Sen. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican in charge of budget talks with the House–which is already resisting more money for land-buying–says Florida already has enough land in public hands.
Berlin Airlift History Lands at Flagler Airport, Re-Igniting Memories of 328 Tense Days
The Spirit of Freedom, a Douglas C-54, was among the 300-odd American planes that helped West Berlin outlast the Soviet blockade of 1948-49. Converted into a museum, the plane is at the Flagler County Airport for the three days of Wings Over Flagler this weekend.
Wednesday Briefing: Friends of A1A Talk Environmental Fair, Jeb and Hilary Neck and Neck in Florida
Friends of A1A hold their monthly meeting, the Center for the Visually Impaired leads a tour at the Palm Coast Community Center, Flagler County commissioners are in Tallahassee.
Two Palm Coast Servicemen On ISIS Kill List, But Sheriff’s Office Notes “No Credible Threat”
Palm Coast, St. Augustine and “Saint John” are among the 55 cities in the United States where ISIS, or Islamic State, has placed named members of the U.S. military on an alleged “kill list” for their role in attacks on ISIS in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
Gutted Bill Restricting Red-Light Cameras Advances as Turn-On-Red Penalty Is Restored
While the restrictive proposal cleared its latest committee, 7-3, the bill’s only surviving measures would require cities to send our red-light camera notices by certified mail, and to use revenue for public safety programs.
Florida House Pushes $690 Million Tax-Cut Package, Exceeding Gov. Scott’s Request
The proposed cuts include sales-tax holidays and eliminating taxes on gun-club memberships, college textbooks, materials purchased at book fairs and vehicles purchased overseas and brought to Florida by military members.
Wings Over Flagler Brings a Flying Fortress Of a Show At 3-Day, 50-Plane Rockin’ of Runways
The 50-some planes at the Flagler County Airport Friday through Sunday include the enormous B-17 Flying Fortress, the C-54 Berlin Airlift Flying Museum, a a CH-47 Chinook, and a Ford Tri-Motor, the first commercial plane in the U.S.
Pursuit of Vehicle Connected to Homicide Ends in Flagler As Car Plunges Into Wooded Ditch on I-95
The pursued vehicle had been stolen in connection with a homicide in West Columbia, South Carolina. One occupant was in critical condition, the other was in custody.
Tuesday Briefing: Spring Break Doldrums, LED Streetlights Get Poor Reception in NYC, Another Hearing For Red-Light Camera Restrictions
A slow spring-break week in Flagler. The Legislature takes up red-light camera restrictions, and New York Citry’s conversion to LED streetlights, something Palm Coast is planning, is getting an unhappy reception from residents.
Florida Legislature to Voters For Amendment 1’s Water Protection: Drop Dead
Even when expressed via an overwhelming majority “Yes” vote on a constitutional amendment, the Florida Legislature can and does subvert it, argues Daniel Tilson.
Larrys’ Guns and Ammo in Heart Of Bunnell Is Target of a Night Burglary
Burglars got away with at least five shotguns, gaining access to the store by way of a ceiling vent and the attic before cops responded to a store alarm.
Weekend Blotter: Palm Coast Man Accused of Assaulting Girlfriend With 4.5-Foot Sword
Charles Meyers, a 28-year-old resident of Palm Coast, is accused of wielding the sword at his girlfriend after a night out at a bar. Also, a disturbance at the Windsor assisted living facility, and more break-ins at fitness centers’ parking lots.
Democrat Patrick Murphy, Conqueror of Allen West, Will Run For Rubio’s Senate Seat in 2016
The announcement sets the stage for a big-money, high-profile Senate race next year — whether Rubio seeks re-election or decides instead to run for president.
Monday Briefing: Planning For Disasters, Hemp Production and Guns in Schools
Flagler County Emergency Services’ Mitigation Strategy Session is this morning at EOC (10 a.m.), the Bunnell city commission holds a routine meeting this evening (7 p.m.), the legislature’s attack on Florida’s Sunshine law and the Jeb Bush-Marco Rubio duel, in full swing.
Obama Proposals Would End Tax-Subsidized Loans For Sports Stadiums
The proposal comes as many team owners, including Florida, are pressing cities and states for new facilities, with some threatening to move elsewhere if they don’t get them.
An Amazon Package Delivered To You in 30 Minutes Or Less: It’s Coming, On Drones
Amazon just got an FAA certificate to experiment with what will result in immediate deliveries by drone, or unmanned aircraft, as the drone industry’s potential continues to find new uses. UPS and others are also experimenting.
Chamber Players of Palm Coast and Flagler Youth Orchestra Reunite in Concert Sunday
The Chamber Players of Palm Coast are in concert at Palm Coast United Methodist Church Sunday, March 22, at 3:30 p.m., with a special appearance by the Flagler Youth Orchestra’s Harmony Chamber ensemble, the youth orchestra’s most advanced group.
Israel’s Problem Isn’t Iran or Hamas.
It’s Benjamin Netanyahu.
The manner of Netanyahu’s reelection–his lies, his bigotry, his fear-mongering–lays bare the method of a man who should not be trusted, and who is taking Israel down its most dangerous paths yet.
Reacting to Gov. Scott’s Alleged Climate Change Denial Directive, Group Demands Investigation
Members of Forecast the Facts dropped off about 43,000 electronically signed petitions at the governor’s office, asking for an investigation. Scott, when pressed last year on the issue of climate change, evaded the question by saying he is “not a scientist.”
Another Pot Grow House Busted in Palm Coast As Critics and Lawmakers Press Legalization
Some 28 marijuana plants were seized at a house at 17 Rocking Lane in Palm Coast. As the Sheriff’s Office announced the seizure and arrest of the resident at the house, Ray Strack, a former federal narcotics interdiction agent, was speaking on WNZF about the inanity of the war on marijuana.
Weekend Briefing: Suicide Prevention in Town Center, NCAA Clinic at Indian Trails, Duprees at Auditorium
The Duprees’ romantic voices take over the Flagler Auditorium Saturday evening, FPC’s Gay-Straight Alliance hosts a suicide-prevention walk in Town Center, a new bar at the Hammock Wine and Cheese Shop, and more this weekend.
Two Teens and Adult Injured in 3-Vehicle Crash and Roll-Over on Belle Terre at Point Pleasant
Morning rush-hour traffic snarled at Belle Terre Parkway and Point Pleasant Friday after four people were injured in a three-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of Belle Terre.
A Bottle Of Cadillac Cologne Is Mistaken For a Gun, and Cory Tanner Is Shot Dead
An FDLE report detailing the shooting death by U.S. Marshals of Cory Tanner, 24, in Espanola last August describe his last moments as he rushed out toward marshals, inexplicably holding a bottle of Cadillac cologne in one hand. Marshals mistook it for a gun and fired five or six shots.
Yes, It’s Retroactive: Florida Supreme Court Rules All Lifers Sentenced as Juveniles Must Be Resentenced
The justices ordered lower Florida courts to apply a 2014 law to inmates who, as juveniles, were sentenced in the past either to life in prison or to terms that would have effectively kept them behind bars until they die. Two of the inmates were convicted of murder.
School Board Honors Cheryl Tristam With Power of One Award For Youth Orchestra’s 10-Year Triumphs
Cheryl Tristam stressed the importance of making music education accessible to every child regardless of background or ability as she received an award bestowed periodically on community members who have had a broad impact on students.
No Racism Here: EEOC Dismisses Ex-City Manager Martinez’s Complaint Against Bunnell
Armando Martinez alleged that Bunnell ended his contract in 2013 because it didn’t want a Hispanic individual in that position. He has until mid-June to file a lawsuit against the city.
Rear-End Collision at Whiteview and Belle Terre Sends 3 to Hospital
One of the three people injured was a child. The intersection is equipped with a red-light camera, though it’s not clear in this case if it was a factor in the rear-end collision.
Thursday Briefing: House Construction, Guns in Schools and Civil War Roundtables
Flagler Home Builders Association Government Affairs Director Jason DeLorenzo touts recent housing gains before the county’s economic development council. A busy day at the Legislature regarding education issues, including consideration of the guns-in-schools bill.
Chick-fil-A Phenomenon Camps Out in Palm Coast: If Grateful Dead Fans Loved Chikin
Chick-fil-A’s grand opening in Palm Coast brought with it what has become a near-cult following of groupies, overwhelmingly from out of town, who camp out for 24 hours to earn their 52 free meals. A profile of the phenomenon, and the company.
School Choice Bill That Vastly Increases Parental Control–And Undermines Educators’–Advances
The measure gives parents the right to have their children attend any school in the state that hasn’t reached capacity and remove their child from one class to another under certain circumstances.
School Bus On Its Way to Buddy Taylor Middle Strikes Jogger on Sesame Blvd. in Palm Coast
The school bus’ jutting side mirror is believed to have struck the jogger around 6:26 this morning. The victim was evacuated to Halifax hospital. The students on the bus were taken to school on a different bus.
Another Accidental Shooting in Palm Coast; A Stabbing in Bunnell; An Arrest For Fake ID
The shooting took place in the Hammock after a man, fearing that a prowler he’d shooed off was going to return, was cleaning his gun, and the gun went off.
Flagler Auditorium Lights Up Its $86,000 LED Marquee, Boosting Visibility
The $71,000 Deltronics sign, plus $15,000 for its installation, was paid for through a $150,000 grant from county government’s Tourist Development Council and is part of a series of improvements at the auditorium designed to improve visibility and impact.
Wednesday Briefing: TDC Finds Its Local Soul, Netanyahu Loses His
Flagler County’s Tourist Development Council is playing on Palm Coast’s trademarked “Find Tour Florida” tagline with one of its own: “Find Your Local Soul.” Elsewhere, an onanist goers to court, and Netanyahu wins big in Israel.
$772 Million Amendment 1 Spending Focuses More On Management and Water Projects Than Land Acquisition
The plan drew mixed reviews from conservationists concerned that lawmakers disregarded the intent of voters who supported a constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 1, in November.
Palm Coast Votes 3-2 to End Red-Light Camera Contract in 2017 and Reduce Flashers To 5
A divided council still disagrees on the red-light cameras’ value. The city is being sued, but says the payout, should there be one, will be manageable.
Flagler’s Unemployment, No Longer Leading State, Plummets Below 7% For First Time Since 2007
Flagler’s 6.9 percent unemployment rate sent the county down to 14th place among counties with the worst unemployment, ending years of Flagler sitting at or near the top of that chart.
Bill Targeting Transgenders in Public Bathrooms Clears 2nd House Committee, 7-4
The 7-4 vote of the Florida House Government Operations Subcommittee included one dissent from a Republican, though as the bill advances, its chances of becoming law increase.
Undersheriff Rick Staly Resigns,
Fueling Speculation About 2016
The resignation, framed as a retirement, is likely to fuel speculation that Staly–a registered Republican–may be preparing a run for the sheriff’s office in less than two years.
Tuesday Briefing: New Regimes For Red-Light Cameras and School Uniforms
Today the Palm Coast City Council considers a broadly amended contract with its red-light camera vendor, reducing the pests in the city from 43 to five, while the school board considers liberalizing its school uniform policy.
Echoing Advocates, Flagler Commission Unanimously Approves Sea Ray’s Parking Lot Expansion
The vote was a victory for the Brunswick Corp.’s Sea Ray manufacturing plant, the unanimity of the vote was a victory for the county’s business establishment, though opponents had voiced concerns about the company’s existing pollutants and its future plans.
Senate Panel Approves Communications Tax Cut That Could Net Floridians a $43-a-Year Saving
The cut would lower the communications-services tax on cell-phone and cable TV from 6.65 percent to 3.05 percent and the tax rate on direct-to home satellite services from 10.8 percent to 7.2 percent. State economists estimate the cuts would eventually reduce state revenue by $470.9 million a year.
Claiming He Wasn’t Driving, Man Is Arrested For DUI After Injuring Biker in a Wreck
The wreck, which resulted in a head injury for a biker, took place outside the White Eagle Lounge, when witnesses told police Raymond Albinger, 54, jumped out of the truck he was driving and threw out a cooler from the bed of the truck into the bushes.
Plan to Extend Health Insurance to 800,000 Poor Floridians Crawls Against Steep Hurdles
The new Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program, or FHIX, would assist Floridians not eligible for Medicaid in purchasing health benefits coverage and gaining access to health services.
Monday Briefing: It’s All About Sea Ray
The Flagler County Commission Monday evening considers Sea Ray’s application for an expanded parking lot. The Legislature takes up guns on campus, drones and early school start dates.
Will U.S. Supreme Court Rule Florida’s Cavalier Death Penalty Unconstitutional?
In 27 of the 31 death penalty states, the jury’s decision to impose life imprisonment is final and may not be disturbed by the trial judge under any circumstances. But not in Florida.
What Palm Coast Won’t Do, What Other Cities Are Doing: Synchronizing Traffic Lights
Transportation experts say that revamping the way signals work will reduce congestion, save fuel costs, cut down on air pollution and make the roads safer.
Flagler Sheriff Warns of Phone Scammers Impersonating Deputies
The scam involves an individual posing as a sheriff’s lieutenant and claiming to victims that they have to pay up for missing a grand jury appointment.
Sea Ray’s View: We Are Building a Safer Parking Lot, Not Expanding Production
Craig Wall, operations manager at Sea Ray’s Palm Coast plant, counters concerns about the company’s intentions by laying out precisely what the manufacturer intends to do–and not do.
We Don’t Oppose Sea Ray. We Oppose Pollutants and Debasing Flagler Beach’s Quality of Life.
Two Flagler Beach residents lay out the case against Sea Ray’s proposed land use change to accommodate a parking lot, a change opponents say paves the way for more pollution without compelling the company to take stronger toxic-emission control measures.