NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

PONCE INLET -- A 250-pound, 5-foot-long loggerhead sea turtle will be released today after being cared for at the Volusia County Marine Science Center and at a Clearwater facility after nearly a year of coordinated care, said Michelle Coats, a spokeswoman.

The adult female loggerhead sea turtle now known as Patti will be released at 11 a.m.. The beachside release will be on the north side of Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Daytona Beach News-Journal raised the price of its daily newspaper by a quarter, from .50 cents to .75 cents, effective today. An announcements was posted with sales racks throughout Southeast Volusia with this morning's delivery.

The announcement was addressed "attention customers" and stated: Effective Monday, November 24th, the Daytona Beach News-Journal daily edition price will increase to $.75. This increase does not include the Sunday edition."

There was no mention of the price increase in the Sunday or Monday newspaper editions.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Ocean Center box office has moved to its new home at 101 N. Atlantic Ave., after months of temporary facilities set up during Ocean Center construction activities. The relocation is just in time for the Glenn Wilkes Classic over the weekend.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Volusia County Council is seeking public input on the implementation of a competitive process for awarding concession service contracts on Volusia County public beaches.

The County Council will hold a special listening session at 6 pm. Monday. The meeting will be at the Volusia County Beach Safety Headquarters, 515 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.

To support this effort, a web-based public input questionnaire has been developed to assist the County Council in developing beach concession service standards, Volusia County spokeswoman Michelle Coats said.

DEBARY -- Volusia County Sheriff’s investigators have filed felony charges against a 22-year-old man accused of masturbating several times while driving alongside a bus full of high school children. The incidents, which occurred over the past two weeks in DeBary, were brought to a halt on Monday when a concerned parent alerted the Sheriff’s Office after going on a morning stakeout in search of the suspect, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said this afternoon.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona Beach International Airport recently was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Mark of Distinction Award, Volusia County spokeswoman Vickie Pleus said.

The award recognized DBIA staff for dedication, exemplary effort and support to improve airport safety.

Airport staff was praised by FAA’s Airports Division Manager Robert B. Chapman for improving procedures through programs such as the Graphic Notam System and Wildlife Hazard Management. Chapman also noted the airport’s “impressive operations during NASCAR races.”

Dear Friends,

This week we celebrated those who have answered the call to protect, defend and preserve the freedoms and liberties that we as Americans enjoy today.

We must always remember the nearly 1.8 million veterans who call the Sunshine State home. They have risked their lives to serve their country – and we are proud they have chosen to live in Florida.

This summer, I was proud to sign legislation that creates a preference instate contracting for small businesses owned by service-disabled
veterans. This law encourages veterans to start businesses and achieve their dreamsafter their service. By helping them rebuild their lives, we show
them we arebehind them 100 percent.

This week I was pleased to honor Lt. Colonel Alton Yates – from Jacksonville – with the Medal of Merit Award. The medal is the
highest military honor I can bestow – and he is much deserving of it. Colonel Yates has dedicated his life to public service and to ensuring
our freedom. He is an Air Force pioneer whose bravery helped advance our country’s space exploration efforts.

His record ofmilitary and community service are a reminder of why Florida is so fortunate to have so many men andwomen who serve so that all of us
can enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear.

God bless you and God bless Florida.

Charlie Crist

DELTONA -- A Deltona man was killed Saturday when a vehicle crossed into the path of his motorcycle, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.

Jose Garcia, 48, was transported by EVAC ambulance to Florida Hospital-Fish Memorial in Orange City where he was later pronounced dead.

At approximately 12:21 p.m., a 2003 Ford Explorer driven by Michael Pentz was traveling southbound on North Normandy Boulevard in Deltona. Pentz, a 41-year-old

When severe weather threatens, citizens want to know. Now, thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation grant of $58,500, Volusia County citizens can sign up to receive severe weather warning notifications issued by the National Weather Service over their phones, said Volusia County spokeswoman Shelley Szafraniec

The grant will pay for an unlimited number of countywide severe weather notifications for one year.

Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport decreased 30 percent in October compared to October 2007, Volusia County spokeswoman Vickie Pleus said.

During October, 33,542 arrived and departed through Daytona Beach International Airport, compared with 48,049 in October 2007.

For the 12-month period ending Oct. 31, 624,234 passengers traveled through the county-operated airport. This is an 11-percent decrease compared to the prior period when 699,893 passengers traveled through the airport.