Easter Beach Run set for Saturday

Look for bunny ears Saturday as hundreds participate in Daytona Beach’s annual Easter Beach Run. New this year, the races will start on the beach behind Breakers Oceanfront Park at 13 S. Atlantic Ave. Kids’ races start at 3:30 p.m. and the 2-mile/4-mile run/walk starts at 4 p.m.

Easter Beach Run participants should plan to arrive early and be prepared to park at a distance from Breakers Oceanfront Park. Large beach crowds are anticipated along with thousands of college students who are in town to participate in the National Cheer and Dance College Nationals at the Ocean Center and Oceanfront Bandshell. Parking may be available in the Ocean Center Garage across from the Ocean Walk Shoppes on A1A. Additional parking may be available in metered spots on city streets and in private lots on A1A near Main Street. Some parking lots will only accept cash.

Watch replay of City Commission meeting

City commissioners met Wednesday night and people who were not able to attend can watch a replay of the meeting from the convenience of their personal computer or mobile device.

At the meeting, commissioners approved a lease with Diamond Towers V LLC. for a cell tower to be located at 2545 LPGA Blvd. (Fire Station #7) and the purchase of a 26’ marine firefighting vessel. They also discussed the purchase and installation of security cameras along the Seabreeze corridor and appointed people to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Housing Authority Commission and the Beachside Redevelopment, Board of Building Codes and First Step Shelter boards.

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City hosts Mainland High School’s Champs Parade

The city is hosting a parade starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, to celebrate Mainland High School’s successful year in Class 5A boys and girls sports. The parade will start at Brown & Brown Insurance (300 N. Beach St.) and travel south to Jackie Robinson Parkway. Immediately following the parade there will be a celebration at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. For more information or to participate in the parade, please contact Daytona Beach Parks & Recreation Events Specialist Katie Prestwood at (386) 671-8268 or PrestwoodKaitlyn@codb.us.

Midtown Music Concert Series starts Saturday, April 15, in Cypress Park

Resident survey results provide valuable insight

Results of the recent resident survey have been compiled and the complete report is available for review on the city’s website. The purpose of the survey is to help policy makers better understand priorities for government action and citizen opinions on quality of life issues and public services.

The questionnaire was randomly mailed to 2,800 residents with 280 completed responses returned. About 38% of respondents have lived in Daytona Beach for more than 20 years and 54% rent their homes with 70% rating their neighborhoods as excellent or good.

Daytona Beach residents listed overall economic health and the quality of utility infrastructure as top priorities. About two-thirds of residents rated Daytona Beach’s shopping opportunities and the city as a place to visit as either excellent or good.

Public invited to shorelines and climate change presentation

Join us at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, for an educational presentation by Dr. Robert S. Young, who is the director of Western Carolina University’s Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines. The presentation will be at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center, 1000 Vine Street in Daytona Beach. Dr. Young will discuss how research into coastal processes, storm impacts, hazard vulnerability, and sea level rise is being translated into management, planning, and policy for coastal communities on the front lines of our growing climate crisis.

Dr. Young serves as a member on South Carolina's Governor’s Flood Commission, and recently served as a member of North Carolina's Coastal Resources Commission Science Panel. He has been appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Virginia Coastal Master Plan and is currently leading a major project for the National Park Service to identify the vulnerability of all coastal park assets to coastal storms, erosion and sea level rise for the purpose of adaptation planning.

Police urge car owners to install free software upgrade to prevent theft

Reports of stolen cars in Daytona Beach rose last year due in part to a nationwide theft epidemic ignited by social media challenges targeting certain Hyundai and Kia models. Daytona Beach police are asking Hyundai and Kia owners to have free software installed that updates their vehicle’s theft alarm system.

Officers are distributing notices to owners of the affected vehicles with phone numbers to schedule appointments at local dealerships. Hyundai owners can call (800) 633-5151 and Kia owners should call (800) 333-4542

Food Trucks Friday night in downtown Daytona Beach

Art Fest this weekend in downtown Daytona Beach