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COCOA BEACH

Ex-classmates sent evidence to FBI about Cocoa Beach man’s role in Capitol Riot

His travel is also restricted to the Middle District of Florida and Washington D.C., as needed for his trial. A screen capture from Dillion Homol's Facebook Live. According to the FBI, Homol in a live stream said: “It’s the Capitol building, they are counting the electorals in there right now and we stormed it. A screen capture from Dillion Homol's Facebook Live. At least 29 people have been arrested in Florida as of Thursday, of which 21 in the Middle District of Florida.

Army Corps begin $10.6 million sand renourishment project in Cocoa Beach

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Cocoa Beach — the Space Coast’s premier tourism spot — soon will see new sands, dredged up and pumped in from shoals several miles offshore of Cape Canaveral. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin placing the new sand on the so-called North Reach section of its Brevard County Shore Protection Project “on or about March 20,” News 6 partner Florida Today reports. That estimated $15 million project is expected to be completed by April 30, county officials say, when beach widening projects must stop to prevent disrupting endangered and threatened sea turtle nesting. AdThe Cocoa Beach project, also expected to be complete by April 30, is the latest in a series of periodic federal beach renourishments that began in 2000. The source sand for the Cocoa Beach project will be dredged from Canaveral Shoals, about five miles offshore of Cape Canaveral.

Cocoa Beach mayor wants to limit BYOB alcohol on the beach downtown

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – During a warm weekend in Cocoa Beach, Mayor Ben Malik was driving downtown on State Road A1A when he encountered “people with coolers stumbling into the road” en route from the beach to their vehicles. I’m tired of talking about it,” he said during last week’s Cocoa Beach City Commission meeting. Interviewed Monday, Malik said he hopes to discuss beach-drinking regulations during the March 18 Cocoa Beach City Commission meeting. For years, Cocoa Beach officials have wrestled with options to control nuisance drinkers who congregate each spring near the beach end of Minutemen Causeway. AdGeneral beach rules in Cocoa Beach, per the City Hall website:

Spring break visitors starting to return to Brevard, but not in pre-pandemic numbers

It’s almost like pre-pandemic spring break, says Thompson. Another sign that spring break tourism is rebounding is the passenger figures at Orlando International Airport, traditionally one of the nation’s busiest airports during spring break. AdSoft national numbersNationally, however, spring break tourism demand remains soft. Despite the nationwide progress on COVID-19 vaccines, spring break travel intentions actually appear to be dropping. The 12.4% who plan to travel for spring break is down from 16% the week prior, the poll by Destination Analysts found.

Backstreet Boy Howie D breaks ground on The Surf, a $35M Cocoa Beach condominium complex

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – With his Backstreet Boys touring schedule postponed by the pandemic, Howie D addressed a small crowd during the groundbreaking of his $35 million Cocoa Beach condominium complex, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. Crews will construct The Surf in downtown Cocoa Beach between Minutemen Causeway and North First Street, at the vacant former beachfront home of Ocean Dunes. “We’re so excited to see a brand-new (housing) product come online in Cocoa Beach,” Mayor Ben Malik said. The groundbreaking ceremony honored Charles Boyd, the Cocoa Beach developer who died in May at age 72. “We are in the process of right now trying to get things geared back up to do some more touring,” Howie D said.

Top 2 US Air Force demonstration teams to perform at Cocoa Beach Air Show

The U.S. Air Force’s top two demonstration teams will take flight at the Cocoa Beach Air Show. The Thunderbirds will kick off their 2021 season at the show along with a performance from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, air show officials said. The F-22 Raptor is the fastest and most maneuverable fighter jet in the world, according to officials with the air show. “Having the double headliner of the Thunderbirds and F-22 Raptor Demo will kick the destination appeal of the Cocoa Beach Air Show into afterburner.”Other air acts include the SOCOM Para-Commandos, the Douglas C-47 Tico Bell, Geico Skytypers and Mike Wiskus. Tickets are on sale now with early bird prices starting at $21 and will increase to $36 on the event day.

Man driving van on shore at Cocoa Beach nearly hits pedestrians, police say

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Pedestrians had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by a man who was driving a van on the beach and another area not open to vehicle traffic, according to the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Pedestrians who were in the area had to jump out of Tumey’s way, according to the affidavit. When police arrived, they said Tumey was gathering belongings from his vehicle. Tumey was arrested on charges of reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Click here to subscribe to ClickOrlando.com’s Strange Florida newsletter, delivered every Friday.

Concerns raised over lighted pedestrian crosswalks in Cocoa Beach

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Some Cocoa Beach residents have voiced concerns over the installation of new pedestrian crosswalks with lighted beacons because they flash yellow and not red, potentially giving walkers a false sense of security as they cross a busy roadway. “We don’t want these tragic incidents to happen like what happened to Sophia.”As part of a pedestrian safety project, FDOT was proposing additional pedestrian beacons to be installed along S.R. A1A in Cocoa Beach, from Cocoa Isle Boulevard and Lucie Lane. While Cocoa Beach city leaders are voicing their disapproval of the project, FDOT moved forward with a public meeting Tuesday and said that the plans for installing the pedestrian beacons are not set in stone. The pedestrian safety project was requested by the city of Cocoa Beach in 2017.

Cocoa Beach officials don’t want FDOT’s flashing-yellow mid-block crosswalks on SR A1A

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Adding mid-block crossings with flashing-yellow lights along State Road A1A poses “an unreasonable safety risk” for pedestrians — because some drivers fail to stop when the lights are activated, the Cocoa Beach City Commission argues. The address is 900 N. Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach — S.R. It’s remarkable that FDOT doesn’t do anything about this,” Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Ed Martinez said during last week’s meeting. It’s remarkable that FDOT doesn’t do anything about this,” Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Ed Martinez said during last week’s meeting.

Christmas in Florida: Chilly forecast, falling iguanas

The National Weather Service earlier this week warned that South Florida could experience the coldest Christmas Day in 21 years. Morning lows on Saturday could drop into the low 30s and 40s degrees Fahrenheit, the weather service said. Much colder temps expected for Christmas,” the National Weather Service in Miami tweeted earlier this week. A squall line with severe storms and fast-moving winds also was headed for north Florida on Christmas Eve. The pandemic also was impacting a Space Coast tradition — Surfing Santa Day, which takes place the day before Christmas.

Surfing Santas goes virtual, hundreds of families still flock to Cocoa Beach

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The tradition of dressing up like St. Nick and hitting the waves continues in Cocoa Beach for the 11th annual Surfing Santa event in Cocoa Beach. “I saw them surfing... Santa Clause,” said Mason, a child watching from the shoreline Thursday morning. The event usually draws tens of thousands of people to the Space Coast and hundreds of surfers from across the globe. Although the event was held virtually this year, hundreds of families still decided to show up and continue their Christmas Eve tradition. But he said the experience is unlike any other with families bringing the Christmas spirit to life.

Surfing Santas scales back annual Christmas Eve event during coronavirus pandemic

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – On Thursday, organizers of what’s been the largest holiday party on Cocoa Beach the past decade plan to break up the crowds for a change. Thousands traditionally watch hundreds of “Surfing Santas” on Christmas Eve at Coconuts on the Beach. Trosset said the decision to cancel received criticism from Surfing Santas fans who anticipated the full-scale event would go on. “Out of an abundance of caution, we chose not to have a gathering of Santas, but people love Surfing Santas,” Trosset said. They may go to another spot.”Dan Sheehan, from Fort Lauderdale, is in Cocoa Beach for Christmas and said he’ll be surfing Thursday.

4th person arrested in fatal shooting at motel in Cocoa Beach

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A fourth person has been arrested in a fatal shooting at a motel in Cocoa Beach. Police said Sheppard is at the Brevard County Jail with no bond. Earlier this week, investigators said three people have been arrested in the fatal shooting of Shawn M. McGraw at a motel in Cocoa Beach from Nov. 12, 2019. Wellington was arrested and was transported to the Brevard County jail and is being held on no bond, according to authorities. Back on Nov. 12, police said officers responded to a room at the Fawlty Towers Motel on the Cocoa Beach Causeway and investigators found McGraw with a gunshot wound.

Cocoa Beach ends mask mandate but businesses can still require face coverings

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Kenne Wells said she is not changing the mask requirement at her store, the Coastal Market, after the City of Cocoa Beach ended its mask mandate on Monday. Wells said she’s making a new sign for her customers, so they know they still have to wear a mask inside the market. Even though the city won’t require masks anymore, businesses can still require face coverings. The change comes after city leaders saw a drop in positive COVID-19 cases and because the governor no longer allows cities to fine people not wearing masks. Since the pandemic started I’ve lived inside, bubble boy, and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping,” Viola said.

Cocoa Beach will no longer require face coverings

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Leaders in Cocoa Beach announced on Friday that the city will no longer require the public to wear a face covering starting Monday. A mask mandate was put into place by city officials on June 30 as cases of COVID-19 began to erupt in all parts of the Sunshine State. Deleuil said he’s spoken with other business owners in town, and many are planning to still require a mask in order to enter their establishments. “Again, we have zero ability to regulate it.”The governor’s executive order doesn’t specifically address mask mandates because a statewide mask mandate was never issued. Cocoa Beach officials said while the city can no longer enforce a mask mandate, private owned businesses can continue to have mask policies as they see fit.

37-year-old woman fatally struck by vehicle, Cocoa Beach police say

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – A vehicle exiting Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital struck and killed a pedestrian Sunday night, according to the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Police said the victim was a 37-year-old woman. Her name has not been released. The blue 2011 Volkswagen is believed to have exited the parking lot of Cape Canaveral Hospital and pulled onto State Road 520 around 10 p.m. when the crash occurred, records show. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Cocoa Beach Police Department at 321-868-3251.

12’ waves possible at East Coast beaches Sunday, Monday

Teddy will be pushing the ocean right into the coast which could lead to coastal flooding and beach erosion. Coastal flood watches and warning go into effect Saturday eveningA coastal flood warning goes into effect Saturday evening for coastal Flagler county. This means that coastal flooding is possible in these areas. Pay extra close attention if you live in an area prone to coastal flooding. Coastal flooding occurs from rising ocean water being forced inland by a storm rather than from heavy rain.

Cocoa Beach high school seniors cross bridge during graduation ceremony

COCOA BEACH, Fla. Seniors with the Class of 2020 at Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School celebrated their graduation during a socially distant ceremony Saturday morning. Almost two months after the school year ended, the seniors finally got their moment to celebrate all of their accomplishments. The ceremony featured pre-recorded speeches from six valedictorians and in-person bridge crossings.The students reflected on the year. Valedictorian Declan Ridgeway called it an emotional roller coaster and said the COVID-19 pandemic robbed them of their senior memories. Valedictorian Christina Tomacari reflected on how like the pandemic, life after graduation will have its challenges.

Cocoa Beach leaders to discuss face mask mandate to curb spread of COVID-19

COCOA BEACH, Fla. The city of Cocoa Beach is set to hold a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss whether or not to put a face mask mandate in place as cases of COVID-19 continue to climb. The mandate would need to be approved by the city commission and would require face mask use for every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of Cocoa Beach wear a face covering in any indoor public location, other than their home or residence, and in any public outdoor location when not maintaining social distancing from other person(s), excluding family members or companions, according to city officials. While Brevard does not have a county-wide mandate requiring face mask use, some popular businesses have put mask rules into place to protect staff and guests. The Cocoa Beach Pier announced July 3 that it would require all guests to wear a face mask. Bars will remain closed per state guidelines, but beverage service is available at our tables, pier leaders said in a post.

Girl struck by boat in Cocoa Beach hit-and-run, FWC says

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Update 2:40 p.m.Officials have located the person who was involved in the hit-and-run. The young swimmer was hit at 12:21 p.m. and the vessel left the scene, according to the FWC. FWC officers and deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office were searching for the boat. Around 10:30 p.m., FWC officials said they located the person involved. Authorities did not provide a description of the boat or the girl’s condition.

Cocoa Beach Pier now requires all guests to wear face masks as COVID-19 pandemic continues

COCOA BEACH, Fla. If youre planning a trip to the Cocoa Beach Pier, youll need to pack a face mask in your beach bag as the pier will now require all guests to wear one. The pier made the announcement on social media Friday as people flocked to Brevard County beaches to beat the heat and enjoy the long holiday weekend. According to an Instagram post, the pier will require all guests to wear a mask in an effort to keep guests as safe as possible. Bars will remain closed per state guidelines, but beverage service is available at our tables, pier leaders said in a post. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.