PALM BAY - In an update to an article published last week by Hometown News Brevard, the Palm Bay City Council recently voted in a 4-1 motion to allocate over $5 million in ARPA funding to help alleviate homelessness and provide options for affordable housing. This discussion and motion took …

PALM BAY -- Many Americans are currently experiencing a housing crisis. While the market has definitely been kind to sellers over the past few years, the rising costs of rent in a post-pandemic economy have left many renters scrambling to figure out how they’ll afford rental increases that s…

PALM BAY - Round 13 Boxing, a 501c3 nonprofit based in Palm Bay, will be holding a live boxing event billed as “Return of the Warriors” on June 25 at the Tony Rosa Community Center, located at 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. in Palm Bay, according to a release from the City of Palm Bay.

PALM BAY - The Greater Palm Bay Senior Activity Center (GPBSAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized in 1987 for the purpose of providing a safe and healthy environment for members to exercise, learn, play and enjoy fellowship. Each month the GPBSAC holds an Indoor/Outdoor Vendor …

PALM BAY - Saturday, April 23, will mark 35 years since the tragic loss of two of our own- Officers Ronald Grogan and Gerald Johnson.

PALM BAY/INDIALANTIC – Brevardians will "Come Together!" during two British Invasion concerts, when the Indialantic Chamber Singers explore the influence of all things English on the American music scene. The choral ensemble will perform first on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of…

PALM BAY - The Palm Bay Recreation Department is currently facing staffing shortages at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center, 420 Community College Parkway SE, due to a limited number of available certified lifeguards. Certain numbers of certified lifeguards are required by law to open the pool and k…

PALM BAY - The City of Palm Bay is pleased to announce the graduation of Deputy Mayor Kenny Johnson, Councilman Donny Felix, and Councilman Randy Foster from the Leadership Academy I, a course from the Florida League of Cities' Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO), a premier educ…

PALM BAY - Palm Bay Magnet High School’s marine sciences program was the beneficiary of a $5,000 grant from AT&T in March.

PALM BAY - On Wednesday, March 2nd, Palm Bay Fire Rescue held its 2021 Annual Award Ceremony. This event is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and personal dedication the members of the Fire Department have shown over the past year.

PALM BAY - Peter J. Filiberto won the special election held on Mar. 8 for Seat 5 on the Palm Bay City Council, according to the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections.

PALM BAY - The Greater Palm Bay Senior Activity Center, located at 1275 Culver Dr. NE, will hold a “Casino Night” fundraiser on Saturday March 12, from 5-9 p.m. that will benefit the center.

PALM BAY - The city of Palm Bay will publish a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to address homelessness and affordable housing. The RFI went live on March 1 and closes at 5 p.m. on April 4.

BREVARD COUNTY – Eastern Florida State College’s Lab School program is becoming Launch Learning, a new non- profit organization that will begin its inaugural preschool year in August 2022, with enrollment details available during two information sessions on Wednesday, March 9.

Four candidates will vie for Seat 5 on the Palm Bay City Council in a special election held on March 8. Hometown News asked each candidate why they were running for office and what their goals are if elected. Here are the candidate's responses, in alphabetical order.

STATEWIDE - On Feb. 17, The Humane Society of St. Lucie County posted on Facebook “It’s that time of year, the Christmas puppies keep rolling in.” The HSSLC was referring to the traditional animal sheltering position that dogs adopted or purchased around Christmas get surrendered to shelters…

STATEWIDE - Decent health care is often difficult for farmworkers to find, and Florida has about 200,000 migrant farmworkers.

BREVARD COUNTY — Stimulate your imagination with an evening of penmanship as authors gather under one roof for “An Evening with the Stars.”

STATEWIDE - A bill that limits what teachers can discuss with students regarding gender identity and sexuality has passed the Florida House of Representatives and is scheduled to be taken up by the Senate this week.

STATEWIDE — A sweeping measure which would hurt dogs and families by deterring Florida localities from protecting their communities from cruel business practices and public health threats is now poised for a final vote before reaching the governor’s desk. SB 620/HB 569 could force cities to …

PALM BAY - An entry road to Palm Bay City Hall will be renamed after Samuel Lopez, a longtime community advocate and Brevard resident, on March 10 at 9 a.m.

PALM BAY - The City of Palm Bay planted a new 20-foot Red Cedar tree in front of City Hall this week to serve as the official City of Palm Bay Christmas Tree. The tree will be strung with lights each year and will be lit during a tree lighting ceremony each December. Residents will be able t…

PALM BAY― The City of Palm Bay is pleased to announce the Palm Bay Building Department has achieved the International Accreditation Services’ (IAS) Building Department Recognition. The Palm Bay Building Department is the first in the United States to attain the award.

PALM BAY ― On Jan. 6 the Palm Bay Municipal Foundation, a 501(C)3 not-for-profit arm of the City of Palm Bay, awarded a total of $17,400 in funding to two (2) non-profit organizations to provide temporary emergency shelter.

PALM BAY - On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the Palm Bay Police Department held it’s 2021 Annual Award Ceremony. The annual event serves as an opportunity to highlight the outstanding work and exemplary accomplishments made by the men and women of the department while serving the citizens of Palm Bay.

PALM BAY― Election to fill the vacancy for the City of Palm Bay Council, Seat 5, will be held on Tuesday, March 8.

PALM BAY – Paranormal Cirque, which is described as a ‘unique creation of combined theatre, circus and cabaret with a new European-style flair” is holding shows under the big top at Space Coast Harley Davidson at 1440 Sportsman Ln. NE in Palm Bay through Monday.

PALM BAY― The City of Palm Bay, in partnership with the United Coalition Council and Malabar Discount Pharmacy, will host a free walk-up COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 15, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The clinic will be held in Palm Bay Council Chambers, located a…

PALM BAY― Life Care Center of Palm Bay recently re-earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

STATEWIDE – Every home in the United States is now eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests by mail. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone order tests now so you have them when you need them.

BREVARD COUNTY ― The EFSC Foundation’s Sixth Annual Backyard BBQ Cook-Off and Family Fest to raise funds for student scholarships has been re-scheduled to Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) Melbourne Campus. Tickets are $10 per person and can…

PALM BAY – The City of Palm Bay’s Recreation Department has begun new Esports Leagues.

STATEWIDE - Stel Bailey, executive director of Fight for Zero (FFZ), along with Libby Higbee, a member of the Volusia and Brevard Environmental Alliance, assisted members of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) in dissecting dead fish from the Indian River Lagoon and Trea…

PALM BAY ―  Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina is seeking nominations for the second quarter Mayor’s Business Spotlight. The program is designed to feature local businesses who foster pride in the city’s thriving business community and strong local economy. The spotlight program will allow businesses…

PALM BAY — One Palm Bay resident rediscovered his passion for writing when his daughter challenged him.

PALM BAY ― The Source for the poor and the homeless in Vero Beach, Fl has operated under the leadership of Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh for the past four years. Coincidentally for the past seven years, along with his wife Anna, the Zorbaughs have resided in Palm Bay. With only a short…

PALM BAY ― Calling all gamers. The City of Palm Bay Recreation Department is digitally connecting the Palm Bay gamer community through online video game leagues. The City of Palm Bay has partnered with Mission Control to bring online gamers in our community together to compete against each o…

PALM BAY — A group of athletes are going to attempt an astounding feat when they participate in the semi-truck pull this weekend.

PALM BAY― The City of Palm Bay has announced the opening of two new playgrounds. New playgrounds have been installed at Riviera Park, 5550 Riviera Drive NE, and Liberty Park, 895 Carlyle Avenue SE. New playgrounds are currently being installed at Oakwood Park, 490 Koutnik Road SE, and Inspir…

PALM BAY – The demolition of the former Palm Bay Fire-Rescue station no. 1, located at 2144 Palm Bay Rd., is ongoing, according to a release from the City of Palm Bay.

PALM BAY — America’s history is rich in culture and custom spanning multiple ethnicities. A veritable melting pot, many of our most beloved traditions are a blend of foreign influence. Seeking to honor our diversity and celebrate our similarities, The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce and…

MALABAR ― Starting Jan. 1, Waste Pro will be the new provider of residential and commercial garbage, recycling, waste, and bulk collection for the Town of Malabar.

PALM BAY― The 2021 City of Palm Bay Holiday Light Parade was held on Saturday, Dec. 4 in Palm Bay. There were over 60 different entries in the parade this year. The judges’ scores have been tabulated and the winners were chosen.

PALM BAY ― The City of Palm Bay is pleased to announce the graduation of Deputy Mayor Kenny Johnson, Councilman Donny Felix, and Councilman Randy Foster from the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials II, a course from the Florida League of Cities’ Institute for Elected Municipal Official…

PALM BAY ― The City of Palm Bay Parks & Facilities Department has announced the temporary closure of Inspiration Park, located at 751 Consumer Street SE, beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The park will be closed for the demolition of the existing playground structure and subsequent inst…

PALM BAY - At the Nov. 4, 2021, Regular Council Meeting, the Palm Bay City Council approved the Commercial Property Enhancement Program (CPEP). The CPEP is a performance-based reimbursement grant awarded to applicants to encourage private investment and improvements to the exterior frontage …

PALM BAY ― The City of Palm Bay Parks and Recreation Department has launched an Adopt-A-Park Program. By participating in the program, civic-minded volunteers from local organizations, businesses, school groups, homeowner’s associations, Scouts, and other community-based groups can partner w…

PALM BAY — Cyndiana DeJesus and her team welcomed the community, customers, business partners, friends and family to a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of Brightway, The DeJesus Legacy Agency, located in the Executive Business Center at 2550 Palm Bay Road in Palm Bay. The …