Daytona Beach | featured news

While the international focus of attention economically is on Greek debt, Chinese equities markets and an impending interest-rate hike, the pace of life in Central Florida is settling into the heart of summer. With the Independence Day weekend in the rear view mirror and no long holiday weekend in sight until September, business owners are preparing for the summer doldrums.

DAYTONA BEACH - Heavy rains, lightning and thunder are expected later Saturday in Volusia and Flagler counties, where temperatures could reach into the 90s, according to the National Weather Service.The morning sun is seen giving way to clouds as numerous showers and lightning storms develop across the area.

The  ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded campground at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach was special for Flagler County residents, but it was a little extra special for County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin.The event marked the 100th ribbon-cutting ceremony McLaughlin has attended, and he has the ribbons to prove it, according to a county media release.“I like to attend these ribbon-cuttings as a show of support for our community, our businesses and our organizations,” McLaughlin said.McLaughlin stores his ribbons in batches of 10 on the booksh

BUNNELL - An invasive plant called creeping indigo has been identified in Flagler County and it is poisonous to horses and other grazing livestock, according to a media release from the county.The plant was introduced into Florida in 1925 as a potential forage plant as it is in the same family as alfalfa, clover and peanuts. Toxicology concerns were evident by the 1930s and using it for forage was abandoned.It has since expanded northward from Key West into Central and North Florida, the release states.

BUNNELL - Palmetto berries on Flagler County property might be tempting to pick, but county ordinance forbids it, according to a media release.“It's palmetto berry season, which means it is the time of year when both Flagler County staff and private property owners see people on the side of roadways to pick the berries,” Flagler County Land Management Coordinator Mike Lagasse in the release.

THINGS TO DOSURF'S UP: The United States Lifesaving Association southeast Region regional surf lifesaving championships hit the beach in Flagler Beach this weekend with the Junior Lifeguard Championships set for today.BLOCK PARTY: Flagler County Public Library Today, 9:30 a.m., Adults and children can build something together during Lego @ the Library, open to all ages.KEEP ON TRUCKIN': This month's Food Truck Tuesdays event, scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m.

PALM COAST - The Flagler Attack wrestling club had three wrestlers with 11-1 records and earned AAU All American status as a team during the four-day National Scholastic Duals at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports.The three wrestlers, rising Flagler Palm Coast High School sophomore Avery Holder and rising senior Kaz Maia, along with recent FPC graduate Alfred Shavers, were 11-1 over the tournament June 29 through July 2.

Nineteen members of the Flagler County Synchro Belles Synchronized Swim Team recently competed in the U.S. Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina, presented by eSynchro and USA Synchro.The event offers synchronized swimmers in age groups 12 and under on up to 18 to compete in team routines, duets solos and figures. The Synchro Belles had seven routines that qualified for the Junior Olympics and they competed with over 1,000 athletes from across the nation, according to a media release from Kathy Weed.The 16-19 age group brought home a silver medal for the combo routine.

Lira 25th in ARCAMichael Lira finished 25th in an ARCA Series race Friday at Iowa Speedway. The Port Orange driver cut a tire and hit the wall during the race. He wasn't injured. Lira turned 18 years old Thursday and became completely ARCA legal. Mason Mitchell, who won the ARCA championship in 2014, earned his second career ARCA win. Racing in his hometown, he outlasted Kyle Weatherman in a green-white checkered finish. Tom Hessert, Austin Cindric and Matt Tifft rounded out the top five. Cindric was making his ARCA Series debut.

ORMOND BEACH - City Commissioner Bill Partington's plans to run for mayor will leave a vacant seat for Zone 4 commissioner in the 2016 elections.Planning Board member Harold Briley, a realtor with Adams Cameron, is the first candidate to announce his plans to run for the open seat but won't officially be able to file until next summer.Mayor Ed Kelley's announcement earlier this month that he will challenge Volusia County Commissioner Doug Daniels in the November 2016 elections set off a domino effect for political hopefuls.