- Ormond Local Pulse
- Posts
- ⭐ Whales Off The Coast, Grant Trouble, County Schools Record High Rates, Volusia Beach Pass Problems
⭐ Whales Off The Coast, Grant Trouble, County Schools Record High Rates, Volusia Beach Pass Problems
Issue #803
Note: 👉👉👉 You can always READ ONLINE
Table of Contents
+
Today’s Forecast
Tropical Update
The Tropical Update Has Been Suspended For The Season Unless Something Develops
Swipe image left for more daily forecasts
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
🐋 A Whale of a Surprise Off Flagler Beach
Two VIP visitors—very important porpoises (okay, technically whales)—made a splash in Flagler Beach last week. A mother North Atlantic right whale and her playful calf delighted locals as they cruised up and down the coast. Experts believe the mother is Callosity Back, a 19-year-old first-time mom. With fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales left on Earth, each sighting is a rare and precious moment—especially when it involves a newborn calf.
Drone-equipped research teams from the Marineland Right Whale Project and the Right Whale Sighting Network captured the visit from above. Only licensed drone operators are permitted to get that close, due to federal protections.
The whales’ winter trek to Florida’s waters is part of their calving migration, making Flagler Beach a prime (and protected) viewing spot. If you see one of these majestic creatures, call 877-WHALE-HELP to alert authorities and ensure safe passage for the pair.
Source: NewsDaytonaBeach
🐾 Grant Trouble at Halifax Humane Society
The Halifax Humane Society is writing a big check—$186,000 worth—after violating the terms of an ECHO grant intended to fund a publicly accessible pet services facility. Instead, the building was repurposed in late 2023 to shelter pets from families fleeing domestic violence, a noble cause—but one not approved under the taxpayer-funded grant.
While the Lee C. & Patricia Culler facility was originally meant for public grooming and boarding, it quietly shifted to crisis use. This caught the attention of current CEO Sean Hawkins, who notified ECHO and offered to repay the funds. He cited a rocky leadership transition with four CEOs in two years and emphasized his mission of transparency and correction.
Though the dog park funded by the same grant remains open and unaffected, the ECHO Committee stressed the importance of accountability in taxpayer-supported programs. Payments will be made quarterly throughout 2026.
Source: Ormond Observer
🎓 Volusia Celebrates Record-High Graduation Rates
Volusia County Schools just earned an A+ in progress. The Class of 2025 boasted a record-breaking 95.6% graduation rate—up nearly 2 percentage points from last year and surpassing the state average of 92.2%.
It’s the district’s third year in a row of improvement. Standout schools like Spruce Creek hit a jaw-dropping 99.5%, while Seabreeze and Mainland also posted strong gains. Growth wasn’t just school-wide—it spanned across all student subgroups, with at-risk students seeing an incredible 31.5% boost.
Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin credited the achievement to community-wide collaboration, from educators and staff to families and school board members. Volusia now ranks ninth statewide out of 67 districts—and second in Central Florida.
Looks like the Class of 2025 set the bar high for next year’s grads.
Source: Ormond Observer
🚗 Beach Pass Glitches Leave Drivers Fined
If you were banking on your Volusia beach parking pass auto-renewing, it might be time to double-check. Some residents are reporting their passes didn’t renew as promised, leading to surprise citations of up to $100.
According to the county’s Coastal Division, passes are valid for one year from sign-up and are supposed to auto-renew annually for up to three years. But with tech glitches and outdated vehicle info in the mix, some users were left high and dry (and ticketed).
Between October 2025 and mid-January 2026, over 10,000 citations were issued in off-beach lots. The good news? If you register within 30 days of receiving a citation, you can apply for a one-time waiver.
Remember, only county-owned lots with ParkVolusia signs honor these passes. City lots like Flagler Avenue require separate permits. So before you head for the surf, make sure your dashboard details are up to date.
Source: ClickOrlando
GET YOUR ORMOND PULSE VIP PASS
Receive Special News Notifications, Special Community Events, etc. Between Publications
Click Image
⭐⭐Local Business Directory⭐⭐
Please Patronize Your Local Businesses!
COMING SOON!
Get hands-on, no-fluff AI training built for local businesses—not tech geeks. Whether you run a salon, law firm, restaurant, or repair shop, or individual, we’ll show you how to use AI to save time, cut costs, and grow fast.
A community for everyone…local businesses, professionals, individuals.
Check out these proven AI prompts for Local Businesses
Looking for a Great Place To Eat?
Click Image
⭐ Today's Meme ⭐
Great Voucher Dealz
Digital coupons & vouchers for local businesses and their services.
Visit the Dealz page and get a great deal.
Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam
Ormond by the Sea 180 degree Cam
Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam
Ponce Inlet 180 degree Cam
Currently Unavailable
NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info:
Thursday, Jan 15, 2026
🏛️ Civic & Planning
Ormond Beach Planning Board Meeting
A key meeting for local development. The board reviews site plans and zoning changes before they go to the City Commission. Agendas are available online.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: City Commission Chambers, 22 S. Beach St.
Daytona Beach Board of Adjustment
The board meets to hear appeals and variance requests regarding city zoning codes.
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Daytona Beach City Hall (301 S. Ridgewood Ave)
🎸 Live Music & Nightlife
Psycoustic Duo @ Hard Rock Hotel
Enjoy an evening of acoustic rock covers on the oceanfront Sessions Terrace. It’s a great spot for a Thursday night cocktail with a view.
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Thursday nights at this speakeasy-style venue often feature live piano or jazz in the Havana Bar, perfect for a sophisticated night out.
Time: Evening
Location: 31 Supper Club, Ormond Beach
🧘 Wellness
AumShanti Yoga: Free Your Mind Flow
Clear the mental clutter with this Vin/Yin fusion class held on the Rock Royalty Terrace.
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
🏛️ Last Chance History
Stetson Mansion Christmas Tours
Only a few days remain! The historic "Christmas Spectacular" tours end this weekend (Jan 18). Today is one of your final chances to see the mansion in its full holiday glory.
Time: Tours vary (Reservations Required)
Location: Stetson Mansion, DeLand
Friday, Jan 16, 2026
🏎️ Motorsports Headline
Roar Before the Rolex 24 (Day 1)
The engines are back! This three-day test session is the official dress rehearsal for the Rolex 24. It serves as a preview for the famous 24-hour race, giving fans full access to the garage area and a first look at the new cars and drivers for the 2026 season.
Time: Gates open early (Testing throughout the day)
Location: Daytona International Speedway
🎻 Arts & Culture
Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
A multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight. A string quartet performs classical renditions of hip-hop hits from the 90s at the riverfront Brannon Center. It is a magical and intimate atmosphere.
Time: 6:30 PM & 9:00 PM
Location: Brannon Center, New Smyrna Beach (approx. 20 min drive)
🏛️ Last Chance Holiday History
Stetson Mansion Christmas Tours
This is the final weekend to catch the "Christmas Spectacular" at Florida’s most historic home. The holiday decorations will be taken down after Sunday, Jan 18. Reservations are required.
Time: Tours vary
Location: Stetson Mansion, DeLand
🎸 Live Music & Nightlife
Kick off the weekend on the oceanfront Sessions Terrace. Enjoy live music, cocktails, and the sea breeze.
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Enjoy a sophisticated Friday night with fine dining and live entertainment in the Havana Bar.
Time: Evening
Location: 31 Supper Club, Ormond Beach
NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.
Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Submit Your Event Here. OR scan the QR Code below
Scan for event form
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.
You can enter event information on this form, or for important, urgent news items feel free to text us at 386-444-2002 or email [email protected] with information about your news. We will get back to you for details.
We Want To Spotlight Your Business!
We ❤️ Local Businesses!
Our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Ormond Local Pulse" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message, and let's celebrate the spirit of Ormond Beach together!
⭐ Own a local business? ⭐
⭐ We WANT to spotlight YOUR business!! ⭐
❤️ Love a local business? Nominate them.
We could use your help!
We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!
One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.
Know somebody who lives in the Ormond Beach, Ormond-By-The-Sea, or Holly Hill areas that would benefit from being kept in the know?
Do you fancy yourself a writer? We’d love to feature articles from our neighbors and readers. If you’d like to contribute let us know HERE
 | Please share Ormond Local Pulse with your friends! Have them scan the QR code or send them the link below.. 👇👇👇👇 |
😊😊😊😊😊 Have A Great Day
TECH NOTE: Some readers using the Edge browser have reported getting warning messages that they are attempting to access an unsafe site. This is a glitch in the Edge browser. If you switch to Chrome, Firefox or Safari you should have no problems. Rest assured our site IS SAFE
OUR NEWS POLICY: Our goal is to provide synopses of locally relevant news and articles for Ormond residents. This may include local issues, county and state news affecting Ormond Beach, and other matters such as health, technology, pets, etc.. We hope to provide something of interest to all readers. We welcome your feedback here
1
2
Reply