STREET BY STREET PAGE 1B
ORMOND BEACH
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 14, NO. 20
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026
City OKs new commerce park The 12-acre Tomoka Commerce Park on North U.S. 1 will benefit small business owners, officials say. PAGE 4A
Mayor vies for Florida House seat Ormond Mayor Jason Leslie seeks to represent District 29. PAGE 6A
Art that moves you Twelve new sculptures installed downtown. PAGE 1B
INSIDE NEIGHBORS PREVAIL Planning Board votes against special exception for Circle K. PAGE 5A
ELECTIONS 2026
Zone 3 City Commissioner Kristin Deaton is running for a second term. PAGE 4A
BUSY AIRPORT
DAB passenger traffic reached record high in 2025. PAGE 3B
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 3B Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters........................ PAGE 8A McMillan..................... PAGE 8A Public Notices............ PAGE 5C Sports..........................PAGE 7B Tributes ...................... PAGE 4C Real Estate................. PAGE 6B
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ON NEWSSTANDS.
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ON YOUR DRIVEWAY.
“A Turn of the Century” waits to be installed as visitors John and Beth Foss of Marion, Indiana, dance nearby. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Honoring Dr. King
Goal!
Ormond hosts annual prayer breakfast. PAGE 3A
PAGE 7B
Luke Harrell’s late goal gives Seabreeze’s boys soccer team a tie on Senior Night.
OBSERVER 50 LEANNI WAY, UNIT C3 PALM COAST, FL 32137
Mary Davis-Johnson and Victor Montgomery, of Omicron Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
*********ECRWSSEDDM**** POSTAL CUSTOMER ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PALM COAST, FL PERMIT 175
ORMOND’S ONLY OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT “We vowed this will be a new favorite eatery.” Adrienne A. “Great spot for lunch by the ocean!” Lisa D. “You can’t get any closer to the beach for great food.” Lisa W (Google Reviews)
867 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach • 386.308.1134
S.E. corner, inside Ocean East Resort, behind Riptides. Parking in front spaces along AlA or Harvard Beach Approach w/Volusia registration! OPEN 7AM TO 9PM, WATCH THE SUNRISE • JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER & ADULT BEVERAGES. COME SEE ORMOND’S HIDDEN GEM!