Local News Now

Editor's Note: This brief write-up below by New Smyrna Beach resident Stan Kapp is in response to Headline Surfer® community blogger Darlene Vann's "Musings" column published March 13 and headlined, "Too many old people left to fend for themselves behind the wheel and that's scary." A link to Vann's blog is copied below Kapp's comments, which were verified with Florida authorities. At left are scenes from a fatal crash that occurred Feb. 6 in New Smyrna Beach, in which an elderly woman driver drove into  medical building. A link to rthat story is below as well.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- All the investigating officer has to do is send the driver to be retested. I was hit several years ago in New Smyrna Beach by an elderly driver. The Florida Highway Patrol showed up and said the driver should not be operating a vehicle. And he was on oxygen while driving.

Police Chief Michael Chitwood ramps up rhetoric, with name calling, describing wanted African-American suspected accomplice as 'gun-toting thug'

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Deandre Peterson, shown, in the inset, has been booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on a murder charge in the shooting death of Quuordre Wiley, 21, and police are looking for Justin Williams, suspected in an earlier related shooting incident.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Violent crime continues unabated in Daytona Beach with no end in sight as witnessed by a cold-blooded murder on a Friday afternoon as gunfire rang out in a salon.

March 21 musical play takes revealing look at taboo family sex abuse

DAYTONA BEACH -- A revealing look at the taboo of family sexual abuse and molestation is highlighted in “She Won’t Tell,” a revealing musical play, written by evangelist Karen Peoples, who herself was the victim of this silent nightmare that plagues so many families.

The play will be held 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.

Legal sources: Clear cut conflict of interest for jurist who may be forced to recuse himself from presiding at trial that begins Tuesday

Photos for Headline Surfer® / The big question heading into the trial for Jim Sotolongo and Ramara Garret, shown in the inset, is whether U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr., shown at far left, will be presiding.

ORLANDO -- Before he was nominated by President Obama and his appointed ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2011 for a federal judgeship in the Middle District of Florida, Roy B. Dalton, Jr.,was a member of the board of trustees for the Orlando-based Seaside National Bank& Trust for four years before laving to assume his position on the bench.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / Jonathan Kaney, Jr., shown here at left, said he's not getting the cooperation he needs in his Waverly Media investigation from several former candidates for elected office.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Jonathan Kaney, Jr. has informed the Volusia County Council that because three people and Waverly Media itself refused his subpoenas, he has no choice but to seek action in circuit court for compliance and that mens he won't be able to complete his report on Waverly Media by the March 14 deadline which is Friday.

Kaney made his announcement to the members of the County Council on Wednesday and forwarded a copy of his communication to Headline Surfer®.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Scott released a statement this morning on the passing of former Gov. Reubin Askew.

Scott said, "Governor Askew served our nation as a veteran, he served Florida’s families as an elected officeholder, and he served our children as an educator. He helped lead Florida to enormous growth and was a trailblazer for good government. His advocacy for Florida’s sunshine laws was a landmark moment for ethics and transparency in government, and that legacy continues to endure.

Made several stops in Daytona, including 1971 Firecracker 400 race

DAYTONA BEACH -- Reubin Askew, who served as the 37th governor of Florida from 1971 to 1979, died early this morning with family members by his side at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. He was 85.

His death was announced to the media by Ron Sachs, a former aide and family spokesman.

Askew's tenure as governor for eight years, beginning in 1971, was during a time in the U.S. of turmoil and change: There was the disgraceful resignation of President Nixon with Watergate to the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War and Askew's earlier successful push in 1972 for desegregation of Florida schools through busing, despite sporadic violence that ensued.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Veteran AMA racer Rick Shaw, 65, was killed as was another motorcyclist, Eric Desy, 45, after their speed bikes collided during a Team Hammer School racing event Oct. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bike Week is here and despite the ongoing construction for the ongoing $400 million "Daytona Rising" modernization project, there are plenty of activities for biker enthusiasts, from motocross races to demo rides and trade shows.

Henry Frederick loves the music and culture of the Big '80s, hearkening back to his college years (1980-'84) and beginnings as a metro newspaper reporter.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / Christian Rodriguez, Augustin Rodriguez and Brittany Vitale pose with the banner of their new Palm Coast-based online shipping business, eShippingUSA.

PALM COAST, Fla. – Christian Rodriguez, Augustin Rodriguez and Anthony Caruso are pleased to announce that they have opened a new business that is designed to change the way people manage their shipping. Named eShipperUSA, it’s located near the Flagler County coastline on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.

“We are excited about launching eShipperUSA in Flagler County,” Christian Rodriguez said. “It’s our goal to provide our clients with a one-stop solution to all of their shipping needs."

The company offers several virtual shipping options for small to midsize businesses. eShipper USA's business model is similar to websites such as Orbitz or Expedia, as its system compares shipping rates from all of the major carriers to quickly find the best valued rate.