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.
Teri Craddock As Intracoastal’s Business Relationship Manager, Grand Haven Adds Two Agents
Craddock will be responsible for developing and attending to business and personal banking relationships. Aloha Von Jasinski and Eddie Marcal are both long-time Flagler County real estate agents.
159 New Laws Kick In Friday on Domestic Violence, Bullying, Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion, Hunting
New laws include a minimum 30-day jail sentence in domestic violence crimes involving intentional injury, tax cuts, school choice, more benefits for veterans, a new Holocaust memorial, and many more.
New Report Doubles Estimate of Transgender People in U.S.; Florida’s Proportion Ranks 6th
The estimate places Florida’s proportion of transgender people at almost 0.7 percent, for a total of 100,000 people, with the national proportion at 0.6 percent, for a total of 1.4 million.
Thursday Briefing: Drug Court, You Have the Right to Remain Private, Universal Basic Income, President Harding’s Erotica
Flagler County is limbering up for a long Independence Day weekend, so no major events or meetings today, giving you a chance to catch up on President Harding’s erotica, how the rest of the world views Trump, and police-state policing in Delray Beach.
Joe Negron’s Plan for Florida As Senate President in Next 2 Years: More Elite Universities
Negron named the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan, among others, as examples he wants Florida’s universities to be like.
Victory for Sunshine Law Rather Than Weeks as Judge Tosses 3 of 12 Charges Against Ex-Elections Supervisor
A judge ruled that three of the 12 felony counts against Kimberle Weeks related to a recording that had already been disclosed at a public meeting. Sharing the recording therefore could not illegal after that, even if the recording itself was.
Walmart-Bound Tractor Trailer Hauling 30 Tons of Juice Overturns on I-95; Driver Hurt
A tractor trailer hauling some 30 tons of apple and cranberry juice overturned early this morning on a straight stretch of southbound I-95, between the U.S. 1 and Matanzas Woods Parkway exits. The driver was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach with a severe leg injury, according to authorities at the scene.
Wednesday Briefing: Happy 60th, Interstates, Supremes Sans Scalia, Anaïs Nin’s Diary, Civil Rights
Local happenings and events are taking a pre-Independence day breather, leaving you free to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Interstate highway system or listen to Anais Nin read from her diary or contemplate how far and how not so far civil rights have gone in the United States.
Florida Democrats Borrow a Page From D.C. Colleagues Hoping to Force Gun Control Vote
However, it may be nearly impossible over the next week to gather enough Republican lawmakers willing to make the trek to humid Tallahassee in an election year to discuss a proposed prohibition on gun sales to people on federal terrorism watch lists.
Greg Lynn Jewelers Struck Again, But Detectives Track Suspect To His R-Section Home
Greg Lynn Jewelers in Palm Coast’s Flagler Plaza was burglarized for the second time since last July but suspect Craig A. Chavez, 51, was arrested and produced several of the jewelry items allegedly stolen from the store.
Trying to Stem Hemorrhage of Green, Palm Coast Studies Patchy Golf Club Take-Over
Losses at the city-owned Palm Harbor Golf Club are getting worse. The city is considering a “hybrid” take-over of golf and tennis that would still contract put most services but give the city more control.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast’s Garbage Contract, Golf Club Woes, Unhappy Evangelicals
Palm Coast’s contract with Waste Pro for garbage disposal is nearing its term in 2017, the city’s troubled golf club’s future is discussed, Evangelicals think the country is no longer Christian.
Abortion Rights Mark Big Court Victory, But Effect on Florida Restrictions Unclear
Florida supporters of recent laws requiring more stringent standards for abortion providers say the high court ruling should have no impact. Pending court challenges suggest otherwise.
Separate Incidents Land 2 in Jail on Assault Charges for Targeting Cops and Landscaper
Amber Fugit was charged with three counts of battery on cops and domestic assault, Jay McCarthy was charged with assault on his former boss, a landscape company owner. Both incidents took place in Palm Coast.
Community Plants 1,000 trees at St. Johns Water District’s Lake Apopka North Shore
Once home to several farms in the 1940s, the nearly 20,00 acres along Lake Apopka’s northern shore were acquired by the water district in a push to restore water quality and fish and wildlife habitat within the lake.
No More Hairpin Curve as Old Kings Road Extension Around Matanzas High Opens, Last of Big Projects
The extension’s opening marks the last of a series of major road projects intended to improve traffic flow around Palm Coast, and in this case in particular around Matanzas High School.
Monday Briefing: Old Kings Road Extension Opening, Bunnell’s Special Events, Bimbo Campaigning, Zola on Reactionaries
The Old Kings Road extension around Matanzas High School opens in a ceremony at 10 a.m., desperate Florida politicians are resorting to bimbo tactics to get elected, Bunnell revises its special-events ordinance.
Entrepreneur Night and Salvo Gallery Exhibit the Art of Start-Up Resilience
Office Divvy Co-Founder Ky Ekinci speaks of his affinities for and philosophical similarities with Salvo Art Project Co-Founder JJ Graham, where the next Entrepreneur Night will take place Tuesday evening.
Bowing to NRA, Scott Skips Over Court Pick Who’d Blocked “Stand Your Ground” Shift
The bill Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, had opposed and that died during this year’s legislative session would have shifted the burden of proof in Stand Your Ground cases from the defense to the prosecution.
Qualifying Ends: Tax Collector Johnston and Property Appraiser Gardner Are Re-Elected; Supervisor’s Race Will Be a Universal Primary
Property Appraiser Jay Gardner and Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston were re-elected without opposition for a fourth consecutive term each as qualifying ended, with few surprises and withdrawals or disqualifications in other races.
Flagler Rotary Names Jim Troiano Its New President, Marlee Walsh-McDaniel Rotarian of the Year
McDaniel, who is also a member of the University Women of Flagler, is heavily involved in the Rotary’s scholarship program and is a past recipient of the President’s Service Award. Troiano is a director at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and the agency’s chief spokesman.
Rubio’s Re-Election Bid Remakes Senate Race as DeSantis Reverts to Congressional Run
DeSantis is one of three Republicans who have qualified to run for the district that includes all of Flagler County, and which he’s represented since 2013. Four Democrats have qualified.
Weekend Briefing: World’s Largest Swim Lesson, Lego Day, Donald Trump’s Only Honey, Affirmative Action
Another attempt to be part of a world record at Frieda Zamba pool in Palm Coast, Lego Day at the county public library, Donald Trump’s honey, affirmative action wins a surprising one.
Media and Orlando Go to Court Over City’s Censoring of Massacre’s 911 Calls
The city of Orlando wants the court to help determine how to handle the unreleased portions of 911 emergency communications involving the June 12 massacre at the Pulse nightclub.