In Flagler, there were 716 crashes in 2010, about two crashes a day, 11 percent of them involving alcohol. There were a total of 23 fatalities on Flagler roads, up from 16 in 2009 and 2007. A complete report of local and state crashes.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
SR100 Hit-and-Run Fatality: Investigators Focusing on Three Flagler School Buses
Three Flagler school district buses, with protruding mirrors, passed by the scene of the hit-and-run within 15 minutes of the time when Alex Taylor is believed to have been killed Tuesday morning while riding his bike.
Rickey Clint Green Struck and Killed on I-95 By Semi; 3rd Flagler Road Fatality in 3 Days
An Ontario-based 18-wheel truck struck Rickey Green, who was on foot, on I-95 southbound, at mile marker 280, at 3 p.m. today, killing Green, who was reportedly standing in the roadway when he was struck.
Florida Hospital Flagler Breaks Ground on $15 Million Satellite Near Palm Coast Parkway
The 34,000 square foot medical plaza in Cobblestone Village near Walmart will give Florida Hospital Flagler an imprint on the northern side of town and add between 15 and 25 jobs by next summer.
Palm Coast Civic Association to the Rescue: O’Donnell Crafts Creekside Compromise
The compromise gives the chamber of commerce a face-saving bail-out and allows all political candidates for Palm Coast City Council to meet Creekside visitors under the Flagler Palm Coast Civic Association’s tent.
Town Simmer: City Retreats From Four-Laning Bulldog Drive or Condemning Ajram Property
Lack of money and traffic and the threat of a lawsuit forced Palm Coast to keep Bulldog Drive a two-lane road for now, beautifying it, but also dropping its long-running condemnation threat against property owner Gus Ajram.
Hard Questions–and a Few, Targeted Softballs–at NAACP’s Candidate Forum
The four remaining candidates for the Palm Coast City Council faced off before more than 120 people at the NAACP’s forum at the African American Cultural Society Tuesday evening.
54-Year-Old Cyclist Alex Taylor Killed in Apparent Hit and Run; FHP Looking for Leads
Alex Taylor of Bunnell, 54, was killed while riding his bicycle in front of the Government Services Building either very late last night or before sunup this morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
David Lloyd Rockey, 67, Killed in Morning Motorcycle Crash on US1
David Lloyd Rockey, a 67-year-old resident of Palm Coast, was killed this morning in a crash with a car driven by Julia Tucker just after 8 as Rockey rode his Honda motorcycle north on U.S. 1, just past the Volusia-Flagler County Line.
Disbelief and Legal Maneuvers Meet Chamber’s Refusal to Budge on Creekside Exclusion
The Flagler Chamber of Commerce stuck by its decision to deny non-partisan political candidates their own booths at the Creekside Festival, on public ground. County officials are looking for options as they take the brunt of the criticism for appearing to endorse the chamber’s exclusion.
Citing “Deliberate Indifference,” Woman Sues Bunnell Over Ex-Cop’s Sex-Laced Defamation
The case centers on the actions of then Cpl. Nick Massaro in late November 2009, who posted an ad on Craigslist soliciting sex from black men–and signed the ad with the name of the woman now suing him, Bunnell and the Bunnell Police Department.
Flagler’s Taxes 15th Lowest Even as Taxable Values See 2nd Worst Drop in Florida
The county commission adopts the 2012 budget for good Thursday evening, essentially cutting taxes modestly even as the tax rate will rise to a 12-year high, despite home values continuing to fall at nation-leading rates.
“The Laramie Project” at Palm Coast’s New Repertory Theatre: This Is Who We Are
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre launches its inaugural season with “The Laramie Project,” a drama based on the torture and murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998, for being gay, and what the murder did to Laramie–and the nation.
County and School Board Agree to New District Lines That Mostly Affect Politicians
The decennial redistricting exercise by the Flagler County Commission and School Board was virtually free of controversy and affects voters almost not at all–unlike legislative and congressional redistricting yet to come.
Ride In Peace: Kirt Smith (1995-2011) Would Have Been 16 on Thursday
Kirt Smith, who died after being hit on Seminole Woods Blvd. while riding his bike on Aug. 26, had received the bike as an early 16th-birthdya present. A growing memorial has gone up at the crash site.
Audrey Gibson Wins Special Senate Election for Tony Hill’s Seat
Audry Gibson, the former Florida House member, took 62 percent of the vote in the special election. The district includes a sliver of voters in Flagler County.
In Flagler Beach, Questions, Ridicule and Anger in Search for Beach-Saving Answers
A three-and-a-half hour town hall meeting on saving the beach renourished a lot of old ideas and complaints without settling the heart of the matter: with what means and what money to stop the shore from eroding.
Sheriff, Citing Head-Butting Incident, Asking School Board to Let Tasers Back on Campus
A school deputy was briefly overpowered by a student at Matanzas High School in August, triggering renewed discussion of letting school cops carry Tasers. The board has prohibited Tasers on campus since 2005.
Creekside Festival Slyness: How the Chamber Discriminates Against Non-Party Candidates
Palm Coast City Council candidates Bill McGuire and Dennis Cross have been denied a booth at the chamber-run festival, though Democrats–whose members include Jason DeLorenzo, Cross’s opponent and the husband of the Chamber’s VP, will have a booth, as will Republicans and the Tea Party.
Frank Words and Revelations at Flagler Bar’s First Minority in Law Symposium
Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano, Judge Hubert Grimes, Mark Dwyer and students headlined the first of what’s to be an annual symposium to encourage minority participation in the law, particularly among students.
From WNZF to Beach-FM to Easy Oldies: Flagler Broadcasting Launches New Station
The addition of Easy Oldies at 100.7 on the FM dial pioneers a new genre, according to station manager David Ayres, that does away with the “oldy moldy” stuff and appeals to alpha boomers.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Tasers in Schools and Beach Preservation
The Flagler County School Board will consider reversing its four-year ban on Tasers in schools, the county offers up a $100,000-a-year post for an economic development director, Flagler Beach talks beach preservation, and more.
SAT Scores Fall Across the Board; Flagler Below U.S. But Above State Averages
Average SAT scores nationally fell to the lowest level recorded since 1995 on the combined reading and math tests. In Flagler County, Matanzas High School students fared better than Flagler Palm Coast’s, and both did better than Florida’s averages.
Bus Attack: Hundreds of Students’ Day Delayed By Vandalism at Transportation Depot
Rachael Mitroski, 26, removed buses’ radiator caps, opened all sorts of compartments and put brooms on buses’ roofs before she was found out. Almost two dozen buses were affected, and none could be used this morning for their normal runs.
Sgt. Frank Celico, 1978-2011
Sgt. Frank Celico was buried today following a solemn service and two funeral processions that brought various parts of Bunnell and Palm Coast briefly to a standstill. Celico was 33.
Jon Netts, The 5% Mayor: Election Turnout Was Lowest By Far in City’s 11-Year History
Just 10.6 percent of registered voters turned out on Tuesday, which means that just 4.7 percent of Palm Coast’s voting-age residents made the difference in electing Jon Netts. The turn-out was worse than Bunnell’s and Flagler Beach’s recent city elections.
Defying Polls and Tea Leaves, Jon Netts Is Re-Elected Palm Coast Mayor
Incumbent Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts held on by defeating Charlie Ericksen with 54 percent of the vote, making a run-off in November unnecessary.
Yes, Virginia, There’s an Election in Palm Coast Today. Go Vote For One of These Two.
Incumbent Mayor Jon Netts and Charlie Ericksen, along with perennial but non-serious candidate Joe Cunnane, are in the race for mayor. The election is today. All Palm Coast registered voters of any party, or non-party, may vote.
Jon Netts: The Live Interview
Jon Netts, incumbent mayoral candidate in the Palm Coast election, answers 12 questions and a few follow-ups on a broad range of issues. He faces Charlie Ericksen and Joe Cunnane.
Services Set for Sgt. Frank Celico, 11-Year Veteran of the Flagler Sheriff’s Office, Who Died Sept. 9
Viewing is Wednesday at Craig Flagler Palms, the Funeral is Thursday. Frank Celico started his law enforcement career with the Flagler County Sheriff’s office in 2000.
Anger, Alcohol and a Rifle Shot a Few Blocks from Wadsworth and Buddy Taylor Schools
Patrick Kilichowski, 64, was reportedly angry that his girlfriend was chatting with neighbors, and allegedly drunk, when he walked out of his house with a Winchester rifle–and eventually fired a shot, he says by accident. He was jailed on several aggravated assault charges.
Palm Coast Mayor Poll: Make Your Voice Heard
Who are you voting for in the Palm Coast mayoral election? Netts? Ericksen? Cunane? None of the above? Take the FlaglerLive poll. Also: do you approve of the job Netts is doing? Of your choices in this year’s election?
Jets Cut Mardy Gilyard Five Days After Picking Him Up, Leaving His Future Uncertain
The St. Louis Rams cut Mardy Gilyard on Sept. 3, the New York Jets picked him up on the 4th, then cut him five days later. The former Flagler Palm Coast High School and University of Cincinnati star has had a checkered few years.
Flagler County Tentatively Adopts Highest Tax Rate in 12 Years at Subdued Hearing
Only one person, a tea party representative, addressed the Flagler County Commission as it adopted, in the first of two votes, a $65.3 million budget and a 12 percent increase in its tax rate, though most property owners will pay less in taxes.
Palm Coast’s Joann Boardman, 48, Found Dead in Maine After Her Son’s Wedding
Joann Boardman, 48, had been attending her son’s wedding in Maine. She was found in her car, submerged, beyond a state road that ends at the water’s edge near Bar Harbor, Maine.
County Approves Tourist Council’s $800,000 Marketing Budget, Minus Raises for Staff
A proposal to raise TDC executive Peggy Heiser’s salary by 7.7 percent was pulled from consideration shortly before the meeting, eliminating what would have been a contentious debate over the council’s budget.
Palm Coast Mayor: Tea Party Straw Poll Has Ericksen Far Ahead of Netts, 59-36%
The results, based on an internet poll conducted by the tea party, has its limitations, but nevertheless points to unexpectedly lopsided–and surprising–numbers. Jon Netts and Charlie Ericksen may be in a closer race than either expected as early voting continues.
Armed Robbery, Then Car, Foot and K-9 Chase Ends With Arrest of 3 in Seminole Woods
Three suspects who allegedly robbed an Ormond Beach pharmacy at gunpoint were caught by Bunnell police and sheriff’s deputies around noon after a car and foot chase that ended in the woods near Belle Terre and Citation Blvd.
Flagler Youth Orchestra, County’s Largest Arts Program, Launches 7th Season Open House
Parents and students are invited to the Flagler Youth Orchestra’s open house Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Indian Trails Middle School cafeteria, at 5 p.m., to join the orchestra. All skill levels welcome, from 3rd grade and up.
Feared Dead, Man Overboard Washes Up Alive on Cinnamon Beach 9 Hours Later
He’s alive: Brian Oliver, the captain of a charter sailboat, fell in the water at 3 p.m. Sunday, held on to a cooler, and washed up on shore, in good health, at half past midnight Tuesday morning.
Palm Coast Fire Department Is Presented A Flag That Flew at 9/11’s Three Sacred Sites
John Pickard, a member of Palm Coast’s fire police and a member of the 911 Foundation riders flew the flag at the Pentagon, at the Shanksville, Pa., United Flight 93 crash site, and at Ground Zero in Manhattan.
Palm Coast Code Enforcement Declares War On Door-to-Door Salesmen. Arrests Follow.
Four door-to-door solicitors were arrested in August, two more, selling meat, were jailed on Thursday as the sheriff’s office has been following through on a complaint by Code Enforcement Board member Norman Mugford that the city’s ordinance was not being enforced.
23-Year-old Woman Survives Fiery US1 Wreck That Shears Off Toyota’s Engine
Amanda Sieber, 23, was driving north on U.S.1 Thursday evening when, 1.6 miles south of the White Eagle, she lost control of her Toyota Scion, which rolled, on fire, into the wood-line, leaving its engine behind.
Moving to Palm Coast, a Parent Asks: What Schools and Sections Are Best for My Kids?
Kristen Jordan is moving from Gainesville to Palm Coast with her 5th grade daughter and 4th grade son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. She asks readers to guide her in her next-most important decisions: what schools and neighborhoods to choose.
2 Days from Drop-Dead Date, Flagler Beach’s Pier Restaurant Lease Is Signed By New Owner
Raymond Barshay, owner of Ormond Beacjh’s River Grille and South Daytona’s Sloppy Joe’s, signed a 10-year lease on Tuesday with Flagler Beach, his landlord, to remake and run the Pier Restaurant, ending a succession saga stretching almost two years.
As Voting for Palm Coast Mayor Begins, Netts and Ericksen Duel More Sharply
Mayoral candidate and challenger Charlie Ericksen and incumbent Jon Netts accentuated their differences in the Palm Coast Civic Association forum: Ericksen for change, Netts for staying the course.
Despite Raises, Average Teacher Pay Is Eroding Significantly in Flagler and Florida
Average teacher pay at the end of last year in Flagler was $48,067. Adjusted for inflation, it represents an 8.5 percent decline compared with pay in 2006. Take-home pay declined further this fall.
With Pill Mills and “Internet Cafes” in Sight, Palm Coast Prepares Stricter Regulations
The Palm Coast City Council holds little hope for state law to crack down on gambling posing as Internet cafes, which are proliferating in the city, so it’ll regulate them through zoning laws. It’s doing the same for pain clinics, once moratoriums on both types of businesses expire.
Small Government’s Price: No Sidewalk Money, City Says in Wake of Boy’s Death on Seminole
Just as the county cut out a helicopter pilot to save money, Palm Coast has been delaying planned sidewalk projects, including sidewalks along Seminole Woods Boulevard, for lack of money.
16-Year-Old Student Head-Butts Deputy in Matanzas High School Fight
The student was involved in a fight with another student over a boy-girl issue when Cpl. Don Apperson intervened–and was struck on the right temple. The student was charged with felony battery. Another employee was hospitalized.