Archive

DELAND -- Emergency Management officials are advising citizens affected by Tropical Storm Fay they may have a second chance for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said Volusia County spokeswoman Shelley Szafraniec.

Citizens who applied for disaster assistance from FEMA following the storm - and later received a letter stating they were not eligible for disaster aid - may be able to reopen the chance for disaster assistance with an appeal letter. Appeal letters are due to FEMA by Tuesday, Dec. 9.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera King. Video highlights: Performances by the Showdolls and singer Roxi Tomei and the lighting of the Christmas tree atop Bert Fish Medical Center.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Christmas came early to Bert Fish Medical Center. Santa Claus pressed the button to light up the Christmas tree atop the hospital and performances by the Showdolls of New Smyrna Beach High School highlighted Sunday night's entertainment before some 500 people.

Though the crowd thinned considerably after the first 90 minutes of the 6 p.m. gathering in front of the hospital, dozens remained to the end to see the tree lit up shortly before 8:30 p.m.

"Lights of Love" was the theme of the evening, sponsored by the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the hospital that raised $12,000 for the hospital through this event, said Garry Mac, hospital spokesman who served as emcee.

Photo by Capt. Budd Neviaser for NSBNEWS.net. Cutline: These wild turkeys in New Smyrna Beach avoided becoming a Thanksgiving dinner.

These No Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was detected in the samples collected from Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River lagoon, or the Banana River, thus far this month.

DELAND -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies will play host Thursday night at the agency's annual holiday program for underprivileged children in Volusia County, Sheriff's spokeswoman Judie Edwards said.

Now in its 20th year, the 100 Deputies/100 Kids program will welcome approximately 250 children to the festive holiday event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds/Agricultural Center on State Road 44 east of DeLand.

DEBARY -- The City of DeBary will present the fifth annual Festival of Lights at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 210 Sunrise Blvd., from 6 - 9 p.m. Saturday, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn reported.

"The festival will feature a laser light show, concessions and holiday music," Kuehn said. "A children’s area will include bounce houses, cotton candy, popcorn, face painting and Santa’s Workshop, where parents can take pictures of their children with Santa Claus. Children also can enjoy “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” on the mansion’s veranda.

Photo by Sandi Carroll for NSBNEWS.net. Cutline: Jason Lott smiles as he makes a glass ornament at Galleria di Vetro Dec. 5. Lott, along with Kyle Carni and Vaigale Duers-Stevens, will demonstrate flameworking as part of Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, which will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Santa will slip away from his workshop and busy schedule to visit Art Walk on Flagler Avenue on Saturday.

He knows that it is the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll and do some last minute shopping. Santa will be on the avenue until from, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then he must get back to work at the North Pole. So bring your cameras and your "wish list" to the gazebo at Flagler and Pine streets.

You can visit this special holiday Art Walk from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., as you avoid the traffic and the crowds at the malls and stroll along Flagler Avenue, the charming five blocks between the Indian River and the ocean.

DELAND -- TheV olusia County Personnel Division and representatives of the International Association of Firefighters union, which represent county firefighters will meet 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to discuss collective bargaining negotiations, said Dave Byron, Volusia County chief spokesman.

The two sides will meet in the second floor conference room of the Volusia County Personnel Division, 230 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 262, DeLand.

The meeting was originally slated for Wednesday, but moved up to Monday.

For more information, please call (386) 736-5951.

EDGEWATER -- The Edgewater Fire-Rescue will host a blood drive and bone marrow screening Saturday in honor of Miami-Dade Firefighter Catherine Wall, who is fighting Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a very serious and aggressive disease of the bone marrow, said Edgewater Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Lt. Jill Danigel.

Wall is a 24-year veteran of MDFR and has received various accolades for her volunteerism and community involvement, said Danigel, also Edgewater's fire marshal.