Top 100 Stories

NSB-based Sandy Adams running for Congress to pick up where she left off in battling Obama-lovin' liberals

Newspaper Section
Partylines Political Notebook / Headline Surfer

Former New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, also a Republican, first to announce run for Congress

Sandy Adams, now residing in New Smyrna Beach, is making a run for a return to Congress in 2016 / Headline SurferPhoto for Headline Surfer /
Sandy Adams, who recently bought a home in New Smyrna Beach, is gearing up for a run for Congress in 2016, to pick up where she left off the first time around when she was elected in 2010.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, who previously represented the Space Coast for one term, has announced she will seek the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District, which she represented portions of during her previous tenure in Congress.

“We have an opportunity in 2016 to roll back the policies of President Obama and liberals in Congress,” Adams, who served from 2011-'12, told HeadlineSurfer.com, “but that means electing people who will fight for our values. I have a clear record of conservative leadership in Tallahassee and Washington.”

Orlando Magic promote Charles Freeman to COO

Newspaper Section
Charlie Freeman promoted to COO of the Orlando Magic / Headline Surfer®Orlando Magic / Headline Surfer®Photo for Headline Surfer® /
Charles Freeman has accomplished quite a bit in the front office with the Orlando Magic in his two decades with the NBA franchise. And on thishot summer Friday, he's been promoted to chief operating officer.

ORLANDO, Fla.-- The NBA's Orlando Magic have promoted Charles Freeman, who is entering his 20th season with the team, to chief operating officer, CEO Alex Martins announced today.

Martins also announced the promotion of Michael Forde to executive vice president of sales and Anthony Perez to executive vice president of strategy. Freeman's responsibilities include management and oversight of ticket sales, services and operations; premium sales, client services, corporate partnerships, marketing, arena operations and retail. Freeman was previously promoted to chief revenue officer in July 2012. 

“Charlie has provided great strategic leadership and vision to the Orlando Magic and we look forward to his continued expertise in regard to the business operation of our organization,” Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins said in a prepared statement to HeadlineSurfer.com and other Central Florida media outlets. “From overseeing the design, construction and development of the Amway Center for the Magic to implementing business initiatives, his experience and expertise will continue to be keys for the Magic in our quest to be world champions on and off the court.”

Hanfords lead Catholic protest of gay marriage at busy Port Orange intersection in advance of US Supreme Court ruling

Maredy & Walt Hanford lead protest against gay marriage in Port Orange, Fl / Headline Surfer
Video by Headline Surfer® /
Maredy Hanford speaks with HeadlineSurfer.com while her husband, Walter Hanford, and 18 other Catholics led a protest at a well-travelled Port Orange intersection against gay marriage on Saturday.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- The honking cars and cheers were like symphony music to the ears Maredy Hanford and nearly two dozen other parishioners from Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Port Orange at the intersection of Ridgewood and Dunlawton avenues.

They were there from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday protesting gay marriage.

Emmanuel’s Closet in Palm Coast to host Flagler Fashion Show

PALM COAST, Fla. -- Emmanuel’s Closet is pleased to announce it will be hosting the inaugural Flagler Fashion Show 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Italian American Social Club at Palm Coast at 45 Old Kings Rd N, in Palm Coast. The local mission provides free clothing to Flagler children and families in need.

The fundraising event includes dinner, dessert, raffles, a silent auction, dancing, photos and other activities. The models in the fashion show will be wearing clothes that have been donated to Emmanuel’s closet. Dinner tickets are $50 and all proceeds benefit the mission shop.

Daytona State College recognized by national manufacturing group for industry training

Daytona State Colege recognized for manufacturing training / Headline Surfer®Daytona State College recognized for manufacturing training / Headline Surfer®Photos for Headline Surfer® /
This student at Daytona State College receives training in manufacturing, for which the public institution is being recognized nationally for meeting industry standards.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona State College has been named the newest member of the Washington, D.C.-based Manufacturing Institute’s M-List, which recognizes schools providing manufacturing training that meets industry standards.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Manufacturing Institute with its renowned advocacy for manufacturing in the U.S.,” Tom LoBasso, president of Daytona State said. “This reaffirms our long-standing record of quality and service to the community with our responsive workforce career programs.”

Mary Bruno, associate vice president of continuing and workforce education, added, “M-list membership signifies DSC’s commitment to closing the skills gap and helping to grow our region’s manufacturing sector to its fullest potential as a jobs creator and economic driver.”

County Chair Jason Davis: Troubled SEV ad authority exec. director & chair both resign posts on same day

Newspaper Section
SVAA scandal involves director & board chairman / Headline Surfer®
At left is a snapshot of the top of a HeadlineSurfer.com story in 2013 on a credit card scandal in the Sou5heast Vilusia Advertising Authority involving Executive Director Carl Watson and Board Chairman Tom Clapsaddle. The internet newspaper won a journalism award from the Florida Press Club in 2014 for its coverage of the scandal.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Carl Watson's tenure as executive director of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority had been suspect from the very first day he on the job when he agreed to have lunch with the office manager paid for by the agency credit, even though he knew full well it was against the written bylaws of the agency.

Volusia County toots own horn regarding beach warning flags, but descriptions difficult to read online

Beach warning flags graphic for Volusia County online not easy to read / Headline Surfer®DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Volusia County toots its own horn regarding verbiage for its "beach warning flags" for rough surf conditions such as rip currents and the possibility of dangerous marine life like sharks or jellyfish, but its own website is extremely difficult to read, even with a hand-held magnifying glass.

A Headline Surfer® snapshot shown here using a MacBook cutting tool (grab) with the exact size and likeness from the county's website shows washed out colors and print that is not clearly visible to the naked eye.

Volusia County Beach Safety personnel deal with 8 rescues on Saturday; fly yellow flag

Dunlawton ramp in Daytona Beach Shores, Fl / Headline Surfer®Flagler Avenue beach cam in New Smyrna Beach, FL / Headline Surfer®Graphics images for Headline Surfer® /
At far left is an online snapshot of the Dunlawton Avenue approach in Daytona Beach Shores from a county beach cam. Cars are more visible here than in the inset cam snapshot from the Flagler Avenue approach in New Smyrna Beach. That's because cars are not allowed to park on the beach in front of the municipal lot above because it's considered a park.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Volusia County beach patrol personnel flew the "yellow flag" Saturday on 49 miles of beaches in Ormond, Daytona, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna.