--°F

April 12, 1981: Columbia Launches America Back Into Space

General News ArticlePress ReleaseCommunityPress ReleaseCommunityGeneral News Article

The Mayfield Minute - April 12, 2026
Good Morning!
April 12, 1981: Columbia Launches America Back Into Space


Forty-five years ago today, on April 12, 1981, the United States' Space Shuttle program began when the Space Shuttle Columbia, piloted by Commander John W. Young and Captain Robert L. Crippen, embarked upon its first mission to space. As the world’s first reusable spacecraft, Columbia returned Americans to space for the first time since the final Apollo mission in 1975.


President Ronald Reagan watched the historic event from the White House while recovering from the March 30, 1981 assassination attempt on his life. Meanwhile, thousands gathered around Kennedy Space Center to witness the history making mission.


The Space Shuttle Columbia mission was the first of 135 missions flown by five shuttles over 30 years. Tragically, on February 1, 2003, Columbia broke apart during re-entry taking the lives of all seven crew members. This was the second tragedy for the Space Shuttle program, following the 1986 explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger.


Today, Brevard County is home to the Astronaut Memorial Foundation which honors and memorializes the crews of Challenger, Columbia, and all other astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the advancement of human spaceflight and inspires future generations of space explorers.
 
Florida’s Space Coast remains America’s gateway to the stars, driving the nation’s global dominance in space exploration and commercial space development. We are fortunate to have a front row seat to history, including most recently the Artemis II Mission, the first manned voyage to the moon in more than 50 years.


At approximately 8:07 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 10th, the crew of the Artemis II Mission successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean, marking the completion of their 10-day journey. Welcome home to the four brave astronauts, and congratulations to the countless NASA employees and industry partners who worked to make this mission a success.


I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for 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!
Statewide Update
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released


Colorado State University (CSU) released an early forecast of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins June 1st and ends November 30th. The outlook predicts slightly below‑normal activity, due to a developing El Niño which is expected to increase wind shear across the Atlantic.
 
CSU has produced data‑driven seasonal hurricane forecasts for 43 years and is an academically respected authority on hurricane outlook.
 
The forecast predicts a total of 13 named storms, of which CSU anticipates six to become hurricanes and two to become major hurricanes. These numbers are slightly below the long-term seasonal average of fourteen, seven, and three, respectively.


Florida remains the most vulnerable state, with a 74% chance of a named storm and 21% chance of a major hurricane passing within 50 miles of the coastline.


Forecasters caution that mixed signals in Atlantic water temperatures could complicate predictions. The Climate Prediction Center reports a 61% chance of El Niño forming between May and July, potentially persisting through late 2026.


Emergency managers warn that Florida’s quiet 2025 season may lead to dangerous complacency, even though the state endured significant impacts from storms in 2022–2024.


To view the Florida Department of Emergency Management's storm preparation tips, click here.




Florida Celebrates April as Florida College System Month


Each April, Florida College System Month is celebrated by the Florida Department of Education. The month highlights the impact of Florida’s 28 state colleges as the primary gateway to postsecondary education and one of the key drivers of economic growth across the state.
 
“I’m proud to celebrate our Great 28,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Florida is the number one state in workforce education, and our colleges are essential to that success. With high-quality, affordable programs that limit student debt, the Florida College System sets the national standard for excellence."
 
Since Governor DeSantis took office in 2019, Florida has invested more than $12 billion in workforce education programs. During this timeframe, Career and Technical Education enrollment has grown 54%, with over 293,000 students enrolled across Florida College System institutions. Last year, in recognition of these program’s success, Florida was ranked first in the nation for workforce education.
 
Additionally, for students who earned degrees in 2023-24, nearly two-thirds of the Associate of Arts graduates successfully transferred into bachelor’s degree programs. Likewise, nearly 90% of the Florida College System’s workforce program graduates were working in Florida or continuing their education within a year.
 
To read the announcement in full, click here.




DEP Secures Conservation Easement Supporting Everglades Restoration


The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) secured a 1,668-acre conservation easement over Bar-B Ranch in Martin County, which protects a working cattle ranch. This ranch is located near the C-44 Stormwater Treatment Area and Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area and currently supports approximately 250 cattle.


Bar-B Ranch stores and filters water flowing towards downstream ecosystems, such as the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, and the Greater Everglades region. The protection of this land prevents development that could threaten these ecological functions.


“Conservation easements through Florida Forever keep working lands in agriculture while protecting the natural functions that support our environment,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “...protecting a working ranch also protects critical water flows, wetland functions and wildlife corridors, showing how agricultural lands and Everglades restoration can support each other.” 


To read the announcement in full, click here.
Bill Action by Governor DeSantis
As of Sunday, April 12th, Governor DeSantis has received a total of 42 bills for his consideration, of which 11 remain pending and 31 have been signed into law. Upon receipt of a bill, the Governor has seven days to sign, veto, or take no action at which point the bill will automatically become law.


Bills Pending Governor's Action:


CS/CS/HB 679 – Registration of Trademarks
HB 4019 – Compensation for Health Care Services for Inmates in Lake County
HB 4041 – Compensation for Health Care Services for Inmates in Indian River County
HB 4059 – Compensation for Health Care Services for Inmates in Polk County
CS/CS/SB 182 – School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program
CS/SB 246 – Specialty License Plates
SB 628 – Transportation Facility Designations/Warrior Sacrifice Way
CS/CS/CS/SB 686 – Agricultural Enclaves
CS/CS/HB 1103 – Local Administration of Vessel Restrictions
CS/CS/HB 1113 - Public Records/Crime Victims
CS/CS/CS/HB 1093 – Vertiports


If you have an interest or concern regarding any of the above bills, you can contact the Governor's office directly here.


Bills Signed this Week:


CS/CS/HB 1471 – Systems of Law/Terrorist Organizations
CS/HB 4005 – City of Naples Airport Authority, Collier County
CS/CS/HB 1473 – Public Records
Constituent of the Week
Marcia Booth, President and Founder of Recycle Brevard
 
In recognition of “Earth Month 2026,” we are highlighting Marcia Booth, President and Founder of Recycle Brevard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainable living throughout Brevard County.
 
Ms. Booth is originally from Brazil and moved to Brevard County in 2009. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, and a Master's degree in Environmental Education. Ms. Booth is also a graduate of the first UF/IFAS Sustainable Floridians program and the UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist program.


In 2011, Ms. Booth founded Recycle Brevard after attending a landfill tour and learning the county’s recycling rate was only about 30%. As president, Ms. Booth leads Recycle Brevard’s “3 Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Initiative, and she is responsible for coordinating community recycling projects and sustainability initiatives, and expanding local partnerships. Ms. Booth also authors a monthly column, Beyond the Curb, for the Viera Voice newspaper.
 
In addition to her responsibilities at Recycle Brevard, Ms. Booth is active throughout Brevard County. Ms. Booth is a trained facilitator for Project WILD, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission program and a volunteer with Project Learning Tree of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. She is a former Volunteer Co-Teacher for the Environmental Club at Manatee Elementary and Chair of the Manatee Elementary Green Committee.
 
In recognition of her environmental volunteerism, Ms. Booth has received numerous awards including Keep Brevard Beautiful’s “Recycling Award” and the “Charlie Corbeil Conservation Award” for exceptional local conservation efforts. She was also selected as “Volunteer of the Year” by Manatee Elementary for leading green initiatives which contributed to the school receiving the “U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award” in 2015.


In 2017, Brevard County Commissioner Curt Smith honored Ms. Booth with a proclamation for her volunteer work and contributions in recycling, environmental education, and environment stewardship.
 
In observance of Earth Month 2026, Recycle Brevard is participating in Ecochallenge.org, a national initiative which provides a wide range of learning challenges regarding environmental issues, mobilization for wildlife conservation efforts, and innovative practices to reduce negative environmental impacts. To join Recycle Brevard's Ecochallenge team, click here.
 
Ms. Booth and her husband, Stuart, reside in Viera with their daughter and three cats.
 
SD 19 is grateful for the tireless actions Ms. Booth has taken over the past 15 years to preserve, protect, and conserve our environment for generations to come.
District Highlights
School Resource Officer, Chris Hattaway, of Rockledge High School, Named Finalist for “Florida School‑Related Employee of the Year”


Last week, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announced that Rockledge High School's School Resource Officer (SRO), Chris Hattaway, was among the top five finalists for the “2025-2026 Florida School-Related Employee of the Year” award.


Officer Hattaway, an alumnus of Rockledge High School, was previously selected as Brevard Public Schools’ (BPS) “2025-2026 Employee of the Year.” He is known for the positive relationships he builds with students and the welcoming environment he creates on campus.


Some of Officer Hattaway's achievements at Rockledge High School include:

 
  • Assisting with "Rocking Resilience,” a voluntary lunchtime program offering students social and emotional support
  • Introducing K9 “Trusty,” Brevard Public Schools’ first therapy dog
  • Creating a free summer camp for incoming and at‑risk students.


Other finalists for the “2025-2026 Florida School‑Related Employee of the Year” represent Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach Counties.


Congratulations Officer Hattaway! We appreciate the positive impact you make in the lives of students every day and wish you great success in achieving the statewide recognition of "School-Related Employee of the Year."




Sheriff Ivey Hosts Public Safety Roundtable in Melbourne
 
This week, Sheriff Wayne Ivey hosted a roundtable discussion on public safety. I was honored to participate in this important discussion alongside a panel of the following elected officials and public safety leaders:
 
  • Congressman Byron Donalds
  • Representative Tyler Sirois
  • Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma
  • Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers
  • Brevard Clerk of Court Rachel Sadoff
  • Brevard County Fire Chief Pat Voltaire
  • 18th Judicial Circuit States Attorney Will Scheiner
  • 18th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Blaise Trettis
  • Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray
  • FDLE Special Agent in Charge of the Orlando Region Joyce Dawley
 
In his opening remarks, Sheriff Ivey stated, “Florida is the Law-and-Order State. We have not only gotten that name, but we have earned that name here. We are the model that other states follow."
 
The roundtable provided an opportunity for each of the experts in the room to share their perspectives on the future of public safety. The discussion covered a wide range of topics including law enforcement, critical infrastructure security, fire rescue, government efficiency, immigration enforcement, and more.
 
Thank you, Sheriff Ivey, for moderating this important discussion. I valued the opportunity to hear from leaders across these areas and to discuss how we can strengthen public safety together moving forward.




Brevard County Female Veterans Participate in Historic "Flight to Honor"


Last month, 40 female Veterans from Brevard County participated in the "Flight to Honor," the largest all-female Veterans trip to Washington, D.C. in Florida’s history.
 
The Veterans began their day at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (BVMC) where they heard remarks from Dean Schaaf, BVMC President, Colonel Shannon DaSilva, Commander of Delta 10 at Patrick Space Force Base, and Lt. Colonel Kimberly Brutsche.
 
Following the welcome ceremony, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office escorted the group from the BVMC to the Brevard County line. From there, the group traveled to Lakeland to join with the other female Veterans from across Florida for their chartered flight to Washington, D.C.
 
While in the nation’s Capital, the Veterans visited the Lincoln Memorial, Women Veterans Monument, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
 
The send-off from Brevard County was organized by Dorothy Walsh, President and Founder of Their Voice of Hope, and Sandy Nicotra, Past President of the Melbourne chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.


For more information about Their Voice of Hope and the resources and services they provide for female Veterans, contact President Dorothy Walsh at dwalshusa@gmail.com. 
Upcoming Events
National Healthcare Decisions Day Advance Care Planning Events


In observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day on Thursday, April 16th, St. Francis Hospice will hold 10 Advance Care Planning information sessions at public libraries throughout Brevard County.


Founded in 2008, National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed annually to increase the number of Americans who have completed an advance directive (living will). An advanced directive indicates the name of the person who will make medical decisions for you in the event you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. 


St. Francis Hospice staff and volunteers will provide information, tools, and resources for individuals and families to discuss their advance care plans, including the "Five Wishes," America’s most popular advance healthcare directive program.


To review the locations and times of the events, click here.




5th Annual National Veterans Homeless Support Golf Tournament


The 5th annual National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rockledge Country Club (1591 South Fisk Blvd.) in Rockledge.


Schedule:

  • 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.: Registration
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: Driving Range
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: Putting Practice
  • 8:00 a.m.: 18 Hole Scramble Start
  • 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Lunch and Raffle


The fee per player is $125 and $500 for a foursome with lunch and two drink tickets per golfer included.


Proceeds from the event support NVHS’ mission to eliminate homelessness among Veterans in Central Florida.


For more information on available sponsorships, contact Kasey Corson at (321) 208-7562. To register for the tournament, click here.




"Waves of Acceptance" Family Festival


The “Waves of Acceptance” Family Festival will be held on Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Space Coast Harley-Davidson (1440 Sportsman Lane NE) in Palm Bay. The festival is free of charge and dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting families in the Autism community.


Event activities include bounce houses, a foam party, local vendors, food trucks, and a creative art show. The One Voice Coalition, Autism Coalition, Angels Bridging Gaps, and other local organizations will be in attendance to provide resources and connect families in need of services.


For more information, click here.




41st Annual Melbourne Art Festival


The 41st annual Melbourne Art Festival will be held on Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day at Wickham Park (2500 Parkway Drive) in Melbourne. Admission and parking are free.


Festival highlights include over 200 art exhibits, live music performances, food and beverage vendors, and a "KidsWorld" featuring art workshops, puppet shows, jugglers, magicians, and local schools' STEM exhibits.


For a list of exhibitors and schedule of events, click here.
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

 

April 12, 1981: Columbia Launches Ame...
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Linkedin-in