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  • ⭐Tax Reform Concerns, Shool Leadership Shuffle, Tollbooth Barriers Tested, Tollbooth Driver Held No Bond

⭐Tax Reform Concerns, Shool Leadership Shuffle, Tollbooth Barriers Tested, Tollbooth Driver Held No Bond

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05 Jun

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🏛️ Tax Reform Plan Raises Budget Concerns

Volusia County leaders are crunching the numbers — and they don’t love what they’re seeing.

Under a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise Florida’s homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028, county officials estimate a $92.8 million property tax revenue loss. County Chief Financial Officer Ryan Ossowski told council members that after required state mandates are funded, the county would face a $17.7 million deficit just to maintain essential services .

Because much of the county’s $1.8 billion budget is restricted to specific uses, leaders say the general fund, law enforcement and fire services would likely bear the brunt. The proposal would also tighten how local governments can raise millage rates, potentially requiring supermajority or unanimous votes for increases.

Council members voiced support for fair tax reform but urged the state to study service-level impacts before moving forward. As County Manager George Recktenwald noted, the discussion may ultimately shift from tax reform to service reform.

🎓 Leadership Shuffle Across Volusia Schools

The Volusia County School Board approved a slate of new principal and assistant principal appointments for the 2026-2027 school year. Seabreeze High’s Jodi Lewitt will step into the principal role after helping guide the school from a “C” to an “A” rating alongside outgoing leader Tucker Harris. Beachside Elementary, Tomoka Elementary and Champion Elementary will also welcome new principals, many promoted from within.

In total, the board approved multiple principal appointments, seven assistant principal placements and 21 staff transfers. Familiar faces are moving into district leadership roles, while longtime educators are taking the helm at neighborhood campuses.

The tone from new appointees was consistent: pride, gratitude and a focus on student success. For families, it signals continuity with a dash of fresh perspective — just in time for a new academic year.

🚧 County Tests New Tollbooth Barriers

In the wake of tragedy, Volusia County is moving swiftly to reassess safety at its beach access ramps.

Following the fatal June 1 crash at the Dunlawton Boulevard tollbooth in Daytona Beach Shores, officials have installed temporary barricades near the booth as part of a trial safety initiative. County spokesperson Clayton Jackson said the barriers are being evaluated to ensure they protect workers without disrupting emergency access or traffic flow.

The crash claimed the life of longtime toll worker Tammie Jo Baker, remembered by community members for her welcoming smile and upbeat spirit. A growing memorial now marks the site, where flowers and tributes continue to appear.

Officials say they will review safety operations at other beach ramps as well, balancing public access with employee protection. The Dunlawton ramp is expected to reopen next week after a brief weekend closure.

Source: MyNews13

⚖️ Driver Held Without Bond in Fatal Crash

As safety reviews continue, the legal case tied to the crash is also moving forward.

Deanna Harrell, 35, of Ormond Beach, has been charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter in connection with the June 1 tollbooth crash that killed Baker. She was ordered held without bond during a June 4 court appearance.

According to prosecutors, Harrell admitted to drinking before driving, telling investigators she had a “buzz” after leaving a local bar. Court documents allege she consumed rum and Coke at Metz II and also drank vodka from a Gatorade bottle prior to the crash. Surveillance footage and 911 calls described erratic driving in the minutes leading up to the collision.

A pretrial detention hearing is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the case has intensified community conversations about impaired driving and accountability.

Recent Arrests

Ormond Beach Police Department

  • Darcy P. Macerelli (62) – Arrested on May 22. Charge(s): Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Bail: Not set.

  • Cody Aaron Dewitte (34) – Arrested on May 26. Charge(s): Assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Bail: Not set.

  • David Douglas Bishop (74) – Arrested on May 26. Charge(s): Battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Bail: Not set.

Holly Hill Police Department

  • Erin Nicole Krenz (43) – Arrested on May 26. Charge(s): Child abuse. Bail: Not set.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

  • Cooley Lane Buford (31) – Arrested on May 21. Charge(s): Burglary of an occupied structure, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence, grand theft, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. Bail: Not set.

  • Phyllis Joy Colahan (56) – Arrested on May 21. Charge(s): Possession of a controlled substance without prescription, possession of hydrocodone, drug equipment possession/use. Bail: $5,500.

  • Armando Gomez (50) – Arrested on May 22. Charge(s): Possession of a controlled substance without prescription, drug equipment possession/use. Bail: $3,500.

  • Antoine D. Young (48) – Arrested on May 23. Charge(s): Possession of a controlled substance without prescription, drug equipment possession/use, petit theft. Bail: $5,500.

  • John Dominic Pozzuoli (63) – Arrested on May 23. Charge(s): Driving while license suspended, habitual offender. Bail: $2,500.

  • Kenneth Dwayne Thele (40) – Arrested on May 24. Charge(s): Driving while license suspended, habitual offender. Bail: $2,500.

  • Zack Wesley Criss (22) – Arrested on May 25. Charge(s): Tampering with a witness. Bail: $1,000.

  • Jeremy Alberto Llerena (34) – Arrested on May 27. Charge(s): Aggravated battery. Bail: Not set.

Volusia County Detention Center

  • Brandon Strenowight (34) – Arrested on May 23. Charge(s): Conviction battery, committing a second subsequent battery and assault. Bail: Not set.

  • Christopher Tyler Stokes (34) – Arrested on May 27. Charge(s): Conviction battery, committing a second subsequent battery, violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence. Bail: $25,000.

NOTE: This report lists arrests only, not convictions, from publicly available information, All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Events for Friday, June 5, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: Free Family Art Night - 5:30–7 p.m.
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach
    Families can work together on large pastel flowers inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe. All instruction and supplies are provided, no art experience is needed, and all ages are welcome. Free admission.

  • Event: Quiet Light: The Art of Sara Pedigo - Museum hours
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach
    Ongoing exhibition featuring representational work by Sara Pedigo. Museum hours are listed as Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • Event: The World We Make: Art of Izzy Losskarn & Jeff Schofield - Museum hours
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach
    Exhibition featuring assemblages and hyper-realistic imagery exploring mass consumption, overproduction and contemporary society.

Holly Hill

Daytona Beach

  • Event: Florida Truck Driving Championships - Daily event / time not listed
    Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Free, family-friendly competition featuring professional drivers competing in written tests, vehicle inspections and driving-skill challenges.

  • Event: Downtown Daytona Nights Food Truck Rally - 5–9 p.m.
    Historic Beach Street area / Magnolia Avenue, Daytona Beach
    Monthly First Friday food truck rally featuring food trucks, music and downtown activities. Free event.

  • Event: Riverfront Market - 5–9 p.m.
    Riverfront Esplanade, 179 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach
    Friday night market with up to 45 local vendors, live music by Aaron Esposito, and a waterfront shopping atmosphere.

  • Event: First Friday ArtWalk - 5–9 p.m.
    Downtown Daytona Beach / Riverfront Shops area
    First Friday evening art walk listed in connection with the Riverfront Market and Downtown Daytona Nights activities.

  • Event: Rock The Beach Tribute Series — A Tribute to Metallica - 7 p.m.
    Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Rock The Beach tribute concert featuring a Metallica tribute performance.

Events for Saturday, June 6, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: First Saturday Ormond Art Walk: Micayla Williams Pop-Up - 3–7 p.m.
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Free pop-up exhibit featuring artist Micayla Williams, with an artist talk at 5 p.m. Part of the First Saturday Ormond Art Walk.

  • Event: Ormond First Saturday Art Walk - 3–7 p.m.
    Ormond Beach MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Monthly art walk featuring Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more.

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

  • Event: The World We Make: Art of Isabella Losskarn & Jeff Schofield - Museum hours
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Ongoing main gallery exhibition running June 4 through September 13, 2026.

Holly Hill

  • Pickleball Dink N Drink Saturdays!

    • Get your weekend pickleball fix! Pictona hosts its weekly Saturday social featuring open play, music, food and drink specials, and raffle prizes. It's the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening on the courts.

    • Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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

    • Cost: Free for members / $10 for Non-Members

Daytona Beach

  • Event: Florida Truck Driving Championships - Daily event / time not listed
    Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Free, family-friendly competition featuring professional truck drivers competing in written tests, vehicle inspections and driving-skill challenges.

  • Event: Summer Splash Saturdays - 12–3 p.m.
    Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA, One Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
    Free splash pad party with live DJs, interactive games, prizes and family-friendly summer activities.

  • Event: DJ Ced - Wilin Entertainment - 12–5 p.m.
    Sessions Terrace, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Brunch Remix event featuring DJ Ced on the Sessions/Poolside Terrace.

  • Event: Spellbound: Magic & Mystery In Motion - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
    News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
    Ticketed stage show presented at the News-Journal Center. Tickets listed at $37.50–$45.50.

  • Event: Summer Soundtrack: Kickoff with The Spazmatics - 6–8:15 p.m.
    Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA, One Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
    Free kickoff weekend concert featuring The Spazmatics with an ’80s throwback party theme.

  • Event: Bandshell Star Spangled Summer Concert Series & Fireworks — Southern Cross & Bad Moon Rising - 7:15 p.m.
    Daytona Beach Bandshell, 70 Boardwalk Ave., Daytona Beach
    Free tribute concert featuring music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Fireworks follow at 9:45 p.m.; VIP chair seating listed at $15.

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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