Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera King. The New Smyrna Beach City Commission heard a presentation from Personnel Director Carol Hargy on a proposed 2 percent increase for police officers earlier this month, but a vote was put off after city resident Bill Kolesczar challenged the legality of such a vote since the public had not been noticed, setting the stage for tonight's vote. Check out the video for Hargy's explanation of what's new in the proposedcontract, including a revised overtime formula.   

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's a showdown at tonight's 6:30 City Commission meeting with two opposing forces for and against a proposed 2 percent wage increase for the city's police officers.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Two 18-year-old men were apprehended after police received reports of a reckless driver in the area of the Sugar Mill subdivision just after midnight.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Officers from the New Smyrna Beach Police Department concluded a narcotics investigation early this morning when members of the agency, with the assistance of the Department's SWAT team, executed a search warrant at 808 E. 26th Ave., police spokesman Sgt. Michael Brouillette said.

During the search warrant, Cassie L. Holmes, 20, of the same address, was arrested on charges of possession of Ambien, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, felony possession of Cannabis and possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Two 18-year-old girls were victims of an 8:04 p.m. carjacking at the Regional Shopping Center, 1996 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach police reported.

Police are searching for the stolen vehicle, described as a royal blue Ford Explorer Sport-Trac, bearing Florida Tag JE632.

Jessica Eibach and Britt A. Cameron, both 18, were the victims of the carjacking. They were returning to their vehicle after shopping when two unknown black males followed them to their vehicle, said New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Christopher Roos.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Whether you’re trying to navigate the Internet or still looking for the computer’s on/off switch, the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library has beginner computer classes that can help you find your way, says Pat Kuehn, Volusia County spokeswoman.

Discover everything you always wanted to know about e-mail at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4. Participants will learn how to get a free e-mail address, compose e-mails, and add pictures and documents to their e-mails.

Photos by Sandi Carroll. Josh Garrick, left, and Qurentia Throm, right, have been chosen as jurors for the 33rd annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, which will be held Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in downtown New Smyrna Beach.

Fraudulent Lottery and Sweepstakes Winning Notifications

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- During the past year, the New Smyrna Beach Police Department has received numerous complaints from our citizens who have received e-mails and postal letters claiming
winnings have been reserved for those receiving notification they won a lottery or sweepstakes, said police Detective Tony Ford.

"The Crime Prevention Office would like to caution those who receive such notifications, before you follow the instructions outlined in the notification, do

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library and RadioShack will host a free seminar to help local residents prepare for the digital television (DTV)
transition from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, said Pat Kuehn, Volusia County spokeswoman.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Walter Henry Glenn, founder of the North Bridge Yacht Club in New Smyrna Beach, which now boasts 567 members, died unexpectedly at his New Smyrna Beach home Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. He was 72 years old.

Born in Concord, N.C., Glenn came to this area in 1992 from Tampa. He was a 1955 graduate of Greenville (South Carolina) High School, and a 1959 graduate of the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and pitcher for the varsity baseball team, holding the record for the school's second lowest earned run average.

Vela Marie Ryle, 54, of New Smyrna Beach, a former project manager in the information-technology industry, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.

Thomas John O'Hara, 88, Nof ew Smyrna Beach, former owner/operator of a commercial moving business, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.

Ruth I. Fairbanks, 89, of Edgewater, a former clerical secretary for the Volusia County Department of Elections, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.