Interim Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron said the media “interjected” themselves in the controversy over the order to vacate the homeless from around the library before the matter was “ripe.” FlaglerLive’s editor disagrees.
Interviews For Palm Coast Manager Sharpen Choices for Council as Styles, Strengths And Flaws Emerge
Three candidates–Robin Hayes, Donald Kewley, and Matthew Morton–made their case to unseat Beau Falgout as they interviewed for Palm Coast City manager, mostly behind closed doors, today. A full report on how they did.
Everything From Impact Fees to Franchise Fees Could Be Called ‘Taxes’ Under Proposal Worrying Cities and Counties
On the local government level, the proposal would identify as a tax any new or increased special assessment or non-ad valorem assessment, impact fee or mobility fee, and franchise fee.
Thursday Briefing: Palm Coast Candidate Interviews Day 1, Steve Jobs on Death, Health Survey, Mozart’s 29th
Palm Coast City Council members interview manager candidates, mostly in closed-door sessions, with a public reception this evening, the Supreme Court hears a prison murder case, Steve Jobs on death and life.
Facing Mounting Criticism, Flagler Scraps Exiling Palm Coast Homeless and Will Keep Them Near the Library
Averting what was turning into another embarrassing shamble, Flagler County government today scrapped plans to evict the homeless from the public library grounds in Palm Coast and exile some to an isolated camp at the far end of the county.
Criticizing Israel Isn’t Anti-Semitic. Here’s What Is.
In light of accusations of anti-semitism being leveled against U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, what is anti-semitic is the cacophony of mainstream media and politicians saying that criticizing U.S. policy toward the state of Israel is the same as attacking Jewish people.
Florida’s House and Senate Are Nearing a Deal on Allowing Any Form of Smokable Pot
Under the revised plan, dispensaries could sell any form of smokable marijuana, and patients could buy devices to smoke cannabis at state-licensed medical marijuana treatment centers or other retail outlets, such as head shops.
Mayor Welcomes Public, But 3 Palm Coast Councilmen Will Hold Closed-Door Interviews With Manager Candidates
Mayor Milissa Holland is leaving her door open to press and public during her one-on-one interviews with manager candidates Thursday, Eddie Branquinho, Bob Cuff and Nick Klufas are closing their doors. Jack Howell isn’t holding interviews.
This Is Russell Landing: Flagler County’s Idea of a Homeless Camp
An examination of Russell Landing, the extremely isolated site Flagler County would move homeless people to, is not as healthy, safe or desirable a location as the county is making it out to be.
Wednesday Briefing: Regal Reeger, Stand Your Ground at Supreme Court, MalaCompra Basin Water
Flagler County’s Engineering Department hosts a public meeting on the MalaCompra Basin Water Quality Enhancement project, the Supreme Court hears a stand your ground case.
Mealy and Belhumeur Keep Seats in Flagler Beach, Reeger and Baxley Win in Bunnell, Newcomer Doug O’Connor Wins Beverly Beach
Jane Mealy and Rick Belhumeur won decisively in Flagler Beach, Jan Reeger won by two votes in Bunnell, incumbent Bill Baxley won by a far larger margin, and in Beverly Beach, newcomer Doug O’Connor unseated one of three incumbents.
Palm Coast’s Sarah Rudolph, 20, Matanzas and DSC Graduate, Dies in Apparent Suicide
Sarah Rudolph had made her way through the Flagler County school system from her earliest year and had recently been admitted into the U.S. Air Force, according to her obituary. Hers is the fourth suicide of a Flagler resident 25 or younger since September.
Back From “A Prison Known As the US House of Representatives”: DeSantis’s State of the State Address
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address, as prepared and provided to media, on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. The text does not reflect improvised asides and added personal stories.
FPC’s Problem Solvers Will Present Their School-Safety Initiative to Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission
Members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Community Problem Solving Group “FPC Bulldog Patrol” have been invited to present their project to the next meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, April 9-10, at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.
Tuesday Briefing: Great Kids, Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Beverly Beach Elections, Matanzas Riverkeeper, State of the State
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his first State of the State address, Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach hold their commissions’ elections, three great kids are named in three schools.
Sen. Hutson Pauses on His Bill Banning Local Regulations of Straws, Opting For a ‘Study’ For Now
The study would look into the environmental impact as well as the quality of life of people with disabilities who “may rely on single-use plastic straws for feeding and hydration,” but opponents of the measure say the matter has been studied enough.
Waste Pro Starts New, Shorter Routes In Attempt To Improve Service, But Bins Must Be Curbside By 6 AM
Customers are reminded that garbage and recyclables collection in Palm Coast runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Garbage must be placed at the curb no later than 6 a.m., or the evening before scheduled pickup.
Citing Bad Deals and Other Needs, Flagler Commission Rejects Loan to Buy $1.1 Million Sears Building for Tax Collector
Commissioner Dave Sullivan opposes buying the old Sears building, saying the county should stop removing private business property off the tax rolls when it has land of its own it can build on. He also wants the county to focus on the Sheriff’s Operations Center and the Plantation Bay utility first.
Silencing Home Rule: Sen. Travis Hutson’s Wrong Way On Single-Use Plastic Straws
The fact that the bill prohibits local governments from banning plastic straws will allow a serious and completely unnecessary pollutant to continue to injure sea life, litter beaches and infiltrate land and water.
Monday Briefing: Girls and Boys State Delegates, Community Health Fair, Health Survey Extended, Fracking, Plastics and Drones
The Girls State and Boys State delegates have been selected, Flagler County hosts a community health fair at Hidden Trails, the Flagler Health Department has extended its health survey, lawmakers take on fracking, drones and plastic straws.
Halifax Health Among Hospitals Paid Less By Medicare Over High Rates of Infections and Patient Injuries
The penalties pit hospitals against one another in a race to prevent the most infections, blood clots, cases of sepsis, bedsores, hip fractures and other complications. Each year, the quarter of general hospitals with the highest rates are punished, even if their records have improved from the previous year.
What National Emergency?
American leader not only genuflecting to autocrats from Turkey to Russia to Saudi Arabia, but behaving like them is a more serious national emergency than what few migrants are still crossing the border illegally.
Sheriff’s Employees Were Not Imagining It: New Report Finds Mold From Water Intrusion at Sheriff’s Operations Center
The result of wall cuts and analysis below floor tiles pointed to extensive water intrusion and the discovery of black mold in two locations, among other problems, and no indication that the building may be re-occupied any time soon.
DeSantis Blames Broward Sheriff For Murder of 22; Attorney Charges ‘Scandalously False Allegations’
A bill of particulars Suspended Sheriff Scott Israel’s case includes allegations related to the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and an attack at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
“The Eagle Has Landed”: Flagler Reads Together Marks 50th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing, All Month
Flagler Reads Together features free programs about space flight and the historic mission of Apollo 11, focusing on Jeffrey Smith’s “The Eagle Has Landed” and other aspects of the moon landing 50 years ago.
Weekend Briefing: DSC Job Fair, Stamp and Coin Annual Show, Youth Orchestra Concert, Martini Madness, Hair Cuts From the Heart
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s top performers are in concert at Bunnell’s First Baptist Church, the Stamp and Coin Club has its annual meeting, Daytona State hosts a job fair, Haircuts From the Heart.
Exult, Rejoice: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 30 Top Musicians Showcased In Their Newest Concert Venue Saturday
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s top ensemble, the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, performs a concert to benefit the FYO at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at a new venue for the musicians: First Baptist Church in Bunnell, 2301 Commerce Parkway.
Hurried Mess: Why The Latest County Meetings on Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Were Canceled, and What’s Next
A combination of questionable timing, lack of sufficient notice, lack of preparation and the absence of some commissioners led to the cancellation of a pair of much-anticipated county commission meetings on Captain’s BBQ and Bing’s Landing this week.
Sheriff’s Detectives Investigate Death of Richard W. Smith in Isolated Woods of Flagler Estates
Richard Wyatt Smith, 45, of 12th Street in Elkton, had been reported missing by his wife earlier Wednesday morning. He was found in his car deep in the woods of Flagler Estates, in northwest Flagler County.
Thursday Briefing: District Band Festival at FPC, “Patriot” Show at Bethune-Cookman, Luna-tics Win, Flagler Beach Land Sale
The District Band Festival kicks off three days at Flagler Palm Coast High, Flagler County’s all Girl Scout Team, The Luna-tics, win in the Northeast regional Robotics Championship.
State Audit Finds Slew of Irregularities and Procedural Disarray at Flagler’s Mosquito Control District, But No Fraud
A state audit of Flagler County’s mosquito control agency found a budgeting and procedural process in disarray but did not see fraud in the seeming disappearance of $1.1 million, which had more to do with overspending.
DeSantis Suspends Ex-Dr. Fruehan From Flagler Mosquito Board Over Felony Charges
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order suspending Florence Fruehan from the East Flagler Mosquito Control District board pending the resolution of two felony counts against him.
DeSantis Pushes Hard Line Against Sanctuary Cities, Calling For Collaboration With ICE
DeSantis is urging Florida sheriffs to participate in a federal immigration enforcement program in which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, deputizes local law officials.
Ex-Bunnell Cop Mike Stavris, Imprisoned For Impersonating Kids Online, Arrested on Related Violation Days After His Release
Michael Stavris, now 34, of Palm Coast’s F-Section, allegedly admitted to creating a fake Facebook account and impersonating the same girl he’d impersonated in 2014, resulting in computer pornography charges and an eventual plea deal with a shorter prison sentence.
Wednesday Briefing: Bing’s Landing Meeting Cancelled, Compassionate Friends, Stetson Jazz Ensemble, Health Survey
The County Commission cancels a meeting to decide whether, where and how to build an expanded Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing, the Stetson Jazz Ensemble performs, Compassionate Friends meet..
Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Expelling Planned Parenthood From Family Planning Program
The program provides contraceptives, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and other primary health services to 4 million patients each year, many of them low-income or uninsured, at more than 4,000 clinic sites.
That Homeless Camp Behind the Public Library: A Palm Coast Problem Requiring Immediate Action
After taking a walk through the homeless camp near the library and speaking with its residents, Palm Coast Council member Jack Howell calls for creating a committee to address the issue from various angles.
From Pot to School Safety to Deregulation: 10 Issues To Watch In 2019 Legislative Session
Led by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, lawmakers this year will deal with myriad issues, ranging from passing a state budget to deciding whether to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana.
Criminal and Civil Cases In Mobil Mart Murder of Store Clerk Zuheily Rosado Approaching Trial, Or Resolution
Joseph Bova, the man accused of murdering Zuheily Rosado at a Palm Coast gas station six years ago, will have his competency for trial evaluated in two weeks, and a civil case may reach a settlement before an April trial date.
Jack Howell Excoriated Over ‘Lock and Load’ Analogy as Palm Coast Council Fixes Manager Shortlisting Error
A resident criticized Palm Coast Council member Jack Howell for using what he perceived as aggressive military terminology in proposing to hire Interim Manager Beau Falgout. Howell said he’d be more careful.
Tuesday Briefing: Rosado Murder Civil Suit, Entrepreneur Night, Kids’ Town Hall Meeting, Stetson University Concert Band
A case management hearing is scheduled in the civil case against the Mobil station where clerk Zuheili Rosado was gunned down in 2013, Flagler Beach Mayor Linda Provencher hosts a kids’ town hall meeting, Entrepreneur Night at the Hammock Wine and Cheese Garden.
Supreme Court Impanels Grand Jury to ‘Investigate Crime’ and ‘Return Indictments’ on School Safety
Chief Judge Jack Tuter, of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, will preside over the panel, which will meet for one year and will be comprised of jurors drawn from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, according to the order.
Details Emerge in Death of April Descartes: ‘No Foul Play,’ But Cause May Not Be Known For Months
The medical examiner found no reason to think someone had harmed April Mancuso Descartes, 39, who was found dead in her bed Saturday at her home in Palm Coast.
Flagler Commission Signs Contract Worth $237,000 With Interim Administrator Cameron
The $237,000 compensation package for Jerry Cameron includes a salary of $160,000, a $1,000-a-month car allowance, $14,155 in personal days and $7,100 in deferred compensation, though Cameron is already drawing state retirement benefits.
Pick-Up Rear-Ends Bunnell-Bound School Bus With 40 Students Aboard in Palm Coast’s LL Section
A pick-up truck rear-ended a school bus that was approaching the end of its morning run in Palm Coast’s L Section this morning, a collision one witness described as “like a bomb.” One child suffered neck pain, the drivers were not hurt.
Monday Briefing: Fruehan Arraignment, Happy Hour Fundraiser for Free Clinic, Cameron’s Contract, Bunnell’s Special Events
The County Commission is expected to ratify a contract with its interim administrator valued at $237,000 in total compensation, the Free Clinic has a fund-raiser at the Brown Dog, Florence Fruehan is arraigned on felony battery charges.
Let Marijuana Help Fight Opioid Abuse
It’s time for lawmakers and health officials to recognize the well-established power of medical marijuana to treat chronic pain — and to acknowledge its emerging role in combating the opioid abuse crisis.
Detectives Investigating Death of April Descartes, 39, in Palm Coast’s R-Section
Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives, deputies and the Crime Scene Investigation units have been at 37 Robinson Drive since this morning, investigating the death of April Descartes, 39, who owned the house there.
Sheriff Fires Armor, Jail Health Provider at Center of Anthony Fennick’s Death, and Institutes Immediate Changes
Sheriff Rick Staly is firing Armor Correctional Health and instituting a series of measures at the jail making family-inmate contact easier in critical times, and information more readily accessible.
In Re-Trial, Michael Bowling Is Found Guilty Of Molesting 15-Year-Old Girl at Sleep-Over
Michael Bowling, 48, was found guilty at the end of a week-long trial of molesting a 15-year-old girl two years ago in a Mondex mobile home, when she’d been visiting his step-daughter.