A year and a half of lane closures and likely delays are ahead for Flagler County drivers and residents as the complete resurfacing of I-95 begins on March 18 and will stretch through the fall of 2020.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Palm Coast Poised To Make the Arts Central To Its Innovation District as New Sculpture Garden Redefines Central Park
The Gargiulo Arts Foundation is making possible a new sculpture garden in Palm Coast’s Central Park and helping to redefine the city’s innovation district, with the arts playing a central role. More funding may be next.
Inspection Finds Seating-Capacity Violations at Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s, Raising New Questions
A state inspection of Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing found the restaurant to have 188 seats though it’s licensed for just 60. The county says it’s fixing the issue, which raised new questions for the restaurant, which has been at the center of a controversial proposal to expand at the county park.
Sheltering Tree, Flagler’s Only Homeless Shelter, Raises Nearly $12,000 in Latest Fundraiser
The cold-weather shelter opens for overnight stays whenever the temperature falls to 40 or below. It operates out of at Bunnell’s First United Methodist Church, and provides other support services to the homeless.
The Live Profile:
Palm Coast’s New City Manager Matt Morton
Matt Morton’s recent history as a city administrator in a small, rich city in Washington suggests his enthusiasm and jargon-and-joy-filled language about managing is not an affectation but a genuine part of an inclusive, ingenuous workaholic.
Push For Swift Homeless ‘Solutions’ Clashes With Individual, On-the-Ground Realities
Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins and Palm Coast City Council member Jack Howell want solutions to what they call a homeless crisis, but others are reminding them that efforts are in place. The resources and focus to pull them off in concert may not be.
Palm Coast Teen and Best Friend Face Molestation Charges Involving Teen’s Family Member Over Years
Both men were cooperative with detectives and confessed, according to their arrest report, saying they wanted to seek help, which suggests the case may be settled before it reaches trial.
Palm Coast Council Picks Matthew Morton as Its City Manager in Sharp Turn ‘From This Nice Little Box’
The Palm Coast City Council chose Matthew Morton in a 3-2 vote, bypassing Interim Manager Beau Falgout, in what council members described as the city’s desire for a “game-changer.”
Flagler’s Labor Force and Residents With Jobs Reach New Records Even as Local Unemployment Rises
The number of people with jobs in Flagler County rose by 657, an unusual and impressive 1.5 percent, sending Flagler’s employed labor force to a new record, and rising by 2,000 compared to January 2018.
Car v. Semi Crash and Fire Briefly Shuts Down I-95 Near Princess Place; Deputy Hospitalized
A crash between a sedan and a semi truck just after 6 p.m. Sunday shut down I-95 southbound south of the Flagler-St. Johns county line and sent the driver of the sedan a deputy to the hospital. The deputy was responding and had smoke inhalation.
Ex-Cop Michael Stavris’s Probation Officer Wanted Him Back In Prison Even Before His Latest Charges
An investigation revealed that not 72 hours after his release from prison on similar charges, ex-cop Michael Stavris was engaging in the very same behavior, using a minor girls’ fake Facebook account to speak to men.
Palm Coast’s Illusion of Affordable Housing
Simply put, the housing stock in Flagler County and Palm Coast is inadequate to suit the needs of the bottom half of the earnings ladder, and that bottom half has nothing to do with “Section 8,” argues Toby Tobin.
Flagler Health Department Will Provide Free Tdap Vaccine Against Whooping Cough
The vaccine, commonly referred to as Tdap, provides protection against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Florida Law requires that students entering seventh through twelfth grades receive this vaccine, unless the parents file a valid exemption.
County Orders Armed Security at Palm Coast Library in Signal to Homeless, Patrons and Staff: ‘Safety Is Paramount’
In the latest development of the homeless crisis at the Flagler County Public Library in Palm Coast, the library director and a county commissioner pressured the interim county administrator to provide armed security at the library while the county searches for a longer-term solution.
25 Campers Evacuated at Thunder Gulch Campground as Sheriff Turns Up ‘Presence of an Explosive’ Linked to Previous Arrest
Flagler Sheriff’s units, the Volusia sheriff’s bomb squad and ATF agents served a warrant at the Thunder Gulch camper Friday night where Damon Lance Gause Jr., 47, lived before his arrest last week in Ormond Beach on a bomb charge.
Recount Not Necessary: Jan Reeger Officially Wins Bunnell Seat by 2 Votes Over Daisy Henry
The Bunnell Canvassing Board met today to determine whether a provisional ballot might trigger a recount in the race between Jan Reeger Daisy Henry. It did not, as the ballot’s vote went to a third candidate.
Palm Coast Fires Palm Harbor Golf Club General Manager Tim Spangler Over Charges of Theft
Tim Spangler was hired at the city-run Palm Harbor Golf Club in the summer of 2017 as part of a make-over of the club, when the city took over management from a private company.
50 Years In Prison for Thomas Binkley, 62, Who Molested 2 Girls Younger Than 9
Thomas Binkley, the 62-year-old former Bunnell resident, found guilty of molesting two sisters, ages 6 and 8, will serve two consecutive mandatory 25-year terms, but is unlikely to live many years in prison as his health is failing.
Jerry Cameron, There Are Better Ways To Save Face Than Blaming Media Over The County’s Homeless Blunder
Interim Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron said the media “interjected” themselves in the controversy over the order to vacate the homeless from around the library before the matter was “ripe.” FlaglerLive’s editor disagrees.
Interviews For Palm Coast Manager Sharpen Choices for Council as Styles, Strengths And Flaws Emerge
Three candidates–Robin Hayes, Donald Kewley, and Matthew Morton–made their case to unseat Beau Falgout as they interviewed for Palm Coast City manager, mostly behind closed doors, today. A full report on how they did.
Facing Mounting Criticism, Flagler Scraps Exiling Palm Coast Homeless and Will Keep Them Near the Library
Averting what was turning into another embarrassing shamble, Flagler County government today scrapped plans to evict the homeless from the public library grounds in Palm Coast and exile some to an isolated camp at the far end of the county.
Mayor Welcomes Public, But 3 Palm Coast Councilmen Will Hold Closed-Door Interviews With Manager Candidates
Mayor Milissa Holland is leaving her door open to press and public during her one-on-one interviews with manager candidates Thursday, Eddie Branquinho, Bob Cuff and Nick Klufas are closing their doors. Jack Howell isn’t holding interviews.
This Is Russell Landing: Flagler County’s Idea of a Homeless Camp
An examination of Russell Landing, the extremely isolated site Flagler County would move homeless people to, is not as healthy, safe or desirable a location as the county is making it out to be.
Mealy and Belhumeur Keep Seats in Flagler Beach, Reeger and Baxley Win in Bunnell, Newcomer Doug O’Connor Wins Beverly Beach
Jane Mealy and Rick Belhumeur won decisively in Flagler Beach, Jan Reeger won by two votes in Bunnell, incumbent Bill Baxley won by a far larger margin, and in Beverly Beach, newcomer Doug O’Connor unseated one of three incumbents.
Palm Coast’s Sarah Rudolph, 20, Matanzas and DSC Graduate, Dies in Apparent Suicide
Sarah Rudolph had made her way through the Flagler County school system from her earliest year and had recently been admitted into the U.S. Air Force, according to her obituary. Hers is the fourth suicide of a Flagler resident 25 or younger since September.
FPC’s Problem Solvers Will Present Their School-Safety Initiative to Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission
Members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Community Problem Solving Group “FPC Bulldog Patrol” have been invited to present their project to the next meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, April 9-10, at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.
Waste Pro Starts New, Shorter Routes In Attempt To Improve Service, But Bins Must Be Curbside By 6 AM
Customers are reminded that garbage and recyclables collection in Palm Coast runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Garbage must be placed at the curb no later than 6 a.m., or the evening before scheduled pickup.
Citing Bad Deals and Other Needs, Flagler Commission Rejects Loan to Buy $1.1 Million Sears Building for Tax Collector
Commissioner Dave Sullivan opposes buying the old Sears building, saying the county should stop removing private business property off the tax rolls when it has land of its own it can build on. He also wants the county to focus on the Sheriff’s Operations Center and the Plantation Bay utility first.
Silencing Home Rule: Sen. Travis Hutson’s Wrong Way On Single-Use Plastic Straws
The fact that the bill prohibits local governments from banning plastic straws will allow a serious and completely unnecessary pollutant to continue to injure sea life, litter beaches and infiltrate land and water.
Sheriff’s Employees Were Not Imagining It: New Report Finds Mold From Water Intrusion at Sheriff’s Operations Center
The result of wall cuts and analysis below floor tiles pointed to extensive water intrusion and the discovery of black mold in two locations, among other problems, and no indication that the building may be re-occupied any time soon.
“The Eagle Has Landed”: Flagler Reads Together Marks 50th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing, All Month
Flagler Reads Together features free programs about space flight and the historic mission of Apollo 11, focusing on Jeffrey Smith’s “The Eagle Has Landed” and other aspects of the moon landing 50 years ago.
Exult, Rejoice: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 30 Top Musicians Showcased In Their Newest Concert Venue Saturday
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s top ensemble, the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, performs a concert to benefit the FYO at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at a new venue for the musicians: First Baptist Church in Bunnell, 2301 Commerce Parkway.
Hurried Mess: Why The Latest County Meetings on Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Were Canceled, and What’s Next
A combination of questionable timing, lack of sufficient notice, lack of preparation and the absence of some commissioners led to the cancellation of a pair of much-anticipated county commission meetings on Captain’s BBQ and Bing’s Landing this week.
Sheriff’s Detectives Investigate Death of Richard W. Smith in Isolated Woods of Flagler Estates
Richard Wyatt Smith, 45, of 12th Street in Elkton, had been reported missing by his wife earlier Wednesday morning. He was found in his car deep in the woods of Flagler Estates, in northwest Flagler County.
State Audit Finds Slew of Irregularities and Procedural Disarray at Flagler’s Mosquito Control District, But No Fraud
A state audit of Flagler County’s mosquito control agency found a budgeting and procedural process in disarray but did not see fraud in the seeming disappearance of $1.1 million, which had more to do with overspending.
DeSantis Suspends Ex-Dr. Fruehan From Flagler Mosquito Board Over Felony Charges
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order suspending Florence Fruehan from the East Flagler Mosquito Control District board pending the resolution of two felony counts against him.
Ex-Bunnell Cop Mike Stavris, Imprisoned For Impersonating Kids Online, Arrested on Related Violation Days After His Release
Michael Stavris, now 34, of Palm Coast’s F-Section, allegedly admitted to creating a fake Facebook account and impersonating the same girl he’d impersonated in 2014, resulting in computer pornography charges and an eventual plea deal with a shorter prison sentence.
That Homeless Camp Behind the Public Library: A Palm Coast Problem Requiring Immediate Action
After taking a walk through the homeless camp near the library and speaking with its residents, Palm Coast Council member Jack Howell calls for creating a committee to address the issue from various angles.
Criminal and Civil Cases In Mobil Mart Murder of Store Clerk Zuheily Rosado Approaching Trial, Or Resolution
Joseph Bova, the man accused of murdering Zuheily Rosado at a Palm Coast gas station six years ago, will have his competency for trial evaluated in two weeks, and a civil case may reach a settlement before an April trial date.
Jack Howell Excoriated Over ‘Lock and Load’ Analogy as Palm Coast Council Fixes Manager Shortlisting Error
A resident criticized Palm Coast Council member Jack Howell for using what he perceived as aggressive military terminology in proposing to hire Interim Manager Beau Falgout. Howell said he’d be more careful.
Details Emerge in Death of April Descartes: ‘No Foul Play,’ But Cause May Not Be Known For Months
The medical examiner found no reason to think someone had harmed April Mancuso Descartes, 39, who was found dead in her bed Saturday at her home in Palm Coast.
Flagler Commission Signs Contract Worth $237,000 With Interim Administrator Cameron
The $237,000 compensation package for Jerry Cameron includes a salary of $160,000, a $1,000-a-month car allowance, $14,155 in personal days and $7,100 in deferred compensation, though Cameron is already drawing state retirement benefits.
Pick-Up Rear-Ends Bunnell-Bound School Bus With 40 Students Aboard in Palm Coast’s LL Section
A pick-up truck rear-ended a school bus that was approaching the end of its morning run in Palm Coast’s L Section this morning, a collision one witness described as “like a bomb.” One child suffered neck pain, the drivers were not hurt.
Detectives Investigating Death of April Descartes, 39, in Palm Coast’s R-Section
Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives, deputies and the Crime Scene Investigation units have been at 37 Robinson Drive since this morning, investigating the death of April Descartes, 39, who owned the house there.
Sheriff Fires Armor, Jail Health Provider at Center of Anthony Fennick’s Death, and Institutes Immediate Changes
Sheriff Rick Staly is firing Armor Correctional Health and instituting a series of measures at the jail making family-inmate contact easier in critical times, and information more readily accessible.
In Re-Trial, Michael Bowling Is Found Guilty Of Molesting 15-Year-Old Girl at Sleep-Over
Michael Bowling, 48, was found guilty at the end of a week-long trial of molesting a 15-year-old girl two years ago in a Mondex mobile home, when she’d been visiting his step-daughter.
Employees Will Sue Sheriff Over Sick Operations Center, and the Sheriff Is All For It
The law firm representing 27 Flagler sheriff’s employees served the sheriff notice of a lawsuit for negligence over the Operations Center, a move Sheriff Rick Staly is supporting.
Suspected Armed Robbers Lead Volusia and Flagler Cops and K-9s on Chase, Ending in Arrests
Jamier R. Scott and Darryl Duffy, both of them 29, both of them from Palatka, face armed robbery and other charges after their arrest off the Bimini Bar woods, with K-9s tracking them down.
An Angry Tom Bexley Freezes County’s Attempt To Cede 1st Floor of Courthouse to Sheriff
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley was angered by a sheriff’s proposal, which the county would have had to approve, to use the first floor of the courthouse for the foreseeable future as the sheriff’s exile from the Operations Center continues.
Latest Twist in Bowling Molestation Trial: Defense Seeks to Impeach Its Own Witness
The lawyer for Michael Bowling, accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl visiting his stepdaughter, is arguing that the two girls made up a story to keep one of them from returning to Kentucky.