Flagler County’s cold-weather shelter, The Sheltering Tree, is experiencing a significant surge in demand as freezing temperatures arrive. Rising housing costs, increased healthcare premiums, and recent federal benefit disruptions have pushed many working-class residents into housing instability. Local officials report that occupancy has doubled, with many guests arriving directly from their jobs. Supported by local churches and county-provided transportation, the volunteer-run operation struggles to meet the growing needs of a community in crisis.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
A Surprise Tribute for Nancy Crouch as ‘Turtle Trail Artists’ Exhibit Opens in Palm Coast
More than 150 guests attended the Sunday opening of the “Turtle Trail Artists of Flagler County” exhibition at Expressions Art Gallery. The event featured new works by the creators of the county’s public sea turtle sculptures. During the reception, arts advocate Nancy Crouch was honored with a miniature replica of “Claude,” the trail’s inaugural sculpture.
Palm Coast Set to Take On $582 Million Debt Over 30 Years and Invest $600 Million in City’s Utility Over the Next 5
The Palm Coast City Council is poised to approve a $280 million bond issuance and $45 million refinancing to fund a $599 million utility capital improvement plan. The resulting $582 million debt, to be repaid over 30 years, is already integrated into recent rate increases. While the investment aims to modernize aging infrastructure and satisfy state orders, officials face criticism regarding the city’s failure to secure grants, leaving residents to bear the primary financial burden.
‘That Pains Me’: Flagler Commission Will End $359,000 Senior Daycare Program Amid Tax Revenue Concerns
In a major retreat from safety-net responsibilities, the Flagler County Commission is shutting down the $359,000 adult day care program it’s managed for two decades. Commissioners agreed at a workshop on Monday to close the program by the end of the fiscal year in September. Commissioners cited unsustainable subsidies helping too few clients. Some 25 to 50 clients who may have no alternative will be affected. Fearing future property tax revenue cuts from state legislation, the county will now develop an exit plan for the program’s remaining vulnerable clients.
Council Candidate Jeanie Duarte Escorted Out of City Hall Over Public Comment Policy Violation
Palm Coast City Council candidate Jeanie Duarte was escorted by a sheriff’s deputy from a council meeting this morning after continuing to speak in violation of public comment rules. Duarte again attacked the legitimacy of Council member Charles Gambaro’s tenure despite a court’s ruling, and made other unsubstantiated allegations.
County Administrator Heidi Petito Survives Firing Attempt by Kim Carney, But Her Days Are Numbered
County Administrator Heidi Petito barely survived a motion by Commissioner Kim Carney to fire her Monday night before an empty chamber, at the very end of a meeting that had stretched past the three-hour mark, and in an off-agenda maneuver fellow-Commissioner Andy Dance said was improper.
Flagler County’s New Nexus Center Aims to Compete with Palm Coast and Hilton in Local Event Market
Flagler County is positioning its new Nexus Center–the South Side library–as an event venue to compete with local community centers and hotels. Library Director Holly Albanese presented a fee schedule featuring a $200 hourly rate for the 2,500-square-foot community room, alongside options for gallery and portico rentals.
Felon Faces 16 Charges for Stealing Firearms, Ammo and Crossbow from Girlfriend’s Father in F-Section
Timothy Nash, a convicted felon, was arrested in Palm Coast after allegedly stealing firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment from his girlfriend’s father at an F-Section house. While the residence showed no signs of forced entry, a locked interior room was breached. Flagler County deputies recovered the stolen items at a local pawn shop using database records. Nash, who has prior convictions in New York, now faces 16 felony charges and is being held at the county jail without bond.
6 Years in Prison for Woman, 27, Who Molested Relative, 13; Man Arrested Flashing Girl, 14, for ‘Extra Scenery’
Palm Coast resident Angel Marie Sexton has pleaded guilty to molesting a 13-year-old boy during a 2024 holiday visit. She is to be sentenced to six years in prison and nine years of sex-offender probation. In a separate R-Section incident, 22-year-old Stephen Nicholas Caputo was arrested for exposing himself to a 14-year-old girl while pleasuring himself before getting home.
The Sunshine State’s 2026 Forecast: Guns, Grifters, and the End of the Woke University
As 2026 begins, Florida’s landscape is defined by aggressive conservatism and cultural upheaval, from DeSantis’s rumored charm school preparations for 2028 to legislative efforts to protect Confederate monuments and expand book bans. Development, football, and ideology collide in the Free State.
FDLE Investigating After Former Daycare Owner Dies at Flagler County Jail of Apparent Alcohol Poisoning
Vadim Valenteychik, 54, died of alcohol poisoning at the Flagler County jail on Friday morning following a DUI arrest. Despite recording a blood-alcohol level over four times the legal limit, he was medically cleared by a local hospital before being booked. Deputies found him unresponsive in a monitored cell several hours later. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
Incumbents John Rogers and Pete Young Re-elected Unopposed in Bunnell Despite Growth Controversies
Bunnell City Commissioners John Rogers and Pete Young were automatically re-elected today after no challengers qualified to run against them, leading to the cancellation of the March 3 election. Despite a year marked by heated debates over massive residential developments and industrial rezoning, the incumbents retained their seats without opposition. While Rogers opposed the major growth initiatives and Young supported them, voters expressed apparent satisfaction or indifference toward the current commission’s direction.
Flagler Beach Approves Historic 545-Acre Summertown Annexation in 4-1 Vote But Numerous Concerns Persist
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved the 545-acre Summertown annexation, increasing the city’s land mass by 20 percent. Despite a 4-1 vote, the project remains controversial due to its reliance on a fiscal study the city did not produce and unresolved plans for preserving 153 acres of floodplain around the headwaters of Bulow Creek. While supporters tout economic growth and local control, critics warn of rising utility costs, increased traffic, and potential tax shifts that could burden existing residents.
Matt Doughney Pedals Into Retirement After 4,439 days as Flagler Beach Police Chief, Swapping Gun for Bike
After 12 years of service, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matthew Doughney officially retired during an emotional City Commission meeting. Known for his community-focused “bicycle policing,” Doughney chose to keep his bike rather than his service weapon on departing. During his farewell, he highlighted his work in rebuilding public trust and thanked the leaders who supported his 2013 hiring. Acting Chief Lance Blanchette led the ceremony as the department nears its upcoming professional accreditation.
Flagler County’s Jobless Rate Spikes to 6.1 Percent, Highest Since October 2020, and Labor Force Stalls
Flagler County’s unemployment rate surged to 6.1 percent in November, marking a five-year high as the local labor force remains stagnant. While tourism revenue shows modest growth driven by luxury vacation rentals, the housing market is signaling a significant slowdown, with the time to secure a contract reaching levels not seen since the 2012 housing recovery. Despite a slight year-end uptick in consumer sentiment, overall economic confidence across Florida declined throughout 2025.
10 Years Prison, 20 Years Probation for 70-Year-Old in Plea to Lesser Charge of Abusing Neighbor Girl for Years
Kermit Carl Booth, a 70-year-old former Volusia County school employee, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery of a child under 12. He received a 10-year prison sentence followed by 20 years of strict sex-offender probation. Booth was caught after the victim’s boyfriend, posing as the victim in text messages, extracted incriminating confessions. Upon release, Booth will be designated a sexual predator, wear a GPS monitor, and must reimburse the county for his extradition costs.
A Motorcyclist Is Killed, Another in Critical Condition After They’re Rear-Ended on A1A in Flagler Beach
A fatal chain-reaction collision on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach left one motorcyclist dead and another critically injured Wednesday afternoon. After a Chevrolet rear-ended two motorcycles into a propane truck, traffic diversions led to two secondary incidents, including a semi-truck hitting a fire hydrant and a car striking a fire engine. Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox reminded drivers to adhere to Florida’s Move Over law in emergency zones.
Capturing the Essence: Laniece Fagundes Returns as Billie Holiday at City Rep’s ‘Lady Day’
City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast celebrates its 15th season by reviving “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” running January 9–18. Starring veteran performer Laniece Fagundes as Billie Holiday and Ben Beck as her pianist, the production explores the legendary singer’s final months in 1959. Rather than a simple imitation, Fagundes seeks to embody Holiday’s emotional essence, weaving her tragic personal history and “cursive” vocal style into a revelatory, semi-fictionalized musical performance.
Bomb Squad Sweeps Student Car at Matanzas High as Palm Coast Explosives Investigation Leads to Campus
A suspicious explosives investigation led Flagler County sheriff’s deputies to a student’s car at Matanzas High School today, prompting a partial campus “hold” and the arrival of a bomb squad. While an explosives-detection dog alerted to the vehicle, Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized there was no direct threat to the school or students. The investigation stems from two prior incidents in Palm Coast that are still under investigation. No arrests were made, and school officials expect to resume normal operations tomorrow.
Parking Capacity Will Double at Indian Trails Sports Complex, But Council Also Wants More Fields Lit Up Soon
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved a $1.55 million project to add 136 parking spaces to the Indian Trails Sports Complex, nearly doubling its capacity. Utilizing city crews is expected to save $350,000. While the project addresses long-standing congestion affecting nearby schools and churches, council members are also pushing to accelerate a $1 million lighting expansion for additional fields to maximize tourism revenue and accommodate a growing schedule of year-round sports tournaments.
70-Year-Old Homeless Man Accused of Minor’s Rape in Tent Near Palm Harbor Circle K Will Serve 6 Years in Prison
Jose Valerio-Rodriguez, 70, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by nine years of probation after pleading no contest to sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl in his tent behind the Circle K on Palm Harbor Parkway. By accepting a plea deal, Valerio-Rodriguez avoided a potential life sentence and a trial scheduled for next week. Upon completing his five remaining years of incarceration, the undocumented migrant faces likely deportation. The prosecution’s case included recorded confessions and evidence of the defendant grooming the victim.
From Redistricting to Property Tax Elimination to School Voucher Failures: Lawmakers Convene for High-Stakes 2026 Session
Florida’s 2026 legislative session kicks off next week with lawmakers tackling a $117.36 billion budget, artificial intelligence regulations, and potential property tax cuts. Key debates include repealing gun purchase age limits, redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 elections, and addressing “growing pains” in school voucher programs. Additionally, Senate leaders are pushing a “rural renaissance” plan to revitalize the state’s agricultural heartlands.
Palm Coast Republican to Congressional Delegation: Do Your Job
Former Palm Coast City Council member and attorney Robert Cuff, a Republican most of his adult life, writes Rep. Randy Fine and Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moddy of his grave concern over President Trump’s unilateral military intervention in Venezuela, criticizing the lack of bipartisan Congressional notification and the dismissal of constitutional checks. Urging an end to legislative abdication, the letter demands that Congress reassert its authority over war and spending to restrain an increasingly unaccountable executive branch.
Web Surfing for Hookups with Sex Offenders While on Probation Sends Former Scientist George Proulx Back to Prison
Former Palm Coast resident George Proulx has been sentenced to an additional four years in prison following a violation of his sex offender probation. Released in 2024 after serving four years for abusing four adolescents, Proulx was caught accessing the internet and tracking female sex offenders. Despite a potential 45-year maximum sentence for the violation, a negotiated plea deal will see him released at age 76 with no further probation, provided he continues registering as an offender.
After Anemic Congressional Campaign, Furry Pivots Back to School Board Re-Election from His Coveted Vice Chairmanship
Flagler County School Board member Will Furry has quit his bid to challenge U.S. Rep. Randy Fine in the GOP congressional primary to run for re-election to the School Board. Furry attributed his withdrawal to uncertainty over potential redistricting, though his campaign struggled to raise funds against opponents like Fine and Charles Gambaro. His return follows a contentious November episode where he and Chair Christy Chong deadlocked the board for nine hours to block a colleague’s appointment as vice chair.
Builders and Palm Coast Trade Legal Blows in Battle Over Impact Fees Ahead of February Court Hearings
The legal battle between the Flagler Home Builders Association and Palm Coast over impact fee hikes produced dueling motions before the holidays. The City moved to dismiss the case on Dec. 5. The Builders filed for summary judgment on Dec. 15, arguing the fees are unconstitutional and unjustified. A judge will hear arguments on the city’s motion on Feb. 2 and the homebuilders’ motions on Feb. 17.
Home Health Aide Charged with Stealing from 90-Year-Old Assisted Living Resident to Buy Gas, Donuts and Trinkets
Kaiti Natasha Swain, a 32-year-old home health aide, was arrested on two felony charges for allegedly stealing cash and a credit card from a 90-year-old resident at HarborChase of Palm Coast. An investigation linked Swain to over $600 in fraudulent purchases at businesses in Palatka and Palm Coast.
As Data Centers Draw Opposition Across Florida, DeSantis and Environmentalists Forge an Unlikely Alliance
As AI data centers proliferate across Florida, communities are pushing back against their massive water and energy consumption. From Palm Beach County’s “Project Tango” to rural Osceola County, residents fear these facilities will drain aquifers and ruin neighborhoods. While Governor DeSantis has unexpectedly signaled support for local control over these centers, the state legislature’s deference to corporate secrecy remains a hurdle. A proposed solution involves requiring substantial bonds from developers to cover environmental damages.
Convicted Sex Offender with Lurid Criminal Past Charged with Kidnapping and Beating 11-Year-Old Boy
Darnell Wayne Hairston, a 60-year-old convicted sex offender with a long history of violent crimes, was arrested in Flagler County following a New Year’s Eve traffic stop. After a violent struggle with deputies, authorities discovered an 11-year-old kidnapping victim in his truck. The child had been missing for three days and was allegedly tortured at a remote campsite. Hairston now faces several first-degree felonies, including kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, and battery by strangulation.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detention Deputy’s Battery Charge Likely to Be Dropped as Alleged Victim Refuses to Pursue It
Following the New Year’s Night arrest of Flagler County Detention Deputy Sara Radford for misdemeanor domestic battery, the alleged victim, Jose Marine, has requested that the court dismiss the charge. Marine wrote a Volusia County Court judge that he does not recall the incident and that no physical harm occurred. Radford remains suspended without pay.
Reading Into Them: Flagler County Leaders’ Favorite Books of 2025
The third edition of FlaglerLive’s annual best reads project celebrates the personal joy of reading over academic or literary hierarchies. Featuring contributions from a local judge, attorneys, elected and other Flagler County leaders, the collection highlights diverse favorites ranging from Thomas Mann’s “Magic Mountain” and Erik Larson’s history to a legal decisions and self-actualization books. Here’s to venturing beyond comfort zones to discover transformative titles.
Flagler County Rededicates Wadsworth Skate Park After $240,000 Repairs; Long-Term Plans for Concrete ‘Bowl’ Remain
Flagler County officials gathered today to rededicate the Wadsworth Park skate park near Flagler Beach following a $240,000 renovation. The project replaced 60 percent of the aging steel ramps and repaired existing facilities. While local skaters and advocates like Jay Wolfington and Carla Cline continue to push for a $1.5 million concrete facility, officials opted for the current repairs using available capital savings. Commissioners say a permanent concrete bowl remains the county’s long-term goal for the site.
Family Friend, 54, Arrested for Alleged Rape of Palm Coast Adolescent
Seth Tyler Holton, 54, is being held without bond at the Flagler County jail following allegations that he raped an adolescent girl while her parents were away. A family friend, Holton allegedly confessed to the assault during conversations with the parents and a subsequent non-custodial interview with detectives. Sheriff Rick Staly credited the victim’s bravery for coming forward.
Cold-Weather Shelter for Homeless and Others Open Through Thursday Night
The Sheltering Tree will open the Flagler County cold-weather shelter through Thursday night, Dec. 29-Jan. 1, as temperatures are expected to fall into the 30s those nights.
From ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Book Bans: Florida’s 10 Biggest Looming Legal Issues of 2026
Florida enters 2026 facing high-stakes legal battles over “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center conditions, school book removals, and firearm age limits. Courts are also weighing the constitutionality of state-level immigration crimes, social media restrictions for minors, and bans on gender-affirming care. Additionally, the Florida Supreme Court is reviewing utility rate hikes and marijuana legalization efforts, while federal judges decide if the state overstepped its authority regarding wetlands permitting and platform censorship.
Jim Canfield, Galvanizing Architect of Palm Coast Incorporation and First Mayor, Dies at 96
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.
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.