Heroes First Home Loans Flagler Beach donated $13,000 to the Flagler Beach Fire Department, the Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Department to sponsor the purchase of 12 ballistic fire vests.
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Facing Hammock’s Ire, Joe Mullins Proposes Development Strategies, But Residents Are Skeptical
After angering them with his deciding vote approving Beachwalk’s 50-home subdivision in the Hammock, Commissioner Joe Mullins called a town hall meeting before the same Hammock residents to explain his long-range approach to development.
Wednesday Briefing: Pink Army, Bova Trial’s State Phase, Facing Grief Together, Amy Tan
The Pink Army Campaign is off and running, the Joseph Bova trial’s opening arguments and the prosecution’s case get under way, facing grief together, Amy Tan and live bombing in the Ocala forest in the afternoon and evening.
President Trump: I’m One of the Workers You Lied To
Trump’s broken promises have become a broken record destroying our communities, even in Midwestern counties that gave him the vast majority of votes in 2016.
Flagler Deputy Resigns, Without Charges, After Accusation of ‘Excessive Force’ On Older, Mentally Ill Inmate
Jared Tazewell, 34, was a detention deputy at the Flagler County jail for three years. He allegedly punched 54-year-old Mark Duncanson after Duncanson threw his walker at him. The sheriff’s office released no documentation Tuesday.
AdventHealth Names Katie Palacios Director of Strategic Program Management
Katie Palacios has been selected to serve as the director of strategic program management for the AdventHealth facilities in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties.
Flagler Hepatitis Cases Up to 9, Volusia Has 3rd Highest Total in State, With 236
Another 64 cases of hepatitis A were reported to the state last week, bringing the total number of reported cases this year to 2,609 and continuing a massive increase in cases compared to last year.
Old Kings Road’s Bottleneck Intersection With Palm Coast Parkway Will Be Widened Starting in May
The widening of Old Kings Road at Palm Coast Parkway, one of the more chronically congested segments of city streets, has been planned for since before 1999. The city finally has the money for the $8.2 million project.
Sheriff’s Office Awarded $3,000 to Continue Domestic Violence Initiative as Numbers Improve
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded equipment totaling over $3,000 from the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to assist in FCSO’s community initiative against domestic violence.
Plan to Expand Underground Power Lines Advances, But Customers Would See Higher Bills
Utilities already have underground power lines in some areas, including Palm Coast. A key part of the law changes how underground power-line projects are financed, a change that could lead to more projects — but also higher bills for utility customers.
Have an Opinion on Local Tourism? Flagler Government Needs To Know
The Flagler County Tourism Office, also known as Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches, is conducting a resident awareness survey to judge resident perception of its efforts and identify areas for improvement.
Tuesday Briefing: Old Kings Road Widening, NAACP Meeting, FPC Drama Talent, Stetson Value Days
The Palm Coast council discusses an $8.2 million plan to widen a section of Old Kings Road, the Flagler Palm Coast High School drama club’s talent show is at the Auditorium, Flagler County’s NAACP meets.
Bova Tries To Fire His Attorneys and Represent Himself Moments Before His Murder Trial. Judge Says No.
Before starting with jury selection this morning in Joseph Bova;s trial for the murder of store clerk Zuheili Rosado, Bova tried delaying the trial by seeking to represent himself on his insanity defense.
Disagreements Persist About Flagler School Board’s Religious Invocations Past and Future
A divided Flagler County School Board has yet to decide whether and how to conduct invocations at the start of its meetings following Chairman Janet McDonald’s out-of-order introduction of a pastor and her invocation at the August meeting.
Julie Murphy completes FEMA Master Public Information Officer Program
Completing a yearlong professional development program, Flagler County Public Information Officer Julie Murphy joins fewer than 70 others across the United States recognized as Master Public Information Officer.
Florida Officials Line Up Arguments Against Certain Felons’ Voting Rights in Court Case
In a bundle of competing briefs filed with the state Supreme Court, Florida officials squared off this week against supporters of a constitutional amendment that restores voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences.
An Erratic Joseph Bova Goes On Trial Today for 2013 Murder of Zuheili Rosado, Arguing Insanity
Joseph Bova II’s trial begins Monday for the murder of Zuheily Roman Rosado at a Palm Coast gas station in 2013, after six years of see-sawing between Flagler’s jail and a psychiatric hospital. He is arguing insanity.
Monday Briefing: Bova On Trial, Carney Town Hall, Mullins on Hammock Development, Bunnell Budget, Bombing
Joseph Bova’s long-anticipated murder trial begins, the Hammock wants to hear from Commissioner Joe Mullins on development, Flagler Beach’s Kim Carney talks tax rates, the Bunnell commission meets, as does the Stamp and Coin Club.
To Make Vaping Safer, Legalize Pot
While the Trump administration’s pending bans on flavored e-cigarettes will no doubt influence the legal nicotine marketplace, they will have virtually no impact on the counterfeit cannabis vaping products associated with the recent outbreak of serious lung illnesses.
Joy McClure, Missing Since Sept. 12, Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in South Palm Coast
Joy McClure, 69, of Palm Coast, had last been heard of at her Kashmir Trail home on Sept. 12. A friend reported McClure missing on Sept. 18. What’s believed to be her remains were found in the woods not far from her home.
Millions of Americans’ Medical Images and Data Are Available on the Internet. Anyone Can Take a Peek.
Medical images and health data belonging to millions of Americans, including X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, are sitting unprotected on the internet and available to anyone with basic computer expertise. The records cover more than 5 million patients in the U.S. and millions more around the world.
UNF Pitches Medical Hub in Palm Coast’s Town Center in Major Partnership With City, Schools and AdventHealth
The University of North Florida is submitting a $23 million request to the State Board of Governors that includes Palm Coast’s Town Center as a hub of an innovative concept of medical higher education that ties directly to medical-sector jobs in Northeast Florida, a concept UNF calls MedNex.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood Smears Our Judges
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s call on Chief Judge Zambrano to “overturn” another judge’s ruling on a convicted sex offender’s bond shows contempt for and misunderstanding of the very laws Chitwood was sworn to uphold. He sets a noxious tone.
Weekend Briefing: Global Climate Strike, Neil Simon’s ‘Laughter’ at CRT, Rockin’ Our Rights, Meshuggah Nuns
The Global Climate Strike is Friday, with half a dozen locations in Central Florida, City Repertory Theatre opens its new season with Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” Great Guitarists at Stetson.
Global Climate Strike on Friday: Kids Are Demanding Action, But Will Adults Act?
Led by 16-year-old Swedish student and climate activist Greta Thunberg, the Global Climate Strike, calls on world leaders to take decisive climate change action ahead of the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York on September 23.
Facts Dissolve in Antifreeze In Largely Misinformed Protest of Palm Coast’s Taxes and Budget
Palm Coast’s 2020 tax rate and the size of its budget drew some protesters at a hearing Wednesday, but many residents addressing the council were misinformed or mis-characterized the numbers.
City Repertory Theatre’s New Season: Shakespeare, Teen Lust and Two Neil Simons
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre continues to push boundaries with three tales of adolescent love and lust, “Romeo and Juliet” not least, but also a couple of box office-pleasing Neil Simons.
Home Invasion Robbery in Palm Coast’s P-Section Points at Victim’s Nephew and 2 Suspects
Alexander Brown, 20, and two unknown men are wanted in a home-invasion robbery on Pine Grove Drive in Palm Coast at midday Wednesday. Brown is the nephew of the victim.
Thursday Briefing: Fall Chill, AdventHealth Foundation, Opioid Task Force, Inspired Mic, Royko at 87
Judge Bryan Rendzio of St. Johns family court speaks on the impact of addiction on families at the Opoid Task Force meeting, the Inspired Mic holds its September edition at Hidden Treasures.
James Taylor Found Guilty, Again, of Molesting His Step-Daughter, 11, and Faces Life in Prison
It was the third trial on the same charge for ex-Palm Coast resident James Taylor, 41, after a mistrial and a remand for a new trial on appeal. He faces an almost certain sentence of life in prison because of his past as a felon and sex offender.
11 Florida School Districts Back Arming Teachers, But Education Department Remains Secretive
Senators asked, but a Florida Department of Education official did not provide information about the exact number of teachers who have chosen to be trained and armed in schools.
Flagler Approves Unattended Tethering of Dogs Outdoors, Against Humane Society Objections
A revised Flagler County ordinance allows unattended tethering of dogs within certain rules while banning the use of weights or injurious equipment. The relaxed rules were in response to the American Kennel Society, but go against the Flagler Humane Society’s recommendations.
Wednesday Briefing: JJ Graham’s “Nadia” Turtle, Private Investigator Sheila Wysocki, Ex-Border Patrol Chief at Tiger Bay
Private Investigator Sheila Wysocki is the featured Fearless and Focused lunch speaker, JJ Graham’s “Nadia” is the newest turtle addition to the arts foundation’s public art series, the Flagler Tiger Bay Club Hosts Former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Fisher.
The Rich Should Be Taxed Differently Than You and Me
A 10 percent surtax on incomes over $2 million should be levied on wages and salaries and investment income gained from wealth, including capital gains and dividends.
A Black Senator Feels Bamboozled By All-White Panel Discussing Racism and White Nationalism
Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson said blacks and Hispanics, the targets of racism, were not represented by a panel of experts who appeared before a Senate committee exploring issues related to mass violence and white nationalism.
Palm Coast Fire Capt. James Neuenfeldt Awarded Sons of the American Revolution Service Medal
Palm Coast Fire Capt. James Neuenfeldt has been awarded the 2019 Fire Service Medal & Certificate by the Flagler Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution for his coordination and leadership of the car seat and ISO programs for the Palm Coast Fire Department.
Flagler Health Officials Target Hot Spots to Protect Against 363% Statewide Increase in Hepatitis A
Flagler County Health Department officials are visiting the county jail, drug programs and homeless ministries to administer vaccines in attempts to limit the hepatitis A outbreak concentrated in central and south-central Florida.
Setting High-Intensity Precedent, Flagler Commission Approves 50-Home Subdivision in Hammock
The Flagler County Commission in a 3-2 vote approved the 50-home Beachwalk development at the intersection of A1A and Jungle Hut Road, rejecting arguments by Hammock residents that the subdivision is not in line with the Hammock’s low-intensity character.
Greg Hansen Will Represent County Commission on Canvassing Board Through 2020
Greg Hansen will serve on the three-member county canvassing board alongside County Judge Melissa Distler and Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart, assuming Lenhart doesn’t have to have her own substitute. Commissioner Charlie Ericksen is an alternate.
Tuesday Briefing: Taylor Trial, Judge Distler Speaks, Palm Coast and School Board Set Tax Rates, FPC Election
County Judge Melissa Distler speaks about the judge-selection process, FPC votes for homecoming king and queen, the Palm Coast City Council and the school board set the next fiscal year’s property tax rates, James Taylor’s trial begins, Food Truck Tuesday in central Park, Chadley Ballantyne, Bass-Baritone, Kristie Born, Piano, in recital at Stetson.
Brief: Charter School Fights School Board Takeover Over Security in Broward
A Davie charter school is challenging a Broward County School Board decision to take over the school’s operations because of an alleged failure to comply with security requirements.
A Gun Registry In Florida Is a Bad Idea. Just Ask Canada.
A panel of Florida economists weighed the burden of a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to ban assault weapons but grandfather in guns already circulating, as long as their owners register them with the state. Bad idea, says Nancy Smith.
Same Molestation Charge, Third Trial for James Taylor After Mistrial and Appeals Court Reversal
James Taylor, 41, is accused of molesting his step-daughter, 11 at the time, by brushing her chest area over her clothes “for a couple of seconds” in 2013 in Palm Coast. A conviction could send him to prison for life.
As Hurricanes Pile Up, Florida Lawmakers Seek New Ways To pay For Damages Amid Falling Revenue
Because of an increase in powerful hurricanes affecting Florida, financial forecasters suggest establishing a new fund to collect reimbursements from FEMA to help buttress the state’s general revenue fund.
A 14-Year-Old Girl at Buddy Taylor Middle Is Hospitalized After an Apparent Overdose
A 14-year-old student at Buddy Taylor Middle School was hospitalized Friday morning after showing signs of a drug overdose and claiming she’d ingested 10 pills.
Intensive 50-Home Beachwalk Development in the Hammock Would Set a Dangerous Precedent
The developer is proposing to build 50 homes crammed into a parcel along Jungle Hut Road of fewer than 13 acres, under the guise of a planned unit development. County commissioners Monday evening have a chance to stop the plan.
Welcome to a Redesigned FlaglerLive Ahead of Our 10th Birthday: Here’s What To Expect
Redesigns are gimmicky, disorienting, and just plain irritating, but sometimes they’re necessary. Almost 10 years after FlaglerLive launched, it was time to bring the place up to code, but the essentials won’t change: The focus is still first and last on quality, serious news reporting, with as little attention as possible to the technical gimmickry necessary to get it to you.
Monday Briefing: Beachwalk Development in the Hammock, Bunnell Budget, Taylor Retrial, BB King at 94
The Flagler County Commission takes on the controversial Beachwalk development along Jungle Hut Road yet again, the Bunnell Commission votes on the next fiscal year’s taxes, James Taylor is back in court for a retrial on molestation charges.
Flagler Chamber President Jorge Guttierez Resigns as Shrunken Organization Continues to ‘Hemorrhage’ Cash
Jorge Gutierrez’s resignation is on the heels of another critically difficult financial year for the Chamber of Commerce as it sought loans, got behind on payroll and now looks for county government for help.
Trump Taps Justices Luck and Lagoa For Federal Bench Just Months After Joining Florida Supreme Court
DeSantis praised the nominations of Lagoa and Luck for seats on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a statement issued by his office. The governor appointed the pair to the Florida Supreme Court shortly after he took office in January.