Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / These birds were seen recently in a small pond fountain across from the Edgewater City Hall.EDGEWATER -- A gathering of exotic birds took a swim on a warm summer's day in a small pond foutain across fthe street from the Edgewater City Hall on Riverside Drive.
DELAND -- A 5-year-old boy drowned in a backyard swimming pool while he and his family were visiting their grandmother Friday evening near DeLand, said a spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the tragic incident.
Deputies were dispatched to 2535 Cherangela Court after receiving a 9-1-1 call from there about 7 p.m. Friday.
Headline Surfer videos and photos / A black bear climbed up a tree in downtown New Smyrna Beach just before sunrise Saturday and didn't come down until after sunset. Headline Surfer has exclusive video.NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The city by the sea is known for its shark bites and 'Cudas football, but black bears? One just happened to hang out in a tree at the corner of Magnolia and Canal streets all day Saturday until sunset when it climbed back down and scampered away.
Photo for Headline Surfer / At left is a poster announcing a contest seeking a new name for the City of Oak Hill with prizes for winning entries.OAK HILL -- The poster says it all: Wanted! Motto for the City of Oak Hill.
"Obviously, we want to promote our city," Oak Hill Mayor Douglas Gibson told Headline Surfer, echoing the verbiage in the Old West wanted poster.
As he rightfully pointed out, Orlando has a great motto: The City Beautiful. And Daytona's is known around the globe: "The World's Most Famous Beach."
So why not Oak Hill?
"We have endless possibilities for a bright future for our city," said Gibson, elected in November. "A motto would be great."
Photo for Headline Surfer / Gov. Rick Scott reflects on meaning of holiday.
NAPLES -- Gov. Rick Scott released the following statement Wednesday from Naples on the eve of the nation's independence celebration: “Ann and I join all Floridians in celebrating our freedom as Americans and remembering our country’s great heritage this 4th of July holiday."
Scott continued: "As we spend Independence Day with our family, we are reminded of those who cannot do the same because they have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. This week, we honor those who have served in the past and are serving our country at home and abroad today."
Photo for Headline Surfer / Donna Jane Bennett, mayor of Oak Hill from 1992-'99, died 10 years after her tenure as mayor.
OAK HILL -- Though she was mayor of Oak Hill for the better part of the 1990s, not much has been chronicled the on the relatively short life of former Mayor Donna Jane Bennett, who died unexpectedly in 2009. She was 57.
Bennett's passing comes in at No. 494 in Headline Surfer's Top 500 countdown as part off its 5th anniversary coverage.
Family and friends paid their final respects to the life-long Oak Hill resident in a May 19 service at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Emerson Bolton, Sr., officiating.
Bennett died three days earlier at Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial. The circumstances that led to her passing were kept private.
By Douglas GibsonOAK HILL -- I want to take this opportunity to wish any and all a happy and safe Fourth of July today and through the extended holiday weekend.
It's holidays like this where family and friends get together for a barbecue, perhaps go the beach or Mosquito Lagoon right here in Oak Hill. Or maybe maybe venture on up to Daytona International Speedway for the races or catch the fireworks shows in Edgewater or New Smyrna Beach.
Whatever your Fourth of July plans and above all else, please keep your family and other loved ones safe. And remember one too many can lead to disaster and a lifetime of regret.
As a Florida state trooper before retiring, I saw more than my fair share of the deadly consequences of drinking and driving.
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images / DIS / Headline Surfer / Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, poses with the pole award after finishing the fastest during qualifying Friday for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.DAYTONA BEACH – Toyota dominated Friday’s Coke Zero 400 qualifying with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch take the pole and teammate Matt Kenseth joining him up front on the outside for tonight's 160-lap, 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
DAYTONA BEACH -- NASCAR is pulling out all the stops for the fans at Daytona International Speedway prior to tonight's Coke Zero 400 race from Daytona International Speedway.
Headline Surfer graphic / A man drowned mid-day Saturday in the ocean ocean in the vicinity of the 600 in the 600 block of South Atlantic Avenue, in Ormond Beach, as shown in this locator map.ORMOND BEACH -- The Fourth of July weekend has taken a tragic turn in Ormond Beach with a report that a 30-year-old man drowned earlier today in the waters off Ormond Beach.
The victim, whose name was not released was pulled to shore just before noon and treated on scene before transport to Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Volusia County sheriff's dispatch Sgt. Mike Chilcot told Headline Surfer.
