Local News Now

Courtesy photo and video for NSBNEWS.net.

Jennifer Glasse, a journalist with Voice of America in London and daughter of New Smyrna Beach resident Joe Glasse, reports on the fallout from volcanic ash eruption in Iceland the economic impact on Western Europe. She also wrote an essay Tuesday to her father, who forwarded it to NSBNEWS,net, which follows:

I was reminded today of that movie The Gods Must be Crazy, where African bushmen are enthralled by a glass Coke bottle thrown from a plane in the sky.

My little boat is along the flight path into Heathrow, and for the past 6 days the volcano-enforced silence has been a marvel. So this morning, as I was talking on the phone with Wendy, pondering whether we will get on our flight to Florida Friday.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.

Pam Raquet, a sixth-grade teacher and cancer survivor, performs during the talent show Friday night at the Southeast Volusia Relay for Life fundraiser that raised $137,000 with a record 67 teams and some 3,000 people in attendance at Riverside Park. Above, a group of poodle skirt-wearing ladies dance to 1950s music. The Southeast Volusia chapter is among the highest grossing fundraising chapters in Florida and the largest among three in Volusia County.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Music means rhythm. And rhythm means life. And that's the point behind the "Rock the Cure" theme behind the 2010 Relay for Life cancer fundraiser.

Pam Raquet, a sixth-grade teacher and survivor of cervical and uterine cancer, as well as a brain tumor, understands the concept, which is why she wasn't just a volunteer, but even performed by singing a song during the talent contest.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.

At left, Jason McGuirk, Jess McGuirk and children, Truman, 18 months and Isla, 4 months, enjoy the festivities at the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser Friday at Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach. S.E. Volusia Chamber of Commerce President Sue Thomas, above, with NSB City Commissioner Jack Grasty and Community Redevelopment Agency Chairwoman Linda DeBorde, also catch the festivities.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sure, the theme of the 2010 Relay for Life was "Rock the Cure." But it was really about the vitality of the community. Jason McGuirk, 37, knows a lot about community. He owns the Dairy Queen on U.S. 1 and is a member of the New Smyrna Beach Planning Board. He and his wife, Jess, 29, big-time supporters of the event, were on hand Friday with their two children, Truman, 18 months old, and Isla, 4 months old.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.

At left, Lisa Giese and Alexis Wright of Regions Bank offer peace trinkets for sale during the Southeast Volusia Relay for Life cancer fundraiser Friday and Saturday at Riverside Park. Above, volunteers and cancer survivors alike stayed in tents overnight Friday at the park as if it was its own community, and for 24 hours, indeed it was.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Riverside Park was converted into a tent city overnight Friday so volunteers and cancer survivors alike could continue their fundraising efforts non-stop over 24 hours. The payoff was $130,000 raised.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.

Cudas Against Cancer Crew performs Friday night at Riverside Park for the Relay for Life's Rock the Cure cancer fundraiser.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- - It's official: Southeast Volusia Relay for Life raised $130,000 during the two-day "Rock the Cure" fundraiser that began Friday at Riverside Park with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

DAYTONA BEACH -- There's one race track that every stock car driver dreams about celebrating a victory -- Daytona International Speedway.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.

Tootsie McDonald wears a festive hat during the overnight Friday Relay For Life "Rock the Cure" sleepover at Rivside Park in New Smyrna Beach. McDonald, the first chair of the cancer fundraiser a decade ago, lost a baby to the dreaded disease many years before that.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Tootsie McDonald is a strong woman at 73, who became widowed a year ago, and many years ago, lost a baby to cancer.

So it's easy to understand why she'd get all choked up watching 200 cancer survivors walk laps on a winding path at Riverside Park guided by lit candles along the way.

Circuit Judge Robert K. Rouse ruled April 8 that telephone numbers listed on city-issued cell phones are public record, but certain numbers on phones issued to police that relate to their home numbers and confidential informants are exempt. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed against the city last year by Bill of Rights, Inc., the umbrella corporation of the Shadow Web site operated by Nahum Litt, a retired federal judge, who routinely takes city officials to task in his weekly postings. NSBNEWS.net has obtained a copy of Rouse's ruling through a public records request, which is attached.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Phone calls made on city-issued phones are subject to public inspection, a circuit judge has ruled in a case brought against the city of New Smyrna Beach by Web site operator, the Shadow.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Coast Guard early this afternoon called off its search of a boat with two people aboard reported missing 15 miles from the New Smyrna Beach shore slightly less than 24 hours earlier.