AdventHealth Palm Coast is making emergency care safer and more effective for older adults. The hospital earned the Age-Friendly Emergency Department designation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), recognizing its commitment to meeting the unique needs of seniors.
News Briefs
Florida Senate Releases Plan to More Easily Finance Massive Exodus to School Voucher
With massive growth in school voucher programs, the Florida Senate on Friday released a plan that, in part, would seek to address funding concerns as students move between schools. The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Committee is scheduled Wednesday to take up the bill (SPB 7030), which would make changes affecting public schools and voucher programs.
Bill Making It Easier for Exonerated People to Be Compensated Moves to Senate Floor
Legislation to help Florida exonerees seeking compensation for their being wrongly imprisoned is bound for the Senate floor after receiving uniform support through three committee stops.
Board Approves New Tattoo Parlor for Palm Coast’s St. Joe Business Center
Tattoo artist and business owner Ryan Sherwood had a much easier time than a self-storage facility when he requested a special exception from the Palm Coast Planning Board to open a new tattoo parlor and art gallery in Unit Seven of the St. Joe Business Center, off Palm Coast Parkway. The board voted unanimously to grant the exception.
Stetson Opera Theatre Presents Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ Friday and Sunday
Stetson University’s School of Music invites the community to experience Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved opera, The Marriage of Figaro. The Stetson Opera Theatre will stage this classic comic opera with performances on Friday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 23, at 3 p.m., at University High School in Orange City, Florida.
Florida Senate Proposal Would Raise Speed Limits to 75 on Interstates
Highway speeds could increase under a bill that has started moving forward in the state Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved a wide-ranging measure (SB 462), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, that includes boosting the maximum speed on interstates and Florida’s Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph.
Palm Coast Government Clears Annual Financial Audit Without Internal Weaknesses
The financial audit did not reveal any material weaknesses in internal control or instances of noncompliance. All funds are in compliance or exceed the fund balance policy, reflecting the City’s commitment to sound financial management practices.
Ellianos Coffee Finally Opens Palm Coast Drive-Thru on SR100
Ellianos Coffee, the Italian-styled drive-through that seemed to be forever under construction in Flagler Plaza on State Road 100 (between Flagler Dental and Suterra Wellness, the medical pot shop) is finally open. The Southeast-spreading brand announced the opening today in a release. The drive-through serve coffee, energy drinks and a quick-service menu.
None of Florida’s Cities Are Among the Happiest
All the warm weather, vast beaches, travel opportunities and booming business doesn’t seem to provide extraordinary happiness in Florida. A new study by WalletHub, a personal finance company, shows Florida doesn’t have many cities that are among the happiest in America.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Florida Ban on Under-21s Buying Long Guns
A U.S. appeals court has once again upheld Florida’s 2018 law barring people under age 21 from buying long guns, rejecting a challenge by the National Rifle Association. But Florida’s attorney general says that if the case is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, his office won’t defend it.
Stetson Survey Finds Puerto Rico and D.C. Get Statehood Support, Canada and Greenland Do Not
With the current debate over U.S. expansion, a new survey by the Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) at Stetson University finds that Americans remain deeply divided on the prospect of adding a 51st state if it’s not Puerto Rico or Washington, D.C.
University of Chicago’s Tony Banout, Freedom of Expression Expert, Speaks at Stetson March 26
As academic freedom and freedom of expression become flashpoints on college campuses nationwide, Stetson University will host a national expert March 26 to speak about the importance of free inquiry and expression. Tony Banout, Executive Director of the University of Chicago’s Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, will give a talk entitled “Why is Wrongheaded, Immoral, and Offensive Speech Protected on Campus and Constitutionally?”
“Warbirds Over Flagler” Fly-In Returns to County Airport March 22-23
“Warbirds Over Flagler” at the Flagler Executive Airport returns this year as a two-day warbird fly-in event on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23 to salute all veterans, both past and present. The event will offer thrilling flybys, historic aircraft displays, live music, and more.
AdventHealth’s Creation Life Program Helps Palm Coast Pastor Lose 100 Pounds and Find a New Mission
The Creation Life program at AdventHealth Palm Coast is a faith-based wellness plan emphasizes eight core principles: choice, rest, environment, activity, trust in God, interpersonal relationships, outlook, and nutrition.
Palm Coast Announces New Short-Term Rental Registration Requirements
Property owners operating short-term rentals within the city must register their properties annually with both the City of Palm Coast and Flagler County and comply with all applicable regulations. Failure to register may result in a notice of violation and a code board hearing.
Palm Coast Invites You to Tour Your (Newer) Water and Sewer Plants
The City of Palm Coast is inviting residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s water system and distribution process when it presents special tours of Water Treatment Plant #3 and Wastewater Treatment Plant #2 on Wednesday, March 12. The tour will provide an in-depth overview of the water treatment and distribution process from the aquifer to our treatment plant to our city’s residents and businesses. It will also include a tour of the wastewater plant and outline the treatment process.
SpaceX Project Confirmed for Space Coast
Approved by Space Florida in December, what has been known as Project Hinton was announced this week as the new Starship operations headquarters for SpaceX. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said billionaire Elon Musk’s company will build launch and landing facilities for the Starship launch vehicle — designed to eventually provide millions of tons of payload to Mars — at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Republican Wants to Repeal Law Keeping Public Off Some Beaches
A Panhandle Republican has filed legislation to repeal a controversial 2018 state law that has limited public access to local beaches in the area and prohibited local governments from adopting ordinances to protect customary use. The term “customary use” refers to a general right of the public at large to possess and use certain dry sand areas for recreational purposes. Flagler County has one such ordinance in effect.
Orange County Judge Martha Adams May Face Reprimand
The state Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended a reprimand for Judge Martha Adams after an investigation into comments she made about the State Attorney’s Office in the 9th Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Orange and Osceola counties.
Splash Pad at Holland Park Reopens
As the weather begins to warm back up, Palm Coast government is reopening the Splash Pad for the season. The Splash Pad at Holland Park, off Florida Park Drive, reopened on Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m.
Tina-Marie Schultz Resigns her Bunnell City Commission Seat A Few Weeks Early
Tina-Marie Schultz, who has been serving on the Bunnell City Commission since she was appointed in 2021, bid her colleagues and the city administration farewell at last Monday’s meeting, some six weeks before the end of her term.
Ahead of Rate Increases, Palm Coast Launches Explanatory Utility System Web Page
The City of Palm Coast has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing residents with clear and transparent information about the city’s utility system, challenges, and the strategic plan to maintain reliable water and sewer services. The webpage, available at PalmCoast.gov/utility-strategic-plan, explains key infrastructure projects, why improvements are needed, and how the city is planning for the future.
Bill Would Require Schools and State Agencies to Buy Materials Reflecting ‘Gulf of America’ Change
State agencies and Florida schools would have to update materials to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America,” under a measure filed this week in the state Senate.
DeSantis Touts Wife Casey as 2026 Choice for Governor
Days after Donald Trump endorsed Southwest Florida U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor, Ron DeSantis made it clear on Monday that he’s not likely to get behind that effort. Instead, the governor gave some of his strongest words of support to date for someone who could become his choice for 2026 — his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, who has never held elective office.
No, You May Not Discipline a Teacher for Personal Facebook Posts, Court Rules
A Florida appeals court Friday sided with a now-retired Duval County math teacher who argued his speech rights were violated when he was disciplined for personal Facebook posts. A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal overturned a decision by the Duval County School Board to suspend Thomas Caggiano without pay for three days and to issue a reprimand.
GOP Lawmaker Wants Working Caps and Mandatory Breaks for Minors Ended
Republican Sen. Jay Collins of Hillsborough County has filed a bill allowing employers to schedule minors to work at any time and for more than 30 hours per week.
DeSantis Signs 3 More Collusion Agreements with ICE
DeSantis on Wednesday signed three additional memos with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, deputizing state agents to interrogate people about their immigration status and detain them if they lack proper documentation.
Iris Scanners Will Now Identify Inmates at Flagler County Jail
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announces the implementation of the Inmate Recognition and Identification System, known as I.R.I.S., at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. This cutting-edge technology (similar to point-of-entry technology now used at Universal Orlando Resort) is designed to enhance public safety and ensure the identification of individuals booked into the jail.
Randy Fine, in Bigoted Motive Against Muslims, Wants to Let College Students Carry Guns on Campus
Brevard County Republican state Sen. Randy Fine has filed legislation (SB 814) that would extend concealed carry rights to Florida colleges and universities. The state lawmaker — now running for a seat in Congress — has said over the past year that such legislation is necessary to protect students from “on-campus Muslim terror.”
DeSantis Wants to Move Ringling Circus Museum to New College
In his budget proposal released earlier this month, DeSantis included language that would transfer the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ringlings’ Ca’d’Zan mansion, and the Ringling Circus Museum, located less than a mile from the New College campus in Sarasota.
Paul Renner Is Appointed to Universities’ Board of Governors
Gov. Ron DeSantis named former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner to the Florida Board of Governors, supervising the State University System, his office announced. Renner joins former Speaker Jose Oliva and former lawmaker Manny Diaz Jr. as former legislators on the board.
DeSantis Wants Florida Universities to Join War on Undocumented Migrants
Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Friday that the state’s universities and colleges shouldn’t admit students lacking permanent legal status. Come July 1, university and college students who attended Florida high schools but live in the state without legal permission will have to pay out-of-state tuition under a law, SB 2-C, DeSantis signed Thursday.
Lawmakers Considering Making Elected Officials’ Home Addresses Secret
A Senate committee next week will consider a proposal that would shield from release the home addresses of state and local elected officials. The proposal furthers an accelerating trend toward government secrecy in numerous forms, without documented evidence that th secrecy is necessary or beneficial to the public.
Palm Coast Accepting Art Grants Through Flagler County Cultural Council
Management of the Palm Coast Cultural Arts Financial Assistance Grant program has transitioned to the Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3), the Official Arts Agency for Flagler County. This partnership represents a significant opportunity to expand and enhance the arts and cultural landscape in our community.For many years, the City of Palm Coast has provided grants to Flagler County-based nonprofit organizations to support cultural arts programs and events within the city. By shifting management to FC3, the city frees up staff resources while ensuring continued investment in the local arts community.
Lawmakers Balk at DeSantis Ask for $350 Million to Transfer Migrants
The Republican leaders of the Legislature made some concessions to Gov. Ron DeSantis in the immigration bills announced Monday, but the governor still isn’t getting the hundreds of millions he wanted to deport immigrants with a program under his purview.
Flagler Fire Rescue’s Gil Aspinwall Graduates from Emergency Services Leadership Institute
Flagler County Fire Rescue Division Chief of Training Gil Aspinwall recently graduated from the Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI), sponsored and hosted by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association. The program was designed to address the present-day leadership issues that affect mid-level through chief fire officers.
Federal Office on Violence Against Women Removes Grant Opportunities from Website
The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has removed from its website all information on current funding opportunities and directs visitors not to finalize any applications. This adds to the fear of nonprofits that work to help victims of gender-based violence [like Flagler County’s Family Life Center] that a major funding source may dry up.
Senate Confirms Pam Bondi as US Attorney General
The U.S. Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the new U.S. Attorney General on Feb. 4. Bondi was confirmed in a 54-46 vote, with senators mostly breaking along party lines. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, joined Republicans in voting to confirm Bondi.
$8.2 Million Will Pay for National Guard Used as Florida Prison Guards
A legislative budget panel Wednesday approved transferring $8.2 million to pay for the continued deployment of Florida National Guard members at state prisons until June. National Guard members have worked at prisons for more than two years as the correctional system has struggled with high job-vacancy rates and an increase in the number of inmates.
Flagler’s Jonathan Lord Elected President of Florida Emergency Preparedness Association
Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord was elected and then sworn in as President of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) last week, during the its Annual Meeting.
Sheriff’s Newest K-9 Can Sniff Out Hidden Flash Drives and Cell Phones
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduced K-9 Birdie, the Agency’s first Electronic Storage Detection K-9. Birdie will serve alongside Detective Corporal Mark Moy in the Digital Forensics Unit. Birdie is trained to seek out electronic devices believed to contain evidence of a crime, including flash drives, hard drives, and cell phones.
Volusia/Flagler Boys & Girls Club Honors Its Outstanding Club members
The Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties hosted its annual Youth of the Year Luncheon on Saturday, February 2, 2025 at The Center of Deltona, celebrating the achievements and inspiring stories of local youth who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and academic excellence. The event brought together community leaders, donors, and supporters to honor these remarkable young individuals and recognize their contributions to their clubs and communities.
In a First for Flagler, Palm Coast’s Southern Recreation Center Wins Energy and Environmental Design Award
The Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its design and construction. This marks the first building in Flagler County to receive this prestigious ranking. The Southern Recreation Center off Belle Terre Parkway, near Fire Station 25, achieved all 64 points during the review process, underscoring the City’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices and thoughtful development.
Replacement Concealed Weapon Licenses Now Provided at Local Tax Collector’s Office in Flagler Beach
Local residents who may have lost their statewide concealed weapon license and still want one may replace it for $27 at the office of the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office Flagler Beach Branch. For out of state residents, the replacement fee is $99. Until recently, replacement licenses were available only through the Department of Agriculture in Tallahassee.
Nearly 1 Million People Visited Flagler County in 2024
According to independent research, the county welcomed 948,800 total visitors and generated $4,321,126 in tourist development tax in Fiscal Year 2024, down from the $4,587,725 collected in 2023.
Two FPC Students Arrested for Texting Joking Death Threats Against Each Oher
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two students at Flagler Palm Coast High School for sending threats toward each other in a text group chat. The threats were not meant seriously. The felony charges are.
14-Year-Old Palm Coast Girl Arrested After Sending Hate-Filled Video Targeting Trans and Other Students
L.H., a 14-year-old resident of Seminole Woods in Palm Coast was arrested last Friday (Jan. 24) on a felony charge of written threats to kill after she allegedly sent a racism-laced rant and threats directed at a transgender student through Snapchat, on a “story” connected to the Ohio high school L.H. attended last year.
Diane Rado Appointed Executive Editor of Florida Trident, Barbara Petersen Will Serve as Publisher
Statewide investigative news outlet, The Florida Trident, published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, announced today two significant changes. Co-founder and CEO, Barbara Petersen will now serve as Publisher and Diane Rado has joined the team as Executive Editor. Rado is an award-winning journalist who has covered government, education, policy and politics for over 30 years.
Palm Coast Connect, City’s Customer Service Portal, Adds New Features Allowing Residents to Manage Cases
The City of Palm Coast has enhanced its customer service portal, Palm Coast Connect, by introducing new features designed to deliver a more streamlined and efficient user experience. The system, utilized by nearly 32,000 residents, aims to improve creating and managing cases.
U.S. News Ranks Daytona State’s Online Bachelor’s Programs Among Best in U.S. for 13th Straight Year
U.S. News & World Report has ranked Daytona State College’s online Bachelor’s programs among the best in the nation for the 13th straight year. And DSC is again the top-ranked non-university college in the United States.