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. 51-60.
Nos. 61-80 and 81-100 are archived at the end of this segment.
51. Orange County Sheriff's Office: Man shot & killed by deputy during search warrant at an Orlando-area apartment identified
LEFT: Orange County Sheriff John Mina identifies the man shot and killed by one of his deputies as Tyrone Devon Henderson Bartley, 32, during the execution of a search warrant Friday, May 16, 2025, in the 5600 block of Lejeune Drive, Orlando, Florida.
BELOW: The rifle behind the bathroom door Tyrone Devon Henderson Bartley was allegedly reaching for when he was shot and killed by the deputy, according to the OCSO.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orange Cunty Sheriff's Office has identified the man shot and killed by a deputy during the execution of a search warrant on May 16 in an apartment as 32-year-old Tyrone Devon Henderson Bartley.
Sheriff John Mina said deputies and SWAT were executing a search warrant in the 5600 block of Lejeune Drive when they entered the apartment and encountered a man who reached behind a door.
Mina said that’s when a deputy shot the man, who was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The sheriff said Henderson was in an apartment in the 5600 block of Lejeune Drive when deputies and SWAT arrived with the warrant on that Friday afternoon. The sheriff said Henderson reached behind a door, and a deputy shot him. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Mina said a rifle was found behind the door where Henderson was reaching for it.
Here is a synopsis of the fatal encounter as described by the sheriff:
"As our SWAT team entered the room, they encountered a man who was reaching behind a door where a rifle was located. One deputy fired his service weapon, striking the man. Our deputies rendered first aid, and he was transported to the hospital where, unfortunately, he later passed."
Mina continued: "We were at this house a couple of weeks ago in reference to a domestic violence call. While we were there, deputies found trafficking amounts of fentanyl and cocaine and two loaded guns, one of which was stolen. So this search warrant was related to an ongoing narcotics investigation."
Mina added: "This case just illustrates how dangerous this is for our deputies — going into a home where we know loaded guns have already been recovered, where we know trafficking amounts of fentanyl and cocaine have already been recovered. So that's why we used our SWAT team — highly trained individuals who are trained specifically to do this."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the fatal shooting. The deputy is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the FDLE investigation, which is standard protocol.
Mina said the search warrant stemmed from a case a few weeks ago when deputies found fentanyl, cocaine, and firearms during a domestic violence response. He said one of those firearms was stolen.
Mina added that the body camera video captured the fatal incident.
52. Florida Highway Patrol: SkyDive DeLand CEO Bob Hallett killed in motor vehicle accident
Photos for Headline Surfer / LEFT: Skydive DeLand CEO Bob Hallett, 74, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in DeLand, Florida.
LOWER LEFT: A younger Bob Hallett is shown in this undated pic.
BELOW: Don Demsey, a Volusia County Councilman and a private defense attorney in DeLand, who was stuck in a traffic jam that followed the Hallett fatality, described him as "a pioneer in the skydiving industry here in DeLand."
DELAND, Fla. -- The Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed that Bob Hallett, the CEO of Skydive DeLand, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on West New York Avenue.
Troopers said the crash happened just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, where West New York Avenue connects with North Shell Road.
The crash involved a 2018 Toyota Tacoma and a 2023 RAM truck, according to the FHP.
Hallett, who was driving the Tacoma, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver and passenger in the RAM truck were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"I've known Bob my whole life," said Jessica McCorduck, a family friend, who told WESH Ch. 2 Orlando. "He was like an uncle or like a fun uncle."
McCorduck says that when her dad, who worked at the airport, passed away, Hallett stepped in.
"Helping, like, liquidate my dad's things and helping to know what to do," she added. "Because I was only 18, I had no freaking clue what to do with any of those eight planes and three hangars full of stuff."
Here is a synopsis of the fatal crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol: Troopers responded at 7:52 a.m. on State Road 44 (New York Avenue) at the intersection of Shell Road in DeLand. Preliminary evidence shows the crash involved a 2018 Toyota Tacoma and a 2023 RAM 2500.
Bob Hallett, 74, the driver of the Tacoma, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ram, a 46-year-old Edgewater resident, and his passenger, a 51-year-old woman also of Edgewater, were transported to Advent Health Deland with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a news release from the FHP, Hallett, who was on Shell Road, upon reaching the intersection of State Road 44, failed to yield at the stop sign and cut into the path of the Dodge Ram. The Dodge slammed into Hallet's driver's side and killed him instantly, troopers said.
Volusia County Councilman Don Dempsey, also a flier, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that Bob Hallett, considered a pioneer in the skydiving community, was also well-liked in the aviation community. “He was a pioneer in the skydiving industry here in DeLand, a destination for skydiving,” Dempsey said. “He is responsible for DeLand becoming the skydiving capital of the world.”
Volusia County Councilman Don Dempsey, also a flier, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that Bob Hallett, considered a pioneer in the skydiving community, was also well-liked in the aviation community. “He was a pioneer in the skydiving industry here in DeLand, a destination for skydiving,” Dempsey said. “He is responsible for DeLand becoming the skydiving capital of the world.”
Dempsey said he was stuck in the traffic backup for a while due to the fatal accident.
53. DeLand native & Texas Rangers pitching ace Jacob deGrom fastest in MLB history to 1,88 career strikeouts
Photo for Headline Surfer / Jacob deGrom is the fastest to 1,800 strikeouts in MLB history.
DELAND, Fla. Jacob deGrom, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers and a DeLand native, recently became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 career strikeouts.
This achievement broke the previous records held by Randy Johnson (243 games) and Chris Sale (1,498 innings).
deGrom reached 1,800 career strikeouts on Aug. 3, 2025, while pitching for the Texas Rangers against the Seattle Mariners. He achieved this milestone in the second inning by striking out J.P. Crawford, becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 strikeouts by both games (240) and innings (1,492 2/3).
The Texas ace only surrendered four hits in the club’s 5-4 loss to the Mariners, but three of those were home runs, and two came immediately after two-out walks. DeGrom has had only seven other games in his career in which he's given up three or more homers, according to MLB.
54. Orange County sheriff's deputies fatally shoot knife-wielding barricaded man who held girlfriend against her will
Photos for Headline Surfer / LEFT: Orange County Sheriff's deputies respond to the Isles at East Millenia apartments located on Lake Fountain Drive at 12:45 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2025, about a woman who said her boyfriend, 57-year-old Todd Hannigan, held her at knifepoint, afterwhich the barricaded man charges at them before two of the deputies fatally shoot him at the apartment complex in Orlando, Florida. Hannigan is shown in a mugshot from back in February of 2025 on a prior domestic violence charge.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orange County deputies fatally shot a barricaded knife-wielding man after his girlfriend told law enforcement he held her against her will overnight, Undersheriff Mark Canty said.
Here is a synopsis of what led up to the fatal shooting Monday afternoon (June 25, 2025) as described by Canty: Deputies responded to the Isles at East Millenia apartments on Lake Fountain Drive after receiving a call around 12:45 p.m. Monday from a woman who said her 57-year-old boyfriend, Todd Hannigan, had been smoking drugs and kept her inside the apartment at knifepoint since the previous night.
L
EFT: Orange County Undersheriff Mark Canty gives an overview of the deadly encounter in a press conference (see below in the story). Also shown is the knife recovered in the deputy-involved shooting held by the suspect, later identified as Hannigan.
Deputies responded to the scene at the Isles at East Millenia Apartments on Lake Fountain Drive and spoke with the woman, who confirmed her boyfriend had threatened her with a knife, the undersheriff said.
The woman spoke to deputies at the scene and said Hannigan had threatened her with a knife. The deputies intended to arrest him for aggravated assault, but he barricaded himself inside the apartment. Deputies requested a negotiator and assistance from a SWAT team around 2:45 p.m., according to Canty. Over the course of the next hour or so, deputies tried to communicate with the 57-year-old man, who was barricaded inside an apartment. The victim, his girlfriend, was out of the apartment and not in danger.
After trying to talk with the man for several hours, at one point, he came out of a room and "moved toward the deputies with a knife, and two deputies fired their service weapons, striking the man," Canty said. Paramedics, who were already staging at the scene, transported him to the hospital, where he later died.
Todd Hannigan, the knife-wielding suspect fatally shot by deputies, was previously arrested on Feb. 28, 2025, on charges of sexual battery with a weapon and domestic violence, and was out on bail when he was killed, according to a charging affidavit on file with the Orange County Clerk of the Court.
Todd Hannigan, the knife-wielding suspect fatally shot by deputies, was previously arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 28, 2025, on charges of sexual battery with a weapon and domestic violence, and was out on bail when he was killed, according to a charging affidavit on file with the Orange County Clerk of the Court.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the fatal shooting and will turn over its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review. Once that process is completed, OCSO will conduct its own internal investigation. The deputies who fired their service weapons are on temporary, paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review."
Multimedia:
OCSO video / Orange County Undersheriff Mark Canty briefs the media on a deputy-involved shooting on Monday, June 23, 2025. The press briefing was held before the OCSO released the name of the man who was fatally shot, Todd Hannigan.
55. Gov. Ron DeSantis reappoints Daytona luxury home builder Mori Hosseini & Tampa real estate attorney Fred Ridley to the University of Florida Board of Trustees
Photos for Headline Surfer / Mori Hosseini and Fred Ridley to the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis has reappointed two of the Sunshine State's biggest entrepreneurial giants to the University of Florida Board of Trustees: Daytona Beach luxury home builder Mori Hosseini and Tampa real estate attorney Fred Ridley.
Both were reappointed earlier this month. Their terms expire on June 6, 2021. Hosseini is also chairman of the board.
Morteza “Mori” Hosseini
Hosseini, 68, was born in Iran and is a resident of Ormond Beach and the chairman and chief executive officer of ICI Homes. Active in his community, he currently serves as chairman of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees, the Allstar Building Materials Board, and the Southern Title Family of Companies Board.
Hosseini, married with three grown daughters, previously served as the chairman of the board of governors of the State University System of Florida and the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners.
Hosseini was educated in London, England, and received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, where he received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Studies and a Master of Business Administration. He earned bachelor’s, master’s, and honorary doctorate degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Hosseini also serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Florida at Gainesville and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.
Hosseini founded ICI Homes in 1980. Consistently ranked by Builder Magazine among the nation’s Top 100 homebuilders, ICI Homes has built thousands of homes and created some of the largest master development communities in Florida, markets including the counties of Volusia (corporate office headquarters), Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard.
Mori Hosseini founded ICI Homes in 1980. Consistently ranked by Builder Magazine among the nation’s Top 100 homebuilders, ICI Homes has built thousands of homes and created some of the largest master development communities in Florida, markets including the counties of Volusia (corporate office headquarters), Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard.
In addition to master development and homebuilding operations, Hosseini is involved in many other enterprises throughout Florida, including a lumber company and a title insurance company.
Fred "Scobie" Ridley
Ridley, 72, is a Partner at Foley & Lardner, LLP, in Tampa. Active in his community, He currently serves as the Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the PGA's Masters Tournament.
Ridley previously served as the national chair of Foley’s Real Estate Practice. Ridley earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University.
Fred Ridley is an accomplished amateur golfer, lawyer, and current chair of the Augusta National Golf Club at the Masters Tournament. He is a partner at the law firm Foley & Lardner LLP, specializing in real estate development and finance. Ridley is also known for his distinguished amateur golfing career, including winning the 1975 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Ridley is a former national chair of Foley’s Real Estate Practice, a member of the Hospitality & Leisure (former co-chair) and Sports Industry Teams, and a member of the Transactions Practice. He is also a former member of his law firm’s management committee.
Ridley's practice is focused on commercial and planned-unit real estate development and finance, golf and recreational amenity and resort development, and multifamily/condominium developments.
Ridley, an Augusta National Golf Club member, served as the competition committee chairman for the 2011 Masters Tournament. On Aug. 23, 2017, Augusta National announced that Ridley would succeed Billy Payne as club chairman. Ridley took over when the club reopened for its 2017-18 season on Oct. 16, 2017.
56. Brenden 'Butterbean' Queen wins the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway
Photos for Headline Surfer / Brenden 'Butterbean' Queen takes the checkered flag to win the Arca Menards season opener at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla -- Brenden "Butterbean" Queen won the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season opener, the Ride the 'Dente 200 at Daytona International Speedway, on Feb. 15, 2025.
Driving for Pinnacle Racing Group in his debut with the team, Queen secured his first career ARCA victory in a crash-filled race.
Queen led the final 10 laps to win for Pinnacle Racing Group (No. 28).
Queen ultimately won the 2025 ARCA Menards Series championship.
Multimedia
Headline Surfer YouTube download / NASCAR regional video / ARCA Official Highlights: Ride the ‘Dente 200 at Daytona International Speedway.
57. Orlando Cops: man arrested in deadly hit-and-run crash involving a young child nearly two years after the fact
Photos for Headline Surfer /Yosefi Arabu, was arrested on Monday for allegedly causing a Nov. 11, 2023, hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of 5-year-old Aiyanna McCoy in a second vehicle.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Members of the Orlando Police Department’s Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested a 35-year-old man at his residence near Clarcona Ocoee Road and Lunsford Drive in connection with a deadly hit-and-run investigation.
Here is a synopsis of what occurred that led to the arrest of Yosefi Arabu on Monday, as described by Orlando Police: On Nov. 11, 2023, Orlando cops responded to a crash in the 4300 block of North Orange Blossom Trail involving a 2016 silver Mercedes C300 and a 2016 white Nissan Pathfinder. Two occupants were ejected from the Pathfinder, and the occupants of the Mercedes fled the scene. One of the ejected occupants, 5-year-old Aiyanna McCoy, was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
"OPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit has diligently worked this case to help bring justice to the family of the victim," Orlando Police said in a written statement announcing the arrest of Yosefi Arabu, who faces multiple charges for causing the crash, including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash with death, and three counts of driving without a valid license resulting in death/serious injury.
Arabu is also charged with tampering with physical evidence, two counts of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, and two counts of reckless driving resulting in damage to person/property, all felonies.
58. Orlando Magic sign forward Jamal Cain to a two-way contract
Photo of Jamal Cain courtesy of the Orlando Magic /
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic have signed forward Jamal Cain to a two-way contract.
Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction was announced on July 24 by Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations for the Orlando Magic.
Cain (6’6”, 191, 3/20/99) played in 37 regular-season games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 5.3 ppg -- and 2.3 rpg. in 13.6 minpg.
Cain scored in double figures nine times and had 20+ points twice, including a career-high 25 points on April 11 against Miami.
Undrafted by an NBA franchise in 2022, Cain has appeared in 81 career NBA regular-season games (one start) with Miami and New Orleans, averaging 4.8 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 12.4 minpg.
Undrafted by an NBA franchise in 2022, Jamal Cain has appeared in 81 career NBA regular-season games (one start) with Miami and New Orleans, averaging 4.8 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 12.4 minpg.
He has also played in 40 career NBA G League games (37 starts) with Sioux Falls, averaging 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. and 1.6 steals in 35.1 minutes per game.
Cain played 150 games (61 starts) in five seasons (2017-22) between Marquette (2017-21) and Oakland (2021-22), averaging 8.1 ppg -- and 5.2 rpg. in 21.6 minpg.
As a senior (2021-22), Cain started all 30 games for the Golden Grizzlies and averaged 19.9 ppg., 10.2 rpg. and 1.8 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg, and was named Horizon League Co-Player of the Year and to the Horizon All-League First Team.
59. Halifax Health celebrates 300-plus cancer survivors at annual ‘Celebrate Life'
Photo for Headline Surfer / Brittany Taylor, a cancer survivor, speaks at the Halifax Health -- Cancer Center for Hope 2025 Celebrate Life event at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- More than 300 cancer survivors and family members gathered Saturday at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the Halifax Health -- Cancer Center for Hope 2025 Celebrate Life event.
The annual event, held in June during National Cancer Survivor Month, recognizes both those currently in treatment and those who have fought the disease.
“Each year, it’s a true privilege to celebrate our survivors at this annual breakfast,” says Julie Roth, Halifax Health – Cancer Center for Hope's service line administrator. “Hearing our patients share their journeys is incredibly moving, and we’re deeply grateful to walk alongside them in their stories of strength and hope.”
“Each year, it’s a true privilege to celebrate our survivors at this annual breakfast,” said Julie Roth (shown here), Halifax Health – Cancer Center for Hope's service line administrator. “Hearing our patients share their journeys is incredibly moving, and we’re deeply grateful to walk alongside them in their stories of strength and hope.”
The event included remarks from the Cancer Center’s benefactor, Charles L. Grant, also a cancer survivor, and testimonials from other survivors, including Elizabeth Patterson, Brittany Taylor, and Donna Victory. A partner in the Arts in Medicine program with our Cancer Center for Hope, The Hub on Canal, an art gallery in New Smyrna Beach, was present to provide an art project for attendees, and 40 lucky attendees were gifted plant centerpieces donated by Lindley’s Garden Center.
“There are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States alone,” Roth said. “This community reminds us that life does not stop with a diagnosis—it continues with purpose, strength, and the power to inspire others."
60. Musical Chairs in Edgewater: Interim city manager reassigned to public works, police chief named interim city manager & police captain promoted to interim police chief
Photos for Headline Surfer / Charles Geiger, Edgewater's new interim police chief, is shown with Joe Mahoney, the new interim city manager. At right is Jeffrey Thurman, the new interim public works director.
EDGEWATER, Fla. -- The City of Edgewater announced a leadership transition in early June 2025: Interim City Manager Jeffrey Thurman has been reassigned as the interim public works director, Police Chief Joe Mahoney appointed interim city manager, and Police Capt. Charles Geiger has been appointed interim police chief.
On Tuesday (June 3), Edgewater officials prepared a statement: "Chief Joseph Mahoney has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout his 23 years of service with the Edgewater Police Department."
It continued: "Chief Mahoney has served in the capacity of chief of police since 2018. His ability to lead with integrity, communicate effectively, and make thoughtful, informed decisions makes him well-suited to guide the city during this interim period. The City is confident in his capacity to manage operations and support all departments through this transition.
With Mahoney assuming City Manager duties, Geiger has been designated interim police chief.
"Geiger has been a respected member of the department since 2011 and is known for his professionalism, integrity, and strong leadership capabilities," the Edgewater statement said. "His commitment to public service and community engagement will continue to support the Police Department’s mission."
Edgewater has been dealing with internal political strife for over a decade.
Edgewater has been dealing with internal political strife for over a decade.
Glenn Irby was the previous city manager of Edgewater, Florida. The city Council fired him in September 2024. Deputy Director of Environmental Services Jeff Thurman from the Environmental Services Department served as the interim city manager while a search for a new full-time manager was ongoing.
Irby was hired in 2019 after the council suddenly ousted its previous city manager in 2018. For more than 20 years, Irby had held various positions in city governments around Central Florida. Following Irby's departure, Thurman served as interim city manager before being reassigned Tuesday to his previous public works position.
Later in the Countdown: The interim city manager and interim police chief positions would become permanent.
Previous Coverage:
THE YEAR THAT WAS: Top 100 Stories of 2025 in Central Florida: No's 61-80
Published: Mon, 01/12/2026 - 02:30
THE YEAR THAT WAS: Top 100 Stories of 2025 in Central Florida: No's 81-100
Published: Mon, 01/05/2026 - 16:52
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