Local News Now

By Jeff Brower

DAYTONA BEACH -- It is Christmas Eve and I am thankful for the freedom and liberty God has given our family by placing us in a free state. Yet, I can not dismiss the concern I feel each day for the very present reality of our God given liberties being stripped from our daily lives by a few compromised men and women who seek to increase their own power, privilege, and position.

I am regularly criticized for regularly criticizing "our" side in the battle to restore liberty. The truth is I no longer have a side in politics. Neither of the two controlling parties represent constitutional restraint, love of individual freedom, minimal government intrusion, or minding our own business.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / Cheyenne Drews with 6-year-old Sam Hillier, two of the stars in the recent play, "A Christmas Carol" under the direction of Dan Blazi at the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach. The kindergartner earned the role of 'Tiny Tim.'

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Many of you who are regular visitors to Headline Surfer® and its previous name, NSBNews.net know Cheyenne Drews, the New Smyrna Beach High School senior, who has been writing a community blog for the 24/7 internet newspaper since middle school.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / Ray Cornelius of Daytona State College has been recognized for his foreign language skills.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The chair of the School of World Languages and Speech at Daytona State College, has been named the 2013 College and University Instructor of the Year by Florida Foreign Language Instructors in Colleges and Universities, a member of the Florida Foreign Language Association.

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Blue at the Topaz, 1224 S. Oceanshore Blvd., is a quaint and hospitable restaurant along the shoreline.

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. -- Blue at the Topaz is extending its dining hours hours during this festive season.

“We are excited about bringing lunch hours back for the holidays,” said Kelli O’Reilly, the restaurant's general manager and co-owner. “The feedback from our customers has been great so far and we are happy to be able to accommodate group gatherings during this time of year.”

Photo for Headline Surfer / Deltona City Commissioner, Webster Barnaby, shown here at left, is one of three Volusioa County officials to speak out against the KKK flyer drop in New Smyrna Beach. The other two are County Chair Jason Davis and at-large County Council member Joyce Cusack.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Deltona City Commissioner Webster Barnaby is incensed very few elected officials in Volusia County have publicly condemned the Nov. 11 recruitment flyer drop by the Ku Klux Klan in the historic Westside African-American community of New Smyrna Beach, a tourism-destination city known for its surfing, street festivals and laid-back charm.

By Ellen Juliano

DELTONA -- Many Democrats walked away disappointed from the 2013 Florida Democratic Party State Conference all fired up, but somewhat confused when the much anticipated announcement by Charlie Crist's run for Governor was not announced.

1st video by 09Sports uploaded from YouTube / 2nd video by uploaded NBA2K14 Official/ Headline Surfer / Highlights of the Orlando Magic's season opener loss at the Indiana Pacers, 97-87. Here is an NBA video link for game highlights: http://www.nba.com/video/games/pacers/2013/10/29/0021300001-orl-ind-recap.nba.

ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic have little hope of winning more than a third of the games on their 82-game schedule, if the opening night game loss on the road Tuesday night against the Indiana Pacers, 97-87, is any indication.

No explanation from DIS or cops for 1-day delay in informing media

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 Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Two motorcyclists were killed after their bikes collided at high speeds coming off a high bank Thursday at Daytona International Speedway during a private racing school session, occurring on the first day of Biketoberfest, police and track officials confirmed late this afternoon.

VCSO: Injured friend in mishap from New Smyrna Beach

Headline Surfer graphic / Blue Spring State Park, winter home of manateees for its warm waters is where a scuba diver lost his life in a diving accident on this Wednesday afternoon.

ORANGE CITY -- The scuba diver who died in an apparent diving accident this afternoon at Blue Springs State Park has been identified as 36-year-old Samuel Slack of Edgewater, a Volusia County Sheriff's official said.

Slack was prnounced dead at 3::43 p.m. at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City. The Sheriff's Office was called at 2:52 p.m. in responding to the fatality, agency spokesman Brandon Haught said.

"(Slack) was transported to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City where he was pronounced dead," Haught told Headline Surfer.

Alleged robber writes letter of apology to clerks of Metro PCS

Photo for Headline Surfer / Kissimmee police officers arrested Efrain Lopez, 34, of 126 Knotts Lane Apt. B, Kissimmee,  shown here in an Osceola County jail mugshot, on charges of robbery with a firearm, grand theft, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

KISSIMMEE -- A Kissimmee man has been arrested in connection with Monday's armed robbery of the Metro PCS store, 715 East Vine St.

Kissimmee cops responded to the Metro PCS store at 1:45 p.m. in response to a 9-1-1 call of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, Officers learned that a Hispanic man walked inside, approached the clerk with his hand in his pocket said, “Give me the money.”