The school district and the Sheriff’s Office are beefing up security at Flagler Palm Coast High School in response to a rumored confrontation on campus Friday, spilling over from a confrontation at Ralph Carter Park last Sunday. The superintendent stressed that there was no hard evidence of such a confrontation.
Cops/Courts
Rick Scott’s Obsession With Other People’s Urine
Anyone other than my doctor who’d ask me to pee in a cup isn’t just out of line. He’d be out of his mind. Yet an entire industry thrives on such cup-holders, Gov. Rick Scott among them, and millions of Americans are not only complying with the docility of circus animals. They’re encouraging the indignity and asking for more.
School Board’s Colleen Conklin Calls for “Task Force” on Gangs, But Aim Is Vague
As district officials said that something similar to a task force is already in place, Colleen Conklin said whatever is in place isn’t working, but she was less specific about what ought to replace it, and with what measurable aims.
Basketball Rolls Onto Neighbor’s Property. Neighbor Takes Out a Glock .45 and Shoots.
In the latest in a series of gun incidents in Palm Coast, a 56-year-old man shot into the ground at his Providence Lane yard to scare a 16-year-old boy whose basketball had rolled onto the man’s property. The man said he was seeking to scare drug dealers.
Pre-Trial Hearing for William Merrill, Who Shot His Wife, Delayed 90 Days
The first pre-trial conference for William Carson Merrill, who shot his 30-year-old wife with an AK-47 in February, accidentally, was delayed three months when Merrill’s attorney asked for a continuance before Flagler County Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano Tuesday.
Violent Crime Rise and Record Number of Aggravated Assaults Dim Flagler’s Overall Drop
Although the overall crime rate declined 4.2 percent for the second successive year in 2011, violent crime increased in every single one of the four categories–rape, robbery, murder and aggravated assault, led by crime increase in Bunnell. The numbers will give fodder to Don Fleming and his opponents in this year’s race for sheriff.
Amid Children at Ralph Carter Park, a Brawl Escalates Into a Shooting and Arrest
18-year-old Johnnie Thomas Jr. fired at least six shots from a .38-caliber gun Sunday evening as some 100 people played at Ralph carter Park. The previous evening, an 11-year-old boy was taken from the park’s basketball court against his will.
Bob Tibbs, 70-Year-Old Flagler Moonshine Man, Is Arrested for His Whiskey Trade
They call him Mr. Tibbs: Bob Tibbs, 70, of west Flagler, moonshine producer and shrimp peddler. He faces a third-degree felony for his illegal alcohol operation, which he says also helps him fuel his lawnmower.
Daniel Biles, Long-Time Bunnell Elementary Aide, Arrested on Child Porn Charges
Daniel Biles, 38, an school employee for two decades, was arrested at Bunnell Elementary Friday afternoon. Nine years ago, charges were dropped following an inconclusive investigation of lewd behavior toward juvenile boys. He was rehired after a paid suspension.
Loans and Self-Contributions Swell Big Money Pots in Flagler Sheriff’s and County Judge Races
John Pollinger in the Flagler sheriff’s race and Melissa Moore Stens in the county judge race are leading in money raised so far, but largely on the strength of their own contributions. Almost $117,000 was raised by all candidates in 11 Flagler County races as of March 31.
Pick-Up vs. Minivan Smash-Up Hospitalizes Two and Shuts Traffic at SR100 and CR302
The near-head-on-wreck at a notorious intersection closed traffic on State Road 100 for 75 minutes after 5:15 this afternoon as people were heading home, and Fire Flight evacuated a seriously 24-year-old Michele A. Brown of Bunnell.
Palm Coast’s Maria Berlatta, 17, Crashes Her Car Into a Bedroom Where a Woman Was Sleeping
Maria Anne Berlatta, 17, was driving south on Palm Coast’s Cochise Ct. Tuesday evening when a deer ran across the road, sending Berlatta’s car across a yard and into the bedroom of a house where a woman was sleeping.
Ex-Patron at Flagler Beach’s Johnny D’s Is Jailed After Fighting Over Being Turned Away
John Quesinberry, a self-employed 36-year-old, was told by Johnny D’s owner John Davis and manager Stephen Zelen that he wasn’t welcome there. A fight ensued, ending up with Quesinberry facing a battery charge on an elderly person.
Acknowledging Membership to Hammock Resort, Sheriff Says It Has “No Dollar Value”
Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming said Hammock Beach Resort gave him a membership card years ago, but that he pays for all services and is not in breach of state ethics rules, though the membership is the subject of an ethics complaint.
Bunnell Welcomes Its Newest Police Chief as Jeff Hoffman Steps In and Arthur Jones Exits
Jeff Hoffman, 41, a captain at the Daytona Beach Police Department, where he’s been for 21 years, was endorsed by a unanimous Bunnell City Commission. He starts work at the end of the month.
Flagler 911: Cemetery at Mother Seton is Vandalized, Pathways Academy Is Burglarized
Break-in at Pathways Academy, vandalism at Mother Seton’s cemetery, and for 88-year-old Richard Deeves, a car wreck on April 6 was followed by his home being burglarized a few days later.
Mistaking His Girlfriend for a Hog, Man Shoots Her Through Both Legs; Gunshot Suicide in Bunnell
52-year-old Lisa Simmons of Brandon was shot through the femur Saturday evening at the Cowart Hunting Camp off County Road 305 when her boyfriend mistook her for a hog.
Pick-Up Truck Nearly Decapitated in Rig Collision on SR100; Driver, 21, Critical
Luke Weston Barraclough, 21, was driving west on State Road 100 when he failed to see a rig in time as the rig was making a turn onto a cabbage farm to pick up a load. Fire Flight took Weston to Halifax Hospital with serious injuries. SR100 was closed for 90 minutes this afternoon.
Bed Soars: At Flagler County Jail, a Daily “Shell Game” Balancing Risk With Overcrowding
A tour of the Flagler County jail reveals the sort of calculations jail staff must make every day to fit close to 150 inmates in a facility built for 132 as the sheriff and the county commission try to convince other governments–and voters–that money is needed to expand.
Computer Repair Trip Nets Flagler Truck Driver 40 Counts of Child Pornography
When Bunnell resident Merle Shamblin attempted to cross into Canada this morning, border patrol agents arrested him on a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with 40 counts of child pornography.
Bunnell’s Freddie Emanuel Airlifted to Halifax After Being Struck by a Car On East Booe
Freddie Emanuel, 57, was crossing Bunnell’s East Booe Street when he was struck by a car. Emanuel has spent many of his recent years in the Florida prison system.
Counties Challenge Juvenile Detention Costs
The challenge to Department of Juvenile Justice rules is part of a string of related legal disputes involving at least 10 counties over how much of the detention tab counties should pay. The case may have repercussions across the state.
Judge David Monaco of Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal Announces His Retirement on June 30
Jeb Bush appointed Judge David Monaco to the 5th District Court of Appeal in 2003. The 10 judges of the 5th District Court of Appeal oversee the decisions of 100 circuit judges in 13 counties, including Volusia and Flagler.
Capt. Jeff Hoffman of Daytona Beach PD Wins the Job as Bunnell’s Next Police Chief
Jeffrey Hoffman, 41, been a captain in the Daytona Beach Police Department since January 2001, supervising 75 uniformed patrol cops, he’s been in that police department since 1991, and lives in Ormond Beach. He’ll be taking a $45,000 pay cut.
Raymond Delgado Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Serially Raping a 14-Year-Old Girl in His Trust
Raymond Anthony Delgado, a 57-year-old chiropractor from Bluffton, S.C., repeatedly raped a 14-year-old St. Augustine girl at his home and office after winning over her father’s trust.
Car Plows Through Publix Entrance at Belle Terre; 10 Injured, But Heroic Acts, Too
A car plowed at least 20 feet through the main entrance of Publix at the Belle Terre and Palm Coast Parkway at 1:30 this afternoon causing eight injuries and one trauma alert. Authorities are at the scene evaluating the injured. Will have more details at they become available.
Bond Is Set at $300,000 for Paul Miller, Who Shot His Flagler Beach Neighbor Over a Dog
Paul Miller has been in jail without bond on a second degree murder charge for gunning down neighbor Dana Mulhall on March 14, when Mulhall complained about Miller’s barking dogs.
Cypress Point Fire Enters Mop-Up Phase as Emergency Passes, But Smoke Will Persist
The fire between Mother Seton Catholic church and Cypress Point Parkway started at 4 .m. and burned close to 10 acres. Division of Forestry crews were burning more ground this morning on purpose, to prevent flare-ups. A section of Cypress Point Parkway was closed.
Second Serious Wildfire of the Season Forces Evacuation of a Dozen Homes in the Mondex
A small fire that started in the backyard of a house on Holly Lane rapidly spotted and triggered another fast-moving fire that snaked its way across two blocks, forcing the evacuation of 10 to 15 houses in the area.
George Zimmerman Charged With Second Degree Murder in Killing of Trayvon Martin
Angela Corey, the special prosecutor appointed to investigate the killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, charged George Zimmerman with second degree murder. Zimmerman, who had briefly vanished, is in police custody.
Flagler Fire Chief Declares Burn Ban as Drought Intensifies and Neighboring Blazes Multiply
Recalling memories of last year’s feverish fire season, Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito just signed an order imposing a burn ban, while the county’s fire rescue department takes in 50 new radios that will vastly improve their communications abilities with other emergency responders.
Term Limits for County Commissioners? Florida Supreme Court Will Decide
The cases, brought by voters in Broward and Sarasota counties, presented the court with the question of how much power charter counties have to impose qualifications and disqualifications on candidates for county commission.
Bunnell’s Police Chief Candidates Narrowed To 2; Lt. Randy Burke Doesn’t Make the Cut
Lt. Randy Burke, at the Bunnell Police Department for two decades, was among the 19 candidates who made the first cut, from 31 applicants, but wasn’t chosen among the first six finalists, or the last three. City Manager Martinez will make a decision this week.
Bogus Claim of Armed Kidnapping Leads Flagler Deputies and Air One on Costly Search
Robert Geroux, a 19-year-old Pennsylvanian, was arrested on charges of lying to law enforcement and making a false crime report after a road trip with a man from Pennsylvania went awry in Palm Coast Saturday evening.
Caylee’s Law Now In Effect, Making Lying About a Missing Child a Felony
Prompted by the death of Orlando two-year-old Caylee Anthony in 2008, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a measure to bolster penalties for lying to police when a child goes missing.
The 4th Amendment, Stripped and Degraded
The Supreme Court’s decision allowing the strip-searching of anyone booked into jail–no matter how small the charge, no matter the presumption of innocence of the accused–is merely the latest in a long series of constitutional violations, enshrined by conservative justices.
Anthony Rogers, Troubled Man Trying to Right His Life, Is Killed in Bike Wreck On Matanzas
Antony Rogers, 19, of Palm Coast, was riding with Lauren Kashtan, 17, who suffered serious injuries in the wreck when Rogers failed to negotiate a curve and crashed against a palm tree.
Biker Airlifted in Critical Condition After Car Cuts Him Off at US1 and Matanzas
Robert O’Conner of Palm Coast was traveling north on US1 when an 88-year-old driver misjudged the distance between his Dodge and the Harley, and crossed US1 at Matanzas. The biker smashed into the Dodge.
Flagler 911: Taser vs. Suspect in Custody, and a Rip from Steve Emmett’s Boating Trip
A suspect in custody at the Flagler County jail is Tased when he refuses to cooperate with deputies; ex-Beverly Beach mayor Steve Emmett, now enjoying his days off fishing and boating, runs into the Bait and Tackle Shop at Bings Landing.
“Exceptional Bravery and Courage”: How Teens Saved 2 Lives in Harrowing Palm Coast Wreck
Cody Decker and Luke Vaughn, both 17 and vacationing in Palm Coast from DeWitt, Mich., recounted in a moving ceremony hosted by Sheriff Fleming today how they saved Carlos Adams and Tracy Lopez out of their burning Jaguar Tuesday morning.
Fear Factor: Concealed Weapons Approaching 1 Million in Florida as NRA Gains Ground
The number of concealed weapons permits has risen dramatically in recent years as new laws making it easier to obtain them have been placed on the books by lawmakers, spurred on by the National Rifle Association, one of the most effective lobbying forces in the capital city.
Two Teens on Spring Break Pull Victims Out of Fiery Jaguar Crash on Palm Coast Parkway
Cody Decker, 17, and Luke Vaughn, also 17, on Spring Break from Dewitt, Mich., pulled Carlos Adams, 42, and Tracy Lopez, 44, out of their burning Jaguar on Palm Coast Parkway early Tuesday morning.
Literal Landing Blvd. for Fire Flight Helicopter and Paralyzed Car Crash Patient
Fire Flight, the county’s helicopter, was called in to take a 50-year-old man to Halifax after a minor rear-ending complicated spinal surgery the man had undergone in September. The rear-ending left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Cop Chase Through F Section Nets Arrest of a Chronic Injunction Violator
Barry Gallagher was jailed several times on drunk driving and domestic violence charge when, on Sunday, he broke his injunction, sought out his wife’s car and led police on a chase that finally ended near Freneau Lane.
FPC’s Preston Hagens Is Seriously Injured in SR100 Crash; FHP Seeking Witnesses
A T-bone crash closed SR100’s west lanes for two hours Saturday and sent three people to hospitals when a Ford Mustang lost control and crossed into the westbound lanes. FHP is looking for witnesses.
Flagler Clerk Gail Wadsworth Tries a Hail Mary As Courts Take Yet Another Budget Hit
The $31 million statewide budget cut in clerks of court’s budgets translates to a loss of $90,000 to Flagler County’s court system, and up to three jobs, adding to successive cuts going back to 2008 that Clerk Gail Wadsworth calls unsustainable.
Post-Trayvon, Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law Won’t Be Repealed But May Be Revised
As the 2005 Stand Your Ground law has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the shooting of the unarmed Trayvon Martin, veteran lawmakers haven’t been able to agree even on what the measure allows but point to a need for clarification.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Loses as U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Take Appeals of Florida Cases
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. was forced to pay tens of millions of dollars to the families of dead smokers, part of a flood of tobacco litigation moving through Florida’s courts, and the first of their kind to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Stonehenge Justices: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Stuffy Ban on TV Cameras and Live Audio
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ban on television cameras or live audio feed for its arguments, including this week’s on the health law, is absurd. The justices opposition to cameras rests on shabby reasoning and stuffed up conceits.
Murder as Self-Defense: Florida’s Gun Zealots on a Rampage
Florida’s Stand Your Ground law was touted as protection for the innocent. It has instead led to killings during heated arguments and cases of mistaken identity, argues Susan Clary, with George Zimmerman’s shooting and killing of Trayvon Martin the latest example.