Gray areas of uncertainty, anxiety, subjectivity and a gaping lack of state direction are shading the new regime of serial book challenges and book bans in the Flagler school district as the state Department of Education has yet to issue directions on library holdings.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
At Waterfront Park, a Favorite Trailhead Will Soon Become Accessible By Boat, Or Launch Them
Palm Coast officials and others today ceremonially broke ground on a two-phase, $1.8 million expansion of Waterfront Park, starting with a $1.3 million boat and kayak launch that will provide direct water access from the park for the first time when it opens next summer.
Shirley Chisholm Trail, Marking Giant National Legacy, Is Dedicated Along Palm Coast’s Pine Lakes Parkway
The Shirley Chisholm Trail, the work of the Democratic Women’s Club of Flagler County, connects Chisholm’s retirement years in Palm Coast to her historic achievements as the first Black member of Congress and the first woman to run for president from a major party, among many firsts. She died in 2005.
Critical Medical Examiner Choice for Flagler’s District Down to Chief of Palm Beach Office and One of Her Assistants
Dr. Wendolyn Sneed is the Chief medical Examiner for District 15 in Florida, which covers all of Palm Beach County. She is also Dr. Catherine Miller’s boss. Miller is an associate medical examiner. On December 6, Sneed and Miller will be vying for the same job: Chief medical Examiner for District 23, which covers Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties, and is one of the least visible, most consequential jobs in the criminal justice system.
Matanzas High School Is the Target of a Bomb Threat, Deemed a Hoax
Matanzas High School was the target of a phoned-in bomb threat early this afternoon. The threat was deemed not credible by the school administration and little police response was necessary.
City Repertory Theatre Presents Festive Revue for Launch of Flagler County Cultural Council
City Repertory Theatre, a Palm Coast community theater troupe, will present “A Holiday Treat: A Special Night of Story and Song” as a fundraiser for the Flagler County Cultural Council, which in October was designated the county’s official local arts agency.
Accused of Killing His Grandfather, Luke Ingram Now Faces 1st Degree Murder and Rape Charges
Luke Ingram, 19, previously charged with second degree murder in the death of his grandfather, Darwin Ingram, at the Ingrams’ Palm Coast home, now faces a capital felony for the killing, exposing him to the death penalty, and a charge of rape, a life felony.
Robert Batie, 59, Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Patient, 16
Rober Batie, the 59-year-old counselor arrested last year on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old patient he’d groomed over weeks of therapy at a private practice in Palm Coast, was sentenced to 17 years in prison today, followed by 13 years on probation.
$2.89 Gas in Volusia, $3.49 in Flagler as Prices Continue to Fall and Oil Companies Reap Record Profits
The difference in gas price locally could be startling, with a 60-cent-per-gallon gap between prices at Buc-ees and at gas stations in Palm Coast, or a $9 difference for a 15-gallon fill-up. Meanwhile, oil and gas companies’ windfall for the year may reach $4 trillion.
Appeals Court Upholds School Board Speech Rules in Defeat for Moms for Liberty, For Now
A federal appeals court has rejected an attempt by a chapter of the conservative group Moms for Liberty to block restrictions that the Brevard County School Board placed on public participation at board meetings. The Brevard rules are almost identical to those of the Flagler County School Boards, which had been at the center of controversy two summers ago.
Florida Voters Are Willing to Save Environmental Lands. Politicians? Not So Much.
In Florida, our politicians are constantly promising more tax cuts. Yet these voters opted to tax themselves more. And they did it because they wanted to save some greenery in an ever-increasing sea of gray asphalt. Politicians aren’t getting the message.
39th Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade Prepares for Its Biggest Yet Dec. 3
The Dec. 3 Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade, one of the community’s most highly anticipated events, is now in its 39th year. Palm Coasters have enjoyed this unique annual celebration for two generations.
Health Harms of Mass Shootings Are Rippling Across Communities
A growing body of research reveals that the negative effects of mass shootings spread much farther than previously understood, harming the health of local residents who were not touched directly by the violence. Mental health experts say the recognition should prompt authorities to direct more attention and resources toward preventing such events — and helping a broader group of people after they occur.
Authorities Investigating Hit-and-Run Death of Pedestrian Woman on U.S. 1
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are investigating what may be a hit and run or the unexplained death of a pedestrian woman found dead in a ditch near Plantation Bay, off of U.S. 1, this morning.
Isaiah White, 21, Arrested for Arson, Is Wanted in Alabama for Murder and Carjacking
Isaiah White, who had faced charges of arson and destroying evidence after setting a car on fire in palm Coast, was wanted in the murder of Carl Miserendino, 35, on New Year’s Day in 2021, whose car White had stolen in Alabama, then destroyed.
Florida Park Drive Reopens to Through Traffic After 5-Month Closure for Sewer Repair
Florida Park Drive has re-opened to through traffic as of Wednesday afternoon, November 23, 2022. The intersection of Florida Park Drive and Farraday Lane was closed in late June due to a Utility project.
As Hurricane Season Ends, Sort of, an Unfond Look Back at Ian and Nicole, and a Special Committee
Rep. Paul Renner set up a special committee to study lessons learned from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, and Kevin Guthrie, director of state emergency management, says a second cone of probability should be added to the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts, this one focusing on storm surge.
Sheriff’s Office Seeking Public’s Help in Case of Video Voyeur at Publix Bathroom in the Hammock
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who took video of a patron at Publix as the patron was using the bathroom there on Nov. 18.
Local Scout Troops Open Inaugural Christmas Tree Lot in Palm Coast
Parents and scouts from Boy Scout Troop 281 and Scouts BSA Troop 4281 have set up a massive Christmas tree operation at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive North in Palm Coast. Trees start at $80.
3-2 Splits Resume as New School Board Members Are Seated and Massaro Is Elected Chair
The school board’s swearing in and reorganization meeting began on a note of unity but quickly turned to muted contention in a pair of telling 3-2 votes that renew the same split the board has contended with for the past several years.
Pennington and Hansen Are Sworn-In Today as County Commission Bids Joe Mullins Beggarly Farewell
After her trouncing victories over ex-Commissioner Joe Mullins and Independent Jane Gentile-Youd, Leann Pennington today will become only the third woman ever to serve on the Flagler County Commission, and the first Republican woman to do so. Some of the commissioners gave Mullins a send-off more triumphal than the public’s.
Mosquito-Spraying Boundaries Expand to West Palm Coast and Plantation Bay, Adding New Tax on Bills
Thousands of Flagler County residents and businesses will be paying a new tax to combat mosquitos starting next October. The Flagler County Commission Monday evening unanimously approved the expansion of the East Flagler Mosquito Control District to all of Plantation Bay at the south end of the county and to a 5,000-acre sliver running north-south, west of U.S. 1, mostly in Palm Coast, including the rapidly-growing Sawmill Creek subdivision.
Flagler Beach Raises Water, Sewer, Garbage and Stormwater Costs $12 a Month for Average Household
A divided Flagler Beach City Commission voted 3-2 to raise the cost of all city-provided utilities–water, sewer and garbage–by 8.5 percent, to match inflation, and the stormwater fee by 42 percent.
Connor Anderson, 30, Fires 6 Rounds at Patrons at Smiles Bar Before Running Out. No One Hurt.
Connor Patrick Anderson, 30, of Palm Coast, faces a dozen charges after allegedly firing off a dozen shots inside Smiles bar after an earlier fight at the bowling alley and getting angry with his girlfriend over not having his truck’s keys.
Jury Finds Randy Alexandre, 23, Guilty of Attempted Manslaughter, a Lesser Charge, in 2021 Shooting
A jury found Randy Alexandre, one of three men involved in a shooting into the house where a pregnant woman was living in January 2021, guilty of attempted manslaughter and shooting into a building. He faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on Feb. 8.
Flagler County Democrats’ Only Way Forward: Become Republican
Contrary to media interpretations, Democrats underperformed woefully nationally, and in Flagler County they were again all but wiped out. To survive locally they have two choices: either run their candidates as Republicans (and support other moderate Republicans), or keep dying at the polls.
Willie Gardner, 28, Faces 4 Counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty in Case of Wounded, Neglected Pit Bulls
Willie Gardner, of Palm Coast, faces four felony charges of animal abuse. The six dogs, all pitbulls, all showed signs of abuse and neglect when authorities surveyed the scene at 508 South Railroad Street in Bunnell. They’d been left all chained in the backyard of the abandoned property.
Former Flagler Tax Collector Suzette K. Pellicer Dies at 75
Former Flagler County Tax Collector Dale Brown hired Pellicer in November 1965. She was elected to the position herself in 1980 and took office in 1981. She held the position through 2004 when she decided against running for reelection.
Withering Criticism of Flagler Beach City Manager Divides City Commission Over Claims of Toxicity
Flagler Beach City Manager William Whitson got hit with yet another storm Thursday evening, this time from waves of witheringly critical residents, business owners and some members of his own commission who spoke of low morale, poor communications, lack of urgency on some projects, a “toxic work environment” and an instance of Whitson hanging up on a resident who was reporting a flooding issue. The criticism inevitably spread to commissioners by association.
No, There Is No Security Issue at Indian Trails Middle School
Flagler County school officials and the Sheriff’s Office this morning have been scrambling to dispel false alarms of an impending shooting that started within Indian Trails Middle School and quickly spread among parents on social media.
FPC’s Cameron Driggers and Roymara Louissaint Win MedNexus Innovation Challenge With Sleep App
Emerging out of a field of 25 teams, Flagler Palm Coast High School seniors Cameron Driggers and Roymara Louissaint won the second annual MedNexus Innovation Challenge Wednesday, and $1,000 each, by developing an experiment-based idea that uses technology against itself in an effort to reduce teens’ sleep deprivation.
World-Renowned Pianist Michael Rickman Performs Bach, Beethoven and Schumann Nov. 20 in Ormond Beach
Michael Rickman, who has performed in London, Paris and Carnegie Hall in New York City, will be in concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, 1035 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, performing Beethoven’s “Appassionata” and Schumann’s Carnaval.
What About Flagler Beach’s One Hold-Out Against Dune Fix? County Says December Deadline Will Be Met.
Almost three years after Flagler County sought property owners’ permission to start a dune rebuilding project on 2.6 miles of beach in Flagler Beach, and despite more recent ravages to the shore, one property owner is still holding out, but County Attorney Al Hadeed stresses that her permission will be secured by December 31 and the Corps project will be on by June.
Marco Rubio and Rick Scott Reject Protecting Gay Marriage as Key Step Clears Senate; Waltz Had Voted Yes
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 62 to 37 to move ahead with a historic bill that would give federal protection to same-sex mariage, with 12 Republican senators joining Democrats to overcome the 60-vote threshold for a filibuster. Both of Florida’s Republican senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, voted against the measure.
$1.8 Million Waterfront Park Construction Begins, Closing Some Access Points
Detours go in effect at Palm Coast’s popular Waterfront park on Thursday (Nov. 17), closing some access points, as a two-phase, $1.8 million construction project to enhance various parts of the park begins.
State Emergency Management Chief Kevin Guthrie Calls for ‘Holistic’ Re-Engineering of Florida Coast
Speaking at Flagler Tiger Bay Club, Kevin Guthrie, the state emergency management director, never used the words “climate change,” but nevertheless addressed needed changes in how Florida manages and re-engineers its coastline in words that would intrigue even Greenpeace activists.
Arrested Over School-Shooting Threats, ITMS 6th Grader Had Secured Gloves and Was Looking for a Gun
A 12-year-old student at Indian Trails Middle School was arrested over making threats to carry out a shooting at the school, after messages on Snapchat were detected. She had allegedly convinced her parents to get her a pair of gloves and was looking to obtain a firearm.
Patricidal Richard Dunn Is Allowed Out of Psychiatric Hospital and Back to Halfway House
Richard Dunn, the former Palm Coast resident found not guilty by reason of insanity in the gruesome killing of his elderly father in 2006, will be allowed out of a state psychiatric hospital and back to the Daytona Beach halfway house where he lived for several years before he started acting bizarrely again a year ago.
Celebrate America at Agricultural Museum Saturday with Music and Handshakes
Freedom Fest, the fly-in at Flagler County airport, is being postponed to March 23, but a replacement event for Nov. 19, called Celebrate America, will be held that day with all the same vendors, bands and ceremonies as a salute to Veterans, at the Florida Agricultural Museum on Old Kings Road.
Palm Coast Sues Holland Park’s Splash Pad Contractors as Losses Reach $1.4 Million and Rising
The Palm Coast City Council today cleared the way for a civil lawsuit against several contractors involved in the construction of the splash pad at Holland Park that opened only for a few months before it shut down. The splash pad went from a $6.28 million crown jewel in the city’s park system to a an embarrassing and costly boondoggle, with estimated losses and repair costs so far of $1.4 million.
Harborside Tower Proposal Postponed as Developer Hints at More Compromise
The Palm Coast City Council this morning agreed to postpone consideration of a controversial rezoning application that would result in the addition of 483 apartments and housing units near Palm Coast Resort’s 72-unit apartment tower.
State Transportation Department to Flagler Beach: Simply Rebuilding A1A Again Won’t Do
John Tyler, the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 5 secretary, told a special meeting of the Flagler Beach City Commission this evening that simply rebuilding A1A until the next storm won’t achieve a different result: it’ll be demolished again. DOT is creating a task force to devise a more durable solution, with all options on the table, including sea walls and moving A1A.
Flagler Beach City Election Already Shaping Into Most Contested In 19 Years, Signaling Disquiet
At least five, possibly six, candidates are running for the March 7 Flagler Beach City Commission election, including two incumbents. The number of candidates may be a reflection of unsettled times in Flagler Beach, with recent embarrassments still fresh and mounting challenges ahead.
A1A Reopens 4 Days After Nicole Shut It Down as 600 Truckloads Dump 11,000 Cubic Yards of Sand
State Road A1A reopened to traffic in both directions Saturday evening just four days after Hurricane Nicole made the road impassable, and after two contractors worked frenetically to repair 4.8 miles of road in three segments between Flagler and Volusia counties.
Devastation on Flagler’s Coastline: Houses and Roadbeds Hanging on Sand Cliffs, Vanished Dunes, Yards Turned Beach
Flagler County generally survived Tropical Storm Nicole well. The coastline did not. Out of sight, it has been devastated even more than by Hurricane Ian, with houses left teetering on cliffs of sand, A1A’s roadbed left defenseless for most of its length, a dune system now entirely vanished the length of the county, and coastal residents left wondering why officials are not reacting. A documentation of the damage in photographs and video.
Nicole’s Damage to A1A ‘Much Worse’ Than Matthew, Over Longer Stretch; Parts of Flagler Beach Flood
An assessment of Tropical Storm Nicole’s damage of the shoreline from the north end of the county to South 25th Street in Flagler Beach left county officials disheartened at the flooding and the recurring destruction of State Road A1A, which is severe in many places and may require the road to be closed for weeks or months at least in one direction.
Nicole Lashes at Flagler’s Coast, Severely Damaging Parts of A1A as Officials Advise to ‘Hunker Down Today’
The 500-mile-wide Nicole made landfall as a hurricane near Vero Beach around 3 a.m. Thursday, battering Florida’s east coast with damaging waves that have wrecked parts of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, while swathing parts of the state in tropical storm conditions.
Luke Ingram, 19, Charged In Murder of Grandfather and Assault of Father and Cops in Clermont Ct. Incident
Luke Ingram, a 19-year-old resident of Dunwoody, Ga., was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his grandfather, Darwin Larry Ingram, 85, at 34 Clermont Court early this morning.
Tropical Storm Nicole Took a Toll Along A1A Wednesday, With ‘Devastating’ Beach Impacts Still Ahead
The center of Tropical Storm Nicole was about 300 miles southeast of Flagler Beach in mid-afternoon today, but the vastness of its strength and impacts was apparent up and down Flagler County’s coast, with most pronounced damages to dunes south of the Flagler Beach pier and toward the Flagler-Volusia County line.
Leann Pennington, Theresa Pontieri, Will Furry and Cathy Heighter Win, Half-Cent Tax Passes, Amendments Fail
For Flagler County and Palm Coast, it is an election of new faces: four races, four newcomers to elected office: Leann Pennington won a seat on the County Commission, Theresa Pontieri and Cathy Heighter won seats to the Palm Coast City Council, and Will Furry won a Flagler County School Board seat.