The media has been the enemy since the earliest days of the Republic. But to be an enemy in America is what all of us at one point or another have been or will be. It is an American responsibility. It’s proof of our beloved American citizenship.
Featured
Support for Obamacare Reaches Record, Putting Repeal-Minded Lawmakers In a Bind
Overall support for the health law ticked up to 48 percent in February, the highest point since shortly after it passed in 2010. That was a 5-point increase since the last poll in December.
Palm Coast Will Pay $10,000 to Air Mayor’s Weekly Radio Show; Council Was Not Informed
Mayor Milissa Holland and City Manager Jim Landon worked out the $10,000 proposal with WNZF Radio without discussions involving the rest of the council. Some council members are not pleased.
Elderly Man Injured in Attack by Pit Bull Mix At Palm Coast’s Canopy Walk Dies
James E. Bennett, 79, had been severely injured last Sunday and his 7-year-old Yorkshire killed Sunday in an attack by a Labrador-pit bull dog. He died of an apparent heart attack.
Flagler Beach, Palm Coast and Bunnell Restaurants Join Forces for Sunday’s Homeless Shelter Fundraiser
The fundraiser for Bunnell’s Sheltering Tree, in operating through volunteers since 2008, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church with the participation of numerous local restaurants.
At Belle Terre Elementary, 60 Readers Get In Black History Groove With Ellington, Tar Beach and Even Cops
Belle Terre Principal Terence Culver wanted to atone for ignoring Black History Month for five years by hosting a read-in featuring community leaders including the sheriff, many cops and firefighters, school board members, the Palm Coast mayor and many more.
Proposal to Kill Economic Agency and Trim Visit Florida Budget Clears House Committees
Palm Coast’s Rep. Paul Renner continued to defend the proposals, which would cut Visit Florida’s budget to $25 million, as the House bill heads for a floor vote in march, but still without viable Senate support.
Jury Finds Palm Coast’s John Schenone, 32, Guilty of Raping Girlfriend’s 11-Year-Old Daughter; Will Spend Life in Prison
John Schenone, 32, had been the father figure to the girl and her mother’s live-in boyfriend for six years in Palm Coast’s W-Section, but had been assaulting the girl for a year.
“I Slam-Dunked Her To the Ground,” Palm Coast Man Says of Woman in Road Rage Incident
Two Palm Coast residents dueled in a road-rage incident that started with mutual flipping near McDonald’s in Town Center, and ended with injuries and a jailing.
From Inside Charred Aftermath of Last Week’s 435-Acre Fire, A Cautionary Warning of Season Ahead
In a tour of the forest partly charred in last week’s fire south of Bunnell, Florida Forest Service officials cautioned of a fire season ahead they expect will be more active because of drought and higher temperatures.
Rep. Renner Takes Another Beating, This Time From Palm Coast Council Over Slew of Bills
The Palm Coast City Council excoriated Rep. Paul Renner over several bills he’s introduced, saying the proposals would hurt Florida Hospital Flagler and end the city’s ability to regulate local business, among others.
On the Sad Prospect of CFO Jeff Atwater, Rare Government Royalty, Leaving Tallahassee
It’s going to feel strange without Jeff Atwater’s steady hand and keen mind in the Florida Capitol, writes Nancy Smith of a the state’s Chief Financial Officer, who is resigning to take a post at Florida Atlantic University.
Council Endorses Raising Flagler’s Tourism Tax to 5% to Pay For Beach Repairs
The tourist sales surtax tax is applied to hotels, motels and short-term rentals, and would increase beach-restoration revenue to $2.25 million over the next three years.
Man Faces Felony Child Abuse Charge in Assault of Girl, 14, After Accosting Children at Bus Stop
A man who children say had been accosting them at their Palm Coast bus stop was later charged with child abuse after slapping a 14-year-old girl on the butt. An investigation revealed other concerns.
As Gov. Scott Touts Latest Increase in Tourists, Visit Florida Critics Still Pounce on Spending
Visit Florida received $78 million from lawmakers for the current fiscal year that ends June 30. The Sunshine State attracted 112.8 million tourists in 2016. He credited the 5.86 percent increase from the prior year.
Sanctuary Cities Brace For Trump Order Targeting Undocumented Immigrants for Deportation
Many cities, counties and college campuses nationwide are pledging to limit cooperation with immigration enforcers in the face of President Trump’s pledge to quickly deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants.
Congress Signals Opposition to Assisted Suicide; Proponents Fear State Laws in Jeopardy
A congressional committee voted to overturn an assisted-suicide measure in Washington, D.C., last week, signalling more willingness in Congress to possibly reverse more liberal state laws.
Protesters, True Patriots
Freedom for the thought we agree with is as cheap as a Facebook click on the like button. Freedom for the thought that we hate is what separate Americans from thuggery.
Spencer Sarmento Back in Jail on Aggravated Assault Charge Stemming from Gun Argument
Spencer Sarmento, the Mondex resident arrested 14 months ago for firing an assault weapon in the Mondex, was arrested again this morning after a confrontation in which his girlfriend refused to give him a gun.
1st Amendment Trumps 2nd: Court Says Doctors Have Right To Ask About Guns at Home
Major portions of a controversial Florida law restricting physicians and other health-care providers from asking patients about guns is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled.
Survey Gives You Chance To Tell Flagler School Board What You Want In Next Superintendent
As part of its search to replace Superintendent Jacob Oliva, the board is making an electronic survey available to residents, including school employees and students, and seeking as much participation as possible.
Florida House Moves to End Participation In Federal Refugee Resettlement Program
The bill sponsor acknowledged there is no evidence terrorists have used the refugee program to enter Florida and that the withdrawal wouldn’t halt the federal government from locating refugees in the state.
For Palm Coast Man, Repeated Arrests Over Guns and Alcohol, Then a Death at the Hospital
Theodore Vanbeveren, 61, had been at Florida Hospital Flagler for detox and had been cleared to be returned to the jail. Instead he had a heart attack and died, according to a sheriff’s report.
Lawmakers File Bill to Limits Testing Time in Schools and Speed Up Turnaround on Scores
The proposal would require the state’s language arts and math tests to be administered in the last three weeks of a school year, with the exception of the 3rd-grade reading exam.
250 to 300-Acre Fire, Largest Since 2011, Burning Uncontained in Old Haw Creek Area
County and state fire crews began battling the fire just before 3 p.m. The fire was still several miles from the nearest homes to the east but had grown rapidly.
Superwash Express Brings 40 Jobs to Heart of Palm Coast and Lava of Choices For Car Care
Superwash on Cypress Point Parkway held its grand opening last week, creating 40 new jobs, about 25 of them full-time, in a car town that seems to take to carwashes with zeal.
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell Officials May Face Stronger Financial Disclosure Requirements
Financial disclosure forms filed by elected city officials are cursory compared to the detailed forms filed by county and other officials. That may soon change as the Legislature considers extending the stricter requirements.
Palm Coast Community Center’s Walls Crash As Shovels Ordain Much Bigger Successor Building
Work crews put destruction on display at the old Palm Coast Community Center today, just after the city council marked the $7.8 million rebuilding and tripling of the site with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Flagler Beach Pier To Be Repaired and Opened By May 1, But More Concrete Plans in Its Future
The $918,000 contract will stabilize the Flagler Beach pier but will not restore the 160 feet it lost during Hurricane Matthew. That’ll be the long-term fix, which may entail pouring concrete.
Man Responsible for McDonald’s Armed Robbery on SR100 in Palm Coast Sought in 2nd Incident
Investigators believe the man who robbed the McDonald’s in Palm Coast on State Road 100 Saturday, wielding a silver blade, is the same man who robbed a CVS pharmacy in St. Augustine the next night.
In Flagler Beach, Scott Attacks Renner Over Tourism and Economic Development Programs
Gov. Rick Scott was in campaign mode in a visit to Flagler Beach Monday as he criticized Flagler’s Rep. Paul Renner, a fellow-Republican, for introducing a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
Europa Owner’s House Demolished in Evening Fire in Palm Coast’s C-Section
Marcella and Ambroz Ferrena, who own New Europa, the restaurant and lounge at European Village, were in their Palm Coast home by the canals late Sunday afternoon when they smelled smoke. It was a small fire in the garage that rapidly spread through the roof.
Renner Is Right: Kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, Twin Kleptos of Public Troth
Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are two tax-supported state agencies that act more like slush funds, wasting money behind secretive veils and returns on investment that have never lived up to the promise.
Travel Ban Sham By The Numbers: Trump Is Inventing Refugees’ Threat to National Security
Contrary to President Trump’s factually misleading claims, a rational evaluation of his travel ban indicates its measures would have virtually no effect on improving U.S. national security.
Transportation Secretary Pledges Possible Traffic Light or Other Fixes at Dangerous US 1 Intersection
The Florida Department of Transportation is considering a traffic light, speed limit reduction, rumble strips or even a roundabout at the intersection of US1 and Old Dixie Highway.
Woody’s Joe Rizzo Named Director of Flagler Education Foundation, Replacing Williams
Joe Rizzo, a Flagler native and part-owner of several local restaurants, will diminish his role there to take up the full-time job at the foundation, on whose board he’s served for eight years, one of them as president.
Judge Rules No Discrimination In Bakers’ Refusal to Call Gays “Abomination” on a Cake
A customer had accused an Orlando bakery of religious discrimination when the owners refused to make a cake with the words “Homosexuality is an abomination unto the Lord.”
School Board Adopts Hasty Plan to Hire Next Superintendent in Broad Search By May 2
The Flagler School Board Friday approved a want-ad and using the Florida School Board Association to lead the search, marginalizing what influence a local advisory committee may have and replicating the speedy process adopted three years ago.
Safety Study on Deadly White Eagle Lounge Intersection Was Issued 7 Weeks Ago: No Traffic Light or Speed Limit Recommendations
Some 207 crashes have been recorded in three years at or near US1 and Old Dixie Highway, but a state transportation department safety study issued in December recommended only cosmetic changes.
Flagler Beach Is Proposing Draconian Restrictions and Prohibitions on Drones
Flagler Beach would even further than an Orlando ordinance that just passed, banning drones over public buildings, parks, assemblies and other places absent permission from the city.
Against Counsel: House Panel Backs Term Limits for Supreme Court and Appeals Judges
The proposal would revamp a decades-old system in which Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges do not face term limits — though they are required to go before voters every six years for merit-retention.
When There Almost Was a Bowling Green Massacre — By a White Supremacist
The case of Richard Schmidt in Bowling Green, Ohio, deserves an important place in any debate about what is real and what is fake, what gets reported on by the news media and what doesn’t.
Local Governments Nursing Headaches Over Legalized Pot as Health Department Holds Hearing Across Florida
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell and County government joined two dozen counties and four dozen cities in enacting moratoriums temporarily banning medical marijuana dispensaries.
Recurring Offender Richard Westervelt Again Arrested After Chase in Mondex
Richard Westervelt has 11 bookings at the Flagler County jail since 2010, on charges that include battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding, illegally firing weapons and resisting arrest.
Palm Coast’s Jim Landon Gets 4% Pay Hike, Raising Total Compensation to $226,700
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously endorsed the $6,700 pay raise but limited annual automatic increases to 1 percent through 2021, and set aside concerns over Landon’s very generous severance package.
Flagler County May Be Out $2 Million as FEMA and State Deny Hurricane Reimbursements
FEMA denied $1.1 million in Flagler claims for debris pick-up, the state is not providing a match the county expected, and the county has yet to hear on millions more in claims to FEMA.
Never Gone, Barbara Revels Reemerges in Appointment to Economic Advisory Board She Launched
The County Commission appointed Ex-County Commissioner Barbara Revels to the Economic Opportunity Advisory Board on a 4-1 vote, with her opponent, Dave Sullivan, casting a vote for Jason DeLorenzo.
Five People Killed, 3 Hurt in 3-Vehicle Crash at White Eagle’s US1 Intersection With Old Dixie; Deadliest Crash in 6 Years
Five people were killed in a three-vehicle crash late this morning (Feb. 5) at the notoriously dangerous intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1, by the White Eagle lounge, in Korona.
Proposal to Require Unanimity from Florida Juries in Death Penalty Cases Advances
But efforts to broaden the legislation to address other issues involved in a series of court rulings that prompted this year’s measure appear, at least for now, to be doomed.
Commissioners Uneasy With Flagler’s Bail-Out of Agriculture Museum and New 400-Acre Park
Flagler County government would pay off an $185,000 museum mortgage and grant it $25,000 a year while acquiring more than 400 acres of the museum’s land, calling it an “extension” of Princess Place Preserve.