Human trafficking is an issue that affects communities everywhere. Raising awareness is one of the most important steps we can take to help prevent it.

In this video, Barbara Schluraff, Broker and Team Lead of Ocean to River Properties, sits down with Jenny Pruitt, Executive Director of I Am A Freedom Fighter, to talk about what human trafficking is, how to recognize the warning signs, and how our community can make a difference.

They also share details about the upcoming 3rd Annual Seaside Stride Beach Trek, a powerful local event focused on awareness, education, and action.

 Fish Lips Waterfront Bar & Grill – Cape Canaveral
 April 11, 2026

• 20-Mile Beach Trek – 5:00 AM
• 10-Mile Beach Trek – 8:00 AM

This event is more than just a beach walk, it’s an opportunity for our community to come together, learn, and take a stand against human trafficking and exploitation.

Ocean to River Properties is proud to be the main sponsor of this meaningful event and to support efforts that bring awareness and positive change to our community.

Freedom Fighter is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending human exploitation through awareness, prevention, and action. For additional details or to register, visit: www.freedomfighter.org or www.iamafreedomfighter.org/get-outdoors-for-freedom.

Image courtesy of Florida Today (USA Today Network), 2026.

Blue Origin is planning a major expansion on Merritt Island with a proposed 800,000-square-foot manufacturing facility known as “Project Horizon.”

The new facility is planned for Exploration Park, just south of Blue Origin’s existing campus, on land leased through Space Florida. According to permitting documents, the project will support manufacturing for commercial space launch vehicles and includes additional infrastructure to support operations.

While details are still limited, this expansion signals continued long-term investment in the Space Coast’s aerospace industry. Large-scale developments like this typically bring new jobs and increased demand for housing across Brevard County,especially in areas like Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, and Cocoa Beach.

For homeowners and buyers, this is another strong indicator of ongoing growth and future value in our local real estate market.

This article is summarized from reporting by Florida Today — “Blue Origin plans 800,000-square-foot Merritt Island facility” by Tyler Vazquez (March 9, 2026).

Indian River Lagoon Area — Photo by NASA via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

The city of Titusville is testing an innovative “nanobubble” system designed to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most important ecosystems along Florida’s Space Coast.

The technology, developed by Moleaer, creates microscopic bubbles, about 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt, that stay suspended in the water for extended periods. Unlike typical aeration, these bubbles slowly release oxygen over time, helping marine life survive and accelerating the breakdown of organic “muck” that has built up on the lagoon floor.

The pilot program is currently being tested at a 16-acre municipal marina in Titusville and is fully funded through private and local business contributions. Scientists from Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard County are actively monitoring the project, studying impacts on water quality, oxygen levels, and key parts of the ecosystem like zooplankton, which play a critical role in maintaining balance in the lagoon’s food chain.

Nanobubble technology has been used in thousands of water restoration projects worldwide, though results have varied depending on conditions. If successful, this approach could potentially be scaled to help restore larger portions of the lagoon.

However, experts stress that while this technology may provide meaningful short-term improvements, long-term recovery still depends on addressing the root causes of pollution, including stormwater runoff, fertilizers, septic systems, and sewage leaks that continue to impact lagoon health.

This article is summarized from reporting by Florida Today — “Can tiny bubbles bring the Indian River Lagoon back to life?” by Jim Waymer (March 8, 2026).

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