Vero Beach 90th Anniversary Celebration

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, ...

Brian Foley new Shores Mayor

The newly sworn-in Indian River Shores Town Council has chosen Mayor Brian Foley and Vice Mayor Jesse “Sam” Carroll to lead the town into 2021. Both elected to their first four-year terms in November 2018 Foley and Carroll were the only two incumbents remaining as all three of their colleagues — Mayor Tom Slater, Vice Mayor Bob Auwaerter and Councilwoman Deb Peniston — did not seek re-election.  Replacing the outgoing members are Councilman Christian Hendricks, Councilman John McCord and Councilwoman Mary Alice Smith, who took their seats, briefed on Florida’s Sunshine laws and assigned various committee memberships and tasks. McCord, a retired energy executive, will take over the role as the town’s representative on the Vero Beach Utilities Committee, a ...

Public rips into officials who held secret meeting

SEBASTIAN — The people have spoken. About 30 people - in person and through video streaming - voiced disappointment, frustration and embarrassment at the actions of three Sebastian City Council members attempting to oust the mayor, city attorney and city manager. The public commentary was presented during a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at city chambers. "We should never fire people without cause, nor because you don't like them or what they stand for," Former Sebastian police Chief Michelle Morris said during the four-hour meeting attended by more than 50 people. "I cannot and will not sit idly by while you push our community to suffering." The widespread anger stemmed from a secret meeting held the evening of April ...