Local News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Build it and they will come, urged residents in support of an upscale hotel complex off Flagler Avenue.

"We need this hotel - we need the impact of this hotel, said Hunter Mann, an owner of the 24 Hour Body Works on U.S. 1., who said he started up his physical fitness center here in January, based on the city's history and charm. "We want this money in our community."

Others, though, were not so sold on the project, with Bill Gallagher, of North Pine Street saying, "We have to be weary of some of the promises."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The City Commission will hold a special meeting 8:30 a.m. at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1414 Art Center Blvd., to discuss a plethora of major projects. They include development of last year's Ester Street acreage to help alleviate drainage and provide off-beach parking:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, took action today to protect jobs and stop forced closings of Central Florida automobile dealerships by signing on as an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act (H.R.2743).

Courtesy photo. Richard Lester, an algebra teacher at New Smrna Beach High School, appeared 20 years ago in the movie western, "Silverado," which was broadcast May 30 on Turner Classic Movies.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Weekdays for 10 months out of the year, film-maker Richard Lester teaches ninth-grade algebra at New Smyrna Beach High School.

Courtesy photo. The official poster and T-shirt designs for the Seaside Fiesta were created by watercolor artist Judy Shiilinburg of Destin for the June 18  street party on Flagler Avenue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Judy Shillingburg's watercolor, "Seaside Fiesta," was selected for the 21st annual Flagler Avenue Seaside Fiesta poster and T-shirt, the marquee symbols for the Seaside Fiesta.

Editor's note: Updated to identify the motorist, the city of the victim and the circumstances.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 45-year-old woman was struck and killed by a motorist in a Toyota pick-up truck Friday night while crossing the 1900 block of State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach police said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County’s Mosquito Control Division has contracted with Clarke Mosquito Control to spray 113,569 acres in the county starting Sunday night here in New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater and Oak Hill, said Vickie Pleus, a county spokeswoman.

She said Clarke will treat for adult mosquitoes using low-flying fixed-wing aircraft. The spraying will occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. and is expected to be completed by Thursday night.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The targeted victim was an 84-year-old Edgewater woman sitting in her car at the New Smyrna Beach K-Mart on 1724 State Road 44. The would-be criminal: A 13-year-old boy.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. This man, who refused to identify himself, except to say he's a homeless Vietnam Veteran from New Jersey, stood Wednesday afternoon for more than an hour at an entranceway  to the NSB Regional Shopping Center on State Road 44, trying to solicit money from motorists exiting eastbound. He got no money. The shopping center in recent months has been targeted by carjackers and purse snatchers and now panhandlers.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Still reeling from record flood waters last month, New Smyrna Beach and much of the region soaked up another 3 inches of rain earlier today, with drizzling into the night, according to the National Weather Service.