Volusia News Now

ORMOND BEACH -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting here in the overnight hours that sent a motorist to the the hospitsal with two gunshots.

The 48-year-old victim had just driven away from a store in Ormond Beach when he was shot twice in his car near 1336 Par Ave. at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The man was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach where he is currently in surgery. A female in his car was uninjured.

About five minutes later deputies found a van that matched the description of the suspect vehicle given by eyewitnesses to the shooting.

"With the assistance of the Daytona Beach Police Department and a Sheriff's Office helicopter, the van was tracked as it drove recklessly through a residential area until it finally crashed a 421 Whitney St. in Daytona Beach," Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Four years ago, a series of city commission meetings led by then-Mayor Sally Mackay, were heavily attended by merchants and chamber leaders on the beachside's Flagler Avenue who lobbied for special zoning that would pave the way for a new hotel: The $16 million Hampton Inn & Suites.

Those rallying cries were led by Steve Dennis, then-Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce director and CRA commission member, and Robert Wayne Lott, the president-elect of the chamber, a member of the Southeast Volusia hospital board taxing district and purchaser of the weekly Observer newspaper with his wife, Michele Lott.

EDGEWATER -- When I heard about Dick Clark’s passing this morning, I felt as if I had lost a family member. He had been very much a part of my life since American Bandstand so long ago.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Several thousand people are expected Thursday on Flagler Avenue for the annual Food Festival, with dozens of restaurants offering samples of their best cuisine for a nominal price. The festive family-oriented event begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Besides food from restaurants like Clancy's Cantina, there will be live music and other entertainment.

Photo for NSBNews.net / Headline Surfer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Recently retired Volusia County Judge Stasia Warren announced Tuesday she's running for state attorney in the 7th Judicial Circuit against first-term incumbent R.J. Larizza.

Terry Shoemaker of St. Augustine is a third candidate. All three are Republicans. If one of them doesn't secure a 50-percent plus one vote victory in the primary, then the top two vote-getters will face off in November.

Warren made her surprise announcement in a press release e-mailed to NSBNews.net / Headline Surfer and other media outlets, saying in part: “I have faithfully served the law and our community by delivering justice from behind the bench."

DELTONA -- The loss of the Space Shuttle from the place it took flight this Tuesday morning is a sad day indeed for all of us in Volusia County, the Sunshine State and across America. It is more then an end of an era.

VCBJ mug /

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- When Monte Andrew Henkenberns was pulled over early Sunday in the 500 block of South Peninsula Avenue, it marked the fourth time he'd been arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.

ORLANDO -- This lockout-shortened season has to be the worst in the Dwight Howard era for Orlando Magic fans. They now have reason to cry foul heading into the playoffs

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Perhaps the middle initial "A" in Alexandria A. Spradlin's name is symbolic of her academic achiement at New Smyrna Beach High School. After all, the senior has been named finalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship competition.

"New Smyrna Beach High School is pleased to announce that Alexandria A. Spradlin is a finalist," Principal Jim Tager said.

Spradlin is one of 14,400 semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship program. She is the daughter of Christina and Gregory Spradlin.