John Brady is a candidate for Palm Coast Mayor. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local News
Palm Coast Council Will Appoint a Replacement for Jack Howell and Set November Special Election
The Palm Coast City Council will appoint a replacement for Council member Jack Howell, who resigned last week, until voters in a special election held concurrently with the general election on Nov. 3 will elect a candidate for the remaining two years in Howell’s term.
Man Wanted For Carjacking at Palm Coast RaceTrac Arrested in Georgia for Home Invasion
Chad Langlois, a 40-year-old man with an unknown address, was arrested in southeast Georgia a day after he was charged with a carjacking in Palm Coast. He is being held without bond in more than half a dozen additional charges from a home invasion armed robbery in Georgia.
County Decisively Rejects Settlement With Captain’s BBQ, Refusing Special Favors and Low Rent
The proposal was almost bizarrely generous to Captain’s, providing for continued low rent decades, giving Captain’s first refusal rights on a pavilion on six national holidays, and committing the county to vast repairs and maintenance.
County Sells Long-Plagued Sheriff’s Building at $400,000 Loss, With Substantial Debt Remaining
The sale unloads a burdensome white elephant and political eyesore from the county’s inventory, if at a dear price, and preempts the need for the county to demolish the building and try to sell the property itself.
Explicitly Rejecting ‘Mandate,’ Flagler County Commission ‘Strongly Encourages’ Use of Masks Indoors
Last week Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell all approved mask mandates but without enforcement provisions. Commissioners rejected the use of the word, saying it would not be enforceable.
15,300 News Cases in Florida Exceed New York’s High; Flagler Sets New Record; Schools Prepare to Open
Flagler County set a single-week record of 104 cases with a positivity rate of 10 percent as Florida shattered all single-day records across the nation, yet the Flagler school district is preparing to resume in-person classes on Aug. 10, along with most districts across the state.
Schools, Do Not Play Russian Roulette with Our Lives
We should not reopen schools until the county where the district is located reports zero new Coronavirus cases for two weeks. That would be taking safety seriously, argues teacher and author Steven Singer. It shouldn’t be too much to ask because other countries have been able to do such things.
Settlement Generous to Captain’s BBQ Termed at ‘Impasse’ as it Heads to County Commission
The settlement is remarkably generous to Captain’s, and in key parts even more generous than the controversial 2018 lease amendment the county eventually killed under pressure from a public backlash.
Circuit Judge Rejects Challenge to Mask Mandate, Seeing No Constitutional Violation
A circuit judge Friday rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of a Leon County ordinance that requires people to wear face masks in businesses to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Felony Charges for Man Accused of Lurid Online Stalking and Impersonation of Ex
Cody Mitchell, 32, is accused of fabricating social media profiles involving his ex, his ex’s mother and his own daughter, resulting in unwanted visits, deliveries and other violations of the family’s privacy.
Flagler Beach and Bunnell Join Palm Coast in Requiring Masks, But Also Skirt Enforcement
All three governments’ resolutions passed unanimously, but all three expressly said they were not interested in a “mask police,” or having law enforcement involved in enforcing the requirement.
Palm Coast Council’s Blunt and Crusty Jack Howell Resigns, Citing Recurrence of Cancer
Jack Howell was elected two years ago. He said his resignation has nothing to do with anything other than his health. It will require the city to hold a special election in conjunction with the coming August and November contests.
120 Deaths In a Day, 8,930 New Infections as Florida Is Nation’s Covid Epicenter; Bed Capacity Under 6% in Flagler
Florida’s seven-day daily average of deaths, at 56, is the highest since the pandemic began in late February. AdventHealth Palm Coast had just one ICU bed available today and four non-ICU beds.
‘Little Old Flagler Beach’ No More as City Commission Plans on Stricter Public Meeting Rules
Though most lapses in civility have involved commissioners or staffers over the years, new rules proposed by new Commissioner Ken Bryan would significantly corral interactions between the public and commissioners and create a public no-go zone at commission meetings.
Sheriff Issues Desist Letter to Ex-COP Featuring Lynching Symbol and FCSO Patrol Car on Facebook
The man, whose Facebook page name is Scott van Ostran, was never a sheriff’s deputy, Sheriff Rick Staly said, but may have been a volunteer with the department’s C.O.P., or Citizens on Patrol, program several years ago.
A Unanimous Palm Coast Council Passes Mask Mandate, Building Pressure on Other Flagler Governments
The Palm Coast City Council this evening voted 5-0 to enact the first mask mandate of any government in Flagler County, describing it as an urgent necessity as coronavirus spike in the county and the state.
Flagler Department of Health Expands Covid-19 Testing to Six Sites
The new sites are drive-up or walk-up and do not require appointments or particular symptoms. They are compelled by an ongoing surge in coronavirus cases in Florida, and in Flagler County, where the number of cases has doubled since the state went to Phase 2 of reopening on June 5.
Flagler’s Covid Cases top 400, Two More at Long-Term Care Facilities; Palm Coast Eyes Mask Mandate Like New Smyrna Beach’s
Covid-19 cases in Flagler spiked in the last 24 hours by 18 cases, one of the largest-single-day spikes, as the Palm Coast City Council this evening considers a mask mandate, but it carries no penalties for violators.
28% of Flagler Parents Plan for Their Children to Attend Online Classes Only as State Orders Schools to Reopen
Flagler schools will offer two options: in-person instruction or online instruction through iFlagler. School prin cipals and faculty are contacting parents and students to find out what track they’re choosing.
Sheriff Staly Floats Compromise on Mandatory Masks, Minimizing Policing as 3 Cities Vote on Mandates This Week
Sheriff Rick Staly proposes using the powers of trespassing and code enforcement rather than policing to enforce mask-wearing as Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell prepare to vote on their mandates this week.
Flagler Beach Woman Faces Carjacking Charge Following Confrontation With Ex-Boyfriend
Kiana R. Grabowski, a 27-year-old resident of 2156 Flagler Avenue in Flagler Beach, faces a charge of carjacking with a deadly weapon and a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony, following a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend the night of July 1.
Florida Exceeds 200,000 Coronavirus Cases, Just 13 Days After Topping 100,000
Hitting 200,000 cases this weekend would have seemed unlikely — if not unthinkable — a month ago: On June 5, Florida totaled 61,488 cases, after adding another 1,305 positive results that day. Flagler had 195 cases by June 5, and now has double that.
Flagler Sets New Infection Record With 90 in a Week, Florida Sets New Single-Day Record With 11,458
Flagler’s total broke the previous record of 61 set at the end of April, with almost half the county’s cumulative total infections occurring since Phase 2 reopening. Palm Coast Mayor Holland still intends to pursue a mask mandate after administrative officials on Friday said they would not.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Varnes Faces Felony Stalking Charge Over Racist and Violent Threats in Bizarre Case
Dedorius Varnes, 28, a Flagler deputy on the job two and a half years, was arrested after an investigation revealed he’d allegedly made more than 50 intimidating and racist phone calls to a 67-year-old man, threatening to rob him and beat him up.
From Shooters to Saviors: How Flagler Deputies Shot an Armed Man, Then Saved Him From Suicide
A 15-minute video from deputies’ body cams provides a remarkably vivid, startling look at the officer-involved shooting in Daytona North that left 30-year-old Steven Barneski in serious condition after being hit by several bullets, and how he was stopped from taking his own life.
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and County Leaders Will Seek Mask Mandate as Covid Infections Keep Surging
As coronavirus infections continue to surge, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland, Flagler Beach Commission Chair Jane Mealy and County Commission Chair Dave Sullivan will be asking their respective governments to approve a mandatory mask mandate in coming days.
Sheriff’s Investigation Finds No Criminal Wrongdoing in Death of Inmate Anthony Fennick
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office concluded no criminal wrongdoing surrounded the death of former inmate Anthony Fennick in February 2019 shortly after he was rushed to AdventHealth Palm Coast, seizing and unresponsive, and after complaining of high fever and developing an allergic rash for several days before that.
3 Flagler Deputies Shoot White Man in Mondex in First Officer-Involved Shooting in 8 Years
Three Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies fired and wounded a man who was a passenger in a car during a traffic stop in the Mondex, or Daytona North, just before midnight Wednesday in the first officer-involved shooting in the county since December 2012.
Palm Coast Investigates Itself. The Result Is Not Impressive.
Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton brought in an investigator to investigate the city’s own internal investigations process and its handling of public records, some of them involving Milissa Holland and Coastal Cloud. The result excused several misjudgments.
Palm Coast Parent Faces Numerous Charges of Raping His Pre-Teen Children
Brian Scott Wirth, a 39-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section, faces three capital charges and two first degree felony charges of rape and is being held on $875,000 bond at the Flagler County jail.
Driver Strikes 4 Cars Then Dahlia Restaurant in Flagler Beach, But No Serious Injuries
A woman sustained minor injuries after striking four vehicles and crashing into the front of Dahlia Restaurant, the popular Mexican restaurant near Publix in Flagler Beach early this evening.
Flagler Beach Has No Plans to Close Beach Over July 4 Weekend, and Will Make Free Shuttle Buses Available
As several counties in South Florida close their beaches over Independence Day weekend, Flagler Beach will keep its beaches open and make free shuttle buses available for visitors, to alleviate traffic and parking on the island.
Princeton Village Resident Among 31 New Flagler Covid Cases in Last 3 Days; Florida Adds 6,000 Monday and 58 Deaths
Flagler County recorded 55 new cases last week and a total of 115 new cases since Phase 2 reopening began on June 5 as the surge of coronavirus cases across Florida reached Flagler.
In Major Coup for Palm Coast, UNF in Town Center Is a Go as MedNex Initiative Survives Veto
The University of North Florida’s plan to build a satellite presence in Palm Coast’s Town Center as a feeder of health care practitioners to regional hospitals and clinics is a go as the $24 million dollar MedNex initiative survived Gov. Ron DeSantis’s veto pen today.
Sanitized of Israeli Responsibility, Memorial to USS Liberty Victims Quietly Goes Up at Palm Coast’s Heroes Park
Three years after the Palm Coast City Council had rejected an earlier version, a new memorial plaque honoring the victims and survivors of Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty in 1967 was installed at Palm Coast’s Heroes Park, a few feet away from the Purple Heart Memorial.
Blaming Covid Spike on Young People and Bars, DeSantis Sends Mixed Messages on ‘Way Forward’
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday the state is “trying to figure out a way forward” for bars, nightclubs and craft breweries that are essentially having to shut down again because of “widespread non-compliance” with coronavirus guidelines.
Covid-19 Total Nears 10,000 in Florida; Half Of State’s 132,500 Cases Reported in Last 17 Days
The Florida Department of Health today reported 9,636 new Covid-19 cases as of Friday, again shattering a record, the last set only the day before, when just under 8,900 cases were reported. Flagler recorded 60 new cases in seven days.
Consequences of Florida’s Careless Reopening: 8,933 Cases in 1 Day; Surge Reaches Flagler With 50 Cases in 6 Days
The numbers are a grim reflection of the consequences of Florida’s rapid and largely haphazard and careless reopening of society and the economy since the end of April, and of dangerous complacency among residents.
Republican Leaders File Suit Challenging Leon County’s Mandatory Mask Rule
Calling it a “radical infringement” of constitutional rights, the head of the Republican Party in Leon County teamed with a conservative state representative Thursday to challenge a local ordinance requiring people to wear face coverings to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Behind Belle Terre Elementary Principal’s Resignation: Claims of Theft, Nepotism and Bullying
Details of the Flagler school district’s investigation into ex-Belle Terre Elementary Principal Terence Culver point to a series of incidents involving bullying, favoritism and irregular management of the PTA’s funds.
Swimmer Feared Drowned: “Oh My God, I Feel Terrible, I Think They’re Talking About Me.”
The swimmer who’s apparent disappearance triggered an 18-hour search Wednesday into this morning emerged today after reading accounts of the search and and explained how his disappearance may have been misconstrued.
Palm Coast Mayor Holland’s Virtual State of the City Address, With a Few Awards
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s State of the City Address is normally delivered at a special event–the last two have been delivered at the Palm Coast Community Center–but the ongoing coronavirus emergency turned this one virtual.
Starting Teacher Pay Will Be at Least $47,500 as DeSantis Signs $500 Million Education Boost
The budget will then set aside $400 million for school districts and charter schools to increase minimum salaries of full-time teachers and certified pre-kindergarten teachers and $100 million to raise the pay of veteran teachers, librarians and counselors.
Flagler’s Covid Numbers Spike by 26 in 4 Days Even as Testing Slows; Florida Sees Record 5,500 in 1 Day
After rising by 20 cases last week, the highest total since the end of May, Flagler County has recorded another 26 Covid-19 infections in the first four days of this week, while Florida cases continue to break records, turning the state into a leading national hot spot.
Palm Coast’s Ex-Human Resources Director Sues the City in Dispute Over Severance
Debbie Streichsbier, Palm Coast’s ex-human resources director, says she resigned. The city says she was fired. She’s suing over a claim of unpaid severance.
Palm Coast’s William R. Dalton, Combat Veteran Suffering of PTSD, Dies in Apparent Suicide
William Robert Dalton, a 29-year-old combat veteran and resident of Barrington Drive in Palm Coast, died of a self-inflicted gunshot Saturday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Flagler Fire Chief Don Petito on Leave Pending Investigation of ‘Discrimination and Retaliation’ Complaint
Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito has had a rocky relationship with County Administrator Jerry Cameron since Hurricane Dorian last year and is now embroiled in serious employment matters.
66-Year-Old Scientist Arrested on Charges of Drugging and Raping Runaway Juvenile Girls
George Arthur Proulx, 66, is accused of taking four girls ages 15 to 18, missing from Volusia County, to his Palm Coast house for sex after plying them with drugs. He was about to travel to Thailand when he was arrested.
A Candidate’s False Claims Against Mayor Holland Mix With Troubling Email Revelations
Michael Schottey, challenging Milissa Holland for Palm Coast Mayor, made false claims that the FDLE was conducting a criminal investigation but revealed two emails where she mixed city with private business.