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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
James Taylor, from jail, resigns ahead of Fort Pierce City Commission meeting about him
FORT PIERCE — Facing 24 felony charges related to an alleged explicit internet relationship with a teenage girl — and under pressure to step down from office before a special City Commission meeting — City Commissioner James Taylor submitted his resignation on July 28, just hours before that meeting convened. The resignation is effective Aug. 2, according to a copy obtained by TCPalm. Taylor remained in the St. Lucie County Jail as of the afternoon of July 28 in lieu of $360,000 bail, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. City, state and federal officials had been calling on Taylor to resign since shortly after his arrest during a July 24 traffic stop. Had he not done so, many were putting pressure on Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend him before the July 28 meeting began, at 5:05 p.m. Either action — resignation or suspension by DeSantis — would have allowed city commissioners to use that hastily scheduled meeting to begin planning for a special election to replace Taylor. "The citizens of the city of Fort Pierce own that commission seat, and they need to get it back," City Commissioner Michael Broderick said in a July 25 phone call. Broderick was joined by state Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, and U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fort Pierce, among others, in calling for the seat to be vacated — one way or another — before the special meeting began. Taylor is accused of conducting a years-long relationship with a 14-year-old girl from Evanston, Illinois, over the private messaging app Snapchat. That relationship, which local sheriff's investigators believe began when the girl was 12, included Taylor sending and asking for nude images, according to investigators. Police in Evanston were first tipped off to the alleged relationship by the girl's mother in August 2024, while Taylor was in the midst of his campaign for City Commission. Taylor — who won that race with nearly 62% of the vote — was first on St. Lucie County investigators' radar in May, when they were contacted by the Evanston Police Department. More: What to know about City Commissioner James Taylor, his arrest, Fort Pierce city reaction More: Fort Pierce sets special meeting on James Taylor; special election may be in the works Taylor faces six counts of transmission of materials harmful to minors by electronic equipment; six counts of transfer or display of obscenity to a minor; six counts of harmful communication to a minor and lewd computer solicitation; four counts of lewd computer solicitation of a child; and two counts of solicitation of transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment. His arraignment — when he would enter a plea on those charges — is not yet scheduled. Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: James Taylor resigns rather than be removed by Gov. Ron DeSantis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Pierce sets special meeting on James Taylor; special election may be in the works
FORT PIERCE — The City Commission will meet July 28 to discuss the arrest of Commissioner James Taylor, charged with 24 felony counts related to an alleged explicit internet relationship with a teenage girl from Illinois. Commissioners are to meet at 5:05 p.m. to "discuss the status of Commissioner District 2, Seat 2." While the announcement mentions only a discussion, Commissioner Michael Broderick said he hopes his colleagues will do more than just that. "I am hopeful, I am working very hard, to get the Governor's Office to remove him from office today," Broderick said July 25. The City Commission cannot remove one of its own, but a commissioner can resign. The governor can suspend local elected officials for a variety of reasons, including for felony charges. Taylor — who made his first appearance in court on the morning of July 25, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit — has not resigned, as far as Broderick is aware. "I want a letter of resignation. I want it right now, on my desk, but if I don't get it, we're compelling the governor to take action here," Broderick said. Broderick has been working the phone, directly with the Governor's Office and with other local, state and federal officials who may be able to encourage Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend Taylor quickly, before the special meeting. "I'm working in conjunction with our state elected officials, and our national elected officials, to get this done. The citizens of the city of Fort Pierce own that commission seat, and they need to get it back," Broderick said. The governor's communications office has not responded to requests for comment on Taylor's arrest. If Taylor is removed from office by the time the meeting, Broderick said, commissioners can move past discussion and into planning for a special election to replace him. "I'm hopeful that by Monday at five o'clock that the seat is vacated, and that the City Commission is going to plot a strategy to run a special election and get the seat filled as quickly as possible," Broderick said. If there was less than six months until the next municipal general election for District 2, Seat 2, the City Commission could appoint a temporary replacement for Taylor. However, Taylor was elected in November 2024, leaving the next election more than three years away. The city will have to hold a special election to fill the seat, whether Taylor resigns or is removed. John Heaning, the opponent whom Taylor defeated in 2024 with nearly 62% of the vote, issued a statement on social media shortly after Taylor's arrest. While not announcing a run in the anticipated special election, Heaning did not rule it out. "Currently, I remain undecided. I will give it thoughtful and serious consideration, and when the time is right, I'll decide based on what I believe is best for the future of Fort Pierce," Heaning said. Heaning said he was "deeply disappointed and shocked" by Taylor's arrest, and called it "yet another troubling scandal for the city of Fort Pierce." Taylor has yet to enter a plea for the 24 felony counts he faces. His bond, initially set at $250,000, was raised to $340,000 at his first appearance. His July 24 arrest, which occurred during a traffic stop, came after more than a year of investigations, which started with the Evanston (Illinois) Police Department. Police there received a report from the mother of a 3-year-old girl on August 2024, and contacted the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office in May. The girl, now-14, is believed to have been 12 at the time Taylor began sending her messages via Snapchat, according to SLCSO investigators. On July 24, SLCSO executed search warrants at his home and at a non-government office, and he was arrested shortly afterward. More: What to know about City Commissioner James Taylor, his arrest, Fort Pierce city reaction More: "Monster": Officials react to James Taylor arrest; one calls for suspension by governor Taylor is the second high-ranking Fort Pierce official to be arrested in the past year. Longtime City Manager Nick Mimms was arrested Aug. 14, 2024, on charges of bid rigging and official misconduct related to a bid process. It ultimately was won by a nonprofit led by two city employees, one of whom was his niece. Mimms has pleaded not guilty. Mimms was replaced by Richard Chess, who became city manager in April. Taylor cast the deciding vote to hire Chess. With commissioners locked 2-2 — between Chess and City Clerk Linda Cox — Taylor switched his vote from a third candidate to Chess. Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: James Taylor arrest latest: Fort Pierce to meet, ask for DeSantis help Solve the daily Crossword
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
First Home Scheme: Almost 3,700 homes bought using State's shared equity scheme since its launch three years ago
Close to 3,700 homes have been bought using the First Home Scheme since it was launched this month three years ago, and thousands more have been approved to use the scheme. The First Home Scheme is a €740m fund set up to help first-time buyers bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home. It is part of the Government's Housing for All strategy. Scheme bosses said €240m in support was provided for the purchase of 3,691 homes since it launched in July 2022. There was a 22pc increase in homes bought using the scheme in its third year compared with the previous year, latest figures show. Buyers in Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Meath and Wicklow represent the biggest proportion of users of the scheme. It only applies to new properties, including self-builds and apartments. Under the scheme, the State provides an interest-free equity for a six-year period for a stake of up to 30pc in the home. There are maximum property-price ceilings for each local authority area. The scheme is a joint venture between the State and three banks – currently AIB (including subsidiaries EBS and Haven), Bank of Ireland and PTSB – and remains open to other authorised mortgage lenders in the Irish market joining it. The latest update shows continued strong interest in the scheme, with 7,605 buyers approved to use it. More than 17,300 potential buyers or self-builders have registered their interest in it. The average price for homes purchased or built using the scheme is €386,000. The average support being provided by the First Home Scheme in these cases is around €66,000. This works out at 17pc of the average purchase price. We're encouraged by the level of appetite among first-time buyers More than six out of 10 of those using the shared equity arrangement are also availing of the Help to Buy scheme, an initiative that gives prospective house buyers a tax rebate of up to €30,000 when buying new-build properties. Most of the live approvals have been for buyers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, with the remaining 28pc spread across the other 21 counties. Chief executive of the First Home Scheme, Michael Broderick said: 'As we enter our fourth year in business, we're encouraged by the level of appetite among first-time buyers who can see how the scheme can make home ownership possible for them.' He said there was capacity to help more first-time buyers, as well as people who want to build their own homes and tenants who want to buy their current homes from their landlords. 'We'd encourage anyone looking to buy or build their first home to check out what we offer,' he said. Earlier this month, the price ceilings that apply in 16 local authority areas were increased. Mr Broderick said this was to reflect local market conditions and that these changes will allow even more buyers to qualify for the scheme. The raising of the price ceiling for the First Home Scheme will mean every new house valued at €500,000 or less in a private development in Dublin city or county, or in Wicklow, will now be eligible for the scheme.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Price ceiling on homes raised on State-supported scheme for buyers
The raising of the price ceiling for the First Home Scheme will mean every new house in a private development valued at €500,000 or less in Dublin city and county and Wicklow will now be eligible for the scheme. This brings the limit for houses to the same level as apartments in these areas. The First Home Scheme is a €740m fund set up to help first-time buyers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home. It is part of the Government's Housing for All strategy. The raising of the price ceiling in 16 of Ireland's 31 local authority areas reflects the surge in property values. But critics of the scheme are likely to claim the move to raise the price ceiling will further increase property price inflation, and largely benefit builders. The scheme only applies to new property, including self-builds and apartments. Last year the scheme was extended to include renters who want to buy their home from a landlord who has indicated a wish to sell and has issued the tenant with a notice of termination. The price ceiling change will mean most of these 16 local authority areas seeing an increase of €25,000 in the relevant ceiling. This extension follows the latest of the scheme's scheduled twice-yearly reviews of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes. First Home Scheme is a joint venture between the State and AIB – including subsidiaries EBS and Haven – Bank of Ireland and PTSB. Under the scheme, the State provides an interest-free equity for a six-year period for a stake of up to 30pc in the home. ADVERTISEMENT There are maximum property price ceilings for each local authority area. The local authority areas seeing an increase are Clare, Fingal, Louth, Sligo, Cork County, Galway County, Mayo, South Dublin, Dublin City, Kerry, Meath, Wexford, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Offaly, and Wicklow. A price ceiling of €500,000 for new houses, including self-builds, and apartments will now apply to Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin and Wicklow. The changes take effect from tomorrow, July 1. First Home Scheme bosses said the changes will allow more first-time buyers to qualify for the scheme. They claimed the aim of the price ceilings is to ensure the Scheme can benefit as many people as possible without causing distortion in local housing markets. Scheme chief executive Michael Broderick said his organisation will continue to review the ceilings on a twice-yearly basis, with its next review in early 2026. He said: 'Our price ceiling review takes place every six months to make sure we get the balance right between encouraging usage of the scheme, promoting housing supply and avoiding price distortion in local housing markets.' He said the latest changes show how the scheme can evolve to reflect market conditions across Ireland and to continue to help as many first-time buyers as it can. The scheme's latest quarterly progress update was published in April and showed 6,774 buyers in all 26 counties have been approved by the scheme and have received eligibility certificates allowing them to buy their chosen home. A joint application is counted as one buyer, not two. Some 3,323 buyers in 25 counties have already completed the purchase of or drawn down funds to self-build their home using the scheme.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Monro closing stores: Muffler, brake, and auto repair chain joins list of retailers shuttering locations in 2025
One of the most popular auto repair and tire shops in America said it will shutter 145 locations across the country by the end of the month. Monro Inc. (Nasdaq: MNRO) announced the move in its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results last week. Here's what you need to know about the Monro auto chain closures. This company asked most corporate employees to relocate to Chicago. The majority declined The household auto fleet is a money pit Where are the wildfires in Canada? Maps pinpoint the location of fires and air-quality threats from smoke Monro, sometimes called Monro Muffler Brake, is one of the largest auto repair shops and tire chains in the country. The company operates 1,260 stores across 32 states, according to its most recent financial filings and website. It also has 48 franchised locations. Monro says it generated approximately $1.2 billion in sales from those stores and works on about five million vehicles a year in the U.S. Founded in 1957, Monro became a publicly traded company in 1991. It is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker 'MNRO.' In recent years, the company has struggled as consumers have cut back on discretionary auto-related spending in the wake of inflationary costs. As noted by CoStar News, those consumers have reduced their purchases of tires and auto services, which typically have higher margins, thus eating into Monro's profits. In March, Monro's board decided a change in leadership was necessary. That change saw Monro's then-CEO Michael Broderick depart the company, replaced by AlixPartners managing director Peter Fitzsimmons. Upon announcing the company's Q4 2025 results—the quarter that ended March 29, 2025—Fitzsimmons announced that Monro would be closing 145 underperforming stores. In its earnings release, the company said it had 'conducted a comprehensive store portfolio review that identified 145 underperforming stores for closure.' It went on to note that all 145 stores would close by the end of Q1 of 2026, which is Monro's current quarter and which closes at the end of this month. However, while Monro says it has identified the closing stores, it has not released a list of which locations are closing. It has also not stated which of its store brands will be affected. Reached for comment by Fast Company, a Monro spokesperson said the retailer's priority at the moment is to ensure that employees impacted by the closures are properly supported. 'We have communicated this news directly with our impacted teammates and are deeply grateful to them for their dedication and commitment to the communities we serve,' the spokesperson said. 'We are focused on supporting our teams through this transition and growing our business by continuing to deliver a five-star customer experience to our guests around the country.' Monro doesn't operate all of its 1,260 stores under a 'Monro' moniker. It has more than a dozen brands: Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers Tire Barn Warehouse Tire Warehouse Ken Towery's Tire & Auto Care Allen Tire Company Monro Commercial Solutions Car-X Tire and Auto Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers Tire Choice Auto Service Centers Free Service Tire Company, Inc. Mountain View Tire & Auto Service Skip's Tire Lloyd's Tire Calabasas Car Care Bud's Tires Monro is also not the only large auto-related chain that is reducing its physical footprint. Late last year, Advanced Auto Parts said it would close 700 of its 5,000 stores. For its most recent quarter, Q4 of fiscal 2025, which ended on March 29, Monro reported $295 million in sales. That was down 4.9% from the $310.1 million in sales during the same quarter a year earlier. However, Monro said that 2025's Q4 had six fewer selling days than 2024's Q4, which contributed to the lower sales number. The company said it had a net loss for Q4 2025 of $21.3 million versus a net gain of $3.7 million for the quarter a year earlier. 'As I reflect on my first eight weeks, I'm pleased with our detailed assessment of the business,' Fitzsimmons said in a statement accompanying the results. 'We have identified four key areas of focus as opportunities for improvement.' Fitzsimmons said he believes the plan will 'drive enhanced profitability' while increasing operating income. Since announcing its Q4 2025 results and store closure plans on May 28, MNRO stock has surged more than 23%. However, the stock is down more than 37% year to date. Over the past 12 months, MNRO shares have fallen 34%. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter:
