The Flagler County Republican Executive Committee’s expulsion of County Commission Chairman Frank Meeker may not be legal, and reflect the REC’s intention to put clubbish concerns ahead of county interests.
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Relearning to Love the Bomb
The shocking thing about nuclear weapons is that they seem to have lost their power to shock. While the nuclear deal just reached with Iran is very good news, that effort should not obscure the bad news elsewhere, writes Garth Evans.
Rejoice, Students: There’ll Be Less Testing. But Not Much Less. House Approves Roll-Back.
The bill puts a hold on the use of student test data for school grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion to fourth grade until the new Florida Standards Assessments can be independently validated.
Guess Who’s Rethinking Guns In Schools: Colleen Conklin May Not Oppose Designating Concealed Carriers, But She’s In a Minority
Most Flagler County School Board members, the superintendent and the sheriff say school officers, not individuals carrying concealed weapons, can best address security needs in local schools. A bill making its way through the Legislature would allow school boards to designate employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons.
Dennis McDonald Sues Palm Coast Again, This Time Over Tripping On a Cracked Sidewalk
The city’s insurer denied Dennis McDonald’s claim for damages over an injury he suffered while walking on a Club House Drive sidewalk in 2013. He’s suing the city for damages of more than $15,000, though he’s yet top pay a slightly larger debt to the city, by a judge’s order, in compensation for a frivolous and unrelated lawsuit he’d filed five months after the accident.
Thursday Briefing: Anger Management at the County Jail, Renewed Debate on Police Tactics
Police tactics are again under scrutiny after a video captured the cold-blooded killing of an unarmed man running away from a cop in South Carolina. “Fresh Off the Boat” fails its writer, and the White House condemns “gay therapy.”
Gov. Rick Scott Angling For Sen. Bill Nelson’s Seat in 2018
Scott in an OpEd lectured Obama on how he’s balancing budgets, creating jobs and demonstrating “fiscal responsibility” here in Florida. He’s preparing for his next makeover and political campaign, writes Daniel Tilson.
Florida House Advances ‘Conscience Protection’ Bill That Discriminates Against Gay Adoptions
Three hours of debate and numerous attempts to diminish the ability of private, religious adoption agencies to deny placement among gay couples failed as the bill now appears headed for approval Thursday.
Palm Coast Man, 18, and Ex-Girlfriend, 20, Charged With Capital Child Rape
Paul Dyckes, 18, had been arrested on child porn charges in late March. Further investigation led the FDLE to uncover two incidents in which Dykes and his ex-girlfriend, Erin Marie Vickers, allegedly raped two children younger than 5.
As Sheriff Defends Cops’ Body Cams, Public Defender Warns Of Untenable New Work Load
Public Defender James Purdy agrees with Sheriff Manfre that cops’ body cams are a valuable addition, but he says neither his nor the state attorney’s office have the manpower required to review the data being generated by the cameras, and the Legislature isntt about to provide more money or attorneys to help.