Serenity Falls Mini Golf is set to bring new energy to Palm Coast's Town Center, offering an 18-hole adventure surrounded by lush landscaping and Key West-style charm.

 

Located at 1208 Central Avenue, right across from Epic Theatres, this $1 million project promises a vibrant, family-friendly attraction.

 

Planned features include sparkling waterfalls, a spacious pavilion perfect for celebrations, and a concessions stand serving snacks, beer, and wine.

 

Sustainability and accessibility are central, with ADA-compliant paths and ponds filled using reclaimed water.

 

Construction, led by industry experts Miniature Golf Solutions, is set to start in early 2026.

 

Operating hours will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

 

The project is expected to boost local recreation and economic growth, making Serenity Falls a must-visit spot for all ages in Palm Coast.

Chick-fil-A has opened its second Palm Coast location, Chick-fil-A Seminole Woods, on State Road 100 near BJ’s Wholesale Club.

 

The restaurant welcomed guests on November 11, 2025, debuting with a playful cow-themed promotion that rewarded visitors dressed in cow gear with a free entrée or kids’ meal, replacing the brand’s tradition of the 'First 100' giveaway.

 

The spacious new site features a 5,000-square-foot dining room seating 70 indoors and 16 outdoors, plus a dual-lane drive-thru designed to serve up to 38 vehicles efficiently.

 

Owner-Operator Glenn Efford, also at the helm of the original Palm Coast Parkway store, emphasized his ongoing commitment to mentoring young leaders and serving the fast-growing community.

 

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., while closing on Sundays follows Chick-fil-A’s established practice.

 

The opening adds energy to the booming State Road 100 commercial hub, joining recent arrivals like BJ’s, Miller’s Ale House, and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Flagler County will break ground on its new Fire Station 51 at 245 County Road 305 in Bunnell on Monday, December 8, at 11 a.m.

 

The community is invited to join this landmark event, which marks a major step in local fire rescue improvements.

 

Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker praised the project’s unique collaboration with Schenkel Shultz Architecture and the Engineering Department, noting this is the first station using a new prototype design.

 

The single-story, 10,900-square-foot facility features three equipment bays and will be centrally located to better serve western Flagler County between the Espanola and St. Johns Park stations.

 

With a projected cost of $10.36 million, the new Station 51 is part of Flagler’s broader strategy to enhance emergency services and community infrastructure.

 

Residents can also celebrate the grand opening of the Nexus Center on December 4, expanding health and library services in Bunnell.

Nearly 5,000 toys will brighten the holidays for children in need across Flagler and Volusia counties, thanks to the generosity inspired by the annual Margarita Balls.

 

These invitation-only gatherings, hosted by local Margarita Societies, ask each guest to donate toys worth $200 or more, resulting in overflowing collections year after year. Cindy Evans, a key organizer, stresses the goal of doubling donations per invitation, calling for community spirit and generosity.

 

The Flagler County Margarita Ball, held November 7 at Channel Side, drew 200 attendees and gathered over 800 toys. Volusia County’s event on November 22 at the Ocean Center saw a record 4,130 toys collected, surpassing last year’s totals and showcasing a growing tradition of giving.

 

The toys are distributed to local nonprofits, including the Early Learning Coalition, Jewish Federation, and FUTURES Foundation, ensuring direct support for local families in need.

Palm Coast is gearing up for a festive holiday season with two much-anticipated events: the Starlight Parade on December 6 and the Holiday Boat Parade on December 13.

 

Central Park in Town Center will set the stage for the Starlight Parade, where food trucks, live entertainment, and radiant floats will light up the night starting at 4 p.m. The parade steps off at 6 p.m., welcoming community groups to join the glowing procession.

 

The following Saturday brings the Holiday Boat Parade along the Intracoastal Waterway, beginning at 6 p.m. Boats decked in twinkling lights are sure to delight viewers along the shore, with captains encouraged to register their vessels.

 

These cherished traditions promise to bring neighbors together and capture the magic of the season throughout Palm Coast.

The 17th Annual Super Scenic Garage Sale drew crowds to Florida’s coast on November 15, 2025, stretching an incredible 150 miles from Fernandina Beach to Ponce Inlet.

 

Roughly 400 vendors set up along A1A, from community sites like the Heckscher Drive Community Center and Flagler Beach United Methodist Church to front yards brimming with unique finds.

 

Event coordinator Danielle Anderson celebrated the event’s growth and its impact, explaining how cities and small businesses thrive from the exposure and participation.

 

Originally a 72-mile stretch, the sale expanded in 2018 to embrace neighboring coastal trails, adding local flavor and boosting economic benefits for participating regions.

 

Proceeds help fund Kid’s Ocean Day field trips and the free audio tour, promoting environmental education and stewardship.

 

The Super Scenic Garage Sale stands out as a beloved tradition, strengthening ties across Florida’s communities while fueling local economies and celebrating the coast’s one-of-a-kind charm.

In the early morning of November 19, a white SUV was pulled over in Bunnell after officers spotted it speeding north on U.S. 1, with its front driver’s side tire shredded down to the rim.

 

The driver, a Palm Coast resident, showed clear signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech and confusion about where she was.

 

Although she denied drinking, she failed several field sobriety tests, and a breathalyzer later confirmed a blood alcohol level of 0.172—over twice the legal limit.

 

She was arrested, taken to the county jail, and her vehicle was towed away.

 

With Palm Coast’s continued growth and ongoing projects like the Citation Boulevard Extension and the Prosperity 2035 Community Survey, public safety remains a top priority.

 

Events like this stress the shared responsibility for keeping local roads safe as the city continues to thrive.

Palm Coast has unveiled its first-ever economic incentive grant, targeting new businesses poised to open in the Town Center’s downtown district.

 

The Downtown Urban Core Tenant Improvement grant will reimburse select build-out costs for restaurants and retail shops, with a focus on attracting local and high-quality businesses.

 

This rollout comes alongside the upcoming Promenade development, offering 204 new residences and 57,000 square feet of commercial space, set to debut in summer 2026.

 

The initiative is fueled by the city’s $1.3 million economic development budget for 2025-2026 and is designed to help startups reduce costly barriers to entry.

 

Recent improvements downtown, like the revamped Epic Theatres and plans for a new YMCA and mini-golf course, signal a push to transform the area into a vibrant hub.

 

The City Council unanimously approved the grant, which will run through September 2026.

Flagler Beach faces a dramatic increase in projected costs for its sewer plant overhaul, with estimates jumping from $11 million in 2019 to $47 million by 2025—a rise of 320% that has alarmed city leaders.

 

In response, commissioners unanimously delayed approval of a $47 million loan, seeking to re-examine project plans, identify savings, and possibly rebid in light of surging costs.

 

The city is under a state mandate to stop sewer discharge into the Intracoastal Waterway by 2032, increasing the urgency for action yet complicating financial decisions.

 

City Manager Dale Martin noted similar infrastructure cost spikes statewide, while Commissioner Scott Spradley and Chair James Sherman voiced disappointment and concern over delays and escalating expenses.

 

Commissioner Eric Cooley stressed the need for transparency before committing funds, as city officials work to balance compliance, cost control, and timely project completion.

Alan Jaramillo-Hernandez, a 17-year-old Live Oak resident, appeared before Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols in West Flagler County last week, facing five counts of armed burglary stemming from a string of gun thefts in late August.

 

Charged as an adult, Alan could face life in prison if convicted.

 

His bond was set at $190,000 after initially being held without bond, placing significant financial strain on his family.

 

His 18-year-old brother, Angel Jaramillo-Hernandez, who faces the same charges in nearby Suwannee County, posted a much lower $60,000 bond, spotlighting how bond amounts can widely differ by judicial circuit.

 

The brothers, along with Lucas Rebolledo and Dwayne Ryan, are accused of burglarizing multiple West Flagler properties and stealing firearms and valuables.

 

Both brothers have pleaded not guilty and await pre-trial hearings, under strict orders not to contact co-defendants.

The Palm Coast Community Center came alive as more than 800 Flagler County juniors and seniors explored the second annual College and Career Fair on November 14.

 

Hosted by the Flagler County Education Foundation, the event aimed to connect students with future opportunities in education and local industries.

 

Students eagerly gathered stamps at 79 tables, chatting with college, business, and government representatives—those who collected nine stamps qualified for $100 gift card drawings.

 

Superintendent LaShakia Moore praised the community’s support and highlighted efforts to welcome all students, including those from charter, home, and private schools.

 

The fair spotlighted everything from Palm Coast Public Works job training to high-tech drone demonstrations by county officials.

 

Military branches and local businesses, especially Chick-fil-A, drew keen interest from students eager to map out their futures.

 

The fair’s inclusive, hands-on approach is helping shape Flagler’s next generation.

Flagler County has broken ground on a new crisis stabilization center, marking a major step forward for local mental health and substance abuse care.

 

Previously, those in crisis had to look outside the county for urgent help, creating critical barriers for vulnerable residents.

 

The 23,000-square-foot facility at 101 Old Haw Creek Road will offer 48 beds and serve both the public and law enforcement with 24/7 access.

 

This project is a collaborative effort, combining $10 million in legislative appropriations with an additional $4 million from SMA Healthcare, which will operate the center.

 

Flagler County’s demand is urgent, with involuntary assessments and suicide and overdose rates exceeding state averages.

 

The new unit is expected to provide hope and healing close to home, ensuring services reach all residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

 

New grants will also boost support for local law enforcement, strengthening the area’s behavioral health safety net.

Eight children from Volusia and Flagler Counties found their forever families during a moving National Adoption Day ceremony at Daytona Beach’s Hard Rock Hotel on November 21.

 

Five Circuit Court judges, including Christopher France and Joan Anthony, presided as children of all ages, once part of the foster system, celebrated the end of their journey to stability.

 

Adoptive parent Jeremiah Moore shared his joy, calling the moment a promise fulfilled.

 

Karin Flositz, CEO of Community Partnership for Children, spotlighted the region’s continued need—over 50 children are still awaiting adoption in local courts.

 

Some children were welcomed by relatives, others by long-term foster parents, highlighting the diversity of new families.

 

Flositz stressed that anyone over 21 with an open heart can help, as new children enter the system daily, making the call for foster and adoptive parents urgent and ongoing.

Arianna Slaughter of Flagler Palm Coast High School shined with a 10th-place finish at the state cross country championships in Tallahassee, capping her senior year with an All-State honor after setting a school record at regionals.

 

Peyton Cerasi, a Matanzas High sophomore, claimed 11th in the Class 3A girls' race, marking her second consecutive All-State medal and reinforcing her status as a local standout.

 

Freshman Douglas Seth made an immediate impact for FPC’s boys, earning 13th place in Class 4A and becoming the school's first male state medalist in a year.

 

The Matanzas boys finished strong in the team competition, led by Blaine Vogel, Dylan Ciardi, and Brant Tarsitano, reflecting the program’s ambition and depth.

 

Flagler County's strong performances signal a promising future for local cross country talent.

ITT Corporation originally planned Palm Coast in the late 1960s to support 600,000 residents, but projections were later lowered to 225,000.

 

The city’s infrastructure was built on this massive scale, including hundreds of miles of roads, water, and sewer lines.

 

Today, Palm Coast’s population is about 112,000—leaving a small community to maintain far more infrastructure than it needs.

 

This challenge is intensified by aging clay sewer pipes, which become overwhelmed during heavy rains and force the treatment system to operate beyond its limits, as seen in September 2024.

 

To address these issues, the city expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 in August 2025 and approved a $696 million budget with significant funds to upgrade water and wastewater systems.

 

Residents will see water and sewer rates rise by 36% by October 2027, adding financial stress but aiming to secure long-term sustainability for a growing Palm Coast.