In Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre production of “Hand To God,” a puppet ministry at a fundamentalist Christian church in a small Texas town takes a life of its own as Tyrone the puppet imposes a reign of terror and sex.
All Else
Renner’s Criminal Justice Reform, Including Lesser Punishments and More Work Options, Gets Overwhelming, Bi-Partisan Vote
Florida lawmakers on Friday overwhelmingly approved a criminal-justice package that includes the first change in 35 years to the legal threshold for felony theft and reducing punishment for some non-violent offenders.
3.5% Unemployment Rate Is Lowest Since 1969 as Economy Adds 263,000 Jobs
Wages again increased by 6 cents. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.2 percent, well exceeding the 1.6 percent rate of inflation, which means that the difference lifts the net standard of living.
Jack Howell Calls His Palm Coast Council Colleagues “Four Idiots,” Then Apologizes
Jack Howell called his four colleagues on the city council “four idiots” during an emotionally charged comment period at an open meeting of the Palm Coast Democratic Club Thursday evening.
The Real Threat To Free Speech On Campus
Conservatives complain when student protest hate speech, while progressive professors are the ones losing their jobs for speaking out as people of color and other marginalized demographics are demonized.
Bill Pushing Underground Power Lines Passes, But Higher Utility Bills Are Likely
A key part of the bill would change the way underground power-line projects are financed, a change that could lead to more projects — but also higher bills for utility customers.
A Middle School PAL Coach Is Ordered Off Matanzas High Property for Wearing an FPC Shirt. Disbelief Follows.
Derrick Griffin, a 35-year-old Navy veteran and beloved and respected coach of 50 Indian Trails Middle School PAL track students, was ordered to wear a Matanzas shirt or get off Matanzas’ track the last week of the season.
Ex-Bunnell Cop Mike Stavris Gets 15 Years in Prison and Sex Offender Designation for Repeat Offenses
The severity of the punishment signals a turn-around for a court that had previously been willing to give Michael Stavris the benefit of the doubt and a chance at rehabilitation.
Thursday Briefing: Cheryl Massaro’s Honor, USS Liberty, Playhouse’s ‘Best Little Whorehouse,’ Anti-Science
Cheryl Massaro is honored by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Flagler Playhouse starts its Best Little Whorehouse run, Ernie Gallo speaks of the USS Liberty at the Democratic Club.
Infected By Dangerous Myths, Flagler Has 2nd Highest Rate of Non-Vaccination in Florida
Though the measles outbreak–worst since 1994–hasn’t reached Flagler, it is highlighting a serious vulnerability in the county, where 6 percent of kindergarteners last year had a religious exemption from vaccines.
How a Flagler Tax Collector Employee Allegedly Pulled Off a 7-Year Embezzlement Scheme In Plain View
Deborah Thomas, 60, worked with Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston going back to 1985. Thomas is accused of embezzling over $20,000 in cash payments to the tax office going back to 2011.
Wednesday Briefing: Kaiti Lenhart, Civil Libertarian of the Year, Free Legal Clinic on Family Law, DSC Goal-Setting
Flagler Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart is the ACLU’s Civil Libertarian of the Year, the clerk of court and Flagler Bar offer a free legal clinic on family law, Democrats and Republican clubs meet.
Florida Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Local Governments From Regulating Plastic Straws
On a 24-15 vote, the Senate imposed a moratorium on plastic-straw bans, the latest example of the constant tug-of-war between the Legislature and cities and counties over local regulations.
Deemed Competent, Joseph Bova Will Be Tried For 2013 Mobil Mart Murder–and Medicated By Force If Necessary
Joseph Bova is pleading insanity in the February 2013 murder of Zuheily Roman Rosado, a single mother of six. To keep him competent for trial the sheriff’s jail personnel is authorized to use force to keep him on his medications.
Resignations and Suspensions at Palm Coast’s Building Department After Employees Accept Developer’s Whisky and Other Gifts
A developer brought eight bottles of Crown Royal, a bottle of Jack Daniels and boxes of chocolate to distribute to specific employees in Palm Coast’s building division around Christmas. The developer was doing business with the city.
10 Dogs, 8 Cats Seized at Waste-Infested House on Palm Coast’s Waywood Place
Two women face a civil suit filed by Palm Coast to determine whether they “neglected and cruelly treated” the animals and whether they are fit to care for them, according to an animal control report.
Tuesday Briefing: Bova and Acierno In Court, Entrepreneur Night, Palm Coast FiberNet, Candice Cole’s Cool
Candice Cole’s coolness under pressure, accused murderer Joseph Bova has another date to test his competence for trial, Entrepreneur Night is at Captain’s BBQ, Palm Coast discusses FiberNet.
Prosecution Drops Further Charges Against Michael Bowling as He Appeals 20-Year Sentence
Michael Bowling was sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting a 15-year-old, and faced even more serious charges involving his own step-daughter. The state opted to drop those charges.
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival’s Reprise Brings a Dozen Musicians and Their Stories For 3 Days at 2 Venues
The Palm Coast Songwriters Festival’s innumerable live acts and workshops runs Friday through Sunday at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater, and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation stage.
Ex-Palm Coast Boys and Girls Club Counselor Accused of Molesting Girl There in 2011-12
Dante Mobley’s alleged victim in this case was 8-9 years old. A sex offender, he was released from prison last year after serving five years on a statutory rape charge involving a 14-year-old girl. The present case pre-dates his incarceration.
‘Right To Survive’ Initiative: This City Might Give Homeless People the Right to Camp Anywhere
Denver’s ballot Initiative 300, a first-of-its-kind “Right to Survive,” would allow the homeless to camp anywhere on public lands without risk of arrest, If approved supporters aim to copy it elsewhere.
Monday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra Takes A Bow, Bunnell’s State, Tobacco 21
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 350-some students in five ensembles present their final concert of the season at the Auditorium, a Bunnell State of the City recap, raising tobacco’s legal limit to 21.
At Memorial For Curtis Gray, A March Against Violence, Appeals For Conflict Resolution, and ‘Dedication’
Palm Coast’s mayor, school administrators and coaches spoke to hundreds of students and others gathered Sunday in Central Park in memory of Curtis Gray, the Flagler Palm Coast High students shot dead on April 13.
Time is Running Out to Save Right Whales
The North Atlantic right whale is the most endangered whale in U.S. Atlantic waters, and entanglement in crab and lobster roping gear remains the biggest threat to the species’ survival.
Free Community Emergency Response Team Training Begins May 14
Learn basic disaster response skills – such as fire safety and light search and rescue – at the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program, which begins on May 14.
Irish Company Studio Media Buys Palm Coast Data and Signals 10-Year Local Commitment
Studio Media Group, an Irish company, today acquired Palm Coast Data from Pennsylvania-based Amrep Corp., the third time in 17 years that one of Palm Coast’s largest private employers is changing hands.
Florida Senate Creates New Program Using Public Money To Fund Private School Tuition
Florida senators on Thursday passed legislation that would allow more students to use taxpayer-funded scholarships to pay for private-school tuition, a major step toward expanding school choice in the state.
All FPC Students Directed to Stadium After School Officials Find Bomb Threat In Bathroom
All Flagler Palm Coast High School students–all 2,600 of them–were diverted to the school’s stadium this morning after a bomb threat was discovered in a school bathroom around 7 a.m.
Weekend Briefing: Curtis Gray Memorial, Community Art, Chorus, Cats, Best Little Whorehouse, Torch Run, Housing Fair
A funeral and celebration of life of Curtis Gray Saturday and Sunday, the NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet, Community Cats spring yard sale, ACLU honors Kaiti Lenhart, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Playhouse and much more.
A Courtroom for a Classroom, Built By Students, Gavels Matanzas High’s Law Flagship
Matanzas High School inaugurated its new courtroom, built by its own students for the school’s law and justice flagship, as the centerpiece of a program intended to develop future lawyers, paralegals and others interested in the law.
Joe Mullins Walks Back $2 Million Deal to Keep Sheriff’s Ops in Bunnell, But Calls for End to Bunnell Police Department
County Commissioner Joe Mullins says he still supports a sheriff’s district office for Bunnell–but also wants the Bunnell Police Department merged with the sheriff’s office, because the city has only a “ceremonial” department.
House Passes Controversial Felons’ Voting-Rights Bill, Setting Up Financial Hurdles Before Restoration
The House’s party-line, 71-45 vote drew a rebuke from backers of the amendment, who called the bill “a failure to live up to the bipartisan commitment” demonstrated by the 61 percent of voters who approved Amendment 4.
Thursday Briefing: Murals in Flagler Beach, Common Ground Does Media in Flagler, Happy Hubble Birthday
The Flagler Beach City Commission takes up a revised ordinance that would allow more expressive murals and some commercial content, the Flagler Chamber hosts a media panel at a Common Ground breakfast.
Agreeing to New Contract for Deputies in Schools, Board and Sheriff Discuss 128 Baker Acts in 2 Years
The school board’s share includes almost $100,000 for nine school crossing guards. It does not include about $110,000 that Palm Coast contributes for the school resource deputy program.
Wednesday Briefing: Free Clinic’s $5,200 Gift, Matanzas Law and Justice, Stetson Jazz Ensemble
The school district inaugurates the law and justice flagship program at Matanzas High School, Compassionate Friends meet, a multi-day hearing about whether former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum violated ethics laws begins.
Bunnell Condemns County’s Decision to Move Sheriff’s Building to Palm Coast, Threatening Lawsuit and Kindling Feud
The Bunnell City Commission approved an angry resolution against the county, instigating a feud that county officials say is misconstruing the county’s and sheriff’s intentions and missing the bigger picture.
Video Shows Shooting Outside Bunnell Circle K as Detectives Still Seek ID of Gunman
A weapon was recovered that may be tied to the shooting outside a Circle K store in Bunnell Sunday night–a shooting and the fight that preceded it captured by the store’s surveillance video.
Moments Before Trial, Jerald Medders Pleads to 15 Years in Prison On Charges of Raping 16 Year Old
Jerald Medders, the 53-year-old Palm Coast resident, faced a minimum of 30 years in prison and up to life if convicted by a jury, which had already been seated for the week-long trial, when Medders changed his mind and pleaded.
Tuesday Briefing: Medders Trial, Felons’ Rights, Spring Band Concert, School Safety
The Senate Rules Committee takes up a controversial proposal to limit felons’ right to vote based on financial obligations, Matanzas has its spring band concert, Jerry Medders’ trial day two.
In Jerald Medders Trial, Alleged Sex Crimes Are Triggers to Several Jurors’ Previous Traumas
Several potential jurors were excused Monday during jury selection in the trial of Jerald Medders, 53, who is accused of unlawful sex with a minor, as the jurors spoke of their own traumas.
Suicide Prevention Set To Become Part of Minimum Standard of Care At Addiction Centers
Rising opioids use and rising suicide rates: Suicide prevention advocates have been pushing the addiction treatment community to address the substantial overlap by adopting new standards of care. That starts in June.
18-Year-Old Man Shot at Bunnell’s Circle K During an Argument, Suspect Sought
An 18-year-old man was shot in the back outside the Bunnell Circle K on State Road 100 shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday. The man survived. Authorities are looking for a suspect seen in surveillance video.
Monday Briefing: Gerald Medders On Trial, Stamp and Coin, A1A Update, Minimum Wage, Vietnam Memorial
Gerald Medders, 53, of Palm Coast, arrested in March 2016, goes on trial on four counts of illegal sex with a minor, the Stamp and Coin Club meets, an A1A construction update, Stanley Karnow on the Vietnam Memorial.
Abolish the Electoral College
Abolishing the Electoral College would level the playing field. It would ensure that people, not parties or mechanisms, determine who leads the country. Is that so bad? If you’re a Republican, yes.
Before Kevin McCarthy’s Suicide, a Life of Creative Advocacy and Contradictions Running in Overdrive
Until his last year, Kevin McCarthy had a stellar 17-year career with Flagler schools, coming out of the shadow of his father Bob McCarthy, Flagler’s longest-serving sheriff. But he had unspoken struggles.
Listen Up Soon-To-Be High School Graduates: Your Chance For a $10,000 Presidential Excellence Scholarship
Daytona State College is offering a new scholarship opportunity for high schools students. Starting this fall, the college will award five Presidential Excellence Scholarships totaling $10,000 each to qualified 2019 high school graduates. The application deadline is April 30, 2019.
Free Housing Fair Rich in Financial, Mortgage and Other Tips, This Saturday April 27
The 2019 Housing Fair – hosted by Flagler County, the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Association of Realtors, and the Mid-Florida Housing Partnership – will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at the Flagler County Association of Realtors building, 4101 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell.
Sheriff Provides State of Policing in Flagler in 2nd ‘Fighting Crime Together’ Meeting
Sheriff Rick Staly held a public meeting on “Addressing Crime Together” at the Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Coast on Thursday afternoon to discuss crime trends, past and future initiatives.
New Florida Supreme Court Flexes Rightward Muscle, Overturning Two January Decisions
Justices, in a pair of 6-1 opinions Thursday, overturned the two rulings. The only dissenter in both cases: Justice Jorge Labarga, who had sided with Pariente, Lewis and Quince in January.
FlaglerLive’s Rick de Yampert, a Palm Coast Artist, Brings Mr. Crow Art to Peabody Auditorium Exhibit
Palm Coast artist and FlaglerLive culture writer Rick de Yampert’s photographic digital art of crows will be featured in “Mr. Crow Saves the Universe,” an exhibition May 1-24 in the Rose Room at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach.