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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An 18-year-old surfer's right leg was a mistaken target for a 4-foot shark this afternoon in the surf near the South Jetty, the Volusia County Beach Patrol reported.

The unidentified Lake Mary teen was treated on scene by paramedics, but refused transport to the hospital for stitches in favor of a ride from friends for medical care, said Beach Patrol spokesman Capt. Scott Petersohn.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. The newly refoermed City Commission was made official Tuesday night with the swearing in of new Mayor Adam Barringer, new Commissioner Judy Reiker and re-elected Commissioner Jack Grasty, all of whom join Commissioners Lynne Plaskett and Jim Hathaway. Judge Shirley Green administered the oaths of elective office to the three. Barringer and Reiker were elected Nov.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The proposed 112-room, three-story Hampton Inn & Suites for the western end of Flagler Avenue was approved by the newly reconfigured City Commission tonight with the business community firmly in favor of it as an economic generator and the residents of impacted Florida Avenue opposed.

Florida Avenue resident Max Dugas asked pointedly: "Would you want this hotel in your front yard?"

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Children and Families Advisory Board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Volusia County Lifeguard Headquarters and Administration Center, 515 S. Atlantic Ave.

The board is scheduled to elect a chair and vice chair, establish 2010 meeting dates, approve the 2009 annual report, establish funding criteria and evaluation elements for fiscal year 2010-2011, and discuss recommendations to the Volusia County Council on the request for proposal process.

DELAND -- The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for job applicants to work for the 2010 Census. Peak hiring will be from February through May for temporary assignments, most lasting five to 10 weeks.

Most positions require U.S. citizenship, a driver’s license and use of a vehicle, and each applicant will undergo a background check. Census positions offer competitive wages and flexible schedules and allow people to work in their neighborhoods.

All census takers must be able to speak English, but people who have bilingual skills are needed in communities where a large number of

DAYTONA BEACH -- Six local women were among 55 arrested through a multi-county law enforcement operation to catch prostitutes, who use popular websites to advertise services.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A significant decline in the number of turtle nests this summer on Volusia beaches has county officials concerned and looking for answers. And the same thing appears to be happening on other Florida beaches.

The county recorded 338 nests - 324 loggerhead nests, eight green and six leatherback nests - which is the lowest total since 2004 when the nesting season was interrupted by a series of hurricanes which caused extensive erosion to the beaches.

Editor's Note: Marc Goldberg, communications director for Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, passed along a copy of an op-ed piece Kosmas wrote for Florida Today that was published today regarding her dissenting vote on the Health Care legislation in Washington:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991109027

DELAND -- An Illinois motorcyclist has died of injuries he suffered in a crash last month that also injured his wife, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Virgil Wright, 66, died Sunday at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. His wife, Sharon, is recovering from injuries, the FHP said.

Nov. 11, 2009: Conan S. Mitchell and Katie K. Malia, New Smyrna Beach; Salvatore J. Caruso and Roxanne P. Thompson, Oak Hill; John N. Mills and Sandra J. Morgan, Edgewater.