The Flagler County Commission has been talking about a library expansion for going on three years, but it may be five years before a new branch is actually built as various factors have yet to fall in place.
Flagler
Two Pit Bulls Shot Dead After Attacking And Killing Pony; Duane Weeks Cited
Two pit bulls in the care of Duane Weeks savaged a neighbor’s pony and killed it before the neighbor shot the two dogs. Weeks agreed to $1,000 in restitution and was cited for letting his animals run loose.
Vandalism Blamed for Emptying Plantation Bay’s Water Supply, Leaving Customers Dry
The 1,600-odd customers of the Flagler County-owned Plantation Bay water utility woke up to dry faucets today as vandals were believed to have emptied the subdivision’s water tanks overnight.
At Salvo Art Project:
Rachel Thompson, Artist of the Year
“I am just art, I am art, I was born that way,” Thompson says. An opening reception sponsored by the Gargiulo Art Foundation at Salvo Art Gallery marks Thompson’s Artist of the Year honor Saturday.
Flagler County Revises Vacation-Rental Rules as Lawmakers Propose Yet More Changes
The county commission’s authority is limited but it plans to stiffen fines against vacation-rental rule violators. Lawmakers meanwhile, catching on to the controversy, may revert more regulatory authority to local governments.
In Case Against Kimberle Weeks, Tactical Motions Lead to Likely Turning Point in March
Ex-Elections Supervisor Kim Weeks’s attorney wants three separate trials on 12 felony counts, and to suppress a search warrant–a motion which, if granted, would unravel the case against Weeks.
2 Killed, 2 from Palm Coast and Bunnell Injured in 2-Vehicle Wreck in Flagler Estates
Katie Stecker, 19, of St. Augustine, and Victoria Sutton, 20, were killed, Dalton Edwards, 20, of Bunnell, was critically burned, Alexander Koufodontis, 21, of Palm Coast, sustained lesser injuries.
Forbes Magazine Lands Alec Manfre, a 2007 Graduate of FPC, on Its 30 Under 30 List of Energy Trailblazers
Forbes chose Alec Manfre, CEO of Bractlet, for his company’s innovative ability to yield huge energy savings to massive buildings. Manfre, 26, credits his teachers at FPC for his start.
Flagler School Enrollment Flat For 8th Straight Year Even as Population Continues to Grow
Most of those moving into Flagler and Palm Coast are retired or non-working, while not enough working-age families with children are moving in to replace those moving out.
Anonymous Donor Offers $1 Million For Flagler County Library Construction, But With Strings
The donor wants the $1 million to be spent on an expansion of the library in Palm Coast even as the county is planning construction of a separate, additional branch, somewhere along State Road 10.
A Beloved 85-Year-Old House on East Moody Is Leveled in Heap of Surprise and Consternation
The demolition of the stately house at 401 East Moody Blvd. in Bunnell Monday shocked many, but time had run out after more than two years of warnings by the owner that he wanted the property cleared.
Miller Clayton, 7, Honored By County, City and State for Life-Saving Bravery in House Fire
Miller Clayton took his little brother to safety out of their burning home on Kentucky Avenue in November. The awards were from the county and city firefighters unions and State CFO Jeff Atwater’s offce.
County Rejects Removing “Dangerous Dog” Designation of Lab That Bit 8 Year Old
The proposed settlement would have avoided a felony charge on the dog owners should the dog bite again. But the child’s mother called the settlement a “joke” and commissioners showed no interest in changing their mind.
Unemployment Stays Flat in Flagler, at 5.9%, and in Florida, at 5.1%, as Workforce Stalls
All numbers dipped a little in Flagler County’s economic graphs in November in what amounts to a tepid unemployment report locally and in Florida. But most numbers are still heading in the right direction.
County Tourism Board Approves Speculative $40,000 Public Subsidy for Private Conference
The $40,000 in county tax dollars will help pay for rooms and food at a writers’ conference at Hammock Beach Resort, in hopes for good press in return. There is little evidence of such returns.
Sgt. Michael van Buren is Named Flagler County Deputy of the Year for 2nd Time
Sgt. van Buren was cited for saving a 4-year-old child from a locked car in July heat and controlling and averting a suicide-by cop with an armed woman in Palm Coast in September.
Flagler’s Sensitive Land Acquisition Panel Cool to 116-Acre Pitch Along Lake Disston
John A. Kern is proposing to sell the 116 acres along Lake Disston for $2.8 million (14 times the assessed value), but without an additional 20 acres the the Flagler county committee wants in the deal if it’s to keep pursuing the proposal.
From Brownfield to Community Vegetable Garden, a Coalition Seeds Fresher Health
A $34,000 brownfields grant and the collaboration of numerous schools, agencies and businesses transformed an old propane farm in South Bunnell into a community vegetable garden that will help feed hundreds.
Special Treatment for Firefighters With Cancer? Florida Among Few States That Say No
Florida lawmakers have introduced bills that would make Florida the 34th state to offer special protection to firefighters, but the measure faces obstacles in large part because of local governments’ opposition.
Municipal Elections for 3 Flagler Cities To Be Held on Presidential Primary Day, March 15
The municipal elections for Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach will be held in conjunction with the county-wide Presidential Preference Primary election scheduled for March 15 to save money and encourage more turnout.
Belle Terre Swim Club Gets a $25,000 Annual County Lifeline and Nears Membership Goal
County government’s annual contribution will make it more difficult for the school board to close the troubled Swim and Racquet Club, as will an advisory group’s campaign that has netted some 250 new memberships, or just 150 short of the goal the board set for January.
Sheriff’s Lost Computer Files Are Recovered, But County Faces a $1.1 Million IT Fix
Some $600,000 was budgeted ahead of the October crash. But $500,000 was not. The county commission will have to find that money. And that’s just for this year as the county and sheriff catch up on neglected information infrastructure.
One Arrested, Another Surrenders in Mondex Shooting Involving Assault Weapons
Dakotah W. Clarke, 19, was arrested, Spencer Sarmento, 23, who reportedly fired 10 to 15 rounds at a Mitsubishi, is still being sought. Both face aggravated assault charges, and possibly additional charges. Both have previous jail records.
County’s Coffey Calls Some of Palm Coast’s EMS Claims “Garbage” In Broad Rebuke
Responding to Palm Coast’s claim two weeks ago that EMS service can be more efficient and responsive, County Administrator Craig Coffey today rejected the city’s analysis, saying it would end up costing taxpayers a lot more.
County Approves $25,000 Public Subsidy for Spartan Race on Private Land Next Year
The county commission with little discussion unanimously approved the taxpayer subsidy for the once-controversial race, which will take place at the Cracker Ranch in November 2016.
Ericksen Will Run for Commission Re-Election After All; Medley Files for Elections Supervisor
Charlie Ericksen, the first-term Flagler County commissioner, said his health issues are behind him, though the announcement was a surprise to Jason DeLorenzo, who is considering a run for that seat.
Bellicose County Commission Candidate Mark Richter Withdraws as O’Brien Announces
Mark Richter, who’d narrowly lost a primary against Nate McLaughlin two years ago as he frequently courted controversy, said he would soon be leaving the county as he withdrew from what would have been a race against Charlie Ericksen.
Supreme Court Approves Congressional Districts; Flagler’s Stays Whole, Inching Left
The congressional district the Supreme Court approves keeps Flagler County whole, shedding Putnam and moving it south to take in more of Volusia County, which will help Democrats slightly.
Kevin Clayton’s Death in Friday’s
West Flagler Fire Is Ruled a Suicide
A medical examiner’s autopsy confirmed that Kevin Clayton’s death in a Nov. 28 fire at 40 Kentucky Avenue in western Flagler County was a suicide. No foul play is suspected.
Elections Commission Tosses 3 More Claims Against Flagler Officials as County Fires Back
The Florida Elections Commission voted to dismiss three elections complaints against Flagler Commissioners Frank Meeker and Nate McLaughlin as the county administration filed another petition to seek attorneys’ fees in related complaints.
Palm Coast Ties Emergency Communications System to Recent Crash–Falsely, County Says
City Manager Jim Landon says he’s concerned about maintenance of the countywide 800 mhz communications system, suggesting it could crash as parts of the sheriff’s computer system recently did–an inaccurate suggestion that deflects from other problems, the county retorts.
Palm Coast Wants Changes to County-Controlled Ambulance Services in the City
The city wants to reduce the need for fire trucks and ambulances doubling up on EMS calls, and to lower overall costs. The county has its own ideas. The two sides will meet administratively to hash out possibilities.
Palm Coast Seeks to Bail on County-Wide Communications System It joined in 2009 in Latest Clash With Flagler
Palm Coast and Flagler County governments are trading accusations of violating a 2009 agreement over the critical 800 mhz system as Palm Coast quit contributing its share of dollars to it and the county charges that the city is inventing an issue without a problem.
Nutrition Supplement Firm Will Expand Into Ex-Palm Coast Data Building, With 50 Jobs
Designs for Health, a nutritional supplement and vitamins company, will get a $25,000 county subsidy to expand from Hargrove Grade to Commerce Boulevard in exchange for 50 jobs and a $3 million investment in the old Palm Coast Data building complex.
Not All Speech Is Free: County Slams McDonald for Legal Fees Over “Knowingly False” Claims
Dennis McDonald, the Ronald Reagan Assembly member and frequent critic of government, said he’ll “absolutely” contest the county’s move on First Amendment grounds.
Sheriff Rethinks Joint IT Operations With County Amid Discord Over Computer Failure
Sheriff Jim Manfre wants to “transition” from the merger with the county’s IT operations less than two years after he and the county approved it as a signal of cooperation and efficiency.
Sheriff Reveals Breadth of Computer Failure and Safety Lapses, and Sharply Blames County
Sheriff Manfre, in a terse letter to County Administrator Craig Coffey, says the failure was one of several, it jeopardized officer safety and may have wiped out 20 months of critical data, and he asks for answers.
Flagler Beach Hires Larry Newsom as City Manager, From a County 70 Times Larger
Larry Newsom, hired by a 5-0 vote Thursday night, had been assistant and interim manager in Escambia County, with a population of 350,000. Flagler Beach’s population is 5,000.
On Marineland’s 75th Anniversary, Celebration of More Than Dolphins or a Storied Past
Marineland’s 75th anniversary celebrates past, present and future, highlighting the town’s continued ecological and cultural importance beyond dolphin adventures, which nevertheless play a large role in the town’s identity.
A Judge and “Citizen Soldier” Honors Veterans as Children Discover 265th Air Defense Artillery
The Veterans Day ceremony in Bunnell featured Judge J. David Walsh, an airman in Vietnam, and the newly arrived hardware and men of the 265th Air Defense Artillery brigade, now at the Flagler County Airport.
Deputies’ Dispatching System Edging Back to Life, But Some Sheriff’s Data May Be Lost
The CAD system went offline on Oct. 29 and had been only fitfully operational since after a server failure that may have erased significant data with it. CAD was offline again this morning, but was working this afternoon.
County’s Closest Likeness to Homeless Shelter Scales Back Services and Access to Grounds
For eight years First United Methodist Church in Bunnell had been an unofficial day shelter for the homeless. The church’s new leadership is changing that as finances and a different philosophy is compelling a more restrictive approach.
In Muted Appearance at Sheriff’s Opening, Gov. Scott Speaks of Unappreciated Police
Scott, his energy more Carsonesque than usual was as if upstaged by the pride and eagerness of local officials reveling in the new operations center and framing the occasion in touching personal stories.
“Catastrophic Failure” in Sheriff’s Computer System Jeopardizing Records and Stalling Data
Friday afternoon the server that runs the sheriff’s office’s computer assisted dispatching and stores massive amounts of data ran out of space and crashed. It is not expected to be back in full operation any time soon.
Citing “Blasphemy,” “Libel” and “Smears,” County Will Seek Legal Fees From Attackers
In an extraordinary move, county government approved County Attorney Hadeed’s request to pursue John Ruffalo and Dennis McDonald for fees resulting from the two men’s invalidated ethics commission complaints.
Two Sisters and a Solar-Electric Boat, on a 9-Day Journey for a Cause on ICW, Dock in Palm Coast
Nancy and Paula Frainetti are spending nine days aboard a solar-aided electric boat from Miami to Jacksonville to raise awareness and money for breast cancer–and for electric boating.
Ethics Commission Tosses Complaints Against County Attorney Hadeed and Commissioner McLaughlin
The complaints were filed by John Ruffalo and Dennis McDonald, members of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assemblies, the radical-right organization devoted to upending the local governing establishment where and when it can.
Hanns, “Vindicated” by State Ruling His Removal From Election Board Improper, Declares for 7th Term
Then Elections Supervisor Kim Weeks orchestrated George Hanns’s removal from the canvassing board in November, an act the state Elections Commission found improper.
Jordan Marie Rineer, 25, Is Killed in Single-Car Wreck on US1, Tyler Dutton Survives
Jordan Marie Rineer, a former Flagler resident who’d moved to Lancaster, Pa., was visiting family and had gone to Daytona with Tyler Dutton Monday night. She was ejected and died at the U.S. 1 scene.
Palm Coast Woman Charged in DUI Manslaughter Was Stopped Moments Before the Crash, and Released
Rebecca Lawless, 26, charged in the death of Diane Upton, had been stopped by a deputy shortly before at another location and allowed to leave even though she was determined to be drunk.