Local News Now

Photo for Headline Surfer / Passenger traffic is up at Daytona Beach International Airport as shown by the 61,062 incoming and outgoing figures, a 1 percent uptick.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 1 percent in March compared with the same month last year, Volusia County officials said.

During March, the county-operated airport recorded 61,062 incoming and outgoing passengers. This compares to 60,406 travelers recorded in March 2012.

Rick Karl, the airport’s director, attributed the passenger traffic increase in March to higher airline passenger loads although slightly fewer seats were available last March. Delta Air Lines and U.S Airways reported 1,508 fewer seats offered this March compared to last year but passenger loads increased from 89 percent in March 2012 compared to 92 percent this March.  

Editor's Note: The following guest blog was written and submitted by Dr. L. Ronald Durham, senior pastor of Greater Friendship Baptist Church of Daytona Beach. .

By Dr. L. Ronald Durham

DAYTONA BEACH -- On Wednesday April 17, there was a strange odor coming from the floor of the Senate gallery of the United States of America. The odor was eerily reminiscent of what one would smell if standing near any American landfill that had just received a new load of garbage. If then, when you stepped outside your home on Thursday morning and your nostrils were overwhelmed by the stench, you are part of the 90% of our nation who just had a fresh load of garbage dumped on them, by the refusal of a handful of Republican and Democratic senators to pass a gun reform bill in Washington.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Dan Francati, the general manager of the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, was unanimously approved earlier Tuesday as the chairman.

Michael Kardos was named vice chairman and Steve Farley as secretary-treasurer. All three terms are a year apiece.

DELAND -- The West Volusia Advertising Aurthority has installed new officers on its board of directors. Bill O'Connor was named chair, Sharon Hughes was selected as vice chair and Doug Little as the treasurer. The appointments were made earlier in the day Wednesday.

City manager selection subject to city commission approval

Photo for Headline Surfer / George Markert, an administrator with 28 years of service with the Rochester, N.Y., police force is New Smyrna Beach City Manager Pam Brangaccio's choice to be the new police chief here.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- After an extensive three-month search and interview process, New Smyrna Beach is ready to welcome a new police chief.

“We conducted a very thorough search to make the right decision,” said Pam Brangaccio, New Smyrna Beach city manager. “We interviewed several very qualified applicants extensively. In the end, the best fit for New Smyrna Beach was clear.”

Brangaccio will appoint George E. Markert subject to confirmation by the City Commission at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting.

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Two years ago, the WWE held a house show at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach featuring stars like John Cena  as shown at far left, with fellow wrestler John Morrison. Such shows are few and far between.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The WWE could be setting up shop in Orlando with a new developmental training facility, which would be great news for those who love professional wrestling with rising stars such as Ryback and the trio of Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, collectively known as "The Shield."

Such wrestlers came from developmental facilities in other parts of Florida. "WrestleZone.com reports such a facility in Orlando would "hold five wrestling rings, which will allow for much more ring time for developmental wrestlers."

Despite Sunday's thunderstorms, fire remains an issue on US 92, as shown in this locator map.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Firefighters contained three small spot-over fires from the Mile Marker 128 on Sunday afternoon, but  a stretch of U.S. 92, from Kepler to Indian Lake roads, remains closed.

"Troopers will monitor the highway to determine when it is safe to reopen it.," Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said. "Residents and drivers can expect smoky conditions along West International Speedway Boulevard this morning."

The spot-overs were caused by an increase in winds and decrease in humidity in the mid-afternoon.

The fire, now estimated at 225 acres, continues to smolder and produce significant smoke, Kuehn said.  

Norman Church wins 2nd year in a row

Photo for Headline Surfer / Skipper Norman Church had history on his side and perhaps a little faith Sunday as he repeated as champion in the 2013 Lipton Cup Regatta.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Norman Church was obsessed with winning the 2013 Lipton Cup Regatta off the Atlantic waters of New Smyrna Beach. So much so that he skippered "Obsession" into victory in the Spinnaker Class.

The regatta was held Saturday and Sunday with the first day much rougher going in the choppy waters.

“Building seas became quite a challenge resulting in four competing boats retiring with equipment or crew problems on Saturday,” the Smyrna Yacht Club said in a press release. “Sunday, light and shifty easterly breezes slowly increased providing for a fair and competitive race course.”

Expect more thunderstorms over the next 18 hours before sunny skies return Tuesday to greater Daytona Beach, according to the National Weather Service. The weather as shown at left is as of Sunday night.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The National Weather Service has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for the Volusia County cities of New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Orange City, Lake Helen and Deltona until 9 p.m.

The advisory was issued at 6:58 p.m. from the National Weather Service in Melboune, following a fast-moving thunderstorm.