Ormond Beach Observer 03-21-24

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

ORMOND BEACH AREA

DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond

Beach

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club for its March meeting, featuring a guest speaker from Common Cause. Like-minded non-members are welcome to attend as guests. Check-in and socializing begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

‘AN INSTRUMENTAL

EXTRAVAGANZA’

When: 7 p.m.

Where: News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 N. Beach St. Daytona Beach

Details: Daytona State College Music presents, “An Instrumental Extravaganza.” Visit ci.ovationtix. com/36384/production/1189491.

‘THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN

BRODIE’

When: 7:30 p.m. March 21, March 22, March 23, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Where: Matanzas High School stage (Pirate Theater)

Details: Tickets are $25, at www. flaglerplayhouse.org.

The setting for this play is Edinburgh, Scotland in the 1930s, at the very exclusive Marcia Blaine girls’ school, where Jean Brodie is a teacher. Jean Brodie is played by a seasoned actress from the area, April Whaley. Sandy, the other strong female lead in the show, is played by Leah Lehnertz, a junior at Matanzas High School. Her character will change Jean Brodie’s outcome the most. The two loves in Brodie’s life are Lowther, played by Danno Waddell, and Lloyd by Austin Butcher. In addition to set and lighting design, the play is also directed by Les Ober. See observerlocalnews. com for dress rehearsal photos.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

ACOUSTIC MUSICAL JAM CIRCLE

When: 2-5 p.m.

Where: Picnic Shelter at Hammock

Community Center, 79 Mala Campra

Road, Palm Coast

Details: Bring your acoustic stringed instrument (no amplifiers) and a folding chair and join other local amateur musicians of all ages for a jam session. Audience and singers are welcome. This event on the fourth Friday of every month.

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

GOLF CLINIC

When: 3:45-5:15 p.m.

Where: Palm Harbor Golf Club, 20 Palm Harbor Drive, Palm Coast

Details: The annual National Christian College Athletic Association Sports Clinic is offering a free golf session. Professional coaches and collegiate athletes representing the NCCAA will be in attendance. Register at https://bit.ly/49ZbUSb.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

SPORTS CLINIC

When: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where: James F. Holland Memorial Park, 18 Florida Park Drive N., Palm Coast

Details: The annual National Christian College Athletic Association Sports Clinic will offer free soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. Professional coaches and collegiate athletes representing the NCCAA will be in attendance. Register at https://bit.ly/49ZbUSb.

TOMOKA UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH EASTER PARTY AND EGG HUNT

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Tomoka United Methodist Church, 1000 Old Tomoka Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Free for children in preschool through fifth grade. Must be accompanied by an adult. Activities will include a snack, storytime, games, coloring tables, and a visit by the Easter Bunny with photo opportunities. Children will be divided into three age groups for the egg hunt.

EGG’STRAVAGANZA

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Arts and crafts, face paint-

ing, refreshments, carnival games, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Booths from local organizations will be providing activities for children and giving out Easter eggs after completing their activity.

WARBIRDS OVER FLAGLER

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24

Where: Flagler County Executive Airport, 201 Airport Road, Palm

Coast

Details: See warbirds fly over Flagler County. The event will be located on the south side of the airport, off Finn Way. The opening ceremony will take place at noon each day. Visit www. warbirdsoverflagler.com.

SPRING BREAK BASH

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Joanne B. King Park, 300 Citrus St., Bunnell Details: Celebrate spring break with the city of Bunnell. The Spring Break Bash is an all-day family friendly event with food trucks, a DJ and music, dance and hula hoop contests, games, prizes, bounce houses and pickleball. Bunnell Police officers will be grilling free hot dogs. A K-9 demonstration will be held at 1 p.m. Flagler Palm Coast High School varsity coaches and players will host sports clinics at 2 p.m.

FLORIDA HISTORY AND CULTURE FESTIVAL

When: 12-3:15 p.m.

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

Beach Details: The Ormond Beach Historical Society’s Florida History and Culture Festival will feature a folklorist program by Kathy Kniery and David Fussell, as well as authors, artists and exhibitors.

THE DRAGON CLUB

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Flagler Beach Library, 315 S. 7th St., Flagler Beach

Details: Do you like books, board games or chess? Attend the first meeting of The Dragon Club to meet other kids with similar interests.

ORMOND BEACH GARDEN

CLUB’S ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW AND TEA EXTRAVAGANZA

When: 1-3:30 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Garden Club for its annual Flower Show and Tea Extravaganza, “Brighten Your World With Birds, Bees, Flowers, and Tea.” Admission costs $5.

THE DOO WOP PROJECT

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast Details: The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Tickets start at $64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

NATHAN COBB COTTAGE OPEN HOUSE

When: 1-3 p.m.

Where: Nathan Cobb Cottage, 137 Orchard Lane

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Historical Society for a visit of this Florida Heritage Landmark site and hear about the famous Ormond shipwreck that led to its construction. Please park at Fortunato Park, located at 2 John Anderson Drive, and walk two blocks to the cottage.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

SPRING BIRD WALKS WITH JOAN TAGUE

When: 8 a.m.

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

Beach Details: Master Naturalist Joan Tague, of the Halifax River Audubon, for casual bird walks along the Central Park trails. Bring water. Walking shoes and sunscreen recommended.

MARC BLACK’S ‘A HISTORY OF THE 1950S AND ‘60S THROUGH POPULAR SONG’

When: 2-3 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Public Library auditorium, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Sponsored by the Friends of the Ormond Beach Library. Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 FLAGLER COUNTY BOY SCOUT

GOLDEN EAGLE DINNER

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Hammock Dunes Resort, 30 Avenue Royale, Palm Coast

Details: This year’s honoree is Dr. Dennis Alter, an orthopedic surgeon at AdventHealth. For more information, contact Halvern Johnson at Halvern.Johnson@cflscouting.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

NATURE WALKS WITH URBAN

FORESTER CAROL

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Linear Park, 31 Greenway Court, Palm Coast

Details: Join Palm Coast Urban Forester Carol for a nature walk as she talks about the local flora and fauna. Snake presentation by a Central Florida Zoo expert. Free. Register at parksandrec.fun.

HALIFAX GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING AND PROGRAM

When: 1:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Public Library auditorium, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Halifax Genealogical Society President Patricia Peoples will present, “Finding Your Ancestors’ Irish Townland and Building the Jigsaw Puzzle.” Registration is free.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

‘DANCE TO THE MUSIC’ DANCE PARTY

When: 6-10 p.m.

Where: African American Museum and Cultural Center of Florida, 4422 U.S. Highway 1 N., Palm Coast

Details: Attend this dance party with Soulfire. The theme and attire is “through the decades.” Tickets cost $25 and include a spaghetti dinner. Call 609-304-9412.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

67TH ANNUAL FLAGLER COUNTY CRACKER DAY

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Flagler County Fairgrouds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell Details: Celebrate Cracker Day with your friends and family. See bull riding, steer riding, sack races and more. Rodeo begins at noon. Admission costs $20 per person and includes lunch, to be served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children 3 and under are free.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Ormond-by-the-Sea will be getting

14 new crosswalks in fall 2025.

The Florida Department of Transportation held a community meeting, both in-person and virtually, on Thursday, March 14, to discuss a new pedestrian safety project that, in addition to the crosswalks, will resurface A1A and lower the speed limit from north of Roberta Road in Ormond-by-the-Sea to the Flagler County line. The project is fully funded, with design expected to be completed summer 2025 and estimated to cost $2.7 million, following by a $15.9 million construction phase in the fall. A total of 64 people attended the meeting in person.

Of the 14 crosswalks, two will be equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons. One will replace the existing rapid flashing beacon crosswalk at Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park with a more modern version, and the second will be added at Seabreeze Drive.

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The other 12 crosswalks will be at:

„ Sand Dollar Drive

„ Ocean Aire Terrace between Seabridge Drive and Sea Oats Terrace

„ Bass Drive

Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent said FDOT’s project is a positive step in keeping pedestrians safe as they cross A1A to reach the beach.

“We have a ton of people that live on the north peninsula, and they’re fortunate because they’re able to walk to the beach,” Kent said. “It’s scary in today’s day and age to cross any road, but especially one like A1A.”

Scary, he said, because of the number of people who drive while talking on the phone or texting.

The RRFBs proposed by FDOT are needed, he added, saying he was also pleased with the proposed locations for the 12 other sidewalks.

FDOT also plans to replace the existing 5-foot sidewalk with a 10-foot-wide shared use path from Roberta Road to north of Coquina Key Drive. The 8-foot-wide sidewalk from north of Coquina Key Drive to the Flagler County line will remain as is. Median islands will be added at Imperial Heights Drive and

Sand Dollar Drive, but FDOT notes they will not block side streets.

SPEED LIMIT TO BE REDUCED

The speed limit will be lowered from 40 mph to 35 mph from north of Roberta Road to north of Silk Oaks Drive, and from 45 mph to 40 mph from north of Silk Oaks Drive to north of Coquina Key Drive.

“I know in today’s hustle and bustle type of world that we live in, not everybody’s going to like that, but at the end of the day, if it keeps people safer and saves our residents and our visitors from getting into a vehicular versus pedestrian crash, then this is absolutely worth it,” Kent said.

The speed limit on A1A from Milsap Road north to Granada Boulevard was also recently lowered, going from 35 mph to 30 mph as part of a similar $4 million pedestrian safety project. FDOT added eight new mid-

block crosswalks, seven of which had rapid flashing beacons and one — at Rockefeller drive — was equipped with an overhead pedestrian hybrid beacon.

Kent who lives in the neighborhood, said A1A definitely looks different in that stretch or road from what it did six months ago — but, again, it’s a positive change.

“I have read where some residents have complained about the markings on the road and the signage, but at the end of the day, the reason for this was to get pedestrians from the west side of A1A to the east side of A1A and vice versa when they come back from the beach in the safest manner that we can,” Kent said. “People were taking their lives, literally in their own hands, by running across A1A and stopping in the middle of the median to cross the rest of the way.”

On Jan. 29, a 71-year-old woman was struck by an SUV as she crossed A1A at 100 S. Atlantic Ave. The woman, who was not using a crosswalk, had paused at the median before walking east across A1A’s northbound travel lanes when she was struck.

Zone 2 Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent, who represents the beachside, said he’s received mostly positive feedback from residents about the project.

“So far, I like the aesthetics of it, and from what I see, I feel like it will get the ultimate goal accomplished of reducing fatalities,” Sargent said. “I think it’ll take time for people to get used to it, but I think it’s a great idea and I’m very happy that we were able to get that done in that area.”

MORE CROSSWALKS COMING

Next on FDOT’s to-do list in the Ormond Beach and Ormond-bythe-Sea area is a resurfacing project on A1A from north of Granada Boulevard to north of Roberta Road. The $19.9 million project is expected to open for bids this spring, and construction to begin by the end of summer, according to FDOT.

The project aims to encourage safer driving speeds by adding a curb and gutter along the corridor. Where possible, FDOT will add a new sidewalk and a shared-use path on the west side of the road, and the project is planning for raised midblock crossings with pedestrian activated signals.

Based on an exhibit from FDOT, these will be added at:

„ North of Granada Boulevard near the rear entrance of the Granada Plaza Shopping Center

„ Near 317 N. Atlantic Ave.

„ Near 431 Ocean Shore Blvd.

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„ Between Ocean Shore Drive and Margaret Road (two crosswalks)

„ Between Laurie Drive and Roberta Road

Sargent said the improvements will be great for this corridor as well.

“The ultimate goal is to prevent fatalities, and when you look at that northern area, there’s been several

fatalities over the years,” Sargent said. “I just see a very positive outcome for getting this done. I think the looks of it will enhance that area as well, so I’m very pleased that FDOT is willing to do that for us.”

While the crosswalks are important, Kent said people should still be vigilant when crossing A1A. The rapid flashing beacons are not a failsafe, he said.

But the upcoming A1A projects adding crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons show that FDOT is listening to residents’ concerns, he said.

“Nothing happens in any type of government overnight,” he said. “These were talks that we were having and residents were having, two, three, four years ago. It takes time to get the funding and that time is now for us. It’s long overdue.”

Email Jarleene Almenas at jarleene @ observerlocalnews.com.

"We have a ton of people that live on the north peninsula, and they’re fortunate because they’re able to walk to the beach. It’s scary in today’s day and age to

cross

any road, but especially one like A1A."

TROY KENT, Volusia County Councilman

Ormond Beach and Waste Pro in fee dispute

The company’s attorney states in a letter to the city that it was shorted over $560,000 due to a franchise fee miscalculation.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

The city of Ormond Beach and Waste Pro of Florida are working to resolve a dispute over a half-a-million dollars worth of franchise fees.

The City Commission approved a six-year extension of its solid waste, yard waste and recycling contract with Waste Pro in February 2023.

The contract extension included an annual consumer price index increase of 8.54% and a rate adjustment of $3.55 per unit for unusu -

al and unanticipated costs, to be applied retroactively to Oct. 1, 2022.

After the commission approved the contract, the city paid Waste Pro $546,515.25 to retroactively apply these adjustments.

But, in a letter from Waste Pro’s attorney Amy Shay to the city attorney dated Feb. 8, 2024, Waste Pro said the lump sum payment was short by $186,779.33. This was due to a change in the franchise fee calculation, the letter stated, as the city calculated it out to be 20% of the total invoice sent to Waste Pro. The company argued that it should have been calculated using a fixed dollar amount, increased each year by the same CPI percentage received by Waste Pro.

Because the city differed in its franchise fee calculation through the end of September 2023, Waste Pro claims it was shorted $560,647.64.

Though the city ultimately agreed on the franchise fee calculation, the letter states, it reported to the company that the increase on the unusual cost of business of $3.55 per unit was not owed, leading to the dispute.

“Waste Pro values its partnership with the city,” Shay wrote in the letter. “However, please do not think that Waste Pro’s ongoing commitment to a positive relationship lessens its resolve that this money is owed to it.”

Waste Pro has been the city’s waste collection contractor since 2014.

In a statement to the Observer, the city said that it has been “diligently working with Waste Pro to resolve a dispute concerning the franchise fee calculations.”

“This fee is essential for funding city services related to solid waste management, including street maintenance and emergency ser-

vices,” the city stated. “Despite some differences in interpretation of the contract terms, we are in continuous dialogue with Waste Pro to find a common ground that respects both parties’ perspectives and maintains our commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

The city argues that the unusual cost of business fee is not contained in the contract or any amendment to the contract, and that the provision for “unusual and unanticipated costs” was not to be applied the way Waste Pro seeks; the city argued that it was restricted to costs from storms other natural disasters. Waste Pro countered that the increase in fuel, parts and labor costs sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain backlogs “were unusual and unanticipated,” according to Shay’s letter.

Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Par-

tington said it appears there was a misunderstanding regarding the contract agreement.

“After listening to both sides, it sounded to me like there wasn’t a meeting of the minds and that’s what created the conflict,” Partington said. “I would think the most obvious explanation for that would be a miscommunication or a misunderstanding somewhere along the line.”

Partington said he brought the issue up at past commission meetings to encourage both parties to seek a resolution.

“We have a good working relationship with Waste Pro and they provide a service that 99.9% of the time, our residents are very happy with,” he said. “And so I’m hopeful that they can hammer out a resolution and everybody can be on the same page going forward, and we won’t have this problem in the future.”

The Observer reached out to Shay and Waste Pro, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

The existing rapid-flashing, beacon-equipped crosswalk at Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park will be replaced with a more modern version. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

FDOT plans to add more crosswalks in Ormond-by-the-Sea

CITY WATCH

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

City

Work

Commission reacts to Riverview meeting

In 2021, the Volusia County School Board voted 4-1 to close Osceola Elementary and build a new school at Ortona. File

The relationship between the city of Ormond Beach and the Volusia County School Board is at an “alltime low,” said Mayor Bill Partington during his closing remarks for the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 19.

At the

she said.

“They’re working around the clock to get the facility dried out,” Shanahan said. City staff also met with Bomar Construction to determine what supplies can be ordered now to keep the renovation moving forward, and fire inspectors are working to determine the root cause of the fire. This could take three to four weeks.

Commissioner Harold Briley expressed his sympathy to city staff for the fire. “I know when we get it back, it’ll be better than when it was redone,” Briley said.

The mayor’s sentiment comes after Volusia County Schools’ community meeting on Monday, March 18, regarding the transfer of Riverview Learning Center to the former Osceola Elementary campus at 100 Osceola Ave., a decision local officials say they weren’t aware of until after the School Board had unanimously approved the transfer.

Though the mayor did not attend the community meeting, City Commissioner Travis Sargent did, calling it one of the “most hostile, unorganized meeting” he believes he’s ever attended. The school district, Sargent said, tried to blame the City Commission for not informing residents of the program transfer.

“It’s very unfortunate that we have to defend ourselves to our residents because they want to put this back onto us and pass the buck because they have failed us in their decisions since August 2021,” Sargent said, referencing when the School Board opted to merge Osceola and Ortona Elementary and build a new school in the Ortona campus. (That school is now Beachside Elementary).

A resident who lives next to the school, he added, has been sleeping in her living room for two years due to the AC noise from the portables on the campus, first placed for the merged Beachside student population as the new school was built, and now used for Tomoka Elementary as that school is constructed.

The resident was told the issue will be resolved this summer when the portables are removed.

“I’m just absolutely flabbergasted at the way they treat our residents,” Sargent said. “It’s absurd.”

“If a child walks through and they don’t have anything, guess what? They’re done — they keep walking.”

He made a motion to have staff bring back all of the city’s contracts with the school district for property maintenance. Currently, the city maintains Osceola School Park, which sits on the school’s campus and has baseball fields, a playground and outdoor tennis and basketball courts. The city, he said, also maintains a portion of property within Ormond Beach Middle School.

The commission agreed to have staff bring back information on what properties the city maintains for the School Board.

Partington said he was surprised that the superintendent didn’t attend the community meeting and said he’s asked City Manager Joyce Shanahan to meet with her.

“That’s all I know that I can do,” Partington said. “Perhaps the superintendent should come here and apologize to everybody for such a hot mess of handling of this issue, but something needs to happen,” he said.

School Board member Ruben Colon on randomized screening policy. See Page 9A

Golf course rezoning hearing to be held in April

After two delays — one because of an advertising error and the other due to the fire at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center — the City Commission will review a rezoning request for the former Tomoka Oaks golf course on Tuesday, April 16.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in City Commission Chambers at City Hall. The city will set up overflow rooms with screens to livestream the meeting.

The developers of the Tomoka Reserve subdivision, proposed the 147.94-acre golf course property in the middle of Tomoka Oaks, are seeking a rezoning for the property from a Planned Residential Development to R-2 “Singlefamily low density.”

Stairs repaired at Andy Romano

The city has repaired one set of stairs at Andy Romano Beachfront Park, located at 839 S. Atlantic Ave.

The stairs should be open this week, City Manager Joyce Shanahan said. The city is waiting to repair the other sets of stairs as they coincide with the seawall replacement.

BY THE NUMBERS $36.8K

grant sought by the city from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for the purchase of a firefighting cascade/ community outreach trailer.

Email Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

The Palm Coast Observer meets the legal requirements to publish legal notices in Flagler County, per F.S. 50.011.

The Ormond Beach Observer meets the legal requirements to publish legal notices in Volusia County, per F.S.50.011.

photo by Michele Meyers

VCS meeting about Riverview’s transfer leaves some residents still frustrated

About 80 people — neighbors, Riverview’s faculty and community leaders — attended the meeting on Monday.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Riverview Learning Center will be transferring to the former Osceola Elementary campus in Ormond Beach next school year.

But with concerns circulating in the neighborhood surrounding the school, Volusia County Schools held a community information meeting on Monday, March 18, inside the cafeteria at Osceola. About 80 people — neighbors, Riverview’s faculty and community leaders — attended the meeting, which at times turned contentious as people shouted questions regarding neighborhood safety and lack of transparency regarding the transfer of the alternative education program.

On Feb. 27, the Volusia County School Board unanimously approved the transfer of Riverview from its main campus at 801 N. Wild Olive Ave. to the Osceola campus at 100 Osceola Ave., a move that will allow all of its K-12 students to be housed in one building. Currently, Riverview’s elementary students utilize a modular classroom building at Silver Sands Middle School, 10 miles away from the main Riverview campus. After the Observer reported that the program would be transferred to Osceola, residents of the neighborhood surrounding the campus pushed back against the School Board saying they were never notified that the transfer was being considered, nor did they receive word about a Dec. 5, 2023, community meeting that discussed it.

“Was it anyone’s intent to keep it from you? No,” School Board member Carl Persis said. “Was it anything shady, underhanded? No. I guarantee you that. It’s just that we haven’t done anything like this.”

Persis said a mistake was made from the beginning. Though all parents of current Riverview students were notified that the program would be moved, the community wasn’t. Persis said that, after hearing concerns, he then spoke with VCS Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and asked for a community meeting to inform the neighborhood of what Riverview’s program is like.

“I keep hearing things about what this program is, and it’s not any of those things,” Persis said.

RIVERVIEW OFFERS STUDENTS A SECOND CHANCE

Riverview is a program for students that violate the district’s student code of conduct. Students may attend the program for a nine-week period, a semester, or sometimes a school year, if parents see a benefit in keeping their child at the school.

With questions circulating about the type of offenses students have committed, Riverview Principal Thomas Soli said many students are commonly sent to the program due to statements made on social media and vaping.

“We have kids also that come to us who have not committed offenses — just they’ve fallen behind,” Soli said.

Based on the student code of conduct, students may be sent to an alternative education program for what the district categorizes as Level 3 or Level 4 violations. A Level 3 violation, according to the student code of conduct, ranges from bullying ad being in possession of alcohol and drugs, to hitting or striking another person. A Level 4 violation includes a bomb threat, disorderly conduct or drug distribution. There are more serious offenses listed in the Level 4 student code of conduct, but if criminal charges are involved, students would not be sent to Riverview.

“Now, depending on what else happens ... and they have charges, they go to [the Department of Juvenile Justice],” said Patty Corr, chief operating officer for Volusia County Schools.

Soli said Riverview served close to 200 students cumulatively last

school year, with a peak of 110 students at one time enrolled. Currently, the Osceola campus is being used to house Tomoka Elementary students and faculty as their new school is constructed. As that school has over 600 students, neighbors will see a sharp decrease in traffic with Riverview. Soli said the majority of Riverview students are bused in, with only a handful being dropped off by parents.

Riverview students, he added, are constantly monitored and escorted by an adult.

“We’re providing a positive experience for students,” Soli said. “They just had a negative experience at schools in Ormond ...[schools] across the district in the east side, but we’re going to try to give them a positive experience.”

Ormond Beach resident Daisy Grimes said that the statements being made by neighbors about Riverview and its students concerned her due to their negativity.

“They were cold words that bothered me,” she said. “And I said, ‘This is not my community.’ This is not where I live, where we are referring to children who need to be educated as ‘those children.’”

Nathaniel Anderson, coordinator of student services at VCS, said that when examining students for alternative placement, the district considers their behavior, their grades and the students themselves.

“We look at the best way we can serve and help our kids,” Anderson said. “So when we send a kid to Riverview, it’s not because they’re outcasts — because all they need is a second chance.”

A HOSTILE MEETING?

Some residents at the meeting pushed back against the notion that they don’t want the students at the school, stating it was the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, and lack of information provided concerning safety, that they were concerned about.

Resident Lindsey Wolf said she felt the School Board was “twisting it around in order to make the resi-

dents look like the bad guys.”

“They’re making it out that the residents have an issue with the kids themselves,” she said. “That’s not the case. We don’t have an issue with the kids. We have an issue with the safety level that’s going to happen with the school and the infractions that have been done in order to land them in that location.”

Despite the school district’s assurance, Wolf said she wasn’t convinced about the safety measures for the school. However, while she probably would have had the same issues had she been notified of the Dec. 5, 2023 meeting, she said, she would likely not be nearly as upset.

“This was completely done in order to, for lack of a better term, ramrod this decision into our neighborhood and just tell us we have no choice,” Wolf said. “They had plenty of opportunity to let us know.”

She was also frustrated with the way the meeting was carried out. For the question and answer portion of the meeting, district staff collected note cards with people’s questions, which Corr read aloud. At one point, as some people yelled out their questions, Corr threatened to cut the meeting short.

Wolf said she submitted four questions and none were read by Corr.

NOT THE CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY

City Commissioner Travis Sargent said the meeting felt hostile toward residents, and that questions were left unanswered. He also said he was frustrated that the School Board blamed the commission for not being aware of the transfer, despite notice having been communicated between district and city planning staff.

But, Sargent said, since Osceola is school district property, it was the district’s responsibility to communicate with residents.

“It’s their responsibility to notify the residents — not the city of Ormond Beach,” Sargent said. “And here they are telling our residents that we should have known, and we should have done this and I just have a hard time with the finger-pointing.”

During the meeting, City Manager

Joyce Shanahan said that the decision to transfer Riverview to Osceola was “100% a School Board decision” and referenced the effort the city made to keep Osceola Elementary open in 2020.

“We are just like you,” Shanahan said. “We offered the [School Board] a million dollars to relocate some sewer lines to redo this school here and they thumbed their noses at us.”

The students are not the issue, Sargent said; it’s the lack of transparency from the School Board. Had residents been notified of the transfer and of the December community meeting, prior to the School Board vote, he doesn’t think residents would be as upset.

“I think that the residents would have probably had a clearer vision of it and wouldn’t have been blindsided by something,” he said.

Persis told the Observer that he hopes to have another community meeting in September or October to address concerns. Riverview will also host an open house for the neighborhood.

Riverview Learning Center Principal Thomas Soli speaks during the community meeting on Monday, March 18.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Program aims to help local first responders deal with mental health challenges

Since its launch in 2022, LSF Health Systems’ First Responder Peer Support Program and has helped 1,400 first responders.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

As a first responder, Bridget Wick thought dealing with mental health challenges was just a part of the job.

Seeking help, she said, was seen as not being fit for duty, and that’s a stigma she had to surpass when she realized she couldn’t overcome her job-related depression and pain on her own. Wick had already left her job in New York as an EMT and moved to New Smyrna Beach after a divorce when the feelings she’d suppressed caught up with her.

Karen Chrapek, a first responder peer specialist and executive director of Volusia Recovery Alliance, and LSF Health Systems’ First Responder Peer Support Program helped Wick

COPS CORNER

MARCH 9

TEA TIME INTERRUPTED

7:22 a.m. — 1500 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Disturbance. A 35-year-old Georgia woman called police over an altercation that began over two hot cups of water. Police report that the woman told officers she arrived at a local gas station, per her usual routine, to grab two hot cups of water to make her morning tea. As she was leaving the gas station, the cashier shouted at her and a verbal argument ensued, according to a police incident report. The woman said they both insulted each other, but that the cashier made racist comments.

overcome her struggles.

“I really wanted to feel like myself again,” Wick said. “Sometimes when you speak with somebody, even just getting your thoughts out there, you feel a little better, or it helps make sense in your head.”

The First Responder Peer Support Program was launched in June 2022 thanks to $12 million in state funding to expand peer-to-peer mental health services for first responders. The funds were dispersed to all six regions of the Department of Children and Families.

LSF’s program is free to all current and former first responders and their families within a 20-county area in the Northeast and Northern Central Florida, including Flagler and Volusia counties.

First responders are invited to call 211 for help, and they will be paired with a first responder peer specialist within 24 hours. That peer specialist will schedule a face-to-face meeting, phone or video call to speak with the first responder, and will continue to be available for a period of up to six months.

The woman said she attempted to give the cups of water back, but that the cashier only took one. As she was leaving, the cashier took a photo of her and in her anger, the woman said she poured the other water cup on the floor before going back to argue with the cashier, at which point a witness reached out his hand to stop her from getting close.

The cashier’s story was similar, with the exception that she claimed the woman was the one to make racist claims against her. Because the cashier was not hit by any water, police determined no crime occurred.

The woman was trespassed from the property.

MARCH 10

NEIGHBOR PROBLEMS

1:11 p.m. — 4600 block of East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell Disorderly conduct. A Bunnell man who was issued an eviction notice

Volusia Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit based in Ormond Beach, has been a provider of the program since mid-August last year. As someone with family members who were first responders, and as a former emergency room health care provider, Chrapek saw firsthand how witnessing traumatic events can make an impact on mental health.

“There is a lot of stigma about asking for help within the first responder population,” she said. “I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t want to be judged, and so my (substance) use continued because I never asked for help until nine years after I realized

“I’m really grateful that we have so many first responders that stepped up and said, ‘Yes, I want to go through the certified recovery peer specialist training to be able to help my fellow colleagues.’”

DR.

CHRISTINE CAUFFIELD, CEO of LSF Health Systems

began screaming and hitting his neighbor’s car with a football. A police officer was called to the scene when the man’s neighbor called the disturbance in, an arrest report said. The man was yelling at everyone who passed by, making the neighbor feel unsafe.

The man was already inside his apartment, blasting music at a high volume and refused to open the door. He eventually opened the door and was arrested for the disturbance.

MARCH 13 EARLY MORNING VISITOR

12:50 p.m. — First block of Kent Drive, Ormond Beach Burglary. Police responded to a home after a 31-year-old Ormond Beach woman discovered she was missing $1,200 and 3.5 grams of her medical marijuana, which she stored in a jewelry box.

that I had a problem. That’s a long run.”

Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Systems and a clinical psychologist, said over 1,400 first responders have been served by the program in the last two years.

“First responders have such a unique work environment,” she said. “They see so many traumatic events and experience — countless crises situations every single day and very few professions, you know, compared to that environment. And, as a result, they do have a higher risk for suicide, mental health challenges, substance use and family discord, and so we really want to to be a resource for them and their family members to deal with the behavioral health care challenges that often go hand in hand with the type of work that they do every single day.”

Peer navigators, she said, have been critical to the program’s success because as first responders themselves, they can help connect with the ones in need of help.

“I’m really grateful that we have so many first responders that stepped

The woman said she asked her mother if she had taken the money and marijuana, and her 65-year-old mother denied doing so, saying she had thought her daughter had come home around 2 or 3 a.m, according to a police incident report. When they checked the doorbell camera, they discovered an old friend had approached the front of the home twice during that time period. Police spoke to the friend, who said he had stopped by the home. He claimed he did go inside the home’s garage and “said hello to the dogs,” before hanging up the phone on police. The woman wished to press charges.

MARCH 17 DON’T FLIP OUT

7:50 p.m. — 200 block of South Flagler Avenue, Flagler Beach Misuse of 911. A Flagler Beach man was arrested for calling 911 multiple

up and said, ‘Yes, I want to go through the certified recovery peer specialist training to be able to help my fellow colleagues,’” Cauffield said. Wick is now one of those certified recovery peer specialists. She said she’s excited about doing something she’s passionate about — helping others.

“It’s such an amazing feeling, not only just having things squared away and feeling like I have a purpose again, but I’m so excited to help our local first responders.”

Wick is VRA’s biggest success story surrounding the program, Chrapek said.

“It’s a thrill for me because I really love the fact that, because of this program, we’ve had the opportunity to make a positive impact on somebody’s life,” she said.

First responders often fight silent battles, Wick said, but they don’t have to.

“You’re supposed to be strong because you’re helping other people,” Wick said. “So it’s not OK to not be OK, but it really is OK to not be OK.”

times about his missing flip phone, while using one of his extra cell phones.

The man did not lose his phone, but instead left it behind at a bar he was trespassed from the night before, according to his arrest report. Before leaving the restaurant, he asked the police officer who issued the warning to get it for him, but refused to take the phone when the officer brought it out.

The officer kept the phone to return it the next day. Before the officer could, the man called 911 saying the officer had taken his flip phone and refused to return it. The man called 911 three times for 30 minutes about his phone, even claiming his life was in danger if he couldn’t call anyone because he did not have his flip phone, the report said.

The man was arrested and found to be in possession of three other phones.

BRIEFS

Halifax Health also saw 16 supercross riders from the amateur track days at Daytona International Speedway.

Bike Week brought 93 crashes to Flagler

Bike Week 2024 brought roughly 300,000 visitors to Flagler and Volusia counties. During the 10-day event, which began Friday, March 1 and concluded Sunday, March 10, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and Communications Center saw one of its busiest seasons yet.

The FCSO Communications Center handled a total

of 7,436 calls. Of that number, 1,439 were 911 calls and 6,000 were non-emergency.

Deputies responded to 3,214 calls for service and conducted 717 traffic stops. They also responded to a total of 93 crashes, which included 49 with injury, 30 without, and 14 hit and runs. Also, during Bike Week 2024, deputies made 85 arrests, 42 of which were felonies.

FDOT to resurface part of S.R. 100 on April 1

Flagler County officials advise residents that the Florida Department of Transportation road resurfacing project for State Road 100 – East Moody Boulevard – will begin April 1. The project area runs from North Palmetto Street in Bunnell to Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.

The goal of the FDOT project is to extend the life of the roadway and will also include right turn lanes from eastbound State Road 100 onto Seminole Woods Boulevard and westbound onto Town Center Boulevard, as well as an eastbound right turn lane onto Commerce Parkway. FDOT also reports the following additional improvements: shoulder widening; upgrading the traffic signals at Belle Terre Parkway and Memorial Medical Parkway with new mast arm signal poles; and, the installation of Wrong Way Driving devices at the Interstate 95 interchange off-ramps.

Pedestrian enhancements include:

„ Sidewalk construction „ Crosswalk additions at the S.R. 100 intersections of Landing Boulevard, Bulldog Drive, Town Center Boulevard, Memorial Medical Parkway,

and Old Kings Road „ Curb ramp upgrades to

meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards

State Road 100 will remain open to traffic during construction, according to FDOT, though motorists can expect nighttime single-lane closures between 9 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Signage and traffic control devices will direct drivers through the remaining open lanes during these closures. Work at the Interstate 95 ramps will require occasional nighttime ramp closures accompanied by a detour between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The contractor will maintain access to businesses and residences during construction.Pedestrian detours will be utilized as necessary. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to exercise caution while traveling through the work zone.

DeSantis to sign social media bill

After vetoing an earlier version, Gov. Ron DeSantis last week made clear he will sign a House Bill 3 that seeks to keep children off social-media platforms.

“We really want our kids to not just be wedded to a handful of social media apps,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Polk County. “I don’t think, ultimately, that’s something that is going to be healthy for our society as our kids grow up.”

The bill, in part, would prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts. Children under 14 could not open accounts.

Buried seawall projects to begin March 21

Residents can expect to see construction-related activity beginning the week of March 18 for the first of the two buried seawall projects along State Road A1A in Flagler and Volusia counties. The contractor plans to place construction-related signage in Flagler County from just north of South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach and extend south to just below the Volusia/Flagler county line.

Following the signage placement, it is anticipated the construction team will begin working on Thursday, March 21, to shift the travel lanes on S.R. A1A a few feet to the west within the existing asphalt. The traffic shift will allow two-way traffic to continue during the construction of the buried seawall. This work will require a single-lane closure with flagging operations from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.

Florida Attorney

Ashley Moody

Helping Heroes program while warning spring breakers of overdoses.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Florida leads the U.S. in the number of people who overdose while on vacation, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said that’s a statistic state and local officials seek to change.

“This is something that sometimes gets lost in the discussion, when we’re talking about how to secure our beaches and how to make sure we’re reducing crime,” said Moody during a press conference in Daytona Beach on Tuesday, March 19. “But somewhere in all of these discussions, we lose sight of the fact that many equate spring break with drug use.”

The press conference, held at Volusia County Beach Safety Headquarters, promoted the Helping Heroes program, an initiative launched by Moody last year to provide free naloxone to first responders.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Ormond Beach Police Department, DeLand Police Department, Daytona Beach Police Department, Ponce Inlet Police Department and South Daytona Police Department have all joined the program.

“We know this will go a long way to saving lives during spring break and throughout the rest of the year as Florida successfully combats this drug overdose crisis,” Moody said.

In 2023, 112,000 people in the U.S. died of a drug over-

dose. In addition, Moody reported that a lethal dose of fentanyl was found in seven out of 10 pills tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2023. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said parents need to educate their children who are out on spring break. Often times, he said, those who press pills using fentanyl make them appear like other “party drugs” — Adderall, Xanax or MDA.

“They think they’re buying this stuff off the street, or they’re buying it from a classmate, therefore it’s good stuff,” Chitwood said. “In reality, it’s laced with fentanyl.”

Naloxone saves lives, said Kevin Captain, director of Volusia County Emergency Medical Services. In 2023, EMS was involved in almost 1,000 cases in which naloxone was administered and saved lives.

“This medication gives people a second chance — a second chance at life,” Cap-

tain said. “Spring break is more dangerous today than it ever was before because of what we’re talking about that’s on the black market.”

The Helping Heroes program, he said, ensures local first responders have naloxone stocked and ready to be administered, both nasally or intravenously.

Volusia Recovery Alliance Executive Director Karen Chrapek said that since the end of 2021, her nonprofit organization has given out over 18,000 Narcan kits, with reports of 197 lives saved. She said she’s grateful for community partnerships and said Chitwood has helped open doors in reaching out to first responders in need of help with drug abuse.

“We’re committed to reducing stigma and part of the way we do that is to show up with our friends in law enforcement,” she said.

Palm Sunday

Date:

Time:

Maundy Thursday

Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024

Time:

Good Friday Date: Friday, March 29, 2024

Time: Noon

Easter Sunday

Date: Sunday, March 31, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m

VCS pursues random screening policy

A policy amendment seeks to allow for random screenings using metal detectors in classrooms.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Volusia County Schools is proceeding forward with a policy change that would allow randomized screenings on school campuses.

On Tuesday, March 12, the School Board discussed an update to its Policy 208S (208E for elementary schools), to come before them again on April 9 for a vote to advertise. In January, the policy amendments were tabled after parents voiced concerns that random searches without cause would negatively impact students by creating an intimidating environment at school, as well as violate their rights. At the time, though board members were supportive of the safety measure, they were concerned about the way the policy was worded. Based on that, the district has swapped the usage of random searches with “randomized screenings” and clarified how the screenings will be

conducted.

Volusia County Schools attorney Kevin Pendley said that the new proposed language for the amendment will read as follows: “All individuals entering or present upon a Volusia County School site or event are on notice that randomized screenings may be conducted utilizing minimally intrusive electronic devices without cause by the site administrator.”

“This feasible and it is legal,” Pendley said.

How will the randomized screenings work? A district team will use a computerized, random generator to pick a school and then a specific classroom. The team will then be deployed to the school and students in that classroom will walk through an open gate metal detector, with their backpacks on, to minimize loss of instructional time, said Patty Corr, chief operating officer for VCS.

“The sampling from the random screening process will allow us the ability to identify individuals with weapons on campus and thus prevent violence,” Corr said. “This is the simplest form of the process and the one most people think about when it comes to the implementation.”

Random screenings, she

added, discourage students from bringing weapons on campus. In the 2022-2023 school year, there were 82 weapon incidents in schools, according to the district.

Fourteen other school districts in the state confirmed to VCS that they have already implemented a similar policy, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard. The district is awaiting responses from 26 other school districts.

School Board member Ruben Colon likened the new procedure to the metal detectors all of Disney Springs visitors must go through; there is no cause to search, he added, unless the metal detector goes off. “If a child walks through and they don’t have anything, guess what? They’re done — they keep walking,” he said.

School Board member Carl Persis said his concern over the previous version of the policy was the word “searches,” now replaced with “screenings.”

If a student doesn’t pass a screening, then that will lead to a search, he said.

“My whole point with this is safety and security is number one,” he said. “However, traumatizing students unnecessarily is right up there too, and we don’t want to scare children.”

Large

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AMAZING OCEAN AND RIVER VIEWS from this cozy, updated 2/2 condo on the 5th floor of Ocean Terrace.

General

promotes

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, March 19, at Volusia County Beach Safety Headquarters. Screenshot courtesy of Volusia Sheriff’s Office Facebook livestream

The event kicked off this year’s Million Dollar FoodA-Thon to benefit Grace Community Food Pantry.

School on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along with the trucks, the event had bounce houses for children to enjoy, a car show and live performances from the band Southern Chaos and artist Robert Keele.

BIZ BUZZ

TRUE ACCESS PRIMARY CARE OPENS PALM COAST OFFICE

True Access Primary Care is celebrating the grand opening of its new office in Palm Coast with a ribbon cutting event at 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 21.

The healthcare provider’s new office is located at 55 Plaza Drive, Suite D7, next to Outback Steakhouse. The grand opening will include door prizes, networking and refreshments. The ribbon cutting will be at 5:15 p.m.

True Access is a direct primary care provider serving businesses and individuals. It has been open in Flagler County since September. CEO Lisa Magary, is a nurse practitioner dual-certified in family practice and pediatrics.

“Research has demonstrated that having a good primary care provider prevents hospitalizations and unnecessary over-utilization of the healthcare system,” Magary said in a press release. “We are direct primary care which allows for direct relationship between the provider and the patient. We want you to have insurance, but it’s not required at our office.”

Greg Blosé, president and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the county needs more healthcare options. “Flagler County’s population is growing, and we need our local healthcare companies to grow, too,” Blosé said in the press release. “Far too often, Flagler County residents are forced out of town for important healthcare appointments because we don’t have enough healthcare services available locally. This is why the open-

ing of new healthcare businesses, like True Access Primary Care, is important to the entire community.”

True Access Primary Care also offers additional services such as bioidentical hormone replacement, injectable weight loss programs, IV therapy and SoftWave therapy.wwv

ORMOND BEACH ATTORNEY MARKS

10-YEAR MILESTONE

Erum S. Kistemaker, of Kistemaker Business Law Firm in Ormond Beach, is celebrating her 10 year anniversary as a Martindale-Hubbel rated AV Preeminent attorney. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers, according to a press release. She is her firm’s managing attorney and shareholder. The condo, HOA, real estate and business law attorney has also had an active role in new and changing legislation regarding Florida condo law.

“It is hard to believe it’s been 10 years, and I am now — and have been — tremendously honored to receive this designation,” Kistemaker said. Kistemaker serves within the Real Property Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar and has served on the Condominium & Planned Development Committee as well as the Senate Bill 4D Substantive and Education Task Forces.

A graduate of Seabreeze High School and the University of Miami School of Law, Kistemaker was a certified legal intern for the Office of the Public Defender in Miami, as well as for a federal court judge there.

Paul Vargo with his lunch from Cool Beans BBQ and Catering.

Tracy Slater, owner of Stella’s Coffee, with her golden retriever, Stella. Slater said this was only her third even since opening up shop. Photos by Sierra Williams

Andrea Arnold, owner of Andrea’s Italian Ice said this was her first time at the Palooza, but she hopes to be back next year.

Reyna Quintana and Eunice Hernandez, the co-owners of Las Tres Carnalas.

Lisa Magary

Erum Kistemaker

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Ocean Hammock home is Flagler’s highest sale

Ahouse in Ocean Hammock was the top real estate transaction for Jan. 25-31 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Kevin and Eileen Van Fleet, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, sold 38 Atlantic Place to Deloris Marsicano, of Las Vegas, Nevada, for $860,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 3,246 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $757,000.

PALM COAST Lehigh Woods Brite Life Ventures, LLC, of Orlando, sold 13 Radnor Place to Tatiana and Andrei Gor, of Palm Coast, for $458,300. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,306 square feet.

Matanzas Lakes Seagate Homes, LLC, of Palm Coast, sold 20 Tideway Trail to Kenneth and Linda Doerr, of Palm Coast, for $416,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,813 square feet.

square feet. It sold in 2015 for $200,000.

Mercedes Mahony, of Smithtown, New York, sold 3580 South Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 705, to Andrew Esterly Jr. and Bonnie Esterly, of Flagler Beach, for $435,000. Built in 1982, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $205,000.

Matanzas Shores James and Catherine Giddens, of Palm Coast, sold 20 Las Casitas Blvd. to Michael and Debra Albino, of Brooklyn, New York, for $460,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,003 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $350,000.

Ocean Hammock William Mayhew Jr. and Deborah Mayhew, of Palm Coast, sold 20 Blue Heron Lane to Gary Kinnick and Constance Suzanne Kinnick, of Palm Coast, for $775,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 4/2.5

and has a pool, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen and 2,438 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $410,000.

Palm Harbor Ann Nichols, as trustee, sold 53 Felwood Lane to Yuriy Okrugin and Yuliya Kilmova, of Palm Coast, for $510,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,797 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $274,000.

A.W.E. 2015 investments, LLC, of Pompano Beach, sold 19 Farragut Drive to Gloria Magdalena Nobelle and Aristides Chavez Martinez, of Palm Coast, for $289,900. Built in 1974, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 1,578 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $245,000.

Pine Grove Jessica Cummins, of Charlotte, North Carolina, sold 11 Pepperdine Drive to Yakov Belkin, of Bunnell, for $240,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,522 square feet.

Quail Hollow Yakov Belkin, of Bunnell, sold 23 Lloshire Path to Brandy Robbins, of Palm Coast, for $395,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 5/2.5 and has 2,818 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $290,100.

Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.

Pool home in Ormond Beach tops sales list

Ahouse on John Anderson Drive was the top real estate transaction for Feb. 4-10 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Sara Sally Oates, of Ormond Beach, sold 85 John Anderson Drive to Robert Lakso Blanchard, of Ormond Beach, for $725,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 2,895 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $350,000.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos Pamela Groome, of Ormond Beach, sold 10 Lynnhurst Drive, Unit 1020, to Brabara Sodano, of Ormond Beach, for $195,000. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/1.5 and has 930 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $159,900.

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2773 Portadown Street to Sarah Anne Mancuso and Laurie Marie Mancuso, of Ormond Beach, for $383,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,447 square feet.

Lincoln Park

Corey and Megan Weber, of Rincon, Georgia, sold 278 Selden Ave. to Brett John Galt, Jr., of Ormond Beach, for $210,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 3/1 and has 936 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $125,000.

Northbrook

Helen Tolko, of Ormond Beach, sold 128 Northbrook Lane to Tracy and Bianca Lash, as trustees, for $279,900. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,137 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $165,000.

Not in a subdivision

Charles and Gail Hageman, of Denton, North Carolina, sold 280 South Old Kings Road to William and Jenny Corso, of Ormond Beach, for $415,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,807 square feet.

James and Sierra Holcombe, of Edgewater, sold 103 Hickory Hills Circle to Kurt Drayer, Jr. and Kryste Gainey, of Ormond beach, for $339,900. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,540 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $212,500.

River Oaks

2,345 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $424,000.

Southern Pines

OP SPE TPA1, LLC, of Chandler, Arizona, sold 110 Chrysanthemum Drive to Timothy and Lori Lauro, of Ormond beach, for $462,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,923 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $425,000.

The Trails

Christine Marinaccio Kaney, as trustee, sold 9 River Ridge Trail to Daniel Spinner and Thomas Wilson, of Ormond Beach, for $505,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a a pool and 4,260 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $220,000.

Woodgrove Vinatta Investment Group LLC, of Lake Mary, sold 58 South Center Street to Scott Strasser, of Ormond Beach, for $385,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,459 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $239,000.

ORMOND BY THE SEA Seabridge South Cherese Ganzer Living Trust, of Rocky Point, New York, sold 12 Sea Raven Terrace to Joan and Daniel Mills, of Ormond Beach, for $381,900. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,519 square feet. It sold in 1993 for $125,000.

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

Alexandra Sandy Hobdy and

Gerard Raymond and Pamela Harman, of Ormond beach, sold 308 River Vale Lane to Richard and Kathryn Schaum, of Ormond Beach, for $510,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 4/3 and has

Q+A JOE PUTTING, TOMOKA CHRISTIAN CHURCH PASTOR

Tomoka Christian Church pastor celebrates book on church growth

Tomoka Christian Church Pastor Joe Putting is celebrating the first anniversary of his book, “We Said Yes” this month.

Putting decided to become a pastor shortly after graduating from St. Louis Christian College in 1986. He has been a pastor for 38 years, the last 32 of which he’s spent with Tomoka Christian Church in Ormond Beach.

His book, written with Mark Atterbury, is a story of growth and teamwork, he said.

“The book is really the story of me growing up here at the church — how the leadership and I worked together on the mission leadership, the eldership, the church itself, how we all work together to take on this mission mindset, where we wouldn’t just think about ourselves, but we would think about planting churches, building pregnancy crisis centers, and global outreach in other countries as well,” Putting said.

Putting recently spoke with the Observer about his book.

What is the central message of “We Said Yes”?

“We Said Yes” talks about our vision as a church, to plant churches all over the United States and all over the world. And we made a commitment 30 years ago that we would do

YOUR

TOWN

OMAM PRESENTS NEW EXHIBITION BY ANTOINETTE SLICK

The Ormond Memorial Art Museum will present a retrospective exhibition featuring 75 works created over 40 years by award-winning artist, Antoinette M. Slick.

“Antoinette M. Slick: A Life Filled with Art” will open in the Main Exhibition Galleries on Thursday, March 21, with a reception from 6-8 p.m.

our best to try to accomplish that.

This book is our story of how we did that. In Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus says, “Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation.”

As we looked at that, we realized it wasn’t a blanket statement that was

Slick, of Ormond Beach, is known for her non-objective, abstract art, according to a press release by OMAM. Additionally, her works are in private collections throughout Florida and the southeastern U.S.

“I feel my paintings evoke discovery, emotional involvement, and intellectual stimulation,” Slick said. “My paintings hint at written messages, but on closer inspection the letters aren’t real letters, the words aren’t real words. Like the surfaces from which they are inspired, the viewer is invited to sense, experience, and interpret. Today a selection of my work is present from beginning to end. It is for you to decide if it was a worthwhile journey.”

given to the disciples and that each of us is actually responsible for that statement. So, we started praying that God would give us an opportunity to plant a church in every country in the world.

The whole point of the book is to celebrate what Tomoka Christian Church has been able to do working together over a long-term commitment. And then secondly, that this is doable for other churches, if they’ll just get started. That’s why I wrote the book, to help other churches.

Is there a meaning behind the title?

Actually, yes, it came from Pastor Cord [Bear]. We went to college together; we’ve been friends 40-plus years. But he said, one day out of the blue, “Most churches have a default setting.” When somebody says something, churches just say no. He said that Tomoka’s default setting is yes. And that’s where the title came from. I do talk in the book about when to say no as well, but that’s where the title came from.

What has been your biggest accomplishment?

That we’ve kept Tomoka Christian

Slick’s exhibit will remain on display through April 24. OMAM is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. on Sundays. A $2 donation is suggested for admission, with free admission for museum members and U.S. veterans.

HALIFAX HEALTH NURSE EMBARKS ON MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS

A nurse with the Halifax Health Lohman Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology recently returned from a mission trip to Honduras with other medical professionals, according to a press release.

Christine Goudreau’s mission

Church to stay true to God’s word. We’ve stayed true to this mission. We’ve stayed true to Jesus’ mission, and we’ve stayed true to the Bible. I think the rest of it is fluff because when we’re faithful, God is going to make the rest of it work. I’m surrounded by an incredible team of staff and other pastors it’s just such an incredible, fun team to work with.

Christine Goudreau

was to provide vital education and support to underserved communities and the Hospital Loma De Luz on how to thrive with diabetes. She was joined by Dr. D. Scott Covington, a general surgeon and specialized wound care physician at Halifax Health.

“This journey is not only about

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

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medical care but also embodies a deeply personal commitment to giving back and making a lasting impact through The Cornerstone Foundation,” Halifax Health stated in its press release. The Cornerstone Foundation is a Christian charitable organization formed in 1992 in response to a need to facilitate the construction and operation of a hospital-based Christian outreach on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, where there had been no accessible medical care within a day’s travel.

Tomoka Christian Church Pastor Joe Putting holds his book “We Said Yes.”

Photo by Alexis Miller

YOUR NEIGHBORS

All aglow

MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Aglow and ready to go, a record 153 runners and walkers gathered for the fifth annual Rotary Glow 5K on Saturday, March 16.

Participants checked in at the Cardinal Drive beach approach in Ormond Beach for the event.

As athletes stretched or took selfies before the start, others wore shirts that dared fellow participants to “Glow Hard or Glow Home.” The majority of runners and walkers sported florescent garb and glowin-the-dark accessories.

Alex Schumann, president of the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach, said he believes this year’s race had the most entrants since the event’s incep-

“If you love something, you should be involved in it. I was in the military and I feel like we love our country — we love our city — let’s be involved in it. You have to serve, right. It is important.”

tion. This year, they shared event information with local groups and athletic directors of local schools. Money raised by the 5K will help fund the club’s ongoing community projects.

“We are trying to be very active (in the community),” Schumann said. “This glow run is raising money for all of our projects. We have a fit loop around the Granada Bridge. We also have a grant this year called Dance for Wellness with Hope Place.”

The Rotary Club partnered with AdventHealth and the city of Ormond Beach to develop the Downtown Fit Loop, a fitness circuit installed at the four corners of Granada Bridge. It was divided into four phases with Fortunato Park being the first phase which has been completed. Currently, Rotary Club members have assembled the workout equipment for the Rockefeller and Bailey Riverbridge Gardens. They are coordinating with the city of Ormond Beach to schedule the equipment installation. The Glow 5K funds will be used to raise money for the final phase — Cassen Park.

This is the second year that South Daytona Beach resident Liz McCall has run in the Glow 5K and the first year for her friend, Ormond-bythe-Sea resident, Tammy Brown. McCall said she participates for fun and to “add a little extra exercise.”

“Why not (participate),” McCall said. “Rotary is a phenomenal organization, so being able to help support them, who support other organizations that maybe don’t have the funds, is phenomenal. You have to give back to your community.”

This year, the Rotary Club is using a Dance for Wellness grant with Hope Place to teach kids ballet as a tool to increase self esteem and self image. Randolyn O’Malia, lead public health learning strategist at Emory University, is running the program. They will be having a recital on Friday, March 22, in the Hope Place cafeteria.

“It’s a great program,” she said. “They’ve transformed that space (cafeteria) to do the dancing. They’ve added in some more arts and crafts and a lot of opportunities for the kids there to be able to expand their interests and learn a little bit more about the arts—really helping them grow.”

The Rotary Club’s next big fundraiser is The Long Table to be held Thursday, May 2, at Elaine and Dr. Ken Hawthorne’s house on the Hal-

GLOW 5K RESULTS

TOP MALE FINISHER — OVERALL

Solomon Lorenzo, 19:16.7

TOP FEMALE FINISHER

Michelle Mirti, 22:53.2

For more results:

ifax River in Ormond Beach. Local restaurants will provide a fivecourse dinner with wine pairings. According to a Rotary Club flyer, it is being touted as a luxurious dining event under the stars.

Jeff Steinberg volunteered to help at the Glow 5K and is currently on the Long Table committee. Fourteen years ago, he separated from the military and moved to Ormond Beach. He said he has been a Rotary Club volunteer for less than a year and does whatever they ask of him.

“If you love something, you should be involved in it,” he said. “I was in the military and I feel like we love our country — we love our city — let’s be involved in it. You have to serve, right. It is important.”

Christine Mueller and Katy Willier get ready to run in their second Rotary Glow 5K.

16-year-old Isabella Vargas starts the fifth annual Rotary Glow 5K.

Eight-year-old R. Shugart placed third in the males 1-9 year-old division.

Alex Schumann, president of the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach, and Rotary volunteer Jeff Steinberg, Mario

Solomon Lorenzo places first with a time of 19:18.

Tammy Brown and Liz McCall pose before the race. Photos by Michele Meyers

Jeff Steinberg, Rotary Club volunteer

Nonprofit helps kids, young adults, celebrate birthdays with new friends

Yes You’re Invited will hold its first Birthday Bash at Palm Coast Community Center on Sunday, and yes — you’re invited.

OBSERVER STAFF

After a successful opening event in December, Yes You’re Invited Inc. has announced its first Community Birthday Bash to be held 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Palm Coast Community Center.

The nonprofit Y2I2 was formed last year after the Kocher family saw a need for various groups of children and young adults to be included in social events, according to a press release.

Y212’s current mission is to throw birthday parties for kids and young adults who otherwise would not have the ability to come together with a group of peers to celebrate their special day. Although many of Y212’s participants have disabilities or special needs, that is not a requirement. “We want to help children and

YOUR TOWN

OVER 20 FLAGLER TEACHERS ATTEND STEM LEARNING EVENT

Utilizing an $11,000 Florida Power and Light grant that the Flagler County Education Foundation secured last year, Flagler Schools held a STEM training event for teachers on March 9.

The grant is a part of FPL’s Empowering STEM Educators program to increase teacher knowledge of effective math and science instructional practices that align with Florida Standards through peerto-peer learning of best practices within a school district. Heidi Alves, Flagler Schools’ teaching and learning specialist

young adults in our community feel accepted and make friends in an environment supporting inclusion,”

Rosanne Kocher said.

Y2I2 held an opening event for the community with a Holiday Party in December.

The idea came from the Kochers’ 10-year-old daughter, Annabelle, after her own birthday party included many new friends with unique challenges. She said, “I wish we could do that all the time.” So her parents, Chris and Rosanne said, “Why can’t we?”

At the time, Annabelle was participating in the Penguin Project, an organization that pairs participants with disabilities with non-disabled peers to produce theater productions. The Flagler Playhouse, a Penguin Project chapter, presented the play, “Annie Jr.”

Here, she met new friends to invite to her party. The Penguin Project was a large group, but the family didn’t want anyone to feel left out. She she also invited friends from Vincent’s Clubhouse, a local organization that supports children and young adults those with autism.

The party had a great turnout. The

for science, led Flagler’s Purposeful Learning Event at Buddy Taylor Middle School’s media center. Over 20 elementary and middle school teachers in the district were engaged in five lessons and took home $100 worth of teacher kits to implement those lessons in their classrooms.

Facilitators for the event were Alves, Allison Cencebaugh, Jamie Lambert, Marissa Blandeburgo, Tracy Jones, Katherine Acosta, Linda Schultz, Deawndra Huffman and Natalie Sonzogni-Muldoon.

DAYTONA BEACH BLUES SOCIETY TO HOST FIRST FUNDRAISING FESTIVAL

The Daytona Beach Blues Society is hosting the first Turkey Blues Fundraising Festival from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at Ormond Brewing Company, located at 301 Division Ave., Unit 15, in Ormond Beach.

The festival has free admission, but donations are encouraged. The Chase Academy for Kids with Autism and the Parkinson’s Association of Greater Daytona Beach are

the beneficiaries of this event. This event is sponsored in part by Young Corporation. Bring your own chairs and hear three bands perform during the eight-hour event. The schedule is as follows:

„ 1-3 p.m. — The Taylor Road Band „ 4-6 p.m. — Debbie D. and Vintage Now!

„ 7-9 p.m. — the Voodoo Monkeys Grammy Nominee Chance Gardner will also perform on the Garden Stage from 3-4 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.

diversity in the room was apparent: blindness, Down syndrome, autism, invisible disabilities and nondisabled peers. There was karaoke. One non-verbal girl sang with a friend in her own unique way. Others danced together. There was encouragement, excitement, happiness, and, most importantly, inclusion. In Annabelle’s words: “It was the best party ever!”

This inclusion is Y2I2’s goal for each party going forward. The first Birthday Bash will celebrate four special guests, who have birthdays this quarter. Those who may not otherwise be invited and included are also invited. It’s an open guest list for all to come and have a great time. The party will include music, subs and cake, a small egg hunt, social activities, mad libs, jokes that party goers can pick and tell and birthday card making stations.

Y2I2 is accepting applications for those with summer birthdays for the summer party. Go to www.y2i2.org or their Facebook page. Donations can also be made at either site.

VOLUSIA LIBRARIES OFFER SPRING INTO READING CHALLENGE

Volusia County Public Library card holders are invited to participate in a virtual Spring into Reading six-week reading challenge beginning Sunday, April 7. Readers can log their days read into the library’s reading platform, Beanstack, to earn virtual badges and entries into a prize drawing. Beanstack is a digital platform designed to help users track reading and log activities. Preregistration begins Monday, April 1, at https://volusialibrary.org or by visiting one of Volusia County Public Library’s 14 branches. Readers can also join and participate in the challenge any time between April 7 and May 18. Registered participants can also stop by any library branch to claim a small incentive during the challenge.

Annabelle Kocher (center) had an idea that led her parents, Chris and Rosanne, to start the non-profit, Yes You’re Invited. Courtesy photo

Facilitators at the Flagler’s Purposeful Learning Event: Allison Cencebaugh, Jamie Lambert, Marissa Blandeburgo, Tracy Jones, Katherine Acosta, Heidi Alves, Linda Schultz, Deawndra Huffman and Natalie Sonzogni-Muldoon. Courtesy photo

Crabs’ comeback

Seabreeze

flags down University for a 7-6 victory.

Seabreeze’s varsity flag football team beat University High School 7-6 in a home game on Wednesday, March 13, continuing the strong season for the Sandcrabs.

Sarah Noel Randolph caught a touchdown pass from Caya Asbille with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

Seabreeze followed the win with a 1-7 victory at Atlantic High the next day to improve to 7-3.

“We have been doing really well.

I think this team has a lot of capability to go far this year, and it’s the best squad we’ve had in a while,” said Seabreeze’s Carly McNerney, a senior slot receiver and corner/ rusher.

University scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter but missed the extra point.

Randolph’s touchdown catch tied the score, and McNerney ran in the extra point. The defense held on for the victory.

The Sandcrabs were runners-up in the Five Star Conference tournament on March 9 in DeLand.

Seabreeze defeated Deltona and Taylor to advance to the title game against Spruce Creek. 9.

But there is more to come for the team. The Sandcrabs have their next home game, as well as their senior night, scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, against St. John Lutheran of Ocala.

Senior middle linebacker Kalease Higgins looks over her shoulder before the play.

Sarah Noel Randolph celebrates her winning touchdown.

Quarterback Caya Asbille prepares to pass the ball.

Junior receiver/linebacker Camryn Chiumento plays defense. Photos by Emma Brugna

Junior Sophie Fabulich punts the ball.

Junior Ylan Phan dives for a pass.

Senior Carly McNerney plays slot receiver and cornerback and rusher.

She has been on the Sandcrabs’ varsity flag football team since her freshman year.

LINES

CRONK WINS SHOT

AT BOB HAYES

Flagler Palm Coast’s Colby Cronk won the shot put at the Bob Hayes Invitational in Jacksonville on March 16 with a new school record of 53 feet, 11 inches. Cronk broke his own record of 52-11.5 at the North Florida/South Florida Challenge a week earlier.

Cronk also finished second in discus at the Bob Hayes meet with a toss of 153-06. FPC’s Jack Gilvary and Summer Barnes were scholarship winners at the meet.

Flagler Palm Coast soccer trio signs national letters of intent

Flagler Palm Coast senior Savannah O’Grady already had a relationship with Eastern Florida State College women’s soccer coach Scott Carswell before O’Grady suffered an ACL tear this season.

Carswell helped the O’Gradys connect with the team’s doctor, who performed Savannah’s ACL reconstruction surgery and meniscus repair. At that point there was no doubt which school she would choose to continue her soccer career.

“That solidified that Coach Scott is all about helping me as a person rather than me as just a player,” she said.

O’Grady was one of three FPC girls soccer players to sign letters of intent on March 12 to play soccer in college. O’Grady signed with Eastern Florida State, which is a junior college; midfielder/forward Kaitlyn Steiner signed with Warner University, which competes on the NAIA level; and defender Samantha Jennings signed with Coker University, an NCAA Division II school.

O’Grady, a defensive midfielder, scored 11 goals in eight games before suffering the knee injury in a game at Matanzas on Dec. 5. The team’s “speaking captain,” O’Grady “continued leading from the sidelines,”

BIG WEEK FOR FPC’S NICK GROTH

Two days after winning two titles at the Five Star Conference boys weightlifting championships, Flagler Palm Coast senior Nick Groth broke three school records at a meet at Suwannee High School on March 15. Groth set records for 183 pounds in the clean and jerk (320 pounds), snatch (255) and Olympic total (575).

Groth won the Olympic and traditional championships in the 183-pound class at the Five Star meet on March 13 at Spruce Creek High School. He lifted a 550-pound Olympic total and a 595 traditional total with a 315-pound clean and jerk and 280-pound bench press. The Bulldogs placed fourth in

athletic director Scott Drabczyk said in introducing the three players at the school’s signing ceremony. She never missed a game, including the Bulldogs’ district championship contest on Jan. 31 — one day after her surgery in Orlando.

“I took my pain meds and made my way over (to Daytona State College),”

both the traditional and Olympic competitions at the conference meet. They also had a runner-up: Joseph Casanova in Olympic at 235 pounds. Seabreeze’s Ezra Williams (199 pounds, Olympic) and FPC’s Cody Strawster (119 pouds, Olympic and traditional) took home thirdplace medals.

THREE TATERS

AT JRB FOR SANDCRABS

Seabreeze hit three home runs in its 7-1 baseball win against Matanzas on March 15 at Jackie Robinson

Ballpark. Rustin Hurley and Noah Katsikos smacked solo homers, while Zane Barron hit a two-run shot. Micah Sanders pitched six shutout innings for the Sandcrabs.

she said. “I wouldn’t have missed it for nothing.”

The Bulldogs played their final 15 games without O’Grady, but her 11 goals still led the team at the end of the season.

Six weeks after her surgery, she started juggling a soccer ball again. After six months she hopes to be able

Sanders struck out 10, walked two and allowed two hits.

BUCS SHINE AT BIG D RELAYS

Mainland won the girls team title and finished second among boys teams at the Big D Relays in DeLand on March 16. Matanzas placed third among girls and fifth among boys. Seabreeze’s girls team was fifth and boys team sixth. Among the few individual events, Mainland’s Marquis McCants won the boys long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 5.25 inches; Seabreeze’s Hunter Shuler won the boys 1,600 with a time of 4:39.74; and Matanzas’ Jeffrey Powell won the boys triple jump at 42 feet, 2 inches.

to start shifting and cutting on a soccer field. She won’t be able to play in her freshman season, but she hopes to be back by spring training in 2025. All of her rehab and checkups with her surgeon will be in-house with her college, she said.

Steiner knows what it’s like to recover from a torn ACL. She had surgery on her right knee two years ago and didn’t feel like she was all the way back until this year. Steiner had seven goals and seven assists for FPC this season.

She said she chose Warner University in Lake Wales, partly because they offered her the most scholarship money and because it is close to home.

“I’m super family-oriented. It’s also a Christian school and that’s important to me,” Steiner said.

Jennings, who transferred from Seabreeze before the school year, said she is looking forward to continuing her soccer and academic career at Coker in Hartsville, South Carolina.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “They have a beautiful campus. The fields are amazing. I love the coach (Michael Donald). I’m ready to go.”

ROBINSON INVITED TO JR. NATIONAL TEAM CAMP

Matanzas freshman Henry Robinson Jr. is one of 10 freshmen and 65 basketball players overall to be invited to participate in the USA Men’s Jr. National Team Minicamp at the NCAA Final Four in Phoenix on April 4-7.

“This is definitely a proud papa moment,” said Henry Robinson Sr., Matanzas’ High’s head boys basketball coach and Henry Jr.’s dad. The 6-6 forward averaged 20.8 points and 9.8 rebounds this season.

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com

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Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

FPC soccer signees Samantha Jennings, Savannah O’Grady and Kaitlyn Steiner pose in front of the Bulldogs’ banner. Courtesy photo

FPC's Jack Gilvary and Summer Barnes were awarded college scholarships at the Bob Hayes Invitational.

Courtesy photo

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