Charlie Ericksen, the first-term Flagler County commissioner, said his health issues are behind him, though the announcement was a surprise to Jason DeLorenzo, who is considering a run for that seat.
Proposal Would Allow Students to Sub Computer Coding for Foreign Language Classes
Bill sponsor Jeremy Ring, a Margate Democrat who is a former Yahoo executive, said the proposal would give Florida students a “true leg up” in the increasingly tech-driven world.
Weekend Briefing: Youth Orchestra at Salvo, First Fridays, Belle Terre Swim Club Open House, Boat Parade
A busy weekend of entertainment starting with Friday evening’s performance of the Youth Orchestra at Salvo gallery, Saturday’s open house at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, the boat parade that evening and plenty more.
Stillbirth: FPC Art Student May Show His Class Work at a Gallery, But Not At His Own School
A provocative painting by Patrick Conklin, a senior at FPC, was banned from display at his school but allowed at an art gallery, triggering a broad discussion on the lines between expression, censorship, fear and propriety.
Killed in House, Stand Your Ground Bill That Shifts Burden of Proof Lives Again in Senate
A proposal that would shift the burden of proof to the state in cases involving Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law is poised to go to the full Senate.
Bottom Line Cost of Demolishing and Paying Off School Board’s Old ITT Property: $1.27 Million
The district bought the building in 2002 for $3.5 million. It will spend $200,000 to demolish it, $770,000 to pay off the mortgage, and $300,000 to renovate another location that will accommodate operations currently at the Corporate One property.
Matanzas High Students Win 2nd Place in Statewide Contest for Financial Literacy Video
The students, Brittany Dye, Patrick Flebotte, Emma Grushkin, Danielle Hartley and Duncan Sorensen, had been assigned a 30-second public service announcement in their television production class.
Ex-Commissioner Pat McGuire, on Sex-Offender Probation, Granted Permission for Vegas Birthday Trip
Pat McGuire, a Flagler County commissioner between 2001 and 2004, served 52 months of a 60-month sentence for molesting two adopted daughter repeatedly when they were in elementary and middle school.
Thursday Briefing: FPC Improv at the Auditorium, Support for Bunnell Fire Victims, Carson’s Fall from Space
Flagler Palm Coast High School performances improvise at the Flagler Auditorium this evening, the Legislature takes up computer coding as a substitute for foreign language classes, Ben Carson loses his shine.
Bizarre Bunnell: Manager, Not Commission, Conducts Interviews of Davis, Gurnee and Tiblier
Candidates Dan Davis, Stella Gurnee and Ferdinand Tiblier were interviewed by Manager Larry Williams in a bizarre turn that did not involve Bunnell city commissioners.
Bellicose County Commission Candidate Mark Richter Withdraws as O’Brien Announces
Mark Richter, who’d narrowly lost a primary against Nate McLaughlin two years ago as he frequently courted controversy, said he would soon be leaving the county as he withdrew from what would have been a race against Charlie Ericksen.
A Menagerie of Music and Art Returns Top Flagler Youth Orchestra to Salvo Project Friday
The Youth Orchestra’s top performing ensemble will play numerous pieces at a fund-raiser for the orchestra and Salvo Art Project Friday evening, ahead of FYO’s first major concert of the year at the Flagler Auditorium on Dec. 9.
Supreme Court Approves Congressional Districts; Flagler’s Stays Whole, Inching Left
The congressional district the Supreme Court approves keeps Flagler County whole, shedding Putnam and moving it south to take in more of Volusia County, which will help Democrats slightly.
Wednesday Briefing: Interviews in Bunnell, Code Enforcement in Palm Coast, Kant in Königsberg
The Bunnell City Commission interviews three internal candidates for city manager this evening starting at 6 p.m., Florida lawmakers take on Fracking, Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative explained.
In 5th Incident Since September, Car Strikes a Student Biking Home From School
As in three previous incidents involving vehicles against students on their bike, the driver was at fault, while the student, an 8th grader at Indian Trails Middle, was following the rules of the road.
Kevin Clayton’s Death in Friday’s
West Flagler Fire Is Ruled a Suicide
A medical examiner’s autopsy confirmed that Kevin Clayton’s death in a Nov. 28 fire at 40 Kentucky Avenue in western Flagler County was a suicide. No foul play is suspected.
Elections Commission Tosses 3 More Claims Against Flagler Officials as County Fires Back
The Florida Elections Commission voted to dismiss three elections complaints against Flagler Commissioners Frank Meeker and Nate McLaughlin as the county administration filed another petition to seek attorneys’ fees in related complaints.
Florida Protest Group Delays Rally in Light Of Terror Attack at Planned Parenthood
Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council’s “Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood,” slated for Dec. 7 at the Florida Capitol, will take place in the spring instead, the council organizers said.
Tuesday Briefing: World AIDS Day, Demolishing an ITT Icon, Palm Coast’s Video Awards
It’s World Aids Day, the Flagler School Board will seek bids to destroy Corporate One, its former home and ITT’s once-upon-a-time headquarters, the Palm Coast council is set to approve a moratorium on bottle clubs.
Trump Campaign Bus Rolls Into Palm Coast, Transformed as Donald Anti-Matter
The Donald Trump campaign bus used in Iowa for several months was on its way to Miami art fair, bought and transformed by artists into a mobile protest of the GOP contender’s views on women, Mexicans and facts.
Proposal Would Force Cities, Including Bunnell and Flagler Beach, to Move Elections to November
Cities intend to fight a proposal now before state lawmakers that would take away their ability to set local election dates and could extend the terms of some current elected officials.
Man Charged With Aggravated Assault in Confrontation With Ex-City Commissioner
Ex-Bunnell City Commissioner Jimmy Flynt intervened to stop a brewing fight and cursing in front of First United Methodist Church, which led Joshua Meyers, 26, to allegedly threaten him with a knife.
Bunnell City Manager’s Job Draws 3 Internal Applicants; Interviews Set Wednesday
Deputy City Clerk Dan Davis, Finance Director Stella Gurnee, and City Engineer Ferdinand Tiblier will be interviewed in an open meeting Wednesday evening, when the Bunnell City Commission could make a decision on its next manager.
Monday Briefing: It’s Shirley Chisholm Day, Tree-Lighting Tonight, Charles Mingus Always
Shirley Chisholm Day is celebrated in Palm Coast this evening, Central Park is aglitter with the tree-lighting ceremony and the Fantasy Lights, and three full concerts of Charles Mingus.
Should Government Censor Offensive Speech? 40% of Millennials Say Yes. That’s a Problem.
Surprisingly, the Pew survey finds nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans saying government should be able to stop speech against minorities. Independents are in the middle.
Hurricane Season Ends as Florida Escapes Direct Hit For 10th Straight Year
The current streak is made even more remarkable since Florida, with its 1,260 miles of coastline, has accounted for about 40 percent of hurricane landfalls on U.S. shores in that recorded time period, according to the National Weather Service.
Palm Coast’s Timothy Miller, 45, Critical After Early-Morning Crash on State Road A1A
Timothy Miller, a 45-year-old resident of Palm Coast, is in critical condition after a single-car wreck on State Road A1A early this morning (Nov. 28), a short distance from his home.
Man Found Dead and Bloodied Outside Drain Street House: Police Investigating Homicide
John Robert Stubbs, a 46-year-old resident of Hymon Circle in Bunnell, was found dead outside a house in Bunnell this morning, soaked in blood. City Manager Larry Williams described it as “what appears to be a homicide.”
Ex-Deputy Ruddell, Who Filed Wage Suit Against Manfre, Arrested in 3-County Pursuit
Daniel Ruddell, an ex-deputy who in February won a wage dispute with Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre, was arrested in St. Johns County Thursday night after an alleged robbery in Daytona Beach and a pursuit through Volusia and Flagler counties that ended in a wreck on I-95.
Alan Thicke Giftwraps Kenny Rogers’ Toy Shoppe Musical at Flagler Auditorium Sunday
Thicke, the Canadian-born actor, TV theme song composer and talk show host known for his role as the dad on the sitcom “Growing Pains,” is starring in the touring musical about a toy shop threatened with closure.
Felony Charges for 20-Year-Old Palm Coast Man for Throwing Eggs and Potato at Cops
Anthony Fennick, 20, faces four felony counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, among other charges, after he was arrested during an investigation of a suspicious incident on Richardson Drive.
Florida Picks 5 Nurseries to Grow and Distribute Medical Marijuana for Select Patients
Parents of children with severe epilepsy pushed for a 2014 law to legalize the purportedly non-euphoric marijuana — low in THC, high in CBD — as it can end or dramatically reduce life-threatening seizures.
Thanksgiving Briefing: Humanitarians of the Year, Alan Thicke at the Auditorium, Trump in Sarasota
Government offices and schools close for a breather, but Donald Trump invades Florida, Alan Thicke stars in “The Toy Shoppe” at the Flagler Auditorium, and Jeb Bush still doesn’t get it.
Shirley Chisholm, “Part of the Heritage of Palm Coast,” Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for president, retired to Palm Coast in 1991. She received the posthumous medal from President Obama today as an awareness campaign about her life and impact on Palm Coast grows locally.
Palm Coast Ties Emergency Communications System to Recent Crash–Falsely, County Says
City Manager Jim Landon says he’s concerned about maintenance of the countywide 800 mhz communications system, suggesting it could crash as parts of the sheriff’s computer system recently did–an inaccurate suggestion that deflects from other problems, the county retorts.
DUI Arrest Turns Into Violent Confrontation With Cops and Paramedics
Elisabeth Akers of Palm Coast faces two felony and two misdemeanor charges after allegedly spitting on paramedics and resisting arrest with violence in the Seminole Woods area.
Palm Coast Wants Changes to County-Controlled Ambulance Services in the City
The city wants to reduce the need for fire trucks and ambulances doubling up on EMS calls, and to lower overall costs. The county has its own ideas. The two sides will meet administratively to hash out possibilities.
Tree Lighting in Palm Coast’s Town Center Ignites Series of Holiday Events
The tree lighting on Monday also starts the annual Fantasy Lights display in Town Center. The boat parade is on Dec. 5, the Starlight Parade on Dec. 12.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Talks EMS and Its Own Pay, Imagine’s K-Kids, Hubert Grimes Gives Thanks,
The Palm Coast Council talks about its own pay and discusses overhauling county’s EMS system, Hubert Grimes gives thanks at Methodist gathering, Imagine school’s K-Kids care for the less fortunate.
Scott’s $79.3 Billion Budget Proposal Draws Criticism for Gimmickry and $250 Million Fund
The budget would cut taxes $1 billion, create a business fund and raise per-student funding but would still be $1,284 per student below the 2006, inflation-adjusted level.
Bunnell Woman Accused of Aggravated Manslaughter in Death of Her Disabled Uncle
Holly Norris, a 34-year-old Bunnell woman with a long list of criminal charges and penalties over the past 10 years, was charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of her uncle, John Satanoski, two years ago.
The Politics of Resentment: Why Poorer Areas Are Increasingly Voting Republican
A political puzzle: Parts of the country that depend on the safety-net programs supported by Democrats are increasingly voting for Republicans who favor shredding that net. The reason: the poor don’t vote.
Monday Briefing: Mayor Netts Honored, Enterprise Florida’s Fans, Scott’s Budget Unveiled
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts is the recipient of a Northeast Florida Regional Council award, Gov. Scott unveils his proposed budget while pushing for more powers for Enterprise Florida.
Conservatives Should Be Leading the Charge to Accept Syrian Refugees. We Have No Choice.
Doesn’t American exceptionalism demand that we lead where others have neither the will nor the courage? We have no choice. America gives sanctuary to those fleeing persecution, argues Nancy Smith. This is what we do and who we are. We’re the good guys.
Traffic Tickets as a Sleigh to Christmas Come True: Yes Virginia, There’s Santa Cop
The Flagler Beach Police Department is issuing “toy waivers“ with warning citations for certain offenses to help Christmas Come True, Nadine King’s annual fund-raiser for poorer children that’s considerably short of its $40,000 goal this year.
What It Takes to Get New Retailers to Palm Coast: Behind a $135,000 Matchmaking Deal
Palm Coast signed a three-year, $135,000 contract with Texas-based Buxton, a retail recruiter, in hopes of filling storefronts and empty commercial lots. The approach has its mix of skeptics and cheerleaders.
Flagler Unemployment Falls to 5.9%, an 8-Year Low; Job Growth at 23.7% Since 2007
The number of people with jobs in Flagler has grown by 23.7 percent since 2007, even though the population has grown by just 13.6 percent, pointing to a relatively robust recovery.
The Live Profile
Jim Guines, Smokin’ Shock to the System and Now 83, Will Be Celebrated Sunday
Jim Guines, the forceful and unpredictable member of the Flagler County School Board for 11 years until 2007, will be at the center of a community tribute Sunday at Flagler Palm Coast High School, at 3 p.m.
Weekend Briefing: Salvo Art Project’s 1-Year Bash, Jim Guines Appreciation, Chili Pipers at the Auditorium
The great Jim Guines is celebrated and appreciated Sunday at 3 p.m. at FPC, JJ Graham’s and Petra Iston’s Salvo Art Project turns 1 year old in a Saturday celebration, the myth of Sisyphus in an Oscar-Nominated short film from 1974.
America’s Responsibility for Enabling ISIS, And How to End Blowback Terrorism
More wars – especially CIA-backed, Western-led wars – will solve nothing. By contrast, a surge of investment in education and sustainable development is the real key to building a more stable future for the Middle East and the world, argues Jeffrey Sachs.