Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre had nothing to do with a sadistic postcard-only mail policy at the Flagler County jail when he was targeted by an ACLU lawsuit charging First Amendment violations. A federal judge formalized the final settlement of that lawsuit on Thursday.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Nellie, 61, World’s Oldest Dolphin in Captivity, Dies at Marineland’s Dolphin Adventure
Nellie, the oldest Atlantic bottlenose dolphin in human care, was born at Marineland’s Dolphin Adventure in 1953 and exceeded her life expectation by at least three decades and making an impact in television and stadium shows before she died on Thursday.
Flagler Seeks, Flagler Wins: Bill Restoring Vacation-Rental Regulation Authority Passes House and Heads for Scott’s Desk
The Flagler County Commission has been leading the fight to overturn a 2011 state law prohibiting the regulation of short-term rentals. Thursday morning, the Florida Senate voted 37-2 to give back some home-rule authority to local governments. The House approved the measure 90-27 on Wednesday, sealing a major victory for Flagler County.
For 2nd Time in 6 Weeks, a Flagler Judge Declares Palm Coast’s Red-Light Camera System “Improper” and Issues Stern Order
After a hearing on red-light camera citations where Palm Coast was, inappropriately, a no-show, Flagler County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens on Wednesday ordered the city to show why it was circumventing the court’s authority by telling drivers they could settle their camera citations by directly paying the city rather than follow legally required steps–and pay fines–through the court system.
John Allan Waugaman, 53, of Palm Coast, Survives Suicide Attempt Off Flagler Beach Bridge
John Allan Waugaman, 53, of Marbella Court in Palm Coast jumped off the north side of the Flagler Beach Bridge early Monday morning but survived the suicide attempt as two men helped him to shore below.
Cyclist Janet Schutte, 77, Critical After a Collision With an SUV on Palm Coast’s White View Parkway
Janet Schutte, 77, a long-time resident of Wood Cedar Drive in Palm Coast, was struck by an SUV as she rode her bicycle on White View Parkway in Palm Coast early Tuesday morning, though she rode along the parkway’s well-marked bike paths.
Hunting Camp Rape Case: Charges Against 3 Men Dropped as Defense Denounces Prosecution’s “Lies”
13 months after the alleged incident, charges were dropped against Charles Cowart and Daniel and Frank Goggans for lack of evidence that they engaged in anything but consensual sex and partying with a woman they picked up in Flagler Beach. Defense attorney Marc Dwyer accused prosecutors of pursuing a case with scant evidence and shoddy tactics. Charges against a fourth man, Kurt Benjamin, may be dropped in May.
Pit Bull That Killed 3 Dogs Last Week Attacks a Cat, Then a Cop, Before Being Shot
David LaBrie Jr., a Palm Coast resident, is a two-tour veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a seven-year veteran of the Ormond Beach Police Department. His very brief encounter with a pit bull early this morning went less well than his tours, and ended with LaBrie sustaining several bites and the dog dead from two gunshots.
Wings Over Flagler Leader and Bunnell Director Arrested on Drunk Driving Charges Over the Weekend
Bill Mills, a lead organizer, with WNZF, of Wings Over Flagler since the event’s inception four years ago and its rejuvenation this past weekend, was arrested just before midnight on Friday night on the Flagler Beach Bridge. Mick Cuthbertson, Bunnell’s community development director, was arrested early Sunday morning after going against traffic on U.S. 1 and crashing into a car.
Wings Over Flagler: Rockin’ the Runways Edition Flies In For Weekend of Roars
Some 30 plans and a half dozen musical acts will highlight the revived and renamed Wings Over Flagler event at Flagler County Airport Friday and Saturday. The event wasn’t held last year, but a new partnership between WNZF, the county and Wings organizers ensured that returned this spring.