The recommendation to hold the state’s second bear hunt in the past 20 years expands on a proposal from state biologists without offering hard numbers of bears that could be killed or suggesting a number of permits that could be made available or the costs of permits.
All Else
3 Hurt, 2 Critical: Van Dives Into Pond After Striking Matanzas Woods Exit Sign and Tree
One man was able to get out almost immediately. Two others were entrapped in the wreck at the 293 Exit on I-95. Fire rescue personnel pried out the front windshield and rescued the two passengers, who were conscious but badly hurt.
As Exceptionally American As It Gets
Our mass shootings have developed their own set rituals and denials, none so lethal as the complicity with murder that blames the wrong targets while excusing guns.
At Salvo Gallery, JJ Graham’s Burst of 50 “Builder Paintings” Brush Art For Growth’s Sake
Salvo Gallery’s indefatigable JJ Graham painted 50 works for Saturday’s now show opening as a way to fund the next stage of growth at the gallery and artist community he co-owns with Petra Iston in Bunnell.
A Flagler Beach Vigil for Massacre Victims, Flickering Grief of LGBT Community
Pulse, the scene of the massacre in Orlando, was a favored destination for the Palm Coast-Flagler gay, lesbian and transgender community, which had nothing like it nearer. The vigil will pay tribute to the victims, raise money and awareness.
Dangerous Heat Advisory Issued For Friday Afternoon, Followed by Severe Thunderstorms
The National Weather Service has issued a dangerous heat advisory for northeast Florida, including Palm Coast and Flagler County, starting this afternoon and into early evening, as temperatures combined with high humidity will result in a heat index of 105 to 100 in parts of Florida, and up to 104 in Palm Coast.
Weekend Briefing: Pulse Vigil in Flagler Beach, Turtle Talk, ReVive at Calypso, Built Art at Salvo, Assault Weapons
New art shows open at Salvo Art and Calypso galleries, a vigil and fund-raiser is held in Flagler Beach, a soldier ridicules the need for assault weapons for civilians, and to relax, Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson, together.
Woman Survives Crashing Under Trailer at 70 MPH and Getting Dragged 1/4 Mile on I-95
The crash took place north of the Palm Coast Parkway intersection after the woman’s Hyundai lost control and bounced off the guardrail, catapulting underneath the tractor trailer.
Man Shot in Area of Bayberry and Old Dixie Highway: It Was Self-Inflicted
The sheriff’s office learned of the shooting only when hospital staff reported it. The man was then taken to Halifax in Daytona Beach and has since been questioned by detectives.
“Grief Beyond Description”: In Orlando, Obama Comforts Survivors of Pulse Massacre
After meeting with the families, Obama and Biden went to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where they placed bouquets of 49 white roses — one for each of the people who died in the attack — at a makeshift memorial there.
Palm Coast’s Cypress Knoll Golf Course Closing Saturday, Employees Are Told
Golf Group of Palm Coast purchased the Cypress Course, Pines Course and the closed Matanzas Course from bankrupt Crescent Resources for $2 million. Crescent operated locally as Landmar Group. The three courses were collectively know as the Grand Club.
Criminal Torment: Once Again, Phillip Haire Is Arrested Days After Other Charges Are Dropped
In the third arrest in three months, Haire’s arrest, on minor charges–missing a supervision meeting and having a small amount of pot–illustrate the unforgiving spiral of the judicial system that certain defendants who can;t afford a lawyer end up repeatedly navigating.
Thursday Briefing: Ex-Bunnell Cop in Plea Over Porn Charges, Obama in Orlando, Trump’s Fear Power
Ex-Bunnell cop Michael Stavris was charged with computer porn and impersonating someone’s personal information online. The president visits families of the Orlando massacre. Trump thrives on fear. The commemoration of the 1960s’ mass arrest of rabbis in St. Augustine.
Obama in Orlando Thursday to Meet With Families of Massacre’s Victims
President Barack Obama will travel to Orlando on Thursday to meet with families of victims of the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history. An announcement Wednesday from the White House did not provide a detailed schedule for the visit.
Palm Coast’s Coastal Cloud Gets Quarterly JaxUSA Leadership Award
Coastal Cloud, a Flagler County-based technology company, was awarded the second quarter JAXUSA Industry Leader Award on June 6, the company announced today. The award was presented to Coastal Cloud co-founders Tim and Sara Hale during a lunch at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Gun Rights and Gun Control Measures Expected to Crowd Florida Legislature in Wake of Orlando
Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for a special session to halt gun sales to people on federal watch lists and to impose new requirements for becoming a security guard. Republican legislative leaders say a special session isn’t needed.
Life Without Parole For Thomas Prins, Sentenced for Murder of Crystal Caralea Pifer, 28
Thomas Anthony Prins was sentenced to life in prison today for the murder of Crystal Caralea Pifer, 28, of Daytona Beach in August 2015. The sentencing was delayed after Prins had fainted on hearing the guilty verdict last week.
Yes, Palm Coast Wanted to Boot County EMS Crews Out of Station 22, But That Fire Is Out For Now
A closer look at the record shows that contrary to City Manager Jim Landon’s claim that the county was going on rumors, city officials, including Landon, very much wanted to see county EMS crews out of the fire station on Palm Coast Parkway.
Wednesday Briefing: Muzzling Protest at GOP Convention, New Music Shop, Women Vets in St. Augustine, Schubert
The ACLU sues the ridiculous restrictions on protesters on Cleveland streets around the GOP National Convention next month, women veterans are recognized in St. Augustine, a new music shop opens in Palm Coast’s City Marketplace.
For LGBT, Always That Target on Their Backs
It turns out shooter Omar Marteen may have been motivated by both homophobia and Islamic radicalism. That should not come as a surprise, writes Nancy Smith.
Florida’s Political Landscape Riven By Orlando Massacre Even as Lasting Effects or Consequences Are Doubted
Politicians and consultants are as divided as the electorate about how candidates should treat the tragedy, and the split carries over to those who think the tragedy will have dissipated by November as opposed to those who think it will impact the election.
Flagler County Children’s Librarian Theresa Owen Retiring After 26 Years
Theresa Owen began her career with Flagler County in 1990 when the Library was located at the Palm Harbor Shopping Village storefront, now known as Island Walk.
St. Johns Water Management District Transfers Gemini Springs Addition to Volusia County
The St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board voted to donate the 947-acre Gemini Springs Addition to Volusia County with a conservation easement to protect its conservation values and to comply with the mitigation permit requirements.
Equality Florida Raises $3.65 Million, Disney Donates $1 Million for Orlando Victims
Bolstered by money from some of Central Florida’s biggest corporate players, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on Tuesday announced formation of the OneFlorida Fund to help victims and family members in the aftermath of the mass shooting early Sunday at the Pulse nightclub.
Palm Coast Will Spend $500,000 to “Optimize” a Few Traffic Signals, But Expected Gains Are Vague
The $500,000 will install surveillance cameras and high-speed Internet to just 12 intersections, with more spending and intersections connected in future years, and will create a so-called Advanced Traffic Management System.
Armed Robber Targets Walgreens on Palm Coast Parkway for Drugs, But Is Later Caught
An armed robber who targeted the Walgreens store on Palm Coast Parkway West early this morning got away with prescription drugs but was later arrested in Bunnell.
Tuesday Briefing: “Religion and Partisan Politics Don’t Mix,” Traffic Lights, Medical Pot Webinar, Trump v. Post
Bill Mefford of Americans United for Separation of Church and State leads a discussion at the African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast talks traffic signal optimization, the state health department holds a pot webinar.
European Village Reborn: Palm Coast’s Poster-Child of Housing Bust Thrives Again
The Palm Coast City Council approved a rezoning that enables European Village to be more autonomous and more clearly advertise itself as the 14-year-old development seeks to solidify its new hold on business and residential activity.
Monday Briefing: We Love You Orlando, Heat Index Up to 107, Everyday Violence on LGBT
Beyond Orlando, the extraordinarily commonplace violence against LGBT community in the United States, recapping a night’s horrors, Martin Amis on two Mohammeds, Faure’s Requiem.
Motorcyclist Critical After Wreck Severs Leg in 3-Vehicle Collision at US1 South of Old Kings Road
Motorcyclist Eddie Davis Jr., 50, was in critical condition after his leg was severed in a wreck involving Palm Coast’s Alexis Jacquart, 23, and Richard Kenney, 33, late Saturday night.
50 People Killed, 53 Wounded at Orlando Gay Club in Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History
50 people have been killed and at least 53 wounded in a mass shooting by a lone gunman at Pulse Orlando, a gay nightclub on South Orange Avenue, at 2 o’clock this morning. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings is calling the shooting a “domestic act of terrorism.”
Motorcyclist Seth Sistrunk Killed at Treacherous Intersection of SR100 and CR305
Seth Howard Sistrunk was struck and killed Saturday afternoon (June 11) by a pick-up truck as the motorcyclist was attempting to pass the truck in a no-passing zone on State Road 100.
Donald Trump’s Fascism and His Appeasers
Trump will fade. Trumpism may not. And the longer the Republican establishment is willing to appease him as a better alternative to Clinton, the more it legitimizes his racism as an acceptable American value.
Young Mother Pulls a Gun on Intruder on Seward Trail and Helps Lead to His Arrest
Marco DeJesus allegedly attempted a home-invasion burglary in mid-afternoon Thursday in Palm Coast. He did not figure on the homeowner–a young mother–pulling a gun on him, chasing him off and getting pictures of his vehicle and tag.
Taxable Values Improve Less Than in 2015, But Still More Strongly Than in Pre-Recession Years
Palm Coast’s and Bunnell’s values improved least among local governments, at 3.9 and 2.2 percent, while county, school and Flagler Beach values all exceeded 5 percent.
Weekend Briefing: Beachcombing Basics, Retiring Kent Ryan, Trump in Tampa, Euro 2016, “The Minions”
Daytona State College’s Kent Ryan talks about his retirement, a beachcombing special at Gamble Rogers, Euro 2016 kicks off, what being presidential really means, Mozart’s oboe.
Dunkin Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway Demolished By Flames During Roof Repairs
The Dunkin Donuts on Palm Coast Parkway near Winn Dixie was engulfed in flames this afternoon after a fire broke out around 4:30 p.m.
Marcus Sanfilippo Will Succeed Richard DuPont as Bunnell Elementary Principal
Marcus Sanfilippo had been an assistant principal at Indian Trails Middle School. He is a former county Teacher of the Year and in 2015 was the assistant principal of the year.
Florida Justices Appear Skeptical in Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Deferring to Legislature
Justices Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince questioned how the current state law allowing citizens to receive concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms suppresses gun ownership.
Thursday Briefing: Gator’s Abbey, Fruits and Veggies at the Library, Begging Romney to Run, Mega Mecca
The Flagler Beach City Commission honors Col. Jack Howell with a Purple Heart plaque, the Friends of the Library tell children a few things about fruit and veggies, The Weekly Standard begs Romney to run.
Palm Coast Hints at Again Increasing Monthly Stormwater Fee As It Projects Fund Deficits
By some of its calculations, Palm Coast is projecting deficits of $1 million a year despite increasing the storwater fee 46 percent four years ago, though it has room to manage the deficit by reducing capital expenses.
Ex-Deputy Guilty on 14 Counts of False Imprisonment Could Still Get Retirement Pay
Jonathan Bleiweiss had been accused of intimidating undocumented immigrants into performing sex acts. He entered a plea deal that spared him a designation as a sexual offender.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Provides Food Cards for Veterans
The Palm Coast church presented 28 gift cards to Flagler County Veterans Services Officer Sal Rutigliano for distribution to veterans who could use some extra assistance.
Veterans’ Graves Draped in Flags in Espanola Cemetery Ceremony
American Legion Post #115 received assistance from the Flagler Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution during the placement of American flags on the graves of Veterans at the Espanola Cemetery.
More Violent Crime But Lower Crime Rate in 2015 Gives Fodder to All Sheriff’s Candidates
For the first time in five years, total crime increased in Flagler County in 2015, by 1.7 percent, although the crime rate decreased modestly, by 0.7 percent, as population increased, giving incumbent sheriff Jim Manfre and his opponents room to use numbers to their advantage. .
Wednesday Briefing: Court Hears Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Underwater Surveillance, the 2008 Race Was Closer
The Supreme Court hears a challenge to Florida’s open-carry ban, Obama-Clinton was closer than Clinton-Sanders, Mozart’s B-major concerto.
Dog Bite at Ex-Flagler Beach Manager Campbell’s Property Sends Mail Carrier to Hospital
Mail carrier Jennifer Benson, 49, was treated for eight stitches after a dog at ex-Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell’s house attacked her when Campbell opened the door to pick up a package.
Counting the Days, Anna Pehota, Who Killed Husband in Hammock, Welcomes Trial in July
The trial of Anna Pehota, 76, who faces a second-degree murder charge for shooting her husband dead in October, goes on trial on July 18, a date Judge Matthew Foxman said is immovable.
Bunnell Elementary Leads the Way as Flagler’s Problem Solvers Shine Again at Internationals
Flagler County’s nearly 60 community problem solvers accomplished at this year’s international competition what their predecessors have almost every year for more than half a decade: they cleaned up in wins, trophies and plaudits.
Palm Coast Gets 5.4 Inches of Rain as Colin’s Tropical Braids Lash Flagler
For Flagler County, the weather service reports total rainfall in Palm Coast of 5.44 inches, though amounts may vary depending on locations.