Helmet made no difference

DAYTONA BEACH -- A Tampa man was killed earlier today after crashing into guardrails at South Clyde Morris and Buccaneer Way, Daytona Beach police said.

The body of the victim was identified at the scene of the 3 p.m. accident as that of Ricky Whitehead, but no age was provided to the media.

Here is a synopsis of what happened, according to a scant press release: The motorcyclist was traveling at a "high rate of speed" northbound on Clyde Morris approaching the intersection of Buccaneer Way.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Familiar faces are staying on the Oviedo City Council with qualifying over and no challengers for Mayor Dominic Persampiere and Councilman Steve Henken, shown here from left to right, respectively.

OVIEDO -- Mayor Dominic Persampiere and Council member Steve Henken have been returned to their respective seats in this Seminole County city because they had no opponents when qualifying ended.

Though he had no opposition, Persampiere told reporters after Friday's qualifying ended, he's "humbled" nonetheless to be allowed to continue serving Oviedo.

Family fun in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With the success of the inaugural summer Beach Weeks, the fall version of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority tourism event event begins Sept. 27 with the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival and continues with myriad activities through October.

With carnivals, costume parades, wine walks, painting and fishing, there's a veritable laundry list of activities sure to lease locals and tourists alike. And it all begins with the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Fest on Sept. 27 through the 29th.

Then the fun moves to Port Orange Oct. 3-6 for the Port Orange Family Days. Sandwich in between is the New Smyrna Beach Book Festival, Oct. 4-6. And there's the New Smyrna Beach Gallery Walk on Oct. 5. And that's just the first week of October.

Video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Gene Emter speaks with Headline Surfer after being sworn in March 5, 2012, as the newest member of the Edgewater City Council following his win in a special election a week earlier to fill the seat opened with the passing of Ted Cooper.

EDGEWATER -- By a mere dozen votes, Gene Emter was elected to the Edgewater City Council in a Feb. 28, 2012, special election. Only 7 percent of the city's nearly 13,600 registered voters cast votes in the special election.

KISSIMMEE -- The following people were arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013. All those charged are considered innocent up to or until convicted in a court of law. Headline Surfer compiles these reports from the Osecola County Dept. of Corrections.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Pamela Jackson Smith, a parenting specialist with the Flagler County schools, shown here, is among several speakers at an upcoming parenting seminar.

PALM COAST -- The First Church of Palm Coast is pleased to be hosting a free parenting seminar from 10 a.m to noon Saturday, Sept. 14.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Zina Glitniak, 87, and Peter Glitniak, 90, shown here, were reported missing by their son when he went to their New Smyrna Beach-area home Saturday night. But early Sunday they were found.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An elderly husband and wife reported missing by their son 5 p.m. Saturday from their South Glencoe Road home were found safe in Indian County early this morning, a spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

St. Augustine Republican opposed to getting involved

Editor's Note: Congressman Ron DeSantis, R-St. Augustine, issues his weekly message this week on his continued opposition to U.S. military involvement in Syria. Here is his message:

ST.AUGUSTINE -- Thank you to the hundreds of constituents who have called and e-mailed my office regarding the ongoing situation in Syria. As your representative, listening to you is my number one priority and your opposition to a military strike in Syria was heard loud and clear.