing statute Florida Statute 215.5586 (2025) which states the purpose of the My Safe Florida Program is to help Florida's most in-need homeowners with home-hardening projects to enhance the survivability of homes during hurricanes.

Under the statute, grant funds may only be used for the following:

The office also referenced Rule 69J-7.001 of the Florida Administrative Code, which outlines acceptable projects in further detail.

The Nonnemachers are not alone.

At a separate "Let's Hear It" event in Jensen Beach, Kimberly Caldwell Blazie said she fell into the same gap unable to install shutters because of her disability.

"I want to cry right now. I just keep praying," Caldwell Blazie said. "I mean, you feel like youve lost hope."

Caldwell Blazie has already filed her disability waiver exemption following her interview with WPTV and since received a letter saying she was approved. She's still waiting on the contractor to complete work on her home.

The Nonnemachers are now working to file their own exemption. The CFO's office says funding will not run out before the exemptions are reviewed but neither family is entirely convinced.

There is currently no data available showing how many applicants have been approved this year. However, data the state released in October 2025 showed just 33% of more than 120,000 applicants received grants during the last grant cycle.

Previous reporting from WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny has documented homeowners being denied and delayed, with lawmakers questioning whether the program is even lowering insurance premiums as promised.

As St. Lucie County's population continues to grow, officials are looking at widening a road that currently has only one lane in each direction.

The county is considering widening and reconstructing a 10-mile segment of Glades Cut Off Road/County Road 709 from Range Line Road to Selvitz Road.

WATCH BELOW: Project would widen Glades Cut Off Road to 4 lanes in St. Lucie Co.

St. Lucie County said widening the road will enhance safety and also accommodate the growing traffic volumes for the anticipated growth over the next two decades.

The current Project Development & Environment (PD&E) study is the second phase of the project development process.

"Each PD&E study requires the combined efforts of professional engineers, planners, and scientists, to collect data, develop and evaluate alternatives, conduct studies, prepare reports, and gather input from the public, applicable agencies, and interested parties," according to the website dedicated to the project.

Two options are currently being evaluated for the project and are being presented this evening. Both options include widening the road to four lanes (two in each direction).

The first option includes bike lanes, and the second alternative is with no bike lanes. Both options include a 12-foot shared-use path.

The option with bike lanes would have a 7-foot bicycle lane in each direction.

As part of the study, all intersections within the project limits will also be evaluated.

WPTV reporter Tyler Hatfield spoke to residents on Tuesday to get their thoughts.

Jennene Jones said the road widening is necessary.

"There's a bottleneck midday and in the morning, so it might alleviate that," Jones said.

Juan Hache said the current traffic on the road makes it difficult to leave his development.

"I live in Cooper Creek, it's terrible, terrible," Hache said. "You need five eyes to get out of that intersection."

Both virtual and in-person workshops were held on Tuesday regarding the project with St. Lucie County Public Works staff presenting the study to neighbors.

St. Lucie County Communications Director Erick Gill said the project has been on their radar because of new development coming to the western part of the county.

"We want to make sure we're planning for the future, the roadways and infrastructure, to handle that growth," Gill said.

Port St. Lucie police said that since 2020, there have been 48 crashes on the 10-mile stretch of Glades Cut Off Road.

"The more lanes you have ... with bike paths and pedestrians ... the safer we can keep our roads and roadways ... reduce congestion and aggravation among aggressive drivers," Gill said.

Jones likes the widening but isn't on board with the bike lanes.

"We have a lot of trucks in this area. It doesn't seem safe to me," Jones said.

But Hache thinks it could fit into the growing city.

"Everything in the city is updated. It's better for the people," Hache said.

The county will take public input and conduct traffic studies on the project before sending it to the county commission for approval.

A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.