NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

DELAND -- A DeLand motorist who died after he was sideswiped by an oncoming vehicle partially in his lane later Saturday night has been identified as 40-year-old David Johnson, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Johnson was travelling west on State Road 44, just west of North Summit Avenue when he he swerved to avoid a head-on collision, but still made contact with the other vehicle coming off a curve that was in his lane, the highway patrol said.

The driver of the other vehicle, 19-year-old John Yovaish of DeLand, was not hurt as the two collided.

DELAND -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office's 100 Deputies/100 Kids Program, now in its 21st year will host over 250 economically disadvantaged children today at the Volusia County Agricultural Center on State Road 44 north of DeLand.

DELAND -- The search is on for a gunman who burst into a home near DeLand late Tuesday night and shot and killed a man, a Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said.

The victim is believed to be 33-years-old, but his identity isn't being released until family members
are notified. Volusia County Sheriff's investigators don't believe the killing was random.

The shooting occurred at a home on Helen Drive. The Sheriff's Office received the initial call at 11:19 p.m. from a neighbor on Pearl Street who reported hearing yelling and multiple gunshots.

DELAND -- The Pet Vet Cruiser is a state-of-the-art mobile clinic that offers free and low-cost spay and neuter services for pets in the unincorporated areas of Volusia County. The qualifications for service are based on income and have a sliding-fee scale. Residents of unincorporated Volusia County can catch the Pet Vet Cruiser, by appointment, around the county in January at these locations:

● Jan. 4, 6, 8, 14, 20, 22, 25 and 27: Rockin’ Ranch, 801 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach.

● Jan. 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 21, 26 and 28: Oakbrook Professional Center, 931 N. Spring Garden Ave., DeLand.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The next meeting of the Volusia County local mitigation strategy working group, Volusia Prepares, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, in the third-floor meeting room of the Volusia County Lifeguard
Headquarters and Administration Center, 515 S. Atlantic Ave.

The meeting is open to the public.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Looking for a designated driver this New Year’s Eve? Hop on Votran’s New Year's Eve trolley service. For $3, a party-goer can travel safely all night along S.R. A1A on New Year’s Eve. The unlimited service runs from 7 p.m. Dec. 31, to just after 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. Trolleys, in addition to regular night service, will run every 20 minutes.

"We are glad to have the partnership with the Hotel and Lodging Association of Volusia County and the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to make this service possible" said Ken Fischer,

DELTONA -- Volusia County residents can gaze at the stars, learn about the winter solstice, and make holiday crafts at the Lyonia Environmental Center this month.
Educational programs include:

• “Star party” from 7 - 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10; and from 7 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15: Join the LEC staff for a stargazing close-up view of the night sky. Staff will provide equipment and share their knowledge of the stars. This program is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Participants should dress for the outdoor weather. Participation is free with paid admission to the LEC.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions will take center stage at the Ocean Center Jan. 2, and tickets are on sale now for the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows.

The stallions are embarking upon their 40th anniversary tour with new music, choreography and routines, demonstrating the movements of classical dressage, including the leaps and maneuvers known as the "airs above the ground."

CAPE CANAVERAL -- The delay was more than an hour because of high winds, but a military communications satellite but a Delta IV rocket was finally launched Saturday night, carrying a military communications satellite.

Wind gusts forced officials to hold off on the initial 7:23 p.m. launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in favor of liftoff at 8:47 p.m.

DELTONA -- One was a well-known school crossing guard supervisor for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office who became the victim of a murder-suicide that orphaned her four children. The other was a popular Deltona Fire Department captain who lost his battle with advanced stage cancer, leaving his widow to care for the young grandchild that the couple was raising.