The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday will set in motion the legal mechanism—through amended ordinances—to resolve an ongoing conflict with the Supervisor of Elections over past and future elections, but Supervisor Weeks says that may not be sufficient if charter requirements are not met.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Inaugural Flagler Film Festival Draws Mixed Crowds and Promise Over 3 Days in Palm Coast
The first Flagler Film festival was held at the Hilton Garden Inn from Friday through Sunday, packing dozens of screenings of films from around the world and ending with an award ceremony late Sunday evening, and the promise of a second festival next year.
Suspected New Year’s Day Burglar in Palm Coast’s W-Section Is Arrested, Staking Targets
Frank Debisceglie, 28, a resident of 6 Warren Place in Palm Coast, was sentenced just last July to three years’ probation for dealing in stolen property. He’d been allegedly staking homes to burglarize not far from his own home when he was arrested Wednesday and charged in connection with a Jan. 1 burglary.
In a Victory for Flagler, Senate Measure Restoring Local Authority to Regulate Vacation Rentals Moves Ahead, With Long Way to Go
The proposal has a long way to go. It hasn’t yet been heard in the House, and must still clear several committees in the Senate before it reaches the Senate floor—if it does. It can die along the way. But Sen. John Thrasher’s backing is no small momentum, nor is Thursday’s 8-0 committee vote, including five Republicans and three Democrats.
Superintendent Search Committee Signs Off on Applicant Pool Criteria, But Questions Speed
The 40-odd questions aim to provide as objective a set of criteria as possible to weed through the pile of superintendent applicants and reduce it to a short list of four to six names that will be passed on to the school board as recommendations.
Again Breaking a Pledge, Children’s Advocacy Center Sets Ultimatum On Rape-Crisis Intervention as Top Cops Scramble
The Children Advocacy Center’s promise in July to provide rape-crisis exams to adults in Flagler and Volusia counties turned out to be relatively hollow, and was followed by an ultimatum that the CAC would get out of the business altogether by June, triggering a furiously critical response from State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Sheriff Manfre and other local top cops.
Long-Time Sheriff’s PIO Debbie Johnson Fired as Part of Continuing Restructuring
Manfre said the changes continue to reflect the modernization of the agency and its restructuring from eight years under the previous sheriff that Manfre has not shied from criticizing, from a managerial and law enforcement perspective.
Commissioner’s Latest Move to Replace Bunnell Police With Sheriff May Be Stillborn
For the third time in five years, Bunnell City Commissioner Elbert Tucker wants the city to consider letting the Flagler County Sheriff’s office provide policing services to Bunnell, but this latest effort is facing stiff resistance even before being officially floated before commissioners.
Preparing For the Next Hurricane: Flagler Firefighters Join Statewide Rescue Exercises
A seven-member team from Flagler County Fire Rescue is taking part today in statewide disaster-preparation exercises in Palm Beach County, honing skills that could be used locally or whenever a disaster strikes in the state, and a statewide response calls on Flagler to offer assistance.
Board May Forego Buying Out Superintendent Valentine’s Contract, Saving her $18,000
School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin is recommending that the board not buy out the $75,000 and six months remaining on Superintendent Janet Valentine’s contract, since the board would owe her benefits through July, and Assistant Superintendent Jacob Oliva is running the district with no plans of having the permanent position filled until July 1.