⭐ In This Issue of Ormond Local Pulse ⭐

☁ - Ormond Beach Weather - Cloudy, Highs-Hi 60’s, Passing Showers

📰 - Amazon, Walmart, and Target Halt Sales of Child-Marketed Water Beads

📰 - Daytona Beach Scout Leader Arrested for Child Molestation Charges

⚙ - Technology - Meta Accelerates AI Features in New Ray-Ban Glasses

📢 - Got News?

🎈 - Events - Lots Going On!

🔦 -Business Spotlight - We’d Like To Spotlight YOUR Business!

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Amazon, Walmart, and Target Halt Sales of Child-Marketed Water Beads

In response to safety concerns, major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are revising their policies on water beads, a popular children's product. These changes come after a Consumer Reports (CR) investigation highlighted the potential hazards of these beads, which are made from a super-absorbent polymer. The investigation revealed that water beads, often resembling candy, pose significant risks when swallowed, inhaled, or inserted in ears or noses, as they can expand inside the body. Emergency room visits linked to water bead incidents reached about 7,800 from 2016 to 2022.

Amazon will stop selling water beads marketed for children, including as toys and art supplies. This policy also extends to Orbeez, a well-known water bead brand, and beads sold as ammunition for gel blaster guns. Walmart's new policy prohibits the sale of water bead toys and craft supplies for children under age 9. Target, after initially declining to comment, stated it would cease selling water beads to children under 12.

Etsy and AliExpress have gone further, banning water beads entirely on their platforms. Ebay has had a policy for several years against selling water beads as toys and mandates warnings on non-toy listings. Meanwhile, other companies like Wish and Shein are less proactive, citing adherence to local laws or vague measures to address the issue. Michaels, an arts and crafts store, did not respond to inquiries.

These policy changes coincide with growing awareness of water beads' dangers. A recent recall involved a water bead product linked to an infant's death, prompting the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue new warnings. There's also legislative attention, with U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. proposing a bill to ban water bead sales as toys.

The CR investigation and subsequent retailer responses underline the need for clearer, binding regulations to ensure children's safety and maintain industry standards.

See full story at Consumer Reports

Daytona Beach Scout Leader Arrested for Child Molestation Charges

A Daytona Beach scout leader was arrested for molesting a 14-year-old girl, following an investigation by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Unit. The 48-year-old Assistant Scoutmaster, known to the victim's family, faces multiple charges. He was taken into custody after detectives located him in the Daytona Beach area, and he has confessed to the crimes. The incidents did not occur at Scout events, and he is being held without bond. The public is encouraged to report any similar incidents to the Child Exploitation Unit.

See full story at Volusia County Sheriff

Meta Accelerates AI Features in New Ray-Ban Glasses

Meta (Facebook) has launched advanced AI features in its second-generation Ray-Ban glasses earlier than expected, now available in an early-access beta. These features allow the glasses to interpret visual data and respond to voice commands, as demonstrated in a recent showcase at Meta's New York headquarters. The glasses can identify objects and provide information, but they require specific voice prompts and operate by taking photos. The AI's responses and images are stored in the Meta View phone app, offering potential for record-keeping and assistive technology uses.

The AI, while innovative, has limitations and occasional inaccuracies. Meta aims to refine these features, with future versions expected to integrate more sensory data and operate more autonomously. The company is using anonymized data from the early-access phase to enhance AI services, with a focus on improving privacy controls in the final release. This development marks a significant milestone in the wearable AI technology sector.

See detailed story by Scott Stein at CNET

Our goal is to provide Ormond Beach readers with news that's relevant to our area. The BIG news sources don't always reach to the "micro-level", so we need your help! We welcome your input for news of local happenings that would be of interest to Ormond readers. Neighborhood news, events, etc., are all welcome. Got photos? Great! If you fancy yourself a writer we'd welcome your participation.

You can enter event information on this form, or for important, urgent news items feel free to text us at 386-444-2002 with information about your news. We will get back to you for details.

Wed Dec 13

• Holiday Blues Bash, 6pm-10pm

  Blues & Brews Bistro, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

• Open Mic Night at Kava Kula, 8-11pm

  Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

Thu Dec 14

• Ormond Beach Farmer's Market, 8am-1pm

  City Hall Plaza, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach

Fri Dec 15

• Esh x Schief, 6pm-10pm

  Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

• Crashrocket Live at Saints and Sinners, 6 – 10 PM

  Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

Sat Dec 16

• Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade 2023, 6pm

  Halifax River Yacht Club, 331 S Beach St, Daytona Beach

Sun Dec 17

• Occasional Astronauts, 1-5pm

  Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

—Watch for More Events—

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