Girls Night Out to benefit Hibiscus Children’s Center

Sears announces mass closures, including Indian River Mall

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Struggling retail giant Sears will close more than 20 stores nationwide later this year including its location at the similarly faltering Indian River Mall. The retailer’s parent company announced Tuesday it will shutter 26 Sears and Kmart locations — including two in Florida — this fall after seeing experiencing “a number of challenges returning our stores to sustainable levels of productivity,” including a weak retail environment. Transform Holdco, the parent company controlled by Sears’ former CEO and largest shareholder, Edward Lampert and his hedge fund, wants to shift to smaller stores by opening more of the new appliance and mattress-focused Sears Home & Life stores that debuted in May and adding several hundred Sears Hometown stores ...

Sheriff’s Office mourns captain who died in his sleep

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies mourn the loss of one of their own who passed away in his sleep. Indian River County Sheriff's Captain Ryan Haffield, 44, died overnight Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office. His address was not immediately available. "He was a great man," Sheriff Deryl Loar said. "He was preparing for the IRONMAN Triathlon." The official cause of death has not been released, deputies said.  Haffield leaves behind a wife and four kids, deputies said. He has worked for the Sheriff's Office for more than 18 years, most recently in the corrections division. "Thank you for your service, Captain Haffield," the Sheriff's Office stated in a Facebook post. "You will be missed." Haffield is the second law enforcement ...

Annual spring fashion show benefits children’s center

As they have done for the last 15 years, the stylish ladies of the Hibiscus Children’s Center’s Indian River Guild ushered in the springtime with their annual Blue Ribbon Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Oak Harbor Club. The sold-out luncheon was one of many held throughout the nation in recognition of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Arriving guests mingled over champagne and mimosas, sat for quick makeovers from Chanel representatives, and perused numerous silent auction items. Gorgeous floral displays of white hydrangeas, orchids and lilies, created by Fé Domenech of Event Firm International, graced the lobby and dining tables. “People don’t realize the work behind the scenes that goes into these events,” said Carol Casey, one of ...