| The Mayfield Minute - July 13, 2025 |
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Tragic Flooding in Texas Serves as an Important Reminder to Subscribe to Weather Alerts
The search continues for more than 170 people still missing after flash floods devastated Central Texas on July 4th. Sadly, the death toll has risen to 129 victims, and is expected to increase as first responders continue their non-stop efforts to find all of the victims.
Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, a decades old, popular Christian girls' summer camp with cabins along the Guadalupe River suffered catastrophic flooding. The river rose over 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Twenty-seven members of the camp were lost, including young campers, a counselor, and the camp director as they attempted to evacuate in the dark of night. As of Friday, July 11th, five campers and one counselor remained missing.
President Trump signed a federal disaster declaration allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deploy their teams to support local rescue and recovery efforts in Texas.
This tragedy is a reminder to fully utilize all emergency alerts available in Brevard County and throughout the State of Florida. Also, it is always a good idea to access, in advance, the emergency alert systems where you or your loved ones may be traveling.
- To receive live updates from the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center, click here.
- To receive local updates from Florida's Division of Emergency Management, click here.
I consider it a great honor to represent Senate District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they, too, can subscribe to the Mayfield Minute.
If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 321-409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you! |
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Governor Signs Executive Order to Create Advisory Commission for the 250th Anniversary of America's Founding
The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 was enacted by Congress to establish the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. The Commission's core mission is to develop and execute plans for commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, specifically the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Commission will collaborate with state and territory commissions to facilitate broad participation and support in the celebration of our nation.
Last week, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 24-267 to officially create Florida's advisory commission to oversee Florida's observance of America's Semiquincentennial. Furthermore, the Executive Order directs the Secretary of State to cooperate with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and relevant divisions within the Florida Department of State, various state agencies, and others to organize celebrations leading up to and on July 4th, 2026.
Florida's Advisory Commission will make recommendations to the Governor and will be comprised of the Lieutenant Governor and four members appointed by the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor will serve as Chair and act as the State's liaison to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.
The 250th anniversary of the United States marks a pivotal moment to celebrate the nation's founding and to highlight the significant past, present, and future contributions of the State of Florida.
For more information, visit the America250Florida website which was recently launched as a guide for news, events, and resources for the Semiquincentennial.
FDACS Warns of Email Subscription Scams
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is cautioning consumers to be aware of email subscription scams. FDACS stated that cybercriminals are targeting Floridians with phishing emails posing as legitimate streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and others, to steal personal information and credit card numbers.
“These scams look real — but they’re designed to trick you into taking the bait and handing over sensitive information,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “We want Floridians to recognize the red flags and protect themselves before they click.”
FDACS tips to avoid phishing scams:
- Check the sender’s email address. Scammers often use addresses that look official but aren’t. If it doesn’t come from the service’s verified domain — like @netflix.com — don’t trust it.
- Look for spelling and grammar mistakes. Reputable companies don’t send sloppy emails.
- Be cautious with links. If you receive an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or open the link in the message. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email.
- Beware of urgent language. Phrases like “Your account will be locked!” are designed to make you panic and act quickly without thinking.
- Go straight to the source. When in doubt, open the app or type the website directly into your browser. Never click through an email you weren’t expecting.
To report an email scam, call 1-800-HELP-FLA or click here.
Florida State Parks Announce the 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest
Florida's award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites offer some of the most photographic landscapes in the world. The annual Capture the Real Florida photo contest is now open for the 2025 summer season.
“With each photo contest, I am amazed by the beauty and variety of Florida’s natural spaces,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “I invite photographers of all levels to explore and capture the Real Florida, from springs to swamps to beaches. We look forward to seeing this year’s stunning submissions.”
This year, the contest has added a brand-new category for Historic Encounters. This category is for photographs of historic structures and cultural landmarks that connect us to the stories, heritage, and people that shaped the state’s rich history.
Entries will be accepted from July 1st through Sept. 1st and can be submitted through the photo contest website.
Contest Criteria:
- Photographs must be taken within a Florida State Park
- Participants may submit one photo per category for a total of up to five entries
- Categories: landscapes, waterscapes, park adventures, wildlife, historic encounters
The contest will also include a People's Choice Award in each category voted by the public.
For contest rules, submission guidelines and prize details, visit the Florida State Parks photo contest website, |
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Kyle McLaren
Our Constituent of the Week is Kyle McLaren, a Junior at Melbourne High School and President of the Melbourne Time Traveler’s Society (MTTS).
Mr. McLaren is enrolled in Melbourne High School's Honors and International Baccalaureate programs. He is also dually enrolled at Eastern Florida State College where he is taking classes in Applied Engineering and Construction Technology.
Mr. McLaren is a self-proclaimed, passionate historian. In 2023, he and his peers established the MTTS to uncover and preserve local history. The group has spent countless hours researching to retrieve and archive items of historical significance to Melbourne.
The MTTS has recovered historical artifacts from several local sites including the Melbourne-Orlando International Airport, the Melbourne mall, the demolished Sears Auto Center, and the Little Red Schoolhouse (Melbourne's first school).
The Board of Directors of the Green Gables Historic Riverview Village recognized Mr. McLaren for his dedication to history and for his leadership as the president of the MTTS. Green Gables is a historic home (also known as the Wells House) which dates back to 1886. It is located at 1501 South Harbor City Boulevard in Melbourne and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Mr. McLaren recently became the youngest docent at Green Gables where he teaches visitors about the history and architecture of the property, and the story of the Wells family, who purchased the property and named it Green Gables nearly 140 years ago. As a docent, Mr. McLaren leads tours and assists with community events to promote the past, present, and future of the Green Gables legacy.
In addition to his busy schedule, he works as a maintenance technician at the Winnifred Assisted Living Facility in Palm Bay where he is responsible for electronic repairs, installations, and maintenance of home appliances for the facility's residents.
Upon high school graduation, Mr. McLaren intends to study Electrical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology. He looks forward to a career in engineering, robotics, and tool building.
SD 19 is grateful for Kyle McLaren’s work ethic, academic excellence, and leadership which will certainly prepare him for great success in his future endeavors. |
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Brevard Zoo Welcomes Three Florida Black Bear Cubs for Rehabilitation
Brevard Zoo recently announced the addition of three Florida black bear cubs to their Black Bear Rehabilitation Center. Bear cubs treated at the center typically have been either orphaned or separated from their mother but are too small to thrive on their own.
The zoo staff works diligently to ensure affected bear cubs receive the treatment and rehabilitation necessary for their safe return to their natural habitat.
Meet the Bear Cubs:
Rickie: She is the tiniest bear cub the Brevard Zoo has ever taken in for rehabilitation. Six-week-old Rickie, weighing only 2.5 pounds, was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) in North Florida and transported to the Brevard Zoo. Today, she is thriving and weighs 20 pounds.
Morty: He was found orphaned in Central Florida, underweight, full of ticks, and weighing just six pounds. Zoo officials were able to help Morty to consistently drink formula and eat solid foods. Today, Morty is 29 pounds.
Frosty: She is named “Frosty” due to the blonde, frost-like coloring on her face. When she arrived at the Brevard Zoo, the staff assessed that she had been hit by a car due to a noticeable limp of her hind legs. Frosty is now resting peacefully and recovering from her injuries.
For more information about the Brevard Zoo’s Black Bear Rehabilitation Center, click here.
Melbourne Regional Chamber Earns 5-Star Accreditation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Florida's Space Coast a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound polices, effective procedures, and positive community impact.
To receive 5-Star status, a chamber must meet standards in governance, government affairs, communications, and technology. The rigorous process can take six to nine months to complete.
"To put this achievement in perspective, out of more than 7,000 chambers across the country, only 149 hold this prestigious designation and were proud to be just one of 12 in Florida," said Anne Conroy-Baiter, President and CEO of the Melbourne Regional.
The Melbourne Regional Chamber was founded in 1925 with a mission to develop and promote the business interests of its partners while serving as a catalyst for economic growth and a champion for a thriving Space Coast. Approximately 1,000 local partners, businesses, and organizations are affiliated with the chamber.
For more information, click here.
President Trump Names Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, Interim Head of NASA
Last week, President Trump announced that the United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, will be the interim administrator of NASA.
President Trump praised Secretary Duffy's performance at the Department of Transportation citing his work to modernize the nation's air traffic control system and his efforts at rebuilding roads and bridges.
“He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time,” President Trump said.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary of Transportation, he served as the U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 7th district serving from January 2011 to September 2019. He and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, are parents to nine children.
Secretary Duffy will fulfill the role of Interim Head of NASA following Janet Petro who served as acting NASA administrator since January 2025.
In his second term, President Trump has focused on NASA as an increasingly important factor in national defense, innovation, and the global economy. He launched the Space Force in his first term as President on December 20, 2019, by signing into legislation the first new armed service since 1947 — the U.S. Space Force.
Brevard Schools Foundation Seeking Mentors
The Brevard Schools Foundation's "Take Stock in Children" (TSIC) program is seeking mentors to serve middle and high school students.
Mentors meet with students once a week and provide the needed encouragement, guidance, and support to help students realize the dream of a college education. Mentoring may take place at school during school hours, on TSIC-monitored Zoom sessions, or on the TSIC app. Mentors are provided with training, background checks and support from the full-time TSIC staff.
To donate, volunteer, or to learn more about becoming a mentor, please contact Mentor Coordinator, Krista Petty at 321-633-1000 X 11415 or petty.krista@brevardschools.org or click here. |
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Public Invited to Environmentally Endangered Lands Meeting
Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program Selection and Management Committee (SMC) will meet on Wednesday, July 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the EEL Program Administrative Office (91 East Drive) in Melbourne.
The SMC serves as an expert scientific advisory committee to the County Commission on issues involving the acquisition and ecological management of environmentally endangered lands in Brevard County.
The meeting is open to the public and can be attended virtually. You will need to contact Vanessa Bethauser at 321-255-4466 or vanessa.bethauser@brevardfl.gov for the link to Microsoft Teams.
- Meeting ID: 277 449 947 856 8
- Passcode: wt9M3oh6
For those unable to attend in person or via Microsoft Teams, you can call in directly:
- Dial in by phone: +1 332-249-0718, 945367439#
- Phone conference ID: 945 367 439#
Brevard Schools Foundation Announces Back-to-School Event
The Brevard Schools Foundation's Supply Zone for Teachers is hosting their annual "Back-to-School" giveaway event to assist students in need of school supplies.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Clearlake Education Center (1225 Clearlake Road) in Cocoa.
You must be a Brevard Public School student and enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program to participate. The first 2,000 students to arrive will receive free items which may include backpacks, dental and hygiene products, and basic school supplies. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event.
The Supply Zone for Teachers works with local businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals to provide free school supplies for students. Since its establishment in 2014, the Supply Zone has served more than 207,000 students by distributing over $7.5 million in supplies.
For more information, click here or email Info.supplyzone@brevardschools.org.
Brevard Home and Garden Expo
The annual Brevard Home & Garden Expo will take place on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Melbourne Auditorium (625 East Hibiscus Boulevard).
The Brevard Home & Garden Expo provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with contractors and suppliers of home products to assist with remodeling, renovation and repair projects for your home, garden, or patio.
Admission and parking are free. Please note, pets are prohibited at the expo except for working service dogs.
For more information click here. |
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Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
William Gooden
Kelli Lane |
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