Courtesy photo/NSB police. Kareen Walshaed McNeal, 28, of New Smyrna Beach, a registered sexual predator, was arrested Thursday on charges of imperonating a law enforcement officer and carring a firearm on school property after he was seen the last couple of days at Chisholm Elementary School carrying a handgun and claiming to be a federal drug agent, police said.

Ernest Russell, 75, of New Smyrna Beach, a former pest control technician, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009.

Ruth Collins Vlasin, 85, of Oak Hill, a lifelong resident and New Smyrna Beach native survived by her husband of 63 years, Bernard, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009.

Janet Schofield, 72, of New Smyrna Beach and Holly Springs, NC and formerly of Titusville, who devote her life to her family and her husband of 52 years, James, died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.

Elizabeth M. Scheid, 90, of New Smyrna Beach, a homemaker, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An armed man robbed three patrons just before 3 this morning outside the Surf Lounge, 181 North Causeway, before fleeing in one of their vehicles, New Smyrna Beach police said.

The robber pointed a handgun at the three victims and demanded cash before fleeing, said police Sgt. Michael Mathyas. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned a short time later in the 600 block of Roper Street. None of the victims were injured.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. The New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors has recommended the election of Mayoral candidate Adam Barringer, Zone 2 incumbent City Commissioner Jack Grasty and Zone 1 City Commissioner candidate Judy Reiker.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Mayoral candidate Adam Barringer, incumbent Zone 2 City Commissioner Jack Grasty and Zone 1 City Commissioner candidate Judy Reiker all received "recommendation" for support from the New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors for the Sept. 22 primary and in the general election.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick/Henry Frederick. More than 200 people showed up for the City Commission's public hearing on the $21 million proposed budget for the new fiscal year. Mayoral candidate Marilee Walters (center photo) urged the commissioners and incumbent Mayor Sally Mackay to make even further cuts than was recommended by Interim City Manager Pam Brangaccio. The commission instead voted unanimously to go with the rolled-back rate of 3.74 mills, which under Florida law means no tax increase.  Zone 1 City Commissioner Jack Grasty (far left), who is up for re-election, was adamant against any further cuts, including a suggestion by challenger Palmer Wilson to furlough city employees, saying he did not want to compromise essential city services. The mayor said there had been enough job losses over the last several years and that salary freezes across the board were in place. Mackay, Grasty, Randy Richenberg and Lynne Plaskett all voted in favor of lowering the millage rate from 3.94 down to the rolled-back rate. Commissioner Jim Hathaway was out of town on city business.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla -- Diana Vanderbilt of New Smyrna Beach will discuss “Writing Memoirs” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. 

Dear Senator Nelson:

Your argument that “the devil is in the details” fails to list the kind of “details” that make health care unaffordable for America. One detail is the traitorous, wimpy, back-stabbing politicos willing to finance business interests at the expense of those they are elected to represent.

Courtesy photo. Steve Sather, candidate for Zone 2 city commissioner of New Smyrna Beach, pleaded no contest 17 years ago to sale and delivery of cocaine, for which adjudication of guilt was withheld. Sather said he believes his past was brought to light to weaken his campaign.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Zone 2 City Commissioner candidate Steve Sather said he regrets to this day that he bought an ounce of cocaine for $2,000 from a man who turned out to be an undercover cop, for which he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community control and then probation.

Because it was his first offense, adjudication of guilt was withheld for the then-41-year-old New Smyrna Beach resident. Fast forward to 17 years later and Sather, now 58, is having to come to grips with his past all over again.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Labor Day did not get off to a good start for most sunbathers hoping to catch some early rays.

That's because all of Volusia County's beach ramps, including those in New Smyrna Beach, were not opened until 12:30 p.m. at the earliest because of high tides.

And that meant no motor vehicles on the beach.

Many of the ramps, including the Flagler Avenue Approach had long lines of vehicles waiting to get onto the "world's most famous beach."