Complete charts, graphs and analysis of campaign finance for incumbent John Mica and challenger Heather Beaven in their 7th Congressional District race.
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Cash for Clunkers:
Of People’s Parks and Parked Reporters
When Catholic priests boff young boys, turf wars and fire engines, the editorial page brings out Ed Meese from his crypt, and the local page discovers “scenic” Palm Coast.
US To Florida: Health Care Opt-Out Is Not an Option
Hours after the Legislature voted on party lines to “opt out” of the new federal health law, the Obama administration said that will not be permitted.
Brian McMillan’s Stick Figures
The Palm Coast Observer’s managing editor has a new blog full of tiny jewels of witty wisdom from our most precious philosophers.
Arizona Boots Up Brown Immigrants’ Guantanamo
The virus that led to Arizona’s anti-immigration law has crossed Arizona’s borders into the rest of America. Its carrier is as white as a bed sheet and by far the greater threat to America’s character than anything that ever crossed the Rio Grande.
The Rosa Parks Arrest Report, 1955
Image copy of the Rosa Parks arrest report, Montgomery police, Alabama, December 1, 1955.
When Flagler Schools Booted Out Rosa Parks
As the Flagler School Board revisits its policy on building uses by political groups, churches and community organizations, it may find a former superintendent’s banning of Rosa Parks from Flagler schools instructive.
Great Ocean View, Fun Pier, 5,000 Landlords. $3,329/mo. (Big Chains Need Not Apply)
Flagler Beach’s government is advertising for anyone interested in taking over the 20-year lease of the Pier Restaurant on the city’s landmark waterfront.
Bunnell Drug Raid Nets 3 Arrests
Some 75 grams of marijuana, cocaine, a gun, prescription drugs and cell phones were found in a public-housing residence early Thursday morning.
Flagler Beach City Manager Announces Resignation
City commissioners convinced Murphy, an “interim” manager since 2006, to extend his tenure until October 1.
Cop-Killer Link in Ex-Missing Child Captor’s History
The father of Eleanor Black, who briefly held 3-year-old Nathaniel Fons, served 26 years for murdering a police officer in 1978.
Conklin’s Latest: Paddy Wagon for Rowdy Kids
School board members were cool to Colleen Conklin idea of a paddy wagon for rowdy riders. They were warmer to her volunteer ride-along idea.
50-Year-Old Man Killed in U.S. 1 Wreck South of Bunnell
The driver of a Toyota pick-up truck was over-correcting from a failed passing maneuver as he drove south on U.S. 1 at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.
“Undesirables” Rile Residents Near Ralph Carter Park
The city built the $2.2 million park for young people. now a neighborhood watch group near Rymfire’s Ralph Carter Park is upset that park users are spilling beyond the park at night and on weekends. The sheriff is promising more “law enforcement action.”
Shellenberger, Steadying Voice for 8 Years, Will Not Run Again for School Board
After eight years on the school board and 41 years in education, Evie Shellenberger, 64, is looking for more leisure and less politics.
Missing Since Monday, 3-Year-Old Nathaniel Fons Found in NYC
Nathaniel Fons, the three-year-old boy missing since Monday, was found in New York City.
Brett Copeland Star Spangles at School Board
Brett Copeland, a senior at Matanzas High School, switched from violin to voice to sing the national anthem at a school board meeting.
Legislature’s Roadkill: Raiding Trust Funds
The Florida Legislature has balanced the budget by taking money from the transportation trust fund. It’s a short-sighted solution with dire consequences, argues Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Palm Coast Joins County in (Unspoken) KKK Denunciation
The city will re-post the same statement Flagler County posted on its website last week. The statement doesn’t mention the KKK.
How Ginn Corp. Stuck Flagler Taxpayers With a $2 Million White Elephant
Once seen as a magic bullet, Ginn Development Corp. had Flagler County build it a $2 million palace at the county airport. Then Ginn defaulted. Taxpayers are now taking a bullet between the eyes.
Students Fail. Cut Teachers’ Pay. Seriously?
The thinking behind Senate Bill 6 is rooted in the idea that teachers cause students’ success or failure. That’s wrong, argues Dave Riegel, a high school principal.
What Are They Building On Seminole Woods & SR100?
Actually, nothing–for now. The site is being cleared and drained for eventual development.
Sheriff Fleming to 3-Year-Old’s Kidnappers: Bring Him Back
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an alert this morning for 3-year-old Nathaniel Fonz of Palm Coast, last seen in Jacksonville overnight.
KKK Confirms: We’re Recruiting in Flagler
In an interview with FlaglerLive, KKK Imperial Wizard Cole Thornton says the drive will continue across the state. Dan Warren recommends vigilance.
Why Is Flagler Being Mealy-Mouthed Over KKK Fliers?
How easy to pick at an obvious target like the KKK, and easier still to do it in language that commits to nothing more than fortune-cookie bromides. How meaningless too.
Happy Birthday, Sisco Deen
Sisco Deen, the living memory drive of Flagler County and its archive curator, turns 70 today.
At 16.6%, Flagler Unemployment Crawls Lower
While Florida’s unemployment rate continues to break post-Depression records, Flagler’s may be steadying downward.
Flagler Mayors: You Call That a Transportation System?
A day after a county-wide meeting of government leaders on transportation, Flagler County’s mayors blistered the county’s public transportation system but showed little vision themselves.
Festive Fears and Cheers at Tea Party Rally
Palm Coast’s Tea Party movement brandished its message in a Tax Day rally in the heart of town Thursday, and in an atmosphere more festive than furious.
Rockwell Meets Rubio: A Tea Party Photo Gallery
Norman Rockwell reckognized a compelling subject when he saw one. Chances are he’d have recognized an equally worthy subject in the Tea Party movement, whatever its stripes.
Call Me a Tea Party Fan
Maybe not a fan of the tea partiers’ ideas. But definitely a fan of their sincerity and, yes, eloquence. Let’s bust some stereotypes.
Crist Vetoes Senate Bill 6
Teachers are celebrating, but by vetoing SB6, Charlie Crist sent a message to Marco Rubio that the race for US Senate will be played out in the general election.
Tea Party Circus Is In Town
I’m about to head out to Palm Coast Parkway and Old Kings Road where the tea party folks are holding their latest rally against (fill in the blanks).
Blasting SB6: Teacher Rally Photo Gallery
If Gov. Crist had been in Palm Coast the afternoon of April 14, he’d have witnessed enthusiastic, dedicated anger at SB6 from a big segment of the county’s teachers.
Flagler Teachers Tell Crist: Veto “Horrific” SB6
Some 200 Flagler County teachers, supporters and children thronged a 150-yard stretch of sidewalk in the heart of Palm Coast Wednesday afternoon to protest Senate Bill 6 and demand that Gov. Charlie Crist veto it.
Old Kings Road Re-Opens on May 1
Closed since February 2009, the 1.5-mile, four-lane stretch is re-opening to traffic three months behind schedule.
6 Hospitalized From Battery Leak in Bunnell Auto Store
A battery-acid spill at Bunnel’s Advance Auto Parts store sent six employees to the hospital the afternoon of April 13.
Hank Williams Wins a Pulitzer
“When a hillbilly sings a crazy song,” Hank Wiliams once said, “he feels crazy. When he sings, “I Laid My Mother Away,” he sees her a-laying right there in the coffin.”
Polk Sheriff Subjects Teen Girls to Rape Exam–After Dates
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd arrested two 18-year-old boys for fondling their 14- and 15-year old dates, and subjected the girls to a rape exam.
Democracy By Default in Bunnell: Robinson, Tucker, Henry Re-Elected Without Opposition
What happens when you hold an election and nobody shows up? You get Bunnell: 3 city commissioners, unopposed in their last election, were sworn in Monday.
Health Reform’s Bigger Windfalls for Florida
while there are still many unknowns about how the new federal health-care laws will be implemented, Florida stands to do very well financially and socially.
Conklin to Crist: Children Are More Than Test Scores
Flagler School Board member Colleen Conklin urges Gov. Charlie Crist to veto Senate Bill 6, which she terms “political” and “inappropriate” for children’s education.
Stolz to Crist: I Am Tired of Teachers
Peter Stolz, a former teacher from Palm Coast, urges Gov. Charlie Crist to sign Senate Bill 6 into law.
James Baldwin: A Talk to Teachers
James Baldwin’s “A Talk to Teachers” from 1963 is an apt counterpoint to Florida lawmakers’ attempt, in 2010, to demolish public school teachers and replace the profession with Darwinian hostility.
Art in the Park 2010: A Photo Gallery
A look at the winners and other participants in the Flagler County Art League’s showcase event.
Color and Colossus at Flagler’s Art in the Park
The Flagler County Art League’s annual Art in the Park exhibit jammed up Flagler Palm Coast High School’s lawns with color–and competition.
iPhonies: Chinese Knock-Off Scam Based in Palm Coast
Palm Coast’s Mary Losito was allegedly buying fake $30 iPhones and selling them for $350.
Ed Asner Takes on FDR at Flagler Auditorium
Ed Asner channels his liberal sensibilities as “FDR” in a one-man show on Roosevelt’s four-term presidency (and longer affair).
Is KKK Recruiting in Palm Coast?
A resident of Palm Coast’s U Section along Seminole Woods awoke Easter morning to a recruiting packet in his driveway from the KKK.
Florida House: Medicaid “Reform” for All?
House leaders late Monday released a proposal that would require almost all beneficiaries statewide to enroll in managed-care plans — including seniors who need long-term care.
