George Washington, 86, Wabasso

Wabasso health event Saturday to feature sickle cell symposium

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A Sickle Cell Disease awareness symposium, nutritional education seminars and free lunches are just a few of the services that will be provided at a public health event this weekend. The free event - which will be held in Wabasso - comes during National Minority Health Month. "We are excited to host this event at our new site in Wabasso," Florida Department of Health in Indian River County Health Officer Miranda Swanson said in a statement. "By working with our community partners, we can help to improve our community’s health and wellbeing." The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the health department's Wabasso site, 8445 64th Avenue. The health department, ...

Man critical after self-inflicted gunshot wound near Wabasso Beach Park

WABASSO BEACH — A man was in critical condition Thursday after deputies said he shot himself while on a surfboard in the water not far from Wabasso Beach County Park. The incident led law enforcement to close the beach for several hours. The shooting was an isolated incident. There was no known danger to the public, Indian River County sheriff's spokesperson Lt. Joe Abollo said. "He appeared to shoot himself on the board in the water," Abollo said. "It appears he planned it out." The man's age and town of residence were not publicly released. Deputies and fire rescue crews responded to a medical call about 10 a.m. at Wabasso Beach. Lifeguards found the man on the board unresponsive and ...

Man couldn’t move after heatstroke in attic; fire crews cut hole in roof to save him

WABASSO — A 76-year-old man is lucky to be alive after firefighters found him unable to move and dehydrated in his attic Saturday, authorities said. Firefighters cut a small hole in the roof to remove the man from the home, Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jamie Coleman said. Coleman said the man, who had been doing work in a small section of the attic, suffered from a heat stroke and severe dehydration. "He passed out in the attic. It was so hot that he couldn't move or lift himself," Coleman said. "When we got to him, he could barely speak. He was lying there for at least an hour." The man's wife, who was at the home, called ...