In January, 2008 the North Brevard Beacon and NBBD.COM again teamed up to make local news even more accessible to the people of North Brevard and the world. Here we will be publishing the lead stories of the current edition of the Beacon and linking you to www.NorthBrevardBeacon.com where you can read a PDF copy of the entire Beacon and browse the archives.

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Headlines August 21, 2008

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2008 Beacon Hurricane Guide •|• The Bargain Hunters

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Police enforce speed limits By D.D. Remini School has begun and that means lower your speed and watch out for the little ones or you'll face a hefty fine. "We believe a strong presence of law enforcement in our school zones will bring awareness to the reduced speed zones of 15 miles per hour," said Lt. Todd Hutchinson, Titusville Police Department spokesman. "Motorcycle officers, as well as crime suppression officers in both marked and unmarked cars, will be assigned to school zones throughout the city every day for the first two weeks of the school year." Warnings will be issued the first week of school, but after that citations will result as the police have a zero tolerance toward speeding and other violations in school zones. Fines will be expensive. "For example, if a driver is stopped for going 30 miles per hour in a posted school zone of 15 mph, he faces a fine of up to $334," said Hutchinson. After the initial two-week crack-down, officers will conduct periodic details at each school zone throughout the year. "We urge drivers to be extra patient for the first couple of weeks. Traffic will be slower and heavier around our schools." Police are enforcing the state bicycle helmet law which requires riders under 16 years old to wear a helmet. Schools launch electronic newsletter Brevard Public Schools announces the launch of its new electronic parent newsletter, the Brevard P.A.R.E.N.T., a Publication Addressing Real Education News Today. This publication will be available on or around the 15th of each month, and address topics that concern parents including updates on school facilities, district budget, curriculum and policies, as well as provide parenting tips and resources. "Educating students with excellence is our core mission and this cannot be accomplished without informed and involved parents," said BPS Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. "This newsletter will provide parents with the opportunity to learn the latest news and information from the district in a timely fashion." Parents may subscribe to this publication and receive an e-mail announcing each edition by signing up at districtcommunications.brevardschools.org/PN/. The Brevard P.A.R.E.N.T. is available online at the district's Web site at www.brevardschools.org.

Officials scramble to transition space jobs By I.J. Stagi With the Space Coast losing an estimated 6,500 space-related jobs when the shuttle retires, NASA Director Bill Parsons spoke to a crowded Titusville City Council Chamber on Aug. 13. Parsons said it was important to remember that there are still many shuttle missions before 2010. "I have to remind people that we must stay focused and concentrate on the 10 missions we have left," Parsons said. The shuttle program, which is scheduled to retire in 2010, is part of a transition period. The next phase is the Constellation Program scheduled to launch in 2014, however NASA has until 2015 to launch Ares I. Job losses will result in what NASA calls the "gap" between shuttle retirement and Constellation launch. NASA is working to minimize the job losses by looking toward commercial endeavors. "There are challenging times ahead," said Congressman Tom Feeney-R. Feeney conceded it will be impossible to save 6,500 jobs all at once and it will take everybody working together to save as many jobs as possible. The gap is not the fault of NASA, Feeney said, but the vote of Congress, which cut funding for the shuttle program knowing the United Stateswould have to rely on Russian spacecrafts. "It was a horrible plan but the only one Congress was willing to pass," he said. To extend the shuttle program would take $2.5 billion, which Feeney admitted, would be a "tough sell." The current conflict between Russia and Georgia may bring Congress back to reevaluate the situation, he said, and that it is a strong possibility Congress may rethink extending the program. "If the Russians suffer a problem, there will be no access to the International Space Station," Parsons said. He conceded that there is not a lot of flexibility. Congress just passed a bipartisan bill requiring local assistance for communities affected by shuttle retirement, and requires the White House to get involved in commercial launch opportunities. The bill also included the largest NASA authorization in history of $2.4 billion. Commercial, civil and military are an important combination for the future of KSC, said Steve Kohler, president of Space Florida. These workforce synergies will employ many who may lose their jobs when the shuttle is retired. Kohler said the U..S Air Force announced a commitment toward licensing a launch complex on behalf of the state for commercial customers. The EDC is currently trying to bring new companies to the area in hopes of securing new roles for workforce losing jobs. Frank Dibello, EDC consultant, said the role of KSC is changing and is a unique national asset. "We will not make up 6,500 jobs by waving a wand, but we will do it bit by bit if we work together," Feeney said. NASA is not only a jobs program, it is a national security program, he said.

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| Archives to 9/1/2004 | Obituaries to 8/18/04 |

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