Local News Now

PIERSON -- Volusia County Fire Services responded to four brush fires in West Volusia earlier today sparked by dozens of lightning strikes and were helped in their efforts by a heavy rain storm that moved through the area between 3 and 4 p.m.

The first of the Saturday fires was reported at 10:08 a.m. near the Candice R. Strawn/Lake Dias Park on S.R. 11 north of DeLeon Springs. This fire grew to 5 acres and was contained by 4 p.m. A brush fire that grew to more than 120 acres was reported at 11:21 a.m. near Bell Fountaine Avenue and Carruthers Lane in Pierson, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

True Story

Henry was NSBNews.net editor/publisher Henry Frederick's favorite newspaper comic strip when he was a small child in the 1960s, which inspired him early on in life to seek a career in journalism. However, he wasn't named after the comic strip character. Henry's father is Henry Frederick Jr. and his late grandfather was Henry Frederick Sr., who carried a press card, though young Henry didn't know this until after he graduated from college and began his career. And Henry has a 17-year-old son, Henry IV, who enjoys computers and electronics, but so far has shown no interest in journalism.

Question: Now that Osama bin Laden is history, what is the next big priority (or priorities) for President Obama?

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick; Poll taken at Denny's restaurant, S.R. 44, New Smyrna Beach

DAYTONA BEACH -- An alert clerk at the 7-Eleven at 1200 Flomich St., foiled a masked robber early this morning by running from the counter and into the back of the store as he was coming in and when the robber didn't see anyone he quickly took off, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

"No weapon was seen or implied," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Haught said of the 2:34 a.m. Saturday robbery attempt at the 24-hour convenience store, just outside the city limits. "This is the second time the store was targeted. A man had robbed it Monday morning and got away with some cash."

Earlier this month, New Smyrna Beach High School put on its annual Student Directed One Act Plays. I had the opportunity to participate in playing a fairly large role with a monologue. This year three seniors who took drama all four years were able to direct three very different plays.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Help the New Smyrna Beach PAL cheerleading team purchase new uniforms by taking part in a car wash/food sale fundraiser Saturday, May 21, at the Babe
James Community Center 201 N.Myrtle.

The event begins at 9 a.m. until noon or even later, depending on turnout. The car wash portion includes a wax by T's Service Auto Detailing for $25. For more information, please call Tim Hankerson at 386-405-8539.

OAK HILL -- Mayor Mary Lee Cook has apologized to Henry Frederick, editor/publisher and founder of NSBNews.net for the illegal actions of Commissioner Ron Engele in having him removed from the previous meeting, adding all of the commissioners, including herself are "guilty" for having allowed it to happen in the first place.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Excessive is the way to describe the number of people on the search committee to choose a new president for Daytona State College: 22. And of those members, 15 are directly tied to the college either as an employee or board member.

Courtesy photos / Shane Burns, far left, is in prison for life and Montario Royals could join him, if convicted of the same charge of first-degree felony murder in the shooting death of James Tolbert of Daytona Beach. Click the attachments to read the police report and indictment.

DAYTONA BEACH -- It's one down and one to go in the prosecution of two men in the Nov. 27, 2009, attempted robbery and gunshot-slaying of 34-year-old James Tolbert outside his Daytona Beach apartment.