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Fertilizer restrictions to go into effect next month

A reminder from the Indian River Neighborhood Association to residents of Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Orchid. We are coming into our rainy season when more nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon. The fertilizer ordinances passed by our communities goes into effect June 1st. It prohibits the use of lawn fertilizer between June 1st and September 30th. No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any ...

Santa visits students at GYAC

GIFFORD — In the days leading up to Christmas, the jolly Saint Nicholas cleared up his busy schedule of gift giving to make sure students at a youth center received presents on their wish list. Saint Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, visited youth last Thursday afternoon at Gifford Youth Achievement Center. The man in the traditional red and white outfit with a white beard was GYAC staff member Lebon Nicholas, happily providing each student with a gift. The students sung Christmas carols inside the gymnasium and the youth orchestra performed classic holiday tunes. The orchestra did a combined performance as well as solo performances, staff members said. The GYAC, a center that offers an after school program focused on ...

Saturday house fire ruled accidental

Photo provided by Indian River County Fire Rescue VERO BEACH — A Saturday blaze that originated in a garage and spread to a home - where a family of six escaped unharmed - was ruled accidental, fire rescue officials said. The state fire marshal determined the fire was an accident, Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kyle Kofke said. The blaze displaced a grandmother, mother and four children. Details on what sparked the flames were not immediately available. Fire crews responded to the blaze about 1 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 1700 block of Highland Avenue, Vero Beach. Crews saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof, Kofke said. Authorities blocked Highland Avenue for a little more than ...