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Deltona man charged with sexually battering two children

Editor's Note: Follow-up story

DELTONA -- A Deltona couple used the buzz-word "playtime" when referring to their sexual escapades, A Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said.

Following an investigation by the Sheriff's Office, 24-year-old Hailie Michael Martinez is being held in jail without bond and is facing accusations that "playtime" involved sex with two children under the age of five.

Martinez also is suspected of downloading child pornography from the Internet and could face additional criminal charges.

Volunteers invited to DeLeon Springs cleanup Oct. 24

DELEON SPRINGS -- Environmental enthusiasts are invited to make plans to participate in the fourth annual DeLeon Springs Cleanup from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. Participants should meet at the entrance to the DeLeon Springs State Park, 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., and will be assigned an area to pick up trash.

DeLand's Athens Theatre to offer 'Spooktacular' Halloween movie marathon

DELAND -- The historic Athens Theatre, in partnership with the West Volusia Film Authority, will host its first annual "Athens Halloween Spooktacular" throughout the day and night on Saturday, Oct. 31.

At 11 a.m., the day kicks off with a series of four classic Abbott & Costello horror movies, followed by an evening of campy horror films, with the iconic Ted V. Mikels' ASTRO ZOMBIES as the headliner.
The movie marathon event culminates with a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Show.

Defense calls for change of venue in Capital murder trial of accused Tomoka corrections guard murderer

Courtesy photos. Corrections officer Donna Fitzgerald was murdered by an inmate at Tomoka prison -- stabbed 25 times on June 25, 2008, while she was working alone in a section of the prison with 13 inmates. Enoch Hall, a lifer, is charged with capital murder and faces the death penalty, if convicted at trial.

Man with communicable diseases arrested after allegedly hurling pillow at police officer

Newspaper Section

Courtesy photo/Edgewater police mug. Erik John Batty, 39, of Edgewater, was charged Monday with battery on a law enforcement offcer, after allegedly throwing a pillow at a police officer that may have contained communicable germs since he's known to have certain communicable diseases as evidenced in the photo.

EDGEWATER -- Throwing a pillow at a police officer during a disturbance call landed an Edgewater man in jail Sunday on battery charges since the man is known to have commuinicable diseases, police said.

Show me the money: City finally releases critical data related to gross pay six business days after public request made by NSBNEWS.net

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- After nearly six business days, NSBNEWS.net finally received financial information from the city of New Smyrna Beach pertaining to the breakdown of information between base pay and gross salary of municipal salaries for the Web site's series "Show me the money."

InstaPoll results a big "no" for merging advertising authorities

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The results of the last NSBNEWS.net InstaPoll are final. An overwhelming majorty said "no" to the question: Should the regional advertising authorities, including Southeast Volusia's be merged with Daytona?

Those who answered "yes" with the intent of pooling more resources for better marketing of the newly expanded Ocean Center accounted for 16 percent of the vote while the "no" votes totaled 84 percent.

There were 76 respondents.

Mayor Sally Mackay: New signs available

Newspaper Section

Campaign Signs Now Available!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We just received a shipment of campaign signs. If you or someone you know needs signs please pick them up from Campaign Headquarters, 239 Canal St or phone us on 314-0904.

You can also e-mail sallymackayformayor.com and let us know how many signs you need as well as the delivery address.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sally Mackay

Deltona man charged with sexual battery on two small children

Courtesy photo/Jail mug. Haile Michael Martinez, 24, of Deltona, was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexual battery on two small children.

DELTONA -- A 24-year-old Deltona man is accused of two counts of sexual battery on children under 12 after engaging in sexual intercourse with his girlfriend in front of a boy and a girl, both under 5, as well as molesting them and trying to get them to have sex with each other, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.