ROAD CLOSURE: Fleming Street in Sebastian Nov. 19

Deputies investigating drowning death Sunday off island near Sebastian

SEBASTIAN — A Sebastian man drowned after deputies said he went for a swim in the Indian River Lagoon and did not resurface. The man - identified as 33-year-old Robert Charles Richter - beached his boat on an island along the Indian River Lagoon, not far from his dock, before he entered the water on Sunday. Officials found Richter's body floating in the lagoon early Monday, reports show. "He jumped into the water to swim," said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. Abollo described the occurrence as an accidental drowning. The incident prompted a multiagency search involving Indian River County Fire Rescue, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ...

Police ID man struck, killed by Brightline train in Sebastian

SEBASTIAN — Police released the identity of a 69-year-old Sebastian man who was fatally struck by a Brightline train last week. The man was named as Dennis James Pollard, of the 6500 block of 114th Lane, according to an incident report. There were no reported injuries involving passengers or crew members on the northbound train, said Deputy Chief Tim Wood, a spokesperson for the Sebastian Police Department. Police responded to reports of a train versus pedestrian crash about 11:35 p.m. June 4 near Main Street. Officers ran along the railroad tracks and found Pollard's body less than half-a-mile north of Main Street, reports show. The man was taken by ambulance to Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital, where doctors pronounced him ...

Sebastian elementary, middle, high schools earn Purple Star designation

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Three Sebastian schools were recently awarded Purple Star designations for providing what leaders say are vital resources and programs for military families. The campuses were part of 176 Florida schools, along with five school districts, to be honored with the designation Tuesday by Gov. DeSantis. "We encourage every school in the state to strive to better serve military families and earn the designation," DeSantis said in a statement. "I am proud to recognize these schools and school districts for their efforts to support our military families and earn the Purple Star designation." Sebastian Elementary School, Sebastian River Middle School and Sebastian River High School were chosen as Purple Star Schools of Distinction. The districts that achieved ...