Tag: Melbourne

Venus Williams is back at the Australian Open 5 years after her last appearance, 28 after her 1st

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Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 18 in Melbourne.The tournament said Friday that the 45-year-old Williams would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.Venus had announced in November that she would play in Auckland, New Zealand, where she also received a wild card, two weeks before the Australian Open. The Australian Open said Williams was also entered to play a tournament in Hobart, Australia a week later and just before play begins at Melbourne Park.She last appeared in Melbourne in 2021 and has finished runner-up in the women’s singles twice, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.”I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”Williams’ record at Melbourne Park is 54 wins and 21 losses. This year will be the 22nd time she has appeared in the main draw.The tournament said Williams is set to become the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw, surpassing the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round at Melbourne Park in 2015.In late December, Williams married Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti at Palm Beach, Florida.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 18 in Melbourne.

The tournament said Friday that the 45-year-old Williams would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to fellow American Lindsay Davenport.

Venus had announced in November that she would play in Auckland, New Zealand, where she also received a wild card, two weeks before the Australian Open. The Australian Open said Williams was also entered to play a tournament in Hobart, Australia a week later and just before play begins at Melbourne Park.

She last appeared in Melbourne in 2021 and has finished runner-up in the women’s singles twice, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” Williams said. “I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

Williams’ record at Melbourne Park is 54 wins and 21 losses. This year will be the 22nd time she has appeared in the main draw.

The tournament said Williams is set to become the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw, surpassing the record previously held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round at Melbourne Park in 2015.

In late December, Williams married Danish-born model and actor Andrea Preti at Palm Beach, Florida.

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January 2, 2026
Australia demands social media giants report progress on account bans for children under 16

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian authorities on Thursday demanded some of the world’s biggest social media platforms report how many accounts they have deactivated since a ban on accounts for children younger than 16 became law.

Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch all said they would abide by Australia’s world-first law that took effect on Wednesday, Communications Minister Anika Wells said.

But the tech companies’ responses to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s first demand for data will likely indicate their commitment to ridding their platforms of young children.

“Today the eSafety Commissioner will write to all 10 platforms who are considered age-restricted social media platforms and she will ask them … what were your numbers of under 16 accounts on Dec. 9; what are your numbers today on Dec. 11?” Wells said.

The commissioner would reveal the platforms’ responses within two weeks. The platforms would be required to provide monthly updates for six months.

The companies face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million) from Wednesday if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove the accounts of Australian children younger than 16.

Wells said the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania, Indonesia, Malaysia and New Zealand were considering following Australia’s lead in restricting children’s access to social media.

“There’s been a huge amount of global interest and we welcome it, and we welcome all of the allies who are joining Australia to take action in this space to draw a line to say enough’s enough,” Wells said.

Sydney-based rights group Digital Freedom Project plans to challenge the law on constitutional grounds in the Australian High Court early next year.

Inman Grant said some platforms had consulted lawyers and might be waiting to receive their first so-called compulsory information notice Thursday or their first fine for noncompliance before mounting a legal challenge.

Inman Grant said her staff were ready for the possibility that platforms would deliberately fail to exclude young children through age verification and age estimation technologies.

“That could be a strategy that they have in and of themselves: we’ll say we’re complying but then we’ll do a crappy job using these technologies and we’ll let people get through and have people claim it’s a failure,” Inman Grant told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Inman Grant said her research had found that 84% of children in Australia aged 8-12 had accessed a social media account. Of those with social media access, 90% did so with the help of parents.

Inman Grant said the main reason parents helped was because “they didn’t want their children to be excluded.”

“What this legislation does … is it takes away that fear of exclusion,” Inman Grant said.

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December 11, 2025
Australia’s Helen Garner wins Baillie Gifford nonfiction prize for her ‘addictive’ diaries

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LONDON (AP) — Helen Garner, an acclaimed Australian writer whose celebrity fans include singer Dua Lipa, won the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for nonfiction on Tuesday for what judges called her addictive and candid diaries.

Garner, 82, was named winner of the 50,000 pound ($65,000) prize at a ceremony in London for “How to End a Story.” Journalist Robbie Millen, who chaired the prize jury, said Garner was the unanimous choice of the six judges.

Millen said the judges were captivated by the sharp observation and “reckless candor” of Garner’s 800-page book, which covers her life and work between 1978 and 1998.

He said it is “a remarkable, addictive book. Garner takes the diary form, mixing the intimate, the intellectual, and the everyday, to new heights.

“There are places it’s toe-curlingly embarrassing. She puts it all out there,” Millen said, adding that Garner ranks alongside those of Virginia Woolf in the canon of great literary diarists.

Garner, who has published novels, short stories, screenplays and true crime books, said she was “staggered” to have won the prize for diaries she wrote entirely for herself.

“I never thought that I was writing for anyone but myself and that’s what’s good about them, I think — that I’m free when I’m writing,” she told The Associated Press from Melbourne, Australia.

“Those are the hours of practice that in a sense turned me into a writer. Because I’ve been keeping a diary since I was a girl — and I’ve burnt most of it, of course. I burnt it up until about the late 1970s. But it’s my 10,000 hours and it’s my enormous daily practice. So you never expect that to be out in the public eye. But it is.”

“How to End a Story” is a deeply intimate book that among other things recounts, with unsparing detail and flashes of humor, the breakdown of a marriage.

Despite the risk involved in such public soul-baring, Garner says the reaction of readers has made the experience life-affirming.

“What I write about — my life and my experience and my, not to put too fine a point on it, soul — there are so many people who know what I mean and who’ve been there. And that’s been a great joy to me to discover that,” she said. “The deeper I go, the more other people I find there.”

Garner’s book is the first set of diaries to win the prize, which was founded in 1999 and recognizes English-language books in current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts.

Garner’s 1977 first novel “Monkey Grip” – the semi-autobiographical story of a single mother in bohemian inner-city Melbourne – is considered a modern Australian classic. Her work includes the novella “The Children’s Bach,” screenplays including “The Last Days of Chez Nous” and true crime books including “This House of Grief,” which Lipa chose this year for her monthly book club.

The singer said Garner’s work was “a thrilling discovery. She’s one of the most fascinating writers I have come across in years.”

Garner is co-author of “The Mushroom Tapes: Conversations on a Triple Murder Trial,” a book about Erin Patterson, the Australian woman who killed three of her estranged husband’s relatives with a lunch containing death cap mushrooms. It is published in Australia and the U.K. this month.

Garner is less well known outside her home country, with U.S. and U.K. publishers only recently publishing many of her books.

“It has taken us a long while to work out how good she is,” Millen said. “Finally her status is being recognized, and I hope this will cement it.”

Garner is the second Australian in a row to win the Baillie Gifford prize. Last year’s winner was Tasmanian writer Richard Flanagan for his genre-bending memoir “Question 7.”

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November 7, 2025
Mother of Brevard shooting victim calls for community to put guns down

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A year after her son was shot to death over his jewelry, Connie Staley joined other community members in Melbourne to march for an end to gun violence and to call on people, especially the youth, to put the guns down.Craig Dewberry, 27, was killed last September in what authorities said was a targeted robbery and murder.Four people, ages 16 to 21, were arrested and charged in his murder case.”I just feel like I’m just surviving in this world. He was my everything,” Staley said.”My son was innocent. He bothered nobody.”She said the four arrested in his death targeted him and that he was a regular at the corner store where he was shot.”Why guns? Why kill innocent people?” she asked. “He was just walking inside of a store. They had no reason to rob him. If they wanted to rob him, he would have given them his jewelry.”On Saturday, she joined other community members in a march down University Boulevard in Melbourne, holding signs and calling for an end to gun violence.Just a few weeks ago, a two-year-old girl named Bles’syn lost her life in a shooting, while both of her grandparents were shot and survived.”Us as a community, we’re losing too many people,” said organizer Quamel Wynn.”It’s a big issue for me because I live it, this is where I’m from. I have brothers, I have sisters, I have nieces, I have nephews, I have cousins, I have friends. So something that happens to them, it affects me.”Melbourne Police are still searching for answers in the toddler’s slaying.If you have any information, you’re urged to contact the department or Crimeline.CrimelineCrimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement>> Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)>> Leave a tip onlineTips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous processCentral Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)

MELBOURNE, Fla. —

A year after her son was shot to death over his jewelry, Connie Staley joined other community members in Melbourne to march for an end to gun violence and to call on people, especially the youth, to put the guns down.

Craig Dewberry, 27, was killed last September in what authorities said was a targeted robbery and murder.

Four people, ages 16 to 21, were arrested and charged in his murder case.

“I just feel like I’m just surviving in this world. He was my everything,” Staley said.

“My son was innocent. He bothered nobody.”

She said the four arrested in his death targeted him and that he was a regular at the corner store where he was shot.

“Why guns? Why kill innocent people?” she asked.

“He was just walking inside of a store. They had no reason to rob him. If they wanted to rob him, he would have given them his jewelry.”

On Saturday, she joined other community members in a march down University Boulevard in Melbourne, holding signs and calling for an end to gun violence.

Just a few weeks ago, a two-year-old girl named Bles’syn lost her life in a shooting, while both of her grandparents were shot and survived.

“Us as a community, we’re losing too many people,” said organizer Quamel Wynn.

“It’s a big issue for me because I live it, this is where I’m from. I have brothers, I have sisters, I have nieces, I have nephews, I have cousins, I have friends. So something that happens to them, it affects me.”

Melbourne Police are still searching for answers in the toddler’s slaying.

If you have any information, you’re urged to contact the department or Crimeline.

Crimeline

Crimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement

>> Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)

>> Leave a tip online

Tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous process

Central Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)

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September 20, 2025
Northbound lanes of I-95 closed for deadly crash

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Three people are dead after a wrong-way driver caused a major crash on I-95 in Brevard County on Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened around 3:50 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Wickham Road in Melbourne.FHP said a 2020 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Impala traveling north. Six other vehicles ended up involved in the crash due to a chain reaction from that initial crash.The wrong-way driver as well as the driver and passenger in the Impala were pronounced dead at the crash scene, according to FHP.All northbound lanes of I-95 are closed in Brevard County, between Exit 188 for the Pineda Causeway and Exit 191 for Wickham Road, as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday.Northbound traffic is being detoured onto the Pineda Causeway to then travel east to Wickham Road, turn left (north) on Wickham Road and continue on Wickham Road for several miles to re-enter I-95 northbound. Our crews captured the extent of the damage with multiple mangled cars, scattered debris, and dozens of FHP troopers lining the highway.We will provide updates when the roadway reopens.Investigators have not releases the identities of those killed, but say the crash remains under investigation.

MELBOURNE, Fla. —

Three people are dead after a wrong-way driver caused a major crash on I-95 in Brevard County on Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the crash happened around 3:50 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Wickham Road in Melbourne.

FHP said a 2020 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Impala traveling north. Six other vehicles ended up involved in the crash due to a chain reaction from that initial crash.

The wrong-way driver as well as the driver and passenger in the Impala were pronounced dead at the crash scene, according to FHP.

All northbound lanes of I-95 are closed in Brevard County, between Exit 188 for the Pineda Causeway and Exit 191 for Wickham Road, as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Northbound traffic is being detoured onto the Pineda Causeway to then travel east to Wickham Road, turn left (north) on Wickham Road and continue on Wickham Road for several miles to re-enter I-95 northbound.

Our crews captured the extent of the damage with multiple mangled cars, scattered debris, and dozens of FHP troopers lining the highway.

We will provide updates when the roadway reopens.

Investigators have not releases the identities of those killed, but say the crash remains under investigation.

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September 14, 2025
Melbourne neighbors grieve after toddler’s death; No arrests made

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Heartbreak and fear linger in a Melbourne neighborhood three days after a deadly shooting that killed a 2-year-old girl and injured two adults. Police are still looking for whoever is responsible for this tragedy.A growing memorial outside the home on Poplar Lane now features balloons, candles and stuffed animals left in honor of the little girl, identified by family members as Bles’syn. Police have not officially released the victims’ names, but family members said the two adults fighting for their lives in the hospital are the girl’s grandparents. Neighbors say the shooting has left the community shaken.“It brought me to tears because I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I was just devastated,” said Belinda Durant, a neighbor.“I just have been inside, keeping my door locked. I’m scared,” she added. Police remain at the home as detectives gather evidence and work to track down whoever did this. Melbourne police say there are no new updates in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the department or submit an anonymous tip through CrimeLine.

MELBOURNE, Fla. —

Heartbreak and fear linger in a Melbourne neighborhood three days after a deadly shooting that killed a 2-year-old girl and injured two adults.

Police are still looking for whoever is responsible for this tragedy.

A growing memorial outside the home on Poplar Lane now features balloons, candles and stuffed animals left in honor of the little girl, identified by family members as Bles’syn.

Police have not officially released the victims’ names, but family members said the two adults fighting for their lives in the hospital are the girl’s grandparents.

Neighbors say the shooting has left the community shaken.

“It brought me to tears because I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I was just devastated,” said Belinda Durant, a neighbor.

“I just have been inside, keeping my door locked. I’m scared,” she added.

Police remain at the home as detectives gather evidence and work to track down whoever did this.

Melbourne police say there are no new updates in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the department or submit an anonymous tip through CrimeLine.

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September 2, 2025
2-year-old dead, two adults in critical condition after shooting at a Melbourne home

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A 2-year-old is dead and two adults are in critical condition after being shot inside a home in Melbourne.Police say they responded to a report of a shooting at around 10 Friday night at a residence off Poplar Lane.Upon arrival, officers located three gunshot victims inside the home: two adults and a 2-year-old child.The child died at the scene while the adults were taken to the hospital.Police say the child and the adults are related. Police haven’t identified the victims, but family members tell WESH 2 it was a 2-year-old girl name Bless’yn and her grandparents. One neighbor said she knew the little girl’s family and this tragedy has shaken the entire street. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and investigators say further details will be released as they become available.>> This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is released.

MELBOURNE, Fla. —

A 2-year-old is dead and two adults are in critical condition after being shot inside a home in Melbourne.

Police say they responded to a report of a shooting at around 10 Friday night at a residence off Poplar Lane.

Upon arrival, officers located three gunshot victims inside the home: two adults and a 2-year-old child.

The child died at the scene while the adults were taken to the hospital.

Police say the child and the adults are related. Police haven’t identified the victims, but family members tell WESH 2 it was a 2-year-old girl name Bless’yn and her grandparents.

One neighbor said she knew the little girl’s family and this tragedy has shaken the entire street.

This is an active and ongoing investigation, and investigators say further details will be released as they become available.

>> This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is released.

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August 30, 2025
Snake on a plane delays a flight in Australia

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian domestic flight was delayed for two hours after a stowaway snake was found in the plane’s cargo hold, officials said on Wednesday.

The snake was found on Tuesday as passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 at Melbourne Airport bound for Brisbane, according to snake catcher Mark Pelley.

The snake turned out to be a harmless 60-centimeter (2-foot) green tree snake. But Pelly said he thought it could be venomous when he approached it in the darkened hold.

“It wasn’t until after I caught the snake that I realized that it wasn’t venomous. Until that point, it looked very dangerous to me,” Pelley said.

Most of the world’s most venomous snakes are native to Australia.

When Pelley entered the cargo hold, the snake was half hidden behind a panel and could have disappeared deeper into the plane.

Pelley said he told an aircraft engineer and airline staff that they would have to evacuate the aircraft if the snake disappeared inside the plane.

“I said to them if I don’t get this in one shot, it’s going to sneak through the panels and you’re going to have to evacuate the plane because at that stage I did not know what kind of snake it was,” Pelley said.

“But thankfully, I got it on the first try and captured it,” Pelley added. “If I didn’t get it that first time, the engineers and I would be pulling apart a (Boeing) 737 looking for a snake still right now.”

Pelley said he had taken 30 minutes to drive to the airport and was then delayed by security before he could reach the airliner.

An airline official said the flight was delayed around two hours.

Because the snake is native to the Brisbane region, Pelley suspects it came aboard inside a passenger’s luggage and escaped during the two-hour flight from Brisbane to Melbourne.

For quarantine reasons, the snake can’t be returned to the wild.

The snake, which is a protected species, has been given to a Melbourne veterinarian to find a home with a licensed snake keeper.

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August 17, 2025
OCPS Announces Closure of Schools Due to Hurricane Milton

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Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) announced the closure of Orlando schools due to Hurricane Milton, as the school system continues to monitor and track the storm.

Based on the latest forecast, Orange County Public Schools announced that all after-school activities will be canceled beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8th with the exception of after-school childcare. All OCPS schools and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, October 9th and Thursday, October 10th.

This is due to the projected impact of the hurricane in Orange County and some schools will be used as shelters.

Any decision on schools for Friday, October 11th will be determined by the impact on Orange County, according to officials.

The local school district’s Safety and Emergency Management team works closely with the Orange County Office of Emergency Management and other Central Florida officials to ensure the school district’s decision-making is aligned with local partners.

Many parents and families in Orange County were waiting for this announcement as Central Florida prepares for the incoming hurricane. While Florida’s west coast braces for impact, the National Weather Service in Melbourne has also issued several warnings and advisories for the Orlando area, adding “residents and visitors should be preparing for hurricane conditions across East Central Florida.”

OCPS will communicate all additional Hurricane Milton updates with families and employees through Connect Orange phone calls/emails/text messages, posts to OCPS social media pages and online.

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October 7, 2024
Huge Australian king penguin chick Pesto grows into social media star

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A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.Weighing 49 pounds (22 kilograms) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said Friday.In contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango, weigh 24 pounds (11 kilograms) each.Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world have viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.He has eaten more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 53 pounds (24 kilograms), Early said.The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.His keepers expect him to trim down to around 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in the process.”He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.But she expects Pesto to remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.For now, he’s a star attraction.”Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.Having hatched on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there were none last year isn’t clear.Adult king penguins weigh between 21 pounds (9.5 kilograms) and 40 pounds (18 kilograms), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.They are the world’s second-largest penguin species after the emperor penguin.

MELBOURNE, Australia —

A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.

Weighing 49 pounds (22 kilograms) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said Friday.

In contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango, weigh 24 pounds (11 kilograms) each.

Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world have viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.

He has eaten more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 53 pounds (24 kilograms), Early said.

The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.

His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.

His keepers expect him to trim down to around 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in the process.

“He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.

But she expects Pesto to remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.

For now, he’s a star attraction.

“Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.

Having hatched on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there were none last year isn’t clear.

Adult king penguins weigh between 21 pounds (9.5 kilograms) and 40 pounds (18 kilograms), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.

They are the world’s second-largest penguin species after the emperor penguin.

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September 21, 2024
Huge Australian king penguin chick Pesto grows into social media star

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A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.Weighing 49 pounds (22 kilograms) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said Friday.In contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango, weigh 24 pounds (11 kilograms) each.Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world have viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.He has eaten more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 53 pounds (24 kilograms), Early said.The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.His keepers expect him to trim down to around 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in the process.”He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.But she expects Pesto to remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.For now, he’s a star attraction.”Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.Having hatched on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there were none last year isn’t clear.Adult king penguins weigh between 21 pounds (9.5 kilograms) and 40 pounds (18 kilograms), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.They are the world’s second-largest penguin species after the emperor penguin.

MELBOURNE, Australia —

A huge king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media celebrity and a star attraction at an Australian aquarium.

Weighing 49 pounds (22 kilograms) at 9 months old, Pesto is the heaviest penguin chick the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education supervisor Jacinta Early said Friday.

In contrast, his doting parents, Hudson and Tango, weigh 24 pounds (11 kilograms) each.

Pesto’s global fame has grown with his size. More than 1.9 billion people around the world have viewed him through social media, an aquarium statement said.

He has eaten more than his own substantial body weight in fish in the past week: 53 pounds (24 kilograms), Early said.

The veterinary advice is that that quantity of food is healthy for a chick approaching adulthood.

His growth will plateau as he enters his fledging period. He has started to lose his brown feathers and will replace them with the black and white plumage of a young adult.

His keepers expect him to trim down to around 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in the process.

“He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff. It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined,” Early said.

But she expects Pesto to remain recognizable as the sought-after TikTok celebrity he has become for another two weeks.

For now, he’s a star attraction.

“Such a small head for such a big body,” one admirer remarked Friday as a crowd gathered against the glass of the penguin enclosure at feeding time.

Having hatched on Jan. 31, Pesto was the only king penguin chick to hatch at the aquarium this year and the first since 2022, a year when there were six. The reason why there were none last year isn’t clear.

Adult king penguins weigh between 21 pounds (9.5 kilograms) and 40 pounds (18 kilograms), according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, a global environmental group.

They are the world’s second-largest penguin species after the emperor penguin.

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September 21, 2024
Why Laneway Is Your Ticket to a Fabulous Overseas Holiday – POPSUGAR Australia

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An overseas holiday sounds like a dream. But between all the packing and getting all your travel documents sorted, shopping for duty free items might be at the bottom of your to-do list. Well, what if you could shop days before your flight?

If you’re travelling through Melbourne Airport, you could do just that with Laneway! Here, you can pre-order everything from luxury goods to travel essentials and collect them when you arrive at the airport. Sounds awesome? Here are other reasons why Laneway shopping should be your new pre-flight ritual.

All the duty free bestsellers under one roof

Forget about hopping from one store to another. Laneway gathers all the bestselling duty free items from airport stores under one roof. That means all your favourite airport items, from top-brand beauty products to top-shelf liquor, are just a few clicks away! No more searching high and low. All the best stuff is right there, ready for you to checkout.

Luxury items at tax-free prices

Why pay more when you can indulge in luxury for less? On Laneway, you’ll find a wide range of high-end products—from designer fragrances to premium skincare—all at tax-free prices! So, whether you’re treating yourself or looking for the perfect gift, you can indulge in retail therapy without sacrificing a huge chunk of your travel budget. Who knew shopping for luxury could be this easy and affordable?

Shop wherever, whenever

One of the best things about Laneway is that it’s open 24/7. Whether you’re lounging at home or making a last-minute decision from your hotel room, you can shop from wherever you are, whenever you want. This is perfect for late-night or early-morning flights.

What’s even cooler? If you’re gearing up for a holiday, you can tick off your shopping list well in advance. Laneway lets you pre-order items from 24 hours to 30 days before you fly. No more worrying about forgetting something important. Your items will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive at the airport.

No more security woes

Ever had that mini heart attack at security when you remember the fancy perfume in your carry-on might be over the liquid limit? With Laneway, you can leave those worries behind. Just order online, pick it up right before you board, and breeze through security.

It’s perfect for those of us who hate the hassle of unpacking our bags at security or worry about our new goodies getting confiscated. Plus, you don’t really want to be that person holding up the line trying to shuffle their belongings, right?

Convenient “Click-and-Collect”

Laneway’s “Click-and-Collect” service really simplifies airport shopping. But the best part about it is how easy and convenient it is to collect your purchases.

When you arrive at Melbourne Airport, just swing by the designated collection counters at Terminal 2. It’s just right after security. Show your order confirmation and ID, and voila! Your shopping haul is ready to go. No need to lug around bags or worry about shipping. Just pick up and go—it’s that easy!

So, the next time you fly, don’t forget to load up on Laneway goodies. With a wide selection of top-brand items at duty free prices and a convenient click-and-collect process, your holiday will surely be off to a perfect start!

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POPSUGAR Team

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August 19, 2024
Is Melbourne, FL a Good Place to Live? 10 Pros and Cons of Space Coast Living

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Located on Florida’s “Space Coast,” Melbourne, FL is a popular destination for those looking to move to a city with a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle. Whether you’re considering renting an apartment in Melbourne, FL, or buying a home in the city, you can find plenty to love in Melbourne.

But, while there are many great things about living in Melbourne, like any other city, it also has its share of drawbacks. In this Redfin article, we’ll explore both the pros and cons of living in Melbourne, FL, and if this charming and vibrant city is a good place to live for you? Read on to find out.

Interested in moving to Melbourne? Check out:
Homes for sale in Melbourne, FL | Apartments for rent in Melbourne, FL | Houses for rent in Melbourne, FL

Quick Facts about Melbourne

Median home sale price $300,000

Average monthly rent $1,613

Walk Score 33/100

Transit Score 20/100

Bike Score 45/100

1. Pro: Warm climate

Melbourne is famous for its warm and sunny climate. The city has a subtropical climate that is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. With an average of 234 sunny days per year, Melbourne’s weather is ideal for outdoor activities, especially water-based activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. The city’s beaches, rivers, and lakes offer opportunities for water-based activities year-round.

2. Con: Hurricane risk

Melbourne is located on the east coast of Florida, which means it’s at risk of hurricanes. It’s important to be aware of the hurricane season, which runs from June to November. While the city has a strong infrastructure to handle these natural disasters, residents should be prepared with emergency supplies and have a plan in place. Some insurance providers may also charge higher premiums for homes in hurricane-prone areas. It’s important to note that not all hurricanes make landfall in Melbourne, and the city has experienced only a few major storms in recent history. However, residents should still take the threat seriously and stay informed through local news and weather reports.

3. Pro: Beautiful beaches

Living in Melbourne means you have easy access to beautiful beaches, perfect for a relaxing day out or a fun-filled weekend. The city’s long coastline boasts miles of pristine beaches that are well-maintained and offer a range of amenities, including showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds.

One of the most famous beaches in Melbourne is the Cocoa Beach, which is known for its warm, crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.

4. Con: Wildlife encounters

Melbourne is home to a diverse array of wildlife. While some residents may appreciate the chance to encounter these creatures, others may find it disconcerting. Alligators, for instance, are a common sight in the area’s many lakes, rivers, and wetlands, they can be dangerous if provoked. Similarly, snakes and insects, such as mosquitoes and palmetto bugs, are also prevalent in the area. While many people learn to coexist with these creatures, others may find it difficult to adjust to their presence. It’s important to take precautions when dealing with wildlife, such as keeping a safe distance and seeking professional help if needed.

5. Pro: Low cost of living

One of the significant advantages of living in Melbourne is the low cost of living, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank. Compared to other cities in Florida, Melbourne offers affordable housing, transportation, and other basic amenities. Housing costs are relatively low, with a median sale price of $300,000, nearly $142,451 below the national median.

6. Con: Traffic

Melbourne can experience heavy traffic during peak tourist seasons, especially on the roads leading to popular attractions such as the beaches or Kennedy Space Center. Commuting during rush hour can also be a challenge, particularly on major roads like Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1. However, compared to larger cities like Miami or Orlando, the traffic in Melbourne is generally considered manageable. Locals often suggest planning routes in advance and allowing extra time for travel during peak periods.

7. Pro: An incredible food scene

“Melbourne has an incredible food scene with many family-owned restaurants, featuring unique craft dishes,” shares Halim Urban, Tour Director at Village Food Tours. “Ranging from fine-dining seafood restaurants to burger shacks, and barbecue joints. Overwhelmed with all of the amazing options? You can always join award-winning Village Food Tours on a culinary adventure.”

8. Con: Humidity

Melbourne’s location in the southeastern part of the United States, coupled with its proximity to the ocean, means that humidity is a significant factor in the city’s climate. While some people find the high humidity levels uncomfortable, others may appreciate the benefits it can bring. It’s important to prepare for the humidity if you plan on living in Melbourne, especially during the summer months when humidity levels can be particularly high.

9. Pro: Things to do

“There are several amazing activities on the Space Coast. Fishing, golfing, kayaking, and days on the beach, all followed by seafood eats,” says Halim Urban. “The Brevard Zoo is one of the best in the country. Parks and downtown areas with boutique and antique shops, concert venues, and historical playhouses.”

Melbourne is also located close to other popular destinations in Florida, such as Orlando and Miami. This makes it easy to take day trips or weekend getaways to other parts of the state.

10. Con: Limited public transportation

Melbourne’s public transportation system is not as extensive as some other major cities in the US, making it a challenge for people who rely on public transportation to get around. The public transportation system primarily consists of buses, with limited options for train or subway services. For those who prefer not to drive, this can be a disadvantage, as they may have difficulty accessing certain areas of the city.

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Julia Weaver

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August 13, 2024
Melbourne police respond to ‘active shooter situation’

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – Melbourne police officers are responding to an “active shooter situation,” according to the department.

Police responded to the area of Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue.

People are asked to avoid the area of Babcock Street and Hibiscus Boulevard and Babcock Street and Fee Avenue.

No other information has been provided.

Sky 6 flew above the scene before noon, providing views of armored vehicles among the law enforcement units gathered there.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we receive it.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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Brenda Argueta

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June 26, 2024

This Florida city is the No. 1 place to live in the US. Here’s where others rank

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U.S. News and World Report has released its list of the “Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025.”

The list is made up of 150 cities from across the nation, ranked on factors like affordability, weather, crime rates and commuter friendliness.

Among the top cities on the list are places like Huntsville in Alabama (No. 7) and Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 5).

However, the No. 1 spot belonged to a city here in the Sunshine State: Naples in Collier County.

According to the ranking, the cost of living in Naples is fairly high — unless you live in the rural interior of the area.

In addition, the city features plenty of entertainment, tons of outdoor recreation, and Florida’s ever-present lack of a state income tax.

“Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping. Closer to the area’s rural interior, meanwhile, cattle graze and seasonal workers pick tomatoes in the fields around Immokalee, a farming community an hour’s drive outside of Naples.

Although geared more toward the older demographic that tends to settle in the Naples and Marco Island area, the two beachside communities are located just more than a two-hour drive from bustling cities including Tampa and Miami.

Much of the Naples area is subject to a seasonal ebb and flow as residents from cold-weather states – often called “snowbirds” – flock to the region during the winter months to enjoy Florida’s seemingly endless supply of sunshine and warm weather. Those seasonal residents leave their second homes in Naples as the sweltering summer months approach.

But proximity to the beach, loads of sunshine and no state income tax come with drawbacks. Continued growth and development are exacerbating a lack of affordable homes in Naples. And traffic, although nowhere near the levels seen in larger Florida metro areas, tends to choke roadways in the urban area during the winter months.”

U.S. News and World Report, “What’s it like to live in Naples, FL?”

The following are the Florida cities that made the list:

Rank	City	Quality of Life	Value	Overall Score
1	Naples	6.8	6.0	7.1
11	Sarasota	6.2	6.0	6.7
31	Pensacola	6.4	6.9	6.5
35	Tampa	6.3	6.4	6.5
37	Fort Myers	6.3	6.0	6.5
49	Melbourne	6.5	6.6	6.4
56	Jacksonville	6.3	6.8	6.4
68	Orlando	6.2	6.1	6.3
75	Tallahassee	6.4	7.1	6.2
78	Ocala	5.9	6.8	6.2
80	Lakeland	6.1	6.8	6.2
83	Port St. Lucie	5.7	6.3	6.2
96	Daytona Beach	6.0	5.9	6.1
123	Miami	6.6	3.5	5.8

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

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Anthony Talcott

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May 22, 2024

Orlando man accused of stealing over $100K in Best Buy merchandise during statewide spree

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BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando man booked Thursday in Brevard County is accused of stealing some $118,413.45 in merchandise from Best Buy stores across the state in a crime spree lasting the better part of a year, according to investigators.

Earl Glover, 30, made a habit of almost exclusively targeting merchandise on display — such as cellphones and laptops — ripping the devices from their security cables, triggering an alarm and running out of the stores, some of which he pilfered from more than once, according a sworn complaint filed last year by the Melbourne Police Department.

Glover’s alleged actions took place between June 11, 2022, and March 22, 2023, the report states.

The timeline given in the complaint, as well as what Glover is accused of doing, is as follows:
June 11, 2022 — Stealing four iPhones worth $3,239.96 at a Best Buy in Daytona Beach.
June 26, 2022 — Attempting to steal $8,367.27 worth of display merchandise at a Best Buy in Lakeland. A citizen reportedly tried stopping Glover as he ran out of the store, causing him to fall and drop the merchandise as well as his personal cellphone. The report adds Glover then tried ripping out an additional display unit before retrieving his cellphone, sprinting across the parking lot and jumping into an SUV being driven by another person.
June 29, 2022 — Stealing three MacBook display models worth $4,794.98 at a Best Buy in Melbourne.
July 11, 2022 — Stealing three more MacBook display models, also worth $4,794.98, at a Best Buy in Ocala.
July 29, 2022 — Stealing $5,219.95 worth of display merchandise at a Best Buy in Plantation.
July 29, 2022 — Stealing $2,471.98 worth of display merchandise at a Best Buy in Stuart.
Aug. 8, 2022 — Stealing three MacBooks worth $4,358.99 at a Best Buy in the Gainesville area.
Aug. 12, 2022 — Stealing $4,806.97 worth of display merchandise at a Best Buy in Jacksonville.
Aug. 22, 2022 — Stealing $5,057.97 worth of display merchandise, including three Sony digital cameras, at a Best Buy in Daytona Beach, Glover’s second time targeting the store.
Aug. 26, 2022 — Stealing two gaming laptops and an Apple AirPods Max worth $3,330.97 at a Best Buy in Altamonte Springs.
Sept. 9, 2022 — Stealing four iPads, an Apple Pen and an Apple AirPods Max worth $2,652.93 at a Best Buy in Orlando.
Sept. 16, 2022 — Stealing $4,182.97 worth of display merchandise, including three gaming laptops, at a Best Buy in the Orlando’s Millenia area.
Oct. 5, 2022 — Stealing nine iPhone display models worth $9,593.92, joined in the act by an unknown female, at a Best Buy in Plantation. A Best Buy Asset Protection employee reportedly attempted to stop Glover, who evaded the employee only to run toward an off duty Plantation police motor officer. Glover led Plantation police on a foot chase, ultimately evading arrest, yet would also drop and leave behind his personal cellphone, the report states. This was allegedly Glover’s second time targeting the store.
Oct 20, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $4,166.08, joined in the act by an unknown female, at a Best Buy in Jacksonville.
Oct. 28, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $3,820.97 at a Best Buy in Orlando’s Millenia area, Glover’s second time targeting the store.
Nov. 4, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $4,283.07 a Best Buy in Clearwater.
Nov. 14, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $4,015.95 at a Best Buy in Ocala, Glover’s second time targeting the store.
Nov. 28, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $6,749.97 at a Best Buy in the Orlando area.
Nov. 30, 2022 — Stealing display merchandise worth $4,949.97 at a Best Buy in Daytona Beach, Glover’s third time targeting the store.
Dec. 14, 2022 — Stealing merchandise worth $6,479.96 — joined in the act by an unknown female, who selected three new-in-box laptops — at a Best Buy in Melbourne, Glover’s second time targeting the store.
Dec. 19, 2022 — Investigators make contact with the Best Buy Asset Protection employee from the Oct. 5 incident, learning more about the cellphone that Glover left behind.
Jan. 22, 2023 — Stealing display merchandise worth $6,134.96 at a Best Buy in Jacksonville.
Jan. 24, 2023 — A search warrant is approved for the cellphone that Glover dropped in Oct. 2022, used in part to verify his identity as well as to access photographs of the stolen merchandise stored on the device.
Jan. 30, 2023 — Stealing display merchandise worth $9,719.96 at a Best Buy in the Kissimmee area.
Feb. 22, 2023 — A warrant is approved for the cellphone’s historical location data, showing Glover in the area of ten of the thirteen thefts that occurred between June 11, 2022, and Oct. 5, 2022.
March 17, 2023 — Stealing display merchandise worth $4,499.98 at a Best Buy in Orlando’s Millenia area, Glover’s third time targeting the store.
March 22, 2023 — Stealing display merchandise worth $5,847.30 at a Best Buy in Wellington.
March 24, 2023 — Investigators make contact with the Florida Department of Corrections, providing surveillance images of the thefts for further confirmation Glover was behind them.

Glover was arrested via warrant and faces a charge of grand theft over $100,000, held at the Brevard County Jail on $200,000 bond, records show.

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Brandon Hogan

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Restroom	Location	Year
Tori Tori – Izakaya Restaurant	Orlando	2022
Cibo Wine Bar	Miami	2015
Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show	Ft. Lauderdale	2014
Tampa International Airport	Tampa	2013
Sloan’s Ice Cream	West Palm Beach	2013

Tag: Melbourne

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Why Laneway Is Your Ticket to a Fabulous Overseas Holiday – POPSUGAR Australia

All the duty free bestsellers under one roof

Luxury items at tax-free prices

Shop wherever, whenever

No more security woes

Convenient “Click-and-Collect”

Is Melbourne, FL a Good Place to Live? 10 Pros and Cons of Space Coast Living

Quick Facts about Melbourne

1. Pro: Warm climate

2. Con: Hurricane risk

3. Pro: Beautiful beaches

4. Con: Wildlife encounters

5. Pro: Low cost of living

6. Con: Traffic

7. Pro: An incredible food scene

8. Con: Humidity

9. Pro: Things to do

10. Con: Limited public transportation

Melbourne police respond to ‘active shooter situation’

This Florida city is the No. 1 place to live in the US. Here’s where others rank

Orlando man accused of stealing over $100K in Best Buy merchandise during statewide spree

Central Florida restroom gets national recognition. Here’s what it looks like

Pedestrian struck, killed in Melbourne, police say

Pro-Palestinian protesters rally in Melbourne CBD amid Port of Melbourne blockade – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Pedestrian struck and killed in early morning crash in Melbourne CBD as police appeal for witnesses – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Median home sale price	$300,000
Average monthly rent	$1,613
Walk Score	33/100
Transit Score	20/100
Bike Score	45/100