Tuesday Briefing: Manager Decision Time in Palm Coast, Peyton Lescher's Win, A1A Construction Update, DSC's Veterans

thomas media — Four musicians competed Sunday in the final round of a 1st time competition known as Stars Over the Hammock. One was chosen for a spot to sing as a highlight at the Flagler County Seafood Festival next weekend. The competition featured many local singers, professional and amateur alike, over several rounds. Peyton Lescher won. Taking 4th place was Wayne Reynolds, 3rd place Adrian McDowell, 2nd place Heather Morin. Hammock Wine & Cheese and Thomas Media Solutions raised $250 to support the Flagler Technical Institute Scholarship Fund which assists students at the Flagler district’s technical school. If you would like to set up a fundraiser or donate to the FTI Scholarship Fund, which helps students in Flagler County with Adult Education and Career-Ready Training, contact Travis Thomas (386) 447-4345 ext-1206. (Joyce E Connolly Photography)

Monday: Not as warm. Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Ton ihgt: Partly cloudy. Lows around 60. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.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: 187
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: newspeak.
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

“The gun rights movement was tightly bound to anti-immigrant animus. The NRA turned itself from a sporting and hunting association into a powerhouse political interest group during the very years that hostility against immigration was on the rise.”

–Jill Lepore, from “These Truths: A History of the United States” (2018).

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.

It’s spring break for Flagler County schools all week. No school.

In Court: Michael Cummings, accused of first-degree murder in the death of his wife Faith Cummings at their Point Pleasant home in 2018, and Keith Johansen, accused of second-degree murder in the death of his wife Brandi Celenza at their home on Palm Coast’s Felter Lane, are scheduled for a pre-trial at 8:30 a.m. before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse. (2018CF000058 and 2018CF000426)

Palm Coast Manager: The Palm Coast City Council meets in special session at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The council is expected to make its choice on a new city manager, from among four. See the background story here.

The Palm Coast City Council meets in workshop immediately after its 9 a.m. special meeting. The council will discuss an agreement with Grand Haven to provide code enforcement services as they apply to hazardous trees within Grand Haven.

The Palm Coast Leisure Services Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center.

The Flagler County Affordable Housing Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Financial Services Conference Room, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, Third Floor, Bunnell.

The Flagler County Planning and Development Board meets at 6 p.m. in Board Chambers at the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, first floor, Bunnell.

Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins hosts a Community Outreach Meeting to share information and discuss community issues at Haw Creek Community Center, 9257 County Road 304, Bunnell, 6 p.m.

The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board meets after holding committee meetings starting at 10 a.m., 4049 Reid St., Palatka.

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:

Wednesday: 9:15 a.m. to 4 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 <http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/bear/wise/neighborhood/> 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.

COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON HEALTH ISSUES (closes March 15): 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):

Wednesday: Flagler Health Department, 301 Dr. Carter Boulevard, Bunnell, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday: The Windsor Assisted Living, 50 Town Court, Palm Coast, 1 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Bealls, 1210 Palm Coast Parkway, 2 to 5 p.m.
Saturday: Palm Coast Seafood Festival in Town Center’s Central Park, 2 to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Palm Coast Seafood Festival in Town Center’s Central Park, 2 to 7 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 22nd to South 9th Street:

The contractor has begun placing silt fence for erosion control, and will be excavating along Segment 2, from South 22^nd Street to South 9^th Street.

Property owners who have irrigation lines within the Florida Department of Transportation right of way are advised to cap or relocate those lines.

The right of way is marked by stakes. If you have an irrigation line that sits to the east of the stakes, the irrigation is within the work area.

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.

Caution! Flagler Beach police and and Sherriff’s deputies are actively monitoring speed and writing tickets. “I got a warning on north section of A1A before construction actually began so I keep to the 25 limit, but still getting tailgated by cars wanting to go faster,” a reader tells us.

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.

The Florida Department of Transportation will be closing Old Dixie Highway and C.R. 325 at U.S. 1 on Monday night, March 4, from about 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The closure is needed to allow the contractor to make improvements to the crossover at the temporary intersection. U.S. 1 will remain open in both directions.

More details here.

See Also:

Announcements:

Palm Coast Parks & Rec offers new adaptive recreation programs for spring: Palm Coast – Palm Coast Parks & Rec is offering two, NEW adaptive recreation programs for spring which are Move to Groove and Chair Zumba. This is the first time Parks & Rec has hosted adaptive sports, recreation and social programs, which are offered to youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. These programs are designed for individuals who can function independently while in a group setting with the supervision of staff. Move to Groove is a free class featuring a Zumba lesson followed by an open dance party to popular songs. Come show off your best moves! It is offered Friday, March 15 from 5-6:30 p.m. for grades 3-8 at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. If you like Zumba, Chair Zumba is a new adaptive recreation program that provides easy movements to increase strength and flexibility in your arms, legs and core muscles. This is offered Friday, April 12 from 9-9:45 a.m. for ages 13+ at the Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool classroom, 339 Parkview Dr. If interested in either class, please register at parksandrec.fun/wellness. For more information, please call Parks & Rec at 386-986-2323.

DSC again ranks among top online bachelor’s degree programs for veterans: Daytona State College continues to place in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings for online bachelor’s programs – this time for military veterans. The publication’s listing of America’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Military Veterans ranked Daytona State No. 25 among over 700 colleges and universities across the nation. It is the fifth consecutive year that the college made the top-tier ranking. “This is another acknowledgement of our commitment to provide a positive college experience for our former servicemen and women,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “It reinforces the excellence of our faculty and staff, who are honored to serve our veterans, whether online or in person, and help them to complete their programs successfully.” To be considered for the latest veteran-focused rankings, institutions had to be among the top 50 percent of the 2019 Best Online Bachelor’s Program rankings. In addition, the programs had to belong to institutions that are certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, two federal initiatives that help veterans reduce the cost of school. In January this year, Daytona State also earned a top-tier ranking in the U.S. News overall best online bachelor’s program rankings, coming in at No. 33 overall. It was the sixth straight year Daytona State, the only Florida College System institution in the rankings, placed among the best with its fully online Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Also in January, Daytona State was named one of the nation’s top schools to earn an online Bachelor of Information Technology degree by CyberDegrees.org, a Washington, D.C.-based company dedicated to providing the most comprehensive information available to aspiring students of cyber security. DSC ranked 8th and was the only state college among a field of universities that placed in the top 20. The CyberDegree rankings were based on criteria that included program-specific accreditation, quality markers and outside rankings. The top schools earned their place based on past and present U.S. News & World Report rankings, program completion rates and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) program accreditation.

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.

ANTI-SEMITISM TARGETED: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 741), filed by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, that would make a series of changes in state law to try to combat anti-Semitism. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SOUGHT: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 19), filed by Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, that would create a program aimed at importing cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The bill comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced support for such a program. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LOCAL TAXES EYED: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 15), filed by Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, that would seek to increase “transparency” about local taxes, including requiring additional public meetings and notices before local officials could vote on tax increases or issuing debt. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CRAFT DISTILLERIES ON AGENDA: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will consider three bills that deal with regulation of alcoholic beverages, including a proposal (HB 1229), filed by Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, that would revamp regulations for craft distilleries. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL BOARD TERM LIMITS DEBATED: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will take up a proposal (SJR 274), filed by Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, that seeks to impose eight-year term limits on county school board members. The measure is a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask voters in 2020 to approve the term limits. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SANCTUARY CITIES AT ISSUE: The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee will consider a bill (SB 168), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that would seek to block so-called sanctuary cities in Florida. The proposal seeks to ensure local governments comply with requests from federal immigration authorities. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONFERENCE HELD: The Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida is scheduled to hold a day-long conference on medical marijuana issues. Speakers are expected to include Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Florida State University, Turnbull Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

RIGHTS RESTORATION ON TABLE: The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which led efforts to pass a constitutional amendment in November, will hold a news conference as part of an advocacy day at the Capitol. The constitutional amendment called for automatically restoring the rights of most felons who have fulfilled terms of their sentences. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., third-floor rotunda, the Capitol.)

—-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 March 1, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-march-2019-developments.pdf

Cultural Coda

Jacques Loussier Trio Plays Bach

Jacques Loussier died last week at age 84. From The Guardian: “When Loussier began applying jazz improvisation and swing to Johann Sebastian Bach’s exquisite symmetries, some jazz pundits and fans dismissed it as a betrayal of an African-American music’s expressive earthiness and blues roots, aimed at an audience that preferred its jazz pretty rather than passionate. And from the classical angle, observers were liable to perceive the young Frenchman’s work as little short of vandalism. The New York Times critic John Rockwell’s review of a Loussier concert at Carnegie Hall in 1975 reflected that distaste when he proclaimed: “There is a certain sort of sensibility that is actively appalled by the very notion of ‘popularising’ Bach – or any classical composer, for that matter. This listener’s sensibility is one of those, and so he found the Tuesday evening performance at a sparsely attended Carnegie Hall by the Jacques Loussier Trio tiresome and offensive.” Nonetheless, the success of concerts and recordings by Loussier and his Play Bach trio (originally formed with the eminent Paris jazz sidemen Pierre Michelot on bass and Christian Garros on drums) took off almost overnight from the group’s first appearances in 1959 – shifting millions of Play Bach recordings in the almost two-decade life of the original band.”