Local News Now

New Smyrna Beach siblings attend Burns Sci-Tech in Oak Hill

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Daddy's little girl returned to school Monday along with about 61,000 other Volusia County students.

It was the day of school for Ray Catheline's little princess, Olivia, who entered kindergarten at the Buns Sci-Tech Charter School in Oak Hill. Big brother, Nicholas entered second grade.

Misty Burris Catheline took one final snapshot of the kids at home in New Smyrna Beach before the drive to Oak Hill and a couple more photos with father and the children in their respective classes.

"(We're) missing our babies, but we have a little downtime now," the proud mom lamented.

Political consultant Jim Oddie: Unless governor consents to usage, it's misleading  

DAYTONA BEACH -- The head of the Republican Party of Volusia County is using Gov. Rick Scott's photo on his exceutive committee's Facebook page as if the governor's speaking for that organization.

And the county's lead office holder and Republican thinks it's improper.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Brannon Center's the place to be Saturday night for the Jimmy Buffet-styled summer time party named after his restaurants – Cheeseburger in Paradise. The event is sponsored by the Rotary clubs of New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater as a significant fundraiser for their community good-works and charities.

DELAND -- Children can give their brains and bodies a workout during free programs at the DeLand Regional Library this fall.

County Council candidate Justin Kennedy: Incumbent Deb Denys & others on dais conducted duplicate witchhunt investigation in desperate attempt to hold onto seats

DAYTONA BEACH -- The State Attorney's Office exonerated all candidates who received in-kind advertising in the 2012 election cycle from Waverly Media of committing any crimes and officially closed the investigation Tuesday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Tony Stewart struck and killed a 20-year-old driver on a half-mile dirt track in upstate New York on Saturday night after spinning him out on lap 14 of the 25-lap race, according to officials with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating it as a "tragic accident."

"The judicial experience Judge McGlashan brings to the Volusia County court bench is invaluable," Ritchey said of the incumbent. "Judge McGlashan’s fair and efficient administration of justice makes him the most qualified candidate to continue to serve our community as a county court judge."

DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County Judge Peter A.D. McGlashan received an endorsement from a political heavyweight in former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, who touted his experience and invaluable service.

"The judicial experience Judge McGlashan brings to the Volusia County court bench is invaluable," Ritchey said of the incumbent. "Judge McGlashan’s fair and efficient administration of justice makes him the most qualified candidate to continue to serve our community as a county court judge."

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ORMOND BEACH -- The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances that led to a 3-year-old boy's drowning death in a backyard swimming pool near Ormond Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies were dispatched to a home on Rodeo Acres Drive after receiving a 911 call at 3:45 p.m. The toddler was identified as David Airhart. The father and an older sibling were home at the time, according to a Sheriff's incident report.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Soon after winning re-election in the 2012 elections for what would be her 19th and 20th years on the dais, term-limited district 5 County Councilwoman Patricia Northey announced she was running for the at-large seat held by incumbent and fellow Democrat Joyce Cusack.

Headline Surfer® graphic / The locator map at left shows the area south of the 500 block of Osteen-Maytown Road where the body of a man was found floating in shallow water on Saturday. He has since been identified.

OSTEEN -- The body of a man found Saturday afternoon floating in a water-filled borrow pit in Osteen, has been identified as that of 56-year-old Robert Lewis Williams, a Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said.

"Witnesses said they saw the victim going into the water Friday afternoon," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson told Headline Surfer®. "Williams has family who live close by where the body was found, but he had no known permanent address. While there were no immediate signs of foul play, the Sheriff’s Office is investigating and will work with the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death."