Good morning, Melbourne.

Starbucks announced it will close nine Florida coffee shops for underperformance, including the Melbourne store at 1700 W.

New Haven Ave. Employees will be offered transfer opportunities with severance support for those unable to move.

Hiring signs are appearing as Florida’s minimum wage rises to $15 an hour today.

Local businesses in Melbourne are adjusting their hiring practices to meet the new wage requirement.

Eastern Florida State College became the first in Florida to receive federal approval for four Workforce Pell Grant programs that allow students to use aid for short-term public safety training.

The announcement followed an event (Sept. 17) with Gov. DeSantis and education officials.

A decaying boat that drifted ashore near Patrick Space Force Base remains stranded as delays have stalled its removal.

Local beachgoers expressed concerns about fuel leaks & foul odor along the beach.

On Monday, Sept. 28, an estimated 20 ft fin whale washed ashore in unincorporated Melbourne Beach (an endangered species) near Spoonbill Lane; Hubbs-Seaworld flew over the scene as onlookers gathered to view it.

Orlando Health now offers primary care in central Brevard County with its first two doctors since the Rockledge hospital closed; Dr. Srividya Kannan and Dr. Anita Fazeli (both Cocoa Beach natives) are now accepting patients to fill the community gap.

Eastern Florida State's Jeremy Obah and Jada Zimmerman earned Orlando Health Student-Athletes of the Week honors last week after Obah scored two goals in a 4+3 win against Miami Dade College and Zimmerman tallied 21 kills in a match against Santa Fe College; both teams have games scheduled this week.

Merritt Island Mustangs remain No. 1 after a tough district game against Titusville on Thursday at home and will face Eau Gallie Friday, Oct.

9 in a key matchup. Rankings also list Eau Gallie, Titusville and the Bulldogs gearing up for important district games soon.

Five yoga athletes from Brevard will travel to Italy this December for the 17th World Championship of Yogasana Sport, supported by a community fundraiser led by a local Titusville restaurant (Mr. Submarine and Salads) and a Merritt Island yoga studio.

Satellite defeated Melbourne 25-18, 25-11, 25-7 at Melbourne High School on Sept.

29, boosting its record to 15-5 ahead of a match with Edgewood on Oct. 1. The Bulldogs struggled as Satellite’s efficient offense carried the win.

Satellite volleyball swept Melbourne with scores of 25-18, 25-11, 25-7 in a recent game, improving its record to 15-5 while the Bulldogs dropped to 14-5 on the court.