Clifford Williams, now 77, gives God the credit for his release from prison, after state prosecutors found he and his nephew, Hubert Nathan Myers, were wrongly convicted in the 1976 Jacksonville murder of a woman and the attempted murder of her girlfriend.
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Thursday Briefing: Randy Jaye’s ‘Perseverance,’ Palm Coast Canal Pollution, Animal Control in Flagler Beach
The Flagler Beach City Commission discusses possible changes to its animal ordinance and dog-tethering, a Palm Coast city committee discusses pollution in city canals, a 12-year-old student’s advice to the school board.
Beyond Transgender Student’s Transfer Out of Matanzas, Calls on School Board to Take LGBTQ Safety Seriously
A throng of students, faculty members and parents asked the Flagler County School Board Tuesday to support more explicit procedures protecting LGBTQ students as Charlene Cothran, a Palm Coast pastor, again attacked the a transgender student and ridiculed LGBTQ rights.
Florida Senate Panel Backs Reparations for Descendants of Ocoee Massacre Victims at White Mob’s Hands
Some 60 to 70 black residents of Ocoee were murdered during the massacre in the Central Florida town. The reparation funding levels were modeled, in part, on a 1994 decision by the Legislature to compensate African-American families up to $150,000 for damages in the Rosewood Massacre of 1923.
Wednesday Briefing: Plantation Bay Utility Town Hall, Sunscreen Regulations, Paws to Read, Polarization
A 5 p.m. town hall at Plantation Bay to inform the subdivision’s troubled utility’s future, under new management, Paws to Read at the library, the Legislature takes up regulation of certain cosmetics.
Palm Coast’s Inaugural Tech Beach Hackathon Glimmers With Stress-Tested Innovations
Palm Coast’s first “Tech Beach Hackathon” at City Hall was a weekend cramming session of tech developers connecting their just-designed apps to local healthcare problems looking for a solution.
Palm Coast Woman Bites and Injures Deputy in Violent Scuffle as She Fights Arrest
Cherie M. Saunders, a 38-year-old resident of Brookside Lane in Palm Coast, faces two felony charges for violently resisting law enforcement and biting a sheriff’s deputy so hard and so long that he subsequently fainted.
After 50 Calls for Service, Cops Shut Down “Drug House’ and Arrest 3 ‘Frequent Fliers’ at Mondex Property
Tessa Lilly, Gage Watts and Jessica McBryde, all three convicted felons, were re-arrested at at 5000 Palm Avenue in Bunnell’s Mondex, a property the sheriff’s office says was used for drug trafficking.
Up 2 Sets, Palm Coast’s Opelka Falls in 5 After Rain Delay at Australian Open
Reilly Opelka was cruising along in his first-round Australian Open match against No. 12 seed Fabio Fognini, up two sets to none, and was a few games away from scoring the upset before rain stopped the match and changed its dynamics when it resumed the next day.
Diagnosed With Dementia, She Documented Her End-of-Life Wishes. Caregivers Said No.
Nursing homes where people with dementia live their final days may refuse to honor the patients’ wishes to withhold food if is required by law to offer regular daily meals, with feeding assistance–or force-feeding–if necessary.
2020 Flagler Jail Bookings, Sheriff’s, Bunnell and Flagler Beach Crime and Incident Reports (Archived)
Archived 2020 Flagler County jail bookings, commanders’ crime and incident reports, Flagler Beach and Bunnell police shift reports and archive.
Tuesday Briefing: Spelling Cool, Wind Chill in 20s Tonight, Athlete Heatstrokes, Muslim Ban, Bronx Wanderers
The Bronx Wanderers are at the Flagler Auditorium, the school board discusses heatstrokes and sexual harassment policies, spelling bee champs, the Muslim ban’s effects, another vacation rentals hearing at the Legislature.
FlaglerLive’s Rick de Yampert Lands in New York Times as a Palm Coast Book Lover
FlaglerLive Culture Writer Rick de Yampert’s written response was one of just 14 out of more than 1,300 that The New York Times published Sunday in answer to the question: “Was Your Life Changed by a Book?”
Palm Coast’s War on Dollar Stores and Their Customers Contradicts City’s Inclusive Plan
The Palm Coast City Council imposed a 120-day moratorium on new dollar-type discount stores, citing vague fears of “long-term effects” on the community, a decision that runs counter to free-market ideals.
Thomas Rando, Felon Behind Death of Hannah Beard, 10, In Car Crash, Dies Of Overdose
Rando, a convicted felon with a dozen arrests in Flagler County since 2008, was on probation for felony drug offenses, and was awaiting trial on a third-degree felony charge of driving on a suspended license and causing the death of Hannah Beard and injuries to others.
Flawed Marijuana-Impaired DUI Testing Means Wrongful Prosecutions and Lax Enforcement
DUI-testing for marijuana impairment is inaccurate, easily disputed and defeated. The result is uneven prosecution. Innocent drivers are being wrongly convicted. Impaired drivers are remaining undetected, posing a potential safety risk to everyone on the road.
Jon Reckenwald and William Kennedy Are Sheriff’s Deputies of the Year at Annual Fund-Raising Gala
In addition to the funds raised for the Gala, the men and women of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) donated $24,764.00 to FSEAT through payroll deductions throughout 2019.
AdventHealth’s Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House Receives $5,000 Donation from Weston Coatings Group
Professional painting company, Weston Coatings Group, has donated $5,000 to AdventHealth HospiceCare to support the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House.
Florida Senate on Brink of New Rules for Drug Offenses, Lowering Sentences and Restoring Judges’ Discretion
Under the new guidelines, judges would be allowed to consider shorter sentences and lower fines for drug-trafficking defendants who meet certain criteria. But the bill’s fate in the House is uncertain.
Palm Coast’s Ryan Centofanti, 35, Accused of Drunkenly Driving Down A1A and Repeatedly Firing AR-15-Type Rifle
Ryan Centofanti, whose breath test produced readings of .196 and .178, allegedly fired an AR-15 rifle repeatedly (21 spent shell casings were recovered) as he drove from Beverly Beach into Flagler Beach early this morning.
WNZF Sues County Commission Candidate Tommy LeGault Over Unpaid Bills; He Owes FPC’s Cheerleaders Money They Raised Months Ago
Tommy LeGault, running for a Flagler County Commission seat as a small-business advocate, owes WNZF nearly $5,000 for infomercials he aired, owes FPC’s cheerleaders $1,000, and twice faced eviction in the last three years.
Three Hospitalized, Including Elderly Couple, In Early-Morning Crash at Belle Terre and Rymfire
An elderly couple and a third individual were hospitalized early this morning following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Rymfire Drive and Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast.
Buddy Taylor’s Michelle Coolican and Plant Services’ Lynn Mellow Take Top Honors in School District’s Annual Gala
Michelle Coolican and Lynn Mellow were named the 2020 Teacher and Support Employee of the Year for Flagler Schools at the district’s annual gala celebration at Flagler Auditorium Thursday evening.
Weekend Briefing: Women Rising, ‘Playing Our Song,’ Book Sale and Cars, Tech Beach Hackathon, MLK, Ecumenical Celebration
Palm Coast’s Tech Beach Hackathon Friday, , Flagler’s version of the Women Rising March sets off from Wadsworth park Saturday at 11, Neil Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song” at City Rep for a final weekend, MLK and ecumenical ceremonies.
Road Fatalities Plummeted in Flagler in 2019, With Half the 12 Deaths From Motorcycle Crashes
The numbers of road fatalities in Palm Coast and Flagler County plummeted to 12 in 2019 compared to previous years, by some measures reaching or approaching a 20-year low despite the population doubling in that time span.
For Seven Days, Flagler Sees Florida’s Broken Death Penalty Machinery in Action
Though David Snelgrove was finally sentenced to life in prison rather than death this week, his trial shows how the 20-year ordeal in court could have been avoided with the same result two decades ago, had capital punishment not been on the table.
DeSantis Opposed to Measure Closing Gun-Show Loophole to Require Background Checks
The proposal (SB 7028) would close the gun-show “loophole,” create a record-keeping system for private gun sales and set aside $5 million to establish a “statewide strategy for violence prevention,” among other things.
Thursday Briefing: Teacher and School Employee of the Year Gala, VP Rick Staly, Inspired Mic
The school district’s annual celebration of its top teacher and service employee is at the Flagler Auditorium, the Inspired Mic at Hidden Treasures, Sheriff Rick Staly is named vice president of the Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Palm Coast Prepares for $20 Million Sewer Plant Expansion in Anticipation of Growth
The Palm Coast City Council is supporting the city’s next-largest utility expansion–a $20 million project that will add 2 million gallons a day of capacity to its second sewer plant on U.S. 1. The expansion will be financed through a loan and is not expected to affect customers’ rates.
Wednesday Briefing: Wharton’s Deplorables, Cornelius Baker in Court, Tourism Board, Paws to Read
Convicted murderer Cornelius Ryan is in a pre-trial ahead of his re-sentencing trial in February, Paws to Read at the county library, the tourism board and the planning board meet.
DeSantis Priorities: Boost Teacher Pay, More Everglades Restoration and Less Business Regulation
DeSantis used his annual State of the State address to tout taking a “bold step” by setting a minimum salary of $47,500 for teachers, a $602 million proposal that will be a key issue during the 60-day session.
Howard Minami, 56, Found Dead of Self-Inflicted Gunshot at Palm Coast Home
Howard Minami, a 56-year-old Palm Coast resident who for years owned a garage door company that bore his name, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home at 35 Fairways Circle Saturday morning, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Life in Prison Without Parole, Not Death, For David Snelgrove as 20-Year Ordeal Over Fowler Murders Ends
The seven-day re-trial over the penalty for the 2000 murders in Palm Coast’s B-Section was necessary because two previous verdicts were ruled unconstitutional. Today’s verdict means that years, maybe decades, of further proceedings will not be necessary.
Re-Emerging for 4th Year, Vacation-Rental Bill Restricting Local Authority Advances With Sen. Hutson’s Support
A Senate committee Monday approved a proposal that would take away power from cities and counties to regulate vacation rental properties. The 8-2 vote included Sen. Travis Hutson’s support. Hutson represents Flagler County.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s State of the State Address
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday gave his State of the State address to formally start the 2020 legislative session. Here’s the full text as prepared for delivery.
Tuesday Briefing: State of the State, Rita Rudner at the Auditorium, Palm Coast Sewer Plant, Affordable Housing
The Palm Coast council discusses financing its next sewer-plant expansion, Rita Rudner brings her comedy act to the Flagler Auditorium, Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers the State of the State address.
Recreational Pot Proposal Won’t Make It to the November Ballot
Make It Legal Florida contended that a petition-gathering law passed year by the Legislature is unconstitutional and that problems with a Department of State database hampered petition efforts.
After Dueling Witnesses and Sniping Lawyers, Jury Must Now Decide Whether to Call for David Snelgrove’s Killing
David Snelgrove’s double-murder of Glyn and Vivian Fowler in Palm Coast 20 years ago comes down, in this third sentencing trial in two decades, to a jury willing to believe he was a calculated killer as opposed to a crack-addicted mentally impaired man who snapped.
County Ends Low-Performing Economic Development Department, Citing ‘Fluffy’ Numbers and Poor Accountability
Headed by Helga van Eckert since 2012, Flagler County’s $500,000-a-year economic development department had been more successful with PR and taking credit for others’ work than producing much of its own.
Lance Mussack, 41, of Flagler Beach, Arrested on Child Porn Charge
Lance C. Mussack, 41, was incarcerated on a felony charge of possession of child pornography–alleged images of his girlfriend’s pre-pubescent child, taken while she was asleep.
Victor Williams, 43, Sentenced to 10 Years for Sex With 16-Year-Old Boy, and Hears Furious Earful From His Victim
Victor Williams was defiant to the end at his sentencing, while the victim’s 50-minute testimony described Williams as a “monster” who caused the victim’s life to spiral into depression, drugs, suicidal thoughts and self-loathing.
Monday Briefing: Tourism Grant Revamp, Short-Term Rentals Again, Snelgrove Trial Day 6
The county commission considers broadening eligibility for tourism capital grants, David Snelgrove’s death-penalty phase trial enters its sixth day with more defense witnesses, the BUnnell commission discusses a dog abuse case’s costs.
How Wealthy Towns Keep People With Section 8 Housing Vouchers Out
Section 8 vouchers should give low-income people the opportunity to live outside poor communities. But discriminatory landlords, exclusionary zoning and the federal government’s hands-off approach leave recipients with few places to call home.
What You Need to Know About How Section 8 Really Works
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a form of government rent assistance. In 2018, upwards of 5 million people across the country lived in a household that used a voucher to help pay some or all of their rent.
Search Warrant in Palm Coast’s B-Section Suggests Target In Sight in Circle K Murder Investigation
For the sheriff’s office to advertise tactics their search for the Circle K killer from last November points to confidence in the trail, the sort of confidence that clearly seems not to be jeopardizing detectives’ ability to find their suspect, or suspects.
A Day After a Teacher Is Arrested for Battering a Student, a 15-Year-Old Is Arrested for Battering FPC Dean
A 15-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student was arrested and charged with battery against FPC Dean Erin Davis, the student’s second such charge involving a faculty member since August.
Florida Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Constitutional Proposal to Deregulate Utility Industry
The ruling was a victory for state leaders, business groups and utilities that fought the amendment, which was proposed for the November ballot by a political committee known as Citizens for Energy Choices.
Weekend Briefing: CRT’s ‘They’re Playing Our Song,’ Light the Way March, Poverty and Women at AAUW, DSC’s Spring
City Rep’s “They’re Playing Our Song” all weekend, effects of poverty on Florida women, a talk at AAUW, sign-ups for spring term at DSC, David Snelgrove trial day 5.
Death of Alexandra Lawson, 22, at Yacht Harbor Marina Ruled a Drowning, But Investigation Ongoing
Alexandra Svetlana Lawson had been reported missing by her boyfriend earlier this week, and was found in the water at the marina Wednesday morning.
Grim Day for Snelgrove’s Defense as Prosecution Makes Largely Unanswered Case for Death
A jury tasked with deciding whether to recommend death for David Snelgrove saw a psychologist for the defense unable to convincingly show that Snelgrove is a simple-minded individual who could not weigh the severity of the double-murder of an elderly couple he committed in Palm Coast 20 years ago.