Sebastian Daily

Sebastian Daily Sebastian Daily has been the No. 1 source for hometown news for over a decade! Serving Sebastian and Vero Beach, Florida. Follow us for local news!

Sebastian Daily® is the number one news source in Sebastian, Florida, Northern Indian River County, and Southern Brevard County. We serve Sebastian, Barefoot Bay, Grant, Micco, Vero Lake Estates, Sebastian River, and Wabasso. We are an online publication since most of our readers get their news from computer tablets, mobile phones, and personal computers. We publish news and obituaries in the loca

l area including Indian River County and South Brevard County. We are located just a few miles from the Sebastian Inlet to provide accurate weather, boating, and fishing information. Our company began publishing national news in 2005. In 2015, we decided to go local, which was when we targeted South Brevard and Indian River County by starting Sebastian Daily®. Readers can view our articles on our Website, Facebook, Apple News, and our Newsletter. Our news publication is free to all readers. We focus on proximity, keeping readers engaged on everything we publish from breaking news to local community events. Our news team is made up of highly experienced and motivated journalists to cover Sebastian News, Vero Beach News, and Fellsmere News. We dedicate our work towards excellence in all news stories and encourage our readers to share ideas and opinions. Sebastian Daily® also strives to maintain integrity at the highest levels and to build an honest relationship. We endeavor to provide our readership with a reliable source of information and social responsibility. Reporting Staff

Andy Hodges – Editor in Chief
Ted Kwarchak – Photographer
Brian LaPersonerie – Photographer/Food
Tina Hodges – VP of Marketing
Joy Nottage - Health and Fitness Reporter
Roy Garton – Contributor
Scott Lee – Columnist and Reporter
Jennifer Balakrishnan – Reporter
Zoe McNeely – Contributor

Flock cameras help ID truck in fatal hit-and-runINDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Florida Highway Patrol has located the truck invol...
08/13/2026

Flock cameras help ID truck in fatal hit-and-run

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Florida Highway Patrol has located the truck involved in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist Sunday after the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Real-Time Crime Center helped identify it.

An RTCC analyst looking through leads noticed a truck that matched the description of the vehicle in the crash. One clear match was a missing passenger-side mirror, the sheriff’s office said.

Using Flock Safety cameras and other resources, the analyst was able to pull the truck’s license plate and driver information. That information was turned over to FHP investigators right away.

Troopers later found the vehicle and confirmed it was connected to the crash.

👉 The investigation is still active.

ℹ️ How do Flock cameras work?

Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement agencies across Florida and the country.

Most are solar-powered and sit on poles along roads. When a vehicle drives by, the camera takes a few still photos of the back of the vehicle. Software reads the license plate and notes other details, such as color, make, and any obvious damage or missing parts. It also records the time and which camera caught it.

Investigators can later search those records by plate number or by the vehicle’s description. The data is typically deleted after about 30 days unless it’s kept for an active investigation.

The cameras do not use facial recognition. They’re designed to focus on vehicles, not people.

The sheriff’s office said the case shows how the Real-Time Crime Center works with other agencies. Analysts review camera data and other leads every day to help move investigations forward.

The investigation is still active. Authorities have not released the name of the bicyclist or said whether any charges have been filed.

👉 We've received a number of questions about tropical activity in the Atlantic. 🌀 Here's a brief update: There are curre...
08/12/2026

👉 We've received a number of questions about tropical activity in the Atlantic. 🌀 Here's a brief update: There are currently three systems being monitored, but none pose a threat to our area.

Early guidance from the GFS and Euro models indicates these systems will either dissipate or turn north of Florida.

ℹ️ Sebastian Daily will report any developments if a potential threat emerges.

IRCSO negotiators end 17th Street Bridge standoff safely 🚨VERO BEACH — Indian River County Sheriff's Office crisis negot...
08/12/2026

IRCSO negotiators end 17th Street Bridge standoff safely 🚨

VERO BEACH — Indian River County Sheriff's Office crisis negotiators spent two hours talking a man down from the 17th Street Bridge on Sunday, Aug. 2, and took him into custody without injury, the agency said.

Deputies responded after receiving word that the man, who was wanted on a Port St. Lucie Police Department warrant for burglary with battery, had contacted his mother and said he wanted to kill himself.

Officers located him at the top of the bridge, where he had climbed over the railing and was threatening to jump.

The Crisis Negotiation Team spoke with the man while the Marine Unit launched a boat and Fire Rescue staged nearby on the water as a precaution.

Sheriff Eric Flowers credited the outcome to ongoing training.

“Our team spends a lot of time training for a variety of incidents. Because of that training our team was able to end this standoff without any loss of life. The professionalism and compassion shown throughout this incident is a testimony to the dedication and commitment of our team,” Flowers told Sebastian Daily.

Cocoa Brightline station secures $56.5 million federal grant 🚝COCOA — A planned BRIGHTLINE passenger rail station in Coc...
08/12/2026

Cocoa Brightline station secures $56.5 million federal grant 🚝

COCOA — A planned BRIGHTLINE passenger rail station in Cocoa secured a $56.48 million federal grant Tuesday, clearing the largest remaining funding obstacle for the project.

U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, announced the award from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money will help build a multimodal station near Clearlake Road and U.S. 1 at the so-called Cocoa curve, where Brightline already owns land along its existing Orlando-to-Miami route.

The Cocoa station would sit roughly 53 miles north of Sebastian, putting a Space Coast rail stop within about an hour’s drive for Indian River County residents.

The grant represents the bulk of the more than $80 million needed for the station. Local and state sources will cover the rest.

The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization has committed $15.5 million. The city of Cocoa and the Brevard County Tourism Development Council each pledged $5 million. An additional $2 million state appropriation approved earlier this year will pay for an access road. A separate $2 million federal appropriation from January also supports the project.

City and county leaders had applied for the same federal grant once before and were rejected. Officials said the latest effort succeeded after years of coordination among local, state and federal partners.

Haridopolos said the station will improve the rail system’s finances by adding a Space Coast stop.

“Brightline is here to stay. We’re not sure who the eventual owner of the company will be, but they’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We’ve already seen an increase in ridership. It’s starting to work. We think the Cocoa stop will improve the bottom line.”

He credited sustained work with the Department of Transportation and strong local backing.

“I made this a priority. I built a strong relationship with the DOT and the administration and for the last 19 months we just focused on what we needed to do to secure these dollars,” Haridopolos said. “The city of Cocoa was very passionate about it, too. They rallied local support with all the stakeholders back home.”

In a statement, the city of Cocoa said securing the competitive grant required extensive preparation and cooperation across agencies. The city called the award a reflection of shared goals for Space Coast transportation.

Brightline CEO Nicolas Petrovic said the company looks forward to building and operating a station that connects Brevard County to the rest of the state.

Brightline has faced financial pressure this year. Credit rating agencies lowered assessments of its bonds, and the company reported a 2025 loss exceeding $233 million even as ridership and revenue reached records. Cocoa officials said the station project remains on track regardless of Brightline’s ownership or balance-sheet issues.

Officials hope the Cocoa station can open by 2030. The rail corridor already runs through the area; remaining work centers on the station itself, related track improvements and connecting roads.

Sebastian weekend events with live music, food trucks, karaoke and community gatherings. 🎸 There's plenty of reasons to...
08/12/2026

Sebastian weekend events with live music, food trucks, karaoke and community gatherings. 🎸 There's plenty of reasons to get out or settle in at a favorite local spot.

⬇️The full Friday–Sunday schedule with times and locations is in the comments.⬇️

Your cruise ship docks in Nassau. The cruise line wants $120 for their "bar hop" excursion. 🍺We found 3 spots within a 5...
08/10/2026

Your cruise ship docks in Nassau. The cruise line wants $120 for their "bar hop" excursion. 🍺

We found 3 spots within a 5-minute walk of the port that cost less than HALF that — and you're back on your own schedule, not theirs.

One's the only craft brewery in The Bahamas. One pours $6 Kalik with sports on TV. And one is basically spring break next to the cruise terminal.

Curious which one I'd hit first? Link in the comments 👇

E-Bike Rider Dies After Hit-and-Run Crash, Troopers searching for Ford F-150 🚨INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 48-year-old Vero B...
08/10/2026

E-Bike Rider Dies After Hit-and-Run Crash, Troopers searching for Ford F-150 🚨

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 48-year-old Vero Beach man riding an e-bike was killed in a hit-and-run crash with a pickup truck late Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened on August 9, 2026, just before 9 p.m. on Eighth Street near 14th Avenue in unincorporated Indian River County. The man was traveling west in the westbound lane when a pickup approached from behind, FHP Lt. Indiana Miranda said.

The truck driver moved southwest, partially entered the eastbound lane, and hit the cyclist with the right side of the vehicle. The man was thrown onto the roadway and came to rest in the eastbound lane. The driver fled without stopping or rendering aid.

The man was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Investigators described the truck as a light-colored Ford F-150 from the 2015 to 2020 model years. It is missing its passenger-side mirror. The truck was last seen continuing west on Eighth Street, Indian River County Sheriff’s Lt. Kevin Jaworski stated.

Sheriff’s deputies were first on scene before FHP took over the investigation. Both directions of Eighth Street were closed for a time after the crash.

The investigation remains open. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at (561) 357-4000.

Vero Beach Humane Society waives adoption fees for Clear the Shelters 🐾VERO BEACH - The Humane Society of Vero Beach & I...
08/10/2026

Vero Beach Humane Society waives adoption fees for Clear the Shelters 🐾

VERO BEACH - The Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County is waiving adoption fees on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, 6230 77th St., as it partners with NBCUniversal Local for the annual Clear the Shelters event.

“We have so many wonderful dogs and cats that deserve homes, and Clear the Shelters is the perfect way for families to discover them,” said Nichola Redmond, chief executive officer of the Humane Society of Vero Beach. “With adoption fees waived, we hope everyone who visits the shelter finds their new fur baby to bring home.”

Anyone unable to attend Saturday can still adopt adult cats and dogs fee-free the following week, Aug. 23-30.

Clear the Shelters has found homes for more than 1 million pets since it began in 2015. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is the presenting sponsor this year and will supply adoption kits at select shelters. The kits include starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet food, coupons and other supplies for new pet owners.

☎️ Animals available for adoption can be found at the Humane Society. For more information, contact the Humane Society at (772) 388-3331.

Local restaurants in the Sebastian area are offering weekly specials Aug. 10-16, with deals on seafood, barbecue, Italia...
08/10/2026

Local restaurants in the Sebastian area are offering weekly specials Aug. 10-16, with deals on seafood, barbecue, Italian dishes and steaks.

Highlights include weekday specials at Tiki Bar & Grill, early dining and daily plates at Rib City, barbecue deals at Woody’s Bar-B-Q, Early Bird and 4x4 options at The Italian Cousin, ribeyes and NY strips at The Old Fish House, and T-bone and daily specials at Chubby Mullet.

The link to the full list of specials is in the comments. 👇

Indian River County students return to school Monday 🚸INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Public schools across the county open Aug. 1...
08/09/2026

Indian River County students return to school Monday 🚸

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Public schools across the county open Aug. 10 as Indian River County students return to classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. School zones will be active, requiring drivers to slow to 20 mph when lights are flashing. Students are asked to arrive at bus stops about 10 minutes early.

Buses often run behind schedule the first few days while routes settle. Drivers should expect heavier morning traffic Monday.

🚧 Roseland Road drivers will need a detour next week while crews repair the railroad crossing. The crossing will close at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, and stay shut until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, for surface maintenance. Traffic will be routed along County Road 512 and U.S. Highway 1.

High schools will start at 7:20 a.m. this year, a change the School Board approved in February. Middle and K-8 schools begin at 8:10 a.m., and elementary schools start at 9 a.m. Wabasso School and IR Prep will keep their own schedules.

The start of the year also brings major campus shifts. Several schools changed locations over the summer as the district consolidated underused buildings and expanded popular magnet programs into K-8 models.

Vero Beach High School’s ninth-graders moved onto the main campus. Oslo Middle relocated and was renamed Vero Beach Middle. Osceola Magnet and Rosewood Magnet shifted to former middle school sites. Glendale Elementary merged into Citrus Elementary. The district spent about $3.5 million from its capital budget on the transitions.

Parents with transportation questions can call 772-978-8801. The district’s main number is 772-564-3000. Bus routes are posted on each Indian River School’s website.

Address

1603 U.S. Highway 1, Suite 102
Sebastian, FL
32958

Telephone

+17722024029

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