Secret Service Investigates Major Bank Fraud in Volusia County

Issue #027

⭐ In This Issue of Ormond Local Pulse ⭐

⛅ Ormond Beach Weather - Foggy Mornings, Stormy Wednesdays, and a Clear Thanksgiving

📰 Local - Housing Boom Leads to Major School Rezoning in Volusia County
📰 Local - Daytona Beach Sees Shift in Tourism Trends, Plans for 2024 Revival
📰 Local - Secret Service Investigates Major Bank Fraud in Volusia County
🗓 Holiday Closures
🏡 Real Estate Transactions

🎵 Entertainment - Lots Going On!
🔦 Business Spotlight - Auto Solutions, Ormond Beach

weatherbug.com

Ormond's weather today starts with varying fog levels in the morning, leading to increased cloudiness in the afternoon. Morning temperatures are set in the 60s, rising to the 70s later in the day, with a small chance of showers after 10 p.m. and light southeast winds. The weather outlook intensifies on Wednesday, with the possibility of strong storms, primarily posing risks of wind and lightning. However, the forecast for Thanksgiving is more promising, with clear skies and cooler temperatures providing a peaceful backdrop for the holiday.

Housing Boom Leads to Major School Rezoning in Volusia County

Volusia County is considering rezoning that could affect nearly 1,000 students, in response to the construction of over 200,000 new homes and uneven growth across the county. Last year, 16 schools were over capacity, with 17 projected to exceed limits this year. The school board's proposal includes rezoning four areas, with a fifth under consideration. The district is also contemplating structural changes in some schools, such as converting Holly Hill Schools to an elementary-only institution. Community meetings are underway, with official notifications and potential implementation of changes expected in the next academic year.

Secret Service Investigates Major Bank Fraud in Volusia County

A prominent business owner in Volusia County, who has been a long-standing client of Wells Fargo, recently fell victim to a series of unauthorized transactions that nearly drained $150,000 from his business account. Sources close to the matter report that Robert Branagh, the affected account holder, managed to recover approximately $24,000 that had been illicitly transferred to a personal account.

Branagh's ordeal began with a breach on August 17, which went unnoticed until August 29. By this time, a total of $149,296.48 had been siphoned off in various withdrawals. Bank records indicate that a significant sum of $10,000 was withdrawn on August 28, and an additional $530 was taken from his daughter's account the following day. The discovery of these unauthorized transactions was made only after his daughter inquired about the unexpected withdrawal from her account, prompting Branagh to scrutinize his other accounts.

Jamie Krygowski, an assistant special agent with the U.S. Secret Service's Orlando office, suggested that the account might have been targeted as a test by individuals involved in the trade of stolen account information. Krygowski explained that the pattern of small withdrawals followed by larger ones is indicative of testing the account's activity before executing more significant thefts.

In light of such incidents, the Secret Service strongly advises checking bank accounts daily and reporting any suspicious activity immediately to the bank and relevant authorities, including local law enforcement or the U.S. Secret Service.

Daytona Beach Sees Shift in Tourism Trends, Plans for 2024 Revival

In the wake of the pandemic, Daytona Beach's tourism industry is seeing a decline in guest numbers, a trend that is part of a statewide normalization after a COVID-19 surge. The industry faces heightened competition, leading to nationwide promotional efforts, including a notable 3D billboard in Times Square. Hotel and vacation rental managers are adapting to this new competitive environment, with particular concerns about the current state of the beaches affecting guest perceptions. The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is actively planning campaigns for 2024 to revitalize the area's tourism appeal.

RECENT AREA TRANSACTIONS

Plantation Pines

- Jennifer and Kirk Chung sold 370 Evergreen Lane to Sherri Lynn Pinkerton and Albert Pinkerton for $744,900.

Condos

- Garath Signorelli sold 640 North Nova Road, Unit 303, to Michael Fanning for $145,000.

- Michael Terence Gleaves sold 200 Lemon Tree Lane, Unit B, to Paula Pascoa for $240,000.

- Mary Lenz Fox and Phillip Arthur Fox sold 1183 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 6010, to Lyle and Christine Wollbrink for $460,000.

Ormond Beach

- In Chelsea Place, Craig Harner and Kathy Fiscus Harner sold 425 Chelsea Place Ave. to Thomas and Anne McCarthy for $519,900.

- In Halifax Plantation, D.R. Horton, Inc. sold 1317 Middle Lake Drive to Cody Alyn Collins and Erin Stewart Crimmins for $449,500.

- In Halifax Plantation, D.R. Horton, Inc. sold 1353 Cork Drive to Brian John Rayburn and Dana Reid Prough Rayburn for $369,000.

- In Hammock Trace, Ryan and Rachel Mosher sold 106 Roble Lane to Emin Cay for $525,000.

- In Hunters Ridge, Ricardo and Lexxie Shelton sold 48 Pergola Place to Michele Malit for $410,000.

- In Saddlers Run, Sherri Lynn Pinkerton and Albert Pinkerton sold 51 Saddlers Run to Kirstan Elizabeth Jones and Jon-Michael Joseph Smith for $440,000.

Ormond By the Sea

- In River Breeze Estates, Barbara Belletini Fields, as trustee, sold 1214 Riverbreeze Blvd. to James and Jolene Irwin, as trustees, for $375,000.

- In Seaside Homes, Barry and Dawn Krikke sold 59 Seaside Drive to Karen McDonald and Jolann Simciak for $355,000.

The following Thanksgiving schedules will be in effect:

Effective Thanksgiving Day the altered route and service times are as follows:

East Volusia:

Routes 1, 3, 4, 10, 15, and 17 will follow a regular Sunday schedule, operating from the Intermodal Transit Facility at the Ocean Center Parking Garage.

Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 18, 19, and 60 will not be in service.

Waste Pro will not run on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2023. Thursday routes will be collected on Friday, November 24, 2023, and Friday routes will be collected on Saturday, November 25, 2023.

Holiday Store Closing Schedules

CLOSED


Contrary to last year, most Walgreens stores will be closed this Thanksgiving.

Other stores such as Publix, Aldi, Costco, BJ's Wholesale Club, Sam's Club, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Target will all be closed.

Dicks Sporting Goods, Home Depot, Kohls, and Macy's will be closed on Thanksgiving also.

OPEN

Rest assured you'll still be able to grab your favorite gingerbread latte because Starbucks will also be open on Thanksgiving. Retail stores such as CVS and Dollar General will remain open on Thanksgiving.

Do you have a closure you’d like to have posted? Contact us here.

Tue Nov 21
Wed Nov 22

Thu Nov 23 (Thanksgiving

Fri Nov 24

Sat Nov 25

Sun Nov 26

—Watch for More Events—

Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Contact us here.

Auto Solutions of Ormond Beach

Located in the heart of Ormond Beach, Florida, **Auto Solutions** stands out as a premier auto repair shop. With a commitment to providing top-notch services, this establishment has carved a niche for itself in the local community.

A Different Approach to Auto Service

Auto Solutions is not just another auto repair shop. They pride themselves on offering a unique approach to automotive service. Their primary goal is to return to their customers a safe, reliable, and well-maintained vehicle without breaking the bank.

Services Offered

From basic oil changes to intricate engine diagnostics, Auto Solutions covers a broad spectrum of services. Some of their key offerings include:

  • - Heating and A/C Repair

  • - Engine Diagnostics

  • - Air Filters Replacement

  • - Cooling System Repair

  • - Brake Repair

  • - Transmission Repair

  • - Tune-Ups

  • - Wheel Alignments

    - And much more!

Certified Excellence

Auto Solutions boasts ASE Master Certified and ASE Certified Technicians. This ensures that every vehicle they service receives the best care from highly trained professionals. Additionally, they back their work with a 3-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty, giving customers peace of mind.

Customer-Centric Approach

The testimonials from their clientele speak volumes about their dedication to customer satisfaction. Whether it's the transparency in their services or the fairness in their pricing, Auto Solutions has garnered trust and appreciation from many. Their commitment to honest service is evident in the positive feedback they consistently receive.

Staying Prepared with Regular Training

Understanding the importance of being prepared, Auto Solutions regularly conducts training sessions for their team. This ensures that they are always up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies in the auto repair industry.

Contact & Location

For those in Ormond Beach and nearby areas, Auto Solutions is conveniently located at 194 S. Nova Road. They can be reached at (386) 766-7303 or via email at [email protected].

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