Volusia News Now

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Courtesy photo / "Junior" has the pole ahead of 23 other drivers tonight for the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Perhaps the getting the pole for tonight's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway in a blind draw is an omen of good things to come for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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Courtesy photo / Stetson University Dr. Anne Hallum is featured on CNN for her work with Guatemalan children in need following a mud slide.

DELAND -- Since 1992, Stetson University Political Science Professor Dr. Anne Hallum's non-profit, the Alliance for International Reforestation, has helped more than 2,000 rural Guatemalan families protect their homes and villages from deadly mudslides by planting trees on mountainsides.

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Courtesy photo / Gov. Rick Scott has kept his wortd during the campaign to sell off the two state planes asa cost savings for Floridians.

TALLAHASSEE -- In fulfillment of another campaign promise, Governor Rick Scott on Friday directed the Department of Management Services to accept two bids that were revealed earlier this week for the sale of two state-owned airplanes that will net the state of Florida more than $560,000 in savings this fiscal year.

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Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 7 percent in January compared with the same period last year.

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DELAND -- Volusia County Fire Services will lift the outdoor burn and fireworks bans for the county’s unincorporated areas as well as the cities of Lake Helen, Oak Hill and Pierson at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Governor Rick Scott has proven that he means what he says and says what he means. It is refreshing.

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DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- The Senior Center is offering a trip to the Plant City Strawberry Fest. It will be held on March 3, a Thursday, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

The cost is $31 and includes round trip transportation, admission and driver gratuity. Lunch is on your own at the festival. The trip is open to all ages. For more information, please call 386-763-5398.

Check out festival details at http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/

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Courtesy photo / Free Friday night movie in Dickinson Park.

movie night Friday ORANGE CITY -- Here's a Valentine’s Day free movie event. The City of Orange City will feature the movie “Valentine’s Day” at Dickinson Park 6:30 tonight.

There will be free popcorn and chocolates provided to all movie-goers. Bring blankets and chairs and enjoy this PG 13 movie. For more information, please call 386-775-5410.

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Courtesy photo / Saturday night's Bud Shootout goes Hollywood with Actress Amber Heard serving as grand marshal.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Hollywood actress Amber Heard will serve as the grand marshal for the 33rd annual Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night -- the star-studded non-points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event that kicks off the stock car portion of Speedweeks 2011 at Daytona International Speedway.

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Photo and story submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith / City Finance Director Althea Philord informs city commissioners on half-million-plus deficit and a three-year run of revenue shortfalls with the tax rate unchanged unless further cuts in spending are made.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – City commissioners are staring at a $541,000 deficit for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and are reviewing budget projections to whittle away at that figure.