Volusia News Now

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Stetson University was ranked prominently on a national level by US News & World Report, Washington Monthly and MilitaryFriendly.com in a news release issued in early September.

DELAND – Stetson University again earned national recognition for its rigorous academics, commitment to social mobility and service, and military friendliness by ranking among the top universities in recent national surveys, according to US News & World Report and two other publications.

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HOLLY HILL -- What sparked a fight that led to a man's death after he was pushed through a plate glass window outside Brown's Billiards over the weekend is a mystery as three men accused of second-degree murder remain held without bail at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

"The reason the fight is unknown and currently under investigation," Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker told Headline Surfer® Wednesday.

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DAYTONA BEACH -- Officials with Daytona International Speedway are keeping their fingers crossed that a bill unanimously passed today by the Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee providing $60 million in tax incentives for the Speedway will continue making its way through the Legislature and eventual passage in the Spring.

The bill would provide tens of millions more for other sports stadiums throughout the Sunshine State, including the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars as well as a new soccer facility in Orlando.

"We're certainly thrilled the bill passed in the Senate committee," Speedway spokesman Lenny Santiago told Headline Surfer® in a telephone interview this afternoon.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / At left is the jail mug for Alexander Lee, who the long arm of the law caught up with after he downloaded images of child porn using a 'peer-to-peer' sharing program. Now he'll he sharing space in a federal jail cell.

ORLANDO -- Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon has sentenced a 31-year-old Kissimmee man in September to five years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography, that included more than 100,000 still images and videos. Lee also was ordered to register as a sex offender and to serve a 10-year term of supervision, upon his release from prison.

The sentencing hearing  was a follow-up to Alexander Lee's June 26, 2012, guilty plea before Antoon.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Among hundreds of colleges and universities in the nation offering bachelor degree programs online, Daytona State College ranks among the top 10 according to rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

In the Top Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings, Daytona State once again stood out with criteria such as the quality and experience of its faculty and instructional delivery.

The college entered its fully online bachelor’s degrees, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management and its Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology programs for the rankings consideration.

Officials: Project won't hinder track from being race ready for Rolex 24 

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DAYTONA BEACH – Officials at Daytona International Speedway said they are confident enough of the preliminary work has been completed in the mammoth renovation and upgrade of the word-famous track that it will be "race ready" for the fans and their love of restrictor-plate racing in the Daytona 500.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Then only five-months old, the Emergency Operations and Sheriff's Communications Center on Tiger Bay Road had issues with its E911 system back in September.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County experienced intermittent problems throughout the area with its emergency 9-1-1 system for the better part of the day on Sept. 25, a Sheriff's Office official said.

"Because of the problems, some callers have been unable to reach 9-1-1 and are receiving a recording," agency spokesman Gary Davidson told Headline Surfer®. "The situation appears to be affecting both landline and cell phones," Davidson said.

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ORLANDO -- In celebration of the Magic's 25th anniversary season, the team will don the original signature-black, pin-striped jersey with throwback team logos worn through the 1989-94 seasons, starting with tonight's matchup with the Miami Heat.