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Courtesy photo/Jail mug/VCSO. Charles Gardiner, 35, of New Smyrna Beach, has been suspended with pay from New Smyrna Beach High School, where he has been employed asa a night janitor since October 2007, after his arrest Thursday on charges of unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl two years ago.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 35-year-old New Smyrna Beach man accused of having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl has been suspended and placed on paid administrative leave from his job as a janitor at New Smyrna Beach High School, even though authorities said Friday he worked the 3-11 night shift and the relationship was off campus.

I don’t usually watch the news because the political stuff frustrates and angers me, but the other evening I was doing something else when the news came on television. Sure enough it got my dander up.

In his blog, "Unfinished Business, NSB resident Palmer Wilson says the mayor's economic development plan lacks a 'war stopper'... Opinion page...

Well, Mayor Adam Barringer has floated his plan for comment and while it contains some good parts (especially where he identifies the threats, although he missed few that reside by the water), I guess I should first thank him for using my suggested vision for the city. So, thanks Adam, and I hope if helps set the course.

Courtesy photo. Gov. Charlie Crist.

Editor's Note: The following was written by Gov. Charlie Crist as part of his weekly online message, "Notes from the Capitiol:"

Dear Friends,

As Governor, I continue my efforts to promote Florida as a premiere travel destination. We are very fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places on the earth.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Some 400 people showed up for the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce's "Mardi Gras Casino Night" on Friday night at Hidden Lakes Golf Club. At far left is Deltona resident Audrey Ostoyic. In the middle are Chamber volunteer Kenneth Bohannon and Chamber President Sue Willams. In the top right are Realtor Tom Alcorn and below right is Chamber Executive Director Steve Dennis.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Audrey Ostoyic made it a night out Friday with hubby, Bill, at the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce's "Mardi Gras Casino Night" at Hidden Lakes, a fundraider for the business advocacy entity.

Courtesy photos/Jail mugs/NSBPD.

Joseph Leonard Bompadre, 40, of Edgewater. at far left; and Daniel L. Ellis, 38, of New Smyrna Beach, were arrested on burglary charges early Friday morning and other suspects in a recent rash of residential beachside rental properties, New Smyrna Beach police said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Two men were arrested early Friday on burglary charges and are now considered suspects in the recent rash of predominantly beachside residential properties, New Smyrna Beach police said.

Courtesy photo/Jail mug. New Smyrna Beach resident Charles Gardiner III was arrested Thursday on charges of having sex with a 13-year-old girl, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Charles Gardiner III insisted that he cared about the 13-year-old girl he had befriended and thought he was doing something good by being there for her and engaging in unlawful sex with her, the Volusia County Sherioff's Office said in announcing his arrest.

Courtesy photos. The artwork of Hope Barton: At left,  "Creek off the St. Johns River," acrylic 27" x 39" At right, "On the Rocks," hand-colored etching/ artist proof 20" x 25", among the works to be displayed in March at Arts on Douglas Fine Art Collectible in downtown New Smyrna Beach." Barton and her featured work "About Water,"  opens with a 4-7 p.m. reception on Saturday, March 6. Exhibition Dates: March 6 - 27, Gallery Talk with the Artist: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20. All dates and times are free and open to the public.

NEW SMYRNAS BEACH -- The Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, will showcase the acrylic paintings and etchings of St. Augustine artist, Hope Barton. Each month one of the 59 artists represented by Arts on Douglas is featured in a solo exhibition.