The defense of Victor Williams, 43, will have a difficult time recovering from the testimony of the mother of the boy he is accused of raping, and a from a key detail the prosecution showed the jury through a picture today, and that goes to the heart of the trial’s questions.
Palm Coast Yacht Club Raises $4,500 For Children in Foster Care
The Palm Coast Yacht Club’s fifth annual community fundraiser on October 20, 2019, raised $4,500 for The GAL7 (Guardian ad Litem) Foundation, advocating for the needs of children in foster care within Florida’s Judicial Circuit Seven. Since The GAL7 Foundation was incorporated in 2014, it has disbursed an average of $27,000 per year for children […]
Behind Collapse of Furniture Company Deal With Flagler Government, Disarray, Misrepresentations and Premature Boasts
The collapse of a deal between a furniture-assembling company and Flagler County government is the latest setback for an economic development department with a checkered eight-year history and signal failures.
Wednesday Briefing: Free Legal Clinic on Landlord-Tenant Law, Johnston Raises $1,500 for FYO, Transgender in Military
The Flagler Bar and the Clerk of Court concludes their free legal clinics with a focus on landlord-tenant law, Tax Collector Suzanne Johnson and her staff raise $1,500 for the Flagler Youth Orchestra, Sheriff Israel’s fate is decided by the Florida Senate.
Senate Panel’s Republican Majority Backs Ouster of Democratic Sheriff Scott Israel
Ignoring the conclusions of a Senate special master, a key committee voted along party lines Monday night to uphold Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ouster of Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
Harold Rusty Bourgeois, 51, Is Found Dead by Suicide in the Hammock
Harold Rusty Bourgeois, 51, a long-time resident of Palm Coast and the Hammock, was found dead Sunday at his home, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Bourgeois had been living at 6024 North Oceanshore Boulevard in the Hammock.
Now 17, Boy Recalls From the Stand Night of Alleged Rape By 42-Year-Old Man Who Says It Was all Consensual
Victor Williams faces life in prison unless he convinces the jury that, while he concedes having had sex with a 16-year-old boy, the act was not non-consensual, and drugs did not impair the alleged victim. Williams will have difficulties overcoming the boy’s testimony.
Space Study for Sheriff’s Palm Coast Operation Comes In at More Than $30 Million; County Will Scale Back
Flagler County government is not prepared to build a structure larger than 50,000 square feet, at a cost of $15 million at most. That design will take place over the next six months, with groundbreaking expected in the spring of 2020.
Tuesday Briefing: Wisdom in Senior Education, Victor Williams Trial, Beach Renourishment Hearing, Percussion
A workshop and public hearing focused on Flagler Beach’s dunes renourishment project is scheduled for this evening, Sen. Rick Scott at Teens in Flight, opening arguments in Victor Williams trial.
Where Is Line Worker Barbie?
Mattel rolled out an extensive line of “Career Dolls,” including Barbie pilots, firefighters, and robotic engineers, to inspire its young patrons. But there’s one career you won’t find in this line: the typical working woman on the Mattel payroll.
In Public Survey, Flagler Schools, Teachers and Safety Get High Marks, the Board a Bit Lower Ones
A community survey by the Flagler County school district finds strong support for its teachers and programs and a strong sense of safety, though the survey drew around 400 responses and the questions were limited and leading.
Deputies Shut Down Under-Age Homecoming “BYOB” Party Of Rolling Sands Drive
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office had been tipped off to the party and had several deputies observing the scene near Russo Drive before midnight.
Palm Coast Man, 31, Accused of Armed Burglary After Allegedly Ordering Woman to “Leave Bunnell”
Michael Anthony London, 31, of 32 Slumber Meadow Trail in Palm Coast, is accused of hitting a woman with a gun and ordering her to leave Bunnell after entering her home.
Monday Briefing: Scott Israel Special Session, Victor Williams Trial, Cutting Bus Drivers, Mosquito Board
The Florida Senate convenes a special session to decide the fate of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, the Victor Williams trial begins, the county commission approves a series of social services grants.
Judge Says Florida May Not Deny Felons Right to Vote if “Genuinely Unable” to Pay Obligations
The federal court ruling was only a partial victory for voting-rights and civil-rights groups that challenged the constitutionality of a new state law designed to carry out a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to felons who have served their sentence.
Veracity at Issue After a Cyclist Is Seriously Hurt in Crash With Flagler Beach Commissioner Belhumeur’s Truck
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Rick Belhumeur is raising questions about the accuracy of the crash report he was involved in, but the commissioner himself was not entirely truthful about the circumstances of the crash, which sent Garey R. Sharpe, 60, to the hospital more than a week ago.
County Fires Tourism Director Matt Dunn After 4-Month Suspension, Citing New Direction Under Amy Lukasik
Flagler County Tourism Director Matt Dunn had been placed on paid administrative leave in April after coming under criminal investigation. The county says the tourism bureau is turning away from Dunn’s sports-oriented tourism, and was not firing him for any wrongdoing.
Stetson University’s Monumental Man John B. Stetson Honored with Campus Sculpture
Installed in Palm Court in August, the larger-than-life statue and bench weighs approximately 1,600 pounds and features a relaxed Stetson sitting on the bench while tipping one of his famous hats and beckoning folks to grab a seat or strike a selfie pose.
For Victor Williams, Context of 16 Year Old’s Rape Will Decide Whether He Spends Life in Prison, Or a Few Years
In his trial starting Monday, Palm Coast’s Victor Williams, 43, admits to sex with a 16-year-old -boy, but not to drugging him and raping him. The difference is the difference between 15 years in prison or a life term.
Tobacco Use by Flagler and Florida Youth at All-Time Low, But Vaping Spikes to All-Time High
In Flagler, 15.1 percent of students in middle and high school reported using a vaping product in the past 30 days, up from 13.8 percent in 2016 and 7.8 percent in 2014.
Weekend Briefing: Elijah Cummings, Holler-Ween, Recovery Symposium, Sergei Babayan, Hoe-Down, Daniel Greene
Sue Hecht on Elijah Cummings, Halloween celebrations at the Agricultural Museum, an addiction recovery symposium, the Colored Pencil Society meets, Flagler County Democrats have a hoe-down, and many concerts everywhere.
Two Palm Coast Teens Face Child Abuse Charges Following Video-Captured Attack Near Flagler Beach Pier
Sierra R. McRoberts and Jocelyn Miley, both 18 and from Palm Coast, face child abuse and other charges–including aggravated child abuse for Miley–following a violent confrontation near the Flagler Beach pier on Sunday with a 14-year-old girl.
Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Initiative Points to Some Gains as Offenders Are More Closely Tracked
Domestic violence arrests have edged down this year and 40 GPS monitors have been issued to offenders, who are violating their release conditions less–or ending up in jail again when they do.
Think ‘Medicare For All’ Is The Only Democratic Health Plan? Think Again
If you tuned in for the first five nights of the Democratic presidential debates, you might think “Medicare for All” and providing universal care are the only health care ideas Democrats have. They’re not.
Thursday Briefing: Domestic Violence Summit, Quit Tobacco, Inspired Mic, Chef Lance Cook
The sheriff’s latest domestic violence summit is at 10 a.m., the Hammock’s Dunes Club’s Executive Chef Lance Cook is a winner, the Inspired Mic’s various acts take the stage at Hidden Treasures.
For Milissa Holland, Latest Challenge of a Lifetime Is at Daughter Tori’s Bedside as Community Rallies
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s colleagues and friends have rallied as her daughter Tori had a liver transplant 17 days ago but remains critical in a Miami hospital, where her mother has been at her bedside for weeks.
3 Incidents Involving Students from 2 Schools in 5 Hours Result in 2 Arrests and an Injury
School resource deputies were kept unusually busy by a spate of incidents at Flagler Palm Coast High School and Old Kings Elementary Tuesday over the course of five hours.
DeSantis Says Soviet-Born Businessman Arrested on Campaign-Finance Charges Was “Just Like Any Other Donor”
DeSantis was among Florida Republican candidates who received contributions during the 2018 election cycle from Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested on campaign-finance charges involving the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.
Kiwanis Recognizes Armando Castaneda, Patrick Juliano and Jamal Prince as 2019 Firefighters of the Year
The Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club honored a firefighter from each of the county’s three departments: the Palm Coast Fire Department’s Patrick Juliano, Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Armando Castaneda, and the Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Jamal Prince.
Wednesday Briefing: Free Legal Clinic on Debts and Credit, FHP’s Derek Barrs at Tiger Bay, Moonshiners
The Flagler Bar presents a free legal clinic on debtors and creditors, FHP’s Dereck Barrs discusses autonomous vehicles and technology’s impact on transportation and safety on Florida’s roadways.
Case of Student Arrested and Released After Allegedly Planning School Shooting Worries Safety Commission
In early September, law enforcement officers arrested a 15-year-old student who they say scribbled in a notebook six pages of specific and well-researched strategies to carry out a mass shooting at Baker County High School.
“White Power” Or “I’ve Got the Power”? A Flagler School Deputy’s Words to Children Triggers Investigation
Flagler County Sheriff’s Cpl. William Lowe, a 13-year veteran with a reputation for coarse and unfiltered humor, was investigated and cleared over allegations that he’d used the words “white power” in front of children at a summer camp, but was disciplined for a lesser statement.
Gov. DeSantis Appoints Prosecutor and Local Resident Andrea Totten Flagler County Judge
Gov. Ron DeSantis today appointed Andrea Totten, a 40-year-old Palm Coast resident and an assistant attorney general, Flagler County judge, filling a seat newly created by the Legislature to relieve the overburdened docket of County Judge Melissa Distler.
Flagler School Board Adopts Process Broadly Inclusive of Community in Choosing Next Superintendent
The Flagler school board will involve an internal, staff focus group, a community advisory committee, a community survey and a community forum as it decides what sort of superintendent to hire by next March.
“Unique Boutique” Generates Over $9,000 for Flagler County Non-Profit
The “Nearly New” Thrift Store held a “Unique Boutique” fundraising event on Oct. 5 at the Santa Maria del Mar Church Parish Hall. More than 160 shoppers were able to purchase some of the finest items of clothing, purses and jewelry donated to the thrift store.
Tuesday Briefing: Superintendent Search, No Bullies, Safety Commission, Food Truck Tuesday
The Flagler County School Board discusses its next superintendent, rezoning and a community survey, it’s Food Truck Tuesday in Central Park, the school safety commission meets, Jefferson on differences of opinion.
What Life On the Margin Feels Like
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, is in an uproar over a video to promote the school’s homecoming that features no students of color. Here’s how young people of color feel at being treated like “others.”
New Building Improvement Regulations Eyed to Withstand Hurricanes
The Florida Building Commission gave tentative approval to more-stringent wind resistance requirements for vinyl siding and additional mitigation requirements for rooftop decks, among other recommendations to lawmakers.
Trump’s Trillion-Dollar Hit to Homeowners, and $680 Billion Gift to Corporations
By reducing deductions for real estate taxes, Trump’s 2017 tax plan has harmed millions — and helped give corporations a $680 billion gift. An analysis shows how.
Argument Over Cable Bill Escalated to Threats Against Wife and Hospital, and Suicidal Thoughts
Kelsey Anderson, the 33-year-old man arrested Sunday after a day-long manhunt over his threats to shoot his wife and others at AdventHealth Palm Coast, had been arguing with his wife and having suicidal thoughts, details of how the day unfolded show.
2 Big Developments Would Change Complexion of Palm Harbor Neighborhood; City Would Take Over Marina
Two proposed developments–along the Palm Harbor golf course and at the Palm Coast marina–would total 120 hotel rooms and 318 multi-family units–town houses and condos, as the city prefers to describe them.
Johnnie Thomas Jr. Pleads Guilty to Killing Robert Emanuel, 60, in 2017; Faces Up to 25 Years in Prison
Johnnie Spydale Thomas Jr., 26, of Bunnell, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2017 killing of Robert Emanuel during a drug transaction in Bunnell. He faces between 15 and 25 years in prison.
Monday Briefing: Columbus Atrocities Day, Thomas Murder Plea, Economics, Constitutional Revision
Johnnie Spydale Thomas Jr. is scheduled to plead guilty to second degree murder, a case going back to 2017, the Bunnell commission meets, the Economics Nobel Prize is awarded, a Senate panel discusses abolishing the Florida Constitution Revision Commission.
Daytona State College Awarded $2.1 million Title III Grant to Help Retention and Graduation
The grant will support a new project called “Learner Engagement, Navigation, and Support (LENS),” and will enable the College to increase retention and graduation rates of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students in associate degree programs.
Deputies Arrest Kelsey Anderson Hours After He Threatens to Shoot Up AdventHealth Palm Coast
Kelsey Anderson, 35, a convicted felon three times over, threatened to shoot his partner and shoot up AdventHealth Palm Coast, where she is a nurse, earlier today. He has been on the run since.
Wyse Report: Daytona Area Condo Sales Still Depressed
For the fourth consecutive month, condo sales around the greater Daytona Beach area were down in year-over-year comparisons.
2 People Shot in a Car on Palm Coast Parkway, 1 Killed, 1 Wounded, Assailant at Large
Two people were shot as they sat in a car in the 1200 block of Palm Coast Parkway early this morning. One died, the other was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach with an injury.
Palm Coast Assistant Manager Beau Falgout Resigns in Latest Reflection of City’s Re-Direction Under Morton
Beau Falgout’s resignation was not a surprise, as he’d vied for the top job and fallen a vote short when the council chose to hire Matt Morton last March. Most of the city’s top ranks have since turned over, after the 11-year administration of Jim Landon.
Tiny A1A Subdivision Sees Wells Fail As a Big Development Churns Nearby. Now County Wants To Charge Residents $1,700 a Year for a Fix.
Willow Woods residents sandwiched between Washington Oaks State Park and Matanzas Woods developments would be charged $1,700 a year for 20 years to hook up to city water to replace failing wells, though residents say they’re not at fault: the development is.
Weekend Briefing: Peace Prize, Creekside Festival, Pink Army Run-Walk, AAUW Census Lunch, Harry Potter
The Creekside Festival Saturday and Sunday at Princess Place Preserve, a lunch focused on the coming Census, walk to end Alzheimer’s, Bring Your Sing Competition at the Auditorium, the Pink Army 5K and 1 Mile Pet-Friendly Fun Walk in Town Center, and much more.