Janis Washburn, the 68-year-old Palm Coast resident found dead in the Intracoastal last week, had spent the last three hours of her life with a group of strangers who took her in to cheer her up. She had long spoken of suicide.
Flagler Beach
Tax Collector’s New Branch Office in Flagler Beach Compelled By Rising Traffic–and Guns
The new tax collector’s branch at the Food Lion shopping center in Flagler Beach will be the exclusive location for the boom in concealed weapons permitting, and possibly a commercial seed for the long-moribund Flagler Square.
Qualifying Over in Flagler Beach and Bunnell March 7 Elections, Still Time to Register to Vote
Both cities’ incumbents and one challenger in each have qualified–Marshall Shupe, Kim Carney and Paul Eik in Flagler Beach, Bonita Robinson, John Rogers and John Sowell in Bunnell, with two seats in play in each government.
In Flagler Again, Gov. Scott Issues $15.8 Million For Beach Fix in 4 Counties, $5.4M for Flagler
The $15.8 million is not necessarily new money but includes at least $5.3 million Flagler County has been lobbying for to rebuild dunes. Gov. Scott made the announcement at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park’s beach.
Short-Listed for Top Job in Jackson County, Flagler Beach Manager Newsom Says He’s Not Interested
Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom, who’s been in the middle of a different job-hunt swirl this week, had applied for the Panhandle job last summer, just six months into his job locally, as a back-up plan, he said.
Flagler Beach Approves $40 Million State Plan to Rebuild Dunes, With Sea Wall at City’s North End
In a surprising shift, Flagler Beach City Commissioners agreed to a state plan to build a sea wall at the city’s north end in exchange for a beach management plan the state would pay for.
County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin Apologizes to Flagler Beach Officials Over Interference
Commissioner Nate McLaughlin apologized in person to Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom and City Commissioners Jane Mealy and Marshall Shupe over comments he claimed were misconstrued.
Why Is the County Chairman Meddling in Flagler Beach’s Business, and Why Was Flagler Beach’s Manager Job-Hunting in Bunnell?
Flagler Beach officials were perplexed and angered by County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin’s apparent interference in their city manager’s–and their city’s–business at a time when county and city are trying to work out difficult issues.
Janis Washburn, 68, Found Dead in Intracoastal Near Hidden Treasures By Flagler Beach Bridge
Janis Washburn, 68, of Palm Coast’s E-Section, was detected by a jogger on the Flagler Beach bridge just before 11 a.m. She had lived in Palm Coast since 2008.
Rift Opens Between County and Flagler Beach Over Dunes Fix; County Depletes TDC Fund
Flagler County commissioners agreed today to deplete a $1.5 million fund for beach management as part of a match to draw down state dollars, but none of the money would benefit Flagler Beach, angering officials there.
2016 Sets Global Heat Record For 3rd Straight Year, Raising Alarms of Irreparable Threats
Central Florida felt the heat: Orlando’s temperature average for 2016 was 1.80 degrees above normal in 2016. From late November through December, it was 5, 6 and 7 degrees above normal day after day.
Pier Repairs, 52 Dune Walkovers, A1A: Flagler Beach Manager Newsom’s Post-Hurricane Status Report
Among other plans, Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom wants the city to have the longest pier in Florida, but getting there will take a while yet as he updates all repair plans.
Why a Seawall in Flagler Beach Could Harm Sea Turtles and Violate the Law
Flagler Beach’s situation on the ground has changed enough between Hurricane Matthew and recent findings about sea turtles that state transportation department construction plans should be rethought in light of those developments, argues Chad Boda.
Numerous Concerns, Elusive Certainties as Flagler Beach and County Governments Talk Beach Renovation
Assurances Flagler Beach was looking for–that there would be no sea walls anywhere, that the city’s beaches would have priority–proved elusive in a joint meeting with county government.
Help With Beach Recovery and an Additional County Judge Dominate Requests to Flagler’s Lawmakers
Post-Hurricane Matthew recovery occupied almost half the requests at the annual legislative delegation meeting Wednesday, when Flagler’s governments, non-profits, private associations and citizens submit wish lists to state lawmakers.
County Tallies Up Almost $60 Million Cost of Repairing Beaches But Lacks Comprehensive Plan
Flagler County commissioners heard sobering costs of repairing 18 miles of beaches but a “unified” plan local cities, state and federal agencies can agree to is entirely lacking.
Flagler Beach and Bunnell Will Have Contested City Elections in March as 2 Challengers Qualify
Flagler Beach incumbents Marshal Shupe and Kim Carney have drawn Paul Eik as an opponent. In Bunnell, John Sowell, a former pilot for Flagler County Fire Flight, will challenge incumbents Bonita Robinson and John Rogers.
Hurricanes Matthew and Hermine Damages Reach $1.59 Billion, A1A a Big Bite
By comparison the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research has placed damages from the 2004 hurricane season, in which four hurricanes hit the state, at $45 billion.
New A1A Options Include Moving It to Central and Daytona Avenues, and 5.2-Mile Sea Wall
Six options for the future A1A in Flagler Beach were unveiled by the stat Transportation Department Thursday, three of them including a huge (but buried) sea wall, and three shifting traffic to Central and Daytona Avenues.
Flagler Beach’s Closed-Door Session Ends With Agreement to Negotiate Settlement With Sklar and Marina
Spurred by a court order largely siding with Howard Sklar’s Marina, scuttled in disputes and litigation for years, the Flagler Beach City Commission voted 5-0 following a closed meeting to negotiate a final settlement and bypass appeals.
In Flagler Beach Again, Sen. Nelson Conveys Feds’ Message on Beach Fix: No Seawalls
Sen. Bill Nelson was back in Flagler Beach to tout the passage of a water bill that includes authorization for $15.6 million in federal beach renourishment dollars for Flagler County. But it’s conditional on the state not building sea walls.
Parents in Mourning Candle-Lighting Set for Sunday in Flagler Beach’s Veterans Park
The ceremony, organized by Donna Lunsford and Carol Fisher, is part of the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting that takes place on the same day in every part of the world.
Crime in Flagler and Palm Coast Continued Decline in 2016, But Violence Is Up Again
Overall crime declined in the first six months of the year but violent crime was on the rise again, with increases in murders (there were two in 2015), rapes, and aggravated assault.
Court Ruling Mostly Favoring Developer May End Nearly 2-Decade Wrangle Over Flagler Beach Marina
Howard Sklar’s marina and boat-works on the Intracoastal in Flagler Beach has been mired in conflict with the city almost since its inception in the late 1990s. A circuit court ruling may finally clear the way for its operations.
Not a Storm Too Soon, Worst Hurricane Season In 11 Years Ends as Flagler Continues Recovery
Florida ended its 2016 hurricane season Wednesday, marking the first time in more than a decade that the Sunshine State was hit by a hurricane–and the closest Flagler County came to a direct hit in decades.
Flagler Beach Holiday at the Beach Parade Set for Saturday: Late Participants Welcome
The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach is once again hosting the Holiday at the Beach parade this Saturday, Dec. 3, along resilient State Road A1A in the city and is welcoming last minute parade applicants this week. See the application below.
Man Charged With 2 Counts of DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide in Deaths of Kathleen and Carl Boos on A1A
William G. Schwarz, 52, of Ormond Beach, is being held on $400,000 bond at the Flagler jail. His blood-alcohol level was 0.252 at the time of the March 11 wreck involvinf four cars near Painters Hill.
Feed Flagler Beach at Thanksgiving
Feed Flagler Beach is a sit down community based Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day, November 24, 2016, from 1-3 p.m. at The Wickline Center.
Man Injures Flagler Beach Police Officer in Escape Attempt After Arrest
David Scott, who’d been put on three years’ probation over a violent incident in February, smashed a patrol car’s window and injured a Flagler Beach police officer after an arrest over a probation violation.
Repairs on Speed: A1A Reopens to Governor’s Applause as Businesses Cheer With Relief
The remarkably swift emergency repairs to the road on a state government emergency contract to Halifax Paving turned what could have been a death knell to many businesses into a setback, now overcome.
Contractor Gunning to Reopen A1A 30 Days Ahead of Schedule. The Reason: $1 Million Bonus
Halifax Paving is set to reopen State Road A1A in Flagler Beach next week, some 30 days ahead of schedule, earning itself a $1 million bonus on top of the original $4 million emergency contract. Businesses and others are cheering.
Biting Error: Flagler Mosquito Control Race Missing From Nearly 1,600 Ballots in Beachside Precincts
The mosquito control race was missing from 1,200 mail ballots, an error that was being fixed, but also from 363 early voting ballots already cast, creating a dilemma for the supervisor of elections. The error was caught Monday and stopped by the time voting resumed Tuesday.
Work Begins on A1A Repairs as Transportation Department Sets Open House for Wednesday
Halifax Paving started re-construction today on the temporary fix of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, with an open house scheduled for Wednesday for residents to find out more about what’s ahead.
Gov. Scott Orders State Transportation Department to Expedite A1A Reopening in Flagler Beach
The transportation department, in response to Scott’s order, said restoring traffic on A1A in Flagler Beach is now the Number 1 priority in the state. About 1.4 miles of road was damaged and closed.
Sen. Bill Nelson, in Flagler Beach, Pledges to Kick “Posteriors” to Channel Repair Dollars for Road and Beach
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the latest in a string of state and federal officials to visit the damaged Barrier Island, stressed support for a re-nourished beach and a rebuilt A1A with federal dollars covering 75 to 90 percent of the cost.
Damaged State Road A1A in Flagler Beach Will Re-Open as 2-Lane Road in 3 to 4 Months
The two-lane road will be an emergency fix, with narrower lanes, a barrier wall on the ocean side, and a speed limit lowered to 25 mph, but it will be a boon to businesses that continue to be ravaged by its current closure.
FEMA Finally Broadens Emergency Declaration to Include Homeowners; Flagler Beach Re-Opens Beaches Wednesday
FEMA’s declaration will let homeowners claim up to $33,000 in repair or recovery expenses attributed to Hurricane Matthew. The beaches in Flagler Beach will reopen from North 4th Street to South 8th Street on Wednesday, and go further after the weekend.
150 Volunteers Swarm to Clean Up Flagler’s Beaches, Some to Reopen by Mid-Week; FPC Students Clear Graham Swamp Trail
In Flagler Beach Mayor Linda Provencher drew a mass of volunteers in less than 24 hours for the Sunday clean-up, and in Palm Coast, FPC track Coach David Halliday led his team along Graham Swamp’s trails, cleaning them up around the same time.
At Painters Hill and Washington Oaks, Crumbling Houses and a Devastated Treasure Beyond the Public Eye
Here’s the first look at destruction not seen before: how Hurricane Matthew left houses on Painters Hill uninhabitable, and demolished and unrecognizably remade Washington Oaks Garden State Park’s beach-side park. With video.
Recovery Round-Up: FEMA Inspects Flagler, Crews Inspect the Pier, Assistance Center Opens, Debris Pick-Up Cautions
A comprehensive update on the latest in Hurricane Matthew recovery operations in Flagler County and its cities, including essential information from FEMA and debris removal requirements.
Flagler Damages to Homes and Businesses Estimated at $73 Million; 11 Homes Destroyed, 500 Damaged; Utilities Grinding to Normal
The price tag is very likely to exceed $100 million when damage to government infrastructure is eventually included. yet the sum total of the damage is far below what was feared from a direct hit of Hurricane Matthew.
Post-Hurricane Matthew Re-Openings, Gas Stations and Businesses: A Running List
Here’s a running list of updated business reopenings, gas availability in Palm Coast and Flagler in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Updated live.
Taxes Will Stay Flat For Most Property Owners in Flagler and Its Cities in 2017
Taxes have increased in Flagler County and in all five cities, but will be largely offset by a tax decrease in school taxes, while values have increased only marginally.
Mid-Morning Fire Guts Half a House on South Central in Flagler Beach as 2 Residents Escape
Pat Bauvi, 57, and his son Zach were in separate parts of the house at 1915 South Central Avenue when the fire broke out. They were able to get out. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Man Wounded By Gunshot Limps Into Hospital, But Cops Skeptical of Shooting Account
Alfred Wright arrived at Florida Hospital Flagler with a gunshot to the thigh and claimed he’d been shot by an assailant either in Palm Coast or Flagler Beach. His story unraveled from there, with his girlfriend providing a different account.
Flagler Beach Commission Considers Biggest Tax Hike Since Recession, and New Fire Costs
The Flagler Beach City Commission is considering a budget that would significantly raise taxes while restoring such positions as the fire and police chief, positions eliminated three years ago.
Key Flagler Panel Votes 7-5 To Endorse Pot Citation Proposal, But Split Reflects Hazy Fate
The proposed ordinance to decriminalize some pot possession now goes to the county commission, Palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler Beach for approval, but it’s faced sustained opposition.
Back to Eden Café, Specializing in Vegetarian and Raw Foods, Re-Opens in Downtown Flagler Beach
Back to Eden Café in Flagler Beach, the organic, vegan, vegetarian, and raw living foods restaurant, has re-opened, manager Maria Serrano said. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinners downtown at at 210 S. Central Ave.
Cindy Dalecki is Flagler Beach Rotary’s New President, Tim O’Donnell Gets Year’s Top Honor
Dalecki owns Marketing 2 Go, the new-media company she started six years ago on her own and has since turned into an operation employing half a dozen. The club held its annual Cycle Flagler event in May, raising over $15,000.
A Flagler Beach Vigil for Massacre Victims, Flickering Grief of LGBT Community
Pulse, the scene of the massacre in Orlando, was a favored destination for the Palm Coast-Flagler gay, lesbian and transgender community, which had nothing like it nearer. The vigil will pay tribute to the victims, raise money and awareness.