The Palm Coast City Council approved installing all-way stop signs at two major intersections at Town Center Boulevard and Royal Palms Parkway, and Town Center and Old Kings Road, within three months to reduce five-minute wait times. These $15,000 improvements address immediate safety concerns. The council also approved design costs for the longer-term widening of Town Center Boulevard to four lanes.
Main Content
Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Flagler County Sets Salary Up To $235,000 For New Administrator; Public Sector Focus and BA, not MA, Minimum
Flagler County commissioners crafted the job description and a $235,000 salary ceiling for their next administrator in place of Heidi Petito, among other details in the coming job posting. The Florida Association of County Managers, not the commission, will initially vet candidates, focusing on those with 10 years of leadership experience in the public sector and a focus on budgeting, economic development, and intergovernmental relations.
Ex-AdventHealth Nurse Avoids Prison Time in Plea to 5 Years’ Probation for Fraud and Unlicensed Practice
Autumn Marie Bardisa received five years of probation for practicing nursing without a license at AdventHealth Palm Coast. The 29-year-old treated over 4,000 patients using a stolen identity. Judge Dawn Nichols withheld adjudication and endorsed the plea deal, saying Bardisa had the the necessary medical training, excelled at her job, but showed incredible poor judgment. Bardisa eventually earned her license, but is surrendering it as part of the plea deal.
Flagler Commissioners Increasingly Nervous Over Long-Delayed Phoenix Crossings Affordable Housing Project
Flagler County commissioners are expressing significant concern regarding the delayed Phoenix Crossings apartment complex in Bunnell. The project aims to house young people exiting foster care and other low-income families. Repeated delays have dogged the project. Commissioners must now decide whether to restructure local grants to prevent the loss of federal and state funding.
More Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Grand Jury Indicts Anne Mae Demegillo on First Degree Murder Charges in Infant’s Death
A Flagler County grand jury indicted 20-year-old Anne Mae Demegillo on a first-degree murder charge this afternoon. Investigators discovered digital evidence on her phone including searches for Casey Anthony and infant mortality. Demegillo previously faced manslaughter charges after her newborn daughter died in a toilet in early March. She turned herself in this evening.
Future Hammock Restaurant Wins Parking Reduction Despite Strong Opposition From Residents and 2 Commissioners
The Flagler County Commission approved a parking reduction for the future Modern Mexx restaurant in the Hammock despite concerns over parking congestion at other restaurants. Owners reduced the size of the seating area to mitigate concerns.
School Report Leads To Arrest Of Girl’s Father Accused Of Beating her with Tongs
Flagler County deputies arrested 30-year-old Christopher Kleiner on a felony child abuse charge following a school report to state authorities that he allegedly struck his daughter with metal tongs after a dispute involving a Nintendo Switch. Investigators observed bruising and welts inconsistent with the father’s claims of accidental injury.
Greg Hansen Calls Ending Heidi Petito’s Tenure ‘Criminal’ as Adam Mengel Is Appointed Interim at County
Flagler County commissioners unanimously appointed Adam Mengel as interim administrator as Heidi Petito concludes a five-year tenure marked by significant financial accomplishments, including improving reserves from $9 to $46 million. Commissioner Greg Hansen praised her performance as the best in his experience. Mengel begins his new role on April 11 with an annualized salary of $194,602.
Airport Renaming Aside, Florida Lawmakers Spent Two Months Perfecting Art of the Dither
The Florida Legislature concluded its 2026 session without passing a state budget. Lawmakers prioritized symbolic resolutions and voter suppression over insurance costs, housing affordability, or the climate crisis. Wasted money in the school voucher program and environmental protection were ignored as partisan infighting and petty distractions defined the two-month period.
CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s Disinformation Campaign at Local Governments’ Expense
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is touring the state to accuse local governments of reckless overspending, but his claims rely on a simplistic formula ignoring critical economic factors like property value increases and essential service needs. Flagler County faced his unsubstantiated attacks last week. Actual budget data reveals that Ingoglia’s claims collapse under the weight of even feathery scrutiny.
Palm Coast Restores Full Online Access To Detailed City Council Agenda Packets For Local Residents
Palm Coast restored full online access to City Council agenda packets including all supporting background materials. The city since 2019 limited web access due to ADA compliance concerns and litigation threats. A significant technological upgrade ensures all 2026 digital standards are met. Residents can now review the same staff reports, contracts, and financial data used by council members to make decisions. Whether that will reduce the incidence of belligerently misinformed public comments is unlikely.

R.J. Larizza Hosts Former Rivals as Unveiling of 4 State Attorneys’ Portraits Stirs Old Battles and Triumphs
State Attorney R.J. Larizza Friday unveiled a portrait gallery at an event honoring four storied Seventh Judicial Circuit former State Attorneys: Dan Warren, Stephen Boyles, John Tanner and Steve Alexander. Warren’s son Raymond, a former prosecutor and public defender, recalled his father’s role in the summer of 1964, seminal in the state’s civil rights history, and Tanner used the occasion to discuss his 1963 manslaughter indictment by Warren, and subsequent enmity with the state attorney.

Appeals Court Will Decide if Flagler Beach Shopping Center Can Legally Ban Coastal Family Church Services
Coastal Family Church is appealing a court injunction prohibiting services at its Flagler Beach shopping center location. The property management company cites private covenants banning public assembly to justify the restriction. The church argues the ban violates First Amendment rights and constitutes selective enforcement. The high-stakes legal battle pits foundational private property rights against constitutional religious protections.

Flagler Beach Approves Millions In New Debt For Sewer Upgrades Without Clear Resident Cost
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved $37 million of an expected $52 million loan to rebuild its sewer plant, and is applying for an additional, separate $19 million loan for other stormwater improvements. Yet the city cannot currently calculate exact rate increases for residents because outdated studies fail to reflect rising construction costs. Development impact fees will not provide immediate relief.

Flagler Beach Leaders Revisit 30 Years of Paid Parking Talk Amid Growing Resentment Toward Palm Coast and County
Flagler Beach commissioners debated a new vision statement today to address identity preservation amid heavy tourism but long-standing resentment toward Palm Coast and Flagler County surfaced during discussions about traffic congestion. Despite 30 years of ignoring parking studies, officials now claim they will prioritize paid parking for visitors. No specific leader was appointed to manage the project.
The Live Calendar: Today in Flagler
April 2026
Free Tax Preparation Services in Flagler County
In Court: Kristopher Henriqson
Free Tax Preparation Services in Flagler County
Flagler Beach United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Flagler County Drug Court Convenes
Model Yacht Club Races at the Pond in Palm Coast’s Town Center
Palm Coast Democratic Club Meeting
2026 Addressing Crime Together Community Meeting
Flagler Beach City Commission Meeting
Evenings at Whitney Lecture Series
“Godspell,” at the Limelight Theatre
Free Tax Preparation Services in Flagler County
The Conversation
Pete Hegseth’s Christian Crusade Revival
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth belongs to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a network rooted in Christian Reconstructionism, which advocates for biblical law and patriarchal theocracy and draws heavily on crusader mythology and Christian nationalism. Hegseth often employs militant religious rhetoric to justify current military conflicts.
Florida and Beyond

Strait of Hummus: The Grocery Price Shock Ahead
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global energy crisis and severe fertilizer shortages as one-third of internationally traded fertilizer passes through this vital waterway. Farmers face reduced productivity because essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphate are becoming scarce and expensive. Supply chain disruptions will inevitably lead to higher grocery prices for consumers and a burgeoning food emergency for vulnerable nations.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council meets this evening for the first time in three weeks, Flagler Beach’s and Bunnell’s planning boards meet, the Hammock Community Association Meeting with Jen Lomberk, Executive Director of Matanzas Riverkeeper, the Iran war in three covers.
Democrats Warn Of Overreach as DeSantis Signs Bill Conflating Terrorism with Muslims
DeSantis signed legislation Monday empowering executive officials to designate domestic terrorist organizations, prohibiting state funding for certain Muslim schools and forbidding state courts from recognizing Sharia law. Critics argue the framework lacks judicial oversight and fear the executive branch could weaponize these labels against political or advocacy organizations.
Briefs and Releases
Gas Prices Cruise Past $4 a Gallon Amid Hormuz Impasse
Wanted: Palm Coast Deputy City Manager
Florida Attorney General Threatens NFL Over Rule Giving Minorities a Chance
Field of Deals: Daytona Tortugas Offering Discount Tickets to Palm Coast Residents on July 17
Tag Team: Dad Chris Calio Retires from Flagler Fire Rescue as Son Nick Begins Career
More Florida and Beyond
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, April 6, 2026
The Flagler County Commission holds a pair of meetings, including an afternoon workshop to discuss its search for a new administrator, the Beverly Beach Commission meets, a few words about the garish Trump library in Miami, and its kinship with Mao.

Why University Presidents Traded Moral Authority for Self-Censorship
Throughout the 20th century, university presidents often spoke out on significant political and social issues with moral authority. Today, facing immense financial and political pressures, many higher education leaders have adopted strict institutional neutrality. This shift replaces direct, principled leadership with vague, lawyer-approved statements and risk management strategies. Critics argue this cautious approach undermines the essential role universities play in fostering community and open discourse.

The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, April 5, 2026
To include your event in the Briefing and Live Calendar, please fill out this form. Weather: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 20 percent. Daily weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville here. Drought conditions here. (What […]

How The Apocrypha Influenced Christian History Despite Being Left Out Of The Official Biblical Canon
The apocrypha consists of ancient Jewish and Christian texts excluded from the official biblical canon but highly influential throughout history. Although famous books like the Acts of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas are not found in standard Bibles, they offer valuable insights into early religious practices and theological debates. Exploring these hidden stories reveals how they shaped centuries of religious art, tradition, and belief.

IPads in Kindergarten, YouTube at Snack Time: Parents Are Pushing Back
Many parents are shocked to discover that elementary schools now provide iPads to kindergartners for passive entertainment. This practice often involves children watching YouTube videos and commercials during school hours. Research suggests excessive screen use harms social development and attention spans. Consequently, parent advocacy groups are successfully pushing districts to limit devices. Some schools have started returning to paper-based learning and hands-on activities to prioritize student engagement.

The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, April 4, 2026
The Second Annual Italian Festival at the county fairgrounds, Celebrating Celine! with Jenene Caramielo at the Fitz, “Godspell” at the Limelight Theatre, ruining the World Cup.

What ICE Could Learn from Prohibition’s Failures
The recent massive expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement distinctly parallels the hasty creation of the Prohibition-era federal police force in the 1920s. Both enforcement bodies faced intense public scrutiny for lowering training standards, hiring poorly vetted agents, and utilizing reckless violence to achieve difficult objectives. Historical records of Prohibition’s disastrous enforcement offer a stark warning about the dangers of rapidly scaling federal policing.
Uthmeier Claims Ban on State Funding of Religious Education Violates First Amendment
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier won’t enforce part of the state Constitution banning government funding for churches and other religious groups on the theory it violates the First Amendment, he claimed this week.

The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, April 3, 2026
Commissioner Andy Dance Free For All Friday, First Friday Garden Walks at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, First Friday in Flagler Beach, Artemis goes Old Lace.

Taming the Moral Menace at Capitalism’s Core
Digital disruption and the climate crisis are often framed as economic or social challenges. But they force crucial moral questions. Who will be held accountable for the human cost? What will it take to transform business culture so that those costs are not treated as inevitable and acceptable? The answers will shape not only technology’s impact on humanity and the planet but the moral foundations of democracy itself.

Trump Fires Pam Bondi, Ending Combative Tenure as Attorney General
Attorney General Pam Bondi is leaving the Department of Justice and will be replaced for now by President Donald Trump’s former personal defense lawyer, the president announced Thursday.

Voting Rights Groups File Suit as DeSantis Signs Proof-of-Citizenship Law
While Congress remains deadlocked on the SAVE America Act that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, that requirement will soon become the law of the land in Florida now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the latest “voting integrity ” legislation. The governor signed the bill (HB 991) into law Wednesday in The Villages following its approval by the Florida Legislature last month. The law requires people who are registering to vote to produce evidence of citizenship, such as a valid passport or birth certificate. It will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, April 2, 2026
“Godspell,” at the Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine, “My Fair Lady,” at Daytona Playhouse, Story Time with Miss Kim at Flagler Beach Public Library, Model Yacht Club Races at the Pond in Palm Coast’s Central Park and Doug Stanhope on nationalism.
Commentary

US, Israel and Iran All Think God Is On Their Side
Political leaders in the United States, Israel, and Iran are increasingly employing religious rhetoric to justify ongoing military actions. From biblical metaphors used by American and Israeli officials to messianic narratives within the Iranian leadership, faith serves as a tool for authoritarian nationalism, but the instrumentalization of scripture sets a dangerous precedent for international relations, complicating efforts toward peace and violating historical secular norms during war.

Why the Moon Again? Why Now?
NASA redesigned the Artemis program to prioritize building a permanent human presence on the lunar surface through strategic infrastructure investments. The agency added intermediate missions in low Earth orbit to test docking systems and life-support technologies. The shift ensures the development of reliable operations for repeated lunar missions. Consistent activity on the Moon will eventually shape international space law expectations.

Why Leisure Matters
In his powerful book “The Burnout Society,” South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han argues that in modern society, individuals have an imperative to achieve. Han calls this an “achievement society” in which we must become “entrepreneurs” – branding and selling ourselves; there is no time off the clock. But there’s a connection between unhealthy forms of leisure and burnout. Philosophy can help us navigate some of the pitfalls of leisure in an achievement society. The celebrated Greek philosopher Aristotle in particular can offer important insights.
Sponsored Content

OpenAI Stock Forecast: Evaluating the Long-Term Prospects in AI
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Online Chess with Kids: Focus, Patience and Smart Play
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