Sebastian Daily

06/10/2026

Sebastian and North Indian River County residents can enjoy a packed weekend of live music, food trucks, and community events from Friday through Sunday, June 12-14. 🎸

The Full schedule includes daytime activities such as a blood drive, library programs, karaoke, steak dinners, trivia, and a flag retirement ceremony, along with extended evening music performances at local bars, restaurants, and breweries.

See the full schedule from the link in comments ⬇️

06/10/2026

New principals named at Sebastian River High, Sebastian River Middle and Treasure Coast Elementary schools 🚌

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — New leaders are in place at three schools in the School District of Indian River County ahead of the upcoming academic year.

Robert Riskin, who previously served as principal of Sebastian River Middle School, has been named principal of Sebastian River High School. The change took effect June 1.

Joy Griffin moves into the principal’s job at Sebastian River Middle School. She had been an assistant principal at Vero Beach High School.

Treasure Coast Elementary also has a new principal. Joanna Roux, a former assistant principal in the district, takes over the top job at the school.

The appointments are among several leadership adjustments the district is making as it prepares for the 2026-27 school year, which begins in August for most students.

06/10/2026

Dancing with Vero Stars raises record $668,000 for Indian River County families 🎉

VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition raised a record $668,000 at its 2026 Dancing with Vero Stars event on May 16 at Riverside Theatre.

Paige Charbonneau was named the winner following her performance and solid community support. Ryan Scarpa finished first runner-up, and Melissa Zorc placed second. The winner is selected through the event’s standard competition ranking.

Ryan Scarpa led individual fundraising with more than $227,000 — the highest amount raised by any single dancer in the event’s history. Rob Vaccaro raised more than $116,000. Tina McCurry received the Kathie Pierce Style Icon award for best dressed.

The other dancers — Susan Adams, Brian Hayes, Brandy Bucker, David Imler, and Justin Stolaj — also delivered strong performances and fundraising efforts that helped drive the total higher.

“We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of this community,” said Megan McFall, chief executive officer of the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. “Every dancer, sponsor, donor, volunteer, and attendee, along with our valued partners at Riverside Theatre, played an important role in making this our most successful event ever. The funds raised will directly support critical services for local families and strengthen our ability to continue improving maternal and infant health outcomes throughout Indian River County.”

Proceeds support the coalition’s programs, including maternity navigation, home visiting, childbirth education, lactation support, doula services, and fatherhood programming.

ℹ️ The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition works to improve birth outcomes and strengthen families through local partnerships and direct services for moms, babies, and young children in the county.

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

North Indian River County diners can take advantage of a variety of weekly specials this week, June 8-14, as local restaurants offer everything from all-you-can-eat barbecue to fresh seafood boils and waterfront favorites.

See all the specials from the link in comments ⬇️

06/09/2026

Sebastian business owner survives ‘widowmaker’ heart attack after quick stop at ER 👨‍⚕️

SEBASTIAN — John Truckner thought he was dealing with a bad case of heartburn. For two days, the 62-year-old retired mailman and owner of Indian River Bee Company and Summit Diner in Micco tried to work through it.

He nearly kept going. Then he remembered a friend’s father who died after similar symptoms. On his way to work, Truckner stopped at Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital instead.

That choice likely saved his life.

Within minutes of arriving, emergency room staff evaluated him and rushed him to the cardiac catheterization lab. Doctors found a 99% blockage in his left anterior descending artery — the vessel often called the “widowmaker.”

He received an emergency stent. Days later, physicians performed a second procedure after finding evidence he may have already suffered multiple heart attacks.

Truckner credits the rapid coordination among ER physician Dr. Joseph Polakoski, interventional cardiologist Dr. Charles Croft, and the hospital’s cath lab team.

“I drive by the hospital every day and it still feels like a dream,” Truckner said. “Everything happened so fast, and they saved my life.”

He hopes his story pushes others in the community to take even mild symptoms seriously and get checked without delay.

“This is our community hospital, and they were there when I needed them most,” he said.

06/08/2026

The U.S. Geological Survey measured a 6.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cuba at about 2 p.m. today— and people say they felt it here in Florida, from Central Florida, Southwest Florida.

06/08/2026

Former Indian River County middle school athletic director sentenced to 10 years in federal prison

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Mia Johnson, a 42-year-old former middle school athletic director, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Johnson also received 25 years of supervised release after she completes her prison term, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The case began in 2024 when the sheriff’s office received a report of an inappropriate relationship between Johnson and a student. The victim told detectives the relationship had lasted about a year. School district officials removed Johnson from campus and terminated her employment as soon as the allegations came to light.

Detectives executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. She left Florida and traveled to Kansas City, Missouri. Investigators later determined that some of the criminal acts occurred in multiple states while Johnson traveled with the girls basketball team. The interstate nature of the case brought the FBI into the investigation.

Federal agents arrested Johnson in Kansas City on the charge of Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity under 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a).

Sheriff Eric Flowers said the sentencing holds Johnson accountable and reinforces the community’s commitment to child safety.

“Every child in Indian River County deserves to feel safe at school,” Flowers said. “Our detectives, working alongside the FBI, made sure this victim was heard and that Johnson was held accountable for her actions. We will never stop fighting to protect our kids.”

The sheriff’s office credited its detectives, the FBI and the School District of Indian River County for their cooperation throughout the investigation. Protecting children remains the agency’s highest priority.

06/08/2026

Mary Lou Brown of Vero Beach, Florida - Obituary 🕯️

With deep love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Mary Lou (James) Brown announces her peaceful passing on April 23, 2026, in Vero Beach, Florida, at the age of 94.

Born on December 15, 1931, in Sebastian, Florida, to Roy and Maggie Mae (Hall) James, Mary Lou was a lifelong resident of Indian River County.

She graduated as salutatorian of the Vero Beach High School Class of 1949 before attending Florida State College for Women. After one year, she returned home to marry her high school sweetheart, Richard Brown, on September 16, 1950.

Together, Mary Lou and Richard built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and enduring love. They raised their children in the family home among their citrus groves in Indian River County, where Mary Lou devoted herself to caring for her family while helping manage the groves.

In 1976, she joined the United States Postal Service, faithfully serving her community as a mail carrier until her retirement in January 1996.

A woman of steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, Mary Lou was, throughout her lifetime, a member of Sebastian Methodist Church, Roseland Methodist Church, and First Methodist Church of Vero Beach.

She lived her life with quiet strength, grace, wisdom, and kindness. Her sparkling eyes, radiant smile, and gentle spirit made others feel seen, welcomed, and loved. She freely offered encouragement, compassion, and generosity to those around her.

Mary Lou deeply cherished her family. She shared a devoted love with her husband Richard, treasured her children, delighted in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and created a legacy of faith, warmth, laughter, and unwavering love that will continue through generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Aileen (James) Skinner; and her beloved husband of 64 years, Richard Brown.

Mary Lou is survived by her sister, Erma (James) Womble; her five children, Max (Betty), Ralph (Vicki), Gayle Sturgis, Lee (Patty), and June Brown; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Though she is deeply missed, her family rejoices in the assurance that she is now fully at peace in
the presence of the Lord.

👉 A service celebrating Mary Lou’s life will be held at First Methodist Church Vero Beach on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow at the church. Those in attendance are welcome to wear cheerful colors in honor of Mary Lou and the joy she brought to those around her.

💐 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shiloh Ranch in Sebastian, Florida, Shriner’s Children’s, First Methodist Church of Vero Beach, or organization of your choice.

06/06/2026

Flutie Brothers to rock Capt. Hiram's Sandbar in annual free concert 🎸

SEBASTIAN — The Flutie Brothers will return to Capt Hirams Resort for their annual waterfront performance, bringing high-energy rock and party music to the venue’s popular sandbar.

The free show featuring former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his brother, former NFL wide receiver Darren Flutie, is scheduled for Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The brothers will be joined by talented musicians from their New England hometown.

The band is known for its energetic live performances, blending its athletic legacies with musical talent that few fans realize the brothers possess.

Doug plays drums, while Darren handles guitar in the Flutie Brothers Band. The group released a nine-song album titled “Catch This” in 1996 and “Ramblin’ Scramblin' Man” in 1999.

Attendees can expect an afternoon of live music, scenic waterfront views, great food, and cold beverages at the sandbar venue.

A little bit of local history: The Fluties spent part of their childhood in Melbourne Beach when Doug was 6 and Darren was 2, as their father worked as a quality engineer in the aerospace industry.

Whether drawn by the brothers’ gridiron fame or simply a passion for live music, the concert offers a relaxed opportunity to enjoy a high-energy performance in a prime Treasure Coast setting.

Organizers encourage the community to mark their calendars for what promises to be a memorable event.