BUZZ: What’s the buzz in our communities?

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. ...

4 arrested on suspicion of operating vessels while drinking

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Four men were arrested in separate incidents over the weekend after authorities said the individuals were operating their vessels while drinking. The arrests come a week after five other men were jailed on the same offense. Law enforcement officers with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigated the incidents. Officers arrested Michael Kahn, 20, of the 6900 block of 29th Street, Quinn Muir, 22, of the 1300 block of 44th Avenue, James Maxwell, 38, of the 1100 block of 27th Avenue, and Travis Clark each on a boating under the influence charge. An age, address and booking photo for Clark were not available. The incidents took place Saturday and Sunday evenings at different locations on the Intracoastal ...