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  • ⭐Deputy Stalking Arrest, New Benefits For OB Employees, "No Kings" Protests Peaceful

⭐Deputy Stalking Arrest, New Benefits For OB Employees, "No Kings" Protests Peaceful

Issue #876

29 Mar

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Volusia County Branch Jail

👮‍♀️We start this Sunday with a story out of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office that is equal parts disturbing and, ultimately, a testament to how law enforcement accountability is supposed to work. James Kleeman, a 65-year-old part-time prisoner transport deputy hired in 2012, was arrested Wednesday on charges of stalking and illegally installing tracking devices after allegedly placing Apple AirTags on both his former domestic partner's vehicle and her daughter's vehicle. The relationship had ended the previous month. The victim had reportedly first discovered an AirTag in her vehicle the previous year; in February she found another one. Ring doorbell footage then showed Kleeman crawling underneath her daughter's car and returning to the victim's home on multiple occasions since their separation.

The arrest timing is worth noting: while the victim was in the middle of giving her statement to detectives in DeLand, Kleeman arrived at the location and parked directly behind her vehicle. Detectives searched both cars and found AirTags on each. Kleeman acknowledged placing them but denied he was following her. He was suspended without pay on Wednesday and fired Thursday. He was initially denied bond, then released later that same day. The Volusia Sheriff's Office moved swiftly and without ambiguity once the evidence was clear — and the evidence was very clear.

✦

💲In decidedly more procedural news, the City of Ormond Beach is moving toward a new employee benefits broker for the first time in over 17 years. Following a workshop on March 24, commissioners indicated their preference for local firm Foundation Risk Partners over The Gehring Group — the latter being the renamed incarnation of Brown and Brown, which had handled the city's benefits brokerage since before many current employees were hired. The shift isn't without complications: two commissioners will need to abstain from the formal vote due to conflicts of interest, one because he works for FRP and another because her son does.

The fee difference is real and worth noting. FRP is proposing $99,102 annually on a five-year contract; The Gehring Group proposed $75,000 for the first three years, stepping up modestly in years four and five. The majority of commissioners appear willing to pay the premium if FRP can deliver on the innovation and employee satisfaction it promised — one commissioner spoke with more than 26 city employees across departments before the workshop and found that most wanted a change. Mayor Jason Leslie was the lone voice favoring the lower-cost option. The formal vote is still ahead.

✦

Saturday's No Kings protests, came and went peacefully across the region. Crowds gathered at the foot of the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach, outside Daytona Beach City Hall, and at the Flagler Beach intersection of Moody Boulevard and A1A, as part of a national day of demonstrations organized in response to immigration enforcement policies, military actions, and broader concerns about executive power. The rallies extended well beyond Volusia and Flagler — downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, DeLand, The Villages, Cocoa, Sanford, Leesburg, and Ocala all saw turnout. Organizers described all events as peaceful.

Sources
"Part-Time Transport Deputy Arrested on Stalking Charges" — News Daytona Beach, March 2026
"Foundation Risk Partners poised to serve as Ormond Beach's next employee benefits broker" — Ormond Observer, March 27, 2026
"'No Kings' rallies draw crowds across Central Florida" — WESH, March 28, 2026

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📅 Sunday, March 29, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🏍️ Social & Leisure

  • Live Music at Saints & Sinners Pub

    • Close out your weekend with a laid-back Sunday afternoon at Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson. Walk the lot, grab a drink, and catch a live performance from local band Insomnia at the on-site Saints & Sinners Pub.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson (1637 N US-1)

🍿 Arts & Culture

  • Sunday Cinema: Sherlock Holmes (2009)

    • Looking for a quiet, free indoor activity to escape the afternoon heat? The Ormond Beach Regional Library is hosting a free, in-person screening of the action-packed mystery Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr.

    • Time: Afternoon (Check with the library for exact showtime)

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S Beach St)

🌺 Nature & Relaxation

  • Sunday Stroll at OMAM Gardens

    • Enjoy a completely free, peaceful Sunday walk through the lush, tropical gardens at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. The gardens are shaded, quiet, and feature beautiful water elements and hidden sculptures—a perfect contrast to the busy festivals happening further south.

    • Time: Open all day from sunrise to sunset

    • Location: 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

📍 Holly Hill

🐰 Fresh & Local

  • Holly Hill Easter Riverside Market

    • Get a jump on the holiday celebrations! The weekly Riverside Market is hosting a massive Easter edition today. Kids can bring their baskets to collect goodies from vendors, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and enjoy egg hunts and sack races. Meanwhile, adults can shop for fresh produce and local crafts while listening to live music by Ken Fisher.

    • Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Easter Bunny pictures from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

    • Location: Sunrise Park (1135 Riverside Dr)

    • Pro-Tip: Extra parking is available at Holly Hill City Hall!

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Sunday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Wrap up your weekend on the courts! Pictona is the buzzing heart of Holly Hill on Sunday mornings. With 49 courts available, it is the perfect spot for open play. Grab a post-game lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM)

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

📍 Daytona Beach

🚗 Major Events & Festivals

  • 36th Annual Spring Daytona Turkey Run (Final Day)

    • It's the last day of this massive classic car weekend! The Sunday schedule is a bit shorter, but it's still packed with thousands of hot rods, the giant swap meet, and the Artisan Alley. Plus, if you have kids, they are hosting a special Turkey Run Easter Egg Hunt right at the Speedway this morning!

    • Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 AM)

    • Location: Daytona International Speedway (1801 W International Speedway Blvd)

    • Cost: $10 Admission for Sunday (Kids 11 and under are free)

  • 7th Annual ONE DAYTONA Art Festival (Final Day)

    • Wrap up your weekend strolling through this award-winning, open-air celebration of fine art. Explore exhibits from over 120 juried fine artists and craft artisans, enjoy live music on the Victory Circle stage, and check out the interactive Kid's Zone.

    • Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: ONE DAYTONA (1 Daytona Blvd)

    • Cost: Free admission

📅 Monday, March 30, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

📚 Community

  • LENT DINNER CHURCH AT TOMOKA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

      Time: 6:00pm
      Location: Tomoka United Methodist Church Bleekman Hall, 1000 Old Tomoka Rd. - Ormond Beach

  • eLab Open Assistance

    • Need some tech help to start the week? Drop into the library's eLab for free, one-on-one assistance with basic computer skills, cover letter and resume building, email setup, or navigating job applications.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (LaunchPad, 30 S Beach St)

  • Master Gardener Plant Clinic

    • Bring your gardening questions, pest issues, or sickly plant clippings! Volusia County Master Gardeners are on-site to offer free, expert advice to help your spring garden thrive.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S Beach St)

🎨 Arts & Culture

  • Monday Afternoon at OMAM

    • Start your week with some quiet inspiration. The Ormond Memorial Art Museum is open for peaceful gallery viewing, and the surrounding tropical gardens remain a perfect, shaded spot for a mid-day walk.

    • Time: Museum hours 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Monday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Start your week on the courts! With the weekend tournaments and festivals wrapped up, the 49-court facility returns to its standard open-play schedule. Drop in for a few games to get the blood pumping.

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

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

  • FHCP Club Hub Games

    • Not in the mood to sweat on the courts? Pictona hosts the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room. It is a relaxed, welcoming indoor space for the community to gather, socialize, and play Mahjong, cards, chess, and backgammon.

    • Time: All Day

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

📍 Daytona Beach

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • US-92 Mixed-Use Public Hearing

    • Local city business is back in session. Residents are welcome to attend this public meeting regarding the upcoming US-92 Mixed-Use development project.

    • Time: 6:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Beach City Hall or designated event location (1820 Checker Flag Blvd, Daytona Beach)

🃏 Social & Community Games

  • Monday Afternoon Euchre

    • Gather with locals for a friendly, competitive afternoon of the classic trick-taking card game, Euchre. It's a great way to socialize and keep your mind sharp.

    • Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

  • Chair Volleyball

    • A fantastic, low-impact way to stay active! This highly popular Monday afternoon activity gets you moving and laughing without the strain of traditional sports.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

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