Bethune-Cookman University names interim president SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES Hiram C. Powell, Ph.D., has been named Interim President of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) after a vote by the university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday. Powell, who graduated in 1976 from B-CU with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, currently serves as Dean of Performing Arts and Communications and has worked at the university since 1977. Powell will begin his term on June 1, 2021. The post Bethune-Cookman University names interim president appeared first on Daytona Times ..read more

If you own empty residential rental units in Daytona Beach, the Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach has an opportunity for you. SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES The Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach (HACDB) is providing cash bonuses of up to $400 per rental unit to landlords who agree to provide safe, decent and sanitary housing to families holding Housing Choice Vouchers. The vouchers allow families to choose and pay for quality housing in the private market. Under the incentive’s guidelines, there is no limit to the number of bonuses a landlord can earn. As an example ..read more

Dr. Samuel Butts looks at the sign that bears his name. The park was named in his honor in 2004. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BUTTS FAMILY BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES   The Daytona Beach community is mourning Dr. Samuel Butts, who died on April 4 at Halifax Hospice Care in Port Orange. He was 76. Butts was an educator and a selftrained archaeologist. He also was an historian and anthropologist. For over 20 years, he collected artifacts and bones of prehistoric humans and prehistoric animals at a site at 750 Bellevue Ave., which is now Dr. Samuel Butts Youth Archaeological Park. A funeral se ..read more

‘I’m honored to be here standing on your shoulders. Your brave efforts and hard work paved the way for me to be here and I really appreciate you guys. I appreciate the whole community coming out to greet me.’ -Alicia Shepard First Black Daytona Beach firefighter inspires community Firefighter Alicia Shepard holds one of a firefighter’s best-known tools – an ax. PHOTOS BY KARSCEAL TURNER/SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES BY KARSCEAL TURNER SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES Alicia Shepard never set out to be the first – she simply wanted to become a firefighter. It never was about being the first Black wo ..read more

This is what Daytona Beach’s ‘twin towers’ will look like after the properties are upgraded. SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES The Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach (HACDB) received approval for $28 million in revenue bonds for the “WM at the River” project on Beach Street in Daytona Beach. The affordable housing development project, projected to close in June 2021, will upgrade 298 units which currently house elderly and disabled tenants. The total development investment will exceed $52 million. “HACDB is pleased to partner with the professionals at BGC Advantage, Red Stone Equity Par ..read more

Residents who received the COVID-19 vaccine are urging others to do so. The Midtown Cultural & Educational Center was a COVID-19 vaccination site on Wednesday. DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES On Wednesday, Ozetta Wilbon received the COVID-19 vaccine and touted how important it was for her to get it. She was one of 220 people vaccinated at the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center in Daytona Beach. They received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose. “It is important to support our system.This is the way to protec ..read more

Central Floridians continue to receive vaccinations at a site at the Valencia College West campus. The Midtown Cultural & Educational Center in Daytona Beach will be a vaccination site next week. JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES On Monday, more Floridians became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ latest order now makes residents 50 years and up eligible to receive a vaccine. Dewayne Meyers, 53, is one of the local residents who plan to get the vaccine now that the age has been lowered. “I haven’t gotten it, but I plan to. I am d ..read more

Dwayne Taylor (back row, far right) was on the Daytona Beach City Commission when current City Manager James Chisholm and former Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood were selected for their respective positions after national searches. The Daytona Beach City Commission is now at a critical crossroads in selecting the next city manager who will conduct the day-to-day operations and govern the needs of a very economically, socially and racially diverse community. Lack of quality candidates I have reviewed the resumes of the three finalists. I am not impressed. I believe they should not have ..read more

Daytona Beach city manager candidates discuss budget and management, business, and neighborhood improvement and public safety with residents at a forum in Midtown. Deric Feacher addresses residents at the city manager candidate forum on March 20. DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES Despite heavy rain, residents ventured out to the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center on March 20 to hear from candidates vying to be the next city manager of Daytona Beach. Making their case for the job were Deric C. Feacher, city manager of Haines City; Terrence R ..read more

Deric Feacher addresses residents on Saturday at a forum at the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center. DUANE D. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM BY ANDREAS BUTLER  DAYTONA TIMES                                                                                    On March 20, local residents met with the finalists for the city manager position in Daytona Beach. The three fina ..read more