⭐Tolland Wins, Huricanes On Snooze

Issue #1020

Author

.George Sloane
20 Aug

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Today’s Forecast

Tropical Update

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Lori Tolland - Courtesy Photo

🗳️ Tolland Makes History in Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach voters made history Aug. 18, electing Lori Tolland as the city’s first female mayor. Tolland captured 51.26% of the vote in a four-candidate race, winning outright and avoiding a November runoff. The current Zone 1 commissioner and deputy mayor, who was first elected in 2022, said she had mentally prepared for a runoff and was surprised and grateful when the final numbers came in.

Tolland, a retired nurse and Ormond Beach resident since 1989, previously spent decades serving on city advisory boards. She said she intends to represent all residents, emphasizing fairness, balance and giving people an opportunity to express their views.

The election also settled the open Zone 1 City Commission race. Melissa DeVriese won with 51.24%, defeating Alan Burton, who received 25.70%, and Coleen McMahon, who received 23.06%. DeVriese, president of Security First Insurance and an Ormond Beach native, pointed to her local business and volunteer experience and credited a positive campaign for helping her message resonate with voters.

Not every Ormond Beach contest wrapped up on primary night. In Zone 4, incumbent Harold Briley led with 41.86%, followed closely by Planning Board member Amber Bobak at 38.84%. Barry du Moulin received 19.31%. Because no candidate crossed the required threshold, Briley and Bobak will meet again in the November runoff.

Two additional Ormond Beach commission races are also headed to the November ballot. In Zone 2, incumbent Travis Sargent faces challenger Jennifer Bright, while Zone 3 incumbent Kristin Deaton faces challenger Ted Rhodes.

Turnout was modest. The mayoral contest drew 10,609 voters, while 3,175 participated in the Zone 1 race and 2,218 voted in Zone 4. With one historic result in the books and several commission seats still to be decided, Ormond Beach voters aren’t quite finished with election season yet.

From ballots to barometers, another season Floridians watch closely is proving unusually quiet so far.

🌀 Hurricane Season Hits the Snooze Button

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been surprisingly subdued, prompting forecasters to lower expectations — although nobody is suggesting packing away the hurricane supplies just yet. Colorado State University now sees a 70% chance of below-normal tropical activity through Sept. 1, while AccuWeather has reduced its full-season forecast to eight to 11 named storms, including three to four hurricanes.

Only three named storms — Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal — have formed so far, putting the season behind its typical pace. A developing El Niño is expected to increase wind shear across the Atlantic, making conditions less favorable for tropical systems.

Still, there is something new to watch. Forecast models are showing interest in a tropical wave expected to leave Africa, with the Climate Prediction Center identifying a 20% to 40% chance of formation between Aug. 26 and Sept. 8 in an area between the Cabo Verde Islands and Lesser Antilles. As of Aug. 19, however, the National Hurricane Center had no development areas highlighted for the coming seven days.

The quieter outlook comes with an important caveat: peak hurricane season is only beginning. The average first major hurricane arrives around Sept. 1, and forecasters stress that even an otherwise slow season can produce a damaging U.S. landfall. In other words, the Atlantic may be enjoying a quiet spell, but hurricane season still has plenty of calendar left.

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Events for Thursday, August 20, 2026
Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🖼️ Third Thursday Docent Tour, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Enjoy a guided tour of the museum's current exhibitions, including The World We Make, led by an experienced docent.

  • Event: 🎨 Art of Healing Workshop, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    A creative wellness workshop that combines art-making with mindfulness and personal expression.

  • Event: 🖌️ The World We Make Exhibition, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Explore the museum's featured exhibition along with the John Wilton Modular Art Panels and other ongoing gallery installations during regular museum hours.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏓 Open Pickleball Play, Morning – Evening
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
    Public courts, challenge courts, open play sessions, and league activities are available throughout the day.

  • Event: 💪 Florida Health Care Plans Activity Center Programs, Various Times
    Florida Health Care Plans Activity Center at Pictona, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
    Daily fitness, balance, stretching, and wellness classes for adults held throughout the day.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🌳 Riverfront Esplanade, All Day
    Riverfront Esplanade, 249 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
    Enjoy the waterfront promenade, public art, botanical gardens, splash pad, playground, dog park, and scenic Halifax River walking paths.

Events for Friday, August 21, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🖼️ The World We Make Exhibition, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    View the museum's featured exhibition, sculpture garden, and rotating gallery installations during regular museum hours.

  • Event: 🎨 Open Artist Studios & Galleries, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
    Explore the museum galleries and gardens, with ongoing exhibits and artist displays available throughout the day.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏓 Pickleball & Music Friday, 5:00 PM
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
    Friday evenings feature open pickleball, food and beverages, and live music on the Event Lawn. Public day passes are available.

  • Event: 🏓 Open Pickleball Play, 8:00 AM – Evening
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill
    Public courts, challenge courts, and organized open play are available throughout the day.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🧘 AumShanti Yoga – Stairway to Savasana (Hatha), 9:30 AM
    Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach – Rock Royalty Terrace, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
    Outdoor yoga overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Open to the public; discounted admission for local residents.

  • Event: 🛍️ Riverfront Market, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Riverfront Esplanade, 249 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
    A weekly waterfront market featuring up to 45 local vendors, live music by Aaron Esposito, food vendors, and shopping in a relaxed riverfront setting.

  • Event: 🎸 Sounds of Summer – The Wildflowers: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute, 7:15 PM – 9:30 PM
    Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell, 70 Boardwalk Ave., Daytona Beach
    Free concert presented by the City of Daytona Beach as part of the Sounds of Summer series. VIP seating is available for purchase.

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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