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- ⭐ Volusia Taxes, New Sound Studio, OB Woman Dead In Chase, Manatee Deaths
⭐ Volusia Taxes, New Sound Studio, OB Woman Dead In Chase, Manatee Deaths
Issue #687
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Today’s Forecast
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💰 County Keeps Tax Rate Steady While Approving $1.4B Budget
The Volusia County Council has unanimously approved a $1.4 billion operating budget for 2025-2026, choosing to maintain the current general fund tax rate at 3.2007 mills. While they flirted with the idea of rolling back the millage, that path would’ve meant $10 million in service cuts—an outcome most council members weren’t eager to embrace.
Still, it wasn’t a blanket "no" to tax relief. The council opted for rollbacks in five funds, including the Library and Fire Services. Other funds, like Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever, remained untouched, despite some suggestions to reduce them too.
Council members debated how best to balance essential services—like roads and public safety—with taxpayer relief. Councilman Jake Johansson framed the conversation as a choice between lower taxes and a higher quality of life.
Meanwhile, rising external costs—such as Medicaid, juvenile justice, and SunRail—added $4.1 million in expenses. Despite this, county departments requested $1.6 million less overall, even with increases in employee wages and benefits.
Councilman Santiago proposed clearer breakdowns on TRIM (Truth in Millage) notices, but state law prevents such granular disclosures. He still hopes for better taxpayer communication moving forward.
Source: Ormond Observer
🎵 Ormond Resident Opens Sound Bath Studio
Nancy DeLuca has turned personal tragedy into a peaceful calling. After losing her husband in 2021, the 71-year-old Ormond Beach resident discovered sound baths and the emotional release they offered. Now, she's sharing that experience through her new studio: 7th Heaven Sound Baths, located at 725 W. Granada Blvd., Unit 11.
At 7th Heaven, guests recline in zero-gravity chairs while immersed in calming natural tones—from Koshi chimes to crystal singing bowls. Sessions are tailored to soothe stress, realign chakras, or simply bring some quiet to a noisy world.
DeLuca, once co-owner of a travel business with her husband Paul, describes their 40-year relationship as a soulmate bond. When Paul passed away, she felt lost. But after attending a local sound bath event in 2023, something shifted. She trained with certified therapist Barbara Spaulding and now offers three group options plus private sessions on a vibro-acoustic sound lounge.
DeLuca hopes to expand the practice beyond yoga circles, making sound therapy accessible to anyone seeking comfort and clarity.
Learn more or reserve a session at 7thheavensoundbaths.com.
Source: Ormond Observer
🚓 Palm Coast-to-Ormond Police Chase Ends in Tragedy
A high-speed police chase that began in Palm Coast and ended in Ormond Beach turned fatal on Tuesday when suspects crashed into another vehicle, killing a 71-year-old Ormond Beach woman.
Authorities say three men—wanted for burglaries in St. Johns County—were driving a gray Chevrolet Suburban when Flagler County deputies spotted them. Despite deploying stop sticks, the Suburban’s anti-deflating tires helped the suspects evade. They weaved dangerously through traffic, eventually driving the wrong way on an off-ramp and crashing head-on into the victim’s vehicle.
Two suspects, Stevens Charles of Miami and Joshua Hansen of Kissimmee, were arrested shortly after fleeing on foot. The third suspect remains at large. Charles faces a laundry list of charges, including non-premeditated murder during a felony, while Hansen faces numerous burglary and theft charges.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly called the death a "tragic loss of an innocent life" and vowed full prosecution. The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the traffic homicide investigation.
Source: NewsDaytonaBeach
🐋 Manatee Deaths Rise in 2025—But It’s Not All Bad News
Manatee mortality is climbing in 2025, with 525 deaths recorded by late August—outpacing the same period in 2023 and 2024. While that may sound grim, there's a surprising silver lining: more calves are being born, indicating healthier reproductive conditions for Florida’s sea cows.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, many of this year’s deaths are perinatal—affecting newborns too young to survive on their own. This points to an increasing number of females able to carry pregnancies to term, a promising shift following years of malnourishment due to habitat loss.
The Indian River Lagoon, stretching from Volusia to Martin County, remains a hot zone for manatee distress. Pollution, declining water quality, and the loss of seagrass continue to impact the population. Boat strikes also remain a top threat.
Patrick Rose, director of Save the Manatee Club, says the uptick in perinatal deaths is a “good as well as concerning” sign. It means recovery is happening, albeit slowly and with bumps along the way.
With the right protections, these gentle giants may yet regain their footing—er, flippers.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
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Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam
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Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam
Ponce Inlet 180 degree Cam
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 Sep 18
Event: 🥕Ormond Beach Farmer's Market, 8 AM – 1 PM
Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach
Fresh local produce, handmade goods, and more in a vibrant community market setting.Event: 📚General Fiction Book Club, Sep 18 – Sep 19
150 Tomoka Ave, Ormond Beach
A gathering of book lovers discussing a selected fiction title in a relaxed environment.Event: 🎸Country Music Night with The Essentials, 6 – 9 PM
Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach
Live country music, food, and fun at this lively pub.Event: 🍽️Free for Seniors Lunch & Learn at Houligan's, 3 – 5 PM
1643 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach
A free educational luncheon for seniors covering helpful health and lifestyle tips.Event: 🎨"Design Elements with Mixed Media" with Christine, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Explore the fundamentals of mixed media design in this hands-on art class.Event:❓Trivia Night at Kava Kula, 8 – 10 PM
Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach
Test your knowledge and win prizes during an exciting evening of trivia.Event: 🧒Kids Club, 5 – 7 PM
1464 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Fun, safe activities for kids while parents shop or relax.
Fri Sep 19
Event: 🌸Brew & Bloom, 8 AM – 12 PM
The Flower Bar by SBY, 157 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Morning coffee meets florals at this artsy floral bar event.Event: 🎨"Dyes with Native Plants" with Aida Tejada, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Explore plant-based dyeing techniques in a hands-on workshop.Event: 🎨"Batik Techniques" with Muffy Clark Gill, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Learn traditional batik methods from an expert artist.Event: 🎨"It’s Not Just a Gourd" with Deborah Hildinger, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Create beautiful gourd art in this fun and creative session.Event: 🖌️"Chinese Brush Painting" with Ann Kozeliski, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Dive into the delicate art of Chinese brush painting.Event: 🍸International Morgan Day lunch, 4 PM
48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Celebrate Morgan cars with a lunch gathering in downtown Ormond.Event: 🎤Joseph Harrison, 5 – 8 PM
Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, 1900 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach
Live music with ocean views in Ormond Beach.Event: 🎸Dustin Stock, 6 – 9 PM
Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Enjoy live music and craft brews in a retro garage setting.Event: 🎤Friday Karaoke at the OB with HARRYOKE!, 6:30 – 10:30 PM
Ormond Beach Sports Corner Bar and Grill, 709 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach
Sing your heart out at this lively karaoke night.Event: 🎶BEACHSIDE, 6:30 PM
Salty D’s Beachside, 790 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach
Catch live beachside tunes with a chill vibe.Event: 🎸That's What She Said (FULL BAND) The Grind 9/19, 7 PM
Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Energetic full band performance at a popular Ormond Beach hotspot.
Sat Sep 20
Event: 🧹Coastal Cleanup at Sanchez Park, 8 – 11 AM
Sanchez Park, 329 Sanchez Ave, Ormond Beach, FL
Part of the 2025 Coastal Cleanup initiative to help keep our parks pristine.Event: 🧹Coastal Cleanup at Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, 8 – 11 AM
Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, 1800 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Join the effort to clean up one of Ormond's beautiful beachfront parks.Event: 🧹Coastal Cleanup at Tom Renick Park, 8 – 11 AM
Tom Renick Park, 1565 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Community volunteers gather for the annual beach cleanup event.Event: 🧹Coastal Cleanup at Sunrise Park, 8 – 11 AM
Sunrise Park, 1135 Riverside Dr, Holly Hill, FL
Contribute to environmental wellness by participating in the Holly Hill site cleanup.Event: 🍸Moonshiner's Master Distiller Tour, 2 – 3 PM
Copper Bottom Craft Distillery, 998 N Beach St, Holly Hill, FL
Explore the art of craft distilling on this behind-the-scenes distillery tour.Event: 🏍️Saturday Lunch Rides with Terry, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
430 S Yonge St, Ormond Beach, FL
Enjoy a scenic ride followed by lunch with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.Event: ♻️Coastal Cleanup at Cardinal Drive Park, 3 – 6 PM
Cardinal Drive Park, 650 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL
Wrap up the day by lending a hand in this late afternoon cleanup event.Event: 🎤heartland hippies, 5 – 8 PM
Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, 1900 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Catch live music and laid-back beach vibes at this oceanside hangout.Event: ✝️Faith and Fitness - Revelation Fitness, 6 PM
Romano Beachfront Park, 839 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL
An uplifting blend of spiritual inspiration and physical activity.Event: 👙Ormond Beach - Bikini Company, 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Fountain Square Shopping Village, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Fashion and fun come together at this stylish swimwear showcase.
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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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.
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