Edgewater

EDGEWATER -- Police are withholding the name of a man struck and killed overnight Thursday, while he was crossing the road in the vicinity of the 300 block of North Ridgewood Avenue, while they make every effort to contact family members.

Here is a synopsis of what happened as described by Edgewater cop C. Anderson in the 12:04 a.m. incident i a press release: "A white male was discovered in the roadway by a patrolling police officer. The male had just been struck by a vehicle as he crossed the roadway."

Photos for NSBNews.net by Thomas Conroy / A mail truck caught fire Thursday in Edgewater as shown here, but the carrier saved the mail inside.

EDGEWATER -- The post office motto states: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." It doesn't say anything about the mail truck catching fire.

That is exactly what occuured in the 1400 block of Willow Oak Drive in the Florida Shores subdivision when a U.S. Postal Service carrier's mail truck caught fire while he was making his appointed rounds Thursday afternoon.

Brian Bouchard, 21, is accused of beating 14-month-old Isaiah Mitchell so badly he is on life support at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

EDGEWATER -- While a 14-month old baby remains on life support with head injuries, his alleged abuser's run from the law lasted a mere seven hours with the apprehension Thursday of 21-year-old Brian Bouchard.

Acting on a tip, Volusia County Sheriff's deputies stopped a car near Acee Drive and Tatum Boulevard in Edgewater at 10:30 p.m., agency spokesman Gary Davidson said.

"And sure enough, their suspect, 21-year-old Brian Bouchard, was a passenger in the vehicle," Davidson said.

EDGEWATER -- In effort to promote Bicycle Safety, the Edgewater Police Department and the Edgewater Rotary Club have teamed up with Edgewater Elementary School and Indian River Elementary School to compete in a coloring contest to encourage bicycle / helmet safety.

On Wednesday, March 28, the classroom teachers will choose three winners from each grade level. The winners will be announced by Edgewater Police Chief Dave Arcieri the next day for Indian River Elementary and that Friday for Edgewater Elementary.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The SPCA is sponsoring two pet shot clinics Saturday:11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kmart plaza on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach, and from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Family Dollar store on U.S. 1 in Edgewater.

These clinics are open to everyone and a veterinarian will be on hand to perform the shots. They only take cash at the clinics. If you need more information, please call 386-748-8993.

Gerry Burkatovsky, shown in the larger photo, is charged with murder in the throat-slash slayings of Michael Shaffer and Danny Edwards, whose bodies were dumped in Edgewater, according to law enforcement.

EDGEWATER -- Police Chief Dave Arcieri remembers the bodies like it was yesterday -- two stabbed men with slashed throats found in a remote area of the edge of the city near Interstate 95. It was obvious they were killed elsewhere and discarded here.

Buzzards flying overhead drew the attention of passersby on Opossum Road and the grisly find, which led to Edgewater police response.