Local News Now

Oak Hill vice mayor appointment date not accurate in daily print media story

Linda HyattCourtesy photo / Oak Hill Commissioner and Vice Mayor Linda Hyatt

OAK HILL -- A story in the Thursday, May 26 edition of the Daytona Beach News-Journal erroneously reports that Commissioner Linda Hyatt was named vice mayor at Monday's public meeting.

Of course, NSBNews.net was the only media outlet at Monday's Oak Hill City Commission meeting.

12-year-old Edgewater boy struck by car in 2700 block of Willow Oak Drive; victim hospitalized with 'serious' injuries

EDGEWATER -- A 12-year-old boy was transported by EVAC ambulance to Bert Fish Medical Center earlier today with serious injuries after the teen was struck by a motorist in a Toyota Echo in the 2700 block of Willow Oak Drive, Edgewater police said.

Police did not identify the victim or the motorist in the 3:24 p.m. Wednesday accident, but did say in a press release the injuries were serious enough that "traffic homicide investigators" were working the scene.

The 4:37 p.m. press release was not specific about the gender of the victim, but an Edgewater patrol supervisor confirmed for NSBNews.net late Wednesday night at the midnight hour that the victim was a boy.

Just clowning around at Denny's in New Smyrna Beach

Shelby Yant dressed as a clown with Kristen Speller, 2, and Rhonda SpellerShelby Yant with little ones, Dontae Geraci and sisters Kendall and MadisonPhotos by Henry Frederick / Shelby Yant, dressed as "Yantsy Pants the Clown," shown here in the far left photo, sits with Kristen Speller, 2, and grandma, Rhonda Spellers, as they get ready to color at the corner table at Denny's restaurant in New Smyrna Beach. In the near photo, Shelby has the attention of a trio of siblings, Dontae Geraci, 9, and his sisters, Kendall, 4 and Madison, 8. They were at Denny's with their grandmother, Linda Geraci. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights at the New Smyrna Beach restaurant. All of the children in the photos and their grandmothers are from New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's Tuesday night. There's no school's out for summer so 17-year-old Shelby Yant is just clowning around with little ones at Denny's restaurant on State Road 44.

Oak Hill Commissioner Ron Engele switches from department head supervisor of police to roads and bridges

Photo by Sera Frederick / Commissioner Ron Engele gave the ejection signal at the April 25 meeting as shown in this file photo to have NSBNews.net removed from the meeting. Two weeks later, he was a no-show and Mayor Mary Lee Cook apologized publicly to NSBNews.net for Engele's boorish and illegal behavior, adding the rest of the commission was guilty as well for not standing up to him.

 OAK HILL -- Without explanation, department head supervision of the police department was switched from Commissioner Ron Engele to newly appointed Commissioner Douglas Gibson tonight.

Engele was returned to department head supervisor of roads and bridges. Gibson, who was appointed by the commission at a special meeting Friday told NSBNews.net after Monday's meeting he had "no idea" why this occurred. Gibson, though, said he wasn't opposed to it since he is a retired trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and believes his experience in law enforcement should benefit the city.

Volusia County School Board Chairman Stan Schmidt gives New Smyrna Beach High grads A-plus; more budget cuts coming

Stan SchmidtNSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick / Volusia County School Board Chairman Stan Schmidt addressed the New Smyrna Beach Class of 2011 at Saturday's commencement at the Ocean Center. He was interviewed on camera after the graduation on stage by NSBNews.net on a number of issues, including his impressions of the graduation, the school district's finances and dealing with budget shortfalls. 

DAYTONA  BEACH -- Volusia County School Board Chairman Stan Schmidt encouraged the graduating seniors of New Smyrna Beach High School to get involved in their communities and to vote. After the ceremony, he told NSBNews.net he's worried about funding for schools after the next fiscal year because of uncertainty in government spending.

Volusia County Council Chairman Frank Bruno at New Smyrna High graduation: 'Education is the key'

Video by Sera Frederick and photos by Henry Frederick / Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno and his wife, Mary, attend Saturday's New Smyrna Beach High School graduation at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach in support of their niece, Ashley Thurman. The Brunos spoke with NSBNews.net on camera immediately after the commencement.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County Council Chairman Frank Bruno has advice for the New Smyrna Beach High School Class of 2011: "Education is the key.

New Smyrna Beach High School Principal James Tager credits 'A School' rating to efforts of staff, teachers, students and parents

New Smyrna Beach High School Principal James TagerNSBNews.net video by multimedia editor Sera Frederick / Principal James Tager celebrates his first year at helm of 400-member graduating class after four years at middle school as principal. Tager led Saturday's commencement at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach where he sent 400 seniors into the real world as young adults.

DAYTONA BEACH -- James Tager may be a rookie principal at New Smyrna Beach High School, but he already knew many of the 400 graduates from their four years together at the middle school where he was also principal. NSBNews.net spoke with Tager immediately after Saturday's graduation at the Ocean Center attended by more than 4,000 parents, extended family members and friends.

New Smyrna Beach High School Valedictorian Ericka Kirkpatrick encourages classmates born in Internet age to grow with it and make a difference in digital world

NSBHS Valedictorian Ericka KirkpatrickNSBNews.net video by multimedia editor Sera FrederickClass Valedictorian Ericka Kirkpatrick addresses her classmates at Saturday's graduation at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. The full text of her address is attached.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Valedictorian Ericka Kirkpatrick reminded her 399 classmates they came into the world two decades ago with the birth of the Internet. With its growth, they too can grow and make a difference in the lives of so many.

NSBNews.net utilizes multimedia platform to show all 400 New Smyrna Beach High grads receiving diplomas

NSBNews.net photo and videos by Sera FrederickThe 400 graduates of New Smyrna Beach High School celebrate as shown in this photo. NSBNews.net is doing something never done before in media coverage of a high School graduation: Digitally record every graduating senior receiving a diploma after being called to the stage. NSBNews.net is the media leader in Volusia County in utilizing 21st-century technology to bring this coverage home to you.

When you click the headline or "read more," you will be able to view all four video segments.