Archive

Deputies detain 7 people in attack on 61-year-old Deltona resident

DELTONA -- A group of teenagers accosted a Deltona man at his home Monday, stealing jewelry and guns from the 61-year-old victim, the Volusia Sheriff's Ofice said.

However, the suspects didn’t get far in their getaway. Less than 15 minutes after the robbery was reported, responding deputies had detained a total of seven suspects. Deputies are still sorting out the events, identifying the suspects by name and determining what criminal charges will be filed.

The incident occurred at a home on Whitewood Drive. A neighbor reported the robbery to the Sheriff’s Office at 3:29 p.m.

Losing with the lottery

I think the best comment about the lottery came from my barber, Lenora at Curley’s Barber Shop, who said, “If you play the lottery for income you are a loser.” From any practical standpoint she is right. However, it is amusing to look at some of the aspects, both good and bad, of the lottery.

First, let’s look at the odds of winning. Note that the state pays out about half of the jackpot if you have a winning ticket.

Obituaries

Mary Kelly Dubuque, 94, of New Smyrna Beach, a retired accountant, died Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Stanley Potokar, 91, of New Smyrna Beach, a former real estate broker and owner of CBS Realty, Miami, died Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Elsa N. Simpson, 91, of New Smyrna Beach, a homemaker, died Monday, March 30, 2009.

Obituaries

Albert Miller, 62, of Edgewater, a retired sprinkler fitter for Landmark Sprinklers, Lexington, Ky., died Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Leonard J. "Pep" keyes, 64, of Edgewater and former owner of Spencer Asphalt Paving, died Monday, March 30, 2009.

Catherine Anne Laycock, 76, of New Smyrna Beach, formerly of Port Orange and time keeper for the U.S. Rail Road industry, died Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Sheriff's Office seeks dismissal of 3 of the charges against Pine Ridge teacher

DELTONA -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is seeking dismissal of three of the criminal charges against Pine Ridge High School teacher Stephen Michael Belcher, who was arrested Thursday after deputies found two rifles and ammunition in his truck in the school parking lot.

The arrest was made after school had let out for the day. Belcher, who resides in Port Orange, pled no contest to aggravated assault in January 2008 and was placed on probation for two years, during which time he's prohibited from possessing firearms.

Making the Grade: Landshark surfing festival really rad

Newspaper Section

Lanshark surfing festival totally rad

Grade: A-plus

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Karen Clancy and dozens of other volunteers should be commended for their hard work in making the inaugural Landshark surfing festival such a success over the past five days.

Traffic heading east to the beach was well past the South Causeway Bridge on Saturday, a testament to the draw of the surfing contest that doled out $20,000 in cash prizes.

Kids can dig up bones at NSB library

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Do you like skeletons? Want to be an archaeologist? Or do you just like to dig in the dirt? Then you need to do a dig with Dr. Bones!

The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, is offering a unique educational opportunity from 10 a.m. - noon Saturday, May 2. Participants will uncover bones and assemble them to create a large animal skeleton.

The hands-on experience teaches children how bones fit together, stimulates reasoning and logic skills, and promotes interest in science, says Pat Kuehn, spokeswoman for Volusia County.

Gunman robs store near DeLand

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.

Sheriff's Office seeks public's help in locating Edgewater robbery suspect

Newspaper Section

Coutesy photo. The Volusia Sheriff's Office is looking for Edgewater resident Ryan James Carey, suspcted of robbing a 17-year-old boy in New Smyrna Beach.

EDGEWATER -- The Volusia Sheriff's Office has put out a publc plea to help duputies find Edgewater resident Ryan James Carey who was released from prison last month after serving time for burglary and grand theft.