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DELAND -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-Ne Smyrna Beach, along with Volusia County Council members and representatives from Votran, announced Friday an $8.4 million investment for Votran from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Votran will use the funds from the tax relief and recovery package to purchase new hybrid buses, increase accessibility for passengers, and convert their facilities into green buildings.

Courtesy photo. Capt. Budd Neviaser's son, Jim Neviaser, poses with his trophy. It's Spring turkey season and Capt. Budd has the latest information in his blog below.

Shelley Szafraniec, Volusia County Fire Services

DELAND -- Firefighting crews from the Division of Forestry (DOF) and Volusia County Fire Services continue to work daily on two brush fires - the Indian Lake and Woody Tract fires, says agency spokeswoman Shelley Szafraniec, who added, there is no threat to homes or structures from these fires.

DELAND -- A special edition of Volusia Magazine will feature State of the County Address by Volusia County Chair Frank T. Bruno Jr.

In his 5th Annual State of the County Address, County Chair Frank Bruno says that just as citizens have tightened their belts, Volusia County
Government has tightened its belt, too. The challenges have never been greater, as revenues are declining and the demand for services continues to grow. And more and more residents are looking to Volusia County Government for help with health care, housing, and food costs.

Courtesy photo. Erwin Mettler, 61, a convicted child sex offender, was arrested at his residence near New Smyrna Beach on 12 counts of possession of child pornography, the Volusia Sheriff's Office said today.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 61-year-old registered sex offender was found with several images of child pornography in his residence near New Smyrna Beach and was arrested Wednesday, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said this afternoon.

Courtesy photo. James Costa, 27, of Orlando (pictured left) is charged with attempted murder in Saturday's shooting of Gerold Drosky, 20, of Oviedo, during Spring Break in Daytona Beach. The victim died Wednesday night and Costa's charges are expected to be upgraded to murder.

DELTONA-- A 2-year-old Deltona girl drowned Friday evening in the family backyard pool while her mother was resting in bed and had thought she was with her, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

"The mother was resting in bed while her five other children, ages 8 to 14, were playing and cleaning house," Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said. "The mother told
Sheriff's investigators that she had the toddler in bed with her, but the girl apparently got up when the mother had fallen asleep.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A 30-year-old Maryland woman fell eight stories to her death overnight at a beachside hotel, becoming the second balcony-fall fatality in less than a week, Daytona Beach police said.

Heather Crawford of Frostburg, Md., who had rented a room with her boyfriend at the LaPlaya Resort, 2500 N. Atlantic Ave., was either standing or sitting on the railing of the balcony of just before 3 a.m. when she apparently fell to her death, according to police, who said no foul play is suspected.

DELAND -- There is no immediate danger from two wild fires burning in Volusia County -- one in Daytona Beach and the other in DeLand -- though both continue to generate significant smoke, officials said this morning.

Firefighting crews from the Division of Forestry and Volusia County Fire Services, and personnel from Plum Creek Timber Company and the St. Johns River Water Management District, continue to work daily on the fires -- in Tiger Bay State Forest on Indian Lake Road in Daytona Beach, and Woody Tract, (between I-4 and U.S. 92, in DeLand.