The Palm Coast City Council approves a $175,000-a-year contract with City Manager Denise Bevan and appoints a new councilman to the seat vacated by Victor Barbosa. The school board meets and discusses its library policy and the district’s dress code.
All Else
Ukraine War Kills Long-Spurious ‘Clash of Civilizations’ Theory
By Katherine Bullock “The clash of civilizations,” wrote the late American political scientist Samuel Huntington in a famous 1993 article, “will dominate global politics.” He predicted: “The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future.” Picked apart by critics for conceptual and empirical errors, the tragedy of 9/11 breathed new life […]
In Place of Old Dixie Motel Relic, Developers Promise a Jazzed Up ‘Henry Hotel,’ With a Year’s Construction
Representatives of the new owners of the long-derelict motel on Old Dixie Highway unveiled plans for a 96-room upscale hotel called “The Henry Hotel” that would be built in a year’s time, but some questions remain about the project’s timeline.
Florida Gas Prices Drop 20 Cents in Nine Days, But Expect Rollercoaster
The price of oil suffered steep losses last week, enabling the price of gasoline to back off from record highs. But the declines may be temporary: a barrel of oil was again trading above $110 today, after falling below $100 last week. Motorists may have to brace themselves for a rollercoaster ride ahead.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 21, 2022
The Flagler County Commission has an overflowing agenda–school impact fees, Eagle Lakes development, a comprehensive plan update. Twitter is 16 years old but still acting 7, Matthew Broderick at 60.
Covid’s ‘Silver Lining’: Research Breakthroughs for Chronic Disease, Cancer, and the Common Flu
Building on the success of mRNA vaccines for covid, scientists hope to create mRNA-based vaccines against influenza, Zika, rabies, HIV, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which hospitalizes 3 million children under age 5 each year worldwide. Researchers see promise in mRNA to treat cancer, cystic fibrosis, and rare, inherited metabolic disorders, although potential therapies are still many years away.
The Jesuits, Lightning Rods of Controversy
Jesuits have worn many hats: missionaries, educators and preachers; writers and scientists; priests with the poor and confessors to the royal courts of Europe. They are also among the church’s more controversial groups.
Sunshine Sunday: Keeping Open Government From Eclipse in Florida
Today, there are 1,138 exemptions to Florida’s open government laws, almost 200 more than 20 years ago, and growing. The public cannot simply rely on the good-natured commitment of those in government to safeguard transparency. Sunshine Week is the collective national effort to keep government doors to the public open, and its roots began in Florida.
Annual Blessing of the Fleet at Palm Coast Yacht Club April 2
Palm Coast’s traditional Blessing of the Fleet returns to the city once again under the auspices of the Palm Coast Yacht Club on Saturday, April 2 at 3 p.m. All boaters near and far are invited to participate.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 20, 2021
“The Revolutionists,” at City Repertory Theatre, Francois Couperin’s “Mysterious Barricades,” and winter’s last cool blast.
Mason-Dixon 2.0: Some States Make It Easier To Vote, Some Harder.
There’s been a good deal of crying foul about what are being called anti-democratic new state laws that make it harder to vote. But it turns out such laws might have little impact on voter turnout and vote margins in an election.
A Fringe Legal Theory Could Reshape State Election Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court this month left open the possibility that it could endorse a fringe conservative legal theory–the “independent state legislature doctrine”–that would give state legislatures unchecked powers over election rules before the 2024 presidential election.
‘Is Our Democracy At Risk?’ Answer Question in Flagler/Volusia ACLU Essay Contest; $850 in Prize Money
If you’re a high school student in Flagler or Volusia counties, here’s your chance to answer the question in an original essay of up to 2,000 words and participate in the ACLU of Florida’s annual essay contest, with cash prizes sponsored by FlaglerLive. The deadline is April 4.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 19, 2022
Flagler Reads Together’s “Hidden Figures” Movie Matinee, CRT’s “The Revolutionists,” Palm Coast Historical Society Speaker Series, Philip Roth, William Jennings Bryan.
Sanctions Will Not Push Russians to Abandon Putin
Russians are used to turmoil and instability. They endured cruel social experiments during the 20th century, and the early 21st, performed upon them by their own political leadership.
Man Accused of Terrorism Embroils Palm Coast Organization in Controversy Over Ukrainian Orphans
A Palm Coast non-profit called Loving Families and Homes for Orphans, caring for Ukrainian children, is being unfairly tarnished by the involvement with the non-profit of Matt Shea, a Spokane, Wash., man accused of domestic terrorism and tied to hate groups, the husband of the non-profit’s leader says.
Cornelius Baker’s Death Sentence Commuted to Life In Prison 15 Years After Murder of Elizabeth Uptagrafft in Bunnell Woods
It took Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano three minutes to put an end to the 15-year murder and death penalty case of Cornelius Baker, who, with Patricia Roosa, on Jan. 7, 2007, murdered Elizabeth Uptagrafft after beating her and her family and kidnapping her from her home in Daytona Beach.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, March 18, 2022
Cornelius Baker’s likely final and most fateful sentencing, “The Revolutionists,” at City Repertory Theatre, John Calhoun, and a few reflections on John Updike on his 90th birth anniversary.
Ukraine, a New Spanish Civil War? Not Quite.
Tempting as it is to compare the Spanish Civil War and Ukraine in how they drew foreign fighters, doing so does more to obscure than to explain either of the conflicts. In some instances, the analogy relies on distorted frames inherited from the Cold War; in others, it seems to be driven by blatant opportunism.
DeSantis-Backed Law Restricting Protesters’ Rights Draws Skepticism from Federal Appeals Court
An attorney for Gov. Ron DeSantis drew skepticism Thursday from a federal appeals court during arguments in a challenge to a controversial law that enhanced penalties and created new crimes in protests that turn violent.
Corporations Are Using Inflation to Cloak Price Gouging and Score Record Profits
Low-income Americans are pinching pennies to feed their families and pay their bills. And while mega-companies can use their market power to raise prices and generate record profits, small businesses and independent retailers are struggling to keep their doors open.
Four Stetson Students Place 3rd in National Ethics Competition
Graduate counseling students Nicole King (‘23), Melanie Strembel (‘23), Amber Lee (‘23) and Elizabeth Nicks (‘22) woke up on Feb. 25 to some great news. The four-person team received an email stating they placed third in the American Counseling Association (ACA) Graduate Student Ethics Competition.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, March 17, 2022
The Garden Club at Palm Coast’s Treasures in the Attic Rummage Sale, Nat King Cole, Bayard Rustin, Bret Stephens on how World War III begins.
The Risks of a No-Fly Zone in Ukraine
Implementing and enforcing a no-fly zone in Ukraine has significant risk for escalating the conflict. It would be the first U.S. imposition of a no-fly zone during an international conflict. It would also represent the first time that a nuclear power like Russia has been subject to such a ban.
8 Candidates, Most With Strong Credentials, Apply to Fill Palm Coast Council Seat Vacated by Barbosa
The eight applicants for appointment to the District 2 seat of the Palm Coast City Council are Tony Amaral Jr., Bob Coffman, John Fanelli, Larry Gross, Hung Hilton, Carl Jones Sr., Perry Mitrano and William Schreiber. The council meets in special session on March 22 to consider making the appointment, which must be final by the end of the month.
Court Ruling Stands Against School Board’s Attempt To Close Textbook Committee to Public
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to take up an appeal by the Collier County School Board in a case about whether it violated the state’s Sunshine Law in the handling of meetings of committees that evaluated and ranked textbooks.
Badass “Revolutionists” Guillotine France’s Reign of Terror in City Repertory Theatre Comedy
“The Revolutionists” features four women of revolutionary France, three of them famous in their own right, all of them feminists before their time, as they navigate the chaos, intrigue, treachery and murderous violence of France’s Reign of Terror in 1793 Paris.
Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Powell and Lawrence Return from Panhandle Wildfire Deployment
Lieutenant Jason Powell and Firefighter/Paramedic David Lawrence were deployed to Panama City, Monday afternoon, along with members of the City of Palm Coast Fire Department, St. Augustine Fire Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, and Clay County Fire Rescue as part of an engine strike team.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Palm Coast’s Reilly Opelka goes up against Nadal at Indian Wells today, the Palm Coast Planning Board and Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee handle new, big developments, today is Black Press Day.
How to Use Plantations (i.e. Forced Labor Camps) to Teach About Slavery
School boards are attempting to ban books that deal with difficult histories. Lawmakers are targeting initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. Such efforts raise questions about whether students in the U.S. will ever be able to engage in free and meaningful discussions about the history of slavery in America and the effect it had on the nation.
Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte, Unequaled in Local Leadership and Admirers, Will Retire in October
Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte, a managerial guru to some, a mentor and father figure to many, and the self-effacing, sure-handed leader of the fire and other city departments over the past several years, announced today in an emotional address to the City Council that he would be retiring in October.
We Bought a Home in the Hammock. Vacation Rentals Are Turning Our Street Into a Commercial Strip.
Angela and David Bailus bought what they thought was their dream home on Hernandez Avenue in the Hammock. Now their short street is a cluster of vacation rentals that has changed the complexion of their residential serenity into a commercial zone.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
The Palm Coast City Council meets and will hear about its financial health, it’s Food Truck Tuesday in Palm Coast’s Central Park, and if you’re into oxymorons, it is Belarus Constitution Day.
Affordable Housing Is Increasingly Scarce. Where Are Renters to Go?
Workers have faced stagnant wages for the past 40 years. Yet the cost of rent has steadily increased during that time, with sharp increases of 14% to 40% over the past two years. Now, more than ever, workers are feeling the stress of the affordable housing crisis.
Not Just in Elementary School: GOP Targets University Tenure to Mum Discussions of Race and Sex Orientation
Tenure is facing threats to its survival, at least in some parts of the country, as Republican politicians in Texas and other states push to restrict or eliminate it, with continuing efforts to restrict the teaching of race and sexual orientation in college and university classrooms.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 14, 2022
The Bunnell City Commission sets up a charter review commission and considers handing over major crime investigations to the Sheriff’s Office for $120,000 a year, An NBC radio interview with Albert Einstein upon his naturalization as an American.
The Puerility of Putin’s Machismo
A scholar who has spent years writing a book on George Washington’s leadership and masculinity has no qualms about stating that, for that long-gone generation that created an independent country, wars didn’t feed their egos.
DeSantis and Florida Republicans Discover Their Inner Soviet
It’s been a grim few weeks. Democracy, human rights and free speech are under assault as they’ve not been in generations. Misinformation and fabrications are carpet-bombing reality. Thought policing is muzzling expression and rewriting history as a worship-jerk. Individual freedom is in retreat. Authoritarianism–bullying, vengeful, exultant–is triumphant.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 13, 2022
The Flagler Playhouse’s last performance of “Company,” a Clarence Darrow special, including Henry Fonda in the one-man performance of the David Rintels play directed by John Houseman.
Understanding the Latest Oil Shock, Minus the Spin
Price shocks aren’t new. Viewed historically, they are an integral part of oil market dynamics, not anomalies. They have occurred since the birth of the industry. Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prices were climbing rapidly because of roaring demand and limited supply growth.
The Insurgent History Calendar: March 13
Clarence Darrow, the lawyer who defended murderers Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, Eugene Debs, and John Scopes in the Monkey trial, died on this day in 1938.
Illinois Could Join Vermont, Maine and DC in Allowing Imprisoned Felons to Vote
Lawmakers in Oregon considered a similar bill in February which would have restored voting rights to roughly 12,000 to 15,000 incarcerated Oregonians, but the effort failed for the second time.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 12, 2022
The Strawberry Festival in Town Center is cancelled, weather will be an issue today ahead of a freezing front, remembering Mustafa Kamal Aataturk’s role in the Armenian genocide, DeSantis as Cesar, FRD’s first Fireside Chat.
Daylight Saving Time Sucks. Here’s What You Can Do to Unsuck It.
Is there something to be done to help to deal with this loss of sleep and change of body clock timing? Of course. The first step is increasing awareness and using the power of knowledge to combat this issue. Here are some quick tips to prepare yourself for the upcoming weekend.
Palm Coast Fire Department’s Tim Wilsey Leads Series of Promotions
The Palm Coast Fire Department is proud to announce the next wave of promotions for the growth of the organization.
School Book Inquisitions and School Board Term Limits Head for Governor’s Signature
School board members soon could be limited to serving 12-year terms under a bill that is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis — but the measure also includes a controversial provision that would intensify scrutiny of school library books and instructional materials.
I’m a Christian Mom. I Love My Trans Daughter. The State Sees Me as an Abuser.
Texas Governor Abbott recently issued horrifying, unconstitutional orders directing our state’s office of Child Protective Services to investigate parents of transgender children for child abuse. The only one engaging in child abuse here is Abbott — and his equally cruel attorney general, Ken Paxton.
The Insurgent History Calendar: May 1
Daylight Saving Time, “that puzzling ritual of mass clock-winding ill befitting freeborn Americans,” as Bill Kauffman described it in a 2005 Wall Street Journal review of Spring Forward, Michael Downing’s book on that pointless, aggravating, jet-lagging ritual, was first imposed on this day in 1916fuel-conserving measure during World War I, which the United States had […]
The Insurgent History Calendar: March 12
Mustafa Kamal Aataturk, the man who modernized and secularized Turkey, led the Turkish revolution after World War I and played a significant role in the Armenian genocide, was born on this day in 1881.
Bova Again Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Mother of Six, Ending 9 Years of Trauma for Family
More than nine years after he murdered Zuheili Roman Rosado, the mother of six, at a Palm Coast convenience store, Joseph Bova II this afternoon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Again. Bova is 34.