Monday Briefing: Flagler Health Survey, Shortlisting Administrator Candidates, A1A Construction Update

FlaglerLive | February 4, 2019

advent health palm coast volunteer auxiliary board 2019

Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen, left, installed the AdventHealth Palm Coast volunteer auxiliary’s 2019 board members on Jan. 28. The new board includes: Marge Sisti as president, JoAnn Durand as first vice president, Marcus Ellison as second vice president, Kerry Lawrence as recording secretary, Kitty VanHorn as corresponding secretary, Jeannette Kainu as treasurer, Angie Troike as assistant treasurer, and Carol Bryant as past president. Maggie Bunker and Patty Mercer will serve as members at large. Each board member will serve a two-year term and is responsible for overseeing, guiding and training all the committees and areas the volunteer auxiliary serve.
The hospital’s volunteer auxiliary was formed in May 1980 with 53 Flagler County residents. Today, Florida Hospital Flagler has more than 175 active volunteers assisting in 25 departments throughout the hospital. Collectively, this group of volunteers has donated more than 1.6 million hours in service to AdventHealth Palm Coast. (AdventHealth)

Today:: Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs around 70. North winds 5 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. North winds 5 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight. 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 Index: 12
The OED’s Word of the day: Moaning Minnie, 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 Last 24 Hours of Incident Reports
Flagler Beach A1A Construction Updates
US 1-Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Cultural Coda

“Out of this came his almost neurotic view of the press, two very conflicting views: first, that you owned the press, you summoned them and they wrote good stories, and second, that the press was an enemy, it was disloyal, that if it did not belong to you, then someone else had bought and thus you had to be wary. Rich publishers. Or the Kennedys. Or the big interests. Thus you had to get in there quickly and make your pitch.”

–From David Halberstam’s “The Best and the Brightest” (1973).

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 Flagler County Commission meets at 9 a.m. for a regularly scheduled meeting, at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. Commissioners will consider settling a lawsuit by a serial suer who has been filing lawsuits against local governments that don;t provide close-captioned video to their meetings. The commission meets again in special session to short-list applicants for the interim manager position. That meeting takes place at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 3 (behind the Government Services Building), Bunnell.

Women’s Self-Defense, Mondays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Learn effective methods to ward off attackers in this three-day class taught by Sgt. Michael Lutz of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Limited to 40 spots and they fill fast! For ages 12 and up. Must attend all three classes. Free but pre-registration required by Feb. 2 at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON HEALTH ISSUES: Flagler county residents are being asked to speak up and voice their opinion on a variety of health-related topics through an online survey. The input from the community will be used to create health improvement plans to address community concerns and improve quality of life. The survey is online here countyhealthsurvey.com and is available in English and Spanish. Results of the survey provide the foundation of Community Health Needs Assessments, which are a collection of data used to inform communities and develop goals to improve health outcomes. Once the assessments are complete, they will be used to create three-year Community Health Improvement Plans for both Volusia and Flagler counties. The assessments are being conducted in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Flagler and Volusia counties, Flagler Cares, local hospitals and Volusia and Flagler county government. Residents, employers and community partners are encouraged to share this link and ask others to take the survey as well. The survey will close February 28, 2019. Please take the survey here.

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)

Navy Bombing in the Ocala National Forest: Navy training schedules indicate that inert and live bombing will take place at the Pinecastle Range Complex located in the Ocala National Forest this week. Bombings at times can be heard in Flagler-Palm Coast. The bombings are scheduled as follows:

Monday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Sunday: 5-11 p.m. – Live/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. For additional information, call (904) 542-5588.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week (schedule your donation by going to the website and entering a Palm Coast zip code, then locating one of the venues below):

Monday: Tom Gibbs Chevrolet, 5850 State Road 100 Palm Coast, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Monday: Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Avenue, 1 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: Post Office, 2 Pine Cone Drive, Palm Coast, 2 to 5 p.m.
Thursday: Banfield Pet Hospital, 5270 State Road 100 (Target ShoppinG center), Palm Coast, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday: Woody’s BBQ, 99 Flagler Plaza Drive, Palm Coast, 3 to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Trinity Presbyterean Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours' Incidents in Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell


Jail Bookings, June 21-24 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 23 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 23 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 23 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 23 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 23 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 23
Previous and archived reports

Sources: Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler Beach Police Department, Bunnell Police Department. This is Flagler County's only comprehensive, one-stop compilation of all local law enforcement's daily day and night shift commanders' reports.

Flagler Beach Is Open For Business: A1A Construction Update:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to year-long construction on and near State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as the Florida Department of Transportation rebuilds a 1.5-mile segment from South 9th Street to South 22nd Street, and builds a sea wall at the north end of town. These updates are provided through DOT or local officials. If you have any relevant information or images, you’re welcome to email them to the editor here.

February 4 Update: Construction is scheduled to begin this week week on Segments 2 and 3 of the S.R. A1A project. Work on Segment 2, from S. 22nd Street to S. 9th Street will include removal of the existing low-profile barrier wall, and construction of the temporary lime rock base on the east side of the roadway to prepare for placement of temporary asphalt. This work will require single lane closures with flagging operations during the day. Work is expected to progress from south to north. Both northbound and southbound traffic will remain on S.R. A1A. The southbound S.R. A1A detour is expected to begin in late February.

Work on Segment 3, from N. 18th Street to Osprey Drive will include removing two existing beach walkovers near N.18th Street and one walkover in front of Oceanside Condominiums as noted in the plans. Work also will include importing and placing sand in preparation for installing the auger cast pilings. Traffic will be shifted slightly to the west on S.R. A1A to accommodate the work. Drivers can expect a single lane closure with flagging operations when traffic is shifted.

The contractor has 300 days to complete the work.

See Also:

The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view.
(DOT)

U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to the planned 15-month, $4.1 million construction of a roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. The project started in late January and is scheduled for completion by spring 2020.

This week southbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and be shifted slightly west onto new pavement. Southbound U.S. 1 traffic heading to Old Dixie Highway will be directed to stay on southbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to return to Old Dixie Highway using northbound U.S. 1. Old Dixie Highway drivers heading to southbound U.S. 1 will have to turn onto northbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to access southbound U.S. 1. Later this week, northbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and shifted west onto the existing southbound side of the roadway. Once this shift is made, U.S. 1 will have one lane in each direction through the project area. The speed limit will be reduced along U.S. 1 through the construction zone, and drivers are asked to be alert and use caution when traveling through the work area.

More details here.

See Also:

Announcements:

Scholarship Applicants Wanted: The Flagler Woman’s Club will award multiple $2000 scholarships to male and female graduating seniors in all areas of study including Theatre, Art, Music, and Trade Schools. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen; a resident of Flagler County for a minimum of one year; have a financial need and qualify for acceptance to a college or a trade school. Printed applications are now available at the Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas High Schools’ Guidance Departments; the Flagler County Library in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beach Library. The application is also available on our Face Book page at The Flagler Woman’s Club. The application deadline is February 8, 2019. For more information call Kay Johnson at (386)439-3960 or (386)405-8518.

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.

SUPERINTENDENT SUSPENSION DISCUSSED: Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will hold a case-management conference in an appeal by suspended Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson. Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Jackson in January, but she appealed to the Senate. Goodlette, a former state House member from Collier County, was appointed by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, to serve as special master. (Monday, 11 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SEXUAL BATTERY PROSECUTIONS AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will take up a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 130), filed by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, that would eliminate a statute of limitations on the prosecution of sexual batteries when victims are under age 18. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MARIJUANA SMOKING BAN TARGETED: The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a bill (SB 182), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would eliminate a ban on smoking medical marijuana. Lawmakers in 2017 included a smoking ban in a law that was designed to carry out a constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana. But the smoking ban drew a legal challenge, and a Leon County circuit judge ruled that it violated the 2016 constitutional amendment. The state, under former Gov. Rick Scott, appealed the circuit judge’s ruling. Gov. Ron DeSantis, however, has been critical of the smoking ban and has indicated he will drop the appeal if lawmakers do not eliminate the ban. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CITRUS ISSUES ON MENU: The Senate Agriculture Committee will receive an update on the Florida Department of Citrus from the agency’s executive director, Shannon Shepp. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CRC REPEAL SOUGHT: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a proposal (SJR 362), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would ask voters to abolish the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The commission meets every 20 years and has unique power to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. The commission last year placed seven amendments on the November ballot, with all ultimately passing. But it drew controversy and legal challenges, in part, because it lumped together seemingly unrelated issues into single ballot proposals. The commission is next scheduled to meet in 2037 and 2038. If approved by lawmakers, Brandes’ proposal to abolish the commission would go on the 2020 ballot because ending the commission would require changing the state Constitution. (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HURRICANE RECOVERY AT ISSUE: Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz will be the keynote speaker during the “Summit for a Resilient North Florida,” which will focus on recovery from Hurricane Michael. (Monday, 9 a.m. Central time, Rivertown Community Church, 4534 Lafayette St., Marianna.)

ANIMAL ABUSE TARGETED: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., will appear at a news conference to urge passage of legislation that would make animal cruelty a federal crime. (Monday, 10 a.m., Animal Care and Adoption, 2400 S.W. 42nd St., Fort Lauderdale.)

—-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 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.

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. 31, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Cultural Coda

Vaughan Williams: Rhosymedre (US Marine Band)