Melbourne News

When it comes to Christmas trees, here's a quick way to measure for freshness: Grab a fist-full of branches near the middle of the tree and slide your hand out.

I live in Trinity Towers South in Melbourne. Residents in all three towers received a Thanksgiving dinner from the Salvation Army, as mentioned in the recent FLORIDA TODAY article.

The holidays are upon us, Brevard, so to keep things merry and cheery, here's a roundup of things to do this week.

Melbourne High student Kylie Lan Tumiatti is traveling to Sweden to participate in Nobel Prize festivities next week.

Someone found a body in the woods near Hibiscus Boulevard and Gateway Drive Thursday evening, according to West Melbourne Police Sgt.

Here are your entertainment best bets for Friday, Dec. 6, 2013: Want to be in this calendar? Submit events at least two weeks in advance to tgif@floridatoday.com.

Rare-earth magnets: Buckyballs and other rare-earth magnets are great for science experiments and magic tricks, but can be extremely dangerous if swallowed.

Nearly 25 years ago, Janna Hogan Forschino found herself stuck in Palm Bay traffic, watching as festive floats with dangling lights rolled by serenaded by marching bands playing Christmas music.

The new cat adoption site that SPCA of North Brevard is operating at the Melbourne Square Mall opened on Black Friday and was able to adopt 22 cats from Friday through Sunday.

Dave Chappelle will bring his standup act to the King Center in Melbourne on Dec. 18. And if you plan on heckling him, beware.

Just before Thanksgiving, 14-year-old Christin Rivas got six rare-earth magnets from a friend at church, thinking she could "freak out" her classmates by using them for tricks.

Sunday's article in FLORIDA TODAY's Business section about the Goodwill Industries store that is being built in West Melbourne using nearly all products made in the USA was excellent.

It's four acres of prime-location riverfront property, where Melbourne officials see a swanky hotel, bustling restaurant, or a gathering hub for a park along the Indian River Lagoon on the drawing board.

Martinis and Mistletoe, the annual holiday extravaganza hosted by the Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, has become a must-do event for many local businesspeople.

Brevard residents now have a way to give directly back to young adults with special needs in the community while unloading household items in the process.

On a recent morning at Florida Air Academy, a private day and boarding school near downtown Melbourne, students weren't using papers and pencils in their Algebra I class.

Paws up to Pam Shaia and Stan Pengelly of From Olives and Grapes. The couple recently presented checks to the Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida, the Mid-Florida Sheltie Rescue and Coastal Poodle Rescue.

Here are your entertainment best bets for Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013: WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4 Want to be in this calendar? Submit events at least two weeks in advance to tgif@floridatoday.com.

Melbourne, Florida - December 3, 2013 - Ok Florida skiers, it is time to brush the dust off your skis, boots and poles and plan your first ski trip this ski season.

The Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement Department has launched a "Twelve Strays of Christmas" promotion aimed at increasing adoptions and generating awareness about the pets available for adoption at its shelters in Melbourne and Titusville.