Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cory Alan White Jr., 29, for allegedly exposing himself to employees at an Ellianos Coffee drive-up window in Palm Coast. White faces a third-degree felony charge due to a previous 2023 misdemeanor indecent exposure conviction.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Defense Attorney Scott DuPont at Pre-Trial Asks Judge Nichols: ‘Would You Like To Have a Nap?’
Former judge Scott DuPont, now a private defense attorney, openly and twice suggested that Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols needed a nap during pre-trial proceedings this afternoon at the county courthouse in Bunnell. Nichols deflected the comment with professional agility.
Palm Coast Council Counters Fears Over Town Center Data Center: It Is Not a Water and Power-Guzzling AI Facility
Palm Coast council members are reassuring residents that the 35,000-square-foot DC Blox data center in Town Center is an internet cable landing station rather than a resource-heavy artificial intelligence center. The project advanced through administrative approvals without public oversight. It will nevertheless become the city’s largest electricity consumer.
3-2 Council Vote Falls Short of Adding Affordable Housing Component to Sawmill Branch’s Newest 244 Houses
The Palm Coast City Council finalized a 3-2 approval shifting the Sawmill Branch development from townhouses to 244 small single-family homes. Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri failed to secure a workforce housing set-asides as a council majority argued the smaller lots offer flexible, market-rate options for buyers. Damage to the historic Hewitt Sawmill site also drew additional discussion.
Art Dycke, Co-Author of Palm Coast Charter and Dedicated City Historian, Dies at 92
Palm Coast is mourning the death of Arthur E. Dycke, a foundational figure who died Monday at age 92. Dycke co-authored the city’s original charter, co-founded the Palm Coast Historical Society, and served as an official city historian. His extensive research, columns, and books preserved the legacy of early residents. Local leaders praised his profound contributions to safeguarding the community’s heritage.
FlaglerLive Editor Calls Libel Lawsuit by Former Commissioner Joe Mullins a SLAPP Suit
Former Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins filed a libel lawsuit against FlaglerLive and its editor, Pierre Tristam, over articles documenting Mullins’s controversial public behavior and financial troubles. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Anthony Sabatini. FlaglerLive stands by its documented reporting, labels the case a prohibited SLAPP suit, and maintains that the evidence speaks for itself.
Circle K Clerk Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell
An Ormond Beach Circle K clerk received a life sentence today for the murder of an off-duty Edgewater police officer last September. Eduardo Labrado Machado, 24, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder to avoid the death penalty. Surveillance cameras captured Machado shooting David Jewell 20 times inside the convenience store. Machado admitted to planning the unprovoked attack during his drive to work.
Strict No Development Policy Continues For Flagler Estates As County Rejects Special Taxing District
The Flagler County Commission unanimously rejected proposals to permit development, fund infrastructure improvements or establish a special taxing district in Flagler Estates, the inaccessible subdivision platted on sheer speculation decades ago in the northwest part of the county. Officials denied a private funding offer for basic road maintenance and ordered劇stricter law enforcement to curb rampant trespassing, weekend partying and ATV mudding.
John Cunningham Wants Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin on Probation Until Next Evaluation
Flagler Beach City Commissioner John Cunningham attempted to block the automatic contract renewal of City Manager Dale Martin and place him on probation pending his next evaluation in August. The motion died for lack of a second, but Cunningham plans to file an agenda item to discuss the contract terms at the next commission meeting on May 28, opening a point of vulnerability for Martin despite solid performance evaluations.
Ingoglia Blusters Against ‘Wasteful’ Local Spending But Parses Taxpayer Giveaway for Rays Stadium
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s aggressive targeting of alleged local government waste contrasts with his approval of unappraised state land transfers for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. Video evidence contradicts his claims of voting against a controversial Destin property acquisition, showing he ultimately acceded to a package vote approved by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Flagler Beach Will Seek Bids for Paid Parking System as It Parallels Past Decades of Idle Talk
After talking about it for three decades, and 11 years after a committee that had met for two years had recommended it, Flagler Beach is about to issue a request for qualified companies to propose a paid parking system for the city. The request will be issued on June 1. Flagler Beach residents would be exempt. Palm Coast residents, who account for the majority of visitors to the island, would not be. City Commissioners stress that this is still the investigative phase and that there are no done deals.
Judge Deals All But Fatal Blow to Chelsea Herbert Suit Challenging Bunnell’s 1,259-Acre Industrial Rezoning
Circuit Judge Sandra Upchurch today denied a motion for an extension to amend a petition filed by Bunnell resident Chelsea Herbert seeking to quash the industrial rezoning of 1,259 acres in Bunnell. The judge ruled the initial filing was a bare-bones document intended to circumvent 30-day jurisdictional deadlines. The decision complicates the legal challenge as settlement negotiations continue.
Sheriff Staly Leads Memorial Ceremony to Fallen Officers in Service and Shadow of Thin Blue Line
Numerous Flagler County officials and members of the public gathered Thursday evening for the annual law enforcement memorial honoring fallen deputies and K-9 Kyro at the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Bunnell, where Sheriff Rick Staly spoke of the heavy burden carried by families of the deceased. A thin blue line flag donated by Bunnell City Commissioner John Rogers flew over the ceremony.
Pontieri: Unleashing the Private Sector Is the Conservative Solution to the Palm Coast Housing Squeeze
Flagler County and Palm Coast face a housing squeeze making it difficult for lower-income, elderly and other groups to overcome rental or mortgage burdens. But government interventions are not the way, argues Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri, as they distort market incentives and unfairly shift infrastructure costs onto existing taxpayers. True affordability requires cutting regulatory red tape and fostering economic growth to raise local wages.
Palm Coast Mayor Norris Turns Loop Road Groundbreaking Into Lashing of Western Expansion and Developer
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris surprised attendees at a groundbreaking ceremony this morning by lashing into the $125 million loop road project connecting Matanzas Woods Parkway with Palm Coast Parkway, and into Raydient, the developer, attacking it for not shouldering its share of infrastructure funding. Norris discarded his prepared remarks to criticize the environmental impact on wetlands and the financial burden on local taxpayers. Council members Charles Gambaro and Ty Miller rebuked the mayor for his timing.
Diagnosing Alarming Deficit in Road Repair Bill, City Director Tells Palm Coast Council: You Did This
In a remarkably gutsy moment at the end of his presentation on the city’s deteriorating road system, Carl Cote, the city’s director of stormwater and engineering, reminded the council of how it has been reducing the tax rate for successive years since 2021. “In lieu of the rollbacks that council had done since then, if that was dedicated to resurfacing, that would be an additional $8.5 million we’d have in that program today,” Cote said. The program, in other words, would have been fully funded instead of facing a gaping deficit.
Mandatory One Day Per Week Watering Restrictions Ordered as Drought Worsens
The St. Johns River Water Management District today issued a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage declaration in response to ongoing exceptional drought conditions, declining groundwater levels and reduced surface water flows across northeast and central Florida. The district includes 18 counties from Nassau to the north to Indian River to the south, including Flagler.
Council Rejects Affordable Housing Recommendations, Saying It Doesn’t Want to Alter Palm Coast’s ‘Character’
The Palm Coast City Council reviewed a sobering housing assessment identifying significant affordability gaps for working residents but rejected several strategies and narrowed the focus toward senior housing, exposing a deep divide between itself and its Affordable Housing Committee, if not its own administration. Advocates criticized the limited approach for ignoring the needs of teachers and first responders. Future expansion plans suggest a continued reliance on single-family homes, deepening a lack of diversity.
Palm Coast Council Will Join State Program Focused on Protecting Historical and Cultural Assets Citywide
Palm Coast City Council members agreed to draft an ordinance seeking inclusion in Florida’s Certified Local Government Program, which creates a partnership between federal, state, and local governments to evaluate and protect historic properties. The designation allows the city to access grant funding for preservation efforts citywide. Though 88 Florida cities and counties are part of the program, not a single Flagler County entity is. The efoort was spurred by concerns over Palm Coast’s westward expansion.
Palm Coast Council Almost Finalizes Three Charter Amendments for November Ballot
The Palm Coast City Council today all but finalized language for three charter amendments that would appear on the November ballot. One proposal clarifies procedures for removing council members, another establishes an 18-month rule for holding special elections to fill vacancies, and a third increases the city debt limit to $30 million without requiring a referendum. The changes aim to resolve previous appointment controversies and modernize municipal financial governance.
Flagler Beach City Manager Says Firing of Fire Chief Was Not Disciplinary Or Result of Any Violations
Former Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox did not break any laws, did not violate any city or Fire Department policies, and in City Manager Dale Martin’s evaluation was found to exceed expectations in a September evaluation. But a “loss in confidence” among staff led to his firing, Martin said in a press conference from the main hangar of the Fire Department this afternoon. Jennifer Fiveash and Morgan Rainey have returned in interim leadership positions, but appear uninterested in staying for the long term.
Jury Finds Gary Durso Not Guilty as Defense Attorney James Smith Dismantles Case Over a Single CSAM Image
A Flagler County jury acquitted 63-year-old Gary Durso of Palm Coast’s E Section of possessing a single image of child sexual abuse material after 45 minutes of deliberation. Defense attorney James Smith successfully argued that the prosecution failed to prove Durso knew the subject of a 2016 photograph he’d kept for nine years and disseminated on Flickr was a minor. The jury, unaware of Durso’s status as a sex offender who’d previously solicited a minor, found reasonable doubt regarding his intent and knowledge of image.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox Fired Following Staff Resignations and No-Confidence Letter
Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin fired Fire Chief Stephen Cox this morning following the resignation of five firefighters and a no-confidence letter signed by seven staff members, including two who’d resigned. The document cited a hostile work environment and a lack of transparent communication. Martin concluded Cox could no longer lead effectively.
DUI Probationer Sent Back to Jail for Refusing to Profess Faith in God in Christian Treatment Program
A Flagler County judge returned 29-year-old Joshua King to jail for a probation violation after the 29-year-old Wiccan refused to profess Christian faith in God at Faith Farm Ministries as part of his court-ordered rehab therapy. He claimed the facility mandated religious conversion for program completion. The judge ruled that King failed to comply with the terms of the specific program he himself selected. He is to be resasigned to a different facility not of his choice.
Flagler Schools Earns Guy Harvey Conservation District Designation For The 2025-2026 Academic Year
Flagler Schools has been named a Guy Harvey Conservation District for the 2025-2026 school year, underscoring the district’s commitment to environmental education through teacher professional development, experiential learning and environmental leadership. A presentation honoring the recognition will take place at this month’s Flagler Schools Board Meeting at the Government Services Building in Bunnell on May 19.
Call Israel’s War Crimes and Genocide By Name
Israel’s massacres, systematic destruction of villages and towns and historical fabrications to annex Palestinian and Lebanese lands amount to war crimes and genocide according to the definition of the Geneva Conventions, and are enabled by American military support and media complicity.
Palm Coast City Manager McGlothlin Postpones Raydient Development Review as It Needs ‘More Work’
Two weeks before the proposed Raydient order to develop 22,000 homes west of U.S. 1 was to go before the city’s Planning Board, Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin said today that the whole process is being postponed to allow for better vetting. He did not provide a new timeline though one may be issued next week. The development’s new proposal includes industrial set-asides for animal feed lots and livestock operations, the deep well injection of waste products, dog, hog and poultry farms, and incinerator plants.
At Palm Coast Manager Mike McGlothlin’s Coffee Talk with Residents, It’s About Growth, Traffic and Westward Ho
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin hosted his third monthly coffee chat at St. Joe’s Plaza this morning as residents raised pointed concerns regarding the expansion westward, traffic congestion, speedsters on Woodbury Drive, and infrastructure issues. McGlothlin maintains a congenial rapport with the public in a session free of acrimony even as it was rich in pointed questions and comments.
Flagler Beach Planning Board Member Had Explicitly Asked Pastor if He Had Shopping Center’s Permission for Church
When the church was seeking a special zoning exception from the city, a brief exchange between a Flagler Beach Planning Board member and Roderick Palmer, the pastor of Coastal Family Church, all but anticipated the lawsuit Palmer has been battling since January. The board member had asked Palmer explicitly, twice, if he had permission from the shopping center’s property association to run a church at Flagler Square. The answer was non-committal.
City Council Backs Mayor’s Effort to Identify Hidden History Across Land Slated For Raydient’s 22,000 Homes
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris secured council support to negotiate unfettered land access for historical societies within a 22,000-acre development site west of U.S. 1, known as the western expansion. Raydient plans to build 22,000 homes over three decades but preservationists want to survey roughly 25 historic sites, among them the iconic Old Brick Road.
The Force Is Strong In Flagler As Jedi Clerk Tom Bexley Hosts Star Wars-Themed Mass Wedding
The Kim C. Hammond Justice Center–Tatooine for short–transformed into a celebration from a galaxy not so far away on May 4 as Flagler County Clerk of Court Tom Bexley hosted the office’s first-ever Star Wars–themed wedding ceremony in honor of May the Fourth.
New Baseball League Coming to Palm Coast, But Council Delays Signing Off Over Sports Complex Concerns
The Palm Coast City Council tabled a contract for the newly formed Orange State League to use the Indian Trails Sports Complex this summer as concerns emerged about field availability and potential conflicts with the Palm Coast Little League regarding concession rights and maintenance responsibilities. The administration will clarify legal language and ensure local youth organizations support the new collegiate-level Big Buoys baseball team.
7 Years in Prison for Levi ‘Feezy’ Ayers, 23, for String of Burglaries, Car and Gun Thefts in Palm Coast
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols on Tuesday sentenced Levi “Feezy” D’Antonio Ayers to seven years in prison as a result of a series of nine car burglaries, a car and a gun theft in the C, P, L and E sections of Palm Coast four years ago, when Ayers was 19. He had two accomplices, both of whom were sentenced several years ago, served their prison time and are now on probation.
Palm Coast Council ‘Retreat’ Vows Six Months of Action to Defy Lame-Duck Label
With three of its members down to their last six months on the board, the Palm Coast City Council met Monday to establish goals before the November elections and run through a few exercises setting out values and a so-called SWOT analysis–strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The half-day session was held at the Southern Recreation Center.
Flagler County Administrator Job Posting Draws 30 Applicants in 1st Week; Shortlist Due by Mid-July
Flagler County’s search for a new administrator drew 30 applications in its first week. A three-member committee of Florida managers will rank qualified candidates and tun over a shortlist to the commission by mid-July.
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, 1930-2026
Author and Flagler Beach Historical Museum Founder Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, a dedicated community leader, historian, and musician, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at her home surrounded by family. A longtime resident of Flagler Beach, she leaves behind a legacy of civic service and cultural contributions.
Palm Coast’s Katrina Hatzl, 29, Dies In Night Crash On U.S. 1
Katrina Lyn Hatzl died Friday night after losing control of her Chevrolet Impala on U.S. 1 in Palm Coast. A witness reported the vehicle sped past his van and overcorrected before striking a guard rail then flipping into a concrete embankment. Hatzl, the mother of two young daughters, previously ran a business called Katrina’s Crystals, more recently changed to Kat’s Crystal Creations.
Educator and Business Owner Rob Wood Challenges Will Furry For School Board, Citing Civility and Experience
Robert Wood has entered the Flagler County School Board District 2 race to challenge incumbent Will Furry. A conservative educator Wood wants to restore prestige and functional civility to a board frequently defined by discord. He brings extensive leadership experience from Western Governors University and the Air Force, and as a local business owner. . He advocates for relationship-driven governance.
Palm Coast Mother Jailed for Abandoning 3 Children at Hospital Over Dog’s Death; 44 Dogs Recovered
Sandra Marie Teague faces three child neglect charges after abandoning her three children at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. She allegedly blamed the teenagers for the death of a pet dog. Investigation revealed a home filled with 44 dogs and various other animals living in squalid conditions. Teague remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.
The Cult of Civics Education Plagues Us Again
Americans have historically demonstrated a profound ignorance regarding their own history and government structures. This lack of academic knowledge did not prevent the nation from thriving or winning wars. Current efforts to mandate civics education often serve as a thin veil for nationalist indoctrination. These movements prioritize submissive obedience over actual empowerment. True American strength relies on cultural dynamism rather than memorizing trivia.
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Plucking the Chicken in Front of Minor at Chick-Fil-A Drive-Thru
Luke Mathew Dudkewic, a 33-year-old resident of Palm Coast, faces a second degree felony charge of exhibitionism following his arrest over an allegedly lewd and enraptured exposure to a minor employee in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A last Friday. Dudkewic is denying any intentional wrongdoing.
Turmoil at Flagler Beach Fire Department as 5 Firefighters, Including Deputy Chief and Morgan Rainey, Resign
The Flagler Beach Fire Department is facing a leadership crisis as five firefighters tendered their resignations almost on the same day. High-profile departures include Deputy Chief Jennifer Fiveash and veteran Morgan Rainey. Personnel cite intimidation and lack of support under Chief Stephen Cox. City Manager Dale Martin is investigating the internal culture as Cox attributes the friction to chronic understaffing and low pay. Mutual aid from neighboring departments ensures continued public safety coverage.
New Investigative Details Reveal How a Deputy’s Shooting Practice Nearly Killed An 11-Year-Old Boy
A newly released affidavit describes how a projectile allegedly fired by Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Bryan Jackson from an agency-issued AR-15 grazed an 11-year-old boy inside his home. Detectives navigated obstacles including missing surveillance footage. FBI trajectory analysis conclusively linked the shot to Jackson’s private firing range, as detectives also discovered that one of hisberms had been built on an adjoining property without the property owner’s permission.
Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Jackson Who Fired AR-15 Shot that Struck 11-Year-Old Is Charged with Misdemeanor
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office charged Deputy Bryan Jackson with culpable negligence after a bullet from his daughter’s AR-15 grazed an 11-year-old boy in a neighboring house. Jackson currently performs administrative duties. The State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case after the FBI reconstructed the shooting from Jackson’s makeshift backyard range.
Teachers and Students in Flagler Schools Are Now Using AI Extensively and Routinely. Here’s How.
Flagler County schools report nearly universal adoption of artificial intelligence among faculty and staff. Students in secondary grades frequently use digital tools for classroom assignments and independent research, and a version of AI is accessible for students in all grades. District leaders compare this technological shift to the early days of the internet. School board members remain focused on data privacy, academic integrity, and student safety.
Chamber President Phillips Joins Broadcast as WNZF Announces FPC and Matanzas Football Broadcast Schedule
Flagler Broadcasting Sports Director Mike Lischio released the 2026 high school football broadcast schedule this week, marking the 18th season of local coverage on WNZF Radio. The slate includes 10 games over 12 weeks, anchored by district rivalries and the 18th annual Potato Bowl.
Profit and Loss Statements Required of PTOs and Fundraisers? 2 School Board Members Object to New Policy
The Flagler County school district is proposing a policy requiring stricter accounting practices for parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs and individuals raising money for schools. District officials admit no fraud exists to justify these administrative burdens. School Board members Janie Ruddy and Lauren Ramirez argue the rules will discourage volunteers, if not fundraising. The proposal remains inconclusive.
Palm Coast Planning Board Receptive to Ending Longtime Ban On Electronic Business Signs
The Palm Coast Planning Board boosted a plan to lift a 27-year ban on electronic business signs in the city. The proposed ordinance allows digital displays on major commercial corridors under strict city regulations. Concerns remain regarding enforcement on mobile vehicle signs and residential proximity.
From Anemia To Cancer Recovery, Phillip McKinney Found Healing Through Specialized Community Care Resources
Phillip McKinney used AdventHealth’s Community Care, which supports patients facing financial and social barriers in Flagler County, to navigate severe gastrointestinal bleeding and aggressive skin cancer. Social worker Briget Parkins coordinated his appointments, paperwork, and transportation through a nonprofit initiative that addresses nonmedical factors to prevent complications. McKinney eventually graduated from the program and now manages his health and housing independently.
14-Year-Old FPC Student Faces Felony For ‘Dark Humor’ SnapChat Threat Despite Voluntarily Reporting It
A 14-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student faces a second-degree felony charge for posting a school shooting threat on Snapchat even though the student and his mother voluntarily met with a school resource officer to disclose the joke.