Local News Now

Courtesy photo. This is one of painter Jim Draper's works on exhibit, starting today at the Arts on Douglas, 123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach. The exhibit is free.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Each month one of the 57 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of May, the gallery will feature Jacksonville painter Jim Draper.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Republican Club of Southeast Volusia County hosts its annual Kentucky Derby Scholarship fund-raiser in support of scholarships for local students, from 4 to 7 this afternoon.

The event, includes a hat contest, horse race game, appetizers, and a live TV showing of the Kentucky Derby race, will be held at Ocean Walk Club House, S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach.

For more information, please call (386) 427-6399.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Day Shift 0600-1800Case#:09-13632 Date: 4/30/2009 Time: 0919 Invest Asgn:
Header: MISCELLANEOUS REPORT Location:1486 MAYTOWN RD OAK HILL Business Name: ZONE:53
V-1 JAMES DEAN
S-1 ROY WARD

April 24, 2009: Henry M. Frederick, New Smyrna Beach, and Serafina I. King, Lake Mary.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A gunman robbed the Sprint store, 1863 State Road 44, on Friday afternoon, making this the second time in two days that a local business was held up, New Smyrna Beach police said.

In Friday's incident, the robber entered the store at 3:38 p.m. and demanded cash from the register. The clerk complied and the man ran away with an undisclosed amount of cash, said police Sgt. Eugene Griffith.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volunteers are needed for this morning's 21st annual Halifax/Indian River Cleanup, from 8 to 11:30.

Those who help pick up trash and other debris aling the river banks will receive a free t-shirt and reusable shopping bags.

There are several clearly marked sites for people to check in at. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes, including, closed-toe shoes or sneakerd. They should also bring sunscreen, bottled water and work gloves. Rakes and shovels are not necessary, but are welcomed.

EDGEWATER -- Kaboom! Thanks to the Friends of the Fireworks, the July 4th fireworks show is a go.

"We're about $1,000 short, but we feel like we can raise the rest," an excited Peggy Cousins said today.

Cousins, president of the Edgewater Fire Rescue Association, said much of the $12,000 was raised through a series of fundraisers, chief among them a barbecue at Rotary Park, spearheaded by the Friends of the Fireworks, made of of several local businesses. Some 500 people showed up.

The city of New Smyrna Beach is contributing "in kind" services -- a portable stage and bleachers.

Courtesy photo. Danny Veltri, 23, of Edgewater, and an executive chef at Flip Flops in New Smyrna Beach, is in the finals of Fox reality TV show's "Hell's Kitchen."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Danny Veltri showed he can take the heat of Hell's Kitchen, cooking his way into the finals of the Fox reality TV show.

Christopher Besuden and Serena L. Cooper, Edgewater.

Renee Annette Hafner Hall, 47, of Edgewater, a bookkeeper for a real estate appraisal business, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Don LaRosa, 81, of New Smyrna Beach, who retired from Kleeban Tool and Dye Co.,died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Frances Gilliam Little, 93, of Stuart and a former long-time resident of New Smyrna Beach who was a retired computer operator for New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Jerry F. Nelson, 69, of Edgewater, a former substation inspector for AT&T, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009.