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Local and State News Update

 
Space Coast cities in Florida see increased population growth

People are moving to Florida in droves, the most of any state.

U.S. Census data shows 22 million people called the Sunshine State home in 2022, which was about a 2% gain from the previous year.

And two Space Coast cities are seeing an influx of new residents.

Both Melbourne and Palm Bay cracked the top ten in the state on the home solutions list.

Melbourne is ranked 5th, and Palm Bay is 3rd. The key factors driving the increase are the location, the weather and the cost of living.

Melbourne scored 97 out of 100 due to its Atlantic Coast location, year-round sunny weather and cost of living.

The average home costs $368,000 and the average rent is just under $1,900 a month.

In 2022, Florida had a net migration of more than 200,000 adults.

And the Melbourne area is growing by leaps and bounds.

The population boom is part of the reason apartment complexes and housing developments are popping up everywhere to meet demand.

 

No arrests yet for Sebastian smuggling operation.

 An investigation continues in the smuggling operation last month at Sebastian Inlet. WFIT’s Rick Glasby has the story:

 Over two dozen Haitians were discovered by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers attempting to make their way into Brevard near the Indian River County line. Guns and drugs were also seized from the 42-foot vessel. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are carrying out an investigation into the boat. No word if charges had been filed in the case.

Orange County unveils new, massive floating solar array

Orange County Utilities has installed the largest floating solar panel array in the Southeastern United States.

According to county officials, the 2,236 solar panels floating on a pond at Orange County's Southern Regional Water Supply Facility will reduce the facility's energy costs by 25% each year. That facility supplies water to about 80,000 Orange County residents

The new solar array is one step toward Orange County’s goal to power 100% of its operations with clean, renewable energy by the year 2035.

The Solar Energy Associates report the U.S. solar market boosted capacity by 51 percent in 2023, compared to 2022.

 April is Springs Protection Awareness Month

 For the 11th consecutive year, the St. Johns River Water Management District has designated April as Springs Protection Awareness Month.

The declaration emphasizes the district’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the unique role of Florida’s natural resources and urges residents to actively contribute to their protection.

Gas Prices Dip

According to AAA, Florida's average gas price on Monday was $3.46 per gallon.

Florida's average climbed 10 cents, which made a new 2024 high of $3.48 per gallon on Friday.

According to Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA, "The jump at the pump may not be over yet," Drivers may be in line for another round of rising prices, after gasoline and crude oil futures rose to new 2024 highs last week."

Last week, the U.S. price of crude climbed 4%, stated AAA, "reportedly due to concerns over Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries."

"Last spring, Florida gas prices reached a high of $3.72 per gallon. However, the highest price of the year was later set in August at $3.85 (per gallon), according to AAA.

The current record for the average price of gas in Florida is $4.89 that was set on Monday, June 13, 2022.

 
For more information www.floridatoday.com

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Terri Wright held the position of General Manager at WFIT from 1998-2023.