With a dramatic video narrated by Mayor Jon Netts and a line-up of presenters, the Palm Coast City Council heard and watched a recap of the December tornado that ripped through the city’s B, C and F Sections, with nearly final costs to property owners and to the city’s bottom line.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Superintendent Search Group Ends With Short-List of 5 to School Board, Including Oliva
After a day-long process Tuesday that included working through lunch and not adjourning until 4 p.m., the search committee for Flagler County’s next school superintendent agreed to recommend five names to the school board: Mary Murray, Jacob Oliva, James Parla, Christopher Quinn and Pamela Tapley.
Hit-and-Run Leads to DUI and Child Abuse Charges for Repeat Offender Bruce Ganem
Bruce Ganem, a 49-year-old resident of Bracken Lane in Palm Coast who’d been booked at the Flagler County jail six times on charges ranging from drunk driving to indecent exposure, was arrested a seventh time Sunday after an alleged hit-and-run and leading cops on a weaving chase up Belle Terre Parkway, with three young children in his car’s backseat.
Cindy Moore and Jill Espinosa Earn School District’s Top Honors for 2013
Cindy Moore, a testing coordinator and secretary at Flagler Palm Coast High School, was named the 2014 Employee of the Year, and Jill Espinosa, a kindergarten teacher at Belle Terre Elementary, was the Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Application Window Closes With Just 20 Applicants, Several of Whom Are Already Disqualified
It is an unusually low number for superintendent postings across the state, but not a surprising one considering the circumstances in Flagler, where Jacob Oliva is a heavy favorite, his front-runner status broadly publicized. All the applications are included.
Michelle Hunter Roberts, 59, of Palm Coast, Is Killed in Midnight Wreck on Belle Terre Pkwy
Michelle Hunter Roberts, 59, was killed moments before midnight in the night of Friday to Saturday in a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Pine Grove Parkway.
Jenny Crain-Brady, Not Paying a Fee, Fails to Qualify for Bunnell Commission Election; 4 Others Do
In an unexpected and significant reversal of fortune for an incumbent candidate for the Bunnell City Commission election set for March 4, Jenny Crain-Brady has not qualified for the seat she had gathered petitions to run for. Brady failed to pay the $96 state assessment fee required of all candidates, whether they have the necessary number of petitions or not.
Deputies Looking For Suspect in Car Break-In at Anytime Fitness
Flagler County Detectives are looking for the public’s help in identifying a woman who broke into a parked car outside of Anytime Fitness located at 260 Cypress Edge Drive in Palm Coast just before noon on Thursday.
Flagler a No-Show in Rep. Ron DeSantis’s Talk at Chamber’s “Think Flagler First” Event
Speaking before almost 100 people at a Chamber of Commerce lunch at Pine Lakes Country Club today, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, whose district includes all of Flagler, talked mostly critically about a series of national issues, but never touched on matters relating to Flagler County until a county commissioner elicited one general response about unemployment.
Flagler Sheriff Renewing Call For Help Solving Dennie Cayton’s Murder in Palm Coast a Year Ago
Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help in solving the stabbing death of Dennie Keith Cayton, 60, whose body was found the afternoon of January 11, 2013 in a marsh area behind the home he was staying in at 16 Covington Lane in Palm Coast.
Flagler Beach Holds an Election and Nobody Shows: Kim Carney and Marshall Shupe Are Re-Elected Without Opposition
It is the second successive election cycle in which Flagler Beach commissioners have drawn no opposition. Last year Jane Mealy and Steve Settle were re-elected automatically. Kim Carney and Marshall Shupe were first elected three years ago.
Teddy Roosevelt Impersonator Joe Wiegan Will Be Featured Performer at Flagler Beach Rotary Jan. 30
Joe Wiegan has taken his Teddy Roosevelt one-man show all the way to the White House, where George W. Bush invited him to commemorate the 150th anniversary of one of the nation’s greatest, most exuberant and paradoxical presidents.
As Walkers and Cyclists Complain of Predatory Drivers at Belle Terre and SR100, Officials Call For More Education
The dangerous intersection at State Road 100 and Belle Terre Parkway focused discussions by county and city officials this week about more safety improvements, starting with making drivers more respectful of pedestrians and cyclists–a shift many drivers are resisting.
How Now, Wit: City Rep Theatre Makes Twitter of Shakespeare in 90-Minute “Complete Works”
John Sbordone’s City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast opens 2014 with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged,” a supersonic and hilarious run through the bard’s play with a strong dose of improv. From Jan. 17 to the 26th at CRT’s City Market Place theater.
Mayhem on Belle Terre: 4 Teens Arrested in Stolen Car After a Chase, A Crash and a Foot Pursuit in R-Section
Kelvin Parks, 18, was among four teens arrested Tuesday afternoon after a car chase up Belle Terre Parkway as the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle. Marijuana and a stolen gun were found in the car, which crashed near Ponce de Leon.
With 3 Days To Go, Flagler Superintendent Job Draws Just 13 Applicants and Fewer Serious Contenders
Candidates may have been turned off by the school board loudly and repeatedly telegraphing its favoritism for Assistant Superintendent Jacob Oliva, with the job posting straddling the holidays and the abbreviated search process likely not helping. The applications are published in full.
Sheriff Pleads Long Punishment For Old Nemesis: Andrew Rulon Is Sentenced to 8 Years
Andrew Rulon, 41, of Palm Coast, had served seven years in prison when arrested on armed robbery charges during Jim Manfre’s first stint as sheriff in 2004. In an unusual move, Manfre appeared in court Monday to plead for a long sentence on drug and burglary charges against Rulon, who was released from prison in 2010.
Arrest of Deputy’s Wife Over Stolen Power Meters and Jewelry Triggers Internal Affairs Investigation
Heather Anne Nunziato, the 39-year-old wife of Flagler County Sherifff’s deputy William Greg Nunziato, turned herself in at the Flagler County jail Monday on a felony and two misdemeanor charges relating to incidents that took place over the past 22 months. The arrest triggered an internal affairs investigation of William Nunziato, who’s been with the agency 13 years.
A Billboard Crashes Down on A1A and Flagler Makes a Little History as “Goodliest Land”
The demolition and permanent removal of the massive billboard in a ceremony Monday afternoon is the first of up to 10 billboards the county bought and will have removed by 2016 as part of a deal to diminish visual blight along the scenic highway.
Elections Supervisor Skeptical as Palm Coast Tries To Resolve Conflicts Ahead of 2014 Cycle
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday will set in motion the legal mechanism—through amended ordinances—to resolve an ongoing conflict with the Supervisor of Elections over past and future elections, but Supervisor Weeks says that may not be sufficient if charter requirements are not met.
Inaugural Flagler Film Festival Draws Mixed Crowds and Promise Over 3 Days in Palm Coast
The first Flagler Film festival was held at the Hilton Garden Inn from Friday through Sunday, packing dozens of screenings of films from around the world and ending with an award ceremony late Sunday evening, and the promise of a second festival next year.
Suspected New Year’s Day Burglar in Palm Coast’s W-Section Is Arrested, Staking Targets
Frank Debisceglie, 28, a resident of 6 Warren Place in Palm Coast, was sentenced just last July to three years’ probation for dealing in stolen property. He’d been allegedly staking homes to burglarize not far from his own home when he was arrested Wednesday and charged in connection with a Jan. 1 burglary.
In a Victory for Flagler, Senate Measure Restoring Local Authority to Regulate Vacation Rentals Moves Ahead, With Long Way to Go
The proposal has a long way to go. It hasn’t yet been heard in the House, and must still clear several committees in the Senate before it reaches the Senate floor—if it does. It can die along the way. But Sen. John Thrasher’s backing is no small momentum, nor is Thursday’s 8-0 committee vote, including five Republicans and three Democrats.
Superintendent Search Committee Signs Off on Applicant Pool Criteria, But Questions Speed
The 40-odd questions aim to provide as objective a set of criteria as possible to weed through the pile of superintendent applicants and reduce it to a short list of four to six names that will be passed on to the school board as recommendations.
Again Breaking a Pledge, Children’s Advocacy Center Sets Ultimatum On Rape-Crisis Intervention as Top Cops Scramble
The Children Advocacy Center’s promise in July to provide rape-crisis exams to adults in Flagler and Volusia counties turned out to be relatively hollow, and was followed by an ultimatum that the CAC would get out of the business altogether by June, triggering a furiously critical response from State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Sheriff Manfre and other local top cops.
Long-Time Sheriff’s PIO Debbie Johnson Fired as Part of Continuing Restructuring
Manfre said the changes continue to reflect the modernization of the agency and its restructuring from eight years under the previous sheriff that Manfre has not shied from criticizing, from a managerial and law enforcement perspective.
Commissioner’s Latest Move to Replace Bunnell Police With Sheriff May Be Stillborn
For the third time in five years, Bunnell City Commissioner Elbert Tucker wants the city to consider letting the Flagler County Sheriff’s office provide policing services to Bunnell, but this latest effort is facing stiff resistance even before being officially floated before commissioners.
Preparing For the Next Hurricane: Flagler Firefighters Join Statewide Rescue Exercises
A seven-member team from Flagler County Fire Rescue is taking part today in statewide disaster-preparation exercises in Palm Beach County, honing skills that could be used locally or whenever a disaster strikes in the state, and a statewide response calls on Flagler to offer assistance.
Board May Forego Buying Out Superintendent Valentine’s Contract, Saving her $18,000
School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin is recommending that the board not buy out the $75,000 and six months remaining on Superintendent Janet Valentine’s contract, since the board would owe her benefits through July, and Assistant Superintendent Jacob Oliva is running the district with no plans of having the permanent position filled until July 1.
Two Teens Arrested in Car Theft and Burglary Attempt as Details Emerge in W-Section Chase
Two teens—18-year-old Danquelle Nash and a 17 year old—were arrested Monday afternoon following a car theft, an attempted home invasion, and a car and foot chase through the R and W Sections of Palm Coast. The midday incident had residents of the southwest corner of the W Section concerned as it teemed with cops and roadblocks checked vehicles going in and out of the neighborhood. No one was hurt.
Temperatures Fall Less Than Feared, to 28 in Palm Coast; Freeze Warning Renewed Tonight
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning a light freeze is still expected locally, especially in the northern part of the county, with low temperatures in the upper 20s or low 30s inland again exposing plants and pets to cold hazards, and the duration of sub-freezing temperatures expected to last between four to six hours.
Accused of Pawning Sister’s Tablet, Christopher Hubbard and Girlfriend Are Jailed for Theft
Christopher Hubbard, a 26-year-old resident of 8 Wellwater Drive in Palm Coast, and Nicole Bogus, 25, of Biddleson Place in Palm Coast, were jailed after allegedly pawning Hubbard’s sister’s computer tablet three days after Christmas. Hubbard has been jailed half a dozen times. Bogus was jailed once before.
Attempted Breaking and Entering in R-Section Triggers Search and Checkpoints in W-Section
Shortly after noon Monday two individuals walked up to a house in Palm Coast’s R-Section in what appears to have been an attempted breaking and entering. It was foiled, but the two males, one believed to be black, the other Hispanic, then fled in the northeastern part of the R Section and into the W Section around Wood Arbor, Wood Ambre and Wood Acre Lanes, a Flagler County Sheriff’s spokesman said.
Sports Events Specialist Matt Dunn Is Named Tourism Director in Place of Georgia Turner
Matt Dunn, 39, named Vice President for tourism today–he’ll be in charge of a $900,000 budget controlling Flagler’s marketing–owned his own events company in St. Johns County, worked with Flagler’s tourism council previously, and was Executive Director of the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Ocala/Marion County Sports Commission.
Long Creek Nature Preserve Groundbreaking Postponed to Jan. 14
The Long Creek Nature Preserve project was made possible with money from Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program and Florida Forever dollars. Tuesday’s public groundbreaking ceremony planned for the $1.46 million construction is being postponed, due to cold weather, to Jan. 14 at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14. Construction was originally due to begin in October.
Florida Hospital Flagler CEO: State Must Extend Medicaid to Working Poor
The Florida Legislature still has the opportunity this year to draw down $51 billion in federal dollars already sent to Washington to help pay the cost of health insurance for those who cannot afford it, argues Floridfa Hospital Flagler CEO Ken Mattison.
Ex-Sheriff Veteran Lynn Catoggio a Finalist for Bunnell Police Chief, Burke and Clair Miss Cut
In addition to Lynne Catoggio making the short-list of four names for Bunnell Police Chief were Ronald Chapman and Thomas Foster of Orange County and FHP’s Harry Coates. Acting Chief Randy Burke, ex-Sheriff’s Captain Steve Clair and ex-Sheriff candidate John Pollinger did not make the cut from a list of 27.
Volusia-Flagler Non-Profit Hosting Annual Eating-Disorder Symposium on Feb. 15
COPE–Community Outreach for the Prevention of Eating Disorders–is hosting its annual public health symposium for education, awareness and prevention of eating disorders, Saturday, Feb. 15, at Renew Yoga Studio at 220 S. Beach Street in Daytona Beach.
Violence at Home, Moments Into the New Year: Shotgun, Knife and Fights Land 2 in Jail
The very first hours of the new year in Palm Coast were punctured by two separate domestic violence incidents, one of them involving a stabbing, the other involving a shotgun and a knife and unfolding in front of a 14-year-old girl.
Flagler Tax Collector Launches Weekly Hearings For Drivers With Revoked Licenses
Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston’s office will enable drivers who’ve had their license revoked to have a hardship hearing in Bunnell starting Jan. 7, rather than have to go to Volusia County for the hearing.
A Flagler Farewell to 2013: The Local Year in Review
A tornado, plane crashes and mishaps, Flagler County going bonkers for clunkers, a spate of murders in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach’s firehouse follies, Bunnell’s reality show: 2013 is ending not a moment too soon. But first, a review.
Wallace Weeks, 90, Retired Manager of Flagler Farms, Dies
Wallace Weeks, 90, of Bunnell and retired manager of Flagler Farms, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013.
DNA Evidence and Stout Investigation Lead to Arrest in Hit-and-Run Death of Sean Lynn Ryan
Sean Lynn Ryan was killed three days shy of his 26th birthday a year ago when a car struck him as he walked on U.S. 1 near Plantation Bay. The driver fled. On Friday, John D. Steele, 48, of Daytona Beach, who claimed to his insurance agency that he’d hit a deer, was arrested and charged with a first-degree felony after a long investigation by FHP’s Randy Naugher.
Record-Breaking Skateboard Mile Among 3 Saturday Races in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast
The International Distance Skateboard Association is hosting a one-mile skateboard race down A1A for the Guiness record, along with a longboard half-marathon starting at Wadsworth Park and a kids and beginners challenge, all Saturday morning, Jan. 4.
FHP Trooper Is Shot in the Face Then Kills Assailants in Palatka; 2nd Suspect Still at Large
Florida Highway Patrol trooper Lawrence Andrew Litzell, an 11-year veteran, was shot in the face following what had started as a routine traffic stop in Palatka after midnight today. Litzell was able to return fire, FHP reports, and killed one of two assailants, Somourian Jamal Wingo, who had turned 24 today. The second suspect is at large.
Ryan Peeling of FPC One of Two Teens-In-Flight Students Admitted to Embry-Riddle
Two Teens-In-Flight students–Ryan Peeling of Flagler Palm Coast High School and Cora Rand of Seabreeze High–have earned admission at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for the Fall 2014 session, with scholarships.
Lost on Christmas Eve, Rottweiler Is Found on I-95 After Pooch Alert and Search By Flagler Sheriff’s Detectives
A young female Rottweiler named Kayenne was back home Thursday and in good health after being on
the loose since Christmas eve. Kayenne was recovered and returned home thanks in part to the efforts of a few Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigators.
Fuel Truck Explodes in Collision With Another Truck on I-95, Killing One; I-95 Shut Down North of Palm Coast Parkway
A wreck involving two tractor trailers and resulting in at least one fatality shut down I-95 in both directions in Palm Coast at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. Southbound lanes reopened at 7, but northbound lanes will remain closed as the roadbed has been destroyed by the fire.
Palm Coast Man Charged With Raping 8-Year-Old Girl; Bunnell Man Charged With Statutory Rape
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Gregory Selts of Palm Coast and Dante Mobley of Bunnell in unrelated cases between Dec. 19 and 22 involving the rape of children—in Selts’s case, a girl who claims she was raped when in first grade in Palm Coast, and in Mobley’s, the case of an alleged statutory rape of a 14-year-old in Bunnell.
In Wealth of Heart, Flagler County and Palm Coast Firefighters Fulfill Christmas Wishes of 58 Children
Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Station 92 Sunday was transformed into a Christmas giveaway station for some 58 children thanks to county and Palm Coast firefighters who’d donated their own money and time to make it possible. The event was organized by firefighter Kyle Lockwood.