Good morning, Palm Bay.

Residents in Palm Bay can enjoy five free events in Brevard from July 18th to 24th, including a pool movie at Palm Bay Aquatic Center on July 19 and a ranger-led tour at Turkey Creek Sanctuary.

Guests should check with event organizers for schedule changes — early arrivals or reservations may be needed as capacity is limited.

On July 16 at 2:30 a.m., SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and deployed 24 Amazon Project Kuiper satellites into orbit 289 miles above Earth—expanding the constellation from 54 to 78 satellites.

Michael Milano, a Merritt Island man who captained a boat smuggling Haitian and other migrants, was sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty, while Rockledge contractor Raymond Smith received 30 months in prison—he also had to forfeit $284,000 and two boats used in at least six smuggling trips that brought more than 90 migrants into the country.

Heavy rain on Tuesday dropped nearly eight inches in one hour in Mims and flooded every unit at The Patio apartments, leaving families displaced while county officials cited aging drainage and ongoing construction as causes — residents now await temporary housing and county updates. County meetings on July 21 and July 31 will let residents voice concerns and learn about planned repairs.

Florida ranked second on Terminex’s list of tick-infested states as emergency room visits for tick bites reached a five-year high by July 6, according to CDC records.

Health experts warn that warmer temperatures help ticks survive — increasing the risk of illnesses like Lyme disease and urging residents to avoid tick-prone areas.

Palm Bay was named America’s best city for first-time home buyers by WalletHub in a 2025 study.

The study ranked Palm Bay on affordability & quality of life, noting strong home value growth and a mix of housing options.

Former Viera Hawk Edian Espinal was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft and was one of five UCF Knights baseball players selected this year — he becomes the fourth Hawk drafted in the last four years.

Reggae and Food Festival

12-9 p.m. — Fred Poppe Regional Park — Various food prices — Experience live reggae music and Caribbean flavors with local crafts and art.