Emerson concludes Humanities Series with Florida storyteller

SRHS teen dies after being pulled in by rip current at the beach

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An 18-year-old Sebastian River High School senior died after a rip current pulled him underwater for several minutes at Treasure Shores Park on Friday, officials said. The student, whose name was not publicly released, was a well-respected member of the school's band and set to graduate next Thursday. "The School District of Indian River County is heartbroken to confirm the tragic passing of a Sebastian River High School senior who drowned at the beach after school hours earlier today. Although this incident did not occur during a school-sponsored activity, the loss of one of our students is felt deeply across the entire school community," Cristen Maddux, spokesperson for the School District, said in a statement. "Throughout ...

Man critical after being struck by vehicle Friday in Sebastian

SEBASTIAN — A 70-year-old Brevard County man was critically injured after being struck by a pickup truck while walking across U.S. 1 last week, fire rescue crews and sheriff's officials said. An update on his condition was not immediately available on Monday. "All indications are that the pedestrian was crossing the roadway improperly," said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "Impairment is suspected for the pedestrian." The driver of the pickup and two passengers were not hurt, Jaworski said. The crash involving the Indian Harbour Beach man and the pickup happened at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the 1400 block of U.S. 1, north of Main Street and just west of Mo Bay Grill in ...

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, ...