Local News Now

Willie Henderson Jr., 48, of New Smyrna Beach, remains jailed on this Sunday evening on charges of sexual battery with a deadly weapon/force, aggravated battery, false imprisonment and burglary with assault or battery, all felonies, that could net him a sentence of 40 years or more if convicted at trial in what Sheriff's deputies said was a violent attack on a woman in her home in the middle of the night.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A woman was awakened in the middle of the night, -- 3:30 a.m. to be precise, by a knock at the door and a face she knew: A man she had paid 20 bucks to mow her lawn.

DEBARY -- The city's signature event, "freedom and Volunteers," needs your help. The Community Partnership Program is planning the extravanza July 4th event.

The CPP will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 N. Highway 17-92, DeBary, to discuss the planning and coordination for this special event.

DEBARY -- A wife's oncern about her husband's whereabouts when he failed to return to their DeBary home Thursday night after a trip to Orlando, had a happy ending early this morning.

The alert was issued for Albert Kaplan, who drove off from the couple's home on Madera Road in DeBary at 2 p.m. Five hours later, his wife said someone in the Orlando area called to tell her that he had come across Kaplan and had given him directions on how to get back to his house.

DEBARY -- A 72-year-old DeBary man was driving back from Orlando Thursday, but never made it home and now Volusia County deputies are asking the public to let them know if they see him, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said just before midnight.

Albert Kaplan drove off from his home on Madera Road in DeBary at 2 p.m.

"Five hours later, his wife said someone in the Orlando area called to tell her that he had come across Kaplan and had given him directions on how to get back to his house," Davidson said.

The wife then His wife then called the Sheriff's Office at 8:14 p.m. asking for help in locating him to make sure he got home. Because Kaplan suffers from dementia and other medical ailments, the Sheriff's Office launched a Silver Alert through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist in the search for Kaplan. Area hospitals also were contacted.

Headline Surfer photo by Sera Frederick / Adam Barringer, shown here on the dais at New Smyrna Beach City Hall, is seeking re-election.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Adam Barringer, the charismatic first-term mayor who gave himself with an assist from his elected commissioners a third year in office when the city switched from odd-year elections, is running again.

The announcement of his intention to seek re-election for another two-year term in the 2012 elections was announced by City Manager Pam Brangaccio in a department-head meeting earlier today, Headline Surfer has learned from a source in municipal government who asked for anonymity.

State Road 44 at Southwind Cove Way as shown in the map was the scene of a deadly tractor-trailer accident Tuesday night in Lake County.

LEESBURG --  A 63-year-old tractor-trailer driver died at Leesburg Regional Medical Center after crashing his rig into a pond after slumping over the wheel from an a possible sudden medical condition that had him travel across the southbound lanes of State Road 44 earlier tonight, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The driver was identified as Larry J. Stokes of Jacksonville, who was transported to the hospital from the 5:30 p.m. crash scene on S.R. 44 at Southwind Cove Way just outside Leesburg in Lake County.

City officials not so enthusiastic opting instead to consider a hotel along the water

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Wayne Heller, owner of the Riverview Hotel pleaded with city officials to allow him to relocate the historic Delta Queen here from Chattanooga, Tenn. "as soon as possible."

If you see the woman shown here, Carol Jean Pace, please call Holy Hill police at 386-248-9475. She's been reported missing and endangered.

HOLLY HILL -- Police are seeking the public's help in locating Carol Jean Pace, 48, who was reported missing from 522 Ridgewood Ave., Apt. No. 5, in Holly Hill on April 18, 2012.

"According to Ms. Pace's associates, she has not been seen at that location since April 13," Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said.  "Ms. Pace is considered mentally challenged and may be in danger of exploitation. At the time of her disappearance she was depressed over the recent death of her boyfriend."

Those lose to her told police that she left behind all of her clothing, medication, and personal belongings when she left the apartment, Barker said, adding cops were told she has no known living relatives in the area.