Commissioner Nate McLaughlin apologized in person to Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom and City Commissioners Jane Mealy and Marshall Shupe over comments he claimed were misconstrued.
Gov. Scott Visiting With Flagler Commissioners Friday But County Keeps Meeting Veiled
As has been the case with previous such visits, the Flagler County administration did not send out notices about the governor’s visit to the county Friday, morning, his fourth since Hurricane Matthew struck.
Flagler Youth Orchestra Performs History of Music in 16 Chapters Saturday in Palm Coast
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s most advanced ensemble will perform the tour de force at Palm Coast United Methodist Church’s Concert Series at 4 p.m. Saturday. It’s free.
Woman Stabs Husband in Self-Defense Near Dead Lake; He Faces Four Felony Counts
Earnest E. Thomas, 27, was allegedly stabbed by his wife in a confrontation in front of their young children but had been allegedly assaulting, strangling and imprisoning her, and was charged with four felony counts.
Thursday Briefing: Flagler Beach Talks Dunes, Pot and Tourism Dollars, Homeless Census, Roth on Trump
The Flagler Beach City Commission has a full agenda regarding the future of its beaches and its relations with county government, Flagler’s homeless population is counted one by one, Philip Roth on Trump.
Why Is the County Chairman Meddling in Flagler Beach’s Business, and Why Was Flagler Beach’s Manager Job-Hunting in Bunnell?
Flagler Beach officials were perplexed and angered by County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin’s apparent interference in their city manager’s–and their city’s–business at a time when county and city are trying to work out difficult issues.
House Panel Votes 13-1 to Ban Red-Light Cameras by 2020, But We’ve Been Here Before
State data showing increased crashes at red-light camera intersections adds momentum to the Florida’s latest effort to ban the cameras, but similar attempts have failed in the Senate before.
Oil and Gas Lobby Fumes as Lawmakers Push for Total Fracking Ban in Florida
The proposal to ban fracking follows a heavy debate during the 2016 session about a measure that would have created a regulatory framework for fracking in the state. Flagler County passed a resolution asking for a ban.
Red Light Blown, 2 Seriously Hurt in T-Bone Crash on Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre
A pre-dawn t-bone crash on Palm Coast Parkway–the second in nine days–sent two drivers to the hospital with serious injuries and resulted in a mangled delivery truck and a pick-up truck in a ditch.
Janis Washburn, 68, Found Dead in Intracoastal Near Hidden Treasures By Flagler Beach Bridge
Janis Washburn, 68, of Palm Coast’s E-Section, was detected by a jogger on the Flagler Beach bridge just before 11 a.m. She had lived in Palm Coast since 2008.
Wednesday Briefing: Economic Opportunity Council Demi-Shade, Local Tax Referendums, Red-Light Cameras
The Flagler County Economic Advisory Council holds a workshop without video or audio feeds, Palm West Home Realty marks five years, the latest Trump lies analyzed.
Trump On Your Side? Repealing Obamacare Is a Tax Break For Rich at Poors’ Expense
If Obama’s health law is reversed, taxes will go down for the rich and up for the poor, while millions lose coverage. It is redistribution for the wealthy.
To the Tune of Harpsichord, Indian Trails’ Sarah Flannery Is Flagler’s Spelling Bee Champion
Sarah Flannery will represent Flagler County in the 73rd Annual Regional Spelling Bee hosted by the Florida Times-Union. It will be held in Jacksonville next month.
Proposal to Shift “Stand Your Ground” Burden of Proof to Prosecutors Advances
The measure would shift the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors during pre-trial evidentiary hearings in “stand your ground” cases.
Rebecca DeLorenzo Resigns Flagler Chamber Presidency to Head Red Cross Chapter
Flagler Chamber officials say DeLorenzo’s resignation is an opportunity for the chamber to rethink its direction, including what staffing will be needed. The chamber had employed seven, down from 13 four years ago.
Tuesday Briefing: Ethics Training for the Elected, Wildcard Tennis Tournament, Zora Neale Hurston, Firefighters’ Cancer
Palm Coast’s new city council sits for some ethics training, the Men’s Futures tennis tournament fields its wildcard contestants, Zora Neal Hurston is celebrated all week.
Rift Opens Between County and Flagler Beach Over Dunes Fix; County Depletes TDC Fund
Flagler County commissioners agreed today to deplete a $1.5 million fund for beach management as part of a match to draw down state dollars, but none of the money would benefit Flagler Beach, angering officials there.
Greg Hansen Sworn-In, Completing Historic Republican Sweep of County Commission
Greg Hansen will fill the 22 months remaining on the term of the late Frank Meeker, a Republican who was often at war with the brand of local Republicans Hansen sympathizes with.
Fourth Fatality in 8 Days On Palm Coast Parkway as 60-Year-Old Beverly Campbell Dies
Beverly Ann Campbell, 60, had stopped near Florida Park Drive after her van struck a deer, and was rear-ended by 79-year-old Frank Mannarino, who told authorities Campbell’s van did not have its lights on.
Senate Bill Proposes Less Restrictive Approach to Florida’s Medical Marijuana Regulations
Under Sen. Rob Bradley’s bill, the state would add 20 marijuana operators, eliminate the minimum 90-day treatment before doctors can prescribe marijuana, and extend allowances to 90-day supplies for patients.
Monday Briefing: Greg Hansen Swears-In, Project Bags Incentives, Dunes Tensions, Doughnuts With Doughney
Gov. Rick Scott Appointee Greg Hansen fills the County Commission seat left vacant by the late Frank Meeker, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney holds another Doughnut With Doughney session, the county talks dunes restoration, Edith Wharton talks marriage.
All Storm Warnings and Watches Cancelled: “We’ve Dodged A Couple of Real Big Bullet”
Much of Palm Coast and Flagler County have a 30 percent chance of experiencing a tornado, as half the county is in a high-risk zone for very severe weather Sunday evening. The weather system spawned tornadoes across the Deep South, killing at least 15 people so far.
Trump Promised to Resign From His Companies. There’s No Record He’s Done So.
To transfer control of his companies, the president has to submit filings in Florida, Delaware and New York. That has not happened.
Jane Anne Staly, Civil Rights Champion in Central and Northeast Florida, Dies at 95
Jane Anne McNerney Staly, 95, of Maitland, the mother of Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and an influential civil rights and social services activist for over half a century in Central and Northeast Florida, died peacefully on January 19 in Maitland.
You’ll Miss Him
At noon today the world ended as the sound of seven trumpets was replaced by the words “I, Donald John Trump…” Until then it was a fairly good run. An excellent run, in retrospect, considering what we’re losing.
Public Schools Dealt Blows in Pair of Court Decisions Favoring Vouchers and Charters
One court decision upholds corporate tax vouchers for private schools, another diminishes the role of local school boards in deciding what charter schools may operate.
City Rep Theatre Inaugurates “Next to Normal,” a Musical on the Theme of Bipolar Disorder
“Next to Normal” debuted Off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Score. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009 and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning three.
Alleged Roma Court Academy Burglar Arrested, Had Left Home Over Stringent Rules
Markell Peck, 21, told the sheriff’s office he was in and out of Roma Court Academy for several days over the holidays because he wouldn’t stay at his mother’s place.
Resurgence: Georgia O’Keeffe, Chief Two Moons and a Jewish-Native American Connection
“Resurgence: Southwest Native Americans in Literature & Art” is a two-day event at Ocean Art Gallery, 206 Moody Blvd. (S.R. 100), Flagler Beach, Florida. The Native American paintings of Rachel Thompson will be on display and the artist will give a talk during a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Continuing Year-Long See-Saw, Flagler Unemployment Dips Back Down to 5.4%
For the past 13 months, Flagler County’s unemployment rate has been stuck within in narrow band in the mid-5.5 percent range, bottoming out at 4.9 percent last May and peaking at 5.7 percent three times along the way.
Weekend Briefing: Next to Normal at CRT, Career Day at Rymfire, Home Show, Black on Trump, The Inauguration
Next to Normal, the rock musical, at City Repertory Theatre, Lewis Black on Trump’s inauguration, the annual Home and Lifestyle Show at Flagler Palm Coast High School, and Career Day at Rymfire.
5 Years in Prison for Rebecca Lawless in DUI Death of Diane Upton in SR100 Crash
The five-year sentence is less than half the minimum required by law, but the judge agreed to the plea because Upton’s family, showing mercy, did not want Lawless more severely punished.
Short-Listed For High-Tech Finance Company’s 250 Jobs, Flagler Seeks $500,000 in Incentives
Flagler County government is making its most expensive pitch to attract 250 jobs, a high-tech finance company based in the Northeast and looking to expand either in Florida or Georgia.
Thursday Briefing: Project Bags, Thank A Mentor Day, Lawless Plea, District Spelling Bee
A special meeting of the county’s jobs council reveals “Project Bags,” Rebecca Lawless pleads in the DUI manslaughter death of Diane Upton, the district spelling bee at Wadsworth Elementary, Theodor Adorno.
Why Are Flagler Schools Talking Rezoning Despite 2,000 Empty Seats? One Word: Choice
Old Kings and Belle Terre elementaries are overcapacity because they’ve allowed too many out-of-zone students to enroll. Some Board members want limits on such “choice” enrollments before rezoning takes place.
Man, 19, and 15-Year-Old Arrested Separately in Connection With Recent Palm Coast Burglaries
Nasir Clark, a 19-year-old homeless man, and a 15-year-old resident of Big Bear Lane in Palm Coast were arrested Monday in connection with a string of burglaries, one of them occurring the day Sheriff Rick Staly was sworn in.
2016 Sets Global Heat Record For 3rd Straight Year, Raising Alarms of Irreparable Threats
Central Florida felt the heat: Orlando’s temperature average for 2016 was 1.80 degrees above normal in 2016. From late November through December, it was 5, 6 and 7 degrees above normal day after day.
School Board’s 1st Step in Replacing Jacob Oliva: Figuring Out How Broad of a Search
The Flagler School Board wants to hear from the state board association whether it should seek help through that route, though it intends to appoint a local citizen’s search committee as well.
Stringent Rules By Florida Health Department Would Circumvent Medical Pot Amendment
The proposed rules would maintain current vendors’ stranglehold on the medical marijuana industry and give authority to the Florida Board of Medicine, not individual doctors, to decide which patients qualify for marijuana treatment.
Wednesday Briefing: Rezoning for Homes Off U.S. 1, TDC Grants, Betsy DeVos’s War on Public Schools
The Flagler Tourist Development Council awards a few quality-of-life grants to local groups and businesses, rezoning for 348 homes along US1 in Palm Coast’s K Section, Scott McClanahan on Crapalachia.
Palm Coast’s New Founders:
Steven Nobile’s Multi-Generational Vision
Inspired by the muti-generational households he knew in Brooklyn, N.Y., Councilman Steven Nobile sees a Palm Coast where young families raise children, have plenty of work opportunities, and retire all in place.
2 Killed in T-Bone Crash on Palm Coast Parkway; Felon Ran Red Light; Road Rage Possible Factor
Two people were killed, including Terri Lynn Wickel, in a two-vehicle crash on Palm Coast Parkway at Pine Code Drive. Tyler L. Wilkinson is alleged to have blown through a red light.
Maxine Kronick, Fierce Doyenne of Local Arts and Children’s Theater, Dies On Approach of 80
Maxine Kronick, actress, special events coordinator and arts champion, had co-founder Theaterrific in the late 1980s in Palm Coast, a theater program for poorer children, and remained involved in local theater at Buddy Taylor Middle School and elsewhere.
Tuesday Briefing: The John Seth Difference, Flagler Schools’ Rezoning, Flagler Playhouse Expansion, Pink Army
FPC Band Leader John Seth gets national recognition, the Flagler School Board considers various rezoning proposals, the Flagler Playhouse wants to expand, The Palm Coast City Council refinances again, and Narciso Yepes plays on.
Feelin’ Alright: Rock Hall of Fame Member Dave Mason Traffics at Flagler Auditorium
Dave Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as a founding member of Traffic and has played with the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac.
Sheriff’s Chief Cole Places 1st in Crimestoppers’ 5K
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Chief Steve Cole, an avid runner and bicyclist, represented the Sheriff’s Office in Crimestoppers’ seventh Run to Stop Crime 5K race Saturday (Jan. 14) in Ormond Beach and placed first in his age group, 45-49.
Going Gray: Can Our Car-Centric Towns Adjust to Aging Baby Boomers?
The millions of boomers who will grow old in Palm Coast-like exurbs will put pressure on local governments to spend more on everything from transportation to senior services.
Flagler Superintendent Jacob Oliva Is Named Florida Vice Chancellor for K-12 Education, Will Leave in June
Superintendent Jacob Oliva’s three-year tenure has been largely controversy-free and saw the expansion of technology and classroom-to-career programs. He leaves in May.
Epic Theaters Evacuated After Gun Fears; Sheriff Warns: “This Is Not Going To Continue”
A brawl and fear of a gun at Epic Theaters Friday night triggered a panic and a massive police response. No weapon was found, but Sheriff Rick Staly is demanding that Epic come up with a better security plan.
Explosion and Fire Flare in J.T.’s Seafood Shack’s Kitchen in Hammock Injure Two Employees
The incident at J.T.’s Seafood Shack is believed to have been caused by a fire flare in the kitchen. Patrons were in the restaurant but were not affected.