Top 100 SE Volusia County Stories of 2009

66. Former school board member and child advocate Deborah Denys first to announce candidacy for SE Volusia seat on the County Council

Originally posted Wed, 2009-08-19 00:59

Courtesy photo. Deborah Denys has announced in August she's seeking the Southeast Volusia seat on the County Council in next year's election held by Jack Hayman, who is being term-limited out.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Former school board member and child advocate Deborah Denys of New Smyrna Beach is taking on another challenge: She's the first candidate out of the chute to announce she's running for next year's election for the Southeast Volusia District 3 seat on the County Council.

67. NSB man implicated in $640K embezzlement of customers from Daytona Shores hotel he managed

Originally posted Sat, 2009-08-15 00:45

Courtesy mug/Volusia Branch Jail. Patrick Holley, 41, of New Smyrna Beach, was arrested Aug. 14 on charges he embezzled $640,000 from guests at a Daytona Beach Shores hotel where he worked until he was fired in October.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- A New Smyrna Beach resident was arrested Friday on two felony theft charges involving $640,000 stolen from the Days Inn Tropical Seas on South Atlantic Avenue while he was general manager there until his firing in October, police said.

68. NSB remembers the fallen during Memorial Day services

Posted Mon, 2009-05-25 16:32

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. At left, Alan Ayoubee, district 19 commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4250 and a Vietnam veteran, proudly holds the American Flag at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Riverside Park In New Smyrna Beach. Among the 150 in attendance were Mayor Sally Mackay, who addressed the gathering, and Vice Mayor Jack Grasty, also a Vietnam War veteran stationed in Thailand in 1969, at right. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Alan Ayoubee served in the Vietnam War, but he's particularly partial to World War II on this Memorial Day. That's because his father, Raymond, who died three years ago, served in that war.

Ayoubee, district 19 commander of the VFW Post 4250 said the chief difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day as that this one honors the fallen exclusively.

69. NSB cops charge 18-year-old in auto break-ins; urge motorists to lock vehicles

Originally posted Fri, 2009-01-30 17:37

Courtesy photo. William Henry Quick, 18, of 2846 Sunset Drive, New Smyrna Beach, was charged Jan. 28 with 19 counts of breaking into unlocked motor vehicles.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police issued a public alert this afternoon for motorists to lock their parked vehicles in the wake of the arrest of a suspected car burglar two days earlier.

70. Wine-tasting event results in nearly 1,000 bottles sold

Originally posted Sun, 2009-11-08 02:17

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. At left, Nicole Garni of the Galleria Di Vetro, Glass Gallery & Studio, 310 Flagler Ave., mingles with wine tasters in front of her boutiigue, which provided custom glasses for the Nov. 10-11 wine-tasting festival on Flagler Avenue. In the middle photo, Alan and Bobbie Argue of New Smyrna Beach, and a third patron, taste wine at the same location.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Judy Lee of New Smyrna Beach was among the countless patrons sampling wins dring Saturday's wine-tasting event on Flagler Avenue, with Lee coming to the conclusion that the "bordeeau" was the best: "It's excellent."

71. Sheriff's Office: Meth labs in NSB, Port Orange smashed; seven arrested

Originally posted Fri, 2009-10-23 05:29

Courtesy photos/Jail mugs.

Francesco Vezza, 53, of New Smyrna Beach, and Angel Somma, 28, of Edgewater, were among seven people arrested Oct. 8 on drug charges in connection with law enforcement raids on meth labs in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach.

72. Beach tragedy: NSB boy, 16, drowns in surf in Ormond-by-the-sea; body recovered next day

Originally posted Mon, 2009-09-28 01:42

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA -- A New Smyrna Beach boy was swimming with his pregnant girlfriend in an area not guarded by lifeguards when they got caught in a rip current and he went under while she was rescued by a another swimmer. Bendon Martin was just 16.

73. NSB woman among five arrested in undercover strip-club busts by Daytona Beach Shores cops

Originally posted Sun, 2009-09-20 00:00

Courtesy photos/Jail mugs. Lauren Heaten, 18, of New Smyrna Beach, was among five women employed as strippers at the Biggins gentlemen's club arrested Sept. 18, on drug-related charges following an undercover operation by Daytona Beach Shores police dubbed "Operation Striptease." Also arrested on drug-related charges were (L to R inset) Amanda Deavers, 22, of Daytona Beach, and Rose Anna Marie Gustin, 25, of Palm Coast. A warrant was issued for a fifth stripper, Rosalie Kain, 25, of Daytona Beach. Noble Poquette, 46, no address given, the club manager, was also charged with drug-related offenses. 

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- Lauren Heaton, 18, of New Smyrna Beach, was among five young women employed as strippers at the Biggins Gentlemen's Club who made decent tip money showing their assets to paying customers.

74. NSB Fire Department and IAFF union members raise record $11,020 in MDA Labor Day weekend 'boot drive'

Originally posted Sat, 2009-09-12 07:11

Courtesy photo. Tara Sullivan, East Florida fundraising coordinator of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, receives a check for $11,020 from New Smyrna Beach Fire Department Lt. Chris Dymond, IAFF MDA coordinator.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Fire Department and Local 2271 International Association of Fire Fighters raised a record $11,020 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Labor Day weekend "boot drive."