Melbourne to update city code to crack down on 'horror houses' in town: 'Step in the right direction'

The Melbourne City Council gave staff the green light to update city codes and give officials more tools to deal with chronic, nuisance properties in town. The goal is to move beyond simply piling up daily fines that go unpaid.

U.S. Coastguard seizes sailboat after woman, Lynette Hooker, missing
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A sailboat was seized off the coast of Melbourne after a woman went missing while on a trip with her husband. Investigators are now working to dig into the data on the boat to build a timeline as to the whereabouts of Lynette Hooker. 

Melbourne to update city code to crack down on 'horror houses'
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The City of Melbourne is moving to clean up—or tear down—chronic "horror houses" that have plagued local neighborhoods for years. Following a series of FOX 35 investigations into neglected properties, city leaders are now updating local codes to give officials the power to step in when homeowners refuse to take action.

Melbourne road project faces more delays after faulty work discovered

A nearly $900,000 road improvement project in Melbourne is facing new problems after county officials confirmed portions of the work already completed must be redone because they were not built correctly.

Baby seahorse rescue signals new hope for Indian River Lagoon

A local shrimper on the Space Coast received an unexpected surprise in his trap recently: a tiny, squirming baby seahorse.

Surprise seahorse: Local shrimper makes rare find!
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A baby seahorse was found by a local shrimper on the Space Coast. Longtime fishermen say these delicate creatures haven't been see in the Indian River Lagoon for decades. This could be a sign the lagoon restoration is working. 

More problems for Pineda and Wickham road project: How much will it cost?
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Construction issues at Pineda and Wickham Road in Melbourne persist after Brevard County is now redoing the work laid down. County officials said there's major problems when it comes to curb and drainage. Residents are happy with the timeline and costs. 

'Thank You, Jesus': Survivor recounts moments after plane crashed off Florida coast into ocean

When Olympia Outten heard the sounds of the U.S. Space Force plane and a rescue helicopter, she said she jumped for joy in the middle of her life raft, while waiving an emergency flag.

Seagrass rebounds in Indian River Lagoon, signaling environmental recovery

Seagrass is making a significant comeback along Florida’s Space Coast, with researchers reporting a sharp increase in growth in the Indian River Lagoon.

U.S. airmen conduct water rescue of 11 people stranded in Florida plane crash

The 920th Rescue Wing with Air Force Reserve Command was alerted to a plane crash including several victims on Tuesday afternoon, about 80 miles from Melbourne. The crew located all the 11 crash victims were on a single raft and worked to extract them to safety.

U.S. Pararescuemen rescue 11 in plane crash off Florida cost near Melbourne | FULL
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After receiving information about a possible downed aircraft, U.S. airmen conducted a rescue mission off the coast, near Melbourne. Eleven patients were rescue and transported to care. 

Kids can get in free at Brevard Zoo on select days in May

On select days in May, kids ages 3 to 18 can get free admission to the Brevard Zoo when accompanied by a paying adult who is a Florida resident.

Rat diseases cause new concern for Indialantic homeowners living next to rodent-infested 'hoarder' house

Residents on Atlantic Avenue say they are living through a "public health crisis" as a condemned "house of horrors" continues to swarm with rats, even as news of a deadly rodent-borne virus makes national headlines.

Brevard Zoo Masai giraffe, Floyd, dies after suffering foot fracture

The Brevard Zoo humanely euthanized Floyd, a beloved 9-year-old Masai giraffe, after an extensive medical exam under anesthesia revealed a significant foot fracture.

Titusville finds ‘missing’ tax dollars months after city-wide audit digs into alleged mismanagement

The City of Titusville says it has solved the mystery of nearly $1 million worth of "missing" machinery following an internal audit that originally suggested widespread financial mismanagement.