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⭐ Volusia Firefighter Who Defied the Odds Retires After Distinguished Career

Issue #488

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03 Mar

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Volusia Firefighter Who Defied the Odds Retires After Distinguished Career

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Lt. Bill Henry, the first amputee firefighter in the United States, has retired after 25 years of service with Volusia County Fire Rescue. A motorcycle accident in 2000 led to the loss of his left leg below the knee, but he returned to duty with a prosthetic limb, setting a precedent for inclusivity in emergency services. Promoted to lieutenant in 2004, Henry served in multiple specialized units, including Technical Rescue and HazMat, and assisted in wildfire efforts in Idaho and Montana. His resilience and leadership inspired fellow firefighters and amputees alike, with colleagues describing him as a dedicated mentor and formidable presence in the field. His legacy extends beyond his own department, as he has helped other amputees pursue careers in firefighting. As he steps away from duty, Henry leaves behind a career defined by perseverance and a commitment to service that has reshaped perceptions in the fire industry.

Two Fatal Motorcycle Crashes Mark Somber Start to Daytona Beach Bike Week

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The opening weekend of Daytona Beach’s annual Bike Week was marred by two fatal motorcycle crashes in Volusia and Flagler counties, underscoring the inherent dangers of the event’s high volume of riders on Florida’s roads.

The first crash occurred early Sunday morning in Flagler Beach, where a 54-year-old Palm Coast man lost his life. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist was traveling south on State Road A1A when he attempted to pass an SUV. In doing so, he struck a raised concrete median, causing his motorcycle to overturn multiple times. He was ejected from the bike and was found in the center median, while his motorcycle came to rest in the northbound lane. Despite wearing a helmet, the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later that same day, just after noon, another fatal crash took place in Barberville at the intersection of State Road 40 and Cypress Street. A 68-year-old Ocala man was eastbound on a Harley-Davidson when an SUV turned left into his path. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the motorcyclist laid the bike down, but the force of the maneuver propelled him forward, causing him to strike the rear of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV, a 35-year-old DeLand woman, was unharmed and remained at the crash site as authorities investigated.

These fatalities mark a grim beginning to Bike Week, an event that annually draws hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists to Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas. The weekend also saw at least one other serious motorcycle accident in Flagler Beach on Friday night, in which a rider sustained life-threatening injuries.

As investigations into both crashes continue, officials urge riders and drivers alike to remain vigilant amid the influx of motorcycle traffic.

Source: Multiple Online Sources

  • 1284 – The Statute of Rhuddlan is enacted, integrating Wales into England under King Edward I.

  • 1820 – The Missouri Compromise is passed by the U.S. Congress, allowing Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

  • 1845 – Florida is admitted as the 27th U.S. state.

  • 1849 – The U.S. Department of the Interior is established.

  • 1875 – The first recorded indoor ice hockey game is played in Montreal, Canada.

  • 1875 – Georges Bizet's opera Carmen premieres in Paris.

  • 1885 – The American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T) is incorporated.

  • 1913 – The Women’s Suffrage Parade takes place in Washington, D.C., one day before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration.

  • 1918 – The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed between Russia and the Central Powers, ending Russia’s participation in World War I.

  • 1931 – "The Star-Spangled Banner" is adopted as the national anthem of the United States.

  • 1945 – The Allies fully secure Manila from Japanese forces during World War II.

  • 1969 – Apollo 9 is launched to test the lunar module in Earth orbit.

  • 1991 – An amateur video captures the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers, sparking nationwide outrage.

  • 2005 – Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly an airplane solo, nonstop, around the world without refueling.

  • 2020 – The first known case of COVID-19 is reported in New York State.

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Ormond North Beach Cam at Ormond Lifeguard Station
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  • Mon Feb 3

  • Event: Shuffle Board, Monday-Saturday, 9am, 9 – 10 AM
    New Smyrna Beach Shuffle Board Courts, 150 S Pine St, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Blistur: Sopotnick's Cabbage Patch Bar - New..., 2 – 6 PM
    Sopotnick's Cabbage Patch Bar, 549 Co Rd 415, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Whey Jennings: DAYTONA BIKE WEEK AT IRON HORSE, 4 – 8 PM
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Monday Show in Ormond Beach!, 4 – 10 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Trike Show by Bike Show Mafia, 4 – 9 PM
    1637 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: HIPPIES AND COWBOYS, 5:30 – 11:30 PM
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Beachside Bar Deck & Grill — The Friends of Rock, 6 – 10 PM
    Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: IRON HORSE SALOON — bobbyfriss.com, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Monday Karaoke at Grind Gastropub, 6 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: MOONSHINE BANDITS, March 3 – March 4
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

    Tue Mar 4

  • Event: Master Gardening Plant Clinic, 10 AM – 12 PM
    Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: The Tech Tutor, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
    Ormond In The Pines Senior Living, 101 Clyde Morris Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Semi-Private Training: 1 Day, 12 – 2 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Battle at The Beaver Bar Bike Show, 11 AM – 4 PM
    The Beaver Bar, 1105 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Authentic Gemstone Jewelry Class, 1 – 3 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Watercolor Workshop - Bibi Gromling, 1 – 4 PM
    Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Harley-Davidson & Renegade Babes Women's Ride-In, 3 – 8 PM
    1637 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: DGS Live!, 2:30 PM
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: HIPPIES AND COWBOYS, March 4 – March 5
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Beachside Bar Deck & Grill — The Friends of Rock, 6 – 10 PM
    Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: City Commission Meeting, 7 PM
    Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach

  • Event: MOONSHINE BANDITS, March 3 – March 4
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Bike Week at the Boot Hill Outpost, Feb 28 – Mar 9
    1089 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Daytona Beach Bike Week, Feb 26 – Mar 9
    Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson Dealership and Showroom, 1637 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Daytona Bike Week, Feb 28 – Mar 9
    Corbin Pacific Inc, 1433 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Mardi Gras & Bike Week — River Grille, Feb 28 – Mar 9
    RiverGrille on the Tomoka, 950 US-1, Ormond Beach

    Wed Mar 5

  • Ormond By The Sea Lions Club Meeting, 6:30 PM,
    Alfies Restaurant, 1666 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
    All Are Welcome!  More info at (386) 441-4421

  • Ormond Beach Garden Club Meeting, 9:30am - 12pm

    The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
    The Ormond Beach Garden Club meets every 1st Wednesday from

  • Event: Site Plan Review Committee, 9:00 AM
    10X Ormond Beach Apartments, 600 Crowne Commerce Ct, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Broken Spoke Saloon, 2:30 PM
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Mixed Media Night Light or Suncatcher Class, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: BEACHSIDE MUSIC, 6:30 PM
    Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Wednesday Karaoke at the OB with HARRYOKE!, 6:30 – 10:30 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Corner Bar and Grill, 709 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Hairball, 7:00 PM
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Wednesday is BINGO Night at Kava Kula, 8:00 – 10:00 PM
    Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach

  • Event: SAINTS & SINNERS — The Friends of Rock, 8:00 – 11:55 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Highway To Hell at Iron Horse Saloon - Daytona, 2:00 AM
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: 84th annual Bike Week - Second Weekend
    1637 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Daytona Beach Bike Week
    Corbin Pacific Inc, 1433 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Mardi Gras & Bike Week — River Grille
    RiverGrille on the Tomoka, 950 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Bike Week at the Boot Hill Outpost
    1089 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Watercolor Workshop with artist Bibi Gromling
    Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

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