Top 100 Stories

Dorothy Hukill needs to make 'Heartfelt apology' for radio political ad making fun of Italian-American heritage

EDGEWATER -- I find it very offensive that dist. 8 State Senate candidate Dorothy Hukill's radio ad pointing out her difference from her opponent, Frank Bruno, was to make fun of the New York-area Italian-American accent. This is an unfortunate turn of events in the campaigns.

Chubby Checker to twist in DeLand tonight

Chubby Checker in DeLzndDELAND -- Chubby Checker, whose song "The Twist," was the dance sensation of the early 1960s, will be coming to town tonight in celebration of Florida Hospital DeLand's 50th anniversary.

There will be a free street party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Indiana Avenue, during which we will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people twisting in the street, said Jeremy Reidenberg, san organizer of the event. At 7:30 p.m., Chubby Checker will perform a benefit concert at the historic Athens Theater, located at the end of Indiana Ave.

Absentee ballot for November elections a handful to deal with

EDGEWATER -- I got my absentee ballot the other day and was bowled over by how much it includes. It begins with the candidates for president which number 12 in all. including Roseanne Barr/Cindy Sheehan for the PFP party whatever that is.

Doug Gibson debates self in public candidate debate for mayor of Oak Hill; opponent Linda Hyatt a no-show in own house

Newspaper Section

HeadlineSurfer videos produced by Serafina Frederick / A public candidate for mayor was the first of three at City Hall in one evening, followed by the races for Volusia County Chair and County Council dist. 3.

OAK HILL -- Doug Gibson stood tall in answering questions during a public candidate debate in the race for mayor sponsored by Headline Surfer. After all, his opponent in the non-partisan race, fellow commissioner and Vice Mayor Linda Hyatt, was a no show.

Hukill-Bruno to spar in media-style public candidate debate in New Smyrna Beach on Oct. 21

Epps-Wagner headline 3 debates in Port Orange on Oct. 21; Shelley-Henry Daytona mayoral debate waiting on venue

Dorothy HukillFrank BrunoDist. 8 Florida Senate candidates Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, and Frank Bruno, D-Ponce Inlet, have agreed to participate in a 90-minute public candidate debate sponsored and moderated by Headline Surfer on Oct. 21 at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Headline Surfer held eight public candidate debates leading up to the Aug. 14 primary and has held three more so far during the general election cycle. Five more are planned before early voting gets under way and the biggest of them all is a showdown between Republican Dorothy Hukill and Democrat Frank Bruno.

Hukill radio ad making fun of opponent Bruno with New Jersey-style Italian-American accent has voters up in arms

Newspaper Section

A political ad on the radio by state Republicans and endorsed by dist. 8 state senate candidate Dorothy Hukill makes fun of her Democratic opponent, Frank Bruno, by using a New Jersey-style Italian-American accent similar to that of the character Vinnie Barbarino in the TV show, "Welcome Back Kotter," starring John Travolta. The ad portrays Bruno as a "political boss in Volusia" who wants to tax everything in sight as well as taking expensive trips on the public dime.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The advertising in the state senate race between Dorothy Hukill and Frank Bruno is starting to get really ugly and personal, too. It's not just the high-priced TV ads between the two political heavyweights, but a state Republican Party radio spot against the Democrat, Bruno, that has drawn the ire of voters, especially those of Italian-American heritage.

Orlando Magic sign free agent Chris Johnson

Orlando Magic player Chris Johnson / Headline SurferThe Orlando Magic signed free agent small forward Chris Johnson, 22, waivbed by the LA Clippers. Orlando's roster now stands at 20, but must be reduced by Nov. 1, the day before the Magic open the regular season at home gainst the Denver Nuggets.

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Chris Johnson, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Per team policy, terms of the deal with Johnson, 22, were not disclosed. He was cut last week by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

SpaceX blasts off from Cape Canaveral to the delight of fans on the coastline of Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The SpaceX rocket was launched Sunday night into the heavens with private enterprise taking over for NASA in delivering cargo to the International Space Station. Countless people along the Atlantic Coastlines of Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties took to the beaches or intercoastal waterways to see the 8:35 p.m. liftoff.

Nighttime SpaceX launch sight to behold for us space shuttle fans

OAK HILL -- Although we have had to say good-bye to the space shuttle program, apparently all is not lost across Mosquito Lagoon. At the launch site at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station stood a Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off Sunday night from Kennedy Space Center for the International Space Station.

NSB cops: New Smyrna Beach man drowns Sunday near Disappearing Island in Intercoastal Waterway

Disappearing Island / Headline SurferDisappearing Island, which is visible during low tide in the Intercoastal Waterway and nestled between Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach, shown at left, is near where a man drowned Sunday.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 41-year-old man was pronounced dead upon arrival Sunday afternoon in the emergency room at Bert Fish Medical Center, the victim of an apparent drowning in the Intercoastal Waterway near Disappearing Island, New Smyrna Beach cops said.

Here is a written synopsis of the 2:15 p.m. death of Curtis Allen Everson who jumped into the water from a boat, as described by acting St. Brian Page: Central Dispatch received a call in reference to a male who apparently drowned in the Intercoastal Waterway. The United States Coast Guard responded and transported the male to shore. The male was then transported to Bert Fish Medical Center by EVAC. The male was treated; however he was pronounced deceased by the Emergency Room physician."