The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting Americans and other nations worldwide for more than seven months.While some countries have gotten the virus under control and have resumed normal routines with limits and adjustments, the virus is surging in other areas, fueling continued concerns while researchers continue to develop vaccine options.Many U.S. states imposed shutdowns and mask mandates, among other guidelines, over the last seven months, and cities have seen dramatic decreases in the number of new cases reported.During the summer, many states saw a significant drop in new cases, but...…The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting Americans and other nations worldwide for more than seven months.While some countries have gotten the virus under control and have resumed normal routines with limits and adjustments, the virus is surging in other areas, fueling continued concerns while researchers continue to develop vaccine options.Many U.S. states imposed shutdowns and mask mandates, among other guidelines, over the last seven months, and cities have seen dramatic decreases in the number of new cases reported.During the summer, many states saw a significant drop in new cases, but...WW…

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — About 3,000 people gathered across DeLand for block parties spanning several locations Saturday and into Sunday, resulting in multiple arrests and deputies being injured after objects were thrown at them, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.Volusia County and DeLand police encountered several issues throughout the locations including “a long gun pointed out of the passenger window of a passing vehicle, a loaded gun handed off from one convicted felon to another, agitated crowds of bystanders and bottles, jars and bar stools used against law enforcement as...…VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — About 3,000 people gathered across DeLand for block parties spanning several locations Saturday and into Sunday, resulting in multiple arrests and deputies being injured after objects were thrown at them, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.Volusia County and DeLand police encountered several issues throughout the locations including “a long gun pointed out of the passenger window of a passing vehicle, a loaded gun handed off from one convicted felon to another, agitated crowds of bystanders and bottles, jars and bar stools used against law enforcement as...WW…

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is announcing his plan to reopen the state’s economy. or to watch the live news conference on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.The state's stay-at-home order is set to expire Thursday.The governor said he’s concerned with is international travel and travel from hot zones.DeSantis has previously said that the state will reopen from the coronavirus economic shutdown in “baby steps” and that its regions could reopen at different times and rates. of the reopening of Florida’s economy on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.© 2020 Cox Media Group…ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is announcing his plan to reopen the state’s economy. or to watch the live news conference on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.The state's stay-at-home order is set to expire Thursday.The governor said he’s concerned with is international travel and travel from hot zones.DeSantis has previously said that the state will reopen from the coronavirus economic shutdown in “baby steps” and that its regions could reopen at different times and rates. of the reopening of Florida’s economy on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.© 2020 Cox Media GroupWW…

Walmart stores nationwide will be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year, company officials said Tuesday in a news release.Walmart President and CEO John Furner said the decision was made to allow employees to spend the holiday with their families. Company officials said Sam’s Clubs stores would also be closed for the holiday.“We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,” he said. “We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”For the third time this year, we’re...…Walmart stores nationwide will be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year, company officials said Tuesday in a news release.Walmart President and CEO John Furner said the decision was made to allow employees to spend the holiday with their families. Company officials said Sam’s Clubs stores would also be closed for the holiday.“We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,” he said. “We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”For the third time this year, we’re...WW…

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A mother and father are demanding to see the body camera video of their son's death.An Orange County deputy shot 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin in the back as he ran away from him in the parking lot of the Florida Mall last week.Channel 9 investigative reporter Daralene Jones has new details about what led deputies to the mall, and learned that so far the department doesn’t plan to release the footage.The sheriff's office said state agents are now reviewing the shooting to determine whether it was justified.“He was a well known child. He was very popular in the...…ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A mother and father are demanding to see the body camera video of their son's death.An Orange County deputy shot 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin in the back as he ran away from him in the parking lot of the Florida Mall last week.Channel 9 investigative reporter Daralene Jones has new details about what led deputies to the mall, and learned that so far the department doesn’t plan to release the footage.The sheriff's office said state agents are now reviewing the shooting to determine whether it was justified.“He was a well known child. He was very popular in the...WW…

They were trying to honor the late Rep. John Lewis, but two U.S. senators were redfaced Saturday after tweeting photographs of Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in October.Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, of Alaska, were among the many politicians who took to social media to honor Lewis, the iconic civil rights leader and 17-term Congressman from Georgia who died Friday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.But both senators posted the wrong photos in their tributes, reported. The posts were quickly revised with photos of Lewis, according to .“It was an honor to...…They were trying to honor the late Rep. John Lewis, but two U.S. senators were redfaced Saturday after tweeting photographs of Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in October.Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, of Alaska, were among the many politicians who took to social media to honor Lewis, the iconic civil rights leader and 17-term Congressman from Georgia who died Friday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.But both senators posted the wrong photos in their tributes, reported. The posts were quickly revised with photos of Lewis, according to .“It was an honor to...WW…

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has denied more than 267,000 people of unemployment benefits since March 15.New numbers show that 40.3% of claims were denied from March 15 through this weekend.The numbers show that 80.6 % of the claims have been processed with more than $523 million paid out.New numbers from 3/15-4/2747.6% of claims paid80.6% of claims processed 59.7% ruled eligible 40.3% ruled ineligible!!! (267,912 people)$523 million paid — Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) Channel 9 has received hundreds of calls and comments from people in Central Florida...…ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has denied more than 267,000 people of unemployment benefits since March 15.New numbers show that 40.3% of claims were denied from March 15 through this weekend.The numbers show that 80.6 % of the claims have been processed with more than $523 million paid out.New numbers from 3/15-4/2747.6% of claims paid80.6% of claims processed 59.7% ruled eligible 40.3% ruled ineligible!!! (267,912 people)$523 million paid — Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) Channel 9 has received hundreds of calls and comments from people in Central Florida...WW…

NEW ORLEANS — Airport officials already dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit New Orleans particularly hard, had another matter to deal with last week when a Colorado woman showed up naked and refused to leave, authorities said.Mariel Vergara, 27, of Pueblo, walked into Louis Armstrong International Airport the night of April 3 completely naked, . Witnesses told the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office she strolled up to the Spirit Airlines ticket counter.Airline workers told Vergara she could not travel that way and asked her to leave, . She refused.By the time a deputy arrived,...…NEW ORLEANS — Airport officials already dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit New Orleans particularly hard, had another matter to deal with last week when a Colorado woman showed up naked and refused to leave, authorities said.Mariel Vergara, 27, of Pueblo, walked into Louis Armstrong International Airport the night of April 3 completely naked, . Witnesses told the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office she strolled up to the Spirit Airlines ticket counter.Airline workers told Vergara she could not travel that way and asked her to leave, . She refused.By the time a deputy arrived,...WW…

ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 100 people gathered in downtown Orlando holding signs and chanting a call to reopen the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.The rally took place directly outside the Orange County Administration Building as officials inside provided updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Central Florida.The group Reopen Florida, created by resident Tara Hill, helped organize the rally to send the message to Gov. Ron DeSantis.Hill said she would like to see the state “completely open by May 1st with absolutely no restrictions on the movement of Floridians. We are free...…ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 100 people gathered in downtown Orlando holding signs and chanting a call to reopen the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.The rally took place directly outside the Orange County Administration Building as officials inside provided updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Central Florida.The group Reopen Florida, created by resident Tara Hill, helped organize the rally to send the message to Gov. Ron DeSantis.Hill said she would like to see the state “completely open by May 1st with absolutely no restrictions on the movement of Floridians. We are free...WW…

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina woman was shot with a BB gun over a misunderstanding, and the pellet is still lodged in her arm.Peggy Fox told she saw a political sign in what she thought was her brother’s front yard. When she went to remove it, his 76-year-old neighbor shot her with an air gun, striking her near the elbow.Fox said she thought the sign was placed in the yard by a prankster, as her brother never talks about politics. What’s more, the sign was placed closer to her brother’s front door than the neighbor’s house, and the exact property lines were unclear to her.Woman...…LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina woman was shot with a BB gun over a misunderstanding, and the pellet is still lodged in her arm.Peggy Fox told she saw a political sign in what she thought was her brother’s front yard. When she went to remove it, his 76-year-old neighbor shot her with an air gun, striking her near the elbow.Fox said she thought the sign was placed in the yard by a prankster, as her brother never talks about politics. What’s more, the sign was placed closer to her brother’s front door than the neighbor’s house, and the exact property lines were unclear to her.Woman...WW…