Home » Home » MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT: Bright Now Dental in Satellite Beach Features New State-of-the-Art Facility By Space Coast Daily  //  May 4 BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA—Dr. Omar Panol and the team at Bright Now Dental in Satellite Beach treat patients with care and help them maximize their insurance plans to get the most affordable implants from Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic Omar attended a two-year general dentistry residency at NYU Langone where he continued to grow and develop as a general dentist To maintain the integrity of his profession Omar regularly attends continuing education courses throughout the country and participates in multiple study clubs across the city to stay current in the latest dental therapies Bright Now Dental in Satellite Beach offers a wide range of dental services Equipped with the latest dental technology the facility is designed to enhance patient experience and treatment outcomes “We are excited to bring Bright Now Dental’s commitment to quality and affordable dental care to Satellite Beach,” said Dr “Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives personalized and compassionate care.” Bright Now Dental offers special promotions for new patients including discounted comprehensive exams and free consultations for orthodontic services The office accepts most dental insurance plans and provides flexible payment options for various financial needs Bright Now Dental is part of the Smile Brands network and one of the nation’s leading dental care services providers With numerous locations across the United States Bright Now Dental is committed to delivering high-quality affordable dental care to patients of all ages To schedule an appointment or learn more about the services offered, contact the Satellite Beach office at 321-730-3697. For more information, visit BrightNow.com Click Here to Sign Up for Text Alerts When the owners of Pappagallo’s Pizza and Morning Glory Eatery found out the beachside building housing their restaurants was being sold Especially since Dave Rich, along with his wife, Tricia, and son, Nik, had secured a third leased space in the same Satellite Beach plaza for a new gelato shop but he said the previous owner opted for a quick all-cash sale With more than 60 employees and a deep-rooted history in the beachside community Rich and his family scrambled to find another location to keep Pappagallos alive It just so happened that a property not too far away had come on the market as a once-popular sports bar and restaurant That was the former Beef O'Brady's building which Rich quickly bought with plans to relocate Pappagallo's Then things changed again allowing Pappagallo's and Rich's other two establishments to stay where they are and opening the door to a fourth business for the Rich family Rich was able to secure a two-year agreement to stay at the original location with the option of perhaps additional time Rich said they will stay in the plaza for as long as they can or until it is demolished and potentially replaced with condominiums they have a new concept joining the family portfolio of beachside enterprises: Tailgaters Restaurant which will open at the former Beef O'Brady's property this summer The amount of community support we have received is overwhelming," Rich said "We have second generation kids that work here What’s planned for the former Beef O'Brady's site?That building is currently under renovation Rich plans to demolish the kitchen and expand invest in all new equipment and furnishings Everything is going to be new and redone,” he said offering breakfast and lunch for a few months while they find their footing Beaches and Cream is open at 1773 State Road A1A Rich's wife and son assist him in handmaking the gelato and sorbets Expanding beyond traditional vanilla and chocolate crafted a "signature margarita flavor" featuring hints of mango And if Beaches and Cream happens to be closed stop into Pappagallo's and ask if they have any gelato to grab and go Pappagallo's Pizza has been in Satellite Beach at 1769 State Road A1A Rich and family took over ownership in 2008 with views of the ocean and have a killer catch phrase: Legalize Marinara The Riches have owned Morning Glory Eatery in the same complex Whether guests choose the crab benedict or the son of a biscuit — there's a bright dining room or a sweet outdoor deck with a view and a breeze waiting Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter. Reach her at aolesen@floridatoday.com Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsCatherine Silver commissioners in the city of Ocoee gave their approval of an agreement that will allow selected law enforcement personnel to be trained by immigration officers There was not an in-depth discussion about the memo included in the city commission’s agenda packet The item was approved along with other matters in the consent agenda Our News 6 Team reached out to the city again Wednesday to see if anyone from the police department or administrative staff would be available to explain the next steps We were told that no one was available to speak on camera [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Documents obtained by News 6 describe how the 287(g) task force model will work and what authority select officers will have It states personnel must complete mandatory training both in-person and online before they are authorized to perform the functions of an immigration officer There are several designated authorized functions An agenda for a Satellite Beach council meeting Wednesday night shows they will also be presented with a similar 287(g) task force model to approve A summary of the agenda item states once officers undergo training they will “gain authority to enforce immigration laws such as questioning individuals about their immigration status and detaining those suspected of being unlawfully present in the county.” where he announced the statewide expansion of immigration enforcement “We’re the only state in the country where all of the counties have done this,” DeSantis said we’ll honor a detainer or a warrant.’ Of course you have to do that This is a task force model which will lead to street-level enforcement operations.” While supporters have praised the ICE training agreements and Florida’s efforts to align with the Trump administration’s immigration policies others argue the program will be used to target people based on race the communications director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition said previous 287(g) agreements have a track record of not working and they had to basically shut it down because they were infringing on the rights of people citizens who were racially profiled,” Rivera said “We’re seeing people who have no police backgrounds people who even have a legal status in the country being swept up by this hysteria that we’re living under.” Rivera said she is also concerned about the resources and burden placed on local taxpayers so local officers can carry out the tasks of federal immigration officers “Everybody that pays taxes in their local cities and counties are the ones who are paying the vast majority of the costs associated with joining and carrying out the duties of the ICE task force,” Rivera said this would mean that we’re paying the salaries the supplies for police to handle immigration enforcement including when these officers are sued for violating the resident’s constitutional rights.” Rivera said city and county officials should consider the values of the jurisdiction they represent before giving their approval “It’s important that people know that these cities and counties are not required to join the ICE task force under Florida law 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 — A major beach renourishment project is soon wrapping up along Space Coast beaches to restore sand lost during Hurricanes Ian and Nicole It’s a part of the Brevard County Shore Protection Project which began in November 2023 Raymond Adamcik of Melbourne sees each day as he comes to his favorite beach spot There has been heavy equipment like dump trucks bringing in sand and excavators doling it out on the eroded area of the beach somewhere the beach is completely washed out,” Raymond said and it’s an 8-mile stretch of Indian Harbour Beach and Satellite Beach Sand is being stockpiled further south to distribute along the coastline Previous renourishment on south Brevard beaches was done by an ocean faring barge But here it must be trucked in to protect shoreline rock reefs the dune will be restored and the beach widened 30 more feet to levels seen prior to Nicole in 2022 Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the nearly $50,000,000 replenishment project which will ultimately rehab some 12 miles of beach from Patrick Space Force Base to Spessard Hollard Park in Melbourne Beach 1.1 million cubic yards of sand is being brought into the critically eroded areas Tourism leaders say the beaches are the top reason people visit the space coast County leaders say tax paid by tourists to stay in hotels or short-term rentals is paying for this project Raymond says he is a big supporter of the project to restore his beach and it’s part of the way we live here,” he said The project took a break from May through October due to sea turtle nesting season but is expected to wrap up in April 2025 Home » Home » Satellite Beach Named 2025 Youth Council Excellence Award Winner for Volunteer Service Project By Space Coast Daily  //  May 2 BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA — The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, announced the City of Satellite Beach Youth Council as one of three winners of the 2025 Youth Council Excellence Award The annual competition recognizes exceptional youth council initiatives and projects that have made significant contributions to their local municipalities Municipal youth councils are special councils that typically serve as advisory boards to the local governments They are composed of high school students within the city and are sometimes referred to as youth corps Youth Council is recognized by Florida League of Cities for volunteer service project The Satellite Beach Youth Council aimed to plant trees around the city while educating future generations about the importance of trees the youth council accomplished its goals of increasing youth engagement educating the community about the environment and helping Satellite Beach increase its tree canopy and vegetation “The work of the Satellite Beach Youth Council shows the powerful impact young leaders can have when given the chance to take action,” said FLC President Michael C “Their dedication to restoring their community’s tree canopy and educating others about the environment is a testament to the energy Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities, which are formed and governed by their citizens. The League believes in “Local Voices Making Local Choices,” which focuses on the impact citizens and city leaders have in improving Florida’s communities. For more information, visit flcities.com Satellite Beach Police Department Chief Jeffrey Pearson said that officers will do remote computer training that will enable them to enforce new federal and state expectations around immigration 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 Pearson gave an example at the March 19 City Council meeting of an officer stopping a vehicle for running a red light and detaining the passenger for immigration violations, something officers are not currently able to do without the specialized training from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "What this does is gives us the ability to be credentialed.. we would have the ability to arrange for transport to the county jail," he said we would have to call ICE and they would have to respond within a reasonable time or we'd have to let the person go." "We will now have the training and ability to handle that like any other state or federal law," Pearson said Some residents spoke against the city's measure who said he has always loved the city's police department also feels empowering local cops as border patrol agents could have negative effects on the community "I'm afraid of a relationship between this police department and a federal government that does not quite seem to know what it is doing," Hickman said "I'd hate to see the Satellite Beach Police Department become an arm of ICE." Rules around immigration enforcement have been changing nationally and across Florida since Donald Trump became president again earlier this year Ron DeSantis and his administration have put pressure on Florida municipalities to follow federal priorities Satellite Beach's decision came just after Fort Myers leaders failed to approve a similar measure causing Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier to call their vote "troubling" "The Fort Myers City Council’s vote to not approve the police department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE is very troubling Preventing a local law enforcement agency from entering into a 287(g) agreement with the federal government prevents that agency from participating in certain federal immigration operations These council members actions likely run afoul of Florida Statute As a result of the vote, DeSantis floated the idea of removing those on the Council who voted against the measure, resulting in the subsequent passage of the measure, according to an Associated Press report. Satellite Beach mayor Steve Osmer said that DeSantis' implicit threats to remove local elected officials from office meant that voting down the measure would inevitably lead to its implementation anyway if the Council were to be replaced by the governor And we could all be removed by the governor," Osmer said "Other councils are doing the same thing we're doing." Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJames Sparvero Brevard Public Schools said it isn’t renewing Melissa Calhoun’s contract for next year because she called a student by the name they wanted to be called by [RELATED: Teachers fired over names? Here’s what Florida law says] It might sound innocent, but Florida law says that for a teacher to call a student by their ‘preferred’ name their parents have to give written permission the school district says that didn’t happen The Florida Legislature passed the law in 2023. Kristine Staniec works at Calhoun’s school and stood up for her at Tuesday night’s school board meeting “The teacher made a difference in her classroom and in the lives of our students and compassion,” the Satellite High media specialist said The district said Calhoun knew she wasn’t allowed to call the student by the preferred name but did so anyway just a teacher trying to connect with a student,” Staniec said at the board meeting a lot of Calhoun’s former students are trying to help her through the Change.org petition More than 5,000 supporters are calling for the district to reinstate Calhoun but significantly more importantly she is the kindest and most caring person I have ever met in my life,” one supporter commented A statement from the district says the student’s parents came forward You can read the full statement from Chief Strategic Communications Officer Janet Murnaghan below “Brevard Public Schools (BPS) was made aware that a teacher at Satellite High School had been referring to a student by a name other than their legal name without parental permission when the parent reached out to us This directly violates state law and the district’s standardized process for written parental consent “BPS supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives and Florida law affirms their right to be informed the district conducted a detailed investigation Based on the teacher’s own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute she received a letter of reprimand “The teacher is working under a ten-month contract that expires in May 2025 Since the state will be reviewing her teaching certificate based on these actions the district decided not to renew the annual contract until the issue is resolved with the state our focus is on education--teachers are here to teach and support students academically Our job is to work in partnership with parents and guardians to ensure student success “Calhoun worked for the school district for eleven years and taught at DeLaura Middle School 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 » City of Satellite Beach City Council Workshop Meeting Set April 23 By Space Coast Daily  //  April 20 BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — The City of Satellite Beach invites residents and community members to attend a City Council Workshop Meeting on Wednesday The meeting will be held at the Satellite Beach Council Chamber ● Discussion: Waste Management Incorporated (1957) – The Council will review and discuss matters relating to Waste Management services ● Discussion: Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 and Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 – City officials will present proposed changes to the current budget and outline plans for the upcoming fiscal year ● Discussion: Council Goals – The Council will engage in discussions regarding long-term objectives and strategic planning How to Watch the City Council Meeting Online: The meeting will be streamed live on the City’s website Visit the Meeting Videos page to view both live and archived meetings Facebook & City App: Watch live on the City of Satellite Beach – Government Facebook page or through the official City App Public Participation: Residents who wish to submit comments before the meeting can email cityclerk@satellitebeach.gov by 3 p.m Comments received by the deadline will be shared with the City Council before the meeting Legal & Accessibility Notices: Per Section 286.0105 individuals wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Council may need to provide a verbatim transcript of the meeting proceedings Satellite Beach will soon be home to a new Italian restaurant and bar Baci Restaurant and Bar, which has its first location in Rockledge will be opening a second establishment in February at 218 Hwy "We are really excited and hope to be a big part of the Satellite community," said co-owner Marjorie Evans will feature a menu similar to that of the Rockledge restaurant guests can also enjoy a full bar and seating for 110 patrons More: Fan of now-closed World of Beer or The Bat Cave? Here are alternatives to explore For those wondering, Baci is pronounced as "BAH-chee" and means kisses in Italian is known for its take-out pizza and informal lounge-restaurant "Rockledge is a great place and we have had a lot of support and made great friends here," said Evans have owned Baci in Rockledge for three and half years Home » Home » VIDEO: Watch Leatherback Sea Turtle Laying Eggs on Satellite Beach on Space Coast of Florida By Space Coast Daily  //  April 15 ABOVE VIDEO: Leatherback Sea Turtle Laying Eggs on Beach During Sea Turtle Season in Space Coast of Florida (Video by Ryan Clapper Photography) FLORIDA — This majestic scene of the Leatherback sea turtle laying eggs in the sands of Satellite Beach was seen recently on the Space Coast Florida’s Space Coast is a sea turtle’s paradise there’s plenty of space for these incredible marine animals to make their nests and lay clutches upon clutches of eggs Sea Turtle season is a particularly exciting but sensitive time on the Space Coast In 2023 more than 52,000 nests were counted on the beaches of Brevard County alone From the northern-most reaches of the Canaveral National Seashore to the Beaches of the Sebastian Inlet visitors and residents must be on high alert to protect these turtles and their nests Things you need to know about Sea Turtle Season He started taking graphic design classes in high school He graduated with a degree in graphic design with honors in January 2000 Ryan started working in my field as a designer at Valpak in April 2000 and moved to Indian Rocks Beach he purchased his first surfboard and surfed as much as he could and started a surf report for the Gulf Coast called Gulfster Ryan took a job with Bay Publications designing real estate ads in Clearwater He purchased his first DSLR (Canon 20D) in 2005 and my images helped put Gulfster on the map in the surfing world he took a job with Eastern Surf Magazine and moved to Brevard County in search of better waves Boots are never really appropriate for the beach Kudos are due to the City of Satellite Beach for listening to the people and taking action The beach boot experiment is no longer in fashion and come February beachgoers in Satellite Beach ― who do not pay for parking ― will be ticketed instead of having their car immobilized by a boot a boot is a heavy metal clamp that gets affixed to a car's tire not allowing it to move until a fine has been paid The program was instituted in 2023 to help the city offset some of the costs associated with maintenance and upkeep of its beaches without passing those costs to city residents But the program was unpopular with residents and beachgoers and was beset with problems some had trouble removing the device even after paying the fine and some beachgoers opted to start parking in private lots to avoid paying altogether Kudos are due to the City of Satellite Beach for listening to the people and taking action "Problems have arisen and we're trying to fix it," said Councilman Mark Boyd during a November council meeting when the issue was discussed The boots will go away and parking tickets will return Those who don't pay the fines will likely be unable to re-register their vehicles until the citations are paid More from Torres: Pam Bondi failed Brevard and Florida by turning blind eye toward justice | Torres Torres: The real reason why people are homeless may surprise you outgoing Councilman David Vigliotti said using the boot resulted in ruining someone's day or weekend who just wanted to go to the beach "We may take in less (money) but we'll be making the people happy here in Satellite Beach," he said when can beach-going scofflaws stop worrying about being booted The city council voted last month to do away with the boot system and a first reading of the new ordinance was read in the first week of December A second reading is scheduled for the council's Jan setting things in motion for a February 1st implementation of the new ticketing system according to City Manager Brittany Retherford The city now joins other nearby municipalities like Indialantic and Melbourne Beach who do not use a boot system to enforce beach parking and Indian harbour Beach which plans to start charging for beach parking come February Home » Home » PUBLIC SERVICE: Satellite Beach Police Department Honors Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra as Officer of the Year By Space Coast Daily  //  April 19 BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA — The Satellite Beach Police Department held its annual officer award ceremony during a City Council meeting earlier this month “The department had the chance to recognize a group of truly outstanding individuals,” said a department spokesperson “These are the kind of people who not only go above and beyond in their roles but also lift their coworkers and help make our city a better The Satellite Beach Police Department includes 25 sworn officers and 10 civilian support staff all while promoting community policing principles.​ The department offers several volunteer programs These initiatives allow residents to actively participate in enhancing public safety .​ the department introduced a Special Needs Registry to assist officers in responding effectively to individuals with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder This story has been updated to provide additional information from Satellite Beach police A 13-year-old who went missing in Satellite Beach nearly a week ago was found safe late Sunday at a Melbourne home where she was staying with a friend tracked Avery Rice to a home in the Quail Ridge subdivision off of Croton Road A 15-year-old boy was led out of the home by police and has been charged with a misdemeanor it was widely known by a number of friends and classmates that Rice had made the decision not to return home and law enforcement believed she was staying with various friends," Satellite Beach police said in a press release Monday The department continued to work with the family and additional agencies around the county A tip from family Sunday night led law enforcement officers to the home where the teen was staying The investigation is ongoing to determine if charges will be brought against any additional suspects for knowingly housing a runaway adding that the family was commended for their "efforts and full cooperation." Wednesday behind the Satellite Cinema in Satellite Beach Family members and friends plastered posters countywide offered a $20,000 reward for information on the case posted updates to social media and set up a recreational vehicle in a beachside Publix parking lot as a place to receive tips during the intense search hours after the teen was located at the residence family members and friends stood along the road at Pheasant Court as officers talked with a woman in the home Melbourne police could be seen talking with the unnamed woman “The police have her at the residence,” said Ernest Arocha We love her and we’ll heal together from this." J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop. Home » Home » WATCH: Andi Sellers Dominated Women’s Athletics While at Satellite Beach High School from 1993 to 1996 By Space Coast Daily  //  April 24 one of the Space Coast’s most highly acclaimed and decorated athletes ever dominated women’s athletics at Satellite Beach High School from 1993 through 1996 Sellers was a three-time All-Cape Coast selection in basketball also excelled at volleyball and track and field garnering All-Cape Coast and All-Space Coast selections twice in those sports and holds the school record in the 400 meters it was her play on the soccer field that made her nationally distinguished Playing for Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame member Coach “Fidgi” Haig on his great Satellite Beach High School teams of the mid-90s Sellers was a three-time first-team 5A All-State and Space Coast Conference Player of the Year and set the then Florida state high school record for career goals with 230 good for the Florida single-season high school record and a second ranking nationally Her 81 goals as a senior led the Scorpions (23-1) to the Class 5A state title game and resulted in Sellers being named the State of Florida’s 1996 Player of the Year as the leader and star of her under-18 club team the team went on to win the 1996 Orange Bowl Championship Sellers was named to the Parade All-America and NSCAA/UMBRO High School All-American Youth Soccer teams in 1996 and was mentioned by USA Today as one of the top recruits in the nation After being inundated with college scholarship offers she chose to stay close to home and starred for the Gators and senior seasons and All-American honors in her junior and senior years She finished her college career tied for No 20 on the NCAA Career Goals list but would have certainly been much higher on that list had she not missed her sophomore season at the University of Florida due to an ACL tear that required surgery graduating in the top 10 in her class at SBHS with a 3.98-grade point average as well as being named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year her senior year at UF where she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in sports management CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME THE 2025 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will occur at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne on Saturday FOR INFORMATION about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-615-8111 CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME FLORIDA—The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame selection committee announced that the 2025 induction ceremony will occur on Saturday at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne This will be the first in-person induction since the COVID-19 pandemic The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony and the dinner and program will start at 7 p.m The meet-and-greet will include an opportunity to talk with the area’s sports royalty which will include compelling video tributes to each inductee The Brevard County High School Breakfast of Champions recognition awards will be held Saturday more than 40 awards will be presented to the best of the 2024-2025 male and female high school student-athletes in each sport call 321-323-4460 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com Both the Breakfast of Champions and the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame events will be streamed live on Space Coast Daily TV and Savings Safari sponsor the 2025 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction event and the Brevard County High School Breakfast of Champions recognition awards To make a reservation for the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-323-4460 Nominees are chosen in four categories: professional sports Special honorary recognition is also bestowed upon individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to sports on the Space Coast ■ PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Jamel Dean ■ COLLEGE CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Paulette King ■ AMATEUR/RECREATION CATEGORY INDUCTEE: Alli Penovich ■ COACHING CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Doug Butler • SPORTS JOURNALISM INDUCTEES: Steve Vaughn • SPORTS DEVELOPMENT INDUCTEE: Loren McClanahan ■ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEES: Larry Garrison ■ SPORTS AMBASSADOR AWARD INDUCTEE: Rusty Buchanan ■ CHALLENGER AWARD INDUCTEE: Joshua Dillon ■ LEGACY CHAMPIONS: Merritt Island Baseball Space Coast Daily created the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and has inducted over 200 of Brevard County’s most outstanding athletes Eastern Florida State’s Titan Fieldhouse on the Melbourne Campus hosts the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Portraits of the Hall of Famers are displayed on the wall in the building’s main hallway which runs parallel to the gym and outside the athletic department offices CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Brevard Public Schools has opted not to renew a Satellite High School teacher's contract after she referred to a student by a name other than their legal name without parental permission The decision was made not to renew Melissa Calhoun's annual contract after an investigation was conducted into the situation said BPS Spokesperson Janet Murnaghan in a statement emailed to FLORIDA TODAY Tuesday night "At BPS our focus is on education — teachers are here to teach and support students academically," Murnaghan said "Our job is to work in partnership with parents and guardians to ensure student success." FLORIDA TODAY reached out to Calhoun but did not receive a response Calhoun will finish out her contract that expires in May of this year adding that the district didn't renew it as Florida will review her teaching certification due to her actions being in violation of state law The decision elicited emotional comments in support of Calhoun from audience members signed up to speak at Tuesday's school board meeting and a petition started earlier during the day by students had garnered 3,082 signatures as of midnight Many of those signatures came with comments expressing disgust and dismay over the decision not to keep Calhoun Teacher: Contract not renewed after allowing student to go by preferred nameThe district began an investigation into Calhoun after being made aware that she was calling a student by the student's preferred name Murnaghan said — an action that goes against a 2023 Florida Board of Education rule If a student wants to go by an alternative to their legal name, whether that be a simple nickname or a name that correlates with a transgender identity, parents must sign a "Parental Authorization for Deviation from Student's Legal Name Form," according to the rule Community members believed this was a case related to the student's gender identity "BPS supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives and Florida law affirms their right to be informed," Murnaghan said Calhoun admitted that she "knowingly did not comply with state statute," Murnaghan said adding that the teacher was issued a letter of reprimand The district opted not to renew Calhoun's contract as the state would be reviewing her teaching certification following her noncompliance with the law Murnaghan didn't specify when the district became aware of Calhoun calling a student by the student's preferred name or who made the report showed up at Tuesday's school board meeting to speak in support of Calhoun questioned the handling of the situation and accused the district of trying to "slip this under the rug." "My colleague and child's teacher was let go after just two weeks of internal review," Staniec said adding that Calhoun's violation of the law was unintentional just a teacher trying to connect with a student Calhoun is a teacher loved by all of her students," he said "Her goal was to make everyone feel welcome .. and to enhance their learning experience." 284 students had signed a physical copy of a petition to keep her at the school and — at the time of the board meeting — 1,655 people had signed a similar online petition "The mission statement on the banner behind the board says 'Our mission: to serve every student with excellence as the standard,'" Ryan said "Why should this teacher be punished when she is just serving her students with excellence and understanding?" Another student said Calhoun went "above and beyond" to make sure students understood the material they were learning She spoke of Calhoun's involvement coaching the mock trial team and attending sports games to support the school are a gift I will cherish always and protect and defend just as they advocate for me and my education," the student said there have been no reported cases of Florida educators losing their jobs as a result of Florida's rule requiring parental permission to use an alternative name for a student While BPS opted to reprimand Calhoun and not renew her contract it's not clear if these consequences would universally apply to other teachers who didn't comply with Florida's law The 2023 rule dictates that Florida districts must develop a form for parents to sign indicating they consent to the use of an alternative name for their child but the law doesn't lay out what the consequences are for teachers and other staff members who don't comply While another Florida statute that has been challenged and partially blocked from being enforced prohibits public K-12 educators from requiring students to address them by a preferred pronoun or a "personal title" that does "not correspond to that person's sex," the statute doesn't dictate whether or not students may go by another name or pronoun Guidelines in The Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida address certain issues related to LGBTQ issues — such as prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity except in certain cases and using restrooms designated for the opposite sex — but don't address the usage of alternative names Teachers shouldn't discourage or prohibit parental notification of decisions related to a student's mental though it is not specific about what these decisions may encompass It also adds that an educator may withhold this information if there's a reasonable belief that disclosing it would cause abuse or neglect to the student Florida's law prohibiting K-12 teachers from using preferred pronouns has been challenged, with teachers suing the Florida Department of Education and other officials within it as well as the Hillsborough County School Board Lee County School Board and Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees Federal Judge Mark Walker blocked part of the law Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com Home » Home » Satellite Beach Police Department to Partner with ICE in Immigration Enforcement By Space Coast Daily  //  March 20 FLORIDA – The Satellite Beach Police Department is joining forces with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to strengthen immigration enforcement efforts Under a new agreement recently approved by the city council local officers will receive specialized training from ICE enabling them to detain individuals with federal immigration warrants The partnership grants Satellite Beach officers expanded authority to enforce both state and federal immigration laws—a shift from previous limitations where local police could not act independently on ICE-related matters trained officers will be able to respond directly without needing to wait for federal agents Police Chief Jeff Pearson emphasized that the agreement is a proactive measure rather than a response to a pressing issue noting that illegal immigration has not been a significant concern in the small beach community It’s unclear how often local officers will actually encounter situations involving immigration enforcement the potential impact on community trust remains to be seen with some residents expressing concerns that the collaboration could strain relationships between law enforcement and the public It is also uncertain whether other Florida municipalities will follow suit especially as state officials continue to pressure cities to align with stricter immigration enforcement policies This development comes amid a broader push by Florida state leaders to eliminate so-called “sanctuary” practices Fort Myers declined a similar ICE partnership prompting intervention from Florida’s Attorney General who warned that noncompliance could be illegal under state law Possibly influenced by this legal backdrop the Satellite Beach City Council unanimously approved the agreement Some council members voiced concern about potential political repercussions including being removed from office by the governor if they opposed the measure The move underscores Florida’s increasingly hardline stance on immigration enforcement and highlights the growing role of local police in federal immigration matters While Satellite Beach is not widely viewed as a hub for undocumented immigration the agreement reflects the state’s commitment to tighter local-federal collaboration the decision raises broader questions about how to balance immigration enforcement with maintaining public trust and preserving local autonomy in the face of state political pressure INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH — The body of a woman who was in her 30s or 40s was pulled from the ocean Saturday morning A caller to 911 notified dispatchers at about 8 a.m Saturday after spotting the adult woman’s body floating about 200 yards from the shoreline near the 2000 block of State Road A1A It was not immediately known how long the woman — believed to be in her 30s or 40s — had been in the ocean Multiple agencies responded to the site to assist with rescue efforts including the Satellite Beach Fire Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Satellite Beach fire crews using jet skis were able to bring the woman’s body to shore First responders then attempted to resuscitate the woman The woman was later was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital The woman's identity has not been disclosed An autopsy is scheduled to take place this week to determine the exact cause of death An investigation into the circumstances of her death is ongoing The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued a sick manatee last week FWC received an after-hours report of an emaciated manatee near Satellite Beach (CBS12) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued a sick manatee last week The photo shows a small manatee with a large green patch on its back FWC's rescue team took the manatee to SeaWorld for care The Department of Planning & Sustainability is a small department within the City of Satellite Beach which manages our Sustainable Satellite Program Annual Sea Oat PlantingsThe City of Satellite Beach began its annual sea oat planting program in 2022 This is a community engagement activity in which volunteers are encouraged to come out and plant sea oats along the City’s dune system Sea oats play a vital role for dunes through their extensive fibrous roots that together form a type of lattice-work Winds cause sand to collect around the base of the plants which in turn increase the expansion of both the dunes and the plants Dunes function as the first line of defense again wave energy and flooding through propagating new growth via underground rhizomes The goal of this annual event is to inform the public on the critical importance of maintaining healthy sand dunes while aiding in the stability of our local beaches it is illegal to pick or tamper with sea oats Many species of vegetation that inhabit coastal strands are threatened or imperiled The City of Satellite Beach is working collaboratively to ensure that biodiversity remains a priority to the areas of conservation within the City Through a seed harvesting program which began in 2006 a small percentage of sea oats and other native plant seeds are collected by hand via a Department of Environmental Protection permit The City in return will receive back a percent of the plants grown or other native plants to enhance native diversity The City has partnered with Brevard County Natural Resources and Berkley Conservation Institute to collect and recycle used monofilament fishing line Each year thousands of animals in Brevard County become entangled in discarded fishing gear manatees to foxes wildlife encountering entanglements continue to rise Only a small portion of these animals receive help in time to make a recovery so it is up to us to be more vigilant on proper disposal and recycling of monofilament The City collects and weighs the monofilament before sending it all out for recycling Metrics will be collected and added to the website annually To learn more about our Sustainability programs, projects, and initiatives, please visit our Sustainable Satellite page.  Follow this link for all booking needs with the Sustainability Department. This includes ecotours, LOGOS garden rentals, Samsons Island workdays, oyster monitoring, tree planting, and MORE! Please be mindful not all activities are available all year round. CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING Office Location:530 Cinnamon Blvd, Satellite Beach, FL 32937Phone: (321) 428-2546Email: sustainability@satellitebeach.govOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Home » Home » Satellite Beach Police Department: Understanding E-Bike Laws in Florida for Bike Safety Month By Space Coast Daily  //  March 15 BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — E-bikes are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation in Florida offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional vehicles To ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians the Satellite Beach Police Department has shared essential information regarding common questions about e-bike regulations in the state Do You Need a License to Ride an E-Bike in Florida Florida does not require a driver’s license to operate an electric bike This makes e-bikes accessible to riders of all ages and abilities all riders must still adhere to state laws and local ordinances while using their e-bikes e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks in Florida riders must yield to pedestrians and maintain a safe speed to ensure the safety of those around them This regulation is outlined in Florida Statute §316.083 E-bike riders must follow the same traffic laws as traditional bicycles helmets are mandatory for e-bike riders under 16 to enhance safety the Satellite Beach Police Department encourages all riders to follow traffic rules and prioritize safety while using e-bikes By staying informed and riding responsibly e-bike users can help create a safer environment for themselves and the community For further information on e-bike regulations and safety tips, residents can contact the Satellite Beach Police Department at 321-773-4400, email sbpolice@satellitebeach.gov, or visit satellitebeachpolice.gov Home » Home » Help Protect Satellite Beach in Beach Cleanup First Sunday Morning of Each Month By Space Coast Daily  //  January 4 FLORIDA — The City of Satellite Beach continues ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the local shoreline with a public beach cleanup on the first Sunday of every month at Hightower Beach a beloved local spot known for its pristine sands and vibrant marine life has been the focus of increasing community-led environmental initiatives The monthly beach cleanups aim to address the accumulation of debris while fostering community involvement in environmental stewardship Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate The city will provide cleanup supplies such as gloves and trash bags but attendees can bring their reusable tools to reduce waste and appropriate footwear for walking on sand The initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and protecting Florida’s coastal ecosystems participants can help prevent harmful materials from entering the ocean where they can pose serious risks to marine animals For more information about the monthly beach cleanup or other community programs, visit the City of Satellite Beach’s website The public beach cleanup will occur at 9 a.m this Sunday and every first Sunday of every month at Hightower Beach in Satellite Beach This event is open to all community members and visitors Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsBrandon Hogan SATELLITE BEACH – A teenager was arrested after a missing 13-year-old girl out of Satellite Beach was found at a home in Melbourne Avery Monroe Rice was last seen around 5:30 p.m Wednesday at Atlantic Plaza along Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway (A1A) the Satellite Beach Police Department said Police said officers found the girl Sunday at her friend’s home in Melbourne it was widely known by a number of friends and classmates that Rice had made the decision to not return home and law enforcement believed she was staying with various friends,” the department said in an update Monday A 15-year-old was taken into custody and faces a charge of harboring a missing/runaway juvenile An investigation is ongoing to determine if there will be more charges against others for knowingly housing a runaway Anyone with information is asked to call 321-773-440 ext Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 (Updates to add a photo and updated information about the last time the girl was seen) Satellite Beach police are looking for help locating a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing on Wednesday Rice is described as having brown hair and brown eyes Melbourne police were initially tasked with investigating the missing persons case as Rice is a Melbourne resident but the case was transferred to Satellite Beach Police Department as of Friday morning More: Amid dustup with DeSantis, GOP lawmakers eye more aggressive oversight of executive branch said he is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to his niece being found He said the family will be setting up a central hub in the Satellite Beach Publix parking lot until Avery is found "A family member will be there around the clock with a white RV for anyone to come forward with information or anything else," Cox-Stone said Anyone with information is asked to call Satellite Beach Police Department at 321-773-4400 Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY Home » Home » OBITUARY: Jeffrey Dargatis II Died Unexpectedly at Home in Satellite Beach on Nov By Space Coast Daily  //  November 22 died unexpectedly at his home in Satellite Beach he was the Son of Jeffrey Dargatis and Nora Jean Dargatis He graduated from West Scranton High School where he was a member of the district champion wrestling team He studied mathematics at Eastern Florida State College where he worked in specialized linguistics Jeffrey was not only a talented mathematician but also a talented musician with whom he loved spending time with solving complicated equations making music while playing the piano and guitar It was his love of making music with his Brothers that brought happiness and peace to his at times overbearing intellectual mind Surviving are his parents; Jeffrey Dargatis Clarks Summit; three Brothers; Naval Seabee Christian Dargatis California; Marine Sergeant Alexander Dargatis Grandparents; MaryAnn and Michael Dargatis Uncles; Michael Dargatis and his Wife Michelle Archabald and their Daughter Lauren and Son Michael Clarks Summit and their Daughters Madison and Brynn Aunts; Deborah Degraba and her Husband John Scranton and her Daughters Nora and Brianna Dickson City and his Daughters Aubrey and Kennedy He was preceded in death by his Grandmother A private service will be held for immediate family in Florida Nestled in an unassuming shopping plaza in Indian Harbour Beach, Drifters Surf Restro is already making a splash during its soft opening phase The restaurant's blackboard menu is inspired by the travels of owners The Clarks plan for the menu to be ever changing allowing seasonal and fresh ingredients to take center stage Guests can look forward to signature offerings such as the cacao and coffee beef tenderloin seared tuna steak with ponzu marinated noodles and Baja fish tacos Drifters offers a curated selection of wine and craft beers thanks to a partnership with local suppliers While the restaurant remains in its soft opening including their two sons helping in the kitchen and their daughter who works in the front of the house "It truly is a family affair and we love being able to share that with our community," said Katie Clark Proclaiming he is not a chef, Danny nevertheless has a strong culinary background rooted in Alabama. He expanded his sushi training in California and Costa Rica. The couple met overseas and started a family, as well as Graffiti Resto Cafe and Wine Bar -- their sister restaurant in Costa Rica -- which they have owned since 2010 Relocating in 2020 back to the United States the Clarks lived on a sailboat on the West Coast Space Coast beaches enticed this surf family to put down roots here A recent post on Drifters social media explained the name and concept: "We’re here A family-run spot serving food that’s fresh and fun—no overcomplicated 'concept,' no pretentious menus There is a sense of community and we like the small-town vibes," said Katie Clark Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter 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 Two candidates will vie for the Satellite Beach mayor's seat on Nov. 5: Gabriel Johnson and incumbent Steven Osmer Both highlight financial accountability, improving infrastructure and focusing on what is most important to the residents of Satellite Beach as key issues to tackle in the coming years The Satellite Beach mayor and other council seats are nonpartisan races Here’s an overview of the candidates and where they stand on issues ranging from millage to infrastructure and new development Johnson: Satellite High graduate; small-business owner who seeks to reduce overtime abuse eliminate expenses and push for attrition to reduce a relatively high millage rate.Osmer: Current mayor longtime Satellite Beach resident and operations manager who seeks fiscal responsibility for city while improving infrastructure.Candidates' top issuesHere is what the candidates said they believe are the top issues in the campaign for mayor and how they would address them: Gabriel Johnson"Satellite Beach currently has the highest millage rate in the county My main goal is to reduce that by eliminating government waste eliminating executive travel/meal expenses (which do not in any way benefit the city taxpayers) and pushing for attrition (retirement and replacement at reduced cost for city employees already eligible for full pensions) we can save enough in our budget to reduce our millage rate a full point at minimum." Steven Osmer"Infrastructure such as roads and stormwater are issues that need continuous attention Many of the streets in Satellite Beach are still the original roads put down when the city was being developed This requires a multiyear approach to meet the needs "Stormwater involves not only moving the water but also treating it before it enters the lagoon Many of the current stormwater pipes are 50 years old Replacement and treatment are very expensive so finding grant money to help offset the costs is needed to reduce the burden on taxpayers "Building and maintaining reserves is crucial to be able to respond to disasters such as hurricanes replacement vehicles and facility repair is a very large expense Although Federal Emergency Management Agency aid and other insurance may be received it is usually more than a year to get that reimbursement We need to have funding to support our residents today I will continue to vote for increased reserves in the budget "Maintaining a balance of new development and longtime residential neighborhoods is hard work Empty space is very rare for both new housing and businesses Florida is known as a 'property-rights' state it is difficult in controlling the type of development the owners want versus what the neighboring citizens want with short-term rentals and Live Local Act requirements municipalities must be able to meet all the state requirements while meeting the citizens’ desires I will continue to seek more 'home-rule' legislation so we can make these decisions locally and not by the state." Campaign contributionsJohnson: Through Sept Johnson raised $100 (all of it from himself) and spent $13.Osmer: Through Sept Osmer raised $1,300 ($1,000 was a campaign loan to himself) and spent $18.15.Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter Occupation: Owner/operator of a landscaping business Education: Associate of applied science degree in small-business management Political/government/civic experience: "I have been involved in politics in Florida since college I have concentrated mostly on my contributions as a business owner and job creator." "I'm self-financed and I have not sought any endorsements." Campaign email: Gabriel@pestnlawn.com  Website: Gabe4SB.com Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration – project management Political/government/civic experience: 2014 to 2018 Satellite Beach City Council member; 2020 to 2024 Space Coast League of Cities president; 2020 to 2024 Civilian Military Community Relations Council South Beaches Coalition for Transportation Planning Florida League of Cities Intergovernmental Relations Mobility and Emergency Management Committee member; and National Space Club Florida committee member Campaign email:  SteveOsmerForMayor@gmail.com Website: steveosmerformayor.com Brevard County’s first permanent, indoor pickleball facility is on schedule to open this spring Dill Dinkers Pickleball, “a leading provider of dedicated indoor pickleball facilities” is targeting May to open its first Brevard location. There will likely be more Dill Dinkers locations added on the Space Coast. Lanette Rosales, Regional Developer for Dill Dinkers, said the goal is to bring 10 of the indoor pickleball facilities to the area between Daytona Beach and Vero Beach over the next 10 years. “There are indoor facilities here where they convert their gym floor but what we are offering our community is a dedicated indoor facility,” Rosales said We want to spread the love of pickleball to play all day every day.” It will be in Satellite Beach at 1071 South Patrick Drive located next to a post office and the David R Opening of the eight-court facility is scheduled for May Rosales is looking to work with local vendors especially food trucks who would be able to set up outside the facility Those interested in should contact Rosales at LRosales@dilldinkers.com She is in the process of scouting other areas in Brevard for additional Dill Dinker locations but there will be membership options and open-play fees Potential players are advised to check the Dill Dinkers website in the next several months Pricing models should be released at the end of February or early March Memberships will be capped at 800 in an attempt to not overcrowd the courts and allow players opportunities to get playing time when they want it There also will likely be special pricing for a Founders Club Membership that will include the first several hundred people who sign up The national company has a few dozen locations in nine states The company has roughly 380 locations in development A husband and wife who caught the “pickleball bug” opened the first Dill Dinkers in Maryland in 2022 Dill Dinkers welcomes players of all skill levels Each club offers dedicated indoor courts with fences and outdoor surfaces leagues and opportunities to rent the space for private events She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com Two seats are open in the race for Satellite Beach City Council with current council member Mindy Gibson termed out and another member The four candidates highlight government transparency local business development and improvement on infrastructure as the key issues to tackle in the coming years The winners will join council members Mark Boyd and Jodi Rozycki Satellite Beach City Council races are nonpartisan races Here’s an overview of who each candidate is and where they stand: Here is what the candidates said they believe are the top issues in the campaign for City Council and how they would address them: Nicolle Boujaber"Ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency in the city’s budget and expenditures is crucial Mismanagement of funds can lead to deficits reduced services and higher taxes for residents public budget workshops and cost-benefit analysis of expenditures to ensure investments provide value to the community "Residents need to feel heard and represented in local government decisions Lack of communication and engagement can lead to dissatisfaction and a disconnect between the council and community I will hold informal town halls and use surveys/focus groups to create city improvement initiatives bringing competing ideas to consensus Ensuring the safety of residents is a top priority "Safety priorities include advocating for environmental cleanup at the state and federal levels improving traffic safety in collaboration with Department of Transportation and advancing climate resilient and emergency preparedness systems for hurricanes/flooding through improved stormwater drainage systems I will be an environmental champion supporting sustainability with smart growth." "The city is transitioning administratively and our police chief and public works director will retire within the four-year term of the council seat My 20 years of stewardship will provide experience and mentorship assuring that we administratively align with our beachside culture and support the continued sustainment of our 'Community for a Lifetime' values "The ‘hot issues’ that we will work through during the four-year term is the Live Local Act that does not resonate well for our citizens concerning the ‘bowling alley property.' "The remaining issue is paid beach parking It is important to recognize the difference between the value paid beach parking provides to our citizens and the unintentional collateral damage that may have occurred." Jazzie Hennings"Some of the biggest issues we have are overlapping — development and taxes The state has recently passed the Live Local Act This will allow our commercial areas to be developed at heights exceeding what residents have already voted to limit "I will work with the city manager and staff to find ways to incentivize locals to open businesses here We will work to ensure our commercial spaces are developed to suit our city and provide goods and services our residents want and need "Since we have a decent amount of unoccupied commercial properties the development of these spaces by local businesses will not only help defend us against unwanted development the commercial tax base also helps to relieve residents of some of their tax burden." Prevent these decisions from being made in a vacuum The council represents the citizens and must consider their desires "Make the city more inviting to business interests Our residential taxes are much higher than neighboring cities due to the lack of businesses able to share the burden Review and adapt city codes to attract business development in the two commercial corridors Keep condominium construction to a minimum and off the beaches Seek ways to partner with neighboring communities county and federal entities to address stormwater management on the barrier island and the Indian River Individual cities cannot conduct mitigation products alone equip and train all departments at the levels necessary to support city operations Maintain and improve city amenities while keeping the small-town feel." Age: 56Occupation: Political science/government professor Education: Doctor of education in leadership and master of educational leadership Master of Science in Public and Urban Policy Milano Graduate School of Management & Urban Policy; concentration urban planning and interorganizational networks School of International and Public Affairs concentration: economic and political development The School for International Training; concentration Community Development & Community Building 20 years Florida public servant and leader (dean social studies teacher and department chair) 18 years government/political science professor 15 years president/committee member of Florida neighborhood 25 years member and board member of a nonprofit National Women’s Organization 14 years ambassador/trainer for International Education Network Focused on Youth Development and Global Competencies project manager and fundraiser consultant for nonprofits Senate legislative intern and staff member; Satellite Beach Women’s Club; Satellite Beach Conservation Ranger "I am not accepting any endorsements because I do not want my decisions to be influenced by special interests." Campaign email: nicolleboujaber4satellitebeach@gmail.com Website: nicolleboujaber4sa.wixsite.com/nicolle-boujaber-sat Facebook page: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563302801054&sk=followers Occupation: Senior principal engineer for Collins Aerospace Education: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Political/government/civic experience: An active steward of the city for 20 years serving on over 15 boards and ad-hoc committees since 2004; served on City Council in 2008 to 2011 and currently serve on the Board of Adjustments (2019 to current) General Employee Pension Plan Board of Trustees (2017 to current) and Firefighters and Police Pension Plan Board of Trustees (2017 to current) Citizens Police Academy and the Citizens Fire Academy graduate Continues to donate time to electrical maintenance tasks on the fire department's equipment and contribute to recruiting with candidate evaluations Campaign email:  MikeChase4SB@gmail.com Website: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeChase4SB Occupation: Small-business owner/hair designer Political/government/civic experience: Sustainability Board (2017 to present); Community Garden Subcommittee (2017 and 2021); and Climate Ambassadors Ad-Hoc Committee (2017 to 2018) Campaign email: JazzieForSatelliteBeach@gmail.com Website: www.JazzieHennings.com Education: Bachelor's degree in each: history anthropology and general studies; Master of Arts in military studies; Master of Science in strategic intelligence; Ph.D Political/government/civic experience: Orange County Young Republicans (six years) The Space Coast Association of Realtors and Brevard Republican Executive Committee Campaign email: Ssamspublic1973@gmail.com Website: https://www.sams4satellite.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085413247670 Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsAshleigh Coran ‘Go big or go home.’ And we were already home so we just had to go big instead,” Kane laughed The grass on his lawn is barely visible beneath the giant holiday inflatables but it’s the Santa centerpiece that truly steals the show “There are so many people who just stand here and gape,” Kane explained Kane said the idea came to him one day as he looked out the window and thought He started searching on Google for the perfect piece when a massive Santa from New Jersey suddenly popped up on eBay Some spectators told us it’s something they come to see every year not just because of Santa but also his surrounding friends “We also have a donation box for people who want to contribute to the care of the Satellite Beach police dogs and we raise money for their care and feeding I think last year we raised $780,” Kane said Kane believes anything that encourages giving back is worth it so I think we might have to replace him,” Kane said Kane’s display captured our attention on our ClickOrlando.com/pins page, and we want to see more holidays homes! A holiday display featuring a 38 foot Santa and street displays Whoville. Dec 9, 20241Satellite BeachShare photos of your decorated home, and you could be featured on WKMG-TV. All featured homes will also appear on ClickOrlando.com for the whole community to enjoy. Dec 3, 20241JacksonvilleCopyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved SATELLITE BEACH — A 64-year-old area man was arrested Saturday and charged with leaving the scene of a Satellite Beach crash Friday night in which a pedestrian was killed was taken into custody Saturday and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death after an investigation by Satellite Beach Police He was released from the Brevard County Jail Sunday on a $250,000 bond The deadly crash occurred at about 6:12 p.m Friday in the 1400 block of State Road A1A near Cadillac Cove restaurant The unidentified pedestrian was treated by paramedics and taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne Police have not released any further information on the victim There were no pedestrian walkways in the immediate area of the incident Police linked Vazquez’s Ford F-150 — which had damage — to the crash The truck was later found at Vazquez’s home at 135 Dorset Lane in an unincorporated part of Satellite Beach J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop. BREVARD COUNTY – Firefighters and police have confirmed a woman is dead after she was found floating in the ocean Saturday morning in Brevard County Brevard County Fire Rescue initially said that the woman had washed up on the beach The Indian Harbour Beach Police Department later shared a news release on the matter which offered clearer details The release states police received a 911 call around 8 a.m about a possible body floating in the ocean about 200 yards from the shoreline in the area of the 2000 block of Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway First responders from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and Satellite Beach Fire Department assisted officers The woman — who was determined to be about 30 to 40 years old — underwent life-saving efforts before being taken to a hospital where she was ultimately pronounced dead Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 321-773-3030 Note: This map depicts the general area of the scene and not necessarily its exact location The first day of autumn was the last day of operation for Beef O' Brady's in Satellite Beach Sunday's closure of the once-popular sports bar and restaurant Patrick Drive and part of a nationwide chain "The building was for sale and (owners) expected to close on that sale this month A new restaurant concept is expected," Baker said Scorpion Properties LLC has owned the Beef O' Brady's building since 2004 More: Roaches prompt shutdown of Cocoa Beach diner; 18 restaurants fail inspection The closure does not affect other locations in Brevard with multiple locations in Florida and throughout the country According to the corporate Beef O' Brady's website Baker is a partial owner of the Viera location and full owner of the Melbourne store at 3030 Lake Washington Road More: Annual Taste of Space gets ready to lift off at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex The longtime hangout focused on sports and American pub food With hundreds of locations in more than 20 states, Beef O'Brady's started in 1985 in Brandon and is well known as a family-friendly restaurant with pub food and loads of TVs for sports fans Longtime Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker announced Wednesday she is stepping down early next month for a job in the private sector Barker has run the city's daily operations since 2013 She made the formal announcement at Wednesday's city council meeting calling the job for a local residential developer a "huge opportunity." and it's just not something I could say no to," she told council members We built one of the best teams I've ever had the pleasure of working with." Before taking over as city manager, Barker served as the planning and growth management director for the city of Titusville for nine years, according to her LinkedIn profile Her last day with Satellite Beach will be Aug Council members elected Assistant City Manager Brittany Retherford to serve as interim city manager while they search for Barker's replacement They unanimously praised Barker's work ethic and track record at the meeting I would say thanks for the late night calls but I know they were necessary and I appreciate them," Mayor Steve Osmer said You're leaving us in good hands," Councilmember Mindy Gibson said Barker was a frequent target of criticism from local activists throughout her tenure who often accused her and councilmembers of ignoring laws and siding with developers over residents in the tiny beachside city The news of her pending resignation was met with sporadic applause and scorn from a handful of speakers Wednesday While she didn't directly address her critics Barker in her announcement urged residents to be skeptical of claims they read on social media "I just want to remind the community that when you're going through an election and you're seeing these things going through social media but one of the council members or the assistant city manager I would say a 99.99999% chance it's not true," she said "I try not to think it's intentionally done but at some point you've got to suspect it especially during times like this," she added Barker declined to name the company that hired her citing concerns about potential harassment Council members have until February to select Barker's permanent replacement under the city charter They briefly mulled Wednesday whether to hire a search firm which Barker said would cost the city up to $40,000 Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com FL — The Satellite Beach Police Department has made an arrest in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on the evening of November 22 Authorities identified and located a Ford F-150 pickup truck believed to have been involved in the collision which took place at approximately 6:12 PM in front of Cadillac Cove on Highway A1A in Satellite Beach The crash resulted in the death of a pedestrian who was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries The victim’s identity has not yet been released investigators located the suspected vehicle at a residence on Dorset Lane in an unincorporated area north of Satellite Beach The discovery led to the arrest of 64-year-old John Thomas Vazquez Sr Vazquez has been charged with “Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death,” a severe felony He is currently being held at the Brevard County Jail Complex without bond According to the initial police investigation the Ford F-150 is believed to have sustained front-end damage during the collision The driver fled the scene before officers arrived prompting a widespread effort to identify and locate the vehicle The Satellite Beach Police Department expressed gratitude for the swift response and cooperation from their team and the public They continue to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to contact Lieutenant Anthony Holland at 321-773-4400 (Ext 474) or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward Photo Photo Re-offending Child molester convicted, sentenced to life in prison - The Space Coast Rocket Photo Photo When the Amazon rocket launch lifts off from Cape Canaveral there’s a chance it’ll be visible in Tallahassee Visibility from most of Florida is possible the mission has been called the "Amazon rocket launch" or "the Amazon rocket launch from Florida." Equipped with five side-mounted rocket boosters the reason why it could be visible from Florida to New York the Atlas V will lift the $10 billion internet constellation's first set of 27 satellites into low-Earth orbit A two-hour Amazon rocket launch window is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT Monday, April 28, 2025, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. An initial attempt April 9, 2025, was scrubbed due to weather. USA TODAY Network’s Space Team will provide live coverage of the Amazon rocket launch from Cape Canaveral two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Atlas V launch of Kuiper 1 for Amazon and its intended flight path and launch visibility Note: Cities in the Space Coast of Florida which is in Brevard County and measures 72 miles of coast which includes PLF Jettison or separation and jettison of the payload fairing: Space Coast which includes solid rocket booster jettison Big Bend area of Florida; visibility extends beyond Florida to Georgia ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other states and cities: visibility of Atlas V rocket may be possible in these states: AlabamaTennesseeKentuckyGeorgiaSouth CarolinaNorth CarolinaVirginiaWest VirginiaOhioIndianaMichiganDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaNew YorkRhode IslandConnecticutMassachusettsNew HampshireVermontMaineToronto CanadaThe above guidelines are estimates based on the graphic provided by ULA Home » Home » UPDATE: Satellite Beach Police Safely Locate Missing Brevard County Teen Avery Rice in Melbourne By Space Coast Daily  //  February 3 FLORIDA – The Satellite Beach Police Department announced Avery Rice was located at a home in Melbourne where she was staying with another juvenile The investigation is ongoing to determine if there will be further charges in this case