Local News Now

Photo illustration for Headline Surfer® /

LAKE MARY -- The carnival-like atmosphere will be in full swing today in Lake Mary and Sanford with politicians and Florida Department of Transportation officials taking center stage like car salesmen pleading with every man, woman and child to "Get on Board the SunRail Train!"

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- With lots of young surfers in the water for a surfing contest Friday, it was inevitable someone was going to get bitten by a shark.

Daytona politician not afraid to let his hair down

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Volusia County Councilman Joshua Wagner is shown in a vintage high school photo and with his wife, JenniferHall, Wagner, and their two small children, at a swearing in ceremony in 2013 for his second term.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Joshua Wagner is constantly on the go, multi-tasking as lawyer, politician and most important of all, as a family man.

And he always tries to accommodate the media, like he did Friday on his way home with a quick call to answer a few questions from Headline Surfer® while en route to meet his wife. After all, this was their fifth anniversary.

PONCE INLET -- As of April 1, the Pone Inlet Police Department's administrative offices are now open 7 days a week, from 8 am. to 4:30 p.m. Anyone with questions is asks to call the Ponce Inlet PD at 386-236-2160.

OAK HILL -- Residents of Volusia County's southernmost city can enjoy special postings on Facebook. Just click on the link here: https://www.facebook.com/OakHillFlorida.

Photo for Headline Surfer® / A selfie by Volusia County Chair Jason Davis was taken just after 7 p.m. following his release from Halifax Health in Daytona Beach where he was held overnight Wednesday after complaining of chest pains. The self-portrait was taken by Davis at the request of the 24/7 internet newspaper.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County Chair Jason Davis got no closer to the big political events of the day than a telephone call to his bedside at Halifax Health Medical Center today from the governor, having been held overnight for observations after feeling chest pains Wednesday afternoon.

After a battery of stress tests and other medical procedures, Davis was informed that one thing was ruled out medically: "I did not have a heart attack."

DAYTONA BEACH -- Highly-touted centerfield prospect Albert Almora, the 6th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, has been assigned to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League, officials with the Chicago Cubs announced Sunday.

Almora, who bats ands throws right-handed, is the parent club's No. 2 overall-ranked prospect, having received a $3.9 million bonus when he signed with the National League Central Division team out of Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah, Fla.

Headline Surfer® graphics / Here is a view of the Daytona Beach-area shoreline on this beautiful Sunday morning from the Volusia County cam off the Dunlawton Avenue Approach. In the inset is a summary of current weather conditions just after 9 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The World's Most Famous Beach received 1.29 inches of rain Saturday, a real good soaking', though it seemed like it was more. Today, there is a zero percent chanced of precipitation with bright skies as far as the eye can see.

The rain put a damper on the New Smyrna Beach Balloon & Skyfest, but today should be a different story. Same with the Spring Turkey Run here in Daytona Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Shane Porter's blog, "Get Psyched," is exclusive to Headline Surfer®.