Good morning, Melbourne.

A brush fire broke out on April 16th near John Rodes Boulevard and Enterprise Court, creating heavy smoke in Melbourne as firefighters worked to contain the 1.5-acre blaze—police closed both northbound and southbound lanes on John Rodes Boulevard.

Vital Joseph, age 56, was arrested in Palm Bay after officers tracked his vehicle with a statewide license tag reader in connection with a double stabbing in Broward County—he is held without bond to face charges of first degree murder, attempted murder and burglary with battery.

Florida Today’s podcast Where Justice Lies: Murder on the Space Coast examines Jeff Abramowski’s case—he was convicted in 2006 of killing 78-year-old Cortney "Dick" Crandall in a Palm Shores mobile home, and his attorney filed a motion earlier this month to vacate the conviction based on new DNA testing, leaving open a possible retrial by the state attorney's office.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will run from June 1 to November 30—fewer than 50 days remain until it begins and forecasts show Florida has a 92% chance of a named storm, a 65% chance of a hurricane and a 35% chance of a major hurricane.

Residents are advised to prepare by making household plans, checking home strength and stocking up on supplies.

The Florida Senate passed a bill on April 16 by a 27—9 vote that will stop local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies, and the bill will now move to the House for review.

Florida health officials have notified patients of Dr. Lily J.

Voepel’s practice at Interventional Pain Management in Melbourne — where improper infection control may have exposed patients — to get tested for hepatitis C and consult about HIV and hepatitis B after three patients were confirmed with a rare strain from unsafe instruments between June 2023 and March 2025. Her medical license was restricted on March 12 by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and walk-in testing is available at the DOH-Brevard Viera Clinic Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RoofTop Easter Brunch

10:30 AM – 3:00 PM — Hotel Melby Downtown Melbourne, Tapestry Collection by Hilton — $69.95 for adults — Celebrate Easter with a delightful brunch and an egg hunt high above Melbourne.

Earth Day Celebration at Aquarina

9-11 p.m. — 450 Aquarina Blvd, Melbourne Beach, FL — Free entry — Celebrate Earth Day with informative sessions and expert insights from community partners.

Melbourne Municipal Band Concert: Space. The Final Frontier

7-9 p.m. — Melbourne Auditorium — Free entry — Experience a musical journey exploring the mysteries of the universe through sound and imagination.

Melbourne Municipal Band Concert: Space

7-9 p.m. — Melbourne Auditorium — Free concert — Explore the wonders of space through music and imagination.

A Moonlit Painting Night

6-8 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $40-$49 per person — Unleash your creativity in a fun, adult-only painting class with BYOB options.

Melbourne Art Festival

5 AM – 1 PM — Wickham Park — Free entry — Celebrate 40 years of artistic talent at Florida's top-ranked juried Fine Art Festival.

Bull Creek Cemetery Hike

8:30-11:30 a.m. — Sam's Club — Free entry — Explore nature on a 5-mile hike organized by the Space Coast Hiking Meetup Group.

Intracoastal Sunday Market

12-4 p.m. — Intracoastal Brewing Company — Free entry — Shop from over 25 local vendors while enjoying live music in the beer garden.

The Art of Stillness: A Yin Yoga & Sound Immersion

6:30-8 p.m. — Yoga Gallery Downtown — $35 pre-paid / $45 at door — Experience a transformative evening of yin yoga and sound healing led by expert instructors.

Green Gables Historic Home Open House

6-10 a.m. — Green Gables — $10 donation; Children free — Explore a historic home and learn about its restoration.