Nehemiah Gilyard, an 18-year-old Bunnell resident and student-athlete at Flagler Palm Coast High School, was killed Sunday night in a single-vehicle crash on County Road 302. The cause of the crash is not known.
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Republicans in Florida and Elsewhere Respond to Black Lives Matter with Anti-Protest Bills
Republican legislators in Florida and 21 other states are considering tough new penalties for protesters who break laws. As in Florida, some of the bills also would prevent localities from cutting police budgets and give some legal protection to people who injure protesters.
Court Orders Prosecutor to Discipline Attorney Who Dressed as Grim Reaper in Alert Over Covid Dangers
Days after asking The Florida Bar to consider sanctioning an attorney who made national headlines by dressing as the Grim Reaper to criticize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, an appeals court took the rare step of ordering a state prosecutor to pursue discipline against Santa Rosa Beach lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder.
Ask the Doctor: Returning Children to School Safely, All Those Post-Vaccine Reactions, HIV-Patient Eligibility
Dr. Stephen Bickel answers new questions about the anxieties of returning children to school in covid times, the effects (or non-effects) of the covid vaccine on various medical conditions, the eligibility of populations other than those 65-and-over for the vaccine, and more.
Life in Prison for Brian Wirth, Palm Coast Father of 3 Who Raped His Young Children for Years
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins today sentenced Brian Scott Wirth, 40, to life in prison on numerous counts of raping, abusing and humiliating his three children over many years, from the time they turned 5 or 6. Wirth had pleaded guilty and was hoping for a 35-year sentence.
In Flagler Beach, the Two Finalists for City Manager Are a Contrast of Experience and Personalities
William Whitson has managed four cities and was assistant manager of Port orange for eight years, Dru Driscoll has worked 22 years in Daytona Beach, the last few as deputy city manager and fire chief. They are seeking to replace the late Larry Newsom, who died in August.
Palm Coast Prepares for New Garbage Contract as Waste Pro starts ‘Inappropriate’ Courtship of Council Members
Waste Pro’s 5-year contract with Palm Coast ends in 2022. The city will bid out the contract this year and seek residents’ input through a survey on what they want from their next hauler, especially to keep costs down, such as automated hauling, larger garbage cans, reduced pick-up days, recycling changes and the like.
Once Again, Florida Lawmakers Move to Scrap Local Governments’ Vacation Rental Regulations
A years-long effort to block local governments from regulating vacation rentals is on the move again, as House and Senate leaders revive a proposal to prevent cities and counties from inspecting and licensing properties offered on platforms such as Airbnb.
Flagler Health Department Issues First Rabies Alert in 11 Years, for Bunnell and Southern Part of the County
The Health Department issued the rabies alert for Bunnell and the Korona community in response to a raccoon that tested positive on Tuesday after attacking a dog. The center of the alert is near Old Cemetery Road in Korona, an unincorporated community north northeast of Favoretta on US 1 and south of Bunnell.
Walmart Starts Covid Vaccines Friday But Not in Flagler, Volusia or St. Johns; 9% in Flagler Have 1st Shot
Florida residents may get vaccinated at any Florida Walmart location of their choice, regardless of their home address. The Flagler County Health Department meanwhile continues to administer about 800 first shots per week.
Porch Piracy in Palm Coast: 2 Arrested on Felony Charges After Package Thefts in K-Section
With 1.7 million packages lost or stolen every day in the country, Palm Coast is no stranger to porch piracy, and on Tuesday two out-of-towners were arrested and charged with felony burglary for allegedly stealing packages from front porches in the K-Section.
Confrontation at City Hall Prompts Palm Coast to Add Armed Security and Consider Metal Detector
Employees’ confrontation with a man who refused to wear a mask before a recent Palm Coast Council meeting was the last straw for the manager, who opted to add armed security and soon add a metal detector outside the public meeting venue. He said the generally more tense atmosphere here and elsewhere is prompting moves for greater security.
In Wake of Attempted Poisoning of Florida City’s Water, Palm Coast Manager Says System Here Is Safe
Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton sought to reassure council members this morning about the safety of the city’s water utility system in light of last week’s attempted poisoning of Oldsmar’s water, in Tampa Bay.
Judge Rejects Publix Attempt to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Deli Employee’s Covid Death
The lawsuit, filed in November, contends that Gutierrez was infected in late March by another employee who came to work with Covid-19. It makes a series of allegations, including that Publix at the time prevented employees from wearing masks that could have prevented the spread of the disease.
Instead of 5 Years in Prison, Ex-Captain’s BBQ Manager Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail for Sex With a Minor
The sentence, negotiated with the victim’s family, was a significant reduction from the lowest-permissible sentence Deoliveira was facing, and the sort of sentence typically pronounced in such cases locally: at least five and a half years in prison, and a maximum of 15 years.
‘We Don’t Like Making These Arrests,’ Sheriff Says as 4th Student in 13 Days Faces Felony Charge Over Threats
In the latest case, the student was singing a rap song as he was walking into the school’s computer lab, and subsequently looked up guns and ammunition sites and pointed his iPad at a teacher and told her he was going to shoot her.
Why the U.S. Is Underestimating Covid Reinfection
Hundreds of Americans suspect they contracted covid early in the pandemic and recovered, only to get infected again months later. But because the U.S. does so little genetic sequencing of covid samples, we don’t know much about reinfection rates.
Healthy Opelka, Ranked 40 in the World, Hopes to Start 2021 Tennis Season With Strong Australian Open
Reilly Opelka’s career has been hampered by injuries, but the 7-foot ex-Palm Coast resident who still has strong ties to the community opens his bid at the Australian Open this weekend healthy and strong, and ranked 40 in the world.
Flagler’s Covid Deaths Up to 73 as Obstacle Race To Vaccines and Herd Immunity Continues
Only a little over 6 percent of Flagler County’s population of 115,000 has been vaccinated, most in the 65-and-over group, as new infections continue to be recorded at almost triple the rate from the summer spike despite a slowdown.
Federal Investigation Finds Staff Brutality and Sexual Abuse of Inmates at Florida Prison. State Demurs.
The federal investigation found “varied and disturbing reports” of sexual abuse, including rape, of female inmates by staff members at the state’s largest women’s correctional facility. State officials had documented and been aware of sexual abuse by sergeants, correctional officers and other staff at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala since at least 2006.
Appeals Court Orders New Bova Murder Trial: Judge ‘Abused’ Discretion By Denying Him Right to Represent Himself
The Fifth District Court of Appeal today ordered Joseph Bova re-tried for murder, 17 months after a jury found Bova guilty and a judge sentenced him to life in prison. The court ruled that Judge Terence Perkins was wrong to deny Bova his right to fire his attorneys and represent himself, no matter how much of a mess Bova would have made for himself.
Go To the Theatre in Comfort of Your Home: “Two for the Seesaw” Benefits CRT and Arts Foundation
City Repertory Theatre and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation have teamed up for a co-production of “Two for the Seesaw,” filmed at St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre and available over the next two weekends from home for $30, which benefits the arts organizations.
Hurling Racist Invectives, Hammock Man Pulls Knife on a Deputy Whose Help He Was Seeking
Clayton Callahan, 30, became enraged and violent when the deputy he was asking to chase after an SUV that had allegedly driven off with his belongings was asking questions instead of immediately setting chase.
Senate Panel Signs Off on Vast Expansion of Use of Tax Dollars for Private Schools
The measure (SB 48), filed by Republican Sen. Manny Diaz of Hialeah, would expand eligibility for school-voucher programs and allow parents to use taxpayer-backed education savings accounts for private schools and other costs.
Flagler Student Is Arrested on Felony Charge of Threatening School Shooting For 3rd Time in 8 Days
A 12-year-old student at Bunnell Elementary School on Wednesday told classmates not to show up for school today as he’d be shooting up campus. He was arrested and charged the way an 11-year-old and an 18-year-old were charged last week for similar, joking threats.
All But 4 Easements Secured, Flagler Beach Dunes Project Will Go Forward as Will Court Action Against Holdouts
A year-long effort between Flagler County government and a grass-roots group and its Go Fund Me campaign to secure easements from 13 hold-outs so 2.6 miles of shore can be rebuilt with ample dunes in Flagler Beach has paid off. Only three owners and holding four parcels remain. All others have signed.
Even With Remote Option, Enrollment in Flagler’s 9 Traditional Schools Is at Lowest Level Since 2005
With Flagler schools reflecting some decline, Florida legislators and local education officials are trying to pinpoint what happened to nearly 90,000 “missing” public school students across the state, as public school enrollment estimates have dropped amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Renner Warns of ‘Massive Shortfall’ in State Budget Even as He Projects a Stronger Economy in Flagler
While he warns of a nearly $3 billion state budget deficit, Paul Renner, the Palm Coast Republican and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said Flagler is running out of houses to sell and the arrival of two universities and Boston Whaler will significantly improve the local economy.
GOP Lawmaker Wants Teen and Felon Exception to Florida’s Voter-Approved $15 Minimum Wage
Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said his proposal to amend the state Constitution to allow the Legislature to exempt convicted felons and people under 21 from the new minimum-wage requirements would help them get jobs in the future.
Palm Coast Man Arrested in Bogus Scheme to Frame Girlfriend’s Ex in Shootings
Ariel Diaz, a 35-year-old resident of Eastern Place in Palm Coast, was arrested Friday on charges of fabricating evidence, making up a story of being shot at, and making bogus calls to 911 in an alleged attempt to frame another man for supposedly shooting at him and his car. The other man previously dated the woman Diaz is now dating.
Repeatedly Rebuked for ‘Knee-Jerk’ Decisions, County Retreats From Boat-Ramp Giveaway in Hammock
County Commissioner Andy Dance repeatedly spoke against making hurried decisions without study or community input as commissioners voted 4-1 to reject the administration’s plan to give away a public boat ramp and right of way on the Intracoastal in the Hammock.
2 Buddy Taylor Middle Students Struck By a Car at Belle Terre and White View Parkway
Two eighth graders, students at Buddy Taylor Middle School, were struck by a car early Monday morning (Feb. 1) as they were walking to school, sheriff’s office and school officials say. Both students were taken to AdventHealth Palm Coast.
Tampa’s Mayor Faces Twin Challenges of a Covid-Era Super Bowl and Ron DeSantis
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a Democrat who switched from the Republican Party in 2015 and a former Tampa police chief, would like to take stronger action to stop the spread of the coronavirus. But Gov. Ron DeSantis has limited what local officials can do.
School Chancellor Jacob Oliva Makes English-Proficiency Exam Optional for Now
In a win for advocates of English-language learners, Florida is allowing students to opt out of taking an annual English proficiency exam that is administered in person. Florida has more than 265,000 students for whom English is not a first language. They collectively speak more than 300 languages.
3 Arrested in Shooting Spree at K-Section House Involving 3 Guns and at Least 35 Bullets
Three men were arrested two minutes after they allegedly were involving in a shooting spree at a house on Kalamazoo Trail Thursday evening, a shooting that caused ripples of alarm in the neighborhood.
Two Flagler Beach Residents Arrested After Refusing to Comply With Mask Mandate at Commission Meeting
In a first at a local government meeting, two Flagler Beach residents were arrested Thursday evening after defiantly delaying a Flagler Beach City Commission meeting for 12 minutes, refusing to don a mask, in accordance with a city ordinance, and refusing to leave the commission room on their own. They were not arrested for a mask violation, but for trespassing after warnings.
Punting Responsibility, County Pits Hammock Neighbors Against Each Other Over Its Public Boat Ramp Giveaway
Flagler County government owns the unmarked, unguarded road segment of Pamela Parkway in the Hammock that ends as a boat ramp and that once cost a woman her life as she unknowingly drove into the Intracoastal. The county wants to give away the right of way to two homeowners in exchange for the homeowners building a seawall. Other residents object.
Flagler Government Planning Code Amendment Specifically to Permit Boat Storage Facility in the Hammock
After losing two court decisions, Hammock Harbour, the developer of a planned 240-boat storage facility near Hammock Hardware on State Road A1A, has filed a new application while the county is preparing an amendment to the Land Development Code that would specifically allow the business.
Upholding Requirement, Court Compares Mask Mandate to Smoking Bans in Public Places
A state appeals court Wednesday rejected a challenge to a Palm Beach County requirement that people wear face masks in businesses and other public places to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Controversial Bill Requiring ‘Viewpoint Diversity’ Surveys on Florida Campuses Wins Senate Backing
A controversial Senate proposal that would require Florida state colleges and universities to survey students about “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” on campus cleared its first hurdle Tuesday.
18-Year-Old Matanzas High Student Faces Felony Charge Over Song Threatening to Kill Administrator
Joseph Washington, a senior at Matanzas High School, wrote, sang, recorded and posted a song about a Matanzas administrator who’d suspended him over a dress-code violation. The song is a succession of obscenities, racism, sexual put-downs, misogynism, and explicit threats to kill not only the administrator but his family.
Flagler Sheriff Severs All Ties With Popular Christmas With a Deputy, Pivoting to Its Own ‘Shop With a Cop’
Last week, the Sheriff’s Office’s relationship with Christmas With a Deputy abruptly and surprisingly ended. Part of the rationale is entirely logical and reasonable. Part of it appears less so.
Appeals Court Sides With Hammock Association Against County and Developer on 240-Boat Storage Facility
The Hammock Community Association won another victory today as a district court denied the appeal by a developer of a lower court decision quashing redevelopment of a boat yard into a 240-boat storage facility next to Hammock Hardware on State Road A1A.
A Blustering Jonathan Canales Calls Court ‘Satanistic’ as He Loses Latest Appeal of Life-Term Conviction
Jonathan Canales, the 34-year-old former Mondex man serving a life term for shooting his then-girlfriend, accused the prison system of exposing him to beatings and the courts for being “satanistic” and skewed against defendants, but could not show any evidence that he’d had poor legal representation.
7 Days, 11 Additional Covid Deaths in Flagler, Totaling 68 as County Passes 5,000 Cases; 2nd Dose Vaccines Begin
It was the deadliest seven-day stretch of the pandemic for Flagler County. Over the weekend the tally rose to 60, and today the Health Department reported eight additional deaths, all senior citizens, bringing Flagler County’s total to 68. Second-dose shot vaccines were set to begin this week, along with a new batch of first-dose vaccines.
Anti-Vaccine Activists Are Peddling False Claims That Covid Shots Are Deadly, Undermining Vaccination
Anti-vaccine groups are exploiting the suffering and death of people who happen to fall ill after receiving a covid shot, threatening to undermine the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history. In some cases, anti-vaccine activists are fabricating stories of deaths that never occurred.
Sea Ray Plant Will Reopen as Boston Whaler, Bringing Back 300 to 400 Jobs and Annexing Into Palm Coast
Capping a whirling six months of major economic-development victories for Palm Coast, and two and a half years after the Sea Ray plant shut down off Colbert Lane, eliminating some 440 high-paying jobs, the plant will reopen very soon under the banner of Boston Whaler, a boat builder owned by Sea Ray’s parent, Brunswick Corp.
Ask the Doctor: No, Vaccines Contain No Aborted Fetus Tissue, Socializing Without Masks, Politics of Vaccines
Dr. Stephen Bickel answers two dozen new questions, including about the politics and logistics of the vaccine rollout, whether vaccinated people may socialize without masks, and numerous specific questions about the vaccine and beyond it.
Senate Pandemic Preparedness Chairman to Advocates of Covid-Safety Lockdowns: Drop Dead
Businesses will remain open for the economic well-being of the state even as covid-19 cases continue to surge in Florida, the head of a Senate select committee on the pandemic said this week.
“We’ve Let the Worst Happen”: Reflecting on 400,000 Dead
A reporter who’s covered the pandemic from the start examines the toll covid-19 has taken on the country and what to expect from a new president.