Weekend:: Partly cloudy with highs in the lower 80s throughout, with variable chances of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday, lows in the 60s. 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: 124
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: hoopla.
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
“So the first step in learning our new role in world affairs is not one which can be taken by technicians in the State Department, or even by political leaders. It has to be taken by individual Americans, in the privacy of their own homes, hearts and souls. It involves a conscious acceptance of Christian humility–a recognition that we are never going to solve many of the hard problems of the world, but will simply have to learn to live with them, for years, maybe for centuries.”
–Adlai Stevenson, from “Call to Greatness” (1954).
Previously:
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, Friday: 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. Closing arguments today start at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse, with a verdict expected later today. 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.
Friday: The Scenic A1A PRIDE Committee meets at 9 a.m. at the Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Rd. off A1A.
Friday: The Daytona Beach Symphony Society presents the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, with Jeremy Denk, Conductor and Piano, at the Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach. Call 386/671-3462 or book tickets here. Prices $51 to $82. 7 p.m.
Friday: Stetson University Symphonic Band, Douglas Phillips, conductor. The Stetson University Symphonic Band has established a committed tradition of performance excellence and shares the mission of Stetson University through transformative concert experiences presenting inspiring, engaging and exciting performances. Please join the Stetson Symphonic Band for a Friday evening of great musical variety. 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. Admission: $10 adults, $5 youth and students and free for ages 12 and under. Tickets are available at the door or at www.stetson.edu/music-tickets.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: “A Bad Year For Tomatoes,” at the Daytona Playhouse, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. The very funny misfortunes of a famous television actress who seeks to “get away from it all” in a small New England town without much luck given her noisy, omnipresent neighbors. A delightful light-hearted comedy. Directed by Larrie Tiffany. Daytona Playhouse, 100 Jessamine Blvd., Daytona Beach. Tickets are $20. Book here.
Saturday: Yoga on the Beach from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Old SDalt Park, 200 16th Road in the Hammock. Call 904/514-3598. Every Saturday.
Saturday: Flagship/Career and Technical Education Showcase at the Buddy Taylor/Wadsworth Elementary cafeteria starting at 10 a.m.
Saturday: First Aid & CPR/AED 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Palm Coast Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Pkwy. This class is a seven-hour course (one hour for lunch) designed to meet OSHA regulations and teach administering CPR to children and adults, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), using a mask or barrier device, assisting with bleeding, broken bones. $50/person with pre-registration required by 9 a.m. Feb. 21. Sign up at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: [email protected] or 386-986-2300.
Sunday: AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation’s 10th Annual Moonlit Gala, a black-tie event to benefit AdventHealth Palm Coast’s Freytag Children’s Rehabilitation Center for pediatric rehabilitation, as well as diabetes education and other community programs. The day starts with golf at Grand Haven Golf Club, 500 Riverfront Dr., then the gala starting at 5 p.m. at Hammock Beach Resort, 200 Ocean Crest Dr., Palm Coast.
Sunday: Great Pianists at Stetson series: Ignat Solzhenitsyn, piano. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear this world-renowned artist perform live at Stetson! His program includes works by Scriabin, Scarlatti, Debussy and Mozart. Ignat Aleksandrovich Solzhenitsyn is a Russian-American conductor and pianist. He is the conductor laureate of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the principal guest conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. http://ignatsolzhenitsyn.com 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.
Sunday: “Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes” at the Flagler Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: The Daytona State College and Community Flute Choir, directed by Paige Dashner Long, presents a beautiful concert of light classical, sacred and popular music. The ensemble will use instruments from the entire flute family including piccolo, Eb soprano flute, concert flute, Bb flute d’amour, alto flute, bass flute, contrabass flute and the Kotato double contrabass flute (one of four in the world). The concert is free and open to all. Invite family and friends, at Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, 3:30 p.m.
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.
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):
- 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 |
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 22nd Street to South 9th 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 19th Street to South 13th 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 18th 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 18th 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 18th 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
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.
JEFFRIES SPEAKS TO TIGER BAY: U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. (Friday, 11:30 a.m. Citrus Club, 255 South Orange Ave., 18th Floor, Orlando.)
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AT LGBTA EVENT: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, state House members Shevrin Jones, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Jennifer Webb and Anna Eskamani are expected to speak at the LGBTA Democratic Caucus winter conference. Jones will be part of a panel discussion that starts at 9 a.m., while Fried, Gillum, Smith, Webb and Eskamani are slated to speak at a dinner that starts at 7:30 p.m. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Lexington Hotel and Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville.)
—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive
In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:
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
Pogo says
@Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Mack Gaston.
Mack was born in Dalton, Georgia in July 1940. He graduated from high school in 1958 as valedictorian. Mack went on to attend Tuskegee University and joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps for two years. He also earned a master’s in business administration from Marymount University. In August 1964, he received an offer to join the Navy.
While serving in the Navy, Mack commanded numerous ships and bases. He was the commander of two destroyers as well as the cruiser USS Josephus Daniels. On land, he was a commander of the Defense Nuclear Agency and was also the first African American commander of Naval Training Center Great Lakes in Illinois. In 1995, he retired from the Navy as a rear admiral having received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal as well as many others.
In retirement, Mack worked as a senior executive at Waste Management, Inc. and Electronic Data Systems. He passed away at his home in Illinois in December 2018.
We honor his service.
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/56779/navy-veteran-mack-gaston/
Pogo says
@Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran John R. Fox. John served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II.
John was a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry, 92nd Infantry Division near the town of Sommocolonia, Italy in December 1944. He served as a forward observer for his division and the 598th Field Artillery Battalion. On Christmas night, German soldiers sieged his division. John directed defensive fires from the second floor of a local house. He called for artillery fire close to his own position telling his battalion commander, “That was just where I wanted it. Bring it in 60 yards!”
His commander refused and cut the distance of fire in half, but as the Germans pressed closer, John insisted for artillery fire. The last radio communication from John was, “Fire it! There’s more of them than there are of us. Give them hell!” John passed away during this artillery exchange, but his actions delayed the German’s advances and gave the infantry units time to reorganize.
John was awarded the Medal of Honor for his selfless sacrifice.
We honor his service.
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/56808/army-veteran-john-r-fox/
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
– John 15:13, Holy Bible, KJV