Kristen Jordan is moving from Gainesville to Palm Coast with her 5th grade daughter and 4th grade son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. She asks readers to guide her in her next-most important decisions: what schools and neighborhoods to choose.
All Else
Texas-Size Holes in Gov. Rick Scott’s Boast Of Florida Job Creation as 2nd to Texas
Rick Scott called the rest of the nation’s job numbers “pathetic” compared to Florida’s, yet Florida ranks near the bottom in the nation on Gallup’s index of job creation, while its 70,000 new jobs in the past year proportionally rank the state below the national average.
Florida Gun Nuts, Evils of Going Green, Blacks and Marriage, Allen West’s Idiocy: The Live Wire
Florida law as a gun to local governments’ heads, when GIs executed children in Iraq, a sickness beyond Fox, Is Marriage for White People?, homeland security sex, Allen West’s stupid comments on the Arab Spring, and more.
Elect Jason DeLorenzo
Palm Coast City Council District 3
Jason Delorenzo for Palm Coast City Council District 3: his experience, qualifications and priorities for Palm Coast City Council.
Despite Raises, Average Teacher Pay Is Eroding Significantly in Flagler and Florida
Average teacher pay at the end of last year in Flagler was $48,067. Adjusted for inflation, it represents an 8.5 percent decline compared with pay in 2006. Take-home pay declined further this fall.
Flagler Beach Restaurant Owners Vow To Fight City’s Ban on Dog-Friendly Dining
For years, and with more frequency recently, several Flagler Beach restaurants allowed patrons to bring their dog as long as they sat in outside-dining areas. Commissioners never heard of a problem–until they heard of the state requirement that the city formalize the practice by ordinance, which they killed, 3-2.
Taking Note of Flagler, Gov. Rick Scott Speaks Economics and Listens to Local Leaders
Gov. Rick Scott arrived early at a breakfast meeting with government and business leaders this morning, briefing the group on his business-centered agenda while holding an informal Q&A with the assembly.
Rick Scott, Pointer Sister: He Sings “Fire” at The Golden Lion, Does the Pier, Then Turns In
Gov. Rick Scott’s unexpected dinner drop-in at Flagler Beach’s Golden Lion this evening coincided with a wreck outside. He gave the tambourine and the Beatles a go before making out on the Flagler Beach pier.
Stetson Kennedy, Nemesis of KKK And Jim Crow, Is Dead at 94
Stetson Kennedy, the civil rights activist, journalist, folklorist, author and lecturer, died in St. Augustine Saturday, Aug. 27, with his wife Sandra Parks at his side. He was lucid to the end.
A. J. Neste’s Eye on Irene
Memorial for Hurricane Irene: A.J. Neste, Flagler Beach’s premier photographer, contributes a gallery of Irene at its fiercest, when it was parallel with Flagler’s shore this week.
Man Drowns North of Flagler Beach, Near Condos Where Family Had Recently Moved In
James Palmer, 55, who was staying at the Oceanside condominiums in Beverly Beach with his family, drowned just before 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. A 55-year-old surfer also died in New Smyrna Beach three hours earlier.
Rick Scott’s Sunshine Problem: Missing E-Mails and a Questionable FDLE Probe
From a supposedly accidental purge of entire Rick Scott administration email accounts to an FDLE probe that appears to be a conflict of interest, the governor’s problems with open records continue.
9/11 Brotherhood Ride Honored by Hammock’s Firefighters on 40’s Way to Ground Zero
The 40 cyclists from first-responder departments around the country set off from Naples for the 1,600-mile journey on Aug. 20. They’ll be at Ground Zero in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Charlotte Marten’s video report.
Hurricane Update: Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Coastal Waters Off Flagler
Hurricane Irene won’t slam Florida the way it will the Northeast, but high surf of 12 to 18 feet near shore means a tropical storm warning for coastal areas here and windy conditions overnight.
Lethal Edict: Florida Supremes Rule “Isolated Mishaps” Aren’t Enough to Stop Executions
Clearing the way for executions by lethal injection, a unanimous Florida Supreme Court ruled invalid death row inmate Manuel Valle’s objection to pentobarbital, one of the three drugs used to put inmates to sleep–and to euthanize animals.
Native Sons: Remembering Josh Crews One Young Writer at a Time, With a Ball
Josh Crews, the long-time manager at Woody’s and voracious reader, was killed last year in a car crash. The Josh Crews Fund is created in his memory to underwrite writing scholarships in Flagler schools. A fund-raising masquerade ball is scheduled for Oct. 28.
Overflow Crowd at a Wonkish Forum for 7 Palm Coast City Council Candidates
Live, blow-by-blow coverage and analysis of tonight’s Palm Coast city elections’ candidates forum at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Florida GOP’s Vague Redistricting Schedule Playing Havoc With Election-Year Politics
Critics of the Legislature’s timeline say mass chaos could follow if lawmakers don’t approve maps soon enough to give the attorney general and the Supreme Court enough time to review the plans well in advance of the June 18 opening date for qualifying.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Budgeting Mysteries, Spy Cameras, Dogs in Restaurants
The Flagler County Commission tries again (and again, and again) to figure out what to do about economic development, the Palm Coast City Council awaits its manager’s latest budget presentation, Flagler Beach talks dogs in restaurants, Bunnell talks spy cameras.
Another Air Show, in Kansas City, Crash Claims the Life of a Ponte Vedra Veteran of Aerobatics
Bryan Jensen, a stunt pilot for 15 years and a captain who flew 747s for Delta Airlines, was killed Saturday when his red Horizon Hobbit biplane crashed at the Kansas City Aviation Expo Air Show in circumstances similar to the fatal crash at Wings Over Flagler in March.
Taxes, the Economy, the Stimulus: Separating Fiction from Fact
Answers to recurring questions of the day: what’s the state of the economy, are Americans really as overtaxed as they think they are, and what has the 2009 economic stimulus accomplished–or not?
Rick Perry Myths, Facts, Half-Truths: A Guide
Swagger check: a guide to the Rick Perry record in Texas. The Republican contender for the 2012 presidential election has recast the race, presenting himself as a serious alternative to a GOP field of lightweights.
Decision Fatigue, Why Music Matters, Immigrants Under Siege: The Live Wire
He decides to give up on Facebook and Twitter, the South discovers a new enemy in immigrants, the bad news of bad news, Irving Kristol on Neo-conservatism, Burger King fires the King, and more.
Maybe They Should Bid Out the Contract
Palm Coast alone didn’t have a tough week with sanitation matters: A sanitation truck went through the wall of a third-floor depot in New York Wednesday in an involuntary homage to Magritte.
The Down Side of Fuel Efficiency: Florida Governments Will Take a $5 Billion Hit
As the Obama administration seeks to double average fuel efficiency by 2025, State and local government revenue dependent on gas taxes will see big declines in revenue that pays for roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Supreme Court Says Rick Scott Overstepped His Authority By Usurping Rule-Making Powers
In a stinging rebuke of Gov. Rick Scott’s interpretation of his powers, the Florida Supreme Court, in a 5-2 ruling, declared the governor’s attempt to blunt and circumvent state agency rule-making invalid.
Whiley v. Scott: Full Text of Florida Supreme Court Decision Invalidating Gov. Scott’s Rulemaking Edict
Full text of the Florida Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision in Whiley v. Scott. The opinion was unsigned.
IB Extended Essay Guide for Students
IB Extended Essay Guide: how to write the International Baccalaureate extended essay. A complete student guide with subject-specific examples.
Publix and Winn-Dixie Recall Ground Beef Sold in Flagler and St. Johns Over E. Coli Alert
The E. coli-contaminated ground chuck was produced by a Dodge City, Kansas-based meat packer and distributed to Publix and Winn-Dixie. Publix stores in four states and 17 Florida counties are affected.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: The Cost Of Elections, Garbage and Redistricting
The County Commission has another close encounter with Supervisor of Elections Weeks, the Palm Coast City Council talks garbage, the school board talks redistricting, Bunnell talks special events, and in Tallahassee, the governor and the cabinet meet while several redistricting hearings are held around the state.
Like Sieves In the Night: Newcastle Marine Launches Mega-Yacht from Palm Coast Yard
Newcastle Marina kept the launch of its massive new yacht from its Palm Coast shipyard under wraps, going so far as to deny reports it would be launched Thursday night. But it was. Here are pictures.
When Income Was Taxed at 94%: How FDR Tackled Debt and Reckless Republicans
The last time the nation faced war debts Franklin Roosevelt didn’t hesitate to raise taxes and show up Republicans who stood in the way of fiscal responsibility, argues Sam Pizzigati.
Federal Individual Income Tax Rates By Year: 1913-2013
Federal income tax rates by year: the full history of marginal tax rates in the United States going back to 1913 in an easy-to-read format.
Health Care Reform Ruling: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 Decision
Full text of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 ruling on Aug. 12, 2011 overturning parts of the Obama administration’s health care reform law, in a case from Florida.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning For
Flagler and St. Johns Until 5:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Southeastern St. Johns County and northern Flagler County, with hail possible and severe winds, until 5:15 p.m. That includes Palm Coast.
From Federally Owned Foreclosed Homes To Rental Properties: Can It Work?
Government-owned foreclosures as rental property investments: The government is looking for win-win solutions for taxpayers, renters, investors and neighborhoods, but there’s plenty of skepticism about the foreclosure-to-rental concept.
Philip Levine’s Poetry, Longing for Herbert Hoover: The Live Wire
Celebrating Philip Levine, Poet Laureate, Herbert Hoover sounds good again, and more.
FPL’s $18 Billion Nuclear-Reactor Plans Leak Unanswered Questions Before Florida PSC
FPL’s plan to pass along almost $200 million in nuclear construction costs to consumers in just one year raised a question at the Public Service Commission: why charge customers if the $13 billion to $19 billion nukes plants may never be built?
To Ward Off Senility, Make That Bed: UF Researchers’ Advice to the Medicare Generation
University of Florida researchers have used laboratory-based methods to objectively measure the amount of energy older adults use up as they go about their daily activities. Activity means less senility.
The Man Behind No New Taxes, Apple Beats Exxon, Obama’s Lack Of A Plan: The Live Wire
A new tower at Ground Zero, Apple tops the market, Murdoch the mob boss, Obama needs a plan, China gets an aircraft carrier, and more.
Like Palm Coast, Bunnell Wrestles With Gambling Posing as Games–and Punts
Some define internet cafes as gambling. Some define it as business. Some define it as nobody’s business but their own. A 3-2 vote of the Bunnell City Commission sent the matter to the sheriff with a question: if it’s gambling, would he arrest its practitioners?
Why Palm Coast Doesn’t Want To Lower Your $239 Garbage Rate and Bid Out the Contract
Palm Coast skims off $700,000 from its annual $7 million contract with Waste Pro. Cheaper garbage rates for customers means less money for the city, which is partly why the city is resisting bidding out the contract.
Reminder: Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide
Florida’s Tax Free Days, or sales tax holiday, is scheduled this year for August 12 through August 14. The sales tax exemption applies to clothing and school supplies. A complete guide.
When France Has a Better Credit Rating Than the United States
What does it mean to the United States when France and Britain are considered safer destinations for investors by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor? It shouldn’t mean much. But it’s not always about what’s rational.
Obama’s Lost Glitter, Florida Selling, Michelle Bachmann’s Migraines: The Live Wire
Flagler schools say thanks, remembering Nagasaki, arguing on the Internet, Homer’s honor and fair play in the Illiad, UF, party school no more, and more.
Garbage Cunning: Palm Coast May Skip Bidding Out $7.7 Million-a-Year Contract
The 5-year contract with Waste Pro is expiring. The city council Tuesday will discuss whether to renegotiate or go out to bid, though so far the city administration is signaling resistance to a bid process
A Divided County Commission Votes 3-2 To End Support for Enterprise Flagler
Alan Peterson, Nate McLaughlin and Milissa Holland agreed to end support for Enterprise Flagler after David Ottati, the agency’s president, made his pitch for an up-or-down vote.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: Garbage, Jobs and Nukes
The Flagler County Commission discusses Enterprise Flagler’s future, the Palm Coast City Council takes on garbage hauling, Bunnell debates adult video arcades, and the PSC takes on nuclear power construction costs.
Saint Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church Presents an Adult Study on “Making Sense of the Christian Faith”
Palm Coast’s St.Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church will host a 9-session adult course exploring the major theological doctrines through discussion of Making Sense of the Christian Faith by Reverend Dr. David Lose. The course begins on Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Florida’s Nuclear Energy Scamming: It’s Not Rickover’s Atomic Power Program Anymore
Customers should not have to pay decades ahead of time for Florida Power & Light’s and Progress Energy’s future nuclear power plans, especially when they may not be built, argues Darrell Smith.