Local News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 2010 edition of the Southeast Volusia Chamber Directory/Community Guide
will be coming out soon. The good news is that if you're a chamber member there's still time to advertise in this glossy full-color publication.

Rates are structured to fit any budget and any design work is free.

As a bonus, you'll receive a free ad in the online "flip book" version that will be on the chamber's Web site and your ad will contain a hyperlink to your Web site.

To see the current directory online go to http://www.heronfla.com/books/book.cfm?book=SoutheastVolusia2008.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Rezoning for the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites on Flagler Avenue was approved Monday night by the Planning Board with the lone dissenting vote cast by Marie Bushey, in the far left photo. Planning Board Chairman Thomas Wheeler, pictured with Bushey, voted with the majority for the hotel. David Swentor, principal in Premiere Development, the developer of the hotel, is shown in the near left photo. Behind him are Linda DeBorde, chairwoman of the Community Redevelopment Agency and Steve Dennis, executive director of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, the latter two supporters of Swentor's project.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Even with two new members on the Planning Board, approval for the proposed 112-room Hampton Inn & Suites on Flagler Avenue and backing into Florida Avenue was never in doubt Monday night.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.

New Smyrna Beach's artificial Christmas tree on the easternmost end of Canal Street (actually on Riverside Drive, facing Canal) was fully lit Saturday night after the debacle of the night before when the lower portion of the tree lighting was out amid heavy rainfall.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. The nearly $9,000 artificial Christmas tree on the eastern-most end of Canal Street lost some of its lighting as shown in these photos taken just after 8 p.m. Friday.

NSBNEWS.net file photo by Sera Frederick. The 2009 football season is over for the New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas who were no match for powerhouse Dwyer High School Panthers of Palm Beach Gardens, with a 42-6 loss tonight on the road in the Class 4A state quarterfinals. Cudas senior quarterback A.J. Granger, at right, had a rough night getting intercepted by Florida High School Player of the Year Matt Elam early in the first quarter. The Cudas' scoring was limited to six points the third quarter. Dwyer, now 12-1, moves on while the season comes to an abrupt end for the Cudas who finish with an 8-5 record.

Frances M. Riess, 92, of Edgewater, a member of Edgewater Baptist Church who enjoyed knitting along with her church activities, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.

Carol Ford Grooms, 87, of New Smyrna Beach, a New York native who moved to Florida and was an active Democrat, having served on the Titusville Shoreline Authority, the Democratic Executive Committee, and as President of the Democratic Women's Club there, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2009.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Steady rainfall has caused organizers of Light Up Flagler to postpone tonight's annual street-lighting ceremony to next Friday because of heavy rainfall.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Tonight's scheduled Light Up Flagler Avenue has been postponed until Dec. 11 because of the storm front moving through the state today.

The festive holiday event has been rescheduled to take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, on Flagler Avenue.

The Merchants Association will host free live entertainment by school groups, choirs, strolling carolers and there will be wonderful light displays. Most merchants will have an open house at their place of business, while serving refreshments, and will be decorated for the season.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. The towering electronic Christmas tree is lit up above Bert Fish Medical Center during the 20th annual Lights of Love ceremony Tuesday night, far left photo. In the second photo, Doug Hodson, board member of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, sits on the curb with friends. Pictured in the third photo are Sue Williams, incoming president of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, and her husband, Tom, also a member of the CRA. Speaking on stage in the fourth photo is Garry Mac, spokesman for Bert Fish. Pictured in the sixth photo are the Beu Sisters.

What we are beginning to see is, although it has been "festering" is the frustration of the "taxpayers."

They are beginning to awaken from their complacency, and are shocked and angry with what they see. A lot of them are taking it to the "streets" so to speak.

What the elected officials are learning is that they no longer will be able to act without providing answers to their constituents and also transparency. Democracy in action is surfacing.

We see it happening here in New Smyrna Beach.