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Tomoka Elementary's Swift Rebuild Promises Early Completion and Cost Savings

Issue #052

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16 Dec

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⭐ In This Issue of Ormond Local Pulse ⭐

🌧 - Ormond Beach Weather - Heavy Rain, Hi 60’s, ESE Winds 30+mph

📰 - Daytona Beach Boat Parade Postponed Until Friday, 12/22
📢 - Got News?

weatherwx.com

Daytona Beach Boat Parade Postponed Until Friday, 12/22 Due to Weather

Photo - Halifax River Club

The popular Annual Daytona Beach Boat Parade scheduled for tonight, has been postponed until next Friday, 12/22. NOAA has forecast high winds and heavy rains, particularly later in the day. Updated information will be posted at the links below. 👇

Volusia County on Alert for Potentially Dangerous High Tides

Volusia County is facing a period of extremely high tides, prompting concerns about beach access and safety. Deputy Chief Tammy Malphurs of Volusia County Beach Safety has indicated that these conditions will make it difficult for both beachgoers and lifeguards, potentially affecting emergency response times. As a result, the public is being advised to stay out of the water.

The high tides and surf are expected to lead to longer periods of beach driving closures. There is also a risk of coastal erosion and property damage, although the county's Trap Bag system is hoped to provide some protection. The aftermath of the storm system is particularly worrying due to the anticipated dangerous rip currents, which are expected to persist into the following week.

Residents in coastal areas, especially in Wilbur-By-The-Sea, have varying levels of concern. Linda Abbott, a long-time resident, is particularly worried about the potential damage to her property, which has already suffered from previous storms. City officials are taking precautions by urging residents to secure outdoor items and have issued red flag warnings. The county has also proactively removed loose items from the beach to prevent them from causing harm during the high tide.

Tomoka Elementary's Swift Rebuild Promises Early Completion and Cost Savings

Volusia County

The reconstruction of Tomoka Elementary School in Ormond Beach isprogressing remarkably well, both in terms of time and budget. The Volusia County School Board has approved two change orders that have led to significant savings, reducing the project's cost by over $1.2 million from the original estimate of $49.3 million. The savings are largely due to the district's decision to purchase materials directly, thus benefiting from sales tax savings.

WELBRO Building Corporation, the company responsible for the construction, has been working efficiently, keeping the project ahead of schedule. School Board member Carl Persis noted the constant activity at the construction site, indicating a high level of dedication to the project. The initial completion date was set for July 2024, but the current pace suggests that the school might be ready for teachers to move in by the summer, ahead of the new academic year.

The original school building, which had been in use since 1968, was demolished in June, and the students and faculty are temporarily located at the former Osceola Elementary site. The rapid progress of the construction is a significant achievement for the district, as it has been some time since a project was completed within such a short timeframe. School Board Chair Jamie Haynes highlighted the efficiency of the project, comparing it favorably to other recent school constructions.


Social Media's Double-Edged Sword in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has led to a surge in social media use by individuals seeking information and expressing their views. However, experts from the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Applied Ethics Center warn that this trend could be counterproductive and dangerous. Social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, often by showing content that aligns with users' beliefs or provokes strong reactions. This approach can limit exposure to new knowledge and exacerbate emotional responses, particularly in a complex situation like the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Misinformation is a major concern, with countries like Russia, Iran, and China reportedly spreading false content to influence public opinion. The nature of social media also oversimplifies the complexities of the conflict, reducing intricate political and historical issues to brief, viral posts. As a result, the nuanced realities of the situation, such as the nature of Israeli settlements and the political stance of Hamas, are often lost or misrepresented.

Experts advise against relying solely on social media for news and political activism regarding the conflict. Instead, they recommend seeking information from diverse, credible news sources and engaging in real-world political activities for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the situation.

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.

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Andrea Ott’s Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards

Serving custom made charcuterie boards for families, gatherings, events, and more.

Andrea Ott

Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards owner and Ormond Beach resident Andrea Ott, is a 30 year Registered Nurse with the love of entertaining, cooking, and creating wonderful memories for her clients through food. Due to busy schedules, Andrea began creating these delicious works of art for her friends and family, at gatherings normally held at her home. This blossomed into the creation of Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards, so she can share her love with others in the greater Volusia and Flagler County areas.

Andrea Ott

Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards provides a unique and affordable solution to feeding small or large crowds with our no-fuss fancy feasting mentality. We don't want our customers to just graze, we want them to create an opportunity for social gatherings. We work with you directly to make your order perfect every time. Our hand-crafted and personal trays, boxes, platters, and tables are perfect for every day or making an impression at all social events, including a quiet date, birthday party, holiday, sporting event, business luncheon, wedding reception, and every event in between. The grazing style of eating provides you and your guests with a diverse meal plan that meets the individual needs and wants of every personal palate and diet, including those who may have special health and diet needs.

Andrea Ott

We're pleased to contribute to our community through various sponsorships and events. As a "Megaphone" sponsor for Seabreeze High School Cheer, we provide healthy snack options to athletes during games, practices, and competitions. Our community involvement extends beyond sports, as we have also participated in the Ormond Beach Police Department's "National Night Out" event at the Casements and sponsored the Seabreeze High School Future Farmers of America (FFA). Additionally, we are members of the Ormond Beach Historical Society, showing a deep commitment to local heritage.

Looking ahead, Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards aims to expand their offerings. Andrea envisions serving her expertly crafted charcuterie with a selection of fine wines in a relaxed environment.

If you’d like to book an event with Salty Beach Charcuterie Boards you can see more information at their website http://www.saltybeachcharcuterieboards.com, their Facebook Page or contact Andrea directly at 517-285-2894 or by email.

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