BUZZ: What’s the buzz in our communities?

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, ...

Earth Enthusiasts: Constellation Kaleidoscopes at the ELC

Combine science, arts and culture and feel more connected to your natural environment! These hour-and-a-half long workshops will explore the trails, waterways and facilities of the ELC to give children ages 7 to 12 hands-on opportunities to interact with their local ecosystems, resulting in a project children can take home. Constellation Kaleidoscopes Sunday, August 11 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Young astronomers will learn about the history and importance of the North Star, and practice ways to locate it in the night sky. They will then create a constellation kaleidoscope to help familiarize themselves with the shape of constellations such as the Big Dipper and Ursa Minor. Price: $15.00 Reserve your spot today at: https://elc.donorshops.com/product/EarthEnthusiasts08112019/elc-earth-enthusiasts-sunday-august-11-2019-1230-2-pm

‘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. ...