- Ormond Local Pulse
- Posts
- ⭐T-Ball Season Opens, 30% Struggling, $5 Rabies Shots, Volusia Advocate On NPR
⭐T-Ball Season Opens, 30% Struggling, $5 Rabies Shots, Volusia Advocate On NPR
Issue #860
Note: 👉👉👉 You can always READ ONLINE
+
Today’s Forecast
Tropical Update
The Tropical Update Has Been Suspended For The Season Unless Something Develops
Swipe image left for more daily forecasts
⚾ T-Ball Season Swings Into Action
There were somersaults to first base, oversized caps slipping over little eyes and plenty of proud parents snapping photos as the Ormond Beach Youth Baseball and Softball Association kicked off its T-ball season March 7.
This spring’s league includes 130 players, ages 5 and 6, divided into 14 teams — a notable jump from recent seasons. Even more impressive: volunteers came forward to coach without the usual recruitment push. Fourteen volunteer head coaches, along with assistants and team sponsors, are helping guide the next generation through their first swings and ground balls.
League director Doug Wigley has been involved with the organization for 32 years and helped establish the T-ball fields through a public-private partnership with the city. Now back at the helm while his granddaughter plays, Wigley says the league offers more than just youth sports.
Between juggling rosters, PTA duties and three young children, assistant director Marisa Wigley says the growth reflects something deeper — a generational commitment to community involvement.
For Wigley, the fields remain a place to recharge. Watching families show up week after week, he says, restores confidence in the future — one tiny jersey at a time.
Source: Ormond Observer
🏠 36% of Local Households Struggling Financially
More than one-third of households in Flagler and Volusia counties are facing financial hardship, according to the latest ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data.
The report shows a Florida family of four needs nearly $86,700 annually to cover basic necessities. In Flagler County, that number climbs above $92,600; in Volusia County, it’s close to $91,000. Meanwhile, median household incomes in both counties fall well below those figures.
Housing remains a central pressure point. Since 2016, average home prices in the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach markets have more than doubled. Rent and childcare costs — often topping $1,500 monthly for two children — add further strain.
Groups like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Volusia County are expanding affordable homeownership efforts, while FAITH Volusia is championing housing trust funds and development linkage fees. Advocates warn that without sustained solutions, essential workers — from bus drivers to health care technicians — risk being priced out of the communities they serve.
The question leaders are now asking: How do we stabilize housing before hardship turns into homelessness?
Source: Ormond Observer
🐾 $5 Rabies Shots & Low-Cost Pet Vaccines Sunday
The The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) is hosting low-cost vaccination clinics Sunday, March 15, with stops in Ormond Beach, South Daytona and New Smyrna Beach.
Rabies vaccinations will be available for $5 (one-year), alongside a full menu of discounted services including distemper/parvo combos, feline leukemia vaccines, Lyme shots, heartworm testing and even nail trims. Vaccinations are administered by a licensed veterinarian, and pet owners do not need to purchase shots to buy flea or heartworm products.
Organizers note that manufacturer price increases are expected soon for flea and heartworm medications — making this weekend’s clinic a timely chance to stock up.
Cats must be in carriers and dogs on secure leads. Clinics will operate outdoors with shade and water available for pets. The nonprofit has served the region since 1977, with proceeds benefiting local animal welfare efforts.
Source: Facebook
💧 Volusia Advocate Featured on NPR Over Recycled Water Debate
Volusia County resident Greg Gimbert, who leads Let Volusia Vote, was recently featured in a national story by NPR discussing Florida’s move toward direct potable reuse — the process of treating recycled wastewater for drinking.
Florida is now one of four states permitting this approach, driven in part by rapid population growth and increasing water demand. Engineers and scientists interviewed described the process as chemically and biologically clean, emphasizing rigorous treatment standards.
Gimbert, however, has voiced skepticism and mobilized opposition locally, questioning whether the public is comfortable with the concept. His concerns reflect a broader conversation unfolding across the state: balancing infrastructure innovation with public trust.
As growth continues, water policy is likely to remain front and center — not just in engineering circles, but around kitchen tables as well.
Source: Protect Volusia-Facebook
GET YOUR VIP PASS
Receive Special News Notifications, Special Community Events, etc.
BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Get your on VIP pass for your group.
Click here for more information
⭐⭐Local Business Directory⭐⭐
Please Patronize Your Local Businesses!
Get hands-on, no-fluff AI training built for local businesses—not tech geeks. Whether you run a salon, law firm, restaurant, or repair shop, or individual, we’ll show you how to use AI to save time, cut costs, and grow fast.
A community for everyone…local businesses, professionals, individuals.
Check out these proven AI prompts for Local Businesses
Looking for a Great Place To Eat?
Click Image
⭐ Today's Meme ⭐
Great Voucher Dealz
Digital coupons & vouchers for local businesses and their services.
Visit the Dealz page and get a great deal.
Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam
Ormond by the Sea 180 degree Cam
Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam
Ponce Inlet 180 degree Cam
Currently Unavailable
Thursday, March 12, 2026
🥦 Fresh & Local
A beloved Thursday morning tradition! Stroll through the City Hall Plaza to shop for fresh regional produce, baked goods, local honey, plants, and handcrafted items. Located right next to the library and across from the beautiful Halifax River, it is a great way to start your day.
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: City Hall Plaza (22 S. Beach St)
🎸 Live Entertainment
TOBY - The Experience (Toby Keith Tribute)
Get ready for a wild ride through the heart and soul of country music! Hollywood Yates takes the stage to deliver a high-energy tribute to the bad boy of country music, Toby Keith, performing anthems like "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "I Love This Bar."
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)
🏛️ Civic & Community
Halifax Genealogical Society - Using Technology to Organize Your Research
Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library,30 S Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Website for More Info https://www.halifaxgensociety.org/City of Ormond Beach Public Meetings
Local government business continues at City Hall. Residents are welcome to attend the following scheduled board meetings:
Evaluation Meeting (Employee Benefits RFP): 2:00 PM (Training Room)
Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board: 6:00 PM (Room 103)
🏓 Active & Leisure
Pickleball at Pictona
While there are no major civic festivals scheduled in Holly Hill today, it is the perfect Thursday to hit the courts at Pictona, one of the premier pickleball facilities in the United States. With 49 courts, it is a bustling hub of daily local activity. You can drop in for a few games and then grab 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)
📚 Education & Youth
After-School Tutoring / Study Time
The Holly Hill Public Library acts as a quiet afternoon hub for local students and homeschool groups utilizing the space for study and tutoring.
Time: Late afternoon (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Location: Holly Hill Library (8423 Old State Rd)
🌊 Scenic & Relaxed
A Quiet Coastal Thursday
Ormond-by-the-Sea remains entirely residential and peaceful, making it a true escape from the bustling Spring Break crowds starting to gather further south in Daytona. Spend your Thursday hunting for sea glass on the pristine, no-drive sands of North Peninsula State Park, or take a scenic drive up A1A to grab a relaxed, ocean-view meal at a local staple like Lagerheads Bar & Grill.
Friday, March 13, 2026
🛼 Family Fun
Volusia County students have a day off! Keep the kids entertained at Astro Skate Center's special extended daytime skate session. The first hour even includes free all-you-can-eat pizza.
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Astro Skate Center (250 N. US Highway 1)
Cost: $8 admission (plus skate rental)
🎸 Headline Concert
Classic rock legends Wishbone Ash hit the stage in Ormond Beach! Known for inventing and perfecting the twin lead guitar sound of the 1970s, this is a rare chance to see the touring legends in an intimate, 600-seat theater.
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)
🦅 Free Outdoor Concert
The Limit: A Tribute to the Eagles!
Presented by the City of Holly Hill, head to the brand-new MetroHealth Stadium at Pictona for a completely free Friday night concert. "The Limit" delivers tight harmonies and stunning guitars, playing every massive hit from "Hotel California" to "Life in the Fast Lane."
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: MetroHealth Stadium at Pictona (1060 Ridgewood Ave)
Cost: Free General Admission (Bleacher seating)
🌊 Friday Night Coastal Escape
A Quiet Evening on A1A
Ormond-by-the-Sea doesn't host big concerts, and that is exactly why locals love it! With the Spring Break crowds flooding Daytona to the south, tonight is the perfect night to enjoy a quiet, ocean-breeze dinner. Grab a table at Lagerheads Bar & Grill for some local seafood and acoustic patio tunes, or take a sunset walk along the no-drive sand at Tom Renick Park.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
🏃 Community & Fitness
3rd Annual Grace Weite Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk
Start your Saturday morning with a wonderful community cause! This 5K honors the memory of a beloved local teacher, with proceeds raising funds for Holly Hill School. It’s a highly family-friendly event featuring a supervised "Kid Zone" so parents can run while the little ones play.
Time: Race starts at 8:00 AM
Location: Holly Hill School (1500 Center Ave)
Cost: $30 Registration
🏓 Active & Leisure
Saturday Morning Pickleball @ Pictona
Pictona is always the place to be on a Saturday morning! Head over to the 49-court facility for open play, then grab a casual lunch at the on-site restaurant, The Kitchen. (Fun local fact: The venue is hosting several private events today, so expect a lively, bustling atmosphere!)
Time: Open daily (typically 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM)
Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)
🎸 Live Entertainment
Ultimate Garth and Shania Tribute
Get ready for a massive dose of 90s country nostalgia! Kip Sweeny and Cristi Vale bring the magic of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain to life with a high-energy stage show. Expect to hear every massive hit from "Friends in Low Places" to "Man! I Feel Like a Woman."
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)
Tickets: Starting at $45
🌺 Nature & Arts
Weekend Stroll at OMAM Gardens
If you are looking for a completely free, peaceful afternoon activity, take a walk through the lush, tropical gardens at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. It is a beautiful, shaded oasis right off Granada Blvd.
Time: Gardens open all day from sunrise to sunset
Location: 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
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
Scan for event form
Our goal is to provide Ormond Beach readers with news that's relevant to our area. The BIG news sources don't always reach to the "micro-level", so we need your help! We welcome your input for news of local happenings that would be of interest to Ormond readers. Neighborhood news, events, etc., are all welcome. Got photos? Great! If you fancy yourself a writer we'd welcome your participation.
You can enter event information on this form, or for important, urgent news items feel free to text us at 386-444-2002 or email [email protected] with information about your news. We will get back to you for details.
We Want To Spotlight Your Business!
We ❤️ Local Businesses!
Our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Ormond Local Pulse" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message, and let's celebrate the spirit of Ormond Beach together!
⭐ Own a local business? ⭐
⭐ We WANT to spotlight YOUR business!! ⭐
❤️ Love a local business? Nominate them.
We could use your help!
We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!
One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.
Know somebody who lives in the Ormond Beach, Ormond-By-The-Sea, or Holly Hill areas that would benefit from being kept in the know?
Do you fancy yourself a writer? We’d love to feature articles from our neighbors and readers. If you’d like to contribute let us know HERE
 | Please share Ormond Local Pulse with your friends! Have them scan the QR code or send them the link below.. 👇👇👇👇 |
Reply