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  • ⭐Pace Center To Close In June, OB's Daniel Dye Ranks 24th, OBPD Capt. Smith Retires

⭐Pace Center To Close In June, OB's Daniel Dye Ranks 24th, OBPD Capt. Smith Retires

Issue #907

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🔒After three decades of serving some of the county's most vulnerable young women, the Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler in Ormond Beach will close its doors on June 26. The announcement came Tuesday, citing a combination of enrollment decline, staffing challenges, and financial sustainability concerns that could no longer be resolved. Pace has served as a lifeline for girls navigating difficult circumstances — offering education, counseling, and advocacy in a setting designed around their specific needs. The closure follows similar shutdowns in Fort Pierce, Orange County, and Marion County within the past year. Current students are being connected with Volusia County Schools and Flagler Schools for fall enrollment, and families will be linked to community mental health resources. There is some forward momentum: Pace plans to launch a new community-based program called Pace Reach in fall 2026, bringing mental health services and early intervention to girls in the field rather than a fixed campus. The $6.2 million campus that had been planned for Clyde Morris Boulevard — approved with $3 million in federal disaster recovery funds as recently as February 2025 — will not be built.

🏁🏁Volusia County's Daniel Dye made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday, finishing 24th in the Jack Link's 500 for Live Fast Motorsports. Getting to the starting grid at all was uncertain heading into the weekend — with one more entry than the field could accommodate, Dye was among the cars at risk of being sent home. A rainout of Saturday qualifying reshuffled the lineup in his favor, landing him 40th on the grid. He picked up a speeding penalty in the first stage, survived a massive crash on lap 115 that eliminated a large portion of the field, and crossed the finish line two laps down. For a first Cup Series start at one of the most chaotic venues on the calendar, finishing the race counts. His next three Cup appearances are scheduled at Pocono in June, Daytona International Speedway in August — where he'll race in front of a hometown crowd — and a return to Talladega in October.

👮‍♂️Tuesday also brought a retirement ceremony that the Ormond Beach Police Department clearly felt deeply. Capt. DW Smith, born and raised in Ormond Beach, began his journey with OBPD as a police explorer at age 13 in 1989 — and retired Tuesday after 30 years of sworn service, having risen through nearly every division in the department to reach captain in 2018. The shadowbox of his patches and medals reportedly stretched beyond the width of the table it rested on, which says something about the kind of career he built. The ceremony was tinged with grief: the department recently lost records clerk Kathleen Nowell to a medical emergency, and former division chief Mark Walker died on April 24. Smith acknowledged both losses and spoke of Walker as the supervisor who shaped him. His message to those continuing the work was characteristically plain: respect the job, respect the community, and it will respect you in return. Congratulations, Captain.

Sources
"Pace Center for Girls in Ormond Beach will close in late June" — Ormond Observer, April 28, 2026
"Volusia's Daniel Dye Finishes 24th in NASCAR Cup Series Debut" — News Daytona Beach, April 28, 2026
"Respecting the badge: Ormond Beach Police Capt. DW retires after 30 years of service" — Ormond Observer, April 28, 2026

Recent Deaths

  • Mark Steven Walker, 68, of Ormond Beach, passed away on April 18, 2026.

  • Noah Levi Nelson, 22, of Ormond Beach, passed away on April 17, 2026.

  • Fred P. Klippel Jr., 84, of Ormond Beach, passed away on April 16, 2026.

  • Arden Dean Riggs, 77, of Ormond Beach, passed away on April 15, 2026.

  • Mary Lou Guzy, 89, of Ormond Beach, passed away on April 14, 2026.

Fire and EMS Calls

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 Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🦆Nature Walk at Central Park, 8:00 AM – Sunset Central Park, 601 Hammock Ln, Ormond Beach Explore the various trails and lakes of the city's largest park, ideal for bird watching and capturing the peak of Florida's spring landscape.

  • Event: 🏗️Site Plan Review Committee, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM City Hall CR103, 22 S. Beach Street, Ormond Beach A technical municipal meeting where city staff and developers review proposed site plans for compliance with local land development regulations.

  • Event: 🎨Summer ART Camp, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM St James Episcopal Church, 44 S Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach A recurring creative workshop for students to explore diverse artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

  • Event: 🤝Leadership Ormond Beach: Non-Profit Day, All Day Various Locations, Ormond Beach A Chamber of Commerce program focused on local non-profit organizations and their impact on the community.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏫Early Release Day, All Day Holly Hill School, 1500 Center St, Holly Hill A scheduled early release for students at Holly Hill School. Residents should expect increased school zone traffic earlier in the afternoon.

  • Event: 🏓Open Play Pickleball, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill Mid-week open play at the world-class Pictona facility. Players of all levels are welcome to drop in for matches on the 49 available courts.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🪑Sittercise, 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Shores Community Center, 3000 Bellemead Dr, Daytona Beach Shores A gentle, chair-based exercise class designed to improve mobility and strength for seniors or those with limited mobility.

  • Event: 🏃Fitness, Fun & Freedom, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Shores Community Center, 3000 Bellemead Dr, Daytona Beach Shores An energetic fitness class focused on improving cardiovascular health and overall wellness in a social community setting.

  • Event: 💃Ballroom Dance: Night Club 2 Step & Triple Step Swing, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Shores Community Center, 3000 Bellemead Dr, Daytona Beach Shores Social dance lessons focusing on Night Club 2 Step and Triple Step Swing, perfect for dancers looking to refine their skills or learn new moves.

  • Event: 🏙️CRA Workshop, 6:00 PM City Hall, 301 S Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) workshop to discuss revitalization projects and urban planning initiatives for the downtown and midtown areas.

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.

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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