Sen. Bill Nelson, drawing much higher favorability ratings and strong support from independents–key to all statewide races in Florida–is maintaining a comfortable 52-46 percent advantage over Gov. Rick Scott in the race for U.S. Senate.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Monday Briefing: Early Voting Begins, Bunnell’s Meet-and-Greet, Sea Ray Boats Yard Sale
Early voting begins at three locations for all registered voters in Flagler, Bunnell government hosts a meet and greet for all, the Stamp and Coin Club meets.
Is The .08 Threshold for DUI Too Lax?
Traffic safety advocates and a federal highway safety agency support the change to .05 and have been recommending it for years.
How Fentanyl, in 56% of Florida’s Overdose Deaths, Changes the Opioid Equation
With lethal amounts of fentanyl showing up in heroin and other drug supplies throughout the country, active drug users are at a greater risk of dying than ever before.
Weekend Briefing: Rocky Horror, Holler-Ween Fest, NAACP Freedom Fund, Sea Ray Boats Sale, Brass and Opera
The Rocky Horror Show at City Repertory Theatre, Holler-Ween Fest at the Agricultural Museum, the NAACP hosts its Freedom Fund evening, Sea Ray has a yard sale.
Nikki Fried and Matt Caldwell Gun For Agriculture Commissioner Behind Holsters and Consumer Protection
Democrat Nikki Fried and Republican Matt Caldwell offer differing views on Trump, the state’s management of concealed-weapons licenses and how to move forward with medical marijuana.
A Better Way To Fight Homelessness: Decriminalize It
Law enforcement is often used as a first response to address homelessness. Many communities criminalize it instead of connecting the homeless with essential services, assuming they’re available.
Thursday Briefing: Chamber’s Candidate Forum, Resource Fair, Intracoastal Bank, Inspired Mic
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum at the Hilton, a community resources and college financial aid fair, the Inspired Mic returns.
Bitter Clash Over Charter Schools Behind Supreme Court Decision To Kill ‘Defective’ Ballot Measure
The proposed constitutional amendment could have opened a new avenue for the establishment of charter schools outside the control of county school boards.
News-Journal Redemption: Krys Fluker Is Paper’s New Editorial Page Editor
Krys Fluker has just been named editorial page editor of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam cheers the appointment of his old colleague.
Wednesday Briefing: Wawa, Town Center Apartments, Fearless and Focused Women, Wellness
The Bulldog Drive Wawa takes a gulp closer to reality, the Palm Coast planning board approves a site plan for Town Center apartments, fearless women talk at a chamber function.
Sean Shaw v. Ashley Moody: Race for Attorney General Contrasts Activism With Status Quo
State Rep. Sean Shaw, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, vows to aggressively use the office to take on fraud and other issues, while Former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody, the Republican candidate, wants to build on the work of her friend, the term-limited Bondi.
Tuesday Briefing: Canales Trial, Education Foundation, Palm Coast Electric Tax, Relief Truck, Gillum-DeSantis Debate
Gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis debate, the Palm Coast council talks electric tax, the Flagler Education Foundation recognizes its donors on a new wall.
Palm Coast’s Shocking Electric Tax Scheme
Out of nowhere the Palm Coast City Council is about to ram through a large tax increase on residents and businesses with hardly any discussion, no hearings, no public education. No wonder we have tea parties.
Saying Scott ‘Exceeded His Authority,’ Supreme Court Rules Next Governor Will Appoint 3 Justices, Not Scott
The winner of the Nov. 6 election between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum “has the sole authority” to fill the court vacancies, the court ruled.
Monday Briefing: Relief Food Truck, No School, Candidates at Tiger Bay, Trial Week, Biometric Rifle Safes
The Flagler Tiger Bay Club hosts congressional candidate Nancy Soderberg, the county commission approves biometric safes and flack jackets for the sheriff’s school deputies, Ken Starr in palm Beach.
A Note to Readers on Our New Server
FlaglerLive switched to a new, more powerful server Saturday morning. But it takes up to 48 hours for the new Domain Name System (DNS) to propagate around the globe. That could create some confusion for some readers.
‘Marsy’s Law’ Protections for Crime Victims Sound Great, but Could Cause Problems
Giving crime victims constitutional rights equal to those of defendants sets up a clash over the accused person’s Sixth Amendment right to due process and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
We Need Cities of Resistance: Adaptation to Global Warming’s Cataclysms Is No Longer an Option
We can no longer champion the disingenuous framework of climate adaptation plans based on efforts to recycle, change light bulbs, eat less meat, in a future that everyone now knows is on the verge of collapse.
Amendment 4: With 1.4 Million Florida Felons Banned from Voting, Voters Will Decide On Restoring Right
Amendment 4 would automatically restore the right to vote for felons who have completed their sentences, paid restitution and fulfilled probation. Murderers and sex offenders would be excluded.
Weekend Briefing: Rocky Horror Show, FPC Homecoming, Soprano Anna Maria, Bike MS, Pink Army 5K, Pet Blessing
Another weekend very rich in all sorts of activities, musical theater, the Pink Army 5K, a pet blessing and fair, a soprano’s performance at the Arts Foundation, movie in the park, and plenty more.
‘Unimaginable’ Hurricane Devastation in Florida’s Panhandle as Long Recovery Begins
The Florida National Guard has deployed 3,500 members for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid, with assistance from National Guard units from as far away as New York and Kansas.
Nearly 400,000 Without Power as Florida Shifts to Search and Rescue in Michael’s Wake
The Category 4 storm created storm surges up to 14 feet in areas, inflicted damages across Tyndall Air Force Base east of Panama City and spawned at least two “devastating” tornadoes in Gadsden County.
The GOP’s Kavanaugh Playbook Was Textbook Abusive Behavior
Kavanaugh defenders said a lot about the presumption of innocence. But in truth they were following a much more menacing playbook, common to many abusers called out for their behavior.
Category 4 Hurricane Michael Approaching Panhandle Landfall; Spared Flagler Sends Help
The storm is expected to speed through the Panhandle before moving into the Atlanta area and the Carolinas, Flagler County’s Suzanne Eubanks on Tuesday was deployed to go into Holmes County as part of the state’s Region 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team.
Scott Warns of Hurricane Michael’s ‘Devastation’ and Storm Surge, Flagler Calls Local Impact ‘Minimal’
Current bulletins from the National Weather Service for Flagler County include a high risk for rip currents, a high surf advisory, and a coastal flood advisory. The risk of tropical storm force winds has decreased to 20 percent.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Drones, a 350-ft Cell Tower, Party Registration Deadline, What Russia Wants
Last day to register to vote, rules for Palm Coast government’s drones, Flagler County seeks a permit for a 350-foot tower, a lecturer on what Russia wants.
‘Monstrous’ Hurricane Michael Aims For Panhandle, But Effects on Flagler Limited
Michael has the potential to be the strongest storm in the region since Hurricane Eloise swept across Bay County in September 1975 with 110 mph winds.
Monday Briefing: Robert Tarczewski, Trump in Orlando, Bunnell’s Charter Review, Containers as Business
The Bunnell City Commission considers charter changes to put before voters, Donald Trump speaks min Orlando, it’s homecoming week at FPC, Palm Coast has a couple of road closures, Mencken on lying presidents.
Tropical Storm Michael: Scott Declares State of Emergency for Panhandle; Impact on Flagler Uncertain
Though distant, what will become Tropical Storm Michael is expected to bring waves of heavy rainfall and embedded thunderstorms beginning Tuesday and persisting through late Thursday in the northeast Florida region.
Attorney General Launches Investigation of Catholic Priests’ Child Sex Abuse in All 7 Florida Dioceses
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is leaving office in January due to term limits, said it is too early to know how many Floridians, former residents or visitors may have been molested.
Weekend Briefing: Creekside Festival, Pan-Am Dance, First Friday, Drug Court Fall Ride, Linda Cole
The Creekside Music and Art Festival at Princess Place, Hispanic-American Club’s Pan-American Dance, bikers for Drug Court, learning about the amendments, the Rotary’s Community Stars.
After Granting Stay, Supreme Court Clears Way for Execution of Murderer Jose Antonio Jimenez
Jimenez had cited a February execution of Death Row inmate Eric Branch, who reportedly screamed and made body movements as he was being executed, among reasons not to proceed.
Saint Kavanaugh
Whether Kavanaugh was confirmed or not is irrelevant: whoever’s next might be less personally sleazy, more temperamentally amoebic, but judicially? Same shill, different name.
Thursday Briefing: Active-Shooter Training, Wetlands Restoration Meeting, ITMS Band Fall Concert
The St. Johns Water Management District holds a community meetings on the controversial Flagler County Wetland Restoration Project, the Indian Trails band in concert, Mencken on art.
Judge Halts Florida’s Medical Pot Licensing Process Over Its Flawed Restrictions
The judge previously ruled that Florida health rules over medical pot were unconstitutional, and set a Wednesday deadline for the deficiencies with the law to be resolved. It passed.
Wednesday Briefing: Hurricane Irma Rebuilding Grants, Starlight Parade Sign-Ups, John Legend on Amendment 4
Palm Coast takes applications for the holiday Starlight parade, a University Women of Flagler workshop on traveling with confidence, musician John Legend campaigns in support of Amendment 4 in Orlando.
Nelson Calls Scott a Liar, Scott Calls Nelson a Do-Nothing, Both Lob Kavanaugh at Each Other
Scott’s and Nelson’s tangle over Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, was one of many points of contentions in the senate-race debate Tuesday.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Futures, Lenhart at Hammock, 2020 School Calendar, Nelson-Scott Debate
The school board discusses its 2019-20 calendar, the Palm Coast council sets a course for its next manager’s search, Bill nelson and Rick Scott debate, Flagler Sportsfishing Club meets.
In Blow to Scott’s Play for Puerto Rican Vote, Nelson Wins Island Governor’s Endorsement
Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s endorsement of Nelson unleashed pushback from Scott, who’s made nine trips to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory a year ago.
Monday Briefing: Pink Army Flag-Raising, Help for Hurricane Irma Repairs, $39,000 in Tax Subsidies to a Private Company
The County Commission ratifies $39,000 in subsidies from tourist development taxdollars to Triple Crown Sports, a for-profit private company, for events scheduled this fall in the county.
Sen. Dorothy Hukill, Among Rare Moderate Republicans, Ends Campaign and Enters Hospice as Cancer Returns
Hukill served as Education Committee chair and was one of four Republicans who earlier this year voted against a controversial measure (HB 7055) that included the use of sales-tax credits to help students attend private schools.
Weekend Briefing: Sweeney Todd, Timucuan Fishing, Deaf Fest, Basketball Registration, Alzheimer’s Walk, Songwriters Festival
It’s Deaf Fest in Flagler Saturday, Sweeney Todd opens the Flagler Playhouse’s new season, Timucuan fishing technology at Gamble Rogers, the Walk to end Alzheimer’s, Homecoming at Bethune-Cookman.
The Cruelty of the GOP’s Kavanaugh Charade
A few of us posted about sexual assault in general or about our own past assaults on our Facebook pages. Then the private messages began. The details are painful to talk about.
Thursday Briefing: Common Ground, Staly Subpoena, Drug Court Graduation, Beadle to Forte, NAACP
The sheriff is in court twice–for drug court graduation and for a potential showdown over a subpoena, Sweeney Todd opens at the Playhouse, Chief Beadle passes the torch to Jerry Forte at the Palm Coast Fire Department.
Open Court Proceedings Require NRA-Backed Gun Litigants To Be Named, Florida Argues
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is asking a federal appeals court to reject arguments that two 19-year-olds should be able to remain anonymous in a challenge to a new state gun law.
Wednesday Briefing: Bunnell’s Newest Park, National Guard Airport Facility, Football Prayer Case
Bunnell dedicates its new Louis L. Jackson Municipal Park on South Pine Street, a beer tasting at the Humidor, the National Guard facility at the county airport comes along.
Tuesday Briefing: Banned Book Week, Whitley Sentencing, Palm Coast’s Future Manager, Beach Management
A visual commemoration of Banned Book Week at the Flagler Public Library, the Palm Coast council discusses what kind of manager it wants, a child molester recorded by his victim is sentenced.
Missing and Endangered: Ricky Wheeler, 17, Who Has Diminished Mental Capacities
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public help in locating 17-year-old Ricky Wheeler, who went missing Friday (Sept. 21) and may be endangered.
New Laws Benefiting First Responders With PTSD and Increasing Punishment for Animal Abuse Kick In
The 21 laws taking effect Oct. 1 range from allowing credit cards to be used for background checks when firearms are purchased to doling out tougher punishment for people who steal bee colonies or trespass at airports.