Headline Surfer photo illustration / Above is a collage of the images from stories 16-20 in the Headline Surfer countdown of the Top 100 local stories of 2016 in Central Florida.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Headline Surfer is counting down the Top 100 stories of 2016 in the greater Daytona Beach, Sanford and Orlando metro area otherwise known as the I-4 corridor of Central Florida through Volusia, Seminole and Orange counties.
Among the top 5 contenders for the No. 1 story of the year in no particular order so as not to spoil the surprise: The Pulse gay nightclub terrorist massacre; the ugliness of the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the continuing saga over homelessness in Daytona Beach; records tied or broken in NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway and Daytona Beach yet again leading Volusia County in homicides.
So far Headline Surfer has presented recaps for stories ranked 16-100. Previous segments have come in story recaps of 10, but now that the countdown has arrived at the top 20, this current segment captures stories ranked 11-15. Then it will be 10-6, 5-2 and then No. 1 by itself. So without further delay, here are story recaps 11-15:
11. Prominent Daytona Beach merchant Paul Politis dies of cancer at age 51
Photos for Headline Surfer / Beachside merchant Paul Politis was active in the business community for sevral decades, revolved around his AIA gift shop and a live little gator.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A baby alligator lived in a large tank in the beachside sporting goods store he owned in the heart of the tourism district.
Every so often, he'd take it out of the tank and hold it in his hands to the delight of children and adults alike. The little gator, which was replaced by another little gator once it got too big to handle, was a reminder of his store's brand and of his favorite college sports teams -- the Florida Gators.
Politis's life revolved around his family, his shop and his friends. But a return of cancer claimed Politis on Feb. 2, 2016, with his family by his side. He was 51 years old.
Politis's life revolved around his family, his shop and his friends. But a return of cancer claimed him for good on Feb. 2, 2016, with his family by his side. He was 51 years old.
Politis owned Gator Beach and Sport on Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach across from the towering Ocean Walk and was best known for his love of family, friends and his community.
He resided in Ormond Beach with his loving wife, Cindy and his cherished daughter, Audrey. He worked at his store every day side by side with his mother, Theodora.Other family members include his brother, Michael; his cousin, Anthony and family; brother-in-law Rick Wolff; nephew Ricky Wolff; also close friends the Ostrowsky's and the Paspalakis's. Wolff was credited by family anbd friends with being by his side.
Politis embraced life with a very straight forward demeanor, humor and sincere caring for others. He strived to make our community a better place to live.
A funeral service was held Feb. 5, at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 129 N. Halifax Ave., Daytona Beach. Interment followed at Daytona Memorial Park.
12. Cruel Fate: Teddy, mini horse who loved his adopted home in Lake Helen, succumbs Christmas night after vicious attack by one or more dogs
Penny, the full-size horse, and Teddy, the miniature horse, were inseparable on their Lake Helen farm for five years. But all that changed when Teddy was attacked by one of more dogs, possible pit bull or mixed breed, according to Lake Helen cops, on Dec. 16. Teddy died Christmas night.And so was the horrific and cruel fate suffered by Teddy, who died Christmas night, a Tuesday night, nine days after he was attacked. Nobody witnessed the attack, though Lake Helen police believe pit bulls or mixed dogs on the loose in this rural community nestled in Southwest Volusia could be responsible. An investigation is ongoing.
The mini horse's owner AnnMarie Blair, of Lake Helen who spoke with WKMG Channel 6 Orlando, credited his barn mate, Penny, a regular size horse for using her hooves to kick at the attacking dogs, apparently scaring them off, otherwise Teddy might have died right there and then in the Dec. 16 attack. Penny had bite marks on her lower legs, a testament to using her hooves. The injuries she suffered are non-life-threatening.
"I would like to see that these dogs get quarantined,” the grieving owner told WKMG reporter Jennifer Ortega. “And the pet owner has to be responsible. Don't let it happen to anyone else's dog, cat, horse -- they don't need to go through what my family is going through right now.”
And so was the horrific and cruel fate suffered by Teddy, who died Christmas night Tuesday, night nine days after he was attacked. Nobody witnessed the attack, though Lake Helen police police believe pit bulls or mixed dogs on the loose in this rural community nestled in Southwest Volusia could be responsible. An investigation is ongoing.
The mini horse's owner AnnMarie Blair, of Lake Helen, shown here, who spoke with WKMG Channel 6 Orlando, credited his barn mate, Penny, a regular size horse, also shown here, for using her hooves to kick at the attacking dogs, apparently scaring them off, otherwise Teddy might have died right there and then in the Dec. 16 attack.
Penny had bite marks on her lower legs, a testament to using her hooves. The injuries she suffered are non-life threatening.
"I would like to see that these dogs get quarantined,” the grieving owner told WKMG reporter Jennifer Ortega. “And the pet owner has to be responsible. Don't let it happen to anyone else's dog, cat, horse -- they don't need to go through what my family is going through right now.”
Based on the extent of Teddy's wounds, police believe pit bulls or mixed dogs could be responsible, but even if the culprits are rounded up, it's too late for Teddy, though the owner thanked the medical; personnel for doing what they could for him.
"Little Teddy could not fight any longer -- he passed away," wrote Blair, in an update on a GoFundMe page. "All the doctors and nurses at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala tried everything to save him. I wanted to thank the team for everything they did to save little Teddy last night. Little Teddy is no longer in pain or suffering."
So far, $2,085 or the original goal of $5,000 requested overall has been raised. Individual donations have ranged from $10 to $200.
Ken Sogan who donated 10 bucks, said of Teddy: "I am so sorry - but he is in heaven now!"
Marisel Smithe who gave $75, said: "Heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Teddy."
Cammie Miller, who donated $200, wrote of Teddy's demise: "Please know we care!!!"
Susan Brennan, who pledged $25 a week ago, wrote: "I'm so saddened by this. I hope Teddy makes a full recovery. Poor little guy."
Of the 49 total money donations, 18 have come since Teddy's death was announced in an update, like the $30 pledged by Adele McDonnell, who said in her message: "Rest in peace sweet Teddy. This is heartbreaking news. Prayers to your family, sweet angel."
Teddy was a rescue animal, who had enjoyed living in Lake Helen for the past five years with a regular-size horse named Penny. But Teddy's world was shattered on Dec. 16, when he was mauled by a pit bull with his stall mate, Penny and a flock of geese fighting off the dog.
Here is the preamble write-up verbatim the owner put on the GoFundMe page in the aftermath of the attack on Teddy when there was a slight hope he might survive the gruesome injuries:
The opening description went into the attack, followed by this update on Teddy's care:
All the Doctors and Nurses and staff are taken good care of me but I have a lot of medical bills . I will need a lot of treatment for a while. Please know the pictures are not my best . I am on the med and getting better everyday. Mom can't wait to get me back home to hug and kiss me. I miss all of my friends on the farm mostly the goats that are next me and my stall mates you remember the super heroes . Mom says I will be beautiful to her.
If you want to make a donation to help pay Teddy's bills, here is the link to the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/teddys-medical-bills.
13. Seventh time in three years VCSO sworn personnel has resorted to use of deadly force
Photos for Headline Surfer® / Volusia County Sheriff's personnel closed a stretch of SR 415 in Osteen in both directions well into Sunday after an armed motorist was shot to death late Saturday night by a sheriff's deputy under circumstances with vague details. In the inset is agency spokesman Gary Davidson who gave TV news interviews from the county administration building in DeLand on the latest deadly shooting.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A motorist was shot and killed by one of two deputies after he refused to put down a gun he reached for while seated in his car on the side of the road in the 1400 block of SR 415 in rural Osteen, a Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said, but a full 24 hours later on Sunday night, there were far more questions than answers as to the use of deadly force.
Questions such as the victim's name, age and home community, what specific type of gun he had, what kind of threatening or menacing actions he took to merit being shot to death or even what kind of car he was seated in before the deadly confrontation.
The shooting occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday along the 1400-block of North State Road 415 in Osteen. "That’s where two deputies encountered what initially appeared to be an abandoned 2-door passenger car on the side of the road," agency spokesman Gary Davidson said in a press release emailed to Headline Surfer® and other Central Florida media outlets. "But when the deputies approached the vehicle, they saw a man in the driver’s seat."
Davidson continued. "Then they saw a handgun in the back seat, within reach of the occupant, with one deputy posted on each side of the car, they immediately ordered the man to remain still and not reach for the gun. But instead, he took off his shirt and draped it over the driver’s side window in an apparent attempt to obstruct the deputies’ view. "
Davidson added, "Moments later, the shirt started falling from the window and the man was in the back seat holding the gun. When he refused to put it down and fearing that he was about to shoot, Deputy Miguel Kent opened fire with his duty weapon at 10:57 p.m. and struck the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:10 p.m. and hasn’t been identified yet."
The sheriff's spokesman did not explain how much time had elapsed from the time the deputies saw the man inside as to how putting up a shirt to block the driver's side deputy would have prevented the other deputy from seeing what he was up to or if any attempt was made to try and open the car doors. Nor was it explained how he draped the shirt over the window unless it was partially rolled down.
And Davidson did not say if the deputies explained whether the motorist even heard their commands. Davidson said Deputy Kent, 37 and with the VCSO since October 2003, has been placed on temporary leave with pay, which is standard procedure.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is responding to the scene to investigate, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. Davidson did not say in the press release why the victim's name, age or home community was not released.
Nor did he provide the name of the second deputy nor whether he, too, drew his gun. The name of the second deputy was released in response to an email request from Headline Surfer® as Deputy Djhon Knight. Subsequent requests for information and clarification on the circumstances by Headline Surfer® to Davidson and a second agency spokesman, Andrew Gant, went unanswered.
On the Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the second deputy was described by a poster as a "trainee," which is plausible since road deputies typically drive alone on shift patrols.
With this being the sixth deputy-involved use of deadly force, Davidson made himself available to Orlando TV news crews after the last killing.
One of Davidson's first statements before the TV cameras was "Certainly the last thing any law enforcement officer wants to do is take a life."
After a TV reporter set the scene for viewers where the motorist apparently reached for a gun," Davidson, a civilian PIO who reports to Sheriff Ben Johnson, continued, "At this point, it was either him or us. The deputy did exactly what he was trained to do. He did what he had to do to defend himself and the other deputy."
The same press release Davidson emailed to the media outlets was posted on the VCSO Facebook page, prompting one angry poster, who identified himself as Paul Carpenter to write: Another murder! U can't be scared and shoot first! Any other person would be charged with murder. (Expletive) cowards. Sheriffs are not juries, u don't get to decide the fate of people's lives for the crimes they commit. Everyone has the right to due process!
14. Mori Hosseini makes the case for Embry-Riddle & Volusia County's future
Headline Surfer video / Mori Hosseini - ever the businessman - makes passionate pitch to Volusia County for public-private venture with Enbry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with up-front monies now with return on investment down the line with the prospect of higher paying jobs. Hosseini gets unanimous support. Labs for research would be expanded, and at left, start-up enterprises would be welcomed with start-up funds with the mandate up freont that they stay in Volusia County. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Having already secured seven partnerships for its planned research park, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University administrators appeared Thursday in front of the Volusia County Council asking for $1.5 million and to purchase county-owned land for half its value adjacent to the Daytona Beach campus.
And they brought a businessman to make the pitch. Not just any every-day businessman, mind you, but one of the most powerful and passionate, who happens to be the chairman of the board for ERAU -- Mori Hosseini of ICI Homes.
And Hosseini delivered a promise on their behalf: $1.8 billion value in economic development and creation of jobs with salaries as high as $100,000, as the return on their investment down the line.
Hosseini said Volusia County was there for Embry-Riddle in moving from Ohio to Daytona Beach 50 years ago and now the county could help the university position itself for the future, beginning now.
"We are going to the next level," Hosseini said.
The $1.5 million would assist companies using the research park who need additional startup funds.
Rodney Cruise, ERAU's vice president for administration and planning, said the prerequisite for dispensing of the funds is that the businesses must stay and grow their enterprises here in Volusia County.
In addition to the $1.5 million requested from the county, Hosseini and Interim President Karen Holbrook asked to purchase county-owned land at the southeast corner of the intersection of Clyde Morris Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue that is adjacent to the campus. The land is valued at $800,000, but they want to purchase it for half that amount, considering the land is of little value otherwise to the county, which has used it to perform oil changes on vehicles, etc..
Embry-Riddle's vision for a research park started 11 years ago when it purchased land it purchased land, and having invested $2 million toward the project, Hosseini partnering up with the county could "foster the commercialization of new technologies and bring as many as 1,500 high-paying jobs to the area."
Here's a synopsis of what's in play: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex will bring together venture capitalists, scientists, students, faculty and engineers for research and development projects. The Mica complex — poised to anchor the west side of ERAU's 17-acre, roughly $32 million research park will include multiple high-tech labs allowing researchers to study everything from thermal energy to robotics.
With $4 million pledged for economic development, in the county's tentative budget of $849 million, the $400,000 from the land sale would go into that fund, while the $1.5 million asked for would come out.
County Council members were unanimous in support of the plan. "We need to make sure we embrace Embry-Riddle," at-large Councilwoman Joyce Cusack said. "This is a part of a journey we must take to ensure our children's dreams become a reality." Councilwoman Deb Denys applauded it as "visionary," making clear for emphasis, "I'm tired of supporting minimum wage jobs. This is exactly what we should be supporting."
County Council members were unanimous in support of the plan: "We need to make sure we embrace Embry-Riddle," said at-large Councilwoman Joyce Cusack, shown far left. "This is a part of a journey we must take to ensure our children's dreams become a reality."
Councilwoman Deb Denys, shown here right of colleague Joyce Cusack, applauded it as "visionary," making clear for emphasis, "I'm tired of supporting minimum wage jobs. This is exactly what we should be supporting."
15. Rare Occurrence: Three shark bite incidents in one day; 15 for the year
Photo for Headline Surfer / A lone man on a boat was rescued by a beach patrol marine unit on Sunday, Sept. 18, as shown here where lifeguards dealt with three shark bites and a swimmer slightly injured when he was caught off guard by a large wave.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Things go a little rough along the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona and further south in Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna, in mid-September with the flying of the red flag that covered the entire weekend of of Sept. 18, considering a rare instance of three shark bite victims on the same day that Sunday near the South Jetty on the New Smyrna Beach side.
Plus there was the rescue of a man in a boat that was overwhelmed by choppy waters and a teen swimmer injured when he was caught by surprise by a strong wave that slammed him head first into the bottom was transported to the hospital as a precaution. The reg flag symbols high danger alert in the surf while yellow flag enciurages beach-goers to exercise caution in the water.
The shark trifecta, though far from a normal occurrence, happened to occur on a day where bait fish were plentiful. They in turn draw the typical 5- to 6-feet spinner sharks.
“It is out of the ordinary to have three people bitten back-to-back, but it’s not unheard of and has actually happened before. Capt. Tammra Marris, spokeswoman for Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told Headline Surfer. "Typically this doesn’t happen more than once or twice a year,”
It is out of the ordinary to have three people bitten back-to-back, but it’s not unheard of and has actually happened before," Capt. Tamra Marris, spokeswoman for Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told Headline Surfer. "Typically this doesn’t happen more than once or twice a year.”
The first bite happened at about 10:40 a.m. Sunday when a 43-year-old Longwood man was bitten near his ankle, Marris said.
Then at 11 a.m., a 36-year-old Miami man was bitten on both hands. The final shark bite incident was reported at 1 p.m. when a 16-year-old New Smyrna Beach surfer was bitten on one of his inner thighs, which could have been worse had the bite occurred a little higher. The latter two shark-bite victims were transported to Bert Fish Medical Center for stitches.
As if the beach patrol units weren't busy enough, a teen swimmer in chest-deep water was injured when he was caught off guard by a large wave. Like two of the shark-bite victims, he too was transported for minor injuries. And a marine unit rescued a man in an overturned boat that took on water from the choppy waters on Sunday as well on Sunday afternoon with moderate to light crowds reported throughout the 49 miles of Volusia County shoreline.
For the year, Volusia County had 15 shark bite incidents, most of them in New Smyrna.
RECAP:
15. Rare Occurrence: Three shark bite incidents in one day; 15 for the year