NOTE: Sometimes Gmail will cutoff the end of the newsletter. You can always view online..Also if missing check the “Promotions’ and “Spam” folders and drag to inbox. 👇👇👇👇👇

Venue Fire Forces Delay of Anticipated Ormond Beach Golf Course Rezoning Hearing

The public hearing scheduled for March 19 for the rezoning of Tomoka Reserve in Ormond Beach has been postponed again due to a fire at the intended venue, the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center. City officials are in the process of finding an alternative location to host the hearing, given the high level of public interest in the matter. The City Commission's regular meeting will still occur on March 19 at City Hall, but it will not cover the rezoning issue. The city has assured that the new date and location for the hearing will be advertised well in advance.

Graham Johnston - From Eagle Scout to Community Leader with Flag Retirement Project

Graham Johnston, a Seabreeze High School freshman and Boy Scout, has successfully completed his Eagle Scout service project by installing two U.S. flag retirement drop boxes in Ormond Beach. Drawing from his early experiences with flag retirement, Johnston identified a community need for a proper flag disposal method. With the support of the Ormond Rotary and community donations totaling $3,320, he installed the boxes at Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Post 267. The project reflects Johnston's commitment to his community and the values instilled in him through scouting. As he moves forward, Johnston aims to achieve his Cambridge AICE diploma while staying active in his troop.

See Full Story Here

Volusia County Grapples with Rising Homelessness Amid Statewide Surge

Florida is witnessing a significant rise in homelessness, with Volusia County experiencing a notable increase. The Florida Council on Homelessness's 2023 report indicates a 19.1% rise in the state's homeless population, with over a thousand individuals counted as homeless in Volusia/Flagler counties. Efforts to humanize these statistics include insights from Dr. Victoria Fahlberg of First Step Shelter, who notes an uptick in elderly individuals facing homelessness due to economic pressures. DeLand has responded with ordinance amendments to better manage homelessness, focusing on providing support rather than punitive measures. The issue is central to the Volusia County Chair election, highlighting the need for collaborative, compassionate solutions.

Read Full Story Here

Volusia County School Board Approves Move of Alternative Education Program to Ormond Beach

The Volusia County School Board has approved the relocation of the Alternative Education Program from Riverview Learning Center in Daytona Beach to the former Osceola Elementary School in Ormond Beach for the upcoming fall semester. This move addresses the program's expansion and operational challenges, such as the need for additional space and the logistical difficulty of managing two distant schools by one principal. The decision, which aims to repurpose the Riverview facility for much-needed office space, has received support from the community and school officials, despite some concerns about the new location's centrality and traffic. The transition is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational offerings and operational efficiency within the district.

Read Full Story Here

Florida Ranks Low Among States in National Obesity Epidemic Report

The United States faces a severe obesity epidemic, incurring an annual cost of over $190 billion in medical treatments and causing significant productivity losses valued at around $4.3 million. A WalletHub report reveals that nearly 42% of U.S. adults are obese, making Americans one of the most overweight populations worldwide. Among Florida cities evaluated, Orlando ranked the highest at 71st, although Florida itself ranked 31st among states, indicating a lower average obesity rate compared to the top-ranked states of Mississippi and Louisiana. The findings highlight the economic and health challenges posed by obesity across the nation.

See Full Story Here

⭐⭐Local Business Directory⭐⭐
Please Patronize Your Local Businesses!

⭐⭐⭐ NEW FEATURE ⭐⭐⭐

😊😊😊😊😊 Have A Great Day

TECH NOTE: Some readers using the Edge browser have reported getting warning messages that they are attempting to access an unsafe site. This is a glitch in the Edge browser. If you switch to Chrome, Firefox or Safari you should have no problems. Rest assured our site IS SAFE

OUR NEWS POLICY: Our goal is to provide locally relevant news and articles for Ormond residents. This may include local issues, county and state news affecting Ormond Beach, and other matters such as health, technology, pets, etc.. We hope to provide something of interest to all readers. We welcome your feedback here