VIDEO: Vero Beach City Council Candidate- Charlie Wilson

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, ...

‘No swimming’ advisory lifted for beaches, officials say

VERO BEACH — Authorities lifted a 'no swimming' advisory for three local beaches Tuesday after test samples showed that bacteria returned to normal levels, health department and city officials said. The result means it was safe to return to the water Tuesday, Vero Beach city officials said. The advisory - which was in place for nearly a week - was issued Jan. 31 for South Beach, Humiston Beach and Sexton Plaza Beach after high levels of fecal-related bacteria were reported at the locations. Environmental specialists with the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County collected water samples at the beaches Monday and on Jan. 28. The more recent collection of samples - tested at the Flowers Chemical Laboratory in Port St. ...

Photos – Santa gives gifts to students at GYAC

GIFFORD — Santa Claus made an early visit to students at a youth center and showered them with gifts they each requested on their Christmas list. St. Nick on Tuesday went to the Gifford Youth Achievement Center and visited youth from kindergarten all the way up to high school. "To see these kids come alive; the thrill you see in their eyes. It's an amazing thing," said Ron Davidson, the man under the hat and suit. "The energy they give you is really great. The kids are appreciative of what they get." Santa's first stop was the kindergarten and first grade classrooms. "It's like a rock star came into the classrooms," said GYAC marketing coordinator Christina Tascon. The remaining classes up ...