Joseph Francis Leitz Jr., 81, Vero Beach

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, ...

‘The heartbeat of SRHS’ – Family, friends remember Billy Wilson

SEBASTIAN — Billy Wilson's impact on the community over the years was evident Saturday as family, friends, coaches, school board members and deputies gathered to pay final respects. "He was a man of integrity. He was the pulse, the heartbeat of Sebastian River High School," the school's principal Christopher Cummings said. "He was my mentor. He took me under his wing and taught me about the power of developing trustworthy relationships and leadership skills." Wilson, a former assistant principal at Sebastian River High School and sports coach, died unexpectedly from health-related issues Oct. 13 at his home in Winter Beach. He was 57 years old. Wilson's death also came less than a month after the passing of his father, William ...

Family, friends, marines honor ‘protector, hometown hero’

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Frank Strahorn was already considered a hero by his family, friends and marine brothers and sisters because of his military service around the world. Then, on June 19, the 34-year-old became a "hometown hero" after he was fatally shot while helping others escape a gunman carrying an AK-47 assault rifle at a Sebastian pizzeria. Tuesday, more than 100 people, including family, friends and the marine corps, attended the funeral service for Strahorn at Lakeside Fellowship Church in Vero Beach. "Frank you're my hero!" Strahorn's mother, Sandra Lea Stewart, of Sebastian, cried out after the service. Moments before the solemn service began, there was silence. A white hearse carrying Strahorn's flag-draped casket quietly pulled up at the ...