It is illegal for members of Congress not to participate in the retirement system U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (who represents Flagler) said he was rejecting. He is, in fact, not rejecting it, but claims will decline cashing the checks if and when he becomes eligible for them. It is only one of several misleading statements in an announcement this week.
Library
Union Membership in 2012: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Union membership in 2012 data by state, gender and other characteristics, including median salary earnings and other historical data, as released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Rick Scott’s Lies: How Governor Intentionally Kept Using Wrong Medicaid Estimates
The state’s chief economist has warned the staff of Gov. Rick Scott that his Medicaid cost estimates are wrong, but Scott keeps using them anyway, skewing Florida’s costs under the Affordable Health Act.
What’s So Bad About the Deficit, Anyway? A Primer on the Nation’s Fiscal Bluffs
As Washington tries to hash out a deal, we’ve taken a step back to break down the numbers behind our deficit — how it grew so big, why it is actually shrinking and whether a deal can bring it under control.
Education Department Shrugs Off Major Errors in Florida’s Science FCAT Test Guidelines
Scientist Robert Krampf’s analysis of FCAT science test guidelines to be a collection of poorly written examples, multiple-choice questions where one or more of the wrong responses were actually scientifically correct answers, and definitions that ranged from misleading to totally wrong. State officials seemed unconcerned.
Doyle Conner, Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Over Four Decades, Dies at 83
Doyle Conner, who was elected to the Legislature while still a college student, became the youngest House speaker in Florida history and then spent three decades as state agriculture commissioner, died Sunday, December 16 at a nursing home in Monticello, near Tallahassee.
John Canakaris, Father of Flagler County Medicine and Humanitarian, Is Dead at 90
Dr. John M. Canakaris since his arrival in Bunnell in 1950 founded the town’s first clinic, its first hospital, and, more recently, a free clinic for the uninsured, remaining a practicing physician throughout except for four brief retirement years from 1999 to 2003.
Your Guide to the 11 Proposed Constitutional Amendments on the Nov. 6 Ballot
Complete guide and analysis of the 11 proposed Florida constitutional amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot, with links to summaries, pros and cons.
Watch the Presidential Debates in Full
In case you cannot get to a television–or in case you’re at work, or on a dull date, with your iPhone in your lap–we’re embedding Google’s YouTube feed of tonight’s presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
The Ron DeSantis-Heather Beaven Debate: Little Substance, Many Lies and Inventions
Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Heather Beaven, congressional candidates for District 6, which includes all of Flagler, squared off in an hour debate at DeLand High School Wednesday, revealing more flair for snark, falsehoods, mis-chracterizations and generalities than substantive ideas or solutions.
The Jellyfish: Nearly All Water and Sting, But Neither Jelly Nor Fish
Jellyfish’s 200 species, among the oldest animals on the planet, are among the least understood, their occasional blooms–even in Flagler–drawing particular interests from scientists.
As Flagler Governments Consider Impact Fee Cut, Evidence of Economic Benefit Is Slim
Builders and developers want the Flagler school board and Flagler County to cut impact fees–the one-time tax on construction–saying it’ll help the economy grow. But plenty of evidence says it won’t, while Flagler residents still reel from low values and empty houses that more new houses won’t help.
Impact Fees: What They Are, Who Pays Them, How Much They Pay
Whether you call them impact fees, taxes or hidden taxes, they’re a Florida and Flagler County reality. An explanation and definition of impact fees with a local rate schedule by city and county.
Videos of Horse Chase Through Bunnell, Just Released, Show Rider at a Gallop
Three surveillance videos catch glimpses of Charles Cowart as he rode a horse through various parts of Bunnell on Tuesday, particularly South Bunnell, as cop cars chase him and crowds gather.
Mitt Romney’s Claim on Redistribution Gets a Pants on Fire
Mitt Romney got a Pants on Fire slap from Politifact for his claim on Sept. 19 that “redistribution” has “never been a characteristic of America.” It very much has: it’s been built into the nation’s progressive tax code since the beginning of the 20th century.
16-Year-Old’s High-Def Eye In the Sky Gives Flagler Free and Spectacular Publicity
Lucas Weekley, a budding engineer from Ocala, builds and flies remote-controlled aircraft that shoot high-definition video, which he edits and launches on YouTube through his BuyBee TV. Flagler Beach and Hammock Dunes were the lucky subjects of his last production.
What is the Roll-Back Rate in Property Taxes?
The roll-back or rolled-back rate is defined as it applies to property values and tax rates at budget time for local governments and property owners.
Fact-Check: From GM to TARP to AIG, The Federal Bail-Out By the Numbers
Quick, how many billions in the red are taxpayers on the bailout of GM? AIG? Fannie and Freddie? Is it true that the government has reaped a profit from bailing out the banks? Here are the answers.
The RNC’s “You Built It” Fallacies
The Republican National Convention devoted its first full day in Tampa to refuting Obama’s alleged claim that if you have a business, you didn’t build it. Except that he never made such a claim. Not even close. The convention’s twist is emblematic of thematic, systematic deceptions.
Rachel Corrie: Death, Court Case and Legacy of a Pro-Palestinian Activist
Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old American pro-Palestinian peace activist crushed to death by a bulldozer driven by an Israeli army soldier as she protested the illegal demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli military in Gaza.
Pythons in the Everglades: Coils of a Florida Infestation
Burmese pythons infesting the Everglades have a history in the exotic animals business and could add up to a few thousand up to 150,000 nesting, breeding, and feeding, all with no known natural predator, though a migration of pythons up the Florida peninsula is unlikely.
Gov. Scott, on Media Blitz, Hit With “Pants on Fire” Falsehoods Over Health Care Claims
In his media blitz against Obama’s health care reform, Gov. Rick Scott gave a one-sided and misleading account of how much the Medicaid expansion would cost the state, badly misrepresented requirements on small businesses and used a widely debunked talking point about rationing, Politifacts found.
Bunnell’s Potato Festival Dishes Up Mouthfuls of Charm Despite Candidates by the Casserole
Bunnell’s Potato Festival featured a knock-down, drag-out potato dish cook-off between some 20 local candidates for political office, plus what has become the festival’s traditional highlights, from the parade to the mashed-potato eating contest. A tasty photo gallery.
Publix Crash Video and 911 Calls Reveal Harrowing Impact and Brave Aftermath
As a surveillance video clearly shows the crash and its aftermath, within 58 seconds of impact, a large group of people had been organized around the car, deep inside the store, to lift it and free an 83-year-old man pinned underneath.
What Is the Drought Index? Understanding the 0-800 Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)
The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) measures the amount of precipitation necessary to return the soil to full saturation. It is a closed system ranging from 0 to 800 units and represents a moisture regime from 0 to 8 inches of water through the soil layer.
Flagler Reads Together: The Red Badge of Courage, Chapter 2
Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage, Chapter 2: Union soldier Henry Fleming, still anxious about his first battle, projects his anxieties and anger on generals around him.
Flagler Reads Together: The Red Badge of Courage, Chapter 1
Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage, Chapter 1: Union soldier Henry Fleming mulls his fears and apprehensions before his first battle against Confederate forces on the other side of the river.
Visits Decline 26% in 2 Years at Flagler County Public Library; E-Books Beginning Oct. 1
Patrons will be able to borrow the books through their digital devices. The library’s plans for a cafe continue despite a setback, and it has no plans for scaling back its physical presence: to the contrary. Expansion plans are afoot for the main branch library in Palm Coast.
A Video Message to the Komen Foundation: What Breast Cancer Is, and Isn’t
As good an answer to the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s misguided two-step as you’ll see: a woman’s testimony about what breast cancer has done to her, all politics aside.
Mitt Romney’s Tax Returns: A Guide
As one of the richest men ever to run for President, Romney’s filings are enormously complex, and the subject of close scrutiny. News organizations are making their way through the returns. Here’s a guide to where to look to make sense of the numbers, including the original returns for 2010 and 2011.
Bad Boy Wrestling Club: An Ancient Sport Underhooks Flagler’s Youngest
A video report on the fledgling Flagler Bad Boy Wrestling Club, now in its second year, with a presence in all the county’s elementary schools.
Job-Killing Regulations: Busting the Myths
Job-killing regulations: Partisan myths and exaggerations aside, regulations may kill some jobs while creating others, netting a wash–and a vaster profit in protecting waterways, food, air and general safety.
Hammock Carvings: Paul Baliker, Sculptor of Nature’s Balance at Man’s Mercy
Paul Baliker has been sculpting wood and bronze for 35 years, working out of his studio in the Hammock, where he also maintains a gallery. A video report by Charlotte Marten.
A. J. Neste’s Eye on Irene
Memorial for Hurricane Irene: A.J. Neste, Flagler Beach’s premier photographer, contributes a gallery of Irene at its fiercest, when it was parallel with Flagler’s shore this week.
9/11 Brotherhood Ride Honored by Hammock’s Firefighters on 40’s Way to Ground Zero
The 40 cyclists from first-responder departments around the country set off from Naples for the 1,600-mile journey on Aug. 20. They’ll be at Ground Zero in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Charlotte Marten’s video report.
Rick Perry Myths, Facts, Half-Truths: A Guide
Swagger check: a guide to the Rick Perry record in Texas. The Republican contender for the 2012 presidential election has recast the race, presenting himself as a serious alternative to a GOP field of lightweights.
Whiley v. Scott: Full Text of Florida Supreme Court Decision Invalidating Gov. Scott’s Rulemaking Edict
Full text of the Florida Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision in Whiley v. Scott. The opinion was unsigned.
IB Extended Essay Guide for Students
IB Extended Essay Guide: how to write the International Baccalaureate extended essay. A complete student guide with subject-specific examples.
Like Sieves In the Night: Newcastle Marine Launches Mega-Yacht from Palm Coast Yard
Newcastle Marina kept the launch of its massive new yacht from its Palm Coast shipyard under wraps, going so far as to deny reports it would be launched Thursday night. But it was. Here are pictures.
Federal Individual Income Tax Rates By Year: 1913-2013
Federal income tax rates by year: the full history of marginal tax rates in the United States going back to 1913 in an easy-to-read format.
Health Care Reform Ruling: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 Decision
Full text of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 ruling on Aug. 12, 2011 overturning parts of the Obama administration’s health care reform law, in a case from Florida.
Mia Bella Dance Academy’s Team of 21 Sweeps National Showdown in Gatlinburg
Mia Bella Dance Academy’s competition team of 20 dancers more than doubled their national awards tally from last year in a competition in Gatlinburg, Tenn., this month. Charlotte Marten’s video report.
Despite Rains and Fire Chief’s OK, Flagler Beach Fireworks Won’t Be Reignited
Thanks to recent rains, Fire Chief Don Petito OK’d the Flagler Beach fireworks, but the county commission stuck to its decision to cancel, citing several reasons–including the fireworks company’s inability to switch gear again at this late date.
Ring v. Arizona 536 US 584 (2002): Capital Punishment and Sixth Amendment Law
In Ring v. Arizona, Arizona’s capital sentencing system was found to violate the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a trail by jury by shifting the imposition of the death sentence to a judge.
Literacy By the Paw: When Children Learn To Read With Dogs as Their Audience
The Flagler County Public Library and the Flagler Humane Society have paired to offer a periodic reading program for children who develop their skills by reading to dogs. A video report.
Photo Gallery: The Espanola and CR305 Fires on Monday
A sequential photo gallery showing where Flagler’s largest and its newest fires were on Monday, and what it’s taking to keep them under a measure of control.
Showtime for Synchro Belles: A Photo Gallery of the 5-Time State Champions
The 32-girls team of the Flagler County Synchro Belles goes into action tonight at the Belle Terre Swim and Raquet Club for its annual community show before going on the road to defend its state title in Gainesville, and battle for a national in Seattle. A photo gallery.
Taking Stock of Flagler’s Fires: Taming White Eagle as Espanola Threatens Mondex
A ride-along with Flagler Fire Chief Don Petito and a photo gallery illustrate how firefighters took control of the US1-Seminole Woods fire, and what they’re doing to try to control the ever-growing Espanola fire, which may threaten Daytona North, i.e. the Mondex.
Move Over, Men: Flagler Beach Rides Roiling Surge in Women’s Surfing
Since Frieda Zamba won her four world championship in the 1980s, women’s surfing has surged in popularity, with ripples down the shores of Flagler Beach. A video report from Charlotte Marten.
Pride of a Principal, Pride of a Thousand Parents As FPC Class of 2011 Graduates
Flagler Palm Coast High School Class of 2011’s 509 graduates will, in their principal’s words, be “competing for jobs that haven’t been invented yet.” But not yet: Monday evening was for jubilation at the Ocean Center.