Local News Now

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNews.net provide Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world.

Photos by Henry Frederick / DeLand resident Carlos Campuzano points to the branches that struck his wife as she tried frantically to close the front windows with the intention of keeping out the rain, never-mind a huge oak that smashed through their home, during Wednesday's thunderstorm. New Smyrna Beach led Volusia County with 3.14 inches of rain.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The National Weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Central Florida, including the coastal areas of Volusia County. The alert was issued just after 7 this morning.

The weather service cautions the public to be prepared for strong wind gusts of up to 70 mph and possible hail of i-inch in diameter.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla -- Pub 44 bartender April Perreault broke a lot of hearts during Bike Week.

I try not to watch the news but every now and then it is on while I am doing something else so I hear it. Tonight was one of those times and let me just tell you a couple of things I heard. These should help explain to you why I don’t like to watch.

You have just shot a nice eight pointer. As you drag him out of the woods and get ready to put him in the truck, a plain dressed (or uniformed) individual approaches you, shows their identification and asks you for your hunting license, your tags (if applicable) and your driver’s license.

"The world has gone nuts... I listened to our President deliver the same garbage that has come out of the mouth of every president we have had for the last 40 years. We are now in another non-declared war (Libya) and don’t believe Obama, there will be troops on the ground within weeks.

Photo by Henry Frederick / Port Orange Fire Chief Tom Weber, shown at far right, participated in a regional fire services meeting in New Smyrna Beach on March 11, 2010, regarding the prospect of joint fire services, which did not go beyond the discussion stages. On the left in the photo at that meeting is Edgewater Fire Chief Steve Cousins and in the middle is New Smyrna Beach Fire Chief David McAllister.

PORT ORANGE -- After 35 years of public service as a firefighter in Port Orange where he rose to the rank of chief, Tom Weber is turning to the private sector to continue his love of fire services.

DeLand, Fla. -- Robert Huth Jr., an experienced business and finance administrator who currently serves as executive vice president at Middlebury College in Vermont, has been named vice president for business and chief financial officer at Stetson University.

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNews.net provide Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. 

Photos by Henry Frederick / New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer says he's pleased the city's finances are sound, but with unfunded balances in police and fire, the city is at greater risk financially. Daytona Beach cop Bob Walker, new business agent for Teamsters Local 385, says its unfair to curb pay increases for cops and firefighters and expected them to pay more for pensions they've earned.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The news behind New Smyrna Beach's annual audit is good considering the escalating costs of government doing business in this economy.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett knew the sudden blinding rain was too much for her windshield as visibility disappeared like a whiteout from a fast moving rainstorm while on her way to Edgewater to drop off her granddaughter from school, so she pulled over on Park Avenue.