The Public Safety Coordinating Council discusses homelessness, a free legal clinic on Social Security benefits, the Rotary Club raises funds for Alzheimer’s research, Trump in the Panhandle.
DeSantis Will Sign Controversial Bill With Conditions on Felons’ Voting Rights
Earlier in the day, the League of Women Voters of Florida held a conference call with reporters urging DeSantis to veto the Amendment 4 implementation bill.
Where Have All The Homeless Gone? Library Campers Scatter to Other Grounds, Some Find Roofs
More than half the homeless who lived near the library have scattered to other encampments while a few have found housing options with friends, family or through county and private help.
Faced With ‘Disgraceful’ Rent Increase at City Marketplace, Sheriff Will Move Palm Coast District Office to Old Sears Building
It’s only the latest example of the county’s largely self-inflicted and costly turmoil over land and building projects gone awry, going back to the Eden-gone-Hades of the old Memorial hospital and conversion into a sheriff’s operations center in 2013.
Tuesday Briefing: Mayor’s Challenge, Homelessness Task Force, Teachers Union Contract, Hammock Community and Bing’s
Flagler school board talks security–behind closed doors–the homelessness task force meets, Bunnell names a new finance director, and 59 people complete the Palm Coast spring 2019 Mayor’s 90/90 Challenge for Fitness.
All I Want For Mother’s Day Is Equality For My Transgender Child
She wasn’t allowed to use the girls’ bathroom. She had shoes thrown at her head when she wore leggings and lacy tops. She endured public school teachers making the sign of the cross and running off when she walked between classes.
From Vacation Rental Deregulation to School Board Term Limits: 11 Dead Issues from the 2019 Session
When lawmakers hit the road Saturday after ending the 2019 legislative session, they left behind hundreds of bills and issues that did not pass. But there’s always the 2020 session, which will start in eight short months.
County Considers Nuclear Option: Forcing Clerk To Cede Space to Sheriff at Courthouse
With Clerk of Court Tom Bexley and Sheriff Rick Staly at an impasse over space needs at the courthouse, commissioners are raising the possibility that they will force Bexley to give ground.
Retired Cop Whose Car ‘Reeks of Booze’ Flashes Badge at Flagler Deputy, and Is Arrested for DUI and Drugs
Brenton M. Hodge was in a traffic crash at US1 and Seminole Woods when, asked about smelling of alcohol, he flashed his retired-cop badge, but Flagler Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Weaver would have none of it.
Grand Jury Indicts Marion Gavins Jr. on 1st Degree Murder in Killing of Curtis Gray, Will be Tried as Adult
A Flagler County grand jury on Friday indicted Marion Gavins Jr. on a first-degree murder with a firearm charge, a capital felony, in the death of 18-year-old Curtis Gray on April 13.
Monday Briefing: Dunes Project Celebration, Community Health Fair, Flagler County Budget, Amendment 4
Flagler County government recognizes its employees who took part in the dunes restoration project, the county commission holds the first of many budget workshops, Desmond Meade on Amendment 4 now law.
Lawmakers Approve Record $91.1 Billion Budget; 10 Big Issues from the 2019 Session
The budget includes high-profile spending issues such as $680 million for the Everglades and other water projects; a $242-per-student increase in school funding; and $50 million to maintain for at least another year the state’s embattled tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida.
A K9 Chases Down an Armed Fugitive Making Suicidal Statements in Mondex Woods
Steven Janvrin, a 32-year-old resident of Rosewood Street in Bunnell wanted on drug charges, was arrested following a chase Friday in Daytona North, as a police dog found him hiding in woods.
Some 3,700 Students Will Participate in Daytona State College’s 59th Commencement May 13
The Class of 2019 features 550 Bachelor’s recipients and 1,700 associate of arts graduates. Many will continue their studies in a DSC baccalaureate degree program or smoothly transition as juniors to universities.
Weekend Briefing: ‘Hand To God,’ Culture Club, ‘Little Whorehouse,’ Songwriters’ Festival, Heroes Ride, Island Festival
City Repertory Theatre’s devilish “Hand to God” all weekend, The Caribbean Island Festival returns to Nature Scapes, the Culture Club kicks off at AACS, the Palm Coast Songwriters’ Festival returns, Arbor Day in Town center and plenty more.
Latest 2 Proposals for Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing Again Collapse as Sides Harden or Shift Positions
Captain’s BBQ says it won;t pay for a sewer extension even though the extension is needed only because Captain’s wants to expand, and the Hammock Community Association is no longer supportive of a new building site.
Satanic Panic: Devilish and Randy Puppet Invades City Rep Stage in ‘Hand to God’
In Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre production of “Hand To God,” a puppet ministry at a fundamentalist Christian church in a small Texas town takes a life of its own as Tyrone the puppet imposes a reign of terror and sex.
Renner’s Criminal Justice Reform, Including Lesser Punishments and More Work Options, Gets Overwhelming, Bi-Partisan Vote
Florida lawmakers on Friday overwhelmingly approved a criminal-justice package that includes the first change in 35 years to the legal threshold for felony theft and reducing punishment for some non-violent offenders.
3.5% Unemployment Rate Is Lowest Since 1969 as Economy Adds 263,000 Jobs
Wages again increased by 6 cents. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.2 percent, well exceeding the 1.6 percent rate of inflation, which means that the difference lifts the net standard of living.
Jack Howell Calls His Palm Coast Council Colleagues “Four Idiots,” Then Apologizes
Jack Howell called his four colleagues on the city council “four idiots” during an emotionally charged comment period at an open meeting of the Palm Coast Democratic Club Thursday evening.
The Real Threat To Free Speech On Campus
Conservatives complain when student protest hate speech, while progressive professors are the ones losing their jobs for speaking out as people of color and other marginalized demographics are demonized.
Bill Pushing Underground Power Lines Passes, But Higher Utility Bills Are Likely
A key part of the bill would change the way underground power-line projects are financed, a change that could lead to more projects — but also higher bills for utility customers.
A Middle School PAL Coach Is Ordered Off Matanzas High Property for Wearing an FPC Shirt. Disbelief Follows.
Derrick Griffin, a 35-year-old Navy veteran and beloved and respected coach of 50 Indian Trails Middle School PAL track students, was ordered to wear a Matanzas shirt or get off Matanzas’ track the last week of the season.
Ex-Bunnell Cop Mike Stavris Gets 15 Years in Prison and Sex Offender Designation for Repeat Offenses
The severity of the punishment signals a turn-around for a court that had previously been willing to give Michael Stavris the benefit of the doubt and a chance at rehabilitation.
As Bunnell and Flagler Fight Over Sheriff’s HQ, Nassau County’s Example May Point The Way
As Bunnell serves notice to Flagler County that it intends to go ahead with its challenge of the county’s decision to build a sheriff’s district office in Palm Coast, the county is opening its own possibility of extending the county seat to Palm Coast to get around any constitutional issues.
Mark Radcliff, 56, of Palm Coast, Killed, Daniel Castilloveiti, 34, Hurt in Separate Motorcycle Crashes
Mark Radcliff, 56, of Palm Coast’s F Section, was killed when his motorcycle ran into an vehicle driven by a 17-year-old Matanzas High School student pulling out of the school’s parking lot Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday Briefing: Cheryl Massaro’s Honor, USS Liberty, Playhouse’s ‘Best Little Whorehouse,’ Anti-Science
Cheryl Massaro is honored by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Flagler Playhouse starts its Best Little Whorehouse run, Ernie Gallo speaks of the USS Liberty at the Democratic Club.
Infected By Dangerous Myths, Flagler Has 2nd Highest Rate of Non-Vaccination in Florida
Though the measles outbreak–worst since 1994–hasn’t reached Flagler, it is highlighting a serious vulnerability in the county, where 6 percent of kindergarteners last year had a religious exemption from vaccines.
How a Flagler Tax Collector Employee Allegedly Pulled Off a 7-Year Embezzlement Scheme In Plain View
Deborah Thomas, 60, worked with Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston going back to 1985. Thomas is accused of embezzling over $20,000 in cash payments to the tax office going back to 2011.
Wednesday Briefing: Kaiti Lenhart, Civil Libertarian of the Year, Free Legal Clinic on Family Law, DSC Goal-Setting
Flagler Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart is the ACLU’s Civil Libertarian of the Year, the clerk of court and Flagler Bar offer a free legal clinic on family law, Democrats and Republican clubs meet.
Florida Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Local Governments From Regulating Plastic Straws
On a 24-15 vote, the Senate imposed a moratorium on plastic-straw bans, the latest example of the constant tug-of-war between the Legislature and cities and counties over local regulations.
Deemed Competent, Joseph Bova Will Be Tried For 2013 Mobil Mart Murder–and Medicated By Force If Necessary
Joseph Bova is pleading insanity in the February 2013 murder of Zuheily Roman Rosado, a single mother of six. To keep him competent for trial the sheriff’s jail personnel is authorized to use force to keep him on his medications.
Resignations and Suspensions at Palm Coast’s Building Department After Employees Accept Developer’s Whisky and Other Gifts
A developer brought eight bottles of Crown Royal, a bottle of Jack Daniels and boxes of chocolate to distribute to specific employees in Palm Coast’s building division around Christmas. The developer was doing business with the city.
Morning House Fire in Bunnell Leaves 3 Homeless, With Red Cross Helping
The small house at 506 East Lambert Street was 82 years old, and was substantially rebuilt 60 years ago. This morning, the 840 square-foot house was heavily damaged and made unlivable in a fire that broke out at 8:15 a.m.
10 Dogs, 8 Cats Seized at Waste-Infested House on Palm Coast’s Waywood Place
Two women face a civil suit filed by Palm Coast to determine whether they “neglected and cruelly treated” the animals and whether they are fit to care for them, according to an animal control report.
Tuesday Briefing: Bova and Acierno In Court, Entrepreneur Night, Palm Coast FiberNet, Candice Cole’s Cool
Candice Cole’s coolness under pressure, accused murderer Joseph Bova has another date to test his competence for trial, Entrepreneur Night is at Captain’s BBQ, Palm Coast discusses FiberNet.
Senate Approves Vast Deregulation of Hospital Expansions and Opens Way For Canadian Drugs
Under longstanding law, hospitals have needed to seek certificates of need from the state Agency for Health Care Administration to build facilities or to add certain services.THat would be eliminated.
Prosecution Drops Further Charges Against Michael Bowling as He Appeals 20-Year Sentence
Michael Bowling was sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting a 15-year-old, and faced even more serious charges involving his own step-daughter. The state opted to drop those charges.
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival’s Reprise Brings a Dozen Musicians and Their Stories For 3 Days at 2 Venues
The Palm Coast Songwriters Festival’s innumerable live acts and workshops runs Friday through Sunday at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater, and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation stage.
Ex-Palm Coast Boys and Girls Club Counselor Accused of Molesting Girl There in 2011-12
Dante Mobley’s alleged victim in this case was 8-9 years old. A sex offender, he was released from prison last year after serving five years on a statutory rape charge involving a 14-year-old girl. The present case pre-dates his incarceration.
‘Right To Survive’ Initiative: This City Might Give Homeless People the Right to Camp Anywhere
Denver’s ballot Initiative 300, a first-of-its-kind “Right to Survive,” would allow the homeless to camp anywhere on public lands without risk of arrest, If approved supporters aim to copy it elsewhere.
Monday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra Takes A Bow, Bunnell’s State, Tobacco 21
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 350-some students in five ensembles present their final concert of the season at the Auditorium, a Bunnell State of the City recap, raising tobacco’s legal limit to 21.
At Memorial For Curtis Gray, A March Against Violence, Appeals For Conflict Resolution, and ‘Dedication’
Palm Coast’s mayor, school administrators and coaches spoke to hundreds of students and others gathered Sunday in Central Park in memory of Curtis Gray, the Flagler Palm Coast High students shot dead on April 13.
Time is Running Out to Save Right Whales
The North Atlantic right whale is the most endangered whale in U.S. Atlantic waters, and entanglement in crab and lobster roping gear remains the biggest threat to the species’ survival.
Free Community Emergency Response Team Training Begins May 14
Learn basic disaster response skills – such as fire safety and light search and rescue – at the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program, which begins on May 14.
Irish Company Studio Media Buys Palm Coast Data and Signals 10-Year Local Commitment
Studio Media Group, an Irish company, today acquired Palm Coast Data from Pennsylvania-based Amrep Corp., the third time in 17 years that one of Palm Coast’s largest private employers is changing hands.
Florida Senate Creates New Program Using Public Money To Fund Private School Tuition
Florida senators on Thursday passed legislation that would allow more students to use taxpayer-funded scholarships to pay for private-school tuition, a major step toward expanding school choice in the state.
All FPC Students Directed to Stadium After School Officials Find Bomb Threat In Bathroom
All Flagler Palm Coast High School students–all 2,600 of them–were diverted to the school’s stadium this morning after a bomb threat was discovered in a school bathroom around 7 a.m.
Weekend Briefing: Curtis Gray Memorial, Community Art, Chorus, Cats, Best Little Whorehouse, Torch Run, Housing Fair
A funeral and celebration of life of Curtis Gray Saturday and Sunday, the NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet, Community Cats spring yard sale, ACLU honors Kaiti Lenhart, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Playhouse and much more.
A Courtroom for a Classroom, Built By Students, Gavels Matanzas High’s Law Flagship
Matanzas High School inaugurated its new courtroom, built by its own students for the school’s law and justice flagship, as the centerpiece of a program intended to develop future lawyers, paralegals and others interested in the law.