The Palm Coast City Council Tuesday is expected to approve leasing yet another site for a tall cell tower, the fourth in the past year and a half, to improve cell coverage in the city. AT&T is signed up for the 150-foot tower at Frieda Zamba pool, behind Wadsworth Elementary School.
DeSantis Proposes $91.4 Billion Budget, With Focus on Teachers and Environment
Lawmakers will decide whether to move forward with DeSantis’ priorities, such as his plan to set minimum teacher salaries at $47,500 — an idea that would cost $603 million next year.
Visiting Flagler, State Board of Education Singles Out Wadsworth’s Anna Crawford, a Finalist for State Award
Wadsworth Elementary Principal Anna Crawford is one of three finalists for the 2019-2020 Innovative Principal Award, and was recognized, along with one of her sixth grade students, during a state Board of Education meeting in Bunnell.
Fact Check: Surgeon General’s Marijuana Warning of ‘Gateway Effect’ Revives Controversial Claim
Whether marijuana can “prime your brain for addiction” elicits responses all over the map — reflecting just how contested this issue is and how difficult it is to speak definitively about marijuana’s impact.
Monday Briefing: What To Do With the Worthless Sears Building, Mosquitos, Flagler Youth Orchestra’s Legends Concert
The Flagler County Commission reorganizes and decides what to do with its plagued and unwanted Sears building, the Flagler Youth Orchestra holds its first major concert of the season at the Flagler Auditorium.
Daytona State College Announces New Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Daytona State College’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting brings the total number of bachelor’s degrees offered by DSC to seven. The new program is scheduled to begin fall 2020.
Flagler Professor Discovers Unknown Spanish-Timucua Book While on Sabbatical
Timothy J. Johnson, Craig and Audrey Thorn Distinguished Professor of Religion at Flagler College, recently discovered a Spanish-Timucua book by the Franciscan Friar Francisco Pareja. The book, previously unknown to scholars, was published in Mexico in 1628.
La Bonne Vieille Veuve Clicquot: History of Champagne’s Great Widow
As you get ready for New Year’s Eve, be sure to pick up the real stuff. Like Veuve Clicquot, the champagne served at Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca. Here’s a brief history of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne and its maker, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin.
Some 33 Pounds of Cocaine Wash Up on the Beach Near Surfside Condos in North Flagler
The dark gym bag was dark and covered in barnacles and seaweed, and the 15 bricks within were covered in sand and seashells, suggesting that the bag had been in the ocean a long time.
Coastal Flooding Warning for Palm Coast East of I-95 and Flagler Beach
The National Weather Service Sunday morning issued a coastal flooding warning for Palm Coast and Flagler County east of I-95 and the entirety of the barrier island, including Flagler Beach.
DeSantis Pitches Bonuses for Teachers and Principals Based on School Grades
Bonuses would be up to $7,500 for teachers and up to $10,000 for principals, drawing immediate criticism from the teachers union, which has long pushed for salary increases rather than bonuses.
Craig Coffey Lands Deputy Administrator Job in Okaloosa County, Ending Nearly Year-Long Search
The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously to confirm the appointment of Craig Coffey as deputy county administrator for $136,000 a year.
Children Speak Up in 2 Separate Cases of Alleged Child Abuse, Leading to Parents’ Arrests
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies responded to two separate incidents of alleged child abuse in a 24-hour period in Palm Coast, both of them resulting in the arrest of parents involved: Andrew Bass, a K-Section resident, and Teresa Berndt, a W-Section resident.
Sheriff’s Deputy Injured, New Charger Patrol Car Totaled, in Crash With Pick-Up in the Hammock
Flagler Sheriff’ deputy Kyle Gaddie was injured in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Road A1A and 16th Road in the Hammock late this morning.
Sharlyn Johnson, 60, Is Killed, in Two-Vehicle Crash at U.S. 1 and Eagle Rock Road
Sharlyn Johnson, 60, was killed Thursday evening in a two-vehicle t-bone crash at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Eagle Rock Road, just north of Plantation Bay. Christen Barney, 22, of Bunnell, suffered minor injuries.
Weekend Briefing: Freedom Fest at Airport, Rotary’s Helicopter Golf, AAUW Subs and Songs for Scholarships, Roger Smith
The 2019 Freedom Fest at the Flagler Airport, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Flagler raises money with “Subs & Songs for Scholarships,” The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach hosts a Helicopter Golf Ball Drop, and many concerts.
Now Calling It ‘Dangerous,’ Florida House Moves Toward Abolishing Constitution Revision Commission
The Constitution Revision Commission drew across-the-aisle scorn for the manner in which it successfully put seven amendments on the November 2018 ballot. Voters may get to vote on abolishing it–through a constitutional amendment in 2020.
Parent Who Allegedly Threatened to Burn Down Bunnell Elementary Over Racism Faces Felony Charge–and Potential Hate Crime
A 23-year-old parent of two children at Bunnell Elementary accused school staff of being racist and was heard allegedly threatening to burn down the school. The sheriff’s office forwarded a felony charge to the State Attorney’s Office and recommended a more serious charge under the state’s hate-crime law.
Should Commissioner Joe Mullins Be Chained and Muzzled?
In what he said was sarcasm, Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins wrote a woman that “We did decide to chain and muzzle all radical liberals in the county” at Tuesday’s town hall on dog-chaining, which he hosted. It’s an inadmissible offense on many levels.
Waste Pro Taps Home Grown Talent to Head Its Palm Coast Operation in Latest Reinvigoration
Waste Pro, the garbage hauler on contract to provide garbage and recycling service for residents in Palm Coast and unincorporated Flagler, appointed DSC graduate and long-time local resident Heather Badger-Felmet as division manager in Palm Coast.
Thursday Briefing: Great Kids, Census, World Diabetes Day, Bach’s Moravian Heritage, Quit Smoking
Damaris Ferreiro, Daniel Shevchenko and Chalyn Parks are October’s Great Kids Award recipients, it’s World Diabetes Day, a House subcommittee debates repeal of the state Constitution Revision Commission.
Sunshine State News and Nancy Smith Say Goodbye After 10 Years
Nancy Smith has been the editor of Sunshine State News, the conservative online news site, for all its 10 years. Smith describes those years and why the time has come to say goodbye.
Lawsuit Over Banned Use of Loudspeaker for Christian Prayer Before School’s Game Is Back On
A federal appeals court Wednesday overturned the dismissal of a lawsuit about whether the Florida High School Athletic Association improperly prevented Christian schools from offering a prayer over the stadium loudspeaker before a 2015 state championship football game.
Flagler’s Permissive Rules on Dog-Chaining Draw Loud Calls for Revision as Palm Coast Takes Note
Some 65 people turned up at a “town howl” on dog tethering at the Flagler Humane Society Tuesday evening, where County Commissioner Joe Mullins pledged he would be revisiting a controversial county ordinance. The debate may have consequences beyond county government as Palm Coast is in the midst of revising its own animal ordinance, and Flagler Beach may follow suit.
Michael Cummings Pleads to Murdering Ex-Wife at Palm Coast Home and Faces 30 Years to Life in Prison
Days from his trial on a first-degree murder charge, Michael Cummings, 48, pleaded to second degree murder in the death of Faith Cummings, 44, at their Point Pleasant home in Palm Coast in January 2018.
The Thrill Is Gone: Bunnell’s Alvin Jackson Survives Firing Attempt, Then Gets Small Raise After Tepid Evaluations
An attempt by Bunnell City Commissioner Jan Reeger to fire Manager Alvin Jackson failed Monday, but brought to light divided opinions about Jackson’s performance and serious claims about his financial and employee management.
Wednesday Briefing: Kevin James, Joseph Colon in Court, Human Trafficking, Women in Leadership
Comedian Kevin James is at the Peabody, accused murderer Joseph Colon is scehduled for a pre-trial, the Public Safety Coordinating Council talks human trafficking, the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce hosts a Women in Leadership luncheon.
Measure Would Loosen Minimum Mandatory Drug Sentences, But Police Chiefs Object
A bill would loosen mandatory minimum sentencing laws for some drug-trafficking offenses. The proposed change that ran into opposition from law enforcement officials.
Mary Ann Clark, Resolute Founder and Leader of Innumerable Flagler Institutions, Dies at 91
Mary Ann Clark’s eclectic leadership, tenacity, verve and love for her community founded, fostered or shaped many of Flagler County’s cornerstone civic and cultural organizations over the past four decades.
Flagler’s Fair Housing Rules Would Add Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence, Veterans and LGBTQ
The Flagler County Commission in the next few weeks is expected to hear a proposal to revise the county’s fair housing ordinance, which hasn’t been revised in 30 years. The proposal would add or clarify several protected classes.
Tuesday Briefing: Judge Totten Seated, Affordable Housing, Town Howl on Dog Chaining, Suicide Loss
Newly appointed County Judge Andrea Totten is seated, the Flagler Humane Society hosts a “Town Howl” on dog chaining, The Bunnell commission considers rezoning for apartments, Flagler’s Community Traffic Safety Team meets.
AdventHealth Names Chief Clinical Officer for the Central Florida Division – North Region
AdventHealth has selected Julie Vincent to serve as vice president and chief clinical officer for the company’s Central Florida Division – North Region. Effective Nov. 18, Vincent will lead clinical efforts and provide executive oversight for the chief nursing officers and chief medical officers for the AdventHealth operations in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties. Vincent […]
Daytona State College Announces New Specialization Courses for Risk Management and Insurance
Daytona State College has added a new component to its Associate of Science degree in Business Administration with the addition of specialized courses in Risk Management and Insurance (RMI). These courses are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs in the insurance industry. “Recent trends in the insurance industry, regionally and locally, prompted us to offer the specialization,” […]
St. Augustine’s Meldrim Cottage Now at the Florida Agricultural Museum
The Florida Agricultural Museum is proud to announce that the Meldrim House in St Augustine is now ready to join the growing village on the Museum’s property on US 1 and Old Kings Rd in Palm Coast. It will be moved on Tuesday November 12 at 9am and will join several other buildings that have […]
Palm Coast City Council Recognizes ‘Be Local, Buy Local’; Recycling; and Diabetes Awareness
The Palm Coast City Council recognized three important community-wide topics at the Tuesday, Nov. 5 business meeting with proclamations. The first proclamation declares November as Diabetes Awareness Month, as requested by AdventHealth Palm Coast. With nearly 30 million people in the U.S. affected by diabetes, increasing awareness of risk factors and symptoms may improve the […]
Solitary Confinement in Florida’s Prisons and Juvenile Detention Challenged in Court
In separate but parallel lawsuits, civil-rights and legal groups are challenging Florida’s use of solitary confinement in prisons and juvenile detention centers —- but are facing pushback from state agencies.
At Opponents’ Meeting on The Gardens Development Off John Anderson, More Vigilance Than Chest-Thumping
A community meeting by a group that opposes The Gardens development off John Anderson Highway drew some 100 people Thursday evening but kept the shrillness and triumphalism to a minimum, focusing instead on how to maintain “positive, respectful pressure,” in the group’s president’s words.
Investigation Shows Bullet Nearly Struck Woman as Felon Shot Into 2 Homes Over $10 Dispute
Wyatt Cunningham, 62, of west Flagler, is accused of firing a rifle several times into two homes, both occupied by several older people, over an argument involving a $10 bill for mowing grass.
Palm Coast Uber Driver, 53, Accused Of Molesting Deceased Girlfriend’s 11-Year-Old Daughter for 2 Years
Philip Frederick Martin, 53, of 95 Wedgewood Lane in Palm Coast, had been allowed to continue visiting with his deceased girlfriend’s daughter, who reported the alleged molestation took place over two years.
Veterans Weekend Briefing: Last of “Spring Awakening,” Kaiti Lenhart at AAUW, Chamber Players, NAACP Awards, Airmen
Last weekend for “Spring Awakening” at Palm Coast’s City Rep Theatre, Kaiti Lenhart is the featured speaker at AAUW, Artist Choice and Young Emerging Artist Exhibit at the Art League, the NAACP hosts its annual awards banquet.
DeSantis Snaps Over Questions About Connections to Indicted Ukrainian-American Businessmen
Pressure has grown over the past month for Gov. Ron DeSantis to answer questions about tensions in the state Republican Party and his ties to two Ukrainian-American businessmen indicted on federal campaign-finance charges.
New Report Concludes Sheriff’s Operations Building ‘Should Be Ready for Re-Occupancy’ With Repairs
There are continuing issues at the sick, former Sheriff’s Operations Center in Bunnell, but they are repairable, or treatable, a moisture and concrete evaluation report to the county concludes even as it lists a series of problems.
Flagler Is No Citrus: Local Officials Say New York Times Is Safe From ‘Fake News’ Censorship at Library
In the wake of Citrus County commissioners rejecting a public library digital subscription to The New York Times, Flagler County’s library and government officials stressed that nothing like that would be tolerated locally.
Next Year’s School Calendar Builds In 2 Days Off for Elections and Hurricane Make-Up Days, Leaving Thanksgiving Week Off Intact
Next year’s Flagler schools calendar will keep students off campus on election days and provide four built-in hurricane make-up days before Thanksgiving Week is affected.
Thursday Briefing: Chamber’s Salute to Veterans, Rubio Staff at Wickline, Community Meeting on The Gardens
The Chamber of Commerce hosts its Veterans breakfast, Sen. Marco Rubuio’s staff holds office hours at Flagler Beach’s Wickline Center, a group opposing The Gardens development holds a community meeting.
How Republicans, Not Russians, Threaten Fair Elections
Republicans are less likely to win elections when voter turnout is high. So GOP lawmakers have been doing all they can to restrict or roll back voting rights.
Florida Supreme Court Set to Uphold Restrictions on Felon Voting Rights Based on Repayments
Florida Supreme Court justices appeared convinced Wednesday that a constitutional amendment, overwhelmingly approved during the November 2018 election, requires payment of restitution, fees and other legal costs for felons to have their voting rights restored.
The Gardens Development Off John Anderson Scales Back Significantly, But Still Faces New County Obstacles
The Gardens off John Anderson Highway was originally planned as a 3,966-home and apartment development but was scaled back to 330 lots. Even then, county regulators said it would need a rezoning to go forward, a politically uncertain step the developers are loath to take.
5 Children Split in Foster Care, 8 Pets Looking for Homes and Donations Sought as Result of Parents’ Negligence
With their parents, Betty Allen, 42, and Dennis Allen, 44, facing felony neglect charges the five children have been split between two foster homes and their eight pets, including four dogs, put up for adoption in the fallout from the discovery of a Bunnell house in a deplorable state.
For 1st Time in 11 Years, County Tells Bunnell Homeless Are Shared Problem as Shelter Backers Seek Compromise
As a federal investigation forced Bunnell government to allow the re-opening of a homeless cold-weather shelter there, County Administrator Jerry Cameron told city officials what they haven’t heard in 11 years: that homelessness is a shared responsibility.