FireFlight crews used the helicopter’s ability to travel anywhere within the county in 15 minutes with its 210-gallon water bucket to prevent a wildfire from getting out of control on July 16.
All Else
Florida Population Growing by 900 a Day, Equivalent to a City the Size of Orlando Every Year
In Flagler, the population is projected at 112,000 in 2020, rising to 124,000 in 2025, then 134,000 in 2030, and 152,000 by 2040. The figures are significantly lower than those the bureau projected right after the Great Recession.
Thursday Briefing: Meet the Mayors, Sheriff’s Building Bid Opening, Panhandling
The county’s mayors speak at a public event hosted by the Realtors’ association, the Flagler Beach Commission discusses a panhandling ordinance, the county opens architecture bids for the new sheriff’s operations center.
When They Go Low, the Squad Goes Bold
Despite the frenzy, Omar and Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ayanna Pressley — popularly referred to as “the squad” — are keeping the focus on policies to bring justice to their constituents.
Clerk of Court Bexley Offers 1,000 Extra Square Feet for Sheriff’s Uses, 4,000 Short of County’s Request
Clerk of Court’s “final offer” consists of 1,000 additional square feet of space for use by sheriff’s personnel at the courthouse, enlarging and segregating the zone used by the agency’s detectives.
Roma Court Academy Teacher Faces Child Abuse Charge in One of 3 Investigations at Palm Coast Child Care Facility
Roma Court Academy in palm Coast was the subject of two DCF and Flagler Sheriff’s Office investigations in 48 hours, one of them leading to a felony child abuse charge filed against a 51-year-old teacher.
Wednesday Briefing: Dangerous Dog Appeal, Facing Grief Together, a $100 Million Signature, Capitalism
Lots of rain, a family’s appeal of a dangerous-dog designation in Palm Coast, a meeting of Facing Grief Together, the county looks for yet another tourism and marketing research firm.
Go Back Where You Came From
No American can tell another to go back where he or she came from, at least not with a straight face: We’re all carpetbaggers in America going back to the original ones who crossed over the Bering Strait.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Now Under Fire as State Senator Seeks Probe in Epstein Case
State Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, wants the state to investigate how the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office handled sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while he was in its custody more than a decade ago.
So You Want To Be a Flagler County Judge: Nominating Commission Is Fielding Applicants
The Judicial Nominating Commission for the Seventh Judicial Circuit is taking applications for the newly created Flagler County Judge seat, leaving Gov. Ron DeSantis to make the appointment likely this fall.
Tuesday Briefing: Signing On To a $100 Million Beach Deal, Opioid Task Force, Flagler Beach Land Development
Flagler County holds a ceremonial signing of an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers, locking it into the first phase of a $100 million beach renourishment project, the county’s opioid task force meets.
Both Republicans, One Florida Senator Wants to Protect Undocumented Migrants, Another Wants to Punish Them
Senate Judiciary Chairman David Simmons would give undocumented immigrants legal permits to work and drive in Florida while Sen. Joe Gruters would harshen up penalties for the undocumented.
Flagler’s Suicide Rate Falls to Still-Grim 9th-Highest in State But Sets Record Gun Deaths; Florida’s Matches 43-Year High
Twenty-nine people killed themselves in 2018 in Flagler County, two fewer than in 2017, but still by far the second-highest total in Flagler history. More people died by firearm in Flagler in 2018 than ever before.
Breakthrough In the Works as Court Clerk Bexley Proposes ‘Generous’ Plan for Sheriff’s Space at Courthouse
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley made a “Final offer” to the county, proposing new space at the courthouse for the sheriff’s office, potentially ending what had been heading for a legal confrontation between the clerk and the county, and resolving a serious space issue for the sheriff.
Monday Briefing: Heat Index 102, the Look of Apartments in Town Center, New School Websites, Stamp and Coin
Central Landings at Palm Coast, a 233-unit apartment complex in Town Center, gets its development order, FPC, Matanzas, ITMS and Buddy Taylor have new websites, the Flagler County Stamp and Coin Club meets.
As Hate Incidents Rise, Florida and Other States Increasingly Require Teaching the Holocaust
Ignorance about the Holocaust is growing, particularly among young people. A survey last year showed that two-thirds of U.S. millennials were not familiar with Auschwitz, the largest Nazi death camp complex.
What Will Tom Bexley Do? Ultimatum Clock Stops as He Calls For Key Meeting on Courthouse Impasse Monday
In a sign of a possible breakthrough, Clerk of Court Tom Bexley called County Commission Chairman Donald O’Brien to set a Monday meeting and discuss the county’s ultimatum for a space study and more space for the sheriff at the courthouse.
Flagler’s Unemployment Rises to 4.1%, Florida’s Keeps Hovering in 3.4% Range for 12th Month
The June unemployment figures for Flagler and Florida suggest both the state and the county have bottomed out in a job market at the closest to full employment they may see in this economic cycle.
Firefighters Rescue 2 Dogs in Blaze that Demolishes Half a Home in Beverly Beach Hours After 1-Acre Fire in Seminole Woods
A blaze demolished much of a mobile home in Beverly Beach hours after firefighters battled a one-acre brush-fire that erupted just after 1 p.m. and spread rapidly at Seminole Woods Boulevard and Citation Parkway.
Weekend Briefing: FPC’s Dave Halliday’s State Award, The Moon, Youth Fishing Derby, Jr. Lifeguard Camp
Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Dave Halliday, is a state Coach of the Year, Dive-In movies, Pier fishing tournament and youth fishing derby, “Sleeping beauty” at the Daytona Playhouse.
Florida GOP Leaders Hedge or Keep Silent Before Disavowing Bigoted Chant at Trump Rally
Florida Republican leaders were mostly silent Thursday when asked about a “Send her back!” chant at a campaign rally for President Donald Trump. But once the president disavowed the chant, some GOP elected officials spoke out against it.
Palm Coast Manager Challenges Sheriff’s ‘Nebulous’ Evidence In Request For More Cops
Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton is challenging Sheriff Rick Staly’s request for six more deputies in palm Coast–a 20 percent cost increase–questioning the methodology of the request as lacking a basis of evidence.
Dissatisfied, Beverly Beach Quits Waste Pro and Returns to Flagler Beach’s Garbage Haulers
Eight months after signing on with Waste Pro for garbage service, Beverly Beach is returning to Flagler Beach’s garbage haulers because residents were dissatisfied with Waste Pro.
Thursday Briefing: Heat Index to 106, Beach Bash on Pier, Inspired Mic, ‘Mississippi Youth’
The Flagler Chamber’s annual Beach bash on the Pier, the Inspired Mic, Flagler’s best improv show, Lisette Otero-Lewis’s winning portrait, continued road closures on U.S. 1 at Old Dixie Highway.
Sheriff’s Deputies Chase After 2 Men Who Bail From Stolen Car in Palm Coast’s R-Section
More than a dozen Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies were searching for two men who bailed from a stolen car–a 2019 Honda–at Riviera Estates Drive a little after 8 this evening.
Schools Will Have To Teach Minimum of 5 Hours of Annual Mental Health Instruction in Grades 6-12
The five-hour minimum will be included in curriculums for grades 6-12, but it remains unclear if the classes will begin in the upcoming academic year. The policy finalized Wednesday does not include an implementation date.
A Routine Staff Meeting Turns Town Hall on The Gardens Development, Revealing Coming Strategies
A routine meeting of Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee drew almost 100 people and turned into a quasi-public town hall session, revealing opponents’ legal strategy and the county’s own various concerns about the controversial proposed Gardens Development on John Anderson Highway.
Wednesday Briefing: Heat Index to 107, The Gardens Get Technical, Art League’s Photo Winners
The proposed Gardens development on John Anderson Highway goes before the Technical Review Committee, the Flagler County Art league’s annual photo show winners are listed.
The Scam Behind McDonald’s ‘McTeacher’s Nights’
The fast food giant pioneered methods of attracting school children to its stores — from Happy Meals to marketing schemes like McTeacher’s Nights, an exploitative fund-raiser that takes advantage of teachers for very little in return.
Beat The Rush, Avoid Vaccine Hysteria: Get Your Free Shots at Flagler Health Department
Vaccines for polio, measles, HPV, HepB, Varicella, Tdap and more are all available free and daily before the school year at the Flagler Health Department. Vaccines help develop immunity to many serious infectious diseases.
City Council Unconvinced as it Hears Pitch For 6 Additional Deputies in Palm Coast
The Palm Coast City Council in 2017 had approved the addition of five new deputies, but this time it’s been more skeptical that more are needed as the city focuses on other priorities.
County Agrees To $680,000 Tax Rebate Over 10 Years For an Unnamed Furniture Company
The unanimous vote capped a brief presentation followed by a nearly hour-long stream of public support and commissioners’ applause, though most elements of the package remain hidden, and, enthusiasm aside, many of the statements were speculative, exaggerated or inaccurate.
Tuesday Briefing: Heat Index to 107, Sheriff’s Ask to Palm Coast, Superintendent Search, Zambrano on Courthouses
The Sheriff’s Office appears before the Palm Coast council to ask for six additional deputies, the school board begins its discussions on replacing Superintendent Jim Tager by the end of next June, Judge Raul Zambrano on the meaning of a courthouse.
County Threatens to Sue Clerk of Court Bexley in 48 Hours Over Space Request for Sheriff at Courthouse
The county commission will sue Clerk of Court Tom Bexley in 48 hours of he does not agree to a space study at the courthouse, and to abide with the study’s results, in the commission’s latest effort to gain extra space for the sheriff.
The Broader Attack Behind Trump’s ‘Go Back’ Where They Came From Slur
It would be a mistake to reduce President Trump’s tweets against four members of Congress to their racism. Rather, argues Jeffrey C. Isaac, they also articulated a broader reactionary agenda that goes beyond racism and that targets the left in general.
Chief Judge Warns Against ‘Taking’ of Courthouse As Sheriff’s Picture in Murder Investigation Lobbies Commission on Space
Chief Judge Raul Zambrano issued a forcefully written, potentially game-changing letter on the sheriff occupying space at the Flagler courthouse even as the sheriff himself was lobbying the county commission with an illustration of constraints on his troops.
Total Cost of Governor’s Israel Trip: Taxpayers, $131,000. Political Donors: $311,500
While in Jerusalem, members of the delegations stayed at David Citadel, a five-star luxury hotel selected by Enterprise Florida which cost $425 per night.
Monday Briefing: Heat Index to 103, Frisky Turtles on A1A, Jungle HCut Road, Orientation
The County Commission takes on space issues at the courthouse between the sheriff and the clerk of court and a final decision on a development along Jungle Hut Road, construction’s effect on turtles along A1A.
Benjamin Allen, 16, Arrested In Shooting of Elijah Rizvan Over a $125-Drug Deal
Benjamin Allen, 16, was arrested and charged in the murder of Elijah Rizvan, 17, Friday night on Palm Coast’s Westford Lane, the consequence of what had been planned as a deal for marijuana.
John M. Clark, 47, Found Dead of Self-Inflicted Gunshot on His Boat in Palm Coast’s C-Section
The afternoon of July 10, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies found John Michael Clark, 47, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an apparent suicide carried out on his boat.
Jim Tager Will Retire Next June, Ruling Out Return and Triggering Search For 5th Superintendent in 10 Years
Superintendent Jim Tager will retire in 11 months and will not subsequently return even if the Flagler County School Board were to make arrangements for it, he told the board in a letter.
Weekend Briefing: Movies in the Park, Just Photography Show, Lenhart on Election Issues, Sportsfishing’s Kids’ Clinic
The Art League opens its annual Just Photography Show, Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart is at the Women’s Democratic Club to talk elections, the Sportsfishing Club holds its kids clinic.
Flagler School District Is Finally A-Rated Again, Ending 7-Year Drought With Broad Improvements
The drought ends seven straight years of Bs, after a four-year streak of As before that. Twenty-four of Florida’s 67 districts are A-rated, 54 are either A or B rated.
Thursday Briefing: Heat Index to 103, School Board and Flagler Beach Commission Talk Money, Citrus Numbers
The Flagler Beach City Commission will consider setting a substantially higher proposed tax rate for next year, the school board discusses its general and capital funds, the transportation department completes a phase of A1A seawall construction.
Florida’s New Poll Tax Will Cost the State $365 Million a Year
A report by the Institute for Policy Studies cites new research illustrating the cost of felony disenfranchisement in Florida, where recidivism is higher and therefore more costly to taxpayers than in states where it’s lower.
County Sends Ultimatum to Clerk of Court, Asking For Additional Space at Courthouse For Sheriff By July 31
The ultimatum was prompted by by County Commissioner Dave Sullivan, who pushed the administration to follow through on a county commission vote almost two months old to secure more space for the sheriff at the courthouse.
Hammock Man Faces Kidnapping and Robbery Charges After Suspecting His Pot Was Stolen
Peter Palazzotto, 46, of 3 Hernandez Avenue in the Hammock, is charged with Kidnapping, Battery by Strangulation, Grand Theft, and Robbery, all felonies. The alleged incident took place early Wednesday.
Wednesday Briefing: Fruehan and Deoliveira Pre-Trials, Fearless and Focused Body Language, Sherwood Anderson
Pretrials are scheduled in the cases of Florence Fruehan, the former Palm Coast physician facing two felony battery counts, and Brandin Deoliveira, the former restaurant manager accused of engaging in unlawful sex with a minor.
A Shooting Injures a 21-Year-Old Palm Coast Marine, But Stories, Including His Own, Conflict
Late the night of July 5, 21-year-old Carter Reding Goodman, of Ocean Oaks Lane in Palm Coast, was shot, possibly in the Hammock. He and his friends gave different stories about where and how, and physical evidence told yet another story.
Palm Coast Proposal Would Raise Property Taxes 9%; Sheriff’s Request for 6 New Deputies Not in the Budget
Though Palm Coast government is proposing to keep its property tax rate flat, a valuation increase of 9 percent will equate to a tax increase, though homesteaded property owners won’t feel it.