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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Crossroads Christian Church in New Smyrna Beach put out an appeal Friday on its Facebook page pleading for prayers in the community for those caught up in the massive devastation in Japan that has claimed 800-plus lives with scores more injured and missing.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In an effort to hold down the cost of municipal services, city officials moved a step closer to charging a fee for parking in public lots with action taken tonight at New Smyrna Beach City Hall.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Take advantage of a vacation and help the youth in the community courtesy of T's Services by purchasing tickets for the chance to win a getaway for four days and three-nights at Vacation Villas at  Fantasy World II in Kissimmee, which includes four 1-day passes to the park of your choice: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Sea World.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

Courtesy photo / The scene from a Florida Department of Transportation camera on Interstate 95 south of  New Smyrna Beach shows thick smoke billowing from a massive forest fire in nearby Brevard County that forced the closure of the highway Monday.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Driving could be hazardous on Interstate 95 in Southeast Volusia from a massive forest fire in nearby Brevard County that forced the Florida Highway Patrol to intermittently closed down a 24-mile stretch of the interstate Monday because of poor visibility resulting from smoke.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 51-year-old woman who told a deputy she was "Satan's child" and "had no where to go but meet her maker" was taken into custody for a psychiatric evaluation.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NSBNews.Net file photo by Dale Smith who contributed to this breaking news story / Circuit Judge Richard Graham rejects the merger between Bert Fish and the Adventist Health Systems. We have complete coverage include the judge's ruling, which can be read by clicking the attachment as well as a series of exclusive videos throughout the merger process and through the courts.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Circuit Judge Richard Graham's verdict today in the civil trial that essentially nullifies the May 27 merger against the Bert Fish Medical Center merger with Adventists Health Systems is being hailed by the Bert Fish Foundation attorneys as a victory not only for government action in the sunshine, but also as a long-term savings to Southeast Volusia taxpayers who are already the highest taxed in Florida.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

NEWS FLASH

NSBNews.Net photo / Circuit Judge Richard Graham had earlier ruled the merger btween Bert Fish and Advenist Health Systems violated Florida's Sunshine laws.

DAYTONA BEACH -- In a stunning verdict, Circuit Judge Richard Graham this afternoon ruled against Bert Fish hospital's merger with the Adventist Health Systems.

The Adventists had argued a "cure" or redo of a series of private meetings done over in public was sufficient to overcome the earlier action, but the Bert Fish Foundation disagreed, leading to the lawsuit.

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

Photo and story by contributing writer Dale Smith for NSBNews.Net / Circuit Judge Richard Graham has been presiding over the merger lawsuit trial sought by the Bert Fish Foundation against the Southeast Volusia Hospital Board's partnership with Adventist Health Systems, also known as Florida Hospital.

DAYTONA BEACH – Circuit Court Judge Richard Graham could rule today on the lawsuit filed against the Bert Fish Medical Center and Adventist Health Systems by the Bert Fish Foundation.