George E. Walper, 90, Vero Beach

‘Happened in five seconds’ – Man fatally shot after lunging at deputies with scissors

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 29-year-old patient was fatally shot at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital after deputies said he lunged at officers with a pair of large scissors Saturday. The Treasure Coast man's name was not publicly released. "It happened in five seconds. He could've killed anyone in that hospital. He committed suicide by cop," Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said during a Sunday news conference in front of the sheriff's administration building. "The deputies did what they were trained to do." This is the second deputy-involved shooting to happen in the county within three days. The names of the two SWAT team members who shot at the man were not released. Both deputies were placed on paid ...

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, ...

‘Tragic, sudden loss,’ – Memorials emerge for teen killed in ATV crash

With the sudden death of Sebastian River High School student Jake Beecher still fresh, family, friends, teammates and coaches continue to come to terms with the tragic crash that took his life. "He was well-liked by teammates and was extremely coachable. His coaches and teammates are taking it pretty hard," Sebastian River High School Athletic Director Jessica Upchurch said. "He was an overall good kid who had a passion for football." Family and friends created makeshift memorials for Beecher, 15, of Vero Beach, who relatives said aspired to be a pilot. Sebastian River High School dedicated Beecher, a sophomore, as "athlete of the week" following his death.   One memorial placed in front of the school campus had flowers, silver ...