The county paid $832,500 for the property, $42,500 less than projected, but it will pay $230,000 to renovate, up from the $100,000 initially projected.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Combative Statements and Threats of Litigation Belie Claim of Unity Meeting on Sheriff’s Operations Center
A Flagler County Commission workshop on results of air testing at the Sheriff’s Operations Center was tense and combating as sheriff’s employees questioned the county’s sincerity.
Bunnell Man and Flagler Beach Woman Face Child Abuse Charges in Separate Incidents
Billy Burnett, 33, of Bunnell, is accused of choking and punching his 17-year-old nephew. Tricia Reigle is accused of slapping a 17 year old for stealing her bong and cash.
Doubt and Mistrust From Sheriff’s Employees Against County’s ‘All Clear’ on Operations Center
Sheriff’s employees are neither ready nor willing to return to the potentially sick operations center: a report on the building’s air still doesn’t explain why 27 employees developed problems.
Martin Tucker, Rancher and Bulwark of Pioneering West Flagler Family, Dies at 70
Leslie Martin Tucker Jr., father of School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker, cousin of Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker, rancher and owner of Sun Country Pest Control, died Wednesday.
Challenge Accepted: Sheriff Staly Takes Up Lip-Sync Challenge With Jailhouse Rock Video
Sheriff Staly gave in and led a team of deputies and others in a lip-synced version of Elvis’s “Jailhouse Rock,” part of a lip-sync challenge sweeping across law enforcement agencies.
Issuing Report, County Says Sheriff’s Building “Deemed Safe To Occupy,” But Sheriff Raises Questions
A much-anticipated report on the air quality of the evacuate Sheriff’s Operations Center concludes that the building has no mold problem but questions remain, not least from the sheriff.
Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley on His Arrest: ‘There Is Only an Accusation Made’
Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley briefly spoke for the first time of his June 29 arrest on a domestic violence allegation, after a resident questioned the city commission on its next move.
Judge Reduces Supervision on Veteran Who Killed a Man Near Graham Swamp in 2006
Brian Wothers, now 36, shot and killed 26-year-old Jeffrey Maxwell in Palm Coast and was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a bench trial, but had been confined to a state hospital.
At Palm Coast Data, A Surprise Bonus to Employees Highlights Reset of Invigorated Company
In the most intimate and detailed look at Palm Coast Data from the inside in 10 years, the company is less than half its former size but producing solid revenue, projecting optimism, and hiring.
SBA Signs On With Black Entrepreneur Group In Palm Coast To Help Right Loans Imbalance
Palm Coast’s emerging African American Entrepreneurs Association will use the agreement with the SBA to foster more capital and business education for minorities.
Flagler Government Will Crack Down On Mobile Campaign Billboards And Other Signs
Flagler County commissioners will approve new rules next Monday regulating or banning campaign-sign-blaring vehicles and campaign signs from county properties.
No Money for a Big Recreation Center, But Palm Coast Will Spend $100,000 Imagining One
The $100,000 would pay for a conceptual plan for the recreation center and potential aquatic center off Belle Terre Parkway, around the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
19-Year-Old Originally Accused of Rape Pleads to Child Abuse, 1 Year in Jail and Probation
Fredie Jiles Leon of Palm Coast originally faced two counts of raping a 13-year-old, but a series of mitigating circumstances led to the plea deal and 4 years’ probation.
In Letter to 3,600 Students Who Did Not Return, Daytona State Offers 25% Off Tuition
Daytona State wrote 3,600 students dating back to 2013 who did not complete their degrees, offering a one-time incentive valued at 25 percent off the cost of in-state tuition for Fall 2018 Semester.
‘I Don’t Need Him To Tell Me How To Hire Our Next City Manager,’ Palm Coast Mayor Says of Landon
Though a search firm is ready to find Palm Coast’s next manager, council members were taken aback by an email from City Manager Jim Landon dictating delays.
Soured, Bunnell Rejects Martin Murphy 2 Weeks After Voting to Offer Him City Manager Job
Residents and commissioners cited a series of “red flags” before a 3-2 vote to reject Martin Murphy’s candidacy Monday, two weeks after the city commission voted 3-2 to negotiate a contract with him.
Sheriff’s Deputy Fired For Failing To Stop Car Going Wrong Way, Toward Fatal Crash on I-95
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Robert Finn passed a motorist going the wrong way on an I-95 exit ramp in April, and did not conduct a traffic stop. The motorist was killed moments later in a head-on crash.
County Commissioners Again Can’t Agree On How Much To Raise Next Year’s Taxes
For the third straight budget workshop, Flagler County Commissioners have been unable to agree on what property tax rate to set for next year and what to cut to get there.
In Big Win For Flagler Beach, U.S. Army Corps Awards $17.5 Million, Reviving Dunes Project
The unexpected infusion of $17.5 million into Flagler’s beach-rebuilding projects revives a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan that appeared dead in 2017.
Just Released From Jail For Car Theft, Man Leads Deputies on Chase at Wheel of Another Stolen Car
Rico Ransom, 21, was released from jail a few months ago in a grand theft auto conviction. Thursday evening he led deputies through a chase west of US1.
Thieves Blow Hole In Wall at Palm Coast Parkway Dollar General and Steal $4,700
The Dollar genera’s safe was broken open and the thief or thieves took fireworks along with cash in the overnight theft off Palm Coast Parkway.
In Appeal to Sea Ray’s Laid Off Employees, Job Fair Is Scheduled For July 13
This job fair organized by CareerSource Flagler Volusia will showcase businesses with open, ready-for-hire positions, and will take place at the Flagler Palm Coast High School gym.
Floats of Pink, Red, White and Blue Reap Rotary’s Trophies For Fabulous 4th Parade
The Flagler Beach Rotary-sponsored parade’s big winner was Florida Pirate Alliance, which took Best of Parade, with more than a dozen more winners and honorees.
Flagler Will Build $7.5 Million Bike and Foot Trail East of Old Kings Rd., and Bridge Over SR 100
The 1.6-mile, 12-foot-wide walking and biking trail through the forested greenery east of Old Kings Road will connect Graham Swamp and Lehigh Trail.
Bunnell to Prospective Manager: “Not A Penny More” Than $80,000, and Thursday Deadline
It was not the friendliest of negotiations with Martin Murphy, the New York planner whose demands had rubbed some commissioners the wrong way.
Paul F. Montalbine, 42, Found Dead By Suicide in a Car In Palm Coast Parkway Neighborhood
Paul Francis Montalbine, a 42-year-old resident of 65 Lake Forest Place in Palm Coast, was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot in a car a short distance from his home.
Agonizing Over Tax Increase, Indecisive County Commission Defers To Administrator
County taxes are going up no matter what, but most county commissioners, some of them in election season, have been unable to give the county administrator more than vague direction on the budget.
Bunnell’s Manager Candidate Wants $10,000 More Than City Is Offering, Plus Extra Benefits
Martin Murphy, who’s negotiating to be Bunnell’s next city manager, wants $90,000 rather than $80,000, plus 33 days of leave time instead of 28, and health benefits starting immediately rather than in three months.
Shooting and Pistol-Whipping Over “Disrespect” in Target Parking Lot Land Man in Jail
Christopher Quijano, 19, allegedly pistol-whipped a man and fired a round after the man told Quijano he was being disrespectful to his (Quijano’s) girlfriend.
Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley was arrested on a domestic violence charge Friday evening at the 7-Eleven store he owns on South Oceanshore Boulevard.
Woman Faces Felony Charge In Case of Palm Coast Teen Missing 8 Months
The arrest of Kindra Dixon is the latest twist in the disappearance and recovery eight months later of Palm Coast teen Samantha Posella.
‘No Breach’ Says CEO of Exactis, Palm Coast Company at Heart of Reported Massive Data Leak of Personal Information
Palm Coast-based Exactis CEO Steve Hardigree spoke with FlaglerLive of the data breach that exposed 340 million records, saying nothing actually leaked.
Burglary on Parkview Drive Triggers Search and Code Red in P Section
The house at 10 Parkview Drive was the target of a burglary early Friday afternoon, triggering a search for two men and a Code Red for P Section residents.
For 21-Year-Old Who Brutalized Dog, 270 Days in Jail, 5 Years’ Probation, Lifetime Felon
Brenden Geary, 21, left an 11-lb Yorkshire terrier unconscious after brutalizing her at a W-Section Palm Coast home in Palm Coast last March.
Sheriff Still Investigating Even After Woman Missing 8 Months Turns Up
Palm Coast’s Samantha Posella revealed herself to a West palm Beach police officer Tuesday after going missing eight months, but the case is not closed.
Flagler School District Scores a B For 7th Year In a Row, Ranks 32nd Out of 67
Only Indian Trails Middle School scored an A while Old Kings and Rymfire elementaries dropped a grade. Other schools maintained last year’s grades.
Palm Coast Man Faces Rape Charge, Allegedly ‘Testing’ If Girlfriend Had Been Unfaithful
D’Marcus Boyd, a 24-year-old Palm Coast resident, is at the Flagler County jail on $127,500 bond on accusations that he broke into a P-Section house and raped his girlfriend.
Balking at Proposed Tax Increase, County Commissioners Offer Alternatives Outside of Public Meeting
Flagler County commissioners want to cut a proposed budget increase but didn’t do so at a workshop, and plan to offer their suggestions outside of budget workshops.
Supreme Court Orders Flagler’s Judge Scott DuPont Removed in Unanimous Decision
Scott DuPont, who’d served on Flagler’s and Putnam’s civil benches since 2010, was investigated for improprieties on and off the bench.
In the Hammock, Boyfriend Shoots Girlfriend In the Ear During Argument Over Chinese Food
George Virgin, a 65-year-old resident of 11 North Shady Lane in the Hammock, faces a second-degree felony charge over the shooting.
Sea Ray Boats’ Palm Coast Plant Shutting Down in Major Blow to 440 Workers
Palm Coast’s Sea Ray Boats plant, one of the top five employers in the county, with some 440 employees, is shutting down as Brunswick corp. abandons the yacht line.
Bunnell Votes 3-2 To Hire Martin Murphy as Manager, a Planner From New York
The divided vote to hire Martin Murphy reflected the mayor’s wish for a second round of interviews and another commissioner hoping for a different candidate.
Samantha Posella of Palm Coast Now Missing 8 Months, Sheriff Names “Persons of Interest”
Flagler sheriff’s detectives are worried that Samatha Posella, 17 when she disappeared, may have been the victim of a crime. Two Palm Coast residents are persons of interest.
Once a Jail Commander, 23-Year Sheriff’s Employee Is Demoted to Deputy Over Chronic Flaws
Tammy Stakes last September was a commander making over $80,000 a year. She was demoted to deputy over a series of supervisory failures and missteps.
Andy Dance Re-Elected To Flagler School Board Without Opposition; Others Must Slog It Out
Andy Dance was re-elected to a fourth term. A school board and a Palm Coast council race will be decided in August, others won’t be decided until November.
Felony Child Neglect Charges For Two Palm Coast Men Accused of Drug-Dealing
Two Palm Coast men arrested in three days saw their drug-dealing charges complicated by felony child-neglect charges involving children ages 1 and 2.
School Board Rejects $2.5 Million Bid For Palm Coast Parkway Property It Bought For $3.5 Million
The $2.5 million offer was $500,000 higher than the best appraisal of the property. The board split 2-2 on the offer from Michael Collard Properties, who’d offered $1.8 million last year.
First McDonald, Now Abby Romaine Will Challenge Hansen For County Commission
Abby Romaine, who ran for the seat in 2012 as an independent, is challenging County Commissioner Greg Hansen in the August Republican primary.
Flagler County Passes Precedent-Setting Ordinance Protecting Public Use of Private Beaches, But Its Future Is Uncertain
Flagler’s customary-use ordinance forbids the walling off of private sections of beaches, though a new state law allows just such segregation from public use. Flagler expects its ordinance to be challenged.