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  • ⭐OB Woman Charged In Toll Booth Death, Development Sparks Debate, Seawall Install Starts

⭐OB Woman Charged In Toll Booth Death, Development Sparks Debate, Seawall Install Starts

Issue #941

02 Jun

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Photo: Volusia County Sheriff

🚨 Ormond Beach Resident Charged After Fatal Toll Booth Crash

An Ormond Beach woman is at the center of a deadly crash that claimed the life of a longtime beach toll attendant in Daytona Beach Shores.

According to Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, 62-year-old Tammy Jo Baker was killed shortly after 12:40 p.m. Monday when a black Ford F-150 driven by Deanna Harrell, an Ormond Beach resident, crashed through the Dunlawton Avenue beach approach toll booth at approximately 40 mph.

The truck struck the booth and continued onto the sand before becoming stuck in the surf. Lifeguards responded immediately, but Baker was pronounced dead at the scene. Chitwood said he suspected impairment and noted the smell of alcohol, though official toxicology results are pending.

Baker had recently transitioned from county employment to a private toll services contractor after years of service.

Investigators say the case remains active.

🌳 Development Claims Spark Debate in Ormond Beach

A new development proposal on North U.S. 1 is fueling political discussion in Ormond Beach.

In a Facebook post shared by Elena Krafft in the Protect Ormond Beach group, concerns were raised over comments made by Commission Zone 4 candidate Amber Bobak regarding the proposed Tomoka Commerce Park site.

Krafft cited a March 2025 Endangered and Threatened Species Report indicating that approximately 11.25 of the site’s 12.48 acres contain soils rated highly or moderately suitable for gopher tortoise burrowing. She also noted that only 5.89 acres were surveyed and that the report attributed the absence of observed tortoises to dense canopy coverage in the surveyed portion.

The project proposal includes the removal of more than 561 protected trees, excluding specimen trees.

The discussion underscores broader community tensions about growth, environmental preservation and campaign messaging as the election season unfolds.

🌊 Project Pulse: Seawall Installation Begins at Andy Romano

There’s visible progress underway at Andy Romano Beachfront Park.

New seawall panels have arrived and installation is beginning as part of the city’s Project Pulse initiative. The contractor, Construct Co. Inc. of Orlando, fabricated the panels over the past six weeks and began deliveries the week of May 18.

Crews will work from the south end of the park north toward Milsap Road, placing the panels sequentially. While panels are transported down the Milsap ramp, beachgoers may experience brief delays — but officials stress it’s not an all-day closure.

The seawall, originally dating back to the 1950s or 60s when the site operated as a hotel, was heavily damaged during Hurricane Milton in 2024. The $2.5 million project includes a rebuilt beach ramp and updated infrastructure, with FEMA covering approximately $2.3 million of the cost.

Completion is expected in August, with the remainder of the park fully open throughout construction.

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Events for Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: Quiet Light: The Art of Sara Pedigo - Museum hours
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Ongoing exhibition featuring work by Sara Pedigo, listed as running through August 2, 2026.

  • Event: Blue Rock Summer BBQ - 5:30–6:45 p.m.
    SoNapa Grille, 324 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach
    Ticketed summer BBQ event featuring Blue Rock wines and barbecue-inspired pairings. Starting at $93 per ticket.

  • Event: Over 50 +/- Social Club Meet & Greet at Fletcher’s Irish Pub Ormond - 6–8 p.m.
    Fletcher’s Irish Pub, 393 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Social meet-and-greet gathering for the East Volusia Over 50 +/- Social Group.

  • Event: City Commission Meeting - 7 p.m.
    City Commission Chambers, Ormond Beach
    Regular Ormond Beach City Commission meeting.

Holly Hill

  • Tuesday on the Courts @ Pictona

    • Keep your weekly fitness routine going strong! Pictona is open for standard play across its 49 courts. If you prefer to stay out of the early summer sun, head to the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room for indoor table games and socializing.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

Daytona Beach

  • Event: Daytona International Speedway Tour - 9:30 a.m.
    Daytona International Speedway Media Center, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
    Guided Daytona International Speedway tour. Tickets listed at $26.

  • Event: Daytona Beach Speed Dating Ages 30-49 - 8–10 p.m.
    Dick’s Last Resort, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Speed dating event for singles ages 30–49.

Events for Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: Ormond By The Sea Lions Club Meeting, 6:30 PM,
    (New Location) Grace Life Beachside Church Hall, 6 Sandra Drive, Ormond Beach
    All Are Welcome!  More info at (386) 441-4421

  • Event: Guided Trip to Bok Tower Gardens - 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    OMAM guest curator Ruth Grim leads a guided trip to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, with a chartered bus departing from OMAM. Tickets are listed at $60 for museum/guild members and $70 for nonmembers.

  • Event: Quiet Light: The Art of Sara Pedigo - Museum hours
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Ongoing exhibition featuring the work of Sara Pedigo. The exhibit is listed as recurring daily from April 23 through August 2, 2026.

Holly Hill

  • No public Holly Hill community events found for June 3 in the sources I checked. The Holly Hill calendar page lists city event/calendar resources, but I did not find a June 3 public event listing.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: AumShanti Yoga - Highway to OHM - 9:30–10:30 a.m.
    Rock Royalty Terrace, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Beginner-friendly gentle yoga class, open to locals and tourists for $10; Hard Rock Hotel guests practice free.

  • Event: Kickstart Karaoke - 7–10 p.m.
    Sessions, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Karaoke night at Sessions with Will Hammer.

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

Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Submit Your Event Here. OR scan the QR Code below

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