Local News Now

Oak Hill property owner reports break-in of shed on premesis

OAK HILL -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office took a report of burglary at 106 West Loop involving the break-in of a shed on the property sometime between Oct. 13 and Wednesday when th report was made.

The property owner didn't have an accounting as to whether anything was actually taken, a Sheriff's deputy noted.

Our endorsement: Joshua Wagner deserves second term for county council dist. 2 seat

Joshua WagnerDAYTONA BEACH -- Nancy Epps is a formidable opponent, but unless she can demonstrate that incumbent dist. 2 County Council member Joshua Wagner has not done the job for which he was narrowly elected four years ago, then he should be given the benefit of the doubt in Tuesday's general election.

Joshua Wagner easily wins re-election for dist. 2 county council seat

Wagner wins re-electionTop graphic by Headline Surfer Muiltimedia Editor Serafina King Frederick / Joshua Wagner easily wins re-election over former Ponce Inlet Mayor Nancy Epps in the general election.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The results are even sweeter the second time around for Joshua Wagner with a resounding re-election victory in Tuesday's general election to retain his district 2 seat on the Volusia County Council.

Our votes, not the Electoral College should be choosing our president

This election is a nail bitter and I truly hope it does not come down to the popular vote being ignored and the Electoral College making the choice for our president. I personally think that system should be abolished and I have read that it is slowly being done state by state.

Endorsement: Carl Persis for county chair

Newspaper Section

Carl PersisORMOND BEACH -- With a victory in today's general elections, Carl Persis could finally emerge from the shadow of Frank Bruno and become the new face of Volusia County government.

Only one man stands between Persis and that eight-year wait for the non-partisan county chairmanship: Jason Davis. The registered Republican was the forgotten candidate from the moment qualifying ended and print media had its camera on power attorney Ted Doran.

Davis faced further humiliation when the Daytona Beach News-Journal teamed up with the Tiger Bay Club to host a debate and Davis was excluded. But Davis persevered.

Voting an 'intregal part of our freedom' so go vote

Newspaper Section
NSB Mayor Adam BarringerMayor's Message
By Adam Barringer
Mayor of New Smyrna Beach
Exclusive for Headline Surfer

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Get out and Vote!

Why vote?

I asked this question to quite a few people as we entered into the campaign season and the answer was standard across the board, "Because it is my right, because we are a democracy, it is my civic responsibility, because I love our country, because we need change."

As you can imagine, there were a few others full of expletives.

As mayor, I believe everyone needs to vote and here ae the reasonds why:

1. All politics are local. Many of the local leaders who have a great impact on your daily lives are elected with narrow margins. Your vote definitely counts. (In 2009, 112 votes made the difference in my election).

Endorsement: No clear-cut choice between two enthusiastic candidates for Edgewater City Council, dist. 1

Newspaper Section

EDGEWATER -- The race for the Edgewater City Council dist. 1 seat offers a stark contrast in candidates: Christine Power, a political newcomer, and James Paul Brown, a former two-term councilman, who occupied this very seat for six years, from 1999 to 2005. 

Power, 44, has shown in interest in seeing a Community Redevelopment District set up along U.S. 1 to help spur economic development. Brown, 67, owns a nearby bookstore.

Endorsement: Clerk of the Circuit Court Diane Matousek, 'Yes!'

Headline Surfer videos by Sera Frederick / Clerk of the Circuit Court Diane Matousek introduces herself to 200 citizens at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach, finishing her enthusiastic presentation with a "Yes!" NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- There's an old saying that goes like this: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That adage applies to the leadership, mentoring and professionalism of Diane Matousek, Volusia County's outstanding clerk of the circuit court.