Last Updated: 12:55 p.m. The Florida Supreme Court, in a much-anticipated but very divided 4-3 ruling, today sided with the Legislature, and against public employees, by upholding a 2011 law that requires all public employees to contribute 3 percent of their pay to the Florida Retirement System, a pension fund. In a majority opinion by […]
Flagler
Citing “Sorry State of Affairs,” Sullen Flagler Library Board Asking for a New Tax to Survive
The Flagler County Library Board of Trustees chairman’s report to the county commission this evening is sullen and frustrated in tone, and at times directly critical of the commission for too stingily supporting the library over the past few years. It will also ask for the creation of a new taxing district to support the library.
John Thrasher, Travis Hutson, Plus One: Airing Out Flagler’s Legislative Delegation
The inaugural guests on Milissa Holland Live Friday on WNZF will be Holland’s ex-opponent Rep. Travis Hutson, and Sen. John Thrasher, as Holland hosts an informall follow-up to December’s at-times contentious legislative delegation meeting on short-term rentals and other issues of local concern.
Quoting—and Misquoting—Jefferson, Sheriff Vows Agency Will Breathe Air of Integrity
Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre’s swearing-in featured a large-tent invitation and sharp contrasts of style and intentions with the eight years of Don Fleming, but also a reminder from Manfre that imperfection is universal.
New Sheriff In Town: Jim Manfre Wastes No Time Firing, Demoting and Reorganizing
Even before he was to be sworn in at noon Tuesday, Sheriff Jim Manfre had radically reorganized the sheriff’s office in a manner bound to stir a mixture of resentment and approval, signaling an aggressively ambitious agenda.
Questions and Costs Abound as Flagler Moves to Acquire Troubled Plantation Bay Utility
Flagler County commissioners had more questions than answers even as they approved going ahead with a $5 million acquisition of the deteriorated Plantation Bay water and sewer plant, and throwing the county, in a hazy partnership with Bunnell, in the utility business for the first time.
Mondex’s Kenneth Morrow Is Shot and Killed in a Suicidal Confrontation With Volusia Cops
Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies attempting to negotiate with a suicidal man armed with a handgun opened fire and killed 52-year-old Kenneth Morrow of Daytona North Wednesday evening in Ormond Beach after Morrow “advanced” on deputies while brandishing a gun, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
In Prenup Haggling, County and Bunnell Agree to Split Old Courthouse, With Sheriff in Annex
In an at-times tense joint meeting between the Flagler County Commission and Bunnell’s commission, the two sides agreed to cede the old courthouse to Bunnell for a city hall, but the courthouse annex would remain in county ownership, and be turned over to the sheriff as a new headquarters.
Less Than 5 Months In, Charter School Closes, Upending Parents, District and County
Global Outreach Charter Academy opened hurriedly at the Flagler County Airport in August, with generous lease terms from county government and accommodations from the school board, only to tell its 122 students and staff on New Year’s Day that the school was out of business.
Milissa Holland Live: Former Commissioner Launches WNZF Show and FlaglerLive Column
Milissa Holland Live begins airing Fridays at 10 a.m. on WNZF on Jan. 9, and Holland’s FlaglerLive column begins running on Jan. 2 (every Wednesday) as the ex-commissioner aims to foster serious and sustained conversations on the most important state and local issues of the day.
When Flagler’s Firefighters Are A Lot More Than First Responders
When the author’s father died at an assisted living facility in Palm Coast two years ago, paramedics had to be called in to take care of his aunt’s panic attack. What followed illustrates our first responders’ routine and largely unheralded heroism.
For Needy Children’s Christmas, Flagler Fire Fighters’ Union Answers the Call of the Year
Kyle Lockwood, a firefighter-paramedic with Flagler County Fire Rescue, organized a gift drive for 42 of the county’s neediest children and, with colleagues, delivered the gifts to children and their families Friday in the courthouse parking lot.
Florida Unemployment Falls Sharply to 8.1%, But Flagler’s Edges Back Up to 11.4%
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped sharply in November, to 8.1 percent, from 8.5 percent last month–and 10.1 percent a year ago–but Flagler County’s unemployment rate rose a decimal point, to 11.4 percent.
A Rare, 26-Foot Right Whale Is Discovered Dead Just South of Varn Park
A 26-foot right whale that had been dead more than a day was discovered south of Varn Park Wednesday morning. Federal and state authorities will conduct a necropsy before attempting to bury the whale in place.
Sheriff Fleming Restores to Full Rank Deputy Accused of Skimming Time, as Others Dissent
An internal investigation of Sgt. Jamie Roster, based on testimonies from men he supervised, had found him to have falsified time sheets for more than $8,000. The settlement between Fleming and the PBA means Roster will serve a one-day suspension without pay and be returned to full Sergeant duty in charge of the men who’d reported on him.
15 Flagler County Rotarians Receive President’s Service Award, Highest Volunteer Honor
The Rotary Club of Flagler County is not exactly Obama country, but 15 of its 70 members (all past presidents) were surprised Wednesday evening when they received the presidential award, presented to those who’ve logged more than 4,000 volunteer hours in their community.
Conflict Over Hammock Vacation Rentals Dominates Legislative Meeting, To Little End
Florida House freshman Travis Hutson and John Thrasher, both Republicans and the sum total of Flagler County’s legislative delegation, listened to almost two hours of direct lobbying and appeal from local leaders and residents Tuesday evening in Bunnell, but distanced themselves from the evening’s most contentious issue: vacation rentals.
Florida Hospital Flagler CEO David Ottati in Awe of EMS Response at Trauma Wreck Scene
Florida Hospital Flagler CEO David Ottati witnessed the wreck of motorcyclist Brian Davis on john Anderson Highway Friday night, called 911, assisted the victim, then was in awe of Flagler County Fire Rescue’s paramedics at work as he’d never seen them beyond the hospital.
Palm Coast’s Plan to Install Red-Light Spy Cameras on SR100 Faces New Obstacle
Flagler County runs the lights’ infrastructure, and must give its permission to Palm Coast to plug in its spy-camera system. The county, which opposes cameras on SR100, won’t grant permission.
As New Commission Chairman, Nate McLaughlin Quickly Flexes Unyielding Muscle
In a tense few minutes at this week’s Flagler County Commission meeting, McLaughlin refused to yield to Barbara Revels’s repeated request to hold on to her membership on the Public Safety Coordinating Council, which McLaughlin took over, as he did that of the powerful Tourist Development Council.
Doug Baxter, Flagler Chamber President Since 2007, Resigns Unexpectedly; DeLorenzo Leads
Doug Baxter was president since 2007. Rebecca DeLorenzo is taking over for now. The chamber was facing some financial issues, and the resignation was not internally as surprising as it appears from beyond the chamber walls.
Feed Flagler Recap: $17,000 in Donations; Johnston Reclaims Fund-Raising Trophy
Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston raised $5,001, or $1 more than Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming, thanks to a last-minute, $1 donation from George Hanns, the county commissioner.
WNZF’s David Ayres, Voice of Flagler County, Is Named One of Nation’s Top Radio Managers
David Ayres, named one of Radio Ink’s 50 top radio managers in America, steered away from his parents’ tool and die shop to take on a career in radio and TV. He’s is ending one of his more successful years after overseeing the expansion of Flagler County Broadcasting to a fourth radio station.
Long Day of Cop Pursuits Nets 2 Arrests Over Thefts, Assaults and Evasions
William Ginrich was arrested for grand theft auto after brandishing a gun at a woman who’d allowed him to stay in her house. Austin Brammer led cops on a pursuit along Palm Coast Parkway before submitting to arrest after stealing a safe from his mother’s house.
Feed Flagler Multiplies the Loaves–and the Turkeys, Hams, Pies, Chops and Volunteers
Some 3,500 free meals were served across the county Wednesday, with 500 more to be served Thursday in Bunnell, as the fourth annual Feed Flagler marked Thanksgiving with what has become the single-largest philanthropic community-wide project in Flagler.
In a Day of Inaugurals, 3 Governments Swear In New Members and 2 Elect New Chairmen
The Flagler County Commission, the school board and the Palm Coast City Council all either welcomed new members or shuffled their chairmanships in an annual ritual with a mixture of ceremony and consequences.
Commissioner Alan Peterson Logs His Last Meeting, But Not Without One Last Showdown
Flagler County Commissioner Alan Peterson served his last meeting Monday evening, but not before taking on Clerk of Court Gail Wadsworth’s raised for her employees and reminding fellow-commissioners what had made him their most ardent bean-counter.
In a Far More Challenging Year, Feed Flagler Struggles to Meet Needs and Expectations
Despite much lower monetary and food donations than last year, Feed Flagler intends to serve nearly 4,000 free meals and distribute more than 500 boxes of free food at 12 locations across the county, as needs have intensified. The organization is still accepting donations.
Flagler Settles on a Design Firm In First Major Step Toward County Jail’s Expansion
The leading contender to design the project is Tallahassee-based Clemons, Rutherford & Associates, or CRA Architects, a small firm of 23 staffers (including eight architects) that’s designed 23 jails in the last 10 years, at least in parts.
Palm Coast Responds With Open Hearts as Hurricane Sandy Relief Trucks Fill Up Fast
Susan and Alan Wheeler wanted Palm Coast and Flagler residents to help fill a 20-foot box truck with emergency goods and drive it to Keansburg, N.J. By Friday, they’d filled up two trucks and were likely going to need a third, as Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts challenged the city and the county to fill it up, too, by evening, while Wheeler said overflows might go to Feed Flagler.
How Flagler County Democrats Killed Milissa Holland’s Shot at a Florida House Seat
Dissension, dysfunction and confusion within the Democratic Party structure proved to be fatal obstacles for Milissa Holland, a popular Democrat who lost her bid for a Florida House seat by a slim margin.
No Close Call: Obama Wins; Weeks, Meeker, Nelson, DeSantis, Thrasher, Hanns, Moore-Stens, Manfre and Hutson Win
Flagler County election results will be posted here as soon as they are available, along with results of presidential, federal and state races, and updated as long as results are generated. All results for all Flagler County and related elections will be on this page.
Scenes from Flagler’s Election Day
Short lines, minor problems, strange decisions at polling locations to restrict campaign solicitors as Flagler County and the rest of the nation votes. FlaglerLive is gathering impressions, reactions and images from Election Day around the county.
With Fewer Days and Places to Vote, Early Voting Falls Significantly in Flagler
On-person early voting was down in Flagler County from 36.6 percent in 2008 to 29.1 percent this year, for several reasons: a shorter early-voting window, two early voting locations instead of three (Flagler Beach was eliminated), and less enthusiasm than the 2008 election, which drew the highest turnout in a presidential election in 40 years.
Trey Corbett: The Live Interview
Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Race
Trey Corbett is the Republican candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections in the Nov. 6 election, facing one-term incumbent Supervisor Kimberle Weeks, a Democrat. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Kimberle Weeks: The Live Interview | Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Race
Kimberle Weeks, the incumbent Democrat, is a candidate for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections in the Nov. 6 election, facing Trey Corbett, a Republican. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Crime in Flagler County Declines Again, Adding Another Wrinkle to Sheriff’s Race
Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming was quick to tout the 6.2 percent crime rate decline in the first six months of 2012 as vindication of his policies, while his opponent, Jim Manfre, a former sheriff, pointed out that crime was lower during his tenure.
Three Men Stabbed at Hammock Community Center Party; No One Is Talking
The Halloween party took place at the Hammock Community Center on Malacompra Road Friday night and broke up after a big fight early Saturday morning, but the victims would not speak, and most witnesses had scattered before cops were able to investigate. The investigation is ongoing.
Another Feather in Bird’s Cap as Fire Flight Rescues 2 Mud Muckers Lost Overnight
Wayne Oley, 30, and Brigett Madorma, 24, lost their ATV in the wilds of Mud Muckers’s 19,000 acres Sunday night, and were lost after that, until Fire Flight spotted them Monday morning, shivering from a cold night but otherwise fine.
County Line Bar in The Mondex Burns in Mysterious Morning Fire; No Injuries
The County Line Bar in Daytona North, or the Mondex, went up in flames Monday morning just after 11 a.m. for unknown reasons. The fire was still burning at noon.
Republican Presumptions Aside, Florida Is Not a One-Party State Yet
Florida is dominated by Republicans, but to argue against the election of a Democrat to the Florida House–as the GOP’s Travis Hutson is arguing in his bid against Milissa Holland–is a reflection of the arrogance of a majority party that considers minorities, if not democracy, irrelevant, and that assumes that once a majority, always a majority.
Flagler’s First Day of Early Voting Brings Out 2,172, But Turnout May Be Lower Than in 2008
The voting line snaked around at the Flagler County Public Library for most of the first day of early voting, but with one fewer voting location, four fewer days and diminished enthusiasm, it’ll take a greater surge of voting to top the 2008 tallies.
Hutson and DeSantis Are No-Shows as Holland and Beaven Stress Flagler’s Voice
Travis Hutson and Ron DeSantis did not attend Flagler’s broadest political forum of the season–it was broadcast live on WNZF–Wednesday, giving opponents Milissa Holland and Heather Beaven free rein to speak of the voice they’d give Flagler County if elected. County judge candidates Melissa Moore Stens and Craig Atack, and Senate candidates John Thrasher and Kathleen Trued, were also at the forum.
Abby Romaine: The Live Interview
Flagler County Commission, District 2
Abby Romaine is an Independent candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Nov. 6 election, facing Frank Meeker in the District 2 race. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Frank Meeker: the Live Interview
Flagler County Commission, District 2
Frank Meeker, a Republican, is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Nov. 6 election, facing Independent Abby Romaine in the District 2 race. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Herb Whitaker: The Live Interview
Flagler County Commission, District 5
Realtor Herb Whitaker, a Republican, is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Nov. 6 election, facing Democrat and five-term incumbent George Hanns in the District 5 race. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
George Hanns: The Live Interview
Flagler County Commission, District 5
Five-term incumbent Democrat George Hanns is a candidate for the Flagler County Commission in the Nov. 6 election, facing Republican Herb Whitaker in the District 5 race. All registered Flagler County voters get to cast a ballot in this race.
Ronald Reagan Assembly Attack on Frank Meeker, Over Hatch Act, Declared Groundless
The federal Hatch Act prohibits candidates for office from holding jobs that are federally funded. County Commission Candidate Frank meeker’s job at the St. Johns River Water Management District does not violate the act, as local Republican opponents claimed in August.
State Ethics Commission Finds Sheriff Fleming in Violation Over Hammock Gift Membership
The Florida Commission on Ethics today found probable cause that Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming violated the state code of ethics when he accepted a free, gift membership to the Hammock Beach Resort since 2005, a finding that may seriously damage Fleming’s chances of re-election in less than three weeks.
Flagler’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 11.9%, Its Lowest Level Since December 2008
Flagler County may have a little something to cheer about: its unemployment rate in September fell to 11.9 percent, from 12.3 percent the month before. That’s the lowest unemployment rate in the county since December 2008, when it was 11.8 percent.