The $500,000 will install surveillance cameras and high-speed Internet to just 12 intersections, with more spending and intersections connected in future years, and will create a so-called Advanced Traffic Management System.
All Else
Armed Robber Targets Walgreens on Palm Coast Parkway for Drugs, But Is Later Caught
An armed robber who targeted the Walgreens store on Palm Coast Parkway West early this morning got away with prescription drugs but was later arrested in Bunnell.
Tuesday Briefing: “Religion and Partisan Politics Don’t Mix,” Traffic Lights, Medical Pot Webinar, Trump v. Post
Bill Mefford of Americans United for Separation of Church and State leads a discussion at the African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast talks traffic signal optimization, the state health department holds a pot webinar.
European Village Reborn: Palm Coast’s Poster-Child of Housing Bust Thrives Again
The Palm Coast City Council approved a rezoning that enables European Village to be more autonomous and more clearly advertise itself as the 14-year-old development seeks to solidify its new hold on business and residential activity.
Monday Briefing: We Love You Orlando, Heat Index Up to 107, Everyday Violence on LGBT
Beyond Orlando, the extraordinarily commonplace violence against LGBT community in the United States, recapping a night’s horrors, Martin Amis on two Mohammeds, Faure’s Requiem.
Motorcyclist Critical After Wreck Severs Leg in 3-Vehicle Collision at US1 South of Old Kings Road
Motorcyclist Eddie Davis Jr., 50, was in critical condition after his leg was severed in a wreck involving Palm Coast’s Alexis Jacquart, 23, and Richard Kenney, 33, late Saturday night.
50 People Killed, 53 Wounded at Orlando Gay Club in Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History
50 people have been killed and at least 53 wounded in a mass shooting by a lone gunman at Pulse Orlando, a gay nightclub on South Orange Avenue, at 2 o’clock this morning. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings is calling the shooting a “domestic act of terrorism.”
Motorcyclist Seth Sistrunk Killed at Treacherous Intersection of SR100 and CR305
Seth Howard Sistrunk was struck and killed Saturday afternoon (June 11) by a pick-up truck as the motorcyclist was attempting to pass the truck in a no-passing zone on State Road 100.
Donald Trump’s Fascism and His Appeasers
Trump will fade. Trumpism may not. And the longer the Republican establishment is willing to appease him as a better alternative to Clinton, the more it legitimizes his racism as an acceptable American value.
Young Mother Pulls a Gun on Intruder on Seward Trail and Helps Lead to His Arrest
Marco DeJesus allegedly attempted a home-invasion burglary in mid-afternoon Thursday in Palm Coast. He did not figure on the homeowner–a young mother–pulling a gun on him, chasing him off and getting pictures of his vehicle and tag.
Taxable Values Improve Less Than in 2015, But Still More Strongly Than in Pre-Recession Years
Palm Coast’s and Bunnell’s values improved least among local governments, at 3.9 and 2.2 percent, while county, school and Flagler Beach values all exceeded 5 percent.
Weekend Briefing: Beachcombing Basics, Retiring Kent Ryan, Trump in Tampa, Euro 2016, “The Minions”
Daytona State College’s Kent Ryan talks about his retirement, a beachcombing special at Gamble Rogers, Euro 2016 kicks off, what being presidential really means, Mozart’s oboe.
Dunkin Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway Demolished By Flames During Roof Repairs
The Dunkin Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway near Winn Dixie was engulfed in flames this afternoon after a fire broke out around 4:30 p.m.
Marcus Sanfilippo Will Succeed Richard DuPont as Bunnell Elementary Principal
Marcus Sanfilippo had been an assistant principal at Indian Trails Middle School. He is a former county Teacher of the Year and in 2015 was the assistant principal of the year.
Florida Justices Appear Skeptical in Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Deferring to Legislature
Justices Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince questioned how the current state law allowing citizens to receive concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms suppresses gun ownership.
Thursday Briefing: Gator’s Abbey, Fruits and Veggies at the Library, Begging Romney to Run, Mega Mecca
The Flagler Beach City Commission honors Col. Jack Howell with a Purple Heart plaque, the Friends of the Library tell children a few things about fruit and veggies, The Weekly Standard begs Romney to run.
Palm Coast Hints at Again Increasing Monthly Stormwater Fee As It Projects Fund Deficits
By some of its calculations, Palm Coast is projecting deficits of $1 million a year despite increasing the storwater fee 46 percent four years ago, though it has room to manage the deficit by reducing capital expenses.
Ex-Deputy Guilty on 14 Counts of False Imprisonment Could Still Get Retirement Pay
Jonathan Bleiweiss had been accused of intimidating undocumented immigrants into performing sex acts. He entered a plea deal that spared him a designation as a sexual offender.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Provides Food Cards for Veterans
The Palm Coast church presented 28 gift cards to Flagler County Veterans Services Officer Sal Rutigliano for distribution to veterans who could use some extra assistance.
Veterans’ Graves Draped in Flags in Espanola Cemetery Ceremony
American Legion Post #115 received assistance from the Flagler Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution during the placement of American flags on the graves of Veterans at the Espanola Cemetery.
More Violent Crime But Lower Crime Rate in 2015 Gives Fodder to All Sheriff’s Candidates
For the first time in five years, total crime increased in Flagler County in 2015, by 1.7 percent, although the crime rate decreased modestly, by 0.7 percent, as population increased, giving incumbent sheriff Jim Manfre and his opponents room to use numbers to their advantage. .
Wednesday Briefing: Court Hears Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Underwater Surveillance, the 2008 Race Was Closer
The Supreme Court hears a challenge to Florida’s open-carry ban, Obama-Clinton was closer than Clinton-Sanders, Mozart’s B-major concerto.
Dog Bite at Ex-Flagler Beach Manager Campbell’s Property Sends Mail Carrier to Hospital
Mail carrier Jennifer Benson, 49, was treated for eight stitches after a dog at ex-Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell’s house attacked her when Campbell opened the door to pick up a package.
Counting the Days, Anna Pehota, Who Killed Husband in Hammock, Welcomes Trial in July
The trial of Anna Pehota, 76, who faces a second-degree murder charge for shooting her husband dead in October, goes on trial on July 18, a date Judge Matthew Foxman said is immovable.
Bunnell Elementary Leads the Way as Flagler’s Problem Solvers Shine Again at Internationals
Flagler County’s nearly 60 community problem solvers accomplished at this year’s international competition what their predecessors have almost every year for more than half a decade: they cleaned up in wins, trophies and plaudits.
Palm Coast Gets 5.4 Inches of Rain as Colin’s Tropical Braids Lash Flagler
For Flagler County, the weather service reports total rainfall in Palm Coast of 5.44 inches, though amounts may vary depending on locations.
Tuesday Briefing: Pehota Back in Court, School Lunch Prices, Retiring Employees, European Village Revamp
Anna Pehota, accused of killing her husband last year, is in court for a pre-trial, the school district recognizes its longest-serving employees and says farewell to its retiring ones, the Palm Coast council approves a new master plan for European Village, Paul Gaugin is 168.
As Democrat Patrick Murphy Qualifies, GOP Urges Rubio To Take Back Pledge Not to Run
Murphy, a two-term congressman who was the beneficiary of a fundraising event Friday in Miami that featured President Barack Obama, remains unknown to many Floridians as do the other major Senate candidates from both parties.
Florida Hospital Flagler’s Medical Staff Awards $3,000 in Scholarships to 4 Students
Meredith Wills, Amanda Hok, Summer Wilcox and Vincent Launh each got $750. The John M. Canakaris, MD award, which honors a high school student that has volunteered within the community to help the underprivileged and less fortunate, was awarded to Matanzas’s Launh.
Access Flagler First, County’s Outreach for the Poor, Celebrates 5 Years
Commission Chair Barbara Revels, along with commissioners Frank Meeker and Charlie Ericksen attended the celebration on behalf of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners.
Palm Coast-Flagler Under Tropical Storm Warning as Colin’s Local Version Brings a Messy 24 Hours
A disorganized and scattershot Tropical Storm Colin is set to cross Florida late tonight into Tuesday, dropping between 2 to 5 inches of rain on Palm Coast and Flagler County.
Alligator Stops Traffic to Cross at Cypress Edge Drive
The gator, more than 5 feet long, was sitting by the crosswalk then suddenly scampered across the road, using the white-striped crosswalk as if it had been trained to do so.
Scaling Some Opposition, Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Will Expand Seating Areas, But Not Capacity
Captain’s Bait, Tackle and BBQ at Bing’s Landing, the county park, scaled some opposition by Hammock residents to win county approval for an 800 square foot expansion that will not, however, add to the restaurant’s 200-seat capacity.
Monday Briefing: Tropical Rains, Cottages at Princess Place, Library Expansion, Disney Cartoons
The county commission finalizes plans for the controversial construction of cottages at Princess Place Preserve and continues talks about future library expansion as Tropical Storm Colin bears down. Also, how Disney cartoons were made.
Early-Morning Fire Demolishes House in Flagler Beach, 2nd Blaze in 2 Days in the City
An early morning fire Sunday demolished a 63-year-old house on South Daytona Avenue. The homeowner was absent. On Saturday, an electrical fire damaged the back end of a three-story structure at the north end of town.
Walter Forehand, Hilton’s Bartender and Flagler Beach’s Ex-Leisure Director, Seriously Hurt in Bike Wreck
Walter Forehand Jr., the unfailing bartender at the Hilton Garden Inn and former beach services director in Flagler Beach, was trauma-evacuated by air late Saturday night after a wreck on his motorcycle on U.S. 1.
Rick Scott on Being Trump’s Vice President: “Pass”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is meeting with Donald Trump Monday, but only to talk strategy, not to be vetted as a running mate, the governor claimed in several interviews.
At Sheriff’s Forum, 6 GOP Candidates Thump More Chests Than Manfre, and Few Ideas Clash
The two-hour forum before 300 people revealed some sheriff’s candidates better prepared than others, only a few differences of opinion, and less focus on Jim Manfre than on the future.
Weekend Briefing: Golf Reopens in Flagler Beach, Synchro Belles’ Annual Show, Democratic Picnic, Chess Open
Flagler Beach’s long dormant Ocean Palm Golf Course re-opens Saturday under new ownership, leased from the city, Flagler County’s Democratic Executive Committee holds a potluck picnic at Hershel King Park, and the weekend’s best reads.
Florida Government’s Legal Bill For Fighting Same-Sex Marriage: $500,000
The settlements came after U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled in April that the lawyers in the consolidated cases were entitled to the fees, and nearly two years after Hinkle first ruled that Florida’s voter-approved same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional.
Lawsuit Against Palm Coast’s Golden Corral Alleges Sexual Harassment of 17-Year-Old Girl
The lawsuit and the company’s response raise questions about the extent of a company’s responsibility in protecting its employees from undue hostility and differentiates, in the company’s view, between issues involving peer-employees as opposed to employees and their supervisors or superiors.
In Flagler Elections, Primary May Decide Half the Local Races, Including Supervisor
Underscoring the importance of turnout, All voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote for Supervisor of Elections, School Board and Palm Coast council in the Aug. 30 primary, with the results in two of the three races deciding the outright winners. That’s assuming no one pulls the write-in ploy.
Thursday Briefing: Sheriff’s Candidates in Action, Inspired Mic, Buchanan’s Heir, Sadism’s Anniversary
Flagler Young Republicans host a forum for the six GOP sheriff candidates, the Inspired Mic has another night at the new Europa, Trump’s lineage back to Pat Buchanan, and Edward MacDowell.
Acknowledging “Dark Times,” Flagler’s Democrats Say They’re Back and Battling For Long Haul
The Flagler County Democratic Party is hoping top shed years of disarray and political bankruptcy as it fields a few more candidates and organizers in a push for local and state successes. But the difficulties are still as prominent as organizers’ optimism.
Three Years On, Palm Coast Resident Sues Sheriff’s Office Over Wreck With Patrol Car
The t-bone crash involving sheriff’s deputy James Gore, who was going through a red light while answering a call, and E-Section resident John Mitchell at Pine Lakes Parkway and Palm Coast Parkway on Oct. 31, 2013.
NRA Calls for Renewed and Extended Hunt Of Florida Bears that “Terrorize Homeowners”
Florida wildlife officials approved a controversial bear hunt last year but have not made a decision about another hunt yet. They’re expected to receive a staff recommendation by June 22.
Florida Hospital Flagler Donates $5,000 to School District’s Flagship Programs
The $5,000 donation went to the Flagler County Education Foundation to support a variety of Flagship programs in the district, especially Rymfire Elementary’s health sciences program.
M & M Fence Company Owner Sought on Grand Theft Charges
Luis Michael Maldonado Sr., owner of M & M Fence Company of St. Augustine, is wanted on grand theft charges after cashing customers’ checks without doing the contracted work.
Wednesday Briefing: Hurricane Season Starts, Palm Coast’s GOP Candidates, A Man Sentenced to Baptist Church
The Flagler County Republican Club hosts a candidate forum for the GOP contestants in Palm Coast’s mayoral and council races, hurricane season is upon us, Island Grille celebrates its one-year anniversary, a Catholic man is sentenced to 12 Sundays in Baptist church.
Senate Majority Leader McConnell Asks Rubio To Run for Senate
McConnell’s comments on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” came after reports during the past week that Rubio is being pressured to run for re-election this fall.