Florida’s so-called “Religious Freedom” amendment is misleading, the lawsuit argues, as it would reopen the way for religious, private school vouchers at public expense and turn the state into an arbiter of public dollars for religious organizations.
Cops/Courts
Bryan Watts, a Postal Inspector, Charged With False Imprisonment–Of His Brother
Bryan Watts, 39, had traveled to Palm Coast to help his brother settle the estate of the two men’s late father, who lived on Village Circle. The pair ended up arguing, with Watts arming himself with a semi-automatic handgun.
Dixie Check: Judge Orders Commandments Removed from County Courthouse Steps
A businessman had paid for the 6-ton monument, but a judge said its message was a clear government endorsement of religion, violating the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter
A pit bull bites a 74-year-old woman and her dog, a son is charged with burglarizing his parents’ home, a Habitat for Humanity property is burglarized, vandals damage a foreclosed homes, and too many burglaries and larcenies to count.
Bunnell PD’s Sleuthing Around Midnight Rims Lands 2 in Jail for Grand Theft
Some 35 tires and rims found in an abandoned pick-up truck on U.S. 1 were traced to alleged thefts from Dave’s Auto in Bunnell. Hector Garcia-Torres and Kail Williams were jailed and charged for theft.
23 Year Old South Daytona Beach Man Arrested in Connection With Star Liquor Robbery
Holly Hill police arrested Jacob Penny, 23, a South Daytona resident, six days after he robbed Star Liquor on Belle Terre Parkway, in Town Center, of $200.
Flagler Lifts Burn Ban in Effect for Most of The Last 6 Months as Wildfire Emergency Ends
There are still two active wildfires in Flagler County–Espanola and Opossum–but they’ve lost their bite, and rains have dropped the drought index closer to normal for the rainy season. Still, it was a costly few months.
Two Brothers Accused of Armed Robbery at Palm Harbor’s Hancock Bank Are in Jail
Michael Cona, 28, and his brother Shawn, 30, of 48 Fischer Lane in Palm Coast, were charged with the June 22 armed robbery, which was witnessed by 14 people, including an 82-year-old woman.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter, July 1-7, 2011
A pasta and sauce theft, a fight over a cup of coffee, a fire demolishes an empty Bunnell house, a brazen heist at a public works yard, thefts, burglaries and more.
Approaching His 8th Birthday, Nate Truelove Continues Remarkable Wreck Recovery
Nate Truelove was 7 when he almost died in a debilitating wreck on Old Kings Road last September. His recovery has been long, difficult and remarkable. An update from his great-grandmother Charlene.
Cell Phone and Texting While Driving Bans: Laws in the 50 States
Texting while driving bans, hand held cell phone while driving bans: laws state by state with age breakdowns, school zones, teens and novices.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Offers Free Web App To File Reports Or Glimpse Incidents
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Department web application creates mobile-friendly access to its website’s most popular features, including real-time 911 calls and search of jail inmate bookings.
Liquor Store in Town Center, Near Publix, Is Robbed
Suggesting he had a gun, the young robber took $200 in cash from the owner of Star Liquor Wednesday evening, after the owner wouldn’t let him buy liquor without an ID.
Flagler-Based Organized Crime Ring Ended As 6 Men Face Racketeering Charges
The six suspect, allegedly led by Grant Morse, had been robbing ATMs, pharmacies, cars and homes for almost three years. A multi-agency investigation started by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office helped end the spree.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter
Car windows smashed in for purses at Matanzas High School, child neglect in a Publix parking lot, arson in the Z section, the city of Palm Coast defrauded for a pair of shoes.
From Wildfires to Ocean Breakers: Flagler Launches Sea Rescue Unit
The Flagler County Fire Department’s ocean rescue unit will be on the beaches during special events, adding a rapid-response capability that hadn’t been available north of the Flagler Beach pier.
When Casey Anthony Pre-Empts Wimbledon
Anthony’s isn’t murder-trial coverage. It’s voyeurism on a bimbo scale. If Anthony had been middle aged, crinkled, overweight, if she’d not been white, this level of media fixation would have been unthinkable.
They’re On: County Repeals Ban On Flagler Beach Fireworks in 4-1 Vote
Eleven days after cancelling the county’s Independence Day fireworks shows, the Flagler County Commission this afternoon voted to allow the Flagler Beach show to go on.
3% Pension Contributions by Public Employees Begins as Judge Rejects an Injunction
The state’s teachers union is suing over the 3 percent requirement, and was hoping to delay its implementation until the case is settled. That case is still going forward, but 3 percent contributions begin today.
County Likely to Reverse Fireworks Ban in Flagler Beach In Special Meeting Friday
A majority of county commissioners are now in favor of overturning the ban on Flagler Beach’s Independence Day fireworks. They’ll decide at a special meeting 4 p.m. Friday.
Executive Overreach? Supreme Court
Considers Rick Scott’s Rule-Making Powers
In oral arguments today, justices seemed unconvinced by the case of a blind woman on food stamps. The case speaks to Scott’s rule-making power–and where the Legislature’s power ends.
$460,000 And Counting: With Federal Aid Unlikely, Flagler Will Bear Fires’ Entire Costs
The still-rising costs don’t help the county’s budget, which is acing a $5.5 million revenue loss from dropping property values. Gov. Scott could have minimized the impact, but he refused to ask for a federal emergency declaration, though previous, lesser fires had gotten such a declaration.
From Drought to Monsoon, But Fire Officials Warn Wildfires Aren’t Done Yet
Some 2.7 inches of rain fell in the Bunnell area, flooding streets and swales, but the Espanola fire got much less, if any, and fire officials are saying that the county is not out of the danger zone yet.
Four New Fires Saturday Afternoon, Totaling 16 New Ones Since Friday; More Likely
The four new lightning-triggered fires declared themselves between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, including one in Favoretta and one across from Shell Bluff, on State Road 100, with more lightning and fires expected today.
(Bottled) Water Everywhere: Firefighters Happily Drown In Community’s Generosity
Flagler County rallied with donations for its firefighters this month from individuals young and old, companies, churches, schools, political parties and others, whose generosity helped eased stresses of heat and overwork.
Best News in Weeks: Weather Service Issues Flood Advisory for Central Flagler
The National Weather Service was reporting the heaviest rains of the month–2 to 3 inches–smack in the heart of Flagler’s most severe fire zone, on the Espanola fire. That’s what the fire doctors had been ordering for weeks.
Lightning Triggers 12 New Fires, Most Closer to Palm Coast, More Expected Today
Two fires broke out off County Road 13, just west of U.S. 1, a small fire broke out on Colbert Lane, and another one off of Roberts Road.
Fire Update: Lull Persists as
Fires Recede and Rain Approaches
Fire officials reported little but good news on Thursday as fire lines have been holding and chances of rain are increasing through the weekend. Audio of Thursday’s full news conference included.
Florida’s Death Penalty Ruled Unconstitutional
Judge Jose Martinez, a George W. Bush appointee, relied on a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court decision barring judges from interpreting “aggravating factors” independent of juries’ explicit findings.
Armed Robbers Strike Hancock Bank In Palm Harbor Shopping Center
At least two robbers were involved in the 2:57 p.m. heist at Hancock Bank near Publix. They got away with money, It’s not known how much. No one was hurt.
Minor Wildfire in Populated Area of Palm Coast’s R Section as Brittle Conditions Persist
The wildfire, the first in Palm Coast outside of the Seminole Woods area, broke out at 3:30 at the intersection of Red Barn and Red Mill Drive in the R Section, not far from Rymfire Elementary, and very near homes.
Optimism Replacing Anxiety Over Flagler’s Wildfires, But Local Costs Keep Climbing
There’s been three successive days of gains on the Espanola fire and elsewhere, with rain in the weekend forecast. The Division of Forestry is not letting up, however, as it plans to maintain a deployment of more than 200 firefighters in Flagler County.
Espanola Fire Boundaries and Fire Lines: June 22, 2011
Espanola fire boundaries and fire lines as of June 22, 2011. Flagler County, Florida. Division of Forestry map.
Flagler County Fires: All Locations, Latest Acreage, Maps and Firelines
Complete, updated chart of active Flagler County fires, satellite-view locations, acreage, and updated maps including detailed, latest extent of Espanola and White Eagle fires.
2 Firefighters Killed in N. Florida, Underscoring Dangers of Violent Flares on Contained Fires
The Blue Ribbon fire near Jasper was not large and had been declared contained, but the firefighters were reportedly overrun by a sudden flare-up as they were extending fire-lines–as DOF firefighters are doing every day on the Espanola fire in Flagler County.
Risk-Avoidance: July 4 Fireworks Canceled in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast’s Town Center
The Flagler County Commission canceled both fireworks shows, saying it would be too risky in fire-prone, drought conditions despite projected rains. The $30,000 worth of fireworks may be staged around Labor Day.
Espanola Fire Boundaries and Fire Lines: June 19, 2011
Espanola fire boundaries and fire lines as of June 19, 2011. Flagler County, Florida. Division of Forestry map.
Espanola Fire Boundaries and Fire Lines: June 18, 2011
Espanola fire boundaries and fire lines as of June 18, 2011. Flagler County, Florida. Division of Forestry map.
Espanola Fire Boundaries and Fire Lines: June 13, 2011
Espanola fire boundaries and fire lines as of June 13, 2011. Flagler County, Florida. Division of Forestry map.
4 New Fires Saturday as Division of Forestry Escalates Battle and Tactics Against Espanola
The Division of Forestry now has more firefighting personnel in Flagler County than all the county’s and cities’ squads combined as DOF fights a make-or-break tactical battle against the Espanola fire.
Strong Thunderstorms and Excessive Lightning for Eastern Flagler–And Needed Rain
The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather advisory–involving excessive lightning and wind–for eastern Flagler County, including Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, in effect until 5 p.m. For the fires, it’s a double-edged sword.
Big Stand Against Espanola Fire at Threatened FPL Powerlines In Hopes of Halting Blaze
Damage to the 500Kv FPL lines would affect local electricity customers. Beyond the powerlines lay pine-tree farms doused in herbicide, which has dried out underbrush, making it easier to burn. And beyond that: U.S. 1.
Fish and Wildlife Commission Prohibits Campfires on Public Lands
As a result of ongoing wildfires, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued the executive order prohibiting campfires in wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas and all other lands it manages.
Espanola Fire, Now Over 5,000 Acres, Breaks Out Again On Three Sides; Calm Elsewhere
The calm on Flagler’s smaller fires was deceptive as Espanola broke out on three sides, and fires by the dozens are breaking out across the state, further thinning resources. Drought conditions are worsening.
Black Hawks Up: Army National Guard Sends 3 Copters to Aid Flagler Firefighting Crews
The three crews logged eight hours on their first afternoon on the job Wednesday, putting their 780-gallon water buckets to work against the Espanola fire. They’re here on an open-ended mission.
Miracle on Sligo Mill Court: Homes Saved From Another Seminole Woods Eruption
The fire in Seminole Woods burst and ran after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, coming within two feet of back porches and forcing evacuations of several homes. Firefighters managed to save every single one.
Rapid Response Beats Back Threat to Seminole Woods Homes; Espanola In New Breakout
Firefighters from every available agency, including the National Guard’s Black Hawk helicopters, were being summoned to battle the latest break-out at the White Eagle fire Wednesday afternoon.
“I Saw The Fires As I Was Flying In.” Rick Scott’s Embarrassing Lay-Over in Flagler
Rick Scott spent four and a half hours today hobnobbing with businessmen and chamber of commerce pals in Orlando, but couldn’t spare a moment for firemen on the line during his lightning visit to Flagler County.
“Saturate Us With Resources,” Fire Commanders Tell Rick Scott in Flagler County
Gov. Rick Scott’s drive-by visit through Flagler County Tuesday afternoon entailed a short briefing and a short press conference, but no visit to an actual fire, and no plans of one.
Number of Fires Up to 22 As Flagler,
Drenched in Smoke, Awaits Governor
Lightning started seven new fires in Flagler in the last two days, one of them in Bunnell’s Grand Reserve area, just west of Palm Coast. Fire officials are concerned about a “fluid” situation and uncooperative weather.