Archive

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Today is the final day to register to vote in the Sept. 22 primary races for mayor and two city commission seats, according to the Volusia County Board of Elections.

City residents who are not registered may do so by going to the Department of Motor Vehicles (in the K-mart plaza on State Road 44), the New Smyrna Beach Public Library (1001 S. Dixie Freeway) or at the Volusia County Board of Elections Office in DeLand (125 W. New York Ave., DeLand). For more information on registering for the primary, please call the Supervisor of Elections at (386) 736-5930.

DELAND -- A Volusia County Sheriff's deputy responding to a neighborhood complaint of possible drug activity got an eyeful when he pulled up to a house on Smith Court near DeLand early Tuesday morning, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Deputies were dispatched to the house after a resident called 911 at 4:34 a.m. to complain about a lot of vehicles coming and going at all hours of the night. The caller suspected illegal drug activity was taking place. As it turned out, the caller was right, Davidson said.

DELAND -- Volusia County staff will conduct a public workshop to provide an overview of proposed 09-2 cycle large-scale comprehensive plan amendments to the Volusia County Comprehensive Plan. The workshop will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, in the Volusia Council Chambers on the second floor of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave.

The items included within the 09-2 cycle large-scale comprehensive plan amendment are:

Coutesy photo. Guy Carlisle, 62, of Port Orange,  a teacher's aide at Pride Elementary School in Deltona, was arrested today on charges of inappropriately touching a 10-year-old girl.

DELTONA -- A teacher's aide from Pride Elementary School in Deltona was arrested early this morning on charges that he inappropriately touched a 10-year-old student under her shirt, the Volusia Country Sheriff's Office said.

Courtesy photo. Recently retired Stetson University President H. Douglas Lee, of DeLand, died earlier today. He was 66.

The following was written by Stetson University in announcing the death of its president:

DELAND -- Dr. H. Douglas Lee, DeLand, who recently retired after 22 years as president of Stetson University, died early this morning at Florida Hospital-DeLand of complications following surgery. He was 66.

EDGEWATER -- The city is warning residents to ignore blue flyers passed around neighborhoods questioning the quality of the city's water quality.

The flyers are misleading because people have to look at the fine print to realize they do not represent the city of Edgewater, said Brenda Dewees, director of city's Environmental Services Department.

"City of Edgewater employees are not delivering these door hangers," she stressed in a news release.

Dewees believes the messages are being marketed buy a private entity looking to generate business.

SOUTH DAYTONA — The South Daytona Fire Department will begin its annual flu shot program Sept. 1.

Seasonal flu shots will be available at the fire station located at 1672 S. Ridgewood Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The cost is $25 by cash or check. The fire department will accept Medicare Part B. Medicare participants must present their card. No other insurance will be accepted.

For additional information please contact the fire department at (386) 322-3033.

Courtesy photos/Volusia Jail mugs. A Volusia County grand jury handed up two indictments today in two high-profile murder cases. Joseph Edward Jordan, 39, far right, was charged with first-degree murder and robbery in the June 29, hog-tied beating death of his Edgewater roommate, 50-year-old Keith Cope. In a separate case, the grand jury returned first-degree murder indictments against Ronald Roscoe, far left, and Tarod Weaver, both 21, in the July 20, shooting death of 13-year-old Lloyd Robinson Jr. of Daytona Beach.

EDGEWATER -- He was hogtied and left for dead. And that's exactly what happened to 50-year-old Keith Cope. He died two weeks later at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. A Volusia Grand jury earlier today returned an indictment of first-degree murder and robbery against his roommate, 39-year-old Joseph Edward Jordan, said Assistant State Attorney Christopher Kelly on behalf of State Attorney R.J. Larizza.

Audrey B. Bowen, 85, of New Smyrna Beach and Osteen, a bus driver for Seminole County School District for 15 years before her retirement, who enjoyed spending time with her dog "Little Jon," died Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

James George Knighton, 41, of New Smyrna Beach, who owned and operated Knighton Air Care, Inc. of New Smyrna Beach for 11 years and loved spending time with his boys and his wife of 15 years, Kathleen, died Sunday, August 23, 2009.

Emma A.Morin, 78, who recently celebrated her 59th wedding anniversary with her spouse, Marcel G. Morin, died Sunday, August 23, 2009.