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VOLUME 3, NO. 1
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• SEPTEMBER 2021
Tax rate goes up by 3% Volusia County moves forward with 3 increase after council cuts $2.8 million Story at ww.OrmondBeachObserver.com
VCS mask mandate approved
New in town Burntwood Tavern now open at The Trails Shopping Center JARLEENE ALMENAS
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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he Volusia County School Board voted 3-2 at its special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 31, to make masks mandatory, with a medical opt-out only, for children in grades K-12, effective Sept. 7. School Board members Jamie Haynes and Anita Burnette voted against. The mandate will be in effect until at least Oct. 15. The decision was reached as the shouts and chants of people outside the Volusia County Schools’ DeLand Administrative Complex could be heard inside the board chambers. The crowd could be heard throughout the five-hour meeting — phrases including “Fire Fritz,” “USA” and “We will not comply” often interrupting the School Board members and district staff or forcing them to speak louder into their microphones — and once the vote was made, the crowd started to chant, “Shame on you.” Still, the board members didn’t waver. The 824 children ages 5-18 in Volusia County who tested positive for COVID-19 during Aug. 16-31 represent an 847% increase compared to the number of cases reported during the first two weeks of school in 2020.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A new tavern-style restaurant has found a home in The Trails Shopping Center, and its management is hoping it becomes the “go-to” place for all locals. Burntwood Tavern’s opened on Thursday, Aug. 19, in a 6,000-square-foot building at 250 N. Nova Road. This will be the 15th location opened by the Ohio-based restaurant group, and the fifth in Florida. The restaurant boasts its upscale tavern fare including sandwiches, small plate appetizers and burgers, as well as its specials on beer, wine and liquor. Burntwood Tavern also infuses its own vodkas with ingredients like blueberries, strawberries, jalapeños and bacon. Bryan Kelley, director of operations for Chef Art Pour ResPhoto by Jarleene Almenas
SEE BURNTWOOD PAGE 2
Treating COVID
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Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site opens in Ormond Beach
Bryan Kelley, director of operations for Chef Art Pour Restaurant Group, said they’re excited to open their new restaurant at the Trails Shopping Center.
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Gov. Ron DeSantis is continuing to increase access to monoclonal antibody therapy treatment, and on Thursday, Aug. 19, he announced the opening of a treatment site at the Ormond Beach Senior Center. The governor expressed his confidence that the state will see a reduction in hospital admissions with the introduction of these treatment sites, particularly naming the treatment by biotechnology company Regeneron. At the time of the press conference, DeSantis had announced the opening of monoclonal antibody therapy treatment sites in Jacksonville, Orlando, Merritt Island, Pembroke Pines and West Palm Beach. As of Tuesday, Aug. 24, he’d opened 18 sites across the state. “It’s our belief that if this SEE TREATING PAGE 3
Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the opening of a new monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site in Ormond Beach.