Eli Witek is a reporter for The West Volusia Beacon, focusing on local news in the De Land area of Florida. With a strong interest in community issues and events, Eli covers a range of topics including crime, education, local government, and cultural happenings.
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DeLand, United States (Local)
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Groups across Florida are cautioning the public to not interfere with tracking gear attached to manatees ahead of the release of more than a dozen gentle sea cows from rehabilitation […]
Nevermind the cool weather, nearly 6,000 people got out of bed early Saturday, Feb. 3, to run 5 kilometers around DeLand as part of the ME STRONG 5K. Families, kids, dogs and even a mariachi band all got in on the fun.
BEACON PHOTO/ELI WITEK A BROTHER AND A SON — Lauren Shaw considers a framed picture of her brother, Jared, and father, David. Jared Shaw was sentenced to life in prison Feb. 13 in the stabbing death of Christine McCaleb. “This picture breaks our hearts,” sister Megan Shaw said. “I know Dad is telling him what a wonderful life he has and will have, how he will help others.”
A gunshot blew out the right window of DeLand Pilates in Downtown DeLand around 7:04 p.m. Monday, March 4. Woodland Boulevard was closed for about two hours from State Road 44 to Indiana Avenue while police and crime scene technicians investigated.
PLANNING THE FUTURE — DeLand’s 1960s Old Jail is directly across New York Avenue from the Historic Volusia County Courthouse, in the midst of the bustling Georgia Avenue entertainment district. BEACON FILE PHOTO
By: Eli Witek
The clock struck noon in Florida, signaling the deadline to file paperwork to run in local and state elections. Last-minute candidates filed for some races, while others were automatically elected without opposition.
Sometimes local elections are quiet affairs — sometimes they are not. The race for DeLand City Commission Seat 2 will take a decided turn to the latter this Saturday, July 27, when thousands of DeLandites will open their mailboxes to a flyer paid for by the Richard Paiva campaign.
To the confusion of local Democratic leaders, MacKenzie Quinn hasn’t returned their calls. Quinn is the sole Democrat in the race for Volusia County Clerk of Court, and filed to run in June against incumbent Laura Roth and her Republican challenger, John Flemm. The presence of a Democratic candidate means Roth and Flemm will go […]
To the confusion of local Democratic leaders, MacKenzie Quinn hasn’t returned their calls. Quinn is the sole Democrat in the race for Volusia County Clerk of Court, and filed to run in June against incumbent Laura Roth and her Republican challenger, John Flemm. The presence of a Democratic candidate means Roth and Flemm will go […]
Nearly all of the amendments to the DeLand charter that are on the August 2024 primary ballot are adjustments to outdated language in the City Charter.
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