ORMOND BEACH
Observer
FREE
ON NEWSSTANDS.
$79 / Y E A R
ON YOUR DRIVEWAY.
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 12, NO. 47
Three ways to support your local journalism: 1) scan the code, 2) call 386-447-9723, or 3) visit observerlocalnews.com/subscribe. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024
Candidates debate local issues ahead of primaries Citizens For Ormond Beach holds forum for city, School Board and County Council chair races. PAGE 3A-6A
Tax rate increase proposed City to increase tax rate by almost 4% to fund more staffing.
Vince’s legacy Former Buc and soonto-be Hall of Famer runs local youth basketball academy for 27th year. PAGE 8B
PAGE 2A INSIDE 400 BACKPACKS
Educational backpack drive to be hosted at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center. PAGE 3B
NO CONDOS
Commissioner shoots down rumor that tennis courts may be sold for condos. PAGE 2A
MLB DRAFTEE
Kansas City Royals sign former Seabreeze High School catcher Canyon Brown. PAGE 7B
MERGER
One Voice Volusia merges under Flagler Cares. PAGE 3B
OFFICERS INSTALLED
The Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions install their 2024-2025 officers. PAGE 8A
Utilities to be undergrounded on East Granada
Vince Carter laughs before he leads the warm-up at the 27th Vince Carter Youth Basketball Academy held at Mainland High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Major hospital expansion
AdventHealth begins $220 million project. PAGE 6A
The Ormond Beach Commission unanimously approved the undergrounding of utilities at the intersection of North Halifax Drive and East Granada Boulevard at its meeting on Tuesday, July 23. The commission approved a $238,467 agreement with Florida Power and Light and a $46,376.12 agreement with AT&T for the projects, which are part of the Downtown East Granada Utility Undergrounding project. The funding is coming from the city’s Community Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing fund. The city estimates the project will be complete by the end of 2025.
Reel smiles Kids go fishing during Ormond Beach’s Enviro Camp.
PAGE 1B
INDEX
Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Comics ....................... PAGE 5B Cops Corner............... PAGE 6A Letters........................ PAGE 8A McMillan..................... PAGE 8A Public Notices............ PAGE 8B Sports......................... PAGE 6B Real Estate..................PAGE 7A
Imagine that OMAM hosts Imaginarium art camp to promote creativity. A rendering of what the $220 million expansion will look like at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, once completed. Courtesy of AdventHealth Daytona Beach
PAGE 1B