The gator, more than 5 feet long, was sitting by the crosswalk then suddenly scampered across the road, using the white-striped crosswalk as if it had been trained to do so.
News Briefs
Florida Hospital Flagler Donates $5,000 to School District’s Flagship Programs
The $5,000 donation went to the Flagler County Education Foundation to support a variety of Flagship programs in the district, especially Rymfire Elementary’s health sciences program.
M & M Fence Company Owner Sought on Grand Theft Charges
Luis Michael Maldonado Sr., owner of M & M Fence Company of St. Augustine, is wanted on grand theft charges after cashing customers’ checks without doing the contracted work.
Senate Majority Leader McConnell Asks Rubio To Run for Senate
McConnell’s comments on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” came after reports during the past week that Rubio is being pressured to run for re-election this fall.
Holland Park Renovation Advancing But Not Making Up Time
The city has started invoking the liquidated damages provision of the contract against Tumbleson White Construction Inc. of Gainesville. “We are trying to hit them in the pocketbook at this point,” the city manager said.
Dangerous Rip Currents Expected As Tropical Depression #2 Approaches S.C. Coast
Elevated onshore flow and building surf will create an elevated rip current risk along the coast today through Memorial Day as Tropical Depression #2 tracks toward the South Carolina coast, the National Weather Service cautions.
Golden Lion’s Key Lime Tartar Sauce Yields $2,800 in Latest Donations to Needy
The Bunnell Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Halifax Urban Ministries of Daytona Beach were the beneficiaries of the third distribution of proceeds from Golden Lion’s sauce.
Kenneth Kirkland II Faces Life in Prison for Daytona Car-Jacking and Armed Robbery
Kenneth Jerome Kirkland, II, was convicted late Wednesday (May 25) by a jury of three men and three women on charges of carjacking with a firearm, grand theft, and principal to robbery with a firearm. He faces a life sentence at a sentencing hearing to be set at a later date. The jury deliberated two hours.
Sen. Travis Hutson Qualifies By Petition for His 4th Election in 4 Years
Sen. Travis Hutson so far faces just one opponent, Democrat Curtis Ceballos of Palm Coast, though qualifying does not end until June 24.
Retired Deputy Edward Lueck Gets 15 Years in Prison Over Child Sex Assaults
The victim was 5 years old at the time of the crimes, and was a neighbor of Lueck’s, who is a 69-year-old retired Volusia County Sheriff’s deputy.
Palm Coast City Employees Get Free Screenings From Florida Hospital Flagler
Florida Hospital Flagler provided free health screenings to 80 City of Palm Coast employees. The screenings included blood pressure, pulse oxygen, carbon monoxide, body mass index (BMI), diabetes testing and musculoskeletal assessment.
NRA Pressuring Gov. Scott to Block Rep. Charles McBurney’s Bench Bid
McBurney, R-Jacksonville, angered Second Amendment advocates during this year’s legislative session when his committee did not move forward with a measure tied to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law.
Democrat Morley Qualifies for House Seat By Petition
Adam Morley, the Democratic candidate for the House District 24 seat held by Republican Paul Renner, said in a release today that he had qualified for the race by petition.
Indian Trails and FPC Students Win Crime Stoppers Poster Contest
The winning students were Liying Wu, Andrew Moulter, Gage Winecoff, Jonathan DeSousa, Andrea Bowser (who won circuit-wide, too), and Hannah Umpenhour.
Court Sides With Walmart Against Union in Trespassing Dispute in Orange
A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal said the case is part of a broader dispute about demonstrations that the union has held against Wal-Mart in various parts of the country.
Carmen Bourdeau Is Florida Hospital Flagler’s New ICU Nurse Manager
Bourdeau has been a nurse for nearly 25 years and began her career at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey, as a nurse in the ICU.
Four Daytona State Students Named to All-Florida Academic Team
Andrew Adie, Corben Champoux, Joel Hinton and Danjha Leon, all associate of arts degree majors, were recognized for their academic achievement, leadership and service to their communities.
Media Groups Shut Out of Federal Lawsuit Over Prison Newspaper Ban
A federal appeals court has turned down a request by media groups to file a friend-of-the-court brief in a dispute about whether the Florida Department of Corrections can ban a publication from the state’s prisons.
Flagler Emergency Management Presents at Hurricane Preparedness Breakfast June 1
The breakfast will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. June 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
St. Johns County Commissioner Bill McClure Will Run For Crenshaw Seat in Congress
St. Johns County Commissioner Bill McClure formally announced Monday that he will run to succeed retiring Republican Congressman Ander Crenshaw in a Northeast Florida district.
Officials Monitoring 235-Acre Fire in Putnam at Etionah Creek
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to monitor a 235 acre prescribed burn at Etoniah Creek State Forest in the Florahome, Putnam County, which may affect local roadways. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling in these areas. Visibility may deteriorate quickly due to smoke/fog type conditions, especially during the night time and early morning […]
Florida School of Art Exhibit Opens at Hand Art Center May 13
The paintings date from approximately 1825 to 1925, and include work by renowned landscape artist George Inness, Ash Can School realist painter Robert Henri and Highwaymen painter Harold Newton.
Danielle Basciano, Formerly of Tomoka Correctional, Joins Flagler Jail Staff
With the swearing-in of Basciano, the inmate facility has 48 sworn deputies and three vacant positions, for a total of 51 sworn positions.
Critical Care Physician Muneeruddin Q. Mohammed Joins Florida Hospital Flagler
As an intensivist, Mohammed will work with the hospital’s critical care team in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Group Backing Controversial Solar Amendment Raises $5.8 Million in April
Fueled by major electric utilities, the group backing a controversial solar-energy initiative on the November ballot raised $8.52 million during April.
Beethoven’s 9th Closes Jacksonville Symphony’s 2016 Season May 20-21
The Jacksonville Symphony will conclude its 2015-16 season with the music of Beethoven and Thomas Adès, in a special presentation that features the orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus conducted by Music Director Courtney Lewis.
NSA Designates Daytona State a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
DSC is the first state college in Florida to receive the four-year designation based on the college meeting stringent academic criteria and distinguishing its strengths in cybersecurity and cyberforensics training.
New Partnership Will Expand Grand Haven Realty Beyond the Gates
Grand Haven Realty announced today a new partnership between company president Jim Cullis and Lindsay Dolamore, the 2016 President of the Flagler County Association of Realtors.
Cycle Flagler, Flagler Beach Rotary’s Annual Tour, Returns May 1 With Circuits of 16 to 100 Miles
The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach’s Cycle Flagler is back. The 2016 edition is scheduled for May 1, starting with 6 a.m. registration at the Flagler County Airport, one of the event’s hosts.
In Brief: Broker Sheehan Jones Brokers a $450,000 Transaction, Palm Coast Data Lands New Account
Parkside Realty Group’s Margaret Sheehan Jones brokered a $450,000 transaction for Bunnell’s D & K Automotive and Tire Repair and Palm Coast Data added Fort Worth, Texas Magazine to its fulfillment stable.
Chamber Players of Palm Coast in Final Concert With Abel, Haydn and a Little Moldau
The free concert, under the direction of Paige Dashner Long, will feature a joint performance with the Flagler Youth Orchestra’s most advanced players.
Gary Smith, 53, of Palm Bay, Killed in 2-Vehicle Crash on I-95 in Brevard
Gary Smith, 53, of Palm Bay, was killed and Justin Looman, 29, of West Melbourne was seriously injured in a crash involving the men’s two Jeeps on I-95 in Brevard early the morning of March 1.
Bee Gees Tribute Band Stayin’ Alive Returns to Flagler Auditorium March 4
Back by popular demand one of the world’s most popular Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin’ Alive, returns to the Flagler Auditorium on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 for adults, $18 for youth.
James Jackson, 31, of Jacksonville, Is Killed on U.S. 1 North of Bonneval Road
James B. Jackson, a 31-year-old resident of Jacksonville, was killed early Sunday morning and Anthony A. Jones, 39, of Jacksonville, was in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 north of Bonneval Road in Duval County.
Barrie Michaels Joins Flagler Auditorium as Marketing Manager Ahead of 25th Anniversary
Barrie Michaels will manage media relations, communications, and other outreach efforts for the auditorium, serving as the primary contact for media inquiries and as a representative for the organization in the community.
Daytona State College Again Earns Prestigious Military Friendly School Designation
Daytona State College has again been designated a 2016 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds.
Emerald Day Spa Opens in Palm Coast
Jenny Marafurova in December announced the opening of Emerald Day Spa, a high end spa and salon experience at 1490 Palm Coast Pkwy Suite #3 in Palm Coast, with a ribbon-cutting attended by Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts and others.
Family Life Center Welcomes Board Members Maria Scarol and Sallie Brinkley
The Family Life Center announced this week that Maria Scarol and Sallie Brinkley have joined the Family Life board of directors.
Marketing 2 Go Hires Community Manager Dana Nobile
Marketing 2 Go last week announced the hiring of Flagler County native Dana Nobile as a new Community Manager for the 6-year-old company, which helps firms develop and manage their media presence, public relations and marketing.
Gail Downs, 2015 Realtor of the Year, Joins Parkside Realty Group
Parkside Realty Group Broker and Owner Sam Perkovich announced last week that Gail Downs, the 2015 Flagler County Realtor of the Year, has joined Parkside Realty.
Palm Coast Physical Therapy Center Offers Free General Health and Wellness Seminar Jan. 26
Topics include ways to monitor your health, techniques for fall prevention, explanation of the holistic triad, including proper breathing techniques, tips for good posture, and some great fitness exercises.
Association of Supervisors of Elections Offers Three $1,200 Scholarships to College-Bound Seniors
Each year the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections awards three $1,200 scholarships to Florida students statewide. The association is doing so again this year. The deadline is March 14.
Mokonzy Computer Club Hosts Facebook Training Workshop With Cindi Dalecki Jan. 15th
Cindy Dalecki, owner of Marketing 2 Go, a five-year-old social media and marketing company headquartered in Flagler County, will lead a workshop on how to best use Facebook for business.
Palm Coast’s Annual Christmas Tree and Electronics Recycling Event Is Jan. 9
Recycle your Christmas tree and receive a free three-gallon evergreen tree in exchange at the City’s 9th annual Christmas Tree Recycling Event. The event will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Palm Coast Fuel Depot, 22 Utility Drive.
Palm Coast Will Host Color Vibe 5K Walk/Run Jan. 30
The City of Palm Coast’s Town Center Park will host the Color Vibe 5K – the first-ever “colorful” walk-run in Palm Coast. The Palm Coast Color Vibe 5K will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave.
Matanzas High Students Win 2nd Place in Statewide Contest for Financial Literacy Video
The students, Brittany Dye, Patrick Flebotte, Emma Grushkin, Danielle Hartley and Duncan Sorensen, had been assigned a 30-second public service announcement in their television production class.
Tree Lighting in Palm Coast’s Town Center Ignites Series of Holiday Events
The tree lighting on Monday also starts the annual Fantasy Lights display in Town Center. The boat parade is on Dec. 5, the Starlight Parade on Dec. 12.
Palm Coast Mayor and Flagler Sheriff Will Marshal Holiday Boat Parade
The 13th annual Palm Coast Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. with the traditional festival of lights on the water to mark the beginning of the winter holidays (assuming you didn’t start your celebration immediately after Labor Day).
Stewart Marchman-Act Foundation Launches Bouquets of Hope Campaign for Thanksgiving
The Stewart Marchman-Act Foundation is launching the Bouquets of Hope & Classic Chocolates fundraiser to support mental health awareness in our community.
Flagler Auditorium Launching 24th Season With Disco-Fever Gala at Halifax Plantation Nov. 7
The disco-themed Nov. 7 gala fund-raiser takes place on the heels of a successful 2015 season that saw revenue top $600,000 and operating profit neat $100,000.