Jimmy Laveus, 6, Fellsmere

Passion builds as soccer academy brings free program to Fellsmere

On any given Friday, the enthusiasm builds as the young team members race across the manicured fields to play their favorite sport at Fellsmere Elementary School. Loud cheers echo throughout the campus as players effortlessly kick the soccer balls until they rocket into the goal nets.  Head coach Ian Brice’s mission is simple; He wants the young athletes to have fun at the free program, made possible through donations from Indian River Shores residents.    “No lines, no laps, no lectures. No one wants to stand in the hot sun listening to the coach. No one wants to stand in line waiting for their turn. No one wants to run a lap as a punishment,” said Brice, a Vero Lago resident ...

Several agencies stop human smuggling attempt at Sebastian Inlet

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A group of Haitian migrants - along with two Brevard County captains - were in federal custody after local, state and federal agencies blocked a human smuggling attempt Thursday night. The 24 undocumented Haitains, and boat captains, were detained at the Sebastian Inlet and turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "The captains of the boat were trying to smuggle the Haitians into the country," Jaworski said. The incident led to a multi-agency response, including the Indian River County Sheriff's Office marine unit, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard. The smuggling attempt ...

Port St. Lucie man in custody after bank robbery, high-speed chase, crash

TREASURE COAST — A Port St. Lucie man who stole more than $5,000 from a Fellsmere bank, then drove southbound at speeds of up to 120 mph before crashing his vehicle in St. Lucie County, was in custody Thursday afternoon, sheriff's officials said. The incident led nearby Fellsmere Elementary School to be placed on a brief lockdown. "(The suspect) demanded money be placed in a pillowcase he brought with him," Fellsmere police said. The incident caused a multi-agency response across two counties to capture the suspect. Police identified the man as 44-year-old David Abram Ziesel. Police learned that Ziesel was on federal probation for robbing a bank in 2019 in Oakwood, Ohio; further details on that case were not immediately ...