Local and State News Update
Here’s a local news update for September 21st from WFIT, Florida Today, and the Florida News Exchange.
Windy and Wet Weather
You can blame Hurricane Teddy for the windy, wet weekend. About 3 inches of rain fell at the Melbourne airport. And winds gusted up to 40 mph beachside. Teddy is no where near us; he’s off Bermuda and heading north. Large breaking waves measuring up to 11 feet will continue to hit the Space Coast through tomorrow evening. The National Weather Service in Melbourne will maintain a high rip current and coastal flood warning through 8PM Tuesday.
10-Story Monument to Fallen Police
Should Brevard County spend $2.5-million on a monument to fallen police? That’s what the Space Coast Office of Tourism has to decide. The Police Hall of Fame, off US 1 in Titusville, has proposed a 10-story monument with an eternal flame to honor fallen police. Of the nearly $7-million total cost of the monument, the Hall of Fame is asking for a $2.5 million grant from Brevard. The money would come from the county’s 5% tourist tax. But there’s competition for the money. The city of Cocoa Beach wants to renovate a sports complex. Merritt Island wants an amphitheater. And the Office of Tourism wants a grant to upgrade Lori Wilson Park. The combined total of the grant requests comes to nearly $13-million, but the Office of Tourism says only $4 to $4.5-million will be available.
Jobs at the Department of Health
If you’re looking for a job, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County let us know they are still accepting applications to fill positions in the fight against COVID-19. You’ll work with the health department to conduct viral testing, answer hotline calls, and screen individuals at the clinics. Jobs pay from $15 to $22 an hour and are full-time positions.
Many Brevard Bares are Open
Many bars are open again along the Space Coast. It’s the first time you can get a drink without having to order food. But the secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Haley Bashears, says bar owners should heed the state’s emergency orders - or risk serious penalties: “If we observe them … where they’re not doing seated service, people are standing around, it’s obvious it’s over 50 percent occupancy, we’re gonna suspend their license and we’re gonna bring them into an administrative hearing and either fine them or take their license." Public health experts have said that reopening bars even at limited capacity could still spread the virus.
Trump and Biden are Tied
A new poll shows that President Trump and Joe Biden are running in a statistical dead heat in Florida. The finding comes in a survey of 1,000 Floridians done by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Cook Political Report. Biden lead Trump by just one percentage point - less than the margin for error.
Scratch-off Winner
A Palm Bay women is leaving $185,000 on the table. But she’s still walking away with $815,000. She claimed a $1-million prize from a scratch-off ticket, and is taking her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment.
For updates on these stories and more visit www.FloridaToday.com