Jean D. Cernota, 71, 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, ...

11-year-old breaks into church, steals laptop on Christmas Day

GIFFORD — An 11-year-old who deputies said broke into a church and stole a laptop on Christmas Day, was detained. Deputies also arrested the boy's mother after saying she failed to report the boy as missing. The Gifford youth told deputies he stole the $700 laptop because "he wanted something to play with," reports show. Deputies said the juvenile was a runaway. An arrest report noted the incident took place at St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church, located just south of St. Peter's Academy. Both facilities have the same address at 4250 38th Avenue, Gifford. The report indicated the child previously attended the church or school, but it was unclear which one. Deputies charged the youth with burglary of a structure ...

‘God is still good’ – Residents worship at Drive-In Church amid virus concerns

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The coronavirus didn't stop worshipers from using creative ideas to hold church services while also keeping a social distance. Several people tuned in to 88.1 FM Sunday morning to hear Pastor Josh Robinson deliver a powerful message. Vero Beach Baptist Church members, including one wearing a medical mask, sat in their vehicles at South County Regional Park, watching and listening to Robinson's reassuring message about holding on to faith. "Usually when a crisis happens, people come together. But, this (virus) is making us stay apart because of social distancing," said church member Bethany Martin, 32, of Vero Beach. "This event allows us to still gather while keeping our distance." Robinson read several Bible verses while he ...