Eli Witek

The qualifying period for the 2026 elections was at noon today, June 12. In DeLand, Jessica Davis was re-elected to Seat 3 after one opponent withdrew and the other did qualify. Kevin Reid was re-elected unopposed for his third term. DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman was also re-elected without opposition. In DeBary, two of the three seats up for grabs were

Downtown DeLand business owners are pushing back against a television news story aired June 16 by WKMG/ClickOrlando — 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 […]

An estimated 3,700 acre fire near Lake Woodruff produced a large plume of smoke and reports from residents of falling ash in DeLand, June 14. According to WildCad, a wildfire dispatch system, the fire was reported around 7:30 a.m. and is located south of the lake in an unpopulated area. The fire was most likely initially caused because of a

A man, age 53, was stabbed in the chest in the early morning hours of July 28 in DeLand. According to the DeLand Police Department, the alleged perpetrator was his sister. The sister, the DPD said in a statement, was the in-home caretaker for at least three people at the residence.

Two bodies were found around 10:40 p.m. July 30 at 213 W. New York Ave. The location is an unused industrial lot between the site of the demolished Putnam Hotel and El Taco Amigo, near Downtown DeLand. According to the 911 call released by the DeLand Police Department, two people were looking for their adult children and stumbled on […]

Two young men found dead July 29, a suicide in Trails West, and a dead body in Pierson. The pattern equals a serial killer, according to spreading rumors. “The cases appear to be completely unrelated,” spokesperson for City of DeLand, Sarah Lux, said. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the death at Trails West, a subdivision north of DeLand off of […]

The DeLand Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Kayan Jayden Rundell, 17, of DeLand on two counts of second-degree murder.

Keyan Rundell, 17, was taken into custody in Manatee County by the U.S. Marshals Service this morning, DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger announced Aug. 5. Rundell was found in a hotel.

After discussion and public comment, the DeLand City Commission agreed on two top choices for the location of the Old Jail in DeLand: Either renovate the space into a town square — a city event spot with food trucks and green space for families — or sell the property as-is. City Commissioner Jessica Davis was absent during the discussion. Tom

A charging affidavit for Daytron Etkins has revealed new information in the murders of two young men in DeLand July 28.