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  • ⭐Volusia Forever Buys 1,300 Acres on the St. Johns, Tomoka Reserve Breaks Ground Slowly, Gov't Releases UFO Files, Rockville Weathers a Storm

⭐Volusia Forever Buys 1,300 Acres on the St. Johns, Tomoka Reserve Breaks Ground Slowly, Gov't Releases UFO Files, Rockville Weathers a Storm

Issue #917

09 May

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Tropical Update
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Volusia County

🌿The Volusia County Council voted unanimously on May 5 to acquire River Bend Ranch — 1,299 acres along the St. Johns River in Osteen — for $20.1 million through the Volusia Forever program. The purchase price came in 14.6% below the listing price. The property sits directly beside the county-owned Deering Preserve at Deep Creek, creating a connected block of nearly 2,700 acres of publicly managed conservation land and permanently protecting close to two miles of undeveloped St. Johns River shoreline. The land includes upland pine habitat, cypress swamp, freshwater marsh, wet prairie, and cabbage palm hammock — home to white-tailed deer, black bear, gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, and a variety of wading birds. Future public access for hiking, paddling, and fishing is planned. Funding comes from the Volusia Forever Land Acquisition Fund, and the acquisition closes the southern end of the Volusia Conservation Corridor. A good use of conservation dollars by any measure.

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🏗️Tomoka Reserve, the controversial 254-home development approved for the former Tomoka Oaks golf course, is moving forward with its first phase: 24 lots, split evenly between 80-foot and 66-foot widths. Developers appeared before the city's Site Plan Review Committee on May 6 for a pre-application meeting on the preliminary plat. Neighbors attended and repeated familiar concerns — traffic, infrastructure capacity, tree preservation, and the promised 50-foot buffer. Under 2025 legislation, preliminary plats no longer require City Commission approval under certain conditions and can be administratively approved. If the SPRC denies it, the Commission can still weigh in. Construction begins once a final plat is approved. The process is moving, slowly but steadily.

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🛸The federal government released its first batch of UAP files Thursday — 17 pages of previously unseen documents posted at war.gov/ufo as part of a presidential directive to begin declassifying records on unidentified aerial phenomena. More releases are promised on a rolling basis. Florida is second only to California in reported UFO sightings, with nearly 9,000 logged since 1995. The state's documented history includes some genuinely strange chapters: in 1967, military radar operators tracked eight unidentified objects over South Florida for four hours while Cuban MiG fighters were scrambled to intercept one of them; in 1987, a Gulf Breeze contractor claimed to photograph circular craft over his home for months, generating national coverage — until a foam and cardboard model was found in his attic after he moved. More recently, a Palm Coast retired detective filmed two orbs of light in his backyard in 2021. Pentagon officials have been consistent in their public assessment: the vast majority of sightings turn out to be balloons, atmospheric phenomena, or misidentified aircraft. Whether the newly released documents change that picture remains to be seen. The files are public and worth a look if you're curious.

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⛈️Welcome to Rockville hit a weather interruption Friday evening when severe storm conditions prompted organizers to pause performances around 7 p.m. and direct the crowd to seek shelter. Attendees were instructed to move to the grandstands through the Turn 1 entrance, with campers directed to their vehicles. The pause lasted roughly 90 minutes before shows resumed around 8:30 p.m. with adjusted set times. Florida in May is going to Florida in May. The festival continues through Sunday.

Sources
"Volusia County Council Approves Purchase of 1,299-Acre River Bend Ranch Through Volusia Forever" — Volusia County, May 8, 2026
"Tomoka Reserve's first phase to be composed of 24 lots" — Ormond Observer, May 8, 2026
"1st US UFO documents, photos released. Notable Florida sightings" — Daytona News-Journal, May 8, 2026
"Welcome to Rockville back underway after severe weather pause" — Ormond Local Pulse, May 8, 2026

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Events for Saturday, May 9, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 🖼️Quiet Light: The Art of Sara Pedigo, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

    This solo exhibition showcases the work of Sara Pedigo, focusing on the beauty of fleeting light and domestic spaces. Visitors can also enjoy the "Tradewinds" exhibition featuring local Seabreeze High School student talent in the main galleries.

  • Event: 🍷Sip n' Stroll, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

    Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N Beach St, Ormond Beach

    A relaxing Saturday afternoon through downtown Ormond Beach. Participants can sample refreshing drinks and tasty bites at local businesses while participating in a "Poker Walk" for a chance to win prizes.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🏓MetroHealth Super Seniors Doubles Championships, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

    The premier tournament for players aged 50+ continues with Mixed Doubles competition. Spectators are welcome to watch high-level matches across 49 dedicated pickleball courts at this world-class facility.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🎸Welcome to Rockville: Bring Me The Horizon & Breaking Benjamin, 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM

    Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W International Blvd, Daytona Beach

    Day 3 of the massive rock festival features headliners Bring Me The Horizon and Breaking Benjamin, along with Motionless in White, Lamb of God, Simple Plan, and Switchfoot across multiple stages.

  • Event: ⚾Daytona Tortugas vs. Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, 7:05 PM

    Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 105 E Orange Ave, Daytona Beach

    Saturday night baseball at the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark. It's a great family atmosphere featuring professional minor league action in the heart of downtown Daytona.

  • Event: 🎤Kickstart Karaoke with Will Hammer, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

    Hard Rock Hotel (Sessions), 918 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach

    Take the stage for a high-energy karaoke session at the Hard Rock. This beachside event offers professional sound and an enthusiastic crowd for singers of all levels.

Events for Sunday, May 10, 2026

Ormond Beach

  • Event: 💐Mother's Day Garden Walk, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Spend a quiet Mother's Day morning wandering through the lush, tropical gardens. It's the perfect backdrop for family photos after a local brunch.

  • Event: 🖼️Final Day: Quiet Light by Sara Pedigo, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    The last chance to see this evocative solo exhibition. If you're looking for a peaceful indoor activity, these paintings of domestic light and space are a serene choice.

Holly Hill

  • Event: 🧺Holly Hill Riverside Market, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Sunrise Park, 1135 Riverside Dr, Holly Hill
    Pick up fresh local produce, artisanal crafts, and baked goods at this scenic Sunday market along the Halifax River.

  • Event: 🏓MetroHealth Super Seniors: Men's Doubles Finals, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill
    The tournament concludes today with the Men's Doubles division. Spectators can catch high-level competition among the 50+ age bracket at this world-class facility.

Daytona Beach

  • Event: 🎸Welcome to Rockville Finale: My Chemical Romance, 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM
    Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W International Blvd, Daytona Beach
    The final day of the massive rock festival. Headliners My Chemical Romance and A Day To Remember lead the closing lineup, which also features Rise Against and Yellowcard.

  • Event: 🥂Mother's Day Oceanfront Brunch, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    The Shores Resort & Spa, 2637 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores
    A decadent celebratory brunch buffet featuring gourmet coastal flavors and live music, set right against the Atlantic.

  • Event: ⚾Daytona Tortugas vs. Clearwater Threshers, 1:05 PM
    Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 105 E Orange Ave, Daytona Beach
    Wrap up Mother’s Day with a ballgame at the historic "Jack." Sunday home games are often "Family Fun Days," where kids can run the bases after the final out.

  • Event: 🎤Kickstart Karaoke with Will Hammer, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Hard Rock Hotel (Sessions), 918 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach
    If Mom (or you!) wants to be the star of the show, head to the Hard Rock for the final karaoke night of the weekend. It's always a high-energy crowd with great ocean views.

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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