Florida’s Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 308, sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek, to establish a state-funded Museum of Black History in St. Johns County, correcting a historical omission. The proposed museum would offer space for education and heritage tourism on land holding deep personal and historical significance. While the Senate acted decisively, the companion bill currently stalls in the House, leaving lawmakers to choose between symbolic gestures and meaningful action.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
County Votes 4-1 to Resolve Annexation Dispute Over Veranda Bay and Summertown, Ending Lawsuit Threat Against City
Flagler County has officially voted to settle its annexation dispute with Flagler Beach, ending the threat of a lawsuit. The 4-1 decision resolves ongoing conflicts over the Veranda Bay and Summertown developments, ensuring the developer pays transportation impact fees and grants the county a three-year window to purchase conservation land. The settlement clears the path for Flagler Beach to finalize the annexations this week.
Flagler Sheriff Solves 2003 Cold Case of Mary Lou Combs With Help From FBI Divers
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced the resolution of a 22-year-old cold case after a submerged vehicle was recovered from the Intracoastal Waterway. The car contained human remains and personal items linked to Mary Lou Combs, a mother of three who disappeared in August 2003. A massive multi-agency effort involving FBI dive teams helped locate the wreckage, finally bringing long-awaited closure to her grieving family.
Palm Coast Council Will Review 35 Proposed Changes to City Charter, from Council Appointments to Benefits
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday is reviewing proposed changes to the city charter recommended by the Charter Review Committee. The updates address council vacancies, candidate qualifications, removing employee benefits for council members, and clarifying administrative roles. The council must now decide which of these amendments, along with a potential Citizens’ Bill of Rights, will be placed on the November ballot for voter approval.
Khalon Pierre, 16, Missing from His Palm Coast Home Since Friday, Killed by Train in Suspected Suicide
Khalon Pierre, a 16-year-old Palm Coast boy who was reported missing on Friday, died Saturday night in a collision with a Florida East Coast Railway freight train south of Bunnell. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said that evidence from the scene, including train video, indicates the death was a suicide. The teenager had been seen on surveillance video at a nearby DeLand Walmart before the crash.
Randy Fine’s Bigotry and the Silent Complicity of Florida Republicans
Congressman Randy Fine’s long history of deploying bigoted, dehumanizing language against Palestinians and Muslims reflects a broader political decay. Condemnations have been rare except by his rivals, and what outrage there’s been frequently feels performative. Otherwise, silence. This widespread complicity from elected officials actively normalizes hateful rhetoric, rewarding fascist behavior and degrading the fundamental standards of our national civil discourse.
Scott Spradley, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Scott Spradley is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
R.J. Santore, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
R.J. Santore is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
Rick Belhumeur, Flagler Beach City Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Rick Belhumeur is one of three candidates running for two seats in the March 3 Flagler Beach election for the City Commission. FlaglerLive submitted six identical questions to the three candidates, with no length restrictions. Answers are presented here in full and cross-referenced for ease of comparison.
City Repertory Theatre’s Black History Celebration Skewers Stereotypes with ‘The Colored Museum’
City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast is staging George C. Wolfe’s biting satirical play “The Colored Museum” to celebrate Black History Month. The edgy production features a series of freewheeling vignettes exploring Black identity, culture, and historical stereotypes. Director Sal Jones leads a talented cast through scenes that blend absurd comedy with profound historical pain, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths while laughing.
Judge Grudgingly Grants City’s Emergency Delay in Home Builders’ Lawsuit Against Palm Coast Over Impact Fees
A circuit judge reluctantly granted Palm Coast an emergency delay in a critical lawsuit filed by the Home Builders Association over significantly increased development impact fees. The city requested the postponement after the builders submitted a second amended complaint, causing confusion over which document governed the proceedings. The HBA is concerned about financial cost of further delays, but the judge prioritized avoiding procedural errors that could lead to an appeal.
Rezoning for Hargrove Grade Concrete Plant Backed in 5-2 Planning Board Vote as Business Owners Object
The Palm Coast Planning Board has recommended rezoning a ten-acre light industrial parcel on Hargrove Grade to heavy industrial, clearing the way for a proposed Hard Rock Materials concrete batch plant. Despite opposition from neighboring business owners who fear increased truck traffic and pollution, the board approved the measure in a 5-2 vote, sending the controversial proposal to the City Council for a final review.
To Prevent Inmate Deaths, Flagler Sheriff Implements Biometric Monitoring in Real Time at Jail
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has deployed OverWatch biometric sensors at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility to improve inmate safety. Funded entirely by inmate welfare funds at no taxpayer cost, the wrist-worn devices monitor real-time vitals like heart rate and oxygen levels. This technology allows staff to detect and respond rapidly to medical emergencies, drug withdrawals, and suicide risks between routine physical checks.
Palm Coast Utility Sale Hurdles Approved as Pontieri Cites Privatization Fears and Mayor Calls It ‘Virtue Signaling’
Prompted by Council member Theresa Pontieri’s concerns over rising corporate utility privatization, the Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on first reading requiring a supermajority vote and a public referendum before the city’s water and sewer utility can be sold. While Mayor Mike Norris questioned the measure’s permanence, the ordinance aims to safeguard the $400 million asset from potential acquisition by private equity firms.
Palm Coast Council Defends Splash Pad Settlement that Fell $1.2 Million Short, Citing ‘Diminishing Returns’
Palm Coast City Council voted 5-0 to settle the remaining litigation over the defective Holland Park splash pad, recovering $2.375 million total. The settlement falls roughly $1.2 million short of the city’s repair costs and legal fees. Council members cited “diminishing returns” for ending the lawsuits, arguing that further legal action would risk costing taxpayers more than it would likely recover in additional damages.
Exonerated at Trial 3 Months Ago, Ed Sampson Faces New Felony and Up to 10 Years in Prison for Jailhouse Battery
Edward Sampson, recently exonerated at trial of a felony that could have sent him to prison for 30 years, faces a new felony battery charge following a Jan. 18 jailhouse fight with an inmate. Sampson, known for his peripheral link to the Noah Smith murder case, could face 10 years as a habitual offender. He remains free on bond pending a March 18 pretrial before Judge Dawn Nichols.
Palm Coast Council Ties ICI’s Easthampton Development Expansion to Affordable Housing for Public Servants
Defying sharp public opposition, the Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 to expand the Easthampton development from 58 to 71 homes. The approval hinges on a proposal requiring a Hosseini-led nonprofit to sell the smaller lots at cost to essential workers like teachers and veterans, a move proponents argue provides critical attainable housing despite residents’ concerns about density and transparency.
Flagler County Clears 1st State Hurdle to Acquire 153 Acres of Summertown for Conservation, Valued at $4.4 Million
A state environmental panel approved adding 153 acres of the Summertown development to the Florida Forever project list, making Flagler County eligible for conservation funding to purchase the land. While the developer is a willing seller, funding is not guaranteed, and tensions remain over a potential conservation easement if the purchase fails before the two-year deadline.
Flagler County and City Near Deal to Avoid Annexation Lawsuit But for Last-Minute Conservation Demand on Developer
Flagler County and Flagler Beach have resolved most disputes regarding the Summertown and Veranda Bay annexations, likely averting a lawsuit. While infrastructure and utility issues are settled, a new conflict emerged over 153 acres of preservation land. The developer accused the county of an “outright taking” after officials demanded development restrictions, though arbitration remains a potential solution.
80-Year-Old Man Struck and Killed as Wife Backs Out SUV at Their Grand Haven Home
James McCutcheon, 80, was killed Friday morning after being struck by the SUV his wife was backing out of a driveway on Shinnecock Drive in Grand Haven. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the county’s first pedestrian fatality of 2026.
Parental Rights or Parental Property? The Looming Threat to Florida’s Minors
Florida is tightening control over youth autonomy through legislation requiring parental consent for essential medical care and state-mandated censorship of university curricula. By replacing sociology with sanitized history and restricting academic freedom, officials aim to shield students from diverse ideas. These efforts to blinker the next generation often backfire, as students naturally resist censorship and seek out forbidden knowledge.
More Sound and Fury than Substance in Flagler Beach Commissioner Belhumeur’s Election-Eve Attack on City Manager
Flagler Beach Commissioner Rick Belhumeur and his son Benjamin blindsided City Manager Dale Martin with a litany of anonymous allegations during a tense commission meeting. The claims, ranging from procurement fraud to hiring improprieties, were dismissed by fellow commissioners as decontextualized “minutiae.” With an election looming, the maneuver appears to be a calculated political stunt rather than substantive administrative oversight.
Palm Coast Splash Pad Suit Settlements Reach $2.375 Million, but City Still Faces Over $1.2 Million Loss
Palm Coast has reached a settlement with the final contractors involved in the shoddily constructed Holland Park splash pad. While total recoveries reach $2.375 million, the city remains over $1 million in the red due to rebuilding costs and legal fees. The City Council is expected to ratify the agreement on Tuesday, officially ending the four-year litigation.
Irwin Connelly, Environmental Champion, Former Public Defender and Flagler Beach City Attorney, Dies at 80
Irwin Connelly, a former Flagler Beach city attorney, public defender, and ardent environmentalist, died Wednesday at 80. Connelly was instrumental in protecting local conservation lands, including Bulow Creek State Park. A lover of Irish heritage and literature, he dedicated his retirement to literacy volunteering. He is survived by his wife, Brynn Newton, and son, Padraic Connelly.
Former School Board Member Trevor Tucker Enters Race Against Christy Chong in Rematch
Former Flagler County School Board member Trevor Tucker has filed to run for his old District 4 seat, challenging incumbent Christy Chong. Citing a lack of board cohesion and a desire for rational governance, Tucker admits he underestimated the need to campaign in 2022. He plans a more robust effort this election cycle to address district dysfunction.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies De-escalate Standoff After Manic Man Reaches for Replica Gun
Flagler County deputies on Monday successfully de-escalated a volatile encounter with a frantic man wielding a realistic-looking pepper ball gun, extending the agency’s 13-year record without a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident followed days of delusional 911 calls by the suspect, who was safely detained for a mental health evaluation despite resisting arrest and attempting to flee.
Concrete Batch Plant Company Again Seeks Hargrove Grade Rezoning Amid Traffic and Water Questions
Hard Rock Materials returns to the Palm Coast Planning Board seeking to rezone 10.5 acres on Hargrove Grade for a concrete batch plant. City staff is recommending approval, but inconsistencies or questions persist regarding traffic safety and discrepancies in water usage data. Opponents fear heavy industrial zoning could set a precedent for pollution and further industrial sprawl near the existing park, even though Hargrove Grade is Palm Coast’s industrial zone.
502 Houses and Apartments, Shopping Center and Assisted Living Off Seminole Woods Boulevard Win Board’s Nod
Despite unanimous objections from neighbors regarding traffic and community character, the Flagler County Planning Board recommended approving the Seminole Woods Mixed Use planned development on 119 acres near Grand Landings. It would include 502 residential units and significant commercial space. Residents fear incompatible density and environmental loss. The planning board found the plan consistent with regulatory requirements, moving it to the County Commission for approval.
Survey Season: Palm Coast, Flagler County and Tourism Office Launch Simultaneous Resident Polls
Palm Coast, Flagler County, and the Tourism Development Office are simultaneously soliciting public feedback through three distinct surveys. The City and County are mailing invitations to assess resident satisfaction with government services and quality of life, while the tourism office seeks immediate online input for a ten-year sustainability master plan. The efforts aim to align future government priorities with community values.
Stark Appeal Bares Human Cost Behind Flagler County’s Pending Elimination of Adult Day Care Program
Putting a human face on a potentially devastating and looming budget cut, Palm Coast resident Stephen De Garmo, 82, urged the Flagler County Commission to preserve its threatened adult day care program, a vital resource for his wife, Rene, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. The commission chair was sympathetic and noted potential nonprofit alternatives. But the program faces elimination due to its dearth of clients and anticipated revenue shortfalls from proposed state property tax changes.
County Testily Approves $550,000 Hammock Harbour Settlement, Clearing the Way for 204-Boat Storage Facility
Flagler County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a $550,000 settlement with Hammock Harbour, ending a six-year legal dispute and allowing a 204-boat storage facility on Scenic A1A. Despite strong opposition from Hammock residents and reluctance from commissioners, the agreement invalidates special exception requirements and grants the developer building credits to avoid a potentially costlier jury verdict.
Golf Cart Charging Sparks Fire That Destroys Garage But Spares Flagler Beach Home
A Monday afternoon fire at a Flagler Beach home, caused by a charging golf cart, destroyed the garage and two vehicles but spared the living quarters. Fire Chief Stephen Cox credited a closed fire-rated door for containing the blaze. The homeowner was treated for smoke inhalation, and authorities warned of growing hazards associated with golf cart batteries.
Percy Sayles Resigns as Flagler County’s Deputy Administrator Amid Toxic Dynamic Between Petito and Commission
Flagler County Deputy Administrator Percy Sayles has resigned after just three months, citing a sense that it was time to step down. His departure, announced by Administrator Heidi Petito on Monday, shocked commissioners but highlighted the ongoing toxic relationship between the administration and the board, and within the administration. The move leaves Petito isolated as the commission continues to seek new leadership.
Breaking: Sheriff Staly, Who Runs Flagler County’s Jail, Will Continue to Run Flagler County’s Jail
The Flagler County Commission unanimously designated Sheriff Rick Staly as the official correctional officer this evening, a move formalizing existing operations to comply with state law. The county maintains the physical facility, but Staly oversees daily operations. The ordinance includes no salary increase for Staly.
Future 1,160-acre Bulow Creek Headwaters County Park Would Be Almost as Large as Princess Place
Flagler County is planning the Bulow Creek Headwaters Regional Park, a 1,300-acre preserve featuring trails, a kayak launch, and wetlands protection. While design plans are finalizing, construction costs require phasing and grant funding, pushing completion to the early 2030s. Planners emphasize passive recreation and minimal environmental impact, utilizing existing paths and elevated boardwalks to protect the wildlife corridor.
Palm Coast Parkway and Side Streets to Undergo $6.6 Million Nighttime Resurfacing Over 4 Months
Starting in May, Palm Coast Parkway will undergo a $6.6 million resurfacing project spanning 120 nights from the Hammock Dunes Bridge to U.S. 1. A council member questioned the cost and necessity of tackling the side streets or the entirety of the parkway, but engineers argued the preemptive work is critical to prevent road failure. The project includes side street improvements but excludes Belle Terre Parkway (between the two sides of Palm Coast Parkway) to manage the budget.
Palm Coast E-bike Rider Killed in Evening Collision on Palm Coast Parkway
A 69-year-old Palm Coast man died Friday evening after his e-bike collided with a sedan at Palm Coast Parkway and Diandra Drive. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the rider failed to yield the right of way.
Settlement Calls for Flagler County to Pay Developer $550,000 and Clear the Way for 204-Boat Storage Facility in Hammock
Flagler County has reached a $550,000 settlement with Hammock Harbour,ending a federal lawsuit and a Bert J. Harris Act claim–should the County Commission ratify it on Monday. The agreement pays $400,000 in cash and $150,000 in fee credits while approving the developer’s site plan and allowing construction of a 203-boat dry-storage facility on State Road A1A without the previously required special exception or further public review.
Flagler Beach Approves Conflict-Resolution Window to Stave Off County Litigation Over Summertown Annexation
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved a timeline extension to facilitate negotiations with Flagler County, aiming to avoid litigation over the Summertown development’s annexation. Disputes center on a recycled-water commitment, floodplains, and traffic impacts. The county initiated the formal conflict-resolution process. Both sides are optimistic that negotiations will make litigation unnecessary.
Nonprofit Veteran Sheila Pillath to Lead Flagler Beach Historical Museum
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum has named Sheila Pillath as its new executive director, effective February 1. Pillath, who previously held senior leadership roles at the Community Foundation & United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties and the YMCA, brings extensive experience in fundraising and grant management. She succeeds interim director Cindy Dalecki to lead the museum’s community impact and sustainability efforts.
At Forum, Scott Spradley Cruises as Rick Belhumeur and R.J. Santore Battle for Flagler Beach Commission Seat
Incumbents Scott Spradley and Rick Belhumeur faced challenger R.J. Santore at a Flagler Beach City Commission forum at the Woman’s Club Tuesday. Spradley’s reelection appears all but certain, leaving Belhumeur and Santore to battle for the second seat. The candidates clashed over annexation policies and the soaring costs of a new sewer plant and had general agreement on the city’s critical infrastructure needs. They also reflected three distinctive personalities and styles.
Flagler Beach Man Facing Felony Charges for Soliciting 14-Year-Old on Snapchat
Cameron James Terry, 23, of Flagler Beach, faces felony charges for soliciting a child and unlawful use of a communication device. Terry allegedly admitted to sending graphic, sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat after meeting her through an online poker game.
170-Acre Wildfire Off US1 and Old Dixie Prompts Brief Evacuations But No Structures Lost as Blaze Is 50% Contained
A controlled burn escaped on Wednesday, growing into a 170-acre wildfire near U.S. 1 in Flagler County. The fire forced the evacuation of a dozen homes before crews achieved 50% containment overnight. While light rain aided suppression efforts and allowed residents to return home, fire officials remain on high alert. High winds and Florida’s unique vegetation pose ongoing risks, and residents are urged to remain cautious as mop-up operations continue today.
Palm Coast Approves Food Truck Expansion and New Dining Hub But Missing Fee Schedule Draws Rebuke
Palm Coast City Council accepted a $55,000 donation from the Town Center Community Development District to build an outdoor dining area at The Stage. Simultaneously, officials passed an ordinance loosening food truck regulations to allow broader operations in commercial zones. The ordinance will continue to be amended, and the absence of a fee schedule drew a sharp rebuke from Council member Theresa Pontieri.
Judge Sets Nov. 16 Trial Date in Allete’s Lawsuit Against Palm Coast Over Town Center Utilities
Circuit Judge Sandra Upchurch has scheduled a two-week trial for November 16 regarding a lawsuit filed by Palm Coast Holdings against the city. The developer alleges that utility service uncertainties caused significant land sale losses. While the city defends its capacity and infrastructure investments, the court will hear motions to dismiss and amended complaints this March.
Expansion to 71 Homes Reignites Decades-Old Conflict Over ICI Homes’ Easthampton Development
The Palm Coast City Council narrowly approved the first reading of a proposal to expand an ICI Homes development from 57 to 71 units in Cypress Knoll, west of Easthampton Boulevard and south of Eric Drive. The 3-2 decision reopens a 2012 legal settlement despite strong neighborhood opposition. Final approval is conditional on the developer maintaining larger lot sizes and providing clear public benefits to the surrounding community.
Judge Rejects Defense Witness Testimony on Victim Credibility Ahead of Henriqson Trial on Capital Rape Charges
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols denied Kristopher Henriqson’s request for a sixty-day trial delay, though she remains open to a postponement if he secures a medical expert. Henriqson, representing himself against capital charges, seeks to prove a discredited theory regarding physical evidence. The court also ruled that defense witnesses cannot offer opinions on the victim’s truthfulness, citing strict evidentiary rules, a further blow to Henriqson’s defense. He goes on trial on capital rape charges next week.
Fatal Crash West of Bunnell Claims Life of 44-Year-Old Daytona North Woman
Melani N. Stodola, a resident of Walnut Avenue in Daytona North–not far from the scene of the crash–was driving her blue 2009 Honda sedan when she crashed into a vehicle described as a “sod-cutter” in 911 dispatch notes, at 8067 state Road 100 West late Monday morning.
Mental Health Issues May Have Played a Role as Details Emerge in Flagler Beach U-Haul Standoff
The woman at the center of a standoff involving a U-Haul truck in Flagler Beach Monday may have been experiencing a mental health episode and delusional issues, according to details of her arrest that emerged today. May Ling Ip “called 911 and made numerous statements indicating emotional instability and possible delusional thinking,” according to a sheriff’s report. The trigger of the incident on reports of the Ip’s suspicious behavior, especially after her initial interactions with a deputy, doesn’t appear to have been unreasonable.
Defiant Ex-Flagler Paramedic James Melady Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Calling Rape Conviction ‘Malicious’
Former Flagler County paramedic James Melady was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2021 sexual battery of an incapacitated patient. Melady remained unrepentant, labeling his conviction a threat to the paramedic profession. The victim, who discovered the assault years later through video evidence, detailed the devastating trauma that followed, including a miscarriage and mental health relapse. Despite clear evidence of the victim’s helplessness, the jury’s verdict on a lesser charge limited Melady’s maximum sentence.