Two weeks before the proposed Raydient order to develop 22,000 homes west of U.S. 1 was to go before the city’s Planning Board, Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin said today that the whole process is being postponed to allow for better vetting. He did not provide a new timeline though one may be issued next week. The development’s new proposal includes industrial set-asides for animal feed lots and livestock operations, the deep well injection of waste products, dog, hog and poultry farms, and incinerator plants.
Backgrounders
The Cult of Civics Education Plagues Us Again
Americans have historically demonstrated a profound ignorance regarding their own history and government structures. This lack of academic knowledge did not prevent the nation from thriving or winning wars. Current efforts to mandate civics education often serve as a thin veil for nationalist indoctrination. These movements prioritize submissive obedience over actual empowerment. True American strength relies on cultural dynamism rather than memorizing trivia.
Turmoil at Flagler Beach Fire Department as 5 Firefighters, Including Deputy Chief and Morgan Rainey, Resign
The Flagler Beach Fire Department is facing a leadership crisis as five firefighters tendered their resignations almost on the same day. High-profile departures include Deputy Chief Jennifer Fiveash and veteran Morgan Rainey. Personnel cite intimidation and lack of support under Chief Stephen Cox. City Manager Dale Martin is investigating the internal culture as Cox attributes the friction to chronic understaffing and low pay. Mutual aid from neighboring departments ensures continued public safety coverage.
Teachers and Students in Flagler Schools Are Now Using AI Extensively and Routinely. Here’s How.
Flagler County schools report nearly universal adoption of artificial intelligence among faculty and staff. Students in secondary grades frequently use digital tools for classroom assignments and independent research, and a version of AI is accessible for students in all grades. District leaders compare this technological shift to the early days of the internet. School board members remain focused on data privacy, academic integrity, and student safety.
Taxpayer Cost of Private School Vouchers in Flagler County Surges to $19 Million as District Enrollment Falls
Flagler County public schools lost $400,000 in funding and 100 students between fall and January financial and enrollment calculations as private school subsidies of vouchers surged 20 percent since last year. State voucher spending reached $19.2 million dollars this year. District enrollment remains stagnant despite significant population growth, and budget transparency issues persist because state calculations combine voucher funds with district allocations.
Don’t Let Palm Coast’s Westward Invasion Sprawl Over Old Brick Road
Walden Pond serves as a grim cautionary tale for Flagler County preservationists as the colossal western expansion of Palm Coast threatens Old Brick Road. County commissioners are right to demand wide buffers and forbid at-grade crossings. Saving what remains of the historic Dixie Highway requires resisting developer logic that prioritizes proximity over true natural preservation.
Developer Reveals Master Plan For 22,000-Home Western Expansion That’ll Remake Palm Coast
Raydient, the development arm of Rayonier, presented general plans for a 22,000-home development west of U.S. 1 that will nearly double the population of Palm Coast over 30 years. The proposal replaces previous agreements and shifts costs to taxpayers. Despite the scale of the project, its consequences on the city’s future and upcoming city annexation, the reveal at the Palm Coast Community Center lacked a presentation and offered very few specific details regarding infrastructure and funding.
Palm Coast Council Approves Tax Rebates of Up to 95% To Jumpstart Stalled Town Center Commercial Development
The Palm Coast City Council approved a construction and tax-incentive program to spark commercial construction in Town Center, offering property tax rebates of up to 90 percent or more for significant investments. Town Center has fallen far short of investment and revenue expectations as the special tax district expires in 2034. Leaders excluded residential projects from the deal, prioritizing vertical density and commercial growth over single-family homes.
Historic Old Brick Road Now a Battleground Between Flagler County Preservation and Palm Coast Expansion
Flagler County commissioners are stalling a proposed joint agreement with Palm Coast and Raydient, the developer of over 20,000 homes in the so-called “westward expansion” of Palm Coast, to ensure the preservation of historic Old Brick Road. They demand significant land buffers and flyover bridges instead of at-grade crossings. This firm stance aims to protect the World War I-era Dixie Highway remnant from development. The commission envisions the road as a vehicle-free linear park for nature-tourism.
Flagler County February Jobless Rate Drops To 5.8% and Labor Force Adds 500 Workers
Flagler County’s unemployment rate improved slightly to 5.8 percent in February, after a 6 percent showing in January. The local labor force grew by 500 workers. Local wages remain below state and national averages. Single-family home prices decreased from last year and cash buyers accounted for over 40 percent of recent home sales.
Calling Plan ‘Garbage,’ Theresa Pontieri Vows to Block Westward Development Unless Rayonier Pays More for Infrastructure
Palm Coast Council Member Theresa Pontieri rejected Rayonier’s Palm Coast westward expansion plan, labeling the document “absolute garbage” for adding 10,000 homes but eliminating previous developer commitments for roads and parks as taxpayers pick up the $126 million cost of a “Loop Road.” Pontieri demanded the landowner fund infrastructure improvements before a new development order is submitted to the council for approval.
Palm Coast Council Member Theresa Pontieri’s Statement on Westward Expansion Development Proposal
The full text of Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri’s statement opposing a proposed Master Planned Development order submitted by Rayonier, the Wildlight, Fla.-based company that owns the majority of the 20,000 acres slated for the western expansion.
Can Green Card Holders Be Deported for Committing a Crime? Supreme Court Hears Arguments Wednesday.
The Supreme Court will determine if immigration officials need clear evidence of a crime to treat returning green card holders as seeking admission. Muk Choi Lau challenged his removal after being paroled due to pending charges. The 2nd Circuit ruled in his favor. Now the justices must decide if the government can rely on later convictions or must prove crimes at the border.
Birthright Citizenship Ruling Will Decide Whether America’s 250th Is Celebration or Curtains
A Supreme Court ruling against birthright citizenship is a dangerous stepping stone toward mass denaturalization and the erosion of individual sovereignty. That’s Trump’s endgame. Anything less than a decision demolishing the challenge would disgrace the sestercentennial anniversary we are about to celebrate.
Florida Rule Would Require Proof Of U.S. Citizenship for Admission to State Colleges
The Florida Department of Education proposed a rule barring undocumented immigrants from the state’s 28 colleges and giving schools discretion to reject students based on past misconduct. The move follows various legislative attempts to limit non-resident enrollment and mirrors recent laws targeting students, dissenters and migrants.
Neighbors Mobilize Against Development of 39 Houses on Previously Protected Matanzas Golf Course Tract
Palm Coast L-section residents are largely opposed to a plans to develop 39 houses on the so-called Tract 3 of the former Matanzas golf course, a tract the Palm Coast City Council had protected from development in 2021, when it approved the broader, 268-home project. Residents argue the Land Development Code protects their views. The developer is not adding new homes, but shifting them from another tract, which would be give to the city for a public park.
Sheriff Says He’ll Request 13 New Deputies as he Touts Helicopter, Drones, ICE Partnership and Crime Drop
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly reported a 54 percent crime decrease since 2017 during his annual Addressing Crime Together presentation last week. He intends to request 13 new deputies. His report detailed a new Bell 505 helicopter acquisition and expanded drone first-responder programs and defended the agency’s collaboration with federal ICE agents while highlighting successful inmate rehabilitation programs at the jail.
Reimagining Itself, Flagler Beach Approves New Transportation Fees To Start Funding $38 Million ‘Mobility’ Plan
Flagler Beach commissioners unanimously approved new mobility fees on new construction to fund a $38 million transportation plan. The initiative shifts the city away from car-centered infrastructure toward a multi-modal environment accommodating pedestrians and cyclists. The fee schedule targets residential and commercial developments.
CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s Disinformation Campaign at Local Governments’ Expense
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is touring the state to accuse local governments of reckless overspending, but his claims rely on a simplistic formula ignoring critical economic factors like property value increases and essential service needs. Flagler County faced his unsubstantiated attacks last week. Actual budget data reveals that Ingoglia’s claims collapse under the weight of even feathery scrutiny.
R.J. Larizza Hosts Former Rivals as Unveiling of 4 State Attorneys’ Portraits Stirs Old Battles and Triumphs
State Attorney R.J. Larizza Friday unveiled a portrait gallery at an event honoring four storied Seventh Judicial Circuit former State Attorneys: Dan Warren, Stephen Boyles, John Tanner and Steve Alexander. Warren’s son Raymond, a former prosecutor and public defender, recalled his father’s role in the summer of 1964, seminal in the state’s civil rights history, and Tanner used the occasion to discuss his 1963 manslaughter indictment by Warren, and subsequent enmity with the state attorney.
Flagler Beach Approves Millions In New Debt For Sewer Upgrades Without Clear Resident Cost
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved $37 million of an expected $52 million loan to rebuild its sewer plant, and is applying for an additional, separate $19 million loan for other stormwater improvements. Yet the city cannot currently calculate exact rate increases for residents because outdated studies fail to reflect rising construction costs. Development impact fees will not provide immediate relief.
Over 1,300 ‘No Kings’ Protesters at 3 Locations in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast Proclaim Diversity of Opposition to Trump
Demonstrators gathered in Flagler Beach and two locations in Palm Coast Saturday to participate in the third set of anti-authoritarian “No Kings” protests, part of some 3,100 such protests across the country. More than 1,300 people voiced opposition to the Trump administration through signs and chants. A small counter-protest emerged at Palm Coast Parkway. Participants expressed concerns ranging from civil rights to immigration issues, but the movement’s political effectiveness ahead of the November election is unclear.
Marineland’s New Attorneys Sound Alarm Over Lax Policies, Missing Audits, Lost Records and Potential Litigation
Marineland is grappling with missing audits and vanished public records. New legal counsel warns of financial instability after the town lost a third of its general fund revenue as commissioners seek to renegotiate a marina contract to bolster funds, though that may lead to litigation. The attorneys are preparing a roadmap to address many of the issues.
AdventHealth Executive Outlines Looming Healthcare Crisis and Innovations to Solve Florida Medical Shortages
Florida faces massive nursing and physician shortages and rising costs from uncompensated care, AdventHealth East Florida Division President Rob Deininger told the Flagler Tiger Bay Club Tuesday. But technological innovations like artificial intelligence and telemedicine offer potential relief, as does expanding home-based hospital programs. His conclusion: Collaborative state-level experimentation remains essential for fixing the broken national healthcare value proposition for everyone today.
Deputy City Manager Lauren Johnston Leaves Palm Coast For Top Operations Role At Flagler Schools
Palm Coast Deputy City Manager Lauren Johnston is moving to the Flagler County School District as the new chief of operations in place of Dave Freeman. Superintendent LaShakia Moore announced the appointment this morning alongside new Human Resources Director Joshua Walker. Johnston accepted a significant pay cut to improve her work-life balance. City Manager Michael McGlothlin plans to name an interim replacement within a week.
Trump’s Iran War Propaganda Is Turning Carnage Into a Gaming Spectacle of Apocalyptic Christian Nationalism
By Henry A. Giroux During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to be an antiwar candidate, boasting that, unlike his predecessors, he would end endless wars and keep the United States out of new military conflicts. Yet the trajectory of his presidency has unfolded in the opposite direction. From expanding military confrontations in the Caribbean […]
She Was in Labor at a Florida Hospital. Then She Was in Zoom Court for Refusing a C-Section.
Cherise Doyley faced a bedside judicial hearing during active labor after refusing a C-section at a Jacksonville hospital. Doctors cited uterine rupture risks, yet Doyley prioritized her autonomy and recovery concerns. The court eventually authorized emergency intervention without her consent in a case that highlights how fetal personhood policies can strip pregnant patients of constitutional rights, leading to forced medical treatments and controversial legal precedents.
19 Questions Regarding ICE Detention In Flagler Jail Reveal Significant Gaps In Public Information
The Flagler County jail is one of the state’s busiest holding facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collaborating with federal agencies in the Trump administration’s sweep of undocumented migrants. FlaglerLive submitted 19 questions to the Sheriff’s Office about the agency’s participation, costs and other issues related to the collaboration with ICE. Some questions were answered, others deferred to ICE, which did not respond.
Flagler County Sheriff Participation in Federal Immigration Sweeps Raises Questions About Local Taxpayer Costs
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says local taxpayers will be left bearing no burden for participation in federal immigration sweeps. Signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicate the county remains responsible for salaries, benefits, training and other costs, and neither the Sheriff’s Office nor federal agencies are providing specific financial data, including about the cost of housing migrants at the county jail as transparency remains elusive.
At Least 205 Migrants Have Been Detained at Flagler County Jail So Far This Year as Part of ICE Sweeps
At least 205 individuals arrested as part of the Trump administration sweep of undocumented migrants have been detained at the Flagler County jail so far this year, based on a day-by-day analysis of jail bookings by FlaglerLive. Records remain heavily redacted despite state public records laws. Local deputies now act as federal agents through the 287(g) program, with significant activity continuing daily. The jail reportedly offers better conditions than federal holding centers, but verification and transparency remain difficult to impossible.
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley Enthusiastic About Hiring Resigning County Administrator Heidi Petito For Senior Role
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito is negotiating a senior leadership role with Clerk of Court Tom Bexley, and both are eager to make it happen, they told FlaglerLive. The move follows Petito’s announcement of her resignation from the County Commission after 23 years of service. Petito now seeks to depart before her initial July 14 date, assuming commissioners grant the exit. This new position allows Petito to remain in public service within Flagler County.
Saturday in Byblos:
Wendell Berry’s Celebration of Old Jack’s Crusty Life
Wendell Berry’s 1974 novel explores the final day of Jack Beechum. The narrative drifts through decades of Kentucky history as Jack finds sanctuary in the land but remains alienated from the people on it or in his life. The prose reaches heights of elegiac beauty, occasionally descending into mawkish parody and didactic sneers as Berry maintains a tension between agrarian ideals and harsh judgment of urban progress and human failure. The novel is part of the Port William series.
25 Years of American Stupidity in the Middle East
Western and particularly American meddling in the Middle East represents a persistent cult of failure rooted in historical hubris. Leashed to Israel, Donald Trump is continuing the tradition by targeting Iran, a civilization far older and more resilient than the United States. The escalating stupidity is accelerating the American empire’s moral and financial bankruptcy while leaving behind a legacy of mass graves.
Florida Bill Banning Masking Identity of Law Enforcement and Immigration Agents Fails
Florida’s “Visible Act,” designed to ban masked law enforcement during immigration raids, has failed in the state legislature. Following fatal shootings by masked ICE agents in Minnesota, advocates like Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith argue for transparency. While Florida has historic anti-mask laws dating back to 1951 to combat the Ku Klux Klan, experts remain divided on whether these statutes can legally apply to federal officers.
Palm Coast’s Development Derangement Syndrome
Palm Coast often luxuriates in development derangement syndrome as residents of established communities and neighborhoods move to block new housing projects. This hypocrisy ignores that existing homes also replaced native wilds. Developers are not faultless. But Florida’s property tax system forces local governments to chase growth because homestead exemptions prevent existing residents from paying their fair share. Consequently, infrastructure decays while impact fees rise to subsidize the sprawl.
Flagler Cares And Local Radio Stations Join in Neighbors Helping Neighbors Help-A-Thon For Families in Crises
Flagler Broadcasting will host the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Help-A-Thon this Friday to raise $25,000 for the Flagler Cares Barrier Fund. The event, simulcast on four local stations, encourages businesses to donate in-kind services and funds to help residents overcome sudden life-derailing obstacles. By providing “hand up” assistance rather than permanent welfare, the initiative seeks to stabilize families and foster a self-sustaining local community.
Flager Cares Impact: How Care Coordination Helped a Person in Need Move From Silence to Connection
Flagler Cares provides essential one-on-one support to community members facing complex barriers. When a deaf client struggled to complete mandatory interviews for food assistance, a care coordinator facilitated the process through lip-reading and secured her benefits. The support extended further as the agency helped her obtain free assistive phone-captioning technology, restoring her independence and ensuring she remains connected to vital services and family.
R.J. Santore Beats Rick Belhumeur, Scott Spradley Is Re-Elected for Flagler Beach City Commission
Newcomer R.J. Santore and first-term incumbent Scott Spradley won today’s election to the Flagler Beach City Commission, both edging out Rick Belhumeur, who had served three terms in five tries, by a wide margin, and Santore finishing with the most votes.
Day Of Celebration In Palm Coast Honors Local Heroes And Demands Urgency For State Black History Museum
The Day of Celebration at Palm Coast United Methodist Church highlighted the urgent need for the Florida House to approve the Museum of Black History in St. Augustine. Local leaders honored figures like the late Jim Guines and the Seeking Insights for Solutions Group and were brought to their feet by a pair of young performers who brought Black history to life. Despite unanimous Senate support, the project remains stalled in the House, prompting calls for legislative action to preserve Florida’s heritage.
Facing A Toxic Environment, Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito Tenders Her Voluntary Resignation
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito is resigning after facing continuous criticism from the new County Commission majority. Despite surviving a recent termination attempt, Petito recognizes the deteriorated working relationships and is proposing a separation agreement, effective at the latest in mid-July. Petito would stay on to shepherd the county through budget season. Her departure follows the recent resignation of Deputy Administrator Percy Sayles, who cited a toxic work environment. The commission will review her voluntary resignation and severance package on Monday morning.
Flagler Beach Commission Finalizes Historic Annexation of Veranda Bay, Increasing City’s Size by Almost a Third
The Flagler Beach City Commission finalized the historic annexation of Veranda Bay Thursday night, after previously approving that of Summertown, expanding the city’s land mass by nearly a third. Passed in a 4-1 vote, the twin developments will add over 2,200 housing units and extensive commercial space in the coming decades. Despite prior opposition and threatened lawsuits from the county, the final approval proceeded smoothly with only minor public dissent currently remaining.
Flagler Beach’s $2.6 Million Beachwalk Project at the Pier Is Dead; City Returns $745,000 Grant to the County
Flagler Beach is officially abandoning its $2.6 million Beachwalk project, opting to return a $745,000 tourism grant after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection required a costly new dune system to proceed. The city will now simply refurbish the existing A-frame structure instead of expanding it. The returned grant money will most likely be reallocated to a field lights project located in Palm Coast.
Flagler School Board Members Clash Over Allowing Student Representatives to Participate in Discussions
The Flagler County School Board is divided over a proposed policy defining the official roles of its student representatives. While two members advocate for allowing students to actively participate in board discussions without voting power, two others argue student input should be strictly limited to prevent political “weaponization” and procedural issues. The district administration is revising the draft to reach an acceptable compromise.
Palm Coast Council Advances Key Charter Amendments on Vacancies, Borrowing Limits, and Disciplinary Powers
The Palm Coast City Council approved several charter amendments for the November ballot, prioritizing rules for filling council vacancies, updating borrowing limits, and defining disciplinary powers. Seeking to prevent voter fatigue, the council narrowed down recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. Key debates centered on the cost of special elections, candidate qualifying fees, and maintaining the majority-vote requirements to place these amendments before the voters.
Scott Spradley, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Scott Spradley is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
R.J. Santore, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
R.J. Santore is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
Rick Belhumeur, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Rick Belhumeur is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
Judge Grudgingly Grants City’s Emergency Delay in Home Builders’ Lawsuit Against Palm Coast Over Impact Fees
A circuit judge reluctantly granted Palm Coast an emergency delay in a critical lawsuit filed by the Home Builders Association over significantly increased development impact fees. The city requested the postponement after the builders submitted a second amended complaint, causing confusion over which document governed the proceedings. The HBA is concerned about financial cost of further delays, but the judge prioritized avoiding procedural errors that could lead to an appeal.
Palm Coast Council Defends Splash Pad Settlement that Fell $1.2 Million Short, Citing ‘Diminishing Returns’
Palm Coast City Council voted 5-0 to settle the remaining litigation over the defective Holland Park splash pad, recovering $2.375 million total. The settlement falls roughly $1.2 million short of the city’s repair costs and legal fees. Council members cited “diminishing returns” for ending the lawsuits, arguing that further legal action would risk costing taxpayers more than it would likely recover in additional damages.
Flagler County and City Near Deal to Avoid Annexation Lawsuit But for Last-Minute Conservation Demand on Developer
Flagler County and Flagler Beach have resolved most disputes regarding the Summertown and Veranda Bay annexations, likely averting a lawsuit. While infrastructure and utility issues are settled, a new conflict emerged over 153 acres of preservation land. The developer accused the county of an “outright taking” after officials demanded development restrictions, though arbitration remains a potential solution.