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Flagler

Flagler County Will Spend $250,000 to Fix Wadsworth Skate Park, Exploring Concrete Upgrade in Future

December 16, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

The skate park at Wadsworth Park near Flagler Beach is beloved by its users, but has been in need of some love from the county's repair shop. (© FlaglerLive)

The Flagler County Commission agreed today to spend up to $250,000 to repair and rebuild steel ramps at Wadsworth Skate Park near Flagler Beach in the coming year, while investigating a plan–but not a commitment–to rebuild the park with concrete ramps and possibly include a pump track for cyclists. But that $2 million plan would be more of a hope than a reality.

‘God Saved His Life So He Could Save the World,’ Randy Fine Says of Trump, Who Now ‘Needs My Help’

December 16, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 40 Comments

randy fine mike walz seat

Randy Fine, the Brevard County senator who declared a run for U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz’s seat in a special election, said he is running for Congress to help Donald Trump save the world, and that he would “wash bathrooms in the White House in order to make him be successful,” if that’s what it takes. Meanwhile, he continues to file ideologically incendiary bills in the Florida Legislature.

Ragga Surf Fiasco: How Flagler County Risked Losing River to Sea Preserve Over Botched Favor for a Private Business

December 15, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 44 Comments

ragga surf cafe preserve river to sea

Flagler County government and the town of Marineland have come close to losing their joint ownership of the 90-acre River to Sea Preserve, the public park, after the state’s land trust discovered that the county and the town were allowing the for-profit Ragga Surf Cafe to use the preserve for its operations since September without permission from the state and in violation of the county’s own rules and procedures. Here’s what happened.

Florida Supreme Court Calls for 50 Additional Circuit and County Judges, Including 2 in 7th Judicial Circuit

December 15, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

Courts around Florida are overworked and need more judges, the Supreme Court found. While the 7th Judicial Circuit, which includes Flagler County, was found to need some additional judges, Flagler County was not among divisions considered in need. (© FlaglerLive)

Pointing to a study of judicial workloads, the Florida Supreme Court this week recommended adding 50 judges across the state. Under the recommendation, the state would add 23 circuit judges, 25 county judges and two judges on the 6th District Court of Appeal. The 7th Judicial Circuit, which includes Flagler, Volusia, St. Johns and Putnam Counties, was found to need two additional circuit judges but no additional county judges.

Taco Is Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Therapy Dog

December 13, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

taco service dog flagler county fire rescue

There’s no better way for Flagler County Fire Rescue to embrace the holidays than with a pint-sized, er Taco-sized, therapy dog to be its ambassador for public outreach events – as well as to provide crucial comfort and support to those who need it most during traumatic events or circumstances.

Veranda Bay Annexation in Flagler Beach Tabled Until Next Year as City Mulls Threat of Lawsuit

December 12, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 14 Comments

Flagler Beach City Commission Chair Scott Spradley got no objections to tabling the Veranda Bay annexation until Jan. 23 next year. (© FlaglerLive)

At the suggestion of Scott Spradley, its chair, the Flagler Beach City Commission this evening voted unanimously to table the proposed annexation of Veranda Bay until next year so city officials have time to study the merits of what Spradley described as a threat to sue the city if annexation went ahead.

Threat of Lawsuit Over ‘Enclave’ Is New Snag on Eve of Flagler Beach Vote on Veranda Bay Annexation

December 11, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

Veranda Bay land is in Orange. The enclave is outlined in red, from a map sent to city officials today.

The lawyer representing opponents of the Veranda Bay annexation into Flagler Beach sent a letter today to city officials warning them that annexing would create an illegal enclave, implying that a lawsuit might follow. The City Commission was prepared to annex at its meeting Thursday evening. The letter could pause those plans.

Cody’s Corner Roundabout Now Open to Traffic as Flagler’s 3 Once-Deadliest Intersections Are Tamed

December 4, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 11 Comments

An aerial view of the new roundabout at Cody's Corner (© Daryl Hickman)

The $4.7 million roundabout at Cody’s Corner that started construction at the beginning of April is now open to traffic and is expected to significantly reduce fatal and grave crashes at what had been one of Flagler County’s three deadliest intersections. Cody’s Corner, named for a convenience store there, is the intersection of State Road 11 and County Road 304, 10 miles southwest of Bunnell.

County Favors State Aid for New Sheriff’s Station in Hammock, But Not for Animal Shelter or Library

December 3, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 13 Comments

Flagler County continues to hope for state aid to buiold What used to be called the Eco-Tourism Center, and is now called the Regional Trails and Conservation Center.

The Flagler County Commission wants the state to help it pay for a new Sheriff’s District Office on the barrier island, but not paired with a community center and branch library. It wants financial aid with its projected tourism center on State Road 100. And it wants aid with a drainage project and a new agricultural extension center. Commissioners are foregoing asking for state money for a countywide animal shelter, among other projects.

Gun-Shy County Delays Buying ‘Sensitive Lands’ Acres That Could Allow Expansion of Bull Creek Campground

December 3, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 8 Comments

The acreage Flagler County would buy with Environmentally Sensitive Land money is just to the east of Bull Creek Campground, and is largely pastureland. (Google Earth)

The Flagler County Commission was ready Monday to buy 28 acres of pastureland not far from its Bull Creek Campground near Dead Lake at the west end of the county, for $1.245 million. At the last minute County Administrator Heidi Petito, who knows firsthand the cost of acquiring potentially troublesome properties absent thorough vetting,  requested that the purchase be delayed.

Flagler County’s Shannon Fountain’s Photo Featured in 2025 State Calendar

December 2, 2024 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

Shannon Fountain's picture.

Flagler County will be featured in the Florida Association of Counties 2025 calendar “Stormy Skies” for the month of May with a stunning aerial image of Flagler Beach that was shot by photographer Shannon Fountain. It is the third year running that the county has been featured prominently in the calendar.

Fairness in Question as Flagler County Puts in Place ‘Tool’ to Tax Barrier Island for Beach Protection

December 2, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 43 Comments

In Flagler County, beach-maintenance and protection is a constant game of catch-up with an ever-eroding shoreline. (© FlaglerLive)

Flagler County’s Hammock residents applaud the county’s efforts to devise a permanent method to pay for the $8 million a year it needs to manage the county’s beaches against constant erosion. But today, those residents told the County Commission that the special taxing district the county is planning for the Hammock and other portions of the barrier island, but not Flagler Beach and not anywhere on the mainland, is unfair.

Randy Fine, One of Florida’s Most Bruising and Bellicose Lawmakers, Will Run for Mike Waltz’s Congressional Seat

November 27, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 16 Comments

randy fine mike walz seat

Randy Fine, whose latest financial disclosure report showed a net worth of $30.3 million, was an early Trump supporter in the GOP presidential primary and has unabashedly signaled his allegiance to Trump on social media. The only Jewish Republican legislator in Florida, Fine often has taken an openly combative approach to political opponents, an image he has embraced publicly. “Unafraid to say what needs to be said,” Fine’s X profile boasts.

Flagler Cares Invites You to Help Struggling Households Keep Their Lights On Over the Holidays

November 24, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 17 Comments

Flagler Cares, the social service non-profit marking its 10th anniversary, is marking the occasion with a fund-raiser to “Keep the Holiday Lights On” by encouraging people to sponsor one or more struggling household’s electric bill for a month over the Christmas season. Each sponsorship amounts to $100 donation, with every cent going toward payment of a local power bill.

Texas Board of Education Approves Curriculum Heavy on Christianity

November 23, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 8 Comments

texas christian curriculum

A majority of the Texas State Board of Education gave final approval Friday to a state-authored curriculum under intense scrutiny in recent months for its heavy inclusion of biblical teachings. Critics, which included religious studies scholars, say the curriculum’s lessons allude to Christianity more than any other religion, which they say could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion.

Richardson, Carney and Pennington Make History on County Commission, and Dance Is Acclaimed Chair Again

November 19, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 10 Comments

The commissioners sign their oath of office before Judge Melissa Distler. From left, Pam Richardson, Kim Carney and Andy Dance. Leann Pennington is behind the judge. (© FlaglerLive)

There was history this evening at the Flagler County Commission: Sworn-in on the silver spine of a Hebrew Bible, Kim Carney and Pam Richardson joined Leann Pennington, who was elected two years ago, to form the first majority-woman commission in the county’s 107-year history. There was also acclamation as Andy Dance was re-elected chair.

Developer of Disputed 204-Boat Storage Facility on Scenic A1A Must Apply for Special Exception, County Rules

November 19, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 14 Comments

hammock harbour

The Flagler County Commission Monday evening rejected a settlement agreement recommended by its own attorney to end the four-year-old dispute with a developer who wants to build a restaurant and 204-boat dry-storage facility in the Scenic A1A corridor. What would be called Hammock Harbor is a planned  dry-storage marina, or warehouse, as the developer himself had described it in an early building plan, and as its opponents still describe it. A lawsuit by the developer is likely.

Joe Mullins, Disgraced in Flagler County, Declares Run for Waltz’s Congressional Seat

November 18, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 49 Comments

Joe Mullins, often painful to hear, speaking at a public meeting in 2019. (© FlaglerLive)

Joe Mullins, the former Flagler County Commissioner disgraced out of office two years ago after recurring scandals and outrageous behavior, including belligerently trying to get out of a traffic stop by telling a cop that he ran Flagler County, announced on Friday that he will run for the congressional seat Rep. Mike Waltz is vacating to join Donald Trump’s cabinet as national security adviser.

Pilot Faces Eviction from County Airport After Emergency Landing Infringed on Director’s ‘Authority’

November 14, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 44 Comments

Roy Sieger, the airport director and a county employee, runs a successful operation, but his personality is sharp-edged. (© FlaglerLive)

Roy Sieger, director of Flagler County Executive Airport, is allegedly threatening to evict a pilot from the hangar he’s leasing there after the pilot made an emergency landing during Hurricane Milton, when the airport was closed. The pilot, who cites federal regulation in his defense, said he worried that Sieger’s anger would devolve into a physical altercation when Sieger confronted him soon after he landed.

A Mile-Long Veterans Day Parade of 1,000 Participants Unites Flagler’s Cities, County and Schools in Salute

November 11, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 8 Comments

The Veterans Day parade, initiated by Bunnell Police Chief Dave Brannon, stretched for a mile, from the old Bunnell City Hall to the grounds of the Government Services Building. (© FlaglerLive)

After a Veterans Day parade of more than 1,000 participants representing all cities, the county and the School Board, among others, ambled through Bunnell in a mile-long procession, hundreds of people gathered at the Government Services building for the day’s ceremonies, including a Veteran Day essay by middle schooler Mellissa Ryon, a keynote speech by Randall Stapleford, and musical performances.

Flagler and Gomorrah

November 8, 2024 | Pierre Tristam | 41 Comments

Two cheers for Flagler. (© FlaglerLive)

The outcome of local elections will affect us at least as much as anything that happens nationally. With that in mind it’s worth taking stock of our local political landscape post-apocalypse, because it’s a whole lot better than Gomorrah and, ironically, almost entirely Republican. 

Judge Declares Old Dixie Motel Owners in Contempt Over Continued Snubs, $1,000-a-Day Fines Loom

November 7, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 16 Comments

As dilapidated as ever: the Old Dixie motel as it stood today, without any signs of building activity. (© FlaglerLive)

After warning them that he would do so if they did not comply with his previous orders, Circuit Judge Chris France last week declared the owners of the Old Dixie Motel in contempt of court and warned of $1,000-a-dy fines starting on Nov. 15 if they do not comply with a pair of orders.

Flagler County’s New Ban on Homeless Sleeping in Public Ignores Allowance for Designating Safe Space

November 7, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 35 Comments

Just don't fall asleep. (© FlaglerLive)

Since Oct. 1 it has been illegal for the homeless to camp out or sleep on public grounds in Florida. The law authorizes counties to designate a local government property for use as a public camping or sleeping space for homeless individuals for up to a year–essentially, a safe, regulated space. On Monday, the Flagler County Commission approved on second reading an ordinance that ratifies the state law, but without designating a safe space for overnight stays, though such de-facto campgrounds are well known to local authorities.

Mike Norris Is Palm Coast’s New Mayor, Ty Miller and Ray Stevens Win Council, Debt Amendment Defeated

November 5, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 7 Comments

Mike Norris at the Palm Coast Community Center was pulling up stakes on his signs late this afternoon. (© FlaglerLive)

Mike Norris will be Palm Coast’s new mayor, winning his election, against Cornelia Manfre handily while Ty Miller defeated Jeff Sieb and Ray Stevens was poised to defeat Andrew Werner for the two other seats on the Palm Coast City Council, as early but all but insurmountable results were announced this evening.

As Flagler County Went Red, School Students Went Redder, But a Mock Election Takes a Turn for the ‘Divisive’

November 5, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 10 Comments

Elementary school students voting in Flagler schools last week. (Supervisor of Elections via Amy Ferrer)

Just eight years ago, the 6,500 students from Flagler County district and private schools gave Hillary Clinton a 1 percent edge over Donald Trump in that year’s election, conducted a few days before that election night, when Trump shocked country and world by taking the Midwest and the election. Since then, however, students in Flagler’s schools have turned Trump’s way more decisively–just as their parents have. 

Renner, on His Last Day, and Staly on His 2,497th, Break Ground on Florida Guard’s Training Facility in Bunnell

November 4, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 10 Comments

A Florida State Guard dog showing the groundbreakers how it's done this afternoon off Justice Lane. (Andy Dance)

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, who all but birthed the concept, and Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, joined with state and local officials this afternoon to break ground on the future $10 million Florida State Guard multi agency, regional training facility in Bunnell. The facility will serve the State Guard, which Gov. Ron DeSantis revived four years ago, but also all local police and fire agencies, and some regional law enforcement agencies as well in a more advanced training complex than they’ve known to date.

Chick-Fil-A Will Open Second Palm Coast Restaurant in BJ’s Wholesale Shopping Center

November 1, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 23 Comments

The Chick-fil-A on Palm Coast Parkway is getting company on the south side of the city. (© FlaglerLive)

Chick-fil-A, the popular restaurant chain that drew a small tent city of eager customers before it opened its first franchise in Palm Coast eight years ago, will be opening its second restaurant in the city in the BJ’s Wholesale shopping center, according to construction plans recently submitted to the city. City Manager Lauren Johnston dropped a hint about the restaurant in a presentation at a local chamber event earlier this week.

Daisy Henry Street Now Glides Through the Heart of Bunnell, Along Carver Gym Late Pastor Championed and Saved

November 1, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

It's Daisy henry's street now. (© FlaglerLive)

This morning, a stretch of four blocks of East Drain Street, along the gym’s ballfields on one side and family homes on the other, became Daisy Henry Street, so renamed for the former city commissioner and pastor by a city that wanted to “honor a legacy,” in the words of City Manager Alvin Jackson, and bolden Henry’s already distinguished mark on Bunnell’s history.

Noisy Planes at Low Altitude Will Spray Mosquitoes Swarming in Aftermath of Hurricane Milton Starting Nov. 2

October 31, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 31 Comments

One or two Beechcraft King Air turboprop planes will start spraying mosquitoes across most of Flagler County at very low altitude–just 300 feet–starting Nov. 2, to reduce the multiplying population of mosquitoes in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The spraying is paid for with state emergency funds and the planes are contracted through the state rather than through the East Flagler Mosquito Control District. 

Almost 60 Percent of Flagler County’s Registered Voters Have Cast a Ballot, 6th Highest Turnout in Florida

October 31, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 12 Comments

The early voting line at the Supervisor of Elections' office on Wednesday. (© FlaglerLive)

Turnout in the general election in Flagler County was approaching 60 percent Thursday, with two more days of early voting and Election Day next Tuesday, ahead of the pace of the 2020 election, which resulted in a turnout of 78.6 percent among registered voters. The supervisor of elections and local Democratic and Republican party leaders are describing a nearly issues-free election of historic proportion. 

At Chamber’s Future of Flagler Forum, Rousing Cheer for Years Ahead from City, County and School Leaders

October 30, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 7 Comments

It isn't often that Superintendent LaShakia Moore is upstaged at an event, as she was today by the pulsating Alvin Jackson, the Bunnel city manager, who had an audience of more than 100 on the edge of its seats. (© FlaglerLive)

The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce gave a crowd of over 100 people the chance to hear the state of Flagler County’s cities, county and school board in less than 60 minutes, presented in rapid, compelling, and at times rousing succession by men and women more knowledgeable, less vapid and generally more intelligent than the elected officials who hire them: city and county managers and the school superintendent. 

Flagler Government’s Former HR Manager Sues the County, Describing Hostile and Indifferent Environment

October 29, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 19 Comments

Samatha Whitfield speaking with Flagler County Sheriff's Cmdr. Jeff Stuart during a 2019 meeting, when Whitfield was employed by the Sheriff's Office. (© FlaglerLive)

Samatha Whitfield, the former human resources manager for Flagler County government, is suing the county in a whistleblower action, claiming she was terminated last summer in retaliation for reporting violations of rules and misconduct by one of her colleagues, to which the county administration responded with indifference.

Bunnell, Palm Coast and County Will Host Joint Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade Nov. 11

October 29, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

Commemorative bricks at Heroes Park in palm Coast. (© FlaglerLive)

The parade will travel east on Moody Boulevard and conclude at the Government Services Building where the traditional ceremony will begin. Retired U.S. Naval Captain James Randall “Randy” Stapleford – a career naval aviator who served from 1972 to 2003 – will be the grand marshal of the parade and will share a few words at the ceremony.

Two Flagler Beach Residents Prevail Over Veranda Bay’s Parent Company, Ending 5-Year-Old Defamation Suit

October 28, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 13 Comments

The meeting that cast shadows over the lives of several Flagler Beach residents or member of the group Preserve Flagler Beach and Bulow Creeek, after the parent company of the Veranda Bay development seized on some statements to sue for defamation. A judge has ruled against the company five years later. (© FlaglerLive)

Sunbelt Land Management, the company affiliated with the Veranda Bay development on John Anderson Highway, has lost a defamation suit the company filed in 2020 against Sallee Aernoff and Ken Bryan, two Flagler Beach residents who spoke up about its land-clearing practices. Circuit Judge Chris France, in a strong opinion in defense of expression on public issues free of intimidation, granted the two residents’ motion for summary judgment last week.

‘Significant Reservations’ About Approving 2,735 Homes at Veranda Bay as Development Advances on 4-1 Vote

October 23, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 11 Comments

The entrance to Veranda Bay off John Anderson Highway. (© FlaglerLive)

The Flagler Beach City Commission is slowly moving toward approval of annexing Veranda Bay, the 900-acre development along that could potentially double the population of the city, change its character as a small town and upend its political center of gravity. But commissioners are pushing back against the number of homes, which could be a deal-breaker. The developer has made several concessions and is continuing to negotiate, but the total number of homes has so far been a hard line.

In Flagler and Florida, Democrats Lose Vote-By-Mail Edge as Republicans Rally in Early Voting

October 23, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 39 Comments

Early voting has been brisk in Flagler County as in the rest of Florida, wiping out any advantage Democrats might have built in mailed-in ballots. Above, a scene at the Flagler County Public Library on Palm Coast Parkway, one of five early-voting sites for a fortnight. (© FlaglerLive)

After falling behind in voting by mail, Florida Republicans quickly moved ahead of Democrats in ballots cast in the November election on the strength of turning out to early voting sites. In Flagler County, ballots turned in by registered Democrats had an edge before early voting started on Monday, and Democrats were clinging to a bare difference of a few dozen ballots in that category by midday today. But a record turnout in the first two days of early voting quickly wiped out that advantage.

Touch-and-Go Noise Around Flagler County Airport: Residents Hear Facts, and Contempt

October 22, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 131 Comments

The view from the Flagler airport's control tower. (© FlaglerLive)

A group of residents surrounding the Flagler County airport in Palm Coast have for years complained about the constant stream of touch-and-go student flights, about noise, about pollution, and about the county’s own dismissive attitude toward them. On Monday, the group got more of the same, with at times overt contempt from Airport Director Roy Sieger.

Hammock and Barrier Island Outside Cities Would Pay New Tax to Help Pay for Flagler’s $8.2 Million Beach Plan

October 22, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 35 Comments

The county has a plan. (© FlaglerLive)

Flagler County government has devised a plan to generate $8.2 million a year in local dollars to rebuild and maintain the 11.6 miles of beach north of Beverly Beach to the border of Marineland. The County Commission intends to vote on that plan, which includes a new tax for portions of the barrier island, on Nov. 4.

Early Voting at Flagler County’s Five Locations Breaks Single-Day Record; 12,100 Mail Ballots Already In

October 21, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 32 Comments

Turnout was brisk at the Flagler County Public Library on Palm Coast Parkway, one of five early-voting locations. The library location was the busiest this morning, with a line snaking around the sidewalk and halfway down the parking lot, toward the entrance. (© FlaglerLive)

With some 12,100 votes already turned in by mail so far, early voting in Flagler County began its 13-day run today with record-breaking turnout despite slow lines as a ballot with two dozen races and a half dozen constitutional and charter amendments took voters time to read and fill out.

Aviation Company Aura Aero Selects Volusia Over Flagler County for for 500,000-Square-Foot Manufacturing Plant and 1,000 Jobs

October 17, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 74 Comments

AURA AERO Inc. plans to open a manufacturing and assembly plant in Volusia County at the Daytona Beach International Airport. A rendering of the facility is pictured here. (Photo: AURA AERO Inc.)

Aura Aero Inc., the French designer and manufacturer of next-generation aircraft, has announced its intent to build a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly plant in Volusia County at the Daytona Beach International Airport. The facility will create more than 1,000 high-paying jobs in the area. Flagler County had been in contention for the facility.

Total Hurricane Milton Damage to Private Property in Flagler and Cities: $18.8 million, Government Costs Yet to Be Tallied

October 15, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 14 Comments

In Palm Coast's Woodlands on Oct. 11. (© FlaglerLive)

Flagler County suffered an estimated $18.8 million in private property damages countywide from Hurricane Milton, and an additional $14 million in damages to just under 11 miles of beachfront, with additional estimates yet to be calculated such as costs to government infrastructure and services, and losses to the federal portion of the beach in Flagler Beach–the 2.6 miles the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just renourished.

Hurricane Milton’s Flagler Path in Pictures: Flooding, Beach Erosion, Damaged Roads and Roofs, but Nothing Disastrous

October 14, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 5 Comments

Old Kings Road near Graham Swamp suffered severe damage and remained closed on Monday. (Palm Coast)

Hurricane Milton barreled through the midsection of the Florida Peninsula Thursday morning, lashing Flagler County with tropical-storm-force winds (and a few hurricane-force gusts) and up top 19 inches of rain in parts of the county. But damage overall was mostly minor despite floodwaters. Here’s an album in pictures and video.

Flagler County in Federal Disaster Declaration: Residents Can Seek Help; Beach Will Be Repaired at 100% U.S. Expense

October 13, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 11 Comments

Flagler Beach's newly rebuilt beach, which had extended some 100 feet or more, suffered severe erosion during Hurricane Milton, but did the job of preserving State Road A1A intact. Now that a federal disaster has been declared, the beach is eligible for repair funds, and will be rebuilt 100 percent at the federal government's expense. (© FlaglerLive)

President Joe Biden on Friday approved a major disaster declaration for 34 Florida counties that suffered damage from Hurricane Milton, including Flagler, Volusia, St. Johns and Putnam counties. The declaration will help individuals and local governments to shoulder recovery costs, including–for governments–reimbursements for the majority of costs incurred by damage sustained or services provided during the storm and the recovery period. 

Who Controls the Flagler Beach Bridge? City and Sheriff Iron Out Bridge-Closure Mix-Up for Future Reference

October 11, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

The Flagler Beach bridge is not under Flagler Beach's control. (© FlaglerLive)

Flagler Beach officials and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly have ironed out a confusing mix-up over who has authority to close the Flagler Beach bridge and under what circumstances, after the city approved a resolution that appeared to grant that authority to the sheriff. The sheriff did not agree with the resolution. The matter’s disposition sets a precedent, or at least clarifies one of the more frequently misunderstood local issues during emergencies–when an how the bridge is closed, if at all, and by whom–and may prevent a similar misunderstanding in the future.

Over 100 Homes in Palm Coast Damaged by Wind; Woodlands a Flood Concern; Surge in Flagler Beach Was Limited

October 11, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 9 Comments

In Palm Coast's Woodlands this afternoon. (© FlaglerLive)

Flagler County and city officials are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Despite the worst rain event Palm Coast has known in its history, despite some floodwaters in Flagler Beach’s low-lying areas and severe winds during Hurricane Milton’s passage over the region, the number of homes that experienced water intrusion have been limited to “a handful,” while the number of homes reporting wind damage, in Palm Coast, stands at 57. The numbers in Flagler Beach are not yet known. The shelter will close today, the night curfew will be rescinded.

Water Surging in Flagler Beach’s Low-Lying Areas, Flooding Some Homes; 44,800 Still Without Power in Flagler

October 10, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 48 Comments

A house on South Flagler this evening. The water was still rising. (© FlaglerLive)

“This horror will grow mild, this darkness light,” Floridians may be telling themselves–perhaps in not so many words–as Hurricane Milton edged off the coast of Florida this morning, still as a hurricane that left a wide swath of destruction and 3.2 million customers without power in its enormous path.

With Hurricane Milton’s Worst Ahead, Torrential Rains Raise Flooding Concerns in Palm Coast and Close Roads

October 9, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

Stormwater cavalry: City of Palm Coast crews special-delivered sand bags to some residents in the B-Section, where water levels have been a particular concern due to today's torrential rains--with the worst yet ahead. (Palm Coast)

Torrential rain in Palm Coast ahead of Hurricane Milton has “severely overwhelmed” the city’s stormwater system. Milton’s advance rain bands have led to a few street closures in the B Section, to city crews special-delivering sand bags to some residents, and to an alert from the city to residents to minimize water usage as the stormwater system is being overwhelmed by precipitation–with the worst yet to come.

Commissioner ‘Disheartened’ By Lack of Evacuations in Flagler Beach, Where Milton Preparations Are Plainly Low Key

October 9, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 27 Comments

The property owner at a house on flood-prone South Flagler Avenue installed a water-hose barrier in hopes of staving off floodwaters from Hurricane Milton's storm sturge on the Intracoastal. The Intracoastal is only a few feet away from Flagler Avenue, and barely a few in ches below its asphalt. (© FlaglerLive)

But for significantly less traffic on most roads, you’d be hard-pressed to see that the largest part of Flagler County under an evacuation order was heeding the warning this morning. From the looks of the Barrier Island and the mainland part of Flagler Beach in the first hours after the 8 a.m. evacuation order, there were many more cars parked in driveways than getting packed or driving off. Homes with sandbags or other storm preparations were the exception. Businesses were more likely to be boarded up than homes, though that was the exception even for businesses, most of which were closed.

Evacuations Ordered for Entire Barrier Island and Much of Mainland East of I-95, Curfew Wednesday Night

October 8, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 31 Comments

Hurricane Milton’s projected path has remained remarkably steady with very slight variations north or south, but with models agreeing on landfall in the Tampa Bay area after midnight Thursday and now mostly merging to agree on a path along or a bit south of I-4, toward Merritt Island and the Space Coast, where it would exit, still as a hurricane, Thursday afternoon. Tropical-storm force winds ranging between 40 and 70 mph are expected in Flagler County, with the possibility of hurricane-force winds especially on the barrier island.

County Has No Intention of Closing SR100 Bridge and Sheriff Says It’s Not His Call Alone. Flagler Beach Had Other Ideas.

October 8, 2024 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

The Flagler Beach bridge is not the city's to close, being a state road, except in narrowly defined circumstances. (© FlaglerLive)

The Flagler Beach City Commission in an emergency meeting Monday approved a resolution asking the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to “exercise appropriate measures” regarding the State Road 100 bridge. The resolution does not explicitly ask the sheriff to close the bridge if need be, but the commission’s discussion before voting on the resolution indicated that intent, even though it appears to clash with the county’s emergency declaration, state law, and the sheriff’s own position.

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