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BREAKING NEWS

FLAGLER BEACH

Flagler, Volusia vaccine appointments rescheduled after winter storm impacts shipments

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Gov. Flagler County is just one of the local health departments rescheduling appointments this week. No second doses have been rescheduled yet. Sark said those are for second doses and are rescheduled right now for Tuesday and Saturday of next week. In the meantime, the county is waiting to hear from the state if the Moderna vaccines will definitely be here or there could be more rescheduling.

Hungry manatee munches on flooded Florida yard

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – While the extra rain and flooding Tropical Storm Eta brought to the state has many Floridians irked, the wildlife is absolutely loving it. The caption from the footage blames high tide and Tropical Storm Eta for the water woes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said tropical storms, hurricanes and other wild weather can pose some problems for manatees. “Manatees can become stranded or trapped during and after a hurricane or tropical storm. Anyone who encounters a stranded, trapped, injured or dead manatee can call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

Woman used puppy scheme to steal thousands from Flagler Beach residents, police say

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – A woman in Flagler Beach is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from residents who believed they were paying her for a down payment on a puppy, according to police. Flagler Beach police said at least five victims have reported being scammed by Carissa Marie Sarno, who they say they either made made partial or full payments to because they believed they were buying a puppy from her. Police said once the victims paid Sarno, she would stop talking to them. This suspect preyed on her victims by taking their money and their hopes of owning a loveable puppy," Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney said. “We’d like to thank the public for their valuable assistance on this case via our Facebook page," Doughney said.

Waterspout located off of Flagler Beach

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. A waterspout was located off of Flagler Beach on Tuesday, News 6 viewer Bob Barrows took a photo and video of the funnel. News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrells said no warnings or watches were in place at the time of the waterspout. Sorrells said the waterspout stayed in the water and did not come ashore. Storms were moving across Central Florida at the time of the waterspout, according to Sorrells. Flagler County will see a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Flagler Beach police announce Masks for Motorists Safety Campaign

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. Some drivers stopped for speeding along a stretch of A1A in Flagler County will be given something instead of a ticket. The Flagler Beach Police Department is teaming up with the Department of Health for a new safety campaign called Masks for Motorists.Officers will be patrolling an area of A1A that recently saw a change in the posted speed limit. When a driver is stopped, police say instead of receiving a ticket, they will be given a written warning and a pack of cloth face masks. Police say the goal of the campaign is to educate drivers on the new speed limits while also providing support during the pandemic. The campaign runs through Aug. 31.

Flagler County offering more COVID-19 testing opportunities throughout July

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. Given the demand, Flagler County is offering additional COVID-19 testing opportunities at four different locations throughout the month of July. Appointments are not necessary at the drive-thru and walk-up sites and results should be available within 10 days. Patients will receive free cotton face masks while supplies last. In addition, the Flagler County Community testing at Daytona State Colleges Flagler Campus will continue to operate. Appointements for that site can be made by calling 386-313-4200.

Volusia, Flagler beaches prepare for busy holiday weekend with added COVID-19 precautions

Chilly said she’s not too concerned about a crowded Flagler Beach and said people are doing a good job spreading themselves out. So, I think if they know where to go for the shuttle, I think it'll make it a lot easier," said Chilly. In Volusia County, social distancing signs pepper the beaches to remind folks to space out. "When they're directed to park in their pointed spot, you're already social distancing," said Volusia County Chair Ed Kelley. Outside, sunshine, social distancing, following the guidelines that we have,” said Kelley.

Officials extend Falgler Beach Pier’s operating hours

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The City of Flagler Beach has announced that the Flagler Beach Pier’s operating hours will be extended. “Upon our review of the Pier since it was re-opened on June 5, 2020, we’re pleased to announce that we’re extending the hours,” officials said. [MORE: Flagler Beach Pier reopens after months of closures due to coronavirus concerns]Starting Friday, the pier, bait shop and pier bathrooms will have the following hours:Pier & Bait Shop - Extended Hours:The hours of operation for the Pier and Bait Shop, each day, will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. According to officials, the beaches will be monitored by law enforcement and supplemented by city staff to ensure that proper social distancing guidelines are being adhered to for public safety. City officials had originally said the pier will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Body found floating in Flagler Beach

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is working to identify a body found floating in Flagler Beach Monday. A boy found the body floating in the water around 4 p.m. A person nearby jumped into the water to pull the unconscious man to the shore and conducted CPR, according to a news release. Authorities rushed to Varn Park by North Ocean Shore Boulevard after getting the call. No one could identify the man, witnesses in the area telling deputies they never saw him get in the water or the park, investigators say. Deputies say the man was wearing boxers and socks and seemed like he had been floating in the water for a long while.

Flagler County Tourism Department launches program aimed at slowing spread of COVID-19

Officials with Flagler County’s Tourism Department said they want to highlight restaurants like The Golden Lion Cafe by launching a program called, “Pledge to Prevent.” The department will list the participating businesses that are following the rules to slow the spread of COVID-19. Lukasik said once a restaurant commits to the pledge, staff members will receive face masks, place mats, a decal and a certificate. Lukasik said 50 businesses have expressed interest and she said her team will start approaching restaurants sometime this week. “Everybody that comes into the restaurant now, it’s like they’re coming in again for the first time. Tourism-related businesses that would like to participate in the program can email tourism@visitflagler.com.

See something, say something: Vigilant neighbor sounds alarm for endangered kayaker’s 9-hour rescue

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – An endangered kayaker is home safe after his vigilant neighbor followed the golden rule of “see something, say something,” according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. On Thursday, deputies responded to 206 Osprey Lane in Flagler Beach after receiving reports of a missing person from the home. She also told deputies her brother was not very experienced with kayaks. “With the combined efforts of FCSO, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Flagler County FireFlight, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office AirOne helicopter and Seminole County’s ALERT helicopter, Jeffrey was located after an 9-hour search,” officials said. “This neighbor did a great job looking out for Jeffrey and calling us when he thought there might be a problem.

Flagler County continues isolation order, tightens restrictions to stop spread of COVID-19

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County officials met Monday to give an update on and discuss new measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus within the community. “We can make a difference in slowing the spread of the virus that’s causing COVID-19,” Lord said. “Lodging facilities should provide all visitors from those areas a copy of the order and when they receive reservation inquiries from those areas, they must inform them of the order,” Lord said. “The new county orders provide for criminal sanctions should you violate them-- being on the beach, getting out of quarantine, staying in a rental after the order went into effect,” Staly said. “In Flagler County we have 13 total positive residents, including one non-county resident and one hospitalization,” said Bob Synder, Public Health Officer for the Flagler County Department of Health.

Flagler Beach dune walkovers closed until further notice after storm damage

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Louise Wagner refused to leave her condo after watching Nor’easter type weather swirl around Flagler Beach last weekend. Pretty surprising.”The stormy weather damaged two newly installed dune walkovers that people use to walk onto the beach. I mean, I felt like I was in Matthew again,” Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsoms said. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew destroyed parts of A1A along with the dune walkovers. He said the rest of the walkovers that are on the list to be repaired will have the round posts.

Locals only: New Smyrna Beach petition created to prevent big box stores from taking over

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Some New Smyrna Beach business owners and residents voiced their concerns to city commissioners on Tuesday asking them to consider keeping big box stores away from the historical areas of town. Almost 5,000 people signed a petition on change.org to keep parts of the city unique because they fear New Smyrna Beach could become “any town U.S.A.”“It’s time to put boots on the ground. McCarty helped create the petition and wants the big box stores to stay away from Canal Street, Flagler Avenue and the loop that goes through 3rd Avenue. White, who was born and raised in New Smyrna Beach, helped create the petition because he said it’s important to keep the neighborhood shops thriving. “It is about local business.