A majority of the U.S. Supreme Court said a law similar to Florida’s, in Minnesota, allowing breath tests for DUI, does not violate the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, which bars unreasonable searches and seizures.
Abra Seay, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Candidate: The Live Interview
Abra Seay is one of three candidates for Flagler County Elections Supervisor in the Aug. 30 primary, which in this race amounts to the general election: All voters, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a ballot in this race, which will decide the winner.
Trump Regains Lead in Florida as Clinton’s Numbers Crash Over Email Server Findings
In a sharp reversal from three weeks ago, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has regained the advantage over Hillary Clinton in Florida and Pennsylvania and remains tied in Ohio in the latest Quinnipiac University swing-state poll.
Home Invasion Assailant Killed by Tenant on Frank Place in Palm Coast, 2nd Suspect Surrenders
Victor J. Betty, 28, was killed in an attempted home invasion on Frank Place in Palm Coast early this morning, and Carl Devore of Palm Coast turned himself in later today as the wanted second suspect in the incident.
Wednesday Briefing: Pot Citation Verdict, Cultural Art Grants Workshop, Rubio v. Zika, “Terrorist”
The Public Safety Council delivers its verdict on de-criminalizing pot, Palm Coast’s non-profit cultural organizations can learn how to apply for city grants worth up to $3,000, “terrorist” as a biased word, alarm bells over the bond market.
In Debt, Flagler Chamber of Commerce Seeking to Sell Building But Stay Put as Tenant
As debts have caught up with the organization, members of the Flagler Chamber of Commerce and Affiliates this afternoon learned that the chamber is seeking to sell the 10,000 square foot building it has owned, occupied and leased to other tenants since 2006.
Sharply Split Court Revamps and Complicates Challenges to Solitary and Restrictive Confinement
Giving more “deference” to the Florida Department of Corrections, a sharply divided appeals court Tuesday approved revamping the legal process for inmates who challenge disciplinary decisions that take them out of the general prison population.
37th Palm Coast Citizens Academy Graduates 17 Participants
Seventeen Palm Coast residents graduated earlier this month from the Palm Coast Citizens Academy, a comprehensive program designed to educate interested residents about the operation and workings of their city government.
Bogus Fund-Raising Requests for Matanzas Sports Teams
The Flagler school district has been made aware of people going door-to-door in the Palm Coast area, asking for money to help the Matanzas High School girls basketball and softball teams. That’s not a sanctioned fund-raiser.
An AR-15, a Shotgun, and Claims of Shots Fired: Confrontation in The Mondex
No one would end up arrested, but an investigation is continuing into claims that an assault weapon was brandished, shots fired and threats made.
Kimble Medley, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Candidate: The Live Interview
Kimble Medley is one of three candidates for Flagler County Elections Supervisor in the Aug. 30 primary, in which all voters, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a ballot. The primary will decide the winner with no further vote in November.
Tuesday Briefing: NAACP Town Hall on Violence, Palm Coast’s Property Tax, School Budget, Syd Schanberg
The sheriff is expected to attend an NAACP town hall on ending violence, the Palm Coast City Council sets its maximum tax rate for next year, the school board gets a presentation on its financial numbers.
Obama Renews Call for Public Option in Health Law to Compete With Private Insurers
Before the public option was dropped in 2010 many liberals hoped — and conservatives feared — that having the government provide insurance alongside private companies would be a step toward a full government-run system.
Proposal to De-Criminalize Pot Possession Again Teetering as Flagler Council Nears Verdict
The Flagler Public Safety Coordinating Council decides Wednesday whether to recommend the de-criminalization proposal, but the reactions from palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler Beach have been discouraging.
Latest Florida Newspaper Layoffs Claim Lloyd Dunkelberger of Tallahassee and Recount Fame
Following the latest round of reporter layoffs, they will be replaced, if at all, by younger, cheaper bodies who have not necessarily been taught the difference between putting bylines on news releases and honest reporting, writes Florence Snyder.
Kaiti Lenhart, Flagler County Supervisor Of Elections Candidate: The Live Interview
Kaiti Lenhart is the incumbent candidate for Flagler County Elections Supervisor in the Aug. 30 primary, which in this race amounts to the general election: All voters, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a ballot in this race, which will decide the winner.
Monday Briefing: A New Storwmwater Fee in Bunnell, Cremaine Booker’s Adagio, After Dallas, O’Hara’s Early Youth
Bunnell is considering a $4-a-month stormwater fee that would generate upwards of $70,000 a year for the city, cop killings and killings of cops continue to evoke arrays of reactions, John O’Hara remembers his youth.
Chris Sousa, 21, Matanzas Graduate and Driven Entrepreneur, Struck and Killed by Car in Ormond Beach
Chris Sousa, a Palm Coast resident of Island Estates and a 2013 graduate of Matanzas High School, was killed early this morning as he walked when a vehicle struck him in Ormond Beach.
Corrine Brown, Representing Northeast Florida in Congress for 23 Years, Indicted Over Sham Charity
Longtime Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown was indicted Friday on charges that she and a top aide used a sham education charity to pay for personal expenses and luxurious events, allegations that pose the most serious challenge yet to her 23-year congressional career.
The Mostly Bogus Case Against Kimberle Weeks
Ex-Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks was the most combative, distasteful, deceptive and ethically suspect elected official in the county, but she did not break the law with most of the “secret” recordings she made, contrary to the laundry list of felony counts against her.
Flagler Schools Take a Beating as All But One See Grades Drop; District Maintains B
For the first time in the 15-year history of school and district grades, Flagler County schools did not earn a single A in 2016. Officials are cautioning parents and students not to put too much stock in the results, which reflect a new but also tougher way to grade schools.
Sheriff Manfre Issues Statement on Shootings in Dallas, Falcon Heights and Baton Rouge
“It is my hope during these difficult times in our nation’s history that we use the recent incidents in Minnesota, Baton Rouge and Dallas to continue our dialogue that we have established with our community,” the sheriff said.
Economy Returns to Form With 287,000 New Jobs in June, Erasing Previous Month’s Retreat
The national economy in June added 287,000 jobs, its best performance in eight months and a sharp reversal from May’s slumber, when just 11,000 jobs were created–the worst monthly performance since the end of the Great Recession seven years ago.
Weekend Briefing: “Goosebumps” in the Park, Book Blowout at the Library, Violence of Bro Talk, Art and Poetry Show
Movie in Palm Coast’s Central park Friday, a two-day book blowout sale, all books 25 cents, at the publiclibrart, art and poetry show is back at the Flagler County Art League, Obama on cops killing blacks, Aristotle on happiness.
Tables Turn on Dennis McDonald as Ethics Commission Investigates Assets Disclosures
Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker, saying he’s had enough, filed complaints against both Dennis McDonald and his wife, Janet, a school board member, alleging that they have not properly disclosed property and other assets they own.
Don’t Be Fooled: FPL Knocks Off 34-Cent Nukes Charge Only to Prepare for 22.6% Base-Rate Increase
Typical customers will see a 34 cent a month decrease, but FPL is preparing to ask for a huge base-rate increase of 22.6 percent over three years, which will make the savings from the nuclear charge irrelevant.
At Flagler’s New Jail, Science of Self-Contained Cell Blocks To Make Captivity Safer for Inmates and Guards
It’s in the internal designs, the innumerable details and attention to logic, efficiency and security for inmates, guards and visitors that the jail–which opened today– impresses, and that its $17.3 million cost shows its value.
52 Burglaries Strike Palm Coast’s Major Hotels Overnight, Including Hammock Beach Resort
Some 52 vehicles were targeted in burglaries at four Palm Coast hotels overnight, with smashed windows and stolen belongings in what appears to have been an organized spree.
Thursday Briefing: Jail “Ribbon-Cutting,” Carlos Beruff, Blair’s Bushism, Alton Sterling’s Death, FPL Nukes
County commissioners and Sheriff Manfre mark the opening of the much-expanded county jail this morning, U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff is at the Hilton Garden Inn this evening, another controversial police shooting, a thought from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Tyler Dutton Charged With DUI Manslaughter in Death of Jordan Rineer, 25, on US1 in October
Tyler Dutton, the subject of several arrests in Flagler County over the past few years, was charged with DUI manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Jordan Marie Rineer early the morning of Oct. 27 on U.S. 1, just south of Old Dixie Highway in Flagler County.
2 Domestic Violence Incidents in Palm Coast End in 3 Arrests, Assaults on 5 Cops and Injuries to 4
Jennifer Caufield, 40, John Kodak, 32, and Randy Blyth, 23–the latter after allegedly assaulting his 17-year-old wife–were arrested on charges including battery on law enforcement officers Sunday in Palm Coast.
“I’m Putting My Faith In You,” Judge Tells Predator Granted Less Severe Probation Term
Dorian Coppedge, 37, a Palm Coast resident designated a sex predator just last week, had been rendered homeless by a two-year sex-offender probation term, which Judge Matthew Foxman today agreed to alter to simple probation, thus possibly making Coppedge’s living arrangements less restrictive.
Wednesday Briefing: Tourism Office Seeks Bigger Digs, Pot Nurseries, Paul Ryan’s Tax Flight, The Bikini at 70
The county’s tourism office is moving to the airport for bigger space but at considerably higher rent than it’s paying now, Jim Ulsamer to be reappointed to the library board, Paul Ryan’s tax cuts, Liszt’s Rhapsody.
Chain Restaurants Hurt the Economy, Pollute, And Pay Poverty Wages. Eat Local Instead.
It’s time for big chains to strengthen local economies by keeping food purchases local and ending worker exploitation. But they don’t. Meanwhile, writes Anna Meyer, look for locally owned restaurants that source local and support raising the minimum wage for all workers.
Mercedes-Benz To Expand in Jacksonville
Mercedes-Benz USA, a division of Daimler AG, will move an engineering division from New Jersey to Florida, adding about 50 jobs to the company’s Jacksonville facility, Gov. Rick Scott’s office announced Tuesday.
Trial in Gas Station Murder Likely in Late Summer But Suspect, On Meds, Still Unpredictable
Joseph Bova, the impenetrable 28-year-old suspect in the execution-style murder of a Palm Coast’s Zuheili Roman Rosado at a gas station in 2013, appeared in court today for the first time in almost a year, stable but still hinting at the unpredictable.
Flagler Beach Parent Accused of Brutalizing And Humiliating 2 Children Over Chores
Jason Moffit, 36, faces first-degree felony charges of aggravated child abuse for allegedly beating and punching two children age 13 and 12, cutting the girl’s hair and shaving the boy’s, among other acts.
County Officials Downplay Clean-Up Work at Old Courthouse as Routine and Preventative
A condensation issue with the AC at the old courthouse damaged some ceiling tiles and required some additional clean-up as part of routine maintenance work being done by ServPro in the old building, school and county officials say.
Purple Masquerade: Prince Tribute at Daytona Bandshell Friday
Purple Masquerade is a Prince Tribute Band. They put on a high energy concert performing Prince’s greatest hit songs. With elaborate costumes and an awesome stage presence, this band consists of James Kincherlow as Prince, Jc Teasley on the Bass Guitar, Todd Austin on Guitar, Aaron Oatmeal on Drums, Chanteau Teasley on Keys and Mike Johnson on Keys.
Tuesday Briefing: Heat Index Up to 107, Palm Coast Heroes, Brazil’s Olympic Catastrophe, Assault Weapons
Take cover, it’s going to be another scorcher, the Palm Coast Council recognizes a pair of life-saving heroes, the original design and development of assault weapons, Rio is heading for bust.
Data, Drones, Apps: Rush to Protect Privacy Raises Concerns Of Stifling Rights and Innovation
As technology redefines the limits of privacy, some of the restrictions, such as those on drones and body cameras may infringe on free speech protections, and some may be smothering innovation.
The Stupidity of Race:
What My DNA Test Reveals
Arab AND Jew? Greek? Italian? A DNA test unravels the ethnic origins of FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam–and underscores the absurdity of making assumptions about anyone’s race, color or so-called origins.
Palm Coast Offender Branded a Sexual Predator 5 Years After Prison, With No New Sex Crime
The sheriff’s office announced Thursday that Dorian Buzz Coppedge, 37, a “sexual predator,” is now living in Flagler, yet he’s lived here five years. Only his designation changed, even though he committed no new sex crime.
Siding With Planned Parenthood, Federal Judge Blocks Florida’s New, Restrictive Abortion Law
The law would have barred abortion providers from receiving public funds for other services and required a dramatic increase in inspections of abortion records by health officials.
Father-Daughter Injured in Motorcycle Collision With U-Turning Car on Seminole Woods Blvd.
A man and his daughter riding a motorcycle north on Seminole Woods Boulevard were hospitalized early Friday afternoon after they collided with a car that was performing a U-turn on Seminole Woods Boulevard, and that had apparently not seen the motorcycle heading its way.
Attorney Joerg Jaeger, Who’d Been Defending Ex-Supervisor Kimberle Weeks, Dies at 68
Joerg Jaeger, the long-time Orlando criminal defense attorney who was representing former Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks in her criminal case, died on June 28.
Weekend Briefing: 4-Day Independence Bash in Flagler Beach, Heroes Park, Fireworks in Palm Coast and at Pier
Independence Day weekend all over the place, fireworks Sunday in Palm Coast, Monday in Flagler Beach, students as public intellectuals, majority minority babies, Donald Trump’s danger to the first amendment, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.
From DCF to Pam Bondi, Nothing But Contempt for Florida’s Sunshine Law
It’s been decades since Florida had an elected statewide official who paid much more than lip service to open government, and state and local agencies are taking advantage, showing more contempt than respect for the law, argues Florence Snyder.
Man Rearrested on Burglary and Assault Charges After Allegedly Attacking Mother In Front of Her Children
Jeffery Ricky Ray, 34, was barely out on bail when he allegedly burglarized a W-Section home in Palm Coast and attacked his girlfriend there ion front of her young children, demanding money. Ray had served two previous stints in state prison.
Flagler County Jail Triple Its Old Size Set To Open July 7 in Camera-Ready “Ceremony”
The opening, which a county release dubs a “ceremony,” will also feature the trappings of a campaign event: It is scheduled less than eight weeks from the primary, giving incumbents a chance freely to bask in the shadow of a major, completed construction project.