EDGEWATER -- My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the Oklahoma victims of the tornado destruction in the community of Moore. My head just can’t process what I have have been seeing on television.
By Jason DavisDAYTONA BEACH -- When the parades are over, the picnics cleared and the echo of the speeches having died down, I can only hope that we, as a nation, will truly remember what this day was set aside for. Memorial Day is a special day for me and so many other veterans. The day when we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom.
It sounds so cliché, but it is true: The price of freedom is not free!
Let me take you back in time to 2004, and Iraq. A transportation unit was moving supplies in the direction of Baghdad. It was a routine trip, which this particular convoy had previously made before, and led by a seasoned soldier, Sergeant First Class Robert Durenda.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- What better example of leadership for New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer than that set by Volusia County Chair Jason Davis in embracing the media -- this 24/7 internet newspaper in particular -- to share his thoughts with all of you on this Memorial Day, as he has done time and again.
Photo for Headline Surfer / The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, is part of the Volusia County Public Library system. NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Children can beat summer boredom at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, which is planning a full slate of free programs in June and July. First up, children in grades 1 through 5 can enter to win prizes by reading books. Reading logs will be available at the children’s desk beginning June 11.
Photo for Headline Surfer / Retired Stetson University President H. Douglas Lee President is shown at left in this undated photo announcing his passing on Aug. 29, 2009.DELAND -- The Stetson University community in August 2009, mourned the passing of Dr. H. Douglas Lee, of DeLand, who had just retired after 22 years as president of Stetson University.
Lee died during the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2009, at Florida Hospital-DeLand of complications following surgery. He was 66.
The milestone comes in at No. 498 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the Top 500 Stories as part of its 5th anniversary.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Manager Pam Brangaccio, Mayor Adam Barringer and the elected commissioners were in a jovial mood at the beginning of Tuesday night's meeting.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Even though the Volusia League of Cities receives taxpayer monies from municipal and county governments and honors public officials, the media is banned from Thursday's annual awards ceremony where New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, facing multiple state ethics charges, is set to receive the top award.
Only Headline Surfer expressed an interest in covering the event and received approval from Mary Swiderski, the organization's executive director, in writing no less, before doing an about face and informing the 24/7 internet newspaper, it would not be allowed to cover the event after all.
Barringer has been low key since citizen watchdog Bob Tolley filed complaints with the Florida Ethics Commission
OAK HILL -- It doesn't get any better than the laughter of children, the sharing of old stories by the elders and young people getting acquainted with relatives in town while pushing baby strollers. Welcome to Oak Hill's RiverFest where once a year, this often politically-divided community comes together as one.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Widely banned because of their dangerous and unpredictable effects, synthetic drugs such as K-2 and bath salts still find their way onto the shelves at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops around the country. As it turns out, large quantities of the substances were coming from an illegal distribution ring based in New Smyrna Beach.
DAYTONA BEACH -- The Volusia League of Cities called the cops to ensure greater Daytona Beach's internet newspaper wouldn't rain on the parade of embattled New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, who received the taxpayer-funded organization's top award Thursday night even though he's facing multiple state ethics charges.
