Local News Now

Freddie Lee Giddens Jr. of Palm Coast was sentenced in July to 30 years in prison for a brutal prescription drug robbery of an Ormond Beach pharmacy the previous September. The minimum-mandatory of 25 years handed down will keep him behind bars until the age of 57.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A 32-year-old Palm Coast man convicted at trial in May of sticking a gun in the face of a pharmacy tech in Ormond Beach for painkillers and other prescription drugs was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but the sentence includes a minimum day-to-day 25 years of incarceration.

Circuit Judge Frank Marriott adjudicated Freddie Lee GiddensJr., on charges of robbery with a firearm, kidnapping, trafficking drugs and possession of a firearm by a felony and imposed a $500,000 fine. Marriott called the robbery "senseless and brutal."

The tough sentence comes in at No. 73 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 stories of 2012.

I've condensed highlights of an article from the Wall Street Journal. These talking points apply directly to our County taxing authorities who have combined to give Volusia County near the highest property tax in the state.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- I don’t understand why cities, hospitals and business in general have to hire head hunter groups to find new leaders. Why can’t these places promote from within. Yes, I know that’s old school. It is what I grew up watching. If the old boss died usually he had already primed someone to replace him. If the death was sudden and unexpected then the next in line at the top took his place or at least was given the opportunity to do so.

Video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Ida Wright of Daytona Beach is the guest on Headline Surfer's online newsmaker show, 'The Sunday Conversation.'

DAYTONA BEACH -- Ida Duncan Wright made the grade with the voters earlier this month with her victory in a special election for a seat on the Volusia County School Board.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Chip Ganassi's 01 team won the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona in a thrilling race with Audi taking the top two spots in the GT class. You can ewatch a video of the final seven minutes of the race inside with the story.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Juan Pablo Montoya took the lead with an hour to go in the Rolex 24 at Daytona Internatiuonal Speedway and didn't look back as he took the checkered flag in the 01 Chip Ganassi Racing BMW/Riley.

With the win in the 51st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, teammate Scott Pruett became a 5-time winner. Memo Rojas and Charlie Kimball also were part of the winning team of drivers.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Juan Pablo Montoya wheeleed the 01 Chip Ganassi Racing BMW/Riley past AJ. Almendinger in the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ford/Riley to take over the top overall spot in the 51st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway with one hour to go.

The two battled back and forth following an early yellow flag near the end of the hour. At the time of the yellow, the top four cars were within four seconds.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- The battle over the “fiscal cliff” resulted in pretty much a total victory for Barack Obama. Never mind that the income tax increases he won will only fund the government for 6 1/2 days.

Headline Surfer photo by Serafina King Frederick / Surfers walk the hard sands of New Smyrna Beach while a young woman wades through the choppy surf on a recent warm January day.

Flagler Avenue resurfacing begins Monday; nighttime closures through Feb. 12

The locator map shows where traffic would be re-routed during nighttime resurfacing of Flagler Avenue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The city's tourism hub -- bustling Flagler Avenue, is about to get repaved. Resurfacing will begin Monday and continue through Feb. 12.

To avoid disruption of business district traffic during the busiest hours, the Avenue will be closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily to through traffic.