Patricia Mercier, 81, Vero Beach

At least 3 killed after plane that took off from Vero crashes in Clearwater

CLEARWATER — A pilot and two people on the ground were killed after a small plane that took off from Vero Beach crashed into a mobile home unit late Thursday, aviation and fire rescue crews said. The Beechcraft Bonanza V35 aircraft experienced an engine failure before the wreck in Clearwater, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Clearwater police said they will provide an update on the victims' names once positive identification has been made and relatives notified.  "As many as nine people had been inside the mobile home on Pagoda Drive shortly before the plane crash, but all but two had left the residence," police said. "Identification of those victims, along with cause of death, will be up to the ...

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, ...

‘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 ...