Youth Guidance Wins Mentors at Kickoff for Kids

Fighting Indians’ season opener in jeopardy after football players quarantine

Vero Beach High School is considering canceling its Sept. 11 football game at Venice High School because “a significant number” of players were quarantined after being exposed to a student who tested positive for COVID-19. Altogether 46 students at Vero Beach High were directed to quarantine for 14 days and continue their studies virtually on a computer because district health officials determined they had been in close contact with the student who tested positive, said District spokeswoman Cristen Maddux. “The planning and preparation that we have done over the past few months resulted in handling our COVID case response at VBHS and Osceola very quickly and efficiently,” Maddux said. No additional students had been identified as testing positive for COVID-19 ...

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 ...

Redemption – Former pro player a ‘light’ for others through food program

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Eric Smith was living his dream. Smith was an energetic Louisiana State University student on a full ride football scholarship, drafted into the National Football League at 18. The 190-pound, 5-foot 10-inch football star went on to play as a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears between 1995 and 1999. But his hopes and aspirations would come crashing down soon after. His time on the field abruptly ended because of an injured ankle along with hefty lawsuits from a fight he was involved in while in college. Smith said not being able to play the sport led him to battle depression, become addicted to crack cocaine and become homeless. "I was trying ...