Justin Boyles was convicted of second-degree murder and faces life in prison for the murder of Hammock resident Ed Mellener in 2013, the Flagler School Board takes up calendars for the next two school years.
Flagler’s Sensitive Land Acquisition Panel Cool to 116-Acre Pitch Along Lake Disston
John A. Kern is proposing to sell the 116 acres along Lake Disston for $2.8 million (14 times the assessed value), but without an additional 20 acres the the Flagler county committee wants in the deal if it’s to keep pursuing the proposal.
17-Year-Old Tackles Would-Be Burglar in Palm Coast’s P Section; Suspect Flees
Joshua J. Ortiz, 17, was home alone at 89 Pheasant Drive Sunday evening when he realized his house was being burglarized. He tackled him and was cut on the arm by a knife before the alleged assailant fled.
Pinellas Sheriff’s Caution on Open-Carry Bill Triggers Duel of Furious Accusations
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says a Sarasota Herald-Tribune blogger “absolutely mischaracterizes” his concerns about open-carry, as the blogger and Florida Carry, the pro-gun lobby group, claim the sheriff would threaten to shoot concealed carriers.
From Brownfield to Community Vegetable Garden, a Coalition Seeds Fresher Health
A $34,000 brownfields grant and the collaboration of numerous schools, agencies and businesses transformed an old propane farm in South Bunnell into a community vegetable garden that will help feed hundreds.
Brandon Henry, Kayaker in St. Johns, Missing on River Since Sunday Afternoon, Is Found
Brandon Henry, 29, of St. Johns County, was last seen at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon launching his kayak on the St. Johns River, near his home, and traveling north on the water, somewhat south of Jacksonville.
Monday Briefing: A Garden For South Bunnell, A Sensitive Acquisition on Lake Disston, Library Talk
The Flagler County Land Acquisition Committee is considering the potential acquisition of a $2.8 million, 116-acre property on Lake Disston. The public library board talks finances, and officials meet in South Bunnell to dedicate a vegetable garden.
4-Year-Old Critical After Being Slammed to The Ground; Palm Coast Man, 22, Arrested
Christopher Craig Williams, of Palm Coast’s E-Section, was angry with the child and allegedly, picked him up above his head by his arms and slammed him to the carpeted concrete floor, causing severe head injuries, bleeding and seizures.
Special Treatment for Firefighters With Cancer? Florida Among Few States That Say No
Florida lawmakers have introduced bills that would make Florida the 34th state to offer special protection to firefighters, but the measure faces obstacles in large part because of local governments’ opposition.
Donald Trump’s Funeral
If Donald Trump were to drop dead tomorrow Democrats would grieve, Republican candidates would celebrate, but Trump’s neo-fascism will have already damaged the nation beyond recognition.
Look Closer: Student Art Upstages Grown-Ups in Pair of Flagler County Art League Shows
Startling juxtapositions abound in “Look Close” and the “High School Student Art Exhibit,” two shows that open Saturday December 12 at the Flagler County Art League in Palm Coast.
Sheriff Dispels Rumors of ISIS Targeting Palm Coast as FDLE Re-Launches See-Say Campaign
The “If you See Something, Say Something” campaign–prompted by renewed but discredited rumors of Palm Coast being in ISIS’ crosshairs–is not, however, license for harassment, bias or vigilantism.
“I’m Against It,” Sheriff Manfre Says of Open-Carry as Bill Picks Up Momentum
Opponents of open-carry, including a number of Florida sheriffs, Flagler County’s Jim Manfre among them, warn that people who openly display guns could get hurt as a result, either by criminals or law enforcement.
Weekend Briefing: Community Chorus, Starlight Parade, Holiday Pops, Chess in Jax, Lotsa Schubert
The Community Chorus of Palm Coast in concert at Trinity Presbyterian Friday, Palm Coast’s Starlight Parade and preceding events start Saturday afternoon, The St. Augustine Orchestra at the Flagler Auditorium Sunday, and a whole lot more.
No War On Women? I Disagree
The debate reflects an ancient, unyielding, and ultimately impossible desire on the part of men to control a power that our creator entrusted to women: propagating the species, writes Julie Delegal.
Santa Claus Meets His Match: “A Mark Twain Christmas” at City Repertory Theatre
Like the other one-man Twain shows Robert Gill has created, “A Mark Twain Christmas” is composed of about 75 percent of the author’s monologues and writings recited verbatim, and about 25 percent is Gill‘s creation.
To Elude Cops, Woman Jumps Into Intracoastal With Crack, Pills and $2,000 Cash in Tow
Nichole Headley, 25, a Palm Coast probationer, swam across the Intracoastal to evade cops but was caught after an alleged burglary, and was found with the cash and drugs on her.
It’s Finally Safe to Drink the Water in Bunnell as City Marks Opening of $4.8 Million Plant
Bunnell city government on Wednesday commemorated the opening of a water plant that ends a difficult and expensive journey for the city, from deficits and dirty water to clean water.
Municipal Elections for 3 Flagler Cities To Be Held on Presidential Primary Day, March 15
The municipal elections for Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach will be held in conjunction with the county-wide Presidential Preference Primary election scheduled for March 15 to save money and encourage more turnout.
Public School Testing Could Move Away From Statewide Exams as Lawmakers Study Fix
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is working on legislation that would allow schools to use tests other than the statewide standardized exams, which are used in some graduation and promotion decisions, teacher evaluations and school grades.
Thursday Briefing: Flagler Beach’s Water Break, Scalia’s Blacks Problem, Christmas Shows
In a hearing on affirmative action Justice Antonin Scalia echoes a brief questioning whether blacks belong in certain advanced universities, Flagler Beach may approve a contract with Larry Newsome, its new city manager, Old Kings Elementary and Buddy Taylor have Christmas shows.
Six People Hospitalized, Including 6-Year-Old Girl, After 3-Car Wreck on SR100 and Colbert
Seven people were injured, among them a 6-year-old girl, and six of them taken to Florida Hospital Flagler following a three-car wreck at the intersection of State Road 100 and Colbert Lane in Flagler Beach just before 7 p.m. this evening.
Belle Terre Swim Club Gets a $25,000 Annual County Lifeline and Nears Membership Goal
County government’s annual contribution will make it more difficult for the school board to close the troubled Swim and Racquet Club, as will an advisory group’s campaign that has netted some 250 new memberships, or just 150 short of the goal the board set for January.
Fact-Check: When Jimmy Carter Threatened Iranian Students With Deportation
Donald Trump’s call for excluding Muslim travel to the U.S. is being inaccurately compared to President Carter’s 1979 and 1980 orders regarding Iranian students and travelers during the Iranian hostage crisis.
Shooting Beer Cans or Threatening Neighbors at Second Chance Rescue? A Man Is Arrested
David R. Gilmore was arrested on aggravated assault charges after Second Chance Rescue’s Debbie Root accused him of pointing his shotgun at a 16-year-old girl on her property.
Wednesday Briefing: Youth Orchestra in Concert at the Auditorium, Hammock Murder Trial
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 370-some musicians are in concert at the Flagler Auditorium this evening, the murder trial of Justin Boyles, who is accused of murdering Hammock resident Edward Scott Mullener in a love-triangle dispute in 2013, continues in St. Augustine.
Florida Gibberish: Subbing Computer Coding For Foreign Languages Is Idea of a Yahoo
The bill in the Florida Legislature by an ex-Yahoo executive wanting to push computer science at the expense of foreign languages would worsen education, not improve it.
Take-Out, Groceries, Pills, Booze? Palm Coast Delivery Factory Will Get It To You
Palm Coast Delivery Factory, the new service that just launched in town, will deliver just about anything to customers by way of a phone call or–as its young owner-entrepreneurs prefer, by text.
Sheriff’s Lost Computer Files Are Recovered, But County Faces a $1.1 Million IT Fix
Some $600,000 was budgeted ahead of the October crash. But $500,000 was not. The county commission will have to find that money. And that’s just for this year as the county and sheriff catch up on neglected information infrastructure.
One Arrested, Another Surrenders in Mondex Shooting Involving Assault Weapons
Dakotah W. Clarke, 19, was arrested, Spencer Sarmento, 23, who reportedly fired 10 to 15 rounds at a Mitsubishi, is still being sought. Both face aggravated assault charges, and possibly additional charges. Both have previous jail records.
Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s Total Muslim Ban, Palm Coast’s Plans for Old Kings Road, Women of Ireland
Donald Trump calls for banning all Muslims entering the U.S., without exceptions, Palm Coast discusses widening Old Kings Road and amending the city manager’s contract, an unhygenic incident at Rymfire’s VPK.
Two Rymfire Elementary Students Hurt as Car Backs Into Them in Parking Lot
Two Rymfire Elementary School students were slightly injured this morning when a car backed into them in the parking lot of Ralph Carter Park, next to the elementary school.
“We Might Be One Terrorist Act Away From a Trump Presidency”
A spectacular murder spree by Islamists could spook Americans enough to vote for the greatest fear-monger. Anything is possible, but Ian Buruma doesn’t believe American voters would be that stupid.
Deputies Looking for Man Who Shot Up a Car With an AK-47 in the Mondex in a Dispute
No one was hurt. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for the man since, though it has not been an active pursuit, and it was awaiting a search warrant to enter the man’s house Monday evening.
Ex-Clerk Dan Davis Is Appointed City Manager in Bunnell in 3-2 Vote, Ending Swift Course
The Bunnell city commission took less than a month from the time Larry Williams announced his resignation, looking internally and choosing from three candidates. Davis had been the deputy clerk after a much-publicized angry resignation two and a half years ago.
County’s Coffey Calls Some of Palm Coast’s EMS Claims “Garbage” In Broad Rebuke
Responding to Palm Coast’s claim two weeks ago that EMS service can be more efficient and responsive, County Administrator Craig Coffey today rejected the city’s analysis, saying it would end up costing taxpayers a lot more.
County Approves $25,000 Public Subsidy for Spartan Race on Private Land Next Year
The county commission with little discussion unanimously approved the taxpayer subsidy for the once-controversial race, which will take place at the Cracker Ranch in November 2016.
Judge Tosses Part of Amendment 1 Challenge, But Environmentalists Claim Success
A Leon County judge Thursday removed a major part of a lawsuit that contests how lawmakers decided to spend money that voters approved last year for land buying and preservation. However, an attorney for four environmental groups challenging the state’s spending called the ruling a victory. “We’re in this case,” said David Guest, managing attorney […]
Monday Briefing: Spartan Race Is Back, Ambulance Debate Shuttles to Flagler, Bunnell Debates Managers
The Flagler County Commission is expected to approve a $25,000 subsidy for the Spartan Race, this time on private land, and debate the delivery of ambulance service in the county and Palm Coast, in answer to Palm Coast’s mounting wish for a new system.
In Light of Paris and San Bernandino, Smaller Cities Re-Evaluate Their Soft-Target Potential
People who don’t live in big cities typically viewed as likely terrorist targets may not think about terrorism affecting their communities or about devoting the resources to countering the possibility they could be hit. But they ought to.
Hunting Undocumented Immigrants,
Travis Hutson Discovers His Inner Jim Crow
Sen. Travis Hutson filed a pair of bills that would criminalize undocumented immigrants in Florida. The bills are unconstitutional, bigoted and unnecessary.
Transgenders in Flagler Schools: District Takes It Case By Case as State Scrutinizes More Than Nurtures
The state and, to some extent, Flagler County, have a long way to go to ensure that transgender students are treated not only fairly and equitably, but that the environment they face is more respectful than questioning, more welcoming than inhibiting.
At Salvo Art Project, Lofty Growth and New Engagements at Year One in Lush Digs
While they’ve accelerated the business side of their artistic pursuits, co-owners JJ Graham and Petra Iston still have time to paint and create and channel their muses at Salvo Art Project, which just celebrated its first-year anniversary.
Ericksen Will Run for Commission Re-Election After All; Medley Files for Elections Supervisor
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.
