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DELAND -- A gun-wielding man robbed a clothing store near DeLand Wednesday night and forced the store owner to strip off his pants and lock himself in a bathroom, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.

Once the victim handed over cash and complied with the robber's demands, the robber fled. The owner was the only person in the store at the time.

No shots were fired and no one was injured. Volusia County Sheriff's deputies and DeLand Police officers combed the area but, did not find the suspect, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

Photos by Jill Danigel for NSBNEWS.net. Cutline: Edgewater fire personnel respond to a fully-engulfed recreational vehicle fire Monday night on U.S. 1 in Edgewater.

Photo by Sandi Carroll for NSBNEWS.net. Cutline: Ken Guilbeault (pictured left) plays interim pastor Justin Waverly and Violet Stoll plays Gina Go Dubberly in an "Away in the Manger" scene.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach presents the holiday comedy "Christmas Belles," starting 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at 726 Third Ave.

The play can also be seen Dec. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. and on Dec. 11, 12, 13 at 8 p.m.

Christmas Belles is a holiday journey into the small town of Fayro, Texas, as the Futrelle sisters attempt to present the annual Christmas program at the Tabernacle of the Lamb Church in spite of chaos and squabbling.

For ticket information, please call (386) 423-1246.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 17-year-old Edgewater boy who had been drinking vodka last night died early this morning at a friend's house on Corbin Park Road just outside the city limits despite efforts by paramedics to revive him, Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

The victim, Jamie Gibson, spent the night at 1160 Corbin Park Road in New Smyrna Beach, where he's friends with two teenage brothers who live at the residence.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County’s beach recycling program, already in full swing in New Smyrna Beach, has been expanded to the beach south of Dunlawton Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores and north of Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

"More than 200 recycling containers were placed next to trash cans this morning," Kuehn said.

County officials plan to expand the recycling program to all Volusia County beaches early next year. The goal is to promote the sustainable use of county resources and educate the public about the benefits of recycling.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The man who terrorized a mother and her children during an armed home invasion robbery Saturday night turned out to have been staying at a home across the street the past four days, Volusia Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said earlier tonight.

The mother spotted the suspect, Jonathan Pearson, across the street midday Sunday and recognized him as her assailant, Haught said.

DELEON SPRINGS -- One person was found dead inside a mobile home near DeLeon Springs that caught on fire early this morning, Volusia Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

Firefighters along with Volusia County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 47 Valley Drive after a 911 call about the fire was received at approximately 3 a.m.

The structure was fully engulfed in flames when deputies and Volusia County Fire Services got on scene.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hirem Desai became an American citizen. The bloodshed in his native India over the last several days has reinforced his belief that terrorism can happen at any time and any place.

Desai, who works as a cashier at the Marathon gas station on North Dixie Freeway, has been heartbroken over the carnage that claimed nearly 200 lives in Mumbai -- a half dozen Americans.

The world is not big enough for terrorism to hit home, Desai said. "It's bad and getting worse," said the 27-year-old native of Braruch, 200 miles south of Mumbai, India's largest city. Now a resident of South Daytona, he added, "I feel bad for everybody."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- While countless shoppers got up at the crack of dawn this "Black Friday" morning to rifle through the aisles of the Wal-Mart on State Road 44 in search of super-discounted merchandise, Myrtle Richardson was getting ready to go to do her job -- stand in front of the store all day and ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

"God bless you," she said as every fourth or fifth shopper passed by and dropped a dollar bill or change into the kettle."