Wednesday Briefing: Meet School Board Candidates, Record Skywarn Class, Opioids and Hazing

FlaglerLive | February 7, 2018

A record number of participants – 72 – turned out last week for the Skywarn Storm Spotter class that was hosted by Flagler County Emergency Management at the Emergency Operations Center. Angie Enyedi, assistant warning and coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, taught the class to Flagler County residents eager to become part of the county’s volunteer storm spotter team. Flagler County has been hosting Skywarn Storm Spotter classes in coordination with the National Weather Service since 1995, with more than 2,000 residents getting trained in that time span, according to Emergency Management Technician Bob Pickering, who’s organized 51 classes. Flagler County was the first county in Florida to be certified as “Storm Ready” when the Storm Ready Program began in 1999. The criteria for certification includes both training and the flow of information to the National Weather Service. (Flagler County)

Today: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. West winds 5 mph. Details here.
Today’s document from the National Archives and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Drought Index29
The OED’s Word of the Day: godwottery, n..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

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

“Music shapes more characters and saves more lives than does wisdom.”

–Alain, or Emile Chartier, from “Propos” (1960)

Previously:

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.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

The Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board meets at 10 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center.

The Flagler County Airport Advisory Board meets at 4 p.m. on the third floor at Airport Corporate Center, 120 Airport Road, Palm Coast.

PTO Meetings: The Rymfire Elementary PTO meets in the school’s media center at 5:30 p.m., the Old Kings Elementary PTO meets in that school’s media center at 5 p.m.

The Palm Coast Democratic Club hosts its weekly Blue Bag Forum at noon in the Democratic Party office at 2 Office Park Dr., Suite D. Everyone invited! Come and voice your ideas, concerns and recommendations.

A forum introducing candidates for the Flagler County School Board in the 2018 election is hosted by Flagler County Republicans at Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Avenue, Palm Coast, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the event starting at 6. Confirmed participants include Andy Dance, Trevor Tucker, Janet McDonald, John Fischer and Paul Anderson.

An F/A-18C Super Hornet like the ones used in bombing runs on a range in the Ocala National Forest. (Shawn J. Stewart/US Navy)

An F/A-18C Super Hornet like the ones used in bombing runs on a range in the Ocala National Forest. Click on the image for larger view. (Shawn J. Stewart/US Navy)

Live and inert bombing: Navy training schedules indicate that live and inert bombing will take place at the Pinecastle Range Complex located in the Ocala National Forest, which may rattle windows in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live and Inert
Thursday: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live and Inert
Friday: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live and Inert
Saturday: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live and Inert
Sunday: from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live and Inert

During bombing periods wildlife may be temporarily displaced. Use extra caution when driving through the Ocala National forest and surrounding areas. Secure any items around your residence that could attract wildlife. Always be mindful of larger animals including black bears and practice bearwise measures.
The telephone number for noise complaints is 1-800-874-5059, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville, Fla.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week:

Wednesday: Palm Coast Data, Building 3, 2 Commerce Boulevard, Palm Coast, From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday: Chick-Fil-A, 1000 Palm Coast Parkway, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Epic Theaters, Palm Coast, 1185 Central Ave., noon to 6 p.m.

Announcements and Briefs:

Fundraising for Alzheimer’s: Realty Executives Oceanside on Feb. 1 held its First Annual Chili Cook-Off and raised $600 for the Alzheimer’s Association to benefit the further care, support, and research efforts for Alzheimer’s. The event was hosted by Realty Executives Oceanside & Andrew Trotter; AWT Property Management. In-House chefs made 10 chili entrees and tickets were $10 to taste and vote for their favorite. Local Celebrity Judges included former Mayor on Netts, Palm Coast Councilman Nicholas Klufas and Restaurateur Rosalba Zapata. The Judges’ 1st Place Winner was ‘Chili Con Carnival’ made by REO’s own Katie James. The People’s Choice Winner was ‘Better Then Candy’s’ made by AWT’s Andrew Trotter. If you would like more information on the Alzheimer’s Association and the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, contact Carly Wille at 904-281-9077 or cwille@alz.org. You can also visit act.alz.org. To join or donate to Realty Executives Oceanside’s team for the Flagler County Walk to End Alzheimer’s visit: http://act.alz.org/goto/RealtyExecutivesOceanside. Fundraising runs through December 2018.

Bunnell Street Paving: Bunnell will be resurfacing a few streets during the hours of 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning Monday, February 5, 2018 through Saturday, February 10, 2018 (weather permitting). The following streets will be impacted by paving crews:

N. Chapel St (from E. Woodland St. to E. Howe St.)
N. Orange St (from E. Howe St to E. Moody Blvd.)
N. Lemon St. (from Howe St. to E. Moody Blvd.)
N. Fig St. (from Howe St. to E. Moody Blvd.)
N. Peach St. (from E. Lambert St. to E. Moody Blvd.)
E. Woodland St. from US 1 to SR 100 W

Access to the roads being worked on will be limited during the vendor’s regular working hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Residents along scheduled streets are asked; to ensure no vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. are left in the roadway during these hours. Prior to the resurfacing, please refrain from placing debris in the roadway for City pickup. Also make sure your sprinklers are turned off from 2:00 am to 7:00 pm. The day after the road is surfaced, these items can return to normal. Questions about this project or the schedule should be directed to the City of Bunnell Public Works Department at 386-437-7515.

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

SENATE DEMOCRATS GATHER: The Senate Democratic caucus will meet before a floor session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE TAKES UP BUDGET: The Senate will hold a floor session and take up a proposed budget (SB 2500) for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and related bills. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House will hold a floor session and take up a proposed 2018-2019 budget (HB 5001) and related bills. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

OPIOID EPIDEMIC ADDRESSED: The Senate Rules Committee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 8), filed by Rules Chairwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, that would take steps to combat the opioid epidemic. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HUNTING RULES ON THE TABLE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will start a two-day meeting and take up issues such as rule changes for hunting. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Florida Public Safety Institute Conference Center, 85 Academy Dr., Havana.)

SUPREME COURT HEARS HAZING CASE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including an appeal by Dante Martin, a Florida A&M University band member who was sent to prison in the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. Martin, who was found guilty of manslaughter, felony hazing resulting in death and two counts of misdemeanor hazing, contends the state’s hazing law is unconstitutional, at least in part because it is overly broad. Champion was injured during a band ritual known as “crossing Bus C,” which involved band members being struck repeatedly as they crossed from the front of a bus to the back. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will take up numerous parole cases. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Commission on Offender Review, 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

STONE SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY: Republican operative Roger Stone is scheduled to speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

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

To include your event in this section, please fill out this form.

♦ June 25: The Palm Coast City Commission meets in workshop at 9 a.m. at City Hall. The workshop is focused on the city's 2019-20 budget, with a discussion on taxes.
♦ June 25: Flagler County's housing division presents a Renter's Rights Workshop at 5:30 p.m. at the Government Services Building 2, Room 3 (3rd Floor), 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell. Learn about Landlord-Tenant and Fair Housing laws. Attorneys from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida will present Rights and Responsibilities as a Renter at this free, educational event. The workshop will not include individual legal consultations. For additional information contact Flagler County SHIP Housing Administrator Ralston Reodica: rreodica@flaglercounty.org, (386) 313-4037 extension 5. The workshop is open to all at no charge.
♦ June 25: The Flagler County Opioid Task Force meets at 6 p.m. at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway. The task force will meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the library through November.
♦ June 26: Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins hosts a "business town hall" meeting for Flagler Beach businesses to, in his words, "unify businesses to have a strong voice" and "combine marketing efforts." The meeting is at 3 p.m. at Key West Eats, 1112 South Oceanshore Boulevard, Flagler Beach.
♦ June 26: A meeting of Facing Grief Together, formerly known as Compassionate Friends, is scheduled at the Vitas Office at 4 North Old Kings Road (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Palm Coast. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Facing Grief Together, a nonprofit self-help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. The meeting is open to all parents, grandparents, and siblings over age 18 who has suffered the loss of a child of any age. For more information, call John Brady at 610-428-3139. To learn more about Facing Grief Together, visit their national website at www.compassionatefriends.org.
♦ June 27: The Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The committee will discuss climat change and sea level rise.
♦ June 27: The Flagler Beach City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South Second Street. The commission will get the annual update from the Flagler County Health Department's Gretchen Smith, and will consider a resolution providing for a temporary limited exception to the prohibition against signs being placed within public rights of way within designated areas of the city uniquely impacted by the SR A1A project. The commission will also discuss amendments to its murals ordinance, and an ordinance increasing Municipal Business Tax rates by not more than five percent.
♦ June 27:

Another unveiling of the latest turtle sculpture to be added to the Turtle Trail: "PABLO" has been a work in progress this school year by the Flagler Palm Coast High School art club in collaboration with students from Old Kings Elementary School, the Marine Sciences flagship school for Flagler County. It will be unveiled at 1 p.m. at Old Kings Elementary School, 301 Old Kings Road South. Pablo's sponsor is Palm Coast Arts Foundation Trustee G. Lindsey Florence.
♦ June 28: The Scenic A1A PRIDE Committee meets at 9 a.m. at the Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Rd. off A1A. See the full agenda here.
♦ June 28: The Flagler County School Board meets in a special session to financially close out the year at 9 a.m. at the Government Services Building, Bunnell.
♦ June 28: Urban Surf 4 Kids Surf Camp, starting at 9 a.m., South 6th Street on the Beach.
♦ June 28: "Opry Reunion" debuts. This family style variety show features cast members of Daytona Opry, Downtown Opry and a few new entertainers. Linda Cole, Firecrackers, Michael Leone (Elvis), Eddie Davis, Kaitlyn Kent and Michele Marie will return. Each show will also feature a special guest or two. Bring your family to this high energy variety show, similar to the shows in Branson and Myrtle Beach. This show features classic standards from Gospel, Country, R&B, Motown & much more. Opry Reunion is at Oceanside Inn 1909 South Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores. Showtime is 8 PM and doors open at 7:30 PM. Reserved tickets are $20. A VIP table (comfortably seats 8) is $150. Call (386) 307-0922 for ticket information.
♦ June 29: First Aid and CPR/AED 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast. This class is a seven-hour course (one hour for lunch) designed to meet OSHA regulations and teach administering CPR to children and adults, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), using a mask or barrier device, assisting with bleeding, broken bones. $50/person with registration required by 9 a.m. June 27. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2300 and cprcertification@palmcoastgov.com.
♦ June 29-20: Jr. Lifeguard Camp, 8 a.m-12p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. The Junior Lifeguard Camp offers step-by-step lifeguarding skill development. Learn water safety, lifeguard rescues, and First Aid CPR/AED in a weekend camp. Class attendees will receive a CPR mask, Red Cross whistle and T-shirt. For ages 11-15 years. $70/session. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ June 29:

"Transitions: The Art of Trish Vevera, Past and Present," opens at Berkshire Hathaway with a free reception at 6 p.m. The show is curated by Paul Beaulieu and Thomas Anastasio. At 101 Palm Coast Parkway, European Village. Vevera is the reigning Flagler County Artist of the Year.
♦ July 1: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.
♦ July 2: The Flagler Beach Planning and Architecture (or PAR) Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 S 2nd St. The board will consider a new ordinance relating to the protection of gopher tortoises, with new regulations applicable during development activities.
♦ July 3: Fireworks in the Park: Kick off your Independence Day celebration one day early July 3. Pack your picnic basket and bring your blanket and chairs to watch the free colorful display at Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave, beginning at 9 p.m. Entertainment and food vendors will begin at 6 p.m. A patriotic ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
♦ July 5: First Friday Garden and Butterfly Walk at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., 10 a.m. Join a ranger at 10am for a walk through our historical gardens. Learn about the history of our park while exploring the beauty of the formal gardens, with an emphasis on butterflies. The walk is approximately 1 hour. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet in the garden parking lot. Garden walk included with park entry. No registration required.
♦ July 5-7:

"A Midsummer Night's Madness," a summer workshop production at Palm Coast's City Repertory Theatre. Tickets are $15, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Book here.
♦ July 6: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation hosts its First Saturday Creative Bazaar, an arts and crafts flea market. at 1500 Central Avenue in Town center. Arts foundation members and other vendors will have booths of goods for sale. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
♦ July 6: World Cup Finals Watch Party: The women's soccer World Cup is here again. Join fellow residents at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, as they watch the finals match to see which country is crowned the best in the world July 7. There will be snacks, giveaways and activities for kids. The event costs $1 per person. The final's kickoff is 11 a.m.
♦ July 8: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.

For events beyond this date, see the fuller Coming Days here.

To include your event in this section, please email the details, including date, time, a brief description of the event, contact information, and, if you wish, an image, please use this form.

The Day’s Best Reads:

Do the Americans know who they’re fighting in Afghanistan — or why? https://t.co/AsB9XK1UZ5

— Spectator Culture (@CultureHouse) February 1, 2018

Facebook, Russian trolls and the new era of information warfare https://t.co/baayKBXMBQ pic.twitter.com/hgV4CnbjaZ

— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) February 1, 2018

Pursuing the Truth Requires Modesty about Ourselves https://t.co/9psGr9kvcg via @monachareneppc pic.twitter.com/89cXJP59P6

— National Review (@NRO) February 1, 2018

The GOP dismantling of Medicaid deserves more attention. It's a brutal retrenchment of the welfare state at a time of unrivaled prosperity, with the sole purpose of immiserating the most vulnerable.

— Abolish ICE. Abolish CBP. Abolish Cash Bail. (@SeanMcElwee) February 2, 2018

From George RR Martin to Haruki Murakami: Did the jobs they held have a profound impact on their work? https://t.co/x5MObHk45y

— Electric Literature (@ElectricLit) February 3, 2018

Editor’s Tweets

Editor’s Tweets by @PierreTristam

A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Keep Up with Donald Trump’s attacks on the press through the ACLU’s running tab here.

Keep Up with mass shootings in a running database here.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of Jan. 26, 2018, with a link to the full week in review here.

Road and Interstate Construction: