Weekend Briefing: Black History, Bobcat 5K Run, Hot and Spicy Food Fest, Turtle Preservation

palm coast pinning ceremony — The Palm Coast City Council and Fire Chief Jerry Forte formally welcomed Deputy Fire Chief Bradd Clark to the City family at a special pinning ceremony at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Six other newly promoted fire officers and firefighters also received new badges at the ceremony. They are Battalion Chief Kyle Berryhill, Capt. Andrew Woolwine, Lt. Robert Ballou, Driver Engineer Michael LaGreca and Firefighters Katelyn Douglas and Joshua Meeker. “Several years ago our department came together to address the needs of the future,” Forte said. “As we prepared for the retirement of senior members of the department, we developed a plan to continue forward momentum without missing a beat.” The succession plan includes a mentoring program to prepare personnel for future promotion. The department’s mentoring for fire lieutenants began in 2011 and has since been expanded to include driver engineers, fire captains and battalion chiefs. In addition, the department developed a volunteer internship program through which participating volunteer firefighters gain hands-on experience as they attend school to earn fire, EMT and paramedic certifications. Successful participants are offered career firefighting positions with the department as they become available. So far, nine volunteer interns have been hired as full-time career firefighters for Palm Coast Fire. (Palm Coast)

Weekend:: Partly to mostly cloudy, with higher chance of showers on Saturday, highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, lows in the 50s. Details here.
Today’s document from the National Archives and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Drought Index: 30
Click for Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day.
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours of Incident Reports
Flagler Beach A1A Construction Updates
US 1-Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Cultural Coda

“It’s almost as difficult to change opinion as it is to change language.”

–From d’Holbach’s “System of Nature” (1770).

Previously:

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

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.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

Prescribed Burn, Putnam: The Florida Highway Patrol is monitoring smoke in the area of Holloway Rd ( Eton Iah Creek State Forest) as a result of a 156 acre prescribed burn in that area. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling in these areas. Visibility may deteriorate quickly due to smoke/fog type conditions, especially during the night time and early morning hours. Motorists are reminded to reduce their speed as necessary to avoid a collision and utilize their low beam headlights in order to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Prescribed burn, St. Johns: The Florida Highway Patrol is monitoring smoke in the area of US 1 and Double Grade Rd in Matanzas State Forest) as a result of a 185 acre prescribed burn in that area. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling in these areas. Visibility may deteriorate quickly due to smoke/fog type conditions, especially during the night time and early morning hours. Motorists are reminded to reduce their speed as necessary to avoid a collision and utilize their low beam headlights in order to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Free For All Fridays on WNZF: Hosts David Ayres and Brian McMillan welcome guests who’ll talk about the Hot ‘n Spicy Fooid Fest at the Agriculture Museum this weekend, along with a University of Florida extension agent and County Commissioner Joe Mullins, starting with a commentary by FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam on what Donald Trump got right in his State of the Union.

Friday: ‘Protecting Birds Together, Today and Tomorrow,’ 6:30 p.m., at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. National Audubon Society executive David Ringer will give a free keynote address on birds, society’s impact on them and how people can work together to protect their future. This free City of Palm Coast 2019 Rooted in Nature Lecture is free and open to the public as part of the Birds of a Feather Fest. Register at www.birdingfest.com. More info: 386-986-2484. See the background story here.

Friday: “Lords of 52nd Street,” Flagler Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Stetson Sounds New XXII: The 22nd in a series of concerts, which features a talented gathering of Stetson University students and faculty joined by guest artists to offer a fine menu of new works written by some of our area’s most accomplished composers. Join us for an evening of brilliant performances of cutting-edge classical sounds. 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. All concerts are free and open to the public. Call 386/822-8950.

Birds of a Feather Fest, Friday through Sunday, at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE, and various venues throughout Palm Coast and beyond. A fun birding and nature festival invites everyone to enjoy a weekend of guided birding, photography, workshops, social events and a keynote by National Audubon Society’s David Ringer. Many activities are free; some for a fee. Schedule and registration at: www.birdingfest.com. More info: 386-986-2484.

Saturday: All are welcome to hear representatives from The Sheltering Tree, the cold-weather homeless shelter in Bunnell that serves the whole county, speak about homeless life here to the monthly meeting of the Democratic Women’s Club of Flagler County at 9:30 a.m., at the City Marketplace’s Fair Trade Cafe, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Building D Unit 103 Palm Coast.

Saturday: American Association of University Women (AAUW) Flagler celebrates Black History Month by welcoming Katherine McCladdie (right in the picture) and Mrs. Daisy Grimes (left) to its monthly General Meeting at 11 a.m., in the main dining room of Pine Lakes Golf Club. Katherine McCladdie will present an overview of the historic, “The United Order of the Tents”. Founded in 1867 by two former slaves, Annetta M. Lane and Harriett R. Taylor, the organization, predominately operated by black women, spans from the District of Columbia to Georgia and diligently works to provide care and shelter to those who cannot care for themselves. Bethune-Cookman University, founded 114 years ago, opened as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for African-American girls for a $1.50 tuition. Today, it is a university with nearly 4,000 students, alumni topping 15,000, and a legacy that continues to impact the community. Mrs. Daisy Grimes once walked the campus grounds as a student; today, as the Director of Legacy & University Protocol, she strives to preserve the custom, heritage, devotion, and perseverance embodied by its founder. Lunch is available for $17.00 per person. For reservations and menu options, please contact Sally Smeaton by email: shsmeaton@gmail.com or phone: 386-447-4137 by February 6, 2019.

Saturday: Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing 80s Style,” Flagler Palm Coast High School’s winter play at the Black Box Theater next to the Flagler Auditorium, FPC, TSaturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students. Seating is limited.

Saturday: Belle Terre Elementary at 5545 North Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, hosts the 2019 Bobcat 5k Run/Walk and Community Fair, an official 5k with a certified course and chip timing. The youngest runners (aged 6 and under) will have a FREE Fun Run. All completers of the 5k Run/Walk and Fun Run will receive a completer medallion. Awards will be given in 8 divisions (male and female), plus an additional Sweetheart category. All registered participants will receive an event t-shirt with all sponsors’ names and/or logos, and will also enjoy a free pancake and juice breakfast afterward. The event is focused on fostering an active and healthy lifestyle for students and the entire Flagler community. The event is being promoted to all the Flagler Schools, as well as to all of our 1500 students and their families.

Saturday: Celebrating love and affection, vocalist Alvin Bell, with a special appearance by vocalist Tony Barnes, perform at a Valentine’s Dinner sponsored by First AME Church Music Ministry, 4 p.m. at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast. Tickets are $25 per person. Call for tickets, 386-446-5759.

Saturday: ASL Chat: This is an event open to the Deaf community, families, and students! Come to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet some new people! Share to spread the word! We meet on the second Saturday of every month at the Palm Coast Starbucks on the intersection of Highway 100 and Belle Terre, by Aldi. Address: 100 Belle Terre Boulevard, Palm Coast, FL 32164 Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/muHDawiFhE92 .

Saturday: The German American Friendship Club is having a Fasching Dinner/Dance on Feb.9,2019 at Halifax Plantation Golf Club from 3 to 7 p.m. Anyone interested may call Carol Mayer at 386-446-1226 for reservations.

Science Saturday: Digging into Florida’s Fossils at Stetson’s Gillespie Museum, 10 a.m.-noon: The cast of “Fossil Hunters” will be on hand to share their travels and knowledge with young scientists. A chance to dig, collect and learn. Visitors under the age of 16 must bring along an adult to share what they’ve learned. All events at the Gillespie Museum are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Stetson University Gillespie Museum, 234 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand. Contact Director Karen Cole, 386-822-7330.

Saturday: Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats perform at the first-ever game of the Orlando Apollos and The Alliance of American Football, at Spectrum Stadium, University of Central Florida, 4465 Knights Victory Way, Orlando. Having previously been a part of NFL Super Bowls and Pro Bowls, The Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) Marching Wildcats will now add to their proud history. The Marching Wildcats will perform a pregame show, starting approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the game, inclusive of The Star Spangled Banner, and will again take the field during Halftime for an “All-Star Set” of the Band’s fan favorite songs from the recently completed 2018 season. Head coach Steve Spurrier and the Apollos will host the Atlanta Legends at 8 p.m., marking the first game in the inaugural season of The Alliance of American Football.

Sunday: Hot n Spicy Music and Food Fest at the Agriculture Museum, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. The event features live music and spicy foods from area restaurants, along with vendors and craft beers. The Hot N Spicy Festival gives local restaurants an opportunity to showcase their best and hottest dishes. To help cool the palate, a variety of local and regional craft beers are available as well. There will be a Hot N Spicy Kids Fun Zone beginning at noon, along with farm tours, petting zoo, and Banana Derby Monkey Racing. Kids can learn about and pet sheep, miniature donkeys, cows, horses, and chickens. Wagon rides are available for $5. There will also be info about beekeeping. Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs, but no coolers or pets, please. Regular tours of the Florida Agricultural Museum will be available during the event. Admission: $5 per person admission, which benefits Feed Flagler and Florida Agricultural Museum projects.

Sunday: Sigma Alpha Iota Organ & Harpsichord Benefit Concert: University Organist Boyd Jones and students from his studio Boyd Jones, professor of organ, and his students will present an organ and harpsichord benefit concert for the Volusia County Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity. All proceeds will benefit the fraternity in achieving its goals to support local and global music students and projects. 3 p.m., Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. $10 suggested donation. Call 386/822-8950.

Sunday: Come meet Papa Tortuga, learn about Kemp’s ridleys and enjoy free refreshments and live music at 7 p.m. at Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach. This is a fundraiser for Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project. It is free and open to the public. For more information call: 215-816-8497.

COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON HEALTH ISSUES: Flagler county residents are being asked to speak up and voice their opinion on a variety of health-related topics through an online survey. The input from the community will be used to create health improvement plans to address community concerns and improve quality of life. The survey is online here countyhealthsurvey.com and is available in English and Spanish. Results of the survey provide the foundation of Community Health Needs Assessments, which are a collection of data used to inform communities and develop goals to improve health outcomes. Once the assessments are complete, they will be used to create three-year Community Health Improvement Plans for both Volusia and Flagler counties. The assessments are being conducted in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Flagler and Volusia counties, Flagler Cares, local hospitals and Volusia and Flagler county government. Residents, employers and community partners are encouraged to share this link and ask others to take the survey as well. The survey will close February 28, 2019. Please take the survey here.

An F/A-18C Super Hornet like the ones used in bombing runs on a range in the Ocala National Forest. (Shawn J. Stewart/US Navy) — An F/A-18C Super Hornet like the ones used in bombing runs on a range in the Ocala National Forest. Click on the image for larger view. (Shawn J. Stewart/US Navy)

Navy Bombing in the Ocala National Forest: Navy training schedules indicate that inert and live bombing will take place at the Pinecastle Range Complex located in the Ocala National Forest this week. Bombings at times can be heard in Flagler-Palm Coast. The bombings are scheduled as follows:

Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Live/Inert
Sunday: 5-11 p.m. – Live/Inert

During bombing periods wildlife may be temporarily displaced. Use extra caution when driving through the Ocala National forest and surrounding areas. Secure any items around your residence that could attract wildlife. Always be mindful of larger animals including black bears and practice bearwise measures. The telephone number for noise complaints is 1-800-874-5059, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville, Fla. For additional information, call (904) 542-5588.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week (schedule your donation by going to the website and entering a Palm Coast zip code, then locating one of the venues below):

Sunday: Trinity Presbyterean Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours' Incidents in Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell


Jail Bookings, June 19-22 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 21 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 21
Previous and archived reports

Sources: Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler Beach Police Department, Bunnell Police Department. This is Flagler County's only comprehensive, one-stop compilation of all local law enforcement's daily day and night shift commanders' reports.

Flagler Beach Is Open For Business: A1A Construction Update:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to year-long construction on and near State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as the Florida Department of Transportation rebuilds a 1.5-mile segment from South 9th Street to South 22nd Street, and builds a sea wall at the north end of town. These updates are provided through DOT or local officials. If you have any relevant information or images, you’re welcome to email them to the editor here.

February 4 Update: Construction is scheduled to begin this week week on Segments 2 and 3 of the S.R. A1A project. Work on Segment 2, from S. 22nd Street to S. 9th Street will include removal of the existing low-profile barrier wall, and construction of the temporary lime rock base on the east side of the roadway to prepare for placement of temporary asphalt. This work will require single lane closures with flagging operations during the day. Work is expected to progress from south to north. Both northbound and southbound traffic will remain on S.R. A1A. The southbound S.R. A1A detour is expected to begin in late February.

Work on Segment 3, from N. 18th Street to Osprey Drive will include removing two existing beach walkovers near N.18th Street and one walkover in front of Oceanside Condominiums as noted in the plans. Work also will include importing and placing sand in preparation for installing the auger cast pilings. Traffic will be shifted slightly to the west on S.R. A1A to accommodate the work. Drivers can expect a single lane closure with flagging operations when traffic is shifted.

The contractor has 300 days to complete the work.

See Also:

The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county's most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view. (DOT) — The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view.
(DOT)

U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to the planned 15-month, $4.1 million construction of a roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. The project started in late January and is scheduled for completion by spring 2020.

This week southbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and be shifted slightly west onto new pavement. Southbound U.S. 1 traffic heading to Old Dixie Highway will be directed to stay on southbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to return to Old Dixie Highway using northbound U.S. 1. Old Dixie Highway drivers heading to southbound U.S. 1 will have to turn onto northbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to access southbound U.S. 1. Later this week, northbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and shifted west onto the existing southbound side of the roadway. Once this shift is made, U.S. 1 will have one lane in each direction through the project area. The speed limit will be reduced along U.S. 1 through the construction zone, and drivers are asked to be alert and use caution when traveling through the work area.

More details here.

See Also:

Announcements:

Scholarship Applicants Wanted: The Flagler Woman’s Club will award multiple $2000 scholarships to male and female graduating seniors in all areas of study including Theatre, Art, Music, and Trade Schools. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen; a resident of Flagler County for a minimum of one year; have a financial need and qualify for acceptance to a college or a trade school. Printed applications are now available at the Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas High Schools’ Guidance Departments; the Flagler County Library in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beach Library. The application is also available on our Face Book page at The Flagler Woman’s Club. The application deadline is February 8, 2019. For more information call Kay Johnson at (386)439-3960 or (386)405-8518.

Rue & Ziffra law firm names Matthew Mitchell a new partner: “It is my pleasure to announce that Matthew Mitchell has been welcomed as a partner in the firm,” Allan Ziffra, the president and founding partner of Rue & Ziffra, said. “Since joining the firm in 2008, Mitchell has exemplified a consistent and sincere dedication to his clients and the firm. Having focused his practice on first- and third-party claims, Mitchell has successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients.” Mitchell has practiced law for more than a decade and exclusively focuses on personal injury law. “It is with great humility and privilege that I am partnered with such an extremely talented, capable and tenured group of lawyers,” Mitchell said upon taking on his new role. Mitchell graduated from Seabreeze High School and went on to graduate with honors from the University of Florida. He then graduated from The Florida State University College of Law. Loyal and committed to helping the citizens of this area, he returned to Volusia County to practice personal injury.

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 8 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando.)

STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GATHER: The Council of Presidents of the Florida College System will meet in Tallahassee. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Association of Florida Colleges, 1725 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Historical Commission will hold a quarterly meeting. (Friday, 9 a.m., Mission San Luis, 2100 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

OIL SPILL MONEY EYED FOR HURRICANE RECOVERY: The Triumph Gulf Coast board, which oversees how BP oil-spill money aids Panhandle communities, will hold a special meeting to consider setting aside some of the money for Hurricane Michael relief. Board member Allan Bense, a former state House speaker from Panama City, has proposed creating the Triumph Gulf Coast Hurricane Michael Recovery Fund. The fund would be used to provide property-tax relief, bridge loans and other relief for local governments in Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties. (Friday, 9:30 a.m. Central time, Bay County Government Center, commission chamber, 840 West 11th St., Panama City.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

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A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Keep Up with Donald Trump’s attacks on the press through the ACLU’s running tab here.

Keep Up with mass shootings in a running database here.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of Jan. 31, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-jan-31-2019-developments.pdf

Cultural Coda

George Antheil: Violin Sonata Nr. 2