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County squirms as more cities talk CRAs
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The interminable stretch of U.S. Route 17-92 forms a straight-but-craggy commercial spine for several West Volusia communities. Some, like DeLand, formed a community redevelopment agency decades ago to start funneling surplus property taxes into its downtown section of Rt. 17-92, transforming it into a...
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Middle schooler wins state award for biofuel project
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ORMOND BEACH - Ormond Beach Middle School's David Truilo, 12, is too young to drive, but he already knows what he wants to fill up his gas tank with when he is able to - nannochloropsis oculata. Most sixth graders could probably not even pronounce that scientific name, but David used the algae to take a ...
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New hip, new hopes: DeBary girl's softball dreams stymied but still alive
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DEBARY - Like most little girls intrigued by colorful uniforms and pompoms, Kayla Jones started cheerleading when she was 6. A year later, she turned her attention to Little League softball. Being on the field, she learned, was much better than the sidelines. "When I first played, I really didn't want ...
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On the ball
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Lynn Ford of Orange City participates in a Youth Players Fund event at the Trails Racquet Club in Ormond Beach recently. Ms. Ford is the captain of the USTA 3.5 women's team league in Orange City and the USTA Florida Jr. Tennis Team League coordinator for Volusia County. The Greater Volusia Tennis Network in Volusia...
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Lofty language
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Port Orange resident Les Lowman of the Spruce Creek Gaggle Pilot Group talks about airplanes to students of New Smyrna Beach Middle School during the eleventh annual Aviation Day recently. The event was sponsored in part by the Grannis Foundation....
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The 'Steakhouse gang' never misses a chance to pal around
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New Smyrna Beach - You may have seen them in the Indian River Village shopping center. A group of men sitting on the porch in front of the New Smyrna Steakhouse. It's not an infrequent gathering. Every morning, seven days a week, while drinking coffee from brown mugs, the men are discussing the day's ...
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Beachside Cleanup planned for Saturday
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DAYTONA BEACH - The City will have a beachside community cleanup Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers will meet at the Peabody Auditorium, located at 600 Auditorium Blvd., and are encouraged to wear comfortable attire. Efforts will be concentrated on public right-of-ways on the city's beac...
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Good bugs!
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Nevaeh Guild, 8, of Holly Hill loves eating crawfish during the Crawfish Seafood & More! festival on Main Street in Daytona Beach Saturday. More than 39,000 pounds of crawfish were served during the eighth annual event....
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Orange City forms alliance with DeLand chamber
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ORANGE CITY - City leaders admit to needing help reaching out to their often-overlooked business community. That's why the Orange City Commission unanimously agreed at a recent meeting to pay $12,000 every year to the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce to create what is being called the DeLand Orange City...
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Raise the roof
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Kim Neff of Deltona puts up sheetrock during the Southwest Volusia Habitat for Humanity 5th Annual National Women Build Week Saturday. The Garcia family has been waiting three years for their new home located on Shallowford Street in Deltona. For volunteer information or to donate to Habitat, call (386) 774-1553 or ...
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Dance masters will bring Daytona's ballroom to life
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DAYTONA BEACH - Two dance teachers who want to preserve the heritage of the historic ballroom at the City Island Recreation Center are planning to host dances there. Hubert "Dutch" Schouten and Susan Kaznoski, both master's degree level dance teachers, have goals and plans for the future of the Center. Starting June 2 and 9, a...
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Arts district considered for downtown
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH - City commissioners next week are scheduled to consider giving initial approval to creation of a special district to encourage arts-related businesses in the downtown area - including residential areas. The commission could hold the first of two public hearings on an ordinance creating an "arts o...
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New Smyrna Beach to update election ordinance
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH - New Smyrna Beach commissioners are expected to give final approval May 22 to an ordinance that updates the procedures regulating the city's elections. The need for a revised ordinance arose after city officials agreed last year to hold municipal elections on the same schedule as the state of Flo...
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Women come together to help build house for single mom
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH - When most people think of construction sites, they probably don't picture several women building, painting and landscaping. But, that was the scene last week when more than 40 local women came together for a Habitat for Humanity group build at the future home of Pam Murphy. The build was...
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Time capsule, Leeper sculpture to go in at city hall
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH - The city's undergoing a lot of sprucing up - tree trimming, painting, flower planting - for the celebration next month of its 125th anniversary of incorporation. But the most notable change will be the 17-year-old sculpture by famed artist and environmentalist Doris Leeper that is b...
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Playground, pier to honor boy
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ORMOND BEACH - The city will remember Cameron Brenneman in two places. At its last meeting, the Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously voted to name the playground at Sanchez Park, 329 Sanchez Ave., after the young man and a memorial plaque will be placed on a fishing pier at the same park. "He was a f...
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Bridge replacement nearly finished
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SOUTH DAYTONA - A project aimed at replacing an aging, narrow bridge with a newer, wider and more decorative bridge is almost finished. City staff anticipates the Oak Lea Bridge, which leads into the Coventry Forest subdivision off of Reed Canal Road, will be open to motor vehicle traffic as early as next we...
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Hey cats, time for your rock 'n' roll history lesson
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"Rock 'n' roll is here to stay" were the sage words of Danny And The Juniors back in 1958. Boy, did they nail it! For almost all of us, rock 'n' roll music has been with us for our entire lives. In my own hometown the daring new sound exploded on the scene in 1956. I was 13 years old and the perfect age to take the long ...
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Crime Stoppers honors local law enforcement
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The Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida 14th Annual Community Banquet Honoring Law Enforcement was held Wednesday, May 16 at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach. Deputy Sheriff John Stacy Braman, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, was named Crime Stoppers officer of the year for Volusia County. In...
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Student Crime Stoppers program expanding to college campuses
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Hazing, bullying, drugs and weapons in schools dominate the headlines more and more these days. The success of Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida's Student Crime Stoppers Program for elementary, middle and high school students is prompting Crime Stoppers board members and area educators to consider a similar pro...
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Summer camps
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Volusia County plans summer camps for kids Kids can learn, play and explore during Volusia County's summer camps, which will be offered at 20 sites throughout the county. The county's recreation program is offering eight weeks of supervised activities, sports, crafts and field trips for children ages 5 to 15. The camps will be offered from 7:30...
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Absent banks leave gaping hole at economic summit
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DELTONA - Representatives from an integral segment of the financial world were conspicuously absent last Friday at an economic summit held at Deltona City Hall. Convened by Congressman John Mica, R-Winter Park, the discussion was aimed at putting bureaucrats, chamber executives, bankers, academics and ...
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Cycling enthusiasts ride, unite to keep DeLeon Springs trails
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DELEON SPRINGS - A group of Central Florida cyclists were offered hydration and applause as they rolled through DeLeon Springs on their way to Athens, Ga. recently. Members of the DeLeon Springs Community Association welcomed the group enthusiastically, grateful for the impetus behind the mission. Dubbed 24 Hours...
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Lighthouse advocate remembered
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PONCE INLET -- Five decades ago, the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station wasn't a destination for tourists. It was a destination for vandals. That was until Ann Caneer, an Alabama native who was also a caretaker at the Pacetti Hotel, stepped in and organized an effort to preserve the aging lighthouse,...
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Ponce Inlet town attorney resigns; council will seek new law firm
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PONCE INLET -- Hoping not to be "an impediment" to the community as the town moves forward from its recent loss in a controversial lawsuit, the town's attorney said he would resign. Town Attorney Cliff Shepard said his resignation would be effective after the Town Council selects a new firm to represent them...
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High School graduation schedule
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Atlantic High School Noon Sunday, June 3 Daytona Beach Ocean Center Approximate number of graduates: 210 Calvary Christian Academy 7 p.m. Friday, May 18 Calvary Christian Center Approximate number of graduates: 16 DeLand High School 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3 Daytona Beach Ocean Center Approximate number of graduates: 532 Deltona High School 7:30...
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Museum of Arts & Sciences announces $13 Million building to house Florida art collection
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The Museum of Arts & Sciences, in cooperation with the City of Daytona Beach and the Volusia County Council, announced Monday the donation of a collection of more than 2,600 Florida oil and watercolor paintings from Cici and Hyatt Brown and funds for a building to house them. A $13 million gift for construction and additional ...
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