Entrepreneur Night kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the New Europa at European Village, the Palm Coast council again agonizes over bottle clubs and its beleaguered golf and tennis operations.
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Suicide By Gun Averted, Woman’s Face Burned With Cigarette, Good Samaritan Turns In $2,500
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Michael Breckwoldt, a 13-year veteran of the force, averted a suicide by a 68-year-old woman who was wielding a Smith and Wesson .380 handgun and had earlier fired two shots.
Court Ruling Favoring Counties in Juvenile Detention Costs Could Send Flagler $300,000
An appeals court ruling could mean the state owes more than $100 million to counties in a long-running dispute about who pays to detain juvenile offenders.
Flagler Voter Registrations Surge to 90%, Aiding GOP as Democrats Fall to Historic Low
Flagler County’s voter registration rolls have surged by 21 percent since 2009, resulting in a 90 percent registration rate, with Republicans riding a 4,500-voter advantage over Democrats.
Monday Briefing: Hobby Lobby’s Island Walk Plans, Protecting Realtors, Bunnell Contends With Election Dates
Hobby Lobby gets a development order so it can rebuild the front of the old Publix at Island Walk, formerly Palm Harbor shopping center, Bunnell debates a likely state mandate to force cities to move their election days.
Upset By Cheesy Garlic Knots and “Disrespect,” Quartet Trashes Palm Coast Pizza
Four Palm Coast residents are accused of trashing Palm Coast Pizza after one of them was upset by cheese on her garlic knots, and the way she was refunded the money.
The End of Jeb
While the favorite of many Republican insiders and fund-raisers, Bush could never appear to get his footing in a race that has been largely dominated by the outsider Donald Trump.
Jon Moscowitz Named Sons of the American Revolution’s Firefighter of the Year
Moscowitz, 28, has been a firefighter-paramedic in Flagler County for 9 years. Only a few weeks ago he’d also been named public safety EMS professional of the year by his peers.
Master of Obstruction: Why McConnell Is Picking a Fight Over Scalia’s Replacement
It is less about blocking liberal policy goals than about boosting Republican chances. Remarkably, McConnell has chosen a path that would seem to reduce his party’s odds in November.
Buy This Art: Ocean Art Gallery’s Laws of Shopper Attraction, at the Point of a Spear
Frank Gromling, owner of Flagler Beach’s Ocean Art Gallery, is all about marketing and selling art. He’s not interested in museum-like browsers, let alone displaying art for art’s sake.
The Good Life: At Salvo Gallery, One Collector’s Gems Frame Wealth of Flagler’s Arts
Christopher Goodfellow has been collecting art for years. The new show at Salvo Art Project features his mostly-Flagler collection of the last five years, highlighting the wealth and variety of the local art scene.
Promising 300 Jobs 3 Years Ago, Aveo Engineering Bails on Airport Lease But Pledges to Remain in Flagler
Aveo Engineering, the much-touted LED parts manufacturer had promised 300 jobs by 2016 at the Flagler County Airport. Neither jobs nor facility have materialized, though the company is still pledging to grow in Flagler, but not at the airport.
Florida Still Outlier as Death-Penalty Fix Falls Short of Requiring Unanimous Jury Verdicts
The measure would require at least 10 jurors to recommend the death penalty for the sentence to be imposed and would empower juries to decide whether defendants should die or be imprisoned for life without the chance for parole.
Weekend Briefing: European Village’s 10 Years, Last Chance for “Last Romance,” Ocean Art Redux
European Village celebrates its 10th year, City Repertory Theatre stages The Last Romance, Flagler Beach’s Ocean Art Gallery holds its grand re-opening.
Why Is International Law Failing to Protect Sharks?
A key meeting this month on migratory sharks represent an important opportunity for advancing regulations to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of endangered shark species.
At FPC, Community Problem Solvers Re-Imagine Library as Fluid “Learning Commons”
When every student has a media center in the palm of the hand, it’s time to change the name and purpose of a school library. That’s what FPC’s Community Problem Solvers set out to do, and achieved.
Palm Coast Signals Going Its Own Way In Growing Rift With County Over Radio System
City Manager Jim Landon is pressuring the county to replace its emergency radio infrastructure–on which the city and sheriff depend– well before 2020. The county is resisting, citing costs.
Citing Overreach, Senate Kills Public Record Exemption for Hunters’ Personal Information
Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, welcomed the defeat of the bill, which she labeled “the Ted Nugent Act” because of publicity surrounding a bear hunt last year.
Thursday Briefing: Trump Keeps Rising, So Do Flagler’s Cell Towers; a New Kind of Library at FPC
A Community Problem Solving project turned the FPC media center into the new Bulldog Learning Commons, Trump gets stronger in the polls, communication towers may have to rise higher in Palm Coast.
Drone, Pellet Gun and Protected Bird Mix Into Novel Confrontation in Palm Coast’s C-Section
A man threatened to shoot down his neighbor’s drone on Palm Coast’s Collingwood Lane after claiming he was using the drone to harass purple martins, the federally protected birds.
Sheriff Issues Warning of IRS Scams as “Hundreds” of Palm Coast Residents Report Fraud
Tax season is intensifying scams from fraudsters posing as the IRS, who have been targeting Palm Coast residents and threatening them with arrest if they don’t immediately pay bogus tax bills.
Florida Senators Reject Weakening State’s Regulatory Power in Health Care Expansions
The Senate on Wednesday listened to hospitals, nursing homes and hospice providers and killed a bill that would have weakened the “certificate of need” process that gives the state power to review and approval new health-care facilities.
Call The Question! School Board Moves to Demolish Old ITT Building in “Awkward” Vote
The school board will spend $163,000 to demolish the iconic hulk on Palm Coast Parkway, but the 5-0 vote was marred and rushed by an improper maneuver by board member Sue Dickinson.
Wednesday Briefing: Jeb’s Weird Gun Thing, Tourism Council Slushies, An Anti-Gay Bill, Liszt
Jeb Bush tweets another cry for help, the Tourist Development Council shells out another $18,000 in free money, the Florida Legislature hides its homophobia behind the clergy’s robes.
Putnam Man Faces 5 Years in Prison For Brutalizing and Killing Girlfriend’s Puppy
A jury found Michael Anthony Dalton guilty in 15 minutes. He’d repeatedly punched his girlfriend’s puppy, breaking its neck, over relationship troubles with his girlfriend.
To School Officials’ Surprise, NAACP Accuses District of ‘Obstruction’ and More Arbitrary Discipline
The Flagler branch of the NAACP is accusing the school district of “willful” obstruction in disciplinary cases involving black students, and of ignoring behavior problems at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
Florida Senate’s Latest Bow to Guns: Allowing Them in Airport Terminals
The measure would allow people to continue carrying sidearms in the areas of airports up to where passengers go through the security-screening process.
Sheriff Manfre Ethics Case: In Eviscerating Language, Judge Recommends $6,200 Fine, Public Reprimand and Censure
An administrative law judge suggests the sheriff lied under oath as part of his defense in a case that has clouded his term since 2014 and that continues to damage his image in a re-election campaign featuring a slew of opponents.
Against Mayor’s Opposition, Palm Coast Council Discovers Public Input at Workshops
For the first time in 17 years the Palm Coast City Council will join other local governments in allowing public participation at council workshops, where most of the decisions are made, not just at “regular” meetings.
Tuesday Briefing: Voter Registration Deadline, Guns in Airports, Palm Coast’s Workshop Awakening
Your last day to register for the March 15 presidential primary is today. Independents don’t get to vote. FPC talks Fire Academy, the Legislature wants to allow guns at airports, Palm Coast opens up workshops to public participation.
At Florida Hospital Flagler, an Additional 32 Beds as Facility Grows Beyond Rural Stage
The $15-million, 32-bed addition tips Florida Hospital Flagler past the 99-bed threshold, reducing its Medicare dollars by up to $12 million, but hospital officials see the expansion as meeting local needs.
Beef Ads, Dolphin Pools, Farm Aid and Rodeos: Florida Lawmakers’ Pork Projects
The legislature’s budget plans are filled with pork items for local groups, parks, theaters and museums that may be minor in the overall proposals but important to lawmakers who want to take home money for projects and programs.
Twitter Images and Gun Threats Cause Concern at Matanzas High School
Postings on a 10th grader’s Twitter page showed pistols and a semi-automatic rifle captioned by threats such as “ISIS Affiliated” and “High School Musical; Massacre edition.”
As Judge Calls Pot Laws “Harsh,” Sheriff and Public Defender Will Propose De-Criminalization Ordinance
Flagler Sheriff Jim Manfre and Public Defender Jim Purdy will craft a proposal to de-criminalize pot and move to a civil citation program. The proposal will first be vetted by the Public Safety Coordinating Council before heading for the county commission.
Monday Briefing: Clinton v. Sanders at AACS, Meet Larry Newsom, Hospital Groundbreaking, Brahms
A new taxing district in the Hammock, Clinton and Sanders stand-ins argue their positions at the African-American Cultural Society, Florida Hospital Flagler breaks ground on an expansion for more beds.
James Jackson, 31, of Jacksonville, Is Killed on U.S. 1 North of Bonneval Road
James B. Jackson, a 31-year-old resident of Jacksonville, was killed early Sunday morning and Anthony A. Jones, 39, of Jacksonville, was in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 north of Bonneval Road in Duval County.
Scalia’s Last Laugh: The Battle Begins
With roughly 11 months remaining in his term, Obama undoubtedly will nominate a replacement for Antonin Scalia. Anyone he names will surely be more liberal than Scalia, and anyone he names will tip the balance of the court.
Yes, We Still Need Black History Month
Black history is American history, and we shouldn’t relegate its teaching to one month a year. But that isn’t the point of Black History Month, argues Marc Morial.
States Begin Increasingly to Let People Reject Smart Meters Amid Health and Privacy Fears
At least 15 states allow customers to opt out of smart meter installation, although many permit utility companies to impose a fee on customers who don’t want the meters. Florida is not among those states.
Flagler School District Is Rated B For Third Straight Year, All Schools Either A or B
This year’s grades are almost eight months late. They’re less reliable than in previous years. And they’re still facing bitter criticism because of the state’s troubled standardized testing system.
Thanks to Elderly, Florida Medical Marijuana Market Could Be a $1.5 Billion Industry By 2020
Florida is one of four states best positioned to legalize medical marijuana, with the state’s older population playing a large role in the industry’s viability.
“The Last Romance” Bids a Golden Valentine for Adult Sensibilities at City Rep Theatre
Joe DiPietro’s romantic comedy at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre stars real-life couple Sue and John Pope, who must act as if they don’t love each other.
Palm Coast Boy, 3, Is Safe as Fugitive and Girlfriend Are Arrested After 2 Weeks on the Run
Escaped prisoner Gary Bullock, his girlfriend Natasha Quigley and her 3-year-old son Xander Quigley were located today in Flemingsburg, Ky, a small town about half way between Lexington, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va.
Palm Coast Arts Foundation Breaks Ground at New Home With Poetry, Nietzsche and a Party
Some 250 people turned out for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s groundbreaking Thursday at its new home in Town Center, with poetry and a live performance by a Flagler Youth Orchestra ensemble.
Two Young Palm Coast Residents Killed in Construction Zone off Forest Grove Dr.
Kevin Walsh, 29, and Jessica Darby, 22, both of Palm Coast, were killed late Thursday night in the construction zone off Forest Grove Drive.
Weekend Briefing: Valentine Treat at City Rep Theatre, Paul McCartney Years, Hot N’ Spicy Festival
“The Last Romance” opens at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre at City Marketplace, the Paul McCartney Years at the Auditorium, a Hot N Spicy festival at the Agriculture Museum.
Hillary Clinton’s $675,000 Paean to Marie Antoinette, and Goldman Sachs
Hillary Clinton’s instinct for secrecy keeps getting her in trouble, while the sense of entitlement that she projects through her tone-deaf explanations betrays a lack of connection with the very people she claims to represent most.
Florida Bar Dismisses Complaint Against County Attorney in Latest of Many Defeats for Growlers
The Florida Bar’s dismissal keyed into the fact that one of the two complainants, Kimberle Weeks, had felony charges pending against her. The other tossed complaint was by John Ruffalo of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assemblies.
Proposal Would End Local Districts’ Oversight of Charter Schools in Favor Of State Power
The proposed constitutional amendment would set up a statewide entity with the power to approve charter schools anywhere in Florida, bypassing local school districts. The Legislature is expected to approve sending the proposal to the ballot.
At Flagler’s Progressive Public Safety Council, a Farewell to Judge Walsh, and a Welcome to Foxman
The largely unheralded but powerfully representative Public Safety Coordinating Council was the scene of a passing of gavels of sorts Wednesday for Flagler County’s judiciary.