NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

DELAND -- The Volusia County Public Library system will participate in a nationwide Internet survey to discover how people use free computers and Internet connections in public libraries.

“Some people believe library computers are used mostly for entertainment, but librarians report that people use them to find jobs, stay connected with family and friends, and to obtain health information,” said Lucinda Colee, Volusia County’s director of library services.

DELAND -- Save some green by going green on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, when you “Wear Your Fare” on Votran, says Michelle Coats, a Volusia County spokeswoman.

The Earth Day savings is to encourage use of the green transportation alternatives offered by the agency. On Earth Day, anyone wearing a green shirt will ride the regular fixed route service free.

TALLAHASSEE -- the House Economic Development and Community Affairs Policy Council on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 971, the
Transparency Florida Act.

This far-reaching legislation, sponsored by State Representative Dorothy L. Hukill, R-Port Orange, whose district includes Southeast Volusia, will allow citizens to track their tax dollars online. Transparency Florida will be the strongest legislation of its kind in the nation and reflects Florida's continued commitment to open government.

DELTONA -- A relative of an accused murderer is now facing criminal charges himself after allegations that he helped his cousin ditch the suspect vehicle and then lied about it to Volusia County Sheriff's investigators, an agency spokesman said.

Cedrick Graham was picked up in Deltona on Friday on a felony arrest warrant charging him with being an accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder.

Graham's arrest is connected to the Dec. 5, 2008, shooting death of 4-year-old Christopher Joseph Mclellan in the crowded parking lot of a
Sunoco on State Road 415.

DELAND -- Tthe fires at the Woody Tract in DeLand and Indian Lake in Daytona Beach are 100 percent contained and fire weather forecasters are predicting a return to “typical” Florida springtime weather - dry, sunny and breezy. However, a burn ban remains in place in unincorporated areas of Volusia County, officials said.

ORLANDO -- The Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site Monday night that the state of Florida will seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony, if she is found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of her toddler daughter, Caylee.

The Sentinel quoted the Orange County prosecutor's office, in reversing course, that "sufficient aggravating circumstances exist to justify the imposition of the Death Penalty..."

PONCE INLET -- Marine and environmental enthusiasts should make plans to attend the Marine Science Center’s 7th annual Turtle Day from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

For seven years, Volusia County’s Marine ScienceCenter, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, has cared for thousands of turtles, birds and other marine wildlife. Turtle Day - Turning the Tide will celebrate animal rehabilitation and raise awareness about marine life and the environment, said Michelle Coats, Volusia County spokeswoman.

DELAND -- Volusia County Council members Jack Hayman and Andy Kelly are planning to attend the Community Development Block Grant celebration from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday. The event will be at the Chisholm Community Center, 520 S. Clara Ave., DeLand.

For more information about the meeting, please call Diana Phillips of Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division at (386) 736-5955, ext. 2958.

DELAND -- This is the driest time of the year in Volusia County and it’s very dry this year. The hotter it gets, the drier it gets. The wildfire danger is extremely high right now and the level of our underground water supply is low. This is the time to increase the focus on the need to conserve water, says Dave Byron, spokesman for Volusia County.

DELAND -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating an armed robbery of a convenience store near DeLand Saturday night.

A store employee at the Hess Mart, 100 S. Spring Garden Ave., was counting money before securing it in a safe when a man with a handgun entered and demanded the cash, said Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.

There were no shots fired or any injuries. Several deputies, a K-9 unit and a Sheriff's Office helicopter responded to the scene, but the suspect was not found.