The Palm Coast City Council imposed a 120-day moratorium on new dollar-type discount stores, citing vague fears of “long-term effects” on the community, a decision that runs counter to free-market ideals.
All Else
Flawed Marijuana-Impaired DUI Testing Means Wrongful Prosecutions and Lax Enforcement
DUI-testing for marijuana impairment is inaccurate, easily disputed and defeated. The result is uneven prosecution. Innocent drivers are being wrongly convicted. Impaired drivers are remaining undetected, posing a potential safety risk to everyone on the road.
Jon Reckenwald and William Kennedy Are Sheriff’s Deputies of the Year at Annual Fund-Raising Gala
In addition to the funds raised for the Gala, the men and women of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) donated $24,764.00 to FSEAT through payroll deductions throughout 2019.
AdventHealth’s Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House Receives $5,000 Donation from Weston Coatings Group
Professional painting company, Weston Coatings Group, has donated $5,000 to AdventHealth HospiceCare to support the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House.
Florida Senate on Brink of New Rules for Drug Offenses, Lowering Sentences and Restoring Judges’ Discretion
Under the new guidelines, judges would be allowed to consider shorter sentences and lower fines for drug-trafficking defendants who meet certain criteria. But the bill’s fate in the House is uncertain.
WNZF Sues County Commission Candidate Tommy LeGault Over Unpaid Bills; He Owes FPC’s Cheerleaders Money They Raised Months Ago
Tommy LeGault, running for a Flagler County Commission seat as a small-business advocate, owes WNZF nearly $5,000 for infomercials he aired, owes FPC’s cheerleaders $1,000, and twice faced eviction in the last three years.
Weekend Briefing: Women Rising, ‘Playing Our Song,’ Book Sale and Cars, Tech Beach Hackathon, MLK, Ecumenical Celebration
Palm Coast’s Tech Beach Hackathon Friday, , Flagler’s version of the Women Rising March sets off from Wadsworth park Saturday at 11, Neil Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song” at City Rep for a final weekend, MLK and ecumenical ceremonies.
Road Fatalities Plummeted in Flagler in 2019, With Half the 12 Deaths From Motorcycle Crashes
The numbers of road fatalities in Palm Coast and Flagler County plummeted to 12 in 2019 compared to previous years, by some measures reaching or approaching a 20-year low despite the population doubling in that time span.
For Seven Days, Flagler Sees Florida’s Broken Death Penalty Machinery in Action
Though David Snelgrove was finally sentenced to life in prison rather than death this week, his trial shows how the 20-year ordeal in court could have been avoided with the same result two decades ago, had capital punishment not been on the table.
Thursday Briefing: Teacher and School Employee of the Year Gala, VP Rick Staly, Inspired Mic
The school district’s annual celebration of its top teacher and service employee is at the Flagler Auditorium, the Inspired Mic at Hidden Treasures, Sheriff Rick Staly is named vice president of the Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Death Row’s Cornelius Baker a No-Show at His Own Pre-Trial Ahead of Potential Reprieve
Lawyers and the judge in the re-sentencing case of convicted murderer Cornelius Baker focused on a lengthy questionnaire about the death penalty the defense planned to submit to potential jurors. The judge ordered the questionnaire significantly shortened.
Palm Coast Prepares for $20 Million Sewer Plant Expansion in Anticipation of Growth
The Palm Coast City Council is supporting the city’s next-largest utility expansion–a $20 million project that will add 2 million gallons a day of capacity to its second sewer plant on U.S. 1. The expansion will be financed through a loan and is not expected to affect customers’ rates.
Wednesday Briefing: Wharton’s Deplorables, Cornelius Baker in Court, Tourism Board, Paws to Read
Convicted murderer Cornelius Ryan is in a pre-trial ahead of his re-sentencing trial in February, Paws to Read at the county library, the tourism board and the planning board meet.
Life in Prison Without Parole, Not Death, For David Snelgrove as 20-Year Ordeal Over Fowler Murders Ends
The seven-day re-trial over the penalty for the 2000 murders in Palm Coast’s B-Section was necessary because two previous verdicts were ruled unconstitutional. Today’s verdict means that years, maybe decades, of further proceedings will not be necessary.
Re-Emerging for 4th Year, Vacation-Rental Bill Restricting Local Authority Advances With Sen. Hutson’s Support
A Senate committee Monday approved a proposal that would take away power from cities and counties to regulate vacation rental properties. The 8-2 vote included Sen. Travis Hutson’s support. Hutson represents Flagler County.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s State of the State Address
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday gave his State of the State address to formally start the 2020 legislative session. Here’s the full text as prepared for delivery.
Tuesday Briefing: State of the State, Rita Rudner at the Auditorium, Palm Coast Sewer Plant, Affordable Housing
The Palm Coast council discusses financing its next sewer-plant expansion, Rita Rudner brings her comedy act to the Flagler Auditorium, Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers the State of the State address.
After Dueling Witnesses and Sniping Lawyers, Jury Must Now Decide Whether to Call for David Snelgrove’s Killing
David Snelgrove’s double-murder of Glyn and Vivian Fowler in Palm Coast 20 years ago comes down, in this third sentencing trial in two decades, to a jury willing to believe he was a calculated killer as opposed to a crack-addicted mentally impaired man who snapped.
County Ends Low-Performing Economic Development Department, Citing ‘Fluffy’ Numbers and Poor Accountability
Headed by Helga van Eckert since 2012, Flagler County’s $500,000-a-year economic development department had been more successful with PR and taking credit for others’ work than producing much of its own.
Monday Briefing: Tourism Grant Revamp, Short-Term Rentals Again, Snelgrove Trial Day 6
The county commission considers broadening eligibility for tourism capital grants, David Snelgrove’s death-penalty phase trial enters its sixth day with more defense witnesses, the BUnnell commission discusses a dog abuse case’s costs.
How Wealthy Towns Keep People With Section 8 Housing Vouchers Out
Section 8 vouchers should give low-income people the opportunity to live outside poor communities. But discriminatory landlords, exclusionary zoning and the federal government’s hands-off approach leave recipients with few places to call home.
What You Need to Know About How Section 8 Really Works
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a form of government rent assistance. In 2018, upwards of 5 million people across the country lived in a household that used a voucher to help pay some or all of their rent.
Palm Coast Arts Foundation Hosts Celebrity Golf Tournament with Lopez and Rodriguez
orld famous legendary golfers Nancy Lopez and Chi Chi Rodriguez will be the guest celebrity golfers for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s first charity golf tournament on May 11 at Palm Coast’s Grand Haven Golf Club.
Search Warrant in Palm Coast’s B-Section Suggests Target In Sight in Circle K Murder Investigation
For the sheriff’s office to advertise tactics their search for the Circle K killer from last November points to confidence in the trail, the sort of confidence that clearly seems not to be jeopardizing detectives’ ability to find their suspect, or suspects.
A Day After a Teacher Is Arrested for Battering a Student, a 15-Year-Old Is Arrested for Battering FPC Dean
A 15-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student was arrested and charged with battery against FPC Dean Erin Davis, the student’s second such charge involving a faculty member since August.
Florida Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Constitutional Proposal to Deregulate Utility Industry
The ruling was a victory for state leaders, business groups and utilities that fought the amendment, which was proposed for the November ballot by a political committee known as Citizens for Energy Choices.
Weekend Briefing: CRT’s ‘They’re Playing Our Song,’ Light the Way March, Poverty and Women at AAUW, DSC’s Spring
City Rep’s “They’re Playing Our Song” all weekend, effects of poverty on Florida women, a talk at AAUW, sign-ups for spring term at DSC, David Snelgrove trial day 5.
Death of Alexandra Lawson, 22, at Yacht Harbor Marina Ruled a Drowning, But Investigation Ongoing
Alexandra Svetlana Lawson had been reported missing by her boyfriend earlier this week, and was found in the water at the marina Wednesday morning.
Grim Day for Snelgrove’s Defense as Prosecution Makes Largely Unanswered Case for Death
A jury tasked with deciding whether to recommend death for David Snelgrove saw a psychologist for the defense unable to convincingly show that Snelgrove is a simple-minded individual who could not weigh the severity of the double-murder of an elderly couple he committed in Palm Coast 20 years ago.
Flagler Schools’ Graduation Rate Rises to 89%, Powered by Girls
There is a sharp disparity between boys and girls: among girls, 97 percent of Matanzas’ students graduated, and 91 percent of FPC’s did. Among boys, the rate was 91 at Matanzas and 82 at FPC.
Maturing, Soaring Opelka Roars Into 2020 With Top American Ranking in His Sights
In an exclusive interview with FlaglerLive, Opelka reveals himself as young man who thinks before he speaks, is comfortable in his own skin, and understands that as his fame grows, his responsibility of handling that fame increases.
Thursday Briefing: Countywide Spelling Bee, Romeo and Juliet, Snelgrove Trial,
The annual countywide spelling bee is at Wadsworth Elementary’s cafeteria at 6 p.m., the Snelgrove death-penalty phase trial is in its fourth day, the National Ballet of Odessa Presents Romeo and Juliet at the Flagler Auditorium.
Jeffrey ‘Rocco’ Paffumi, 47, Teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle, Arrested for Battery on a Student, 14
Jeffrey Allen Paffumi, a teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School, was arrested after physically throwing a 14-year-old student out of his classroom after the student would not turn down his music and called him a name.
American Impotence: Trump’s Assassination of Suleimani Masks Broad Retreat
All is not well: Donald Trump’s assassination of Iran’s Suleimani masks how far American power has been forced into retreat across the Middle East, and will only accelerate strategic losses that endanger American lives and interests.
Video and Pictures Revive Vivid Reactions to Double-Murder in Snelgrove’s Death-Penalty Trial
To reservations from the defense, the jury watched video and saw pictures of the crime scene following the murders of Glyn and Vivian Fowler in Palm Coast 20 years ago, part of a penalty phase–the third in 18 years–requiring the jury to decide whether to recommend death for Snelgrove or life in prison.
City Rep Theatre is Playing Neil Simon’s ‘Song’ in Bow to Broadway Romance
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre stages Neil Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song,” the popular, semi-autobiographical story of Marvin Hamlisch and songwriting partner Carol Bayer Sager–or of Simon and Marsha Mason.
Wednesday Briefing: Palm Coast’s Popeyes, Snelgrove Trial Day 3, Paws to Read, Pirro at Tiger Bay
Popeyes is hiring and getting set to open on State Road 100 in Palm Coast, opening arguments in the David Snelgrove death penalty-phase trial, host Jeanine Pirro at Volusia’s Tiger Bay.
U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz Supports A) Bigger Government; B) Taking Away Women’s Rights; C) More Intrusive Government; D) All of the Above.
Michael Waltz, Flagler County’s voice in the House of Representatives, recently signed on to a Friend of the Court brief saying the time is right to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the seminal 1973 Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to an abortion.
Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez Will Lead Florida’s 2020 U.S. Census Efforts
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez to lead the state’s 2020 U.S. Census efforts. Nunez will chair Florida’s Complete Count Committee, whose members were also named Monday.
For Jury in Double-Murderer Case, Snelgrove’s Mental Disability Is a Gray Matter of Life and Death
David Snelgrove’s double-murder of an elderly couple in palm Coast 20 years ago is not in dispute, but whether he should be put to death for it is. A jury will have to contend with the brutality of the murders as opposed to the mitigating factor of his mental disability.
School Board’s New Suicide-Prevention Policy Would Require Training for All Faculty
With youth suicide rising sharply in the past decade, the Flagler County School Board will discuss adopting a proposed suicide-prevention policy, the district’s first, which calls for two hours of continuing education training for all faculty, including administrators.
Tuesday Briefing: Snelgrove Trial, Suicide Prevention, Chess on the Porch, Palm Coast’s 20th Anniversary
The Palm Coast City Council marks the city’s 20th anniversary, double-murderer David Snelgrove’s trial runs into a second day of jury selection, the Flagler County School Board discusses a proposed suicide prevention policy.
New Rules Regulating CBD Products and Hemp in Florida Now In Effect
New rules regulating CBD products address issues such as pesticides, how packages are labeled and the inspection of products sold or produced in the state, and are derived from a federal law opening the door to CBD and hemp regulations.
20 Years After Double Murder in Palm Coast, David Snelgrove Faces Death Penalty Trial for 3rd Time
David Snelgrove murdered Glyn and Vivian Fowler in Palm Coast in 2000, but is in yet another penalty phase of his trial this week because two previous recommendations for death were not unanimous.
Monday Briefing: 911 Center’s Training Milestone, Mayor’s 90/90 Challenge, Snelgrove Death Penalty Phase
The latest sentencing phase for David Snelgrove, convicted of murder two decades ago, begins with jury selection, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s Fitness Challenge begins, auditions for “Ripcord” at the Flagler Playhouse.
DSC’s Florida Lifestyle Institute Announces History Course for Seniors
The Florida Lifestyle Institute at Daytona State College opens the gateway to infinite opportunities and learning experiences. Starting January 21, the Florida Lifestyle Institute in conjunction with Wisdom In Senior Education (WISE), will host a three week history course for seniors, entitled “From the Crown to Brexit: A History of the United Kingdom in the […]
Voting Rights Restoration Gives Felons a Voice in More States, But Florida Muddies Trend
In the past year, six states implemented measures restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions, including Florida, though Florida alone raised new obstacles: the payment of fines and restitution before rights may be restored.
Charges Will Be Dropped, But Flagler Deputy Petkovsek Returns to Duty Facing Stiff Disciplinary Measures
Flagler County Sheriff’s detective Richard Petkovsek was off duty when he was arrested outside a St. Augustine bar for disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest. He was reinstated after losing 42 days of pay and will be on probation for a year, among other disciplinary measures.
Three Years of Documenting Hate
“Go back to your country” or “go back to X country” was one of the most common phrases encountered in both hate crimes and bias incidents, along with a large number of hate incidents in schools, particularly after the 2016 election. Latinos have been targeted based on the (often erroneous) belief that they are immigrants or for speaking Spanish.
Proposed 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Number Could Lead to Surge in Calls
The FCC unanimously approved a proposal to set aside 9-8-8 as the replacement for the existing national suicide hotline number: 800-273-8255. The new number isn’t expected to go live for a year or more.
