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JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Volusia County lifts burn ban
Volusia County lifted its countywide burn ban on Monday, June 24.
The burn ban had been in effect since June 6.
Residents, the county stated in a press release, may resume burning activities that “comply with local regulations and Florida Forest Service guidelines.”
“Despite the lift, Volusia County Fire Rescue urges residents to continue exercising caution while conducting any burning activities,” the press release states. The county encourages residents to:
Never leave outdoor fires unattended, and always keep a reliable water source nearby.
Burn only yard waste and permissible materials as specified by local regulations.
Avoid burning on windy days to prevent unintended fire spread.
Maintain a 30-foot defensible space around your home by clearing away trash, dead vegetation, and leaves from yards, roofs, and gutters.
Exercise caution when grilling, camping, or discarding cigarettes.
Attending the city of Ormond Beach’s Independence Day Celebration?
Here’s what you need to know.
Ormond Beach will host its annual event from 8-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at Rockefeller Gardens, located at 26 Riverside Drive. The celebration will feature live music, food vendors and a firework show by Fireworks by Santore, starting at 9 p.m.
PARKING
Public parking will be available at three city lots:
City Hall at 30 S. Beach St.
The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive
Fortunato Park, 2 John Anderson Drive
The parking area on South Beach Street adjacent to Cassen Park will not be available, the city stated on its website. The parking area will be closed from midnight, Thursday, July 4, to midnight, Wednesday, July 5.
Looking for handicapped parking?The city will dedicate Bailey Riverbridge Gardens at 1 N. Beach St. for handicapped parking.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
The city will offer a free shuttle service to help event attendees cross the Granada Bridge.
The shuttle service will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the last shuttle departing Rockefeller Gardes at 9:45 p.m.
The pick-up and drop-off locations are:
Beach Street and Granada Boulevard, on the west side of the bridge
Riverside Drive ad Granada Boulevard, on the east side of the bridge
ROAD CLOSURES
Beginning at 7 p.m., the following
road sections will be closed:
South Beach Street, from West Granada Boulevard to Mound Avenue
Grove Street, from Tomoka Avenue to Division Avenue
New Britain Avenue at North Beach Street
REMINDERS
The city reminds residents that
the Fourth of July celebration is an alcohol-free event. Personal fireworks are also prohibited. Following the event, residents should expect heavy traffic congestion in the area.
City Hall and all non-emergency facilities will also be closed all day for July 4.
“For over two decades, you have exemplified the commitment that our department holds dear.” Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey on the retirement of Lt. Michelle Willis.
See Page 5A
The Ormond Beach Aviation Advisory Board has sent the Volusia County Council a latter of opposition regarding Belvedere Terminals’ proposed fuel farm project at 874 Hull Road, citing potential detriments to quality of life as well as safety threats.
“The proposed location of the project near the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport is particularly concerning, due to the volume of flight training by pilots using this facility,” Board Chair Joseph Wisniewski said in the June 6 letter. “The sizable presence of student pilots from the many local flight schools brings a degree of unpredictability to flight operations. With the introduction of a fuel farm so close, the potential dangers are undeniably amplified.”
The board asked the council to reject the fuel farm project and encouraged the project be relocated to an alternative site.
Ormond officers rescue kitten
Ormond Beach Community Service Officers helped rescue a kitten trapped in a car’s engine on May 30, according to a police incident report. Police responded to the 1500 block of San Marco Drive, where a woman’s husband reported he heard the kitten crying from under the hood of his car. Officers found the kitten, a male gray tabby, in a compartment behind the driver’s side headlight. The kitten was
Volunteers help build almost 250 vertical oyster gardens in resident-driven water quality initiative.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING
EDITOR
When Capt. Chuck Gleichmann first moved to Ormond Beach, he could walk to the end of his dock and still count the pebbles on the bottom of the Halifax River.
That’s how clear the water was 20 years ago, he said. Today, the water around his dock is more of a mustard color, Gleichmann said. You can no longer count the pebbles. It’s too murky.
“From a very selfish standpoint, I moved here so I could fish a couple to three days a week,” Gleichmann said. “Catch some fish and enjoy a beautiful environment. This is a beautiful place to live and it’s really a shame to have the water quality deteriorate the way that it has.”
That’s why a group of Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea residents, including Gleichmann, are taking a collective first step to help clean the Halifax River. How? By installing vertical oyster gardens — 600 of them, all on private docks.
A STEP TOWARD CLEAN WATER
Earlier this year, Gleichmann, an avid fisherman, had read an article in the Florida Sportsman magazine about how oyster gardens had improved the water quality in Tampa Bay. He spoke with the magazine’s editorin-chief, who put him in contact with the reporter.
The more he read about oyster gardens, the more Gleichmann, a lifetime member of the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, said he thought they could help locally. He ran the concept by both the CCA and his contacts at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience in St. Augustine, who provided him with enough guidance that he felt comfortable reaching out to Edee Dalke,
river, but as the publisher of the newsletter, she saw an opportunity to help spread the word about oyster gardens.
“I read that article, and [Gleichmann] just said, ‘What do you think?’” Dalke said. “I just wrote back, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’”
On June 1, 22 residents crammed into Gleichmannn’s living room after reading and answering the newsletter’s call for volunteers to help with the “Oysters for Ormond” initiative.
At that meeting, Logan Kennovin, CCA assistant director of Habitat and Environmental Restoration, educated the residents on how vertical oyster gardens help clean the river. But, he also revealed to the residents that the best time to install the vertical oyster gardens was now, as June to August is prime time to recruit oyster larvae, known as spat.
The spat attach themselves to recycled oyster shells and grow into new live oysters. An adult live oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, Kennovin said.
“It’s not a one-time solution to fixing water quality in the Halifax River, but it’s a large step to raising awareness of the problem and getting the community engaged in creating a solution — in finding a solution,” Kennovin said.
The residents planned a workday immediately. On the morning of Saturday, June 22, a total of 61 people came out to River Lily Inn in Holly Hill to wash, drill and assemble recycled oyster shells to create vertical oyster garden kits.
The volunteers made 248 kits that morning — drilling about 12,400 oysters, as each kit is made up of 50 shells.
Dalke told the Observer that they ran out of oysters, but that more workdays are planned to reach their goal of installing 600 vertical oyster gardens in Ormond Beach. As the effort is sponsored, Ormond dock owners are receiving the kits for free.
“We’re not doing this for any other community, but we hope very strongly that other communities will say, ‘Well, we want gardens on our docks,’” Dalke said.
The initiative is sponsored in part by West Marine, CCI, Stroll Ormond Beach Waterfront, River Lily Inn, Keys Deck and Dock, Custom Built Docks, Spa’s Etc, Carpet Color and Tile, local attorney Mel Stack and private donations.
LOCAL INTEREST
CCA launched its vertical oyster garden program about a year ago. Since then, Kennovin said it has drawn a lot of interest from local communities because of its hands-on aspect.
The Ormond initiative will be CCA’s fourth project in the program — and when completed, the largest to date.
One thing residents should keep in mind is that the vertical oyster gardens are a small-scale restoration project. However, if a resident has several hanging from their dock, they will see a change in water quality and clarity over time in their small area, Kennovin said, as well as an increase in biodiversity.
“Oyster reefs are essentially the coral reefs of estuaries, and they provide habitat for a number of sessile and invertebrates and other marine species, which then will begin to attract the larger predators as these little crabs and little shrimp and minnows and whatnot begin to burrow and hide themselves within the established vertical oyster garden,” he said.
That will in turn attract larger predators, such as sheepshead, redfish, black drum and others.
Community engagement and awareness is huge, Kennovin said.
“It’s awesome to see how much initial interest we got in this project throughout the community, and how engaged everyone has been and excited to come out and create these vertical oyster gardens and get them in the water,” he said.
‘WE’RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE’
Gleichmann has three vertical oyster gardens hanging off his docks.
At the June 1 meeting, when Kennovin was explaining how the gardens worked, he pulled one out from the water and all those in attendance could see the baby oysters clinging to the recycled shells.
His vertical oyster gardens have been hanging off his dock for about two months. Tiny blue claw crabs have already moved in.
“Pretty excited about all of it,” Gleichmann said. “It looks like it’s going to be viable and we’ve gotten a really, really great response from our local citizens up and down the river.”
He’s hoping the residents will be able to raise enough awareness about their efforts to get the attention of local governments, which may motivate them to start project to help improve the river’s water quality, as well as inspire other communities to follow in their footsteps.
Everyone who has lived along the river, or lived in the area for a long time, has seen what’s happened to the Halifax River’s water quality. Getting involved in the vertical oyster garden initiative, he said, is an opportunity to make an impact.
“We’re just trying to make a difference,” Gleichmann said.
Vertical oyster gardens could also serve as indicators of where oyster spat recruitment is highest, Kennovin said. That may help determine which areas of the river would work best for larger scale oyster restoration projects.
Dalke said she’s “extremely passionate” about the initiative.
“And it’s so simple,” she said. “It’s just so natural and simple. We’re not doing anything except using nature to do what it does best.”
Want to participate in an upcoming workday or acquire a vertical oyster garden for your dock? Visit the Oysters for Ormond page on Facebook.
“It’s not a one-time solution to fixing water quality in the Halifax River, but it’s a large step to raising awareness of the problem and getting the community engaged in creating a solution — in finding a solution.”
LOGAN KENNOVIN, CCA assistant director of Habitat and Environmental Restoration
THE SCIENCE BEHIND VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS
CCA has three different oyster bars and restaurants that donate the shells after serving oysters to customers.
CCA collects the shells and then stores them at its recycling facilities. The shells must sit out for 90 days, at minimum, to kill bacteria or other organisms, but CCA typically let them dry for six
Property insurance and social media bills top his lists of recent accomplishments, he says.
Paul Renner, who has represented Flagler County in the Florida House of Representatives since 2015, including the past two as speaker of the house, got a standing ovation as a thank you on June 19, after he addressed the Flagler Tiger Bay Club. He has reached his term limit, so will be replaced in this year’s election cycle.
“You are there in Tallahassee representing us all,” said Marc Dwyer, who is on the club’s Board of Directors. “What you have done, and what you have appropriated and used your influence to get has been nothing short of historic, and on behalf of all of our community and our Tiger Bay, I want to give you a sincere thank you.”
During his remarks to the club, Renner touted progress in curtailing property insurance prices, as well as a new law to give parents more control over their children’s social media use, as two successes in the most recent legislative session.
While much work has been done to address soaring property insurance in Florida, it will take time before residents see reductions in rates, he said.
Among the new laws is a renewal of $200 million in the My Safe Florida Home fund, which gives property owners up to $10,000 in matching funds to harden their homes in hurricane protection. Visit https:// mysafeflhome.com/.
Renner was instrumental in promoting a law this year that, among other things, prohibits children under the age of 14 from having social media accounts.
“The social media bill is probably the most important thing I’ll ever work on in public life,” he said.
A study of adolescent health by the Centers for Disease Control concluded: “In 2021, almost 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year and nearly 25% made a suicide plan.”
Those statistics alarmed Renner and motivated him to take action, he said. The law has been controversial because of potential free-speech challenges, but he believes the law will withstand legal scrutiny because it doesn’t limit speech, only “addictive technology.”
To increase affordability in general, the state also made many babyrelated items, such as strollers, permanently tax-free. Business rent tax was also reduced.
With regard to protecting the environment, Renner praised a gambling deal with the Seminole tribe, which will provide the state with $750 million annually to buy environmentally sensitive land and distribute grants to improve water treatment.
months before deploying them for restoration projects.
A vertical oyster garden is made up of 40-50 recycled shells attached to recycled rope or stainless steel wire.
Once deployed underwater, oyster larvae, commonly known as spat, attach themselves to the shells and begin to grow new live oysters.
One oyster can purify 50 gallons of water a day.
Water treatment is essential, but it’s often neglected by local governments, he said.
“It’s a lot sexier to show up with a big check for a community center,” Renner said. “It’s not sexy to worry about the pipes that run underneath our homes.”
The new funding, he said, “is a fantastic opportunity for local governments.”
Felicita & Faustina hosts classes for rug tufting, sewing, sandal-making, and other crafts for kids and adults.
ferent mission: bring diverse crafts to Ormond and Daytona Beach.
Felicita & Faustina hosts classes for rug tufting, sewing, sandal-making, and other crafts for kids and adults. Sanchez, of Ormond-by-theSea, was inspired to create the studio by her paternal and maternal grandmothers, two individuals from the Dominican Republic who share her love for crafts.
time to their community. With her new pop-up studio shop, Felicita & Faustina, she seeks a dif-
Sanchez teaches each class alongside the support of her mother-in-law, Fabiola Peraza, who assists her in teaching. Both Sanchez and Peraza guide the students while still allowing each person creative
freedom.
Individuals who participate in Sanchez’s rug tufting classes are able to choose whatever design they wish to transform into a rug. Then, they send the outline to Sanchez to create the rug prior to the class, which acts as their guide. The class is typically three to four hours, depending on the intricacy of the rug’s design, and the students choose their own colors and make the rug personal to them.
“You get to bring your personality out,” Sanchez said. “And these are rugs that you could put on the floor of your house or the wall, and you’re like, ‘I made that.’”
Aside from rug tufting, Felicita & Faustina host different exciting classes at Ripple Coworking, generally once each month during the summer. However, once the school year begins again, the classes are slated to occur more often, usually on the weekend. Some examples of the classes offered include sewing classes for kids, candle making for adults, sip night where adults can sip and rug tuft, as well as brunch and rug tufting.
Sanchez explains that by attending these different classes, she hopes people will remember that we are all artistic and creative.
“Sometimes we don’t stop
to pause and let that creative side through, and when you’re creative, you don’t realize how much it opens other things,” Sanchez said.
As the founder of Dear God Are We There Yet, Sanchez said that a nonprofits needs two things: time and money.
“I wanted to set that it’s not mine — it’s the community’s,” Sanchez said.
Being from the Dominican Republic, Sanchez said she values diversity and culture.
Through her nonprofit and Felicita & Faustina, she wishes to share her Afro-Latina roots to her crafts and clients.
Sanchez also has a blog, MamasDinero.com, where she teaches budgets and investing in rentals. She explains how,
as a Latina, many lack knowledge in budgeting, finances, or investing, and by being a marketing strategist for 20 years, she wishes to share her knowledge and help people better understand one’s financial life.
We are always evolving as people, Sanchez said, but we should never forget who we are. That’s why she said she always talks about her culture on her blog.
“It’s very important to me, and I want other little girls and little boys to see that,” Sanchez said. “I want other businesses to understand that diversity is important and that everyone should feel welcomed.”
Willis joined the Ormond Beach Police Department in 2002 and has been instrumental in helping the department with mental health and wellness awareness.
The Ormond Beach Police Department celebrated the retirement of Lt. Michelle Willis on Friday, June 21.
Willis joined OBPD in 2002 as a community service officer, according to Chief Jesse Godfrey’s remarks. In 2003,
she began her law enforcement career.
Through her two decades with the department, she worked as a patrol officer, community outreach officer, DARE instructor, accreditation manager, criminal investigations unit corporal, evidence unit liaison, patrol sergeant, records supervisor, field training officer, administrative sergeant and patrol lieutenant.
“When we think of dedication, integrity and service, your name is among the first to come to mind,” Godfrey said during the celebration.
“For over two decades, you have exemplified the commitment that our department holds dear. You have been a steadfast protector, and a compassionate presence in
our community.”
Willis also worked as a mental health and wellness coordinator for OBPD. The department is in the process of rolling out access to Cordico’s Officer Wellness app, an effort in which Willis was instrumental.
“Your career has been marked by numerous accomplishments and milestones,” Godfrey said. “From your early days as a patrol officer to your ascension to the rank of lieutenant, you have consistently demonstrated professionalism. Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping the department, and your impact will be felt for years to come.”
The OBPD Foundation gave Willis $500 in honor of her retirement.
A loss of almost 900 students may pose budget strains.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Volusia County Schools’ student enrollment went down by 897 students in the 20232024 school year, a change the district’s chief financial officer called “concerning” when planning next year’s budget.
During a preliminary budget presentation to the School Board on Tuesday, June 25, CFO Todd Seis said that the district was initially counting on a 58,000 student enrollment count for the 2024-2025 school year. However, the district’s enrollment calculation found that enrollment went down to around 57,100 students by June 4, down from around 58,050 on July 19, 2023, meaning funds need to be repaid to the state.
As student enrollment in public schools went down, enrollment in charter schools increased from about 2,980 students on July 19, 2023, to about 3,560 on June 4.
If the district does not reach an enrollment of 58,000 students by next school year, Seis said, the current estimated $24.6 million slated to fund traditional and virtual programs will need to be distributed to other areas — teacher salary increases, the state-mandated Safe Schools and Mental Health Assistance Allocations, to name a few — as state funding dollars decrease overall.
“We want to hit that 58,000 number because I already appropriated all the funds,” Seis said.
School Board member Ruben Colon called the funding issue “the perfect storm.”
“Between the ESSER funding going away, continued unfunded mandates —which just keep coming — an attack on Home Rule like never before, attempts to make elections partisan, School Choice options that are choking public schools — which is the goal — attacks on labor unions, attacks on our students, property values go up, the legislature brings the millage down, so we’re not able to collect anything more yet we have to advertise that as a tax increase though the required local effort millage is going down,” Colon said. “A lot of folks ask, ‘Well, why are we doing the things that we’re doing, cutting back where we’re cutting back... The answer is because we saw this coming.”
Over the past four years, VCS used a portion of its $223.5 million of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, known as ESSER, for reoccurring costs. In 2022, the district projected this would result in a $50 million budget deficit by fiscal year 2026.
In April, VCS Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said cuts would be made at the school and district level for the 2024-2024 school year as a result, and as of Tuesday, Balgobin said 23 district personnel positions have been eliminated, and their duties redistributed. Six roles — including deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent and chief of human resources — have been reclassified, resulting in a “significant cost savings.”
Four district positions have been displaced due to the ending of grant dollars, and two construction project manager positions were merged into one specialist position.
This has resulted in $2.3 million in savings, Balgobin
“A strong public education will always be the great equalizer ... It’s why I will be resilient to our costs each and every day.”
CARMEN BALGOBIN, VCS Superintendent
said.
“A strong public education will always be the great equalizer,” she said. “It’s why I do what I do. It’s why I will be resilient to our costs each and every day. It’s about kids.”
The school district’s general fund operating budget is mainly funded by the Florida Education Finance Program, which provides districts with funding on a per-student basis. Based on a 58,000 enrollment, Volusia’s FEFP funding was preliminarily projected to increase by $44.8 million, mostly due to base student funding, which is increasing by 3.72% this upcoming fiscal year.
The district’s millage rate will be advertised at a tentative 5.38 mills, or $5.38 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. The rate, while above rollback, is .54% less than last year’s rate of 5.409 mills.
To increase student enrollment, Chief Operating Officer Patty Corr said staff have collaborated on a “comprehensive communication strategy.”
“The strategy involves communicating to parents and highlighting the advantages and successes of all our programs across all of our schools and the exceptional dedication of our teachers and staff,” Corr said. “It reflects a unified message from our entire team, highlighting why Volusia County Public Schools is the best choice for children.”
JUNE 2 CAR WAX
12:56 p.m. — 200 block of South Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach Criminal mischief. A 68-year-old Ormond Beach woman called police after her car was vandalized with green candle wax at local hotel.
It was not the first time, according to an incident report. The woman, who works at the hotel, told police that in 2020, she parked her vehicle in the same spot and found red candle wax staining its rear. She said she had an issue with a guest staying in one of the hotel rooms over three years prior and suspected the guest was the culprit.
Police spoke with the guest, a timeshare owner of the hotel, who denied damaging the woman’s vehicle. The woman told police she was checking the hotel’s policy to see if the guest could be trespassed.
No video surveillance was found showing the guest vandalizing the woman’s car, police report.
JUNE 15
MOOD SWINGS
12 a.m. — Intersection of Banyan Drive and North Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach DUI. Police arrested a 26-year-old Ormond Beach man for driving under the influence after he was spotted going 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. According to his arrest report, police first spotted him going over the Granada bridge with his vehicle’s lights off. Police initiated a traffic stop after seeing him speed. Upon the reporting officer’s arrival, he noted the man’s speech was slurred and that he smelled of alcohol. There was also an open container of alcohol in the cupholder.
Police asked him to step out of the vehicle. The man asked why. He eventually exited, but declined to speak to police without an attorney. He performed a series of field sobriety exercises, which he failed. While completing them, police report, the man was “up and down with his moods toward officers,” tell-
ing them they didn’t know what they were doing, and then apologizing for his actions.
He was taken to jail.
JUNE 20
TRAFFIC STOPPER
9:18 a.m. — first block of Boulder Rock Drive, Palm Coast Resist officer, fail to obey. A Palm Coast man was arrested for blocking traffic as he stopped in the street to accuse a Sheriff’s Office deputy in the middle of a traffic stop of blocking traffic.
The deputy heard someone yelling at him as he was talking to the driver he pulled over. Turning around, he saw a man driving a red Toyota stopped in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, according to an arrest report.
The Toyota driver asked the deputy if he was stupid and told him he needed to move the traffic stop somewhere else because he was blocking the road. The deputy asked the man to keep driving because the man was actually the one blocking traffic.
When the man refused, the deputy told him to pull over. Instead, the man drove off, the report said. The suspect was pulled over minutes later by another deputy and arrested for leaving the scene of a traffic stop.
MACARONI SALAD TANTRUM
6:30 p.m. — 1000 block of South State Street, Bunnell Assault, shoplifting. A woman stealing a $2.79 macaroni salad from a grocery store began trashing the place when she was caught.
A store clerk caught the woman stuffing a macaroni salad container in her bag and try to leave the store, according to the suspect’s arrest report. The clerk told the suspect she needed to put the salad back.
The suspect threw the salad back on the shelves and then began knocking things off shelves and throwing things around the store.
When the clerk tried to get her to stop, the suspect picked up a metal rack and hit the clerk with it.
The suspect took off, but police officers who arrived on the scene later viewed the surveillance footage and recognized her from previous interactions. The suspect was found the next day and arrested.
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The group distributed illegal narcotics to dealers in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and other cities.
OBSERVER STAFF
A major drug trafficking ring that law enforcement reports is responsible for dealing fentanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine in Volusia County has been dismantled in a series of raids and arrests.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office reported on its Facebook page that the ringleaders and most of the 38 defendants identified in the eightmonth investigation were arrested on Thursday, with the remaining to
Palm Coast man indicted for firstdegree murder after two-year investigation into overdose death
After a two-year-long investigation, a Palm Coast man has been indicted on first-degree murder in the overdose death another Palm Coast resident.
In February 2022, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at 17 Blasdell Court for an overdose death of a Palm Coast resident. During the investigation and using various investigative, forensic and toxicology techniques, detectives determined that Brian Pirraglia, 42, of Palm Coast, sold drugs laced with fentanyl to the victim resulting in a fatal overdose, a FCSO press release said.
After two years of investigating, on June 14, Pirraglia was indicted by a Flagler County Grand Jury for first-degree murder by unlawful distribution of a controlled substance,
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be arrested in the days to come.
“It takes a team effort to bring down a drug trafficking organization like this, and that’s exactly what we did in this investigation,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said of the operation, which involved about a dozen local, state and federal agencies. “Today we put a bunch of drug dealers in jail and made a major dent in the fentanyl, heroin and meth supply in our community. But we know our work is never done, and we have to pick it right back up tomorrow.”
The trafficking ring was led by Toure Wilder, Bobby Wilder, Khyree Isaac and Allen Messer, according to VSO, which reports the group distributed illegal narcotics to dealers in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Deltona and Pomona Park in Putnam County.
The investigation was led by the
the press release said. Pirraglia was served the indictment at the county jail where he is incarcerated for a warrant for order to show cause –contempt of court.
A Bunnell man has been arrested charges after his daughter ate a marijuana blunt while at his home.
Cody Robert Spiegelhalter, 26, of Bunnell was arrested on June 23 and has been charged with child neglect. Spiegelhalter drove his infant daughter, of unknown age, to the AdventHealth Palm Coast hospital after she had eaten half a marijuana blunt while staying with him at his house on Saturday, June 22, according to Spiegelhalter’s arrest report.
Spiegelhalter told a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy that it was his visitation weekend with his daughter. He said he was rolling a blunt of marijuana at around 7:30 p.m. and went to the bathroom, leaving the
Volusia Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, and evidence seized included more than a kilogram of fentanyl, over 19 pounds of meth, 69 grams of cocaine, and various pieces of equipment used to manufacture and package drugs for sale.
During one of the raids in Daytona Beach, VSO reported, 75 grams of fentanyl were found in a baby diaper. Partners in the investigation included the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; the DeLand, Edgewater, Holly Hill, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and Port Orange police departments; VSO’s Overdose Task Force, and others.
blunt unattended near the infant, the report said.
When he came back, he said half of the blunt was gone and marijuana residue was on the floor next to his daughter, the report said. Soon after, Spiegelhalter said, she began acting “abnormally” and “not like herself.” That’s when he called the girl’s mother and drove his daughter to the hospital.
The girl was then transported to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville after he started having seizures and other medical complications, the report said. The girl’s uncle, a Flagler Beach resident, called police on June 23 when he heard why his niece was in the hospital.
The deputy looked through Spiegelhalter’s home and found feces and urine from Spiegelhalter’s animals on the floor throughout the home and around 20 grams of marijuana in plain view and in easy reach of a child.
Spiegelhalter remains at the Flagler County jail and could be facing additional drug possession charges, the arrest report said.
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Avelo celebrates one year at Daytona Beach airport
Avelo Airlines celebrated its one-year anniversary of service at the Daytona Beach International Airport on Friday, June 21.
Avelo passegers traveling between DAB and Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut were greeted with a celebration and gift certificates to several pizzerias in New Haven, as the town was honored last month as “The Pizza Capital of the United States” at a special ceremony at the Capitol.
“This milestone is a validation of the airline’s commitment to growth at DAB and industry-leading affordability, reliability and convenience Avelo has introduced to Daytona Beach-area travelers,” a press release stated.
DAB Airport Director Kare Feaster said in the press release that the airport is excited to be celebrating its first year of service with Avelo.
“The greater New York area has traditionally been one of our top markets for air service and these Avelo flights to/from New Haven to Daytona Beach have proven that Daytona Beach is its own destination, and travelers will support new service,” Feaster said. Since the airline began service at
New chief clinical officer appointed for AdventHealth East Florida Division
The AdventHealth East Florida Division has selected Dr. Andrew Weinfeld to serve as the new Chief Clinical Officer effective July 8. The division includes seven hospitals in Daytona Beach, DeLand,
Dr. Indira Álvarez, Clinical Director & Owner Palm Coast Hearing Center
At our Hearing Center, one of the most common complaints we hear from patients is that their ears itch; for some, the itching is so intense that they will put all kinds of objects in their ears to scratch…bobby pins, pencils, even toothpicks or coat hangers! Studies estimate that up to 6-12% of people experience itchy ears at some point in their lives. Your ears may become itchy for any number of reasons. One of the most common causes is an earwax impaction, affecting approximately 10% of children and 5% of adults globally. “Swimmer’s ear” caused by an overly humid environment in the ear canal is also every common, affecting 4 in 1,000 people a year, and is more prevalent in the summer. Here in Florida, it is “summer” 10 months out of the year, so we see this very often. If you wear hearing aids, you also have less airflow to the ear so humidity can become trapped in the ear canal, and also cause discomfort. Proper cleaning and disinfection of your hearing aids on a daily basis is an important preventive measure to guard against ear infections, especially in the summer when we sweat so much. Skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema can also occur in the ear canal. The beginnings of a fungal or bacterial infection can also present initially with itching in the ears. People who suffer from allergies will also often complain not only of itchy eyes and a runny
DAB one year ago, Avelo has flown almost 50,000 customers on nearly 350 flights, according to the press release.
After 14 years of serving homebuyers and sellers, Parkside Realty Group’s broker/owner Sam Perkovich has sold the company to realtor Lauren McPherson as of June 1. Perkovich will continue to contribute to the Palm Coast company as a broker/associate,
Orange City, New Smyrna Beach, Palm Coast and Tavares.
Weinfeld has 13 years of experience served as a general surgeon before taking on leadership roles.
“We are incredibly excited to have Dr. Weinfeld join our team,” said Audrey Gregory, executive vice president and CEO for the AdventHealth East Florida Division. “We are confident that his leadership will help us continue to deliver the exceptional, compassionate care that our community depends on.”
Flagler County is inviting those who may be interested in having a res-
a press release stated.”I am thrilled to take over Parkside Realty Group,” McPherson said. “Having lived in Flagler County for over three decades, I am deeply committed to this community. I look forward to continuing Sam’s legacy of excellence and providing outstanding service to our clients.”
McPherson is a second-generation realtor whose passion for real estate began from watching her mother design and sell houses and her father build luxury custom homes.
Parkside opened is doors in 2010 and currently has 15 real estate agents on staff, including a certified commercial investment member). Parkside Realty Group is located at 145 City Place, Palm Coast.
The Philippine American Association of Palm Coast celebrated the 126th anniversary of the Philippine’s Independence Day with a cultural celebration.
The PAAPC, a nonprofit that has been active in Palm Coast for since 1992, hosts the celebration every year.
The Philippines won its independence from Spain in 1898 and, since 1978, has celebrated the national holiday on June 12.
PAAPC President Raymond Wheeler said the celebration was well attended,
taurant and business model apply for the upcoming concession restaurant at Bull Creek Campground.
The proposed concession building is 3,600 square feet, with a 2,400 square-foot interior and 960 square-foot kitchen. Those interested should complete the “Request for Statements of Qualifications” process by 2 p.m. July 8, a Flagler County press release said.
The county is looking to lease the restaurant site long-term, for three to five years, with an option to renew, General Services Director Mike Dickson said.
“The selected concessionaire will be expected to provide a quality, unique food service that compliments the campground and Bull Creek Park atmosphere,” Dickson said. Utilities such as water, sewer,
with many members dress in cultural clothes and participating in Filipino folklore dances, called the Tiboli and Jovencita dances.
“We have a different [dance] almost every year that’s a Filipino culture one,” he said.
The celebration was also used as a way to introduce the PAAPC’s new board members.
The PAAPC works as a nonprofit, contributing charitable donations to local charities and hosting community events throughout the year, Wheeler said.
Much of the members at the PAAPC are older now, Wheeler said, and he would love to see the younger generation of Filipinos in Palm Coast and Flagler County join the organization to celebrate their roots and ties to both
electricity, and gas are available and will be the sole responsibility of the selected concessionaire. Building completion is expected in February 2025, the press release said.
The kitchen will be equipped with a walk-in cooler, a walk-in freezer, a fryer, a griddle, a char broiler, a double-deck convection oven, a burner range, and other miscellaneous kitchen equipment.
The Flagler County Purchasing Division only utilizes www.VendorLink.com for notification of business opportunities and for obtaining all solicitation documents, addenda, correspondences, and notices for this solicitation, the press release said.
Responses must be delivered to the Flagler County Procurement Division at 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, 3rd Floor in Bunnell
Filipino and American cultures.
But its not just Filipinos who can join in, Wheeler said. The PAAPC is happy to welcome anyone to join the organization and celebrate at its events, whether they are Filipinos or not, he said.
It is even part of the nonprofit’s mission statement: together with the Filipino and non-Filipino communities
“... we hope to keep our culture strong and vibrant as well as share it with our neighbors in our adoptive beautiful city of Palm Coast.”
“My mission is to preserve our rich culture and traditions while embracing our adopted American ones, all while ensuring we have fun in the process,” Wheeler said. “We Filipinos are known for our joyous spirit, a trait that runs deeply in our Pinoy blood.”
and they must be time stamped by a Financial Services Department representative before the due date and time.
Oral history project seeks volunteers
Lawson Glasergreen, board member of the Flager County Cultural Council, is looking for oral history project participants from each municipality in Flagler County, to capture the significance of arts, culture and history of the community. “Art, culture and history keeps you vibrant as a human being,” Glasergreen said.
For more information, email aarthouse@hotmail.com. Please add in the subject line “FC3 Oral history project.”
nose, but also of itching in the ears. Scratching, although it feels good, can make the problem worse- when you scratch you create small abrasions or tears in the sensitive skin in the ear canal, which can allow bacteria in and lead to infection.
If your ear has not had trauma or an infection, you can try using one to two drops of extra virgin olive oil in each ear canal every night until the symptoms subside. The skin in the ear can become dry which can lead to itching, so the use of a mild natural lubricant like olive oil can replenish the moisture and improve your symptoms. Also, it is important to have proper ear hygiene- clean your ears thoroughly with a washcloth every time you bathe, and do not use ear swabs deep in the canal; stick to the outer ear and do not use alcohol or peroxide as these can over-dry the skin and disrupt the pH balance in the ear canal. Avoiding over-cleaning with cotton swabs can reduce the preva-
lence of itchy ears by up to 25% . If you are still having symptoms, seek medical advice. Call your audiologist or primary care physician so they can rule out any other causes and prescribe treatment if necessary. If you produce a lot of wax, schedule regular ear cleanings to prevent build-up and possible infections- at our Hearing Center, we have special training and equipment to make the process painless and quick! If you are a swimmer, make sure you are using well fitting ear plugs to prevent moisture from accumulating in the canal; and disinfect the plugs after every use. Try getting custom made hypoallergenic plugs, for the best fit and seal. We do custom ear plugs of all kinds, from swimmers plugs to noise protection plugs at our Hearing Center as well!
Itchy ears don’t have to be a part of life! If you are suffering, call and make an appointment today, we can help!
At Palm Coast Hearing Center, our mission is to not only provide the best quality hearing care possible, but also to educate the community and help all patients make informed decisions so they can get the care they need and deserve. Want to learn more about hearing health? Visit our website at palmcoasthearingcenter.com and click the “About” button, then “Helpful Articles”. You can also schedule an appointment online. We also have a second location to serve you in Ormond Beach at www. ormondhearingcenter.com.
Ahouse at 47 Sea Gull Drive in the Seabridge subdivision in Ormond-by-the-Sea was the top real estate transaction for May 2-8 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. The home sold on May 8 for $680,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/2, and has one fireplace, a pool and 1,571 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $635,000.
GRANT MCMILLAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condo
The condo at 1155 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 1104, sold on May 6 for $335,000. Built in 1971, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,065 square feet. It sold in 1987 for $120,000.
The condo at 2290 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 5080, sold on May 7 for $360,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,121 square feet. It sold in 1993 for $95,000.
Ormond Beach
Ann Rustin Estates
for $18,000.
The home at 281 Lincoln Avenue sold on May 8 for $70,000. Built in 1929, the house is a 1/1 and has 540 square feet.
Pine Trails The home at 5 Inverray Court sold on May 3 for $409,900. Built in 2002, the house is 3/2 and has a pool and 2,077 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $165,371.
The Kistemaker Business Law Group Summer Internship program is welcoming a new class of students.
The program, now in its 12th year, the program
tennis player and is dual enrolled at University of Florida. He also volunteers with local organizations such as Provision Packs and a local free clinic.
Halifax Plantation
The home at 1306 Asher Court sold on May 6 for $347,500. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,684 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $291,900.
The home at 3105 Bailey Ann Drive sold on May 7 for $420,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet.
The home at 3416 Rexford Circle sold on May 8 for $475,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,719 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $428,500.
The home at 117 Ann Rustin Drive sold on May 2 for $590,900. Built in 1968, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,281 and 1,707 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $340,000.
Rio Vista The home at 926 S. Beach St., sold on May 7 for $545,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,876 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $340,000.
Royal Dunes The home at 167 Royal Dunes Blvd. sold on May 3 for $442,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool and 1,700 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $150,000.
The Trails The home at 146 Pine Cone Trail sold on May 8 for $200,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 1,664 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $180,000.
Tomoka Estates The home at 1036 Shockney Drive sold on May 8 for $435,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/1.5 and has a boat dock, boat lift and 1,124
Bethune-Cookman University will make history in June 2025 by being the first historically Black college and university to host the Southern Association for Women Historians Triennial Conference.
The four-day summit will be held at the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute for the Study of Women and Girls, and will address “Unspeakable Challenges” females encounter as working professionals and caretakers.
“Not only will this be a safe space to have timely conversations aimed at affecting real change,” said Dr. Crystal A. deGregory, director of the Bethune Institute and
conference coordinator, “but it’s also an amazing opportunity to join with the Southern Association for Women Historians to mark the 150th anniversary of Dr. Bethune’s birthday and her relentless pursuit of education, equity and empowerment.”
Organizers are currently accepting proposals from professors, graduate students, historians, teachers, community advocates and independent scholars to present research and/or participate as a panelist on topics including gender equity, body image, food and housing, healthy relationships and maternal wellness.
“It’s clear that Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy lives on today, and it’s my hope that hosting the Triennial Conference ensures that her light continues guiding us toward a brighter future,” said Dr. William Berry, acting president and provost at B-CU.
“We absolutely love welcoming our students,” said Erum Kistemaker, the firm’s managing attorney and shareholder. “It is a sincere pleasure to help them grow and to mentor them as they navigate the practice areas within the Firm. This experience helps truly prepare them for success and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their bright futures.”
The SAWH Triennial Conference will be held from June 19-22, 2025. For more information, including how to submit proposals, visit TheSAWH.org. To learn more about the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute for the Study of Women and Girls, visit TheBethuneInstitute.org.
Email Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@observerlocalnews. com
Jason Leslie writes that he was one of the first to propose the fuel terminal project be relocated.
JASON LESLIE GUEST WRITER
The big talk of the city of Ormond Beach in the news again is a proposed massive fuel tank storage facility. The governor signed a bill last week for a grant allowing up to 10 million dollars to help relocate the project.
The current proposed location is on Hull Road, just over the unincorporated side of the city line.
Celebrating community commitment this upcoming Fourth of July
Dear Editor,
As the postmaster of Ormond Beach, I am writing to express the unwavering commitment of our postal staff to serving our wonderful community. With the 4th of July approaching, a time when we celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we cherish, it is also a fitting moment to reflect on the values that bind us together.
The Postal Service has been an integral part of American life for centuries, connecting people across vast distances, facilitating communication and commerce. Here in Ormond Beach, my team and I take immense pride in continuing
Neighborhood Scoop, Fern and Fable team up for reading challenge
Neighborhood Scoop Ice Cream and Boba Tea is joining forces with Fern and Fable Books this summer to encourage local children to read. Kids who read seven books between June and August can get a free small cup or cone at Neighborhood Scoop, plus a free book at Fern and Fable. Reading logs can be picked up from either business.
Amanda Frick, who owns Neighborhood Scoop with her husband Craig, previously worked in the Ormond Beach Elementary School media center, she said in a statement to the Observer.
“With my time in the media center, I was inspired by the children’s excitement and longing to be involved in their favorite stories, from large displays we would create that illustrated scenes, to story times full of reading,” Frick said. “I would reward them with free Neighborhood Scoop Ice Cream Coupons when they read all the Sunshine State Books.” She left her position at the school after budget cuts, she said, but was happy to help out in the family ice cream business. Then, when she walked into Fern and Fable, Frick said she was “taken aback by the overwhelming charm of the space the owner, Rayna Dunlop, created.” So, she suggested they do a summer
The big question is, “How did we get here and why weren’t any of the residents made aware of a proposed fuel terminal?” There has been a lot of finger pointing about improper public notices and the lack of communication.
I first learned about the proposed terminal in August of 2023 at a town hall meeting by a resident that raised concerns about an air permit pulled on the property. I did some research immediately to investigate ownership and zoning information. I have a real estate license and understanding zone use is critical to the process of due diligence.
The property is zoned for heavy industrial use which means the property owner is not required to submit an application for a zone change. The property was originally zoned for Agricultural use. There was apparently a concrete company that initiated to the zone change to operate and the project was scrapped when the recession hit in 2008. How did this property sit all these years still zoned as heavy
this tradition. Our dedication goes beyond simply delivering mail and packages; it extends to being a reliable and supportive presence in our community.
Every day, our staff works diligently to ensure that your letters, packages, and essential communications reach their destinations promptly and securely. We understand that the trust you place in us is vital, and we strive to uphold that trust through our hard work and dedication.
As we celebrate Independence Day, let us also celebrate the spirit of community and the importance of staying connected. The 4th of July is a reminder of the strength and resilience that define our nation. It is these same qualities that our postal employees embody each day as they serve you.
We are honored to be a part of this community and to contribute
book challenge. “So far the children that have read and come in are so terribly excited,” Frick said. “One mom mentioned that her kids barely read, but got right to reading knowing they were getting these fun prizes. We hope that this collaboration brings excitement to the local vibe in the downtown this summer, attention to this new bookstore that we hope stays around forever, and a sweet treat to all of our favorite people — kids!”
The Casements Camera Club announces annual Spring Exhibit winners
The Casements Camera Club has announced the winners for its 11th annual Spring Exhibit at a special reception held June 18 in the gallery at The Casements.
The show entries, according to a press release, were judged by The Casements Camera Club members. A special “People’s Choice Award” was chosen by popular vote by the public.
industrial use? Why wasn’t the zone changed back to the original zone when the concrete plant decided to scrap plans?
I think one of the first mistakes was when the County Council in 2006 approved the zone change; it should have been contingent on the concrete plant opening in that location. Once the company abandoned plans, the property should have defaulted back to the original agricultural zone. This could have avoided a big mess and zone contingencies are not uncommon.
I was the first person in the county to speak on record about relocating the fuel terminal at the county’s special meeting in August of 2023. At that time, some residents were confused as to why I said we need to relocate this project. This is because based on my experience in real estate, and understanding land use code, the property owner is entitled to land rights. I even made numerous phone calls to our state representatives and took my concerns to Tallahassee
to its well-being. On behalf of the entire postal staff, I wish you all a joyful and safe 4th of July. Let us come together to celebrate not only our nation’s independence but also the unity and dedication that make Ormond Beach a special place to live.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
AMY CARTER Ormond Beach Postmaster
In response to local metro area is deadly for pedestrians
Dear Editor:
The article proposes to narrow the street to make drivers slow down and pay attention to traffic laws/safety. Granada is already too small as it is. You can barely
during the last legislative session. Our state representatives said they would work on a solution to this unfortunate situation. Grant money is now available for the relocation initiative with the help of our state representatives. All we can do now is hope that Belvedere will consider a different location.
This project is a part of my platform as an active candidate for mayor of Ormond Beach. Even though this property does sit on the unincorporated side of the county, this is still an issue for the people in the city limits of Ormond Beach.
I will never shift responsibility by directing residents to the county, especially when it impacts our community! This project is expected to carry on past the November election and hopefully the people of Ormond Beach choose me to represent them in this complex situation.
Jason Leslie is a candidate running for Ormond Beach mayor. He has been a businessman for 20 years.
make a left from South Halifax onto Granada as it currently is now and I see semi-trucks going over the curb all the time. Parking curbside you cannot get out of the car safely. The article further concludes that you cannot change the mentality of drivers. Maybe so, but you can change their behavior. I am not an expert on traffic but I have seen what works before. The money is better spent on traffic cameras to give automatic tickets at each intersection. Additionally, video cameras along Granada to capture what is actually happening, such as, pedestrians dodging through traffic lanes and near missed accidents etc.
Those that follow the laws will benefit from this and we will save lives. Nothing curtails bad driving like paying large fines, going to traffic school, court appearances or license suspension. I drive and ride my bike here
THE WINNERS WERE: Best of Show and People’s Choice Award: “Plantation Oak” by Will Abair
First Place: “The Box” by Larry Parker Second Place: “Bubbles” by Garry
Norton Third Place: “Botanical Wonder” by Donna Lovelace Flora
The show will remain on display through the morning of Thursday, June 27. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to
Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com
Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com
Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com
Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com
Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com
Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com
Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com
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daily. I see my share of bad pedestrian behavior also. This would protect both drivers and pedestrians. Maybe the traffic cameras will pay for themselves within a year...? Even visitors will be aware of cameras and act accordingly because of the signs posted. It’s a win win.
PAMELA GATFIELD
Ormond Beach
Editor’s note: The proposals to narrow travel lanes to slow drivers and increase pedestrian safety on various roads come from the Florida Department of Transportation, not the Observer.
5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
“We hope you enjoy the photographic creativity of our members,” said Ans van Beek Torkington, president of the Casements Camera Club.
Held June 17-21, First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach is celebrating another successful Kids Adventure Week, drawing 130 kids this year.
Children participated in games, dancing, science experiments, crafts and storytelling sessions, according to a press release. The week also culminated in giving back to the community, as the kids raised $1,151.73 for the Ormond Beach Police Department. These funds will help support the purchase of car seats for underprivileged families.
“We are incredibly proud of Kids Adventure Week and the positive impact it has had,” said Caitlin Bookwalter, director of Family Ministries at First United in the press release. “The enthusiasm and generosity of the kids has been truly inspiring. We are thrilled to contribute to the Ormond Beach Police Department’s efforts to provide essential safety equipment to those in need.”
First United extends its gratitude to all the volunteers who supported Kids Adventure Week.
For more information about Kids Adventure Week, contact Bookwalter at 386-677-3581.
What does the spirit of America look like
From the halls of Seabreeze High School to the ranches west of I-95, Ormond Beach residents agree that the spirit of America is based on freedom and the community that enjoys those freedoms together.
Reservist and Air Force veteran Mike Patterson was in active duty for 15 years and uses fishing as a means to relieve the stressors associated with transitioning from military to civilian life. He has been fishing off of the Granada pier for years.
"I have a tattoo that says 'liberty,’” Patterson said. "To me, the spirit of America is freedom. It's that liberty. I think we are very lucky to
have the freedoms that we have and we need to enjoy them. For me, it's fishing. It's coming out here and knowing that I have the ability to fish safely. The spirit of America is simply being free."
Bryan Brymer, Pumphouse BBQ co-owner and chef, said barbecue is the oldest form of cooking — by utilizing wood and fire, the food was prepared simply.
"Americana means going back to the roots of family and friends and enjoying life for what it is," he said.
—
MICHELE MEYERS
“I have a tattoo that says 'liberty.' To me, the spirit of America is freedom. It's
A procession of vehicles drove by Rice’s Flagler Beach home to honor the Marine veteran who fought at Guadalcanal.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ray Rice, a member of the “Greatest Generation,” never talked to his family about his World War II experience — until he was 93 or 94 years old, his daughter Cheryl Clark said.
On Saturday, June 22, Rice celebrated his 100th birthday with his family and friends. Dozens of vehicles drove by his Flagler Beach home to pay respects to the United States Marine Corps veteran. The procession began at Maria del Mar Catholic Church and was organized by the Marine Corps League 1st Sgt. Burdett W. Loucks, Jr. Detachment 876. Drivers and passengers waved to Rice as they slowly drove by. Rice sat in his wheelchair under a Marine Corps tent and waved back.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office vehicles led the motorcade with motorcycle deputies from the Motors Unit doing riding circles in front of the home on South Daytona Avenue
where Clark and Rice live. Rice was given a ride in an FCSO SWAT vehicle before the party moved inside.
“Today was extremely special,” Clark said. “He teared up. He had a lot of fun for the first time in a long time.”
Rice enlisted in the Marines in 1942 when he was 17, his family members said. His Aunt Helen pro-
vided written permission to allow the under-aged Rice to join up, said Lana Romeo, Rice’s other daughter.
“He went in to fight the Germans,” Clark said. “The next thing he knew, he was dropped off by the Seabees at Guadalcanal. He swam into Guadalcanal and almost drowned. He had to take off all his equipment and swim to shore with guns shooting at him.”
The Guadalcanal campaign was the Allied forces’ first major offensive against Japan in the South Pacific during World War II. The Allies, predominantly the U.S. Marines, landed in the eastern Solomon Islands, capturing an airfield on Guadalcanal that was under construction. The campaign was fought between Aug. 7, 1942 and Feb. 9, 1943. Rice lost most of his hearing during the Japanese’s daily aerial bombardment, Clark said.
It took years for Rice to put his harrowing memories into words. He witnessed women and children jumping off cliffs, Clark said.
As he was eating his birthday lunch
with friends and family — including his daughters, his grandchildren and their spouses and his great-grandchildren — Rice recounted some of his memories.
“We had a good group of guys,” he said. “They really watched out for me, being a little short guy like I am. And they favored me.”
Over 80 years later, in his mind’s eye he can still see the horrific image of a dead solider who appeared to be looking up at him.
“We were pulling out and going to another island, and I got lost,” he said. “I crossed a path and there was a GI on the ground with his eyes wide open, staring at me deader than a doornail. He was stretched full length. His eyes were staring right smack at me. And I said, ‘I’ll never forget this.’ And I didn’t.”
After the war, Rice worked as an insurance adjuster for Allstate in New Jersey. His hobby was rebuilding totaled cars by hand.
“When I was getting my driver’s license he told me he had a car for
“He went in to fight the Germans. The next thing he knew, he was dropped off by the Seabees at Guadalcanal. He swam into Guadalcanal and almost drowned. He had to take off all his equipment and swim to shore with guns shooting at him.”
me,” Clark said. “It was a ’65 Chevy. He took me to see it, and it was totaled. By the time it was done, it looked like it came out of a showroom.”
Rice suffered a heart attack when he was in his 50s. Doctors wanted him to undergo open-heart surgery, but he would have nothing to do with that, Clark said.
“Daddy is not only a Marine, but he’s an Irish Marine, so he is really stubborn,” she said.
But he changed his lifestyle, she said. He started eating healthy and began taking long walks.
“He’s very religious. He would walk to Santa Maria del Mar every day for Mass,” Clark said.
And on his 100th birthday, he enjoyed the company of his family, friends and fellow Marines from the Marine Corps League detachment.
Nestled in the city of Ormond Beach, Paradise Pointe is a luxury resort-style assisted living and memory care community with a collection of spacious suites which offer large living spaces, walk-in closets and nature views.
On our 18-acre campus, you can find our residents leading active lifestyles, whether they are enjoying the scenic views, wildlife and walking path along our pond – or enjoying the many amenities and activities offered that are similar to a weekend getaway at their favorite relaxing piece of paradise.
We have something for everyone – whether you enjoy watching a movie on the big screen, working on a puzzle or a relaxing manicure and haircut in our salon and spa.
Shuffle
The Moonlighters are keeping the American Standards alive, from Frank Sinatra’s ballads to Glenn Miller’s big band charts.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
EDITOR
MANAGING
As America changes, so does its music — and in turn, so have The Moonlighters.
Founded in the mid-1990s by saxophone players John Fuelner and Robert Mondelli, the band’s early days mirrored that of the Glenn Miller Orchestra of the ’40s with a 17-person composition. That was Fuelner’s vision. He was a retired music teacher who had a desire to form a big band in Ormond Beach. Dr. Joseph Mirante joined the band as a trombone player shortly after its founding in 1995. They played at municipal and private events, from the annual Fourth of July celebration in the city of Ormond Beach to play-
ing on the fields for the Jacksonville Jaguars. About 12 years ago, when Fuelner was ready to retire, Mirante took over as the band’s leader, and the sheet music started featuring songs by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis and Dean Martin.
A more contemporary, but still traditional, sound featuring songs from the ’50s and ’60s that people recognize and love.
“As people get older, they want to look back to those days and remember their music,” Mirante said. “So it’s the soundtrack of our growth, development and changes as Americans.”
The Moonlighters of today — an eight-person group made up James Paris on trumpet, Mark Campbell on baritone sax, Paul Ricci on tenor sax, Tony Santos on alto sax, Gerry Amatucci on bass guitar, Manny Simpson on drums, Greg Wieboldt on guitar and Mirante on trombone and vocals — completed their first performance season in their new format last year. The band has gotten very close, Mirante said.
Some of them have been playing together for over two decades.
“I think we have become part of the fabric of the community — I like to think that, and that when they see our name, people expect good entertainment and a good time,” Mirante said.
A PART OF THE ENSEMBLE
Wieboldt has been playing with The Moonlighters since November 2002.
He got a call from one of the musicians in the band, who told him they were in need of a guitarist. Wieboldt played a couple rehearsals before Fuelner came up to him and told him he had landed the gig as the group’s guitar player. He told him where to show up for the next show — a New Year’s Eve concert in New Smyrna — and told him how much he’d be paid.
The rest is history.
Wieboldt started performing at 16 years old in 1963 and continued through his high school and college
years. After he graduated from college, he went on to work as an engineer for General Electric, and music had to take a backseat. He would play for parties or church events, but it wasn’t until his kids were grown that Wieboldt began to refocus on his music.
“I was about ready to retire and my wife says, ‘Go ahead, you can go play now,’” Wieboldt recalled. “‘You’ve been good all of these years. Go play.’ It was like a week later, I got the call from The Moonlighters. It was really serendipitous.”
Santos joined The Moonlighters about 13 years ago, but he’s been playing for over 70 years. A former music teacher, he said he’s happiest when he’s playing music. He and his fellow saxophone players have performed together in past bands, but it all started with The Moonlighters.
“Many of us have gone on to other bands, but always stayed with Joe (Mirante),” Santos said. “... Joe is probably the best organized man I’ve ever met.”
Mirante started his musical journey as a euphonium player in the fifth grade in New York. Then in middle school, he wanted to play with the jazz band, so he took up trombone and never looked back.
The love of contemporary music came from his father, who was always playing music in the home.
“The whole American songbook, from old to new, is part of my life,” Mirante said.
The Moonlighters are all top notch musicians, Wieboldt said, with experience ranging from playing in Las Vegas performance groups to the U.S. armed services bands.
“They’re great musicians, plus they’re great people,” Wieboldt said. They simply enjoy playing together, Santos said.
“It really is a family,” Santos said. “We enjoy rehearsals as much as performances, because we get a chance to bounce off each other and play, and play with some good musicians.”
Mirante said what stands out as memorable experiences with The Moonlighters are the little moments — the showcasing of good technique during a rehearsal and the camaraderie.
“There are many ‘Moonlighters’ bands around the country, and the implication there is these are people who are not musicians all the time,” Mirante said. “They’re moonlighting. ... People coming together to take time from outside their mainstream life to make music together and share it with the community.”
‘MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE’ Santos spent three years with the West Point Band seeing how music can make an impact. The first time he performed with the West Point Band was for the inauguration parade for President John F. Kennedy. He remembers how two Secret Service agents posed as extra saxophone players in the band, holding instruments but not playing.
“Being there (at West Point), you see American culture at its best,” Santos said. “The students are great and all the tradition there, but when you come out in the communities now and you see music has an infinite place in life.”
It’s the one thing that tends to stick in people’s minds, he said.
“Music is there when somebody gets married,” Santos said. “It’s there when someone dies. Music is everywhere.”
When The Moonlighters transformed into its current format, it freed them from only playing charts from the 30s and 40s — it also gave Wieboldt more chances for solos and interesting riffs.
“We’ve been playing in this new format now for probably about six or eight months, and I’m loving it,” Wieboldt said.
The band plays some Count Basie and Duke Ellington tunes here and there too. People, including World War II vets, still love to hear them, Wieboldt said.
Because music brings people together, Wieboldt said. It gives people common ground to talk about songs and lyrics.
“It’s inspirational, and to a degree, it can free up your soul a little bit from the daily grind,” he said.
Music helps society see who we are, Mirante said. Big band particularly is the soundtrack of patriotism and love of country from the 30s, and 40s, he said. Through the decades, genres have followed changes in American society, Mirante said.
If you ask 10 different people what music embodies Americana, you’ll get 10 different answers, he said — from a John Philip Sousa march to a Taylor Swift pop hit.
“Music is right at the heartbeat of American culture,” Mirante said. “What are musicians? They are our modern poets. They speak to what in our thoughts and what’s in our souls.”
Incoming seventh graders visited with local officials, wrote children’s books on founding documents and held their own elections.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
While some of their friends may be playing baseball or going to the beach, about 35 incoming seventh graders in Flagler County are attending Civics Camp this summer. They are learning about the founding documents and writing children’s books about them. They’re holding mock elections. The presidential debate? They’ve already had one. They’ve created platforms, a party slogan and logos and elected a president.
They’re proposing bills and going through the legislative process. They’ll do some Supreme Court simulations, testing the constitutionality of some laws. They’ll address emergency scenarios. What do we do if a Category 5 hurricane hits Florida?
And they are learning about their local and county governments. They met with Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance and Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore at the Government Services Building, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston at City Hall. They also visited the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center and the county courthouse.
And one of the camp’s instructors, Flagler Palm Coast High School teacher Alex Giorgianni, will lead the students on a tour of the county from west Flagler to beachside to Princess Place, and they will be tasked to identify issues along the way and coming up with solutions.
Amy Ferrer, Flagler Schools teaching and learning specialist for social studies, applied for a grant with Heidi Alves, the science specialist, for civics and STEM summer enrichment programs. The grants funded the camps for two years, starting last year.
The civics camp is specifically for incoming seventh graders because there is a mandatory seventh grade civics course with a statewide assessment.
“We want to make sure that they have all of the information that they need,” Ferrer said. “So we focus on the founding documents and the founding principles, the three branches of government and civic engagement as well.”
The teachers don’t stand up in front of the class and lecture. The students worked in groups of four or five to study a founding document — the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, Common Sense by Thomas Paine and the Articles of Confederation. Each group wrote a book about their document for elementary school students.
“Most likely, they’ll read their books aloud, and I’ll put the links on the curriculum maps for third, fourth
and fifth grade, and our teachers will be able to use those in their classrooms,” Ferrer said.
“The (third, fourth and fifth graders) love it,” Ferrer added. “Anytime they can hear a book read by other kids.”
Aiden Rostallon likes the groupparticipation aspect of the camp.
“I like socializing with people, it makes it more fun,” he said.
The students had no shortage of questions for their local officials, Ferrer said.
“They had some good questions for Mr. Dance,” Ferrer said after the students left the GSB on June 12.
“One of them asked about a tree that’s growing in their sidewalk and it’s breaking the sidewalk apart and who do I contact? They asked about flooding near their homes? One of them said there’s a lot next door that’s vacant but was just purchased and it’s home to a gopher tortoise. So
what do we do about that?”
Melissa Ryon is concerned about local development.
“I’m looking forward to doing the project where we get to go around Flagler County and then point out the things that we want to change,” she said, “because they’re building a lot of house now, and I feel bad for the animals whose homes are being invaded by the new housing. So I really want to change that if I could.”
Superindent Moore was asked about the “swatting calls” that precipitated school lockdowns at the end of the school year.
“What made it really stressful is each time you had to treat it like it was the real thing,” she told the students.
“I only have two jobs,” she added. “And one is to make sure you’re safe and get home safely.”
The students had different reasons for learning about civics. Andy Cul-
ver wanted to get a jumpstart on the seventh grade course. Alicia Souza, who immigrated from Brazil when she was 5, said, “I took this course because I was interested in learning about historical documents. When you’re new to America, you don’t really know how everything works and the history of America.”
Priya Vargas said she signed up because she thought her sixth grade history teacher would want her to. And she’s glad she did.
“It’s fun and you’re still learning something,” she said. “I actually didn’t know what the Mayflower Compact was, and now I find it pretty interesting.”
The most important thing they learned from their local officials, the students agreed is to be engaged.
“You don’t need to be quiet if something happens,” Rostallon said. “You got to speak out.”
Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
Details: Flagler Tiger Bay Club is hosting a candidate meet and greet. Get to know the candidates running for Flagler County’s local races and state representatives. Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart will conduct a straw poll from 6-8 p.m. The results will be announced immediately after the poll closes. Free event.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
TOWN HALL WITH PALM COAST
MAYOR DAVID ALFIN
When: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Ask questions and discuss issues in this open forum with Palm
THURSDAY, JULY 4
STARS AND STRIPES PARADE
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: North 6th Street to South 6th Street along A1A, Flagler
Beach
Details: The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach will present its annual parade, following its traditional route, for the Fourth of July. Free.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park, 101 N.
Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: DJ Vern will provide
Coast Mayor David Alfin. Free and open to the public. Complimentary coffee will be served.
BARBECUE AND JAZZ
When: 4-7 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 3005 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
Details: The North East Florida Jazz Association presents this event featuring the Melvin Smith Quartet. Tickets cost $40 for members, $45 for non-member. Visit nefja.org.
FRIDAY, JULY 5
SUMMER CLASSES FOR KIDS
When: 12-2 p.m.
Where: Art Among the Flowers, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite A114, Palm Coast
Details: Looking for something fun for your kids to do this summer?
Art Among the Flowers is offering classes for children ages 7-16. All classes will include a tour of the flower shop, exploring and learning about the different plants and flowers, and then hands-on learning a different technique with a professional instructor. Children also get to take their creations home. This class will teach them to design a flower ar-
music for the Fourth of July. This is part of the United Flagler 4th celebrations.
UNITED FLAGLER 4TH
When: 6-10 p.m.
Where: Flagler Executive Airport, 201 Airport Road, Palm Coast
Details: Flagler County residents and visitors are invited to the United Flagler 4th Community Celebration, hosted by Flagler County Government and the cities of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks start at 9 p.m. There will be ven-
rangement with fresh-cut stems in a wicker basket. Class costs $25. Visit artamongtheflowers.com.
MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “The Little
dors, a beer garden, kids’ activities and a main stage with a DJ. At 7 p.m., local officials will recite the Declaration of Independence.
CITY OF ORMOND BEACH’S INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION
When: 8-9:30 p.m.
Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Join the city of Ormond Beach for its annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Fireworks at 9 p.m. There will be music and food trucks. Call 676-3241.
Mermaid,” rated PG. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 386-6763216 for rainout information.
SATURDAY, JULY 6
SHARE WITH THE MAYOR
When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave., Palm Coast
Details: Engage with Palm Coast
Mayor David Alfin at this weekly event, to be held every Saturday morning at the outdoor seating area by the flagpole and garden at City Hall.
ORMOND ART WALK When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Main Street Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.
KATE MOSEMAN BOOK
SIGNING EVENT
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Fern and Fable Books, 51 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Meet local author Kate Moseman and get your book personally signed. Moseman is the author of the “West Side Witches,” “Midlife Elementals” and “Supernatural Sweethearts” series. Free event.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE DINNER
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Atlantic Grille, Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast
Details: Enjoy dinner and a front row seat to watch the firework show starting at dusk at Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Atlantic Grille is offering a prix fixe three-course diner for $65 per person. Reservations required. They can be made at opentable.com.
ONGOING ‘FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING’ EXHIBIT
When: 1-4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, through July 19
Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach
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Details: See this exhibit on figurative art by the Art League of Daytona Beach. There are 80 works of art on show.
BAM SENIOR FITNESS CLASS
When: 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Where: Palm Coast First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast
Details: Join this Balance and Motion class and develop strength and endurance, core stability and balance. Taught by senior fitness specialist Artie G, the class is open to all fitness levels and free with most insurances. A donation is accepted for those without coverage. See full schedule at synergyseniorfitness. com or call 386-931-3485.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB When: 12:30-2 p.m. every Tuesday Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Join this book club, which will study “Love Stories of the Bible Speak” by Shannon Bream. The book club will meet in the Marchman Building, room 117. Contact Sylvia Meincke at 386-451-5223.
MOMS OF PRE SCHOOLERS
When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month
Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faith-based program for moms, moms-to-be and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is provided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts. Playtime offered for children, with adult supervision. Call 386-2552588.
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: “Tide Pools: Exploring Coastal Communities” ; “The Lure of Florida Fishing” ; and “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived.”
“Everybody’s playing, nobody’s sitting. During the week, the kids will have a thousand touches, easily.”
Dennis Kitko won three state championships as a wrestler at Brandon High and coached at four Florida high schools.
Matanzas High School took a first step toward rebuilding its wrestling program, naming Dennis Kitko as the new head coach.
Kitko had coached wrestling at four Florida high schools before moving to Japan two years ago where he has been the youth sports coordinator at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and taught at Zama Middle High School at Camp Zama Army Base outside of Tokyo. He is currently relocating from Japan and will be on campus at Matanzas by the first day of school
Pete Hald completes his 24th year leading Flagler Palm Coast High School’s girls soccer camp.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Originally, Flagler Palm Coast’s Go To Goal Soccer Camp included boys and girls. But as Pete Hald got more involved, he brought more girls into the week-long camp.
Two years after he took the camp over from former boys soccer coach Bob Sawyer in 2001, he made it exclusively for girls soccer players.
“Selfishly, I was like, I can have enough players with just girls, so that’s what I did,” Hald said.
Twenty-nine players took part in the camp last week (June 17-21) on FPC’s back field. It was the 24th year that Hald ran the camp. It is by invitation only. Over 40 girls take part in FPC’s girls soccer summer weightlifting program, but only the higher-level players are invited to participate in the camp.
“If you played in my program you get to come,” Hald said. “Anybody new has to have a recommendation from a coach or (JV coach Cat Bradley) or I have to observe them playing.”
Hald will be entering his 34th season as the Bulldogs’ girls soccer coach this year. He is the only girls soccer coach the school has ever had, starting the program in the 1991-92 school year, when he was just one year out of college.
Since then, he has won 533 games. His teams have won nine district championships and have played in 25 district title games — including 19 straight from 2003 to 2021. They have also played in five regional championships.
In 2014, the Bulldogs had their best season, advancing to the final four where they lost to Fort Lauderdale
St. Thomas Aquinas 1-0 in suddendeath overtime. St. Thomas went on to win the Class 5A state championship. Early in overtime, FPC’s Josie Davis unleashed a shot that soared just over the goal.
“I don’t remember everything in soccer, but I remember this,” Hald said. “The keeper missed the whole ball. It just went over the crossbar by this much. I mean, it was a great shot. It would have ended the game.”
Next season, the Bulldogs will have a sophomore-dominated team with several playing major roles last season as freshmen.
For some of the rising sophomores this was their first Go To Goal camp with its intense skills training.
“It’s five days (in the evenings this year), and we get to do all the skill work, but we’re always playing games,” Hald said. “We’re always ending in games. We’re playing competitive games, utilizing those skills.”
Former FPC goalie Tanner Paulo, who graduated in 2022, worked with the five goalies in camp.
“It’s a blessing to have him here,” Hald said. “He works real hard and he’s really good with them. And we incorporate (the goalies), because you can end any skill development into shooting on the goal, making it fun for them, because nobody wants to dripple through poles all the time and not shoot on the goal. So when we add the goal, we add the keepers, and then of course, we try to play games that use either the 6v6 goal or the big goal. But everybody’s playing, nobody’s sitting. During the week, the kids will have a thousand touches, easily.”
The camp is just one of many summer programs Hald’s players participate in as a team.
They have weight room training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with free play on a practice field on Thursday mornings following weightlifting. On Wednesday mornings they do a beach workout. And once a week, they play as a team in the Royal Palms SC 7v7 high school soccer league.
Hald, who played soccer at the University of Vermont from 198690, loves coaching now as much as when he started the program 34 years ago. He said his goal is to remain at FPC through his son Jacob’s high school graduation.
Jacob is entering eighth grade, so that means Flagler County’s longest tenured coach may be guiding FPC’s girls soccer team for at least another five years.
on Aug. 12, according to a June 21 Flagler Schools press release.
Kitko is a 1993 graduate of Brandon High School where he won three state wrestling championships. He won five national championships in freestyle wrestling beginning at age 12. He wrestled at Cornell University where he was first-team All-Ivy League in 1995 and competed in the NCAA tournament.
He finished his bachelor’s degree at Florida State University in 1999 and received his master’s from FSU in educational leadership in 2003. While in Tallahassee, he coached at Leon and Godby high schools.
Kitko coached wrestling at Durant High School in Plant City from 2003 to 2012, winning three regional titles and eight district titles. Before moving overseas, he coached at Bloomingdale High in Valrico from 2018 to 2022.
Four Matanzas wrestlers have won state championships during the past three seasons, including Jordan and
Mariah Mills this past season. The Pirates won the girls state wrestling championship in 2023 and placed third in 2022 and 2024.
But the entire coaching staff resigned at the end of the school year.
Head coach Mike Fries had submitted his resignation during the season to take effect at the end of the year, but he later tried to rescind his resignation. When the school’s administration decided not to tear up his resignation, the wrestling program’s five assistant coaches also resigned.
In the school district’s news release, Kitko said he is eager to get started.
“Building upon the longstanding success and tradition of this program is a challenge I’m looking forward to,” Kitko said. “Success on the mats, in the classroom and in our community will be key to help us focus on the development of character and integrity among our boys and girls rosters.”
Pictona
Pictona at Holly Hill is partnering with Daytona International Speedway to host Daytona International Speedway Sundown Showdown Tournaments, a series of team pickleball events throughout the summer.
The first event was women’s doubles competition on June 22. A mixed doubles tournament is scheduled for July 20, and a men’s doubles event is set for Aug. 17. All events are on Saturday evenings from 7-11 p.m.
DIS President Frank Kelleher announced that all registered players in the Sundown tournaments will be offered a free ticket to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 24. For more information, visit www. pictona.org.
Email Brent Woronoff at Brent@ observerlocalnews.com
Flagler Babe Ruth 10U all-stars advance to state tournament
The Flagler Babe Ruth 10U all-star team placed second in the district tournament to earn a spot in the state tournament June 27-30 in Lake City. The team is coached by Corey Shugart (head coach), Nick Berti, Mike Minder and Josh Normandin. The league is hosting the North State Tournament for the 9U, 11U and 18U teams June 27-30 at the Flagler County Fairgrounds in Bunnell.
Palm Coast Little League’s Seniors advance to state
The Palm Coast Little League Senior League baseball all-stars won the Section 3 championship with two victories on June 23 to advance to the state championships.
The PCLL Seniors defeated Mims 29-2 and Hilliard 10-2 at the Indian Trails Softball Complex Little League fields. They will play in the state championship tournament June 2830 in St. Cloud.
The Junior League softball allstars also hosted sectionals. After splitting two games with San Mateo Little League on June 23, San Mateo
BELOW: LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF MOON-
STONE COURT ON 85 FEET STRIP OF LAND FOR PARKING AND DRIVEWAY PURPOSES BEING A PART OF PROPOSED SPRINGWOOD UNIT AND BEING DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PART OF LOT 3, BLOCK 16 AND LOT 2, BLOCK 17 AND ALSO A PART OF HARWOOD AVE., DUNLAWTON SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN ON MAP IN DEED “M”, PAGE 187. PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA AND BEING PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCE AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 3. BLOCK 16, PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED THENCE S 25° 46’ 37” E ALONG THE WESTERLY R/W OF JACKSON ST., A 30 FOOT R/W AS NOW LAID OUT, A DISTANCE OF 427.47 FEET FOR THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE S 64° 13’ 23” W A DISTANCE OF 10 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, SAID CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90° , A RADIUS OF 25 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 39.27 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CURVE S 64° 13’ 23” W. A DISTANCE OF 357 FEET TO THE POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT; THENCE ALONG SAID CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90°, A RADIUS OF 110 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 172. 79 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CURVE S 25” 46’ 37” E, A DISTANCE OF 176 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT; THENCE ALONG SAID CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90° . A RADIUS OF 110 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 172.79 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CURVE N 64° 13’ 23” E, A DISTANCE OF 357.00 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, SAID CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90°, A RADIUS OF 25 FEET. AN ARC LENGTH OF 39.27 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE N 64° 13’ 23” E, A DISTANCE OF 10 FEET TO THE SAID WESTERLY R/W OF JACKSON ST.; THENCE N 25” 46’ 37” W ALONG SAID R/W, A DISTANCE OF 135 FEET; THENCE S 64° 13’ 23” W, A DISTANCE OF 10 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90° , A RADIUS OF 25 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 39.27 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY
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 June 20, 2024. Person Giving Notice: /s/ Nancy G. Waters 9125 Flamepool Way Columbia, Maryland 21045 Attorney for Person Giving Notice /s/ Brett H. Sifrit, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 105564 Farr Law Firm, PA 99 Nesbit Street Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Telephone: (941) 639-1158 Fax: (941) 639-0028 E-Mail: bsifrit@farr.com Secondary E-Mail: akibler@farr.com and probate@farr.com June 20, 27, 2024 24-00316I
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GENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CURVE N 25° 36’ 37”, W, A DISTANCE OF 176 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, SAID CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90°, A RADIUS OF 25 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 39.27 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE TANGENT OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED CURVE N 64° 13’ 23” E, A DISTANCE OF 357 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, SAID
CURVE HAVING A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 90° , A RADIUS OF 25 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 39.27 FEET TO THE POINT OF TANGENCY OF SAID CURVE; THENCE N 64° 13’ 23” E, A DISTANCE OF 10 FEET TO THE SAID WESTERLY RAN OF JACKSON ST.; THENCE N 25° 46’ 37” W ALONG SAID R/W. A DISTANCE OF 135 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it, on De Cubas & Lewis, P.A., Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is PO BOX 5026, CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33310 on or before July 29, 2024, a date at least thirty (45) days after the first publication of this Notice in the (Please publish in BUSINESS OBSERVER) and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. 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. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 257-6096 Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court this 14th day of June, 2024. LAURA E. ROTH CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By /s/ Shawnee S. Smith As Deputy Clerk De Cubas & Lewis, P.A.
SECOND INSERTION
File Number: 2024 12041 PRDL TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The administration of the estate of Kenneth T. Marks, deceased, whose date of death was April 26, 2024, and the last four digits of whose social security number were 3455, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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. 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 Personal Representative is Tina V. Knight, 35150 State Route 3, Carthage, New York, 13619. Attorney for Personal Representative: DAVID H. TREVETT, Florida Bar No. 0057720, 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32827. June 20, 27,
Estate on whom a copy of this Notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE 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,
Eileen
Griminger,
ida,
Office Box 6043, DeLand, FL 32721; that the decedent’s date of death was April 6, 2024; that the total value of the estate is $500.00 and that the names and addresses
those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:
Gregory Lee Frahm and Brian Alan Frahm, as Co-trustees of the Eileen L. Griminger Living Trust dated August 23, 2005 c/o Legacy Law Associates, P.L. 313 S. Palmetto Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent 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
