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DEBARY

DeBary plans 2021 July Fourth celebration as COVID-19 vaccination numbers go up

DEBARY, Fla. – Like most cities, DeBary canceled last year’s Fourth of July celebration because of the pandemic but this year city leaders said they’re bringing it back. Despite the pandemic, the city has still held popular events, some at limited capacity and others with normal size crowds. Each year the city spends about $35,000 on the event and a citizens’ group raises money for the rest. Ad“We have credit for that towards this year because we did not use the fireworks,” said Chasez. Monitoring the pandemic trends, she said they will determine whether all vendors can be there this year.

DeLand man faces new charges following teen’s disappearance, return home

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man arrested in November following the disappearance and return home of a DeBary 15-year-old girl is facing new charges after further investigation, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. According to the arrest report, the girl’s father previously reported Maldonado to DeLand police for having an unauthorized relationship with his 15-year-old daughter. The teen told detectives she first met Maldonado on social media in July, according to the report. After the teen’s safe return, Maldonado was charged with interfering with child custody as well as lewd and lascivious molestation. Volusia County Jail records show he was booked into the facility on Monday.

DeBary man, 77, killed in head-on crash identified

DeBARY, Fla. – Sheriff’s officials on Monday identified a 77-year-old DeBary man who was killed last week in a head-on crash with a dump truck. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said Edward Romaine died in the wreck, which happened around 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Fort Florida Road and 15th Street in DeBary. Deputies said Romaine was driving a pickup truck that struck a dump truck. Romaine was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.

Recount on DeBary referendum finds difference of 3 votes

DEBARY, Fla. – The results from a recount on a DeBary for a referendum about budget and extension of the borrowing period found only a difference of a few votes in an already tight decision, according to the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections. Election officials said the first unofficial results showed 49.92% were in favor of approving the referendum and 50.08% were against the referendum. The recount found 5,874 “no” votes (49.94%( and 5,859 “yes” votes (50.06%), a difference of only 15 votes. The Supervisor of Elections said Florida Statue calls for a machine recount if the difference is .5% or less. After the machine recount if there is a .25% or less difference, the next recount will be manual.

Volusia County teen returns home safe, convicted felon arrested, deputies say

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County deputies said a 15-year-old girl who went missing from her DeBary home early Monday morning has returned home safe and sound. The girl had last been seen around 4:15 a.m. Monday at her home on Craycroft Avenue, deputies said. Maldonado was found at his DeLand home Monday afternoon and arrested on charges of interfering with child custody. Authorities said Tuesday that Maldonado has also been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation. Maldonado is in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail with a bond of $7,500.

DeBary man, 64, struck, killed crossing Orange County road

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A 64-year-old DeBary man was struck and killed Tuesday morning while crossing an Orange County road, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The fatal wreck was reported at 6:05 a.m. on Goldenrod Road near Colonial Drive. Florida Highway Patrol said a 46-year-old Celebration woman was driving an SUV north on Goldenrod when she hit the man, who was not in a crosswalk or at an intersection. The man was taken to AdventHealth East Hospital, where he died, the FHP said. The woman, who was wearing a seat belt, was not hurt, according to troopers.

Volusia County man charged with father’s murder 8 years later

VOLUSIA County, Fla. – Nearly eight years after a 67-year-old DeBary man was found floating in the St. Johns River, his son has been charged with his murder, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives said Remus Jr. told people different stories about where his father was after he was dead as Remus Jr. continued to frequently visit the victim’s home. While Remus Jr. was a person of interest in the case, the Sheriff’s Office did not have enough evidence to arrest him until recently. As a result, Amrhine received a warrant to arrest 51-year-old Remus Jr. this week. Remus Jr. was booked into the Volusia County Jail Tuesday on a charge of second-degree murder.

Volusia County deputies locate missing 82-year-old woman

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Update 1:52 p.m.Marjorie Lawson Byron was found safe in DeBary, officials said. Original StoryThe Volusia Sheriff’s Office is asking for the publics’ help as they try to locate a missing 82-year-old DeBary woman. According to officials, Marjorie Lawson Byron was last seen at her home on Seminole Drive late Saturday night. Deputies said Byron is about 5′2″ with grey/white hair and a thin build. Byron experiences memory loss and may not be able to answer questions,” deputies said.

Possible sinkhole opens up on private DeBary property, city officials say

Possible sinkhole opens up on private DeBary property, city officials sayDEBARY, Fla. – Portions of a road along a private DeBary property have sloughed off in what city officials said has the “characteristics” of a sinkhole, according to a news release. The depression occurred in the area of the DeBary Villas Apartments in the North Charles Richard Beall Boulevard area. City officials said that no homes or residents are in any danger from the depression. “While it does have characteristics of a sinkhole, without having a geotechnical firm evaluate the site, it cannot be confirmed,” city officials said. “As it is on private property, it would be up to the property owners to obtain a geotechnical firm to evaluate.”City officials said they would continue to monitor the depression and take appropriate action as necessary.

Video: Ticked off Turkey chases Amazon delivery driver away from DeBary home

DeBARY, Fla. One Amazon delivery driver says his friends always joked hed be one of the drivers that ends up on TV one day and due to a recent unusual wild experience thats coming true. Gary Cervera, who usually delivers on his routes in the Sanford area, was making deliveries in DeBary Saturday when he came across a ticked off turkey. The driver noticed two turkeys walking alongside a house where he had to make a delivery but he didnt think much of them even when one got closer. After dropping off the package, the delivery driver said he took out his phone and started walking faster only for the turkey to pick up speed as well. This is certainly one delivery Cervera will likely never forget.

Teens lead authorities on chase through Volusia County after attempted burglary, police say

According to a news release, Orange City Police Sergeant Jason Ward observed three subjects attempting to break into the store. Once the subjects noticed law enforcement vehicles, they got into a Black Nissan Altima and fled the scene driving southbound on North Volusia Avenue. Orange City Police Officers with the assistance of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed spike strips near the intersection of Enterprise Road and South Volusia Avenue. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter and deployed a police K-9, a news release said. “The investigation also revealed the Nissan Altima was reported stolen out of Orange County on May 18,” officials said.

Will DeBary prehistoric landmark go extinct?

DEBARY, Fla. – A prehistoric landmark could be moving out of DeBary to make room for new development. The Clayton & Sons salvage yard is up for sale along US-17-92 near the SunRail Station. Clayton & Sons have been in business since 1972, but it’s the large T-Rex outside that has become a community staple. DeBary residents are concerned that with the sale of Clayton & Sons, a prehistoric landmark will go extinct. Beaulieu wants customers to know that the salvage yard will remain open during the sale.

Man, woman killed in DeBary RV fire

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – A man and woman were killed early Monday in an RV fire in DeBary, officials said. The double fatal fire was reported at 4:17 a.m. at the Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort at 488 W. Highbanks Road. According to Volusia County fire officials, Allan Gower, 72, and Teresa Gower, 69, Kentucky residents who often spend the winter months in DeBary, were pulled from the RV and taken to area hospitals. Allan Gower was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, and Teresa Gower was taken to AdventHealth Fish Memorial in Orange City. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives.

Missing DeBary man with dementia found safe in Jacksonville

DeBARY, Fla. – An 86-year-old DeBary man with dementia who went missing Saturday night has been found safe in Jacksonville, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said a statewide Silver Alert was activated for William Eugene Hamilton, 86, who left his home in the 500 block of Quail Down Drive at about 12:20 p.m. Saturday. The Silver Alert has since been rescinded. Photo of vehicle William Hamilton was driving. (Courtesy: Volusia County Sheriff's Office)Hamilton was expected to be driving to Orange City, where he often visits businesses, but he had not returned home, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Man dies after running back into burning DeBary home

DeBARY, Fla. – A man was critically injured and later died early Monday in a house fire in DeBary, officials said. According to fire officials, a woman and her grandson were in the house when the fire started in the garage. The woman told Volusia County deputies she smelled something burning and went to the garage where she found her grandson and a cloud of smoke. It was already in the attic.”Deputies say the grandmother and her grandson managed to make it out of the house. The woman ran to a neighbor’s home to call for help.

Man living in DeBary storage unit fatally shoots friend, deputies say

DeBARY, Fla. – A man was arrested on murder charges Sunday after investigators say he fatally shot his friend in the DeBary storage unit where the suspect was living, deputies said. According to deputies, the victim’s girlfriend called 911 and said she witnessed her boyfriend being shot and killed. The woman told investigators Rivera shot her boyfriend in the head three times while they were sitting inside the storage unit. Officials with the Sheriff’s Office said Rivera was living in the storage unit. Investigators said they believe Rivera was hiding out in the storage unit since October to avoid arrest.

‘I shot my son:’ 911 call released in fatal DeBary shooting

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man said he was in shock after fatally shooting his son during a fight at the family’s home in DeBary, according to a 911 call released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. “He pushed me to the ground, started hitting me,” Joseph Johnson said in a 911 call. “I shot my son,” Joseph Johnson said. The operator instructed Joseph Johnson to put the gun somewhere inside and go outside to wait for first responders. He said the fight started in the laundry room when his son hit him multiple times, but he didn’t say how the fight started, according to the call.