- December 16, 2025
+ Flagler Beach takes over building inspections
Flagler County has been providing full-time building plan review, permitting and inspection services for the city of Flagler Beach since 2003. As of Oct. 1 this year, however, the city began conducting those services in-house, with the county signed on in a contingency role only.
“Today marks the first day of the city of Flagler Beach taking back over and opening its own building department,” County Commissioner Barbara Revels said, at an Oct. 3 commission meeting, before the board approved the operations shift. “We’ve had a great interlocal working arrangement, and the county works diligently to try and maintain that. But it just didn’t work out.”
Flagler Beach officials notified the county Aug. 29 of the planned change. It was approved by the Flagler Beach City Commission Sept. 22. The county approved the new agreement for a three-year term.
+ EOC board application deadline gets extended
With the application deadline for consideration on the county’s new Economic Opportunity Council fast approaching, County Administrator Craig Coffey reported to the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners Monday morning, Oct. 3, that his office had received just three submissions for participation thus far.
It was decided to extend the application deadline, previously set at Oct. 7, for at least another week.
So far, participation on the eight-person council has received applications from Rick Fraser, Center for Business Excellence president, Mark Langello, M&M Development, and Joseph Marotti, from SCORE.
The commission is seeking six individuals with backgrounds in finance, agriculture, marketing, real estate and high-tech business.
To apply, complete an application at www.FlaglerCounty.org, under “Advisory Board Vacancies,” and submit via email ([email protected]), fax or regular mail.
For more, call 313-4094.
+ Palm Coast man’s truck flipped after striking tree
James Gary Harding, 41, of Palm Coast’s P-section, was listed in critical condition after a crash Saturday, Oct. 1.
In a 2003 Chevy 2500, Harding was traveling east on County Road 302, approaching a sharp, left curve before the intersection of State Road 100. Harding failed to negotiate the curve; he rotated partially counterclockwise and crossed into the grassy, east shoulder.
He continued through the roadway until striking a tree, causing his truck to overturn. He was airlifted to the Halifax Medical Center in critical condition. There were no other passengers in the truck, which sustained $16,000 in damages.
+ Palm Coast jeweler pulls gun on threatening customer
Palm Cost jeweler Dan Ferrena, 54, of Riverwalk Drive, in Palm Coast, was booked into the Flagler County Inmate Facility Sept. 30, on the charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, following a dispute with a customer. Bond was set at $1,500.
The victim, Joshua Newby, told deputies that he walked into Palm Coast Gold Buyers, owned by Dan and Edith Ferrena, at 101 Palm Coast Parkway, to look at watches.
Newby was accompanied by his young daughter, and told deputies that he then asked his wife and a friend to come into the store to view the watch. Several children accompanied them, and Edith Ferrena, asked them to leave, saying a jewelry store was no place for children, according to statements taken by deputies.
Newby left the store and then went back inside to speak with Edith and Dan Ferrena.
An argument ensued, with Newby directing obscenities at Edith Ferrena as he walked out of the door of the store. At that time, according to Newby, Dan Ferrena pulled a gun from his waistband, cocked it and pointed it at him. Newby said he walked away and called law enforcement.
Ferrena told deputies he only displayed the gun at his side and denied cocking it or pointing it. He told deputies that Newby had charged him in a threatening manner, so he wanted him to know he was armed.
Deputies reported that Ferrena was cooperative throughout the investigation.
+ Discovery books, seminars adopted in Flagler schools
To complement the adoption of Discovery Education as Flagler schools’ new technical science books, 85 to 100 teachers each at four schools will receive professional development training, including webinars and full-day seminars.
Development will cost $32,000 from the School Board’s Supplemental Academic Instruction fund.
+ Corrections
Christ Lutheran Church leased Straight Shots for one year, with the option of extending for two more years.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Palm Coast City Council — the next workshop is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at City Offices.
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — a special meeting to elect a chair and vice-chair of the Flagler County Delegation will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Government Services Building.
• The next regular meeting is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the Government Services Building.
Flagler County School Board — the next regular workshop/meeting is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Government Services Building.
— Visit www.PalmCoastObserver.com for daily news updates.
