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.
News Briefs
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.
James Michael McGill, 33, Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials After Kik CyberTip
James Michael McGill, a 33-year-old resident of 16 Kaywood Place in Palm Coast, was arrested Thursday on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and booked at the Flagler County jail on $150,000 bond.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin Elected 1st Vice-Chair of River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization
The City of Palm Coast announce today that Mayor David Alfin has been unanimously elected as the 1st Vice-Chair/Treasurer of the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning on July 1, 2024. The position marks a significant step in regional transportation leadership and planning.
No Tuition Increases at DSC for 14th Year, But Some Fees Will Increase
As part of its regularly scheduled June 20 meeting, the Daytona State College District Board of Trustees will discuss three proposed direct cost pass through fee adjustments that would take place in Fall 2024.
What Should Bing’s Landing Look Like When Captain’s BBQ Expands? Public Invited to Weigh In Tuesday.
Flagler County government hosts a 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at the Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Rd, Palm Coast, to get input on how Bings Landing should look with the upcoming relocation and expansion of Captain’s BBQ, following the county’s settlement of a breach-of-contract lawsuit Captains filed.
Florida’s Attorney General Calls Starbucks’ Diverse Hiring ‘Illegal’
Florida’s Attorney General took to a national radio show hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis–he was sitting in for Sean Hannity–to charge that Starbucks’s pledge to hire people of color in 30 to 40 percent of its positions violates the law.
Sheriff Launches New Marine Unit Boat in Time for Memorial Day Weekend Patrols
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received a grant from Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) to fund a new patrol boat which will allow for enhanced patrol along the intracoastal waterway, marine search and rescue efforts, law enforcement operations, crime prevention and boater safety and education along the intercoastal waterway and saltwater canals.
Palm Coast Residents Can Now Use an Improved City Government Customer Service Portal
The City of Palm Coast announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of interactions between citizens and city staff. In response to feedback from residents, the City is taking significant steps to ensure that every interaction meets the high standards of our mission: “Delivering exceptional service by making citizens our priority.”
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies Rescue 1-Year-Old Child Locked in Car for 8 to 10 Minutes
On the afternoon of Monday, May 20, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies rescued a 1-year-old child that was locked inside a vehicle with the engine off and all windows closed.
Flagler Sheriff’s SWAT Snipers in Top 10 at National Competition
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) SWAT sniper team placed ninth out of 45 teams at the annual Snipercraft Challenge. This is the third year in a row that FCSO’s SWAT snipers have placed in the top 10.
Florida City Calls for Protection of Civilians in Gaza and Israel. DeSantis Calls It “Fraud.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday blasted a resolution passed by a local government last week in Miami-Dade County — the most populous county in Florida — that calls for supporting peace and security for “all innocent civilians in Israel, Gaza and Occupied Palestinian Territories.” Gov. DeSantis called it a “fraud.”
1st Three Months of 2024 Drew Record Number of Tourists to Florida
An estimated 40.6 million people traveled to Florida during the first three months of the year, a 1.2 percent increase from the same period in 2023. The state also issued revisions that increased totals for all of 2023.
DeSantis Signs Bills Adding Judges and Revising “Live Local Act”
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed 11 bills, including a measure that will increase the number of circuit-court and county judges and a bill that will revise a major housing law, known as the “Live Local Act,” that passed in 2023.
Two Tornado Warnings Overnight in Flagler, No Touchdowns
Tornado warnings woke up Flagler County residents in two locations Wednesday morning, at 2:45 a.m. and shortly afterward, but “there was no sign of touchdown anywhere in Flagler County reported to us,” Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said. The county remains under a tornado watch until early afternoon.
‘Housing Policy Forum’ on May 17 and ‘Housing Fair’ on May 18
Housing officials from Flagler County and the City of Palm Coast are hosting two separate events on consecutive days – Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18 – to address different needs of the community.
Daytona State College’s Automotive Service Technology Program Re-Accredited
Daytona State College’s Automotive Service Technology program has been re-accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that accredits automotive service programs.
DeSantis Office Dismissed from Open Records Case Over Travels, But Lawsuit Against FDLE Continues
A Leon County circuit judge has dismissed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office from a lawsuit filed by the Washington Post over access to DeSantis’ travel records. Judge J. Lee Marsh this week issued a nine-page ruling that said DeSantis’ office is not the “custodian” of disputed records held by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The ruling did not dismiss the case against the law-enforcement agency.
Flagler County Cultural Council Awards $25,000 in Scholarships
The Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3) presented scholarships to Flagler County graduating seniors Scott Wiggins, Mae Fasnacht, April Bonilla, Winston Sjeda and Angelina DeMaio.
Sen. Rick Scott Attends Trump Trial and Calls Prosecutors ‘Thugs’
Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott traveled to New York City on Thursday, where he became the first member of Congress to attend Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom during a break from the proceedings, Scott said that the treatment that the former president was enduring was “despicable.”
No, Feeding Wildlife Isn’t Kind. It’s Potentially Dangerous, and Illegal.
The temptation to engage with wildlife by feeding them is real – especially for children – but the consequences for the animals, and the public, can be dire. Flagler County officials remind you: don’t do it.
AdventHealth Hired 10,000 Nurses Since 2020
Four years after a global pandemic rocked the health care industry and exacerbated a nationwide nursing shortage, AdventHealth celebrates a major milestone: 10,000 registered nurses hired across its Central Florida hospitals and health care locations since 2020. AdventHealth’s hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties have successfully reduced turnover by 22 percent and travel-nurses by 39 percent.
Worrisome Dry Conditions in Flagler Prompt Caution About Wildfires and Yard Kindling
The lack of recent rain means conditions are getting drier in Flagler County, increasing the potential for brushfires. Taking a few precautions now can go a long way to protect homes and businesses from these fires, which can be all too common this time of year.
Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon Stands With Pro-Palestine Protesters at UNF
For months, Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon has advocated for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. She has been labeled an antisemite for doing so, too. But last Tuesday she made an appearance at the pro-Palestine protest at the University of North Florida.
Marco Rubio Auditioning for Trump’s Vice President
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will be one of several names being tested for Trump’s vice president at a donor retreat at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, where Trump will be “parading the top contenders for the slot in front of rich benefactors this weekend.”
Flagler Sheriff’s Employees and Volunteers Recognized by Military, AmeriCorps and Points of Light
On Tuesday, April 30, members of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) were presented with multiple prestigious awards recognizing FCSO’s support of service members and volunteers.
Trial of Andrew Mintz Over Crash in Flagler Beach Pushed to July
Several times delayed already, the trial of Andrew Mintz, the now-34-year-old Palm Coast man involved in an alleged high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash in downtown Flagler Beach, within a few feet of several elected officials and their family, has been delayed to July 15.
Florida’s New Law Requiring Disclosure of AI in Political Ads Termed Weak
“The disclaimer required by this bill is weak and unclear and fails to adequately inform Floridians of the dangerous disinformation to which they’re exposed,” said Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause, in a statement on Friday. “And the bill has no safety valve to take down manipulated and misleading political advertisements as fast as possible. As a result, Florida voters won’t have any meaningful protection.”
William Bartram Living History Fest at Alpine Groves Park Marks Naturalist Visit’s 250th Anniversary
On Saturday, May 11, the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department, in coordination with the St. Johns Cultural Council, will hold the 2024 Bartram Living History Fest at Alpine Groves Park, this year commemorating the 250th anniversary of naturalist William Bartram’s historic visit to Florida.
With Zero Evidence, Florida Surgeon General Says Mask Wearers ‘Just Like to Hide Their Faces’
Florida’s Surgeon General is continuing to evangelize against mask wearing like it’s 2022. His latest theory? People wearing protective coverings over their faces simply don’t want to be seen, said the state’s Chief Health Officer and doctor of medicine at the University of Florida.
Flagler Free Clinic Announces Expanded Access for More Floridians
The Flagler Free Clinic in Bunnell announces expanded eligibility for its services, thanks to a statewide bill passed recently by the Florida Senate. The newly enacted legislation, focusing on a vast array of health care improvements across the state, will significantly increase the number of Floridians eligible to benefit from the clinic’s comprehensive, no-cost health care services.
Commerce Parkway Construction Images Show Leveling of Thick, Long-Undisturbed Forest
Bunnell government has released images showing the ongoing churning-like clearing through a thick forest of pines, brush and wetlands in the first stage of construction for Commerce Parkway, the two-lane road cutting a swath from State Road 100 to the north, to U.S. 1 to the south, east and south of the city.
Seesawing Gas Prices Tick Up
Gas prices continue to seesaw: after falling to a two-year low in late December, prises rose back up, then began a pattern of declining or rising almost every week within a band of 10 to 20 cents, hitting a 2024 high in mid-March before declining a bit and rising again, as they did last week, mirroring the fluctuations of the price of oil, but with some lag.
Flagler Beach Will Declare April Sisco Deen Month in Perpetuity as Scholarship Takes Historian’s Name
The Flagler Beach City Commission on Thursday is set to be the first city to declare April “Sisco Deen Month” in perpetuity, in honor of the archivist and long-time member of the Flagler County Historical Society, who died last August at 83. Deen was a Flagler Beach resident.
St. Johns County Among 3 Finalists for Site of Florida Museum of Black History
A committee on Friday narrowed down options for the site of a Florida Museum of Black History, selecting as finalists St. Johns County, Eatonville in Orange County and Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County.
Biden Traveling to Tampa On Tuesday as Poll Numbers Show Florida Out of Play
President Joe Biden will be traveling to Tampa next week, the White House announced Thursday. Biden will appear in Tampa on Tuesday, but details of the visit were not released. Biden’s trip to Florida comes as polls show the president continues to trail presumptive Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, in the runup to the 2024 election.
Trail Days Celebration at Waterfront Park on April 27
The City of Palm Coast, in partnership with the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, invites residents and visitors to Celebrate Trails Day on April 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Waterfront Park. Celebrate Trails Day offers the community a chance to engage with nature and each other by exploring over 130 miles of scenic trails in Palm Coast and Flagler County.