OBA presents $8,700 check to American Cancer Society

Sheriff’s candidates say George Floyd’s death, national response will be an issue in their race

All five candidates for sheriff say the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month and subsequent nationwide protests will be an issue in the race here, and they expect to be asked about it as they campaign. Two of them – Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry and retired Sheriff’s Capt. Chuck Kirby – have addressed the incident extensively on their campaign Facebook pages, where they also discussed the strategies they would employ to prevent and respond to any such incidents involving their deputies. They also expressed a need to improve the relationship between the county’s largest law enforcement agency and the local black community. Touchberry condemned both the actions of the Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt ...

Fertilizer restrictions to go into effect next month

A reminder from the Indian River Neighborhood Association to residents of Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Orchid. We are coming into our rainy season when more nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon. The fertilizer ordinances passed by our communities goes into effect June 1st. It prohibits the use of lawn fertilizer between June 1st and September 30th. No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any ...

Bracing: Residents stocking up, offer mixed reactions to virus

It seems like something out of a movie. A novel virus that quickly spread across the globe has caused several events to be cancelled, postponed or suspended - including the NBA season - because of public health concerns. Countries - including Italy, China and Spain - implemented lockdowns and quarantines in an effort to stop the infection from dispersing even further. But, for locals in Indian River County, the B-movie plot is becoming an unwelcome reality. Sunday, customers shopping at retail giants were shocked to find out the stores had ran out of toilet tissue and cleaning supplies. The rush at stores - like those usually seen as hurricanes bare down on Florida's east coast - is because of the ...