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Good morning, Daytona Beach! In today’s edition: New Drury Plaza Hotel, a John Williams tribute, a beach sound bath and fire flow, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
New hotel brand arrives: Demolition is underway at the former Havertys Furniture and Miller’s Ale House sites near Daytona Speedway to make way for a seven-story Drury Plaza Hotel with 180 rooms — get all the details.
Season finale on the horizon: The Jacksonville Symphony will perform New Beginnings with John Williams Salutes America, a tribute to America’s 250th, as part of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society season. Tickets start at $48 — get all the details.
A lifeline to stability: A Port Orange woman moved into a mobile home through the Transform386 Homeowner Recovery Program. It can pay up to 100% of a replacement and has helped over 220 families — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
County committee agenda preview: The Volusia ECHO advisory committee meets today at 9 a.m. in the County Council Chambers at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center. Members will receive updates on the 2026 grant cycle and review the 2025 Work Plan and Annual Report, plus consider grant rescissions, reimbursements, and an updated DCE Plan. See what’s on the agenda.
Local cider, cold cans: If you’re more apples than hops, Ormond Garage stocks Ciderboys alongside house brews, keeping everyone happy. Settle into garage vibes, trade beer talk for cider chatter, and sip something crisp that isn’t another IPA for once.
Bring the beach home: Craving a breezy refresh? Sea Dreams By Sara offers coastal decor, artisan-made art, and giftable finds that feel authentically Ormond, not touristy trinkets. Prefer hands-on? Join their relaxed DIY classes to craft something uniquely yours.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🎨 Stained Glass Class @ Pelican Bay Sports Club | Wednesday (1/7) at 5:30 PM – Swap doomscrolling for stained glass, and make something that catches the sun. Whether you’re new or sharpening skills, you’ll get hands-on guidance, all tools provided, and a piece you’ll be proud to hang, not shove in the garage. Spots go fast.
🔥 Elemental night: beach sound bath + fire flow @ Andy Romano Beachfront Park | Thursday (1/8) at 8:00 PM – Close out 2025 on the sand with a beach sound bath and fire flow at Andy Romano, donation-based, calm included. Grab Driink Kava’s TOGO BOGO, then circle back for the 11:11 Bula, bring a blanket, and let the waves do the heavy lifting.
🌌 Starry, Starry Night @ Ormond Beach Arts District | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’ve been here since Granada traffic was a rumor, or just like free culture with a sea breeze, this gallery walk marks 36 years of Ormond arts. Stroll The Casements, OMAM, MacDonald House, plus peek inside the Historic Cupola. Free admission, zero pretense.
This weekend
🚶 Blue Spring State Park 5/10K Walks @ Blue Springs State Park | Saturday (1/10) at 8:30 AM – Think you know Blue Spring? Stretch legs on a 5K or 10K with the Happy Wanderers, where shady boardwalks meet sandy trails, and cold snaps mean manatees. Bring sturdy shoes, cash for the park and walk, and go early, gates close when it fills.
🤝 Better Life Health & Business Expo @ Daytona Beach Shores Community Center | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Daytona Beach Shores Community Center for a free browse of local businesses and restaurants, with demos, samples, and real chats that beat scrolling. Vendors can snag an indoor spot for $50, 8-foot table and two chairs included, warmers welcome, cooking not so much.
⚰ Save the Cemetery @ Boot Hill Saloon | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – Grab your gloves and swing by to help spruce up the old cemetery. We are giving the resting places, and our town history, a little TLC with friendly volunteers, light cleanup, and neighborly chatter. Good deeds, zero gym membership required.
🎶 Chris Ruggiero @ Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – Think you know all the throwbacks? Chris Ruggiero returns to Ormond Beach PAC with an all-new 50s, 60s, and 70s set, and six-piece band. Expect fresh takes on the classics, deep cuts, and stories that land, a night with friends, and a sensible bedtime.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Daytona Beach report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 75°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 4%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
Coconut pool home in Phase 1 of Latitude Margaritaville on a corner lot with pond views. The chef’s kitchen brings 42 inch white uppers with pullouts, GE Profile appliances, cooktop and wall oven, and Cambria quartz. The island opens to living and dining with a tray ceiling and lanai views. Over $100K in upgrades and south exposure.
Floor plan features 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a den with double doors that can flex to a third bedroom. Bose surround sound is included. The screened lanai encloses a 20×36 heated pool on a travertine deck. 8 foot doors and garage racks, golf cart negotiable.
Take a peek inside →
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