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  • ⭐Avalon Park Approved, OB Revisits River Bend Future, Pathways Derby Wins

⭐Avalon Park Approved, OB Revisits River Bend Future, Pathways Derby Wins

Issue #930

22 May

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🏗️ Daytona Approves 8,800-Home Avalon Park

A project described as a “city within a city” just cleared a major hurdle.

The Daytona Beach City Commission unanimously approved rezoning, annexation and a comprehensive plan change for Avalon Park Daytona, a 2,760-acre development along North Tymber Creek Road. At full buildout, the project would include 8,818 homes and more than 1 million square feet of commercial space.

Developer Beat Kahli says the vision is a walkable, mixed-use community where residents can “live, learn, work and play,” with housing options ranging from market-rate homes to more attainable options for teachers and first responders. Plans also include a charter school, retail space and significant infrastructure improvements.

Still, not everyone is cheering. Residents from Ormond Beach and Daytona voiced concerns about traffic, flooding and wildlife impacts. Commissioners emphasized that the project will unfold over 20 years, with phased road improvements tied to development.

If all goes according to plan, construction on the first homes could begin within 12 to 18 months.

⛳ Ormond Beach Revisits River Bend’s Future

Meanwhile, in Ormond Beach, the long-closed River Bend Golf Course is back in conversation — again.

Mayor Jason Leslie asked whether the city could issue a request for proposals to gauge interest in reopening the municipal course, which closed in 2020 after its operator declared bankruptcy. The 172-acre property sits on airport land, however, placing it under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration.

City officials explained that before any non-aeronautical use can resume — including golf — the FAA requires updated airport master planning to project 20 years of aviation demand. Without that approval, the city can’t move forward.

Complicating matters further, previous estimates suggest the course would require roughly $7 million in improvements, and any operator would lease — not own — the land.

Commissioners ultimately directed staff to send another letter to the FAA. Whether it produces clarity or another “non-answer,” as one official predicted, remains to be seen.

🏁 Pathways Students Race into Derby History

At Pathways Elementary, 46 fifth graders and 23 teams brought high energy — and plenty of creativity — to the school’s 21st annual “Most Spectacular Awe Inspiring Derby.”

This year’s event featured a record 20 new “future” cars alongside returning “classic” racers. Students competed in a parade, drift races and push races under the watchful eye of retired Ormond Beach Police Capt. D.W. Smith, who served as grand marshal.

Winning team names were just as memorable as their cars: Heelers, Awesome Americans, Ketchup and 101 Dalmatians all made podium appearances across categories ranging from “Most Team Spirit” to “Most Creative and Original Design.”

With sunshine blazing and candy flying, the derby once again delivered what it promises every year — spectacle, inspiration and a little friendly fifth-grade rivalry.

Recent Arrests

Ormond Beach Police Department

  • Craig Lewis Goodman Jr., 47, Ormond Beach— arrested May 10; DUI, refusal to submit, DWLS canceled. Bail: $3,000.

Holly Hill Police Department

  • Anthony D. Holmes, 43, Holly Hill— arrested May 8; loiter/prowl, failure to comply with commercial vehicle inspection, burglary of occupied dwelling. Bail: $7,000.

  • Dawnine Terone Jacobs, 34, Holly Hill— arrested May 9; battery on person 65+. Bail: not set.

  • Stefanie Lynne Presley, 40, Holly Hill— arrested May 13; battery on person 65+. Bail: not set.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

  • Peter Andrew Gottshalk, 55, Ormond Beach— arrested May 8; possession of cocaine, Schedule II substance, drug equip. possession/use. Bail: $3,000.

  • John T. Leo, 45, Ormond Beach— arrested May 8; controlled substance possession without prescription. Bail: $2,500.

  • Christopher Francis Maguire, 52, Ormond Beach— arrested May 12; DWLS canceled/suspended/revoked, controlled substance possession without prescription, drug equip. possession/use. Bail: $9,000.

  • Deborah Ann Anderson, 63, Ormond Beach— arrested May 12; controlled substance possession without prescription. Bail: not set.

  • David Eric Brown, 54, Ormond Beach— arrested May 14; Schedule II substance possession. Bail: not set.

  • Nichols Samuel Downs, 39, Holly Hill— arrested May 14; possession of amphetamines, MDMA, drug equip. possession/use, new/legend drug without prescription. Bail: $40,000.

NOTE: This report lists arrests only, not convictions, from publicly available information, All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Events for Friday, May 22

Ormond Beach

  • Event: Wellness Paint Party - 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
    The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
    Artist Gina Bickish leads a painting session focused on a Tomoka River scene. Cost is $40 and supplies are included.

  • Event: Cyanotype: An Alternative Photography Immersion - 12–3 p.m.
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach
    Workshop on cyanotype printing with Catherine Cross. Fees: $75 for OMAM members, $95 for future members.

  • Event: Self-Care City Scavenger Hunt - 1 p.m.
    55 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Wellness-themed city scavenger hunt listed for May 22.

Holly Hill

  • Event: Dueling Pianos Extravaganza - 7–9 p.m.
    MetroHealth Stadium at Pictona, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
    Free general-admission bleacher seating; box and floor seats available for purchase.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: Daytona Fresh Market - 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
    AdventHealth Well 65+, 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
    Fresh market event at AdventHealth Well 65+.

  • Event: Meet the Artist — Sayre Berman - 5–6:30 p.m.
    Gallery500, Daytona Beach
    Meet-the-artist reception featuring Sayre Berman.

  • Event: The Cat. 4 Band at Caribbean Jack’s - 5–9 p.m.
    Caribbean Jack’s, 721 Ballough Road, Daytona Beach
    Live music performance at Caribbean Jack’s.

  • Event: Friday Night Live: Velvet Stone - 6–8:30 p.m.
    Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA, One Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
    Live pop/rock favorites for Memorial Day weekend.

  • Event: Rock The Beach — A Tribute to Aerosmith - 7 p.m.
    Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
    Aerosmith tribute concert.

  • Event: Hall of the Elders, Royal Hearts, Coraline’s Collapse, Oriena & May We Cross In Dreams - 7 p.m.
    Punk Rock Pizza Daytona, Daytona Beach
    Live music lineup featuring multiple bands.

  • Event: Guardians of the Jukebox — Sunset Concert - 7:30 p.m.
    Riverfront Esplanade, 355 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
    1980s tribute show. Advance tickets listed at $20, gate tickets at $25, with other seating options available.

Events for Saturday, May 23, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: Speaker Series: “Not a Normal Place, Not a Normal History” - 10–11 a.m.
    Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach
    Ormond Beach Historical Society presentation by Mark Lane, author, columnist and Daytona Beach native. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Free for Historical Society members; $10 for non-members.

  • Event: Heatwave — Dance Factory’s 25th Spring Recital - 6 p.m.
    Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
    Dancers of all ages take the stage for Dance Factory’s 25th Spring Dance Recital. Tickets are listed at $25–$30.

Holly Hill

  • No Holly Hill events found for May 23 in the sources I checked.

Daytona Beach

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.

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