Flagler County, FL – Flagler County is one step closer to getting a new fire station on the County’s west side after officials closed on the property for the future site of the station at the intersection of State Road 100 and County Road 305.

The new fire station will be at a currently constructed 12,000 square foot building with an attached 8,000 square foot lean-to area. The building, which sits on 25.48 acres, will be hardened into a fire station and fixed up to make sure that it can withstand higher winds.

Commission Chair Nate McLaughlin made the official announcement about the station Thursday during his town hall meeting in Daytona North. “I have been working for a better solution for the west side of our county,” said McLaughlin. “I’m very proud of Flagler County staff in their persistence to improve how we provide services throughout the county.”

The total cost to acquire the property was $625,000, and the station may be operational hopefully within a year to two years, according to Flagler County officials.

“Right now we have a very old fire station further west than where this one is, but it’s not big enough for our current needs,” explains Julie Murphy, Public Information Officer for Flagler County.

The location on Flagler’s west side is key in helping firefighters battle the county’s bigger fires. “Every major wildfire has come from the west side of the county,” Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito says. “It is a great asset to serve as the base for these fire-fighting operations.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – A 48-year-old woman from DeLand has been arrested after she continually stole and pawned jewelry from her husband’s business.

On October 13, a woman told deputies that the four pieces of jewelry (worth $750) she gave to Brinkoetter’s Jewelry, located at 468 South Spring Garden Ave., to fix were never given back. The woman said that the owner, Steven Brinkoetter, could not locate her jewelry that she dropped of on August 16. She claims that the shop would often be closed and that the owners would not return her calls and would often make up excuses when contacted.

On the same day, deputies went to DeLand Value Pawn and found several pieces of jewelry that matched the description in the victim’s report. A worker at the pawn shop said that Steven Brinkoetter’s wife, Nancy Brinkoetter, made a transaction there on September 6.

Deputies have found similar instances of missing items at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry. Most of the cases involved either of the Brinkoetters giving excuses as to why the customer’s jewelry could not be found.

• On October 18, 4 pieces of jewelry (worth $3,700) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry in June had not yet been returned. Deputies found the missing pieces at AA 91 Gun & Pawn and BJ Phelps Pawn.
• On October 21, a necklace (worth $1,500) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry on April 24 had not yet been returned.  The necklace has yet to be found.
• On October 27, a bracelet (worth $2,500) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry on July 6 had not yet been returned. The bracelet was later found at DeLand Value Pawn, pawned for $200 by Nancy Brinkoetter.
• Also on October 27, a chain (worth $574) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry in July had not yet been returned. A chain matching the description was found at Orange City Value Pawn and later picked up by Nancy Brinkoetter. It is not known where the chain currently is.
• On November 1, a bracelet (worth $400) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry in September had not yet been returned. Nancy said she pawned the bracelet at Value Pawn & Jewelry. The location of the bracelet is unknown at this time.
• Also on November 1, a ring (worth $3,500) dropped off at Brinkoetter’s Jewelry in June had not yet been returned. The ring was found at Value Pawn & Jewelry and records show Nancy pawned it for $325.

On November 2, Nancy Brinkoetter was arrested and charged with 3 counts of dealing in stolen property and 7 counts of grand theft. Nancy admitted to pawning the jewelry to get money for her husband’s cancer treatment medication and that she wanted to return everything she took. Steven had said that he had no idea about the pawning until she told him around October 18.

(Brinkoetter mugshot courtesy of Volusia County Corrections)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St Augustine, FL – Closing arguments for the sentencing of the Deltona man convicted of triple murder ended Friday.

Luis Toledo faces the death penalty after being convicted of murdering his wife, Yessenia Suarez, and her two kids, Michael and Thalia Otto. Toledo’s lawyers argued that a life prison sentence is a harsher punishment than death.

The jury began deliberating at around 3 PM on Friday. In order for Toledo to receive a death sentence, the jury must unanimously agree on the death penalty. But, the judge for the case will ultimately make the final decision.

For more on this story, head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Palm Coast, FL – A 13-year-old boy, who is also a student at Indian Trails Middle School in Palm Coast, was arrested on Friday after putting a young girl in a choke-hold and trying to steal her backpack, according to Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).

FCSO responded to Pine Lakes Apartments on Pine Lakes Parkway in Palm Coast at around 7 AM on Friday after reports that a young boy had a girl in a choke-hold. The boy was described as a black juvenile, about 13 to 16 years old and 4 feet 11 inches, with shoulder-length dreadlocks with gold tips.

The girl told deputies that the boy had been following her and later tried to snatch her backpack, but she was able to retrieve her belongings while calling for help. According to FCSO, the boy ran west between the apartments and the Parkview Baptist Church.

Administrators at Indian Trails Middle School were notified, and a perimeter was set up to search for the boy. School Resource Deputy Sam Cooper found the 13-year-old student at the school at around 7:40 AM. The boy was identified by the victim and a witness and was taken into custody.

“I am thankful that the people who witnessed this incident called 911 quickly and were able to give a good description of the suspect,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says. “That allowed our school resource deputies to be on the lookout for anyone matching the description, which, in this case, happened very quickly. Everyone from the citizens who called in, to the patrol deputies, to the school resource deputies, did a great job in bringing the kid to justice.”

The boy was arrested for robbery of a purse or sudden snatching and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The DJJ declined to hold him and turned him over to his parents, according to FCSO. “This is another disappointing example of DJJ policies being soft on crime,” says Staly. “Juveniles need to understand quickly that there are serious consequences for their actions. Otherwise they start a life of crime that often gets more serious.”

The boy has also been trespassed from the Pine Lakes Apartments property.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St. Augustine, FL – A jury had recommended a life sentence for the Deltona man who was recently convicted of triple murder.

On Friday at around 7 PM, jurors told the judge that they believed Luis Toledo should spend life in prison after he killed his wife, Yessenia Suarez, and her children, Michael and Thalia Otto. Jurors said they recommended a life sentence because of the killing of the two kids.

In January, a sentencing hearing will be held.

For more on this story, head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Port Orange, FL – Several Port Orange Police Officers were involved in a shooting near City Center on Friday and one officer was injured after the suspect struck him with a vehicle.

At around 9 PM, a white man approached 3 officers in his vehicle. Upon the officers briefly speaking to the man, he left suddenly, hitting one of the officers in the process. The officers chased the suspect into the rear parking lot of the Coral Bay Villas, located at 4801 Clyde Morris Blvd.

The suspect then left his vehicle and fired several rounds from a handgun towards the officers. Sergeant Warren Carmen (11-year veteran), Officer Wayne Jean (6-year veteran), and Officer Jacob Bissonnette (1-year) all returned fire. The suspect, 53-year-old Robert A. Powell of Daytona Beach, was killed.

Officer Wayne Jean, who was hit by the side of the suspect’s vehicle, was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. Officer-involved shooting policy requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to investigate and requires all 3 officers to be put on administrative leave.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – Flagler County residents are warned that FEMA imposters have been reported in nearby areas.

Flagler County Emergency Management reminds residents that real FEMA employees wear a lanyard with their badges clearly displayed. Members of FEMA staff will never ask you for money for inspecting your home.

“It has come to my attention that individuals claiming to be from FEMA are telling residents they are there to do a home inspection,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager, Sally Sherman. “If they don’t have a FEMA badge, and they are not from FEMA.”

St. Johns County officials have reported that a homeowner was approached about a home inspection when they had not even applied for FEMA assistance.

“I don’t want any of our residents to fall prey to one of these scam artists,” said Sherman. “Ask them to leave and then call the Sheriff’s Office.”

If you believe you have been involved in a similar incident, you are urged to contact the non-emergency Flagler County Sheriff’s Office number at 386-313-4911.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Volusia County, FL – The 45th annual Volusia All-County Choral Music Showcase is coming up soon.

At 7 PM on Thursday, November 9, DeLand High School, located at 800 N. Hill Ave., will host middle and high school chorus students from around the county. Over 200 students will perform at the concert. Volusia County Schools remind that the event is free and open to the public.

Mr. Evan Powers from Avalon Middle School in Orlando will lead the middle school chorus and Dr. Jean Hickman, choral director at Daytona State College, will conduct the high school chorus. The concert will feature various musical styles and genres as well as individual piano performances from the County’s piano lab courses.

Those unable to attend the concert may view it from a live stream, which you can access here. If you have questions or if you would like any additional information, you are encouraged to call Dr. Monty R. Musgrave, Performing Arts Specialist, at 386) 734-7190 extension 2068.

Photo courtesy of Fer Gregory and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Volusia County, FL – On Friday, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) honored several exemplary employees for their work during the 3^rd Quarter in 2017.

6 VCSO employees were honored for their service during a November 14, 2016, suicidal person call. A woman had called about her husband who had reportedly taken pills. The woman in the call said that he had PTSD and currently owned a gun shop in their home.

The woman and her two young kids were able to escape the house and hide in the woods behind the home, but an older child left to an unknown location. Upon the VCSO arriving, they found the husband arguing with the child in the driveway. The man was ordered to get on the ground but instead went into his garage and began firing shots at the deputies.

Deputy James Seyboldt protected the child behind a car during the gunfire and Sergeant Keith Peck took him to safety. Telecommunications Center Supervisor Christina Crane was able to obtain access to security cameras in the house to relay information about the suspect to deputies. Crane was able to inform deputies when the suspect was down after a gunshot to the head.

Sergeant Cody Cochran, Sergeant Keith Peck, Deputy Stephen Corbin, Deputy Corey Rittenour, Deputy James Seyboldt and Telecommunications Supervisor Christina Crane were awarded a Unit Commendation for their teamwork during this event. Crane was also awarded Telecommunicator of the Quarter.

Steven Woell was honored as the Deputy of the Quarter after his hard work lead to the arrest of several suspects who stole 3 vehicles in Daytona Beach.

Miguel Roman was recognized as the Detective of the Quarter after leading several investigations and solving several cases including an assisted living facility credit card theft, business burglary and a case involving several stolen guns.

Frederick Wenk was honored as the Employee of the Quarter after he started to tailor for the VCSO on top of his other job responsibilities. In addition to becoming the VCSO’s tailor, he also helped get VCSO personnel personalized gear.

Earl D. Bennett was awarded Volunteer of the Quarter after he learned new record-keeping procedures himself and lead the project to get all records up-to-date after being backlogged.

Senior Deputy Randy Post received the Problem-Solving Award Citation after he reinvented the way VCSO deputies store their rifles. In addition to saving space, the switch saved the VCSO $60,000.

(Photo of Deputy Cody Cochran, Detective Miguel Roman, volunteer Earl Bennett, Fred Wenk, Telecommunications Supervisor Christina Crane, Chief John Creamer, Sgt. Keith Peck, Deputy Corey Rittenour, Deputy James Seyboldt, Deputy Steven Woell and Sheriff Mike Chitwood courtesy of the VCSO.)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

New Smyrna Beach, FL – According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, several residents have recently reported a scam related to property deeds.

Citizens have reported getting letters that claim to be from the “County Records Office” asking for $89.00 in exchange for a copy of the deed to their house. The letter looks official, but in small print there’s a paragraph that says the company is not associated with the county in which the resident lives or any government agency.

The NSBPD says it may be legal for a company to advertise this way, but it’s better to go to the actual government agency to get any records you may need.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – Compared to numbers from September 2016, passenger traffic through Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) decreased 12% during September 2017.

“Hurricane Irma had a significant impact on our operations in September,” said Rick Karl, Airport Director. “With 67 flights canceled, we expected that September passenger traffic would be down compared to last year. The storm not only negatively impacted passenger numbers in Daytona Beach but universally across the state of Florida.”

This September, 47,272 people traveled through DAB compared to last September’s 53,691 passengers. In the last year (ending on September 30), the number of passengers flying in and out of DAB increased 3.1% to 711,731. In 2016, 689,586 people flew in or out of DAB.

“Even with nearly 100 flights canceled this year because of weather events, we still ended the fiscal year with a 3 percent increase,” said Karl. “We anticipate the next six months to trend upward over last year, as we experienced during the months prior to the hurricane.”

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeBary, FL – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) is investigating the suspicious death of a 51-year-old woman after she was found dead at her DeBary home following a well-being check.

Deputies found the body of the woman, Lisa Bresie, on Sunday afternoon after they entered her home on Lantana Dr. using a key that a family member provided. A deputy had tried to enter the home earlier Sunday morning in response to an attempt-to-contact request from the Florida Highway Patrol, which had located Bresie’s vehicle in Pinellas County early Thursday morning. The deputy was unable to make contact with anyone at Bresie’s home after several attempts, according to VCSO.

Bresie’s death is still under investigation at this time, and detectives are actively interviewing people who may have information. Detectives do not believe her death was the result of a random act of violence. No additional information is being released at the time, and VCSO says it will release more information as it becomes available.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Palm Coast, FL – Four people with lengthy criminal histories were arrested in Palm Coast following a raid of a home where Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen firearm.

Deputies responded after a stolen vehicle was found in the driveway of a home at 21 Ft. Caroline Ln. in Palm Coast on Sunday morning. The owner of the property, Jessica Kumpf Coubrough, allowed deputies to search the property. According to FCSO, law enforcement had been watching the house since they suspected drug activity had been taking place there. During the initial search, FCSO observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) worked to obtain a search warrant.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and his teams searched the home and found a firearm confirmed stolen from the “R” section of Palm Coast, ammunition, Hydromorphone, Alprazolam, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, and drug paraphernalia all located in the three bedrooms of the house.

“Our patrol deputies did a good job of stopping, or attempting to stop vehicles leaving from this address and obtaining probable cause for SIU agents to obtain a search warrant. Now more drugs are off the streets, a stolen firearm is out of the hands of felons, and these dirtbags are in the Green Roof Inn where they belong,” says Staly. He adds that, in two previous cases, cars fled from law enforcement as they were leaving this house.

FCSO says that all four of the four people arrested in connection with the raid have lengthy criminal histories and are no strangers to the Flagler County Jail.

23-year-old Matthew Brown was arrested for possession of Alprazolam, possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held with $8,000 bond.

55-year-old Jessica Kumpf Coubrough was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held on $3,000 bond.

35-year-old Angelo Thomas Walsh was arrested for two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, grand theft auto, and driving with a suspended license. He was held on $16,500 bond.

35-year-old Kevin Keith Williams Jr. was arrested for two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing and eluding, and knowingly driving with a suspended license. He was held on $16,500 bond.

Photo and mugshots all courtesy FCSO.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Edgewater, FL – The Edgewater Fire Rescue Department (EFD) recently improved its Public Protection Classification rating from the Insurance Service Office (ISO), and that could mean insurance premium savings to residents and businesses.

The announcement came from the City of Edgewater Fire Rescue Department on Thursday. EFD received a score of 2 as a result of a Public Protection Classification Survey by the ISO. The ratings scores are given from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. The EFD dropped its rating from 7 to 5 in 1998 and then from 5 to 3 in 2013. Only 94 fire departments in Florida and 1,393 fire departments in the nation now have a rating of 2 like Edgewater, according to EFD.

Most insurers in the United States use this ISO rating as part of the decision-making process when deciding coverage for both personal and commercial properties. The rating was determined by reviewing the EFD’s staffing, training, and equipment, as well as the community’s water supply, communications system, and risk reduction initiatives.

The EFD says that the higher rating illustrates the dedication of the firefighters serving the community. EFD adds that the improved rating could not have been possible without the efforts of multiple community departments. The fire department  credits the Water Department, which maintains and repairs fire apparatus; the 911 communications system for answering emergency calls; and the City Council for appropriating budgets and funding for fire stations, personnel, equipment, water distribution systems, and fire hydrants.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Florida – Volusia County Sheriff’s detectives think that the woman who was found dead in her DeBary home was stabbed multiple times by her ex-boyfriend, who was charged with first-degree murder after he was arrested in Pinellas County.

Anton Lamar Sanders, 45, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lisa Bresie on Monday night. Sanders is Bresie’s ex-boyfriend and was found by Florida Highway Patrol troopers on I-275 on Thursday. He was with Bresie’s vehicle and had the keys on him. Troopers noticed there was blood in the vehicle, and it was later confirmed that Sanders’ clothing had blood on it too. While troopers and medical personnel were on scene, Sanders tried to jump from the bridge into the water below. He was rushed to a hospital in St. Petersburg.

VCSO says Bresie was found dead in her Lantana Dr. home on Sunday afternoon. Concerned family members had asked deputies to check on her. Deputies found the 51-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds and VCSO crime scene technicians found a fingerprint in blood. On Monday, that fingerprint came back as a match to Sanders who was already being interviewed by detectives.

As of Monday night, Sanders was being held without bond in the Pinellas County Jail.

For earlier reporting, click here.

(Sanders’ mugshot, from a previous offense, courtesy the Volusia County Jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Palm Coast, FL – Thanks to a bite from a K-9 officer, a fleeing suspect was taken into custody after a nearly two-and-a-half hour manhunt through the woods of Palm Coast’s “Z” section after he abandoned a stolen vehicle and threatened deputies with a knife.

The stolen vehicle was recovered on Zebulahs Trl. on Monday and Sheriff Rick Staly joined deputies, detectives, the K-9 Unit, and Flagler County’s Fire Flight helicopter to set up a perimeter around the area. Additionally, Southbound Belle Terre Pkwy. was shut down, Flagler County Schools were notified, and bus drop-offs were temporarily delayed until Matthew Scott Nesbit, 44, was taken into custody.

Shortly after a perimeter was established, Nesbit was spotted jumping a fence and running toward the woods on Zebulahs Trl. He was later found by Deputy Jon Duenas and K-9 Deputy Valor, but he ran away. A short time later and he was apprehended by K-9 Deputy Marko and Corporal Fred Gimbel in a wooded area behind 10 Zelda Court.

“Our deputies did a great job apprehending him quickly to protect the community and school children getting home,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “K-9 Marko took a bite out of crime today so let this be a warning to future dirtbags: if you threaten my deputies, we will come after you in full force and we will get you.”

As of Monday night, Nexbit was being treated for his injuries at Florida Hospital Flagler. When he’s medically cleared he’ll be booked into the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond on charges of grand theft auto, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest without violence, and fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement. Nesbitt is currently on probation and has an arrest history in several FL counties.

Photos courtesy FCSO.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Volusia County, FL – According to a new report from the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia), almost half of the deaths of tobacco users were tobacco-related.

The data brief, which analyzed statistics from 2016, found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer were the leading causes of death for tobacco users as a result of their tobacco use.

The death rate for white tobacco users is the highest of all races in the County. Data collected from 2012 to 2016 indicates that tobacco-related death rate for blacks decreased the most. The report also found that the tobacco-related deaths of Hispanics increased drastically. For the full data brief, visit volusiahealth.com/stats.

On November 16, as part of the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout, DOH-Volusia will make the effort to help smokers make a plan to quit smoking or quit smoking altogether.

Free resources for those wishing to quit smoking can be accessed by calling 1-877-U-CAN-NOW or visiting TobaccoFreeFlorida.com. Organizations that need help with smoking cessation or more strict tobacco policies can reach out to Kristen Mialki, tobacco program manager, at 386-274-0601 or via email at kristen.mialki@flhealth.gov.

Photo courtesy of Blue ocean photo and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Deltona, FL – Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) now says that a Deltona couple, who claimed they were shot by intruders in their new rental home, faked the home invasion in hopes to recover a cash settlement from their home’s property management company.

The husband and wife, 35-year-old Doug Teixeira and 36-year-old Lindsey Pelton, were arrested on Tuesday for providing false information to law enforcement after VCSO said their accounts of a home invasion at their Deltona rental on October 26 didn’t add up. They had told deputies that two men broke into their rental home on Hayward Ave., shot the husband in the leg, and shot the wife in the arm.

The couple had been transported to Central Florida Regional Hospital by ambulance to treat their gunshot wounds after the alleged shooting and burglary. The wounds were not considered life-threatening. It is possible the gunshot wounds were self-inflicted, but according to VCSO, the couple’s stories have varied, and it’s unclear exactly who fired which shots.

After VCSO investigated the incident, deputies determined that there were several inconsistencies in the couple’s stories. Teixeira and Pelton told investigators that they were in the shower when the intruders came in, yet the shower and the bath mat were completely dry. Also, there were no signs of forced entry to the house. According to surveillance footage of the area, there was no evidence of any vehicles stopping by the house other than a school bus, even though the couple claimed the alleged intruders fled in a vehicle.

VCSO says the crime scene appeared staged. There was a television set lying on the floor as if someone tried to knock it to the ground, but it did not appear damaged in any way. There was also evidence that someone tried to clean up bloody footprints in the house, and a black hat was found with .22 caliber bullets inside, as if someone was trying to hide them, according to VCSO. Those .22 caliber bullets were the same round used in the shooting.

Deputies say it appears that money was the motive for the couple’s fabrication of the home invasion and that the couple wanted to recover insurance money from the company that managed the rental. The couple had contacted a personal injury law firm immediately after they were released from the hospital, according to VCSO. Teixeira told investigators that a small safe with $7,000 and jewelry had been stolen, but investigations revealed that the couple had no money and that Pelton’s father was paying for their living expenses. The reports of the stolen safe were unfounded.

Teixeira and Pelton were both charged with the false claims, according to VCSO, and Teixeira was charged with an additional count of destroying or tampering with evidence. Teixeira was held on $3,500 bond. Pelton was held on $1,000 bond.

(Teixeira’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)

(Pelton’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)

You can find earlier reporting of the story here.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – The Chief of Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s (FCSO) Community Policing Division will head to the prestigious FBI National Academy (FBINA) in Quantico, VA for a 10-week training course in January.

Division Chief Paul Bovino will attend the professional course after being nominated, among other national and international law enforcement managers, for his superior leadership qualities with FCSO. Only 1% of all law enforcement officers receive the invitation to FBINA during their whole careers. The goal of FBINA is to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

The FBI National Academy began in July of 1935 in an effort to standardize and professionalize law enforcement agencies throughout the country by way of centralized training. The Academy’s creation was supported by The International Association of Chiefs of Police, Congress, and the Department of Justice. FBINA was originally dubbed “FBI Police Training School.”

“This is a great honor for Chief Bovino and the FCSO. This type of training will continue to improve Flagler County and the leadership at the Sheriff’s Office,” says Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. Staly and Commander Bob Weber are the only other FCSO graduates of FBINA, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Now Bovino will get his shot at this rare opportunity.

Bovino began his career with FCSO in 1996 as a Deputy Sheriff. He commands the Community Policing Division, or uniform patrol, which is the largest and most visible FCSO Division. The deputies that he is in charge of patrol neighborhoods and businesses and are often the first deputies to respond to calls for service. The Division also encompasses the K-9 unit, Bicycle Unit, Traffic Enforcement Unit, and Agricultural Unit.

(Photo of Bovino courtesy FCSO)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – Flagler County officials have announced the completion of the debris cleanup in the unincorporated part of the County.

37,460 cubic yards (1,581 truckloads) of vegetative storm debris and 887.5 cubic yards (43 truckloads) of construction debris have been collected by Flagler County’s debris haulers.

“We have been working day in and day out to get all of this debris cleared as quickly as possible,” said Amy Kennedy, Flagler County Project Manager. “Flagler County has had to handle debris collection differently from neighboring communities because we weren’t getting the contractor debris teams we needed.  The majority of our collection had to be done by in-house staff.”

On Monday, FDOT made a final run-through of State Road A1A. Residents are asked to not place any new debris out for pickup. If you have debris that exceeds normal household garbage, you are asked to arrange for its collection. Normal Waste Pro garbage collection schedules and guidelines can be found here.

“We are thankful for everyone’s patience with the process, and we are glad to be done,” said Nate McLaughlin, Flagler County Commission Chair.

Photo courtesy of Elena Fernandez Z and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.