-- 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 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 Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Crews with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) started working on the second of two buried seawalls protecting State Road A1A Phyllis Walter, president of the Madeira Villa South Condominium Association in Ormond-by-the-Sea Walter said while the construction has begun in front of her home it’s gotta be an improvement when it’s finished,” Walter said Walter said while the construction might cause some temporary inconvenience she believes its crucial for addressing the erosion issues The project by FDOT will span about 2.6 miles of State Road A1A Construction started on the first wall in Flagler Beach in March 2024 The second wall will stretch from Sunrise Avenue to Marlin Drive The purpose of the walls is to provide long-term protection against future storms and erosion The project developed from the work of the State Road A1A Resiliency Strike Team which is an interagency effort involving Flagler County the Florida Department of Environmental Protection The areas selected for buried walls are those where the shoulder and/or roadway have experienced the most erosion and damage because definitely the dunes need to be fixed which is why my partner and I here walked outside just to see how much interference there would be,” Walter said FDOT officials are initially placing temporary asphalt along the west side southbound of State Road A1A to accommodate a traffic shift “We are a little bit concerned about the traffic only because we’re on such a narrow street," Walter said this street can cause a little bit of difficulty between the extra equipment that’s there and people coming and going.” FDOT responded to two washouts in the area by filling them with sand Related Story: Severe weather causes washouts along State Road A1A in Ormond-by-the-Sea the tide is coming and having an effect on it all the more reason for a seawall and a strong seawall to be built so that we don’t lose our beach or our roads,” Walter said The next steps in construction will be clearing vegetation from the dune and adding sand to create a wide platform Drilling the piles for the wall is anticipated to begin during fall of this year Walter said she looks forward to seeing the final result with the seawall up “I would like to see people be more respectful of the dunes so that they do last beautiful beach again and our safe road,” Walter said some dune walkovers will be temporarily removed as part of the project Beachgoers will be able to access the beach from nearby walkovers and the beach area in front of the walls will be open for public use Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsBrandon Hogan ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA – The victim of an alleged hatchet attack in Ormond-by-the-Sea left behind a trail of blood as he ran along a road to wave down a deputy Wednesday evening according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Described at the onset of an arrest affidavit as “a frantic male with no shirt yelling at cars,” the victim told the deputy that he had been jumped on the beach — in the area of the 1900 block of Ocean Shore Boulevard — by a man and a woman later identified as Wayne Streeter The victim said that he had agreed to come to the beach with Cagle “so that she could tie him up on the beach and have sex with him,” the affidavit states Cagle allegedly picked the victim up earlier that evening and drove them to Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park telling the deputy that he and Cagle were the only occupants in her car the victim recalled “getting odd vibes” from Cagle because she was sitting about 5 feet away from him The victim said that Cagle then tied his legs together with rope adding this made him feel odd and thus led him to decide he wasn’t going to go any further with it The victim then recalled seeing a man dressed in black clothing — later identified as Streeter — approaching them from out of the darkness Cagle allegedly began to jump on the victim’s legs yet he was able to fight her off and untie the rope before getting up and running away with Streeter now giving chase Streeter allegedly managed to tackle the victim and begin choking him as Cagle — reportedly observed with what appeared to be a hatchet — caught up and started punching and striking the victim “all over,” the affidavit states running up Atlantic Avenue and flagging down the deputy While the victim was taken to a hospital for evaluation of his injuries an Ormond Beach police officer located and conducted a traffic stop on Cagle’s vehicle in the area of South Yonge Street and Division Avenue It was aired over the radio that there was blood on the vehicle which itself was occupied by Cagle driving and Streeter in the front passenger seat A backpack that the victim later confirmed to be his was also found inside of the car as well as a sheath for a hatchet some 30 feet away from the other items The deputy further advised that there was not only a clear disturbance in the sand but that there was blood on a nearby walkway “consistent with a male running while bleeding” and even more blood in the park where Cagle’s vehicle had been The victim’s injuries included lacerations to his legs and back as well as multiple long cuts to his abdomen Streeter told a deputy that he and Cagle are a couple claiming they drove to the beach by themselves and adding he didn’t know how the victim got there Streeter further claimed that he saw the victim push Cagle but did not know how is what prompted him to approach the two and begin punching the victim in the face After initially claiming that no weapons were used Streeter allegedly uttered while in a patrol car that he had tried to choke out the victim “for her,” the affidavit states Streeter and Cagle were arrested to face a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved 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 Like other Volusia County residents, Troy Kent has fond memories of the remarkable series of roadways near his backyard is a more than 30-mile connected pattern of roadways encompassing historical sites tree canopied roadways and views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean an Ormond Beach resident and Volusia County councilman The Loop has long been a great spot for catching fish and crabs and spending time with family “My parents on a Sunday afternoon would take us for a drive around The Loop all six of their kids in a station wagon,” he said With many new residents coming to Volusia County some might not know of the renowned scenic drive in their backyards It’s more than just a pretty afternoon drive and it's one of the only a few National Scenic Byways in the state of Florida," said Nancy Galdo vice chairwoman of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail nonprofit The nonprofit describes the layout of The Loop as a double loop of roadways The Loop’s path includes State Road A1A/Ocean Shore Boulevard on the east State Road 40/Granada Boulevard on the south end North Beach Street which becomes Old Dixie Highway on the west Walter Boardman Lane and Highbridge Road on the north and John Anderson Drive slicing lengthwise between the two sides One place to start is near the Granada Bridge. From there, travelers can get a bite to eat at one of the downtown Ormond Beach restaurants, such as Rose Villa Special stops on The Loop in that area include The Casements and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens The gardens have multiple ponds featuring turtles a meditation walk in a gazebo and a lush tree canopy While there are many special sites and places to stop along The Loop part of what makes the drive special is what’s not there in some segments: development Certain stretches of The Loop ― such as on Old Dixie Highway Walter Boardman Lane and Highbridge Road ― evoke a sense of timelessness Winding roads put one nearly at water level with the wetlands with nothing around but trees and marsh and maybe an egret here and there It's the sense that ― minus the asphalt ― one is looking back in time to Old Florida days long before planned unit developments and Disney World before McDonald's and traffic jams and all the clatter of the modern world Construction has temporarily affected some of the drive Construction crews have been installing a seawall to protect State Road A1A a road resurfacing and bridge repair project closed L.B Knox Bridge and Highbridge Road from Walter Boardman Lane to the bridge on March 17 Crews were expected to be finished after May 1 drivers on the northwestern part of The Loop on Old Dixie Highway can turn onto Walter Boardman Lane and then Highbridge Road to connect with John Anderson Drive and State Road A1A/Ocean Shore Boulevard John Anderson Drive is dotted with beautiful homes across from the Halifax River and goes all the way down to State Road 40/Granada Boulevard a World War II watchtower on the coast and beaches that offer a more secluded experience than the tourist-heavy destinations such as Daytona Beach One of Galdo’s favorite stops is North Peninsula State Park where the “occasional right whale” will swim by the cinnamon-colored sand … is just so unique and beautiful,” Galdo said Some of the most popular stops are on the western side of The Loop Bulow Creek State Park has “one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest along Florida’s east coast,” according to Florida State Parks “one of the largest live oak trees in the South.” It’s believed to be over 400 years old Several miles south after the road becomes North Beach Street is Tomoka State Park a popular spot for its history and recreational opportunities It was once the site of a Timucuan Native American village It’s also a “birdwatchers paradise,” according to Florida State Parks At the park is the Tomoka Outpost where people can get a bite to eat and a cold beer pick up camping supplies and find souvenirs in addition to renting kayaks "Our Cajun boiled peanuts is kind of what we're world famous for,” said Tomoka Outpost owner Scott Cornelius He grew up in the area and has crafted his tours with knowledge of the waterways he’s gleaned from experience The Loop has been more than a spot where he’s set up a business He said it’s been a place of comfort over the years ― a place to take the top down and go for a drive at the end of a bad day “You forgot what your problem was because The Loop was so pretty,” he said Bailey Riverbridge Gardens is on the northwestern side of the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach The 2.6-acre park includes the Pilgrims Rest Church building The city of Ormond Beach describes the park as a "picturesque" stop Probably the most famous tree in the region the Fairchild Oak is part of Bulow Creek State Park at 3351 Old Dixie Highway Walter Boardman Lane and Highbridge RoadWalter Boardman Lane and Highbridge Road are both great places to see old Florida views Construction closed part of Highbridge Road and L.B but the project is expected to be finished after May 1 The Casements is the name for the former Ormond Beach home of John D. Rockefeller. The mansion, which sits on the Halifax River, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public for tours. 25 Riverside Drive in Ormond Beach. Go to thecasements.net or call 386-676-3216 The Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens features a lot to see both inside and outside. The garden's amenities include a kaleidoscope, a Victorian pioneer cottage and a gazebo with a labyrinth walk for peaceful contemplation. 78 East Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach. Go to ormondartmuseum.org or call 386-676-3347 for information The park recognizes the history of Ormond Beach as the "birthplace of speed," where drivers hit record-setting speeds on the beach The park includes a smaller-than-life version of the Ormond Garage and two vehicles that participated in races 9. Michael Crotty Bicentennial ParkThis 37-acre park offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River and a variety of amenities a fishing dock and a kayak and canoe launch This tower in Ormond-by-the-Sea overlooks the Atlantic Ocean across from the Verona Oceanside community and just north of Spanish Waters Drive. It was a World War II watchtower where people kept a lookout for German U-boats and aircraft ― Business Editor Clayton Park contributed to this report Show Breaking News BarCloseGetting ResultsPaul Giorgio members of the Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club file into Alfie’s Restaurant along State Road A1A It’s a chance to catch up with friends and iron out the details of their community service projects with a view of the Atlantic Ocean across the street The Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club recently celebrated its 20th anniversary Bobbie Cheh has been a member for most of that time—17 years “Wherever there is a need in the community we are there,” Cheh said The club prides itself on its community service projects such as adopting local highways and beaches for clean-up efforts and providing blood sugar screenings They also support local schools with food drives and school supplies The international organization puts a focus on helping the hearing and visually impaired “We were challenged 100 years ago by Helen Keller to be Knights of the Blind,” said John Hanna News 6 recognized the Ormond-By-The-Sea Lions Club with a 2019 Getting Results Award We were there as they sorted used glasses in an Ocoee warehouse Those glasses are provided to homeless shelters and medical facilities as well as missionary trips to third-world countries The club also donates readers and sunglasses to local food pantries the Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club is preparing to host the 107th International Convention for Lions Clubs International in Orlando this July The event will feature a parade and the installation of the next international president Cheh and other club members are actively involved in organizing the event and are seeking volunteers to assist praised the club’s active role in the community noting their involvement in projects like diabetes screening and eyeglass recycling “Ormond-By-The-Sea is a very active club,” Hanna said “They’re a good solid club and they do a lot of service They help out with anything and everything that needs to be done.” For those considering joining the Lions Club “Helping other people is the first thing but it also gives you a purpose.” The club offers a sense of community and the opportunity to make a positive impact The Ormond-by-the Sea Lions Club has about 40 active members Meetings are filled with camaraderie and purpose “We serve our community,” stating the club’s motto You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Paul is a Florida native who graduated from the University of Central Florida Paul enjoys profiling the people and places that make Central Florida unique A standoff in Ormond-by-the-Sea between a heavily armed veteran and Volusia County Sheriff's deputies ended shortly before noon Thanksgiving when the man was killed by a sniper's bullet DiFusco was a convicted felon in Connecticut for firearms offenses The incident began Thursday morning at Kingston Shores Condominiums at 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd It was reported that DiFusco had shot at a deputy's vehicle from inside his condominium and also targeted neighboring units according to a sheriff's office Facebook post deputies said they made contact with the suspect after firing multiple rounds of tear gas into his condo unit A loud boom was heard as the gas went into the condo and gunshots were fired Deputies said at one point DiFusco was sitting in a bedroom with a towel wrapped around his face when the sheriff’s office got a call about a person having suicidal thoughts at a unit in the condo complex DiFusco appeared to be in physical distress but refused to go to the hospital deputies got multiple calls that DiFusco was shooting at residents and their properties DiFusco retreated into his home and barricaded himself the suspect started shooting at deputies who had set up a perimeter What to know: Man killed by Florida deputies after shooting at neighbors, deputies from condo there are rounds in people’s homes," he said "Shell cases were all over the place from the initial confrontation with his neighbors How nobody got killed in that initial confrontation Christine Rodriguez said she was at the Kingston Shores Condos dropping off food for Thanksgiving Day when she heard the gunfire "I was dropping off appetizers at my family's home when I heard the random shots," she said (with deputies) trying to make contact for a while Shots were heard and police pleaded with the suspect to stop shooting." "The shots were rapid fire and it progressively got worse with more shots fired with different types of calibers used," Rodriguez said DiFusco retreated into a back bedroom where deputies cornered him with tear gas and a Tommy gun (a type of submachine gun) “Eventually our SWAT team was able to get eyes on him and we were able to end the standoff," he said Chitwood said that on Wednesday DiFusco's family tried to get a court order against the man because they were afraid of him they were sleeping in their car," the sheriff said "Last night they were so scared of him they relocated north to Palm Coast." DiFusco was being treated by a veterans' hospital in Connecticut and information indicates he had stopped taking his medication It is believed he was discharged from the military in the 1990s possibly for mental issues There were no indications on Thursday that DiFusco was willing to negotiate as he turned off his phone and "he was armed to the teeth," the sheriff said "There was no negotiating with this guy," Chitwood said "Every time we tried to negotiate with him he would fire on us." FDLE will investigate the incident as the case involves an officer-involved shooting DiFusco and his family had been in Ormond-By-The-Sea for four days In that time deputies responded to the condo several times and the medical call after DiFusco was found in physical distress — Florida Department of Transportation crews have repaired a section of State Road A1A that washed away by severe weather Thursday night Florida Department of Transportation public information officer Cynthia Lane said the area that experienced some erosion on A1A was closed between Sunny Beach Drive and San Jose Drive in Ormond-by-the-Sea She said it affected the shoulders primarily The damage resulted in temporary closures of that stretch of A1A “The repair crews came in right away," Lane said but they were able to fill in those washout areas which are like large holes and they were able to get a one open by late last night." Since the area got hit with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022 Lane said they have experienced more than 20 washouts along State Road A1A “I’m not sure if anybody was driving by or anything, but to just have those big craters in the road that, I mean, it’s very dangerous,” said Lauren Ishmael, a server and bartender at Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill The restaurant is located right off State Road A1A and Ishmael said every time there’s a washout A1A is our main road down here — we’re located right off of it," she said in any hurricanes or bad storms come and it washes out the road it can really affect a lot of our businesses over here on beachside so when we don’t have that traffic coming through it can really put a big damper on our business." After the two hurricanes Ian and Nicole, the Florida Department of Transportation partnered with Volusia County, Flagler County, the city of Flagler Beach, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to put together a State Road A1A Resiliency Plan with a number of different projects two buried seawalls are being built in the most vulnerable areas along that corridor One of them is 1.3 miles in the area where the washout happened Thursday night in Ormond-by-the-Sea The other one is already under construction located partly in Flagler Beach and partly in northern Volusia County “So those were the two most vulnerable areas we’ve seen a lot of washouts in these areas over the last couple of years and we’re really excited to get started with the work on the second wall and Ormond-by-the-Sea so that we can protect this area from having future problems like this,” Lane said Ishmael said she was looking forward to having the seawall in place.  that affected us pretty bad," she said I think having the seawall is going to help protect a lot of it the contractor will place temporary asphalt along the southbound side of State Road A1A to accommodate a slight traffic shift Officials say drivers should expect a rolling daytime lane closure with flagging operations from just north of Marlin Drive to just south of Sunrise Avenue Some dune walkovers will be temporarily removed as part of the project Officials said beachgoers should stay off the dunes and be mindful of construction activities FDOT will replace the walkovers as work on each wall section is finished The project team will coordinate closely with the walkover owners and limit the time each walkover is closed as much as possible The department is adhering to state and federal regulations to protect sea turtles and other wildlife no work can begin until an inspector who is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inventories the beach for any nesting activity No work will be done within 10 feet of a nest and all work will be done during daylight hours Florida's digital database of restaurant health inspections is updated regularly with information on which local restaurants pass and fail The database can be searched by county or by restaurant name You will see which restaurants were fined and forced to close temporarily Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as "a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection." On any given day an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment's overall 'It's only going to get better': Beloved Daytona Beach restaurant reopens at new location Beloved Hammock restaurant of 24 years rebrands and reopens under original owners Revamped rooftop bar offers craft cocktails, panoramic views of Daytona Beach passed their inspections from April 20 – 26 with zero violations: Daytona Beach.Volusia County restaurant inspections with high-priority violationsThe following restaurants administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections from April 20 – 26: — Construction of a buried seawall between Sunrise Avenue and Marlin Drive in Ormond-by-the-Sea has been delayed; it was supposed to start after Labor Day weekend It’s a measure to fortify A1A that many in Volusia County have been waiting for "The second wall will stretch from Sunrise Avenue to Marlin Drive in Ormond-by-the-Sea the contractor will place temporary asphalt along the west side (southbound) of S.R drivers should expect a rolling daytime lane closure with flagging operations from just north of Marlin Drive to just south of Sunrise Avenue," stated FDOT The first is already underway in Flagler Beach extending from South Central Avenue to just north of Highbridge Road in Volusia County Although some nearby businesses are concerned the project will create traffic disruptions and lack of parking people are looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition following the damage leftover by 2022 hurricanes Ian and Nicole over one mile of Ocean Shore Boulevard that runs through Ormond-by-the-Sea will be under construction for a buried seawall project A 1.3-mile buried seawall will stretch from Sunrise Avenue down to Marlin Drive to protect homes and businesses from storm damage and erosion.  “These two particular sections where we’re building the wall here — they’re the most vulnerable places where we had most damage in 2022 and have continued to have to make repairs as erosion eats away at the edge of the roadway,” Public Information Director for Florida Department of Transportation District 5 Cindi Lane said Lane said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) worked with the U.S and the city of Flagler Beach to draft a resiliency plan following 2022 hurricanes Ian and Nicole “FDOT has started construction on the first of two buried seawalls (secant walls) — a proven solution that uses the same secant wall design that we used for the wall built in northern Flagler Beach in 2019 These new seawalls will allow creation of a new dune providing a healthy sea turtle habitat while also protecting the roadway.” Lane said they will shift the lanes over along Ocean Shore Boulevard to make way for construction starting next week a seawall will help prevent future storm damage in these communities.  but it stops before it gets to the roadway Good thing about that is that even though the wall gets exposed we can just put sand and vegetation over it,” she said Some who work nearby are concerned about how this project will affect businesses who is a waitress at Lagerheads Bar and Grill She drives past the first seawall project in Flagler Beach every day on her way to work.  “You do have to drive slower in that little area The traffic is definitely a lot worse with the construction because of the workers They’re going up and down through the roads so it definitely it has impacted down there and it does take at least 10 to 15 minutes longer on my drive to work,” Ruddell explained Despite the delays and the concerns that construction could create parking disruptions she said the new seawall should ultimately benefit the business A sentiment her supervisor Sharon Inglis agrees with recalling the impact leftover by hurricanes Ian and Nicole We had to take wheelbarrows full of sand back over to the beach,” Inglis said Even though Inglis says a project like this one is necessary for the community she is worried about how a lack of parking will create disruptions at her restaurant but it’s just not good for local small businesses We’re a tax-paying business,” she expressed Florida Department of Transportation officials said they’ll be working closely with residents and businesses in the area to cause as few disruptions as possible They expect to complete the buried seawall project by the end of next year --  Rain looks to be in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday and then later in the week for Central Florida Here is the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Melbourne:  Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 2 am Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 pm then a slight chance of showers between 11 pm and 2 am Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 8 am Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsLisa Bell ORMOND BEACH – If you take a drive through Ormond Beach you can’t help but notice the beautiful historical buildings that dot the landscape These structures are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are filled with stories that echo the past we had the privilege of receiving a personalized tour from Mary Smith the President of the Ormond Beach Historical Society Our journey began at the historic Nathan Cobb Cottage a quaint three-room structure with a fascinating backstory The cottage was built from the remnants of the Nathan F. Cobb schooner, which shipwrecked off the coast of Ormond Beach in 1896 which now serves as a venue for community events including a speaker series called “Conversations at the Cobb.”   Visitors can admire its storied original floors and fireplace gaining insight into life in Ormond Beach at the turn of the 20th century [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Our next stop was the Anderson-Price Memorial Building a testament to the vision of the all-women Village Association preserving local history while honoring its namesakes The Hotel Ormond was once the largest wooden structure in the United States its legacy lives on through a replica at the Welcome Center in Ormond Beach housed inside the historic MacDonald House One of the most intriguing remnants of the Hotel Ormond is the Cupola salvaged by the Historical Society members offered guests breathtaking views of both the ocean and river Rockefeller purchased for his winter residence showcasing the opulent lifestyle of America’s rich and famous enjoying golf and watching automobile racing on the beach Ormond Beach is not just a place of historical significance; it is a living testament to the stories and achievements of those who came before us Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to explore Ormond Beach offers a unique glimpse into the past inviting you to discover its rich heritage 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 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." ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA — When bullets started hitting his home early Thursday Sergio Dias and his family hid indoors after hearing gunshot after gunshot started shooting at law enforcement officers who had set up a perimeter It triggered an almost six-hour standoff that ended when a sniper shot and killed DiFusco just before noon and hid for a while until they evacuated us," Dias recalled Friday morning standing near yellow tape that still enclosed the crime scene his family and neighbors were escorted out by deputies on Thursday he realized that bullets had struck his home But Dias said he was glad he was able to spend Thanksgiving Day safely with his family We went to the beach and had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," Dias said Dias ducked under yellow crime tape to get to a home where he left some luggage with a friend He knew he had some work to do to patch up his home "Looks like we will have to do some repairs but it's nowhere near the damage other units have There are units that have a lot more damage crime-scene tape still enclosed the parking lot between two rows of condominiums at the Kingston Shores Condos Volusia deputies were also on scene keeping watch which Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said was Unit 61 had a gaping hole where an armored vehicle rammed through to get to DiFusco who was hunkering down in the home The glass window on the second floor was gone and chunks of concrete were torn off where bullets struck "It was just such a sad ending on a day like Thanksgiving Day," said Mike Lesage who was on his bicycle outside the yellow tape perimeter Lesage said he rides every day though the complex from Ocean Shore Boulevard to get to John Anderson Drive On the John Anderson Drive side of the condo holes in a glass window and an area near the pool were cordoned off with yellow tape Two deputies' patrol cars were parked nearby "I have been living in the area 11 years and this is the first time I've seen something like this," Lesage said Chitwood said DiFusco was a veteran who was convicted in Connecticut for weapons offenses In 2003, the New Haven Register reported that DiFusco an undergraduate student at Southern Connecticut State University was charged with weapons possession after two assault weapons and another gun were found in his on-campus apartment DiFusco was suspended by the university and was charged with two criminal charges related to possession of a machine gun according to The New Haven Register report manuals on how to modify guns and an instruction manual for flying a plane police said there were no indications that Difusco was planning any crimes or attacks "We believe he is just a weapons buff," a New Haven police chief said "just an individual who has a fetish for this stuff." Federal court records show that in 1998 DiFusco and Claribel Rivera filed for bankruptcy in the Florida Middle District in Orlando It appears they were about $70,000 in debt Records also show that DiFusco served in the U.S Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune when he was in his 20s who was listed in a phone plan with Joseph DiFusco “When pigs fly” is how fiancées Danielle Armenta and Evgeny Dzyubin described the prospect of opening their own restaurant together as the Ormond Beach Diner not only welcomed its first morning crowd to the 1460 Ocean Shore Blvd with Dzyubin solely running kitchen operations while Armenta covered hosting the duo has gratefully hired four employees since then and describes the enduring support they’ve received so far as the foundation to their New York-style “The community has been really fantastic … I’ve been to many places in the states and the people here — the hospitality because I’m so overwhelmed by all the love.” Restaurant news: Local family to open New York-style diner in Ormond Beach ‘The Turtle’s swimming north’: Seafood sports bar chain to open in Ormond Beach grew up embracing the culinary traditions that both his mother and grandmother kept alive at home cooking for holidays and large-party gatherings with friends and family the innovative young chef certainly didn’t disappoint — but Dzyubin landed his first industry position as a busser at his local diner where he felt an unyielding pull to the kitchen’s chaos his passion and persistence earned him a steady path up the ranks of his local diner scene from general manager to sous chef and head chef by just 21 years old and ultimately put his culinary passions on hold to pursue a career that would one day make his long-time dream a realistic possibility “I realized that in order to become a full-time owner in a restaurant you can’t be working as a busboy in a restaurant “I did IT for about eight to 10 years to kind of build up my cash flow and the relevant experience in the corporate world comes from a 15-year career in customer service working extensively in both the retail and beauty space While she described the restaurant industry as one rather out of her comfort zone one of its key components happens to be one of her greatest strengths — hospitality the people aspect — getting to learn about people and getting to know them,” she said “That connection is so important for me and for us Good vibes and breakfast bites: New Ormond Beach restaurant to serve brunch Marine biology to pastry arts: South Daytona bakery to reopen at new, expanded location After Dzyubin moved to the Daytona area in 2020 he kept a close eye on mom and pops around town keeping his then long-distance fiancé in the loop every step of the way Armenta had packed her belongings and made the roughly 3,000-mile move across the country they eagerly welcome locals and vacationers alike to the fully renovated New York-style eatery we now know as Ormond Beach Diner — a long-awaited venture that fuses two seemingly-opposite career backgrounds while still uniquely feeding their strengths as individuals “honoring (Dzyubin’s) vision and his dream come true,” while the community’s fingerprint is already evident through the eatery's eager staff of new hires and embellished back wall of customer-donated license plates Which restaurants are open Thanksgiving? Let these Daytona, Flagler spots do the cooking “Cooking has always been my passion over the years … and doing it the right way,” Dzyubin explained we’ll slap something together.’ (It’s) the right plating the right structure and flow of the food —making sure it comes out with much of its produce hand-picked by the couple from local farmers markets each week a time-consuming process that showcases their unwillingness to compromise on quality or flavor with options ranging from the eatery's best-selling pancake variations Belgian waffles and French toast to morning wraps avocado toast and classic bacon and egg plates with lunch and dinner dishes ranging from homestyle meatloaf I mean we have a little bit of everything for everyone,” Dzyubin said “because New York is such a cultural melting pot.” The couple hopes to also have beer and wine available this month Named Yelp's best doughnut shop in Florida, Donnie's Donuts closes in Daytona Beach and continuing to curate an environment where every guest feels more like a friend but we want them to also feel like it’s their happy place and enjoy that curated food that’s going to remind them of home — of a homecooked meal.” Ormond Beach Diner is located at 1460 Ocean Shore Blvd allowing Monday and Tuesdays to serve as prep days the diner plans to return to its usual hours of operation call 386-944-9068 or visit ormondbeachdiner.com Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsMatt Austin – 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: Coleson Janey recalled what it felt like to have a tire run over his head and body