Toast to Teachers – Back to School Kick-off

Low beach attendance for January; no water rescues

VERO BEACH — While chilly temperatures caused a drop in beach attendance last month, lifeguards are happy to report that there were no water rescues that occurred in January. "It's a great thing," Vero Beach Lifeguard Association officials said in a statement. "We hope people are paying attention to lifeguards and condition signs before they go into the water." The Vero Beach Lifeguard Association recently released its monthly report for the beaches at Jaycee Park, Humiston Park and South Beach Park. Lifeguards said about 54,105 beachgoers flocked to the shore in January. The highest beach-attendance record of 65,700 was set in 2019 for Vero Beach, lifeguards said. The record low for beach attendance was set in 2016 with 36,000 people, ...

‘It’s a challenging situation’ – Schools take action amid virus outbreak

In the midst of uncertainty after statewide school closings caused by the coronavirus outbreak, local officials are making sure students still learn from home and have access to teachers. "It's a challenging situation. We're working to make sure (teachers) are available to families. We will implement flexible times (for employees)," Schools Superintendent David Moore said during Wednesday's laptop distribution. "Everyone's working together. Folks are getting their laptops with happiness." School officials will also give out laptops to families on Thursday and after spring break. Moore said the district has more than 10,000 laptops - one for each family that doesn't have a computer. Spring break for students in the county is March 23 through March 27. Students will resume their ...

‘No swimming’ advisory lifted for beaches, officials say

VERO BEACH — Authorities lifted a 'no swimming' advisory for three local beaches Tuesday after test samples showed that bacteria returned to normal levels, health department and city officials said. The result means it was safe to return to the water Tuesday, Vero Beach city officials said. The advisory - which was in place for nearly a week - was issued Jan. 31 for South Beach, Humiston Beach and Sexton Plaza Beach after high levels of fecal-related bacteria were reported at the locations. Environmental specialists with the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County collected water samples at the beaches Monday and on Jan. 28. The more recent collection of samples - tested at the Flowers Chemical Laboratory in Port St. ...