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Detroit-3 buyout won't bring consumers to the dealerships

I've only owned three "American" cars in my driving history: a 1976 Buick Sky-hawk, a 1993 Ford Escort and a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. All were less than stellar, though the Sky-hawk, the only one that wasn't new -- a 10-year-old rust bucket -- when I bought it, lasted the longest. I've had much better luck with two Mazda RX-7s, a Mazda Miata, all Japanese, and my current vehicle, the German-made sports car, Audi TT. Let's face it: The Big 3 automakers of Detroit wouldn't need a $34 billion bailout if we bought their vehicles.

But why should we?

Volusia veteran's services office named 'service office of the year'

DELAND -- Volusia County’s Veterans Services Division has been named “Service Office of the Year” by Florida’s Veterans of Foreign Wars office, said Pat Kuehn, a Volusia County spokeswoman.

The division was among 67 county offices considered for the honor.

Kenneth Thie, the state VFW director, presented the award to Volusia County Veterans Services Director Mike White and his staff during Thursday's County Council meeting.

County Council members invited to NSB social tonight

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Volusia County Council has been invited to a social hosted by the Florida Inland Navigation District Board of Commissioners at 7 p.m.at J.B.’s Fish Camp, 859 Pompano Ave., said county spokeswoman Pat Kuehn.

F.I.N.D. is a special state taxing district for the continued management and maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, she said.

From Russia with love on TV reality show

Have you watched ‘The Amazing Race” on television? If not, they have pairs of people race around the world, perform tasks and eliminate one couple per week until the final three couples are left.

The first pair to finish all their trips and tasks on the last episode wins $1 million.

This week they were in Moscow. Dallas & Toni, a mother & son, lost their money and passports when Dallas forgot his backpack in a cab.

Why is this interesting?

What will Joe Six Pack do now?

Newspaper Section

I would modestly propose that the days of American security have had it. No longer can we depend on George Bush and Company for the only hope their administration promised: To secure our country, our lives and our fortunes. The Obama regime will have to struggle with that accumulated Republican mess, one so prodigious that The Good Lord Himself might declare, “The hell with it!"

More than a thousand people 'light up' Flagler Avenue

Newspaper Section

NSBNEWS.net Video by Sera King. Cutline: Check out the festivities on Flagler Avenue's big night in this video.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Quaint Flagler Avenue was not only lit up earlier tonight by the holiday lights, but by more than a thousand smiles as families gathered on the beachside tourist hub to celebrate "Light up Flagler."

Adelle Alleti, owner of Gone Bonkers on Flagler, was one of many merchants thrilled with the turnout. "It's a wonderful night for families to get out and into the Christmas spirit with their neighbors," she said. "That's what a small town is all about, bringing everyone out, especially in these hard times."

Volusia sheriff: Man shot to death outside Osteen convenience store

OSTEEN -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies are searching for a murder suspect tonight after a man was fatally shot outside a convenience store in Osteen, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said.

The shooting occurred shortly after 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a Sunoco on S.R. 415.

Witnesses said the suspect, a man in his 30s, fled the scene in a black Ford pickup truck traveling along S.R. 415 towards Sanford.

Deputies are still investigating to determine what sparked the shooting.

19-year-old NSB man charged with breaking into car

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Erik M. Ramos, a 19-year-old city resident, was charged early Friday with burglary of an automobile and other multiple felony narcotics charges after trying to break into a motor vehicle in the 600 block of Faulkner Street, police reported.

Police said they received a call of a man breaking into vehicles Faulkner just after midnight and set up patrols in the area. Police said Ramos attempted to elude them by running through yards and jumping fences. He was detained near the intersection of Ronnoc Lane and US 1.