Local News

Architect and pioneer John Porter Mace helped build West Volusia

If you have passed through the doors of historic DeLand Hall, you may know it was the first academic building on what would become the Stetson University campus. What is less widely known is the name of the man who designed it — and the significant role he played in shaping West…

‘Give Like Dolly’ Day aims to put more books in local children’s hands

The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties is asking the community to support local children’s literacy during “Give Like Dolly” Day on Sept. 25. A $40 donation covers one year of books for a child enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails one…

Just like heaven: LOVESONG brings The Cure to life

Remember getting paid on a Friday, heading home with a little extra money in your pocket, and then hearing “Friday I’m in Love” come on the radio? Some songs just knew how to make a good day even better. Big hair, black eyeliner, beautifully gloomy guitars, and some of the most…

Start the Halloween season with Edgar Allan Poe

DeLand High School’s Hill Street Theatre is getting ready to kick off the Halloween season by sharing the mystery of the last five days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life in Julian Wiles’ fictional play Nevermore! In this Gothic portrayal of Poe’s tragic last days, playwright Julian Wiles…

Community Shred Day

Community Shred Day is Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.-noon at Deltona City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd. Free document shredding, plus sharps disposal and select vehicle registration services.

A spring and a memory

It’s before 7 on a humid Saturday morning in April. I’m here at Gemini Springs earlier than I need to be to make sure I will be able to take photos and videos. I have enough time to take it all in before my husband begins the annual Pat & Ed Northey 5K and 10K River Run. I’ve…

PHOTOS: East Coast Classic Jackpot Show

For two days annually, the East Coast Classic Jackpot Show, hosted by the DeLand FFA Alumni chapter, invites livestock exhibitors to DeLand High School to show off their animals and enter them into the contest. During the days of Sept. 19-20, participants entered their cattle,…

Foodie File: Three places, one flavor — Nydia’s Empanadas finds a home in DeLand

For the Rodriguez family, empanadas have always been about more than what comes out of the fryer. They are a family history — one that began in Puerto Rico, traveled to the streets of New York and eventually made its way to West Volusia in a food truck. Now, that history has a…

Bull riders, barrel racers and rodeo royalty: Pierson’s 74th annual rodeo

With scents of funnel cake and horse feed in the air, Pierson Lions Club rodeo competitors and attendees flooded the Pierson Saddle Club arena this past weekend for the 74th annual event. From Sept. 18 to 19, participants competed in eight events, including breakaway roping,…

Prep golf roundup: Panthers boys rebound for victory

One day after coming out on the short end of a dual meet to district and region champion Fleming Island, the Palatka Junior-Senior High School boys golf team rebounded with a 173-176 victory over Flagler Palm Coast at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Bunnell. On the challenging…

City Commission passes $75M utilities & $200M city budgets, keeps millage rate flat

‘It Stinks’: Unhappy Flagler Beach Commission Approves 13% Water-Sewer Rate Increase and New Budget

Flagler Beach commissioners unanimously approved a 13 percent water and sewer rate increase to fund a new sewer plant and prevent severe utility reserve depletion. The decision mirrors past Palm Coast financial struggles. Officials acknowledged voter dissatisfaction regarding…