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  • ⭐Billly's Opening Soon, Tomoka Reserve Approved, Man Crashes DAB Gate, Motorcycle Death Updated

⭐Billly's Opening Soon, Tomoka Reserve Approved, Man Crashes DAB Gate, Motorcycle Death Updated

Issue #873

26 Mar

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If you've lived in Ormond Beach for any length of time, you already know what Billy's Tap Room means to this community. The landmark restaurant at 58 E. Granada Blvd. — established in 1922 and through only five owners in a century — has been dark since 2022, when Doug and Lillian Rand retired and developer Bill Jones took over the building. Three and a half years later, a mid-April reopening is finally in sight, and Jones has been characteristically deliberate about every inch of it.

The restoration was anything but simple. The building still had its original silk wiring. The cast iron plumbing had corroded to the point of requiring a full floor overhaul. The bar was termite-ridden and had to be rebuilt entirely. One contractor suggested it would be easier to knock the whole thing down and start fresh. Jones declined.

Jones researched old photos, tracked down as many original details as he could, and added thoughtful touches of his own — including Bevolo gas lanterns that bring a faint whiff of New Orleans' French Quarter to Granada Boulevard. The restaurant will be run by Joe Oliva of Alexander's Prime, who has gotten his hands on original menus going back 30 to 40 years and some of the original recipes. Expect familiar favorites — grouper, crabcakes, prime rib nights, the relish tray — alongside a more current menu and at least eight new beer lines. About 30 jobs are being created. Jones isn't releasing photos until opening day. Visit billystaproom.com for updates.

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After five years of public hearings, planning board reviews, rezoning battles, appeals, and ultimately a federal lawsuit with a $16 million threat hanging over it, the Tomoka Reserve development received its development order Tuesday night — on a 3-2 vote, after four hours of testimony and more than 50 citizens speaking against it. Commissioners Lori Tolland and Harold Briley joined Commissioner Susan Persis in the majority; Commissioner Kristin Deaton and Mayor Jason Leslie — who had voted in favor on March 13 — voted no this time.

The approved plan calls for 254 homes on the former Tomoka Oaks golf course, down slightly from the 272 originally proposed. Residents who filled the chambers in red argued the reduction was a token gesture, not a concession. The majority of the commission saw it differently — as an imperfect but necessary exit from a lawsuit that, if lost in federal court, could have resulted in more homes, a smaller buffer, and no community input at all.

The development order is a zoning document, not a construction permit. A preliminary plat still needs to go before the Planning Board and City Commission before anything gets built. The fight, in other words, is not entirely over — but the central question has been answered, and the answer was not what most of Tomoka Oaks wanted to hear.

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Early Wednesday afternoon, a highly intoxicated man drove his vehicle through a gate at Daytona Beach International Airport's international terminal, made his way onto the airfield, and attempted to board an occupied, running aircraft. The plane was locked, so he moved on to two unoccupied planes before being stopped by airport operations staff and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University security. The Volusia Sheriff's Office Domestic Security Unit and the FBI responded to the scene. The man is in custody and faces multiple charges. Airport operations continued without interruption. This one is still developing, but the short version is: don't do this.

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Updating an earlier story, we've been covering the death of Chase Rivera since it happened on March 19th — the 25-year-old Ormond Beach motorcyclist killed when a Lexus SUV turned into his path on Nova Road. This week, his family spoke ouit, and the details make an already painful story harder to read.

Rivera was on his way to his shift at Buffalo Wild Wings in Daytona Beach when the crash occurred. His four-year-old son Liam was visiting from Georgia and was waiting to be picked up after work. Rivera also had a four-month-old daughter, Amiria. He had moved to the Daytona area from Tampa two years ago to be closer to his mother, who works at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach. He loved motorcycles, worked Bike Week every year, and was a familiar face in the community. Two days before the crash, he'd spoken with his father and made plans to bring his kids to Tampa for a family visit. He Facetimed his cousin on her birthday, March 15th. She missed the call.

The Iron Horse Saloon is holding a gift basket raffle to help Rivera's family with expenses. His cousin has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral arrangements. If you'd like to help, search Chase Rivera on GoFundMe. He was 25 years old. He had a son waiting for him and a daughter four months into the world. He deserved more time.

Sources
"Billy's Tap Room is reopening in Ormond Beach. Here's what we know" — Daytona News-Journal, March 25, 2026
"In split vote, Ormond Beach City Commission approves 254 homes for Tomoka Reserve" — Ormond Observer, March 25, 2026
"Intoxicated man drives onto Daytona Beach airport field" — Daytona News-Journal, March 25, 2026
"Ormond father killed in crash planned to be with son" — Daytona News-Journal, March 25, 2026

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Thursday, March 26, 2026

🥦 Fresh & Local

  • Ormond Beach Farmers Market

    • It's Thursday, which means it is time for the weekly farmers market! Stroll through the City Hall Plaza to shop for fresh regional produce, baked goods, local honey, plants, and handcrafted items. Located right next to the library and across from the beautiful Halifax River, it is the perfect local morning routine.

    • Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: City Hall Plaza (22 S. Beach St)

🎭 Live Entertainment

  • The Edwards Twins: The Ultimate Variety Show

    • Remember the wonderful variety shows of the 70s and 80s? Las Vegas' number one impersonators, Anthony and Eddie Edwards, use state-of-the-art makeup to look and sound exactly like the superstars of today and yesterday. Expect spot-on tributes to Billy Joel, Elton John, Cher, Neil Diamond, and many more.

    • Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)

    • Tickets: $30 – $65

🎨 Youth & Education

  • OMAM's Little Artist Workshop with ELC

    • In partnership with the Early Learning Coalition, children ages 3 to 5 will use their imaginations and develop fine motor skills as they explore the elements of art, followed by an immersive storybook reading. Registration is required.

    • Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

    • Cost: Free

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • City of Ormond Beach Evaluation Committee Meeting

    • Local government business continues at City Hall. Residents are welcome to attend this afternoon's meeting regarding RFQ 2026-16.

    • Time: 2:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach City Hall, Training Room (22 S Beach St)

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Thursday on the Courts @ Pictona

    • Head over to the 49-court facility for a great day of open-play pickleball. If you prefer indoor games, the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room is open for cards, Mahjong, and socializing. Don't forget to grab lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

Friday, March 27, 2026

🎸 Headline Concert

  • The Backtrack Blues Band and Yates McKendree

    • Get ready for an unforgettable evening of electric blues! Florida's longest-running blues band joins forces with Grammy Award-winning guitarist and vocalist Yates McKendree. Expect a massive night of Chicago-style blues right here in town.

    • Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)

    • Tickets: Starting at $40

🌺 Arts & Gardening

  • Spring Container Garden with Janett Taylor

    • Celebrate the new season at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum! OMAM Garden Artisan Janett Taylor will lead a hands-on workshop teaching you how to build a beautiful, thriving container garden using fresh spring flowers. Class tuition includes all supplies.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • City of Ormond Beach Bid Opening

    • Local city business continues this afternoon with the official bid opening for the Fire Station 93 Wind Wall and Pad Construction project.

    • Time: 2:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach City Hall, Training Room (22 S Beach St)

🎵 Youth & Education

  • Miss Jeanine's Music Class

    • A fantastic Friday morning activity for the little ones! This interactive, local music class is designed for toddlers and young children to explore rhythm, movement, and song.

    • Time: 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

    • Location: 227 2nd St, Holly Hill

    • Cost: $16 per class (or $59 for 4 sessions)

🧘 Wellness & Support

  • Recovery Support Meeting (AA)

    • A regularly scheduled, confidential support space for recovery, held in a welcoming and quiet environment right on Ridgewood Avenue.

    • Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: Unity of Daytona Beach (908 Ridgewood Ave)

🚗 A Note on the Weekend Traffic!

  • The Spring Turkey Run Kickoff

    • Heads up, locals! Today marks the official start of the massive Spring Turkey Run down at the Daytona International Speedway (running through Sunday). While the core events are down in Daytona, you will definitely start seeing beautiful classic cars, muscle cars, and hot rods cruising up A1A through Ormond-by-the-Sea this afternoon. Grab a chair, sit by the beach at Tom Renick Park, and enjoy the free parade of classic cars rolling through town!

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