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  • ⭐Copper Bottom Celebrates, Data Center Ban News, Coffee In Volusia, Fatal Driver Gets 47yrs.

⭐Copper Bottom Celebrates, Data Center Ban News, Coffee In Volusia, Fatal Driver Gets 47yrs.

Issue #1069

Author

.George Sloane
08 Oct

In partnership with

Capital Is Flooding Into The Physical AI Revolution

AI is stepping out of the digital screen and entering the physical world. Robotics VC deal activity hit all-time highs in early 2026, with investments climbing toward sixteen billion dollars across more than four hundred and fifty deals. 

Driven by manufacturing labor shortages, aging workforces, and explosive tech breakthroughs from NVIDIA, Tesla, and a host of specialized component suppliers, automation is accelerating across factories and warehouses globally. 

Whether you are looking at AI compute, machine vision sensors, motion control actuators, or humanoid robotics, the infrastructure buildout is happening right now. Download our comprehensive guide to discover the top investable robotics sectors and market drivers.

NOTE: Your can always» READ ONLINE

Courtesy Photo

🥃 Copper Bottom Celebrates a Decade

Holly Hill’s Copper Bottom Craft Distillery raised a glass to 10 years in business Oct. 3, celebrating with food trucks and a special anniversary spirit: a 10-year-old bourbon aged in a Copper Bottom rum barrel.

The family-owned business at 998 N. Beach Street opened in 2016 and has built a following around its spirits and welcoming atmosphere.

Its history includes an unexpected contribution during the pandemic, when production shifted to hand sanitizer, yielding more than 5,000 gallons.

In 2025, co-owner and head distiller Jeremy Craig earned the Master Distiller title on Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners: Master Distiller,” bringing national attention to the local operation. A decade later, the family says community remains central to its mission.

🏢 Proposed Data Center Ban Advances

Volusia County is moving forward with a proposed prohibition on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas. The County Council held its first public hearing Oct. 6, addressing concerns about water supplies, electricity demand, infrastructure and neighboring communities.

The proposal covers facilities with anticipated monthly peak electrical loads of at least 50 megawatts. It would not govern land-use decisions within cities.

Next comes Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission review Oct. 15, followed by the council’s final public hearing Oct. 20.

The county has paused new applications since Aug. 17. That hold continues while the ordinance is considered; the proposed ban has not yet received final approval.

☕ Could Volusia Grow Your Morning Coffee?

University of Florida researchers are exploring whether coffee could become a new crop for Florida growers.

At an experimental site in Pierson, coffee plants grow beneath shade structures traditionally used for ferns. Researchers are comparing plants for both yield and bean quality.

Florida’s warmth, humidity and rainfall offer potential, but sandy soils, temperature swings and low elevation present challenges. Hurricanes and cold weather have also tested the plants—and provided useful research lessons.

The project remains small and experimental, with no commercial-scale production yet. Still, it could help growers diversify in a region known for fern farming. Locally grown morning coffee is a possibility researchers are working to understand.

Source: MyNews13

⚖️ Driver Receives 47 Years for Fatal A1A Crash

In court news, Scott P. March, 64, was sentenced Oct. 7 to 47 years in prison for the crash that killed Thomas and Julia Lauck in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

March’s Corvette struck their Jeep on A1A on Nov. 1, 2025, while he attempted to pass in a no-passing zone. Investigators said he was traveling 110 mph at impact on the 45-mph road, after reaching 147 mph seconds earlier.

March entered an open no-contest plea to two counts each of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.

Family members described the devastating loss and asked for the maximum sentence. Circuit Judge A. Christian Miller imposed the 47-year term requested by prosecutors.

Fire & EMS Calls

Source: CrimeRadar–Ormond Beach. Listings reflect dispatch alerts and are not verified official reports.

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Events for Thursday, October 8, 2026

Ormond Beach

Daytona Beach

Events for Friday, October 9, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: ♻️ Household Hazardous Waste Collection, 8 a.m.–noon — Ormond Beach Public Works, 501 N. Orchard St., Ormond Beach. Free residential disposal of paint, batteries, chemicals and other accepted materials; bring proof of Volusia County residency. volusia.org

  • Event: 🏍️ Triketoberfest, activities begin at 9 a.m. — Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, 1637 N. U.S. Highway 1, Ormond Beach. Free admission, vendors, demonstrations and a free trike class from 9–11 a.m.; demo rides run until 4 p.m. Ormond Beach, FL 32174

  • Event: 🎃 Grace Lutheran Pumpkin Patch, noon–4:30 p.m. — Grace Lutheran Church, 338 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach. Browse pumpkins at the annual fall patch. www.observerlocalnews.com

  • Event: 🎨 Beginner Oil Pastel Workshop, 1–2:30 p.m. — Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach. Second session of Sylvia Gortz’s October 8–9 workshop for registered participants. www.ormondartmuseum.org

  • Event: 🎶 Sean Rodriguez Concert, 7 p.m. — Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. Highway 1, Ormond Beach. An evening of live music, faith and encouragement presented by The Cornerstone; tickets required. Official Website

Ormond-by-the-Sea

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🚚 Food Truck Friday, 5–8 p.m. — Florida Tennis Center, 1 Deuce Court, Daytona Beach. Choose dinner from local trucks including Tropisoul, JT’s Wiener Wagon and Hangry Eats. Food Truck Friday

  • Event: 🏐 Dig Pink Volleyball Block Party, 6–8 p.m. — Embry-Riddle ICI Center, 601 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach. Free community volleyball evening with food and giveaways supporting breast cancer awareness; wear pink. Daytona Beach, FL 32114

  • Event: 🎸 Night Live: Midnight Mayhem, 6–8:30 p.m. — GameTime Daytona, 250 Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach. Enjoy hits across the decades; the latest organizer update moves the performance indoors to GameTime because of weather.

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

Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Submit Your Event Here. OR scan the QR Code below

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