NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

DELAND -- A DeLand woman was arrested Saturday morning by Volusia County Sheriff's deputies for leaving a 4-year-old girl home alone while the defendant reportedly went off on a crack cocaine binge.

Patricia Reynolds, 39, is facing charges of child neglect, prisoner escape and resisting an officer with violence.

The Sheriff's Office was contacted at about 7:10 a.m. by a woman who said that a 4-year-old girl showed up on her doorstep at about 5:45 a.m.

DEBARY -- With the accused mastermind of a massive pill-pushing criminal enterprise behind bars on $1 million bond, Volusia County Sheriff's investigators started dismantling the rest of the organization on Friday. By mid-morning, a total of 15 more suspects had been rounded up.

It was all part of a large-scale investigation -- dubbed Operation Oxy-Clean -- targeting a DeBary-based network that bought pharmaceutical

Courtesy photo/Jail mug. Leroy Hagaman, 35, a homeless registered sex offender, was arrested Wednesday on charges of offering to perform a sex act on a 17-year-old boy for money, South Daytona police said.

SOUTH DAYTONA -- A homeless registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday after he offered to perform oral sex on a 17-year-old boy for $100 earlier in the week, South Daytona Beach police said.

DELAND -- Mike Coffin, a 22-year veteran of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, has been chosen by Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen as the new director of the Department of Public Protection.

Coffin, 49, a captain, joined the SO in June 1987 and rose through the ranks. Currently, he is second in command of the Law Enforcement Services Division that is responsible for all law enforcement operations, including patrol and investigations.

Courtesy photo/Jail mug. Joseph William Hurst, 58, of Port Orange, was charged Wednesday with sexually battering a 4-year-old girl, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

ORMOND-by-the-SEA -- A 53-year-old Port Orange man was arrested Wednesday on charges of melesting a 4-year-old girl while at the child's mother's home, a Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said.

SOUTH DAYTONA -- A 69-year-old woman confined to a wheelchair was killed Monday after she was struck by a car while trying to cross Ridgewood Avenue outside of a crosswalk.

Diane Elizabeth Knoop was thrown 25 feet and died a short time later at Halifax Medical Center woman, South Daytona police said.

The woman was leaving Rossi's Diner at 1:30 p.m. when she attempted to cross over in the 2200 block of South Ridgewood, before she was struck by motorist Mary Louise Peless, 58, of Daytona Beach. Police said the motorist was not at fault because she was not able to stop in time.

DELAND -- Hollywood legend Johnny Duncan will appear live on stage at the historic Athens Theatre next month.

"We'll start off the show with Al Gliniecki, who will be on stage attempting to beat his one minute Guinness World Record tying cherry stems with his tongue," said Athens manager Ed Kirkland of the 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 event. "Then we'll show an episode of the 1949 serial Batman & Robin, followed by Gene Autry's Trail to San Antone. Johnny starred in both films, so it will be a real treat to see him
on-screen and then have him walk up live on stage," said Kirkland.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County’s Human Services Advisory Board will meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, 3747 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Members will discuss the application and outcome for the Community
Services Block Grant offered through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This advisory board to the Volusia County Council assists in developing Community Service Block Grant program goals and objectives, identifying community needs, and evaluating program effectiveness.

PIERSON -- The Volusia County Health Department is offering an H1N1 swine flu vaccination clinic intended only for students, teachers, and school staff in northwest Volusia County -- Pierson, Barberville, Seville, DeLeon Springs -- on Saturday.

DELEON SPRINGS -- A 75-year-old man was assaulted in his DeLeon Springs home early today by two men, one of whom had a gun, who tied him up and took off with his safe, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

The 11:20 a.m. armed robbery occurred at 5060 Central Avenue, when two men barged in through the back door and held the victim at gunpoint while they tied him up. Sheriff's officials did not release the victim's name.