THE YEAR THAT WAS: Top 100 Stories of 2025 in Central Florida: No's 11-15

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

ORLANDO, Fla. -- For better or for worse, these were the Top 100 stories in 2025 in Central Florida in The Year That Was. This segment: Nos. 11-15.

Nos. 16-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-80, and 81-100 are archived at the end of this segment.

11. Porsche Penske Motorsport wins the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona for the second consecutive year

Photos for Headline Surfer / The Porsche Penske Motorsport team, led by Felipe Nasr, wins the 2025 Rolex 24 endurance race on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Porsche Penske Motorsport earned its second consecutive win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona today at Daytona International Speedway, taking the top spot overall in the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series opener.

The No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 won the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking the second consecutive victory for the team and drivers Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Laurens Vanthoor. The racing team secured the overall win in the 63rd running of the race on January 26, 2025, leading a 1-3 finish for Porsche.

The No. 7 factory Porsche 963 passed their sister No. 6 Porsche 963 with just over 20 minutes remaining in the race to take the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 6, co-driven by Mathieu Jaminet (France), Matt Campbell (Australia) and Kévin Estre (France), also earned a podium finish in third. The win is the 20th overall for Porsche in the endurance classic.

The No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R earned a class podium in GT Daytona (GTD) when Porsche contract driver Ayhancan Güven (Turkey), Americans Elliott Skeer and Adam Adelson, and Tom Sargent (Australia) finished in second place, 27th overall in the 61-car field.

Nasr is the only member of the trio who was part of last year’s winning entry, with a reshuffled lineup. Tandy moved from the team’s No. 6 car, and with the win is the first driver globally to have won all four major 24-hour endurance sports car races in Daytona, Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, and Nürburgring overall.

Vanthoor was part of last year’s FIA World Endurance Championship-winning lineup with Penske.

The win is Nasr’s third (2024 in GTP/overall, 2022 in Grand Touring Daytona Pro), Tandy’s second (2014 GT Le Mans) and Vanthoor’s first at the Rolex 24.

The team nearly completed a 1-2 sweep, but a late pass by Tom Blomqvist delivered his second straight runner-up finish. Blomqvist co-drove the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06, and got around Matt Campbell’s No. 6 Porsche 963.

“It’s amazing to see the work we’ve done with this Porsche program the last couple years, winning the (IMSA) championship last year, and with the relationship we have with Porsche, our organization, I’m thrilled,” Roger Penske said in Victory Lane. “It was quite something there at the end!”

“It’s amazing to see the work we’ve done with this Porsche program the last couple (of) years, winning the (IMSA) championship last year, and with the relationship we have with Porsche, our organization, I’m thrilled,” Roger Penske (shown here in the final lap) said in Victory Lane. “It was quite something there at the end!”

History was also made in the two Grand Touring classes, as two iconic brands – Mustang and Corvette – both won.

NASCAR superstars Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, and Austin Cindric represented the stock-car racing world in the premier event, with the former two teaming in the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3, and the 2022 Daytona 500 winner in the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, subbing for an injured Ben Barker.

Both entries competed in the GTD Pro division, with the No. 64 landing third (19th overall) and the No. 91 finishing ninth (25th overall).

Multimedia

Headline Surfer Youtube download / IMSA Official video / 2025 IMSA Rolex 24 At Daytona | Race Recap | WeatherTech SportsCar Championship | Daytona Beach, Florida.

12. Private viewing for Daytona Beach toddler killed in traffic in April chasing family dog that escaped from the house; Ormond baby killed 3 months later in attack by family dog

Photo for Headline Surfer / LEFT: Tucker Morgan Dockins is shown with his beloved family dog in the background before his tragic death on April 23, 2025. The 1 1/2 year-old (DOB: Sept. 18, 2023) toddler was survived by his parents and big sister. A GoFundMe account has raised over $11,340 to help with funeral costs. Family friend Sydney Cole organized the fundraiser. BELOW: Skidmarks were visible on the roadway whete the little boy was struck & killed.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A private viewing for Tucker Morgan Dockins was held on May 9th, 2025, for the toddler struck and killed in traffic the previous month chasing after the family dog that escaped from the house, police said.

Here is a synopsis of the tragedy that unfolded at 8:21 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2025, in the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard:

Daytona Beach cops responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls of a small child hit by two motor vehicles after following the family dog that escaped from the residence and onto the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard. The dog was not injured, police said.

A 2003 Honda CR-V first struck the toddler, police said. That impact caused the little boy to enter the southbound lanes, where a 2012 Chevy Silverado then struck him. Cops found him in the roadway with severe injuries. The toddler was transported by ambulance to Halifax Hospital with severe injuries, and he was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival by ER personnel.

A 2003 Honda CR-V first struck the toddler, police said. That impact caused the little boy to enter the southbound lanes, where a 2012 Chevy Silverado then struck him. Cops found him in the roadway with severe injuries. The toddler was transported by ambulance to Halifax Hospital with severe injuries, and he was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival by ER personnel.

The deceased toddler was identified in a GoFundMe account as Tucker Morgan Dockins, 1 1/2, (born on Sept. 18, 2023), which Sydney Cole, a friend of the family, set up.

Cole described Tucker as a "sweet, loving boy who always enjoyed being by his big sister's side. He had a special bond with his dog companion, who was his constant playmate and friend."

The GoFundMe organizer described the fundraising effort as a means of "reaching out to our community for support to arrange a private viewing and cremation for Tucker," adding, "the costs associated with these services are significant, and any contribution would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help us honor Tucker's memory in a meaningful way and provide a space for family and friends to say their goodbyes. This will also allow us to focus on healing and remembering the joy Tucker brought into our lives."

The goal was to raise $3,500, but it has already exceeded that by more than three times, at $11,341 from 215 contributors to help defray the grieving family's funeral costs and cremation.

The donations range from $5 to $1,000. Several of the donors posted comments on the GoFundMe account for Tucker and his family.

Rebecca Boersma, who donated $500, posted: "Your sweet baby was born just 9 days after mine. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. I hope this donation will help provide a beautiful service and give your family some space to grieve."

VSO: Ormond Beach baby killed 3 months later by family dog on mom's birthday

A 5-month-old Ormond beach boy named Carter was being watched by family members, while his parents went out to celebrate the mom's 21st birthday on July 30, 2025, a Volusia County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.

The boy was found on a bed lifeless next to a 130-pound Great Dane/Husky mix, the VSO said. The dog was taken into possession by Volusia County Animal Services and euthanized, officials said.

No other details were released regarding the fatality at home in the 1700 block of Carolina Avenue, outside the Ormond Beach city limits, including the names of the parents. No criminal charges were filed.

13. Veteran NFL running back Raheem Mostert, who starred at New Smyrna Beach High School, signs with the Las Vegas Raiders

LEFT: Courtesy screenshot courtesy of the Las Vegas Raiders / Raheem Mostern signed with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2025 NFL season. He previousky played for the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers. LEFT INSERT: Headline Surfer photo by Sera King / Raheem Mostert, a graduating senior in 2010, is shown with the New Smyrna Beach High School Cuda where he was a star running back.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Raheem Mostert, who starred as a running back at New Smyrna Beach High School way back when, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the NFL Draft.

Mostert signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Raiders on March 13, 2025. The veteran running back joined the team as an unrestricted free agent following his release from the Miami Dolphins after three seasons.

The Las Vegas Raiders announced Wednesday afternoon that they have signed Mostert, a 2010 graduate of New Smyrna Beach High School. Here's a look at the player and person who was set to join the Silver and Black's running backs room.

1. Dolphin to Raider

Mostert joins the Raiders after spending his last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He set career highs in carries and rushing yards in both 2022 and 2023. After starting 29 games in his first two years in Miami, Mostert battled nagging injuries in 2024 and made just one start in 13 games played.

Before taking on a reduced role last season, he was a focal point of a Miami team that finished 2022 with a top 10 offense (sixth, 364.5 yards per game).

In 2023, the Dolphins led the league in total offense (401.3 yards per game). Mostert was the team's leading rusher and helped the Dolphins finish sixth in rushing offense (135.8 yards per game) and first in yards per carry (5.1).

He'll be joining several former Dolphins teammates in Las Vegas, including defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Adam Butler, and newly-signed linebacker Elandon Roberts.

2. Running wild

In addition to earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023, Mostert totaled a career-high 209 carries and recorded 1,012 rushing yards for the first 1,000-yard season of his career.

His 18 rushing touchdowns led the NFL and were the third most by an undrafted player in a single season in NFL history. He also set a new Dolphins single-season record, breaking Ricky Williams' mark (16) set in 2002. Ironically, Williams is Mostert's favorite player.

Mostert also tied for the NFL lead with 21 total touchdowns that season, breaking a Miami franchise record held by Mark Clayton (18) since 1984. Four of those scores came in a 70-20 blowout of the Denver Broncos, which tied the Dolphins' single-game touchdown record.

3. Beating the odds

In 2023, at 31 years old, Mostert became the second-oldest player in NFL history to have a 1,000-yard season. While production at the running back position is generally expected to decline as a player ages, Mostert has embraced the challenge and enjoyed a surge in opportunities and performance later in his career.

He credits that boom in production in part to a lack of playing time when he first entered the league.

"I'm truly blessed about it just because I didn't get that trend on me early on," Mostert said during the 2023 season. "So it actually saved me and I feel like it just helped prolong my career a little bit longer and I'm truly happy about that."

"I was just an undrafted guy just trying to make a roster and pretty much a special-teams guy, so I did get my opportunity. And one thing that I did learn when I was young was that when you do get that opportunity, don't look back. That's something that Darren Sproles taught me when I was a rookie for the Eagles."

Mostert overcame countless cuts when starting out, but if his career is any indication, he never looked back. After recording just 41 carries in his first four NFL seasons, he gained an increased role with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and has topped 100 rush attempts in four of the six seasons since.

4. Continuing his career with Chip

Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was Mostert's first head coach in the NFL when the running back entered the league in 2015 as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Mostert never appeared in a game for Philadelphia, but he did make enough of an impression on Kelly to get a second chance the following year with the 49ers.

After spending time on six different teams in his first two seasons, Mostert was signed to San Francisco's practice squad with five games remaining on the 2016 schedule. While that was Kelly's only season as the 49ers head coach, Mostert stuck on and embarked on a career-changing tenure in the Bay Area from 2016 to 2021. He solidified himself as a viable backfield option and put forth one of the best playoff performances in the history of the league.

In the 2019 NFC Championship, Mostert tallied 220 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. The 220 rushing yards were the second most by a player in an NFL postseason game and the four touchdowns were tied for the second most rushing touchdowns in an NFL playoff game.

Nine years later, Kelly and Mostert are back together and will look to help revitalize a Raiders run game that finished last in the NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry in 2024.

In addition to his familiarity with Kelly, Mostert faced off against the Seahawks' defense, led by Head Coach Pete Carroll, on seven different occasions. His best outing against Carroll came in Week 17 of 2019 when Mostert recorded 10 carries for 57 yards (5.7 avg.) and two touchdowns.

5. Waves of success

Mostert lettered in football and track and field at New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida, also known as the Shark Attack Capital of the World. Despite the obvious dangers, Mostert discovered a love for surfing and the escape it provided.

"The ocean is a metaphor for life," he said. "Sometimes it's calm, and all of a sudden, there's a hurricane. Hurricanes bring on waves. Being in the ocean, being in the waves, I excluded everything around me."

"Being on the surf, knowing that no matter what you got, your possessions or anything like that, your troubles, they all go away."

At 14 years old, Mostert was offered a contract to surf for Billabong, but he turned the opportunity down to pursue his goal of playing college football. At Purdue, he did more than just play football. He won a Big Ten title in four different track and field events and became the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Throughout his NFL career, Mostert's beach-bum background has remained close to his heart. On the field, he shows off his signature surf celebration after scoring touchdowns.

Off the field, Mostert and his wife, Devon, founded the Raheem Mostert Waves of Success Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing youth with the resources and mentorship needed to achieve their dreams.

14. NSB Special Election: Voters overwhelmingly reject huge pay raises elected politicians wanted to give themselves in proposed charter amendments

Photo for Headline Surfer / This is a screenshot of New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, whose proposed salary would have nearly doubled to $50,545.80, over his current salary of $27,189.24, but was rejected by New Smyrna Beach residents in Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, voter referendum by a whopping 75 percent.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- A proposal sought by New Smyrna Beach's elected officials to increase mayor and commissioner salaries was overwhelmingly rejected in one of seven municipal referendums back on Nov. 4.

The measure was rejected by a whopping 75 percent of the votes cast. New Smyrna Beach Mayor has remained silent since the measure failed miserably.

New Smyrna Beach voters also decisively rejected City Charter amendments that proposed to double the mayor’s term of office (62% voted no), elect candidates who earn over 50% of primary votes (65%), reclassify the city clerk as a department head (60%), and relax historic preservation requirements (58%) during the special election.

Adding a section prioritizing cultural arts squeaked by (51% voted yes) while mandating further City Charter reviews at least every 10 years passed comfortably (61%).

Turnout among the city’s eight voting precincts was highest in 807, made up of Bouchelle Island and beachside neighborhoods north of 17^th Avenue, which cast 1,534 ballots.

The Nov. 4voting results bring to an end a process initiated by the City Commission after concerns were raised about how elections are conducted shortly after swearing-in ceremonies were held on Nov. 12, 2024.

The referendum sought to increase “the salary of the commission members to 75% of the County Council Chair for the mayor, and 75% of the mayor's salary for the four other commissioners.”

The mayor’s base salary is $27,189.24, while each zone commissioner earns $20,329.06. The Volusia County Council chair's current annual salary is $67,394.40, while other council members earn $56,162.00.

The mayor's salary would have jumped to $50,545.80, nearly double his current salary in what clearly is a part-time job. The city commissioners' salaries would have climbed to $42,121.50, nearly double their current salaries. Their posts too are part-time.

The mayor's salary would have jumped to $50,545.80, nearly double his current salary in what clearly is a part-time job. The city commissioners' salaries would have climbed to $42,121.50, nearly double their current salaries. Their posts too are part-time.

Another major bone of contention was a proposal to increase the mayor's term of office from two to four years, which was also soundly rejected by the voters.

During public comments prior to Tuesday's amendment votes, citizen Leslie Sachs told the elected leaders she would vote “no” on the proposed mayor’s term extension, as it “takes away the power of the people to change the commission by majority every two years.”

“The only way I and everyone I spoke with would vote ‘yes’ would be term limits,” Sachs said. “Because this shouldn’t be a coronation.”

Cindy Sniezak added, “the most compelling reason not to change the mayoral term to four years is it keeps that right with the voter,” to change the commission majority every election.

“Because there are no term limits, and because the incumbent always has a large advantage, that’s not something I’m willing to give up without getting strict term limits in exchange,” Sniezak has said.

Looking ahead, the City Commission will host its next public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, in the James W. Hathaway Commission Chambers, located at 214 Sams Avenue.

Summary of NSB charter votes:

Amendment 1 – Mayor Term: No — 61.94% (3,943 votes)
Amendment 2 – Primary Majority: No — 64.88% (4,125 votes)
Amendment 3 – City Clerk: No — 59.55% (3,757 votes)
Amendment 4 – City Commission Salary: No — 74.76% (4,701 votes)
Amendment 5 – Historic Preservation: No — 58.02% (3,610 votes)
Amendment 6 – Cultural Arts: Yes — 51.07% (3,117 votes)
Amendment 7 – Charter Review: Yes — 61.35% (3,864 votes)

Detailed election results at www.volusiaelections.gov.

Neither the mayor nor the commissioners offered comment on the voter referendum rejections.

15. New Smyrna Beach's new top cop now making $165,000; City was silent for 3 days on his pay

Photos for Headline Surfer / LEFT: (shown L to R) New Snyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, City Manager Kevin Cowper, and Police Chief Christopher Kirk knew the new top cop's salary of $165,000 on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, before that night's city commission meeting but said nothing about it. Headline Surfer had to wait three days for a public records request to find out Kirk's interim and permanent police salaries. So much for transparency - or, as this exercise shows - a complete lack thereof. BELOW: Screenshot from Headline Surfer video: Chris Kirk waves to the citizens in the meeting hall at the Tuesday City Commission meeting but nothing was mentioned of his pay raise.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Christopher Kirk, New Smyrna Beach's new top cop, is getting paid $165,000.

That's a pay increase of $26,665, or 19.27 percent, over what he has been making as the interim police chief since January when he was named interim prior to his predecessor's exit earlier this year.

Eric Feldman, the previous police chief, was paid $141,574.

City Manager Kevin Cowper announced Kirk's promotion to permanent police chief at the Tuesday April 8 City Commission meeting, but his salary was not mentioned that night or since in public.

The next day, Headline Surfer contacted Kirk and Cowper to inquire about how much Kirk was being paid as the interim and what his pay as the new chief would be, as well as any comments on the promotion. Despite repeated emails and calls, neither responded.

Similar inquiries were made to Mayor Fred Cleveland but he also did not respond.

Headline Surfer posted a story the next day - at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 - about the city's lack of response and updated the story throughout the morning, including a public records request at 8 a.m. that same day for the salary figures and the number of sworn personnel in the police department.

NSBPD's Chris Kirk waves to citizens / Headline Surfer The city sent out a press release at 10:33 a.m., that Wednesday, complete with prepared quotes for its new police chief and city manager. The release issued by Phillip Veski, identified as the city's PIO, did not include information about Kirk's salary either as the interim or as the newly promoted police chief.

“I’m truly humbled to be our first home-grown chief of police in at least the quarter century,” Kirk was quoted in the city-issued press release. “I wouldn’t be here without significant support from the community and from all of the men and women of our department. I look forward to continuing our people-first approach to service.”

The city manager's quotes were a regurgitation of what he said during the city commission meeting: "This is really the result of a nationwide search that we’ve undertaken. We got many, many great applicants. Chris, as you know, has served as interim chief for the last couple of months and has done an outstanding job. We’ve successfully navigated through Spring Break, Bike Week, and many other community events. He has strong support from the police department, from the sworn officers, and from the civilian employees there. Strong support from the police union, from the police foundation, and many, many other members of the community.”

The City Clerk's Office finally released Kirk's interim and permanent police chief salary figures on that Friday - three days after they were first requested by Headline Surfer.

Three days after the fact, the question of why the interim and permanent salary figures for the city's top cop were kept secret remains unanswered. New Smyrna Beach City Manager Kevin Cowper has been unresponsive. Chris Kirk, named the permanent police chief, has remained silent throughout, as has Mayor Fred Cleveland.

Certainly, Kirk was aware of his interim salary since he signed paperwork for it on Jan. 21; according to personnel records Headline Surfer finally received in its public records request from the City Clerk's Office. The same personnel records showed Kirk and the city manager signed off on his hefty raise the day of the city commission meeting. There was no discussion on the dais. City hall insiders told Headline Surfer that the mayor certainly knew the salary figures ahead of Tuesday night's city commission meeting.

Three days after the fact, the question of why the interim and permanent salary figures for the city's top cop were kept secret remains unanswered. New Smyrna Beach City Manager Kevin Cowper has been unresponsive. Chris Kirk, named the permanent police chief, has remained silent throughout, as has Mayor Fred Cleveland.

Kirk supervises 55 sworn personnel (cops) and 30 civilian employees. The New Smyrna Beach Police Department's Operating Budget for the current fiscal year is $12.4 million.