James d’Esposito and his wife had just been celebrating his 43rd birthday when, back home, an argument exploded, with three children at home, and D’Esposito retrieved a gun, fired it, and was heard threatening to kill himself.
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Gov. Scott Gives Up Drug-Testing Half of State’s Workers, But Still Aims Pee Cup at Rest
The governor has not conceded that forcing state employees to undergo urinalysis is unconstitutional despite lower court rulings that spurred the concessions. The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year refused to take up the case, but it is believed Scott will again ask the high court to rule on the case if he ultimately loses in lower court proceedings.
Bull Creek Restaurant, Seasoned By Woody’s BBQ Owners, Dedicated at Flagler’s West End
Bull Creek Restaurant on the shores of Dead Lake and in the heart of Bull Creek Camp Ground in western Flagler was dedicated Tuesday morning as the owners of Woody’s BBQ in Palm Coast take on the breakfast, lunch and dinner establishment to the delight of residents at the west end of the county.
Divided and in Crisis, Bunnell Begins Deep Cuts to Close $844,000 Gap But Police Department Survives, For Now
The Bunnell City Commission in a tension-filled, four=-hour meeting Monday voted 3-2 to eliminate code enforcement and the humane society, among a list of cuts, but delay eliminating the police and grants department for two weeks, giving department heads time to make their case for survival.
New Flagler Jail and Sheriff’s HQ Cost Estimates Stun Officials, Who Call It “A Setback”
Construction cost estimates for the new jail came in at $22 million, far more than the county’s plan for $14 to $15 million, while the Sheriff’s Operations Center at the old Memorial Hospital came in at $6.2 million, instead of around $5 million.
Mobil Station on SR100 Vandalized; Deputies Make 30 Arrests Over July 4 Weekend
The Mobil gas station and convenience store on Palm Coast’s State Road 100, near I-95–notorious for being the site of the execution-style murder of a store clerk 17 months ago–was vandalized by a 19-year-old Palm Coast resident Thursday, and Charles Cowart was among the 30 people arrested over the holiday weekend.
City Marketplace Softens Tone Against Tenants, But Sheriff Still Disputing New Fees
John C. Bills, the new owner of City Marketplace, sought to mitigate fallout from bad publicity through a memo to tenants that explains sudden, higher costs without retreating from them.
Florida Giving Up 63,800 Jobs By Rejecting Federal Medicaid Expansion
Florida has not accepted the offer of federal funds — estimated at $51 billion over a decade — provided in the Affordable Care Act to cover uninsured people who fall into a gap. Florida has about 850,000 of them.
Fracking in South Florida? Environmentalists Steamed Over Texas Company Drilling Near Lake Tafford
The Dan A. Hughes Company used an unapproved method of drilling that had never been used before in Florida to extract oil from a well near Lake Trafford. Florida’s DEP has not been entirely forthcoming.
Can Felons, Barred From Carrying Weapons, Still Claim Stand Your Ground? Court Will Decide.
The Florida Supreme Court will consider whether convicted felons have the right to claim immunity under the state’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defense law, even if they are barred from possessing guns in the first place.
288,000 New Jobs in June Add Up to 2.5 Million This Year, Most in Eight Years
Unlike in previous months, the bright jobs picture in June was the result of more people getting jobs and fewer people losing them–as opposed to more people dropping out of the labor force.
Bulldog Drive War Over: Palm Coast Settles With Ajram, Paying Him $215,000 More Than It Offered in 2011
Palm Coast agreed to pay GEA Auto owner Gus Ajram $1.15 million for his two properties on Bulldog Drive, $25,000 more than even he was asking three years ago, ending years of acrimony and clearing the way for the city to eventually (and again) widen Bulldog Drive unimpeded.
Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio, “Undocumented” Immigrant, Earns Florida Bar Recommendation To Be an Attorney
The action benefiting Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio, of Largo, came less than two months after Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill (HB 755) that allows “Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, to be eligible for The Bar.
Tropical Storm Arthur Strengthens Toward Hurricane As It Veers Off Flagler’s Worry Path
Tropical Storm Arthur is strengthening into a hurricane, but is veering off the coast. Still, severe rip current dangers remain on beaches, and some periods of heavy rain are expected between Wednesday night and Thursday, but no impacts on the holiday weekend.
Lawsuit and Ethics Charge Cite Flagler Commissioner Revels Ties to Business Associate in County’s Old Hospital Buy
A group calling itself the Flagler Palm Coast Watchdogs filed a lawsuit against Flagler County, seeking to stop construction on the old Memorial Hospital property slated to be the sheriff’s headquarters, and alleging that Commissioner Barbara Revels did not disclose owning shares in the bank run by one of the men who sold the hospital to the county for $1.23 million last August.
Palm Coast Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charge in Death of a Dog Left to Perish in a Storm
Bryan Leonard, a 25-year-old Palm Coast resident, faces two related animal-cruelty charges in the death of a pit bull called Roscoe who was discovered leashed and dead from choking on an island near Bings Landing in May.
Bill Clinton in Florida Tells Democrats:
Get Out the Vote Or Lose
Hammering on a theme heard throughout the day, former President Bill Clinton warned Democrats they won’t win critical races this fall if they don’t figure out how to get voters to cast ballots.
Florida Justice Barbara Pariente’s Crusade: Jurors Need Help Understanding that Eyewitness Testimony Is Unreliable
Justice Pariente noted that the Innocence Commission analyzed wrongful convictions and highlighted eyewitness misidentification, which has been a factor in 75 percent of convictions later exonerated through DNA evidence nationally.
FPC’s David Halliday, Now Hall of Famer, a Finalist for National Inspiring Coach Award
FPC’s Dave Halliday is one of 25 national finalists for the Brooks Inspiring Coach award. He’s already earned $5,000 worth of gear for FPC and $500 for team expenses. Winning will double that. But he needs your votes.
As Florida Eases Harsh Approach, Study Shows Locking Up Juveniles Makes Them Likelier Adult Criminals
Between fiscal year 2010-11 and fiscal year 2012-13, juvenile arrests in Florida declined 23 percent and felony juvenile arrests declined 17 percent, while transfers to adult court declined 36 percent.
Citing Growing Deficits, Auditor Warns Bunnell Is On an Unsustainable Course
With recurring deficits of close to $1 million in the general fund, the Bunnell City Commission heard the bleakest audit report it’s heard in recent years, with no new revenue expected to brighten the picture.
Brief Standoff on Filbert Lane Ends in Man’s Arrest on Assault and Strangulation Charges
Matthew Degraw has three arrests in the last 15 months in Flagler County, all for battery or domestic violence. On Wednesday, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies had to establish a perimeter around his house at 22 Filbert Lane in Palm Coast in a brief stand-off as he refused to come out, and was known to have weapons in his possession inside.
USA 0, Germany 1: Small Loss for a Big Win
There are numerous ways for the Americans to advance to the next round, but only two ways to guarantee it: a win or a tie against Germany, which happen to be the hardest and second-hardest results to achieve. That may leave the American fate yet again in Ghana’s hands.
As Committee Tours Old Courthouse, Size and Financial Viability Loom Larger Than Repairs
Wednesday’s tour was the first time most committee members had a chance to see the building from within. The Flagler County Commission earlier this month appointed the seven-member committee to recommend what to do with the 50,000-square-foot courthouse, as the county is no longer willing to be its caretaker.
From Houligan’s to the Portuguese-American Club, the World Cup Inflames Palm Coast
FlaglerLive’s Ezra Salkin braved the brawn and brash of Palm Coast’s emerging soccer–sorry, football–culture and reports on his close encounters with fandom in two of the city’s most football-fevered spots.
Nan Rich’s Lonely Road: A “True Democrat” Fights On as Longtime Allies Back Crist
Charlie Crist is outraising Nan Rich by millions of dollars, refuses to debate her and has collected endorsements from groups Rich has worked with for years: the Florida Education Association, the AFL-CIO, Equality Florida.
At Flagler Drug Court Graduation, Gratefulness Humbled By Clean Living’s Demands
Graduating in a ceremony at the Flagler County Courthouse Friday, drug court participants–most had suffered of prescription-drug abuse–spoke of lives changed by the demanding program, which keeps two-thirds of participants from re-offending.
Palm Coast Council Has No Objection to 10% Rent Increase at City Marketplace Offices
The two sides this week have worked out a lease agreement that would raise Palm Coast’s rent by $2,000 a month, to $22,000, but also reduce Palm Coast’s space modestly, by 1,278 square feet, from a total of 22,200 square feet currently. The agreement will keep Palm Coast from having to look for new digs before its City Hall is ready next fall.
When Dick Cheney Snarls Again
Dick Cheney’s calculated refusal to refer to “President Obama,” calling him instead by his first and last name, telegraphs the notion that Obama is not rightfully the president. But it’s only one of many misfires by the loathsome ex-VP, argues Steve Robinson.
Despite Moratorium, 4 New Specialty Plates Added to Stack of 118, Hurting Sales
The new plates also come despite warnings from Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees license plates, officials that the program may have reached a tipping point in terms of sales.
Novices Flood Local Elections as 21 Candidates Qualify for Palm Coast, County and Schools
Unlike previous cycles, not a single seat is going uncontested. That means no incumbent is getting an easy path to re-election. But virtually every challenger is a newcomer to politics.
Palm Coast Man Jailed on Charges of Marital Rape and Aggravated Assault
Peter Jamwant of Birchwood Drive in Palm Coast was booked at the Flagler County jail on a county of sex battery, or rape, aggravated assault and battery after allegedly victimizing his 56-year-old wife in the middle of February, according to his arrest report. Bond was set at $315,000. Jamwant posted bail.
Obama’s Mistake in Iraq: Getting Sucked Back Into a Religious War Already Lost
The United States had no business invading and occupying Iraq in 2003, it has no business now arbitrating a religious war between Sunnis and Shiites. The mayhem unleashed by the Bush administration is being made worse by further American meddling.
USA 2, Portugal 2:
Triumph and Agony
Beating Ghana was thrilling, but only beating Portugal will prove that the Americans are serious about their World Cup campaign. Against whiny, brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo, and without Jozy Altidore, the Americans may have a crucifying 90 minutes in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.
Room For Debate:
Should The Washington Redskins Change Name?
The U.S. Patent Office’s decision to block trademarks for the Washington Redskins has renewed debate on the NFL team’s name, which Indians find offensive and the team owner and NFL commissioner defend as traditional and respectful. The debate is outlined.
Don’t Buy The Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Deceptions: City Doesn’t Need New Aerial Fire Truck
The Flagler Beach Fire Department is veiling its unwise request for a new $600,000 fire truck under the guise of “fire safety equipment,” a deception–and a purchase, with money the city cannot afford–residents should reject, argues Rick Blehumeur.
Hollingsworth Gallery Will Leave City Marketplace for Nature Scapes, Closing Curtain on Vibrant Arts and Theater Era
Hollingsworth Gallery and Nature Scapes in Bunnell are near a deal on the gallery taking over a 6,0000-square-foot building to develop new arts programs and a full arts community there, but leaving City Marketplace leaves City Repertory Theatre without a home, and a fourth season beginning in September.
Flagler Unemployment Ticks Up to 8.6% as Labor Force Surges By 2% And Jobs Increase
Flagler’s unemployment rate in May ticked up slightly to 8.6 percent, from 8.3, but the increase was largely due to a large influx of workers into the labor force, which grew by 727 people over the month, or 2 percent, to 36,068. Flagler County residents with jobs increased by 550, a 1.7 percent improvement over the previous month, for a total of 32,952 people with jobs.
After Thrasher Fracas, Florida Board Rethinks How Universities Search for Presidents
Sen. John Thrasher’s desire for the Florida State University presidency was said to be keeping other potential applicants from putting their name forward for the position while damaging FSU’s reputation.
Shout Shows: Internet Vitriol Makes Me Reluctant To Share My Views Online
Any post that has even a hint of “for or against” Obama or any Washington political actions provokes vitriolic responses, writes Ed H. Moore. I lament the angry replies because they hamper the ability to have an instant town-hall of sorts on issues facing our country.
City Markeplace Landlord Stuns Sheriff’s Palm Coast Precinct With 212% Fee Increase
While increasing rent a modest 3%, John C. Bills Properties told the Sheriff’s Office this month that its CAM fee would increase from $420 a month to $1,313 a month, and that the fee would be retroactive to January, adding another $5,400 charge, which a sheriff’s attorney finds inappropriate.
For Floridians, Affordable Care Act Lives Up To Its Name: Average Monthly Premium Is $68
The $68 a month average premium is considerably less than the national average of $82. The plans are subsidized through tax credits taken in advance. Ninety-one percent of those who enrolled in Florida received the financial help, averaging $278 a month.
Bunnell Planning Board Approves Ordinance Targeting Bible Half-Way House For Addicts
The Bunnell board’s unanimous decision, if ratified by the Bunnell City Commission, would likely prevent the half-way house from opening its doors, but the city and the targeted ministry are locked in a federal legal battle which the proposed ordinance could exacerbate.
Sex Offender Arrested For Exposure as Waterfront Park Picks Up Where Graham Swamp Left Off
Ashley Levern Mitchell, 49, of 12 Bridgehaven Drive in Palm Coast, a registered sex offender from exposing himself to a teen 12 years ago, was arrested at Waterfront Park for allegedly repeatedly exposing himself to a biker at various spots in the park.
Art League Treads Where It’s Not Dared Before, “Through the Eyes of a Child”
The Flagler County Art League opened its first ever “Through the Eyes of a Child” themed show in an attempt to broaden its appeal to artists and patrons while veering away from safer, recurring shows.
Tracy Morgan, Truck Wrecks, and Politicians Willing To Make Our Roads More Dangerous
If you spend much time on the Interstate, you undoubtedly have seen the aftermath of horrific crashes like the one that occurred earlier this month on I-95 at the Flagler-St. Johns County line. That wreck was typical of the carnage that results from an 18-wheeler plowing into stopped cars, either because of the truck driver’s inattention or fatigue.
Palm Coast On Red-Light Camera
Ticket Refunds: Don’t Hold Your Breath
While the Palm Coast City Council took no responsibility for instituting a red-light camera program the Supreme Court declared illegal, the city attorney laid out arguments that could keep the city from reimbursing $1.2 million in illegally levied fines before July 2010. But the city is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
Gov. Rick Scott’s Net Worth: $132.7 Million
Among the details in Scott’s financial disclosure, his Naples home and boathouse are worth $13.2 million, he owns 60 acres in Montana worth $1.4 million, and $43 million of his investments are tied to family investment firm RLSI-CSP Capital Partners in Naples.
County Taxes To Increase Some in a $68.6M Budget That Sheds Austerity for Investment
Flagler County’s 2014-15 budget, led by a $600,000 increase in the sheriff’s costs, is a reflection of a more relaxed, less financially pressured budget season, and a willingness among commissioners to replace years of austerity with increased investment in the government infrastructure.
Domestic Spying: How Marketers’ Tracking of Your Web History Is Getting Creepier–Offline
Online marketers are increasingly seeking to track users offline, as well, by collecting data about people’s offline habits—such as recent purchases, where you live, how many kids you have, and what kind of car you drive.