Local News
Palm Bay – Structure Fire – Homicide Investigation
The female has been identified as 67-year-old, Louella Mitchel and has succumbed to her injuries. Her brother, 65-year-old Mitchell Henry is still in critical condition. Investigators have been working diligently to determine the circumstances and motive surrounding this incident. After several interviews and a review of the evidence, this incident is being investigated as a homicide.
Did Palm Bay Hire an Outside Law Firm to Investigate Its Police Chief—Then Shut It Down?
A public records request by Palm Bay Live has revealed that the city retained RumbergerKirk, a well-known law firm, to investigate allegations of police misconduct, abuse of power, and a toxic work culture within the Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD). These allegations, brought forth by former Deputy Chief Lance Fisher, included claims against Chief Mariano Augello regarding the misuse of police resources and a culture of favoritism and retaliation within the department.
City of Melbourne Police Officers and Employees Recognized for Exceptional Service
On February 27, 2025, the Melbourne Police Department held its annual awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate police officers, communications officers and civilian employees for outstanding accomplishments, dedication, bravery and professionalism. Within these groups, the department also gave special awards to officers and employees who stood out among even these exceptional honorees.
Palm Bay School Zone Speed Camera Project Paused
During this past week, we have temporarily paused our School Zone Speed Enforcement Cameras from issuing violations in response to recent feedback from our community. The Palm Bay Police Department wants to assure residents that we are fully committed to resolving these issues, ensuring accuracy in our system and transparency for our community.
Palm Bay Residents Raise Concerns Over School Zone Cameras and Speeding Citations
“The misconception is that it’s only during certain hours—it actually runs throughout the school day,” Chief Augello said. “If you go 12 mph over the limit, the system alerts the company, the company sends the video to the police, and we verify whether it’s a violation.”
News Around The World
Southwest Airlines Announces Layoffs
Southwest Airlines has announced its first major layoffs in its 53-year history, planning to reduce approximately 1,750 corporate positions, which constitutes about 15% of its corporate workforce.
Brevard County Charter School Operations and Oversight
According to Russell Bruhn, Chief Strategic Communications Officer for Brevard Public Schools, charter schools in Brevard County are financed through a combination of state, local, and federal funds, similar to other public schools. The primary source of funding is the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), which allocates funds based on the number of full-time enrolled students. Additionally, charter schools have the opportunity to enhance their funding through federal grants. One notable example is the Charter School Program Grant, which supports the planning and initial implementation of charter schools.
Brevard Public Schools Board Votes to Approve Expansion of Guardian Program
BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell noted: “This is an additional layer of security for our schools. While this program is new to Brevard, it is not new to Florida as numerous other districts have had Guardians in schools for several years. The individuals who will be in the program are not classroom teachers or other positions that are part of the instructional staff covered by the teacher contract. All Guardians will have to go through the same screening process and intensive training that is required by our School Safety Specialists. I am thankful that we have employees who are willing to volunteer to serve in these positions. I am also grateful for the strong partnership we have the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office which provides such rigorous training.”
Profit Over Pupils? For-Profit Dynamics in Florida’s Charter Schools
Reports and investigations have revealed instances where for-profit management companies exert substantial control over charter schools’ day-to-day operations, sometimes funneling a significant portion of the schools’ revenue into fees or lease payments to related entities.
