- March 10, 2026
Ormond Beach firefighters monitor the live burn demonstration. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Ormond Beach Police Department K-9 Officer Justin Hyatt, with K-9 Klaus, and Security First team members in front of MCAT Vehicle. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Howard Bailey, a Security First employee, Deputy Fire Chief Nate Quartier, Fire Marshal Ken Gaines, Battalion Chief Jeremiah Ingraham, Battalion Chief Joe Dupree and Fire Inspector Rebecca Whidden. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Jeff Hiers, certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with NEFCO, addresses Security First team members before the burn house demonstration. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Security First Chief Operating Officer Greg Moraski addresses Security First Team Members. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Bob Pender, assistant vice president of Catastrophe and Field Operations at Security First Insurance. Photo courtesy of Security First/Johnny Nomad
Security First Insurance hosted its third annual Storm Response Showcase on Feb. 26, where 46 vendors participated in a day of education and live demonstration.
According to a press release, the event was shaped by the principle that Florida homeowners judge storm preparation by how well it performs before, during and after a storm. This year's Storm Response Showcase included a burn demonstration by the National Fire Sprinkler Association and Paul Davis Restoration, with an educational review by NEFCO Fire Investigations.
“Our vendor partners are the experts on the front lines of helping Florida homeowners get back on their feet,” said Magen Young, manager of Security First Insurance’s First Choice Repair Network. “The Storm Response Showcase gives us the opportunity to learn from their expertise, observe best-in-class response in action, and see firsthand how their expertise makes a real difference for homeowners, whether the damage comes from a storm or an everyday claim, with policyholders choosing whether or not to use the network for their repairs.”
Ormond Beach residents Gretchen and Donnie Klein have moved Epic Spa and Wellness back to Ormond Beach from its location in Daytona.
Now at 800 Sterthaus Drive, Suite A, the new provides the spa with a larger space.
“We worked tirelessly day and night and with the help from friends and family we gave the new space a complete makeover,” Donnie Klein said in a press release. “This new space means Gretchen has room to bring in the best in new medical and wellness independent contractors.”
Gretchen Klein has over 20 years of experience. She celebrated the grand opening of the new spa location on Jan. 30, during which the Rice to Meet U food truck donated a portion of their proceeds to Matthew’s Gift, a nonprofit that supports hospital complex care units and medical research for children, as well as impacted families.
Visit epicspaandwellness.com.
Theresa's Garage, located at 388 N. Nova Road in Daytona Beach, recently celebrated its 14th anniversary in business.
On Friday, March 6, business owner Teresa Klaus hosted a Customer Appreciation Day where she provided hot dogs, chips, potato salad, baked beans, coffee, cookies, cupcakes and more.
"She is very knowledgeable, appreciates her customers and people and she is such a blessing and a gift to not just me but to her customers, the community, her employees, family, friends and everyone she meets," said her friend Laura Helfrecht to the Observer. "All her mechanics and employees have the knowledge too. She even gives rides for her customers to work, school, back home, etc. and picks up people when their vehicles are being repaired."
Helfrecht added that she calls Kalus "a younger Mother Theresa."
Theresa's Garage specializes in servicing Honda, Acura, Toyota and Nissan automobiles. Visit theresasgarage.us.
