- April 18, 2024
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Flagler County Sheriff James L. Manfre welcomed two new communications specialists to the Sheriff’s Office today during a swearing-in ceremony at the Sheriff’s Operations Center.
Iris Sciandra and VeEtta Bess-Dukes both have previous law enforcement experience as communication specialists.
Sciandra, 52, who came from Los Angeles, attended college in Stuart, Florida, where she earned a degree in business administration.
She previously worked for sheriff’s offices in Martin County, Florida, and Clay County, North Carolina.
Sciandra decided to move back to the Palm Coast area because she has a brother and sister locally. She is married and her two daughters both attend college in Florida, she said.
She continues to be drawn to law enforcement. “I have the experience and I’ve always liked the law enforcement side and I want to help people.”
Bess-Dukes, 40, was born and raised in Tampa.
She attended Capella University in Minnesota, where she studied criminal justice.
She spent 10 years in law enforcement, having worked as a communications technician and a trainer at the Tampa Police Department.
She moved to this coast of Florida because she “married my wonderful husband, who is a resident and a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University” in Daytona Beach, she said.
She has three children, ages 15, 5, and 6 months old.
Communications specialists answer 911 calls at our communications center and are responsible for dispatching law enforcement or rescue services to people in need in an emergency, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
The two new specialists began their new jobs effective today.
The Sheriff’s Office’s Communications Division dispatches units for more than just the Sheriff’s Office.
These Communications Specialists dispatch for the Bunnell and Flagler Beach Police Departments as well as the Flagler County Emergency Services Division and the Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Palm Coast fire departments.
Emergency personnel depend on the quality and accuracy of information they receive from these specialists who are trained to obtain information from citizens who call in to request assistance.
These specialists also monitor the safety of firefighters and law enforcement personnel when they are out on calls by monitoring their activities by radio.
The following is a news release from the city of Palm Coast communications office:
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts is joining mayors across the country in asking residents to make a commitment to conserve water and cut pollution by taking part in a national contest aimed at drastically slashing water and energy use across the nation — and in return residents can win a new Toyota Prius, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes.
Please go online at mywaterpledge.com between April 1 and 30 to take the water challenge pledge!
The Wyland Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation during the month of April is a non-profit national community service campaign to see which leaders can best inspire their residents to make a series of informative through easy-to-use online pledges to reduce water and energy usage.
Last year was Palm Coast’s first year to participate in the national competition, and the city was proud to come in seventh in the nation for cities with a population of 30,000 to 99,999.
“Since the beginning of Palm Coast, our citizens have protected and preserved the natural environment,” Netts said. “Water conservation is especially important for us here in Florida, where the fresh water supply is limited. Not only is conserving water the right thing to do for our future, it’s also a good way for residents and businesses to save money.”
“I encourage everyone to go online this month, and take the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation,” he said. “Let’s shoot for number one in the nation this year!”
The city is using its Facebook and Twitter accounts to spread the water conservation message.
Last year, residents from over 3,900 cities in all 50 U.S. states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by 1.5 billion gallons, reduce waste sent to landfills by 47 million pounds, and prevent more than 141,000 pounds of hazardous waste from entering our watersheds.
To take the pledge to conserve water, save energy and reduce pollution, residents enter online at mywaterpledge.com, and then make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of Palm Coast. Cities compete in the following population categories: 5,000 to 29,999 residents, 30,000 to 99,999 residents, 100,000 to 299,999 residents, 300,000 to 599,999 residents, and 600,000-plus residents). The city of Palm Coast has approximately 80,000 residents.
Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge in their population category are entered into drawings for hundreds of eco-friendly prizes, including home improvement gift cards, home irrigation equipment, and a Grand Prize Toyota Prius. The challenge also features additional resources for residents to take their commitment of conservation even further, from regional water and energy resource issues to cost-saving tips at home.
The Fifth National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with support from the U.S EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, National League of Cities, Conserva Irrigation, and Earth Friendly Products (makers of ECOS).
Founded in 1993 by environmental artist Wyland (best known for his series of 100 monumental marine life murals), the Wyland Foundation, is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs, and public art projects. Learn more at wylandfoundation.org.
Here are some tips to help Palm Coast residents get started:
• The average faucet flows at a rate of 2 gallons per minute. You can save up to four gallons of water a day by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
• Taking a bath requires up to 70 gallons of water. A five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
• A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• At 1 drip per second, a faucet can leak 3,000 gallons per year.
• If you drink your daily recommended 8 glasses of water per day from the tap, it will cost you about 50 cents per year. If you choose to drink it from water bottles, it can cost you up to $1,400 dollars.
• More than 25 percent of bottled water comes from a municipal water supply, the same place that tap water comes from.
• According to American Waterworks Association, the average price of water in the United States is about $1.50 for 1,000 gallons. Saving water saves money!
The following is a news release from the Flagler County communications office:
The George Washington Carver Foundation’s online auction began April 6, with more than 60 items to bid on this year. Bids open will be tabulated through April 27.
The list of items to be auctioned continues to grow. It includes: guided tours of Flagler County’s natural resources; several dining opportunities including meals prepared by commissioners Frank Meeker and George Hanns; original artwork – several pieces by local artist Jack Carroll; a stay at the Hammock Beach Resort; and, an African safari.
The auction is the primary fundraising event for the Carver Center. In the past, money raised has been used for big-ticket items like ceiling insulation, furniture for the library, a scoreboard, bleachers, as well as money for scholarships and summer camp.
“As with last year, we are gearing up to assist the county with an addition to the center,” said Flagler County Commission Chair Barbara Revels. “Flagler County has applied for a community development block grant to build additional classrooms and meeting space and is reapplying this year. If that happens, we’d like to be ready to help with what we can to furnish the addition.”
Revels is a member of the George Washington Carver Foundation and was part of a team instrumental in bringing the center up to sustainable level, saving the center from an uncertain fate.
The Carver Center is a recreational facility that also offers tutoring, after school study, internet access and also serves the community with GED classes, employment counseling and other services. It supports the Road to Success program, the AIM summer camp and numerous athletic tournaments.
New this year is a Bidder ID system that will provide each person participating in the auction with a unique, and anonymous, identification that will display on the website. This will help bidders determine if their bids are the current high bids. Additionally, bidders will not have fill out personal information for each bid placed.
or registration and the complete list of items is available, go to: carverfoundation.org/auction. Bids can be made online or by phone at 386-586-5136. All proceeds will benefit the continued support and development of the G.W. Carver Community Center.
The following is a news release from the Housing Authority of Flagler County:
The Housing Authority of Flagler County in partnership with the G.W. Carver Community Center and numerous other Flagler County agencies and organization will present a community-wide Father’s Day Event.
The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16th, at the G.W. Carver Community Center at 201 E. Drain Street in Bunnell.
Goals of this community-wide event are to encourage total family interaction and strengthen the bond between father figures and their children and to focus on the health, employment and educational needs of men.
Components of the one-day event will include a Health Fair as well as an Employment and Continuing Education Fair.
Other activities will include family encouraged games, indoor sports challenges, information booths, and food. Entertainment will be provided by local churches and youth groups.
The event is free and open to the public.
Along with the Flagler Housing Authority and the G.W. Carver Community Center, numerous other agencies and organizations, including Career Source, North East Florida Community Action, Flagler Technical Institute, Healthy Start, Flagler County Health Department and Flagler Medical Reserves, Road to Success, and numerous other organizations and churches will be participating in this second year event.
Free parking is available on site at the G.W. Carver Center as well as the Versy Lee Community Center, both on East Drain Street.
The following is a news release from the city of Palm Coast communications office:
Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect your children in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To assist you with making your kids as safe as possible, the Palm Coast Fire Department is offering a free Car Seat Check event from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Parkway. The checks will be done in the Fire Department’s drive-through bays to assure everyone is out of the sun.
Firefighters from the Palm Coast Fire Department who have been trained as car seat technicians will check to make sure car seats are installed properly and will also show parents/guardians how to properly install their car seat according to manufacturer and vehicle specifications. Additional information on keeping children safe will also be provided.
People who attend the event are asked to bring their car seat manual and the vehicles owner’s manual with them, if possible.
For more information, call the Palm Coast Fire Department at 386-986-2300.
The following is a news release from the city of Palm Coast communications office:
The city of Palm Coast and the Flagler Rowing Club are teaming up to offer the community a new indoor exercise opportunity: indoor rowing.
Indoor rowing will be on Monday evenings, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., from April 18 to May 23 at the Linear Park classroom at 31 Greenway Court in Palm Coast. It is open to teens and adults ages 16 and older.
Advance registration is required and is under way at palmcoastgov.com/register. Space is limited. The six-week session is $36.
An indoor rower, known as an ergometer (or erg), simulates the action of rowing for the purpose of exercise.
The benefits associated with a typical erg workout include weight loss, cardiovascular conditioning and strength training.
In addition, an experienced rowing coach will keep participants energized during the hour-long interval training class.
Instruction will include proper technique while using the erg with a focus on both mechanics and breathing.
All fitness levels are welcome. Participants should bring a towel, water and a mat for floor exercises.
For more information, call Palm Coast Parks and Recreation at 386-986-2323.
The following is a news release from the city of Palm Coast communications office:
The River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), which includes Palm Coast, is seeking input from residents of Palm Coast as it plans transportation improvements for the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) that includes Volusia County and portions of Flagler County.
The TPO has launched a “Tell the TPO” campaign to survey people who live or work in Volusia and/or Flagler counties, as well as visitors.
The survey can be accessed on the city’s website at palmcoastgov.com/TPOsurvey.
The 11-question survey asks consumers a variety of questions on their transportation habits, including pedestrian, bicycle, vehicles and public transportation, as well as transportation spending and satisfaction with transportation facilities.
All responses received by May 31, 2016, will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a free iPad Mini. (The drawing is optional; survey responses can be submitted anonymously.)
"This survey will help us understand our citizens’ transportation wants and needs as we prepare long-range plans,” said Palm Coast City Council Member Jason DeLorenzo, who serves as Palm Coast’s representative on the TPO. “I encourage everyone to complete the survey.”
The city of Palm Coast joined the River to Sea TPO in 2014 as the boundaries of the Metropolitan Planning Area expanded. The TPO is a regional organization charged with long-term planning for transportation facilities in the TPO planning area. As a voting member, the city of Palm Coast actively works on transportation issues that have a regional significance and is able to advance transportation issues at the regional level.
For more information, contact Palm Coast Communications and Marketing Manager Cindi Lane at 386-986-3708 or [email protected].
The following is a news release from the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office:
Three additional forms of photo and signature identification are now acceptable at polling locations in Florida.
Governor Rick Scott signed a bill passed this Legislative Session on April 1, 2016 which expands the current list of acceptable forms of identification that voters may use for picture and signature identification when voting at the polls on Election Day or during early voting. Before April 1, the following forms of ID were accepted:
Effective April 1, 2016, the following forms of ID will also be accepted:
10. Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
11. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06.
12. Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
“Photo and signature ID is always required at the polls in Florida," Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart said. "This law expands the list to include common sense options, which will help voters present an acceptable form of identification at the polling place.”
