WEATHER ALERT
Volusia Emergency Operations Center set to get big expansion
Read full article: Volusia Emergency Operations Center set to get big expansionVolusia’s Emergency Operations Center is where the 911 dispatch center is and where the county’s emergency crews turn when there’s a major storm or disaster for planning and shelter.
Volusia County OK longer distances for sex predators from schools, playgrounds
Read full article: Volusia County OK longer distances for sex predators from schools, playgroundsIn a five to two vote, the Volusia County Council Tuesday approved to adjust its current sex offender and predator ordinance so that those individuals will now have to live further from places like schools, churches, and playgrounds.
‘Any means necessary:’ Volusia County’s pushback on proposed fuel farm sparks lawsuit
Read full article: ‘Any means necessary:’ Volusia County’s pushback on proposed fuel farm sparks lawsuitBelvedere Terminals filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, claiming that the county tried “to rob Belvedere of its Property and constitutionally protected rights.”
Volusia Schools official criticizes county council’s ‘disrespect,’ but says more deputies are coming
Read full article: Volusia Schools official criticizes county council’s ‘disrespect,’ but says more deputies are comingThe Volusia County school district said it is moving forward with a plan to add more school resource deputies to middle schools, without the requested financial support of the county government. But one district official is not letting the matter go without a fight.
Beach safety wants to find good Samaritan who helped rescue 4 in Ponce Inlet
Read full article: Beach safety wants to find good Samaritan who helped rescue 4 in Ponce InletCounty officials took to Facebook on Tuesday to ask for the public’s help in tracking down and recognizing a Good Samaritan who helped rescue four people, including two children, stranded on the jetties at Ponce Inlet on June 15.
Insider extra: Volusia County leaders debate increased control over public library’s books
Read full article: Insider extra: Volusia County leaders debate increased control over public library’s booksMembers of the Volusia County Council want to know if they should get involved in determining which books are allowed in the Volusia County Public Library.
Volusia County considers having more say in public library’s books
Read full article: Volusia County considers having more say in public library’s booksMembers of the Volusia County Council want to know if they should get involved in determining which books are allowed in the Volusia County Public Library.
New bird habitat exhibit coming to Marine Science Center in Volusia County
Read full article: New bird habitat exhibit coming to Marine Science Center in Volusia CountyA new bird habitat exhibit is coming to the Marine Science Center after the Volusia County Council approved the plans Tuesday morning.
Volusia OKs funding for new center to address juvenile crime
Read full article: Volusia OKs funding for new center to address juvenile crimeThe council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve $5.4 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to build a new juvenile assessment center in Daytona Beach.
Council shuts down naming rights, free beach access for Volusia County residents
Read full article: Council shuts down naming rights, free beach access for Volusia County residentsAfter a heated debate during Tuesday’s Volusia County council meeting, it was determined people living in Volusia County will not be getting free beach access anytime soon.
Volusia County weighing short-term rental ban
Read full article: Volusia County weighing short-term rental banDeLAND, Fla. – The Volusia County Council debated for almost six hours on Tuesday whether to amend its short-term rental ordinance and lift the ban before ultimately voting to wait to make any changes locally until state lawmakers meet in April to discuss a short-term rental bill. The argument had become passionate for many beachside communities in Volusia County. “You’re putting these children at risk if you turn our neighborhoods into transient communities by allowing short-term rentals,” they said. Since 2007, county officials say they’ve received 860 complaints about short-term rental properties. Those against it don’t want the traffic and change of neighbors, saying short-term renters don’t care about the neighborhoods.
Minority leaders in Volusia are urging people to get out and vote early
Read full article: Minority leaders in Volusia are urging people to get out and vote earlyVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Minority elected officials in Volusia County reassured people on Friday that voting is safe and imperative for change. The press conference happened outside the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Office in DeLand. “It is critical that we have representation from the community, for the community and about the community,” Volusia County Council Member Barbara Girtman said. She said they’ve mailed out about 170,000 ballots so far, breaking a Volusia County record of 101,000. We want people to vote, vote their choice, place it in the box and walk out happy that they have voted,” said Lewis.
Beachside parking fines skyrocket in Volusia County
Read full article: Beachside parking fines skyrocket in Volusia CountyVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to raise parking fines in unicorporated areas. Leaders say they have received growing complaints from homeowners in beachside neighborhoods, with reports of cars packing side streets and illegally blocking driveways. Fees will now be $35 with a $10 surcharge to help fund the county’s school crossing guard program. The previous fine for drivers was $10.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office adds another armored vehicle
Read full article: Volusia Sheriff’s Office adds another armored vehicleVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is adding another armored vehicle called a BearCat, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said it is used for more than just hostile situations. The sheriff’s office shared body camera video with News 6 showing deputies using the BearCat to protect themselves from an armed suspect. The Volusia County Council approved the sheriff’s request on Tuesday, to purchase the almost $340,000 vehicle, making it the department’s fourth armored car. Rell Black, Founder, and Director of Community Healing Project in Daytona Beach said the sheriff’s budget should not focus on expensive military equipment, rather spend the funds on programs to help underserved communities. “If the county said you know what, let’s take some of that sheriff’s budget, let’s do three percent of that and give it to these organizations, we would lessen the loads so the police officers and the county sheriffs, they don’t have to report to mental health issues.
Volusia County dodges face mask mandate, allows beaches to remain open despite COVID-19 spike
Read full article: Volusia County dodges face mask mandate, allows beaches to remain open despite COVID-19 spikeVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. The Volusia County Council continues to recommend rather than enforce a mask mandate in the county, however, the city of Daytona Beach now requires residents and visitors to wear masks when inside public places. The county launched its Step Up Volusia campaign on Monday that includes a website showing residents and public officials following CDC guidelines. Another hot topic discussed was Volusia County beaches. County leaders decided to keep beaches open days after officials in South Florida closed theirs to try and limit the spread of COVID-19. Council officials said the county invested in more than 140 sandwich boards to remind beachgoers to social distance and continue using conservation poles to space out cars.
Volusia County beaches to remain open amid coronavirus but with social distancing enforcement
Read full article: Volusia County beaches to remain open amid coronavirus but with social distancing enforcementVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County officials say beaches will remain open amid the coronavirus outbreak but social distancing will be enforced. [County officials will provide an update on the local response at 6 p.m. Watch live at the top of this story.] Volusia County officials announced these new regulations after Gov. Volusia County will also remove permits for restaurants and small businesses to allow them to make adjustments and stay open. “Any hindrances to keep economic development for our small businesses, so if we’re really concerned about the employees and the payroll here in Volusia County, let’s keep these businesses open,” Denys said.