Monti, 42, of Palm Coast, was being arrested on a domestic battery charge at the courthouse, where he was answering to another charge, when he fled police and jumped in a filtration tank at the Bunnell water plant.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Manfre and Staly Bury Hatchet: “He Will Add to Progress I’ve Made and Make the Place Better”
Flagler County Sheriff-Elect Rick Staly met with Sheriff Jim Manfre Wednesday as the two men agreed to a transition plan while restoring what had previously been a cordial professional relationship.
Flagler’s 20-Point Margin For Trump a 28-Year High as Blue-Collar Counties Power Trump
Not since George Bush defeated Michael Dukakis had a Republican presidential candidate performed so well in Flagler County, a stark difference reflected across many other, larger blue-collar counties.
Joel Fallon, Owner of Granny Nannies, and Co-Pilot Seriously Hurt in Plane Crash Over Plantation Bay
Joel Fallon, owner of Granny Nannies of Flagler and St. Johns counties, was at the controls of a Beech single-engine plane built in 1969 with co-pilot Josh Rosa, owner of Flagler Air Exchange, a business at the Flagler County Airport.
Staly Is Flagler’s New Sheriff, Bexley New Court Clerk, Republicans Sweep County Commission, Klufas Wins Palm Coast Seat, Barbosa Wins School Board, Hutson, Renner Win
Election results are showing the making of a historic Republican sweep in Flagler County as early but significant tallies show Rick Staly winning sheriff, Tom Bexley winning clerk of court, and all three Democrats in county commission races well behind.
Matanzas Student Arrested After Becoming Aggressive Toward School Deputy at Lunch
An 18-year-old Matanzas High School student was arrested today at school after a lunch-hour confrontation that started with a student and escalated to involve school staffers and school resource deputies.
This Time It’s Formal: Palm Coast Council Fires Holland Park Contractor Over Delays
The Palm Coast City Council this morning took an unprecedented step on a contract so large: it aborted its contract with Tumbleson White Construction, the contractor hired in January 2015 to renovate Holland Park.
Three Men Burglarize AT&T Store Off Palm Coast Parkway, Crash and Evade Copter Search
A Publix employee coming to work at 2:30 a.m. detected the burglars and called 911, but the three suspects got away after crashing their car, evading a more than half-hour search by air and ground in the C-Section.
Gov. Scott on Frank Meeker’s Commission Seat Replacement: “We’re Working On It”
Ten men, all Republicans, applied in the 107 days that have elapsed since Commissioner Frank meeker’s death. Rep. Paul Renner says he expects an appointment in late November or early December.
Miles Smith, 32, Troubled W-Section Resident at Center of Dead Puppy Feud Last March, Found Dead
The cause of death has not been determined. No firearm was involved. Last March Smith was at the center of a controversy involving the suspicious death of a puppy that had once belonged to his neighbors.
Repairs on Speed: A1A Reopens to Governor’s Applause as Businesses Cheer With Relief
The remarkably swift emergency repairs to the road on a state government emergency contract to Halifax Paving turned what could have been a death knell to many businesses into a setback, now overcome.
Not What Flagler’s Battered Beaches Need: Elevated “Super-Tide” Again Places Properties and Dunes in Danger
A super-tide expected Saturday along the beaches, with 5 to 7-foot breakers and water levels 1 to 1.5 feet above tide levels, concerns county officials who have been scrambling to protect breached dunes and properties damaged by Hurricane Matthew.
Dunkin’ Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway Will Reopen Early Next Year
The Dunkin’ Donuts that burned on June 9 at 1310 Palm Coast Parkway is expected to reopen in February or March, occupying the same 3,667 square foot space and combining Dunkin’ Donuts with Baskin Robbins ice cream.
Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Rick Staly is the Republican candidate for Flagler County Sheriff. He faces Democrat Larry Jones and Independent Thomas Dougherty in the election culminating on Nov. 8.
Farewell Ovation to Jon Netts, Last of Founding Mayors as Palm Coast Enters New Era
Palm Coast gave Mayor Jon Netts its farewell Thursday evening in an hour-long ceremony that included gifts, speeches, the naming of a fire truck after him and a lot of talk about going sockless.
Larry Jones, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Larry Jones is the Democratic candidate for Flagler County Sheriff. He faces Republican Rick Staly and Independent Thomas Dougherty in the election that culminates on Nov. 8. Jones defeated incumbent Sheriff Jim Manfre in the Democratic primary.
Jennifer Stagg, Flagler’s Embattled Emergency Planner, Survives Firing as Hearing Exposes Deeper Problems
Jennifer Stagg, will be suspended five days without pay, but her hearing exposed deeper problems at the county’s emergency management operations that have little or nothing to do with her.
6,400 Students Vote in Flagler Schools, and It’s Clinton By a Hair, Beating Trump 44-43%
In Flagler schools, Hillary Clinton beat Trump by a 74-vote margin, out of 6,406 votes cast, or by 1 percentage point. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, got 5.6 percent.
Contractor Gunning to Reopen A1A 30 Days Ahead of Schedule. The Reason: $1 Million Bonus
Halifax Paving is set to reopen State Road A1A in Flagler Beach next week, some 30 days ahead of schedule, earning itself a $1 million bonus on top of the original $4 million emergency contract. Businesses and others are cheering.
Woman At Center of Suicide-By-Cop Attempt in 2015 Kills Herself With a Gun Halloween Night
Palm Coast’s Stacy Culotta is the 37-year-old Palm Coast resident who 13 months ago had attempted suicide-by-cop as she pointed a gun at three Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies in her yard at 8 Pine Brook Drive.
Thomas Dougherty, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Thomas Dougherty is a non-party affiliated candidate for Flagler County Sheriff in the Nov. 8th general elections. He’s facing Republican Rick Staly and Democrat Larry Jones.
Palm Coast Residents Will See 9% Garbage Rate Hike as City Approves New Waste Pro Contract
Palm Coast residents will see their garbage rates increase $1.74 a month, or 9 percent, starting June 1 and for the next five years. “Shoddy service” in the past year, the result of turn-over, is being addressed and the company may be fined if problems persist, the city manager said.
Palm Coast Mayor Netts To Be Recognized For “2,459 Years” Of Service Thursday at City Hall
Term-limited, Netts will end his 16 years of service for Palm Coast and cede his throne to Mayor-Elect and long-time protegee Milissa Holland on Nov. 15, when the new city council is sworn in.
Arson and Insurance Fraud Charges Over Blaze on Woodstone Lane Lead to Arrest–4 Years Later
Harold J. Pizzetta, now 58, was arrested on arson and insurance fraud charges Sunday night in Palm Coast, four years to the day when he allegedly set his opwn house aflame to keep it from benefiting his ex-wife.
At Flagler’s Emergency Operations, Key Employee’s Firing Exposes Broader Turmoil
The firing of Jennifer Stagg, for more than six years a senior preparedness planner at Flagler County Emergency Services, caused Kevin Guthrie, her former boss, to launch a campaign on her behalf, causing 31 people to turn up at her termination hearing this morning. The hearing will resume Wednesday.
In a Surprise Visit, Gov. Scott Tells Flagler Officials He’ll Expedite Regulatory Hold-Ups on Shore Repairs
Gov. Rick Scott held a 25-minute closed-door meeting with county and city officials in Bunnell today to assess the response to Hurricane Matthew and assure officials that he’ll help them through regulatory hurdles in continuing recovery efforts, especially on the barrier island.
Flagler’s Early Voting Only Slightly Ahead of 2008 Pace; Republicans Winning Turnout Race
The numbers in Flagler County look grim for Democrats looking for a strong turnout: it’s not happening for them as it is for Republicans, and what is taking place will only slightly exceed turnout in 2008.
Democratic Party Chairman Accuses Judge Moore-Stens of Short-Changing Canvassing Board Responsibility
Flagler DNC Chairman Ralph Lightfoot, in a stunning charge against Judge Mellissa Moore-Stens, told her she should “find somebody else” on the canvassing board if she can’t devote her full attention to it, a criticism the judge rejected and countered with equal force.
Ex-Palm Coast Soccer Academy Coach Arrested on Molestation Charges Involving Two Boys
Sean Stern, the former program director at the recently defunct Palm Coast’s Professional Sports Pathways, a specialized soccer academy for youths, was arrested Thursday on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation charges.
Ballot Error Missing Mosquito Race Grows to 2,200 Voters in 6 Precincts; Board’s Solution Breaks With State Elections Recommendation
The Flagler Canvassing Board voted to provide a “supplemental ballot” to each of the 658 early voters and 1,548 mail-in voters affected by the error, countering a state recommendation to ignore the lost votes and issue a completely new and separate ballot to the voters by mail.
Pam Richardson, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Pam Richardson is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. She faces Nick Klufas in the non-partisan runoff election culminating on Nov. 8. All registered voters may cast a ballot in that election regardless of party affiliation.
A 5-Year-Old Cat Is Shot in the Face, Another Disappears as Owner Fears Malice
The cat was found motionless on the owner’s driveway on Laguna Trail, two weeks after another of the owner’s cats had disappeared. There is little question that the cats have been the target of cruelty.
Nick Klufas, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Nick Klufas is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. He faces Pam Richardson in the non-partisan run-off election culminating on Nov. 8, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
Biting Error: Flagler Mosquito Control Race Missing From Nearly 1,600 Ballots in Beachside Precincts
The mosquito control race was missing from 1,200 mail ballots, an error that was being fixed, but also from 363 early voting ballots already cast, creating a dilemma for the supervisor of elections. The error was caught Monday and stopped by the time voting resumed Tuesday.
FEMA Opens Disaster Recovery Center at County Library on Palm Coast Parkway
FEMA’s Flagler-Palm Coast Disaster Recover Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the library. It’s not expected to interfere with early voting there.
Flagler’s Most Civilized Local Political Race in Years
The six candidates and incumbents for the Flagler County Commission stand out sharply from other local races for the collective civility and substance-oriented campaigns, and their impatience with partisanship. It’s a rarity worth taking note of in a year of slime.
Hammock Man Who’d Attacked 2 Ex-Roommates With Rifle and Hammer Sentenced to 10 Years
Paul Hillman, 44, had attacked George Carnarius, 64, calling him “the devil,” and Linda Warrell, 55, in the Shady Lane house they’d all shared until July 2015. But Warrell had urged against sending him to prison, saying–as the court agreed–that he suffers from a mental illness.
In DUI Case that Killed Michelle Roberts on Belle Terre, an Unprecedented Offer to Avoid Prison Is Rejected
Richard Kelley, who was driving with Roberts and her daughter when they wrecked in January 2014 at Pine Grove, wants the offer further sweetened to a deal that would still let him eventually drive again. It was not his first DUI charge, and he was driving on a revoked license.
Donald O’Brien, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Donald O’Brien is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. His opponents in the Nov. 8 election is six-term incumbent George Hanns, a Democrat.
39-Year-Old Man Punches and Knocks Down 16-Year-Old Disabled Girl at Epic Theater
A by-stander’s cellphone video that captured part of the confrontation on video shows the girl falling to the ground after C.J. Nelson, a 39-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s P-Section, allegedly punched her.
Work Begins on A1A Repairs as Transportation Department Sets Open House for Wednesday
Halifax Paving started re-construction today on the temporary fix of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, with an open house scheduled for Wednesday for residents to find out more about what’s ahead.
George Hanns, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Six-term incumbent George Hanns is the Democratic candidate for the Flagler County Commission, District 5 seat, facing Republican Donald O’Brien in the Nov. 8 election.
Fully-Loaded Car Carrier Overturns on Old Kings Road, 3 People Involved, None Hurt
Palm Coast physician Lydia Kefalidou narrowly missed getting crushed by the trailer as she managed to veer off the road, crashing her car against a guard rail to avoid colliding with the auto transport.
Myra Middleton-Valentine, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Myra Middleton-Valentine is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Paul Anderson, Maria Barbosa, and Sharon Demers. All registered Flagler County voters may cast a ballot in the Aug. 30 primary in this non-partisan race regardless of party affiliation. The winner will be decided on Aug. 30.
Flagler County Agrees to Bail Out Ag Museum Despite $150,000 Deficit and Barnful of Unanswered Questions
After a vote failed to take-over the failing museum entirely, Flagler County commissioners agreed to a generous 90-day bailout, pending a more detailed agreement that would enable the county to absorb the 460-acre property yet leave the museum board at least nominally in place.
Maria Barbosa, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Maria Barbosa is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Myra Middleton Valentine in the Nov. 8 runoff. Barbosa’s largely plagiarized answers to her first interview, when she unsuccessfully ran in 2014, are reproduced here, as she declined to be interviewed for the current election.
Flagler Job Holders and Workforce Surge By 400 in September as Unemployment Flattens
This is one of those unemployment report where the uptick in the unemployment rate is almost meaningless, compared to other numbers, at least as far as Flagler County’s economy is concerned.
Sheriff Marks First Year in Operations Center, Citing Savings and Convenience
By moving from the old building, which was built when Flagler County had just 25,000 residents, the office save $100,000 a year in lease payments. And the new operations center came in $200,000 under budget at $4.7 million. The facility was designed to actually add 9,000 square feet – from 25,000 to 34,000 square feet.
David Sullivan, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
David Sullivan is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. His opponent in the Aug. 30 Republican primary is Jason France. The winner will face Democrat Barbara Revels in the Nov. 8 general election.
Gov. Scott Orders State Transportation Department to Expedite A1A Reopening in Flagler Beach
The transportation department, in response to Scott’s order, said restoring traffic on A1A in Flagler Beach is now the Number 1 priority in the state. About 1.4 miles of road was damaged and closed.