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- ⭐ Halifax Humane Freebies, OB Utility Hike, Hiring Slows, Volusia Cities Pushback
⭐ Halifax Humane Freebies, OB Utility Hike, Hiring Slows, Volusia Cities Pushback
Issue #660
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Today’s Forecast
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🐶 Free Fur All: Halifax Humane Society’s Big Adoption Bash
Looking for a new four-legged family member? This weekend might be the perfect time. Halifax Humane Society is wrapping up its month-long "Clear the Shelters" campaign with free pet adoptions on Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23, at its Lohman Pet Adoption Center in Daytona Beach.
The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. both days and promises more than just furry faces — expect live music, food trucks like Breezer Eats and Frozen Frog Shaved Ice, plus face painting for kids on Saturday. CEO Sean Hawkins is hoping to find homes for at least 100 dogs and cats during the festivities.
All adopted pets will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and sent home with goodies including food and heartworm medicine. You can preview available pets online before the event.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
💧 Water You Paying? Ormond Utility Hike Slashed to Under $5
Ormond Beach residents can breathe a small sigh of relief: that looming utility rate hike is a lot less splashy than expected. Instead of the previously proposed $11.59 bump, the average user will now see just a $4.96 increase per month starting October 1.
The new rate plan, approved by the City Commission, is part of an ongoing effort to balance water and wastewater costs while addressing fairness between residential and commercial users. Those using under 2,000 gallons monthly won’t see any increase.
The city is still deep in a rate study, so expect this to be just the first wave of changes. Additional adjustments may arrive in the 2027-2028 fiscal year as Ormond fine-tunes its structure.
Source: Ormond Observer
📉 Hiring Slows as Local Unemployment Ticks Up
Despite job openings and hiring efforts, unemployment in Volusia and Flagler counties edged upward in July. Volusia rose to 4.7% (its highest since August 2021), while Flagler hit 5%, continuing a trend that local analysts say points to a cooling job market.
In Ormond Beach, the rate climbed to 4.4%, though total employment figures remain steady compared to last year. Local officials attribute the rise to inflation pressures, hiring pauses, and an expanding labor force outpacing job creation.
Interestingly, both counties added employed residents last month — 1,441 in Volusia and 292 in Flagler — but the number of unemployed also rose. As summer winds down, experts warn Flagler could feel further economic tremors before recovery sets in.
Source: Ormond Observer
🏛️ Cities Push Back on State Over Development Law
A growing number of Florida cities — including Deltona — are gearing up for a legal showdown over Senate Bill 180, a state law aimed at streamlining disaster recovery that some local leaders say handcuffs municipal control over development regulations.
The law has sparked a legal movement, with around 10 municipalities ready to join a lawsuit claiming it violates the Florida Constitution. Deltona City Commissioner Dori Howington is vocal in support of the lawsuit, while Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. prefers policy reform over court battles.
Legal experts predict the matter will ultimately land in court, where judges will determine whether the state can override local zoning and land-use ordinances. Meanwhile, developers are watching closely, with at least one pre-suit notice already filed in Deltona.
Source: MyNews13
Recent Arrests
Ormond Beach Police Department
Anania Sanna Lyric (36) – Arrested on Aug. 10. Charge(s): Burglary. Bail: $5,000.
Leslie D. Taylor (44) – Arrested on Aug. 12. Charge(s): Trespassing, possession of controlled substance. Bail: $3,000.
Robert Wesley Berstler (35) – Arrested on Aug. 13. Charge(s): Child neglect, possession of paraphernalia and cannabis. Bail: Not set.
Michael Edward Chaffin (46) – Arrested on Aug. 13. Charge(s): Sex offender registration violation. Bail: Not set.
Nadaly Noelle Smith (21) – Arrested on Aug. 13. Charge(s): Grand theft. Bail: $2,500.Holly Hill Police Department
Chequila Latanya George (43) – Arrested on Aug. 8. Charge(s): Criminal mischief. Bail: Not set.
Shannon Renee McCraney (51) – Arrested on Aug. 8. Charge(s): Aggravated stalking. Bail: Not set.
Khaytelynn Nickole Borden (31) – Arrested on Aug. 9. Charge(s): Meth manufacturing, possession of cocaine/paraphernalia, resisting officer. Bail: $6,000.
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
Marcus Clayton Berry (50) – Arrested on Aug. 9. Charge(s): Battery. Bail: Not set.
Craig Thomas Kowal (41) – Arrested on Aug. 10. Charge(s): Trespassing, possession of controlled substance, sex offender registration violation. Bail: Not set.
Robert Darell Treadway (59) – Arrested on Aug. 13. Charge(s): Grand theft of motor vehicle. Bail: $2,500.
Andrew A. Albright (43) – Arrested on Aug. 14. Charge(s): Camping on beach, possession of paraphernalia and controlled substance. Bail: $1,500.
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Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam
Ormond by the Sea 180 degree Cam
Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam
Ponce Inlet 180 degree Cam
NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info
Fri Aug 22
Event: 🎤Police & FF Pension Boards Meeting, 10 AM
Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach
Monthly public meeting on pension matters for city personnel.Event: 🧘Fossil class, 3 – 5 PM
46 Spring Meadows Dr, Ormond Beach
Educational fossil session exploring prehistoric finds.Event: 🎸Friday Night with Krash Party!, 6 – 10 PM
Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach
Live high-energy band performance with a party vibe.Event: 🎶Hannah Wilson, 6 – 9 PM
Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Enjoy live acoustic music with great food and drinks.Event: 🎤JimmyAli at The Grind on Friday, 9:00 – 11:55 PM
Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Local artist performing island-inspired acoustic sets.Event: 🎤Open Mic Night - Ormond Beach, 9 PM
Green Turtle Kava Bar - Ormond Beach, 1474 W Granada Blvd #410, Ormond Beach
Share your talent or enjoy performances in a relaxed setting.
Sat Aug 23
Event: 🎤 Local Author Spotlight: Elle E. Ire, 5 PM
150 Tomoka Ave, Ormond Beach, FL
Spotlight event featuring local author Elle E. Ire.Event: 🧘 Round Robin Beginners Yoga (Free to Everyone), 11 AM
Horizon House Yoga, 400 Parque Dr suite 8 suite 8, Ormond Beach, FL
A beginner-friendly yoga session open to all at no cost.Event: 🎨 Coastal Tote Bag Painting Class, 11 AM – 1 PM
The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Get creative painting coastal-themed tote bags.Event: 🔗 Wire Weave Bracelet Making Class, 2 – 4 PM
The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Craft a custom wire-woven bracelet in this hands-on class.Event: 🎸 Jordon Redding, 6 – 9 PM
Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Live music performance by Jordon Redding.Event: 🎶 FREE Saturday Summer Music Series with The Band Madam, Aug 23 – Aug 24
Fletcher's Irish Pub, 393 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Enjoy live music with The Band Madam as part of a free summer music series.Event: ⚽ Small Group Saturdays-P, 11 AM – 1 PM
Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
Small group sports activities and training sessions.
Sun Aug 24
Event: 🌱Back to School Sunday Brunch Plant Bingo!, 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Ormond Brewing Company, 301 Division Ave UNIT 15, Ormond Beach, FL
Enjoy brunch, win plant-themed prizes, and toast to the new school year!Event: 🎳GET IN THE GAMES! DISCOVER THE ORMOND SENIOR..., 1 – 4 PM
Ormond Lanes, 260 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach, FL
A fun-filled afternoon to explore senior activities and community resources.Event: 🎨NEW ARTIST - Live Music with John Thomas, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Live tunes and local vibes with John Thomas in a cozy beachside setting.Event: 💃Beginner Pole 6-Week Series, 4 PM
443 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
Start your pole fitness journey with this supportive beginner series.Event: 🎶Esh x Schief: Plantation Bay Golf Club, 1 – 5 PM
Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club, 100 Plantation Bay Dr, Ormond Beach, FL
Live music in a luxe golf club atmosphere—relax, dine, and unwind.Event: 🏈Sunday Semi-Private: FG/KO, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
Train your football fundamentals in a focused, semi-private session.
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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