Local News Now

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PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- The body of a woman was found floating in the Halifax River early Wednesday near the Seven Seas Marina at 3300 S. Peninsula Drive, police said.

Here's a synopsis of what cops came across as described in an email to HeadlineSurfer.com from Port Orange Police Lt. Scott Brozio: "Responding officers found an unidentified female floating in the vicinity of the marina. Port Orange Detectives responded to the scene and the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted to remove the deceased."

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EDGEWATER, Fla. -- Volusia County Sheriff's investigators are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect who fraudulently used a woman's credit card information to make purchases at two stores in Edgewater, an agency spokesman said.

"The suspect pictured used the victim's information (last) Thursday at Publix and Dollar General stores on Ridgewood Avenue in Edgewater," Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant told HeadlineSurfer.com, in supplying a still surveillance photo with information on the case.

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EUSTIS, Fla. -- Gov. Rick Scott has appointed William R. Giffing, Jr. to the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County.

Giffing, 39, of Eustis, a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, succeeds Jeanie Rowin on the Early Coalition.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Perception is the reality former New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer is counting on if he's to have any chance in his quest for Congress against frontrunner and GOP rival Sandy Adams.

Barringer let it be known through an intermediary in trying to woo a prominent Republican party insider from Volusia County to join his campaign that he had amassed $125,000 as a sign that he was serious and with this insider's help he could prevail.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Joie Chitwood, III, president of Daytona International Speedway, was evasive in answering questions during a press conference early Monday after the last-lap crash that sent Austin Dillon's No. 3 Chevrolet airborne and into the catch fence at the end of the Coke Zero 400, tearing a section out in the process with debris causing minor injuries to 13 fans in the grandstands before the car tumbled back onto the track upside down.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Who needed fireworks any way when thy were enough sparks and some flames to boot at the finish of the Coke Zero 400 just after Dale Earnhardt Jr., the checkered flag: A race car ripped down a section of fencing that sprayed debris into the stands injuring several fans in the process at Daytona International Speedway early this Monday morning.

Former Orlando police chief

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Bill Koleszar did what few have been able to do: He fought (New Smyrna Beach, FL) City Hall on a September night in 2009, and he won!

William L. (Bill) Koleszar II , a resident of New Smyrna Beach and former Orlando police chief for a couple of years in the early 1980s, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2015, after a lengthy battle with heart disease.

Born in Fairfield, Conn., Mr. Koleszar's candle burned brightly for 71 years across six continents.

From 1975 to 1982, he served as chief of police in Montpelier, Vt, and Arvada, Colo.; and as chief of police in Orlando, Fla, 198-1984. He also served on the cabinet of Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm as that state's first director of public safety, from 1984 to 1987.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR CEO Brian France has infuriated the stock car giant's fan base of Southerners by publicly challenging them to fold up their beloved Confederate flag and stick it in a drawer somewhere -- anywhere, but at his race tracks.

And by doing so has once again demonstrated in his leadership role the corporate adage: "Do as I say -- not as I do."

Headline Surfer videos by Henry Frederick / Here are the sights & sounds from the 2014 Fourth of July fireworks from the Sanford Pier. Shown belo are Sanford residents Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres sporting USA T-shirts.

SANFORD, Fla. -- Gordon Obermeyer and Maranda Torres, along with their two small kids, were among the thousands of patriotic Central Florida citizens who descended upon the the Sanford Pier for the colorful lights and loud booming noises in the night sky.

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DELTONA, Fla. -- The Florida League of Cities has recognized Deltona Commissioner Heidi Herzberg with a 2015 Home Rule Hero Award for her "tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect the home rule powers of Florida’s cities during the 2015 legislative session."

Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials – both elected and non-elected – who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective to an issue.

“Strong home rule powers ensure government stays close to the people it serves,” Herzberg told Headline Surfer® after receiving her award.