The Palm Coast Fire Department celebrates Battalion Chief Dave Faust on his professional achievement of successfully completing the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
News Briefs
Florida Highway Patrol Graduates 21 Troopers From Its 152nd Basic Recruiting Class
Graduates completed 29 weeks of training, equivalent to 770 hours, beginning on June 5, 2023. Training included high liability classes, defensive tactics, firearms, vehicle operations, and first aid. The 152nd class included five military veterans representing the Army, Air Force, and the United States Marine Corps. Five graduates came from law enforcement families.
Florida Senate Targets AI’s ‘Deepfakes’ in Political Ads
Concerns about materially deceptive media — so-called “deepfakes” — have accelerated as the use of artificial intelligence has become more sophisticated in recent years, prompting a member of the Florida Senate to propose civil penalties for using them in political ads.
667 Students Graduate at Embry-Riddle Fall Commencement Ceremonies
A total of 667 students from the fall 2023 graduating class walked the stage Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, to earn their diplomas at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s commencement ceremonies, held at the Ocean Center, in Daytona Beach. Of the graduates, 524 were undergraduate degree earners, 112 were master’s earners, 13 earned doctoral degrees and 18 were Worldwide Campus students who walked in the Daytona Beach ceremony.
Sheriff Staly Is Honored with Bethune-Cookman’s Law Enforcement Leadership Award
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly was recognized with the Law Enforcement Leadership Award at the 6th Annual Florida Historically Black Colleges and Universities (FL HBCUs) Law Enforcement Luncheon hosted by the Center for Law and Social Justice at Bethune-Cookman University (BCU). Sheriff Staly received the award for his leadership, community-policing engagement efforts, and for providing internships and opportunities to minority applicants and BCU interns.
Sheriff’s Shop With a Cop Raises Over $35,000 for Christmas Spree, Shattering records
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees contributed nearly $25,000 and community organizations another $10,000 to the Flagler Sheriff Children’s Charities Shop With A Cop event set for Dec. 15 at the Palm Coast Walmart.
St. Johns County Judge Casey Woolsey Could Face Reprimand Over Inappropriate Fundraising
St. Johns County Judge Casey Woolsey “admitted that her conduct was inappropriate” and violated judicial canons, according to a document filed Monday at the Florida Supreme Court by an investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Personal Trainer ‘Artie G’ Gardella Releases First Book, ‘Because You Have a Bucket List’
Personal trainer Artie Gardella – “Artie G” a local senior fitness specialist in Volusia and Flagler County for the past two decades, is proud to announce the release of his first book, “Because You Have a Bucket List.” To celebrate this milestone, Artie G. will host a book signing event on Saturday, December 16, at 11 am, at St Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast.
Abortion Rights Supporters Reach 77% of Needed Signatures for Constitutional Amendment Ballot Measure
Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure abortion rights in Florida continue moving closer to submitting enough petition signatures to get on the 2024 ballot. The Florida Division of Elections website Friday showed 687,700 valid petition signatures for the measure, which is sponsored by the political committee Floridians Protecting Freedom.
Get a Free Tree By Recycling Your Christmas Tree on Jan. 6 at the Palm Coast Fuel Depot
Recycle your Christmas tree and receive a free three-gallon tree or shrub in exchange (while supplies last) at the City’s 17th annual Christmas Tree Recycling Event. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Palm Coast Fuel Depot, 22 Utility Drive, Palm Coast.