VOLUSIA

Ron DeSantis on Wednesday showed a series of sexually explicit books that he said were in school libraries across the state before they were banned. He said some of the books were found in schools in Volusia, Marion, Seminole, Orange and Lake counties. READ: Reedy Creek board heralds new era, defends itself during first meetingThe governor said their concerns aren’t founded in facts. However, the group is not backing down, saying books are indeed being banned and removed from the shelves to target groups like the LGBTQ+ community as well as the Black community. The governor’s office responded, saying in part, “there are no books banned in Florida.

Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends is making its way back to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

A woman was hospitalized after being hit by a white van while crossing the street, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.

The Judicial Nominating Commission for the Seventh Judicial Circuit that includes Flagler County will map the process to fill two vacancies.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida Fantasy 5 players — check your latest tickets! The Florida Lottery announced that two of the three winning tickets — worth more than $55,000 each — from the Dec. 26 drawing were sold in Orange and Volusia counties. Three Fantasy 5 game winners will claim prizes of $55,067.16, lottery officials said. READ: Orlando man becomes overnight multi-millionaire in Florida Lottery scratch-off gameA third winner bought a lucky ticket at a Publix store in Estero, according to Florida Lottery. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to be.

Temperatures crash Friday afternoon, evening

With FEMA relief now available for Hurricane Nicole victims in Central Florida's coastal counties, many residents are hoping it will help them get started rebuilding.

Drs. Wendolyn Sneed and Catherine Miller are vying for the same job: Chief medical Examiner for Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties.

The difference in gas price locally could be startling, with a 60-cent-per-gallon gap between Volusia and Flagler. Profits break records.

Authorities are investigating what may be a hit and run or the unexplained death of a pedestrian woman found in a ditch near Plantation Bay.

Several residents spoke in front of Volusia County councilmembers on Tuesday about the damage they are dealing with after both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida will see very thick fog Saturday morning. Expect to see the fog thin out following the 9 a.m. hour. Read: Popular Ponce Inlet restaurant damaged in Hurricane Nicole, owner promises to rebuildSaturday afternoon will be mostly sunny and warm with highs in the low 80s. A cold front moves in on Sunday, and will bring with it, a few light showers and mostly cloudy skies. Read: 24 Volusia beachfront condos must be assessed by an engineer before residents can move back inThe front will bring a nice cool down for the start of this week.

Nicole strengthened into a storm Wednesday as it neared Florida's coast, prompting evacuation orders that included former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club.

If you live in Brevard, Volusia or Flagler counties and have Nicole related questions, please dial 2-1-1. All other counties, call the WFTV Hurricane Helpline at 1-800-832-9388 where we have folks standing by to help answer any storm related questions you might have such as shelters, evacuations and more. ©2022 Cox Media Group

The Florida Public Service Commission on Wednesday morning began to chart power outages attributed to Hurricane Nicole.

As Tropical Storm Nicole continues to near the east coast of Florida, watches and warnings are now in effect for every county in east Central Florida.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — State Road 46 has reopened in Seminole County after water levels receded to safe levels, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Hurricane Ian caused major flooding along S.R. 46 in Seminole County near Volusia and Brevard counties. FDOT continues to work to respond, rebuild, and recover from Hurricane Ian as safely and quickly as possible, the agency said in a news release. Read: Beautiful, dry Saturday with temps heading back into the 80sMotorists can check FL511.com for updates on road and bridge closures.

Individuals and households in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties were deemed eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance amid Hurricane Ian’s continued damage to livelihoods and property statewide.

Some Central Florida counties were added to a list of those eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance.

Rain, rain here to stay.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has created a special Mercury Offer for residents of Orange, Volusia, Seminole and Osceola counties.

Storms, storms and more storms.

Time is running out to cast your ballot before Tuesday's Florida primary election.

Another round of strong storms are expected in Central Florida.

Rain, rain is on the way.

Florida's primaries are just over two weeks away, and now every Central Florida county is offering early voting.

Start off your morning right on National Mac and Cheese Day by eating... well, mac and cheese.

A boy was injured following a shooting in Orlando Wednesday, according to police.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to support the Islamic State terrorist group by posting a video online for making explosives. Langhorne has been a follower of the Islamic State group since 2014, according to a criminal complaint. Investigators said Langhorne was living in St. Augustine, Florida, in February 2019 when he began communicating with an undercover FBI employee who was posing as an Islamic State member. Langhorne told the FBI employee about his plans to create and disseminate an instructional video on making a deadly explosive, triacetone triperoxide, the complaint said. The FBI produced a video using Langhorne’s instructions, though it actually featured an inert chemical formula that would not produce an explosion.

Just days ahead of one of the busiest beach weekends of the year, beach safety teams along Central Florida's coast are planning how to keep swimmers safe while facing a massive shortage of lifeguards.

SANFORD, Fla. — Prosecutors said three people were charged Tuesday in connection with a “ghost candidate” controversy during the 2020 election. The charges are related to the 2020 race for the District 9 Florida Senate seat, which covers parts of Seminole and Volusia counties. Republican Jason Brodeur defeated Democrat Patricia Sigman in that race, but a third-party “ghost candidate,” Jestine Iannotti, also played into the defeat. Read: From flatscreens to trucks, Orange County Comptroller’s online auction opens May 25Iannotti, the independent candidate in that race, and political operatives James Foglesong and Benjamin Paris were all charged in connection with the investigation. VIDEO: 3rd party ghost candidate in local Senate race the focus of FDLE investigation The FDLE is looking into allegations associated with the recent Senate District 9 election that covers Seminole and part of Volusia counties.

Families in Volusia and Osceola counties will have a chance to pick up food items at no cost Saturday morning. Farm Share, a nonprofit that aims to help food-insecure residents in Florida, will hold food giveaways in DeLand and St. READ: DeSantis signs $1.2 billion tax relief package to help Florida families save on essential itemsIn DeLand, Farm Share is holding the distribution event in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church of Deland and Society of St. Andrew. Cloud, Farm Share is partnering with The Mercy Foundation. WATCH: Here’s why 54 math textbooks were rejected by the Florida Department of EducationBoth of Saturday’s food giveaways will be on a first-come, first-served basis and will operate until supplies run out.

Rent increases may have hit their peak, according to a new forecast from the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sunday starts off pleasant with temperatures in the 60s and patchy fog in some areas. A dense fog advisory is in place for parts of Seminole and Volusia counties this morning until 10 a.m.Sanford and Deland will see the thickest fog Sunday morning. Skies will clear by Sunday afternoon, and we will see sunny skies. Read: Travelers face surge of flight delays, cancellations at Orlando International AirportTemperatures will reach the upper 70s and low 80s. Read: 2 struck by lightning while leaving Yankees spring training game in Tampa, police sayChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A flood advisory is in effect for several Central Florida counties as a line of storms moves through the area. The flood advisory will be in effect for Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties until 7:15 a.m. READ: Fatal crash shuts down part of SR-408 in Orange CountyThe line of showers and storms will slowly drift southward through the day. The threat of severe weather has increased slightly, putting most of Central Florida at risk of isolated severe storms. Flood Advisory has been issued as street flooding is possible, especially near low lying areas and areas with poor drainage.

More rain is headed our way.

A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service Saturday morning for Marion, Flagler, Sumter, Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Polk, Osceola and Brevard counties, lasting until 11 a.m.

The Weather Service cautions residents of northeast Florida, including all of Flagler County, to prepare for potentially dangerous weather.

Deputies are looking to ID a naked man accused of stealing an American flag from a Volusia County home.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Saturday will start off foggy for many in Central Florida. Volusia, Flagler and portions of Lake and Marion counties are in a dense fog advisory until 9 a.m. The fog will lift by Saturday afternoon and conditions will be mostly sunny and warm with highs in the mid-80s inland. Area beaches will see temps in the upper 70s and low 80s. Read: Officials: Smog posed no known danger to motorists before deadly crashes on I-95Chief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The Volusia/Flagler ACLU and sponsor FlaglerLive are offering $850 in cash prizes for this year's ACLU essay contest, on democracy's future.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — As Sunrail continues to grow in Central Florida several counties are looking at the possibility of another agency taking over control from the Florida Department of Transportation. Currently, Sunrail runs some 61 miles between Volusia and Osceola Counties with stops in Seminole and Orange along the way. That means millions of dollars in funding will have to come from those areas and that is why Zembower thinks a dedicated agency is what is needed. READ: Family of wedding guest shot, killed by Winter Park police hires attorney“I think we’ve got to find a funding source that’s dedicated. Funding for Sunrail service comes from FDOT but that is set to change when the four counties currently served by the trains take over in 2024.

A county judge seat in Volusia became vacant after the elevation to circuit court of Christopher Kelly of New Smyrna Beach.

Ormond Beach firefighters responded to a lumber and truss manufacturing facility Friday night when the business caught flames, according to city officials.

Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s through the morning. A freeze warning is in effect for the following counties: Sumter, part of Flagler, part of Marion, inland Volusia and part of Lake. READ: North Carolina veteran wins $4M lottery prize with fortune cookie numbersAnother front arrives Monday. By Friday, another cool front will bring us another weekend chill. READ: Hershey Bears fans break teddy bear record, toss 52K toys onto iceFrost is forming -- it's legit cold!

ORLANDO, Fla. — Look for a warm start to your New Year with temperatures in the mid-80s for much of Central Florida. For the most part, skies will be mostly sunny with winds from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph. Looking ahead to Sunday, the warmer weather continues with the chance of rain about 20% Sunday. Saturday’s forecast: Partly cloudy, highs in the 80s (WFTV)The week ahead brings cooler temps with some clouds likely. Look for highs to be in the 70s for most of the week with a 20% chance of rain Thursday and Friday.

An employee of Heritage Middle School was arrested Wednesday morning after Volusia County deputies said she met with a 14-year-old student and smoked marijuana with him.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Meteorologist Rusty McCranie said it will be “outrageously warm” this week. Temperatures will stay in the 80s through the end of the year. There is a dense fog advisory in effect for Sumter, Marion, northern Lake, Volusia and Flagler counties until 10 a.m.Tonight, temperatures will be in the 60s. Looking ahead, the warm temperatures will stick around until next week. READ: FBI detains woman after ‘disturbance’ on a flight from Tampa to AtlantaDaytime highs on Friday will push records.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Get ready for another foggy start in Central Florida. A dense fog advisory is in place for Marion, Polk, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Orange, Seminole and Osceola. It will be in place until 9 a.m.Daytime highs will be in the mid-to upper 80s across Central Florida. Meteorologist Brian Shields said we will have a good deal of sunshine today. A front will move in on Sunday, which will drop the temperatures into the upper-70s.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Wednesday will start off foggy, but a very warm day is ahead. There is a dense fog advisory in place until 9 a.m. for the following counties: Sumter, Polk, Marion, Flagler, Volusia, Lake and Orange. Daytime highs will reach the mid 80s. READ: Reach for the stars: Brevard County teacher gets big surprise from ‘Good Morning America’Near-record high temperatures will move in by the end of the week. By Sunday, another front will move in, which will drop temperatures into the mid 70s.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A dense fog advisory is in place for several Central Florida counties. A blanket of fog is covering parts of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Marion, Volusia, Polk and Sumter counties. The advisory will be in place until 8 a.m. By the afternoon, temperatures will start to heat up to the upper 70s to low 80s. Visit our hurricane section: EYE ON THE TROPICSOrlando Wetlands sunrise (James Werner)Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:©2021 Cox Media Group

April Fools’ Day in the middle of a recession was the perfect time for Keith Myers to start a business. “I could blame April Fools’ Day or the recession, instead

Flagler County's unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.4 percent in October, with the county's workforce growing by a few hundred people.

Much of Central Florida is under a tornado watch today as storms move across the state. Flagler, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Volusia Counties are all...

The Florida Department of Transportation and troopers are hoping new technology will stop wrong-way drivers from causing serious crashes along Interstate 4.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Saturday is expected to be another nice day across Central Florida. We have already seen some morning showers and downpours in Volusia and Flagler counties. READ: Sam and Victor weaken as a new watch area forms near the BahamasHowever, through the afternoon things will remain mostly dry. READ: Body of missing woman Miya Marcano found, sheriff saysTemperatures will climb into the mid to upper 80s on Saturday with a 10% chance for rain. READ: Florida nurse fired after mocking baby born with birth defect on social mediaChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app.

Deltona woman charged with DUI in crash that left 4-year-old-paralyzed Ana Rosa Fajardo Espinoza, of Deltona, was arrested by Volusia deputies Tuesday on DUI, child neglect and culpable negligence charges according to the Sheriff’s office. VOLUISA COUNTY, Fla. — A Deltona woman is facing felony charges in connection with an April crash that left a 4-year-old boy paralyzed and two others injured, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Ana Rosa Fajardo Espinoza, of Deltona, was arrested by Volusia deputies Tuesday on DUI, child neglect and culpable negligence charges according to the Sheriff’s office. See map of crash scene below:The driver of the SUV, Fajardo Espinoza, and two boys, ages 3 and 4, were all seriously injured in the crash. Fajardo Espinoza was booked into the Volusia County Jail, where she is being held on a $130,000 bond.

The 2021 MedNexus Innovation Challenge competition will have teams of 2-5 students, ages 16-18, competing.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Storms will move through Central Florida after lunchtime Thursday. A front to the north of us is elevating the chance for rain and storms. The rain will start to move in to many areas around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.Stronger storms could develop near Brevard and Volusia counties closer to 7 p.m.Visit our hurricane section: EYE ON THE TROPICSVisite la sección en español: Temporada de huracanesFollow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:Click here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app.

Multiple vehicles hit a tailgate that fell off of another vehicle on northbound I-95 in Volusia, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

As hospitals in Central Florida deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases, crews also dealing with a shortage of nurses.

It is not going to be the best beach weekend if you are planning to enter the water. At the east coast beaches there will be a high rip current threat, especially for the Volusia and Flagler beaches. There will be an elevated threat for rip currents at the Brevard beaches but not as high. Use extreme caution and swim near a lifeguard if planning to swim.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will be providing an update regarding Tropical Storm Elsa Saturday evening.

A man was struck by lightning Saturday in Brevard County, according to the fire chief.

A 21-year-old man faces a hate crime charge after Volusia County deputies say he threatened a family with a gun while shouting racial slurs at them.

Rain will be a factor through the weekend

Deltona woman accuses Volusia Deputy of groping her at City Commission meeting The Volusia County Sheriff's Office released surveillance video of an encounter that led to a complaint against one of their deputies. DELTONA, Fla. — The city of Deltona could decide Monday night if it will do away with using metal detectors at city meetings. The city said it received threats two years ago and put them in as a precaution. But after a woman recently claimed a deputy inappropriately touched her while walking through one, there are now calls to remove them. VIDEO: Deltona woman accuses Volusia deputy of groping her at City Commission meetingVideo from April shows Tammy Stuck walking through a metal detector outside the Deltona commission chambers.

Several skills emergency managers learned from COVID-19 will carry over into hurricane season.

Seaweed on the beach is nothing new, but this is a lot.

The tide is turning against coronavirus-restricting measures in Central Florida's public schools. Both Volusia and Seminole County started the process of  ending their mask mandates...

Strong storms are moving through Central Florida.

A Red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for interior Central Florida including Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and interior Volusia county through Saturday evening.

Last week Raul Zambrano, chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, cleared Flagler, Puntam, Volusia and St Johns counties to resume in-person jury trials, which had been suspended for much of the year, with a reprieve last summer and fall. A release issued by the Seventh Judicial Circuit last week said in-person trials “may resume throughout the circuit effective March 15.” The announcement was duly reported, and the county was in fact “scheduled to resume in-person jury trials in March,” Circuit Judge Terence Perkins, the chief judge in Flagler, told FlaglerLive today. As it turns out, the county courthouse will not see in-person trials until April 19. “Accordingly, we finalized our jury trial dockets and returned to those health and safety precautions we used successfully in our summer and fall in-person jury trials. Unfortunately, the vendor used by our clerk (and other clerks around the state) did not send the jury summons to our prospective jurors in time to reasonably convene trials.

Juries may be made up of six or 12 people, but getting to those numbers is an extensive process that requires calling in jury pools of up to 150 citizens at a time. Jury pools in groups of 50 then appear in courtrooms before the judge, defense and prosecution lawyers, where jury selection is conducted, often over several hours. On the other hand, many cases have been idled for months, their defendants awaiting their day in court. Despite the last year’s restrictions, several high-profile criminal cases have been brought to conclusion. But other trials were put on hold, including that of Keith Johansen, who faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Brandi Celenza.

Daytona State College has received the Entrepreneurship, Education & Training (EET) Grant from the Florida Department of Education. It is designed to introduce students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to the mindset required of successful entrepreneurs, while guiding and developing their entrepreneurial skills. The grant also allows the College to partner with local business and development organizations to promote long-term economic growth in Volusia and Flagler counties. Through CTE programing, the project will promote and nurture an entrepreneurial mindset for Daytona State students. According to the Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship, which tracks and reports entrepreneurial trends in the U.S., Florida ranks second among all states on the Early-Stage Entrepreneurship Index.

A drug search warrant was served at a Daytona Beach motel for the second time in three months, according to police. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A drug search warrant was served at a Daytona Beach motel for the second time in three months, according to police. Daytona Beach Police said five people were arrested in a raid at the Best Southern Sun Plaza Motel on South Ridgewood Avenue. Investigators said officers responded to the motel around 6:30 a.m. this past Friday after a man called 911 after hearing gunshots coming from a motel room. Officers responded and found shell casings in a room.

Those along the Flagler and Volusia coastline witnessed a spooky sight Tuesday and Wednesday as sea fog made its way onto shore. In the case of sea fog, the cooler ground is the relatively cooler ocean water. Water temperatureAs that unseasonably warm and humid air moved over the cooler water, the air cooled to its dew point temperature. Sea fog formationWhen this happens, the air becomes saturated and fog forms. Sea fog formationAn onshore wind along the Volusia and Flagler coast pushed that fog back onto the land.

The Tornado Watch that had been in effect has been allowed to expire for all of Central Florida. SEVERE WEATHER THREAT SUNDAY MORNINGA cold front is moving through Central Florida producing downpours and storms. A few storms could be strong through the late morning, but the severe threat is lowering across Central Florida. An isolated damaging wind gust or brief tornado is still possible southeast of I-4, but the severe weather threat has come to an end along and northwest of I-4. Future radarMost of Central Florida is dry by noon.

Publix reopened its online portal Wednesday morning for eligible people to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The available appointments, which will take place later this week, were all booked in Brevard, Volusia, Flagler and Marion counties in less than 90 minutes. [TRENDING: How to get a vaccine in Fla. | Wanted: Man accused of shooting at detective | Cops: Fla. man decapitated hamster]The Publix portal next reopens at 7 a.m. Friday. “We’re happy to announce we’re expanding the program to include eight Publix pharmacies in Indian River County and 11 Publix pharmacies in St. Lucie County,” DeSantis said. To make an appointment when the portal reopens, click here.

ORLANDO, Fla. – There was yet another cold start across Central Florida as temperatures dropped into the 30s and 40s Wednesday. Feels-like temperatures dipped into the upper 20s in parts of Flagler and Brevard counties, with Ocala reaching a wind chill of 32. [TRENDING: How to get a vaccine in Fla. | Wanted: Man accused of shooting at detective | Cops: Fla. man decapitated hamster]There’s a freeze warning in effect for Orange, Lake, Flagler, Marion, Sumter, Volusia and Brevard counties through Thursday. There is also a wind chill advisory for most of the region as the wind will continue to kick up through 9 a.m. Wednesday. Expect highs in the upper 60s Thursday and the mid-70s Friday and Saturday, with rain chances returning for the weekend.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Freeze warnings and frost advisories are in effect across Central Florida as cold air envelops the region. There are frost advisories in effect until 8 a.m. for inland Volusia and Flagler counties, northern Lake County, all of Sumter County and a large part of Marion County. There is a freeze warning in effect until 8 a.m. in western Marion. A freeze warning means temperatures will be at or below freezing for several hours. The average high in Orlando on this date is 71.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sunshine returns by Saturday afternoon, but it will be a blustery sunshine. Winds will gust up to 25 mph an hour at times through the early evening. Even with abundant sunshine, temperatures only top out in the low 60s. Patchy frost will be possible west of I-95 with the best chance north of Orlando into Lake, interior Volusia and Marion counties. Frost potential Sunday morningSunshine will help to burn off the frost early Sunday, but clouds are quick to return by the early afternoon.

DELAND, Fla. – Volusia sheriff’s deputies arrested a North Carolina homicide suspect Saturday in DeLand. Lloyd Carvon Gillis, 29 was wanted on a warrant for first-degree murder after allegedly shooting a 24-year-old man in August. According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received a tip that Gillis was inside a home on South Adelle Avenue. “Gillis initially identified himself as Cory Gillis – but a fingerprint scan indicated 91% probability he was Lloyd Gillis.”Video: North Carolina homicide fugitive arrested Saturday in DeLand. He is also facing charges for murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of parole in North Carolina.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Foggy conditions are expected to continue into Sunday morning across much of Central Florida. Minimal rain chances are expected throughout Sunday, after the fog dissipates this morning, skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy. Overnight lows will drop into the low 60s. The first will move through the area on Monday, bringing a slight 10 percent chance of rain with highs cooling back to near normal, in the mid 70s Tuesday and Wednesday. By the latter part of the week, highs will drop back in the mid 60s with overnight lows into the 40s.

Case loads in the county have exceeded 150 for three straight weeks, with a total of 580 cases since Nov. 15. There, vaccines will be administered to health care personnel with high likelihood of exposure to the virus. “By the end of June we hope that everyone who wants a vaccine will have gotten it,” Snyder said. As with anti-vaxxers’ opposition to other vaccines, the claims are more sound and fury than evidence. The Flagler Department of Health this week issued new quarantine options for those who have had close contacts with individuals with Covid-19.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Expect a cold start Tuesday across Central Florida, with many areas in the 30s and 40s. There is a frost advisory in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday for Marion, Lake and inland Volusia counties. The record low is 25, set in 1937Highs will remain in the 60s on Wednesday and Thursday. We can expect highs back in the low and mid-70s by Friday. Low rain chances return by the weekend, with highs in the mid- and upper 70s.

[2020 VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of the presidential election | TRACK YOUR BALLOT: Voting by mail? Here’s how to track your ballot]Other roles for the state attorney include reviewing use of force incidents, determining whether criminal charges are warranted in a case and determining whether the death penalty is an appropriate punishment to be sought. The former prosecutor believes the criminal justice system is broken with a heavy emphasis on incarceration, which he hopes to change by focusing more on diversion programs and common sense sentencing practices. R.J. Larizza (R)Incumbent R.J. Larizza is hoping to get elected for a fourth term as the state attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, a role he’s filled since being sworn in in January 2009. Larizza has worked in the criminal justice system since 1980 and has experience as a probation officer, a private attorney, a prosecutor and a state attorney.

Cynthia Fisher, President of the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the ACLU of Florida, issued the following statement late Friday in response to Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron’s refusal to suspend a construction project around the Government Services Building for the two weeks of early voting. The Supervisor of Elections’ office, one of three early voting locations and site of a mail-in drop box, is part of the government complex. Early voting ends today at 6 p.m. (See, “‘If They Can’t Understand the Detour They Shouldn’t Be Voting,’ County Administrator Says, Reversing Pledge to Suspend Construction at GSB,” and “‘Outraged’ Elections Supervisor Rips County Administrator Jerry Cameron Over ‘Contempt’ for Voters and Bad Planning.”)The ACLU of Florida Volusia/Flagler Chapter condemns the condescending comments and voter suppression tactics of Flagler County Administrator, Jerry Cameron. We made an observation of the voting location today and were appalled at the congestion and confusion of eager early voters. We further condemn Mr. Cameron’s attitude of overt disdain toward voters who expressed confusion over the imposed detour.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Minority elected officials in Volusia County reassured people on Friday that voting is safe and imperative for change. The press conference happened outside the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Office in DeLand. “It is critical that we have representation from the community, for the community and about the community,” Volusia County Council Member Barbara Girtman said. She said they’ve mailed out about 170,000 ballots so far, breaking a Volusia County record of 101,000. We want people to vote, vote their choice, place it in the box and walk out happy that they have voted,” said Lewis.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Florida Department of Education has awarded Daytona State College a training grant in excess of $900,000 to help get residents in Volusia and Flagler counties back to work. Funding will be used to support the College’s Rapid Credentialing programs, which are designed to be completed in as little as one to 18 weeks to assist unemployed, underemployed, or furloughed workers. As part of the project, Daytona State will offer nine programs, both credit and non-credit, and approximately 450 participants are expected to enroll in the training through May 2021. The grant allows DSC to increase capacity in these short-term, high-demand programs, many of which culminate in industry-recognized certification that can also articulate into higher level credentials such as A.S. or B.S. “Opportunities afforded through rapid credentialing are boundless,” said Sherryl Weems, Associate Vice-President of the Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education.

The virtual ceremony honored 30 outstanding high school graduates in Volusia and Flagler, and nine Amazing Teachers who were honored throughout the year. For the first time since its inception in 1983, 30 outstanding high school seniors in Volusia and Flagler counties were honored in a virtual Medallions of Excellence award ceremony. [READ MORE: For some, Medallions of Excellence award becomes family tradition]Each year, high schools in the counties nominate seniors who demonstrate exceptional performance in the areas of academics, extracurricular activities and community service. The Medallions of Excellence award winners received a medallion, a plaque and a $250 college scholarship. In lieu of the usual in-person banquet to honor their accomplishments, the coronavirus pandemic forced a little extra creativity.

After much debate, board members decided they want a K-8 school on the beachside. The Volusia School Board voted Tuesday to consolidate Ortona and Osceola elementary schools into a single K-8 school. [READ MORE: Osceola, Ortona elementary schools may fold into new K-8 campus, Volusia officials say][READ MORE: No K-8 school for Ortona-Osceola consolidation, survey says]A K-8 school costs around twice as much as the district had budgeted for the project, and that could jeopardize or push back future building projects. The original plan was to rebuild Osceola Elementary and leave Ortona Elementary alone a project that would complete in 2021 and cost $24 million. [READ MORE: Volusia School Board tackles vaccinations, leadership, new schools at Superintendent Fritzs 1st meeting][READ MORE: Volusia School Board will borrow $100m to build schools faster]Now, board members must pick which of the two sites, in Daytona Beach or Ormond Beach, it wants to use for the new school.

The virtual ceremony honored 30 outstanding high school graduates in Volusia and Flagler, and nine Amazing Teachers who were honored throughout the year. For the first time since its inception in 1983, 30 outstanding high school seniors in Volusia and Flagler counties were honored in a virtual Medallions of Excellence award ceremony. [READ MORE: For some, Medallions of Excellence award becomes family tradition]Each year, high schools in the counties nominate seniors who demonstrate exceptional performance in the areas of academics, extracurricular activities and community service. The Medallions of Excellence award winners received a medallion, a plaque and a $250 college scholarship. In lieu of the usual in-person banquet to honor their accomplishments, the coronavirus pandemic forced a little extra creativity.

TAVARES AdventHealth said on Saturday that its partnership with a third-party COVID-19 testing lab was terminated after the lab failed to deliver timely, or reliable, results. In other cases, test results were considered unreliable, with some symptomatic patients receiving a negative result. Letters and some phone calls will be sent out to patients impacted. If a person had unreliable negative results but are asymptomatic, they will be offered retesting if they ask for it. AdventHealth also reminded people that if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, the general rule of thumb is that they should sign up for testing.

The video, which was posted to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office Facebook page, shows a huge crowd attending a block party near Delaware Avenue, despite social distancing guidelines still in effect throughout Florida amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The primary gathering spot took place in unincorporated Volusia County but in very close proximity to the city limits. One Volusia County deputy suffered a minor knee injury, while a DeLand police officer had a minor head injury. Its not true, and its not a fair conclusion from the video, Chitwood said. The way through stuff like this is together, not divided.The Volusia County Sheriffs Office posted a video of the large crowds from the beginning of the day to night time, and you can see the videos here.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne is predicting a rainy weekend for Volusia and Flagler counties, possibly putting a damper on a weekend when people are likely to flock to beaches after their reopening from coronavirus concerns. Forecasters from the National Weather Service in Melbourne are saying theres going to be a nice, mild rest of the week, and a not-so-nice weekend in store. David Weitlich, a meteorologist with the weather service, said as the weekend wears on, the chances for showers will increase. We get rainfall from frontal passages and those daily rain showers.Still, its going to keep temperatures cool through the weekend. Weitlich also said theres room for possible rough surf, due to the storms passing through on the weekend.

The Volusia County Sheriffs Office is investigating the death of Chris Kimmel, 52, of Orange City. Volusia sheriffs detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a 52-year-old man in the Orange City area, according to a release. The body of Chris Kimmel was found when deputies responded to the 200 block of Foothill Farms Road in Orange City about 8:15 p.m. Thursday, the Sheriffs Office said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriffs Office Major Case Unit at 386-254-1537. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, SUBSCRIBE: iTunes | Google Play

The Volusia County Sheriffs Office is investigating the death of Chris Kimmel, 52, of Orange City. Volusia sheriffs detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a 52-year-old man in the Orange City area, according to a release. The body of Chris Kimmel was found when deputies responded to the 200 block of Foothill Farms Road in Orange City about 8:15 p.m. Thursday, the Sheriffs Office said. On Saturday, the department said detectives are looking for information about a 2016 Freightliner van involved in this case. Investigators are asking anyone who saw that type of van in or around the Orange City or surrounding areas during the time frame of about 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Thursday to contact them.