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Volusia County to Witness Major Housing Development with Beck's Habitat for Humanity Initiative

Issue #082

Author

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19 Jan

Volusia County to Witness Major Housing Development with Beck's Habitat for Humanity Initiative

Jeff Beck's decision to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity over 15 years ago has led to transformative changes in Volusia County. His company, TopBuild Corp., joined him in supporting the organization, contributing millions in cash, labor, and materials. This support has been crucial for local residents struggling with housing affordability.

Beck, who holds a leadership role at TopBuild, began his involvement with Habitat by volunteering on weekends. This personal commitment evolved into a corporate partnership, with TopBuild employees participating in building projects and fundraising activities.

As president of the board for Habitat's Greater Volusia County branch, Beck has overseen significant contributions from TopBuild, including $2.5 million in cash over five years. The company's involvement extends to providing volunteer labor and discounted services.

The organization is now undertaking a major project, Legacy Woods, to build a 40-home community on donated land off Flomich St.. This initiative aims to create affordable housing options amidst rising construction costs. Beck's commitment to Habitat's mission is evident in his hands-on approach, meeting each homeowner and advocating for the organization's philosophy of earning homeownership.

Axiom Space's Chartered SpaceX Mission Takes Off with Astronauts from Three Nations

Turkey's inaugural astronaut, along with colleagues from Sweden and Italy, launched to the International Space Station on a SpaceX flight chartered by Axiom Space. The mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, is a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, marking the third such journey organized by these entities.

The crew, all experienced military pilots, is led by retired NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, now working for Axiom Space. They are scheduled to spend two weeks on the ISS, conducting experiments and engaging with students, before their return to Earth.

The mission's cost exceeds $55 million per astronaut, reflecting the recent trend of commercial space travel, a domain in which NASA has only recently started participating. The crew includes Alper Gezeravci, Turkey's first astronaut and a symbol of the country's expanding space ambitions; Marcus Wandt from Sweden, a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency; and Walter Villadei of Italy, an Air Force Colonel with prior space experience.

The astronauts have brought with them items of national significance, including a Nobel Prize medal, fusilli pasta, and tokens of Turkey’s nomadic culture. Lopez-Alegria, making his fifth spaceflight, is recognized as the only person to fly multiple times on SpaceX's Dragon capsule.

New Costco Store in Daytona Beach to Employ Over 300, Skips Enhanced Amenity Fee

Costco is hiring 300-350 employees for its new store at One Daytona, offering a starting wage of $18.50 per hour plus benefits. The store, opening on February 22, is the first Costco location in Volusia County. A temporary hiring and membership sales office has been set up at the Shoppes at One Daytona. The store is looking to fill various roles, including customer service associates, cashiers, and pharmacy technicians.

Unique to this location, Costco will not charge the 1% enhanced amenity fee common in other One Daytona establishments. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce. Costco offers two types of memberships, with local purchases at the temporary office contributing to the store's opening day numbers.

The new 161,774-square-foot store will include a members-only gas station and feature a checkerboard exterior pattern. Costco aims to tailor its product selection to the local community's needs and plans to donate 1% of its profits to local nonprofits and schools. The company's philosophy is to offer quality products at competitive prices, not necessarily the cheapest options, with some items available at special low prices for a limited time.

FSIS Warns Against Consumption of Uninspected Frozen Pork Dumplings

Image: USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for raw, frozen pork dumpling products from Dim Sum Factory Inc. The alert was issued because these products were produced and distributed without federal inspection. The affected products are 1.5-pound vacuum-packed packages of "GOGO DUMPLING Pork & Shepherd's Purse Wontons (Handmade)," produced since September 6, 2023, with an 18-month shelf life. They are identifiable by the establishment number "EST. 1656" and were distributed in New York and sold online nationwide.

The issue was discovered during FSIS's routine surveillance, revealing that the production site was not officially part of Dim Sum Factory Inc. and lacked federal inspection. While no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported, the FSIS advises consumers who have purchased these products to avoid consuming them and either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Recent Arrests

Ormond Beach Police Department

  • David B. Livesay, a 39-year-old resident of Ormond Beach, was apprehended on January 5th, facing charges of petit theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. His bail has been set at $3,000.

Volusia County Sherrif’s Office

  • Laura Gagne, 35, from Ormond Beach, apprehended on January 6, charged with aggravated battery. Bail established at $100,000.

  • Clint Allen Barts, 43, resident of Ormond Beach, arrested on January 10, facing charges for cocaine possession, trafficking in amphetamine/methamphetamine and fentanyl, and non-violent resistance to an officer.

  • Johnathan Scott Bartlett, 37, of Ormond Beach, taken into custody on January 11, charged with battery. No bail was set.

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