Wednesday Briefing: Heat Index to 107, The Gardens Get Technical, Art League's Photo Winners

fcal winners 2019 — The Flagler County Art League’s “Just Photography” Show that opened Saturday night turned out to be one of the group’s biggest midyear shows ever—more than 100 entries in categories ranging from landscapes to street scenes to portraits, photographic art, animals, architecture and others. This even though many locals leave town for cooler temperatures around now. The quality was stunning and striking, making selection of winners a tough one, according to the show judge, Eric Breitenbach, senior professor at Daytona State College’s Southeast Center for Photographic Studies. “As always, the photography from the Flagler/Palm Coast community is at a very high level of achievement,” he said. “It was difficult to select the winning images; the competition was frequently a toss-up between two or even three images for an award. The bird photography alone could have garnered several more awards if the number of awards in that category was higher” Top winners included Dave Bowers, with a Best of Show photographic art rendering of a bird that could have doubled as an oil painting. First of Show was Tom Silvey for his architecture work, “Bridge” which the judge said had “exquisite elements of design.” See a full list of winners below, under Announcements. Above, the winners, from left, Lisette Otero-Lewis, Robyn Cowlan, Caryn Lutz, Berdella Gibbs, Tom Silvey, Hanneke Jevons, Vincent Zuniaga, Janet Bernardini and Steven DiMaria. (FCAL)

Today: Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Heat index readings 103 to 107. Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 mph.
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: 139
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: auxiliary.
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

“If I had written these impressions in 1999, there would have been less talk of economic malaise and of Japanese wizardry. I would have felt compelled to mention, however, the President who, though exemplary in many respects, with a continuing high job rating, has shrouded the White House, partly through his own doing, in an atmosphere of scandal and rumor, evasion and counterspin, to the point of national demoralization. Our great Republic deserves better from above, one can’t help thinking, than this relentless rain of tawdriness.”

–John Updike, from “More Matter” (2009).

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.

The Flagler County Technical Review Committee meets at 9 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of the Government Services Building, Bunnell. The committee hears a land use amendment for The Gardens, the planned development straddling John Anderson Highway that would bring 3,966 homes and apartment units to the area over a generation. The proposal is generating controversy. See the developer’s perspective here, and the account of a town meeting on the development here.

The Tourist Development Council meets at 10 a.m. in board chambers at Government Services Building, Bunnell.

The Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center.

The Flagler Beach Economic Development Task Force meets at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 105 S 2nd St.

Road Closure at U.S. 1 near White Eagle this week: Road closures are in effect to accommodate construction of the roundabout. Closures are as follows:

• Drivers heading to northbound U.S. 1 will turn left onto Seminole Woods Boulevard to U.S. 1.

• Drivers heading to southbound U.S. 1 will turn right onto Seminole Woods Boulevard, and right onto State Road (S.R.) 100 to take southbound I-95 to U.S. 1 (Exit 273).

Old Dixie Highway:

• Traffic heading to southbound U.S. 1 will take Interstate 95 (I-95) south to Exit 273 for U.S. 1.

• Old Dixie Highway traffic heading to northbound U.S. 1 can take I-95 north to S.R. 100 (Exit 284) and travel east to southbound Seminole Woods Boulevard to U.S. 1. More details 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:

Wednesday – 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Inert
8 p.m. to 1 a.m. – LIVE/Inert
Thursday – 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. – Inert
2 p.m. to 1 a.m. – LIVE/Inert
Friday – 1 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. – LIVE/Inert
Saturday – 7:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – LIVE/Inert
Sunday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 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.

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):

Friday: Starbucks in the Target shopping Center, State Road 100, Palm Coast, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: Starbucks at 250 Palm Coast Parkway, Island Walk, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Starbucks at 250 Palm Coast Parkway, Island Walk, 10 a.m. to 4 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.

IMPORTANT: Safety in the Work Zone: Drivers are reminded to obey all posted speed limits, and to be alert to vehicles turning onto northbound S.R. A1A from side streets or businesses. Pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to remain aware as construction activities continue and designated pathways are moved. Please use extra caution walking, bicycling or driving through the area. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Last Updated: July 15

Protecting Turtles

Now that turtle nesting season has started in the Flagler Beach area, local Turtle Patrol volunteers are checking the beach within the project limits every day to locate any new nests. In Segment 3, north of North 18th Street, work cannot begin until the beach is checked. If a nest is discovered, the nest will be marked, and work will not be allowed within 10 feet of the nest, as specified in the environmental permits issued for this project.

The Turtle Patrol also is monitoring the beach in the project limits of Segment 1, from South 25th Street to South 22nd Street, where plans call for dune revetment involving additional sand and plants.

Segment 1 South 25th Street to South 22nd Street):

The contractor this week also finished all work on Segment 1 with installation of the final plants.

Segment 2 (South 22nd Street to South 9th Street):

Crews are removing the old water main between South 13^th Street and South 17^th Street. French drain construction continues between South 18^th and South 15^th streets.

Sidewalk installation is expected between South 16^th and South 17^th streets. Roadway construction is underway south of South 18^th Street.

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

The contractor reached a major milestone this week, finishing the installation of more than 1,800 concrete piles that will form the buried secant wall.

Crews are continuing to place the concrete cap on the piles, place sand on top of the cap and install plants. The contractor expects to finish the wall cap in about three weeks.

Excavation of the drainage swale between the roadway and dune also has begun.

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:

I-95 Construction, Repaving: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., single lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line. Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 7 a.m., double lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line.

See this week’s full Interstate Construction Report for Flagler, Volusia and St. Johns here.

Announcements/Press Releases:

Here’s a list of the Flagler County Art League’s 2019 ‘Just Photography’ Show, as judged by Eric Breitenbach, senior professor at Daytona State College’s Southeast Center for Photographic Studies:

Best of Show: #5 “Always Aware” Photographic Art by David Bowers

First of Show: #82 “Bridge” Architecture by Tom Silvey

Second of Show: #23 “Passion” Portrait by Stephen DiMaria

Third of Show: #3 “Awakenings” Land/Sea/Cityscapes by Janet Bernardini

Judge’s Choice: #11 “Shell Ginger” Floral by Robyn Cowlan

First Place – Animals: #45 “Freedom Flight” by Hanneke Jevons

Second Place – Animals: #13 “Snowy Egret Chicks” by Robyn Cowlan

First Place – Photographic Art: #35 “Pineapple” by Berdella Gibbs

First Place – Black & White: #46 “Chicago Reflections #1” by Hanneke Jevons

First Place – Portrait: # 72 “Mississippi Youth Innocence” by Lisette Otero-Lewis

First Place – Land/Sea/Cityscapes: # 101 “Moving Water” by Vincent Zuniaga

Second Place – Land/Sea/Cityscapes: #58 “Ageless Beauty!” By Caryn Lutz

First Place – Street Scenes/Photojournalism: #7 “Never To Be Forgotten” by David Bowers

Second Place – Street Scenes/Photojournalism: # 60 “The Simple Life!” By Caryn Lutz

The remaining Categories were grouped due to low entry counts: Other, Sports, Architecture, Macro, Floral, Still Life

First Place: # 17 “Sunflowers in Vase” Still Life by Bob Currul

Second Place: #84 “A Quiet Spot” Other by Tom Silvey

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.

EDUCATION BOARD EYES ‘TURNAROUND’ PLANS: The State Board of Education will take up a series of issues, including “turnaround option” plans for schools in Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Marion, Polk and Volusia counties. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Polk State College, Lakeland Campus, Technology Building, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland.)

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING DETAILED: The Florida Chamber Foundation will hold an “Environmental Permitting Summer School,” which will provide an overview of state environmental, energy and growth-management laws, rules and programs. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, 400 South Collier Blvd., Marco Island.)

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will start a two-day meeting in Martin County, with issues expected to include fishing regulations for blackfin tuna and regulations for shrimp fishing in inland waters in Northeast Florida. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Marriott Resort Hutchinson Island, 555 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart.)

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will meet to discuss issues in advance of a July 25 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

KIDCARE CONSIDERED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will consider caseloads in the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, 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 June 28, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-june-28-2019-development.pdf

Cultural Coda

Corelli: Concerto in D Major Op. 6 No. 4, complete. Voices of Music; original instruments