Community News
Monday, May 11, 2026 · Flagler County
Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion
A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.
Florida Bills Slash No-Fault Auto, Shield Homeowners from Roof Hikes
Florida's 2026 insurance reforms repeal the state's no-fault auto system and protect homeowners from coverage denials over old roofs, aiming to curb skyrocketing premiums amid hurricane risks. Effective July 1, new laws mandate fault-based liability for crashes and require human review of AI claim denials. Drivers and residents from Miami to Tampa face a transformed market promising rate relief.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida's Heat Wave Eases Slightly Friday After Record-Breaking Thursday
South Florida and Central Florida residents get a brief respite from scorching temperatures Friday, with highs dropping into the upper 80s at the coast and low 90s inland—but forecasters warn the dangerous heat pattern will persist through the weekend. Thursday's near-record temperatures set the stage for what meteorologists are calling one of the hottest stretches of the year so far.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Signs 2026 Farm Bill in Sebring, Boosting Rural Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290 into law Monday in Sebring, delivering wins for Florida farmers with protections for gas-powered equipment and farmland preservation. The measure bans local bans on gasoline tools, makes the Farmers Feeding Florida program permanent and curbs high-density rural development. Critics decry potential sprawl from related land-use changes.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Bunnell woman shoots intruder after he forces way into home, threatens family
A Bunnell homeowner shot an intruder after he forced his way into her home and threatened her and her two children Sunday afternoon. Michael McDonald, 33, of Palm Coast, faces charges of burglary with assault.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure at Coffee Shop Drive-Thru
Cory White, 29, was arrested after exposing himself at an Ellianos Coffee drive-thru in Palm Coast on May 13. It's his second indecent exposure arrest.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure at Coffee Shop Drive-Thru
Palm Coast man Cory White was arrested May 19 for exposing himself at an Ellianos Coffee drive-thru on May 13. It's his second indecent exposure arrest in less than a year.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Man Hospitalized After Shooting at Palm Coast McDonald's Drive-Thru
A 50-year-old Palm Coast man shot a 61-year-old Daytona Beach resident multiple times in a McDonald's drive-thru on May 26 following a road rage incident. The victim was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center in stable condition.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material
Flagler County detectives arrested a Palm Coast man on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material after tracing uploads to his cloud storage account.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Flagler Beach Fire Department: Don't Throw Batteries in Trash
The Flagler Beach Fire Department warns residents not to throw batteries in regular trash or recycling bins, citing fire risks at waste facilities.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Downtown Flagler Beach Projects See Ongoing Updates
Flagler Beach's downtown area is seeing ongoing updates for major projects, including pier construction, sidewalk improvements, and crosswalk upgrades.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Flagler County Sheriff Urges Residents to Prepare Now for Hurricane Season
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly encourages residents to prepare now for hurricane season by assembling supply kits, making evacuation plans, and signing up for emergency alerts.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Flagler County Detention Commander Selected for FBI National Academy
Detention Services Commander Nolie St. Fleur earned a rare invitation to the FBI National Academy, making him the first from FCSO's Court and Detention Services Division to attend the prestigious 10-week program.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Two Arrested for DUI, Speeding During Memorial Day Weekend in Flagler County
Flagler County deputies arrested two drivers over Memorial Day weekend: a Daytona Beach woman for DUI after an I-95 crash, and a St. Augustine man for driving 105 mph.
Monday, May 11, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Palm Coast Man Arrested in Assault of Pregnant Woman
Palm Coast man Damien Irven, 25, arrested after assaulting and strangling a pregnant woman, holding her captive for hours at her home on May 18.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Joy Christian Counseling Offers Career Coaching Services in Palm Coast
Joy Christian Counseling in Palm Coast now offers career coaching services to help residents identify strengths, achieve career goals, and enhance job satisfaction.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Ormond Beach Man Sentenced to 4½ Years for Drug Trafficking
Leonard Fries Jr. of Ormond Beach received a 4½-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to multiple drug trafficking charges. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office arrested him twice in 2025.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Two Juveniles Arrested in Palm Coast Truck Burglary; Fishing Poles Recovered
Flagler County Sheriff's Office arrested two juveniles, including a 15-year-old from Bunnell, in connection with a Palm Coast truck burglary. Detectives recovered $1,550 in stolen fishing poles.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, May 11, 2026