New laws include a minimum 30-day jail sentence in domestic violence crimes involving intentional injury, tax cuts, school choice, more benefits for veterans, a new Holocaust memorial, and many more.
All Else
New Report Doubles Estimate of Transgender People in U.S.; Florida’s Proportion Ranks 6th
The estimate places Florida’s proportion of transgender people at almost 0.7 percent, for a total of 100,000 people, with the national proportion at 0.6 percent, for a total of 1.4 million.
Thursday Briefing: Drug Court, You Have the Right to Remain Private, Universal Basic Income, President Harding’s Erotica
Flagler County is limbering up for a long Independence Day weekend, so no major events or meetings today, giving you a chance to catch up on President Harding’s erotica, how the rest of the world views Trump, and police-state policing in Delray Beach.
Joe Negron’s Plan for Florida As Senate President in Next 2 Years: More Elite Universities
Negron named the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan, among others, as examples he wants Florida’s universities to be like.
Victory for Sunshine Law Rather Than Weeks as Judge Tosses 3 of 12 Charges Against Ex-Elections Supervisor
A judge ruled that three of the 12 felony counts against Kimberle Weeks related to a recording that had already been disclosed at a public meeting. Sharing the recording therefore could not illegal after that, even if the recording itself was.
Wednesday Briefing: Happy 60th, Interstates, Supremes Sans Scalia, Anaïs Nin’s Diary, Civil Rights
Local happenings and events are taking a pre-Independence day breather, leaving you free to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Interstate highway system or listen to Anais Nin read from her diary or contemplate how far and how not so far civil rights have gone in the United States.
Florida Democrats Borrow a Page From D.C. Colleagues Hoping to Force Gun Control Vote
However, it may be nearly impossible over the next week to gather enough Republican lawmakers willing to make the trek to humid Tallahassee in an election year to discuss a proposed prohibition on gun sales to people on federal terrorism watch lists.
Greg Lynn Jewelers Struck Again, But Detectives Track Suspect To His R-Section Home
Greg Lynn Jewelers in Palm Coast’s Flagler Plaza was burglarized for the second time since last July but suspect Craig A. Chavez, 51, was arrested and produced several of the jewelry items allegedly stolen from the store.
Trying to Stem Hemorrhage of Green, Palm Coast Studies Patchy Golf Club Take-Over
Losses at the city-owned Palm Harbor Golf Club are getting worse. The city is considering a “hybrid” take-over of golf and tennis that would still contract put most services but give the city more control.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast’s Garbage Contract, Golf Club Woes, Unhappy Evangelicals
Palm Coast’s contract with Waste Pro for garbage disposal is nearing its term in 2017, the city’s troubled golf club’s future is discussed, Evangelicals think the country is no longer Christian.
Abortion Rights Mark Big Court Victory, But Effect on Florida Restrictions Unclear
Florida supporters of recent laws requiring more stringent standards for abortion providers say the high court ruling should have no impact. Pending court challenges suggest otherwise.
Community Plants 1,000 trees at St. Johns Water District’s Lake Apopka North Shore
Once home to several farms in the 1940s, the nearly 20,00 acres along Lake Apopka’s northern shore were acquired by the water district in a push to restore water quality and fish and wildlife habitat within the lake.
No More Hairpin Curve as Old Kings Road Extension Around Matanzas High Opens, Last of Big Projects
The extension’s opening marks the last of a series of major road projects intended to improve traffic flow around Palm Coast, and in this case in particular around Matanzas High School.
Monday Briefing: Old Kings Road Extension Opening, Bunnell’s Special Events, Bimbo Campaigning, Zola on Reactionaries
The Old Kings Road extension around Matanzas High School opens in a ceremony at 10 a.m., desperate Florida politicians are resorting to bimbo tactics to get elected, Bunnell revises its special-events ordinance.
Entrepreneur Night and Salvo Gallery Exhibit the Art of Start-Up Resilience
Office Divvy Co-Founder Ky Ekinci speaks of his affinities for and philosophical similarities with Salvo Art Project Co-Founder JJ Graham, where the next Entrepreneur Night will take place Tuesday evening.
Bowing to NRA, Scott Skips Over Court Pick Who’d Blocked “Stand Your Ground” Shift
The bill Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, had opposed and that died during this year’s legislative session would have shifted the burden of proof in Stand Your Ground cases from the defense to the prosecution.
Qualifying Ends: Tax Collector Johnston and Property Appraiser Gardner Are Re-Elected; Supervisor’s Race Will Be a Universal Primary
Property Appraiser Jay Gardner and Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston were re-elected without opposition for a fourth consecutive term each as qualifying ended, with few surprises and withdrawals or disqualifications in other races.
Flagler Rotary Names Jim Troiano Its New President, Marlee Walsh-McDaniel Rotarian of the Year
McDaniel, who is also a member of the University Women of Flagler, is heavily involved in the Rotary’s scholarship program and is a past recipient of the President’s Service Award. Troiano is a director at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and the agency’s chief spokesman.
Rubio’s Re-Election Bid Remakes Senate Race as DeSantis Reverts to Congressional Run
DeSantis is one of three Republicans who have qualified to run for the district that includes all of Flagler County, and which he’s represented since 2013. Four Democrats have qualified.
Weekend Briefing: World’s Largest Swim Lesson, Lego Day, Donald Trump’s Only Honey, Affirmative Action
Another attempt to be part of a world record at Frieda Zamba pool in Palm Coast, Lego Day at the county public library, Donald Trump’s honey, affirmative action wins a surprising one.
Media and Orlando Go to Court Over City’s Censoring of Massacre’s 911 Calls
The city of Orlando wants the court to help determine how to handle the unreleased portions of 911 emergency communications involving the June 12 massacre at the Pulse nightclub.
Jarrod Molnar Is FWC’s 2016 Boating Officer of the Year
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recognized Officer Jarrod Molnar as its 2016 Boating Officer of the Year during the Commission meeting in Eastpoint.
Florida Bears Celebrate: There Will Be No Hunt This Year, Wildlife Commission Narrowly Rules
After hours of objections from animal-rights advocates and support from hunters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 late Wednesday against a staff recommendation to hold a hunt in October that could have been smaller — in terms of permits and hunting grounds — than the 2015 event in which 304 bears were killed over two days.
At Flagler Sheriff’s Forum, Eight More or Less Angry Men, Mostly at Incumbent Jim Manfre
The only candidate forum featuring all nine sheriff’s candidates before the Aug. 30 primary sparked with verbal sniping between incumbent Jim Manfre on one side and ex-Sheriff Don Fleming and ex-Undersheriff Rick Staly on the other, though remaining candidates were no less agitated, given the chance.
McGuire Resignation a Dilemma for Palm Coast Council, But 2 Ex-Councilmen Offer Solution
Holsey Moorman and Alan Peterson, who both served on the Palm Coast City Council, are willing to fill out Bill McGuire’s last four months, thus enabling the council to avoid making a more politically fraught appointment or leaving the seat vacant.
Thursday Briefing: Say It Ain’t Yes Brexit, Oliva at Breakfast, Another Farmer’s Market in Flagler Beach
The Flagler Beach City Commission hears a request for a new farmer’s market at the south end of town, the school superintendent speaks to a chamber group, voters in Britain decide whether to stay in or get out of the European Union.
Gun In Hand, Tax Collector Johnston Heralds Fast-Track Concealed-Weapon Permitting
Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston took herself and most of her staff through a gun-safety class and shooting session at the range to prepare for her office’s new service: processing and fast-tracking concealed-weapons permits, starting today (June 22).
Wednesday Briefing: All Sheriff Candidates Face-Off, Hottest May, “White Trash,” Bleak Trump
All nine candidates for sheriff are expected at a forum this evening at the Portuguese-American Club, May was the hottest month on record, as was April, as was… “White Trash,” a history of class in America, and Charles Dickens in 10 minutes.
Wife Charged In Killing Richard Resnicoff, Guitarist for the Famous, in Grand Haven in ’13
Lucille Horton, 69, is charged with vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony. In a civil lawsuit, Horton claims Resnicoff had been abusive and violent and that day had threatened and shoved her, prompting her to flee–and throw him off her car.
Salvaged by Revels’s Diplomacy, Pot-Decriminalization Proposal Will Now Seek Cities’ Approval
The proposal would allow cops to issue civil citations to people caught with small amounts of marijuana, avoiding a criminal record. But its success depends on approval from all cities and the county commission, which is yet to come.
Trump Lead in Florida Vanishes, Overtaken by Clinton Surge as GOP Leader’s Campaign Falters
Several factors contribute to Trump’s fading including disarray within his campaign, lack of money, organization and staffing, and backlash from his racism. For Clinton, the fading of the Sanders campaign is helping migrate more supporters to the presumptive Democratic nominee.
On World Giraffe Day, Jacksonville Zoo Announces Birth of 39th Giraffe On Its Grounds
The Father, Duke, is famous for being the sire of 15 other little ones at the Jacksonville Zoo. The male Reticulated giraffe calf was born in the early hours of June 12.
Sen. Bill Nelson Named to Florida Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Hall of Fame
Nelson is among 10 Florida conservationists who will be recognized for their achievements. Conservation award winners are chosen from nominations made to the Federation’s board of directors based on their accomplishments on behalf of Florida’s fish, wildlife and native habitats.
Daytona State Reducing Fees for Total Cost-Saving to Students of 3.5% This Fall
The savings are a result of a reduction in the access fee from $4.93 per credit hour to $1.35 per credit hour. Added to a 2 percent cut in tuition implemented last spring, overall cost savings per student comes to 3.3 percent.
Tuesday Briefing: Pot Citations, Food Truck Tuesday, Superintendent’s Evaluation, Sotomayor on Police Powers
The committee responsible for preparing a proposed ordinance that would decriminalize pot possession in Flagler, in some cases, meets, the school board evaluates Superintendent Jacob Oliva, media consolidation and fragmentation.
Florida Congressional Candidate Evers Riles LGBT Activists With Assault Weapon Raffle
Barely a week after the Orlando massacre, state Sen. Greg Evers drew criticism for planning to give away a semiautomatic rifle similar to that used in the attack that killed 49 people and injured dozens of others at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
Cindy Dalecki is Flagler Beach Rotary’s New President, Tim O’Donnell Gets Year’s Top Honor
Dalecki owns Marketing 2 Go, the new-media company she started six years ago on her own and has since turned into an operation employing half a dozen. The club held its annual Cycle Flagler event in May, raising over $15,000.
A Homestead Exemption in Two States? Supreme Court Asked To Rule on Legality
Pointing to a “far-reaching impact” of the case, attorneys for a Broward County woman are asking the Florida Supreme Court to take up a case that involves a married couple having homestead tax exemptions in two states.
A Transgender Latina Teen Speaks: They’re Killing Us. Help Us Stop Them.
Many Republicans invoked fears of international terrorism, but most said nothing about the members of our LGBTQ communities, who were the very targets and victims, writes Grace Dolan-Sandrino.
Monday Briefing: 700 at Massacre Vigil, Flagler’s Constitutional Budgets, More Newspaper Graveyards, Trump Profiling
Friday’s vigil in Flagler Beach draws 700, Flagler government talks dollars for constitutionals, Donald Trump wants more profiling, newspapers have another very bad year, and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.
Proposed Bear Hunt This Fall Would Unfold In Three Separate Four-Day Periods
The recommendation to hold the state’s second bear hunt in the past 20 years expands on a proposal from state biologists without offering hard numbers of bears that could be killed or suggesting a number of permits that could be made available or the costs of permits.
3 Hurt, 2 Critical: Van Dives Into Pond After Striking Matanzas Woods Exit Sign and Tree
One man was able to get out almost immediately. Two others were entrapped in the wreck at the 293 Exit on I-95. Fire rescue personnel pried out the front windshield and rescued the two passengers, who were conscious but badly hurt.
As Exceptionally American As It Gets
Our mass shootings have developed their own set rituals and denials, none so lethal as the complicity with murder that blames the wrong targets while excusing guns.
At Salvo Gallery, JJ Graham’s Burst of 50 “Builder Paintings” Brush Art For Growth’s Sake
Salvo Gallery’s indefatigable JJ Graham painted 50 works for Saturday’s now show opening as a way to fund the next stage of growth at the gallery and artist community he co-owns with Petra Iston in Bunnell.
A Flagler Beach Vigil for Massacre Victims, Flickering Grief of LGBT Community
Pulse, the scene of the massacre in Orlando, was a favored destination for the Palm Coast-Flagler gay, lesbian and transgender community, which had nothing like it nearer. The vigil will pay tribute to the victims, raise money and awareness.
Dangerous Heat Advisory Issued For Friday Afternoon, Followed by Severe Thunderstorms
The National Weather Service has issued a dangerous heat advisory for northeast Florida, including Palm Coast and Flagler County, starting this afternoon and into early evening, as temperatures combined with high humidity will result in a heat index of 105 to 100 in parts of Florida, and up to 104 in Palm Coast.
Weekend Briefing: Pulse Vigil in Flagler Beach, Turtle Talk, ReVive at Calypso, Built Art at Salvo, Assault Weapons
New art shows open at Salvo Art and Calypso galleries, a vigil and fund-raiser is held in Flagler Beach, a soldier ridicules the need for assault weapons for civilians, and to relax, Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson, together.
Woman Survives Crashing Under Trailer at 70 MPH and Getting Dragged 1/4 Mile on I-95
The crash took place north of the Palm Coast Parkway intersection after the woman’s Hyundai lost control and bounced off the guardrail, catapulting underneath the tractor trailer.
Man Shot in Area of Bayberry and Old Dixie Highway: It Was Self-Inflicted
The sheriff’s office learned of the shooting only when hospital staff reported it. The man was then taken to Halifax in Daytona Beach and has since been questioned by detectives.
“Grief Beyond Description”: In Orlando, Obama Comforts Survivors of Pulse Massacre
After meeting with the families, Obama and Biden went to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where they placed bouquets of 49 white roses — one for each of the people who died in the attack — at a makeshift memorial there.