The Palm Coast City Council excoriated Rep. Paul Renner over several bills he’s introduced, saying the proposals would hurt Florida Hospital Flagler and end the city’s ability to regulate local business, among others.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Council Endorses Raising Flagler’s Tourism Tax to 5% to Pay For Beach Repairs
The tourist sales surtax tax is applied to hotels, motels and short-term rentals, and would increase beach-restoration revenue to $2.25 million over the next three years.
Man Faces Felony Child Abuse Charge in Assault of Girl, 14, After Accosting Children at Bus Stop
A man who children say had been accosting them at their Palm Coast bus stop was later charged with child abuse after slapping a 14-year-old girl on the butt. An investigation revealed other concerns.
Spencer Sarmento Back in Jail on Aggravated Assault Charge Stemming from Gun Argument
Spencer Sarmento, the Mondex resident arrested 14 months ago for firing an assault weapon in the Mondex, was arrested again this morning after a confrontation in which his girlfriend refused to give him a gun.
County Seeking Photo Contest Participants to Mark Flagler’s Centennial
Prizes include $200 for Best of Show, as well as first-, second- and third place prizes by division of $150 – $100 – and $50, respectively. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 10.
Weldon Ryan’s Art of Carnival at Calypso Gallery Opening Saturday in Bunnell
Weldon Ryan’s Art of Carnival show features works shown in New York City and at a show at the Peabody in Daytona Beach in 2015, along with new works in preparation for the 2017 West Indian American Day Carnival in New York.
Survey Gives You Chance To Tell Flagler School Board What You Want In Next Superintendent
As part of its search to replace Superintendent Jacob Oliva, the board is making an electronic survey available to residents, including school employees and students, and seeking as much participation as possible.
For Palm Coast Man, Repeated Arrests Over Guns and Alcohol, Then a Death at the Hospital
Theodore Vanbeveren, 61, had been at Florida Hospital Flagler for detox and had been cleared to be returned to the jail. Instead he had a heart attack and died, according to a sheriff’s report.
250 to 300-Acre Fire, Largest Since 2011, Burning Uncontained in Old Haw Creek Area
County and state fire crews began battling the fire just before 3 p.m. The fire was still several miles from the nearest homes to the east but had grown rapidly.
Superwash Express Brings 40 Jobs to Heart of Palm Coast and Lava of Choices For Car Care
Superwash on Cypress Point Parkway held its grand opening last week, creating 40 new jobs, about 25 of them full-time, in a car town that seems to take to carwashes with zeal.
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell Officials May Face Stronger Financial Disclosure Requirements
Financial disclosure forms filed by elected city officials are cursory compared to the detailed forms filed by county and other officials. That may soon change as the Legislature considers extending the stricter requirements.
Palm Coast Community Center’s Walls Crash As Shovels Ordain Much Bigger Successor Building
Work crews put destruction on display at the old Palm Coast Community Center today, just after the city council marked the $7.8 million rebuilding and tripling of the site with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Flagler Beach Pier To Be Repaired and Opened By May 1, But More Concrete Plans in Its Future
The $918,000 contract will stabilize the Flagler Beach pier but will not restore the 160 feet it lost during Hurricane Matthew. That’ll be the long-term fix, which may entail pouring concrete.
Man Responsible for McDonald’s Armed Robbery on SR100 in Palm Coast Sought in 2nd Incident
Investigators believe the man who robbed the McDonald’s in Palm Coast on State Road 100 Saturday, wielding a silver blade, is the same man who robbed a CVS pharmacy in St. Augustine the next night.
In Flagler Beach, Scott Attacks Renner Over Tourism and Economic Development Programs
Gov. Rick Scott was in campaign mode in a visit to Flagler Beach Monday as he criticized Flagler’s Rep. Paul Renner, a fellow-Republican, for introducing a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
Europa Owner’s House Demolished in Evening Fire in Palm Coast’s C-Section
Marcella and Ambroz Ferrena, who own New Europa, the restaurant and lounge at European Village, were in their Palm Coast home by the canals late Sunday afternoon when they smelled smoke. It was a small fire in the garage that rapidly spread through the roof.
Transportation Secretary Pledges Possible Traffic Light or Other Fixes at Dangerous US 1 Intersection
The Florida Department of Transportation is considering a traffic light, speed limit reduction, rumble strips or even a roundabout at the intersection of US1 and Old Dixie Highway.
Woody’s Joe Rizzo Named Director of Flagler Education Foundation, Replacing Williams
Joe Rizzo, a Flagler native and part-owner of several local restaurants, will diminish his role there to take up the full-time job at the foundation, on whose board he’s served for eight years, one of them as president.
School Board Adopts Hasty Plan to Hire Next Superintendent in Broad Search By May 2
The Flagler School Board Friday approved a want-ad and using the Florida School Board Association to lead the search, marginalizing what influence a local advisory committee may have and replicating the speedy process adopted three years ago.
Safety Study on Deadly White Eagle Lounge Intersection Was Issued 7 Weeks Ago: No Traffic Light or Speed Limit Recommendations
Some 207 crashes have been recorded in three years at or near US1 and Old Dixie Highway, but a state transportation department safety study issued in December recommended only cosmetic changes.
Flagler Beach Is Proposing Draconian Restrictions and Prohibitions on Drones
Flagler Beach would even further than an Orlando ordinance that just passed, banning drones over public buildings, parks, assemblies and other places absent permission from the city.
Sheriff Seeking Public’s Help in Identifying 2 Alleged Shoplifters at Palm Coast’s Ulta Store
Two suspects entered the Ulta cosmetics store at 5224 State Road 100 in Palm Coast Saturday (Feb. 4) and allegedly stole many bottles of nail polish, valued at more than $2,400.
Recurring Offender Richard Westervelt Again Arrested After Chase in Mondex
Richard Westervelt has 11 bookings at the Flagler County jail since 2010, on charges that include battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding, illegally firing weapons and resisting arrest.
Palm Coast’s Jim Landon Gets 4% Pay Hike, Raising Total Compensation to $226,700
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously endorsed the $6,700 pay raise but limited annual automatic increases to 1 percent through 2021, and set aside concerns over Landon’s very generous severance package.
Flagler County May Be Out $2 Million as FEMA and State Deny Hurricane Reimbursements
FEMA denied $1.1 million in Flagler claims for debris pick-up, the state is not providing a match the county expected, and the county has yet to hear on millions more in claims to FEMA.
Never Gone, Barbara Revels Reemerges in Appointment to Economic Advisory Board She Launched
The County Commission appointed Ex-County Commissioner Barbara Revels to the Economic Opportunity Advisory Board on a 4-1 vote, with her opponent, Dave Sullivan, casting a vote for Jason DeLorenzo.
Kayaking Trips Planned For Flagler’s Centennial Celebration, on Haw Creek and Longs Landing
Registrations, for $15, are needed in advance. Each person registering will get a competition style tee shirt commemorating the County’s Centennial.
Five People Killed, 3 Hurt in 3-Vehicle Crash at White Eagle’s US1 Intersection With Old Dixie; Deadliest Crash in 6 Years
Five people were killed in a three-vehicle crash late this morning (Feb. 5) at the notoriously dangerous intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1, by the White Eagle lounge, in Korona.
Commissioners Uneasy With Flagler’s Bail-Out of Agriculture Museum and New 400-Acre Park
Flagler County government would pay off an $185,000 museum mortgage and grant it $25,000 a year while acquiring more than 400 acres of the museum’s land, calling it an “extension” of Princess Place Preserve.
County Breaks Ground on 5,500-ft Runway at Airport to Accommodate Larger Corporate Jets
The $12.1 million project will be carried out over the next 350 days at Flagler County Executive Airport. It will also create new space at the north end of the airport for more building construction.
Palm Coast Man Accused of Murdering a Man in Daytona Before Fleeing to P-Section
Dominic Neeley Jr., 21, was arrested at his home at 41 Peppercorn Lane in Palm Coast in early evening Sunday after a chase triggered by an alleged murder of a man and the shooting of a woman in Daytona Beach within the same hour.
Palm Coast Man Irate Over $128 Bill Jailed Over Allegedly Bashing Washing-Machine Repairman With Baseball Bat
Norman Ferris, 56, ended up at a hospital after allegedly getting smashed in the face and back with a baseball bat by a man who didn’t want to pay the repair bill for his washing machine.
Prosecution Puts Kim Weeks’s Lawyers on Defensive After Arguing She Must Testify
The prosecution today questioned whether Kimberle Weeks had standing to challenge the validity of the search warrant that uncovered all the evidence against her. Her defense was shaken up by the ploy.
Kim Weeks’s Lawyers Seek to End Case Against Ex-Supervisor In Double-Barreled Attack
Lawyers for ex-Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks spent much of today arguing before a judge two motions that would, if successful, end the nearly two-year-old felony case. Weeks is accused of making illegal recordings.
Behind Woman’s Suicide in Flagler Beach, Despair and a Last Evening With Caring Strangers
Janis Washburn, the 68-year-old Palm Coast resident found dead in the Intracoastal last week, had spent the last three hours of her life with a group of strangers who took her in to cheer her up. She had long spoken of suicide.
Tax Collector’s New Branch Office in Flagler Beach Compelled By Rising Traffic–and Guns
The new tax collector’s branch at the Food Lion shopping center in Flagler Beach will be the exclusive location for the boom in concealed weapons permitting, and possibly a commercial seed for the long-moribund Flagler Square.
Divided School Board Blocks Internal Hire of Next Superintendent, Opting for Fast Search
In a 3-2 split, Flagler School Board members opted against cutting short the search for Superintendent Jacob Oliva with an immediate, internal hire despite the risks of an expedited, broader search to fill the position by June 1.
Tased and Detained, Felon 10 Times Over Escapes from Cop’s Car Before Chase and Arrest
George Garland Wood, 31, of Bunnell, led cops on a chase after he was tased and after he managed to escape from a patrol car. He faces a half dozen charges, all but one felonies.
Town Center Developer Palm Coast Holdings Will Close By March and Sell Assets
The decision was made recently and unexpectedly by Palm Coast Holding’s parent company, Allete Properties of Duluth, Minn. Seven employees will be affected.
At Staly’s Sheriff’s Office, Deputies Speak of “Concerted Effort” to Raise Morale and Profile
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies contacted independently of the sheriff’s own public relations efforts say the improved morale and more commanding leadership is sincere, though the changes are less fundamental than about attitudes.
Palm Coast Council Favors $6,800 Raise for Manager Landon, and Automatic Increases
Vying for a raise for the third time in 10 months, Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon appears to have convinced a new council to award him a 4 percent raise and build in automatic annual raises absent intervention by the council.
Qualifying Over in Flagler Beach and Bunnell March 7 Elections, Still Time to Register to Vote
Both cities’ incumbents and one challenger in each have qualified–Marshall Shupe, Kim Carney and Paul Eik in Flagler Beach, Bonita Robinson, John Rogers and John Sowell in Bunnell, with two seats in play in each government.
Different Kind of Home Intrusion in Hammock: Intruder Apologizes (But Is Arrested)
Benjamin Wytiaz, a man with a long arrest record in three other counties, startled a Hammock woman in her home as she was getting out of the bathroom, and was later arrested. He said he was looking for a place to sleep.
Olando Ellis, 63, Killed on I-95 Near Matanzas Exit When Semi Slams His Stalled Mercedes
Olando Ellis’s car had stalled in the right-most southbound lane and lost all power and lights. He’d called 911 for help, then was struck and killed by the truck.
Ethics Panel Ratifies $4,500 Fine Against Barbara Revels in Closing Blur on Distinguished Service
The fine and public censure bookend Barbara Revels’s eight years of public service as a member of the Flagler County Commission, where she had been its most effective member and most skillful parliamentarian.
A Stolen Gun, A Cry for Help Over Crack, Then Surrender to Felony Charges
Pamela Guth, a 54-year-old resident of Rose Petal Lane in Palm Coast, was arrested on two felony charges after turning herself in for stealing a gun to buy cocaine, and trying unsuccessfully to get the gun back.
In Flagler Again, Gov. Scott Issues $15.8 Million For Beach Fix in 4 Counties, $5.4M for Flagler
The $15.8 million is not necessarily new money but includes at least $5.3 million Flagler County has been lobbying for to rebuild dunes. Gov. Scott made the announcement at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park’s beach.
Flagler Beach Approves $40 Million State Plan to Rebuild Dunes, With Sea Wall at City’s North End
In a surprising shift, Flagler Beach City Commissioners agreed to a state plan to build a sea wall at the city’s north end in exchange for a beach management plan the state would pay for.
County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin Apologizes to Flagler Beach Officials Over Interference
Commissioner Nate McLaughlin apologized in person to Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom and City Commissioners Jane Mealy and Marshall Shupe over comments he claimed were misconstrued.
Gov. Scott Visiting With Flagler Commissioners Friday But County Keeps Meeting Veiled
As has been the case with previous such visits, the Flagler County administration did not send out notices about the governor’s visit to the county Friday, morning, his fourth since Hurricane Matthew struck.