Florida, Volusia County | featured news

Businesses that have newly opened, changed ownership, celebrated a recent ribbon-cutting, or physically enlarged a location are invited to send details and a high-resolution photo to mybusinessnews@news-jrnl.com. New businesses need to submit a photocopy of an occupational or other business license for verification. Please include a daytime phone number so we can contact you if we need additional information. Photos must include names of those pictured as well as the name of the photographer. For questions, call Reba LaRose at 386-873-2912.

ORMOND BEACH - Mike Kargar may soon need a larger display case to show off Kargar Construction's many prestigious Aurora Awards given annually by the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando for top homebuilding designs.The Ormond Beach-based company picked up two more Aurora Awards on Saturday night in Orlando.

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Rick Scott ordered Florida National Guard recruiters on Saturday to work from nearby armories after attacks in Tennessee that killed four Marines and one sailor.In an executive order, the Republican governor said he wants recruiters to move from six storefront locations into armories until state officials can evaluate and make security improvements, including possibly installing bullet-proof glass or enhanced surveillance equipment.Since the Tennessee shootings, security at recruiting centers has come under scrutiny.

Take off to see the Wizard, drive in to see “Dolphin Tale,” get clocked . . .1. SEE “THE WIZARD OF OZ”: Yes, Dorothy, you and your dog Toto are not in Kansas anymore. You're at the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach.“The Wizard of Oz” will be staged at 2 p.m. at the Little Theatre, 726 Third Ave., New Smyrna Beach.Tickets are $25 adults, $24 seniors and $15 students age 17 or younger. Information: 386-423-1246 or nsbplayers.org.Based on L.

DAYTONA BEACH - Two crashes on Interstate 4 backed up traffic for 13 miles, according to Florida Highway Traffic reports.The slow-moving traffic goes from the Interstate 95 exit all of the way to mile marker 118 in DeLand. An accident occurred at mile marker 124, where construction is ongoing along the highway, and another wreck happened at mile marker 131, according to FHP. 

Florida Hospital and Halifax Health want to win your heart. The two hospital chains are gearing up for a battle to become the area's leading provider of cardiac care. How competitive is it? Think SEC college football on rivalry week.  "It's like the Bulldogs and the Gators," said Matthew Petkus, manager of cardiac services for Halifax Health, a 678-bed public hospital system. The competitive landscape is shifting with Halifax Health partnering with University of Florida Health to challenge Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center.

Tim Davis, a commercial real estate broker, was headed home from Jacksonville on a Thursday in May when his phone started ringing. Volusia County had just passed legislation that could one day remove beach driving from the core tourist area in Daytona Beach. Hours later, an offer had been made on a developed piece of property along that stretch. Davis would end up fielding similar calls in the coming weeks.A couple of months after Volusia officials paved a way for vehicles to eventually be removed from the sand between Silver Beach Avenue and University Boulevard, several empty

HOLLY HILL - The <span style="font-size: 12px;">former school property on Center Street just north of LPGA Boulevard may appear nondescript, but Jayson Meyer sees in it a golden opportunity.<span style="font-size: 12px;">The owner of Daytona Beach-based Synergy Billing envisions turning the 25-acre former Holly Hill Middle School property into a "Google East"-style office park, similar to those in Silicon Valley.<span style="font-size: 12px;">His proposed park would include a headquarters complex for his growing company as wel

PORT ORANGE - Progress is being made in the long-awaited Riverwalk Park project along the Halifax River just north of Dunlawton Avenue at the city's eastern gateway.The site has been readied for construction of the first phase, which includes a kayak/canoe launch, trail, restroom, trail head and bridge.The next phase of the project, which includes a splash pad concession building, a playground and lawn for city events, is expected to be discussed at a City Council meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1000 City Center Circle.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez pulled up to his military targets in a rented, silver Mustang convertible, wearing a vest with extra ammunition, wielding at least two long guns — either rifles or shotguns — and a handgun. His once clean-shaven face was covered with a bushy beard. A short time later, four Marines lay dead.