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Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juneteenth will be celebrated in Daytona Beach with a community festival and banquet
DAYTONA BEACH — The festivities are about to begin to celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that about 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Texas were told for the first time in their lives that they were free. Juneteenth — also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day or Freedom Day — is officially observed on June 19. But Daytona Beach is going to get things started a little early this year, and will hold a community festival Saturday June 14. That will be followed up with an awards banquet June 19, followed by another Daytona celebration June 22. The annual Daytona Beach Juneteenth Family Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 14 at Cypress Park, located at 981 W. George Engram Blvd. in Daytona Beach. The festival will offer a mix of live music, local vendors, food, art and educational activities. The free, all-day event will feature traditional African dance performances, food trucks, a variety of vendors, activities for children, the Sankofa African Traveling Museum, a pound cake competition and more. The theme for this year's Daytona Beach Juneteenth Family Festival, which celebrates the rich heritage and resilience of African Americans, is "Juneteenth: United As One Community." The Daytona festival is Florida's longest running commemoration of the national holiday. The Juneteenth Festival Group, Inc., is coordinating the event. For more details on the Daytona Beach Juneteenth festival, visit The annual Hometown Heroes Awards Banquet is next on the lineup of Daytona Beach's Juneteenth celebrations. Slated to take place June 19 at the Mori Hosseini Student Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the banquet recognizes Daytona Beach-area residents who strive to make a difference in the community. This year's banquet begins at 7 p.m., and will feature Junkanoo performers and stilt walkers from Africa. For more information, visit The third Daytona Beach Juneteenth event will be held on June 22 at Master's Domain Church of God in Christ, located at 511 Fremont Ave. in Daytona Beach. The event is being billed as a citywide celebration, and begins at 4 p.m. Several local churches, organizations, youth groups and community leaders will be included in the event. "There will be several senior pastors from area churches that will highlight the importance of the church and social justice," said Derrick Harris, senior pastor of Master's Domain Church. There will be free food, vendors and special performances from area groups. The event will also honor several people who have dedicated their lives to community service. Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in American history. While the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 granted freedom to enslaved people, it wasn't until June 19, 1865, that liberation was enforced in Texas, making freedom a reality for many who had remained enslaved. Since 2021, Juneteenth has been a federally recognized holiday in the United States. Many other countries around the world also celebrate Juneteenth. The holiday provides an opportunity to discuss freedom and ongoing challenges with voter access, healthcare gaps, social injustices, economic disparities, and more. You can reach Eileen at This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Juneteenth events in Daytona Beach about to begin
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Juneteenth: What you need to know about how the holiday is celebrated in the Daytona area
For some, it's a well-needed day off. But Juneteenth, celebrated this Thursday, June 19, in communities across the nation, holds a sacred place in African-American history. Juneteenth, established by President Joe Biden in 2021, is the most recently added federal holiday. Sometimes referred to as 'Black Independence Day" or "Freedom Day," Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation made it to enslaved people in the South — nearly three years after it was actually signed. Here's what you need to know about Juneteenth 2025: what it is, why it's celebrated, and what's going on in the Daytona Beach area. Non-essential federal, state, and city government offices are closed. Public and private schools may also be closed. Banks, the stock market, and the U.S. Postal Service are closed. Although many private-sector employers give employees the day off, workers in retail, grocery stores, and restaurants are not as lucky as many of those outlets are open for business. It is always on June 19, but Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") but may fall on different days each year. The holiday marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people in Texas and the nation be freed, on June 19, 1865, says. The next year, the now-free people started celebrating Juneteenth in Texas. Its observance has continued around the nation and the world ever since. Events include concerts, parades, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and other celebrations of Black culture and history. The annual Hometown Heroes Awards Banquet coincides this year with Daytona Beach's Juneteenth celebrations. Slated to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mori Hosseini Student Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the soul food buffet banquet recognizes Daytona Beach-area residents who strive to make a difference in the community. For more information, visit Another Juneteenth celebration will be held on Saturday at Master's Domain Church of God in Christ, located at 511 Fremont Ave. in Daytona Beach. The event is being billed as a citywide celebration and begins at 4 p.m. Several local churches, organizations, youth groups, and community leaders will be included in the event. There will be free food, vendors, and special performances from area groups. The event will also honor several people who have dedicated their lives to community service. The Miss Juneteenth Volusia County Pageant takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Babe James Community Center, 201 N Myrtle Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Pre-registration is required, but the event is free and open to the public. Eileen Zaffiro-Kean contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Juneteenth in Daytona: Here's what to know about the federal holiday
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Juneteenth: What you need to know about how the holiday is celebrated in the Daytona area
For some, it's a well-needed day off. But Juneteenth, celebrated this Thursday, June 19, in communities across the nation, holds a sacred place in African-American history. Juneteenth, established by President Joe Biden in 2021, is the most recently added federal holiday. Sometimes referred to as 'Black Independence Day" or "Freedom Day," Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation made it to enslaved people in the South — nearly three years after it was actually signed. Here's what you need to know about Juneteenth 2025: what it is, why it's celebrated, and what's going on in the Daytona Beach area. Non-essential federal, state, and city government offices are closed. Public and private schools may also be closed. Banks, the stock market, and the U.S. Postal Service are closed. Although many private-sector employers give employees the day off, workers in retail, grocery stores, and restaurants are not as lucky as many of those outlets are open for business. It is always on June 19, but Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") but may fall on different days each year. The holiday marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people in Texas and the nation be freed, on June 19, 1865, says. The next year, the now-free people started celebrating Juneteenth in Texas. Its observance has continued around the nation and the world ever since. Events include concerts, parades, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and other celebrations of Black culture and history. The annual Hometown Heroes Awards Banquet coincides this year with Daytona Beach's Juneteenth celebrations. Slated to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mori Hosseini Student Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the soul food buffet banquet recognizes Daytona Beach-area residents who strive to make a difference in the community. For more information, visit Another Juneteenth celebration will be held on Saturday at Master's Domain Church of God in Christ, located at 511 Fremont Ave. in Daytona Beach. The event is being billed as a citywide celebration and begins at 4 p.m. Several local churches, organizations, youth groups, and community leaders will be included in the event. There will be free food, vendors, and special performances from area groups. The event will also honor several people who have dedicated their lives to community service. The Miss Juneteenth Volusia County Pageant takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Babe James Community Center, 201 N Myrtle Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Pre-registration is required, but the event is free and open to the public. Eileen Zaffiro-Kean contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Juneteenth in Daytona: Here's what to know about the federal holiday
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
FROM SUN 'N FUN TO CLEAN SKIES ACROSS 14 DESTINATIONS: H55 WRAPS UP FLORIDA TOUR WITH 36 ELECTRIC DEMONSTRATION FLIGHTS AND ENGAGEMENTS AT 18 FLIGHT SCHOOLS
SION, Switzerland, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- H55, the pioneering electric aviation company and the technological spin-off of the Solar Impulse project, has successfully completed the first leg of its 8-state U.S. tour—making a powerful debut in Florida and demonstrating the promise of clean, quiet, and efficient flight. As part of its visionary Across USA Tour, H55 engaged flight schools, instructors, and industry leaders—showcasing the transformative potential of its certified electric propulsion system and accelerating market interest in the Bristell B23 Energic. With its all-electric Bristell B23 Energic aircraft, H55 completed 36 demonstration flights and hosted 12 open house events across 14 Florida airports. The company showcased its zero-emission electric propulsion technology to a wide range of audiences —including flight schools, aeronautical universities, aerospace professionals, professional pilots, aviation communities, airport authorities, and industry enthusiasts. Industry Momentum From a strong showing at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo to final stops in Central Florida, the H55 Across USA Tour engaged: 14 Airport-to-airport flights 36 Demonstration flights 12 Static events 30 Certified Flight Instructors (CFI/CFII) Aeronautical and aviation Professors Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Liberty University, and Florida Institute of Technology 2 Aerospace experts 18 Flight schools 10 Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) The Energic aircraft's aerodynamic design offers smooth, responsive handling and a remarkably quiet cockpit. Powered by H55's intelligent battery systems, the aircraft provides compelling proof that electric propulsion is poised to transform general aviation, regional transport aircraft operations, and pilot training. "This Florida tour marks a turning point—flight schools, instructors, and the broader aviation community are embracing the shift to electric. The future of flight is quiet, efficient, and electric. Our time in Florida demonstrated the real-world readiness of H55's certified electric propulsion system and intelligent energy management, along with strong interest from flight educators in adopting cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective training solutions," said Kristen Jurn, H55 US Sales Manager. Voices from the Field: Flight Training and Innovation Experts React "The Bristell flies light on the stick—but the biggest difference is how quiet and smooth it is. The controls are responsive, even during taxi, and you can take your headset off mid-flight and carry on a conversation. From both a training and maintenance perspective, being able to bring the power to zero without riding the brakes is a big deal—brake replacements are among the most frequent maintenance issues." — Adam Valencic, Multi-Engine Instructor & President, First Landings Aviation "The overall handling was very nice, and the aircraft felt robust—even with baggage onboard and full communication with ATC. It's quiet, responsive, and a great fit for instructional programs. As technology advances, I see electric aircraft playing an increasingly important role in flight training." — Tiago Dikerts de Tella, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University "The Bristell combined with H55's electric propulsion is a brilliant pairing. The quiet, smooth flight experience—from taxi to takeoff—was a real pleasure. This is the beginning of a new era that will revolutionize general aviation—and perhaps even commercial flight." — Scott Vangen, NASA (Ret.), Alternate Payload Specialist Astronaut, STS-67 A Proven Concept, Ready to Scale Gregory Blatt, Co-Founder and Across America Mission Director, said: "With Solar Impulse, we proved that clean aviation was possible — flying around the world without a single drop of fuel. Now with H55, we're taking that vision further, delivering certified electric propulsion systems that are scalable, and ready for real-world use. Electric flight is no longer a future concept— it's here, meeting the highest safety standards while reducing maintenance, lowering costs, and enabling cleaner, quieter, and more reliable operations. For flight schools, general aviation, and the future of air mobility, this is a turning point." Looking Ahead H55's certified electric propulsion and intelligent battery systems take center stage as the company continues its 5-month journey across seven more states. With the Florida segment complete, the B23 Energic will lead the next phase of the tour, inviting representatives from flight schools, fixed-base operators (FBOs), military bases, college aviation programs, local educators, aviation enthusiasts, and industry leaders to experience firsthand how electric aviation is transforming general aviation and flight training. Next up: Alabama and Arizona in May. Both states play key roles in aviation and aerospace, offering fertile ground for introducing sustainable flight technologies to training hubs and research institutions. H55's propulsion systems are ideally suited to meet the growing demand for quiet, efficient, and emissions-free solutions in these dynamic general aviation ecosystems. Tour Schedule: H55 Across USA Tour Florida –Sun 'n Fun & multi-city tour | April 12–28 Montgomery, Alabama – May 7–9 Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona – May 20–25 Las Vegas, Nevada – June 3–6 Palo Alto, California – June 15–22 Colorado Springs & Pueblo, Colorado – July 2–7 Oshkosh, Wisconsin (EAA AirVenture) – July 21–27 The Hamptons, New York – August 6–10 Join the H55 Across USA Tour, see where we're headed next, and explore videos, pilot testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content, visit / and follow us on social media @H55. ch for the latest updates and highlights. For more testimonials: Click here About H55 H55 is a Swiss-based company founded by the former Solar Impulse management team: André Borschberg, Sebastien Demont, and Gregory Blatt. Dedicated to revolutionizing the aviation industry, H55 provides certified electric propulsion and battery management systems tailored to a diverse range of aircraft, aiming to achieve sustainable air travel. H55 supplies certified electric propulsion systems with full airplane integration solutions for general aviation and regional transport aircraft. Through its pioneering legacy and commitment to certified solutions, H55's team of visionary engineers and aerospace experts are at the forefront of driving the aviation industry setting new standards and pushing the boundaries of electric aviation. H55 SA Route de l'Aéroport 10 1950 Sion Switzerland
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
FAA ranks Florida third in nation for lasers pointed at aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration is reporting that laser strikes on aircraft nationwide are 'dangerously high,' with Florida ranking third among all states in 2024. The issue is not new, but it seems the incidents continue to give pilots another thing to worry about. Experts say lasers pointed at pilots can temporarily can temporarily impair their sight. Since the agency began monitoring these incidents in 2010, 328 pilots have been injured. In Orange County, pointing lasers at pilots, including a sheriff's helicopter, has led to multiple arrests in the past few years. Orange County has not seen any in the past year, but more than 12,000 other pilots did. While officials say those results are a 3% decrease from 2023, the numbers are still too high. California and Texas have the most incidents with more than 1,400. Florida came in third with 810. The report comes amid the most recent arrest in Florida. Dann Wagner, 61, was charged with felony misuse of a laser lighting device. Investigators say he pointed a green laser at a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office helicopter that was assisting in an assault case on March 27. Anthony Brickhouse teaches aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and says these incidents can be dangerous. 'I know just to the common eye, it doesn't seem that serious, but it can be a very serious situation. It could cause an accident. It could cause permanent damage to the pilot's eyes. So what a lot of people do, having fun, could end up being criminal at the end of the day,' he said. People who shine lasers at aircraft can face FAA fines up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. Offenders can also face federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison for a $250,000 fine, as well as state and local penalties. Do you have a story for WFTV's 9 Investigators? Click the banner below to submit a tip.
