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.
News Briefs
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 — […]
CNN Commentator Alice Stewart at Flagler Tiger Bay Dec. 9
The Flagler Tiger Bay Club is set to host Emmy Award winning journalist and CNN Political Commentator Alice Stewart for the December 2020 meeting.
Kiwanis Club of Flagler County Fund-Raiser Raffle
The Kiwanis Club of Flagler County is offering our community neighbors 50 chances to win $50, during a 50 day period. This is their second annual 50/50/50 raffle with all proceeds benefiting the club’s youth programs and community charities. A $10 donation gives the bearer a ticket that covers all 50 days.
Supreme Court Rejects Red-Light Camera Case, Leaving System in Place
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to take up a case about whether a South Florida city’s red-light camera program violates state traffic laws, leaving in place a city’s camera and the enforcement system.
Disney Springs May Be Accessible By Train by 2022
The private passenger-rail service Brightline announced an agreement Monday with Walt Disney World to build a station at Disney Springs as part of expansion plans from South Florida to Central Florida.
Two Projects Move Forward To Help Improve Water Quality in Region
The core mission work of the St. Johns River Water Management District took another step forward earlier this month with two projects to help improve water quality. A project to benefit the Indian River Lagoon — the Crane Creek / M-1 Canal flow restoration project — is moving forward with award of a contract for […]
Sheriff Presents 2020 Quarter 1 and 2 Awards
Typically FCSO holds quarterly awards ceremonies where recipients can invite their families and friends to congratulate them, however, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the regular awards ceremony was postponed. During the week of November 9th, FCSO held several small ceremonies in order to recognize the award recipients.
Road Closure for Palm Coast’s Florida Park Drive on Nov. 20
Florida Power & Light is replacing a key power line infrastructure wooden pole with a concrete pole as a critical part of their infrastructure hardening program.
FPL Donates $10,000 to SMA Healthcare to Purchase iPads
SMA Healthcare (SMA) and the SMA Healthcare Foundation are pleased to announce that Florida Power and Light (FPL) has donated $10,000 to assist with a collaborative program between SMA and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO).
Cindy Dalecki and Robbin Wilson Headline Professional Women’s Group Business for Breakfast Nov. 11
Guest speakers for the event include Cindy Dalecki, owner of Marketing 2 Go, and Robbin Wilson, owner of bbMAX Marketing & Consulting.
Daytona State Ranked No. 2 Among Most Affordable Colleges in Florida
Best Value Schools has listed Daytona State College in another prominent position in its collection of comprehensive educational rankings, with DSC ranked No. 2 on the list of Florida’s most affordable colleges. The College has not raised tuition in 10 years and even lowered it in 2015.
Court Upholds Miami-Dade’s Covid Curfew
An executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help reopen the state’s economy amid the covid-19 pandemic does not block Miami-Dade County from imposing a curfew, an appeals court ruled Wednesday.
Flagler Jail’s ‘Homeward Bound’ Program Will Help Inmates Learn Skills for Employment
The first course offering will train inmates to design, develop and apply custom designed vinyl graphics onto vehicles. The course will focus first on applying the vinyl graphics to officially mark all FCSO patrol fleet vehicles.
Nearly New Thrift Store’s Third Annual “All Things Christmas” Sale Nov. 17-21
The Nearly New Thrift Store will be holding its third annual “All Things Christmas” sale from Tuesday, November 17, 2020 through Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Santa Maria del Mar Church Parish Hall, 915 North Central Avenue, Flagler Beach, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks and social distancing protocols will be enforced.
Stetson Student Bryson Pritchard of Ormond Beach a Finalist in 2020 Collegiate Inventors Competition
The Dyad Syringe is a two-compartment syringe where the rear is pre-filled with saline and the front is empty, which allows health-care professionals to administer a specific dosage of medication to a patient before attaching the syringe to a Luer lock on an intravenous line (IV).
Good, Mulchy Samaritans Spruce Up Palm Coast Historical Society in Holland Park
It all began with Philip Cangialosi, an Eagle Scout candidate from the local Troop 402, who envisioned the creation of a lovelier layout to embellish the front of the Palm Coast Historical Society in Holland Park.
Enrollment Underway for Fall B Term at Daytona State College; Classes begin Monday, October 19
Enrollment for Daytona State College’s Fall B term is underway, and a team of admissions specialists are here to help future DSC students through the entire process. Classes begin on Monday, October 19 and enrollment can be completed online or by making an appointment to speak with an admissions advisor.
Citizens Insurance Will Likely Avoid Major Impact From Hurricane Sally
Hurricane Sally, which caused heavy flooding and other damage Wednesday in Northwest Florida, likely will not have a major financial impact on the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Sheriff’s Office Partners With 7-Eleven in 25th Anniversary Celebration of ‘Operation Chill’
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) will be collaborating with 7-Eleven Inc. for their annual ‘Operation Chill’ Campaign. For a quarter-century, Operation Chill, 7-Eleven Inc.’s longest running community service program, has given local law enforcement an opportunity to make a positive connection with kids through free Slurpee drink coupons. Each coupon can be redeemed for […]
Donna Giglio Steps Up to Lead the Palm Coast Democratic Club
Donna Giglio, retired from teaching in the Flagler County School system in 2017, has stepped up to assume the Presidency of the Palm Coast Democratic Club in the wake of Bob Coffman’s resignation to run for Palm Coast City Council.
Palm Coast Now Conducting Indoor Building Inspections Virtually
Palm Coast building inspections are rendered on cell phones using Google Duo or FaceTime. Installation projects may include new windows, doors, water heaters, minor electrical work or air conditioning.
Florida Gulf Coast University Suspends 2 Fraternities for Hosting Big Parties
A week after resuming in-person classes, Florida Gulf Coast University has suspended two fraternities for hosting large parties over the weekend that appear to have violated the school’s coronavirus-related guidelines.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Virtual National Advocacy Summit Sept. 14-15
AU’s Virtual National Advocacy Summit will bring together AU supporters from across the country to learn, advocate, and build the movement for separation of religion and government.
Traffic Safety at Premium as Deputies Deploy Alongside Return to School
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will have increased patrols in school zones and bus stops throughout the county from August 24 through September 4 to help get the school year off to a safe start.
State Regulators Approve Decontamination and Closure Plan of Crystal River Nuke Plant
State regulators Tuesday approved a plan aimed at dramatically speeding up the decontamination and restoration of the site of Duke Energy Florida’s shuttered Crystal River nuclear-power plant.