McLaughlin-Dance Town Hall, Meet the Managers, Crack's Hold, Is the Race Tightening?

It takes energy to vote--and to campaign: an energy drink near where candidates and their supporters were campaigning at the Palm Coast branch of the county library, an early voting site, earlier this week. (© FlaglerLive) — It takes energy to vote–and to campaign: an energy drink near where candidates and their supporters were campaigning at the Palm Coast branch of the county library, an early voting site, earlier this week. (© FlaglerLive)

Today: Partly cloudy. Highs around 80. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Details here.
Drought Index is at 182.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: Parkinson’s law, n..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Local Media Recap
Flagler Jail Bookings and Sheriff’s Crime Reports
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
The Day’s Best Reads
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports
Local Road and Interstate Construction
Cultural Coda

“I called it the terminator, that crack cocaine, because it didn’t have any physical hold on you. It’s a mental hold, a psychological hold, a habitual hold; you don’t physically need it. It hits a portion of the brain that has never experienced this sensation before. And when it’s awakened, you can’t put it to sleep. I’m serious. It’s ability that you didn’t know you’re possessed. Now you can become a fast thinker, you’re motivated to do this, that, and the other. This is only an allure, because this portion of the brain is not functioning on that level, but it’s being stimulated at that level for 15 or 20 minutes, and then it’s really a crash. Oh, no, no, no, no. The brain wants to go back there. All right? It wants to feel that sensation again, and it will make you forget sleep, food, clothes, anything that you normally would do. It just slams that shut. You have to go THERE! It’s worse than physical addiction.… It stripped me totally of who I was. It held my spirit in bondage, begging to come out, and it could. It arrested every part of my life and then began to terminate it. I no longer existed. It did.”

–Leary Brock, quoted in David Shipler’s “The Working Poor: Invisible in America” (2004).

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.

Early voting in Flagler County is ongoing since Monday and runs through Nov. 5, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at three locations: The Flagler County Supervisor of Elections office in Bunnell (in the Government Services Building), at the Flagler County Public Library on Palm Coast Parkway, and at the Palm Coast Community Center on Palm Coast Parkway, off of Clubhouse Drive. Voting by mail has been under way since mid-October. Keep up with the number of ballots cast in Flagler here.

Your Election Will Not Be “Rigged”: Flagler Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart Explains

The Flagler County Chamber hosts “Meet the City Managers” with Dan Davis of Bunnell, Jim Landon of Palm Coast and Larry Newsom of Flagler Beach. Each manager will provide a short update of what’s happening in their city and be available to answer questions. 8 to 9:30 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 55 Town Center Blvd., Palm Coast, Registration at 7:45 a.m., $20 for members in advance with payment. Contact Tiffany Edwards for more information, tiffany@flaglerchamber.org.

The Flagler County Canvassing Board holds an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. at the supervisor of elections’ office to discuss the matter of misprinted ballots that affected 363 voters, who did not get to vote on one race–for the mosquito control district.

Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin hosts a town hall meeting with School Board member Andy Dance at Hidden Trails Community Center, 6108 Mahogany Blvd., Bunnell, at 5:30 p.m.

Rymfire Elementary School Fall Festival, the Rymfire courtyard, 4 p.m.

Local Media Recap:

2016 General Election Interviews

Sheriff

Larry Jones (D)
Rick Staly (R)
Thomas Dougherty (I)

Palm Coast City Council

Nick Klufas (Dist. 3)
Pam Richardson (Dist. 3)

Flagler School Board

Maria Barbosa (Dist. 5)
Myra Middleton-Valentine (Dist. 5)

Flagler County Commission

Jason DeLorenzo (Dist. 1)
Charlie Ericksen (Dist. 1)
Barbara Revels (Dist. 3)
Dave Sullivan (Dist. 3)
George Hanns (Dist. 5)
Donald O'Brien (Dist. 5)

Updated jail bookings and day and night shift incident summary reports are available here.

Biting Error: Flagler Mosquito Control Race Missing From Nearly 1,600 Ballots in Beachside Precincts

FDOT holds open house on A1A repairs

Nick Klufas, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview

FEMA Opens Disaster Recovery Center at County Library on Palm Coast Parkway

Flagler’s Most Civilized Local Political Race in Years

Visit, tweet from Trump put St. Johns Sheriff’s Office in confusing spot

Clinton’s Lead in Florida Narrowing in Latest Poll, Rubio Up by 4 Over Murphy

In DUI Case that Killed Michelle Roberts on Belle Terre, an Unprecedented Offer to Avoid Prison Is Rejected

Palm Coast Arts Foundation takes first step toward outdoor venue

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel.

FPL rate hike: The state Public Service Commission will hold a hearing on a proposed settlement that would lead to Florida Power & Light raising base rates during the next three years. The proposal calls for a $400 million increase in base rates effective Jan., 1, followed by increases of $211 million in 2018 and $200 million in 2019. (9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Graham, who is widely expected to run for governor in 2018, will meet with Pasco County Democrats during an open house. (6:30 p.m., state Rep. Amanda Murphy’s office, 5400 School Road, New Port Richey.)

–Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

♦ Oct. 29: Flagler Beach North End Beach Clean Up: There will be a beach clean up of heavy debris for the north side of town at 9 a.m. Volunteers must be 18 or older and sign up in front of the Aliki high rise located at 1601 N. Central Avenue. Must wear closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves.
♦ Oct. 29: Calling all boys and ghouls at European Village for a Halloween afternoon and evening starting with trick or treating at 4:30 p.m., a costume contest from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and Sparky the Clown from a three-ring circus at 7:30 p.m.
♦ Oct. 31: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell at 10 a.m. to canvass absentee, or mailed-in, ballots.
♦ Nov. 1: Stetson Sounds New XII: First Glimpse, World premieres by Stetson composers, 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, call 386-822-8950. Complimentary Admission.
♦ Nov. 2: Stetson Guitar Ensemble, Stephen Robinson, director, Featuring students of the studio of Stephen Robinson performing in various ensembles with guitar, 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Call 386-822-8950. Complimentary Admission.
♦ Nov. 3: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell at 10 a.m. to canvass absentee, or mailed-in, ballots.
♦ Nov. 3: Stetson Guest Recital, Denise Gainey, clarinet and Yakov Kasman, piano. Yakov Kasman is a Van Cliburn silver medalist, and Denise Gainey is a Backun Artist and student of Kalman Opperman. Both are faculty members at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Call 386-822-8950. Complimentary Admission.
♦ Nov. 4-5: The Florida Agricultural Museum will host the seventh annual Pellicer Creek Raid on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program will involve a number of living history groups from around the southeastern United States. Approximately 150 infantry, artillery, and cavalry troops will be demonstrating military life in Florida circa 1864. Parades will take place at noon and battles at 1 p.m. on both days of the event. During the rest of the program, the re-enactors’ historic camps will be open to the public. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, please contact the Florida Agricultural Museum at (386) 446-7630 or info@floridaagmuseum.org. The museum is located at 7900 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast.
♦ Nov. 4: Stetson’s 27th Undergraduate Annual Juried Arts Exhibition, with Reception and awards ceremony 6-8 p.m. at the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center, 139 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand, 32723 (call 386/822-7270).
♦ Nov. 4-5: Stetson Homecoming Concert, Featuring Stetson’s Concert Choir, University Symphonic Band, and Chamber Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, 386-822-8950, Complimentary Admission.
♦ Nov. 5-6: The 12th Annual Creekside Festival: join residents of and visitors to Flagler County under the majestic oaks at Princess Place Preserve for the Annual Creekside Festival, a tradition that celebrates the natural beauty of Northeast Florida. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per carload per day. See the video promotion here.
♦ Nov. 5-6: Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Contest and Food Festival in Flagler Beach. (Cancelled.)
♦ Nov. 5: Flagler Fun Coast Bed Race, with Nov. 6 as rain date, In Flagler Beach. (Cancelled.)
♦ Nov. 6: Reflections Salon, Inc, a local family owned business, will be offering $10 haircuts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and donating all proceeds to stage 4 cancer survivor and Hurricane Matthew victim Kevin Kosinski. The salon, which opened in 2014, is at 25 Pine Cone Dr, Ste 3, Palm Coast. Call (386) 225-4503 for information.
♦ Nov. 6: Stetson Faculty Chamber Ensemble, Featuring Brahms’ Trio for Piano, Clarinet, and Cello, Lynn Musco, clarinet, David Bjella, cello, Michael Rickman, piano, 3 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Call 386-822-8950. Complimentary Admission.
♦ Nov. 8: Election Day.
♦ Nov. 8: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets for three successive meetings at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell, as follows: at noon and again at 6 p.m. to canvass absentee ballots, and at 7 p.m. to issue unofficial results of the election.
♦ Nov. 8: Stetson Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Hose, conductor: A rare opportunity to hear Roberto Molinelli’s Twin Legends, featuring David Bjella, cello. 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, 386-822-8950. Tickets: $10 adult, $8 senior, $5 youth and student, no charge for 12 and younger. Tickets available at the door or at www.stetson.edu/music-tickets.
♦ Nov. 10: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell at 5:15 p.m. to canvass provisional ballots and discuss unofficial results.
♦ Nov. 14: The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society presents Marcia Fine, award-winning author of seven novels, who will speak about a “Sephardic Journey” at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of the Old Ponce de Leon Hotel, 74 King Street at Cordova Street on the Flagler College Campus in St. Augustine. Fine’s historical fiction, “The Blind Eye,” has been chosen by the State Library of Arizona ONEBOOKAZ, a celebration of quality literature. The program is free, all are welcome, no advance arrangements are necessary. Please call (904) 829-6481 for best directions.
♦ Nov. 18: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell at 5 p.m. to canvass overseas ballots and discuss official results.
♦ Nov. 22: The Flagler County Canvassing Board meets at the elections supervisor’s office at the Government Services Building in Bunnell at 10 a.m. to conduct a post-election, manual audit.
♦ Nov. 29: A hearing is scheduled before Circuit Judge Scott DuPont in the case of Dunn v. Flagler County Schools, the case involving an allegation that two children were bullied and one of them was sexually assaulted by other children at a voluntary pre-kindergarten at Old Kings Elementary school in 2015. See the background story here. 1:45 p.m., Courtroom 402, Flagler County Courthouse.
♦ Feb. 6: The great violinist Itzhak Perlman opens the 2017 season of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival with a 7:30 p.m. performance at First Baptist Church, 1600 South 8th Street in Fernandina Beach. Tickets here.

The Day’s Best Reads:

Is the race tightening? https://t.co/uLmxvggeRN pic.twitter.com/fq3lEJrVpY

— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) October 26, 2016

Pentagon chief suspends National Guard bonus repayments after public outcry,
by @lbaldor and @matthewdalyWDC https://t.co/mSru1bHYa4

— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) October 26, 2016

Canadian flight attendant dubbed 'Patient Zero' did not bring HIV to the US, study finds https://t.co/1brIvxgsSz pic.twitter.com/H9wm3FkHbA

— Independent US (@IndyUSA) October 26, 2016

Sorry, Rick Scott: A ton of Floridians registered to vote after Hurricane Matthew. https://t.co/4vfgR2UW3s pic.twitter.com/oY1FRgmDqu

— Slate (@Slate) October 26, 2016

Art Spiegelman on an early, wordless graphic novel about war, which prompted a fan letter from Albert Einstein: https://t.co/Tk2CCFxa7A pic.twitter.com/f6At55qKf2

— NYer Page-Turner (@pageturner) October 26, 2016

Fact-Checking the Knaves:

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

The following is an update of ongoing permitting, construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through Oct. 21 (the city administration’s full week in review is here):

Click to access week-in-review-oct-21-2016-development.pdf

Road and Interstate Construction: