Palm Coast will eliminate what had been a proposed speed limit for ebikes, the allowable age limit for riders was further reduced to 11 (it had started at 15 two weeks ago), and student IDs would be a permissible form of identification for riders, as opposed to government-issued IDs, according to the latest version of an ordinance the Palm Coast City Council is crafting.
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Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Palm Coast Attorney Marc Dwyer on the End of Open Carry Ban: Correct Decision, Not Without Street Consequences
Palm Coast attorney Marc Dwyer is of two minds about last week’s decision by a Florida appeals court invalidating the ban on openly carrying firearms. On one hand, he found the ruling legally right and in line with history and current law since 2008. On the other hand, he says there’s “going to be an uptick in crime” as a result. Sheriff Rick Staly disagrees, seeing not much change ahead as a consequence of the decision.
Rymfire Elementary Student, 11, Arrested After Threatening to Bring “Guns” to School in Response to Bullying
GN, an 11-year-old Rymfire Elementary student who was apparently being bullied in chats, faces a second-degree felony charge of sending written threats of a shooting after sending the “picture of a gun to a group chat with other students” and the message, “See you at school tomorrow bye,” according to his arrest report.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Solves West-Side Burglary Spree, Arresting 3 Teens from Suwanee County
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office this afternoon announced the arrest of three Live Oak teens on armed burglary charges stemming from a series of car break-ins and burglaries on Flagler County’s west side in late August, when the men got away with several firearms, some cash and a few credit cards. Two of the three men are in Georgia, the third in Suwanee County. All three were served Flagler County arrest warrants.
More Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Flagler Beach Tells County: No Joint Talks on Taxing District Unless You Revive Sales Tax for Beach Protection
The Flagler Beach City Commission has rejected a request from the County Commission to hold a joint meeting on establishing a special taxing district in the city. The tax revenue would have been earmarked for beach protection. If the county wants to talk, it should revive an earlier proposal to raise the sales tax by half a penny. Flagler Beach’s unequivocal message was a sharp rebuff to the three county commissioners who asked for the joint meeting–and who killed the sales tax proposal: Kim Carney, Leann Pennington and Pam Richardson.
Man, 68, Accused of Wielding Knife and Chasing 2 Juveniles and 18-Year-Old at Palm Coast Walmart
Thomas Edward Ohl, a 68-year-old resident of Wellington Drive in Palm Coast, faces four felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse following an incident Saturday night at Walmart, where he allegedly chased two juveniles and an 18-year-old with a knife picked out of a shelf, after he said they’d made fun of his disability.
Family of 4 In Flagler County Set to See 75% Premium Increase for Obamacare; 4 Million Floridians Will See Sharp Jump
Health insurance rates will increase sharply for the 4 million-plus Floridians who rely on so-called Obamacare plans or small employer health insurance coverage in the coming weeks, according to data released by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. For a family of four with a household income of $85,000 in Flagler County, the monthly premium for an average silver plan will rise to 1,192, from $680, a 75 percent increase.
Overflow Crowd Tells County Commission: No to Taxing District on Barrier Island, Yes to Sales Tax for Beach
In spite of near-unanimous opposition from an overflow crowd at the Flagler County Commission Thursday, the commission adopted by a 4-1 vote a controversial special taxing district covering all unincorporated property owners on the barrier island, including the Hammock, to help pay for beach protection. There was not one voice in support of the taxing district as an exclusive funding mechanism. There was not one voice opposed to a sales tax increase for that purpose, and many supported the taxing district in conjunction with the sales tax increase.
County Commission’s Kim Carney Peddles False and Misleading Claims in Opposition to Sales Tax for Beach Protection
Speaking to a capacity crowd at a budget hearing Thursday evening, Flagler County Commissioner Kim Carney, who has complained of misinformation getting peddled around about county business, dispensed false and misleading information of her own on a central issue dividing the commission: the imposition of an additional sales surtax to help pay for a long-term beach-protection plan.
Spree of Break-Ins Target Vehicles at Multiple Properties on Flagler County’s West Side
The Flagler County Sheriff is investigating a series of burglaries and break-ins that took place the night of Aug. 28 to 29 on the west side of Flagler County, targeting vehicles at multiple properties in an area of the county rarely associated with such crime sprees. Two firearms and wallets were among the items reported stolen. The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the addresses. The thefts took place in the area of County Road 305, County Road 302, County Road 15, and State Road 100, targeting properties on those roads and smaller roads in between.
Over Mayor’s Objections, Palm Coast Signals It’ll Extend Agreement with Cultural Council to Manage $100,000 in Grants
Overcoming numerous unsubstantiated accusations about the Flagler County Cultural Council by Mayor Mike Norris, the Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday agreed to let the volunteer organization continue administering the city’s $100,000 cultural grants program for another year. It did so in the wake of friction between the City Council and FC3, as the cultural organization refers to itself.
Shock, Sadness, Anxiety: Flagler County Leaders Grapple with Charlie Kirk Assassination, and Worry About What’s Next
Flagler County leaders from across a broad spectrum were reacting with shock, sadness, anxiety and concern to the assassination Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist, charismatic speaker and incendiary provocateur, who was shot while doing what he did best: engage with university students while manifesting the nation’s oldest tradition of free expression.
Palm Coast Council Isn’t Thrilled by USTA Florida’s Approach Shot to Taking Over Southern Rec Center Management
The Palm Coast City Council is not ready to hand over the Southern Recreation Center, newest of the city’s many jewels crowning its parks and recreation provinces, to USTA Florida for management over the next six years. The city will keep talking with USTA. But the council isn’t thrilled by the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed contract, finding it too much of a one-sided benefit to USTA while the city would still lose money at the center, as it does now, only it would also lose control. The contract’s vagueness raised questions. And the council worried about the respect USTA would show pickleball.
Palm Coast Would Limit Ebike Speeds to 10 MPH on Sidewalks, Ban Riders Younger Than 13 and AirPods While Riding
Palm Coast is about to have strict new ebike regulations. Based on a proposal the city attorney presented to the City Council Tuesday, and the feedback he received from council members, ebike speeds will be limited to 10 miles per hour on all sidewalks, ebike riders must be 13 or older, ebike riders younger than 16 will be required to wear a helmet, ebike riders of any age may not wear AirPods or headphones while riding, and must–also at any age–carry a sate-issued, photo identification card.
Nudity! Sex! Literary Chimps! Lady Day! City Repertory Theatre Readies New Season With Reboots
Nudity and sex will be taking center stage when City Repertory Theatre opens its 15th season on Sept. 19 at its black box venue in Palm Coast. More precisely, nudity and sex will be taking center stage again at City Rep, when the cutting-edge, never-hesitant-to-be provocative community theater brings back the characters Princeton and Kate Monster, and – in full (frontal) view of the audience – they proceed to engage in boisterous, noisy… well, you know. But they’re puppets.
The Live Calendar: Today in Flagler
September 2025
Sep 16 2025
Food Truck Tuesday
Central Park in Town Center
Sep 16 2025
Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Club
315 South 7th Street, Flagler Beach
Sep 16 2025
Kiwanis Community Open House
Hilton Garden Inn
Sep 16 2025
Random Acts of Insanity Standup Comedy
Cinematique of Daytona Beach
Sep 17 2025
Contractor Review Board Meeting
Government Services Building
Sep 17 2025
Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee Meeting
Government Services Building
Sep 17 2025
Flagler Tiger Bay Club Guest Speaker: Former U.S. Prosecutor Roger B. Handberg
Hammock Dunes Club
Sep 17 2025
Separation Chat: Open Discussion
Pine Lakes Golf Club
Sep 17 2025
“Conversations in American Democracy” Celebrates Constitution Day
Pine Lakes Golf Club
Sep 17 2025
Flagler County Industrial Development Authority Meeting
Government Services Building
Sep 17 2025
The Circle of Light A Course in Miracles Study Group
Contact Aynne McAvoy
Sep 17 2025
Weekly Chess Club for Teens, Ages 9-18, at the Flagler County Public Library
Flagler County Public Library
No event found!
The Conversation
Charlie Kirk Wanted American Education Wrested from Liberals
A large part of Kirk’s political activism centered on what education should look like. Conservatives, well before Kirk’s time, have been trying to reclaim education from liberals whom they view as valuing equity and belonging instead of timeless values of order and traditional values in society. This philosophy overall focuses on reclaiming education from liberals.
Florida and Beyond
State Regulators Reject Counter-Proposal by Customer Representative to Limit FPL Rate Increases
As they consider a proposed settlement that would increase Florida Power & Light’s base electric rates, state regulators will not take up a “counter proposal” offered by opponents. FPL wants base-rate increases of $945 million in 2026 and $766 million in 2027. The counter proposal would have resulted in increases of $867 million in 2026 and $403 million in 2027.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, September 15, 2025
Canadian Michael De Adder’s take on American outrage, the East Flagler Mosquito Control District Board meets, the County Commission meets, traveling the rest rooms of I-4 in “free Florida,” Tom Hanks goes maga, changing place names.
As the Colorado River Dies, A New Battle Over Water Rights
The seven Colorado Basin states have been grappling with how to deal with declining Colorado River supplies for a quarter century, revising usage guidelines and taking additional measures as drought has persisted and reservoir levels have continued to decline. The current guidelines will expire in late 2026, and talks on new guidelines have been stalled because the states can’t agree on how to avoid a future crisis.
More Florida and Beyond
In Florida, We Want Guns in Our Streets, Not Rainbows
No doubt Gov. Ron DeSantis expects Floridians to be grateful for saving us from yet another woke attack on decency, probity, and speeding motorists. Meaning colorful crosswalks. Just as he has fought to expel books by Black and gay authors from our schools, the governor has ordered FDOT to paint over the flowers, the sunbursts, the fish, the musical notes, and the rainbows — especially the rainbows. At least a dozen schools in Tampa will see their “Crosswalks to Classrooms” school crossings destroyed, including one painted to look like a shelf of books. Florida’s government is particularly scared of books.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Musicians of all ages can bring instruments and chairs and join in the jam session at Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area, Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, why your personal parcels from abroad are not reaching your door anymore.
How to Avoid Seeing Disturbing Content on Social Media
Social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, not protect your peace of mind. The major platforms have also reduced their content moderation efforts over the past year or so. That means upsetting content can reach you even when you never chose to watch it. You do not have to watch every piece of content that crosses your screen, however. Protecting your own mental state is not avoidance or denial. It’s a way of safeguarding the bandwidth you need to stay engaged, compassionate and effective.
14th of the Year: DeSantis Signs Death Warrant for Samuel Smithers, 72, Who Murdered 2 Women in 1996
In what could be Florida’s 14th execution this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of murdering two women in 1996 in Hillsborough County and dumping them in a pond. Samuel Smithers, 72, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Oct. 14 at Florida State Prison for the murders of Denise Roach and Christy Cowan at a secluded property where he worked as a caretaker.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Peps Art Walk near Beachfront Grille in Flagler Beach, American Association of University Women meeting, Second Saturday Plant Sale at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, the connection between Seal Team 6’s killing of innocent Koreans and a Jules Verne pearl diver.
America’s 250 Years of Political Violence: It’s Very Much Who We Are
The day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, commentators repeated a familiar refrain: “This isn’t who we are as Americans.” But it is. American politics has long personalized its violence. the U.S. was founded upon – and has long been sustained by – this very form of political violence.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, September 12, 2025
John Darkow and a few other voices on on Florida’s anti-vaccine reversion, the Florida Ethics Commission meets and presumably resolves the Lauren Ramirez questions, the Friday Blue Forum meets.
83% of Palestinians Killed in Gaza Have Been Civilians
Figures from a classified Israeli military intelligence database, reported recently by the Guardian, indicate that 83% of the Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza as of May have been civilians. Israel’s own military data also now shows that Israeli officials have both overstated the number of militants they say have been killed and, by implication, the ratio of civilian to militant deaths.
Paul Renner Banks on ‘Looming Civil War’ Between DeSantis Supporters and Trump Loyalists to Win
Paul Renner expects to win the GOP nomination by taking advantage of a deepening rift between DeSantis supporters and Trump loyalists ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race and legislative session. Renner believes he may have the “unifying” message conservative voters are looking for.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, September 11, 2025
9/11 Tribute Climb at Hammock Beach Resort, Flagler County government tax and budget hearing, Evenings at Whitney Lecture Series return tonight, the Flagler Beach City Commission meets, Model Yacht Club Races in Central Park, replaying the Gulf of Tonkin hoax in Venezuela.
Canadians, Like Others, Are Snubbing Travel to The U.S. This Summer
Global attitudes towards the United States as a tourism destination are plunging. Travel pressures, exchange rate shifts and increasing economic uncertainty have all damaged the reputation of the American travel sector. Canadian travellers are increasingly turning to domestic destinations instead of heading south. In July, Canada recorded its seventh consecutive month of declining travel by Canadians to the U.S..
Appeals Court Ruling Against Transgender Deputy May Buttress Florida’s Restrictions on Pronouns Use
Florida’s defense of a 2023 law restricting pronouns that transgender teachers can use to identify themselves could be aided by an appeals-court ruling Tuesday in a Georgia case. A transgender Houston County, Ga., sheriff’s deputy filed that lawsuit after she was denied coverage under a county health-insurance policy for surgery related to gender dysphoria. The sharply divided appeals court ruled against the Georgia deputy, Anna Lange. Judge Nancy Abudu, in a dissenting opinion, pointed to potentially far-reaching effects of the majority ruling, calling it discrimination against transgender people.”
“The majority opinion effectively sanctions employment discrimination against transgender people,” Abudu’s dissent said.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Peter Kuper on Trump’s optical allusions, River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization’s bike and pedestrian committee meets, Weekly Chess Club for Teens at the library, remembering Charles Aznavour.
Commentary
Netanyahu’s ‘Cowardly’ Attack on Qatar and His Rage for Decapitation
Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike on the Qatari capital of Doha on September 9, the first time it has directly attacked a Gulf state. The Qatari government said it “strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack”, which it described as “a blatant violation of international law”. The Netanyahu government has now decided that its regional objectives will be pursued through “decapitation”.
Why FEMA Is Essential in Disasters
To better understand FEMA’s value, let’s take a look back at how the nation responded to disasters before the agency existed–it wasn’t pretty– and what history reveals about when FEMA was most effective.
How Targeted US Hit on Caribbean Boat Was a Blatant Violation of International Law
The U.S. government is justifying its lethal destruction of a boat suspected of transporting illegal drugs in the Caribbean as an attack on “narco-terrorists.” To an expert on international law, that line of argument goes nowhere. Even if, as the U.S. claims, the 11 people killed in the Sept. 2, 2025, U.S. Naval strike were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, it would make no difference under the laws that govern the use of force by state actors. Unlawful killing is unlawful regardless of who does it, why, or the reaction to it. And in regard to the U.S. strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat, the deaths were unlawful.