Vero Beach: A Year Full of Twists and Turns

Vero Beach: A Year Full of Twists and Turns

It’s been quite a year for Vero Beach and the neighboring areas of the Treasure Coast! From the devastating Hurricane Milton that tore through the region and left a mark, to major political shake-ups and exciting developments on the horizon—2024 was no quiet year!

Weather Woes: Hurricane Milton Hits Hard

October 9 marked a dark day as Hurricane Milton unleashed at least 11 tornadoes across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. These tornadoes, with their strengths ranging from EF0 to EF3, caused chaos with paths stretching from 3 to an astonishing 31 miles!

The storm made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota around 8:30 p.m. but the effects were felt hours earlier. Communities like Hobe Sound, Port Salerno, and Vero Beach were left picking up the pieces, while national media attention was drawn to the tragic loss of life, with six fatalities at the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village. One more victim, a man who died while putting up hurricane shutters, brought the count to seven.

Political Drama: High-Stakes Court Hearings and Elections

Moving from storms to politics, former President Donald Trump made headlines as he faced a classifed documents case in Fort Pierce. Appearing three times this year in pretrial hearings, there was never a dull moment! The drama escalated when U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon threw out the case on July 15. Not only that, but a more alarming situation arose when Ryan Routh was arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Trump while he was on the golf course. Talk about a gripping plot twist!

Shifting Political Sands

In a surprising turn, the long-serving Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith was defeated by first-timer Eileen Vargas in the August Republican primary. Vargas, who campaigned under catchy slogans like “Trash the Stasche,” became a local sensation. But she wasn’t the only political newcomer to shake things up; in Stuart, voters replaced Mayor Becky Bruner and City Commissioner Troy McDonald with Laura Giobbi and Sean Reed!

Brightline on Track!

As if the political changes weren’t enough, Brightline has continued to zip through the area, celebrating increased ridership and adding more coaches to its trains. In November, the high-speed rail company struck a deal for a $45 million station to be built in downtown Stuart, turning the dreams of locals into reality! The excitement of high-speed travel between Miami and Orlando is just around the corner.

Environmental Battles: Florida’s Great Outdoors Initiative

However, it wasn’t just about infrastructure and politics. The state’s Great Outdoors Initiative faced strong backlash after locals protested plans for additional recreational developments in protected parks. The proposal to develop golf courses on over 1,000 acres of scrubland was met with fierce condemnation. Fortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis decided to put those plans on hold for a year.

Sheriff Shake-Up and Future Airlines

In St. Lucie County, voters made waves by ousting incumbent Sheriff Keith Pearson. Meanwhile, a new certificate was issued for the Treasure Coast International Airport, opening the door for potential commercial flights and increased connectivity for the area! Exciting times ahead!

A Bright Future for Vero Beach

With the upcoming VCOM medical school campus in the picture, this year could lay the groundwork for holding onto talented physicians in the region. Lastly, as the proposed Buc-ee’s location begins its permitting process, locals can look forward to a bustling Texas-style travel center, which promises to become a treasure in itself!

In summary, whether it’s the **projects**, the **elections**, or even Mother Nature giving her best shot, the Treasure Coast has seen it all this year. Buckle up, folks—there’s more to come in 2025!