Volusia News Now

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DELAND -- The U.S. Census Bureau released population counts based on the 2010 census Tuesday, showing the nation’s population grew from 281,421,906 in 2000 to 308,745,538 in 2010, a 9.7 percent growth rate.

Florida, the fourth most populous state, will gain two congressional seats as a result of population increases. According to the Census Bureau, Florida's population increased from 15,982,378 in 2000 to 18,801,310 in 2010.

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DELAND -- Volusia County’s public libraries will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, and remain closed through Christmas, county spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

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(Courtesy photo / orlandomagic.com) Vince Carter, whose road through baskettball started at Daytona Beach's Mainland High School, then the North Carolina ar Heels and into the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey and then a homecoming of sorts with the Orlando Magic, is now a member of the Phoenix Suns in a major blockbuster trade.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Orlando Magic have traded former Mainland High School star Vince Carter to the Phoenix Suns in a multi-player trade. Read more about it by clicking the link to SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/12/18/magic.trades.ap/index.html?eref=sihp

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(Photos by Dale Smith). A new sign in the front yard at 310 Julia St., New Smyrna Beach, announces the new temporary home of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will stay at that location for at least a year until the historic chamber building on Canal Street is renovated and updated.  Walter and Ann Johnson of Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, center and right, pose for a photo with SE Volusia Chamber Executive Vice President Samantha Bishop.

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – An open house has heralded in a new beginning for the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce as it readies to fire up business in 2011.

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DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 14 percent in November compared with the same month last year, according to VolusiaCounty officials.

During November 37,402 incoming and outgoing passengers traveled through Daytona Beach International Airport. This compares with 32,853 travelers recorded in November last year.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The way City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett sees it, New Smyrna Beach has more than its fair share of public benches with advertising on them. “I just don’t want to see us becoming a bus bench billboard city,” Plaskett said.

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(Photo by Henry Frederick)

Even though Port Orange resident Margie Patchett came up short in her bid for the at-large County Council seat won by Joyce Cusack in the Nov. 2 elections, she's returned to her roots as head of Volusia Tax Reform, questioning the council's wisdom and even the legality of the council's Dec. 9 vote to spend $28.8 million for the Leffler Ranch.

Here is a link to VolusiaNews.Net's story on the County Council's vote:

volusianews.net/content/363733-county-council-closes-leffler-ranch-today-cool-288-million-touted-future-water-supply

What follows is a letter Patchett wote to the council dated Dec. 14:

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(Photos by Dale Smith). In the larger photo, David Swentor, developer of the proposed 112-room Hampton Inn on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, addresses the City Commission, with attorney Glenn Storch by his side, implores officials to grant him an additional six months to secure funding, saying his project was negatively impacted by the city's planning debacle. In the smaller photo, City Commissioner and Mayor Adam Barringer, along with Commissioners Judy Reiker and Lynne Plaskett, vote to meet him half way with a three-month extension. Commissioner Jim Hathaway opposes any extension at all. 

Here is a link to one of the earlier stories on the planning debacle that NSBNEWS.net broke:

nsbnews.net/content/279859-hotel-developer-david-swentor-citys-planning-debacle-insane

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The develops can look at their plight following Tuesday's decision by the City Commission as a glass half full or half empty.

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(Courtesy photo) A traffic stop led Sherioff's deputies to the Edgewater home of Randy Freeman, who was alledgedly running a meth lab.

EDGEWATER --  An Edgewater man was stopped Tuesday night for having a revoked license during what started as a routine traffic stop. However, drug paraphernalia was discovered in plain view in his car, which led to further investigation revealing materials commonly associated with a meth lab in his home, a Volusia County Sheriff's spokeswoman said.

Randy Freeman, 29, was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach.

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(Courtesy photos). Thursday's County Council approval to purchase the sprawling Leffler Ranch between Samsula and Osteen as a futurewater supply paves the way for today's closing at $28.8 million.

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

SAMSULA -- Nestled between Osten and eyed by the county as the water source of the future, the Volusia County Council's decision to empty its wallet to pay for the 4,806-acre Leffler Ranch has assured a closing date today in becoming owners of the property in the Volusia Conservation Corridor.

The purchase price of $28.8 million will come from three sources -- $12.2 million that's left in the county's 20-year Volusia Forever Program; $11.6 million advance from the general fund reserves, and $5 million from the water utility fund reserves.