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  • ⭐Mayor Leslie Runs Again, Crisis Averted At Mainland, Spotting Fake Invitation

⭐Mayor Leslie Runs Again, Crisis Averted At Mainland, Spotting Fake Invitation

Issue #908

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Photo: Re-elect Jason Leslie

☑️Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie announced he is running for re-election rather than pursuing the Florida House seat he had initially eyed, setting up a four-way August primary that now looks like the most competitive local race in the county. Leslie, elected in 2024 with a 56% majority, is running on a platform of smart growth, infrastructure investment, and environmental protection. He faces three challengers: Commissioner Lori Tolland, who has represented Zone 1 since 2022 and brings the most established political profile of the group; Damien Curry, a local business owner; and George Doran, the Alachua County firefighter and Afghanistan veteran covered in these pages recently. All four Ormond Beach City Commission seats carry two-year terms, so the entire commission turns over every two years. The August primary will sort out who advances.

🔫🔫A potential crisis at Mainland High School was stopped at the front door Wednesday morning, and the outcome is a direct result of staff paying close attention. A 16-year-old who had previously tried to enroll at the school — and fled when a school resource officer approached him two weeks earlier — returned to campus and was met immediately at the entrance by the SRO, a school guardian, and an assistant principal. When they detained him, they found a loaded firearm on his person. He never made it past the front door. Volusia County Schools credited the outcome to staff who stayed on high alert after the earlier incident. No students were harmed. The Daytona Beach Police Department is handling the investigation.

💲💲One more scam to add to the growing list of things that used to be simple and pleasant: fake party invitations. Phishing emails designed to look like digital event invitations from platforms like Evite, Punchbowl, and Paperless Post are circulating widely enough that all three companies have issued public warnings. The emails contain links that either install malware or direct recipients to sites harvesting login credentials. Scammers may also send fraudulent invitations from compromised email accounts belonging to real contacts — so even a familiar sender name is no guarantee. The rules are straightforward but worth repeating.

How to spot a fake digital invitation

  • Hover over links before clicking — verify the URL leads to an official domain (evite.com, paperlesspost.com, etc.)

  • Be cautious of unexpected invitations, especially from unknown senders

  • If an invite appears to come from a known contact, confirm with them directly before clicking anything

  • If you encounter the scam, report it to the platform being spoofed and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

  • Mark the email as phishing to alert your email provider

Sources
"Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie will be running for re-election" — News Daytona Beach, April 2026
"Former student showed up to school in Daytona Beach with loaded gun, district says" — WESH, April 29, 2026
"The latest phishing scam? Fake party invitations" — WESH, April 29, 2026

Fire and EMS Calls

  • 4/29/2026, 06:35 PM, Person with heart problem in vehicle on Ocean Street
    As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews responded to a possible heart-related medical incident near Ocean Street and Waddle Street in Ormond Beach. The patient was reported to be in the back seat of a vehicle.

  • 4/29/2026, 04:59 PM, Person experiencing abdominal pain at Ormond Beach address
    As discussed during the dispatch call, there is a report of abdominal pain at a location near John Anderson Drive and One Haven Circle in Ormond Beach.

  • 4/29/2026, 04:48 PM, Elevator rescue at condominium on Ocean Shore
    As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency personnel responded to a possible elevator emergency near Ocean Shore Boulevard and Sand Dollar Drive in Ormond Beach. No injuries were reported.

  • 4/29/2026, 03:44 PM, Person suffered a fall near Palmetto Drive, Ormond Beach
    As discussed during the dispatch call, a fall emergency was reported near Palmetto Drive close to Berry Cross Street in Ormond Beach.

  • 4/29/2026, 03:14 PM, Non-emergent medical alarm at New Smyrna Beach address
    As discussed during the dispatch call, a non-emergent medical alarm was reported near Lake Fairgreen Circle and Golf Club.

  • 4/29/2026, 03:08 PM, Emergency response near Grizzly Bear Path in Ormond Beach
    As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units responded to a reported medical issue near Grizzly Bear Path in Ormond Beach, close to Running Bear Pass.

  • 4/29/2026, 03:14 AM, Vehicle fire near North US Highway 1 in Ormond Beach
    As discussed during the dispatch call, fire and medical units were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire near North US Highway 1 and USA Circle in the Ormond Beach and Daytona area.

  • 4/28/2026, 11:36 PM, Person suffering stroke near Deep Woods Way
    As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews Engine 94 and Medic 56 responded to a possible stroke at a residence near Deep Woods Way in Ormond Beach.

  • 4/28/2026, 09:32 PM, Person reporting hand pain near North Beach Street
    As discussed during the dispatch call, a non-emergency medical call for hand pain was reported near North Beach Street, Fresh Air Center Court, and Seabreeze Center Court.

All transcripts, headlines, and summaries are automatically generated by AI from live dispatch audio. These alerts are not an official report. Alerts are based on unconfirmed dispatch communications that may change as situations develop. Review the original audio and verify details with official sources before relying on this information

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Events for Thursday, April 30, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🦆Nature Walk at Central Park, 8:00 AM – Sunset Central Park, 601 Hammock Ln, Ormond Beach Take advantage of the final day of April with a self-guided nature walk. The park's four lakes and expansive trail system offer a prime opportunity for spotting local wildlife and enjoying the spring foliage.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏓Open Play Pickleball, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill Wrap up the month on the courts at Pictona. Thursday open play is available for all skill levels, providing a great way to stay active and social at one of the top pickleball facilities in the region.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 💧Florida Water Resources Conference (Final Day), 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Ocean Center, 101 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach The concluding sessions of this major professional conference, where environmental experts and engineers finalize discussions on the future of Florida's water infrastructure and conservation.

  • Event: 🎷Darren Rahn Live in Concert, 7:00 PM ONE DAYTONA (Victory Circle), 1 Daytona Blvd, Daytona Beach Acclaimed contemporary jazz saxophonist Darren Rahn performs a free outdoor concert. Known for his smooth, high-energy sound, Rahn will provide the perfect soundtrack for a Thursday evening at the city’s premier lifestyle center.

  • Event: 🎤Kickstart Karaoke, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Hard Rock Hotel (Sessions), 918 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Take the stage at the Hard Rock for a night of karaoke hosted by Will Hammer. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a shower-singer, Sessions provides the professional sound and high-energy atmosphere to make you feel like a rock star.

Events for Friday, May 1, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🎨Summer ART Camp Registration, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    St James Episcopal Church, 44 S Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach

    Registration opens for the 20th annual Summer ART Camp. This program offers a balance of art education and creative expression for children ages 6-12.

  • Event: 🎶Dana & Sharon: Live Music Friday, 2:00 PM

    31 Supper Club, 31 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

    Grammy-nominated Las Vegas entertainers Dana and Sharon perform live at the 31 Supper Club, bringing a mix of high-energy performance and soulful vocals to a sophisticated atmosphere.

  • Event: 🎭I HRT Broadway: A Broadway Review, 7:00 PM

    Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N US-1, Ormond Beach

    A spectacular musical journey through the greatest hits of the Great White Way. This local production features a talented cast performing beloved anthems and choreography from Broadway's most iconic shows.

  • Event:BCU Baseball vs. Arkansas - Pine Bluff, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach

    Catch the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats as they take on Arkansas - Pine Bluff in a competitive collegiate baseball matchup.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏓Open Play Pickleball, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

    Kick off the weekend at "The Hill." Open play is available all day for members and visitors to enjoy matches at this world-class pickleball facility featuring 49 courts.

  • Event: 🎸The Experience - A Night of Country Hits!, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

    A high-energy live performance dedicated to the biggest hits in country music, held at the Pictona event space in the heart of Holly Hill.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🖼️First Friday ArtWalk, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    Riverfront Shops (Beach Street), S Beach St, Daytona Beach

    As part of "Downtown Daytona Nights," the streets come alive with art galleries, local vendors, and live entertainment. Explore the shops and meet local artists during this monthly community celebration.

  • Event: 🧺Riverfront Market, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    Riverfront Shops, 179 S Beach St, Daytona Beach

    Shop for local crafts, artisanal goods, and unique finds at this evening market held along the Halifax River.

  • Event: 🎷Boney James Live in Concert, 7:00 PM

    ONE DAYTONA (Victory Circle), 1 Daytona Blvd, Daytona Beach

    World-renowned jazz saxophonist Boney James performs his signature smooth jazz hits in an outdoor setting at Daytona's premier lifestyle and entertainment center.

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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