Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.

Beradete Britz-Parker of the accounting firm James Moore and Co. said as a result of miscalculations, the city's reserve account, with everything taken into account, is closer to $2 milion than $10 million.  She outlines numerous "deficiencies" in the city budget that are troubling and recommended the city hire not only a competent finance director, but a budget director as well. Watch her presentation on our video, above, and click on the attachment, below, to read her summary reports.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- "We do have some issues," said the city's auditor of its troubled finances.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick and NSBNEWS.net video by Jeanette DiCara.

Some 50 supporters of the return of Amtrak passenger service with a stop in New Smyrna Beach showed their support 2:45 p.m. Saturday with a train passing through from Miami to Jacksonville with stops in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, along the way, with a host of state officialdom on board. In the video, Deb Denys, an organizer of the rally and a candidate for the S.E. Volusia seat on the Volusia County Council, and T.C. Wilder, whose dad worked for the rail service many years ago, talk up support.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The loud horn sound 50 train revelers heard Saturday across the street from the boarded up Dunn Lumber building at the corner of West Canal Street and U.S. 1 was an Amtrak passenger engine.  Or as these folks like to think of it: An economic engine.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick.

A 10-year-old Orlando girl was bitten on the foot by a shark in the waist-deep surf, less than two miles south of the Flagler Avenue Approach, 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The beach was packed, thanks to the warm waters with plenty of sun and surf enthusiasts as shown in these photos taken just before 5:30 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 10-year-old Orlando irl was bitten by a shark in waist-deep water this morning and was bandaged up by lifeguards before returning to playing on the beach, a Beach Patrol official said.

Courtesy photo/POPD Jail mug of Jeffrey E. Richardson, 49, charged with lewd and lascivious conduct involving three children.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Port Orange police have arrested a 49-year-old New Smyrna Beach man on a warrant accusing him of having inappropriate sexual contact with three pre-teen children while visiting a Port Orange couple in their home.

Jeffrey Eric Richardson was charged Wednesday with lewd and lascivious conduct after a complaint was lodged against him earlier in April by the couple, Port Orange police Capt. Frank Surmaczewicz said.

Courtesy photo/far left. NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.

The Amtrak passenger train will zip through NSB today. Deb Denys, left, a proponent for a passenger train stop here and a Volusia County Council candidate, is thrilled with the run.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Get your lawn chairs and bring them to the lot across from Dunn Lumber this afternoon to see the Amtrak passenger train pass by on its way to Jacksonville. The train is currently scheduled to pass New Smyrna Beach between 2:20 and 2:45 pm.

NSBNEWS.net by Henry Frederick. NSBNEWS.net audio by Sera Frederick.

Oak Hill police officer Brandy Sutherlin, at left in the photo, fills out a report while Oak Hill Police Chief Diane Young greets his wife, Christina, Saturday night in a gas station parking lot Saturday night across from the New Smyrna Speedway, after the couple told troopers they were victims of a road-rage incident that began on I-95 and continued onto S.R. 44, resulting in the off-duty cop shooting his gun at the other motorist's vehicle. Listen to the 9-1-1 call,

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- New details have emerged in Saturday's bizarre road-rage incident, which could call into question the judgment of an off-duty Oak Hill police officer chasing another motorist at speeds approaching 90 to 120 mph with his wife and kids in the car, as described in the 9-1-1 call he made to the authorities.

Courtesy photo/Facebook profile.

The Dec. 22 death of Jonathan R. Novenski, 18, of Edgewater, whose body was found in a ditch in front of his family's home, has been ruled "accidental" by the Volusia Counry Medical Examiner.

EDGEWATER -- The Dec. 22 death of 18-year-old Daytona State College student Jonathan R. Novenski, found dead in a ditch in front of his family's home after a party, has been ruled "accidental" by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office.

Courtesy photo/VCBJ.

Matheu Laurrell, 26, was arrested Wednesday on car burglary charges and armed robbery with a knife in an Edgewater purse snatching. He's also been named a "person of interest" in the purse snatching of an elderly woman in New Smyrna Beach outside the Walgreens pharmacy two days earlier, according to Edgewater police.

EDGEWATER -- The man seen on a surveillance video outsdide the New Smyrna Beach Walgreens pharmacy after Monday's alleged purse snatching of a 77-year-old woman, has confessed to that crime as well as a second purse snatching and a car break-in Edgewater police said.

Courtesy photo/Central Florida News 13

Casey Erickson, 18, of Wisconsin, was stung on one of his fingers by a 1-foot stingray while fishing with his father Monday at Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An 18-year-old Wisconsin visitor was stung on the hand Monday by a 1-foot stingray while fishing with his father at the Smyrna Dunes Park, but the bite was not serious, the Volusia County Beach Patrol said.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach (FL-24), as part of her efforts to promote fiscal responsibility in Washington, voted Tuesday to block the scheduled 2011 pay raise for Members of Congress.