The association-wide renovations started at the Ormond Beach branch this past February and have continued to include completion of the Holly Hill and Southeast Volusia Family YMCA locations. Planning is currently underway for renovations at the DeLand, Four Townes and Port Orange branches.
News Briefs
Andrew Gillum Fraud Trial Moved to April
A trial that could determine whether former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is convicted of federal wire fraud and conspiracy charges has been delayed until April, according to an order issued by a federal judge on Thursday. Pushing the trial back to April 17 from its initially scheduled August 16 date is “reasonable and appropriate” in the case, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor wrote in the order.
Patti King Is Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s New Director
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Patti King has accepted the position of Museum Director. Current Director Kathy Wilcox has been in the position since 2018 and will retire in December.
Dr. Larry Petker Honors Wife Sandi with $25,000 Endowment to Daytona State College
Ormond Beach chiropractor Dr. Larry Petker and his family have established an endowed scholarship fund with the Daytona State College Foundation in memory of his beloved wife, Sandi, who passed away last December.
Sheriff Staly Elected Vice-Chair of the Florida Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors
During the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA) semi-annual meeting of Florida’s Sheriff’s held in Orlando on July 26, 2022, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly was elected by his fellow Sheriff’s to Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.
Judge Upholds Osceola School Board’s Termination of Charter School Contract
Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock issued a 65-page order backing the school board in the dispute with American Classical Charter Academy. The school board voted April 5 to terminate the contract, prompting the charter school to take the case to the state Division of Administrative Hearings.
Sheriff’s 911 Center Director Christina Mortimer Awarded Public Safety Executive Designation
Communications Director Christina Mortimer graduated from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Institute (APCO), Certified Public Safety Executive (CPE) program. The graduation ceremony was held at the Shores Resort in Daytona Beach Shores.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin Is Appointed to Regional Urban Transportation Panel
The River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) carries out the urban transportation planning and programming process for all of Volusia County and the developed areas of eastern Flagler County including Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, and Bunnell.
Sheriff’s Employees Donate $20,670 to Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees donated $20,670 to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (FSYR) making FCSO employee’s total donations to the FSYR over $133,000 since 2017.
Junior Chamber and Waste Pro Cleanup S.R. 100 and Bulldog Drive
Waste Pro and the Junior Chamber of Commerce partnered today on a community cleanup near Flagler-Palm Coast High School (FPC) and SR-100.
Dr. Daniel T. Brauneck, 3rd Generation Dentists, Joins Flagler Dental
Flagler Dental Associates is pleased to welcome Dr. Daniel T. Brauneck, DMD to its practice. Dr. Brauneck is a third generation dentist who was born and raised in Palatka.
Embry-Riddle Re-Invigorates Its Study Abroad Slate
Study abroad programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University suspended during Covid are now back at full strength, hosting more than 200 students this summer to travel the world. Several of those students earned the opportunity thanks to rare scholarship funding.
July Rains Relieve Northeast Florida of Abnormally Dry Conditions
Recent rainfall throughout the St. Johns River Water Management District’s 18-county region, which includes Flagler County, has relieved portions of northeast Florida that had been abnormally dry after below-average rainfall in June.
Gas Below $4 a Gallon in Sight as Prices Continue to Fall
Gas prices in Florida have fallen by almost 50 cents over the past four weeks, with prices as low as $4.15 a gallon at some Orlando gas stations on Sunday, and falling below the $4.50 mark in most Palm Coast gas stations.
Gas Prices Falling Steadily, and May Continue to Fall Nearer $4 Mark as Recession Looms
Gas prices are not tumbling yet, but they’re falling, and they may continue to fall as oil producers increase production, supplies increase and fears of recession slow demand.
Contaminants Found in Oysters in Waters Around Florida
With a new state law addressing the clean-up of chemical compounds that have been widely used by industries, a Florida International University study says the substances have been found in oysters in Biscayne Bay, the Marco Island area and Tampa Bay.
Sheriff Staly to Undergo Out-Patient Surgery on July 1
Sheriff Staly is scheduled for out- patient surgery on July 1, 2022, to repair a knee injury. Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge will be the Acting Sheriff while Staly is under anesthesia.
Flagler County Seeks Volunteers for Meals on Wheels and Supplemental Food Programs
Flagler County Senior Services is looking for a few good men and women volunteers to assist with the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Meals on Wheels.
Flagler Leadership Academy’s 3rd Class Graduates 16 from Eight Local Governments
Sixteen students – representing the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections, and Flagler Schools, as well as the cities of Bunnell, Flagler Beach, and Palm Coast – were presented diplomas for completing this leadership development program.
Take the ‘Internet Speed Test’ Survey
Flagler County officials are encouraging residents to take an anonymous one-minute speed test and survey to help identify opportunities for expansion of broadband services in Florida. The survey can be completed on any device and from any location.
DSC Gets $10,000 Bank of America Grant for 1,200 At-Risk Students’ Meals
Daytona State College will use a $10,000 grant from Bank of America to provide more than 1,200 meals to low-income and under-represented students who might not otherwise have access to healthy food during the school day.
Volusia/Flagler YMCA HYDRO4 Swim Team Places 18th in U.S.
The Volusia Flagler Family YMCA’s HYDRO4 Swim Team has been recognized as a 2022 American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Top 100 Age Group Team. The team placed 18th in the USA.
Flagler County Hosts Weeklong Florida Emergency Preparedness Association Academy
Twenty-five emergency management professionals from 13 counties, the Salvation Army, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management made Flagler County their temporary home as they immersed themselves in the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) Intermediate Academy – hosted by the county.
Flagler Clerk of Court’s Office Is Recognized for Best Practices
he Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Tom Bexley accepted the award at last week’s Florida Clerk’s summer conference. Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) recognized 55 members for participating in its second annual Best Practices Excellence Program.
DeSantis Signs Law Lowering Specialty License Plates from 150 to 135
The license-plate bill (SB 364) will cut the maximum number of specialty plates at any one time from 150 to 135, while also making some changes related to the pre-sales of plates.
FDLE Is Launching Florida Purple Alert Program for Missing Adults With Mental Disabilities
The Purple Alert will be used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from mental, cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Inspiration of Hope Hosts Gospel Extravaganza at Palm Coast Community Center June 25
Inspiration of Hope Community Resources, Inc. is hosting a Gospel Extravaganza at 3 p.m., on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Palm Coast Community Center.
$200,000 Goal in Day of Giving for Bethune-Cookman University on June 17
Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) is celebrating a Day of Giving from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday, June 17. The university is asking alumni, stakeholders and those who love and support B-CU to help reach its goal of raising $200,000.
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly Elected President of Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly is honored to have been elected as the President of the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association (FDSA) with his term beginning in July 2022. Sheriff Staly previously was the Vice President for FDSA for two years.
DeSantis Defends Press Secretary Christina Pushaw, Who ‘Belatedly’ Registered as Foreign Agent
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday defended his press secretary, Christina Pushaw, after The Washington Post reported that Pushaw this week registered as a foreign agent because of previous work for the former president of the country of Georgia.
Officials Warn of Phone Scam Impersonating as Bunnell Police
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office notified the Bunnell Police Department they received complaints from area residents regarding a “spoofing” scam where the suspect manipulates the phone system to indicate on the Caller ID the same phone number as the one for the Bunnell Police Department.
Democrats Seek Special Legislative Session on Guns, But Need 60% of Lawmakers to Back Bid
Florida lawmakers will have until 3 p.m. Friday to weigh in on a proposal by Democrats to hold a special legislative session on gun violence.
Flagler and Florida Gas Prices Hit New High, Relief Not Yet in Sight
In Palm Coast on Monday, regular gas was selling for $4.72 to $4.76 at gas stations on State Road 100 and Palm Coast Parkway, with the lowest reported price in the region at the Hess station on U.S. 1 south of Korona, where it was selling for $4.65.
Flagler Tiger Bay Club Welcomes Florida Internet and Television CEO Brad Swanson
Florida Internet & Television represents providers across Florida, such as Atlantic Broadband, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Comcast and Mediacom.
SunRail and Central Florida Zoo Launch ‘Choo-Choo to the Zoo’
Starting today (June 6), leisure travelers can take SunRail to its Sanford station where they will find a free, “Choo-Choo to the Zoo” themed shuttle waiting to transport them to the front gate of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in less than 15 minutes.
Firing Range Among Funding for Daytona State College Projects
The largest of these projects is the construction of a firing range on the DeLand Campus, providing DSC’s Law Enforcement Academy with an on-site, all-weather training facility. Current law enforcement officers from state and national agencies will also be able to utilize the range for their continuing education opportunities, too.
BP’s Flagler County Rainfall and Climate Report for May 2022
The following is Flagler County Emergency Management Weather Specialist Bob Pickering’s report for Flagler County rainfall and climate in May, as prepared and submitted today.
Palm Coast Hosts Memorial Day Ceremony at Heroes Park
Join the City of Palm Coast for a Memorial Day Ceremony, “Remembering America’s Heroes,” on Monday, May 30 at 8 a.m. at Heroes Memorial Park.
New Law Would Require State, Not Local School Board, to Set Emergency Drill Guidelines
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday formally received nine bills from the Legislature, including a school-safety bill that would direct the State Board of Education to develop rules for school emergency drills.
Palm Coast Fire Department Dedicates New Fire Engine to Cpl. John T. Schmidt III, Felled in Iraq War
The Palm Coast Fire Department hosted a Gold Star Dedication ceremony in which they dedicated a new Fire Engine in memory of Marine Lance Corporal John T. Schmidt III on this past weekend. The ceremony took place at Fire Station 21 with the family and friends of Lance Corporal Schmidt, Gold Star Families, and Fire Department personnel.
Palm Coast Marks Inaugural Tunnel to Towers 5K
The May 14 event benefited Tunnel to Towers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families. The inaugural event raised over $20,000 for the organization.
2nd Judicial Circuit Judge Barbara Hobbs Hit With 60-Day Suspension and $30,000 Fine
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a Tallahassee-area circuit judge should receive a 60-day suspension and pay a $30,000 fine after she acted as an attorney for her son following his arrest in a shooting incident.
James Hirst Appointed Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Director
Hirst joined the City of Palm Coast in June of 2014 as an Aquatics Supervisor and has risen through the ranks, achieving Outdoor Recreation Manager in September of 2018.
Trial Scheduled for Next February Over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
A federal judge has scheduled a February trial in a legal battle over a new state law that restricts teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools.
Taylor Morland Selected to Represent Flagler Beach at Miss Florida Teen USA 2022
Taylor Morland has been selected to represent Flagler Beach at the Miss Florida USA/Miss Florida Teen USA Competition this May 27-29, 2022, on stage at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts! Tickets for both nights of competition available online and at the box office.
Sheriff’s Contingent Escorts Families of Fallen Deputies Luciano and Celico at National Police Week in D.C.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Honor Guard, Motors Unit and dedicated family escorts accompanied the families of two of FCSO’s fallen heroes during National Police Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.
Vietnam War Veteran Cecil Hengeveld Speaks at Flagler County’s Memorial Day Service
Join Flagler County at its Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30, featuring special guest speaker Cecil Hengeveld, Colonel, U.S. Army (retired), a Vietnam War veteran, whose decorations include Legion of Merit, Air Medal with “V” device and 30 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, and the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal.
DeSantis Signs Records Expungement Bill
After the measure received unanimous approval in the House and Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12 signed a bill that will expand minors’ ability to have arrest records expunged if they have completed diversion programs.
Flagler’s Inimitable Bob Pickering Earns Distinguished Service Award at Governor’s Hurricane Conference
Emergency Management Specialist Bob Pickering received the Distinguished Service Award Thursday at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference in south Florida for being a jack of all trades within his department.
Nikki Fried Says Charlie Crist ‘Is Refusing to Debate’ in Primary
With less than four months away from the 2022 gubernatorial primary, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is pushing for a televised debate among Democratic candidates, claiming U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist “is refusing to debate” her and she has accepted several invitations from broadcast media outlets across Florida.