VERO BEACH — A high-level financial struggle over the troubled Vero Fashion Outlets now may reach into an owner’s family trust, court records show.

In early October the outdoor mall filed for bankruptcy in federal court, a move that halted a foreclosure lawsuit filed by the mall’s creditor, LNV Corp. of Nevada, in Indian River Circuit Court. LNV Corp.’s attorney Kenneth Curtin contends the mall defaulted on a $32 million loan for purchase of the 329,000-square-foot mall in 2007. (more…)

VERO BEACH — A second high-level Piper Aircraft Inc. executive is resigning from the company, less than six months after the company’s chief executive officer resigned.

The resignation of Piper’s president, John Becker, was announced Monday. His last day is Dec. 1. (more…)

VERO BEACH — High electric bills have provided the spark to this year’s election, with some candidates contending a contract with a new power provider will bring relief and others suggesting the city look at getting out of the electric business.

Incumbents Bill Fish and Debra Fromang are being challenged by five people looking to gain two-year terms on the five-member council.

The challengers include former City Council member Ken Daige; frequent council critic Brian Heady; retired National Geographic Society Chief Cartographer Jack Shupe; downtown businesswoman Susan Viviano; and local businessman and political commentator Charlie Wilson.
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FORT PIERCE — A 39-year-old Vero Beach man was arrested Saturday after being found with a short-barrel assault rifle outside a gun show at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, according to a recently released arrest affidavit and a sheriff’s official.

James Mathew Kennedy, of the 1000 block of 27th Avenue Southwest, took the AR15-type rifle into the gun show, where he went to buy parts, officials said. They gave this account: The rifle had a barrel length about three inches shorter than is allowed without first going through a lengthy federal approval process.
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VERO BEACH — Two people were taken into custody Tuesday morning after law enforcement officials raided a house suspected of being a methamphetamine lab.

The Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement Unit had been investigating the home for about a month and conducted some undercover purchases at the home in the 1300 block of 30th Avenue, Vero Beach, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Jeff Luther said.

“The evidence inside the home indicated an operation to cook meth for personal use, but we monitored a large amount of traffic to the home,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Darin Jones.
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VERO BEACH — A 26-year-old woman who was speeding and weaving out of traffic on Interstate 95 is guilty of vehicular homicide of two motorcyclists she hit along the roadway.

A jury deliberated for a hour Wednesday afternoon before finding Dominique Brice, of Miami, guilty of killing the motorcyclists parked along the northbound lanes on Feb. 29, 2008, near the juncture of Indian River and St. Lucie counties. (more…)

VERO BEACH — A city clerk’s employee on medical leave is suing the city, contending she was sexually harassed while the city did nothing to help her, according to court files.

Janet Bickford said that starting in November 2007 an unnamed city board member began making repeated “sexual innuendoes,” culminating with the man allegedly kissing her on her lips against her will, according to a civil lawsuit filed in Indian River Circuit Court on Sept. 16.

Then, she said, city officials belittled her complaints, causing her distress.
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VERO BEACH — Humiston Park Beach reopened after a couple of hours of feces scooping Thursday.

The culprit wasn’t four-legged, but instead has flippers, Indian River County officials said. Manatees are responsible for what may have been a mile-long stretch of excrement that piled up along the beach. Late Thursday afternoon, more manatee mess was spotted at Tracking Station Beach Park, officials said. (more…)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Two Vero Beach residents were arrested early Wednesday after one admitted shooting an alligator and another was spotted putting pink-colored meat in a cabinet, according to recently released arrest affidavits.

Ernest Ray Hublur, 18, reportedly was shining a light on Alderman ranch off Shinn Road about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. (more…)

The tourism development director for the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce will retire after 18 years, chamber officials have announced.

Lori Burns’ last day will be Sept. 30, according to Penny Chandler, chamber president.

“Lori has been an institution in her role with the chamber,” Chandler said in a news release.
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