Daily
Melbourne
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Melbourne. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Due to a cold forecast from the NWS, community partners have opened four cold weather shelters in Brevard County that serve dinner and breakfast in Titusville, Cocoa, and Melbourne—while no shelters are available for Palm Bay residents. Hometown News
- ➤ Ashia Oxendine, a Melbourne mom, delivered her second child, Briella, at Holmes Regional Medical Center shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, following the unique timing of her older brother’s New Year’s Eve birth (a memorable family milestone). The family now looks forward to a bright start to 2026. Hometown News
- ➤ Longtime broadcasters Orville Susong and Steve Wilson wrapped up their 25th year with Friday Night Locker Room by delivering 369 shows that highlighted Space Coast events & supported first responders, youth sports, and community groups. They plan to continue their local coverage and partnerships in 2026. Space Coast Daily
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Brevard County will start an active launch season with a SpaceX mission sending satellites into orbit around midnight Sunday. NASA will launch Artemis II as early as Feb. with a moon mission after over five decades, which experts say will spur local tourism + jobs. FOX 35 Orlando
- ➤ L3Harris Technologies secured an $843M contract to build 18 missile-tracking satellites that will be tested at its Palm Bay campus (integration is part of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 constellation) with launches planned for 2029. Florida Today
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On March 28, 2026, the Merritt Island Veterans Amphitheater will host the Boots, Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Music Fest, featuring live music, complimentary beer + bourbon samplings, barbecue offerings, vendor stalls, games and contests from noon to 10 p.m. Space Coast Daily
- ➤ On Jan. 1, 2026, people from across central Florida gathered at Pineda Beach (south of Cocoa Beach Pier) to watch the first sunrise of the new year and enjoy a peaceful start with blankets and chairs. Florida Today
- ➤ On Saturday, June 6, Merritt Island Fest will offer live reggae, blues, and Hawaiian soul music, food, vendor booths, and a surf expo at the Veterans Amphitheater from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a featured concert launching at 7:30 p.m. Space Coast Daily
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Colleen Bruckner of Odyssey Prep was named FLORIDA TODAY's 2025 Teacher of the Year after readers voted among 11 Teacher of the Week winners + nominations for other Brevard educators remain open online. Florida Today
- ➤ Brevard County Libraries reported record digital checkouts in 2025 with a 10 percent increase on Libby and a 60 percent rise on hoopla — over one million items were borrowed from its 18 locations. Space Coast Daily
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Briella Faniel was born at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center at 2:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026 - marking the hospital’s first birth of the new year and continuing a local New Year’s tradition as her older brother arrived on Dec. 31. Space Coast Daily
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team overcame a 46-28 deficit as Alayna Lherisse hit a game-tying 3-pointer and the Titans defeated Cleveland Community College 77-69 in overtime on Monday in Georgia. The team will travel to Daytona State College for conference play on Saturday at 2 p.m. Space Coast Daily
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A Tribute to The Eagles
7-8 p.m. — Melbourne Auditorium — $38 general admission, $70 VIP seating — Experience Florida’s ultimate Eagles tribute band performing classic hits live.
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Havana Nights: Salsa Dance Party
6:30-11:59 p.m. — Venezia Wine Veranda — Check website for pricing — Experience an evening of Cuban rhythm with Salsa dancing and delightful culinary specials.
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8th Annual Run for the Kids Race Challenge
8 AM – 2 PM — Wickham Park — Supporting Brevard County children and families through a challenging 15K race.
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Live Oceanfront Music with Damion Suomi
1-4 p.m. — Element Melbourne Oceanfront — Free parking available — Enjoy smooth tunes and craft cocktails at a relaxed brunch setting by the ocean.
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Catalina Wine Mixer Networking Event
6-9 p.m. — Intracoastal Brewing Company — Networking Event — Connect with ambitious entrepreneurs in a relaxed setting at the ultimate Catalina Wine Mixer.
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Space Coast Food & Wine Festival
3-6 p.m. — Downtown Melbourne — Tickets available online — Experience a culinary celebration with tastings from top chefs and local flavors by the waterfront.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
~ Seneca
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