Most new fires in Flagler County have been small, but lightning keeps triggering them, and near-record heat combined with lower-than-expected rains are keeping conditions brittle even as more named storms are predicted for the remainder of the hurricane season.
Supreme Court Says Rick Scott Overstepped His Authority By Usurping Rule-Making Powers
In a stinging rebuke of Gov. Rick Scott’s interpretation of his powers, the Florida Supreme Court, in a 5-2 ruling, declared the governor’s attempt to blunt and circumvent state agency rule-making invalid.
Whiley v. Scott: Full Text of Florida Supreme Court Decision Invalidating Gov. Scott’s Rulemaking Edict
Full text of the Florida Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision in Whiley v. Scott. The opinion was unsigned.
Bowing to Public Pressure, Palm Coast Opts for Bidding Out Trash Hauling Contract
Citing an epiphany in the shower, Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon reversed his recommendation to negotiate an garbage-contract extension with Waste Pro. The city will open up the process through a broader request for proposals.
IB Extended Essay Guide for Students
IB Extended Essay Guide: how to write the International Baccalaureate extended essay. A complete student guide with subject-specific examples.
In a Case With Implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, Polk Sheriff Shuts Down Internet Cafe
The Internet cafe–or gambling parlor–shut down in Davenport Monday is similar to those in Palm Coast and Bunnell, where local officials and residents are debating whether and how to regulate (or ban) the businesses.
Trash Flips: Waste Pro Lobbies Another County To Go to Bids While Urging Palm Coast Not To
Waste Pro wants to keep the $7-million-a-year garbage hauling in contract in Palm Coast, so it’s opposing a bidding process, but it’s arguing the exact opposite in Hillsborough County, where it’s hoping to win the contract.
Publix and Winn-Dixie Recall Ground Beef Sold in Flagler and St. Johns Over E. Coli Alert
The E. coli-contaminated ground chuck was produced by a Dodge City, Kansas-based meat packer and distributed to Publix and Winn-Dixie. Publix stores in four states and 17 Florida counties are affected.
Blaming County, Elections Supervisor Closes 3 Outlying Precincts for Special Election
Some Flagler County voters will have to travel 21 miles to cast a ballot in the special election for State Senate, District 1, others will have to travel 7 miles because of precinct closures.
Manic Mondex: Love Triangle and Drive-By Shooting Land a Woman in Jail
Kara Buckner is accused of firing a .22-caliber rifle at two people smoking on a porch Saturday night, while a 4-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl were inside. No one was hurt.
UF Survey: Political Acrimony and Economic Ills Hurt Real Estate’s Outlook in Florida
The University of Florida’s quarterly Survey of Emerging Market Conditions concludes that economic and political worries are holding back spending, except by foreigners. Tourism is the state’s strongest bright sport.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: The Cost Of Elections, Garbage and Redistricting
The County Commission has another close encounter with Supervisor of Elections Weeks, the Palm Coast City Council talks garbage, the school board talks redistricting, Bunnell talks special events, and in Tallahassee, the governor and the cabinet meet while several redistricting hearings are held around the state.
Like Sieves In the Night: Newcastle Marine Launches Mega-Yacht from Palm Coast Yard
Newcastle Marina kept the launch of its massive new yacht from its Palm Coast shipyard under wraps, going so far as to deny reports it would be launched Thursday night. But it was. Here are pictures.
When Income Was Taxed at 94%: How FDR Tackled Debt and Reckless Republicans
The last time the nation faced war debts Franklin Roosevelt didn’t hesitate to raise taxes and show up Republicans who stood in the way of fiscal responsibility, argues Sam Pizzigati.
Federal Individual Income Tax Rates By Year: 1913-2013
Federal income tax rates by year: the full history of marginal tax rates in the United States going back to 1913 in an easy-to-read format.
Health Care Reform Ruling: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 Decision
Full text of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 ruling on Aug. 12, 2011 overturning parts of the Obama administration’s health care reform law, in a case from Florida.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Survives Shattering Wreck Unscathed in Cruiser on US1
A young Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy was driving north on U.S. 1, about 75 yards south of Palm Coast Parkway, when he lost control of his cruiser and crashed in a ditch Saturday evening.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning For
Flagler and St. Johns Until 5:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Southeastern St. Johns County and northern Flagler County, with hail possible and severe winds, until 5:15 p.m. That includes Palm Coast.
From Federally Owned Foreclosed Homes To Rental Properties: Can It Work?
Government-owned foreclosures as rental property investments: The government is looking for win-win solutions for taxpayers, renters, investors and neighborhoods, but there’s plenty of skepticism about the foreclosure-to-rental concept.
Philip Levine’s Poetry, Longing for Herbert Hoover: The Live Wire
Celebrating Philip Levine, Poet Laureate, Herbert Hoover sounds good again, and more.
In a Florida Case, 2nd U.S. Appeals Court To Rule on Health Law Strikes It Down (It’s Now 1-1)
A divided panel of the conservative 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, in a case from Florida, ruled health reform unconstitutional, saying it is “unprecedented, lacks cognizable limits and imperils our federalist structure.”
Bunnell Mayor Outflanks Rookie Rogers, Shutting Down Talk of Martinez’s Future
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez survived what could have been a vote of confidence tonight thanks to a maneuver by Mayor Catherine Robinson, who prevented it.
Flagler’s Teens-in-Flight Produces Its First Licensed Pilot: 19-Year-Old Juan Rodriguez
Jack Howell started Teens-in-Flight at the Flagler County Airport in the fall of 2008 to give young students from military families or poorer families a chance to learn to fly without paying a dime.
At the Flagler County Jail, Training for Uncooperative Inmates and Lawsuit Deterrence
A member of the US Corrections Special Operations Group was at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office this week, training guards in what he calls “next-generation jail extraction.”
Man Found Dead With a Bullet to the Head at Indian Trails Sports Complex
Jeffrey Biermann, 41, was found by workers Friday morning, with a gun next to him. The sports complex was closed.
FPL’s $18 Billion Nuclear-Reactor Plans Leak Unanswered Questions Before Florida PSC
FPL’s plan to pass along almost $200 million in nuclear construction costs to consumers in just one year raised a question at the Public Service Commission: why charge customers if the $13 billion to $19 billion nukes plants may never be built?
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter, Aug. 1-10, 2011
Rock-throwing at a car by a juvenile and another suspicious incident in the Rymfire area, an assault at Bull Creek Fish Camp, a cop car damaged at Buddy Taylor Middle School, too many larcenies to count, and more.
To Ward Off Senility, Make That Bed: UF Researchers’ Advice to the Medicare Generation
University of Florida researchers have used laboratory-based methods to objectively measure the amount of energy older adults use up as they go about their daily activities. Activity means less senility.
Continuing Charm Offensive, Rick Scott On C-Span for 45 Minutes; Watch Video
Scott has been giving media interviews every day for the past two weeks in an effort to pull his approval rating from the abyss. He is trying to raise his likability.
Bunnell’s Armando Martinez a Finalist for Melbourne Police Chief; Special Meeting Set
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez applied for the Melbourne job one or two months ago. Commissioner John Rogers wants a special meeting of the commission to discuss Martinez’s contract in light of the revelation.
Shortened School Schedule Briefly Fumbles Buddy Taylor’s PAL Football Program
Buddy Taylor Middle School Mike Garrett sent a resignation letter to parents Wednesday when it appeared football students could not stay at the school between the earlier dismissal time and 3 p.m. practice. Principal Winnie Oden calls the situation a misunderstanding that was resolved.
The Man Behind No New Taxes, Apple Beats Exxon, Obama’s Lack Of A Plan: The Live Wire
A new tower at Ground Zero, Apple tops the market, Murdoch the mob boss, Obama needs a plan, China gets an aircraft carrier, and more.
Museum of Florida Art Turns 60, Cirque Du Soleil Florida Special: Culture Worth the Miles
The Museum of Florida Art’s 60th birthday celebrates children, Cirque du Soleil offers special prices to Floridians, celebrity impersonators, the musical of musicals and more.
Like Palm Coast, Bunnell Wrestles With Gambling Posing as Games–and Punts
Some define internet cafes as gambling. Some define it as business. Some define it as nobody’s business but their own. A 3-2 vote of the Bunnell City Commission sent the matter to the sheriff with a question: if it’s gambling, would he arrest its practitioners?
Why Palm Coast Doesn’t Want To Lower Your $239 Garbage Rate and Bid Out the Contract
Palm Coast skims off $700,000 from its annual $7 million contract with Waste Pro. Cheaper garbage rates for customers means less money for the city, which is partly why the city is resisting bidding out the contract.
Reminder: Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide
Florida’s Tax Free Days, or sales tax holiday, is scheduled this year for August 12 through August 14. The sales tax exemption applies to clothing and school supplies. A complete guide.
Palm Coast Races: 3 for Mayor, 4 for Council, 2 Elections, No Partridge, No Pear Tree
Qualifying closed Tuesday with Charlie Ericksen and Joe Cunnane challenging Jon Netts for mayor in the Sept. 13 primary, which may prove to be the deciding date in that race. Two council seats will be decided on Nov. 8.
Palm Coast to Raise Tax Rate 14% and Eliminate Stormwater Cost Exemption for Many
Most city services and jobs are protected in a proposed budget that will raise taxes enough to bring in almost as much revenue next year as it did this year, with shifts in sales tax dollars to subsidize the general revenue fund.
Refusing Other Federal Health Care Aid, Florida Welcomes Abstinence-Only Cash
Florida has been against taking federal health care money until being for it–as long as it sustains abstinence-only sex classes.
When France Has a Better Credit Rating Than the United States
What does it mean to the United States when France and Britain are considered safer destinations for investors by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor? It shouldn’t mean much. But it’s not always about what’s rational.
Obama’s Lost Glitter, Florida Selling, Michelle Bachmann’s Migraines: The Live Wire
Flagler schools say thanks, remembering Nagasaki, arguing on the Internet, Homer’s honor and fair play in the Illiad, UF, party school no more, and more.
Garbage Cunning: Palm Coast May Skip Bidding Out $7.7 Million-a-Year Contract
The 5-year contract with Waste Pro is expiring. The city council Tuesday will discuss whether to renegotiate or go out to bid, though so far the city administration is signaling resistance to a bid process
A Divided County Commission Votes 3-2 To End Support for Enterprise Flagler
Alan Peterson, Nate McLaughlin and Milissa Holland agreed to end support for Enterprise Flagler after David Ottati, the agency’s president, made his pitch for an up-or-down vote.
As Proposed County Budget Kills Enterprise Flagler, Ottati Asks for Up Or Down Vote
Mired in disarray, economic development’s future in Flagler County is mobilizing around two competing plans–the county’s and enterprise Flagler’s–with Enterprise Flagler asking for a vote and Palm Coast still sitting it all out.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Garbage, Jobs and Nukes
The Flagler County Commission discusses Enterprise Flagler’s future, the Palm Coast City Council takes on garbage hauling, Bunnell debates adult video arcades, and the PSC takes on nuclear power construction costs.
Saint Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church Presents an Adult Study on “Making Sense of the Christian Faith”
Palm Coast’s St.Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church will host a 9-session adult course exploring the major theological doctrines through discussion of Making Sense of the Christian Faith by Reverend Dr. David Lose. The course begins on Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Florida’s Nuclear Energy Scamming: It’s Not Rickover’s Atomic Power Program Anymore
Customers should not have to pay decades ahead of time for Florida Power & Light’s and Progress Energy’s future nuclear power plans, especially when they may not be built, argues Darrell Smith.
In Flagler Beach, a Darting Dog, a Swerving Car, a Woman in Critical Condition
Maura Nations, 26, a resident of Orlando, was struck by a car that was swerving to avoid her dog, which had darted across State Road A1A in Flagler Beach Saturday afternoon.
FPL and Progress Energy Again Asking To Pass Along Ghost-Nuke Plant Costs
Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida are seeking to pass along about $335 million in nuclear costs to customers next year, largely to cover costs of nuclear plants that won’t be built for 10 years or more.
Kisses, Spoofs, Puns and Rap Run Wild in Repertory Theatre’s Shakespearean Vaudeville
Director John Sbordone’s first workshop production this weekend at the Repertory Theatre’s stage, at Hollingsworth Gallery, dares grope where no Shakespeare has versed before. It’s high-energy hilarity.