Palm Coast Observer Online 09-22-16

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PALM COAST

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 7, NO. 34

FREE

FAMILY + FOOTBALL 15

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

So let it be written ...

The Funky Pelican’s chalkboard stars in the latest edition of the Business Observer: PAGES 25-29

INSIDE

YOUR TOWN

Photo by Brian McMillan

Brittney Hedetniemi and her son, Brayden Henry, 6, attended open house at Bunnell Elementary School Sept. 15. Photo by Brian McMillan

BRAYDEN IS BACK! For most kids, going to school is something you have to do, not always something you want to do. But for Brayden Henry, just showing up is a victory. Brayden, 6, is winning his battle with leukemia. He showed up to the first-grade open house at Bunnell Elementary School with his mother, Brittney Hedetniemi, and had a big smile on his face. “He told me, ‘Mom, I’m strong again,’” Hedetniemi said. “So he’s playing baseball this season.” Brayden has had a lot of support from the school. Last year, after missing most of the school year because of his treatments, he was honored with “Bray Day,” and many of his classmates wore orange for leukemia awareness. Brayden pointed out that, soon, the hyper pigmentation “freckles” that have appeared on his forehead from laser treatments will also be gone. Good luck, Brayden! Glad you’re back in school.

INSIDE BULLY ACT

Mark Alan presents an anti-bullying message through comedy and magic at the library. PAGE 21

Jeff Dawsey poses with his wife, Jessica, after his ordination ceremony on Sept. 18.

the Transformation of Jeff Dawsey “Before I was 18 years old, I lived the life of a drug dealer, and I was an atheist.” Jeff Dawsey,

HOW TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT CONSTRUCTION A new project at Matanzas High School has students working toward careers. PAGES 3-4

ZIKA HAS TRAVELED TO FLAGLER COUNTY

Two cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Flagler County, but that doesn’t mean local mosquitoes are carrying it. Find out what the officials are saying: PAGE 5

now 30, stood at the front of First Baptist Church of Palm Coast and said these words while wearing a suit and tie and a bright smile, sharing his testimony to the Sunday evening congregation on Sept. 18 to complete his transformation: That night, this former drug dealer was ordained to be a pastor. Dawsey, who also has been the Palm Coast Observer’s sports editor for the past two years, explained that when he was in 11th grade and living in Crestview, Florida, he had a marijuana habit

that took over his life. He had started selling weed, and realized that if potential customers came to his house looking for a joint and then found out he was at school, they’d go somewhere else to buy

STORY BY BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

A HORSE WALKS INTO A SEPTIC TANK ... Fortunately, a rescue effort for a 24-year-old horse called Mercy was successful. PAGE 8


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