Special Taxing Districts

Man charged after opening pipes in fire suppression system

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man who deputies said purged the water supply to several businesses by opening up the pipes of a fire suppression system, was detained Friday. The man - identified as Cordero Laremy Mitchell - told deputies "he did it for the people who needs water," reports show. Mitchell's arrest report did not indicate there was a fire at the time of the incident. Deputies arrested Mitchell, 33, described as homeless, on a charge of preventing or obstructing the extinguishment of a fire. Mitchell was held Monday at the Indian River County Jail on $1,500 bond. Indian River County deputies responded to a suspicious incident about 1 p.m. Friday. Deputies said they saw Mitchell - completely drenched ...

Sheriff’s candidates say George Floyd’s death, national response will be an issue in their race

All five candidates for sheriff say the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month and subsequent nationwide protests will be an issue in the race here, and they expect to be asked about it as they campaign. Two of them – Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry and retired Sheriff’s Capt. Chuck Kirby – have addressed the incident extensively on their campaign Facebook pages, where they also discussed the strategies they would employ to prevent and respond to any such incidents involving their deputies. They also expressed a need to improve the relationship between the county’s largest law enforcement agency and the local black community. Touchberry condemned both the actions of the Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt ...

Boil water notice issued for Osceola Magnet School

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Officials issued a precautionary boil water notice for a school after a leak from an internal copper pipe on the campus, authorities said. The notice will last for 72 to 96 hours at Osceola Magnet School, School District of Indian River County spokeswoman Cristen Maddux said. Florida Department of Health officials will conduct a couple rounds of tests for bacteria to make sure the water is safe to drink again. Officials noticed the leak Sunday afternoon at the school, located in south county, Maddux said. Parents and staff were alerted about the leak from a school notification call. The pipe was repaired by 7 a.m. Monday, before classes began, Maddux said. Bottled water was delivered to ...