Volusia News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The two main taxing agencies in New Smyrna Beach mired in controversy are undergoing a metamorphosis. They are, of course, the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority and the Community Redevelopment Agency. As the clock ticks closer to April, NSBNews.net will take a closer look in the coming weeks at how scandal took root with both taxing entities and what government leaders are doing -- or not doing -- to clean it up in our continuing investigative project, "Show Me the Money: New Smyrna Beach."

And having pored through thousands of pages of public government documents and court records and having covered countless public hearings, including a federal bankruptcy hearing in Orlando, NSBNews.net will shed light on a key business figure deeply embedded in the controversy who benefited from thousands of dollars in taxpayer money and has a trail of debt to show for it. His name is Robert Lott, who just four years ago, was among the most powerful and influential businessmen in Southeast Volusia.

Pavlina Osta interviews the boy band 'Allstar Weekend' and asks about touring with Selena Gomez, in the video at left. The band members talk among themselves in the video to the right.

By Pavlina Osta

• Read more about The band 'Allstar Weekend' talks about touring with Selena Gomez in interview in Lake Buena Vista

EDGEWATER -- I don't think I am alone in receiving donation mail, receiving address labels, greeting cards, note pads. nickles, dimes and even $2.50 checks, you often wonder how many are scams. Send in a donation once and you are on their list forever.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- One of the interesting challenges in my practice these days is the text. Often times even during sessions, people are prone to reply to the text. It has become a standard of acceptable behavior. It also has become one of the most dangerous ways to flirt and when in a relationship. You are great at the text and are proud of it.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Firefighters are battling 130-acre wildfire on this early Tusday morning in the western part of the city, a mile south of State Road 44 and 1 1/2 miles west of Interstate 95, that could generate lingering smoke for motorists on the two roadways.

"Due to this wildfire’s location, lingering smoke may become a factor in the City of New Smyrna Beach," said Division Chief Randy Wright, also the spokesman for the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department. "Drivers are cautioned to slow down and use low-beam headlights when traveling on roads that are affected by smoke."

Dubbed the "Champion Fire," it is 65 percent contained, Wright said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Children are invited to the inaugural New Smyrna Beach Easter Egg Hunt at noon, Saturday, April 7, at Old Fort Park, 210 Sams Ave. Nearly 6,500 plastic, colored eggs will dot the landscape, said Liz Yancey, city recreation and special events supervisor.

"This is the first Easter Egg Hunt the City has sponsored in at least 34 years," Yancey said. "Volunteers will take hours filling the eggs with candy. And if you've ever seen an egg hunt, you know it will be over in just a few minutes."

NSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / Is she for real? That's what the Bike Week crowd kept asking at the Cabbage Patch.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Those who walked by a vendor tent for helmet art work at the Cabbage Patch in Samsula during Bike Week wondered if the life-like figure in body paint was the real thing at the Cabbage Patch. Few dared to ask and those who did didn't get an answer.

Only with a sharp eye or a strong camera lens could see that this was a living, breathing creature, whose beauty was accentuated by the flourescent green paint. With little in the way of actual clothes and a lot to be left to the imagination, 38-year-old Sophia Smith was a head turner.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Under bright sunny skies Saturday, people craned their heads upwards for a once-in-a-lifetime view of an elite group of parachuters with their precision landings at the fourth annual New Smyrna Beach Balloon and SkyFest.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 21-year-old surfer was bitten by a shark earlier today near the South Jetty, the Volusia County Beach Patrol said.

Joey Coppola suffered minor lacerations to one of his feet while surfing in waist-deep water, said Beach Patrol Capt. Tamar Marris, the agency's spokeswoman. She said the surfer was treated on scene, but declined transport to nearby Bert Fish Medical Center.

Saturday's 2 p.m. shark bite was the third such incident this year, following two others on the same day earlier this month, all in New Smyrna Beach waters. Volusia County had six shark-bite incidents last year.