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 ORMOND BEACH – A 74-year-old widow was conned out of nearly $200,000 in a scheme that highlights the growing threat of fraud targeting seniors Floridians lost $885.5 million to fraud last year with imposter scams ranking third on the fraud list Elizabeth Bahmann’s experience is a stark reminder of how easily individuals can fall victim to these schemes “I remember I was dusting the house when the phone rang,” Bahmann recalled It was a call that appeared to be from her bank and it was a call that led her to financial devastation My entire life I was trying to be a good person,” she said reflecting on the emotional toll of the scam The police report details how Bahmann was defrauded after someone claiming to be from her bank asked her to verify by phone two $5,000 transactions the scammers insisted they needed to investigate the fraud “How did those scammers learn about my name They knew everything about me,” Bahmann questioned The crooks told her that her account had been compromised and urged her to withdraw her money She made multiple withdrawals over several days she was advised to transfer her funds to cryptocurrency and unknowingly sent it all to the criminals “Every day they told me that as soon as the investigation is over everything will be returned,” Bahmann said When asked if she ever thought it could be a scam because I have never ever heard anything like that before The crooks also convinced her to take out two home equity lines of credit now burdened with debt that she must pay using her Social Security income When Bahmann realized she had been ripped off “That day when I went to the bank with the policeman expressing the profound impact of the fraud on her mental health bank employees raised concerns to Bahmann about her frequent large withdrawals the crooks advised her not to mention “the investigation,” so Baumann told the bank she was doing home repairs the bank had to allow her to access her funds Florida president for United Community Bank could help prevent situations like Bahmann’s “We also know what these fraud schemes look like And so we just want to slow it down a little bit to protect them,” she said The law allows financial institutions to delay transactions for 15 days with the option to extend for an additional 30 days if they suspect someone over 65 is being financially exploited “It encourages us to take those extra steps and those extra steps probably would have saved a lot of folks,” Thompson added In an effort to further protect their customers United Community Bank is encouraging clients over 65 to add a trusted person This measure provides the bank with an additional contact to discuss any suspected fraud Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Emmy Award-winning reporter Louis Bolden joined the News 6 team in September of 2001 and hasn't gotten a moment's rest since Louis has been a General Assignment Reporter for News 6 and Weekend Morning Anchor He joined the Special Projects/Investigative Unit in 2014 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 Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — The Volusia County council voted Tuesday to make the dog beach in Ormond Beach a permanent fixture The county launched the dog-friendly initiative in November 2023 as an 18-month pilot program They designated a stretch of beach between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive — just over a half-mile long — as a dog beach The county said the pilot program was a success addressing the community’s desire to bring their pets to the beach Volusia County Animal Services observed nearly 13,000 dogs enjoying the beach with their owners and received no reports of significant issues or interactions “This is proof council that we can set up a commonsense program with reasonable expectations,” District 4 representative Troy Kent said.  The county dedicated staff to the program — focusing mainly on compliance with leash laws — for an average of 31 hours per week Residents and visitors now have a dedicated section of the beach they can enjoy with their pets but not everyone is on board with the decision who has been living in the Daytona Beach area for almost 40 years worries where the dog beach could extend to “Initially they wanted to put it by the Bandshell "It’s difficult for people to walk around Putting dogs there would be asking for trouble.” says she's happy with the county council's decision and looks forward to conversations about expansion efforts Dog owners must still adhere to the following list of rules: The county also has two other dog-friendly beach locations: Estimated costs of the program moving forward will be anywhere from $56,000 to $59,000 per year.  For more information on Volusia’s Dogs on the Beach program, visit here.  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 – A massive 2,500-home development that’s been plagued by delays for two decades could finally start to take shape in Ormond Beach retail and industrial on 3,000 acres of land near I-95 and US-1 just south of Destination Daytona but the city of Ormond Beach is confident shovel will finally hit dirt on the property after the land was sold to a new developer in December 2023 “It’ll have a great impact for the city of Ormond Beach,” said Brian Rademacher the economic development director for Ormond Beach “It’s all about being able to continue to have places and spaces where companies can continue to grow and where communities can continue to evolve with new residents coming in.” is crucial for job creation and diversifying the city’s economy [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] About 500 acres on the east side of I-95 is dedicated to the commerce park where roughly 2 million square feet of space is set aside for light industrial the average Costco is around 140,000 square feet Security First Insurance opened its new headquarters in Ormond Crossings in 2019 “That’s very important as we continue to talk about having jobs available for our workforce and for the youth graduating college or high school who want to stay in the community,” Rademacher explained “It’ll provide that opportunity for them.” On the west side of I-95 is where the mixed-use and residential portions of the project will be built Plans call for the project to feature a town center with apartments there’s room for 2,500 single-family homes Given the volume of residential development there are also plans to build a new school within Ormond Crossings it really reduces one’s need to go out onto the streets and to go somewhere else for their grocery shopping “They can do it all right here and they don’t necessarily have to go anywhere else.” There are also $340 million worth of upgrades coming to the I-95 and US-1 interchange one of the oldest interchanges in Florida’s interstate highway system FDOT is looking to modernize the interchange with a diverging diamond design to alleviate congestion and improve safety While construction on the road project is scheduled to begin in 2027 there’s currently no timetable on when Ormond Crossings will break ground Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Justin Warmoth joined News 6 in 2013 and is now a morning news anchor Those who miss shopping at Big Lots might be in luck with Variety Wholesalers acquiring at least 200 stores as part of the sale Some Big Lots locations already opened their once-shuttered doors in April but more reopenings are to come and will be done in two phases Grand opening celebrations are also planned for Big Lots stores in the fall Nova Road is among the hundreds of stores reopening throughout May Which Big Lots stores are reopening?Big Lots announced that it'll reopen select U.S locations in two phases throughout the month: May 1 and May 15 Here are the stores reopening in May: More details can be found at biglots.com Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024, leading to a growing list of store closures including one at Volusia Marketplace in Daytona Beach Initially, the home goods retailer was to be sold to Nexus Capital Management, but the deal ultimately fell through. In December, Big Lots announced it was preparing for going out of business sales Gordon Brothers Retail Partners purchased Big Lots in January in a sale that allowed its stores and distribution centers to be transferred to other retailers and companies keeping the Big Lots brand and its employees The discount retailer operates hundreds of Roses Discount Stores Roses Express and Maxway locations across 18 states One of foodies’ most anticipated weeks of the year provides locals and visitors alike with an interactive week of eats thanks to participating Ormond Beach restaurants who’ve signed up to show off their best creations and compete for the title of the Best Burger in Ormond Interested participants can download their official passport / bingo game, which features a square for each participating restaurant, at the Ormond Burger Week website — or grab one from the restaurants With every $10 à la carte burger purchased customers will receive an official Ormond Burger Week stamp from the restaurant At least five stamps must be obtained in order to place your vote for the best burger in Ormond Participants who earn all 20 stamps will win a $25 gift card down or diagonally will have their name entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card Best burger votes must be placed by Sunday The winning restaurant will receive a trophy and an Ormond Burger Week banner to show off their victory Burger: "’Ultimate Umami Burger’ — 31 wagyu blend burger drizzle of sriracha mayo served on a New Orleans plain bun.” Burger: “’Maple Sriracha Fry King’ — bold and flavorful fusion of sweet and spicy and savory elements bacon and pickled onion stacked high with golden fries Burger: "’Prime A Burger’ — half-pound dry-aged beef burger with American cheese lettuce and tomato served on a potato roll.” Burger: "’The One’ — fresh butcher's blend steak-burger blackened baby Swiss cheese and a sunny side up egg served on a pearl sugar waffle.” Burger: "’Bruschetta Burger’ — three-quarter-pound charbroiled ground beef stuffed with garlic topped with fresh traditional bruschetta and provolone cheese on a grilled bun.” Facebook.com/fatpaulieswickedawesomeeatery grass-fed double-smash burger with a bacon apple slaw sharp white cheddar and 100% pure maple mayo served on a buttered and grilled artisan roll.” Burger: "’Death by Onions’ — Fletcher's signature 1/3-pound burger mayo topped with fried onion straws alongside au jus.” Burger: "’Al Pastor Burger’ — thick beef patty Burger: "’Wagyu Beef Bao’ — wagyu beef bao crispy bacon and mushrooms with aged gouda topped with an Imperial Stout aïoli.” Burger: "’Good Vibes Creole Burger’ — andouille sausage and beef burger stuffed with gumbo and rice then topped with collard greens smoked gouda and blackened shrimp with chipotle aioli and a croissant bun.” Burger: "’Hulius’ — 3.2-ounce burger patty with Swiss cheese BBQ sauce and a creamy and cheesy Caesar dressing Burger: "’The Mustang Patty’ — hamburger mixed with butter Burger: "’Lagerheads Smashburger’ — two 3-ounce smash patties with Muenster cheese and a peppercorn mayo and sauteed mushrooms on a brioche bun.” Burger: “’OB Jam Krise Burger’ — bacon jam onion straws and cheddar cheese with smoky mayo.” Ormond Brewing CompanyBurger: "’M/C Burger’ — 6-ounce Angus beef smash burger with fried Velveeta Burger: "’Piraña Jamburger’ — 1/3-pound Angus beef topped with lettuce garlic aïoli and Vermont sharp cheddar cheese.” Burger: "’The Champ’ — a Pumphouse 1/2-pound beef patty topped with house-made smoked pastrami onion and house-made pickles on a toasted brioche bun.” 663 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach; 386-285-1544, facebook.com Burger: "’Just A Damn Good Burger’ — beef patty smothered in garlic butter Burger: "’El Cubano Burger’ — two smash patties topped with Swiss cheese -- 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 Tweets by headlinesurfer Head to Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park in Ormond Beach this weekend for a massive celebration of Celtic culture and family fun Ormond Beach's Celtic Festival returns Saturday and Sunday with clans pipers and nationally sanctioned Highland games athletes gathering on April 12 and 13 "for two days of folk music food and fun from the seven Celtic Nations and beyond,” according to a press release from Ormond Beach MainStreet MainStreet expects between 8,000 and 10,000 locals and visitors throughout the weekend according to its executive director Becky Parker “People plan their vacations around this festival,” Parker said in an interview Celtic clans and athletes participating in the Highland Celtic games more than 100 volunteers with Ormond MainStreet help coordinate the event “All of those groups certainly contribute to that growing attendance,” Parker said traditional folk Celtic music groups will begin early both mornings The five stages will feature 25 musical groups and two Celtic dance troupes throughout the weekend (will) lead daily parades by all the attending clans and fill the air with the sound of bagpipes,” according to organizers The “jam tent” will also be there for guests who want to join in the musical fun dulcimer or bodhrán and play along," the release said "Master teachers are available throughout the day and there are plenty of open jam sessions.” Other acts include The McLaughlins, Aisling Grove, Piper Jones Band, the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center Dancers and many more guests can choose from the several food and drink stalls the expanded kids' zone will feature several activities for young guests including a bouncy castle and obstacle course Dog owners are invited to bring their canine companions to participate in the festival’s dog parade on Sunday a Welsh corgi or a Scottie dog – or you just want to dress your pup in plaid – bring them out for the fun,” according to organizers Just bring a donation or food for Halifax Humane Society and your dog will be entered in the parade.” Dogs on the beach: Dog-friendly beach in Ormond may be permanent. See photos of Florida's best dog beaches Owners must register their pets with parade sponsor or at the New World Celts booth in the Clan Village Something organizers are proud of is the festival’s recognition as the area’s “Best Local Event" in The News-Journal’s Readers’ Choice poll in 2017 Parker said the “really good energy” from guests organizers and vendors is what makes the festival a favorite in the community people are just happy to be there,” Parker said “The music attracts the type of person that’s interested in Celtic culture and in music and all those different types of art It’s really this nice energy that people keep coming back for.” She also pointed to how the festival offers guests plenty of activities throughout both days Professional athletes will participate at the Highland GamesAnother highlight is the Highland Games which will turn Fortunato Park into a “Highland Village,” where more than 60 male and female professional athletes will compete to demonstrate their strength Games happening on both days will include nine contests The games are sanctioned by the North American Scottish Games Athletics organization “so its competitors rack up points toward the ultimate goal of competing in Scotland,” according to organizers Parker also said that the festival is an opportunity to celebrate Chuck Spano a MainStreet board member who has led the behind-the-scenes effort of gathering the traditional Celtic music acts throughout the festival’s 14 editions “He really is what I call the godfather of the Celtic Festival,” Parker said “It really started as a traditional Celtic music festival and then all the other things came in because of it which have certainly enhanced the festival in many ways But he really is the reason behind all this.” The Rockefeller Gardens is located just south of the Granada Bridge near The Casements Free off-site parking is available at Ormond Beach City Hall Advance tickets are $12 each day for adults or $15 at the gate To learn more about the festival or to buy advance tickets visit ormondbeachmainstreet.com/celticfestival2025/ – Does this make Volusia County a foster failure the county launched an 18-month pilot program to make a portion of Ormond Beach dog-friendly the county council voted to keep the beach permanently The stretch of beach between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive became dog-friendly on Nov. 1, 2023 Residents at the time told News 6 they were concerned about enforcement of dog bites [RELATED: 8 dog-friendly beaches in Orlando area] The county reports over 12,800 dogs were recorded visiting the beach in that time with no reports of bites or aggressive behavior There were 326 incidents of dogs being off-leash and 15 instances in which owners failed to clean up after their pets. One resident started a petition to get the dog beach shut down. commissioners said the dog beach had been a success “This is proof that we can have an idea come up and people not be supportive of it in the beginning and then turn those minds around and get support,” said Council Commissioner Troy Kent Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times The beach is staffed to enforce those rules dogs are also allowed at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet and Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 – A pickup truck and car collided Wednesday outside an Ormond Beach motel 1 near Fleming Avenue at the Vanguard Motel Video from the scene show the pickup on its side but details about the wreck have not been released It’s also not known if the motel was damaged Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the state's surgeon general doesn't want anyone to confuse Florida with fluoride he issued guidance to municipalities recommending they quit adding the mineral that strengthens bones and helps fight tooth decay to be added to the water supply Ormond Beach became one of a number of Florida cities that have heeded that guidance Other health institutions — including the American Dental Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — still recommend adding fluoride to water a practice that started in 1945 in Grand Rapids The ADA issued its response to a Cochrane Library review of 157 studies showing use of fluoride in water has become less effective than in 1970 “Optimally fluoridated water is accessible to communities regardless of socioeconomic status education or other social variables,” said Dr president of the American Dental Association “Even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from various sources other studies show that community water fluoridation prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults throughout their life span The scientific weight of sound evidence around the benefit of community water fluoridation is clear and compelling.” Commissioner Travis Sargent proposed the fluoride removal during the meeting's closing comments and others nodded in agreement Mayor Jason Leslie said he asked the city attorney if they could vote then and there on that policy and was given the green light The city will have to follow through with an ordinance saying that there were a lot of emails and calls and at that point we all kind of nodded our heads saying 'Yep.' I guess we all felt the same amount of people who were trying to reach out to their elected bodies to tell us about the risks of having this stuff in the water," Leslie said The city, in a Facebook post fluoride is also in processed foods and drinks "This change ensures Ormond Beach residents still receive clean and high-quality water while allowing individuals to make their own choices about fluoride use," the Facebook post states "Our staff have already taken the necessary steps to stop fluoridation Ormond Beach has put fluoride in its water since 1958 "A lot of it was based on science and research that has changed over the years things that we know now that we didn't know then," Leslie said that things have changed and we have some new leadership in Washington that's kind of been pushing it." Leslie cited Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. If confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy has said he intends to push for the removal of fluoride from water A National Toxicology Program review of existing scientific literature found that fluoride exposure more than double that of what is recommended to be added to water systems is associated with lower IQ in children "It is important to note that there were insufficient data to determine if the low fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter currently recommended for U.S community water supplies has a negative effect on children's IQ," the National Toxicology Program review states "The NTP found no evidence that fluoride exposure had adverse effects on adult cognition." 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 – Ormond Beach’s downtown has been undergoing a dramatic transformation and the man behind it all is as intriguing as the changes themselves a 70-year-old New Yorker with a signature handlebar mustache has been quietly buying up properties in the heart of the city To breathe new life into the historic district-one building at a time Jones claims his mission was never about profit alone “Somebody needs to do something about this downtown.” And since 2001 he and his holding companies have acquired nearly every available lot and business along West Granada Boulevard and north to New Britain Jones owns a successful auto electronics business called Metra His passion project has become downtown Ormond beach Jones has focused on restoring them to their former glory “There’s so much history in this town,” Jones said “It was just hidden under layers of time.” Jones isn’t hiking up rents or forcing businesses out he’s leasing his restored spaces and attracting passionate entrepreneurs Every piece of art inside is owned by Jones according to restaurant owner Joseph Oliva “The cost of doing business here is nothing like New York.” He plans to expand the revitalization north to New Britain Street “You can have the biggest tombstone in the cemetery I’d rather leave something my kids and grandkids can be proud of,” Jones said With decades of work already shaping Ormond Beach’s future Whether you love his vision or remain skeptical one thing is clear; his mark on the city is here to stay You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: was in stable condition but had injuries to his thigh and arm He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries She stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation and had no signs of impairment "These are the initial details gathered during the early stages of the crash investigation which is active and continuing," according to the Sheriff's Office It's at least the second incident of a vehicle strike on a Volusia County beach in about two months In February, the driver of a pickup truck ran over a 71-year-old woman's head while she was lounging on Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach is known for a lot more than just being a beautiful stretch in Volusia county It is also the birthplace of speed and at one time there’s a new buzz in town: some temporary residents who aren’t really saying a whole lot These life size sculptures are a part of an art installation breathing new life into downtown Ormond Beach Thanks to the Ormond Beach Arts District and their Main Street program these sculptures have made quite an impression on visitors you might think they’re real people,” says Julia Truilo president of the Ormond Beach Arts District These quiet but colorful neighbors arrived last November and have been captivating visitors from day one “I’ve seen people have conversations with them even though they don’t get much in the way of answers,” Truilo explained a grandson of the well-known Johnson & Johnson family these sculptures are done in a style called hyperrealism Each sculpture looks as if it could come to life at any moment Johnson created them with the hope people would interact with them There’s a postman in front of the post office a kissing couple in front of the art museum a woman sitting on a bench reading a book and a visiting painter named Monet you’ll notice Monet’s painting on the canvas is actually of the bridge he’s facing you can find curious onlookers walking up to the sculptures and admiring them and the texture on the jeans,” says Beverly Fox says as she describes the installation known as Bunnies Don’t Bite It’s of a woman holding a bunny and a boy kneeling trying to pet the creature She has seen Johnson’s work elsewhere and is thrilled they’re in Ormond Beach now so she can take her friends on a tour They have become a popular spot for people to take selfies Judy Stein is a big part of why these sculptures are here She saw them elsewhere and took a chance to bring them to Ormond Beach So the fact that it’s been so successful is really gratifying,” says Stein There are 13 of them spread out along a one-mile path around downtown Ormond Beach The Arts District made maps so you can easily find them all And each sculpture has a QR code so you can learn more about them They say it should take about an hour to complete the entire loop But they encourage you take your time and get to know them But hurry: they are only here until the end of April You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: Ginger Gadsden joined the News 6 team in June 2014 as an anchor/reporter we took a driving tour of Ormond Beach with the newly-elected mayor Stop #1: Rainbow Park — magic in the making We got the idea of doing the driving tour from our viewers Several of them wrote in with questions about the city – we figured the best way to answer those questions was to jump in a car with Mayor Leslie Our first question came from Charly Sems who asked: “The best place in Ormond Beach is ‘Rainbow Park.’ But it’s been closed from hurricane damage and nobody can say when it’s going to reopen “We’re probably looking at [opening up the playground in] the next two to four weeks,” said Mayor Leslie and families come from all over just to visit.” Rainbow Park is part of the much bigger Nova Community Park (a complex that covers over 60 acres) that boasts baseball fields When we got to Rainbow Park, construction crews were busy repairing structures on the playground. While that area is still cordoned off, other parts (like the handball courts – of which there are four) remain open. Sidenote: one gentleman we saw was using a handball court to practice Jai alai “It’s one of our biggest attractions as far as playgrounds go,” added the mayor and people come from all around the area and even different parts of Florida just to come visit this park Rainbow Park, aka the Magic Forest Playground Stop #2: Andy Romano Beachfront Park — the heart of the coast no tour of Ormond Beach would be complete without a stop at the ocean with its stunning views and accessible beachfront Ormond Beach’s most popular beach access facility is going to go under the knife in the next few months Andy Romano Beachfront Park was damaged by summer storms in 2024 with fencing and part of the seawall partially destroyed The city applied for federal relief and received a grant from FEMA that covers 87.5% of the cost of rebuilding “So what’s going to happen is that the park is going to close,” Mayor Leslie told me as we walked through the beach parking lot “We’re going to look to replace the playground…and then when we reopen One addition that won’t be popular with some visitors is a new $20 parking fee applicable only to non-Volusia County residents “You could pay $20 to go park at a parking garage You just park because you’re going to an event or whatever you’re doing Here you got all these amenities for $20.” Andy Romano Beachfront Park is located at 839 S Atlantic Avenue Stop #3: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center — a stage set for greatness Ormond Beach has its own Performing Arts Center (PAC) that has an interesting recent history the facility was only open for a month before a fire closed it down again It took another 9 months before it could re-open once again The newly renovated Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center is another hidden gem this venue has transformed into a cultural hotspot attracting renowned performers and local talent alike “Theater was a big part of my life,” the mayor told us “I just want to make sure people can still enjoy it “They did a beautiful job with this renovation,” said the mayor And it’s not just theatre people can come to enjoy. The PAC currently has an exhibit of African-American art by husband and wife Richlin Burnett-Ryan and Weldon Ryan. The Dynamic Duo, Partners in Art runs from February 1st through March 11th in the PAC lobby The Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 399 N Stop #3.5: Proposed Grupo México fuel farm Here’s a question we got from Ginny Turner: “Ormond Beach residents are very concerned about the fuel terminals that Grupo México wants to build here On our way out to the airport and sports complex (see below) we passed by a Florida East Coast Railway railroad spur leading to land owned by Belvedere Terminals A little background here to tie all of this together: Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) owns railroad tracks up and down the east coast of Florida (used by both FEC freight and Brightline trains). In the summer of 2017, FEC was formally acquired by GMXT (GMéxico Transportes a subsidiary of an international transportation company called Grupo México Grupo México also owns a company called Belvedere Terminals Belvedere is a fuel farm business founded in St we asked Mayor Leslie about Ginny’s question—was there any update on the fuel terminal “The application was started in December of 2023,” said Mayor Leslie Mayor Leslie speculated that there could be shadow meetings taking place between the state and the applicant in an effort to get the project relocated By the way, Ginny is not alone in opposing the fuel terminal construction; WKMG has covered this topic before with both residents (and the city) opposing Belvedere putting a 20 million gallon fuel farm in such close proximity to homes Stop #4: Ormond Beach Sports Complex — a hidden powerhouse This location wasn’t on our original list of things to see but the mayor insisted we stop in and see it A short drive took us over to the Ormond Beach Sports Complex an impressive facility featuring soccer fields this place is crawling with people,” noted Mayor Leslie “It’s a huge revenue generator for the city with numerous organizations renting out the fields.” And huge it is. The sports complex has parking for about 500 vehicles. The mayor told us that decades ago, a professional soccer team from Europe used the facilities for practice while visiting the States. Mayor Leslie has his eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup offering up the facility as a team base camp for games played in Miami The sports complex, located at 700 Hull Road, has 25 different fields including: Stop #5: Ormond Beach Municipal Airport — a vision for the future The Ormond Beach Municipal Airport also wasn’t on our list of places to check out but Mayor Leslie really is very proud of the facility and has some ideas for its future where Mayor Leslie talked about how far the airport has come in the last few years and where he’d like to see development and growth “At one point there [were] planes here that were essentially abandoned,” he told me After getting the old planes out and the facility cleaned up the airport has taken on a new life with new hangars “There [are] actually private jets parked inside those hangars and they’re owned by individuals,” Mayor Leslie told us the airport has its own type of HOA community that maintains the property Businesses and residents own the buildings but lease the land Mayor Leslie wants to redevelop the now-closed 172-acre Riverbend Golf Course that sits adjacent to the airport “It would just be a place to have meetings and be able to gather and then “I think that would be really kind of a really cool addition to the city.” The Ormond Beach Municipal Airport is located at 770 Airport Rd The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County issued a rabies alert in Ormond Beach after the discovery of a cat with rabies The unvaccinated cat was captured near Collins Street and Hand Avenue on Feb "DOH-Volusia is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population," according to the department DOH advises avoiding physical contact with wild animals and keeping domestic animals away from animals such as racoons Wild animals "carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies," the health department stated in a news release is in effect for 60 days in the following boundaries: Eastern boundary: South Center Street and South Orchard Street in Ormond Beach.Northern boundary: State Road 40 or West Granada Blvd in Ormond Beach.Southern boundary: Golf Avenue/Calle Grande Street in Ormond Beach.Western boundary: Clyde Morris Boulevard in Ormond Beach.The Florida Department of Health issued the following recommendations to help prevent rabies exposure: For rabies information, go to FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or call the Department of Health at 386-274-0634 The driver of the Jeep — a 61-year-old woman from Ormond Beach — remained on scene and cooperated with investigators The sheriff's office said the woman showed no signs of impairment (WPEC) — A sunbather was injured after a Jeep backed into him on a Florida beach The Volusia Sheriff's Office (VSO) said the beachgoer was injured on April 5 after a Jeep was attempting to back up into a parking spot in Ormond Beach Investigators said that a 33-year-old Ocala man was sunbathing when the driver of a Jeep traveled outside of the travel lanes to back into a parking spot and ran him over The man sustained injuries to his thigh and arm he was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where he was reported to be in stable condition See also: WATCH: Florida deputies arrest mom and boyfriend after child found hot, thirsty, hungry VSO said the investigation is still ongoing A new documentary on Ormond Beach will premiere at 2pm April 26 at South Oxnard Library for free The 30-minute film by Earth Alert tells the powerful story of ordinary citizens fighting to protect Ormond Beach a vital Ventura County coastal wetland that provides critical habitat for endangered and threatened species.  Through compelling interviews with community activists and elected officials Future captures decades of grassroots efforts to preserve one of California’s last remaining coastal wetlands “There’s a reason this land hasn’t been lost to high-end real estate or industrial development,” says Janet Bridgers dedicated individuals have worked tirelessly to safeguard Ormond Beach We hope this film will inspire the next generation to continue the fight.” Despite constant threats from urban expansion Ormond Beach remains a rare sanctuary for over 200 bird species including the endangered California least tern and Western snowy plover The documentary highlights how a new wave of young activists—some drawn to the wetlands during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic—have taken up the cause advocating for its preservation and organizing community clean-up efforts “Ormond Beach has a magic that’s hard to explain,” Bridgers adds and open space speaks to people in a way that keeps them coming back—and keeps them fighting for its future.” The film was produced in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Toby Younis emphasize that Ormond Beach is not just a local issue—it’s a national environmental story Designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society Ormond Beach remains a crucial refuge for wildlife and a rare remnant of the vast wetlands that once lined the California coast.  Founded in 1984, Earth Alert has a long history of environmental advocacy through media, with its first documentary earning a Los Angeles-area Emmy Award. Links to its previous work can be found at: www.earthalert.org Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. © Sierra Club 2025.The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie said he was "blindsided" last month when two city commissioners condemned his appearance in a Channel 6 news segment The mayor tagged along with a TV crew to tour what the broadcast piece later described as the city’s “best-kept secrets." City Commissioner Kristi Deaton and Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland criticized Leslie at a Feb 19 meeting for sharing "inaccurate" information and "misrepresenting" the city in the segment The commissioners also called out Leslie for not informing the city's public information officer that he had been approached by the TV crew which Deaton said is "protocol" whenever media outlets try to contact City Commission members Previous coverage: Ormond Beach city commissioners criticize mayor for recent TV segment showcasing city In an interview with The News-Journal Friday morning Leslie said he "was trying to help promote the city" by driving around and highlighting some of its parks and that he "didn't see any harm" in participating in the TV segment "The way it was told to me is that if there is something controversial something that has to be voted on by the commission and things like that then you are going to want to talk to the city (before) doing those kinds of interviews," Lelsie said Leslie also said the commission knew Channel 6 would be doing additional segments with various Ormond Beach agencies as part of a series of stories about the city which made him "assume it was part of what everybody knew that they were doing." Leslie said he "was blindsided by the comments (at the meeting) and didn't expect it." Leslie did not respond to Deaton's or Tolland's comments during the meeting Leslie said he learned from the TV news crew that they had attempted to contact the city's public information officer before reaching out to him directly Deaton said at the meeting that to her knowledge public information officer and facilities personnel were not informed ahead of time of the news crew arrival.” In an email to The News-Journal Friday afternoon said "a reporter at News 6 did reach out to the city about interviewing the mayor but mentioned a topic that is under current litigation so we could not offer commentary as advised by our city's legal department." Elston added that the city was already aware "of News 6 being in town for their live broadcast and were actively collaborating on story ideas through our partner on locations around the city that would best showcase the incredible beauty of our town." She said the city made a "strategic decision not to respond" to the mayor interview request "in order to ensure that Ormond Beach remained part of the broader coverage News 6 was already working on with Ormond Mainstreet." since we had not previously worked with the reporter who reached out Elston clarified that the city commissioners' comments at the meeting were "not about the media needing to reach out to the PIO," adding that "that is not the media's responsibility and News 6 is a fantastic organization that does great work "The comments were simply around following the city's general practice that we ask our elected officials make the PIO aware of any media contact concerning the city and that it be made clear when an elected official is speaking on their own behalf or on behalf of the city." Deaton presented the idea (and the commission approved) to have city staff prepare an ordinance setting external communication rules for when commission members act on the city's behalf “Many municipalities have ordinances in place stating that no actions should be taken by the mayor on behalf of the city unless it is approved by the majority of the commission,” Deaton said Citing an ordinance under Sec. 2-1.4 of the Daytona Beach Shores municipal code as an example Deaton said such measures “help prevent confusion among third parties whether statements made by elected officials reflect their personal opinions or official city positions.” "Because the only way the public can know what's going on with their elected official is through the media or attending the city meetings," the mayor said Friday in the way for the elected officials to get to the people to discuss issues then how are you going to be able to talk about anything?" He said he understands the practice of contacting the city's public information officer before answering requests for comments about sensitive subjects such as "pending litigation" or "contract negotiations." More in Ormond Beach: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center to reopen after March fire "But (not allowing commission members) to talk to the media because you voted 'no' on an issue and why you voted 'no' on it there should be no reason why (elected officials) shouldn't be able to talk about those things .. don't work for City Hall — we work for the people." the proposed ordinance will not be in the next meeting's agenda "It is currently with the city attorney's office for development," Elston said Deaton said that while the idea of highlighting Ormond Beach "is always a positive thing there is a process in place for engaging with the media to ensure that staff is aware and that the information being shared is factual." there is an expectation that statements reflect the official position of the city and are based on accurate information," Deaton wrote "The mayor himself has acknowledged that he did not check in with anyone beforehand it’s about ensuring transparency and accuracy." saying that "established procedures for media engagement ensure that residents receive accurate and consistent information." "These processes are not about limiting speech but about making sure the right information is shared in a way that benefits the community," Tolland wrote "Involving staff and the public information officer helps ensure that we provide the most complete and factual representation of our city." Both Deaton and Tolland said commissioners receive "guidance when taking office on best practices." and others are long-standing practices that help ensure the city operates smoothly," Deaton wrote City Attorney Randy Hayes said the city does not have an ordinance similar to the one from Daytona Beach Shores Tolland said that while these "best practices" are "long-standing institutional norms rather than formal ordinances," they are "in place to promote transparency and effective communication." "I believe we all continue to learn as we serve and I hope we can use this as an opportunity to work together and strengthen how we inform and engage with our residents," Tolland wrote Deaton added that "clarity in communication is key to maintaining trust with our residents." "There’s always a learning curve when stepping into public office but it’s important for all of us to respect the processes in place that keep the public informed in a responsible way," Deaton wrote "That includes making it clear when we are speaking as individuals versus when we are speaking on behalf of the city." Lisa Bell However, another city in Volusia County, Ormond Beach, lays claim to being the birthplace of speed. This historic location is where the land speed record was first set. one might not realize the rich history lying beneath the seashells and soft sand this beach served as a racecourse for automobiles at a time when America had few paved roads [COME WATCH US: WKMG-TV to broadcast live from Ormond Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 19] Dan Smith from the Motor Racing Heritage Association in Ormond Beach explains that the beach was ideal for racing due to its gentle slope and unique quartzite sand Unlike other beaches made of crushed shells that would damage tires Ormond Beach’s sand provided a perfect racing surface more than 200 inventors across North America sought to create the first successful automobile but they needed a place to test their creations offered a winter vacation spot for wealthy friends like Henry Ford and John Rockefeller to showcase their expensive and fast automobiles The first race in Volusia County featured two cars visitors can experience a piece of this storied past at a replica of the original Ormond Garage allowed his millionaire friends to store and repair their racecars [RELATED: How these Volusia beaches became the ‘Birthplace of Speed’ and ‘The World’s Most Famous Beach’] one of the most famous race drivers of the early days When people refer to it as the “birthplace of speed,” they mean the world land speed record Vanderbilt set a record at 92 miles per hour This legacy lasted until 1958 when Big Bill France of NASCAR fame took over France realized the need for a speedway to prevent people from sneaking in to watch races for free Lisa Bell has been in Central Florida since 2007 covering the big stories that impact our community Lisa was promoted to News 6 evening news co-anchor in May 2014 ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – News 6 is taking our newscasts back on the road in 2025, and we are kicking things off in Ormond Beach The coastal community, known as the birthplace of speed, has a diverse history dating back several centuries. According to the Ormond Beach Historical Society the area was populated by Native Americans and developed by sugar cane planters It was also the site of the first timed automobile race in 1903 tell us what makes your community so special what challenges your community face and how WKMG-TV can help get results We also want to hear about people finding solutions to problems in your neighborhood WKMG-TV will broadcast live from Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar from 4 p.m You can make your voice heard by filling out the form below She works in our investigative unit and also plans our Hits the Road segments A recent TV news segment featuring Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie and meant to showcase some of the “best” the city has to offer was cause for controversy at last week’s City Commission meeting Some city commissioners criticized Leslie for independently tagging along with a Channel 6 news team to tour what the broadcast piece later described as the city’s “best-kept secrets,” in a segment they argued both misrepresented the city and in which the mayor shared inaccurate information the commission gave consent for city staff to prepare an ordinance setting external communication rules for whenever commission members take action on the city's behalf City commissioner Kristin Deaton presented the idea More in Ormond Beach: Ormond Beach joins cities removing fluoride from water as Florida surgeon general advised Citing an ordinance under Sec. 2-1.4 of the Daytona Beach Shores municipal code as an example The News-Journal has reached out to Leslie for comment Belvedere Terminals (the location of proposed fuel storage and distribution facilities) Ormond Beach Sports Complex and the city’s municipal airport City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland was the first to address the matter at the meeting pointing in part to the mayor’s sharing of “inaccurate information” in the TV segment and in a new article in the Ormond Beach Observer it affects not only your individual credibility but also the reputation of the entire commission and most importantly the residents of Ormond Beach,” Tolland said She said she understood Leslie’s “relatively short time” in the community (the mayor has lived in the city since 2021) which she said is related to his lack of “institutional knowledge.” that makes it even more critical that you use the professional staff that is made available to us to get that information before making public statements,” the deputy mayor added “Our city’s representation in the media should be factual balanced and reflective of the community’s true history and accomplishments.” Deaton called attention to a part of the news segment where Leslie says Rainbow Park City staff indicated that the work would in fact take four to six weeks and facilities personnel were not informed ahead of time of the news crew arrival.” She said it is “protocol” for City Commission members to contact the city’s public information officer when approached by the media Deaton also took issue with the rest of the TV segment “I do not believe that this segment best portrayed Ormond Beach,” she said, adding that the city downtown area, local businesses, The Casements and Memorial Gardens “would have been optimal locations to spotlight the gem that Ormond Beach truly is.” Leslie did not address the TV segment or his colleagues’ comments Deaton then introduced the idea for the ordinance and asked for City Commission and staff input City Attorney Randy Hayes said that while the city does not have an ordinance similar to the one Deaton used an example City Commission members receive guidance on how to deal with request for external communications “I view (a potentially new ordinance) as a gap filler,” Hayes said “I can take a look at that as connective tissue And perhaps that might provide some additional guidance in the future.” establishes that “no actions should be taken by the mayor or any member of the City Council on behalf of the City unless approved by no less than a majority of the City Council members.” the measure says that officials “retain their First Amendment rights while holding the offices of Mayor or City Council member; provided such rights can be subject to certain duties of disclosure to prevent issues that could cause confusion to third parties as to what matters expressed by the Mayor or City Council member are personal in viewpoint versus other matters that are being expressed on behalf of the City and City Council.” The City Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m March 4 in the City Commission Chambers at 22 S According to the city's public information officer the ordinance will not be in the next meeting's agenda Belvedere Terminals has shifted its plans from building a fuel storage and distribution facility near Ormond Beach to a site in Palm Coast as its proposed location Belvedere Terminals plans to build the facility on more than 70 acres near the city’s utility plant off U.S The project is expected to bring about 300,000 barrels of product ― one barrel is equal to 42 gallons ― in about four to five tanks Belvedere Terminals' Chief Financial Officer Tim Schwarz said Schwarz said Belvedere Terminals chose the site in part because it's already zoned for industrial use and it's near to the Florida East Coast Railway track which would be used for transporting the product He said he's been working closely with Flagler County and Palm Coast officials on the plans Belvedere Terminals plans to invest about $75 million in the project and use an additional $10 million from the state of Florida The state offered the money as an incentive for the project to move from Ormond Beach to an alternative site in Volusia and the funds would go through Flagler County government Plans for the Ormond Beach project on Hull Road faced major backlash from residents business owners and others concerned about the possible hazards of living next to a large fuel storage facility as well as traffic increases and other issues Schwarz said he's trying to avoid that early by educating people about the safety features and benefits of the Palm Coast project "There's a lot of things that we bring that I don't think we ever really got a fair hearing in Ormond Beach to talk about the benefits I think people were too concerned about a lot of disinformation about the safety of our system," he said Schwarz said Ormond Beach is a backup plan if Palm Coast falls through The Florida East Coast Railway owns the Ormond Beach site Elena Krafft was among those who advocated against the Ormond Beach location "I'm incredibly happy for Ormond Beach," Krafft said "It was always an extremely inappropriate project for our beautiful beach community will be part of a bigger system of fuel delivery and storage that has taken more than 10 years and over $20 million to develop to date "We're redesigning the way product is brought into Florida," he said every gallon of gas you consume currently comes over the water into the three main ports: Tampa crews will load 125-car trains with product at a hub in Mississippi and the trains will deliver products to "spur locations" in Jacksonville the products will be trucked to local retailers Schwarz said it will provide a stable source of fuel that won't be disrupted by severe weather like ports are and it also won't rely on long-haul trucking Safety has been top of mind for Belvedere Terminals from the beginning and the business has invested "millions and millions" toward that end The trains are built specifically for Belvedere Terminals If a component such as a bearing were to overheat the locomotive and control room would be notified the train would stop and the train car would be pulled out of service for repairs "That telemetrics is basically bringing passenger-level safety to industrial-commercial rail," Schwarz said The storage tanks will be state of the art with advanced lightning protection systems and floating roofs to prevent vapor and air from accumulating and risking an ignition Each tank would have a foam suppression system that would be immediately triggered to put out a fire if something ignited Tanks would be monitored daily for leaks visually and electronically The entire facility would also have a berm wall it would be contained within the berm wall Underneath the property will be a nonpermeable membrane so no leaks will seep out of the area and into the groundwater system the facility will go above Environmental Protection Agency standards to control vapor loss which can happen when moving product from one container to another "We're 10 times better than the EPA's standard for vapor recovery," he said Schwarz said officials expect about one train a week to come to the Palm Coast site and about four trucks from customers an hour to pick up fuel for local delivery What's the next step in the Palm Coast fuel facility project?The land is already zoned for industrial use Belvedere Terminals still needs to complete a lease agreement with Flagler County and go through the regular project permitting process with Palm Coast which is from the Florida Department of Commerce will also go toward site improvements and building infrastructure Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito said in a prepared statement While the project sparked pushback in Ormond Beach Palm Coast officials voiced enthusiasm for the fuel facility The project is expected to bring in 30 to 35 jobs with salaries of $100,000 or more and $800,000 of tax revenue A press release from Flagler County government said the project would be an "economic development boon" in a county where only about 5 percent of tax revenue comes from commercial and industrial properties Belvedere Terminals also plans to work with its customers and with Palm Coast and the surrounding area to ensure that fuel is available for first responders in the event of an emergency that limits access to fuel Palm Coast and Flagler County officials commented on the proposed fuel facility Friday Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris said in a text message to The News-Journal that "It's a strategic asset for the state and an economic opportunity for … our city that's in desperate need of balancing out our tax base With the planned north-south connector C.R it will be ideally located to support ingress and egress into and out of the state during national disasters." Palm Coast Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said economic vitality is one of the community's top priorities because it will help diversify the tax base “This project will help us start to balance our tax base more evenly and minimize the burden on residential homeowners," she said in a prepared statement Staff writer Colleen Michele Jones contributed to this story.