Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Robert Schaedel, 68, of 2864 Red Oak Circle in the Redlands retirement mobile home community, off U.S. in New Smyrna Beach, was killed Saturday when his residence caught fire.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 68-year-old resident of the Redlands senior mobile-home park off U.S. 1, died Saturday in a blaze that fully engulfed his residence, officials said.

Robert Schaedel died in the 3:11 p.m. fire, but his wife, Mildred, who escaped the flames after trying to fight the fire, was treated at the scene for minor unspecified injuries.

OSTEEN -- State Road 415 has been a popular scenic route and an alternative for daytriipers heading east to New Smyrna Beach from Sanford, but it has also proven deadly as witnessed by Friday's head-on collision near Osteen where two motorists were burned beyond recognition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Aug. 8, 2009: Freddie A. Sloan Jr. and Aceana D. Hill, New Smyrna Beach.

Jean Vann, 74, of Oak Hill, a homaker and city native, who was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oak Hill, the Oak Hill Garden Club, and the Venice, Florida, chapter of Order of the Eastern Star, died Friday, August 7, 2009.

OAK HILL -- A precautionary boil-water notice has been issued for all 350 homes in the Indian Harbor and Lighthouse Cove subdivisions in Oak Hill.

Utilities crews shut off water at 7:30 p.m. Friday, to repair a 12-inch water line that broke at the corner of U.S. 1 and Ariel Road. The cause of the break is unknown at this time, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

Signs are being placed at the subdivision entrances and on each street to notify residents.

The following was written by Robert Lott, president of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, of which NSBNEWS.net is a member:

Sorry for the delay in this month's newsletter. I will assume full responsibility as I wanted to wait until the New Smyrna Beach City (Commission)/CRA workshop convened Aug. 5th (second such workshop this year). I am glad I waited, I was not disappointed. This workshop produced the same positive, informative formal thinking (dialogue) as the first meeting.

Florence Y. Anderson, 101, of Edgewater, a founding member of the Edgewater United Methodist Church and a member of the Smyrna Yacht Club, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.

Lucille E. Wind-Roth, 86, of Bartow, a former resident of New Smyrna Beach and a member of the Women of the Moose Halifax River Chapter, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.

Wallace "Wally" Daniel Nogueira, 87, of Edgewater, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a gunner's mate third class and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margie, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.

Courtesy photo/Volusia Branch Jail mug. Derek Wikso, 22, of New Smyrna Beach, was arrested Saturday on a felony charge of aggravated battery after allegedly stabbing 34-year-old Dustin Hewitt during an argument over a cell phone. Wikso was released on $5,000 bail the next day and Hewitt has since been released from Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach for a stab wound  to his torso.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Dustin Hewitt never saw the knife that was plunged into his torso during an argument he had with his accused attacker over a cell phone, according to a police charging affidavit obtained by NSBNEWS.net.

But police officers saw the knife, described as a chrome-handle buck knife held by Derek Wikso.

Police officer Dominic Ellis noted in his report that he drew his own service weapon upon seeing the accused and hearing the victim and others shouting to him, "He's over there with the knife!"

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner vowed to get to the bottom of why no federal stimulus money is coming for the propsed $10 million NSB Marine Scinces Center at the former high school off the North Causeway.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- There is no stimulus funding coming from Washington or the county for the proposed $10 million Marine Sciences Center at the former New Smyrna Beach High School off the North Causeway and that had city officials fuming Monday night.