The West Volusia Beacon

06/19/2026

Joe Balog: “Regular readers may have noticed a void in their outdoor content. It’s true. For the first time since accepting my duty as The Beacon’s outdoor columnist, I failed to publish a monthly piece in May. But it wasn’t my fault.

Late April found me preparing for an expanded red snapper season, where Floridians like me would finally get a fair shot at what seemed to be the most plentiful fish in the sea. Until then, anglers had been regulated to short seasons lasting just a few chaotic days each summer, the result of fisheries managers playing it close to the vest with a species once nearly wiped out by overharvesting.”

Regular readers may have noticed a void in their outdoor content. It’s true. For the first time since accepting my duty as The Beacon’s outdoor columnist, I failed to publish a monthly piece in May. But it wasn’t my fault. Late April found me preparing for an expanded red snapper season, where...

06/19/2026

Downtown DeLand business owners are pushing back against a television news story aired June 16 by WKMG/ClickOrlando.com — a story several of the merchants said was unfair and overly negative.

Headlined “Downtown DeLand businesses struggle as closures, slow summer take toll,” the story mentioned recent business closures, and quoted some who characterized Downtown DeLand as hanging by a thread that could be easily snipped by a summer slowdown.

“I worry that when the only headlines people see are about businesses struggling, it creates a perception that Downtown is dying, which simply doesn’t reflect what many of us experience every day,” said Chelsea Jo Conard, owner of Bodhi + Sol, a wellness center at 136 S. Woodland Blvd. She added, “It also creates a dangerous situation for small businesses. People don’t want to frequent a place they think is dying.”

Conard and others pointed out that, while a few businesses have shuttered recently for a variety of reasons, dozens more are growing and thriving.

Read more here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/news/downtown-deland-were-alive-and-well/

Beacon Photos/Barb Shepherd

06/19/2026

Today we recognize Juneteenth —honoring freedom, history, and community.

06/19/2026

The Stanborn Activity Center hosted its Unity in Community Juneteenth Celebration on June 13, bringing together residents to honor unity, diversity and the progress made throughout American history. The event featured live performances, food, and a variety of activities that provided opportunities for friends, families and neighbors to come together in celebration.

View more photos here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/multimedia/photos-unity-in-community-juneteenth-deland-celebration/

Beacon Photos/Marsha McLaughlin

06/19/2026

Getcha head in the game, DeLand.

The Athens Theatre Youth Academy will present Disney’s High School Musical, JR.! at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, bringing the wildly popular Disney Channel phenomenon to life with energetic performances, unforgettable songs, and enough school spirit to fill the historic theater from stage to balcony.

Read more here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/arts-and-entertainment/were-all-in-this-together-athens-theatre-youth-academy-brings-disneys-high-school-musical-jr-to-the-stage/

Photo Courtesy Athens Theatre Youth Academy

06/18/2026

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06/18/2026

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06/18/2026

It’s official: Amazon does indeed intend to build a third distribution center in the northwest part of Deltona.

Confirmation of the plan for another 1-million-square-foot shipping and receiving facility — almost within shouting distance of the two Amazons already operating — came during the grand opening of the newer of the high-cube warehouses, located at 2501 N. Normandy Blvd.

Read more here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/news/will-deltona-be-known-as-amazonville/

06/18/2026

City Hall will be closed tomorrow, June 19, in observation of the Juneteenth holiday. All non-essential offices and departments will be closed. All offices will reopen for regular business on Monday, June 22.

06/18/2026

Carolyn Hickerson, at left, poses with her mother, Janet, who, according to the daughter, was left without Medicare Advantage coverage after being contacted by an insurance agent offering a different plan. Carolyn Hickerson is pressing state lawmakers to protect vulnerable senior citizens with new laws to deter agents and their companies from convincing prospects to drop their coverage and pick up new policies.

Read more here: https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/news/deltonan-not-giving-up-on-her-crusade-for-the-elderly/