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  • ⭐OBPD Sargent Retires, Jeep Beach Well Underway, Volusia County Leadership, 15yr Old Girl Found

⭐OBPD Sargent Retires, Jeep Beach Well Underway, Volusia County Leadership, 15yr Old Girl Found

Issue #897

19 Apr

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👮‍♀️After 15 years with the Ormond Beach Police Department, Sgt. David Lank retired in late March — and the send-off from his colleagues says everything about the kind of officer he was. Known department-wide as "Papa Lank," he joined OBPD in 2011 and spent his career doing the less visible work that holds an agency together: mentoring younger officers, providing steady guidance, and making the people around him better at the job. That kind of contribution doesn't show up in an arrest log, but it shapes a department for years after someone walks out the door. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Sgt. Lank.

✦

🚙🚙Jeep Beach 2026 is officially underway, and if you've been wondering why the beachside looks like a rubber duck convention crossed with a car show, now you know. The 23rd annual event kicked off this weekend with a reggae festival and thousands of visitors who brought their custom rigs — and in many cases, pocketfuls of small rubber ducks to leave on fellow Jeep owners' vehicles as a gesture of goodwill. This year's celebration carries a patriotic theme tied to America's 250th anniversary, a natural fit for a brand that traces its roots to 1941 military service. Organizers are flagging moderate rip current risk throughout the week and urging beachgoers to stay near lifeguard towers. Events run through April 26, with the main Speedway showcase on April 24–25. Full schedule at jeepbeach.com.

✦

⭐Volusia County took a leadership role in regional veteran services this week, hosting a collaborative forum at American Legion Post 6 in DeLand that brought together Veterans Services directors and managers from seven neighboring counties. The gathering was designed to compare approaches, troubleshoot shared challenges, and build cross-county partnerships that could improve outcomes for veterans and their families. The county has good reason to lead on this: with roughly 50,000 veterans among its residents and more than 16,000 individuals served through in-person visits in 2025 alone, Volusia maintains the largest veteran services officer roster of any county government in Florida. Services and office locations are listed at volusia.org/veterans.

✦

⭐We close today on a story with a good ending. A missing child alert was issued Saturday for a 15-year-old Holly Hill girl, Armauni Mitchell, after she was reported missing. The alert was canceled the same day — she was found safe. No further details were released. On a weekend full of activity and noise across the county, that's the note worth ending on.

Sources
"Jeep Beach returns to Daytona and Ormond Beach with focus on safety and celebration" — MyNews13, April 18, 2026
"Ormond Beach Police celebrate retirement of Sgt. David Lank" — Ormond Observer, April 18, 2026
"Volusia County hosts leadership forum for Veterans Services" — Ormond Observer, April 17, 2026
"FDLE cancels missing child alert after Holly Hill teen found safe" — Daytona News-Journal, April 18, 2026

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📅 Sunday, April 19, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🍀 Cultural Festivals

  • Ormond Beach Celtic Festival (Final Day)

    • It's your last chance to experience the magic of the Celtic Heritage! Head down to the riverfront for day two of this award-winning festival. Enjoy continuous live music, watch the impressive Highland Games, grab a pint, and explore the Clan Village.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: Rockefeller Gardens & The Casements (25 Riverside Dr)

    • Cost: $12 in advance / $15 at the gate (Children 12 & under are free)

🏍️ Social & Leisure

  • Sunday Live Music at Saints & Sinners

    • Close out your weekend with a laid-back Sunday afternoon at Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson. Walk the lot, grab a drink, and catch a live performance from a local rock or blues band at the on-site Saints & Sinners Pub.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson (1637 N US-1)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Sunday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Wrap up your weekend on the courts! Pictona is the buzzing heart of Holly Hill on Sunday mornings. With 49 courts available, it is the perfect spot for open play. Grab a post-game lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM)

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

🌳 Parks & Recreation

  • Sunday on the Halifax River

    • Looking for a free, quiet afternoon away from the busy events in Ormond and Daytona? Sunrise Park offers plenty of shade, picnic tables, and beautiful riverfront views for a relaxing weekend outing.

    • Time: Open sunrise to sunset

    • Location: Sunrise Park (1135 Riverside Dr)

📍 Daytona Beach

⚾ Sports & Family Fun

  • Daytona Tortugas vs. St. Lucie Mets (Family Sunday)

    • Take me out to the ballgame! Sundays are usually Family Days at the ballpark. Cheer on the hometown Daytona Tortugas as they wrap up their home stand series against St. Lucie. Stick around after the game, as kids usually get the chance to run the bases!

    • Time: First pitch at 5:00 PM (Typical Sunday start time)

    • Location: Jackie Robinson Ballpark (105 E Orange Ave)

🚙 Major Events & Festivals

  • Jeep Beach 2026 (Ongoing)

    • The county-wide Jeep takeover continues! The first weekend wraps up today, but the energy stays high. Expect off-road vendor displays, beachside meetups, and plenty of custom rigs cruising down A1A and around the Speedway.

    • Time: Events run daily (Check the official Jeep Beach app for Sunday's specific meetups)

    • Location: Various locations throughout Daytona Beach and the Speedway

🎸 Live Music & Entertainment

  • Sunday Afternoon Jam at the Ocean Deck

    • Grab a drink on the beach and catch a massive lineup of local reggae, rock, and acoustic artists taking the stage all afternoon at Daytona's most iconic beach bar.

    • Time: Music starts at 1:30 PM

    • Location: Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club (127 S Ocean Ave)

📅 Monday, April 20, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🎶 Live Music & Worship

  • Charity Gayle: The REJOICE Tour

    • Experience an incredible night of live worship! Nationally renowned worship leader Charity Gayle is bringing her "REJOICE" tour to Ormond Beach, featuring special guest Ryan Kennedy.

    • Time: 7:00 PM (Early entry doors open at 5:45 PM)

    • Location: Calvary Christian Center (1687 W Granada Blvd)

    • Tickets: General admission and VIP options available

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • Historic Landmark Preservation Board Meeting

    • Local city business resumes to start the week. Residents are welcome to attend this public board meeting focused on preserving the historical integrity and landmarks of Ormond Beach.

    • Time: 4:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach City Hall, CR103 (22 S Beach St)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Monday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Start your week on the courts! The 49-court facility is back to its standard open-play schedule to kick off the week. Drop in for a few games or head inside to the Osprey Room for indoor table games at the "Club Hub."

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

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

📍 Daytona Beach

🚙 Major Events & Festivals

  • Jeep Beach 2026: Track Laps (One Day Only!)

    • Start your engines! As part of the massive, ongoing Jeep Beach festival, today is the single day that registered Jeep owners are allowed to actually take their rigs out for laps on the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. It is a must-do bucket list item for any Jeep enthusiast!

    • Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona International Speedway (1801 W International Speedway Blvd)

  • Jeep Beach Coastal Cleanup Kick-Off

    • Give back to the beach! Stop by the Hard Rock Hotel to pick up your Coastal Cleanup sacks to help keep Daytona beautiful throughout the massive 10-day event.

    • Time: Check official Jeep Beach app for exact morning times

    • Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (918 N Atlantic Ave)

🎸 Nightlife & Entertainment

  • Rock & Roll Bingo at the Hard Rock

    • Spice up your Monday night with a music-driven twist on a classic game! Head over to the Sessions restaurant for Rock & Roll Bingo. Win drink cards and grand prizes while jamming out to a great playlist.

    • Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Bingo starts at 7:30 PM)

    • Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (918 N Atlantic Ave)

🤸 Community & Fitness

  • Active Classes at the Shores Community Center

    • Get your week moving! The Daytona Beach Shores Community Center has a packed Monday schedule of active events for locals:

      • Intro to Pickleball: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Held at McElroy Park)

      • Sittercise: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

      • Zumba Gold: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

      • Euchre (Card Game): 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

      • Chair Volleyball: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

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