⭐ $$ Boost For EOC, Ava Answering, Dexter Is Home

Issue #656

18 Aug

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☎ Big Boost for Emergency Response

Volusia County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) just got a serious upgrade in the funding department. Thanks to a $400,000 check hand-delivered by Sen. Tom Wright, the County is one step closer to completing a $5 million expansion of its Daytona Beach facility. The money, part of a larger state appropriation, covers nearly half of the total project cost when combined with previous funding.

Located on Tiger Bay Road, the EOC is the county’s nerve center during hurricanes, wildfires, and other large-scale emergencies. The new expansion will add about 5,000 square feet of space, boosting coordination capacity among emergency personnel and agency partners. When not in crisis mode, the expanded space will also double as a training and planning hub for local first responders and community partners.

"We’re grateful for the support that has made this expansion possible," said Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham. Construction is already underway and the upgraded facility is expected to be ready by spring 2026.

🧠 Ava the AI: Answering the Call

Volusia County’s non-emergency line got a futuristic facelift this month. As of August 1, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office officially deployed Ava, an AI-powered call assistant designed to handle non-urgent calls. Ava, developed by Aurelian AI, helps route inquiries and gather key information, allowing human dispatchers to focus more on emergency 911 calls.

"This system puts more of our dispatchers back where we need them the most: answering your 911 calls," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Since its quiet testing phase began in June, Ava has proven effective, contributing to a remarkable 93% of 911 calls being answered within 10 seconds—well above the national standard.

Supervisors monitor Ava in real time via a dashboard showing call transcripts to ensure no inquiry goes unanswered or mishandled. With non-emergency calls representing the lion’s share of call volume—over 358,000 in 2024 alone—Ava’s arrival marks a big leap in operational efficiency.

🦎 Dexter the Gecko Makes His Debut

A small but mighty new ambassador has joined the Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center (EDC). Dexter, a 10-year-old leopard gecko, was welcomed with fanfare on August 15 as the seventh official ambassador animal. He joins a diverse crew that includes four snakes and two box turtles named Frank and Beans.

During Dexter's debut event, kids learned fun facts about leopard geckos, such as their unique teeth (which they replace every few months), their ability to regrow lost tails, and their unusual diet—including eating their own shed skin. Native to parts of South Asia, leopard geckos typically feast on bugs, but can also consume small animals like mice.

Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, emphasized the importance of helping children build respectful relationships with animals and nature. "Hopefully that'll extend to being out in nature and respecting... all of the other wildlife out there," she said.

Dexter came to the EDC after his previous owner needed to rehome him. With proper care, he could live another 10 years, making him a long-term educational fixture for curious young minds.

This Day In Florida History

  • 1886 – Indianola Hurricane passes near the Florida Keys

  • 1916 – Newberry Six lynchings in Alachua County

  • 1976 – Tropical Depression forms near Key West, later Tropical Storm Dottie

  • 1920 – 19th Amendment ratified, granting women the right to vote

  • 1993 – Sarasota court rules Kimberly Mays not required to contact biological parents

  • 1513 – Ponce de León lands in Florida

  • 1565 – Founding of St. Augustine

  • 1715 – Treasure Fleet hurricane wrecks Spanish ships off Florida’s coast

  • 1821 – U.S. formally acquires Florida under the Adams–Onís Treaty

  • 1845 – Florida admitted as the 27th U.S. state

  • 1861 – Florida secedes from the Union

  • 1883 – First telephone switchboard begins operation in Jacksonville

  • 1956 – University of South Florida founded

  • 1963 – Cape Canaveral renamed Cape Kennedy

  • 1964 – St. Augustine race riot during Civil Rights movement

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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

Mon Aug 18

  • Event: 🎾 Adult Tennis Boot Camp, Mon, Aug 18 – Fri, Aug 22
    100 Plantation Bay Dr, Ormond Beach, FL
    A fun and intensive tennis training experience for adults of all skill levels.

  • Event: 🍵 Unity Night @ Kava Kula, Mon, Aug 18 – Tue, Aug 19
    142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    An evening of connection, kava, and community at this vibrant local spot.

  • Event: 🏛️ Historic Landmark Preservation Board, Mon, 4 PM
    10X Ormond Beach Apartments, 600 Crowne Commerce Ct, Ormond Beach, FL
    Public meeting focused on preserving Ormond Beach’s historic landmarks.

    Tue Aug 19

  • Event: 🎤 City Commission Meeting, 7 PM
    Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach, FL
    City officials meet to discuss local matters. Public welcome to attend.

  • Event: 🚌 FLOW (Florida Licensing On Wheels), 10 AM
    Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach, FL
    Mobile DMV services offered to the public.

  • Event: 🏋️ Private Training: 1 Day, 10 AM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Specialized training session at the sports facility.

  • Event: 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Monthly all Welcomed Club Meeting, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
    Fraternal Order of Eagles #3800, 190 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Inclusive community meeting with various topics and camaraderie.

  • Event: 💎 Authentic Gemstone Jewelry Class, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Hands-on workshop for creating authentic gemstone jewelry.

  • Event: 💆 Wave Goodbye to Pain: FREE SoftWave Demo & Pain Relief Session, 6 – 7 PM
    The Wellness Way - Ormond Beach, 725 W Granada Blvd STE 8, Ormond Beach
    Discover natural pain relief with SoftWave therapy demo.

  • Event: 🧠 Alzheimer Association's In-Person Caregiver Support Group, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
    Aberdeen Tennis Court, 40 Allwood Green Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Support and resources for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s.

  • Event: 🏛️ Holly Hill History Museum 1 Year Celebration, 6 – 8 PM
    Holly Hill History Museum, 1065 Daytona Ave, Holly Hill, FL
    Celebrate the museum’s anniversary with exhibits and refreshments.

  • Event: 🎶 Music Bingo at the Duck, 7 – 9 PM
    Drunken Duck Brewing Company, 101 2nd St Unit 401, Holly Hill, FL
    Play music-themed bingo while enjoying craft brews.

    Wed Aug 20

  • Event: Ormond By The Sea Lions Club Meeting, 6:30 PM,
    (New Location) Margarita Island, 24 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
    All Are Welcome! More info at (386) 441-4421

  • Event: 🎤 Wednesday is BINGO Night at Kava Kula, 7 – 11 PM
    Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach
    A fun-filled bingo night with a lively atmosphere and great company.

    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
    Sing your heart out or cheer others on during this spirited karaoke night.

    Event: 🎨 7 Piece Charcuterie Woodburning Class, 2 – 4 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Learn woodburning techniques and create a beautiful charcuterie board.

    Event: 🖼️ Art Talk: 19th Century Neoclassicism, Romanticism..., 2 – 3 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Explore the history and styles of 19th-century art movements in this engaging talk.

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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