The Flagler Youth Orchestra, in partnership with the Flagler County School District, is launching the tenth season of its strings program. An open house and information session is taking place this evening, Sept. 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Indian Trails Middle School cafeteria. The school is on Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast.
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Lillian Gobitas Klose, Who Defied Mandatory Pledge of Allegiance, Is Dead at 90
Lillian Gobitas Klose was 12 when she was expelled from school for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Eight years later, in the midst of World War II, the U.S. Supreme Court vindicated her decision.
Bowing to Criticism, Florida Health Regulators Agree to Delay Legal Pot Distribution Rule
Health regulators will almost certainly delay a rule that will eventually create the framework for the state’s new medical marijuana industry after an outcry from a legislative panel saying the proposed regulation went too far.
Students and Faculty Don’t Want Him, But Sen. John Thrasher Makes FSU Presidency’s Short List
The committee voted 18-8 against a motion to exclude Thrasher from the interview phase. He is one of 11 candidates on the shortlist, from 38. Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston and Tallahassee Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda didn’t make it.
Flagler Beach’s Dishonorable Ploy: Don’t Remove Gamble Rogers’ Name From Rec Area
Flagler Beach is terribly misguided and short-sighted in its attempt to remove Gamble Rogers from the state recreation area’s name, a reflection of the tourism industry’s faddish obsession with “branding” at the expense of fostering more substantive cultural attractions.
Vaccine-Deniers Aside, Flagler Schools Seek Parental Consent for Broad Flu-Shot Campaign
Vaccine consent forms went out this week to all parents with children in Flagler schools, where the district is partnering with Healthy Schools, the for-profit company, to administer flu shots to students on Sept. 18.
Chris Quinn Earns Palm Coast 13th Consecutive Financial Reporting Excellence Award
Chris Quinn’s calm, clear and generally jargon-free presentations are familiar to followers of the city council, especially during the laborious months of budget season.
Flagler Sheriff’s PAL Baseball Enrollment Is Open For Ages 4-15
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL) has opened enrollment for the fall baseball season for children ages 4-15. Practice begins the second week of September. Opening day is Monday, Sept. 29.
Tepid Jobs Report Leaves Unemployment at 6.1% With Lowest Job Creation Since January
The economy created just 142,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department reported this morning, the lowest total since January, when 129,000 jobs were created. The unemployment rate dropped by just a decimal point, to 6.1 percent.
Reagan Assemblies’ “Watchdogs” Can’t Take Defeat: As One Suit Is Tossed, a Pledge to File Another
Just after a judge threw out a lawsuit this afternoon, the attorney for an obscure “Watchdogs” group said he’d file a new lawsuit alleging illegal conversations outside of meetings by county commissioners.
Flagler Fire Rescue Rolls Out Two, $219,000 Ambulances, Workhorses of Local Emergencies
The county has seven ambulances on duty 24 hours a day (11 units in all) that each log 5,000 miles and 1,000 calls a month, by far the majority of the 14,000 annual emergency calls in Flagler.
Legislative Panel Joins Critics of Strict Proposals to Limit Legal Pot Access in Florida
A 19-page letter from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee to the Department of Health’s general counsel questions nearly every aspect of the proposed rule, beginning with who would be allowed to apply for one of five licenses to grow, manufacture and distribute a type of cannabis approved during this year’s legislative session.
Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach: The Lure of the Modest
Gamble Rogers State Park is a 145 acre expanse on the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal in Flagler Beach, named for the Florida folk singer who drowned there in 1991 while trying to save another swimmer in distress.
Watch Out, I’m an Arab! How I Changed My Name and Pledged a Take-Over of Flagler County.
Two local ex-candidates–Dennis McDonald and Mark Richter–have been insinuating to government officials that FlaglerLive Editor’s Arab background and name change are a security risk, and his failure to recite the pledge proof of his sinister sympathies.
Unbowed, Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks Signals More Brawling Ahead
In the latest bout involving the elections supervisor, Kimberle Weeks on Tuesday took on Al Hadeed, the county attorney, dismissing his mediation efforts with Palm Coast and at one point seeking to silence him.
Road Rage Incident Leads to F-Section Confrontation, Vandalism to 2 Cars, Then Jail
Winston Slaughter, a 21-year-old resident of 3 Farragut Drive in Palm Coast, is accused of vandalizing the vehicles of a neighbor after a violent confrontation that left him lacerated.
Gov. Rick Scott Making Campaign Stop at Grace’s Deli on Sept. 9
Gov. Rick Scott will be making his sixth trip to Flagler County in three years when he makes a brief campaign stop at Grace’s Place at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9, bringing yet more attention to a restaurant that was in the national eye a few months ago.
Florida’s Obamacare Enrollment Projected To Rise to 1.1 Million by Next Year
The number of Floridians enrolled in individual health plans under the Affordable Care Act in June was 866,485, with a 23 percent increase projected by 2015.
2 Shots Fired at Florida Park Drive and Flynn Way in Altercation Between Occupants of Two Cars
Information is sketchy–the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says it won’t release the report because it’s the weekend–but sheriff’s spokespersons confirmed Sunday that two shots were fired early Sunday morning during an altercation involving occupants of two vehicles at Florida Park Drive and Flynn say.
Labor Day Realities: When Employers Have a Hiring Bias Against the Unemployed
About 3.2 million people have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer, and employers are punishing such job-seekers who have big gaps in their resumes, raising calls for anti-discrimination laws.
2 Men Electrocuted By Power Line in Attempt To Plant Flagpole at Cloverdale Ct. Home
The men struck a 13,000-volt power line as they were attempting to plant a long flagpole–bearing an American flag and an Italian flag–down a plastic bracing pipe right under the neighborhood’s power line.
Tag Fees Drop Monday and Gov. Scott
Pledges More Tax Cuts on Campaign Trail
Over the next two weeks Gov. Rick Scott will campaign across the state on a pledge to cut $1 billion in taxes over the next two years.
Lawsuit Challenges Florida’s School Voucher Program, Calling It a “Dereliction” of Free Education
The Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which could raise as much as $357.8 million this year, provides tax credits to companies that donate money to nonprofit entities that pay for children to go to private schools.
Palm Coast Council, in 4-0 Vote, Sides With Its Manager Against Firefighters Union in Contract Dispute
The Palm Coast City Council sided with its Manager Jim Landon’s recommendation to reject union positions on a collective bargaining agreement in contention for three years.
Supreme Court Rebuffs Consumer Advocate Challenge of FPL’s $350 Million Rate Hike
The state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, fought the rate increases that stemmed from a deal reached by FPL and some major power users. The Florida Public Service Commission approved a $350 million base-rate increase, along with plans for additional increases tied to three new power plants.
Flagler Beach Rejects Commissioner Carney’s Proposal to Put $600,000 Fire Truck Buy on Hold
When Commissioner made a motion to pull the $600,000 truck buy proposal out of the budget this year and “think about what we’re doing,” the rest of the commission snubbed her during a contentious, at times anger-tinged meeting.
The End of Flagler Beach’s Blue Restaurant: A Loss Beyond Mahi Mahi Almondine
In her first interview since the announcement of the closure of Blue at the Topaz, Kelli O’Reilly describes the financial and other difficulties of keeping the business going, and many others reacted to the loss and its meaning.
The Palm Coast City Council as Labor Tribunal: Firefighters Union and Administration Face Off
Palm Coast firefighters and the city administration reached an impasse in December after more than three years of negotiations over a contract, leaving it to the city council on Friday to settle the dispute in an unusual hearing.
Appeals Court Orders City Government to Release “Shade” Meeting Transcript
In a highly critical opinion, an appeals court Wednesday ordered the city of St. Pete Beach to release a transcript of a closed-door discussion about the settlement of a lawsuit.
Do the Math: You Couldn’t Live On Minimum Wage
Imagine living on $290 a week before taxes. It’s not a wage you can live on, Mark O’Brien, a minimum wage earner for a time recently, argues, challenging opponents of raising the minimum wage to try it for themselves.
Palm Coast Pitches New Management at Loss-Plagued Palm Harbor Golf Club, But Revenue Riddle Remains
City council members did not get clear answers from the administration about the financial and quality difference that a change in management would bring to Palm Harbor Golf Club, while users of the club have mounted a small movement to keep the current management.
Skeptical Judge Grants Delay in “Watchdog” Suit Against County Over Old Hospital Buy
A suit by a group that calls itself the Flagler Palm Coast Watchdogs, raising a conflict of interest issue with a county commissioner during the Memorial Hospital buy last year, does not belong in circuit court, the county argues.
Formalities Over, It’s Brass Knuckles Until November Between Scott and Crist
The race between Scott and his predecessor Crist is already one of the nation’s most-watched, and expensive, campaign throw-downs after Crist spent much of 2014 reinventing himself as a Democrat.
Andy Dance Wins, McLaughlin, Meeker and Tucker Survive, Fischer and Both Palm Coast Races Headed for November Run-Offs
Full results for the 2014 primary election in Flagler County and in statewide races relevant to the county, with the latest updates.
Time To Get Off Your Duff and Vote
Even though it’s a primary with a few races closed to most voters, all registered voters get to vote on key races including school board, Palm Coast and three judicial races.
Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon Handed Wrong Ballot in Early Voting, Raising Questions About Election’s Integrity
Two of the three ballots handed City Manager Jim Landon, his stepdaughter and his wife Friday did not include Palm Coast City Council races, echoing a similar report by another voter, prompting discussions by the county Canvassing Board about better ensuring the integrity of the vote. But Supervisor Weeks put that responsibility squarely on voters.
Flagler Leads 20 North and Central Florida Counties in Early Voting Turnout With Double Average Rate
Flagler County’s comparatively high turnout took place despite the county’s and city’s prohibition on campaign signs, suggesting that the election supervisor’s claim that the prohibition would discourage voters was not accurate.
In Florida and Elsewhere, Obamacare Still GOP’s Favored Bait Even as Repeal Talk Fades
Rather than just calling for repeal, Republican candidates focus on arguments about how the law is hurting consumers, government budgets or the economy even as millions of Americans have gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
Lynnette Callender, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Lynnette Callender is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Janet McDonald, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Janet McDonald is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Toni Baker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Toni Baker is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Michael McElroy, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Michael McElroy is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Trevor Tucker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
Trevor Tucker is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Andy Dance, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Andy Dance is running in District 1 for Flagler County School Board and facing Maria Barbosa in the Aug. 26 primary election. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
John Fischer, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
John Fischer, the incumbent in District 2 of the Flagler County School Board, faces three challengers. He has refused to amnswer any questions about his candidacy.
Maria Barbosa, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Maria Barbosa is challenging incumbent Andy Dance in District 1 for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election. She is one of eight candidates in three races for the school board. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Frank Meeker, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Frank Meeker is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in which only registered Republicans may cast a ballot.
Dennis McDonald, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Dennis McDonald is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in which only registered Republicans may cast a ballot.
Nate McLaughlin, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Nate McLaughlin is the District 4 incumbent candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Nov. 4 election, running against Independent Denise Calderwood. All registered voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Mark Richter, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Mark Richter is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in which only registered Republicans may cast a ballot. He is challenging first-term incumbent Nate McLaughlin.