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Cat suspected of rabies bites person, escapes, health officials say

FELLSMERE — A stray cat suspected of rabies escaped after biting a person at a home last week, health department officials said. On March 27, the adult cat - described as black with white patches and green eyes - walked inside the residence, located north of South Carolina Avenue in Fellsmere, according to the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County. The cat bit the victim when the person tried to remove the animal from the home. The victim was receiving rabies post-exposure treatment, the health department said. Health officials said the cat was aggressive and had symptoms of rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease of the nervous system. Outside cats pose a higher risk for exposure to the ...

Howle, Zudans win in Vero; Kinchen, McPartlan, Iovino in Sebastian

All results are in for the Vero Beach and Sebastian municipal elections. Voters have returned Harry Howle to the Vero Beach Council and Bob McPartlan and Linda Kinchen to the Sebastian Council. Val Zudans will join Howle on the Vero Council, while Albert Iovino will round out the last of three seats up for grabs on the Sebastian Council. "I want to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote and who supported me," Howle said. "I look forward to continuing to represent the citizens of Vero Beach." Zudans credited his wife, Tracey, and her support of his candidacy with his success in achieving the top vote-getter status. "My wife is truly my better half and the reason that I ...

Student and dad help 30 families at shelter

VERO BEACH — A catastrophic hurricane didn't stop Jhonatan Vite and his dad from helping 30 families at a local shelter. The Sebastian River High School sophomore and his dad, both of Vero Beach, went to the shelter at the Freshman Learning Center at Vero Beach High School. When they got there, Cindy Emerson, principal at Vero Beach Elementary School, asked them to volunteer. So, they got to work. Jhonatan Vite, 15, and his dad, Asuncion Vite, helped at least 30 families set up their belongings at the shelter, 1507 19th St., Vero Beach. "It felt pretty good. It made me have a good feeling inside," Jhonatan Vite said. "They thanked me and smiled." Vite said he has lived in Vero ...