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.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
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.
15-Year-Old Kirt Smith Dies as a Result of Injuries from Seminole Woods Blvd. Collision
Kirt Smith, 15, was riding south with a friend on Seminole Woods Blvd. at 9 p.m. Friday when he was struck by a pick-up truck driven by Gary White Jr. Smith died at 5:37 p.m. Aug. 29.
Flagler Beach Restaurant Owners Vow To Fight City’s Ban on Dog-Friendly Dining
For years, and with more frequency recently, several Flagler Beach restaurants allowed patrons to bring their dog as long as they sat in outside-dining areas. Commissioners never heard of a problem–until they heard of the state requirement that the city formalize the practice by ordinance, which they killed, 3-2.
Taking Note of Flagler, Gov. Rick Scott Speaks Economics and Listens to Local Leaders
Gov. Rick Scott arrived early at a breakfast meeting with government and business leaders this morning, briefing the group on his business-centered agenda while holding an informal Q&A with the assembly.
Rick Scott, Pointer Sister: He Sings “Fire” at The Golden Lion, Does the Pier, Then Turns In
Gov. Rick Scott’s unexpected dinner drop-in at Flagler Beach’s Golden Lion this evening coincided with a wreck outside. He gave the tambourine and the Beatles a go before making out on the Flagler Beach pier.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Scott at the Chamber, Early Voting and Pills Again
The Palm Coast City Council discusses next steps as its pill-mill moratorium approaches its end, early voting for the mayoral primary begins Monday, many agencies are in slow-motion mode ahead of Labor Day.
Rick Scott’s 2nd Trip to Flagler: More Generous With Chamber Than Firefighters
Gov. Rick Scott will be at the Flagler chamber of commerce for an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting Monday, part of the governor’s ongoing outreach tour to improve his image.
Brutal Weekend: Early Morning Wreck on SR 11 Leaves 19-Year-Old in Critical Condition
19-year-old Trevor White was traveling south in a Ford F150 when it veered off and smashed into a tree at 5:45 Sunday morning, Aug. 28. He was evacuated in critical condition.
Man Drowns North of Flagler Beach, Near Condos Where Family Had Recently Moved In
James Palmer, 55, who was staying at the Oceanside condominiums in Beverly Beach with his family, drowned just before 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. A 55-year-old surfer also died in New Smyrna Beach three hours earlier.
Incumbents Jon Netts and Holsey Moorman Leading Money Race In Palm Coast Elections
Mayor Jon Netts is leading the money race with $8,600. Charlie Ericksen, his principal challenger, has raised $4,469 so far, with 18 days to go for the primary. Holsey Moorman, whose election isn’t until November, has raised $6,840 so far.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter
A twice-attempted home invasion witnessed by a child, vandalism of Ralph Carter Park’s soccer fields, vacuuming quarters, a very long list of larcenies and burglaries, and more.
An Exploding Toilet Breaks the Monotony of a Point Pleasant Afternoon
A portable toilet leaning on the grass of a lot just cleared for construction exploded this afternoon, causing more noise than damage. It looked like the work of errant boys wasting a firecracker.
Native Sons: Remembering Josh Crews One Young Writer at a Time, With a Ball
Josh Crews, the long-time manager at Woody’s and voracious reader, was killed last year in a car crash. The Josh Crews Fund is created in his memory to underwrite writing scholarships in Flagler schools. A fund-raising masquerade ball is scheduled for Oct. 28.
Overflow Crowd at a Wonkish Forum for 7 Palm Coast City Council Candidates
Live, blow-by-blow coverage and analysis of tonight’s Palm Coast city elections’ candidates forum at the Hilton Garden Inn.
County’s Economic Board Would Exclude Cities and Bank on $400,000 a Year in Tax Dollars
The county commission’s latest direction was surprising and divided, as a 3-2 majority settled on an economic development board with just one government represented–the county–and eight seats filled by business representatives with economic development experience.
Bonuses or No Bonuses, Supervisor of Elections and Commissioners Brawl in Ugly, 70-Minute Spectacle
The Flagler Supervisor of Elections could not explain to commissioners’ satisfaction bonus checks cut at the end of 2010 or answer questions about her employees’ rates of pay and recent raises. Commissioners refused to grant her request for a 7 percent budget increase pending answers.
Flagler Schools’ Enrollment Is Flat Overall But Showing Strong Migration to Charters
On the first day of school in Flagler, every elementary school but one lost students, all three charter schools gained, and problems were limited to several overcrowded buses and enormous car lines at Imagine and Belle Terre.
Palm Coast Data Lays Off 18 More, This Time in Magazine Customer Service
The Palm Coast Data layoffs are the latest in a string of job losses that have struck the company’s warehouse, membership services, IT and management.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Budgeting Mysteries, Spy Cameras, Dogs in Restaurants
The Flagler County Commission tries again (and again, and again) to figure out what to do about economic development, the Palm Coast City Council awaits its manager’s latest budget presentation, Flagler Beach talks dogs in restaurants, Bunnell talks spy cameras.
Tourism Council Approves $800,000 Budget Over Objection to Exec’s 7.7% Raise
The publicly funded tourism council approved a 7.7 percent raise for the Flagler Chamber of Commerce’s VP for tourism and the council’s administrative head, and 6 percent raises for two staff members. The Flagler County Commission must give final approval.
Coalition of Cities Meets in Wake of One Agency’s Death and Its Own Uncertain Life
The Flagler County Coalition of Cities held its second meeting only for its Flagler Beach, Bunnell and Beverly Beach members to confirm what’s already known: that much remains unknown about the future of the county’s plan to fight unemployment.
Sheriff Fleming on Palm Coast and Bunnell Gambling Halls: “I Have Bigger Fish To Fry”
Sheriff Don Fleming’s stance on internet cafes and other such gambling halls has wide implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, both of which are wrestling with ordinances that would regulate the establishments.
Archie Edwards of Bunnell Killed in Late-Night Wreck on West SR100
Archie Edwards, 59, was driving west on State Road 100, at 80 mph in a 60, with his lights off in a pick-up truck when he lost control and crashed in the Bimini area.
Flagler Unemployment Flat at 14.7%, Florida’s Also Stalled at 10.7%
Flagler County’s unemployment rate in July was unchanged from June’s revised 14.7 percent (last month’s original rate was 14.6 percent). Florida’s unemployment rate also stalled at 10.7 percent, with 987,000 Floridians out of work.
Enterprise Flagler Is No More
After 11 years, Enterprise Flagler voted unanimously on Thursday to disband, a vote reflecting resignation to financial realities (Palm Coast and Flagler County are no longer funding the agency) rather than enthusiasm from Enterprise Flagler members. There is no clear plan in place to replace the agency’s work.
50-Year-Old Woman Hospitalized After Van Rear-Slams Her Car In Front of Town Center
The woman was at the light at Landing Blvd., in front of Dunkin Donuts, when, according to a witness, a van came “barreling” from behind, never applying the brakes.
A Wake for Palm Coast Desalination: Consultants Talk “Hiatus” Rather Than Demise
The seawater desalination initiative Palm Coast led for the last three years held what amounted to an exit interview with the public as the project shuts down for lack of money, participants and, for now and several years to come, need.
From Bad to Worse: Flagler and Florida Students Near Bottom in National ACT Scores
There’s plenty of back-patting when Flagler students are compared to their Florida peers. When Flagler and Florida students are compared to students across the nation, the story is much bleaker.
Flagler School Board and County Commission Narrow Redistricting Options to Three
The Flagler School Board and the Flagler County Commission took less than an hour in a joint meeting Tuesday to eliminate three of six redistricting options. The public weighs in next, at two hearings in September. See all plans.
As 16 Fires Old and New Burn in Flagler, More Heat But Also More Storms Predicted
Most new fires in Flagler County have been small, but lightning keeps triggering them, and near-record heat combined with lower-than-expected rains are keeping conditions brittle even as more named storms are predicted for the remainder of the hurricane season.
Bowing to Public Pressure, Palm Coast Opts for Bidding Out Trash Hauling Contract
Citing an epiphany in the shower, Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon reversed his recommendation to negotiate an garbage-contract extension with Waste Pro. The city will open up the process through a broader request for proposals.
In a Case With Implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, Polk Sheriff Shuts Down Internet Cafe
The Internet cafe–or gambling parlor–shut down in Davenport Monday is similar to those in Palm Coast and Bunnell, where local officials and residents are debating whether and how to regulate (or ban) the businesses.
Trash Flips: Waste Pro Lobbies Another County To Go to Bids While Urging Palm Coast Not To
Waste Pro wants to keep the $7-million-a-year garbage hauling in contract in Palm Coast, so it’s opposing a bidding process, but it’s arguing the exact opposite in Hillsborough County, where it’s hoping to win the contract.
Blaming County, Elections Supervisor Closes 3 Outlying Precincts for Special Election
Some Flagler County voters will have to travel 21 miles to cast a ballot in the special election for State Senate, District 1, others will have to travel 7 miles because of precinct closures.
Manic Mondex: Love Triangle and Drive-By Shooting Land a Woman in Jail
Kara Buckner is accused of firing a .22-caliber rifle at two people smoking on a porch Saturday night, while a 4-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl were inside. No one was hurt.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: The Cost Of Elections, Garbage and Redistricting
The County Commission has another close encounter with Supervisor of Elections Weeks, the Palm Coast City Council talks garbage, the school board talks redistricting, Bunnell talks special events, and in Tallahassee, the governor and the cabinet meet while several redistricting hearings are held around the state.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Survives Shattering Wreck Unscathed in Cruiser on US1
A young Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy was driving north on U.S. 1, about 75 yards south of Palm Coast Parkway, when he lost control of his cruiser and crashed in a ditch Saturday evening.
Bunnell Mayor Outflanks Rookie Rogers, Shutting Down Talk of Martinez’s Future
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez survived what could have been a vote of confidence tonight thanks to a maneuver by Mayor Catherine Robinson, who prevented it.
Flagler’s Teens-in-Flight Produces Its First Licensed Pilot: 19-Year-Old Juan Rodriguez
Jack Howell started Teens-in-Flight at the Flagler County Airport in the fall of 2008 to give young students from military families or poorer families a chance to learn to fly without paying a dime.
At the Flagler County Jail, Training for Uncooperative Inmates and Lawsuit Deterrence
A member of the US Corrections Special Operations Group was at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office this week, training guards in what he calls “next-generation jail extraction.”