Helmet made no difference

DAYTONA BEACH -- A Tampa man was killed earlier today after crashing into guardrails at South Clyde Morris and Buccaneer Way, Daytona Beach police said.

The body of the victim was identified at the scene of the 3 p.m. accident as that of Ricky Whitehead, but no age was provided to the media.

Here is a synopsis of what happened, according to a scant press release: The motorcyclist was traveling at a "high rate of speed" northbound on Clyde Morris approaching the intersection of Buccaneer Way.

'Pick up chicken dinner' will be holding a VIA Hall, 126 East Halifax Ave. The $8 fee benefits the Oak Hill Trust.

OAK HILL -- There's a winning motto for tiny Oak Hill, Volusia County's smallest city with a mere 1,793 residents straddling the border with Brevard County, just north of Titusville, Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The videos showing Traders bar owner and three of his patrons harassing Headline Surfer's coverage a week ago today of the New Smyrna Beach Shrimp & Seafood Festival are trending on YouTube.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Tobacco products -- smoking and chewing are now banned on the campuses of Seminole State College with signs like this erected as a reminder.

SANFORD -- There will be no more lighting up anywhere on the campuses of Seminole State College. The ban went into effect with the the start of fall semester classes on Monday and includes all forms of tobacco, including chewing.

The designated smoking areas at Seminole State College of Florida have come down with the new tobacco-free policy in place. The College’s District Board of Trustees voted unanimously April 15 to ban tobacco use on all campuses beginning with the start of the 2013 fall term.

'Tortious interference' by NSB gov't; piling on by News-Journal cripple finances

DAYTONA BEACH -- With the growing popularity of Headline Surfer as a free digital source of online news accessed around the clock throughout Florida and globally for that matter, the 24/7 internet newspaper is going to slowly move away from hyper-local municipal government coverage focused on greater Daytona Beach Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, in particular, to news of Central Florida.

7th straight year for tourism destination award by Orlando Sentinel

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- For the seventh year in a row, New Smyrna Beach has the distinction of being the "Best Beach" as chosen by the readers of the Orlando Sentinel.

Under the "Best Bets" competition done by the daily metro newspaper annually, New Smyrna's sand and surf is No. 1, hands down.  

So while Daytona Beach may have the distinction of being coined, "The World's Most Famous Beach," New Smyrna Beach clearly has earned the moniker, "Best Beach.

"So while Daytona Beach may have the distinction of being coined, "The World's Most Famous Beach," New Smyrna Beach clearly has earned the moniker, "Best Beach."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- He was once the kingpin of Flagler: the financial planner, one-time chamber president and owner of the now-defunct weekly Observer newspaper.

That is until Robert Lott landed in bankruptcy court last year, having owed more than half a million bucks to his creditors, including two widows, one of them 82 years old who sued him alleging he defrauded her. So here was Lott, same short-sleeve ratty shirt and worn-out tan pants, taking it upon himself to escort Headline Surfer from the Brannon Center during a fundraiser of the New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater Rotary clubs.

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Beer and burgers were the main ingredients of a Jimmy-Buffet-themed fundraiser Saturday by the New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater Rotary clubs.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Skyler Vyse was home from leave with the Coast Guard where he's stationed in Port Arthur, Texas, to visit his parents, his daughter and girlfriend.

And what better opportunity to celebrate the visit with all in one setting than a fundraiser featuring gourmet cheeseburgers and cold beer at the Brannon Center.