Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hold “mobile” office hours at the public library in Palm Coast, Bunnell holds a special meeting in the aftermath of firing its manager, the Nelson-Scott race begins.
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Citing Net Losses Near End of 2017, Report Raises Questions About Job Growth in Florida
A new federal report cast Florida in an unusual role: as the state with the most net job losses, at least for the third quarter of 2017, contrasting with Gov. Rick Scott claims.
Keith Johansen Arrested in Shooting Death of Wife Brandi Celenza, Faces 2nd Degree Murder Charge
Keith Johansen, 36, was arrested shortly after 4 p.m. today at his Palm Coast home and charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife, Brandi Celenza, 20 days ago.
Don’t Ask Democrats To Fall On a Sword In Race Aiming To Flip Flagler Seat Blue
Despite Nancy Soderberg’s advantage, fellow-Democrats John Upchurch and Stephen Sevigny say they’ll let voters, not the Democratic Party, decide who should be the nominee in the congressional race.
10-Month-Old Girl, Unattended, Drowns in Family Pool in Palm Coast’s E-Section
A Palm Coast girl who would have celebrated her first birthday on June 6 died Thursday afternoon after drowning in the pool at her home on Edward Drive.
Weekend Briefing: Make America Shrek Again, Free Clinic Open House, Motown Revue, WaterSafe, Menopause
“Shrek,” the best show in town this weekend, is on Friday evening and twice on Saturday, the 22nd Annual Spring Classic Fishing Tournament, a Free Clinic open house, and a mountain of additional events.
With Sharpton Headlining, Rally Calls For Restoring Felon Rights After Stinging Court Defeat
The long-planned march followed a late-night ruling from a federal appeals court that gave Gov. Scott a victory in a bitterly fought challenge to the state’s voter-restoration system.
Bunnell’s Acting Manager Must Give Up Police Powers; Commission Will Set Search Criteria
The Bunnell City Commission holds a special meeting Monday to decide how to search for a new manager and set its acting manager Tom Foster’s salary. Foster must give up police powers in the new job.
Making Allusions to Oklahoma Bombing, Palm Coast Man Threatens to Blow Up Flagler Sheriff’s Office and Kill Rick Staly
Raymond Crown, 52, threatened to blow up the Sheriff’s Office in Bunnell with ammonium nitrate, kill a deputy and the sheriff after he was arrested for a criminal mischief incident in the Hammock.
Joanne Jones, 84, of Palm Coast, Is Killed in T-Bone Crash at Utility Drive and Old Kings Road
Joanne Jones, 84, was pinned and killed in a t-bone crash at the intersection of Utility Drive and Old Kings Road at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Two others–a man and a woman–suffered minor injuries.
Thursday Briefing: Honoring FHF Volunteers, Shrek Opens, USA Gymnastics Regionals, Farm Swap and Music Jam, Sharpton March
Shrek the fabulous musical opens for general audiences at Matanzas’s Pirate Theatre, ROTC awards at the auditorium, Florida Hospital Flagler thanks its volunteers.
School District Seeks to Reassure Flagler Parents Disaffected Over Reorganization Involving 1,900 Special Education Students
The Flagler school district is cutting in half its so-called “staffing specialists,” or advocates for special education students, but says the change is for the better. Parents disagree.
As Palm Coast Council’s Protracted Manager-Hiring Process Continues, Search Firm Bails
The council’s top choice for a manager-recruiting firm dropped out over Sunshine Law issues, leaving the council with other firms it will interview, one of them merely for appearances’ sake.
Florida Angling Closer to More Restrictions On Shark-Fishing From Beaches and Piers
Calls to restrict or ban shark fishing from beaches, piers and bridges led the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to direct staff to craft new rules.
Wednesday Briefing: ‘Shrek’ at Matanzas, DSC Health Fair, Tager at Economic Development Board, Band Competition
“Shrek: The Musical” opens tonight at Matanzas’s Pirates Theater, Daytona State College hosts a health-science fair, Superintendent Jim Tager speaks to the economic development board.
Shot By Shot Recreation of Cruz Rampage Through School Highlights Commission’s First Day
The first meeting of a 16-member commission studying the Parkland school massacre included a chilling recreation of the shot by shot progression of Nikolas Cruz through the school.
With “Shrek The Musical,” Matanzas High School Mega-Production Aims To Make Everyone a Believer
“Shrek the Musical” at Matanzas’s Pirate Theatre Wednesday through Saturday is a huge, roaring production involving a cast and crew of 90, with a 20-piece live orchestra.
At Flagler Beach Rally, Democrats Charge Blue Wave With Eyes on Flipping Congressional Seat
Congressional Democratic candidates Nancy Soderberg, Stephen Sevigny and John Upchurch all showed at Sunday’s Rally By the Sea by Flagler County Democrats.
Clarity on Shooting Death of Brandi Celenza in F-Section May Take Weeks, Possibly Months
Sheriff Rick Staly said it could be months before the case of 25-year-old Brandi Celenza’s death by gunshot is resolved. But the sheriff said he is confident of a resolution.
The Latest Assault on Food Stamps Holders
The draconian work requirement to receive food stamps could throw 1 million people off the rolls and cause more job losses than job gains.
Tuesday Briefing: Entrepreneur Night at Moonrise, Palm Coast’s ‘Downtown Innovation,’ Paint and Wine
The Palm Coast council talks about developing an “innovation district” in Town Center, Entrepreneur Night is at Moonrise Brewery, the St. Johns County School Board wrestles with a defict caused by safety requirements.
Bunnell Commission Fires Manager Dan Davis in 3-1 Vote, Citing Internal ‘Unrest’ and
Other ‘Concerns’
The Bunnell City Commission hired Dan Davis as its manager in December 2015. Davis was fired this evening at the end of a discussion on his latest evaluation.
16-Member Commission Will ‘Investigate System Failures’ in Parkland School Massacre
The commission will review Florida’s policies for dealing with “active assailants” on school campuses, with a comparison to “best practices” policies around the nation.
Sticking With Motorola, Flagler Rejects Bid Protest Over $14.8 Million Contract For Emergency Communications
The Flagler County Commission in a special meeting today rejected Communications International’s protest over a bid that went to Motorola to build critical emergency communications infrastructure.
Steve Nobile Resigns From Palm Coast Council, Triggering Repeat of 2016 Appointment Dilemma
Citing family health issues, Palm Coast Council member Steve Nobile is resigning his seat in May, repeating the dilemma the council faced when Bill McGuire resigned in 2016.
Family Life Center Takes Over New But Familiar, More Visible Space: ‘We’re Here if You Need Us’
The administrative offices of Flagler County’s shelter for victims of rape and domestic violence moved to where the sheriff’s detective bureau used to be on State Road 100.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell’s (Free) State of the City , Emergency Comm Bid Protest, State Band Competition at FPC
The Flagler County Commission holds a special meeting to rule on a bid protest over a critical contract, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson presents the State of the City, the Flagler Palm Coast High School Band Program hosts the 2018 State MPA North Concert Festival at the Flagler Auditorium.
With Social Media Surveillance, Flagler School District Is Breaching Community Trust
With its contract with Social Sentinel, a social media snooping company, the Flagler school district is going into the secretive surveillance business for a much heavier cost than advertised.
Flagler’s New Breastfeeding Support Group Seeks to Encourage Moms to Hang On
The Flagler Health Department and Florida Hospital Flagler are partnering to provide a bi-monthly breastfeeding support group at the hospital.
Judge Rejects Local Districts’ Challenge of Controversial Law Shifting Money To Charter Schools
The controversy highlights continuing tensions between local school districts and the state about oversight and expansion of charter schools, which are public schools but are often run by private operators.
Flagler and Florida Unemployment in Holding Pattern For Seventh Month In a Row
Flagler’s unemployment rate is at a healthy 4.1 percent, where it’s been, give or take a few decimal points, for seven months, with the state’s unemployment mirroring the holding pattern.
Two Flagler School Buses Involved In Minor Incidents In Thursday’s Afternoon Runs
Neither incident was serious, but at least one of them led to inaccurate rumors on social media that a weapon was involved: it never was.
Florida Moves to Shut Down For-Profit Residence After Finding Horrific Abuse and Neglect
The move follows years of complaints that patients at a center for children with disabilities were violently mistreated by staff and subjected to physical restraints like straitjackets.
Weekend Briefing: Hammock Musicfest, Relay For Life, Suicide Prevention, Rally By the Sea, South Pacific
A musicfest to support music education, the progressive Rally By the Sea in Flagler Beach, Relay for Life in Central Park, Humane Society’s Town Howl, and much more.
AR-15s in Flagler Schools, Traffic Cops in Mustangs, New Marine Unit: Sheriff Staly’s State of Policing
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly spoke to some 75 people Thursday on a re-energized state of policing in Palm Coast and the county, summing up initiatives and coming developments.
Spirit Ride’s Coffin Honoring Fallen Tow Operators and Other Emergency Responders Makes Ceremonial Stop in Bunnell
The ceremonial casket is part of American Towman’s Spirit Ride pilgrimage through 200 cities across the country to bring attention to the dangers emergency responders face every day.
Thursday Briefing: Spirit Casket, Sheriff Talks Crime, Renner and Hutson Update, Inspired Mic
The Spirit rides commemorates first responders who’ve lost their lives at roadside, the sheriff talks about crime-fighting at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Inspired Mic has another edition at Europa.
A Palm Coast Resident Says “School Shooting” In a Facebook Video That Has Nothing To Do with School Shootings. Cops Show Up.
Tony Lagano, 35, was upset over a family court issue and alluded to a school shooting in a sarcastic Facebook video last week, only to be visited by sheriff’s deputies.
Matanzas High School Girl Reports Being Raped By Another Juvenile at Her Home
An investigation is ongoing into the allegation of a rape of a 16-year-old girl after the alleged perpetrator asked to meet the girl to “catch up.”
105 Missiles Fired at Syria Is 10 Times The Number of Syrian Refugees We’ve Taken In All Year
“This is about humanity,” President Trump said of attacking Syria. A look at his response to other regional catastrophes shows his claim doesn’t begin to add up.
Scott Wants To Cut Medicaid Application Window From 90 Days To 30; His Savings Claims Are Challenged
The Scott administration’s cost analyses sometimes have not made sense to Medicaid experts or health and social-service providers in the trenches.
Students Raise Concerns, But Flagler School Board Approves Social Media Surveillance
The Flagler County School Board Tuesday approved a three-year, $55,500 contract with Vermont-based Social Sentinel to troll eight different types of social media accounts.
Wednesday Briefing: Family Life Center Open House, FPC Starlets, Nick Klufas at 30, Missing Turtle
The Family Life Center marks mark the opening of its new building and office space with a ribbon-cutting, the FPC Starlets take the stage, a showcase for incoming middle schoolers at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
It’s Up to Grown-Ups To Stop Bullying, Not Kids
Speaking of her own experience with bullying, the author holds the adults who watched and did nothing far more responsible than those who perpetrated it.
Tax-Evaders Beware: Flagler Will Take Over Local Collection From Short-Term Renters, Projecting Jump in Revenue
The Flagler County Tax Collector, not the state Department of Revenue, will be collecting the 5 percent tax on short term rentals starting in July–a tax hundreds of property owners are evading currently.
Voters Will Decide School Board Term Limits and Ending Local Control Over Charter Schools
Under current law, school boards operate and control public schools within their counties. That would end if voters approve a constitutional amendment.
Florida Hospitals and Halifax Health Named Among 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare
Adventist Health System, which includes the Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties, was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the top places to work in health care.
Tuesday Briefing: Transportation Impact, Talent Show Auditions, Food Truck Tuesdays, Guitar on the Rocks
Talent show auditions are tonight at the Youth Center, Food Truck Tuesday at Central Park, guitars at Stetson, the Palm Coast council is expected to adopt a new schedule of transportation impact fees.
Flagler School Board Wants To Snoop on Students’ Social Media, And Maybe Yours. Wrong Move.
The School Board is set to contract with Social Sentinel, a company that will troll social media accounts across Flagler for $18,500 and issue “alerts” to select officials. It’s an inappropriate move down a slippery slope.
Flagler Moves to Protect Public’s Use Of Beaches Ahead of Law Granting Property Owners Restrictive Rights
The new law allows beachfront private property owners to trespass the public from private beaches, something not allowed currently, and never done in Flagler.