A Year in Review: What 2019 was like in Ormond Beach.

Take a look back at some of the highlights of this year.

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January

  • Jan. 7: Florida Hospital Oceanside demolition underway.
  • Jan 15: Salty Church holds neighborhood meeting for $3.5 million expansion.
  • Jan. 22: The city's OB Life series concludes with a summary meeting.
  • Jan. 23: Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post wants county apology for breaching former employment settlement agreement.
  • Jan. 23: City begins to consider eliminating glass from its recycling program.

February

  • Feb. 5: First talks of staggering and extending City Commission terms arises.
  • Feb. 6: City staff meet with the newly-formed Restaurant Row.
  • Feb. 13: Mountain bikers offer to build new trail at Riverbend Park.
  • Feb. 19: 731 Seabreeze High School students stayed home from school due to a gun threat.
  • Feb. 19: City Commission approves a car wash for Granada Pointe.

March

  • March 14: Woodstock South closes after City Commission denies its special exception for outdoor activity.
  • March 15: Former Mayor and Circuit Court Judge David Hood dies.
  • March 19: Volusia County Council continues its Amendment 10 legal battle by appealing court decision.
  • March 21: Performing Arts Center gets green light for lobby renovation.
  • March 21: Car wash at Granada Pointe gets final approval.

April

  • April 2: City buys property at 385 S. Old Kings Road for $285,000 to increase its floodplain capacity.
  • April 4: 55-and-up manufactured home community Plantation Oaks initiates its grand opening weekend.
  • April 18: City breaks ground on $2.9 million reuse water project at Breakaway Trail.
  • April 29: County Councilwoman Heather Post tells Ormond-by-the-Sea residents at town hall that a septic-to-sewer conversion isn't likely.
  • April 30: Ormond Beach car breaks up 71%. Police remind residents to lock up cars and hide valuables.

May

  • May 8: Lucky's Market officially opens in the former Food Lion building on the beachside.
  • May 9: New codes to be written governing food trucks in the city to prevent them competing with brick-and-mortar restaurants.
  • May 21: City Commissioner Susan Persis first suggests the city ban plastic straws.
  • May 21: Volusia voters reject half-cent sales tax.
  • May 27: Cassen Park fishing pier is christened after Ike Leary.

June

  • June 4: City decides to invest in north peninsula septic-to-sewer conversion.
  • June 13: Chelsea Place residents oppose drive-thru plans for Starbucks at Shoppes on Granada.
  • June 19: Plans to demolish Julian's Dining Room and build a gift shop are announced.
  • June 25: Residents oppose proposal for new apartment complex between Dix and Highland avenues
  • June 30: OBPD begins body camera training for officers.

July

  • July 4: After 20 years in business, My Adornments at Fountain Square Shoppes announces it will close.
  • July 15: The Historic Landmark Preservation Board voted to remove the John Anderson Lodge from the city's Historic Landmarks list.
  • July 19: Following AP placebo test controversy at Mainland High School, students tare offered make-up elective course.
  • July 22: School Board approved new budget, with $75 more per student.
  • July 30: Starbucks drive-thru gets green light for Shoppes on Granada by a 4-1 City Commission vote.

August

  • Aug. 1: Ormond by the Sea Association starts Facebook group to combat septic-to-sewer in the north peninsula.
  • Aug. 6: Congressman Michael Waltz visits Ormond Beach to see the city's economic development investments in the aviation and aerospace industry.
  • Aug. 6: Former Mainland High School Principal Cheryl Salerno retires in wake of fake speech class for athlete scandal.
  • Aug. 14: Ormond Garage opens in the downtown.
  • Aug. 29: Citizens begin preparing for Dorian. It will take almost a week for the storm to approach the area.

September

  • Sept. 6: Septic-to-sewer conversion becomes key issue in county Councilwoman Heather Post's town halls.
  • Sept. 11: Local firefighters climb 110 flights at Marina Grande condominiums in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.
  • Sept. 17: Convicted child sex abuser Mark Fugler released from jail pending appeals. Sheriff Mike Chitwood leads charge to put him back behind bars.
  • Sept. 18: City starts comprehensive plan amendment process to clarify the north peninsula will not be annexed in septic-to-sewer conversion.
  • Sept. 19: Aldi opens at Shoppes on Granada.

October

  • Oct. 7: Judge revokes Mark Fugler's bond.
  • Oct. 8: Mayor Bill Partington says at the annual state of the city address that Ormond is "boosting the momentum" created over the past year.
  • Oct. 15: Ormond-by-the-Sea residents start petition to push for a scientific study on the Halifax River's source of pollution.
  • Oct. 17: Wawa at Granada Pointe opens its doors.
  • Oct. 21: Osceola Elementary switches to biodegradable lunch trays.

November

  • Nov. 1: Hometown Heroes banner program is inaugurated on the Granada bridge.
  • Nov. 5: City halts all septic-to-sewer conversions.
  • Nov. 12: School Board selects Dr. Ronald “Scott” Fritz as the new superintendent.
  • Nov. 14: Security First hosts grand opening for new headquarters at Ormond Crossings.
  • Nov. 18: Elected officials discuss placing a new sales tax in the 2020 ballot.

December

  • Dec. 3: City explores traffic calming device program in wake of pedestrian deaths.
  • Dec. 10: County Attorney Dan Eckert announces he will resign come Jan. 31, 2020.
  • Dec. 12: Planning Board discusses utility requirements for a new residential development west of of I-95, proposed by Avalon Park Group.
  • Dec. 13: Volusia County Fire Station 14 welcomes ambulance to service the north peninsula.
  • Dec. 14: First Wreaths Across America service held at Hillside Cemetery.

 

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