Sebastian marks Fourth of July with Freedom Festival

Slight dip for July beach attendance compared to last year

VERO BEACH — Beachgoers are hitting the shores this summer all while practicing social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. The city's three guarded beaches had a slight dip in attendance numbers in July compared to last year, according to a Vero Beach Lifeguard Association report. Last month, 86,095 people flocked to Jaycee Park Beach, Humiston Park Beach and South Beach Park, lifeguards said. This number is less than the 86,686 beachgoers who hit the sand in July 2019. In July of 2018, the city set an attendance record when the beaches had 93,000 visitors, lifeguards said. Lifeguards said the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing concerns may be a contributing factor to a decline in attendance from residents and tourists. Beach ...

Deputies: Caregiver steals, pawns $35K in jewelry items

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 37-year-old caregiver was arrested Thursday after deputies said she stole $35,000 in jewelry from a residence before pawning the items at pawn shops. Melitta Lahazel Thornton told deputies she cared for one of the victims' parents and was often alone with them at their home, reports show. Thornton denied stealing and pawning the jewelry. This is the second incident this week involving suspects stealing and pawning thousands in jewelry from county homes. Deputies arrested Thornton, of the 4000 block of 41st Square, on charges of giving false information to a pawn broker and third-degree grand theft. Thornton was released Thursday from the Indian River County Jail on $20,000 bond. Indian River County deputies began investigating the ...

Housekeeper steals more than $6K in jewelry from two residents – reports

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 36-year-old housekeeper suspected of stealing more than $6,000 worth of items total from two residents told deputies she "needed the money to get (another) place to live," authorities said. The woman traded the items for cash at two local pawn shops, reports show. Deputies arrested Bonnie Rathbun, of the first block of Calypso Cay, on charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property and giving false information to a pawnbroker. She is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $9,000 bond. Deputies responded to a report of theft May 25 at a residence in the Heron Cay Development. Deputies spoke with a woman, who said three rings, worth $6,500 total, were stolen from her ...