The proposed ordinance to decriminalize some pot possession now goes to the county commission, Palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler Beach for approval, but it’s faced sustained opposition.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Masked Man Who Taunted Lamb at Sheriff’s Forum Is Unmasked as Whisenant Supporter
Richard Rubin, a twice-arrested local resident and supporter of Mark Whisenant’s sheriff’s campaign, attempted to rattle candidate John Lamb Monday evening by riding masked and in camouflage and holding up a sign claiming Lamb and his family did not live in the county, a false claim.
Three Hurt, One Critical in Two-Vehicle Wreck on U.S. 1 and Wellfield Grade in Palm Coast
Three people were hospitalized, one of them in critical condition, following a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. 1 and Wellfield Grade in Palm Coast just before 5 p.m. today. Wellfield Grade is a short distance north of Palm Coast Parkway.
Taxpayers Hit for $215,000 to Repair Bunkers at City’s Money-Losing Palm Harbor Golf Club
The cost is in addition to the $155,000 the course has lost–and taxpayers have chipped in–so far this year. Bunker repair costs will be greater than that of several bridge repairs the city is planning over the next few years in the city proper.
Investigation Into West Flagler Home Fire and Suicide Ends in “Undetermined” Conclusion
“It appears that Kevin Clayton started the fire and then took his own life,” the fire investigation into the November fire concluded, but no actual cause or source of the fire was discovered.
Big Check and Big Thanks Greet Restoration of Flagler’s Adults With Disabilities Program
The Legislature had eliminated the money in 2015, causing a local outcry, forcing the school district to scale back the program and lay-off employees, and scrambling officials to lobby the legislature for a restoration of the money. It worked.
Sharon Demers, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Sharon Demers is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Paul Anderson, Maria Barbosa, and Myra Middleton-Valentine. 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.
Public’s Help Sought in Locating Michael Adam Wolfe, 27, Missing and Endangered
Michael Adam Wolfe, 27, was reported missing on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 8:26 p.m. from 66 Russell Drive in Palm Coast. He was last seen on Tuesday, Aug. 2, by his caregiver.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Reaches First ATP Pro Semifinal in Atlanta With Win Over Top-60 Foe
It was Opelka’s second straight win over a Top 60 opponent, after Opelka stunned world No. 28 ranked Kevin Anderson in a three-set thriller on Wednesday.
Paul Anderson, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Paul Anderson is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Sharon Demers, Maria Barbosa, and Myra Middleton-Valentine. 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.
2 Found Dead at Slowdrift Turn Home in Palm Coast, Where Homeowner Had Threatened to Kill Cops
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies making a “welfare check” Thursday afternoon found two people dead at 4 Slowdrift Turn in Palm Coast. The homeowners had a history of recent arrests.
Jason Sands, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Jason Sands is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Colleen Conklin 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.
Kangaroo on Palm Harbor Parkway Robbed at Gunpoint in Early Morning, Two Suspects Flee
The Kangaroo convenience store at 1201 Palm Harbor Parkway in Palm Coast was the target of an armed robbery by two men early this morning. They fled originally on foot with cash and cigarette cartons. It’s not known if they had a vehicle nearby.
Colleen Conklin, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Colleen Conklin is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Jason Sands 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.
Man Thought to Be Breaking Into Van Detained By 8 Construction Workers Before Cops Arrive
Jacob Atkinson, 24, said he confused another van for his. He was restrained by eight construction workers after midnight Wednesday at the Publix parking lot off Belle Terre Parkway.
Ron Radford, Palm Coast Mayoral Candidate: The Live Interview
Ron Radford is a candidate for Palm Coast mayor. He faces three other candidates: Milissa Holland, Dennis McDonald and John Brady in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
5 Names Emerge as Maneuvering for Governor’s Appointment for Meeker’s Commission Seat Intensifies
David Alfin, Ed Fuller, Howard Holley, Jon Netts and Patrick Kelly are all confirmed likely applicants to Frank Meeker’s county commission seat, while Milissa Holland, Gail Wadsworth, Garry Lubi and Jim Ulsamer have ruled it out.
Dennis McDonald, Palm Coast Mayoral Candidate: The Live Interview
Dennis McDonald is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. He faces three other candidates: John Brady, Milissa Holland, and Ron Radford. All registered city voters regardless of party may cast a vote in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30.
DuBose Pulls Out of Palm Coast Council Race, Opening Way to Quicker McGuire Replacement
Troy DuBose’s withdrawal essentially creates a two-way race between Bob Cuff and Sims Jones, and a stronger possibility of a winner by Aug. 30, who could then immediately fill the same seat Bill McGuire is resigning in mid-August, sparing the council the tortures of an appointment process.
For Commissioner Frank Meeker, a Tribute From the Hearts of a Decade’s Colleagues
For an hour Monday morning, Meeker’s closest colleagues remembered the man death surprised at 61 on July 22, themselves not yet over the shock of having lost him after seen him in that seat just 16 days before his death.
Palm Coast’s Eric Floyd, 35, Jailed On 4 Rape Counts Involving Minor Step-Daughter
Eric Floyd, 35, of 36 Fairway Circle in Palm Coast, was booked at the Flagler County jail Friday without bond on four first-degree felony counts of rape on a person within familial custody and a count of lewd and lascivious battery.
Milissa Holland, Palm Coast Candidate for Mayor: The Live Interview
Milissa Holland is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. She faces three other candidates: John Brady, Dennis McDonald, and Ron Radford. All registered city voters regardless of party may cast a vote in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30.
Palm Coast Council Candidate Troy DuBose May Abandon Run and Opt For County Post
Troy DuBose, a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Palm Coast City Council, said he’ll drop out of he is appointed to the Flagler County Planning Board on Monday, where he is the only candidate who applied.
John Brady, Palm Coast Mayoral Candidate: The Live Interview
John Brady is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. He faces three other candidates: Milissa Holland, Dennis McDonald and Ron Radford in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
5 Jacksonville Teens Arrested and Tied to Latest Burglary Spree in Palm Coast’s B-Section
Some 23 burglaries struck Palm Coast’s B-Section overnight, the latest in a series, but this time five Jacksonville boys from 14 to 17, and a 19-year-old man, were arrested after a chase and search through the neighborhood.
Arthur McGovern Jr., Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Arthur McGovern Jr. is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1. He does not appear to be taking his candidacy seriously.
Mystery Woman Killed in US1 Wreck on July 10 Identified as Kathleen Tillman of Bunnell
A pedestrian killed in a crash with a motorcycle on U.S. 1 near Church on the Rock in Bunnell on July 10 has been identified as Kathleen Tillman, a 56-year-old Bunnell resident.
With Latest Claims Against County Government Thrown Out, Flagler Prevails in 25 of 26 Cases
The latest claims were filed by Dennis McDonald, who is running for Palm Coast mayor, and who is disputing the elections commission’s findings that his complaints were legally insufficient.
Gov. Scott Censures and Reprimands Sheriff Manfre in Executive Order, Ending Ethics Case
Last November Gov. Rick Scott, in Bunnell, said Flagler County had a “great sherif”‘ in Jim Manfre. Earlier this week, the governor censured and reprimanded him over ethics violations.
Sims Jones, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Sims Jones is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1. He faces three other candidates: Robert Cuff, Troy Dubose, and Arthur McGovern, Jr. in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
Missing Frank Meeker
Some elected officials leave a much bigger void than others when they die in office. Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker’s loss an interrupted legacy that was just hitting its stride.
Carla Traister, Champion Protector of Flagler’s Homeless, Wins Outstanding Leadership Award
The 2016 Northeast Florida Community Action Agency’s award cites Traister’s work at the Sheltering Tree, Flagler County’s only homeless shelter on cold nights, which Traister co-founded in 2009.
Troy DuBose, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Troy DuBose is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1. He faces three other candidates in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30: Robert Cuff, Sims Jones and Arthur McGovern, Jr. All registered voters may cast a ballot.
Boy, 13, Arrested in Assault and Robbery of 10-Year-Old Over Sneakers at Ralph Carter Park
A 13-year-old boy and resident of Riverina Drive in Palm Coast was arrested on a second-degree felony robbery charge after allegedly beating down a 10-year-old boy playing Pokemon Go and taking his sneakers at Ralph Carter Park Tuesday afternoon.
Appeals Court Upholds Red-Light Cameras But Urges Florida Supreme Court to Rule Decisively
A court upheld Aventura’s program, which relies on police, not the private contractor, to make decisions about ticketing motorists. But the court wants the supreme court to decide the issue more finally.
Robert Cuff, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Robert Cuff is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 1. He faces three other candidates in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30: Troy DuBose, Sims Jones and Arthur McGovern, Jr. All registered voters may cast a ballot.
Ex-Cop Stavris Pleads, “I Wouldn’t Make It Out of State Prison,” and Gets 3 Years for Lewd Facebook Use Involving Children
Ex-Bunnell cop Michael Stavris had fabricated a Facebook page under his girlfriend’s daughter’s name, solicited boys’ naked pictures and said he wanted to break up his daughter’s relationship because she was dating a black boy.
European Village Resident Ralph Wolff, 68, Critical After 4-Story Fall
Wolff had been locked out of his apartment and was attempting to hop from balcony to balcony to make it hope. A chair may have broken his fall.
School Board Readies to Approve Lowest Tax in at Least 22 Years, But Without Cheers
The new tax rate equates to a 4.2 percent decrease from the current rate for homeowners and businesses, which will make a noticeable difference on tax bills.
Bunnell’s Tucker Upsets Colleagues With Surprise Bid to Merge Fire Department With County
Previously Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker wanted to dissolve the city’s police department to save money. Now he wants to dissolve the volunteer fire department and shift savings to add a police officer. The commission is not enthusiastic.
Forest Grove Drive Access to Old Kings Road North Closes Permanently
This permanent road closure is the final step in the recent construction of the Old Kings Road extension on the west side of Forest Grove and the Palm Harbor Parkway extension on its east side.
Anita Moeder, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Anita Moeder is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. She faces two other candidates: Nick Klufas and Pam Richardson in the non-partisan election on Aug. 30, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
Chris Yates, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Chris Yates is one of six Republican candidates for Flagler County Sheriff in the Aug. 30 primary. Two Republicans are contesting the primary in what has been the most heavily and expensively contested race for a local office this year.
6 People Rescued From Tugboat on Fire in Ocean Off Marineland
It was not the first recent problem for the Thomas Dann tugboat. Two fireballs were seen from shore, indications of explosions. Its crew was picked up by a fishing vessel, though Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Marine Unit was set to carry out the rescue.
Bunnell’s Dalton Edwards Charged With 2 Counts of DUI Manslaughter in Deaths of 2 Women in Flagler Estates Crash
Katie Stecker, 19, and Victoria Sutton, 20, were killed Jan. 9 in a car crash in Flagler Estates allegedly caused by a drunk Dalton Edwards, who blew through a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. He is being held on on $367,518 bond bond.
Frank Meeker, County Commission Workhorse and Tenacious Optimist, Is Dead at 61
Meeker had been in and out of the hospital battling cancer the last few weeks, and was in the hospital this week as his condition worsened. He was moved to hospice overnight and died around 6 a.m.
Anna Pehota Is Found Guilty of 2nd Degree Murder in Husband’s Killing and Sentenced to Life
A surprisingly quick verdict reflected the jury’s belief that Anna Pehota had killed her husband with intent, even though there’d been no argument or abuse that day, only her fear that he’d leave her.
2nd Trial Day Curdles for Pehota as 3-Hour Tape Shows More Resolve Than Remorse in Husband’s Killing
The defense rested without calling a single witness in Anna Pehota’s murder trial today, and what dementia issues may have played a role in her husband’s killing could not be introduced before the jury. Closing arguments are Friday morning.
Mark Whisenant, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Mark Whisenant is one of six Republican candidates for Flagler County Sheriff in the Aug. 30 primary. Two Republicans are contesting the primary in what has been the most heavily and expensively contested race for a local office this year.
“A Hair Between Sanity and Insanity”: Pehota’s Anguished Account of Killing Husband Marks 1st Trial Day
A video interview of Pehota describing the killing of her husband and the circumstances surrounding it underscored the first day of her trial. She faces a second-degree murder charge. Nothing happened today to shake an aura of sympathy–even empathy–around Pehota.