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.
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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.
Dismantled or Reorganized, It May Be the End of the Department of Health As We Know It
The state Department of Health is facing a reorganization–and possibly a dismantling–that may affect the way local departments of health are run, and the diseases they keep track of.
Palm Coast’s Secret Deal With Solar Company: Long Tax Holiday and Other Perks for 180 Jobs
Dubbed “Project Iceman,” the deal calls for at least a $49 million investment and average wages of $34,500, though the fine print reveals exclusive perks and secrecy provisions that prevent public scrutiny of the deal’s implementation.
Bucking Long-Range Goals, Palm Coast Again Scales Back Cultural Arts Grants Funding
Palm Coast is planning to award just $20,000 in cultural grants to 11 organizations this year, half the budget of three years ago, though the city is increasing the dollars and city resources it’s spending on its own special events.
Palm Coast’s BMX Gamble, Racism and Obama, Small Business Saturday Recap: The Live Wire, Nov. 29
BMX’s Renny Roker didn’t tell Palm Coast how checkered his financial past is, plus the best Congress money can buy, legacies of bullying, a naked tribute to Leslie Nielsen, Obama’s national security sham, and more.
Josh D. Crews, 1976-2010
First Baptist Church on Saturday (Nov. 27) overflowed with emotions, remembrances and people at a service for Joshua Crews, the Flagler County native, one-time owner and long-time bartender at Woody’s BBQ who died when his car rolled on U.S. 1 on Nov. 21. He was 34.
In Praise of Wikileaks: Undressing The Scams and Shams of Government Secrecy
With rare exceptions, it’s never been true that secrecy protects national security or interests. Rather, secrecy damages both, often with costly, lethal consequences. That’s why Wikileaks is an indispensable service to democracy.
Cadillac and Kia in Morning Smash-Up on Northbound I-95 Back Up Traffic for 2 Miles
The 8:10 wreck at mile marker 295 on I-95 northbound shut down two of the three lanes and backed up traffic past the Matanzas Parkway overpass. There were injuries, but no fatality. The two vehicles were removed 90 minutes later.