Photos: High waves, storm surge at Conn Beach

Grammy winning singer Muni Long celebrates mother’s book release, birthday in Gifford

How many mothers can say they have a double Grammy-award winning daughter and are also the author of a new, captivating romance-mystery novel? For Gifford resident Sheila Joyce Smith, the writer of “Private Talk” and mother of critically acclaimed singer and songwriter Muni Long, the excitement are moments made for her.  “Private Talk,” available Thursday on Amazon, is a fictional novel interwoven with romance, redemption and suspense. The story follows protagonist Misha Aprahamian-Paul, an accomplished psychiatrist with her own practice in Arizona. Misha crosses paths with a mysterious man who, years before, rescued her from an unspeakable act at a party when they both were teens in San Diego. Twenty-plus years after that night, the two are brought back together ...

Vero Beach man faces life in prison for 2020 baby death case

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A Vero Beach man is awaiting sentencing after jurors found him guilty last week of beating and choking a 2-year-old girl to death. The girl was found with fractured ribs, neck bruises and swelling to the brain in 2020 at her home at the Vero Green Apartments, reports show. "(Deshawn) Clark is facing a mandatory life sentence," said Assistant State Attorney Brian Workman, who prosecuted the case. Attorney Michelle Rhodeback was the defense attorney for Clark. The criminal trial for 26-year-old Clark began last week in Circuit Court Judge Robert Meadow's courtroom. Prosecutors had 12 witnesses, including relatives of the baby girl, Indian River County sheriff's detectives, fire rescue officials, crime lab technicians along with medical ...

County gives safety tips as sea turtle nesting season is underway

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Keeping the beaches clean, flat and dark will help protect nests laid by sea turtle species that are considered endangered - Loggerheads, Greens and Leatherbacks. Those are the guidelines Indian River County officials are giving to beachgoers as they make their way to the Treasure Coast's sandy shorelines this spring. With sea turtle nesting season in full swing, beach visitors should keep their distance from sea turtle nests, take all of their belongings when they leave and flatten out any sandcastles they make, said Quintin Bergman, coastal resource manager for Indian River County. Those visiting the beach should refrain from using flashlights, or any other electric light, at night. "The turtles nest at night. They might ...