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DIS President Joie Chitwood evasive in press conference after Coke Zero 400 catch fence disaster at Daytona

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Daytona Int'l Speedway track President Joie Chitwood, III / Headline Surfer®Daytona Int'l Speedway pr flak Andrew Booth / Headline Surfer®

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Joie Chitwood, III, president of Daytona International Speedway, was evasive in answering questions during a press conference early Monday after the last-lap crash that sent Austin Dillon's No. 3 Chevrolet airborne and into the catch fence at the end of the Coke Zero 400, tearing a section out in the process with debris causing minor injuries to 13 fans in the grandstands before the car tumbled back onto the track upside down.

BREAKING NEWS: Several fans injured when debris from race car rips through catch fence at finish of Coke Zero 400 at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Who needed fireworks any way when thy were enough sparks and some flames to boot at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 just after Dale Earnhardt Jr., the checkered flag: A race car ripped down a section of fencing that sprayed debris into the stands injuring several fans in the process at Daytona International Speedway early this Monday morning.

William 'Bill' Koleszar II of New Smyrna Beach, FL: March 5, 1944 - July 3, 2015

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William "Bill" Koleszar, ex-Orlando police chief & Ne myrna Beach teident, died July 3, 015 / Headline Surfer®Former Orlando police chief

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Bill Koleszar did what few have been able to do: He fought (New Smyrna Beach, FL) City Hall on a September night in 2009, and he won!

William L. (Bill) Koleszar II , a resident of New Smyrna Beach and former Orlando police chief for a couple of years in the early 1980s, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2015, after a lengthy battle with heart disease.

Born in Fairfield, Conn., Mr. Koleszar's candle burned brightly for 71 years across six continents.

From 1975 to 1982, he served as chief of police in Montpelier, Vt, and Arvada, Colo.; and as chief of police in Orlando, Fla, 198-1984. He also served on the cabinet of Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm as that state's first director of public safety, from 1984 to 1987.

All-white NASCAR execs led by CEO Brian France want loyal Southern fan base to put away Confederate flag

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR CEO Brian France has infuriated the stock car giant's fan base of Southerners by publicly challenging them to fold up their beloved Confederate flag and stick it in a drawer somewhere -- anywhere, but at his race tracks.

And by doing so has once again demonstrated in his leadership role the corporate adage: "Do as I say -- not as I do."

53. Thousands descend on Sanford for Fourth of July fireworks

Top 100 Local Stories of 2014 in Central Florida / Headline Surfer®
 
Fireworks couple in Sanford, Florida for 4th of July, 2014 / Headline Surfer®Headline Surfer videos by Henry Frederick / Here are the sights & sounds from the 2014 Fourth of July fireworks from the Sanford Pier. Shown belo are Sanford residents Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres sporting USA T-shirts.

SANFORD, Fla. -- Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres, along with their two small kids, were among the thousands of patriotic Central Florida citizens who descended upon the the Sanford Pier for the colorful lights and loud booming noises in the night sky.

Deltona Commissioner Heidi Herzberg recognized as 'Home Rule Hero' by Fla. League of Cities

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Party Lines Political Notebook / Headline Surfer®
Deltona City Commissioner Heidi Herzberg / Headline Surfer®Photo for Headline Surfer® /
Deltona City Commissioner Heidi Herzberg, is involved involved a hot of community services throughout Volusia County.

DELTONA, Fla. -- The Florida League of Cities has recognized Deltona Commissioner Heidi Herzberg with a 2015 Home Rule Hero Award for her "tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect the home rule powers of Florida’s cities during the 2015 legislative session."

Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials – both elected and non-elected – who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective to an issue.

“Strong home rule powers ensure government stays close to the people it serves,” Herzberg told Headline Surfer® after receiving her award.

Congressman Ron DeSantis: Internet data breach for federal employees cause for concern

Editor's Note: The following was written by Congressman Ron DeSantis, R-St. Augustine, whose 6th district of Florida, includes greater Daytona Beach...

Congressman Ron DeSantis weekly message / Headline Surfer®WASHINGTON, DC -- The depth and scope of the data breach at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) continues to grow - records going as far back as 1985 and the information of any federal employee could have been compromised.

Orlando among seven cities Gov. Rick Scott will visit today as part of his 'Keep Florida Working' tax cut victory tour

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Party Lines Political Notebook / Headline Surfer®

Gov. Rick Scott to stop in Orlando today as part of tax cut tour / Headline Surfer®TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott will visit Orlando and six other cities today as part of his "Keep Florida Working" tax cut victory tour to celebrate more than $400 million in tax cuts for Florida families.

Scott last week signed HB 33A, which includes cuts on Floridians’ cell phone and TV tax; one-year elimination of the sales tax on college textbooks; and providing for a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday.