FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam reviews a year of record murders, record fatalities, disappointments in Palm Coast, but a sheriff’s great year, and new readership records for the site.
Palm Coast
Palm Coast Man Charged With Attempting to Electrocute His Wife 2 Days After Christmas
In one of the strangest cases in recent memory, Michael S. Wilson, 32, is accused of rigging the front door of his wife’s house in Palm Coast’s W-Section with live electrical current.
Coffee Talk: Road Safety Focus of Inaugural Presentation in New Health Series
Palm Coast and Florida Hospital Flagler are presenting a new talk series focused on health, starting Jan. 10 with a focus on pedestrian, bicyclist and driver safety.
2 Stolen Cars, Chase on SR100, and Arrest of 2 Teens, One With History of Car and Gun Thefts
Sammy Rozier, 16, had been released from detention days earlier when he was rearrested Tuesday on charges of stealing a car and leading cops on a chase through Palm Coast and Bunnell.
For Richard Westervelt, Long Series of Arrests and Evasions Ends in 5-Year Prison Term
Circuit Judge Dennis Craig rejected a more lenient prison term for Richard Westervelt of Palm Coast, who’s been arrested 13 times and faced 44 felonies and misdemeanors since 2010.
Masked Gunman Robs Shell Station at Club House Drive, Suspect Arrested Within Hours
Charles E. Rushing-Griffen, 27, was booked at the Flagler County jail at 5:23 this morning as the suspect in an armed robbery by a masked gunman at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening.
Early Morning Fire on Wellstream Lane Makes Home Uninhabitable For Family of Five
The fire broke out in the chimney at the 3,500-square-foot, two-level house at 68 Wellstream Lane in Palm Coast just before 1:30 this morning. It then spread to the roof.
25 Years Later, a Palm Coast Murder Is Relived in Flagler Courtroom as Killer Seeks Release
Michael Renaud, now 44, was 17 when he murdered Margaret Rogers at a house on Point Pleasant Drive in Palm Coast in 1992. Today he was back in court, arguing for his early release.
Why Palm Coast Will Soon See Nearly 100-Foot Condo Towers Rise Off Colbert Lane
The development was once called Harbor View Marina. It will now be called Marina Del Palma and will add up to 615 residential units, 461 of them in condo towers of eight stories.
Sidestepping Health Concerns, Flagler Approves 5 New Cell Towers, 2 Rising 350 Feet
Without denying health hazards, the Flagler County Commission approved the siting of five new cell towers, including one in Palm Coast, as part of its next-generation emergency communications system.
In Latest Complication, Judge Craig Recuses Himself From David Snelgrove Death Row Case
The Supreme Court has ordered a re-sentencing in the case of David Snelgrove, sentenced to die 15 years ago in the double-murders in Palm Coast of an elderly couple.
Getting Over Resistance Against Apartments in Palm Coast: Less Prejudice, A Bit More Height
Housing, real estate and local government officials this morning diagnosed the sources of Flagler-Palm Coast’s affordable housing crisis and proposed a few solutions in a unique discussion at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Flagler Beach’s Christmas Parade Is Saturday, Starlight Parade in Palm Coast On Dec. 9
Flagler County’s two biggest holiday parades take to the streets over two successive weekends, with awards and peripheral events rich in photo ops with Santa.
Flagler County on Periphery of Opioid Crisis, But Deaths Report Signals Lethal Spikes
Deaths related to heroin and fentanyl use are rising locally, and deaths related to prescription drugs spiked 22 percent as the region proves not immune to the opioid crisis.
The Last Weeks of Savannah Deangelis, 23, Who Died Monday From an Opioid Overdose
Savannah Deangelis of Palm Coast, a Matanzas High graduate, overdosed in late October after being expelled from a recovery program in dubious circumstances after the hurricane.
Waste Pro Falls Down On the Job In Palm Coast And Flagler But Refuses To Say Why
After winning a contract renewal in Palm Coast last year fines against Waste Pro have been piling up to the thousands of dollars every month since spring.
New RaceTrac Gas Station Coming To Old Kings and SR100, Apartment Complex Eyed
Hidden Lakes residents spoke in opposition to a zoning change allowing a 136-unit apartment complex at Old Kings Road just north of Kings Pointe.
Sheriff Tamps Down Rumors and Quackery of Antifa Apocalypse in Palm Coast This Weekend
Conspiracy theorists have been in overdrive, inventing the coming of violent protests, even in Palm Coast, designed to overthrow Trump this weekend. The rumors are false.
Gargiulo Foundation Committing to $100,000 Sculpture Garden in Palm Coast’s Town Center
The Gargiulo Art Foundation is proposing to put up a sculpture garden in Town Center, an echo of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s own plans for art in public places.
Palm Coast Says It Is 60% Done With Hurricane Debris Pick-Up But Urges More Patience
The cleanup is taking longer than previous cleanups. But that’s also because with Irma, the city did not contract with a different hauler as it did after Hurricane Matthew.
Palm Coast Council Plays Up Charter Review. Until Its Lawyer Says It’s Not What It Seems.
Palm Coast government is paying the price of trying to have it both ways–appearing to hold a charter review process while at the same time distancing itself from a comprehensive review, as its charter calls for.
Flagler And Cities Submit Lists of Requests To Lawmakers, Who Dampen Expectations
Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner listened to streams of requests from governments and constituents but made no promises in light of a “tough” legislative session ahead.
At Hammock Beach Resort, A Woman Crashes A Wedding To Spy, And Violence Follows
Shelby McDowell, 26, crashed the wedding to which her boyfriend was invited and found him dancing with another woman, so she allegedly attacked them both.
You’re Not Reading Wrong: [Title of Show] Sings Anthem To Selfie Culture In CRT Musical
The latest musical to be staged at Palm Coast’s City Rep Theatre is about creating a show that takes its name – brackets and all – from the entry form used to submit a finished work to a festival.
Tip Leads Palm Coast Man Turned Fugitive on Molestation Charges To Be Re-Arrested in Las Vegas
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective George Hristakopoulos contacted the Las Vegas Police Department on a tip that Bryan Loveland may be in the area going by a false name.
A Frustrated Shipley Will Not Run Again For Palm Coast Council, But Ex-Mayor Netts Eyeing Her Seat
Dissatisfaction with the council and Manager Jim Landon is spurring Shipley not to run again, , and former Mayor Jon Netts says he still has a lot to give, though he’s also considering a county commission run.
Charged As Adult, Devaughn Anderson, 17, Now Faces 1st Degree Felony Over Armed Robbery
Devaughn Anderson, 17, was arrested two hours after he allegedly robbed a Circle K at gunpoint on Oct. 3. The 1st degree felony exposes him to up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Palm Coast Drops Lobbyist of 17 Years To Hire Southern Strategy, Mayor’s Former Employer
Southern Strategy Group is one of Tallahassee’s most powerful lobbying firms. Mayor Milissa Holland worked there from 2013 to 2015.
Sewer Water Bubbling Out At Bus Stops Alarming Parents and School District
Palm Coast and school district officials are attempting to get a handle on street locations overcome with sewer water, to caution parents and children, as yet more rain may swell the system.
After Fierce Backlash, Council Kills $200,000 “Palm Coast” Sign on I-95 Overpass Landon Planned
City Manager Jim Landon wanted to “brand” the Palm Coast Parkway overpass with the sign but he’d failed to fill in the council on the cost having doubled or quadrupled since he’d first proposed it in 2016.
Palm Coast Charturbation
Breaking its own charter, the Palm Coast council is pretending to be conducting a review of that charter, but the process is a farce and an insult to residents’ intelligence.
Up to 14 Inches of Rain Fall on Already Drenched Flagler, But Damage Is Limited
Weekend rains dumped from 4 to 14 inches on already-saturated Flagler County, flooding streets, overcoming swales and ditches and soaking some areas more than others.
Palm Coast Will Spend $200,000 To Add “Palm Coast” Sign On I-95 Overpass, Double Original Estimate
The cost is two to four times more than a previous council was told in 2016, and the money comes out of a fund that pays for street improvements.
How Palm Coast Manager Landon Used a Director’s Departure To Save His Own Job
When Jim Landon claimed to the city council that uncertainty about his future would cause directors to leave, he already knew that one of them was leaving–but for a $17,000 raise.
Unidos Por Puerto Rico:
Palm Coast’s Hispanic American Club Organizes 2-Day Drive For Devastated Island
The Hispanic American Club of Palm Coast is organizing the two-day drive to fill a container that would be shipped to Puerto Rico from Jacksonville for an increasingly desperate population on the American island.
Only a Handful Turn Up at Palm Coast’s 1st Charter-Review Workshop; Public Input Limited
Just 13 or 14 people turned up for the first of four city charter-review workshops, and that public’s chance to weigh in was severely constrained by rules that leave the process largely in the council’s control.
Palm Coast Will Buy Property From Troubled Mosquito Control; $317,000 Cost Rises By $24,000
Palm Coast government had sought to buy the old headquarters for the financially troubled Mosquito Control district for $293,000 just a few months ago, before the district sought a re-appraisal.
21-Year-Old Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison For Home-Invasion Killing In Palm Coast’s F-Section
Carl Devore was sentenced for the death of his accomplice, who was shot in self-defense by a resident at the house Devore and his accomplice were invading in July 2016.
Historically Low School Tax Will Diminish Effects of Tax Increases in Palm Coast and County
Even though county government, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell are all increasing taxes, homeowners’ bills will not see a steep increase thanks to a lower school tax.
From “I Am A Camera” To Macbeth, City Repertory Launches Seventh Season Of Razor-Edged Theater
City Repertory Theatre continues to go where no other Palm Coast or Flagler theater dares to go, opening tonight its seventh season with “I Am Camera,” a work set in Weimar Berlin, and at the origin of “Cabaret.”
2nd Attempt To Fire Landon Fails as Palm Coast Council Submits to Manager’s Retirement Timeline
The second attempt in two weeks to fire Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon in 60 days failed today, with the council rebuffing Steven Nobile’s push to replace the manager in six months rather than two years.
Clarence Murphy, 41, Charged With 1st Degree Murder in Shooting Death of Cousin On Parkview This Morning
Murphy, a probationer, was “enraged” that the EBT card Ahmad Rashad Laster traded him for drugs was not the amount agreed upon, so he allegedly shot Laster–and confessed doing to to detectives.
Humanitarian Needs Overtake Emergency Response in Flagler as Power Issues Compound Pain
Continued power outages affecting a quarter of Flagler County’s population are shifting needs to food and other basic necessities as county and other governments assess damages.
With a Third of Flagler Still Without Power, FPL Offers Little More Than Scripted Answers
Florida Power and Light is not telling customers when their power will be reconnected nor giving an idea of where the work is taking place next.
Post-Irma Daily Digest: Flagler Beach Crossovers and Pier Update, FEMA Registrations, Senior Games
Local governments’ drizzle of information releases related to post-Hurricane Irma recovery are distilled for their essentials and published in a running tally.
As Emergency Yields to Recovery in Flagler, More Inconveniences Than Damages Or Troubles
More than 60 percent of Flagler residents were still without power Tuesday evening but recovery efforts were powering up and destruction from the storm was limited.
FPL Says 10 Percent of Flagler Residents Expected to Lose Power, Millions More Across Florida
FPL is deploying nearly 17,000 line workers across the state and conducting repairs between Hurricane Irma feeder bands to minimize outages.
Sheltering From Irma in Flagler: 4 Shelters, 3,000 Spots, Food, WiFi, Power And ♥ Left Behind From Students
Here’s what to expect at Flagler County’s four emergency shelters opening at 7 a.m. Saturday, who’s paying for all that food, and what you can stream on WiFi.
What To Expect in Flagler In Next 48 Hours on Shelters, Evacuations, Storm Effects and Hunkering Down
As Hurricane Irma approaches, a complete run-down of what you should expect from emergency responders and what you should do in the next 48 hours.
A Little Hurricane Greediness: Hammock Dunes Bridge Still Charging Tolls Until Tonight
Gov. Scott suspended tolls on all state bridges and roads Tuesday, but the privately-run and very profitable Hammock Dunes Bridge is still charging motorists $2 until Wednesday evening.