OAK HILL -- The message I have today is short and sweet and to the point: Let's hope everyone here in Oak Hill and throughout Volusia County will take a moment or two this Memorial Day to remember and give thanks for those who sacrificed their lives so that we live in a free country where we can worship, speak and behave as a free society.
Photos for Headline Surfer by Jeanette DiCara / Veterans and citizens pray during Memorial Day services at the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery.EDGEWATER -- The air was hot and breezy and the expected rain held off as a tent filled with 100 or so patriotic people enjoyed the Memorial Day ceremony at the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery ceremony on U.S. 1 with American Legion Post 285 Cmdr. Wallace Ferreira serving as the master of ceremonies.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Here is the weather forecast for greater New Smyrna Beach: There's a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms today with a high of 91 under prtyly cloudy skies and a heat index of 104. Tonight will have a low of 68 with a 28 percent chance of rain with winds West Southwest at 5-10 mph.
The weather Thursday calls for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 88 and a heat index of 93 with winds from the West at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the North in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 30% with rainfall amounts near 0.2 inches possible. Thursday Night will see mostly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of rain and a low of 68, with winds less than 5 mph.
Latisha Anne Vester, 33, of Daytona Beach, an employee of Metra Electronics in Holly Hill, is being held without bail at the Volusia County Branch Jail on a felony charge of falsely reporting a bomb threat where she works.HOLLY HILL -- An employee of Metra Electronics told investigators she called in a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of 300 co-workers there earlier today because she "needed a break."
The bomb threat was called in prior to the day shift and left with the human resources department, which in turn notified police and 300 people were evacuated at 9 a.m., including the caller, identified by police as 33-year-old Latisha Anne Vester, who works in Metra Electronics' paint department.
Police Chief Mark Barker said Vester admitted making the call, saying she "needed a break" from work.
"As far as her explanation -- nothing, and I mean nothing -- surprises me anymore," the Holly Hill police chief told Headline Surfer.
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Headline Surfer file photo / Doug Gibson, shown seated in this photo from last Aug. 1, when he led the vote to disband the city's scandal-ridden police force under Chief Diane Young, is now running for mayor against Linda Hyatt, vice mayor and commissioner, who was opposed to the police being shut down in favor of patrols by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Both have since said they are pleased with change.OAK HILL -- Saying he wanted to ensure the citizens of Oak Hill get to decide who the next mayor is, Commissioner Doug Gibson filed paperwork today to run for the top elected post. Vice Mayor Linda C. Hyatt did the very same thing earlier this month.
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Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / Mom's Home Cooking server Mary Barrett, far left, takes orders from Sacred Heart Catholic School graduating eighth graders Thursday morning as teacher Rachel Woelfel goes over menu choices with them. In the inset photo, Mom's proprietor Patty Cook and Woelfel chat while the students decide what they want to eat and drink from a keepsake menu printed up just for them. NEW SMYRNA -- The twenty graduating eighth graders from Sacred Heart Catholic School were treated to a breakfast this morning at Mom's Home Cooking, 1201 N. Dixie Freeway.
Elect Douglas A Gibson for Oak Hill Mayor
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- My wife, Sera, and I, were at the senior awards Thursday evening at New Smyrna Beach High School where the community's best and brightest were recognized for their achievements in the classroom, on the field and the world around them. We were the only media outlet there, which is no surprise. We'll also be at the graduation Saturday night at the Ocean Center.
