Local News Now

June 4, 2009: Shawn R. Nordeen and Sarah A. Robbins, Edgewater.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- And just like that, the so-called swine flu pandemic just went away. Or at least that's how it seems.

Here are the results of our most recent NSBNEWS.net Insta Poll question, which asked: The swine flu has garnered a lot of media attention -- what's your take on the issue?

The first option was: It's scary -- the more attention, the better. That was checked off by 14 percent of the respondents.

The second option was: It's another example of overblown news coverage. That was checked off by 86 percent of the respondents.

Courtesy photo/Florida Dept. of Corrections.This photo of Terrence Little Jr., a registered sex offender with the state of Florida, was released by New Smyrna Beach police to notify the public that he is now living in New Smyrna Beach, specifically 331 Sheldon St.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The city's newest registered sex offender is Terrence Little Jr, who is living at 331 Sheldon Street, New Smyrna Beach police announced today.

Little, 37, was convicted June 2, 1998, of sexual battery of a minor over the age of 12 who was incapacitated. Because Little is classified as a sexual predator and found a home in New Smyrna Beach, the New Smyrna Beach Police Department is responsible for make sure he is registered, which was done Monday. Little is the 42nd convict designated as a sexual predator living in Volusia County. Of the 42, 20 live in Southeast Volusia -- 15 in New Smyrna Beach and five in Edgewater.

Dorothy Caroline Adams, 92, New Smyrna Beach, a homemaker, died Saturday, May 30, 2009.

James R. Griffin, 82. of Edgewater, a former warehouse worker for a paper distributor, died Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Arthur Jack Poole, 82, of New Smyrna Beach, an avid boater who is survived by his wife of 60 years, Emily, died Saturday, May 30, 2009.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A malfunctioning stove resulted in a man being hospitalized after collapsing and $5,000 worth of property damage, primarily to the wall and attic area of the appliance earlier today inside the mixed-use wood structure at 500 Pecan Ave., a New Smyrna Beach Fire Department official said.

The unidentified victim had gotten out of the house after trying to extinguish the flames, but then collapsed and stopped breathing said New Smyrna Beach Fire Division Chief Randy Wright.

Courtesy photo. Beneditto DelNigro, a member of the Edgewater Code Enforcement Board, died Thursday. He was 65.

Edgewater -- Beneditto DelNigro, a 10-year member of the Edgewater CXode Enforcement Board, died Thursday, May 28, 2009. He was was 65.

DelNigro was born in Providence, R.I., and served in the Army in Vietnam. and moved to this area in 1988.

Courtesy photo. Lightning was one thing, but nearly 20 inches was quite another to dampen anyone's spirits during the week-long rain storms that finally ended Sunday.

The weather this past week has not been conducive for fishing anywhere, but in the nearest local aquarium. The Fish Stock tournament had a major disappointment due to the terrible weather including the nearly 20 inches of rain that we experienced, adding to a record drenching for May.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. The beach is packed for Memorial Day under beautiful, sunny skies.

Rose Marie Rapagnani, 87, of Edgewater, a bookkeeper in the plumbing supply industry, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

John Louis Scalo , 87, of Edgewater, who retired from R&K Originals at Dibner's Dress, Waterbury, Conn., died Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, today encouraged small business owners in Volusia County who have been affected by recent flooding to apply for federal disaster loans available through the Small Business Administration.

Any business or private, non-profit organization that is located in a declared disaster area and has incurred uninsured damage during the disaster may apply for a low-interest loan of up to $2 million to help repair or replace damaged property to its pre-disaster condition.