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- ⭐ Wildlife Celebration, Goldilocks on Trial, Progressive Rebates
⭐ Wildlife Celebration, Goldilocks on Trial, Progressive Rebates
Issue #725
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Today’s Forecast
Tropical Update
Brian Shield’s Forecast
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🐢 Wild About Wildlife: Festival Celebrates Gopher Tortoises
If you’re looking for something wild to do next Saturday, November 1st, head to Ponce Inlet — where the Marine Science Center is throwing its 2025 Wildlife Festival, complete with tortoises, raptors, reptiles, and a whole lot of eco-fun.
The star of this free-admission event? The gopher tortoise. Native to Florida and a few other southeastern states, this keystone species is crucial to local ecosystems, digging burrows that over 350 other species rely on. Unfortunately, it’s listed as vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and the occasional unlucky encounter with a car.
The festival features live animal presentations, new exhibits, hands-on kids’ activities, and booths hosted by local environmental groups. Visitors can learn how to get involved in conservation and check out eco-friendly vendors, too.
Need a parking plan? If the Marine Science Center lot fills up, additional parking (and a free shuttle) will be available behind the 7-Eleven at Winter Haven Park — just don’t park in front of the store unless you want your Saturday to include a towing bill.
Source: News Daytona Beach
⚖️ Goldilocks on Trial? Pine Trail Students Learn the Law
Third graders at Pine Trail Elementary took the stand — literally — in a courtroom drama that would make any fairy tale fan pause. On October 24, they put Goldilocks on trial at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. The charge: breaking and entering the Bear family’s home.
After spirited deliberation, the student jury found Goldilocks guilty. It took some convincing — and great discussion, said teacher Dusty Buck, who organizes the annual field trip for gifted students studying government.
The mock trial not only brought the judicial branch to life, but also gave students a chance to flex their reading skills and shine in their roles. Observers this year included second graders — and Judge Richard Orfinger’s granddaughter. Orfinger, of the Fifth District Court of Appeal, has hosted dozens of these trials over his career and sees it as a way to spark kids’ interest in civic engagement.
“It’s important for the kids to understand this branch,” said Orfinger, “and hopefully others do the same with the executive and legislative.”
Interested schools can visit the Seventh Judicial Circuit website to learn how to bring their students into the courtroom for a trial of their own.
Source: Ormond Observer
🚗 Money Back? Progressive to Send $1B in Rebates to Florida Drivers
Good news for Florida policyholders with Progressive auto insurance: you may be getting a check — or a credit — in early 2026. Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the insurer will return $1 billion in excess profits to around 2.7 million customers across the state.
The average rebate? About $300. But it varies based on how long you’ve been with the company.
Progressive says the rebate is triggered by state laws that limit insurer profits in Florida — a result of major tort reform in 2022 and 2023 that slashed attorney fees in auto insurance lawsuits. That legal overhaul reduced what DeSantis called "frivolous litigation" and, in turn, helped insurers lower rates.
“You’re going to get a bigger rebate if you’ve been with Progressive the whole time,” DeSantis said. “It might be a check. It might be a credit on your bill.”
No sign-ups are needed — if you’re a policyholder as of December 31, 2025, you’re in. And this may be just the beginning, as DeSantis hinted that other major insurers are now in talks for similar rebate deals.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Ready-To-Eat Frozen Chicken Products
Hormel Foods Corporation, an Austin, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,874,815 pounds of foodservice ready-to-eat frozen chicken products that may be contaminated with pieces of metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The affected chicken breast and thigh products were distributed to HRI Commercial Food Service locations nationwide on various dates from February 10, 2025, through September 19, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:
13.9-lb. cases containing “Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN THIGH MEAT,” with item code “65009” printed on the label.
13.8-lb. cases containing 3-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “77531” printed on the label.
13.8-lb. cases containing 4-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “46750” printed on the label.
23.8-lb. cases containing 5-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “86206” printed on the label.
13.95-lb. cases containing “BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT,” with item code “134394” printed on the label.
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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
Sun Oct 26
Event: 🌸Fall Flower Workshop with Green Door Gardener, 1–3 PM
beach + vine,1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach
Sip on a complimentary glass of Prosecco as you curate your own floral design in a stylish carafe using a selection of seasonal blooms during this hands-on workshop. Kimberly from The Green Door Gardener will show you the step-by-step process.Event: 🎭Halifax Repertory Theatre - Annie, 2 PM
Ormond Beach Performing Arts,399 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach
The show follows red-headed orphan Annie as she navigates Depression-era New York in search of her parents—winning the heart of billionaire Oliver Warbucks along the way. The musical features beloved songs like “Tomorrow” and “It's the Hard Knock Life.”Event: 🍂2025 Fall Festival, 2–8 PM
77 Cir S Rd,77 Cir S Rd, Ormond Beach
Get lost in the fun at this fall festival featuring a thrilling commercial-sized corn maze, a pumpkin patch, friendly farm animals, pony rides, u-pick sunflowers, live music, and food trucks.Event: 🎃Trunk or Treat at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 9 PM
600 S Nova Rd,600 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach
Bring your kids for an evening full of treats, games, and costumes! The event features a Trunk or Treat, Haunted House, an inflatable game area, arts & crafts, a hayride, and delicious food & drinks.Mon Oct 27
Event: 🗓️Housing Authority, 3:00 PM
Housing Authority,100 New Britain Ave, Ormond Beach
Regular meeting of the Ormond Beach Housing Authority.Tue October 28
Event: 🎨Beginning Watercolor: Painting Baby Animals, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens,78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Join Pam Bleakney for her newest class, designed for students with some watercolor experience. Students will be introduced to various mediums to use in combination with watercolor, including pencil drawing and blending, pastels, ink, and Prismacolor pencils.Event: 🎸ROCK n ROLL BINGO, 6 PM
Ormond Beach Sports Corner Bar and Grill,709 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach
Details for this event were not available online. Please contact the venue for more information.Event: 👨👩👧👦Raising Healthy Families Naturally, 7:00–8:30 PM
New Journey Chiropractic,292 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach
Come join us for an event focused on raising healthy families naturally! Learn about natural remedies, holistic approaches, and healthy lifestyle choices for your family. Our expert speakers will cover topics like nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness.
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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