Community

Courtesy photo / Ray Catheline of New Smyrna Beach poses with a poster-board check for $7,873 raised during the inaugural Cudas Unhooked haircut-a-thon. NSBNews.net doesn't like using "grip-and-grin photos" but an exception is being made in this case because the man behind the check is exceptional.

Editor's Note: NSBNews.net is planning to formally recognize Ray Catheline with a community service award at a future City Commission meeting for his Cudas Unhooked fundraiser. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Just five days before his Cudas Unhooked fundraiser to raise funds for

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The SPCA is sponsoring two pet shot clinics Saturday:11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kmart plaza on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach, and from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Family Dollar store on U.S. 1 in Edgewater.
These clinics are open to everyone and a veterinarian will be on hand to perform the shots. They only take cash at the clinics. If you need more information, please call 386-748-8993.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Adults can learn about computers, e-readers, gardening and more at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library this February. Upcoming programs include:

● E-books and e-readers: Wednesday, Feb. 1. Librarian Tobey Mason and Library Assistant Kristin Heifner will show patrons how to use the library’s downloadable media options including Freegal’s free and legal music downloads and Overdrive’s popular audio books and e-books. They will focus on Nooks at 9:30 a.m. and Kindles at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required.

● DVD learning series: 2 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9 and 16. During each one-hour session of “Mr. Lincoln: The Life of Abraham Lincoln,” Professor Allen C. Guelzo of Gettysburg College will discuss Lincoln’s life, focusing on the man, his politics, his opposition to slavery, and the gifts that equipped him to lead the nation through the Civil War. Registration is not required. This taped course is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Photos for NSB News by Angela Carter / Some 200 people cross the Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Bridge over U.S. 1 from the West Side to downtown New Smyrna Beach on Monday in honor of the MLK holiday. Some rode their bikes like 3-year-old cousins  Miley Jackson and Kirsten Jackson.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Young and old. Black and white. People walked shoulder to shoulder Monday in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Some 200 strong led by Allen Chapel AME Church pastor Lorenzo Laws: They marched, they prayed, they sang -- all in respect to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

City officials silent; county leaders saddened with 3 stores on chopping block

Janet Lutz of New Smyrna Beach pushes a cart to her car for perhaps the final time Thursday with the big announcement that the Kmart here is closing.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Lifetime resident Janet Lutz pushed her shopping cart out the front doors of Kmart Thursday night, after learning the store was closing for good. Earlier in the day, Sears holding, Inc., the corporate owner of Sears and Kmart stores, formally announced 79 of its stores under these two brands nationwide, ceasing operations.

The 60-year-old woman was heartbroken by the news that the Kmart here on State Road 44 is among them.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Want to learn computer basics? The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library will offer free computer workshops and a DVD learning course in December.

NSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Judy Reiker is stoic after her unanimous appointment as vice mayor during Tuesday night's city commission meeting.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With nearly two years as an elected commissioner under her belt, it was inevitable the ceremonial title of vice mayor would be bestowed upon Judy Reiker.

Besides, the other more seasoned commissioners had held the title already, among them Lynne Plaskett, Jack Grasty and Jim Hathaway.

It was Hathaway who made the motion to transfer the title from his name to Reiker's with Grasty seconding and Plaskett chiming in "absolutely."

20,000 without power across Volusia County; eatery in Edgewater damaged

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Pounding rain bands and wind gusts of up to 60 mph have forced people indoors where as many as 20,000 utility customers are without power countywide early this morning, including much of the New Smyrna Beach area., including much of the New Smyrna Beach area. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Are you ready for some football? Well, if you're a Cudas fan, you'll have to wait until Saturday because tonight's game against Pine Ridge is cancelled because of heavy rain over the best two days that has drenched the field at New Smyrna Beach Stadium. Instead the 7 p.m. game with Pine Ridge will be played at Pine Ridge Stadium in Deltona. In the meantime, you can enjoy highlights from New Smyrna Beach High's home opener against Astronaut of Titusville.