Local News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Kmart isn't the only anchor tenant store closing. The Food Lion on the beachside is closing, too.

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. -- No criminal charges will be levied against the 18-year-old driver responsible for her kid brother's horrific death in what was to be a regular after school ride home, Ormond Beach police said.

ORMOND BEACH -- A 12-year-old boy was killed this afternoon after he was struck by a pick-up truck driven by his own sister who had gone to pick him up from school.

Cameron Brenneman was pronounced dead on arrival at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- When Elaine Stathakis took to the podium at a city commission meeting last year to talk about the importance of approving the beachside hotel on Flagler Avenue, she identified herself as a business owner. But Stathakis conveniently left out one little detail: She owes the IRS more than a million bucks.

To top it off, not only does she not own a business, she doesn't even have a job. Instead, she "volunteers" at the Om Bar, said Mark Leone, the actual owner.

Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority Director Nicole Carni called NSBNews.net Sunday morning and said she's given Volusia County officials all documentation requested by the auditors Friday and Saturday. The County Council on Thursday gave County Manager Jim Dinneen the green light on Thursday to seize the SVAA's books after its auditor found a number of red flags that necessitated him having authorization to proceed that day.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Nicole Carni reached out to NSBNews.net this morning and said she knows she's up against the ropes in keeping her job, but she stopped short of saying if she'll fight or walk away.

"I'm on paid administrative leave and I'm cooperating fully," she said in a 6 a.m. interview. "All documentation requested by the auditors and the county have been submitted."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ellen Darden has withdrawn her name as an announced candidate for the Volusia County Council seat representing Southeast Volusia.

Darden notified NSBNews.net in an e-mail, stating in part: "I have made the decision to end my candidacy for the District 3 seat on the County Council."

She added, "After a number of weeks in discussion with my husband about this race, I have made the decision not to continue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Just one day after the Volusia County Council authorized County Manager Jim Dinneen to seize control of the books of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, NSBNews.net has learned that Nicole Carni has been suspended and offered an "exit strategy."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Volusia County Council gave its county manager unanimous endorsement Thursday to immediately seize control of the finances of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, and in a separate, but related matter, it was announced that a public meeting will be held later this month in New Smyrna Beach to address CRA spending practices.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In a city led by a mayor who owns a wine bar, the tolerance for public drinking New Year's eve on Flagler Avenue should come as no surprise.