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- ⭐ Tolland Announces, Community Rallies, Book Bans..Again, Bee Breakthrough
⭐ Tolland Announces, Community Rallies, Book Bans..Again, Bee Breakthrough
Issue #701
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Lori Tolland: Courtesy Photo
🗳️ Tolland Throws Her Hat in the Ring
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Lori Tolland is officially running for mayor. First elected in 2022 to represent Zone 1, Tolland has since served two terms and says she now feels fully prepared for the challenge of the city’s top seat. A retired registered nurse and longtime community advocate, she has over 20 years of service on local boards and has lived in Ormond since 1989.
While she initially planned to wait before pursuing the mayoralty, Tolland said her current experience has reinforced her readiness. “Running as a mayor candidate shouldn't be taken lightly,” she said. “I’m 100% invested in our community.”
Tolland identified future challenges like stormwater management and potential property tax reform, and wants to focus on balancing growth with environmental protection, safeguarding parks, and boosting economic development.
“I think being a commissioner first certainly prepares you for the middle seat,” she added.
Source: Ormond Observer
💝 Community Rallies Behind Cancer Patients
When a local mom with stage 3 breast cancer needed help, Ormond Beach’s Light the Way nonprofit didn’t just step up — they sprinted. After hearing her story, volunteers quickly raised $3,500 in gift cards to cover groceries, transportation, and essentials for her and her 3-year-old daughter. That’s $2,500 over their typical goal — a record-breaking response that founder Angela Heaster called “incredible.”
The group, founded in 2014, partners with social workers to support cancer patients with basic needs that insurance won’t cover. “There’s always somebody in need,” Heaster said. “When helping one patient, there’s going to be another one coming right behind it.”
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Kristin Deaton, a longtime volunteer whose sister is battling cancer, personally collected $2,000 in two days. Her sentiment? “I love to see locals rally around each other.”
And rally they did — including support from a local car dealership to get the mom’s vehicle back on the road.
To support the cause, visit lightthewayvolusia.org.
Source: Ormond Observer
📚 Florida Tops Nation in Book Bans… Again
Florida has earned another No. 1 spot — but not the kind to celebrate. For the third year in a row, the state leads the U.S. in school book bans, according to a new report from PEN America. In the 2024-25 school year alone, over 2,300 instances of book bans were reported in Florida schools — a drop from last year, but still raising alarm bells.
What’s especially concerning to PEN America is the source of the bans. This year’s spike in censorship appears to stem more from state-level pressure than local parental concerns. Kasey Meehan of PEN called Florida “a blueprint state,” warning that its approach to book bans tends to ripple nationwide.
Among the most frequently banned titles: A Clockwork Orange, Sold, and A Court of Mist and Fury. Hillsborough County alone removed over 600 books, with Union and Clay counties not far behind.
While Governor Ron DeSantis continues to dismiss the issue as a “hoax,” a federal judge recently struck down part of the law underpinning these removals, calling it unconstitutionally vague. Expect continued battles ahead in courts — and classrooms.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
🐝 Bee Breakthrough Gets EPA Buzzing
In a sweet win for science and sustainability, University of Florida researcher Dr. Cameron Jack has helped change national pesticide guidelines — thanks to honey bees. After years of research, Jack’s work prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to update its oxalic acid labeling, giving beekeepers a better way to manage deadly mites.
Previously, beekeepers were restricted to using just 1 gram of oxalic acid per hive chamber when vaporizing. Jack’s data showed that 4 grams is both safe for bees and far more effective against Varroa destructor mites — a leading cause of colony collapse.
“It was a long battle,” said Jack, who teaches in the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. “It was really meaningful to see our research have a real-world impact.”
Now, beekeepers across the country can implement stronger, science-backed pest control — protecting pollinators that are vital to our ecosystem and food supply.
Source: Hometown News
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NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info
Thu Oct 2
Event: 🧑🌾Ormond Beach Farmer's Market, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach Shop for fresh produce, artisan goods, and more from local vendors at this weekly market.
Event: 🏳️🌈Daytona Pride Meet & Greet, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Drunken Duck Brewing Company, 101 2nd St Unit 401, Holly Hill A social meet and greet event for the local LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Event: 🎶The Fabulous B Naturals, 6:00 PM Salty D’s Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach Enjoy live music from The Fabulous B Naturals on the beachside deck.
Event: 🏎️RC Car Night, 8:00 PM Ormond Beach Skate Park, 440 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach A fun night for remote control car enthusiasts to race and show off their vehicles.
Event: 🧠Trivia Night at Kava Kula, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach Test your knowledge on a variety of subjects at the weekly trivia night.
Fri Oct 3
Event: 🎉Community Appreciation Night, 6 – 9 PM
The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach
An evening dedicated to honoring the local community with festivities and engagement.Event: 🎬Movies on the Halifax - Beetlejuice
The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach
Outdoor screening of the classic film "Beetlejuice" for a fun night under the stars.Event: 🎨Creative Club!, 9:30 – 11:30 PM
150 Tomoka Ave, Ormond Beach
A late-night creative workshop inviting all to express themselves through various art forms.Event: 🎸Javier Pérez @ Ormond Garage, 6 – 10 PM
Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Live music performance featuring Javier Pérez in a vibrant, garage-themed setting.
Sat Oct 4
Event: 🏃VOLUSIA COUNTY MS XC, Time Not Specified Ormond Beach Middle School, 151 Domicilio Ave, Ormond Beach A middle school cross-country meet featuring teams from across the county.
Event: 🎃2025 Fall Festival, All Day County Line Family Farms, 77 Cir S Rd, Ormond Beach Enjoy the opening weekend of the annual fall festival featuring pumpkins, a corn maze, and fun family activities.
Event: 🥃Moonshiner's Master Distiller Tour, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Copper Bottom Craft Distillery, 998 N Beach St, Holly Hill An exclusive tour and tasting experience at an award-winning local distillery.
Event: 🐾Blessing of the Animals, 2:00 PM Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1225 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach A special service to bless beloved pets in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Event: 🎨Jellyfish Watercolor Painting Class, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM The Salty Mermaid, 1546 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach Learn to paint a beautiful jellyfish using watercolors in this guided art class.
Event: 🍷Wine Curiosity, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach An afternoon wine tasting event to explore new and interesting varietals.
Event: ✨Ormond Art Walk: Lesley Ehlers Pop-Up, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach Part of the First Saturday Art Walk, featuring a special pop-up exhibit by artist Lesley Ehlers in the gardens.
Event: 🥋Stan Lee's United Martial Arts 30th Anniversary, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Stan Lee's United Martial Arts, 11 S Washington St, Ormond Beach A community celebration of the studio's 30th anniversary with demonstrations and activities.
Event: 🙏St Francis Day - Animal Blessing, 5:00 PM St. James Episcopal Church, 44 S Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach Bring your pets for a special blessing in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Event: 🎤Live Music with Mark Chirico, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach Enjoy live music from Mark Chirico while you dine and shop.
Event: 🎓Mainland Senior High School Class of 1980 Reunion, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM RiverGrille on the Tomoka, 950 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach A reunion event for the Mainland Senior High School class of 1980.
Event: 🖼️First Saturday ORMOND ART WALK, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Starts at, 23 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach A monthly self-guided tour of local galleries and venues in the Ormond Beach arts district.
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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