Calling himself “in complete opposition to the use of red light cameras in Florida,” Rep. Travis Hutson, whose district includes all of Flagler County, took the unusual stop of criticizing Palm Coast’s method of unduly punishing vehicle owners who are cited even though they may not be driving the cited vehicle. He called attention to two measures that would repeal ca,eras or change the rules in drivers’ favor.
Cops/Courts
Violating Right-of-Way, Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Sends Motorcyclist Selbert A. Mills, 54, to Hospital
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Jeremy Chambers sent 54-year-old Palm Coast motorcyclist Selbert A. Mills to a hospital in serious condition after the deputy’s cruiser collided with the motorcycle at Seminole Woods Boulevard and Sloganeer Trail early Thursday evening (March 20).
Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Council More PR Than Input as Few Citizens and Board Members Show Up
Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre created the Citizens Advisory Council to give residents’ complaints about the Sheriff’s Office a way to be heard directly and transparently. But two of the three council meetings were not advertised and none of the meetings has produced much more than PR for the sheriff.
Judge Craig Indicts Palm Coast’s “Bad Faith” Red-Light Cameras and Exposes City’s Legal Flaws as He Contests Violation
In a half-hour hearing before Palm Coast’s red-light violations officer, Flagler Circuit Judge Dennis Craig on Thursday ridiculed the city’s guilty-until-proven-innocent standard as well as the council’s claim that cameras are intended to improve safety. The city dismissed his citation not on the grounds he raised, but by inventing a case of “prudent” driving that the evidence did not show.
North Carolina Man Wanted for Attempted Murder Is Arrested in Palm Coast’s Walmart Parking Lot
Glen Allen Stewart’s “Born to Die” tattoo on his hand gave him away as the wanted fugitive even as he tried to pass himself off as someone else when he was arrested during a routine traffic stop when his car tag showed a revoked license.
Heroes Who Foiled European Village Attack Are Jailed on Disorderly Conduct and Battery Charges
The three men who foiled an alleged armed attack at European Village Saturday night–Vassili Mironov, Roman Dubinschi and Joshua Auriemma–were arrested early Wednesday morning after a fight in the parking lot of Finn’s bar in Flagler Beach.
Senate Panel Unanimously Approves Minor Changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law
The bill would clarify that a law enforcement agency must fully investigate whether a person claiming self-defense has lawfully used force. It also would no longer preclude lawsuits from third parties who are injured by negligent conduct used in self-defense.
Attempt to Bribe Flagler Deputy Leads to Arrest; DUI Chase Up Old Kings; Knife-Wielding Over Facebook Punishment
Flagler Beach resident Brandon Michael Smith allegedly tried to bribe a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop in which Smith was not implicated. A car chase and an arrest over a Facbook argument round out the weekend’s principal arrests, other than the European Village incident.
Adam C. Mathews, 34, Is Killed in Fiery Car Crash After Collision With Motorcyclist on I-95
Adam Christian Mathews, a 34-year-old resident of Jacksonville, was killed early Sunday morning just north of Palm Coast Parkway on I-95, and Gena E. Coursen was in critical condition, when their Porsche struck a motorcyclist then veered into the woods, striking a tree and triggering a fire.
Saviors of European Village: How Vassili Mironov and Friends Prevented a Bloodbath
In their first interview just back from the hospital, Vassili Mironov and two friends describe how they neutralized the assault-rifle-carrying Daniel Noble Saturday night at European Village, as Nolan was threatening to shoot into the crowd.