Flagler County Fire Rescue’s team was led by Dennis Kline, William Kerek, John Moskowitz and Pius. The quartet won for the 3rd time in four years and faced competition from 22 teams from 13 countries spread over three continents.
Cops/Courts
Shooting at Would-Be Burglar on Brittany Lane Now Termed an Assault, not Self-Defense
Stephen Metcalf, a Palm Coast resident, apparently tried to get into Marc Barbee’s home. Barbee, who misled police about the incident, then fired three shots at Metcalf as Metcalf sped away.
Mark Dwyer, Again Running for Judge in Flagler, Finds Himself on the Defensive. Again.
Attorney Mark Dwyer two years ago was admonished by the Florida Bar for a minor trust account issue. He’s now being reprimanded for a more serious issue, but Dwyer wants it explained at length. He takes the stand in his defense.
Five Questions for Wansley Walters, Head of Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice
Before becoming secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Wansley Walters directed the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services Department, considered a national model for saving money while reducing the juvenile arrest rate. She’s the first woman to lead DJJ.
Paul Miller, Who Shot and Killed His Neighbor, Makes Bail, Dismaying Victim’s Family
Paul Miller, 65, of Flagler Beach, posted $300,000 bond on Tuesday after spending 10 weeks in jail on a second degree murder charge following the killing of Dana Mulhall as the two argued over Miller’s barking dogs on March 14.
Flalger County Lifts Burn Ban, For Now
The burn ban was in effect since April 16, but tropical storm Beryl and more rain in the forecast led Flagler Fire Chief Don Petito to let the ban lapse on Memorial Day.
Florida Supreme Court Is Asked To Decide What Constitutes a Life Sentence for a Juvenile
An appeals court today ruled that a 70-year prison sentence for Shimeek Gridine of Jacksonville, for an armed robbery and attempted murder committed when he was 14, doesn’t amount to lidfe in prison, but the 1st District Court of Appeal asked the Supreme Court to hear the case.
Palm Coast Resident Is Baker Acted Then Jailed On Charges of Strangling and Maiming Kittens
Angel Roman, a 28-year-old Palm Coast resident, has been in and out of jail for the past two years and suffers from several mental illnesses, people who know him told deputies. He’d been Baker Acted before his latest jailing.
Stand-Off on Cedar Street in the Mondex Ends After Man Shoots Himself and Surrenders
Henry Brock broke through a bedroom window where his brother was asleep with Henry’s ex-girlfriend. An assault ensued, then Henry apparently shot himself to keep from going to jail. It didn’t work.
Flagler 911: A Bi-Polar Bulldog Attacks Her Owners, and Quirky Car Thieves
A 3-year-old bulldog attacks and bloodies her elderly owners, who are forced to lock themselves in their bedroom; a gun and its hollow-point ammunition is stolen from a car on Osprey Lane and mysteriously returned a few hours later. A car burglar leaves Altoids for a calling card. And more from the streets of Palm Coast and Flagler.
Upset That Trey Corbett Had Cut Him Off at the Gym, 65-Year-Old Defaces His Campaign Sign
Steven Paskewich was apparently upset that Trey Corbett, a candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections, allegedly cut him off at the weight machine at Thriv, the Palm Coast fitness center–a machine Corbett says he doesn’t use. So Paskewich defaced three Corbett signs with mild obscenities–and was arrested.
Philip Reynolds and Nathan Hockenberry Are Flagler Sheriff’s Top Cops of the Year
Sgt. Philip Reynolds was named Deputy of the Year in the road patrol division and Nathan Hockenberry was named the Corrections Deputy of the Year for 2012 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Life in Prison for Sex Offender Who Invaded 15-Year-Old Girl’s Bedroom and Assaulted Her
Freddie Felder of Hastings in St. Johns County climbed through the bedroom window of a 15-year-old girl and raped her in 2010. He’d served three stints in prison previously, and was a previously registered sex offender.
It Was Not a Police Chase: That Cop Convoy You Saw on Palm Coast Parkway
A convoy of marked and unmarked Flagler County Sheriff’s cruisers crossing Palm Coast Parkway at noon today gave the impression of being on a chase. It was a commemorative convoy for the late Frank Celico, the deputy who died last year.
Car Rams a School Bus With 34 Children on Board, at Whiteview Parkway; No One Hurt
A Flagler County school bus on a run to three schools was rammed from behind by a Mitsubishi Friday morning, startling the 34 students on board but causing minor damage to the bus and no injuries.
Crime Falls, Cop-Killings Rise: Flagler Officers Honor the Fallen and Gauge a Disturbing Trend
For the second year in a row, Florida led the nation in cops killed on the job. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office held its annual ceremony for the fallen, and local top cops discussed the disturbing trend.
A Man With Several Gunshot Wounds Is Found in Palm Coast Fire Station Parking Lot
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that took place late this morning near the Palm Coast Fire Department’s Station 22, at Palm Coast Parkway and Clubhouse Drive. The shooting may be an attempted suicide.
Small White Eagle Wildfire Monday Afternoon Flashes Bad Memories of Last Year’s Blaze
A wildfire broke out behind the White Eagle Saloon Monday at around 2:30 p.m., scrambling fire units from around the county and reviving fears of a repeat of last year’s wildfires, which consumed large swaths of the Seminole Woods area east of the White Eagle. But the fire was out 40 minutes after it declared itself.
Flagler 911: Pit Bull Attacks, Combatant-Roomies, Violent Sibling
A pit bull attack near Fischer Lane, a crash-and-run on Rymfire, roommates fight their way to jail, a brother assaults his sister at European Village, a car gets keyed on Karas Trail, and more.
Florida Disputes National Report Card’s F, Based on Abused Children’s Legal Rights
The state-by-state study rated on how well states protect the legal rights of abused and neglected children in dependency court. It was conducted by two national child advocacy organizations.
Eric Zimmerman, 42, a Veteran, Is Killed Crossing SR100 in Palm Coast Thursday Evening
Eric Zimmerman, 42, a Gulf War veteran, was crossing State Road 100 on the approach to I-95 when he crossed into the path of a Toyota SR5 4 Runner in the outside, eastbound lane of the highway Thursday evening. The fatal collision closed SR100 eastbound for two hours.
County Welcomes, With Cautions, Bunnell and Sheriff’s Interest to Use Old Courthouse
Bunnell’s city administration has secured a $1.5 million loan that would allow it to refurbish the old county courthouse and move out of the county’s administration building, where it’s been housed rent-free. Refurbishing the annex portion for the sheriff’s uses would cost $5.25 million.
T-Bone Wreck at Winn Dixie on SR100 Sends 3 Teens to Hospitals
The 3 p.m. wreck at the entrance of Winn Dixie on SR100 sent a teen-ager with critical or serious injuries to Halifax Hospital, and two other teens to Florida Hospital Flagler.
Library, Carver Gym and Youth Garden Score Grants, Focus on Flagler Coalition Denied
Flagler County’s Public Safety Coordinating Council, in an annual exercise, awarded $55,000 to five agencies and groups on Wednesday, out of dollars accruing from fines levied on felons and misdemeanor offenders. The awards must be ratified by the county commission.
Second Elderly Plantation Bay Woman Dies After May 3 Wreck With a Truck on US1
Harriet Look, 76, died May 4. Diane Teske, 68, died on Sunday (May 7); they were leaving Plantation Bay when they violated the right-of-way of a pick-up truck hauling scrap metal. Paulo Rodrigues, the driver of the truck, is in serious condition. May
Camper-Hauling SUV Flips on I-95 in Palm Coast, Hurting Two; 5 Dogs Also Rescued
An SUV hauling a 25-foot camper lost control about a mile past the intersection with Palm Coast Parkway after 11 a.m. and flipped both SUV and the camper into a ditch, hurting two people in the SUV. No other vehicle was involved.
John Pollinger’s GOP Ballot Status In Question Over Dual Registration
John Pollinger, a Democrat in New Jersey until his move to Palm Coast, blames a small cabal of local Republicans for attempting to derail his candidacy for Flagler County Sheriff, but Florida law appears to support the claim that his previous registration disqualified his bid as a Republican.
Added Security at FPC as District Contends With Rumors of a Friday Face-Off on Campus
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.
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.