Derision, racism, default and brutality are strange ways to go about making America great again. Let’s hope for the GOP’s sake and everyone else’s that Republicans have the clarity not to fall for Trump’s latest reality show.
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2 Teens Among Four Killed, 3 Injured, “Multiple Ejections” in I-95 Wreck Just South of Flagler-St. Johns County Line
The year’s deadliest crash in Flagler County killed four people and injured several just after 2 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95.
Housing Restrictions on Sex Offenders Spread Even as Evidence Shows They Don’t Work
The restrictions can make offenders’ lives less stable by severely limiting their housing options, and can push them away from family, jobs and social support — all of which make it more likely they will abuse again.
Frequent-Flying Miscreants Bill Westervelt And Jerry Falls Back in Jail on Grand Theft
William Westervelt and Jerry Falls, among the most frequent inmates at the Flagler jail, now faces charges of grand theft, burglary and dealing in stolen property, the latest of dozens of charges between them going back a few years.
Behind Palm Coast’s Inspired Mic, A King With Nine Lives Defies Dreads, Death and Taboos
After a hiatus The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s most daring and unpredictable open mic event, returned to the New Europa under the direction of Michael Ray King, who organizes the monthly event with a light touch, himself inspired by a personal history of harrowing survival.
Suicide, Now 2nd-Leading Cause of Death for Young Floridians, Seen as Public Health Threat
While suicide is increasing for nearly every age group, it’s now the second-leading cause of death for Floridians aged 25 to 34, according to the state Department of Health Vital Statistics, and the third-leading cause of death among youths aged 10 to 24.
Volusia County Wants Out Of the Next Bear Hunt
The Volusia County Council on Thursday unanimously approved a “symbolic” resolution urging the commission to reinstate a prohibition on hunting Florida black bears.
On Eric Drive, No Recourse After a Dog Is Maimed in Hit-and-Run and Near-Miss for Owner
Angela diBella was walking her two dogs on April 28 in the E Section when an oblivious driver car struck her 10-year-old Shih Tsu, which had to be euthanized less than 90 minutes later. There are no penalties for drivers’ negligence in such cases.
Bogosian’s “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” at CRT: The Frightening Drift of American Life, Updated
Those who see the show at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre will find themselves in very recognizably angry American territory even though the play was written in 1990.
Three Candidates for Elections Supervisor Offer More Strengths Than Differences
The three candidates for elections supervisor–Kaiti Lenhart, Abra Seay and Kimble Medley–had their first chance to distinguish themselves before voters this evening in a 60-minute forum that featured more qualities between them than anything else, and no abrasiveness.
Florida Republicans Try to Come to Terms With The Donald, #NeverTrump Notwithstanding
Shortly after Trump’s victory Tuesday, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia issued a statement calling on the party to get over a contentious primary that once included U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
A Lockdown in Putnam Ripples to Anger in Palm Coast and a Man’s Arrest in Shooting
Gregory J. Marr was arrested after shooting his gun in the canal off Chelsea Court in Palm Coast and allegedly pointing it at his wife, whom he’d been unable to reach after a murder at her health care facility triggered a lockdown.
Flagler Auditorium Sees $500,000 Grant As 1st Step to $5 Million Capital Makeover
The Flagler Auditorium is in line to get five successive $500,000 grants that the auditorium board and the district would match, enabling the transformation of the 25-year-old facility, including a lobby three times bigger than its current size.
Flagler Schools Seeks to Be 1st in Florida To Use Concussion-Alert Football Helmets District-Wide
The helmets, which would cost $500 each, would alert coaches and trainers in real time of the severity of collisions players sustain to the head, enabling trainers to more readily take precautions against concussions.
Flagler County Quietly Scraps Plan for 3 New Emergency Communications Towers, For Now
After the Flagler County Commission voted down a planned 350-foot tower on John Anderson Highway, NexTower, which would have built three towers, pulled out of the deal entirely, returning the county’s planning for its emergency infrastructure’s backbone to close to near zero.
Speculation of Donald Trump-Rick Scott Ticket Increases As Governor Tours Nation
Trump encouraged the rumors when he praised three governors as possible contenders–Rick Scott, Chris Christie and John Kasich. Scott has kept up a rigorous travel schedule to raise his national profile.
Flagler Firefighter Among Targets of Car Thieves and Burglars in Palm Coast’s R and P’s
Palm Coast’s R and P Sections were the target of four car thefts and almost a dozen burglaries between Sunday and Monday, including two vehicles at the address of a Flagler County Fire Rescue lieutenant.
County Floats Consolidation of Fire Services And Finally Agree to Meet With Palm Coast
At a long-awaited workshop this afternoon Flagler County responded to Palm Coast’s pressing for a new way to deliver ambulance services, but by countering with a proposal the city is not likely to approve in any way.
Its Elections Equipment “Old Enough to Vote,” County Approves $545,000 For New Machines
The new voting machines will not be in use before the 2018 municipal elections, however, as the supervisor of elections office will need time to train its workers and conduct some voter education first.
Jacksonville Symphony Plays to Palm Coast Arts Foundation Overture, 12 Years in Making
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra played to close to 1,200 people Sunday evening at the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s new home in Town Center, an audience as rich in stories as the music.
Trump’s Dangerous America First Campaign
Trump holds his own supporters in the greatest contempt as he stokes and manipulates their rage, rooted in frustration with stagnant wages and fear of the unknown. Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric has helped to take fears to the next level.
A New Way to Keep an Eye on Who Represents You in Congress
The project adds pages for each elected official, where you can find their latest votes, legislation they support and statistics about their voting. As we move forward we want to add much more data to help you understand how your elected officials represent you, the incentives that drive them and the issues they care about.
Flagler’s Emergency Operations Center at 10 Years: A Few Fires, 5 Managers, Zero Hurricanes
The Emergency Operations Center was part of a $90 million public building spree at the height of the housing boom, just before it all crashed. The center has yet to know its first hurricane emergency, though it’s helped the county through several fire and major storm emergencies.
Citing Disrespect, Flagler Beach Emphatically Tells A1A Group To Stick Its Signs Elsewhere
The city commission, following up on overwhelming public opposition to the signs, voted 5-0 to refuse all Scenic A1A signs in the city after the scenic group neither involved the city nor respected its wishes to limit the signs to four.
No, Pat Mooney, Immigrants Aren’t Cattle
Republican candidate Pat Mooney, running for the congressional seat that includes Flagler, managed to compare all Syrians to terrorists, all tourists and immigrants to cattle, and called for foreigners to be “chipped” and tracked the moment they enter the country.
For Triumphant Palm Coast Arts Foundation, A Symphonic Homecoming in the Key of Bold
It’ll be the end of a triumphal journey for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation when the Jacksonville Symphony performs its pops concert Sunday before a record crowd of 1,200 in Town Center.
Lawmakers Are Reducing Florida’s Public Schools To Factories of Failure and Inequity
Time to take a good look at whether the changes we’ve endured — mass privatization, real-dollar funding decreases, high-stakes testing, and loss of local school board authority — gets us closer to carrying out our constitutional duty to our children.
As Trial Is Set In 65-Year-Old’s Alleged Sex Assaults of Girl, 13, Some Evidence in Limbo
Robert Zetrouer, 65, faces three 2nd-degree felony counts in the sex assaults of the 13-year-old daughter of his then girlfriend in Palm Coast, but lawyers agreed to possibly exclude some testimony involving the girl’s brother in the early portion of the trial, set for July 18.
In a Blow to Business, Supreme Court Bans Workers Comp Limits on Attorney’s Fees
The ruling stemmed from a case in which an attorney was awarded the equivalent of $1.53 an hour in successfully pursuing a claim for benefits for a worker injured in Miami.
Palm Coast Man Accused of Slamming 4 Year Old to Ground Is Committed to State Hospital
A judge today determined Christopher Williams, 22, incompetent to stand trial just yet, but his commitment to a psychiatric hospital may be temporary. The judge will reevaluate his condition at an undetermined date.
Sen. Travis Hutson Draws a Democratic Opponent in Palm Coast’s Curtis Ceballos
Curtis Ceballos, 54, launched two technology startups in the past two years and intends to focus on technology jobs and vocational education in his campaign. He unsuccessfully ran for county commission in 2006.
Jonathan Canales, Accused of Shooting His Wife in Mondex, Will Not Face Trial Just Yet
Committed to a psychiatric hospital a year ago, Canales, a PTSD-suffering Iraq veteran, was judged still incompetent for trial in alleged shooting of Tiffany Norman, but today’s hearing suggested that such a trial is now a matter of time.
Deputy David Malta, Class of ’87, Is Latest Long-Timer to Retire from Sheriff’s Office
David Malta, the latest in a long string of veterans who have left, retired or been forced out of the agency, started his career under Sheriff Bob McCarthy. His retirement was foreordained, however, because of a Florida Retirement System program he joined five years ago.
Waldemar Rivera Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison Over Step-Daughter’s Rape
Waldemar Rivera, 37, was sentenced last month in a rape of his 13-year-old step-daughter in their P-Section home in Palm Coast. Judge Matthew Foxman expressed surprise at the contrasting demeanor of Rivera in court with that of the man being sentenced for the crime.
In Palm Coast’s Expensive Hunt for New Retailers, a Few Leads, But Only Low Wages
Last July Palm Coast government signed a $135,000, contract with marketing company to recruit retailers. Nine months later, a couple of low-wage retailers are possible, and a half dozen more are long-term possibilities, but nothing more firm than that.
Homeschooling: Not So Eccentric Anymore
The number of American K–12 children educated at home increased from 1.09 million in 2003 to 1.77 million in 2012. That means they make up 3.4 percent of the nation’s school population.
Florida Health Summit Concludes With One Overriding Prescription: Expand Access to Care
While senators have focused heavily on access, the House and Scott have pushed for health-care changes that include reducing or eliminating some longstanding regulations. They contend that such ideas would create more competition and lower health-care costs.
In Florida, Court Rules, a 55-Year Prison Sentence For a Juvenile Is Not a Life Term
Anthony Julian Collins was two months shy of 17 when he was committed an attempted second-degree murder, carjacking with a firearm and attempted armed robbery.
Rymfire Elementary Briefly on “Code Orange” as Sheriff Detains 3 Outside Campus in Car Theft
A police matter that took place outside the campus of Rymfire Elementary–but did not endanger anyone inside–required the school to declare a “Code Orange,” or a less strict variant of a lockdown, just after 1 p.m. today.
Teens in Flight’s Jack Howell Shortlisted For Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation Award
Col. Jack Howell of Palm Coast was nominated for the national award for his work with Teens in Flight over the past 10 years, an organization that trains young pilots whose parents were killed or injured in conflicts since 2001.
Right to an Attorney Often a Myth as Public Defenders Are Overworked and the Poor Bullied to Plea
There is a lack of funding for public defense in every state, and people charged with low-level misdemeanors, often poor minorities, suffer the most as public defender offices focus their few resources on felony cases.
Florida Justices Block 24-Hour Abortion Waiting Period Pending Review
On a 5-2 vote, justices granted a stay of a lower court’s order allowing the 2015 law to take effect. The Supreme Court said it would keep the stay in place while it decides whether to review the decision by the 1st District Court of Appeal.
Does Arabic Offend You?
When a traveler’s stupidity and racism lead to a fellow-traveler being searched, interrogated and kicked off a plane for speaking Arabic, not only do we all have a problem. We are the problem.
Sheriff Manfre Calls Ethics Case Against Him “Terrorism,” Vows to Fight To Supreme Court
Calling the protracted ethics case against him “terrorism,” “nonsense” and politically motivated “slime” by two former colleagues, Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre this morning delivered his most detailed—and impassioned—defense of himself since the case against him began in 2014.
Florida Justices: Cops May Not Keep Lawyer From Client Even in Voluntary Interviews
While a murder suspect was being voluntarily interrogated before he confessed, his lawyer appeared at the sheriff’s office but cops wouldn’t let the lawyer see his client.
Despite Alarms, an Ex-Cop on Disability–and Supporter of the Sheriff–Is Hired As Deputy
An internal investigative report had recommended against hiring ex-NAACP Vice President Eric Josey, a veteran of the NYPD on disability who had difficulties fulfilling basic training exercises. The Sheriff’s Office defends the hiring, while Josey calls criticism of his performance “embellished” and a political “firestorm.”
300-Gallon Chemical Spill in Flagler Beach Closes A1A From South 5th to North 4th
A truck carrying diluted sulfuric acid spilled some 300 gallons of the liquid at the intersection of State Road 100 and State Road A1A in Flagler Beach earlier this morning.
Court Deals Blow to FPL’s Already Leaky Nuclear Power Plans at Turkey Point
An appeals court Wednesday overturned a decision by Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet that could have helped clear the way for Florida Power & Light to add two nuclear reactors in Miami-Dade County.
Median Price of Homes in Flagler Cross Back Over $200,000 For 1st Time Since Housing Boom
The average number of home sales in the past seven months is still slower than the previous six months, but inventory is diminishing and prices continue to rise, once again raising questions of affordability.
Ethics Commission Tosses 5 More Complaints Against County Officials, from Weeks Era
The Florida Ethics Commission threw out complaints against four of the five Flagler County commissioners and County Attorney Al Hadeed in the latest sweep of what has been a drizzle of frivolous complaints against county officials.