John Fischer is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
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Janet McDonald, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Janet McDonald is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
As Quarantine Costs Reach $5,000, Dangerous Dog Cooper Bites 3rd Victim–and Owner Attempts Hush-Up
The incident took place last week when Cooper the dog escaped its kennel and bit a Flagler Humane Society staffer before the dog’s owner took control–and asked the staffer not to say anything.
Palm Coast Manager’s Power-Play Mucks Up Donation of Truck to FPC’s Fire Academy, Ignoring County’s Role
What should have been a feel-good donation of a fire engine to FPC’s popular Fire Academy turned into a turf war after Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon ignored the county fire department’s role in the academy.
Man, 79, Turns Himself In at Flagler Jail on Scam Warrant. It’s 6 Hours Before Deputies Figure It Out and Release Him.
Alphonso Perry was made to wait for 2 hours in a lobby and 4 hours in a holding cell before detention deputies got to his file and figured out he did not belong at the county jail.
Dr. Fruehan Will Surrender License, Quitting Medicine in Face of Allegation of Sexual Improprieties With Patient
Palm Coast physician Florence Fruehan will surrender his license ahead of the conclusion of a state investigation into allegations that he groped a female patient. He is also under local sheriff’s investigation.
New Review ‘Rejects’ Report Finding Sheriff’s Building Safe But Also Lays Out Steps To Re-Occupancy
Sheriff Rick Staly asked retired scientist Robert Sweeney to review previous reports on mold testing at the Operations Center, judge the work’s quality and make recommendations.
Matanzas High Launches Law and Justice Flagship, Giving Students Bridge to Cop and Legal Careers
For Matanzas, whose students often toil in the shadow of FPC, the Law and Justice flagship may right the balance with a program of equal standing with FPC’s fire academy.
Sheriff Says If It’s Up To Him, ‘I Will Be Advocating That We Never Reoccupy The Operations Center’
Sheriff Rick Staly made the startling statement in response to Commission Chairman Greg Hansen saying the decision to reoccupy will be left entirely up to Staly. But Hansen was speaking out of turn.
Judge Orders Proposed Amendment on Charter Schools Off the Ballot, But Appeal Likely
The provision in question would have allowed the state to operate and control public schools “not established by the school board,” wording that could have yielded oversight to private companies.
Once Reviled, Bunnell Bypass’ New Direction Gets Eager Support as Economic Engine
The Flagler County Commission approved an application for an $8 million grant that would build a bypass around south Bunnell, seen as an economic development engine.
Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin Sales Pitch Downplayed Risks Of Opioid Addiction
More than 1,500 pending civil lawsuits, filed mostly by state and local governments, allege that deceptive marketing claims helped fuel a national epidemic of opioid addiction and thousands of overdose deaths.
Four Republicans Vying to Replace Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner Battle Lack of Recognition
The Aug. 28 Republican primary for agriculture commissioner has featured some sniping over issues such as campaign money and Second Amendment support, with the sparring mostly occurring between state Rep. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Sen. Denise Grimsley of Sebring.
Suspect Pulls Gun on Deputy Duenas, Who For 2nd Time in 9 Months Shows Grit and Restraint
Flagler Sheriff’s deputy Jonathon Duenas Wednesday evening was confronted with a man with a gun and immediately disarmed him, the second time in nine months Duenas faced a deadly situation he defused without harm.
Abby Romaine-Greg Hansen Debate Collapses Amid Muddy Accusations and Unanswered Questions
Incumbent Greg Hansen had agreed to County Commission candidate Abby Romaine’s debate proposal only to pull out, making accusations she says are baseless as a race turns an ugly form of silly.
Gwen Graham’s Bid for Governor Tries to Make History But a Legacy Can Be Double-Edged
Gwen Graham, a former one-term member of Congress, could make history this fall by being elected Florida’s first female governor and the first child of a governor to serve in the state’s top job.
In Second Attempt, Bunnell Commission Will Interview 4 Candidates for City Manager
In Bunnell’s latest round of interviews, candidates include one from Iowa, one from Massachusetts, and two from Florida. Interviews are slated for Monday and Tuesday.
22 of Florida’s 67 School Districts Are Using Armed Personnel as “Guardians” to Comply With Law
The guardian program approved by lawmakers has been controversial, with most districts, including Flagler County, rejecting the idea of training school personnel to be armed.
Flagler’s Elections Supervisor Urges Confidence in Voting System: Your Ballot Won’t Be Hacked
Flagler County Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart outlines the latest measures to make the county’s election system hack-proof and challenges voters to turn out and cast a ballot.
In Two Days in Flagler, Two Overdoses, Three Incidents With Opioids, One Involving a 1-Year-Old
A 48-hour period in Flagler and Palm Coast saw the varied aspects of opioids’ effects–in overdoses, in arrests, in court–pointing to signs of an epidemic’s spread.
Florida Hospital Flagler Will Change Name to AdventHealth Palm Coast in Companywide Rebranding
The change to AdventHealth Palm Coast, by Jan. 2, is part of a company-wide rebranding across all 47 Adventist Health System hospitals and dozens of other facilities in nine states.
Schools Are Safer Than Your Home
We’re making fortresses of the safest places in America, out of fear that one of those 120,000 schools might at some point be the target of a shooting.
In Governor’s Race, Democrats Push For Expanded Health Coverage For Floridians
Democratic candidates s are accentuating a split with Republicans in a campaign where health care has become one of the touchstone issues.
Only 6 New Names After Bunnell Re-Opened Call For City Manager Applicants
The Bunnell City Commission this evening will again select a new batch of candidates to interview for city manager after its previous attempt last month fell short.
From Slinging Possums To Age Discrimination, Florida’s Silly Season Turns Toxic
The weeks leading up to elections are sometimes known as the “silly season,” but on numerous fronts in the Sunshine State, “the nasty season” seems a more fitting label.
Kay Jewelers in Palm Coast’s Target Shopping Center Is Robbed, Search Ongoing
Kay Jewelers in Palm Coast’s Town Center was the target of a robbery this evening. The assailants are at large. No injuries were reported. The robbery was reported at around 7:45 p.m. According to Anna Hackett, a Flagler County Sheriff’s spokesperson, two black males who appeared to be in their early 20s entered the store […]
Residents Largely Opposed, But Construction For 2 Roundabouts on US 1 Slated For 2019
State officials unveiled plans Thursday for a $2.2 million roundabout at Matanzas Woods Parkway and U.S. 1, with construction starting next summer. Another roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway begins construction sooner.
Chris Lawhon, 30, Is Found Dead Along Biking Trail in the Hammock
Christopher Lee Lawhon, 30, last of 48 North Coral Reef Court in Palm Coast, was found dead by a biker on the Hammock trail the evening of Aug. 6. No foul play is suspected.
Spurred By Latest Dubious Shooting, Calls For Stand Your Ground Repeal Hit Capitol
The July 19 shooting death of Markeis McGlockton, with his three young children nearby at a Circle K in Pinellas County is prompting the latest calls to repeal the 2005 law.
CDC Experts Will Examine Sheriff’s Operations Center and Meet With Employees
After three weeks of seeming inaction on the troubled Sheriff’s Operations Center, the county has agreed to a two-day site visit from CDC experts in occupational safety and health issues.
A Day Before School Starts, FPC Principal Dusty Sims Announces He’s Leaving District For
State Education Job
Dusty Sims, the popular and charismatic principal at Flagler Palm Coast High School since 2015, is leaving the school for a state Department of Education job, overseeing failing schools.
At Parkland Massacre Commission, Lessons of Columbine Compete With Tragic Repetitions
Security enhancements include more active-shooter drills, upgraded cameras with a central monitoring system and single-point entries for visitors.
Flagler Approves $227,500 in Tourism Spending, Including $150,000 for Marina
The grants were part of the annual county tourism bureau’s funding round and are designed to enhance tourism and the visitor count in the county.
New Back To School Normal For Flagler School Employees: How To Deal With a Mass Killer
The Flagler Auditorium today filled with 1,000 faculty members for “active shooter” or “incident survival” training through a vivid, disquieting presentation by Sheriff’s officials.
Court Ruling With Broad Implications Throws Out Limits on Medical Pot Operators
The cap on the number of medical marijuana operators “directly contradicts the amendment,” Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ruled in an eight-page order.
Grim Flagler Milestone in 2017: Most Suicides In County’s History, Highest Rate in Florida
There were 31 suicides in Flagler-Palm Coast in 2017, five more than the previous high, a third of them affecting people 45 to 54. The county’s rate is significantly higher than the average in states most severely affected by suicide.
FlaglerLive Wins 1st Place For Court Reporting In Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine State Awards
FlaglerLive was awarded the courtroom honor for a series of articles written to give readers a front-row seat in the courtroom, reflecting proceedings with analytical and vivid detail and accessible narratives of the legal context.
Sheriff Staly and 2 Deputies Pull Guns on Suspects at End of I-95 Chase That Reached 100 MPH
Tavarius Stokes, 23, had allegedly pulled a gun on the mother of his child in Bunnell and was wanted on a warrant when Sheriff Rick Staly joined the chase and was part of apprehending Stokes and another man today.
Democratic or Republican, Florida’s Candidates For Governor Say What Voters Want To Hear on Environment
Candidates’ solutions are mostly general and vary on how to keep up with the state’s growing population and businesses while keeping springs and rivers clean from the Panhandle to the Everglades.
Florida’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide (No Electronics)
Florida’s sales tax holiday on school supplies, clothing, shoes and other select accessories is this weekend–starting at a minute after midnight Friday, Aug. 3, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 5.
Judge Throws Dog Racing Ban Off November Ballot, Calling It “Outright Trickeration”
“Contrary to the words presented for consideration by the voters, the amendment would not end dog racing, nor would it eliminate wagering on dog racing,” the judge wrote.
In Rebuke to Palm Coast Council and Public, Landon Fends Off Request For More Timely Information
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland wants Manager Jim Landon to make council meeting materials to council and public sooner than on meeting days. Landon’s stunning answer: don’t bet on it.
County Employee Faces Termination After Accessing Judges’ Secure Area To Complain About His Case
Gerald Pikaard, a 61-year-old trades worker, used his county-issued ID badge to access the chambers of County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens and her assistant to complain about his DUI case’s disposition.
Amazon’s Deceptive Bargain With Local Government Purchasing–at Local Business’ Expense
Amazon’s bid to dominate local government purchasing has gone under the radar. IKt’s appealing on the surface, but could make it harder for agencies to buy from local vendors.
Canadian Firm Poised to Light Up Florida Marijuana Market in $93 Million Deal
A Canadian love-fest for Florida pot companies continues to blossom with a $93 million deal that includes a Ruskin-based grower yet to begin selling marijuana products.
Palm Coast Would Raise Water and Sewer Rates 20.6% Over the Next 4 Years
The average monthly residential bill for water and sewer is $65.76. It would rise to $79.33 by 2022, when the average annual bill will be $163 higher than it is now.
Dog Racing Ban, On November Ballot, Gets a Boost From Doris Day
The Doris Day Animal League made a $1.5 million contribution to the Committee to Protect Dogs, backing Amendment 13, which appears on Florida ballots this fall.
A Body Is Found in Intracoastal Search For Matthew Otis, 20, Who’d Disappeared Off a Boat on Sunday
Matthew Otis, 20, of Palm Coast, was lost in the Intracoastal around 6:30 Sunday evening as he and friends were boating and tubing on the water.
Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine”
An investigation of police reports and call logs from more than two-thirds of the shelters housing immigrant children provides a snapshot of what has largely been kept from the public as well as members of Congress.
For FPC Student-Athlete Allen Roberson, 16, A Summer Battling a Rare Brain Tumor And Aiming For Next Run
Allen Roberson, an honors student and a runner at FPC, went through complicated surgeries on July 3 and 12 and has been mending through radiation and chemotherapy since.