- December 16, 2025
+ Daylight saving is out; change clocks and batteries
Daylight saving time is out. Standard time begins 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, and along with moving clocks back an hour, Flagler County Fire Marshal Robert Growick reminds residents to change the battery in their smoke detectors, as well.
The Emergency Operations Center will host an event providing free 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors, and also assisting residents in signing up for Code Red, the county notification program that warns residents of hazardous weather. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, in the Government Services Building, at 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Call 313-4200
Flagler County Fire Rescue will also change batteries and install alarms for free for any resident unable to make the event.
“Our goal is to have operating smoke detectors in every home in Flagler County,” Growick said. “It will save lives.”
The fire department has received alarm donations from First Alert and battery donations from Energizer Corp.
+ Helmeted man binds cashier, robs liquor store
Deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched Oct. 30 to Sharps Discount Liquors, State Road 100, in response to a reported armed robbery.
Deputies said a customer called after he found the store’s door locked and heard the cashier screaming for help.
The clerk told deputies that a black male came in the store and asked for help finding an item. He was wearing a helmet, riding jacket and gloves. The clerk said the man grabbed her and ordered her at gunpoint to open the register and safe.
He then took the money, bound her legs and hands and fled out of the store’s back door.
Call 313-4911, or 1-888-277-8477, with information.
+ 73-year-old driver hits 75-year-old pedestrian
While driving on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach Oct. 27, David Carlson, 73, of Palm Coast, hit a 75-year-old Ormond Beach man, sending him to Halifax Hospital with serious injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, Carlson was traveling in a Cadillac STS, when he attempted to drive around a motorcycle, which had stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
Carlson then struck Antonio Brasca, 75, throwing him to the ground east of the roadway.
+ Five arrested in Palm Coast drug house
Neighbors in one Palm Coast community applauded Oct. 27, as Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies arrested five people and shut down a drug flop house on Rockne Lane.
For the second time in a little more than a year, deputies searched the foreclosed 20 Rockne Lane Oct. 28, finding drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs.
The homeowner, Thomas Ksiezopolski, 35, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kristen Westbrook, 28, Jacqueline Hess, 22, Andrew Wolagiewcz, 29, and Wesley Barham, 28, were also arrested on drug charges.
The house had no running water, and electricity was being provided through a meter that was not assigned to the home, according to deputies.
All five occupants were transported to the Flagler County Inmate Facility. Ksiezopolski was being held Oct. 28 on $1,000 bond, and Wolagiewcz was facing a $500 bond. The other three were released on their own recognizance during a first appearance before a judge.
+ Port Orange man charged with assaulting deputy
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a Port Orange man who fled from Volusia County deputies Oct. 27, but not before the man drove his vehicle into a patrol car.
Ronald A. Pinkerton, 68, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
For the full story, see www.PalmCoastObserver.com.
+ Correction
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PUBLIC MEETINGS
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — the next regular meeting is 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at the Government Services Building.
• County Commissioner Barbara Revels and School Board member Colleen Conklin will hold a Town Hall meeting 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Flagler Beach City Hall, 105 S. Second St.
