Almost all local government offices, with the exception of public schools, will be closed April 2 in observance of Good Friday.
News Briefs
All Floridians 40 and Older May Be Vaccinated Starting Monday, and All Adults Starting April 5
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced that all Floridians ages 40 and older will be able to receive Covid-19 vaccinations starting Monday and that all adults will be eligible on April 5.
Flagler Health Department and AdventHealth Palm Coast to Co-Host Covid Vaccination Event April 8
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, April 8 at AdventHealth Palm Coast hospital at 60 Memorial Medical Parkway in Palm Coast. Those interested in receiving the Moderna vaccine must preregister with DOH-Flagler’s Diabetes Education Center.
Sheriff Staly Honored as Golden Eagle by Boy Scouts of America on May 12
The Flagler County Golden Eagle Event, hosted by the Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America. The Golden Eagle Dinner event brings together Flagler County’s top corporate and community leaders each year to honor an outstanding member of the community.
DSC Faculty Member Jessica Kester’s Article on Social Media in Classroom Published in National Academic Journal
Daytona State College English Professor Jessica Kester has received national recognition for co-authoring a report on the use of social media in the classroom. The article is featured in the spring edition of Currents in Teaching and Learning, a peer-reviewed academic journal that focuses on classroom practices and explores issues and challenges facing teachers today.
Palm Coast Seeks Participants for Unique Citizens Academy Session, By Zoom
This year, to provide the utmost safe experience and still offer interaction among participants and local leaders, the City will host this session via Zoom. The sessions will begin April 26 and continue for five consecutive Mondays. The session is limited to 20 participants.
Anyone 50 and Over May Now Be Vaccinated in Florida
Last week, Florida lowered the age threshold from 65 to 60, but the governor said softening demand convinced him the state could go to 50. The development occurs a little more than a year after the novel coronavirus showed up in the state, as Florida topped 2 million cases of Covid-19.
Rising Fuel Costs Mean Higher Bills for FPL Customers
FPL customers pay $99.05 a month. Under the commission staff recommendation, that amount would go to $103.02 in May and continue through December.
Florida House Backs Abolishing Constitutional Revision Commission
With the full Senate poised to take up the issue, a plan that would abolish an influential panel that can place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot began moving forward Wednesday in the House.
Flagler Health Department Begins New Phase of Covid Vaccination Effort
The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County (DOH-Flagler) moves into a new phase of vaccination efforts this week with additional sites, a lowered age requirement and a process that allows the “medically vulnerable” to be vaccinated with a form signed by their physician.
Sheriff’s Office Partners with City of Palm Coast for Florida Bicycle Month
Throughout the month of March, the FCSO and the City of Palm Coast will run a social media campaign featuring posts and videos related to bicycle safety, along with highlighting over 130 miles of bike trails available throughout Flagler County.
One Year Later, Stories of AdventHealth’s first Covid Patients Highlight Compassion in Medicine
On the one year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic, AdventHealth officials reflected on the changes brought on by the virus and how it emphasized the hospital system’s founding mission of caring for the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
Renner Committee Tops $391,000 in February Haul
As he prepares to become House speaker after the 2022 elections, a political committee led by Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, raised $391,500 in February, according to a newly filed finance report.
Palm Coast Community Center Awarded Prestigious Green Building Certification
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the world leading green building project and performance management system that delivers a comprehensive framework for green building design, construction, operations and performance.
AdventHealth Seeks Participants for Groundbreaking Genomic Study of Hereditary Diseases
Researchers are seeking 3,000 participants to reach the statewide goal of 10,000. Participation is free, and all Florida residents are eligible. The study is being conducted in partnership with population-genomics company Helix.
Florida Lawmakers Pushing School-Zone Traffic Cameras
Pointing to a need to better protect children, South Florida lawmakers Tuesday sought to build support for House and Senate proposals (HB 357 and SB 1474) that would allow local governments to install school-zone traffic cameras.
Ocean Art Gallery in Ormond Beach Expands
Ocean Art Gallery, a fine art gallery and framing center located in Ormond Beach, is introducing a new product line and an education service.
Fish and Wildlife Commission Asks Public to Help Stop Spread of Invasive Zebra Mussels
This species might cause devastating impacts to Florida’s ecology and economy, and has recently been discovered in a Florida pet store and stores in other parts of the country. The FWC is working with state and federal partners to address this national issue.
Flagler Health+ Appoints David Rice, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive
David Rice, MD, has joined Flagler Health+ as Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive as current EVP & Chief Medical Officer Miguel Machado, MD, announced his plans to retire in September.
Stetson University Elementary Education Program Ranks in Top 5% Nationally for Admission Standards and Diversity
Stetson University’s Elementary Education program placed in the top 5% (59 out of 1,256 institutions) nationally for admission standards and diversity, and is one of three leading universities in Florida.
Daytona State Awarded $100,000 Entrepreneurship, Education and Training Grant
The grant is designed to introduce students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to the mindset required of successful entrepreneurs, while guiding and developing their entrepreneurial skills.
Tammy Cornelius Will Speak at Professional Women of Flagler County Virtual Lunch
In honor of February being Heart Health Month, Tammy Cornelius, Director of Cardiovascular/Cardiopulmonary with AdventHealth Palm Coast, will be the spotlight speaker.
Sheriff Challenges Residents to ‘Dare to Care’ in Celebration of National Random Act of Kindness Day
Sheriff Rick Staly and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) invite Flagler County residents to participate in the first ever FCSO Dare to Care Challenge to celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness day on Wednesday, February 17.
Rotary Club of Palm Coast’s Online Fundraising Generates Donations to Community Organizations
The Club’s December Online Holiday Auction, along with member contributions, enabled the organization to make donations this month to both Christmas Come True and Flagler Technical College’s Adult Education programs, specifically GED scholarships for participants in the Open Door Re-Entry & Recovery Ministry.
Proposal Would End Florida’s Confederate Holidays and Protections for Confederate Flag
A proposal is back in the Florida Senate that would end legal holidays marking the birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with Confederate Memorial Day.
Struggling Elementary Students Could See Books Delivered to Their Homes
A priority of House Speaker Chris Sprowls that would lead to books being delivered to the homes of struggling elementary school readers got unanimous approval Thursday from a House panel.
Palm Coast Fire Department Resumes Home Inspections Through Community Outreach Programs Following Covid Response
The City of Palm Coast Fire Department is resuming home safety inspections through its community outreach programs after suspending them in 2020 due to Covid-19.
Water Management District Focuses on Wetlands and the Benefits they Provide
As part of our year-round work to protect water, the St. Johns River Water Management District is focused on wetlands and the benefits they provide to all our core missions. We joined others who care about water resources earlier this week in observing World Wetlands Day. Our work includes protecting, restoring and preserving natural systems, […]
Black Crappie Regulations Review Meetings for Central Florida Waterbodies
The objective of the conversations will be to gather stakeholder input on current black crappie regulations and will focus on statewide opinions, as well as resource specific regulations.
Professional Women’s Group of Flagler Hosts Virtual Networking Event January 28
A spokesperson from the Flagler County Education Foundation will be the guest speaker and the topic will be the importance of their Take Stock in Children program.
Few Trump Supporters Turn Out at State Capitol in Tallahassee
After preparation for potentially large-scale protests, only about 10 supporters of President Donald Trump waved signs to motorists outside Florida’s Capitol on Wednesday as President Joe Biden was sworn into office in Washington, D.C. With law-enforcement officers visible atop the Florida Capitol and the nearby Leon County Courthouse, the handful of Trump backers maintained their […]
American Impressionism at the Lightner Museum
This spring, the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine celebrates the evocative, timeless beauty of late 19th and early 20th century American art with two exhibitions of American Impressionist paintings.
AdventHealth Offers Rapid Covid-19 Testing at Orlando International Airport
Travelers have a new option for receiving a quick and convenient test for COVID-19 as AdventHealth has opened a COVID-19 testing site inside a terminal at Orlando International Airport.
Intracoastal Bank Announces 2020 Results
Total assets at December 31, 2020, were $483.6 million , up $139.3 million, or 40%, from $344.3 million at December 31, 2019. Total deposits at December 31, 2020 were $415 million, up 105.1 million, or 34% from $309.9 million , at December 31, 2019.
Bill Would Require Regular Florida Cabinet Meetings
Sen. Annette Taddeo, D-Miami, wants the governor to call Cabinet meetings at least once every two months. Taddeo filed a measure (SB 642) on Thursday that backs arguments by state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who repeatedly expressed frustration last year about a lack of Cabinet meetings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Flagler Kiwanis Donate New Sleuth of Bears to Sheriff’s Deputies on Patrol
The Club’s signature project “Bears-on-Patrol” was initiated in October 2019 to equip every Flagler County Law Enforcement vehicle with a supply of stuffed bears for officers to use when responding to calls ranging from traffic accidents, fires, and crime scenes, to domestic issues where a child is in a distressful situation and needs comfort and security.
Stetson University Receives Nearly $1 Million National Science Foundation Grant for STEM
The National Science Foundation officially awarded Stetson $999,823 for a project titled Cohort-Based Interdisciplinary Learning to Increase Retention and Graduation Rates of Undergraduate Students in Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Florida Bill Proposes Abortion Ban After 5 Months
Anti-abortion proponents are eager to test Roe v. Wade and other precedents in light of the the more conservative new make-up of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Daytona Beach Condo Sales Overcome Worldwide Disruptions in 2020
Despite the unmistakable economic impacts, ongoing uncertainties, and even a statewide shutdown of business for all non-essential businesses in April, condo sales and prices climbed much higher than expected across Volusia County during 2020.
November Tax Revenue Is Up 2.1% Over Last Year, Topping Expectations
Net general revenue last month totaled $2.698 billion, up 2.1 percent from $2.642.2 billion in November 2019, according to the report from the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
DeSantis Names 5 to Halifax Health Board of Commissioners
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the re-appointment of Glenn Ritchey, Carl “Rick” Lentz and Ed Connor to the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners, as well as the appointment of Alan Florez and Michael Munier to the seven-member board, which oversees Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
Covid-19 Vaccinations Begin at AdventHealth Daytona Beach
None of the vaccines are available to the general public yet because of limited supply, with some estimates predicting that it will be more available in the spring.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Partners With Local Group to Repair Bicycles for Local Youth
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) donated 13 bicycles on Thursday from the abandoned property section of the FCSO Evidence Unit. These bicycles are in need of repair but have the potential to become a beloved form of recreation for a child.
Flagler County Democratic Party Installs New Officers
Janet Sullivan has become the new Chair of the Flagler County Democratic Executive Committee following the election and installation of officers for the upcoming four years.
Holland Park Will Reopen, Partially, on Friday
Holland Park will partially reopen Friday, Dec. 18. A limited section of the playground will be open for families to enjoy which includes the zip line, rock climbing wall, slides, tunnel, a rocker that accommodates wheelchairs and walkers, and more! The hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
New Training Program Addresses Post-Traumatic Stress in Law Enforcement Officers Across Florida
Officers are frequently exposed to violence and suffering while on duty, and experiencing extremely stressful events not only causes emotional stress, but can impact the brain and body, resulting in post-traumatic stress. However, officers often don’t recognize or have the tools to handle their own needs related to witnessing these stressful events.
‘Not For Me To Do,’ DeSantis Says of Congratulating Joe Biden
With Trump continuing to contest the results of last month’s election, DeSantis was asked Tuesday whether he would congratulate Biden. “It’s not for me to do,” DeSantis said.
Fitch Ratings Upgrades Palm Coast’s Utility System Bond Rating to AA
Fitch Ratings announced on Monday (Dec. 7) it’s upgrade of the City of Palm Coast’s utility outstanding obligations bond rating from A+ to AA, which represents an extremely strong rating.
Jessica Paugh Selected as DSC’s New School of Emergency Services Director
Over the last five decades, the DSC School of Emergency Services has produced thousands of law enforcement officers and first responders, and graduates who pass the State Officer Certification Exam qualify for employment anywhere in the State of Florida.
Covid-19 Deaths Among Florida Inmates Reach 119
The death toll of Florida prison inmates from COVID-19 has reached 189, with two additional deaths listed Wednesday on the state Department of Corrections website. Since the start of the pandemic, 17,021 inmates and 3,845 corrections workers have tested positive for Covid-19, department numbers show. As of Wednesday, 420 inmates were in medical isolation — […]