NSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick / The video showcases an interview with cookbook author Ed Pankonin.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ed Pankonin, author of "Simple & Fresh" and a board member with the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, manned a booth at the 16th annual Norwood's Holiday Food & Wine Festival. Pankonin was pleased with last weekend's turnout, about 300 on the opening Friday and 1,200 on Saturday, according to estimates provided by Norwood's owner Don Simmons. See what Pankonin has to say about the festival and tourism in general by clicking on our exclusive video above.

NSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / A photo of Edgewater Councilman Ted Cooper is displayed on the dais in front of the chair he occupied in the council chambers, along with his name plate and flowers following his memorial service Tuesday.

EDGEWATER -- Myron Hammond returned to his creaky chair at his Edgewater Towing garage, jumping on the phone and choking back tears as he checked on parts for a customer.

Minutes earlier, he had returned from a memorial service for Councilman Ted Cooper, the silver-haired gentleman, whose life was cut short at 61 from a massive heart attack six days earlier. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Observer removed its "subscription" offer on its website Tuesday, one day after NSBNews.net pointed out that solicitations for paid subscribers was posted even though the Observer weekly newspaper has not published for a month and its owners told the Daytona Beach News-Journal they had come to the end of the line.

The Observer's former editor, Robert Burns, now identifies himself on his personal Facebook page as employed with Hometown News. though the Fort Pierce-based weekly with a Southeast Volusia edition doesn't identify him as such.

Asks why same CRA attorney advised it was legal then; not legal now

It was legal then and illegal now. NSBNews.net file photo by Sera Frederick / CRA Chairman Jim Kosmas is shown here holding a golden shovel for the Sept. 29 groundbreaking at the Hampton Inn on Flagler Avenue. Construction on the beachside hotel has been grounded since that day without explanation. Standing behind him in sunglasses to the far left is fellow CRA board member Chad Schilsky. Both were approved for grants for their businesses, which turned out to be illegal.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- CRA Chairman Jim Kosmas told NSBNews.net over the weekend that he repaid his Community Redevelopment Agency the $1,925 grant for improvements to his law office that was unanimously approved by his board with him abstaining from the vote.

"I paid the city on Friday," Kosmas told NSBNews.net. "What I Don't understand is why the attorney said it was OK then and now it is not."

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick / Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa was on hand at Christmas Park where he greeted a few children on and their parents as shown in this 6:50 p.m. Friday photo. Santa's visit is part of Christmas on Canal, sponsored by the New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the merchant association there.   

Special to NSBNews.net

EDGEWATER -- I will be holding my final listening session of the year in Volusia County at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Edgewater City Hall, making it my 16th public listening session in Florida's 24th Congressional District this year.

Riverside community in mourning

EDGEWATER -- City Councilman Ted Cooper died this morning at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach after a massive coronary. He was 61.

The city released a statement this afternoon stating in part, "With great sadness the City of Edgewater announces the passing of City Councilman Theodore 'Ted' Cooper after a sudden illness."

Cooper's sudden passing at 11 a.m. was met with sadness.

"It's just shocking -- because Ted really cared," Councilwoman Gigi Bennington told NSBNews.net. "He was a very colorful member of our council."

Bennington said that although Cooper was hospitalized for a couple of days last month for a heart ailment, his passing today was unexpected: "Ted died of a massive coronary. He was outside his home talking to a neighbor when he fell over. I'm just having a hard time knowing he's gone."

New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, shown at right, has been silent on a $20,000 grant approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency for CRA board member Chad Schilsky with the mayor's Barringer Construction for Schilsky's restaurant, That's Amore. Schilsky's grant has been rescinded, but leaves open a host of ethical questions, including why a sitting mayor would put himself in such a precarious situation to begin with. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A $20,000 grant approved by the New Smyrna Beach City Commission for CRA board member Chad Schilsky, that included money going to Mayor Adam Barringer's family construction business, has been voluntarily rescinded. At least that's the official line being given by city officials.

The mayor has remained publicly silent on the issue and has refused NSBNews.net's numerous calls and e-mails for comment with his city-issued cell phone and designated e-mail. He has also refused comment when asked in person.