Under blazing blue skies and a sizzling heat advisory, the 18th Annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup powered through on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Not even Florida’s summer heat could slow down “Team City of Stuart”!
Mayor Campbell Rich, Commissioner Eula Clark, City Manager Michael Mortell, city staff, local residents, and the spirited Hell Gate Sea Dragons hit the water (and shoreline) in force, launching from Shephard Park via boat, kayak, paddleboard—even a dragon boat. Talk about cleaning up in style!
Weirdest find of the day? A Butterball turkey—still wrapped in its signature yellow mesh—snagged by none other than Mayor Rich himself. (Thanksgiving in July, anyone?)
While this year’s trash haul was lighter than last year (progress!), seasoned volunteers noted a spike in one pesky offender: cigarette butts.
Fast Fact: Cigarette butts make up a whopping 30% of litter in the U.S. They're toxic, non-biodegradable, and dangerous to wildlife. Just one more reason to kick the butt habit—for your health and the environment.
Stay tuned: final cleanup results will be posted on the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup website after August 3, 2025.
Huge thanks to all the cleanup warriors who showed up and showed out. Extra shout-out to the Hell Gate Sea Dragons for grilling burgers and serving up good vibes at the post-cleanup hangout---and a standing ovation for Anne Ellig Hawkins, site coordinator of the Shepard Park cleanup site, whose herculean organizational skills kept everything and everyone running smoothly.
A massive thank-you to all the cleanup champions who showed up and showed out! Extra kudos to the Hell Gate Sea Dragons for the grilled burgers and unbeatable vibes at the post-cleanup hangout—and a standing ovation for Anne Ellig Hawkins, site coordinator at Shepard Park, whose herculean organizational skills kept everything running like a well-oiled dragon boat.
Together, we’re keeping Stuart’s waterways beautiful!  

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT UPDATE

 
If you’ve passed by Veterans Memorial Park lately, you’ve probably noticed exciting progress on the new amphitheatre—it's finally coming to life! Crews are busy with paving, and the main entryway is really starting to take shape.
Once complete, this vibrant outdoor venue will feature a covered stage with a green room for performers, spacious lawn seating, a welcoming plaza, winding brick paver walkways that connect to the existing park, and beautiful native landscaping. The project also includes lighting, benches, bike racks, and other thoughtful park amenities designed for comfort and community use.
Public Works Director Milton Leggett shares that the $2.7 million project remains on schedule, with completion expected in the last quarter of 2026.
Track progress and learn more on the City of Stuart's Capital Improvement Projects Dashboard HERE. Stay tuned for future updates!

 
Five rising stars from the Stuart Police Explorer Program recently graduated from the 2025 Law Enforcement Explorer Academy—an intensive, weeklong experience held at Tanah Keetah Scout Reservation in Jupiter.
Mason Wood, Alexis Robertson, Jude Ortado, Dominic Sierra, and Julian Gutierrez took on the physically and mentally demanding, military-style training designed to instill leadership, teamwork, and law enforcement fundamentals. Their performance? Outstanding.
A special round of applause goes to Explorer Mason Wood, who brought home the prestigious Top Shooter Award, showcasing both skill and focus under pressure.
These young leaders not only completed the academy—they represented the Stuart Police Department and our community with pride and professionalism. We salute their dedication and look forward to what they’ll accomplish next!

STUART FIRE RESCUE

 
Stuart Fire Rescue is proud to announce the promotion of two more team members to FireMedic—a significant achievement that follows the successful completion of their paramedic check-off. This intensive process includes months of training, skill testing, and real-world evaluation.
A FireMedic serves in a dual role as both firefighter and licensed paramedic. These highly trained professionals respond to emergencies of all kinds and provide advanced life support care—from administering critical medications to performing life-saving procedures in the field.
Congratulations to FireMedic Brent Helton and FireMedic Michael Rahrig for their dedication, perseverance, and continued service to the Stuart community.

 

 
Happy 4th Birthday to K-9 Jery! Thank you for your dedication, loyalty, and keeping our community safe. From helping locate missing people to keeping dangerous drugs off our streets, his hard work makes a big difference every single day in our community. 

HURRICANE PREPARATION

 
Now firmly in the peak of hurricane season—means it's time to double down on readiness. As NOAA forecasts point to an above‑normal storm season (with a 60 % chance of more named storms than average), residents should make sure their hurricane plans and supply kits are ready to go. Knowing your zone and having a plan now can prevent regrets later.
Starting today, August 1, 2025, Florida has made hurricane‑readiness supplies permanently tax‑exempt, replacing the old short-term tax holidays with year‑round savings on key preparedness items under House Bill 7031, signed by Governor DeSantis on June 30. That means essentials like AA, AAA, C, D, 6‑volt or 9‑volt batteries; smoke and carbon‑monoxide alarms; fire extinguishers; portable generators (up to 10,000 watts); waterproof tarps (up to 1,000 sq ft); gas or diesel cans (5 gal or less); ground anchors or tie‑down kits; insect repellent; sunscreen—all no longer subject to Florida sales tax.
Building your kit should start with at least a seven‑day supply of food, water, medications, and pet needs (something Florida emergency officials have emphasized this season). Add a battery‑powered or hand‑crank radio, flashlights, backup power, and copies of critical documents stored in a waterproof container. Even though basics like bottled water and canned goods were already tax‑free, this new permanent exemption makes it easier to round out your kit—and keep it stocked—any time of year.
Financially, the change removes pressure to wait for a brief holiday window and allows you to shop affordably today for everything from tarps to generators. Now’s a smart time to get everything in place. No coupons needed—just peace of mind.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 
Martin County students return to class on Monday, August 11.
Be sure your child is ready and has all they need for a successful year. The Florida Department of Health in Martin County provides immunizations for uninsured and underinsured school age children. Call (772) 221-4000, option 3, to book an appointment.
Learn more: https://martin.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/immunizations/index.html

 
For the most up-to-date traffic advisories and alerts, visit ROAD / LANE CLOSURES on the City of Stuart website.
1. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Palm Street between Dixie Highway and Stuart Ave., Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Landscaping and paving)
2. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Oleander Street between Dixie Highway and North River Drive, Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parallel parking, concrete work and paving.)
3. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Oleander Street from Stuart Avenue to Dixie Highway. Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025. (Parallel parking, concrete work and paving.)
4. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Australian Street between Stuart Ave. and North River Drive. Monday, July 21, 2025, through October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parallel parking, sod & paving.)
5. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Australian Street between Dixie Highway and North River Drive. Monday, July 21, 2025, to Thursday, October 9, 02025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parallel parking, sod and paving.)
6. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Stuart Ave. between Palm St. and Oleander St. Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parallel parking and paving.)
7. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, Stuart Avenue from Australian Street to Oleander Street. Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parallel parking and paving.)
8. Intermittent lane shifts/closures and detours, NW Poinsettia Street from Dixie Highway to North River Drive. Monday, July 21, 2025, through Thursday, October 9, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Parking and road pavement.)
9. Downtown Stuart temporary lane closures and lane shifts, week of August 4, 2025: 

• SW Seminole Street from S. Colorado to SW St. Lucie Avenue will close on 5/27/2025 and remain closed until November 2025. 
• S. Colorado Ave. from SW/SE Seminole Street to S.E. Ocean Blvd. - flagger will be on hand to direct traffic.
• SW St. Lucie Ave. from S.W. Flagler Ave. to S.W. Seminole Street - flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic.

10. Temporary lane shifts, Friday, August 1, 2025, through August 8, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, on S.E. Central Parkway, both east- and westbound lanes, between S.E. Ray's Way and S.E. Kanner Hwy. 
11. Temporary lane and sidewalk closures along the south side of S.E. 10th Street between Hibiscus Ave. and East Madison Ave., Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

City of Stuart Commission meetings, conducted in the City Hall Chambers, are streamed live. (View HERE). City Hall Chambers are open to the public during the meetings. 
View past meeting agendas and meeting minutes HERE.

 
 
Special Commission Meeting - Budget Workshop #1
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 2:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting
Monday, August 11, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.
Local Planning Agency / Planning Advisory Board
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 5:30 p.m.
Magistrate Hearing
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 2:00 p.m.
Community Redevelopment Agency
Monday, August 25, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting
Monday, August 25, 2025 - 5:30 p.m.

Market on Main
Every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Flagler Park, 201 SW Flagler Avenue 
Produced by Stuart Main Street
More Information: (772) 286-2848

Rock'n Riverwalk 
Every Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Riverwalk Stage, 300 St. Lucie Avenue
Produced by Stuart Main Street and DBA
More information: (772) 286-2848
View all events HERE.