Dominic Neeley Jr., 21, was arrested at his home at 41 Peppercorn Lane in Palm Coast in early evening Sunday after a chase triggered by an alleged murder of a man and the shooting of a woman in Daytona Beach within the same hour.
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Health Savings Accounts Gain GOP Favor as Obamacare Sub; Gimmickry May Hurt Most
Expanding the use of such accounts, greatly favored by Wall Street, is part of almost every GOP replacement plan under consideration on Capitol Hill. But less well off people and the sick would not likely benefit.
Don’t Play Into Trump’s Hands on the Muslim Ban
Dina El-Rifai, a Muslim woman, writes of being terrified, heartbroken, and outraged by Donald Trump’s “Muslim ban.” But, she notes, The Obama administration’s wars were often justified through the demonization and dehumanization of Muslims.
Prosecution Puts Kim Weeks’s Lawyers on Defensive After Arguing She Must Testify
The prosecution today questioned whether Kimberle Weeks had standing to challenge the validity of the search warrant that uncovered all the evidence against her. Her defense was shaken up by the ploy.
Kim Weeks’s Lawyers Seek to End Case Against Ex-Supervisor In Double-Barreled Attack
Lawyers for ex-Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks spent much of today arguing before a judge two motions that would, if successful, end the nearly two-year-old felony case. Weeks is accused of making illegal recordings.
Behind Woman’s Suicide in Flagler Beach, Despair and a Last Evening With Caring Strangers
Janis Washburn, the 68-year-old Palm Coast resident found dead in the Intracoastal last week, had spent the last three hours of her life with a group of strangers who took her in to cheer her up. She had long spoken of suicide.
Tax Collector’s New Branch Office in Flagler Beach Compelled By Rising Traffic–and Guns
The new tax collector’s branch at the Food Lion shopping center in Flagler Beach will be the exclusive location for the boom in concealed weapons permitting, and possibly a commercial seed for the long-moribund Flagler Square.
Divided School Board Blocks Internal Hire of Next Superintendent, Opting for Fast Search
In a 3-2 split, Flagler School Board members opted against cutting short the search for Superintendent Jacob Oliva with an immediate, internal hire despite the risks of an expedited, broader search to fill the position by June 1.
Cops’ Dash-Cam Video Evidence Gets Big Boost in 5-2 Ruling By Florida Supreme Court
“We cannot expect officers to retain information as if he or she were a computer,” the court ruled, granting power to judges to review video evidence when available.
Tased and Detained, Felon 10 Times Over Escapes from Cop’s Car Before Chase and Arrest
George Garland Wood, 31, of Bunnell, led cops on a chase after he was tased and after he managed to escape from a patrol car. He faces a half dozen charges, all but one felonies.
Town Center Developer Palm Coast Holdings Will Close By March and Sell Assets
The decision was made recently and unexpectedly by Palm Coast Holding’s parent company, Allete Properties of Duluth, Minn. Seven employees will be affected.
At Staly’s Sheriff’s Office, Deputies Speak of “Concerted Effort” to Raise Morale and Profile
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies contacted independently of the sheriff’s own public relations efforts say the improved morale and more commanding leadership is sincere, though the changes are less fundamental than about attitudes.
Palm Coast Council Favors $6,800 Raise for Manager Landon, and Automatic Increases
Vying for a raise for the third time in 10 months, Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon appears to have convinced a new council to award him a 4 percent raise and build in automatic annual raises absent intervention by the council.
As Gov. Scott Announces His Budget, His Math Doesn’t Match Lawmakers’
Scott’s $2.8 billion surplus estimate makes some unlikely assumptions about how lawmakers will act when they return to the Capitol for the legislative session that begins March 7.
Different Kind of Home Intrusion in Hammock: Intruder Apologizes (But Is Arrested)
Benjamin Wytiaz, a man with a long arrest record in three other counties, startled a Hammock woman in her home as she was getting out of the bathroom, and was later arrested. He said he was looking for a place to sleep.
Federal Judge Dubious of Florida Law Requiring Abortion Counselors To Register
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle repeatedly challenged an attorney fpor Attorney general Pam Bondi over the seemingly prosecutorial intent of the law, which penalizes those who don’t register.
Olando Ellis, 63, Killed on I-95 Near Matanzas Exit When Semi Slams His Stalled Mercedes
Olando Ellis’s car had stalled in the right-most southbound lane and lost all power and lights. He’d called 911 for help, then was struck and killed by the truck.
Trump Order Blocks 500,000 Legal U.S. Residents from Returning to America
In banning newcomers from seven countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days, the president has used language that will affect those who are in the U.S. already on visas and green cards.
President Fake
We’ve been worried about fake news from all the wrong places. The most promiscuous peddler of fake news is the president himself, Donald J. Trump. That’s dangerous for media, for America and for democracy.
Ethics Panel Ratifies $4,500 Fine Against Barbara Revels in Closing Blur on Distinguished Service
The fine and public censure bookend Barbara Revels’s eight years of public service as a member of the Flagler County Commission, where she had been its most effective member and most skillful parliamentarian.
In Flagler Again, Gov. Scott Issues $15.8 Million For Beach Fix in 4 Counties, $5.4M for Flagler
The $15.8 million is not necessarily new money but includes at least $5.3 million Flagler County has been lobbying for to rebuild dunes. Gov. Scott made the announcement at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park’s beach.
Flagler Beach Approves $40 Million State Plan to Rebuild Dunes, With Sea Wall at City’s North End
In a surprising shift, Flagler Beach City Commissioners agreed to a state plan to build a sea wall at the city’s north end in exchange for a beach management plan the state would pay for.
County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin Apologizes to Flagler Beach Officials Over Interference
Commissioner Nate McLaughlin apologized in person to Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom and City Commissioners Jane Mealy and Marshall Shupe over comments he claimed were misconstrued.
Gov. Scott Visiting With Flagler Commissioners Friday But County Keeps Meeting Veiled
As has been the case with previous such visits, the Flagler County administration did not send out notices about the governor’s visit to the county Friday, morning, his fourth since Hurricane Matthew struck.
Flagler Youth Orchestra Performs History of Music in 16 Chapters Saturday in Palm Coast
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s most advanced ensemble will perform the tour de force at Palm Coast United Methodist Church’s Concert Series at 4 p.m. Saturday. It’s free.
Woman Stabs Husband in Self-Defense Near Dead Lake; He Faces Four Felony Counts
Earnest E. Thomas, 27, was allegedly stabbed by his wife in a confrontation in front of their young children but had been allegedly assaulting, strangling and imprisoning her, and was charged with four felony counts.
Why Is the County Chairman Meddling in Flagler Beach’s Business, and Why Was Flagler Beach’s Manager Job-Hunting in Bunnell?
Flagler Beach officials were perplexed and angered by County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin’s apparent interference in their city manager’s–and their city’s–business at a time when county and city are trying to work out difficult issues.
House Panel Votes 13-1 to Ban Red-Light Cameras by 2020, But We’ve Been Here Before
State data showing increased crashes at red-light camera intersections adds momentum to the Florida’s latest effort to ban the cameras, but similar attempts have failed in the Senate before.
Oil and Gas Lobby Fumes as Lawmakers Push for Total Fracking Ban in Florida
The proposal to ban fracking follows a heavy debate during the 2016 session about a measure that would have created a regulatory framework for fracking in the state. Flagler County passed a resolution asking for a ban.
Red Light Blown, 2 Seriously Hurt in T-Bone Crash on Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre
A pre-dawn t-bone crash on Palm Coast Parkway–the second in nine days–sent two drivers to the hospital with serious injuries and resulted in a mangled delivery truck and a pick-up truck in a ditch.
Proposal to Shift “Stand Your Ground” Burden of Proof to Prosecutors Advances
The measure would shift the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors during pre-trial evidentiary hearings in “stand your ground” cases.
Rebecca DeLorenzo Resigns Flagler Chamber Presidency to Head Red Cross Chapter
Flagler Chamber officials say DeLorenzo’s resignation is an opportunity for the chamber to rethink its direction, including what staffing will be needed. The chamber had employed seven, down from 13 four years ago.
Rift Opens Between County and Flagler Beach Over Dunes Fix; County Depletes TDC Fund
Flagler County commissioners agreed today to deplete a $1.5 million fund for beach management as part of a match to draw down state dollars, but none of the money would benefit Flagler Beach, angering officials there.
Greg Hansen Sworn-In, Completing Historic Republican Sweep of County Commission
Greg Hansen will fill the 22 months remaining on the term of the late Frank Meeker, a Republican who was often at war with the brand of local Republicans Hansen sympathizes with.
Fourth Fatality in 8 Days On Palm Coast Parkway as 60-Year-Old Beverly Campbell Dies
Beverly Ann Campbell, 60, had stopped near Florida Park Drive after her van struck a deer, and was rear-ended by 79-year-old Frank Mannarino, who told authorities Campbell’s van did not have its lights on.
Senate Bill Proposes Less Restrictive Approach to Florida’s Medical Marijuana Regulations
Under Sen. Rob Bradley’s bill, the state would add 20 marijuana operators, eliminate the minimum 90-day treatment before doctors can prescribe marijuana, and extend allowances to 90-day supplies for patients.
All Storm Warnings and Watches Cancelled: “We’ve Dodged A Couple of Real Big Bullet”
Much of Palm Coast and Flagler County have a 30 percent chance of experiencing a tornado, as half the county is in a high-risk zone for very severe weather Sunday evening. The weather system spawned tornadoes across the Deep South, killing at least 15 people so far.
Trump Promised to Resign From His Companies. There’s No Record He’s Done So.
To transfer control of his companies, the president has to submit filings in Florida, Delaware and New York. That has not happened.
You’ll Miss Him
At noon today the world ended as the sound of seven trumpets was replaced by the words “I, Donald John Trump…” Until then it was a fairly good run. An excellent run, in retrospect, considering what we’re losing.
City Rep Theatre Inaugurates “Next to Normal,” a Musical on the Theme of Bipolar Disorder
“Next to Normal” debuted Off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Score. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009 and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning three.
Alleged Roma Court Academy Burglar Arrested, Had Left Home Over Stringent Rules
Markell Peck, 21, told the sheriff’s office he was in and out of Roma Court Academy for several days over the holidays because he wouldn’t stay at his mother’s place.
Resurgence: Georgia O’Keeffe, Chief Two Moons and a Jewish-Native American Connection
“Resurgence: Southwest Native Americans in Literature & Art” is a two-day event at Ocean Art Gallery, 206 Moody Blvd. (S.R. 100), Flagler Beach, Florida. The Native American paintings of Rachel Thompson will be on display and the artist will give a talk during a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Continuing Year-Long See-Saw, Flagler Unemployment Dips Back Down to 5.4%
For the past 13 months, Flagler County’s unemployment rate has been stuck within in narrow band in the mid-5.5 percent range, bottoming out at 4.9 percent last May and peaking at 5.7 percent three times along the way.
5 Years in Prison for Rebecca Lawless in DUI Death of Diane Upton in SR100 Crash
The five-year sentence is less than half the minimum required by law, but the judge agreed to the plea because Upton’s family, showing mercy, did not want Lawless more severely punished.
Short-Listed For High-Tech Finance Company’s 250 Jobs, Flagler Seeks $500,000 in Incentives
Flagler County government is making its most expensive pitch to attract 250 jobs, a high-tech finance company based in the Northeast and looking to expand either in Florida or Georgia.
Why Are Flagler Schools Talking Rezoning Despite 2,000 Empty Seats? One Word: Choice
Old Kings and Belle Terre elementaries are overcapacity because they’ve allowed too many out-of-zone students to enroll. Some Board members want limits on such “choice” enrollments before rezoning takes place.
2016 Sets Global Heat Record For 3rd Straight Year, Raising Alarms of Irreparable Threats
Central Florida felt the heat: Orlando’s temperature average for 2016 was 1.80 degrees above normal in 2016. From late November through December, it was 5, 6 and 7 degrees above normal day after day.
School Board’s 1st Step in Replacing Jacob Oliva: Figuring Out How Broad of a Search
The Flagler School Board wants to hear from the state board association whether it should seek help through that route, though it intends to appoint a local citizen’s search committee as well.
Stringent Rules By Florida Health Department Would Circumvent Medical Pot Amendment
The proposed rules would maintain current vendors’ stranglehold on the medical marijuana industry and give authority to the Florida Board of Medicine, not individual doctors, to decide which patients qualify for marijuana treatment.
Palm Coast’s New Founders:
Steven Nobile’s Multi-Generational Vision
Inspired by the muti-generational households he knew in Brooklyn, N.Y., Councilman Steven Nobile sees a Palm Coast where young families raise children, have plenty of work opportunities, and retire all in place.