Locally not as dramatic as the eclipse of 2017, which obscured almost 90 percent of the sun in Flagler County and its cities, Monday’s solar eclipse will obscure 60 to 61 percent of it at peak, just past 3 p.m., in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell. The National Weather Service in Jacksonville predicts only partly sunny and somewhat windy conditions in the Flagler County area. Flagler County and its cities will see a partial eclipse for 2 hours 31 minutes.
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Company Planning Huge Data Center in Palm Coast for Undersea Internet Cables, But Flagler Beach Trips Over Easements
Palm Coast and the county are keeping confidential a planned large data center by an Atlanta-based company, DC Blox, that would be a cable landing station for undersea internet communications cable carrying massive amounts of data. But the company needs easements in two locations in Flagler Beach to make it work, and the Flagler Beach City Commission is not ready to grant one of the two, because it would foreclose development on one of the city’s most valuable properties, and the company is only offering $100,000 per cable per easement.
Local Firebrand Sues Sheriff, County, Bunnell and School Board Over ‘Illicit’ Carver Center Agreement
Eric Josey, a retired New York cop with a brief, checkered history at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and an often controversial local firebrand in the name of African-American causes, is suing the Sheriff’s Office, the County Commission, the School Board and the city of Bunnell over the four agence’s recent joint agreement in running the Carver Center, also known as Carver Gym, in Bunnell.
To Win in November, Recreational Pot in Florida Must First Defeat Reefer Madness
Now that the Florida Supreme Court has cleared the proposal to legalize recreational pot for the November ballot, the drug of choice among those who want to defeat the proposal is going to be disinformation. So it’s worth having a look at what we’ve learned from other states that have inhaled.
Forecasters Warn of ‘Very, Very Busy Hurricane Season’ With 23 Named Storms, Most-Ever Predicted in April
Colorado State University researchers projected 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, with five reaching major hurricanes status. The estimates represent the highest April forecast numbers the university has produced. By comparison, the Atlantic season from 1991 to 2020 averaged 14.4 storms a year, with an average of 7.2 reaching hurricane strength. Models anticipate a well-above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the U.S. coastline and in the Caribbean.
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins, Trenchant and Measured Sage of Flagler’s Bench, Will Retire in September
Besides a judicial temperament from central casting, a sparkling intelligence free of presumption and an ability to synthesize legal precedents and concepts to their essence, Perkins had a knack for innovations–the paperless system he ushered in as chief judge, and in Flagler, one of the most advanced and continuing live-video systems in the state, enabling broader access to the court.
6-Week Ban and Abortion-Rights Measure on November Ballot Could Boost Florida Democrats
Following a pair of blockbuster decisions by the Florida Supreme Court, Democrats are galvanizing around abortion as a “front and center” issue that they say could affect races up and down the ballot in November. Focus on the abortion issue exploded shortly after the Supreme Court overturned decades of precedent and triggered a 2023 law preventing abortions after six weeks. Critics maintain that the six-week restriction, which will take effect next month, amounts to a virtual ban on abortions.
Ending 16 Years With One Firm, Palm Coast City Council Begins Contract With Douglas Law of St. Augustine
The Palm Coast City Council ended its 16-year relationship with one law firm Tuesday evening as it approved a contract with St. Augustine’s Douglas Law Firm in a replacement. The firm expects to do about $30,000 worth of work each month. That’s less than half the full legal bill in Palm Coast’s budget.
Palm Coast and Flagler County Under Tornado Watch Until 5 PM As Severe Storm Front Approaches
Flagler County and its cities, including Palm Coast, are under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. as a storm front sweeping across Florida from north to south approaches the region. About a dozen counties north and west of Flagler are under the watch.
Mayor Alfin Stands By Lauren Johnston as Acting Manager as Danko Motion to Hire Jerry Cameron Dies
Mayor David Alfin provided the swing vote Tuesday evening to keep Lauren Johnston as acting city manager until a permanent replacement is found, after a powerful plea–and motion–by Council member Theresa Pontieri to ratify Johnston contract and respect council procedures, the charter and principle. Moments later, the council rebuffed an attempt by Council member Ed Danko to hire Jerry Cameron, the former Flagler County administrator, in place of Johnston. Danko’s motion died for lack of second.