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Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Days After Girlfriend Pleads With Judge to Let Him Bond Out, He Is Re-Arrested For Battering Her and Abusing Their Child
34-year-old Daniel Garcia was rearrested on charges of battering his girlfriend and her friend, abusing their 1-year-old child and stealing a car two days after Judge Walsh acceded to the 22-year-old girlfriend’s plea to let him out on a lower bond,
50-Year-Old Palm Coast Man Exposes Himself to a Child, a Woman and 3 Cops Near Best Western
Twice arrested for disorderly intoxication and once for domestic violence in the last three years, Boardman had to be taken to Florida Hospital Flagler for clearance because his alcoholic consumption registered so high.
Video of Greg Lynn Jewelers Burglary Points to Suspects Possibly Tied to 5 Recent Incidents
Two burglars are shown in a surveillance video inside Greg Lynn Jewelers. The burglars are possibly tied to a string of incidents in Flagler and Daytona Beach.
Rich Weber Replaces Bob Nocella as Matanzas High School’s Athletic Director
Weber was one of some 75 applicants for the $44,757 position, which oversees 36 athletic teams, 22 of them at the varsity level, and involves 500 students.
Florida Loses 47,000 Jobs, Flagler 190, But Shrinking Labor Force Lowers Unemployment
Florida’s labor force shrank by a significant 79,000 and Flagler’s by 325, bringing down their unemployment rates to 5.5 and 6.3 percent respectively.
Palm Coast Data Evacuated as Suspicious White Powder Discovery Calls For Hazmat Team
The white powder was discovered just after 11 a.m., and Palm Coast Data issued an evacuation order at 1:39 p.m. The response from St. Johns County’s Hazmat team is ongoing.
Rick Look, Long-Time Flagler Sheriff’s Chief Deputy and Cop’s Cop, Dies at 65
Rick Look had been chief deputy for over seven years until three years ago under Sheriff Don Fleming, had two Purple Hearts and 42 years in law enforcement until his last four years’ battle with illness.
Abandoned by Family, Giuseppe Verdone Is Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Carjacking of Chinese Restaurant Owner
Judge J. David Walsh imposed two life terms and two 30-year terms, all concurrently, after denying a motion for a new trial. Verdone, 24, declined to address the court.
Flagler Beach Police Seeking Person of Interest in June Burglary of A1A Beverage
The suspected three male burglars took some 40 lottery tickets valued at $20 each before scratch-off, among other items, but left behind some blood.
Public Art Soars Increasingly Into View, Part of Gargiulo Foundation’s Gifts to Palm Coast
Tom Gargiulo and his foundation will be underscoring the growing role of public art in Palm Coast, between a panel discussion at the Flagler County Art League Saturday and the dedication of two more soaring heron sculptures at Waterfront Park.
A Heavily Medicated Bova, Accused Store Clerk Murderer, Declared Competent for Trial
Joseph Bova, under heavy anti-psychotic medication, will stand trial later this year, a judge ruled, despite arguments from his defense attorney that he can regress and have psychotic episodes triggered by the trial process.
Palm Coast’s Sign Regulations May Be Forced to Loosen, City Attorney Warns
The changes, which would likely relax Palm Coast’s rules, would be required to comply with a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling making the regulation of temporary signs on private property much more difficult.
Taser Deployed on Man Who “Hates America” After He’s Accused of Attacks in Bunnell
Fred Demesmin, 21, of Bunnell, had told his girlfriend that “demons were after him and that he needed to go out and kill someone,” according to his arrest report.
Flagler Sheriff Warns Public of Caller Impersonating a Cop in Warrant Scam
Residents are reporting that a scammer posing as a sheriff’s captain or lieutenant tells callers there’s an active warrant for their arrest, and they must pay $1,000.
One More Hurdle for Sea Ray as Planned Parking Lot Must First Pave Through Rezoning
Sea Ray Boats Tuesday evening again will appear before the Flagler planning board as the luxury boat manufacturer’s plan to expand its footprint south of its plant off Colbert Lane in Palm Coast seeks to advance.
Flagler’s Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, Master of Judicial Temperament, Retiring in February
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, who addresses the state’s too-harsh sentencing guidelines in an interview, was appointed to the bench in 2001 by Gov. Jeb Bush, and has been in Flagler County since 2012.
40-Year-Old Micale Annilus Is Killed on I-95 At Palm Coast Parkway in Wreck With Trailer
Micale Annilus, a 40-year-old resident of Houston, Texas, was killed early Monday morning, Dagobert Laurent, 43, and Winderson Annilus, 21, were taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
4-Year-Old Palm Coast Boy Critical After He’s Found Unresponsive in Locked Van in Driveway
The incident unfolded in early afternoon at a house at the corner of Blakefield Drive and Blare Castle Drive in Palm Coast. No foul play is suspected.
Reilly Opelka Is Wimbledon Boys Champion; Roger Federer Congratulates Him in Person
Reilly Opelka, raised on the courts of Flagler County, used a powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes to realize a dream that seemed so farfetched even a few weeks ago, defeating Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to win his first Wimbledon championship.
Palm Coast Takes Pride as Surging Opelka Plays in Two Wimbledon Finals Sunday
Winning his doubles semifinal match Saturday at Wimbledon, Reilly Opelka will be playing in two straight finals Sunday as Palm Coast gears up congratulations and possibly a watching party.
John Ruffalo, a Reagan Assemblies Leader, Affronts County Commissioner at Courthouse
Two months after another Reagan Assemblies member had to resign for a public obscenity, a founding member of the group allegedly insulted the county commissioners names at the county courthouse after calling him dishonorable in an email.
In Flagler Beach, Lighter Rules for Farmers’ Market and 2-Week Limit on Golf Course Buy
The Flagler Beach City Commission voted to apply only a light regulatory hand on the city’s famed farmer’s market, and to start negotiations on buying the last remaining enclave in private hands at the former Ocean Palm Golf Club at the south end of town.
Overpowering Opelka Moves into Wimbledon Juniors Semifinal to Face World’s No. 1
Palm Coast’s Reilly Opelka’s astounding run on Wimbledon’s grass continued with two wins Thursday, as he now faces the U.S.’ Taylor Fritz, the world’s No.1 junior, in a semi-final match.
Man Found Dead Behind Walmart Is Identified as Mathew Talacko, 25, Victim of Inhalants
Mathew Talacko was a big man–he stood 6’6”–who could muster big smiles, big hopes, a searching intelligence and, apparently, great despair.
Taking Harder Line Against Sheriff Manfre, Florida Ethics Commission Finds Probable Violations on 3 Counts
The Florida Ethics Commission last year had rejected a deal that would have had Manfre admitting to one violation, seeking a deeper investigation that has now resulted in a potentially harsher penalty.
Long-Planned Shoppes at Grand Haven on Colbert Lane Finally See Bulldozer Activity
First envisioned almost a decade ago, the Shoppes at Grand Haven will be the new home of the gated community’s sales offices, which will anchor a hoped-for commercial development, the first on Palm Coast’s Colbert Lane.
After Months of Hedging, Palm Coast Approves New Rules on Yard Fences, Walls (and Bars)
The rules allow for more fence colors, eliminate setback and shrubbery requirements but more strictly regulate fences along saltwater canals.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Fires 17 Aces to Upset 3rd Seed, Advancing Again at Wimbledon
Once again swinging on drama, the 17-year-old Opelka played his best in the big points and narrowly upset No. 3 seed Corentin Denolly of France, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the third round in his first trip to Wimbledon.
Flagler School Taxes Going Up About 4%, Heralding Season of Steeper Government Levies
The typical Palm Coast house valued at $150,000 will pay roughly $50 more in school taxes for the year even as the tax rate goes down slightly.
Dead Person Found Decomposing Behind Walmart; Identity and Cause Unconfirmed
The dead person’s identity and gender have not been positively identified nor a cause of death determined, with those questions pending an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office.
Palm Coast’s Opelka Wins Come-From-Behind Thriller in Wimbledon Debut
The former Palm Coast resident made his Wimbledon debut Monday in epic fashion, capturing a marathon win in the first round of the Boys Tournament Monday, defeating Australia’s Alex De Minaur, 4-6, 6-3, 13-11.
2 More “Ridiculous” Ethics Complaints Against Commissioner Revels and Attorney Hadeed
The complaints, filed by Ronald Reagan Assemblies member John Ruffalo, allege conflicts of interest in the commissioner’s votes and target the attorney’s counsel to the commission.
Palm Coast Motorcyclist Gregory Fagas, 40, Is Killed Across from Belle Terre Elementary, Rider Critical
Gregory Daniel Fagas, a 40-year-old motorcyclist from Palm Coast, was killed, and Nacomi Marie Campbell, 27, was flown to a hospital in critical condition
Flagler Chamber Membership Director Thompson Is Fired, Then Insurrection Breaks Out
In 24 hours of feverish developments after Heather Thompson’s firing, a chamber member’s web page in support of Thompson drew 50 testimonies before it was taken down.
Say Goodbye: Old ITT Landmark and School Board Clunker to Be Demolished By Year’s End
The Flagler School Board got no bids on its 54,000-square foot building in pring, which it’ll pay $200,000 to demolish, after paying off a $770,000 debt on it.
At Bunnell’s Methodist Church, Rev. Terry Wines Begins Filling Beth Gardner’s Big Void
It’s pat of an annual and anxious ritual in the sprawling world of the United Methodist Church when “elders” typically move from church to church around this time of year.
Palm Coast’s “D.J. Chris” and Owner of Kids’ Bounce House Co. Charged With Soliciting Minor for Sex
Christopher Pintek, known as “D.J. Chris,” a P-Section resident, was arrested on charges of luring a 14-year-old boy for sex through a phone app. He is the owner of Surround Sound DJ and Party Bounces.
2 More Men Arrested on Sex-Assault Charges Involving Children Closely Related To Them
Waldemar Rivera, a 36-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section, faces a charge of raping a 13-year-old girl, John J. Schenone, 32, of the W-Section, is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child younger than 12.
Palm Coast Dead Zones: City Proposing Less Restrictive Cell-Tower Rules, But Council Demurs
The proposal is being made ahead of a deal between the city and a cell tower company to put a 150-foot tower near Heroes Park, behind Palm Coast Parkway, on land where Palm Coast’s Water Plan No. 1 sits.
Don Apperson, Long-Time School Resource Deputy and Youth Leader, Retires
For 13 years until last fall Don Apperson was the face of school resource deputies in Flagler County and appearing before local government boards to advocate either for the SRD system or for stronger laws on various issues.
School Board Hears Good and Bad of New Budget and Agrees to 3-Month Patch for Disabilities Program
The $2.5 percent state-funded budget increase falls short of restoring the money lost last year. The board agreed to a $120,000 band aid for the adults with disabilities program run by FTI, which lost its state funding this month.
Flagler Officials Caution Against Beached Debris From SpaceX Rocket Explosion
While it is highly unlikely any of the debris resulting from the explosion of the SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule will reach Flagler County’s coast, emergency officials are asking residents to steer clear of it and notify authorities.
With 11 Jobs and Life Skills for 85 Disabled Adults at Stake, School Board Scrambles for Lost Money
The Flagler school board lost $535,000 for two essential programs for adults with disabilities when the Legislature slashed $10 million from its budget for that program. On Tuesday, board members will look for a patch on the way to a solution to keep the program from closing.
Sunday Night Standoffs: Deputies Contend With Armed Men in Hammock and W-Section
Both stand-offs, which began after domestic confrontations, ended peacefully, with the arrest of Val Mateyshin in the W Section and no arrest in the Hammock.
Palm Coast Man, 60, Faces Capital Felony on Rape and Molestation Charges of 12-Year-Old Relative
Mario Edward DiGirolamo is at the Flagler County jail on $300,000 bond following his arrest Friday on three sex-crime charges involving a 12-year-old relative, including a count of rape, a capital felony.
Reported Runaway, 14, Is Found at Her Father’s as Family Custody Issues Emerge
Ashley Martin, 14, had left home her mother’s June 20 and was found at her father’s June 26, where police were told of family conflicts and custody issues.
Algal Bloom Observed at the Confluence of Flagler’s Dead Lake and Bull Creek
Algal blooms damage the environment because they replace vital food sources, clog fish gills, prevent sunlight from reaching seagrass and contribute to low oxygen “dead-zones” when they degrade.
Explosion at Santore Fireworks Causes Small Fire, Panic But No Injuries
The fire was restricted to a 12-by-12 area at Santore Fireworks’s manufacturing plant on County Road 305 in western Flagler. Two employees had minor injuries.
Phoenix Will Close as All But Handful of Students Sign Up for Wadsworth’s New STEM Academy
An open house to introduce Phoenix Parents to Wadsworth’s new STEM Academy, and sell them on enrolling their children, was hugely successful Wednesday evening, sealing the fate of Phoenix for good.