Today’s weather: High 74, low 72, high humidity. Details here.
Today’s fire danger is Low. Flagler County’s Drought Index is at 461
The weather in Ashburton, New Zealand: high 53, low 42. Details.
The OED’s Word of the Day: badinage, n..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.
Today’s Briefing: Quick Links
- In Flagler and Palm Coast
- Local News Recap
- In Court
- In State Government
- Beyond
- PR Releases
- In the Press
- Local Road and Interstate Construction
- In Coming Days in Flagler and Palm Coast
- Blood Donations Needed
- Cultural Coda
- FPS Flocking
Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
The Palm Coast City Council meets in workshop this morning. Among items to be discussed: a $1.2 million contract with P&S Paving that would also entail removing some streets previously scheduled for repaving to accommodate the repaving of Old Kings Road. The full agenda is here. (9 a.m., Council Conference Room, 160 Cypress Point Pkwy., Suite B-106., Palm Coast.)
The Bunnell City Commission meets at 7 p.m. for a particularly scaled back meeting: no ordinances, no resolutions, no old business, no new business on the agenda. See it here.
Flagler County Historical Bus Trip: Tours begin behind the Old Court House in Bunnell. There is ample parking here. You should arrive in the parking lot between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. for check-in. There is an on-board briefing and the tour will depart promptly at 10:00 in an air conditioned bus. Tours will be scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. There is a fee of $15.00 per person. Planned comfort stops are scheduled & a stop at Bull Creek Fish Camp for lunch (cost of lunch not included in fare). Contact: 386/439-5003.
Chamber 101: Whether you just joined the Chamber or joined ten years ago, here’s your chance to catch up on what’s going on and learn to make the most of your membership. You will also have a chance to meet staff and sign up for events and programs. Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, 20 Airport Rd. Suite C, Palm Coast, 9 a.m.
Bunnell Elementary School Advisory Council meeting, 6 p.m., school library.
Buddy Taylor Middle School National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony, at the school cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.
Curriculum Night and Meet the Administrators at Indian Trails Middle School, dining hall, 6:30 p.m.
Matanzas High School’s Classroom of the Future: News 13’s Jason Wheeler reports on the latest branching out from the school district’s distribution of laptops to all high school students at Matanzas’s PLANK, “Pirates Learning and Acquiring New Knowledge.” “Christine Brink, a teacher at Matanzas, said this is simply where we’re at as a society now. “We’re meeting online, we’re chatting, we’re Skyping. We’re connecting and this is about connecting students to problem-solve.” You won’t find rows of desks here.Instead, small group work is encouraged in various spaces, all connecting the students’ laptops to the web.” The full story.
Matanzas High School and Flagler Palm Coast High School are losing their principals: It’s not a surprise at FPC, where the principal’s chair has been more musical than stable for the past two decades–no principal has remained for more than two to three years–and FPC’s top position has become an administrative grooming ground. The Palm Coast Observer reports Lynette Shott is moving to the central office. But the departure of Matanzas’s Chris Pryor is more of a surprise: the school has not known any other principal in its dozen or so years. Then again, the principal’s son has graduated, and Pryor seems to be looking for a new challenge. The Observer doesn’t say where he’s headed next, but word has it it’s either Stetson University (he has the doctoral credentials) or Tallahassee. See Brian McMillan’s story here.
The FlaglerLive board of directors addressed the call by an ex-county commission candidate (and ex-felon) for a boycott of the site in a piece that ended up generating a weekend discussion, some of it enlightening, on the meanings and misunderstandings of the word fundamentalist. See “The Fundamentalist Next Door” here.
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh holds a hearing in the case of death row inmate David Beasher Snelgrove, who’s still appealing his death penalty sentence for the murder in 2000 of 84-year-old Glyn Fowler and his 79-year-old wife, Vivian Fowler. The court record summarizes the case: On Sunday, June 25, 2000, Glyn and Vivian Fowler were found dead in their home. The elderly couple had been brutally beaten and stabbed to death, as evidenced by multiple fractures and stab wounds spread throughout their bodies. Ultimately, Vivian died from a stab wound to the heart, and Glyn died of a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma to the head. Evidence at the crime scene and in the surrounding area linked David Snelgrove, the twenty-seven-year-old nephew of one of the Fowlers’ neighbors, to the murder. Snelgrove had recently moved in with his aunt and his cousin, Jeff McCrae, after being expelled from a drug rehabilitation program. Blood droplets matching Snelgrove’s DNA were found throughout the house, as were bloody fingerprints and footprints matching Snelgrove‟s. A trained bloodhound followed a scent from the blood on the Fowlers’ broken window to Snelgrove, and the police recovered a knife in the woods next to the Snelgrove home with blood matching Snelgrove’s DNA.”County Judge Melissa Moore Stens holds several dozen traffic arraignments starting at 8:45 in Courtroom 101.
Note: Most proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel.
The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, created recently by Gov. Rick Scott, will meet in Central Florida. (9 a.m., Orange County Health Department, 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando.)
The Committee on Finance and Facilities of the University of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 1 Tigert Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville.)
–Compiled by the News Service of Florida
Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian’s “espionage” trial begins behind closed doors in Iran.
The World Health Organization is scheduled to adopt a plan to tackle resistance to antibiotic drugs.
Vista Par Condominium Project Revived: Frank Sockman, of Palm West Home Realty, is pleased to announce that permits were recently released to finish Vista Par Condominium’s, located next to the Grand Haven Golf Club within the gated Grand Haven community in Palm Coast. “Construction on these condos will start immediately now that all permitting is complete,” said Frank Sockman. “We have all been diligently working as a team to bring this exciting upscale condominium project to this point since Layaya Properties ll purchased the property in 2013.” This project was brought together by Frank Sockman REALTOR, Brett Roark, Manager of Lavaya Properties ll of Jacksonville FL, Eddie Muse the architect and principal of DSI Design of Longwood, Fl. Alan Cottrill of River City Design and Building of Jacksonville, FL. and the law firm of Chiumento Selis Dwyer with offices in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach. There are two buildings and each will have 12 upscale condominiums with three different floor plans, consisting of three bedrooms and three bath units, and three bedroom and two bath floor plans, ranging from 1,762 square feet to 2,167 square feet of living area. Each condo will have a designated two car garages and residents we enjoy all the amenities of the established gated Grand Haven community and the maintenance-free lifestyle of condominium living. These condominiums have views of the Grand Haven Jack Nicklaus Golf Course fairways and views of the Intracoastal Waterways, all are within walking distance to the community pools, restaurants, tennis courts, and club-houses. Mr. Roark, Muse, Cottrill, and Sockman plan to have active construction within the month and have three finished models for public viewing by the fall of 2015. For more information about pre-construction sales, contact the listing agent Frank Sockman at vistaparcondos@gmail.com or 386-503-9363.Flagler County holds west side meeting about CR 302 improvements, town hall meeting: Flagler County engineering staff and a representative of Halifax Paving will attend Commissioner Nate McLaughlin’s town hall meeting on Thursday, May 28 in Daytona North. “We are very pleased that County Road 302 will be repaved soon,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve been working to get this project done for three and a half years.” The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hidden Trails Park located at 6108 Mahogany Blvd. County Road 302 will be closed between State Road 100 and County Road 302 from June 8 through Aug. 17. A detour will take motorists further west on State Road 100 to its direct connection to County Road 305. The $2 million project is being 100 percent funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. “Our staff does a great job finding grant money to get these projects completed for the benefit of the community,” Couty Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We are able to get a lot of big projects done without a financial impact to our residents.” Flagler County School Board member Andy Dance and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeffrey Hoffman will also be in attendance to answer questions and address concerns. The meeting is open to all residents of Flagler County.
Matanzas Leo Club participated in the Exceptional Student Education Field Day on Friday, May 22, Susanna van de Graaf reports. The Field Day consisted of a live DJ, art activities, track and field competitions and other fun outdoor games. Volunteering at this event is one of the highlights for the Matanzas Leo Club. Members worked with Mrs. Keen, the head of the department, to make Field Day a great day for the students. Leo Clubbers were out bright and early setting up for the days events. Whether blowing bubbles, dancing or kicking a soccer ball around we can say that all Leo Club members had a very memorable experience. The Track and Field competitions consisted of a 50-meter sprint, 100-meter sprint and a ¼ mile run. Leo Club members cheered on the athletes and awarded victory metals to the finishers. The results are:Athletes with Physical Impairments
50 meter sprint – 1st Chris Williams, 2nd Michale Bailey and in 3rd Anthony Mesete
100 meter sprint – 1st Chris Williams, 2nd Anthony Mesete and in 3rd Michale Bailey
Athletes without Physical Impairments
50 meter sprint – 1st Jonas , 2nd Jose Fernadez Velez and in 3rd TJ
100 meter sprint – 1st Jonas, 2nd Jose Fernadez Velez and in 3rd Robert
¼ mile run – 1st Jonas, 2nd Jose Fernadez Velez and in 3rd Deanna
Robert DeNiro’s Commencement Speech to NYU’s Tish School of the Arts: “You’ve Made It. And, You’re Fucked.” From Vanity Fair: “While some parents were undoubtedly clutching their pearls at the profanity, the majority of the audience (and even the professors standing behind the original Raging Bull) roared their approval of the blunt comment. De Niro wasn’t trying to be harsh, just painfully honest in his address to the crowd of aspiring actors, dancers, writers, directors, photographers, and filmmakers. He pointed out that the nursing graduates “all have jobs,” the business graduates “are covered,” and the law students they’re employed, ”And if they’re not who cares? They’re lawyers,” said De Niro, with perfect comedic timing.” More from the speech: When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump commonsense. You weren’t just following dreams, you were reaching for your destiny. You’re a dancer, a singer, a choreographer, musician, a filmmaker, a writer, a photographer, a director, a producer, an actor, an artist. Yeah, you’re fucked. The good news is that’s not a bad place to start. Now that you’ve made your choice or rather succumbed to it, your path is clear, not easy but clear. You have to keep working. It’s that simple. You got through Tisch, that’s a big deal. Or put it another way: You got through Tisch, big deal. Well, it’s a start. On this day of triumphantly graduating, a new door is opening for you: a door to a lifetime of rejection. It’s inevitable. It’s what graduates call the real world. You’ll experience it auditioning for a part or a place in a company. It’ll happen to you when you’re looking for backers for a project. You’ll feel it when doors close on you while you’re trying to get attention for something you’ve written or when you’re looking for a directing or choreography job. How do I cope with it? I hear that Valium and Vicodin work. Eh, I don’t know. You can’t be too relaxed and do what we do, and you don’t want to block the pain too much. Without the pain, what will we talk about? Though I would make an exception for having a couple of drinks if hypothetically you had to speak to a thousand graduates and their families at a commencement ceremony. Excuse me. [He jokingly ducks under lectern.]” From Qartz. Watch the whole speech:
Grayson’s ‘gold digger’ comment and profanities cause some Democrats concern: “Centrists and establishment types in the Democratic Party have always been uneasy with the prospect of firebrand liberal Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, entering the 2016 Democratic Senate primary against the more moderate Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter. Some liberals are starting to voice qualms as well after Grayson called his estranged wife a “gold digger” and spewed profanities at a reporter who asked him about a hedge fund he set up in the Cayman Islands, traditionally a haven for avoiding taxes. The hedge fund, first reported by The Tampa Bay Times, was set up in 2011 with a mailing address on Grand Cayman Island in the Ugland House, which is home to thousands of corporations and was called “either the biggest building in the world or the biggest tax scam on record” by Barack Obama when he was running for president in 2008. Grayson says he’s not avoiding any U.S. taxes. His investment, valued at between $15 million and $25 million on a congressional disclosure form last year, is in a “segregated domestic account” subject to U.S. taxes, his office said. The fund does not have any foreign investors, Grayson’s office said; if it did, they would be placed in an international account not subject to U.S. taxes.” From the Palm Beach Post.
Road and Interstate Construction:
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.”
Matanzas Parkway Bridge at I-95 Matanazas Parkway at the I-95 bridge will close on June 5 at 7 p.m. for the I-95 interchange project and will remain closed until Aug. 9. Detour will be via Old Kings Road. Details here.
Volusia: I-4 Widening from SR 44 to east of I-95, Monday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Eastbound/Westbound shoulder closing. Sunday through Thursday, Eastbound and Westbound lane closures as needed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, 9:00 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. EB road closure between Canal St./SR 44 and I-95 with detour at US 92 exit ramp.Motorists should be aware of traffic shifts near Canal St./SR 44.
Traffic will be detoured at State Road (SR) 44/Canal Street, for reconstruction work May 12-14: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is providing project support to Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to replace the current crossing surface. Motorists will encounter detours beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, and ending at 6 a.m. Thursday, May 14. The SR 44/Canal Street detours are: Eastbound SR 44/Canal Street: North on North Myrtle Avenue, East on Washington Street, South on US 1/North Dixie Parkway. Westbound SR 44/Canal Street: North on US 1/North Dixie Parkway, West on Washington Street, South on North Myrtle Avenue, West on SR 44/Canal Street. For the most up-to-date information on road and lane closures, go to www.cflroads.com and click on ‘Lane Closures.’
The public is invited to learn more about the I-4 Ultimate project during a public information open house, and how the project is transforming Altamonte Springs, Longwood and Maitland, as well as the entire 21-mile corridor. The open house is scheduled Thursday, May 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the RDV Sportsplex – Magic Gym, located at 8701 Maitland Summit Boulevard.
- Palm Coast Parkway Project Website
- Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List
- County Road 304 Project Map and Description
Palm Coast Arts Foundation Concert and Fund-Raiser, May 29, 7 p.m. at the Grand Club at Pine Lakes Golf Club: Vocalist Amy Alysia is a performer who works tirelessly to claim her place as one of the premier vocalists in central Florida. Always known for her soulful, heartfelt ballads, impressive vocal range & unique approach to a song leaves her audience wanting more. Amy entertains her audience with Smooth & Jazz Standards, R&B & Soul and isn’t afraid to diversify her song selections. Tickets are $15 for arts foundation members, $20 for non-members. To buy, call 386/263-2991 or visit the foundation’s website here.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Flagler County Children Through Seamless Summer Freeding: The Flagler County Schools, Food & Nutrition Services Department is please to announce that free breakfast and lunch meals will be made available at no charge to all children in the community who are 18 years of age and under. Free meals will be available at the following sites from June 8th – August 14th and closed on July 3rd. Closed site means it’s just for children who are attending camp through the school location. An open site means anyone can come in and have a meal. Menus available online at FlaglerSchools.Nutrislice.com.
Bunnell Elementary – Closed Site: 800 East Howe Street Bunnell, Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Imagine School – Open Site: 775 Town Center Blvd Palm Coast, Breakfast from 9 to 9:30 a.m., lunch 12:30 p.m.
Versie Lee Mitchell Community Center – Open Site: 405 E Drain Street, Bunnell, Breakfast, 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Lunch, 12:30 p.m.
Wadsworth Elementary School – Open Site: 4550 Belle Terre Parkway Palm Coast, Breakfast, 8 a.m to 9:45 a.m. , Lunch, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Reverse Church – Open Site: 4601 East Moody Blvd. Bunnell, Breakfast, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For more information call or email Amy Holstein, Food Service S Specialist for Flagler County Schools, 386-437-7526 x1305 or by email, HolsteinA@flaglerschools.com
Flocking For Future Problem Solvers Fundraiser
Flocking is a fundraiser organized by Flagler County School Board member Andy Dance for the Future Problem Solving Program of Flagler County, which has been one of the school district’s greatest successes in the last few years. Some 30 Flagler students are headed to Ames, Iowa, June 10-14 for the international competition, but they need your help raising the money to get there. Flock a house: you get to pay $20 or $40 to have one of your friends’ houses flocked with pink flamingos. See the story here, fill out the form below, or or call Andy Dance at 386/627-5600.
Flocking a Friend: Order Your Flocking for the Flagler Future Problem Solvers
Blood donations are urgently needed. Patients in our local hospitals are in need of blood transfusions, and the need for blood does not take a holiday. That’s why OneBlood is asking people to donate immediately.
Big Red Bus schedule in Flagler-Palm Coast:
Friday May 22nd 1:00PM – 6:00PM Epic Theatre, 1185 Central Ave, Palm Coast
Sunday May 24th McDonalds Restaurant, 5190 East Highway 100, Palm Coast
Monday May 25th Bealls Outlet, 9 Old Kings road, Palm Coast
Friday May 29th Zaxby’s, 180 Cypress Edge Drive, Palm Coast
Saturday May 30th Walmart Supercenter, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast
Sunday May 31st Lowe’s, 315 Cypress Edge Drive, Palm Coast
Cultural Coda:
Von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic Perform Dvorak’s Wonderful 8th Symphony, in Full: