Local News Now

Photos for Headline Surfer® by David Hartgrove of the Halifax River Audubon Society / Signs are posted on Dissapperaring Island alerting boaters to a rare species of bird nesting.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A least tern pair has been discovered nesting on Disappearing Island near Ponce Inlet. The birds were spotted May 14 by members of the Florida Shorebird Alliance’s Volusia Shorebird Partnership as they conducted a routine shorebird survey in the inlet.

Least terns weigh just over an ounce and have a wing span of about 20 inches. They have a grayish-white body with a black-capped head, narrow wings, yellow legs and a yellow bill. They nest on sandy beaches and rooftops in the southern U.S. and are aggressive in defending their nests.

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Large crowds boad SunRail in DeBary while fares are free. As of Monday, fares will no longer be free to board SunRail. And VOTRAN buses, as shown in the inset, end free shuttle rides today from Deltona to DeBary.

DeBARY -- The free VOTRAN shuttles bringing passengers from Gemini Springs Park and the Deltona Plaza to the DeBary SunRail station end today, Volusia County officials announced in a press release.

On Monday, SunRail will begin collecting paid fares for all boarding passengers.

ORMOND BEACH -- Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Dr. Sue Kim to the Florida Humanities Council.

Kim, 69, of Ormond Beach, is a retired staff psychiatrist at Coatesville VA Medical Center. She succeeds Darryl Paulson and is appointed for a term that ends ending Nov. 13.

Speedway projects, other construction expected to generate even greater figures

Projects like the $400 million Daytona Rising renovation at Daytona International Speedway, home to signature races like the Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 bring in tourists from around the globe. And a key ingredient is Daytona Beach International Airport.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 11 percent in April compared to April of last year, Volusia County officials said.

Video of Democrat's nasty snacking goes viral on YouTube

WASHINGTON DC -- You'd better get the wax out of your ear and listen up.

That's apparently what Congressman Joe Garcia, the freshman Democrat from Florida's 28th District was doing when he was captured on a C-Span broadcast last week: Eating his own ear wax, that is.

PALM COAST -- Kelli Mason is the new assistant office manager at Palm Coast Chiropractic Center.

Mason began employment last month and has been in the customer service industry for 20 years. Her duties include checking in patients, answering the phone, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, and more.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sally Crank gave birth to her third child, Jamison Liam,  on March 7, the newest of three boys. So one can just imagine the demands on her life as mother, spouse and holding down two part-time jobs. But she's not one to complain.

On the contrary, Crank says she loves being a mother and a nurturer. Her diverse responsibilities make her the epitome of the 21st-century mom on this Mother's Day.

Photos for Headline Surfer® / John DeJesus, 27, a reputed member of the Latin Kings gang, a drug dealer and sex offender, shown at left, now stands accused of first-degree murder in the April 30 shooting death of 22-year-old Yoliz Marie Borrero, shown in the inset.

ORLANDO -- Orange County Sheriff's investigators this morning arrested the man they said shot and killed his live-in girlfriend in cold blood right in front of her two small children earlier this month -- the youngest he is the father to.

John DeJesus, 28, was presented before a judge just before noon where he was ordered remanded to the Orange County Jail on a no-bond status, pending a formal arraignment to answer to the charge of first-degree murder.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Southeast Volusia Historical Society annual picnic and Board of Directors installation will take place 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the New Smyrna Boat and Ski Club located on the North Causeway. Members are asked to bring a covered dish.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Mayor Adam Barringer led the vote to raise property taxes to support the municipal budget back in September while not paying his own taxes, Headline Surfer® has learned after reviewing public records.