Top 100 Stories of 2014

52. Ex-County Chair Frank Bruno celebrates 66th birthday; pinch hits on elections panel

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Though Frank T. Bruno, Jr. stepped off the dais in November 2012 after a 20-year-run as the face of Volusia government -- the final eight as the first elected county chair -- his political legacy remains in place, considering his successor and others meet twice monthly in the council chambers re-named in his honor.

62. VCSO: Hillsborough appliance theft suspects tracked to Deltona & nabbed with U-Haul truck

Top 100 Local Stories of 2014 in Central Florida / Headline Surfer®
E Parks, alleged Hillsborough appliance thefts / Headline Surfer®A Higgins, alleged Hillsborough appliance thefts / Headline Surfer®McKinnie, alleged Hillsborough appliance thefts / Headline Surfer®J Johnson, alleged Hillsborough appliance thefts / Headline Surfer®Photos for Headline Surfer® /
Evan Parkes, Adrain Higgins, Alexander McKinnie and Jermaine Johnson, were all allegedly involved in the theft of household appliances emanating from Hillsborough County and ending in Deltona as shown with their jail mugs here at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. 

DELTONA, Fla. -- Deputies gave an assist to investigators in Hillsborough County two days before Thanksgiving after a group of theft suspects drove a stolen U-Haul truck full of stolen appliances from Tampa to a residence in Deltona, according to a spokesman for Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson.

Hillsborough deputies investigating a break-in at 13523 Staghorn Road near Citrus Park determined that appliances taken from the home had been moved to Avon Park in a stolen U-Haul truck.

64. Orlando Magic sign free agent Ben Gordon

Top 100 Local Stories of 2014 in Central Florida / Headline Surfer®
Ben Gordon signed by Orlando Magic before 2014-15 season / Headlinev Surfer®Photo for Headline Surfer® /
Hoping to get more offensive punch for the 2014-'15 NBA season, the Orlando Magic turned to free agent shooting guard Ben Gordon.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic signed free agent guard Ben Gordon, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced July 11, and per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Ben (Gordon) brings valuable experience to our team,” Hennigan said of the signing. “His competitiveness and ability to score and stretch the floor adds versatility to our backcourt and overall roster. We are excited to welcome Ben to the Orlando Magic family.”

85. Indy 500 pace car revs up Turkey Run in Daytona Beach's Bellair Plaza

Top 100 Local Stories of 2014 in Central Florida / Headline Surfer®

Headline Surfer® videos / Lots more videos inside.

Vintage Indy 500 pace car at Turkey Run in Daytona Beach / Headline Surfer®DAYTONA BEACH -- A pace car from the 500 made a pit stop at the 2014 Turkey Run at Bellair Plaza, the last of the big annual special tourism events that is held during the extended Thanksgiving weekend.