Newly appointed Escape Artist breaks lose at Vero Beach Hotel & Spa

SRHS teen dies after being pulled in by rip current at the beach

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An 18-year-old Sebastian River High School senior died after a rip current pulled him underwater for several minutes at Treasure Shores Park on Friday, officials said. The student, whose name was not publicly released, was a well-respected member of the school's band and set to graduate next Thursday. "The School District of Indian River County is heartbroken to confirm the tragic passing of a Sebastian River High School senior who drowned at the beach after school hours earlier today. Although this incident did not occur during a school-sponsored activity, the loss of one of our students is felt deeply across the entire school community," Cristen Maddux, spokesperson for the School District, said in a statement. "Throughout ...

Suspect in Gifford shooting found hiding in Fort Pierce hotel

A suspect in a Gifford shooting that wounded another man earlier this week was found hiding Friday morning in a Fort Pierce hotel, deputies said. Indian River County deputies and the U.S. Marshals South Florida Fugitive Task Force detained 20-year-old Marquis Mathis. Mathis, of the 8500 block of 61st Drive, Vero Beach, was charged with attempted second-degree murder. "Great work to all of our law enforcement partners and keep those tips coming in," sheriff's officials said in a statement. Deputies issued a warrant for Mathis' arrest earlier this week. Mathis was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail without bond. Mathis was also being held on active warrants out of Pennsylvania for attempted murder, deputies said. The name of ...

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, ...