5+ day, 9+ hour ago   (169+ words) Editor, The Beacon: Upon reading Michael Wright’s letter in the Sept. 3 Beacon, it appears we have more in common than he might think. I thank him for his military service and applaud his patriotism. I, too, served honorably in the…...

5+ day, 9+ hour ago   (168+ words) Editor, The Beacon: I was surprised to learn from Sidney Johnstonu2019s guest commentary in The Beacon that nearly a dozen buildings in DeLandu2019s Downtown Historic District have been demolished since the district was established in 1987. I assumed DeLand prided itself on its…...

5+ day, 9+ hour ago   (165+ words) Editor, The Beacon: Immigration is complex, complicated by economic, religious, political, logistical and emotional factors. My many minds may help simplistically to scope the issues. Mind 1. Individually immigrants should have respect and justice and support as possible. I cofounded and…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago   (423+ words) Saturday, September 5, 2026 St. Ann’s Catholic Parish, 26 Dogwood Trail, DeBary, will conduct a series called Catholics Returning Home on six consecutive Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the church Education Building beginning Oct. 15, 2026. These sessions are for nonpracticing Catholics who are seeking…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (167+ words) Editor, The Beacon: For 30 years, DeBary has been a city without a heart u2014 a patchwork of subdivisions along the St. Johns River with no true center to call its own. That is finally changing, and West Volusia residents should take…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (166+ words) Editor, The Beacon: I take issue with J.D. Godseyu2019s claim in the Aug. 20 Beacon that communists want to take over. There is no evidence of this; it is another of Trumpu2019s many lies. In Fact Focus, experts say Trumpu2019s claims linking Democrats to communism…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago   (593+ words) For the Whelan family, remembering Sept. 11, 2001, means remembering Eugene Whelan not only as an FDNY firefighter who passed away at the World Trade Center, but as a son, brother and friend whose kindness, humor and boundless energy left a lasting…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago   (174+ words) About two months ago, I wrote a column predicting how some in our country would behave on July 4, 2026. That would be the 250th u201cbirthdayu201d of our republic. I wasnu2019t kind. So, it got shelved. My audience exists at the pleasure of the folks…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago   (165+ words) Editor, The Beacon: Donald Trumpu2019s war with Iran has left us in a pickle. We continue to pay for his folly at the gas pump, in our grocery stores, and with our national debt. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who convinced Trump…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago   (152+ words) Editor, The Beacon: In response to Chuck Oakwoodu2019s recent letter to the editor titled u201cSome thoughts on democracy in America,u201d I would respectfully request him to Google u201crepublic.u201d The USA is NOT a democracy. It is a republic. Hopefully, after researching both u201cdemocracyu201d and…...