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

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

By Jarleene Almenas
| 9:00 a.m. December 26, 2019

The Seabreeze High School Marching Band during its trip to London for the New Year's Day Parade. Courtesy photo

Seabreeze High School sophomore Michael Huth as Shrek during the show on Jan. 25. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Pieter Goetzelman and his grandfather Fred Silber hang out and chat while waiting for a bite at Reel in the Fun at Central Park on Saturday, February 16. Photo by Anthony Boccio

Howie Clatterbuck, of Port Orange, is escorted by a cheerleader into the Night To Shine prom event at Embry-Riddle on Friday, Feb. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

La's Bistro's Carlos Soldevilla poses with his creations. Chilled watermelon gazpacho and whisky bread pudding were some of the items on the menu for the sixth-annual Taste of Ormond on March 3. Photo by Anthony Boccio

The cast of Ormond Beach Follies performs the scene "Island of Love" in "What the World Needs Now" at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Clan Davidson members Grant Baker, Steve Giesecki and Kay Leonard enjoy a drink at the ninth-annual Celtic Festival. Photo by Anthony Boccio

Jody Brown and Sally Dock grab a couple of free live oaks during the city's 27th-annual Picnic on the Plaza on Thursday, April 18. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Lucky's Store Director Melissa Bradford cuts the 15-pound slab of bacon as Lucky's Market team members Matt Fuller and Aaron Watson hold it on May 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Kitty Barakat, of Tomoka Brewery, pours a cup of cold beer at the inaugural Beer Festival. Photo by Anthony Boccio

Nora Graydon poses with her imaginary creature sculpture "Elly for Everything" that she made during Re-Imaginarium Camp on Thursday, June 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Kaleb Lee announces he will release a single with Kelly Clarkson in the coming months titled "I Dream in Southern." Courtesy photo

John and Astrid Puente during Ormond Beach’s Annual Independence Day Celebration on July 4. Photo by Meggan Harper

Chris Wolf, of Ormond Beach, walks A1A with Michael Lucas while they make stops picking up trash along the road. Photo by Anthony Boccio

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz takes the front seat beside the pilot on a chopper tour of Ormond Beach's airport park on Aug. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Osceola Elementary second grade teacher Meredith Gilbert hugs Karleigh Miksits as Davona Stokes walks the school halls during the first day of school on Monday Aug. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

People watch the tide roll in from the walkway at Andy Romano Beachfront Park on Wednesday, Sept. 4, after Dorian continued up the coast. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Hunter Ramirez shows the photos and names of three of the fallen 9/11 firefighters. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Emily and Lucy Van Doorn, Bailey Sparkman, Thomas, Stephanie and Kailey Renick, and Addison Whiting all brought their costume A-game Rockefeller Gardens on Friday, Oct. 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Frank Delzingaro tandem jumps with a Skydive DeLand instructor on his 85th birthday on Oct. 20. Photo courtesy of Skydive DeLand

World War II Army veteran Tommy Sherman and Vietnam War Navy veteran Mike Woloham. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Kaylee Sehess and Brayden Baker at the Tomoka Elementary Fall Fest on Friday, Nov. 15. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Sebastian, Shannon and Christian Benes meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the 41st-annual Christmas Gala at the Casements on Friday, Dec. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Officer Carlos Ortiz and Teron Rayam have fun shopping together during the third-annual Shop with a Cop event at Walmart on Friday, Dec. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Ormond Beach Observer
News

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.