With permits for this fall’s hunt going on sale Monday, the Seminole County-based group Speak Up Wekiva filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court Friday challenging the constitutionality of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-approved bear hunt.
Cops/Courts
Cases Involving Police Shootings Across Florida Spur FDLE to Seek More Investigators
FDLE always investigates shootings involving police in local agencies. Those investigations have increased 40 percent last year alone, and 100 percent in the past five years.
What Flagler Beach Got Wrong About “Crowd Managers,” and What the Auditorium Got Right
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Kim Carney misinterpreted and exaggerated a fire code about “crowd managers” to her colleagues. The code does not require such managers at First Friday events, as she suggested.
Federal Court Upholds Docs v. Glocks Law Forbidding Physicians From Asking About Guns
The 2-1 decision by a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was a victory for the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates and a defeat for medical groups that argued, at least in part, that the law infringed on doctors’ First Amendment rights.
Lawsuits Accuse Air Traffic Controllers of Negligence in 2013 Crash That Killed 3 On Palm Coast’s Utica Path
The plane was misled to Flagler airport instead of the nearer Ormond airport when the emergency began, the two daughters of the pilot and two sons of a passenger claim in their federal lawsuits.
Flagler’s Fire Flight and Crews Save 2 Homes Surrounded By Brush Fire in Eagle Rock
A 3.5-acre brush fire that had surrounded two homes in Eagle Rock at the south end of the county, requiring their evacuation, was halted and controlled, capping a busy day for Flagler Count Fire Rescue crews and Fire Flight, the county’s emergency helicopter.
Flagler Fire Flight Assists in Ocean Search for Missing Teens Amid Conflicting Reports of Effort’s Status
Helicopter pilot Dana Morris and flight medic George Tolbert searched 150 miles of the ocean off the Flagler County coastline and as far out as five nautical miles this morning without success.
Palm Coast Council Member Bill McGuire Wants End to City Funding of School Deputy
Palm Coast pays for one of the six school deputies on Flagler’s 11 campuses. McGuire wants the school district to pick up that cost, but he drew little support from fellow-council members.
Sheriff Seeking Help Locating 16-Year-Old Lawrence Evans, Missing Since July 23
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating Lawrence Bennie Evans, 16, of Bunker View Drive in Palm Coast. Evans has a history of running away. He was last seen on July 23.
Whistleblower Suit Against Sheriff Proceeds as Judge Rejects Latest Attempt to Dismiss It
Circuit Judge Michael Orfinger this morning ordered the whistleblower lawsuit to go forward, putting the case on track for trial next year, in the thick of Manfre’s re-election campaign.
Palm Coast Motorcyclist Willie French, 41, Trauma-Evacuated After Wreck on Belle Terre
Motorcyclist Willie E. French Jr., a 41-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section, was trauma-evacuated early this morning after he collided with a car at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Whipporwill Drive.
In Flagler Sheriff’s Race, It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again As Fleming and Pollinger Join Forces Against Manfre
The flagler sheriff’s race will feature a familiar cast of characters as Don Fleming again will challenge Jim Manfre, this time with ex-candidate John Pollinger at Fleming’s side.
State Ethics Commission Finds Sheriff Manfre in Violation on 3 Counts in 6-1 Vote; He Doubles Down
Meeting in Tallahassee this morning, the Florida Ethics Commission voted 6-1 to find probable cause that Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre violated the state’s ethics laws on three counts. The case now goes to the Attorney General’s office for prosecution.
SUV Overturns in T-Bone Wreck at Whiteview and U.S. 1, But Only Minor Injury
A Nissan SUV overturned after it was t-boned at the intersection of Whiteview Parkway and U.S. 1 in Palm Coast shortly after 10 a.m. Friday, resulting in one minor injury to the driver of the car that struck the SUV.
Within 5 Hours, Two Shoplifting Incidents at Walmart Escalate Into Felonies With Assaults
Walmart in Palm Coast was the scene of two separate and apparently unrelated incidents that started as shoplifting and turned into aggravated assault in one case, and grand theft auto, reckless driving and fleeing cops in another. Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies made an arrest in the first case. They are still searching for the suspect in the second case.
Racist Graffiti in Palm Coast’s L-Section Ascribed to Stupidity as Confederate Caravan Rumbles Through Bunnell
The racist graffiti in the L-Section was discovered Thursday and Friday, the Confederate caravan drove through Bunnell Monday, though both incidents appear to be isolated reactions rather than organized hate.
Tyler Tracy, 21, of Palm Coast, Is Killed in a Single-Car Wreck on U.S. 1; FHP Seeking Witness
Tyler M. Tracy, a 21-year-old resident of Palm Coast and parent of a toddler, was killed his SUV lost control and overturned on U.S. 1 near County Road 304. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking a witness.
Days After Girlfriend Pleads With Judge to Let Him Bond Out, He Is Re-Arrested For Battering Her and Abusing Their Child
34-year-old Daniel Garcia was rearrested on charges of battering his girlfriend and her friend, abusing their 1-year-old child and stealing a car two days after Judge Walsh acceded to the 22-year-old girlfriend’s plea to let him out on a lower bond,
50-Year-Old Palm Coast Man Exposes Himself to a Child, a Woman and 3 Cops Near Best Western
Twice arrested for disorderly intoxication and once for domestic violence in the last three years, Boardman had to be taken to Florida Hospital Flagler for clearance because his alcoholic consumption registered so high.
Video of Greg Lynn Jewelers Burglary Points to Suspects Possibly Tied to 5 Recent Incidents
Two burglars are shown in a surveillance video inside Greg Lynn Jewelers. The burglars are possibly tied to a string of incidents in Flagler and Daytona Beach.
Palm Coast Data Evacuated as Suspicious White Powder Discovery Calls For Hazmat Team
The white powder was discovered just after 11 a.m., and Palm Coast Data issued an evacuation order at 1:39 p.m. The response from St. Johns County’s Hazmat team is ongoing.
Rick Look, Long-Time Flagler Sheriff’s Chief Deputy and Cop’s Cop, Dies at 65
Rick Look had been chief deputy for over seven years until three years ago under Sheriff Don Fleming, had two Purple Hearts and 42 years in law enforcement until his last four years’ battle with illness.
Abandoned by Family, Giuseppe Verdone Is Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Carjacking of Chinese Restaurant Owner
Judge J. David Walsh imposed two life terms and two 30-year terms, all concurrently, after denying a motion for a new trial. Verdone, 24, declined to address the court.
Flagler Beach Police Seeking Person of Interest in June Burglary of A1A Beverage
The suspected three male burglars took some 40 lottery tickets valued at $20 each before scratch-off, among other items, but left behind some blood.
A Heavily Medicated Bova, Accused Store Clerk Murderer, Declared Competent for Trial
Joseph Bova, under heavy anti-psychotic medication, will stand trial later this year, a judge ruled, despite arguments from his defense attorney that he can regress and have psychotic episodes triggered by the trial process.
Taser Deployed on Man Who “Hates America” After He’s Accused of Attacks in Bunnell
Fred Demesmin, 21, of Bunnell, had told his girlfriend that “demons were after him and that he needed to go out and kill someone,” according to his arrest report.
Florida Adds Still More Specialty License Plates to Some 120 Accenting Causes
It’s not as if Floridians need more specialized license plates. But more are going on the market and some are being redesigned.
Flagler Sheriff Warns Public of Caller Impersonating a Cop in Warrant Scam
Residents are reporting that a scammer posing as a sheriff’s captain or lieutenant tells callers there’s an active warrant for their arrest, and they must pay $1,000.
Flagler’s Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, Master of Judicial Temperament, Retiring in February
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, who addresses the state’s too-harsh sentencing guidelines in an interview, was appointed to the bench in 2001 by Gov. Jeb Bush, and has been in Flagler County since 2012.
40-Year-Old Micale Annilus Is Killed on I-95 At Palm Coast Parkway in Wreck With Trailer
Micale Annilus, a 40-year-old resident of Houston, Texas, was killed early Monday morning, Dagobert Laurent, 43, and Winderson Annilus, 21, were taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
4-Year-Old Palm Coast Boy Critical After He’s Found Unresponsive in Locked Van in Driveway
The incident unfolded in early afternoon at a house at the corner of Blakefield Drive and Blare Castle Drive in Palm Coast. No foul play is suspected.
Man Found Dead Behind Walmart Is Identified as Mathew Talacko, 25, Victim of Inhalants
Mathew Talacko was a big man–he stood 6’6”–who could muster big smiles, big hopes, a searching intelligence and, apparently, great despair.
Taking Harder Line Against Sheriff Manfre, Florida Ethics Commission Finds Probable Violations on 3 Counts
The Florida Ethics Commission last year had rejected a deal that would have had Manfre admitting to one violation, seeking a deeper investigation that has now resulted in a potentially harsher penalty.
Court Will Hear Argument That Guns Should Be Allowed at UF Dorms as They Are At Home
A circuit judge ruled against Florida Carry Inc.’s argument last year that people have a legal right to possess firearms at University of Florida housing just as they do in their homes.
Dead Person Found Decomposing Behind Walmart; Identity and Cause Unconfirmed
The dead person’s identity and gender have not been positively identified nor a cause of death determined, with those questions pending an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office.
Palm Coast Motorcyclist Gregory Fagas, 40, Is Killed Across from Belle Terre Elementary, Rider Critical
Gregory Daniel Fagas, a 40-year-old motorcyclist from Palm Coast, was killed, and Nacomi Marie Campbell, 27, was flown to a hospital in critical condition
Palm Coast’s “D.J. Chris” and Owner of Kids’ Bounce House Co. Charged With Soliciting Minor for Sex
Christopher Pintek, known as “D.J. Chris,” a P-Section resident, was arrested on charges of luring a 14-year-old boy for sex through a phone app. He is the owner of Surround Sound DJ and Party Bounces.
2 More Men Arrested on Sex-Assault Charges Involving Children Closely Related To Them
Waldemar Rivera, a 36-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section, faces a charge of raping a 13-year-old girl, John J. Schenone, 32, of the W-Section, is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child younger than 12.
Don Apperson, Long-Time School Resource Deputy and Youth Leader, Retires
For 13 years until last fall Don Apperson was the face of school resource deputies in Flagler County and appearing before local government boards to advocate either for the SRD system or for stronger laws on various issues.
Sunday Night Standoffs: Deputies Contend With Armed Men in Hammock and W-Section
Both stand-offs, which began after domestic confrontations, ended peacefully, with the arrest of Val Mateyshin in the W Section and no arrest in the Hammock.
Palm Coast Man, 60, Faces Capital Felony on Rape and Molestation Charges of 12-Year-Old Relative
Mario Edward DiGirolamo is at the Flagler County jail on $300,000 bond following his arrest Friday on three sex-crime charges involving a 12-year-old relative, including a count of rape, a capital felony.
Reported Runaway, 14, Is Found at Her Father’s as Family Custody Issues Emerge
Ashley Martin, 14, had left home her mother’s June 20 and was found at her father’s June 26, where police were told of family conflicts and custody issues.
Bad Judges: Florida Supreme Court Seeks to Rein in Rogues and Hotheads
The number of judges facing sanctions in Florida jumped last year, and the high court is more often seeking harsher penalties than those originally proposed by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Explosion at Santore Fireworks Causes Small Fire, Panic But No Injuries
The fire was restricted to a 12-by-12 area at Santore Fireworks’s manufacturing plant on County Road 305 in western Flagler. Two employees had minor injuries.
Following Her Dog, a 2-Year-Old Girl Wanders Across Belle Terre Parkway As Her Mother Sleeps
Heather Seils, the 24-year-old mother of a 2-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, was asleep Saturday morning in her B-Section home in Palm Coast when, somehow, her daughter manager to wander out of the house unattended.
Three Adults and a Child Hospitalized After Two-Vehicle Wreck on SR100 and CR305
A pick-up truck attempted to pass a Toyota in a no-passing zone as the Toyota was making the turn, triggering the wreck at 3:30 p.m. The road was reopened by 5:30 p.m.
Confrontation at Flagler Jail Nets New Felony Charge for One Inmate and 12 Stitches For Another
Kevin Harris Jr. of Bunnell is accused of attacking inmate Anthony M. Petrillo and calling him a ‘police ass cracker’. Harris is serving 270 days in a Volusia jail, and was brought to Flagler for breaking his probation on an earlier case.
Environmentalists Sue Florida Lawmakers Over Amendment 1, Claiming Misuse of Dollars
The suit seeks a court declaration that money from the state’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund, which will handle all the Amendment 1 funding, may not be substituted for general-revenue funds or used to pay for other services and programs.
Arson Suspected in Mondex Fire That Demolishes Family Home on Elder Street
Authorities termed suspicious a fire that engulfed a single-family house in the Mondex Friday morning, and brought in arson dogs to sniff for evidence of fuel or accelerants used in the blaze.
Two Are Killed, a Third Injured in 3-Vehicle Wreck at Cody’s Corner at SR 11 and CR 304
Two people are dead, a third was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach, after one car T-boned another and catapulted it against a loaded logging truck. The driver of the logging truck was not hurt.