NEWS in brief

Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol the week of May 23 to address problems in the property-insurance system that have led to homeowners losing coverage and facing soaring premiums.

Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session from May 23 to May 27 and listed general topics such as reinsurance, the Office of Insurance Regulation, and changes to the Florida Building Code to improve the affordability of property insurance.

Matt Buth Jazz Festival canceled

The Matt Buth Jazz Festival, an outdoor day of music dedicated to a DeLand musician who died by suicide, has been canceled.

A series of scheduling conflicts saw many of the acts unable to perform, Matt Buth Foundation President and jazz festival organizer Becky Adesso said.

Rather than rescheduled, the festival has been fully canceled. Adesso said the Matt Buth Foundation hopes to start fresh next school year.

Pierson Town Council Member Larrivee dies

Pierson Town Council Member Tom Larrivee died April 3. The death of the longtime town leader, who was 85,

leaves a seat vacant on the five-member Town Council.

Pierson Town Council members have not yet decided whether they will leave his seat, which is already up for election this year, vacant until a new Town Council member is elected, or if they will appoint someone to complete his term.

Osteen boat ramp fixed up

County leaders celebrated the opening of the fixed-up Lemon Bluff boat ramp at 949 Lemon Bluff Road in Osteen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 29.

“Completion of the Lemon Bluff boat ramp is sure to help meet the public need with the addition of a double boat ramp, a kayak and canoe launch, restrooms, pavilions, and ample parking,” said Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Tim Baylie.

The $2,333,179 boat ramp was built with contributions from the Florida Inland Navigation District, the Volusia County ECHO program, the Florida Boating Improvement Fund and park impact fees.

DeSantis appoints DeLandites to state boards

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed DeLandites Mark Grenier and Rachel Myers to statewide positions.

Grenier, who works as a building official for the City of Clermont, was appointed April 29 to the Florida Building CodeAdministrators and Inspectors.

Myers, a managing partner of Myers Law Group, P.A., was appointed April 29 to serve as a judge on the Volusia County Court.

Volusia Sheriff’s Office offers ‘Occupant With Autism’ decals

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office will offer all residents of Volusia County the opportunity to display an “Occupant With Autism” decal on their home or vehicle.

The program is available to all city residents as well as those living in unincorporated Volusia County.

In addition to the decal, voluntary registration in the program allows the VSO Communications Center to enter a caution flag on the home address provided.

Anyone who wants to participate can sign up and choose one of two decals at www.volusiasheriff.org/autism. stml.

DeLand Police Department arrests suspect in Friendly Way shooting

A 17-year-old suspect in an April 23 shooting at the Friendly Way convenience store located at 901 S. Florida Ave. in DeLand was arrested three days later after turning himself in to police.

The victim, who is an employee at the store, was shot in the leg and transported to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford.

The altercation allegedly began over the price of a bag of chips, according to the Police Department.