Despite billions in federal subsidies, John Mica’s and Florida’s governor are effectively killing two major rail projects, including one that would have run through Flagler, by shifting the financial burden to non-existent private interests.
All Else
Hold Those Tax Cuts, a Cedar for Town Center, Swiss Guns and AT&T Nonsense: The Live Wire, Jan. 20
Republicans aren’t buying into Rick Scott’s tax-cut deceptions anymore, the Swiss may be rethinking their lust for guns, relationships in the age of the cougar, horoscope nonsense, a Tylenol forum, and more.
Ballroom Dancing’s Homage to Glee–and Arts Education–at the Flagler Auditorium
Charlotte Marten met up with Jim and Suzanne Carter of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio at City Market Place to talk about Saturday’s “Big Stage Ballroom” show and fund-raiser at the Flagler Auditorium.
Top Cops, Public Defender, Commissioners Pick Bulic as the Next Medical Examiner
Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam have been without a medical examiner–one of government’s least visible, most important positions–since Jan. 1. A high-powered committee is making its recommendation for a new examiner today following interviews of five candidates.
St. Johns County Extends Burn Ban Through Mid-April
The St. Johns County Commission extended the burn ban through April 18 as little persistent rain is expected in the region. Flagler County’s burn ban is in effect, but doesn’t yet stretch that long.
Oh Hell! To Choose Love By Another’s Eyes: Culture Worth the Miles
Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, “Five Course Love,” a manatee festival in Orange City, the Best of Broadway, and more.
Call 911: Flagler’s Emergency Dispatch Center Briefly Disabled When Extinguishers Misfire
No one was hurt, and 911 dispatching was interrupted at most for two minutes, but the 911 call center had to be evacuated Tuesday morning, and for at least 24 hours.
Right Whale Alert: Mother and Calf
Off Flagler Coast Today
A mother right whale and her calf are gliding south along Flagler’s coastline today. They were seen of Jungle Hut Road in the Hammock this morning.
A Night at the Homeless Shelter: From the Eyes of a Volunteer
Charlie Ericksen Jr., a volunteer at Flagler County’s homeless shelter–The Sheltering Tree–describes the refuge on a recent cold night.
Martin Luther King Wings It, Florida’s Tolerance Ranking, Wikileaks vs. Tax Cheats: The Live Wire, Jan. 17
Martin Luther King’s speechwriter recalls the improvisation of “I Have a Dream,” Florida’s tolerance ranking is so-so, the Onion News Network arrives, so does “We Are Palm Coast,” and more.
John Locke: A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689)
John Locke: A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), religious and otherwise.
Right Whales Soar Off Flagler’s Coast, But Two Beached Pilot Whales Die in Marineland
The week brought rich sightings of right whales along the Flagler County coastline. But on Thursday, two seriously ill pilot whales beached in Marineland and died. Videos of both events from whale watcher Christine Sullivan.
WNZF’s David Ayres Hanging Up on “Open Lines” to Make Room for Rush and Beck Live
After hosting “Open Lines” for two years, and with Rush Limbaugh coming on, WNZF General manager David Ayres is shuffling the station’s lineup. He’ll host a weekly Saturday show.
Palm Coast Data Lays Off 31 More As Another Major Customer Plans to End Its Contract
A principal shareholder of Palm Coast Data parent Amrep Corp. and customer of Palm Coast Data is ending its association with both. The company is nowhere near its 2008 pledge to hire 700 more employees locally.
These Dorks’ Fun Begins After They Get Hit By a Bus: “Forever Plaid” At Flagler Auditorium
“Forever Plaid” is a musical tribute to the 1950s, to innocence, to lovable dorkiness and to four-part harmonies. The show has been pleasing audiences for more than 20 years across most continents.
Belle Terre’s Agatha Lee and Maggie Carcagente Are the Year’s Top Teacher and Employee
It’s Belle Terre Elementary’s year: Agatha Lee is a second grade teacher there, and Maggie Carcagente is a special education paraprofessional. Their district victory gave Belle Terre a sweep this year.
Legislators Bash Pill Mill Crackdown Delays They — and Gov. Rick Scott — Provoked
Florida senators are complaining about the state department of health’s slow implementation of pill mill crackdowns. But the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott are to blame for the delays.
On Point: “Tonight They’re All Stars”: A Preview of the Teacher of the Year Gala
In this week’s On Point, Charlotte Marten’s recap if main headlines is followed by a special report on tonight’s celebration of teachers and employees at the Flagler Auditorium.
Teacher of the Year Video Preview:
FPC’s Jim Pignatiello Explains Pigdom
A terror, an inspiration, a beloved teacher: Jim Pignatiello teaches science at Flagler Palm Coast High School and is a candidate for Flagler County Teacher of the Year.
One Nation, As Good As It Gets, A Barbaric Cop, More Gainesville Follies: The Live Wire, Jan. 13
Obama’s speech and Wednesday’s memorial for the Tucson massacre victims, Sarah Palin’s “blood libel,” a barbaric cop in Florida, Terry Jones puts the Koran on trial, product placement fanaticism, and more.
The Sheltering Tree, Flagler’s Cold-Weather Homeless Shelter, Calls for Your Help
The Sheltering Tree in Bunnell has already had to open 22 nights this cold season, with many more to come, taxing volunteers and their resources. Here’s how you can help.
News-Journal Pounds 71-Year-Old Palm Coast Man’s Door Over $3.97 Bill; Gun and Cop Follow
Robert Leard of Palm Coast’s R section dropped his subscription last year. A salesman showed up and pounded on his door Saturday night. Frightened, Leard told him to “get the hell away from my door.” All over $3.97.
There But For the Grace of Glock Goes Florida: Arizona’s Vigilante Gun Culture
Arizona’s gun laws are either the weakest or among the weakest in the nation. As with immigration law, Florida is looking to Arizona as a model for its own gun laws. An analysis of both states’ gun laws.
Animal Kingdom Hippos, the Parthenon, and a Candlelight Vigil: Culture Worth the Miles
Wild Africa Trek, a unique 3-hour new African-wildlife inspired experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Josh Garrick’s photographic Parthenon retrospective, honoring MLK and swimming in watercolors at Maitland’s Watercolor Society.
Florida Schools’ B-, Homelessness in Our Midst, Gun Cultures and Great Composers: The Live Wire, Jan. 11
Florida schools rank high in an Education Week survey, another oil leak in Alaska, Arizona’s gun culture, the 10 greatest composers of all time, more on Joseph Brodsky, and more else.
Ten Flagler Churches, Almost as Many Denominations, One Big Unity Celebration Jan. 22
Following up on last year’s celebration across denomination, the Second Flagler Churches Together in Prayer and Song brings together 10 congregations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Jan. 22.
Palm Coast “Joy Ride” Draws Far Fewer Participants Than Anticipated
Palm Coast’s “joy ride,” rescheduled to Saturday after its December cancellation, drew about 80 biking enthusiasts, and interviews for a potential BMX reality show drew a dozen or two prospective local actors.
Flagler Road Fatalities Rise in 2010 Following Holiday Surge; Florida’s Lowest Since 1978
In Flagler County, 23 people lost their lives in wrecks in 2010, more than the 16 in 2009 but less than the 31 deaths recorded in 2008. Florida had its seemingly safest road year since 1978, according to preliminary numbers.
Tuscon Shooting Rhetoric, Internet’s Gains on TV & Print, Barkley vs. Carlson: The Live Wire, Jan. 10
In defense of inflamed rhetoric following the Gabrielle Gifford assassination attempt, the craziness of the Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota, Earth’s 10 billion souls, a short film inspired by Kafka, and more.
23 Panthers Killed in Florida in 2010, 16 of Them by Vehicles
The endangered Florida panther numbers less than 200 animals in South Florida. Every year, in rising numbers, 12 to 17 panthers are killed on Florida roads. Yet the panther population may be increasing.
My 10 Predictions for 2011
A recap of how I did last year and a look ahead: Obama creeps up, Jon Netts loses, the Supremes overturn health care reform, the fake recovery goes on, Arabs and Israelis go at it again, David Grossman wins big, and a few more.
Craving Art? Garren, Graham, Cerreta and More Dish It Out: 3 Local Galleries, 3 New Shows
No lack of art: Beth Garren, JJ Graham, Peter Cerreta and some 40 other artists show new work at Hollingsworth Gallery and the Flagler County Art League in Palm Coast, and at the Gallery of Local Art (GOLA) in Flagler Beach.
County Commissioners Trip Into “Inadvertent” Sunshine Violations Through Emails
County administrator Craig Coffey solicited feedback from commissioners on an economic development document he was preparing. Two commissioners copied their replies to fellow-commissioners, a violation of the sunshine law.
U.S. Unemployment Rate Falls to 9.4%, But Underlying Improvement Is Limited
The economy added 103,000 jobs in December, but the falling unemployment rate masks persistently bad numbers for the long-term unemployed, including 2.6 million workers no longer counted in the unemployment rate.
On Point: Color Splash from Hollingsworth To the Art League
On Point with Charlotte Marten recaps the week’s main events and in a special report, previews two new shows opening at Palm Coast’s art galleries: Daytona Beach artist Beth Garren at Hollingsworth Gallery, where Garren’s work will be shown with that of JJ Graham, and “Color Splash” at the Flagler County Art League.
9.5-Inch Rain Deficit at Year’s End, Falling Aquifer: Hydrologic Summary for July-December
The latest bi-annual report on water conditions in the region: a severe drought netting a 9.52-inch deficit at year’s end, lower flows on the St. Johns, and a still-declining aquifer.
Nine Ways Health Care Reform
May Affect You in 2011 BB (Before Boehner)
Lower prescription costs for seniors, calorie counters in restaurant menus, higher Medicare premiums, more restrictions on health savings accounts: some of the changes you can expect this year, and more.
FPC Bulldogs’ Big Win, Foreclosure Bandits, John McCain’s Crankiness: The Live Wire, Jan. 6
The FPC Bulldogs basketball team beats Mainland at Mainland, how the recession smashed up state budgets, the war on journalists, Facebook vs. Twitter, a look at Damascus and Jerusalem in 1938, and more.
Edouard Manet: “Olympia” (1863)
Edouart Manet’s “Olympia” (1863)
Rick Scott’s Forgettable Inaugural, a GOP Welcome, JailinG girls for Men’s Crimes: The Live Wire, Jan. 5
Also, David Brooks as the Babbitt of Bobos, Oprah’s fake love of Dickens, the wussification of America, the importance of analytical reporting, and more.
A Cabaret in Winter Park, Bryce Hammond Returns to New Smyrna: Culture Worth the Miles
Artist Bryce Hammond returns to his native New Smyrna’s Arts on Douglas Gallery, Heather Alexander is Born to Entertain at the Winter Park Playhouse, brash talent at the he Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park and the Toronto Symphony.
For Jobless Flagler, 3 Economic Development Plans But Little Direction or Unity
As joblessness persists in Flagler County, local governments want to increase their role in economic development, but there’s no agreement about who would lead, and how.
News-Journal Circulation Plummets 10% in First 6 Months Under New Ownership
The News-Journal circulation has fallen by more than 41,000 copies, or 39 percent since 2005 though its recent, accelerating decline is far steeper than losses the newspaper industry is experiencing across the country.
Florida Corruptions, Grayson’s Farewell, Disney’s Mammoth: The Live Wire, Jan. 4
Florida’s foreclosure mediation is less than advertised, Scalia has weird ideas on equal protection, Chinese breast stimulators are very funny, going from birth to 10 in a time-lapse video, and more.
Georgia Aquarium Buys Marineland’s Dolphin Attraction and Takes It Off the Tax Rolls
The $9.1 million acquisition from Jim Jacoby–who bought the Marineland attraction in 2001 for $1.9 million–took place just before the New Year. It’ll be run as a non-profit, so Marineland as a town will lose a third of its tax revenue.
School Uniforms in Alachua, Rick Scott’s 70s Nostalgia, Junk-Touching Diagrammed: The Live Wire, Jan. 3
Also, a Florida appeals court throws out a conviction against pill pushers, Shel Silverstein reads the Giving Tree, a Christmas rewind from the Flagler Fire Department and more.
Prediction Rollovers, I: How 2011 Looked to Henry Ford and Other Psychics in 1931
The New York Times in 1931 asked several luminaries of the period to predict what life would be like in 2011. The results were predictably dismal, but not for obvious reasons. A look back at how little things change.
From DuPont to ITT: A Century of Marketing Flagler County to Northern Chill Migrants
Marketing Flagler County: Sisco Deen tells the story of the DuPont Land Co.’s — and other development companies’ — marketing schemes to get northerners to buy in Flagler County, long before ITT industrialized the process.
Happy 2011! A Year-End Report from FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam
A summary of FlaglerLive’s first seven months: some explanation about how we grew to 3,200 visits a day and some speculation as to why, and a look back at the site’s highlights, accomplishments and limitations.
Bleeding Dangers: Has Your Dialysis Clinic Been Inspected Lately? Not Likely
The United States spends $20 billion a year to care for some 400,000 Americans who rely on chronic dialysis to live. Inspection rates vary from higher than 40 percent per year in some states to lower than 10 percent in others.
