Daytona Beach

Photo for Headline Surfer® / A selfie by Volusia County Chair Jason Davis was taken just after 7 p.m. following his release from Halifax Health in Daytona Beach where he was held overnight Wednesday after complaining of chest pains. The self-portrait was taken by Davis at the request of the 24/7 internet newspaper.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County Chair Jason Davis got no closer to the big political events of the day than a telephone call to his bedside at Halifax Health Medical Center today from the governor, having been held overnight for observations after feeling chest pains Wednesday afternoon.

After a battery of stress tests and other medical procedures, Davis was informed that one thing was ruled out medically: "I did not have a heart attack."

DAYTONA BEACH -- Highly-touted centerfield prospect Albert Almora, the 6th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, has been assigned to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League, officials with the Chicago Cubs announced Sunday.

Almora, who bats ands throws right-handed, is the parent club's No. 2 overall-ranked prospect, having received a $3.9 million bonus when he signed with the National League Central Division team out of Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah, Fla.

Headline Surfer® graphics / Here is a view of the Daytona Beach-area shoreline on this beautiful Sunday morning from the Volusia County cam off the Dunlawton Avenue Approach. In the inset is a summary of current weather conditions just after 9 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The World's Most Famous Beach received 1.29 inches of rain Saturday, a real good soaking', though it seemed like it was more. Today, there is a zero percent chanced of precipitation with bright skies as far as the eye can see.

The rain put a damper on the New Smyrna Beach Balloon & Skyfest, but today should be a different story. Same with the Spring Turkey Run here in Daytona Beach.

Two Orlando jurists, chief judge in Sanford, also in contention

Photos for Headline Surfer / Terence R. Perkins, shown far left, would join Richard B. Orfinger, shown in the inset, as the second Volusia County jurist on the appellate court, if selected by the governor to fill an impending vacancy.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Terence R. Perkins, chief judge of the 7th judicial circuit that encompasses the courts in Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, is among six candidates for a seat on the 5th District Court of Appeal that Gov. Scott will have to choose from to replace the retiring Jacqueline Griffin.

Perkins is among two chief judges seeking the seat. The other is John M. Harris, chief judge of the 18th judicial circuit in nearby Sanford that includes courts in Seminole and Brevard counties.

Police Chief Michael Chitwood ramps up rhetoric, with name calling, describing wanted African-American suspected accomplice as 'gun-toting thug'

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Deandre Peterson, shown, in the inset, has been booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on a murder charge in the shooting death of Quuordre Wiley, 21, and police are looking for Justin Williams, suspected in an earlier related shooting incident.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Violent crime continues unabated in Daytona Beach with no end in sight as witnessed by a cold-blooded murder on a Friday afternoon as gunfire rang out in a salon.

March 21 musical play takes revealing look at taboo family sex abuse

DAYTONA BEACH -- A revealing look at the taboo of family sexual abuse and molestation is highlighted in “She Won’t Tell,” a revealing musical play, written by evangelist Karen Peoples, who herself was the victim of this silent nightmare that plagues so many families.

The play will be held 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.

Legal sources: Clear cut conflict of interest for jurist who may be forced to recuse himself from presiding at trial that begins Tuesday

Photos for Headline Surfer® / The big question heading into the trial for Jim Sotolongo and Ramara Garret, shown in the inset, is whether U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr., shown at far left, will be presiding.

ORLANDO -- Before he was nominated by President Obama and his appointed ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2011 for a federal judgeship in the Middle District of Florida, Roy B. Dalton, Jr.,was a member of the board of trustees for the Orlando-based Seaside National Bank& Trust for four years before laving to assume his position on the bench.

Made several stops in Daytona, including 1971 Firecracker 400 race

DAYTONA BEACH -- Reubin Askew, who served as the 37th governor of Florida from 1971 to 1979, died early this morning with family members by his side at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. He was 85.

His death was announced to the media by Ron Sachs, a former aide and family spokesman.

Askew's tenure as governor for eight years, beginning in 1971, was during a time in the U.S. of turmoil and change: There was the disgraceful resignation of President Nixon with Watergate to the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War and Askew's earlier successful push in 1972 for desegregation of Florida schools through busing, despite sporadic violence that ensued.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Veteran AMA racer Rick Shaw, 65, was killed as was another motorcyclist, Eric Desy, 45, after their speed bikes collided during a Team Hammer School racing event Oct. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bike Week is here and despite the ongoing construction for the ongoing $400 million "Daytona Rising" modernization project, there are plenty of activities for biker enthusiasts, from motocross races to demo rides and trade shows.