Town news

Coverage of City Hall, elections and the decisions shaping Ormond Beach. Where a story began with another newsroom, we say so and link back to the original reporting.

September 4, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Fake Mailers, Hijacked Websites: Local Elections Are Seeing a New Kind of "Fraud"

Election fraud usually brings to mind illegal voting. But a different problem has been spreading through Flagler and Volusia county races: deceptive campaign materials designed to look official when they aren't.

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Mailer image: paid electioneering communication received by Volusia voters

September 2, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

What Comes Next for Mayor-Elect Tolland, and Who's Filling Her Old Seat

Ormond Beach's history-making election is decided, but the transition is still ahead. Mayor-elect Lori Tolland is preparing to leave her Zone 1 seat for the mayor's chair, opening the door for Zone 1 winner Melissa DeVriese.

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Photo courtesy of the Lori Tolland campaign

September 2, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Ormond Beach's Closest Race Heads to a Runoff: Inside the Briley-Bobak Zone 4 Contest

Zone 4 was the closest race on Ormond Beach's Aug. 18 primary ballot, with incumbent Harold Briley edging challenger Amber Bobak by fewer than 70 votes. Neither reached a majority, sending the race to a Nov. 3 runoff.

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Graphic by Ormond Beach Buzz

August 13, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Tractor Supply Clears Another Hurdle for Ormond Beach Store, But Neighbors Still Have Concerns

Ormond Beach is one step closer to landing a Tractor Supply Co. store after the city's Planning Board unanimously approved an amendment clearing the way for the retailer to join the Tomoka Commerce Park development on North U.S. 1.

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Photo courtesy of Tractor Supply Co.

August 26, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Two More Ormond Beach Races Still to Come: Zone 2 and Zone 3 Head Straight to November

Zone 2 and Zone 3 each drew only two candidates, so both skipped the August primary and will be decided outright in the Nov. 3 general election. Incumbents Travis Sargent and Kristin Deaton face challengers Jennifer Bright and Ted Rhodes.

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Graphic by Ormond Beach Buzz

August 19, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Ormond Beach Elects Its First Female Mayor: Tolland, DeVriese Win Outright; Zone 4 Headed to a Runoff

Ormond Beach voters made history Tuesday, electing Lori Tolland as the city's first female mayor and delivering outright wins in two of the city's three contested primary races. Only the Zone 4 City Commission seat remains unsettled, with incumbent Harold Briley and challenger Amber Bobak headed to a November runoff.

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Photo courtesy of the Lori Tolland campaign

August 17, 2026 · Ormond Beach Buzz

Ormond Beach Voters Head to the Polls Tuesday: What to Know Before You Cast Your Ballot

Ormond Beach's Aug. 18 primary election is here. Voters will decide three contested City Commission races, including a four-way fight for mayor. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.

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Graphic by Ormond Beach Buzz

July 31, 2026 · Ormond Beach Observer

Facing property tax uncertainty, Ormond Beach eyes budget cuts instead of a tax hike

City commissioners plan to hold the property tax rate flat for 2026-27 while trimming discretionary spending, bracing for a November constitutional amendment that could sharply reduce future property tax revenue.

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Graphic by Ormond Beach Buzz