Volusia News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- On Tuesday, municipl leaders will take formal action to confirm 54-year-old Mike Coffin as the city’s top cop, s forgone covlusion since he's the hand-picjked choice of the city manager.

He also was the strongst candidate ranked informally by Mayor Jim Hathaway. 

"i like his experience and his appraoch to policing -- his no-nonsense approach to serving the public," Hathaway told Headline Surfer®.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows how to get the job done when it comes to racing at Daytona as the countdown begins for Speedweeks and the 500 race on Feb. 22. But Earnhardt was nervous as all nervous heck in the hours leading up to his appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," last September to hype NASCAR's Chase championship format.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Select fans will be paired with crew chiefs foe the Sprint Unlimited, a new way to boost attendance for the opening Speedweeks race at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR has announced that the Speedweeks 75-lap Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday will be split into two segments. A competition caution at lap 25 will separate the segments in the non-points event, scheduled for an 8:15 p.m. ET start . 

And brand new this year, select fans will be paired with each crew chief for a random drawing to determine starting and pit road positions. The drawings will take place 3:30 p.m. Friday at the FDOT Main Stage inside the Sprint FanZone.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. -- The discovery of a beached whale in October was a story with a sad ending, but certainly a part of nature.

The discovery of a 10-foot sperm whale in the 2600 block of South Atlantic Avenue on the shore around noon on Saturday Oct. 11, drew dozens of onlookers, said Beach Safety spokeswoman Tamra Marris. The whale was not euthanized as some media outlets reported, but died on its own just before rescuers arrived. 

Dis 5 county councilman does bidding for influential Daytona insiders who comprised 80% of his campaign funding while dissing media asking about transparency

DEBARY, Fla. -- The newest member of the Volusia County Council has already shown his true colors when it comes to transparency and the opportunity to stand tall for under-paid Sheriff's deputies and sergeants who were negotiating with management in good faith last month when the county declared an impasse -- walked away from talks.

Photos for Headline Surfer® /

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- A house fire near New Smyrna Beach during the early morning hours of Nov. 6, claimed the life of a 44-year-old man, identified a short time lster that day as Danny Henry, who lived there with his brother.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- "This was no accident! I saw him swim up the whitewater, turn at the top and drop in on the wave and ride it all the way to the beach, while using his wings to turn right, then left in the whitewater. I could not believe my eyes."

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Chip Ganassi Racing proved its endurance with the big win in the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona -- the sixth checkered flag for the renowned racing team's ownership. 

Scott Dixon wheeled the No. 02 Riley-Ford DP to a 1.333-second win over the No. 5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP of Sebastien Bourdais, after a last-minute caution and miscalculation in switching drivers for the runner-up team sealed the win.