Rose-colored Florida is a cynical myth, the stuff of marketing brochures, a developers’ conspiracy of enticing fiction to make their cash registers ring. The real Florida is a bitter, brooding reality beyond sugarcoating, argues Stephen Goldstein.
Ex-Verdego Employee Accused of Defrauding Customers and Company Van Theft
Travis Heidinger, a 40-year-old resident of 5 Llanes Place in Palm Coast, was booked at the Flagler County jail Tuesday on four counts of grand theft after an investigation concluded he’d defrauded at least customers and Verdego and stolen company property.
Flagler Emergency Official Cautions of Heat Indices Reaching 108 Through Friday
Today through Friday the heat index is hitting unusually high levels and will range from 102 to 108 in Flagler County, especially inland, prompting weather and emergency officials to caution residents and vacationers to stay out of the heat if possible, or take safety measures when in the heat.
Illness Sidelines Bill Lewis from Palm Coast Council and Re-Election Bid, Favoring Challengers
Bill Lewis, 83, has been battling shingles for more than a month and been a no-show at the council or on the campaign, opening the way for three challengers in the Palm Coast City Council race for District 4.
Meeting With Scientists on Global Warming, Gov. Scott Shows No Interest in the Science
Gov. Rick Scott, in a 30-minute meeting with scientists, asked whether the professors’ students were getting jobs in Florida, but showed no interest in the science under discussion or scientists’ urging him to prepare the state for the coming challenges posed by climate change.
Florida Draws 50 Million Visitors in First 6 Months of the Year, Boosting Tax Revenue
Visitors spent $35.7 billion from January to May this year, up 7.4 percent from the same period in 2013, according to Visit Florida. That translates into increased sales-tax revenue for the state.
When a County Commissioner Calls The Supervisor of Elections A “Bitch”
In a conversation with a reporter Monday, Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker referred to Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks as a “bitch” in what he termed a slip of the tongue, quickly apologizing afterward.
Lessons for Florida from A California Pot Tourist
If Florida’s voters approve Amendment 2, our state will have an opportunity to implement a marijuana law that avoids heading down California’s cynical path, argues Karen Cyphers. It will be a challenge, but the reward of fostering an honest, quality health-care system is well worth the effort.
Xanax, Beer and a Louisville Slugger: Mondex Man Accused of Battering Woman Over Drugs
Richard Spear, a 50-year-old resident of Daytona North is accused of battering a 30-year-old woman and threatening her and her ex-boyfriend, and smashing the ex-boyfriend’s car with a baseball bat.
1 in 6 Big Businesses Planning to Offer “Junk” Health Insurance Below ACA Standards
Many thought such low-benefit “skinny plans” would be history once the health law was implemented. Instead, 16 percent of large employers will offer lower-benefit coverage along with at least one health plan that does qualify under ACA standards.