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DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia's January unemployment rate was 13 percent in January, the highest since record keeping in 1990, according to the Agency for Workfoce Innovation, more commonly known as the Unemployment Office.

Volusia County, with a workforce of 253,188 residents, had a 13 percent unemployment rate, much higher than 9.6 percent in January 2009. There were 32,971 people in Volusia County out of work at the beginning of this year.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick (far left) and courtesy photo near left.

Lance Jenkins, 5-5 in his first and only season at Jensen Beach in Palm Beach County, returns to New Smyrna Beach to coach the NSB High 'Cudas. He replaces Rocky Yocam who stepped down earlier this year. The 'Cudas advanced to the playoffs this past season before bowing out to eventual state champion Dwyer High School of Palm Beach Gardens, 42-6, in December.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- After nearly a decade's abscence, Lance Jenkins is returning to the sidelines of 'Cudas football as the new head coach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Stingray Stingers, under the direction of Shannon Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor and Jodi Alligood, won a National Championship in Hip Hop at Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

NSB Middle's Jazz team placed second.

DELAND -- The torrential downpours that caused widespread flooding last May remind Volusia County residents they should be prepared for the possibility of more floods this year. With that in mind, Volusia County Emergency Management officials encourage residents to update their preparedness plans before the spring showers arrive.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- With the April 15 deadline approaching, there are various services that offer free tax preparation help for qualifying taxpayers. In addition to free, in-person tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing so you can get your refund faster.

Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across Florida.

Who qualifies for free tax preparation help?

DELAND -- Ever wonder what it's like inside the busiest law enforcement dispatch center in Volusia County? Or what it takes to train a deputy? Interested in learning about gun safety, gangs and drug investigations? Want to know more about the inner workings of the Sheriff's Office? Residents
will have the opportunity to find out all of this, and more, during the upcoming launch of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office's Citizens Academy, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. The City Commission will allow airplane banner towing for at least 30 days by a local operator despite complaints from residents who live near the airport.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The planes towing banners would leave New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport and head east over the swampy areas that run parallel with U.S. and head over to the beach area, just the opposite of where Ken Petrie lives. But that didn't stop him from getting up on his soapbox and giving the City Commission an earful about airplane news generated by the flight schools.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Ellen Darden, president-elect of the Southeast Volusia Board of Realtors and a Bethune Beach resident, is running for the district 3 Volusia County Council seat held by term-limited Jack Hayman. Darden is shown here at a recent luncheon of the Republican Club of Southeast Volusia. The County Council race is non-partisan. Darden describes herself politically as an "advocate of good covernment and a fiscal conservative." The other announced candidates are Deb Denys and former Deltona City Attorney George Trovato.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As president-elect of the Southeast Volusia Board of Realtors, Ellen Darden is intimimately aware of the impact the national recession is having near and far across the country. She wants to be part of he solution closer to home and with that in mind, she's running for the district 3 seat on the Volusia County Council held by Jack Hayman, who is term-limited.