NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

DELAND -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies will play host Thursday night at the agency's annual holiday program for underprivileged children in Volusia County, Sheriff's spokeswoman Judie Edwards said.

Now in its 20th year, the 100 Deputies/100 Kids program will welcome approximately 250 children to the festive holiday event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds/Agricultural Center on State Road 44 east of DeLand.

DELAND -- Emergency Management officials are advising citizens affected by Tropical Storm Fay they may have a second chance for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said Volusia County spokeswoman Shelley Szafraniec.

Citizens who applied for disaster assistance from FEMA following the storm - and later received a letter stating they were not eligible for disaster aid - may be able to reopen the chance for disaster assistance with an appeal letter. Appeal letters are due to FEMA by Tuesday, Dec. 9.

OSTEEN -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies are searching for a murder suspect tonight after a man was fatally shot outside a convenience store in Osteen, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said.

The shooting occurred shortly after 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a Sunoco on S.R. 415.

Witnesses said the suspect, a man in his 30s, fled the scene in a black Ford pickup truck traveling along S.R. 415 towards Sanford.

Deputies are still investigating to determine what sparked the shooting.

DELAND -- Volusia County’s Veterans Services Division has been named “Service Office of the Year” by Florida’s Veterans of Foreign Wars office, said Pat Kuehn, a Volusia County spokeswoman.

The division was among 67 county offices considered for the honor.

Kenneth Thie, the state VFW director, presented the award to Volusia County Veterans Services Director Mike White and his staff during Thursday's County Council meeting.

Dec. 3, 2008
Dear Friends,

This week we are focused on building our economy here in Florida – and throughout the nation. There are many tough issues facing our economy and we are doing everything we can to make Florida a better place to live and work.

DELTONA -- A 24-year-old pedestrian who reportedly had been drinking, sustained serious injuries when he walked into traffic along Deltona Boulevard early Thursday morning and got clipped by a passing tractor trailer, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.

"According to a witness, the man had been drinking at a local lounge prior to the incident and was horsing around and dodging traffic when he walked into the road and collided with the side of a large truck equipped with a flatbed trailer," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

DELAND -- A gun-wielding man robbed a clothing store near DeLand Wednesday night and forced the store owner to strip off his pants and lock himself in a bathroom, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.

Once the victim handed over cash and complied with the robber's demands, the robber fled. The owner was the only person in the store at the time.

No shots were fired and no one was injured. Volusia County Sheriff's deputies and DeLand Police officers combed the area but, did not find the suspect, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County’s beach recycling program, already in full swing in New Smyrna Beach, has been expanded to the beach south of Dunlawton Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores and north of Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

"More than 200 recycling containers were placed next to trash cans this morning," Kuehn said.

County officials plan to expand the recycling program to all Volusia County beaches early next year. The goal is to promote the sustainable use of county resources and educate the public about the benefits of recycling.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The man who terrorized a mother and her children during an armed home invasion robbery Saturday night turned out to have been staying at a home across the street the past four days, Volusia Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said earlier tonight.

The mother spotted the suspect, Jonathan Pearson, across the street midday Sunday and recognized him as her assailant, Haught said.

DELEON SPRINGS -- One person was found dead inside a mobile home near DeLeon Springs that caught on fire early this morning, Volusia Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

Firefighters along with Volusia County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 47 Valley Drive after a 911 call about the fire was received at approximately 3 a.m.

The structure was fully engulfed in flames when deputies and Volusia County Fire Services got on scene.