- March 4, 2025
The St. Johns River may become a "blueway," boosting economic development; beware of scammers targeting the elderly; a public works update; and more.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
Alliance looks to make St. Johns River a blueway
The St. Johns River Alliance is working with all 13 counties along the 310 miles of the St. Johns River to endorse an application that would establish the river as a state-designated paddling trail, or blueway.
The Volusia County Council recently endorsed the designation.
“It will bring economic development for nature-based tourism,” said Volusia County Councilman Pat Northey, who also serves as the director of the St. Johns River Alliance board. “Paddling trails raise environmental awareness, create a sense of place, promote good health through outdoor recreation (and) boost ecotourism.”
The application will be reviewed in September. Visit www.stjohnsriveralliance.com.
Scam alert: Beware of fake grandchildren
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is alerting the public to a scam that recently took a Deltona woman for more than $50,000.
The woman, a 78-year-old Deltona grandmother, was scammed out of more than $50,000 after being called by a person claiming to be her grandson. The scammer first called her in June, asking for $5,000 to get him out of jail, and over the next few weeks, the victim got more calls from the fake grandon’s lawyer. When it was over, the victim had lost $55,000.
An 82-year-old New Smyrna woman was scammed out of $1,800, in a similar recent case.
The sheriff advises not succumbing to pressure to send money quickly, as well as contacting the grandchild on a separate occasion to either confirm or debunk the story.
Update: Public works report
Concrete crews removed broken sidewalk pieces to allow for repairs, as well as poured a new sidewalk, on Old Tomoka Road.
Crews helped clean dead foliage from Central Park.
Asphalt crews repaired cracks in the road on Ormond Parkway.
New bike route signs have been installed across the city.
Forestry and maintenance crews removed overgrown bushes on Magnolia Drive.
Around town …
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’ Florida Licensing on Wheels mobile unit will make a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, pit stop at City Hall to provide ID card changes of address, renewels and more.
Framing has started for the new gazebo at The Casements, which will incorporate an original window from the Rockefeller’s home into its design. Cedar shakes, iron railing and a new sidewalk were also added this week. The gazebo will be presented in October.
Emergency Stats
The following numbers, for the week of July 12, were supplied by city staff.
Weekly Police Stats:
Calls for Service……….1,761
Arrests……….22
Citations Issued……….153
Reports Written……….126
Traffic Stops……….257
Weekly Fire Operations Stats:
Incidents……….128
EMS……….66
Motor Vehicle Accidents……….8
Fires……….2
Fire Alarms……….3
Public Assists……….47
Hazardous……….2
