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Brevard Public Schools will continue offering Covid-19 sick and family leave for employees

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VIERA, Florida – Brevard Public Schools (BPS) is committing to providing the option for COVID-19 related employee sick and family leave through June 30, 2021, even though the new pandemic relief bill passed by Congress last month no longer requires employers to offer this assistance.

The latest bill does not extend the sick or family leave mandates that were included in the previous pandemic relief package, which expired on December 31st. BPS will continue to voluntarily provide two weeks of paid leave to workers who become sick with COVID-19, or up to 12 weeks of family leave to employees unable to work due to child-care needs.

“It is essential that our 9,000 employees continue to have the flexibility and peace of mind to stay home without having to utilize their sick time or lose pay,” said School Board Chair, Misty Belford. “We have already seen the benefit that having paid COVID leave has had in helping keep our students and staff safe while minimizing the spread of the virus.”

“As we remain committed to supporting our employees as best we can through these extraordinary times, I believe we must do what’s right and continue to offer COVID-related paid leave, even as we face our own economic uncertainty as a district.” said BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins. “It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to help ease their burden, as they continue to put our kids’ physical and academic well-being first.”

Board Vice-Chair Matt Susin added, “Consistently, teachers and our education system as whole seem like an afterthought. Here in Brevard, we are stepping up to maintain this assistance for our employees even without a federal mandate. I commend Superintendent Mullins for taking this important action.”

BPS employees will continue to follow the district’s current guidelines for applying for COVID-19 leave. If that has already been used, they will use their personal/sick time unless the COVID-19 virus was determined to be work-related, in which case a Worker’s Compensation claim may be filed.

 

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Palm Bay – Meeting Changes Announced Following Flood in Council Chambers

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Flooding caused by a burst pipe under the Palm Bay City Council Chambers causes meeting changes for City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board.

PALM BAY, FLORIDA – In the early morning hours of Monday, January 4th, 2021, a pipe burst under the Palm Bay Council Chambers causing extensive flooding and damage to the facility. The City of Palm Bay Facilities Department is coordinating the remediation and estimates a closure of roughly two weeks is needed to make the necessary repairs.
 
Due to the flood, the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 6th, at 7:00pm will be postponed to Tuesday, January 19th, at 7:00pm.
 
The Regular Council Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 7th, at 7:00pm will be relocated to Community Rooms A and B at the Tony Rosa Community Center, located at 1502 Port Malabar Boulevard NE. The meeting will be held at 7:00pm. Due to the facility change, the City of Palm Bay will be unable to offer a live video stream of the meeting on Facebook and on the City’s website. The meeting will be recorded and made available online as quickly as possible following the meeting. Those who wish to attend in person are welcome; the Tony Rosa Community Rooms can accommodate 90 attendees with social distancing protocols in place.
 
We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the public as we work to repair and reopen the Palm Bay City Council Chambers.
 
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Brevard Public Schools will provide flexibility for its 65+ employees and healthcare specialists interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination through the Brevard Department of Health

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VIERA, Florida – Brevard Public Schools is working to ensure its employees age 65 and older, and those working in school clinics and responsible for the direct care of sick students or staff, have flexibility in their work schedules to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination series if they so choose. The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) today announced it will begin offering free, appointment-only, COVID-19 vaccinations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to those age 65 and older and non-hospital healthcare workers, beginning Monday, January 4, 2021, and weekly through Friday, between the hours of 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., until further notice. CLICK HERE for more information.


Given a large majority of BPS employees are working during the hours when the vaccine will be dispensed by the DOH, the district will work to accommodate schedules to allow time for eligible staff to receive both
the initial and follow up vaccine.

“BPS is committed to providing easy accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine for our most at-risk employees currently eligible to receive it (and interested in doing so),” said Dr. Mark Mullins, Superintendent, Brevard
Public Schools. “This is a first and promising step to hopefully getting ahead of this devastating and deadly virus and we will do everything within our power to ensure those who want the vaccine can get it.”

PALMBAYPD

Palm Bay – MURDER-SUICIDE INVESTIGATION

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA –

Palm Bay detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that took place approximately 3:45 A.M. on January 1st, 2021. The shooting occurred at 1683 Saladino Street SE.   The investigation revealed that Kevin Schmitt, 51 of Palm Bay, fatally shot his fiancé Karen Cloyd, 50, also of Palm Bay. A New Year’s Eve gathering was taking place at the residence when Schmitt began shooting at other guests with one of the rounds striking Cloyd.
 
Once the call was received into the Palm Bay Communications Center, officers quickly arrived on scene. There they discovered Schmitt suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other injuries were reported. Schmitt was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Detectives are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting and are waiting on autopsy results conducted by the Brevard County Medical Examiners Office.
 
The investigation is on-going and should anyone have any information about this incident, please contact the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456.  
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Brevard County-COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments Can Now Be Made Online Through Eventbrite

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BREVARD COUNTY, FL.— Appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations through Florida Department of Health-Brevard can now be made online via the Eventbrite platform at the following link: https://brevardcovidvaccine.eventbrite.com

 
FDOH-Brevard will provide free, appointment-only COVID-19 vaccinations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, January 4, 2021.
 
Those eligible for vaccines must meet the following criteria:
  • Ages 65 and older
  • Healthcare workers who provide direct patient care but who are not associated with a hospital system.
Appointments are for drive-through vaccinations at FDOH-Brevard Health Unit at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera. Vaccinations will be provided between the hours of 8:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 5, and will continue for morning appointments through Friday and then Monday through Friday through the end of January. Afternoon appointments previously made by phone, will begin Monday Jan. 4, and continue Monday through Friday from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. until further notice. Appointments can no longer be made via telephone. A driver’s license or healthcare badge is required at time of appointment. You do not have to be a Brevard County or state of Florida resident to be eligible.
 
Please review the COVID Vaccine Fact Sheet and screening questions on the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form prior to your appointment. If you answer ‘yes’ to some screening questions, you will need to bring a doctor’s note to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Print and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form to bring to the appointment for more efficient service.
 
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccination series is two doses, given one month apart. If you receive one dose of the Moderna vaccine, you should receive a second dose of the same vaccine one month later to complete the vaccination series. After vaccination, you will be asked to park nearby for 15 minutes to be monitored for adverse reactions. Please visit “Moderna Facts and Privacy” for additional information on what to expect during and after the vaccination.
 
More information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/.
 
For the COVID-19 Vaccine consent form and for the Moderna Facts and Privacy form visit FDOH Brevard’s COVID-19 Testing Information at http://brevard.floridahealth.gov/events/2021/01/covid19-vaccination.html
 
Everyone, including those who have received both doses of vaccine, should continue to follow CDC recommendations on wearing face coverings, social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene.
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Palm Bay- Republic Services Reminder! Residents are being urged to select a new trash cart if needed

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If you would like to exchange your current 64-gallon cart for a 95- or 35-gallon cart and you have not submitted your request yet, be sure to visit https://selectmycart.com/palmbay or call (888) 755-9480 before this Thursday!
If you currently have multiple carts, Republic Services is scheduled to deliver one (1) 95-gallon trash cart in exchange for two (2) 64-gallon trash carts between January 1 – January 14, 2021. If you prefer to continue with multiple trash carts, contact Republic Services at (321) 989-6030 to cancel this exchange.
Effective January 2021, the cost for additional carts will be $9.79 per month per cart.
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COVID-19 Vaccination will be available for Brevard County Starting January 4th for those 65 years old and older and healthcare workers

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COVID-19 vaccinations are available starting Monday, January 4, on an appointment-only, drive-through basis for those age 65 and older and healthcare workers who provide direct patient care and are not part of a hospital system.

Appointment line: 321-454-7141

Location: 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940

Review the COVID Vaccine Fact Sheet and screening questions on the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form prior to your appointment. If you answer yes to any screening questions, you will need to bring a doctor’s note to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Print and complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form to bring to the appointment for more efficient service. We do not require the insurance information.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccination series is 2 doses, given 1 month apart. If you receive one dose of the Moderna vaccine, you should receive a second dose of the same vaccine 1 month later to complete the vaccination series. After vaccination you will be asked to wait for 15 minutes to be monitored for adverse reactions. Please see the attached “Moderna Facts and Privacy” for additional information on what to expect during and after the vaccination.

More information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/

Everyone, including those who have received both doses of vaccine, should continue to follow CDC recommendations on wearing face coverings, washing hands, and social distancing.

PALMBAYPD

Palm Bay-Subject in Custody Following Reports of Gunfire on Pinewood Drive

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On December 22, 2020, at approximately 12:20pm Palm Bay Police officers were dispatched to the 6000 block of Pinewood Drive following reports of shots fired in a residential area. Following a brief foot chase, an armed subject barricaded himself inside a unit at the Pines Apartment complex. Following a period of negotiations, officers took the subject into custody. There were no injuries reported in connection with the incident.
 
The shelter in place order that was issued for the immediate vicinity of Pinewood Drive has been lifted. Residents in the area can anticipate an ongoing law enforcement presence in the area for the remainder of the day while investigations are concluded.
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American Airlines Announces Saturday Flights Between DFW and MLB

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MELBOURNE, Fla. (December 15, 2020) – American Airlines has announced seasonal Saturday service between Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) beginning on February 13, 2021 through April 3, 2021. The weekly flights depart DFW on Saturdays at 12:40 p.m. (CST) and arrive to MLB at 4:16 p.m. (EST), and then depart MLB at 5:00 p.m. (EST) and arrive back to DFW at 7:10 p.m. (CST). The flights will be operated on American’s 76-seat duel class CRJ-900 aircraft.

“This is the first west coast connection service our airport has seen in decades and we are grateful American Airlines has recognized the long awaited need,” said Greg Donovan, A.A.E., executive director at Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB). “These introductory flights are a huge opportunity for our community’s business and leisure travelers to prove to our airline partner that this service is desired, will be used, and can grow.”

As American Airlines’ largest hub airport, DFW will provide a west coast connection for business and leisure travelers flying from MLB. Several businesses on MLB’s campus, including Northrop Grumman and Aerion Supersonic, and surrounding companies in the space program have major links to areas out west.

The new flights are also introduced as an additional option to access Florida’s beaches during the Spring Break season.

“MLB is an excellent option for families, couples and more looking to travel to Central Florida’s beaches,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Vice President of Network Planning. “DFW is our largest hub and this new service will provide countless communities and passengers with another great option during the peak Spring Break season.”

Flying to MLB will land passengers right in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast which is a perfect destination for travelers looking to satisfy their pent up desire for a getaway. Spacious beaches, uncrowded attractions and frequent rocket launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center provide a safe option to enjoy much needed vacations.  

MLB also provides a calm, clean and uncongested option for travelers coming to Central Florida as a smaller airport. Enhanced safety procedures and initiatives have been implemented along every step of the travel experience at MLB, and passengers can learn more by visiting FlyMLBsafely.com.

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Lockdown at Palm Bay City Hall Lifted

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Police Department made contact with the person of interest tied to this morning’s lockdown and determined that there is no longer a threat to City Hall. The lockdown at City Hall has been lifted and facilities are now open to the public.

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