Although originally scheduled to begin Monday, there was no early voting in Alachua, Bradford, Duval, Gadsden, Jefferson, Levy, or Taylor counties. As of Monday morning, most of those counties said they would begin early voting on Tuesday.
News Briefs
Dr. Jodi Long Selected as DCS’s Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jodi Long in her role as Vice President for Academic Affairs will oversee all academic divisions and be responsible for the curriculum process, budgeting and scheduling for all academic offerings, as well as continuing education, adult education, and specialized business training.
DeSantis Campaign Book Is Now on an AP English Course Reading List
The Ron DeSantis campaign tract, “The Courage to Be Free,” released ahead of his 2024 presidential campaign, is on the summer reading list for AP Language and Composition at Lawton Chiles High in Leon County. Lawton Chiles would not have approved.
Abortion Rights Bus Tours Florida Ahead of Convention
The national abortion rights advocacy group Free & Just brought its “Ride to Decide” bus tour to the Sunshine State this week, making appearances in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The bus tour kicked off in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention last month and is hitting states up and down the East Coast and South for the next few weeks before concluding at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later in August.
AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway Serves 29,000 People in Its First Year
One year ago today, AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway officially opened its doors to patients. With Flagler County’s population continuing to grow, AdventHealth invested $167 million to build the new hospital and grow alongside the community. The new hospital served 29,000 people in its first year.
Daytona State College Receives $15,000 Grant from BofA to Support Students Earning Teaching Credentials
Daytona State College has received a $15,000 grant from Bank of America that will be used to help students in the College’s Education program as they prepare to take State-mandated teaching certification tests.
Trump-Appointed Federal Judge Rejects Florida’s Claim That Biden Administration Overstepped on Gender Rules
Florida and three other states alleged in part that the Biden administration overstepped its legal authority in extending Title IX regulations to apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Judge Axon, who is based in Alabama, said the plaintiffs had not provided adequate arguments to obtain a preliminary injunction.
Sea Turtles Are Crawling Out of New Dunes in Flagler Beach and Wandering on A1A
Flagler County government has received reports that some wayward sea turtles have been able to crawl up onto the top of the new dunes in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project area in Flagler Beach and there is worry that they may wander onto State Road A1A. Efforts are under way to provide a solution.
ElderSource Launches Campaign for Hunger Relief Among Older Adults
Nonprofit ElderSource this month launched its Suppers for Seniors campaign, working to raise $50,000 that will be matched by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds to help move low-income people off the waitlist for desperately needed food assistance.
Florida Schools May Not Return to Pre-Pandemic Enrollment for 10 Years, Economists Forecast
A state forecast indicates Florida schools will experience declining enrollment in five of the next six years, with the one positive year representing less than a 0.1% increase. The student enrollment forecast from the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research predicts that 12,379 fewer students will attend traditional public schools during the 2024-2025 school year, a 0.5% drop from 2.366 million to 2.354 million.
Federal Judge Permanently Blocks Part of ‘Stop Woke’ Act
A federal judge Friday permanently blocked restrictions that Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers placed on addressing race-related issues in workplace training — part of a controversial 2022 law that DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.”
Local Responders Invade FPC for Active Assailant Training
“This is an exercise.” That was the beginning and end of every communication on July 24 during a full-scale active assailant exercise held at Flagler-Palm Coast High School to ensure that anyone within earshot or sight of the message would be clear it was about a training exercise. And, while a realistic training exercise, no one was injured or killed.
Sheriff Staly Elected Treasurer of the Florida Sheriffs Association, a First for Flagler
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly was elected by his fellow Sheriffs to be an officer of the Association and serve as its Treasurer. This is the first time in the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s 107-year history that a Flagler County Sheriff has been elected as an officer of the Association.
Organized Fraud Involving Florida’s Osceola Turkey Leads to Charges Against 4
On July 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement announced charges against four individuals involved in a fraudulent scheme to defraud hunters seeking Osceola turkey hunts. Larry William Collins, David Preston Mills, Paul Neil Beckham and Vernon Robert Flowers were charged with multiple felonies, including organized fraud, conspiracy to commit organized fraud, cheating and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Florida Has the Highest Rate of Heat-Related Illnesses, Report Finds
More than 5.7 million Floridians are vulnerable to extreme heat, according to a report from the Florida Policy Institute, which called upon state lawmakers to repeal a new law that prohibits local governments from enacting heat protections for outdoor workers.
Recreational Pot Amendment Backers Raise $61.5 Million as DeSantis Attacks
The political committee sponsoring a ballot initiative that would allow recreational marijuana collected nearly $314,000 in new donations, according to its latest campaign finance filing. Smart & Safe Florida has now raised nearly $61.5 million in its effort to pass the initiative.
Palm Coast and Flagler Schools Collaborate at Annual Principals Breakfast
The City of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools joined forces on Wednesday for the annual Principals Breakfast, a collaborative event aimed at fostering a stronger partnership between the city’s leadership and the educational community.
Ben Sasse Resigns University of Florida Presidency to Care for Wife’s Health
Former Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announced Thursday he was stepping down as president of the University of Florida to help his family cope with his wife’s worsening health.
Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia Merge Safety Net and Substance Use Prevention Services
Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia announce that the two organizations have merged into one corporate structure under Flagler Cares. Flagler Cares will remain committed to providing social safety net, behavioral health and outpatient counseling, and prevention services for Flagler County. One Voice for Volusia is doing business as the Substance Use Prevention Coalition and neutral community facilitator in Volusia County, focusing on addressing risk factors and building protective factors to prevent initiation of youth substance use.
Flagler County Jail Wins Health Care Accreditation as Sheriff’s Office Becomes 5-Diamond Agency
The Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care by demonstrating compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails. Accreditation recognizes the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to providing quality health services for inmates.
More than 1 Million Floridians Couldn’t Afford to See a Doctor in 2022
Approximately 28% of Florida adults can’t afford to see a doctor when they need to, according to newly published data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The data for 2022, the latest available, put Florida among the states with the highest rates of people who skipped medical visits because of high costs. Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi — other states that haven’t expanded Medicaid — were also listed, according CDC Disability and Health Data System data published Tuesday.
Flagler Photographers Wanted to Showcase County’s ‘Stormy Skies’ in State Association’s Calendar Contest
Flagler County is seeking photographers who would like to submit their images for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) 2024-2025 calendar contest “Stormy Skies.”
Bunnell Breaks Ground on Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
The City of Bunnell, in collaboration with PC Construction and CPH Consulting, is marking a momentous milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bunnell Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion. This undertaking has been years in the making and is the first step of many as the City continues to focus our efforts to bring the plant up to advanced wastewater treatment and to meet environmental sustainability requirements.
Flagler Cares Partners With Re-Nu Mental Wellness Center, Formerly Known as Palm Coast Counseling
Flagler Cares, a one-stop health and social care organization, welcomed Re-Nu Mental Wellness Center to the Flagler County Village in Palm Coast, on July 1 as a community partner. Re-Nu Mental Wellness Center, formerly known as Palm Coast Counseling, was recently sold to Dr. De-Shaunah Dixon, who also owns Wellness Centers in Pompano Beach, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Stetson Gets $500,000 State Grant to Rebuild Historic Hulley Tower
Stetson University has received a $500,000 historic preservation grant from the State of Florida to reconstruct Hulley Tower, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places for its statewide significance.
Majority of Floridians Want Fireworks Restrictions or Ban
Survey results show 27% want an outright ban on fireworks, while another 27% would prefer time-based restrictions rather than a full ban. Only 5% felt fireworks should have no restrictions. The survey was conducted by Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab (PolCom Lab) and Mainstreet Research USA.
Lt. John Peacock Marks 25 Years with Palm Coast Fire Department
Lieutenant Peacock joined the Palm Coast Fire Department in June 1999 after obtaining his Firefighter certification from Florida State Fire College and his EMT certification from Saint Augustine Tech, now known as First Coast Technical College.
Hurricane Beryl No Threat to Flagler, But Stay Prepared, Emergency Management Director Says
Don’t let it ruin the holiday, though Flagler County officials advise residents to keep an eye on the tropics as they are becoming more active. Stay informed and check personal disaster kits.
DeSantis to Farmworkers’ Need for Housing: Drop Dead
Pointing to concerns that it could provide housing for illegal foreign workers, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday vetoed an agriculture industry-backed bill that would have made it easier to build housing for farmworkers.
DeSantis Signs Bill Banning Release of Balloons Into the Air
You can’t celebrate or remember a loved by releasing balloons in Florida anymore. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation prohibiting the intentional release of balloons filled with a gas lighter than air. Exceptions include weather balloons and hot air balloons. Violating the law will mean a $150 fine for people older than 6.
Dr. Andrew Weinfeld Appointed Chief Clinical Officer for AdventHealth East Florida Division
The AdventHealth East Florida Division has selected Dr. Andrew Weinfeld to serve as Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), effective July 8. Comprising seven hospitals with a total of 1,397 beds in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Orange City, New Smyrna Beach, Palm Coast, and Tavares, the AdventHealth East Florida Division employs over 11,000 team members.
Supreme Court Reprimands 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Casey Woolsey Over Misleading Posts
The Florida Supreme Court reprimanded a St. Johns County judge for a misleading social-media post during an election campaign — but said she did not violate rules by identifying herself as a “conservative.”
After 14 Years, Sam Perkovich Sells Parkside Realty to Lauren McPherson
After 14 years of serving homebuyers and sellers in Flagler County and beyond, Parkside Realty Group’s broker/owner, Sam Perkovich, has sold the company to Realtor Lauren McPherson as of June 1st. Sam will continue to contribute to the company as a broker/associate.
Flagler Sheriff’s Office Implements Rapid DNA at Jail with $250,000 State Grant
Rapid DNA analysis is a fully automated process of developing a DNA profile from a mouth swab. Rapid DNA takes a qualifying arrestee’s DNA profile and automatically enters it in CODIS/NDIS during the booking process. The arrestee’s DNA sample is then searched against all unsolved crimes within 24 hours. The results are usually returned in one or two hours. No human laboratory scientist is needed.
Daytona State College Proposes No Tuition Increase for 14th Consecutive Year
Recognizing the need to keep college affordable for all students, Daytona State College has proposed freezing tuition and associated fees for the 2024-25 academic year. This would mark the 14th consecutive year of no increases in tuition and associated fee rates. The DSC District Board of Trustees will vote on the proposal on Thursday at its regular monthly meeting.
Integrity Florida Calls on Governor DeSantis to Veto Senate Bill 7014
This bill threatens to undermine the very principles that our government should uphold. The bill includes provisions that would restrict the ability of citizens and watchdog organizations like Integrity Florida to hold elected officials accountable.
Palm Coast’s Mayor David Alfin and City’s Administrative Leaders Will Hold Town Halls
The first Town Hall will be with Mayor David Alfin on June 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center at 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees can ask questions and discuss issues that matter to them in an open forum. Complimentary coffee will be provided.
Breath Test Conflict May Lead to Supreme Court Case
A state appeals court Friday suppressed breath-test results in a drunken driving case because the test was administered outside the city of Maitland, where the motorist was stopped.
14 Graduate from Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy
Fourteen executives, managers, and professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a special ceremony at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center on Thursday June 13th at 4:30 p.m.
Echoing Air’s Free Baroque Concert at DSC Saturday
Echoing Air, the Indianapolis-based Baroque chamber ensemble, presents a free concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Jeanne M. Goddard Center on the campus of Daytona State College, at 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Alan Grayson Opts Out of Senate Race for Run at Florida Legislature
Alan Grayson has filed to run for the Florida Legislature. The former three-term Democratic congressman had been a candidate for the U.S. Senate, but he didn’t appear to be making much traction against establishment favorite Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
DSC Launches Online Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science Starting This Fall
Daytona State College will begin offering a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology concentration (BSET-IET) degree that can be taken fully online beginning Fall 2024.
Beverly Beach’s Frank Gromling Is Re-Appointed to Florida Council on Arts and Culture
The Beverly Beach artist and business owner Frank Gromling, who formerly owned an art gallery in Flagler Beach and wrote FlaglerLive’s Coastal View column, was reappointed to a third two-year term on the 15-member Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Florida Supreme Court Refuses to Reinstate Monique Worrell as State Attorney
The Florida Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell, concluding that his decision was reasonable based on allegations he spelled out when relieving her of her duties. The decision was 6-1, with Justice Jorge Labarga the lone dissenter.
Six Flagler Residents Among 9 Sentenced to Federal Prison in Conclusion of Multi-State Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy
The United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida has announced that all nine individuals charged as a result of “Operation Ice Man” have been sentenced to prison. Each defendant was found guilty by a jury or pleaded guilty for their role in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that spanned from Mexico to California, Arizona, central Florida, and Flagler County.
Expect Delays on Palm Coast Parkway Eastbound Near Hospital from Lane Closure on June 14
On Friday, June 14, 2024, the City of Palm Coast’s Stormwater & Engineering Department will be repairing a portion of the roadway near the new AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway hospital, requiring an eastbound lane closure.
‘Crows and Ravens’ Workshop and Book Signing by FlaglerLive’s Rick de Yampert June 22 at Vedic Moons
Rick de Yampert will talk about that feisty raven and other crazy corvids when he presents his workshop “Crows and Ravens: Birds of Myth and Magic” from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday June 22 at Vedic Moons – Ayurvedic Wellness, Metaphysical Shop & Herbal Apothecary, 4984 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Unit 4-6, Palm Coast.
DeSantis Endorses Leek as Hutson’s Replacement, and as John Morgan Sneers
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday endorsed House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, in a Northeast Florida Senate race, days after high-profile attorney John Morgan publicly criticized Leek.
DeSantis Says New College Is Now Like When ‘Founding Fathers’ Went to School
Speaking Saturday at New College in Sarasota, DeSantis boasted that the school has been wrested away from “the Left,” and is now akin to places that the property-owning white men who established the United States learned.
Flagler Sheriff Offers Vacation Watch Program for Your Home
Through this community safety program, each household can receive up to 20 vacation house watch checks per year. During these checks, the uniformed FCSO Citizen Observer Patrol members survey the outside of the home to make sure it is secure. If anything looks suspicious the C.O.P then notifies the homeowner.