Superintendent James Tager welcomes district staff on employees’ first day back, computers are handed out to students at Buddy Taylor, Mozart’s only string trio in a great performance.
All Else
Flagler Beach Marina Settlement With City Collapses, But This Time It’s a Sklar Thing
Flagler Beach and Marina owner Howard Sklar return to court in late September as their settlement talks over the Flagler Beach Marina collapsed when Sklar reversed course on a building requirement.
Gov. Scott’s Emily Hysterics
Even Tropical Storm/Depression Emily cried foul at Gov. Scott’s, sleazy, opportunistic hyping of what was no more than an overheated summer storm: look at how fast she high-tailed it out of the state.
Widening and Resurfacing of County Road 305 From Haw Creek Bridge Begins Aug. 7
The project extends from the Haw Creek Bridge, just south of the S curve, for 2.7 miles towards County Road 304. The roadway will remain open during construction, with single-lane closures as needed.
Tuesday Briefing: Flagler Beach Comp Plan, Dual Enrollment, iPads for K-3 Students, Alex Jones
The School Board will spend $400,000 on iPads for K-3 students, Palm Coast will spend $200,000 on a dubious traffic plan, Alex Jones is deconstructed, Stephen King is in disbelief.
Court To Decide Legality of Those Utility Bills For Nukes Plants That May Never Be Built
A federal appeals court hears arguments in a class-action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that has led to Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy Florida collecting money from customers for nuclear-power projects.
Man Faces 6 Counts of Negligence After Provoking Crash on Seminole Woods Blvd., Endangering 2 Families
Six other people, three of them children, were involved in a two-vehicle crash when Larry B. Batson Jr. intentionally drove his car against another on Seminole Woods Boulevard.
More Hype Than Fury as Tropical Storm Emily’s Effects on Flagler Mirror Summer Storms
Emily is not expected to be much more than an irritating soak with maximum winds of 45 mph. Those winds are expected to weaken as the storm crosses the state.
McCain’s Brain Cancer Draws Renewed Attention to Possible Agent Orange Connection
For years, Vietnam vets and their widows have been pushing the VA to extend benefits to those exposed to the toxic herbicide and later stricken with glioblastoma. The VA has said no.
Monday Briefing: Islamophobia Watch, Trolls, Tribal Workplaces, Jennifer Heidle Trial, Court Funding
The state Revenue Estimating Conference analyzes court system funding, a Flagler woman goes on trial for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer, Trump’s mental health in question.
City Market Place Briefly Evacuated After Resident Brings In Grenade Found in Backyard
The St. Johns County Bomb Squad was called in to claim the grenade, which the resident turned in to the sheriff’s Palm Coast Precinct at City Market Place.
Renewed Push For Tougher Texting While Driving Penalties May Face Resistance in Flagler
A Florida state legislator, Emily Slosberg, who survived a violent car crash caused by distracted driving, is campaigning across the state to make texting and driving a primary offense.
40% of Sea Ray Boats’ Workforce in Flagler Affected By Layoffs and Furloughs
Some 90 employees have been laid off and 130 furloughed out of a workforce of 560 at the Sea Ray Boats plant off Colbert Lane even as manufacturer’s parent company posts strong earnings in the second quarter.
Weekend Briefing: Heat Index Up to 109, Disney’s Aladdin at Playhouse, Back To School Jam, Future of Fake News
Paul Dykes and Erin Vickers, accused of child rape and child porn possession, appear in court, the Back to School Jam at FPC Saturday, the Playhouse features its junior thespians.
Flagler Beach Delays Medical Pot Ban Vote For 2 Weeks, But Hazy Evidence Unchanged
The absence of one of the five commissioners led to the delay on the vote on a controversial measure that would ban the operation of medical pot dispensaries anywhere in Flagler Beach.
Flagler Beach’s Newsom, Again Short-Listed For Another Job, Also Eyes Palm Coast
Larry Newsom is short-listed as an “alternate” after four candidates for the Putnam County Administrator job, though he says he’s not likely to take it.
Hutson and Renner Try To Push Back Against Criticism on Home Rule, Taxes and Education
Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner took credit for–and defended–several controversial bills that passed in the last session of the Legislature as they spoke to Flagler’s political and business leaders this morning.
Thursday Briefing: Renner and Hutson Postgame Show, Flagler Beach Pot Dispensaries, Stamp and Coin
Rep. Paul Renner and Sen. Travis Hutson talk about the last legislative session and the one to come, the Flagler Beach Commission takes up a proposed ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.
JJ Graham’s Salvo Arthouse Finds Permanent Home, Ending Wandering Years
What was Hollingsworth Gallery, then Salvo Art Project, is now Salvo Arthouse on East Moody Boulevard iN Bunnell, opening a new era for JJ Graham and Petra Iston.
Special-Ops Firefighters Rescuing Man Taken Ill Near Top of Palm Coast Water Tower
A contractor working on the water tower for the city fell ill, possibly of heat stroke, and required a rescue by the county’s and Palm Coast’s paramedics, and a special team.
Next Stations of the Cross In Obamacare’s Near-Death Experiences: Debate and Amendments
Senators are limited to 20 hours of debate, following which numberless amendments may be introduced–but not debated. It may get messy and difficult to follow.
It’s Not Just Palm Coast: Credit Card Skimming at Gas Stations Up 160% in Florida
State figures show 315 skimmers had been discovered at Florida gas pumps through July 18, compared to 120 skimmers discovered through the first seven months of 2016.
Wednesday Briefing: Grade Schedule Pick-up, Compassionate Friends, Economic Opportunity, Carlin
School already: grade-schedule pick-ups begin at Indian Trails Middle School, Compassionate Friends meet, George Carlin reminds us he’s still dead.
Timothy Daniel, 17-Year-Old Student, Takes His Life With a Gun
For the Matanzas High School community, it is the fifth violent death involving a current or recently former student since January 2016: two students were killed in traffic-related crashes, three took their own lives.
Alternative to FPL-Matanzas Footpath Dies as Administration Hits Council With Done Deal
A potential $400,000 temporary sidewalk along Old Kings Road, sought for years by F-Section resident, turned out to be an illusion as its proponent was outmaneuvered today.
Tuesday Briefing: School Taxes, Texting While Driving, Palm Harbor Golf Fare, Blivets
The Palm Coast council discusses capital improvements, the school board sets its tax rate, comparing pre-existing conditions to cars that have been in crashes.
Democrat Nancy Soderberg, Ambassador From Departed Era, Wants to Represent Flagler In Congress
Nancy Soderberg, a foreign policy expert and top aide in Bill Clinton’s presidency, wants the seat held by Republican Ron DeSantis. She has a lot to learn.
Flagler Beach’s Golden Lion Cafe Set To Take Over Palm Harbor Golf Restaurant
Golden Lion would sign a five-year lease to run the food and beverage operation, including a bar, catering in the clubhouse and on the golf course, and other amenities.
Per Curiam: County Attorney Al Hadeed Is Awarded State Association’s Ethics in Government Honor
Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed has been leaving legal footprints in Florida law going back to the 1970s, in defense of ethics and Sunshine Law standards.
Prescription-Drug Overdoses Swamp Medical Examiners, Putting Accuracy In Question
The concern is that performing more than the recommended limit of 325 autopsies in a year, in addition to other duties such as testifying in court, could result in errors.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell Budget, Sabotaging Obamacare, Sonny Clark and Robert Frost
The Bunnell City Commission figures out its 2017-18 budget, Enterprise Florida picks a new president, Robert Frost trash-talks the novel.
Patriotic Millionaire: There’s No ‘Free Market’ Solution to Health Care
Republican leaders claim they want affordable access to quality health care for all. It can’t be done by lowering taxes on businesses and the rich and letting the market run it all.
Tracy Vandament, 48, Found Dead In Suicide on Palm Coast’s Cimarron Drive
Tracy Vandament, originally from Oklahoma, had been depressed from going through a divorce and not seeing his children.
Flagler Unemployment Ticks Up But Remains Below 5%, Florida’s Hits Post-Recession Low
Flagler County’s unemployment rate ticked up three decimal points to 4.8 percent in June as the labor force shrank a little and the unemployment rolls grew.
Gov. Scott Defends Plan to Appoint Three Supreme Court Justices in Last Days In Office
Those three members — justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince — are part of the court’s more-liberal majority, and some advocates are worried that Scott, a Republican, could tip the balance of power on the bench on his final day in office.
Weekend Briefing: Tour de Palm Coast, “Depth” at Blue Gallery, Play 60 at FPC, Price of Revenge, Calder
The annual cycling Tour de Palm Coast, dive-in movie at Frieda Zamba and by the surf in Flagler Beach, Alexander Calder’s birthday, a new show at Blue Gallery, Balzac on double-standards.
Palm Coast Council Will Decide Manager’s Future in Extraordinary Workshop on Aug. 3
The council is moving toward ending Jim Landon’s 10-year tenure. That workshop is expected to be followed with a special meeting in a matter of days to ratify whatever decision is reached on the 3rd.
Fraud Alert: Credit Card “Skimmers” Found at Four Palm Coast Gas Stations
The defrauding skimming devices have been found at gas stations along Palm Coast Parkway and Palm Harbor Parkway. There are no arrests and no suspects.
Thursday Briefing: Peers on the Pier, God Gab, Inspired Mic at Europa, JJ Graham’s Phoenix, Balzac’s Speculators
The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s unpredictable improv, is on at Europa, the Chamber hosts its annual Peers on the Pier party, how Trump does in fact own Obamacare now, and double-standards.
PAL and Flagler District Agree to Middle School Sports Programs, But Student Records Would Not Be Private
The Flagler Sheriff’s Police Athletic League will run several middle school sports programs this year, but participation is conditional on PAL having access to attendance, grades and progress reports.
Wednesday Briefing: Soderberg Kicks Off, Buckets of Tourism Grants, Blood Drive, Malcolm Gladwell
Blood drive in Bunnell, Nancy Soderberg launches her congressional campaign against Ron DeSantis, the tourism council considers dozens of grants, Malcolm Gladwell.
Shots Fired Outside Frieda Zamba Pool While Children’s Camp Was Still Active
A man fired two shots at a car leaving the parking lot outside Palm Coast’s Freeda Zamba pool Monday afternoon, next to Belle Terre Park. The pool was still open for another hour.
City Manager Landon’s Fate Teetering, Council Agrees to Special Meeting To Set New Course
The Palm Coast City Council will hold a special workshop likely next week to decide how to end Manager Jim Landon’s tenure as even his big severance package now appears less of an obstacle.
Tuesday Briefing: Mock Election All Day, Palm Coast’s Future, Food Truck Tuesday, Blood-and-Soil Nationalism
The Palm Coast City Council decides whether to add five cops to city streets and may talk about its manager’s future, a countywide mock election takes place at Supervisor’s office to show off new equipment.
With Sanford and Other Non-Mega Airport Posting Big Gains, Florida Passes Texas in Passengers
Florida recorded a nearly 4 percent growth in its overall outbound passenger count, from 78.07 million in 2015 to 81.17 million last year, according to annual FAA data.
Palm Coast Woman Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charge In Death of Dog and Neglect of Another
Georgia A. Rose, 39, of 16 Princess Luise Lane in Palm Coast, was arrested on a charge of cruelty to animals following the death of a young dog she had been caring for, and persistently neglectful conditions surrounding a second dog that survived.
Judge Kim C. Hammond, Legend From Seminole Gridiron to Flagler Courtroom, Dies at 72
Judge Kim C. Hammond was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bob Graham in 1979 and spent his entire judicial in Flagler County, where the county courthouse now bears his name.
Latest Republican Health Bill Cuts Costs At Expense of People With Pre-Existing Conditions
The proposal would let insurers sell health coverage outside the ACA exchanges with no provisions for prescription drugs, mental illness, hospitalization or almost any other benefit.
Monday Briefing: Al Hadeed’s Ethics Award, Rotary’s Dave Dalecki Award, Heat Index to 102, Porn at Work
County Attorney Al Hadeed receives a state ethics award, a volunteer of the year award is named for Dave Dalecki, too many people watch porn at work, Ben Carson is in Orlando.
Palm Coast Council Ready To Fire Or Push Out Jim Landon, Dismissing His Secretive “Succession” Ploy
Four Palm Coast City Council members have lost confidence in Manager Jim Landon and want him gone, with severance issues an obstacle. He wants to stay two more years and appoint his successor.