When the $140,406 in salaries to city elected officials is added to the figure, the combined total, for elected officials in Flagler County, stands at $1.13 million for the coming year, not including benefits.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Palm Coast and County Close to a Deal 4 Years in the Making, Resolving Conflict Over Airport
The Palm Coast City Council is still not entirely happy with the agreement because of uncertainty over a potential city park, and the county commission hasn’t even seen or discussed the agreement.
Palm Coast Ends Federal Lobbying Efforts But Renews State Contract, Declining Coalition
Palm Coast, the county and Flagler Beach spend $125,000 on lobbying firms between them. Palm Coast, accounting for $45,000 of that, doesn’t want to join a lobbying coalition, saying the city’s needs are too particular, and the return on investment already proven.
Returning After 7-Week Absence, Council Member Bill Lewis Vows to Keep On
Back from illness for the first time since July 15, Palm Coast City Council member Bill Lewis faces a tough re-election fight against challenger Steven Nobile, who bested him by eight points in the primary. The two men face-off in a runoff on Nov. 4.
86-Year-Old Palm Coast Woman Injured in I-95 Roll-Over as Other Driver Travels On, With 2 Children on Board
Walter Wine, a 39-year-old resident of Zellwood, allegedly rear-ended Palm Coast’s Mildred Rivas, sending her car rolling against the guardrail as he drove on with a 3-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl on board and later sought to hide the pick-up in a dirt driveway.
Vaccine-Deniers Aside, Flagler Schools Seek Parental Consent for Broad Flu-Shot Campaign
Vaccine consent forms went out this week to all parents with children in Flagler schools, where the district is partnering with Healthy Schools, the for-profit company, to administer flu shots to students on Sept. 18.
Chris Quinn Earns Palm Coast 13th Consecutive Financial Reporting Excellence Award
Chris Quinn’s calm, clear and generally jargon-free presentations are familiar to followers of the city council, especially during the laborious months of budget season.
Reagan Assemblies’ “Watchdogs” Can’t Take Defeat: As One Suit Is Tossed, a Pledge to File Another
Just after a judge threw out a lawsuit this afternoon, the attorney for an obscure “Watchdogs” group said he’d file a new lawsuit alleging illegal conversations outside of meetings by county commissioners.
Flagler Fire Rescue Rolls Out Two, $219,000 Ambulances, Workhorses of Local Emergencies
The county has seven ambulances on duty 24 hours a day (11 units in all) that each log 5,000 miles and 1,000 calls a month, by far the majority of the 14,000 annual emergency calls in Flagler.
Watch Out, I’m an Arab! How I Changed My Name and Pledged a Take-Over of Flagler County.
Two local ex-candidates–Dennis McDonald and Mark Richter–have been insinuating to government officials that FlaglerLive Editor’s Arab background and name change are a security risk, and his failure to recite the pledge proof of his sinister sympathies.
Unbowed, Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks Signals More Brawling Ahead
In the latest bout involving the elections supervisor, Kimberle Weeks on Tuesday took on Al Hadeed, the county attorney, dismissing his mediation efforts with Palm Coast and at one point seeking to silence him.
Road Rage Incident Leads to F-Section Confrontation, Vandalism to 2 Cars, Then Jail
Winston Slaughter, a 21-year-old resident of 3 Farragut Drive in Palm Coast, is accused of vandalizing the vehicles of a neighbor after a violent confrontation that left him lacerated.
Gov. Rick Scott Making Campaign Stop at Grace’s Deli on Sept. 9
Gov. Rick Scott will be making his sixth trip to Flagler County in three years when he makes a brief campaign stop at Grace’s Place at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9, bringing yet more attention to a restaurant that was in the national eye a few months ago.
2 Shots Fired at Florida Park Drive and Flynn Way in Altercation Between Occupants of Two Cars
Information is sketchy–the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says it won’t release the report because it’s the weekend–but sheriff’s spokespersons confirmed Sunday that two shots were fired early Sunday morning during an altercation involving occupants of two vehicles at Florida Park Drive and Flynn say.
2 Men Electrocuted By Power Line in Attempt To Plant Flagpole at Cloverdale Ct. Home
The men struck a 13,000-volt power line as they were attempting to plant a long flagpole–bearing an American flag and an Italian flag–down a plastic bracing pipe right under the neighborhood’s power line.
Palm Coast Council, in 4-0 Vote, Sides With Its Manager Against Firefighters Union in Contract Dispute
The Palm Coast City Council sided with its Manager Jim Landon’s recommendation to reject union positions on a collective bargaining agreement in contention for three years.
Flagler Beach Rejects Commissioner Carney’s Proposal to Put $600,000 Fire Truck Buy on Hold
When Commissioner made a motion to pull the $600,000 truck buy proposal out of the budget this year and “think about what we’re doing,” the rest of the commission snubbed her during a contentious, at times anger-tinged meeting.
The End of Flagler Beach’s Blue Restaurant: A Loss Beyond Mahi Mahi Almondine
In her first interview since the announcement of the closure of Blue at the Topaz, Kelli O’Reilly describes the financial and other difficulties of keeping the business going, and many others reacted to the loss and its meaning.
The Palm Coast City Council as Labor Tribunal: Firefighters Union and Administration Face Off
Palm Coast firefighters and the city administration reached an impasse in December after more than three years of negotiations over a contract, leaving it to the city council on Friday to settle the dispute in an unusual hearing.
Palm Coast Pitches New Management at Loss-Plagued Palm Harbor Golf Club, But Revenue Riddle Remains
City council members did not get clear answers from the administration about the financial and quality difference that a change in management would bring to Palm Harbor Golf Club, while users of the club have mounted a small movement to keep the current management.
Skeptical Judge Grants Delay in “Watchdog” Suit Against County Over Old Hospital Buy
A suit by a group that calls itself the Flagler Palm Coast Watchdogs, raising a conflict of interest issue with a county commissioner during the Memorial Hospital buy last year, does not belong in circuit court, the county argues.
Andy Dance Wins, McLaughlin, Meeker and Tucker Survive, Fischer and Both Palm Coast Races Headed for November Run-Offs
Full results for the 2014 primary election in Flagler County and in statewide races relevant to the county, with the latest updates.
Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon Handed Wrong Ballot in Early Voting, Raising Questions About Election’s Integrity
Two of the three ballots handed City Manager Jim Landon, his stepdaughter and his wife Friday did not include Palm Coast City Council races, echoing a similar report by another voter, prompting discussions by the county Canvassing Board about better ensuring the integrity of the vote. But Supervisor Weeks put that responsibility squarely on voters.
Flagler Leads 20 North and Central Florida Counties in Early Voting Turnout With Double Average Rate
Flagler County’s comparatively high turnout took place despite the county’s and city’s prohibition on campaign signs, suggesting that the election supervisor’s claim that the prohibition would discourage voters was not accurate.
Trevor Tucker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
Trevor Tucker is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Andy Dance, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Andy Dance is running in District 1 for Flagler County School Board and facing Maria Barbosa in the Aug. 26 primary election. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
John Fischer, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
John Fischer, the incumbent in District 2 of the Flagler County School Board, faces three challengers. He has refused to amnswer any questions about his candidacy.
Maria Barbosa, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Maria Barbosa is challenging incumbent Andy Dance in District 1 for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election. She is one of eight candidates in three races for the school board. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Dennis McDonald, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Dennis McDonald is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in which only registered Republicans may cast a ballot.
Anne-Marie Shaffer, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Anne-Marie Shaffer is running for Palm Coast City Council, one of seven candidates in two races. All registered voters in Palm Coast may cast a ballot regardless of party registration or district.
Joel Rosen, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Joel Rosen is running for Palm Coast City Council, one of seven candidates in two races. All registered voters in Palm Coast may cast a ballot regardless of party registration or district.
Steven Nobile, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Steven Nobile is running for Palm Coast City Council, one of seven candidates in two races, one of three challenging incumbent Bill Lewis. All registered voters in Palm Coast may cast a ballot regardless of party registration or district.
Bill Lewis, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Bill Lewis is running for Palm Coast City Council, one of seven candidates in two races, and the incumbent in District 4. He faces three challengers. All registered voters in Palm Coast may cast a ballot regardless of party registration or district.
Sheriff’s Deputies Never Wrote an Incident Report After Fatally Shooting Palm Coast Man
Details of the December 2012 fatal shooting of 32-year-old Troy Gordon on Brownstone Lane in Palm Coast, at a time when Don Fleming was still sheriff, emerged in a court case today that revealed how a union could trump sheriff’s policy even in grave shooting incidents.
“Derelict” Sheriff! Call In a Judge! Accuse Palm Coast of Larceny! Elections Supervisor Weeks Goes Unhinged.
Though there’s been no issues with voting other than a very low turnout, Supervisor Kimberle Weeks has again fomented a major dispute out of minor, if any, problems, and frustrated the highest officials in a half dozen local government agencies and boards, going as far as implying that Sheriff Manfre should be arrested.
Ex-Verdego Employee Accused of Defrauding Customers and Company Van Theft
Travis Heidinger, a 40-year-old resident of 5 Llanes Place in Palm Coast, was booked at the Flagler County jail Tuesday on four counts of grand theft after an investigation concluded he’d defrauded at least customers and Verdego and stolen company property.
Illness Sidelines Bill Lewis from Palm Coast Council and Re-Election Bid, Favoring Challengers
Bill Lewis, 83, has been battling shingles for more than a month and been a no-show at the council or on the campaign, opening the way for three challengers in the Palm Coast City Council race for District 4.
When a County Commissioner Calls The Supervisor of Elections A “Bitch”
In a conversation with a reporter Monday, Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker referred to Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks as a “bitch” in what he termed a slip of the tongue, quickly apologizing afterward.
Xanax, Beer and a Louisville Slugger: Mondex Man Accused of Battering Woman Over Drugs
Richard Spear, a 50-year-old resident of Daytona North is accused of battering a 30-year-old woman and threatening her and her ex-boyfriend, and smashing the ex-boyfriend’s car with a baseball bat.
650 Names, or 13% of Flagler Beach Population, On Petition Opposing $600,000 Fire Truck
The 65-page petition, published here in full for public examination, has not been authenticated by the city, but would, if verified, pose a serious challenge to a majority of commissioners still intent on buying the fire truck.
Fearing Ambush, Cops and Medics “Stage” Before Responding to Reported Shooting in Bunnell
The incident took place just after midnight Thursday in South Bunnell: 911 got several calls about an alleged shooting and a victim who’d been injured, but threats against police on social media led to precautions against an ambush.
County Commission Candidate Mark Richter’s Past: Felony Conviction, 7 Weeks in Navy, and Unanswered Questions
Flagler County Commission candidate Mark Richter refused to document claims about his recent past or answer questions about his background until records obtained by FlaglerLive compelled him to address a few issues. But he left many questions unanswered.
Daytona State’s Palm Coast Campus Celebrates Its New Addition at 4 PM Today
The 24,000 square foot expansion is anchored by a stately-looking two level building, a $7.6 million project. The ribbon cutting runs from 4 to 6 p.m. today at 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE.
U.S. Marshals Shoot and Kill a Man In Espanola; He Was Sought for July Shooting in Bunnell
A man was shot and killed in Espanola this morning as the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve a fugitive warrant a home there.
Far From Settled, Whistleblower Case Against Flagler Beach Fire Department Focuses on Captain’s Truthfulness
Flagler Beach Fire Captain Bobby Pace’s truthfulness on his job application and his handling of a probationer’s work hours at the station were the focus of a deposition in which Pace repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment’s right not to testify. An attorney is seeking to compel him to answer. The matter goes to court Wednesday.
Flagler Beach’s $600,000 Fire Truck Runs Into Opposition Petition, Prompting Another Pitch
Commissioner Steve Settle called yet another town hall meeting Monday evening again to make the case for a $6090,000 “quint” fire truck as opposition gels around a petition that organizers say has more than 450 names, or close to 10 percent of the city’s population.
First Maria Barbosa, Now Andy Dance: 2 Taints of Plagiarism, But Only One Admits It
Andy Dance, the chairman of the Flagler County School Board and a candidate for re-election against Maria Barbosa, fully acknowledged and apologized for instances of plagiarism noted in his News-Journal interview, a sharp contrast with Barbosa’s more extensive plagiarism, which she has neither explained nor admitted.
Sheriff’s Office Seeking Public Help Identifying Accused Flagler Beach Mail Thief
The investigation revealed that once the suspect removes the mail from the mailbox, he submits a change of address form and has the victim’s mail forwarded to a vacant residence, where he collects pertinent information.
Sheriff’s Deputy In Rear-End Crash With Matanzas Coach Keith Lagocki on SR100: No Injuries
Keith Lagocki, the long-time coach at Matanzas High School, along with three family members escaped injury Sunday afternoon when a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy’s cruiser rear-ended Lagocki’s car just west of Belle Terre Parkway. The deputy was also not injured.
Who Wants an Old Courthouse? County Opens Doors, and A Few Eyes
A county-hosted open house at the old Flagler County Courthouse drew dozens of people Friday, mostly local residents and perhaps three or four prospective businesses, as the county continues to study what to do with the old, 50,000-square-foot structure.