Flagler Beach’s new, bigger, higher pier could be completed by the end of 2025 and will be designed to withstand the realities of more violent storms and rising seas, its designer told a large crowd at the Wickline Center Tuesday evening.
All Else
40 Years in Prison for Jevante Hamilton for Overdose Death of Tim Davidson and Other Offenses
Jevante Hamilton’s charge carried a maximum 15-year prison sentence, but his repeated offenses and prison stints led the prosecution to ask for 30 years, plus 10 he was already sentenced to in Volusia, for separate offenses.
Visitor Center Location Shifting from A1A to SR100; Flagler Tourism Posts Strong Year
After two and a half years of hunting for a visitor center location on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, Flagler County’s tourism bureau is shifting its focus for an eventual visitor center to State Road 100, on county land near the new pedestrian bridge.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
The Palm Coast City Council looks at its own procedures, Jevante Hamilton Sentencing, a first look at the proposed designs of the new Flagler Beach pier, A preliminary hearing in in the D’Angionlini dunes/bankruptcy case, William Byrd, Al Stewart and the Palace of Versailles.
Bayard Rustin, Civil Rights’ Often-Forgotten Secret Weapon
Bayard Rustin was America’s signature radical voice during the 20th century, and those voices includes that of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom Rustin trained and mentored. His vision of nonviolence was breathtakingly broad.
Flagler Firefighters Aiding State Agencies in Containing 2-Month-Old Favoretta Fire
Flagler County Fire Rescue continues to provide mutual aid to the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – the lead response agencies – for an extremely dense mulch fire in Favoretta that has been burning for two months. The property owner has been dismantling the large pile to create smaller, less dense piles that will be easier to extinguish.
Renner Proposal Would Allow Floridians to Carry Guns Without a Permit or Safety Class
Calling the proposal an effort to “remove the government permission slip,” House Speaker Paul Renner on Monday announced legislation that would allow people to carry concealed weapons without licenses or currently-required gun-safety classes.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, January 30, 2023
How New Smyrna Beach keeps getting it right on development, bombing in the Ocala forest, a lost Carl Sagan lecture, Mark Twain on rascals.
Migrants Are Blamed for Increasing Crime Rates. Think Again.
A typical argument made by those who oppose immigration is that it increases crime. If people believe immigrants cause crime rates to climb, it’s not hard to understand a backlash. But evidence points against the assumption.
Florida Crock: Say ‘Resiliency.’ Don’t Say ‘Climate Change.’
Resiliency in Florida is at best an illusion, and at worst a suicide pact between state and local governments. It’s wasted money and a scam on a catastrophic scale, because the state is in denial about global warming, refusing to do its part as one of the world’s leading polluters.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, January 29, 2023
The Rickman-Acree-Corporon Piano Trio performs Clara Schumann and Schubert, “Rent” at the Flagler Playhouse, police killings over the years.
How the Trauma of Police Killings Ripples Across Communities
The effects of police killings ripple from the individual victim to their families and local communities as they cope with the permanence of injury, death and loss. People victimized by the police have demonstrated higher-than-usual rates of depression, psychological distress and even suicide risk.
Taking a Hard Look at Police Killings
In spite of the huge public attention to police violence since 2020, police are actually killing more people than before, with communities of color facing a much higher risk.
Stetson President Roellke Discusses the Future of Higher Education in New Book
Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, joins more than 100 college presidents who offer insights into the forces reshaping higher education in the new book, “Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education.”
‘Disgusted’ Sheriff Rick Staly Denounces Tyre Nichols Killing as Video Exposes Brutality
Sheriff Rick Staly described himself as “disgusted” by the actions of Memphis police officers as the nation reacted with shock to a video showing the wanton brutality of the beating of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop on Jan. 7. Nichols, 29, died three days later from the injuries he suffered in the beating.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Free Narcan application training, Keep Palm Coast Clean event, Flagler Woman’s Club 1st Responders Chili Challenge, “Rent” at the Flagler Playhouse, DeLillo on nostalgia.
Nuclear Doomsday Clock Is Closest Ever to Global Catastrophe
On Jan. 24, history was again made when the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ organization moved the seconds hand of the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. It is now at ‘90 seconds to midnight,’ the closest it has ever been to the symbolic midnight hour of global catastrophe.
Don’t Equate Criticism with Incivility
“Civility’’ has become a catchphrase in media and politics for the discouragement of critical analysis. But Criticism doesn’t implicitly mean incivility. Elected officials should be viewed through a critical lens, especially by journalists, who are trained to not accept statements from politicians at face value.
New AdventHealth Clinic Researches Treatment for Long Covid
AdventHealth has opened a multidisciplinary clinic to diagnose, treat and research Long-haul COVID, a critical next step in the health care system’s pandemic response that will help physicians better understand the puzzling syndrome caused by COVID-19.
12 Images of Child Sex Abuse Equal 18 Months in Prison for 79-Year-Old Palm Coast Man
Edgar Alloway Jr., 79, a 16-year resident of Banton Lane in Palm Coast, was sentenced to 18 months in state prison today for downloading 12 images of child sexual abuse. Alloway’s attorney, Josh Davis, called it a “death sentence” because of Alloway’s failing health.
Allyson Bennett, 41, Is Sentenced to 8 Years for Her Role in Overdose Death of Michael Burnett Jr.
Three days after her then-boyfriend and co-conspirator was sentenced to 15 years, Allyson Dawn Bennett was sentenced to eight years in prison today for selling Michael Burnett Jr. the drugs that killed him in 2018. The lower sentence reflects Bennett’s cooperation with authorities and, to a degree, her recovery works at the county jail.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, January 27, 2023
Allyson Dawn Bennett and Edgar Alloway Jr. are sentenced, “Rent” at the Flagler Playhouse, the death of The Nation’s Victor Navasky.
How California’s Ambitious New Climate Plan Could Help Speed Energy Transformation Around The World
California is embarking on an audacious new climate plan that aims to eliminate the state’s greenhouse gas footprint by 2045, and in the process, slash emissions far beyond its borders. The blueprint calls for massive transformations in industry, energy and transportation, as well as changes in institutions and human behaviors.
Don’t Say Stay: More than Half of Florida LGBTQ+ Parents Considering Leaving
LGBTQ+ parents reported that their children had already experienced harassment and bullying at school and they also had fears about continuing to live in Florida. Almost one-quarter of parents surveyed feared harassment by neighbors.
Women United Flagler Chapter Announces 2023 board members
The Women United Flagler Chapter is announcing the group’s 2023 board members. Women United Flagler is best known for their food-raising project Chicks with Cans, collecting monetary donations totaling $77,895 since 2021.
Bull Creek Fish Camp Will Be Torn Down Against Lease-Holder’s Wishes, With No Plans for Rebuild
To the dismay of the current lease holder, County Administrator Heidi Petito said the 2,500 square foot restaurant building at Bull Creek Fish Camp will be torn down next month, after suffering what the county describes as irreparable damage from hurricane-related floods.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, January 25, 2023
The Flagler Beach City Commission meets for what may be yet another epic, John Driggers, recently evicted, asks for a bond, Edward Hopper at the Whitney.
Covid-19 Deaths Continue to Be Undercounted
Some politicians and a few public health practitioners have argued that Covid-19 deaths are overcounted. Research shows otherwise. From March 2020 to February 2022 there were between 130,682 and 412,353 more excess deaths than reported Covid deaths.
Outrage Grows Over DeSantis Suppression of Black Studies AP Course
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ rejection of an Advanced Placement pilot course on African American studies elicited a resounding response from a crowd of at least a hundred people gathered in the state Capitol Wednesday.
Prescribed Fire Will Limit Access to Princess Place Preserve Thursday Through Sunday
Park visitors to Princess Place Preserve may experience limited access Thursday through Sunday as Flagler County Land Management will be conducting prescribed-fire operations over four days – January 26 through 29.
Sea Walls, Granite, Dunes: FDOT Options to Strengthen A1A Are Nothing Flagler Hasn’t Seen Before
Some 150 people, including numerous Flagler Beach and county officials, turned out to see the state Department of Transportation’s four options to more permanently strengthen State Road A1A, with sea walls taking precedence over dune rebuilding. But a combination of the four options is likely ahead.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, January 25, 2023
The case of Darlene May Clifton and the sentencing of Kwentel Moultrie, The World of Musicals at Flagler Auditorium, the Library of America’s 2023 offerings, Don DeLillo on the power of the dead.
Combating Antisemitism in the Era of Twitter and TikTok
Antisemitism and Holocaust denial are no longer hidden in the margins, spewed by fringe hate groups. From Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – and NBA player Kyrie Irving to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, well-recognized personalities have echoed antisemitic ideas, often online.
DeSantis’s War on Academic Freedom Is Systematically Subordinating Education to Ideology
DeSantis’s edicts include stifling testimony from professors in federal court cases, creating new “evaluations” for tenured professors, surveying students and faculty on campuses to measure political leanings, investigating expenses related to Critical Race Theory, and rejecting an Advanced Placement course on African-American studies that has reached national criticism.
If Georgia GOP Thinks Life Starts at Conception, Why Allow ‘Murder’ for Six Weeks?
Under current Georgia law, adopted in 2019, a human embryo is a legally recognized, legally protected person, with all the rights and protections that implies. Yet, under that same state law, a human embryo/person in Georgia can legally be aborted before six weeks’ gestation time.
Lehigh Trail Closure and Detour Begins Jan. 25
The contractor will begin work on the restroom facility, which will cause closures to the trail from Royal Palms Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway to Royal Palms Parkway and Town Center Boulevard.
Pete Young Is Appointed to Bunnell City Commission, 2 Months Ahead of Swearing-In
Former FHP Cpl. Pete Young, who served on the Bunnell City Commission almost 20 years ago, was appointed to the commission Monday evening two and a half months before he is sworn-in to the seat he won in an uncontested election. He will fill out the vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Barnes in the meantime.
Leading Palm Coast Family of Philanthropists Mourning Loss of Eric Garvin, 38, to a Murder in Chile
Eric and Anna Garvin, long-time residents and philanthropists in Palm Coast, learned of the murder of their son, Eric Eugene Garvin, earlier this month in Santiago, Chile, during a robbery. The news has reverberated through the community.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, January 24, 2023
A cool day with highs in the 60s, Joseph Carroll pleads out a murder charge, the mosquito control board meets, those bland new apartment blocks and William Maxwell’s memory of a brownstone on Murray Hill.
Are Special Counsels Handling Trump and Biden Documents Inquiries Independent? Not Really.
While special counsels are intended to be independent, in practice they are aren’t entirely. Ensuring impartiality in the Department of Justice can be difficult, as the attorney general is appointed by – and answerable to – a partisan president.
$3.67 Million Dune Reconstruction Begins Wednesday From Malacompra Park North
Flagler County’s contractor for $3.67 million Hurricane Dorian dunes restoration project from south MalaCompra Park to north Washington Oaks Gardens State Park mobilized on Monday and construction will begin on Wednesday.
‘D.O.A.’ and Its Local Cast Come Alive as Top Winners at Resurrected Flagler Film Festival
The Flagler Film Festival returned to Palm Coast after a five-year hiatus, with 44 independent, mostly short and mostly small-budget films, with the top honor going to “D.O.A.,” directed by Kurt St. Thomas, with Flagler County’s own Annie Gaybis and John Byner.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, January 23, 2023
Book censorship’s ravages in Florida schools, the Bunnell City Commission and the county’s Land Acquisition Committee meet.
Philip Roth: the Best Post-War American Writer, Period
Although the style and content of Roth’s fiction is extraordinarily diverse, there is always audible a distinctive voice: irreverent yet earnest, questioning yet authoritative, subtle and nuanced yet powerful and passionate.
Kamala Harris in Tallahassee Mocks DeSantis’s Version of ‘Freedom’ Over Abortion and Women’s Rights
During a roughly 20-minute address in Tallahassee marking what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Harris mocked DeSantis’ self-described “freedom” agenda as anathema to the struggles of generations of Americans to expand upon the basic rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, January 22, 2023
The Flagler Film Festival wraps up, Honky Tonk Angel at CRT, Valerie Snead-Roy & Jim Rice concert at the Methodist church, Rent at the Playhouse, art for life’s sake, a Bach fugue.
How Edgar Allan Poe Became The Darling of the Maligned and Misunderstood
The degenerate characters whose perspectives Poe invites readers to inhabit don’t exactly align with a cultural moment characterized by the #MeToo movement, safe spaces and trigger warnings.
Covid Vaccines and Sudden Death: Separating Fact from Fiction
Vaccine rumors continue to swirl, and distrust in vaccines remains. The latest onslaught comes from blogs and social media around heart problems and sudden deaths following COVID-19 vaccination, particularly among young adults. Here are the facts.
Four Arrested in Drug Raid At Rivera Lane House in Palm Coast
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and SWAT Team executed a narcotics-related search warrant at 10 Rivera Lane in Palm Coast. This search warrant stemmed from a previous undercover operation conducted by SIU.
Flagler County Nets $17 Million in State Aid for Dune Reconstruction, with Far More Needed
The money is a “drop in the bucket,” compared to the county’s needs, according to a county official: it is a fraction of what would be needed, considering the county’s devastated shoreline. But it will still enable the county to repair several miles of dunes with temporary renourishment, giving those repaired dunes perhaps two to four years against continuing erosion.