Sen. Bill Nelson was back in Flagler Beach to tout the passage of a water bill that includes authorization for $15.6 million in federal beach renourishment dollars for Flagler County. But it’s conditional on the state not building sea walls.
Flagler
Crime in Flagler and Palm Coast Continued Decline in 2016, But Violence Is Up Again
Overall crime declined in the first six months of the year but violent crime was on the rise again, with increases in murders (there were two in 2015), rapes, and aggravated assault.
Late Commissioner Frank Meeker’s Photo Is Cover Art for 2017 State Association Calendar
A stunning image of a tiger swallowtail on a Florida flame azalea taken by the late Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker graces the Florida Association of Counties 2017 calendar cover.
Flagler County Approves 6-Month Moratorium on Medical Pot Dispensaries or Facilities
Flagler County commissioners said the moratorium is not intended to counter the constitutional amendment legalizing medical pot, but to give the county time to figure out what zoning and other regulations may be in place with legalization.
County’s Tourism Office Seeks a Blank Check Of $150,000, and No-Bid Award of $130,000
The spending authorizations depart in one way or another from county or tourism council policy and underscore to what extent the paper trail behind tourism office spending has been thinning out over the past two years.
Flagler Circuit Judge Scott DuPont Faces Charges of “Recklessly” Spreading Baseless Claims About Opponent
Circuit Judge Scott DuPont may face serious disciplinary action from the Florida Supreme Court if the Judicial Qualifications Commission recommends it after finding probable cause that he violated ethical rules in his latest election campaign.
Not a Storm Too Soon, Worst Hurricane Season In 11 Years Ends as Flagler Continues Recovery
Florida ended its 2016 hurricane season Wednesday, marking the first time in more than a decade that the Sunshine State was hit by a hurricane–and the closest Flagler County came to a direct hit in decades.
Electric Rates Will Go Up 8% on Jan. 1, and 13% by 2018 as Regulators Approve FPL Settlement
FPL rates in Flagler County and across the state will go up substantially over the next three years, starting in January, as the Publci Service Commission approved an $800 million base-rate increase for the utility.
3rd Set of Human Remains Found in 4 Months as Dune Erosion North of Varn Park Uncovers Bones
For the third time since August, authorities in Flagler County have been led to what they believe to be human remains, this time apparently uncovered by beach erosion caused by Hurricane Matthew.
Flagler’s Humiliated Democrats Try To Regroup, Only to Expose the Dysfunctions At Their Core
Some 60 people had turned up at the All Flagler Democratic Club eager for guidance and strategy only to hear vague and at times bewildering proposals that have little to do with finding local Democrats to run, or get them elected.
Investiture Day: School Board and County Commission Members Old and New Sworn In
Charlie Ericksen, Donald O’Brien and Dave Sullivan were sworn-in at the county commission, Colleen Conklin and Maria Barbosa at the school board in a pair of ceremonies that marked the more pronounced changes in local government resulting from the November election.
Flagler Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jamie Burnsed’s Family House Burns in Morning Blaze
Jamie Burnsed, one of three battalion chiefs at Flagler County Fire Rescue, and one of its longest-serving firefighters, had lived at the property with his family for just about 10 years.
For George Hanns, 24 Years As Commissioner End With a Long Goodbye and a Biting Roast
The county administration gave George Hanns a farewell reception Monday afternoon, with some 100 people in attendance and touching moments mixing with humor and a colleague’s roast.
A Start-Up Contest Conceived By Palm Coast’s Office Divvy Crowns Snappy Marketing Winner
Snappy Kraken, a company that launched only last April partly from palm Coast, won from among 30 entrants for its innovative and automated do-it-yourself approach to marketing campaigns.
Musical Chairs Continue as Flagler Will Have 5th Different Criminal Court Judge in 7 Years
Circuit Judge Matthew Foxman, in Flagler less than a year, is being reassigned to Volusia County, and will be replaced by Judge Dennis Craig, a Flagler resident who’d previously presided over civil and family court law.
Farewell Reception Set for Commissioner George Hanns as Quarter-Century Service Ends
County Commissioner George Hanns, a Democrat who once always counted on sure-fire popularity, was first elected in 1992 during the (Bill) Clinton sweep, and was voted out last week during the anti (Hillary) Clinton sweep.
At Flagler Library, Matthew and Arrogant Campaign Vehicles Aggravate An Old Problem
The Flagler County Library Board of Trustees has been chronically wrestling with parking and free speech issues at election time, but it’s shifting the burden to the county commission in hopes that a countywide ordinance might settle the issue in future elections.
At Flagler Airport, Veterans Day Framed by Traveling Vietnam Memorial and Freedom Fest
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a 3/5-scale replica of Maya Lin’s original Vietnam Memorial in Washington, stretched almost 300 feet along the tarmac at the airport as Veterans Day ceremonies kicked off Freedom Fest, a weekend-long event.
Flagler’s 20-Point Margin For Trump a 28-Year High as Blue-Collar Counties Power Trump
Not since George Bush defeated Michael Dukakis had a Republican presidential candidate performed so well in Flagler County, a stark difference reflected across many other, larger blue-collar counties.
Joel Fallon, Owner of Granny Nannies, and Co-Pilot Seriously Hurt in Plane Crash Over Plantation Bay
Joel Fallon, owner of Granny Nannies of Flagler and St. Johns counties, was at the controls of a Beech single-engine plane built in 1969 with co-pilot Josh Rosa, owner of Flagler Air Exchange, a business at the Flagler County Airport.
Staly Is Flagler’s New Sheriff, Bexley New Court Clerk, Republicans Sweep County Commission, Klufas Wins Palm Coast Seat, Barbosa Wins School Board, Hutson, Renner Win
Election results are showing the making of a historic Republican sweep in Flagler County as early but significant tallies show Rick Staly winning sheriff, Tom Bexley winning clerk of court, and all three Democrats in county commission races well behind.
Gov. Scott on Frank Meeker’s Commission Seat Replacement: “We’re Working On It”
Ten men, all Republicans, applied in the 107 days that have elapsed since Commissioner Frank meeker’s death. Rep. Paul Renner says he expects an appointment in late November or early December.
Repairs on Speed: A1A Reopens to Governor’s Applause as Businesses Cheer With Relief
The remarkably swift emergency repairs to the road on a state government emergency contract to Halifax Paving turned what could have been a death knell to many businesses into a setback, now overcome.
Not What Flagler’s Battered Beaches Need: Elevated “Super-Tide” Again Places Properties and Dunes in Danger
A super-tide expected Saturday along the beaches, with 5 to 7-foot breakers and water levels 1 to 1.5 feet above tide levels, concerns county officials who have been scrambling to protect breached dunes and properties damaged by Hurricane Matthew.
Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Rick Staly is the Republican candidate for Flagler County Sheriff. He faces Democrat Larry Jones and Independent Thomas Dougherty in the election culminating on Nov. 8.
Larry Jones, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Larry Jones is the Democratic candidate for Flagler County Sheriff. He faces Republican Rick Staly and Independent Thomas Dougherty in the election that culminates on Nov. 8. Jones defeated incumbent Sheriff Jim Manfre in the Democratic primary.
Jennifer Stagg, Flagler’s Embattled Emergency Planner, Survives Firing as Hearing Exposes Deeper Problems
Jennifer Stagg, will be suspended five days without pay, but her hearing exposed deeper problems at the county’s emergency management operations that have little or nothing to do with her.
Contractor Gunning to Reopen A1A 30 Days Ahead of Schedule. The Reason: $1 Million Bonus
Halifax Paving is set to reopen State Road A1A in Flagler Beach next week, some 30 days ahead of schedule, earning itself a $1 million bonus on top of the original $4 million emergency contract. Businesses and others are cheering.
Thomas Dougherty, Flagler County Sheriff Candidate: The Live Interview
Thomas Dougherty is a non-party affiliated candidate for Flagler County Sheriff in the Nov. 8th general elections. He’s facing Republican Rick Staly and Democrat Larry Jones.
At Flagler’s Emergency Operations, Key Employee’s Firing Exposes Broader Turmoil
The firing of Jennifer Stagg, for more than six years a senior preparedness planner at Flagler County Emergency Services, caused Kevin Guthrie, her former boss, to launch a campaign on her behalf, causing 31 people to turn up at her termination hearing this morning. The hearing will resume Wednesday.
In a Surprise Visit, Gov. Scott Tells Flagler Officials He’ll Expedite Regulatory Hold-Ups on Shore Repairs
Gov. Rick Scott held a 25-minute closed-door meeting with county and city officials in Bunnell today to assess the response to Hurricane Matthew and assure officials that he’ll help them through regulatory hurdles in continuing recovery efforts, especially on the barrier island.
Flagler’s Early Voting Only Slightly Ahead of 2008 Pace; Republicans Winning Turnout Race
The numbers in Flagler County look grim for Democrats looking for a strong turnout: it’s not happening for them as it is for Republicans, and what is taking place will only slightly exceed turnout in 2008.
Democratic Party Chairman Accuses Judge Moore-Stens of Short-Changing Canvassing Board Responsibility
Flagler DNC Chairman Ralph Lightfoot, in a stunning charge against Judge Mellissa Moore-Stens, told her she should “find somebody else” on the canvassing board if she can’t devote her full attention to it, a criticism the judge rejected and countered with equal force.
Pam Richardson, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Pam Richardson is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. She faces Nick Klufas in the non-partisan runoff election culminating on Nov. 8. All registered voters may cast a ballot in that election regardless of party affiliation.
Nick Klufas, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Nick Klufas is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. He faces Pam Richardson in the non-partisan run-off election culminating on Nov. 8, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
Biting Error: Flagler Mosquito Control Race Missing From Nearly 1,600 Ballots in Beachside Precincts
The mosquito control race was missing from 1,200 mail ballots, an error that was being fixed, but also from 363 early voting ballots already cast, creating a dilemma for the supervisor of elections. The error was caught Monday and stopped by the time voting resumed Tuesday.
FEMA Opens Disaster Recovery Center at County Library on Palm Coast Parkway
FEMA’s Flagler-Palm Coast Disaster Recover Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the library. It’s not expected to interfere with early voting there.
Flagler’s Most Civilized Local Political Race in Years
The six candidates and incumbents for the Flagler County Commission stand out sharply from other local races for the collective civility and substance-oriented campaigns, and their impatience with partisanship. It’s a rarity worth taking note of in a year of slime.
Donald O’Brien, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Donald O’Brien is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. His opponents in the Nov. 8 election is six-term incumbent George Hanns, a Democrat.
Your Election Will Not Be “Rigged”
Flagler Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart Explains
Flagler County Elections Supervisor puts to rest any fear or claim that the Nov. 8 election may be rigged, that fraudulent votes may be cast, or that dead people will be voting locally.
George Hanns, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Six-term incumbent George Hanns is the Democratic candidate for the Flagler County Commission, District 5 seat, facing Republican Donald O’Brien in the Nov. 8 election.
Myra Middleton-Valentine, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Myra Middleton-Valentine is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Paul Anderson, Maria Barbosa, and Sharon Demers. All registered Flagler County voters may cast a ballot in the Aug. 30 primary in this non-partisan race regardless of party affiliation. The winner will be decided on Aug. 30.
Flagler County Agrees to Bail Out Ag Museum Despite $150,000 Deficit and Barnful of Unanswered Questions
After a vote failed to take-over the failing museum entirely, Flagler County commissioners agreed to a generous 90-day bailout, pending a more detailed agreement that would enable the county to absorb the 460-acre property yet leave the museum board at least nominally in place.
Maria Barbosa, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Maria Barbosa is a candidate for the Flagler County School Board, running against Myra Middleton Valentine in the Nov. 8 runoff. Barbosa’s largely plagiarized answers to her first interview, when she unsuccessfully ran in 2014, are reproduced here, as she declined to be interviewed for the current election.
Flagler Job Holders and Workforce Surge By 400 in September as Unemployment Flattens
This is one of those unemployment report where the uptick in the unemployment rate is almost meaningless, compared to other numbers, at least as far as Flagler County’s economy is concerned.
David Sullivan, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
David Sullivan is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. His opponent in the Aug. 30 Republican primary is Jason France. The winner will face Democrat Barbara Revels in the Nov. 8 general election.
Gov. Scott Orders State Transportation Department to Expedite A1A Reopening in Flagler Beach
The transportation department, in response to Scott’s order, said restoring traffic on A1A in Flagler Beach is now the Number 1 priority in the state. About 1.4 miles of road was damaged and closed.
Sen. Bill Nelson, in Flagler Beach, Pledges to Kick “Posteriors” to Channel Repair Dollars for Road and Beach
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the latest in a string of state and federal officials to visit the damaged Barrier Island, stressed support for a re-nourished beach and a rebuilt A1A with federal dollars covering 75 to 90 percent of the cost.
Barbara Revels, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Barbara Revels is the two-term Democratic incumbent Flagler County Commissioner representing District 3. Currently chairing the commission, she faces Republican Dave Sullivan, a former local Republican Executive Committee chairman, in the Nov. 8 election.
Damaged State Road A1A in Flagler Beach Will Re-Open as 2-Lane Road in 3 to 4 Months
The two-lane road will be an emergency fix, with narrower lanes, a barrier wall on the ocean side, and a speed limit lowered to 25 mph, but it will be a boon to businesses that continue to be ravaged by its current closure.