If you’ve spent any time driving down A1A lately, you know the vibe in Brevard is shifting. It’s not just the rocket rattles anymore.
Honestly, it’s been a heavy week. Between a heartbreaking courtroom admission and a near-miss on the asphalt that has everyone talking, the "quiet" side of Florida is feeling anything but.
The Courtroom Moment That Shook the Coast
You probably heard about the tragedy involving two deputies back in 2022. It was one of those stories that makes your stomach drop. This week, it finally hit a turning point in a Viera courtroom. Andrew Lawson, an off-duty Brevard County deputy, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on January 15.
He was the roommate and best friend of Deputy Austin Walsh.
According to the affidavits, Lawson "jokingly" pulled the trigger twice. He thought the gun was empty. It wasn't. It’s a stark, brutal reminder of how quickly life changes here. Sentencing is still looming—the hearing hit a wall at 5 p.m. on Thursday and will pick back up on January 30. It’s the kind of news in Brevard County FL that leaves a mark on the community for a long time.
That Dashcam Video Everyone Is Sharing
On a lighter, though terrifying, note: did you see the video from near Cocoa Beach?
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Basically, a Good Samaritan is being hailed as a hero after spotting two toddlers just... wandering. Right in the middle of State Road A1A.
- The man jumped out of his truck.
- He grabbed both kids before anything tragic happened.
- He actually managed to find their house nearby.
The crazy part? The parents and grandparents had no idea the kids were even gone. The gate was just open. The Sheriff's Office looked into it, but no charges are being filed. They did, however, refer the family to out-of-state services. Just a wild Sunday morning for everyone involved.
Why Cape View Elementary Might Be Done
This is the one that has parents in Cape Canaveral fired up. The School Board is looking at closing Cape View Elementary.
Why? It’s the same story we're seeing across Central Florida: low enrollment.
There was a joint workshop on January 13 where city leaders basically begged the board to wait. They’re looking for grants to keep it afloat, but the reality is looking grim. If it closes, those kids are headed to Roosevelt Elementary. A final vote is coming up on January 20.
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What's driving the decline?
It's not just that people aren't having kids. Florida’s universal voucher program is a huge factor. Parents are taking that state money and heading to private or charter schools, leaving traditional public schools like Cape View with empty desks and massive budget holes.
Rocket Rhythms: What's Next for the Sky?
You can’t talk about news in Brevard County FL without looking up.
SpaceX is basically running a bus route to orbit at this point. We’ve got a Falcon 9 launch for Starlink scheduled for January 18 at 5:04 PM. If the weather holds, it should be a beauty.
But the real talk is about Artemis II. We are officially in 2026, the year NASA plans to send humans back around the moon.
- Target: February to April window.
- The Mission: Four astronauts, one SLS rocket, and a lot of nerves.
- Impact: Expect the crowds in Titusville and Cocoa Beach to be unlike anything we've seen since the Shuttle days.
The "Tech Triangle" and Your Property Taxes
While we’re all watching the rockets, the ground beneath us is getting expensive.
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The 2026 legislative session just kicked off in Tallahassee, and property taxes are at the top of the list. Governor DeSantis is pushing for boundaries on data centers and trying to tackle the insurance crisis that’s been hammering us.
In Palm Bay, the growth is actually insane. We’re talking about 9,000+ housing units currently under construction. Cypress Bay West and Palm Vista Everlands are the big names to watch.
L3Harris is also doubling down. They’ve got two massive projects—Project SAMT and Project LEO—that are bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs to the area. It’s great for the economy, but if you’re trying to buy a house in Melbourne or Viera right now, you already know the struggle is real.
Quick Hits You Might Have Missed
- Rare Sight: Local fishermen spotted Humpback whales about 20 miles off Port Canaveral this week.
- Bears on the Move: The Brevard Zoo just released nearly 20 rehabilitated black bears back into the wild. It was a record year for orphaned cubs.
- Tragedy in Palm Bay: A 75-year-old grandmother and her 10-year-old grandson died in a house fire on January 12. The cause is still being investigated.
- Indian River Lagoon: There’s a big push to renew the half-cent sales tax to keep the cleanup efforts going. Most residents seem to be on board—the lagoon is looking better, but it’s still fragile.
What You Should Actually Do Now
If you live here or are planning a visit, stay sharp on the local calendar. The January 20 School Board meeting is going to be a packed house if you care about the Cape View closure. Also, if you’re planning to watch the Starlink launch on the 18th, remember the sun sets early—bring a jacket, the wind off the Banana River is still biting.
Keep an eye on the "Save Our Indian River Lagoon" workshops if you care about water quality. These meetings are where the actual spending decisions happen, and they need more than just 70 people showing up.
Stay safe on the roads. With I-95 seeing more crashes and A1A getting more crowded, the "local" shortcuts aren't as empty as they used to be.
Actionable Insight: Check your property tax assessment early this year. With the new legislative session focusing on reforms, knowing your current standing will help you navigate the changes coming out of Tallahassee by spring.