Playground equipment at Belle Terre Elementary has been deteriorating, and causing a few injuries. But replacing some of it with putt-putt golf raised financial and “buy-in” issues from school board members.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
District and Teachers’ Union Seal Crucial Agreement on Vast Cuts and Shorter Days
More than tree and a half hours into their latest bargaining session, the union and the Flagler County school district were almost ready to agree to cuts that would eliminate 40 teachers, shorten school days and save $3.5 million next year.
Suicide Off Hammock Dunes Bridge, Near European Village
Jane Allen, a 50-year-old resident of Oakmont Ct. in Palm Coast, fell to her death from the Hammock Dunes Bridge in early evening Saturday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s Not Enough to Say No to a Seawall in Flagler Beach: An Action Plan Past Opposition
Sherry Epley, a resident of Flagler Beach, lays out a six-point action plan on how to build and sustain opposition to a seawall while developing a viable alternative that saves the beach and State Road A1A.
Flagler Power: From Bunnell By-Pass to Weigh Station to A1A Seawall, FDOT Retreats
Three times in the past 12 months, Florida Department of Transportation projects in Flagler County have foundered on the well-organized shoals of local opposition across government boundaries and fiefdoms.
Cops and Robbers Chase Through A1A in Flagler at 90 mph Before Crash in St. Johns
The high-speed chase, triggered by a former Palm Coast resident, wound through Old Kings Road, Palm Coast Parkway, the Hammock Dunes toll bridge, the Hammock along A1A and Marineland before the eluding truck overturned in St. Johns County.
Upset That His Girlfriend Is Cheating, He Pistol-Whips Her and Fires 7 Shots
Salvitore Kilday, 28, went to a home on Wendlin Lane looking for his girlfriend, found her with another man, and turned violent. Three young children were in the house. He was arrested and jailed.
Water Wars, Side B: Why a Subdivision With 10% of Bunnell’s Residents Is Suing the City
Bunnell has been reading Palm Terrace Mobile Home park’s water meters and servicing its sewer station for 27 years. The city wants to stop doing so to save money, billing the park in one lump sum. The park owner says the city is breaching a 27-year-old annexation agreement.
William Gregory Sentenced to Death for 2007 Double-Murder in Flagler Beach
William Gregory murdered ex-girlfriend Skyler Meekins, 17, and Daniel Dyer, 22, by shooting them in the head with a 12-gauge shotgun as they slept together in August 2007. “You have forfeited your right to live at all,” the judge told him.
County and City Fire Departments Merge Methods and Training in Hint of Consolidation
The Flagler County and Palm Coast Fire Departments will share a medical director. Both agencies are holding regular joint exercises and learning shared procedures with the Bunnell and Flagler Beach departments. Consolidation next?
Conklin Is Fired From State-Backed Job After Talk of Suing the State Over Education Funding
Colleen Conklin has been an outspoken advocate for education as a Flagler County School Board member for 10 years–and as the COO of a largely state-funded education foundation for the last four. One job cost her the other.
From Robert Penn Warren to Stanley Drescher: Flagler Beach Names Its First Poet Laureate
Stanley Drescher, a son of New York’s Lower East Side, has lived in Flagler Beach less than two years. He’s already left his mark on the city’s water tower, wielding his poetry like a crusader’s mightiest weapon.
Flagler Beach’s Steve Settle Will Again Attempt to Appoint Bruce Campbell Manager
Settle has three votes to make Bruce Campbell’s appointment permanent as Flagler Beach city manager. He needs four when he makes his proposal Thursday. Commissioners Jane Mealy and John Feind are mum.
Driver Takes Truck on Bunnell’s Dirt-Bike Course, Flips Into a Pond, Triggers Rescue
The 60ish driver was riding his truck illegally on the Bunnell’s Pax Trax Motocross course. Two men–Jeff Armstrong, a former fireman, and Jake Flumerfelt–rescued him as water filled his truck and he sat there, awake but not moving.
Palm Coast Maps Out Gentler, Kinder Impact Fees on Developers, But Questions Arise
The one-time impact fees developers pay when they build something would be lower for residential construction. Builders would get discounts for paying up front, or get to pay them on an installment plan.
Dust Up Those Squeals, Venus: Frankie Avalon At the Flagler Auditorium Tonight
Frankie Avalon, now 70, is making the Flagler Auditorium one of just 12 stops on his 2011 tour. He’ll be singing the hits that made him famous in pre-Beatles days, along with songs from his 30 movies that kept him famous.
Bunnell Commissioners Crain-Brady and Rogers Are Sworn In, Flynt Exits After 8 Years
Unlike last year, when the mayor and two commissioners were re-elected after facing no opposition, Jenny Crain-Brady and John Rogers were the survivors of a five-way race last month.
76-Year-Old Man On a Scooter Killed in Crash With Waste Pro Truck South of Bunnell
The man was traveling north on U.S. 1 in Korona, just south of the Old Dixie Highway intersection, when a maintenance pick-up truck pulled out of the service station and struck him.
Flagler Beach Against DOT’s Seawall: County Joins City’s Opposition, With Conditions
Flagler County doesn’t want a seawall in Flagler Beach either, but the county doesn’t want to lose $6 million in highway funding–earmarked for SR A1A’s protection–that it hopes to shift either toward a study or toward an alternative to the seawall.
Tour de Goodwill: 460 Cyclists Set Off in Flagler Beach Rotary’s 8th Annual Ride
The Flagler Beach Rotary’s Cycle Flagler drew the largest number of cyclists and raised upward of $14,000 for the Rotary’s Christmas and scholarship funds. Riders cycled from 24 to 100 miles.
FPC Posts Video of Teacher’s Public Apology Over Gay Student Bullying
Shop teacher Floyd Binkley’s apology for telling an offensive gay joke appears in the last fifth of the nearly six-minute video as part of a public service announcement about bullying and harassment. The video skirts the details of the matter.
At Public Forum on Sex Education, Passionate Opinions and Reprimands, But No Consensus
Some 40 people spoke out of the 100 who showed up at the school district’s forum on what direction sex education should take. The disappointing turnout underscored the board’s point–that parents are uninvolved, making the district’s role more vital.
Far Apart, School Unions and Flagler District Negotiators Still Looking for a Common Page
After two sessions on Wednesday, negotiators only agreed to meet again in mid-April to discuss clearer, fresher budget numbers before negotiating proposed cuts of $3.5 million that would affect most employees and students in the district.
Campaign Crumbs: Flagler Commissioner Nate McLaughlin Facing “Probable” Ethics Violation
The ethics complaint relates to an incomplete financial disclosure form McLaughlin filed during his campaign for the county commission last August. The complaint was filed by then0-incumbent Bob Abbott’s campaign manager, Ed Caroe.
School Employees Facing Steep Increases in Health Insurance Costs, Further Eroding Pay
Premiums are rising by up to 37 percent for many of the 1,337 school district employees who seek health coverage, particularly for those with family coverage. Employees also face another pay cut next year if retirement contributions are expected of them.
Flagler Schools’ Problem Solvers Clean Up Again: The Winners’ Complete List
Following the Problem Solvers state competition in Cape Canaveral late last month, FPC’s Ryan McDermott filed a complete list of winners from nearly every school in the district. Many qualify for the international competition in Wisconsin in June.
Motorcycle Cop and Car Collide on Belle Terre: Minor Injuries, Major Ruckus
A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy on a motorcycle sustained minor injuries when he was involved in a collision with a car on Belle Terre Parkway near Mother Seton Catholic Church Wednesday afternoon.
Fire At Eagles Nest Storage in Flagler Beach Claims or Damages 8 Units
The fire broke out between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. in a storage unit where tenants had been working on an older Volkswagen all day. Something ignited and they were unable to control the flames.
Conklin Calls on Flagler School Board to Sue Scott and Legislature Over Education Funding
Flagler County School Board member Colleen Conklin says the state has abdicated its constitutional responsibility to properly fund education, and wants the board to sue the state. The board will discuss the matter on April 19.
In Their Words: What Flagler’s Students and Adults Think of Sex, Abstinence and Condoms
More than 2,600 student surveys on sex education and behavior and 34 pages of students’ comments–and fewer by adults–were tallied ahead of Thursday’s public forum on sex education.
But Should They Be Paid? Flagler School Board Members Defend Their Salaries
A Florida Senate proposal would replace school board members’ salaries with a $100 per-meeting stipend. Retirement and health benefits would be eliminated, too. Savings would exceed $10 million a year.
Tornado Watch for Flagler and St. Johns Counties Lifted; Rain Into Afternoon
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Flagler and St. Johns counties, among seven northeast Florida counties, in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Flagler Commissioners Endorse SunRail As Gov. Scott Prepares to Derail Commuter Line
SunRail would have connected DeBary and Tampa as a commuter rail line, which the Legislature approved in December 2009. Gov. Rick Scott is likely to kill the project by summer, ending Central Florida’s brief flirtation with alternative transportation.
49th Day Shay-Gu Ceremony for Jigme Norbu, Dalai Lama’s Nephew Killed in the Hammock
Jigme Norbu was killed on Valentine’s Day at the start of his walk for Florida. A ceremony at the crash site Sunday marked the 49th, and last, day of mourning, which releases the soul–and those left behind.
Flagler Firefighters Hold Third Annual Chili Cook-Off; Clover Beach Wins
The cook-off was started three years ago as a fund-raiser to help firefighters injured on the job. Some 250 people turned out, and the Keppler brothers (and uncle Harrington) won this year’s prize–for the second time in three years.
SUV Rear-Ends Motorcycle in Beverly Beach; 4-Car Wreck at Toll Bridge
The wreck took place shortly after 12:30 p.m. on SR A1A at Osprey Drive, shutting down traffic in both directions for about 40 minutes. Victims had non-life-threatening injuries.
The Art League’s Nomadic Spring Festival Finally Finds a Home at City Market Place
Formerly known as Art in the Park, the Flagler County Art League’s Spring festival inaugurates its new home at City Market Place this weekend with some 50 vendors, 10 galleries and hundreds of artists and their works.
Flagler’s Quality of Health Ranks It 17th in the State; Smoking and Obesity a Problems
Department of Health Administrator Patrick Johnson cautions that Flagler’s health rankings should not be overdramatized–for good or ill–but that they still point to trends that should clarify where the county’s health priorities should be.
Volusia Schools Joining Flagler in Protecting LGBT Sexual Identity Against Bullying
The policy change in Volusia was prompted by the case of an 8-year-old Deltona girl being raised as a boy. It follows on the heels of a similar move in Flagler County to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) students.
Flagler Palm Coast YMCA Closing After 9 Years At Florida Hospital; Stand-Alone Y a Goal
The Palm Coast-Flagler Family YMCA was losing $50,000 a year for the past three years despite a membership of 900. The location was constraining. Local organizers hope to launch plans for a stand-alone Y in the future.
Palm Coast’s Rock n Ribfest Returns: Racing Pigs, Raging Bands, Roaring Fireworks
Mickey Thomas and Starship are headlining after a half dozen local bands in the daylong event at Palm Coast’s Central Park on April 9, beginning at noon. Tickets are $15 in advance, $25 at the door.
2,000 Flagler Customers Without Power Late Wednesday Evening; FPL Calls for Patience
Up to 11,000 customers had been without power at one point in Flagler County following a storm that whipped winds of up to 70 miles per hour. Volusia, Brevard and Seminole were also severely hit.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy Diego Morales Jailed on DUI and Charge
The arrest of the eight-year member of the sheriff’s office, by the Florida Highway Patrol, stem from an accident in December. Deputy Morales posted $500 bond on the two charges and is on paid leave.
Timely Boost: Feed Flagler Nets 2 Pantries $7,680, Enough to Buy 40 Tons of Food
The money is what’s left, after expenses, of Feed Flagler’s fund-raising that provided 2,000 free meals at 10 locations the day before Thanksgiving. It’s timely help as pantries begin to run dry.
July 4th Twice Over Again As Flagler Beach And Palm Coast Will Each Launch Fireworks
The Tourist Development Council would grant each city $15,000. Flagler Beach will have the July 4 display this time, while Palm Coast will launch on July 3rd, at Town Center. Last year, they did it in reverse.
For Palm Coast, Community Centers Are “Pie in the Sky” But City Hall Hovers Closer
The city council says there’s no money for ambitious, long-range plans for community centers it discussed on Tuesday, although at previous meetings it never disputed the availability of $10 million for a new city hall.
15-Year-Old Faces Charges Over a .40-Caliber Gun at Indian Trails Middle School Campus
The gun never made it into the school building, nor was it found during school hours. But Travis Williams was already serving a 10-day suspension from school when he allegedly walked with the gun on school property.
Flagler Firefighters Battling 2-Day, 300-Acre Brush Fire on Old Brick Road
The fire started Saturday, at the same time that firefighters were responding to the plane crash and ensuing brush fire at the Flagler County airport. The brush fire was 30 percent contained by Monday afternoon.
Palm Coast’s Shaklyia Chess, 16-Year-Old FPC Student, Killed in Wreck South of Bunnell
Shaklyia Chess was a 16-year-old junior at Flagler Palm Coast High School. She was driving south late Saturday night on US1 when she lost control of her car.
Single-Engine Yak 52 Crashes at Wings Over Flagler; One Pilot Is Dead; Tribute on Sunday
The Yak 52 went down at 4:27 p.m. while in the middle of a maneuver with another plane. The pilot was killed.