Catherine M., who asked that her last name not be used for security reasons, is the daughter of two prominent Flagler residents–a former sheriff and a commercial real estate broker. She wrote from Dubai.
Featured
Decaffeinate This: Imagine’s Ivana Moore Repeats as District Spelling Bee Champion
Eighteen champion spellers from eight Flagler County Schools battled over 48 words at the annual spelling been competition, with Ivana Moore, Sandra Defalco and Olivia Taylor taking first, second and third place.
Reality Check: Censoring Al-Jazeera
It’s no surprise when the thuggish Hosni Mubarak censors al-Jazeera. But American satellite and cable providers have been censoring al-Jazeera English since it went live in 2006, to the detriment of broader perspectives.
Unemployment Drops Again, to 9%, But Job Creation Far Short of Expectations
The U.S. economy added just 36,000 jobs in January as governments continued to shrink, though the 9% rate is the lowest since April 2009. Bad weather contributed to the poorer job creation.
Flagler Beach and Willing Investor Still Not Moored to New Pier Restaurant Lease
Raymond Barshay and Flagler Beach Commissioners are at odds over the fate of the bait and tackle shop, which has been attached to the Pier Restaurant. They’re at odds over several other issues. But they’re still talking.
Done Deal: City Picks Architecture Firm, Advertises Construction For New City Hall
City council members, including Mayor Netts, insist that until they have a signed contract, nothing is a go. Netts is still waiting for hard data from City Manager Jim Landon justifying the new building.
Flanked by Tea Party, Rick Scott Will Unveil State Budget in Central Florida Monday
As tea party activists gather from Central Florida to Eustis, Gov. Rick Scott’s budget unveiling Monday will have the feel of political rally as he attempts to close a nearly $4 billion hole while still proposing tax cuts.
Bill Delbrugge Live From Egypt:
“This Is Just a Different Type of Hurricane”
In a 40-minute interview from the outskirts of Cairo today, the former school superintendent explained why he’s staying in Egypt, what Egyptians are after and deserve, and what conditions are like.
More Power to Principals, Less Transparency as Board Kills Policy Inspired by Mockingbird
The rejected policy had called for supporting plays “that challenge, nurture and extend student skills” while respecting community sensibilities. Instead, the board retreated to more general “tweaks” of two existing policies.
Washington Oaks Gardens and Bulow Ruins Among 53 State Parks That Would Close
Similar proposals have been made before, but the state must close a $3.6 billion budget gap, and Gov. Rick Scott is not as friendly to the environment as Charlie Crist was.
Unconstitutional Mandate: Florida Judge Calls for Repeal of Entire Health Care Law
Though Florida Federal District Judge Roger Vinson termed his ruling “reluctant,” he also ruled that the private insurance mandate is so intricately tied to the the law that the entire law must be repealed.
Challenging Jon Netts, Charlie Ericksen Runs for Palm Coast Mayor on a Pro-Business Agenda
Charlie Ericksen is critical of a city council that rubber-stamps too many decisions without debating or explaining them, and a city that he says hasn’t given local business a fair shake. Netts has been on the council since 2001.
Economic Development Summit: Can Flagler’s 33 Elected Get It Up?
Many plans, little agreement, no concerted action: Monday evening’s economic development summit between Flagler County’s seven local governments is unlikely to yield substantive results beyond a meet-and-greet of powerpoints.
The Rise of Egyptian Aspirations, The Fall of the American Brand
It’s been exhilarating to watch Egyptians demand an end to the dictatorial regimes controlling their lives for decades. But it’s exhilaration mixed with dread, doubt, disappointment and embarrassment, particularly over American postures and prejudices.
Carla Traister: Myths and Realities of Bunnell’s Cold-Weather Shelter, and Flagler’s Homeless
Carla Traister, director of Flagler County’s cold-weather shelter in Bunnell, dispels misconceptions and stereotypes that have cropped up about the shelter, located in Bunnell behind the Bank of America.
Incentive This: Corporate Tax-Breaking Our Way to Job Creation
Barack Obama’s second State of the Union Address fell flat, argues St. Augustine novelist Jack Cowardin, who makes an original proposal for job creation and a break in the corporate tax rate.
Flagler Beach Commission vs. Hurricane Patty’s: A Lot of Noise Over a Few Complaints
Hurricane Patty’s opened as a popular restaurant and bar on Flagler Beach’s side of the Intracoastal in December. A few noise complaints are causing the city to rethink its noise ordinance. Patrons are unhappy.
Against Civility
More handshakes, fewer guns and Fox news sounding more like NPR won’t make us a better country. Fewer assassinations of reason, of facts, of character, and of course of people might.
Bruce Campbell to Remain Flagler Beach’s Manager Until At Least Early Summer
Taking the kind of decisive inaction it’s famous for, the city commission turned back an attempt by Commissioner Jane Mealy to stick by the commission’s pledge last year to discuss the issue in January.
As Bunnell PD Tries to Clear Its Name, Missing Evidence Turns Up, Discrepancies Remain
A follow-up investigative report by the State Attorney’s office sheds more light, and raises more questions, on the Bunnell Police Department’s habit of producing previously missing evidence and paperwork.
Video: Ghost Opposition to Cold-Weather Shelter Draws Out Advocates in Bunnell
Unseen and unheard opponents of the cold-weather shelter in Bunnell have complained to that city’s mayor. Shelter advocates made their case at a city commission meeting this week.
From Biggest Flirt (E. Bartley) to Most Likely to Succeed (Kaci Ellis): FPC’s Oscar Night
FCAT results and teacher of the year awards give way to the real student Oscars at FPC: a complete list of the winners and nominees, and an image gallery of the show.
Pill Mill Regulation Price Tag in Florida: $65 Million; Medicine Board Approves New Rules
The $65 million cost of the proposed pill mill rules would be due to urine test requirements on patients and other minor costs that would be spread out among 1,300 pain management clinics and tens of thousands of patients.
Palm Coast Largely Rejects County’s Economic Development Track, Including New Tax
Ahead of Jan. 31’s countywide summit on economic development, Palm Coast is saying no to a new sales tax, no to a common pot that limits Palm Coast’s influence, and no to a new economic development council.
Child Neglect, Drug Charges, Rotting Food in Palm Coast’s R Section Land 4 in Jail
A 10-year-old child was removed from the home at 20 Rockne Lane in Palm Coast and turned over to child services. Thomas Ksiezopolski, Nina Holley and three others face a variety of charges.
Bunnell Manager Armando Martinez Forced To Give Up Cop Shield, But Not Extra $7,500 Pay
The Florida Constitution forbids public employees from holding two public officer jobs simultaneously. Martinez had argued that he was a cop but not a “public officer” as such. The city attorney disagreed.
Blank Check: City and County Bankrolling Enterprise Flagler Without a Contract
Since 2006, Enterprise Flagler, the public-private economic development partnership, has received more than $1 million in taxpayer dollars from Palm Coast and Flagler County. Elected officials are just discovering there was no contract.
Seeking “One Voice” At Countywide Economic Summit, Commissioners Can’t Agree On Theirs
County commissioners can’t agree on what the county’s economic development plan should be, or what should come first–a strategy, a funding mechanism or a structure to manage the whole thing. They’ll try again Tuesday.
Ten Tenors, Two Nights, One Flagler Auditorium
The Ten Tenors made the Flagler Auditorium part of their inaugural US itinerary in 2002. They’ve performed here every year since, and will be there Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 25-26.
Blair Kanbar, Flagler County Commissioner from 1998 to 2006, Dies of Cancer
Blair Kanbar was 66. He won election to the county commission just two years after moving to Flagler from Massachusetts. His eight-year tenure coincided with Flagler County’s fastest-growth years.
’03 FPC Grads Brandon Anderson and Jonathan Alter Win Half-Marathon and 5K
Some 346 runners finished the two races, Palm Coast’s first half-marathon, with temperatures around 37 degrees at the start: just right for runners.
Sock Hops, Narcotic Nostalgia and Interracial Kisses: “Hairspray” Rocks the Flagler Playhouse
In “Hairspray,” gaudiness and 1962 have never been so much fun. The Flagler Playhouse is reviving the 2002 Broadway musical with a cast of 45 and a parade of showstopping kitsch.
Arbor Day Memorial: A Redcedar Rises in Town Center, a Gift from Palm Coast’s Garden Club
Palm Coast’s Garden Club memorialized seven of its late members in an Arbor Day ceremony at Town Center Friday, featuring its southern redcedar gift to the city. The tree will become a focal point of Christmas-tree lighting ceremonies.
Reality Check: The GOP’s Straw-Stuffing Health Care Repeal
If repealing health care without presenting an alternative is the best thing the new GOP majority can do in an economic crisis, pack up your worries about 2012 right now and congratulate Obama for his second term.
Flagler Unemployment Seesaws to 15.7%, Florida’s Rate Unchanged at 12%
Both Flagler’s and Florida’s unemployment rates have been stuck within the same range for more than a year, with no signs of breaking the trend. Flagler’s numbers again show a decline in the labor force.
RV Smash-Up Closes I-95 Just North of Flagler and Triggers Another Chain Wreck
Two related crashes several miles apart in the southbound lanes of I-95 closed the interstate for several hours Thursday afternoon and early evening. There were no major injuries.
Bunnell’s Central Commerce Park Finally Breaks Ground, With an Order of Wendy’s
A new Wendy’s restaurant in April will be the first business at Flagler Central Commerce Park in Bunnell, a 1 million square foot commercial development seven years in the works. So far, no other business has signed up.
Top Cops, Public Defender, Commissioners Pick Bulic as the Next Medical Examiner
Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam have been without a medical examiner–one of government’s least visible, most important positions–since Jan. 1. A high-powered committee is making its recommendation for a new examiner today following interviews of five candidates.
City Council in Dog House Over Holland Park
Though it has $10 million to build a city hall, Palm Coast claims poverty when it comes to improving Holland Park, the city’s busiest. Residents aren’t happy.
Call 911: Flagler’s Emergency Dispatch Center Briefly Disabled When Extinguishers Misfire
No one was hurt, and 911 dispatching was interrupted at most for two minutes, but the 911 call center had to be evacuated Tuesday morning, and for at least 24 hours.
Doctors Are Coming, Loads of Them, But Should Public Dollars Defray Conference Costs?
The 5th Annual Primary Care Spring Conference will bring some 300 physicians to Hammock Beach Resort in April. Flagler County’s Tourist Development Council is ready to approve a $10,000 public-dollar subsidy.
Right Whale Alert: Mother and Calf
Off Flagler Coast Today
A mother right whale and her calf are gliding south along Flagler’s coastline today. They were seen of Jungle Hut Road in the Hammock this morning.
A Night at the Homeless Shelter: From the Eyes of a Volunteer
Charlie Ericksen Jr., a volunteer at Flagler County’s homeless shelter–The Sheltering Tree–describes the refuge on a recent cold night.
WNZF’s David Ayres Hanging Up on “Open Lines” to Make Room for Rush and Beck Live
After hosting “Open Lines” for two years, and with Rush Limbaugh coming on, WNZF General manager David Ayres is shuffling the station’s lineup. He’ll host a weekly Saturday show.
Palm Coast Data Lays Off 31 More As Another Major Customer Plans to End Its Contract
A principal shareholder of Palm Coast Data parent Amrep Corp. and customer of Palm Coast Data is ending its association with both. The company is nowhere near its 2008 pledge to hire 700 more employees locally.
These Dorks’ Fun Begins After They Get Hit By a Bus: “Forever Plaid” At Flagler Auditorium
“Forever Plaid” is a musical tribute to the 1950s, to innocence, to lovable dorkiness and to four-part harmonies. The show has been pleasing audiences for more than 20 years across most continents.
Belle Terre’s Agatha Lee and Maggie Carcagente Are the Year’s Top Teacher and Employee
It’s Belle Terre Elementary’s year: Agatha Lee is a second grade teacher there, and Maggie Carcagente is a special education paraprofessional. Their district victory gave Belle Terre a sweep this year.
The Sheltering Tree, Flagler’s Cold-Weather Homeless Shelter, Calls for Your Help
The Sheltering Tree in Bunnell has already had to open 22 nights this cold season, with many more to come, taxing volunteers and their resources. Here’s how you can help.
Elderly Driver Loses Control in South Bunnell, Knocks Motorbike, Smashes Into a House
The 68-year-old Palm Coast resident was driving north on US1 when he lost control over several blocks, driving against traffic, onto a shopping center’s lot and, finally, smashing against an occupied house. He survived.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy With Past Blemish Is Jailed on Cash Evidence Theft and Misconduct
Matthew Koenig, with the Sheriff’s Office since 1998, was accused of burglary in 2008. That charge was dropped. He was jailed Wednesday on a charge of stealing almost $5,000 from evidence envelopes.