USO Rocks America!, Friday Feb. 19 at Paris Air Hangar to benefit Vero Heritage Inc.

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, ...

Treasures auctioned by CCA

More than 200 conservation-minded anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts gathered Friday at Vero Beach's Walking Tree Brewery to sample craft beers and wine, chow down on savory barbecue from 14 Bones, and bid on auction items ranging from fishing tackle to African safaris --all to raise money for fisheries and habitat conservation in the Sunshine State. The occasion was the fourth annual fundraiser for the 500-member Treasure Coast chapter of Coastal Conservation Association-Florida  --one of 42 chapters in the state--and arguably the most active. Vero Beach fishing guide captain Paul Fafeita is chapter president and also heads the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County. "We bring awareness to our lagoon situation," Fafeita said.  "We're concerned about saltwater fisheries. The ...

‘No swimming’ advisory lifted for beaches, officials say

VERO BEACH — Authorities lifted a 'no swimming' advisory for three local beaches Tuesday after test samples showed that bacteria returned to normal levels, health department and city officials said. The result means it was safe to return to the water Tuesday, Vero Beach city officials said. The advisory - which was in place for nearly a week - was issued Jan. 31 for South Beach, Humiston Beach and Sexton Plaza Beach after high levels of fecal-related bacteria were reported at the locations. Environmental specialists with the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County collected water samples at the beaches Monday and on Jan. 28. The more recent collection of samples - tested at the Flowers Chemical Laboratory in Port St. ...