A-rated schools included Bunnell, Rymfire, Old Kings, Wadsworth and Belle Terre elementaries, along with Indian Trails Middle and Palm Harbor, the charter school that just two years ago was failing. The district will earn several hundred thousand dollars in bonuses.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Flagler Sheriff Deputy Williams Rescues Sandhill Crane Struck by a Car
Agricultural and Ranch Deputy Steve Williams responded to Grand Reserve Drive in Bunnell on Friday morning after the Sheriff’s Office received a call of an injured bird with a possible broken leg after being hit by a car.
Mounting Cost Overruns Latest Challenges To Bedevil Bulldog Drive Expansion
The Palm Coast City Council will approve doubling “contingencies” to $427,000 for the now-$5 million Bulldog Drive project, after approving change orders on the engineering contract that more than doubled the cost to $845,000.
Palm Coast Taxes Will Remain Flat This Year As City Projects “Stale and Boring” Budget
The typical Palm Coast property owner will pay roughly $534 for the year, about the same as this year and possibly a few dollars less, as the Palm Coast City Council prepares to adopt a caretaker budget.
Edging Out Flagler’s Jill Espinosa, Christie Bassett of Polk Is the 2015 Florida Teacher of the Year
Christie Bassett was named the 2015 Teacher of the Year just after 8 p.m. at the end of a ceremony from Hard Rock Live at Universal in Orlando. Jill Espinoa, Flagler County’s Teacher of the Year, was among the five finalists.
Thomas Underwood of Palm Coast Sentenced to Life in Prison for Raping Children He Babysat
Thomas Underwood was sentenced to two consecutive life terms on seven counts of raping children and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation. Flagler County Circuit Judge J. David Walsh imposed the sentence today on cases dating back to the 1990s.
Sheriff’s Rookie Deputy Mark Sousa Severely Injured in Motorcycle Wreck on Palm Harbor Parkway
Mark Sousa, a Flagler County Sheriff’s detention deputy for the past year, was severely injured on July 5 when the motorcycle he was riding off duty swerved off of Palm harbor Parkway and ejected him. The wreck took place at 1:34 a.m. Sousa was not wearing a helmet.
Flagler County Argues Charge Against Commissioner Revels Belongs at Ethics Commission, Not in Court
County Attorney Al Hadeed countered a lawsuit alleging ethical improprieties by Commissioner Barbara Revels in last summer’s purchase of the old Memorial Hospital by claiming that the group suing has no standing in circuit court, but can take its case to the Florida Commission on Ethics.
Palm Coast Man Faces Child Abuse and Assault Charges After Firing a .357 During an Argument
James d’Esposito and his wife had just been celebrating his 43rd birthday when, back home, an argument exploded, with three children at home, and D’Esposito retrieved a gun, fired it, and was heard threatening to kill himself.
Bull Creek Restaurant, Seasoned By Woody’s BBQ Owners, Dedicated at Flagler’s West End
Bull Creek Restaurant on the shores of Dead Lake and in the heart of Bull Creek Camp Ground in western Flagler was dedicated Tuesday morning as the owners of Woody’s BBQ in Palm Coast take on the breakfast, lunch and dinner establishment to the delight of residents at the west end of the county.
Divided and in Crisis, Bunnell Begins Deep Cuts to Close $844,000 Gap But Police Department Survives, For Now
The Bunnell City Commission in a tension-filled, four=-hour meeting Monday voted 3-2 to eliminate code enforcement and the humane society, among a list of cuts, but delay eliminating the police and grants department for two weeks, giving department heads time to make their case for survival.
New Flagler Jail and Sheriff’s HQ Cost Estimates Stun Officials, Who Call It “A Setback”
Construction cost estimates for the new jail came in at $22 million, far more than the county’s plan for $14 to $15 million, while the Sheriff’s Operations Center at the old Memorial Hospital came in at $6.2 million, instead of around $5 million.
Mobil Station on SR100 Vandalized; Deputies Make 30 Arrests Over July 4 Weekend
The Mobil gas station and convenience store on Palm Coast’s State Road 100, near I-95–notorious for being the site of the execution-style murder of a store clerk 17 months ago–was vandalized by a 19-year-old Palm Coast resident Thursday, and Charles Cowart was among the 30 people arrested over the holiday weekend.
City Marketplace Softens Tone Against Tenants, But Sheriff Still Disputing New Fees
John C. Bills, the new owner of City Marketplace, sought to mitigate fallout from bad publicity through a memo to tenants that explains sudden, higher costs without retreating from them.
Flagler Firefighter’s 3-Year-Old Son Burned in Campfire Accident Now Recovering at Home
Chase Price got 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 20 percent of his body—on his back and on his legs. He was treated at Shands’ burn unit and released on Tuesday to continue recovering at home. A fund-raising campaign was set up to help the family.
Bulldog Drive War Over: Palm Coast Settles With Ajram, Paying Him $215,000 More Than It Offered in 2011
Palm Coast agreed to pay GEA Auto owner Gus Ajram $1.15 million for his two properties on Bulldog Drive, $25,000 more than even he was asking three years ago, ending years of acrimony and clearing the way for the city to eventually (and again) widen Bulldog Drive unimpeded.
Lawsuit and Ethics Charge Cite Flagler Commissioner Revels Ties to Business Associate in County’s Old Hospital Buy
A group calling itself the Flagler Palm Coast Watchdogs filed a lawsuit against Flagler County, seeking to stop construction on the old Memorial Hospital property slated to be the sheriff’s headquarters, and alleging that Commissioner Barbara Revels did not disclose owning shares in the bank run by one of the men who sold the hospital to the county for $1.23 million last August.
Palm Coast Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charge in Death of a Dog Left to Perish in a Storm
Bryan Leonard, a 25-year-old Palm Coast resident, faces two related animal-cruelty charges in the death of a pit bull called Roscoe who was discovered leashed and dead from choking on an island near Bings Landing in May.
PAL and Flagler County’s Firefighters’ Union Donate $1,000 to Grace Community Food Pantry
The Flagler County Sheriffs Office PAL and the Flagler County Professional Firefighters’ Association teamed up to donate $1,000 to Pastor Charles Silano’s Grace Community Food Pantry.
Jane Carman, Wife of Sheriff’s Palm Coast Precinct Commander, Found Dead at Her Home
Jane Carman, the 56-year-old wife of Mark Carman, commander of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Palm Coast precinct, was found dead on a bedroom floor at her home Sunday morning. The cause of death was attributed to aspiration, or choking, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s report.
Citing Growing Deficits, Auditor Warns Bunnell Is On an Unsustainable Course
With recurring deficits of close to $1 million in the general fund, the Bunnell City Commission heard the bleakest audit report it’s heard in recent years, with no new revenue expected to brighten the picture.
Brief Standoff on Filbert Lane Ends in Man’s Arrest on Assault and Strangulation Charges
Matthew Degraw has three arrests in the last 15 months in Flagler County, all for battery or domestic violence. On Wednesday, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies had to establish a perimeter around his house at 22 Filbert Lane in Palm Coast in a brief stand-off as he refused to come out, and was known to have weapons in his possession inside.
As Committee Tours Old Courthouse, Size and Financial Viability Loom Larger Than Repairs
Wednesday’s tour was the first time most committee members had a chance to see the building from within. The Flagler County Commission earlier this month appointed the seven-member committee to recommend what to do with the 50,000-square-foot courthouse, as the county is no longer willing to be its caretaker.
From Houligan’s to the Portuguese-American Club, the World Cup Inflames Palm Coast
FlaglerLive’s Ezra Salkin braved the brawn and brash of Palm Coast’s emerging soccer–sorry, football–culture and reports on his close encounters with fandom in two of the city’s most football-fevered spots.
Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Case For a New $600,000 Truck Draws Key Support
A town hall meeting designed to give the fire department its say drew no ire or passions but rather some critical questions and some support for the proposed buy.
At Flagler Drug Court Graduation, Gratefulness Humbled By Clean Living’s Demands
Graduating in a ceremony at the Flagler County Courthouse Friday, drug court participants–most had suffered of prescription-drug abuse–spoke of lives changed by the demanding program, which keeps two-thirds of participants from re-offending.
Palm Coast Council Has No Objection to 10% Rent Increase at City Marketplace Offices
The two sides this week have worked out a lease agreement that would raise Palm Coast’s rent by $2,000 a month, to $22,000, but also reduce Palm Coast’s space modestly, by 1,278 square feet, from a total of 22,200 square feet currently. The agreement will keep Palm Coast from having to look for new digs before its City Hall is ready next fall.
Novices Flood Local Elections as 21 Candidates Qualify for Palm Coast, County and Schools
Unlike previous cycles, not a single seat is going uncontested. That means no incumbent is getting an easy path to re-election. But virtually every challenger is a newcomer to politics.
Palm Coast Man Jailed on Charges of Marital Rape and Aggravated Assault
Peter Jamwant of Birchwood Drive in Palm Coast was booked at the Flagler County jail on a county of sex battery, or rape, aggravated assault and battery after allegedly victimizing his 56-year-old wife in the middle of February, according to his arrest report. Bond was set at $315,000. Jamwant posted bail.
Don’t Buy The Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Deceptions: City Doesn’t Need New Aerial Fire Truck
The Flagler Beach Fire Department is veiling its unwise request for a new $600,000 fire truck under the guise of “fire safety equipment,” a deception–and a purchase, with money the city cannot afford–residents should reject, argues Rick Blehumeur.
Hollingsworth Gallery Will Leave City Marketplace for Nature Scapes, Closing Curtain on Vibrant Arts and Theater Era
Hollingsworth Gallery and Nature Scapes in Bunnell are near a deal on the gallery taking over a 6,0000-square-foot building to develop new arts programs and a full arts community there, but leaving City Marketplace leaves City Repertory Theatre without a home, and a fourth season beginning in September.
As Residents Earn Recycling Rewards, Palm Coast Explains Bin-Scanning System
Residents who sign up for the Rewards Program earn special coupon offers on a regular basis and also qualify for larger prizes, with greater rewards given for higher recycling participation. Many local businesses offer discounts, also providing them an opportunity to promote their businesses with no participation cost.
Flagler Unemployment Ticks Up to 8.6% as Labor Force Surges By 2% And Jobs Increase
Flagler’s unemployment rate in May ticked up slightly to 8.6 percent, from 8.3, but the increase was largely due to a large influx of workers into the labor force, which grew by 727 people over the month, or 2 percent, to 36,068. Flagler County residents with jobs increased by 550, a 1.7 percent improvement over the previous month, for a total of 32,952 people with jobs.
City Markeplace Landlord Stuns Sheriff’s Palm Coast Precinct With 212% Fee Increase
While increasing rent a modest 3%, John C. Bills Properties told the Sheriff’s Office this month that its CAM fee would increase from $420 a month to $1,313 a month, and that the fee would be retroactive to January, adding another $5,400 charge, which a sheriff’s attorney finds inappropriate.
Bunnell Planning Board Approves Ordinance Targeting Bible Half-Way House For Addicts
The Bunnell board’s unanimous decision, if ratified by the Bunnell City Commission, would likely prevent the half-way house from opening its doors, but the city and the targeted ministry are locked in a federal legal battle which the proposed ordinance could exacerbate.
Sex Offender Arrested For Exposure as Waterfront Park Picks Up Where Graham Swamp Left Off
Ashley Levern Mitchell, 49, of 12 Bridgehaven Drive in Palm Coast, a registered sex offender from exposing himself to a teen 12 years ago, was arrested at Waterfront Park for allegedly repeatedly exposing himself to a biker at various spots in the park.
Art League Treads Where It’s Not Dared Before, “Through the Eyes of a Child”
The Flagler County Art League opened its first ever “Through the Eyes of a Child” themed show in an attempt to broaden its appeal to artists and patrons while veering away from safer, recurring shows.
Flagler Sheriff Warns of Persistent IRS Phone Scam
Immigrants are frequently targeted. Potential victims are threatened with deportation, arrest, having their utilities shut off, or having their driver’s licenses revoked. Callers are frequently insulting or hostile – apparently to scare their potential victims.
Palm Coast On Red-Light Camera
Ticket Refunds: Don’t Hold Your Breath
While the Palm Coast City Council took no responsibility for instituting a red-light camera program the Supreme Court declared illegal, the city attorney laid out arguments that could keep the city from reimbursing $1.2 million in illegally levied fines before July 2010. But the city is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
Armed With Assault Rifle, Palm Coast Man Jailed After Threatening to Kill an Ex and Her Boyfriend
Andrew Dandurand of Palm Coast is being held on $500,000 bond after his arrest Sunday after he eluded cops on U.S. 1 in St, Johns County. A loaded assault rifle was in his pick-up truck. He’d threatened to kill an ex-gilfriend, her boyfriend and himself.
County Taxes To Increase Some in a $68.6M Budget That Sheds Austerity for Investment
Flagler County’s 2014-15 budget, led by a $600,000 increase in the sheriff’s costs, is a reflection of a more relaxed, less financially pressured budget season, and a willingness among commissioners to replace years of austerity with increased investment in the government infrastructure.
GoToby: Palm Coast’s Microtel in Foreclosure Sale
As a result of a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered on June 5, 2014, Microtel Inns and Suites on Old Kings Road will be sold July 21.
Another Pit Bull Blamed in Mondex Attack, This Time on a 1-Year-Old Girl
A pit bull mix is blamed in an attack on a 1-year-old Bunnell girl who ended up with deep bite punctures and gashes on her face Thursday as she played in her front yard Thursday.
In a Stinging Defeat for Palm Coast Government, Supreme Court Rules Pre-2010 Red-Light Cameras Illegal
Palm Coast is on the hook for $1.19 million in fines it illegally imposed on drivers between 2007 and 2010, when it ran 10 red-light cameras outside state law. The Florida Supreme Court ruled 5-2 today that such schemes were not permissible. Palm Coast was sued but refused to settle, as did American Traffic Solutions, its contractor. So the city may now have to pay up.
Staving Off a Major Blow, Palm Coast Data Settles With German Publisher, Extending Relationship
Heinrich Bauer LLC, one Palm Coast Data’s major clients, released some claims on the company in exchange for more than 10 percent of the company’s stock and a pledge to stay with Palm Coast Data through 2018. The alternative would have represented a significant blow to Palm Coast Data, which has already been weakened by successive losses over the years.
Rescued from Surf in Flagler Beach and Revived, Sylvio Thibodeau, 88, Dies at Hospital
Sylvio Thibodeau, for two decades a resident of Palm Coast, was an avid swimmer and biker. On June 5 he was at the beach with his daughter when he swam too far and disappeared from view, was brought back to shore by a lifeguard and given CPR, but died later at Florida Hospital Flagler.
Palm Coast Council Looks to Regulate Potential Medical Pot, But in a Cloud of Misinformation
Saying he wants to be “pro-active,” Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts wants to explore regulations of potential medical pot dispensaries, should medical marijuana be legalized by Amendment 2, similar to those Palm Coast imposed on pill mills and intenet cafes. But those regulations will be primarily in the Department of Health’s hands, possibly pre-empting cities from such regulatory powers.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Calling For Volunteers to Beef Up Its Citizens Observer Patrol (COP)
Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre is looking to expand the Citizens Observer Patrol, known as COP, to increase its corps of 52 volunteers. The Sheriff’s Office is also looking for donations of boats to improve its marine patrol division.
Flagler Beach Fire Department Makes Pitch For $600,000 Fire Truck, Igniting Questions
City Commission Chairman Kim Carney has predicted last year that the fire department would soon be asking for a new fire truck, and is raising questions about its proposed financing, including taking more than $300,000 from the city’s infrastructure fund.
Accused Drunkard Driving Wrong Way on S.R. 100 Strikes Cruiser, Injures Deputy, and Flees
Frederick Sell, an 83-year-old resident of 70 Town Court in Palm, Coast, was jailed over the weekend on charges of driving drunk and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage after driving the wrong way on State Road 100 and crashing his car into Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy George Hristakopoulos’s cruiser.