Volusia News Now

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Joie Chitwood, III, president of Daytona International Speedway, was evasive in answering questions during a press conference early Monday after the last-lap crash that sent Austin Dillon's No. 3 Chevrolet airborne and into the catch fence at the end of the Coke Zero 400, tearing a section out in the process with debris causing minor injuries to 13 fans in the grandstands before the car tumbled back onto the track upside down.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Who needed fireworks any way when thy were enough sparks and some flames to boot at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 just after Dale Earnhardt Jr., the checkered flag: A race car ripped down a section of fencing that sprayed debris into the stands injuring several fans in the process at Daytona International Speedway early this Monday morning.

Former Orlando police chief

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Bill Koleszar did what few have been able to do: He fought (New Smyrna Beach, FL) City Hall on a September night in 2009, and he won!

William L. (Bill) Koleszar II , a resident of New Smyrna Beach and former Orlando police chief for a couple of years in the early 1980s, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2015, after a lengthy battle with heart disease.

Born in Fairfield, Conn., Mr. Koleszar's candle burned brightly for 71 years across six continents.

From 1975 to 1982, he served as chief of police in Montpelier, Vt, and Arvada, Colo.; and as chief of police in Orlando, Fla, 198-1984. He also served on the cabinet of Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm as that state's first director of public safety, from 1984 to 1987.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR CEO Brian France has infuriated the stock car giant's fan base of Southerners by publicly challenging them to fold up their beloved Confederate flag and stick it in a drawer somewhere -- anywhere, but at his race tracks.

And by doing so has once again demonstrated in his leadership role the corporate adage: "Do as I say -- not as I do."

Headline Surfer videos by Henry Frederick / Here are the sights & sounds from the 2014 Fourth of July fireworks from the Sanford Pier. Shown belo are Sanford residents Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres sporting USA T-shirts.

SANFORD, Fla. -- Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres, along with their two small kids, were among the thousands of patriotic Central Florida citizens who descended upon the the Sanford Pier for the colorful lights and loud booming noises in the night sky.

Photo for Headline Surfer® /

DELTONA, Fla. -- The Florida League of Cities has recognized Deltona Commissioner Heidi Herzberg with a 2015 Home Rule Hero Award for her "tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect the home rule powers of Florida’s cities during the 2015 legislative session."

Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials – both elected and non-elected – who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective to an issue.

“Strong home rule powers ensure government stays close to the people it serves,” Herzberg told Headline Surfer® after receiving her award.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The depth and scope of the data breach at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) continues to grow - records going as far back as 1985 and the information of any federal employee could have been compromised.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott will visit Orlando and six other cities today as part of his "Keep Florida Working" tax cut victory tour to celebrate more than $400 million in tax cuts for Florida families.

Scott last week signed HB 33A, which includes cuts on Floridians’ cell phone and TV tax; one-year elimination of the sales tax on college textbooks; and providing for a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- HeadlineSurfer.com is published around the clock by award-winning journalist Henry Frederick.

Here are Frederick's Headline Surfer® social media contacts:

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Former New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, also a Republican, first to announce run for Congress

Photo for Headline Surfer /

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, who previously represented the Space Coast for one term, has announced she will seek the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District, which she represented portions of during her previous tenure in Congress.

“We have an opportunity in 2016 to roll back the policies of President Obama and liberals in Congress,” Adams, who served from 2011-'12, told HeadlineSurfer.com, “but that means electing people who will fight for our values. I have a clear record of conservative leadership in Tallahassee and Washington.”