Flagler schools’ 2016-17 calendar will start at its earliest date in recent memory, a full month before Labor Day, and end the day before Memorial Day.
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Little League Discovers Palm Coast Rules: Money-Making Tournaments Come First
Palm Coast Little League organizers say the way the city is booting them off Indian Trails Sports Complex fields for a for-profit tournament is a violation of a contractual agreement that defines how the city may go about doing so. City Manager Jim Landon disagrees.
Flagler’s Sensitive Land Acquisition Panel Cool to 116-Acre Pitch Along Lake Disston
John A. Kern is proposing to sell the 116 acres along Lake Disston for $2.8 million (14 times the assessed value), but without an additional 20 acres the the Flagler county committee wants in the deal if it’s to keep pursuing the proposal.
Pinellas Sheriff’s Caution on Open-Carry Bill Triggers Duel of Furious Accusations
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says a Sarasota Herald-Tribune blogger “absolutely mischaracterizes” his concerns about open-carry, as the blogger and Florida Carry, the pro-gun lobby group, claim the sheriff would threaten to shoot concealed carriers.
From Brownfield to Community Vegetable Garden, a Coalition Seeds Fresher Health
A $34,000 brownfields grant and the collaboration of numerous schools, agencies and businesses transformed an old propane farm in South Bunnell into a community vegetable garden that will help feed hundreds.
4-Year-Old Critical After Being Slammed to The Ground; Palm Coast Man, 22, Arrested
Christopher Craig Williams, of Palm Coast’s E-Section, was angry with the child and allegedly, picked him up above his head by his arms and slammed him to the carpeted concrete floor, causing severe head injuries, bleeding and seizures.
Special Treatment for Firefighters With Cancer? Florida Among Few States That Say No
Florida lawmakers have introduced bills that would make Florida the 34th state to offer special protection to firefighters, but the measure faces obstacles in large part because of local governments’ opposition.
Look Closer: Student Art Upstages Grown-Ups in Pair of Flagler County Art League Shows
Startling juxtapositions abound in “Look Close” and the “High School Student Art Exhibit,” two shows that open Saturday December 12 at the Flagler County Art League in Palm Coast.
Sheriff Dispels Rumors of ISIS Targeting Palm Coast as FDLE Re-Launches See-Say Campaign
The “If you See Something, Say Something” campaign–prompted by renewed but discredited rumors of Palm Coast being in ISIS’ crosshairs–is not, however, license for harassment, bias or vigilantism.
“I’m Against It,” Sheriff Manfre Says of Open-Carry as Bill Picks Up Momentum
Opponents of open-carry, including a number of Florida sheriffs, Flagler County’s Jim Manfre among them, warn that people who openly display guns could get hurt as a result, either by criminals or law enforcement.
No War On Women? I Disagree
The debate reflects an ancient, unyielding, and ultimately impossible desire on the part of men to control a power that our creator entrusted to women: propagating the species, writes Julie Delegal.
Santa Claus Meets His Match: “A Mark Twain Christmas” at City Repertory Theatre
Like the other one-man Twain shows Robert Gill has created, “A Mark Twain Christmas” is composed of about 75 percent of the author’s monologues and writings recited verbatim, and about 25 percent is Gill‘s creation.
To Elude Cops, Woman Jumps Into Intracoastal With Crack, Pills and $2,000 Cash in Tow
Nichole Headley, 25, a Palm Coast probationer, swam across the Intracoastal to evade cops but was caught after an alleged burglary, and was found with the cash and drugs on her.
It’s Finally Safe to Drink the Water in Bunnell as City Marks Opening of $4.8 Million Plant
Bunnell city government on Wednesday commemorated the opening of a water plant that ends a difficult and expensive journey for the city, from deficits and dirty water to clean water.
Municipal Elections for 3 Flagler Cities To Be Held on Presidential Primary Day, March 15
The municipal elections for Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach will be held in conjunction with the county-wide Presidential Preference Primary election scheduled for March 15 to save money and encourage more turnout.
Public School Testing Could Move Away From Statewide Exams as Lawmakers Study Fix
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is working on legislation that would allow schools to use tests other than the statewide standardized exams, which are used in some graduation and promotion decisions, teacher evaluations and school grades.
Six People Hospitalized, Including 6-Year-Old Girl, After 3-Car Wreck on SR100 and Colbert
Seven people were injured, among them a 6-year-old girl, and six of them taken to Florida Hospital Flagler following a three-car wreck at the intersection of State Road 100 and Colbert Lane in Flagler Beach just before 7 p.m. this evening.
Belle Terre Swim Club Gets a $25,000 Annual County Lifeline and Nears Membership Goal
County government’s annual contribution will make it more difficult for the school board to close the troubled Swim and Racquet Club, as will an advisory group’s campaign that has netted some 250 new memberships, or just 150 short of the goal the board set for January.
Shooting Beer Cans or Threatening Neighbors at Second Chance Rescue? A Man Is Arrested
David R. Gilmore was arrested on aggravated assault charges after Second Chance Rescue’s Debbie Root accused him of pointing his shotgun at a 16-year-old girl on her property.
Sheriff’s Lost Computer Files Are Recovered, But County Faces a $1.1 Million IT Fix
Some $600,000 was budgeted ahead of the October crash. But $500,000 was not. The county commission will have to find that money. And that’s just for this year as the county and sheriff catch up on neglected information infrastructure.
One Arrested, Another Surrenders in Mondex Shooting Involving Assault Weapons
Dakotah W. Clarke, 19, was arrested, Spencer Sarmento, 23, who reportedly fired 10 to 15 rounds at a Mitsubishi, is still being sought. Both face aggravated assault charges, and possibly additional charges. Both have previous jail records.
“We Might Be One Terrorist Act Away From a Trump Presidency”
A spectacular murder spree by Islamists could spook Americans enough to vote for the greatest fear-monger. Anything is possible, but Ian Buruma doesn’t believe American voters would be that stupid.
County’s Coffey Calls Some of Palm Coast’s EMS Claims “Garbage” In Broad Rebuke
Responding to Palm Coast’s claim two weeks ago that EMS service can be more efficient and responsive, County Administrator Craig Coffey today rejected the city’s analysis, saying it would end up costing taxpayers a lot more.
County Approves $25,000 Public Subsidy for Spartan Race on Private Land Next Year
The county commission with little discussion unanimously approved the taxpayer subsidy for the once-controversial race, which will take place at the Cracker Ranch in November 2016.
Judge Tosses Part of Amendment 1 Challenge, But Environmentalists Claim Success
A Leon County judge Thursday removed a major part of a lawsuit that contests how lawmakers decided to spend money that voters approved last year for land buying and preservation. However, an attorney for four environmental groups challenging the state’s spending called the ruling a victory. “We’re in this case,” said David Guest, managing attorney […]
In Light of Paris and San Bernandino, Smaller Cities Re-Evaluate Their Soft-Target Potential
People who don’t live in big cities typically viewed as likely terrorist targets may not think about terrorism affecting their communities or about devoting the resources to countering the possibility they could be hit. But they ought to.
Hunting Undocumented Immigrants,
Travis Hutson Discovers His Inner Jim Crow
Sen. Travis Hutson filed a pair of bills that would criminalize undocumented immigrants in Florida. The bills are unconstitutional, bigoted and unnecessary.
Transgenders in Flagler Schools: District Takes It Case By Case as State Scrutinizes More Than Nurtures
The state and, to some extent, Flagler County, have a long way to go to ensure that transgender students are treated not only fairly and equitably, but that the environment they face is more respectful than questioning, more welcoming than inhibiting.
Ericksen Will Run for Commission Re-Election After All; Medley Files for Elections Supervisor
Charlie Ericksen, the first-term Flagler County commissioner, said his health issues are behind him, though the announcement was a surprise to Jason DeLorenzo, who is considering a run for that seat.
Proposal Would Allow Students to Sub Computer Coding for Foreign Language Classes
Bill sponsor Jeremy Ring, a Margate Democrat who is a former Yahoo executive, said the proposal would give Florida students a “true leg up” in the increasingly tech-driven world.
Stillbirth: FPC Art Student May Show His Class Work at a Gallery, But Not At His Own School
A provocative painting by Patrick Conklin, a senior at FPC, was banned from display at his school but allowed at an art gallery, triggering a broad discussion on the lines between expression, censorship, fear and propriety.
Killed in House, Stand Your Ground Bill That Shifts Burden of Proof Lives Again in Senate
A proposal that would shift the burden of proof to the state in cases involving Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law is poised to go to the full Senate.
Bottom Line Cost of Demolishing and Paying Off School Board’s Old ITT Property: $1.27 Million
The district bought the building in 2002 for $3.5 million. It will spend $200,000 to demolish it, $770,000 to pay off the mortgage, and $300,000 to renovate another location that will accommodate operations currently at the Corporate One property.
Bizarre Bunnell: Manager, Not Commission, Conducts Interviews of Davis, Gurnee and Tiblier
Candidates Dan Davis, Stella Gurnee and Ferdinand Tiblier were interviewed by Manager Larry Williams in a bizarre turn that did not involve Bunnell city commissioners.
Bellicose County Commission Candidate Mark Richter Withdraws as O’Brien Announces
Mark Richter, who’d narrowly lost a primary against Nate McLaughlin two years ago as he frequently courted controversy, said he would soon be leaving the county as he withdrew from what would have been a race against Charlie Ericksen.
A Menagerie of Music and Art Returns Top Flagler Youth Orchestra to Salvo Project Friday
The Youth Orchestra’s top performing ensemble will play numerous pieces at a fund-raiser for the orchestra and Salvo Art Project Friday evening, ahead of FYO’s first major concert of the year at the Flagler Auditorium on Dec. 9.
Supreme Court Approves Congressional Districts; Flagler’s Stays Whole, Inching Left
The congressional district the Supreme Court approves keeps Flagler County whole, shedding Putnam and moving it south to take in more of Volusia County, which will help Democrats slightly.
In 5th Incident Since September, Car Strikes a Student Biking Home From School
As in three previous incidents involving vehicles against students on their bike, the driver was at fault, while the student, an 8th grader at Indian Trails Middle, was following the rules of the road.
Kevin Clayton’s Death in Friday’s
West Flagler Fire Is Ruled a Suicide
A medical examiner’s autopsy confirmed that Kevin Clayton’s death in a Nov. 28 fire at 40 Kentucky Avenue in western Flagler County was a suicide. No foul play is suspected.
Elections Commission Tosses 3 More Claims Against Flagler Officials as County Fires Back
The Florida Elections Commission voted to dismiss three elections complaints against Flagler Commissioners Frank Meeker and Nate McLaughlin as the county administration filed another petition to seek attorneys’ fees in related complaints.
Florida Protest Group Delays Rally in Light Of Terror Attack at Planned Parenthood
Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council’s “Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood,” slated for Dec. 7 at the Florida Capitol, will take place in the spring instead, the council organizers said.
Trump Campaign Bus Rolls Into Palm Coast, Transformed as Donald Anti-Matter
The Donald Trump campaign bus used in Iowa for several months was on its way to Miami art fair, bought and transformed by artists into a mobile protest of the GOP contender’s views on women, Mexicans and facts.
Proposal Would Force Cities, Including Bunnell and Flagler Beach, to Move Elections to November
Cities intend to fight a proposal now before state lawmakers that would take away their ability to set local election dates and could extend the terms of some current elected officials.
Man Charged With Aggravated Assault in Confrontation With Ex-City Commissioner
Ex-Bunnell City Commissioner Jimmy Flynt intervened to stop a brewing fight and cursing in front of First United Methodist Church, which led Joshua Meyers, 26, to allegedly threaten him with a knife.
Bunnell City Manager’s Job Draws 3 Internal Applicants; Interviews Set Wednesday
Deputy City Clerk Dan Davis, Finance Director Stella Gurnee, and City Engineer Ferdinand Tiblier will be interviewed in an open meeting Wednesday evening, when the Bunnell City Commission could make a decision on its next manager.
Should Government Censor Offensive Speech? 40% of Millennials Say Yes. That’s a Problem.
Surprisingly, the Pew survey finds nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans saying government should be able to stop speech against minorities. Independents are in the middle.
Hurricane Season Ends as Florida Escapes Direct Hit For 10th Straight Year
The current streak is made even more remarkable since Florida, with its 1,260 miles of coastline, has accounted for about 40 percent of hurricane landfalls on U.S. shores in that recorded time period, according to the National Weather Service.
Man Found Dead and Bloodied Outside Drain Street House: Police Investigating Homicide
John Robert Stubbs, a 46-year-old resident of Hymon Circle in Bunnell, was found dead outside a house in Bunnell this morning, soaked in blood. City Manager Larry Williams described it as “what appears to be a homicide.”
Ex-Deputy Ruddell, Who Filed Wage Suit Against Manfre, Arrested in 3-County Pursuit
Daniel Ruddell, an ex-deputy who in February won a wage dispute with Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre, was arrested in St. Johns County Thursday night after an alleged robbery in Daytona Beach and a pursuit through Volusia and Flagler counties that ended in a wreck on I-95.
Alan Thicke Giftwraps Kenny Rogers’ Toy Shoppe Musical at Flagler Auditorium Sunday
Thicke, the Canadian-born actor, TV theme song composer and talk show host known for his role as the dad on the sitcom “Growing Pains,” is starring in the touring musical about a toy shop threatened with closure.