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HOBE SOUND, Fla. —

Bert Krebs has been surfing for more than 30 years, he said thinking about the possibility of being bitten by a shark in his life kept him calm when it actually happened this year.

He was enjoying his time with his friends at Nathaniel Reed Wildlife Refuge Beach in Hobe Sound, when the waves knocked him off his board.

"I was getting back on my board, and my arms were over the board. And I think I was kicking to get back up on the board," Krebs said. "I thought I kicked a rock, or something, and all of a sudden, there was the bite. And then two seconds later, it was done."

"I knew right away when it happened, I knew it was a bite. I yelled, ‘shark bite’ to my friends, and Dave said, ‘what?’ and I said, 'shark bite!'"

In 2022: Locals react to suspected shark bite at Hobe Sound Beach

Krebs was about 100 yards away from shore and swam as fast as he could without looking back.

"I didn’t want to look at it," he said.

He remembers an off-duty firefighter was also at the beach, who soon rushed to help him.

"I passed out apparently in the ambulance, I think my blood pressure dropped," Krebs said. “It wasn’t really painful until I got in the ambulance."

He was then rushed to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach where Dr. Faris Azar, a trauma surgeon, jumped in.

"The shark basically took a bite of the entire foot, it seems like slowly released and ultimately took the slow toe off of the end," Azar said.

Two massive great white sharks located off the coast of South Florida

Medical experts said they have about five to 10 shark bite cases a year that they tend to at St. Mary's.

"He was probably bit by about a four-foot black tip shark. Had it been a bull shark or something like that he probably wouldn’t have a foot," he said. "Control blood loss, bleeding is ultimately the biggest problem when it comes to mortality. You need to survive the shark’s teeth to be able to deal with the aftereffects. The aftereffects we’re most concerned about is infection."

Azar said research at St. Mary's Medical Center over the last decade helped them focus on the most effective antibiotics to help shark bite victims.

11-foot hammerhead shark washes up on South Florida beach

As for Krebs, it's going to take a couple of months for him to get back out on the waters. He says he looks forward to that day.

"I am grateful to be here, and the results had things been slightly different, maybe I wouldn’t be here," he said.

'Becoming more unbreakable': Group of formerly incarcerated people swims with sharks to break stereotypes

Tips to prevent shark bites

"You absolutely should not worry about getting bit by a shark. But, avoid situations where it’s more likely to happen," Jim Abernathy, a shark conservationist, said. "If there’s bait fish in the water, don’t go in the water. Because there’s definitely predators that are trying to eat that bait fish, which is very difficult for sharks. They lunge at huge bait not knowing what they’re going to actually get."

"Avoid the misconceptions that are posted at places like fishing piers. They’re big signs up there saying no shark fishing. So, the shark signs mean absolutely nothing, and they catch sharks there all the time," he said.

Drone video: Hammerhead swims near paddleboarders in Palm Beach

HOBE SOUND, Fla. — Flood-prone areas in Martin County are on high alert year-round for excessive rain but especially during hurricane season.

Flooding concerns don't get much worse than in Hobe Heights — a neighborhood in Hobe Sound where residents are still reeling from a deluge nearly three years ago.

Historic rains rocked the community in June 2020, but those who lived through it, like David and Lori Scholl, said the memories are still fresh.

"We have PTSD," Lori Scholl said.

"When a heavy storm comes through I'm like, 'OK, how bad is it going to be,' especially when it's hurricane season," David Scholl said.

More than a foot of rain fell during a 12-day stretch in 2020 along areas of the Treasure Coast.

Communities like Hobe Heights couldn't handle all the water, flooding many people's homes.

"Was it the most stressed out you've been in recent memory?" WPTV reporter Chris Gilmore asked.

"Oh, yes," David Scholl, who has lived with his wife in the community since 1988, said.

"What's going through your head?" Gilmore asked.

"Am I going to lose my home?" David Scholl said. "Am I losing everything?"

Multiple Hobe Heights residents ended up losing their homes to the flooding.

However, the Scholls were one of the fortunate families with the water stopping 8 feet from their home.

"The next day, there were people with a boat getting stuff out of their house," David Scholl said.

If the floodwaters, which lingered for days, weren't enough to deal with, it ended up causing other problems like backed-up septic tanks and contaminating water.

"Yes, it was a catastrophic rain, I'll grant them that, but I think there's still more that could've been done," David Scholl said.

Following the disaster, Martin County purchased and then demolished 13 homes at risk for future severe flooding. That land now serves as drainage fields.

William Bell, 82, said his home, which he has lived in since 1984, was lucky to be spared.

"There used to be houses adjacent to mine," Bell said. "I saw them go up, and I saw them come down."

The county has also worked on creating an outfall for the neighborhood that would ideally guide floodwater to a stormwater treatment area before making its way to the Intracoastal Waterway.

WPTV contacted Martin County officials about what has been done to deal with flooding threats in the area. They said it's an ongoing effort but so far the county has done the following:

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New dispensary expands patient access to medical cannabis; grand opening specials available

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the opening of a new medical dispensary in Hobe Sound, Florida. Located at 10835 SE Federal Hwy., the doors will open at 9 a.m. on December 2, with ongoing regular hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

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Grand opening festivities throughout the day at the new dispensary will include numerous partner giveaways, music, food trucks, deals and specials, and all registered patients will receive a 25% discount. Trulieve also offers statewide home delivery, convenient online ordering and in-store pickup. As always, all first-time guests are eligible for a 50% new customer discount at any Florida-based location.

"Trulieve is thrilled to open a new dispensary in Hobe Sound and continue expanding access to medical marijuana for Florida's patient population," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "The Company is driven by a commitment being active in the communities we serve and providing tailored, high-quality care and exceptional customer experiences."

As the state's leading medical cannabis provider, Trulieve patients across Florida can choose from the largest selection of THC and CBD products available in a variety of consumption methods, including smokable flower, concentrates, edibles, capsules, syringes, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more.

Designed to meet every patient's needs, our portfolio of in-house brands includes Alchemy, Co2lors, Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Muse, Roll One and Sweet Talk. Patients also have access to beloved brands such as Bellamy Brothers, Bhang, Binske, Blue River, Black Tuna, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, O.pen and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida.

For more information, or to learn how to become a registered patient, please visit Trulieve.com and connect on Instagram or Facebook.

About TrulieveTrulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.

Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ Twitter: @Trulieve

Investor ContactChristine Hersey, Executive Director of Investor Relations+1 (424) 202-0210[email protected]

Media ContactRob Kremer, Executive Director of Corporate Communications+1 (404) 218-3077[email protected]

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Do you have the BEST Chili/Salsa in town?

WHEN: January 14th 2023, 11:00am to 3:00pm

WHERE: Hobe Sound Early Learning Center, 11580 SE Gomez Ave, Hobe Sound, FL 33455

COST: Adults $15, Children $10, Children under 10yrs FREE

All money raised will go to the HSELC to continue with its mission to provide low-income families a network of resources including an affordable early-education program.

At the event you can also enjoy live music and there will be activities for the kids. The sixth annual event will take place on January 14 at The Hobe Sound Early Learning Center 11580 SE Gomez Avenue Hobe Sound, FL 33455 from 11:00am-3:00pm.

All Thing Treasure Coast’s report says:

“Chili cooks will participate in Open and CASI (Chili Appreciation Society, Inc.) categories. CASI cooks compete for points to qualify for CASI Terlingua World Championship Chili."

A team consists of a captain and up to 3 members

Fees are $25 CASI, $25 OPEN, $15 SALSA

Entry fee is non-refundable and due by January 9, 2023.

Here is the application form and rule book: https://www.hobesoundearlylearningcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HSELC_Chili-Registration-2023.pdf

"Chili contestants must bring 4 gallons of chili for samples. Salsa contestants must bring 1 gallon of salsa. Remember the more you have for samples the better chance you have to get votes. - Each team entry must be fully self-contained. You must bring your own cooking tools, tables, tents, burners/ stoves. No electricity will be provided. Sample cups, spoons and napkins will be provided. - Booths will be judged separately for decorations and theme by HSELC staff. There will be prizes for display/ presentation so get creative!"

Sponsorship opportunities are also available, ranging from $500.00 to $5000.00 that add perks to your visit including unlimited chili wristbands & logo/brand signage at the event.

Details about entry fees, sponsorship opportunities, and other details can be found at https://www.hobesoundearlylearningcenter.org/chili-cook-off/

HOBE SOUND, Fla. (WPEC) — A Florida man who has decades of experience surfing is recovering from a shark bite.

A Florida man who has decades of experience surfing is recovering from a shark bite. (WPEC)

Bert Krebs was out on the water at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge when he was bitten Feb. 19.

The Hobe Sound resident has been surfing since he was a kid growing up in Maryland. And in Florida, he's been surfing for 35 years. The public beach and Wildlife Rescue Beach in Hobe Sound are his go-to spots.

“Water is just a part of my life since I was a little kid,” he said. “But really when I got to Florida, I started surfing more in 1986.”

He said surfing is a passion of his. He even shares that passion with his son.

And the two have seen plenty of wildlife in the water – turtles, manatees, dolphins, fish and birds.

Krebs typically surfs twice a day. He said he sees sharks all the time while out on the water.

“I saw two sharks that morning in a wave just swimming by, and so you know they're there,” he said. “You think about it, but I never thought it would happen.”

Krebs said he and his buddies had been surfing for about 10 minutes. Krebs had just finished riding a wave and was getting back on his board.

“I thought I kicked the rock or something. And all of a sudden there was a bite. Two seconds later it was done. It bit me,” he said. “I either pulled my leg away, or it let go. And I knew right away when it happened. I knew it was a bite, and I yelled 'shark bite' to my friends.”

He paddled in, and his friends responded to see the bloody mess.

Krebs’ friend carried him over the dune and to an off-duty firefighter, who was waiting with a towel, water and gauze.

An off-duty firefighter helped a Florida shark-bite victim. (WPEC)

"I passed out apparently in the ambulance. I think my blood pressure dropped and it kind of freaked out," said Krebs.

Krebs said this shocking event won’t keep him from surfing.

"I'm sure I'll think a little bit more about it when I'm out there, and I won't forget it. Maybe I'll change my patterns. I don't really know," said Krebs.

His surgeon, Dr. Faris Azar, said a week later that everything was looking good.

“Bert's made a tremendous recovery after being bitten by a shark,” the doctor said. “We're about at the week mark, and I'm happy to see the progress that he's made since then. He's motivated, and I suspect it'll continue to do well, and he'll ultimately get back to surfing.”

Krebs estimates he’ll be sidelined for at least a couple months.

“I think they want it to seal up so it's basically waterproof,” he said. “And I'm missing my little, the end of my little toe got bitten off. So, I think that's probably the worst part.”