Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. At left, this stretch of Atlantic and Florida on the beachside of New Smyrna Beach was closed overnight due to flooding. Below, a road closure at Columbus and Atlantic was established as well due to flooding. At both locales, city pumps were being utilized.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With more than a dozen inches of rain dumped on the region, if you don't have to drive, then don't. That's the advice of at least one New Smyrna Beach police officer on patrol tonight on the beachside.

"It's not a bad idea to just stay home," said NSB cop Jason Reve.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Riverside Drive will be closed between Canal Street and the Overpass from Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 24, for the Fish Stock Boat Show and Fishing Tournament.

The event was relocated due to weather conditions.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Buses serving Votran's fixed routes on Thursday, May 21, may be detoured due to flooded roadways. Votran riders are encouraged to call Votran for route information
before making a trip.

Votran's fixed route service phone numbers (listed below) are in service. A rain-related problem with the phone lines was repaired earlier this evening.

Votran telephone numbers:
(386) 424-6800 (Southeast Volusia)
(386) 761-7701 (Daytona Beach)
(386) 943-7033 (West Volusia)

Courtesy photos. Warrants were obtained today by New Smyrna Beach police for the arrest of Roy Deion Fudge Jr., charging him with attempted murder in Sunday's shooting. He is considered armed and dangerous.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police today obtained arrest warrants for the apprehension of 20-year-old Roy Deion Fudge Jr., wanted in Sunday's shooting of Marcus Peterson in the 500 block of Josie St.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 2009 Florida "Click It or Ticket" enforcement wave is well under way across Florida and will run through May 31, said New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. John Kosorok. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $101.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MELBOURNE HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR..VOLUSIA COUNTY IN FLORIDA...THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...NEW SMYRNA BEACH...PORT ORANGE...PIERSON...OSTEEN...ORMOND BEACH...ORANGE CITY...DELTONA...DE LEON SPRINGS...DE LAND...DAYTONA BEACH...

* UNTIL 1030 PM EDT.

Courtesy photo. Donna Jane Bennett, mayor of Oak Hill from 1992-'99, died Saturday.

Former Oak Hill Mayor OAK HILL -- A funeral service was held earlier today for former Oak Hill Mayor Donna Jane Bennett, who died Saturday. She was 57.

Bennett was mayor from 1992-'99, according to Oak Hill officials.

A funeral service was held 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Emerson Bolton, Sr., officiating.

EDGEWATER -- City Council member Gigi Bennington informed her colleagues earlier tonight that the Pet Society, a group of private volunteers, raised and donated $14,000 to benefit the surgical unit at the city's animal shelter.

Bennington's announcement came during a discussion of a revised animal control ordiance that has more teeth in it in terms of enforcement.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With a third shark-bite attack reported this weekend in the surf off the South Jetty, the Volusia Beach Patrol has a plausible increase for the flurry of activity: warmer waters.

"Last weekend, the water temperature was between 67 and 68, but this weekend it was 73 to 74 degrees," said Beach Patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn, the agency's spokesman.

Not only does the warmer weather mean more active bait fish, which create a feeding frenzy for the 5- and 6-foot sharks that feed on them, but also more humans enjoying the surf.

(Updated 6:11 a.m. to include accomplice)

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police were looking for a gunman Sunday night believed responsible for shooting a 37-year-old man on the city's west side, who underwent surgery at Bert Fish Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his left shin.

Marcus Peterson, 37, was shot at least once in a confrontation at 554 Josie St., about a block from Ronnoc Lane. Police responding to the 6:34 p.m. shooting, found the bleeding victim, who was expected to survive, police Sgt. Valerie Joyce said.