Daytona Beach, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced upcoming detours near the U.S. 92/I-95 interchange in Daytona Beach.

From 10 PM on Wednesday, November 8, to 6 AM on Thursday, November 9, detours will be in place so crews can complete the U.S. 92 bridge deck pour. The detours are as follows:

• I-95 southbound to east U.S. 92: State Road 400 (Beville Road) to Williamson Boulevard north
• U.S. 92 eastbound: Tomoka Farms Road south to Bellevue Avenue, then to Williamson Boulevard north
• I-95 northbound to U.S. 92 westbound: Williamson Boulevard south to Bellevue Avenue west, then to Tomoka Farms Road north

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Bunnell, FL – A Palm Coast man who Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) says was trying to deal heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs, was arrested in Bunnell after being caught with several drugs in his pockets less than 1,000 feet from a park.

34-year-old  Joseph Christopher Colon, from Palm Coast, was spotted driving down U.S. 1 by an off-duty deputy who was familiar with him at about 12:30 PM on Monday. The deputy knew that Colon’s driver’s license was revoked, and he called upon an on-duty deputy to perform a traffic stop and arrest Colon for driving without a license, according to FCSO.

Deputies caught up to Colon at Frazier’s Mini Storage in Bunnell, less than 1,000 feet from Joanna B. King Park, and they took him into custody without incident. During a search, deputies found a large plastic bag with several smaller baggies inside that contained a tan granular substance. That substance tested positive for heroin and fentanyl. Cocaine was also found inside the bag. Colon had a metal container on him that contained a large quantity of prescription tablets including oxycodone, alprazolam, and a trafficking amount of hydromorphone, says FCSO.

A K-9 Unit conducted a sniff of Colon’s vehicle to search for drugs, and the K-9 immediately indicated that drugs were present in the vehicle. That car was towed to the evidence garage until a search warrant could be obtained. More charges could surface, depending on the outcome of a vehicle search warrant. Colon’s arrest history, ranging from DUI to sale of a controlled substance, dates back to 2008 in Flagler County.

Colon was charged on Monday with trafficking in hydromorphone, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park, possession of alprazolam with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park, possession of oxycodone, and driving while license suspended or revoked. He was held on $131,000.00 bond.

“This dealer was out and ready to sell poison. He already had baggies ready to sell to the next person who wanted to get high,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Thankfully our off-duty deputy recognized him and alerted us so that we could get him off the streets. We will not sit back and watch this epidemic continue while poison peddlers kill people.”

(Colon’s mugshot courtesy Flagler County Jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Lake Helen, FL – Residents of Lake Helen cast their votes on Tuesday and elected a new mayor and voted to keep an incumbent city commissioner.

Daisy Raisler beat out Joe Hammett and became Mayor-elect of Lake Helen after getting 57.6% of the vote. Hammet got 42.4% of the 658 votes that were cast in the race. Incumbent Mayor Buddy Snowden had opted to not seek reelection. He had been mayor since 2009.

Lake Helen residents also voted for a new Zone 1 City Commissioner. Former Vice Mayor Ann Robbins challenged incumbent Tom Wilson for the seat, but he was narrowly reelected with 51.2% of the vote.

Michael Woods ran unopposed in his bid for reelection to the Zone 3 City Commission seat.

For full results go to VolusiaElections.org.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – Update: A suspect has been arrested in connection with the burglary at Volusia Gold and Diamond in Daytona Beach during Hurricane Irma.

Pedro Pinckney, 26, was arrested after an investigation uncovered he was the one who stole several firearms from Volusia Gold and Diamond during Hurricane Irma. According to the police reports, the inclement weather prevented the alarms and camera from working properly, giving Pinckney the opportunity to grab several firearms and pieces of jewelry.

The burglary was discovered after the door to the business was found open and swaying the wind. The locks were broken off and a 4-foot by 4-foot hole was discovered in the wall that leads into the inside of the store. Blood was found at the point of entry and was submitted into evidence.

Pinckney now faces charges of armed burglary of an unoccupied structure during a state of emergency, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, violating probation, and possessing marijuana under 20 grams. The firearms police say he stole have yet to be found.

(Pinckney’s mugshot courtesy of Volusia County Corrections)

Earlier Reporting:

An $8,000 reward is being offered for information about the individual who stole firearms from Volusia Gold & Diamond in Daytona Beach during Hurricane Irma.

Between the hours of 12 AM and 9 AM on September 11, 35 firearms and several pieces of jewelry were stolen from Volusia Gold & Diamond located at 536 West International Speedway Blvd. Due to Hurricane Irma, the power at the businesses was on and off throughout the storm, but security cameras did catch the suspects on video. The business is a federal firearm licensee (FFL), so federal organizations are now involved.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) are both offering $4,000 to anyone who can provide substantial information about the theft leading to the capture and prosecution of the suspects. The theft is currently being investigated by the ATF and the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD).

If you have information, you are urged to anonymously call the ATF at (800)-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or contact Detective Elizabeth Daniel with the DBPD at (386) 671-5218. Tips can also be anonymously submitted to the ATF via their mobile app. To submit a tip, use the Tampa Field Division as the location or text ATFTAM to 63975 and click on the link to submit a report.

(Images of one suspect courtesy of the ATF)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler Beach, FL – Antisemitic KKK fliers have shown up on the lawns and driveways of several Flagler Beach residents.

The flier singles out Jews and Morris Dees, who’s the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and warns of a “white extinction.”

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, there have been no recent reports of similar fliers anywhere else in the county.

More on this story at FlaglerLive.com.

Photo courtesy FlaglerLive.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – Officials are warning pet owners who visit Bicentennial Park in Ormond Beach that several meatballs have been found at the park with fish hooks placed inside, and one dog was taken to the vet after eating one of those meatballs.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) says that a deputy responded to reports of contaminated meat at Bicentennial Park at 1850 Ocean Shore Blvd. on Tuesday. One park visitor told the deputy that she saw a dog eating one of several randomly placed meatballs with fish hooks embedded inside. She said that no one saw anyone put the meatballs out. The meat was cut open by the deputy, who found hooks inside, and the hooks were taken into evidence.

The dog was taken to Tomoka Pines Veterinary Hospital, along with two of the meatballs. X-rays showed that the dog had not ingested any of the hooks, according to VCSO. The hospital told officials it was not going to test the meat for chemicals.

The deputy at Bicentennial Park searched the small-dog park near the east fence line and found one meatball placed in the grass. Volusia County Animal Control was contacted, and Park employees closed both the small-dog park and the large-dog park and conducted several searches. No additional meatballs were found, and the parks were re-opened.

According to VCSO, the balls of meat that were found were still cold and thawing. Some of them were very mushy and smelt like liverwurst. The deputy who investigated this case said there had also been reports of meat stuffed with pills at the same park two years ago.

At this time, VCSO has no information on who placed the meatballs with hooks at the park. The case is considered closed since there were no direct witnesses, but the Sheriff’s Office will re-open it if anyone can provide credible information.

If anyone has more information, they can call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line: 386-248-1777, or they can call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida and remain anonymous: Call 1-888-277-8477 (TIPS).

All photos of the meatballs courtesy VCSO

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL) has two Flagler Warriors Football teams competing in championship games this weekend.

From 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday, November 11, the 10-years-old and under team will face off against the Daytona Cowboys, and the 14-years-old and under team will compete with the Gainesville Rattlers at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults 13 years old and up, $4 for children ages 5 to13, and free for children ages 4 years old and under. Veterans will be able to attend the games for free.

The event’s schedule is as follows:

• 6-years-old and under game: 9:00 AM
• 8-years-old and under game: 10:00 AM
• 14-years-old and under game: 12:00 PM
• 10-years-old and under game: 2:00 PM
• 12-years-old and under game: 4:00 PM

“This is a significant accomplishment since this is only their second year playing,” said Steve Brandt, Sheriff’s Commander and Flagler Warrior’s founder. “I’m proud of the hard work and dedication these kids put into their training and their classes.”

This year, 4 Flagler Warriors teams qualified for the playoffs, with 2 teams making it to the championships. The Gainesville Rattlers remain undefeated and are expected to move onto nationals after winning the regional championships, making the Flagler Warriors the underdog team. Other teams participating in the championship will represent Palatka, and Ormond Beach.

“Come out and support our youth,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “They’ve done a great job making it to playoffs and now to the championship game. Let’s show them our support.”

(Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – Condo sales in the greater Daytona area were lackluster for October, and median condo sales prices plummeted, according to The Wyse Report from Wyse Home Team Realty.

The median sales price for Daytona condos in October of this year was $190,000, a roughly 9.5% decrease from last month, and overall sales dropped by one sale from last October, when Hurricane Matthew ripped across our coast. According to The Wyse Report’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data, both sales and median prices have been down in month-over-month comparisons.

There were 13.8% fewer active condo listings in October 2017 than there were in October of 2016, but according to The Wyse Report, that’s better than during this September, when condo listings were down 18% from the year before.

“The lackluster sales and low median prices could be caused by lingering effects of Hurricane Irma, but we will be watching closely for signs of changing market conditions in the months ahead,” Ron Wysocarski, broker and CEO of Wyse Home Team Realty in Port Orange says. “It was good to see inventory levels pick up a bit in October, though.”

Despite the drop in median sales price and overall sales for Daytona condos last month, year-to-date condo sales are up by more than 6.5%, and year-to-date median sales prices are up by more than 8%.

Below, you can find the numbers for Daytona condo sales and median prices for the last two months and the figures from last year, courtesy of The Wyse Report:

• Oct. 2017: 93 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $190,000.
• Oct. 2016: 94 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $215,000.
• Sept. 2017: 116 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $210,000.
• Sept. 2016: 141 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $190,000.
• 2017 Condo Sales YTD: 1269 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $189,300.
• 2016 Condo Sales YTD: 1191 condo/condotels sold with a median sales price of $175,000.

You can also find the Daytona condo and condotel MLS data from the Report separated below:

• Oct. 2017: 87 condos sold with a median price of $220,000.
• Oct. 2017: 6 condotels sold with a median price of $65,500.

Some of the Wyse Report’s highlights of luxury condo sales are as follows:

• A $760,000 condo sale at Towers 8 Condos in Ponce Inlet on October 13.
• A $739,000 condo sale at St. Kitts Condos in Daytona Shores on October 26.
• A $565,000 condo sale at Belle Vista Condos in Daytona Shores on October 19.
• A $553,900 condo sale at MG on the Halifax Condos in Holly Hill on October 23.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – Unincorporated Flagler County residents are warned of the potential consequences of dumping storm debris in the right of way after removal efforts concluded this week.

If residents have debris surpassing normal household garbage amounts in the right of way, they may face 3 points on their license, a $500 fine, and misdemeanor charge prosecution with potential restitution. Residents with storm debris are encouraged to arrange for its removal.

“Our staff, contractors, and monitors have witnessed some dumping on State Road A1A by private landscaping and tree removal contractors,” said Faith Alkhatib, County Engineer. “They know better. This is not permissible by law, and it prevents us from getting the work done.”

Anything within the right of ways that “interferes with the safe and efficient movement of people and property from place to place” is prohibited by state law. Residents are also reminded that littering on public highways is a misdemeanor offense. Illegal dumping of debris over 15 pounds (27 cubic feet) can result in 3 points added to violators’ driver’s license.

If you see illegal dumping, you are encouraged to take pictures of violators, their vehicles, tag numbers, and company logos. You can submit evidence to Flagler County Code Enforcement via email at reportdumping@flaglercounty.org. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will also be patrolling and looking for violations.

“This is even more important now that storm debris pickup is complete,” said Craig Coffey, County Administrator. “Removing storm debris is helpful to residents recovering from Hurricane Irma. Unfortunately, others have chosen to take advantage of the situation by putting out material unrelated to the storm.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – The Mayor of DeLand announced on Wednesday that he is joining the City Commission’s pledge for a goal of powering DeLand with 100% renewable energy by 2075.

Mayor Robert F. Apgar said he is on board with the growing coalition of Mayors for 100% Clean Energy who want to see their cities powered entirely by clean energy sources, like wind and solar. The coalition is an initiative of the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Campaign, which represents mayors from across the country who support the transition. You can find the full list of Mayors for 100% Clean Energy here.

“I am proud that our City supports a vision of 100 percent clean and renewable energy for DeLand,” Apgar says. “This transition will protect the health of our residents from pollution, create new jobs in the growing clean energy industry, and lower the burden of high energy costs placed on businesses and consumers.”

Apgar added that DeLand remains focused on green initiatives and is constantly working on building a more sustainable community. DeLand has been a Tree City USA for 29 years, meaning that it has been recognized by The Arbor Day Foundation for its excellent urban forestry management.

Apgar calls the Mayors for 100% Clean Energy pledge a “first step toward 100 percent clean and renewable energy.” Apgar says, “We look forward to working with city staff and community leaders across DeLand to take the next steps toward realizing this community goal.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – Volusia County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for the man who reportedly offered children candy in the Hand Ave. area of Ormond Beach.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, which reportedly happened on Sunday morning in the 130 block of Hand Ave., where two children said a man in a gray, early 2000s Nissan pickup truck offered them candy. In a social media post, VCSO wrote “While we don’t have any evidence that a crime was committed, our detectives do want to identify and talk to this person to find out what he was doing.”

Anyone with information is being asked to call VCSO at 386-254-1537. The composite image shown below was created using witness descriptions.

Photo courtesy DenisNata and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – In the wake of the deadly mass shooting that occurred at a Texas church on Sunday, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is offering security checks for Flagler County places of worship.

According to FCSO, the Domestic Homeland Security Unit and the Sheriff’s Office will conduct on-site security surveys of the County’s places of worship in order to determine the facilities’ security risks and make recommendations to improve the overall security of the facilities.

The Sheriff’s Office says that places of worship are particularly vulnerable to security risks if they are not prepared because they are welcoming in nature, open to the public, and meet at regularly scheduled times. All facilities are urged to have lock-down and evacuation procedures in place, and all staff and volunteers should be trained in case of an emergency situation.

“Pastors and faith-based leaders have a responsibility to protect their congregation,” says Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Unfortunately, there is no single answer to prevent a violent crime or traumatic incident, so it is important that all organizations are prepared to respond to whatever happens in or around their establishment. Develop an emergency response plan today, and let us help you.”

Faith-based leaders should call the Sheriff’s Domestic Homeland Security Director Randy Stroud at 386-586-4837 or send an email to RStroud@flaglersheriff.com to schedule a security check.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – Ormond Beach Police (OBPD) arrested a 17-year-old boy who they say burglarized a vehicle on the beach side and could be involved in numerous other car burglaries and stolen vehicle cases throughout Ormond Beach.

The juvenile boy was arrested on Tuesday for one burglary that occurred on November 3 at approximately 2:52 AM near a home at 133 University Cir. in Ormond Beach. The suspect entered the victim’s white 2016 Chevrolet Suburban through the unlocked driver’s side front door, according to police records. The burglary was recorded by the home surveillance system of the victim, and a BOLO was put out containing a photo of the suspect from the surveillance video. The Chevrolet was not stolen from the property, and police have not said what items, if any, were stolen in this case.

The 17-year-old was positively identified by Carla Quann, the Director of Juvenile Services for Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. The boy was arrested at 9:07 PM on Tuesday on Libby Ave. in Daytona Beach and is currently in custody in juvenile detention. Several additional charges are expected to be filed by the Criminal Investigations Unit.

According to the Ormond Beach Police Department, there are also three or four other people who they are looking for in connection to a spike of vehicle burglaries in the area. There have been 34 reported vehicle burglaries in Ormond since October 1. Thirty of those vehicles had unlocked doors, and 4 of those vehicles had windows smashed after valuables were left in plain view.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Palm Coast, FL – A 17-year-old student at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast was arrested after he made up a false report of seeing a gun on campus.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), the student told another student that someone put a gun inside a car in the back parking lot of the school on Thursday morning. No one was said to be threatened. In response to the report, School Resource Deputies and FCSO deputies locked down the parking lot until a search of the area could be completed.

The Sheriff’s explosive detection K-9 also searched the area, but no firearm was located. When the student who filed the report was interviewed, he admitted that he made the whole story up and never saw anyone with a gun on campus. The boy was arrested for filing a false report, which is a misdemeanor, according to FCSO. He was booked into the Flagler County Detention Facility and released to his parents.

“We take all reported incidents seriously,” says Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “We moved quickly to ensure the safety of the students and teachers and put a lot of resources into this investigation. Ultimately, the report was unfounded, which we are grateful for; however, filing a false report is against the law and a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Port Orange, FL – Police are investigating an early morning armed robbery at a Port Orange Wendy’s restaurant.

It was around 1:32 AM on the morning of November 10 when Port Orange Police were called to the Wendy’s at 900 Dunlawton Ave. in reference to an armed robbery. Officials say no one was injured.

The suspect has been described as an older white man with short hair and stubble. At the time of the robbery, he was reportedly wearing a grey sweatshirt and had piercings in both ears. He also appeared to have black tape wrapped around the joints of his fingers. The suspect vehicle was described as a dark-colored passenger car.

The incident is still under investigation and POPD is asking anyone with information to call 386-506-5801.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – A wanted man with a box cutter in DeLand, who was reportedly suicidal, was taken into custody after trying to flee from officials, according to Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO).

Deputies responded to a call just before 6 PM on Thursday regarding a 29-year-old man, who was wanted for armed burglary and was found in his truck at an address on May St. in DeLand. DeLand Police and VCSO found the truck with the man inside, and the man fled in the vehicle, continuing at low speeds through the city’s streets.

The driver disregarded several traffic signals and stop signs and continued to drive after deputies attempted to stop the truck with stop sticks, according to VCSO.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was in the area and was also contacted by the man’s mother. Chitwood was able to make phone contact with the man, who eventually agreed to stop fleeing. When the man stopped the truck, deputies found that he was armed with a box-cutter and had lacerations on both of his wrists.

The man held the knife to his own throat and refused to come away from the vehicle, according to VCSO. After about two hours of negations, he began to exit the truck. The man attempted to stab himself, and Chitwood grabbed his hand and tried to take away the box cutter. The man struggled as he was taken into custody, and deputies had to use Tasers while they apprehended him.

The man was treated for his injuries on scene and was then transported to Halifax Health in Daytona for further treatment, according to VCSO. There was no loss of life, in this case, no injuries to law enforcement, and no injuries to any other members of the public.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Florida – Two months after Hurricane Irma ripped across our state, Florida is continuing to make efforts to recover, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is giving residents a look at where recovery efforts stand.

According to FEMA, affected communities are making progress together, trying to rebuild after the storm. Survivors in 48 of the 67 Florida counties are eligible to apply for help under FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program. All 67 counties in the state are eligible to receive federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.

Additionally, local, county, and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations in 55 Florida counties are eligible to receive all categories of PA funding, including the repair and rebuilding of certain eligible disaster-damaged facilities. FEMA pays 75% of eligible costs to repair essential services such as roads, utilities, schools, and hospitals through the PA program.

Volusia and Flagler Counties are both eligible for at least some categories of both public and individual FEMA assistance, and Volusia County is eligible for all categories of public and individual FEMA assistance. For more information on the FEMA assistance programs, click here.

According to FEMA, more than 2.6 million Florida households have contacted the agency for IA help. The deadline to register for IA aid is November 24.

Below are some highlights from FEMA regarding the individual assistance program:

• To date, Floridians have received more than $1.5 billion through funding from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Of that total, more than $899 million in FEMA individual assistance has gone to homeowners and renters whose insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received, could not meet their disaster-caused needs.
• Homeowners, renters, and businesses have received $388 million in 10,579 low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair, rebuild, and replace damaged property and contents. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters. The deadline to apply is Nov. 24.
• NFIP policyholders have received more than $239.5 million in more than 26,600 claims to repair and rebuild the flood-damaged property.
• More than 76,700 survivors have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). The first centers opened six days after the presidential disaster declaration.
• More than 797,000 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
• FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists canvassed the affected communities, visiting more than 208,000 homes.

Disaster recovery officials and volunteers continue to aid communities in Irma recovery efforts. More than 300 voluntary agencies logged more than 520,000 volunteer hours to meet the needs of those affected by the hurricane. The following are some ways in which the state and participating agencies have helped Floridians rebuild, according to FEMA:

• 13,370 temporary roofs have been installed in Florida by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through Operation Blue Roof. The temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting is installed using strips of wood that are secured to the roof with nails or screws.
• 1,492 sunken vessels displaced by Irma have been recovered and removed from Florida waterways by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and private owners.
• Through the State of Florida, Floridians have received an estimated $1 million in disaster unemployment assistance if they lost work or are out of work due to Hurricane Irma. This dollar amount continues to increase to assist eligible applicants.
• The State of Florida reopened approximately 100 roads impacted by the storm across Florida within two weeks after landfall. In addition, local power crews and crews brought in from across the U.S. and Canada restored 99.9 percent of power to 12 million customers in Florida within two weeks after the storm.

For more information, you can follow FEMA’s Facebook and Twitter page.

Photo courtesy Elena Fernandez Z and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – Stetson University announced on Thursday that it is waiving its application fee for members of the U.S. Armed Forces in order to honor veterans and to encourage veterans to apply and graduate from college.

“Stetson recognizes that veterans face unique challenges, and this fee waiver is a way to facilitate that transition,” Joel Bauman, Vice President for Enrollment Management explains. Bauman adds that Stetson University is military and veteran friendly.

Stetson is participating in this fee waiver as a member of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. The Coalition is a group of colleges and universities across the U.S. that is committed to making college a reality for all students through its set of free online college planning tools.

The fee waiver is integrated into the Coalition’s online application process. In order to waive the application fee, applicants can indicate their status as “currently serving” or “previously served” in the U. S. Armed Forces, and a list of member schools that honor the waiver will be listed, including Stetson. Qualifying applicants can then bypass the payment screen when they submit their application, according to a release from Stetson. You can find more information on the Coalition’s website.

“Only four percent of all undergraduate students are veterans, and less than one-third of those veterans enroll at a four-year public or private university,” Annie Reznik, executive director of the Coalition says. “Our hope is that this waiver will not only inspire more veterans to apply to Coalition schools, but also convey that our members greatly value their service to our country and now want to serve them.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Pierson, FL – A three-vehicle crash on SR 40 near Seymour Road in Pierson left one man and several cows dead.

At around 11:50 PM on Friday, 51-year-old Lazaro Perez of Miami was traveling westbound on SR 40 in a Dodge pickup truck. 61-year-old Lawrence Allegro of Enterprise was driving eastbound on SR 40 in 4-door Lincoln. According to the crash report, several cows had escaped from their enclosure and made it onto the roadway.

Both Perez and Allegro struck cows on the road and ultimately struck each other after Perez went into the eastbound lane and hit Allegro head-on. A semi-truck traveled through the scene of the crash and hit another cow. All 3 cows were killed.

Allegro was pronounced dead at Halifax Health Hospital after the crash while Perez suffered only minor injuries. The crash is under investigation but officials have ruled out alcohol as a factor.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – Florida Hospital DeLand just received $22,500 in donations from DeLand Kia to help treat and support cancer patients.

On November 6, DeLand Kia presented the hospital with the donation collected during the month of October. The dealership donated $100 for every car sold in October in honor of national breast cancer awareness month.

“Once again, the continued generosity and support received by our friends at DeLand Kia will save lives. We are so grateful,” said Florida Hospital DeLand Foundation executive director, Maureen Mercho. “The funds donated will provide much needed services for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.”

DeLand Kia has raised over $100,000 in the last 5 years for the Florida Hospital DeLand Foundation. The money helps the hospital provide treatment programs and support to its patients.

Photo courtesy of Florida Hospital DeLand.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.