A drive-by shooting shook Palm Coast’s B-Section this morning at 10, leaving a man of about 18 seriously injured.
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Christmas Briefing (Last of the Year): Rotary Fantasy Lights, Winter Solstice Celebration, Vera Falgout
This is the last Briefing of the year, with few events this weekend in the lead-up to Christmas. We’ll be back Jan. 2. Happy New Year.
Defense’s Strategy in Molestation Trial: Attacking, Discrediting and Demolishing an Alleged Victim
The defense in Michael Bowling’s trial today focused not on the charges at hand, but on one key witness, a teen girl, in attempts to impeach her credibility and accusations.
Nine Charged With Animal Cruelty Toward Bears in 4 Counties, Including Flagler
Defendants posted videos of bears being chased and mauled by large packs of dogs after being lured with dog food, doughnuts, pastries and peanut butter in areas of Baker, Flagler, Marion and Union counties.
Before Barbecue: How Flagler County Saved Bing’s From Development
Bing’s Landing before the current controversy over Captain’s BBQ’s proposed expansion could have been sold off to developers. It wasn’t, thanks to one woman’s vision. Her daughter tells the story.
Heavy Rains and Storms Soak Flagler But More Severe Threats Are Limited
Threats to Flagler were lessening as the day progressed, but there were local repercussions, with downed trees and concerns about flooding.
Thursday Briefing: IB Diploma Ceremony, Inspired Mic, Bowling Trial, Ocala Forest Bombing
The annual International Baccalaureate diploma ceremony takes place at FPC’s bistro, Michael Bowling is expected to testify in his own defense in his trial on molestation charges, the Bunnell commission meets.
In Child-Molestation Trial, Even a Juror Raises a Question About a Main Witness’ Credibility
The defense seriously damaged the credibility of the step-daughter of Michael Bowling, 47, on trial for molesting the step-daughter’s friend when she was 15–and facing more grave charges regarding his step-daughter as well.
Teacher, Police and Fire Unions Join Call to Fire Craig Coffey, With Help From Milissa Holland
The county’s public sector unions in a powerful joint approach aided by Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland have joined calls to fire County Administrator Craig Coffey.
Three Finger Charlie Bar Owner in Bunnell Busted for Running Alleged Gambling House
Undercover agents of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco began investigating alleged illegal gambling activities at Three Finger Charlie’s in late July.
Broward Elections Supervisor Sues Scott, Calling Suspension ‘Malicious and Politically Motivated’
Suspended Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes has filed a federal lawsuit against Scott and Senate President Bill Galvano as she tries to regain her job.
Wednesday Briefing: Bowling Trial, Carter G. Woodson, Bombing, Philip Morris’s “Do You Inhale?”
The trial of 47-year-old Michael Bowling on molestation charges enters its second day, the Palm Coast Planning Board meets, recalling the Philip Morris pitch to I Love Lucy fans.
State Board of Education Approves Appointment of Richard Corcoran as Education Commissioner
The appointment of Corcoran, who has scant education experience but a lengthy political resume, was all but assured when Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis announced his support for the former lawmaker.
From ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven’ to a Teen’s Accusation of Molestation in a Closet
Michael Bowling, 47, in his first day of trial today, is accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl during a game of “Seven Minutes In Heaven” as the two were allegedly in a closet alone.
Overlooking Its Call for ‘Unity,’ Flagler NAACP Claims Sheriff ‘Sought to Bury’ Incident Involving 2 Racist Students at FPC
What the Flagler Branch of the NAACP billed as a “unified public support press conference” for the high school teacher targeted by two students’ racist threats featured more grandstanding and accusations than revelations today.
A Special Taxing District To Repair Palm Coast’s Privately Owned Sea Walls? Not Exactly.
Is Palm Coast looking to create a taxing district to pay for privately owned seawall repairs on the city’s 26 miles of saltwater canals? Not exactly. Certainly not yet. But it’s not off the table.
Tuesday Briefing: Live Bombing, Bowling Trial, NAACP Presser, Auditorium Construction, Matanzas Concert
The NAACP talks about the recent case of two FPC students leveling racist threats about a teacher, the Michael Bowling trial on molestation charges begins, Matanzas High School holds its winter concert.
Like Palm Coast, County Government Plans To Send Small Drone Fleet Airborne
County government plans to spend $20,000 to acquire several drones and use them for public safety, land and infrastructure surveys and incident management, but the county has yet to develop rules and policies.
House With 5 Occupants in Palm Coast’s Z-Section Is Shot Up, But Surveillance Video Was ‘Deleted’
The 1,600-square-foot house at 16 Zircon Court in Palm Coast was the target of a shooting early Sunday morning. Nine bullet holes were detected.
Hammock Group Appeals Captain’s BBQ Plan at Bing’s Landing, and County Questions Filing
The Hammock Community Association filed an appeal of a county planning board approval of the expansion of Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing, drawing a challenge from the county on grounds that the decision is not appealable that way.
Monday Briefing: Michael Bowling Trial, Snowfest, County Drones, FPC’s Advisory Council
The first trial of Michael Bowling, accused of molesting a girl, begins today, Snowfest 2018 took place in central Park, the County Commission discusses the addition of drones to its arsenal.
T.K. Wetherell, Former House Speaker and Florida State President, Dies at 72
Wetherell, a Daytona Beach native, served in the House from 1980 to 1992, the final two years as speaker. He died of cancer.
Judges Gaustad and Ferebee Join 7th Judicial Circuit Bench, Among Other Changes
The Seventh Judicial Circuit welcomes two new Circuit Judges and announces changes to judicial assignments for several sitting judges.
Democrats’ Arafat Complex
Early possibilities for the 2020 election–Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton–suggest Democrats aren’t learning lessons but clinging to habits of self-destruction.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Entire Affordable Care Act, Putting Law In Peril–Again
Judge Reed C. O’Connor struck down the law, siding with Republican state attorneys general to say the tax bill passed by Congress last December effectively rendered the entire health law unconstitutional.
Katherine May Sanford, 85, Is Killed in Crash on U.S. 1 and Seminole Woods Boulevard
Katherine May Sanford, 85, a resident of Palm Coast, was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 and Seminole Woods Boulevard.
Yet Another Student Is Arrested, At FPC, Over School Shooting Threats, Capping Exasperating Week
In the fourth school-safety incident in five school days, yet another student, a 16-year-old attending Flagler Palm Coast High School, was arrested today on allegations that he threatened to shoot up the school.
Two More Students, Both 13, Face Charges Over Shooting Threats Targeting Indian Trails Middle
The reported threats on an after-school bus was the third incident in the last five school days resulting in charges or arrests involving a total of five students.
Florida Supreme Court Clears Cops to Use Stand Your Ground Defense in Shootings
Stand your ground applies to “persons,” and “a law enforcement officer is a ‘person’ whether on duty or off, and irrespective of whether the officer is making an arrest,” the court ruled unanimously.
Eddie Collins, 62, of Bunnell, Dies of Injuries From U.S. 1 Pick-Up Crash
Eddie Collins, the 62-year-old Bunnell man critically injured in a crash on U.S. 1 on Monday (Dec. 10), died Thursday evening at Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
Weekend Briefing: Palm Coast Boat Parade, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Breakfast With Santa, Navy Band
The Annual holiday boat parade takes to Palm Coast’s canals Saturday evening, Matanzas’s Key Club hosts a Breakfast With Santa, grieving through the holidays, the Navy Band at the Auditorium.
Survivor of Half-Failed Double-Suicide May Not Get To Blame Depression in “Assisted Murder” Defense
Bruce Haughton says he planned to kill himself and his ex-girlfriend Katherine Goddard in her R-Section home. She died. He survived. The prosecution sees it only as assisted murder, discounting his mental state.
With Judge’s Help, Sheriff’s Insurance Carrier Corners Employees Over Workers’ Comp Claims as Fate of Building Looms
Some 30 Flagler County Sheriff’s employees have been in a dispiriting battle with their own agency’s insurance carrier and the judge ruling on their workers’ compensation claims, portending little hope that they may prevail.
Thursday Briefing: A Lawyer’s Gift to Flagler Beach, Jose Antonio Jimenez Execution, ITMS Band Concert
Flagler Beach attorney Scott Spradley gifts the city with a new print of the Pier to mark two anniversaries, the Indian Trails Middle School Band is in concert, Barbara Ehrenreich on what’s killing the poor.
Ethics Commission Finds Probable Cause School Board’s Janet McDonald and Husband Dennis Violated Law on Disclosures
A state ethics investigation found that both Dennis and Janet McDonald inaccurately reported assets on disclosure forms ahead of election runs. The late Frank Meeker, a county commissioner, filed the ethics complaints shortly before his death in 2016.
FPC Teacher Pursues Hate Crime Charges On 2 Racist Students Who Threatened Her
Two 16-year-old students who exchanged a string of online, racist threats about their language arts teacher during class on Monday face misdemeanor assault charges with a possible enhancement under Florida’s hate-crime law.
Palm Coast Man, 23, Faces Molestation Charge After He’s Found With Girl, 15, at Flagler Beach Park
T.J., 23, of Palm Coast, was found with a 15-year-old girl in his car between 3 and 4 a.m. at Flagler Beach’s Betty Steflik Park Monday, but says no sexual contact took place.
‘Culture Change’ Needed In Schools as Parkland Massacre Commission Finalizes Its Work
The panel will ask the Legislature to impose sanctions if school districts failed to put into effect some of the school-safety measures, including measures already required by law, such as active-shooter drills.
Wednesday Briefing: Dinner With Santa at FPC, Holiday Giving Tea, School Shooting Commission
Dinner With Santa and a pasta dinner at FPC tonight for just $3, Holiday Giving Tea fund-raiser at the Flagler Auditorium, the Parkland shooting commission meets.
Understanding the Rise of France’s Yellow Jackets
In a larger sense the Yellow Vests movement reflects longstanding neglect or exploitation of rural communities. Not only in France but in the US and much of Western Europe.
In Novel Argument, Constitutional Amendment Spurs Call for Stay of Execution
The arguments center on part of Amendment 11, which was approved by 62 percent of voters and which changed a more than century-old provision dealing with how revisions in criminal laws should be applied to older crimes.
2 FPC Students’s Threats Targeting Teacher Were Racially Motivated; Criminal Charges Still Possible
Two students claiming they were just joking made explicit, racist threats against their teacher in written chats uncovered Monday, and may yet face criminal charges, contrary to earlier claims.
Disputed Wetlands Restoration In Flagler Beach Will Proceed as St. Johns River Board Unanimously Approves $500,000 Project
The St. Johns River Water Management Board unanimously approved the 100-acre, $500,000 wetlands restoration project on the Intracoastal Waterway near Gamble Rogers Recreation Area in Flagler Beach.
Kimberle Weeks Pleads to Another Felony Count and, Months Late, Files Appeal
Kimberle Weeks, the former Flagler County elections supervisor, pleaded to the eighth and final felony count against her the day her attorney filed an appeal with the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Tuesday Briefing: Wetlands Restoration Reckoning, Palm Coast Survey, Starlight Video, MHS Concert
The St. Johns Water Management District board discusses a controversial wetlands restoration plan for Flagler Beach, the Palm Coast council talks citizens survey, Matanzas High presents a winter concert.
Two FPC Students Barred From Campus After Allegations of Online Threats Against Teacher
Two students at FPC were allegedly exchanging online chatter about the time and place to harm a teacher. The Sheriff’s Office investigated and declined to pursue charges, though the students face discipline from the district.
Judge Lowers Bond in Revenge Porn Case from $20,000 to $2,500, Enabling Release
Au’qoin Kendrell Neeley, 20, of Filbert Lane in Palm Coast, faces a felony charge of transmitting child pornography by an electronic device and a misdemeanor charge of cyber-harassment.
Opposing Scott Court Cases, DeSantis
Signals Friendlier Approach to Medical Pot
DeSantis, a Republican who will take office on Jan. 8, is unwilling to continue some of the court battles now being waged by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott’s administration.
Palm Coast Man Accused of Attacking Mom, Fiancée and Cop Before He Is Tased
Gregory Thilesen, 28, of Palm Coast, faces a felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor charges of domestic battery.
Jeffrey Foust, 11, Donates Year’s Allowance to Flagler Deputies in His Cop Father’s Memory
Jeffrey Foust, 11, bought 54 gift cards worth $600 to donate to 54 Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies, most of whom paid them forward at the Christmas With a Deputy event Friday.