Immigration Attorneys in Fort Pierce, FL

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —

The parents of a Fort Pierce boy found in a St. Lucie County canal are speaking out.

Melody and Anthony Paschal said their son Anthony Paschal Jr. was reported missing Tuesday and was found the next day, which happened to be his 16th birthday.

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They said their son was humbling and never gave them any problems.

"He always thought he was different," Melody Paschal said. "But to me, he was beautiful."

They said he was also going through an identity crisis.

"Cherish every moment. Don't push them aside for work, none of that means anything in the end," Anthony Paschal Sr. said. "Pay close attention you'll miss the mark; you'll end up like us.

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The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.

"On Tuesday the youth left the residence at around 4 p.m. we confirm that through home surveillance," Sheriff Keith Pearson said. "The youth was not in any kind of distress and there was nothing to indicate that there were any issues going on."

Pearson said there were no signs of trauma, and they are currently treating this incident as a drowning, pending the outcome of the medical examiner's office.

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FT. PIERCE, Fla. — Floridians are constantly surrounded by marine life, big or small. Many times we don’t even know it.

Most recently, a more than 13-foot great white shark named Breton was tracked off the coast of Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce.

“About 20 miles off shore a white shark that was tagged by the nonprofit Ocearch popped up to surface for a long enough period of time to establish a location,” said Dr. Zack Jud, director of education at the Florida Oceanographic Society.

"It’s just good to remember that they’re existing and we’re just participating in their home," said beachgoer Phoebe Stroobosscher.

The shark was first tagged back in 2020 in Nova Scotia. Since then, it’s been all over the Atlantic Ocean. July 3 was at least the third time it passed through the waters of the Treasure Coast. Experts say it’s normal behavior.

“White sharks are a highly migratory species so it’s not unusual to see them making long-distance migrations,” said Dr. Jud.

“We just happen to be one stop along the way, which I think is pretty cool,” added Dr. Matt Ajemian, associate research professor at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

WPTV News reporter Cassandra Garcia asked Ajemian what brings the great white sharks to these waters.

"I think you can consider it almost like a highway, almost like a turnpike for these sharks," he said. "It’s a migratory corridor connecting two areas that are very important for these animals.”

Breton’s travel history and size came as a surprise to Ft. Pierce beachgoers.

“'Wow,' is what I think. That’s amazing,” said Dan Maristany.

“I’m five feet so that’s like three times my height,” added Stroobosscher.

Although some find sharks intimidating, Breton's appearance is actually great news.

“This species was in a not-so-great status not too long ago and being able to see that populations are rebounding and that they’re using these environments is a good thing,” said Ajemian.

A phenomenon that many have learned to appreciate.

“I honestly feel honored that he chose us,” said Stroobosscher.

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Buc-ee's is closer to expanding its mega-travel center chain into the Treasure Coast.

The iconic gas station could be days away from owning a 36-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Indrio Road and Interstate 95 in Fort Pierce, where Buc-ee's wants to build a 73,000-square-foot retail facility.

The mega-gas station and convenience store could have about 800 parking spots, over 100 gas pumps, its famously clean bathrooms and a signature smoked barbeque, according to a site plan submitted in February.

It would be the first Treasure Coast location and the southernmost Florida location.

What is Buc-ee's?:6 things to know about mega gas station

When will Buc-ee's open in Fort Pierce?

Buc-ee's plans to move quickly as soon as it buys the land and obtains site plan approval from St. Lucie County, according to property owner and developer Gustavo Lumer.

Buc-ee's could be on pace to open within 18 months, with a grand opening in late 2025 or early 2026, Lumer said

What is Buc-ee's?

The Texas-based chain operates 46 locations across Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina.

There are two travel centers in Florida — Daytona Beach and St. Augustine — with a third in the works for Ocala.

The first opened in St. Augustine on Feb. 22, 2021. The second in Daytona Beach opened on March 22, 2021.

The Daytona Beach Buc-ee's has a 53,000-square-foot convenience store, slightly bigger than the 52,600-square-foot location in St. Augustine, and about the average size of a Publix store.

Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @gonthescene.

Laurie K. Blandford

FORT PIERCE — Little Jim Bait & Tackle has made history.

The City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to designate the city-owned Little Jim waterfront property and Florida cracker building, which houses a bar, restaurant and bait shop, as an "historic property" and "locally significant site."

About 200 people — most of them wearing teal T-shirts the business gave out in the days leading up to the meeting — showed up to support its historic designation. The business closed at 3 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. so employees could attend the meeting that started about 5 p.m.

“This is something that should’ve been taken care of a long time ago,” attendee Matthew Samuel told commissioners before the vote. “It needs to be recognized as a historical spot. This will only make Fort Pierce more beautiful.”

After the vote, the crowd cheered and clapped, congratulating Little Jim owner Donna Qvarnstrom as she left City Hall to celebrate at Cobb’s Landing, a marina-area restaurant she also owns.

“This is what we’ve been working so hard for,” Qvarnstrom told TCPalm. “It’s history. We made history.”

The business started a petition to “Save Little Jim Bait & Tackle” in June 2023 after commissioners talked about selling the property.

“It is one of the few waterfront properties along the Eastern Seaboard that has not fallen prey to modern development,” according to the petition, “and we want to make sure to save it.”

What does the historic designation mean?

The local designation means the city will maintain control over the property as landlords. Any proposed changes would have to be approved by the city staff or Historic Preservation Board, which would make a recommendation for the City Commission.

However, the City Commission could reverse the decision or change the activity there — allowing for a museum instead of a restaurant, for example.

The city will include the designation in the request for proposals it must seek for the property before Little Jim Bait & Tackle's 10-year lease expires March 1. The business is expected to submit a bid to continue its operations.

Qvarnstrom told TCPalm she's prepared to have any changes — even just a change in paint color — reviewed and approved by the city, including her future plans to add bathrooms.

"This was our way of hopefully protecting it against a big development coming in," Qvarnstrom said. "We want it to stay what it is."

What is the history of Little Jim?

The building was built in 1942 and served as a Navy guard shack and barrier island checkpoint during World War II.

Only authorized personnel could go to North Hutchinson Island, where over 140,000 people were trained for the Normandy invasion and countless Pacific operations. The Underwater Demolition Teams, or “Frogmen,” later became the Navy Seals.

When the Navy left in 1944, it gave the city the land, the shack and the wooden bridge.

An early bait shop has grown into the popular hangout it is today. Vero Beach native and country music star Jake Owen even filmed a music video there last year, for his song, "On The Boat Again."

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Harbert Reality Services, an Alabama-based company, could become the "lead developer" for Fort Pierce’s King’s Landing Project after commissioners received a letter from the company on the same day it weighed the development’s future Tuesday night.

Developers Audubon Development want to turn the H.D. King Power Plant to 116 residential units, 106 condos, 10 townhomes, 140 room home, a 179-space parking garage and space for restaurant and retail space. But, the city of Fort Pierce said it’s defaulted on its agreement with the City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency over missed construction and building permit deadlines.

City staff said the developer presented the contract change to the city, which include a new schedule for construction and a $1.1 million payment paid over four installments over a dispute over debris cleaning. The payment, which the developer requested, is about 2% of the city’s budget.

Commissioner Michael Broderick said he's upset with the developer over the agreement. He expressed his displeasure throughout the meeting and said he believes the numbers created by the developer are fabricated.

"Candidly guys, that billing is nonsense," Broderick said. "You know it. I know it. It’s a compilation invoice for $1 Million simply is irresponsible and it’s insulting that was presented to Fort Pierce for the basis to pay that money with five line items on it."

He said his opinion on the deal changed once he received a letter from Herbert Reality Services because he said he believes the company had the ability to finish the project based off his experience in commercial reality.

"Harbert had the funding capability. There's no question about that," Commissioner Broderick said. "They have the execution prowess. In other words, they have all the components to make this work in theory."

He, then, made the argument to avoid years of litigation with Audubon Development while the land remains undeveloped.

After the meeting was underway, documents were added to the agenda showing Audubon Development entered into a an agreement with Harbert Reality Services in May 2024. It shows Audubon would have a general partnership in the agreement at 45% while Herbert Reality Services would receive 55% of the general partnership.

WPTV reached out to Harbert Reality Services late Tuesday night and didn’t hear back by publication.

The letter showing an undisclosed lead developer didn’t make a difference to Commissioner Arnold Gaines.

“I walked in here and I was an absolute not," he said. "That was my vote…I'm going to be honest with you, the day of a hearing doesn’t change how I feel."

Gaines and other commissioners and Mayor Linda Hudson said they should have had the letter earlier explaining Harbert’s involvement in the project.

"This is ridiculous," Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr. said. "Because there have been times up until this that we’ve gotten nothing back and forth…The disrespect to not get this stuff to end hour is disrespectful.”

He said he consistently pushed for documentation showing Audubon Development’s financing for the project, which was never presented.

“I had two meetings with [city] staff,” Johnson Jr. said. “…and crickets the first Wednesday after that Nothing came in. Just the other day, Wednesday, memorandums somewhat start flowing back and forth and I’m like ‘Where are the finances? I haven’t seen the capability or award or sometype of letter from a financial institution…whatever the cost might be,”

He also said he was frustrated by Audubon Development's bill since the city refunded developers about $200,000 in clean-up costs at a prior meeting.

Audubon Development won the request for proposal in 2019 from the city to develop the site. It argues the city misrepresented the property's readiness for development in a response from their lawyers to the default notice.

It argues the city had multiple title defects and encumbrances, which weren’t disclosed. It also argues demolition debris was buried underneath the site, which had to be removed. Attorneys for Audubon Development said it found entire portions of the power plant buried underground. It said the city failed to disclose this issue.

Lawyers for Audubon Development said it spent more than $1.5 million over 22 months to excavate the site. Those attorneys also said the city hasn't reimbursed the developer for those issues and slowed down the project through planning and zoning delays.

The new agreement would require Audubon Development to apply for building permit(s) or DPCR approval for construction of Phase 2 no later than November 26, 2025. Then it must build by September 30, 2026.

It also requires the city to submit materials for permits for Phase 3 by June 23, 2027. Then build no later than March 27, 2029. The change would become the second change to the building timeline since 2019.

The new agreement would also require the developer to provide monthly written progress updates to Fort Pierce's City Commission and its Redevelopment Agency. This must include information regarding the Marriott franchise approval, design process, construction timeline and progress. The developer will also have to make presentations in front of the commission and redevelopment agency quarterly.

By the end, the commission voted to give Audubon Development and Harbert Reality Services 45 days to agree to a joint venture while presenting a resolution for building schedules and possible payments.

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