Solemnity and celebration at Heroes Park was followed by Flagler Beach’s July 4th parade at the start of a day and evening of revelry. A full image gallery of the celebrations.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
They’re On: County Repeals Ban On Flagler Beach Fireworks in 4-1 Vote
Eleven days after cancelling the county’s Independence Day fireworks shows, the Flagler County Commission this afternoon voted to allow the Flagler Beach show to go on.
Unveiling “Flagler Beach First!”: A Common Market for an Uncommon Island City
The idea of Flagler Beach First!, its founders say, is to enable Flagler Beach businesses to promote each other and educate residents and visitors about the importance of buying products and services from Flagler Beach businesses.
County Likely to Reverse Fireworks Ban in Flagler Beach In Special Meeting Friday
A majority of county commissioners are now in favor of overturning the ban on Flagler Beach’s Independence Day fireworks. They’ll decide at a special meeting 4 p.m. Friday.
With an Extra $15,000 Grant Secured, Carver Foundation Board Gets Down to Business
The governance board, joining key leaders from across the county, will set the direction and provide oversight of the revived Carver Community Center, opening as a full-fledged youth center for Bunnell by August.
Flagler School District Maintains A for 4th Year in a Row As Elementaries Shine
The A rating was powered by substantial improvements at Rymfire Elementary and other schools maintaining their high achievements. Charter schools didn’t do as well.
Shrinking Flagler Health Department Looks to Community Care As Neediest Alternative
The $700,000-a-year federal grant would open a community health center focused on the uninsured and providing the sort of care people seek out more expensively in emergency rooms.
$460,000 And Counting: With Federal Aid Unlikely, Flagler Will Bear Fires’ Entire Costs
The still-rising costs don’t help the county’s budget, which is acing a $5.5 million revenue loss from dropping property values. Gov. Scott could have minimized the impact, but he refused to ask for a federal emergency declaration, though previous, lesser fires had gotten such a declaration.
“You Smirked, Mr. Chairman”: Tea Party Puts County Commission On Notice
A tea party throng of close to 100 people jammed a county commission budget workshop Monday, cheering a promise that any tax increase would result in commissioners being voted out. The math on display was less reliable.
From Drought to Monsoon, But Fire Officials Warn Wildfires Aren’t Done Yet
Some 2.7 inches of rain fell in the Bunnell area, flooding streets and swales, but the Espanola fire got much less, if any, and fire officials are saying that the county is not out of the danger zone yet.
54 Girls (and Women), 4 Trophies, One Miss Flagler County Title in Sunday’s Pageant
It must be summer: it’s time for the Flagler County Scholarship Pageants. Meet them all, the 54 contestants in each category, as they vie for the crowns in Sunday’s pageants at the Flagler Auditorium.
Four New Fires Saturday Afternoon, Totaling 16 New Ones Since Friday; More Likely
The four new lightning-triggered fires declared themselves between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, including one in Favoretta and one across from Shell Bluff, on State Road 100, with more lightning and fires expected today.
(Bottled) Water Everywhere: Firefighters Happily Drown In Community’s Generosity
Flagler County rallied with donations for its firefighters this month from individuals young and old, companies, churches, schools, political parties and others, whose generosity helped eased stresses of heat and overwork.
Best News in Weeks: Weather Service Issues Flood Advisory for Central Flagler
The National Weather Service was reporting the heaviest rains of the month–2 to 3 inches–smack in the heart of Flagler’s most severe fire zone, on the Espanola fire. That’s what the fire doctors had been ordering for weeks.
Lightning Triggers 12 New Fires, Most Closer to Palm Coast, More Expected Today
Two fires broke out off County Road 13, just west of U.S. 1, a small fire broke out on Colbert Lane, and another one off of Roberts Road.
Uncertainty Over: Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts Makes His Re-Election Bid Official
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts has been on the council for 10 years, including Palm Coast’s most challenging years, and now faces what may be his most challenging election. “Of course I represent change,” he says. “The issue is, can you manage change?”
Fires and Hurricane Predictions Motivate Ham Radio Operators’ Field Day This Weekend
This annual event in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio.
Fire Update: Lull Persists as
Fires Recede and Rain Approaches
Fire officials reported little but good news on Thursday as fire lines have been holding and chances of rain are increasing through the weekend. Audio of Thursday’s full news conference included.
Foregoing Raise to Top Staff, School Board Awards 2% to Most Others But Cuts Schedules
High and middle school students will lose 45 minutes a day in instructional time, the equivalent of 21 days, and the 2 percent raise won’t make up for salary losses from higher pension and insurance costs and a shorter work year.
Armed Robbers Strike Hancock Bank In Palm Harbor Shopping Center
At least two robbers were involved in the 2:57 p.m. heist at Hancock Bank near Publix. They got away with money, It’s not known how much. No one was hurt.
Minor Wildfire in Populated Area of Palm Coast’s R Section as Brittle Conditions Persist
The wildfire, the first in Palm Coast outside of the Seminole Woods area, broke out at 3:30 at the intersection of Red Barn and Red Mill Drive in the R Section, not far from Rymfire Elementary, and very near homes.
Optimism Replacing Anxiety Over Flagler’s Wildfires, But Local Costs Keep Climbing
There’s been three successive days of gains on the Espanola fire and elsewhere, with rain in the weekend forecast. The Division of Forestry is not letting up, however, as it plans to maintain a deployment of more than 200 firefighters in Flagler County.
2 Firefighters Killed in N. Florida, Underscoring Dangers of Violent Flares on Contained Fires
The Blue Ribbon fire near Jasper was not large and had been declared contained, but the firefighters were reportedly overrun by a sudden flare-up as they were extending fire-lines–as DOF firefighters are doing every day on the Espanola fire in Flagler County.
As Mayor Netts Gives Up On New City Hall in Near Future, Tea Party Wants a Referendum
Palm Coast’s proposed $10 million city hall appears dead for now. Should it rise again, it would be financed by bonds, not cash, and would have to be approved in a referendum, Mayor Jon Netts says in a significant shift, disarming opponents.
Risk-Avoidance: July 4 Fireworks Canceled in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast’s Town Center
The Flagler County Commission canceled both fireworks shows, saying it would be too risky in fire-prone, drought conditions despite projected rains. The $30,000 worth of fireworks may be staged around Labor Day.
4 New Fires Saturday as Division of Forestry Escalates Battle and Tactics Against Espanola
The Division of Forestry now has more firefighting personnel in Flagler County than all the county’s and cities’ squads combined as DOF fights a make-or-break tactical battle against the Espanola fire.
Strong Thunderstorms and Excessive Lightning for Eastern Flagler–And Needed Rain
The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather advisory–involving excessive lightning and wind–for eastern Flagler County, including Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, in effect until 5 p.m. For the fires, it’s a double-edged sword.
Double Chest CT Scans: More Radiation and Costs; FHF’s 8% Rate Higher Than Average
Nationwide, hospitals performed double scans on 5.4 percent of Medicare patients who received chest CTs, but 618 hospitals performed the tests on at least 10 percent of Medicare patients, though experts say the double scans are unnecessary.
Big Stand Against Espanola Fire at Threatened FPL Powerlines In Hopes of Halting Blaze
Damage to the 500Kv FPL lines would affect local electricity customers. Beyond the powerlines lay pine-tree farms doused in herbicide, which has dried out underbrush, making it easier to burn. And beyond that: U.S. 1.
Espanola Fire, Now Over 5,000 Acres, Breaks Out Again On Three Sides; Calm Elsewhere
The calm on Flagler’s smaller fires was deceptive as Espanola broke out on three sides, and fires by the dozens are breaking out across the state, further thinning resources. Drought conditions are worsening.
Finally, Flagler Beach Agrees to Long-Term Pier Restaurant Deal With River Grille Owner
Paying the city $3,000 a month in base rent, Ray Barshay, owner of River Grille in Ormond and Crabby Joe’s in Daytona, plans to revamp the Pier Restaurant into an American, Southern, New Orleans cuisine destination.
Black Hawks Up: Army National Guard Sends 3 Copters to Aid Flagler Firefighting Crews
The three crews logged eight hours on their first afternoon on the job Wednesday, putting their 780-gallon water buckets to work against the Espanola fire. They’re here on an open-ended mission.
Exceeding Goal, Carver Gym Auction Raises $5,370, With More On the Way
Total fund-raising is approaching $7,000 as the gym’s viability, as a community and youth center for South Bunnell, is ensured for at least several years.
Miracle on Sligo Mill Court: Homes Saved From Another Seminole Woods Eruption
The fire in Seminole Woods burst and ran after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, coming within two feet of back porches and forcing evacuations of several homes. Firefighters managed to save every single one.
Rapid Response Beats Back Threat to Seminole Woods Homes; Espanola In New Breakout
Firefighters from every available agency, including the National Guard’s Black Hawk helicopters, were being summoned to battle the latest break-out at the White Eagle fire Wednesday afternoon.
“Saturate Us With Resources,” Fire Commanders Tell Rick Scott in Flagler County
Gov. Rick Scott’s drive-by visit through Flagler County Tuesday afternoon entailed a short briefing and a short press conference, but no visit to an actual fire, and no plans of one.
Palm Coast Council Reverses On Redistricting, Enabling Dennis Cross to Stay in the Race
The council voted 3-2 to adopt a less divisive map of voting districts, returning Dennis Cross to contention with Jason DeLorenzo in a race for city council this summer.
Number of Fires Up to 22 As Flagler,
Drenched in Smoke, Awaits Governor
Lightning started seven new fires in Flagler in the last two days, one of them in Bunnell’s Grand Reserve area, just west of Palm Coast. Fire officials are concerned about a “fluid” situation and uncooperative weather.
Espanola Fire at 4,171 Acres As Lightning Storms Seed New Blazes
Lightning from the last two days’ storms is seeding the area with new fires–including four new ones Sunday–while rainfall remains too light to dent the growth of the Espanola fire.
Flagler’s Economic Development Plans In the Air as County-Wide Summit Is Cancelled
Between the unfinished work of some committees and the divisive fallout from a proposed restructuring of Enterprise Flagler, what was to be the sixth summit since January is delayed to an uncertain date.
Supervisor of Elections Asks for 6.5% Budget Increase As Other County Budgets Fall
The sheriff’s budget is declining, the property appraiser’s is declining almost 9 percent, and county government has asked each department to cut 10 percent. The supervisor of elections’ exception led to new clashes with the county commission Monday.
SUV Rollover on I-95 Sends 2 to Hospital; No Other Vehicle Involved
The Chevy’s roll-over took place two miles south of the Palm Coast Parkway exit at about 10:45 Monday morning, slowing northbound traffic.
Weather Service Issues Excessive Lightening Alert for Espanola Area, Heightening Fire Risks
Rain would be good, but only if it’s drenching and persistent. That’s not what this storm is bringing: fire-feeding wind and fire-starting lightning is also part of that storm.
Jacksonville and Clay Exit, Va. and Miss. Send Help As Espanola Fire Grows to 3,800 Acres
As winds begin to shift, bringing more drift smoke over Palm Coast, the Espanola fire keeps growing and out of county firefighters are rotating back home, though the Division of Forestry has taken over the Espanola fire.
At Second Chance Rescue Near Espanola Fire, 100 Animals Are Prepared for Evacuation
Debi Root’s Second Chance Rescue has pulled 30,000 animals from death row in 26 years. The Espanola fire near the State Road 100 operation is the latest challenge as Root lines up foster homes and volunteers should that becomes necessary.
Dog Pen Fire Jumps Its Lines, DOF Takes Over Espanola, Disaster Declaration Still Off
While most fires have been “behaving” in the past 24 to 36 hours, one fire jumped its lines today, and the 3,000-acre Espanola fire remains the big worry as winds will shift beginning Sunday, pushing smoke, and maybe fire, south and east.
Bunnell and Flagler Beach Angrily Denounce Enterprise Flagler’s Secretive “Done Deal”
A closed meeting restructuring Enterprise Flagler last week is unraveling into angry reactions by those left out, putting at risk half a year of economic development discussions and further miring the public-private partnership in controversy.
Flagler Students Rank 4th in Algebra in Florida, But New Test Won’t Affect District Grade
Because it’s a new, end-of-course exam, the state isn’t yet giving the test the weight it gives FCAT results, which is a disappointment to Flagler. Individual results, however, count for 30 percent of students’ final grade.
Duval, Clay, Volusia Helping Flagler; 18 Homes Pre-Evacuated; White Eagle Flaring Anew
Other counties’ crews should help relieve local firefighters and press the case for a declaration of a state of emergency. Pre-evacuation warnings affect the western portion of Flagler, north of S.R. 100.
Flagler Fires: New 70-Acre Blaze Northwest of Palm Coast, 3 in Southwest, Espanola Billows
The 70-acre late-afternoon blaze northwest of Palm Coast, beyond Hargrove Grade, was contained by evening, but three fires in the southwest are burning anew, and Espanola is approaching 2,000 acres.