Local News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 27-year-old Rockledge man was unlucky in two pharmacy robbery attempts of prescription pills earlier today, first in Edgewater, then in New Smyrna Beach, police said.

New Smyrna Beach Police Sgt. Eugene Griffith said Jeremy Carman was arrested shortly before noon in the parking lot of the Publix supermarket, 1930 State Road 44, after he left the pharmacy empty-handed after passing a note implying he was armed. When he didn't get an immediate response he walked out to his light green 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlas and was taken into custody without incident.

June 26, 2009: William M. Brown and Adriana N. Vammen, Edgewater.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. See our previous story for all the details surronding what was a very successful event on Flagler Avenue, not only for the merchants, but the 8,000 plus who came out to enjoy the festivities of the annual Seaside Fiesta.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. Community leaders in the Westside neighborhood want the city to focus more on the recreational needs of the children there and to address cracked sidewalks and overgrown tree branches.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's the "appearance" of two New Smyrnas that has some Westside leaders speaking up about the city's seemingly endless focus on the economics of Canal Street and Flagler Avenue, the tourist- and business-oriented parts of the city while the area west of the U.S. 1 railroad tracks, which is predominantly black, gets lesser attention.

"We have to do better as far as our appearance and that's what's killing us," said Pete Carter, a minister in the Westside, who asked at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting why Pettis Park remained closed even though the basketball court renovation appeared complete.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.The New Smyrna Beach City Commission said "thanks" Tuesday night to retiring Fire Chief Tim Hawver, who received a standing ovation.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Tim Hawver, New Smyrna Beach's fire chief for 12 years and a firefighter for parts of four decades, was recognized Tuesday night by the City Commission, less than a week after announcing his retirement.

Courtesy photo (left)/NSBNEWS.net photo (right). Saying she wants profitability in government spending and holding the line on taxes, Judy Reiker has announced that she is a candidate for the District 1 City Commission seat held by Randy Richenberg. Reiker's Web site is voteforjudynsb.com.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With her campaign motto of "All together better!" Bouchelle Island resident Judy Reiker said she will challenge incumbent City Commissioner Randy Richenberg for his District 1 seat in the November elections.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Kevin Fall, project manager of the New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, informed city officials Tuesday night he expects the removal of arsenic-tainted soil at the former Dunn Lumber property at Canal Street and U.S. 1 to cost under $200,000 with available federal monies.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The city paid $417,000 to acquire the former Dunn Lumber property in January, viewed as the gateway to the city's tourism route at the intersection of West Canal Street and U.S. 1.