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I think your design is a good start but it could use a good review. The main issue is the spacing, use of colours and use of fonts.
The logo and tagline work perfectly, keep them! The search-box isn't perfectly balanced. Maybe if you ditch the 'Go' button, it would look better.
The navigation is positioned too far to the right; move it to the right to give it more space. Maybe a subtle gradient similar with the Welcome to... could give it a better look.
Overal you colour scheme doesn't match. Search the web for some free colour scheme libraries.
The positioning of the individual elements is a bit weird; I suggest you take a look at the 960 grid system to give it a more balanced look.
The titles 'Welcome to' and 'News and Updates' are to 'cramped', add a bit of space to the top and bottom. Also, the colour make them look more important than the navigation, give the navigation the primary colour, those titles a secundary colour.
For me there's no logic why the news and updates are scrolling and the welcome text isn't. Leave out the scrollbar; as shown in your screenshot you have 2 scrollbars, which is overkill.
The dotted lines used in the layout are too heavy, make them smaller and less dark.
The dotted line below the footer is too close to the links, lower it or even better, leave it away.
Good luck!
