Business

Campaign encouraged by ICBA and Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Independent Community Bankers of America and the local community banks including Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety, are kicking off ICBA Community Banking Month by encouraging small business owners and consumers to bank locally.

By doing so, customers will make a hometown investment they can be proud of because community banks put local deposits back to work right where it belongs-in the community.

Promoted in September by Wisconsin parent company Utility Equipment Leasing Corp.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation Appoints Ron Starks as Service Mechanic for the Sanford, Florida Service Center Starks brings With more than 25 years of experience in utility equipment maintenance and dedication to customer service, Ron Starks has been promoted to service mechanic for Sanford-based Florida Service Center.

SANFORD -- Meet Ron Starks, promoted last September by the Waukesha, Wisc.-based Utility Equipment Leasing Corp., as service mechanic at its Sanford Service Center, serving the Southeast states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Starks was tasked with providing road service in addition to support at the Sanford Service Center.  He has more than 25 years experience in aerial equipment service throughout the Southeast, the latter 10 years providing primarily road service.

DeBary woman claims nearly $300,000 with winning Fantasy 5 ticket 

Noble Geathers shown here on his Facebook page, is a rich young man, thanks to his winning lottery scratch-off.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Noble Geathers has reason to smile. After all, it's not every day that a 19-year-old kid pockets half a million bucks. At least before taxes, any way.

The 2011 Daytona State College graduate claimed his $500,000 prize in the Gold Rush Tripler Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee earlier this week.

Traveler's paradise along scenic waterway

Photos for Headline Surfer/

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Talk about livin' it up in a relaxing getaway: The Black Dolphin is a new high-end boutique inn open for business along scenic South Riverside Drive in New Smyrna Beach's historic district.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona Beach's most renowned hotelier, Thomas William Staed, the chairman and chief executive of the family owned Staed Family Associates, died peacefully, in his sleep on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. He was 81 years old.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 1 percent in January compared with January of last yar, Volusia County officials said.

During January, 44,170 passengers arrived and departed through the county-operated airport. This compares with the 43,565 travelers recorded in January 2012.

For the 12 months ending January 31, 584,885 passengers traveled through the airport, compared with 558,061 passengers recorded for the 12 months ending January 31, 2012, a 5 percent increase.

Banker active in Daytona Beach-area civic and charitable organizations

Photo for Headline Surfer / Richard Luce, a veteran banking manager shown here at left, has been promoted to a senior management position with Intracoastal Bank. Luce also is active in several Daytona Beach-area civic and charitable organizations.

PALM COAST -- Bruce Page, president and chief executive officer of Intracoastal Bank, announced the addition of Richard Luce as vice president/portfolio manager.

In this capacity, Luce will oversee all aspects of Intracoastal's loan risk management function and will provide a wide range of credit and sales support services to the bank’s lending group.

“We are thrilled about Richard joining our team," Page said Thuesday. "As a lifelong resident of this area and his vast experience in banking, Richard will continue to play a vital role within the bank.”

DAYTONA BEACH -- Headline Surfer, Central Florida's 24/7 award-winning Internet newspaper, has signed an exclusive 18-month advertising and marketing agreement with the Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poke Room that begins today.