Top 100 Stories

Headline Surfer photos / Above: A memorial outside the New Smyrna Beach Police Station recognizes police officer Roy L. Nelson Jr.  and his k-9 partner, Caesar, killed in the line of duty on Aug. 13, 2005.

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Before the new police station was built last year, the only public recognition of canine officer Roy L. Nelson Jr., and his dog, Ceasar, was a photo in the lobby of the former facility.

From Galleria di Vetro to Clancy's Cantina, something for everyone on a sunny Saturday

NEW SMYRNA BEACH --What would a Christmas-themed Wine Walk at Art Walk on Flagler Avenue be without baked goods?

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and running-mate Paul Ryan held a big rally during Biketoberfest at the Daytona Beach Bandshell.  So, too, did First Lady Michelle Obama, even closer to the election at the Ocean Center for her husband, the president. Both are among the contenders for Headline Surfer's No 1 story of 2012.

NEW SMYRNA -- Join us as we continue our countdown the Top 100 stories of 2012 from here in New Smyrna Beach and across Volusia County. We've only just begun with a few entries as the calendar continues to wind down.

BUNNELL -- A 3-year-old boy was killed after being struck in the head by a tree cut by his 12-year-old brother mid-morning Friday, Flagler County deputies said.

The toddler, Joseph Demillo, was in his grandfather's yard on County Road 304 in western Flagler County when his older brother was cutting down a dead tree that was 6-inches thick. The little boy apparently wandered into the path of the falling tree and was struck in the head by a branch, deputies said of the 9:55 a.m. accident.

The boy was rushed by his grandfather to the intersection of County Road 304 and U.S. 1 where a Flagler County ambulance picked him up and transported him to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Vince Carter is gearing up for the NBA season on Christmas day with his new team, the Dallas Mavericks, who open up at home against the team they beat in the finasls last season, the Miami Heat.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Dallas Mavericks have good reason to be pleased with the addition of Vince Carter as the NBA season begins Christmas Day. Carter, the Mainland High School McDonald's All-American, known as "Vinsanity," practiced for the first time Thursday, slowed by tendinitis in his knee.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The monthly Wine Walk at the Art Walk on Flagler Avenue is Saturday with the theme of "Christmas Village."

Enjoy fine wines on display by local merchants and do some Christmas shopping at the same time. The Art Walk is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Wine Walk kicks in at 1 p.m. and continues to 7 p.m.

The weather is expected to be sunny with seasonable temperatures of 76 degrees.

Editor's Note: NSBNews.net is providing promotional coverage through a paid marketing agreement with the Flagler Avenue Gallery Group.

PALATKA, Fla. -- Palatka is home to St. Johns River State College, the St. Johns River Water Management District Headquarters and Ravine Gardens State Park. The area is well known for its local festivals, most notably the Florida Azalea Festival and the Blue Crab Festival.

-- Henry Frederick, Headline Surfer

Headline Surfer chose this video from YouTube to illustrate the beauty and power of the German shepherd. Those who want to challenge a police dog may want to check out this clip first.

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --  Headline Surfer called around to the the cop shops in Volusia County about their canine dogs and Port Orange Asst. Police Chief Wayne Miller wrote up the following which we found impressive enough to break out into a sidebar story.

We started our canine program here at POPD in 2005, via a federal grant and purchased a drug detection dog. The breed of the dog was a labrador retriever. This canine unit supports the patrol and criminal investigations improving effectiveness in the suppression of criminal activity.

Courtesy photo / Here is an aerial view of Daytona Beach International Airport, which features a new runway completed in November.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport was up 11 percent in October and November, showing an upward trend as the year winds down, officials said.

"Daytona Beach International Airport is winding up 2011 with a nice gain in passenger traffic and the completion of a major rehabilitation of its main runway," Airport Director Richard Karl said.

In the past, I relegated my blog to discussing moral issues regarding the impact of silence. Yet, to my shame, I left my own passion and obligation in the balance. That would probably explain why my blogs have been so sporadic with little focus. Thus, I have decided to switch my focus to discussing teens and issues surrounding them.