Privileged candidates from Donald Trump to Howard Schultz don’t have any idea what life is really like for a single parent raising two kids while working and attending night classes.
All Else
Lawsuit Allegations Detail How The Sackler Family Built An OxyContin Fortune
This is the first lawsuit among hundreds of others that were previously filed across the country to charge the Sacklers with personally profiting from the harm and death of people taking the company’s opioids.
DeSantis Backs More Money for Armed Staffers in Schools, But Also More Flexibility in District Spending
DeSantis is proposing renewing nearly $100 million in school security funds but wants school districts to have more choice in how they spend the money.
At GOLA and the Flagler County Art League:
Trish Vevera, Flagler Artist of the Year
Trish Vevera’s journey from Grinnell College to the Art Institute of Chicago’s galleries to Flagler County’s open-air inspirations lands her as the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s Artist of the Year, with upcoming shows at Flagler Beach’s GOLA and the Flagler County Art League.
DeSantis Pitches $91.3 Billion Budget, Including Education Increase of $224 Per Student
In what would be the largest budget in state history, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday released a proposed $91.3 billion spending plan that would increase school funding, pump money into water-quality projects and trim taxes.
Grade Average for IB Class of 2018 at FPC Exceeds World’s By a Shade as 40 Students Claim Diplomas
The FPC 40 students who earned an IB diploma or certificate dispersed to 14 colleges in Florida, two other states and the Philippines before returning to claim their diplomas at a recent ceremony at the school.
Weekend Briefing: Flagler Historical Society, Piano Scholars, A1A Clean-Up, FYO’s Winter, Rotary Tarmac Run, Lisa McDevitt
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s top ensemble performs at the United Methodist Church’;s concert series, the Flagler and Palm Coast historical societies have events, Lisa McDevit’s life is celebrated.
DeSantis Calls for New Education Standards That Would Scrap Remains of Common Core
DeSantis’ announcement came five years after then-Gov. Rick Scott took aim at the Common Core standards, which were developed by officials in 48 states and have particularly drawn criticism from Republican voters.
Responding to Complaints, Waste Pro Adding 2 Trucks and Shortening Palm Coast Routes To Improve Service
Complaints about Waste Pro in Palm Coast were especially severe around the holidays with missed pick-ups for days at a time, but the company is shortening routes and adding staff to improve service.
Gargantuan Egos Gone, 3 Cities’ Managers And County Get Down to Unusual Business
Flagler County’s three city managers and its commission chairman led a Common Ground panel presentation reflecting the vast change-overs at the top of local government and anticipating a new way of doing business ahead.
Thursday Briefing: Sally’s Safe Haven, City Managers’ Common Ground, Johnny Mathis, Palm Coast Survey
Palm Coast’s, Flagler Beach’s and Bunnell’s managers update the world in the latest Common Ground Breakfast, only two days left to take the Palm Coast survey, an Abba tribute at the Auditorium.
As Rap Video Productions Take to South Bunnell, City Enacts Strict Regulations
Recent rap video productions in South Bunnell led the city to draft new permitting regulations that would require producers to have insurance, workers’ comp coverage and explain the scope of their project, among other requirements.
Ramping Up Surveillance, Sheriff Will Have Access to Live Video and Data From 44 Palm Coast Traffic Intersections
Palm Coast government and the Flagler Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to use a “traffic-optimization” camera network at intersection as a surveillance mechanism as well.
Louis Mamakos, 85, Kills Himself With a Gun in B-Section After Citing Intolerable Pain
Louis Mamakos, a long-time resident of Palm Coast’s Boxwood Lane, had been Baker Acted two weeks earlier after attempting to kill himself with a gun. His wife had stopped him.
Wednesday Briefing: Sheltering Tree, Pianist Robert Milne, Blue Power, Church and State
The Sheltering Tree, Flagler County’s cold-weather shelter for the homeless, has been busy, the Democrats’ Blue Power 2020 Action Forum meets, pianist Robert Milne performs at Stetson.
DeSantis Would Eliminate Ban on Smoking Medical Pot, Supporting Senate Bill
But legislative leaders may not be keen on completely doing away with vertical integration, a move that could destabilize a growing and lucrative market in which one marijuana license recently sold for $63 million in cash.
Vehicle Strikes 12-Year-Old Student on Bike Near Buddy Taylor Middle
A 12-year-old student bicycling south from Buddy Taylor Middle School this afternoon was struck and injured by a vehicle at the Belle Terre Parkway-Pritchard Drive intersection.
Palm Coast Zaps Electric Tax in Favor of Existing and ‘Creative’ Revenue to Rebuild Public Works
Palm Coast put to rest further talk of an electric service tax but is still hunting for $21 million to rebuild its decrepit public works facility, and will look for existing and creative sources.
9 Years in Prison For Tyler W. Dutton in DUI Manslaughter Death of Jordan Marie Rineer, 25
Tyler Wayne Dutton was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by five years’ probation in the death of 25-year-old Jordan Marie Rineer on U.S. 1 in October 2015.
Tuesday Briefing: Circuit Judge Bryan Rendzio, Palm Coast Security, “Artrageous,” Great Organists
The Palm Coast Council discusses rebuilding its utilities plant, cell towers and security, Circuit Judge Bryan Rendzio begins his tenure, great organists at Stetson.
Electric Service Tax Is Back As Part of Proposed Options to Rebuild Palm Coast’s Public Works
The Palm Coast City Council backed down from instituting electric taxes last fall in the face of staunch public opposition, but those options are back as part of a new round of discussions on rebuilding the public works facility and improving roads.
Florida Ethics Commission Finds Probable Cause Gillum Violated Law in Accepting Gifts
The ethics complaint added to questions that dogged Gillum throughout his gubernatorial campaign about possible ties to an FBI investigation of Tallahassee City Hall.
“Spiraling Down For a While”: The Violent Story Before the Stand-Off With Fugitive Michael E. Moore
Michael Eugene Moore’s wife describes in an interview the history of a man spiraling down since his release from prison, leading up to Saturday’s 3-hour standoff in Palm Coast.
Roundabout Construction on US1 and Old Dixie Begins: Be Prepared For Traffic Shifts and Single Lanes
U.S. 1 will have one lane in each direction through the project area. The speed limit will be reduced along U.S. 1 through the construction zone.
Monday Briefing: State-Best Dancer Reiko Serrato of FPC, Family Life’s Golf, Stamp and Coin
Senior Reiko Serrato of FPC gets top dance honors, the Bunnell City Commission considers an ordinance to “regulate” large gatherings, the Stamp and Coin club meets.
3-Hour Standoff Ends Peacefully With Arrest of Man Previously on America’s Most Wanted
The standoff on Beaverdam Road in Palm Coast involves a suspect believed to have carried out an armed robbery in Virginia. He refuses to leave his car.
Trump’s Fabulous Wall Fables
We’re in a post-factual presidency where alternative facts are the equivalent of papal bulls. It’s about belief, not reality. For the sake of appearances though, let’s argue the facts about the wall for a moment.
It’s On Again: Get Married on the Flagler County Courthouse Steps on Valentine’s Day
The mass wedding ceremony, a new tradition, drew 21 couples last year, five of them renewing their vows, with live music, cheer and Clerk of Court Tom Bexley presiding.
Secretary of State Ertel Resigns on Revelation of Picture in Blackface Mocking Victim of Hurricane Katrina
Mike Ertel was the elections supervisor in Seminole County for eight months when he wore the bigoted Halloween costume to a party in 2005.
Weekend Briefing: Blue Jeans and Bling, Home and Lifestyle Show, Pottery Days, Tennis Finals
The annual Home and Lifestyle show on the FPC campus, a pro tennis finals at the Palm Coast Tennis Center, Masonic Cemetery clean-up, Jim Belushi, Wynton Marsalis and Don Giovanni.
Transgender Ban in Military Is About Bigotry and Distraction, Not Readiness or Cost
Trump is using the ban purely to provoke the left, throw red meat to his base, and distract us all from the real issues in our nation, like the government shutdown.
$2 Million Repaving and Widening of Old Dixie Highway from US 1 to I-95 Starts
The widening and repaving of a 2.3-mile stretch of Old Dixie Highway, from I-95 to U.S. 1, begins Monday (Jan. 28) and will be completed in a week.
Lawmakers Again Trying to Ban
Red-Light Cameras Across Florida
As of December, 49 local governments in Florida had red-light cameras in operation, according to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Thomas Binkley, 62, Found Guilty of Molesting 2 Girls, 6 and 8, and Faces Life in Prison
Thomas Binkley of Bunnell was living with the girls at the time of the incidents. Their parents had taken him in because he’d fallen on hard times and was in poor health.
Thursday Briefing: Thomas Binkley Trial, Palm Coast Survey, FYO at Kiwanis, Free Tennis
The trial of 62-year-old Thomas Binkley of Bunnell on molestation charges may conclude today, free entry at a professional tennis tournament in Palm Coast continues, the Youth Orchestra at the Kiwanis Club.
16 Apply for Flagler Interim Administrator As County Hurriedly Hires HR Director
With a few days to go for applicants, the interim Flagler County administrator opening drew two county government applicants and three more from Palm Coast.
In Restoration of Felons’ Voting Rights, Meaning of ‘Murder’ Becomes Stumbling Block
A new constitutional amendment grants “automatic” restoration of voting rights to felons who’ve completed their sentence, but it excludes people “convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense.”
First of 3 New Cell Towers in 9 Years Going up off Palm Coast Parkway, With AT&T On Board
A new 150-foot cell tower is going up behind Heroes Park on Palm Coast Parkway, with AT&T leasing space, and will be followed by two more on Palm Harbor Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway.
Wednesday Briefing: Pro Tennis, Flagler’s Interim Choices, Vegetable Gardens, Blue Power Forum
The county commission meets in special session to go over a batch of applicants for interim manager, the Palm Coast Tennis Center is host to a professional tournament, lawmakers talk vegetable gardens.
Interim Beau Falgout Clear Favorite as Palm Coast Council Draws Up Manager Shortlist
Palm Coast Interim Manager Beau Falgout garnered the most support from council members shortlisting 16 candidates out of more than 50, as their search for a manager continues.
Lisa McDevitt, a Force Behind Flagler Auditorium and Arts Education, Dies at 58
Lisa McDevitt, the executive director of the Flagler Auditorium for the last 16 years and a fierce advocate for the arts in education, died Monday after a months-long struggle with cancer.
Sheriff’s Cmdr. David Williams Appointed Palm Coast Liaison, Replacing Mark Carman
Cmdr. David Williams, who’s been with the agency since 2001, was named the liaison to Palm Coast, replacing Mark Carman, who’s to be the police chief in Crescent City.
Flagler’s Davis Ecker, 27, Dies of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound at Motel on A1A
Davis Ecker, 27, died of a self-inflicted gunshot early Sunday morning (Jan. 20) at the Ocean Crest Motel in Ormond By the Sea.
With Carlos Muniz as 3rd Pick, DeSantis Touts ‘Newly Constituted’ Supreme Court
The appointment of Muniz, 49, solidifies a conservative majority on the court after years of justices regularly thwarting the Republican-led Legislature and the GOP governor.
Tuesday Briefing: NAACP’s Linda Sharpe-Matthews, USTA Tournament, Palm Coast Manager Pick
The NAACP’s Linda Sharpe-Matthews is re-installed as president, the Palm Coast council picks its shortlist for manager, Thomas Binkley goes on trial for molesting girls ages 6 and 8.
MLK’s Dream Of Economic Justice Deferred By Increasing Inequalities
King foreshadowed that if we maintain our exploitative economic and political systems, then we’d get not only racial apartheid, but economic apartheid as well.
Faced With Millions in Misused Money, UCF President Acknowledges ‘Broken Culture’
An investigation outlined $84.7 million in state operating funds that were used or slated to be used by UCF in direct violation of state policy.
The Sheltering Tree, Flagler’s Cold-Weather Shelter, Holds Fundraiser March 10
The “Have a Heart for the Homeless” dinner and dance will raise money for the shelter assisting new, near, or chronically homeless, and the all-volunteer effort needs your help.
Survey Time: Palm Coast Government Wants To Hear Your Views About the City
Palm Coast residents have two more weeks to take the 2018-2019 Palm Coast Citizen Survey. The survey is ongoing now through Saturday, Feb. 2.
Austin Chewning Named Flagler Deputy of the Year as Gala Raises $77,000 for Sheriff’s Employee Assistance
Austin Chewning, Sheria Woods, Kerri Anderson and Angela Camit were among the year’s winners at a gala to raise money for sheriff’s employees facing unexpected hardships.