Top 100 Stories

28. Daytona Mayor Derrick Henry recognizes passing of poet Maya Angelou

Top 100 Local Stories of 2014 in Central Florida / Headline Surfer®
Maya Angelou's last tweet / Headline Surfer®At left is the final tweet of author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou a couple of days before her death May 28, 2014. She was remembered locally by Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry who said he twice met her, describing her as an 'American literary icon.'

DAYTONA BEACH -Mayor Derrick Henry paid homage to American poet Maya Angelou who passed away at the age of 86.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry / Headline Surfer®"I can't think of an American literary icon that I have adored more," said Henry of Mayou, who died Wednesday morning. "I am thankful for having been exposed to her gracious spirit and enormous personality. I have had the pleasure of reading all of her books."

Votran unveils children's artwork on underpass of Daytona's Ocean Walk pedestrian walkway

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Children add new artwork tile to Votran buws stop location in Daytona / Headline Surfer®DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The underpass of the pedestrian walkover between the Ocean Center parking garage and the Ocean Walk Shoppes has been upgraded with fresh art tiles created by local elementary school children.

The original art wall was created in 2002, when the pedestrian walkover was built, but time and sea air took their toll on the art tiles.

Daytona 500's Joey Logano, UFC's Holly Holm HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year

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Joey Logano, Holly Home HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year / Headline Surfer®Kansas City Royals choice for team of the year

World Series champion Kansas City Royals HeadlineSurfer.com Team of the Year / Headline Surfer® DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Joey Logano was NASCAR's winningest driver in 2015, with six victories, incuding the biggest of 'em all in stock car racing -- the Daytona 500.

And how about the "Preacher's Daughter," whose kick heard 'round the world resulted in the knockout of previously unbeaten "Rowdy" Ronda Rousy? While it was only one fight for Holly Holm it, was the biggest of the year in the UFC, regardless of gender,.

With those credentials, Joey Logano and Holly Holm are the HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year, among professional male and female competitors, respectively. 

COMING SUNDAY: Joey Logano, Holly Holm HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year

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Joey Logano, Holly Home HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year / Headline Surfer®DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Both are known for speed and precision and they're proven winners. NASCAR's Joey Logano and UFC's Holly Holm are the male and female selections for the HeadlineSurfer.com Athletes of the Year.

A complete profile on each will be published Sunday, along with photo and video highlights.

Logano led all drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing series this past season with six wins, including the biggest of them all, the Daytona 500.

Holm, known as "the Preacher's Daughter," knocked out previously undefeated "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey with a kick to the head heard 'round the world to win the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.

Christmas message from Adam Barringer: 'We do need to take a pause with immigration' to avert terrorist attacks

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Florida 6th Congressional frontrunner talks tough on securing our borders

Fla 6th Congressional candidate Adam Barringer with his wife, Shannon / Headline Surfer®

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- He's not calling for an all-out ban on Muslims entering the US like GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, but Adam Barringer, himself the frontrunner for Florida's 6th Congressional District in the 2016 elections, is just as adamant that immediate steps must be taken to secure our borders to try and avert terrorist attacks.

Stetson junior defensive back Donald Payne earns American Football Coaches Association FCS All-America honors

Donald Payne, junior defensive back named to FCS All America Team / Headline Surfer®
Photo for Headline Surfer® / 
Stetson University's Donald Payne scores All America honors.

DELAND, Fla. -- Stetson junior defensive back Donald Payne has added another accolade to his long list of accomplishments: He has been named named to the 2015 American Football Coaches Association FCS All-America team.

Congressional endorsements: National Assn of Realtors supports GG Galloway; 10 mayors & ex-county chair back Adam Barringer

GG Galloway, running for Congress / Headline Surfer®6th Congressional candidate Adam Barringer has 10 mayoral endorsements / Headline Surfer®

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- GG Galloway finally has gotten an endorsement in his run for the 6th Congressional seat in the 2016 elections: the National Association of Realtors. Then again, Galloway of Ormond Beach, makes a living as a Realtor.

Daytona Beach cops: Body of homeless man found floating in Halifax River result of drowning

Wendell Speaker, homeless of Daytona Beach, victim of drowning in Halifax River / Headline Surfer®Photo for Headline Surfer® /
Wendell Robb Spiker, 42, was a homeless man whose body was found in the Halifax River, the apparent victim of an accidental drowning. How he ended up in the river is unknown, but foul play was not suspected, Daytona Beach police said.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- At 2:36 p.m. Friday a 9-1-1 call led cops to a body floating 20 feet off shore from 905 S. Peninsula Drive between the International Speedway and Silver Beach bridges.

The body of the white man was recovered from the Halifax River by a Daytona Beach Fire Department paramedic team in one of its rescue boats. Burt in this case, it was a recovery.

Coming New Year's Day: Mount Rushmore of Daytona: Bruno, Doran, Cusack & Johnson

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HeadlineSurfer.com Hall of Fame / Headline Surfer®

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- On New Year's Day, the award-winning 24/7 internet internet newspaper will recognize four public servants it believes truly represents the the absolute best of the best of greater Daytona Beach -- our Mount Rushmore so to speak. And on Jan. 1,  Frank Bruno, Ted Doran, Joyce Cusack and Melody McSorley Johnson will be presented as such as this digital media outlet begins rolling out the 101 entrants in its inaugural Class of 2016 HeadlneSurfer.com Hall of Fame.

Stetson University's Brianti Saunders nets record 40 Points in Hatters' win

Breaks single-game scoring record that stood for 29 years & spanning 842 games

DELAND, Fla. -- Brianti Saunders was not going to be denied as she knocked down her first eight shots en route to a 40-point performance Sunday at home in a 79-57 trouncing of Georgia Southern in the first day of the 2015 Hatter Classic.