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Thursday, October 16, 2025
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Back to School Jam Set for August 2 at Flagler Palm Coast High School

By
Danielle Anderson
-

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Gather the kids and head on over to the Flagler Palm Coast High School campus on Saturday where the gymnasium will be full of laughter and activities after a quiet summer. Yes, it’s that time again – back to school.

While it may seem like summer went way too fast, for educators it’s a chance to recharge their batteries, brainstorm new ideas, and get ready for the new school year. Ready to meet the next class of students, teachers and administrators will be on site to answer questions, meet the kids, and help everyone put their best foot forward when classes officially start on August 11, 2025.

“This high-energy event brings together families, students, schools, and community partners for a morning full of fun, connection, and must-have info for the new year. Discover everything Flagler Schools has to offer—from clubs and activities to essential services and resources,” said school officials in a release.

What’s in Store:

Free backpacks with school supplies (while supplies last) courtesy of the Flagler County Education Foundation

Meet the Transportation team and get bus info

Chat with Food Services about free breakfast & lunch programs

Explore schools, programs, clubs, and community partners

Connect with administrators and staff who are ready to support your student’s success

Details: Flagler Schools Back to School Jam—Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the FPC gymnasium, located at 5500 State Road 100, Palm Coast. 

Download the Flagler Schools Calendar 2025-26

 

 

#ICYMI: City of Palm Coast Unveils Strategic Action Plan Dashboard to Empower Residents and Enhance Transparency

By
Brittany N. Kershaw
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Palm Coast, FL – The City of Palm Coast is proud to announce the launch of a new Strategic Action Plan (SAP) Dashboard, a public-facing tool designed to keep residents informed and engaged in the city’s progress on key priorities. Built entirely in-house, this dynamic dashboard allows users to easily track the City Council’s strategic objectives, initiatives, and progress—all in one place.

The dashboard reflects the City Council’s four pillars of priorities and breaks down each objective into clear strategies and tactics. Each objective includes a real-time status bar to show how much progress has been made. This interactive resource will be updated quarterly to provide timely and transparent updates to residents, city staff, and elected officials.

View the dashboard by visiting palmcoast.gov and scrolling to the bottom of the homepage. Click the tile labeled “SAP Priorities” to access the dashboard. You can also access the dashboard directly by visiting palmcoast.gov/priorities.

Once there, watch a walkthrough of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and learn how city initiatives are tied to the SAP. This video will be refreshed following the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Next, explore the City Council’s four pillar areas. Within each pillar, you can view detailed objectives and strategies, including current progress through easy-to-read status indicators.

Many of these objectives were adopted in the summer of 2025 and have budget implications that begin October 1, 2025. That means now is the perfect time to follow their development from the ground up. The dashboard also includes the 2024–2028 SAP packet, the most recent annual progress report, 2025 legislative priorities, and highlights of department-level accomplishments across the city.

In the next phase, the City will integrate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into the dashboard. These measurable data points will offer another layer of transparency, showing how Palm Coast is progressing toward its strategic goals in real time.

This dashboard is more than just a digital tool—it’s a direct reflection of the City of Palm Coast’s commitment to open government, informed decision-making, and resident involvement. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, the SAP Dashboard offers a window into how your city is working to improve quality of life, promote economic development, and maintain infrastructure and public services.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. And watch your city’s progress in action. Visit palmcoast.gov today.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

Bunnell to Start Recycling August 1

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

Recycling Guide: Starting August 1, 2025

Remember the new recycling guidelines are effective August 1, 2025

Only Clean Cardboard in Yellow-Lidded Recycling Carts

Contamination hurts recycling efforts and can incur additional fees on your utility bill— let’s do our part to keep it clean!

Game On! Registration Open for Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games

By
Danielle Anderson
-

Registration is now open for the 2025 Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games, presented in partnership with AdventHealth. The event, which begins on September 12, is open to participants ages 50 and up. This year, the city will feature Senior Games events for golf, pickleball, tennis, basketball (free throw shooting), archery, table tennis and the Pink on Parade 5K.

 

City of Palm Coast Fills Two Key Leadership Positions

By
Brittany N. Kershaw
-

Palm Coast, FL – The City of Palm Coast is proud to announce the hiring of two key leadership positions to support the city’s continued public service. Brian Roche has been appointed as the new Utility Director, and John Zobler will serve as the Community Development Director. Both began their roles on Monday, July 28, 2025.

Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Interim Assistant City Manager Mark Strobridge played a pivotal role in recruiting and helping to fill these critical leadership positions, bringing forward professionals whose expertise and experience will elevate the city’s strategic initiatives.

Brian Roche brings more than three decades of utility and engineering experience to Palm Coast, including high-level leadership roles with major utilities such as JEA, Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), and Fairfax Water. Most recently, Roche served as Water Resource Director for North Florida Professional Services, where he provided system planning, engineering, and finance support for the formation of a regional utility authority in Columbia and Suwannee Counties.

Roche has led multi-billion-dollar capital and operating budgets, directed major infrastructure systems serving hundreds of thousands of utility customers, and developed long-term finance and resource planning strategies. His blend of operational and engineering expertise will support Palm Coast Utilities in meeting the demands of a growing community while maintaining exceptional service quality.

John Zobler brings a distinguished background in local government, having served as City Manager and Deputy City Manager for the City of Ocala, Florida, from 2010 to 2019. During his tenure, he spearheaded initiatives that transformed Ocala’s downtown core, including the development of Central Park, a walking sculpture tour, and the launch of a business incubator in a city-owned building.

Zobler was instrumental in attracting large-scale employers through public-private partnerships, played a key role in the proposed relocation of the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate to Ocala, and implemented significant improvements to the city’s development review process. His leadership earned him the title of 2019 Person of the Year by Ocala Magazine. Zobler is known for his forward-thinking strategies and ability to balance community growth with long-term sustainability.

“These two individuals bring a wealth of experience and a passion for public service that will benefit every Palm Coast resident,” said Interim Assistant City Manager Mark Strobridge. “We’re excited to welcome Brian and John to the team and look forward to their contributions in shaping the future of our city.”

For more information about the City of Palm Coast, visit www.palmcoast.gov

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

FCFR Turns ‘Turtle Rescue’ Wednesday as it Assists Flagler Turtle Rescue 5 Hatchlings

By
Julie Murphy, MPIO
-

July 30, 2025 – Five leatherback sea turtle hatchlings are in the care of Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience following their harrowing journey across State Road A1A near Beverly Beach and became trapped in two storm drains at the Oceanside Condominiums.

Flagler Turtle Patrol contacted Flagler County Fire Rescue about noon, and the rescue began. Jenn Jakush from the Turtle Patrol directed Fire Rescue crews – Battalion 40 and Engine 40 – to two separate storm drains, each about 6 feet deep.

Heavy drain covers were removed, gas masks were donned, ladders were placed, and firefighters climbed down to retrieve the five hatchlings – which were carefully removed and placed into plastic containers for safety.

“It’s an especially good day when we can help rescue some of our beloved baby sea turtles,” Fire Rescue Captain Mike Pius said.

The rescued turtles were then transported to Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience for evaluation and rehabilitation, with the hope that they may be returned to the ocean as soon as this evening.

“Crews got called out to a vehicle crash on Interstate 95 immediately afterward,” said Fire Chief Mike Tucker. “They didn’t even get to linger on that rescue, and they are busy making another. We have a great team. That’s what they do day in and day out.”

For more information, Flagler Turtle Patrol can be reached at flaglerturtlepatrol@gmail.com.

Follow Flagler County Government on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment.

Back to School Jam Volunteers Needed on Saturday – Aug 2nd

By
Judy Bucek
-

Volunteers are needed by Flagler County Schools to assist with the Back to School Jam on Saturday, August 2nd from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Flagler Palm Coast High School in the 800 Gym.

Flagler Schools welcomes hundreds of families each year, providing the information they need to prepare for a successful upcoming school year.

We are seeking additional volunteers to help create a more community-focused atmosphere as we welcome families back from the summer. Volunteers will give out flyers/bags, direct traffic, work the break room, etc. Information will be emailed to you before the event with further details.

Volunteers must be friendly, helpful and at least 15 years old. Community Service for school and /or college, as well as approved court ordered community service hours are accepted.

REGISTER HERE

If you are interested in learning about the work Flagler Volunteer Services does in our community or would like to sign up for local Volunteer Opportunities, Programs, Trainings and Special Events please check out our website at www.flaglervolunteer.org

 

Palm Coast Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 Expansion Ribbon Cutting Set for August 4

By
Patrick Appolonia
-

Palm Coast, FL— The City of Palm Coast is formally inviting residents to join them in celebrating the completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 expansion project at a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 4 at 8:30am at the facility, located at 400 Peavy Grade off US1.

The project, which began last year, brings significant upgrades to the facility, including installation of advanced systems and new equipment, while doubling the wastewater capacity at the plant from 2 million gallons per day to 4 million gallons per day.

“This completion of this project brings a tremendous number of benefits to our wastewater treatment process that directly benefits our residents and our environment,” said Pete Roussell, Deputy Director of the City of Palm Coast’s Utility Department. This expansion not only helps us now but also provides a great level of sustainability into the future.”

The ribbon cutting will include participation from Palm Coast City Council members and administration, project stakeholders, and members of the city’s Utility Department among others. No RSVP is required to attend.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.

The Big Five … with Bill Thomson, VP, Marketing and Product Management at DC BLOX

By
Danielle Anderson
-

DC BLOX is making waves globally with their next big project, centered right here in Flagler County. The Big Five caught up with Bill Thomson, VP, Marketing and Product Management for DC BLOX for a few more details.

Q1. What made Palm Coast an attractive location for this investment?
Palm Coast was selected for its strategic location along the Florida coast, ideal for new international subsea cable landings. The area offers diverse network routes that avoid the established East Coast hubs in Miami, Virginia Beach, and Ashburn. Google is landing its new Sol subsea cable at this location specifically to offer a diverse connection to Europe from the Southeast US.

Additionally, Palm Coast and the surrounding Flagler County have demonstrated a strong commitment to local economic development, offering an environment that supports innovation and investment in digital infrastructure.

Q2. What types of jobs and opportunities will this bring to the area (job types, salaries, prerequisite training requirements)?
DC BLOX’s cable landing station and associated infrastructure will generate both direct and indirect jobs. These include roles in construction, security, and facility management. The data center will also offer colocation services to local businesses which will help to attract companies to the area that need to house their critical computing systems locally.

As additional subsea cables are announced and fiber network providers move in to provide terrestrial connections, additional infrastructure will need to be constructed and operated.

Q3. After the initial startup, what can residents expect growth-wise from the facility?
The facility is designed to support 6 subsea cables, with only the first being announced. Phased construction of the facility will be aligned with the contracting for additional subsea cables.

The addition of new regional fiber networks will also provide opportunities to connect underserved communities that are seeking to enable broadband services in their areas. These new networks will serve as regional digital superhighways to carry data from the region to core internet exchanges for enhanced communications.

Q4. What plans, if any, does DC BLOX have to integrate into the community?
DC BLOX places a high priority on community engagement. We aim to work closely with Flagler County officials, institutions, and organizations to support economic and educational advancement.

Similarly to other regions where we operate, DC BLOX plans to participate in local economic development initiatives and explore partnerships that enhance digital inclusion. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor in Palm Coast for the long term.

Q5. How has DC BLOX enhanced the quality of life for residents in communities they have expanded into?
DC BLOX enhances quality of life in the communities it serves by prioritizing direct, people-focused contributions such as charitable giving and volunteerism.

For example, in Myrtle Beach, the company donated $50,000 to support the city’s Living Lab initiative, funding programs that promote digital literacy and educational opportunities for students and residents. In addition, DC BLOX has offered space in the Myrtle Beach data center (free of charge) to house computing equipment to support their Smart City initiative.

Beyond financial support, DC BLOX employees regularly volunteer their time with local nonprofits and community organizations, participating in mentorship, fundraising, and civic engagement activities. These efforts reflect a commitment to being a true community partner: one that invests not just in infrastructure, but in the people who make each city thrive.

Q6. What role, if any, will the addition of DC BLOX to the Space Coast bring to the aerospace industry?
With a state-of-the-art data center designed for mission-critical reliability, the DC BLOX cable landing station is well-suited to house the critical infrastructure required of regional businesses and industries, including aerospace.

In addition, the Palm Coast CLS may provide opportunities for global data communications for regional multi-national enterprises.

By anchoring global communications closer to the Space Coast, DC BLOX’s investment will support the continued growth and global competitiveness of the region’s industries.

 

Susie Wiles Named Republican Party of Florida Statesman of the Year

By
Danielle Anderson
-

ORLANDO, FL – The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) proudly announces that Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff to President Donald J. Trump and Co-Campaign Manager for the Trump 2024 campaign, will be honored as the 2025 “Statesman of the Year” at the Red Florida Dinner on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.

A trailblazer for the Florida GOP, Wiles has been the strategic force behind some of the most consequential political victories in recent American history – from Senator Rick Scott’s rise to the presidency of Donald J. Trump. Widely regarded as “the most powerful woman in the world” – a title President Trump himself bestowed on her – Wiles’s influence spans national and Florida politics, presidential campaigns, and conservative movements at every level.

Wiles began her public service in the Reagan administration and later built a distinguished career in Florida politics. Over the past two decades, she has been a central figure in shaping Florida’s Republican resurgence – from working for two Republican mayors in Jacksonville, managing Rick Scott’s first campaign as a political newcomer in 2010, running President Trump’s successful Florida operations in 2016 and 2020, and then delivering for President Trump as his 2024 Co-Campaign Manager and now Chief of Staff. Her contributions to the Florida GOP are both historic and ongoing.

“Susie Wiles has shaped not just Florida politics, but the future of our country,” said RPOF Chairman Evan Power. “From Jacksonville to Tallahassee and now the White House, her leadership, integrity, and unmatched political instincts have defined a generation. Honoring her as our 2025 Statesman of the Year is a tribute to her extraordinary career and enduring impact.”

The Red Florida Dinner will be held as part of the Florida Freedom Forum, the Florida GOP’s annual flagship event. Featured speakers include U.S. Senator Rick Scott, Congressman Byron Donalds, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley – joining hundreds of grassroots leaders, elected officials, and party faithful to celebrate the strength of Florida’s conservative movement.

Media Release & Image: Republican Party of Florida

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Flagler News Weekly Editor: Danielle Anderson Published by Sunrise Media Group, LLC ©Flagler News Weekly, All Rights Reserved.
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