During a meeting Friday, UF Board of Trustees chairman Mori Hosseini led the charge in sharply criticizing the professors and rallying around university President Kent Fuchs, though Hosseini appeared to misunderstand the scope of professors’ academic freedom.
Main Content
Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday December 3, 2021
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Matanzas High School Student Who Assaulted Teacher Is Found Incompetent to Stand Trial
An 18-year-old student in a Matanzas High School class class for behaviorally challenged students, facing a felony charge after assaulting a teacher, was found incompetent to stand trial–and not qualified to be sent to a state psychiatric hospital while awaiting a return to competency.
Boat Parade Honors Memory of Jon Netts, Former Mayor and Intrepid Boater
The 2021 Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade scheduled for Dec. 18 is dedicated to the memory of Jon Netts, former Palm Coast mayor, intrepid boater and cheerleader of all things Christmas.
Erin Vickers, Serving Life in Prison in Ghastly Case, Loses Latest Attempt to Lower Punishment
Erin Vickers is serving life in prison on numerous counts involving the rapes, video recordings and transmissions of the acts, which involved her then-1-year-old daughter. She argued today that her lawyer was deficient. She lost.
Committee Reviewing Books 2 Board Members Want Banned Completes Its Work as District Sounds Out Librarians
The findings of a committee judging the appropriateness of four books for school libraries are expected imminently, as new book challenges have been filed and the Flagler district’s eight librarians were interviewed by district staff about their practices.
Facing Death Penalty, Michael McIntyre Pleads to Manslaughter, Will Serve 20 Years in Overdose Death of Chelsea Price, 33
Michael G. McIntyre this afternoon pleaded no contest to killing 33-year-old Chelsea Lenore Price. on Aug. 11, 2020, and will serve 20 years in prison after Circuit Judge Terence Perkins sentenced him on that and other charges.
City Repertory Theatre’s ‘Blithe Spirit’ to Honor the Late Anne Kraft, Veteran CRT Performer
When City Repertory Theatre presents a staged reading Dec. 2-5 of Sir Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” which the English playwright called “a light comedy about death,” the poignancy of the production will be plain to see: CRT is paying tribute to Anne Kraft, who’d performed with most of the company’s actors over the years.
American Library Association Condemns Broad Censorship of Books on Race and LGBTQ in Schools and Libraries
Some individuals and officials say the voices of the marginalized have no place on library shelves. Including in Flagler, they have launched campaigns demanding the censorship of books and resources that mirror the lives of those who are gay, queer, or transgender, or that tell the stories of persons who are Black, Indigenous or persons of color.
Judge Denies Halving Bond for Angelo Antolino, Repeat Offender Who Killed Indiana Kerns, 59, in U.S. 1 Crash
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins on Monday denied Angelo Antolino’s request that his $75,000 bond be reduced by $45,000 in a vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter case resulting from the April 1, 2020 crash on U.S. 1 that killed that Indiana Kerns, 59, and left William Kerns in critical condition. The judge reduced it by $5,000.
Sen. Travis Hutson’s Business-Protectionist Bill Has Counties and Cities Worried About Reign of Lawsuits
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 to back the proposal (SB 620), which would allow businesses to sue if local ordinances cause at least 15 percent losses of revenue or profits. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, the St. Augustine Republican who represents Flagler, would apply to businesses that have been operating for at least three years.
Cyclist Killed in Hit and Run on Palm Coast Parkway; Traffic Cameras Help Focus Search
A 56-year-old cyclist and Palm Coast resident was struck and killed by a vehicle on Palm Coast Parkway and Leanni Way, near the Flagler County Public Library, shortly after midnight this morning. The vehicle kept going.
Palm Coast Was Set to Recommend New Garbage Hauler. Waste Pro Protested. City Will Re-Start Entire Bid Process.
Palm Coast government issued a “Notice of Intent” to award the city’s next five-year garbage contract to Texas-based FCC Environmental, ending Palm Coast’s 15-year relationship with Waste Pro. Waste Pro filed a bid protest. The city will now re-start the process and hope to have a hauler in place by the time Waste Pro’s contract expires on May 31–whether Waste Pro or another company.
Afraid of Homelessness and Risk of Violating Probation, A Woman Asks Judge to Send Her to Prison. Judge Agrees.
The case of Tonya Bennett is a succession of disturbing catch-22’s that expose the threadbare condition of the social safety net in Flagler County, the uncompromising severity of the judicial system’s probationary system, and the way the local jail and state prison end up being the default asylums for people suffering from mental health illness, and having nowhere else to go for treatment.
Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Millions of Health Workers in 10 States
Under the rules with a Jan. 4 deadline, many private sector employees will be required to get vaccinated or undergo weekly tests, while some 17 million health care providers at facilities participating in the federal Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs must be vaccinated — with no option to choose weekly testing instead.
Switching Districts, Palm Coast Council’s Victor Barbosa Will Take On Joe Mullins in GOP Primary for Commission
They are among the most controversial elected Republicans in a county not lacking for them: Palm Coast City Council member Victor Barbosa and County Commissioner Joe Mullins. Now Barbosa, in a surprise, will challenge Mullins in the Republican primary for District 4 on the County Commission. Barbosa had originally filed to run against County Commissioner Greg Hansen in District 2.
The Conversation
Plastics Trashing Oceans Have Their Biggest Source in US
On a per capita basis, the U.S. produces an order of magnitude more plastic waste than China – a nation often vilified over pollution-related issues.And only a small fraction of plastic in U.S. household waste streams is recycled.
Florida and Beyond
In Latest Salvo Against Biden, DeSantis Seeks to Revive ‘Florida State Guard’
The proposal was fully in keeping with DeSantis’ ongoing sparring with President Joe Biden over border policies, the response to Covid, even a suggestion that the FBI investigate threats of violence to school board members trying to enforce mandatory masking by schoolchildren.
School Shootings Are At a Record High This Year. They Can Be Prevented.
The shooting at Oxford High School was one of 222 school shootings in 2021, an all-time high, according to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s K-12 School Shooting Database.
Florida’s Share of Biden Infrastructure Bill for Roads, Bridges and More: $16.7 Billion in 5 Years
Florida is expected to receive $2.6 billion to improve public transportation, $1.6 billion for water improvements, $1.2 billion for airport development, $29 million for cybersecurity, $26 million to protect against wildfires, and a minimum of $100 million to expand broadband coverage, with a projection that it will provide access to at least 707,000 Floridians.
More Florida and Beyond
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, December 2, 2021
Michael McIntyre, who faces a capital murder charge in a death by overdose, is scheduled for a plea, another sold-out candlelight concert at Stetson, J.B. Jackson on the necessity of ruins.
Supreme Court Will Eviscerate Roe v. Wade But Signals Split on What Comes Next
The Supreme Court justices signaled a major shift on abortion law in arguments on a Missouri case today but the six conservative justices who hold the majority in the highest court seemed divided: Would they overturn the core right to abortion entirely or would they allow abortion to be limited by the states to the early stages of pregnancy?
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Lane closure on Matanzas Woods Parkway at the I-95 overpass, Palm Coast’s Code Enforcement Board meets, Stetson’s School of Music’s Christmas Candlelight Concerts kick off, but they’re sold out, and Maupassant explains why he’s terrified of December.
Anti-CRT Lawmakers Are Passing Pro-CRT Laws
Anti-CRT messaging has emerged as a signature – and potent – GOP political talking point. But while Republicans introduced 54 CRT-related bills across 24 states, most of these bills – if you take seriously their actual text – call for more CRT, not less.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Terry McManus formerly of Ocean Palms Golf Club in Flagler Beach, now serving four years in prison, is back in court on a fraud case, Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt learns to drive a school bus, Gordon S. Wood on the War of 1812.
Millions of Americans Are Struggling to Pay Their Water Bills. Time for an Aid Program.
A 2019 survey found that U.S. households in the bottom fifth of the economy spent 12.4% of their disposable income on water and sewer services. News reports suggest that for low-income households, this burden has increased during the pandemic.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, November 29, 2021
Grand Chanukah Celebration at European Village, a Charlie Brown Christmas, Diderot and Hume, citizens of the world, UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
‘Let’s Go Brandon’ and the Linguistic Jiujitsu of American Politics
The enthusiastic adoption of the phrase by President Joe Biden’s detractors suggests that “Let’s go Brandon” is best described as a minced oath. These are euphemisms used in place of a taboo or blasphemous expression. Such oaths have a long history in English. Some Biden supporters are turning the phrase into one of support for him. And as a variant, some of the president’s supporters have begun to employ, “Thank you Brandon.”
The Live Calendar: Today and Tomorrow
The Live Calendar is a compendium of local and regional political, civic and cultural events. You can input your own calendar events directly onto the site as you wish them to appear (pending approval of course). To include your event in the Live Calendar, please fill out this form.
See the full Live Calendar here.
December 2021
Friday - Sunday, Dec 03 - 05
All Day
“All Things Christmas” Sale
Santa Maria Del Mar Church Hall
Friday, Dec 03
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Free For All Fridays With Host David Ayres on WNZF
WNZF
Friday, Dec 03
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
First Friday in Flagler Beach
Veterans Park
Friday, Dec 03
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Stetson University School of Music’s Christmas Candlelight Concerts
Lee Chapel in Elizabeth hall
Friday, Dec 03
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at City Repertory Theatre
City Repertory Theatre at City Marketplace
Friday, Dec 03
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Pianist Alessio Bax and the Jacksonville Symphony in Mozart’s Dream
Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall
Friday, Dec 03
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Stetson University School of Music’s Christmas Candlelight Concerts
Lee Chapel in Elizabeth hall
Saturday, Dec 04
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
First Saturday Creative Bazaar Arts & Crafts Market
Palm Coast Arts Foundation in Town Center
Saturday, Dec 04
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Flagler Beach Holiday Parade
Saturday, Dec 04
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at City Repertory Theatre
City Repertory Theatre at City Marketplace
Saturday, Dec 04
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Pianist Alessio Bax and the Jacksonville Symphony in Mozart’s Dream
Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall
Sunday, Dec 05
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Holiday Concert: Stetson University Concert Band
Lee Chapel in Elizabeth hall
Sunday, Dec 05
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at City Repertory Theatre
City Repertory Theatre at City Marketplace
Sunday, Dec 05
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
18th annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance at Craig Flagler Palms
Craig Flagler Palm Funeral Homes & Memorial Gardens
No event found!
Commentary
Judge All Instances of Hatred and Bias Equally
Time after time, if the aggressor is white and the victim is not, it automatically becomes a narrative about bigotry and white supremacy. The “Through the Looking Glass” moment came when Rittenhouse, who is white, shot three men, who were also white, and he’s still attacked as an example of white privilege. This is madness, and we are in societal quicksand.
How the Omicron Variant Was Found and What We Know So Far
South Africa has several laboratories that can grow and study the actual virus and discover how far antibodies, formed in response to vaccination or previous infection, are able to neutralise the new virus. This data will allow scientists to to characterize the new virus and develop counter strategies.
Flagler School Libraries Face Chilling Dangers Beyond Book Bans
Book-banning doesn’t really exist: ban a book, and it gains more notoriety than ever. The danger ahead in Flagler schools is Board members Jill Woolbright’s and Janet McDonald’s attempt to keep certain books from even reaching library shelves before they’re bought, thus eliminating the glare of controversy. That kind of self-censorship is far more damaging to diversity on Flagler’s library shelves.
