Cloudy, high of 82, low in lower 60s. Details here.
Today’s fire danger is Moderate. Flagler County’s Drought Index is at 211
The weather in Fljótsdalshérað, Iceland: partly cloudy, 31, low 19. Details.
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.
In Flagler and Palm Coast:
Flagler County Fair and Youth Show begins today. 4H and FFA Goat and Steer Show begins tonight at 7 p.m. Free gate admission tonight and $15 ride bands with coupons. Rides open at 5. (At the county fairgrounds on Sawgrass Road, off County Road 13.)
The Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board meets this morning. About 50 cases were on the board’s agenda, but 21 of those cases have been withdrawn. (9 a.m., Palm Coast Community Center)
In Court:
Two foreclosure sales are scheduled for 11 a.m. in the courthouse’s civil department lobby. County Judge Melissa Moore Stens holds pre-trail hearings for over 100 cases starting at 1:30 p.m. Circuit Judge J. David Walsh’s docket is dominated by family cases today.
In Business:
Flagler Family Medicine holds its official ribbon cutting ceremony today from 4 to 6 p.m., 28 Old Kings Rd N Suite A in Palm Coast.
In Tallahassee:
Budget: The House and Senate hold floor sessions to discuss the state’s budget. The Senate version is a proposed $80.4 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. The House version is a proposed $76.2 billion budget.
–Compiled in part by the News Service of Florida
Keep in Mind:
Culture and the Arts:A traveling, interactive sculpture was installed Monday at the Flagler County Library in Palm Coast. “IMAG NE” comes to Palm Coast through the efforts of and co-sponsorship of the Gargiulo Arts Foundation and Friends of the Library, with a $1,500 grant from Palm Coast. The sculpture will remain at the Library for a month and will then be moved to a site to be determined at Town Center. Its creator, Emma Ann, says her goal “is for the viewer to interact with the sculpture.” She encourages people to snap pictures of themselves interacting with the work and post it on social media.
Traffic Ticket Collections Free Amnesty on Friday, April 17: Operation Green Light is a one-day amnesty giving drivers the chance to pay overdue fines, without having to pay the 40 percent collection feel. Hours at the Flagler County Courthouse will be extended for the occasion, stretching between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Clerk of Court Gail Wadsworth says her office has tabulated 7,793 cases that have gone to a collection agency. Of those, 4,507 are civil traffic cases. The total amount in collections for Flagler County is—to be precise–$1,872,973.91. Most people with such cases are driving on suspended driver’s licenses. You may get your driver’s license restored if you pay the overdue fine. (April 17)
Flagler County Job Fair on April 24: A limited number of spaces are still open for businesses interested in reserving a free booth at the second annual Flagler County Job Fair. The event will take place on Friday, April 24, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Palm Coast Campus of Daytona State College, 3000 Palm Coast Pkwy SE, Building 3. Last year nearly 400 jobseekers attended the inaugural fair, which was hosted by the Flagler County Department of Economic Opportunity and CareerSource Flagler Volusia. This year Daytona State College and the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce joined the effort to positively impact Flagler County’s economic vitality. Among the businesses that have already registered are CoastalCloud, Edwards Jones Financial Service, Beutlich Pharmaceuticals and Target. A complete list of attending companies is available here. Businesses wishing to secure a place at the fair and job seekers interested in registering for preparation workshops should visit the job fair website. For additional information about the fair, please contact Casey Scott at 386-313-4098 or by email here.
Road and Interstate Construction:
Flagler County: County Road 305 between CR 2006 and Tangerine. IMPACTS: Closure in force 3/17/2015 for the 2nd box culvert replacement. Detours detour via CR 110 to CR 95 to CR 2006. Truck Detour via Bunnell (SR 100 – SR 11)
Palm Coast: Palm Coast Parkway between Cypress Point Parkway and Florida Park Drive. IMPACTS: Lane shifts and closures will occur and this may cause traffic congestion on this already busy roadway. Most construction work will occur between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. though weather and unforeseen issues may adjust the schedules. This project will be complete by December 2015.
I-4, Volusia County: I-4 Widening from SR 44 to east of I-95, Sunday through Friday, 9 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. Eastbound lane closures between SR 44 to I-95.
I-95, Volusia: I-95 widening from SR 406 to SR 44, Sunday through Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Southbound and Northbound double-lane closures on I-95 mainline; Monday thrpough Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastbound/Westbound single lane closures at I-95 overpass on Maytown Road, Indian River Blvd./SR 442.
- Palm Coast Parkway Project Website
- Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List
- County Road 304 Project Map and Description
In the Press:
Tim Cook: Pro-discrimination ‘religious freedom’ laws are dangerous: “There’s something very dangerous happening in states across the country. A wave of legislation, introduced in more than two dozen states, would allow people to discriminate against their neighbors. Some, such as the bill enacted in Indiana last week that drew a national outcry and one passed in Arkansas, say individuals can cite their personal religious beliefs to refuse service to a customer or resist a state nondiscrimination law. Others are more transparent in their effort to discriminate. Legislation being considered in Texas would strip the salaries and pensions of clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples — even if the Supreme Court strikes down Texas’ marriage ban later this year. In total, there are nearly 100 bills designed to enshrine discrimination in state law. These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear. They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality. […] Men and women have fought and died fighting to protect our country’s founding principles of freedom and equality. We owe it to them, to each other and to our future to continue to fight with our words and our actions to make sure we protect those ideals. The days of segregation and discrimination marked by “Whites Only” signs on shop doors, water fountains and restrooms must remain deep in our past. We must never return to any semblance of that time. America must be a land of opportunity for everyone. This isn’t a political issue. It isn’t a religious issue. This is about how we treat each other as human beings. Opposing discrimination takes courage. With the lives and dignity of so many people at stake, it’s time for all of us to be courageous.” From the Washington Post.
‘World’s largest’ sperm bank relocates near UCF: “Cryos International, which calls itself the world’s largest international sperm bank, has relocated its U.S. main office and inventory from New York to Orlando. According to a news release, the company expects the move to Orlando will increase the amount of donors and international exposure — due to the region’s 60 million tourists and visitors each year, and the fact that University of Central Florida is among the largest universities in the nation. […] In 2011, Cryos made headlines for an announcement that it would no longer accept sperm donations from redheads, due to over-supply. […] Having the sperm bank in Orlando results in lower prices for sperm from Cryos locally – $100 for Orlando messenger delivery, or $50 for pickup, according to the website. That compares to $200 for two-day delivery throughout the U.S.” From the Orlando Sentinel.
It’s April 1, which means you must not miss the Palm Coast Observer‘s special, very special issue: see a man’s answer to Chick-fil-A‘s free meals (“I figured, if camping out in a parking lot is fun for a day, why not for a week in my driveway?” Nugent told the Palm Coast Observer in an exclusive interview. “First 10 people are winners”), a woman’s answer to dish-washing, and the usual hilarities, never restricted to April 1, of Flagler County’s Republicans.
The Decorah Eagles have hatched:
“The first 2015 baby hatchling, called D21, arrived just before 7 p.m. Friday, according to the Raptor Resource Project,” the Cedar Valley Courier reports. “On Sunday morning at about 8:15 a.m., D22 arrived. There is one more egg yet to hatch.” Watch:
Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream
Sherry Epley says
Speaking of “Religious Freedom Mockeries”. . . why are these kinds of laws NOT declared unconstitutional?What about the separation of church and state Thomas Jefferson promoted.
Making discrimination legal in the name of any religion is looking for a “loop hole” to take us back to the bad ole’ days of the KKK, bigotry and segregated schools in addition to being completely hypocritical by hiding behind the robes of the church while spewing hatred of fellow human beings.
It was fascinating to see the mayor of Indianapolis interviewed, saying that he is strongly urging the governor to immediately put into law anti-discrimination protections for the gay and lesbian community. . . like they have in other states with similar religion protection laws.
It was even more eye opening to hear the governor of Connecticut point out that the fellows flanking the governor of Indiana when the controversial bill signed are well known bigots against gays and lesbiens.
This from Politico:
Mike Pence is a bigot, according to one of his fellow governors.
“When you see a bigot, you have to call him on it,” Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Story Continued Below
Malloy, the incoming chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, on Monday signed an executive order banning state-funded travel to Indiana in response to a “religious freedom” law signed last week by Pence. Critics say the law, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, would allow businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians; Pence insists it’s meant only to protect religious communities from government encroachment on their civil rights.
“The reality is, the governor’s not a stupid man — but he’s done stupid things,” Malloy said. “Signing this law and, quite frankly, promoting this law knowing exactly what it was going to do was an incredibly stupid thing for him to do.”
The law’s aim was to discriminate, Malloy argued, noting that two of the people present at the bill’s signing have campaigned against same-sex marriage and have compared homosexuality to beastiality”.
Sherry Epley says
WOW! Our usual group of religious commenters are silent on this one. Could it possibly be that these “religion protection” laws are actually showing the bigotry behind those priestly robes. . . you know, the discrimination that is the elephant in the room. The elephant that so many deny is even there.
It would be so wonderful to hear some words from loving Christian souls who must find this kind of thing embarrassing and shameful, and yes against the teachings of Jesus.
JimBob says
Jesus don’t like killin’ no matter what the reason for and your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore.
John Prine
Lin says
Sherry
Your “bigotry behind priestly robes” comment stuns me silent
With so many Christians dying around the world, latest in Kenya, to dredge up alot of political dirt against one party in defense of intolerance of religious beliefs of many people just shuts down my own participation in this discussion.
Nikia says
Um last I checked it wasn’t a priest that wrote the law it was a politician. Not really sure how or when he was promoted to priesthood. Not to mention that both sides of the political aisle are guilty of similar laws.
Sherry Epley says
Lin, being a very spiritual person myself, I have absolutely no problem with anyone privately practicing any religion of their choice, none what so ever. . . as long as those practices are not imposed into the laws we each must abide by. It’s the IMPOSING of religious perspectives and rules onto every citizen I strongly oppose. Those religious rules are often prejudice against those who may not subscribe to the same dogma.
Think of it this way, taking an example to it’s terrible extreme, what if leaders of other powerful religions passed laws that required ALL citizens to kill all “non-believers” of their particular religion? Yes, that is happening now, and to Christians, in other countries. . . BUT the difference is those horrible acts are NOT supported by the government, they are not LEGAL.
“Religious” extremism is just as unreasonable and uncivilized as any other form of zealousness. Nikia, I put my previous comments in context of hiding behind religious robes to make the point that discrimination done “in the name of religion” is still not OK.
I’m far from being the only one who feels this way. . . look at the businesses and even other state governments who have cried foul on the “Religious Freedom” law passed in Indiana. So much so that the governor there has had to quickly put anti-discrimination legislation in place to counteract the intent of that law. And, now the governor of Alabama is doing much the same.
What is very sad to me is that instead of even acknowledging that perhaps religious fervor has gotten too involved in trying to influence the laws of the land, I read comments here than seem to double down on the right to do so.
Betty says
First, religious freedom should be enjoyed by all. Second, because of the amount of religious freedom we already enjoy, there are a plethora of religious views followed in this country. Third, due to the vastly different beliefs in this country, religion must not in any way be intertwined with governmental laws or decisions. Fourth, hiding behind religious convictions to single out a group isn’t heathy for this country or any of the people in it, including those who support it. Simply put, no one wants to be singled out in society and made to feel less than their fellow man. While I understand the plight of being fearful of things perhaps one doesn’t agree with or understand, I think the religious freedom act is a road going to a backwards dead end.