For the first time in the 15-year history of school and district grades, Flagler County schools did not earn a single A in 2016. Officials are cautioning parents and students not to put too much stock in the results, which reflect a new but also tougher way to grade schools.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Sheriff Manfre Issues Statement on Shootings in Dallas, Falcon Heights and Baton Rouge
“It is my hope during these difficult times in our nation’s history that we use the recent incidents in Minnesota, Baton Rouge and Dallas to continue our dialogue that we have established with our community,” the sheriff said.
Tables Turn on Dennis McDonald as Ethics Commission Investigates Assets Disclosures
Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker, saying he’s had enough, filed complaints against both Dennis McDonald and his wife, Janet, a school board member, alleging that they have not properly disclosed property and other assets they own.
At Flagler’s New Jail, Science of Self-Contained Cell Blocks To Make Captivity Safer for Inmates and Guards
It’s in the internal designs, the innumerable details and attention to logic, efficiency and security for inmates, guards and visitors that the jail–which opened today– impresses, and that its $17.3 million cost shows its value.
52 Burglaries Strike Palm Coast’s Major Hotels Overnight, Including Hammock Beach Resort
Some 52 vehicles were targeted in burglaries at four Palm Coast hotels overnight, with smashed windows and stolen belongings in what appears to have been an organized spree.
Tyler Dutton Charged With DUI Manslaughter in Death of Jordan Rineer, 25, on US1 in October
Tyler Dutton, the subject of several arrests in Flagler County over the past few years, was charged with DUI manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Jordan Marie Rineer early the morning of Oct. 27 on U.S. 1, just south of Old Dixie Highway in Flagler County.
2 Domestic Violence Incidents in Palm Coast End in 3 Arrests, Assaults on 5 Cops and Injuries to 4
Jennifer Caufield, 40, John Kodak, 32, and Randy Blyth, 23–the latter after allegedly assaulting his 17-year-old wife–were arrested on charges including battery on law enforcement officers Sunday in Palm Coast.
“I’m Putting My Faith In You,” Judge Tells Predator Granted Less Severe Probation Term
Dorian Coppedge, 37, a Palm Coast resident designated a sex predator just last week, had been rendered homeless by a two-year sex-offender probation term, which Judge Matthew Foxman today agreed to alter to simple probation, thus possibly making Coppedge’s living arrangements less restrictive.
Trial in Gas Station Murder Likely in Late Summer But Suspect, On Meds, Still Unpredictable
Joseph Bova, the impenetrable 28-year-old suspect in the execution-style murder of a Palm Coast’s Zuheili Roman Rosado at a gas station in 2013, appeared in court today for the first time in almost a year, stable but still hinting at the unpredictable.
Flagler Beach Parent Accused of Brutalizing And Humiliating 2 Children Over Chores
Jason Moffit, 36, faces first-degree felony charges of aggravated child abuse for allegedly beating and punching two children age 13 and 12, cutting the girl’s hair and shaving the boy’s, among other acts.
County Officials Downplay Clean-Up Work at Old Courthouse as Routine and Preventative
A condensation issue with the AC at the old courthouse damaged some ceiling tiles and required some additional clean-up as part of routine maintenance work being done by ServPro in the old building, school and county officials say.
Palm Coast Offender Branded a Sexual Predator 5 Years After Prison, With No New Sex Crime
The sheriff’s office announced Thursday that Dorian Buzz Coppedge, 37, a “sexual predator,” is now living in Flagler, yet he’s lived here five years. Only his designation changed, even though he committed no new sex crime.
Father-Daughter Injured in Motorcycle Collision With U-Turning Car on Seminole Woods Blvd.
A man and his daughter riding a motorcycle north on Seminole Woods Boulevard were hospitalized early Friday afternoon after they collided with a car that was performing a U-turn on Seminole Woods Boulevard, and that had apparently not seen the motorcycle heading its way.
Attorney Joerg Jaeger, Who’d Been Defending Ex-Supervisor Kimberle Weeks, Dies at 68
Joerg Jaeger, the long-time Orlando criminal defense attorney who was representing former Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks in her criminal case, died on June 28.
Man Rearrested on Burglary and Assault Charges After Allegedly Attacking Mother In Front of Her Children
Jeffery Ricky Ray, 34, was barely out on bail when he allegedly burglarized a W-Section home in Palm Coast and attacked his girlfriend there ion front of her young children, demanding money. Ray had served two previous stints in state prison.
Flagler County Jail Triple Its Old Size Set To Open July 7 in Camera-Ready “Ceremony”
The opening, which a county release dubs a “ceremony,” will also feature the trappings of a campaign event: It is scheduled less than eight weeks from the primary, giving incumbents a chance freely to bask in the shadow of a major, completed construction project.
Victory for Sunshine Law Rather Than Weeks as Judge Tosses 3 of 12 Charges Against Ex-Elections Supervisor
A judge ruled that three of the 12 felony counts against Kimberle Weeks related to a recording that had already been disclosed at a public meeting. Sharing the recording therefore could not illegal after that, even if the recording itself was.
Walmart-Bound Tractor Trailer Hauling 30 Tons of Juice Overturns on I-95; Driver Hurt
A tractor trailer hauling some 30 tons of apple and cranberry juice overturned early this morning on a straight stretch of southbound I-95, between the U.S. 1 and Matanzas Woods Parkway exits. The driver was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach with a severe leg injury, according to authorities at the scene.
Greg Lynn Jewelers Struck Again, But Detectives Track Suspect To His R-Section Home
Greg Lynn Jewelers in Palm Coast’s Flagler Plaza was burglarized for the second time since last July but suspect Craig A. Chavez, 51, was arrested and produced several of the jewelry items allegedly stolen from the store.
Trying to Stem Hemorrhage of Green, Palm Coast Studies Patchy Golf Club Take-Over
Losses at the city-owned Palm Harbor Golf Club are getting worse. The city is considering a “hybrid” take-over of golf and tennis that would still contract put most services but give the city more control.
Separate Incidents Land 2 in Jail on Assault Charges for Targeting Cops and Landscaper
Amber Fugit was charged with three counts of battery on cops and domestic assault, Jay McCarthy was charged with assault on his former boss, a landscape company owner. Both incidents took place in Palm Coast.
No More Hairpin Curve as Old Kings Road Extension Around Matanzas High Opens, Last of Big Projects
The extension’s opening marks the last of a series of major road projects intended to improve traffic flow around Palm Coast, and in this case in particular around Matanzas High School.
Entrepreneur Night and Salvo Gallery Exhibit the Art of Start-Up Resilience
Office Divvy Co-Founder Ky Ekinci speaks of his affinities for and philosophical similarities with Salvo Art Project Co-Founder JJ Graham, where the next Entrepreneur Night will take place Tuesday evening.
Qualifying Ends: Tax Collector Johnston and Property Appraiser Gardner Are Re-Elected; Supervisor’s Race Will Be a Universal Primary
Property Appraiser Jay Gardner and Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston were re-elected without opposition for a fourth consecutive term each as qualifying ended, with few surprises and withdrawals or disqualifications in other races.
Flagler Rotary Names Jim Troiano Its New President, Marlee Walsh-McDaniel Rotarian of the Year
McDaniel, who is also a member of the University Women of Flagler, is heavily involved in the Rotary’s scholarship program and is a past recipient of the President’s Service Award. Troiano is a director at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and the agency’s chief spokesman.
At Flagler Sheriff’s Forum, Eight More or Less Angry Men, Mostly at Incumbent Jim Manfre
The only candidate forum featuring all nine sheriff’s candidates before the Aug. 30 primary sparked with verbal sniping between incumbent Jim Manfre on one side and ex-Sheriff Don Fleming and ex-Undersheriff Rick Staly on the other, though remaining candidates were no less agitated, given the chance.
McGuire Resignation a Dilemma for Palm Coast Council, But 2 Ex-Councilmen Offer Solution
Holsey Moorman and Alan Peterson, who both served on the Palm Coast City Council, are willing to fill out Bill McGuire’s last four months, thus enabling the council to avoid making a more politically fraught appointment or leaving the seat vacant.
Gun In Hand, Tax Collector Johnston Heralds Fast-Track Concealed-Weapon Permitting
Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston took herself and most of her staff through a gun-safety class and shooting session at the range to prepare for her office’s new service: processing and fast-tracking concealed-weapons permits, starting today (June 22).
John Dopp, Sheriff’s Detective, Union Leader and Fierce Advocate, Promoted to Corporal
Jon Dopp, 30, a 10-year veteran of the force, will supervise one of the county’s two squads. His role in the union’s leadership, representing cops, will not change.
Wife Charged In Killing Richard Resnicoff, Guitarist for the Famous, in Grand Haven in ’13
Lucille Horton, 69, is charged with vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony. In a civil lawsuit, Horton claims Resnicoff had been abusive and violent and that day had threatened and shoved her, prompting her to flee–and throw him off her car.
Salvaged by Revels’s Diplomacy, Pot-Decriminalization Proposal Will Now Seek Cities’ Approval
The proposal would allow cops to issue civil citations to people caught with small amounts of marijuana, avoiding a criminal record. But its success depends on approval from all cities and the county commission, which is yet to come.
Daytona State Reducing Fees for Total Cost-Saving to Students of 3.5% This Fall
The savings are a result of a reduction in the access fee from $4.93 per credit hour to $1.35 per credit hour. Added to a 2 percent cut in tuition implemented last spring, overall cost savings per student comes to 3.3 percent.
Dennis McDonald, Who’s Twice Sued Palm Coast, Now Wants To Be Its Mayor
Dennis McDonald, Palm Coast’s and county government’s most relentless critic and a three-time candidate for local office previously, joined four other candidates for the seat Jon Netts is vacating: Milissa Holland, John Brady, Travis Kaufman and Ron Radford.
She Tells Him She Wants To Break-Up. He Allegedly Threatens Her With a Rifle.
Daniel Buck Douglas, 38, a resident of 6514 Tangerine Avenue in Bunnell, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon early this morning after his girlfriend accused him of pointing a rifle at her during an argument.
Cindy Dalecki is Flagler Beach Rotary’s New President, Tim O’Donnell Gets Year’s Top Honor
Dalecki owns Marketing 2 Go, the new-media company she started six years ago on her own and has since turned into an operation employing half a dozen. The club held its annual Cycle Flagler event in May, raising over $15,000.
3 Hurt, 2 Critical: Van Dives Into Pond After Striking Matanzas Woods Exit Sign and Tree
One man was able to get out almost immediately. Two others were entrapped in the wreck at the 293 Exit on I-95. Fire rescue personnel pried out the front windshield and rescued the two passengers, who were conscious but badly hurt.
At Salvo Gallery, JJ Graham’s Burst of 50 “Builder Paintings” Brush Art For Growth’s Sake
Salvo Gallery’s indefatigable JJ Graham painted 50 works for Saturday’s now show opening as a way to fund the next stage of growth at the gallery and artist community he co-owns with Petra Iston in Bunnell.
A Flagler Beach Vigil for Massacre Victims, Flickering Grief of LGBT Community
Pulse, the scene of the massacre in Orlando, was a favored destination for the Palm Coast-Flagler gay, lesbian and transgender community, which had nothing like it nearer. The vigil will pay tribute to the victims, raise money and awareness.
Woman Survives Crashing Under Trailer at 70 MPH and Getting Dragged 1/4 Mile on I-95
The crash took place north of the Palm Coast Parkway intersection after the woman’s Hyundai lost control and bounced off the guardrail, catapulting underneath the tractor trailer.
Man Shot in Area of Bayberry and Old Dixie Highway: It Was Self-Inflicted
The sheriff’s office learned of the shooting only when hospital staff reported it. The man was then taken to Halifax in Daytona Beach and has since been questioned by detectives.
Palm Coast’s Cypress Knoll Golf Course Closing Saturday, Employees Are Told
Golf Group of Palm Coast purchased the Cypress Course, Pines Course and the closed Matanzas Course from bankrupt Crescent Resources for $2 million. Crescent operated locally as Landmar Group. The three courses were collectively know as the Grand Club.
Criminal Torment: Once Again, Phillip Haire Is Arrested Days After Other Charges Are Dropped
In the third arrest in three months, Haire’s arrest, on minor charges–missing a supervision meeting and having a small amount of pot–illustrate the unforgiving spiral of the judicial system that certain defendants who can;t afford a lawyer end up repeatedly navigating.
Yes, Palm Coast Wanted to Boot County EMS Crews Out of Station 22, But That Fire Is Out For Now
A closer look at the record shows that contrary to City Manager Jim Landon’s claim that the county was going on rumors, city officials, including Landon, very much wanted to see county EMS crews out of the fire station on Palm Coast Parkway.
All Charges Dropped Against Charlie Faulkner in Tendentious Arrest Over Political Sign Removal
The case triggered an outcry, not least from Faulkner, his family and his lawyer, who termed the arrest and jail booking of the 63-year-old engineer an overreach by a sheriff’s deputy.
Palm Coast Will Spend $500,000 to “Optimize” a Few Traffic Signals, But Expected Gains Are Vague
The $500,000 will install surveillance cameras and high-speed Internet to just 12 intersections, with more spending and intersections connected in future years, and will create a so-called Advanced Traffic Management System.
Armed Robber Targets Walgreens on Palm Coast Parkway for Drugs, But Is Later Caught
An armed robber who targeted the Walgreens store on Palm Coast Parkway West early this morning got away with prescription drugs but was later arrested in Bunnell.
Repeat Offender Back in Jail on Weapons Charge, But Few Stick in Long History of Arrests
Perugia, a 56-year-old resident of 19 Sanchez Avenue in Daytona North, has seen charge after charge against him dropped going back to the 1990s, including several weapons and battery charges.
European Village Reborn: Palm Coast’s Poster-Child of Housing Bust Thrives Again
The Palm Coast City Council approved a rezoning that enables European Village to be more autonomous and more clearly advertise itself as the 14-year-old development seeks to solidify its new hold on business and residential activity.
All Charges Dropped Against 3 Men Arrested In Belle Terre Shooting Spree in March
Steverson Jean-Louis, 19, Derek Hall Jr., 23, and Phillip Haire, 18, were accused of shooting at a motorist in March. The motorist knew most of the men in the alleged assailants’ car and had had a run-in with two of them in February.
Motorcyclist Critical After Wreck Severs Leg in 3-Vehicle Collision at US1 South of Old Kings Road
Motorcyclist Eddie Davis Jr., 50, was in critical condition after his leg was severed in a wreck involving Palm Coast’s Alexis Jacquart, 23, and Richard Kenney, 33, late Saturday night.