Local News Now

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- In a stunning reversal of its verbal report, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has decided only one man is responsible for the problems at Daytona State College with no justification, of course: Mori Hosseini. He is a local philanthropist, owner of ICI homes and one of 17 members of the Board of Governors of the Florida State University System. His wife, Forough Hosseini, is on the DSC board. Apparently, when he speaks his mind that is considered undue influence on board members.

The average person when encountering the word ‘bear’ would think along the lines of a grizzly, brown, black, or polar bear. Certainly only a few people would think about the water bear, which is among the most unknown and most fascinating creatures on earth.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- If any of you have bothered to follow what is going on over at our hospital, then you're light years ahead of our elected officials who simply have not shown any leadership what so ever on this subject.

Mayor's Message
By Adam Barringer

After 21 years of having plans to pave Paige Avenue (road behind Denny's, Taco Bell & McDonalds), it has been completed.

This endeavor happened because of citizens who were involved, remained resolute, and a city commission that took action.

Twenty-one years to pave a road is to be considered "the speed of government!"

PIERSON -- Firefighters from four agencies continued to make progress Sunday on three brush fires that started in West Volusia the day before.

The Pierson fire, near the intersection Bell Fountaine Avenue and Carruthers Lane, grew to 243 acres and is 80 percent contained. Volusia County Fire Services was assisted by the Firewalkers, a multi-agency team of firefighters who specialize in brush fires, in this rural fire.

Photos by Henry Frederick / Four teachers are recipients of the 2011 Crystal Apple Awards handed out by the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding service in the classroom: They are Kelly Conway of New Smyrna Beach High School, Marsha Kim of Read-Patillo Elementary School, Theresa Cameron of Indian River Elementary School and Kendra Blazi of New Smyrna Beach High School.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As the school year winds down, four teachers stand proudly at the head of the class in greater New Smyrna Beach. They are the epitome of educational excellence and have been recognized for their teaching abilities with "Crystal Apple Awards" by the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce. 

NSBNews.net, a proud member of the chamber, salutes Kelly Conway, Marsha Kim, Theresa Cameron and Kendra Blazi in our exclusive video coverage of the recent luncheon.

Photo by NASA/Kim Shiflett / Space shuttle Endeavor awaits its final launch scheduled for Monday at Cape Canaveral.

Grade: A

The countdown is on for Monday’s 8:56 a.m. EDT liftoff of the space shuttle Endeavor. In one of the most expensive, but rewarding undertakings our government has ever directed, the space shuttle program is first class as it winds down to its final missions.

After Endeavor, space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off for the final time on June 28.

Of all the shuttle launches, though the two that stand out are the tragic ones. Challenger blew up just 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board, and on Feb. 3, 2003, Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing its crew of seven. 

PIERSON -- Volusia County Fire Services responded to four brush fires in West Volusia earlier today sparked by dozens of lightning strikes and were helped in their efforts by a heavy rain storm that moved through the area between 3 and 4 p.m.

The first of the Saturday fires was reported at 10:08 a.m. near the Candice R. Strawn/Lake Dias Park on S.R. 11 north of DeLeon Springs. This fire grew to 5 acres and was contained by 4 p.m. A brush fire that grew to more than 120 acres was reported at 11:21 a.m. near Bell Fountaine Avenue and Carruthers Lane in Pierson, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.