This story has been updated to include updated information from Florida Highway Patrol The driver of a semi-truck involved in a morning hit-and-run crash on I-95 that left two people dead was arrested hours later by Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators faces two counts of hit and run involving death in connection with the May 2 crash Ali's semi-truck ran off the southbound roadway near mile marker 172 in Palm Bay just before 10 a.m. striking a motorcyclist and two people working as road surveyors Both surveyors died on the scene as a result of their injuries while the motorcyclist was not injured and remained at the scene of the crash as the semi-truck driver drove away Investigators had searched for a semi-truck with possible damage to the front grill and front right headlight before the driver was found in south Florida Traffic was clear in southbound lanes near the area of the crash as of 1:30 p.m Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — All southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near mile marker 172 in Palm Bay have been reopened after an earlier fatal crash Florida Highway Patrol troopers investigating the incident called the crash a hit-and-run that killed two people FHP later identified the victims as surveyors FHP officials report the vehicle that hit them and the suspected driver were both located in Palm Beach County The roadway was closed for about two hours Troopers were looking for a semi-truck with damage to its front grill and right headlight online and the Spectrum News app for updates The driver of a tractor-trailer involved in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 95 that left two road surveyors dead is being held without bail in the Brevard County jail Hassan Abdirahman Sheikh Ali faces two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death in connection with the May 2 crash He will be arraigned at the Moore Justice Center in Viera on May 23 Ali's truck ran off the southbound road near mile marker 172 in Palm Bay just before 10 a.m Both surveyors died on the scene as a result of their injuries while the motorcyclist was uninjured and remained at the scene of the crash as the truck drove away FHP has not released the names of the surveyors Troopers later in the afternoon of May 2 located Ali in Palm Beach County Investigators had been searching for a tractor-trailer with possible damage to the front grill and front right headlight before the driver was found in South Florida PALM BAY – Troopers have a suspect in custody after a hit-and-run crash Friday morning which killed two people and forced the temporary closure of all southbound lanes on Interstate 95 in Palm Bay All lanes had been reopened by around noon both of the people who were killed were pronounced dead at the scene They were identified as a 22-year-old Enterprise man and a 41-year-old Deltona man The men were walking on the right grassy shoulder of southbound I-95 when a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia ran off the roadway right and struck them shortly after hitting a pickup truck that was parked on the shoulder adding a passenger who was in the pickup truck was not injured in the crash and had remained at the scene The semi-truck was then driven away from the scene prompting a search which resulted in the Freightliner being located on I-95 at mile marker 45 in Palm Beach County Describing “a very active criminal investigation,” troopers after noon Friday said that they had a suspect in their custody Troopers arrested Hassan Abdirahman Sheikh Ali He faces two counts of leaving the scene of a crash causing death a Brevard County judge found probable cause to order no bond for Sheikh Ali The Florida Department of Transportation provided the following statement to News 6: We extend our sincere condolences to their family and friends A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the person who was not injured and remained at the scene was a passenger of the semi-truck Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 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 Home » Home » Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina Releases May 2025 Mayor’s Message By  //  May 2 Chief Augello led the men and women of the Palm Bay Police Department in the annual memorial and wreath-laying ceremony honoring Officers Grogan and Johnson who lost their lives in the line of duty 36 years ago Any long-time resident of Brevard County will never forget that day What began as an ordinary Thursday became one of the darkest in our city’s history A lone gunman opened fire in what would become one of Florida’s first mass shootings And among the first to respond—without hesitation—were Officers Johnson and Grogan They ran toward danger when others ran from it Their blood—shed that day in service to this community is part of the very foundation of our city It is written into the fabric of who we are as Palm Bay we gather every year not only to mourn their loss Congressman Mike Haridopolos was also in attendance and delivered heartfelt remarks recognizing the bravery and enduring legacy of these two fallen heroes It is my distinct honor to welcome our new City Manager Morton brings over 25 years of diverse experience in both the public and private sectors and we are proud to welcome a proven innovator and strategic leader to our city from advancing transformative “citizen-centric” governance in Palm Coast to leading a digital-first response during the COVID-19 pandemic Morton exemplifies the values of transparency Morton is the right leader to help usher in a new era of progress and opportunity for Palm Bay On behalf of the Palm Bay City Council and our entire community We are excited for the road ahead and look forward to working together to build a thriving #PalmBayProud Shout out to Box Lite Promotions for bringing professional boxing back to Palm Bay Palm Bay’s very own Joshua Pagan won his bought unanimously to take his professional boxing record to 6-0 I want to give a huge shout-out to Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews were hard at work battling multiple brush fires across Palm Bay Hundreds of acres burned in different parts of the city creating challenging conditions for our team Palm Bay Fire Rescue urges everyone to stay vigilant and respect the burn ban currently in effect citywide a time to shine a light on the importance of mental well-being and to remind one another that it’s okay to seek help and to support those who may be struggling Mental health is just as important as physical health and taking care of our minds is essential to living a full and healthy life for receiving the President’s Award from Survive First during their 3rd Annual First Responder Gala This prestigious recognition reflects his unwavering commitment to the well-being of our agency and his leadership in fostering a culture that prioritizes wellness and mental health Receiving this award is a testament to the heart and integrity he brings to the Palm Bay Police Department each and every day we proudly observe Military Appreciation Month a time to honor the brave men and women who have served and commitment safeguard the freedoms we cherish every day we come together as a community to recognize their extraordinary contributions and stand in steadfast support of our service members we recognize Teacher Appreciation Week and proudly celebrate the incredible educators who shape the hearts and minds of our Palm Bay students Our teachers go above and beyond every day and making a lasting difference in the lives of their students and passion are the foundation of a stronger future for our community we thank our Palm Bay teachers for the powerful impact they make both inside and outside the classroom we come together to celebrate Mother’s Day we thank them for the countless ways they nurture and inspire us with their care and devotion a time to honor the brave men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect our communities It’s also a solemn opportunity to remember and pay tribute to the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty our community joins together to celebrate Armed Forces Day honoring the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who dedicate their lives to service and sacrifice and show our deep appreciation for those who protect our freedoms and defend our way of life We stand united in gratitude for their commitment to our country and our community we proudly recognize and honor the courageous emergency medical professionals who stand ready to answer the call when lives are on the line and dedication make a difference every single day often in the most critical and challenging moments and reaffirm our support for the paramedics and first responders who are always there when we need them most we pause with heavy hearts to observe Memorial Day a sacred day of remembrance for the brave souls who laid down their lives for our freedom Their courage echoes through every generation and their sacrifice will never be forgotten let us also lift up the families they left behind carrying their legacy forward with gratitude Finally, at the May 15 Regular Council Meeting, I will be debuting my annual State of the City Address via video. I discuss process improvements, new developments, and highlight all the progress we made throughout 2024. After the 15th, the State of the City will be available to view at www.pbfl.org/SOC or on the City of Palm Bay Mayor’s Office Facebook page Click Here to Sign Up for Text Alerts — Palm Bay police announced they’re stepping up enforcement in The Compound which is a large area in the western part of Palm Bay that’s seen issues for decades Those arrests included charges of traffic violations The move is an effort to keep people away so police resources can be better utilized in the more populated parts of the city Palm Bay Deputy Police Chief Jeff Spears grew up in the area He knows all about the history of The Compound he and his team are ramping up enforcement in a place that over the decades has been plagued with criminal activity deadly off-road crashes and illegal trash dumping “We’ve tried to establish a consistent presence in this area to help alleviate some of those issues,” Spears said The Compound is 2,300 acres made up of private property with several hundred acres owned by the city The original concept was a sprawling residential community with 200 miles of roads but the unfinished development went bankrupt in the 1980s curious onlookers drove out to see what was going on officers had to order everyone to leave for their safety it’s taking those resources that could be utilized for other public safety needs," Spears said A city redevelopment action plan proposal for The Compound involves establishing an employment center The plan calls for a light industrial center called Port Malabar business park to be built which would generate an estimated $300 million in direct investment create 2,500 jobs and bring in $2 million each year in city taxes Palm Bay Police will continue enforcement efforts “We want people to know this is not a recreational area,” Spears said Home » Home » Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash on Southbound I-95 Results in Lane Closures in Brevard County FLORIDA — The Florida Highway Patrol was dispatched at 9:56 a.m in response to a crash on I-95 Southbound in Palm Bay and resulted in the closure of all Southbound lanes it was determined that this was a hit-and-run incident The lane closures resulted in significant delays throughout the morning More information will be shared as it becomes available Mike Valente – Precautionary evacuations were lifted on Wednesday as first responders work to contain two separate brush fires within the city a fire located in the southwest corner of Babcock Street and Malabar Road is 100% contained The second fire is near the railroad tracks behind Onyx Drive NE fire rescue crews said the fire was 100% contained 20 homes in the vicinity of Onyx Drive were evacuated to ensure the safety of residents and residents were allowed back into their homes But it was later revealed that the brush fire started after a police vehicle “unexpectedly caught fire,” according to Palm Bay police The police department said on Wednesday evening that police had responded to address a known homeless encampment between Onyx Drive Northeast and a nearby railroad track While the cause of the vehicle fire is under review “I’ve been doing a year’s worth of work on the house,” said Mike Rook who recounted watching the smoke advance toward his home now it’s going to burn to the ground.’ And it didn’t Palm Bay police said the officer involved in the incident suffered minor injuries while trying to put out the fire Meanwhile, due to dry weather conditions, Brevard County has implemented a ban on open burning Haley is a digital content producer for ClickOrlando.com and first started as a News 6 producer in October 2014 She's a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in journalism She specializes in theme parks and lifestyle writing — Dozens of drivers have complained to the city of Palm Bay about tickets they’ve received in a school zone where speed cameras have recently been installed Palm Bay Police officials confirmed there is currently a glitch they are working with the camera vendor to fix.  Palm Bay resident Yesenia Servello says she's been hit with school speed zone tickets twice and believes the cameras aren’t accurate on speed readings She said she received one ticket while heading home from work and the other while she was driving a co-worker to their home after work it was the first time I was dropping her off,” Servello said of the second citation She said she was not speeding in the school zone so there must be an issue with the camera system “I believe their cameras are off," she said "It’s not getting the right speed." Servello is one of dozens of residents who have complained to the city about the potential inaccuracy of the new school zone cameras the ticket says it’s from a street in Miami-Dade — which is two-and-a-half hours away School zone cameras are supposed to operate in the time frames set by the district The school zone times can vary depending on the school and arrival and dismissal times differ for elementary City officials say the cameras are scheduled to activate 30 minutes before and after school hours And they said drivers will only be issued a ticket if they are caught going more than 11 miles per hour over the posted limit in the school zone Palm Bay police paused local school zone speed enforcement cameras in February after some complained of incorrect fines or speeding infractions on days when schools were closed police found glitches and ended up refunding or dismissing incorrect violations because of the errors Police say they visited every camera in every zone to make sure they were working properly Palm Bay Councilman Chandler Langevin has requested through social media that anyone who incorrectly received a school zone ticket to let him know And if someone’s ticket has Miami-Dade on it they will get a follow-up letter saying the ticket is invalid and will be cancelled Concerned over increasingly dry conditions across the Space Coast and the potential threat of brush fires Brevard County officials have implemented a ban on open burning The ban comes as areas in south Brevard — including John Rodes Boulevard in Melbourne and an area of private property off of Heritage Parkway in Palm Bay — were impacted by fast-moving brushfires The ban focuses on bonfires and other incinerations but not state-permitted burns or the use of barbecue grills or authorized fireworks displays. Weather conditions for the Space Coast will remain dry, with little rain through the weekend and temperatures in the mid-80s, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture which means there is drought and an increased risk of fire danger The ban also comes after a large pile of densely packed vegetation burning in southern Palm Bay quickly spread out of control Monday The fire was contained but could continue to smolder for the next several days as fire crews continue to monitor the area The pile — standing 30 to 40 feet high — became engulfed in flames Monday afternoon casting smoke across a wide swath of the area near St “No homes or property is endangered,” said John Ringleb Fire officials say the property owner allows trucks carrying vegetation to drop the material off There’s a large amount of smoke out there but we have our fire crews in the area,” Ringleb said The debris could take several days to burn off several small fires burned through portions of wildland along John Rodes Parkway in Melbourne Officials have not determined a cause for the fires “We don’t know how they were started,” said Cheryl Mall spokeswoman for the Melbourne Fire Department J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com — Crews from Palm Bay Fire Rescue contained brush fires covering about 5 acres Wednesday in the area of an unfinished development locally known as the Compound firefighters tackled half a dozen brush fires at the same location Emergency personnel said Wednesday's fires were not threatening any homes in the area Officials did not say if they had any information on what may have sparked the fires or if there had been any injures reported in connection with it On April 23, officials with the Palm Bay Police Department said they believe brush fires at the Compound were sparked by a police cruiser They say an officer was checking on a homeless camp on Port Malabar Road when the cruiser's exhaust may have sparked the tall Other than minor injuries to the responding officer officials said no one else was injured in the fires state and other agencies fought on Wednesday — including 250-to-300 acres of suspicious wildland blazes in the Compound and another set off in a homeless camp by a burning police car — have been put out or are contained is that southern Brevard remains in dry conditions with little relief in sight spokesperson for Palm Bay Fire Rescue told FLORIDA TODAY “We’re in near drought conditions for the next couple of days so we’re asking everyone to be vigilant,” Ringleb said just days after Brevard County issued a burn ban Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews battled back at least four major fires across the city Wednesday with one that forced evacuations in a neighborhood in southeast Palm Bay and others with flames burning through dried-out vegetation at the Compound A Palm Bay police officer suffered minor injuries while trying to put out his burning patrol car while checking in on a homeless camp set up behind homes off of Onyx Drive "The cause of the vehicle fire is currently under review," Lt spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department No other injuries or property damage was reported Another blaze scorched the palms and pine trees at another homeless camp off of Interstate Court The brush fires all were reported early in the afternoon A large black column of smoke from the fire could be seen for several miles Smoke from the Compound fires — there were at least three separate blazes — could be seen for several miles Spectators drove through the mostly abandoned area parking along the craggy roads and watched as the Brevard County sheriff’s office used bucket drops to battle back the fires Ringleb said at least 30 Palm Bay firefighters were tasked with battling the blaze The agency also had assistance from Brevard County “We had to allocate our resources very carefully,” Ringleb said pointing out that there were other rescue calls the department had to handle at the same time Fire crews continued to check the different sites through the night knocking back hot spots and dousing smoldering vegetation Some of the fires can burrow beneath the ground to get at dried out organic material beneath the surface several small brush fires burned through portions of wildland along John Rodes Parkway in Melbourne Officials have not determined a cause for those fires Conditions continue to remain extremely dry across much of Brevard County with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s with little chance of rain heading into the weekend The Pirates named Wardell Collins as the program's new head boys basketball coach where he will replace Deuel Fider who left to become the head boys basketball coach at Space Coast High School A post shared by Alan Zlotorzynski (@sportsbrevard) Collins coached the past three seasons at Cocoa Beach High School where he went 34-49 (.409) winning percentage during his tenure with the Minutemen from 2022 to 2025 Collins coached just three seasons at West Shore High School where he went 33-41 (.445) winning percentage during his time with the Wildcats including winning 15 games during the 2020-2021 season which was their most wins in a single season since 2017 “Palm Bay has always been one of the prime basketball programs in the county and I am honored to be chosen by Athletic Director Brian Crowley and Principal Jud Kaminski to lead this program,” Collins told Brevard Sports Network The Pirates had three consecutive winning seasons and four in the last five years until this season where they finished just 10-14 (.416) winning percentage and had their season come to an end in the District Semifinals against Atlantic (Port Orange) back on February 5 Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school boys basketball news To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App ROSS VAN DE GRIEKRoss Van De Griek has been a high school sports writer covering the state of Florida since 2021 Ross also has been scouting high school basketball and Grassroots Basketball across the Southeast Region since 2022 Ross has been covering basketball and recruiting for High School on SI since August 2024 and On The Radar Hoops throughout his scouting career You can follow him on X @rossvdg14 or reach him via email rossvdg14@gmail.com for story ideas © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews battled back multiple fires across the city with several forcing evacuations and others burning through dried-out vegetation at the Compound No one has been injured in any of the blazes One of the brush fires was caused when a Palm Bay Police patrol car caught fire in the area of a homeless camp off Onyx Drive Another fast-moving brush fire was also reported burning through moisture-sapped vegetation near Interstate 95 That brush fire was reported about 1:30 p.m Palm Bay Fire Department spokesperson John Ringleb said that fire crews were also responding to the Compound Another wild fire was reported near a densely wooded area by the Ford Dealership off of Interstate Court "We're pulling in as many firefighters as we can," Ringleb said Wednesday afternoon Several of the fires were not yet contained Multiple firetrucks and support engines were deployed Palm Bay Police said that one of their patrol cars was involved with the fire on Onyx "It caught on fire while officers were visiting a homeless camp We have no indication of arson at this point," said Lt spokesperson for the Palm Bay Police Department Conditions continue to remain extremely dry across southern Brevard County with temperatures reaching the mid-80s and no forecast for rain heading into the weekend Brevard County also has imposed a burn ban 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 PALM BAY, Fla. — The fires that had been burning in the area known as The Compound in Palm Bay on Wednesday have been 100% contained according to the Florida Forest Service Thursday Fire crews will monitor the area to ensure any smoldering areas do not break out again They fought about six fires at The Compound on Wednesday with the Brevard County Sheriff's office assisting with water drops from helicopters on those brush fires The Compound blazes were just some of the brush fires in Palm Bay on Wednesday With dry conditions throughout Central Florida there was a lot of fuel feeding the flames at The Compound MORE FIRES: per @PBFR 6 more brush fires have broken out in the Compound. This in addition to the two others from earlier this afternoon. BCSO helo helping spot from the air. @MyNews13 Pics = GP pic.twitter.com/6DeYxN5rVH about 20 homes along the east side of Onyx Drive were evacuated because of a brush fire in Palm Bay Those residents have since been allowed to return to their homes The Palm Bay Police Department said they believe that brush fire was sparked after a police cruiser caught fire while officers were checking on a homeless camp on Port Malabar Road The cruiser's exhaust may have sparked the tall so I thought I better answer it and I saw all this smoke," said Steve Thompson Palm Bay Fire Rescue Assistant Chief John Ringleb said the dry conditions are helping the fires to move quickly The officer involved in the incident sustained minor injuries while trying to extinguish the flames Palm Bay Fire Rescue also responded to another fire behind the Gary Yeomans Ford Palm Bay dealership on Malabar Road.  BRUSH FIRE: behind Palm Bay Ford on Malabar Rd, Palm Bay. Small fire nearby on I-95 exit ramp. @PBFR on scene. Video = GP @MyNews13 @MyNews13Weather pic.twitter.com/XF2iCmTA45 Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames Brevard County just issued a burn ban Tuesday and the city of Cocoa Beach implemented one after that – The future of a troubled neighborhood known as “The Compound” is back on the table as the city of Palm Bay is discussing a new proposal for the area council members will hear details about “The Compound Redevelopment Action Plan.” the five-phase project seeks to build a business and industrial park generate private investment and create jobs The Compound is a 2,321-acre area in the southwestern part of Palm Bay It was planned for a large residential community but failed to generate meaningful growth after the original owner went bankrupt in 1991 The area has long been an issue for the city as it has been associated with crime In recent years, several ideas for the area have been brought to the city, including a proposal last November for a BMX racing complex. Thursday’s discussion was prompted by a nomination to receive funding from the U.S Included in the action plan is site redevelopment over the next five to eight years it could bring approximately 960,000 square feet in new construction of business research and development and commercial retail and restaurant space The city also projects a total of 2,500 new jobs in Palm Bay and annual tax revenue of nearly $2 million Council members are expected to vote to accept the plan during their 6 p.m Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014 but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer While most people are fast asleep in their bed Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida Fla –  Is a new playground too dangerous because of what a city didn’t build for children families are impressed with the new equipment including additions for children with special needs there’s no fence or gate between the playground and a big pond News 6 reporter James Sparvero saw Tuesday the pond is just steps away from the playground Autumn Jones is one of the parents calling for a solution “I feel like it’s not very safe having an open body of water so close to a park like this,” she said for a park that is inclusive to special needs children it makes it even more serious on needing a barrier because you don’t know if they can swim or not,” the mother continued Jones responded to parents who may tell others who feel the way she does to simply keep an eye on their kids [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] you can keep your eye on your kid as much as you want but you’re not always gonna to be able to see them 24/7 “I would love to not have to take any risks of my child or any other children getting hurt.” Sparvero asked to interview the city of Palm Bay about the playground and concerns from parents Stick with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates 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 Home » Home » Battle of the Badges Returns July 18 for Palm Bay Police vs By  //  April 29 FLORIDA – It’s game time once again as Palm Bay’s finest hit the hardwood for a cause The annual “Battle of the Badges” basketball game is set to return on Thursday bringing together Palm Bay Police and Palm Bay Fire Rescue for a thrilling night of hoops Fans can catch the action for just $5 per ticket with all proceeds benefiting local community initiatives The event promises high-energy competition and a chance to support the men and women who serve Palm Bay both on the streets and in emergency situations and get ready to cheer on your local heroes in this fun-filled Mark your calendars — July 18 — and don’t miss this badge-to-badge showdown for a great cause By May 1, Palm Bay will have a new city manager — Matthew Morton — who recently was selected by the City Council from 114 applicants for the job Morton will fill the vacancy created by the Palm Bay City Council's 3-2 vote in November to fire then-City Manager Suzanne Sherman from her $240,772-a-year job So what made Morton stand out from the other 113 applicants Here are some things to know about the Morton and what helped sway the City Council's decision to offer him the job of city manager of Brevard County's most populous city Morton has a balance of public-sector and private-sector experience He worked as city manager of Palm Coast and before that as city administrator in Duvall and Cle Elum He also has filled roles managing an airport and serving as an interim police chief most recently as executive for land acquisition and development at Perihelion Group Counseling in Flagler Beach Morton also is co-founder and CEO of Flagler Veterans Village a nonprofit that works to provide transitional housing to veterans in need Morton said he wanted to get into public service since age 13 when he watched the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life," and saw how much good the main character Importance of reputationMorton emphasized the character issue during his public job interview with City Council members and a good name is better than great riches," Morton said The most important thing we have is character In addressing his 2021 resignation as Palm Coast city manager after a little more than two years in that position Morton said: "I will take an ethical approach and I won't be bullied by any council member My integrity is more important than my job." "even when it's painful," and he believes in "running towards our problems Morton said being upfront with the City Council and with city residents is crucial city staff should provide residents with answers to their questions or concerns on the same day they are raised "Let's not leave people lost in the void," Morton said Morton said Palm Bay has a number of challenges ranging from its abandoned buildings to the need for road repairs plus the ability to pay down the city's debt from previous infrastructure projects He said Palm Bay must understand the most important goals Morton said it's important to target attracting industries that will be most beneficial for Palm Bay as well as supporting existing companies in the space He noted that many cities 25 years ago wanted to lure Walmart superstores and 10 years ago sought to get Amazon warehouse So they paid for expensive infrastructure on the targeted sites to attract those companies But that may not have been the best choice to help spur a city's long-term growth Morton cited his economic-development accomplishments in Palm Coast including luring a division of the boat manufacturer Boston Whaler there from Edgewater as well as working to create a medical-focused hub for training technology and innovation through a public-private partnership Morton believes it is not enough for a public manager to simply maintain the continuity of operations —or even to have the city become more efficient in current tasks we must empower our organization to identify new purposes and anticipate changing conditions," Morton said "We must embrace innovation and treat adaptability as the new imperative while strengthening public policies that build trust and seek to uncover common purpose." Palm Bay City Council members commented that they were impressed with Morton's research about the city — including his attending recent City Council meetings — and Morton's ability to cite specific details and financial numbers in answering their questions Former West Melbourne City Manager Scott Morgan has been serving since Sherman's firing as interim city manager of Palm Bay which is Brevard County's most populous city Morgan said he will bring a proposed employment contract for Morton to the April 17 City Council meeting for approval Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54 — The Brevard County School Board is looking at short- and long-term plans to accommodate the increase in students School officials say with more than 6,000 people moving to the area annually schools are projected to be overcapacity in the next two years The current population is just under 146,000 — a 21% increase since the 2020 census The schools with the most immediate needs in classroom space are Westside Elementary Bayside High is now operating at 90% capacity and projected to increase to 103% by the 2027 school year A two-story classroom addition would add 700 student stations to keep up with the growth They project the school to reach 117% by 2027 The plan would turn Sunrise into a K-8 model Probably can use some of the same specialty teachers and you also have to weigh what the potential drawbacks are,” said John Thomas and that number expected to increase to 118% by 2026 The proposal for Westside would include an additional 12 classrooms with four portable classrooms coming from Bayside High this summer The projections show even a small enrollment increase could require more classrooms “Our facilities staff is on it," Thomas said "They monitor the growth and population trends on a daily basis and we are doing our very best to spend every dollar wisely and to make sure the kids get the very best education possible.” The costs of all projects total $47 million A new central Brevard transportation and maintenance facility is also being built as part of the district’s five-year work plan — It’s been a busy week for Palm Bay firefighters battling multiple brush fires The city just issued a burn ban this afternoon Dry conditions are making things ripe for fires to break out Palm Fay Fire Engine 9 currently doesn’t have a home port A future fire station will be built in the fast-growing area of Babcock Street and St driver and two firefighters inside a 100-square-foot truck running the southeast part of the city,” says Lt The closest station is 10 to 15 minutes away Their territory is a mix of large new neighborhoods They get a variety of calls like structure fires That includes an 8-acre brush fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon which got close to houses and forced people inside 20 homes to evacuate Police say one of their officers was checking on a reported homeless camp in the woods near the railroad tracks They believe the cruiser’s exhaust sparked the tall dry brush Some of the crew’s time is spent talking to homeowners who can play their part by keeping their lots clear of brush with homes at least 15 feet away from woods “Where you have a large gap between the structure itself and the wooded lot that’s the buffer zone that we’re looking for,” says Koshinski The burn ban just issued allows Palm Bay Police to cite homeowners who violate the ban — The city of Palm Bay is re-activating its school zone speed enforcement camera program It is happening after a month-long pause to fix issues with improper ticketing All 15 of the schools in the city have cameras with the majority of them elementary schools where parents pick up their kids And police say now that the ticketing problems are taken care of Yaricza Alford passes time knitting in the Riviera Elementary School pickup line Alford waits for her children to wrap up their day she sees all the traffic slowing to 20 MPH for the school zone While talking to her husband Cliff on the phone they talk about the camera set up to catch speeders “Does it actually make it safer for the kids?” she asks because it’s going to slow everybody down,” Cliff responds Riviera is one of 15 city schools where cameras are up along the road Police say over the years they’ve had issues with kids going to and from school being struck by cars in the zones so to help us combat that problem of speeding to slow down that traffic flow particularly in our school zones,” says Chief Mariano Augello Palm Bay PD paused the program after some complained of incorrect fines or speeding infractions on days when schools were closed The chief says they visited every camera at every zone to make sure they were working properly “I’m being advised as recently as (Thursday) that they’ve all been resolved we’ve been monitoring them for the last week and a half that they are running smoothly without any deficiencies,” Augello says The department is working to ensure all school zones have proper labeling and correctly timed flashers A school zone speed violation will generate at 11 miles over the speed limit The cameras will be back up and running Monday — A Palm Bay resident is looking to get a pothole-filled road fixed but she wasn’t sure who is responsible for it.  Carol Pasquarosa said she drives on potholes on Babcock Street mostly between Mara Loma Boulevard and Capital Drive “This road was supposed to be milled over four years ago,” she said Pasquarosa said when she contacted the city of Palm Bay or Brevard County and after some digging to find out who’s in charge of that stretch of road the county and city determined they would cut the distance and each be responsible for a portion of it County and city leaders said they would work together to address the potholes Pasquarosa also asked about a traffic signal that’s not in operation at Mara Loma Boulevard and Babcock Street “This signal was supposed to be operational over a year ago and it has been delayed,” she said Brevard County is in charge of that traffic signal and said a permit to fix it was held up because the site contractor in the area took out a sidewalk needed at the intersection the developer resubmitted the permit to have the sidewalk reinstalled which was needed before the county would sign off on the traffic signal Pasquarosa says she just wants both the city and county to step up “I hope that someone becomes accountable and ensures that there’s safety,” she said Tell us about your road related issues by filling out the short-form here Two people were arrested by Palm Bay Police Department detectives this week in connection with two separate fentanyl-related overdoses in the city Both suspects are being charged with first-degree murder Detectives said that Mariner delivered narcotics to 34-year-old Ryan White Police said White was found slumped over on the floor of his bedroom between his bed and his wheelchair A tan powdery substance found on his bedside table tested positive for fentanyl payments through the money transfer service CashApp and home security footage led to the arrest of Mariner in connection with White's death police arrested 23-year-old John Garcia in connection with the overdose death of Alexandre Cota De Magalhaes when officers responded to his home on Argosy Street Magalhaes was found by roommates in his rented bedroom alongside a rolled-up $100 bill with a white powdery substance found in the victim’s bathroom Detectives said text messages on Magalhaes's phone showed a planned drug purchase had been arranged with Garcia Both suspects are being held at the Brevard County Jail Complex without bond and are being charged first-degree murder a capital felony punishable by life in prison or the death penalty — Two prescribed burns are being conducted in the Palm Bay area Thursday Johns River Water Management District and another by Brevard County Emergency Management An 8,226-acre prescribed burn is underway at Three Forks Conservation Area in Brevard County located within the Indian River Lagoon and Upper St The burn area is in the central portion of the property Another burn of 835 acres is taking place west of Interstate 95 and south of Micco Road on the border of Brevard and Indian River counties The burns could generate some smoke and ash though the district said it plans the burns to ensure that wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke to residents and traffic District officials said prescribed burns are a land management tool designed to "enhance the land’s environmental quality and protect its neighbors from destructive wildfires." They destroy excess vegetation and grass that could fuel wildfires If smoke is visible in the surrounding areas officials said residents and visitors should follow these guidelines if it clouds visibility on the roadways: — The city of Palm Bay is looking to partner with the Florida Department of Transportation to look at the possibility of widening a portion of busy Malabar Road Tremendous growth and increase in traffic in the area are key reasons for the proposed change Tens of thousands of cars and trucks come through each day John’s Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road is now bustling with traffic John’s Preserve where 800 homes are being built Raul del Hierro is a sales associate for Adams Homes which is the last phase of the community,” he said He says one of the first things he tells prospective buyers is the potential plan to widen Malabar Road “The total area is growing and booming and that’s why they want to put in extra lanes,” he said The Palm Bay City Council is working on a design agreement with FDOT to widen a 4-mile stretch of Malabar Road from Minton Road to St The project is estimated to cost $150 million and would turn the stretch into a four-lane roadway The city is refining the plan to get right-of-way areas firmed up and make sure retention ponds would be put in the proper areas for drainage Officials said the goal of widening Malabar Road is to reduce crashes A recent study included bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the corridor Widening the road is still in the design phase but ranks as the No 1 priority project by the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization Palm Bay City Council is voting to authorize the mayor and city manager to enter the agreement with FDOT at Thursday night’s meeting — The Palm Bay City Council is set to consider amending the code to double the amount of backyard chickens allowed four chickens are permitted on residential properties but many families are still considering putting up coops to produce their own eggs with backyard hens Steve Register’s backyard has gone to the birds — hens and a rooster Register wanted to put in a coop for quite some time Not only does his family enjoy the farm fresh organic eggs the hens lay “Sometimes I’ll just let them come over and pick them up themselves.” Wholesale egg prices soared in 2024 into this year at more than $8 a dozen According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over the past month, prices have plummeted for the third week in a row to a little more than $4 a dozen Officials attribute the dip in avian flu cases for the change The Palm Bay City Council is weighing whether to change its Land Development Code to allow residents to have up to eight backyard chickens per half-acre single-family lot he says he wasn’t satisfied with the quality of coops he found online and if more chickens are allowed on residential properties in Palm Bay The council will vote on the backyard chicken measure at their meeting Thursday night Home » Home » FAMILY FUN By  //  March 9 ABOVE VIDEO: 11th Annual Palm Bay Fair to Bring Fun to Florida’s Space Coast March 6-16 at Space Coast Harley-Davidson Events Center FLORIDA — The Palm Bay Fair will offer big fun and free parking as it brings its rides at the Space Coast Harley-Davidson Fairgrounds in Palm Bay The Palm Bay Fair is located at Space Coast Harley-Davidson Fairgrounds at 1440 Sportsman Lane NE on 15 acres at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Palm Bay Road It is the ideal location for the community to enjoy the fair and all it has to offer Full alcohol bars will be available at the fair for persons over 21 to enjoy an adult beverage all active military and all seniors over 65 years of age receive FREE ADMISSION Go to PalmBayFair.com for details The Palm Bay Fair is sponsored by Space Coast Harley-Davidson It is sure to entertain for 10 fun-filled days on the spectacular grounds of Space Coast Harley Davidson or log on to PalmBayFair.com for more information you may purchase tickets for individual rides or unlimited rides armbands for $25 (Mondays – Thursdays) or $30 (Fridays-Sundays):  CLICK HERE FOR RIDE DETAILS Test your skills and enter The Survivor Show on the Space Coast Daily Stage every day and night at the fair Enter The FARMily Feud Show: Shows every day and night of the fair at The Space Coast Daily Stage Enjoy live musical groups performing from the Space Coast Daily Stage Enter the Survivor Family Game Show on the Space Coast Daily Stage Enjoy the hilarity of the Comedy Magic Show by Bob Bohme The Palm Bay Fair features Unlimited Rides or individual ride tickets are available Individual ride tickets are available at ticket booths inside the Fair: Buy the unlimited ride armband for $25 (Mondays-Thursdays) or $30 (Fridays-Sundays) and ride all the rides from open until close FREE PARKING: Go to PalmBayFair.com for details Palm Bay this week became the latest Brevard County city to authorize Immigrations and Customs Enforcement training for its police officers that would allow them to detain persons suspected of being in the country without documentation City Council members voted 5-0 in favor of the measure at their Thursday evening meeting While all 67 Florida county sheriff's offices have entered into similar agreements with the state of Florida it is unclear how many municipalities have done the same Satellite Beach voted in favor of 287(g) compliance last month Chief Mariano Augello said officers won't be out doing raids or "checking statuses" but would be allowed to make administrative arrests of individuals wanted for immigration violations According to the approved measure: "The Palm Bay Police Department will not conduct self-initiated immigration enforcement operations or targeted investigations based solely on immigration status." DeSantis and his administration have voiced support of using state powers to remove local elected officials from office if they do not comply with the new immigration policy "I wish we could be even more aggressive with it honestly," said city councilman Chandler Langevin making claims that "radical insurgents" from other parts of the world were making their way into America across the Mexican border Home » Home » Murder Suspect Arrested in Palm Bay After Police Utilize Camera System ‘FLOCK’ to Track Him Down By  //  April 15 FLORIDA – Palm Bay Police announced on Tuesday that a Broward County murder suspect has been arrested after police officers utilized a camera system named ‘FLOCK’ to locate the suspect near Malabar Rd the department’s license plate reader program that a vehicle registered to a murder suspect was traveling near Malabar Rd Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle at the Cumberland Farms The registered owner of the vehicle and sole occupant Attempted Murder and Burglary with a Battery out of Broward County He was taken into custody by Palm Bay Police officers with assistance from Florida Highway Patrol Broward County detectives responded to Palm Bay and took over the investigation The FLOCK camera system played a crucial role in helping officers locate a murder suspect who’s accused of stabbing two females It is because of this technology and quick response by officers that the vehicle was located and the suspect taken into custody before he could harm anyone else This success highlights the importance of strong collaboration between agencies and the effectiveness of modern tools like FLOCK in supporting public safety The outstanding police work and teamwork involved in this case are a testament to the police department’s commitment to protecting its residents — The Palm Bay Police Department is pausing its school zone speed enforcement cameras after some people complained of incorrect fines or speeding infractions on days when schools were closed The department said they are aware of incorrect violations and contacted the camera installation company to conduct an audit we want to apologize for the frustration and stress the implementation of this new project has caused We understand your concerns and we hear you but we have worked diligently to pinpoint and address the root cause of these issues and consistency remains our top priority as we continue to fine-tune and improve the system we are actively working to align all school zones with school schedules and state regulations,” the Palm Bay Police Department stated in a release the police department discovered glitches that had impacted some school zones Affected residents received notifications through the mail The police department said it has refunded or dismissed incorrect violations because of the errors we received feedback about incorrect violations," the released read there is full oversight of this program and the issuance of violations by Palm Bay Police Department’s Traffic Unit.” The department said it is working to ensure all school zones have proper labeling and correctly timed flashers that are accurately monitored before they reactivate the school zone enforcement program the department said it will release more information regarding each school zone including enforcement periods and speed limits “We want to thank our community for your patience and understanding as we work through this process Our goal is to create a system that is not only safe for our students and community but also reliable A 56-year-old man suspected of killing a woman early Saturday is set to be returned to Broward County after Palm Bay officers used a license plate tracking system to locate him over the weekend and took him into custody Vital Joseph was held on a warrant out of Broward for first-degree murder attempted murder and burglary with battery in connection with an double-stabbing which two women were attacked “It is because of this technology and quick response by officers that the vehicle was located and the suspect taken into custody before he could harm anyone else,” Lt Virginia Kilmer wrote in a statement issued by the Palm Bay Police Department Broward County sheriff’s officials reported prompting a statewide alert to law enforcements agencies Palm Bay police were alerted by the agency’s FLOCK license plate reading system that Joseph’s vehicle was traveling near Malabar Road Officers surrounded the vehicle at a Cumberland Farms store and took Joseph into custody on the Broward warrant He remains held at the Brevard County Jail Complex and is expected to be extradited to Broward to face the warrant charges A divided Palm Bay City Council selected Matthew Morton to be the next city manager, after narrowly rejecting a bid by former City Manager Gregg Lynk to return to the former position that he was fired from in November 2018 After interviewing six finalists for the city manager job during a six-hour special meeting on Saturday the City Council vote 4-1 in favor of offering Morton the job with Council Member Kenny Johnson voting no the council voted 3-2 against offering Lynk the job Voting in favor of Lynk were Johnson and Chandler Langevin If a contract agreement with Morton can be reached, Morton would succeed Suzanne Sherman, who the council fired in November by a 3-2 vote Sherman had been city manager since January 2021 and had a salary of $240,772 a year Former West Melbourne City Manager Scott Morgan has been serving since then as interim city manager of Palm Bay Morton is a former city manager of Palm Coast a city of more than 106,000 in Flagler County He has more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors and currently is executive for land acquisition and development for Perihelion Group Consulting in Flagler Beach During council debate, Medina said he did not want Palm Bay to go back to "our dark past" by rehiring Lynk as city manager. Although he didn't elaborate, Medina was referring in part to a political corruption probe, in which a former deputy city manager who worked under Lynk pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal conspiracy (extortion) Lynk was not charged as part of the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation Medina said the city "needed to move forward" by hiring Morton as city manager Morton is truly the best candidate that we can have" to "pose our city for greatness," Medina said while adding that Lynk "has proven to be a good man a great man of faith in his place of worship which I do consider and add value to that." Two council members support Lynk's returnJohnson had made a motion to hire Lynk as city manager with a 90-day probationary period — even though Johnson was the deciding vote to oust Lynk in 2018 Johnson said that vote in 2018 came during his first meeting as a council member and was made under pressure from constituents without Johnson knowing all the details about Lynk's positive work as city manager and said he was "blown away" by Lynk's kindness and character Lynk had been Palm Bay city manager from April 2015 until his ouster in November 2018 Lynk has been working as an executive consultant In addition to his past experience as city manager, Lynk is the husband of Florida Rep. Monique Miller who was elected in November to represent Florida House District 33 in South Brevard But other council members said it would be better to hire Morton even though he thought Lynk could "do a great job" and "hit the ground running" as city manager "every single thing that we do is going to be under a microscope Hammer also noted that he has received more than 50 emails and text messages from residents on the issue with a number of them urging the council to bring in someone new as city manager The six finalists for the city manager job also met privately Saturday with groups of Palm Bay department heads Morgan told council members that Morton was the candidate who "impressed the department head team the most Morton said he has "consistently demonstrated an exceptional approach to engagement an innovative approach to problem-solving and sound municipal finance skills I have proven my ability to develop and execute complicated work plans; create environments where employees may thrive; and organize and manage complex multilevel operations." 114 people applied for the Palm Bay city manager job Advisers from the Florida City-County Management Association examined their application packages and culled the list to 33 people who met most or some of the job requirements the City Council was looking for The council then chose eight to invite in for formal interviews with two of the eight then withdrawing their applications and I believe in moving forward and moving the city forward." The council directed Morgan and Palm Bay City Attorney Patricia Smith to negotiate an employment contract for Morton Palm Bay this week could become the latest Brevard County city to authorize Immigrations and Customs Enforcement training for its police officers that would allow them to detain persons suspected of being in the country without documentation ICE's 287(g) program authorizes federal immigration authorities "to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight." The DeSantis administration has already threatened discipline against cities that do not comply with state requirements to specially train officers to make immigration arrests Fort Myers City Council reversed a vote to ultimately approve the measure after members faced removal by the state for non-compliance Satellite Beach passed their own 287(g) agreement this month with members of that City Council citing their potential removal as a reason to approve the training Palm Bay City Council will vote on the measure at their 6 p.m. April 3 meeting at 120 Malabar Road in Palm Bay Home » Home » Palm Bay City Council Meeting Included Discussion About Redevelopment of ‘The Compound’ By  //  April 18 BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — The Palm Bay Regular Council Meeting on Thursday covered a wide range of city business, including major announcements, celebratory proclamations, and significant discussions about community redevelopment, particularly surrounding the future of the area known as “The Compound.” One of the key topics of the evening was the potential redevelopment of “The Compound,” a large underutilized area of Palm Bay often referred to as “problem land.” The Council reviewed and considered the Compound Redevelopment Action Plan The proposal could reshape the area into a more productive and accessible part of the community signaling a step toward transforming neglected land into a space with greater potential for economic development City officials announced vacancies on the Community Development Advisory Board One position is available for a representative from the affordable housing sector specifically those with a background in banking two-term expirations were noted for positions representing general city residents Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina issued several proclamations honoring outstanding community members and initiatives: a student-athlete from Palm Bay Magnet High School was celebrated for becoming a State Wrestling Champion ● The Palm Bay Magnet High School Girls Basketball Team was recognized for clinching the 4A State Championship title ● April 2025 was officially declared Fair Housing Month affirming the city’s commitment to equal housing opportunities for all residents Residents were encouraged to voice concerns or comments on non-agenda items during the public comment portion of the meeting comments were limited to three minutes per speaker The City Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda in a single motion ●Adoption of minutes from meetings held on March 20 and March 29 ● Approval of asphalt patch work contracts for the Public Works Department (estimated $100,000 on an ‘as needed’ basis) ● Authorization of a $113,967 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system upgrade for the Utilities Department ● A request from Florida Power & Light to establish a ground equipment easement to provide service to Building ‘E’ at the municipal complex Public Hearings and Legislative Updates – Three major legislative items were reviewed in their first readings: ● Ordinance 2025-16 proposed changes to development review procedures (Chapter 172 of the City Code) ● Ordinance 2025-17 aimed to revise language in definitions and abbreviations (Chapter 171) ● Resolution 2025-17 identified city-owned land suitable for affordable housing initiatives New and Old Business – City Council addressed both unfinished and new items ● Reconsideration of the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan for the HOME Program ● A one-year lease extension with the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center updating the city’s Fund Balance Policy reflecting the second budget amendment for FY 2024-2025 ● Review of a proposed employment agreement with Matthew Thomas Morton to serve as City Manager Committee and council reports were presented and the meeting concluded with administrative and legal reports Councilmembers who are part of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization were permitted to address related matters For those interested in rewatching the proceedings the meeting was broadcasting the replay can be seen here: Palm Bay continues to balance its growing needs with thoughtful planning recognizing both its community champions and the necessity of strategic redevelopment like that proposed for The Compound Home » Home » OBITUARY: Longtime Brevard Resident Jeanie W By  //  April 13 Vincent’s Hospital to Catherine Dunn and Francis Joseph Wright Jeanie grew up on Dancy Street and then College Street she graduated from Lee High School in 1958 and attended Jacksonville University Jeanie married Larry Beyer in 1961 and moved to Gainesville where she attended the University of Florida and worked at Library West on campus where they raised four children (each one her favorite in his or her age group) Jeanie adored animals and had many dogs and cats over the years She also delighted in the company of her bird and squirrel friends who stalked her for the peanuts she brought on her daily walks authoring “Riley and the Rainbow” and several other unpublished children’s books she wrote while she was young she went back to school at Brevard Community College and then continued her education in Orlando earning a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from the University of Central Florida She joined the Playwright’s Workshop at BCC and wrote an original comedy “Virgil’s Breath,” which was performed at the college theater who she saw in concert on several occasions she enjoyed traveling around the country for visits She took joy in sewing dresses for her girls and Halloween costumes for her grandchildren.Jeanie will be remembered for her playful sense of humor and silly songs “Shimmer,” a green Honda Del Sol Palm Bay Police Department briefly evacuated its lobby Friday afternoon due to smoke from a nearby electrical fire said an electrical box outside Palm Bay City Hall caught fire for an undetermined reason Plumes of black smoke were reported in the area and could be seen up and down Port Malabar Road No damage was reported to any buildings and no people were reported injured No further details were available as of Friday afternoon Home » Home » Palm Bay City Council Votes 4-1 to Appoint Matthew Morton as New City Manager By  //  April 3 the Palm Bay City Council has appointed Matthew Morton as the city’s next manager rejecting a bid from former City Manager Gregg Lynk Following a rigorous selection process that included six finalists the council voted 4-1 on Saturday to extend the offer to Morton Council Member Kenny Johnson was the lone dissenting vote The council had voted 3-2 against reinstating Lynk and Council Member Mike Hammer opposing his return Johnson and Chandler Langevin supported Lynk Morton’s selection is pending contract negotiations and will succeed Suzanne Sherman Sherman had been the city manager since January 2021 and earned an annual salary of $240,000 former West Melbourne City Manager Scott Morgan has served as Palm Bay’s interim city manager Morton previously served as city manager of Palm Coast in Flagler County and has over 25 years of experience in public administration and private sector roles He is an land acquisition and development executive with Perihelion Group Consulting in Flagler Beach Medina voiced reservations about rehiring Lynk citing past controversies that he suggested could hinder Palm Bay’s progress emphasizing that Morton was the ideal candidate to propel Palm Bay toward a better future He acknowledged Lynk’s positive attributes but concluded that a fresh leadership direction was necessary The six finalists met with Palm Bay department heads throughout the selection process who overwhelmingly favored Morton as the best candidate The search for a new city manager attracted 114 applicants with the Florida City-County Management Association narrowing the pool to 33 individuals who met key qualifications Mark Lehman – One person is dead following a house fire that broke out at a home in Palm Bay Firefighters responded just after midnight Tuesday to the home along Balue Lane SE Video from the scene showed a large law enforcement and firefighter response A crime scene investigation van was among several fire rescue units in the neighborhood Palm Bay police said four people were taken to the hospital two of whom were severely injured and two others who were treated for smoke inhalation Police said the two who were severely injured police said the woman — 67-year-old Louella Mitchell — died told News 6 she was awakened by her dog when the fire broke out “I let him (dog) out the back and I see flames in the backyard Millus said the flames were so “horrendous” that she hosed down her roof to try and protect her property Shocked and surprised and thought something like this I’ve never seen so close to home,” she said Hopefully they get some answers and find out what’s going on.” Police said the cause of the fire is being investigated by the state fire marshal and they are determining a motive “After several interviews and a review of the evidence this incident is being investigated as a homicide We want to assure the community that this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the community,” police said Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021 She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday