Local News Now

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick.

Richard J. Rodi, who was paid $150,000 by the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission after announcing in March that he was resigning May 24, will be succeeded on an interim basis from within after the utility board balked at the $250,000 salary demand of its top candidate.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Utilitities Commission is looking within - at least for now - in selecting a chief opetarating officer after the top candidate sought $250,000 in salary plus $90,000 in moving expenses.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.

The Beu Sisters perform at the Beachside Tavern in New Smyrna Beach as part of a fundraiser for 9-year-old accident victim Amy Sue Root. Check out our video highlights.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Hot dogs, popcorn, barbecue chicken and cold drinks were sold. The Beu Sisters performed on stage. And the money came rolling in for 9-year-old Amy Sue Root at a fundraiser Saturday at the Beachside Tavern. The event raised $5,725.

Courtesy photo.

Amy Sue Root, now 9, was critically injured in an accident in January that resulted in critical head injuries. The Edgewater girl's family needs a special fan to transport her to and from medical visits. A major fundraiser is being held noon-4 p.m. today for her at Beachside Tavern.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A fundraiser is being held noon to 4 p.m. today at Beachside Tavern, 690 East Third Ave, for Amy Sue Root, the 8-year-old Edgewater girl struck by a truck while riding her Razor scooter in her Edgewater neighborhood.

Amy Sue, now 9, suffered critical head injuries when she was thrown 60 feet after accidentally darting out in front of the vehicle on Jan. 24, and she is in need of a specialty van to transport her back and forth for medical care.

Friends of the Root family are asking the residents of Southeast Volusia community to donate whatever they can at today's fundraiser at Beachside Tavern.

There is no admission fee and any donation amount is appreciated. There is plenty of live entertainment, raffles and all kinds of specials at bonanza prices. The hope is to raise at least $10,000.

Courtesy photos and videos for NSBNEWS.net.

This Mother's Day is unlike any previous one Sue Root has experienced in 16 years as a mother, with a catastrophic head injury that her middle child, Amy Sue suffered. The 8-year-old was struck by a truck while riding her scooter Jan. 24, and thrown 60 feet. A Sheriff's helicopter flew her to Halifax Medical Center and every day since then has been trying for the Edgewater single mother of three. In the photo are Root's three children, Noah, Amy Sue and Lauren. Noah and Lauren are home-schooled since the accident, which makes it easier on everyone.

EDGEWATER -- Like a horror movie in slow motion, Amy Sue Root was struck by a truck while riding her little pink scooter and thrown 60 feet. She survived the 4:37 p.m. accident on Jan. 24, but her life is forever changed. And so was that of a single mother of three who worked as a hospice nurse. On this Mother's Day, Sue Root is out of a job, low on cash and hoping for a miraculous recovery that doctors have told her to forget about.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick and NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.

New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Jack Grasty, at left, hangs out with Dick Barr, 79, at the semi-annual Pancakes in the Park fundraiser at Old Fort Park Saturday. Check out the highlights in our video.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Dick Barr, 79, has been a fixture at Pancakes in the Park for the twice-a-year fundraiser for the New Smyrna Beach Historical Museum for one reason: "The sausages."

 NSBNEWS.net by Henry Frederick. NSBNEWS.net audio of 911 call by Sera Frederick.

Oak Hill police officer Brandy Sutherin, at left in the photo, fills out a report while Oak Hill Police Chief Diane Young greets his wife, Christina, Saturday night, April 24, in a gas station parking lot  across from the New Smyrna Speedway, after the couple told troopers they were victims of a road-rage incident that began on I-95 and continued onto S.R. 44, resulting in the off-duty cop shooting his gun at the other motorist's vehicle. Listen to the 9-1-1 call, NSBNEWS.net was first to report the story. He has since left the police force.

OAK HILL -- The Oak Hill cop who shot at a pick-up truck during a road rage incident that started on Interstate 95 and spilled onto State Road 44 has resigned from the police force.

WASHINGTON D.C.-- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna (FL-24), joined her House colleagues Wednesday in introducing legislation that would ensure oil companies are held accountable for paying economic damages resulting from spills.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. 

Mayor Adam Barringer speaks exclusively to NSBNEWS.net Tuesday night following City Commission-approval to settle two of three lawsuits out of court with litigants who sued the city.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Issues or decisions that weren't done on his watch will be cleaned up on his watch, first-term Mayor Adam Barringer pledged in an exclusive video interview with NSBNEWS.net Tuesday night after the City Commission voted to settle with three litigants who sued the city rather than face far-potentially more expensive damages in court.

NSBNEWS.net video and photo by Sera Frederick.

Bob Tolley, a critic of CRA spending, is not pleased that Bert Fish paid $787,000 to the agency, especially since the money comes from indigent care tax money through the hospital district. Tolley is incensed that Community Redevelopment Agency monies are being spent on landscaping and pet projects for a small group of Canal Street merchants such as the nearly $27,000 spent on "Christmas on Canal." Our video shows the installation of a $9,000 artificial Christmas tree last fall at Canal and Riverside Drive. Click the attachment to read the CRA expenditures for Christmas on Canal.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An outspoken critic of CRA spending said he doesn't believe Bert Fish Medical Center should have to pay any further taxes towards the Community Redevelopment Agency and shouldn't have paid up last year's owed $787,000 that was paid Tuesday.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.

Beradete Britz-Parker of the accounting firm James Moore and Co. said as a result of miscalculations, the city's reserve account, with everything taken into account, is closer to $2 milion than $10 million.  She outlines numerous "deficiencies" in the city budget that are troubling and recommended the city hire not only a competent finance director, but a budget director as well. Watch her presentation on our video, above, and click on the attachment, below, to read her summary reports.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- "We do have some issues," said the city's auditor of its troubled finances.