Ormond Beach Observer 3-9-23

CITY WATCH

Partington to run for Florida House

Mayor Bill Partington won’t be seeking reelection. Instead, he will be running to represent District 28 in the Florida House in 2024, he announced Tuesday, March 7, at the end of the City Commission meeting.

The District 28 seat will be open next election as incumbent Rep. Tom Leek has filed to run for Florida Senate District 7.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Neighborhood meeting notice requirements changed

The Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved on first reading a Land Development Code amendment which strengthens requirements for neighborhood meetings.

The amendment calls for applicants to seek written approval from city staff five business days before mailing a meeting notice, requires meetings to be held Monday through Thursday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., requires a 4-by-4-foot sign for each impacted street frontage, and requires a written summary to be provided to city staff.

Commissioner Lori Tolland said that she was glad for the changes.

“The Planning Department has always done a very good job notifying all the residents within 300 feet, but we often hear that they’re not always still apprised of when meetings occur,” Tolland said. “So I think these are just perfect changes to keep everything consistent.”

The amendment also assigns the city’s planning director as the coordinating liaison for the Site Plan Review Committee.

“It continues to be an honor and a privilege to serve my hometown area of Volusia County and the city of Ormond Beach, and I’m so pleased that in my new role, should the voters approve, I will continue working with and representing Ormond Beach and surrounding communities in a new capacity,” Partington said.

Partington was reelected as mayor of Ormond Beach for a fourth term during the recent November elections. An assistant public defender and division chief for Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, he has been serving on the City Commission since 2003 — first as the representative for Zone 4, and then as mayor from 2016 on.

He also served on the city’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board from 2001-2003.

Having served the city for 22 years, Partington, who became emotional during his announcement, said he didn’t make his decision to run for the Florida House lightly.

“My decision is to focus on what I’ve loved the most and longest — My God, my family, my country, state, city and local community, and being a driving force in policy, legislation and leadership for the betterment of Ormond Beach and Volusia County,” he said.

Partington, a registered Republican, vowed to remain engaged as mayor for the next 20 months.

If elected in 2024, he will be the

fourth consecutive Ormond Beach resident to hold the House seat for the district that includes the city.

After the recent redistricting, District 28 also includes Ormond-bythe-Sea, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach, South Daytona and Daytona Beach Shores.

Before Leek, who has been in office since 2016, the seat was held by Fred Costello, from 2010-2012 and 20142016. The late Dave Hood Jr. held the

seat from 2012-2014. Both Costello and Hood served as mayors of Ormond Beach before running for the Florida House. All were Republicans.

“There is much work to be done at the state level,” Partington said. “Rep. Leek has served with honor and distinction, and I look forward to working with our residents and collaborating with fellow lawmakers to ensure we don’t lose any ground in our state representation.”

Board reduced to help quorum

The City Commission has unanimously approved the reduction of Leisure Services Advisory Board positions from 13 to seven, with three alternates, to help the board be able to reach quorum and hold meetings as scheduled.

Previously, the board was made up of six members appointed by the commissioners and seven representatives from various youth sports leagues.

Now only two people from local sports leagues will serve on the board, though the remaining three leagues will have alternate board members, and the leagues will rotate regular and alternate board seats with each election cycle, according to a city memo. Two leagues will not be included in the rotation.

One board member expressed concern to Commissioner Lori Tolland because he felt the changes would skew the board in favor of commission-appointed members.

City Attorney Randy Hayes said he didn’t see much change occurring on the board, aside from the reduction in the number of members, because the sports leagues have always been able to recommend candidates for the board.

BY THE NUMBERS

$97,000 budgeted to add new fitness equipment along the trail at Nova Community Park.

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

File photo by Jarleene Almenas

Mayor Bill Partington has announced his intent to run for Florida House District 28 in the 2024 elections.

“Everybody has a soulmate dog; everybody has that one dog.”

Dana Conway, creator of the

annual Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue Rainbow Bridge

Walk. See Page 1B

Dine out

Ormond MainStreet holds 10th annual Taste of Ormond.

Ten years of tasty local eats: Ormond’s most flavorful festival returned to Rockefeller Gardens on Sunday, March

5. Featuring over two dozen local restaurants and food purveyors, the 10th annual Taste of Ormond helped raise money for Ormond MainStreet to help the nonprofit further its mission of creating and maintaining a thriving downtown district.

The money raised at the soldout event, according to Ormond MainStreet, will go toward marketing grants for new businesses as well as the creation of new events and initiatives for the district.

Some of the featured restaurants included 31 Supper Club, Burntwood Tavern, FUGU, Grind Gastropub, Dalmare Italian Chophouse and Ormond Garage.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

Isabel Mazelow, Zion Morse and Marin Lages show off some of Ormond Garage’s wings.

Matt Wilson enjoys some local eats.

Kirk Girdley and Emily Linton, of After Body Meal Prep, serve chargrilled chicken in a strawberry barbecue glaze and goat cheese crumbles.

Tim and Lori Tolland attend Taste of Ormond.

Dr. Maryann Bull, Tom Bull and Lisa Rademacher work the charity raffle table.

Daniella Koester, Dylan Deloach and Aimee Belasquez represent Burntwood Tavern.

Huey Magoo's offered chicken tenders.

Photos by Jarleene Almenas

District committee votes to retain book Mittelstadt’s fate could

The committee recommended that the novel ‘Sold,’ which is about human trafficking, has value and should be kept in school media centers.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A Flagler School District review committee voted on March 6 to retain the book “Sold” on media center book shelves.

The novel, by Patricia McCormick, was challenged last year by two members of the Flagler County Chapter leadership of Moms for Liberty.

A joint committee of Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high schools voted in October to keep the book in the two media centers. The complainants appealed the decision, necessitating the district review.

The district committee, made up of administrators, media specialists, teachers, parents and community members, unanimously voted to retain the book in the high school media centers. Nine of the 11 committee members present voted to also allow the book in middle school media centers with parental consent required for student checkout.

LaShakia Moore, the district’s assistant superintendent for academic services, led the meeting. Moore said the committee’s recommendation to Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt will be to retain the book in the high schools as well as in the middle schools with parents’ consent.

The complainants can

appeal to the superintendent. If the superintendent agrees with the committee’s decision, the complainants can appeal again to the School Board.

During a Feb. 22 School Board meeting, board member Christy Chong said she expects the board will eventually decide all of the challenges.

“Our tax dollars should not be providing pornography in schools,” Chong said.

“Sold” is a fictional story about a girl from Nepal named Lakshmi who is sold into sexual slavery. The story is written from Lakshmi’s point of view.

The two school district challenges, made by different people, used the same exact language: “This book contains explicit aberrant sexual activities including rape of a minor; prostitution; and explicit violence.”

But on the district committee’s review questionnaire, the committee members said the book “brings awareness to the issue of human trafficking and the trauma faced.” A committee member also noted that “Florida has mandated human trafficking education. This novel could serve to work with this education.”

The committee members agreed that the book is suitable for students in grades 9-12 and appropriate for some middle schoolers, with parents’ permission. A committee member noted that Lakshmi is only 13 in the story.

The committee members agreed that the book stimulates growth in factual knowledge because although it is fiction, it is based on research.

“By creating awareness, a reader may be inspired to help stop trafficking,” a committee member said.

As for the book being

COMMITTEE MEMBER

explicit, committee members said the prose is simplistic and even delicate, and that Lakshmi does not have the language to express what is happening to her, so a lot of it is implied.

Answering whether the material could be considered offensive, the committee checked the boxes for profanity, brutality, sexual behavior, violence, portrayal of any societal groups, and cruelty.

The committee noted on the questionnaire that Lakshmi is raped, but the novel is “critical of the societal norms that perpetuate this behavior.”

“There are some difficult things going on that may not be suitable for all readers,” one committee member said.

“Offensive terms bring light to sex trafficking. They have to be there to bring understanding,” the committee wrote.

The committee noted that there are warnings about the material on the book cover.

“To silence books about injustice is to silence the injustice,” a committee member said. “These books need to exist to be a catalyst to conversations. They bring awareness, which is the first step to bringing an end to it.”

The district review was the first this year for an appealed ruling. Another district committee is scheduled to review “Nowhere Girls” on March 13 at the district’s offices at the Government Services Building. The public is welcome, but cannot participate in the discussion.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s future with the Flagler County School District could be decided sooner than previously expected.

Mittelstadt’s three-year contract expires at the end of June. At the School Board’s March 7 workshop, four board members agreed to add the superintendent’s contract discussion to the April 4 agenda workshop, with a vote to be scheduled for the April 18 business meeting.

The board could vote to renew her contract for another three years, extend her current contract or decide to search for a new superintendent. The board members could also decide they still need more information.

Board member Sally Hunt brought up the issue during old business. She wanted to add the contract review to the March 28 board meeting or schedule a special meeting. But the other board members said that would be too soon.

Mittelstadt had told board members she would submit a self-evaluation to them by March 17, followed by oneon-one conversations with each board member.

“It’s my understanding that in the month of March, we’re going to get about as much information as we’re going to be able to get before the expiration of the contract,” said Hunt, who also asked to expedite the matter at the Feb.

decided soon

22 information workshop.

Hunt said that because nonrenewal is one of the options, the board would need as much time as possible to resolve the matter before the 2023-24 school year.

“Mid-April, to me, feels very late to have the official vote,” she said.

Board member Colleen Conklin said scheduling the item for the April 4 workshop would give the board members adequate time to do their evaluations.

School Board attorney Kristy Gavin would then compile the evaluations for the April 4 discussion, Conklin said.

Board member Christy Chong said she would like the board to move on the issue. But, she added, “I don’t want anybody to feel rushed.”

Board member Will Furry agreed that a discussion on April 4 and a vote on April 28 gives the board members enough time.

Board Chair Cheryl Massaro reiterated that the three newest board members — Hunt, Chong and Furry — do not have enough data or background yet to make an informed decision on the superintendent’s future.

“I did my first evaluation two years ago. It’s not easy,” she said. “There’s a lot of pieces to the puzzle that need to be completed. I realize you claim you know everything, but I think there’s a lot of things, and that’s not necessarily true. We have to learn how to do this together, and we need to listen to each other.”

Conklin is the only School Board member to indicate how she will vote. At the Feb. 22 workshop she said she had no issues with Mittelstadt’s performance, and she hoped the superintendent would choose to remain in her position.

VOTER’S GUIDE COVER CONTEST

At a March 7 workshop, the School Board picked the winner of Flagler County’s Voter’s Guide cover design contest.

Supervisor of Elections

Kaiti Lenhart presented the board members with 70 submissions from students in graphic design classes at Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools.

Each board member had three stickers to put on their favorite designs. The design with the most stickers will become the cover on the upcoming Voter’s Guide. The winning student will be presented at the board’s March 28 meeting.

Lenhart said the teachers do a good job of incorporating the importance of voting into the assignment while teaching design.

Lenhart said FPC students have won the contest five years in a row. “So, it’s time for Matanzas to win,” she said. Lenhart did not reveal the winner’s name or school.

The board plans to discuss the superintendent’s contract on April 4, with the intention of voting on April 18.

Photo by Brent Woronoff Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart holds up the winning Voter’s Guide cover design.

“By creating awareness, a reader may be inspired to help stop trafficking.”

Volusia County to use ECHO dollars for county projects

The majority of the projects — 30 of them — fall into the outdoor recreation category. The plan also proposes 11 environmental projects and two historic projects.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

EDITOR

SENIOR

Over the next five years, Volusia County plans to fund 43 projects at 32 facilities — a request totaling over $15 million — through its voterapproved Volusia ECHO program.

On Tuesday, March 7, the Volusia County Council unanimously approved an ECHO Direct County Expenditure 5-year plan proposal that the county reported would result in general fund savings. Since 2007, the council has approved 22 projects to be funded by direct county expenditure, at $16.1 million. Regular applications for ECHO, which stands for environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreational, would still be open annually for community projects that fit the program’s guidelines.

“It’s a strategic investment plan, informed by the grassroots needs of

our community that balances both improvement of current assets, new construction projects and restoration,” said Brad Burbaugh, county director of resource stewardship.

The majority of the projects — 30 of them — fall into the outdoor recreation category. The plan also proposes 11 environmental projects and two historic projects.

“All of these will accomplish the mission of ECHO to improve the quality of life of our residents,” Burbaugh said.

Of the 32 county facilities, five are in unincorporated Volusia County near Ormond Beach and Ormondby-the-Sea, though there are six projects in total. The sites are RivOcean Drive fishing dock, Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, Briggs Drive fishing dock, San Jose fishing dock and James Ormond Park.

For year one of the proposal, the county has asked to use $110,000 of ECHO funds to replace the fishing dock at Briggs Drive. At Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, it has proposed using $80,000 to build three pickleball courts.

For the second year of the plan, the county is proposing using $90,000 to replace the San Jose fishing dock.

Then in the third year — no other Ormond projects are proposed for the final two years — the county

seeks to use $200,000 to renovate the playground at James Ormond Park, $150,000 to renovate the fishing dock at Bicentennial Park and $250,000 to replace the Riv-Ocean fishing dock.

All of the fishing docks in the plan are located along John Anderson Drive.

County Councilman Don Dempsey asked why many of the projects are on the east side of the county, with only a couple facilities in the northwest side of the county included in the plan.

Burbaugh said that the proposal was based on the county’s needs and that the projects were taken from the divisional budgets.

“It may be worth to look at finding more needs on the west side,” Councilman David Santiago said.

“Balance it off.”

Ormond Beach resident Jack Surrette, a member of the ECHO Advisory Committee, said the five-year program is a “really proactive development for ECHO.”

“In the past, we have dealt with strictly looking at things that come to us and propose a match, where it may be,” Surrette said. “In this case, as a direct county expenditure it will be a more proactive development for the whole ECHO program.”

The five-year proposal came before the council after it had approved two ECHO grant awards totaling $1.098 million — about $498,000 for the expansion of the African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand, and $600,000 for the Daytona Playhouse, which wants to add a permanent workshop, costume prepara-

PROJECT SITES

tion area, dressing room and more rehearsal space.

While both grants were approved, council members expressed concern about using ECHO funds to expand facilities which may not be sustainable in the long term. They asked staff for ways to examine applications to ensure facilities are being highly utilized and are as close as possible to being able to start projects.

Councilman Jake Johannsson said that he wants to make sure the county is leading by example by having “shovel-ready” programs on the five-year proposal.

“I don’t want to sit here and hold people accountable for their ECHO program (grants) year after year and be part of the problem as well,” he said.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

1. James Ormond Park

2. San Jose Fishing Dock

3. Briggs Drive Fishing Dock

4. Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park

5. Riv-Ocean Drive Fishing Dock

Volusia County’s Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center

COPS CORNER

FEB. 17 PAIN IN THE GLASS

10:40 p.m. — Woodfalon Place, Palm Coast Shooting into a dwelling. A Palm Coast couple were awoken from sleep when a bullet came through their window.

The homeowner, a woman, told deputies she woke up when she heard a loud bang and found the home’s bay window damaged with a small bullet hole. The window shattered moments later.

The bullet had entered through the patio screen and ultimately lodged in a wall in the home, according to an incident report. Deputies also found a bullet hole in the home’s fence and another in a neighboring home’s fence and patio screen.

Woodfalon runs partially parallel to U.S. 1, where deputies found four 40-caliber shell casings in the woods along the northbound lanes.

No one was injured, and there were no suspects at the time of the report.

FEB. 21

CLEANING CATASTROPHE

4:30 p.m. — 1300 block of North Beach Street, Bunnell Gunshot wound. A Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to the emergency room because someone had been admitted with a gunshot wound — in this case, a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the hand, according to an incident report.

The victim told the deputy he’d decided to practice shooting his 9 mm handgun after work.

After shooting a few rounds, he said, he took the gun apart to clean it in his kitchen. He took out the magazine, but forgot to remove the bullet in the chamber before trying to release the slide from the frame.

The gun fired, striking the man’s right hand, the report said. No charges were filed.

MARCH 2

PLAYING GAMES

8:30 p.m. — 1000 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Dealing in stolen property.

A 28-year-old Ormond Beach man is facing felony charges after he swindled a Palm Coast resident out of a gaming console, according to a police report.

The Palm Coast resident was selling his Xbox and a video game on Facebook Marketplace when he was contacted by the Ormond Beach man, according to the report. The two agreed to meet up at a local gas station for the purchase, and after the exchange, the Ormond man drove away. The Palm Coast resident then noticed that the dollar bills he had received read, “For motion picture use only.”

A day prior, according to the report, another police officer had responded to a similar scenario at another local gas station, where a person was paid in counterfeit bills for a Playstation. The description of the suspect was similar, and police soon determined the man’s identity.

Officers responded to the man’s home, and the man claimed at first not to know the money had been counterfeit, but later admitted that he’d bought it online. He said he would return the gaming consoles to their owners. However, he had already sold them to a friend, who said he would work to get them back.

The man was taken to jail.

MARCH 3

DRINKING AND DRIVING

7:36 p.m. — Intersection of Mcalister Drive and Sylvania Place, Ormond Beach DUI. Residents called police after a sedan drove through their neighborhood and ended up partially in someone’s yard.

When the reporting officer arrived, the car was still running, according to a police report.

The officer spoke with its driver, a 52-year-old Ormond Beach man who “had a very slow reactionary time and delayed responses” and struggled to lower the window on his car, according to the report. The man smelled of alcohol.

The officer asked for his driver’s license, and the man gave him his debit card. As the officer asked him questions, the man said he wanted to go to sleep and asked for a break: He thought he was at home, the report notes. He refused to perform field sobriety exercises and was taken to jail.

MARCH 4

WRONG HOUSE

3:30 a.m. — First block of Harvard Drive, Ormond Beach Trespassing. Imagine having a random person try to barge into your home. That’s precisely what one Ormond Beach woman encountered. The 74-year-old woman told police that she had run out of her home after someone began banging on her front door and windows in an attempt to enter her home. She fled to her neighbor’s house and asked them to call 911.

When police arrived, an officer entered her home and found a 27-year-old Canadian man passed out in the woman’s bed. The officer tried to wake him up several times before he was successful. The man was highly intoxicated, according to a police report.

Police discovered that the man was in the area for Bike Week and was staying at an AirBnB. He had been out drinking and took a taxi back to where he believed his vacation rental was located, and didn’t realize he had entered the wrong house.

The woman wanted to pursue charges, and the man was taken to jail.

BRIEFS

Firefighters put out car fire on I-95

A truck towing a boat was engulfed in flames on Interstate 95 southbound in the early afternoon on Feb. 28.

The truck’s driver was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, but no one else was injured. A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy on patrol had noticed the pickup truck from the westbound lanes on the Palm Coast Parkway overpass.

The pickup was pulled over near Mile Marker 296, its engine flaming and smoking, according to an FCSO incident report.

The deputy called in the fire and drove to the scene. The truck was fully engulfed by the time he arrived, though a boat was not.

The driver was standing next to the driver’s side door. He told the deputy he was handicapped and had inhaled a lot of the smoke.

The man then collapsed, and the deputy dragged him away from the fire and called for an ambulance.

Palm Coast Fire Department Engine 23 and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper responded. While PCFD put out the flames, the FHP trooper pulled his vehicle between the deputy and truck driver and the fire to protect them from the flames, the report said.

Fire rescue took the owner to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is unknown, PCFD Lt. Patrick Luciano said.

CRIME REPORT

Man attacks brother who had damaged his car

A man called police on Feb. 24 to report that his brother had bashed in his car window, but the caller himself was arrested after police arrived and found that he’d beaten his brother bloody.

The incident happened in the 500 block of East Drain Street, according to the suspect’s arrest report.

BPD officers arrived at the home to speak to the alleged car-basher, but the man was so injured that he couldn’t give a written statement and asked police to take him to the hospital.

While he was being treated, an officer checked area surveillance cameras.

The footage showed the beating victim throw something at the caller’s BMW.

The caller got out of the car, grabbed a large stick and chased his brother to an empty lot at East Drain Street and South Cherry Street, tackling him and beating him with the stick, causing “serious injury,” the report said.

The caller walked home. The injured brother followed shortly after, and smashed the BMW’s window.

The beating victim said he wanted to pursue charges.

The attacker has been charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was taken to jail and released the next day on $35,000 bond.

Palm Coast man charged in death of his dog

A Palm Coast man was arrested on Feb. 27 and charged with shooting his dog in the head.

The man — Robert Williams, of the 200 block of

Westhampton Drive, in Palm Coast — has been charged with animal cruelty and firing a gun inside a residence.

FCSO deputies had been called to the scene at around 9 p.m. when Williams reported a break-in at his home, saying his German shepherd had been shot in the head.

FCSO cleared the home, finding the dog in the master bedroom and no one else in the home beside Williams, according to his arrest report.

Williams told deputies that he thought he had been drugged.

He said that after he had returned home for the day, a friend who lived down the street came to visit and left after nightfall. But Williams could not provide a name or address for the friend, according to the report.

Shortly after, Williams told deputies, he’d started to feel “delusional,” and only remembered waking up to find his dog dead, with Williams’ two rifles nearby.

Deputies noted in the report that Williams kept going off-topic during their interview and trying to reenter the home.

Neighbors told deputies that a loud sound came from Williams’ home at around 8 p.m., though one neighbor reported hearing the dog barking at around 8:30 p.m., according to the report.

Deputies got a search warrant for the home and found multiple firearms there, including a .35 lever-action rifle with a spent casing inside.

Deputies then arrested Williams.

“This man tried to cover up his crime by claiming that an intruder killed his dog,” Sheriff Rick Staly said, according to a press release. “Violence is never the answer, especially violence against animals who cannot protect themselves. I hope he will never be able to

have a pet again, and be held accountable for the death of his dog.”

Williams is being held in jail on no bond, according to the press release.

Detective uses Facebook Messenger in investigation

An undercover operation that began on Facebook Messenger led to a Palm Coast man’s arrest on drug-related charges.

The man, 48, was arrested March 3 at an apartment in the 1100 block of Beach Village Circle.

An undercover Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy had been using an undercover Facebook account to speak to the suspect and arranged for the two to meet up, according to the suspect’s arrest report.

The suspect had messaged the female detective several days prior to his arrest, asking if she wanted to party. He sent her several pictures of drugs, including a video clip of him smoking cocaine out of a glass pipe, the report said.

The detective arranged to meet with him at an apartment complex on Beach Village Circle for cocaine just before 11 a.m. on March 3. When he arrived, FCSO Special Investigations Unit detectives intercepted him.

The detectives found a gram of a white rock substance that tested presumptive positive for cocaine in an empty cigarette box the suspect had with him. In his backpack, deputies also found a glass pipe with burnt residue, syringes and a copper Chore Boy scrubbing pad.

The suspect admitted to bringing cocaine for the detective and was arrested. He was taken to the county jail on charges of cocaine possession with intent to distribute and drug paraphernalia possession.

BIZ BUZZ

DSC SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH BETHUNECOOKMAN

Daytona State College and Bethune-Cookman University signed an agreement March 1 providing admissions, transfer credit and scholarship support for DSC students pursuing an advanced degree in criminal justice at B-CU.

The agreement is effective immediately.

“Our partnership with Bethune-Cookman University greatly streamlines the process for students looking to continue their education in criminal justice,” said Tom LoBasso, president of Daytona State College.

DSC students who have earned an associate of arts degree will be eligible to receive full credit for general education requirements at B-CU and are eligible for up to 60 transferable credits.

DSC students who have earned an associate of science degree in criminal justice and who are part of DSC’s Law Enforcement Academy plan are eligible to receive up to 42 transfer credits, including at least 15 general education classes. Those not part of the Law Enforcement Academy plan may receive up to 54 credits, including at least 15 general education classes.

“Daytona State has an incredible reputation for preparing its students to continue their education and enter the workforce,” said Lawrence M. Drake, interim president of Bethune-Cookman University. “We share a mission to serve our communities and look forward to helping students achieve their goals at B-CU.”

Mental examination ordered for student who attacked staff member

The student, 17-yearold Brendan Depa, has been charged as an adult and faces up to 30 years in prison.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A Flagler County judge has ordered the Matanzas High School special education student charged in a Feb. 21 attack on a school paraprofessional to undergo a mental examination to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

Brendan Depa, 17, is being charged as an adult and has pleaded not guilty. His public defender filed on March 3 for the court to order

the examination.

Judge Terence Perkins issued the order on the same day, according to court documents.

A document submitted on March 2 by Depa’s lawyer said Depa does not appear to understand the nature of his charges or the legal process, and has previously been evaluated, undergone treatment and been prescribed medication for psychological issues. He had been arrested after severely injuring Matanzas High School paraprofessional Joan Naydich on Feb. 21.

Matanzas High School surveillance footage showed Depa — 6 foot, 6 inches and weighing about 270 pounds, according to his arrest report — shove Naydich across a hallway, knocking her uncon-

scious, then repeatedly stomp on her and punch her in the head.

He had previously been charged with first-degree misdemeanor battery three times over the course of 2019 in Hillsborough County, and had completed a juvenile diversion alternative program, according to court records.

Depa is being held at a Jacksonville detention facility on $1 million bond and has a pretrial court date scheduled for 2:30 p.m. April 5 at the Flagler County courthouse.

A felony charge of aggravated battery on an educational employee is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Email Sierra Williams at sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

Spradley, Belhumeur join the Flagler Beach City Commission

Scott Spradley won 38% of the vote while Rick Belhumeur defeated Deborah Phillips in a close second-place win.

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Flagler Beach residents Scott Spradley and Rick Belhumeur have won the two open Flagler Beach City Commission seats. The polls closed at 7 p.m. on March 7 with a 2,600 vot-

er turnout for the commission seats. Spradley — a bankruptcy lawyer who recently represented the county in the dune easement hold-out case — won by a landslide 38.55%, with 1,034 votes.

It was a closer race between Belhumeur and the incumbent, Vice Chair Deborah Phillips. Belhumeur won 546 votes to Phillips’ 474, a difference of 72 votes.

Belhumeur is a returning city commissioner: He served on the commission for six years until he lost in 2022 to Commissioner James Sherman.

FDOT held an open house on Tuesday, Feb. 28, where it presented proposed improvements to a 6.2-mile corridor of LPGA Boulevard.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

The Florida Department of Transportation is hoping to address safety and traffic issues at one of the busiest corridors on the east side of Volusia County: LPGA Boulevard from U.S. 92 to Williamson Boulevard.

FDOT held an open house on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the LPGA International Clubhouse, presenting proposed improvements to the 6.2 -mile corridor — including a possible redesign of the LPGA Boulevard and I-95 interchange — as part of an ongoing $3.7 million Project Development and Environment study.

The project — which aims to address existing and future

travel demand as well as the needs for bicyclists and pedestrians — also includes the Tomoka River Bridge.

“The project area is experiencing unprecedented growth in recent years,” FDOT stated in its presentation. “What used to be a rural area back in the 1980s is now home to numerous major residential communities and commercial developments.”

More developments, the presentation noted, are underway, and will worsen congestion if no improvements are completed.

Just east of the I-95 interchange, FDOT projects volume to reach 78,000 vehicles per day by 2050. West of the interchange, the volume is expected to reach 56,000 vehicles per day. Between 2015 and 2019, there were 927 crashes in the project area, 44% of which were rear-end crashes. Of the total crashes, 11 were fatal and six involved a pedestrian or bicyclist.

To improve the corridor, FDOT is proposing that LPGA Boulevard be widened to four lanes between U.S. 92 and Tymber Creek Road and to six

The commission had two seats up for election: former Commission Chair Ken Bryan’s seat, and Phillips’ seat. Bryan announced in early January that he would not be running for reelection, but Phillips was one of five candidates vying for the seats. Spradley and Belhumeur will be sworn in at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, ahead of the 5:30 p.m. City Commission meeting.

The commission will need to immediately elect a new chair- and vice-chairperson.

lanes between Tymber Creek Road and Williamson Boulevard, and that bicycle and pedestrian facilities be added.

It’s also exploring replacing and widening the Tomoka River bridge to three 11-foot lanes in each direction, with left turn lanes. Currently, the bridge spans two lanes, and there are no paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.

FDOT is evaluating adding roundabouts at WelshingerButler Circle South and Pomona Drive near the Daytona Stadium, International Golf Drive and International Tennis Drive.

The I-95 interchange could be redesigned as a signalized turbine interchange. It is now a partial cloverleaf design, according to the presentation.

“This concept offers substantial benefits over other solutions that were considered by spreading the traffic across LPGA Boulevard to improve traffic flow by splitting the corridor into separate one-way pairs and providing longer storage for left turn lanes, without interfering with oncoming traffic, and reducing the number of conflict points where the ramps intersect LPGA Boulevard to enhance safety,” the presentation stated. “Additionally, the signalized to turbine interchange is easier to expand in the future, since traffic will continue to grow especially west of the I-95 interchange, where undeveloped lands are rezoned to residential and mixed uses.”

FDOT aims to complete its PD&E study by the fall. While the project’s $7.4 million design phase has been funded, construction remains unfunded.

Visit cflroads.com/project/448456-1 to view the presentation.

Courtesy of FDOT

The I-95 interchange could be redesigned as a signalized turbine interchange. It is currently a partial cloverleaf design, according to the presentation.

Ormond residents spearhead effort to add sign at Hammock Trace

Jennifer and Paul Tarus, who moved to the Hammock Trace neighborhood in 2021, commissioned a handmade sign for their community.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

After moving into their new house in the Hammock Trace neighborhood in Ormond Beach, Jennifer and Paul Tarus heard all sorts of stories from their neighbors about what the community was like decades prior.

Block parties. Neighbors who were more than just neighbors. Signs at each end of the small subdivision.

One of those signs used to stand at the corner of Roble Lane and Hammock Lane, in the property across from the Taruses. But it had been taken down a long time ago, possibly due to storm damage. The Taruses purchased their home in March 2021, and put a lot of time and effort into upgrading their landscaping.

“Since we opened up our corner, we figured, ‘Hey, let’s put a sign on this side, just to get the neighborhood going again,” Jennifer Tarus said.

And when Hurricane Ian damaged the sign at the other side of the community, at S. Center Street and Sandy Oaks Boulevard, they figured that allowed for a little bit more creativity.

That’s where Morris Wiener, of Wiener’s Wooden Signs, entered the picture.

A HANDMADE SIGN

Wiener has been painting for 80 years. Woodworking? Almost just as long, having begun when he was in the fourth grade.

“I just loved it,” Wiener said. “It was something I wanted to do, so I kept on doing it, and mostly, I taught myself.”

His shop is at the Daytona Flea Market. That’s where Jennifer Tarus

found him. She had commissioned a sign from him before, for her home after she and her husband moved in. Impressed with his skill, they wondered if he could do a bigger sign.

“So we figured we’d go down there, find out how much it costs, get one started and let other people decide whether or not they wanted to be involved, donate, whatever — several people had already shown interest,” Tarus said.

Without a homeowners association, they were free to explore the idea on their own.

She and her husband gave Wiener an idea of what they were looking for. They described the neighborhood, its location near Central Park, and the many squirrels seen every day.

The sign was a hit with the neighbors, Tarus said.

“They absolutely loved it, and they were really impressed,” she said. “We

were joking around, like ‘Breakaway Trails is going to be jealous. Ours is handmade.’”

Hearing that a customer loved the sign he made for them is “the highest form of gratification,” Wiener said.

“Sometimes I have customers that become emotional when they see the work that I’ve done for them,” Wiener said. “The samples that I show in my shop are very old, and they’re not really representative of the work that I do now, but when they see their sign, that’s part of why I don’t really want to change my samples, because they’re so elated when they see the final product. It’s really an emotional experience.”

His woodworking also brings joy to his wife, he added.

“She’s so pleased that we can make these people feel really happy with the work that I did,” Wiener said.

BE NEIGHBORLY

On Feb. 25, the Taruses invited all in the Hammock Trace neighborhood to come to their home to help place the new sign. They cooked hotdogs and hamburgers, played some music and met others in their community.

The sign cost the Taruses about $550. They let their neighbors know that, while donations were appreciated, they weren’t required — they just wanted people to come and have fun.

The Taruses received $382 in donations. The goal wasn’t to make up what they had spent, but rather to raise funds to place a new sign at Sandy Oaks Boulevard to replace the one removed after Hurricane Ian.

Neighbor Patricia Potts said around 25 people came by, and that everybody has been commenting on how nice the sign is. Having lived in the neighborhood for about 21 years, she remembers what the old signs

used to look like.

“It was a green rectangle with a little white carved out area that said Hammock Trace on it, and that was it,” Potts said. “It served its purpose for a lot of years, but this I think is outstanding. It looks really super.”

Potts played a role, perhaps unknowingly, in the Taruses’ sign initiative. When the Taruses moved in, she brought them a fruit basket to welcome them to the neighborhood. Then, when the Taruses got a puppy, Potts brought over a basket for the puppy, too.

“The way she was made us feel like we’ve got to do cute stuff like that for our neighbors,” Tarus said. Potts said the Taruses are very friendly and have been eager to lend a hand to her and her husband. She thanked them for their help.

“And thank you for what you mean for the neighborhood,” Potts said.

Hammock Trace neighbors show off their new sign.

Photo courtesy of Kristen Shae Photography

Millie’s North opens in Ormond Beach

New restaurant offers locally sourced seafood.

ABBIE PACE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A new restaurant opened at 330 S. Atlantic Avenue on Feb. 10, offering fresh seafood sourced from local fishermen, plus a full bar and cocktail list.

Millie’s North — owned by husband and wife Chris and Amy Chibbaro, plus a private owner — is named after the Chibbaros’ pet dog, Millie. The restaurant’s original location, Millie’s Restaurant and Catering, in Daytona Beach Shores, opened in 2018. Chris Chibbaro had moved to the Ormond Beach area from New Jersey in 2001, and fell in love with the region.

Some obstacles interrupted the Chibbaros’ initial attempt to open in Ormond, and a regional partner died unexpectedly shortly before the move.

But the Ormond Beach location made its debut not long after.

The restaurant focuses on seafood that’s not only fresh, but local.

“It always upsets us that almost all the fish that is caught around here is exported out,” Chris Chibarro said.

Chris Chibbaro said his favorite dish on the menu is the shrimp francaise — local shrimp, angel hair pasta and lemon caper beurre blanc.

He described Millie’s North’s motto as “Positive Mental Attitude,” or PMA, an acronym posted throughout the kitchen for employees to see.

“I love high quality food and things that are delicious and everything, but for me, it’s more about being a catalyst for people to create memo-

BIZ BUZZ

ries,” he said. “The best compliment that I’ve ever had was when somebody told me that, ‘We got in the car to come tonight, and I told my wife it felt like we were going to a neighbor’s house for dinner.’”

The restaurant’s Daytona Beach Shores location was featured in Season 36 of Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Driveins and Dives.”

The Chibarros have two young daughters who admire their parents’ businesses, and enjoy growing up in the environment.

The Ormond Beach location is currently closed on Mondays and open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Daytona Beach Shores location is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Millie’s North is located at 330 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach. The Daytona Beach Shores location is located at 3218 S. Atlantic Ave.

UNITED WAY OF VOLUSIA-FLAGLER VISITS CAPITOL

United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties visited the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee on Feb. 21-22 to propose the United Way of Florida’s Consensus Legislative Agenda to legislators.

Each year, United Way of Florida creates a Consensus Legislative Agenda that is approved by all 28 United Ways across the state. The 2023 agenda focuses on United Way’s work improving lives for “ALICE” — Asset, Limited, Income, Constrained, Employed — individuals. The United Way Consensus Agenda has three main focuses: Financial Stability (VITA), affordable housing, and expanding access to children’s health care (KidCare).

At the Capitol, United Way staff members Lawrence Anderson and Amanda Lasecki and Women United Flagler Volunteer Linda Mahran met with Senator Travis Hutson to talk about VITA, United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, through which families that make up to $60,000 a year can file taxes for free with a tax certified VITA Volunteer. Appointments can be made now through April 15 by visiting unitedwayvfc.org/vitatax.

Florida’s United Ways urged legislators to invest $1.2 million in state funding which, when combined with the $1.8 million match by local United Ways in Florida, would offer enhanced opportunity for free tax preparation. To learn more, visit unitedwayvfc. org/advocate.

FLEXJET HELPS A NEW GENERATION TAKE TO THE SKIES AT EMBRYRIDDLE

Flexjet, a subscription-based private aviation company, has opened an expanded Flexjet Innovation and Career Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park in Daytona Beach.

The new facilities will house Flexjetsponsored internships, offer conference space for student meetings and introduce students to career opportunities in the rapidly growing business aviation sector.

“In the past, those interested in aviation careers have looked to the airlines and the military,” Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci said in a news release. “However, business aviation employs more individuals than the U.S. airlines, the Air Force and the Air National Guard combined, and offer a wide range of opportunities to build challenging and fulfilling careers. Through the Flexjet Innovation and Career Center, we hope to offer educational and training opportunities to students at one of America’s leading aeronautical academic programs while informing them about careers in business aviation.”

The expansion extends a partnership with Embry-Riddle that began in 2017. The new facilities increase the space devoted to Flexjet’s business aviation activities to 3,000 square feet.

“Embry-Riddle is honored to partner with Flexjet to provide students with real-world learning opportunities and introduce them to exciting new career possibilities,” University President Dr. P. Barry Butler said.

Millie’s North employees celebrate the opening of the restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Stolowitz Photography

Courtesy photo Lawrence Anderson, Tara Osouli, Amanda Lasecki, Linda Mahran, Mica Lili, Alyssa Lang and Stephanie Renick.

Make yourself at home

Handing over the saw

Ellie makes the cut.

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The reminders were getting more and more urgent.

“I need a board for my art class,” said my 13-year-old daughter, Ellie. “It should be about this big.” With her hands, she mimed a shape that looked like a paperback book.

For the third time, I mumbled something like, “Yeah.” My eyes remained on my phone. Worried that I wasn’t taking her emergency seriously enough, she

LETTERS

A visit with old friends

Dear Editor:

On Saturday, Feb. 25, I visited the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Rockefeller Gardens. The wall is a 3/5 scale replica of the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., which is located near Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. Seeing the wall escorted to Ormond Beach is emotional. Searching for the names of my classmates among 58,000 names on the wall was an emotional overload.

I could see my reflection on the wall. With the help of a volunteer,

SEABREEZE CLASS OF 1970 DONATES $3,000 TO TWO LOCAL GROUPS

The Seabreeze High School Class of 1970 has donated a total of $3,000 to two local organizations, thanks to funds raised following its 52-year high school reunion.

The money came from class member donations and in-kind contributions.

The first donation of $1,500 went to First Step Shelter in Daytona Beach and will be used for the shelter’s outdoor safe zone.

The second $1,500 donation went to Seabreeze High School’s Athletic Department, where the money will be used to help students in financial need participate in sports.

“The class would like to recognize the over-and-above effort by Mr. Montgomery to assist and contribute to the success of their reunion, as well as his outstanding leadership to promote SHS Athletics to alumni and other local concerns,” class member Rick Bosang said in an email.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

SCHOOLS NAME CTE

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Hayley Dougal, director of Spruce Creek High School’s Academy of Finance, was recognized as Volusia County Schools’ Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year at

added: “We’re making our sculptures in class — tomorrow.”

I trudged to the corner of the garage known as the Museum of Unfinished Projects, and I found the perfect artifact: a white half-shelf.

Like a humble subject hoping for the princess’s approval, I entered the family room and held up my offering, knowing that rejection would mean death, or worse — a late-night trip to Lowe’s.

“It’s a little big,” she said.

“Perfect for a big sculpture.” She was motionless, in regal silence.

“Or,” I relented, “we could cut it.”

I retrieved a handsaw and two clamps from the garage and set them up on a table in the kitchen. I knew I could saw the board in about 60 seconds, and I was about to do it, but then I looked at Ellie on the couch, and suddenly I saw her not as a princess but as a young girl who had never used a handsaw, a girl

I found their names: Henry Lewis Allen and James Madison Masters, Jr. Henry had asked me to the prom when nobody else would. I didn’t expect to find his name, since he had been classified “missing in action” for so long. The names are listed chronologically on the wall in order of their causalities.

At my recent 60th reunion, held at The Casements, we had a “Missing Man Table” set for both Jimmy and Henry. Both played football for Mainland High School. Jimmy made sure I never missed his game. In fact, once while on the field, he was looking up at the stands searching for me to make sure I was watching him. He was reprimanded

an awards dinner at the DeBary Golf & Country Club on Feb. 23.

Eight other finalists were also recognized:

„ Emmet Foxworth, DeLand Middle School

„ Patrick Hole, New Smyrna Beach High School

„ James Kohler, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School

„ Christina Marrero, Pine Ridge High School

„ Joseph Monaco, DeLand High School

„ Paul Reed, Mainland High School

„ Margo Rivera, Atlantic High School

„ Shelli Walters, University High School

“Congratulations to all of our CTE teachers for preparing our students to become better employees, bigger thinkers and more responsible neighbors and colleagues, so that each of our students will have their own happy and productive tomorrow,” Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said.

Board Chair Jamie Haynes, Vice Chair Anita Burnette and Board Member Jessie Thompson also attended the event.

VCS has over 47 CTE programs in 10 high schools, and 21 career academies in nine high schools. There are also CTE pathways across 14 middle schools.

VCS LAUNCHES ‘GREAT

PEOPLE GREAT DEEDS’ CAMPAIGN

Volusia County Schools has launched a new initiative called “Great People Great Deeds,” to recognize educators and support staff who go above and beyond their work

who would one day be a woman, likely a mother, someone who was capable of all I could ever do and more.

If I were to cut this board, it would be done quickly, and I could move on with my life, but would I be robbing her of the small satisfaction that would come from cutting her own board for her own project?

I knew the difference I had felt in the past when I knew my parents had helped me with a middleschool project, and how I felt when I accomplished it on my own, no matter how jagged the edges.

To my surprise, Ellie didn’t protest when I handed her the saw. I demonstrated briefly, and then she took over.

The teeth caught as she scraped the saw against the wood. She tried again, concentrating. Minutes passed.

From the other room, my wife, Hailey, said, “Looks like it’s Ellie’s

by the coach for that! It was as if the three of us were together again. The spiritual connection I experienced at the Traveling Wall is exactly what the young university student, Maya Lin, intended when she designed the Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Her design was chosen out of 1,400 submissions in a nationwide contest. When I was standing at the wall, I thought the volunteer would give us some space to reflect on the times we had and the time we had missed. However, she stood right by my side. It was then that I realized that she was the volunteer “hugger.” When I started to cry uncontrollably, she gave me a much needed long and tight hug. Two other volunteers

turn to be in your column.”

Ellie looked at me and said, “Seriously?”

“Maybe,” I said. “Never know.”

Again, the teeth caught. But she eventually got the hang of it. The motion became smoother, and she learned to hunch over the board for better leverage. Finally: success. She held up the fruits of her labor and said, in her teenagerly ironic monotone: “Ta da. A board.”

It wasn’t a landmark accomplishment in her life; maybe she’ll forget all about it. But despite her attempts to stay cool, I could see a smile creep across her face as she then sanded the edges of the board and envisioned her sculpture resting on top of it.

As a way to confirm her permission for me to write about this episode for my column,qw she added: “Probably the most notable thing I’ll do all week.”

printed out the full military profiles of my classmates, which included dates and their photos.

BARBARA SANDBERG Ormond Beach

Editor’s note: The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial was displayed during Ormond Strong’s Military Veteran, First Responder & Community Family Appreciation Day. For more information on the memorial, visit travelingwall.us/. Send letters up to 400 words to jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

PalmCoastObserver.com

ORMOND BEACH Observer

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Media Director Holly Oliveri, holly@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Office Coordinator Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

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ADOPTABLE PETS

Rowan, a 7-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix. His adoption fee is $75.

BEACHSIDE CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Beachside Elementary hosted an African American Read-In event in honor of Black History Month on Feb. 23.

It had been a long-standing tradition at Osceola Elementary to host the event every February, Beachside Elementary first grade teacher Amy stoner said in a statement to the Observer Beachside Elementary was creat-

duties.

Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and her team surprised one instructional and one non-instructional employee with the honors on Feb. 24:

„ Deborah Treur, intermediate teacher, Beachside Elementary

„ Gregg Bastian, guardian, Spruce Creek Elementary.

Treur tutorings students before and after school as well as tutoring

ed as a result of the merger between Osceola and Ortona Elementary, and the tradition lives on.

“We wanted to continue that tradition here at our new school Beachside Elementary, and it was a success,” Stoner said. “We had leaders from our community come out to read to every classroom. Our students loved welcoming them and hearing the stories they shared.”

off campus voluntarily, according to her nominator, Principal Barbara Bruner.

“Her heart is always for our students, and her dedication is shown by her tireless efforts for her students and Beachside,” Bruner said.

Treur also recently helped a student whose home flooded.

Treur found free and low-cost furniture and other items the family needed, and delivered them to their home.

Bastian, a retired Port Orange firefighter, was recognized for helping his neighbor evacuate from a fire on Christmas morning.

He then put out the fire with a garden hose before the fire department arrived.

“As I always say, Mr. B. has an uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time.” Principal Andrea Hall said. “We are so grateful that he is our guardian, and we are extremely proud of him!”

The awards will be bestowed monthly and come with a “Great People Great Deeds” shirt, as well as the parking spot of the awardees’ choice at their school, designated by a sign recognizing their impact to VCS and the community.

February’s Great People Great Deeds recognitions were sponsored

Poseidon, a 7-year-old Chinese SharPei mix. His adoption fee is $75.

To adopt these pets, or see others, visit the Halifax Humane Society at 2364 LPGA Blvd. or call 274-4703.

by Leonard’s.

REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR TEMPLE BETH SHALOM’S ART CAMP

Registration is open for Temple Beth Shalom’s innovative Judaica through the Arts summer art camp for children ages 6-12.

The program will focus on Jewish traditions and values through art, crafts and preparation of holiday treats.

There will be two different 4-day sessions with separate programs, so campers can do one or both without repetition.

The first session is planned for June 19-22, and the second is scheduled for July 10-13. Both will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each session is $50 per child, including craft materials and snacks.

To register, contact Temple Beth Shalom Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 9 a.m. and noon. Space is limited, and registration will close May 15.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at 40 Wellington Drive in Palm Coast.

Courtesy photo

Spruce Creek High School Academy of Finance Director Hayley Dougal (center) with VCS administration, board members and Spruce Creek High School administration.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Heller

A Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputy participated in Beachside Elementary’s African American Read-In event on Feb. 23.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Paws and remember

Beloved pets honored at the eighth-annual Sophie’s Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

People came out in droves to walk Granada Bridge in memory of their beloved pets at the eighth annual Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue Rainbow Bridge Walk on Saturday, March 4.

Eight years ago, dog trainer Dana Conway started the Rainbow Bridge Walk because of her dog — Mr. Big.

“I always said that when I lose him, I needed to do something in his honor,” she said. “He was the most difficult dog I’ve ever had. Because of him, I became a dog trainer.”

Mr. Big was a 105-pound natural disaster. For a year, he destroyed Conway’s house on a daily basis. She needed to find a solution, and became a dog trainer. Today, she runs Loose Leashes Dog Training in Ormond-by-the-Sea. She won the 2022 Best of the Best Community Choice award for best dog trainer.

“Everybody has a soulmate dog; everybody has that one dog,” she said. “He (Mr. Big) was the one dog.”

Conway works with all of Sophie’s Circle’s foster dogs. Mary Nichols is the foster coordinator for the rescue, and if there is an issue with one of the dogs, she contacts Conway.

“Tonight, Dana worked with one of our foster dogs who was having trouble on the leash and being reactive,” Nichols said. “He couldn’t handle all of this. She worked with him for 5 minutes and put a different collar on him. He was amazing. He is like a different dog now. He’s calm and relaxed.”

WANT TO HELP?

Sophie’s Circle uses donations to pay for food, medical needs and living expenses for rescued dogs, including Gunner. Go to facebook.com/sophiescirclehuskyrescue or sophiescircle.com.

The money raised at the event goes directly to Sophie’s Circle to help care for rescued dogs.

Founder Kathy Blackman is focusing on an 8-month-old puppy that was found wandering in the New Smyrna Beach area with two gunshot wounds to his face.

“Despite all of that, he is still a happy, nice, friendly dog,” she said.

“Still wagging his tail and giving kisses.”

He is being cared for by veterinarian Dr. Inderjit Singh, the owner of Luv-N-Care Animal Hospital.

The puppy, who has since been named Gunner, recently underwent oral surgery to repair his jaw and remove broken teeth. He will require another surgery to remove the second bullet from one of his cervical vertebrae. The cost is already over $8,000.

More than 35 sponsors and vendors participated in the event this year and have so far made $8,560.25, which is 85% of their $10,000 goal. Mary Korp and Lynn Betournay volunteered to run the T-shirt sales, which go toward the Sophie’s Circle pet food pantry.

“There’s a need for it in Volusia County,” Betournay said. “There are a lot of low-income people that need food for their animals. This helps keep the animal in their home rather than having to surrender them to a shelter.”

Most participants were walking with their dogs in honor of pets who had died. Port Orange groomer Pauline Kurpinsky, her husband, Tom, and their dogs — Astrid Blue and rescue Ruby Begonia — were walking the bridge in memory of their three dogs Lola, Lucy and Zena.

Sally Trant came from a large family and could not have a pet when she was growing up. After 65 years, she finally got her first dog — a Hungarian hunting dog, known as a Vizsla, whom she named Willy. This was their first Rainbow Bridge Walk. Before her mom died two years ago, they had had a running joke about it.

“I kept telling my mom when she kicks the bucket, I’m getting a dog,” she said. “So I did.”

Photos by Michele Meyers

Tiffany gets a ride in her stroller before she walks across Granada Bridge.

Savey, Amanda and Jeremy Bouchard and Piper walk the Granada Bridge. Julia Williams

Sally Trant and her first pet, Willy, join the walkers.

Mark Chiriboga, left, is joined by musician friends: Vic on drums, Dave on guitar, Kevin Burrus on bass and Tom Mazzuca on sax.

The Sophie’s Circle crew: Lauren LaBrie, Mary Nichols, Kathy Blackman and Dana Conway.

“Everybody has a soulmate dog; everybody has that one dog. He (Mr. Big) was the one dog.”

DANA

CONWAY, owner, Loose Leashes Dog Training

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

ORMOND BEACH AREA

DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

WHEN: 7 P.M.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The March meeting of the Ormond Beach Democratic Club will be held in person and on Zoom. Social visiting will be from 6:30-7 p.m., after which the meeting will begin. Elections for some of the offices will take place after a slate is presented and nominations are taken from the floor. Pending policies and legislations will be discussed and suggested responses/actions considered. Like-minded nonmembers are welcome to attend as guests. Club information and the Zoom link are available at ormondbeachdems.org.

PALM COAST DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: African American Cultural Society, 4422 N. U.S. 1, Palm Coast

Details: The Palm Coast Democratic Club will host a discussion of Florida House Bill 1 on school choice. There will be a social hour beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to all. For more information, call Palm Coast Democratic Club Interim President Donna Harkins at 386-237-7202.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

TREASURES IN THE ATTIC

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church, 101 Pine Lakes Parkway Details: The Garden Club of Palm Coast will host its annual Treasures in the Attic Rummage Sale.

MOVIES IN THE PARK

When: 6:45-8:45 p.m.

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

Details: Bring your blanket, lawn chairs and picnic baskets and watch “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” rated PG, at Central

Park. This event is presented by Palm Coast Parks and Recreation.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 HISTORY OF FISHING IN PONCE INLET

When: 9:30 a.m.

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

Details: Marine Science Center Manager Chad MacFie will discuss the history of fishing in Ponce Inlet, from the Timucuan Indians to the modern fleet and conservation efforts during this event hosted by the Ormond Beach Historical Society. He will also share the stories and pictures from the families, fishermen and locals who created the backbone of Ponce Inlet as we know it today. Free program. There will be coffee and refreshments.

SIXTH ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12.

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

Details: Eat all things Strawberry during this annual festival. There will be family-friendly activities, arts, crafts, bounce houses, rock painting, pony rides, a pie eating contest and more.

Tickets cost $6; kids 2 and under are free. Visit palmcoastfest.com for a $1 off coupon; you may also bring a canned good for a discount. Festival benefits Flagler Habitat for Humanity.

CRAFT SHOW

When: 2-3 p.m.

Where: VFW Post 3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange

Details: Peruse local crafts at VFW Post 3282. Proceeds will go to support local veterans. There will be a bake sale and lunch options available for purchase.

CAIN’S LIVE AND IN COLOR TOUR

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Calvary Christian Church Center, 1687 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: See this concert by Chris-

tian band CAIN, part of its first headlining tour. The concert will also feature Katy Nichole and David Leonard. The band invites the audience to dress in the same color as its members. In Ormond Beach, the designated color will be orange. Tickets cost $25 for general admission. Visit itickets.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

TRINITY HANDBELL CHOIR AND FRIENDS IN CONCERT

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast

Details: This concert promises to be a musical journey from Lent to Easter, featuring an organ, piano, vocal and flute solos, as well as narration. A freewill offering is requested to benefit local food banks.

SWINGTIME! THE JIVE ACES

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Flagler Auditorium, 5500 State Road 100, Palm Coast

Details: See these Britain’s Got Talent stars, known for their high-energy music featuring songs by Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman and more. Tickets $40-$50. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.

by a parent or grandparent. After the tour, there will be a watercolor activity. Most supplies included, but children must bring their own 8-by-10-inch mixed-media sketchbook. Activity costs $15 for museum members; $18 for nonmembers. Visit ormondartmuseum.org.

CIVIL DISCOURSE/COMMON

GROUND

When: 5:30 p.m.

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

Details: Attend the next meeting of Civil Discourse/Common Ground. The civic-minded group aims to engage in dialogue about how to best create change in local communities.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

LEWIS AND CLARK CIRCUS

When: 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14-15; 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16; and 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 17

Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Experience 90 minutes of circus fun. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $5 per child online; $25 per adult and $10 per child at the door. Visit lewisandclarktickets.com.

ONGOING COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY’ AWARDS EXHIBIT

When: Through March 18

MONDAY, MARCH 13

YOUTH GARDEN TOUR AND ART ACTIVITY

When: 1-2:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: OMAM is inviting children ages 5-12 for a tour of the memorial gardens, led by Garden Artisan Janett Taylor. Kids must be accompanied

Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach Details: See works by members of the Art League of Daytona Beach, Casements Camera Club, Flagler Beach Photography Club, Port Orange Camera Club and Southeast Volusia Camera Club. Gallery is open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

‘ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S

NEST’

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday March 10-11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12

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

Details: See this stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel by Dale Wasserman. The play explores the brutality of life in a mental institution with humor and unforgettable characters. Tickets cost $25, or $20 for students. Visit flaglerplayhouse.org.

VOLUSIA COUNTY SENIOR

SOFTBALL

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

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

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

EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING

BODY

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

Where: First Baptist Church Of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Attend upbeat classes with Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella, presented by Synergy Senior Fitness. Insurances that cover fitness accepted, or a donation for those with no coverage. Visit Synergyseniorfitness.com.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

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

Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Details: The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Minor Masterpieces: Porcelain Painted Scenes from the Collection,” and “Sensations: Florida Artists Group Statewide Exhibition.”

Post 115 monthly meeting will feature a potluck dinner and update of coming events. A Veteran Affairs Service Officer representative will be in attendance.

Mainland’s boys basketball team advanced to the state championship game.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mainland boys basketball players were crushed as they grabbed runner-up medals after being defeated 49-30 by No. 1 seed Belen Jesuit of Miami (28-4) at the 5A state championship in Lakeland on March 4.

The Wolverines celebrated their first championship in school history.

Coach Joe Giddens made his players watch them get their trophy and medals after the game.

“I told them to watch and soak it in,” he said. “I told them to watch them get the trophy because I wanted them to see what it feels like. We know how we feel now, we know how we don’t want to feel again.”

The teams tied the first quarter with 10 points each, but Belen Jesuit outscored Mainland in the remaining quarters — 9-2, 13-8 and 17-10. Point guard Nathan Kirk was held to five points while the remaining players were also pinned to single digits. Belen Jesuit’s Javi Rosell scored 22 points, while teammate Bryce Fitzgerald had 13.

Giddens said his team had never played a team like Belen Jesuit, which pressed the entire game and operated differently than other teams the Bucs had faced. Belen is coached by Gaston Rodríguez, who already had two state championships under his belt with Champagnat Catholic and Coral Reef Senior High.

“At the time, we could not do something that we normally do on the regular,” Giddens said. “Worst time for it to happen, and it did. We did not execute like we could have.”

The Buccaneers finished 25-6 after playing a monster schedule with teams ranked in the Florida High School Athletic Association top 20 that included third-ranked

Zay Mincey takes it to the basket after another steal.

Mainland goes wild as Zay Mincey dunks the ball toward the end of the state semifinal against St. Petersburg.

Nathan Kirk chases down a loose ball during the game against St. Petersburg in the state semifinal at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Mainland’s cheer team gets the crowd pumped at halftime.

Photos by Michele Meyers SEE BUCCANEERS PAGE 4B

“What I love about this team is that they love each other. At times when something bad happens, they go to their teammate to let them know we got it.”

JOE GIDDENS, Mainland coach

Buccaneer ball

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3B

Olympia of Orlando and top-ranked teams from Georgia and Virginia.

“The gauntlet schedule is something I’m going to do every year,” Giddens said. “We are going to continue to play those kind of teams to get us ready.”

Mainland advanced to the final with a 43-38 victory over St. Petersburg in a semifinal game March 2 in Lakeland.

After taking the District 4-5A title in a 73-52 victory over Menendez, the Bucs cracked a 25-year dry spell by winning the Region 1 final

in a nail-biting 35-34 win against Columbia, sending them to the state semifinals. Kirk scored 18 points in the semifinal victory.

“When we won to go to the final four, I was very emotional,” Gid dens said. “My players came to hug me and said ‘Coach, you all right? We got you.’ To go with them to the final four and enjoy that moment is the best.”

Giddens believes this could be one of his best defensive teams.

The players’ focus and ability to make adjustments on the fly shows their basketball intelligence is extremely high, he said. One of the most positive aspects of this team is it always look toward the next play and does not dwell on mistakes.

“What I love about this team is that they love each other,” Gid dens said. “At times when something bad happens, they go to their teammate to let them know we got it.”

The Bucs were given time off after the defeat, but Gid dens got a text on Monday, March 6, from his guys say ing they wanted to get back in the gym. They stayed in the gym until 8:30 p.m., lifting weights and shoot ing baskets.

“I think my guys really learned from it,” he said. “That right there tells me they really want it. They got a chance to get their feet wet and they want to go back.”

This is the first year that Mainland has had a football team and bas ketball team bring home state runners-up titles in the same year, and the first year the girls basketball team became state champions. Giddens knows it has a lot to do with their creed — “Buc Pride Never Dies.”

“Oh man, that’s what I believe,” Giddens said. “When I was in high school, that’s all I knew. When I was a kid, I always wanted to play for Mainland. I wanted to break my uncle’s record at Mainland. It’s just something I always wanted to do.”

NOW OPEN

Ajai Harrell takes it to the hoop as Marquris Curry Jr. (1) and Tristan Gross (10) attempt to slow him down.

NSB’s Meeks strikes out 11 in baseball win over FPC

The Bulldogs lost their second game in a row before bouncing back with a comeback victory against Seabreeze.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast baseball coach

Kyle Marsh is familiar with New Smyrna Beach righthander Mattox Meeks from the Orlando Scorpions Baseball Club’s summer program.

So, Marsh, who coaches with the Scorpions in the summer, knew what to expect when Meeks faced the Bulldogs on Friday, March 3, at FPC. A lot of curveballs.

Meeks kept the Bulldogs off-bal-

ance all night, striking out 11 batters in six innings on the way to an 8-0 New Smyrna Beach victory.

“I was able to control the zone with my curveball,” Meeks said. “My curveball is always my best pitch. I get a lot of strikeouts with it.”

The junior allowed five hits and one walk to lower his earned run average to 0.95.

“He had good tempo on the mound,” Marsh said. “All of his pitches were working.”

But FPC’s first-year head coach thought his team was too complacent for the second game in a row. After beating University 6-5 in nine innings on Feb. 28, the Bulldogs lost home games on consecutive nights to DeLand (10-2 on March 2) and New Smyrna.

“Little things matter,” Marsh said. “We’ve got to attack. We’ve got to be aggressive at the plate. We’ve got to compete. Every game is big for us.”

Marsh said FPC starter Brayden Stuart threw the ball well. The senior did not allow a hit through the first two innings. After the first batter of the game reached first base on an error, Stuart fired a pickoff throw to first and the Bulldogs got the runner out in a rundown play.

Stuart had a 1-2-3 second inning with the help of a diving catch by

left fielder Connor May. But the Barracudas scored two runs each in the third, fourth and fifth innings.

FPC freshman Caysen Nobles pitched the final two innings for his first varsity appearance on the mound. Nobles struck out four batters and allowed two runs, including a leadoff home run in the seventh by Landyn Abernethy.

The Bulldogs were missing first baseman/designated hitter Dalton Schell, who was competing at the

state wrestling tournament.

FPC got back in the win column on Monday, March 6, with an 8-3 win at Seabreeze to improve to 4-3. After trailing the Sandcrabs 3-2, the Bulldogs scored six runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.

FPC was scheduled to face the Sandcrabs at home on March 8 and then host city rival Matanzas on Friday, March 10.

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Tristen Miller rounds second base before getting thrown out at third.

FPC first baseman Tristen Miller attempts to tag out Nate Savolis.

Photos by Jake Montgomery

“Little things matter. We’ve got to attack. We’ve got to be aggressive at the plate. We’ve got to compete. Every game is big for us.”

KYLE MARSH, FPC baseball coach

FPC pitcher Brayden Stuart allowed six runs on eight hits.

TWO-WAY SWITCHES by Pam Amick Klawitter, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

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

LINES

Four FPC lifters win titles in four-way meet

In its final match before the Five Star Conference championships, Flagler Palm Coast’s boys weightlifting team hosted Winter Springs, Bartram Trail and Deltona on March 1.

The Bulldogs finished second in both the traditional and Olympic competition. Winter Springs edged FPC 57-50 in traditional, with Deltona (28) third and Bartram Trail (3) fourth. In the Olympic competition, Winter Springs was first with 59 points, followed by FPC (39), Bartram Trail (37) and Deltona (17).

MAINLAND WRESTLERS PLACE

Mainland’s Cheyenne Wigley (235 pounds) and Mya Hill (155 pounds) each placed seventh at the girls state weightlifting championships March 1-4 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Both wrestlers placed at state for the second year in a row.

SANDCRABS

TENNIS TEAM UNDEFEATED

Seabreeze’s boys and girls tennis teams were both 6-0 entering the Five Star Conference tournament, which will conclude Thursday, March 9, at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.

FPC’s girls tennis team was 3-2, while its young boys team was 1-6 entering the tournament.

FPC’s Nick Lilavois, (129 pounds) and Nick Groth (183) won their weight classes in both competitions. Charley Perry (238) and Kobe Murphy (unlimited) won in traditional.

Lilavois hoisted 445 pounds (225 clean and jerk, 220 bench press) in the traditional competition and 415 (190 snatch) in Olympic. Lilavois, who won both competitions handily, missed his third clean and jerk attempt of 235 pounds.

Last year, 445 pounds was the

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second-best traditional total by 129-pounders at the Class 3A state championships. Lilavois moved up a weight class this year after finishing second at 119 pounds in traditional lifts and winning the snatch title at state last year.

Groth had the best clean and jerk lift of 295 pounds at the March 1 meet. He totaled 560 in traditional and 515 in Olympic.

Perry won the 235-pound traditional competition by 150 pounds, with a 600-pound total. He tied Bartram Trail’s Marcos Ramos for the highest Olympic total (420 pounds), but Ramos won the competition by body weight, weighing one pound lighter than Perry.

Murphy did not miss a traditional lift. He completed a 280-pound clean and jerk and benched 360 pounds for a 640-pound total.

The Five Star meet is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, at FPC.

Email brent@observerlocalnews. com.

LIONS CLUB HONORS SENIOR

The Ormond Beach Lions Club honored Seabreeze High School senior Dominic Marinaccio as its student athlete of the month for February. Marinaccio plays soccer for the Sandcrabs and was also on the cross country team.

He was awarded SuperCrab of Athletics for the first quarter this year and was named best newcomer for cross country. He also assists soccer coach Jon Kinsler in refereeing and coaching 3 vs. 3 tournaments and practices for the Under 10 and Under 8 soccer club divisions.

Marinaccio has a 4.53 GPA and is secretary of Seabreeze’s National Honor Society. He has been drum captain of the drum line for the last two years and has been chosen to be in the Tomorrow’s Leaders program. He has recorded over 400 hours of community service.

PRO PICKLEBALL AT PICTONA

A pro pickleball tournament is scheduled March 9-12 at Pictona at Holly Hill. The Carvana PPA Tour will host the Red Clay Florida Open. This event will be the PPA Tour’s first-ever tournament held in the Volusia-Flagler area.

The event is a professional and amateur tournament that will feature 1,100 pickleball players in multiple divisions. This will be the fifth event on the pro tour’s calendar of 25 events during the 2023 season.

The competitors include the world’s top male and female pros, including Anna Leigh Waters (women’s No. 1), Ben Johns (men’s No. 1), Riley Newman (men’s No. 2) and Catherine Parenteau (women’s No. 2). The professional purse is $238,314 in prize money.

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Nick Lilavois won at 129 pounds at the March 1 meet with a 445-pound traditional total and a 415-pound Olympic total.

FPC 139-pound lifter Richard Beltrami completed a 190-pound clean and jerk on his second lift at a March 1 meet.

Photo by Rachel Mills

Mainland's Cheyenne Wigley checks the clock during a match at the state tourney.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Palm Coast Plantation house tops sales list

Ahouse in Palm Coast Plantation was the top real estate transaction for Jan. 26-Feb. 1 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Robert and Deborah Deal, of Fernandina Beach, sold 95 South Riverwalk Drive to Joe and Inara Blackburn, of Palm Coast, for $1,335,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 4/4 with an inground pool, electric fireplace, gas fireplace, spa and 3,584 square feet of living space.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PALM COAST

Belle Terre

INB Fund 1 LLC, of Orlando, sold 132 Plain View Drive to David and Dorothy Hollowell, of Palm Coast, for $320,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,500 square feet of living space.

Matanzas Woods

Virginia Steiger and Kimberly McQuaig, of St. Augustine, sold 1 Linda Place to Patrick Callahan, of Daytona Beach, for $282,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 with an inground pool and has 1,560 square feet.

Not in subdivision

Dolores Donlan, of Gibbsboro, New Jersey, sold 221 Wellington Drive to Jonathan and Deborah Spiegel, of Young Harris, Georgia, for $315,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 with an inground pool and 1,979 square feet. It sold in 1994 for $161,900.

Ocean Hammock Jason and Brittany Urband, of Plantation, sold 36 Cinnamon Beach Way to Thomas Sullivan, of Bradford, Connecticut, for $1,330,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 5/5 with an inground pool, a spa, an outdoor shower, and 3,167 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $1,067,000.

Palm Harbor

D.R. Horton, Inc, of St. Johns, sold 16 Fillmore Lane to Michael and Kelly Strickland, of Palm Coast, for $402,990. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3 with 2,363 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $57,000.

Paul Krueger and Maria Freire, of Palm Coast, sold 34 Cooper Lane to Antonio Vargas, of Palm Coast, for $318,500. Built in 1973, the house is a 2/2 with an inground pool and 1,397 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $179,900.

Pine Grove

D.R. Horton, Inc, of St. Johns, sold 26 Point of

Plantation Bay home is top sale in Ormond

Woods Drive to Mark and Cheryl Taylor, of Palm Coast, for $374,990. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3 with 2,363 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $224,000.

Quail Hollow

D.R. Horton, Inc, of St. Johns, sold 66 Zaun Trail to Laura and Kenneth Jones, of Palm Coast, for $397,990. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3 with 2,363 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $59,000.

Sanctuary

Clarence and Darlene Smith, of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, sold 61 Old Oak Drive to Wendy Bowlin, of Rensselaer, Indiana, for $550,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,553 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $247,800.

Seminole Woods

D.R. Horton, Inc, of St. Johns, sold 2 Selene Place to Ruxanne Baines, of Palm Coast, for $319,990. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $59,000.

Woodlands

Rachel Jennings, of Palm Coast, sold 7 Blakefield Court to Stanley and Marilyn Hariton, of Palm Coast, for $365,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 4/2 with an inground pool, a fireplace and 1,966 square feet of living space. It sold last in 2016 for $207,000.

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

Ahouse in Plantation Bay was the top real estate transaction for Jan. 22-28 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. George and Helen Gabriel, of Ormond Beach, sold 1348 Dovercourt Lane to Mark and Lytha Murton, of Ormond Beach, for $810,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 4/4, and has two fireplaces and 3,125 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $760,000.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER ORMOND BEACH

Brookwood

Paul Upchurch, of Ormond Beach, sold 62 Mayfield Terrace to Lee LaMendola, of Ormond Beach, for $285,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,715 square feet. It sold in 1989 for $93,000.

Halifax Plantation

Barry and Heather Rishel, of Ormond Beach, sold 1443 Carlow Circle to John Battenfield and Judith Conte, of Ormond Beach, for $340,000. Built in 2004, the townhome is a 3/2 and has 1,684 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $205,000.

Gary and Carol Stafford, of Ormond Beach, sold 3100 Acoma Drive to Diana Bragg, of Cumming, Georgia, for $438,000. Built in 2014, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,241 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $395,000.

Oak Forest

Marie Tustin, of Somerdale, New Jersey, sold 36 Rockefeller Drive to Gina Dennison, of Ormond Beach, for

$340,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,366 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $136,000.

Ormond Lakes

Alice Wells, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, sold 34 Lakebluff Drive to Carolyn and Glen Andrews, of Hamilton New Jersey, for $455,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,289 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $385,000.

Ormond Terrace

Barbie Coon, of Richmond, Texas, sold 417 Mcintosh road to Robert Harrison,

of Ormond Beach, for $300,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 3/1 and has 1,225 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $189,000.

Gilley Gilreath and Crystal Broccolo, of Ormond Beach, sold 376 North Ridgewood Ave. to NNTA Corporation, of Daytona Beach, for $240,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,430 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $149,000.

Tomoka Oaks

John Crockenberg and Paulette Boyer, of Saint Marys, Georgia, sold 86 N St. Andrews Drive to David and Faye Dutcher, of Ormond Beach, for $690,000. Built in 1970, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,988 square feet. It sold in 2008 for $340,000.

Tropical Mobile Home Village

Lucille Soldano, of Crystal River, sold 1813 Woodcrest Drive to Selective Property Services, LLC, of Daytona Beach, for $149,900. Built in 1982, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,152 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $88,900.

Wellworth Village

Christine Pageau, of Barryville, New York, sold 679 Wellington Station Blvd 35 to Randy and Diana Eder, of Daytona Beach, for $200,000. Built in 1988, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,090 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $115,000.

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

S.R. A1A Resiliency Plan, Flagler County

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding the State Road (S.R.) A1A Resiliency Plan recommendations from Roberta Road in Ormond-by-the-Sea to Osprey Drive in Flagler County on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The purpose of the plan is to develop recommendations for strengthening the S.R. A1A corridor. Virtual: Join from a computer, tablet, or mobile device for free and listen to the live presentation over the internet. Advance registration at http://bit.ly/3YGs39B is required. Participants will receive an email with information about joining the meeting online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this webinar. If joining online, please allow adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

Phone (Listen Only): Join the meeting in listen-only mode by dialing 1-877-309-2074 entering the passcode 470-739-553 when prompted.

In-Person: Attend in person at the Wickline Center, 800 S. Daytona Avenue, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view a presentation and project exhibits, and to speak with project team staff. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the meeting virtually or by phone. All meeting materials and the presentation will be available on the project website at www. cflroads.com/project/452443-1 before the meeting.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or persons who require translation services (free of charge), should contact Carolyn Fitzwilliam by phone at 386-943-5215, or via email at Carolyn.Fitzwilliam@dot. state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-9558770 (Voice).

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Melissa McKinney, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Melissa.McKinney@dot.state.fl.us.

For more information, please contact FDOT Project Manager Ty Garner at 386-943-5299, email at Ty.Garner@dot.state.fl.us,

Jr., deceased, whose date of death was January 25, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 East Moody Blvd. Building 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. 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 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 NO -

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 SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S

RED PAGES

INFORMATION & RATES: 386-447-9723

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DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

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The Palm Coast Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only.

*All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.

*It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Palm Coast Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Announcements

EFFECTIVE MARCH 7, 2023

John Bolla, MD will no longer see patients at AdventHealth Medical Group Family Practice at Palm Coast located at 61 Memorial Medical Parkway, Ste 3803, Palm Coast, FL 32164. Patients should have received communication regarding transition of care. If you are a patient and did not receive communication or have additional questions, please call the of ce at 386-586-1760.

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales 33 COLUMBIA Lane, 3/10 & 3/11, 8am-1pm Multi-family, fur niture, housewares,

ELIZABETH JONES

$8 386-672-5545

GENUINE NEVER used carpet oor mats for Prius, grey color $100 561-445-0839

MAPLE WOOD table 39”x 66”, 6 large chairs, 18” x 39” leaf $199 386-206-9006

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

MOEN KITCHEN Faucet $30

OBO, rubber oor mat for small SUV $65 OBO 386-627-6562

QUEEN SIZE box spring, excellent condition, can be used as a twin $15 386-283-9782