VERO BEACH — A 25-year-old man rolled his father’s BMW into the Indian River Lagoon and then jumped 60 feet into the water from the Merrill Barber Bridge — all as a lark, police say.

Charges haven’t been filed in the 2:30 a.m. Monday incident. But George Peniston of the 100 block of Terrapin Point could face legal consequences, said police spokesman Officer John Morrison.

Jumping off a bridge could be considered disorderly conduct punishable by six months in jail.
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JUPITER ISLAND — Although the Town of Jupiter Island is not enforcing a year-old set of regulations for Hobe Sound Beach, which is owned by Martin County, a surfing organization is considering a legal challenge.

Among the rules not currently enforced that the Surfrider Foundation of the Treasure Coasts wants to see rescinded altogether: closing the beach at night.

“Whether they enforce it or not, in our eyes, we just want it removed so it doesn’t become a problem in the future,” said Kevin Murray, of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. “It’s important to us to go there with out families. We want to surf at night. The fishermen are going to naturally get involved because they want to fish at night.”

But Chief Ted Gonzales, Jupiter Island’s public safety director, said the town commissioners are happy that increased patrols at the beach have largely put an end to the vandalism and trespassing on nearby properties that prompted the commissioners to pass the beach rules. (more…)