Janet Valentine this week began filling Bill Delbrugge’s shoes amid high expectations and some concerns.
Double-Dip: US Economy Loses 125,000 Jobs Even as Unemployment Rate Drops to 9.5%
With census jobs vanishing, so is job creation as the US economy in June appeared headed for a double-dip recession.
Prescription Pill-Popping By Far a Leading Killer as Florida’s Drug Deaths Spike 20%
Oxycodone, the addictive prescription pain-killer also known as OxyContin, directly caused more deaths in Florida in 2009 than cocaine, heroin and morphine combined.
Crime Reports, June 28-July 4, 2010
A stolen tag from Volusia County is recovered, a bank refuses to refund customer for fraudulent charges, and more.
School Board: Closing Carver Gym Not an Option; How Bunnell Killed Carver Housing
The school district is adding its voice to a chorus of protest and damning history against closing Carver Gym.
Tourism Panel Clears Half-Step Toward Palm Coast Arts Foundation Center, But Questions Persist
A $50,000 study is recommended for the smaller scale of a grand plan for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s arts, culture and conference center in Town Center.
They’re Watching You: Palm Coast Council Turned on by Spy Cameras at Public Parks
City employees can spy on park-goers from ordinary computers networked to the six cameras installed at the park.
FCAT Scores: Matanzas High School
FCAT Scores, passing rates and historical data for Matanzas High School, including 2010.
Flagler Schools’ FCAT Reading Scores Disappoint, Math Scores a Plus
Every grade but the 6th and 9th posted declines in reading. The district did better in math, either improving or holding steady in all grades except the 5th.
A Confused but Adamant Bunnell Commission Wants Carver Gym to Stay Open
Bunnell city commissioners had neither the numbers nor the patience to discuss Carver Gym thoroughly Monday, delaying the issue to another meeting.
Pressing for Raises, Teachers’ Union Holding District Hostage Over Class-Size Compromise
The union would approve a district plan to comply with class-size requirements in exchange for $2.4 million in raises.
Flagler Get Your Gun: Supremes Rule 5-4 That 2nd Amendment Extends to States and Locals
The ruling is more likely to confuse rather than clarify how state and local gun regulations may be written into law.
Senate Tribute to Robert C. Byrd on Casting His 15,000th Vote
A tribute to Robert Byrd, never before published, on his casting his 15,000th vote in the Senate. Byrd died this morning, June 28, at 3 a.m. He was 92.
Miss Flagler County 2010
It’s Amanda Dack
Amada Dack has achieved more in her 21 years than many people do in an average lifetime.
Substation Problem Cuts Power for 4,000 FPL Customers in Palm Coast
Electric power was out for just under two hours for some 4,000 Florida Power & Light customers in Palm Coast.
Best of the Rest: June 27, 2010
Lousy Duval schools, lousy class-size rules, lousy Gen. McChrystal, and more.
Best of the Rest: June 6, 2010
FCAT scores delayed, Miami’s naked bike ride, Crist’s oily tan, and more.
Palm Coast Roller Derby Scrimmage Against Ocala in a First–and Set Sights on Carver Gym
Palm Coast’s first roller derby team falls to Ocala–and talks about moving to embattled Carver Gym in Bunnell.
Watching Team USA Live With Eddie Johnson (US 1, Ghana 2)
We’re covering the US-Ghana World Cup match live with soccer great and Bunnell native Eddie Johnson, from Palm Coast’s Houligan’s.
Drill This: Hundreds in Flagler, Thousands Across Globe’s Sands Link Against Oil
The moment was as symbolic as it was literal: a human chain in Flagler Beach against off-shore oil drilling and for alternatives to fossil fuels.
Hit the Beaches: Solidarity Against Oil As Hands Across the Sands Gets Set for Noon
Colleen Conklin, the school board member, is organizing the event–handing out slips and whistles, synchronizing the human link–along with Carmen Arasknick.
FCAT Scores, A Month Late, to Be Released After Untold Damage to Schools
The Department of Education and testing company Pearson are still playing word games over the cause and extent of the delay, which ruined district and student planning for fall.
Flagler Beach Again on Collision Course With Boating and RV Parking Regulations
It’s one of three issues–dogs on the beach and surfing near the pier are the others–that get Flagler Beach residents really, really ticked at whatever the commission decides.
Poverty Signs: Steep Rise in Children Needing Free or Reduced Meals in Flagler Schools
The rising numbers of children on free and reduced meals is a reflection of rising poverty and a rising toll on local families with fewer means.
Crime Reports, June 21-27
An attempted break-in at the sheriff’s substation in western Bunnell, vandalism in Espanola park, new home tagged with gang graffiti, and more.
Ex-Sheriff Jim Manfre, Flagler Schools Exec Mike Judd, Among 72 FB Manager Applicants
The MBAs and MPAs are piling up alongside substitute teachers and other surprises in the applicants’ pool, open for five more weeks.
Citing Contractual Failures and Unwarranted Favors, Flagler Kills Hunter’s Ridge Expansion
The 3-2 vote was an unusual split over the difference between growth management and helping a developer be as economically viable as possible.
The Epic Is Here: Bigwigs Sneak Preview Town Center Theater Tonight Before Friday Opening
The 14-screen theater in Town Center is opening to great anticipation for action on screen and, economically, beyond its walls.
Flagler Has 30 Days Left to respond to 5 Proposed Manatee-Protection Speed Zones
Flagler’s committee is at the half-way point of responding the state’s proposed speed zones in the Intracoastal.
Local Ham Radio Association Simulating 24-Hour Emergency Crisis Center Saturday
Local ham radio “hams” will operate under emergency conditions for 24 hours at the Flagler Beach fire station June 27-27. The public is welcome to witness the operation or learn about becoming a ham.
100,000 Barrels Per Day? The Internal Document that Contradicts BP’s Claims on Oil Flow
The 100,000-barrels-per-day scenario contrasts sharply with BP’s public pronouncements of a much smaller spill rate.
African-American Mentors Honor
Bill Delbrugge, “Beacon of Support”
In his last days as superintendent, Delbrugge is celebrated by men of one of the most effective programs for young, at-risk black students.
How Race and Deception Are Cleaving the Fate of Bunnell’s Carver Gym
The County Commission seems insensitively disconnected from the consequences of closing the black community’s only gym and community center in Bunnell.
Courtney Cobb, Missing Since June 10, “Has Been Found and Is Cooperating.”
Safe and unharmed, according to Courtney’s mother, it isn’t clear where specifically Courtney is, as an investigation carries on.
No Conflicts Resolved as Elections Supervisor Weeks Blame-Blasts County Commission
The 150-minute meeting designed to work out issues ahead of fall’s big elections devolved into accusations and recriminations by Weeks against all.
Meet the 2010 Miss Flagler County Contestants
Your starting point to brief profiles of Miss Flagler County contestants in all age categories.
Miss Flagler County Pageant 2010 Contestants, Ages 16-23
A complete, click-through chart of the 2010 Miss Flagler County Scholarship Pageant contestants, Ages 16-23.
Miss Junior 2010 Flagler County Contestants, Ages 12-15
A complete, click-through chart of the Miss Flagler County Junior 2010 Contestants, Ages 12-15.
Little Miss Flagler County 2010 Contestants, Ages 5-7
A complete, click-through chart of the Little Miss Flagler County 2010 Contestants, Ages 5-7.
Little Miss Flagler County 2010 Contestants, Ages 8-11
A complete, click-through chart of the Little Miss Flagler County 2010 Contestants, Ages 8-11.
Community Rallies to Find Courtney Cobb, FPC Student Missing Since June 10
A 10th grader at FPC and a Palm Coast resident since she was 3, Courtney Cobb is believed to have run away with a boyfriend.
What’s Eating Kimberle Weeks?
The Flagler County Supervisor of Elections and the County Commission have been at each other for over a year. They’re meeting Monday. Buckle up.
Census Jobs Help Lower Unemployment; Flagler at 15.1%, Florida at 11.7%
As in the rest of the nation, census employment is lowering the unemployment rate. But will it last?
Milano, Ex-Hitman, Ex-Goomba’s Owner and Ex-Calco, Guilty on Gun-Possession Charge
A jury will decide whether the ex-mafia hitman was guilty of possession a gun, which is illegal for felons.
Crime Reports, June 14-20
An inmate with likely mental health issues, bad blood between a baseball team and an umpire, gunplay and an Xbox, and more.
34 Apply So Far for Flagler Beach Manager, 13 of Them Unemployed
A list and brief description of the of the 34 people — 27 men, seven women — who have applied so far for the county manager’s position in Flagler Beach.
Flagler Beach Hired Police Officer
Despite Violent Record
Flagler Beach’s Lt. Robert Milstead, arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Monday, has had issues in previous law enforcement agencies.
Florida Law on Wrecker-Operators and Penalties for Skirting the System
Florida law prohibits unauthorized wrecker operators from monitoring police communications to scout for potential business.
2 Bunnell Cops Arrested; Commissioner Flynt Embroiled in Favoritism Allegations
Bunnell Commissioner Jimmy Flynt’s Saxon’s Wrecking service is at the center of pattern of police favoritism and misconduct.
Timeline: Bunnell Police Department Firings and Resignations, 2005-2012
The Bunnell Police Department has been riddled with serious internal problems for the past several years. The following is a list of firings, resignations and allegations going back only to 2005.