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Countdown for final space shuttle missions Sally Gillies Sun, 05/15/2011 - 00:40
space shuttle EndeavorPhoto by NASA/Kim Shiflett / Space shuttle Endeavor awaits its final launch scheduled for Monday at Cape Canaveral.

Grade: A

The countdown is on for Monday’s 8:56 a.m. EDT liftoff of the space shuttle Endeavor. In one of the most expensive, but rewarding undertakings our government has ever directed, the space shuttle program is first class as it winds down to its final missions.

After Endeavor, space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off for the final time on June 28.

Of all the shuttle launches, though the two that stand out are the tragic ones. Challenger blew up just 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board, and on Feb. 3, 2003, Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing its crew of seven. 

Four teachers honored at SE Volusia Chamber of Commerce 'Crystal Apple Awards' luncheon in New Smyrna Beach

Photos by Henry Frederick / Four teachers are recipients of the 2011 Crystal Apple Awards handed out by the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding service in the classroom: They are Kelly Conway of New Smyrna Beach High School, Marsha Kim of Read-Patillo Elementary School, Theresa Cameron of Indian River Elementary School and Kendra Blazi of New Smyrna Beach High School.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As the school year winds down, four teachers stand proudly at the head of the class in greater New Smyrna Beach. They are the epitome of educational excellence and have been recognized for their teaching abilities with "Crystal Apple Awards" by the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce. 

NSBNews.net, a proud member of the chamber, salutes Kelly Conway, Marsha Kim, Theresa Cameron and Kendra Blazi in our exclusive video coverage of the recent luncheon.

Firefighters making progress on brush fires in DeLand and Barberville; biggest in Pierson and newest south of Oak Hill

PIERSON -- Firefighters from four agencies continued to make progress Sunday on three brush fires that started in West Volusia the day before.

The Pierson fire, near the intersection Bell Fountaine Avenue and Carruthers Lane, grew to 243 acres and is 80 percent contained. Volusia County Fire Services was assisted by the Firewalkers, a multi-agency team of firefighters who specialize in brush fires, in this rural fire.

Common themes making headlines

Newspaper Section

I recently attended a wedding in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The flight out of Orlando on Southwest had a layover in Chicago with a final destination in Newark, N.J.

We rented a car in Newark, spent time with family in Staten Island, then drove four hours upstate to Lake George. The wedding was held at a church in Glens Falls.

Moving at the speed of government

Mayor's Message
By Adam Barringer

After 21 years of having plans to pave Paige Avenue (road behind Denny's, Taco Bell & McDonalds), it has been completed.

This endeavor happened because of citizens who were involved, remained resolute, and a city commission that took action.

Twenty-one years to pave a road is to be considered "the speed of government!"

Senior prank: New Smyrna Beach High School 'for sale'

New Smyrna Beach High SchoolNew Smyrna Beach High School senior class prank
Photos by Jeanette DiCara / Just how this sign -- an apparent senior class prank -- was able to be posted so high off the ground remains a mystery.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As I drove two of my daughters to New Smyrna Beach High School on Monday, May 9, I saw a sign on the building: "FOR SALE." I thought, "Ha! That's a good one."

It was carefully tied 20 feet above the ground. I laughed when I saw that the 2011 senior class took credit for it. Of course, this is the school prank of 2011 that seniors traditionally leave behind.

Jim Tager, principal of the high school said he doesn't know who did it. He's glad this year's prank was not anything destructive. His biggest worry was how high off the ground it was placed by someone.

It would seem that a cherry picker type of vehicle would have done it because of the slope on the roof below it and the height of the rope tied, but I don't think the school should focus on who did it.

My daughters saw rubber ducks in the school's pond one recent year. As long as no one is hurt and there is no property damage I think this is a fun way to have the school administration, students and teachers to remember each unique group of graduates.

Future of hospital in New Smyrna Beach lost on our elected officials

Create: Mon, 05/16/2011 - 04:25
Author: Bob Tolley

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- If any of you have bothered to follow what is going on over at our hospital, then you're light years ahead of our elected officials who simply have not shown any leadership what so ever on this subject.

Water bear nothing like the land mammals that 'bear' the same name

The average person when encountering the word ‘bear’ would think along the lines of a grizzly, brown, black, or polar bear. Certainly only a few people would think about the water bear, which is among the most unknown and most fascinating creatures on earth.

Space shuttle Endeavor a spectacular sight for hundreds on the beach in New Smyrna Beach and countless others across Volusia County

 
Courtesy video NASA / The space shuttle Endeavor lifts of from Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral this morning, the second-to-last launch for NASA's manned space flights with the shuttle vehicles. Below, residents and tourists in New Smyrna Beach take to the beach by the hundreds to watch Endeavor's final flight as shown in this courtesy photo by Catharine Roberts Hoehn. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Like several thousand locals and visitors alike, Catharine Roberts Hoehn watched the historic liftoff of the space shuttle Endeavor on its final mission into space and NASSA's second-to last-launch of manned flights. At least for the forseeable future.

"All I can think of is who's responsible?" Hoehn said after watching the liftoff from the Flagler Avenue Beach approach. "When I was growing up, it was instilled in us about America vs. the Russians in the Space Race. I feel like all the other countries will get a jump on us now."