West Volusia Wire

Thursday, July 2, 2009

10th annual Citizens Police Academy accepting applications
posted 10:47:58am

DELAND

News Source: DeLand Police Department

The DeLand Police Department is accepting applications for the 10th annual Citizen Police Academy. The academy is designed to teach community members about the different functions of the Police Department using police officer instructors. Participants will experience classroom education in law enforcement practices and theories and hands-on training in the following topics:

Patrol Operations * Special Operations

* Violent Crimes * Crime Scene Unit

* Property Investigations * Drug Investigations

* Traffic Unit * K/9 Unit

* Public Information Office

* Victim Advocate Unit * Chaplain Program

* DARE & Community Involvement * Firearms & Demonstration

* Professional Standards Unit * Accreditation Office

* Ride-A-Long Program * Graduation Ceremony

Seating is limited to the first 25 students

Applications can be picked up at the Lobby of the DeLand Police department or by calling Camey Provenzano at (386)-740-6913 or Officer Rod Hancock at (386) 740-5885 e-mail hancockr@deland.org

Graduates from the Academy can also join the DeLand Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association which is comprised of past graduates of the Academy. The purpose of the Alumni Association is to assist the DeLand Police Department with making DeLand a safe community thru various civic projects

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Bronson announces agreement with other state agencies to protect public on Florida highways
posted 11:14:37am

TALLAHASSEE

News source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that yellow road signs that read "Prescribed Burn" and "Fire, Smoke Area" will soon be appearing along major roadways when a prescribed burn is taking place.

A revised agreement with Bronson's Division of Forestry, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Highway Patrol, and the Department of Transportation will enable prescribed burners to place the yellow signs along highways when warranted.

Bronson emphasized that the yellow signs should not be confused with the orange "Reduced Speed, Smoke" or bright pink "Reduced Speed" warning signs that are currently used when smoke already has reduced visibility along a roadway.

"The purpose of the new yellow signs is to let motorists know that because a prescribed or controlled burn is taking place in the area, a shift in wind could affect visibility," Bronson said. "And we also want to inform drivers that there's no need to call 911 because the fire is already being managed."

Bronson said drivers should use caution when they see any of the prescribed burn or smoke-related warning signs as smoke can produce whiteout conditions almost instantaneously with a sudden shift in wind direction.

If motorists encounter smoke on highways, they should slow down but avoid slamming on the brakes, turn on low-beam headlights, leave extra space between vehicles and turn on flashers if forced to pull off the road.

Drifting smoke tends to settle in low-lying areas after dark, which is why most smoke-related accidents occur in the early-morning hours. To find out more about wildfires, prescribed burning and issues relating to smoke on highways, visit the Division of Forestry's web site at http://www.fl-dof.com

Monday, June 29, 2009

Accused burglars nabbed after asking deputy for ride home
posted 2:25:47pm

News source: Volusia County Sherrif's Office

For a couple of accused burglars walking the streets of Deltona at 4 a.m., their first mistake was asking a deputy for a ride home. Already suspicious after spotting the men walking in the area of East Fairbairn Drive, deputy Austin Littleton stopped to investigate. And the deputy’s suspicions weren’t eased when the duo claimed to be lost while walking from a friend’s house, but couldn’t say which house it was. After making small talk, one of the men asked the deputy for a ride home. That’s when they made their second mistake. Claiming to be budding rappers, one of the men did a dance for deputies. And when he did, it exposed some of the stolen property stuffed in his pants.

Deputy Littleton continued his investigation by telling the men he would give them a ride, but first he would have to check them for weapons or other contraband before letting them into his patrol car. The duo agreed, and the search of the two turned up everything from GPS units, cell phones and jewelry to a package of strawberry Pop-Tarts. Deputies immediately detained the two -- 18-year-old Eshon Hardy and 20-year-old Theodore Walker III -- and called in backups to conduct a neighborhood canvas and search for signs of burglaries. The search didn’t take long to turn up results. Before long, deputies had discovered nine vehicles that had been broken into at six different locations along West Gaucho Circle and East Fairbairn Drive. And they expect to find more before the investigation is over.

In some instances, vehicles were entered and ransacked but nothing was taken. One victim identified her cell phone and cell phone charger among the items seized from the defendants. In another instance, deputies looked at the home address entered into a GPS unit recovered from the suspects, responded to the address and discovered that the car had been burglarized. In another case, the only items that appeared to be missing was some change and a package of Pop-Tarts. One common thread among the burglaries: Deputies believe that all of the targeted vehicles had been left unlocked overnight.

For now, Hardy and Walker -- both of Deltona -- are being charged with one count each of burglary while deputies continue to investigate to determine how many other cases are linked to the two. Both were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach on $1,500 bond. Additional charges will be filed in the case. Anyone with information about the burglaries or others who may have been a victim are asked to contact Sheriff’s investigator Justin Stewart at (386) 860-7030.

Bike Florida launches year-round program
posted 2:22:50pm

News source: Bike Florida

For the first time in 25 years, year-round long-distance bicycle touring will return to Florida October 10-16, when Bike Florida leads the inaugural tour in its fall-winter program.

Cofounders of the modern-day Florida bicycling movement in 1979, Linda Crider and Herb Hiller, will lead the tour.

Tours will initially cover the 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, a richly historic route that includes two rail-trail corridors between East Palatka and St. Augustine, and the longest in the state, the 52-mile East-Central Regional Rail-Trail between Enterprise and Titusville.

Cyclists will tour America’s oldest city, St. Augustine; the Merritt Island and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuges, state parks, country museums and beach swimming, with water taxi and houseboat connections.

“For too long there’s been no organized comfortable cycling way to discover backroads Florida,” said Crider, founder of non-profit Bike Florida, announcing the program. “These tours are organized for that, but also for totally sociable fun.”

Crider helped revive the advocacy not-for-profit Florida Bicycle Association (FBA), and 30 years ago, when working for Florida Governor Bob Graham, adopted Hiller’s program of rural north Florida tours to broaden the base of state tourism. (That program has morphed into today’s not-for-profit Suwannee Bicycle Association.)

The new tours are fully supported with luggage-carrying support vehicles, on-road guides, maps and cue sheets. They include overnights in B&Bs, homestays and motels. Also all breakfasts, sit-down dinners, interpretive programs and more.

Tours begin and end in Palatka, a St. Johns River town with Amtrak service. Bike Florida will arrange pick-ups and returns to airports in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.

By 2013, the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop will become the longest paved, off-road loop trail in the American southeast. That year marks the 500th anniversary of Europe in America. Loop backers include the Florida Wildflower Foundation that will use the Loop to help launch Florida wildflower tourism; the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, the St. Johns River Alliance, Trust for Public Land, and FBA.

Additional tours in the first fall-winter schedule include a week-long November tour already booked by donors to the East Coast Greenway Alliance; a four-day December tour along a portion of the Loop, and a March week-long March camping tour, the so-called mass Bike Florida ride, that annually draws up to 1,000 cyclists.

October’s tour is $1,250 per person. For details about this and other Bike Florida tours, contact Interim Executive Director Hope Howland-Cook at 352/224-8601, or log onto HYPERLINK "http://www.bikeflorida.org" www.bikeflorida.org.

Friday, June 26, 2009

DeLand firefighter arrested
posted 3:46:36pm

News source: DeLand Police Department

On 06/25/09 at approximately 11:30 pm, the DeLand Police Department assisted the Orange County Sheriff’s Office with the arrest of DeLand Firefighter Andrew Fisher (27 yrs.). Fisher was on duty when he was arrested and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.

The arrest warrant held by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was in reference to possible criminal actions associated with electronic communication devices. The criminal charges against Fisher appear at this time to have been committed while he was off duty and with his own personal electronics. Fisher has been placed on administrative leave by the City of DeLand pending further investigation. Fisher has been employed with the City of DeLand for approximately two (2) years.

This case is under investigation and is the jurisdiction of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Any inquiries or requests for further information regarding this case need to be made to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

County offers water-conservation preseentations
posted 10:00:32am

News source: Volusia County Environmental Division

Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division has launched a speakers bureau to educate the public about water conservation, new watering regulations, and the upcoming enforcement program.

Presentations will be offered without charge to businesses, clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and professional groups in the community. The speakers will focus on the importance of reducing water usage and will provide tips on conserving water.

Under the new countywide restrictions, lawn watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During daylight saving time, residential irrigation is allowed at odd-numbered addresses Wednesdays and Saturdays and even addresses Thursdays and Sundays. When Eastern Standard Time begins the first Sunday in November, the residential days will be reduced to Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses and Sundays for even addresses. Businesses may irrigate Tuesdays and Fridays during daylight

saving time, and Tuesdays during Eastern Standard Time.

The new restrictions apply to all water sources, including private wells and pumps, ground or surface water, and water from public and private utilities.

Tougher enforcement for watering violations will begin Aug. 1 for unincorporated areas and the county’s 15,000 water customers. Fines will be $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation in a year, $250 for the third violation, and $500 for the fourth and subsequent violations.

To schedule a water conservation presentation, call (386) 736-5927, ext. 5897.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Volusia County Schools: Apply Now For Free/Reduced Price Meals
posted 1:13:50pm

DELAND

News source: Volusia County Schools.

The School District of Volusia County is accepting applications from families for free and reduced-price meals for their children attending schools. Application forms will be available at all school sites beginning Wednesday, July 1. (Note: district offices and schools are closed on Fridays through August 14 as part of the district’s energy cost savings initiative).

Copies of the meal application can also be printed from the district’s website at www.volusia.k12.fl.us, click on “Students” and then “School Lunch Information.” Applications must be printed on legal size paper only. A web-based on-line application is in the process of being developed and should be available for an early August rollout.

To apply for free and reduced-priced meals, families must complete the application and return it to the school. Only one application is needed per household. Below are the criteria for determining eligibility.

For more information, contact the School Way Café district office at (386) 734-7190, 255-6475 or 427-5223, extension 20540.

VOLUSIA COUNTY: ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
posted 11:42:35am

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Some Volusia County workers who lost their source of income due to the destruction of the severe storms between May 17 and May 28 may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits, but to be considered they must apply during the next week. The deadline to register for DUA is June 29.

Many workers are covered by the state’s regular unemployment compensation program, but those not covered may be eligible for DUA. This is a federally funded program that assists individuals who become unemployed as a direct result of the declared disaster and who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. The program also covers self-employed individuals, owners of farms and ranches, farm and ranch workers as well as fishers and others who are not normally covered by state unemployment compensation.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance may be available to eligible unemployed individuals for up to 26 weeks from the date of the disaster declaration. The 26-week assistance period for this disaster ends November 21, 2009. Anyone authorized to work in this country by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may be eligible for DUA benefits.

To be eligible for DUA benefits, the person must have been working in or residing in a county for which the disaster has been officially designated.

For information about how to apply and what documents are required, storm survivors can find information online at www.fluidnow.com or www.floridajobs.org, or by calling 800-204-2418, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Seeking Student Leaders: Applications Open For Leadership Conference in Orlando
posted 3:35:22pm

ORLANDO

News source: Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps

College students and the high school classes of 2010 and 2011 are invited to apply for the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps conference, Aug. 8-9

Aspiring student leaders and organizers are invited to apply now for the inaugural class of the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps, a student leadership group with the goal of educating, inspiring and providing hands on training in community leadership, empowering students to work for change. Chaired by Senator Bob Graham, students from across Florida will meet at a two-day conference in Orlando slated for August 8-9th. The Leadership Corps will engage in a continuing effort after the Leadership Corps event in their own communities and on their own campuses.

Applications are available at www.lawtonchiles.org and www.WorstToFirst.org, and should be received no later than July 10. Current college students and the high school classes of 2010 and 2011 are eligible to attend. All expenses to attend will be covered, with the exception of transportation to and from the event and a small registration fee, for which financial aid may be available. The students selected will receive community service hours required for Bright Futures Scholarships, and can list this leadership experience on their college applications and resumes. For more information, contact Geoff Chiles at lclc@worsttofirst.org, call (850) 385-7800 or (407) 902-8302.

Friday, June 19, 2009

West Volusia street crimes operation yield 40 arrests
posted 5:19:31pm

News source: Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with local and state law enforcement on Thursday in a crime suppression operation in West Volusia that resulted in 40 arrests and 89 traffic citations. The eight-hour sweep through DeLand, Orange City, Deltona and DeBary netted arrests for everything from open warrants and traffic offenses to possession of marijuana, Hydrocodone and steroids.

The Sheriff’s Office along with state probation officers and the DeLand, Orange City, Ormond Beach and Port Orange police departments joined forces in task force designed to suppress street crimes and gang activity. Agents hit the streets at 2 p.m. on Thursday, saturating West Volusia hot spots that have generated complaints about burglaries, prostitution and drug sales. Officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, also sought contacts with people who have known gang ties, had open warrants or are suspects in unsolved crimes.

The tactics proved effective, resulting in six felony arrests and 34 misdemeanor arrests. Of the 40 arrests, a total of seven were for drug offenses. In two separate drug cases, one person was arrested with 175 milligrams of liquid steroids and another was caught with 17 Hydrocodone tablets. One motorist who tried to run from officers during a traffic stop in DeLand was captured and charged with driving with a suspended license and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.

The Sheriff’s Office, which organized the operation, said it was a total success and more operations are planned in the future.