Steve Weagle accepts Dyer Difference Award for Red Cross

‘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 ...

Fertilizer restrictions to go into effect next month

A reminder from the Indian River Neighborhood Association to residents of Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Orchid. We are coming into our rainy season when more nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon. The fertilizer ordinances passed by our communities goes into effect June 1st. It prohibits the use of lawn fertilizer between June 1st and September 30th. No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any ...

IRC officials to declare local state of emergency Friday ahead of Hurricane Dorian

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — County officials Friday morning will issue a local state of emergency as Hurricane Dorian barrels toward the state, expected to make landfall as a major hurricane somewhere on Florida’s east coast sometime Monday. The local state of emergency declaration — which will be issued at 8 a.m. on Friday — gives the county administrator the authority to order evacuations, set curfews and open shelters without a vote from the County Commission. The local emergency declaration follows Gov. Ron DeSantis’ expanded issuance of a state of emergency on Thursday to all of Florida’s 67 counties. County officials are asking residents to be prepared for the worst as Dorian’s track has shifted slightly south, and is projected to ...