Edgewater

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."

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Waverly Media park bench ads like this one at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Dunlawton Avenue in Port Orange, dot the landscape in Volusia County.

DAYTONA BEACH -- No matter where you drive along the major roadways in the county, invariably you are going to see more than a few of those eye-catching park bench ads.

Such is the successful advertising medium of Waverly Media, which literally has hundreds of benches dotting the landscape that is home to the world's most famous beach, the Daytona 500 and Florida's first 24/7 internet newspaper, HeadlineSurfer.com.

Photo for Headline Surfer / A manhunt Wednesday resulted in the apprehension of convicted sex offender Luis Alberto Hernandez Dejesus who earlier in the day broke free from a deputy in New Smyrna Beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 31-year-old convicted sex offender who broke free from a Volusia County Sheriff's deputy in New Smyrna Beach earlier in the day Wednesday, was apprehended and taken into custody just after 11 p.m., an agency spokesman said.

Luis Alberto Hernandez Dejesus stayed hidden for several hours after fighting with a Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputy and escaping his arrest while still handcuffed But he finally came out of hiding late Wednesday night and when he did, deputies nabbed him.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Morgan Tuck, 15, a New Smyrna Beach High School student, was the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on a public street early Sunday in Edgewater.

EDGEWATER -- The body of a 15-year-old girl was found in the grass near 22nd Street early Sunday, the victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police responded to the scene at 8:49 a.m. near the intersection with Guava Drive, describing it as a "suicide attempt" with a gunshot wound with the victim pronounced dead upon their arrival.

Police did not release any other details including the victim's name in what Headline Surfer believes to be in violation of Florida's public records statutes since the victim's family was notified. The victim is 15-year-old Morgan Tuck, who attended New Smyrna Beach High School.

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / These birds were seen recently in a small pond fountain across from the Edgewater City Hall.

EDGEWATER -- A gathering of exotic birds took a swim on a warm summer's day in a small  pond foutain across fthe street from the Edgewater City Hall on Riverside Drive.

DELAND -- The Volusia County Grand Jury returned an Indictment earlier today against against Brian McLane that accuses him of first-degree murder, a capital felony, in relation to the death of his Edgewater roommate on June 3.

The defendant and the victim, 71-year-old Richard Carton, were roommates in a mobile home. The victim was found dead of asphyxiation and/or suffocation.

McLane's indictment paves the way for the office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza to consider whether it will seek the death penalty at trial. LaRizza's office does not comment until a decision has beenmade inhouse whether to seek the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

EDGEWATER -- The City of Edgewater is currently seeking citizens interested in serving on the following municipal boards: Construction Regulation Board (electrical contractor), Recreation and Cultural Services Board, Economic Development Board and Citizen Code Enforcement Board.

Applications and additional information on each Board/Committee can be obtained on the City's website at www.cityofedgewater.org, or by calling by the City Clerk's Office at 386-424-2400 or visiting City Hall, 104 N. Riverside Drive.