Ormond Beach Observer 4-20-23

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Photo by Suzanne McCarthy

Beach Firefighter Nick Gercak; Austin Spletter, 3; and Lucas Pandolfi,

CITY WATCH

Decision tabled on Tymber Creek Apartments

When it comes to the Tymber Creek Apartments development proposal, Ormond Beach City Commissioners face two options: approve it as presented, or risk the possibility of a higher density development.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Seawall repair to cost $1.26 million

The city is pursuing a $1.26 million seawall replacement for Andy Romano Beachfront Park. The park’s seawall experienced a partial failure in its north corner as a result of Hurricane Nicole, according to a city staff memo. A structural engineer determined that it is repairable, since the existing seawall, constructed in the 1950s, doesn’t meet current code requirements.

The city is looking at replacing the seawall with a cantilever wall system, which the city memo explains would be held in place “by deeply embedding precast concrete wall planks into the sand.”

That would allow construction to take place from the beach, minimizing the impact on the park. It would also replace the wood ramp at the park with a concrete version.

“We’ve replaced that ramp ... three times since it was originally constructed,” Public Works Director Shawn Finley said.

The city aims to put the project out for bid in May, with the hope of beginning construction after sea turtle season in November. The project is expected to be completed in April 2024.

Though the public hearing for the development’s rezoning and development order requests was held on Tuesday, April 18, the commission decided to table the items until its May 16 meeting due to the impact of a new law that would let developers circumvent local land use and zoning regulations if their developments set aside at least 40% of their units for affordable housing.

The Live Local Act, previously known as Florida Senate Bill 102, was signed by the governor on March 29 and will go into effect on July 1.

It affects properties currently zoned commercial, industrial or those with a mixed use zoning, and would let developers build multifamily or mixed-use residential buildings at the highest allowed density.

The law sets a “bad precedent” from the home rule standpoint, said attorney Mark Watts, who represented the developer at the hearing. But it is coming, and based on the site, the developer — VCP Ormond Beach II, LLC — could build up to 525 units on the 19-acre property once the law goes into effect.

At this time, the developer is asking the city for 270 units, reduced from 300, and is proposing larger buffers and setbacks to lessen impacts on the nearby neighborhoods of Moss Point

and Indian Springs.

“The thing that we’re balancing is what type of multifamily will be here, because it’s not a question of if it will be here,” Watts said. “It’s what type, and how much do we want to control that process. The most control you will have is ... in this process.”

The current proposal for the property, located at 36 N. Tymber Creek Road, would not include affordable or workforce housing.

There is, however, another proposal the commission could consider where the developer would build a 164-unit apartment development. All of it would be affordable housing, but would not have the proposed buffers or setbacks sought by the nearby neighborhoods.

Of the 11 residents who spoke during the meeting, only two begrudgingly spoke in favor of the commission approving the project. Both were residents of the Indian Springs neighborhood, which negotiated with the developer to remove one of the buildings in the proposed plan and shift buildings away from the subdivision.

Indian Springs HOA President Troy Railsback said the HOA is supporting the Tymber Creek proposal because the neighborhood doesn’t want a commercial or higher density development on the property.

“That was the reason we adamantly worked with the developer and their team to try and find something that would be amicable to us,” Railsback said.

Residents expressed concern that the development would worsen the current traffic issues west of I-95, increase density and cause school currency issues, and that the apartments were not compatible with the surrounding single-family neighborhoods.

Several residents asked the commission to take some time to investigate the impacts of the Live Local Act before making a decision on the apartments.

“I think it may be worth taking a breath and looking into the matter a little bit more closely,” resident Donna Owens said.

The Tymber Creek Apartments proposal was already arriving to the

City Commission with a 5-0 recomendation from the Ormond Beach Planning Board that the commission deny the application.

Nobody is excited about the development, City Commissioner Susan Persis said, pointing out that the residents who spoke in favor did so because they thought it was the “lesser evil.”

“Ormond Beach is special,” she said. “We have beautiful places. We shouldn’t be looking at something that just has a less negative impact.”

Mayor Bill Partington said that if the commission denies the development, under the Live Local Act, the developer could come back to the city in July with an application for 525 units, or however many the site could actually accommodate, and the commission wouldn’t get a chance to review it.

The easy action would be to deny the development, Partington said.

“But I’m not interested in necessarily doing the easy thing,” he said. “I want to do what’s correct and best for all our residents in the long term.”

Courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach

The developer of the proposed Tymber Creek Apartments is planning to build 270 units.

“Ormond Beach is special. We have beautiful places. We shouldn’t be looking at something that just has a less negative impact.”

SUSAN PERSIS, Ormond Beach city commissioner

A draw on straws

Did the city’s 2019 educational straw ban make an impact?

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

ABBIE PACE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Each year, 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans, compounding the 200 million-metricton problem that already exists, according to a statistic by the Ocean Conservancy.

As part of its Fighting for Trash Free Seas initiative, the nonprofit group reports that plastic has been found in over 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtle species, which mistake plastic for food. And if nothing is done to reverse plastic production and consumption — which the Ocean Conservancy states is predicted to double in the next decade — humans could become the source of 300 million metric tons of plastics in the world’s oceans in less than 10 years.

In 2019, the city of Ormond Beach adopted an educational plastic straw ban, an effort spearheaded by City Commissioner Susan Persis to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, impacting restaurants. Those that had switched, or were in the process of switching, to compostable or biodegradable straws suddenly faced a more pressing issue — how to stay open.

“Disposable plastic straws cost less than a penny,” Persis said. “But you compare with compostable plastic straws which are biodegradable

1 1 3

Compostable straws

Biodegradable straw Paper straw

RESTAURANTS

and plant-based, those cost about 4 cents each, while paper straws are about 6 cents each and reusable glass straws cost between 50 and 60 cents.”

The issue impacted more than straws. Local restaurants did not have the money to continue buying non-plastic items, and the overall movement to reduce single-use plastics seemed to reach an end, said Dream Green Volusia Founder Suzanne Scheiber.

“A ketchup bottle can be less expensive than a whole box of ketchup packets,” Scheiber said.

‘IT’S OUR PLANET’

It’s been almost four years since the city’s educational straw ban was approved. The Observer reached out to a sample size of local restaurants and cafes to determine how many still offer an eco-friendly straw option in a post-pandemic world.

We surveyed 26 restaurants within the city’s downtown district (which spans Granada Boulevard from A1A to Orchard Street), excluding fast food and large chain establishments. Of the 25 that responded, only six currently offer a non-plastic straw option. Of those six, five are on the beachside.

Persis said it’s time to start talking about reducing the use of plastics again.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Persis said. “It’s impossible for it to happen overnight, but I think we need to celebrate the successes.”

Solberry Bowls, which opened in March, is among the six restaurants that offer a non-plastic straw option. Owners Jessi McClary and her fiancé Sean Azari have big plans for Solberry, including being environmentally friendly.

“When you own a business, you want to sell a lot of whatever it is that you are selling, and I just didn’t have it in my heart to sell things that weren’t eco-friendly,” McClary said.

Thus, McClary and Azari decided to use eco-friendly straws and containers for their build-your-own açai bowls and smoothies.

“The straws we use are homecompostable PHA, meaning that it was tested to be able to be placed straight into your garden,” McClary said. “The other plastics have to be composted at a facility properly, but are still eco-friendly.”

These plant-based straws are made out of a compostable and marine-degradable biopolymer, which gives the feeling of a plastic straw. They can be commercially composted in three months, degrade in the ocean in six months or be composted at home in one year.

“It’s our planet,” McClary said. “I don’t want to leave a bad planet for my children or other kids.”

PLASTIC IS CHEAP

Prior to COVID-19, Scheiber had a restaurant recognition program for Volusia County through Dream Green Volusia. Scheiber and her

team would meet with restaurants to assess their use of plastic items such as straws, containers and silverware.

Each restaurant was then rated based on how many plastic items could be replaced with a more environmentally-friendly option.

Dream Green Volusia stopped the program at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as the supply chain was interrupted.

“A lot of plastic replacements are made in China, and production stopped,” Scheiber said.

Often, restaurants use plastic options such as straws, stirrers and cups because they are the affordable option.

“We live in a tough world where corporations are trying to save themselves money, and I’m referring specifically to plastics,” Scheiber said. “It’s cheaper to make new plastic than it is to recycle plastic, so we’re ending up in this vicious cycle of more and more and more.”

The most effective approach Dream Green Volusia could take to stay proactive on the single-use plastic battle was advocating for the county to create an anti-litter campaign, which is also focused on removing littered cigarette butts.

ORMOND BEACH CARES

Every restaurant can’t simply eliminate single-use plastics immediately, Persis said, and she doesn’t think any of them want to intentionally harm the environment.

“I do think Ormond Beach cares, for sure, and I think Earth Day is a perfect time to start reflecting on what we can do to help our environment right here in our city, and hopefully, it’ll spread,” Persis said.

And it begins at the individual level, she said.

Plastic bags can be recycled at places like Publix and Walmart. If you forget your reusable shopping bags, ask for paper bags at grocery stores that offer them. When eating at restaurants, consider if a straw is really needed. If buying plastic water bottles, see if biodegradable ones are an option.

“Look at different options instead of just keep doing the same thing,” Persis said. “Because if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve got if you don’t change. Those are the things we do in our house.”

A full straw ban didn’t pass in the city in 2019, and Persis said that’s likely because of concerns about impacting the hospitality industry or people who need plastic straws for medical reasons.

But the statistic that there may be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050, Persis said, emphasizes the need to reduce the use of single-use plastics and styrofoam.

When she attends conferences and meetings with other officials, the topic of plastic pollution comes up.

“It is a concern for all cities, and it’s just educating, prioritizing and hopefully, people will listen and change some of their habits,” she said.

SURVEY RESULTS

Of the 25 restaurants surveyed, six currently offer a non-plastic straw option. Twenty restaurants offer plastic straws.

Of the 14 restaurants surveyed on the mainland, only one offered a non-plastic straw option — a compostable straw.

Of the 11 restaurants surveyed on the beachside, five offered a non-plastic straw option. Seven only offered plastic straws. One restaurant offered both.

7 5

“I do think Ormond Beach cares, for sure, and I think Earth Day is a perfect time to start reflecting on what we can do to help our environment right here in our city, and hopefully, it’ll spread.”

SUSAN PERSIS, Ormond Beach City Commissioner

“It’s cheaper to make new plastic than it is to recycle plastic, so we’re ending up in this vicious cycle of more and more and more.”

SUZANNE SCHEIBER, founder of Dream Green Volusia

“It’s our planet. I don’t want to leave a bad planet for my children or other kids."

JESSI MCCLARY, Solberry Bowls

FIVE

ON THE BEACHSIDE OFFERED A NONPLASTIC STRAW OPTION

AND 16-13-31-2000-00030-0070 WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY OF BUNNELL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND OTHER CONTROLLING LAW; REDFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORIDNANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE OF FLAGLER COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED

Interchange project may get state funding

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

In late January, Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a $4 billion infrastructure initiative to expedite transportation projects across a nine-county region over the next four years. Ormond Beach’s I-95 and U.S. 1 interchange redesign is one of those projects.

On Thursday, April 13, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, joined by transportation officials, held a news conference promoting the initiative, titled “Moving Florida Forward,” and called for the Legislature to approve the $4 billion investment in its entirety.

If passed by Legislature, the investment would redirect an average of $131 million annually to the state Transportation Work Program and leverage more funding over the four years for a total of $7 billion.

“So if funding for this initiative is passed as originally

recommended by the governor, Floridians would benefit tremendously from the $7 billion worth of infrastructure improvements that are ready to begin as soon as next year,” Núñez said. “If not, unfortunately these projects will simply have to wait, and those delays of progress could come up to possibly 15 to 20 years from now.”

Núñez said the state isn’t in a position to wait on these projects, given the growth in the state’s population and number of visitors.

“This initiative is the ultimate solution, we believe, to address Florida’s infrastructure needs and challenges, and the action that we need to take, it needs to be done now,” Núñez said. “It needs to be done now for real change that our communities have been longing for, especially as it relates to traffic and congestion.”

Of the 20 projects, the Ormond Beach interchange is the only one located in Volusia County.

On March 29 and 30, the Florida Department of Transportation held two public hearings to announce it would be pursuing a redesign of the interchange to a “diverging diamond” interchange pattern, expected to cost $215.4 million.

The new design would be safer because vehicles turning left would not have to cross opposing traffic, and drivers would be less likely to enter ramps in the wrong direction, according to FDOT.

“This interchange is the original construction on I-95,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said during the news conference. “It’s in desperate need of upgrades, both for safety and congestion relief.”

FDOT is excited to get started on these projects, Perdue said, and is looking forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to fully fund the initiative.

“It’s bold,” Perdue said. “It’s innovative. It’s forwardthinking, and it’s really going to set Florida up for many years to come.”

“It needs to be done now for real change that our communities have been longing for, especially as it relates to traffic and congestion.”

County awards $4.36 million contract for inmate dorm

contract to build the

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

The Volusia County Council has unanimously approved a $4.36 million contract for the

construction of a new inmate isolation dormitory at the Volusia County Correctional Facility.

The contract to build the 6,470-square-foot dormitory was awarded to A.M. Weigel Construction, Inc., of Daytona Beach.

The majority of the project is being funded through federal coronavirus relief dollars, with $286,880 coming from the corrections’ inmate welfare funds, according to the

county.

Once completed, the dorm will have 66 beds.

Councilman Matt Reinhart, a former warden for the Volusia County Corrections Division, said the new dormitories could be used for inmate workers, since they would not need to pass through regular inmate facilities when coming in from work.

“This particular area has its own fence, it’s own entry point, it’s own exit point,”

Reinhart said. “And so you can bring inmates in and out from that area. This is ideal.”

Part of the project would also demolish the smaller building currently on the site, which the county reported has asbestos.

“I appreciate the fact that this is finally coming to fruition because we’ve been asking for it for a long, long time,” Reinhart said.

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The

dormitory was awarded to A.M. Weigel Construction, Inc., of Daytona Beach.

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez speaks during a news conference on Thursday, April 13.

The DeSantis administration has proposed $4 billion for 20 transportation projects.

JEANETTE NÚÑEZ, Florida lieutenant governor

Furry’s motion to censure School Board chair fails, 3-2

Will Furry said Cheryl Massaro violated board policy by adjourning the special meeting early and not promoting a cooperative team atmosphere.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

On the night that the Flagler County School Board took the first step in its search for a new superintendent, board member Will Furry called for a censure of Board Chair Cheryl Massaro.

While board members, including Furry, later said they could work together to choose a new superintendent, just as they have on other issues, Furry’s motion at the April 18 board meeting showed that the board remains divided.

Ultimately, his motion was defeated 3-2, with Sally Hunt hesitating before voting against it.

During a contentious special meeting on April 4, Hunt had voted with Furry and Christy Chong to let Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s contract run out and replace her with a new leader for Flagler Schools. Massaro and Colleen Conklin were the only board members who voted to retain Mittelstadt.

Furry’s motion to censure Massaro centered on a video Massaro posted on her School Board Facebook page on April 10.

Massaro began with a summary of recent School Board discussions before going on to say she has lost trust in the board.

“I believe that three of our five

school board members do not have Flagler Schools, all students, their families and communities’ best interest as their priority,” she said before singling out each of the board members who voted not to renew Mittelstadt’s contract, without mentioning them by name.

“One school board member does not appear to believe in or understand public schools,” Massaro said in the video. “Another member is greatly influenced by numerous outside local and state political action groups and other entities who obviously does not understand Flagler Schools. And a third who doesn’t seem to have enough time in the day to research agenda items and develop independent unbiased decisions.”

Furry brought up the censure motion during the “old business” portion of the meeting. School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin said a censure is an admonition by the other board members, but would not involve removing the censured board member from their position.

“It is clear,” Furry said, “that some of the comments that you made about your fellow board members were unacceptable and divisive and not true. And saying things like we don’t have the best interest of Flagler schools, that you’ve lost trust in us, this is unacceptable for a board chair to communicate.”

He said Massaro violated the board’s procedure manual by not following Robert’s Rules of Order when she adjourned the April 4 special meeting immediately after the superintendent contract vote without calling for closing comments. Massaro also violated policy, Furry said, by not promoting a cooperative team atmosphere and not setting aside personal views while speaking on behalf of the board.

“So, it is true that you’ve lost trust in us, Chair Massaro. When we were elected, we weren’t elected for you,” Furry said. “As a matter of fact, I think that after those comments that you need to work on regaining the trust of all the thousands of people that voted for us to make that decision.”

Massaro, in her closing comments, said she ended the meeting after the vote out of concern for the public’s safety.

“Things got really out of hand … and I didn’t want it to escalate, because I have been on this board, and it’s been very frightening being up here,” she said.

Chong, who voted with Furry for the censure, said Massaro set a precedent for how the board will choose to treat each other in the future.

“I’ve lost confidence in you as well,” Chong told Massaro. “I thought we were off to a great start. It’s not OK to be so divisive just

because a vote did not go your way. I find this to be unprofessional and a form of intimidation and control that I will not tolerate.”

Hunt said she has been disappointed “by really almost a campaign to discredit and disparage,” and that Massaro has contributed to a “gross narrative.”

“I now exist as this villain, which is just gross,” she said. “If you watch the footage from the workshops you will hear me fighting for working parents, saving them money, saving paraprofessionals money.”

Before Furry made his motion, Conklin said the conversation was inappropriate. If there were concerns, she said, they could have been shared during the workshop earlier in the day, “instead of putting a show on for everyone else.”

But Furry said that when the board chair speaks on her School Board Facebook page, “it is perceived that she is speaking the voice of the board, so I think it is very relevant that we’re having this conversation.”

Massaro said when she was speaking to reporters about the vote and when she was opining on her video, she did so as an individual, not as the board chair. And she defended her remarks.

“The things you claim I did to you, you did to (Mittelstadt),” Massaro said. “I find that extremely abrasive

“It is clear that some of the comments that you made about your fellow board members were unacceptable and divisive and not true.”

WILL FURRY

on Board Chair Cheryl

Massaro

and offensive. The idea was to work close together as a team and build a team concept. At the special meeting, you had all of your minds made up before you got here and disregarded the public that was here, which was embarrassing.”

Thirty of 32 public speakers at the special meeting spoke in favor of retaining Mittelstadt.

Chong said those 30 people were not a fair representation of the people in the county.

“I’ve heard multiple times now about how 30 people came out and supported our superintendent,” Chong said. “However, 30 people do not represent the entirety of 120,000 people who live in Flagler County or the majority of the people who overwhelmingly voted for us to represent them. And they do not have to be here, because they voted for us to represent them.”

School Board approves policy to store Narcan in schools

The policy directs the superintendent to issue guidelines on where the medication can be stored and who can administer it in an emergency.

EDITOR

Michael Feldbauer, the president of the Flagler County Drug Court Foundation, spoke during the public comment period of the April 18 Flagler County School Board meeting after speakers who had shown their displeasure to board members.

“I feel I’m a little different,” Feldbauer said. “I’m here to celebrate what you’ve done tonight.”

The board approved an addition to the district’s medical policy allowing Narcan to be stored and admin-

istered in the schools during emergency situations. Narcan is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill last year allowing public schools to store Narcan in secure locations.

Flagler County became the first school district in the state to approve a policy that directs the superintendent to administer guidelines on where the medication can be stored in each school building, who can

administer it and what training must be completed, among other specifications.

Board Attorney Kristy Gavin wrote the policy.

The drug court foundation’s Reneé DeAngelis followed Feldbauer to the podium.

DeAngelis and her husband, Chip, became activists after their daughter, Savannah, died of an overdose in 2017.

“We did not want to see other

families go through the devastation we went through, and now we’ve gotten to this point,” she said. “You don’t know what this means to me. I hope this serves as a catalyst for the rest of the state and our country to do the same thing. I believe it will, and maybe it will start to make a change with this epidemic that we have. And the silver lining is you voted for it unanimously. So, thanks.”

COPS CORNER

April 22nd - April 30th, 2023

Showcase

an incident report. The woman told the deputy that she had found things inside her home that did not belong to her.

The woman said she found two shirts, a packet of new toothbrushes, a hairnet, facial wipes, beer, two-liter soda bottles and some food that she did not own, the report said.

The deputy looked through the home and did not see anything tampered with, beyond the items the woman pointed out.

Despite the woman’s report, the incident report stated that there was not enough evidence to pursue the case.

APRIL 8

THEFT INTERRUPTED

12:14 p.m. — Intersection of Bear Creek Path and Hull Road, Ormond Beach

Attempted stolen vehicle. An Ormond Beach resident called police after his friend spotted two young men trying to steal his RV. The resident’s friend had pulled up

to the RV in order to park it

when he spotted the two men, according to a police report. The men fled the scene in a vintage truck.

The resident told police he wanted to pursue charges if the suspects were identified.

APRIL 9 PLANT WAR

5:11 p.m. — First block of St. Anne Circle, Ormond Beach Vandalism. For 40 years, a star jasmine plant was a permanent fixture in the backyard of an Ormond Beach home.

But recently, the family members of the homeowner noticed that it had been cut down to the ground without their authorization.

The elderly homeowner’s daughter called police and told officers that the 7-foottall plant had been removed, along with its trellis, and that the cuttings had been placed in their driveway.

Who cut it down? A landscaping company, hired by their neighbor’s son, according to a police report. The two parties had had previous disputes about the homeowner’s fence and encroaching plants. But the report notes that the jasmine plant, which was planted in 1983, was “well within the property line.”

When police spoke with the neighbor’s son, he said he directed the landscaping company to cut the plant so that it was not on his mother’s

Police asked if he saw that the plant was in his mother’s property, and he said he couldn’t recall.

The victim’s family was interested in seeking restitution for the plant, which they valued at $2,000. The neighbor’s son said he would pay restitution if that would resolve the issue. The family was not sure if they wanted to pursue charges or rectify the issue civilly, according to the police report.

APRIL 11

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

9 a.m. — Interstate 95 southbound 289 off ramp at Palm Coast Parkway Recovered stolen vehicle. A man was pulled over for driving a trailer that his company had mistakenly reported as stolen. A license plate reader had alerted deputies to a trailer that was reported stolen in Lakeland in 2022, according to an incident report. Deputies caught up to the trailer and performed a traffic stop on the southbound I-95 at Exit 289.

But when deputies spoke to the driver, they discovered that the trailer belonged to his company. Upon calling the company, the man and deputies realized the wrong trailer had been reported as stolen.

CRIME REPORT

Man arrested in connection with F-Section bomb

A Palm Coast man was arrested on April 14 after he allegedly set off a bomb in a swale at the intersection of Fernwood Lane and Fleetwood Drive.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested suspect Michael Blum just hours after the explosion. No one was injured, according to an FCSO press release.

FCSO deputies worked with St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad and FBI agents to sweep the area around the intersection, and no other devices were found, according to Blum’s arrest report.

The homemade bomb used a firework mortar and a radio-

BRIEFS

Man rescued from car submerged in retention pond

Flagler County first responders rescued a driver after his vehicle crashed into the retention pond at the Interstate 95 exit ramp on Palm Coast Parkway on April 16.

The incident happened in the late afternoon when the driver lost control of his car and veered into the pond. The car turned upside down in the water, according to a press release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was the only occupant.

FCSO deputies, Palm Coast Fire Department firefighters and civilians worked together to pull the driver from the car.

“Thanks to everyone’s quick action and bravery, the driver was able to be located quickly and life saving measures were immediately given,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We pray the driver makes a full recovery. Thank you to the

Woman charged with child neglect after crash

transmitted electric match used in commercial fireworks displays.

Using neighborhood security cameras and witness descriptions, FCSO deputies identified the suspect’s white van and trace it to Blum. The FCSO has been to Blum’s home over 25 times for various fireworks complaints, according to the press release.

Blum met with deputies and admitted to setting off the mortar, using a cigarette as a time delay, according to his arrest report. He has been charged with felony discharge of a detonation device and is being held without bond at the county jail, according to the press release.

citizens who also jumped in to help.” The man was unconscious when he was pulled from the water, and first responders began CPR, according to the report. The driver’s current condition and the cause for the crash are unknown. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Halifax Humane Society names new CEO

The Halifax Humane Society announced Adam Leath as its new CEO on Wednesday, April 12.

Leath is currently the director of Volusia County Animal Services, a position he has held since 2019.

HHS’ former CEO, Pam Clayton, recently announced she would be stepping down to receive treatment for breast cancer.

Leath previously worked as the manager of Kennel Operations at Lee County Domestic Animal Services, where he

TRIBUTES

Philip August

Pearson

1945-2022

Philip, with his wife and son at his side, passed peacefully on January 27, 2022 at the Stuart Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast, FL. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Alexandra (Sandy) Pearson, son William (Bill) Pearson, sister, Sharon Netsch of Deep River, CT, brother, Robert Pearson of Stanardsville, VA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Phil was born in Middletown, Connecticut on May 6, 1945 to William and Frances Pearson of Chester, Connecticut. The family eventually moved to Deep River, Ct. His childhood was filled with many interests and pursuits including fishing, hunting, music, painting, woodworking, chess, among many, many others. He attended Valley Regional High School in Middletown, CT, where he excelled in academics and was perpetually on the Dean’s List. Because of his scholastic excellence, he was selected to attend Choate Summer School for Advanced Scholarship in Math and Science in Wallingford, CT. Phil’s leadership abilities were also evident as he held the offices of President of the Deep River Junior Chess Club and Deep River Junior Horseshoe League. He started a 3 person music group, The

A woman was arrested on DUI and child endangerment charges after she rear-ended a semi-truck on Interstate 95 near the State Road 100 exit on April 12, sending her 6-year-old to the hospital.

The Haines City woman was not seriously injured from the crash, according to her arrest report, but her son was injured and was taken to AdventHealth Palm Coast.

The crash happened at 11:30 p.m. as the woman was driving north on I-95 near mile marker 282.

At the scene of the crash, the woman told a Florida Highway Patrol officer that she was driving around 70 mph when she fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the semi-truck. Her Honda SUV had heavy

began his career in 2006, according to a news release. He said that he is “thrilled to be back in shelter management.”

“I want to expand on the lifesaving efforts currently underway and continue to focus on the needs of the pets entrusted to our care,” Leath said of his first priority for HHS.

In addition to his work with the county, Leath is a courtesy assistant professor for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and sits on the board of directors for the National Animal Care and Control Association and the Florida Animal Control Association.

STI prevention offered at Health Department

National Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Week is April 9-15, and the Florida Department of Health-Flagler is raising awareness about STIs and how they impact people’s lives, according to a Health Department press release.

front-end damage, and, given the extent of the damage, the FHP officer wrote in his report that he believed she was actually going 85-90 mph.

The truck driver was uninjured and the trailer’s rear side had minor damage, the report said.

The woman also told the FHP officer that her 6-yearold was sitting in the rear, left-side seat, but because the back seat of the vehicle was full of household items, the officer wrote that he believed the child may have been in the front seat.

At the hospital, the officer conducted two breath tests which registered as .213 and .211 — almost three times the legal limit — more than two hours after the crash.

The woman has been charged with reckless driving, three DUI-related charges and felony child neglect. She was taken to the county jail.

One of the DOH-Flagler’s primary services and goals of is to reduce the rate of STIs in Flagler County and use early identification and treatement to prevent disease-related complications.

The Health Department has developed a comprehensive program for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing treatment people who have been infected.

Dr. Stephen Bickel, the Flagler health department’s medical director, and Jennifer Kennedy, the Ryan White operations and management consultant, lead the program with Amanda White and Leslievette Garcia.

The April 8 Flagler Health Matters show on Flagler Broadcasting featured Bickel along with the Ryan White team.

To listen, go to flaglerbroadcasting.com/podcasts/ flagler-health-matters.

For more information about HIV or STI treatment or testing in Flagler County, call 386437-7350, Ext. 7063.

He spent countless hours working with the State of Florida Development Disabilities Council and the local unit of the Agency for People with Disabilities.

Particles, in which he played accordion. The group played several gigs in Deep River for various functions. He was also a member of the Deep River Fife and Drum Corps.

After graduating High School, he attended the University of Connecticut and studied Electrical Engineering. He became President of the UCONN chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and Vice-President of fraternity Eta Kappa Nu. One lucky Freshman class had Phil as their counselor.

He had a Rock Band, The Blue Embers, in which he played keyboard for several functions at the College. After graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering he was employed by Bell Laboratories/Lucent in No. Andover, MA for 33 years, during which time he earned his Masters Degree at Northeastern University. He also took up the study of photography, ham radio, golf, and Violin and Viola, a passion that he continued for the rest of his life. After a brief move to Ashburn, Virginia, he worked for Chromatis/Lucent in Herndon, VA as Director of Sustaining Engineering. He also taught at ECPI ( East Coast Polytechnic Institute) in Prince William County, VA. After moving to Palm Coast in 2004, he continued with ECPI teaching online as adjunct professor. Along with his other interests, he studied the art of rehairing

bows for stringed instruments and opened a small business, Phil’s Bow Rehair, doing rehairing and minor repairs. He spent countless hours working with the State of Florida Development Disabilities Council and the local unit of the Agency for People with Disabilities. The card game of bridge, one that he thought he would never like, became another passion. He was a member of the Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club and built the initial website. He was a member of the Chamber Players of Palm Coast playing Viola and, along with his wife, hosted many quartet/quintet sessions at his home. Phil was a history buff and read many books and watched online courses of same. Technology, friends, many musicians, neighbors, and bridge players were the focus of his last years.

ORMOND BEACH

Observer

Luke’s approach to life: Learn one thing every year

If you end up learning two things, you’re well on your way.

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On a recent car ride, Luke said matter-of-factly from the back seat: “When you’re 0, you know zero things. When you’re 1, you know one thing. When you’re 2, you know two things.”

“OK,” I said as I drove down Belle Terre Parkway on a sunny morning.

“So that means when you’re 4, you know four things?”

“Yes,” he said.

“And because I’m 43, I know 43 things?”

“Yes.”

“What are those 43 things?”

He never answered me, but I revived the conversation on Easter, April 9, when Luke turned 5 years old.

Here are the four things he said he knew before that day:

1. How to paint;

2. That God loves us;

3. How to meet people;

4. How to get older.

LOCAL CHILDREN’S AUTHOR TO OFFER FREE BOOK SIGNING EVENT

Ormond Beach children’s book author Sarah Beliza Tucker will be hosting a free book signing event from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Barnes and Noble, located at 1115 Cornerstone Blvd., Suite C, in Daytona Beach.

Attendees will get the chance to meet Tucker, the creator behind the Adventures of Harry & Friends franchise, and get a signed copy of one of her books, including the

things.

He never explained, but I’m guessing the key to No. 4 is simply waiting around.

The more I think about this odd bit of Luke logic, the more I like it. Maybe each year, as long as we learn one thing, we can call it a successful trip around the sun. It helps to keep expectations manageable. And if you end up learning two things, you’re well on your way.

Of course, that begged the next question.

“Now that you’re 5,” I asked, “what’s the fifth thing?”

recently released “Help Ringo Tame

His Temper.”

Make yourself at home YOUR TOWN

Tucker has crafted stories designed with children in mind to help them grow stronger, encouraging them with activities that will inspire their imagination, develop their moral compass and set positive examples both verbally and visually, according to a press release.

Her series supports parents, teachers, counselors and other educators seeking to positively influence young lives while providing enjoyable reads.

Tucker recently returned from touring the Bahamas by sailboat.

She visited schools, where she volunteered her time and provided some of her books for children in need.

“Now I know more math problems, like 6+9,” he said. He thought for a minute, seemed to realize he hadn’t learned that one yet, and changed his mind: “I mean, 10+10. That’s 20.”

Luke turned to my wife, Hailey, and said, “I’ll give you a hard math problem: 1,000+100+6.”

She replied, “It’s 1,106.”

Luke’s jaw dropped.

It’s been one of his obsessions lately, asking people math problems. When his siblings aren’t responsive, he asks Google instead.

“Hey, Google, what’s 116 plus 116?” he asked one day at lunch time.

That soothing voice replied: “332.”

Luke decided for a real test: “Hey, Google, what’s the square root of 19?”

Google either misunderstood or didn’t know the answer and decided to dodge it. The voice said, “In the NFC Championship Game on ...”

In an exasperated tone, rolling his eyes like his older siblings do, Luke said, “Google, stop!”

We tried to make Luke’s fifth birthday a special one, but he did a good job of that on his own. After tossing a candy wrapper on the floor, he said to his 8-year-old sister, Kennedy: “I don’t have to pick it up because it’s my birthday.”

Then, in case Kennedy hadn’t

understood, he made it extra clear: “Kennedy, you’re my maid.”

Hailey chastised him. “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

He was honest: “I’m trying to get attention!”

As he continued his attentiongrabbing birthday-boy routine, Kennedy taught him a lesson of her own.

“You said when you were 4 that you were going to practice, so that when you turned 5, you wouldn’t make any bad choices anymore,” she said.

Luke was surprisingly shaken by her reminder. Apparently the two of them had actually discussed this goal. I was happy that Kennedy was trying to help him make good choices and that Luke’s heart was pointed toward goodness.

But even Kennedy didn’t realize that she was asking the impossible: to always make good choices.

Luke, seeming to suddenly comprehend the limits of not only his own soul but of all mankind, cried out, “I just can’t!”

The next morning, on the way to school, I asked Luke about his pact with Kennedy to never make any bad choices, after the age of 5. I reassured him: “All we can do is try. And then, try again.”

That’s my 44th thing.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

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ORMOND BEACH POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN ‘DRUG TAKE BACK DAY’

The Ormond Beach Police Department will be participating in the 2023 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in the lobby of Police Department lobby.

This initiative lets members of the public voluntarily surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutically controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper destruction.

PASTOR HOLDS SILVER JUBILEE MASS AND DINNER

Rev. Justin K. Vakko, pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination to the Catholic priesthood with a Silver Jubilee Mass and dinner at the church Saturday, April 15.

Approximately 750 people attended the mass, and the dinner in the parish hall was attended by 220 parishioners, friends of Vakko and other priests.

Ron Nowviskie, a parishioner since 1970, helped coordinate the dinner, and Wendy A. Mara, chairman of the Prince of Peace Parish Pastoral Council, was master of ceremonies.

Vakko was presented with gifts from the Pastoral Council on behalf of the parish, Prince of Peace Coun-

VOLUSIA COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CAN BEGIN AFTER MAY 1

The Volusia County Government has received new guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about coastal construction activities after May 1 for private property owners who have received Coastal Construction Control Line permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Before this notification, private property owners who had not started construction by May 1 would not have been allowed to begin their coastal armament project until Nov. 1, the end of turtle nesting season in Volusia County, although those who obtained a DEP permit and began or will begin construction before May 1 could continue as long as all permit conditions continue to be met.

The latest guidance states that property owners with a DEP permit who cannot begin construction by May 1 must contact the FWC to determine if sea turtle nests are located on the proposed site before materials are delivered.

Once FWC attests that the proposed construction site is clear of turtle nests, however, materials may be delivered and construction may begin.

FWC staff will only provide inspections during turtle nesting season at project sites that have been issued a DEP permit.

Property owners can continue to apply to the DEP for their permit after May 1.

“This should bring a significant sigh of relief for all coastal property owners still seeking to begin rebuilding from these storms’ devastating impacts,” County Manager George Recktenwald said.

cil of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus Prince of Peace Council 8791, Vietnamese Catholic Community of Daytona Beach and parish staff.

Vakko is from Cochin, Kerala, India and was ordained in Kerala in 1998 in the Order of Discalced Carmelites.

Before he was appointed pastor at Prince of Peace in August 2021, he served Catholic communities in India and at parishes in the Diocese of Orlando.

He is joined at Prince of Peace by another priest from India, Fr. Francis Joseph, and two permanent deacons, Bruce Gesinski and Carlos Bon Conselho.

“I am proud to say that we are working with our partners at the DEA on this initiative,” Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said. “This program has kept unwanted prescription drugs from damaging our environment through improper disposal methods and hopefully has kept some dangerous drugs out of the hands of the wrong people.”

JEWISH FEDERATION HELPED FEED MORE THAN 140 FAMILIES ON EASTER

The Jewish Federation of Flagler and Volusia Counties helped feed over 140 families this past Easter by giving them groceries a few days prior to ensure they would have enough for a holiday meal.

Each family received canned goods, fresh vegetables, bread, pastries and either a 5-6-pound frozen turkey breast or a 6-8-pound frozen ham, Jewish Federation President Marvin Miller told the Observer

A total of 28 volunteers, plus the nonprofit’s staff, worked hard all day at the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, located at 470 Andalusia Ave., to make sure the families received the food, 90% of which comes from Second Harvest Food Bank.

“This all happens because of our dedicated volunteers, and many donations from so many kind, wonderful supporters,” Miller said.

The Jewish Federation’s Jerry Doliner Food Bank serves people in need in Volusia and Flagler County, regardless of their religion.

Sarah Beliza Tucker will host a book signing event on May 6.

Photo by Brian McMillan Luke turned 5 and now knows five

Courtesy photos

Jewish Federation President Marvin Miller, Ormond Beach Police Capt. DW Smith, Jewish Federation Executive Director Rabbi Rob Lennick and Police Chief Jesse Godfrey

Rev. Justin K. Vakko celebrates his 25th anniversary of ordination to the Catholic priesthood with other Catholic priests from the area.

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Development, real estate + business news

New coffee shop opens in Ormond Beach

Foxtail Coffee offers craft coffees and teas, beer, wine, food and pastries.

Looking for a new spot in town to get your daily caffeine fix?

Foxtail Coffee opened in Ormond Beach on April 4 at 330 N. Nova Road, within the Trails Shopping Center.

Foxtail coffee offers craft coffees and teas, beer, wine, food and pastries, and is partnered with Kelly’s Ice Cream.

Inside the pet-friendly coffee shop, a menu board explains the different types of coffees offered, including brewed-to-order coffees, lattes, cold brews, cuban espresso and affogatos, which is coffee poured

BIZ BUZZ

DSC RECEIVES $3.8 MILLION FOR NURSING EDUCATION

Daytona State College has received $3.8 million in funding from state and community partners to support nursing students.

The money will go to the college’s Bob and Carol Allen School of Nursing to help students prepare to meet the need for frontline healthcare professionals in Volusia and Flagler counties.

In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $1.9 million to DSC to support scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment and additional support for the nursing program.

Halifax Health provided $1 million, and AdventHealth provided $900,000 in matching grants, bringing the total to $3.8 million.

over ice cream. The coffee beans are from around the world, and the farmhouse blend, used for most of the coffees, is a mixture of those beans. Currently, Foxtail offers coffee from Mexico and Honduras, but more will come as seasons change.

Jesse Davis, owner of the Ormond Beach location, an insurance executive for 26 years until he realized he wanted something “more family oriented.”

He then opened his first Foxtail Coffee shop in Downtown Cocoa Beach, then in Boca Raton, Venice Beach and now Ormond Beach.

“I spent a lot of time here in Volusia County — going to the beaches and spending a lot of time at the raceway with my father, so being a part of this community means a lot to us because we are very familiar with it,” Davis said.

“We share the governor’s vision of providing world class medical care in Florida and our nursing program has a long-standing reputation of excellence,” Daytona State College President Tom LoBasso said. “And thanks to the additional support of our partners AdventHealth and Halifax Health, our nursing students will continue to receive the highest quality nursing education in the state. Together we can build a stronger community.”

The state funding is allocated through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education program, which is designed to mitigate Florida’s nursing shortage.

The $900,000 from AdventHealth will create the AdventHealth Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Success, and the $1 million from HalifaxHealth will create the Halifax Health Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Success.

“I spent a lot of time here in Volusia County — going to the beaches and spending a lot of time at the raceway with my father, so being a part of this community means a lot to us.”

JESSE DAVIS

Davis said opening the coffee shop took almost a year, including lease negotiations and build-out.

Supply and labor issues delayed the coffee shop’s opening by a few months, but the location was perfect, he said.

“With what’s happening with the [renovation] of the shopping center, we thought it would be a perfect mix with the Woofgang Bakery and the higher-end shops here,” Davis said.

2023

“They tend to gravitate to our brand.”

Foxtail Coffee is an Orlando-based franchise, and the Ormond locatoin is store number 47 in the organization, Davis said.

Alejandro Dominguez makes a latte.

Courtesy photo

Daytona State nursing students and faculty at the Bob and Carol Allen School of Nursing join DSC President Tom LoBasso in thanking Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, Halifax Health and AdventHealth.

Photo by Alexis Miller

Connector construction could start in October Flagler

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Construction may begin as soon as October on the long-awaited parkway connecting State Road 100 and U.S. 1 in Bunnell, while July could bring the completion of the S.R. 100 pedestrian bridge and trails.

Flagler County Engineer Faith

Alkhatib presented updates on the two county engineering projects — the expansion of Commerce Parkway and the pedestrian bridge across S.R. 100 — during the April 17 County Commission meeting.

The Commerce Parkway expansion project will extend the current Commerce Parkway from S.R. 100 to U.S. 1 in south Bunnell, a total of approximately 1.7 miles in length, bypassing downtown Bunnell.

Design plans will be complete in May, Alkhatib said, and the county will send out for bids over the summer with the hope of beginning construction in September or October.

“We are anticipating an 18-month construction schedule for this project,” Alkhatib said, “and this project will be completed April 2025.”

Alkhatib said the new Commerce Parkway will have speed limits of 20 mph along the existing section, but 35 mph along sections of the new connector road. It will have two 11-foot wide lanes with 8-foot shoulders — 5 feet of which will be paved — and a 5-foot sidewalk along the east side of the road.

The connecting roadway has been in the works for over 10 years, but the city and county governments hae hit snags on funding.

Because the project was shelved in 2017, Alkhatib said, the design will need to be updated.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Commission Chair Greg Hansen said. “We need this done.”

The final project cost is expected to be $14.2 million, but Flagler County has $14.93 million available for the project. That money comes from a myriad of state and county resources, Alkhatib said, including $6.8 million from legislative grants, $3.2 million from Flagler County east impact fees, $3 million from Bunnell for utility construction and $1 million from the city for general construction.

“[The new road] will enhance safety during emergencies, and also it will promote growth at this area,” Alkhatib said.

The Graham Swamp trail and pedestrian bridge has also been progressing smoothly, Alkhatib said — construction began in 2022 and is scheduled to be complete around July.

“At that time, we’ll have a big celebration,” Alkhatib said.

The new trail connects the Lehigh

Trail and cuts through Graham Swamp to S.R. 100 as part of the new Graham Swamp Trail System, according to Alkhatib’s presentation.

The trail and bridge will also connect the Graham Swamp Trail to the future proposed Bulow Creek Headwaters Park on the south side of S.R. 100.

The project is expected to cost $12 million, Alkhatib said. Most of that funding came from the federal highway department, she said.

The work includes a new sidewalk along S.R. 100 to connect to Old Kings Road, three elevated boardwalks and 1.94 miles of new trail. The pedestrian bridge is 18 feet wide, while the trail is 12 feet wide.

Commissioner David Sullivan said that the trail connections and other future projects will have a large impact on the south part of the county.

“I call it the ‘bridge of the future,’” Sullivan said. “Because it’s going to really make a tremendous difference.”

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The bait shop at the Flagler Beach pier will close on June 1.

The Flagler Beach City Commission decided at an April 13 to close the shop after City Manager Mike Abels presented a cost-benefit report to the commission.

The analysis showed that that the shop has been running at a deficit and is only projected to make $7,700 in the first five months of 2023.

Its expenses in that time frame are projected to total $31,553, costing the city’s general fund $23,838.

The commission unanimously voted to close the store starting on June 1, while the pier remains closed.

At a May 3 meeting, the City Commission will discuss whether to rent out the space after the bait shop closes.

Commissioner Scott Spradley said some people may have argued that the bait shop is still being used while the pier is closed. But, he said, the analysis doesn’t support that.

“These numbers that we are looking at offer a stark contrast in how much traffic there is over there,” Spradley said. “It’s not being used.”

The pier closed in 2022 because of damage from the two hurricanes and other storms.

The bait shop — which sells bait, souvenirs and fishing supplies — is an enterprise fund business and was directly impacted by the lack of visitors at the closed pier.

A government enterprise fund is meant to operate a business that can support itself, City Attorney Drew Smith said.

But the bait shop, according to the city’s cost-benefit analysis, has historically been subsidized by the city’s general fund.

The general fund subsidy is estimated to increase because of the pier closure, according to the analysis.

In 2019, the store made $112,192, but expenses were $82,866 higher than that, according to the analysis.

In 2022, the bait shop made $143,602, but costs exceeded revenue by $87,506.

The commission members seemed split on the idea of renting out the space for revenue over the next two years while the pier is being reconstructed.

Some commissioners wanted to explore the idea, while others were worried about the longterm effects of replacing the store, even temporarily.

Commissioner Rick Belhumeur suggested that this might be an opportunity to renovate the store and possibly turn it into more of a souvenir shop alongside a bait shop.

Commission Chair Eric Cooley and Commissioner Jane Mealy both said there is no harm in hearing out requests.

But at the same time, Cooley said, there are other concerns about having a business in that spot while the pier is under construction.

Commissioner James Sherman said the decision is not an emotional one.

“This is just something that we — as elected officials that are put here — we have to be fiscally responsible with our taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Email Sierra Williams at Sierra@ observerlocalnews.com.

Meanwhile, the new Graham Swamp trail and pedestrian bridge should be complete around July, County Engineer Faith Alkhatib said.

The bait shop has been running at a deficit, subsidized by the city’s general fund. It will close on June 1.

Map courtesy of Flagler County government

The proposed path for the expanded Commerce Parkway, connecting S.R. 100 and Highway U.S. 1.

“As elected officials that are put here, we have to be fiscally responsible with our taxpayers’ money.”

JAMES SHERMAN, city commissioner

Planning Board OKs RidgeHaven development

The Ormond Beach Planning Board voted 5-1 last week to recommend approval for a zoning map amendment, development order and preliminary plat.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

A proposal to build almost 300 homes near U.S. 1 and Plantation Oaks Boulevard has taken another step forward.

The Ormond Beach Planning Board voted 5-1 to recommend approval for a zoning map amendment, development order and preliminary plat for the RidgeHaven development at a meeting on Thursday,

April 13. The developer, Snilloc Family Limited Partnership Number One, is seeking to construct 286 homes on a 103.45-acre property south of Plantation Oaks Boulevard, east of Addison Drive and north of the Village of Pine Run subdivision.

Of the 286 units, 84 would be duplex townhomes, while the rest would be single-family homes. The developer is plan-

ning to preserve 25.42 acres, according to a city staff memo.

Board member Mike Scudiero said that he was initially concerned about the townhomes included in the proposal until it was pointed out that the nearby Garden at Addison Oaks neighborhood is all townhomes.

He added he was pleased with the reduction of density: Based on the property’s previous county land use designation, the developer could have built anywhere from 716 to 1,052 units, according to city staff. The property was annexed into the city in 2022.

“In a world where you’ve got residents that don’t want to

TRIBUTES

Joan Elaine Cianfrocca

see anything built, and you’ve got property owners that have rights to build, this is a hell of a compromise,” Scudiero said.

Board member Barry du Moulin, who voted against the development, said that while he appreciated the density reduction, he was concerned about the neighborhood having a homeowner’s association.

“I just see a degradation in these HOAs,” du Moulin said.

Two residents from Ormond Lakes spoke at the meeting, saying they were concerned that RidgeHaven could worsen existing stormwater problems in their community.

Charles Genter, a board member and past president of the Ormond Lakes HOA, said that the Ormond Lakes HOA is working to optimize its stormwater system, but cannot control the new developments that could send more water in its direction.

“We need help from the city of Ormond Beach,” he said.

“We asked that the decisionmakers, such as this Planning Board, take action to ensure developers do not cause problems for neighboring communities by sending water.”

Planning Director Steven Spraker said that the city’s Stormwater Master Plan has a study for the Ormond Lakes area and that the residents’ concerns aren’t being ignored.

“I think everybody’s taken notice that there is an issue there,” board member GG Galloway said.

The board members largely approved of a clustering concept to minimize environmental impacts, as well as the various housing options.

“I like the fact that we do have a range of housing in there that will give us a chance to get a diverse environment with the people that are coming,” Board member Al Jorczak said.

1942-2023

Joan Elaine Cianfrocca, 81, of Palm Coast, FL passed away on April 4, 2023 in Palm Coast.

Joan was born on January 7, 1942 in Auburn, New York to Percy Abbott and Verneal Abbott. She married Thomas Cianfrocca on April 1, 1959 in Madison, North Carolina. She worked as a Certified Nurses Assistant for many years, until her retirement. Joan has been a resident of Palm Coast since 2008, coming from Syracuse, New York & Daytona Beach, Florida. Joan was a member of the TOPS organization and she enjoyed bowling, playing cards, gambling and spending time with her kids & grandkids. She especially loved coaching kids bowling & her cats.

Joan is survived by her 2 daughters Teena Kelly (Gary) & Lori Dixon (David); 3 sons, James Cianfrocca (Shari), Russell Cianfrocca (Lynn) & Thomas V. Cianfrocca; 8 grandchildren, Nicole Cormier (Doug), Cheryl Ferguson (Robert), Christopher Moore (Crystal), Cody Dixon (Tiana), Joey Cianfrocca & Erika Caveda (Nicholas); 11 great grandchildren, Kayleigh, Kaitlynn (Dylan), Briggs, Jenny, Sean, D.J., Harley, Quinn, Sienna, Luca & Mason and by 1 greatgreat grandchild, Weston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas J. Cianfrocca, her brother, Dale Abbott and by grandsons, Aaron Cianfrocca & Jarrod

She especially loved coaching kids bowling & her cats.

Cianfrocca.

A memorial service will be held at Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd., N., on Saturday April 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

The family of Mrs. Cianfrocca have entrusted her arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations. Condolences may be left at clymerfuneralhome.com

SERVICE:

Saturday, April 22, 11 AM Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations 39 Old Kings Rd., N.

The developers of RidgeHaven are now proposing to build 286 units.

Map courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach

Josh Crews writing project launches anthology

One hundred and fifty Flagler County students contributed to the anthology as the project celebrated its 12th anniversary.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Twelve years ago, the Flagler Education Foundation’s Josh Crews Creative Writing Project began with about 20 elementary school students contributing to a 20-page book.

On April 11, the 2023 Josh Crews book launch at the Buddy Taylor Middle School/Wadsworth Elementary School cafeteria celebrated the publication of a 180-page anthology book with contributions from 150 students representing all of Flagler County’s Schools.

The students got to autograph the anthology and present their published works to the community. Each student received a free copy of the book.

“For some of them, they are their very first published works. For some, they’ve done this over the years,” said Maryiotti Johnson, the Ed Foundation’s finance and operations director.

The works are mostly fiction and include poetry and short stories as well as illustrations, all created by students. The cover was designed by a Flagler Palm Coast High School student from a digital media design class.

“I think we’re the only county in the state that has a creative writing club in each school,” said Teresa Rizzo, the Ed Foundation’s executive director. “Mostly in the classroom, writing focuses on opinion or informational writing, and students don’t really get a chance to do creative writing. So, it’s such a great opportunity for them to be able to express themselves. And most students who write aren’t students who (like to perform). They’re more of

YA author speaks at FPC event

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Young adult novelist Tiffany Rosenhan stopped at Flagler Palm Coast High School this month as part of her Florida tour speaking to students.

Rosenhan is the author of the spy thriller, “Girl from Nowhere,” which has no relation to the Netflix series of the same name. She describes the story as a James Bond movie with a teenage female protagonist.

She spoke to two classes of students in FPC’s media center followed by a group consisting of members of the school’s book club and the Josh Crews Creative Writing Club.

said. Don’t write digitally, or you’ll be tempted to make changes and corrections, she added.

When you’re done, she said, read it. You’ll see it’s even worse than you thought, but then you’ll pick out some glimmering words. Pull out the words that sparkle and discard the rest, she said.

that quiet, creative person. So, it’s an opportunity for them to express their thoughts and creativity in writing.”

The project was named for Josh Crews, a Flagler County resident who was a prolific writer and reader. Crews died in 2010 at age 34.

This year, Crews’ nephew, Cullen Crews, a fourth-grader, was published in the book. He is the first member of the Crews family to be published as part of the project.

“It’s really a legacy carrying on,” Rizzo said. “We’re proud to have him in the book. It’s an awesome experience for his family and for him as well.”

Cullen Crews, Derik Hardesty and Anderson Smith all read their stories from the anthology on Flagler Broadcasting’s WNZF.

The 2023 anthology can be purchased for $20 from the Ed Foundation. Go to flagleredfoundation.org/ how-to-help/donate.html and click on 2023 JDC Anthology Book on “Which programs are you Helping?”

Rosenhan lives in Millcreek, Utah, with her husband — who is a critical care physician — and their four daughters, ages 16, 14, 12 and 8. She started writing stories every day when her oldest daughter was a baby, but at the time, she said, she never thought of herself as an author.

A political science major at the University of Utah, Rosenhan said she thought at the time of becoming a UN diplomat or working for the CIA, maybe becoming Black Widow.

While she will never have superpowers, she said, she does have the ability to be in two places at once. That’s because she has a twin sister.

Rosenhan urged the high school students to embrace creative writing to better understand who they are and to better process their feelings and emotions.

“The stories we write are valuable whether we write them for ourselves or we share them with others,” she said. She discussed writer’s block and shared an exercise to overcome it. Write five minutes a day with pen and paper as terribly as you can, she

By doing this exercise every day, Rosenhan said, you’ll be giving yourself permission to begin. You’ll move on to writing more efficiently. And you’ll begin to build a neural highway that “connects your thoughts with your ability and capacity to articulate them with a pen and paper.”

If all else fails, she said, adapt to what you would do if you were on fire. In this case, stop, drop and read.

“Reading is the tool to become better, more proficient, confident writers,” she said. “I hope you’re each devouring every single book in this library, because they are your greatest resource.”

Rosenhan handed out copies of “Girl from Nowhere” to students who asked questions, or, in some cases, just asked for a book.

Jasmine Sites, president of both the book club and the Josh Crews Creative Writing Club, said she had started reading it earlier in the day.

“I need to finish it. I’m sucked in,” she said. “This book has pulled me out of my reading slump. I’ve read it through four periods, and I’m halfway through.”

When asked what she liked best about it, Sites said, “The romance, of course.”

Josh Crews Creative Writing Project contributor Carlin Blaine with Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo

Courtesy photo

Derik Hardesty, Anderson Smith and Cullen Crews read book excepts on Flagler Broadcasting’s WNZF Radio.

The author of the young adult spy thriller “Girl from Nowhere” spoke to two classes and members of the school’s book club and creative writing club.

Photo by Brent Woronoff Tiffany Rosenhan, author of the young adult spy thriller, “Girl From Nowhere,” speaks to Flagler Palm Coast High students in the media center on April 6.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Celtic colors

Ormond Beach MainStreet delivered a well-attended event at the city’s riverfront parks on Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16.

The 12th annual Celtic Festival arrived on a cloud-flecked, blueskied day amid a sea of tartans, tankards and the occasional lilt. Festivalgoers came from all over to attend the event, with the Highland gamers kicking off the weekend festivities early Saturday morning on April 15.

Athletes occupied the grassy area along the walkway approaching Rockefeller Gardens, where food vendors and artisans set up tents, trucks and activities for attendees. Celtic music filled the air, already

saturated with the smell of fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and haggis, bolstering the already lively atmosphere.

The Highland Games athletes ranged in age from 17-year-old Brock Burnett to the oldest competitor, 69-year-old Doug Pettit. They participated in a variety of Scottish heavy athletic events sanctioned by the Scottish League Games. Events included stone put, sheaf toss, caber toss, hammer throw and weight for height, to name a few.

Pettit, of Ormond Beach, always enjoyed watching the Scottish games and competed once in 2011. After eight years, he got back into it.

“The first one I ever did, I went up to the lady (at one of the Scottish games) and asked her how I could get involved with this,” he said. “She told me, ‘Give me $20 dollars and go get a kilt.’”

He ran for the Volusia County Council in 2022 but prefers the competition and cama raderie of the athletes involved in the games.

“It’s really a lot of fun, particularly with the older groups,” he said. “A lot of them help each other, and we get to see each other at a lot of the events. It’s great to get together again.”

Veronica Martinson had a simi lar experience. The Ormond Beach Highland Games were just her third competition.

She had always been interested but couldn’t get her friends to go to the Scottish games workshop held in St. Augustine, so she decided to attend on her own

“This year I was like, I think I’ll walk over to the field and just go,” she said. “Everybody was so nice and supportive. They’re like, ‘You should just compete tomorrow.’ I said I didn’t know what I’m doing, and they told me this is how you learn.”

Festival attendees could watch the athletes on Saturday as well as enjoy a variety of musicians on multiple stages throughout the weekend.

There were approximately 69 per formances on the schedule, includ ing the Parade of the Tartans, led by the Daytona Beach Pipe and Drums on Saturday and the Mount Dora Pipe Band on Sunday.

There were activities for kids and adults throughout the weekend. Everyone had an opportunity to learn about their heritage from one of the clan tables, hang out in the beer garden drinking a Guinness or enjoying the Kidzone as a family.

Mother and daughter Mia and

Mom Mia Jurgens and daughter Kieran Jurgens have lived in Ormond Beach for a couple of years and finally got to go to the Celtic Festival in the outfits Mia made.

The Daytona Beach Pipe and Drums lead the Parade of the Tartans at the 12th annual Celtic Festival.

Phil Irwin poses for the 360-degree photo booth at the festival.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Highland Games athlete Ben Buchanan participates in one of the stone put events.

At 69 years-old, Doug Pettit was the oldest competing athlete at the 12th annual Celtic Festival Highland Games.

Photos by Michele Meyers Veronica Martinson, of St. Augustine, competes in her third Highland Games.

Dean Cochran, owner of Dreadmors Plunder, talks to customers Carl and Elan Adams about their son’s kilt pin.

“The first one I ever did, I went up to the lady (at one of the Scottish games) and asked her how I could get involved with this. She told me, ‘Give me $20 and go get a kilt.’”

DOUG PETTIT, Scottish games athlete

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LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

SWING INTO SPRING

CONCERT SERIES

When: 6:30-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: See The Ataraxis Experience perform at The Casements as part of the the city of Ormond Beach’s Swing into Spring concert series. There will be a food truck. Free event. Call 386-6763216.

ORMOND BEACH AREA

DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The April meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club will be held in person, with social visiting starting at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Danny Fuqua, new Florida Democrat ic Party state committeeman. Like-minded nonmembers are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

‘BARNUM’

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 21, 22, 28, 29, May 5 and 6; 2 p.m. Sundays April 23, 30 and May 7

Where: Flagler Playhouse, 301 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell

Details: See “Barnum,” the story of P.T. Barnum told in a musical portrait, at the Flagler Playhouse. Tickets cost $30 for adults; $25 for students. Visitflaglerplayhouse.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

FLORIDA’S FEMALE

PIONEERS

When: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Historian Peggy MacDonald will speak about some of the women who shaped Florida. Program is presented by the Ormond Beach Historical Society. Free and open to the public.

EARTH DAY

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: The city of Ormond Beach is hosting a tree giveaway drive-thru as well as guided nature walks, guest presentations, and more at the Environmental Discovery Center in honor of Earth Day. Proof of residency is required to receive a tree.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: Washington Oaks Garden State Park is hosting its annual Earth Day event, featuring live entertainment, vendors, a kids section and more. Entrance to the park costs $5 per vehicle.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

‘WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES’

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Flagler Auditorium, 5500 S.R. 100, Palm Coast

Details: See this tribute band perform Doobies hits spanning both the Johnston and McDonald eras. Tickets cost $40-$50. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.

THURSDAY,

SPRING BIRD

WALKS WITH JOAN TAGUE

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Master Naturalist Joan Tague, of Halifax River Audubon, for a casual bird walk along the trails in Central Park. Bring water. Walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

‘OIL PAINTING WITH A KNIFE’

When: 9 a.m. to noon May 3, 10, 17 and 24

Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: Take this fourweek series of classes with instructor Trish Beckham. The class is for intermediate and advanced painters and costs $150 for members and $170 for non-members. The deadline to register is Friday, April 28. Visit artleague.org/ classes.

ONGOING ORMOND BEACH ART

GUILD SPRING EXHIBIT

When: April 4-27

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond

See the Ormond Beach Art Guild’s spring exhibit at The Casements, featuring paintings in several mediums. Most are available for purchase. The Casements is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MondayFriday and 8 a.m. to noon on

Saturdays. For more information, call Marilyn Dorinson at 386-274-9963 or Maureen Bridger at 386-846-5517. For a preview of the works, visit The Casements’ Facebook page.

‘THE WAY I SEE IT’

When: through April 22

Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: See this exhibit featuring abstract, surrealist and impressionist art by Florida artists. Visit artleague.org.

VOLUSIA COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL

When: 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Where: Derbyshire Park and Sports Complex, 849 Derbyshire Road, Daytona Beach

Details: This 50-and-older men’s senior softball league is now forming. It’s both recreational and competitive. Call Joe Daly at 954-732-0992 or visit nsbseniorsoftball.com.

EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING

BODY

When: 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays

Where: First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Attend upbeat classes presented by Synergy Senior Fitness and taught by Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella. Classes are ongoing. Insurances that cover fitness accepted, or a donation for those with no coverage. Visit Synergyseniorfitness.com.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach

Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “It’s a Kite Thing: Florida Women’s Arts Association”; “A Treasury of Indian and Persian Miniature Paintings”; “Curiosities from the Collection” and “Sensations: Florida Artists Group Statewide Exhibition.”

Junior League hosts Touch-a-Truck event in Daytona

The family-friendly event featured over 20 vehicles, including a firetruck, ambulance and mobile command unit.

SUZANNE MCCARTHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Junior League of Daytona Beach hosted its first Touch-a-Truck event on Sunday, April 16, at City Island Park in Daytona Beach.

The family-friendly event featured over 20 vehicles, including a firetruck, ambulance and mobile command unit. Firefighters and EMTs were on hand to meet the children, who enjoyed climbing into the firetruck for a closer look.

Eleven local vendors and sponsors participated in the event, including the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia, a Family Fun Zone with inflatable activities from Jumpin Beans Party Rentals, and entertainment by Pozzyvibe. Three food trucks, including Bone of My Bone BBQ and Unc’s Ice Cream, donated 20% of their sales back to the Junior League. Kids decorated fire hats in the kids craft station, and there was a free book giveaway to promote early

childhood literacy. Vickie Stephens of the Junior League said the organization had collected thousands of books donated from community drop boxes around the area.

Junior League member Truly Gil interacts with Myles Colubiale, 1, and his parents Heather and Jason Colubiale.

Adonis Famiglietti, 2, waves from the inside of a fire truck.

Photos by Suzanne McCarthy Mike Onesto and his son Mikey, 2

Joseph Cotton, 23 months, tries on a firefighter’s helmet.

Heidi Holland, 3, checks out one of the activities.

Turtle and tortoise fans take over for Turtle Fest

The Flagler and Volusia Turtle Patrol also released a juvenile green sea turtle back into the wild.

The 2023 Turtle Fest took over Veterans Park in Flagler Beach on April 15.

The festival, now in its 15th year, was hosted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by the Volusia and Flagler Turtle Patrol and finished with Turtle Patrol volunteers releasing a rescued juvenile green sea turtle back into the wild as beachgoers cheered.

The festival included educational exhibits, bounce houses, live music and belly dance performances.

The Turtle Patrol also set up enclosures with three different kinds of turtles and and tortoises for attendees to view, including African spur thigh tortoises Thomas and Streaker.

Local artists and small business owners, including Something to Craft About, All Washed Up and Sweetwater Photography, displayed their crafts.

The festival took place just weeks before the start of sea turtle nesting season, which begins May 1 and runs through Oct. 31.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Hannah Maurice, 1, is more interested in splashing her hands than she is in the turtles.

Photos by Sierra Williams

Denise Ellis, of Sweetwater Photography.

Gina Newman, director of Blue Lotus World Dance, performs a belly dance.

A Turtle Patrol volunteer releases a juvenile green sea turtle back into sea.

Samantha Lilly and the Brown siblings — Karl, 2, Tina, 5, and Jeanette, 11.

Henry Row, 5, pets a turtle.

Beachgoers lined the beach to see a juvenile sea turtle released.

Thomas was one of three tortoises available for viewing.

SPORTS

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

F

Spruce Creek won the girls title by just 2.5 points over FPC, 169 to 166.5. The Seabreeze girls (84 points) finished fourth behind third-place DeLand (93). Mainland (42.5) was seventh. FPC’s boys won seven individual and relay titles and collected 167 points to beat out second-place Mainland (138). Seabreeze (73) was fifth behind Spruce Creek (93) and Atlantic (88).

The Bulldogs won titles in all phases of the boys’ competition.

Robert Harris won the boys long jump (21 feet, 1.25 inches). Ashton Bracewell (156-7 in discus) and Jake Blumengarten (51-1.5 in shot put) won throwing titles.

Zach Spooner (4:26.49 in the 1,600 meters) and Kamron Davis (1:57.63 in the 800) won distance events. Isaiah

Joseph won the 400 hurdles (54.85 seconds), and Joseph, Dennis Murray, Thomonte Curry and DZ Steward won the 4x400 relay.

The 4x400 team set a PR of 3:16.59. The Bulldogs are now ranked third in Class 4A, but they are just half a second behind leader Miami Columbus.

Bracewell set a personal discus record and is now ranked fifth in Class 4A, while Blumengarten is ranked fourth in shot put, two spots ahead of teammate Colby Cronk, who placed second (48-10) at the Five Star.

Joseph set a PR in the 400 hurdles with the eighth-best time in Class 4A this season. He beat secondplace Damarcus Creecy of Mainland by 3.41 seconds and believes he still has room for improvement before the state meet on May 20.

“The last hurdle, I jumped too early,” he said. “I’m really optimistic about the 400 hurdles. I want to break the school record of 53.95.”

Joseph has been working on lowering his time recently after concentrating more on the 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

“We’ve been working on the first 200 (meters) in practice,” he said. “I try to get to the first hurdle before

lagler Palm Coast won the Five Star Conference boys track and field championship for a record 16th time on Wednesday, April 12, at the Bulldogs’ stadium.„ District 6-3A (Seabreeze, Mainland) at East River High School, Orlando, April 19.

„ District 4-3A (Matanzas) at St. Augustine High School, April 26.

„ District 3-4A (FPC) at Flagler Palm Coast High School, April 26.

Spooner, who transferred from Matanzas after winter break, said he is happy to be in a competitive environment with a group of talented distance runners. His teammates are happy the senior has joined their fold.

“He’s been our biggest supporter,” said Jack Gilvary, who placed fifth with a PR time of 4:33.69. “We’re targeting a state championship, and Zach’s leading the way for our distance guys.”

FPC’s Braedyn Wormeck finished second behind Spooner with a PR of 4:28.82.

“It’s my first time running under 4:30,” Wormeck said. “(Spooner) had a great kick. I knew if I was following him, I’d have a good finish.”

FPC’s Davis broke his PR by nearly four seconds in the 800 and edged teammate Brandon Kalasnik by nine-tenths of a second. Kalasnik was the runner-up.

“I started getting out faster,” Davis said. “I stayed with Brandon. He always goes out fast.”

Mainland won the boys 4x800 relay with a school-record time of 8:14.86. After winning RunMatanzas with an 8:17.09 four days earlier, the Bucs’ Seth Sawyer, Khalil Wilmore, Jack Mathis and Logan Camara shattered the old school mark of 8:16.58.

The Bucs took four of the top five places in the 110 hurdles with Jonathan Williams, ranked second in the state in Class 3A, winning in 14.47. Mainland’s Emmanuel Yisrael (15.20) and Damarcus Creecy (15.25) were second and third. Marquis McCants was fifth. Yisrael and Creecy are also ranked among the top 12 in 3A.

“He’s been our biggest supporter. We’re targeting a state championship, and Zach’s leading the way for our distance guys.”

Seeing double? Mackenize Roy leads her twin sister, Arianna Roy, by a step in the 1,600-meter run. Mackenzie finished second, while Arianna was fourth.

Mainland’s Cameron Boatright set a PR in the boys 400 meters with a 48.48. Boatright is ranked fourth in the event in Class 3A but finished second to Atlantic’s Aiden Dixon — the third fastest 400 runner in all classifications. Dixon ran a 46.80. Mainland placed second, third and fourth in the high jump with Zavier Mincey (second) and Zion Noralus (third) both jumping 6 feet and three-quarters of an inch. The Bucs were also second in the 4x100 relay with Williams, Jontrell Edwards, Creecy and Boatright running 43.40. Seabreeze’s Levi Hayworth was second in the javelin (165-8) with teammate Chandler Mitzo (159-6) third.

ROY BREAKS SCHOOL MARK Seabreeze’s MacKenzie Roy lowered her own school record in the girls 1,600 with a 5:06.58 to finish second behind Spruce Creek’s Olivia Niewald (5:05.76). The Sandcrabs’ 4x800 relay team of Kristin Glaezner, Nickole Dane, Arianna Roy and Mackenzie Roy knocked about 16 seconds off its PR to win the event in 9:45.12. The foursome is now ranked sixth in 3A.

“We’re putting in the work, because we know we have the potential to get better,” Mackenzie Roy said. “We all ran the best splits we have all year.”

Mackenzie Roy also finished second in the 3,200 behind Niewald, who swept the three distance runs. Arianna Roy finished fourth in the 1,600 and third in the 800. Mackenzie paces her identical twin in the 1,600 as well as in their cross country races.

“She likes to run right behind me, so the gap doesn’t get too big,” Mackenzie said. “I try not to let her pass.”

FPC’s Maya Tyson won the girls shot put with a 35-4. Bulldogs freshman Karina Marcelus won the 100 hurdles (15.72), finished second in the 400 hurdles (1:09.49) and placed

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Mainland’s Marquis McCants placed 14th overall in the 400 hurdles. McCants placed fifth in the 110 hurdles in the Five Star meet at FPC.

third in both the long jump and triple jump.

FPC won the girls 4x100 relay with Summer Barnes, Fabiola LaPlante, Jada Dotson and Taylor Spann finishing in 49.56 seconds, 1.2 seconds ahead of Mainland’s Amyah Watlington, Kiera Williams, Jamelia McCoy and Gabrielle Lett.

The Bulldogs also won the girls 4x400 relay with Barnes, Cassidy De Young, LaPlante and Ma’shuyn Jeffers crossing the finish in 4:11.47. Barnes finished second in the 200 meters (25.55) and third in the 100 (12.66), Spann finished second in both triple jump (34-5) and 100 hurdles (16.49) and FPC’s Zoey Gotera placed second in javelin (84-5).

Seabreeze’s Xavier Lucas (370) runs in a boys 400-meter heat.

FPC senior Zach Spooner (168) won the 1,600-meter run by over two seconds with fellow Bulldog Braedyn Wormeck finishing second.

FPC’s Taylor Spann finished 13th in the 400 hurdles after finishing second in the 100 hurdles at the Five Star Conference championships.

FPC boys win record 16th Five Star Conference track and field championship.

anyone else. My coach says as long as you get to the 200 in 25 seconds, it sets you up for the rest of the race.”

DISTRICT MEETS

JACK

GILVARY, on fellow FPC distance runner Zach Spooner.

Mother Nature prevails at Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Classic

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mother Nature kicked off the annual Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Classic with a 60-minute heavy rain and lightning delay at the Daytona State College soccer stadium on Thursday, April 13.

Two teams, each consisting of 22 coach-nominated high school seniors, eventually took the field. With 12:28 remaining in the first half and a tie score of 0-0, lightning prevailed and abruptly ended the battle.

“Mother Nature 2, All-Stars 0,” event creator Reg Monsanto joked.

Monsanto started the college showcase because the state all-star game had traditionally been held five to seven hours away. Logistically, it made it tough for local area soccer players to attend. He decided to launch one for Flagler and Volusia county high schools at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. It worked.

Eventually, it outgrew the space and wound up at Matanzas High

School, where Monsanto is currently an assistant soccer coach.

He jumped at the chance to play on a college field when DSC’s soccer coach invited him to hold the game at the Falcons’ facility.

“The environment is good for these kids,” Monsanto said. “It’s a

are coming to watch.”

DSC president Tom LoBasso said that when DSC built the facility, it was meant to be used to host special community events in addition to the college’s sporting events and gatherings. His son Tommy LoBasso played in the All-Star game.

“I wanted to finish the game,” the University High player said. “It was a good game. You just adapt to the differences and just see how they play during the game and go with the flow.”

a predominantly football- and baseball-oriented town. Five years in, the club grew to over 2,000 kids. The Powells moved to Palm Coast after their children went to college, and, two years ago, the couple started the Palm Coast club.

“My grandkids followed me over to Palm Coast,” Jim Powell said. “When I saw my grandkids coming into it, I just wanted to create that culture my family had. That’s kind of how I decided.”

regulation size field compared with high school. For some of them, it’s the last time they will play in an environment like this, and for others, it’s a showcase. College coaches

For two years, the Inter-United Soccer Club of Palm Coast has participated in the event by having a group of its young players walk out with the seniors onto the field in a traditional pregame ceremony usually performed at international soccer matches.

Jim and Jennie Powell founded the club in Apopka in 1997 to bring soccer culture to what was, at that time,

Powell also is an assistant soccer coach at Matanzas High School with Monsanto, who is on Inter-United’s board. Both of them believe soccer is a family affair. Monsanto’s son Nathan coaches at Stetson University. His son Nick coaches at Bolles High School and his dad still refs at the age of 81.

“Soccer is like another language, literally, that we can utilize around the world,” Jim Powell said.

Matanzas’ GC Gonzales dribbles the ball in the Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Classic on April 13.

The players in the Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Classic line up for the national anthem before the game at Daytona State College.

FPC goalie Francisco Cruz and Spruce Creek goalie Ethan Houle joke around after playing “rock, paper, scissors” to decide who will start the game.

FPC’s Grayson Ronk (10) chases the ball in the annual Florida East Coast Senior All-Star Classic at Daytona State College.

Local high school senior soccer players take the field in an all-star showcase at the Daytona State College soccer stadium.

Seabreeze tennis teams take District 5-3A championship by storm

After three rain delays, the Sandcrabs girls and boys tennis teams won the tournament with a total of six singles and three doubles trophies.

Two days of rain delays and squeegeeing courts could not stop the Seabreeze High School tennis team from out-serving its competition and bringing home the boys and girls District 5-3A championships on Friday, April 14.

In coach Trishna Patel’s second year, she has put together a cohesive, dedicated team of players who respect each other and have passion for the sport.

“They are committed to each other and they are also committed to the team,” she said. “When I first took the team on, I think they were all committed to tennis, but I think over the course of the program and what was expected of them and everything that we’ve been through,

I think that now they are committed to each other. That’s something I’m totally proud of.”

No. 1 singles player Riya Arab won her finals match 6-1, 6-1 against New Smyrna Beach’s Ava Epps. She also joined forces with partner Haylee Ochipa to win the No. 1 doubles title, defeating New Smyrna Beach’s Ava Grace and Ella Bates 6-2, 7-6 in the final. They are headed to the state championships to be held at Sanlan-

do Park on April 24-25.

Ordinarily, Arab does not listen to music before competing, but lately, it has been working.

“I feel good,” she said. “I was really anxious, but when I got in the game, I felt a lot better and focused. I have to really focus before my matches. I just put my AirPods in and listen to music. (Before states), I am going to start practicing a lot more and hitting. I need to get my hits in and try to stay focused.”

Seabreeze No. 2, Ochipa, and No. 5, Alana Karas, won their singles finals against New Smyrna Beach. No. 2 doubles partners Mary Kwetkus and Leena Harman defeated Lani Diemeir and Piper Lehmann of New Smyrna Beach for the district trophy.

Line one boys singles and doubles player Leo Kwetkus had been battling an infection the last three weeks of regular season. Since he is a senior, Patel waited until the district tournament to make a last minute lineup change. Kwetkus played his No. 1 singles match but would not play the doubles match.

The No. 2 Rasmussen brothers’ doubles team was then split. Finn Rasmussen joined Bryce Gornto on the No. 1 team, and Liam Rasmussen joined Ewan Noval on the No. 2 team.

“I think we just need to stay calm and take our time,” Noval said. “We just need to slow down and stay positive.”

Noval won his singles match earlier in the day before rain put his doubles match on hold. After helping to dry the courts, he and Liam Rasmussen went on to become district champs after beating Lyman’s Joshua Swanson and Om Pande 6-3, 6-3.

“I don’t think I’ve won something like that really when playing tennis, so it’s a nice feeling,” Noval said. “I just work my butt off to get better every day. It shows, too, when I play every single day.”

The Seabreeze boys went on to capture two additional singles trophies — No. 2, freshman Hunter Shuler, defeated Nathan Miller of Winter Springs 6-0, 6-4, and No. 3, senior Finn Rasmussen, defeat -

ed Agnivesh Kaundinya of Winter Springs 6-0, 6-0.

Going into regionals, Patel imparted to her team a message that she has stressed throughout the season.

“I think that it’s really more of the carry yourself, belief on, into the later stages of our season,” she said.

“Play with a lot of heart, just like you have been doing through districts. Adjust to your opponent. Continue doing everything you were doing last week, and support each other.”

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MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sandcrab Finn Rasmussen defeats Winter Springs’ Agnivesh Kaundinya in the No. 3 singles match.

Seabreeze’s Bryce Gornto battles Sawyer Sprague in a No. 4 singles final match that lasted nearly two hours.

Sandcrab Leena Harman serves to Lani Diemeir of New Smyrna Beach.

Seabreeze’s No. 1 singles player, Riya Arab, wins her finals match against Ava Epps of New Smyrna Beach.

Seabreeze’s No. 4 singles player, Mary Kwetkus, serves in her finals match against New Smyrna Beach.

Photos by Michele Meyers

CAMPING MISHAPS by David Alfred Bywaters , edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

PRIME LOCATION

•

ASK

SIDE

LINES

Pirates win in their annual home beach volleyball match

Matanzas High School’s beach volleyball team plays one “home match”

a year at the two sand courts at Wadsworth Park.

The Pirates honor their seniors.

Craig Lenninger, the director of beach volleyball at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, provides music and play-by-play announcing.

A sizeable crowd watched Matanzas defeat DeLand 3-2 at Wadsworth on April 12. It was the Pirates’ second win of the season.

ball as a sport, hosting state playoffs.

Matanzas district rival New Smyrna Beach won the FHSAA’s first state championship last year.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FPC GIRLS TENNIS

Flagler Palm Coast’s girls tennis team finished as the runner-up to Spruce Creek in the District 2-4A tournament on April 10 to advance to the state playoffs.

The Bulldogs traveled to Creekside High in St. Johns County on Tuesday, April 8, for a regional quarterfinal dual match.

At district, four FPC players advanced to finals — Ania Martynuk at No. 2 singles, Marina Carlisi at No. 3, Tatiana Leontayva at No. 4, Tessa Carlisi at No. 5 (no finals played) and Marina Carlisi and Leontayva at No. 2 doubles.

FPC, MATANZAS BASEBALL

The Flagler Palm Coast baseball team was scheduled to face New Smyrna in a Five Star Conference semifinal on the night of April 18.

FPC fell to 11-10 with a 6-4 loss to East River on April 17 on senior night. Seniors

Brayden Stuart and Tristan Miller each went 2 for 4. Senior Dalton Schell drove in two runs. Stuart smacked a double with an RBI and a run scored.

Matanzas also held its senior night on April 18. The Pirates fell to 5-10 with a 7-5 loss to Baker County.

“Normally, not a lot of people see us,” said senior Charley Robinson. “We always play right after school at DME or Jacksonville Episcopal.”

The Pirates’ winning doubles teams were Charley Robinson and Senna Thayer at No. 1 (21-17, 21-16); Maria Kelly and Faith Purvis at No. 3 (21-16, 21-18); and Jaeda West and Mino Furuta at No. 5 (21-12, 21-17).

After the match, the Pirates honored seniors Robinson, Kelly, Taylor Foley and Kimmy Truhe.

“We don’t usually have this,” Foley said. “It’s amazing what they do for us here.”

This is the second year the Florida High School Athletic Association is officially recognizing beach volley-

This year, the Pirates have a new coach in Brittany Watts, who took over for Dawn Moses, the Pirates’ indoor volleyball coach, who is also DME’s director of indoor volleyball. Watts, an electrician, joined Matanzas girls basketball coach Brittany Marts’ staff this school year. She was asked before the season if she would like to also lead the beach volleyball team. Watts played basketball and volleyball at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, but, being from Pennsylvania, she was not familiar with the beach version of the sport.

“Just before the season, I watched a lot of YouTube videos,” she said.

“I’ve been learning as I go. This is a rebuilding year for the team and for me. We’re learning all together.”

“She’s new to this,” said Foley.

“But she really pushes us to get better every day. She has incredible coaching skills. She’s very passionate, not only about the game, but her players too.”

The players enjoy beach volley-

never even played indoor volleyball before.

But there are a lot of things the exchange student from Japan had never done before this year, such as going to the beach.

Assistant coach Jeri Thayer invited her to join the team. She accepted.

“Beach volleyball sounds so Florida,” Furuta said.

ball because it’s more laid-back, and with just two players on a team, they each get to touch the ball more.

“You have to cover more of the court, and you have to be able to do everything,” Robinson said.

Foley said she plans to continue playing beach volleyball on her own after she graduates.

“I’m not done,” she said. “I’m trying to play in open tournaments around the state. And hopefully I’ll be able to play in college later on.”

MISSING BLOWFISH, MISO SOUP

Matanzas beach volleyball player Mino Furuta won her match with teammate Jaeda West against DeLand. Furuta never played beach volleyball before this season. She

Furuta said she had wanted to go to school in the United States since she was young when she watched Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.

As she got older, she and her mom started traveling to nearby Osaka to watch American musicals.

She said her coaches and teammates are helping her improve her volleyball skills.

Even though she said people had trouble understanding her English at the beginning of the school year, everyone has made her feel welcome, she said. Her host mom, who is from Japan, cooks Japanese food for her.

“But I do miss my blowfish and miso soup,” she said.

Email results, story ideas to Brent@ observerlocalnews.com

Charming tree shaded 3 BR 2 BA home. The front door opens to a large living room, dining area and kitchen. The back yard is fenced for your small children or pets. A New Roof has been paid in full and will be installed shortly. MLS#1107886 $224,000 Call Jim Tobin 386-405-4411.

OCEAN

Charming beachside gem! Beautifully landscaped pool home! This tasteful home offers dining room, family room/living room, and Florida room which can easily convert to a 3rd bedroom. Outside enjoy the covered patio & screened in solar powered heated pool and pool/lanai bar. New Hurricane Windows. New 8ft stockade fence. MLS#1106548 $528,000 Call Valerie Toia 386-366-3637.

home has been remodeled to perfection. Custom kitchen with granite countertops, new appliances and pot filler faucet. 2 brand new air conditioners service the spacious home. New roof 2022. Expansive master bedroom. Double vanity and walk in shower. New water heater. MLS#1106365 $499,00 Call David Lisicki 386-795-1544.

There is no better way to start and finish each day than the peacefully private serenity of the sanctuary called home! Nestled at the street’s bend, this 3 bed/2 bath home offers an open, flowing floorplan & a HUGE L-shaped porch that is perfect for entertaining & overlooks the large pie-shaped yard & preserve. MLS#1107750 $470,000 Call Tracy Carter 321-303-0323.

Welcome home to Pine Lakes of Palm Coast with NO HOA or CDD fees! This stunning 2005 Triad Building Group custom home boasts 3bd/2bath/2 car garage home with home office or 4th bedroom & New Roof 2022. Security system hard wired & ready for your service, impeccable landscaping & a magnificent sheshed/artist studio. MLS#1107718 $550,000 Call Susan Lisa Drahos 386-295-0041.

If your dream is to live stress free w/ panoramic ocean views in a quiet beach side community, look no further. This unit features a wrap-around balcony w/ endless views of the serene & peaceful sand and surf. Each spacious bedroom has a walk-in closet w/ its own private bath & updated kitchen.

MLS#V4927344 $525,000

Call Jesenia Gonzalez Uhlig 407-535-1717.

BRENT WORONOFF

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Charley Robinson sets for Senna Thayer (21) in the Pirates’ No. 1 match.

Jaeda West gets ready to serve.

Exchange student Mino Furuta serves in the No. 5 match, which she and Jaeda West won in two sets.

Olivia Chochev tosses the ball to serve.

REAL ESTATE

House on the beachside tops sales list in Ormond

Abeachside house was the top real estate transaction for March 5-11 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. William and Jennifer Labonte, of Ormond Beach, sold 31 Amsden Road to Timothy and Sheryll Lepine, of Manchester, New Hampshire, for $1,200,000. Built in 2012, the house is a 3/3.5 and has an at-home gym and 3,209 square feet.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ORMOND BEACH

Condos

Wayne Kelm, of Heath Ohio, sold 678 Wellington Station Blvd., Unit 61, to Rebecca Smith, of Ormond Beach, for $191,000. Built in 1997, the condo is a 2/2 and has 975 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $80,000.

Nicole Damico, William Stine Jr., and Carmen Stine, of Ormond Beach, sold 640 North Nova Road, Unit 107, to Audrey Segale, of Ormond Beach, for $166,900. Built in 1976, the condo is a 2/2 and has 932 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $100,300.

Breakaway Trails

Lea Ann and Marcus Buckley, of Ovid, New York, sold 6 Curved Creek Way to Cynthia Lee Glowacki and Linda Spencer, of Ormond Beach, for $465,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 2,088 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $303,500.

Capri Manor George and Sandra Holcomb, of Colorado City, Texas, sold 103 North Capri Drive to Timothy and

Lindsay Lieffes, of Daytona Beach Shores, for $285,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 1,560 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $149,000.

Halifax Plantation Gary and Cheryl Borgardt, of Ormond Beach, sold 3952 Tano Drive to Kenneth and Robin Klindt, of Ormond Beach, for $550,000. Built in 2014, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,240 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $320,000.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2767 Portadown St. to Lee Jerome Ford, of Ormond Beach, for $336,300. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,614 square feet.

Hickory Village Mary Helen Porter and Mary Ellen Porter, of Ormond Beach, sold 28 Aaron Circle to Sylvia Wright, of Ormond Beach, for $314,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,164 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $190,000.

Lakes of Pine Run

Larry and Amanda Helgemo, of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, sold 405 Bushnell Park Court to Joseph Tocco and Anna McMinimee, of Ormond Beach, for $305,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,514 square feet.

Plantation Bay

Ruth Esposito, as trustee, sold 1016 Kilkenny Lane to William and Lisa Kustka, of Ormond Beach, for $360,000. Built in 2013, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,510 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $202,300.

Tyler Dean, as trustee, sold 1053 Hampstead Lane to Steven and Karen Naegler, as trustees, for $1,100,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 5/4 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 4,423 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $825,000.

Springleaf

Jeffrey Kiah, of Ormond Beach, sold 1436 Golf Ave. to Edwin Cintron and Sylvia Roman-Cintron, of Ormond Beach, for $330,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,424 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $210,000.

The Trails

Anneliese Rosser, of Ormond Beach, sold 16 Fox Run Trail to Kathleen Mary Brown, of Ormond Beach, for $280,000. Built in 1978, the house

is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 1,712 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $190,000.

Twin River Estates Patrick and Mary McVinney, of Ormond Beach, sold 43 Twin River Drive to Emmett Mood, of Ormond Beach, for $270,000. Built in 1971, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a boat dock and 2,760 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $270,000.

ORMOND BY THE SEA

Jay and Margaret McBride, of Ormond Beach, sold 1712 Ocean Shore Blvd., Apt. 1, to Linda Trochim, of Ormond Beach, for $451,000. Built in 1980, the condo is a 3/3.5 and has 1,460 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $247,000.

Derek Mohr, Norma Ann Watson, Janice Spitz, Gregory Mohr, Melanie Folts, Jerry Mohr, and Heidi Mohr, as trustees, sold 18 River Lane to Brian and Wendy Taake, of Norfolk, Nebraska, for $725,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/2 and has a pool, a dock, a fireplace, and

1,488 square feet. It sold in 1974 for $49,000.

Donna Petz, as trustee, sold 51 Palm Drive to Michael and Diann Antonetti, of Ormond Beach, for $285,500. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,008 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $23,300.

Jeffrey and Margaret Marklow, of Ormond Beach, sold 213 Essex Drive to Anna Allen, of Ormond Beach, for $351,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/1 and has 985 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $116,900.

PORT ORANGE

Bella OaksDavid Wilson Aylor, of Lewes, Delaware, sold 33 Bella Lago Circle to James and Dorothy Martin, of Port Orange, for $289,900. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 1,624 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $263,500.

Commonwealth Sherry Lee Divita, of South Daytona, sold 5406 Rogers Ave. to Jason Patterson Sr., of Port Orange, for $187,000. Built in 2005, the manufactured house is a 2/2 and has 1,269 square feet.

Spruce Creek Fly-InMNC Trust, sold 2673 Slow Flight Drive to Tushar and Lisa Shembekar, of Port Orange, for $999,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a hot tub and 2,519 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $700,000.

Sweetwater Hills Carl and Teresa Looker, of Port Orange, sold 673 Reillys Road to Nicholas Chase King, of Port Orange, for $359,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,506 square feet. It sold in 1996 for $72,500.

John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.

to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting. NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

April 20, 2023 23-00079F

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF MEETING DATE CHANGE TOWN CENTER AT PALM COAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Town Center at Palm Coast Community Development District (“District”) scheduled for Friday May 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. has been rescheduled to Tuesday May 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Coast/Town Center, located at 55 Town Center Boulevard, Palm Coast, Florida 32164.

There may be occasions when one or more Supervisors will participate via telephone.

Any interested person can attend the meetings at the above location and be fully informed of the discussions taking place. The meetings may be continued to a date, time and location to be specified on the record at the meetings without additional publication of notice.

Any person requiring special accommodations at these meetings because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Office at (954) 603-0033 at least 48 hours prior to the meetings. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 7-1-1, or 800-955-8771 (TTY)/800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Office.

Each person who decides to appeal any action taken by the Board at these meetings is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and accordingly, the person may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.

Bob Koncar District Manager April 20, 2023 23-00069F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the following vehicles will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 713.585 on the sale dates at the locations below at 9:00 a.m. to satisfy labor and storage charges.

2007 BUIC

2G4WC582171246845

Total Lien: $2,148.49

Sale Date: 05/08/2023

2005 FORD

1FTRF12265KC74423

Total Lien: $3,834.00

Sale Date: 05/15/2023

Location: BATTS & PEREZ ENTERPRISES LLC. DBA: FLY BY NIGHT

AUTOMOTIVE

6020 E HIGHWAY 100

FLAGLER BEACH, FL 32136

(954)817-4522

Pursuant to F.S. 713.585 the cash amount per vehicle would be sufficient to redeem that vehicle from the lienor. Any interested party has a right to a hearing prior to the sale by filing a demand for the hearing with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Flagler and mailing copies of the same to all owners and lienors. The owner/lienholder has a right to recover possession of the vehicle by posting bond pursuant to F.S. 559.917 and if sold any proceeds remaining from the sale will be deposited with the Clerk of Circuit Court for disposition.

April 20, 2023 23-00080F

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: 2022 CA 000375 AVAIL 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Plaintiff, vs. THE HEIRS, DEVISEE, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF WAVEY DENNIS, DECEASED; VIVIANNE ANDREA

DAVIS A/K/A VIVIANNE WEIR; PETER WEIR; PAUL WEIR; SIMONE

WEIR; NATASHA WEIR; RENE REDWOOD; KEITH REDWOOD, JR.; LUCIEN REDWOOD; FITGERALD DENNIS; DAISY ROSE NUGENT; SONIA MCKNIGHT; RUTH VAZ; PAULINE COOKE; SHAWN DENNIS; NICOLE HANCOCK, NORMA

DANIELS AND ALL OTHER PERSONS

CLAIMING BY, THROUGH OR UNDER ANY OF THE NAMED

DEFENDANT AND ANY OTHER

PERSONS CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY WHICH IS THESUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION BY AND THROUGH OR UNDER OR AGAINST THE NAMED DEFENDANTS HEREIN; UNKNOWN TENANT #1 AND UNKNOWN

TENANT #2, IF ANY,

Defendant(s). NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to the Final Summary Judgment of Foreclosure dated March 24, 2023, the Clerk of the Circuit and County Court of Flagler County, Florida will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash in/ on electronically/online at www.flagler. realforeclose.com, Flagler County, Florida on MAY 26, 2023 at 11:00 am (E.S.T.), in accordance with Chapter 45 Florida Statutes, the following-described property situated in Flagler County, Florida: Lot 9, of Block 19, of Map of BELLE TERRE-SECTION-13 PALM COAST, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 7, Pages 1 through 10 inclusive, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida, as amended by instrument recorded in Official Records Book 35, Page 528 of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. With a street address at: 69 Bruning Lane, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. Any person or entity claiming an interest in the surplus, if any, resulting from the foreclosure sale, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens, must file a claim on same with the Clerk of Court within 60 days after the foreclosure sale.

DATED this 14th day of April, 2023.

/s/ Vivian A. Jaime, Esq. Vivian A. Jaime. Esq.

FBN 714771 RITTER, ZARETSKY, LIEBER & JAIME, LLP 2800 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500 Miami, Florida 33137 Tel: 305-372-0933

Email: Vivian@rzllaw.com April 20, 27, 2023 23-00062G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 20, 2023. Personal Representative: Constance Buchanan, PO Box 2045, Lake City,

FIRST INSERTION

Notice Under Fictitious Name Law

According to Florida Statute Number 865.09

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Round Dance Council of Florida located at 12 Smith Trail, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL 32164 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 17th day of April, 2023 Carol S. Collins/Ellen Bell April 20, 2023 23-00081F

which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

April 20, 2023

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORFEITURE

A 2020 Silver Ford Mustang, Florida tag#61BUXN (VIN:

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

THIRD INSERTION

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER

of

of the

ARE

Circuit in and for FLAGLER County, Florida wherein REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC, Plaintiff and CONSTANCE GOLDBERG AKA CONSTANCE LOUISE HOLT GOLDBERG, et al., are Defendants. Tom Bexley, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, will sell to the highest bidder for cash at http://flagler.realforeclose. com, at the hour of 11:00 A.M., on the 5th day of May, 2023, the following described

property: LOT 1, BLOCK 28, PALM COAST, MAP OF EASTHAMPTON, SECTION 34, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OR MAP THEREOF DESCRIBED IN MAP BOOK 11, AT PAGE(S) 30, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA

Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, must file a claim per the requirements set forth in FL Stat. 45.032.

having

or demands against

of the

other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES

SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is April 13, 2023.

IMPORTANT

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.

5XXGR4A64DG111721, which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701(2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Florida Highway Patrol, on or about August 24, 2022, in Flagler County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within fifteen (15) days of initial receipt of notice, by providing such request to Lindsay Michael, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 7322 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32205, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court. April 13, 20, 2023 23-00054G

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE Seventh JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2023 DR 254 Division: 47 Giovanna Sharmel Lopez, Petitioner, and Reynaldo Jesus Mena, Respondent, TO: Reynaldo Jesus Mena YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Giovanna Sharmel Lopez, whose address is 43 Rolling Sands Dr., Palm Coast, FL 32164 on or before 4/20/2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. Moody Blvd Blg #1 Bunnell, FL 32110 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: None

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

23-00078F

THIRD INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Dissolution of Marriage IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2023 DR 000228 Division: 47 Marcelia C. Brooks, Petitioner and Garrett S. Brooks, Respondent. TO: Garrett S. Brooks 2221 NE 164th St # 253 N. Miami, FL 33065 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Marcelia C. Brooks, whose address is 36 Round tree Dr, Palm Coast, FL 32164, on or before 04/22/23, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E Moody BLVD Bldg #1, Bunnell, FL 32110, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. {If applicable, insert the legal description of real property, a specific description of personal property, and the name of the county in Florida where the property is located} 36 Round tree Dr, Palm Coast, FL, 32164 - Flagler. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: 03/03/2023.

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By: /s/ Deputy Clerk April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023 23-00052G

FOURTH INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR PUBLICATION AND ADVISORY NOTICE OF HEARING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No: 2022-DR-001007 IN THE INTEREST OF FAITH REED D:O:B: 4-14-16, Children JENNIFER REED and JEFFREY REED, Petitioner, and ERIN REED, Respondent/Mother, ALEX STOJEK, Respondent/ Putative Father.

TO: Alec Stojek 6 Plateau Place Simpsonville, SC 29681 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Emergency Petition for Temporary Custody by Extended Family and to Terminate Parental Rights has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action on petitioners or petitioner’s attorney: JONATHON H. GLUGOVER, ESQ. P.O. Box 2613 Daytona Beach, Florida 32115 on or before April 25, 2023 and file the original with the clerk of the Circuit Court at Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. #1, Bunnell, FL 32110, before service on Petitioners, Attorney or immediately thereafter. A hearing has been set in this matter on May 2, 2023 at 11:30 before the Honorable Judge Christopher France in courtroom 403 at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. If you fail to answer and/or appear at the hearing, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office notified of your current address. Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the Clerk’s Office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, require certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: 03/23/2023.

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

(SEAL) By: T Strack Deputy Clerk Petitioner’s attorney, JONATHON H. GLUGOVER, ESQ. P.O. Box 2613 Daytona Beach, Florida 32115 March 30; April 6, 13, 20, 2023 23-00041G

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