Local News Now

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.

Editor's Note: The following was written by the press office of Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to today’s report that Florida unemployment reached 8.6% in January with 800,000 out of work, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) issued the following statement:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A gunman robbed the GNC store, 1968 State Road 44 this afternoon by demanding money from the cash register and then running away in an unknown direction, New Smyrna Beach police said.

Officers responded to the store right after the 3:24 p.m. robbery was called in on a 911 call, but the clerk wasn't sure which way the armed robber fled. The employee was unhurt, said acting police Sgt. Shane Riggle.

The robber was described as a white man in his mid-30s, 5 feet 6 with sandy-colored hair. He was wearing shorts, a white T-shirt and sneakers.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. Bad language by two New Smyrna Beach residents led to chastising by Mayor Sally Mackay during Tuesday's City Commission meeting. Robert Rees felt he was being stonewalled on who initiated a proposed pay raise fr the city clerk, prompting him to say "This is bullshit." Fellow resident Bob Tolley was upset about something to do with the NSB Utilities Commission and used the word "bitching."