Operation Integration, held at Camp Blanding near Starke once a year, gathers dozens of first responders, members of the National Guard and others for training in mass-casualty catastrophes. Flagler County firefighters took part for the first time this year.
Cops/Courts
Alcohol, Molotov Cocktail, Machete, Taser: Mondex Man in Jail for Assaulting Deputies
Rafael Rodriguez, 25, is in jail after brandishing a machete as he walked with an unleashed dog toward sheriff’s deputies. He’d allegedly thrown a Molotov cocktail on a Mondex road earlier.
Flagler County at the Heart of a Mortgage Fraud Investigation That Nets 11 Arrests, $9m Losses
Eighteen of the 23 homes at the heart of the fraud scheme were in Flagler County as fraudsters focused their attention here because it was out of the way. The scheme totaled some $9 million in losses, mostly to banks.
Flagler Beach Police Officer Brett Smith Jailed on DUI Charge (Updated With Arrest Report)
Brett Smith, 30, was found passed out in a vehicle in the Daytona North (Mondex) area of the county Saturday evening. He was not on duty.
Missing Cleveland Girl, 15, Found at Palm Coast Best Western This Morning; Father Jailed
Ashley Cantrell, of Cleveland, went missing last week and was believed to be traveling with her biological father, Terrance Cantrell, who is now at the Flagler County jail.
Flagler Reinstates Burn Ban Indefinitely as Rain Proves Too Scarce to Dampen Kindling
The restoration of the ban, lifted just a few weeks ago, is prompted by last week’s wildfires, a return of drought conditions, and no rain in the forecast for almost two weeks.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Serial Wreckage Near Town Center Publix (Updated)
The suspect crashed into three police cruisers. He is believed to have robbed three pharmacies, two in Volusia one in Flagler. He was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler with injuries.
Benefit Concert for Nate Truelove, the Young Boy Massively Injured in Old Kings Wreck
Nate is back in school, but his physical struggles continue, as do his family’s financial struggles. The benefit concert will feature several musical acts, including his great-grandmother’s a cappella group, The Firecrackers.
13- and 8-Year-Old Injured in Single-Vehicle Wreck on Rymfire in Palm Coast
Danaizha Walker, 13, of Palm Coast, was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler in serious condition this morning after a single-vehicle wreck on Rymfire Drive in Palm Coast.
I-95 and U.S. 1 Both Re-Open, Traffic Crawls as Firefighters Battle 1,000-Acre Fire in St. Johns
All northbound lanes of I-95 have been closed since 2 p.m. at U.S. 1 near the Flagler-St. Johns County line because of thick plumes of smoke wafting over the highway in St. Johns, where firefighters are battling a large brush fire.
Corey Nichols, 34, Found Dead Near Walmart in Palm Coast from Likely Drug Overdose
Deputies are investigating the suspicious death of a 34-year-old man found this morning in a wooded area on the westside of Walmart on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast.
Ryan Rogers, Son of Bunnell Commission Candidate, Jailed on Drug and Other Charges
Rogers was allegedly trespassing on Flagler County Housing Authority grounds, from where he ran when a cop confronted him. He is in jail on $1,500 bond.
Trailer Overturns and Shuts I-95 in Palm Coast, Wrecks 2 Cars, Doffs Tons of T-Shirts
The 18-wheeler was traveling north just past the Palm Coast weigh station on I-95 when it overturned around 3 a.m., triggering a wreck with two other cars and spilling parts of its freight of tens of thousands of tons of t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies.
40-Acre Controlled Burn on CR11 Goes Out of Control and Jumps Flagler-Volusia Line
The fire, still not under control, centered in a swamp, was encompassing some 50 acres and accounts for the smell of smoke that residents in Bunnell and Palm Coast will be experiencing. No homes have been affected.
Heroes Park, Site of Monument Vandalism, Will Get a Motion-Activated Alert System
The $5,000 laser-perimeter system is similar to security installations at other city properties. It connects directly to a security operator who then has the option of alerting police dispatch.
63-Year-Old Man Lost in Palm Coast’s P-Section Since Morning Found at 2:30p
Jan Jablonski and his dog, lost from their home on Patrick Place in Palm Coast’s P Section since 8 a.m. today, were found at 2:30 p.m. in good condition behind the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club at 73 Patricia Drive.
Dalai Lama’s Nephew Killed by a Car While Walking for Tibet on A1A in the Hammock
Jigme Norbu, nephew to the Dalai Lama, had walked or biked 7,800 miles for Tibet on several continents, and had just started his 20th walk, and first in Florida, when he was struck and killed near Palm Coast.
State Attorney Larizza on Bunnell’s Ghetto Spy-Cams: Should Be a Cost-Benefit Thing
State Attorney R.J. Larizza echoed comments by Public Defender Jim Purdy and Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker on the economics of spy cameras, though a majority of the commission appears sold on the idea.
Donald Flynt, Son of Bunnell Commissioner, Jailed on Fraud Charge
Donald Flynt, the 25-year-old son of Bunnell City Commissioner Jimmy Flynt, was jailed on Friday on a charge of obtaining property by fraud.
Murray Sedich of Palm Coast Killed in Panhandle Accident, in Wewahitchka
Murray Edwin Sedich, 26, of Palm Coast, was walking north along 2nd Street in the small Panhandle town of Wewahitchka Tuesday when a car driven by Lloyd Husbands, 52, veered off the highway and hit Sedich.
So Much for Pill-Mill Policing: Citing Privacy, Florida Verges Away From Abusers’ Database
The matter is of immediate relevance in Flagler County, where local governments passed ordinances imposing moratoriums on new pain clinics while awaiting stronger state regulations. The state’s direction would effectively invalidate the moratoriums’ justification.
John O. Hill, 76, Killed in Wreck With Teen Driver on S.R. 13 in St. Johns
John Oscar Hill, 76, of Orange Park, was killed in an afternoon wreck with a teen-age driver at the intersection of Bishop Estates Road and State Road 13 just south of Jacksonville Tuesday, February 9.
Small-Town Big Brother: Bunnell Eying Slew of Spy Cameras In City’s South Side
The eight cameras would allegedly deter crime in the drug-prone south side, though the city has no evidence they’d be effective. The commission is debating costs, but is sold on the idea as one way to buttress the short-staffed police department.
Tornado Warning for Flagler Is Over; Pea-Size Hail in Flagler Beach
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for southeastern Putnam County and northeastern Flagler County Monday afternoon, in effect until 3 p.m.
Jason Wisham of Palatka Killed Near Hope Baptist Church in Starke
Jason Wisham, 29, of Palatka, was killed Feb. 4 when an out-of-control van driven by David White of Florala struck him as he waled near Hope Baptist Church in Starke, in Bradford County, Florida.
Flagler and St. Johns Counties Suspend Burn Ban–For Now
Recent rains and more humid conditions reduced drought conditions in Flagler and St. Johns counties and allowed the burn ban in effect since December to be lifted.
Bob Pickering, Flagler Voice of Climate Safety, Wins National Weather Association Award
Bob Pickering, for 17 years a technician in Flagler County’s Emergency Management, won the national award from the National Weather Association for bridging weather forecasting with public safety.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter
Threats and racist epithets, a stolen and recovered car, Oxycodone and death, head-butting at the Country Store on CR 305, taking a raccoon out of his agony, and more from the files of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
As Bunnell PD Tries to Clear Its Name, Missing Evidence Turns Up, Discrepancies Remain
A follow-up investigative report by the State Attorney’s office sheds more light, and raises more questions, on the Bunnell Police Department’s habit of producing previously missing evidence and paperwork.
Child Neglect, Drug Charges, Rotting Food in Palm Coast’s R Section Land 4 in Jail
A 10-year-old child was removed from the home at 20 Rockne Lane in Palm Coast and turned over to child services. Thomas Ksiezopolski, Nina Holley and three others face a variety of charges.
Bunnell Manager Armando Martinez Forced To Give Up Cop Shield, But Not Extra $7,500 Pay
The Florida Constitution forbids public employees from holding two public officer jobs simultaneously. Martinez had argued that he was a cop but not a “public officer” as such. The city attorney disagreed.
RV Smash-Up Closes I-95 Just North of Flagler and Triggers Another Chain Wreck
Two related crashes several miles apart in the southbound lanes of I-95 closed the interstate for several hours Thursday afternoon and early evening. There were no major injuries.
Top Cops, Public Defender, Commissioners Pick Bulic as the Next Medical Examiner
Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam have been without a medical examiner–one of government’s least visible, most important positions–since Jan. 1. A high-powered committee is making its recommendation for a new examiner today following interviews of five candidates.
St. Johns County Extends Burn Ban Through Mid-April
The St. Johns County Commission extended the burn ban through April 18 as little persistent rain is expected in the region. Flagler County’s burn ban is in effect, but doesn’t yet stretch that long.
Call 911: Flagler’s Emergency Dispatch Center Briefly Disabled When Extinguishers Misfire
No one was hurt, and 911 dispatching was interrupted at most for two minutes, but the 911 call center had to be evacuated Tuesday morning, and for at least 24 hours.
Cops Swarm on Alleged Car Robber Near John’s Towing in Bunnell (Updated)
A man and a young woman of about 18 were pulled out of a white pick-up truck and handcuffed, and some eight Sheriff’s Office cars were at the scene for more than an hour Monday afternoon.
FPC Briefly Locked Down After Feared Robbery in Target Shopping Center Lot
Flagler Palm Coast High School was locked down for a few minutes in early afternoon today following false reports of a robbery in the Target shopping center nearby.
Elderly Driver Loses Control in South Bunnell, Knocks Motorbike, Smashes Into a House
The 68-year-old Palm Coast resident was driving north on US1 when he lost control over several blocks, driving against traffic, onto a shopping center’s lot and, finally, smashing against an occupied house. He survived.
Fake Marijuana, Fake Glock, Alleged Kidnapping, Real Charges and Jail for 3 “Losers”
Michael Vieira wanted to buy Marijuana from Jordan Marrero. Marrero sold him and Vieira’s friend grass clippings for $100. There was a chase. An alleged beating and alleged kidnapping. All three ended up in jail.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy With Past Blemish Is Jailed on Cash Evidence Theft and Misconduct
Matthew Koenig, with the Sheriff’s Office since 1998, was accused of burglary in 2008. That charge was dropped. He was jailed Wednesday on a charge of stealing almost $5,000 from evidence envelopes.
News-Journal Pounds 71-Year-Old Palm Coast Man’s Door Over $3.97 Bill; Gun and Cop Follow
Robert Leard of Palm Coast’s R section dropped his subscription last year. A salesman showed up and pounded on his door Saturday night. Frightened, Leard told him to “get the hell away from my door.” All over $3.97.
Bunnell’s Armando Martinez: Cop or City Manager? Constitution Says Choose One
Martinez is city manager and public safety director, at an extra cost of $11,000 to taxpayers. Yet the state constitution is clear: “No person shall hold at the same time more than one office under the government of the state and the counties and municipalities therein.”
Silver Alert for Walter Thomas Fults, 81, Driving a White Nissan Sentra
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for Thomas Fuilts, 81, of Palm Coast, driving a white, four-door Nissan Sentra, tag number L382SZ.
Flagler Sheriff Bans Inmates From Writing Or Receiving Personal Mail Other Than Postcards
Citing savings and security, the sheriff is banning non-postcard correspondence beginning Jan. 15. The ban costs inmates money and chills their speech, a federal lawsuit filed over a similar policy in Santa Rosa County charges.
Extreme Drought Conditions Prompt Flagler To Extend State of Emergency Indefinitely
Flagler County is among a handful of regions in the United States facing extreme drought conditions. The burn ban is designed to stem what could be an active and dangerous wildfire season, starting much earlier than normal.
Christmas Eve Shooting Update: Victim, With Long Rap Sheet, Had Just Posted Bond
Christian Grasso, the 28-year-old victim of a shooting on a Flagler Beach street on Christmas eve, has been in and out of jail almost a dozen times in Flagler and Volusia counties since 2005.
Fire Demolishes Half a House on Forsythe; Oxygen Mask for 10-Year-Old Cat
The fire at 104 Forsythe Ln. off of Old Kings Road in North Palm Coast was called in by a neighbor. Neither owner was home. But two dogs and a cat were.
Shooting Shatters Christmas Eve Calm in Flagler Beach; Suspect Still at Large
One man was shot at 8:50 p.m. Friday, leaving a pool of blood in the middle of the street on South Central Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets. Police had no information regarding motives. The shooter got away.
Christmas Rescue: Flagler Beach Firemen Save Knocked-Out Veteran From Blazing Home
The Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Scott Jackson and Alex Wilhite pulled unconscious 44-year-old Roy Davis out of his burning home at The Village apartments Thursday morning. Includes photo gallery.
How Sheriff Fleming and FDLE Are Manipulating Press and Public Over Pill Mills
Sheriff Don Fleming on Tuesday led one of of three simultaneous news conferences on prescription-drug related arrests in 10 northeast Florida counties. It was more hype than news, much of it recycled.