Four men from Daytona Beach had seven home-made bombs, one of which they exploded in a lake in the Seminole Woods area Sunday. One is under arrest. The area is secure.
Dueling Seafoods and Surfers: Video and Photo Gallery
The dueling festivals are over and the images are in: a video report from the 2010 Tommy Tant Classic and a photo gallery from Tommy Tant and Palm Coast’s Seafood Festival.
Tommy Tant Legacies: 3 Decades of Surfing Flagler Beach’s Sands, Surf and Streets
Ben Lacy, who grew up surfing with Tommy Tant in Flagler Beach, recalls three decades of the town town’s surfing culture and how it has managed to maintain its charms through the changes, even on the waves.
Festival Filibuster: How Palm Coast Plays Hardball With Flagler Beach
If Palm Coast is serious about playing nice with its neighboring cities and not competing for “special event” visitors, why is it doing exactly that with signs greeting visitors exiting the Interstate?
FlaglerLive Welcomes Its New Reporter, Videographer and Anchor: Charlotte Marten
A native of Sweden, a graduate of the University of Hawaii and a fresh veteran of Savannah’s military (and more varied) reporting scene, Charlotte Marten will anchor FlaglerLive’s video journalism and other productions.
Live Wire Weekend: Landon’s City Hall Arrogance, Obama’s Ego, Nate’s Latest and Gay Sons
Palm Coast City Manager gets an earful on his city hall designs, so does Obama’s ego (on his White House designs), George Carlin on the virtue of not voting, O’Reilly fairer than Olbermann, gay 5-year-old sons in Halloween costumes, and much more.
From Fringe to Voting Booth, a Machinery of Information Churning Push-Button Citizens
Politicians know that the obsessed, the fearful, the paranoid and the insane are easier to manipulate and outnumber by far than the attentive, Darrell Smith argues in a column. They can push their buttons at will. Tuesday proved it.
After 11,000 Days as Flagler’s Judge, Kim C. Hammond Retires to FSU Fight Song
Kim Hammond started his career as a judge in Flagler County four decades, six presidents and 11,0000 days ago. His retirement ceremony Friday was a tribute to an institution.
“An Agreement is an Agreement”: Maps Contradict Palm Coast’s Annexation Claim
Large maps and a 2007 circuit court settlement show clearly where Palm Coast’s annexation authority ends. That authority doesn’t extend over the site of a proposed National Guard reserve center on county land.
Private Sector Leads Surge as Economy Adds 151,000 Jobs; Unemployment Stuck at 9.6%
The unexpectedly large job increase was also accompanied by revised and much smaller job losses in August and September, suggesting a stronger turn-around for the economy as a whole.
Swelled by Supermajority, Florida GOP Signals First Assault Victim: Medicaid
A quick special session in Tallahassee would provide $9.7 million for Gainesville’s Shands teaching hospital and lay down markers on overhauling medicaid, the health care program for the poor. One idea: forcing all beneficiaries to enroll in managed care.
Time to Get Involved: Feed Flagler Challenges County’s Thanksgiving Compassion and Beyond
Led by Commissioner Milissa Holland and the county administration, Feed Flagler aims to provide meals for 2,000 people at Thanksgiving, raise thousands of dollars and stock up food pantries and family pantries for many weeks’ worth.
Dog-and-Pony Powerpoints: Landon’s Stage-Managed Shows for a New Palm Coast City Hall
City Manager Jim Landon says the $10 million city hall project is different than the plan 82 percent of voters rejected in 2005. He’s right: residents won’t be allowed to vote this time, even though economic conditions are far worse.
The Live Wire, Nov. 4: Florida’s One-Party Rule, Bush on Bush and Chris Wallace
The business of Florida is business, Rick Scott declares in Coolidge fashion; the big lie about Social Security’s bankruptcy, the big magic of Disney marketing, the origins of the federal debt, and more.
Guns and Fight at Indian Trails Sports Complex Land Two Palm Coast Men in Jail
Robert Norwood, 18, and David Harris, 21, are both accused of pointing a handgun at a 17-year-old during a fight before deputies blocked the vehicle in which the pair was attempting to leave the sports complex.
Tommy Tant Classic Surfing the Weekend As Palm Coast Crashes In With Its Own Festival
Now in its 11th year, the Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic will be a three-day event, including a food festival by the sea, a concert and two days of amateur and professional surfing competition.
Lazier Voters: Flagler’s 52% Turnout Was Worst In At Least 16 Years of Mid-Terms
Just 52 percent of Flagler County’s registered voters went to the polls, the lowest voter turnout in at least 16 years of mid-term elections, and likely the lowest turnout since at least the 1974 election, when voter apathy was acute.
Pubescent Spellers on a Musical Stage, Art’s Aquatic Depths and Sunset Symphonies: Culture Worth the Miles
A staged, musical and interactive spelling bee as you’ve never seen it before, Doug Rhodehamel’s aquatic explorations at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Bok Tower Gardens’ 9th Annual Sunset Symphony Concert, and more.
Fischer, Proctor, Mica, Craig, DuPont and Thrasher Win; School Tax Approved; Democrats & Amendments 4 and 8 Sink
In Flagler County, all precincts are in, including absentee ballots and early voting. John Fischer, has won the school board seat being vacated by Evie Shellenberger, defeating Raven Sword with a 58-42 margin. The continuation of the 25-mill school tax is approved, with 61 percent approval, which should boost the school board’s confidence. Amendment 4, […]
Two Bus Stop Robbery Suspects, Riding With Schoolgirls, Arrested Following a Wreck
Sebastian Dominguez, 18 and Brandon Smith, 19, were riding in a truck with a 14 year old girl from Indian Trails Middle School and a 15-year-old girl from Matanzas High School when they allegedly decided to hold up a Matanzas High School student.
Skyping in From Cairo, Delbrugge Joins School Board’s Farewell to Shellenberger
Evie Shellenberger ended her eight years as a school board member Monday evening with a parable and sponsorships of Afghan girls’ education in her fellow board members’ names.
Delinquent on Taxes and Other Dues, Hunter’s Ridge Development Wants More Favors
Three years in arrears on taxes and delinquent on $4.5 million it owes the county for a golf course it never built, Hunter’s Ridge now wants to almost double its density to 2,657 homes. Commissioners are puzzled.
The Live Wire, Nov. 2: Election Guideposts, Florida Dreaming and William Faulkner
What to watch on election night, a look at non-voters, Southwest Florida’s big no to black coaches, fear and loathing in Manhattan, Florida’s collapse seen from Germany, and more.
Conklin Triggers Mockingbird Appeals Committee, Likely Enabling Play’s Revival
Unearthing a district policy on “the appropriateness of books or materials,” School Board member Colleen Conklin appealed the decision to cancel the play. A committee will be appointed to handle the appeal.
Before School Censors: When Mockingbird‘s Harper Lee Spoke Proudly of Flagler County
In 2002, Harper Lee addressed Flagler County proudly when her book was the centerpiece of county-wide events. The school district’s censoring of the play this month contrasts sharply with that progressive history.
In Florida, Endangered Democrats Will Approach Extinction Status on Election Day
The map is set to go redder in Florida Tuesday evening as one-term Democrats like Kosmas and Grayson lose and the Legislature edges further right. Sink-Scott is the only drama.
The Live Wire, Monday, Nov. 1: Homeless in Flagler, Obama Besting Reagan, and Charter School Myths
An eyewitness story of a homeless man in Flagler, Bill Delbrugge’s doggy Halloween in Cairo, why government doesn’t suck, wondering whether civilization can survive without god, the scariest Halloween, and more.
Cultural Development Richer Than Economic: How to Grow Palm Coast Into a City With Soul
There’s more to a city than commerce, argues Hollingsworth Gallery’s JJ Graham in a column. Without cultural development and the youthful force that makes it possible, Palm Coast would be a city without soul.
Daviana’s Excellent Adventure: Halloween Bash Fills Carts and Kitty for the Hungry
Little Miss Flagler Daviana Campbell raised $900 and filled four shopping carts full of canned goods for a local food pantry through a Halloween dance that drew some 300 participants.
Dracula Brings Fangs, Foes and a Costume Contest to the Flagler Auditorium
If Stephenie Meyer could turn teen sighs and stares into a 2,000-page epic, why not make a ballet of Bram Stoker’s Dracula? Gainsville’s Dance Alive National Ballet brings that production to the Flagler Auditorium for a Halloween special.
Live Wire Weekend, Oct. 29-31: NPR’s Deserved Black Eyes, Privatization Follies and AA’s Bummer
Florida’s worst campaign offenses, BP dispersants’ ill effects, the privatization-industrial complex, energy bracelets’ bullshit watch, John Candy and more.
Lowe’s Ups Drywall Settlement to $100,000 Per Victim, Closing Gap With Lawyer Payouts
The home-improvement Lowe’s chain had previously offered no more than $4,500 in cash and gift cards to victims whose health or homes were hurt by defective drywalls bought from Lowe’s stores, and much more to lawyers. The new agreement evens out the potential payments.
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Marineland’s John Hankinson Appointed Director of Obama’s Gulf Recovery Task Force
John Hankinson, chairman of Florida Audubon, has an environmental consulting office in Marineland and was the Southern Region’s EPA administrator during the Clinton administration.
Feared Weapon Never Made It Onto Indian Trails Campus; School Has Normal Friday
A report of a student planning to bring a weapon to Indian Trails Middle School surfaced Thursday evening. The school administration and law enforcement intervened, the family of the student cooperated, and the weapon never appeared.
The Live Wire, Oct. 28: Clinton Gives Meek the Best Advice of the Year
Bill Clinton gives Kendrick Meek advice he could do something with, Obama makes a defensive appearance on the Daily Show, woman to woman in Afghanistan, and more.
Citing Vague Fears, School District Suppresses Stage Production of To Kill a Mockingbird
Students and faculty had no issues with the production’s use of the word “nigger,” as in the book and the movie. A Palm Coast city councilman and other unnamed “community members” did, leading FPC Principal and Superintendent Janet Valentine to censor the play.
Stalemated Flagler Beach Opts for Bruce Campbell As Acting Manager Beginning Jan. 2
In yet another raucous meeting, the Flagler Beach city commission couldn’t muster the votes to hire Bruce Campbell outright, so it settled for hiring him as acting manager beginning in January.
Campaign Notes: Dwyer Backs Craig, Sword and Fischer Vie for Teachers’ Attention
Craig and Horrox in the circuit court race and Sword and Fischer in the school board race make their final pitches with radio appearances and a television ad from Sword, while others continue to press for the ballot measure on continuing the .25-mill school tax.
7-Year-Old Nate Truelove, Old Kings Wreck Victim, Is Going Home
Nate’s rehabilitation at Brooks Rehab in Jacksonville did not produce the desired results. He is still mostly unresponsive, though awake. His family hopes that back home in DeLand, he will begin to progress better.
The Live Wire, Oct. 27: John McCain, Charlie Sheen, Racist Halloween Costumes and Failing Nukes
Not to mentioning Roger Ebert on Hef’s Playboy, tuning in and out with Tim Leary, and Henry James’ first letter to Edith Wharton, and more.
Florida State Intervenes As More Soldiers Die from Risky Behavior than Combat
In 2009, more soldiers died from suicide and high-risk behavior than in combat. The Pentagon is drafting Florida State to fight the epidemic.
Bowing to Pressure, Transportation Department Scraps Plans for a Weigh Station on U.S. 1
Every local government had opposed a proposed $11 million weigh station that would have taken up the median of U.S. 1 at Royal Palms Parkway, at the intersection of Palm Coast and Bunnell. Opposition worked.
A Halloween Concert of Myth and Poetry and a Neanderthal Friend-Raiser: Culture Worth the Miles
The Orlando Philharmonic’s Halloween concert, Edward Gorey at the Orlando Museum of Art, ‘Girls Night: The Musical,’ and the Neanderthal Ball friend-raiser at the Orlando Science Center, plus plenty more.
The Live Wire, Oct. 26: Depression Polling and Normal Mailer on Dan Quayle
A Depression Gallup Poll from 1935 with familiar results, Norman Mailer diagnoses the GOP in 1992, Trotsky’s assassination remembered, an iphone editorial, and more.
Night Waves Smash 50-ft Fishing Vessel To Shore Just North of Flagler Beach
The two fishermen on board the 50-year-old “Satisfaction,” registered to a company in Port Orange, swam safely to shore around 1:30 a.m., and their catch was salvaged.
Holland Walks Out on Palm Coast Council As It “Rewrites History” Over Annexation
Commissioner Milissa Holland had enough once Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon took credit for bringing in the National Guard to a Flagler County airport site, which is at the heart of an annexation controversy.
Election Primer: Amendment 4, “Hometown Democracy” and Sprawling Misinformation
Amendment 4, Florida’s so-called “Hometown Democracy” amendment, is an attempt to give voters a voice in major local development initiatives. It’s also rife in misinformation.
The Live Wire, Oct. 25: Rove’s Warrior Nation, Tea Parties and Renoir
Why we love war, the tea party goes up against Karl Rove, Scalia takes Kagan to the gun range, the best don’t ask don’t tell moments, and more.
FPC’s Top Student Makes the Case
For the .25-Mill School Tax Referendum
Kyle Russell, the top-ranked senior at Flagler Palm Coast High School, argues that students need every competitive advantage they can get if they’re to have a chance against others in the state and the nation.