NSBNEWS.net: Volusia County / State

Body found in Halifax River over weekend identified as that of homeless man

Coutesy photo/Volusia jail mug. Luis Carino, a 52, year-old homeless man whose body was found in the Halifax River after he fell or jumped from the International Speedway Bridge over the weekend was identified today.

DAYTONA BEACH — A homeless man who either jumped or fell to his death from the International Speedway Bridge over the weekend was identified today as 52-year-old Luis Carino.

WELE radio owner F. Douglas Wilhite of Ormond Beach, arrested on multiple counts of engaging in sex acts with a teenage boy

Courtesy photo/Volusia Branch Jail mug. F. Douglas Wilhite, 56, of Ormond Beach and owner of WELE radio, was arrested today on multiple counts of of engaging in sex acts with a teenage boy, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

ORMOND BEACH -- F. Douglas Wilhite, 56, of Ormond Beach and the owner of WELE-AM radio, was arrested today on an arrest warrant charging him with multiple counts of sex acts with a teenage boy.

Orange Avenue Bridge in Daytona Beach closed due to malfunction

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Orange Avenue bridge, in Daytona Beach closed to through traffic at 2:30 p.m. today following a malfunction in an electric motor. It will be closed until further notice, said Pat Kuehn, a Volusia County spokeswoman.

"A crew from Volusia County’s Road and Bridge Division opened the bridge manually to permit boat traffic until the bridge is repaired," Kuehn said. "Parts have been ordered, and the bridge will be repaired after they arrive."

Boil water notice lifted for 385 homes at Spruce Creek Fly-In

PORT ORANGE -- The boil water notice for 385 homes in the exclusive Spruce Creek Fly-In was lifted 10 a.m. Friday, the Volusia County Health Department announced.

The notice was lifted after two consecutive days of safe-drinking water tests.

The notice was put in place after utility crews shut off water to parts of the subdivision for installation of a stormwater pipe Wednesday and Thursday that led to a drop in overall water pressure.

Anyone with concerns can call Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities at (386) 822-6465.

Sheriff's Office on scene of man's homicide near DeLand

DELAND -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office was on scene at 110 Tangerine Ave., DeLand,
investigating a homicide Thursday night.

The victim is an adult male, but no further identification is being released at this time, said Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.

A possible suspect was in custody and being interviewed by investigators, Hsught said, adding the Sheriff's Office was notified of the incident at 8:20 p.m.

Pierson man third snake-bite victim this week

PIERSON -- A 34-year-old Pierson man is the third victim this week of a rattlesnake bite, authorities said.

The unidentified man was flown to Halifax Medical Center on Tuesday after he was bitten in the the lower left calf.

The victim went to Volusia County Fire Services Station 44 in Pierson at 9:36 a.m., according to Volusia County Fire Services spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

"He said he had been bitten by a diamondback rattler," Kuehn said, adding after he was tended to by paramedics there, he was airlifted to Halifax and reported in stable condition.

Spirit airliner makes emergency landing at Daytona Beach International Airport after report of smoke in cabin and cockpit

DAYTONA BEACH -- A report of smoke in the cockpit forced a Spirit Airlines jet carrying 128 passengers to land Tuesday afternoon at Daytona Beach International Airport on Tuesday afternoon after smoke was reported in the cockpit and cabin, according to airport officials.

The passengers were taken to Haslifax Medical Center for smoke inhalation after the plane landed safely at 1:25 p.m., airport officialsd said.

The flight from Chicago was bound for Fort Lauderdale when smoke was discovered. The cause of the smoke is under investigation.

Kosmas urges Volusia residents to register for disaster assistance before July 27 deadline

PORT ORANGE -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, is urging Volusia County residents who are still recovering from May flooding to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance before the July 27 deadline.

FEMA may help eligible applicants pay for uninsured or underinsured home repairs, temporary housing, personal property and other serious unmet disaster-related needs through its grant programs.