Jim Canfield, the founding mayor of Palm Coast and a pivotal figure in the city’s 1999 incorporation, has died at age 96. A former Manhattan educator, Canfield led the Home Rule Committee through a contentious transition to cityhood, overcoming opposition regarding taxes and representation. Known for his non-partisan leadership and diplomatic nature, he served as mayor until 2007. Colleagues remember him as an honorable, welcoming leader who prioritized community identity over political division.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Thank You, Palm Coast and Flagler County
It’s been a difficult year for the country and for the freedom to report about it yet FlaglerLive’s fundraiser this Christmas season once again exceeded its goal in this red county, which humbles me and fills me with hope about the community we are–despite and still, to borrow the words of Robert Graves.
Donald’s Donalds, ICE, SB180, Ending Taxes, Flashing Guns, Sleazing Hope: Florida’s Political Top Ten List of 2025
Choosing the top political stories in an “off year” when no statewide elections took place is challenging — although jockeying for the 2026 elections is well under way. Property taxes and gun rights, meanwhile, have emerged as issues likely to dominate the 2026 legislative session, which kicks off in a little more than two weeks.
Flagler Beach Motorcyclist Dies on U.S. 1 in Early Morning Crash, 8th Biker Fatality of the Year in County
A 32-year-old Flagler Beach man died early Christmas Eve after his motorcycle struck debris on U.S. 1, south of Belle Terre Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the rider lost control and was ejected from the vehicle. This incident marks Flagler County’s 18th traffic fatality of the year, and the eighth motorcycle fatality of the year.
Joshua Hawkins, 34, of Palm Coast, Accused of Raping Child Under His Care, After Buying Her Sex Toys
Joshua Seth Hawkins of Palm Coast was arrested Tuesday for sexual battery and molestation of a child in his custody. The victim reported a mid-December assault in a bathroom, supported by a forensic interview and recovered evidence, including items purchased from Amazon. He blames the alleged victim for initiating contact.
Palm Coast and Flagler County Holiday Schedule for Garbage Pick-Ups, Libraries, Transportation and Government Hours
Here’s the holiday schedule for Palm Coast and Flagler County government services, including courts, garbage pick-up, library hours, and public transportation.
Palm Coast Moves to Dismiss Town Center Development Lawsuit, Citing ‘Fundamental Misunderstanding’ of Utility Rules
Palm Coast government has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from Palm Coast Holdings regarding Town Center utility guarantees. The developer claims the city breached its contract by failing to guarantee water and sewer capacity, resulting in lost land sales. The city argues that development orders are conditional regulatory approvals, not absolute contracts. The city says no breach occurred because no permits were actually denied, characterizing the developer’s claims as speculative.
Argument on Old Kings Road Ends in Shooting; Victim Claims Assault, Girlfriend Cites Self-Harm
A man allegedly shot himself in a car while his girlfriend was driving, and she pulled into the driveway of the Elks Lodge to wait for paramedics. He blamed her. She described self-harm.
Community Rallies Around Marineland Dolphin Adventure with Cash and Gift Cards for Employees
After eighteen months of financial instability and bankruptcy, the staff at Marineland Dolphin Adventure received a festive surprise of over $4,600 in gift cards and cash. Organized by Flagler County Tourism Director Amy Lukasik and Flagler Broadcasting’s Kirk Keller, the fundraiser supported three dozen employees who, before the company was acquired on Dec. 1 by a nonprofit, faced missed paychecks and layoffs. Now under new leadership, the historic attraction is transitioning to a community-supported model.
Grappling with Shrinking Tax Base and Dissolution, Marineland Will Look to Soak Marina for More Dollars
The Town of Marineland faces potential dissolution as its primary revenue source, Marineland Dolphin Adventure, transitions to non-profit status, removing $44,000 from the tax rolls. With private land potentially moving into conservation and a restrictive marina contract, officials are struggling to find sustainable funding. But they are looking to renegotiate the marina lease to increase revenue. If the budget gap cannot be closed, Marineland may follow the path of Hastings, which dissolved into St. Johns County in 2018, and dissolve into Flagler County.
The Phony War on Christians
Right-wingers’ obsession with what they see as secular assaults on Jesus and the fiesta of capitalism with which we mark his birth are no longer confined to December. The craziness has metastasized, blown past December into the rest of the year, expanding faster than plans for the White House ballroom. It’s not just for Christmas anymore: According to MAGA politicians and their hangers-on, there’s now a full-blown War on Christians, writes Diane Roberts.
Florida Remains the Most Deadly State for Bicyclists Despite Efforts
A recently released report from the Bicycle Accident Lawyers group concluded that Florida remains the most dangerous state in the nation for bicyclists, looking at combined 2022 and 2023 data. And there were another 207 bicycle fatalities in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Calling CAIR Terrorists While AIPAC Buys Genocidal American Policy
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a terrorist organization is a legally toothless stunt. While ignoring the immense influence of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, which funds lavish trips for politicians to ensure support for war in Gaza, DeSantis targets a civil rights group with meager resources. The order relies on conspiracy theories and racism, endangering Muslims simply to fuel the governor’s culture war.
New Marineland Dolphin Leaders Promise ‘Miracle’ Turnaround and Wellness Focus, and Hint at Ragga Surf Return
New leadership at Marineland Dolphin Adventure appeared before the Town Commission to outline a wellness focused future for the attraction, now operated as a non-profit by Apex Associates. Directors Jack Kassewitz and Felicia Cook promised transparency, announced an upcoming National Geographic documentary, and hinted at the return of Ragga Surf Cafe. While commissioners welcomed the vision, the transition removes the property from tax rolls, costing the town one-third of its property tax revenue.
‘Define Yourself’: Stedman Graham, Leadership Coach and Life-Partner of Oprah Winfrey, Tinsels Flagler Tiger Bay
Stedman Graham, author and leadership consultant, addressed the Flagler Tiger Bay Club on Wednesday, sharing his philosophy of “Identity Leadership.” Graham recounted overcoming childhood discouragement in segregated New Jersey to define his own future. He emphasized that self-awareness is a prerequisite for leading others. The event, which also honored a club member with the Fang and Claw Award, drew local officials and followed Graham’s earlier appearance before 250 Flagler County students.
Longtime Homicide Prosecutor Mark Johnson Appointed to Putnam Judgeship, ‘Bittersweet’ Loss to State Attorney’s Office
After 17 years as a prosecutor in the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Mark Johnson has been appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis as a County Judge for Putnam County. Known for his cerebral style and successful partnership with fellow prosecutor Jason Lewis on high-profile homicide cases, Johnson’s departure is a significant loss for State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s office. Johnson will preside over misdemeanors and civil disputes in Putnam, with his investiture expected next year.
Ag Commissioner Appoints Perry Mitrano to Mosquito Control Board Seat in Place of Jules Kwiatkowski
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has appointed Perry Mitrano to the East Flagler Mosquito Control District board, filling the seat left by Jules Kwiatkowski’s recent death. Mitrano, a former critic of the board who lost two elections to Kwiatkowski, will serve until the next election. A former Bunnell waste management director and current GOP Executive Committee chair, Mitrano vows to focus on long-term planning and proper growth, praising the district’s current administrative leadership.
County Road 205 from Espanola to SR100 Will Get a $4 Million Make-Over
The Flagler County Commission approved a state grant agreement to widen and repave a deteriorated 1.9-mile stretch of County Road 205 west of Espanola. The $4 million project, primarily funded by a $3.2 million Florida Department of Transportation grant, aims to modernize the narrow, rustic road used frequently by quarry trucks and local commuters bypassing Bunnell. Construction improvements, include paved shoulders and new guardrails. The county must put up a 20 percent match. It has only a part of that funding for now.
Flagler District Wants Exemption to Later School Start Times Despite Sleep Science on Healthier Adolescents
The Flagler County school district is preparing to exempt itself from a Florida law requiring later start times for middle and high schools by 2026. Citing logistical challenges, transportation costs, and parental preference for current schedules, district officials argue against the change despite scientific evidence supporting more sleep for adolescents. A recent district survey indicates that while parents acknowledge the health benefits of later starts, many fear disruptions to work schedules and extracurricular activities.
Flagler Commission Ratifies Plan to Seek Funds for 153-Acre Bulow Creek Preservation and Hears It’s ‘Not Enough’
Protecting the headwaters of Bulow Creek from development’s proximity went from a hope to a plan Monday as the Flagler County Commission voted 5-0 to ratify an application process seeking several million dollars from Florida Forever, the state’s conservation fund, to buy 153 acres around the creek near Flagler Beach. But several people told the commission that 153 ares is not enough, and that the land around it should not be annexed into Flagler Beach as part of the plan to develop Summertown, the rsidential and commercial development on the west side of John Anderson Highway.
Two Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies Hospitalized After Their Motorcycles Are Struck by Car on Palm Coast Parkway
Two Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies were hospitalized with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries this morning after a car struck their motorcycles on Palm Coast Parkway near Wawa. Sheriff Rick Staly said the deputies were hit when a driver allegedly entered their path from a side road, though the investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol is ongoing. Staly urged the community to drive patiently during the holiday season, noting this is the third injury to a deputy in ten days.
Acting Manager Lauren Johnston Honored with Rare Ovation as She Prepares to Hand Reins to McGlothlin
Lauren Johnston made history as the first Palm Coast city manager to receive a standing ovation Tuesday morning at the conclusion of her nearly two-year acting tenure. Praised for restoring stability after a period of administrative turnover, Johnston was honored by the City Council and staff before returning to her preferred role as assistant city manager. She will now support incoming City Manager Michael McGlothlin, who assumes the permanent position on Wednesday.
Palm Coast Will Require Registration and Occupancy Caps for Its 18 Sober Living Homes in Residential Neighborhoods
Palm Coast is adopting a new ordinance to legalize and regulate recovery homes, bringing city code into compliance with state law. The rules require all sober living homes, including previously exempt Oxford Houses, to register with the city and obtain certification from the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR). The ordinance caps occupancy at 10 residents—half the state maximum—and mandates a 1,000-foot separation between facilities. Non-compliant homes face closure after a 60-day grace period.
Flagler Cares Executive, Middle School Student and Rise Up Program Honored as ‘Prevention Champions’ at State Summit
A Flagler County middle schooler, a team of school district administrators, and a top executive at Flagler Cares were singled out for their work in substance abuse prevention at a major statewide gathering in Ocala on Dec. 8. The awards were presented during the annual “Power of Prevention” summit, an event organized by the Community Coalition Alliance (CCA) in partnership with the Drug Free America Foundation. The gathering draws coalitions and advocates from across Florida to coordinate strategies on curbing substance misuse and bolstering community health.
Funky Pelican and Flagler Beach Renew Vows: Lease Extended 32 Years Amid Gushing Praise and Makeover Plans
Flagler Beach City Commissioners approved a lease extension for the Funky Pelican restaurant, securing the partnership through 2057. The deal, a lovefest in contrast to 2011’s contentious negotiations on the original lease, requires the restaurant to complete exterior renovations within a year. While base rent remains unchanged, the city retains its lucrative 3 percent cut of gross revenues over $1 million. The business had revenue of $4.7 million in 2024. It’s been a bit slower this year. The vote was 4-0.
With Felony Charge Dropped and IA Closed, Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Coma Accepts Discipline for Speeding
Flagler County Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma has been reinstated following the swift dismissal of a fleeing and eluding charge by the State Attorney’s Office. An expedited internal investigation concluded Coma violated agency policies by speeding 88 mph in a 55 mph zone while commuting. His penalty includes a 90-day loss of his take-home vehicle privilege and a two-day unpaid suspension, which is considered satisfied by the time he served immediately following his arrest.
Bunnell Approves 1,259-Acre Industrial Rezoning 3-2, Brushing Aside Commissioner’s Warning of ‘Blank Check’
A split Bunnell City Commission voted 3-2 to rezone 1,259 acres for industrial use, overriding sharp public opposition. Dissenters warned the approval is a “blank check” that explicitly permits a garbage transfer station. While proponents promised millions in future tax revenue, the figures appear off the mark compared to the city’s actual budget and comparatively bullish projections for Palm Coast’s Town Center 20 years ago. Critics blasted the lack of specific plans or identified businesses for the vast tract west of U.S. 1.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Defends Arrest of Flagler Sheriff’s Detective After Charge Was Quickly Dropped
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey defended his officer’s arrest of Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma for fleeing and eluding, despite the State Attorney dropping the charge days later. Godfrey stated the dismissal reflects prosecutorial discretion, not officer error, and insisted Sgt. Caleb Braun acted properly based on probable cause. Coma, who was speeding to work, claimed he thought he was assisting a pursuit. He still faces a speeding ticket and internal investigation.
‘A Miracle We Got the Place’: Marineland Sale Closes for $7.135 Million, Securing Future of 87-Year-Old Oceanarium
The $7.135 million sale of Marineland Dolphin Adventure to Apex Associates closed Friday, saving the historic facility from bankruptcy. Now operating as a nonprofit under returning General Manager Felicia Cook, the move removes the property from tax rolls but prevents residential development. While three dolphins were relocated, the remaining animals are healthy, and new management plans to focus on research, programming, and facility improvements.
Analysis: In Melady Trial, an Evidence-Defying Verdict That Ignored Overwhelming Proof of Victim’s Incapacity
The jury found Melady, the former Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedic, guilty of sexual battery, or rape, a lesser charge than the one he faced, rape of an incapacitated person. To reach that conclusion, the jury had to conclude that the victim was not incapacitated, even though that was the one fact the defense, the prosecution and Melady himself agreed on, and that the defense relied on to argue that Melady had to invasively conduct a pelvic exam to figure out why she was incapacitated. The jury’s conclusion was demonstrably false.
Jury Finds Ex-Flagler Paramedic Melady Guilty of Rape of Unconscious Woman in Ambulance
A jury of four women and two men today found Melady, a paramedic with Flagler County Fire Rescue from 2018 to 2024, guilty of rape of an unconscious woman he was responsible for in the back of an ambulance three years ago. The jury acquitted Melady of video voyeurism. He had recorded the incident, moving the camera a few times for better views of the woman’s privates, and preserved the video on his laptop. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced early next year.
Florida Lawmakers Belatedly Begin to Grapple with Data Centers’ Burdens on Power and Water
Adding data centers is one of the biggest issues in the electric industry, with utilities taking steps that include restarting nuclear power plants to try to meet demands. Florida has not seen the type of data-center development that has happened in states such as Virginia. But in recent months, proposals have emerged for data-center projects in areas such as Palm Coast, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Polk counties and have sparked controversy. Palm Coast is permitting a data center in Town Center, but the city continues to refuse to disclose any regulatory information about it.
Defending Pelvic Exam, Ex-Flagler Paramedic Melady Tells Jury What It Saw and Heard Isn’t What It Saw and Heard
Former paramedic James Melady testified that a video showing him performing a pelvic exam on an unconscious woman and smelling his fingers was misinterpreted by the prosecution. Melady claimed the exam was medically necessary—contradicting expert testimony—and that his prior police admissions were Ambien-induced hallucinations. With the defense arguing that the video is misleading, the jury must decide Wednesday if Melady’s account outweighs the visual evidence of sexual battery.
Flagler County Beats Grant Deadline to Buy Land Around Bulow Creek from Veranda Bay Developer
Flagler County met Monday’s deadline to file a Florida Forever grant application, seeking funds to buy 153 acres of floodplain land near the Bulow Creek headwaters and the Veranda Bay/Summertown development along John Anderson Highway. The application follows recent negotiations between the developer and county officials to prevent imminent development.
Flagler Detective Coma Rapidly Cleared of Fleeing Charge After Speeding Incident; Still Faces Ticket and Internal Investigation
The State Attorney’s Office has dropped the felony fleeing and eluding charge against Flagler County Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma. Arrested for speeding 88 mph in a 55 zone, Coma claimed he didn’t see police lights due to loud music and sun glare, believing he was stopping to assist officers deploying stop sticks. Reinstatement is underway, but Coma still faces a speeding citation and an internal affairs investigation regarding departmental policy violations.
46 Vessels Set for Palm Coast Boat Parade Saturday
The City of Palm Coast will host the 42nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade this Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 6 p.m., with the usual procession of illuminated vessels and the attendant logistical challenges along the waterfront. Some 46 boats have registered, about half the number of boats that took part in the record-setting 2023 boat parade, when the Palm Coast Yacht Club sponsored it.
‘Doing His Job’ or Rape? Starkly Opposing Narratives Open Ex-Flagler Paramedic James Melady’s Trial
Former Flagler paramedic James Melady’s trial began today for allegedly raping an unconscious patient in an ambulance in 2021. Video evidence Melady himself took on his phone and kept on his laptop shows him sexually penetrating the woman. The defense contends Melady was performing a medically necessary pelvic exam after the patient failed to respond to Narcan, arguing the video was recorded for his protection. The jury must decide if the act was a crime or medical necessity.
New Fire Station 51 Replacing Espanola Relic Promises Faster Response Times for Mondex and West Flagler
For the second time in three weeks, Flagler County Fire Rescue marked a fire station groundbreaking Monday, for Station 51, at the intersection of County Road 305 and State Road 100. The station will replace the current Station 51 in isolated Espanola. The ceremony was for an $8.7 million, 10,000-square-foot building next to the big red barn that’s become home to the county’s roads and bridges division. The station was initially planned as a $4 million facility. That was before Covid, inflation and tariffs. It should open in a year.
Unless You’re a Developer, a Lobbyist, or a Fetus, Your Florida Lawmakers Don’t Care for You
Ever get the feeling the Florida Legislature hates you? It does. Unless you’re a developer, a lobbyist, or a fetus. Members are filing hell-born bills for the 2026 session, many apparently designed to torment you, rob your children of their futures, and reduce this state to an ICE-filled, disease ridden, constantly flooding, unaffordable autocracy.
A Message From Lauren Johnston as She Returns to Assistant City Manager Role
Lauren Johnston, acting Palm Coast City Manager since March 2024, returns to her former role as assistant city manager on Dec. 17, the day Michael McGlothlin assumes the title of City Manager. Johnston released the following message this week.
Palm Coast and Flagler Beach Cancel Holiday Parades as Weather Hijacks Santa’s Sleigh; No Rain Dates
There was no Santa parachuting from a plane this morning in Flagler Beach and there will be no Santa on a firetruck this evening in Palm Coast’s Town center as grayly grinchy weather forced both cities to cancel their holiday parades. For Palm Coast, it is the fifth time in six years that the Starlight Parade has had to be cancelled, with 2024 the only year in that span when it was held without a hitch.
The Phoenix Declaration’s Serenade of Dog Whistles
The Heritage Foundation’s “Phoenix” doctrine, recently adopted by Florida, is a Christian nationalist manifesto designed to eradicate educational dissent. It prioritizes “parental omnipotence” over children’s intellectual freedom. By diverting public funds to private vouchers and sanitizing history, the doctrine cements a decades-long conservative war against public education and enforces a “pinched, angry” monoculture that suppresses critical thinking in favor of dogmatic, exclusionary patriotism.
Palm Coast Recognizes Johnston’s Tenure and Names Stormwater’s Melissa Hill Top Employee
Under warm, sunny skies, the City of Palm Coast hosted its annual Employee Honors Ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2025, at The Stage in Town Center. Organized by the City’s Wellness, Health, and Morale (WHAM) Team, the celebration brought employees together for an afternoon of recognition, gratitude, and appreciation for the exceptional work happening across the organization each day.
Preservation of Bulow Creek Verging on Reality as Developer Agrees to Conservation Sale, Clearing Annexation Path
In a major breakthrough, Flagler County and the developer of the 2,400-home Veranda Bay/Summertown project have tentatively agreed to preserve 150 acres of floodplain around Bulow Creek. Orchestrated by Commissioner Andy Dance, the deal involves the county applying for state “Florida Forever” funds by Dec. 8 to purchase the land. This compromise largely satisfies the “Preserve Flagler Beach” non-profit and clears the path for the development’s annexation into Flagler Beach in January. Despite the agreement, tension remains regarding traffic on John Anderson Highway.
County Opens Nexus Center in Bunnell, Giving West Side ‘True Jewel’ Library Albanese Imagined 19 Years Ago
Flagler County officials opened the $16 million Nexus Center in Bunnell on Thursday, delivering a long-awaited standalone library to the county’s west side. The 23,000-square-foot facility on Commerce Parkway replaces a cramped storefront and now houses both the library branch and the Health and Human Services Department.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma Arrested on Charge of Fleeing and Eluding Ormond Beach Police
Ardit Coma, a 28-year-old detective with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested by Ormond Beach police early this morning on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The incident took place a little before 8 a.m. on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach, as Coma was driving to work in Bunnell in his gray Taurus. He has been suspended without pay, pending the disposition of the case.
County Administrator Heidi Petito ‘Does Not Meet Expectations,’ 3 of 5 Commissioners Say, Putting Her Future in Doubt
In a set of evaluations potentially devastating to Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito’s tenure, three of her commissioners—Chair Leann Pennington, Kim Carney, and Pam Richardson—concluded in their evaluations of Petito that she “does not meet expectations.” They each rated her a failing 2 out of 5, sharply criticized her leadership, and two of them explicitly said Petito is no longer the person for the job.
Palm Coast Council Will Hold Fewer Meetings and More Flexibly Allow Members to Attend and Vote Remotely
The Palm Coast City Council is changing a few of its procedures: Fewer meetings. A more formalized allowance for remote participation in meetings (by council members, not the public). No votes on anything not on the agenda. The council approved the changes Tuesday.
Flagler County Paramedic, Step-Father and Homeless Man All Facing Grave Sex Charges and Life Terms Set for Trials
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols this morning scheduled three men for trials on unrelated sex-assault charges after each man declined to plead out, opting instead to risk facing 55 years to life in prison if convicted. The men are former Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedic James Melady, whose alleged victim was a patient he is accused of raping in an ambulance; Kristopher Henriqson, who is accused of raping his prepubescent stepdaughter for years; and Jose Valerio-Rodriguez, a homeless man accused of statutorily raping a minor.
McGlothlin Applauds ‘Due Diligence’ as Palm Coast Council Strips Several Clauses Before Approving His Contract
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved a nearly $300,000 compensation package for incoming City Manager Michael McGlothlin, but not before deleting several clauses from the contract, including a provision that would have made him eligible for additional pay during emergencies. McGlothlin followed the council’s deliberations on YouTube last night, and told FlaglerLive this morning that “I heard absolutely nothing that gives me any pause.”