House Rep. Paul Renner and Sen. Travis Hutson, who represent Flagler in Tallahassee, are holding their annual legislative meeting for Flagler governments and residents on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. in Bunnell.
Flagler County Commission
Protesters Gather at Bing’s Landing, But Captain’s BBQ Owner Willing To ‘Hit the Drawing Board Again’
The hastily-arranged protest outside Bing’s Landing Sunday drew between two and three dozen people looking to challenge Flagler County government’s new lease with Captain’s BBQ.
Ambition and Pledges of Openness Frame Swearings-In at County Commission and Palm Coast Council
Joe Mullins was sworn-in as a county commissioner and Donald O’Brien elected chairman while Jack Howell and Eddie Branquinho took their seats on the Palm Coast council today.
Divided County Commission Approves Captain’s BBQ Lease That Will Reshape Bing’s Landing
The vote followed more than three hours from 41 people, almost split between supporters and opponents of a lease that would reshape Bing’s Landing.
Entering Hotel Business, Flagler Government Dedicates 3 ‘Cottages’ at Princess Place
For Tourism and Science
The three cottages will be rented out to tourists and to environmental researchers for $125 to $150 a night, with 10 more planned for the River-to-Sea Preserve next year.
How Flagler County Is Readying to Upend Bing’s Landing Park to Benefit Private Restaurant–and Political Donors
Flagler County government will allow Captain’s BBQ to build a larger restaurant in the middle of Bing’s Landing, at its own expense but with large subsidies from the county.
ASPCA in Flagler Shows Lurid World of Animal Cruelty and Its Kin to Domestic Violence and Other Crimes
The ASPCA, the Flagler Humane Society and other local agencies hosted a two-day training conference in Bunnell for cops and animal control officers from around the state to improve animal-abuse prosecutions.
Palm Coast and County Resolve Sour Development Conflict, Signaling Falgout’s More Cooperative ‘Playbook’
The Airport Commons development opposite the future Wawa had led Palm Coast to threaten to sue the county, until the city’s Beau Falgout replaced Jim Landon. Then it became all about resolving issues.
In Flagler Commemoration of Veterans Day, Memories of Armistice Day and Vietnam
Hal Kushner, a physician who spent five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and Joe Kowalsky, who won this year’s Veteran of the Year Award, highlighted Flagler’s Veterans Day ceremony.
Patricia P. Sullivan, Former Chairwoman of Flagler Republican Party, Dies at 78
Patricia P. Sullivan, a former chairwoman of the Flagler County Republican Party married 52 years to Flagler County Commissioner Dave Sullivan, died Thursday at home following a long illness.
Hansen, Mullins Win County Commission, Howell and Branquinho Win Palm Coast, McDonald Re-Elected to School Board
The races for Flagler County Commission and Palm Coast council were not close in a mid-term election that saw turnout rise to an astounding 64 percent.
Buying Their Election: Mullins and Hansen Shatter Spending Records for Flagler County Commission Seats
The nearly $200,000 Joe Mullins and Greg Hansen have spent so far puts them on pace to match or outspend all 26 other county commission candidates in the past three years combined.
“Interference In the County’s Elections”? Not So Fast: How 2 Illegal Political Signs Seeded a Phony Controversy
A pair of political campaign signs planted and then unearthed from in front of a Publix and a SunTrust bank branch in the Hammock kicked off two police investigations, but the controversy is largely made up by a candidate with a history of such tactics.
Judge Clears Way For Local Governments to Challenge State Ban on Stricter Gun Restrictions
Some 30 local Florida governments are challenging a state law that forbids cities and counties from passing stricter gun regulations than the state allows.
New Cell Tower Near Plantation Bay Grows from 199 to 320 Feet in Deal With Volusia
The new tower is one of six–three of them exceeding 300 feet–Flagler County government is building to modernize its emergency communications system, on which all local governments and cities depend.
Jane Gentile-Youd, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Jane Gentile-Youd is an independent candidate for Flagler County Commission, District , challenging Joe Mullins in the Nov. 6 election. All registered Flagler County voters may cast a ballot in the race regardless of address or party affiliation.
Dennis McDonald, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Dennis McDonald is an independent candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 2, challenging Greg Hansenin the Nov. 6 election. All registered Flagler County voters may cast a ballot in the race regardless of address or party affiliation.
Validating Mold Fears, CDC Points to ‘Water Intrusion’ And Calls For Look Behind Walls at Sheriff’s Operations Center
An interim CDC report on the sheriff’s possibly sick operations center appears to vindicates fears that mold may be growing behind walls and within the building’s “envelope.”
Shopping Center Eyed Across From Matanzas High School as County and City Play Nice
The shopping center on Matanzas Woods, the first, would serve the north end of Palm Coast and I-95 traffic, but is still in its earliest planning stages.
Mysterious Black Powder at Government Services Building Causes Evacuation of Office
A mysterious black powder that fell out of a mail item in a code enforcement office at the Government Services Building caused that particular area of the building to be evacuated and a hazmat team to be called in.
Flagler County ‘Re-Hires’ Deputy Administrator Sally Sherman, Who Never Left: She Cost $99,000 in 7 Months as a ‘Consultant’
Sally Sherman “retired” and returned the next day with a $12,500 raise as a “consultant” so she could skirt the law requiring retirees to stay out of Flagler government work for half a year.
Flagler Ready to Pay $1 Million To Fix Sheriff’s Building? Bogus Claim, County Says
County Commission Candidate Dennis McDonald says Commissioner Dave Sullivan told him it would take $1 million to fix the Operations Center, a claim Sullivan says is false.
County Commission Candidate Dennis McDonald Must Pay $59,000 as Court Dismisses His Appeal
County Commission Candidate Dennis McDonald’s appeal of an order to pay $59,000 in attorneys’ fees was dismissed because he didn’t follow court rules. The order is related to a frivolous suit McDonald had filed against ex-Commissioner George Hanns.
Pay Disparity: Many Flagler Government Employees Paid Less While Several “All Stars” Are Overpaid
A salary study found pay disparities between Flagler government and other governments, but also within Flagler government, where an “all stars” system is rewarding some employees far more than others.
Crashed Hydrant in Bunnell Cuts Off Water Citywide, Shutting Down Courthouse
A car crash against a hydrant caused the water pressure to fall and shut down service citywide in Bunnell in late morning. It was not expected to be restored until 5 p.m.
Flagler Commissioner Donald O’Brien Named to Florida Association of Counties’ Board of Directors
O’Brien has forged an independent path on the commission, focusing on strict financial oversight. The statewide Florida Association of Counties advocates and lobbies on behalf of Florida’s 67 counties.
Sheriff Asks For Semi-Permanent Solution Away From Comatose Building As Issue May Linger Up To a Year
In a workshop initially mean to to hear the latest analysis of previous air testing, Sheriff Staly asked county government to work out a semi-permanent solution to his staff’s evacuation from the troubled Operations Center.
Greg Hansen, Trevor Tucker, Joe Mullins Win, Janet McDonald , Fischer, Tipton and Branquinho in Runoffs
County Commissioner Greg Hansen and School Board member Trevor Tucker are headed to comfortable victories, and newcomer Joe Mullins is well ahead of Commissioner Nate McLaughlin.
Tax Notices Mailed to Property Owners Point to Mostly Modest Increases
Property owners started receiving their tax notices in the mail last week. the numbers are not as dire as feared or as they seem, particularly when a tax bill is looked at whole rather than in its various parts.
Joe Mullins, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Joe Mullins is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 4. He is challenging incumbent Nate McLaughlin. Only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in this race.
Nate McLaughlin, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Nate McLaughlin is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 4. Only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in this primary race on Aug. 28.
Abby Romaine, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Abby Romaine is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 2. She is challenging incumbent Greg Hansen. Only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in this race.
Greg Hansen, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Greg Hansen is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 2, and the incumbent. Only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in this primary race on Aug. 28.
Sheriff Says If It’s Up To Him, ‘I Will Be Advocating That We Never Reoccupy The Operations Center’
Sheriff Rick Staly made the startling statement in response to Commission Chairman Greg Hansen saying the decision to reoccupy will be left entirely up to Staly. But Hansen was speaking out of turn.
Once Reviled, Bunnell Bypass’ New Direction Gets Eager Support as Economic Engine
The Flagler County Commission approved an application for an $8 million grant that would build a bypass around south Bunnell, seen as an economic development engine.
Sheriff Lashes Into County Administrator Over “Disregard” of Security Protocols in
Operations Center
Sheriff Rick Staly is blaming County Administrator Craig Coffey for potentially jeopardizing the sheriff’s crime-fighting by improperly sending cleaning crews through secured areas of the evacuated Operations Center.
Flagler Approves $227,500 in Tourism Spending, Including $150,000 for Marina
The grants were part of the annual county tourism bureau’s funding round and are designed to enhance tourism and the visitor count in the county.
County Employee Faces Termination After Accessing Judges’ Secure Area To Complain About His Case
Gerald Pikaard, a 61-year-old trades worker, used his county-issued ID badge to access the chambers of County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens and her assistant to complain about his DUI case’s disposition.
After Noting Many “Deficiencies” In Flagler’s Public Transportation System, State Ordered 2 Buses Off the Roads
Last November state inspectors noted 45 “deficiencies” in Flagler County’s public transportation system, and last week ordered two buses off the roads because safety problems had not been addressed.
County Eyes Slightly Higher Property Tax Rate; It Would Be Offset Some By Lower School Rate
The average homeowner would see a $50 increase in county taxes next year, but also a small decrease in school taxes, which would keep overall tax bills increasing at a little more than the rate of inflation.
In Straw Poll at Chamber’s Candidate Hobnob, a Mix of Incumbent and Insurgent Successes
Incumbents have clear leads in County Commission races, newcomers John Tipton and Jack Howell posted strong showings in Palm Coast races, and school board races have mixed messages.
Flagler Government Begins Long-Awaited Drainage Project in MalaCompra Basin
The project will ease flooding on the northern barrier island and prevent untreated stormwater and septic tank effluent from making its way into the Intracoastal Waterway.
Price For Sheriff’s New Palm Coast Precinct Property Drops, But Renovation Costs Soar
The county paid $832,500 for the property, $42,500 less than projected, but it will pay $230,000 to renovate, up from the $100,000 initially projected.
Combative Statements and Threats of Litigation Belie Claim of Unity Meeting on Sheriff’s Operations Center
A Flagler County Commission workshop on results of air testing at the Sheriff’s Operations Center was tense and combating as sheriff’s employees questioned the county’s sincerity.
Doubt and Mistrust From Sheriff’s Employees Against County’s ‘All Clear’ on Operations Center
Sheriff’s employees are neither ready nor willing to return to the potentially sick operations center: a report on the building’s air still doesn’t explain why 27 employees developed problems.
Issuing Report, County Says Sheriff’s Building “Deemed Safe To Occupy,” But Sheriff Raises Questions
A much-anticipated report on the air quality of the evacuate Sheriff’s Operations Center concludes that the building has no mold problem but questions remain, not least from the sheriff.
Nat Reed, Adviser to Governors and Presidents Who Left His Imprint on Flagler’s Environment, Dies
Nat Reed, who died at 84, co-founded 1,000 Friends of Florida. His stewardship led to Flagler’s progressive comprehensive plan and greenway and environmental successes.
Flagler Government Will Crack Down On Mobile Campaign Billboards And Other Signs
Flagler County commissioners will approve new rules next Monday regulating or banning campaign-sign-blaring vehicles and campaign signs from county properties.
County Commissioners Again Can’t Agree On How Much To Raise Next Year’s Taxes
For the third straight budget workshop, Flagler County Commissioners have been unable to agree on what property tax rate to set for next year and what to cut to get there.
In Big Win For Flagler Beach, U.S. Army Corps Awards $17.5 Million, Reviving Dunes Project
The unexpected infusion of $17.5 million into Flagler’s beach-rebuilding projects revives a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan that appeared dead in 2017.