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  • ⭐ 🍊🔫🛰️🚀🧬Orange Juice Declines, Gun Law Debate, NASA Eyes the Space Coast, ISS Delivery Stalls, and Young Cancer Cases Rise

⭐ 🍊🔫🛰️🚀🧬Orange Juice Declines, Gun Law Debate, NASA Eyes the Space Coast, ISS Delivery Stalls, and Young Cancer Cases Rise

Issue #513

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28 Mar

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🍊🔫🛰️🚀🧬Orange Juice Declines, Gun Law Debate, NASA Eyes the Space Coast, ISS Delivery Stalls, and Young Cancer Cases Rise

AI Image

🍊 Sour Times for OJ - Florida’s orange juice industry in a squeeze

Florida’s once-mighty orange juice industry is facing a bitter blend of problems. Consumption has dropped more than 50% since 2000, and this season’s orange crop is expected to decline by 30%—the lowest since World War II.

Blame a mix of bad weather, citrus greening disease, and evolving consumer tastes. While prices are falling slightly at the grocery store, experts warn that the industry’s long-term survival is uncertain. Brazil, on the other hand, is seeing citrus production bounce back, adding global competition to Florida’s woes.

Industry veterans, like citrus expert Bill Castle, say trees are dying faster than they can be replaced. With iconic brands like Tropicana feeling the squeeze, Florida growers are hoping for a fresh solution before the juice runs dry.

🧑‍⚖️ Florida House votes to lower age for buying rifles

The Florida House has once again passed a bill to lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18. This law, originally enacted after the 2018 Parkland shooting, was designed to curb access to firearms among younger adults. Emotions ran high as lawmakers debated the measure, with opponents citing both personal stories and scientific evidence about brain development. Supporters, however, argued that if 18-year-olds can vote and serve in the military, they should be allowed to buy firearms.

The measure passed 78-34, mostly along party lines. But its future remains uncertain, as similar proposals have stalled in the Senate in recent years. The bill also comes just weeks after a federal court upheld the current law’s constitutionality, further complicating the conversation.

🛰️ Space HQ Shuffle? - Florida makes a pitch for NASA’s new home

While NASA continues scouting for a new headquarters near Washington, D.C., Florida leaders are making a bold counter-offer: bring it to the Space Coast instead. Governor Ron DeSantis suggested that expanding NASA’s footprint at Kennedy Space Center would be both logical and frugal, saving taxpayers up to $1 billion.

“Why build new when you’ve already got the launchpads?” is the message from Tallahassee. Space Florida’s Rob Long added fuel to the argument, emphasizing the state’s aerospace prowess and infrastructure. Even U.S. Senator Ashley Moody chimed in, reminding everyone that Florida has been home to NASA’s greatest moments.

However, NASA says it’s not planning to build a new HQ—just lease a new one. Still, the Sunshine State isn’t backing down from the mission to bring the agency back where it all began.

🛰️ Delivery Delayed - ISS supply drop stalls after capsule mishap

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station may be rationing snacks a little more carefully in the coming months. NASA’s next cargo resupply mission was postponed after the Northrop Grumman capsule was damaged—before it even reached the launchpad.

NASA officials said the capsule sustained damage during transport, prompting them to adjust future scheduling. The next ISS cargo delivery now won’t launch until at least fall 2025. Though it sounds like a sci-fi crisis, NASA has backup plans, including upcoming SpaceX deliveries to help fill the gap.

Experts say some science experiments might take a backseat in the meantime, with priority going to essentials like food, oxygen, and critical gear. As Florida Tech’s Dr. Don Platt put it: "You never know when something might go wrong in space. That’s why backups are everything."

🧬 Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate - Young survivor urges others to trust their gut

Phil Heinrich was 27, active, and thriving when he started feeling subtle pain in his groin. Just a month later, he was undergoing emergency surgery after discovering cancer had spread throughout his body.

Heinrich’s story is becoming less rare. Tampa Bay doctors are reporting a rise in cancers like testicular, colorectal, and even breast cancer among patients in their 20s and 30s. Now in remission after aggressive treatment, Heinrich is sounding the alarm for young people: “Don’t wait. If something feels off, get checked.”

His message is straightforward but powerful: embarrassment is temporary—life is not. Heinrich now returns for scans every three months and hopes his story inspires others to take control of their health early.

Watch this related video-encouraging!

In a sweeping, 105-minute conversation with Tucker Carlson, billionaire physician and biotech entrepreneur Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong shares his concerns about a dramatic rise in aggressive cancers among young people. Drawing from his decades of cancer research and drug development, Dr. Soon-Shiong suggests that COVID-19—and the mRNA vaccines used to combat it—may be suppressing the immune system, contributing to a surge in cancers like pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer in patients as young as eight. He characterizes this trend as a “non-infectious pandemic.”

Recent Arrests

Ormond Beach Police Department

  • John Michael Peters, 38, arrested March 16; possession of controlled substance w/o prescription, paraphernalia. Bail: $3,000.

  • Danielle Rae Mccormick, 39, arrested March 20; neglect of child, resisting officer w/o violence. Bail: $500.

Holly Hill Police Department

  • Mueen Fahid, 31, arrested March 14; synthetic cannabinoid possession w/ intent to sell, advertising paraphernalia. Bail: $3,000.

  • Trevon Demarques Nevette, 28, arrested March 15; aggravated assault, improper weapon exhibit, grand theft (vehicle). Bail: $8,000.

  • Jason Richard Williams, 48, arrested March 17; burglary (unoccupied structure/conveyance). Bail: $25,000.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office

  • Geddy Lee Peer, 42, arrested March 14; written threats. No bail.

  • Samuel Morris Swift, 43, arrested March 15; domestic battery (strangulation). No bail.

  • Jorge Gonzales, 32, arrested March 18; grand theft. Bail: $1,000.

  • Travis Rose, 43, arrested March 18; grand theft. Bail: $1,000.

  • Samuel Morales-Perez, 54, arrested March 18; grand theft. Bail: $1,000.

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Ormond North Beach Cam at Ormond Lifeguard Station
Ormond South Beach Cam at Cardinal Drive - Not Available
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Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam

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

  • Fri Mar 28

  • Event: Men’s Conference, 12:00 AM
    1687 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Private Firearm Training Class Available-Call to Schedule, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, 165 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Yoga Outdoors with Kim - February and March at 10am, 10:00 AM
    Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Semi-Private Training (1-day Session 2pm-4pm), 2:00 – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: COUNTRY WESTERN WORKSHOP & DANCE SOCIAL 7-10PM,
    JJ's Dance Fusion, 298 S Nova Rd STE D, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Rocky & The Rollers - Decades Dance Party!, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, FL

  • Event: JimmyAli at The Grind on Friday's, 9:00 – 11:55 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Fletcher’s Irish Pub & Brewery – Holly Hill, 8:30 PM
    Fletcher's Brewery, 745 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, FL

  • Event: Garden Talk: Bees! Check for times
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Sat Mar 29

  • Event: Tomoka Brave, Strong & Healthy 5K Run/Walk, 8:00 AM
    Tomoka Elementary School, 999 Old Tomoka Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

  • Event: 2025 Mayor's Health & Fitness Challenge Kick-off & Weigh-in, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Joe and Elwillie Daniels South Ormond Neighborhood Center, 176 Division Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

  • Event: Sound Bath with Kyrsten Sinclair, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32176

  • Event: The Jake and Elwood Blues Revue, 7:00 PM
    Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N US Highway 1, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

  • Sun Mar30

  • Event: 5th Annual Beach Cleanup & Block Party (feat Are...), All day (Mar 29–30)
    9 Sea Grape Terrace, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Virtual Tour 9am - 7pm, 1 – 11 PM
    8 Seafarers Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Once Upon a Storytime Series, Ongoing (Mar 11–Apr 8)
    The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Open Mic Event, Ongoing (Mar 5–Apr 4)
    Kava Culture Kava Bar, 500 W Granada Blvd Ste 5, Ormond Beach, FL

  • Event: Pathways 5k & Color Fun Run, 4 – 6 PM
    Pathways Elementary School, 2100 Airport Rd, Ormond Beach, FL

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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