Edward Sampson, recently exonerated at trial of a felony that could have sent him to prison for 30 years, faces a new felony battery charge following a Jan. 18 jailhouse fight with an inmate. Sampson, known for his peripheral link to the Noah Smith murder case, could face 10 years as a habitual offender. He remains free on bond pending a March 18 pretrial before Judge Dawn Nichols.
Cops/Courts
Florida House GOP Bill Blocks Dollars for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
A Republican effort to block new funding for the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” and “Deportation Depot” migrant lockups unanimously cleared its first House committee hearing Monday. The bill would prevent the state’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund from going toward immigration enforcement, a move that would starkly pivot legislative Republicans away from their all-in anti-illegal immigration crackdown pushed just one year ago.
80-Year-Old Man Struck and Killed as Wife Backs Out SUV at Their Grand Haven Home
James McCutcheon, 80, was killed Friday morning after being struck by the SUV his wife was backing out of a driveway on Shinnecock Drive in Grand Haven. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the county’s first pedestrian fatality of 2026.
Palm Coast Splash Pad Suit Settlements Reach $2.375 Million, but City Still Faces Over $1.2 Million Loss
Palm Coast has reached a settlement with the final contractors involved in the shoddily constructed Holland Park splash pad. While total recoveries reach $2.375 million, the city remains over $1 million in the red due to rebuilding costs and legal fees. The City Council is expected to ratify the agreement on Tuesday, officially ending the four-year litigation.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies De-escalate Standoff After Manic Man Reaches for Replica Gun
Flagler County deputies on Monday successfully de-escalated a volatile encounter with a frantic man wielding a realistic-looking pepper ball gun, extending the agency’s 13-year record without a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident followed days of delusional 911 calls by the suspect, who was safely detained for a mental health evaluation despite resisting arrest and attempting to flee.
Florida Kills Ronald Heath by Lethal Injection in First State Execution of 2026
Ronald Heath, 64, was executed by lethal injection Tuesday at Florida State Prison for the 1989 murder of Michael Sheridan. This marks Florida’s first execution of 2026, following a record-setting year of 19 executions under Governor Ron DeSantis. The U.S. Supreme Court denied final appeals regarding the case, which involved a robbery and stabbing detailed graphically in court records.
Florida Emergency Management Spent $405 Million in 7 Months Chasing Migrants, Meals and Badges
Records show that the Florida Division of Emergency Management used the state’s emergency respond fund to spend $405.6 million from August through February on 83 contracts with private vendors. That figure includes expenditures like $479,000 to one private jet firm for staff flights to and from the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center and to support evacuation of Americans during the Israel-Hamas war; thousands spent at 55 restaurants; and a $203.72 purchase at “Awards4U,” a company that lets customers create their own badges, trophies, or awards.
County Testily Approves $550,000 Hammock Harbour Settlement, Clearing the Way for 204-Boat Storage Facility
Flagler County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a $550,000 settlement with Hammock Harbour, ending a six-year legal dispute and allowing a 204-boat storage facility on Scenic A1A. Despite strong opposition from Hammock residents and reluctance from commissioners, the agreement invalidates special exception requirements and grants the developer building credits to avoid a potentially costlier jury verdict.
Golf Cart Charging Sparks Fire That Destroys Garage But Spares Flagler Beach Home
A Monday afternoon fire at a Flagler Beach home, caused by a charging golf cart, destroyed the garage and two vehicles but spared the living quarters. Fire Chief Stephen Cox credited a closed fire-rated door for containing the blaze. The homeowner was treated for smoke inhalation, and authorities warned of growing hazards associated with golf cart batteries.
Breaking: Sheriff Staly, Who Runs Flagler County’s Jail, Will Continue to Run Flagler County’s Jail
The Flagler County Commission unanimously designated Sheriff Rick Staly as the official correctional officer this evening, a move formalizing existing operations to comply with state law. The county maintains the physical facility, but Staly oversees daily operations. The ordinance includes no salary increase for Staly.
Palm Coast E-bike Rider Killed in Evening Collision on Palm Coast Parkway
A 69-year-old Palm Coast man died Friday evening after his e-bike collided with a sedan at Palm Coast Parkway and Diandra Drive. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the rider failed to yield the right of way.
Flagler County Declares Burn Ban
Flagler County enacted a burn ban effective 5 p.m. Friday (February 6) and declared a state of local emergency to do so. The ban remains in effect for seven days.
Settlement Calls for Flagler County to Pay Developer $550,000 and Clear the Way for 204-Boat Storage Facility in Hammock
Flagler County has reached a $550,000 settlement with Hammock Harbour,ending a federal lawsuit and a Bert J. Harris Act claim–should the County Commission ratify it on Monday. The agreement pays $400,000 in cash and $150,000 in fee credits while approving the developer’s site plan and allowing construction of a 203-boat dry-storage facility on State Road A1A without the previously required special exception or further public review.
Flagler Beach Approves Conflict-Resolution Window to Stave Off County Litigation Over Summertown Annexation
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved a timeline extension to facilitate negotiations with Flagler County, aiming to avoid litigation over the Summertown development’s annexation. Disputes center on a recycled-water commitment, floodplains, and traffic impacts. The county initiated the formal conflict-resolution process. Both sides are optimistic that negotiations will make litigation unnecessary.
Flagler Beach Man Facing Felony Charges for Soliciting 14-Year-Old on Snapchat
Cameron James Terry, 23, of Flagler Beach, faces felony charges for soliciting a child and unlawful use of a communication device. Terry allegedly admitted to sending graphic, sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat after meeting her through an online poker game.
170-Acre Wildfire Off US1 and Old Dixie Prompts Brief Evacuations But No Structures Lost as Blaze Is 50% Contained
A controlled burn escaped on Wednesday, growing into a 170-acre wildfire near U.S. 1 in Flagler County. The fire forced the evacuation of a dozen homes before crews achieved 50% containment overnight. While light rain aided suppression efforts and allowed residents to return home, fire officials remain on high alert. High winds and Florida’s unique vegetation pose ongoing risks, and residents are urged to remain cautious as mop-up operations continue today.
Judge Sets Nov. 16 Trial Date in Allete’s Lawsuit Against Palm Coast Over Town Center Utilities
Circuit Judge Sandra Upchurch has scheduled a two-week trial for November 16 regarding a lawsuit filed by Palm Coast Holdings against the city. The developer alleges that utility service uncertainties caused significant land sale losses. While the city defends its capacity and infrastructure investments, the court will hear motions to dismiss and amended complaints this March.
11-Year-Old Girl Arrested at ITMS Over Threats on Bathroom Wall
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 11-year-old girl after an investigation revealed she had written a shooting threat on a bathroom wall.
Judge Rejects Defense Witness Testimony on Victim Credibility Ahead of Henriqson Trial on Capital Rape Charges
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols denied Kristopher Henriqson’s request for a sixty-day trial delay, though she remains open to a postponement if he secures a medical expert. Henriqson, representing himself against capital charges, seeks to prove a discredited theory regarding physical evidence. The court also ruled that defense witnesses cannot offer opinions on the victim’s truthfulness, citing strict evidentiary rules, a further blow to Henriqson’s defense. He goes on trial on capital rape charges next week.
Fatal Crash West of Bunnell Claims Life of 44-Year-Old Daytona North Woman
Melani N. Stodola, a resident of Walnut Avenue in Daytona North–not far from the scene of the crash–was driving her blue 2009 Honda sedan when she crashed into a vehicle described as a “sod-cutter” in 911 dispatch notes, at 8067 state Road 100 West late Monday morning.
Mental Health Issues May Have Played a Role as Details Emerge in Flagler Beach U-Haul Standoff
The woman at the center of a standoff involving a U-Haul truck in Flagler Beach Monday may have been experiencing a mental health episode and delusional issues, according to details of her arrest that emerged today. May Ling Ip “called 911 and made numerous statements indicating emotional instability and possible delusional thinking,” according to a sheriff’s report. The trigger of the incident on reports of the Ip’s suspicious behavior, especially after her initial interactions with a deputy, doesn’t appear to have been unreasonable.
Defiant Ex-Flagler Paramedic James Melady Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Calling Rape Conviction ‘Malicious’
Former Flagler County paramedic James Melady was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2021 sexual battery of an incapacitated patient. Melady remained unrepentant, labeling his conviction a threat to the paramedic profession. The victim, who discovered the assault years later through video evidence, detailed the devastating trauma that followed, including a miscarriage and mental health relapse. Despite clear evidence of the victim’s helplessness, the jury’s verdict on a lesser charge limited Melady’s maximum sentence.
K-9s and BearCat Subdue Non-Compliant Suspects Fleeing in U-Haul After A1A Standoff in Flagler Beach
A man and woman are in custody following a standoff involving a U-Haul truck in Flagler Beach. After refusing to exit the vehicle on State Road A1A, deputies used less-lethal munitions and tear gas to disable the suspects’ vision and clear the cab. A K-9 unit eventually apprehended both individuals after the driver attempted to flee toward the ocean. Authorities recovered drugs from the truck, and the criminal investigation remains actively ongoing.
First a State Guard. Now Florida Wants a State Anti-Terrorism Police.
A proposal by Riverview Republican Rep. Danny Alvarez to create a statewide counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit cleared its first House committee stop. HB 945 would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to establish and administer a Statewide Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit tasked with identifying and disrupting foreign and domestic threats operating in, or targeting, Florida.
I’m an Ex-FBI Agent. Here’s How Federal Agents Are Undermining Law Enforcement Principles
The killing of Good and Pretti raises legal, tactical and policy questions regarding law enforcement practices by federal agents. These cases illustrate how some federal agents are engaging with the public in a way that undermines established principles of policing and constitutional law.
In Florida, Driver’s Tests Will be English-Only Starting Feb. 6
Driver’s license tests in Florida will be administered only in English starting Feb. 6, the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced Friday.
Florida House Battles Senate to Dismantle Post Parkland Gun Laws
Florida House Republicans are pushing HB 6029 to repeal the state’s 2018 risk-protection order law, which allows for temporary firearm confiscation from dangerous individuals. Despite the House’s repeated attempts to roll back Parkland-era restrictions, Senate President Ben Albritton remains a staunch opponent of the repeal, citing the law’s effectiveness in preventing mass violence. With over 19,000 orders issued since its inception, the law faces intense Second Amendment scrutiny but currently lacks a Senate sponsor.
Unmask ICE. End the Rittenhousing of America.
Masked ICE agents operate with dangerous impunity typical of paramilitaries and militias in third-world countries. It’s time to take off their masks, end their immunity, require bodycams, and to diminish the undisciplined violence of amateurs, prevent any agent hired within the past year to be in the streets.
DeSantis Signs Third Death Warrant of 2026 Following Record-Breaking Year
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, convicted of the 1991 murder of a Fort Pierce police officer. Kearse’s execution, scheduled for March 3, follows warrants for Ronald Heath and Melvin Trotter as Florida continues a rapid pace of executions after setting a state record last year.
Dispute Over Noises and Name-Calling at Planet Fitness Leads to Child Abuse Arrest
A 48-year-old F-Section woman faces a felony child abuse charge after she confronted her daughter’s 16-year-old ex-boyfriend for making noises during a workout and allegedly slapping him in the parking lot after he called her a name.
Former Palm Coast Resident, 56, Pleads in Fatal Dog Choking Case and Could Avoid Prison
Howard T. Blair pleaded guilty to third-degree felony animal cruelty after fatally choking his dog, Nutmeg, last year. His sentencing points do not mandate prison, but don;t exclude it, either. Dozens of letters to the court demanding a harsh sentence. Blair, currently recovering from a motorcycle accident, will return to the Flagler County courthouse for sentencing on March 4.
Flagler Fire Rescue’s Lt. Karl Froling Is Florida’s Search and Rescue Responder of the Year
Recognized for his technical expertise and leadership, Froling pioneered standardized animal technical rescue training following a 2012 incident in Volusia County. His work with the University of Florida and the National Fire Protection Association has elevated regional emergency response capabilities and established Flagler County’s rescue team as a premier program within the state.
Judge Bars Coastal Family Church Services at Flagler Square, Citing Covenants; Liberty Counsel Appeals
Coastal Family Church is appealing a court injunction that prohibits it from holding services at its Flagler Beach location, in the former Badcock Furniture store. Liberty Counsel argues the ban violates First Amendment rights. But Circuit Judge Sandra Upchurch ruled that private property covenants explicitly prohibit large public assemblies. Flagler Square owners claim a church would overwhelm parking and diminish retail value. The court suggests Flagler Square will likely prevail based on established contract and property law.
Six Strong Finalists Emerge in Search for Next Flagler Beach Police Chief, 3 With Local Ties
Six highly experienced candidates have been shortlisted to become the next Flagler Beach Police Chief. The finalists include internal acting chief Lance Blanchette, local veterans Anthony Raimondo and FBI agent Andrew Klopfer, alongside external leaders Pedro Delgado, Edward Fingers, and Jeffrey VanAuken. The diverse pool features extensive backgrounds in municipal administration, federal investigations, and large-scale state operations. City Manager Dale Martin will make the final selection following upcoming interviews conducted by a peer panel.
Sheriff’s Office Answers 19 Questions on Acquisition and Future Operations of Emergency Helicopter
Answering 19 questions submitted by FlaglerLive, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office addressed concerns regarding its recent $1.4 million helicopter acquisition, half of which was funded by attorney Dan Newlin. The agency defended the lack of a feasibility study by citing the sheriff’s prior air-operations experience in orange County. The agency clarified that the aircraft will focus on proactive patrols and emergency medical transport, and maintained that the independent office acted within its constitutional authority.
Florida U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost Assaulted by Racist Maga Supporter
Florida Representative Maxwell Frost was assaulted Friday at a Sundance Film Festival party by a man shouting racist deportation threats. Police arrested Christian Joel Young for the attack, which also targeted a woman at the venue. The incident parallels a surge in aggressive federal immigration enforcement and fatal shootings by agents in Minneapolis.
Footage and Documents Contradict DHS Accounts of Violent Immigration Crackdown Incidents
Growing discrepancies between official Department of Homeland Security accounts and video evidence have sparked a crisis of accountability regarding federal immigration enforcement. While DHS frequently cites self-defense in use-of-force incidents, court records and bystander footage often suggest otherwise. Despite a federal judge’s recent ruling that characterized official testimony as “not credible,” legal doctrines like qualified immunity and the limitations of the Federal Tort Claims Act continue to make holding individual agents responsible nearly impossible.
250th Anniversary License Plate Now Available at Tax Collector’s Offices, at No Extra Fee
Flagler County Tax Collector Shelly Edmonson announced that Florida’s new America’s 250th Anniversary license plate is now available to local residents. Unlike other specialty license plates, which cost between $20 and $30 in addition to standard fees, the anniversary license plate has no additional fee.
Palm Coast Sex Offender Rejects Plea Deal and Seeks Trial in New Child Abuse Imagery Case
Gary Durso, a 62-year-old registered sex offender from Palm Coast, has rejected an 18-month plea deal and will head to trial in March. Facing five years in prison, Durso maintains his innocence regarding a single illicit image uploaded to Flickr. Though he admits to downloading the file via Craigslist contacts, he claims he was targeted by unknown individuals.
Sheriff Staly Quietly Acquires Helicopter from Attorney Dan Newlin, Launching Agency Into Air Operations
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has acquired a Bell 505 helicopter, formerly owned by prominent attorney Dan Newlin. The county administrator was surprised, noting the acquisition was never discussed during public budget hearings. While Sheriff Rick Staly has considered independent air support for years, the acquisition will lead to funding and operational costs, especially as the county already maintains the FireFlight emergency helicopter for law enforcement assistance.
Preliminary Findings in Death of Axel Aldridge, 27, Point to Accidental Fall from Nautilus Condo in Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach authorities have preliminarily classified the death of 27-year-old Axel James Aldridge as an accident following a consultation with the Medical Examiner. Officers discovered Aldridge’s body outside the Nautilus condominiums early on January 6. Evidence suggests a fall. A used needle was found in the eighth-floor apartment he occupied, and maintenance reported frequent noise complaints.
3 Weeks Before Rape Trial, Henriqson Wanted DNA Evidence Suppressed and Witness Tampering Investigation
Kristopher Henriqson, representing himself against 11 felony rape and molestation charges, appeared in court to argue for the suppression and rewriting of DNA evidence. Henriqson claims the FDLE’s “sperm cell fraction” labeling is prejudicial and misleading, suggesting transfer DNA was mischaracterized as semen. The judge denied his requests to rewrite reports or initiate a witness tampering investigation regarding a secret recording. Henriqson remains set to represent himself when the trial begins in three weeks.
As Angel Sexton, 27, Is Sentenced to Prison, Mother Describes Family Wrecked By Sexual Assault of Her Son, 13
A Circuit Judge sentenced Palm Coast resident Angel Sexton, 27, to six years in prison followed by nine years of probation for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old relative. During the sentencing, the victim’s mother delivered a long statement describing the profound betrayal and trauma that derailed her family’s move to Florida and demolished family relationships and trust, causing psychological and physical damage. Sexton remained silent, as is common in negotiated pleas where the sentence is predetermined.
Florida Prisons Budget Woefully Inadequate, Lawmaker Says
Gov. Ron DeSantis is requesting the Legislature provide hundreds of millions of dollars for the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) in his proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, but a Democratic state senator says that is woefully inadequate. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando made the remarks following a budget presentation by FDC Secretary Ricky Dixon before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice this week.
Two Palm Coast Homes Lost to Fires in 36 Hours, with Propane Tank Explosions at Both
Two accidental fires destroyed homes in Palm Coast’s B-section and F-section over a 36-hour period Thursday and Friday. Both incidents involved propane tank explosions and rapid attic spread, forcing firefighters to use defensive tactics. Despite the total loss of their properties, no residents or firefighters were injured.
Killing Renee Nicole Good and Stand Your Ground
Seen through Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minnesota highlights the dangerous subjectivity of moment-of-threat self-defense claims and the equally dangerous expansion of law enforcement immunity, which weakens reasonable use-of-force standards and immunizes lethal vigilantism.
Flagler Fire Rescue Names Daniel VanDeusen as New Deputy Fire Chief
Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker has officially promoted Daniel VanDeusen to Deputy Fire Chief, effective January 11, 2026. VanDeusen, a registered nurse who started as a probationary firefighter in 2005, is the first in department history to rise from that entry-level position to the rank of Deputy Chief. He succeeds Percy Sayles, who was named deputy county administrator in October.
State Attorney Charges 15-Year-Old as Adult in Flagler Kidnapping and Torture Case
State Attorney R.J. Larizza has charged 15-year-old Junior Bishop as an adult following the alleged kidnapping and torture of an 11-year-old boy. Bishop faces up to 30 years for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and reckless fleeing. Darnell Hairston, the alleged kidnapper, faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Florida Supreme Court Rules America Bar Association Should Not Alone Accredit Law Schools
Amid mounting pressure from conservatives on the national lawyer group, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the state should “end its reliance on the American Bar Association” as the sole accreditor of law schools. In most cases, Florida requires people to graduate from accredited law schools to be eligible to take the bar exam to practice law. The American Bar Association has served as the state’s lone accreditor for more than three decades.
$15 Million Over Budget, Nothing Built Since State Guard Facility ‘Broke Ground’ in Bunnell in 2024. Sheriff Is Not Pleased.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly is frustrated over the stalled $10 million Florida State Guard training facility in Bunnell. The state-managed project is over two years behind schedule and facing projected costs of $25 million. Staly criticized the Department of Management Services for inefficiency and massive budget overruns, suggesting the project would already be finished if he’d managed it through a direct state grant.