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New spotlight features added to our home page as we continue our major upgrade

We have added two new spotlight features to our Home page: "Volusia News Spotlight" and "NSB News Spotlight" to draw special attention to feature stories and evebnts that mioght get lost in the regular posting of daily news items.

We hope to procvide new installments for each of these in a given week. Our emphasis is highlighting unusual or special events that bring attention to something happening that goes above and beyond routine news coverage.

We hope that you enjoy these and other new features in the works as we close out the year and look ahead to 2011.

Clock ticking on proposed beachside hotel for New Smyrna Beach

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNEWS.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world
(Photos by Dale Smith). In the larger photo, David Swentor, developer of the proposed 112-room Hampton Inn on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, addresses the City Commission, with attorney Glenn Storch by his side, implores officials to grant him an additional six months to secure funding, saying his project was negatively impacted by the city's planning debacle. In the smaller photo, City Commissioner and Mayor Adam Barringer, along with Commissioners Judy Reiker and Lynne Plaskett, vote to meet him half way with a three-month extension. Commissioner Jim Hathaway opposes any extension at all. 

Here is a link to one of the earlier stories on the planning debacle that NSBNEWS.net broke:

nsbnews.net/content/279859-hotel-developer-david-swentor-citys-planning-debacle-insane

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The develops can look at their plight following Tuesday's decision by the City Commission as a glass half full or half empty.

Volusia Tax Reform's Margie Patchett challenges wisdom and legality of County Council's purchase of Leffler Ranch

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNEWS.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world
(Photo by Henry Frederick)

Even though Port Orange resident Margie Patchett came up short in her bid for the at-large County Council seat won by Joyce Cusack in the Nov. 2 elections, she's returned to her roots as head of Volusia Tax Reform, questioning the council's wisdom and even the legality of the council's Dec. 9 vote to spend $28.8 million for the Leffler Ranch.

Here is a link to VolusiaNews.Net's story on the County Council's vote:

volusianews.net/content/363733-county-council-closes-leffler-ranch-today-cool-288-million-touted-future-water-supply

What follows is a letter Patchett wote to the council dated Dec. 14:

New Smyrna Beach benches advertising agency's request for additional signage

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith for NSBNews.net:
 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The way City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett sees it, New Smyrna Beach has more than its fair share of public benches with advertising on them. “I just don’t want to see us becoming a bus bench billboard city,” Plaskett said.

Passenger traffic up 14% in November at Daytona Beach International Airport

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNEWS.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 14 percent in November compared with the same month last year, according to VolusiaCounty officials.

During November 37,402 incoming and outgoing passengers traveled through Daytona Beach International Airport. This compares with 32,853 travelers recorded in November last year.

SE Volusia Chamber of Commerce opens its house for business

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNEWS.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world
(Photos by Dale Smith). A new sign in the front yard at 310 Julia St., New Smyrna Beach, announces the new temporary home of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will stay at that location for at least a year until the historic chamber building on Canal Street is renovated and updated.  Walter and Ann Johnson of Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, center and right, pose for a photo with SE Volusia Chamber Executive Vice President Samantha Bishop.
Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – An open house has heralded in a new beginning for the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce as it readies to fire up business in 2011.

Internet Explorer users will see a weird-looking home page as we continue our upgrades over the next few hours

Those of you using Internet Explorer are likely seeing a front page that looks weird. That's because we're continuing our upgrades as we gear up for a turbo charged online news experience in 2011. As always, Sera and I appreciate your support, feedback and most of all, appreciation of giving us the opportunity to bring the news to you, where you are on your laptop, desktop computer, data-plan cell phone or i-pad. The news and information here is always free in a truly unique multi-media platform in story, video and sound.

Orlando Magic ship Daytona Beach's Vince Carter to Phoenix Suns in multi-player trade

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNEWS.net provide 24/7 online-media coverage for a 21st-century world
(Courtesy photo / orlandomagic.com) Vince Carter, whose road through baskettball started at Daytona Beach's Mainland High School, then the North Carolina ar Heels and into the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey and then a homecoming of sorts with the Orlando Magic, is now a member of the Phoenix Suns in a major blockbuster trade.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Orlando Magic have traded former Mainland High School star Vince Carter to the Phoenix Suns in a multi-player trade. Read more about it by clicking the link to SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/12/18/magic.trades.ap/index.html?eref=sihp