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  • ⭐ Wildfire Warnings, Eagle Releases, School Drama & Hidden Refunds

⭐ Wildfire Warnings, Eagle Releases, School Drama & Hidden Refunds

Issue #528

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12 Apr

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Today’s Forecast

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⭐ Wildfire Warnings, Eagle Releases, School Drama & Hidden Refunds

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🔥 Red Flag Warning Prompts Fire Safety Reminders

Dry weather and rising winds have triggered a Red Flag Warning across Volusia County, raising concerns about wildfire risks. With a Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reading of 505 — well above the state average — Volusia Fire Rescue is urging residents to take fire precautions seriously.

Tips include: keeping an eye on outdoor grills, never tossing cigarettes from cars, and avoiding yard waste burning during dry, breezy days. Homeowners are also advised to clear debris near rooftops and maintain defensible space by trimming vegetation. These simple steps can go a long way toward keeping homes and communities safe during high-risk conditions.

🦅 Bald Eagle Gets Second Wind at Daytona Speedway

A young bald eagle found injured at Daytona International Speedway after an aerial clash with a seagull is soaring again thanks to the Marine Science Center. The eagle, about three years old, was treated for minor trauma, cleared for release, and returned to the skies just outside Turn 2 of the track.

The rescue highlights the ongoing work of the Marine Science Center, even as the facility undergoes $4.2 million in renovations. Though the center is closed to the public until early June, its team continues to care for birds and sea turtles — and occasionally, the nation’s symbol of freedom.

🏫 School Board Buzz: OBE, Closures & Confusion

Ormond Beach Elementary (OBE) found itself in the spotlight during a recent Volusia School Board meeting after board member Donna Brosemer suggested it could be at risk of closing due to low enrollment. The comment took fellow members — and the superintendent — by surprise.

Brosemer proposed converting OBE into an arts magnet school to attract students, citing a conversation with staff about potential closures "two to three years out." Superintendent Carmen Balgobin denied such discussions occurred, sparking debate over communication and board member authority.

While no closures are officially planned, the district faces a $25.8 million deficit, and with OBE serving just 363 students — far below the 750 deemed financially sustainable — the issue may not be going away anytime soon.

🏢 Security First Marks 20 Years in Ormond Beach

Security First Insurance celebrated its 20th anniversary on April 5 with a family-friendly bash at its Ormond Beach headquarters. The event drew over 600 people and included pony rides, face painting, and a live performance by The Spazmatics.

Founded by Locke Burt in 2005, the company has grown from a small operation into one of Florida’s largest homeowners insurance providers, now employing 400 people and insuring 140,000 homes statewide. President Melissa Burt DeVriese, who grew up in Ormond Beach, credited the local community and staff for the company’s longevity and success.

With its roots stretching back to 1917, Security First shows that legacy, growth, and hometown pride can go hand-in-hand — even in a challenging insurance market.

💸 Time’s Almost Up to Claim Your 2021 Tax Refund

If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return, the clock is ticking — and Florida residents stand to miss out on $61 million in unclaimed refunds. According to the IRS, nearly 70,000 Floridians could collect an average refund of $732, but they must file by April 15, 2025.

Many of these refunds are from taxes withheld in 2021. Eligible filers may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Recovery Rebate Credit, which could increase their payout. After the deadline, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury — no exceptions.

To check if you're eligible and file retroactively, visit IRS.gov or contact your past employer for any missing tax documents. It’s a rare chance to find a few hundred dollars (or more) just sitting around — don’t let it slip away.

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

  

  • Sat Apr 12

  • Event: Color Me Ericka 5K, 9 AM – 12 PM
    Dog-Friendly Beach Access Ormond Beach, 301 Cardinal Dr, Ormond Beach

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

  • Event: Easter Bunny Bash, 11 AM – 4 PM
    Tomoka Town Center, 1401 Cornerstone Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Ormond Beach - Bikini Company, 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Fountain Square Shopping Village, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Easter Jam, 1 PM
    1687 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Paint-a-Pelican Class!, 2 – 4 PM
    Gather 2 Grow with Terri, 94 Dunlawton Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: EASTER PARTY AND EGG HUNT, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
    1000 Old Tomoka Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: How to Buy a New Construction Home & Take..., 3 – 4 PM
    1383 Fountain Vw St, Ormond Beach

  • Event: U.S. Law Shield: Self-Defense & the Legal System, 5 PM
    1050 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Live Music with Mark Chirico, 6 – 9 PM
    beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: BEACHSIDE MUSIC, 7 PM
    Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Karaoke Kidz: Spring Into Song!, Apr 12 – 13
    615 S Yonge St, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Ormond Beach Celtic Festival, Apr 12 – 13
    Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Oncology Yoga Training for Certified Yoga Teachers, Apr 12 – 13
    224 Memorial Medical Pkwy, Ormond Beach

    Sun Apr13

  • Event: Ormond Beach Celtic Festival, Apr 12 – 13
    Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

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

  • Event: Open House - 11AM-1PM, 11 AM – 1 PM
    510 Stirling Bridge Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Kelly Jarrard, 11 AM – 3 PM
    Sessions Restaurant, 918 N Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Sea Glass Tree Class - 4/13, 12 – 3 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Bouquets and Bubbly – A Bloom Bar!, 1 – 3 PM
    beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Open House - 2PM-4PM, 2 – 4 PM
    307 Stirling Bridge Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Ormond Ballet Presents Prometheus, 3 PM
    Ormond Beach Performing Arts, 399 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Live Music at the 'Grille: Chillakaya, 3 – 6 PM
    RiverGrille on the Tomoka, 950 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Plant Swap, 3 – 7 PM
    Ormond Brewing Company, 301 Division Ave UNIT 15, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Easter Bunny hops to HH Riverside Market, 1 – 6 PM
    1135 Riverside Dr, Holly Hill, FL

  • Event: Razors Edge - A Tribute to AC/DC Returns Sunday..., 1 – 4 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

  • Event: Mini Masters — First United Ormond Beach, 5 – 8 PM
    Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, 226 Cardinal Dr, Ormond Beach

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

    Mon Apr 14

  • Event: OBCS Cadet Meeting, All Day
    760 Airport Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Art in Full Bloom — Art Spotlight, Ongoing
    Art Spotlight, 67 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Artifacts of Transformation, Ongoing
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

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

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

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

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