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Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Raising Faith Over Futility, Flagler Launches Unprecedented $25 Million Dunes-Restoration Feat
For 50 hours a week for the next 48 weeks, trucks will dump nearly 1 million tons of sand along 12 to 15 miles of Flagler County beaches, rebuilding the dunes hurricanes washed away.
Flagler Beach Places Golf Club On Probation, Pending Compliance With Lease Terms
Two Flagler Beach city commissioners were ready to end the lease with the manager of Ocean Palms Golf Club Thursday, but were held back in a last-chance effort to allow for compliance.
County Planning Board May Have Violated Rules In Approving Hammock Restaurant and Brewery Without A1A Committee Review
County Planning Board members appeared to have been misled by county staffers when told that the advisory Scenic A1A Pride committee’s opinion was not required as part of development plans. It is.
Unusual Degree of Mayhem, But Also Success, Reflected in Sheriff’s Quarterly Awards
An award ceremony seemed to reflect the particular vigor and style of policing Rick Staly ushered in just over a year ago, when he became sheriff.
Two Suicides, 2 Attempted, 5 Baker Acts Between Saturday and Monday in Palm Coast
For the second time in three weeks, Flagler Sheriff’s deputies were confronted with a spike in mental health crises over 48 hours that underscored the county’s dearth of resources other than law enforcement.
240 Apartments Rising on Palm Coast’s E-Section Rim as Bunnell Approves Higher Height Limit
The apartment complex will be called Shadetree at Bunnell, with rent averaging $1,300 a month, on 30 acres abutting Palm Coast’s E-Section. The Bunnell Planning Board quietly approved an exception so the buildings could be exceed the city’s height limit.
Counterfeiters Among Us: Several Palm Coast Businesses Targets of Bogus $100 Bills
Salsa’s, Domino’s, McDonald’s and a Mobil station were all targeted by a user of counterfeit bills, as was a man selling items on Craig’s List. The investigation is continuing.
From Ankle Monitors to a $165,000 Grant for an Extra Detective, Domestic Violence Initiative Keeps Momentum
The Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Task Force, far from disbanding, is continuing its varied initiatives, though the incidence of domestic violence in the county appears to be spiking.
Despite Questions of Trust, Flagler Commission Clears Way For 200 Homes Around Lakeside on A1A
Flagler commissioners voted to approve the 200-home development on either side of Lakeside By the Sea on A1A in a contentious 3-hour hearing in which commissioners said their hands were tied to do anything else.
In Last-Minute Reversal, Judge Agrees To More Lenient Plea in Maria Howell Case
After rejecting the deal last month, Circuit Judge Dennis Craig agreed to 18 months in prison for Maria Howell, who’d faced trial and possibly 15 years in prison over a molestation charge.
5-Hour Standoff With Woman Threatening Suicide Ends Peacefully on Point of Woods
Kathryn Hunter, 39, girlfriend of a man who killed himself on Jan. 9, surrendered to deputies in mid-afternoon after SWAT team members entered her house. She will be Baker Acted.
Eric Cooley Wins Flagler Beach Commission Seat Unopposed, Mayor Provencher Reelected Unchallenged
No one ran against Eric Cooley, ensuring that he’d take a Flagler Beach Commission seat in place of Joy McGrew automatically. Linda Provencher was again elected without opposition for the fourth contest out of five.
Jimmie Brazell, 56, Struck and Killed As He Steps Out From Car On I-95 in Palm Coast
Jimmie Brazell, 56, was killed by a passing car as he walked across I-95 in Palm Coast after an argument with his new bride, who had asked him to pull over.
Bobby Gore Sentenced to 15 Years In Shooting Death of His Son in Flagler Beach as Judge Rebukes “Family Culture” of Firearms
Bobby Earl Gore, 74, shot his son Lucas, 31, last April at their Flagler Beach home, allegedly after Lucas had terrorized and humiliated him. A judge did not feel too much lenience was required in the sentence.
Strident Opposition to Roundabout at US1 and Old Dixie Even As Another Crash Results In Critical Injury
There was no doubt as to the near-unanimity and depth of opposition to a roundabout at the intersection of US1 and Old Dixie by the end of a one-hour public hearing.
Flagler County’s Employment Grows by 1,500 Over a Year of Steady Growth
Flagler County’s unemployment rate in December fell to 4 percent, down from a revised 4.3 percent, and was down a healthy 1.4 points for the year.
Roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Will Save Lives, But Resistance Is Expected
Those used to roundabouts love them, those not hate them: traffic experts say the roundabout at US1 and Old Dixie can work well with good design and education.
Why Is Judge Craig Looking to Crucify Maria Howell?
Twice prosecutors and the defense agreed to a deal in the molestation case involving Maria Howell. Twice Judge Craig rejected the deal. The case is now headed for trial.
Move Over, Magritte: Alchemist-Photographer Jerry Uelsmann Documents States of Consciousness
Surrealist photographer Jerry Uelsmann, whose work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art among many places, speaks at the Hilton Garden Inn Sunday afternoon.
In Big Shift, Palm Coast Approves New Wireless Rules and Opens Many Areas to 150-Ft. Towers
Palm Coast hopes to end its reputation as a place full of dead zones and a poor place for carriers to do business, but aesthetics may take a backseat to improved coverage.
Reckless Driving, a Crash in an R-Section Front Yard and a Chase Ends in 2 Arrests
Jacquise D. Gaines Smith, 18, and Alvero Jackson, 23, were arrested in Palm Coast’s R-Section after a foot and air chase, after they fled the car they’d crashed in front yard.
Russian Rotarian Drops By Flagler Beach Rotary in Midst of Worldwide Cycling Tour
Ildus Yanyshev, a 56-year-old Russian Rotarian from the city of Kazan in the true heart of Russia, is on a global “Rotary Peace and Good Will Bike Tour.”
Twice Palm Coast’s Senior, Flagler County Art League Turns 40 as Canvas Expands
The Flagler County Art League, now with 450 members, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with several events and a look back at accomplishments against odds.
Released From Jail on Jan. 9, Palm Coast Woman Found Dead In Her House 6 Days Later
Drugs may have played a role in the death of Jessica Coubrough, 55, just days after she’d spent two months in jail, where she could not access drugs.
Amid Dearth of Mental Health Services, Flagler Lifeline Seeks to End Stigmas and Broaden Discussion
In an effort to de-stigmatize mental health and discussions about suicide, Flagler Lifeline, a joint effort by the school district and Flagler Cares, is looking to make the issue a priority for local officials.
Michael Cummings Charged With Murder in Wife’s Death on Point Pleasant Thursday; Sheriff Describes “Brutal” Attack
Michael Cummings was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife Faith Cummings Thursday in what the sheriff describes as a case of domestic violence that went out of control.
Husband’s Arrest Adds Troubling Details To Wife’s Untimely Death on Point Pleasant
Used syringes were found in the house at 6 Point Pleasant Drive and Michael Cummings’s clothes were spotted with blood when he met a sheriff’s deputy. He was arrested for obstruction.
Flagler Beach Will End Its Lease With Ocean Palms Golf, Finding Settlement Inadmissible
Flagler Beach commissioners no longer want to work with Terry McManus, lease-holder of the city-owned golf course, and plan on either taking over the course or finding a new management firm.
Rymfire Elementary’s Kate Sturman and District’s Ariana Perez Get Top School Honors
Rymfire Elementary School Teacher Kate Sturman was named Flagler County Schools’ Teacher of the Year, Ariana Perez was named District Employee of the Year.
Flagler Film Festival’s 55 Movies Go From Gothic to Micro-Shorts to Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds appears in the romantic comedy “Miami Love Affair,” one of the many films screened at Palm Coast’s Hilton Garden Inn this weekend in the annual Flagler Film Festival.
Palm Coast Council Dallies Through a Few Cosmetic Charter Changes in Anticlimactic Sum-Up
Only three or four cosmetic changes might make it on the November ballot, if that, after the Palm Coast City Council waded through a three-hour meeting to determine the future of its charter.
Sheriff’s Detectives Investigating Suspicious Death on Point Pleasant Drive in Palm Coast
A woman in her 40s was reported dead this morning in her bathroom. Her husband was speaking with authorities, and the sheriff was at the scene, along with detectives.
Flagler’s Opioid Crisis Seen From Those Fighting It: A Severe Lack of Treatment Beds, Drug Court at Capacity, Jail as a Waiting Room
The most comprehensive picture of the opioid crisis in Flagler County came to light today in a gathering of Flagler County judges, top cops, medical, social and government services. Here are the details.
Bunnell’s Planning Board Defies City on Medical Pot Dispensaries, To No Avail
The Bunnell Planning Board voted unanimously against the city’s ban on pot dispensaries, only for the city commission to ignore the vote and vote unanimously for it Monday evening.
6 Months After Agreeing to Replace City Manager, Palm Coast Council Will Take Next 5 to Find Search Firm
The Palm Coast City Council Tuesday left little doubt who was in charge of the hiring process for a new city manager to replace Jim Landon: Landon himself.
Prosecution Intends To Try Paul Dykes Twice More Even as He Faces Life in Prison
Paul Dykes was found guilty of directing the rape of a 1-year-old child last month, but prosecutors want to try him two more times on related charges, they told a circuit judge today.
Man Takes His Own Life in a Car on SR100 as Sheriff’s Negotiators Were On Their Way
A man took his own life by gunshot in a car on State Road 100’s westbound lanes, in front of the Mobil station and convenience store, at dawn Tuesday.
Flagler Beach Will Lift Parking Restrictions On Downtown Businesses in Short-Term Fix
Th Flagler Beach City Commission in an unusual show of liberality resolved to loosen strict restrictions on parking regulations to allow two businesses either to expand or to grow downtown.
Ban On: Overriding Commissioner’s Plea, Flagler Enacts Prohibition on Medical Pot Shops
It was the second and final reading of an ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Flagler, and it passed Monday morning, 3-2, ending a nearly year-long debate.
Jonathan Lord Takes Over Flagler’s Emergency Management as Its 6th Chief in 12 Years
Jonathan Lord, 43, had for more than two years been deputy director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, overseeing the statewide response to Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew and Irma firsthand.
Virginia-Based Hoax Threat to “MHS” Unrelated to Matanzas High School
A Snapchat threat to a school in Virginia with the same acronym as Matanzas High School in Palm Coast drew many calls to the sheriff’s office Sunday.
Dozens of Dune Walkovers Closed Again as Flagler Beach Reels From Latest Storm Damage
After managing to repair most walk-overs after Irma, Flagler Beach was forced to again close all but 17 of the 54 walkovers after this week’s storm, though the pier remains open.
Putting His Palm Coast House Up For Sale, DeSantis Makes Run For Governor Official
DeSantis’s neighbors at Lakeside By the Sea on A1A said they figured he was about to announce for governor when they saw a moving truck two weeks ago. His decision creates an opening for Democrats.
19 Year Old Arrested By Sheriff Last Week For Reckless Driving Rearrested on Hit-and-Run and Cocaine Charges
Jacob Reardon is accused of speeding through the B Section when he crashed his car into a parked Nissan and fled the scene, along with his girlfriend. Cops quickly located him.
Vacation Rentals Would Be Protected Class in Residential Neighborhoods In Bill Flagler Calls “Extreme”
One proposed bill would eliminate local regulation of vacation rentals and make it difficult for home-owner associations and towns like Flagler Beach to prevent short-term rentals anywhere.
Sod-Laden Semi Overturns at Palm Coast Parkway Off U.S. 1, Closing Eastbound Lanes
The truck was driving north on U.S. 1. It was making the sharp right turn onto the parkway when it overturned. No one was hurt.
One Suicide, 10 Baker Acts: New Year Weekend’s Mental Health Toll Taxes Flagler Deputies
Baker Acts are a reflection of the county’s needs for mental health services, needs that are largely unmet despite recurring calls by county, police and mental health officials to improve matters.
As Snow Flirts With Florida, Flagler Rains Will Yield To 3 Nights of Hard Freezes, and Precautions
Snow fell as far south as St. Augustine today but not quite in Flagler, where officials are cautioning about hard freezes and opening a cold-weather shelter for the next three nights.
74% Success Rate of FPC’s IB Class of 2017 Tops World Average as School Honors Graduates in Ceremony
Flagler Palm Coast High School’s International Baccalaureate Class of 2017 had the highest success rate in the program’s history, barring a much smaller inaugural class.