The West Volusia Beacon

12/12/2025

Orange City Mayor Kellianne Marks faced backlash from her constituents at the Dec. 9 City Council meeting, following allegations of racism, bullying and violations of the Sunshine Law.

In a tense, yet lively meeting, several members of the Orange City community and surrounding areas spoke during public comment to call for Marks to resign.

For context: In a private Facebook Messenger conversation, Marks had exchanged messages with Council Member Alex Tiamson. The conversation appears to have skirted Florida’s Sunshine Law, which prohibits private conversations between elected officials about city business.

Orange City Mayor Kellianne Marks faced backlash from her constituents at the Dec. 9 City Council meeting, following allegations of racism, bullying and violations of the Sunshine Law.  In a tense, yet lively meeting, several members of the Orange City community and surrounding areas spoke during p...

12/12/2025

A years long saga to rejuvenate a section of DeLand has reached a kind of culmination with the opening of Casa Cascada, at 202 E. Voorhis Ave., a feat of engineering and an oasis only blocks from Downtown DeLand.

Michael E. Arth, urban designer and dreamer responsible for rehabbing the formerly derelict neighborhood along East Voorhis Avenue, between Amelia and Alabama avenues (now known as the Garden District), along with his partner, Shasta Solis, are behind the rental venture, which officially opened in October.

Read more here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/news/urban-designer-creates-a-unique-experience-in-deland/

12/12/2025

On Dec. 5, faculty members at Stetson University in DeLand voted 98 to 48 in favor of a “resolution declaring no confidence” in the leadership of Stetson President Chris Roellke.

Roellke has been president of the private university since 2020. The vote is implicitly against the university’s Board of Trustees, who, along with the president, are responsible for strategic planning. The board extended Roellke’s contract last year to 2030.

On Dec. 5, faculty members at Stetson University in DeLand voted 98 to 48 in favor of a “resolution declaring no confidence” in the leadership of Stetson President Chris Roellke.  Roellke has been president of the private university since 2020. The vote is implicitly against the university’s ...

12/12/2025

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https://www.beacononlinenews.com/letter-to-the-editor/

12/11/2025

MAKE WAY FOR WOOD DUCKS — These wood ducks seem unfazed by the cars stopping and swerving to avoid them on North Woodland Boulevard this morning (Dec. 11) around 9 a.m. Even the white truck's loud horn didn't rattle them. The truck driver stopped, got out and waved them off the road; that worked, for a minute, anyway. Painter's Pond nearby attracts large numbers of water birds.

🎥: Beacon Video/Barb Shepherd

12/11/2025

Joe Balog: "In fishing, success is defined by the individual. A great day to me may not be the same to you. Even more, skill isn’t measured the way it is in other sports, say golf or tennis. You can’t shoot under par when fishing.

Sure, there are notable benchmarks, like catching a 10-pound bass or a limit of trout. Anglers strive for those accomplishments, but, really, we all know that fishing presents a unique gift to each angler.

Lately, I’ve worked on simplifying my approach. The days of cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast boats are behind me, leaving the ability to reconnect with the reasons I started fishing in the first place."

In fishing, success is defined by the individual. A great day to me may not be the same to you. Even more, skill isn’t measured the way it is in other sports, say golf or tennis. You can’t shoot under par when fishing. Sure, there are notable benchmarks, like catching a 10-pound bass or a limit ...

12/11/2025

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? West Volusia has plenty going on!

Check out our online events calendar to see what’s happening:
🔗https://www.beacononlinenews.com/events/

12/11/2025

🎨 Deltona Art Club Art Show 🎨

Stop by the Deltona Regional Library on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to discover beautiful artwork created by talented local artists.

🖼️ Free admission
🛍️ Art for sale at affordable prices
🎁 Enter for a chance to win a free piece of art

Sponsored Post

12/10/2025

In keeping with past holiday seasons, the Volusia County Council has graded its charter officers and backed up its high marks with higher salaries — and the council’s unanimous action may be a prelude to bigger compensation packages.

“You’re both excellent,” Council Member Troy Kent told County Manager George Recktenwald and County Attorney Michael Dyer, as the elected body Dec. 2 discussed the career performance of the pair. “The county is fortunate to have you.”

Recktenwald and Dyer remain firmly in the six-figure compensation bracket, as they stand in good stead with their bosses. Each of the men will receive a 4-percent pay hike, which is consistent with the raises given to the county government’s 2,500-plus general employees.

In keeping with past holiday seasons, the Volusia County Council has graded its charter officers and backed up its high marks with higher salaries — and the council’s unanimous action may be a prelude to bigger compensation packages. “You’re both excellent,” Council Member Troy Kent told C...

12/10/2025

A single complaint about a sign at a short-term rental house on West Minnesota Avenue opened a Pandora’s box of trouble for the owners of DeLand vacation rentals, and left the City Commission scrambling for a way to allow short stays while preventing the troubles that sometimes accompany them.

A single complaint about a sign at a short-term rental house on West Minnesota Avenue opened a Pandora’s box of trouble for the owners of DeLand vacation rentals, and left the City Commission scrambling for a way to allow short stays while preventing the troubles that sometimes accompany them. Vac...

12/10/2025

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12/08/2025

Two people were injured Monday afternoon, Dec. 8, when their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing near DeLand High School.
Authorities are probing the incident that occurred about 2 p.m. on Jacobs Road. The scene remains intact, as the Federal Aviation Administration has been called to gather information about the crash landing. Two adults aboard the single-engine Cessna were injured when the plane went down, according to DeLand Public Information Officer Sarah Lux. The victims were evacuated for medical treatment, but their identities have not been released.
Following the crash, DeLand High School alerted parents of students that the access to the school would be difficult, and they advised anyone trying to come to the school to consider an alternate route.
When the crash scene may be cleared has not been announced.
https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/news/small-plane-crashes/

📸: Photos courtesy City of DeLand