⭐ Ormond Beach Makes Fluoride Ban Official in Water Supply

Issue #494

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07 Mar

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Ormond Beach Makes Fluoride Ban Official in Water Supply

The Ormond Beach City Commission voted 4-0 on March 4 to amend its code, making the removal of fluoride from the city’s water supply official. The decision follows guidance from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who cited potential neuropsychiatric risks associated with fluoride exposure. The city had fluoridated its water since 1957, and its removal is expected to save approximately $14,800 annually.

Supporters of the move, including Commissioner Travis Sargent, framed it as a return to “pure water” and an issue of personal choice. Opponents, however, argued that the decision disregarded scientific consensus and could disproportionately affect low-income residents. Experts from the CDC and ADA continue to advocate for fluoridation as an effective way to prevent cavities.

With both state and federal discussions on fluoride policy looming, the commission’s vote reflects broader national debates over public health and government intervention.

Rare Right Whale Mother and Calf Spotted Off Ormond Beach

Photo courtesy of the Marine Right Whale Project/Zoe Rauscher, NOAA Permit #25652

A mother-calf pair of North Atlantic right whales was spotted near Ormond Beach on February 23, with the mother identified as Platypus by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last seen in January without a calf, her appearance confirms she was pregnant at the time. This marks the 10th calf of the season for the critically endangered species.

That same day, 15 right whales, including four calves, were recorded in Florida waters, making it a significant day for sightings, according to the Marineland Right Whale Project. Additionally, humpback whales have been observed in the region, with one seen passing Marineland on February 26.

Conservationists urge the public to report sightings to the Right Whale Hotline at 1-888-979-4253, as each report helps in monitoring and protecting the fragile whale population.

Illegal Chinese National Detained in Daytona Beach Over Military Trespassing Case

Photo: 7th Circuit State Attorney’s Office

Federal agents detained Xin Yuan, a Chinese national, in Daytona Beach on March 6 as he arrived for a misdemeanor trial. Yuan, 37, was in the U.S. illegally and had an open trespassing case at the Naval Air Station in Key West, where he was arrested last year. Authorities found photos on his phone of military installations, firearms, and monuments nationwide.

Yuan was previously warned for trespassing at another military base in Wyoming. In January, he was cited in Daytona Beach Shores for traffic violations, prompting prosecutors to investigate his background. Homeland Security was alerted to his court appearance, leading to his detention.

Authorities coordinated efforts between the 7th Circuit State Attorney’s Office and federal agents, citing the case as an example of law enforcement cooperation. Yuan remains under federal custody, with his Key West trial scheduled for March 31.

Recent Arrests

Ormond Beach Police Department
• William R. Westervelt, 35, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 21 for possession of a weapon by a felon. No bail.
• Vanessa L. Hildenbrand, 49, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 22 for armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm. Bail: $20,000.

Holly Hill Police Department
• Ivory Eugene Robinson, 29, of Holly Hill, arrested Feb. 24 for domestic battery by strangulation and resisting arrest. Bail: $1,000.
• James Nelson Walker, 47, of Holly Hill, arrested Feb. 26 for possession of child pornography and sexual contact with an animal. No bail.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office
• Mason T. Meyer, 24, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 21 for trafficking cocaine, possession of multiple drugs and paraphernalia, and unlawful use of a communication device. Bail: $34,500.
• Mark Todd Meyer, 57, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 21 for possession of cocaine, cannabis, a controlled substance, and paraphernalia. Bail: $7,000.
• Robert J. Martinson, 50, of Holly Hill, arrested Feb. 23 for grand theft, possession of cannabis, a controlled substance, and paraphernalia, and driving with a canceled license. Bail: $6,250.
• James P. Crowley, 30, of Holly Hill, arrested Feb. 23 for trafficking fentanyl, grand theft, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence. Bail: $5,500.
• Kaitlyn R. Walker, 31, of Holly Hill, arrested Feb. 23 for possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence. Bail: $5,500.
• Brent Sanders, 57, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 27 for grand theft, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, and burglary. Bail: $10,500.
• Bryana D. Carman, 30, of Ormond Beach, arrested Feb. 27 for possession of cocaine and paraphernalia, and driving with a canceled license. Bail: $3,150.

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Fri Mar 7

  • Event: Steel Oak Coffee - Free Friday Tastings, 12 PM
    Steel Oak Coffee, 187 S Yonge St, Ormond Beach

  • Event: V-Twin Visionary Performance Bike Show, 2 PM
    1637 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Boogie East Chopper Show, 2 – 7 PM
    Annie Oakleys Saloon, 1481 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Movies on the Halifax - Luck of the Irish, 6:30 PM
    Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Friday 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: The Breakaway Band at Hang Dawg Saloon, 9 PM
    Hang Dawg Saloon, 1065 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Big Engine: Saints & Sinners Friday Night, 7 – 11 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Spyro Gyra, 7:30 PM
    Ormond Beach Performing Arts, 399 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Jimmy Ali - Live Fridays at "The Grind", 9:00 – 11:59 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: SALIVA at Iron Horse Saloon - Bike Week, 1 AM
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Hairball, March 7 – 8
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Open Mic Event, Ongoing (Feb 7 – Mar 9)
    Kava Culture Kava Bar, 500 W Granada Blvd Ste 5, Ormond Beach

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

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

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

  • Event: Hairball, March 7 – 8
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach

    Sat Mar 8

  • Event: Small Group Saturdays-P, 11 AM – 1 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Women in Wine - Brunch & Wine Tasting, 11 AM – 1 PM
    beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Open House - 1PM-3PM, 1 – 3 PM
    30 Park Pl, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Microplastics Class with Maria McLeod, PhD, 2 PM
    Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Yoga + Mimosas, 2:30 – 3:45 PM
    802 E Moody Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: the Earth Tonez, 6 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: the paradise band, 5 – 8 PM
    Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: BEAVER BAR — The Friends of Rock, 5 – 8 PM
    The Beaver Bar Ormond Beach, 1105 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: IRON HORSE SALOON — bobbyfriss.com, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
    Iron Horse Saloon, 1068 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Bikeweek 2025 @ Saints & Sinners, 12 – 4 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: FLA-6 Daytona Annual, March 8 – March 9
    358 8th St, Holly Hill

  • Event: Hibiscus Apron Painting Class, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Tila Earring Jewelry Making Class, 2 – 4 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach Glow Run 5K, 5:45 – 9:15 PM
    Cardinal Drive Beach Park, 650 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

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

  • Event: Open Mic Event, February 7 – March 9
    Kava Culture Kava Bar, 500 W Granada Blvd Ste 5, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Beef Jerky At Bike Week – Teddy Morse’s Harley-Davidson, March 1 – March 9
    Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson Dealership and Showroom, 1637 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: 84th Daytona Bike Week 2025, February 28 – March 9
    ONE DAYTONA, One Daytona Blvd, Daytona Beach (associated with Ormond Beach activities)

    Sun Mar 9

  • Event: Open Mic Event, Ongoing (Feb 7–Mar 9)
    Kava Culture Kava Bar, 500 W Granada Blvd Ste 5, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Live Music at the 'Grille: Derek Trull and Easy Street, 6:00–9:00 PM
    RiverGrille on the Tomoka, 950 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Sea Glass Tree Class, 12:00–3:00 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Weekly Bowling, 6:00–8:00 PM
    Ormond Lanes, 260 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Sunday Semi-Private: FG/KO, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

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

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

  • Event: Yin Yoga, 4:00–5:00 PM
    Sol Wellness Yoga Studio, 725 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

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

  • Event: Rotary Glow 5K, Ongoing (Mar 8–Mar 9)
    301 Cardinal Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Watercolor Workshop with artist Bibi Gromling, Ongoing (Mar 4–Mar 15)
    Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Big Engine: Saints & Sinners Bike Week Finale, Ongoing (Mar 9–Mar 10)
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Super Swap Sunday Car & Motorcycle Swap Meet, Sunday
    Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson Dealership and Showroom, 1637 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Eddie Montgomery at Iron Horse Saloon - Bike Week, 1:00 AM
    1068 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Plantation Bay Open, Sunday
    Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club, 100 Plantation Bay Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Hairball, Ongoing (Mar 8–Mar 9)
    Broken Spoke Saloon, 1151 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL

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