Top 100 Stories

87. Man accused of masturbating while driving in view of DeBary school bus kids

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DEBARY -- Volusia County Sheriff’s investigators filed felony charges Nov. 20, against a 22-year-old man accused of masturbating several times while driving alongside a bus full of high school children. The incidents, which occurred over the past two weeks in DeBary, were brought to a halt when a concerned parent alerted the Sheriff’s Office after going on a morning stakeout in search of the suspect.

88. Man charged in attempted sex assault with a knife on girl, 14, outside Deltona library

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DELTONA -- A 19-year-old man was charged April 30, with attempted sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl with a knife near the Deltona Library.

A passerby frightened off the attacker after she screamed for help, a sheriff's spokesman said.

BREAKING NEWS: Former Deltona youth pastor indicted on child-porn possession charges

DELTONA -- A former youth pastor and missionary from Deltona is facing federal charges after Volusia County Sheriff's investigators found thousands of images of child pornography on the man's computer. Investigators wrapped up an eight-month investigation last week with the indictment of Joel Price on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said this afternoon.

Sheriff's Office wants to talk to 'person of interest' in DeBary murder

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate Christmas Eve's homicide of a 36-year-old DeBary woman, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Christina Barber was found dead Wednesday afternoon inside her home on Parkview Heights Boulevard. The Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy this morning, which confirmed that Barber's death was the result of a homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time for investigative reasons.

90. $900K pot-growing operation raided in Deltona

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DELTONA -- Volusia County narcotics agents found 416 marijuana plants in three homes in Deltona during raids July 9-10, with a combined street value of more than $900,000. Narcotics investigators conducted an investigation over the course of several months based on an initial citizen complaint and were able to obtain search warrants.

91. Former Bethune-Cookman Univ. worker charged with stealing $40K in student checks

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DAYTONA BEACH - A city worker in Daytona Beach was arrested April 18 on charges of stealing money in her former job in the accounting department at Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach police said.

Elgena Wallace, 32, of Port Orange, who has worked in the Daytona Beach utility-department for about a year, was charged with organized scheme to defraud.

Wallace is accused of taking $40,000 from student checks and depositing the money into her own bank account. She faces a potential prison sentence if convicted of the felony charge.

92. 80-year-old woman dies in mobile-home fire near DeLeon Springs

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DELEON SPRINGS -- An 80-year-old woman was found dead inside a mobile home near DeLeon Springs that caught on fire during the early morning hours of Nov. 30.

Firefighters along with Volusia County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 47 Valley Drive after a 911 call about the fire was received at approximately 3 a.m.

The structure was fully engulfed in flames when deputies and Volusia County Fire Services got on scene.

94. Daytona Beach International Airport receives FAA safety award

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DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona Beach International Airport recently was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Mark of Distinction Award in November.

The award recognized DBIA staff for dedication, exemplary effort and support to improve airport safety. Airport staff was praised by FAA’s Airports Division Manager Robert B. Chapman for improving procedures through programs such as the Graphic Notam System and Wildlife Hazard Management. Chapman also noted the airport’s “impressive operations during NASCAR races.”

95. 17-year-old DeLand girl dies in single-vehicle crash

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DELAND -- A 17-year-old DeLand girl was killed at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, when her pick-up truck crashed on Emporia Road and caught fire, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

Daniela Revera was alone and behind the vehicle when she crashed on Emporia, just east of Old Stead Road north of DeLand in the northwest area of the county, the highway patrol said.

She over-corrected the vehicle and ended up in a ditch where she flipped over, the FHP reported, adding she was not wearing her seatbelt.