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Flagler Beach’s Endowment Foundation’s $2 Million on List of Annual Legislative “Turkeys”

| May 18, 2013

The Flagler Beach -based Florida Endowent Foundation for Florida’s Graduates’ $2 million appropriation, representing all its budget, is among the 107 items of Florida Tax Watch’s annual “turkey” list in the Legislature’s $74.5 billion budget.

Joseph Drenner, 50, Is Killed in Early Morning Wreck on U.S. 1; Companion Survives

| May 18, 2013

Joseph Drenner, 50, was killed when he was ejected from a Toyota SUV his companion, Christina Laming, 41, was driving north on U.S. 1 in Palm Coast early Saturday morning. Charges are pending against Laming, who refused to have her blood tested at the scene for impairment.

With Medieval Wit and Drama, “Lion in Winter” Ends City Repertory’s Second Season

| May 17, 2013

James Goldman’s “Lion in Winter”–opening at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre this weekend–may be set in a Medieval Christmas, but the themes are as contemporary as family love, quarrels, mistresses and jealousies, and the action blazes with humor and passion.

Flagler’s Jobless Rate Drops to 9.3% as Local Employment Grows; Florida’s Falls to 7.2%

| May 17, 2013

Florida’s unemployment rate fell sharply from the previous month, to 7.2 percent in April, as 17,000 jobs were created statewide, bringing the unemployment rate to its healthiest level since September 2008, when it was 7 percent. It also brings Florida’s rate below the national rate of 7.5 percent. In Flagler County, the rate fell two decimal points, to 9.3 percent, spurred by growth both in jobs and in the local labor force.

President Barack Aux Scandals

| May 17, 2013

The Benghazi story is a bogus scandal. IRS targeting of conservative groups and the Justice Department’s hacking of reporters’ phones is not. The Obama presidency is getting derailed, and that’s without going down the path of even more serious scandals Washington and the electorate are accepting as business as usual.

Flagler’s African-American Mentor Program Celebrates Another Year Against Odds and Age

| May 16, 2013

The Flagler County African-American Mentor Program graduated 10 of its 62 students in a ceremony Thursday evening, attended by 42 mentors and parents and grandparents as the program, started by Jim Guines and John Winston, celebrated its ninth year.

Fleming Farewell: Flagler Crime Rate Falls to Lowest Level in 12 Years in Ex-Sheriff’s Last

| May 16, 2013

In Flagler, crime declined in every major category except robberies (up by one), including overall domestic violence, though domestic aggravated assaults account for half the county’s total. The crime in Florida hit a 42-year low, with falling crime continuing despite the bad economy.

Speculative Bust: How Widening Old Kings Road Left Palm Coast on Hook for $6.7 Million

| May 16, 2013

Palm Coast borrowed millions from its own utility fund to complete the Old Kings Road widening on the assumption that the economy would pick up and enable the city to re-finance with bonds. That never happened. Now the city is looking to recoup its money from property owners along the road, who’d agreed to a special taxing district but with optimistic assumptions of their own that never panned out.

Record $288 Million in Taxpayer Cash Flows to Florida’s Cargo and Pleasure Cruise Ports

| May 16, 2013

Florida’s seaports are set to embark on a massive round of 26 waterfront and transit upgrades as Florida seeks to expand its trade with partners in Central America and South America, while working to attract more Asian traffic that has grown via the Suez Canal and the expansion of the Panama Canal approaches completion.

Blacks Charge Cop Harassment and Bullying As County Cancels Block Party in Bunnell

| May 15, 2013

When Bunnell police alerted the county of a large block party for South Bunnell’s black community the county had previously permitted–as a “picnic/party”–to take place on county land near Carver Gym, the county cancelled it. Monday evening, several members of Bunnell’s black community complained to the city commission of chronic harassment and bullying by Bunnell police.

Juvenile Detention Cost-Shifting Arguments in Appeals Court, With Implications for Counties

| May 15, 2013

Counties argue they currently pick up 75 percent of some juvenile detention costs, but should be paying less. The state claims in in court filings that the Legislature actually intended for the counties to cover 89 percent of the costs.Either way, local governments are groaning under the burden.

Flagler’s School Tax Referendum: An Opposing View

| May 15, 2013

Adding to a growing debate over the June 7 Flagler County School Board tax referendum, Brad West argues against the levy, saying the district taxes constituents enough as it is, while the “cup-of-coffee-per-month” argument is a more expensive proposition than the board claims.

Ending 3rd Budget Drag-Out in 8 Days, School Board Settles on $1.8 Million in Cuts

| May 14, 2013

After 13 hours of at times harrowing debate, the Flagler County School Board by Tuesday evening settled on $1.8 million in cuts, sparing most programs but not Everest alternative school. The cuts will be restored should voters approve a tax referendum on June 7.

Florida College Presidents’ Compensation Ranges From $143,866 to $630,157

| May 14, 2013

The contracts for Florida’s 28 state college presidents range widely, totaling almost $10 million in compensation, and in several cases seem to violate state law, according to a review released Monday by Gov. Rick Scott’s top oversight official.

Fast-Track Kill Bill Aside, Scott Speeds Death Warrants, Slating 3 Executions in 26 Days

| May 14, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott is not waiting to sign a bill that would accelerate the pace of capital-punishment executions in Florida. The death warrants he’s signed since April lead to the fastest-paced series of executions since four inmates were killed in March 1998, when Lawton Chiles was governor.

Andy Dance: Why I Will Vote “Yes” On the School Tax Referendum

| May 14, 2013

“I will vote for the half mill, and I ask those that are on the fence or are leaning “no” to reconsider,” writes Andy Dance, the Flagler County School Board chairman, who has himself reconsidered his earlier opposition to the full .50-mill tax referendum. He explains why.

School Board Chairman’s Q&A on Flagler District’s 0.5-Mil Tax Referendum on June 7

| May 14, 2013

Flagler County School Board Chairman Andy Dance has been taking and answering questions on the referendum, on June 7, proposing to raise property taxes modestly to ensure the continuation of certain academic programs. The full Q&A is published here.

In Flagler Beach, a First Friday Flare-Up Derails a Hot-Rod Idea, Cautioning Businesses

| May 13, 2013

Flagler Beach has been urging businesses to get involved in planning First Friday events. A restaurant owner did, only to see her initiative–a hot rod contest judged by commissioners–cancelled, costing her $1,000, over questions Commissioner Steve Settle raised about the legality of Commissioner Jane Mealy’s judging the auto contest.

Its Value $26 Million in the Hole, Bunnell Rethinks Downtown Redevelopment Zone

| May 13, 2013

Bunnell established its 800-acre downtown redevelopment zone in 2007, assuming that most tax revenue generated there could then be reinvested in the area to reinvigorate it. Instead, property values fell $26 million in the zone, forcing the city to rethink the CRA’s viability.

Despite Snubbing Obamacare, Florida Gets Thousands of Jobs and Cash from Health Act

| May 13, 2013

Even though Florida officials tried to block the implementation of the Affordable Care Act at every turn over the past three years, the state will gain millions in grants and hundreds of new jobs this year from its implementation.

Mother’s Day Confidential: News of My Mom’s Death Was Slightly Premature

| May 12, 2013

Receiving a condolence note about my mother sent in error by the hospice company caring for her should have been disturbing. It was merely disappointing–for not being true.

Paul Bouler, 49, Found Dead of Self-Inflicted Gunshot at Varn Park After an Argument

| May 12, 2013

Paul Pete Bouler Jr., a 49-year-old lawyer, was found dead in his car at Varn Park Saturday night in an apparent suicide by firearm, about an hour and a half after he’d left his Palm Coast home after an argument with his wife.

At Hollingsworth Gallery:
JJ Graham’s Furious Marathon

| May 11, 2013

In “Marathon,” his first one-man exhibit in two-and-a-half years, JJ Graham fills his own Hollingsworth gallery with a tour de force of a show featuring almost all new work created in the last 10 days and combining humor, surprises, shock, beauty, narcissism, polemic, and an open dare.

Burglarized Palm Coast Homeowner Briefly Sets Chase; Suspects Later Caught in Volusia

| May 11, 2013

Though Sheriff Jim Manfre doesn’t recommend it, a burglarized homeowner in Palm Coast’s E Section chased two suspected burglars Friday and got key descriptions of their car and clothes, helping to lead to further chases and the two individuals’ arrest in Volusia County Friday afternoon.

Pink Ladies in a Mud Run, On the Other Side of Flagler’s Beaches

| May 10, 2013

Mud runs in Flagler County–such as Saturday’s FL.ROC Mud Run on Cemetery Road in Bunnell–are a mostly unknown sub-specialty of Flagler County special events. Casey Ryan takes you into the mud on her October run, as she prepares for Saturday’s.

Flagler Beach Police Seeking Help Identifying ATM Robber in Planet-of-the-Apes Mask

| May 10, 2013

A potential victim of an ATM robbery at the Flagler Beach Sun Trust on Thursday was startled when the assailant was a robber in a monkey suit. The victim punched the assailant, possibly hurting him. Flagler Beach police is seeking help identifying the man in the monkey suit.

Gun Zealots Urging Scott to Veto Firearm-Regulation Bill Even the NRA Supports

| May 10, 2013

The bill closes a legal gap, as state law already bars firearms purchases by people who are involuntarily committed under the Baker Act. This one focuses on people who are found to be an “imminent danger” and face the possibility of being involuntarily committed if they do not admit themselves.

Sheriff Opens Palm Coast Precinct at City Market Place, Halving Cost, Not Space Needs

| May 10, 2013

On Friday, the Sherif’s Office office opened its newest Palm Coast precinct, at City Market Place, a two-storefront 2,600-square foot space at $2,.000 a month that’ll add new life to the struggling shopping center in the heart of town, and a few doors down from the Palm Coast city offices.

Flagler Beach Bats Down Fire Department Consolidation, Agreeing Only to Ask Questions

| May 9, 2013

Flagler Beach Commissioner Kim Carney’s proposal to formally ask the county for information on possible consolidation got no support but was replaced by a watered-down agreement to “ask questions” and have them answered by City Manager Bruce Campbell, through meetings with the county if necessary.

Updating Facebook Status, Charlie Crist Endorses Gay Marriage in Florida

| May 9, 2013

Amid speculation he will run as a Democrat for his old job, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday said he supports allowing same-sex marriage, joining other politicians who recently have changed stances to support gay marriage, including Florida’s Bill nelson and Ohio Republican Rob Portman.

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