- April 19, 2024
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George Hanns, right, speaks during the 2017 dedication of the George Hanns Bridge at Princess Place Preserve as former County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin looks on. (Photo courtesy of the Flagler County government.)
George Hanns on his bridge at Princess Place. (Photo courtesy of the Flagler County government.)
Stephen Watkins, center, with Sheriff Gordon Smith of Bradford County (left) and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly (right). (Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff' s Office)
Flagler County has dedicated the covered bridge at Princess Place Preserve to George Hanns, the former county commissioner who served for 24 years — six consecutive terms — and was a longtime supporter of the preserve.
The county announced the dedication during a commission meeting Feb. 20, and held a ribbon cutting at the bridge Feb. 22, unveiling a new sign designating the bridge as the George Hanns Bridge.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith presented a check for $1,000 Feb. 23 to Stephen Watkins, a six-year veteran of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office who is recovering from a life-threatening illness.
The donation comes from the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association’s Lend a Hand program, which
assists its members with life challenges such as Watkins is facing.
In August 2016, the young former detention deputy grew ill from an infection that required hospitalization, surgeries and ongoing physical rehabilitation. This illness has left Watkins paralyzed from the chest down and using a wheelchair and a service dog named Mya, who is learning to assist Watkins at home.
When Sheriff Staly learned that Watkins’ Palm Coast home needs changes to accommodate his condition, Staly called the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, whose president is Sheriff Smith, for help.
Today, the two sheriffs presented the check to Watkins at his new position as a communications specialist for the Flagler County Communications Center. Watkins has been learning his new duties for a couple of weeks and said he’s very glad to get out of his house and have a purpose.
Sheriff Staly told Watkins, “I hope this helps you make the changes that you need at your home. I know you’re working hard to learn your new job. And we’re not done raising money.”
The Sheriff’s Office and Watkins’ friends and colleagues have poured their hearts into raising money to help Watkins, whose new co-workers in the Communications Center say he remains very positive.
A fundraising event is scheduled Sunday, March 26, at Cue Note Billiard Room in Palm Coast, from 3-9 p.m., offering unlimited pool games, appetizers and a beverage to help raise money to outfit Watkins’ home. The event is sponsored by Lowe’s, the Coastal Florida PBA, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Flagler Beach and Bunnell police departments.
During today’s presentation, Sheriff Staly told Sheriff Smith, “Stephen said his doctors have told him he won’t walk again but he’s determined he will walk again.”
The Bradford County sheriff told Watkins he was “glad Sheriff Staly was able to put you in this position and not lose your knowledge.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to the project may do so by writing a check to The Coastal Florida PBA, 810 Fentress Ct., Suite 150, Daytona Beach FL 32117, Ref: Stephen Watkins Fund. Or visit the Palm Coast Lowe’s and see Emey Miranda, kitchen project specialist, to purchase an item needed to complete this project.
Sheriff Rick Staly is warning residents to be on the alert for distraction thefts after a residential burglary occurred the afternoon of Feb. 21 in the B-section of Palm Coast by two men claiming to be workers from the city’s water department.
In this case, two men knocked on the door of an older female resident on Bowie Place around 3 p.m. They told her there was a water main break and they entered her home, without showing her any identification.
The two men, who were not wearing uniforms, looked around her house. One subject was in the kitchen and the other was in her bedroom. It’s unclear whether they took anything. The resident told deputies she was not injured by the men and she did not see any weapons.
The men left in a newer model white pickup truck, but told her they would return because they were working on water lines. And they warned her not to drink her water, saying someone put something harmful in the water.
Both suspects were described as Hispanic males, in their 20s, both about 5’4’’ tall and weighing about 140 pounds with brown hair. The second suspect was wearing a white baseball cap backward.
After the men left, a neighbor reported the incident to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Distraction thefts are committed by thieves in pairs, distracting and confusing unsuspecting residents to gain entry into homes and possibly steal from them. “This is a classic method of burglary, distracting the resident before he or she even knows what’s happening,” Sheriff Staly said. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is not to open your door to anyone you don’t know.”
Here are some important tips to avoid becoming a victim of a distraction theft:
Anyone with information about this burglary or any crime that may have occurred in Flagler County is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911, or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477. Crime Stoppers tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
