Tech Chick: Holiday fun with Santa

Santa, helpers give gifts to children’s center, families in need

Saint Nicholas and his elves have been busy across Indian River County for the past few days. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus and his helpers arrived at Hibiscus Children's Village shelter in their decked out 'sleigh'. The sleigh - an Indian River Shores Public Safety Department fire truck - had dozens of presents inside, an inflatable snowman on the top and a Christmas wreath on the grill. "We are helping those who fell through the cracks to let them know they are not helpless," said community activist Michael Marsh, the man inside the traditional red and white Santa outfit with a white beard. "This is more than giving out gifts. When we have great community partners, it's not just a ...

Santa visits students at GYAC

GIFFORD — In the days leading up to Christmas, the jolly Saint Nicholas cleared up his busy schedule of gift giving to make sure students at a youth center received presents on their wish list. Saint Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, visited youth last Thursday afternoon at Gifford Youth Achievement Center. The man in the traditional red and white outfit with a white beard was GYAC staff member Lebon Nicholas, happily providing each student with a gift. The students sung Christmas carols inside the gymnasium and the youth orchestra performed classic holiday tunes. The orchestra did a combined performance as well as solo performances, staff members said. The GYAC, a center that offers an after school program focused on ...

Man loses nearly $2K after post office mail is stolen, altered

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 71-year-old man got a surprise when he found out his utility bill payment he put in the post office mailbox was altered from $14 to nearly $2,000, and made out to an unknown person, an incident report shows. This is the latest incident involving stolen checks at the post office, located just west of Vero Beach. Deputies spoke to the Vero Beach man, about noon Friday at the Sheriff's Office. The victim said he spoke with his neighbor a few weeks ago, who told him his daughter's mail was stolen from a mailbox at the U.S. Post Office, 8500 20th Street. The woman's check was also altered, with thieves cleaning out her checking account, authorities said. ...