Latest news with #VolusiaCounty
Fox News
a day ago
- General
- Fox News
Disabled veteran fights homeowners association lawsuit over flagpole in Florida yard
Print Close By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten Published May 30, 2025 A disabled veteran in Volusia County, Florida, is at the center of a heated dispute with his homeowners association (HOA) over a flagpole installed in his yard. According to Fox News affiliate WOFL-TV, the Countryside Villas PUD3 HOA has filed a lawsuit against the unnamed veteran, claiming he failed to obtain the required approval before erecting the permanent structure. Despite the legal friction, community support for the veteran has surged, with neighbors speaking out against what they see as harassment and unnecessary litigation. "Leave the veteran alone. He hasn't done anything wrong," Frank Johnson, a veteran himself, told the outlet. "He's called me crying that they're harassing him and bullying him. He's served this country. He's paid his dues. They wanted to get him on a flagpole and some weeds in the lawn. It's pathetic. It's really pathetic." ASSOCIATED PRESS MOVES TO DISMISS DEFAMATION CLAIM FROM VETERAN WHO DEFEATED CNN IN COURT The HOA maintains that its actions are grounded in procedural compliance. In a letter sent to the veteran, the association emphasized that it was not denying his right to fly the American flag, but rather enforcing a policy requiring prior approval for permanent flagpoles. The letter noted that the veteran's military service does not exempt him from these rules. The situation only escalated when the veteran refused to remove the flagpole, accruing $1,000 in fines. The HOA responded by initiating a lawsuit for $8,000 and threatening to place a lien on his property. Orlando Law Managing Partner Jennifer Englert told WOFL-TV that this action may not be legally defensible. Englert explained that Florida statute says as long as the flagpole is under 20 feet, a homeowner can have a flagpole on their property, even if the HOA has rules against it. "Why are you fighting about something that you know you have to allow? That is very clear," she said. MARYLAND SCHOOL SUSPENDS MARINE HOPEFUL AFTER AMERICAN FLAG LAW CONTROVERSY Concerned neighbors and a caregiver have come forward to condemn the HOA's tactics, describing them as bullying and deeply disrespectful to someone who served the country. Margaret Murphy, a resident who attended HOA meetings, took the issue to State Sen. Tom Wright, expressing in a letter that her own father's legacy as a Pearl Harbor survivor compelled her to act. "My father was a survivor in Pearl Harbor. He would be rolling over in his grave if I didn't say something," she told the outlet. In a statement to WOFL-TV, The Countryside PUD Unit III-B HOA, Inc. Board of Directors said that they never told the veteran homeowner that the "flagpole/flag was prohibited." "Factually, this has never been about a flag or a flagpole. The resident was told via multiple correspondences that he absolutely can have them. The situation boils down to that he failed to submit an ARC application, which is required for flagpoles by the HOA. That rule has been in place since 1990," they said. "The resident was given multiple opportunities to remedy the situation including assistance from the American Legion and the Elks. He also was given an opportunity at a hearing that he never showed up for. Florida Statute makes it clear that an HOA resident also needs to follow the governing documents which he has failed to do. This situation is no different than any other architectural guidelines in our docs. As a result, a fine was imposed, and he failed to pay the fine." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September. Fox News Digital has reached out to The Countryside PUD Unit III-B HOA, Inc. Board of Directors for comment. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital. Since joining in 2021, she's covered high-stakes criminal justice—from the Menendez brothers' resentencing, where Judge Jesic slashed their life-without-parole terms to 50-years-to-life (making them parole-eligible), to the assassination attempts on President Donald Trump's life and shifting immigration enforcement, including her reporting on South Florida's illegal-immigration crisis, covering unprecedented migrant crossings from the Bahamas and ensuing enforcement operations. Beyond those beats, she reports on crime, politics, business, lifestyle, world news, and more—delivering both breaking updates and in-depth analysis across Fox News Digital. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn. Print Close URL
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
No-nonsense sheriff confronts man who threatened to kill him
A no-nonsense Florida sheriff confronted a man who has been charged with threatening to assassinate him and demanded to know why he wants him dead. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood went toe-to-toe with Matthew Moulton, 45, following his arrest in Washington state. Moulton sent Chitwood an unhinged email accusing him of proliferating ' AI child porn' after the sheriff threatened to publish delinquent children's mugshots, court documents state. He then allegedly told the law enforcement officer, 'I'm going to have to threaten you with death'. Police in Florida said they traced Moulton's email address and contacted the College Place Police Department in Washington. He was arrested on March 31 and extradited all the way to Volusia County, where he is being prosecuted for a felony charge of written threats to kill or do bodily injury. His extradition last has made waves after Chitwood decided to confront Moulton as he was escorted through Daytona Beach International Airport last week. 'Matthew, I'm Sheriff Chitwood. I'm the guy you want to kill, and there's nothing I can do about it. Challenge accepted,' Chitwood taunted. Moulton told the sheriff he'd merely sent him a Bible verse from Romans 5, but Chitwood was undeterred. 'You do know in Florida, a written threat to kill is a felony. You know that, right?' the sheriff asked. 'Just so you know, I'm the one who made sure you came back, and I hope you enjoy your stay at the branch jail.' In a raspy voice, Moulton said Chitwood 'violated his federal rights'. 'I will also tell you that you will not see Mickey Mouse on this trip, and you have to reimburse us for your flight here and for your stay at the at the county jail,' Chitwood said, talking over the suspect. Chitwood then asked him to 'look me in the eye and tell me why you want me dead.' Moulton did not directly answer, but began ranting about Christianity and telling the sheriff he wasn't a Christian. Chitwood argued back and insisted he is a Christian. 'OK, we're going to take you where you need to go. We will make sure the cell has rubber in it,' the sheriff said as Moulton was shown climbing into the back of a police car. Moulton first contacted Chitwood after the sheriff announced his new policy regarding children's mugshots, according to court documents. In the email authorities claim was authored by Moulton, he leveled wild accusations at Chitwood involving AI child porn. 'Do you know what the Internet does with the images of children you expose? They put them into AI and make child porn out of them. They post them on 4Chan,' the email said. During a September press conference, Chitwood raged at underage students who had either brought guns to schools or had made written threats. 'Since parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm gonna start raising them. Every time we make an arrest, your kid's photo is gonna be put out there. And if I could do it, I'm gonna perp walk your kid, so that everybody can see what your kid's up to,' he said. Chitwood made good on that promise right away, posting a video of his deputies perp walking an 11-year-old boy who allegedly had a kill list and threatened to shoot up two schools. The boy, Carlo 'Kingston' Dorelli, was also found to be in possession of a large cache of weapons, though they appeared to be fake. Police said they found airsoft rifles, fake ammunition, swords, knives and throwing stars in his bedroom. Tyler Meyer, 32, also threatened Chitwood. He would later plead no contest and was forced to reimburse the sheriff's department for the costs it incurred to extradite him from California to Florida Officials also allegedly found a paper in his room with several names that appeared to have stab marks next to them. 'He had written a list of names and targets,' Chitwood said at the time. 'He says it was all a joke.' Moulton is current in jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 19, 2025. His arrest report also mentions Moulton's account on GAB, which is marketed as a free-speech social media platform. His account contains several bizarre posts, including one where he is holding a black, patterned knife that has a cross dangling from the blade. Since his legal troubles began, Moulton also shared his GiveSendGo page that is supposed to raise money for his defense. The page, which he titled 'Our Rights Have Been Crucified', has pulled in just one donation of $25 from one of his friends on GAB. Moulton's goal is to raise $1 million. Chitwood, sheriff of Volusia County since 2017, is no stranger to death threats. Since 2023, he has been on the receiving end of threats from seven different men spread all over the country. At least three avid users of 4chan, a social media site known for hosting neo-Nazis, were charged in 2023 after threatening to kill him. Chitwood has long been an outspoken critic of hate groups, especially ones that espouse anti-semitism. The men who made threats were described as Nazi sympathizers by authorities. They include 40-year-old Richard Golden of New Jersey, 32-year-old Tyler Meyer of California, 25-year-old Cristhian Zapata, and Tony Stromberg of Canada. All three men pleaded no contest and were forced to pay several thousand dollars to reimburse the sheriff's department for the cost of their extradition. Golden also spent 366 days in prison after he was sentenced on December 1, 2023. Three other men have also made death threats against Chitwood since 2023, including one man from Alberta, Canada, who allegedly said he would kill the sheriff and his family members.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Jellyfish sting nearly 100 beachgoers in Daytona Beach over holiday weekend
The Brief Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish during Memorial Day weekend in Daytona Beach. Officials urge caution but say most stings are minor and treatable on-site. Despite warnings, beachgoers largely stayed in the water to enjoy the holiday. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach over the Memorial Day weekend, prompting warnings from local officials and beach safety crews. What we know Over Memorial Day weekend, 99 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach, according to Volusia County Beach Safety officials. The majority of stings were mild, though some individuals required hospital treatment. Jellyfish were spotted both in the surf and along the sand. Beach crews are responding by treating stings with vinegar and advising caution. What we don't know Officials have not identified the specific species of jellyfish responsible for the stings, nor have they indicated whether this sudden surge is tied to seasonal patterns or unusual ocean conditions. It also remains unclear whether more stings may occur in the coming days, or if additional safety measures will be implemented. The backstory Daytona Beach is a popular Memorial Day destination, often drawing large crowds. In past years, beach safety teams have responded to hundreds of water rescues during this weekend. While rescues dropped to 35 this year, jellyfish stings emerged as a new concern, shifting the focus of beach safety efforts. The stings highlight the unpredictable nature of beach safety hazards. While rip currents typically dominate safety advisories, marine life can present unexpected risks—even on high-traffic weekends like Memorial Day. Yellow flags remain in place, alerting visitors to moderate water risks. What they're saying Volusia County Beach Safety Deputy Chief AJ Miller said beachgoers should stay alert but not overly alarmed. "We've pulled out 35 people yesterday and Saturday from the water," he said. "We have jellyfish in the area. Just between Saturday and Sunday, we had 99 people stung by jellyfish." Deputy Miller said it's important to pay attention. "You can see them if you're really watching," Miller said, "But then you're going to spend your whole day staring at the water and not enjoying the day." "It's a minor concern," said Brian Thatcher, a Jacksonville resident. "Everybody's trying to have a good time, go back to work tomorrow, so you got to do something to enjoy." What you can do Visitors are encouraged to seek help from lifeguards if stung; vinegar is available for treatment at beach stations. Those with allergies to insect stings are urged to be especially cautious, as they may be more sensitive to jellyfish venom. Despite the stings, most beachgoers were undeterred, soaking up the sun and surf before heading back to work. 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 Volusia County Beach Safety, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and visitors to Daytona Beach on May 26, 2025.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Daytona Beach sees fewer rescues needed this Memorial Day weekend
Thousands of people spent their Memorial Day weekend soaking up the sun and surf at Florida's beaches. Volusia beach safety had extra lifeguards working to make sure those beachgoers stayed safe. As far as recues go, this year was a slow one. Beach safety made 35 rescues Saturday and Sunday combined. Some holiday weekends can se hundreds of rescues in a day. Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer. That means big crowds at the beaches. Those busy days aren't relaxing for the people tasked with patrolling it. From Daytona Beach's big, red towers to the bright red trucks, lifeguards could be seen working every section of it. 'We actually have more than double our staff this year than from last year,' said Capt. Stephen Canfield. Canfield said more than 80 lifeguards worked at various Volusia County beaches Monday. He said they often make the most recues when ocean conditions are calm. While he said that wasn't the case this year, he's still pushing the same message going into the busy summer months that even if the water looks calm, make sure to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower. He aid if you get caught in an undertow or get pulled underneath or in a rip current, try to swim parallel to the shore. Beachgoers said the lifeguards' presence gave them peace of mind as they enjoyed the sane and surf. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Veteran creates wall at New Smyrna Beach Walmart to honor other veterans
A man in Volusia County has made it his mission to never forget the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Now he's telling others about the lessons of such sacrifice one picture at a time. Two years ago, Army veteran Matt Williams created a wall of honor for these fallen men and women at the New Smyrna Beach Walmart, where he works as a loss prevention manager. The wall is dedicated to those who are serving, have served, and those who never came home. There are dozens of faces on that wall from all branches of the military - each with a story to tell. 'All of them up there are my brothers and sisters,' Williams said. Williams said he and his store manager got together and decided they needed to do something more for these service members. 'I just want to honor everybody that's been in the military. Anybody that's served, I just want to honor them because I'm a veteran and I know what it was like,' he said. Sixteen veterans work at the Walmart on State Road 44, so it is personal for them. Some helped make the wall, painted it and built its flag. The wall has grown over its two years so far. It was a labor of love to remember and keep the lessons of sacrifice and commitment to this country alive. Williams said he wants those who see the wall to understand their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifices made by their families. Williams' goal is to fill the wall of honor, then to create another one. If you are a member of the military or have a loved one in the military, you can contact the store. They will proudly display the picture. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
