The school board discusses its 2019-20 calendar, the Palm Coast council sets a course for its next manager’s search, Bill nelson and Rick Scott debate, Flagler Sportsfishing Club meets.
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Long Dormant Flagler Democrats Go Volcanic as Andrew Gillum Ignites a Crowd of Hopes
Andrew Gillum, the gubernatorial candidate, spoke to some 400 people at a Democratic rally at the Palm Coast Community Center Sunday, the largest such rally in memory in reddish Flagler.
In Blow to Scott’s Play for Puerto Rican Vote, Nelson Wins Island Governor’s Endorsement
Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s endorsement of Nelson unleashed pushback from Scott, who’s made nine trips to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory a year ago.
Four-Vehicle, Two-Truck Crash on U.S. 1 Near Church on the Rock Sends 6 to Hospital
A multi-vehicle crash involving a pick-up truck and a trailer, a U-Haul truck and two SUVs on U.S. 1 near Church on the Rock in Bunnell sent six people to Florida Hospital Flagler early Monday afternoon.
Shopping Center Eyed Across From Matanzas High School as County and City Play Nice
The shopping center on Matanzas Woods, the first, would serve the north end of Palm Coast and I-95 traffic, but is still in its earliest planning stages.
Monday Briefing: Pink Army Flag-Raising, Help for Hurricane Irma Repairs, $39,000 in Tax Subsidies to a Private Company
The County Commission ratifies $39,000 in subsidies from tourist development taxdollars to Triple Crown Sports, a for-profit private company, for events scheduled this fall in the county.
Sen. Dorothy Hukill, Among Rare Moderate Republicans, Ends Campaign and Enters Hospice as Cancer Returns
Hukill served as Education Committee chair and was one of four Republicans who earlier this year voted against a controversial measure (HB 7055) that included the use of sales-tax credits to help students attend private schools.
20-Foot Boat Takes Unexpected Land Detour, Crashing In to Palm Harbor Golf Club Sign
A 20-foot blue center-console boat crashed into the Palm Harbor Golf Club sign at the corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Palm Harbor Parkway Saturday evening. No one was hurt.
Mark Klos of Flagler Beach Found Dead of Apparent Suicide in His Jail Cell Days After Arrest Over Death Threats
Mark Klos, 72, of Flagler Beach, had been arrested Thursday (Sept. 27) after allegedly writing brutal and graphic death threats against a building contractor.
An 18-Month-Old Is in ICU After Narcotic Overdose as Family Makes Up Stories to Cops
The 18-month-old child’s mother reported he reached into her purse and took two Subutex pills, the powerful narcotic prescribed to people fighting addiction.
2 Teens Arrested on Burglary and Grand Theft Charges Following Morning Sweep in Palm Coast’s B-Section
The 16-year-old boy arrested this morning on grand theft and burglary charges, along with his cousin, had been arrested days ago on similar charges and had pledged to turn his life around.
Weekend Briefing: Sweeney Todd, Timucuan Fishing, Deaf Fest, Basketball Registration, Alzheimer’s Walk, Songwriters Festival
It’s Deaf Fest in Flagler Saturday, Sweeney Todd opens the Flagler Playhouse’s new season, Timucuan fishing technology at Gamble Rogers, the Walk to end Alzheimer’s, Homecoming at Bethune-Cookman.
The Cruelty of the GOP’s Kavanaugh Charade
A few of us posted about sexual assault in general or about our own past assaults on our Facebook pages. Then the private messages began. The details are painful to talk about.
Rick Scott Presses His Case For Making Midnight Appointments to Florida Supreme Court
In a case that could alter the future of Florida’s highest court, Scott’s lawyers said the governor retains the power to select replacements for justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince, who are all leaving in January.
Jerry Forte, Humbler Side of Clout, Becomes Palm Coast’s Fire Chief as Mike Beadle Rides Off In an RV
Jerry Forte became Palm Coast’s second fire chief in 19 years today as he took over for Mike Beadle in an emotional ceremony attended by some 250 people.
Judge Moore-Stens Denies Gag Order on Sheriff, Dissolving Mound of Motions In Eric Cooley Case
Telling the attorney seeking a gag order on Sheriff Rick Staly that he was on a “fishing expedition,” County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens this afternoon denied the motion, ending an unusual sideshow in the battery case against Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley.
Memories of Heartbreak, Triumph and Farewells at Flagler’s 32nd Drug Court Graduation
Circuit Judge Dennis Craig returned to preside over Flagler’s drug court graduation for the last time and saw goodbye to 11-year coordinator and tough cop Mike Greenier.
Between Frittatas, Colonoscopies and Rebranding at Florida Hospital Flagler
Wally deAquino, Dean Abtahi and Issam Nasr, physicians at Florida Hospital Flagler, headlined a Common Ground breakfast this morning at Palm Coast’s Hilton.
Thursday Briefing: Common Ground, Staly Subpoena, Drug Court Graduation, Beadle to Forte, NAACP
The sheriff is in court twice–for drug court graduation and for a potential showdown over a subpoena, Sweeney Todd opens at the Playhouse, Chief Beadle passes the torch to Jerry Forte at the Palm Coast Fire Department.
On Landonless Palm Coast Council, Members Push Back on Holland Attempt to Delay New Manager Hire
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland sought to wait until two new council members are seated in late November before a search firm is given direction on what to look for in a new manager. Her colleagues disagreed.
Claiming Judge Moore-Stens “Abused” Her Discretion, Sheriff Staly Appeals to Circuit Court for Stay on Subpoena
Sheriff Staly and his office in a flurry of legal moves today attempted to quash a subpoena that would have him testify Thursday in Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley’s case of alleged domestic violence.
Open Court Proceedings Require NRA-Backed Gun Litigants To Be Named, Florida Argues
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is asking a federal appeals court to reject arguments that two 19-year-olds should be able to remain anonymous in a challenge to a new state gun law.
Wednesday Briefing: Bunnell’s Newest Park, National Guard Airport Facility, Football Prayer Case
Bunnell dedicates its new Louis L. Jackson Municipal Park on South Pine Street, a beer tasting at the Humidor, the National Guard facility at the county airport comes along.
Ricky Wheeler Found Alive and Unhurt
Ricky Wheeler, the 17-year-old boy who disappeared Friday, was found alive and unhurt in an area near the Town Center Publix at around 6:30 p.m.
Mysterious Black Powder at Government Services Building Causes Evacuation of Office
A mysterious black powder that fell out of a mail item in a code enforcement office at the Government Services Building caused that particular area of the building to be evacuated and a hazmat team to be called in.
Waste Pro Recycling Hauler Is Severely Injured as His Own Truck Runs Over Him in
Palm Coast’s B Section
A Waste Pro garbage hauler was severely injured today when he was run over by his own truck as he and his partner were on a recycling run through Palm Coast’s B Section.
Tuesday Briefing: Banned Book Week, Whitley Sentencing, Palm Coast’s Future Manager, Beach Management
A visual commemoration of Banned Book Week at the Flagler Public Library, the Palm Coast council discusses what kind of manager it wants, a child molester recorded by his victim is sentenced.
Sheriff Staly Must Testify on His Own ‘Prejudicial’ Language in Cooley Case as Judge Upholds Subpoena
It is the most striking development yet in the high-profile domestic-violence case against Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley, roping in the sheriff in unexpected ways. He is fighting the subpoena.
Missing and Endangered: Ricky Wheeler, 17, Who Has Diminished Mental Capacities
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public help in locating 17-year-old Ricky Wheeler, who went missing Friday (Sept. 21) and may be endangered.
New Laws Benefiting First Responders With PTSD and Increasing Punishment for Animal Abuse Kick In
The 21 laws taking effect Oct. 1 range from allowing credit cards to be used for background checks when firearms are purchased to doling out tougher punishment for people who steal bee colonies or trespass at airports.
Fruehan Is No-Show as Mosquito Control District Raises Tax Rate 10% Above Rollback (Don’t Panic)
Florence Fruehan, the physician facing criminal charges and a member of the Flagler Mosquito Control District, was a no-show at today’s budget hearing of the district, as his mother was ailing.
Mother Who Kidnapped Her Children Pleads Guilty to 2 Felonies and Is Sentenced to Jail and Probation
Sarah Jones, 29, less than two months kidnapped her own two children from their grandparents’ home, and faced two first-degree felony counts. She pleaded to two third-degree felonies.
Monday Briefing: Mosquito Control and Bunnell Budgets, Stamp and Coin Club, Moonrise at Gamble Rogers
The Mosquito Control District sets a higher tax rate, Bunnell does not, Moonrise at Gamble Rogers Recreation Area, the Stamp and Coin Club meets, Víkingur Ólafsson plays Philip Glass.
Why Women Don’t Report Sexual Assault
That urge to discredit accusers of sexual assault like Christine Blasey Ford is exactly why it takes so long for some to come forward in the first place.
Head-On Crash on Palm Coast’s Royal Palms Parkway Sends 2 Women to Hospital
In Trauma Alerts
Two Palm Coast women were severely injured Saturday morning when their cars collided head-on on Royal Palms Parkway at 7:17 a.m.
Obtravies Watkins, 35, Is Guilty of Attempted Murder and Rape and Sentenced to Life in Prison
Obtravies Watkins was found guilty for what turned into the kidnapping of a Daytona Beach prostitute, whom he then brutalized and left for dead off Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.
Environmentalists Call Scott’s Call for Red-Tide Research a Campaign Stunt
The state has documented 115 manatee and 318 sea turtle deaths this year in regions suspected to be related to red tide, which stretches 145 miles.
Sheriff Seeking Fugitive Felon Accused of Unlicensed Contracting Fraud
Yosvel Basart, 35, a fugitive felon, is accused of defrauding a Palm Coast woman of $3,600 after passing himself off as a contractor ready to rebuild her driveway.
Weekend Briefing: Linda Cole, Sweeney Todd, Jim Canfield Farewell, Longineu Parsons Jazz
Linda Cole’s jazz ensemble at Cue Note, Flagler Playhouse’s “Sweeney Todd,” Arts Foundation presents Longineu Parsons, Palm Coast says farewell to ex-Mayor Jim Canfield.
Flagler County ‘Re-Hires’ Deputy Administrator Sally Sherman, Who Never Left: She Cost $99,000 in 7 Months as a ‘Consultant’
Sally Sherman “retired” and returned the next day with a $12,500 raise as a “consultant” so she could skirt the law requiring retirees to stay out of Flagler government work for half a year.
Thursday Briefing: Inspiring Bathrooms at Imagine School, Uninspiring Flagler Taxes, DCF Refugees
Imagine School students brighten up bathroom stalls with positive quotes, Flagler County passes its budget, DCF has refugee services, Anita Hill speaks.
Attorney Calls For Gag Order on Sheriff Staly in Eric Cooley Case, Claiming Prejudicial Words
Palm Coast Attorney Josh Davis wants a court to muzzle Sheriff Rick Staly in the case of alleged domestic violence involving Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley. The sheriff is having none of it.
Palm Coast Data Adds New York Magazine and National Wildlife Amid Stable Revenue
Palm Coast Data’s revenue has been solid, with continued addition of clients, and its parent company has been reporting modest but consistent profits, in contrast with earlier years.
Gillum Wants $50,000 Minimum Teacher Salary. DeSantis Proposes 80% Formula.
In competing proposals, Democrat Andrew Gillum would provide teachers with a minimum $50,000 starting salary by raising the corporate tax, Ron DeSantis would require 80 percent of school funding to be spent in classrooms.
41-Year-Old Man, Out on Bond On Sex Charge, Accused of Drugging and Raping 16 Year Old
Victor Williams, 40, of Palm Coast’s B Section, is accused of drugging and raping a 16-year-old boy, and was facing a charge of luring a minor for sex last year.
Wednesday Briefing: Ocean Palm Golf, Heat Index to 103, Free Wellness Screenings, DSC Job Fair, Genealogy Society
Daytona State hosts its fall job fair, Florida Hospital Flagler offers free health screenings, Flagler Beach’s Ocean Palm Golf Club lifts its profile, a free legal clinic on landlord and tenant law.
Flagler Ready to Pay $1 Million To Fix Sheriff’s Building? Bogus Claim, County Says
County Commission Candidate Dennis McDonald says Commissioner Dave Sullivan told him it would take $1 million to fix the Operations Center, a claim Sullivan says is false.
Palm Coast Council Fires City Manager Jim Landon, Ending 11-Year Tenure
The Palm Coast City Council this morning voted 4-0 to fire City Manager Jim Landon, ending his 11-year tenure after weeks of mounting tension and clashes with the council.
Three Suicides Averted in 2 Days As 911 Dispatchers and Deputies Defuse Chilling Situations
Over the weekend, authorities converged on three suicide attempts–by gun in Flagler Beach, by hanging and by cop off a county road in western Flagler, and by knife in Palm Coast’s K-Section.
Tuesday Briefing: Heat Index to 105, Palm Coast Rezoning, School Board Talks Security, Bunnell Containers
Another scorcher, the school board hears from a school-security group that emerged out of the Connecticut school shooting, Palm Coast talks rezoning.