The proposal, which will need support from 60 percent of voters in November, would seek to ensure the rights of victims to receive information and provide input during criminal cases.
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Wendell Parker, 32, Killed, Woman Critical in Head-On I-95 Collision North of Palm Coast Parkway
A man was killed early this morning and a woman is in critical condition following a head-on collision on I-95, just north of the interchange with Palm Coast Parkway..
Monday Briefing: Pete Young, Fastest Lawman, Carver Gym Auction, That New Beach Access Law
FHP’s Pete Young is the new fast-draw champion, the county commission discusses a proposed ordinance to preserve beach access in front of private property for the public, the Carver Center auction is live.
Flagler-Palm Coast Under Tornado Watch Until 6 PM as Line of Storms Approaches
The squall line this afternoon is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches, with locally heavier amounts, and winds of 30-40 mph.
Felons’ Lawyers Accuse Scott and Cabinet of Foot-Dragging Over Judge’s Rights-Restoration Order
A federal judge who found the state’s vote-restoration process unconstitutional gave Scott and the Cabinet until April 26 to overhaul the process. They’ve done nothing.
7 New Sheriff’s Deputies, 143% Cost Increase as Outline of Flagler’s School Safety Takes Shape
Sheriff Staly and Superintendent Tager are negotiating an increase of the school deputies’ program to $1.8 million split 50-50, with the schools’ share paid by the state and the sheriff’s by the County Commission.
88-Year-Old Palm Coast Man Dies of Gunshot, 3rd Elderly Suicide in Seven Weeks in Flagler
Joseph O’Sullivan, 88, of Palm Coast’s P Section, died of a gunshot Wednesday. There have been at least eight suicides in the county since the new year.
Flagler Judge Scott DuPont Called “Unfit,” “Outrageous,” “Disturbing,” “Beyond Reckless” and Contemptuous of Law
A devastating 21-page opinion by a disciplinary judicial commission repeats in harsher language a call for Judge Scott DuPont’s removal, a recommendation going before the Supreme Court.
Weekend Briefing: South Pacific, Picnics and Pops, Fast Draw, Farm Days, Cheer at Pier, Health and Housing Fairs
South Pacific opens at the Flagler Playhouse, Family Farm Days at the Ag Museum, the fastest lawman shootout Sunday, a health fair, a housing fair, Cheer at the Pier and so much more.
Cities and Counties Pushing Back Against State Law Limiting Local Gun Regulations
Local governments are challenging the 2011 “preemption” law, which bans them from imposing gun restrictions tougher than those in state laws.
West Flagler Man Faces Kidnapping and Assault Charges Involving Woman Picked Up in Daytona
Jesse Alan Pack is accused of kidnapping a woman in Daytona Beach and driving her to Flagler, where she reported escaping on County Road 200 near U.S. 1.
Pick-Up Flips on Old Kings, Driver Arrested For DUI, Palm Coast Firefighter Injured
Lt. Brian Mugford of the Palm Coast Fire Department injured his foot when looking for other patients: the driver of the pick-up had falsely claimed someone else had been driving, and had run off.
Judge Says Cancer Patient May Grow His Own Pot Plants, Seeding New Front in Florida Marijuana Wars
The patient is forced to grow his own plants to make liquid treatment because the state hasn’t allowed any marijuana operators to sell whole plants to patients.
Sheriff Staly’s Heimlich Saves Elected Party Official’s Life at Candidate Forum
Sharon Demers, an elected Republican state committeewoman and a former candidate for school board, was choking when Staly successfully executed a Heimlich maneuver on her.
Flagler Beach Museum’s 5th Annual Cheer at the Pier Saturday
The 5th Annual Cheer at the Pier is a fund-raising event for the Flagler Beach Museum that mixes sun, fun, drinks and the gastronomy of nearly a dozen participating restaurants and bars.
Thursday Briefing: FPC Classroom to Careers, 9th Grade Showcase, Crocs Grill Entertainment, Ex-Felons’ Rights
A busy day at Flagler Palm Coast High with a classrooms-to-careers symposium and incoming 9th graders’ first look at their new school, Farm Swap and Music Jam at the Ag museum.
Man, 59, Critical After He Was Found Submerged in a U-Section Swale as Children Returned From School
David A. Niesse is in critical condition after he was found face-down in a waterlogged swale in front of his Palm Coast house, a scene that left a busload of Imagine School students shaken Tuesday.
In Praise of Pops: Jax Symphony’s Palm Coast Picnic Returns in Salute To Bracing Favorites
The Jacksonville Symphony’s 11th Picnics and Pops concert with the Palm Coast Arts Foundation is an exploration of the worlds of pop music’s Mozarts.
Court Rejects Curbs on “Deer Dog Hunting” in Florida Wildlife Management Area
Property owners sued the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for not properly keeping hunters’ dogs away from their lands. They won, only for an appeals court to reverse the decision.
20 Years in Prison for Ex-Soccer Coach Who Molested Boys at Palm Coast Academy; He Faces New Rape Charge
Sean Stern was a program director at Palm Coast’s ex-Sports Pathways soccer academy for boys and girls, where he molested at least three boys over many months.
Wednesday Briefing: Soccer Coach Pleads Out, Take Back the Night, Commissioner of Agriculture Forum
Three candidates for agriculture commissioner appear in a Palm Coast forum, incoming 9th graders at FPC get their showcase at the school tonight, speaking against sexual violence, at Stetson.
Water War Flares Again Between Palm Coast and County Over Planned Shops Near Airport
A proposed commercial development at the southeast corner of State Road 100 and the entrance to the county airport, opposite Bulldog Drive, is at the center of the latest water dispute between Palm Coast and the county.
On Florida Park Drive, Council Wants a Stop To Traffic-Calming Proposals That Dead-End
Palm Coast council member blames the city administration for not acting on several proposals to help reduce traffic, pollution and noise along Florida Park Drive.
Trump Picks 5th District Court of Appeal’s Wendy Berger for Central Florida Federal Court
Wendy Berger serves on the Daytona Beach-based 5th DCA and was a Jeb Bush aide. Trump nominated her to the federal bench’s Middle District of Florida.
Tuesday Briefing: Florida Park Drive, Dunes Restoration Update, Cats and Dogs for Adoption
A new feature highlighting cats and dogs for adoption, the Palm Coast Council again discusses issues surrounding Florida Park Drive, an update on dune repairs.
Flagler Approves $14.8 Million Next-Gen Emergency Communication System, But Faces Bid Protest
Motorola won the $14.8 million contract to upgrade the emergency communications system every local first responder and other workers depend on, but Flagler faces a protest from CI, the other bidder and provider of the existing system.
Trump Expected to Loom Over Nelson-Scott Senate Battle as Governor Announces Run
The Senate contest between Bill nelson and Rick Scott is termed a “proxy battle” about Donald Trump and a referendum by Floridians on Trump’s presidency.
Flagler Sheriff’s Corporal Counseled Over Racial Slur, Latest Revelation Since November
James Miley, a Flagler County Sheriff’s corporal, was counseled verbally in February after a deputy reported that Miley had used a racial slur while referring to a Latino subordinate.
Addiction Drug Vivitrol’s Side Effect: More Overdoses?
Researchers suggest people getting Vivitrol shots may be more susceptible to a fatal overdose if they halt the regimen early and resume using opiates.
Monday Briefing: Grand Champ Ava Hutten, 9, Bill Baxley at 79, New Sex Offender Registry, Dune Walkovers
Ava Hatten is Grand Champion in Swine Show for hog Rudy, 267 lb., Bunnell City Commissioner Bill Baxley is 79, Sheriff Rick Staly is a 911 dispatcher for two hours.
Daytona State College Summer Sessions Begin May 15, Enrollment Open
Daytona State College registration is closing in on summer classes that start May 15 and June 28. Fall semester sign-up also has begun with classes starting Aug. 27; now’s the time to secure classes and top choice for schedules.
Three Flagler County Rotary Clubs Join to Plant 220 Long Leaf Pine Trees Together
The project is in response to a call by Rotary International President Ian Risley for the organization to plant 1.2 million trees, one for each member of the international organization.
Florida GOP Says It Can Fend Off Blue Wake and Keep “Trump Agenda Alive”
But Florida Republicans, gathering for a convention in Tampa, say they’ll need to increase turnout to retain congressional and legislative majorities and to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
Gunshot Kills Brandi Celenza, 25, on Palm Coast’s Felter Ln. in “Definitely Suspicious” Incident
Brandi Celenza, 25, died of a gunshot today at 23 Felter Lane in Palm Coast in what authorities at the scene are describing as a suspicious incident–for now.
Sheriff Staly, FHP’s Pete Young and 2 Lesser Lights Compete For Fastest Lawman On The Draw
The Law Enforcement Shootout on April 15 at the Ag Museum features defending Champion Staly against FHP’s Pete Young, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Putnam Sheriff “Gator” Deloach.
30-Acre Brushfire Shuts Down I-95 in Volusia Again; Florida Forest Service Marks Wildfire Awareness Week
FHP shut down I-95 from mile marker 257 to 261 in both directions as a 30-acre fire jumped the interstate, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from both sides.
Paul Miller Loses Latest Appeal of Life Sentence for Dana Mulhall’s Murder in Flagler Beach
Circuit Judge Dennis Craig ruled that even if a use-of-force expert had been heard at trial, the jury would not have found grounds for self-defense and convicted Miller, now 70, of murdering Dana Mulhall.
12 Amendments Nearing Ballot, Including Bans on Offshore Drilling and Workplace Vaping, and Home Rule Overrides
The list includes 12 ballot proposals that incorporate 24 potential changes to the Florida Constitution. All of the proposals were initially endorsed by the commission.
Weekend Briefing: Rock ‘n Ribfest Fair, FPC Dance, First Friday, Walk For the Blind, Plein Air at Ocean Art
The Rock ‘n Ribfest spices up the Flagler County Fair, FPC’s dancers bring their “Stories in Motion” to the Flagler Auditorium stage, First Fridays in Flagler Beach, a new show at Ocean Art Gallery.
Jury Finds Ex-Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks Guilty On All 7 Felony Counts of Illegally Recording Others
Former Flagler County Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks was found guilty on felony counts that she illegally recorded other officials during her tenure.
Flagler Beach Without a Beach? Researcher Lays Out Erosion’s Implications at Workshop
Flagler Beach native and beach-erosion expert Chad Boda presents findings from his recently-defended dissertation on beach sustainability at a city workshop.
Thursday Briefing: Chipotle Opens, Jon Netts Returns, County Fair Continues, Kim Weeks Jury Deliberates
Chipotle restaurant opens next to Panera on Palm Coast’s State Road 100, ex-Mayor Jon Netts reemerges at a campaign forum, the county fair is in its first full day and the Kim Weeks trial should end with a verdict.
Flagman Is Struck and Killed By Van on Colbert Lane Repaving Project, Near Waterfront Park
A flagman working for Halifax Paving on the Colbert Lane resurfacing project in Palm Coast was struck by a work van this afternoon, and later died at the scene.
Kimberle Weeks Trial Day 3: Defense Opts Against Putting On a Case, Relying on Outlier Theory Instead
In an echo of Kimberle Weeks’s own irreverence toward established law, her lawyers are arguing an untested and unusual interpretation of what amounts to a public meeting: all conversations between public officials involving public business.
Flagler Government Approves Open-Ended Renewals of County Administrator’s and Attorney’s Contracts
County Administrator Craig Coffey and County Attorney Al Hadeed have been the commission’s hires since 2007. Their contracts no longer will have an end date.
Wednesday Briefing: Off To The Fair, Netts v. Shipley at Palm Coast Council Forum, Weeks Trial Day 3
The Flagler County Fair and Youth Show kick off tonight and through the weekend, ex-Mayor Jon Netts reemerges as a candidate for Palm Coast Council, Stetson’s woodwind ensemble in concert.
Trial Day 2: Jury Hears Kim Weeks Insult Secretary of State and Others As Ken Detzner Sat in Witness Box
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner was a star witness for the prosecution today, saying Kim Weeks recorded him without his permission. he then heard her call him a “dumb bastard.”
Fugitive Felon Leads Deputies On Chase Across Palm Coast Before K-9 Chomps Him to a Stop
Richard Lawrence Knoblaugh, 37, took deputies from SR100 to Matanzas High before crashing his SUV in his own C-Section yard and falling to a K-9’s bite Monday evening.
10 Florida Cities Challenge State Law Barring Local Governments From Passing Gun Ordinances
Elected officials from 10 Florida cities are challenging an NRA-backed state law that imposes strict penalties on local lawmakers for enacting gun ordinances.
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s State Of the City Address at Community Center
The full text of Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s State of the City Address at an event produced by the Observer Tuesday.