John Pollinger, a Democrat in New Jersey until his move to Palm Coast, blames a small cabal of local Republicans for attempting to derail his candidacy for Flagler County Sheriff, but Florida law appears to support the claim that his previous registration disqualified his bid as a Republican.
All Else
For Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre, A Nuclear Drama to End a Radiant First Season
“The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds” is a terrible title but wonderful play, a wrenching, angry drama with comedic elements that caps the City Repertory Theatre’s first season at Hollingsworth Gallery, with six performances this weekend and the next.
Added Security at FPC as District Contends With Rumors of a Friday Face-Off on Campus
The school district and the Sheriff’s Office are beefing up security at Flagler Palm Coast High School in response to a rumored confrontation on campus Friday, spilling over from a confrontation at Ralph Carter Park last Sunday. The superintendent stressed that there was no hard evidence of such a confrontation.
Rick Scott’s Obsession With Other People’s Urine
Anyone other than my doctor who’d ask me to pee in a cup isn’t just out of line. He’d be out of his mind. Yet an entire industry thrives on such cup-holders, Gov. Rick Scott among them, and millions of Americans are not only complying with the docility of circus animals. They’re encouraging the indignity and asking for more.
Progress Energy’s Nukes Plant Costs and Delays Escalate, But Customers Must Still Pay Ahead
A controversial Progress Energy Florida project to build two nuclear reactors in Levy County will not start producing electricity until 2024 — and likely will cost between $19 billion and $24 billion, the company now says, but customers will still have to pay for them now.
Wes Adams, Student School Board Member, Is Recognized for “Swiss Army Knife” Dexterity
Wesley Adams, who represented students on the Flagler County School Board this year, was named All-American by U.S. Lacrosse, the national governing board of the sport, after becoming one of FPC’s leading scorers in the last four years.
News-Journal Slows Circulation Decline While Other Newspapers Tout Web Editions’ Growth
The decline, while slower than in previous years, continued at the Daytona Beach News-Journal, with average weekday circulation falling to 2.3 percent in the period ending March 31, and 1.5 percent on Sundays.
Citing Its “Uses and Abuses,” Rival Task Forces Duel Over Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law
As Gov. Rick Scott’s Stand Your Ground task force is criticized for being loaded with NRA and SYG advocates, a rival panel led by Sen. Chris Smith issues its recommendations on amending–not repealing–the law.
Violent Crime Rise and Record Number of Aggravated Assaults Dim Flagler’s Overall Drop
Although the overall crime rate declined 4.2 percent for the second successive year in 2011, violent crime increased in every single one of the four categories–rape, robbery, murder and aggravated assault, led by crime increase in Bunnell. The numbers will give fodder to Don Fleming and his opponents in this year’s race for sheriff.
In a Victory for State GOP, U.S. Justice Department and Florida Judge Approves Redistricting
The approval from the federal government adds to the Florida Supreme Court’s approval of a Senate map on Friday, while a Leon County judge declined to set aside the state’s new congressional maps, saying opponents of the plans had not proven that the Legislature violated new anti-gerrymandering standards in the once-a-decade redistricting process.
A Smoldering Flagler Beach Commission Punts To Voters on Bonfires After a Flagrant Debate
The Flagler Beach City Commission voted 4-1 to let voters decide whether bonfires should be allowed on the city’s beaches after a meeting that featured embarrassing attacks, declaration and fracture.
Remembrances of Jonathan May’s Past: Flagler Youth Orchestra Tours in Founder’s Memory
The Flagler Youth Orchestra on Saturday performed at three of Palm Coast’s assisted and independent living facilities in memory of Jonathan May, its founder and music director, who died in 2010.
Return of the Sea Turtles: Flagler’s First Sighting Renews a Million-Year Ritual
The first sea turtle to scout for a nest on a Flagler beach did so Tuesday, renewing a ritual going back 200 million years. She scouted Columnist Frank Gromling’s beach backyard for her nursery. A report from the sands.
Gov. Scott Vetoes Bill Calling For Unlimited Tuition Increases at UF and Florida State
Gov. Rick Scott’s tuition bill veto rejects pleas of higher education and business officials who said steeper tuition would make the schools more competitive. The veto underscores Scott’s emphasis on holding down the cost of living in the state.
Bob Tibbs, 70-Year-Old Flagler Moonshine Man, Is Arrested for His Whiskey Trade
They call him Mr. Tibbs: Bob Tibbs, 70, of west Flagler, moonshine producer and shrimp peddler. He faces a third-degree felony for his illegal alcohol operation, which he says also helps him fuel his lawnmower.
Flagler Supervisor of Elections Office Tops State Performance Rankings That Anger Others
Other supervisors of elections are angry over the nature of the survey, calling it inaccurate, but Weeks is almost certain to use the results as vindication of her tenure after nearly four years of conflict with the Flagler County Commission over her budget and confrontational style.
Pot Tourism in Retreat in the Netherlands
Pot tourism over? A Dutch court on Friday upheld a new law that will prevent foreigners from buying marijuana in coffee shops across the Netherlands.
What About the Murder of Justin Patterson (22 and Black)?
Justin Patterson’s murder in Georgia, with shades of the Trayvon Martin case, hasn’t elicited marches, protest, notice on Nancy Grace or Anderson Cooper, or hardly any media.
In a Reversal, Flagler Beach Will Consider New Regulations for Roving Street Vendors
Commissioners agreed unanimously Thursday evening to draft a new ordinance or licensing rules that would define where, how and how often roving vendors would be allowed to in the city.
Federal Judge Rules Gov. Rick Scott’s Random Drug-Testing of State Workers Unconstitutional
Federal District Judge Ursula Ungaro found that Scott’s order requiring drug tests violates the Fourth Amendment, as there is no “compelling need for testing.” Scott said he’d appeal the ruling.
Loans and Self-Contributions Swell Big Money Pots in Flagler Sheriff’s and County Judge Races
John Pollinger in the Flagler sheriff’s race and Melissa Moore Stens in the county judge race are leading in money raised so far, but largely on the strength of their own contributions. Almost $117,000 was raised by all candidates in 11 Flagler County races as of March 31.
“Corruption Risks” Cited at Enterprise Florida, the State’s Economic Development Agency
Integrity Florida, a new watchdog group, faults Enterprise Flagler, the public-private partnership, for producing too few jobs while perks such as tax breaks and incentive grants went to corporations that paid to serve on the agency’s board.
Pick-Up vs. Minivan Smash-Up Hospitalizes Two and Shuts Traffic at SR100 and CR302
The near-head-on-wreck at a notorious intersection closed traffic on State Road 100 for 75 minutes after 5:15 this afternoon as people were heading home, and Fire Flight evacuated a seriously 24-year-old Michele A. Brown of Bunnell.
Palm Coast’s Maria Berlatta, 17, Crashes Her Car Into a Bedroom Where a Woman Was Sleeping
Maria Anne Berlatta, 17, was driving south on Palm Coast’s Cochise Ct. Tuesday evening when a deer ran across the road, sending Berlatta’s car across a yard and into the bedroom of a house where a woman was sleeping.
Republican vs. Republican: Judge Craig Denies GOP Insurgents’ Induction in Flagler’s REC
It’s an unusual case, revealing of internal matters and disputes usually kept secret from the general public–and especially revealing of a deep strain coursing through Republican organizations across the country, not just in Flagler: tea party insurgents and other similar offshoots, who are overwhelmingly Republican, are upending the way traditional Republican organizations define themselves.
Arbor Day and 5K Run in Palm Coast, May 5
Palm Coast’s 2012 Arbor Day event is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 in Central Park in Town Center, beginning at 9 a.m., with a 5K run at 8 a.m.
Signing For 3 More Years at City Market Place, Palm Coast Explores New City Hall Options
Palm Coast city government’s new lease at City Market Place is considerably cheaper than the $20,000 a month it’s been paying since 2008, but council members are now talking about a lease-purchase deal for a new city hall at Town Center.
In a Defeat for Flagler and 16 Counties, Judge Rules For Travel Companies on Tourism Taxes
Leon County Circuit Judge James Shelfer ruled in favor of the industry last week, going against Flagler and 16 other counties that argue they have lost out on millions of dollars in tourist-development taxes.
Acknowledging Membership to Hammock Resort, Sheriff Says It Has “No Dollar Value”
Flagler County Sheriff Don Fleming said Hammock Beach Resort gave him a membership card years ago, but that he pays for all services and is not in breach of state ethics rules, though the membership is the subject of an ethics complaint.
Bunnell Welcomes Its Newest Police Chief as Jeff Hoffman Steps In and Arthur Jones Exits
Jeff Hoffman, 41, a captain at the Daytona Beach Police Department, where he’s been for 21 years, was endorsed by a unanimous Bunnell City Commission. He starts work at the end of the month.
Don’t Flush ‘Em: Unwanted Prescription Drugs “Take Back” Day Saturday, April 28
During the DEA-prescribed Take-Back Day, residents may discard their prescriptions at Publix Supermarket in Flagler Beach; the CVS at 5151 Belle Terre Parkway, or at the Flagler County Government Services Building on S.R. 100 in Bunnell.
It’s Not Just Politicians: Media Companies Lobby Against Transparency in Elections
Many of the country’s biggest media companies, which own dozens of newspapers and TV news operations, are flexing their muscle in Washington in a fight against a government initiative to increase transparency of political spending.
American Soldiers Committing Atrocities: Placing the Blame Where It Belongs
From posing with corpses of insurgents to going on murderous rampages, American soldiers’ atrocities in Afghanistan are becoming routine. Without absolving the military of its responsibilities, the real isn’t the soldiers’ alone.
At Nature Scapes, Palm Coast Garden Club Grows Its Annual Show Into a Special Event
The Palm Coast Garden Club found a new home for its annual garden show at Nature Scapes, the stately nursery on Old Brick Road, where, on Saturday, some 50 vendors drew a few thousand visitors and plant lovers.
The Citizen Scientist:
Inside Marine Mammal Research Offshore
Frank Gromling describes his two days off the coast of St. Johns County as he assisted marine mammal scientists in various research projects about endangered whales.
Jacksonville Symphony in Palm Coast Sunday For Its Annual Pilgrimage to Rhythm of Pops
The Jacksonville Symphony’s pops concert at Town Center is the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s annual gift–well, at $35 a pop–and fund-raiser for an eventual arts center. Some 52 musicians will play works by Copland, Mozart, and Broadway and movie tunes.
Flagler’s Medical Reserve Corps Marks National Volunteer Week
The Flagler County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit dedicated April 15 to 21 to mark National Volunteer Week as MRC units across the nation held volunteer recognition events while supporting activities that strengthen public health and emergency preparedness.
Pick-Up Truck Nearly Decapitated in Rig Collision on SR100; Driver, 21, Critical
Luke Weston Barraclough, 21, was driving west on State Road 100 when he failed to see a rig in time as the rig was making a turn onto a cabbage farm to pick up a load. Fire Flight took Weston to Halifax Hospital with serious injuries. SR100 was closed for 90 minutes this afternoon.
Flagler Youth Center’s Student Advisory Council Is United Way’s Group of the Year
The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties named the Flagler County Youth Center’s Student Advisory Council its Youth Volunteer Group of the Year.
Flagler and Florida Unemployment Rates Drop Sharply, Confirming Uptick in Economic Activity
Flagler County’s and Florida’s unemployment rates dropped significantly in March, solidifying an economic recovery and confirming what many local business owners have been saying for the last several months: the last quarter’s economic activity is the best they’ve seen since the beginning of the Great Recession.
Tea Party’s Tom Lawrence, Back to His Roots, Endorses ½-Cent Sales Tax Before 135 Partiers
Tom Lawrence, the ardent anti-tax tea party chairman, was the champion of the sales tax Palm Coast lobbied for 10 years ago. He urged the Flagler tea party membership to support the tax again at the polls this year, boosting county government’s arguments for the tax, which Palm Coast so far has not embraced enthusiastically.
Bed Soars: At Flagler County Jail, a Daily “Shell Game” Balancing Risk With Overcrowding
A tour of the Flagler County jail reveals the sort of calculations jail staff must make every day to fit close to 150 inmates in a facility built for 132 as the sheriff and the county commission try to convince other governments–and voters–that money is needed to expand.
DCF Goes Dr. Spock: A Free E-Book on Parenting at All Ages
From coping with a crying child to potty training techniques to keeping your teen drug-free and other parenting FAQs, the Department of Children and Families’ booklet, “Family Development: A Caregiver’s Guide,” is now available through a free download.
A $300 Million Cut for Florida’s Higher Ed, a $350,000 State Grant for Flagler College
The Legislature cut $300 million from the state’s higher education budget this year, but found a $350,000 gift to help renovate a historic property at Flagler College, whose chancellor is retiring Republican legislator Bill proctor, who also represents Flagler County.
FCAT 2.0: Computer Snags in Flagler Schools Compound Students’ and Teachers’ Anxieties
FCAT testing began this week, and with a dozen tests administered by computer only, to save money, teachers in several Flagler schools are reporting students being arbitrarily logged off, losing work and time and worsening already stressful conditions.
Ron DeSantis’s Out-Of-State Donors Net Him Money Lead in Local Congressional Race
Of the $508,400 raised by three GOP candidates for the congressional district that includes Flagler County, just 0.4 percent of that came from Flagler, an indication of how marginal Flagler may be in this congressional race.
A Quarter of Gov. Scott’s Vetoes Slash Health Spending, Research and Education
A sampling of vetoes included money for such things as meningitis immunizations for children, the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Broward County, a fetal-alcohol clinic in Sarasota and a mobile-health unit in rural Gadsden County.
Publix Crash Video and 911 Calls Reveal Harrowing Impact and Brave Aftermath
As a surveillance video clearly shows the crash and its aftermath, within 58 seconds of impact, a large group of people had been organized around the car, deep inside the store, to lift it and free an 83-year-old man pinned underneath.
Comment Sections Are Evil
Website comments have been compared to the writing on (public) bathroom walls or worse. Moderating them is a dirty job. Eliminating them altogether as some squeamish newspapers have, is dirtier still.
Scott, in St. Johns, Signs $70 Billion Budget, Vetoing Only One-Fifth Last Year’s Amount
The vetoes were a sharp decrease from the $615 million in spending Scott killed last year, though he struck dozens of transportation and cultural programs and asked state universities to limit tuition increases to 5 percent.