Latest news with #Deltona
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deltona joins lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 180, limiting local planning decisions
Deltona has joined five other communities across Florida in signing onto a legal challenge to a state law preventing planning and zoning regulatory changes for more than three years. The City Commission voted 4-3 on Aug. 18 to join an as-yet unfiled lawsuit potentially seeking injunctive relief from a 2025 state law known as Senate Bill 180, which was intended to protect homeowners who, following natural disasters such as hurricanes, want to rebuild but might face difficulties posed by local government restrictions. But critics, including many county and city officials, say the law cuts too deeply into municipal home rule. Deltona and Edgewater are cities that have imposed development moratoriums as they respond to flooding and drainage issues, some of which stem back to the 2024 hurricane season. Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Jamie Cole, who has approached cities with the proposed lawsuit, said following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, lots of counties and cities made changes, such as strengthening building codes to better withstand future storms. Senate Bill 180 prevents counties and cities from imposing such laws dating back to Aug. 1, 2024, and moving forward until Oct. 1, 2027. "Basically, this prevents us from learning from our expereinces," Cole told The News-Journal on Aug. 19. "And so that is a major intrusion into home-rule authority." Debate in Deltona: Is suing lawmakers, governor a good idea? Deltona City Commissioner Emma Santiago, who was elected in November 2024, said she attended a recent Florida League of Cities conference where Senate Bill 180 was a hot topic. The advice given, she said, was: "Spend time developing relationships with your legislators and stay out of the political fray." Santiago said the Florida League of Cities has more experience than she does. "I think I'm going to take the path of following more expeienced individuals on how to be effective, and I will oppose suing the gorernor and I will oppose suing the Legislature. There are too many negative impacts for our city that could hurt us for many years to come if we approve this." Vice Mayor Davison Heriot and Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr., were the other two no votes on joining the lawsuit. Heriot asked City Manager Dale "Doc" Dougherty how much Deltona received from lawmakers in the 2025-26 state budget. Dougherty said it was $2.5 million. Heriot also noted that he and others have been talking with lawmakers about amending Senate Bill 180 in the 2026 session. "Those discussions are productive. They're listening. We're having the conversation," Heriot said. "It feels like it would be a swift kick in the face if, during those discussions, we decided to go ahead and sue them anyways." But Commissioners Nick Lulli, Dori Howington, Maritza Avila-Vasquez and Stephen Colwell voted yes. Lulli called it "an easy yes for me," saying land use is the "No. 1 issue I hear about" from residents. Howington argued that the League of Cities had been working to protect municipalities against the bill for months and came up short. "At this point, the Florida League of Cities is asking us to wait for an amendment, an amendment that they tried to get for months and failed," she said, adding that taking the same course of action and expecting different results is "the definition of insanity." Deltona needs an injunction now, Howington said. "I was not elected to cower before the state," she said. "I was elected to fight for Deltona, to protect our charter and to stand for the constitutional principle of home rule that has existed in Florida since 1968." Six cities have joined lawsuit; Edgewater likely to be 7th Cole, a partner with the Weiss Serota Helfman Cole Bierman firm, says a lot of cities are considering joining Deltona and five others in the suit over the next few weeks. The lawsuit is contingent upon 10 cities and counties joining the litigation. Edgewater, which voted on Aug. 18 to maintain its development moratorium in defiance of the new state law, signaled its intent to join the suit at a future City Council meeting. "I'm very optimistic that we'll have substantially more than 10," Cole said in a phone interview on Aug. 19. "This is probably the biggest intrusion into home rule authority, cities and counties, so far in Florida," Cole said. "In 1968, when the home-rule authority provision was added to the Florida Constitution, one of the main drivers was land use and zoning. The ability to control land use and zoning in a city is core to the ability to have a functioning, meaningful local government." This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona votes on lawsuit challenging governor, Florida Legislature Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man wanted for unlicensed contracting in Deltona arrested in Polk County
A man who the Volusia Sheriff's Office said took money for a kitchen remodel but didn't do the work ― and didn't have the required licensing ― has been arrested in Polk County, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Argelys Virgilio Zambrano Andrade, 37, was wanted by the Volusia Sheriff's Office for theft and unlicensed contracting. Zambrano took $14,950 in down payments from a Deltona customer to remodel a kitchen. "VSO detectives learned Zambrano immediately cashed the victim's checks but never applied for any permits and does not possess the required licensing," according to the sheriff's office. "Zambrano, of 'ZL Renovations LLC' in Orlando, is charged with Contractor Fraud, Unregistered Contractor, and Fraud Impersonating during a State of Emergency." Officials notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an immigration detainer. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Unlicensed Volusia contractor arrested for $15K theft, officials say
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
19-year-old shot in face outside Deltona smoke shop is also arrested
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office says a third person has been arrested in a shooting case - and its the person who was shot. Deputies say Joseph Williams, 19, was shot in the face in the parking lot of High Sense Smoke Shop in Deltona on June 5 when he walked up to a group with a gun in his hand. Deputies say a 17-year-old in that group shot him in the face. Another 17year-old hid Williams' gun in the nearby woods before deputies arrived, the sheriff's office said. The alleged shooter was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and carrying a concealed firearm. The teen who allegedly hid the gun was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, tampering with evidence and violation of probation. Williams was hospitalized in critical condition. Now that he is out of the hospital, he faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. Williams booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on $35,000 bail. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Teen injured in Deltona parking lot shooting, Volusia deputies investigating
The Brief A 19-year-old man was shot near the mouth Thursday evening in a Deltona parking lot and taken to the hospital as a trauma alert. Volusia County detectives are investigating the shooting and pursuing leads, but no suspects have been identified. ORLANDO, Fla. - Volusia County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating a shooting that left a 19-year-old man injured Thursday evening in Deltona. Deputies responded to the scene around 6:46 p.m. in the parking lot of 2820 Howland Blvd., where they found the victim with a gunshot wound near his mouth. Authorities said he was alert and talking at the scene before being transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital as a trauma alert. What we don't know Volusia County Detectives are following active leads in the case. No suspects or further details were immediately released. An update will be provided as the investigation develops. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and the Sanford Police Department.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida mom accused of covering up teen son's role in Deltona stabbing
The Brief School fight escalates into stabbing near Heritage Middle School. Video and phone evidence revealed false alibi, deputies say. Teen turned in by grandmother after mother's arrest. DELTONA, Fla. - A 15-year-old boy and his mother have been arrested in connection with a stabbing that took place just south of Heritage Middle School in Deltona. What we know According to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, a 15-year-old boy was allegedly involved in a school-related altercation that escalated into violence. Deputies say the mother, Kayla Cobb, 33, tried to shield her son from accountability by giving a false alibi — a move that ultimately led to her arrest for obstructing a criminal investigation. What we don't know Authorities have not released the identities of the teenager or his mother. It remains unclear what exactly led to the fight or whether the stabbing was premeditated. The specifics of the video evidence and how the cell phone factored into the discrepancies in their alibi have not been fully detailed publicly. Investigators also have not disclosed whether the teen will face charges as a juvenile or adult. The backstory The stabbing incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute at school. The teen's mother was arrested first, allegedly for trying to provide a cover story to investigators. Video footage reviewed by deputies contradicted her version of events. The teen was later turned in by his grandmother after law enforcement began looking for him. What they're saying The sheriff's office emphasized the role of video and cell phone data in breaking down a false alibi. Investigators said they noticed discrepancies between the story told by the teen and his mother and what was visible in the footage. "His cellphone gave him up," said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. "So he's got a warrant out for aggravated battery. Mom's being arrested as well. She's going to be my nominee for 'Mother of the Year' Your son's out there stabbing people, and you're creating an alibi to have him not be accountable. Well now, we're going to hold you accountable." The department also credited the grandmother for cooperating with the arrest. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
