Gov. Scott has said he wants to sign only bills that are good for Florida families. This one is not. Its process was particularly dishonest — something even committed conservatives should disown when they look at it up close.
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Profile In Resilience: Cindy Dalecki’s Journey From Loss Back to Radiance
Cindy Dalecki, one of the most recognizably sunny personalities and marketing executive in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast, describes her ongoing recovery from losing her husband and companion of 28 years.
Flagler 3rd Graders’ Reading Scores Jump, And Exceed State Average By 11 Points
The Flagler school district average of 69 percent of students at proficiency or better exceeds the state average of 58 by 11 points as every elementary school showed strong improvement.
Marketing 2 Go, Curley Tail Design and the Branding Box Move to Ripple Coworking in Flagler Beach
Marketing 2 Go, Dalecki’s 7-year-old company and with Kim Fitzgerald’s Curley Tail Design, who together run The Branding Box, moved to Ripple Coworking, a startup in a venerable building.
Time Is Running Out For “Repeal and Replace” As Scandal and Summer Loom
Budget procedures, the fact that half the states’ legislatures have already adjourned is making it almost impossible for Congress to fit repeal of the Affordable Health Act just yet.
Whiplash
Donald Trump is rewriting the rules of politics, of time and of the English language, but the resulting explosions are as false a dawn as those of nuclear blasts.
A Man Is Killed in Fiery Morning Crash On Old Kings Road South of Graham Swamp
Joshue Rafael Venegas, 30, of Palm Coast, killed was speeding north at 3 a.m. on Old Kings Road, clipping a pick-up truck with three occupants before losing control.
Game Over: Lawmakers, Not Voters, Decide Whether To Allow Slot Machines, High Court Rules
The Florida Supreme Court squashed a broad expansion of slot machines in at least eight counties, saying the decision to allow pari-mutuels to add the lucrative games rests with the Legislature, not voters.
For Overworked County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens, $150,000 Worth of Help May Be Coming
Flagler County is not getting an additional county judge, but the money appropriated will pay for the equivalent of 428 days of service by retired judges brought back on a per-day basis to handle cases.
The Solemn and the Symbolic Mark Flagler Sheriff’s Ceremony Commemorating Fallen
In a departure from previous ceremonies, Thursday’s commemoration included a march and a riderless horse, symbolizing fallen officers, and the unveiling of a Wall of Heroes.
Flagler Unemployment Falls to New Post-Recession Low, Matching Florida’s 4.5%
In April, the number of the unemployed in Flagler County fell by almost 200, though the labor force shrank almost equally, and the overall number of Flagler County residents with jobs fell by 100.
Weekend Briefing: Flagler Beach Pirates, Hope to Help Dance Against Cancer, Kayaking, Introduction to Bull
Pirates take Flagler Beach, FPC Starlets take the stage, fitness with Palm Coast’s mayor, Choral Arts Society’s May concert, a college course introduction to bullshit, learning about the coming eclipse.
School Board Veto Call to Scott: “Legislators Didn’t Follow Basic Tenets We Teach Students in 7th Grade Civics”
The Flagler County School Board complete letter to Gov. Rick Scott asking him to veto an education bill that would “shortchange” Flagler County students. The bill was passed at the last minute with little discussion.
Citing Chronic Crisis, Sheriff Plans Community Summit on Domestic Violence and Task Force
Sheriff Rick Staly intends to call a community summit followed by a task force that would have a few months to produce a set of recommendations to enact. Other domestic violence initiatives are ongoing.
Flagler Grand Jury Indictments: Gore and Singer May Face Death Penalty, Haire Life in Prison
Dorothy Singer, accused of killing her husband, and Bobby Gore, accused of killing his son, may face the death penalty, and Phillip Haire, accused of shooting at a cop and his parents, may never see freedom again, if convicted.
Thursday Briefing: Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Vigil, Flagler and McLaughlin Town Halls, Go Natural Walk, Chelsea Manning
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a town hall at the Flagler Auditorium on the county’s future, the Sheriff’s Office hosts its annual fallen officer memorial, a nature walk at Long Creek Preserve, the Starlets in action.
House Bill 7069 Will Change Education in Flagler For Generations, Not For the Better
Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker explains his opposition to a massive education bill, focusing on the bill’s preferential treatment of charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools.
Gov. Scott Faces Increasing Pressure to Veto Education Bill, Including From Flagler District
The Flagler County School Board joined its voice to a growing chorus of demands from across the state that Gov. Rick Scott veto a massive education bill opponents consider damaging to school districts.
Four Arrests in 4 Separate Violent Assaults in a 24-Hour Period Underscore Domestic Issues
Andrew J. Krupp, 20, of Palm Coast, Qwajon R. Laster, 20, of Bunnell, Raymond Amara, 54, of Palm Coast, and Jacob Robertson of Flagler Beach were all arrested on felony charges stemming from violent confrontations.
Daytona State Will Not Increase Tuition in 2017-18, But a Few Fees Will Go Up
Tuition will remain flat even though the Florida Legislature slashed the budgets of public colleges across the state by $30 million in the session just ended. The cuts affected remedial education.
Middle and High School Students Can Rejoice: ID Cards May Be Carried Through Cell Phone
The Flagler School Board is set to approve a rule change in June that would allow students no longer to have to wear their ID badges, and to show them through their cell phone if requested, come the 2017-18 school year.
Wednesday Briefing: Matanzas High Blood Drive, Baccalaureate Service, Helen Keller on Book Burning
A Matanzas blood drive for scholarships, a country of hackers, Flagler’s graduates get a service at Santa Maria del Mar, Helen Keller’s words to book-burners.
School Board Awards Superintendent Tager $135,000 Contract Plus Performance Bonuses
James Tager’s full compensation package, before incentives kick in, is $154,200, with $5,000-worth of recurring bonuses if he pushes the district to earn an A and improves its graduation rate.
Sheriff Warns Against Misleading Medical Pot Scams “Popping Up All Over Palm Coast”
Yard signs in Palm Coast have popped up advertising “legal” weed, but the signs are scams, and a further reflecting of the confusion caused by lawmakers’ inability to agree to rules on medical pot, enabling scammers to fill voids.
Gov. Scott Continues to Attack Lawmakers Over Tourism Budget as Visitors’ Numbers Rise
A good showing in December aside, when year-over-year tourism tax receipts jumped 18 percent, Flagler County has done less well, and not necessarily because of Hurricane Matthew.
Rare Black Bear Sighting, at Flagler County’s Emergency Operations, Occasions Cautions
A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy happened on a black bear prowling around the county’s Emergency Operations Center Sunday night and spooked it off.
Tuesday Briefing: Barbara Klein Craig Painting, James Tager Contract, Judge DuPont Hearing, Food Truck Tuesday
Circuit Judge Scott DuPont submits to a hearing on his case of improprieties during his reelection campaign, a painting gifted to the Flagler Beach City Commission chamber, the new superintendent’s contract.
Elections Supervisor Proposes 2 New Voting Precincts, But GOP Concerns Prompt Delay
The Flagler County Commission was set to approve the $24,000 plan Monday evening but agreed, unusually, to a 30-day delay to accommodate Republican Party concerns about internal party elections and committee representation.
Gambling or Charity? Conflict Over Shut-Down of Electronic Bingo, Which Had Sustained Flagler Cats
Shamrock Bingo in Bunnell operated for years until an inspection found its 40 electronic machines to be illegal. Lawyers for the business are disputing the finding. The city will seek a state Attorney General’s opinion.
Palm Coast Man Accused of Drugging and Raping 13-Year-Old Girl
Fredie Jiles Leon, who goes by the name of Fredie Leon, an 18-year-old resident of 5 Whittier Lane in Palm Coast, was arrested Thursday (May 11) on two counts of raping a 13-year-old girl after allegedly drugging her.
Monday Briefing: Sean Monti Trial, Donuts With Doughney at 7-Eleven, AAUW Scholarships, Arts Foundation Fund-Raising Goal
Repeat offender Sean Monti goers on trial before Judge Dennis Craig this morning with jury selection, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney speaks with constituents over doughnuts at 7-11, the Palm Coast Arts Foundation crosses the 80 percent mark in its fund-raiser.
The Problems With the FBI’s Investigation of Clinton’s Emails Went Well Beyond Comey
A close examination of the FBI’s handling of the Clinton emails reveals a very different narrative that places previously undisclosed judgments and misjudgments by the Bureau at the very heart of what unfolded.
Cyclist Critical After He is Struck By Vehicle on Belle Terre and SR100 in Apparent Hit and Run
Kerry Milich, A cyclist, 57, was struck by a car at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and State Road 100 just after 4 p.m. Michael Bailey, the driver of the car, left the scene but was later located.
Not My President
Renouncing Donald Trump is the conservative thing to do if one’s allegiance is to the rule of law, to American democratic institutions, to unobstructed law enforcement and to transparency and accountability.
Wildfire Smoke Shrouds Flagler-Palm Coast From West as Officials Declare Fire Warning
A Red Flag Warning signaling a high-fire danger is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. today, and a 300-acre fire in Crescent City was sending thick smoke over Flagler-Palm Coast today, flooding the 911 center with worried callers.
Supreme Court Orders New Sentencing of Palm Coast Double-Murderer on Death Row
David Snelgrove has twice been sentenced to death for the murders of Glyn Fowler, 84, and his wife, Vivian, 79, on Bannbury Lane in Palm Coast in late June 2000, but never unanimously.
Just Back from Open-Heart Surgery, Palm Coast Man Is Accused of Threatening His Wife With a Gun
William J. De Perrio, a 67-year-old resident of Easton Place in Palm Coast, allegedly pointed a gun at his wife’s head as she was trying to help him with his medication and threatened to kill her.
Deputy Richard Petkovsek Is CrimeStoppers’ Flagler Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Richard Petkovsek, with the sheriff’s office just three years, was recognized for bravery, selflessness and an act of humanitarianism toward a homeless man.
Anger Over Legislature’s Failures on Medical Pot Prompts Talk of Special Session
House and Senate leaders, falling short of implementing the voter-approved amendment, were unable to reach agreement on how many retail outlets medical pot operators should be able to run.
Weekend Briefing: Ocean Art’s Love Can Move the World, Big Fish by FPC Drama, the Best Short Film in Years
Flagler Palm Coast High School Thespian Drama Club’s production of its Spring Musical, “Big Fish,” Love Can Move the World, at Ocean Art Gallery in Flagler Beach, “Alike,” the great short film.
Corrine Brown, Who Had Represented Flagler in Congress, Found Guilty of Corruption on 18 Fraud Counts
Former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s federal corruption trial is the latest chapter in a stunning fall for a longtime Jacksonville political institution.
From Austin Outdoor to Brass Tap: A Native Son Opens Palm Coast’s Largest Craft Beer Bar
Ed Schatz, who started Austin Outdoor in 1994 and sold it in 2008, is opening Brass Tap in Palm Coast’s Island Walk Monday, and planning to make it the first of nine such craft beer bars along East Florida’s coast.
1938-2017
James E. Gardner, ITT President
And Palm Coast Founder, Is Laid to Rest
James E. Gardner, who died May 5 at age 78, led ITT as it built Palm Coast between 1978 and 1990, and served on or led innumerable civic and business organizations.
Thursday Briefing: Judge Craig on Project WARM, Big Fish at Flagler Auditorium, Dunkin Opens, Blues Festival
Flagler Palm Coast High School’s thespians take the stage for four nights, Rymfire chorus in action, Judge Craig reacts to Project Warm, a favored Dunkins Donut reopens in the heart of Palm Coast.
11 Months After Fire, Dunkin Donuts On Palm Coast Parkway Reopens, With Sprinkles and 35 Employees
The Dunkin Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway reopens at 4 a.m. Thursday after it burned for reasons yet undetermined in June 2016, affecting about 1,000 customers a day.
Decriminalized Pot-Possession Program Will Advance in Flagler, But With Little Support From Sheriff
The proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot possession in Flagler County has been in limbo for almost a year after a key judicial and law enforcement panel approved it last year, before the election.
Curt and Impassive in Appearance Before Judge, Dorothy Singer Is Held Without Bond in Murder Case
Dorothy Singer, 52, accused of shooting dead her husband, will be represented by Public Defender Ray Warren, a seasoned murder-trial lawyer who has represented recent high-profile Flagler defendants.
Wednesday Briefing: Singer’s First Court Appearance, Leadership Flagler Graduation, Jail v. Treatment
Dorothy Singer, accused of murdering her husband, appears before Judge Moore-Stens, Leadership Flagler graduates its 24th class, Public Defender James Purdy talks treatment v. jail.
Critics Urge Gov. Scott to Veto Massive Education Bill as Details of Legislation Emerge
The bill was pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who sparred with the governor throughout the session over economic-development incentives and tourism marketing.
In Big Victory For Flagler (and St. Johns), Rep. Renner Delivers $13.3 Million For Dunes Restoration
The $13.3 million has yet to be split between the two counties, but will go a long distance to alleviate Flagler’s $22 million dune restoration needs, with local sources kicking in several million dollars.