Local News Now

Tony Ledbetter of Ormond Beach named to key Florida Republican leadership post

ORLANDO, Fla -- Pledging to his GOP colleagues that he would be a "conservative voice" for the party, Tony Ledbetter, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Volusia County, was elected Congressional District 6 chairman for the Republican Party of Florida at its annual meeting this weekend at the Rosen Centre Hotel. 

Frank Hechman doesn't see a 'negative' in kids exposed to New Year's Eve drinking crowd

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kid in costume

Video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Frank Hechman, head of the Beachside Neighborhood Watch, reacts with glees to the New Year's Eve block party on Main Street, estimating 20,000 people showed up. Click the video to watch what he had to say.
 

DAYTONA BEACH -- Frank Hechman, the elder statesman of the Beachside Neighborhood Watch was more jovial than acerbic in giving his reaction to the New Year's Eve beach ball drop and the huge crowd.

Disgust too mild a word for our 'leaders' in Washington with the Fiscal Cliff

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- What we witnessed in Washington, DC, over the past few weeks – both in the posturing, unseriousness and sheer disregard for the duties that our elected representatives, including both Congress and the White House, were voted by the American people to handle responsibly –was as despicable as anything I have ever witnessed in federal government.

New Year's Eve on Canal: The scenic look of a winter wonderland minus the snow

Canal Street all lit up on New Year's Eve / Headline SurferCanal Street Christmas tree in New Smyrna Beach on New Year's Eve / Headline Surfer Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach, is shown here on New Year's Eve just after 10 p.m.

 NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With the bars on Flagler Avenue playing host to the New Year's Eve festivities, the city's other heavily invested CRA street was as dead as a door knob, a far cry from the hustle and bustle during traditional business hours.

Bar patrons take the party outside with New Smyrna Beach cops MIA at peak of New Year's Eve celebration on Flagler

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Mom and daughter at NSB New Year's / Headline SurferIllegal public drinking on Flagler at New Year's Eve / Headline Surfer

The New Year's Eve party on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach was a fun night out for Jennifer Collier and little girl while revelers drank from open containers with no fear of the cops because they weren't around when the fireworks lit up the sky at 9 p.m. and at least the next hour.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Jennifer Collier got an eyeful when she took 6-year-old daughter, Ella, to the New Year's Eve fireworks celebration on Flagler Avenue where countless people among the crowd of 2,000 were drinking right out in the open.

 

Deltona man identified as victim of shotgun slaying near DeLand Henry Frederick Wed, 01/02/2013 - 08:05
Location of shotgun homicide / Headline SurferAntwan Harris, 25-year-old murder victim / Headline SurferVolusia County's first homicide of the New Year was reported in the 900 block of South Parsons Avenue outside DeLand as shown here.

DELAND -- Sheriff's investigators have identified Tuesday night's shotgun slaying victim as 25-year-old Antwan Harris of Deltona.

As reported first by Headline Surfer,  investigators are dealing with Volusia County's first reported murder of 2013, where the victim was dropped off late Tuesday at Florida Hospital Hospital-DeLand where he died less than an 40 minutes later, an agency spokesman said.

Breaking Volusia County News: Man shot to death outside DeLand city limits

Victim is Volusia County's first reported homicide of 2013

Location of shotgun homicide / Headline SurferVolusia County's first homicide of the New Year was reported in the 900 block of South Parsons Avenue outside DeLand as shown here.

DELAND -- Sheriff's investigators have are investigating what appears to be Volusia County's first reported murder of 2013, after a shotgun victim was dropped off late Tuesday at Florida Hospital Hospital-DeLand where he died less than an 40 minutes later, an agency spokesman said.

The victim was described only as an adult male, and though authorities know his identity, they're not releasing any further information until his family is first notified.

VCSO spokesman: 20-year-old DeBary man killed in Deltona motorcycle crash

Preliminary investigation: Speeding may have been a factor in fatality

Deltona motorcycle fatality locator / Headline SurferThe map shows the location of the 12:30 p.m. Tuesday Deltona fatality.

DELTONA -- A 20-year-old DeBary man became Volusia County's first highway fatality of the new year when he lost control of his motorcyle on DeBary Avenue near the intersection of Providence Boulevard and struck a stop sign before crashing the bike, a Sheriff's spokesman said.