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🌱 How did a large monitor lizard escape through a Merritt Island doggy door?

Merritt Island, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hello Merritt Island! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did a large monitor lizard escape through a Merritt Island doggy door?
  • Which Merritt Island addresses showed up in Brevard’s latest arrest log?
  • How a Merritt Island builder is reshaping your next Port Canaveral cruise

Also on today's calendar: SCW&FA Guild Meeting and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A couple of thunderstorms, with a high of 94 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 94, low: 76.
  • Friday: Intervals of bright sunshine, with a high of 93 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 140+ captive animals have escaped in Florida since 2022. Here's what state records reveal. (clickorlando.com) — Merritt Island appears in state wildlife records after a Savannah monitor lizard slipped out through a doggy door in 2022, one of more than 140 captive animals that have escaped in Florida since then. The report highlights how exotic pets, from kangaroos to pythons and even a rhino, have gotten loose from homes, zoos, and parks, often prompting warnings or fines for owners.
   

2. Arrests in Brevard County: July 12, 2026 – Suspects Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty (thespacecoastrocket.com) — Several Merritt Island residents appear in a July 12 Brevard County arrest log, with addresses listed on Ligustrum Lane and Kurek Court among others. The roundup details charges, ages, and booking information for people arrested across the Space Coast, while stressing that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
   

3. Two Cruise Terminal Projects at Port Canaveral Will Be Completed This Year (cruisefever.net) — A Merritt Island–based company, Ivey’s Construction, is leading major upgrades to Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminals 5 and 6, projects that will reshape how local residents start their cruises. Terminal 5 will nearly double in size by late 2026, while a huge new garage at Terminal 6 opens this fall, adding thousands of parking spaces and better traffic flow for drive‑up passengers.
   

4. KFC has closed hundreds of US locations. Any in Florida? (nwfdailynews.com) — Merritt Island is among a dozen Florida communities that have lost a KFC location since early 2025, part of more than 300 closures nationwide. While the chain is still expanding elsewhere in Florida with new concepts and locations, local fried chicken fans here now have one fewer option than they did a year ago.
   

5. Florida deploys 'Baby Bird' against Argentine tegus raiding sea turtle, alligator, and bird nests (thecooldown.com) — Merritt Island is one of several Brevard hotspots where invasive Argentine black and white tegus have been reported, raising concerns about threats to sea turtle and other wildlife nests. State and local officials are urging residents to report sightings, not confront the nearly 5‑foot lizards, while testing new detection tools like dogs, drones, and even a trained kestrel nicknamed “Baby Bird.”
   

📸 Around Merritt Island

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Merritt Island

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📣 Merritt Island Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Whatever happened to common courtesy and being neighborly waving at people, wishing them a good day, a head nod of acknowledgement even.
    But The other person looks at you like your crazy.... Is this not just a normal thing to do in public when you notice/come across another human… (Nextdoor Merritt Ridge - Bel Air)
  • Draco got out last night and I'm moving I need to get him back ASAP..
    ways around 50 lbs he's one year old one year old male neutered. He's chipped ADDRESS IS 914 WESTWOOD DRIVE MERRITT ISLAND FLORIDA. He frequence… (Nextdoor Hampton Way)
  • Securitas posted a job opening for Security Officer Hiring Event 5/27/2026 in Merritt Island. Apply here.
  • Wawa, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate in Merritt Island. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merritt Island here.

Ok Merritt Island! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The letter “R.” (Thank you Manuela A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Merritt Island

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Merritt Island

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.