
Local News

American Airlines Announces Saturday Flights Between DFW and MLB
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.
Lockdown at Palm Bay City Hall Lifted
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.
Palm Bay City Hall on Temporary Lockdown Following Reports of a Suspicious Person On Scene
In an abundance of caution, members of the public are being asked to avoid Palm Bay City Hall until police sweep the area.
Palm Bay Parks and Recreation Launches Adopt-A-Park Program
Palm Bay Building Department Moving to New Location
The move will complement several new policies and procedures designed to ensure operations continue during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
City of Palm Bay Holiday Light Fest
Palm Bay Drive-thru Holiday Light Fest begins this Saturday night during our Holiday Light Parade. Light Fest is a free drive through holiday light display inside of Fred Poppe Regional Park. Light Fest will be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 to 9 PM through January 3. There will be no Light Fest on Friday, December 25 or Friday, January 1. For more information, call the Ted Whitlock Community Center at (321) 952-3231. To check if the Holiday Light Fest is still going on due to weather, call the Rainout Hotline at (321) 726-5682.
Republic Services Reminder on Cart Size Options
Palm Bay-Health First
Health First has received a limited supply of monoclonal antibodies (bamlanivimab) for symptomatic COVID-19 patients who are not sick enough to be hospitalized. Treatment includes a one-hour infusion and one-hour of observation. Please contact your physician with any questions (as they would determine if this treatment is appropriate for you) or call our Centralized Scheduling Department at 321.434.3131 for a Virtual Visit.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned for Palm Bay Fire Rescue Fire Station 5
Palm Bay Fire Rescue’s new Station 5 will serve as an operations base for lifesaving and fire rescue services in southeast Palm Bay.
PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay is excited to announce the opening of the new Fire Station 5, located at 1525 Foundation Park Drive SE. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Station on Friday, December 18th at 11:30am. The event is open to the public and members of the media. Attendees are encouraged to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
The new Fire Station 5 facility serves as a replacement for the modular station at 37 San Filippo Drive SE that opened in 1998. The reintroduction of Fire Station 5 brings Palm Bay to a total of six stations, providing additional coverage and enhanced response times across the city’s 88-square miles. Firefighters operating out of Station 5 will provide lifesaving and fire rescue services to southeast Palm Bay and the I-95 corridor at Malabar Road.
Station 5 will also function as the official fire training grounds for Palm Bay Fire Rescue, which will allow the department to conduct more frequent trainings on a wide variety of skills, while saving the City more than $10,000 a year in training facility rental fees. The 3-acre parcel also provides space for expansion to accommodate future training needs.
The acquisition and construction of Fire Station 5 was funded through a combination of City general fund dollars, fire impact fees, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. In early 2019, the City’s Community Development Advisory Board made a recommendation to City Council to award $780,299 in CDBG funding for the acquisition of the property and existing 6,400 square-foot building for Fire Station 5. CDBG funding was also awarded to acquire apparatuses and equipment for use by Station 5 firefighters, to include $473,715.89 for Fire Engine 5 and related equipment, $280,149.44 for Water Tender 5 and related equipment, and $8,155.53 for the purchase of lifesaving equipment.