Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Courtesy photo / NSBPD

Mary Doretich Mitchell, 76, missing since leaving her Bouchelle Island home Friday in her car and the subject of a missing person's report and silver alert, has been found alive under unusual circumstances.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Missing for nearly four days, 76-year-old Mary Doretich Mitchell of Bouchelle Island was found alive Tuesday afternoon, in of all places, the trunk of her car in the parking lot of Bert Fish Medical Center, New Smyrna Beach police confirmed.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

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

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - A labor agreement with Teamsters Local No. 385. on a new police contract that will run retroactive from Oct. 1 of this year,  through Sept, 30, 2013, with the city expecting to save almost $162,000 in one year, is expected to be voted on tonight by the City Commission.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Courtesy photo / NSBPD

Please click the attachment to read details about a police bulletin for the whereabouts of Mary Doretich Mitchell, 76, missing since possibly leaving in her silver, 4-door Dodge car at 5 p.m. Friday without telling neighbors or family where she was headed.

NEW SMYRNA BEACVH -- For the second day in a row Monday, New Smyrna Beach police put out a missing person's report for 76-year-old Mary Doretich Mitchell, this time with a photo, with her last being seen Friday afternoon.

She is described as white, 5 feet 4 and 80 pounds. She has gray hair and hazel eyes. Besides a missing person'sd report, police issued a silver alert for her 2005 Dodge 4-door, silver in color, with Florida Tag E204VR.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Cindy Jones, left, and Deborah Peterson are co-chairwomen of the second annual for New Smyrna Beach "Christmas on Canal," which continues Wednesday with "Girls Night Out." The two are merchants on Canal Street.

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

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – It’s "Girls Night Out" on Wednesday as Christmas on Canal continues to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A "silver alert" has been put out on interstate electronic signs and with area police agencies to be on the look-out for a 76-year-old Bouchelle Island woman reported missing since shew left her home in her car 5 p.m. Friday without telling anyonw where she was headed, New SWmnyrna Beach police said.

The missing person's report is for Mary Doretich Mitchell, white, 5 feet 4 and 80 pounds. She has gray hair and hazel eyes. The silver alert is for her 2005 Dodge 4-door, silver in color, with Florida Tag E204VR.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Photos and videos by Sera Frederick. Mayor Adam Barringer welcomed several hundred people to the second annual "Christmas on Canal" on Friday evening with the lighting of the NSB Christmas Tree. Among the local dignitaries he recognized were Canal Street merchants Debbie Peterson and Cindy Jones, who spearheaded the event to encourage shoppers to consider historic Canal Street for bargains.

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

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The rain stropped just in time Friday night as Santa Claus prepared to flick the switch lighting the Christmas tree on Canal Street kicking off the holiday season.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Photos by Dale Smith.

A Living Nativity scene on Canal Street Friday night brought into focus the true mean of the holiday season.  Participants were from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach. In the inset photo, Tiona Stone, 4, of New Smyrna Beach, reacts to the chugging of the kiddie train she boarded that just took off on Canal Street Saturday morning. Tiona is the daughter of Brandon and Lacey Stone. The family enjoyed the sights and sounds of Coastal Market on Canal, including seeing Santa Claus. "Christmas on Canal" was a veritable wonderland for countless families looking for bargains at the start of the holiday shopping season.

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

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – Festive holiday carols echoed up and down Canal Street Friday night as merchants kicked off Christmas on Canal with a gala Christmas tree lighting ceremony and holiday cheer. And the holiday cheer continued well into Saturday with kiddie rides and other festive activities designed to make "Christmas on Canal" a positive shopping experience for families.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Photos by Dale Smith.

Wal-Mart at the NSB Regional Shopping Center on State Road 44 wasn't the only happening place in New Smyrna Beach for Black Friday holiday shoppers. Canal Street and Flagler Avenue merchants showcased bargains too. Bright lights and a window of a Christmas wonderland at the Pink Flamingo at Petals, 201 Canal Street, beckoned shoppers Friday night. 

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

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Merchants on Canal Street saw a busy day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, having hoped for a better-than-usual influx of shoppers from a year ago when the economy was bottoming out.

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Photos by Henry Frederick and Sera Frederick.

Denise Marie, proprietor of Dapper Dan's hair salon in New Smyrna Beach held a haircut a-thon fundraiser several weeks back for breast cancer research in honor of her mother, Margaret Varanoa, now 80 and a 22-year survivor. In the inset photo, Jim Walsh of the UPS Store does his part: Not only fdid he get a haircut, but he printed all of the event flyers for free. At left, the "sexy" mannequin outside Dapper Dan's, 633 N. Dixie Freeway, turned heads and even brought in a few for a trim. Below, stylist Roxanne Wessler cuts a little boy's hair.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Today is a day where Denise Marie leaves her scissors behind at her and instead stands on her feet preparing the family Thanksgiving meal.

There is no rest for the weary when it comes to this small business owner who stands on her feet all day to earn an honest day's work. Several weeks back, Sunday, Oct. 24, to be precise when the salon is normally closed, Marie worked for free to support a cause. And she enlisted others to help her, too.

The cause? Marie, along with four other stylists from shops near and far donated 100% of the price of haircuts to the Susan Komen Breast cancer Research Foundation. Together they generated several hundred dollars, including the sale of pink ribbons and T-shirts emblazoned with "Save the Ta Tas."

NSBNEWS.net and VolusiaNews.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

Photo by Henry Frederick. Video by Multimedia Editor Sera Frederick.

State Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange (Dist. 28), issued a Thanksgiving message for the residents of greater Port Orange through VolusiaNews.net and for greater New Smyrna Beach via NSBNEWS.net.  New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer delivered Thanksgiving wishes as well for the citizens of New Smyrna Beach through an exclusive video interview with NSBNEWS.net. Hukill's message is posted below in the story.