Winning his doubles semifinal match Saturday at Wimbledon, Reilly Opelka will be playing in two straight finals Sunday as Palm Coast gears up congratulations and possibly a watching party.
Memo to GOP Candidates: Why Conservatives Should Embrace Gay Marriage Decision
As a conservative who has always supported gay marriage, it’s difficult for Nancy Smith to understand why so many people of her generation — the ones who grew up witnessing some of the worst discrimination of the 20th century — could consistently rage against it.
Signature Crop Loses Its Juice as Florida’s Orange Production Falls to New Low
Florida orange production for the 2014-15 season fell to 96.7 million boxes, a drop of 4 percent from last year, and a vastly worse total than projected last October.
John Ruffalo, a Reagan Assemblies Leader, Affronts County Commissioner at Courthouse
Two months after another Reagan Assemblies member had to resign for a public obscenity, a founding member of the group allegedly insulted the county commissioners names at the county courthouse after calling him dishonorable in an email.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Stuns World’s No. 1 and Advances to Wimbledon Boys Final Sunday
The 17-year-old continued his dream run at Wimbledon Friday, defeating No.1 seed Taylor Fritz, 6-3. 7-6 (13) to reach his first-ever Slam final.
In Flagler Beach, Lighter Rules for Farmers’ Market and 2-Week Limit on Golf Course Buy
The Flagler Beach City Commission voted to apply only a light regulatory hand on the city’s famed farmer’s market, and to start negotiations on buying the last remaining enclave in private hands at the former Ocean Palm Golf Club at the south end of town.
Weekend Briefing: Princess Place on TV, the Mockingbird Sequel’s First Chapter, Shrek at the Playhouse
Reese Witherspoon narrates the opening chapter of Harper Lee’s sequel to Mockingbird, 30 young actors put on Shrek at the Flagler Playhouse all weekend, ibuprofen is a killer.
Supreme Court Declares Numerous Congressional Districts Corruptly Drawn, Forcing Another Special Session
The court ruled the congressional map was corrupted by the efforts of Republican political consultants, violating an anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment voters approved in 2010. The Legislature must draw new districts within 100 days.
Overpowering Opelka Moves into Wimbledon Juniors Semifinal to Face World’s No. 1
Palm Coast’s Reilly Opelka’s astounding run on Wimbledon’s grass continued with two wins Thursday, as he now faces the U.S.’ Taylor Fritz, the world’s No.1 junior, in a semi-final match.
As South Carolina Folds the Confederate Flag, Florida County Votes to Raise It Back Up
The Marion County Commission voted unanimously to raise the Confederate flag again on government grounds after removing it last week, just as the South Carolina Legislature ended debate this morning ina vote to remove it from state grounds.
Thursday Briefing: Belly Dancing at the Library, Farmer’s Market Rules in Flagler Beach, Bull Creek at 1
The Flagler Beach City Commission takes up new rules for farmers’ markets, a belly dancing workshop for teens and adults at the public library, Diderot’s encyclopedia, marking Bull Creek restaurant’s one-year anniversary.
Jews Then, Muslims Now: How Imprudent Judgments Desecrate Western Values
To assume that all Muslims think alike because of their religious background, that they have “a mind” rather than individual thoughts, is as big a mistake as to assume to know the minds of Jews, Christians, or anyone else.
Florida’s Lagging Early-Childhood Education Programs Again Fail to Win More Legislative Support
Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten and school-readiness programs are funded below national averages. Advocates turn their hopes toward federal support.
Opelka Doubles Down on Wins as He Cruises Into Wimbledon Juniors Quarterfinals
After dramatic three-set wins the past two days, Opelka needed only 72 minutes to advance to his second consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, then on his first-round doubles match at Wimbledon.
Man Found Dead Behind Walmart Is Identified as Mathew Talacko, 25, Victim of Inhalants
Mathew Talacko was a big man–he stood 6’6”–who could muster big smiles, big hopes, a searching intelligence and, apparently, great despair.
Taking Harder Line Against Sheriff Manfre, Florida Ethics Commission Finds Probable Violations on 3 Counts
The Florida Ethics Commission last year had rejected a deal that would have had Manfre admitting to one violation, seeking a deeper investigation that has now resulted in a potentially harsher penalty.
Long-Planned Shoppes at Grand Haven on Colbert Lane Finally See Bulldozer Activity
First envisioned almost a decade ago, the Shoppes at Grand Haven will be the new home of the gated community’s sales offices, which will anchor a hoped-for commercial development, the first on Palm Coast’s Colbert Lane.
After Months of Hedging, Palm Coast Approves New Rules on Yard Fences, Walls (and Bars)
The rules allow for more fence colors, eliminate setback and shrubbery requirements but more strictly regulate fences along saltwater canals.
Wednesday Briefing: Peter Grimes Goes Epic, The McMillans Go Kerouac, South Carolina Battles the Flag
The South Carolina state house today debates whether it will bring down the racist Confederate flag from the grounds of the statehouse, Benjamin Britten’s opera “Peter Grimes” is at Palm Coast’s Epic Theaters.
Court Will Hear Argument That Guns Should Be Allowed at UF Dorms as They Are At Home
A circuit judge ruled against Florida Carry Inc.’s argument last year that people have a legal right to possess firearms at University of Florida housing just as they do in their homes.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Fires 17 Aces to Upset 3rd Seed, Advancing Again at Wimbledon
Once again swinging on drama, the 17-year-old Opelka played his best in the big points and narrowly upset No. 3 seed Corentin Denolly of France, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the third round in his first trip to Wimbledon.
In Donald Trump, Democrats Have a “Very Useful Idiot”
Republicans have an image problem. And it gets worse when somebody like Trump exacerbates the problem when he called Mexicans rapists.
Flagler School Taxes Going Up About 4%, Heralding Season of Steeper Government Levies
The typical Palm Coast house valued at $150,000 will pay roughly $50 more in school taxes for the year even as the tax rate goes down slightly.
Tuesday Briefing: Shrek Animates Flagler Playhouse, School Cops Contract Renewed, Kids on Gay Marriage
Middle school students put on “Shrek” at the Flagler Playhouse, the school board buys 22 million sheets of paper and approves a new school resource deputies contract, kids talk about the court’s gay marriage decision.
Charter Schools Are Not Required To Provide Bus Transportation to Students, Judge Rules
As part of a school-choice movement heavily backed by state Republican leaders, charter schools do not have to operate under all of the same requirements as more-traditional public schools.
Dead Person Found Decomposing Behind Walmart; Identity and Cause Unconfirmed
The dead person’s identity and gender have not been positively identified nor a cause of death determined, with those questions pending an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Wins Come-From-Behind Thriller in Wimbledon Debut
The former Palm Coast resident made his Wimbledon debut Monday in epic fashion, capturing a marathon win in the first round of the Boys Tournament Monday, defeating Australia’s Alex De Minaur, 4-6, 6-3, 13-11.
2 More “Ridiculous” Ethics Complaints Against Commissioner Revels and Attorney Hadeed
The complaints, filed by Ronald Reagan Assemblies member John Ruffalo, allege conflicts of interest in the commissioner’s votes and target the attorney’s counsel to the commission.
As Cremation Outpaces Burial Rates,
Jewelry Glitters the Afterlife
Florida is well ahead of the nation in cremation rates, but for the first time this year cremations nationally will outpace burials. A jewelry industry is marking the shift.
Monday Briefing: $4.9 Million for Old Kings Road Extension, Naming Buildings, Confederate Flag Debated
The Flagler County Commission considers a policy on tacking names to buildings and other government landmarks, the South Carolina Senate debates the Confederate flag.
Palm Coast Motorcyclist Gregory Fagas, 40, Is Killed Across from Belle Terre Elementary, Rider Critical
Gregory Daniel Fagas, a 40-year-old motorcyclist from Palm Coast, was killed, and Nacomi Marie Campbell, 27, was flown to a hospital in critical condition
Flagler Chamber Membership Director Thompson Is Fired, Then Insurrection Breaks Out
In 24 hours of feverish developments after Heather Thompson’s firing, a chamber member’s web page in support of Thompson drew 50 testimonies before it was taken down.
Say Goodbye: Old ITT Landmark and School Board Clunker to Be Demolished By Year’s End
The Flagler School Board got no bids on its 54,000-square foot building in pring, which it’ll pay $200,000 to demolish, after paying off a $770,000 debt on it.
Another Strong Growth Month Adds 223,000 Jobs, Lowering Unemployment to 5.3%
For all the economy’s overall improvements, when it comes to the majority of workers, there are no improvements where it matters: in families’ standards of living.
Independence Weekend Briefing: It’s All About the 4th, Savior Nicholas Winton, RIP, Trump’s Continued Surge, Copeland’s Common Man
Before starting your July 4 celebrations, remember the great Nicholas Winton, savior of nearly 700 Jews and others from the gas chambers. Plus, Susan Sontag, how art became irrelevant and a few safety tips.
Rick Gets Richer: Governor’s Net Worth Climbs $14 Million in 2014, Padded By Blind Trust
Scott, who reportedly spent $13 million last year on his re-election, stated he generated $9.8 million last year from his blind trusts. Unlike last year, however, Scott did not disclose the assets of the blind trust in the most recent report.
Disney’s CEO Makes $248 a Minute as Some of His Employees Go Homeless on $8.03 an Hour
Even after a raise to $10 an hour, Disney employees can only expect to take home about $20,000 over the course of a year, not enough to live decently in Orlando. A $15-an-hour wage is more critical, argues Scott Klinger.
At Bunnell’s Methodist Church, Rev. Terry Wines Begins Filling Beth Gardner’s Big Void
It’s pat of an annual and anxious ritual in the sprawling world of the United Methodist Church when “elders” typically move from church to church around this time of year.
Palm Coast’s “D.J. Chris” and Owner of Kids’ Bounce House Co. Charged With Soliciting Minor for Sex
Christopher Pintek, known as “D.J. Chris,” a P-Section resident, was arrested on charges of luring a 14-year-old boy for sex through a phone app. He is the owner of Surround Sound DJ and Party Bounces.
2 More Men Arrested on Sex-Assault Charges Involving Children Closely Related To Them
Waldemar Rivera, a 36-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section, faces a charge of raping a 13-year-old girl, John J. Schenone, 32, of the W-Section, is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child younger than 12.
Wednesday Briefing: Principals Hinson and Pryor Say Farewell, Full-Moon Gamble, Bunnell’s Cop Cars
Buddy Taylor Principal Stephen Hinson and Matanzas Principal Chris Pryor bid their last farewell, why racists burn black churches, more overtime pay for managers.
Judge Halts Abortion Waiting Period Set to Start Wednesday, Pending ACLU Challenge
But the appeal by Attorney General Pam Bondi triggered an automatic stay on Francis’ decision, which could allow the law to go into effect. The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the initial case, immediately responded by asking for Francis to lift that stay.
Palm Coast Dead Zones: City Proposing Less Restrictive Cell-Tower Rules, But Council Demurs
The proposal is being made ahead of a deal between the city and a cell tower company to put a 150-foot tower near Heroes Park, behind Palm Coast Parkway, on land where Palm Coast’s Water Plan No. 1 sits.
Don Apperson, Long-Time School Resource Deputy and Youth Leader, Retires
For 13 years until last fall Don Apperson was the face of school resource deputies in Flagler County and appearing before local government boards to advocate either for the SRD system or for stronger laws on various issues.
School Board Hears Good and Bad of New Budget and Agrees to 3-Month Patch for Disabilities Program
The $2.5 percent state-funded budget increase falls short of restoring the money lost last year. The board agreed to a $120,000 band aid for the adults with disabilities program run by FTI, which lost its state funding this month.
Flagler Officials Caution Against Beached Debris From SpaceX Rocket Explosion
While it is highly unlikely any of the debris resulting from the explosion of the SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule will reach Flagler County’s coast, emergency officials are asking residents to steer clear of it and notify authorities.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Talks Fences, School Board’s Disability Dollars, Social Media Day
Social Media Day is marked at Cowork this evening, fencing regulation is again on the Palm Coast Council’s agenda, while the school board hunts for dollars to keep its adults with disabilities program going.
Backdoor Snooping: Why the U.S. Is Wrong to Oppose Full Encryption of Your iPhone
The U.S. argues that the country will be less safe if the proper authorities have no “backdoor” – a piece of code that lets them in. Software engineers call backdoors “vulnerabilities,” deliberate efforts to weaken security.
Supreme Court’s Lethal Injection Ruling Clears Way For More Florida Executions, and Challenges
In the 5-4 majority opinion issued Monday, Justice Alito wrote that the first of the three-drug lethal cocktail used also used in Florida, “entails a substantial risk of severe pain.”
With 11 Jobs and Life Skills for 85 Disabled Adults at Stake, School Board Scrambles for Lost Money
The Flagler school board lost $535,000 for two essential programs for adults with disabilities when the Legislature slashed $10 million from its budget for that program. On Tuesday, board members will look for a patch on the way to a solution to keep the program from closing.