Local News Now

Headline Surfer video and photo by Sera Frederick / Bob Tolley is the guest for the 24/7 Internet newspaper's newsmaker show, 'The Sunday Conversation,' which you can watch by clicking the video. Shown at left is Jim Hathaway, grand marshal for Saturday's NSB Christmas Parade and recipient of a private party at the mayor's restaurant with public monies used to pay up-front costs.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Citizen watchdog Bob Tolley says in Headline Surfer's online newsmaker show, The Sunday Conversation, that a private party for retired City Commissioner Jim Hathaway held at Mayor Adam Barringer's SoNapa Grille and paid with taxpayer money is an affront to the public trust.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In the wake of City Manager Pam Brangaccio's interview with the Daytona Beach News-Journal in which she glossed over the the private party at Mayor Adam Barringer's restaurant for retired Commissioner Jim Hathaway with the use of taxpayer money, Headline Surfer sent her follow-up questions which she responded with continued evasiveness, especially as to the legal and ethical implications.

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / VCSO deputies take a woman into custody just after 4 p.m. on SR 44 near Old Mission Road after her ex-husband reported her as being suicidal. A little girl in the SUV was held off to the side by deputies who gave her a toy badge and a Happy Meal from the nearby McDonald's. A Sheriff's oficial said he could not confirm if the woman and the girl wih her were related.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies pulled a 34-year-old woman from her stopped SUV during the height of early evening commuter traffic on State Road 44 just west of the intersection of Old Mission Road that brought vehicular traffic to a crawl in all four directions for about 20 minutes.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Votran bus routes throughout Volusia County could be impacted by parades this weekend and next weekend, including the Saturday afternoon Christmas parade in New Smyrna Beach, county officials said.

“We’ve tried to ensure as little disruption to service as safely possible,” Votran General Manager Steven Sherrer said. “To minimize the inconvenience, we’ve tried to gather as much parade information as possible to share with our riders.”

County spokeswoman Michelle Coats said most parades are scheduled for two hours. Parade route streets close an hour ahead of the parade. Some side streets may be closed.

City document shows $1,410 earmarked for Adam Barringer's SoNapa Grille

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Citizen watchdog Bob Tolley questioned the earmarking of $1,410 in taxpayer money at Mayor Adam Barringer's restaurant for a private party sendoff for former longtime Commissioner Jim Hathaway. 

Eustis gun shop owner and veteran statehouse politician won election with 95% of vote

Carey Baker of Eustis, shown here, is getting a head start as the appraiser-elect for Lake County with his appointment Monday.

TAVARES -- Though he is the Lake County property appraiser-elect, veteran politician Carey Baker was given the go-ahead today to jump right into the post by Gov. Rick Scott.

Mayor's Message

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Most of the political signs have been removed from the roadsides, the mailboxes are no longer filled with political campaign mailers and the dust from the campaign trails have settled. It is now time for our newly elected officials to fulfill their campaign promises, and to that, I wish them all the success.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- New Smyrna Beach High Principal Jim Tager is beaming with pride over the football team's undefeated regular season, despite the playoff loss to Winter Haven. Headline Surfer interviewed him after the game for "The Sunday Conversation."