Thursday Briefing: Belle Terre’s African-American Read-In, School Safety at Tiger Bay, Inspired Mic, Taming of the Shrew

Today:: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Chance of showers in the evening, then slight chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent. 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: 92
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: obsequious.
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

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.

In Court: A new trial enters its fourth day in the case of Michael Bowling, the 47-year-old Palm Coast man accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl in a closet during a sleep-over, as the girl was visiting her friend–Bowling’s step-daughter. The prosecution likely concludes its case today, starting at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse. Bowling also faces accusations of raping his step-daughter, but those charges are to be tried separately. Bowling was tried on just the molestation charges in December. The trial ended in a mistrial.

The Flagler County Commission holds a special meeting to discuss what has turned into a controversial contract for a software upgrade for the administration’s bookkeeping and other back-end operations involving various aspects of county government, including other constitutional officers. The county administration and the clerk of court had disagreements about the way the software would be implemented. The meeting is at 9 a.m. at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 3 (behind the Government Services Building), Bunnell.

The Flagler County Commission holds a at 1 p.m. to discuss the fate of the Sheriff’s Operations Center, focusing on a possible interim solution to house the sheriff’s staff and evidence, at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 3 (behind the Government Services Building), Bunnell.

Belle Terre Elementary hosts its third annual African-American Read-In from 9 to 11 a.m., with dozens of community members turning out to read works by African-American authors to every class in the school, as part of African-American History Month. Last year, 90 people did so. Volunteers are sought: anyone willing to participate should contact LaToya Lockhart at [email protected] or Priscilla Campbell at [email protected] by Feb. 12. If you are unable to participate, consider making a monetary donation.

School safety: The Flagler Tiger Bay Club hosts a free and open-to-the-public school safety panel at 7 p.m. featuring Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, Superintendent Jim Tager, Earl Johnson, Executive Director Leadership Development for Flagler County Schools, and Randy Stroud, Director, Domestic and Homeland Security for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Space is limited and advance registration is required on The Flagler Tiger Bay website at www.FlaglerTigerBayClub.com. The event will be held at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. The panel discussion includes risk assessments, mitigation, preventative measures and deterrence, security, response, recovery, and community healing with regards to school safety. The panel will also cover how Flagler County is positioned, what plans and programs Flagler County has in place, what have been some of the results, and what local concerns are.

The Wadsworth Elementary School Advisory Council and PTO meet at 6 p.m. in the school’s media center.

The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s most daring and unpredictable open mic event, is scheduled for its monthly edition at its new venue at the Hidden Treasures Restaurant, 820 Moody Ln, Flagler Beach. Each month some of the most creative, innovative performances a person could ever hope to experience take place at The Inspired Mic. 14 presenters each month pull out slices of talent and genius to entertain the audience. Each presenter gets 7 minutes to present on a very eclectic blend of their genius. Hidden Treasures Restaurant, 820 Moody Ln, Flagler Beach (under the bridge). Doors open at 6 p.m. and presenters begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 advance, available at theinspiredmicus.com, or $15 at the door. The ticket includes one drink and entry into a drawing with a prize of $25 cash or a $50 gift certificate to The Hidden Treasures.

“Stayin’ Alive” at the Flagler Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Science Café at Stetson’s Gillespie Museum: Calcite in Florida/Three Florida Geologists, 7-8:30 p.m. Join three of the state’s renowned geologists to discuss Florida calcite and the geological processes, which have created our most common and most beautiful mineral. Tom Scott, Emeritus Geologist and Harley Means, the Assistant State Geologist, both of the Florida Geological Survey, will be joined by Sam Upchurch, Department of Geology, University of South Florida, to discuss their digs, finds and decades of research. 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.

Through Sunday: City Repertory Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of “Taming of the Shrew,” under the big top tent at the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, 1500 Central Avenue (Town Center). Last year’s performances of Macbeth sold out, so get your tickets early: Opening night reception on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., $60 for the general public, $50 for Palm Coast Arts Foundation members. Feb. 22 and 23, performances are at 7 p.m., $30 for the general public, $25 for foundation members, $10 for students. Feb. 24 performance at 2 p.m. Call 386/225-4394. Or buy tickets online here.

Through Sunday: On Stage: “[title of show]” with Music by Jeff Bowen and Book by Hunter Bell, at Stetson’s Second Stage Theatre, 600 North Woodland Boulevard, DeLand. Call 386/822-7266. Jeff and Hunter, two self-confessed nobodies in New York, make a pact: They will write an original musical and submit it to a festival. The only catch? The deadline is in three weeks! No worries though. They’ll just write a musical about writing a musical. Frequently hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, and thoroughly inspiring, [title of show] is a love story celebrating individuality and creativity. All shows 8 pm except for Sunday at 3 p.m.

Staring Today, through May 3: Florida Calcite: Rare Specimens of a Common Mineral, at Stetson’s Gillespie Museum: This exhibit, from the personal collection of Tom Scott, Ph.D., Emeritus Geologist, Florida Geological Survey, provides a unique opportunity to view uncommon specimens of our state’s unofficial mineral, calcite. Scott has collected from quarries, underwater caves and limestone seams during his four decades as a professional geologist. From cave pearls to crystal-filled fossils, these natural formations offer a rare perspective on the state’s geologic history. 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.

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.

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):

• Thursday: Metro Diner, 250 Palm Coast Parkway, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 11 a.m. to 5 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.

Segment 2 (South 22^nd Street to South 9^th Street) Project Update

 Lane and Road Closures:

• Residents are advised that several side streets will be closed at S.R. A1A to accommodate removal of barrier wall on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • The contractor will close all side streets from South 19^th Street to South 13^th Street at S.R. A1A. Traffic will not be able to turn onto or off of S.R. A1A at those side streets.
  • Local traffic will be able to access driveways on the side streets between Central Avenue and S.R. A1A.
• Single lane closures with flagging operations will continue on this segment. Motorists are asked to use caution and be prepared to stop.

Dune Walkovers:

The project team has announced that reconstruction of the walkovers is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2019. This timeframe is based on the current work schedule. Please note the schedule may be affected by weather or unforeseen circumstances. All walkovers impacted by construction will be restored to their pre-construction condition. The project team is taking care to store materials for each walkover separately, and is taking photographs to ensure walkovers are reconstructed to the way they were before work began.

 Please note that the walkovers must remain closed during construction for safety reasons. The walkovers had to be removed to accommodate the temporary pavement for the northbound travel lane that will be used during construction. Walkovers remain open to the north and south of the project.

Segment 3 (North 18^th Street to Osprey Drive) Project Update

New Traffic Pattern Starting Friday, Feb. 15:

• The contractor will be shifting the travel lanes along S.R. A1A slightly to the west to accommodate work on the buried seawall.
  • The new pattern will maintain one lane in each direction along S.R. A1A between North 18^th Street and Osprey Drive.
• Single lane closures with flagging operations will be in place on Thursday.

Dune Walkovers:

The contractor will continue to remove dune walkovers as needed to accommodate construction of the buried seawall. The affected dune walkovers include both public and private walkovers between North 18^th Street and Osprey Drive. By contract, all affected dune walkovers will be reconstructed once work is complete to their pre-construction condition. The contractor is carefully removing and storing separately the existing materials for each walkover. Photographs also are being taken to document existing conditions and will be used to assist with reconstruction.

 Please note that the walkovers must remain closed during construction for safety reasons.

The project team has announced that reconstruction of the walkovers is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2019. This timeframe is based on the current work schedule. Please note the schedule may be affected by weather or unforeseen circumstances.

The contractor has 300 days to complete the work.

See Also:

• In Flagler Beach, A1A Shops and Restaurants Hope Their ‘Open For Business’ Signs Are Louder Than Road Construction
• $22.4 Million A1A Rebuilding and Sea Wall Construction in Flagler Beach Starts in January
• A New, Not Much Improved A1A in Flagler Beach: Median, 30MPH, Drainage, But No Added Protection
• Council Endorses Raising Flagler’s Tourism Tax to 5% to Pay For Beach Repairs
• FDOT’s Regional Construction Page

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:

• Roundabout Construction on US1 and Old Dixie Begins: Be Prepared For Traffic Shifts and Single Lanes
• Roundabout Construction at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Begins in Weeks; Expect Detours
• Strident Opposition to Roundabout at US1 and Old Dixie Even As Another Crash Results In Critical Injury
• FDOT’s Project Page

Announcements:

Flagler Beach Citizens Academy: Eight consecutive Wednesdays beginning on March 6, 2019, running through April 24, 2019, from 2 to 5 p.m. Learn all there is to know about the history of your city, how your government works and is financed, and the responsibilities of staff and elected officials. Tour your city’s recreational, first responder, library, and public works facilities. Discover plans for the city’s future and opportunities for resident involvement. These sessions are open to anyone residing within the City of Flagler Beach. There will be a limit of 20 participants. Registration applications are available at City Hall, Building Department, Library, Police Department, Fire Department and on our City’s website (www.cityofflaglerbeach.com). All applications must be received by February 22, 2019. Jane Mealy, Commissioner City of Flagler Beach PO Box 70 Flagler Beach, FL 32136 You will then receive a detailed schedule of the sessions and where each will be held. If you have any questions, contact Jane Mealy at: 439-4811 [email protected].

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.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA GETS FOCUS: The House Appropriations Committee will take up a bill (HB 7015), sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, that would eliminate a ban on smoking medical marijuana. The ban was included in a 2017 law that was designed to carry out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. Also, the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to receive a presentation on numerous issues in the medical-marijuana system. (Thursday, House Appropriations, 8 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol. Also, Senate Appropriations, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BEACH PROJECTS CONSIDERED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 325), filed by Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, that would revise criteria used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in ranking beach-management projects for funding. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

LOCAL REGULATIONS TARGETED: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 3), filed by Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, that would place restrictions on the ability of local governments to regulate businesses. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HUNTING RULES ON TABLE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conclude a two-day meeting with topics such as the agency’s legislative budget requests, new hunting rules for 2019-2020 and the establishment of annual bag limits for deer hunting. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd., Gainesville.)

SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

UTILITY BALLOT MEASURE AT ISSUE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will hold a workshop about a proposed constitutional amendment that would overhaul the state’s electric utility industry. The proposal, backed by the political committee Citizens for Energy Choices, calls for wholesale and retail electricity markets to “be fully competitive so that electricity customers are afforded meaningful choices among a wide variety of competing electricity providers.” It would establish a right for customers to choose electricity providers and would limit the role of investor-owned electric utilities — private companies such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power Co. — to constructing, operating and repairing transmission and distribution systems. The political committee has submitted enough petition signatures to trigger a Florida Supreme Court review of the ballot wording. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

APALACHICOLA RIVER BRIDGE DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a “kickoff” meeting on a State Road 20 Apalachicola River bridge project. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Civic Center, 10405 N.W. Theo Jacobs Way, Bristol.)

 

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

 

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

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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 Feb. 15, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-feb-15-2019-developments.pdf

Cultural Coda

Johann Sebastian Bach: Triosonata in C Minor BWV 526, Katja Sager, organ

Previous Codas:

• J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 525, Doug Marshall, Organ
• Willie Nelson and His Sons Discuss Growing up on Tour and Performing as a Family
• Sulkhan Tsintsadze: Miniatures for String Quartet
• Joseph Marx: Trio-Phantasie (1914)
• George Antheil: Violin Sonata Nr. 2
• Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 20
• Vaughan Williams: Rhosymedre (US Marine Band)
• Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Maja Babyszka, piano
• Abel Carlevaro: Tamboriles
• Leonora Spangenberger (13) plays Heitor Villa Lobos’s Etude No 9
• Michel Sardou: Le France
• Smetana: Má Vlast / Kubelík Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Leontyne Price: the Interview
• Florence Price’s Fantaisie Negre, Performed by Elijah Stevens
• Jean Sibelius, Tapiola: Schlosstheater Schönbrunn, Orchestra of the Slovak Philharmony