Archive

This has been a difficult few days to say the least. Just when I thought I had gotten over bronchitis, I got knocked for a loop. I took all of the medicine like I was supposed to -- including dreaded prednisone. I dislike prednisone because it makes me ferociously hungry and after it has run its course, about seven days, I have to deal with painful acne about my face, scalp, chest and back.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 17-year-old boy was shot in the back at the intersection of Mary and Myrtle avenues, early Sunday morning by a gunman driving a pick-up truck, New Smyrna Beach police said.

The juvenile was conscious when police and paramedics responded to the scene at 12:35 a.m., said police Sgt. Valerie Joyce. She said the wounded teen was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. His medical condition was not released.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Computer knowledge is just a click away at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. Check out the free computer classes available in May:

● Internet Basics will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 6. Attendees will learn about the Internet and become familiar with terminology. They will also acquire basic skills to access and navigate web sites, search engines and online directories.

PONCE INLET -- Marine and environmental enthusiasts should make plans to attend the Marine Science Center’s 7th annual Turtle Day from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

For seven years, Volusia County’s Marine ScienceCenter, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, has cared for thousands of turtles, birds and other marine wildlife. Turtle Day - Turning the Tide will celebrate animal rehabilitation and raise awareness about marine life and the environment, said Michelle Coats, Volusia County spokeswoman.

ORLANDO -- The Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site Monday night that the state of Florida will seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony, if she is found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of her toddler daughter, Caylee.

The Sentinel quoted the Orange County prosecutor's office, in reversing course, that "sufficient aggravating circumstances exist to justify the imposition of the Death Penalty..."

DELAND -- Tthe fires at the Woody Tract in DeLand and Indian Lake in Daytona Beach are 100 percent contained and fire weather forecasters are predicting a return to “typical” Florida springtime weather - dry, sunny and breezy. However, a burn ban remains in place in unincorporated areas of Volusia County, officials said.

DELTONA -- A relative of an accused murderer is now facing criminal charges himself after allegations that he helped his cousin ditch the suspect vehicle and then lied about it to Volusia County Sheriff's investigators, an agency spokesman said.

Cedrick Graham was picked up in Deltona on Friday on a felony arrest warrant charging him with being an accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder.

Graham's arrest is connected to the Dec. 5, 2008, shooting death of 4-year-old Christopher Joseph Mclellan in the crowded parking lot of a
Sunoco on State Road 415.

TALLAHASSEE -- the House Economic Development and Community Affairs Policy Council on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 971, the
Transparency Florida Act.

This far-reaching legislation, sponsored by State Representative Dorothy L. Hukill, R-Port Orange, whose district includes Southeast Volusia, will allow citizens to track their tax dollars online. Transparency Florida will be the strongest legislation of its kind in the nation and reflects Florida's continued commitment to open government.

Photo by Sandi Carroll. Hoke Coleburn (Lawrence Benjamine) tells Daisy Werthan (Jane Taylor) that he can't drive her to temple because there has been a bombing in this particular scene from "Driving Miss Daisy," which opens Thursday at the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach.