Nicholas Samuel

1 week ago | veronews.com | Nicholas Samuel

VERO BEACH — A group of residents who said they feel ignored and frustrated by U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos hosting town halls via telephone instead of in-person will host their own grassroots event next week. The organizers will hold the in-person town hall meeting with or without Haridopolos being there. The town hall will be held Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Heritage Center, 2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach.

1 week ago | veronews.com | Nicholas Samuel

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man has serious injuries following a police chase that ended when his car struck a tree and burst into flames earlier this week. A sheriff’s deputy and Vero Beach police officer pulled the man from the wreckage moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed in the blaze, officials said. The man, identified as Donald James Jr., had a broken femur and was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, according to deputies.

1 week ago | veronews.com | Nicholas Samuel

VERO BEACH — A concerned officer fatally shot an aggressive 8-foot long, 210-pound alligator spotted crawling near the back porch of a home last week, police said. The incident happened less than half-a-mile from Rosewood Magnet Elementary School. “The alligator had made its way to a screen-enclosed back door to a residence. A supervisor on scene deemed the large alligator as aggressive and made the decision to humanely dispatch it,” Vero Beach police said in a statement.

2 weeks ago | veronews.com | Nicholas Samuel

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. That’s the sentiment Indian River County officials gave to beachgoers as they make their way to the sandy shorelines this spring.

2 weeks ago | veronews.com | Nicholas Samuel

BREVARD COUNTY — A 41-year-old Sebastian man faces 22 charges – including murder – in connection with a car chase and crash that killed three passengers in his vehicle and left a tow truck worker seriously injured, reports show. The man, Vernon Hodges, exceeded speeds above 100 mph while fleeing from Florida Highway Patrol troopers moments before the deadly wreck on Interstate 95, officials said.