The law firm representing 27 Flagler sheriff’s employees served the sheriff notice of a lawsuit for negligence over the Operations Center, a move Sheriff Rick Staly is supporting.
Suspected Armed Robbers Lead Volusia and Flagler Cops and K-9s on Chase, Ending in Arrests
Jamier R. Scott and Darryl Duffy, both of them 29, both of them from Palatka, face armed robbery and other charges after their arrest off the Bimini Bar woods, with K-9s tracking them down.
Shop Local, But Under Tallahassee Rules: Lawmakers Seek to Restrict County and City Regulations
A broad proposal aimed at curbing local business regulations advanced in subcommittee despite criticism that it could block ordinances that prohibit “puppy mills” or the regulation of fertilizer use near waterways.
Weekend Briefing: Bowling Verdict, Shakespeare in the Park, Flagship Showcase, Great Pianists
The Taming of the Shrew in Town Center, a flagship and technical education showcase at Buddy Taylor, a symphonic band and a great pianist at Stetson, the Michael Bowling verdict.
An Angry Tom Bexley Freezes County’s Attempt To Cede 1st Floor of Courthouse to Sheriff
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley was angered by a sheriff’s proposal, which the county would have had to approve, to use the first floor of the courthouse for the foreseeable future as the sheriff’s exile from the Operations Center continues.
Latest Twist in Bowling Molestation Trial: Defense Seeks to Impeach Its Own Witness
The lawyer for Michael Bowling, accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl visiting his stepdaughter, is arguing that the two girls made up a story to keep one of them from returning to Kentucky.
A Boy Bullied at Rymfire Elementary Turns to Self-Harm on a School Bus. He’s 5 Years Old.
The Rymfire Elementary student appeared to have attempted to choke himself, and told a deputy he was being bullied at school. Paramedics cleared him and he was turned over to his father.
How Palm Coast Tamed Shakespeare’s Shrew, With Eyes On A Lot More at Arts Foundation’s Town Center Venue
City Repertory Theatre’s second edition of Shakespeare in the Park kicks off tonight at the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s venue in Town Center, which the city sees as an anchor to future cultural growth.
Thursday Briefing: Belle Terre’s African-American Read-In, School Safety at Tiger Bay, Inspired Mic, Taming of the Shrew
Belle Terre Elementary hosts its popular annual African-American Read-In, the county commission holds a pair of meetings, including on the Sheriff’s Operations Center, the Tiger Bay Club hosts a panel on school safety.
Take It From Me: Addiction Doesn’t Start At the Border
As the sister of a brother lost to an opioid overdose, Trump’s claim that we need a border wall in order to keep drugs out is offensive to me on multiple levels. We should treat the root causes of addiction instead.
126.1 Million Visitors To Florida in 2018 Sets Another Record; Almost 90% From U.S.
The increase was bolstered by 7.1 percent growth in U.S. travelers, who accounted for 88.6 percent of the state’s visitors, according to the Visit Florida numbers. Overseas visitors declined by 1 percent, to 10.818 million, after falling by 2 percent a year earlier.
In Flagler Beach, Four Candidates for City Commission Reveal Sharp Differences Despite Surface Agreement
Incumbents Jane Mealy and Rick Belhumeur appeared with challengers Paul Eik and Deborah Phillips at a Woman’s Club forum that showed their paper similarities and vast personality differences.
Constitutional Amendment Proposal for School Board Term Limits Easily Clears House Hurdle
The proposal was approved in an 11-4 vote that was largely along party lines. Voters would be asked in 2020 whether they want to impose eight-year term limits on school board members.
Matanzas High Student, 16, Arrested Over School-Shooting Threat on Snapchat and Blames Bullying
The 16-year-old Palm Coast girl allegedly made threats against other girls at school she claims had been bullying her, but she now faces a felony charge and expulsion from Matanzas High School.
It’s Increasingly ‘The Beau Show’ as Palm Coast Council Strains To Project Fair Manager Interview Process
Interim Palm Coast Manager Beau Falgout continues to solidify his place atop the list of five or six candidates for the permanent manager spot, leaving it to the council to convince other candidates that they still have a chance.
Palm Coast’s Sean Farrelly, 47, Charged With Bribing and Doping 16-Year-Old Girl for Sex
Sean Farrelly, who works in construction and excavation, was arrested on a charge of statutory rape and charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and is being held without bond at the county jail.
Wednesday Briefing: Judge Melissa Distler, Bowling Trial, Azure Assisted Living, Harlem Renaissance, Hidden Treasures
Speaker George Fraser is at AACS, County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens becomes Melissa Distler, the Michael Bowling trial is in its third day, Hidden Treasure Restaurant marks its third year.
Cecil C. Sowell, 1931-2019
Cecil C. Sowell, 87, of Flagler Beach, died February 17, 2019 at the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House. A veteran of Korea and Vietnam, he was a builder, a deacon and a family man.
After Mistrial, Michael Bowling Is Again on Trial On Accusations He Molested Girl During Sleepover
After December’s mistrial, Bunnell’s Michael Bowling, 48, was back on trial anew today, facing his accuser who says he molested her in a dark closet during a sleepover at her friend’s house.
County Rebuffs Sheriff’s Request for ‘Critical’ Evidence Storage Space in Latest Operations Center Snag
County commissioners don’t want to spend money piecemeal on short-term solutions for the sheriff’s exile from the Operations Center, but the sheriff says space needs are critical.
Florida Takes Center Stage In Controversy Over Citizenship Question On Census Form
Including the citizenship question could hurt Florida and other states with large immigrant populations in the decennial reapportionment process, a federal judge wrote.
Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year and Flagler Fire Truck Involved in 2 Separate Crashes in 4 Days
Austin Chewning, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year, was involved in a crash in the Hammock Saturday. Firefighters on a tender truck were involved in a crash this morning on Education Way and U.S. 1 in Palm Coast. Two civilians were involved.
Tuesday Briefing: Meet the Candidates in Flagler Beach, Suicide Prevention, Bowling Trial, Palm Coast Manager
Four candidates for Flagler Beach commission answer questions in a public forum, Michael Bowling is on trial again after December’s mistrial, Palm Coast narrows its list for manager.
County Will Consider Importing Water From Palm Coast For Troubled Plantation Bay, Halting $6 Million Plan
Flagler County was ready to award a $6.1 million contract to build a new water plant at Plantation Bay when Commissioner Dave Sullivan pushed to halt the process and consider other options Monday.
Flagler Commission Picks Jerry Cameron, Retired from St. Johns Government After Eclectic Career, Its Interim
Cameron replaces Craig Coffey, whom the commission forced to resign last month, and is expected to restore some semblance of leadership in an administration adrift for weeks.
Monday Briefing: Interim Administrator Interviews, Sheriff’s Storage Options, Bunnell’s Historic Registry
The Flagler County Commission is in marathon session starting at 8:30 a.m. with interviews of interim administrator candidates, ending with an evening meeting to discuss storage options for sheriff’s units.
Anthony Fennick’s Death and The Sheriff’s Green Roof Inn Smear
Much is unknown in the death of inmate Anthony Fennick, but much is known, including the sheriff’s responsibility for hiring trouble-ridden Armor Health–and for showing inmates contempt from the outset with his “Green Roof Inn” sign.
Discharged, Dismissed: ERs Often Miss Chance To Set Overdose Survivors On ‘Better Path’
It’s an opportunity that’s being missed in emergency rooms everywhere: the next step — a means to divert addicted patients into treatment — remains elusive once an addict is released from an emergency room.
Stetson President Wendy Libby
Will Retire in 2020 After 11 Years
Wendy Libby became Stetson’s ninth president in July 2009 and its first woman president since the university was founded in 1883. Undergraduate enrollment rose 50 percent during her tenure.
Federal Appeals Court Hammers Florida For Imposing ‘Serious Burden’ on Right To Vote
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Florida law requiring voters’ signatures on mail-in ballots to match the signatures on file with elections officials imposes “a serious burden on the right to vote.”
Indian Trails Middle Student, 14, Arrested For Threatening Girl With a Gun in a Video Message
The 14-year-old Indian Trails Middle School student made the threat in a video he recorded while holding a gun belonging to his parents. The incident took place off campus.
In Post-Jones Era, Friends of the Library Revive With Nomination of Carl Laundrie as President
The Friends of the Library, an independent, non-profit support group for the Flagler County Library, nearly met an untimely end with the death of Terry Jones, its long-time president.
DeSantis Calls For Statewide Grand Jury Investigation of Local School Districts’ Safety
Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate whether school districts are complying with mandatory safety measures designed to protect students.
Thomas Rando, a Convicted Felon, Is Arrested in Crash Death of 10-Year-Old Hannah Beard
Thomas Rando, a 32-year-old resident of 2551 North State Street in Bunnell, was arrested Thursday and charged with a felony count of driving on a suspended license and causing a death.
Flagler Supervisor of Elections Wants To Know Why You Love Voting: Take the Survey
Flagler County Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart is asking registered voters to take a five-question online survey about why and where they like to vote, grist for further voter outreach in the future.
Weekend Briefing: Dance of Love, Walk For Shaunti Stafford, Cat Adoption, Brian Hammond at Salvo, Bing’s, Solisti
Valentine’s Dance at AACS, a walk in memory of Shaunti Stafford, cat and kitten adoption at Sable Palms, Brian Hammond at Salvo Art House, an art opening, Daytona Solisti Baroque Orchestra romances strings.
From Drug Court To Vigil For Anthony Fennick, an Unexplained Death Continues To Rattle
A dusk vigil for Anthony Fennick, 23, who died Saturday after his health degraded at the Flagler jail, mixed celebration of his life with anger at his death, while Circuit Judge Terence Perkins this morning tried to address it in Drug Court.
Renner Wants ‘Objectivity’ To Drive Felons’ Voter Restoration, But Hurdles Are Multiplying
Elections officials could face a Herculean task trying to verify whether people who’ve registered to vote have met all the conditions required to make them eligible to cast ballots.
Second Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding at Flagler Courthouse Features Vows and Surprises
Eleven couples married and five renewed their vows in the Flagler Clerk of Court’s second anual mass wedding on the steps of the county courthouse at noon today.
Buddy Taylor Student, 13, Alleged Target of Bullying, Arrested For Threatening to Shoot Up School During Xbox Game
The student was playing on Xbox Live with two friends when he made threats to bomb and shoot up the school as he was losing. He acknowledged anger issues but faces a felony.
Thursday Briefing: Valentine’s Mass Wedding, Anthony Fennick Vigil, Linda Cole at the Library
The Flagler Clerk of Court presides over the second annual mass wedding at the courthouse, a candlelight vigil for Anthony Fennick, who died Saturday at age 23, Linda Cole’s traditional Valentine’s recital at the public library.
Flagler’s Addiction Crisis Has a Treatment Problem: There’s Barely Any. Council Talks, With Little Action.
In the opioid crisis, first responders are doing their part, only to see the same individuals adrift the moment they’re out of first responders’ hands: The front lines are meeting the challenge. The rear isn’t.
Judge Denies End of Sex-Offender Probation For Ex-Matanzas Teacher Who Had Sex With Student
James Wolfe was found guilty in April 2014 of engaging in unlawful sex with one of his students, who was 16 at the time, and whom he was coaching in cross-country. He was 30.
Lieselotte Martha Beilke, 1933-2018
Lieselotte Martha Beilke died at Palm Coast’s Windsor. She was married to Max Beilke in 1959 until Max’s death on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
Flagler Commissioners Will Hold Open 1-on-1 Interviews With Administrator Candidates
The county attorney advised Flagler county commissioners that erring on the side of openness was best in deciding whether to individually interview candidates in closed or open sessions.
Wednesday Briefing: Opioids Crisis, Community Cats, Leadership Flagler, Hansen’s Hammock
The Public Safety Coordinating Council meets for the first time in almost a year in joint session with the county commission to talk opioids, community cats advocates gather.
Trump Said He Would Protect Families, Then Deported My Husband
A year ago, my husband Jorge was torn from our family and deported to Mexico after living peacefully in the United States for nearly 30 years, working and raising a family with me in suburban Detroit, the author writes.
Lawmakers Approve Smokable Pot, But It Must be Pre-Rolled and Filtered
The amendment also would require pre-rolled joints with filters. That was designed to address concerns about the negative health effects of smoking.
Dubai, a Police State, Hosts Flagler Sheriff, 8 Deputies and 60 Other Teams in SWAT Competition
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and eight members of the agency’s SWAT team are in Dubai on an all-expenses-paid trip through Feb. 14 for an international SWAT competition paid for by the UAE Interior Ministry.
Florida Park Drive May See Changes, from Traffic Islands to Roundabouts to Air Sensors
Addressing Florida Park Drive problems as its predecessors have every few years, the Palm Coast City Council is opting for some additional studies and potentially adding traffic-calming devices to the road.