Home » Home » WATCH: Treat Mom to Self-Care This Mother’s Day at 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Clinic on Merritt Island By  //  May 5 WATCH: Treat Mom to Self-Care This Mother’s Day at 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Clinic in Merritt Island (FB Video) WATCH: Treat Mom to Self-Care This Mother’s Day at 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Clinic in Merritt Island (YouTube Video) FLORIDA — Mother’s Day is a time to honor the amazing women who bring so much light into our lives — and what better way to celebrate than with the gift of beauty 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Clinic in Merritt Island, believes every mom deserves to feel radiant That’s why they’re offering incredible specials to help you — or the special women in your life — glow from the inside out Happy Mother’s Day from 4Ever Young Merritt Island Click Here to Sign Up for Text Alerts Disappointed by the closure of El Tucan Mexican restaurant on Merritt Island last fall, Hola! Cuban Kitchen is now open to fill that void and Alberto and Biviana Roman, former owners of the popular El Tucan "It is definitely a family affair," said general manager and niece of owners "My aunt and uncle have always wanted this She said it's long been her uncle's dream to bring his own authenticity and Cuban roots to the public the beautifully restored cottage has come to life and Hola Cuban Kitchen is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m choose to sit in the dining room with tasteful Spanish flair or outside in the courtyard with lush foliage Savor distinctive Cuban dishes such as ropa vieja And if you've missed El Tucan's famous garlic chicken dish in addition to a few other house favorites from the past cigar nights and traditional Cuban pig roasts The Romans owned and operated El Tucan on Merritt Island at 225 N The popular spot was known for its long lines and positive reviews The family sold in 2022 to the Long Doggers Eateries team The long-standing clientele expressed displeasure over the changes and the eatery shut down in October 2024 to make room for a new concept in the space: Nitro Kitchen and Cocktails Now the Roman family is happy to be back doing what they love at a new location "We cannot wait to see everyone having a relaxing and incredible time here," said Watkins "We are happy and thankful of the support for so many years and are excited to start this new venture with everybody." Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsPublished: April 17 – A woman suffered several burns to her chest and throat on Friday after she was trapped inside a Merritt Island home that was on fire according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office The sheriff’s office and Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to the home where first responders helped the woman out of the residence a neighbor said that he was told by the woman that William Clements Jr. the woman told deputies that in February she woke up to Clements on top of her and that he had punched her in the face several times He had also zip-tied her hands and kept her inside a bedroom Deputies said they were shown photos of the woman that showed her front tooth missing and bruises around her eyes and cheeks Clements faces charges of aggravated battery causing harm/disability and false imprisonment No charges have yet been filed in connection to the fire Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Hurricane Ian caused devastation across the state of Florida in 2022 the storm did bring something unexpected and not normally seen to east Central Florida Some 25 flamingos are now calling Merritt Island their permanent home Photographer Pat Lindsey often takes her own kayak to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to take pictures of the flamingos “I do it because people enjoy my pictures and they enjoy seeing the birds and nature,” said Lindsey as she snapped photos while balancing on her kayak The 74-year-old woman shares her wildlife photos on social media for everyone to see And sometimes you see them flying over Merritt Island,” Lindsey said Lindsey and others said they believe the colorful birds have made Rookery Island near the Haulover Canal their permanent home who takes guests to see the flamingos and other wildlife was the first to report about the birds on social media we kind of followed the direction that they went Cocoa Kayaking is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and guides can take you to see the flamingos and other animals Follow the signs to the Haulover Canal area The refuge is also home to hundreds of manatees many of which visitors can often see from shore.  when thousands of the creatures crawl to shore The Wolverines are set for a regional semifinal series with Merritt Island and HSBN sat down with Manager Jesse Fernandez to talk about the series 4A Regional Semifinal Preview: Belen Manager Jesse Fernandez Leave a comment using your facebook account Home » Home » Merritt Island High School Beta Club Packs 1,600 Lunches for Brevard Children’s Hunger Project By  //  April 30 BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — Merritt Island High School Beta Club members packed an incredible 1,600 lunches for Brevard Children’s Hunger Project Brevard County is celebrating the outstanding efforts of its dedicated students who recently came together to make a significant impact on the local community The event showcased the Beta Club’s ongoing commitment to service the students demonstrated that community service is more than just an action—it’s a mindset that reflects true character and kindness and families have praised the Beta Club for their inspiring work Their efforts not only filled lunch bags but also filled hearts with hope and gratitude Merritt Island High School is proud to recognize the Beta Club for demonstrating that when young leaders come together with a purpose their positive impact can be felt far beyond the school walls Grossmann and the entire Beta Club for setting an example of service A 66-year-old Merritt Island man who Brevard County sheriff’s investigators said seriously injured his girlfriend in a house fire faces attempted murder charges William Clements was ordered held without bond on an arrest warrant for arson attempted first-degree premeditated murder and cruelty to animals Clements was initially charged with aggravated battery in connection with the April 4 gasoline-fueled fire that swept through a home who told deputies she woke to the smell of gasoline fumes She was pulled from her burning bedroom by responding deputies with Clements moving into the home four months ago Brevard County Fire Department crews contained the fire and the woman was taken to a burn unit in Orlando for treatment Clements was arrested a short distance away from the home and taken into custody Investigators uncovered other incidents where the woman said she was beaten and zip-tied by Clements during previous domestic confrontations Investigators also discovered that Clements was on parole in connection to similar charges in Tennessee for false imprisonment J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com — Florida is among the states with the most registered boats anywhere in the nation along with being one of the top sailing destinations in the world sailing may seem daunting to anyone who is not familiar with the sport Beachside Sailing in Merritt Island offers several sailing classes for beginners to advance sailors who want to learn the sport who’s been sailing for decades and owns Beachside Sailing said the goal is to get beginners comfortable sailing I hope they gain some knowledge and a comfort level where they are able to come out on a boat like this (and) take it out for a day of sailing without too much trouble,” Chandler said Corbin Monge of Palm Bay has been learning how to sail whenever he has free time and said he has learned you should have a desire to sail the open waters “You just have to be attentive and diligent And you must want to learn how to do it,” Monge said while sailing on the Banana River in Brevard County Monge is training on a 23-foot Hunter sailboat on the river located near Cape Canaveral said he believes Florida is a great training ground for anyone who wants to learn how to sail “This is a great place to learn how to sail to practice sailing with your new skills," Kessler said it’s a launching pad where you can explore and extend your adventures.” Future sailors will learn to do everything themselves including how to get out of a marina with no wind Everyone learns the importance of understanding wind and its relationship to sailing and operating a craft “If you remember from the book you have from this class you’ll understand the wind speed and direction. This is what you need to know to go sailing effectively and safely,” Kessler said Beachside Sailing offers several sailing programs Home » Home » Merritt Island Mustangs Look to Stave Off Elimination vs Belen Jesuit Tonight in Regional Semifinal By  //  April 29 FLORIDA – The Merritt Island Mustangs are in a must-win situation tonight as they host Belen Jesuit in Game 2 of the FHSAA Region 4-4A baseball semifinals The Mustangs fell 3-0 in extra innings on Monday night Merritt Island must defeat the Wolverines tonight to force a decisive Game 3 the series will shift to South Florida for the finale will look to bounce back with strong pitching and timely offense to extend its playoff run 6 seed Belen Jesuit hopes to clinch the series and advance to the regional finals with another win After years in development, the River Fly-In condominiums in Merritt Island will officially open with a ribbon cutting this weekend making it the first condominium in Brevard County with exclusive access to airplane hangars for its residents Built directly adjacent to the Merritt Island Airport with the intent of drawing flying enthusiasts who can live in the eight-story buildings and even rent hangars next door through a leasing agreement with the condominiums eight-story luxury condo community will offer condominiums starting in the low $500,000s with penthouse units sold for around $2 million there are currently 64 airplane hangars and 20 boat slips being built for residents Also in the making is a waterfront restaurant that will be open to public and part of the larger development soccer field and nature trail on 30 acres of land in a relatively secluded area of central Merritt Island tucked between the airport and the Banana River Lagoon The condominiums are located right in the heart of Merritt Island near Cone Road and Kemp Road and are built overlooking both the Banana River and the airport Hangars are expected to begin construction within the next two months a real estate agent involved in the project Dawson said most of the hangars already built at the airport are unavailable with long waitlists for hopeful leasers who want a place to keep their plane Those who incorporate flying into their lifestyles and want to take regular trips in their personal aircraft will not face that issue if they decide to live at the new River Fly In condos is a lifelong lover of flying and helicopter pilot who envisioned the luxury condominium as a way to allow others like himself direct access to their airplanes "So you have a high-rise with a beautiful views of nature and the ability to walk to your hangar and fly out of here or just do maintenance on your airplane," the Rockledge-based neurologist said Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com Home » Home » Legally Blonde The Musical Set for Merritt Island High School Theatre April 11-13 By  //  April 1 BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—Legally Blonde, The Musical, will be presented by Merritt Island Theatre and will run from April 11 through April 13 at Merritt Island High School The musical is based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture It is rated PG-13 and is based on Amanda Brown’s novel The days and times of the performances are as follows: Ticket prices are $12.00 and can be purchased at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, CLICK HERE MERRITT ISLAND — The Merritt Island Mustangs earned a walk-off win over Eau Gallie to win the Cape Coast Conference baseball championship 2-1 Wednesday night Asher Anderson stepped up to the plate and got the hit that allowed Grant Arnold to score the game-winning run in the seventh inning and we had to get some baserunners and go win it," Arnold said of the team's approach heading into the seventh inning The Commodores took a lead first in the game after Aiden McMahon's double drove in Xavier Lherisse in the second inning Liam Miller's hit in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed Arnold to score and tie the game for the Mustangs Starting pitchers from both teams ended the game with double digit strikeouts Merritt Island pitcher Shane Patrick pitched six innings and struck out 13 Carson Lietz finished the night with 12 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched This is the final week of the baseball regular season with district tournaments starting April 14 Arnold highlighted how a win like this gives the team a boost heading into the postseason We just have to build off it and keep doing what we do," he said Home » Home » UPDATE: Amphitheater Construction Underway at Brevard Veterans Memorial Park in Merritt Island By  //  February 10 BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — The Brevard Veterans Memorial Plaza and Park in Merritt Island continue to evolve as efforts to improve and expand the space move forward residents and visitors can look forward to a variety of upgrades and exciting construction projects that will shape the future of this site January has been a dynamic month for the Memorial Plaza and Park marked by significant developments and community engagement The Memorial Plaza has received 14 new brick orders each dedicated to honoring individuals and cherished memories a new bench and tree have been ordered for the Park further enhancing its beauty and providing a serene space for visitors continue to ensure the Plaza remains in top condition Significant progress has been made on the construction of a new amphitheater and its accompanying facilities This $8.2 million project aims to transform the Park with modern amenities with an expected completion date of late 2025 the Park will continue hosting various community events More than 20 events are scheduled in alternative areas of the Park Visitors are encouraged to stay updated on parking arrangements and progress photos to ensure a seamless experience A special acknowledgment is extended to Roger Scruggs for capturing an impressive drone shot of the cleared construction area will be shared to document the project’s development For more details and event information, email brevardvmc@gmail.com, call 321-453-1776, or visit veteransmemorialcenter.org. Burlington is opening its third location in Brevard County and the new store will feature the company’s reimagined store layout. The new location’s grand opening is March 7 Burlington is known as a national discount retailer offering low prices on brand name merchandise including clothing and home items “We’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country and are excited to be opening a new store in Merrit Island,” said Michael O’Sullivan “We look forward to giving local customers the chance to discover big savings on a wide range of products.”   What to expect at the grand opening of Brevard’s newest Burlington storeThe first 100 customers Friday March 8 will get a $10 Bonus Card toward a purchase Customers must be 18 to get the Bonus Card In honor of the grand opening, Burlington will donate $5,000 to a local high-needs school through a partnership with the national non-profit organization AdoptAClassroom.org Funds will be used to provide students with classroom materials they need to learn and succeed the Fortune 500 company sells everything from men’s and ladies’ apparel and accessories children’s clothing and footwear to home décor and pet toys She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time Home » Home » WATCH: Health First Officials Provide New Cape Canaveral Hospital on Merritt Island Construction Project Update By  //  March 22 WATCH: Exactly one year after Health First broke ground on the new Cape Canaveral replacement hospital in Merritt Island officials provided an onsite status update on the project.“We’re doing everything we can to accelerate opening our doors to the community at this exciting new location,” said Keila Stradtner Health First System Vice President for Facilities and Construction FLORIDA – Exactly one year since Health First broke ground on the new Cape Canaveral replacement hospital in Merritt Island officials provided an onsite status update on the project Since the very first ceremonial turn of dirt on “3-2-1 Day” in 2024 a lot has happened – the existing building on the premises has been demolished and walls are now going up at a rapid pace March 21 marked the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking ceremony for Cape Canaveral Hospital’s new campus “We’re doing everything we can to accelerate opening our doors to the community at this exciting new location,” said Keila Stradtner “We are focused on caring for the needs of our community and the opportunity to update our community on the incredible progress that has already been made reminds us of that.” Health First started the final concrete pour for the deck on the hospital’s second floor 15,000 cubic yards of concrete have been poured at the site and we expect that number to reach 400-500 people at the peak of construction in the summer of this year,” said Health First spokesperson Lance Skelly “Most work this year will be centered around building the foundations and other concrete structures for all buildings “We expect to achieve ‘dry in’ for the hospital by early January 2026 This means the structure will become watertight and construction teams will begin building out the interior portions of the project,” said Skelly Construction is slated to finish by the end of 2026 and the hospital will officially open to the public in early 2027 The new 268,000-square-foot Cape Canaveral Hospital will include: The hospital was designed for and will be built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane continuity of care and the potential for evacuation will be evaluated for individual storms The entire campus site will also be constructed 13 feet above sea level to withstand storm surges The campus will be served by an on-site Central Energy Plant built to ensure continuous power function even during tropical storms and hurricanes including 296 paved/surface parking spots and 533 covered/structure parking spots The three-deck parking structure and surface parking spots will provide easy and convenient access to the campus Medical Office Building: The new project will also include a new 3-story 92,000-square-foot Medical Office Building Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026 and begin serving our community in early 2027 – simultaneously with the new Cape Canaveral Hospital Construction: The new Cape Canaveral Hospital and Medical Office Building on Merritt Island which will cost approximately $450 million is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and officially open to the public in early 2027 Hurricane/Tropical Storm Standards: The hospital was designed and will be built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane Continuation of care and the potential for evacuation will be evaluated for individual storms and in consultation with state officials Central Energy Plant: The campus will be served by an on-site Central Energy Plant built to ensure continuous power function even during tropical storms and hurricanes Parking: The campus will feature ample parking The three-deck parking structure and surface parking spots will make access to the campus easy and convenient Medical Office Building: The new project will include a new 3-story Cape Canaveral Hospital History Quick Facts: Home » Home » Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency SR 520 Commercial Core Concept Workshop Set March 27 By  //  March 15 BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA—The Merritt Island Service Complex and the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency will host a public workshop on March 27 from 4 to 6 p.m to gather input from the community on various planning concepts for the SR 520 Commercial Core The public is invited to attend a very important public input workshop that will help shape Merritt Island’s future and its primary east-west thoroughfare Public participation and feedback are highly desired The public workshop will feature an open-house format Various concepts for the SR 520 Corridor will be presented and attendees will be able to select their preferences and provide comments MIRA staff and the project consultants will be on hand to offer information and answer any questions participants can feel free to drop in anytime between 4 and 6 p.m and stay as long or as little as they like The public input workshop will occur on March 27 Home » Home » Farewell to a Local Landmark Denny’s on Merritt Island Now Closed Permanently By  //  January 14 BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — After serving the community for decades, the Denny’s restaurant near the intersection of State Route 520 and Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island has closed its doors permanently Known as a go-to spot for hearty breakfasts the closure marks the end of an era for one of Merritt Island’s dining landmarks this Denny’s stood as a reliable destination for locals and visitors alike Whether it was families gathering for Sunday brunch teenagers enjoying late-night snacks after prom the restaurant became woven into the fabric of the community The exact reason for the closure has not been disclosed but the decision reflects a broader trend affecting many long-established eateries across the country and evolving dining preferences have impacted businesses like Denny’s even those with deep roots in their communities Residents expressed a mixture of nostalgia and sadness upon hearing the news “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” shared a local resident As Merritt Island bids farewell to this long-time establishment, the question arises: What are your memories of Denny’s of Merritt Island? Share your stories and join the conversation on social media Two Brevard County high schools recognized senior athletes at signing ceremonies on Friday West Shore honored three athletes at a signing ceremony held in the school's auditorium Allie Wright signed with Belmont Abbey College for tennis Christian Rebec announced his decision to join William Jewel College's basketball team and swimmer Nicole Riopelle will be taking her talents to Florida Southern College Volleyball players Bella Schwantz (Flagler College) Elena Martin (Eastern Florida State College) Mckenna Highlander (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) Shamiah Richardson (Eastern Florida State College) and Lexi Mitchell (Webber International University) all signed at the ceremony Baseball player Shane Patrick will continue his career at Eastern Florida State College and Kahekili Vega signed with Warner University soccer Ember Michaels will attend Webber International University for track and cross country Three members of the Mustangs' football team also signed at the ceremony Marshall Conley selected Presbyterian College Laquavious Hastie will attend University of Fort Lauderdale and Dominick Smith is heading to Concordia University Wisconsin — One local driver is encouraging police to be on the lookout for speeders in a busy road in Merritt Island.  Ed Kunigonis says drivers speed on State Road 3 also known as Tropical Trail and Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island also known as the Tropical Trail and Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island I think it would be made even nicer if people would just slow down and obey the speed limit,” said Kunigonis When Kunigonis is driving down to Pineda Causeway “I can’t imagine what is so important that you would have to exceed the speed limit to a point where you’re putting other people at risk just to get where you’re going,” he said He has even been passed multiple times on a double yellow line “I think the only way you’re going to change driving behavior is to increase enforcement,” Kunigonis said Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Tod Goodyear says their motor unit will be on the lookout for speeding and aggressive drivers “(Our Motor Unit Supervisor) advised that South Tropical Trail is an area that they mark for consistent enforcement,” said Goodyear “The only thing that’s going to make it permanent in terms of safer for driving is if people take the personal responsibility to drive safer on a daily basis It’s not a hard thing to do,” said Kunigonis Let us know if you’ve got a traffic trouble spot or maybe a road-related solution by filling out the simple form here Home » Home » Brevard Sheriff’s Office to Host Memorial Service for ‘Junny’ Tuesday at East Coast Christian Center in Merritt Island By  //  March 30 ABOVE VIDEO: Junny passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer FLORIDA – Without question this week has been one of the toughest weeks of my life and I am truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community for our beloved Junny Junny became so much more than I could’ve ever imagined as he has left a tremendous impact on people in our community and even those thousands of miles away Regardless if it was bringing awareness to the incredible work our police dogs do Junny became a household name in our community we would be honored to have everyone join us on Tuesday The memorial service and celebration of life will be held at East Coast Christian Center in Merritt Island Junny will receive full honors and then a procession will follow taking Junny to the K-9 Junny Animal Medical Center located at 5100 W Please see the attached map and information above regarding the procession route so that our community can view the procession as it passes by and pay their final respects to Junny along the route I am asking that donations be made to the Sheriff’s Pet Posse in Junny’s honor my heart is broken over the loss of my boy but knowing the legacy that Junny is leaving behind has tremendously helped ease my pain This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Home » Home » $5.96 Million Sale of Wawa Property in Merritt Island Announced by SRS Real Estate Partners  By  //  February 27 BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — SRS Real Estate Partners announced the $5.96 million sale of a Wawa property at 435 Merritt Island Causeway in Merritt Island the 6,119-square-foot property is situated on 2.34 acres and has a new The SRS Capital Markets team of Patrick Nutt The buyer was a private investor in a 1031 tax-deferred exchange and an existing landlord to Wawa at multiple other locations “This site is ideally located in a busy retail corridor fronting E Merritt Island Causeway and provides the buyer with a long-term cash-flowing investment with no landlord responsibilities Densely populated areas of Florida continue to be hotbeds for investor activity as the state attracts business and residents who enjoy no state income tax,” said Wamble There are more than 1,040 Wawa stores in the United States and this established convenience store and gas brand continues to build new locations SRS Nutt and Wamble remain the most active and experienced brokers nationally in the Wawa marketplace having executed more than 125 transactions of Wawa leased investment properties Home » Home » Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey Releases Statement After Merritt Island Man Attacks Subway Restaurant Employees With Knife By  //  April 12 you get arrested for defending people on the subway…but in Brevard County you get locked up behind bars for attacking people in a Subway (and yes that’s his real name) doesn’t know that in Brevard County if you Mess Around you’re gonna Find Out…the hard way Cocaine and a friend went to the local Subway for lunch and were trying to place an order but ultimately got into an argument with the employees over what they believed was their bad attitudes If I’m a betting man I would guess they didn’t like the fact that the footlong wasn’t $5 anymore but hey who knows so let’s get back to the incident Cocaine became so irate with the employees that yelling at them from across the counter wasn’t enough Unable to control his whittle emotions he decided to let himself behind the counter where he began to physically push one of them and then made an even dumber decision by pulling out a knife he pulled out a knife and gestured as if he was going to injure them all because he didn’t like the way they spoke to him and his friend Cocaine’s friend made the great decision to try and intervene by attempting to restrain him and convince him to leave the establishment before anyone got hurt after some great investigative work by our Deputies and Agents they were able to identify Cocaine and his friend so that they could interview them about the situation that was him in the surveillance video and while his memory of the incident appeared to be a bit off from what Agents reviewed he did acknowledge that pulling out a knife crossed the line of what is appropriate behavior! I’d say that completely crossed the line and did dumb stuff that put others lives at risk Well as you might imagine Cocaine was arrested for Aggravated Assault (x2) which as everyone knows in Brevard County gets you a free ride to Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge where I guarantee he ain’t gonna like the service or the attitude of those who work there get food in our 1-star dining facility that is freshly prepared each day in our kitchen by inmates…sounds just yummy So what have we learned here folks…first and foremost don’t mess around in Brevard County unless you are ready to spend the night in jail with a few new friends and while eating a less than subpar lunch A manufactured home fire on Merritt Island that left one person dead was under investigation Friday morning. Brevard County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the blaze in the 200 block of Banana River Drive Thursday afternoon around 4:30 p.m Officials have not identified the person who died but neighbors said it was an 85-year-old woman who had lived in the community for about 20 years FLORIDA TODAY is withholding the person's name until confirmed by the authorities She was so well-known and well-liked," said Colleen Ward who manages the River Palms with her husband her neighbors and community were out there worrying and hoping for her," Ward said It took several hours for firefighters to confirm that someone had been inside at the time of the fire If you're heading to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and you need a map or other help keep a lookout right as you cross the causeway from Titusville That no-frills trailer you see roadside is the temporary visitor center as the refuge renovates its current visitor center refuge staff and volunteers have been doing all visitor services out of the temporary contact station located in the parking lot at the entrance to the West Gator Creek Road "We are operating out of a trailer for the next few months," Park Ranger Kim King-Wrenn said but it has everything needed to help people plan a great visit.” Co-located in the trailer is the Nature’s Treasures gift shop The visitor center renovation is needed because of increased visitors to the refuge in 2019 the refuge saw 1.8 million visitors Now they're getting up to 2.3 million visitors a year "We're one of the most visited refuges in the country," she said The refuge will operate out of the contact station until August more than $4 million renovation continues at the visitor center increasing from 5,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet No date has been set yet for the new building Relocation of visitor services was necessary to allow for the site preparations underway Workers are clearing space for new utilities expanded parking and eventually the new larger visitor center There will be a bigger auditorium and a classroom "We'll have all new exhibits," King-Wrenn said What: Includes more than 50 exhibits for birding Much of the festival is held at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge For information: Visit: https://scbwa.net/ Home » Home » Severe Thunderstorm Issued for Merritt Island By  //  January 19 FLORIDA – A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Merritt Island Residents in these areas are urged to take precautions and remain alert as hazardous weather conditions develop These conditions could result in damage to roofs Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for updates Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJacob Langston James Sparvero BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 25-year-old Merritt Island man was cited for his role in a Brevard County Christmas boat parade crash that sent three people to the hospital according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Two boats collided during the annual Merritt Island Boat Parade on Sykes Creek on Saturday According to the FWC, Cameron Michaels was the driver of the jet boat, which looks like it’s made out of the body of a Corvette. Millions have now watched video an Instagram video that shows the jet boat slamming into another vessel Michaels was cited by the FWC for reckless or careless operation of vessel The FWC gave Michaels another ticket for speeding in a manatee zone The speeding ticket carries a $140 fine while the reckless boating ticket means Michaels will have to go to court where a judge will decide his punishment rescuers reported one patient was pulled from the water and was not moving the FWC said two of the patients were able to leave the hospital right away but did not confirm the health of the third patient the driver of the other boat told News 6 reporter James Sparvero that he suffered nine herniated disks while his brother The FWC in its new report said the third patient is still walking on crutches as of this week He told Sparvero that the red jet boat driver probably didn’t have a mechanical failure because he was driving recklessly earlier and he was doing donuts and driving recklessly way over the speed limit here,” Wilson said “Spinning around and he got too close to other boats and he crashed into one It was obvious that it was going to happen the FWC said Michaels admitted to doing donuts and making “erratic” left and right turns Michaels said he didn’t see the other boat because it didn’t have lights The annual boat parade is a tradition dating back decades and is normally known for happy memories “It was a surprise because we’ve been here for many like 25 years and we’ve seen the parade year after year and this has never happened before,” Wilson said The FWC said drugs and alcohol were not believed to be a factor Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021 James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism "America’s favorite diner," Denny’s The diner permanently shuttered its doors as of Sunday "Deciding to close a restaurant is never an easy decision. Denny’s has 116 other locations in Florida We’d like to thank our team members and local community for their love of the Denny’s brand," said Denny's media team While there is no recorded sale of the building on public record at this time — the location is listed for sale through EYF STNL commercial real estate and private equity firm More: New Italian restaurant coming soon to Satellite Beach According to Yahoo Finance Denny's Corporation ended 2024 in decent shape The company is pursuing "Diner 2.0," a remodeling initiative Denny's shut down 88 underperforming restaurants to increase profits With these strategies and new enhancements the restaurant chain hopes to achieve significant returns in 2025 The history of Denny’sHarold Butler and Richard Jezak started the venture in Lakewood Jezak departed from the then six-store chain and Butler changed the concept to a coffee shop and renamed as Danny's Coffee To avoid confusion with the Los Angeles restaurant chain Coffee Dan's Butler changed the name to Denny's Coffee Shops and it became simply “Denny’s” by 1961 there were more than 1,000 Denny's restaurants in the United States In 2011, Denny's worked on a re-brand, rolled out the slogan "America's favorite diner." Chief marketing officer Frances Allen said in the Forbes article: "We say America’s Diner and we chose those words very carefully because it’s not American it’s America’s—everyone feels accepted there More: Diner delights: Iconic Space Coast eateries serve comfort, charm and a slice of Americana If this story leaves you craving a dish of Moons Over My Hammy there are still four other Brevard locations Show Breaking News BarCloseTrafficBrandon Hogan BREVARD COUNTY – A man riding a motorcycle on Merritt Island died in a crash on Friday which Florida Highway Patrol troopers believe was caused by a vehicle that turned into his path at the intersection of South Tropical Trail and Cone Road the motorcyclist — identified as a 26-year-old Ocala man — was traveling northbound on South Tropical Trail when he swerved to the left This caused him to strike a concrete wall and be thrown from the bike adding he was wearing a helmet during the crash Investigators believe an unknown vehicle traveling westbound on Cone Road had begun to make a left turn onto southbound South Tropical Trail when the motorcyclist entered the intersection causing the motorcycle to swerve out of the way The unknown vehicle was described only as a white smart car Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact FHP joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 We did the obligatory visit to Kennedy Space Center and wandered through the Challenger memorial scrawled with images my own teachers had seen etched in the sky The glossy (and expensive) entrance tickets protruding from my back pocket made me feel more like a tourist than the fourth-generation Florida native I was when my daughter fell asleep in the car before we had even exited the complex I embraced the opportunity to return to some of my old I turned onto Merritt Island’s main artery It extends from its northern terminus at the Space Center to its southernmost point over 29 miles away paralleling the Indian River to the west and the Banana River to the east I had spent years of my youth on those miles and despite some commercial development here and there a product of the late ‘80s development boom in Florida with neatly boxed lots along neatly paved roads Each appeared named by the Great Suburban Slot Machine pairing some element of the environment (panther lake) with some nebulous measurement of space (run there was no crest of a river or trace of a panther anywhere its name: “New Georgianna Settlement.” The Slot Machine must have been broken that day The only road in and out is Old Parsonage Drive a name that suggests the kind of veneer of history the subdivision initially attempted: one home looks like an old Victorian Another across the way looks vaguely like a 1920s farmhouse (built 1990) But it seems developers soon gave up on this faux quaintness and the remaining homes show all the marks of the late twentieth century I could not immediately recognize my childhood home buried beneath mounds of vegetation and middle class debris I had been mostly attached to a row of spindly pines that lined the back fence but from the road all I could see was the rough rise of the roof Unsatisfied with such an anticlimactic end to my suburbaning down memory lane (and with my daughter still fast asleep in the back) I decided to explore what I presumed was the next subdivision down A quick right on Courtenay and then right again landed me on a narrow I quickly realized how unfamiliar the road was I looped around a white clapboard church rising dangerously close to the road It was clear that the church was there first and the blue historical marker confirmed my suspicion: this church was old significantly older than the subdivision homes that surrounded it My quick turn into its shell-filled parking lot didn’t wake my daughter “Welcome to Georgianna United Methodist Church.” I guess I should call this “Old Georgianna Settlement” then. According to the marker, the church first held a service on Thanksgiving, 1886 and was still in operation. Within a stone’s throw, another sign described the railroad spur built to transport citrus and tourists from one river to the other. A third marker touted Provost’s Hall I inched past the Hall to the first cross street: Old Settlement Road The one lane dirt path ambled past grove-sized lots and turn-of-the-century bungalows (Zillow confirmed several from 1901 and 1909) with long stretches of water visible between their porches The ruts rocked my daughter into deeper sleep and I was now keen for more of old Georgianna to explore Where there is an old church, there’s usually a cemetery, and if you’re lucky, its tablets of history will still be visible. So a Google search led me down the nearby (and curiously-named) Crooked Mile Road to the historic Georgianna Cemetery I romped as best I could with an eye on the conked out child in the back and found many of the graves as old as the bungalows I read their abridged biographies of stone: born I began to piece together a new history of my subdivision Its proximity to the church suggests that Old Parsonage Drive was not named that to add a nostalgic sheen but was the site of the old Georgianna parsonage The “New Georgianna Settlement” itself was likely built on the sold-off citrus groves of the historic town these realizations stirred up a sadness in me “I could have been here all along,” I thought It was with different eyes that I turned right again on Courtenay and headed south once more along a stretch I used to carpool down twice a day and the road abuts the Banana River so closely that only a few salty rocks form its shoulder But it was the scene to the right that had always captured my interest rising to elevations of 35 feet in a very short space I remembered childhood rumors about Don Knotts living on the ridge (a rumor I can’t confirm) but I had always been drawn to this cliff because it was so unusual It’s true that Florida has some mild elevation inland but certainly not on an intracoastal that can barely keep its head above water I turned right once again and wound up to the top of what Google calls “Honeymoon Hill.”1 Childhood carpools had meant no detours so I had never been to the homes I had glimpsed from the road Among the taller stucco sandcastles with larger boxed lots I looked for visible clues to the land’s history Only an expansive view of both rivers and the small “Honeymoon Lake” below Google was silent on any indigenous history here D. Stuart Mossom. Shell mound on Merritt Island The aerial map reveals how geographically ideal this spot would have been for indigenous people: flanked by the rivers on both sides with access to the lake below My subsequent research verified indigenous presence in the area shared with me via email that locals used to dig up bones Archeologist Bob Gross added that at the turn of the century one of the founders of Georgianna sold off some of the shell for roads and the Indian River Anthropological Society excavated the property in the early ‘80s (a land dig to pair with a land boom) They found evidence of an indigenous burial mound Gross thinks that Honeymoon Lake and Honeymoon Hill were first created from a meteorite and then that indigenous people built a midden on top Just as the sun was descending on my right I arrived at the very southern tip of the island My daughter awoke on the narrow drawbridge crossing the Banana River her sleepy eyes unaware of how far we had come I drove off the island and headed back up the coast but then I pulled off to face west and catch the sunset She picked up some of the shell gravel from the pull-off I pointed to the rising mound in the distance Sarnia has been growing and dying in cycles for a hundred years I would like to receive emails from CONTINGENT and that historians should be paid for their work Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News Home » Home » Huge Diana Shores Community Yard Sale Set March 8 on Merritt Island By  //  March 7 FLORIDA – Diana Shores on Merritt Island will host a Community Yard Sale on Saturday Many homeowners will sell quality and interesting items you can’t live without You may enter one of the two Diana Shores entrances at Artemis Boulevard or Diana Boulevard off Courtenay Parkway (State Road 3) Don’t miss the great deals on all kinds of unique and practical items CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJames Sparvero BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Two months after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a boater injured three people on another boat during a Christmas boat parade in Brevard County body camera video from responding officers is shedding light on the investigation drove a jet boat that looked like a sports car and crashed into another boat When the FWC officer got to Sykes Creek Drive on Dec his body camera showed it wasn’t long before many neighbors shared their videos with him of how Michaels was boating The video is pretty much the nail in the coffin,” he told witnesses In its report shared with News 6 a month ago the FWC said that Michaels said he didn’t see the other boat He can also be heard on the body camera admitting to doing donuts “Just cruising down and just started having fun and just doing donuts just donuts in circles,” Michaels told the officer Michaels continued by saying that the other boat was ‘pitch black’ without lights on So I accelerated right into his backside,” he said he received a $140 ticket for speeding in a manatee zone and he’s still facing two misdemeanors—one charge for reckless boating and another for hurting the people on the other boat witness Don Wilson told News 6 reporter James Sparvero how he’d like to see the case resolved “I think that the fella who perpetrated that incident should pay a price,” the neighbor said You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: Home » Home » Champs Steakhouse & Bar Set to Open Today in Former Applebees Location On Merritt Island By  //  December 13 BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Champs Steakhouse & Bar is set to open in the former Applebees location at 100 N Sykes Creek Parkway on Merritt Island on Friday serves generous portions of American fare and specialty cocktails in a casual setting featuring comfortable booths and big screens You can also enjoy a chilled beer at their Tiki Bar on Sykes Creek Champs is offering special pricing for the opening and $15 Full Rack and $10 Half Rack Rib Day Apply at the restaurant at 100 N Sykes Creek Parkway on Merritt Island Set to open its doors every day at 6:30 a.m. Balibar Wines & Grinds will serve as a cozy coffee shop in the mornings offering a place for locals to grab their caffeine and bakery fix until 4 p.m the venue will operate as a wine and beer bar Balibar owners plan a curated selection of wines complemented by a rotating lineup of draft beers Balibar will host live music on a regular basis About the ownersOwners Kevin and Kim McCann have deep roots in the Merritt Island community and said they are eager to create a space that feels like home for all who visit "Our doors are going to be open to anyone in the community who wants to come in and enjoy the company of others," Kevin McCann said "People who come in are friends immediately They're our guests and we hope they leave as better friends than when they arrived." The story of Balibar began in 2017 when Rachael Fitzpatrick launched the original Balibar Wine & Finds a Bali-inspired hangout known for its live music and communal dining experience hoping to find a local buyer who would preserve her vision "A lot of out-of-town investors were interested but she wanted someone local who would maintain the spirit of what she created We’re honored to carry on her legacy," said Kevin McCann Home » Home » WATCH: Fitness Club Merritt Island Features State-of-the-Art Gym Equipment Certified Trainers Dedicated to Your Success By  //  March 18 ABOVE VIDEO: Locally owned Fitness Club Merritt Island is a top of the line facility with certified trainers dedicated to your success and fitness goals Manager Manny Shaw talks about everything the facility has to offer ABOVE VIDEO: Are you a parent looking for childcare when you workout at the gym? Fitness Club Merritt Island offers child care at the facility for those parents looking to get a good workout. Watch a testimonial from a parent and member at Fitness Club Merritt Island. For more info, visit FitnessClubMerrittIsland.com. ABOVE VIDEO: Fitness Instructor Polly talks about the advantages of a locally owned gym and why she loves Fitness Club Merritt Island WATCH: Fitness Club Merritt Island gym member Raymond Clancy from Ireland talks about why he loves Fitness Club Merritt Island and what separates the local gym from a corporate gym WATCH: Personal Trainer Kirsi Obermeier at Fitness Club Merritt Island provides a testimonial about the excellent services at the locally owned and operated facility Members will find a bounty of classes and amenities including an array of modern high-performance Hammer Strength training equipment Suite 15 in the Shoppes of Victoria Square is among the longest-running fitness centers in Brevard County the club opened as Island Fitness of Brevard by a group of friends and has made many changes and improvements while remaining committed to the loyal following built up over the years and among the few privately owned gyms on the Space Coast we pride ourselves in offering our services to help train and inform our members’ bodies and mindsets,” said co-owner Lou Manley “Our full-service facility provides an ideal space for all ages to learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle Our gym has everything needed to help you reach your wellness goals We were fortunate enough to move to North Courtenay and increase our space to 21,000 square feet we could offer our members so much more under one roof.” The gym features more than 21,000 square feet and includes top-quality exercise equipment Fitness Club Merritt Island offers the Space Coast’s best personal trainers for hire we take pride in the cleanliness of our facility,” said Manley ■ FITNESS AND CARDIO CLASSES: Learn proper technique with skilled exercise class instructors at Fitness Club MI Classes include the latest strength workouts ■ FREE WIFI/CARDIO TVs: More powerful than ever Fitness Club Merritt Island’s WiFi is now available in every corner of every club Streaming your favorite music or video while you work out has never been easier ■ 24-HOUR ACCESS AVAILABLE: You will have access to this world-class facility 24 hours a day Fitness Club Merritt Island is monitored and recorded via dozens of closed caption security system cameras You can feel safe coming in any time of the night Members under the age of 18 will not have 24-hour access ■ LARGEST GYM IN BREVARD: In addition to offering Brevard County’s largest free weights section personal trainers have a training room for semi-private training sessions ■ CHILD CARE SERVICES: Onsite childcare is available to all members security and comfort of members and their children is a high priority ■ PERSONAL TRAINING: Featuring the most experienced certified fitness trainers and consultants on the Space Coast Among the options offered at the family-owned gym are core classes and Silver Sneakers classes for older adults Insurance plans such as United Healthcare are welcome or members may opt for a self-pay month-to-month or purchase three Manley and partner Steve Ash have been strong supporters of community organizations since the day they took ownership sponsoring teams at Merritt Island High School and also orchestrating several blood drives at the gym “Work fast and hard” is the motto of Fitness Club Merritt Island and applies not just to the members but also to the owners For more information about Fitness Club Merritt Island, call 321-455-2227 or visit MerrittIsland.Fitness Home » Home » WATCH REPLAY: Merritt Island Mustangs Host Titusville Terriers Friday Night on Space Coast Daily TV By  //  October 18 WATCH LIVE: Merritt Island Mustangs Host Titusville Terriers Friday Night on Space Coast Daily TV (YouTube Video) WATCH LIVE: Merritt Island Mustangs Host Titusville Terriers Friday Night on Space Coast Daily TV (Facebook Video) BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – The Merritt Island Mustangs will host Titusville Terriers Friday night from the O-Dome on Space Coast Daily TV This year marks the 30th season of high school football coverage for the principals of Space Coast Daily and the Friday Night Locker Room – brought you by Erdman Automotive, Health First and All Points This year’s coverage on Space Coast Daily TV once again features a dynamic broadcast lineup that was the first official media entity to bring prep football play-by-play coverage on radio and TV to Brevard County Space Coast Daily’s Zach Clark and JC Meyerholtz will have the call CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS In a deal approved Monday, Merritt Island piercing artist Alicia "Red" Campitelli's former boyfriend pled guilty to her murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison Campitelli's family and friends were in tears Monday as Phillip Keller was sentenced at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.Her parents and siblings spoke about her generous spirit and the love of people before she was killed in May of 2021 Under the deal approved by Judge Curt Jacobus Monday morning Keller will be ineligible for parole or time off for good behavior until he has served at at least 25 Police reports showed that Keller himself called 911 to report Campitelli's death several hours after she was shot Records also showed that Keller made several transactions with Campitelli's debit card The same love that drove that campaign for justice brought Campitelli's family members to the courtroom Monday as they spoke with a photo of her on the witness stand as a reminder of the life that was taken from them Campitelli worked as a piercer with DaVinci Tattoo and Body Piercing a well-known tattoo parlor with a location inside the Merritt Square Mall said that the fabric of the family fundamentally changed when Alicia died and that the trauma inflicted by her loss was an ongoing challenge "Our hearts are so broken every day," Moore said at Monday's sentencing "We still hear her laugh at our family gatherings said Alicia had always been good to others and lived her life by the golden rule He and other family members praised Alicia for her sobriety a personal victory she was open about in hopes of inspiring others to get clean as well who he said should get the death penalty for his crime "Keller has no remorse," Phil Campitelli said "My daughter is dead because she tried to help Keller from himself." Keller could be seen wiping his eyes and expressing grief Keller's attorney Mario Pirolo said that Keller's drug addiction played a role in his actions despite not giving him an excuse or justifying what he had done said that the trauma of having her sister taken from her so violently was often unbearable Keller did not just end one life but he destroyed so many others as well," she said Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Home » Home » Florida House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois of Merritt Island Proposes Restructure of State Government By  //  February 28 FLORIDA – A major governmental shake-up could be on the horizon for Florida as state lawmakers propose eliminating the position of lieutenant governor and introducing a new Cabinet role aimed at improving government efficiency House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) and Rep John Snyder (R-Stuart) have filed House Joint Resolution 1325 a measure that seeks to streamline the state’s executive branch while enhancing fiscal oversight Sirois represents the state’s 31st House District which includes areas of central and north Brevard County and east Orange County would eliminate the lieutenant governor’s office and replace it with a newly created Commissioner of Government Efficiency the Commissioner of Government Efficiency would act as an elected watchdog overseeing the financial operations of state and local governments The office would leverage artificial intelligence and other technological tools to analyze spending patterns “Florida taxpayers are entitled to a government that is small and well-run,” said Majority Leader Sirois “While Florida has already set the standard for fiscally conservative governance we must continue to evaluate the value and effectiveness of our government institutions.” emphasizing the importance of responsible financial stewardship “Just as Florida families manage their own household budgets and transparent while planning for the future.” If passed by a three-fifths majority in both legislative chambers the measure would go before voters on the November 2026 ballot where it would need 60% approval to be enacted Abolition of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office: Duties currently assigned to the lieutenant governor would be redistributed among other state officials A new succession plan would be created for the governorship in case of a vacancy Creation of the Commissioner of Government Efficiency: This new office would be responsible for auditing government agencies and special districts to prevent financial mismanagement Review of State Governance Structures: The plan also proposes streamlining various governmental boards and commissions to eliminate redundancy and cut costs has already taken steps in a similar direction with the launch of the State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force aims to identify cost-cutting opportunities in state agencies and local governments while eliminating surplus federal funding lawmakers would appoint the first Commissioner of Government Efficiency by March 2 the position would be elected to a four-year term A sunset clause ensures long-term accountability Florida voters will decide whether the office remains necessary and executive restructuring will take center stage Whether Floridians will embrace this transformation remains to be seen but one thing is certain: change is on the table in Tallahassee Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com Here are the stories included on today's News in 90 Seconds: If you heard the usual rumble of a rocket early Wednesday morning no that wasn’t the long-await New Glenn rocket taking off but a SpaceX Falcon 9 taking flight from Kennedy Space Center Look for more information on the satellites and find out when New Glenn is now scheduled to launch on our space landing page here Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital security issued an order this month to trespass former Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia if he tried to enter the hospital facility citing concerns that he'd allegedly misrepresented himself on two occasions to gain access since the beginning of the year saying he was enrolled as an EMT student with Orlando Medical Institute based in Orange County He told FLORIDA TODAY he was recently assigned to go to Melbourne Hospital as part of his coursework and provided an email that documented that assignment Click here to read the full story. If you’re a fan of Denny’s – America’s "favorite diner" – you’re out of luck if your usual spot to enjoy a traditional grand slam breakfast was the Merritt Island location Click here to read FLORIDA TODAY food writer Amber Olesen full report. The Merritt Island ophthalmologist and philanthropist who first brought the pioneering LASIK eye surgery to Brevard four decades ago and helped form the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association died last week Mukesh Aggarwal took on the role of representing the interests of first-generation Indian-American and immigrant physicians and doctors in Brevard He founded the Eye Clinic and Laser Institute in 1980 bringing the then-revolutionary LASIK technique to the Space Coast helping countless residents improve their vision Aggarwal was born in the Punjab region of India He trained to be a physician and arrived in the U.S taking his expertise to villages where eyecare was largely unavailable a family physician who married Aggarwal 15 years ago Aggarwal provided thousands of free cataract surgeries across the globe to help restore sight to the blind Mukesh Aggarwal was the single most impactful leader in the local Indian-American community since 1980 His greatest passion was Charity Medical Missions in underserved parts of the world He performed thousands of cataract surgeries giving sight to the blind and hope to the abandoned.” Aggarwal also was the founding president of The Indian Association of the Space Coast in 1991 He also was instrumental in forming the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association an all-volunteer organization made up of more than 180 dentists and physicians that provides cultural and philanthropic events helping the homeless population and others in need The group would later be recognized by FLORIDA TODAY as Organization of the Year for its work helping others A memorial celebration of life for Aggarwal will take place Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m A funeral repast luncheon will be held from 12:15 p.m Family members request that in lieu of flowers donations should be made to the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind Aggarwal leaves a lasting legacy of service to the community,” Kurian said leadership role model and dear friend who will be greatly missed.” J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Or X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.