Vero Beach – Sabin Abell

County commission allows retail shops to expand outside

With a COVID-19 positivity test rate that's "still pretty low", according to Indian River County Administrator Jason Brown, the county commission Tuesday decided that local retail stores should be able to join restaurants in expanding their business outdoors. "Yard sales, sidewalk sales.  Perhaps a little shot in the arm for our retailers without having to apply for the special use permit," said commissioner Joseph Flescher. The move follows last month's relaxation of code enforcement laws that now allow restaurants to offer al fresco dining and Monday's re-opening of the county administration building, veterans services offices, libraries and ballfields for in-person appointments and reservations. Commissioners also directed Brown to write a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis to apply for a share ...

Sears announces mass closures, including Indian River Mall

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Struggling retail giant Sears will close more than 20 stores nationwide later this year including its location at the similarly faltering Indian River Mall. The retailer’s parent company announced Tuesday it will shutter 26 Sears and Kmart locations — including two in Florida — this fall after seeing experiencing “a number of challenges returning our stores to sustainable levels of productivity,” including a weak retail environment. Transform Holdco, the parent company controlled by Sears’ former CEO and largest shareholder, Edward Lampert and his hedge fund, wants to shift to smaller stores by opening more of the new appliance and mattress-focused Sears Home & Life stores that debuted in May and adding several hundred Sears Hometown stores ...

Humane Society advises pet owners to prepare for cold

VERO BEACH -- With Treasure Coast temperatures set to dramatically drop this evening and remain chilly throughout the week, the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is urging pet owners to protect their animals and offers the following tips: Bring pets indoors. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pets. Even dogs with heavy fur coats should stay inside. In the home, keep animals off cold tile flooring and give them blankets or pet beds to sleep on. Appropriate dress required. Small dogs and dogs with short coats can easily chill. Provide them with a turtleneck sweater when going outdoors and keep walks brief. Puppies, senior dogs, dogs who are ill as well ...