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Oak Hill voters have double whammy: One race doesn't count and they could elect a state rep. not even on the ballot

Oak Hill ballot screw updist 27 name changeNEW SMYRNA BEACH -- You would think that this being the 21st century, the digital age where people get their news, weather, stocks, pay bills and so forth through the Internet that elections ballots would be crystal clear. While Volusia Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall has been critical of Gov.

Volusia County Republican Executive Committee endorses re-election of Sheriff Ben Johnson

Sheriff Ben JohnsonHeadline Surfer photo by Ben Johnson / The following endorsement for Sheriff Ben Johnson, shown here, comes from Stanley Escudero, chairman of the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee:

My Fellow Volusians,

Ben Johnson has been our county’s chief law enforcement officer since 2000, and has served us well as a valued member of the Sheriff’s Department since 1971.

He is the recipient of a great many honors and awards from his fellow law enforcement officers and state sheriffs’ associations and has given selflessly of his time and energies to serve on charitable boards and in other offices of community service in addition to his decades of hard and dangerous work as sheriff.

Decade later: Remembering the tortured soul that was executed serial killer Aileen Wuornos

Aileen Wuornos NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A decade has passed since the nation's foremost serial killer was put to death by the State of Florida through lethal injection for the shooting deaths of seven men who had the misfortune of picking up the hitchhiking prostitute along the region's criss-crossing interstates. I know a little something about Wuornos' final fate as one of a select few reporters to witness her execution.

Volusia County Council considering extending ban on texting while driving beyond the beaches

Newspaper Section
Beach driving in New Smyrna BeachHeadline Surfer photo by Serafina Frederick / The ban on texting while driving on the beach as shown here in New Smyrna Beach may be expanded to all Volusia County roadways. The topic was broached Thursday by the County Council.

DELAND -- Volusia County's elected leaders are steadfastly in favor of a countywide ban on texting while driving for all motorists on roadways, including the 16 cities and towns, in addition to the unicorporated areas.

p>The County Council earlier this year adopted such a ban for motorists driving on the county's beaches.

"I certainly think there's no reason not to do that," council member Pat Northey said of pushing for a county ordinance with the municipalities included.

Ex-wrestler Mike Graham dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound in Daytona visit for Biketoberfest

Newspaper Section

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Former professional wrestler Mike Graham who was in Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest was found dead Friday by his wife, reportedly of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 61.