Community News
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 · Volusia County
Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion
A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.
Florida Bills Slash No-Fault Auto, Shield Homeowners from Roof Hikes
Florida's 2026 insurance reforms repeal the state's no-fault auto system and protect homeowners from coverage denials over old roofs, aiming to curb skyrocketing premiums amid hurricane risks. Effective July 1, new laws mandate fault-based liability for crashes and require human review of AI claim denials. Drivers and residents from Miami to Tampa face a transformed market promising rate relief.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Florida's Heat Wave Eases Slightly Friday After Record-Breaking Thursday
South Florida and Central Florida residents get a brief respite from scorching temperatures Friday, with highs dropping into the upper 80s at the coast and low 90s inland—but forecasters warn the dangerous heat pattern will persist through the weekend. Thursday's near-record temperatures set the stage for what meteorologists are calling one of the hottest stretches of the year so far.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeSantis Signs 2026 Farm Bill in Sebring, Boosting Rural Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290 into law Monday in Sebring, delivering wins for Florida farmers with protections for gas-powered equipment and farmland preservation. The measure bans local bans on gasoline tools, makes the Farmers Feeding Florida program permanent and curbs high-density rural development. Critics decry potential sprawl from related land-use changes.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
New Smyrna Beach leads Volusia County sea turtle nesting surge
New Smyrna Beach has recorded 377 sea turtle nests this season, nearly half of Volusia County's record-breaking pace of 770 nests through mid-June.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Port Orange Gets $10M to Fix Sleepy Hollow Drainage
Port Orange will use a $10 million Transform386 grant to begin fixing chronic flooding in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, with construction set to begin in 2026.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeLand Police Department Swears in Three New Officers
The DeLand Police Department swore in three new officers this spring. All three officers grew up in the area or have family ties to DeLand.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeLand Woman Arrested After Leaving 3-Year-Old in Hot Car for Two Hours
A bystander's CPR may have saved a 3-year-old's life after the child was left in a hot DeLand car for two hours. The child's mother faces a first-degree felony charge.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Daytona Beach Hosts State's Largest Water Conference
Daytona Beach hosted the Florida Water Resources Conference this month, allowing city utilities staff to attend without travel expenses while showcasing local facilities to 2,000 industry professionals.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Seven Daytona Beach Firefighters Earn Paramedic Certification
Seven Daytona Beach firefighters completed an intensive 64-week paramedic training program at Daytona State College.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
New Smyrna Beach to Negotiate Trash Contract with FCC Environmental on June 22
New Smyrna Beach will negotiate a 10-year trash collection contract with FCC Environmental Services on June 22, shifting curbside recycling to voluntary drop-off locations starting October 1.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Daytona Beach Updates Employee Travel Policy
Daytona Beach's new employee travel policy, effective February 2026, requires advance digital approval and replaces meal reimbursements with per diem allowances to control spending.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Our Words Have Power
Kristina Carter of the Global Partners Communication Team highlights the power of encouraging words, drawing parallels to a personal anecdote and the Apostle Paul's letters.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Daytona Beach Shores Names Mike Fowler City Manager
Mike Fowler becomes city manager of Daytona Beach Shores after 34 years with the city, most recently leading its public safety department.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Daytona Beach Marine Honored as Volusia County's First Veteran of the Year
Pierre Louis, a retired Marine Corps officer from Daytona Beach, becomes Volusia County's first Veteran of the Year. The council will recognize him on June 2.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Mark Boice Named Daytona Beach's Chief Building Official
Mark Boice takes over as Chief Building Official for Daytona Beach, bringing 17 years of building inspection experience from Flagler County.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Daytona Beach Housing Starts Drop as Building Boom Cools
New housing starts in Daytona Beach fell to 532 in 2025 as the city's construction boom cools following a 2022 peak of 1,200 starts.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Medications Can Increase Heat Illness Risk This Summer
Certain medications increase the risk of heat illness during Daytona Beach summers by suppressing sweating and dulling thirst. Stay hydrated, seek shade, and know the warning signs.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Navy Veteran Builds Support Program for Incarcerated Veterans in Massachusetts
Navy veteran Mayumi Kimura, who deployed to the Persian Gulf, now directs a support program for incarcerated veterans in Massachusetts that provides therapy, PTSD treatment, and service dogs.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Veterans Can Reduce Suicide Risk by Securing Firearms and Medications
The Department of Veterans Affairs says Daytona Beach residents can help prevent veteran suicides by securing firearms and medications at home.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Ormond Beach Requires Appointments to Retrieve Property and Evidence
Ormond Beach residents seeking property or evidence held by the city must now schedule appointments with the Property and Evidence Unit. Firearms require additional background checks through state law enforcement.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Gas Leak Closed, Roads Reopen on Hastings Drive
Utility crews fixed a natural gas leak near Hastings Drive and Page Drive in Deltona, reopening the area to traffic.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Tuesday at the Tower: Stephen Crane, The Commodore and the Open Boat
Explore the dramatic true story behind Stephen Crane’s classic work The Open Boat and its connection to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse at the upcoming Tuesday at the Tower event.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
VA Chaplains Help Homeless Veterans in Daytona Beach Rebuild Purpose
VA chaplains in Daytona Beach offer spiritual care to homeless veterans, addressing isolation and lost identity alongside basic needs like shelter.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
How Daytona Beach Graduates Can Land Their First Job
New Daytona Beach graduates should emphasize skills from internships and coursework on resumes, build professional networks through career fairs and LinkedIn, and consider the Department of Veterans Affairs for entry-level clinical roles.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
VA Home Loans Help Daytona Beach Veterans Buy With No Down Payment
VA-guaranteed home loans offer Daytona Beach veterans zero down payments and no mortgage insurance. The benefit served over 500,000 borrowers in 2025 alone.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
I-95 Overnight Pacing Operations Begin Thursday at Pioneer Trail Interchange
Traffic pacing operations close I-95 lanes overnight Thursday as work continues on the Pioneer Trail Interchange project in Port Orange.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Offers Guided Tours Exploring Maritime History
Explore Florida's tallest lighthouse and its maritime history with guided tours led by expert docents at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, included with admission.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Two Arrested in New Smyrna Beach for DUI, Public Intoxication
New Smyrna Beach police arrested two people Saturday—one for driving under the influence and another for public intoxication.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026