Chris Cloudman News Today

To address the city’s growing homeless population, Deland City Commissioners passed three ordinances aimed at providing support and resources for individuals needing shelter on Monday.

DeLand, Florida passed a series of measures designed to curb homelessness, including making it illegal to camp on public property. With approximately 400 homeless people in DeLand, a city with a population of around just 37,000, officials stated that after eight years of failing to reduce the number of homeless it was time for stricter measures.

Homeless people in DeLand are about to face new, tougher local laws that will prohibit sleeping on public property and leaving belongings behind.

All public parks would be part of the ban except for Pioneer Park. Unfiltered cigars are still permitted thanks to state law.

"Those who decide to make these threats will face very serious consequences," DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman said.

The City of DeLand is accepting applications from high school students interested in being on a youth council. Applications are due Sept. 29.

On Friday, after a ribbon cutting residents can immediately start taking advance of the newly built Jackson Lane Memorial Playground.

Saturday morning, leaders in DeLand gave out more than 1,000 backpacks and even more school supplies to families ahead of the school year’s impending start.

A World War II tugboat originally built in DeLand in the 1940s is finally back in Florida after being towed all the way from Sweden.

Memorial Day 2023 is marked with a solemn ceremony in DeLand.