This story has been updated with new information The suit filed against the city of Palm Coast and Gambaro claims the three violated the city charter by failing to put Gambaro's seat up for election this past November on the same ballot as Norris filed an emergency verified complaint in circuit court against the three defendants demanding "immediate legal action to uphold the city charter and protect residents' right to vote," according to a statement on the Sabatini Law Firm Facebook page The complaint states that the city charter gives the council two options if a council member "vacates their seat during the first two years of their term": Either appoint someone within 90 days or delay the appointment that councilmember only serves until "the next regularly scheduled election." Palm Coast District 4 Councilmember Cathy Heighter resigned in August and the council appointed Gambaro 3-1 (with only four members on the panel at that point) to replace her Oct Those in favor were previous Mayor David Alfin previous Vice Mayor Ed Danko and previous Councilman Nick Klufas the only one to retain her seat after the election the city charter would have required Gambaro's appointment to expire after the Nov It is Norris' position that the city "has continued to allow Gambaro to occupy the seat beyond the term authorized by the charter." Mayor Norris is seeking:• A court declaration that the District 4 seat is currently vacant• An order compelling the city and the supervisor of elections to hold a special election for the District 4 seat• An injunction to prevent further unauthorized occupancy of the seat.• A writ of quo warranto to remove Gambaro from office Norris did not respond to The News-Journal and Sabatini said he will handle questions and comments for the mayor The City Council will discuss next actions (such as asking the governor to remove Norris from office) at its next meeting at 6 p.m Volusia County residents were worriedly watching brushfires Friday one in Daytona Beach and another that closed International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand according to fire department social media posts The Daytona Beach fire blazed at the base of a cellphone tower in the area of 1600 West International Speedway Boulevard The fire was approximately three acres in size Three commercial structures were at risk and evacuated according to the Daytona Beach Fire Department but firefighters warned of "prolonged emergency operations and smoke in the area." The department reported that the area would be "periodically checked overnight by the Florida Forest Service." the Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association reported a fire near International Speedway Boulevard and West Parkway in DeLand that forced the closure of ISB Few other details were provided as of late Friday night "Be aware of crews working in the areas of ISB in Deland/Shuntz Road/ISB east of 95," the firefighters' association reported "There will be smoke so drive with caution." Responding to the fires were Volusia County Fire Rescue the Port Orange Professional Firefighters Association and the Florida Forest Service - Bunnell District The area has been plagued by extreme drought VOLUSIA COUNTY – Fire crews are fighting three brush fires in Volusia County One fire is in the area of Tomoka Farms Road and Halifax while another fire is in the area of I-95 and U.S The Florida Forest Service is working with Volusia County Fire Rescue and Daytona Beach Fire Department to contain the fires Officials say that while the fires are producing a lot of smoke Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates as soon as we get them Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Brandon Hogan DAYTONA BEACH – The city of Daytona Beach issued an emergency boil water alert Friday due to a power failure at the water treatment plant on LPGA Boulevard Residents were urged to refrain from using tap water for their pets and are urged to use bottled water for consumption until the boil water alert was lifted the city announced the advisory was being lifted for 98% of Daytona Beach customers after two days of clean test results The advisory remains in place at the time of this report for the following locations: 177 customers in total remain impacted and door hangers are going out A boil water alert means the water supply might be contaminated so residents are advised to boil their tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking This helps kill bacteria and viruses that could be present Those with questions were encouraged to call 386-671-8815 Haley is a digital content producer for ClickOrlando.com and first started as a News 6 producer in October 2014 She's a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in journalism She specializes in theme parks and lifestyle writing joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 a day Americans usually commemorate at the local Mexican restaurant with their favorite dish and a margarita or two But what is Cinco de Mayo and why do we celebrate it Cinco de Mayo translates to May 5 in Spanish significantly outnumbered Mexican troops stopped an invasion of French troops during the Battle of Puebla About 1,000 French troops were killed in the battle Cinco de Mayo became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century as a way for Mexican immigrants to show pride in their Mexican heritage And if you're looking for a place to celebrate Volusia County has plenty of authentic restaurants to enjoy handmade tamales or crispy birria tacos with a side of consommé the Daytona Beach area is rich with traditional and modern Mexican kitchens that bring bold south-of-the-border flavors right to your plate From fast-casual roadside joints to elevated restaurants and bars here are 10 of the area's best Mexican restaurants New NSB restaurants? 9 Volusia-Flagler eateries open, 3 close, 1 sells to new owner Mexican scratch kitchen to expand with 4th location in Ormond Beach Taqueria La Fondita is the kind of counter-service spot you might pass by without noticing but won’t soon forget once you’ve had your first taste While the unassuming roadside joint is usually buzzing with to-go orders it does house a handful of shaded tables for those who’d rather dig in on the spot Its menu doesn’t try to do everything — but what it does with staff more than willing to walk you through its homestyle offerings No matter where I looked during my recent visit —tables or to-go bags — its tacos like an unofficial dress code of the eatery — and I now know why yet sturdy corn tortillas and sprinkled with cilantro and a rich from chorizo and carnitas to cabeza (roasted beef head) with every bite shattering its crispy outer shell and giving way to tender shredded bits of seasoned chicken that fills each roll guests can choose between several signature plates traditionally made with tripe (cow’s stomach) You’ll have your choice of sauces to pair with your meal and Arroz Con Leche is just one branch of a family-run restaurant tree that spans several no-frills Latin spots across the Volusia-Flagler region all of which have maintained a loyal following of Central Florida foodies for nearly a decade Serving as the Holly Hill outpost of husband-and-wife Saul Cifuentes and Norma Castañeda’s four other eateries within the Daytona Beach area Arroz Con Leche occupies a petite space in an unassuming retail strip along Ridgewood Avenue where its unpretentious surroundings give way to unforgettable flavors alongside a plethora of other juicy Cuban platters its Mexican menu is about as authentic as it gets with prices that are unparalleled in today’s restaurant climate Options include flavor-dripping steak fajitas meat-stuffed or vegetarian enchiladas and classic taco salad are best-sellers for a reason and come cradled in soft chopped onion and my choice of shredded chicken — though steak grab a canned soda or homemade flan to enjoy with your meal neighborhood kitchen than a commercial eatery The brand started with its original Daytona Beach restaurant where guests can enjoy the same array of traditional Mexican You’ll likely catch me with cheeks ballooned spiced and far less messy helping of steaming fajita veggies and jalapenos black or refried beans and your protein of choice so do yourself a favor and mix and match several a la carte tacos from lengua (beef tongue) and classic steak to chorizo Be sure to save room for at least one gordita — a hearty sandwich-like dish made from frying disc-shaped corn dough until crispy splitting it open and filling it to the brim with beans Mexico City Street Food & Bar855 Mason Ave. inspired by the street food staples of Mexico’s capital city Inside the Dia de Los Muertos-decorated eatery guests can grab a seat at its LED-lit bar and sift through over a dozen handcrafted margaritas options before enjoying a deluxe two-burrito dinner chipotle sauce-drizzled tacos on homemade corn tortillas or molcajete filled to the brim with crab While I’ve just about exhausted the birria taco conversation at Mexico City Street Food its birria burrito is every bit as delicious twice as filling and a recent favorite for consommé dipping While the enchiladas verdes and ribeye dinners have made their way to my table more times than I can count the eatery offers a plethora of other fajita seafood and vegetarian platters to choose from Tia Cori's Tacos is one of Beach Street’s most beloved restaurants having served Daytona-area locals its modest menu with endless flavor combinations for more than a decade now Whether dropping by for a bite at the eatery’s muralled brick interior or cooling down with a margarita outdoors the fast-casual taqueria prides itself on bringing all of its guests an “authentic taste of Mexico” right here in Central Florida Tia Cori's Tacos makes its own gluten-free corn tortillas fresh daily and offers a classic menu of Mexican or American-style tacos Customers can customize each dish with their protein of choice chicken and chorizo to al pastor (marinated pork) and carne asada —though vegetarian and vegan tacos quesadillas and burritos are also available While the restaurant’s birria tacos — a savory onion and cilantro — are a non-negotiable when visiting the chicken tamales are worth the trip in and of itself The popular dish is traditionally made from corn dough known as masa cheeses and veggies of choice before being wrapped in a corn husk — though not eaten — and steamed until thoroughly cooked Stop by on a Monday to enjoy two-for-one margaritas Monarca’s pastel facade and arched balconies give it a curb appeal that might warrant a visit lined with dozens of approachable and top-shelf tequilas allowing its flavor-forward menu to take center stage Enjoy a sizzling shrimp fajita platter and molcajete dinner or bell pepper- steak- and bean-stuffed burrito mexicanos duo and steaming plate of shredded chicken chiles rellenos — soft egg-battered and deep-fried poblano peppers dressed in a house tomato-based sauce and stuffed with your protein of choice The Monarca sampler provides a taste of several house favorites including shredded chicken flautas and quesadillas El Tequila’s is where you go for the massive margaritas and stay for the homemade tamales and fresh guacamole is thoughtfully designed to emulate the streets of Mexico with its vibrant wall murals exposed brick and ceramic tiled tables paired with each warn-wood booth The eatery prides itself on honoring tradition with every dish reflecting the care and authentic flavors tied to homemade Mexican eats the lengthy menu will take a minute to scour through though I’d start with the pica pica guacamole dressed with slivers of skirt steak and a chimichurri drizzling carnitas-stuffed burritos and bowls decorate the menu the fajitas have earned the rightful title of bestseller at El Tequila’s Steam rises as each sizzling platter hits the table smoky haze that carries the scent of seared meats and charred peppers Finish off your meal with a warm churro or fried ice cream dessert Senorita Mexican Kitchen strikes a good balance between tradition and modern flair with its atmosphere immediately drawing you in and its cuisine routinely turning first-timers into regulars Papel picado banners of every color hang overhead each rustic wood while dozens of premium tequila and mezcal boxes line the walls Neatly arranged bottles and stained glass-style paneling decorate the bar where guests can choose between nearly 20 frozen spiced and skinny hand-crafted margaritas to compliment their meal Start with a helping of generously-portioned nachos supremos or handmade tamales before cutting into your steak of choice chargrilled skirt steak has a crispy outer caramelization and comes dressed with soft cheese enchilada over top grilled chicken breast is a well-marinated favorite with a slight outer char that comes layered in creamy spinach dip and fresh pico de gallo Senoritas’ birria trio hits the nail on the head with its crispy exterior and flavor dipping insides located just south of the Latitude Margaritaville entrance is my favorite spot to enjoy a chimichanga done right or a mix-and-match taco platter The small Florida chain is a self-proclaimed “go-to Mexican restaurant” where often I’ve found the service to be as thoughtful and well-rounded as the menu The brand holds six other locations across the state yet still tradition-rooted array of Mexican eats to be enjoyed at its breezy outdoor patio or inside If not keeping it classic with a spread of asada tacos cabbage- and queso fresco-layered chimichurri taco in one hand and Mexico City taco in the other complete with chicken tinga (shredded chicken in a spiced diners can choose between several seafood platters enjoy a flash-fried chimichanga doused in fresh guacamole or opt for an Angus rib-eye or churrasco steak sour and spiced margaritas and tajin-rimmed cocktails to sip on alongside a plate of pineapple cake Not your typical hole-in-the-wall taqueria is a modern Mexican Kitchen whose vibrant vibe and open layout makes it a local go-to for lively group dinners and large party celebrations The family-owned eatery and sister restaurant to One Daytona’s BurgerTen holds locations in Port Orange and right across the Speedway in Daytona Beach where guests can enjoy a menu that reimagines tradition with a fresh elevated flare — like offering certified Angus beef steaks Dahlia boasts a full bar stocked with casual and top-shelf tequilas shaking up nearly a dozen different handcrafted margaritas that range from classic to boldly infused a birria taco duo — though I’d gladly scarf down three — or al pastor lettuce wraps before enjoying the house-marinated carne asada — a tender smoky char — or chile verde burrito — juicy carnitas Dahlia also offers several meatless options including vegetarian burritos and vegan ceviche as well as various happy-hour specials and $1.99 house margaritas on Thursdays DAYTONA BEACH — The city of Daytona Beach has issued a citywide precautionary boil water advisory following a series of power interruptions at the city's water treatment plant on LPGA Boulevard More: Daytona Beach lifts boil-water advisory for 98% of city More: Part of Daytona Beach is still under a boil water notice. Here's what it means. The interruptions caused a temporary drop in water pressure below the state-mandated threshold of 20 PSI PSI is an acronym for Pounds per Square Inch It's a unit of measurement used to quantify pressure or stress indicating the amount of force (one pound-force) exerted over a specific area (one square inch) Water operations and system pressure have been restored; however the plant is currently operating on generator power while Florida Power & Light works to restore full electrical service all Daytona Beach water customers are advised to boil water intended for consumption—including drinking brushing teeth or washing dishes—for at least one minute at a rolling boil "This advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution," said Eric Smith Deputy Utilities Director for the city of Daytona Beach "There is no confirmation of contamination at this time low pressure caused by the power outages can allow harmful bacteria to enter the water system." The precautionary boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect until the city receives two consecutive days of satisfactory water quality test results in accordance with state health regulations and the city’s official social media channels A boil-water advisory issued Friday was rescinded for about 98% of Daytona Beach water customers The announcement came after two consecutive days of satisfactory water quality testing the advisory remained in effect for four small areas City crews distributed door hangers at all affected properties to notify residents What is a water boil notice? Part of Daytona Beach is still under an advisory. Here's what it means. The advisory followed a series of power interruptions at the city's water treatment plant on LPGA Boulevard The areas still under a boil water advisory include: Residents in these areas are advised to continue boiling water intended for consumption until the advisory is lifted Updates will be provided as additional testing is completed Water should be boiled for at least one minute at a rolling boil For questions about specific addresses or to confirm your water status contact the Daytona Beach dispatch line at (386) 671-8815 -- In response to a concerning rise in pediatric drownings across East Central Florida Halifax Health took part in a comprehensive drowning simulation on Friday in partnership with representatives of local first responders Among the first responders were members of Volusia County Beach Safety where Beach Safety responders initiated the scenario with the simulated rescue of a pediatric drowning victim The patient was then transferred to Volusia County EMS for on-scene medical stabilization EMS transported the patient to Halifax Health – Medical Center of Port Orange where hospital-based providers further stabilized the child before airlifting them to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando “We’re not just reacting—we’re preparing and educating,” Rachel Hamlett “Simulations like this give first responders and hospital providers the coordination practice they need “We’re not just reacting -- we’re preparing and educating,” Rachel Hamlett This multi-agency drill was designed to enhance coordination and clinical care across the full continuum of emergency services—from the shoreline to advanced pediatric critical care—ensuring a seamless and life-saving protocol for real-world drowning emergencies Tweets by headlinesurfer Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Daytona Beach City Hall on Saturday morning holding signs and drawing honks of support ― and some middle fingers ― from drivers passing by It was one of many protests held over the past few days and in recent weeks against Trump administration policies in Volusia County and beyond More than 1,000 demonstrations and rallies took place nationwide and abroad on May 1 historically known as May Day or International Workers' Day Just Us Volusia held the protest Saturday to accommodate workers who couldn't make the Thursday demonstrations Kelly asked that her full name not be used over concerns about losing her job She said she also received a veiled threat via email after sending out a media advisory for Saturday's protest Kelly said she is most concerned about protecting due process rights for immigrants She estimated that several hundred people attended Saturday's event "We're against the billionaire takeover and the attacks on working-class people and we're not going to be quiet," she said "We're not going to sit back and watch them take all of the different programs that working-class people depend on." rang bells and cheered along South Ridgewood Avenue Some came advocating for better treatment of immigrants reproductive rights ― one sign featured a scowling cartoon uterus with the words "We are not ovary-acting" ― LGBTQ+ rights the preservation of Social Security and Medicaid and other issues Protesters also took aim at Trump's tariffs equality and inclusion measures; deportation actions and his relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin ― one sign calling him "Putin's puppy." This is not a rehearsal," Holly Hill resident Alice Jaeger said "We are literally fighting … the American revolutionary war of 2025." Jaeger brought with her a bell adorned with signs that read "Let freedom ring" and "Defiance not fear." She said she plans to continue protesting and that people have to be loud to let Washington know how concerned they are about "dismantling" the country One of her top concerns is the environment and we have people in office who do not have any concerns about that All they seem to think about is money and power," she said Standing out amid the crowd were two signs with Bible references held by Trace Rudolph and Macon Armistead "We feel like that this current administration isn't living up to the biblical values that are laid out in the Bible, especially what Jesus espouses," Rudolph said. "I mean it clearly says here in Leviticus to love the foreigner in your land We're sending them to some gulag in El Salvador ― Reporter Brenno Carillo contributed to this report (This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.) The Flagler Beach community was met with tragedy over the weekend when the sudden passing of Travis Sundell the revered owner and smiling face behind SunBros Café was announced through a social media post Friday night was 49 years old and leaves a legacy marked by genuine kindness quick wit and steadfast dedication to those he loved and served — qualities that were abundantly evident during our most recent conversation last week his words landing with instinctive certainty when asked what had played the largest role in nurturing the café’s growth and success over the last four years and it’s good to have the tourists and stuff but it’s the people that come in day to day that really make your business,” he said “There’s weeks where someone might not be in for a couple days and we’re like I wonder what’s going on — where they’re at —  you know Because there’s certain people that come in Monday Friday” — the type of relationship where guests are known by name opened SunBros Café in 2021 alongside his brother after moving to Palm Coast roughly five years ago Though he’d originally eyed a few spots in St a dinner trip across the bridge to Flagler Beach left him unshakably drawn to its “small-town vibe.” The café announced plans for its second location in Ormond Beach in January — a milestone he described as both the fulfillment of a dream and the first of many steps still to come “… Everything falls into place when it falls into place 100 — all of Florida,” he said with a smile pulls together for the familyAs the community continues to mourn there's been an outpouring of support on social media with more than 300 comments and 674 reactions on the original post not to mention all of the shares and local restaurants posting their favorite photos and memories of Sundell customers and even those who knew Sundell through other local activities started stopping by the closed shop and dropping off plants Several online fundraisers have been created in support of the Sundells The shop will be closed while the family takes "personal time," according to the post A GoFundMe was created by Tracy Callahan-Hennessey He worked side by side with his wife and sons every day pouring love and energy into the café and the people who walked through its doors Now it’s our turn to be there for the Sundell family.” The GoFundMe had raised more than $9,000 by Sunday evening A GiveSendGo was created by Faye Calfee “Many of us loved Travis as he gave so much to our community so we ask if you can rally behind his family and donate even a dollar The GiveSendGo had raised more than $6,000 by Sunday evening Sharon Miller, of Daytona Beach Shores, knows the joys of owning a rescue dog ― even one that others thought was untrainable "He went through seven shelters before I got him because they said he was untrainable 'Bang,' he rolls over and puts his feet up Miller was one of about 200 expected to join the "Walk for Animals" as part of "Brownie's Mutt Strut" at the Daytona Beach Riverfront Esplanade on Saturday morning many joined by their furry ― and in some cases ― costumed friends wearing what Miller called "a German walking hat" for the festivities Event raises $150K for Halifax Humane SocietyThe annual event raises funds to benefit the Halifax Humane Society About 1,000 participants were expected to take part in the daylong festival Halifax Humane Society serves over 15,000 cats and dogs yearly through all of its programs huge financial achievement for the organization … So excited for the community to really dig deep and help homeless pets in our community," Hawkins said about the Mutt Strut in the Boehringer-Ingelheim Stunt Dog Arena Event renamed for Daytona town dog 'Brownie'Thanks to one of the sponsors HHS pet adoption fees were waived for dogs and cats at the event The adoption fee waiver will also continue Sunday at the Humane Society shelter The event has also been officially renamed “Brownie’s Mutt Strut” in honor of Brownie a "town dog" that roamed the streets of downtown Daytona Beach from 1940 to 1954 "capturing hearts and embodying the spirit of kindness and hope," according to the Humane Society The event previously had been held at the Bandshell in Daytona Beach it relocated to the Riverfront Esplanade in downtown Daytona Beach HHS has signed an agreement to hold the event on the first Saturday in May along the Riverfront Esplanade for the next three years Miller said she decided to participate in the fundraiser because dogs need help She encouraged owners to spay and neuter their dogs and adopt from shelters but dogs are out there rescuing people … I mean they are man's and woman's best friend," she said Bethune-Cookman University has named three finalists in its search for the 124-year-old school's next president The three candidates – who advanced through a process involving a 15-member search committee – will be invited to the historically Black university's Daytona Beach campus for one-on-one interviews with search committee members and key stakeholders "We are pleased with the progress of the search and the committee is looking forward to more detailed discussions with each candidate to learn more about their vision for B-CU," said John Crossman "We will continue to keep the public aware of the status of this initiative and greatly appreciate the public's support This is an important decision for the university and our community." Here is a bit of what we know about each candidate Albert Mosley: Love for lifelong learning, ethical leadership and civic responsibilityMosley, 52, was a first-generation college student from Shuqualak, Mississippi, when he went across the state to Jackson, to attend Millsaps College, according to an article on the Millsaps website Yale University and the University of Georgia teaching religious studies at Millsaps before taking on roles at Duke and Johns Hopkins University In 2022, Mosley was named Morningside University's 13th president. Earlier this year, the Iowa school of 2,158 extended his contract through 2030 the university launched its first School of Aviation approved new academic programs in cybersecurity The school has begun a major IT transformation and landed multiple $1 million or more gifts and research grants through the Andrew Mellon Foundation and the National Science Foundation Its athletics program introduced a new sport which helped attract more than a dozen students we will continue to foster a love for lifelong learning ethical leadership and civic responsibility," Mosley said at his investiture "Together we will continue to exude that Morningside pride as we climb to higher heights of excellence in academics Tunjarnika Coleman-Ferrell: 'Motivating and inspiring'"Nika" Coleman-Ferrell oversees academics at Palm Beach State College a school serving more than 40,000 students at five campuses Prior to that role, which she started in 2021, she served as provost, dean of student services and professor of teacher education at the college dating to 1998, according to her LinkedIn profile Coleman-Ferrell earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and later a master’s in public administration and doctor of education degrees in educational leadership educational foundations and technology and adult and community education She has developed community partnerships in Palm Beach County and has served on numerous boards, mentored young women at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Max Fisher Boys and Girls Club, according to an article on the PBSC website. Coleman-Ferrell reflected on her inspiration dating to when she was a Palm Beach Gardens High School student from Riviera Beach "My speech was about motivating and inspiring that anything you put your mind to having earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Grambling State University in Louisiana and a doctor of philosophy in business administration with a concentration in management at Jackson State University in Mississippi Those two academic stints sandwiched an MBA at Winona State University in Minnesota She became dean of the Division of Business and Economics at Morehouse the largest all-men's liberal arts college in the United States She previously served as a business dean at the University of Northern Colorado associate dean of accreditation and analytics at the University of Southern Mississippi Her Morehouse bio describes her as a "serial entrepreneur," having started multiple businesses while serving in academia and also holding professional posts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester I feel as though it's a reflection of the time and work that we've put in together If it's one thing that I would want the students to take away from my classroom it would be the confidence and the belief in themselves that they can start a business and be successful." A potential SpaceX rocket launch is on the horizon — and if all goes according to plan Below is more information on rocket launches from NASA and Cape Canaveral and suggestions on where to watch them from this part of Florida Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all the missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot) For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space The best views to watch a rocket launch from here is along the beach Readers have also mentioned seeing a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach • South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) New Smyrna Beach features 17 miles of white sandy beaches despite its reputation as the "Shark Bite Capital of the World," New Smyrna Beach has always been a haven for surfers who come for the waves The nearby riverside park area is across South Atlantic Avenue with tennis courts The river by the park can be a great viewing spot for manatees • Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach) Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A • Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County This location has about 350 feet of beautifully restored shoreline picnic tables and kayak launching facilities Facilities include a 520-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating • Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C Facilities include a 100-foot observation pier If ever you wanted some real horsepower it’s the first Saturday of May at the Run for the Roses One of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby entries seems to be seeking horsepower in a different way a Japan-bred thoroughbred owned by Junko Kondo whose late husband Riichi had a habit of using the word "admire" and attaching another word in order to name his race horses From all indications, the addition of Daytona is largely random MEET THE HORSE Admire Daytona is from Japan. What to know about the Kentucky Derby horse with a Florida name But it’s not the first time Daytona has wedged its way into current events and/or pop culture Ever since NASCAR founder Big Bill France opened his famous race track in 1959 most of the Daytona usage has focused on fast cars at fast speeds The automobile world is a big fan of DaytonaThe list of Daytona-branded cars includes the following: only one two-wheeled producer got involved A pair of high-end watchmakers are fans of the name One — Rolex — has had a Daytona relationship for decades and has slapped its name on North America’s premiere endurance race — the Rolex 24 a band from Nashville adopted the above name and before long had a big hit: “Little GTO.”  But it seems the band’s name wasn’t exactly paying homage to the World Center of Racing decided to change his stage name to Ronny Dayton He apparently bought a vowel and just like that Wilkin and fellow band member Buzz Cason formed a duet and tried their luck — but “Buzz and Bucky” not only lacked pizzazz but it’s found in song lyricsBritish rocker Chris Rea has had a long and fruitful career of over 50 years I heard the same from every Southern belle Hug and kiss me all you wanna baby while we're in Daytona It’s Cinco de Mayo on Monday and while most of us associate it with margaritas and nachos the Mexican holiday celebrates a battle won in the French-Mexican War in 1862 Before heading out to celebrate here’s a look at the history and meaning of Cinco de Mayo: is also more formally known as the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla It’s a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honor of a Mexican military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III When Mexico declared a moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts in 1861 Spanish and French troops invaded the country By April 1862 the English and Spanish had withdrawn a poorly equipped and significantly outnumbered force under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla Although fighting against the French continued for another five years the Puebla victory became a symbol of Mexican resistance the city is the site of a museum devoted to the battle and the battlefield itself has been transformed into a park Cinco de Mayo is not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day some 50 years before the Battle of Puebla occurred Is Cinco de Mayo a big deal in Mexico?The holiday is celebrated in the state of Puebla with parades but elsewhere in the country the holiday isn’t a major event where Cinco de Mayo was embraced in the mid-20th century as a way for Mexican immigrants to show pride in their Mexican heritage The holiday didn’t enjoy broader mainstream popularity until it became tied with the promotion of Mexican alcoholic beverages a commercial connection that has drawn criticism for diluting its cultural significance according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Gino Carnesi and Jay Working were both inmates from the Putnam Correctional Institution and were assigned to an inmate work crew contracted by the city of Palm Coast Carnesi and Working were both convicted of burglary- and theft-related charges The Florida Department of Corrections said both inmates were now in disciplinary confinement in prison and will no longer be permitted to participate in state inmate work crews The investigation began after a resident called the sheriff’s office April 22 about suspicious activity by what she thought were Palm Coast city employees working on a city-maintained drainage swale near her backyard She said her security cameras recorded two men wearing high-visibility safety vests Carnesi walked up to the woman’s screened patio He then turned around and motioned with his hands entering the patio and quickly running out less than a minute later The woman later noticed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter had been stolen from the patio Detectives determined that Carnesi and Working were both state prison inmates detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Working on charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and petit theft from a dwelling (with prior conviction) and placed a detainer on him at Putnam Correctional Institution Once Working is released from state prison on May 31 he will go straight to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility in Bunnell Working is currently serving his sentence for a June 2023 arrest in Levy County for possession of methamphetamine and fleeing and eluding law enforcement with wanton disregard He has an extensive criminal history including prior convictions in Dixie County for charges including burglary of an occupied dwelling; burglary of an unoccupied structure; criminal mischief; grand theft; possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell according to a sheriff's office press release Sheriff Rick Staly stated in the release that there had been rumors and wrong information circulating on Facebook about the incident “These men were not work crew inmates from our detention facility and were not under the supervision of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” Staly stated “We also took this incident seriously from the beginning and conducted a thorough investigation neither of them learned their lesson while in state prison,” Staly continued “We are working with the city of Palm Coast and the Florida Department of Corrections to ensure that state inmates assigned to the city’s work crews and supervised by the city are more closely watched so that something like this will not happen again.” It's time to vote for the Halifax Health Volusia-Flagler Athlete of the Week for the week of April 21-26 Athletes for all in-season sports are eligible Deltona softball player Zoe Cleveland captured the honors The News-Journal gathers nominees via email from coaches across the area Coaches can email nominees to cvinel@gannett.com the News-Journal staff also picks athletes from scores and stats posted online Votes are restricted to once per device per hour FLAG FOOTBALL: Spruce Creek books state semifinals trip with win vs. Apopka Spruce Creek: In the Hawks' Region 1-7A quarterfinal sweep of Atlantic Coast the senior went 5 for 5 with four RBIs and two doubles He reached base in all seven of his plate appearances New Smyrna Beach: The freshman played her first full game as a varsity quarterback completing five of her seven passes and running 15 times for 106 yards and a touchdown as the Barracudas defeated Weeki Wachee in the Region 2-2A quarterfinals Trinity Christian: The senior recorded three hits in four at-bats and drove in four runs during a 12-11 victory over Lake Highland Prep New Smyrna Beach: Coney earned victories in the 100-meter (12.02) and 200-meter dashes (25.45) at the District 6-3A meet Father Lopez: As the Green Wave captured the District 6-1A championship Herdel topped the individual leaderboards with a time of 11.26 seconds in the 100-meter dash and a time of 22.71 seconds in the 200-meter dash 1 spots in the distance events at the District 6-3A meet He won the 1,600-meter in 4:37.93 and the 3,200-meter in 10:33.04 Flagler Palm Coast: Tyson swept the shot put and discus events at the District 2-4A meet Do the recent Daytona 500 victories of drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Austin Cindric and Michael McDowell mean less than those of yesteryear OK, so Tony Stewart didn’t name names But Stewart thinks winning the Great American Race has lost some of its luster He fired off his thoughts on the Rubbin is Racing podcast this week I’m going to get crucified by a lot of people for this,” Stewart said knowing he was stepping onto sacred racing ground You look at some of the guys that won the Daytona 500 I don’t want to go into the list of guys because they’re guys I do respect and have friendships with but they’re not guys who should’ve won the Daytona 500 Anybody in the field can win the Daytona 500 now.” Despite compiling those 49 victories and three Cup Series championships between 1999 and 2016 His best finish in the Daytona 500 was second in 2004 He did claim the summer race at Daytona International Speedway on four occasions Stewart admitted he’d trade a few victories from his career for a Daytona 500 win But the 53-year-old said he would not exchange a Cup Series title for a Daytona 500 He wouldn’t even swap a championship for three Daytona 500 triumphs “Even though I don’t l feel like it carries as much weight as it used to it still carries the weight because it’s still the Daytona 500,” Stewart said “It’s still the marquee event on the NASCAR schedule and you look at guys that are winning some of these they're not the ones that led the most laps They were the guy that was second or third or fourth when the last lap crash happened and NASCAR hit the button to freeze the field.” Cowboys and wanna-be wranglers can grab their boots and hats for a family rodeo event on Saturday at the Cattlemen’s Arena at Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand The annual Cracker Day celebration will feature events that include bull riding barrel racing and team roping as well as a greased pig chase and a boot scramble for the kids The event is traditionally held on the last Saturday in April when cattlemen are finishing their spring responsibilities related to processing their herds Cracker Day celebrations are deeply rooted in the history and culture of the American South $10 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger at the gate That cost includes a barbecue lunch and free parking Go to vccattlemen.com for more information It’s the closing weekend for the 10-day Jeep Beach celebration in Daytona Beach which means that it’s time for the big “Main Event” at Daytona International Speedway Sponsored by Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram the two-day Jeep-centric Speedway gathering will unfold from 9 a.m.-5 p.m Friday and Saturday along the massive infield at the historic track It will feature an array of vendors stocked with every imaginable Jeep trinket and accessory along with the event’s famed obstacle course that offers registered Jeeps the opportunity to traverse mountains of dirt concrete and other inhospitable impediments Spectator admission tickets range from $20-$35. Visit jeepbeach.com for ticket information and more details Sip and stroll on Daytona’s Beach StreetSipping and strolling will be key elements of a Spring Wine Walk from 1-5 p.m Saturday along the Riverfront Esplanade on Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach The event also will shine a spotlight on the unique shops and restaurants along Beach Street a backdrop that will be augmented by live music and a chance to sample fine wines provided by participating businesses There will be two check-in locations for the event where visitors can pick up a “passport,” wine glass and 20 wine tickets Tickets are $27 in advance and may be purchased at bestofdaytona.com until 11:30 p.m Tickets will also be available on the day of the event at registration points for $32 each until they sell out Visit bestofdaytona.com for details fresh blueberries and berry shortcake will be the signature attraction at the 3rd Annual Blueberry Fest this weekend at Valentine Park in Orange City Along with the requisite culinary attractions this year’s two-day event also will feature pony rides axe throwing and an array of vendors and live music There also will be daily shows by the world-renowned Disc-Connected K9s Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Valentine Park, 1511 W. French Ave. in Orange City. Admission will be $8 at the gate, with a coupon for a $1 discount available at orangecityfest.com That’s also the website to find more festival information fiddlers and banjo-pickers are welcome to add their musical touches to the twice-monthly Gamble Jam at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area The jam is a family-friendly event that occurs every second and fourth Saturday of the month to honor the memory of James Gamble Rogers IV the famous Florida folk musician who lost his life in 1991 while trying to rescue a swimmer in rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean The jam is included in the park’s admission of $5 per vehicle Visit floridastateparks.org for details Celebrate the special women that you call mom Enter-to-Win on our website! Win a beautiful floral arrangement from Zahn’s Flowers in Daytona Beach! *Winners will receive a certificate that must be redeemed before Mother’s Day* zahnsflowers.com140 W International Speedway Blvd. in Downtown Daytona Beach Enter-To-Win A 4pack Of Tickets To See The Daytona Tortugas At The Jack From 95.7 The Hog Bud Light is the exclusive beer sponsor of Welcome To Rockville 2025: North America’s Largest Rock Festival! Thursday: SHINEDOWN, Rob Zombie & 3 Doors Down Friday: GREEN DAY, Alice In Chains & Good Charlotte Saturday: LINKIN PARK, Incubus & Pierce The Veil Sunday: KORN, Bad Omens & Marilyn Manson ENTER TO WIN TICKETS FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THE 15TH FROM 95.7 THE HOG, BUD LIGHT, AND DAYTONA BEVERAGES! (Must be 21+) Tickets are only for THURS night THE 15TH! © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. – Bethune-Cookman will begin its quest for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball Tournament title as the No 4 seed (Eastern Division) as the Wildcats take on the top-seeded team from the Western Division in the form of Prairie View A&M – winners of the 2022 and ’23 SWAC Tournaments #1 Prairie View A&M | Watch | Tournament Bracket SOCIAL MEDIA Keep up with everything Bethune-Cookman Softball this season by following the Wildcats social… A fan We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy -- The early morning thunderstorm was quite loud for 10 minutes According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne the Interstate 4 corridor from Orlando to the Atlantic shoreline should expect rain throughout the week and into the weekend Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms The west wind is around 5 mph and is becoming calm in the evening Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4 pm then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 pm and 5 pm then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 pm Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon The chance of precipitation is 60% -- new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 pm West northwest wind is around 5 mph and becoming calm in the evening Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 pm Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers after 2 pm Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 pm Thursday​​​​​​: A 40 percent chance of showers after 2 pm Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms East wind around 5 mph becoming south southwest after midnight Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely The long-range forecast: East Central Florida is expected to see rain or mostly cloudy skies until Sunday losing 4-3 in extra innings and 8-5 in the second match Wilbert Espinal shone with two home runs in the second game but the Hornets couldn't overcome a late deficit Game one ended with Alabama State stranding 14 runners while the second featured Alabama State rallying late but falling short Alabama State will face Jacksonville State on Tuesday looking to bounce back from the disappointing doubleheader losses They will need to address their hitting woes and improve their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities Despite strong individual performances from Espinal and Douglas Alabama State must sharpen its execution in critical moments to regain momentum in the SWAC and optimize their playoff chances The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI Fla—The Dunedin Blue Jays scored seven runs in the sixth inning to blow the game wide open as the Daytona Tortugas were thumped 14-1 on Saturday night at TD Ballpark Dunedin (15-11) secured the series victory with the win as Daytona (11-15) lost their fourth in a row allowing 12 hits and committing five errors in a tough night all-around Dunedin took the lead in the bottom of the first a one-out single put runners at the corners with one out A fielder’s choice off the bat of Edward Duran scored a run to put the Blue Jays in front 1-0 Daytona threatened to answer as Sammy Stafura and Carter Graham led off the inning with singles The Blue Jays were scoreless in the second Peyton Powell cracked a two-run home run into the Dunedin bullpen to extend the Jays lead to 3-0 opportunities were few and far between for the Tortugas which was followed by flyout to the warning track to end the inning That wound up being Daytona’s final hit until the ninth as Stephen struck out eight over 5.0 scoreless innings the Blue Jays sent 11 batters to the plate and taking advantage of three Daytona errors as the Tortugas needed to throw 60 pitches to get through the inning scoring three more times in the seventh and once more in the eighth to grow the lead to 14-0 the Tortugas were able to avoid the shutout Diego Omana shot a single through the right side of the infield to score Alfredo Duno That would be the only tally night for Daytona Daytona will finish the three-game series at Dunedin against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon First pitch is scheduled for noon with pregame coverage with the Voice of the Tortugas on the Tortugas Radio Network beginning at 11:50 a.m Tickets for every Tortugas home game are available on our website or by visiting the Jackie Robinson Ballpark box office at 110 E The Daytona Tortugas are in their tenth season as the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League The Tortugas play at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach Florida that was recently designated a National Commemorative Site Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Posted In: Aviation | Institutional News Posted In: Aviation Posted In: Engineering | Research Posted In: Engineering | Institutional News Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored five runs in the bottom of the second and kept the Daytona Tortugas at arms length the rest of the way as the Tortugas saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium 60-57) snapped a five-game losing streak as Daytona (28-22 59-57) committed two errors that led to three unearned runs in the pivotal second frame Daytona had a golden opportunity to score first Yerlin Confidan led off the game with a single Sammy Stafura then walked and stole second putting runners at second and third with no outs Jupiter starter Juan De La Cruz struck out the next two batters a groundout ended the inning as Daytona failed to score After a scoreless first from Cole Schoenwetter Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Eric Rataczak who singled to left to score the first run of the game Jordan McCants then bounced a grounder to first but the throw to second sailed into left field then Jordan McCants scooted home from third on the throw down scoring the final run of the inning as Jupiter took a 5-0 lead Daytona then got on the board in the third Another walk with two outs loaded the bases for Carlos Sanchez who earned the final two outs of the second returned for the third and allowed a leadoff single and a two-out walk working 1.2 scoreless innings in his pro debut who took the mound for the first time since June 25 Huggins set down the side in order with a pair of strikeouts He then allowed a leadoff walk in the fifth ultimately striking outs three over 2.0 scoreless innings in his triumphant return then came all the way home when Jack Moss sliced a double into the left-field corner for his second hit of the game Nick Sando kept the Tortugas in the game with 3.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five but Daytona could not muster a late-inning threat recording only one runner in the final three frames as Jupiter took a 5-2 win The Tortugas will finish the series against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Sunday afternoon First pitch at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium will be at noon with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas A lot of people are stressing about the REAL ID deadline this week despite the fact that the vast majority of them are already compliant But it's still a good idea to check to make sure especially if you are planning on flying anywhere Starting on Wednesday, May 7, you must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or state ID card Volusia County Tax Collector Will Roberts said that 99% of people in the county with a driver's license or ID are REAL ID-ready "That goes for most of the state of Florida The state started issuing them in 2010 after Congress passed the REAL ID Act to establish minimum security standards for getting a license anywhere across the country and prohibited some federal agencies from accepting anything less But if you are 18 or older and you haven't received a new or renewed Florida driver's license or ID since January 2010 or your name has been changed since then and you haven't renewed yet And some Floridians may not have the right newly required documents to get one quickly Roberts encouraged that small percentage of people who don't have one to go ahead and get it done For those who still need to get an updated ID REAL ID Florida driver's licenses have a star in the top right corner If your license has a gold star on the top right What if I try to fly without a REAL ID after May 7?If you don't have one and don't have your passport or other acceptable form of identification you will not get through a TSA checkpoint at the airport travelers without their approved IDs can expect to face "delays additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," even if you're a TSA PreCheck passenger You still have options under that "other acceptable form of identification" part As of April 15, the TSA lists the following as acceptable identification at the airport checkpoint. Check this webpage before traveling in case anything changes The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to a year after expiration What do I need to get a REAL ID card in Florida?You’ll need to bring original copies of primary documents to prove your identity, legal residence, Social Security status and date of birth. You can find the list of accepted documents here NOTE: Birth certificates must be issued by a county health department or the CDC Bureau of Vital Statistics Hospital birth certificates are not considered a certified document and will not be accepted There are different document lists for immigrants, non-immigrants, and Canadians wanting a REAL ID card Volusia County residents can go to one of several tax collectors' branches that offer driver's license services. Locations across Florida can be found here What issues is the Volusia County tax collector seeing with driver's license renewals?The tax collector assumed driver's license and ID services from the state a few years ago The offices have been seeing high demand for driver's license renewals unrelated to the REAL ID According to the Volusia County Tax Collector's Office some of the most common issues the office sees with people trying to renew their licenses include: People can go to the driver's license webpage on the Volusia County tax collector's website for more details or call 386-254-4610 Date night approved: 8 Best romantic restaurants in the Daytona Beach area Savoring the sea: Exploring the best seafood restaurants in the Daytona, Flagler area Best Daytona Beach restaurants? 5 area favorites everyone should try at least once Beachin’ Burritos a once popular breakfast burrito food trailer began welcoming guests to its first brick-and-mortar eatery Owner Vince Siravo started the brand in 2023 with his wife after moving to the area from Colorado a few years prior Beachin’ Burritos is known for its pork green chile Its menu ranges from bestselling breakfast and lunch burritos like the The OG and Pineapple Express to the fan-favorite pork green chile mac and cheese Read more: ‘It’s a leap of faith’: Beloved burrito brand to open first brick-and-mortar in NSB 900 Spring Garden Ranch Road, De Leon Springs; 386-277-2032, facebook.com located at the former Spring Garden Ranch Restaurant a 1949-established horse training facility in De Leon Springs The new restaurant, a place for "boots, beats, whiskey, wine and good times," offers one-of-a-kind views of the horse track, as well as live music, karaoke and a full bar. Its lengthy soft-opening menu features specialty pizzas, loaded subs, wings and salads, among other items, according to its Facebook page Country Line Saloon's full menu is coming soon The popular chain is known for its variety of hot and cold subs from the Jersey Shore Favorite and Club Supreme to Mike’s Chicken Philly and the Chipotle cheesesteak Kale Cafe Vegan Kitchen formerly known as Kale Cafe Juice Bar & Vegan Cuisine in Daytona Beach — just two doors down from the brand’s original location at 116 N which owners Camille Holder-Brown and Omar Brown closed after a more than decade last April in preparation for their relocation The restaurant’s interior features vibrant colors hand-picked décor and local art gracing every wall inspired by the duo’s Caribbean roots and well-traveled lives features best-sellers like the veggie burger Read more: 'It's only going to get better': Beloved Daytona Beach restaurant reopens at new location Lines & Vines Coffee quietly opened under owner and Ormond Beach-native Abby Moor at the end of April offers nearly two dozen other espresso drinks tea lattes and loose-leaf teas; drinks include your standard cappuccino and macchiato including several homemade and sugar-free options Alongside smoothies and freshly-made acai bowls Lines & Vines Coffee houses a handful of locally sourced pastries located at the former Bela Lisboa Restaurant soft-opened within Port Orange's Tuscan Village Shoppes in mid-April who bring nearly three decades of industry experience to their new venture Alongside several key dishes retained from Bela Lisboa baskets and fried bites now decorate the made-to-order menu which has already proven popular among recent visitors The Pelican Bistro’s cocktail menu is currently in the works alongside a new selection of beer and wine Pizza Rays opened for business in Port Orange last month at the former location of Señor Taco Too offers a vast selection of Italian-style pizzas pepperoni or “Your Way” with up to four toppings while subs range from the Ray’s Original Italian and the steak and cheese to the pizza sub and the pastrami and cheese sub Pizza Rays offers pickup and delivery through DoorDash New Smyrna Beach; Instagram.com/sharkysnsb Sharky’s NSB the newest restaurant and bar to grace New Smyrna Beach’s bustling Flagler Avenue biscuit brunches and country tunes aplenty for locals to enjoy Chef and restaurateur Patrick Kennedy opened the “Southern beach bar,” which sits across the street from Tayton O’Brians Guests can choose between more than a dozen signature cocktails and frozen daquiris at the eatery’s full bar enjoy old-school Southern brunches from 10 a.m on weekends and sift through a generous daily spread of Southern-inspired comfort foods from crispy fried chicken sandwiches and pimento cheese-layered smash burgers to smoked local fish dip Read more: ‘Dance while you eat’: Southern beach bar coming to New Smyrna Beach’s Flagler Avenue 140 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-947-7470, facebook.com/rooftoponeforty revamped and reopened the space with live music Whether perched at a high-top or lounging on a sofa guests can enjoy the comfort of the coastal overlook while sipping on a cocktail of choice and enjoying several tapas-style plates and entrees compliments of executive chef Chris Eldridge Options range from Angus beef sliders and lamb meatballs to classic charcuterie and maple bourbon Dijon salmon Read more: Revamped rooftop bar offers craft cocktails, panoramic views of Daytona Beach Email hperray@gannett.com to be added to the list The couple’s decision to part ways with the establishment was summed up with a single word: “Tired,” Vagos told The News-Journal this was a good opportunity for us to just take a bit of a break.” Despite the gamble of its tucked-away location Bela Lisboa proved to be a chance worth taking — one Vagos looks back on with few critiques “We’re gonna take some time off … Put our ideas together and come up with a plan,” Vagos said “You might see us again around this area .. Bela Lisboa Restaurant was located at 3510 S Read the full story: ‘You might see us again’: Port Orange restaurant to close after 4 years This Southern grill closed its doors for good over Easter weekend after more than four years serving the Edgewater area The former Florida Roadhouse restaurant reopened as Elliott’s Steakhouse in 2021, under owners Karyn and Doug Elliott, before rebranding and reopening as Elliott’s Roadside Grill — a “family friendly, casual dining restaurant” — in September 2023 Though known for its Southern staples like meatloaf dinners and pot roast bowls, after joining forces with Milo’s Pizza Corner last May the restaurant released a brand-new joint menu featuring what became bestsellers like pizza “We are forever thankful for your patronage and support We offer our sincere apologies if your experience was not the best We have had some really rough times but some really great times too,” the restaurant’s April Facebook post reads “… I am not sure what the future of the beautiful property is yet but I will keep you posted," the post continued "Our goal is to get the pizza up and running again somewhere Elliott’s Roadside Grill was located at 4170 U.S Read the full story: ‘We are forever thankful’: Roadside grill permanently closes in Edgewater Following roughly four months in Ormond Beach South Florida-based chain closed its doors for good last month Thirsty Turtle Seagrill opened its original location in Juno Beach and expanded with its first Volusia County location in December when it replaced the former Burntwood Tavern restaurant famous for its made-to-order honey garlic wings quietly closed the doors to its Ormond restaurant in April as evidenced by a sign taped to its door that read “We regret to inform you that the Thirsty Turtle Seagrill is now closed We enjoyed being part of the Ormond Beach community for a short time Thirsty Turtle Seagrill was located at 254 N. Nova Road, Suite 250, in Ormond Beach. The brand maintains seven other locations across Florida, according to its website Read more: ‘The Turtle’s swimming north’: Seafood sports bar chain to open in Ormond Beach After four weeks and four intense rounds of head-to-head matchups, readers decided which local restaurants would advance in The News-Journal’s 2025 best pizza competition The final round of voting took place March 31-April 4, with the final two pizzerias, Don Giovanni Contemporary Italian & Pizzeria and Sky’s Pies Pizza, battling it out for the crown. With less than a 50-vote difference, Sky’s Pies Pizza came out on top as our 2025 champion Read the full story: Four rounds, one winner: Daytona Beach area’s best pizza restaurant crowned! After four devoted years navigating the highs and hard-won lessons of the industry, KJ and Stephen Stavris, owners of Big Tuna’s Beach Bar & Grill recently sold their beloved Daytona Beach restaurant bringing a meaningful chapter in their culinary story to a close As Daytona Beach locals and parents to a young daughter the couple said the heart-tugging decision to sell was made entirely on their own terms driven by a desire to shift their focus toward family officially took over as Big Tuna’s owner in the final week of March with plans to keep offerings unchanged for the first six months Read the full story: ‘It’s time to take a break’: Beloved Daytona Beach restaurant, bar sells to new owner recently paid a visit to Port Orange’s Giuseppe's Steel City Pizza and Deltona’s Crustini Pizza & Cuisine The 39-year-old competitive eater — ESPN’s former top-ranked eater in Europe, according to his Instagram — is known for filming himself taking on various restaurants’ food challenges which present impossibly large amounts of food to be devoured within a certain amount of time often for a cash prize — or simply bragging rights he brought his camera and appetite right here to Volusia County Read the full story: Beard Meats Food YouTube star, competitive eater films at Port Orange, Deltona restaurants The Hammock Grill by JT’s began serving Palm Coast-area patrons in February under original owners John and Brandy Doering showcases a brand-new menu of “Southern flare food” and weekly rotating chef’s specials — a thoughtful blend of new creations and former menu favorites requested by longtime customers Read the full story: Beloved Hammock restaurant of 24 years rebrands and reopens under original owners DAYTONA BEACH — Zack and Jennifer Marquart didn’t have to travel too far to be among the first to set up camp along the shores of Daytona Beach for Jeep Beach 2025 “We live literally two blocks from here,” said Jennifer as she unloaded beach chairs and other supplies from the family’s pirate-themed 2015 Jeep Rubicon a stone’s throw away from the Silver Beach Avenue toll booth As the couple hoisted their Blackbeard pirate flag the Marquarts were joined by their adult daughter who had traveled from Dallas for the occasion The family was among the first Jeep fans to arrive on the beach to celebrate Friday’s opening day of the 10-day festival that runs through April 27 “We plan on going to almost every event,” Jennifer said “The one thing I love is that not only does Jeep Beach bring in all these people to support area businesses The event’s community-oriented mindset reflects a bond that Jeep owners share They care about each other and they want to do good Combine all those people and a beautiful place like Daytona Beach and it doesn’t get any better.”   Jeep Beach has solidified its reputation as one of the biggest events in the world for owners and lovers of the iconic automotive brand In recent years, the event has drawn more than 225,000 visitors and 25,000 Jeeps to Daytona Beach, a throng that represented all 50 states and 34 countries, according to the event’s official website Incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity in 2017 has donated over $4.1 million to area charities over the past 12 years through the event’s annual weeklong fund-raising efforts Recipients include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia & Flagler Counties; the NASCAR Foundation; the Childhood Cancer Foundation as well as more than 70 additional nonprofit groups Economic uncertainty could take toll on Jeep Beach fund-raisingLast year’s event generated $350,000 down from the typical annual total of roughly $500,000 as event attendees were more reluctant to participate in raffles and other fund-raising activities the event’s founder and executive director Although advance registration for this year’s event matches last year’s pace Greer acknowledges that uncertainties about the economy in the midst of tariffs and other policies could again yield a fund-raising challenge and I think everybody’s feeling it,” Greer said they have been much more intentional about their spending.” Jeep Beach offers full slate of events in Daytona BeachMore certain is a full slate of events designed to attract Jeep lovers to such area landmarks as Daytona International Speedway the sprawling Destination Daytona complex at Interstate 95 and U.S Highway 1 in Ormond Beach and Daytona’s Hard Rock Hotel the event’s official accommodation partner Jeep Beach excitement runs high at Daytona's Hard RockAt Hard Rock Jeep Beach has been a long-awaited special event for Joel Darr who also happens to be a longtime Jeep owner “I’ve enjoyed experiencing the (Daytona) 500 and Bike Week but this is the week I’ve been really excited about,” said Darr who stepped into his leadership role at the hotel in December “I’ve owned four Jeeps in my lifetime and I can tell you it’s a lifestyle You can go places and enjoy company where others can’t It’s fun and you don’t have to worry about getting sand in it.” sports a pair of custom Jeep earrings designed to be sold at the hotel's gift shop by Hard Rock vibe manager Paula Palladino Darr expects the influx of Jeep loyalists to offer a boost to the hotel’s occupancy and rates because it’s really a 10-day event,” he said Jeep Beach visitors often arrive with disposable income was checking in at Hard Rock with his wife in the couple’s 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S but this year we’re here for the whole week,” Thompson said One of the couple’s most anticipated stops is at the “Main Event” at Daytona International Speedway where Jimmy hopes to find a few additional accessories for a truck that already boasts $15,000-$20,000 worth of add-ons that include a bed rack customized with a tent and propane tank mount “I really need a new cable for my winch and I’m also thinking about getting a rear bumper,” he said we’re also looking forward to a lot of sand and beach time.” – A Daytona Beach bicyclist was killed Monday in a head-on collision with a car in Holly Hill The fatal crash happened at the intersection of 10th Street and the Florida East Coast railroad tracks Lacouzz was riding a bike when he and the driver of a vehicle tried to avoid each other and entered the eastbound lane of 10th Steet and the tracks One of the killers facing a possible death sentence in the Deltona mass slaying known as the Xbox murders sat in the courtroom Wednesday as prosecutors read back his testimony from nearly two decades ago Jerone Hunter, 38, and Troy Victorino, 48, were sentenced to death in 2006 for the 2004 mass murder at a home on Telford Lane in Deltona where six people were beaten to death with baseball bats While their convictions stood, their death sentences were later struck down Two others who participated in the killings are trying to convince a new jury to again recommend that Victorino and Hunter receive the death penalty Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols is presiding over the resentencing before a 14-member jury including two alternates at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand At least eight of the 12 jurors who will deliberate must recommend death for the judge to have that option the judge must sentence the person to life without parole Victorino and Hunter sat at the defense table with their attorneys: Garry Wood and Antonio Tomas for Hunter and Beth Sammons and Timothy Pribisco for Victorino who along with Assistant State Attorney Heatha Trigones read a transcript of Hunter’s responses to questions from the trial nearly two decades ago an investigator with the State Attorney’s Office sat on the witness stand and read Hunter’s replies Hunter said he met Salas at Pine Ridge High School in Deltona He met Cannon a month before the murders and he met Victorino through a person he met while working at a Kentucky Fried Chicken Hunter said during his trial testimony that he was kicked out of his parent’s house after missing curfew and wound up staying with Victorino But then they were evicted from that house Hunter said a man named Joshua Spencer said his grandmother had given them permission to move to a house on Providence Boulevard; they moved there about two weeks before the murders But the group was later kicked out of the house and their property was removed Hunter said they were mad when they returned to the house and found their things had been taken They ended up at a house on Fort Smith Boulevard in Deltona where an angry Victorino talked about getting his stuff back Hunter said he tried to talk Victorino out of going to the house on Telford But the investigator read from the transcript in which Hunter said that Victorino stated he would get anybody who disrespected him or betrayed him Hunter testified that on the night of the murders they drove to Telford Lane and parked away from the house He testified that Victorino kicked in the front door Hunter said he was the first one into the house and he was followed by either Salas or Cannon Hunter said in the transcript that there was a guy sitting on the floor and another in a recliner Hunter said he used the bat to hit the guy in the recliner on his forearm Hunter testified at the trial that Victorino stood behind Gleason and hit him on top of the head with a bat Hunter said Salas hit the person who was sitting on the floor Hunter said Victorino told him to go help others causing him to drop a stick he was holding Hunter denied hitting anyone on the head with a bat during the cross examination portion of the transcript Hunter said he hit Gleason because he thought he was lying about not knowing where their belongings were Hunter and Victorino all testified at the trial in 2006 and Salas and Hunter acknowledged hitting people and instead blamed accused ringleader Victorino for the slayings according to a News-Journal story from 2006 Victorino claimed he wasn't even present during the massacre at Telford Lane Prosecutors also read Salas' trial testimony earlier in the resentencing hearing in which Salas said Hunter found Nathan hiding in a closet "Jerone Hunter said she tried to pull the cover over her face saying 'Please don't kill me,' but he smiles and says (expletive),' and then stabs her in the chest," Salas told the jury during the trial he said he hit her on the head with a bat." Hunter denied finding Nathan hiding in a closet pulling her out and stabbing and hitting her in the head Xbox murders victims' families talk of the loss of loved onesThe prosecutors finished their presentation by calling family members of the victims to speak about the loss of their loved ones which didn't exist during the first trial in 2006 They talked about goals that would never be achieved Grief-stricken family members shared the futures and dreams of young relatives cut violently short by the killers as a bailiff passed out tissues to four of the jurors They spoke about the last time they talked to their loved ones not knowing they would never hear their voice again The sentencing hearing is expected to run into next week DAYTONA BEACH — Downtown Daytona Beach's second-tallest building has got a new owner and will soon have a new name: "Lawyer Dude Radopolis." "Lawyer Dude," on April 15 paid $6.5 million to buy the eight-story office building formerly known as the Cobb Cole Center at 149 S The seller was local real estate investor Ty Lohman "This is a big move for me as someone who grew up in Parkwood as a little kid to now buying eight-story buildings in downtown Daytona," said Wagner "I'm really excited for my employees to have such a cool place to work .. Wagner said his ability to buy the building is a testament to the growing success of his personal-injury law firm Vasilaros & Wagner The firm markets itself as the "Wagner the Lawyer Dude & Accident Firm." It specializes in auto accidents grew up in the Daytona Beach area where his family has lived for several generations dating back to 1900 was City Manager of Daytona Beach in the 1930s After earning a degree in law from the University of Florida Wagner worked in Daytona Beach as a prosecuting attorney for the state attorney's office from 2005 to 2007 before going into private practice Wagner also served on the Volusia County Council he became partners with the late attorney Steven Vasilaros which has grown from a staff of just four in 2015 to 50 today After ending his stint on the County Council he began branding himself as the "Lawyer Dude" in April 2023 He also stopped wearing suits in favor of tank tops and shorts to reflect "my real self — a different personality you don't normally see in law." He also played in a rock band as a student at what is now Daytona State College and is a supporter of the arts "My undergrad degree is in advertising and design," he said "I'm a graphic designer so a lot of the Lawyer Dude marketing stuff people see is actually mine." He added that the moniker is not a reference to the 1998 cult film "The Big Lebowski," which featured a bearded slacker known as "The Dude" (played by Jeff Bridges) Wagner's firm officially trademarked "Lawyer Dude" in 2024 The rebranding has proven to resonate with many of the clients seeking legal representation from his firm One of the billboards Wagner uses to advertise his "Lawyer Dude" practice is near the intersection of West International Speedway Boulevard and Ridgewood Avenue around the corner from his newly purchased building Why did the Lawyer Dude buy the building?Wagner said the increased size of his staff prompted the need for a larger office space He purchased the former BMW motorcycle dealership building at Fairview Avenue and Beach Street with plans to renovate the rundown building to convert it into office space for his firm He scrapped that plan after getting significantly higher-than-expected quotes from general contractors "Hyatt Brown (the chairman of Brown & Brown Insurance) took a look at the (former BMW) building and told me I would be better off just tearing it down," Wagner said That's when Wagner decided to buy the former Cobb Cole Center instead When was the building built?According to Volusia County property records the former Cobb Cole Center was built in 1985 and has a total of nearly 65,000 square feet of space The building has become a local landmark over the years It was developed and originally owned by Consolidated-Tomoka Land Company The building's original name was the "May Zima City Center Complex." It has had several names and owners over the years including most recently the Cobb Cole Center That name was stripped off the building when anchor tenant Cobb Cole Law Firm which occupied the two top floors for more than a decade Cobb Cole now leases space across town in the International Motorsports Center at One Daytona across the street from Daytona International Speedway What are the Lawyer Dude's plans for the building?Wagner plans to rename the building "Lawyer Dude Radopolis," which he describes as a surfer-related play on the word "metropolis." so this is (going to be) Lawyer Dude Radopolis," said Wagner "I've always loved the word metropolis and I always use the words 'radical' and 'rad' so I came up with this." Wagner plans to convert a portion of the building's lobby and outdoor plaza into a coffee shop as well as add a food venue that serves pizzas "With the coffee and the pizza and all these other ideas I have with the arts and (adding) artists' space Wagner said his firm will occupy an 8,000-square-foot office space on the building's first floor He plans to use the top floor as conference room space The building is currently more than 70% leased to various office tenants counting the space that Vasilaros & Wagner will be taking Existing tenants include the state attorney's office the regional counsel for the Fifth District Wagner plans to lease the remaining available space to other businesses Hyatt Brown developed the 11-story Brown & Brown office tower at 300 N that supplanted the former Cobb Cole Center as downtown Daytona Beach's tallest building when it opened in January 2021 Brown and his wife Cici have been actively involved in efforts to revitalize the city including his involvement with the CEO Business Alliance which works to attract employers to Volusia County and the couple's various donations to boost the quality of life in the area The couple so far have also donated more than $36 million to create operate and maintain the city's new downtown park called the Riverfront Esplanade The park covers over a mile-long stretch along the Halifax River on the east side of Beach Street Wagner's plans for the former Cobb Cole Center will only add to downtown's "renaissance," said Brown "I think it's great," he said of the "Radopolis" name The renaissance of downtown Daytona Beach is going to take capital investments Our usual "sweet spot" on the calendar couldn't be sweeter most days Unless you're trying to grow grass or maybe take the crunch out of the grass you already have Even better for those who like to toss a line hither and yon it should continue for another 10 or 12 days we're waxing and we're gonna keep waxing for a bit DALE'S MOM KNEW Happy 74th birthday to Dale Earnhardt. Or Happy 73rd, as he'd prefer. Here's the story You may have noticed, we're big on moons around here followed by the Waxing Gibbous that waxes us right up to May 12 which we'll get for some 14 days after the full moon Because everything is ramping up as the moon starts to fill and therefore the fish — including the quality catches — are downright giddy at all the baitfish being blown around throughout the water columns As they say after such fishing proclamations it wouldn't take much effort to find an angling contrarian who prefers waning to waxing and new to full most of us wouldn't know a Gibbous if it jumped over our gunwale or onto our dock and they’ll become a big target in the weeks ahead anglers will keep concentrating on catches they can actually eat Billy specializes in redfish and says they’ve been available in skinny water early in the morning He’s been alternating between shrimp and crab for bait We’re also in that time of year when you can damn near catch a jack with an empty hook because there have unexpectedly been a few slow hours on the water this week Nothing thrills a paying customer quite like the fight of a jack that famously punches way above its weight Jeff says he got into a school of reds at the inlet earlier this week and landed a pair of mid-slotters “And then the school was gone as quick as they showed up,” he said He also says he’s been getting at least one quality flounder each trip Blake Abbey reports plenty of largemouth bass action in the waters near the Tomoka Boat Club (where U.S “The fish are in post-spawn and hitting topwater baits in the mornings and evenings,” Blake says “The snook bite is also very strong around U.S He suggests using a lipless crank bait or paddle tail co-owner of the Sea Spirit with her husband says she’s been at the SEDAR meetings this week in Charleston From that weeklong session will eventually come news of date(s) for this year’s South Atlantic red snapper season Ron Desantis this week threw open the doors on 126 days of fishing for red snapper in the Gulf Those 126 days will begin Memorial Day weekend then be parceled out here and there from Sept The reminder as to why the difference: The state makes the rules for the Gulf while the feds control the Atlantic from the three-mile mark to as far as the GPS can see — which is basically where the snapper live the Sea Spirit has been taking advantage of this run of quality fishing weather “We call it ‘locals season.’ The fishing is usually decent and the traffic on the water is typically lighter than when summer vacation begins,” she says “We had a guest land an awesome 29-pound blackfin tuna last week,” she says “He didn’t have any type of special tackle or gear — he caught it using the standard rod-and-reel we provide.” SurfSome are beginning to wonder if the thick pompano migration is coming Usually by now the northbound wagon train has started and some years it’s already come and gone by now but not in abundance,” says the man who closely monitors such things which is mucking up otherwise wonderful near-shore conditions “The water is green-blue — beautiful,” Marco says As for the possibility of a late-arriving pompano onslaught I’m still waiting on the main load,” Marco says Panfish season begins to ramp up this time of year Specks can be found year-round (sometimes shallow but when the weather warms the wealth is spread around and includes bluegill They all fall under the “sunfish” category and if you can’t catch a sunfish during this extended run of cloudless days “The bass fishing is red-hot right now,” Capt Bryn Adams says from Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand “A lot of schooling action going on right now Wild shiners and artificials are working.” Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com Please include first and last name of angler(s) as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped) on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older “Probably” Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline and even if fishing with a shore-based guide However: The shore-based license is free But: You still need to register for that free license Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses:  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures The last time Chase Elliott won a race he was wearing the logo and colors of Hooters Hooters left NASCAR and then filed for bankruptcy And while Chase isn’t stiff-arming creditors unless you count consistent points-paying Sundays all adding up to a current fourth-place in both the points and playoff standings And you thought Terry Labonte retired years ago from Hendrick Motorsports HOW TO WATCH NASCAR at Texas: Time and TV channel for Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series races But his longest (98 starts) came at the very beginning of his Cup career so we’ll excuse that one because very few drivers collect checkers right off the hauler But last year’s Texas win — which came under caution after the third and final overtime crash — snapped a 42-race winless skid NASCAR’s most popular driver is 1-for-80 since winning Talladega in October of 2022 Chase’s wins won't be more spaced out than Kenny Wallace with six drivers getting better odds of winning Let’s take a break from all that research to peruse the Hard Rock Bets odds pylon and see if we find a sleeper or two Maybe we should’ve cut off the list of “favorites” at those under +1000 but we’re feeling a bit of Chase nostalgia here In the three Texas races of the Next Gen era Know who has the second-best average finish over that time frame maybe we ignore that average-Texas-finish stat Although he looks thoroughly unnatural in a Stetson he’s won four times in Fort Worth and collected the supplemental “trophy” in Victory Lane He sure seems like a logical wager at that +3000 number his average finish is 26th and he has just as many top-10s as you and your Uncle Ed combined Stenhouse is a four-time winner in the Cup Series with the most recent win coming just 16 starts ago But he’s a specialist — two wins each at Daytona and Talladega — Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com (This story was updated to add new information.) Jeep Beach 2025 is just two days out from its Main Event and Vendor Show at Daytona International Speedway Jeep enthusiasts can enjoy live entertainment explore vendors and food trucks and experience the thrill of navigating an obstacle course specifically tailored for Jeeps Attendees can ride along with professional drivers in Jeep's newest vehicles or register to drive along the course in their own Jeeps The course will be located on the Speedway's start/finish line and "highlights the vehicles' unmatched off-road capability," according to Jeep's news release Jeep Beach 2025: 'Jeep Beach In Boots' offers tribute to first responders at Daytona International Speedway You can sign up for the Jeep Beach obstacle course on-site by signing a waiver participants will receive a limited-edition Jeep Beach 2025 T-shirt Registration for the main event and vendor show at Daytona International Speedway can be done ahead of time and must be picked up at gate 70 See full schedule of official Jeep Beach events here. One lucky Jeep lover will win a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 April 26 at Victory Circle in Jeep Beach Village at Daytona International Speedway (This story has been updated to add new information.) A 1-year-old Daytona Beach toddler was fatally struck by two vehicles Wednesday night after following the family dog onto a main road near the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue More: Fundraiser helps family of boy Donations for memorial services for toddler killed in accident Wednesday pour in who had sustained severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle,” police said in a release posted on the department’s Facebook page A preliminary investigation found that the family dog had escaped the residence prompting the toddler to follow after the animal the child entered oncoming traffic and was struck by a vehicle followed by a second vehicle,” police said “The child was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.” The release did not give the child's gender Police are still investigating the incident [Note: This story has been revised to correct a misspelling that changed the meaning of a quote at the end of the article by rally organizer Vicky Haley.] DAYTONA BEACH — Avelo Airlines' recent decision to provide U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement charter flights to transport illegal immigrants to a prison in El Salvador has sparked protests at airports it serves On Saturday morning, citizens opposed to the deportation flights will hold a "Stop Deportation Rally" at the main entrance to Daytona Beach International Airport "What I'm hoping to accomplish is to bring awareness to our community that Avelo Airlines has signed a contract with the Trump Administration (to fly the deportation flights)," said Palm Coast resident Vicky Haley What time and where will the rally be?The protest rally will be from 10 a.m to noon at the intersection of West International Speedway Boulevard and Midway Avenue in Daytona Beach Midway is the road that leads to the Volusia County airport's passenger terminal at 700 Catalina Drive from International Speedway Boulevard Daytona Beach's main east-west traffic corridor The rally's organizers are also demanding the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia the 29-year-old Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador despite having never been charged or convicted of a crime Supreme Court on April 10 ordered the Trump administration to begin the process of bringing Garcia back to the U.S While admitting an "administrative error" that led to his arrest and deportation the Trump administration still maintains its accusation that Garcia is a member of the Salvadoran MS-13 gang Garcia is a sheet metal worker who has lived in the U.S While coming to this country from El Salvador as an illegal immigrant "Capturing a person against their will without due process is called kidnapping Transporting them to another country is called human trafficking And imprisoning them when not found guilty of committing a crime is a concentration camp," said Haley who describes herself as one of the leaders of a citizens group called Indivisible Flagler Haley said she has invited four other citizens groups including Indivisible Volusia and Just Us Volusia: Daytona 50501 What is the 'Indivisible Movement'?The Facebook page for Indivisible Flagler states that it is part of a national organization called "Indivisible" that describes itself as a "nonpartisan grassroots movement" whose mission is to "elect progressive leaders and rebuild our democracy." The Facebook page states that Indivisible Flagler was formed eight years ago and has more than 500 members Haley said the group has organized "Hands Off" rallies in Flagler County that have drawn as many as 600 people She said she has no idea how many people will show up for the rally on Saturday in Daytona Beach While ICE also uses charter airlines to deport suspected illegal aliens to El Salvador Avelo so far is the only commercial airline taking part in the effort issued a statement explaining the decision to sign the contract with the Department of Homeland Security's ICE agency in early April: "We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic we determined this charter flying will provide us with the (financial) stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come." The ultra low-cost carrier is scheduled to begin providing ICE with deportation flights to El Salvador on May 12 It will provide the agency with three Boeing 737-800 jetliners based at the Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa Could deportation flights happen here?So far there are no indications of plans by Avelo to fly deportation flights out of Daytona Beach International Airport However, Gov. Ron DeSantis in February signed an agreement that allows all 67 sheriff's offices in Florida to participate in street-level enforcement operations with ICE When asked whether she thinks Avelo could fly deportation flights out of Daytona Avelo provides twice-weekly nonstop flights from Daytona Beach International Airport to New Haven, Connecticut, on a year-round basis, as well as to Wilmington, Delaware/Philadelphia on a seasonal basis The airline in April ended service here to two other destinations stating the need because of its small fleet to use the 737s that flew those routes elsewhere It is not known where those planes will be deployed "We chose Daytona (for the Stop Deportation Rally) because Avelo flies out of there," said Haley who added her concern that "Volusia County Sheriff's deputies are training with ICE." Haley said she objects to descriptions in the media of ICE's flights of immigrants to El Salvador's infamous CECOT maximum-security prison as "deportations." "Deporting a person is sending someone back with due process to the country they're from," she said "But when we're sending people to a foreign torture prison for the rest of their lives (without due process) Due process is for every living human being that is here in America." Volusia and Flagler counties remain under drought conditions with burn bans still in effect but rain could bring relief in some areas this weekend Volusia and Flagler counties have about a 30-40% chance of rain this weekend "We will continue to be dry here pretty much through the work week," Cassie Leahy meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne "The next shot for any kind of showers looks to be kind of this weekend." Weather forecasts are similar over the weekend for Palm Coast Daytona Beach has a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m a 40 percent chance on Sunday during the day New Smyrna Beach has a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m Palm Coast has a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday night before 2 a.m. a 40 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday during the day There is a 30 percent chance of rain on Monday Most of Volusia County has been experiencing severe drought though parts of Volusia County are seeing extreme drought conditions The county government has had a burn ban in effect since April 16 for unincorporated areas "We continue to monitor the conditions and will lift the ban as soon as it is safe to do so," said county spokesman Clayton Jackson The Keetch-Byram Drought Index "measures soil dryness on a scale of 1 to 800 with one indicating saturation and 800 being desert-dry," according to the county Volusia County was at 581 and Flagler County was at 530 on the index Flagler County has been experiencing moderate to severe drought a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville Flagler County instituted a burn ban at 5 p.m on April 23 and had planned to lift it after seven days