Years of inattention by the city commission have led to a near-crisis point in Flagler Beach, requiring massive fee increases to keep up with the city’s critical infrastructure.
Old Kings Principal Ben Osypian and Indian Trails Assistant Principal Katherine Cooke Named Year’s Tops
Osypian is the 2017-18 Flagler Schools Principal of the Year and Katherine Crooke of Indian Trails Middle School is Assistant Principal of the Year. Both are now eligible for state honors.
Thursday Briefing: Model Yacht Club, Flagler Beach Water and Sewer Fee Increase, Charter Workshop, Fall Festival
The newly-formed Palm Coast Model Yacht Club meets at Palm Coast’s Central Park pond in Town Center at 2 p.m. to race its sailing boats, which vary in length from 3 to 5 feet.
A U.S. Soldier Died in Niger. What on Earth Are We Doing There?
If you were surprised to learn the U.S. has nearly a thousand troops in Niger, you’re not alone. But we’ve deployed troops to literally most of the planet, and our leading lawmakers don;t know it.
Florida Lawmakers Looking To Add Treatment Programs To Fight Opioid Epidemic
A combination of short-term intensive treatment beds, long-term outpatient services and medically assisted treatment could be the blueprint for a solution, a powerful lawmaker says.
Palm Coast Council Plays Up Charter Review. Until Its Lawyer Says It’s Not What It Seems.
Palm Coast government is paying the price of trying to have it both ways–appearing to hold a charter review process while at the same time distancing itself from a comprehensive review, as its charter calls for.
In Rare Case of Election Fraud, Palm Coast Felon Is Jailed For Casting Illegal Ballot
Jennifer Scott, 52, of Palm Coast’s R Section, faces two felony counts for allegedly fraudulently voting in the 2016 election, but an official says the issue is extremely rare.
Behind the Man Facing Monstrous Allegations of Incest, A History of Disabilities, But Not Incompetence
The mother of Paul Dykes, who goes on trial on charges of raping his own daughter next month, revealed in court today for the first time the personal history of the 20-year-old Palm Coast resident.
Wednesday Briefing: Paul Dykes, Economic Opportunity, Cypres Knoll Re-Dedication, Run, Rymfire Run
Paul Dykes, accused of numerous counts of child-sex crimes, may take the stand today, the Cypress Knoll golf course is rededicated, Flagler’s economic development board meets.
Bunnell Manager Dan Davis Placed on 6-Month Probation After Barrage of Criticism From Commissioners
Four of the five Bunnell city commissioners criticized Davis for his leadership style, his “demeaning” of employees or even commissioners, his lack of communications, but granted him a final reprieve.
Senators Angry At Delays In Medical Marijuana Licenses, Blaming Complacency
The head of the state’s medical-use office is blaming the delays on litigation over the constitutional amendment. Senators aren’t buying it, blaming complacency.
When Flagler’s Judicial System Makes a 10-Year Error In a 40-Year Prison Sentence
William Copeland is serving 40 years for shooting his daughter’s grandfather in Palm Coast in 2011. The court made a 10-year error in one of his sentences.
Officials Caution: Initial Rejection From FEMA Is Not The Last Word
Don’t just accept the initial response, because every resident has the right to appeal any decision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Flagler officials say.
Tuesday Briefing: Copeland’s New Sentence, Humanitarian of the Year Nominations, Rymfire Morning Mile
William Copeland wants a lesser sentence than the 40 years he got in the attempted murder of Accursio Venezia in Palm Coast, a foster home is proposed in Bunnell, walking at Rymfire.
Flagler And Cities Submit Lists of Requests To Lawmakers, Who Dampen Expectations
Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner listened to streams of requests from governments and constituents but made no promises in light of a “tough” legislative session ahead.
Washington, Jefferson, Madison: There’s No Defending Founders Who Practiced Slavery
It is still common, if not a norm, to hear founders’ ownership of slaves excused as part of the prevailing practices of their times rather than a contradiction with founders’ ideals.
At Hammock Beach Resort, A Woman Crashes A Wedding To Spy, And Violence Follows
Shelby McDowell, 26, crashed the wedding to which her boyfriend was invited and found him dancing with another woman, so she allegedly attacked them both.
Don Guldenschuh Jr. of Bunnell, 26, Is Killed in Biketoberfest Crash
Don Guldenschuh Jr., 26, was riding north on U.S. 1. when he lost control of his motorcycle as he took the on-ramp to I-95. He died at the scene.
Florida State Colleges Seeking Restoration of $30 Million Cut To Address “Employment Gap”
The money would help hire more faculty, provide more counseling services and create more programs aimed at closing the “employment gap” in high-demand jobs.
Monday Briefing: Navy Bombing In Ocala Forest, Stamp and Coin’s Last Meeting, Bunnell’s Manager
Live bombing, part of the Navy’s training, takes place all week at Ocala forest range, which may rattle Flagler windows, Bunnell’s manager’s job will be discussed in a commission meeting.
Short-Term Rentals in Flagler County: The View From Home Owners’ Associations
Paul C. Pershes, president of the 1,100-home Ocean Hammock Property Owners Association, addresses members of a key senate committee that will be hearing proposed regulations of short-term rentals.
In Kristen Hadeed’s “Permission To Screw Up,” A Cheerful, Nimble Corrective To Millennial Stereotypes
FPC Graduate Kristen Hadeed’s first book traces the stumbles of her 10-year journey as CEO of Student Maid, a cleaning company in Gainesville, with wit and counter-intuitive insights: a review.
Racist, Violent, Unpunished: A White Hate Group’s Campaign of Menace
the Rise Above Movement, one of whose men beat up protesters in Charlottesville, train to fight. They post their beatings online. And so far, they have little reason to fear the authorities.
Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Task Force’s Job Done, Attention Turns To Enacting Proposals
Several proposals the domestic violence task force put forth area already being enacted but many more remain unfunded or not yet fully analyzed.
Flagler’s Unemployment Rate Falls To 3.9%, A 10-Year Low, Even As Hurricane Whacks State’s Jobs Figures
Flagler’s sharp drop is even more remarkable for taking place during a month that saw Hurricane Irma cut across the region, severing power, work schedules and routines for almost 10 days.
FPC Grad, CEO and Author Kristen Hadeed Interviewed By Megyn Kelly On Today
Kristen Hadeed, a 2006 FPC graduate, was interviewed this morning on Megyn Kelly Today about her first book: “Permission To Screw Up.”
You’re Not Reading Wrong: [Title of Show] Sings Anthem To Selfie Culture In CRT Musical
The latest musical to be staged at Palm Coast’s City Rep Theatre is about creating a show that takes its name – brackets and all – from the entry form used to submit a finished work to a festival.
Weekend Briefing: Domestic Violence Summit, Legislative Delegation, [Title Of Show] at CRT, Blessing of the Animals
The sheriff unveils a domestic violence task force’s report, the county’s lawmakers listen to wish lists, City Repertory Theatre’s musical in its last weekend, animals are blessed at St. Luke’s Lutheran.
An Aryan Ass Vomits At UF
Protesting honors the flag, so does taking a knee during the anthem, but so does letting an idiotic white bigot have his 90 minutes on a stage at UF. Freedom of thought can take it.
Students Shout Down Richard Spencer’s “White Country” Speech at UF
Hundreds stood in protest on a barricaded street where law enforcement from throughout the state stood watch, on the road, on roofs, in nearby woods, in helicopters and through drones.
Paul Dykes Goes On Trial Over Accusations Of Child Rape and 21 Related Counts In November
The trial of the Palm Coast 20-year-old will be the latest chapter in an extensive and lurid case that involves Dykes’s one-time girlfriend, Erin Vickers, 23, whom a jury found guilty a month ago of raping her 1-year-old daughter.
No Maternity Wing or Trauma Unit Any Time Soon, But Florida Hospital Flagler Thrives On
Florida Hospital Flagler’s top leadership appeared at the Chamber of Commerce’s Common Ground breakfast Thursday morning with a sum-up of making it through recent stormy challenges and glimpses of what’s new within the hospital’s walls.
Thursday Briefing: Common Ground With Florida Hospital, Flagler Schools Resource Showcase, Paul Dykes
The Flagler Schools Resource Showcase is for all children from birth to grade 12, bringing together some 15 agencies and non-profits, Florida Hospital Flagler’s top leadership speaks at a Common Ground Breakfast.
Stanley Wykretowicz Acquitted On Aggravated Child Abuse Charge, May Face Negligence
The 42-year-old Palm Coast resident was looking at up to 30 years in prison had he been found guilty on a charge that he’d brutalized his 2-year-old niece. The defense said the girl was merely ill.
Us? “Hateful?” White Nationalists Deny Charge as Richard Spencer Readies UF Appearance
At the Charlottesville rally, Spencer supporters carried torches and chanted “Jews will not replace us” before a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer.
Woman Found Incapacitated For Days Next to 2 Dead Dogs In Her Palm Coast Home
The 70-year-old woman was found in critical condition on the ground inside her home at at 25 Llama Trail in Palm Coast, next to two dead German shepherds.
FPL Marks Opening of Its Palm Coast Service Center, a Category 5-Resistant Building
The 25,000-square-foot building near Florida Hospital Flagler can house some 100 workers in emergencies and would help speed repairs after a storm.
Wednesday Briefing: Planning Board, League of Cities, Wykretowicz Trial, Haumea Rings, Chambery Funeral Home
A new funeral home celebrates its grand opening in Palm Coast, the League of Cities’ mayors meet, Volusia deputies’ affairs, Molly Ringwald’s many other Harveys.
Constitution Revision Panel Advances Proposal to Restrict Abortion Rights and Privacy
The controversial proposals are among the very few, out of 2,000, put forth by the public, as opposed to by the commission itself, for potential inclusion on a referendum ballot.
Prosecution Stymied In Ex-Jail Guard’s Trial Over 2-Year-Old Girl’s Alleged Brutalization
Stanley Wykretowicz, 41, was the sole caregiver to his 2-year-old niece when he brought her to Florida Hospital Flagler, comatose and bruised, but his lawyers say she was merely ill, not abused.
Two Flagler Rescue Crews and 11 Sheriff’s Deputies Heading to Alachua as Part of Emergency Over Supremacist’s Event
Flagler County’s paramedics and deputies are part of a larger public safety response to prevent a Charlottesville-like degradation ahead of white supremacist Richard Spencer’s UF speech on Thursday.
Tip Leads Palm Coast Man Turned Fugitive on Molestation Charges To Be Re-Arrested in Las Vegas
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective George Hristakopoulos contacted the Las Vegas Police Department on a tip that Bryan Loveland may be in the area going by a false name.
Tip Leads Palm Coast Man Turned Fugitive on Molestation Charges To Be Re-Arrested in Las Vegas
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective George Hristakopoulos contacted the Las Vegas Police Department on a tip that Bryan Loveland may be in the area going by a false name.
Flagler Commissioners’ Legislative Priorities Unravel in Messy Amateur Hour
Less than five days from presenting their legislative priorities to lawmakers, Flagler County commissioners’ priority list devolved into a chaotic process that could undermine its goals.
Tuesday Briefing: Rezoning Off Colbert Lane, Improving Palm Harbor Charter School, Stanley Wykretowicz Trial
Today: Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows around 70. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. […]
Scott Declares State of Emergency in Alachua as White Supremacist Prepares to Speak at UF
Sheriff Sadie Darnell sought the emergency declaration “more so of being able to get the resources needed to prepare, rather than a sense of alarm regarding the protest.”
Flagler’s Domestic Violence Task Force Spurs Sheriff’s Action Ahead of Final Report’s Recommendations
Flagler County now has its own “batterer-intervention program” and Sheriff Staly will devote a detective full-time to pursuing domestic violence cases as his task force prepares to submit its recommendations Friday.
Flagler Commissioners Approving $400,000 In Grants to Six Critical Social Service Agencies
The grants subsidize free healthcare for the poor, a shelter for abused women, interventions for victims of rape, and help for addicts and individuals with mental health needs, among other services.
Stunner On Birth Control: Trump’s Moral Exemption Is Geared To Just 2 Groups
A separate rule allowing employers that are not religious organization to deny contraceptive coverage to employees is geared toward anti-abortion groups, but its legal status is doubtful.
Monday Briefing: Kristen Hadeed’s Tough Dad, Child-Abuse Trial, Hurricane Make-Up Day
Ex-cop Stanley Wykretowicz goes on trial on charges he brutalized his 2-year-old niece, it’s Kristen Hadeed week, the county commission writes social services checks, Trump forgets the 1st Amendment.