Palm Coast’s weird concept of private property, Bunnell updates its public records and media policies, the Stamp and Coin Club meets, before fake news, there were the tea parties, and recalling the Gulf War.
All Else
Should The Poor Be Barred From Buying Junk Food With Food Stamps?
Lawmakers in at least five states, including Florida, introduced bills this year to ask the USDA for permission to ban the purchase of certain kinds of food or drinks, such as candy and soda, with food stamps.
I Am An Enemy Combatant
The media has been the enemy since the earliest days of the Republic. But to be an enemy in America is what all of us at one point or another have been or will be. It is an American responsibility. It’s proof of our beloved American citizenship.
Support for Obamacare Reaches Record, Putting Repeal-Minded Lawmakers In a Bind
Overall support for the health law ticked up to 48 percent in February, the highest point since shortly after it passed in 2010. That was a 5-point increase since the last poll in December.
Palm Coast Will Pay $10,000 to Air Mayor’s Weekly Radio Show; Council Was Not Informed
Mayor Milissa Holland and City Manager Jim Landon worked out the $10,000 proposal with WNZF Radio without discussions involving the rest of the council. Some council members are not pleased.
Elderly Man Injured in Attack by Pit Bull Mix At Palm Coast’s Canopy Walk Dies
James E. Bennett, 79, had been severely injured last Sunday and his 7-year-old Yorkshire killed Sunday in an attack by a Labrador-pit bull dog. He died of an apparent heart attack.
Weekend Briefing: Sheltering Tree Fund-Raiser, Family Fun Day, Native American Festival, Holland v. Renner II
The annual Native American Festival returns to Princess Place, a fund-raiser for the homeless shelter, the Bridge Building Program hosts a Family Fun Day, plus Mexico Flag Day.
Flagler Beach, Palm Coast and Bunnell Restaurants Join Forces for Sunday’s Homeless Shelter Fundraiser
The fundraiser for Bunnell’s Sheltering Tree, in operating through volunteers since 2008, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church with the participation of numerous local restaurants.
At Belle Terre Elementary, 60 Readers Get In Black History Groove With Ellington, Tar Beach and Even Cops
Belle Terre Principal Terence Culver wanted to atone for ignoring Black History Month for five years by hosting a read-in featuring community leaders including the sheriff, many cops and firefighters, school board members, the Palm Coast mayor and many more.
Donald Trump’s New Deputy CIA Director: a Torturer Who Destroyed Evidence
Gina Haspel was deeply involved in the illegal torture of a prisoner at a secret CIA site, and when questions arose about the brutality, demolished 92 tapes that had documented the abuse.
Proposal to Kill Economic Agency and Trim Visit Florida Budget Clears House Committees
Palm Coast’s Rep. Paul Renner continued to defend the proposals, which would cut Visit Florida’s budget to $25 million, as the House bill heads for a floor vote in march, but still without viable Senate support.
Thursday Briefing: African-American Read-In at BTES, George Hanns Bridge, Emmanuel’s Closet’s Show
Belle Terre Elementary hosts its first annual African-American Read-In to mark Black History Month, George Hanns has himself a bridge at Princess Place, Emma Goldman speaks.
Jury Finds Palm Coast’s John Schenone, 32, Guilty of Raping Girlfriend’s 11-Year-Old Daughter; Will Spend Life in Prison
John Schenone, 32, had been the father figure to the girl and her mother’s live-in boyfriend for six years in Palm Coast’s W-Section, but had been assaulting the girl for a year.
“I Slam-Dunked Her To the Ground,” Palm Coast Man Says of Woman in Road Rage Incident
Two Palm Coast residents dueled in a road-rage incident that started with mutual flipping near McDonald’s in Town Center, and ended with injuries and a jailing.
Wednesday Briefing: Closed-Circuit Traffic Cameras, Scenic A1A, Grand Living, Underachievers, Wind Energy
Palm Coast installs closed-circuit traffic cameras, the county’s economic opportunity council cheers for Enterprise Florida, how schools game underachievers, Scenic A1A.
From Inside Charred Aftermath of Last Week’s 435-Acre Fire, A Cautionary Warning of Season Ahead
In a tour of the forest partly charred in last week’s fire south of Bunnell, Florida Forest Service officials cautioned of a fire season ahead they expect will be more active because of drought and higher temperatures.
Rep. Renner Takes Another Beating, This Time From Palm Coast Council Over Slew of Bills
The Palm Coast City Council excoriated Rep. Paul Renner over several bills he’s introduced, saying the proposals would hurt Florida Hospital Flagler and end the city’s ability to regulate local business, among others.
Emmanuel’s Closet’s 2nd Annual Fashion Show on Feb. 23
All proceeds benefit Emmanuel’s Closet, a local mission that helps clothe children, single parents, families, seniors and homeless men and women in Flagler County.
NASCAR Exec Lorene King is To Be DSC’s New Fundraising Chief
Among her activities at NASCAR, King built an internal executive coalition for the foundation’s largest fundraising event, exceeding a $1 million revenue goal by 67 percent.
In Brief: Senators Back Tax Exemption for Diapers
Initial estimates point to a reduction of General Revenue receipts of $21.7 million in 2017-18, with a $52.1 million recurring impact, and a reduction of local government revenue by $5.6 million in 2017-18.
On the Sad Prospect of CFO Jeff Atwater, Rare Government Royalty, Leaving Tallahassee
It’s going to feel strange without Jeff Atwater’s steady hand and keen mind in the Florida Capitol, writes Nancy Smith of a the state’s Chief Financial Officer, who is resigning to take a post at Florida Atlantic University.
Tuesday Briefing: Superintendent Search Committee, Autism Training for Cops, Malcolm X, Teen Suicide’s Decrease
The school board and the Palm Coast city council meet today (separately), the Legislature considers requiring autism training for Florida Department of Law Enforcement cops, how gay marriage lowered teen suicide.
Man Faces Felony Child Abuse Charge in Assault of Girl, 14, After Accosting Children at Bus Stop
A man who children say had been accosting them at their Palm Coast bus stop was later charged with child abuse after slapping a 14-year-old girl on the butt. An investigation revealed other concerns.
Monday Briefing: Schenone Child-Rape Trial, Raising Flagler’s Bed Tax to 5%, Japanese-Americans’ Internment, 75 Years Ago
The County Commission today discusses raising the sales surtax applied to short-term rentals and hotels, to get more revenue for beach restoration; marking the 75th anniversary of an American tragedy.
Sanctuary Cities Brace For Trump Order Targeting Undocumented Immigrants for Deportation
Many cities, counties and college campuses nationwide are pledging to limit cooperation with immigration enforcers in the face of President Trump’s pledge to quickly deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants.
Congress Signals Opposition to Assisted Suicide; Proponents Fear State Laws in Jeopardy
A congressional committee voted to overturn an assisted-suicide measure in Washington, D.C., last week, signalling more willingness in Congress to possibly reverse more liberal state laws.
Protesters, True Patriots
Freedom for the thought we agree with is as cheap as a Facebook click on the like button. Freedom for the thought that we hate is what separate Americans from thuggery.
Spencer Sarmento Back in Jail on Aggravated Assault Charge Stemming from Gun Argument
Spencer Sarmento, the Mondex resident arrested 14 months ago for firing an assault weapon in the Mondex, was arrested again this morning after a confrontation in which his girlfriend refused to give him a gun.
County Seeking Photo Contest Participants to Mark Flagler’s Centennial
Prizes include $200 for Best of Show, as well as first-, second- and third place prizes by division of $150 – $100 – and $50, respectively. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 10.
1st Amendment Trumps 2nd: Court Says Doctors Have Right To Ask About Guns at Home
Major portions of a controversial Florida law restricting physicians and other health-care providers from asking patients about guns is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled.
Weekend Briefing: “Ms. Jackie’s Bus,” Movie Night at Veterans Park, Hot N’ Spicy Festival, Calypso Festival
The Ag Museum’s 7th Hot ‘n Spicy Festival, Movie Night at Flagler Beach’s Veterans Park, “Ms. Jackie’s Bus,” a unique play about adolescent angst, at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, Trump’s embarrassments.
Survey Gives You Chance To Tell Flagler School Board What You Want In Next Superintendent
As part of its search to replace Superintendent Jacob Oliva, the board is making an electronic survey available to residents, including school employees and students, and seeking as much participation as possible.
Florida House Moves to End Participation In Federal Refugee Resettlement Program
The bill sponsor acknowledged there is no evidence terrorists have used the refugee program to enter Florida and that the withdrawal wouldn’t halt the federal government from locating refugees in the state.
For Palm Coast Man, Repeated Arrests Over Guns and Alcohol, Then a Death at the Hospital
Theodore Vanbeveren, 61, had been at Florida Hospital Flagler for detox and had been cleared to be returned to the jail. Instead he had a heart attack and died, according to a sheriff’s report.
Thursday Briefing: The Inspired Mic at Europa, Open-Records Exemption for Dismissed Injunctions, Democrats’ Conspiracies
The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s most daring and unpredictable open mic event, is scheduled for its monthly edition at The New Europa, European Village, Democrats are now turning to conspiracy theories.
250 to 300-Acre Fire, Largest Since 2011, Burning Uncontained in Old Haw Creek Area
County and state fire crews began battling the fire just before 3 p.m. The fire was still several miles from the nearest homes to the east but had grown rapidly.
Superwash Express Brings 40 Jobs to Heart of Palm Coast and Lava of Choices For Car Care
Superwash on Cypress Point Parkway held its grand opening last week, creating 40 new jobs, about 25 of them full-time, in a car town that seems to take to carwashes with zeal.
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell Officials May Face Stronger Financial Disclosure Requirements
Financial disclosure forms filed by elected city officials are cursory compared to the detailed forms filed by county and other officials. That may soon change as the Legislature considers extending the stricter requirements.
Marginal Risk of Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday Afternoon in Flagler-Palm Coast
The weather center’s simulation of the storm front, issued Tuesday, places the most active parts of the storm above Flagler County at 3 p.m. Wednesday. That can change with subsequent simulations.
Wednesday Briefing: Hammock’s Bay Drive Park Plan, Superintendent Search, Trans Rabbi, Assisted Living on US1
A Flagler County park for the Hammock talked about for decades may be reality: a community meeting is scheduled about it this evening, the school board holds a workshop to sharpen what it’s looking for in a superintendent, Palm Coast considers yet another assisted living development.
Palm Coast Community Center’s Walls Crash As Shovels Ordain Much Bigger Successor Building
Work crews put destruction on display at the old Palm Coast Community Center today, just after the city council marked the $7.8 million rebuilding and tripling of the site with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Spate of Bills Would Allow Floridians to Carry Guns at Colleges, Airports, Bars, Courthouses, Stadiums
One of the proposals would decriminalize the penalty for people who briefly display a firearm in public, others would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry guns in courthouses, jails and government meetings, among other places.
Flagler Beach Pier To Be Repaired and Opened By May 1, But More Concrete Plans in Its Future
The $918,000 contract will stabilize the Flagler Beach pier but will not restore the 160 feet it lost during Hurricane Matthew. That’ll be the long-term fix, which may entail pouring concrete.
Tuesday Briefing: Community Center Re-Groundbreaking, Linda Cole Sings Valentine, Local Ethics
The Palm Coast Community Center’s $7.8 million renovation begins with a groundbreaking, Linda Cole performs her Valentine’s Day songs at the public library, local government ethics get another look in Tallahassee.
In Flagler Beach, Scott Attacks Renner Over Tourism and Economic Development Programs
Gov. Rick Scott was in campaign mode in a visit to Flagler Beach Monday as he criticized Flagler’s Rep. Paul Renner, a fellow-Republican, for introducing a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
Europa Owner’s House Demolished in Evening Fire in Palm Coast’s C-Section
Marcella and Ambroz Ferrena, who own New Europa, the restaurant and lounge at European Village, were in their Palm Coast home by the canals late Sunday afternoon when they smelled smoke. It was a small fire in the garage that rapidly spread through the roof.
Monday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s World Concert, Gov. Scott in Flagler Beach, Tattoos Against Abuse
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 350-some students in five ensembles perform music from around the world at the Auditorium, Gov. Scott stops in at a Flagler Beach sandwich shop, a tattoo artist uses her work to combat abuse.
Renner Is Right: Kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, Twin Kleptos of Public Troth
Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are two tax-supported state agencies that act more like slush funds, wasting money behind secretive veils and returns on investment that have never lived up to the promise.
Travel Ban Sham By The Numbers: Trump Is Inventing Refugees’ Threat to National Security
Contrary to President Trump’s factually misleading claims, a rational evaluation of his travel ban indicates its measures would have virtually no effect on improving U.S. national security.
Woody’s Joe Rizzo Named Director of Flagler Education Foundation, Replacing Williams
Joe Rizzo, a Flagler native and part-owner of several local restaurants, will diminish his role there to take up the full-time job at the foundation, on whose board he’s served for eight years, one of them as president.