Elevate Florida program now accepting applications to strengthen homes against future storms

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is now accepting applications for its Elevate Florida program, which provides funding to help homeowners protect their properties from future flood damage. This program offers Volusia County residents a chance to elevate, rebuild, or strengthen their homes, potentially saving them thousands in repairs, lowering flood insurance premiums, and increasing home values. The program is available even if a property has not previously experienced Read More » Continue reading Elevate Florida program now accepting applications to strengthen homes against future storms

Property Tax Relief: Homestead Exemption to Rise with Inflation in 2025

Florida voters approved Amendment 5, a change to the state constitution affecting the property tax system. The impacts are wide-ranging for homeowners and local governments. The amendment provides additional property tax relief, particularly for residents who claim a homestead exemption on their primary residence. How Inflation Impacts the Homestead Exemption More than 66 percent of Florida voters approved the measure, which links one of the Read More » Continue reading Property Tax Relief: Homestead Exemption to Rise with Inflation in 2025

Resilient Roots: Adapting in Volusia County’s Climate

Florida’s agricultural communities are recovering in the wake of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The storms’ high winds and torrential rain caused flooding in fields and extensive damage to greenhouses and protective structures. Statewide, reports of heavy losses included citrus, strawberries, vegetable, livestock, and aquaculture sectors. The devastation is significant: counties hit hardest by Hurricane Milton alone account for approximately over $7.4 billion in annual Read More » Continue reading Resilient Roots: Adapting in Volusia County’s Climate

Local Surfer Wins Two National Titles

Braeden Kopec of Ponce Inlet recently returned from Huntington Beach, California where he competed in the NSSA National Surfing Championships and he brought two national titles home with him! His trip to California brings his total overall number of Championship event wins to twenty-one. Prior to the Huntington event Braeden competed in the Interscholastic National Championships held at Salt Creek Beach where, as team captain, Read More » Continue reading Local Surfer Wins Two National Titles

Summertime Fishing Report: New Smyrna Beach

Report & Images by: Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt | @TheRealTupat Summertime and living’s easy! It’s hard to beat the fun in the sun here in New Smyrna Beach! Surf, beach, fishing, and many other outdoor activities keep the stoke level high! The fishing has been epic both in the river and in the ocean. Red snapper season was a success, and we saw everyone and their Read More » Continue reading Summertime Fishing Report: New Smyrna Beach

Be Local Election Ready!

It’s 2024 and everyone is talking about the big election coming up in November, but let’s not forget about or tune out the important local decisions that we can vote on August 20, during the primary election! I love all things local, which includes the policies and people that run our cities and county. Are you ready to decide this summer? No matter what your Read More » Continue reading Be Local Election Ready!

Bobby G’s Island Party with Toon Tiki Charters

July is upon us, and what could be more delightful than spending a sun-drenched day on a boat with friends, leisurely cruising around and making stops at one of Ponce Inlet’s picturesque intercoastal islands? Imagine the joy of playing in the refreshing water, basking in the warm rays, and simply enjoying the beauty of the surroundings – it sounds like pure bliss, doesn’t it? But Read More » Continue reading Bobby G’s Island Party with Toon Tiki Charters

Shuck & Share Program Reaches Million-Pound Milestone

The Marine Discovery Center’s Shuck & Share oyster recycling program reached a million-pound milestone earlier this year. Shuck & Share was launched in 2013 and the first oyster shells were collected at local restaurants in 2014. Restaurants participating in the program began holding discarded shells from diners’ meals to be collected for recycled use in shoreline restoration projects up and down the Indian River Lagoon. Read More » Continue reading Shuck & Share Program Reaches Million-Pound Milestone

Volusia County Launches Social Services App

Do you need help finding social service agencies in Volusia County? There’s now an app for that! Volusia County has created Volusia Helps, a free app that provides up-to-date information in the palm of your hand. The app can help residents, social service providers, law enforcement, and medical professionals easily find needed resources. Users can search what they are looking for, or they can select Read More » Continue reading Volusia County Launches Social Services App

Volusia County Schools Rezoning Rundown

My household has always felt a call to students: I teach high school science online, my husband and two housemates are on staff with a college campus ministry, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and my kids attend local schools. When we decided to move here just over 5 years ago, we specifically felt called to the students (VPK – college) and the rich history of the Midtown Read More » Continue reading Volusia County Schools Rezoning Rundown