bethyork, Author at Space Coast Daily

Veterans Memorial Center to Honor 250 Years of Service with Special Ceremony

Space Coast Daily — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:04:59 +0000

400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island

The Veterans Memorial Center is preparing a meaningful tribute to mark 250 years of veteran service in the United States. On Tuesday, November 11, the community will gather in the plaza area to reflect on the nation’s 250th anniversary and the contributions of veterans who have helped shape and safeguard the country.

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – The Veterans Memorial Center is preparing a meaningful tribute to mark 250 years of veteran service in the United States.

On Tuesday, November 11, the community will gather in the plaza area to reflect on the nation’s 250th anniversary and the contributions of veterans who have helped shape and safeguard the country.

The ceremony will take place at 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with parking available at the U-Haul and mall areas.

Guests will experience a moving program that highlights both history and the present day.

The BVMC Color Guard will open the event, followed by a parade of historical American flags presented by the Courageous Division Sea Cadets. Additional presentations will explore the roles of sons, daughters, and children of the American Revolution through period dress, creating a visual journey into the nation’s past.

A keynote address will be delivered by Maj. Lonnie Spangler, USA (Ret), who also serves as the MIHS JROTC Senior Instructor. His perspective and experience will provide a powerful reminder of the dedication and sacrifice shown by generations of service members.

Through this commemorative gathering, the Veterans Memorial Center aims to bring the community together in gratitude and reflection while honoring those who have served across centuries.

The post Veterans Memorial Center to Honor 250 Years of Service with Special Ceremony appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Eastern Florida State College Cross Country Teams Place in National Championship

Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State College — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:22 +0000

The Eastern Florida State College cross country teams traveled to compete at the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa this weekend. Both men’s and women’s teams placed in the championships. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College cross country teams traveled to compete at the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa this weekend. Both men’s and women’s teams placed in the championships.

The Eastern Florida State College women’s cross country team placed 16th overall at the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday afternoon.

It was a cold afternoon in Iowa with snow on the ground and the Titans finished among the top 20 teams in the meet for the third time in program history.

Sophomore Rori Pandolfini finished 56th overall in the race crossing the finish line of the 5K race in 21 minutes and 13.2 seconds.

Teammate Malinda Underwood finished in 21:59.1 and finished 90th overall while teammate Aubrey Orcutt crossed in 22:35.9. Ember Michaels was right behind Orcutt, finishing in 22:42.1 while Maddison Lusk finished in 24:04.7. Abigail Derisme finished in 24:51.1 and Kyla Waymire crossed in 26:25.5.

Mesa Community College won the team title ahead of Paradise Valley. Paradise Valley’s Arianna Mason won the individual title in 18:43.9.

The Eastern Florida State College men’s cross country team placed 26th overall at the NJCAA Division II National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday.

In cold conditions and snow on the ground, freshman Jaiden McKee finished 37th overall in the 8K race with a time of 28 minutes, 01.1 seconds. It was the top finish by a Titan at a national championship.

McKee went out fast and was in the top 16 for the first 2K of the race and stayed around there for much of the race.

Teammate Morgan Vici rebounded from a slow start, moving steadily up the field throughout the 8K race. The sophomore finished 127th overall with a time of 29:40.5. Brandon Faris and Noah McMann finished together as Faris crossed in 30:43.7 and McMann finished in 30:43.8. Wyatt Pittman finished the race right behind them, crossing in 30:51.5.

Joshua Torres ran the race in 31:25.6 and Toby Grissom finished in 34:00.1.

Lansing Community College repeated as the NJCAA Division II National Champion and Cowley College’s Esteban Boisseau won the individual title, finishing in 26:15.8.

The post Eastern Florida State College Cross Country Teams Place in National Championship appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Eastern Florida State College Women’s Basketball Team Beats Tallahassee

Space Coast Daily — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:41:47 +0000

Titans host South Georgia Tech at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

The Eastern Florida State College women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to pick up a win on the road Sunday afternoon. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to pick up a win on the road Sunday afternoon.

The Titans missed their first eight shots and trailed 14-5 after the first quarter but won each of the final three quarters to defeat Tallahassee State College 68-60.

Milica Lazarevic made her debut and came up big early for the Titans. The freshman hit her first 3-pointer to put the Titans on the board but Eastern Florida State College would trail by nine after one quarter. The Tallahassee lead would reach 10 points in the second half but the Titans responded as Angela Mirkovic scored six straight to get the Titans back into the game.

Lazarevic had 11 of the team’s 26 in the first half as the Titans cut the Eagles lead to one at halftime.

Ofir Parpara gave the Titans its first lead toward the end of the third quarter as Parpara scored six in the quarter. A couple of free throws with 29 seconds left gave the Titans a 47-44 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

It was a one-point game with two minutes left but the Titans would finish on a 7-0 run to win the game.

Lazarevic finished with 14 points and six rebounds while Shadia Lara Santacruz had 13 points and Mirkovic had 11 for the Titans. Bruna DaSilva had eight points, nine assists and five rebounds for the 2-1 Titans.

Leanna Pabst had 17 points for Tallahassee.

Eastern Florida State College will be home for the first time this season on Friday, Nov. 21 when they will host South Georgia Tech at 5:30 p.m. at Titan Field House.

The post Eastern Florida State College Women’s Basketball Team Beats Tallahassee appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Brevard County Fire Rescue to Host Push-In Ceremony for Engine 42 Nov. 15 on Merritt Island

Space Coast Daily — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:06:48 +0000

Station 42 islocated at 840 North Banana River Drive on Merritt Island

Brevard County Fire Rescue Station 42 will soon celebrate a proud firefighting tradition with a community event welcoming their newest fire engine. The Engine 42 Push-In Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 15, at 10 a.m. at Station 42, located at 840 North Banana River Drive in Merritt Island.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County Fire Rescue Station 42 will celebrate a proud firefighting tradition with a community event welcoming their newest fire engine – Engine 42, with a Push-In Ceremony on Saturday, November 15, at 10 a.m. at Station 42, located at 840 North Banana River Drive in Merritt Island.

The push-in ceremony is a time-honored custom dating back to the mid-1800s when horse-drawn fire apparatus had to be manually pushed back into the station after returning from a call.

Today, the tradition continues as a symbolic gesture representing teamwork, pride, and the start of service for a new engine.

Residents and community members are invited to attend and join firefighters in welcoming Engine 42 into its new home.

The event serves as both a celebration of history and a moment of appreciation for the men and women of Brevard County Fire Rescue who continue to protect and serve their community every day.

Station 42 looks forward to sharing this special occasion with the public and celebrating the addition of their new apparatus to the department’s fleet.

The post Brevard County Fire Rescue to Host Push-In Ceremony for Engine 42 Nov. 15 on Merritt Island appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team Shines at the 2025 SWAT Roundup International

Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff's Office — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:05:30 +0000

BCSP SWAT PLACES FIFTH OUT OF 45 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team includes Deputies Zach Brown, Peter Stead, Gary Haas, Bruce Connors, Joe Groski, Ben Brown, Aaron Radcliff, and Chase Goff. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The prestigious SWAT Roundup International 2025 was held last week in Orange County as 45 teams from around the globe came together to train and compete in a variety of tactical competitions.

I am extremely proud and excited to share with you that our very own Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team took fifth place overall in this year’s competition.

The members of our agency’s SWAT Team exemplify teamwork and dedication as they continually train to respond to critical incidents throughout Brevard County.

The annual SWAT Roundup International is an opportunity for our team members to train with the best of the best from agencies around the world and to also learn from premier SWAT Operators using the latest in techniques and technology.

This year’s team was made up of Deputies Zach Brown, Peter Stead, Gary Haas, Bruce Connors, Joe Groski, Ben Brown, Aaron Radcliff, and Chase Goff, all integral to our agency from Training to Special Operations and Investigations.

I couldn’t be more proud of the way they represent our agency and our community and the job they do each and every day.

Please join me in congratulating the team members on an amazing job well done.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

The post Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team Shines at the 2025 SWAT Roundup International appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

H&D Roadhouse Sets the Stage for a Full Month of November Entertainment

Space Coast Daily — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:01:47 +0000

Critter Run set for November 23

H&D Roadhouse, located at 1811 E Merritt Island Cswy in Merritt Island, is rolling out a lively schedule of entertainment throughout November. The popular local spot is keeping the community energized with music, themed events, and weekly specials that bring guests together for fun nearly every night.

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA –

Mondays highlight Service Industry Night, featuring extended hours and special offers for those who keep local businesses running. Thursdays invite trivia lovers and karaoke regulars for an evening of friendly competition and spirited performances.

Fridays continue the momentum with live music, beginning with The Bullet Dodgers on November 7 and Heatstroke on November 14. More acts follow, including Dakota and the Hired Gunz rounding out the month on November 28.

Saturdays come alive with their own events, starting with a Halloween-themed celebration on November 1. As the month continues, guests can expect more music, gatherings, and special nights that keep weekends exciting. Sundays maintain their tradition with an Open Jam session from 3 to 7 p.m., offering a welcoming space for musicians from across the area.

The schedule also includes meaningful community moments such as a Celebration of Life on November 2 and the Critter Run set for November 23. Karaoke returns on select weekends, complementing the steady rhythm of events throughout the month.

With entertainment filling the calendar from week to week, H&D Roadhouse is ready to greet residents and visitors for a memorable November rich with music, camaraderie, and community connection.

The post H&D Roadhouse Sets the Stage for a Full Month of November Entertainment appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Palm Bay Honors Veterans with Free Access to Community Centers, Aquatic Centers

Space Coast Daily — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:52 +0000

Weather conditions may influence operating hours

The City of Palm Bay is extending a warm welcome to veterans and their direct family members by offering free access to local community centers and the Aquatic Center on Tuesday, November 11.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay is extending a warm welcome to veterans and their direct family members by offering free access to local community centers and the Aquatic Center on Tuesday, November 11.

The initiative is part of the city’s recognition of Veterans Day and its commitment to honoring the service of those who have dedicated themselves to the nation.

At the Ted Whitlock Community Center, guests will find doors open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the facility dedicated to pickleball during those hours.

The Tony Rosa Community Center will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering open gym basketball and access to the weight room. Pickleball will not be offered at this location.

The Palm Bay Aquatic Center invites families to enjoy open swim from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather conditions may influence operating hours, as the pool opens once temperatures reach 50 degrees or higher.

Palm Bay encourages veterans and their families to take advantage of these free opportunities and expresses appreciation for their service and sacrifices.

The post Palm Bay Honors Veterans with Free Access to Community Centers, Aquatic Centers appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

City of Palm Bay Issues Update on Liberty Park Basketball Court Lighting

Space Coast Daily — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:08 +0000

basketball courts remain open during daylight hours

The City of Palm Bay Parks & Facilities Department is notifying the public that the basketball court lights at Liberty Park, located at 895 Carlyle Avenue SE, are currently out of service.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The basketball court lights at Liberty Park, located at 895 Carlyle Avenue SE, are currently out of service, according to the City of Palm Bay Parks & Facilities Department.

City staff are aware of the issue and are working diligently to restore lighting as soon as possible.

During this time, the basketball courts will remain open during daylight hours. Once repairs are completed and lighting is fully operational, the city will share an update with the community.

The City of Palm Bay appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as staff work to resolve the issue promptly and safely.

For information, contact the Palm Bay Parks & Facilities Department at 321-726-2777.

The post City of Palm Bay Issues Update on Liberty Park Basketball Court Lighting appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Eastern Florida State College Men’s Basketball Team Places Third at Battle for the Boot Tournament

Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State College — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 05:00:59 +0000

Titans play South Georgia State College Friday

The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team won the third-place game at the Battle for the Boot Tournament at the College of Southern Idaho on Saturday evening. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team won the third-place game at the Battle for the Boot Tournament at the College of Southern Idaho on Saturday evening.

The Titans defeated Clarendon College 107-94 to finish the tournament 2-1 and are now 3-1 on the season.

Sean Register had another big night for the Titans, scoring a game-high 31 points in the win. Register also grabbed six rebounds and had three assists. Five Titans finished with at least 12 points as the Titans eclipsed the 100-point mark for the second time in the first four games.

Eastern Florida State College jumped out to a quick start behind Register as he had eight of the team’s first 15 points. The lead would reach double digits late in the first half and one final run gave them a 50-34 lead at halftime.

Joviel Acevedo-Arroyo had 14 points in the second half including a couple of key 3-pointers to stop runs by Clarendon. The Bulldogs cut the lead to under 10 with 2:49 left but Acevedo-Arroyo hit two free throws, then Tyson Wilson and Register hit shots to build the lead back up.

Nick Oliver hit six 3-pointers off the bench for the Titans to finish with 22 points while Acevedo-Arroyo finished with 20. Wilson had 16 and Djiby Ly scored 12 in the victory.

Eastern Florida State College will be home for the home opener this weekend, hosting the Eastern Florida Classic beginning Friday.

The Titans will play South Georgia State College at 4 p.m. of Friday with Indian River State College facing South Georgia Tech in the second game.

Then on Saturday, the Titans will play South Georgia Tech at 2 p.m. with Indian River State College playing South Georgia State College in the second game. Admission is free and the games will be shown live online at the EFSC Titans YouTube page.

The post Eastern Florida State College Men’s Basketball Team Places Third at Battle for the Boot Tournament appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

SpaceX Starship Chosen to Lead Humanity’s Return ‘To the Moon and Beyond’

Space Coast Daily — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 05:00:31 +0000

paving the way for future missions to Mars

SpaceX announced significant progress in developing Starship, the world’s most potent and capable launch and landing system, which NASA has selected to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century under the Artemis program. (SpaceX image)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA – SpaceX announced major progress in the development of Starship, the world’s most powerful and capable launch and landing system, which has been selected by NASA to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century under the Artemis program.

For the first time in human history, technology, capability, and determination have converged to make a permanent human presence beyond Earth possible.

Designed to carry both large numbers of explorers and the infrastructure they’ll need, Starship is the only vehicle capable of transporting up to 100 metric tons of cargo directly to the lunar surface. It will serve as the lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis III and Artemis IV missions, enabling sustainable exploration of the Moon and paving the way for future missions to Mars.

“Starship was built with one goal in mind — to make life multiplanetary,” said a SpaceX spokesperson.

“Through our partnership with NASA and the Artemis program, we are taking the next step toward that vision by enabling a lasting human presence on the Moon and ultimately extending humanity’s reach to Mars.”

Engineering the Future of Exploration

Each Starship has a pressurized habitable volume exceeding 600 cubic meters—nearly two-thirds the size of the entire International Space Station. The vehicle features dual airlocks for efficient surface exploration and can be reconfigured to transport crews, cargo, and habitats.

Cargo variants will deliver critical payloads, including rovers, reactors, and habitat modules, to support long-term lunar operations.

SpaceX is advancing Starship along two primary development paths:

■ Core Starship System Development – Focused on reusable vehicle technology, launch cadence, and propellant transfer capability.

■ Human Landing System (HLS) Configuration – Tailored to NASA’s Artemis mission requirements, including crew systems, life support, and precision lunar landing capabilities.

To date, SpaceX has completed 49 milestones under its HLS contract with NASA, including successful demonstrations of environmental control systems, docking operations, lunar landing engine tests, and crew elevator functionality. The company has also produced more than three dozen

Starships and 600 Raptor engines, representing over 226,000 seconds of total engine test time.

Next Steps in Lunar Readiness

Upcoming milestones include long-duration orbital tests and a ship-to-ship propellant transfer demonstration, both essential to enabling sustainable lunar missions. SpaceX is also fabricating a flight-ready Starship HLS cabin equipped with complete environmental and power systems to validate design maturity and serve as a training platform for future lunar crews.

“Every Starship flight advances our capability to explore deeper into the solar system,” the spokesperson added. “Our rapid testing, production, and iteration model ensures that we learn, adapt, and deliver innovation faster than ever before.”
A Permanent Return to the Moon

NASA selected Starship through a competitive process that recognized its superior technical capability, management approach, and cost-effectiveness. Starship’s full and rapid reusability, high payload capacity, and scalability make it the cornerstone of a sustainable lunar exploration program.

The Artemis program represents the next chapter in human spaceflight — one that will establish a lasting presence on the Moon and lay the foundation for the first human missions to Mars. With Starship, SpaceX and NASA are turning that vision into reality.
About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. Founded in 2002, SpaceX has redefined space access through rapid reusability, cost reduction, and innovation, leading the way toward sustainable space exploration.

The post SpaceX Starship Chosen to Lead Humanity’s Return ‘To the Moon and Beyond’ appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Eastern Florida State College Men’s Basketball Team Wins Battle for Boot Opener

Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State College — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 05:00:15 +0000

Titans will play in semifinals on Saturday

The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team finished strong to pick up an opening-round win at the Battle for the Boot Tournament at the College of Southern Idaho on Thursday. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team finished strong to pick up an opening-round win at the Battle for the Boot Tournament at the College of Southern Idaho on Thursday.

The Titans scored 111 points and defeated McCook Community College 111-101 to advance to the semifinals in the tournament.

Eastern Florida State College held a two-point lead with eight minutes to go but would go on an 8-0 run and go on to post the win to improve to 2-0.

The first half saw McCook take as much as a six-point lead but Sean Register and Nick Oliver hit some big shots in the final four minutes and Register hit a shot with eight seconds left to give the Titans a one-point lead, 49-48. But McCook Community College would hit a 3-pointer to take a two-point lead at halftime.

Register led the way with 12 points in the first half and finished with his second straight double-double. The freshman from Cleveland, Ohio finished with a team-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Oliver finished with a season-high 18 points off the bench for the Titans. Tyson Wilson also had 18 points to go with 11 assists for his first double-double while Joviel Acevedo-Arroyo finished with 16 points. Eby Ogoh had 12 points and seven rebounds in the win.

The Titans will play in one of the semifinals on Saturday in the tournament, facing the winner of the Casper College and North Idaho game.

The post Eastern Florida State College Men’s Basketball Team Wins Battle for Boot Opener appeared first on Space Coast Daily.

Eastern Florida State College Trio of Women’s Volleyball Players Make All-FCSAA Team

Space Coast Daily — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 05:00:06 +0000

Titans play Tournament Friday, 10 a.m. at Suncoast Credit Union Stadium at Florida Southwestern

Three Eastern Florida State College women’s volleyball players were named to the Division I All-FCSAA Volleyball team on Thursday. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA – Three Eastern Florida State College women’s volleyball players were named to the Division I All-FCSAA Volleyball team on Thursday.

Diara Gaye, Emma Cook and Sophia Iglesias were all honored during Thursday night’s FCSAA Division I Volleyball Championship banquet in Fort Myers.

Gaye and Cook were both named to the first team with Iglesias being named to the second team.

Gaye, a freshman middle hitter from Turin, Italy, recorded 147 kills and averaged 1.67 kills per set. Gaye had 72 total blocks this season.

Cook, a sophomore middle hitter from Fernandina Beach, finished the regular season with 158 kills and 56 total blocks in 25 matches.

Iglesias, a sophomore setter from Oviedo, finished with over 600 assists for the second straight season and averaged 7.85 assists per set in 26 matches. She also had 69 kills and 39 service aces. It is the second straight season that Iglesias has made the all-Region 8 team.

The trio will lead the Titans into the tournament Friday morning against No. 4 seed Hillsborough Community College. Eastern Florida State College is the No. 5 seed in the tournament. The two teams split the two meetings this season with both teams winning at home.

The match will tip off at 10 a.m. at Suncoast Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College. Fans can watch the match live online.

The post Eastern Florida State College Trio of Women’s Volleyball Players Make All-FCSAA Team appeared first on Space Coast Daily.