Top 100 Stories

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.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Christopher Kelly attended a candidate introduction forum prior to the big state senate debate between Dorothy Hukill and Frank Bruno at the Brannon Center on Oct. 20. It was Kelly's 44th birthday, no less. He learned of his endorsement right there and then in front of 200 citizens.

Headline Surfer endorsement: Nancy Schleicher

DELTONA -- Admittedly, we know very little about the inner political workings in Deltona municipal government, but after reviewing the candidacies of the candidates for the non-partisan dist. 4 city commission seat, we believe Nancy Schleicher is well versed on the issues and has continued her commitment to monitoring public meetings despite coming up short in a previous run for office.

Schleicher, 65, a Democrat and retired school teacher with 33 years in the Deltona public schools, lost to Paul Treusch in 2007, and since then has attended every city commission meeting and it shows in her knowledge of topics like upgrading sewers, looking at CRA districts and code enforcement issues in a city that has seen tremendous growth in the last two decades. Her list of civic achievements is unparalleled in Deltona.

ORLANDO -- America! Land of the free, and home of the brave -- arid lands thirsting for the twilight of individual liberty, vibrantly ambitious of fertile, national loins, begging, reaching -- grasping for change. The election is Tuesday. Tuesday!

Is it a wave? That monsoon the Nixon beasts used to always scream about back in the 1970s before the humiliation of Watergate -- of Watergate! A corrupting, unmitigated disaster, perhaps, for one of the greatest intellectual minds ever to mind the shop of the presidency.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Mayoral candidate Derrick Henry wants to see a united Daytona Beach that goes beyond the tourism marketed globally as the "World's Most Famous Beach" and center of motor racing with the Daytona 500, or as he emphasizes in his platform: "One City, One vision."

DEBARY -- With the presidential election looming fast, it's crunch time in the Sunshine State. Florida is a swing state and we are critical to Mit Romney’s success.

With Florida’s 29 electoral votes, as Florida, so goes the election. The other the swing states have importance, but  fewer electoral votes: Ohio, the next biggest at 18, followed by Virginia with13 and Wisconsin with 10.

DELTONA -- Webster Barnaby wants to bring "integrity, jobs and prosperity" to the table as his platform as district 2 Deltona Commissioner. We believe he will try and do just that.

Barnaby, a man of Christian faith, makes no bones about his intentions on his campaign website putting his community and family at the forefront of his candidacy: "I am a real person that truly loves Deltona. I have lived here for over 21 years. Over 25 years married with a wonderful wife and 2 great children. My daughter is at the University of Florida and my son is serving our country at the United States Naval Academy. I have served for 3 years as the PTA president for Trinity Christian Academy. I am member of the Board of Directors for Trinity Assembly of God."

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Early voting was a breeze Saturday at the New Smyrna Beach Library where dist. 8 state senate Republican candidate Dorothy Hukill and her campaign manager-son, Jonathan Hukill,  cast their votes. Democratic opponent Frank Bruno did not make an early voting apperance in New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Democratic party candidates  may have won the early voting bsttle in Volusia County, but can they win the war  over their Republican counterparts when all is said and done Tuesday?