Almost two months into her cancer treatment, Jo Ann Nahirny–who faces surgery Tuesday–surveys the long list of side-effects, good and bad, that she’s endured, from crushing bills to the moving affection of students and friends, and am ever- loyal husband.
Obama and the Southern Tradition
Mitt Romney and his diminishing white-male-America coalition wanted to put Barack Obama in his place. He failed. But certain realities of southern tradition endure, as does a racism in American politics that coursed through the 2012 election.
Rivets on Ice: “Titanic,” The Musical, Sinks And Rises at the Flagler Auditorium Tuesday
Winner of five Tony Awards, “Titanic,” the musical–one of the most expensive Broadway productions ever–brings its sets and stories for a one-night engagement at the Flagler Auditorium Tuesday evening.
Amendment Shock: A More Tolerant Nation Is By-Passing Smug, Regressive Florida
Many of Tuesday’s 176 popular referendum that passed speak of a more tolerant, more freedom-loving nation. Except in Florida, where the Legislature’s 11 proposals put the state at odds with national trenbds–and the Florida Legislature at odds with the people it claims to represent.
49-Year-Old Man Hangs Himself Outside Nautilus Condos in Flagler Beach
The public suicide took place just before 4 p.m. Sunday at the foot of the Nautilus condos, where the victim, who had depression issues, lived with his parents.
Criticism Mounts as Florida’s Voting Process Shames and Embarrasses Again
Most of the state experienced problem-free voting. But in Miami-Dade County, many voters remained in line long after the race was called, with some voters reportedly waiting for more than six hours to cast a ballot on Election Day. The delay was despite the fact that half the state’s voters had already voted before Tuesday.
Global Warming and Hurricane Sandy’s Wake-Up Call
The frightening consequences of climate disruption that scientists have warned us about for decades are already here. Sandy is only the latest and most devastating incident in a pattern of extreme weather that’s become impossible to ignore, argues the Sierra Club’s Michael Brune.
How Companies Mine Your Facebook Profile, Tweets and Posts, and Sell Your Habits
Some companies record — and then resell — your screen names, web site addresses, interests, hometown and professional history, and how many friends or followers you have, according to a report released this week. Some companies also collect and analyze information about users’ “tweets, posts, comments, likes, shares, and recommendations.”
Florida Elections Roundup: Celebrations and Surprises for Democrats, Glumness for GOP
Florida Democrats hadn’t celebrated much since, well, President Obama won the state in 2008. But that changed Tuesday. Obama carried Florida again on the way to a second term in the White House, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won re-election, and Democratic candidates picked up legislative and congressional seats.
Almost a Quarter Century of Saturdays With the Artist at Flagler County Art League
The 24th Saturday Afternoon With the Artist is actually an evening show now, opening Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Flagler County Art League’s gallery at City Market Place, with 94 new works by local artists.
At Hollingsworth Gallery:
Richard Schreiner, Artist of the Year
Richard Schreiner, the Louis CK of painting, influenced many artists in Palm Coast through Hollingsworth gallery, where he worked until his death in July. Naming him the 2012 Artist iof the Year was an easy choice for the Gargiulo Art Foundation. A new exhibit, “Richard and Friends,” celebrates his work and those he influenced, at Hollingsworth through November.
Bunnell Manager Martinez’s Pay Raise Blocked As a Commissioner Calls Him “Overpaid”
Bunnell Manager Armando Martinez had already received a 5 percent “cost of living” raise, but was eligible for a merit raise, bringing his salary to $104,470. A split commission blocked the increase.
Palm Coast Responds With Open Hearts as Hurricane Sandy Relief Trucks Fill Up Fast
Susan and Alan Wheeler wanted Palm Coast and Flagler residents to help fill a 20-foot box truck with emergency goods and drive it to Keansburg, N.J. By Friday, they’d filled up two trucks and were likely going to need a third, as Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts challenged the city and the county to fill it up, too, by evening, while Wheeler said overflows might go to Feed Flagler.
How Flagler County Democrats Killed Milissa Holland’s Shot at a Florida House Seat
Dissension, dysfunction and confusion within the Democratic Party structure proved to be fatal obstacles for Milissa Holland, a popular Democrat who lost her bid for a Florida House seat by a slim margin.
State Attorney Files Felony Charge Against Timothy Draper for Shooting a Gun at Public Park
Jeremy Blackwelder and Timothy Draper were riding around Herschel King Park off Colbert Lane late the night of Oct. 29, with two women and a child, when Draper allegedly fired a .22 from a Chevy’s window, not far from the Grand Haven community.
Cyclist Bertram Ralph, 78, Critically Injured in Collision With Car on Belle Terre
Bertram Ralph, a long-time resident of Braddock Lane in Palm Coast, was cycling along Belle Terre Parkway early this morning, less than a mile from his home, when he was struck by a car as he crossed Pine Lakes Parkway. He was evacuated by air in critical condition, to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
Daytona State Launches Social Media Course This Spring, Available Online (Naturally)
Daytona State College is offering Social Media Marketing, a college-credit, stand-alone course launching this spring semester, along with a parallel course, Advertising. Both courses will be offered online.
Central Florida Helps Democrats Erode GOP’s Legislative Majority as State Realigns
For the first time in three decades, Democrats get a net increase in Florida Senate seats. They reduced the GOP majority in the house from 81-38 to 76-44, despite redistricting, and the state’s direction appears no longer to favor Republicans as easily as it has.
“DrumLine,” at the Flagler Auditorium, Turns Half Time into Showtime
“DrumLine”‘s live stage band show recreates the common joke at black college football games–that the first two quarters are merely time for fans to eat, drink and flirt until it’s time for the real show at half-time. “DrumLine” is four quarters’ worth of half time shows.
16 Applicants for Palm Coast Council Short-Listed to 4; Closed-Door Interviews Next
The Palm Coast City Council will appoint one of four remaining applicants to fill out Frank Meeker’s term, which ends in 2014. The appointment will follow council members’ closed-door interviews with each candidate next Tuesday, then a vote. Meeker won an election to the county commission.
Allen West Gone, Alan Grayson Back: Democrats Hail Gains in Florida’s Congressional Delegation
Allen West, a Tea Party favorite, lost against Patrick Murphy despite outspending him 6-to-1, while Alan Grayson returned to to Congress in what Democrats are calling a mini-wave in Florida, where they picked up seats in the Legislature as well while keeping the state in Obama’s camp.
No Close Call: Obama Wins; Weeks, Meeker, Nelson, DeSantis, Thrasher, Hanns, Moore-Stens, Manfre and Hutson Win
Flagler County election results will be posted here as soon as they are available, along with results of presidential, federal and state races, and updated as long as results are generated. All results for all Flagler County and related elections will be on this page.
Scenes from Flagler’s Election Day
Short lines, minor problems, strange decisions at polling locations to restrict campaign solicitors as Flagler County and the rest of the nation votes. FlaglerLive is gathering impressions, reactions and images from Election Day around the county.
With Fewer Days and Places to Vote, Early Voting Falls Significantly in Flagler
On-person early voting was down in Flagler County from 36.6 percent in 2008 to 29.1 percent this year, for several reasons: a shorter early-voting window, two early voting locations instead of three (Flagler Beach was eliminated), and less enthusiasm than the 2008 election, which drew the highest turnout in a presidential election in 40 years.
Florida’s Political Petals: Where Obama and Romney Will Win Easily, Region By Region
From Little Haiti to West Orlando to The Villages and rural northeast Florida, certain regions are sure wins for either Obama or Romney, and counties ripe for each campaigns’ get-out-the-vote ground game. An analysis.
Fox News and the Politics of Hurricane Obama
On Fox News, Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath was replaced with endless and largely manufactured claims of an Obama cover-up of the attack on the American consulate in benghazi. Fox’s latest Swiftboat attack on the president foundered.
Jaime Hutcherson, 23, of Palm Coast, Is Killed in a Motorcycle-SUV Wreck on US1
Jaime Hutcherson, a 23-year-old resident of Palm Coast, was killed following a wreck on U.S. 1 Saturday night after Hutcherson, riding his motorcycle, violently struck an SUV from behind, just past the Hess station and convenience store.
Flagler County Fire Flight Knocks Down Brush Blaze Within Yards of Plantation Bay Homes
A brush fire broke out just after noon today in a wooded area immediately behind a line of houses in Plantation Bay. The fire, within some 20 yards of the houses, was quickly put out by Flagler County Fire Flight and Volusia County Fire Rescue crews.
Dirty Harry’s Man: Obama Approved The Fewest Clemencies of Any President
Obama has parceled out forgiveness far more rarely than his recent predecessors, pardoning just 22 individuals while denying 1,019. At this point in his presidency, Ronald Reagan had pardoned 1 of every 3, George H.W. Bush 1 in 16, Bill Clinton 1 in 8 and George W. Bush 1 in 33.
Trey Corbett: The Live Interview
Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Race
Trey Corbett is the Republican candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections in the Nov. 6 election, facing one-term incumbent Supervisor Kimberle Weeks, a Democrat. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Kimberle Weeks: The Live Interview | Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Race
Kimberle Weeks, the incumbent Democrat, is a candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections in the Nov. 6 election, facing Trey Corbett, a Republican. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Flagler Schools’ Overall Enrollment Flat For 4th Straight Year as Charters Keep Growing
Flagler County’s three charter schools’ enrollment exceeds 1,000, or 8 percent of the district, which saw its traditional schools’ enrollment fall to the lowest level since the 2005-06 school year.
U.S. Economy Adds 171,000 Jobs in October, Topping Half a Million in Last 3 Months
The economy added 171,000 jobs in October, exceeding economists’ expectation of 135,000, and figures for August and September were revised upward, adding 84,000 to previous tallies, for a total of 511,000 jobs in the last three months.
Crime in Flagler County Declines Again, Adding Another Wrinkle to Sheriff’s Race
Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming was quick to tout the 6.2 percent crime rate decline in the first six months of 2012 as vindication of his policies, while his opponent, Jim Manfre, a former sheriff, pointed out that crime was lower during his tenure.
To Reduce Jail Overcrowding, Civil Citations Are Advocated For Lesser Offenders
Florida’s criminal justice system has seen some success with using alternatives to lock-ups for juvenile offenders. It’s been so successful that there’s a burgeoning movement to increase the use of non-jail diversion programs with non-violent adult offenders, which could have significant impact in Flagler County.
Van Carrying 75 Car Batteries Overturns on 95 Near SR100, Spilling Acid and Causing Delays
A van transporting some 75 vehicle batteries and traveling north on I-95, just north of State Road 100 in Palm Coast, lost control from a tire blow-out and overturned into the southbound lanes, spilling batteries, acid and candy. The driver was evacuated to Halifax with traumatic injuries.
Palm Coast Water and Sewer Rates Set to Rise Up to 22% Over the Next Three Years
The Palm Coast City Council prides itself on keeping property taxes low, but its array of fees continue to increase steeply, as will utility rates if the council approves a debt refinancing plan that would let the city borrow another $15 million for utility improvements, even though growth in the city has slowed to a drip.
Blaze at Woodstone Lane House With Troubled History Termed “Absolutely” Suspicious
A fire that broke out late Tuesday night at 20 Woodstone Lane in Palm Coast is the latest in a series of incidents that have involved homeowners Harold and Karen Pizzetta since September.
Obama Clings to Smallest Lead in Florida, But His Ohio Margin May Make Florida Irrelevant
The latest Quinnipiac/New York Times/CBS News poll–one of the more reliable polls tracking the swing-state electorate–shows President Obama again in the lead in Florida. A larger lead in Ohio may make Florida irrelevant to Obama’s path to 270 electoral votes.
Election Antidote: A Schubert Sonata
Between smarmy candidates who speak like hobbits on furlough from Neverland and the increasing juvenilia of the presidential campaign, there’s not enough oxycodone on earth to dull the torture. But there’s Schubert.
In Startling Confrontations, DeLorenzo Takes On Palm Coast’s Jim Landon–and Impact Fees
Palm Coast City Council member Jason DeLorenzo on Tuesday questioned the veracity of City Manager Jim Landon’s numbers and his “backroom” style while making the case for a two-year moratorium for impact fees on new construction in the city in a rare, direct and sustained public challenge to the assuming city manager.
Pilates in the Park Raises Awareness and Money Locally
With more than 100 people in attendance, the third annual Pilates in the Park raised awareness and funds to help with screening mammograms, diagnostic studies and education.
Rotary Club of Flagler County Donates 1,000 Dictionaries to 3rd Graders
The Rotary Club of Flagler County is donating 1,032 dictionaries to third grade students of Flagler County Public Schools. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 30 shortly after the noon meeting begins, at The Grand Club at Pine Lakes Golf Course, 400 Pine Lakes Parkway N, in Palm Coast.
Party Spin Kicks In as 1.9 Million Floridians Have Already Cast Early Voting Ballots
Democratic voters accounted for 39.5 percent of the absentee returns, with voters affiliated with other parties and NPAs making up the remainder. In early voting, the roles reverse. Democrats made up 49.1 percent of the more than 528,000 voters who cast ballots over the weekend. Republicans made up 28.6 percent.
Big Storm Requires Big Government: Five Reads Tuesday
Mitt Romney wants to send FEMA’s responsibilities to the states. Hurricane Sandy proves him wrong. Joseph Stiglitz on inequality, Bahrain, an American ally, bans all protests, coal mining’s bigger costs, the FBI’s cell-phone stingrays, and Flagler jail bookings.
Three Men Stabbed at Hammock Community Center Party; No One Is Talking
The Halloween party took place at the Hammock Community Center on Malacompra Road Friday night and broke up after a big fight early Saturday morning, but the victims would not speak, and most witnesses had scattered before cops were able to investigate. The investigation is ongoing.
Another Feather in Bird’s Cap as Fire Flight Rescues 2 Mud Muckers Lost Overnight
Wayne Oley, 30, and Brigett Madorma, 24, lost their ATV in the wilds of Mud Muckers’s 19,000 acres Sunday night, and were lost after that, until Fire Flight spotted them Monday morning, shivering from a cold night but otherwise fine.
Crossing Out Amendment 8: Public Money Does Not Belong in Religious Schools
Religious groups have no rights to public money when it comes to funding private schools, precisely because religious indoctrination is part and parcel of the mission of those schools, and taxpayers should not have to pay for that, argues Cary McMullen.
William Merrill, Who Shot and Killed His Wife With an AK-47, Is Sentenced to 25 Years
William Carson Merrill, who shot his wife with an AK-47 in their Palm Coast home in February as she gave their daughter a bath and he played with the assault rifle, faced a maximum of 30 years for manslaughter–almost what Judge Raul Zambrano handed down in a full courtroom Monday afternoon.
County Line Bar in The Mondex Burns in Mysterious Morning Fire; No Injuries
The County Line Bar in Daytona North, or the Mondex, went up in flames Monday morning just after 11 a.m. for unknown reasons. The fire was still burning at noon.