The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a repeat offender after he was caught on camera committing a residential burglary of a Palm Coast residence. On July 24, deputies responded to a report of a residential burglary on Colleen Court after the victim told dispatchers that she had home surveillance video showing an unknown male breaking into her home. According to the victim, the suspect, later identified as Austin Brammer, 35, of Palm Coast, stole a box of watches.
News Briefs
DeSantis Wants Redistricting to Help Save GOP’s House Majority
With President Trump fearful that congressional Republicans could lose their slim majority in the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election, he has urged the state of Texas to redraw their congressional map to add as many as five GOP seats to Congress, and that he’d like other states to follow suit. Gov. Ron DeSantis says that Florida can be one of those states.
Daytona State College Rolls Out Mobile Library
Daytona State College is rolling out a mobile “Book Bike” with support from a $6,100 grant from the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN).
Florida Bar Opposing Attorney General Opening a Door to Out-Of-State Government Lawyers
The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors has backed a proposal by the Bar’s Rules Committee to file a comment opposing an effort by Attorney General James Uthmeier to create a new way for out-of-state government lawyers to practice in the state. Uthmeier’s petition would allow “certain state government lawyers” to practice in Florida for up to three years without having to take the Florida Bar exam or undergo a “character and fitness” evaluation.
County Commission Chair Andy Dance Elected to 2 State Executive Committees, Amplifying Flagler’s Voice
Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance was elected to the Executive Committee of the Small County Coalition of Florida (SCCF) to represent Region 3, and elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) to represent District 7.
Minimally Invasive TenJet Procedure Ends Woman’s Years of Chronic Hip Pain
For years, Laura O’Brien lived with persistent pain in her hip. It made daily tasks like walking, standing, and sleeping difficult. Relief finally came from an unexpected source: a handheld device the size of an electric toothbrush. Dr. Joseph Chen performed the outpatient procedure at AdventHealth Palm Coast – as the only sports medicine physician in Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties offering TenJet for joint and limb treatments.
NASA May Move Its Headquarters to Florida
Sen. Ashley Moody believes that NASA may still move its headquarters to the Sunshine State, telling national media that keeping it in the nation’s capital is “not needed” and suggesting the space agency’s Chief of Staff may be an advocate for relocation.
‘Unacceptable’ Judge Stefanie Moon Fined $2,115 and Suspended for Violations
Calling her conduct “unacceptable,” the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a 10-day suspension, a public reprimand and a $2,115 fine for Broward County circuit judge Stephanie Moon, who is accused of inappropriate campaign activity, prohibited political contributions and other wrongdoing.
Flagler County ‘Awards of Excellence’ for Podcast Series and Writing
Flagler County is the recipient of three National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) “Awards of Excellence,” in the category Audiovisual Podcast Series for the county’s new podcast called Flagler in Focus and two writing features. NACIO, which is an active affiliate of the National Association of Counties (NACo), made the presentations July 14 during its annual conference in Philadelphia that the county attended virtually.
Palm Coast’s London Waterway Project Wins 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award
The City of Palm Coast’s London Waterway project was recently recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award for Stormwater Projects, presented by the Florida Stormwater Association.
Florida Supreme Court Sends Everglades Prison Case to Lower Court
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday sent to a lower court a case filed by Democratic state lawmakers after they were denied entry to a controversial immigrant-detention center in the Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Analysis Warns Deportations Could Cost 6 Million Jobs, With Florida Among Four Top Losers
If successful, the administration’s goal of deporting 4 million people over four years will cost jobs held by both immigrants and U.S.-born workers, according to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. EPI’s analysis found California, Florida, New York and Texas will have the highest number of job losses, because of larger immigrant populations in those states.
Child Care Is Increasingly Cost-Prohibitive for Florida Parents
There are about 1.28 million children under the age of 6 in Florida, and it’s getting costly for parents to get child care when needed, according to a new analysis from Florida TaxWatch. The watchdog group has published a new report, How Childcare Costs Impact Florida’s Economy. The analysis concludes that child care is taking its toll on the workforce. The report found that the Sunshine State economy loses about $1.5 billion per year due to absenteeism by employees who can’t work due to demands of caring for children.
Pier Construction Update: Parking Zone for 3 Blocks around the Pier Will Be Eliminated
The $16 million demolition and reconstruction of the Flagler Beach Pier into an 800-foot concrete structure began in July 2025. The following construction update, provided by Flagler Beach government’s Katherine Monroy, outlines the construction activity and potential disruptions to drivers and pedestrians in the coming week.
Flagler OARS Offers Free Narcan Distribution Kiosks for Local Businesses
Flagler Open Arms Recovery Services (Flagler OARS) is now offering free naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) distribution kiosks to local businesses as part of an initiative to make Flagler County a truly recovery-friendly community.
Craig Flagler Palms Area Manager Sal Passalaqua Wins Leadership Excellence Award
Craig Flagler Palms announced that Area Manager Sal Passalaqua, Jr. was presented with the Service Corporation International (SCI) Operations Leadership Service Excellence Award on June 18 at Craig Flagler Palms. Passalaqua, who has dedicated over 20 years of service to the company since joining in 2004, was recognized for his exceptional commitment to serving families during their most difficult times.
Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children Mentee Alaria Krivoshey Joins Chiumento Law as Summer Intern
Chiumento Law announced today that Alaria Krivoshey, a Take Stock in Children mentee, has joined the firm as a summer intern. Alaria is mentored by Diane Vidal, a partner at Chiumento Law and the head of our Probate and Estate Planning department.
Photographs Show Recently Paved Over Areas at Everglades Lock-Up, Belying State’s Claims
DeSantis labeled environmental concerns as illegitimate, claiming that construction occurred over already developed facilities, like the tarmac and taxiway, of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, and that any waste would be removed. Aerial photographs from Friends of the Everglades, one of the groups suing federal and state officials, taken Saturday show land where grass has been removed and recently paved-over areas.
DeSantis Signs Record 9th Death Warrant for State Killing of Triple-Murderer Edward Zakrzewski
In what could be a record ninth execution this year in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of using a crowbar and a machete to murder his wife and two children in 1994 in Okaloosa County.=
DeSantis Vetoes Target Black History and Minority Scholarships
As the Governor continues to decry diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the private and public sector, the Republican Governor killed several line items in the state budget directed at elevating the marginalized.
DeSantis Sued Over Apparent Laziness in Judicial Appointment Delay
Alleging that Gov. Ron DeSantis did not comply with a constitutionally required deadline, an attorney asked the Florida Supreme Court on Friday to direct the governor to appoint a circuit judge in the Tallahassee area.
Rain on Independence Day? Worst Expected in Mid-Afternoon, Less Likely During Fireworks
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville is predicting that the highest probability of rain in the Flagler Beach-Palm Coast region will be from 3 to 6 p.m., with a 6 percent chance at 3, falling to a 45 percent chance at 6 and 30 percent by 9 p.m.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Increasing Patrols on Roads, Waterways and Parks Over July 4 Weekend
To ensure that Flagler County residents and visitors have a safe Fourth of July weekend, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement partners will be conducting increased patrols along roadways, waterways, parks, and other high-traffic areas throughout the county. These enforcement efforts will begin on July 3 and continue through the holiday weekend.
Heavy Rainfall May Dampen July 4 Weekend
The National Weather Service is cautioning that Palm Coast, Flagler County and Northeast Florida are in for a soaking over the Independence Day weekend, with local accumulations of several inches possible.
DeSantis Vetoes Bill That Would’ve Limited University Board Seats to Florida Residents
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday vetoed three bills, including a proposal that would have placed new restrictions on members of the state university system’s Board of Governors and university boards of trustees.
Elected Officials’ Personal Phone Numbers and Home Addresses Are Now Secret
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that creates a public-records exemption to prevent the release of home addresses and telephone numbers of legislators, members of Congress and numerous other elected officials.
As Gun Homicides Continue to Decline, Gun Suicides Reached Record High in 2023
More people in the United States died by gun suicide in 2023 than any year on record — more than by gun homicide, accidental shootings and police shootings combined. A new report analyzing federal mortality data found that suicides involving firearms made up 58% of all gun deaths in 2023 — the latest year with available data. In total, 27,300 people died by gun suicide in 2023, according to the report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the Johns Hopkins Center for Suicide Prevention.
Palm Coast Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office Hold Joint Training at Long Creek Nature Preserve
The Palm Coast Fire Department held a three-day joint training exercise with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office – the latest in a long line of training efforts that the two agencies have worked together on to prepare for a variety of different emergencies.
DeSantis Warns: The Vetoes Are Coming
During a lengthy press conference on higher education held on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, the Republican governor took shots at the Legislature for not passing a budget on time. He also noted that the final $115.1 billion budget includes enough local projects for individual lawmakers to leave him “kind of numb.”
Yummy: Palm Coast Residents Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at Water and Sewer Plants
Palm Coast residents gained an in-depth understanding of the city’s vital water and wastewater treatment processes during a guided tour of the city’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Not to worry: the two are not co-located.
Largest Restoration Project in FWC’s History Conducted on Lake Kissimmee
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is undertaking a historic restoration effort to promote native plant communities through large-scale revegetation on Lake Kissimmee. The FWC has allocated an unprecedented $2.35 million over two years to support this restoration effort, marking the largest revegetation project in agency history.
DeSantis Signs ‘Customary Use’ Bill Securing Public Beach Access, a Step Flagler County Took in 2018
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a bill reversing a controversial 2018 law that led to limited public beach access in some areas. Lawmakers in April passed the bill (SB 1622) after widespread complaints about waterfront property owners in Walton County preventing people from using beaches. Flagler County was ahead of the curve. Beating a deadline, and at the urging–and orchestration–of County Attorney Al Hadeed, the Flagler County Commission in 2018 enacted an ordinance that preserved customary use on the county’s 18 miles of shore, in essence grandfathering the county under the new law.
60 Missing Florida Children in ‘Critical Danger’ Rescued in Largest U.S. Operation
Federal, state, and local officials say 60 children ranging in age from 9-17 have been recovered in what an official called the “the largest in the history of the United States Marshal Service.”
“Operation Dragon Eye” involved 20 agencies and more than 100 people, recovering 60 missing children in “critical danger.” Eight people arrested face various charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking.
Court Strikes Down Law Requiring Posting of 10 Commandments in Classrooms
The 5th U.S. Court of Appeals, often described as one of the most conservative courts in the nation, found the law unconstitutional because it violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which bars the government from endorsing a religion or creating laws that favor one religion over another.
Ex-US Attorney Roger Handberg Joins GrayRobinson in Orlando as Litigator
Former Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg has joined GrayRobinson in its Litigation practice. Handberg, who will be based in GrayRobinson’s Orlando office, brings more than two decades of experience in high-stakes white-collar defense, government investigations and complex litigation to the firm. GrayRobinson is frequently the firm Palm Coast government retains for special cases; the firm is representing the city in the Splash Pad case. It represented it in last year’s charter-amendment case. It is representing it to defend against Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris’s lawsuit against his own city.
New Teen Driver Requirements, Including 6-Hour Course and Real ID Rules, Take Effect July 1
Beginning July 1, new requirements go into effect for Florida teens ages 15 to 17 seeking a Class E Learner’s Permit. These changes, enacted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), are aimed at enhancing driver education and safety for new motorists.
Democrat Josh Weil Running for Senate in Bid to Unseat Ashley Moody
After boosting his profile during an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. House, Democrat Josh Weil announced Wednesday that he will try to unseat U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., in 2026.
Historic Telesurgery Connects Central Florida and Angola in Medical Breakthrough
In a groundbreaking medical milestone, Dr. Vip Patel, founder and medical director of the Global Robotics Institute at AdventHealth Celebration, successfully performed a robotic prostatectomy on a patient located in Angola, Africa — while operating from the Nicholson Center in Celebration, Florida. The procedure spanned nearly 7,000 miles, making it the longest distance telesurgery ever completed and setting a new global benchmark in surgical innovation.
Palm Coast Launches Government-Wide Risk Assessment to Drive Efficiency
In response to City Council direction and residents’ calls for continual advancements, the City of Palm Coast will conduct an Entity‑Wide Risk Assessment this summer. National consulting firm Plante Moran has been selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to lead the effort.
Florida Was Set to Shield Lawmakers’ Home Addresses Before Minnesota Assassination
Florida lawmakers in April overwhelmingly passed a bill (SB 268) to create a public-records exemption that would prevent the release of home addresses and telephone numbers of legislators and members of Congress. Also, the exemption would apply to the governor, lieutenant governor, state Cabinet members, county commissioners, property appraisers, elections supervisors, school superintendents, school board members, mayors and city commissioners.
Flagler County Government’s Leadership Academy Graduates 12
Twelve executives, managers, and professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a special ceremony at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center on Thursday June 12th at 4:30 p.m.
DeSantis Signs Warrant for Eighth Execution of the Year
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of murdering two people in 1993 in Duval County, setting the stage for a potentially record-tying eighth execution this year.
Daytona State College Keeps Tuition and Fee Rates Flat for 15th Consecutive Year
Recognizing the need to keep college affordable for all students, Daytona State College is freezing tuition and associated fees for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. This marks the 15th consecutive year of no increases in tuition and associated fee rates. The DSC District Board of Trustees approved the tuition freeze Thursday at its regular monthly meeting.
Officials Threaten Floridians with Jail as They Prepare for Anti-Trump Rallies
Floridians in more than 70 cities throughout the state plan to join nationwide demonstrations to protest the Trump administration on Saturday, prompting Attorney General James Uthmeier and other law enforcement officials to say they won’t hesitate to quash protests. The protests, part of the “No Kings” movement, are set to take place the same day as the multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Two protests are planned in Palm Coast at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Per-Student Funding in Florida Will Increase Just 1.59%, Well Below Inflation
In a time when the Legislature is trying to pare back the size of the state budget, lawmakers agreed this week to pump more than $29 billion into K-12 education, a $945 million increase over current year spending.
$118 Million Buy of 76,000 Acres for Preservation in North Florida Approved
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved spending nearly $118 million to conserve about 76,000 acres of land in North Florida. Using money from the Florida Forever program, the state will buy two conservation easements.
Reported Abortions in Florida Down 46% from 2024
A reported 17,377 abortions had been performed in Florida this year as of June 2, a 45.8 percent decrease from a comparable period in 2024, according to state data.
Lu, the Hippopotamus of Homosassa Springs, Dies at 65
Born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960, Lu came to Homosassa Springs in 1964. A charismatic actor, he was a movie and television star with the Ivan Tors Animal Actors troupe and starred in popular films and television shows of the 1960s, including Daktari, Cowboy in Africa, the Art Linkletter Show and the Herb Albert Special. His Hollywood past added to his charm, but it was his calm presence and gentle personality that endeared him to generations of Floridians and visitors alike.
Energy Association Warns Florida Could Lose Up to 21,800 Solar Jobs If President’s Tax Bill Is Enacted
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says Florida could lose potentially up to 21,800 solar and storage jobs if the current bill isn’t altered by the U.S. Senate before making its way to the president’s desk and signed into law.
City of Palm Coast Wins Statewide Planning Award for Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update
The City of Palm Coast was honored with the 2025 Florida Planning and Zoning Association’s Outstanding Public Outreach & Community Involvement Award for its exceptional public engagement efforts during the Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan update. The award was presented on Friday during the 72nd Annual FPZA Conference at the Casa Monica Hotel & Spa in St. Augustine.