⭐ Honoring Those Who Give Back

Issue #503

Author

.
18 Mar

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Today’s Forecast

Click Image for detailed and extended forecast

Tropical updates will resume on June 1.

Readership Rewards Plan thru March 31st

We’d like to double our readership and with your help we can do it.
Announcing our Readership Rewards Plan. From now until March 31st we encourage each reader to recommend Ormond Local Pulse to a local friend. The reader with the most referrals will win a $100 Visa Card!! So put on your thinking cap and get those referrals going!

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L-R: Courtney Edgecomb, United Way CEO, Jill Simpkins, NadineKIng, L. Gale Lemerand, Courtesy Photo

Celebrating Philanthropy: Honoring Those Who Give Back

The Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties recently celebrated the power of generosity at their Annual Celebration of Philanthropy. This year, three community champions—Jill Simpkins, L. Gale Lemerand, and Nadine King—were recognized for their extraordinary efforts in making a difference.

Simpkins, a passionate advocate for vulnerable populations, has led numerous social service initiatives, raising both funds and awareness for essential healthcare and financial education programs. Lemerand, a major supporter of local education, healthcare, and cultural initiatives, has played a crucial role in shaping the region’s future. King, founder of Christmas Come True, has brightened the holidays—and beyond—for struggling families in Flagler County.

Thanks to event supporters, over $100,000 has been raised for the Jill Simpkins and L. Gale Lemerand Endowment Fund for Financial Education. To learn more, visit the fund page.

E-Bike Hit-and-Run on the Beach: Suspect Arrested

A peaceful day on Daytona Beach took a turn for the worse last Thursday when an e-bike rider struck a senior pedestrian and fled the scene. Authorities say 42-year-old Frederick Rich of Holly Hill was arrested after allegedly hitting a 70-year-old woman near the Main Street Pier and leaving her injured.

The victim, initially unconscious, was later stabilized and is recovering from a broken leg. Rich, meanwhile, was quickly identified through witness descriptions and surveillance footage. Deputies found his abandoned bike and tracked him down shortly after.

Rich faces charges for leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and violating his probation. He was denied bond and remains in custody.

Hurricane Season on the Horizon? NHC Tracks First System of 2025

Though the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is already monitoring the first system of the year. A non-tropical low-pressure system about 700 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands is producing gale-force winds and disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Despite its blustery conditions, the system is not expected to develop further, as it moves into an environment of strong upper-level winds and dry air. However, a gale warning remains in effect for parts of the central and western Atlantic.

For now, the NHC doesn’t anticipate further updates on this system unless conditions change. Regular tropical weather outlooks will resume on May 15, with special updates as needed before hurricane season officially kicks off.

Daytona Bike Week Sees a Dip in Attendance

Daytona Beach’s famous Bike Week rolled through town once again, but attendance was noticeably lower this year, according to cellphone geofencing data.

On Main Street, a 24% decline was reported, with 178,600 visitors recorded compared to 233,500 last year. Daytona International Speedway also saw fewer attendees, with a 20% drop in visitors from the previous year. However, city officials noted discrepancies in data collection methods, leaving some questions about the accuracy of these figures.

Local businesses reported mixed experiences—some struggled, while others enjoyed strong sales. Main Street vendor Roger Harb described the downturn as one of the worst he’s seen, while hoteliers noted slower midweek bookings. Industry experts speculate that economic uncertainty and rising costs may have contributed to the softer turnout.

Despite the dip, city and chamber officials remain optimistic, emphasizing the event’s continued economic impact and importance to local businesses.

Update On Our New Format…

We’ve been listening closely to your feedback on our new format, and we appreciate the time over 300 of you took to share your thoughts. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of readers finding the new design easier to read, more modern, and a great way to quickly stay informed.

However, we also recognize that some readers had concerns—particularly about story separation, clarity, and content detail. Based on your feedback, we’ll be making some adjustments to improve readability while maintaining the concise, streamlined experience that so many of you enjoy.

What’s Staying the Same? Quick, easy-to-read summaries so you can scan the news efficiently. A modern, clean design that helps readers get the news they need without clutter. Bullet points and headlines that make it easy to navigate.
. Better visual separation between articles to ensure smoother reading flow. Clearer headlines and more defined sections so readers can easily find the stories that matter to them. A balance between brevity and detail, ensuring you get the full picture while still enjoying the convenience of a streamlined format. Our goal has always been to deliver the news in the most accessible and reader-friendly way possible. These small but impactful changes will help fine-tune the experience for all of our readers.

Thank you for being part of our community and for sharing your thoughts with us. We’re excited to continue bringing you the news in a way that’s efficient, engaging, and easy to read!

As always, we welcome your input—feel free to let us know what you think.

  • 1314 – Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake in Paris.

  • 1766 – The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, easing tensions with American colonies.

  • 1834 – The Tolpuddle Martyrs are sentenced to transportation for forming a trade union in England.

  • 1850 – American Express is founded by Henry Wells and William Fargo in Buffalo, New York.

  • 1865 – The Battle of Fort Stedman, one of the last Civil War battles, takes place in Virginia.

  • 1871 – The Paris Commune, a radical socialist government, is declared in France.

  • 1922 – The United Kingdom formally recognizes Egypt’s independence.

  • 1937 – A gas explosion at New London School in Texas kills nearly 300 students and teachers.

  • 1940 – Hitler and Mussolini meet at the Brenner Pass to confirm Italy's alliance with Germany.

  • 1953 – "Bwana Devil," the first full-length color 3D movie, premieres in the U.S.

  • 1965 – Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov performs the first spacewalk outside Voskhod 2.

  • 1970 – Lon Nol overthrows Prince Norodom Sihanouk in Cambodia, leading to civil conflict.

  • 1990 – East Germany votes for reunification with West Germany in its first free elections.

  • 1992 – South Africa votes to end apartheid in a national referendum.

  • 2014 – Russia annexes Crimea following a disputed referendum, sparking international condemnation.

⭐ Today's Meme ⭐

Digital coupons for local businesses and their services.
Visit the Dealz page and get a great deal.

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

Ormond North Beach Cam at Ormond Lifeguard Station
Ormond South Beach Cam at Cardinal Drive - Not Available
Ormond by the Sea South Beach Cam - Not Available

Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm inf

  • Tue Mar 18

  • Event: Networking Group 3, 12 – 1 PM
    Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, 165 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Semi-Private Training (1-day Session 2pm-4pm), 12 – 2 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Alzheimer Association's In-Person Caregiver Support Group, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
    Aberdeen Tennis Court, 40 Allwood Green Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Joint Chamber Business After Hours!, 5 – 7 PM
    Thirsty Turtle Seagrill, 254 N Nova Rd Suite 250, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Yin Yoga, 7 – 8 PM
    Sol Wellness Yoga Studio, 725 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: OBCS MEETING SM AND CADETS, 12 – 2 AM
    760 Airport Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Camp Pictona - 3-Day Adult Camp, Mar 17 – Mar 19
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

  • Wed Mar 19

  • 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

  • Event: Spring Bird Walks with Joan Tague, 8 AM
    Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division 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: Semi-Private Training (1-day Session 2pm-4pm), 2 – 4 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach

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

  • Event: Camp Pictona - 3-Day Adult Camp, March 17 – 19
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

  • Thu Mar 20

  • Event: Ormond Beach Farmer's Market, 8 AM – 1 PM
    Ormond Beach Farmer's Market, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach, FL

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

  • Event: Gentle Flow, 6 – 7 PM
    Sol Wellness Yoga Studio, 725 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Subaru of Daytona Challenge 2025 at Pictona, Mar 20 – Mar 23
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, FL

  • Event: Authentic Gemstone Jewelry Class, 11 AM – 1 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Subaru Challenge Pickleball Tournament, Mar 20 – Mar 23
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, FL

  • Event: Semi-Private Training (1-day Session 2 PM – 4 PM)
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Third Thursday Docent Tour
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach,

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

  • Event: Once Upon a Storytime Series
    The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Open Bezel Jewelry Class by Janie
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Online Auction
    Public Storage, 610 S Yonge St, Ormond Beach, FL

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.

Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Submit Your Event Here

 

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 or email [email protected] with information about your news. We will get back to you for details.

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