Joseph DiMarzo, 93, Vero Beach

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, ...

‘Tragic, sudden loss,’ – Memorials emerge for teen killed in ATV crash

With the sudden death of Sebastian River High School student Jake Beecher still fresh, family, friends, teammates and coaches continue to come to terms with the tragic crash that took his life. "He was well-liked by teammates and was extremely coachable. His coaches and teammates are taking it pretty hard," Sebastian River High School Athletic Director Jessica Upchurch said. "He was an overall good kid who had a passion for football." Family and friends created makeshift memorials for Beecher, 15, of Vero Beach, who relatives said aspired to be a pilot. Sebastian River High School dedicated Beecher, a sophomore, as "athlete of the week" following his death.   One memorial placed in front of the school campus had flowers, silver ...

Retired sheriff’s sergeant loses battle with cancer

A retired longtime sheriff's sergeant died of cancer over the weekend, officials said. James 'Jimmy' Stewart passed away overnight on Saturday in Tennessee, where he moved after retiring from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, spokesman Maj. Eric Flowers said. His age was not immediately available. It was unclear if any local memorials would be held for the retired law enforcement official. "He was a very well-respected sergeant within our agency," Flowers said. "He will certainly be missed." Stewart worked for the sheriff's office from 1986 to 2011, Flowers said. Stewart held numerous positions while employed at the agency, including working as a patrol deputy and supervising the traffic unit. Tributes on the social media platform Facebook poured out after ...