David Armstrong Barber faces charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of Jessie Kirk who was reported missing on March 4 under “highly suspicious” circumstances The State Attorney’s Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit cited in a news release that it would seek the death penalty because the crime was “especially heinous Kirk was reported missing by a friend after she didn’t show up for a morning walk Barber, a former Brevard County corrections deputy was originally arrested on charges of loitering and grand theft auto after investigators said they found him lurking near Kirk’s condo with burns on his arms police arrived to Kirk’s condo on March 4 and met a friend of hers who let officers into the garage where they encountered “a strong odor of bleach and cleaning chemicals in the air.” Police found Kirk’s Lincoln Navigator where her cellphone was last located but later left after believing she may have been with the friend who lived on that street Kirk’s friends and family continued to search for her where her vehicle was last seen and they noted that the vehicle was no longer there and that they noticed Barber’s vehicle “This was suspicious because the niece hadn’t been in a relationship with David Barber for approximately a year David Barber does not live or work in the Titusville area,” the affidavit reads Kirk’s niece told police she had received a text from Kirk’s phone earlier that morning that “implied Kirk was concerned for her safety and she planned to go into hiding.” She told police this text did not sound the way Kirk writes or speaks and that she believed Barber may have harmed her aunt Barber returned to his vehicle in the complex later that day where police noticed he had a large burn on his right arm and that part of his shirt had been burned he said “he would rather not talk about it” and that “accidents happen.” Officers were then notified by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office that a Lincoln Navigator was found burned in the woods off State Road 520 and Highway 50 near Christmas in east Orange County a witness said they saw a man holding his right arm as he was walking along Highway 50 in the area where the burned car was found Human remains were later found burned just south of Haulover Canal and Courtenay Parkway and matched Kirk’s description police said they found evidence that he “planned the death of Kirk actions he would need to mask his identity and elude those trying to find him,” according to the probable cause affidavit Police then found items belonging to Kirk during another search of the vehicle “Jessie was a long-time resident of Titusville and North Brevard She was a kind individual and had a gift to connect to anyone and everyone she met,” Titusville Police Commander Tyler Wright said “She was known to always be there for anyone and help Titusville police said Barber also faces charges of arson Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved 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 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 » MISSING JUVENILE: Titusville Police Search for Missing Endangered Teen By  //  May 1 FLORIDA – Titusville Police are currently in the area of S Deleon Avenue and Harrison Street searching for a juvenile that left from home who is considered endangered Heaven Cooper is 14 years of age with black and tan hair was last seen wearing a black shirt with “Garfield” on it Heaven was last seen on foot at the Emerald place apartments crossing S Deleon Avenue heading in a south eastern direction Police ask for people to please be on the lookout and if you see any person matching this description call Titusville Police immediately via 911 Click Here to Sign Up for Text Alerts Nearly 200 people celebrated the opening of the newly renovated student union at the Education and Training Center (ETC) at Pitt-Titusville and toured its updated facilities on April 24 Elected officials from across Western Pennsylvania faculty and staff attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the J The celebration also acknowledged the successful capital campaign which made the renovation project possible “This is an incredible day for our students and the future of education and workforce development in the region,” said Rick Esch president of Pitt’s Titusville and Bradford campuses “Today marks not only the opening of a renovated facility but also the realization of a bold vision that combines education innovation and community to create real and lasting opportunities “This is more than a building: It’s a promise A promise that ETC is leading and shaping the future of education and workforce training in ways that are flexible and grounded in real-world need.”  The facility includes the recently named Peter C upgraded classrooms and collaborative areas designed to spark innovation and hands-on learning The manufacturing center had been located off-campus since its relocation to Titusville in 2021 The new on-campus facility gives students hands-on experience with an assortment of tools and equipment The center also includes quality control and inspection tools including a CNC coordinate measuring machine and optical comparator “It is an honor to be standing here today — thanks to the collaboration of community and educational partners staff and students — to offer low-to-no-cost education and training to fulfill the workforce needs of northwestern Pennsylvania,” said Stephanie Fiely executive director of the ETC at Pitt-Titusville “The newly revised center is here to enhance the educational opportunities of residents in the region and to strengthen our communities.” intended to serve as a springboard for workforce development advancements for the region In addition to the unveiling of the new facility the event highlighted ETC’s success in surpassing its $3 million capital campaign goal which helped to support the renovation project  “Thanks to the unwavering support of our community I’m proud to share that we have exceeded our immediate capital campaign goal of $3 million,” said Joseph McCarthy “That milestone is more than just a number who along with Tom McKinney served as a co-chair of the campaign “Having the Pitt brand involved makes a big difference here as it provides inroads for students who may want to continue on and build upon the education they learned here The connection provides many additional opportunities to regional students which ultimately provides a favorable impact on the region’s economic health.” president and CEO of Manchester Bidwell; Rick Esch president of Pitt-Titusville and Pitt-Bradford; Joe McCarthy provost and senior vice chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; Stephanie Fiely executive director of ETC at Pitt-Titusville; campaign co-chairs Tom McKinney and Jim Broadhurst; Sen president of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Investigators with the Titusville Police Department announced Thursday afternoon that burnt human remains found on March 4 have been identified as belonging to 72-year-old Jessie Kirk Police said Kirk was reported missing around 9 a.m on March 4 after a friend said she did not show up for their morning walk Kirk's white Lincoln SUV was found fully engulfed in flames near State Road 50 and State Road 520 in Orange County at around 1:09 p.m. That location is about a 26-minute drive from Kirk’s home severely burnt human remains were found just south of Haulover Canal Bryan Nelson said a positive identification could not be made until Thursday Around the same time the remains were found was arrested near Kirk’s condo in the 3200 block of South Washington on charges of loitering and prowling He was also charged with grand theft auto in connection with Kirk's missing SUV Bryan Nelson said during a press conference Thursday "he had injuries consistent with high heat Police reported that Barber was in an estranged relationship with one of Kirk’s family members That woman accused Barber of stalking her after they ended their three-year relationship in July 2024 according to a Rockledge Police Department arrest warrant affidavit filed in December 2024 Investigators say Barber is currently the sole person of interest in Kirk's disappearance and death The Brevard Sheriff’s Office said Barber had voluntarily resigned after working at the agency from 2018 to 2022 The Sheriff’s Office said during his time of employment he received no formal discipline.  Investigators are asking anyone with information on Kirk's disappearance or death to call the Titusville Police Department or the Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 A memorial for Kirk will be held on March 15 You can see the newly renovated student union at the Education and Training Center at Pitt-Titusville (ETC) during a ribbon cutting and campaign celebration April 24 which houses the Manufacturing Assistance Center renovated classrooms and collaborative areas designed to foster innovation and learning “We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated student union,” said Stephanie Fiely “This project would not have been possible without very generous donors and partners Our collaboration illustrates our dedication to providing students with the best possible environment for their academic growth as well as our continuing commitment to regional economic development.” local businesses and foundations whose support has enabled the campus to surpass its $3 million capital campaign goal The celebration will include remarks from ETC and University officials president of Pitt-Titusville and Pitt-Bradford; Joseph McCarthy provost and senior vice chancellor from the University of Pittsburgh; and Jim Broadhurst The ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by a reception with light refreshments and live entertainment. Please reach out to Michelle Therminy at 814-362-7551 or mdt28 [at] pitt.edu to RSVP by April 10 Renovations in the student union started in the spring of 2024 The Manufacturing Assistance Center at ETC in partnership with Pitt-Swanson's School of Engineering has been operating off campus since the program moved to Titusville in 2021 The former racquetball courts will now be used as an on-campus manufacturing center to improve the continuing educational experience of those seeking to learn the trades  “Manufacturing employers in Northwestern Pennsylvania have significant concerns over the aging workforce,” Fiely said “The Northwest PA Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region cited workforce options for position replacement as a major issue facing manufacturing employers today This reality highlighted an opportunity for the Education and Training Center at Pitt-Titusville to act.” “This renovation project will enable the ETC to help build tomorrow’s workforce through regional collaborations,” Fiely said manufacturing companies and students come together we are building family-sustainable jobs for our community members right here in our region.” The newly renovated space also will accommodate partners’ needs and program developments makerspace and art gallery will provide spaces for new collaborations between manufacturing Titusville Playhouse is ready to deliver a heavenly dose of humor and harmony with "Altar Boyz." The show opens Friday The musical follows five members of a fictional Christian boy band from Ohio Set during the final concert of the band's "Raise the Praise" tour the musical introduces five heartthrobs: Matthew hilariously funny story about a Christian pop-band - think New Kids On The Block or *NSYNC - who just happen to love their faith," said director Kenney Green-Tilford And every single one of them has a heart of gold." "Altar Boyz" has enjoyed widespread acclaim including a five-year Off-Broadway run and numerous international productions Its unique format—a concert within a musical—engages audiences directly breaking the fourth wall and inviting them into the Boyz's world "It is very interactive," Green-Tilford said "You are coming the Boyz final concert on their tour The musical's score features a blend of pop Audiences can expect a setlist of original songs that blend pop sensibilities with religious themes including titles like “Rhythm In Me,” “Church Rulez,” and “The Miracle Song.” While "Altar Boyz" pokes fun at the commercialization of religion and the tropes of boy bands it also delivers messages about acceptance Whether or not you grew up attending Sunday school Green-Tilford says there is plenty to enjoy in the show "You don't have to be religious to love the journey these boys take and anyone who is religious will definitely not be offended," he said "It's an honest look into a world where these young men are following their calling Green-Tilford describes the show as having a blend of satire and sincerity "There is a healthy balance of both," he said "It's a tongue-in-cheek sort of satirical look "Altar Boyz" promises a performance that’s both entertaining and enlightening an open mind and be ready to enjoy a lot of laughter and hot music," Green-Tilford said "You just might walk away with not only a smile on your face Website: titusvilleplayhouse.com Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network Home » Home » BREAKING: Titusville Police Detectives Charge David Barber With First Degree Murder of Jesse Kirk By  //  March 10 FLORIDA – Titusville Police Detectives have charged David A Detectives added the following charges on Barber while he was still incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail for an earlier arrest This case began with the disappearance of Jessie Kirk on March 4 which was recognized immediately by responding officers as highly suspicious David Barber was arrested later that day for Loitering and Prowling and grand theft auto a body was located near the Haulover Canal and was subsequently identified by the Medical Examiner’s office as Jessie Kirk “Through the dedicated efforts of law enforcement personnel Detectives were able to gather the necessary evidence to bring these charges forward,” said a Titusville police spokesperson and continued to investigate leads to ensure a comprehensive case “This collaborative effort has been instrumental in securing the charges and moving one step closer to justice and closure for Jessie Kirk’s family and friends,” said Titusville Police Detective Sergeant Bryan Nelson “We continue to encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward.” Tips can be submitted to 321-567-3900 or by contacting Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS 2025) — Titusville Police are now conducting a homicide investigation as the remains of Jesse D were located deceased near the area of Haulover Canal Bridge Titusville Police Detectives are asking the public to report any information about this investigation specifically focusing on the red Honda CRV and the white Lincoln Navigator to call 321-567-3900 or to remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward Titusville police detectives and Brevard County Sheriff’s agents have been searching for Kirk who was reported missing under what police described as “highly suspicious” circumstances Kirk was last seen on the morning of March 4 before she failed to appear for her routine walk along S prompting an investigation by the Titusville Police Department officers encountered a man near Kirk’s condo exhibiting what they called suspicious behavior identified as 35-year-old David Armstrong Barber was arrested on charges of loitering and prowling authorities observed that Barber had recent burns on his body police located Kirk’s vehicle in Orange County near State Road 50 and State Road 520 The car had been set on fire and was described as “burned up” by detectives While officials have not confirmed a direct connection between Barber and Kirk’s disappearance court records show that Barber has since been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle Authorities have identified Barber as the estranged boyfriend of one of Kirk’s relatives His past interactions with law enforcement include a history of alleged stalking and burglary attempts his ex-girlfriend filed a restraining order against him including an incident where she allegedly found wires and a rod attached to her car Barber was arrested for attempting to break into the Rockledge apartment the couple once shared a former corrections deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office worked with the agency from January 2018 until his voluntary resignation in January 2022 The sheriff’s office confirmed he had no formal disciplinary actions during his tenure Authorities have not disclosed any leads regarding Kirk’s whereabouts or whether foul play is suspected the circumstances surrounding her disappearance have raised significant concerns Law enforcement officials urge anyone with information on Kirk’s case to contact the Titusville Police Department Those who wish to remain anonymous can call CRIMELINE at 800-423-TIPS and may be eligible for a reward Space Coast Daily recognized Bob and Jesse Kirk as Central Florida Humanitarians in 2014 with the following tribute: Bob and Jesse Kirk have shown their commitment to the Space Coast with decades of support of their hometown of Titusville Bob Kirk started in the real estate industry in Titusville in the 1960s As a founding member and past president of the North Brevard (Space Coast) Board of Realtors Bob has been active in residential and commercial sales and community development through homebuilding Recognizing the need to give back to the community the Kirks have channeled their enthusiasm through the support of local groups such as the Jaycees and the Sertoma Club and as founding members of the North Brevard Development Council now the Space Coast Economic Development Council Bob is an active member of the Navy League of the United States During his tenure as President of the Cape Canaveral Council Bob instituted a matching funds endowment program for the Courageous Division of Sea Cadets opening doors for young adults to participate Bob Kirk has received awards for his innovative work in the community helping beautify the area and keeping dormant real estate useful during the economic downturn He grew acres of sunflowers on acreage along U.S 1 to beautify the community and distribute them to churches and nursing home residents and other fresh vegetables freely given to the community from land that would otherwise have gone fallow The project earned a beautification award from the City of Titusville Bob has also worked closely with the City of Titusville and local retailers to ensure that shopping centers and retail outlets remain active in the Titusville area to serve the community’s needs He helped with the Riverfront Acquisition Program and donated funds for the development of Kirkpoint as a riverfront park for the community Bob serves on the Space Coast Development Commission’s board of directors and is a Circle of Life Member of the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation and moved to the west coast of the United States in 1980 building a successful travel career in several countries and Bob subsequently convinced her to move to Titusville They have been happily married for 23 years and Jessie now devotes her time to supporting Bob’s ventures and their joint projects for the community Jesse sums it up: “I have lived in big cities and did not find a sense of community I have a sense of belonging and am proud to see the direct impact of dollars raised in contributions and support FLORIDA – Titusville Police are asking the community for help as they search for a missing person who is missing under highly suspicious circumstances and is considered a missing and endangered adult was reported missing by a friend around 9 a.m on March 4 when she did not show up for her morning walk as police detectives were canvassing the area they encountered a suspicious man near the missing woman’s condo was arrested for Loitering and Prowling after Detectives found him lurking in the area Barber had what appeared to be significant recent burns on him Barber is identified as the estranged boyfriend of a relative of Kirk the missing woman’s vehicle was located burned up near SR 50 and SR 520 in Orange County Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Titusville Police and can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by calling CRIMELINE at 800-423-TIPS TITUSVILLE – A driver faces a charge of DUI manslaughter after his pickup truck fatally struck a man crossing the street in Titusville The crash occurred around 2:50 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Columbia Boulevard and Windover Trail as the pedestrian walked north in a crosswalk while returning to his job at Walmart, the Titusville Police Department said in a news release The pickup truck was driven by Dallas Scott Weed who was traveling westbound on Columbia Boulevard when the crash happened The man who was struck was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead around 4 p.m. where he allegedly showed signs of intoxication and was arrested Weed’s traffic citation indicates he refused to submit to a breath or blood test He’s being held in the Brevard County Jail on $15,000 bond joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 – Fire damaged a Titusville home Tuesday night The Titusville Fire Department said crews arrived and found flames and smoke pouring from the carport area Fire officials said the homeowner was outside and was not injured The cause of the fire is under investigation Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009 When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby — The Titusville Police Department met with the community Thursday evening during the North Brevard NAACP meeting to release new information about the shooting death of a man by police after the community expressed frustration over the incident.  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after Tri-Marea Charles Police Chief John Lau said officers responded to a home that had been a “hot spot” for calls of service “The house in question that we were at over the past year has been a hot spot of calls for service,” Lau explained three weeks prior to the incident last Friday night Lau explained that the number of calls led to a search warrant being granted where officers found drugs and a gun two days before Feb the police department still received calls of shots being fired from that home Charles tried to get through the front door and there were two people in front of him one of which was a woman with a walker,” Lau said An officer alerted others that there was a gun and authorities said that is when officers got into a physical altercation with him Community members still expressed frustration after the meeting “They gave him two days to practice and say this We heard the same thing we already knew,” Carol Mccurty May said And they gave him a chance to talk in a couple days.” Community advocate Stell Bailey said the community would like to see public records shared following incidents like this “There needs to be public records to start putting out information and this kind of community meeting should’ve happened before the city council meeting on Tuesday night,” Bailey said They need to be able to ask their questions and to let out their frustrations They have been through a lot in the last week.”  Some members of the community said they lost trust in law enforcement and are asking for the Titusville Police Department to release body cam footage and more information Lau said that won’t happen until after the investigation is over Lau did say that Charles’ mother will be the first to receive the information Vice Mayor Herman Cole also said Charles’ mother was allowed to see her son Thursday morning for the first time After the FDLE is finished with its investigation the case will be submitted to the State Attorney’s Office for review — A project is underway to repair damage from Hurricane Irma and ward off future storms in Brevard County The project would protect the local waterways that Jim Holechko likes to use when he visits family in Titusville He couldn’t resist grabbing his fishing pole on a beautiful Florida Friday His catch Friday was consistently pufferfish from his spot underneath the Max Brewer Bridge Hurricane Irma did significant damage to the shoreline in this area and a washed away roadway caused by the storm Brevard County now has a multi-faceted project to restore and protect the shoreline It involves stopping and reversing erosion Part of the project is a first line of defense using concrete structures just off the shore and dozens of them are being installed in the water to act as a breakwater reef The lagoon’s width allows waves to grow larger Officials say the WADS will act as a buffer and reduce wave heights up to 90% The project also includes seagrass restoration which is food vital for the lagoon’s ecosystem More seagrass will grow around the wads and also provide a buffer for the shoreline But it kept people from getting close to the water to enjoy it The wads are expected to be so effective in wave reduction the riprap is no longer needed and native species of plants and stretches of sand will take its place Holechko said he’s hoping to reap the benefits of a new artificial reef The $4 million project is expected to wrap up at the end of May TITUSVILLE, Fla. – More than a month has passed since a 25-year-old man was shot and killed by police in Titusville — and some residents are still searching for answers on what exactly happened Tuesday night, a crowd of advocates piled into the city council meeting room just as they did on Feb. 11. During the public comment period of the meeting Christina Michelle stood up to question the shooting to Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors and Council Member Jo Lynn Nelson [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] “How many bullets does it take to stop a threat Tri-Marea Charles was shot 15 times in the back killed with over 60 shell castings left by a police department with more than 30 unsolved murders,” Michelle said Michelle spoke after her allocated three minutes leaving the mayor to cut off her microphone and calling a recess News 6 did not attend the meeting in person and the video feed available for the public was paused for nearly 20 minutes Alright we will call a recess,” Connors said before the feed cut out Police have shared limited information on the Feb. 7 shooting — releasing a press release which reads the agency initially was responding to a suspicious incident investigation off Robins Avenue Titusville Police Chief, John Lau then met with residents on Feb. 13 at NAACP meeting to address questions from the community on the incident He said officers encountered Charles after he ran out the front door and dropped a gun He then claimed there was some type of altercation with officers and Charles “Mr. Charles re-armed himself with the gun that had fallen, and that’s when shots were fired,” Lau said on Feb. 13. Charles was shot by police and taken to the hospital where he was soon pronounced dead The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the now investigating the shooting News 6 requested clarification to FDLE if Charles was shot 15 times in the back and the following response was given “Our investigation remains active,” an unnamed spokesperson for FDLE said in an email We also put in a public records request for the body camera footage 911 audio and incident report from the shooting to FDLE — it is unknown how long it will take to be fulfilled TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Get ready, car enthusiasts — Titusville is the place to be this weekend! The highly anticipated Wheels in Motion Car Show is back and taking over Fox Lake Park this Saturday we’re kicking off the excitement with a Trooper Steve on Patrol live stream featuring special guests from the Wheels in Motion team where we’ll chat about what makes this annual event so special this show is a celebration of all things automotive—and more importantly it’s a reflection of the incredible support from our local community And here’s a fun bonus: I’ll be stepping into the role of Chief Car Judge this year I’m looking forward to checking out the creative custom rides The forecast is calling for sunshine and perfect spring weather Whether you’re showcasing a ride or just coming out to enjoy the view the Wheels in Motion Car Show is the ultimate Saturday plan So tune into our live stream today to get the inside scoop and we’ll see you at Fox Lake Park this Saturday Let’s make it a day to remember—full of chrome – A precautionary boil water notice was issued Tuesday for select addresses in Titusville following a water main break The notice impacts the following addresses a contractor working in the area hit and broke the water main which serves these residences The water main was shut down around 2:45 p.m. people at the aforementioned addresses are asked to bring water to a rolling boil of at least one minute and allow it to cool before using it for drinking This Precautionary Boil Water Notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey confirms that the water is safe to drink Notices will be issued to all residences when the Precautionary Boil Water Notice has been rescinded This Notice is anticipated to be rescinded by Thursday all water for consumption should continue to be boiled until rescinding notices are received If you have any questions about this notice please contact the Public Works Field Operations Division at 321-567-3883 please contact the Water Production Division t 321-383-5657 More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Breaking Ground: A Facility for the Future of Deterrence Lockheed Martin is building production space in Florida to support U.S This year, Lockheed Martin will mark 70 years of corporate support to the U.S. Navy for strategic missiles through its Fleet Ballistic Missile program Navy's strategic missile prime contractor since Dec we are entering the next era of deterrence to enable our customers to stay ahead of evolving global threats for the next 60 years Lockheed Martin is constructing modernized facilities to help meet our customers’ production needs following a $383 million cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the existing Lockheed Martin contract for development of the next generation of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile known as Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) to continue the nation's sea-based strategic deterrence Lockheed Martin will build the new Florida production facility at the company’s Titusville campus The building is designed to produce components for the missile The approximately 225,000-square foot facility “Lockheed Martin is leaning forward in its 21st Century Security and digital factory technology investments to support our customers’ ever-evolving strategic deterrence missions,” said Johnathon Caldwell vice president and general manager of Strategic & Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin " We are designing agility into this facility from the start so it can grow “We are building this factory in parallel with the second life extension of the Trident D5 missile’s preliminary design ahead of ready to meet our customer’s production needs,” explained Jerry Mamrol vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin The D5 missile, built and upgraded by Lockheed Martin for the Navy, is the most advanced ballistic missile in the world and is currently aboard U.S OHIO-class and UK VANGUARD-class submarines The D5LE2 will be carried aboard COLUMBIA-class submarines The sea-based strategic deterrent is the most survivable leg of America’s deterrent triad discouraging adversaries from launching an attack on our homeland Lockheed Martin is pleased to continue and grow state and local partnerships throughout the effort This includes those with the state of Florida and other local partners as the FBM program moves into the new era of deterrence Lockheed Martin is a longtime contributor to the state of Florida’s economy The company and its more than 16,000 employees in the state are driving innovation: “Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to invest in our aerospace and aviation, and military and defense industries – bringing high-skill, high-wage jobs to the state,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Strategic investments like this continue to propel Florida’s workforce, adding 300 new jobs and bringing economic success to Florida communities." government and academia to work together to ensure the United States remains a leader in technology advanced manufacturing and global security,” said Caldwell A 95-year-old motorist who initially survived being struck by an oncoming train at a crossing gate last week has died from his injuries was driving a 2019 Hyundai eastbound on Knox McRae Drive when the car went past a lowered railroad gate and entered the crossing about 1:23 p.m Dickenson's vehicle was then struck by a Florida East Coast Railway train as the red lights continued to flash Titusville Fire Department crews responded within minutes as the wreckage sat off to the side of the railroad tracks Dickenson was taken to an unidentified hospital and later died from his injuries The Federal Railroad Administration reports that there were nine train-related fatalities in Brevard County in 2024 Eight of those fatalities involved high-speed Brightline trains which run through the south and central parts of the county The death was the fourth in Brevard County to be attributed to an oncoming train this year The first three deadly 2025 crashes in Brevard involved Brightline 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. plan to open their fifth restaurant in Titusville Their aim with this establishment: capitalize on sentimental Florida nostalgia such as the long-gone local treasure "We want to do something with our own twist .. and bring back things that are nostalgic to us," said Jessie Landry The Landry's want to "fill the void in the market" and offer fresh from Florida foods as well as former greats from restaurants closed in Brevard County In addition to serving the famous Orange Julius the Landry's have revived the recipes for Lums’ beer-boiled hot dogs and Bagel World’s macaroni salad Guests can anticipate enjoying locally sourced seafood Experience true Floridian cuisine by starting with boiled peanuts trying fried gator tail and finishing the meal with homemade banana pudding or key lime pie The Native Bar & Grill is opening at 2430 S Renovations have started at the former Frankie's Wings and Things Lunch and dinner will be served 7 days a week Titusville restaurateursFormer owners of Bagel World and Bagel 13 the Landry's have four other restaurants in Titusville Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter A former Brevard County sheriff’s corrections officer was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of Titusville resident Jessie Kirk who was reported missing the morning of March 4 Titusville police said David Armstrong Barber He was already a person of interest in the disappearance of Kirk a well-known real estate business owner and community advocate whose burned-out SUV and body were discovered the afternoon of her disappearance “This collaborative effort has been instrumental in securing the charges and moving one step closer to justice and closure for Jessie Kirk's family and friends,” said Detective Sergeant Bryan Nelson of the Titusville Police Department Kirk was reported missing by a friend after she failed to turn up for a routine morning walk spotted near Kirk’s condominium the same morning with burn marks on his arm was arrested on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle loitering and prowling after family members and friends of Kirk told Titusville police he was driving Kirk’s white Lincoln Navigator without permission The burned-out Navigator was found near Christmas the same day was located near the Haulover Canal in north Brevard Barber was arrested later that day for loitering The medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy over two days and identified the remains as those of Kirk Nelson and other detectives spanned the city gathering information that pointed back to Barber who was the former boyfriend of Kirk's niece He avoided questions upon his initial arrest “I don’t feel I should answer that at this time,” reports show issued a statement March 5 confirming Barber was a former corrections deputy with the agency shows he worked as a security specialist for SpaceX following his four-year stint with BCSO A candlelight vigil organized by Jess Parrish Medical Foundation and the Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center will be held at 7 p.m who has been jailed since his initial arrest is expected to go before a judge Tuesday for a bond hearing on the charges No other court dates have been set in the case 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: Chow’s Country Buffet Now Open in Titusville Features All-You-Can-Eat Homestyle Comfort Food By  //  March 14 ABOVE VIDEO: Chow’s Country Buffet is Now Open in Titusville and features All-You-Can-Eat Homestyle Comfort Food BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — Titusville, it’s official! Chow’s Country Buffet, packed with comfort food favorites has opened its doors for a soft opening at 3125 Columbia Blvd. Come in and enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet Mark your calendars: the grand opening is March 31 but you can be among the first to taste what everyone will be talking about this new buffet is already making a strong first impression ● Crab Salad – This had an unexpected but perfect kick—flavorful and bold ● Chicken Wings – Pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and well-spiced these were ● Beautiful presentation—everything looked as good as it tasted ● Friendly and attentive staff keeping things running smoothly ● The place is spotless—cleanliness is a priority Whether you’re craving classic comfort food James Sparvero TITUSVILLE, Fla. – The tension in Titusville continues to escalate in the wake of a shooting in which a 25-year-old man died at the hands of police officers Titusville police confirmed to News 6 that the department is investigating alleged social media threats made against officers some of whom were involved in the call that led to Tri-Marea Charles’ death One person has been arrested in relation to these posts Titusville Police Chief John Lau confirmed Jasmine Edwards faced a judge over the weekend before bonding out of jail on a felony charge of making threats “Free speech doesn’t give you the right to threaten officers’ lives,” Lau said in a phone call Tuesday with News 6 News 6 learned about the investigation into the posts days after filing a public records request with the city of Titusville regarding social media activity related to Charles’ shooting The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is overseeing the investigation into the officer-involved shooting Body-camera footage is expected to be released upon the conclusion of the probe News 6 obtained an email that Lau sent to Titusville’s city manager and other city leaders The email, which was delivered in the morning of Friday, Feb. 14, came a day after an NAACP meeting that addressed Charles’ shooting as a group of Charles’ friends and protesters stormed out during Lau’s address to the crowd Lau described the events of the night of Feb He alleged that Charles tried to run out a front door causing a gun to fall out of his waistband While Lau claimed Charles engaged in a physical altercation with police and re-armed himself protesters seized on Lau’s comments that the gun had fallen onto the ground “The key thing was he dropped a gun,” Alicia Marie “Threats of Public Officials.” Lau wrote that after the meeting “there was a frenzy of social media activities from our community to try and identify our police officers involved in this shooting.” Lau wrote that the threats consisted of “retaliation ‘murderer,’ and posting that they would kill him.” who was arrested shortly after midnight on Feb alleges that she posted an encouragement to “kill cops.” She allegedly included the hashtag #LLTRAY which the affidavit claimed had been used on Facebook to refer to Tri-Marea Charles During Edwards' first court appearance at the Brevard County jail attorneys in court argued over whether her threats were credible “We should do like Cali [expletive] and kills cops end quote,” the public defender read what Edwards is accused of writing “There is no specificity over who is being threatened in that post,” he said “The post she’s making is to kill cops,” an attorney for the state responded Lau said he was able to make contact with the officers who were threatened and that “they relocated their families until we could get a handle on this.” He went on to write members of his staff “met with many of the names attached to the threatening posts.” He said that all but one of the posts had been taken down at the time he composed the email When asked what officers told the people responsible for the alleged posts containing officers’ personal information “You’ve got 30 minutes to take this post down.” Lau insisted those comments did not amount to a threat but rather were a warning about the legal statute of which they were in violation The individual who was arrested was charged with “written threats to kill.” Lau said the person who was arrested is not the only person of interest in the police investigation and that the probe into the social media posts is ongoing Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: 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 Titusville City Manager Scott Larese is retiring after more than a decade in that position "I am excited to announce to you that I am retiring from the city of Titusville," Larese told Titusville City Council members in an email he sent Friday "I have decided that it is time to begin the next chapter in this great journey I am required to provide council a 60-day notice that I am retiring." Council members say they were not aware of Larese's timeline for retirement beforehand and his pending announcement did not come up during last week's nearly 5½-hour City Council meeting Titusville City Council Member Sarah Stoeckel on Monday said she is not altogether surprised by it considering the average tenure of a city manager is three to five years Larese has had a 25-year military career before entering the private sector Stoeckel — who has been on the City Council for most of Larese's tenure as city manager — said she is generally pleased with Larese's performance She cited such things as Titusville's relatively strong budget; its police and fire departments; and efforts by the city to balance growth and the preservation of green space Stoeckel said Larese also was strong in emergency management Larese has an annual salary of $228,321.60 However, Larese and City Council Member Megan Moscoso did have a run-in during the Jan when Moscoso questioned the city manager's transparency over several recent sewage and reclaimed water spills Moscoso — who was elected in November — said she and other council members should be told about such incidents directly by the city administration instead of hearing about it through calls from constituents or via social media posts Titusville reported several spills at its Osprey sewer plant to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that occurred in January "My beef is not with the leak," Moscoso said What I'm really kind of upset about it that information is not really being given to us (on the council) My biggest concern is we don't know what's going on How can we make informed decisions on infrastructure improvements if we're not being given the information How are we supposed to build confidence in our local government if these things aren't being told to us?" Moscoso also said she is "finding it difficult to do my job" as a council member when she is told she should not call city staff to discuss an issue "It was actually easier as a citizen to get information" through a public records request I find it really difficult to get the information that I need." Moscoso said Larese has told her she was putting in too many requests and was asking too many questions when City Council members have direct contact with city employees it "creates conflict" because the staff members don't know who to answer to — their department head or any of the five council members "The employees don't know who to answer if they're getting overwhelmed with too many leaders guiding them," Larese said Moscoso said she believes there is a correlation between the discussion at the council meeting and the timing of city manager's retirement announcement although others don't think that is the case Larese did not respond to messages left for him at City Hall Stoeckel agreed with Moscoso that communication with the community is important and she feared the city leaders are limiting what information is being disseminated by Titusville's public information staff "I want this information out," Stoeckel said it looks like we are doing something wrong." Stoeckel said transparency is a way to rebuild the trust among residents It's been very frustrating for several years." Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors — who was elected in November — said that while he and Larese "haven't always agreed In his retirement letter to council members Larese wrote: "I am committed to assisting you in recruiting my replacement It has been a real pleasure serving six city councils and leading this great team we have assembled." Stoeckel said Larese told her he would be willing to stay on beyond March 31 if the council members wanted him to do so while they search for a new city manager "He didn't want to leave us high and dry," Stoeckel said Connors said the search for a city manager might have an additional obstacle considering Palm Bay and Cape Canaveral also have city manager vacancies The city councils in Palm Bay and Cape Canaveral recently fired their city managers and have interim city managers in the posts Connors said he expects Titusville City Council members to discuss the process for replacing Larese at their next meeting Before being named Titusville city manager Larese was managing director of the Cunningham Center at Columbus State University The conference center provides leadership and sales training Larese previously served for 25 years in the Army including as garrison commander at Fort Rucker He was selected as city manager in 2014 from more than 65 applicants from 27 states Ryan was Titusville city manager for seven years before leaving to become city manager in Indian Harbour Beach 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 Lockheed Martin Corp. plans to add up to 300 jobs in Titusville after winning a major Navy contract to produce components for next-generation The average annual wage for the new jobs will be $89,000 The defense technology company also will be building a $140 million 225,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Titusville for the project The facility is anticipated to be ready for operations in 2027 to meet the Navy's production needs and support the service for the next 60 years in announcing the contract and its plans for expanding in Titusvillle Lockheed Martin said the Navy awarded the company a $383 million addition to its contract for development of the next generation of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System D5 missile The company said the missile system will allow the Navy "to continue the nation's sea-based strategic deterrence." Continued expansion of military facilitiesThe Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast said Lockheed's collaboration with the Navy also is expected to mean that the Navy will add up to 100 naval personnel locally called Lockheed Martin's expansion in Titusville "yet another important win." District 1 Brevard County Commissioner Katie Delaney — whose commission district includes Titusville — said it will assure "a promising future for the residents of District 1 and Florida’s Space Coast." built and upgraded by Lockheed Martin for the Navy is the most advanced ballistic missile in the world Ohio-class and United Kingdom Vanguard-class submarines Lockheed Martin will design the upgraded missile The company said the missile will be carried aboard Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines "to ensure the strategic weapon system remains credible through 2084." vice president of fleet ballistic missiles at Lockheed Martin said the contract extension "will enable the United States and United Kingdom … to maintain credibility deterring evolving threats." Lockheed Martin said it has a total of 16,766 employees at 74 facilities in Florida with a total payroll in the state of about $2 billion Lockheed Martin this year will mark 70 years of support to the Navy developing and sustaining the missiles that the company said are the backbone for the nation's sea-based deterrence through the company's fleet ballistic missile program was able to see her son’s body for the first time since he was fatally wounded Feb “It’s truly with a heavy heart that we’re here,” said Titusville Police Chief John Lau standing alone in front of the audience that included Charles’ family members “I cannot say any more sincerely that we regret that this happened,” Lau said without taking any questions and Lau did not name the officers involved in the shooting “We don’t believe you and we don’t trust you,” said audience member Jermaine McCrary The deadly shooting occurred about 9:15 p.m. Friday near Robbins Avenue in Titusville and prompted protests livestreams and at least one music production calling for justice in the case protesters brought a city council meeting to a halt before spilling onto the street and dispersing confronted city leaders in front of the dais with questions and demands to see the body of her son along with videos of the incident I'm going to keep fighting until we get some justice," Charles told FLORIDA TODAY Tuesday Thursday's discussion of the shooting came during the monthly meeting of the North Brevard branch of the NAACP Lau told the audience that officers were called to a home where there had been multiple reports of gunfire in the days leading up to the shooting “The house in question has been a hot spot,” said Lau adding that the residence was the subject of a recent search warrant officers returned to the residence after reports of a house party Officers spotted Charles trying to get out of the front door of the home but said he apparently tripped Lau said an officer alerted others that there was a gun a former Astronaut High School football player and McDonald’s employee was transported nearly an hour after the shooting to Parrish Hospital which later went on lockdown and where Charles was declared dead The body was then taken by the medical examiner’s office while Charles' mother awaited word on the condition of her son the medical examiner turned the body over to a funeral home and Samantha Charles was allowed to see her son's remains It was not immediately known how many times Charles was shot But Lau’s efforts to share details about what happened didn't resonate with some in the audience follow-up meeting Saturday at the city council chambers who last saw his cousin a week before Charles' death said the chief's failure to answer questions fell flat very stale," McCrary said of Laur's explanation of the incident Similar sentiments were voiced by Aldon Bookhardt quite a few people came up to me and voiced their frustration … that no one was allowed to speak," he said FDLE will investigate shooting death caseThe case has been turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement The state agency is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete the investigation as agents gather witness statements review videos and forensic evidence culled from Charles' body will be turned over the Brevard County State Attorney's office where prosecutors will determine whether the use of deadly force was justifiable City officials reiterated that the investigation into Charles' death was in the hands of FDLE which typically is called in by law enforcement agencies across the state to investigates officer-related shootings But we don’t have a lot of answers,” said Herman Cole The shooting comes less than two months after former Titusville police officer Joshua Payne was sentenced to five years’ probation for manslaughter as part of a plea deal in the December 2021 death of 40-year-old James Lowery Prosecutors said Payne shot Lowery in the back of the head while fleeing the officer Payne resigned after the deadly shooting and was charged with manslaughter by the Brevard County State Attorney's office 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. Kirk was reported missing Tuesday after she failed to show up for a morning walk with a friend [RELATED: Who is Jessie Kirk?] Authorities later found Kirk’s vehicle set on fire in a wooded area of Orange County nearly 20 miles from her condo on charges of loitering and grand theft auto after investigators said they found him lurking near Kirk’s condo with first and second degree burns on his arms Barber previously dated the missing woman’s niece and is currently facing separate criminal charges for allegedly attempting to burglarize the ex-girlfriend’s former home News 6 is not identifying Barber’s ex-girlfriend by name since she claims to be a victim of stalking and revenge porn Barber’s ex-girlfriend sought a restraining order in November after she said Barber repeatedly ignored a letter from her attorney demanding him to stop all contact and harassing behavior According to a petition filed in Orange County Circuit Court the woman said she moved out of the Brevard County apartment she shared with Barber in June and ended their three-year relationship because he was posting sexually explicit photos of her on a pornographic website without consent The ex-girlfriend’s attorney sent Barber a “cease and desist” notice on July 17 demanding he delete the images and stop contacting the woman and her family The next day Barber reportedly sent an email to the woman’s attorney acknowledging that he had received the request But according to the woman’s petition for a restraining order the following evening Barber was captured on surveillance video placing something underneath her car parked outside her new home in Orange County Police later located a wire attached to a tire mounting rod Let me win your love and trust back,” Barber reportedly wrote in an email sent to the woman’s attorney about a week later “Please don’t let your fear get the better of you Please don’t run away from this relationship Barber returned to his ex-girlfriend’s new home at least four times in mid-November Surveillance videos reportedly showed him rummaging through her garbage with gloves on “I am terrified of his actions and fearful he is trying to sabotage my vehicle or follow me to an unsafe location and attack or kill me,” the woman wrote in her petition A judge issued a temporary injunction against Barber in November that prohibited him from having contact with his ex-girlfriend and a hearing on the restraining order was scheduled for later this month weeks after Barber was reportedly seen at his ex-girlfriend’s Orange County home a new tenant who had recently moved into the couple’s former Brevard County apartment contacted Rockledge police to report a suspicious incident Video footage from the tenant’s Ring doorbell camera showed a man police identified as Barber sneaking towards her front door and placing black electrical tape over the camera lens Barber was caught on camera returning to his former Rockledge apartment and attempting to unlock the door with a key Investigators could not determine if Barber entered his old apartment since the doorbell camera recording ended early 22 on charges of attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools He was released from custody the same day on a $20,000 bond to await trial Court records related to Barber’s attempted burglary arrest and stalking injunction do not specifically mention Kirk Titusville police say a man matching Barber’s description was seen on surveillance cameras driving Kirk’s white Lincoln Navigator the day she was reported missing Barber was employed by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections deputy from January 2018 until he voluntarily resigned in January 2022 He received no formal discipline during his time at the agency Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Mike DeForest has been covering Central Florida news for more than two decades A 35- year-old former Brevard County sheriff's correction deputy suspected of killing a 72-year-old Titusville socialite and burning her remains was formally indicted by the Brevard County grand jury on Tuesday David Armstrong Barber was charged with first-degree murder two counts of tampering with or destroying evidence and abuse of a dead human body in connection with the March 4 death of Jessie Kirk a one-time security officer with SpaceX whose most recent address was in Polk County grand theft of a motor vehicle and petit theft The grand jury heard from investigators and forensics specialists with the Titusville police department the Brevard County sheriff's office and the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Kirk's badly burned remains The Brevard County State Attorney’s Office is expected to decide within a 45-day window whether to pursue the death penalty in the case A motive for Kirk's death has not yet been established Kirk was the matriarch of a Titusville family with deep connections to real estate and charitable organizations She was reported missing March 4 by a friend after failing to turn up for a routine morning walk with Titusville police initiating a search Barber was spotted by officers near Kirk’s condominium the same morning with burn marks on his arm He was arrested on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle loitering and prowling after family members and friends of Kirk told Titusville police he was driving Kirk’s white Lincoln Navigator without permission Barber was booked into the Brevard County jail complex that morning as officers expanded their search around north Brevard was found in Orange County near the town of Christmas the same day was found near the Haulover Canal in north Brevard and Barber was arrested on additional charges including murder and arson Officers searched through Kirk’s 10th floor condominium and detected a heavy smell of bleach in her garage on the first floor a caustic cleanser sometimes known to be used to clean up bloody crime scenes The medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy over two days identified the remains as those of Kirk and ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation Detectives spanned the city and talked with family members and friends who was moved to the Volusia County Jail complex because of his prior work at the Brevard County jail Home » Home » BREAKING: Titusville Police Discover Remains of Jesse Kirk Near Haulover Canal Bridge By  //  March 7 FLORIDA — Titusville Police are now conducting a homicide investigation as the remains of Jesse D This story has been updated with additional information The badly burned human remains recovered at Haulover Canal in north Titusville Tuesday were confirmed as those of a missing woman from the area with deep ties to the community The autopsy on Thursday confirmed that the body was that of 72-year-old Jessie Kirk, whose family is involved with real estate and social causes. Kirk had been reported missing after failing to turn up for a routine morning walk, Titusville police reported. The exact cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner's office in Rockledge Bryan Nelson of the Titusville Police Department describing the case during a Thursday news conference pointing to reaction from a number of community leaders and friends of the Kirk family including her late husband Robert "Bob" Kirkman have been mainstays in the north Brevard real estate market as well as longtime philanthropists in North Brevard Jessie Kirk was credited with co-chairing events for the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation She and her husband were honored at the Space Coast Humanitarian Awards in 2014 "Our goal has been and will continue to be to bring justice and closure to (Kirk’s) family," Nelson said David Armstrong Barber, a 35-year-old former Brevard County Sheriff's corrections deputy and the former boyfriend of Kirk’s niece has been identified as a person of interest in the case after he was seen Tuesday near Kirk's Somerset Riverfront condo with second-degree burns to his right arm He has not been charged in Kirk’s disappearance, but was booked on a loitering and prowling charge and grand theft, court records show. He is being held without bond. "He had injuries consistent with high heat and several scratches," Nelson said as a photo of Barber taken Tuesday while in custody was shown her burned-out SUV was discovered Tuesday abandoned near Christmas in Orange County hours after Kirk failed to turn up for a routine morning walk and was reported missing about 8:29 a.m Police have surveillance footage taken the night before showing Barber driving around in Kirk's white Lincoln Navigator Kirk's niece — who had previously filed an injunction against Barber — had told police that Barber did not have any permission to use the vehicle Detectives discovered via a tag tracking system used by police to read license tags that the Lincoln had been at multiple locations across the city with at least one witness telling officers that she saw a report on Kirk being missing and called to tell detectives that she had spotted a man walking from a burning car near Christmas and holding his arm It wasn't immediately known how Barber returned to Titusville although police speculated he may have walked a portion of the 20 miles back to the condominium "I don't feel I should answer that at this time," according to court documents Barber worked at the sheriff's office from January 2018 through January 2022 before voluntarily resigning The sheriff's office also said that he had no formal disciplinary action against him during his time with the agency Court records in Orange County show an injunction against Barber was filed last year Barber's estranged girlfriend and Kirk's niece reported that Barber had shown up at her Rockledge home and placed electrical tape over her security camera lens He was charged with attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession of burglary tools 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. Finch Walker contributed to this report With endless choices of foods to try, great buffet restaurants build cult-like followings. Manager Tom Cao hopes Chow’s Country Buffet in Titusville will achieve that quickly the company spent nine months and $1.5 million renovating the building that seats 354 guests Jacksonville was home to the first Chow's location with a recently opened venue in Tuscaloosa Alabama — making Brevard County the third site The appeal of buffet restaurants comes thanks to their fixed price unlimited options and the chance to sample everything guests can feast on Chow’s southern classics and Asian favorites until 10 p.m The restaurant offers more than 100 buffet-style choices Tempt your southern tastebuds with barbecue ribs and country-style chicken Try some Asian flair with the Beijing beef Decide which roll is your favorite at the sushi bar Serving lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m There is special pricing for children 11 and under as well senior citizen and military discounts They also offer a take-out price by the pound Now that the Cocoa City Council has made its decision on adding fluoride to its municipal drinking water Titusville would be next in line to take up the issue Melbourne's council voted 6-1 to stop adding fluoride while Palm Bay's council was unanimous in its decision to not repair city equipment so that fluoride could once again be added to its water supply That leaves Titusville as Brevard County's only city that supplies water to local residents not to make a formal decision on this issue But that could change. The Titusville Environmental Commission, an advisory board to the Titusville City Council the commission directed city water department staff to make a presentation to commission members at their next meeting about how much fluoride is added to city water what specific chemicals are used and what the cost is to the city Titusville Environmental Commission Chair Michael Myjak said the panel then will continue its discussion of the issue and potentially will vote to make a recommendation to the City Council "We have to question what we have done for 50 years," Myjak said noting additional studies questioning fluoride's use Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors has been suggesting that the City Council consider directing the city's water department to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water Connors noted that he had received correspondence from the Florida Department of Health, citing the opposition of its head, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo But the Titusville City Council thus far has not taken action Some members cited discussions the council had on issue in 2021 which led to no change in the city's policy of adding fluoride to its water Connors — who was elected mayor in November and was not part of those discussions — contends that now is the time to revisit the issue He would like the City Council to hold a special meeting dedicated to the issue of fluoride Connors said he also will look into using a polling company the city has a contract with to survey residents on the fluoride issue TITUSVILLE, Fla. – The Titusville Police Department on Thursday said remains found earlier this week are that of a missing 72-year-old woman. Jessie Kirk was reported missing Tuesday after she failed to show up for a morning walk with a friend police said human remains were found Tuesday afternoon just south of Haulover Canal and Courtenay Parkway Police said Kirk’s white Lincoln SUV was seen on surveillance cameras around Titusville between 9 p.m the SUV was found on fire in the area of State Road 520 and State Road 50 She was a kind individual and had a gift to connect to anyone and everyone she met,” said Titusville Police Commander Tyler Wright Former Brevard County corrections deputy David Armstrong Barber was arrested on charges of loitering and grand theft auto after investigators said they found him lurking near Kirk’s condo with first- and second-degree burns on his arms Police are asking that anyone who may have seen a person walking in the area of State Road 520 and State Road 50 on Tuesday morning between 9:45 a.m or anyone who was in the area of Haulover Canal Bridge during the early morning hours Barber is also under a restraining order for allegedly stalking Kirk’s niece last year Barber previously dated Kirk’s niece and is currently facing separate criminal charges for allegedly attempting to burglarize the ex-girlfriend’s former home Barber was employed by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections deputy from January 2018 until he voluntarily resigned in January 2022 Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 TITUSVILLE — A longtime magisterial district judge serving Titusville and surrounding boroughs and townships in eastern Crawford County will retire from her position in early January whose current six-year term runs through 2027 said she will continue to serve as a senior district judge after retirement Nicols is serving her fifth six-year term as Titusville district judge She was first appointed to the position in July 1996 to fill the unexpired term of predecessor Ron Cole and was elected to her first full term in 1997 Nicols had worked as office manager for Cole prior to her appointment Crawford County Court Administrator Heidi Shiderly said Wednesday that senior district judges will be used to cover the Titusville district court following Nicols' retirement She said she believes the position will come up for election in 2025 announced on Tuesday his candidacy for the post Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNhahn Lockheed Martin Corp.'s announcement late Friday that it will add 300 high-paying jobs in Titusillle to support an extended Trident ballistic missile producton contract with the U.S Navy is the latest step in company's expansion push in the city In addition to the 300 Lockheed Martin jobs being added the defense technology company will be building a $140 million Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors said the new facility will be located near State Road 405 and Grissom Parkway not far from the Titusville Police Department headquarters more Lockheed Martin facilities could be built there in the future referring to the company's expansion in Titusville and the jobs it will create Previous expansion effortsThere were several previous projects that increased Lockheed Martin's presence in Titusville Lockheed Martin marked the transition of its fleet ballistic missile headquarters from Sunnyvale The company said establishing this new site was one milestone in the larger move of more than 300 jobs to the Space Coast Lockheed Martin commemorated the opening of a logistics facility to support the program at the company’s Titusville campus The facility represented a capital investment of about $23 million wrapping up a multiyear plan that included transitioning fleet balliatic missile program headquarters to the Space Coast said: “The Titusville area plays a prominent role in the defense industry and is a great home for our program as we support the U.S The completion of this state-of-the-art logistics center marks the final step of our program’s transition allowing us to fully take advantage of centralized key skills and cost savings for the Navy.” Navy contract sparks added jobsBut the company's expansion in Titusville now is continuing with the Navy awarding Lockheed Martin a $383 million modification to its existing contract to produce components for next-generation Lockheed Martin said the facility is anticipated to be ready for operations in 2027 to meet the Navy's production needs and support the service for the next 60 years The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast said Lockheed's collaboration with the Navy also is expected to mean that the Navy will add up to 100 naval personnel locally Lockheed Martin said the current Trident missile model is aboard U.S The new model will be carried aboard the Navy's Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines that are scheduled to start deploying in 2030 the Economic Development Commission's senior director of communications and partner relations said Lockheed expansion project previously was referred to internally as "Project Topaz." That was a project in which the Brevard County Commission and the North Brevard Economic Development Zone board in 2023 approved for $1.26 million in economic incentives Under the proposal approved by the NBEDZ board at the time Project Topaz would receive a grant of $3,500 per job created for each of the first 140 jobs created with a target for those jobs coming on line in 2027 and 2028 There would be a grant of $4,500 per job for jobs 141 to 250 likely coming on line in 2029 and 2030; and $5,500 per job for jobs 251 to 300 The identity of the defense contractor was not disclosed at that time Lockheed's announcement on Friday of its latest expansion in Titusville came on the day the Navy announced its expanded contract to the company if Project Topaz did not meet average salary targets or did not retain the jobs for at least three years it would have to forfeit some of the grant An economic analysis prepared by the North Brevard Economic Development Zone showed that the 300 direct jobs the company creates potentially cpuld result in 519 spinoff jobs at other businesses