Bo Jeremiah Sirrine, 23, and Tonda Royal, 55, once shared a cell at the Flagler County jail. They also shared a predilection for underage girls and were both charged with raping girls–a 13 year old, in Sirrine’s case, a 16 year old, in Royal’s case. Sirrine walked out of the Flagler jail a free man weeks ago. Royal is serving 12 years in state prison.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
An Unhappy Ending for Employee of Star Massage on Palm Coast Parkway
An undercover deputy was offered more than a massage when he went to Star Massage, where the Sheriff’s Office had been getting “multiple reports of alleged prostitution at the business” on Palm Coast Parkway.
Candidate Drops Out of Mayoral Race, Creates a Ballot Problem and ‘Endorses’ Lowe: ‘He’s Sorry for Hating America’
Kevin Cichowski’s brief candidacy for the special July 27 election for Palm Coast mayor ended today as oddly as it began a week or so ago–with cryptic statements, a back-handed endorsement of candidate Alan Lowe, and the proposal for an “active shooter system” in the schools.
As Reorganization Takes Shape, Indian Trails’ Peacock and Rymfire’s Moore Shift to School District Office
Rymfire’s LaShakia Moore and Indian Trails’ Paul Peacock are taking executive roles at the district office. Their replacements have not been named. That search has just begun and will include input from teachers, staff, and parents.
Testily, Palm Coast Council Appears to Favor Doing Its Own Search for New Manager, Foregoing Consultants
The Palm Coast City Council appears uninterested in hiring a search firm to conduct its impending search for a new city manager, its second in three years, opting for some form of process conducted by the administration and the council, and possibly including council members fronting their own choices.
Man Due for Sentencing on Child Porn Charges Shoots and Kills Himself in the Parking Lot at the Flagler County Courthouse
A man shot and killed himself in the parking lot of the Flagler County courthouse this morning around 10 a.m. Little else is known of the incident for the moment, other than that the man had contacted authorities a few minutes earlier and apparently warned of his imminent action.
Palm Coast Man, 53, Faces Felony Charge for Threatening to Kill Ex-Restaurant Boss’ Son
Moretto, 53, was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of written threats to “conduct an act of terrorism” after allegedly threatening his former employer that he would kill the employer’s son.
7 Qualify for Palm Coast Mayor Race as Commissioner Criticizes $188,000 Election Cost to Taxpayers
The special election for mayor to replace Milissa Holland will cost $188,000, according to an itemized bill from the Supervisor of Elections. Five Republicans and two Democrats qualified to run in the July 27 election. The qualifying window closed Monday at noon.
Flagler Administrator Jerry Cameron Ends Tenure, Interim Salinas and New Fire Chief Mike Tucker Start July 7
Flagler County Interim Administrator Jerry Cameron will end his tenure at the end of the month and be replaced by Interim Jorge Salinas, as the county commission is uninterested in a search for a new administrator, while new Fire Chief Mike Tucker will take over on July 7, but not before an interim fire chief–Palm Coast’s Bradd Clark–serves at the county until then.
From Drag Queens to Sister Bunny Juju, Throngs Exult in Pride, Joy and Freedom at Flagler’s 2nd Annual LGBTQ Festival
Saturday’s Flagler Pride Festival and its crowds, which by 9 p.m. had totaled between 600 and 800 people, put the lie to the county’s presumed homogeneity: Palm Coast, a city started in the late 1960s as an integrated, post-racial subdivision, is still more diverse than perhaps assumed, and if anything growing more so.
Volunteers: The Flagler Health Department’s Secret Weapon in an Epic Covid Fight
From the heady days of frantic covid testing to the headier days of vaccination drives at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, the county airport and elsewhere, a corps of over 100 volunteers have assisted the Flagler Health Department and county emergency services in pulling off an epic feat of safety and coordination. Here are the stories of three of them: Judy Mazzella, Moya Thompson, and Dr. Stephen Playe, as told by Gretchen Smith.
A Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Is Hospitalized After Two Inmates Violently Assault Him Over a Koran at the Jail
A Flagler County Sheriff’s corrections deputy was hospitalized Friday afternoon after being assaulted and beaten by two inmates at the Flagler County jail, after attempting to search the Koran one of the two inmates was carrying. The inmate wouldn’t let him search it.
Keith Johansen’s Defense Wants to Keep Out Evidence of His Racist and Sadistic Threats Before Shooting Death of Wife Brandi Celenza
The defense for Palm Coast’s Keith Johansen, 36, facing a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of his wife Brandi Celenza in 2018, wants to keep out of his trial surveillance video that shows him repeatedly threatening, insulting and demeaning Celenza, using racist, misogynistic and homophobic language. Today, the defense lost a bid to keep out hours of Johansen’s interviews with detectives.
Here’s Palm Coast’s Full ‘Difficult Citizens’ List, Its Origins, and the Kind of Offenses that Landed People On It
The full and controversial “Difficult Citizen List” Palm Coast government has kept since 2016 is revealed, along with its history: the city set up a task force on employee safety in 2015, resulting in guidelines for employees on how to deal with difficult customers. The list, kept largely secret, was one of the results. The city council is rethinking its approach.
Reilly Opelka Falls to No. 2 Medvedev in 3rd Round of French Open
Reilly Opelka is a huge server. But Friday he ran into one of the best serve returners on the planet in Daniil Medvedev, and the result was a straight-sets win for the Russian, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Interim Palm Coast Manager Denise Bevan Signs Contract as Morton, Tenure Over, Vows to Exit Government Sector
Bevan will be paid the equivalent of $161,400 a year, plus a $400 monthly car allowance, health and other benefits. Her starting day as interim was Wednesday, the day Matt Morton exited City Hall and, according to him, government service for good.
14-Year-Old Girl Wounded in Firefight With Deputies in Volusia Was the Arsonist in Palm Coast’s B-Section in April
Nicole Jackson Maldonado, the 14-year-old girl charged in April for setting a half dozen brush fires in Palm Coast’s B Section, burglarized a home with another boy in Deltona, the two armed themselves with an AK-47, shotguns and pistols, and started firing at deputies until the girl was hit multiple times.
After Blaming Workers for Staying Home, Waste Pro Pledges to do Better, and Pay Better, in Palm Coast
Waste Pro issued its latest service-improvement plan to Palm Coast government after fines the city levies for poor service against the company increased for six successive months and the government threatened last week to end its $9 million contract with the waste hauler.
‘We are it. We’re the Ones That Lived Through This’: Matanzas and FPC Graduates Triumph Again
It was back to graduating in person and tacking stock of a year of absences, losses and sorrows, but also of resilience and triumphs as 1,036 FPC and Matanzas High school students held their graduation ceremonies at the Ocean Center in Daytona Wednesday.
Covid Almost Down, Hurricane Season Up: Flagler Emergency Chief Jonathan Lord Reassures: ‘We’re On the Ball’
In briefing previewing the hurricane season, Jonathan Lord detailed how Flagler County, fresh from winding down its covid emergency, is ramping up preparations for hurricane or tropical storm emergencies and urging against complacency–or too much attention to statistical probabilities, which mean nothing if that one storm hits.
Reilly Opelka, Seeded for 1st Time in Grand Slam, Reaches 3rd Round at French Open
Opelka powered his way into the third round Wednesday in Paris, overcoming a tough Jaume Munar in four sets. Until this year, the former Palm Coast resident had never won a match at Roland Garros.
Florida Faces Dire Shortages of Restaurant Workers: ‘They Don’t Think We Are Worth the Money’
A survey from the National Restaurant Association in mid-May found that staffing levels at restaurants are below the industry standard, “with 84% of operators saying their current staffing level is lower than it was in the absence of Covid-19.”
She Flees a Cop at a Traffic Stop, Crashes Into a Concrete FPL Pole, then Attempts Escape Through Hospital Ceiling
Tyler Anne Price, a 20-year-old resident of John Anderson Highway in Flagler Beach, faces eight charges, three of them felonies, including fleeing and eluding a cop, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted escape.
Palm Coast Appoints Denise Bevan Interim City Manager, Ending Matt Morton’s Tenure
The Palm Coast City Council this evening ended City Manager Matt Morton’s tenure, waiving his 30-day notice, and appointed Denise Bevan, a chief of staff, to the interim position.
Palm Coast Council Abolishes Secret and One-Sided ‘Difficult Citizens List’ Kept Since 2016
The list cited allegedly “difficult” residents by name, usually listed their addresses, and at times included their pictures. The list included four entries this year and 33 entries going back to the first in March 2016.
Candidates from the Obscure to the Expected Piling Up to Run for Palm Coast Mayor in Winner-Takes-All Election
The qualifying window for the special election for Palm Coast mayor doesn’t close until next Monday. But eight candidates have already filed to run. Six candidates are Republicans, two are Democrats. It’s a non-partisan election, but only ostensibly so. Three of the candidates are Realtors.
Days After Betraying His Country, Rep. Waltz Dares Address Gold Star Families at Palm Coast’s Memorial Ceremony
If Rep. Mike Waltz wanted to thank the Gold Star families, what about the families of Officer Brian Sicknick and all of the other officers harmed the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection? To Waltz and every other Republican out there who voted against a commission to examine the insurrection, your actions clearly state that their lives do not matter, writes Kathleen Brady.
County Administrator Jerry Cameron as Palm Coast Interim Manager? City Enfevered With Contingency Scenarios.
The speculation about Cameron is fueling the feverish politicized atmosphere in Palm Coast, an unbridgeable rift on the council, rampant apprehension within city staff ranks, and the manipulative hands of elected officials on and off the council, all in the context of a special election for mayor in less than two months and the government’s budget season starting even sooner.
Flagler County Considering Michael Tucker, a Former Florida and Southeast Fire Chief of the Year, as Fire Chief
Michael Tucker, 53, has principally been superintendent at Florida State Fire College for the past five years. He’d maintained roles as a consultant for the Oregon-based International Association of Fire Chiefs and as an adjunct instructor at Lake Sumpter State College over several years.
14-Year-Old FPC Student Faces Felony Charge After Threatening to Shoot a Girl
A 14-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student, a boy, was arrested and faces a second-degree felony charge of written threats to kill after allegedly threatening to shoot a fellow-student after she’d contacted him and argued with him by Snapchat on Wednesday.
Gov. DeSantis Names Fidelia Roster of Palm Coast to State Board of Nursing
Gov. Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of eight Floridians to the 13-member state Board of Nursing, including Fidelia Roster of Palm Coast.
Jury Finds Benjamin Allen Not Guilty in Shooting Death of Elijah Rizvan, Reigniting Questions About “The Lying Three”
After deliberating just under two and a half hours today, the all-white jury of four women and two men found Benjamin Allen not guilty of the murder by gunshot of 17-year-old Elijah Rizvan two years ago on a W-Section street during a drug deal.
A Petition Sparks Flagler Beach Consideration of Better Beach Access for the Disabled
Responding to a social media petition organized by a disabled resident, the Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday said it was interested in exploring easier and clearer disabled access to the beach.
Benjamin Allen Sobs, ‘It’s Pointless,’ as Jury Watches His Interview Before His Arrest for Murder
In the last day of trial before closing arguments, the jury watched a 56-minute interview between Benjamin Allen, who is accused of murder, and detectives, in the presence of his parents. He maintained his innocence, and broke down once the handcuffs were on.
Company Buys Derelict Country Hearth Inn on Old Dixie Highway, Pays Off Fines and Pledges Rehabilitation
Two months after Flagler County government took unusual steps to demolish the long-disused and derelict Country Hearth Inn on Old Dixie Highway, a new owner closed on the 8.6-acre property and on May 24 paid off tens of thousands of dollars in health department and code enforcement fines plus back taxes.
A City in Turmoil: Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton Resigns
The resignation leaves the city in the hands of two newly appointed chiefs of staff, Lauren Johnston and Denise Bevan. But it is not entirely surprising: Morton was essentially a Holland protege, and without her on the council, he’d lost his support’s cornerstone.
A Day of Testimony Unravels Three Witnesses’ Fleeing and Eluding Questions in Benjamin Allen Murder Trial
The three witnesses who were in the car with Benjamin Allen the evening Elijah Rizvan was shot and killed testified today in Allen’s trial on a first-degree murder charge, revealing to what extent they each lied and eluded both detectives’ questions then and attorneys’ questions today.
Palm Coast Man, 44, Is Killed in Motorcycle Crash on I-95 North of Old Dixie Highway
A 44-year-old Palm Coast man was killed in a collision with an SUV this morning on I-95 as he rode his motorcycle two miles north of the intersection with Old Dixie Highway.
Palm Coast Warns Waste Pro It May End Its Contract in 7 Days Over ‘Severe’ and ‘Unacceptable’ Deficiencies
Losing patience after repeated service failures by Waste Pro, Palm Coast government today declared the garbage hauler in breach of contract and began looking for other haulers while giving Waste Pro seven days to fix current problems.
Benjamin Allen’s Lawyers Drill Holes in His Accusers’ Stories, Sowing Grave Doubts About Who Killed Elijah Rizvan
The prosecution in the trial of Benjamin Allen, 18, who is accused of murdering Elijah Rizvan in Palm Coast’s W-Section in 2019, had a bad day Tuesday as its witnesses proved more helpful to the defense, undermining the claim that Allen was the shooter.
Joe Mullins Responds to Lawsuit’s Claims of Fraud and Breach of Contract With List of Denials
Responding through his attorney, Joe Mullins denies the allegations of a $2.4 million lawsuit and moves for a partial dismissal. The motion argues that the claim fails to state a fraud claim or that RICO was violated.
Jury Seated in Trial of Benjamin Allen, Now 18, in 1st-Degree Murder of Elijah Rizvan in W-Section 2 Years Ago
Benjamin Allen was 16 when he was accused of shooting dead Elijah Rizvan outside a house in the W Section in July 2019. He is being tried as an adult and faces life in prison if convicted. An all-white jury was empaneled today.
Palm Coast Man, 55, Accused of Propositioning a Woman then Stabbing her and Her Boyfriend When She Said No
Rene Laso, 55, of Palm Coast, faces two felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing a woman and her boyfriend when she refused money and sexual advances.
After Holland
The resignation of Milissa Holland and the coming special election for mayor puts Palm Coast at a forking path between the course Holland set and a more radical change in a different direction. The two views seem to be represented by Alan Lowe and David Alfin, the leading contenders for the seat.
Half of Flagler County’s Population Is Vaccinated, But Only 31% Are Younger Than 65
If the 15,000 or so people who are younger than 15 are excluded, the proportion with vaccines in those between 15 and 65 rises to 38 percent in Flagler–still less than half the proportion considered in the range of herd or community immunity.
Rays of Promise: Boston Whaler Marks Reopening of Boating Plant, Projecting 400 Jobs and Orders Into 2023
Brunswick Corp. and Boston Whaler executives today formally reopened the former Sea Ray plant that shut down three years ago, projecting to ramp up over the next 12 to 24 months back to 400 jobs, and likely more beyond that: boat-buying is brisk and demand for Boston Whaler is back-ordered well into 2023, the executives say, ensuring the stability of the plant for years to come.
Flagler Unemployment Flat at 5.3% But Floridians Become a Bit More Optimistic
Flatness was the order of the month in April in Flagler County: The unemployment rate didn’t budget from 5.3 percent-a zone where it’s hovered, with bare ticks up and down, for eight months. The number of people on the unemployment rolls barely changed (2,519), so did the number of people with jobs (45,194).
Man Enraged By Motorcyclist’s Speed in P-Section Is Arrested on Charge of Attacking Him
William Markert, 69, got into a physical fight with a 21-year-old motorcyclist on a P-Section street after flagging him down over his speed. He was booked at the county jail and faces a misdemeanor battery charge.
Projecting 750 High-Wage Jobs, Council Approves 4-Story Hospital and Medical Building on Palm Coast Parkway
Wally de Aquino, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said he’s projecting an initial 400 to 450 jobs at the hospital initially, and up to 700 to 750 jobs when the medical office building is completed. The 100-bed, 155,000-square-foot, four-story AdventHealth hospital will go up on 11 acres along Palm Coast Parkway.
NOAA Predicts Up to 10 Hurricanes and 20 Named Storms as Flagler Emergency Chief Cautions Against Assumptions
For all the predictions, Flagler County Emergency Management Chief Jonathan Lord cautions that the numbers and forecasts may all be irrelevant, since a single storm can end up severely impacting the community in the quietest–or worst–season, making all else forgettable.