Opelka powered his way into the third round Wednesday in Paris, overcoming a tough Jaume Munar in four sets. Until this year, the former Palm Coast resident had never won a match at Roland Garros.
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Florida Faces Dire Shortages of Restaurant Workers: ‘They Don’t Think We Are Worth the Money’
A survey from the National Restaurant Association in mid-May found that staffing levels at restaurants are below the industry standard, “with 84% of operators saying their current staffing level is lower than it was in the absence of Covid-19.”
She Flees a Cop at a Traffic Stop, Crashes Into a Concrete FPL Pole, then Attempts Escape Through Hospital Ceiling
Tyler Anne Price, a 20-year-old resident of John Anderson Highway in Flagler Beach, faces eight charges, three of them felonies, including fleeing and eluding a cop, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted escape.
Palm Coast Fire Department Dedicates New Ladder Truck to FPC Graduate Sgt. Zachary J. Walters, Killed in 2010
Marine Sergeant Zachary J. Walters, killed on June 8, 2010 while on patrol in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. He was a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School, Class of 2005. The idea for dedicating a fire truck to the memory of a Fallen Solider was proposed by Firefighter-Paramedic Christopher Strozier, who is a Navy Veteran.
Palm Coast’s First Hybrid Citizens Academy Graduates 15 Students in 49th Session
This session’s graduates were Terri Belletto, Vincent Ciolino, James La Pierre Cutts, Felita Guy, Kelly Knott, Greg Lovekamp, Barb Lovekamp, Michael Martin, Devrie Paradowski, Nichol Sparrow, Michael West, Geraldine Wright, Andre Wright, Jim Wulff and Jan Wulff.
The DeSantis Pandering Machine
DeSantis is the perfect public face of the GOP as it is now: Obsessed with hanging onto power, fact-averse, representing an ever-shrinking coalition, and loyal, not to the American public, but to the sad, strange old man who can’t accept that he lost.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Last year Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School graduated in their cars at the Daytona International Speedway. This afternoon and evening the two schools return to the Ocean Center for their ceremonies, as before the pandemic.
Palm Coast Appoints Denise Bevan Interim City Manager, Ending Matt Morton’s Tenure
The Palm Coast City Council this evening ended City Manager Matt Morton’s tenure, waiving his 30-day notice, and appointed Denise Bevan, a chief of staff, to the interim position.
Palm Coast Council Abolishes Secret and One-Sided ‘Difficult Citizens List’ Kept Since 2016
The list cited allegedly “difficult” residents by name, usually listed their addresses, and at times included their pictures. The list included four entries this year and 33 entries going back to the first in March 2016.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Enters Race for Governor, Citing Tallahassee’s ‘Rigged System’
Fried, an attorney and former medical-marijuana lobbyist who scored a narrow victory in 2018 to become the only statewide-elected Democrat, criticized Republicans’ two-decade hold on Florida government in a video announcing her gubernatorial campaign.
Candidates from the Obscure to the Expected Piling Up to Run for Palm Coast Mayor in Winner-Takes-All Election
The qualifying window for the special election for Palm Coast mayor doesn’t close until next Monday. But eight candidates have already filed to run. Six candidates are Republicans, two are Democrats. It’s a non-partisan election, but only ostensibly so. Three of the candidates are Realtors.
Little-Known Illnesses Turning Up in Covid Long-Haulers
“Waves and waves” of “long-haul” covid patients are remaining sick long after retesting negative for the virus. A significant percentage are suffering from syndromes that few doctors understand or treat. For some, the consequences are life altering.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Eyes will be on the Palm Coast City Council’s 6 p.m. meeting, expected to draw its share of blazin’ crazies as City Manager Matt Morton may (or may not) explain why he resigned and what council members are present try to maneuver their way through the resignation’s implications.
Days After Betraying His Country, Rep. Waltz Dares Address Gold Star Families at Palm Coast’s Memorial Ceremony
If Rep. Mike Waltz wanted to thank the Gold Star families, what about the families of Officer Brian Sicknick and all of the other officers harmed the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection? To Waltz and every other Republican out there who voted against a commission to examine the insurrection, your actions clearly state that their lives do not matter, writes Kathleen Brady.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, May 31, 2021
Bedraggled and jittery though it is, Palm Coast government–what’s left of it–this morning at 8 hosts its traditional Memorial Day ceremony at Heroes Park. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, fresh from voting against establishing a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and Council member Nick Klufas, will speak.
County Administrator Jerry Cameron as Palm Coast Interim Manager? City Enfevered With Contingency Scenarios.
The speculation about Cameron is fueling the feverish politicized atmosphere in Palm Coast, an unbridgeable rift on the council, rampant apprehension within city staff ranks, and the manipulative hands of elected officials on and off the council, all in the context of a special election for mayor in less than two months and the government’s budget season starting even sooner.
Flagler County Considering Michael Tucker, a Former Florida and Southeast Fire Chief of the Year, as Fire Chief
Michael Tucker, 53, has principally been superintendent at Florida State Fire College for the past five years. He’d maintained roles as a consultant for the Oregon-based International Association of Fire Chiefs and as an adjunct instructor at Lake Sumpter State College over several years.
Treating Workers Like They’re Disposable Is Bad Business
The entire fast-food industry rests on a low-wage, high-turnover foundation. And at those rare moments — like this spring — when new workers seem harder to find, the industry starts expecting its politician pals to cut away at jobless benefits and force workers to take positions that don’t pay a living wage.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 30, 2021
Flagler Beach marks Memorial Day in a ceremony at Veterans Park, so as not to conflict with Palm Coast’s and Flagler County’s commemorations on Monday. The sales tax “holiday” for hurricane supplies is ongoing through June 6.
Proposed Civics Standards for Florida Schools Don’t Mention the Word Slavery
Following the George Floyd murder and the national discussion over “critical race theory” — which encompasses slavery, segregation and institutionalized racism — Florida’s proposed civics standards for school don’t mention the word slavery.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 29, 2021
The Daily calendar is a compendium of local and regional political, civic and cultural events. It was suspended in March 2020 as was the Daily Briefing, as the Covid pandemic upended everyone’s schedules. We’re happy to be bringing both back, in altered forms. The Daily Calendar had a serious case of covid: it’s much […]
Waking Up to the Truth About the Wuhan Biolab
Faster than you can say “dishonest mainstream media,” the idea that a deadly manmade virus came from a biolab in Communist China flipped from being a racist Trump conspiracy theory to a credible and probable possibility, argues Michael Reagan.
Rejecting Challenge to Marijuana Law, Florida Supreme Court Says Operators Must Handle Every Aspect of Pot Business
The 2017 law’s requirement that marijuana operators handle all aspects of the cannabis business involves what is known as “vertical integration.” In arguing that the requirement is unconstitutional, Florigrown contended that it limits the number of companies that can participate in the industry.
Florida Department of Education Goes on ‘Listening Tour’ on Proposed Controversial Civics Education Rule and Other Matters
The proposed standards that are the focus of the upcoming meetings are separate from another proposal that would impose strict guidelines on the way U.S. history is taught in public schools.
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Now Accepts E-ZPass Statewide
A major milestone in national toll interoperability has been achieved with interoperability between two of the largest customer bases in the country. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) is now accepting E-ZPass, bringing interoperability to millions of toll highway customers on the East Coast of the United States and as far west as Illinois.
14-Year-Old FPC Student Faces Felony Charge After Threatening to Shoot a Girl
A 14-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student, a boy, was arrested and faces a second-degree felony charge of written threats to kill after allegedly threatening to shoot a fellow-student after she’d contacted him and argued with him by Snapchat on Wednesday.
Gov. DeSantis Names Fidelia Roster of Palm Coast to State Board of Nursing
Gov. Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of eight Floridians to the 13-member state Board of Nursing, including Fidelia Roster of Palm Coast.
Jury Finds Benjamin Allen Not Guilty in Shooting Death of Elijah Rizvan, Reigniting Questions About “The Lying Three”
After deliberating just under two and a half hours today, the all-white jury of four women and two men found Benjamin Allen not guilty of the murder by gunshot of 17-year-old Elijah Rizvan two years ago on a W-Section street during a drug deal.
A Petition Sparks Flagler Beach Consideration of Better Beach Access for the Disabled
Responding to a social media petition organized by a disabled resident, the Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday said it was interested in exploring easier and clearer disabled access to the beach.
Benjamin Allen Sobs, ‘It’s Pointless,’ as Jury Watches His Interview Before His Arrest for Murder
In the last day of trial before closing arguments, the jury watched a 56-minute interview between Benjamin Allen, who is accused of murder, and detectives, in the presence of his parents. He maintained his innocence, and broke down once the handcuffs were on.
Company Buys Derelict Country Hearth Inn on Old Dixie Highway, Pays Off Fines and Pledges Rehabilitation
Two months after Flagler County government took unusual steps to demolish the long-disused and derelict Country Hearth Inn on Old Dixie Highway, a new owner closed on the 8.6-acre property and on May 24 paid off tens of thousands of dollars in health department and code enforcement fines plus back taxes.
A City in Turmoil: Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton Resigns
The resignation leaves the city in the hands of two newly appointed chiefs of staff, Lauren Johnston and Denise Bevan. But it is not entirely surprising: Morton was essentially a Holland protege, and without her on the council, he’d lost his support’s cornerstone.
Flagler County Public Library celebrates ‘Tails and Tales’ this Summer, kickoff party on Saturday
The Flagler County Public Library is embracing all children’s furry friends with its “Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program that begins with a kickoff party Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Palm Coast Main Branch Library.
A Day of Testimony Unravels Three Witnesses’ Fleeing and Eluding Questions in Benjamin Allen Murder Trial
The three witnesses who were in the car with Benjamin Allen the evening Elijah Rizvan was shot and killed testified today in Allen’s trial on a first-degree murder charge, revealing to what extent they each lied and eluded both detectives’ questions then and attorneys’ questions today.
Making Vaccines More Accessible
All in all, 30 million Americans want to get vaccinated but so far have been unable. They gave several reasons: some don’t have transportation to a vaccination site, others have work or family obligations, and some face disabilities, language barriers, or other difficulties.
Palm Coast Man, 44, Is Killed in Motorcycle Crash on I-95 North of Old Dixie Highway
A 44-year-old Palm Coast man was killed in a collision with an SUV this morning on I-95 as he rode his motorcycle two miles north of the intersection with Old Dixie Highway.
Palm Coast Warns Waste Pro It May End Its Contract in 7 Days Over ‘Severe’ and ‘Unacceptable’ Deficiencies
Losing patience after repeated service failures by Waste Pro, Palm Coast government today declared the garbage hauler in breach of contract and began looking for other haulers while giving Waste Pro seven days to fix current problems.
A Mostly Bleak Legislative Session for Open Government and the First Amendment in Florida
The Legislature approved 14 new exemptions to Florida’s Sunshine law and renewed eight, also approving a crackdown on social media companies while criminalizing certain protest activities.
Benjamin Allen’s Lawyers Drill Holes in His Accusers’ Stories, Sowing Grave Doubts About Who Killed Elijah Rizvan
The prosecution in the trial of Benjamin Allen, 18, who is accused of murdering Elijah Rizvan in Palm Coast’s W-Section in 2019, had a bad day Tuesday as its witnesses proved more helpful to the defense, undermining the claim that Allen was the shooter.
Gambling Deal With Seminole Tribe Could Open the Way for More Gambling Behemoths in Florida
The proposed compact with the Seminole Tribe — now awaiting DeSantis’ signature — could set the stage to allow casinos in other regions of the state, not just in South Florida.
Joe Mullins Responds to Lawsuit’s Claims of Fraud and Breach of Contract With List of Denials
Responding through his attorney, Joe Mullins denies the allegations of a $2.4 million lawsuit and moves for a partial dismissal. The motion argues that the claim fails to state a fraud claim or that RICO was violated.
Florida Is Shutting Off Federal Aid to Jobless, Returning Unemployed to Maximum of $275 a Week
Florida will cease distributing $300 per week in supplementary federal unemployment assistance next month, the official who supervises the state unemployment system announced on Monday, leaving jobless workers to scrape by on $275 per week.
Fox News is Must-Watch for White Evangelicals, a Turnoff for Atheists; Hindus and Muslims Really Like CNN
Given the vast number of news options that people of faith have and the increase in political polarization in the United States, the pressure for networks to deliver the news that people want to hear will only increase as time passes.
Texans Could Carry Handguns Without a Permit Under a Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
The compromise keeps intact a number of changes the Senate made to the House bill to assuage concerns from the law enforcement community, including striking a provision that would have barred officers from questioning people based only on their possession of a handgun.
Jury Seated in Trial of Benjamin Allen, Now 18, in 1st-Degree Murder of Elijah Rizvan in W-Section 2 Years Ago
Benjamin Allen was 16 when he was accused of shooting dead Elijah Rizvan outside a house in the W Section in July 2019. He is being tried as an adult and faces life in prison if convicted. An all-white jury was empaneled today.
Palm Coast Man, 55, Accused of Propositioning a Woman then Stabbing her and Her Boyfriend When She Said No
Rene Laso, 55, of Palm Coast, faces two felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing a woman and her boyfriend when she refused money and sexual advances.
After Holland
The resignation of Milissa Holland and the coming special election for mayor puts Palm Coast at a forking path between the course Holland set and a more radical change in a different direction. The two views seem to be represented by Alan Lowe and David Alfin, the leading contenders for the seat.
Half of Flagler County’s Population Is Vaccinated, But Only 31% Are Younger Than 65
If the 15,000 or so people who are younger than 15 are excluded, the proportion with vaccines in those between 15 and 65 rises to 38 percent in Flagler–still less than half the proportion considered in the range of herd or community immunity.
Covid-19: Risk after Vaccination, Masks, and CDC Missteps
Many are concerned about starting “normal activities” after vaccination, the possibility of breakthrough infections, and the recent CDC guidance that fully vaccinated persons can go “maskless” in most situations. Here are answers to anxious questions from the Infectious Pharmacist.
Rays of Promise: Boston Whaler Marks Reopening of Boating Plant, Projecting 400 Jobs and Orders Into 2023
Brunswick Corp. and Boston Whaler executives today formally reopened the former Sea Ray plant that shut down three years ago, projecting to ramp up over the next 12 to 24 months back to 400 jobs, and likely more beyond that: boat-buying is brisk and demand for Boston Whaler is back-ordered well into 2023, the executives say, ensuring the stability of the plant for years to come.