While facing some public and employee anxieties the Flagler school district is moving ahead with reopening, though key criteria such as when a school or in-person instruction would be shut down from a covid outbreak remain a mystery, raising further questions.
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Vincent Lyon, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Vincent Lyon is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 18 primary election. Lyon is running in District 1 against Jill Woolbright.
Jill Woolbright, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Jill Woolbright is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 18 primary election. Woolbright is running in District 1 against Vincent Lyon.
Back To School Sales Tax ‘Holiday’ This Weekend Includes Computer Costs of Up to $1,000
Many children are expected to start the school year taking classes online because of concerns about the spread of the virus, likely spurring some families to look for computer equipment.
No Contest: Unanimous Vote Puts Former Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts Back on the Council for Next 3 Months
Among the three candidates who’d applied to fill the seat Councilman Jack Howell resigned last month, there was no question Jon Netts alone was entirely conversant with the city’s issues and the budget it must vote on in the next few weeks.
Sims Jones, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Sims Jones is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1–the seat first-term Councilman Bob Cuff elected not to run for again. The seat also drew candidates Ed Danko and Lou Salvagio.
Prank Claim of Son Shooting Mother, 3rd Palm Coast ‘Swatting’ in 3 Months, Mobilizes and Wastes Responders’ Resources
The call to the Flagler County Sheriff’s non-emergency line sounded tragic, if unreal: a teenager’s mother had come into his room for no reason, and he’d shot her in the head with a shotgun. Innumerable resources had been mobilized by the time it became clear that it was a bogus call–swatting.
Lou Salvagio, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Lou Salvagio is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1–the seat first-term Councilman Bob Cuff elected not to run for again. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Voting By Mail Is Safer and Very Popular in Florida, But It May Also Exacerbate Existing Inequalities
Even Floridians who are experienced, in-person voters have a higher chance of having ballots rejected when they switch to voting by mail, according to an analysis by Smith of Florida’s March presidential primary election.
Flagler Beach’s Bruce Garrison One of 2 More Covid-Related Deaths, Bringing Flagler’s Total to 14
Bruce Garrison, 66, had been a supervisor at Flagler Beach’s city-run sanitation department. His death and that of a 69-year-old man bring Flagler County’s total to 14, including two non-residents, as covid-19 cases nearly tripled locally since the beginning of July.
15-Year-Old Shot at Unauthorized Event Attended by Hundreds at Bunnell Bar Saturday
A 15-year-old Flagler County resident was shot and wounded late Saturday night during an event attended by some 400 people, called “Bunnell Hood Affair” at The Place, a bar at 411 South State Street in Bunnell.
Lyft Rider Accused of Attacking and Spitting on Palm Coast Driver Was Upset By Covid-Protecting Partition
Travis Schriever Smith, 36, of Palm Coast faces criminal charges after allegedly ripping down a covid-protecting partition in a Lyft car, attacking the driver and spitting on him.
Cheryl Massaro, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Cheryl Massaro is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 18 primary election. Massaro is running in District 5 against first-term incumbent Maria Barbosa.
Scientists Rely on Unproven Methods to Create Covid Vaccines, But Fauci Sees Breakthrough
With millions of lives on the line, researchers have been working at an unprecedented pace to develop a covid-19 vaccine. But that speed — and some widely touted breakthroughs — belie the enormous complexity and potential risks involved.
‘Phew, We Dodged One,’ Storm Surge ‘No Longer an Issue’ and Evacuations Unnecessary as Isaias Threat Diminishes
Tropical Storm Isaias will not be much of an issue anymore and evacuations in Flagler won;t be required as emergency personnel ramped down their response Sunday afternoon.
Despite Building Fiascos, County Now Wants ‘Due Diligence’ On Buying Old $1 Million Bank of America in Flagler Beach
Despite a nightmarish history of buying old buildings and having to unload them at a loss, the Flagler County Commission Monday will hear a proposal from its tourism department to gather information on buying the 40-year-old $1.1 million former Bank of America building on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, opposite the pier.
Donald O’Brien, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Donald O’Brien, a first-term incumbent, is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 5, facing Bob Jones in the Aug. 18 primary.
Flagler Commissioner Joe Mullins Pays $750 Fine in Settlement of Campaign Finance Violations Claim
Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins paid the Florida Elections Commission a $750 fine on April 17 to settle allegations that he had accepted illegal campaign contributions during his 2018 run against then-Commissioner Nate McLaughlin.
Florida Pediatricians Say Districts With Positivity Rate Higher Than 5% Must Delay Opening
Florida pediatricians Wednesday released recommendations aimed at reducing risks to children and teachers, saying the benefits of reopening schools will not outweigh the health risks in many areas for the next four to six weeks.
Flagler Health Department’s Medical Chief Rebukes ‘Covid Minimizers’ as Deaths Surge and Hospitalizations Persist
Dr. Stephen Bickel, the medical director at the Flagler and Volusia health departments, criticized “covid minimizers” for seizing on rogue data to diminish the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic, hurting efforts to fight it.
Union Calls for Online Classes Only at Florida’s Colleges and Universities
The push to keep university and college campuses closed during the fall semester, amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, adds another pressure point on the Republican governor, who is increasingly facing criticism for how he has reopened the state.
Dave Sullivan, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Dave Sullivan is an incumbent candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3, facing Kim Carney in the Aug. 18 primary. All registered Flagler County voters may cast a ballot in the race regardless of address or party affiliation.
When Is a Coronavirus Test Not a Coronavirus Test?
Coronavirus testing in the United States has been bungled in every way imaginable. Tests are now widely available in many places, but results are often taking so long to come back that it is more or less pointless to get tested.
School Board Approves 2-Week Delay and Revised Calendar, But McDonald Again Peddles Bogus Claims
The special meeting ended in a whirl of unanswered questions about the threshold that would trigger more delays or remote-only instruction, and in yet more outright false information spoken by Chairman Janet McDonald, who cited as factual bogus claims in a viral video that’s been banned from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Kimberle Weeks, a Convicted Felon 5 Times Over, Is Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail and 18 Months of Probation
The five-year old case against Kimberle Weeks ended today as a circuit judge sentenced the former Flagler County Elections Supervisor to 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation on each of five felony counts of illegally recording and transmitting phone conversations when she was a supervisor.
Palm Coast Council Will Interview 3 Candidates to Fill Howell’s Seat Until November, Including Ex-Mayor Netts
The council will interview Jon Netts, the former mayor, Hung Hilton and William Schreiber. The interviews will take place in a public meeting on Aug. 4. Jack Howell resigned earlier this month for health reasons.
Flagler Adds 2 More Covid Deaths, for Total of 12; Flagler Children’s Overall Positivity Rate at 10%
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 55 Flagler County children ages 17 or younger have tested positive out of 545 tested, yielding a positivity rate of 10.1 percent–a rate higher than commonly assumed.
Board Set to Approve Flagler Schools Calendar With Shorter Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks
Flagler County public school students may be enjoying an extra two weeks of summer, but a proposed revised calendar will have them make up every lost day through shorter Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks. Faculty members are losing teacher work days.
Florida Regulators Looking for Ideas on Reopening Bars to Stem Business Losses
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears said he will begin setting aside time to discuss his June 26 order that banned on-site consumption at bars to try to help stem the spread of covid-19.
Underfunded and Under Threat: Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus
The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and lacks the resources to confront the worst health crisis in a century. In Florida, 2% of state spending goes to public health. Spending by local health departments in the state fell 39%, from a high of $57 in inflation-adjusted dollars per person in the late 1990s to $35 per person last year.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: On Misogyny, Impunity and Decency
“In using that language in front of the press,” U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said of Rep. Ted Yoho’s misogynistic insult, “he gave permission to use that language against his wife, his daughters, women in his community, and I am here to stand up to say that is not acceptable.
Flagler Covid Cases Set New Record for the Week, Including 6 Children 14 Or Younger; 22 in Treatment at AdventHealth
The latest Flagler County residents to test positive include girls age 2, 5 and 8 and boys age 8, 9 and 14, which raises concern for school and health officials looking at the reopening of local schools.
My Son Is the Student-Athlete at Matanzas Who Tested Positive. Here’s My Advice to the District.
The mother of the Matanzas High School student-athlete who tested positive for Covid-19 describes the experience and provides suggestions to the school district, and the community, on how to handle school athletics this coming year. In short, don’t cancel them.
5th Covid Death in Eight Days in Flagler; 9 Year Old Dies in Putnam; Florida Reports Record 173 Deaths
The latest person to die locally is a 73-year-old man, bringing the total number of Covid-related deaths in the county to at least 10. Flagler has recorded 112 new cases in five days this week, with a rising positivity rate.
As Long Waits for Results Render Covid Tests ‘Useless,’ Florida Among States Seeking Workarounds
Quest announced that turnaround times had slowed to a week or more, up from three or four days in June. It also said some patients may face wait times of up to two weeks. Quest officials warned this week that could get worse as flu season starts this fall.
Alan Lowe, Palm Coast Mayor Candidate: The Live Interview
Alan Lowe is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Flagler Reports Another Covid Death; School District Postpones All Fall Sports Indefinitely
The Health Department said a 92-year-old woman who’d been hospitalized with Covid died in hospice. The school district announced that all fall sports, including football and volleyball, are postponed until further notice.
Chastened Over Outbursts, Flagler Beach Manager Newsom Apologizes But Also Draws Warm Support
City Manager Larry Newsom survived a humiliating and one-sided dressing down by rookie Commissioner Deborah Phillips as other commissioners and the mayor rallied around him and he apologized repeatedly for a recent outburst at a public meeting.
Jacksonville Sheriff Warns He Can’t Keep GOP Convention Safe. Republicans Move Ahead Anyway.
“Where we are today is we can’t support this plan,” Sheriff Mike Williams, a Republican, said. “Where do we go from here is a good question. But where we are today, we can’t support it.”
How to Understand Covid-19 Numbers
Viewed in isolation or presented without context, coronavirus numbers don’t always give an accurate picture of how the pandemic is being handled. Here, two journalists offer insight on how to navigate the figures.
Flagler School Board Supports Pushing Back Opening to Aug. 24; Up to 40% May Opt for Remote Learning
The Flagler School Board supports its superintendent’s request to delay school’s opening to Aug. 28 for students, and at least to Aug. 10 for faculty, to give staff more time to prepare for a radically different school-campus landscape that may be missing up to 40 percent of in-person students.
Michael Schottey, Palm Coast Mayor Candidate: The Live Interview
Michael Schottey is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Student Athlete Tests Positive at Matanzas High as FHSAA Opts for Regular-Season Schedule Against Advice
Athletes in several school sports have been preparing for the fall season, which is set to resume at the same time as school’s resumption on Aug. 10, though Covid-19 cases are surging in Flagler and Florida.
Teachers Unions Sue Gov. DeSantis and Corcoran Over “Unsafe” Reopening of Schools as Virus Surges
Florida’s teacher unions have sued Gov. Rick DeSantis today, calling a state order to open schools to in-person instruction as the coronavirus surges “unsafe” and in violation of the state Constitution’s requirement that schools are operated safely.
For Covid Tests, the Question of Who Pays Comes Down to Interpretation
Who pays when all employees are required to have a negative Covid test in order to return to work? Or if a factory tests workers every two weeks? Or just because someone wants to know for their own peace of mind?
Milissa Holland, Palm Coast Mayor Candidate: The Live Interview
Milissa Holland is the Palm Coast mayor, running for re-election. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Settlement in Vote-By-Mail Lawsuit Calls on Supervisors to ‘Maximize’ Convenience
The legal wrangling over mail-in ballots in Florida has come amid a national furor over absentee voting, with the man at the top of the Republican ticket in November railing about vote-by-mail for months.
Flagler Covid Cases Jump By 38 In a Day; Positive Staffers at 2 Assisted Livings; Older Children Just as Infectious, Study Finds
Flagler has seen 157 new cases in the last seven days, a quarter of its total since March and by far the most accelerated pace of new infections since the pandemic began, with a positivity rate of 10.6 percent. The largest study to date on the subject finds that older school-children are just as likely to be infectious as adults.
Conspiracy Theories Aside, Here’s What Contact Tracers Really Do
Contact tracing is the public health practice of informing people when they’ve been exposed to a contagious disease. As it has become more widely employed across the country, it has also become mired in modern political polarization and conspiracy theories.
Behind Mason Brown’s Death: Flagler Drug Court Loses One of Its Own for 3rd Time in 4 Years
Mason Dillon Brown, 28, found dead of an apparent overdose in a pond off Belle Terre Boulevard Thursday, had just been thrown out of a rehab program and was facing getting thrown out of drug court, the revocation of his probation and a prison term.