A majority of the Palm Coast City Council doesn’t want to see Fire Station 22 leveled to make room for a parking lot once the station shifts further east, though the Community center has a deficit of more than 100 parking spaces. The city administration says it’ll cost at least $1.1 million, possibly more, to refurbish the building.
U.S. Supreme Court Decisively Rejects Outlier Elections Theory Giving Unchecked Powers to States
In a major election-law decision, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that although the Constitution gives state legislatures the power to regulate federal elections, state courts can supervise the legislature’s exercise of that power. By a vote of 6-3, the court rejected the so-called “independent state legislature theory” favored by a extreme Republicans.
Palm Coast Wants More Action on ‘Bad Drivers,’ Litterers and Priorities as Sheriff Submits Budget
Submitting his annual budget to the Palm Coast City Council this morning, Staly heard requests for more help with “bad drivers” and litterers to maintain quality of life, and answered an extended series of questions from a council member on the paradox between a sharply falling crime rate and a still-rising jail population.
With $1.2 Billion for Florida, Biden Unveils $42.5 Billion Plan to Connect All Americans to Broadband
The Biden administration on Monday announced $42.45 billion to connect all Americans to high-speed broadband internet by the end of the decade, likening the ambitious goal to FDR’s New Deal-era rural electrification program that brought the then-modern technology to farms and rural areas across the United States.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Docket sounding for Damari Barnes, The Flagler Beach City Commission shortlists candidates for city manager, the Palm Coast council meets, John Reed, big Bill Haywood and the Wobblies.
Weakening Child Labor Restrictions
A movement to weaken American child labor protections at the state level began in 2022. By June 2023, Arkansas, Iowa, New Jersey and New Hampshire had enacted this kind of legislation, and lawmakers in at least another eight states had introduced similar measures.
Palm Coast’s Brandt Herron Part of Blind Soccer Clinic for Angel City Games
he U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is hosting two blind soccer clinics on Sunday, July 2, as part of the 2023 Angel City Games. The clinics will be conducted by members of the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team, including sighted goalkeeper Brandt Herron of Palm Coast, Fla.
Flagler Beach City Manager Opening Draws 37 Applicants, Most from Out of State
The opening for a Flagler Beach city manager has drawn 37 applicants, a relatively low number–the city drew 58 applicants in its last search in 2020–with just 10 of them from Florida, and 11 of them not currently employed. The list as a whole does not quite flirt with the extraordinary, though a few names have solid experience in small towns and varied profiles.
Brendan Depa’s Mother Tells Her Son’s Story
Brendan Depa, a 17-year-old severely autistic student, attacked his paraprofessional, Joan Naydich, at Matanzas High School in February, and faces a first degree felony charge as an adult. His mother, Leanne Depa, speaks for the first time, detailing Brendan’s personal and medical history and his almost intractable challenges that pre-dated the horrific incident.
He Points a Glock at Fiancée’s Head in an Argument Over Baby Monitor
Alan Kith, 34, of Palm Coast’s P Section, told law enforcement that even though he pointed firearm at his fiancee’s head, he was just tired from work, frustrated and only trying to scare her.
School Vouchers, Teaching Muzzles, Diversity Bans, Looser Guns: 200 New Laws Take Effect Saturday
More than 200 laws passed during the 2023 legislative session, including a record $116.5 billion budget, will take effect Saturday, including a massive expansion of public money available for private schooling, permitless gun-carrying, and more restrictions or bans on what teachers may say or teach.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, June 26, 2023
The Flagler County Beekeepers Association meets, the Bunnell City Commission meets, trying to figure out Taylor Swift and her Swifties.
Wagner’s Mutiny and the End of Putin’s ‘Strongman’ Image
While the mutiny of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner brutes was short-lived and its goals unclear, it will have lasting effects – exposing the fragility of Putin’s grip on power and his ability to lead Russia to victory over Ukraine.
How the Wall Street Journal Accused ProPublica of Misleading Readers in a Story It Had Not Yet Published
Behind the scenes of Justice Samuel Alito’s unprecedented Wall Street Journal pre-buttal, Alito’s behavior underscores that the “no surprises” approach involves taking a risk, allowing subjects to “spit in our soup,” as Paul Steiger, the former Journal editor who founded ProPublica, liked to say.
Driver Arrested After Fleeing from Hit-and-Run and Trespassing on School Property
The vehicle entered the property of Old Kings Elementary School and drove around the running track before exiting the school and continuing to flee down Old Kings Road. The vehicle then entered the Flagler County Landfill and into the wooded area between the landfill and I-95.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, June 25, 2023
Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club Summer Open House Weekend continues, is the word “cracker” derogatory? Bach’s Partita No. 6, Ulysses Grant writes his father.
The Dangers of Boast-Seeking Adventure Tourism
Tourists are generally seeking more authentic experiences that occur without prescribed paths or known endpoints. Technology can often make the extreme environments of adventure tourism more safe, but at the bottom of the ocean, the vacuum of space or the cold of a mountain summit the consequences of failure can be high.
On EVs, Palm Coast and Flagler County Choose Backwardness
Flagler County, this self-deluded mecca of economic development, is not only an electric vehicle charging station desert. It is actually hostile to electric vehicles. It is sending a loud and shrill message to tourists and forward-looking businesses and the residents they’d bring along: we like to fossilize. Progress is elsewhere.
New Podcast Launches from AdventHealth and Orlando Business Journal
Inspiring Wholeness, a new podcast series from AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal, debuted this week with a conversation between Randy Haffner, CEO of AdventHealth Florida, and Alex Martins, CEO of the Orlando Magic.
Palm Coast Man Puts Shotgun Down Long Enough to Punch Girlfriend, While Holding Her Child
Dezhon Hall, a 31-year-old resident of 69 Westminster Drive in Palm Coast, was arrested on accusations that he pointed a shotgun at his child’s mother while holding the child, threatened to shoot her, and punched her.
Florida Law Banning Kids at Drag Shows Blocked and Termed Unconstitutionally Vague
Operators of Orlando restaurant Hamburger Mary’s, which has run “family friendly” drag shows for 15 years, filed a legal challenge shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law restricting children from attending “adult live performances.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, June 24, 2023
Reflections on Orhan Pamuk’s “Nights of Plague,” and more Pamuk, Gamble Jam at Gamble Rogers, the Saturday Flagler Beach Farmers Market.
Can AI Make Art?
When photography started to become popular, there was a debate about whether photography was a form of art. It came down to a court case in France in 1861 to decide whether photography could be copyrighted as an art form. Those same questions emerge when considering AI systems that are taught with the internet’s existing images.
Investigation of Ex-Wadsworth Principal Peacock Finds ‘Pattern of Misrepresenting Facts and Disregard Truth’
An independent investigation found former Wadsworth Elementary Principal Paul Peacock in violation of the district’s policy forbidding bullying and harassment and its ethics policy, as well as in violation of various sections of the state’s Principles of Professional Conduct and the Florida Educational Leadership Standards.
Day Fees Waived All Weekend at Belle Terre Swim Club in Push For New Members
The Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club is hosting its summer open house weekend Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, waiving its daily admission fees to all pool users and offering free food as the School Board continues to wrangle over how to make the club a viable operation, at least through next year.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, June 23, 2023
Incoming Superintendent LaShakia Moore on Free For All, John Updike on his dancing days, going Kwak, John Mulaney on his addiction, Scenic A1A Pride.
A Year After Roe v. Wade’s Fall, Abortion Care Is Confusing and Unequal
While there is no law in the U.S. that regulates what a man can do with his body, the reproductive health of women is now more regulated than it has been in 50 years. And the scope of reproductive health care that women can receive is highly dependent on where they live.
Supreme Court Kills Lawsuit by State Attorney Andrew Warren, Whom DeSantis Suspended
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an attempt by suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to get his job back, ruling that the twice-elected Democrat waited too long to bring the case. Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Warren on Aug. 4, accusing the prosecutor of “incompetence” and “neglect of duty.”
Flagler County and Cities Receive Nearly $100 Million in State Appropriations
Between the $24.76 million Flagler County will receive from the Legislative Priorities list to support four projects and another $64.42 million combined that the cities will receive, the State of Florida will be allocating nearly $89.18 million countywide as the result of the Legislative Session and the budget recently approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Settling Lawsuit with Flagler Beach, Ocean Palms Golf Company Has 9 Months to Find A Buyer
The Flagler Beach City Commission this evening voted 4-1 to approve a settlement with Flagler Golf Management, the company that took over management of the nine-hole Ocean Palms golf club at the south end of town in 2015 after years of disuse. The city filed suit to evict the company last year, and the company also sued the city.
Strip Mall Will End Matanzas Shores’ Shop-Free Days, and There’s Nothing Residents Can Do About It
Matanzas Shores will soon lose its distinction as an upscale community free of shops, restaurants and the traffic that goes with it all as a developer is about to build a strip mall on 2.25 acres at the southwest corner of State Road A1A and San Carlos Drive.
Instead of Manslaughter, Giddens Now Faces 1st Degree Capital Murder Charge in Drug Death
When he was originally charged for the overdose death of Shaun Callahan, Nysean Dwight Giddens faced a count of manslaughter–bad enough, as he could have faced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. He now could face life in prison, absent a plea.
Florida Cracker Ranch and Flagler Broadcasting Team Up for Red White and Boom Weekend
Flagler Broadcasting and Florida Cracker Ranch are collaborating in the production of Red White and Boom, a three-day weekend from June 30 to July 1 in the run-up to Independence Day, with camping, off-roading, entertainment and fireworks.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, June 22, 2023
The Flagler Beach City Commission holds a pair of meetings, one of them in the “shade,” to discuss legal strategy, history of the Pledge, Cormac McCarthy.
Flagler Beach Achieves One Goal in Meeting With Other Governments: Agreement that the City Needs Help
Flagler Beach convinced other cities and the county in a joint meeting this evening that it cannot contend with the ongoing onslaught of visitors alone, and only in Flagler Beach, when the county has plenty of unused beaches and cities can contribute other strategies.
Justice Samuel Alito Took Luxury Fishing Vacation With GOP Billionaire Who Later Had Cases Before the Court
In the years after the undisclosed trip to Alaska, Republican megadonor Paul Singer’s hedge fund has repeatedly had business before the Supreme Court. Alito has never recused himself.
At Tiger Bay, a Triumphal Paul Renner Reaps Adulation and Delivers a Few Inaccurate Jabs
House Speaker Paul Renner today exulted in considerable adoration and a standing ovation at Flagler Tiger Bay like no bringer of bacon before him, tempered though both Renner and the audience were by the club’s disfavor with uncivil partisanship.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Flagler Beach’s joint-government meeting on the future of the city’s tourism management, Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner at Flagler Tiger Bay, St. Augustine’s inglorious racial history.
Southern Baptists’ Renewed War on Women and LGBTQ
The Southern Baptist Conference’s stance on issues of gender and sexuality have not always been just about fidelity to their interpretation of scripture. Rather, the SBC uses these issues to differentiate itself from other, more progressive denominations.
Flagler School Board Rejects Arming Employees in 3-2 Vote, Citing Too Many Doubts for Now
The Flagler County School Board this evening rejected on a 3-2 vote a proposal to arm some school employees on the unfounded assumption that it would improve security. The vote ends a year-long discussion about the so-called “guardian program,” as a majority of board members still had too many questions, doubts, and lacking buy-in from school staff.
Council Approves 1st Leg of Beltway from Matanzas Woods to Palm Coast Parkway, Opening West
The Palm Coast City Council approved an engineering contract for the first phase of what will be a three-phase, 7-mile beltway connecting Matanzas Woods Parkway and Palm Coast Parkway west of U.S. 1. The ambitious road incursion through 12,000 acres of empty wilds would open that part of the city to development.
In Palm Coast, a Pitbull Attack, a Dead Dog, and Disputed Accusations of City ‘Gestapo’ Tactics
Palm Coast City Council member Ed Danko compared employees to “Gestapo agents” in reference to an animal control case involving a pit bull attack and a dog’s death earlier this month. Danko later walked back the statement, but remained “infuriated’ with the way an animal control officer had allegedly handled the case.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, June 20, 2023
The school board and the Palm Coast City Council have meetings, Career Shadowing for Flagler County students at FPC, debating the spread of tipping, Food Truck Tuesday.
Juneteenth as Antidote to Erasing Black History
Many Juneteeth celebrations not only commemorate the end of slavery, but they also honor the generations of Black men and women who have fought to end slavery and for racial justice.
42 Photographs of Interior of Alleged Rapist’s Home Will Be New Evidence in 2nd Teron Trial
In five weeks, Monserrate Teron will again go on trial on two capital counts of raping a 7-year-old child–his niece. This time the prosecution will have what it did not have before: images of the interior of the house where the alleged assault took place, enabling the prosecution to question a central tenet of the defense.
Florida Union Leader Mike Williams Dies in Water Accident
Mike Williams, the longtime president of the Florida AFL-CIO and a giant in the labor movement, died Saturday, June 17.
$5 Million for Fire Station 22 Vetoed, But Palm Coast Still Nets Historic $55 Million Haul from Legislature
Palm Coast is focusing on the positive: scoring $54.6 million out of $59.6 million in legislative requests, not including more than $1 million to be earmarked for a new YMCA in the city.
Gared Canales, Accused of Goading His Daughter, 13, to Kill Herself, Is Arrested
Gared Wayne Canales, 34, was booked at the Flagler County jail on a child abuse charge stemming from accusations that he goaded his daughter into taking her own life as he insulted and demeaned her on her 13th birthday. The girl subsequently attempted suicide.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, June 19, 2023
The Flagler County Commission meets, the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s salvo against zealotry in our governments, an opening shot from Charles Portis.
The Fearless Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy’s unique and varying writing style has been compared with that of many of the greatest authors of American letters, with scholars highlighting connections to the writings of Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Toni Morrison, Thomas Pynchon, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner.