- December 15, 2025
+ State: Flagler to be in House District 24
It’s official: Florida House District 24 includes all of Flagler County, plus the southern third of St. Johns and the northwestern quadrant of Volusia (including Pierson).
Finalized by the Legislature last week, the new district lines ensure that Flagler County will comprise the majority of District 24. That makes it likely that a Flagler resident will represent the area on the state level.
The Florida Senate, however, is still in flux. The Supreme Court rejected the Legislature’s redistricting effort, saying it favored incumbents. The Legislature was scheduled to meet this week to resolve the issues.
The U.S. House of Representatives was also redistricted recently, and Flagler County is in the new District 6. Longtime Rep. John Mica will not run in the area but will instead stick with District 7, which includes his home of 40 years, Winter Park.
+ End-of-course exams prompt policy review
According to current district policy, accelerated middle school students taking high school classes must receive a grade of an A or a B to receive credit. But that could change, according to Diane Dyer, director of high school and virtual curriculum and instruction.
One year ago, the state mandated the incorporation of end-of-course exams, or EOCs, which, if passed, entitle a student to course credit regardless of his semester grade.
“The concern is that a student may receive a C or D but (still) pass the EOC and be entitled to credit by state law,” Dyer added. “But (that student) won’t receive credit by district policy.”
A town hall meeting to resolve the discrepancies in the policies, which would affect 386 Flagler middle-schoolers currently taking high school courses, will be scheduled soon.
+ Legislature passes digital learning bill
In the final hours of its 60-day legislative session, the Florida Legislature approved the Digital Learning Bill (Senate Bill 1402/House Bill 7063), which allows for more funding to virtual students, as well as removes the requirement for students in grades 2 through 5 to attend public school one year prior to virtual enrollment.
The National Coalition for Public School Options sent a letter March 9, thanking the Legislature for its support.
Visit www.PalmCoast Observer.com for past iFlagler Virtual School coverage.
+ ‘Careless’ Cadillac driver read-ends motorcycle
A crash March 9 left two in serious condition, near the intersection of state roads 5 and 11, in Flagler County.
Raymond A. Girard, 67, of Gainesville, was driving a 2006 Cadillac STS southbound in the left lane on State Road 5, according to a Florida Highway Patrol release. At about 3 p.m., a Yamaha motorcycle driven by Kyle E. Jones, 34, of Hastings, was traveling southbound in the right lane.
Girard entered Jones’ lane and collided with the rear of the motorcycle. Jones and his passenger, 22-year-old Holly Robinson, also of Hastings, were ejected from the bike and into the center median. Girard hit a tree.
Jones, who was wearing a helmet, and Girard, who was wearing a seatbelt, were flown to Halifax Hospital. Robinson, who was also wearing a helmet, was evaluated as having minor injuries and was driven to Florida Hospital Flagler.
The Florida Highway Patrol stated it was a case of “careless driving.”
+ Elderly woman hops curb, crashes into house
An elderly woman drove over a median, hopped a curb, plowed through a fence, sustained a three-foot drop and bonked into a house in the B-section at 12:40 p.m. Friday. She was taken to the hospital but was feeling no pain and only had a small cut, according to the officers on the scene.
+ Public Meetings
Palm Coast City Council — the next regular workshop is 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Palm Coast Community Center.
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — the next regular meeting is 5 p.m. Monday, March 19, at the Government Services Building.
Flagler County Economic Opportunity Council — the next regular meeting is April 4.
Flagler County School Board — the next regular workshop/meeting is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Government Services Building.
