Monday’s ruling doesn’t stop the roll-out of federal health care reform. Two federal judges have previously ruled the law constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court will settle the issue by 2012 or 2013.
Florida Loves Polluters, Girl Crushes of 2010, and Madonna vs. Lady Gaga: The Live Wire, Dec. 13
The Florida Legislature’s coming war on civil liberties, Florida’s new muscle in DC, the state of giving in the US, Madonna takes on lady Gaga, Palm Coast’s holiday joy ride, and more.
Palm Coast’s Chrysler Dealership Burglarized, Jacksonville Thieves Descend on the City
The burglar at the Chrysler dealership on S.R. 100 tried but fail to drive a car out of the service department. Deputies in unrelated incidents arrested three alleged retail thieves in Palm Coast, all of them from Jacksonville.
The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Beguiling Genders: Culture Worth the Miles
Three actors portray all of the characters in Dickens’ Christmas Carol at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center, Michael Andrew at the Plaza Theater, The Nutcracker (of course) by the Orlando Ballet, and more.
Palm Coast Data Parent’s Headaches: Diving Revenue and $22.5 Million Loan Due
At Palm Coast Data, revenue declined $10.9 million in the six months ending Oct. 31, a 22 percent decline from the same period last year. Palm Coast Data parent AMREP Corp.’s Southwest subsidiary owes a $22.5 million loan to be repaid on Dec. 16.
A Man and a Boy Are Injured as Their Truck Smashes Into a Canal in The Mondex
Billy Dunson, a resident of the Mondex in his late 20s or early 30s, and 10-year-old Kyle, were taken to Halifax Hospital after the crash just before 9 p.m. Sunday evening.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 8-hr 38mn Speech on Obama’s Deal With the GOP
On Dec. 10, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent, held the floor of the Senate for eight hours and 38 minutes in a remarkable filibuster-like speech opposing Obama’s tax deal with the GOP. Here’s the full speech.
Video: Christmas Parade in Town Center
What was once a modest affair that took place in various spots around town this time drew some 85 floats and other entrants along a parade route in Palm Coast’s Town Center.
Robert Hodoba, 85-Year-Old Involved in Dec. 7 Wreck at SR100, Dies from His Injuries
Robert Hodoba was a long-time resident of Flagler Beach. He was involved in a two-vehicle crash under the I-95 bridge on SR100.
Encore: Flagler County Artist of the Year Edson Beckett at Hollingsworth Gallery
Edson Beckett, a ceramics, photography and graphic design teacher at Flagler Palm Coast High School for 22 years, is the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 11th Artist of the Year since the award’s inaugural in 2000.
Pill Mills vs. Pain Management in Flagler: The Difference From the Doctors’ Perspective
Kavita Sharma, one of four physicians at a pain management practice in Palm Coast’s Town Center, explains the differences and telltale signs between legitimate pain management and the kind of pill mills that are spreading in Florida.
Flagler Sheriff’s 34-Year-Old Son Arrested on Xanax Possession
Sheriff Don Fleming’s son’s arrest is taking place on the heels of the sheriff’s continuing campaign to toughen local ordinances in an effort to prevent the proliferation of so-called pill mills that are ravaging South Florida.
A Fund-Raiser for Jamie Bly, Florida Apologies, Foreclosure City and Humboldt’s Gift: Live Wire Weekend
Help for Jamie Bly, who was in the wreck with the late Josh Crews, Florida apologizes for its civil rights-era bigotries, Palm Coast is foreclosure city, the GOP’s 9/11 follies, Jay-Z on profiling, Clint Eastwood on death, and much more.
Turnout Strategy: Florida’s War on Federal Health Care Reform Targets 2012 Ballot
Florida Senate Republicans approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would exempt Floridians from following federal health care reform mandates. The 2012 ballot measure is intended to bring out anti-Obama voters.
Despite Evidence, Palm Coast Hooks Up With Marathon Promoter With Troubled History
Dean Reinke’s Reinke Sports Group has left a trail of severed relationships, disillusioned local officials and one law suit in several cities where Reinke has promoted his half marathons. Palm Coast is now embracing him.
Daytona North Fire Starts in a Trailer and Burns 8.8 Acres; No One Hurt
Particularly dry conditions helped the afternoon fire in the Mondex run through brush. Some 15 firefighting units from various agencies, and Flagler County’s Fireflight, helped suppress the fire.
Prosecutorial Impotence: How Bankers Crashed the System and Got Away With It
The most popular reason offered for the dearth of financial crisis prosecutions is that the banking system was hit by a systemic and unforeseeable disaster, which means that it’s unlikely that anyone committed any crimes. Is it?
The Week’s Highlights: FlaglerLive’s Video Recap, Dec. 2-8, 2010
On Point With Charlotte Martens reviews the week’s main events, including Flagler teachers’ new deal, the county commission’s new chairman, a string of wrecks, the Auditorium’s Holiday Extravaganza, and more.
The Many Lies of Waiting for Superman, Beating Terrorism, Disney’s Epic Mickey: Live Wire, Dec. 8
Waiting for Superman, a documentary packed with exciting lies about charter schools, comes to Palm Coast, why no one cares about the jobless, suicide bombers, Beatles fans getting excited about Paul McCartney’s death, and more.
Youth Orchestra’s “Gift of Music” Concert Kicks Off Auditorium’s Holiday Extravaganza Tonight
Close to 300 students in the Flagler Youth Orchestra take to the stage at the Flagler Auditorium for their 16th major concert in six years, their second under the direction of Caren Umbarger.
That Grand Theft Auto Had Plenty of Chasing and a Crash, But Was No Game
Palm Coast’s specialty for weird crimes carries on. The latest involves 18-year-old William Phillips, who saw an idling car, seized it, took off, and crashed into a garage before being arrested.
To Ban Texting While Driving in Florida: Ormond Beach Lawmaker Will Try Again
Such bans have failed repeatedly in previous years. Sen. Evelyn Lynn, the Ormond Beach Republican, hopes Florida will be the 31st state this year to ban texting and other such uses of cell phones while driving.
From Handel’s Messiah to a Boat Parade: Culture Worth the Miles
A Messiah performance by the Orlando Philharmonic, the 7th Annual Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade, Paperworks exhibit at the Eustis Museum of Art, Florida sculptor Barbara Sorensen at the Museum of Florida Art, a free holiday concert by the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, and more.
From Flagler County to Pearl Harbor: James Brazier Booe’s Story
Flagler’s own Chief Petty Officer James Brazier Booe, son of former Flagler County Superintendent Zeb E. and Ida Coffing Booe, was among the 3,500 Americans killed or wounded at Pearl Harbor. Here’s his story.
Alan Peterson Ascends, Elizabeth Edwards Dies, So Does Obama’s Resolve: The Live Wire, Dec. 7
Alan Peterson is the new chairman of the Flagler County Commission, remembering Frederick Robert Gleissner, the tax cuts few people want, clobbering the 4th amendment, Picasso at work, and more.
Impasse Over: Teacher and Service Unions Win Salary Concessions from Flagler School District
Five days earlier the unions had declared an impasse. The deal will cost the school district an extra $1.2 million this year and $2.4 million a year beginning next year.
FPC Improves from D to B, Matanzas High School Maintains a B, Heritage is an F
The Flagler County school district as a whole was tentatively awarded an A last year, pending today’s results. Heritage’s F is not expected top affect that overall grade.
SR100 Collision Under I-95 Bridge Hurts 3, One With Life-Threatening Injuries
The 11 a.m. wreck involved two Chevrolet SUVs registered in Flagler County–one driven by an elderly man. Both occupants of the other SUV were also taken for Florida Hospital Flagler.
Bunnell Police Inquiry: In Videos, Chief Jones Strains to Keep the Focus on John Murray
Three video clips illustrate some of the background of the inquiry that led to the arrest of two Bunnell cops, but also continue raising more questions than have been answered since.
Ex-Bunnell Cops Lisa and John Murray, Facing 6 Felonies, Angle for 6 Trials–and Pleas
The defense’s tactic is an attempt to dilute the force of the felony charges the Murrays face. While it may backfire, the cases are unlikely to go to trial as both sides are talking of a resolution.
Burglar Unplugs Christmas Lights To Charge His Cell Phone. Breaks In. Gets Knocked Out.
Either Robert Thomas Combs is trying to win himself a mention on David Letterman’s weird news segment or his sense of criminal proportion—make that alleged criminal proportion—is as lousy as his timing.
State DOT Unveils Its Priority List for Flagler, Riling Commissoners Over Matanzas Overpass
Long-sought dollars to help build the Matanzas interchange at I-95 made the list, at Number 2, but not before 2014, and only for the design phase of the project–which would be done by then, the county argues.
Why Fish & Wildlife Commission Is Keeping Strict Limits on Snook Fishing in Florida
Snook fishing was allowed this fall, Fish and Wildlife Chairman Rodney Barreto writes, but all harvesting of the fish in Florida waters will end from Dec. 15 until at least next September to better protect stock and spawning.
Cold Weather Shelter Needs You, A Panther at Linear Park, Qatar’s US Trouncing: The Live Wire, Dec. 6
The cold weather shelter for the homeless is open in Bunnell and needs your help, 2011’s biggest job killers (your local governments), Obama’s wimpiness,Christmas parades and grand marshals, Starbucks’ language problem, and more.
Five Adults Are Killed As a Ford Expedition Carrying 9 Flips on I-95 North of Palm Coast
Most of the nine people in the SUV were from Eustis. They were traveling south after 11 p.m Sunday. The rear driver’s side tire apparently shredded, sending the Ford Expedition veering uncontrollably into the treeline.
How Rick Scott Bought the Election
Rick Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money, and drew on a slew of health care industries through a front called the “Let’s Get to Work” committee.
In a Victory for Palm Coast Firefighters’ Union, City’s Attempt to Split Bargaining Units Fails
The Palm Coast city administration objected to lieutenants’ inclusion with rank-and-file firefighters in the collective bargaining unit. The state dismissed that objection, clearing the way for the unit’s formation.
Taj Mahal Proposal (No, Not City Hall), Bulldog Drive Bulldogs, Atheist Buses: Live Wire Weekend, Dec. 3-5
Catherine Manfre’s Egyptian adventures, Pentagon lit majors, art nudes in the Middle East, the 10-year-old girl saved from Wolf Blitzer, the Titanic’s last days (on tape) and more.
It’s On: FPC Will Stage To Kill a Mockingbird At the Flagler Auditorium Feb. 24-26
FPC Principal Jacob Oliva and Drama Director Ed Koczergo finalized plans for staging Mockingbird over four performances as part of Black History Month, with many innovative stage elements to be incorporated into the production.
At Indian Trails, Girls’ and Boys’ Reading Clubs Find Creative Ways to Fill Their Library
The girls’ reading club hosted a sleep-over in the library, the boys’ club launched a reading campaign, and both are sponsoring a book drive this week to benefit the ITMS library.
US Unemployment Rises to 9.8% as Job Creation Again Declines to Just 39,000
Temporary workers lost jobs in droves and the previous month’s stronger job gains did not hold up, sending the unemployment rate to its highest level since last December. GOP lawmakers continue blocking extensions of unemployment benefits.
Flagler’s School Employee Unions Declare Impasse After 7 Months of Salary Negotiations
Teacher and support employee unions were looking for a restoration of the annual salary increases they were due since 2008. The district was ready to offer a $600 bonus and return to the table in January or February.
Music, Dance, Art: Auditorium’s 5-Day Holiday Extravaganza Will Boost Art in Education
With arts funding in free fall in Florida, the Flagler Auditorium’s series of concerts, performances, art showings and auctions Dec. 8-12, half of them free, will raise money to help art programs in Flagler schools.
Former School Board Candidate Raven Sword Joins Livingston & Wolverton Law Firm
In her first political campaign, Sword lost to John Fischer. By joining Jay Livingston and Jim Wolverton, the trio is now one of the larger law firms on Flagler County.
More Foreclosure Screws, Jeb Bush Finds His Inner Hispanic, Christmas in Flagler Beach: The Live Wire, Dec. 2
Flagler Beach celebrates Christmas Dec. 3 and 4, the GOP denies children their lunch, Amazon censors Wikileaks, remembering Rosa Parks’ moment, the decline of marriage, the latest from Little Miss Flagler Daviana Campbell, and more.
Your Papers Please: Arizona-Style Immigrant-Profiling Law Introduced in Florida
It’s already routine in Flagler: cops ask passengers in a car for their papers even if the vehicle isn’t involved in a crime. A proposed law would formalize the process and slap $100 fines on immigrants without papers.
Fake Robberies, Fake Guns, Fake Threats Over Real Pizza, Gas and Cigarette Money
Palm Coast’s James Linskey may not have much of a career as a pizza delivery man after the bogus crime stories he concocted to Flagler deputies. He’s not likely to have a better career as a fiction writer.
Deceptive Calm: Flagler and Florida Spared 3rd-Busiest Hurricane Season on Record
The calm is deceptive: Florida has done nothing to reduce its colossal property-insurance exposure. To the contrary. Builders are increasingly encouraged to build anywhere to reverse the effects of the real estate crash.
Flagler’s Poverty Gap: Boosting Food Stamps Enrollment–and More Accurate Numbers
While the Mobile Benefits Program is well-meaning and necessary–a few million dollars in food assistance are going unclaimed in Flagler–the inaccurate numbers backing up the initiative undermine the program’s credibility.
Spying Employers, Dont Ask Don’t Tell Idiocy and a Death Special: The Live Wire, Nov. 30
The Pentagon discovers that gay soldiers aren’t nearly as scary as the bigotry keeping them out, employers discover the joys of spying on employees, Alice’s Restaurant is illustrated, and a big wild death special.