Washington Monthly and MilitaryFriendly.com also give kudos

Photos for Headline Surfer / Stetson University was ranked prominently on a national level by US News & World Report, Washington Monthly and MilitaryFriendly.com in a news release issued late Monday and embargoed until midnight to Headline Surfer and other Central Florida media outlets.

DELAND – Stetson University again has earned national recognition for its rigorous academics, commitment to social mobility and service, and military friendliness by ranking among the top universities in recent national surveys.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Zina Glitniak, 87, and Peter Glitniak, 90, shown here, were reported missing by their son when he went to their New Smyrna Beach-area home Saturday night. But early Sunday they were found.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An elderly husband and wife reported missing by their son 5 p.m. Saturday from their South Glencoe Road home were found safe in Indian County early this morning, a spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

Video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Gene Emter speaks with Headline Surfer after being sworn in March 5, 2012, as the newest member of the Edgewater City Council following his win in a special election a week earlier to fill the seat opened with the passing of Ted Cooper.

EDGEWATER -- By a mere dozen votes, Gene Emter was elected to the Edgewater City Council in a Feb. 28, 2012, special election. Only 7 percent of the city's nearly 13,600 registered voters cast votes in the special election.

Family fun in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With the success of the inaugural summer Beach Weeks, the fall version of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority tourism event event begins Sept. 27 with the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival and continues with myriad activities through October.

With carnivals, costume parades, wine walks, painting and fishing, there's a veritable laundry list of activities sure to lease locals and tourists alike. And it all begins with the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Fest on Sept. 27 through the 29th.

Then the fun moves to Port Orange Oct. 3-6 for the Port Orange Family Days. Sandwich in between is the New Smyrna Beach Book Festival, Oct. 4-6. And there's the New Smyrna Beach Gallery Walk on Oct. 5. And that's just the first week of October.

Helmet made no difference

DAYTONA BEACH -- A Tampa man was killed earlier today after crashing into guardrails at South Clyde Morris and Buccaneer Way, Daytona Beach police said.

The body of the victim was identified at the scene of the 3 p.m. accident as that of Ricky Whitehead, but no age was provided to the media.

Here is a synopsis of what happened, according to a scant press release: The motorcyclist was traveling at a "high rate of speed" northbound on Clyde Morris approaching the intersection of Buccaneer Way.

'Pick up chicken dinner' will be holding a VIA Hall, 126 East Halifax Ave. The $8 fee benefits the Oak Hill Trust.

OAK HILL -- There's a winning motto for tiny Oak Hill, Volusia County's smallest city with a mere 1,793 residents straddling the border with Brevard County, just north of Titusville, Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The videos showing Traders bar owner and three of his patrons harassing Headline Surfer's coverage a week ago today of the New Smyrna Beach Shrimp & Seafood Festival are trending on YouTube.