Local News Now

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bill Nelson, the Sunshine State's senior senator and highest ranking Democrat, easily won re-election to a third six-year term over Republican Congressman Connie Mack, IV, garnering more than 55 percent of the votes. But he didn't take Volusia County for granted in the waning weeks of the elction, making a pitstop in Daytona Beach.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Robert Fortner, a Republican state committeeman from DeLand, cheers during Mitt Romney's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

TAMPA -- Robert Fortner, a GOP state committeeman from DeLand, liked what he heard from Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in his acceptance speech at the convention.

The impressions of Volusia County Republicans who attended the convention comes in No. 50 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 local stories of 2012.

"He gave us what we wanted to hear," the 68-year-old retired custom automotive car and boat manufacturer said on his way back to his hotel. "He had a job to do to accept the nomination and he delivered. He was very positive for the country's future."

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 SHORES -- Everyone knows that Barack Obama is a constant congenital liar. But since his inauguration diatribe and the masterpiece of mendacity that was his State of the Union address, I have given up trying to isolate individual untruths. Now I try, with decreasing success, to find something he says which is true.

Pool video by Cental Florida News 13 / Headline Surfer / Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, reads to children at Inspirations Learning Center in Daytona Beach during her visit on Oct. 25. 

DAYTONA BEACH -- Ann Romney visited a beachside school this morning.

Headline Surfer video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Jesse Jackson speaks at Allen AME Church in New Smyrna Beach on Oct. 31, in support of President Obama's re-election.

NEW SMRNA BEACH -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson brought his brand of speechmaking to the Alen Chapel AME Church in New Smyrna Beach the night after Halloween in support of President Obama's re-election campaign.

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.

DAYTONA BEACH -- There's a 50 percent chance of rain forecasted for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with Danica Patrick on the pole among the 43 drivers.

Weather has not been a factor so far during Speedweeks 2013 to this point with the great American race yet to go.