The total economic impact of obesity is about $2 trillion a year, or 2.8% of world GDP – roughly equivalent to the economic damage caused by smoking or armed violence, war, and terrorism, according to new research by the McKinsey Global Institute.
Upon Further Review: Inside the Police Failure to Stop Darren Sharper’s Rape Spree
Nine women reported being raped or drugged by Sharper to four different agencies before NFL safety Darren Sharper’s capture. His Sharper’s rampage of druggings and rapes could have been prevented, according to a two-month investigation by ProPublica and The New Orleans Advocate.
Art League’s “Priceless” Fund-Raiser Nets $11,500, Opening New Era–and Possibilities
Best-selling author and art-crime sleuth Robert Wittman’s appearance at the Flagler Auditorium turned into the art league’s largest and most successful fund-raiser in the non-profit organization’s 36-year history.
As Rideshare Apps Like Uber Build Up Fares, Florida Senate Taps Insurance Requirements
As taxi and limo services call for stricter regulations on growing “transportation network companies,” the Senate has expanded an insurance measure to include a requirement for around-the-clock coverage on the vehicles of app-connected rideshare drivers.
Daytona State Honors 179 Students, Employees and Alumnus at Awards Convocation
A list of those honored is included. The awards convocation is the preceding event to the college’s commencement exercises that will take place on Monday, May 18, at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Center.
Will Florida Senate Recognize That Every Child Has the Right To Be Loved?
The choice is not whether church-sponsored agencies have a right to practice their religion. Of course they do. The issue is whether they have a right to enforce their beliefs against others when acting as agents of the state. They do not.
Draft Lease With YMCA at Belle Terre Racquet Club May Be Ready in May, But First, a Trial
The Flagler schoolo administration has made steady progress toward a lease agreement with the YMCA to take over the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, but a negligence lawsuit hanging over the club since 2012 may be heading for trial at the end of May or in early June.
Weekend Briefing: Flagler Beach’s 90th Birthday Bash, a Murderer Returns, Millennials’ Hookup Culture
Enoch Hall, on death row for the murder of a Volusia prison guard in 2008, challenges his conviction before Flagler’s Judge J. David Walsh, who presided over his trial. The Palm Coast Garden Club holds its annual sale, Flagler Beach holds its 90th birthday celebration.
Recovering From Major Cancer Surgery, County Chairman Meeker Addresses REC Expulsion
The Flagler County Republican Executive Committee’s expulsion of County Commission Chairman Frank Meeker may not be legal, and reflect the REC’s intention to put clubbish concerns ahead of county interests.
Relearning to Love the Bomb
The shocking thing about nuclear weapons is that they seem to have lost their power to shock. While the nuclear deal just reached with Iran is very good news, that effort should not obscure the bad news elsewhere, writes Garth Evans.
Rejoice, Students: There’ll Be Less Testing. But Not Much Less. House Approves Roll-Back.
The bill puts a hold on the use of student test data for school grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion to fourth grade until the new Florida Standards Assessments can be independently validated.
Guess Who’s Rethinking Guns In Schools: Colleen Conklin May Not Oppose Designating Concealed Carriers, But She’s In a Minority
Most Flagler County School Board members, the superintendent and the sheriff say school officers, not individuals carrying concealed weapons, can best address security needs in local schools. A bill making its way through the Legislature would allow school boards to designate employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons.
Dennis McDonald Sues Palm Coast Again, This Time Over Tripping On a Cracked Sidewalk
The city’s insurer denied Dennis McDonald’s claim for damages over an injury he suffered while walking on a Club House Drive sidewalk in 2013. He’s suing the city for damages of more than $15,000, though he’s yet top pay a slightly larger debt to the city, by a judge’s order, in compensation for a frivolous and unrelated lawsuit he’d filed five months after the accident.
Thursday Briefing: Anger Management at the County Jail, Renewed Debate on Police Tactics
Police tactics are again under scrutiny after a video captured the cold-blooded killing of an unarmed man running away from a cop in South Carolina. “Fresh Off the Boat” fails its writer, and the White House condemns “gay therapy.”
Gov. Rick Scott Angling For Sen. Bill Nelson’s Seat in 2018
Scott in an OpEd lectured Obama on how he’s balancing budgets, creating jobs and demonstrating “fiscal responsibility” here in Florida. He’s preparing for his next makeover and political campaign, writes Daniel Tilson.
Florida House Advances ‘Conscience Protection’ Bill That Discriminates Against Gay Adoptions
Three hours of debate and numerous attempts to diminish the ability of private, religious adoption agencies to deny placement among gay couples failed as the bill now appears headed for approval Thursday.
Palm Coast Man, 18, and Ex-Girlfriend, 20, Charged With Capital Child Rape
Paul Dyckes, 18, had been arrested on child porn charges in late March. Further investigation led the FDLE to uncover two incidents in which Dykes and his ex-girlfriend, Erin Marie Vickers, allegedly raped two children younger than 5.
As Sheriff Defends Cops’ Body Cams, Public Defender Warns Of Untenable New Work Load
Public Defender James Purdy agrees with Sheriff Manfre that cops’ body cams are a valuable addition, but he says neither his nor the state attorney’s office have the manpower required to review the data being generated by the cameras, and the Legislature isntt about to provide more money or attorneys to help.
Wednesday Briefing: Renaming State Colleges, SC Cop Charged With Murder, Florida as Obamacare Capital
A South Carolina cop is charged with murder after video surfaces showing him shooting a suspect in the back, after the suspect was stopped for a broken taillight.
Midnight Crash on I-95 Leaves Palm Coast’s Jeffrey Coffey, 30, in Critical Condition
Jeffrey Coffey, a resident of Palm Coast’s S Section, was in critical condition after a wreck on I-95 just after midnight Wednesday morning (April 8), the Florida Highway Patrol reports.
The Solar Price Revolution: Why Renewable Energy Is Becoming Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels
As some countries prepare to generate solar-powered electricity at half the cost of its production in the U.S., assumptions that generating electricity with natural gas or coal is less expensive or more efficient than solar power are rapidly becoming untenable.
Florida Senate Calls For Police Policies on Body Cameras, Addressing Privacy and Data
Body cams are worn by deputies at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jim Manfre instituted the practice when he took office in 2013 and has been an ardent defender of the cameras.
Travis Hutson Wins Senate Seat, Paul Renner Wins House in Special Election
Republicans Travis Hutson and Paul Renner have won the special election for Florida Senate District 6 and House District 24, respectively. Hutson defeated Democrat David Cox. Renner defeated Adam Morley.
Blues No More: Island Grille Will Pick Up Where Famed Flagler Beach Restaurant Left Off
Island Grille Restaurant will open before Memorial Day where Blue Restaurant used to be, with a partnership bringing together Blue’s Chef Gary Maresca, Woody’s Joe Rizzo and Chris Zwirn, Realtor David Alfin, and Flagler Beach’s Carla Cline.
Man, 18, Arrested After Rayonier Complains of Dumping, Partying and Shooting On Its Land
The arrest of James Cortright, 18, of Bunnell’s Mondex, follows Rayonier officials’ concerns about an area it manages in Palm Coast, just west of U.S. 1 and two miles north of County Road 13 that had been repeatedly used for illegal dumping, trespassing, illegal burns and illegal discharges of firearms.
Tuesday Briefing: Wittman at the Auditorium, Cops’ Body Cams, and Jeb’s Hispanic Origins
Florida lawmakers talk of regulating cops’ body cameras. The Flagler school board and Palm Coast City council have full agendas today. Jeb Bush discovers his Hispanic origins.
From One Second To The Next: Werner Herzog’s Texting and Driving Documentary
Werner Herzog’s texting and driving documentary on the consequences of tragedies started as announcements he’d agreed to make for AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign.
In Reversal, Scott Opposes Expanding Poor’s Health Insurance and Opens $2.2 Billion Budget Hole
Scott’s opposition means Florida would again forego $47 billion in federal aid over the next 10 years while fewer poor Floridians would have health coverage–and the state’s budget would lose $2.2 billion in current aid that federal officials will no longer provide to the state under its existing medicaid system, which falls short of federal standards.
County Rejects Contractor’s Sharp Protest as It Approves $9 Million Matanzas Interchange Bid
Watson Civil Construction of Jacksonville, sharply protested the bid award, claiming that Hubbard’s bid was incomplete and that the county’s process in accepting the bid went grossly against the county’s own policy. The process the county allowed, Watson claimed, set a precedent that will allow future bidders to game the system to their advantage.
Poll Finds Medical Pot Legalization Still Heavily Favored in Florida; Gov. Scott Still Not
But when voters could cast ballots on both matters last fall, they rejected a constitutional amendment proposal to legalize pot, albeit by a small margin, and they re-elected Scott, albeit by an even smaller margin.
Monday Briefing: Matanzas Woods Interchange Gets Busy, Carver Auction Gets Going, Rolling Stone Retracts
The county commission is set to approve a $9 million contract to start construction on the long-awaited Matanzas Woods interchange at I-95. Rolling Stone retracts its story on a rape at the University of Virginia; a noon webcast conference is scheduled at the Columbia School of Journalism.
Robert Wittman, FBI’s James Bond of Stolen Art, Brings His Best-Selling Tales to Flagler Auditorium April 7
Robert Wittman and the FBI’s art-recovery division he created were responsible for recovering some $225 million in stolen art through remarkably daring undercover operations. Wittman, a best-selling author, appears at the Flagler Auditorium on April 7 to recount his adventures in a fund-raising for the Flagler County Art League.
Florida Utility Proposes Doubling State’s Solar Energy Capacity, But Not For Another 10 Years
Duke Energy’s proposal to double solar capacity in Florida to 500 megawatts comes as as a coalition seeking to allow Florida businesses and property owners to sell limited amounts of solar energy has taken another step toward getting its proposal on the 2016 ballot.
Barnett Newman’s Stations of the Cross
Barnett Newman’s Stations of the Cross, 14 panels of abstract art retelling Christ’s Passion, are as sublime and austere as they are evocative.
As Expected, GOP’s Renner and Hutson Reel In Big Dollars, Opponents Don’t
In all, Paul Renner raised $294,340 and had spent $261,748 for the election Tuesday in a district that includes Flagler County and parts of St. Johns and Volusia counties.
Palm Coast Mayor Netts Urges Residents To Join Water-Conservation Challenge
By participating in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, Palm Coast residents can qualify to win a Prius and other eco-friendly prizes, and put the city on the map of greenest communities.
Florida Lawmakers OK Discriminating Against Gay Adoptions on “Religious” Grounds
Despite warnings that Florida would follow Indiana into a controversy with statewide economic implications, the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a bill that would allow private adoption agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples.
Weekend Briefing: 1st Friday in Flagler Beach, Special Election Early Voting, Lawmakers Get Homophobic
Good Friday closes many government offices but not the voting booth: early voting for the special election for House and Senate in Flagler continues through Saturday. The Big Red Bus needs your blood donations, plus a few words on Bush, Montaigne and Disney employees.
Job Creation Slows to 126,000, Unemployment Rate Stays at 5.5%
Several factors have slowed the economy in the first quarter: harsh winter conditions, recession in Europe and a surging dollar, which hurts exports. Even lower oil prices, which have benefited consumers at the pump, have crimped investment in the energy sector, reducing job expansion there.
Florida Prison Guards and KKK Members Arrested in Plot to Murder Black Ex-Inmate
Arrest documents in the case expose chilling details of the Klan’s organization in North Florida and offer a reminder of the region’s ugly history of racism.
Guilty of Being Poor: Across the Nation, Courts Shake Down the Destitute
From fines targeting the poor to civil asset forfeiture, courts have mounted odious means of seizing cash and property from people not charged with any crime and who can’t afford legal defense.
No Ice-Bucket Challenge Here: Staring Death Down, Ex-Teacher Fights ALS Her Way
Mary Ann Dominessy Reese, 62, of Plantation Oaks in Flagler Beach, was diagnosed with ALS in December. She has since started an awareness campaign that spread blue and white ribbons to the 50 states, Canada and England, and been raising money through such fund-raisers as last Saturday’s dinner for 120 people in her community.
After-School Confrontation Near Buddy Taylor, a Racism-Motivated Burglary at Kangaroo
A student allegedly stomped on the face of another after five students are reported to have set upon two school-mates walking home from Buddy Taylor Middle School Tuesday afternoon, and a man’s car was burglarized after a woman used a racist slur to tell him to lower the music from his car radio.
Ahead of Political Season, Sheriff’s PIO Chief Weber Is Latest on Growing List of Departures
Bob Weber’s departure means that none of the top staff Sheriff Jim Manfre introduced a day before his inauguration will be in the sheriff’s office by the end of April as significant turnover continues.
Thursday Briefing: Fair Days, Budget Crunch, and a Florida Land Sale the Size of Rhode Island
The Flagler County Fair continues. Some 560,000 acres, the largest undeveloped private land parcel east of the Mississippi, goes on sale in Florida. The land is between Gainesville and the Panhandle. McDonald’s $1 raise, but only at a few stores.
Fences May Rise in Front Yards Citywide and Descend in Backyards, Along Saltwater Canals
The Palm Coast City Council is verging on approving looser regulations for front-yard fences citywide, and stricter regulations on backyard fences along saltwater canals only.
Daytona State College May Have To Drop “State” From Name and Limit 4-Year Degrees
A Florida Senate proposal would forbid community colleges from using the word “state” in their name and cap at 5 percent the share of a college’s enrollment that could be made up of students pursuing baccalaureate, or four-year, degrees.
This Time a Car Break-In, Near Bealls, Is Followed By a Quick Arrest
Four women witnessed the mid-afternoon break-in of a Honda in the Winn-Dixie shopping center off Palm Coast Parkway Tuesday, soon leading to the arrest of Nicholas Leblanc, a Palm Coast resident with a long but non-violent arrest record in the county.
Wednesday Briefing: Flagler County Fair, Observer Fooleries, “Religious Freedom” Mockeries
The Flagler County Fair begins today, the Palm Coast Observer hires a new writer, for one day, the world’s largest sperm bank lands in Orlando, Apple’s Tim Cook warns of bigotry hiding under the banner of religious freedom.
CodeRed System Credited With Locating Missing 16-Year-Old With Special Needs
Within a quarter hour of a CodeRed alert that went out to 15,214 subscribers Monday evening, a 16-year-old boy with the mental capacity of a 6 year old who’d gone missing was located in the W Section.