Top 100 Stories

Christopher Besuden and Serena L. Cooper, Edgewater.

Renee Annette Hafner Hall, 47, of Edgewater, a bookkeeper for a real estate appraisal business, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Don LaRosa, 81, of New Smyrna Beach, who retired from Kleeban Tool and Dye Co.,died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Frances Gilliam Little, 93, of Stuart and a former long-time resident of New Smyrna Beach who was a retired computer operator for New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Jerry F. Nelson, 69, of Edgewater, a former substation inspector for AT&T, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

DELAND -- Currently there are no confirmed cases in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health and a press release issued by Volusia County Health officials.

Editor's Note: The following was written by the press office of Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to today’s report that Florida unemployment reached 8.6% in January with 800,000 out of work, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) issued the following statement:

Well, we're past 100 days since Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States of America and made history as the first black to hold this office.
His platform was Change." The majority of the American voters where ready for a change, and change we got.

But in grading Obama, he deserves an F, in my opinion, for failure for changes that went in the wrong direction.

Here are Obama's biggest blunders:

1. His reverse funding on the abortion issue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A gunman robbed the GNC store, 1968 State Road 44 this afternoon by demanding money from the cash register and then running away in an unknown direction, New Smyrna Beach police said.

Officers responded to the store right after the 3:24 p.m. robbery was called in on a 911 call, but the clerk wasn't sure which way the armed robber fled. The employee was unhurt, said acting police Sgt. Shane Riggle.

The robber was described as a white man in his mid-30s, 5 feet 6 with sandy-colored hair. He was wearing shorts, a white T-shirt and sneakers.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. Bad language by two New Smyrna Beach residents led to chastising by Mayor Sally Mackay during Tuesday's City Commission meeting. Robert Rees felt he was being stonewalled on who initiated a proposed pay raise fr the city clerk, prompting him to say "This is bullshit." Fellow resident Bob Tolley was upset about something to do with the NSB Utilities Commission and used the word "bitching."

Courtesy photo. Olympic gold medal swimer Ryan Lochte of Volusia County was honored Wednesday by the Florida House.

TALLAHASSEE -- Volusia County's Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Ryan Lochte was honored by state lawmakers today.

Lochte, the 24-year-old Spruce Creek High School and University of Florida graduate, won a relay team gold and an individual gold in the 200-meter backstroke, the latter beating the world record, in the Beijing Games.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Gallery Group of Flagler Avenue is seeking professional artists in any medium to participate in the* "Paint Out" Art Walk* from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 23 in New Smyrna Beach. Artists who can demonstrate their artistic technique are especially invited to attend.

Artist are also sought for upcoming Art Walks: June, "Waterworks"; July, "Christmas in July"; August, "Surf's Up"; September, "All That Jazz"; October, "Fantasy Works Halloween Spooktacular"; November, "Christmas Village"; and December, "Special Christmas Celebration."

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. New Smyrna Beach Mayor Sally Mackay said a $5,200 raise request for City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe, below, will be taken off tonight's agenda because "the time is not right" with economic conditions and a tough budget season approaching.