Today: high in low 90s, low in mid 70s. Details here.
Today’s fire danger is moderate. Flagler County’s Drought Index is at 341 (-40).
The weather in Mar del Plata, Argentina: high 50, low 41. Details.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: psychostasy, 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
- Police Notes
- PR Releases
- In the Press, In the News
- Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports
- Local Road and Interstate Construction
- In Coming Days in Flagler and Palm Coast
- Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section)
- Cultural Coda
Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.
Ribbon-cutting at Joan B. King municipal park, 8:30 a.m.: The city is hosting the ribbon-cutting to celebrate improvements at the park that include new bathrooms, sidewalks, an elevated boardwalk and a bridge to connect Bunnell Elementary to the Clegg Property, as well as miles of sidewalks that connect the school and the park.
The Flagler County Department of Juvenile Justice meets at 9 a.m. in the third-floor conference room of the Government Services Building.
The Tourist Development Council meets at 10 a.m. for a busy meeting that includes consideration of a $150,000 grant to county government to underwrite the cost of new cottages at Princess Place Preserve, among other items. The council will also consider approval of much smaller grants for the Flagler County Historical Society, the Palm Coast Historical Society, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, the Florida Agriculture Museum, the Choral Arts Society, and a larger, $10,000 grant for Kemper Sports, the private company contracted to run Palm Coast’s tennis center. Kemper is seeking the grant in conjunction with the USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Futures Tournament at Palm Coast event to be held January 29–February 7, 2016. The full agenda and background materials are here.
Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee meets at 9 a.m. in the first-floor conference room of the Government Services Building. The committee reviews four applications for variances, special exceptions, land use map amendments and rezoning for parcels on the barrier island.
Palm Coast’s Land Development Board‘s meeting, scheduled for this evening, was cancelled.
Matanzas High School 9th grade orientation is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the school.
The Bunnell Area Council hosts Business After Hours at Finnegan’s Black Cloud Saloon, starting at 6 p.m. with food, drinks, raffles, and company. Open to all local business professionals.
Today is a pre-planning day for Flagler County school teachers as the district gets ready for school’s resumption Monday.
Back to School Immunization, required by schools, available at the Flagler County Health Department through August 21, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis. For further information, please call: 386-437-7350 ext. 2224.
For Fire Chief Don Petito, a Family Matter Escalates Into Confrontations and Complaints: The case unfolded between the last week of July and the first week of August and involved Petito making threats about another man, and later saying disparaging things about the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to the chief deputy, causing the sheriff himself to call commissioners and complain. “No employee conduct violations occurred that I know of at this time,” Coffey told commissioners, noting that Petito was not in uniform at the time (as corroborated by video evidence) and was not on county time.
School Board member Janet McDonald’s town hall draws some 30 people at the Palm Coast Community Center Wednesday evening. McDonald discussed the state education budget, which she noted was smaller than it was 10 years ago, when adjusted for inflation, despite claims that it is at historically high levels, the News-Journal reports. She also addressed weaknesses in common core. (Story paywall protected.)
Student art takes flight at Salvo Art Project show: “Eyes were drawn to the sky at the Salvo Art Project as JJ Graham and Petra Iston presented “Swoop” as part of the Allevo show Saturday night,” the News-Journal reports. “Resembling larger than life butterflies, the installation created by students during the summer workshop, seemed to float effortlessly above in a vibrant array of color as patrons strolled among the works by featured artists Laura Mongiovi and Michael Kovach.” (Story paywall protected)
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh holds a treatment hearing at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 401. Circuit Judge Michael Orfinger holds several hearings starting at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 301. County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens has no public sessions today.
A foreclosure sale is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the civil department lobby of the courthouse.
Note: Most proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel.
The Senate will consider a proposed congressional redistricting plan (SB 2-B) filed by Reapportionment Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. (10 a.m.)
The House has set aside floor time if more work is needed on a congressional redistricting plan for 10 a.m.
The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting to discuss a new payment system for hospital-outpatient care in the Medicaid program. (12:30 p.m.)
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities holds a meeting about proposed rules dealing with “iBudgets” used in funding services for people with developmental disabilities. (2 p.m.)
The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet in St. Johns County. (2:30 p.m., Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)
Police, Fire and Emergency Notes:
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Three Commercial Burglaries with 26 storage units and trailers burglarized: The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating three related incidents where thieves cut locks and broke into at least 26 storage units and utility trailers at two Palm Coast and one Bunnell location over this weekend. Thousands of dollars’ worth of landscape equipment has been reported stolen from each of the three locations. The burglaries occurred at the following locations:
Town and Country Storage located at 1 Enterprise Drive, Bunnell. Deputies were called at 7 a.m. on Saturday and upon arrival determined two vehicle trailers and eight storage units were broken into. No suspects have been identified.
Hargrove Mini Storage located at 35 Hargrove Grade, Palm Coast. Deputies were called at 12:46 p.m. on Saturday and once they arrived, they identified eight utility trailers were broken into. Although there are no suspects in this case at this time, surveillance video shows a dark-colored sport utility vehicle entered the facility at 12:24 a.m. and then departed four minutes later.
Southside Storage at Southside Business Park located at 4751 E. Moody Blvd., Palm Coast. Deputies were called at 12:58 p.m. on Saturday and once they arrived, they located at least eight trailers that were burglarized. At this time, there are no suspects in this case.
Based on the details of the three investigations, suspects gained entry into the facilities by cutting a chain at the front gate or tearing a fence and ripping it from its hinges. Deputies are working with victims to identify and estimate the value of the stolen items. If you know anything about these burglaries, or any crime that may have occurred in Flagler County, you are asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigative Services Division at 386-586-4801, or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
The Iowa State Fair is ongoing all week, offering a big stage for all presidential candidates with their eyes on the Iowa caucuses.
Inflation figures for July are released this morning.
Thursday: the National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for July. June numbers hit the highest level since February 2007.
Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games registration deadline is Sept. 1: Thousands of senior adults across the nation gather with their neighbors and friends each fall to compete in the Senior Games. It’s a great way to make friends, remain active and have some fun outdoors and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. This is the second year this friendly and fun competition is in our own back yard. Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games, presented by Florida Hospital Flagler Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, will be held Sept. 12 to 19. The registration deadline of Tuesday, Sept. 1, is quickly approaching. The local Senior Games offers competition in 14 sports. It’s open to men and women ages 50 and up, with the competition divided into eight different age categories. Registration is $15 and includes a T-shirt and participation in one sport. Participation in each additional sport is $5. To register, visit www.palmcoastgov.com/
Historic Tours of Flagler College to present Gilded Age Fashion Show and exhibit: Visitors to Flagler College’s Ponce Hall will be offered a more detailed glimpse into 19th century life with the college’s “Gilded Age Fashion Show,” an event showcasing the period garb with patterns from 1888, the year the Hotel Ponce de Leon opened. “This gives the Theatre Arts department the chance to showcase the talent behind the scenes while creating a new exhibit for the historic tours,” said Samantha Palmer, Flagler College’s director of retail operations and historic tours. The genesis for the project began when Palmer discussed with colleagues creative ways to promote the college’s historic tours during St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary celebration. An historic fashion show idea sparked interest and Palmer enlisted the help of Elaina Wahl-Temple, a Theatre Arts professor and the head costumer of the department, and five Theatre Arts students. “We are building these costumes from scratch,” Wahl-Temple said. “We’re trying to show the public how the people of this time wore these clothes, especially the ladies.” The clothes that will be exhibited are the kind that the wealthy visitors of the Hotel Ponce de Leon would have worn — layers upon layers of garments, such as pantaloons, corsets and bustles. Unlike today, people, especially of the upper class, would have changed several times daily. Both women and men’s clothing will be exhibited. In choosing the outfits’ fabric, Wahl-Temple was fortunate to have a generous costuming mentor. “One of my mentors has this huge empty home that is filled with all different types of fabrics,” Wahl-Temple said. “I asked him if I could go through it and collect some for this project, and he agreed.” The collection will be unveiled Sept. 4 in the Flagler College Rotunda, 74 King Street, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and will be on display in the Flagler Room, beginning Sept. 12, as a part of the college’s historic tours. The Sept. 4 fashion show is free and open to the public. For more information on the project from a student perspective, visit Kayla Lindsay’s blog at http://historicfashion.flagler.edu. For information on Flagler College’s historic tours, visit http://legacy.flagler.edu/pages/tours.
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation Presents Big Band Night (and more) with The Chris Thomas Band of Jacksonville: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation is excited to bring The Chris Thomas Band to the community for a night of Big Band music with his eight piece orchestra. The one-time performance will be Friday, September 11 in the Ballroom of Halifax Plantation, 4000 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach.The Chris Thomas Band is the most dynamic and versatile band in the entire southeast! Chris Thomas has been described as the best undiscovered talent in the area. He is not only known for his professional vocal talent but also as an exciting entertainer fashioned in the way of the great performers of years gone by such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Full of soul and power, Chris also performs Motown favorites from artists like Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire, and so many more. He performs current hits from artists like Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake. To learn more about his band, visit their website: www.thechristhomasband.com. Dinner and dancing is all part of the ticket price ($50 PCAF members; $60 general public). The band will perform from 7:00-10:00 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm for the buffet dinner and cash bar. The Palm Coast Arts Foundation is proud to receive sponsorship from Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens and Crematory for this event. Tickets can be purchased by contacting PCAF at 386.263.2991 or online at www.thepcaf.org
F.D.A. Approves Addyi, a Libido Pill for Women: “The first prescription drug to enhance women’s sexual drive won regulatory approval Tuesday, clinching a victory for a lobbying campaign that had accused the Food and Drug Administration of gender bias for ignoring the sexual needs of women. The drug — Addyi from Sprout Pharmaceuticals — is actually the first drug approved to treat a flagging or absent libido for either sex. Viagra and other drugs available for men are approved to help achieve erections, or to treat certain deficiencies of the hormone testosterone, not to increase desire. Advocates who pressed for approval of Addyi, many of them part of a coalition called Even the Score, said that a drug to improve women’s sex lives was long overdue, given the many options available to men. “This is the biggest breakthrough for women’s sexual health since the pill,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. But critics said the campaign behind Addyi had made a mockery of the system that regulates pharmaceuticals and had co-opted the women’s movement to pressure the F.D.A. into approving a drug that was at best minimally effective and could cause side effects like low blood pressure, fainting, nausea, dizziness and sleepiness.” From The Times.
Animal Shelters in Florida Could Face New Requirements Before Euthanizing: A Florida House Democrat on Tuesday filed a detailed proposal that would set guidelines for animal shelters before stray animals can be euthanized. The proposal (HB 71), filed by Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens, will be considered during the 2016 legislative session. The nine-page bill includes numerous requirements such as posting on the Internet photographs and information about each stray animal impounded. If possible owners are identified, shelters would have to undertake “due diligence” in notifying owners, such as trying to contact them by phone and mail. Among the other requirements, the bill would mandate a minimum holding period of five business days for stray animals that are impounded. Among numerous other provisions, the bill would set conditions for the care of animals in shelters. That would include providing fresh food and water, cleaning of cages and “environmental enrichment,” such as socialization, toys and treats. News Service of Florida.
I Watched 14 Police Officers Take Down a One-Legged Homeless Black Man Outside Twitter HQ, And nobody could stop them: “I recorded the incident August 4th 2015 during the lunch hour. It involves a Black man who was taken down by police in the mid-Market area of San Francisco, between 7th and 8th streets. Though the takedown didn’t occur directly outside of the Twitter building on 9th street, I began to see outlines of the incident unfold from there; a limping Black figure, wearing black, increasingly cornered by a wall of blue. By the time I had crossed 8th street, I was pulling out my phone as fast as I could. Witnesses said there had been a call about somebody waving sticks around. No one, at least no one that I stayed long enough after the filming, could say for sure where the call came from. One woman said that she heard someone say that one of the deli managers called. By the time I arrived where Joe Bland was (as we’ll call him), several officers had arrived on the scene, and forced this man to the ground, which is where this footage begins. And they held him down, much of the time half-naked, for at least half an hour on one of San Francisco’s busiest streets. The sticks? They were his crutches. You can hear people in the background around say so much. From my vantage point on the shore of 8th street, I could see the man reluctantly hand over his crutches. The man, it turned out, only had one leg; the other was a prosthetic. It is often twisted and backwards in the video. And this was the crux of the heightened tension between the police and Joe Bland; they wanted his crutches and he did not want to give them away. “What are you doing this for?” he asked so many times. “These are my crutches. I use these to walk.” He repeats this throughout the footage. An officer can be seen at the 5 second time-mark stomping on the man’s prosthetic leg. In further efforts to subdue a man already on the ground with four people on top of him, they stood on his leg, held it, and twisted it around even after they had cuffed him and pinned him to the piss-stained concrete.” Chaédria LaBouvier in Matter.
Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports:
The following is an update of ongoing construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through Aug. 6:
Palm Coast Parkway Six-Laning is 87 percent done: Widening on the north side of the parkway almost complete. Landscape irrigation work continues. Milling and Resurfacing of Roadway continues. FPL began installation of light poles and fixtures along the north side of the roadway.
Holland Park, 27 percent done: Continuation of installation of new water main. Began installation of FP&L primary conduit to new transformer.
Palm Coast City Hall at Town Center, 84 percent done: Installation of drywall on interior walls, mechanical duct work & VAV damper installation, electrical conduit rough-in and fire sprinkler piping are all 98% complete. Painting of interior and exterior walls continues. Floor tile in bathrooms continues. Mechanical system startup occurred. Parking lot curbing completed. Irrigation installation began See ongoing images of construction here.
Colechester Drive Bridge, 32 percent done: Bridge deck being removed, curbing on all sides has been removed.
County’s I-95 Interchange Matanzas Woods Reclaim Water, 25 percent done: Contractor has installed approximately 1,000 ft. of reclaim water main total installed 5,000 ft. to date.
Palm Harbor Parkway Roadway Extension, 6 percent done: Contractor working on submittals and coordinating utility work with FPL & ATT.
Island Walk Shopping Center Phase 1, 91 percent done: The second run of gravity main was installed near Starbucks entrance.
Shops at Pine Lakes Convenience Store, 96 percent done: Pump station start-up and testing completed.
Old Kings Road Force Main – Master Pump Station, 10 percent done: Clearing crew on site removing trees.
Road and Interstate Construction:
Palm Coast:
Palm Coast Parkway: Expect heavy delays on Palm Coast Parkway From 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19: Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on the I-95 bridge. These lane closures are required for street light pole installations. In addition, motorists and other travelers should expect intermittent eastbound and westbound nighttime lane closures on Palm Coast Parkway between Florida Park Drive and Cypress Point Parkway / Boulder Rock Drive from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., Sunday through Friday until the completion of the project in December 2015. One lane eastbound and one lane westbound will remain open at all times. These lane closures are required for paving and traffic signal operations.
Old Kings Road Lane Closures: On Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 17 and 18, motorists and other travelers should expect lane closures on Old Kings Road in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods Parkway intersection. A single lane will remain open at all times. From Friday, August 21, through Sunday, August 23, motorists and other travelers should expect lane closures on Old Kings Road and Matanzas Woods Parkway in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods/Old Kings Road intersection. A single lane will remain open at all times.
Complete Road Closure on Old Kings Road: On Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19 and 20, motorists and other travelers should expect a complete road closure on Old Kings Road and Matanzas Woods Parkway in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods intersection. Matanzas Woods Parkway will be closed at Bird of Paradise allowing eastbound traffic to Matanzas High School only. Travelers heading south on Old Kings Road at the U.S. 1 intersection will be notified that Old Kings Road is open to local traffic only. Old Kings Road will be closed at the Forest Grove Drive intersection allowing northbound traffic to Matanzas High School only.
Road Closure Note: The northbound lane of S. Old Kings Road from Town Center Boulevard going north approximately 2.5 miles will have a moving lane closure starting Monday, July 27. The lane closure will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and will continue for approximately three weeks. A flagman will direct traffic.
Lane closures to begin July 27 on South Old Kings Road in Palm Coast: The northbound lane of S. Old Kings Road from Town Center Boulevard going north approximately 2.5 miles will have a moving lane closure starting Monday, July 27. The lane closure will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and will continue for approximately three weeks. A flagman will direct traffic. This lane closure is needed to allow a City contractor to clear the right-of-way along the roadway in preparation for an upcoming wastewater system project.
Flagler County Road 302 is Closed to all but local traffic as repaving began on June 7 and the roadway will be closed to all but local traffic. Others will be required to detour around County Road 302 using State Road 100. The roadway will be closed for 90 days, or until early September.
Palm Coast’s Colechester Lane bridge to be closed July 7 through Sept. 4: A detour will be established taking travelers over the Colorado Drive bridge instead. Signs will be posted directing motorists to the Colorado Drive bridge. The City of Palm Coast strives for safe construction zones. The City asks for the cooperation and patience of residents as this important bridge improvement project is completed. For more information, contact Palm Coast Customer Service at 386-986-2360.
US 92 to close overnight Tuesday for pedestrian bridge installation: The new pedestrian bridge installation is scheduled overnight Tuesday Aug. 18. Construction will run from 10 p.m. Tuesday night to 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. During the installation, US 92 (International Speedway Boulevard) will be closed – eastbound and westbound – between Daytona Boulevard and Bill France Boulevard. Well-marked detours will be in place.
Detours:
- Traffic going eastbound on US 92 will turn left on to Daytona Boulevard, right on to Avenue B, and then right on to Bill France Boulevard, where US 92 eastbound can be accessed.
- Traffic going westbound on US 92 will turn right on to Bill France Boulevard, left on to Avenue B, left on to Industrial Parkway, right on to Avenue A, and left on to West Road, where US 92westbound can be accessed
This pedestrian bridge will be 750 feet west of Bill France Boulevard, and will include landscaping, lighting, fencing and bridge treatments. The bridge is part of the ongoing pedestrian improvements on US 92, which include upgrading the Williamson Boulevard intersection with new mast arms and other improvements, and replacing existing sidewalk and ditches with 12-foot sidewalks and closed drainage system. All businesses within the construction zone will be accessible during the instillation of the pedestrian bridge. For more information about this, and all Central Florida state roadway projects, visit www.cflroads.com.
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.
- Palm Coast Parkway Project Website
- Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List
- County Road 304 Project Map and Description
Click on the links for more details:
- August 29: Flagler Chapter of the NAACP Hosts Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Ocean Ballroom of the Hammock Beach Resort, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast. The branch boasts of fine dining, dancing, and music provided by Darnel Butler & Xpression.
- Registration opens for 2015 Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games.
- Friday, Sept. 11: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation Presents Big Band Night (and more) with The Chris Thomas Band of Jacksonville, in the Ballroom of Halifax Plantation, 4000 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach. Dinner and dancing is all part of the ticket price ($50 PCAF members; $60 general public). Click here for details.
- Sept. 28: Bunnell’s State of the Art Water Treatment Facility Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at 100 Utility Drive (directly across the street from the Flagler County Government Services Building), from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Oct. 6: The Flagler County School Board holds a town hall meeting at the Government Services Building.
- Flagler County is now accepting applications for the Fall 2015 Citizens Academy. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning September 10 for nine weeks. For more information, click this link or go to flaglercounty.org/academy.
- Nominate Your Veteran of the Year: Flagler County government is taking nominations from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 for the veteran of the year. Nominations must be mailed in to the county. Click here for details.
Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section):
BradW in the Monday Briefing: “$76,000 to redesign a website and come up with a marketing strategy for the EDC?! How much more do we need to dump into those two areas of a tax-payer funded department that is doing nothing to produce anything benefiting residents of this county? It has been a department that has simply latched it’s name for political sake to projects that would have come about without them. That department doesn’t need more things . . . it needs to use what they have effectively and with accountability! Get off of the “work at the beach” junk. No one does that (unless you are a lifeguard). This should be a huge focus with voters and Barbara Revels.” Reply to Brad W here.
Cultural Coda:
