To some Republicans, keeping Hillary Clinton from appointing new justices is worth letting everything else go to hell. The government, the country, maybe the world and certainly the court.
All Else
Publix Campaign Politics
Publix contributed at least $306,000 from Aug. 1 to Aug. 12, the latest information posted on the state Division of Elections website. Of that amount, $250,000 went to Florida Chamber of Commerce political committees.
“Opt Out” Movement in the Balance as Judge Weighs Whether Tests Can Decide 3rd Grade Promotion
The parents of the students involved in the case told their children to “minimally participate” in the Florida Standards Assessment for third grade by filling in their names, breaking the seals on the tests and then refusing to answer any questions.
For Bunnell’s Tucker, Sharp Loss on Firehouse Consolidation Signals Return to Minority
Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker’s proposal to fold the Bunnell Fire Department into the county and shift savings to the city’s police department was rebuked Monday, and Tucker’s role on the commission appears to return to where it had been years ago: as a dissenter.
Tuesday Briefing: Youth Orchestra Recruiting, Zaire Roberts Sentencing, Solar’s Amendment 4, Shield Laws
The Flagler Youth Orchestra recruits at Wadsworth and Belle Terre Elementaries with its quartet, Zaire Roberts is sentenced for the shooting of Phillip Haire in 2015, a primer on shield laws for journalists.
Three Arrested in Palm Coast Are Tied to String of 11 B-Section Car Burglaries
Palm Coast has been the target of several burglary sprees. In this case, the alleged burglars are believed to have committed their spree in their own neighborhood.
Despite $1.65 Billion Profit in 2015, FPL Seeks 23% Rate Increase Over Next Three Years
The proposal would increase the monthly base rate for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity from $57 to about $70 by 2020. The Public Service Commission would have to approve.
Al Jones, Former County Commissioner
and Breakfast Club Impresario, Dies at 87
Al Jones was one of the most influential non-elected politicians and GOP officials in Flagler County for 25 years as his monthly breakfast became the essential stopping point for most of those hoping to be—or to remain—politicians.
Richard Gordon Dies By Gunshot in Palm Coast’s L Section, 4th Apparent Suicide in 11 Days, 3rd By Firearm
The numbers are startling for Flagler County, which has averaged a total of 15 suicides per year over the past 10 years. The latest suicide took place just after 8 a.m. at 56 Londonderry Drive in Palm Coast.
Monday Briefing: Future of Bunnell’s Fire Department, Stamps and Coins, Bad Bail, Good Burkinis, Mozart’s 27th
Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker tries again to convince his colleagues to let Flagler County absorb the Bunnell Volunteer Fire Department, the burkini is making waves, FPL tries for another rate hike.
Fresh From DNC Controversy, Florida’s Wasserman Schultz Faces Rare Primary Battle
In heavily Democratic Broward, Tim Canova has the backing of Bernie Sanders, Wasserman Schultz is supported by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
John Timoney, 1948-2016
A Good Cop
John Timoney, who served as the top cop in Philadelphia and Miami, where he radically reduced police shootings, was a good cop. No small thing in America, in 2016.
Un-American Activities
Before Donald Trump’s “extreme vetting” there was Extreme Vetter Pat McCarran, the Nevada Senator whose name graces some of America’s most xeonopbic, repressive and largely unconstitutional laws. Trump is channeling him.
Long-Time Jeweler Robert Zetrouer Sentenced to 25 Years for Raping Child He Blamed
Palm Coast Jeweler Robert Zetrouer, 65, blamed the 13-year-old girl he raped and claimed he assaulted her only to prepare her for boys: that evidence was revealed today just before he was sentenced to what amounts to a life sentence in prison.
Weekend Briefing: Shock of Syria Again, Kim Weeks in Court, Surfers for Autism, Lochte’s Lie, Trump’s Health
Ex-elections supervisor Kim Weeks is in court for a pre-trial again, Robert Zetrouer, accused of raping a 13-year-old girl, is expected to be sentenced, the 7th annual Surfing for Autism day is Saturday, reading between the lines of Trump’s health.
Citizens Insurance May See 6.8% Rate Hike as Water-Damage Claims Spike
In Flagler County, 2 percent of all insured properties were insured by Citizens, or $265.7 million worth of property. That’s less than the 5 percent of properties insured statewide by Citizens.
Scott Seeks Applicants to Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday started seeking applications from people who want to serve on the state Constitution Revision Commission, a panel that meets every 20 years to recommend changes to the Florida Constitution. Scott will appoint 15 of the 37 members of the commission.
Hikers, Campers, and the Limits of Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace seems to extend only to the easily visible: trash, toilet paper, bodily functions, and so forth. Anything you can’t see with the naked eye — like sweat, detergent, sunblock, mosquito repellent, pesticides, and other chemicals — seems to get a pass.
Judge Allows European Village Shooter Daniel Noble to Seek Help in Indiana Pending Trial
Daniel Noble, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, brandished an assault weapon and fired two shots at European Village before being wrestled to the ground in 2014. He’s been in treatment since, awaiting trial on assault charges.
Thursday Briefing: Bears Among Us, Schools’ Town Hall, Breitbart’s Trump, Golf Club Costs
Early voting continues, a Fish and Wildlife bear specialist offers a primer on how to deal with bears in Palm Coast, spotting bullshit, Breitbart takes over Donald Trump, Fire Station 25 provides car seat checks.
Flagler Veterans Court Pitch Framed in Crude Attack on Court System by DeSantis Envoy
Randall Stapleford, a part-time staffer for Rep. Ron DeSantis, questioned the veracity of a Flagler County judge and leveled repeated attacks at Chief Judge Terence Perkins for allegedly delaying information related to a potential veterans court during a Flagler County Commission workshop Monday.
Undone in White House Bid at Trump’s Hands, Rubio Retreats to Battle Beruff
Rubio is running again for a Senate seat that he was ready to vacate, a seat some critics say he had already vacated, a seat that at times seems almost as much like a form of captivity for Rubio as it does a prize.
Sophie Zabas, 1942-2016: Commissioner George Hanns Mourns His Inspiration
Sophie Zabas, who died Friday of cancer at age 74, was Commissioner George Hanns’s companion of 23 years. Visitations are Friday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.
Living in Bear Country: FWC Primer to Palm Coast Residents as Sightings Increase
Natalae Almeter of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a presentation on the topic Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at Palm Coast’s City Hall, in the Community Wing. It’s open and free to the public.
Wednesday Briefing: Tourism Budget, New Voting Laws, Hospital Deaths, Veterans Court, Symphonie Fantastique
Early voting continues today, the Flagler County Tourist Development Board reviews the coming year’s budget, how new voting laws could affect the election, the complete Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique.
Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy Tangle in Contentious Senate Primary as Rubio Awaits
Patrick Murphy is a centrist backed by the White House, and Alan Grayson is a longtime darling of Bernie Sanders-style progressives loathed by the party establishment. Three other Democratic candidates are also in the running.
Donald Trump’s War on Media: The Case For Fighting Back
It’s not a stretch to say that last week in Daytona and Thursday night in Kissimmee, Trump and his surrogates were literally inciting mobs against the media. Not casually or with humor, but with calculated and malicious anger.
Zika Virus In Flagler: Preparations In Place But Response Limited to Education and Prevention
The Flagler County Health Department says it’s prepared for an outbreak of Zika virus in the county, which has so far been spared, but the focus is on the only thing officials can do: education, elimination of standing water where possible, and limited travel for pregnant women.
Coby Allan Queen, 16, Missing From Seminole Woods Home Since Aug. 9
Coby Queen’s backpack and bike were found at the Flagler Beach pier the evening of Aug. 9, when his friends told police he was seen with Josh LeMaster, who has a long arrest record in Flagler County.
Tuesday Briefing: Vote Early, Zika Update, Bunker Budgeting, Food Truck Tuesday, Lies and Trump
Early voting continues today, the Flagler County Health Department’s administrator gives a Zika virus update, Food Truck Tuesday in Central Park, Wynton Marsalis.
State Revenue Cut By $132 Million This Year, and By $135 Million the Next
State economists Monday shaved nearly $270 million off their estimate of what lawmakers will have to work with in next year’s budget process, even as election-year calls for extra spending continue and as a threat looms of a Zika hit to Florida’s economy.
Shandra Llewellyn, 40, Dies From Gunshot in Apparent Suicide on Palm Coast’s Llanes Place, 3rd in 4 Days
Shandra Llewellyn, 40, was pronounced dead this evening just before 6:30 p.m. at 19 Llanes Place in Palm Coast, the second such self-inflicted shooting in the county in four days.
Woman Faces List of Charges, Including DUI, After Fleeing Cops, Crashing on I-95 and Attempting Escape
The incident started at a Palm Coast convenience store, culminated in a crash on I-95 that closed the northbound lanes of the Interstate, and ended with an attempted escape at Florida Hospital Flagler.
Denise Calderwood, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Denise Calderwood is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. Her opponents in the Aug. 30 Republican primary is Donald O’Brien. The winner will face Democrat incumbent George Hanns in the Nov. 8 general election.
Monday Briefing: Start Voting Today, Meeker’s Soccer Fields, DuBose Tries Again for Planning Board, Netts Goes TDC
Whatever your registration–Independent, Democrat, Republican, Socialist–there’s plenty of races for you to vote in even though it’s a primary. The county commission dedicates soccer fields to Frank meeker at Wadsworth Park and talks Veterans Court.
Hawkish Hillary: Clinton May Sound Friendly to Muslims. But Her Record Is Bloodier.
Even while Hillary Clinton condemns Donald Trump’s erratic statements on foreign policy, there’s no evidence she sees any need to redraw her own hawkish playbook that goes back to her enthusiastic support for the Iraq war.
Flagler Beach’s Nick Nelson, 28, Is Killed In Motorcycle Wreck on State Road A1A
Nick Nelson, 28, had finished his shift at Captain’s BBQ at Bings Landin in Palm Coast’s Hammock when, hours later, he failed to negotiate a curve on State Road A1A and was thrown from his motorcycle.
Trump-Hobbled Rubio No Longer a Shoo-In to His Senate Seat as Murphy Closes Gap
The closeness of the race could be linked to recent struggles of controversial Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump — with the presidential race having an effect down the ballot.
Jason France, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Jason France is a Republican candidate for the Flagler County Commission in District 3. He faces Dave Sullivan in the Aug. 30 Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Barbara Revels, who faces no primary opposition, in November.
The Suicide Candidate
Donald Trump will never win the presidency. He knows it and doesn’t want it. But that makes him more dangerous, not less. He’s a fanatic. He’s a suicide candidate. And we still have three months of rampage.
Chamber Poll: Flagler’s Trump Country; Cuff, Lenhart, Holland, O’Brien and Conklin Win Big
The Flagler County Chamber’s first candidate hob nob Thursday drew some 300 people and 250 participants in its straw poll, with results pointing at least to a few trends ahead of the Aug. 30 primary. Actual early voting begins Monday.
Daniel Potter, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Daniel Potter is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 1. His opponents in the Aug. 30 Republican primary are incumbent Charlie Ericksen and Ken Mazzie. The winner will face Democrat Jason DeLorenzo in the Nov. 8 general election.
Weekend Briefing: Movie in the Park, Observer Endorsements, Berlin Wall Anniversary, From Chevrolets to Cadillacs
The Observer offers up its endorsements for the Aug. 30 primary–and Observer and FlaglerLive editors and publishers talk about them on WNZF, the 55th anniversary of the Berlin Wall, Olympic fanfare.
School Districts Focus Efforts on Stopping Zika Spread as Cases Mount
Classroom materials were being distributed to teachers and administrators across the state so that they can encourage students “to take simple steps in order to help prevent Zika,” including removing standing water, using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing.
Flagler School District Sued Over Allegation of A Child-on-Child Sex Battery at Old Kings VPK
The allegation dates from a May 2015 incident in which two VPK students are alleged to have touched or kissed the genitals of a third, and that the alleged assailants were allowed to return to Old Kings Elementary, though not in the same classroom as the alleged victim.
Caitlin E. Ryone, 19, Is Dead In Mondex After Report of Gunshots; Sheriff’s Deputies Investigating
Ryone, a 2014 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School, was found dead of a gunshot at 4664 Mahogany Boulevard in Daytona North, or the Mondex. The sheriff’s office is investigating to determine whether it is a suicide or a homicide.
Ken Mazzie, Flagler County Commission Candidate: The Live Interview
Ken Mazzie is a Republican candidate for the Flagler County Commission in District 1. He faces Charlie Ericksen and Dan Potter in the Aug. 3 Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Jason DeLorenzo, the departing Palm Coast City Council member.
Thursday Briefing: Gun Buy-Back, Chamber’s Hob-Nob With Candidates, Flagler Beach Montessori, Fluoridated Water
The sheriff’s office takes back any guns you want to give up today, last major candidate gathering before the Aug. 30 primary, Flagler Beach’s Montessori school hopes to get a lease, a busy day in circuit court.
Bunnell Commission Honors Two Boys, 10 And 12, For Helping Save 88-Year-Old Woman
The Bunnell City Commission Monday evening awarded its Outstanding Citizen Award to two young city residents, Russell Rouson, 10, and Steven Dozier, 12, for alerting police and helping to save the life of an 88-year-old woman who had hurt herself in her home in June.
Florida Elections Officials Seek to Assure Voters That Machines Are Safe From Hacking
Florida elections officials are pushing back on suggestions that this year’s voting results could be hacked or otherwise threatened by a cyberattack.