Community Corner

🌱 What the permanent closure of Merritt Island’s Denny’s means for locals

Make time for Edgewood Red Wolves vs Space Coast Vipers on the Merritt Island Patch calendar

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Good morning Merritt Island! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What the permanent closure of Merritt Island’s Denny’s means for locals
  • How will Merritt Island’s football rivals change under the new FHSAA plan?
  • Which Merritt Island residents were booked into jail this week?

Also on today's calendar: 12th Annual Edgewood Holiday Craft Fair & Food Truck Event and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Merritt Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Merritt Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 69 and low of 44 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny and delightful, temps: high: 73, low: 50.
  • Saturday: Nice with clouds and sun, with a high of 77 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Is Denny's closing in Florida? What we know, which ones are gone (floridatoday.com) — Merritt Island’s Denny’s at 75 E. Merritt Island Causeway has permanently closed as part of the chain’s plan to shutter about 150 underperforming restaurants. Nearly 20 Florida locations are already gone, even as Denny’s changes ownership and rethinks its renovation and menu-cutting strategy statewide.
   

2. See where Brevard teams are placed in new FHSAA football classifications (floridatoday.com) — Merritt Island High will join an all-Brevard District 8-3A with Rockledge, Eau Gallie, Palm Bay, Titusville and Astronaut under the FHSAA’s tentative 2026–27 football realignment. Merritt Island Christian is listed in District 4-1A but plans to keep playing SSAA 8-man, while several other Brevard schools also shift classifications or remain independent.
   

3. Arrests In Brevard County: December 8, 2025 – Suspects Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty (spacecoastdaily.com) — Recent Brevard County jail bookings include several Merritt Island residents and arrests that happened on the island, ranging from shoplifting and fleeing police to probation violations. The roundup also details DUI, burglary, and battery charges across nearby cities like Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Titusville, with all suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty.
   

4. David Muir fans stress 'it's happening way too much' as he halts ABC show for 'scary' news (themirror.com) — National viewers watched David Muir spotlight the recent small‑plane crash on I‑95 in Merritt Island, where a twin‑engine aircraft lost power and landed on the interstate, striking a car. ABC’s coverage and social media clip emphasized the remarkable fact that everyone survived, drawing stunned and grateful reactions from around the country.
   

5. Plane makes emergency landing on top of car on Florida highway (nbcnewyork.com) — A small instructional plane that took off from Merritt Island lost power in both engines and made a dramatic emergency landing on I‑95 in Brevard County, crashing onto a car. The 57‑year‑old driver suffered only minor injuries, and both 27‑year‑old men on the plane walked away unharmed as federal investigators continue probing what went wrong.
   

📸 Around Merritt Island

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please, update us on animals reunited.
    I have tried to help several people find their lost dogs and cats. Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to find a possible connection between a lost and… (Nextdoor Downtown Merritt Island)
  • To everyone who has responded to my post u have truly touched my heart n I thank you....
    like I said I want to expose what's happening in these nursing homes I want the entire world to knw how there being treated n the abuse n neglect… (Nextdoor Courtenay Springs)
  • NANA Regional Corporation posted a job opening for Logistics Director (Secret Clearance) - Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island. Apply here.
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member 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: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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