Senate bill leads County Council to put issue on standby. Brower said state ‘preemptions are just
Despite litigation and new legislation, VCS moves ahead with policy changes.
First United Methodist Church seeks to build new Ministry Center
First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach is seeking to construct a new building on its campus, and a neighborhood meeting to discuss the project will be held on Wednesday, April 9. The neighborhood meeting, to be held at 6 p.m. the church located at 336 S. Halifax Drive, will discuss the demolition of the existing gathering building to build a 23-000-squarefoot Ministry Center, which will connect to the existing church sanctuary.
“Our new Ministry Center will have new technology and a safe, modern layout to add versatility for programming and create new places and spaces for people to connect to God and each other,” the church wrote on its Facebook page on March 7.
On April 1, the council will decide whether to continue the program, or end it after its 18-month pilot.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Now that the 18-month-pilot program for a dog-friendly stretch of beach in Ormond is coming to an end, Volusia County officials will decide on April 1 whether the program should sunset — or be continued on an ongoing basis.
The Volusia County Council approved the pilot program in July 2023, and it went into effect on Nov. 1, 2023. The program allows dogs on a 0.6-mile stretch of beach in Ormond between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive, and was made possible thanks to funding by local philanthropists Nancy and Lowell Lohman, who donated $100,000, as well as Daytona Dog Beach Inc., which gave over $8,000 for dog waste bag stations and provided volunteers.
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The pilot program was spearheaded by Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent, who said it’s been “wildly successful.” The program is proof, he said, that the county can set up a program with guidelines for people to enjoy the beach with their dogs.
“I am super proud of it because I feel like common sense has ruled
the day again, and we are slowly, but gradually, giving our beaches back to the people that live here, back to the taxpayers,” Kent said.
Nanette McKeel Petrella, president of Daytona Dog Beach, said she looks forward to the decision by the council on April 1. Her organization has been working on advocating for a dog-friendly beach for four years, she said, adding that they’re “cautiously optimistic.”
“There’s definitely a growing demand for dog friendly beaches,” Petrella said. “The beach is being used a lot.”
She hears heartwarming stories often: from people taking their dogs on their final days before euthanasia, to others celebrating their dogs’ birthdays.
“When you talk to them, it’s like, ‘Yeah, this is my family, and I wasn’t coming to the beach, but now I am,’” Petrella said. “There’s just so much of that we have heard from people, so we know the support is there, and luckily, we’re also hearing support now, more and more from the businesses.”
Not everyone is friendly to the dog-friendly beach. Former Ormond Beach City Commissioner David Schecter created a petition with 369 signatures.
A POPULAR AMENITY
Since the launch of the program, Volusia County reports 12,883 dogs have been observed on the dog beach, which has been staffed by the county’s Animal Services division for 31 hours a week. No dog
bites or aggressive behaviors have been reported.
Over 1,200 volunteer hours were logged. Volunteers also picked up 3,908 pounds of trash in the stretch of beach.
The county has received four complaints of disturbed turtle nests, but no notable disturbances were identified during surveys of the beach. Volunteers, Petrella said, have instead taken time to help during turtle season, filling in holes left by beachgoers that could prevent hatchlings from reaching the water.
The county additionally reported 326 incidents of dogs being offleash and 15 dog waste instances, nearly al of which gained compliance through education, according to the staff’s presentation for April 1.
While the initial cost of the program — $123,356 — exceeded the donations received, the county stated in a report that continuing annual costs “are not anticipated to be as high.”
“Staffing the dog beach to the
Norris claims that City Councilman Gambaro, who helped launch an investigation against Norris, is serving ‘illegitimately.’
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
As the political divisiveness deepens on the Palm Coast City Council, Mayor Mike Norris has doubled down on his claim that Charles Gambaro is not legally a member of the City Council.
“Any votes that that gentleman makes is illegitimate,” Norris said in a March 16 interview, posted to YouTube on March 20 by Flagler County Buzz. “Any motions he makes, anything he does, is illegitimate.”
Gambaro said Norris, who is now under investigation for potentially breaking the City Charter by interfering with staff, is deflecting for political purposes.
Norris’ isolation has grown in recent weeks. He was the only council member to vote for a residential building moratorium, the only member to oppose the utility upgrades, and was also singled out by the council to be investigated. Also, in lieu of a City Council meeting on March 25, the rest of the council traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for city interests; but Norris stayed behind — something that former City Councilman Ed Danko called “a borderline dereliction of duty.” Norris said he wasn’t going to Tallahassee because he didn’t want to spend the city’s money, that he had “some other stuff” to do, and, referring to the other City Council members: “They can handle it.”
Meanwhile, some residents continue to rally around Norris on social media and at City Council meetings, saying he is the one who is truly listening to them.
‘ILLEGITIMATE’?
Norris isn’t the only one who sees Gambaro’s role on the City Council as being illegitimate.
Ken Nasif, retired associate justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court (1983-2006), interprets the Palm Coast City Charter the same way as Norris does. Nasif is also a member of the Republican Executive Committee, although he doesn’t speak for the REC.
Although Nasif said he has nothing against Gambaro, he is concerned that if the situation isn’t rectified, it could leave the city open for legal challenges.
“What’s gone on here is wrong,” Nasif said, “and everybody is looking the other way.”
When asked on March 25 whether he would support getting another legal opinion to clarify the validity of his place on the City Council, as Norris has requested, Gambaro said:
“Absolutely not. The council made a decision [in 2024] based on legal advice, and the charter supports the decision
SB 1118, if approved, would render any local charter amendments to protect rural areas null and void — retroactive to 2011.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
time talking about stuff that may change in a month and a half.”
Volusia County staff was preparing to hold the discussion at the council’s April 1 meeting. The goal of last fall’s delay was for the discussion to be held shortly before having the Volusia County Charter Review Commission review a possible rural boundary in May.
of the council to determine how they move forward with the appointment.”
Gambaro said the comments are merely “a political campaign by a mayor who appears to have violated the charter.”
WHAT DOES THE CHARTER SAY?
Gambaro was appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the Aug. 23, 2024, resignation of thenCity Councilwoman Cathy Heighter.
Heighter’s resignation was within the first two years of her term, which leads to this portion of the charter: Article IV(7)(e)1 states that if “a vacancy occurs in the office of any Council seat within the first two years of a term, the office shall be filled by appointment within 90 days […] by majority vote of the remaining Council members.”
If the next regularly scheduled election is less than six months away, the council “may delay the appointment,” according to the charter.
The charter continues: “Such appointments shall last until the next regularly scheduled election, at which time the seat shall be declared open and an election held for the remaining two years of the original term, thus continuing the original staggering of district seats.”
WHAT WAS THE LEGAL ADVICE?
In an August 2024 letter to Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston, City Attorney Marcus Duffy interpreted the charter this way:
“Since Council Woman Heighter (District 4) resigned with more than 2 years left in her term, City Council has 90 days to appoint someone to fill the remaining 2 years of the District 4 seat.”
Hence, Gambaro was appointed on Oct. 1, 2024. The vote was 3-1; the three votes in favor were by David Alfin, Nick Klufas and Ed Danko, all of whom are no longer on the council.
The assumption of the City Council at the time was that Gambaro’s appointment would last for the rest of Heighter’s term, through November 2026. But Nasif maintains that the appointment can only last until the next regularly scheduled election, which was Nov. 5, 2024.
In a phone interview with the Observer , Nasif said of
Gambaro: “He’s acting as if he has the powers of a city councilman, and he doesn’t have them.”
‘REGULARLY SCHEDULED ELECTION’
Heighter’s resignation came at an unusual time: after the August primary, at a time when it wasn’t practical for anyone to run to be elected by the voters on Nov. 5, 2024, to fill her vacated seat.
In that light, on Dec. 5, 2024, Duffy said to Norris via email: “The next regularly scheduled election was already in progress with the primary being completed and preparing for the General Election. The Charter is silent on what to do when the next general election is in progress.”
The definition of the “next regularly scheduled election” is therefore at the heart of the varying interpretations.
Duffy’s letter indicates that, because the primary had already passed, he and the other attorneys he consulted believed the situation did not constitute a regular election.
The charter does not have a definition of a “regularly scheduled election,” but it does address the “schedule of regular elections” in Article VII(4): “The regular City election shall be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.”
Therefore, Nasif believes, on the election on Nov. 5, 2024, since no one had been able to run for the seat and be elected, the seat would become vacant, and the City Council must then make another appointment to fill out the final two years.
NORRIS DOUBLES DOWN
Norris has advocated for the city to revisit the situation for months. He even called Gambaro an “unelected imp” during the March 18, 2025, city meeting, after Gambaro had opposed Norris’ former boss as a potential city manager candidate.
He has shown no indication that he will let the matter drop.
“I’m right, and I can’t change the fact that I’m right,” Norris said in an interview with the Observer. “I’m not going to back down from it because he shouldn’t be in that seat.”
Email letters to the editor to brent@observer localnews. com.
Mike Norris, shown here in a YouTube interview by Flagler County Buzz, later told the Observer that he had a few reasons not to accompany the City Council members to Tallahassee to advocate for city interests. He said he didn’t want to spend the city’s money for the trip, that he had “some other stuff” to do, and, referring to the other City Council members: “They can handle it.” Volusia-Flagler TPO ‘Vision Zero’ community workshop held in Palm Coast Flagler County officials are sharing word that the Volusia-Flagler TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) is hosting three “Vision Zero” Community Workshops.
“Vision Zero” is an action plan focused on reaching zero deaths within the transportation system. The idea was first adopted in 1997 in Sweden and has spread worldwide since.
“Reaching zero deaths requires the implementation of a Safe System approach,” according to the VolusiaFlagler TPO website. “Applying the Safe System approach involves anticipating human mistakes by designing and managing road infrastructure to keep the risk of a mistake low… When a mistake leads to a crash, the impact on the human body doesn’t result in a fatality or serious injury.” Road design and management should encourage safe speeds and manipulate appropriate crash angles to reduce injury severity, the website information continues.
• The Deltona-Daytona-Ormond Beach metro area continues to rank
Last fall, the Volusia County Council voted to delay discussing a 2026 Volusia County Charter amendment to implement a rural boundary until March 2025.
Then came Florida Senate Bill 1118, filed in late February. The bill, if approved, would render any local government charter amendments to protect rural areas as null and void — retroactive to June 1, 2011.
So where does that leave the County Council and its delayed rural boundary discussion? Delayed, once again, this time indefinitely.
On Tuesday, March 18, the County Council voted 3-1 to hold off on having the discussion and watch what happens at the Legislature with SB 1118, which was filed by Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala. County Councilmen Troy Kent and David Santiago were absent from the meeting.
County Council Chair Jeff Brower, a vocal proponent for bringing a rural boundary charter amendment for a referendum in 2026, said he wasn’t upset at the council’s vote. But he was upset with state legislators.
“I am adamantly opposed to Tallahassee continuing to preempt us and strip away local control,” Brower said.
As he campaigned for reelection last year, Brower said people in the community were in favor of a rural boundary, a measure that would make it harder for developers to build on rural land. Orange County voters recently approved two charter amendments to establish a rural boundary, requiring a majority-plus-one vote to approve urban development in those areas, as well as a majorityplus-one vote from the commission to allow governments to annex unincorporated land into their boundaries.
The vote to delay Volusia’s discussion came during the meeting’s closing comments, after County Councilman Jake Johansson, who was in Tallahassee last week, brought it to the council’s attention.
“This is just smart rule making,” Johansson said. “I don’t want to spend a lot of
as one of the deadliest areas, and the average yearly deaths continue to rise. (Dangerous by Design, 2024)
• Between 2019-2023 there were 2,500 crashes resulting in fatal and serious injuries on Volusia-Flagler roadways. (Signal 4 Analytics)
• Vision Zero seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries on the transportation system by providing a proactive and preventive approach.
• Vision Zero believes loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility.
• The goal of Vision Zero is to integrate safety principles during the planning and implementation of transportation programs.
In 2004, Volusia County voters passed a similar charter amendment to implement urban growth boundaries, which supporters said would protect environmentally sensitive land and restrict sprawl. Those who opposed it, however, said the boundaries would have detrimental economic impacts and drive up urban housing costs. The referendum vote was later overturned in court on the basis that the ballot language was misleading.
Brower said he didn’t disagree with Johansson’s reasoning to delay the discussion, but he did disagree with the overall delay.
“I didn’t want to delay it to begin with,” Brower said. “... I’m really concerned and really tired of preemptions from Tallahassee, and I would like us to move ahead.”
What’s happening in Tallahassee is “very pro development,” Brower said, citing the Live Local Act — which allows developers to build at high densities without much local government oversight if the developments meet certain affordable housing criteria — as an example.
“We’re going to have everything stripped from us that we’re allowed to do, except for going to ribbon cuttings, is what it looks like to me,” Brower said. “The preemptions are just wild.”
Johansson said Brower brought up a good point, which is why he wants to move forward with caution. The feeling he got while in Tallahassee, he said, is that preemption happens “when people make knee-jerk reactions.”
“I just want to make sure that we’re thinking through it and we include whatever this thing ends up looking like, so we can say we did our due diligence,” he said. “We can see how the vote goes and then go from there.” One resident spoke during this discussion. John Nicholson, of Daytona Beach, asked them to consider starting the process, as the council originally planned.
“Whatever happens in Tallahassee, you’ve at least started the ball rolling, which is what the public wants,” Nicholson said.
“I am adamantly opposed to Tallahassee continuing to preempt us and strip away local control.”
“We are always working with our partners to make the improvements that will make our roadways in Flagler County safer,” said County Engineer Hamid Tabassian. “These community workshops will provide more information about Vision Zero, and opportunities to become more involved.” The next workshop will be held at Daytona Beach International Airport, Airline Room, first floor, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach (east Volusia), from 3 to 5 p.m. April 3.
After that, there will be another held from 3 to 5 p.m. April 17 at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, in the Sunshine Room, 112.
The proposed amendments to the school district’s policy come despite pending litigation and bills filed by legislators.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Volusia County Schools continues to work on updating its policy on book selection — even as School Board members and district staff acknowledge state legislators have made it a moving target.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Volusia County School Board unanimously approved the advertisement of amendments to Policy 320 on Media Selection of Print and NonPrint Materials. Changes included clarifying language surrounding the book challenge process, eliminating the requirement for a school level review committee, as well as adding language about book challenges made that concern all students, versus individuals. The amendments also added a clause to the policy that a book that’s been removed can be revisited by a school media advisory committee after three years.
“This has been a very intense review in trying to come up with something to present to the board,” Board Attorney Gilbert Evans said. “As you know, we have presented this policy, or attempted to present this policy, at least three times, and every time we’ve tried to present this policy, there was always some additional information that we thought may have been pertinent to adding to the policy — for clarity, for equity, for transparency and also to further strengthen the policy.”
District staff knows that there is both litigation (VCS is named in an ongoing federal lawsuit concerning book challenges) and proposed legislation that may affect the policy this year, Evans said. But their goal was to bring the board a policy that adhered to Florida law.
Some board members wondered if it was better to wait.
“So if we put this out for advertisement and that changes, then do we have to put it out for advertisement all over again?” School Board member Jessie Thompson asked. “And would it be more prudent to wait, since there is legislation pending that could affect this?”
School Board Chair Jamie Haynes said that the law dictates there should be no pornographic and sexually explicit materials in public school libraries.
“Every time this policy comes back up, it sometimes gets kicked down the road, and I don’t understand why, because there is a law,” Haynes said. “And whether we have a policy for that law or not, we took an oath that we would follow the law.”
Yes, Haynes said, there are bills currently proposed that could impact the policy. One of these bills is Senate Bill 1692, which would further define what materials are considered “harmful” to minors, and prevent school boards from considering “potential literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as a basis
for retaining the material.”
“I’m not kicking this down the road again,” Haynes said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in Tallahassee. ... But the clarifications in here are needed.”
For example, removing the school level review committee was made “to support schools,” said Desirée Rybinski, district coordinator for Instructional Materials and Media Services.
“This is a burdensome process for schools when we are processing several objections across multiple schools,” Rybinski said. “So this supports the schools and takes some of that time and effort, burden from them, and allows for consistency across the district.”
If a principal removes a book, then it would trigger a district level review, she explained. Such a review would also take place if a principal decides to keep a book and the complainant disagrees, or if the complainant is making an objection concerning students other than their own.
Currently, a review committee is made up of seven members: a principal, a media specialist, a curriculum supervisor or an instructional staff member, and parents or citizens who are not employed by the district.
The revised policy proposes replacing the principal on the committee with an administrator and for the rest, all of which will be volunteers, to be randomly selected.
VCS has not had any book challenges this school year, according to Rybinski.
School Board member Ruben Colon said this policy is “Groundhog Day every single year.”
“We can vote on this,” Colon said. “This is great. This is going to go into effect in the middle of May, and then it’s coming back at the end of July because there’s going to be legislation.”
He was in favor of the proposed amendments, but wary they may be perceived as more restrictive due to the federal lawsuit. So Colon asked: Is it worth it?
“I don’t believe that we had any wrongdoing, but we’re in the middle of getting sued,” he said. “... Can I vote for this? Yeah. Is it going to make a difference? No. Is it going to change anything? There’s zero books — there’s been zero books all year long.”
The only books pulled from shelves, Colon said, are the ones speakers have come before the board to read explicit passages.
The fact that there have been no challenges, School Board member Donna Brosemer said, is not an indication of a “lack of desire to have done them,” but of confusion regarding the policy and the district procedures.
“There’s been a lot of waiting around, trying to come to some resolution that would define the policy and that may lead to some challenges,” Brosemer said.
It would not be difficult for the board to adjust the policy should some of the legislation become law, she added.
“I’m willing to be done with this for the moment,” Brosemer said. “I think this is moving, at the very least, in the right direction.”
The school district aims to reduce vacant positions by 1% next year.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
One of the most critical issues for Flagler Schools and other districts is attracting and retaining qualified teachers and other staff members.
At the Flagler County School Board’s information workshop on March 25, Human Resources Officer Robert Ouellette and Supervisor Joshua Walker presented a spotlight on the district’s Strategic Plan Goal 4, which is talent.
The goal “is designed to attract and retain top talent to Flagler Schools in order to be the nation’s premier learning organization,” according to the presentation document. It goes on to say that “a long-term investment in our employees is an even longer-term investment in the future success of our students.”
According to the document, the district aims to reduce the percentage of vacant instructional positions on day 1 of each semester from 5% in 2023-24 to 4% or less in the 2025-26 school year and non-instructional positions from 7% in 2023-24 to 6% or less in 2025-26.
Most students are being taught by permanent certified instructors, even in critical shortage areas, Ouellette said.
The district is attempting to reduce the shortage through job fairs and stronger recruiting systems, leadership development and individualized training and academic coaching and mentoring for instructors in their initial years coming into education.
The district is using a new applicant tracking system, SchoolSpring, which is tied into the Florida Department of Education’s system, “so our postings are statewide,” Walker said.
Once an application is in the system, the applicant doesn’t have to fill it out again to apply to a different district.
A Daytona State College teacher apprenticeship program is a pathway for paraprofessionals to get bachelor degrees, Ouellette said.
Board member Janie Ruddy asked about finding replacements for teachers who leave before the end of the school year.
“We are losing teachers throughout the school year,” Ouellette said, noting we are currently in a “teacher’s market.”
One option that has been discussed, he said, is having a teacher at one school take over the class in another school virtually. There is also the possibility, he said, of hiring certified teachers from other countries on J-1 visas for 36 months.
But since the teachers are limited in their time here, Ruddy said, “they are not going to be immersed in our community.”
Board member Derek Barrs said providing more feedback and coaching, especially during the first five years, will be a key in maintaining and growing all staff.
After collapsing on the courts at Oceanside Country Club, Anthony Truong’s life was saved through CPR and the use of an onsite AED.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
While playing tennis last November, Palm Coast resident Anthony Truong felt a pain in his chest and experienced shortness of breath.
That had never happened before.
He was 51 years old and led a pretty active lifestyle, playing tennis at the city’s Southern Recreation Center three to four times a week.
But at the encouragement of his teammates, he checked himself into the hospital. Truong was discharged 10 days later, after undergoing a triple bypass surgery.
“After everything cleared, I decided to go back to tennis and play,” Truong said.
A month after returning to the sport, he was playing a league match on Feb. 3 at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach when he collapsed on the court.
Truong suffered a cardiac arrest — but thanks to the availability of an AED and quick action by tennis players, both teammates and from the opposing Oceanside team, Truong survived.
“We were just watching a normal tennis match between us and Oceanside Country Club,” Palm Coast Tennis team captain James Gonzalez recalled. “I had turned my head just for a minute, and I heard someone say, ‘Call 911,’ and Anthony was on the ground just laying there.”
His teammates sprung into action.
Palm Coast Tennis player Dr. James Li, a local ophthalmologist, had been playing on the court next to Truong when the emergency happened. Li and his tennis partner James Estigoy had finished a game and, after a ball rolled onto Truong’s side of the court, Li noticed Truong was on his back.
When Li assessed him, he did not find a pulse.
“I didn’t panic yet,” Li said. “I was thinking, ‘OK, maybe I just can’t find the vessel. Maybe I’m a little rusty at this.’ I’ve been doing just eyes now for a few years.”
But when it became clear Truong’s heart wasn’t beating, and he started to seize, Li immediately began to perform chest compressions.
As this was happening, players with the Oceanside Country Club were obtaining the Automated External Defibrillator.
“They brought it to the court, and they put the patches, according to the instructions on his chest, and we all stepped back,” Gonzalez recalled.
“... Our teammate David Delacruz gave him one zap and by the time the paramedics had come, his heart was back in rhythm, and he was stabilized, and he had a good heartbeat.”
Two other doctors happened to be at the country club and helped save Truong’s life: Dr. Joseph Mirante, an ear, nose and throat doctor, and Dr. Jim Bryan, an orthopedic surgeon. Mirante, of Ormond Beach, had
come to watch the match between Palm Coast and Oceanside, and root for the latter, his home team.
Multiple people on the team knew that there is an AED at Oceanside, Mirante said. He was on the tennis committee when the country club obtained it.
“In any emergency, being calm, responding appropriately and having the right tools in the most important thing, but we’re fortunate,” Mirante said. “We live in an age where, with the AEDs, anybody can be a life-saving emergency responder.”
Bryan had been playing on another court when he heard yelling, asking him to help when Truong collapsed.
“Had we not had the AED, you don’t know,” Bryan said. “Because the CPR was being effective, but it’s always better when the heart’s doing its own thing.”
Gonzalez visited Truong in the hospital two days after the emergency incident. His memory was fuzzy, but every few minutes, he would ask him if their team had won the match. (After the medical emergency, the match was postponed).
It was thanks to the AED and the CPR performed by Li that Truong was stabilized before paramedics arrived, Gonzalez said. It was the first time he’d ever seen an AED used on someone, and Gonzalez said it should be a tool every business should have onsite.
Mirante agrees.
“The most important thing, the reason that Anthony’s still alive, is that Oceanside had a defibrillator, and that the members — and it wasn’t the doctors, it was everybody — everybody knew to get it,” Mirante said.
Li was surprised that Truong bounced back as quickly as he did.
“The fact that he came back the same version of himself — no deficits, no noticeable, permanent deficits — is pretty miraculous,” Li said. Truong said he’s extremely grateful to all who helped him.
“They were very kind and selfless,” he said. “I have small children, so I wouldn’t be here today, without them.”
He still has a long way to go before he’s able to get back on the court, but Truong said the emergency has reminded him not to take his health for granted. This month, he celebrated his recovery by taking his teammates to a hot pot restaurant.
“We took a team dinner to show my appreciation for the team, and everybody that was there helping — from the guy that called 911, to the guy that shocked me, to the guy that did CPR,” Truong said. “Everyone played a part, because without them, I would have been dead.”
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A parent said her son was bullied and accused the league on social media of playing favoritism. The league is considering filing a cease and desist order.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A mother of a Palm Coast Little League player says her son was being bullied by other players. She says they threatened to jump him in the bathroom and hit him with a fastball and told him to “unalive” himself.
But a PCLL board member said an incident report filed by a coach and two parents indicates it was the woman’s child who was the bully, and that there were “vague” allegations of him bringing a knife to the field.
Amanda Belden said her son never had a knife. She has posted on social media her version of the incident, accusing the league of playing favoritism. PCLL board member Marisa Ascone, who is the league’s treasurer and communicator for disciplinary issues, said she tried to facilitate a resolution. She said she asked Belden to file an incident report, but Belden said she was never asked to do that.
“He’s been a part of the league for years and he’s never had any issues until this season,” Belden said of her son.
Ascone said the allegations in the incident report fall under Little League International’s anti-bullying and no weapons tolerance policies.
“As soon as they were brought to the attention of the coaches, we went through the process of reaching out to the president of the board
who attempted to reach out to Ms. Belden,” Ascone said. “There was a lot of dramatics that escalated, unfortunately. So the disciplinary committee then got involved and attempted to gain clarity. ... I did the communication with Ms. Belden, trying to find some answers and clarity. And unfortunately, it was very, very unfruitful.”
Belden’s social media posts drew a lot of attention and comments. She said other parents have messaged her to say the same things happened to them.
Peter Schoembs, the district’s administrator and former PCLL president, said he “wasn’t too thrilled” that a couple of people commenting on Belden’s posts listed his name and phone number, telling Belden to contact the district administrator. But he said he never heard from her.
“It’s gotten completely out of hand,” Schoembs said, noting the situation has been going on for two months. “My issue is why wasn’t it brought up from Day 1.”
Ascone said the league was considering “sending out a cease and desist” to stop Belden from continuing to put up derogatory social media posts about the league.
“I don’t want to have members of our community falsely believing things about Palm Coast Little League that would inhibit them from either coming and volunteering or having their kids come out,” Ascone said. “It’s a great organization, and it’s a shame that one person can get on to social media and really make either half truths or even in some cases, bold faced lies.”
Belden said she has withdrawn her son from the league and he will play in Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball in the future.
MARCH 11
VSO seeks help to identify John Doe found in
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify a John Doe’s remains found in Ormond Beach in 1982.
VSO, in collaboration with FHD Forensics and the Dean and Tina Linn Clouse Memorial Found, is hoping to collect more DNA samples from people of French Canadian or Irish Canadian ancestry to help identify the John Doe, whose skeletal remains were found on March 12, 1982, in a wooded area near Williamson Boulevard by two boys who were camping. According to the Genealogy for Justice organization, the man’s death was ruled suspicious because he was found without any clothing, jewelry or other personal effects.
The man was white, about 5-foot7, weighed about 150 pounds and was 35-50 years old. VSO’s Cold Case Unit states he also had reddish brown hair.
After sequencing his DNA in early 2024, the John Doe was found to have genetic ties to Ontario, Quebec, Massachusetts, Illinois and Michigan. VSO stated he, or his family before him, may have lived in one of these areas before moving to Florida.
To learn more about how to contribute a DNA sample, visit https:// tinyurl.com/5n737xna.
The National Sheriffs’ Association has selected Flagler County Sheriff Office Master Deputy and School Resource Deputy Nicholas Champion as the 2025 Law Enforcement Explorer Post Adviser of the Year. This prestigious honor marks the
second time a FCSO Explorer Post Advisor has received this distinguished award, highlighting the commitment to excellence and leadership within the Agency’s Explorer Program.
Champion has been with FCSO since 2017 and has led FCSO Explorer Post 410 since 2022. He also serves as a School Resource Deputy, where he is assigned to Flagler Palm Coast High School and is responsible for the safety and security of more than 2,500 students, and is a member of the FCSO K-9 Unit.
Formerly, Champion distinguished himself in 2023 by receiving a Life Saving Award and a Certificate of Commendation for saving the life of a woman in a vehicle accident.
Champion was selected by the Florida Sheriff’s Explorers Association as the 2024 Northern Regional Adviser of the Year. He currently serves as FSEA vice president DNA evidence confirms suspect in 2022 Palm Coast vehicle burglaries,
Following a nearly two-year investigation into a string of vehicle burglaries, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has obtained a warrant for Levi Ayers, 22, of Palatka, Florida, for his involvement in the crimes. Ayers was caught by DNA evidence left at the scene. He is the second suspect in this case, as a previous suspect had been arrested in 2022.
In April 2022, the FCSO General Assignment Unit began investigating a series of vehicle burglaries throughout Palm Coast. During the investigation, detectives linked nine vehicle burglary cases and a stolen vehicle case that occurred between April 24 and April 30, 2022.
Detectives determined several credit cards stolen during the burglaries had been used in Putnam County. The FCSO Real Time Crime Center identified a suspect vehicle and determined the vehicle’s owner,
De’Omonte Baker, then 19, of Hastings, as a suspect. On May 4, 2022, detectives located and arrested Baker. After Baker was arrested, detectives identified Ayers as a second suspect.
Ayers is currently being held in the Putnam County Jail following a Feb. 11 arrest. Once Ayers’ case is resolved in Putnam County, he will be transferred to the Flagler jail.
Man wanted for unpaid child support found with 2 grams of cocaine, Bunnell police chief says
The Bunnell Police Department took a repeat felony offender into custody following multiple law violations.
On March 14, Bunnell Police Lt. Shane Groth arrested Trevor Deon Mobley, 47, at 607 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell. Mobley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, was taken into custody after he was found in possession of crack cocaine, which violated his felony probation. He was also subject to an active writ of bodily attachment for unpaid child support.
Flagler Beach man involved in fatal crash in St. Johns county
A Flagler Beach man, 58, was involved in a fatal car crash at State Road 207 and Deerpark Boulevard in St. Johns County on March 24. The crash happened at 1:58 a.m. as both vehicles were driving south on S.R. 207. The Flagler Beach man’s pickup truck was in the outside lane when a sedan came up behind him in the same lane, according to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report. The sedan rear-ended the pickup truck and the driver — an 18-yearold from Hastings — was ejected through the windshield. The driver landed in the right turn lane while his sedan overturned. The 18-yearold was killed. The Flagler Beach man was uninjured.
asking.” He was taken to jail.
MARCH 2
YOUTHS TO BLAME
2:20 p.m. — 1500 block of San Marco Drive, Ormond Beach
Suspicious incident. A 57-year-old Ormond Beach resident called police after he noticed his car had been covered with a milkshake and a raw egg.
The man told police he believed local juveniles were responsible for the vandalism,
which he said occurred either the night before or earlier that morning, according to an incident report. He noted that this wasn’t the first incident — and that the juveniles had been behaving disruptively in the neighborhood.
Police suspected the man’s timeline was off. The dried liquid, believed to be the milkshake, appeared to have been on the car for much longer than the man said it was. The reporting officer also noted that the car was covered in pollen, and that there were no eggshell fragments found nearby.
DIG, DIG, DIG 3:32 a.m. — 600 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Suspicious person. Police responded to a local fast food restaurant after receiving a call about a man digging in the mulch outside of the business.
According to the incident report, police had spoken several times with the 47-yearold man throughout the early morning. He claimed to be digging for pennies, a clogged sprinkler line, and lastly, a motorcycle. The man told police that there are “tunnels”
under the business. He was placed into custody through a Baker Act and transported to the hospital.
MARCH 16
BEER RUN
1:09 a.m. — First block of Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast Petit theft. A 47-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested after he stole a six-pack of beer from a local bowling alley.
The bowling alley manager notified police of the theft after his bartender noticed the missing beers, which she suspected had taken place while she was stocking
the bar. Deputies reviewed surveillance footage, which showed the man taking the six-pack while the bartender was distracted, according to the arrest report.
As the reporting deputy, the manager and the man walked outside the bowling alley, the man asked to pay for the beers, which were still in his car. The man said he had taken the six-pack because he had no beer at home — he said he planned to tell the bartender before he left and closed his tab. Then another deputy overhead the man say he “made a stupid decision and took a six-pack without
VULGAR EXPOSURE
3:47 p.m. — 6000 block of Mahogany Boulevard, Bunnell Vulgar indecent public nudity. Deputies arrested a 34-year-old Bunnell man who exposed himself at a local park as a group was celebrating a child’s birthday. According to the arrest report, the man “was acting strangely” by dancing and wetting himself at the park’s water station. A child told her grandmother that the man came to her with his pants down to his knees and dancing. He was taken to jail.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry must vacate its location at Santa Maria Del Mar Church by Sept. 1.
ALMENAS
JARLEENE
MANAGING EDITOR
Every Wednesday, over 150 Flagler County families line up outside of the Santa Maria Del Mar Church’s Learning Center.
They’re greeted by volunteers with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, lined up at tables outside with bags of food already packed — canned goods, fruit, snacks and fresh meat.
It’s an operation Food Pantry Manager Judith Roy started in 2019 after the Flagler County Resource Center closed, which also shuttered the food pantry run by Church Women United in the same building.
Roy is facing a similar dilemma today: The food pantry has outgrown the room it uses in the church’s Learning Center, and as the church itself continues to grow, the pastor is also in need of the space. The food pantry needs to find a new home by Sep. 1.
“We’ve been here rent free,” Roy said. “Utility free. We haven’t paid anything and the church has been extremely supportive, but we need a space. We need a bigger space.”
And, being located in Flagler Beach, rents are high. SVDP wants to use the donations they receive to continue to help people, Roy said, and the higher the rent, the less people they can serve.
In March 2019, the food
pantry served 23 families a week, SVDP President Charles Langlois said. In October 2024, the food pantry served 167 families weekly.
Annually, the food pantry served 6,175 families in fiscal year 2023-2024, up from 3,529 served in fiscal year 2022-2023. If the pantry keeps growing at its current rate, SVDP is projecting it will serve 8,184 families by the end of the current fiscal year.
What the food pantry needs is a storage area — for the donations of food, freezers and refrigerators. If someone has extra space on the barrier island, Langlois said, the pantry would like to share it.
“We want to be able to service Eastern Flagler County,” Langlois said. “We have more than enough pantries out on Route 1 in Bunnell, and north. What’s unique about us is where we’re located.”
Roy said SVDP runs a “very personal pantry.”
“In other words, we talk to people,” Roy said. “My husband goes down and talks to them while they’re waiting in line. They line up at 7, we open at 9.”
The food pantry only serves Flagler County residents. In addition to food, SVDP also
helps connect them with other resources in the area, such as free community dinners, rent assistance and other area food pantries. SDVP also distributes food bags for the homeless.
“It’s not going to stop growing, because there’s such a need,” Roy said.
The increasing cost of living is also contributing to the rising number of families in need, Langlois said.
“A lot of people that come here for food say, ‘Because you give me this food, I can afford to pay my bills,’” he said.
Roy is at the church’s Learning Center at 5 a.m. every Wednesday to prepare for the food distribution. It’s when she signs off on the donated meat from Publix, an effort organized through Feeding Northeast Florida. The donations from the community have enabled them to continue the food pantry’s mission, Roy said.
They just need to find a new home.
“We’re just putting it out there and praying and praying and praying, and maybe somebody will come forward and say, ‘Well, here’s a place,’” Roy said.
Palm Coast Concert Series to kick off second season on May 29
Last year, Palm Coast Parks & Recreation hosted the Palm Coast Concert Series at The Stage at Town Center, showcasing local bands. This free community event featured groups and performers such as Southern Chaos, SoulFire, the Navy Band, and Ashley Estevez.
This year, the Palm Coast Concert Series will return on May 29, continuing until Sep. 25. The Concert Series will be held the last Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m. The lineup is presented by Palm Coast Ford.
The confirmed list of bands is as follows:
May 29: Chillula
June 26: Half Step Down
July 31: Landfall
August 28: Southern Rock Revival
September 25: SoulFire
In addition to live music, there will have food trucks, vendors, yard games, and beer and wine. Bring a chair. The Palm Coast Concert Series is held at The Stage at Town Center located at 1500 Central Ave. in Palm Coast.
Palm Coast breaks ground on maintenance and operations facility
Palm Coast broke ground on its on the Maintenance and Operations Center on Wednesday, March 19.
The new facility, located at 240 Peavey Grade, Palm Coast, has been the making of years of planning, a Palm Coast press release said. The MOC will serve as a central hub for and increase efficiency and collaboration efforts between vital city services, including operations for the Public Works, Stormwater, and Utility departments.
The project officially began with land development in late 2024. As part of the city’s London Waterway Expansion
Project, all removed dirt was repurposed for the new site, resulting in significant cost savings, the press release said.
“We’re taking the first step in this journey by starting with a much-needed fleet facility to service city vehicles, including fire trucks,” said Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston. “When complete, the full Maintenance and Operations Center will bring our Public Works, Stormwater, and Utility departments together, making it easier for them to collaborate on projects across the city. This facility will also provide the space, resources, and technology needed to keep delivering top-notch service to our community for years to come.”
The MOC will also house a majority of the city’s fleet vehicles, maintenance equipment, and more. the press release said. The project will be completed in stages, with the first phase including a Fleet Maintenance Facility. For updates on this project throughout construction, visit palmcoast.gov/pcprogress.
Historic airplanes returned to the Flagler County Executive Airport for Warbirds Over Flagler 2025. Held on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, the event featured aircraft displays, an airshow, interactive exhibits and live music. This year’s event also included Nexus 360’s SkyGlow drone show, the first event of its kind held in Flagler County.
–OBSERVER STAFF
Decision doesn’t make sense
Dear Editor: It doesn’t make any sense, from a health standpoint, for the commission to take out the minuscule amount of fluoride in our water, while ignoring the toxic pesticides and fertilizers that emit into our water and air, as well as plastic pollution and the microplastics in our water, seafood, and our own bodies.
KEN AND JULIE SIPES
Ormond Beach
Thank you, fire marshal
Dear Editor:
We had an excellent presentation by Volusia County Fire Marshall Shane Lanoue on Thursday, March 20, at the Gemini condos. He energetically discussed a variety of topics and imparted to his rapt audience much useful and potentially life-saving information. He gave us a hands-on demonstration of how to quickly utilize our AED when a person has suffered a heart attack. He also covered how to deal with a fire, from kitchen flare-ups to cell phone meltdowns to a burning electric car. His stories and real-life examples were riveting. We Gemini residents are thankful to have folks like Shane Lanoue out there and who are very willing to educate and make us more aware of what to do when something happens. Thank you, Shane.
DAN WINFIELD Ormond Beach
Half-cent proposal raises concerns
Dear Editor: Flagler County’s proposal for a half-cent sales tax increase for beach renourishment has sparked debate, especially among infrequent beachgoers.
Living in western Flagler, where visits are rare, it’s crucial to examine this funding strategy and consider alternatives. The county proposes $114 million over six years to rebuild and maintain 18 miles of shoreline, with funding from:
A half-cent sales tax Increase, a countywide tax affecting all residents, regardless of beach usage.
MSBUs, special assessments targeting barrier island properties that directly benefit from beach proximity.
Ad valorem tax reallocation, redirecting existing property tax revenues without increasing the overall rate.
Tourist development tax, leveraging funds collected from tourism-related activities.
State and federal grants, seeking external funding to supplement local efforts.
While the plan distributes financial responsibility across various sources, the half-cent sales tax increase raises concerns for residents with minimal beach interaction.
Before introducing new taxes, the county should review its 2024-25 budget for potential reallocations. By examining expenditures, Flagler could find funds to redirect to beach maintenance without adding to taxpayers’ burden.
Foundation’s innaugural golf tournament draws over 100 participants
The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) Northeast Florida Chapter based in Palm Coast held its inaugural golf tournament at Grand Haven Golf Club on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, with over 100 golfers participating.
The event started with with the presentation of the colors by the Marine Corps League Detachment 876 and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office color guard units. Ashley Estevez sang the national anthem. Chapter Chairman Jerry DiMenna thanked the players, sponsors, donors, volunteers and chapter members for making the event a success. Appreciation plaques were presented to the event’s major donors: Wealthspire Advisors; Flagler County
It’s reasonable for those who directly benefit from beachfront properties to shoulder more of the costs.
The MSBUs target properties on the barrier island between Marineland’s southern limit and Beverly Beach’s northern limit, with contributions based on property value. This approach ensures those with higher-valued properties contribute more, aligning with the direct benefits they receive.
Tourism boosts the local economy, with estimates suggesting it contributes approximately $890 million annually, half of which is linked to beach activities.
The county’s tourist development tax and half-cent sales tax provide substantial funding for beach projects. These sources are projected to generate about $5 million of the needed $8.2 million annually for maintenance. However, it’s essential to ensure that tourism-related revenues are allocated fairly, benefiting the entire county and not solely the beach.
While maintaining Flagler County’s beaches is important, it’s crucial to approach funding in a manner that is equitable and considers the varying levels of direct benefit among residents. The Beach, exploring additional revenue streams such as parking fees, special event permits, vendor and concessions permits and business licenses can provide alternative funding sources. Moreover, by fostering tourism, business, and residential growth — rather than constant opposition — the beach can generate increased revenue, potentially covering its annual maintenance costs. Collectively, these strategies can support beach renourishment efforts without
Sheriff Rick Staley and the FSEAT Foundation; and Palm Coast Elk’s Lodge 2709 and its Veterans Committee.
The MC-LEF is a nonprofit that provides financial and humanitarian assistance to children and families of fallen Marines, Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines and Federal law enforcement agents, as well as aiding the families of former Marines and corpsmen who serve in state and local law enforcement.
With the passing of a Marine, corpsman or federal agent, a $40,000 educational scholarship account is opened in the surviving child’s name normally within eight weeks of the parent’s passing. Humanitarian aid is also provided in those instances where medical or environmental issues exist and are not covered by government insurance. Except for only one paid employee, the foundation is operated entirely by volunteers.
Since its inception in 1995, MCLEF has distributed more than $93 million to eligible parties in support of its mission of “Educating the Chil-
imposing additional taxes on residents who already contribute adequately through existing channels.
RON
LONG Flagler County
Dear Editor:
Someone is lying and that’s a big deal since it involves people in the highest levels of city government. In the “she said/he said” allegation that Mayor Norris tried to unilaterally fire the city manager and the chief of staff in violation of the city charter, the city manager is on record saying Morris did do that and the mayor publicly denied it.
An independent investigation, agreed to by the City Council, has begun. Violations of the city charter are always of major concern. But which high level city employee is lying should be of even bigger concern.
We probably know what the outcome would be if a city manager was found to have made a false allegation. But it is less clear what sanctions are available if it is a mayor who lied. It’s messy, even though the punishment should be equal.
Whatever the outcome of the investigation, one thing is clear. It’s already taking too long and costing taxpayer money along the way. From what we know so far, this should be a pretty quick investigation with little or no need to drag out the turmoil by “slow walking” it at probably $500 an hour or more.
Actually, given that the city attorney was reportedly present via phone at the meeting in question, he can
dren of Those Who Sacrificed All.”
The MC-LEF Northeast Florida Chapter will be scheduling various other events to include next year’s golf tournament at Grand Haven Golf Club on Feb. 9, 2026.
To learn more about MC-LEF , visit mc-lef.org or contact the Northeast Florida Chapter at (386) 318-4130 or follow on Facebook at Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation Northeast Florida Chapter.
Chi Delta Omega donates formal wear for high school prom-goers
Members of Palm Coast’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Chi Delta Omega Chapter, donated gently used formal wear to high school prom-goers in Flagler and Putnam counties.
Chapter members, their friends and families were asked to search their closets and drawers for elegant gowns, pretty shoes and flashy jewelry to make student prom nights more affordable. The CDO Chapter partnered with
easily corroborate what was said. Before the allegation was made public, the responsible and prudent thing to do would have been to check beforehand with the city attorney to ask if he confirms the truthfulness of the allegation made by the city manager against the mayor. We can presume that was done and the council members all know the answer. And in the interest of transparency that seemingly very simple yes or no question has been asked of every council member with no response. A yes or no as to the veracity of the allegation would, for the most part, have closed the case already, at least in the minds of the public who are rattled and divided by the accusations.
MARGARET MINUTAGLIO Palm Coast
A mayor’s sinking ship?
Dear Editor:
Are we looking at a mayoral sinking ship? It’s not clear yet, but it sure is taking on a lot of water. With just a few months in his new role, Norris has racked up a lion’s share of controversies including a serious ethics investigation, allegations of abusive and profane harassing interactions with city staff, anger management issues dealing with constituents, reckless unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, policy proposal missteps and flip-flops, etc.
There is not enough room in this letter to detail them all. Hopefully those following the local news reports have paid attention. But suffice it to say that a significant number of folks have lost
several cast members of City Lites Inc. of Palm Coast who donated from their collection of performance outfits used in their annual production of “Motown and Mo.” Collectively, over 70 gowns, 14 pairs of evening shoes, jewelry, several evening bags and two men’s suits were donated to prom attendees. The initiative was called Closet Couture Collection, part of the chapter’s Uplifting Our Local Community program. It began with the idea that receiving a free gown and accessories goes a long way in raising the self-confidence of young people who might otherwise skip this once-in-alifetime event, according to a press release. The donations were given to Maryiotti Johnson of the Flagler County Education Foundation who will make them available to promgoers. Marva Jones and Hazel Lockett are co-chairs of the Uplifting Our Local Community committee. CDO members are also collecting toiletries for the homeless population in the Tampa area. Their donations will be added to thousands of items
confidence in his leadership. Those that did not originally support him now have “I told you so” bragging rights. And his more thoughtful and intuitive supporters may now be saying “oops” we blew it. From the start, Norris was pretty much a one trick pony dwelling relentlessly on the rampant real estate developer hysteria that has taken over the city. In the 1950’s, Joseph McCarthy inflamed the country with the “there’s a Red under every bed.” Now, according to Norris, there is a boogie man developer lurking in every city hall closet handing out bribes, sparking wild corruption conspiracy theories that have divided the city in much the same way they have sadly divided the country.
And, although the other controversies and allegations are very serious and potentially damaging to Norris and his future as mayor, this reckless fear mongering can linger and become the most divisive and damaging to the city in the long run if it remains a populist drumbeat.
BOB GORDON Palm Coast
Send letters to editor@palmcoastobserver.com. Include first and last name, as well as city of residence. Editor may alter the letter for clarity and/ or length.
donated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members throughout Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The sorority is an international service organization founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Chi Delta Omega’s president, Dr. Myra Middleton Valentine, is a charter and life member of over 50 years in the sorority. Chi Delta Omega Chapter was chartered in Palm Coast on July 3, 2002.
The Grand Reserve Ladies Golf Association held its annual Charity Cancer tournament on March 7 to benefit the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation which supports those battling breast cancer. Through the generosity of golf members and raffle tickets sold, the Ladies Golf Association raised $987.
Educator celebrates 20 years with La Petite Academy in Ormond
This month, Ramona “Miss Mona” Richardson celebrated her 20 yearanniversary with La Petite Academy in Ormond Beach. Richardson currently works as a toddler teacher and has over 20 years of experience working in early learning, according to a statement to the Observer. She is a mom of two and a grandmother to nine children. Throughout her time with La Petite Academy, Richardson has worked with children from infancy to through pre-K.
“Known for her unwavering positivity, Miss Mona’s favorite phrase is ‘We got this,’ a mantra she uses to inspire confidence and resilience in her students and colleagues alike,” the statement from the academy reads. “With a heart full of love for
both her family and the children she teaches, Miss Mona has become a cherished figure in her community.”
Ormond’s ‘Costume Crazies’ celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the local “Costume Crazies” recently dressed as Lady Leprechauns as they strolled down Granada Boulevard.
The group started at Kona Tiki Bar and finished their outing at 31 Supper Club.
The Costume Crazies was founded by Baird Mengel, of Ormondby-the-Sea, who sought to create a social group for women who love costumes.
To learn more, join the Costume Crazies group on Facebook.
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Flagler County waveski designer putting all his money and energy into helping adaptive surfers
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ian Macleod is a member of one of the most famous families of waveski surfing. His father, John Macleod, began shaping the sit-down paddleski boards in South Africa in 1979. About four years later, manufacturing waveski boards became a fulltime business.
The family is just as famous for competing and winning waveski titles. Ian Macleod became the third member of his family to win a world championship. He did it in his ninth attempt, winning the world masters division title in 2014. His father won world titles in 1984, 1986 and 1996. His older brother, Alistair, won a world title in 1989.
Ian took over the family business, Macski Surf Gear, in 1990.
“I took over my dad’s passion,” Ian Macleod says.
He moved to the United States about 11 years ago. He churns out about 70 to 80 waveskis a year out of his Bunnell shop in the Marvin Gardens Business Center. They’re all handmade. He shapes, glasses, sands and sprays the boards. They range in price from $2,000 to $2,500, about three times the cost of a good surfboard.
Macski is one of only four waveski manufacturers in the United States. Top competitors in the world ride Macleod’s boards in competition. Macski has about 32 manufacturer’s world titles, Macleod said.
But now Macleod is transitioning to another passion. He wants to help people with disabilities who can’t stand up to be able to enjoy the thrill of riding ocean waves with a specially made adaptive waveski.
Macleod started the nonprofit, Waveski Surfing United, about 13 months ago. The aim of the organization, he said, is to spread the word to non-profits that support adaptive sports that seated surfing is an option and to provide custom boards and training for people with disabilities.
Stewart Diesel Reynolds is the president of Waveski Surfing United’s board of directors. Reynolds, who is also the president of the East Coast Waveski Association and the vice president of the U.S. Waveski Association, has known Macleod for many years.
“When he told me what he was doing and whether I’d want to be involved, I said sure,” said Reynolds, who is also from South Africa.
“I think it’s a great thing he’s doing. He’s always been involved with helping the adaptive surfers ever since I’ve known him, so it’s just a natural progression.”
Macleod is in the process of transitioning his business. He has 15 of his designs in Shape3d software. A local board manufacturer has started producing the waveskis from Macleod’s designs.
“Until six months ago, Macski has never had a machine shaped board,” MacLeod said.
Instead of hand-making his forprofit boards he wants to put all his energies into the nonprofit.
“I’m Christian and this is Godinspired,” he said. “Everything I’ve done in the last 35 years has been to benefit Ian Macleod. This is to benefit other people.”
MAKING SURFING
MORE INCLUSIVE
Waveski surfing is not well known in America. Macleod was reminded of that at adaptive surfing event he attended.
“I went down to a Wounded Warrior Project surf day down in New Smyrna. It was run by the Oceans of Hope Foundation,” Macleod said. “I
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Twenty years ago, Ormond Beach Tonya Dowling heard an advertisement on the radio asking for volunteers to help with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, operated under United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties. As an accountant, Dowling thought it would be a fun opportunity.
“I enjoy the clients, of course, but the group that I work with, the other volunteers are fantastic,” Dowling said. “I enjoyed that what we do helps people so much. A lot of taxpayers wouldn’t be able to get their taxes filed if it weren’t for our program.”
VITA offers free tax preparation services. Volunteers are all certified through the Internal Revenue Service and trained to help families identify eligibility for tax credits.
The Observer recently sat down with this longtime volunteer, who spoke about how VITA works and how residents can benefit from the program.
“I think it’s a great thing he’s doing. He’s always been involved with helping the adaptive surfers ever since I’ve known him, so it’s just a natural progression.”
STEWART DIESEL REYNOLDS, president of Waveski Surfing United’s board of directors.
was there as an observer to see what was happening. They didn’t really include people who couldn’t stand up. They made people lie down on surfboards, which are made to stand on, not lie on. There were no kayak options. There were no options for seated surfing.”
Macleod is creating an alternative. He is currently designing three waveskis for adaptive use. The first is a tandem waveski in which a trainer sits in the back and paddles the board, while the adaptive surfer sits in the front.
“It’s very unique,” Macleod said. “There are three other manufacturers in the world that make tandem waveskis. But they make them for two operators. So this one is for people that cannot ride waves by themselves.”
The second is a trainer waveski where the trainer lies in a pone position on the back of board and can kick the rider into a wave or hold onto the rider and steer them back to shore. The third waveski is for riders who can paddle out and catch the waves by themselves but may not have use of their legs. For that board he has to get the balances right for each individual rider depending on their needs.
“I’ve got to travel to Christopher up in South Carolina, who’s a single-
Who would you say is the ideal person that VITA aims to serve?
I believe the IRS started the program to make sure that taxpayers who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit could receive it.
Taxes can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing.
I think they really were just trying to make sure that earned income credit that was available was taken advantage of.
You mentioned that you really enjoy volunteering with the program. What about it calls to you? It’s a puzzle. Every return is different. Everyone’s situation is different. I like the social aspect of it for myself, and I actually enjoy doing tax returns too.
I think just working together as a group on something that’s actually beneficial for other people, It’s not just working on a project that just benefits that company.
I’ve had clients that I’ve been preparing their tax returns for 20 years. I’ve watched their kids grow up.
leg amputee, put him in the trainer board and let him use it. I have to test it, come back, rework it, go back and test it again,” Macleod said.
GETTING STARTED
Macleod has been actively working on the project for about 19 months, and during that time it has been selffunded. Right now he is looking for private donors to buy into his vision. He’s raised some money through donors and corporations but not enough yet to get the project moving.
“It’s going to cost over $100,000 for the three boards that I’m going to make,” he said. “We’re looking for grants. But grants will only come to a non-profit that is proving that they are doing what they said they would do. I’m looking for people to buy into my passion to serve people in the adaptive world.”
“It’s an upward struggle,” Reynolds said. “People want to see results before they donate. Wounded Warriors, goes there. Trying to get exposure that way. It’s going to take time. the more he can show what he’s done, the easier it’s going to be for the whole program.”
Macleod’s goal is to go to foundations, such as One More Wave, which provides customized surfing equipment for wounded veterans. He would make a deal to donate three customized waveskis at one of their events, train the riders and leave the boards, and then go to another foundation and do the same.
“I do not want to waste this summer,” Macleod said. “I’m asking the community to help us change people’s lives.”
To learn more about Waveski Surfing United or to donate, go to https:// waveskisurfingunited.org.
Can you tell me of a time while you were volunteering that really sticks out in your mind?
This was quite a few years ago — I had a woman who came in. She’d never filed her tax return before on her own. She was married, her husband left her, and she was living in a shelter with her three kids, and with that Earned Income Credit that I was talking about earlier, she got enough money back that she was able to put a deposit down and get into an apartment, and she was just so excited and relieved.
What’s something unexpected about the program?
I would say that it’s actually free of charge. A lot of times people are like, “So what do we owe you?” It’s like, “No, no, this is free.” This is a free service and it’s run by volunteers.
What do you think motivates all of you volunteers to keep doing it year after year?
In my group, at least, we’ve worked together for so long that we just enjoy working together and it feels really good to help out your
“I'm Christian and this is God-inspired. Everything I've done in the last 35 years has been to benefit Ian Macleod. This is to benefit other people.”
IAN MACLEOD
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE
MUSIC PRESENTS: AN INSTRUMENTAL
EXTRAVAGANZA
When: 7 p.m.
Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Details: The Daytona State College Band will perform classical and contemporary pieces. Tickets: $10, or $5 for under age 12 and Volusia and Flagler County students. Free to DSC students, faculty and staff with a college ID. Call 386-226-1888 or email boxoffice@daytonastate.edu.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
PERSONALIZED
CANVAS BAGS: FLOWER POUNDING ART
When: 9-11 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Artist Trish Vevera will lead this class where participants will personalize a canvas tote bag while learning the technique of flower pounding, or Tatakizome. Registration required. Spots limited to 10 people. $5 per person, plus park entry fee. Call 386-517-2086.
YOGA OUTDOORS
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave.
Details: With Kim Latford. All experience levels welcome. Space is limited. Call 386235-0143 to sign up.
GARDEN TALKS: BEES!
When: 11-12:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd.
Details: Apiarist Diane Spoden will present a lecture in the museum on the world of bees, which will include a live hive display. After the talk, participants will move outside into the gardens for a tour by OMAM Garden Artisan Janett Taylor. Free program. Seats are limited. Registration requested. Visit ormondartmuseum.org.
THE BROTHERS DOOBIE
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
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Details: Celebrate the music of the Doobie Brothers with this tribute show, which also introduces world-class vocalist Sean Byrne. $54-$64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
68TH ANNUAL FLAGLER COUNTY CRACKER DAY
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell
Details: Rough Rider Games start at 8 a.m. Then, signups to participate in the rodeo
will take place from 9-11 a.m.
Rodeo begins at noon. Admission costs $20 per person and includes a barbecue lunch, served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cash only.
ORMOND BEACH MAYOR’S 2025 HEALTH AND FITNESS
CHALLENGE KICK-OFF
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: S. Ormond Neighborhood Center, 176 Division Ave.
Details: The Mayor’s Health & Fitness Challenge is back for 2025. Join this four-week challenge designed for all fitness levels with group fitness and wellness perks. Registration: $25, or $10 for 17 and under.
FLAGLER HOME AND LIFESTYLE SHOW
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 and 30
Where: Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
Details: Vendors, food and entertainment. Benefits local education resources in Flagler County. Visit flaglerhomeand lifestyle.com.
SOUND BATH
When: 11 a.m. to noon
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens
Details: Kyrsten Sinclair takes participants on a sound bath journey, using 432Hz crystal quartz bowls, drums, animal calls, and singing. Complimentary hot tea. Event costs $35/$45. Visit ormond artmuseum.org.
LOW-COST PET SHOT CLINIC
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Astro Skate Ormond, 250 N. Yonge St., Ormond Beach
Details: All vaccinations administered with a licensed veterinarian. No appointment needed. Open to everyone. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.
2025 WIN PHENOMENAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: African American Cultural Society, 4422 U.S. 1, Palm Coast
Details: The NAACP, in partnership with the AACS is hosting a Women’s History Month event, themed “She’s Trending,” highlighting women at the forefront of their fields.
‘FLOWER POWER’ FLOWER SHOW AND TEA
When: 1-3:30 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: Join the Ormond Beach Garden Club for its annual flower show. Flower arrangement demonstration, talk on bromeliads by Master Gardener Jack Dunlop, raffles, piano music by Glenn Lowry. Arrangements and plants for sale. Admission costs $5.
BLUES BROTHERS
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: Allengang Entertainment presents this Jake and Elwood Blues Revue. These impersonators have been performing for over 15 years and were the original Blues Brothers cast at Universal Studios in Orlando. $35. Visit ormond beachperformingartscenter. csstix.com.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
ARTS AND CRAFTS WALK
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Beach Front Grille, 2444 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. Flagler Beach Details: Over 20 vendors, live music. Free monthly event.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH FAIR
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Hidden Trails Community Center, 6108 Mahogany Boulevard, Bunnell
Details: The Florida Department of Health-Flagler and Flagler County are hosting this fair to provide resources, as well as free developmental, hearing and visual screenings. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will be giving away free bicycle helmets. The first 50 families to register will receive a $20 grocery voucher.
FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR AND EXPO
When: 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Buddy Taylor Middle School and Wadsworth Elementary School, 4550 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Flagler County Education Foundation and Flagler Schools will present the fourth annual fifth grade science fair and expo. Science fair will be 4:30-5:30 p.m,; expo 5:30-7 p.m. Activities include mineral mining, a game show, marine conservation art and land drones with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. For more, see observerlocal news.com/calendar.
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“I definitely think livestock kids are a different breed, in my opinion, just because of the hard work
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Laci Westbrook, 18, said she expects her final performance at the Flagler County Fair and Youth Show’s 4-H and FFA Livestock show and sale will be bittersweet. But it is not the trophies she’ll miss the most — it’s the community. Everyone who participates in the Flagler County Fair supports each other, she said.
“They want to see you succeed,” Westbrook said. “They will sit there and support you 100% to watch you succeed and grow in this industry.”
The fair is a showcase of Florida agriculture, with local youth exhibiting their livestock: from rabbits and chickens to pigs to heifers and steers. The 2025 fair is April 7-11.
Some participants are the second or third generation to participate in the show. Westbrook said her parents showed at the fair when they were young and the multigenerational culture of the Flagler County Fair makes for a lot friends and a close-knit group. Westbrook said she has known her best friend, Mackaylea Cody, their entire lives,
“I definitely think livestock kids are a different breed, in my opinion, just because of the hard work they’re putting in.”
LACI WESTBROOK, Flagler County Fair graduating senior
simply because their parents were friends from the Fair.
And competitors need that community, Westbrook said, because the competitions can be tough.
“You need to have a good support system,” she said.
“It’s one of those things, if you can’t cheer each other on, you’re in the wrong sport.”
For 10 years, Westbrook has shown at the fair, starting with showing chickens at just 8 years old.
“I walked out in that arena that night, I had chicken poop all down me,” Westbrook said. “I walked out and I told my mom, I said, ‘I’m not doing chickens ever again’ and I went straight to [showing] hogs.”
Westbrook said she’s shown pigs every year since, but she found her passion when her best friend’s father introduced her to showing large livestock several years ago, the heifers and steers. The larger livestock is a lot of work, she said.
Westbrook said she is out with her steer everyday forming a bond, getting the animal desensitized to distractions and caring for it. Anyone working with the larger animals has to be careful, too, not to be kicked or knocked around — though Westbrook said that is going to happen to everyone at some point while training the animals.
“You’re gonna get drug [through the dirt],” she said. “You’re getting slammed against fences, slammed against gates.”
Cody, whose final show was in 2024, was right beside her, both of them often showing animals in the same weight classes. It meant a lot for the two of them to share their experiences at the fair over the years, they said.
Cody said she’s proud of Westbrook.
“[Laci] is one of the people I’ve seen with the best showmanship,” she said.
“It’s one of those things, if you can’t cheer each other on, you’re in the wrong sport.”
LACI WESTBROOK, Flagler County Fair graduating senior
Cody said Westbrook is always encouraging the younger participants and lending a hand.
“She’s overall a great person, a great showman, a great friend,” Cody said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”
A lot of participants are in it for the trophies, Westbrook said. She just loves the animals and encouraging the younger participants.
For her final turn at the fair, she is showing a 1,200-pound Brangus steer and a Hampshire pig weighing around 265 pounds. She said she doesn’t care if she wins anything; she just intends to “walk in the arena and do as best as I can.”
“I have confidence in myself,” she said. “Buckles, a banner, a jacket — It don’t mean nothing to me.”
Like most graduating seniors, Westbrook said she isn’t entirely settled on what she wants to do, whether that is going on to college and getting a degree in an agricultural field or finding a job in the field that doesn’t require a college education. But she does know she wants to continue working with animals.
“I love working with animals, especially with larger livestock,” she said.
• Monday April 7 - Pullet and Rabbit Show, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday April 8 - Livestock check in, 3-6 p.m.
• Wednesday April 9
- Wether, Heifer, Steer Show, 7 p.m.
• Thursday April 10Swine Show, 7 p.m.
• Friday April 11 - Opening ceremonies, 6 p.m. Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Dessert auction (silent) and raffles throughout night.
Those interested can donate to the fair online at www.flaglercountyfair. com/home.htmltheir new home.
For more information, call Riegel at 322-2047 or Huckaby at (727) 3669997.
Whatever she decides, Westbrook said she feels prepared for adulthood. Thanks to her experiences at the fair, she said she knows she’s capable of taking care of herself. The fair taught her personal responsibility, budgeting and has instilled a sense of hard work into her, she said.
“I definitely think livestock kids are a different breed, in my opinion, just because of the hard work they’re putting in.” she said. “I know that if I was to go away to college this summer, or move out of my parents house when I graduate, that I can take care of myself.”
Armani Ricks of Wadsworth Elementary, Lilah Cool of Buddy Taylor Middle School and Hanna Maria Kruhliak of Matanzas High were recognized.
OBSERVER STAFF
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office visited three county schools on March 13 to present the Great Kid awards for March.
The awards are presented every month of the school year to students who respect their peers, help others, work hard in academics and represent themselves and their school well. The recipients are nominated by FCSO’s School Resource Deputies and school staff.
The elementary school winner was Armani Ricks, a fifth grader at Wadsworth Elementary School. Armani leads by example with her academics, behavior and athletics, according to her school’s nomination.
“Armani is a great listener, studies her assessments earning great grades, and applies strategies she learns in the classroom,” the nomination stated. “She always makes the right decisions, helps younger students find where they need to go and uses her manners when speaking to others. She is also an excellent athlete and leads her team in flag football outside of school.”
Lilah Cool was the middle school winner. The Buddy Taylor Middle School eighth grader “is a positive student, has manners and is a wonderful role model to her peers and leads by example. She strives for excellence on a daily basis. We are lucky to have such an outstanding young lady as part of our school family,” BTMS said in its nomination.
Hanna Maria Kruhliak was the high school winner. The Matanzas High School sophomore is a member of the JROTC, helped create the Eastern European Club and assists Matanzas students who have immigrated from Eastern Europe. She also
volunteers at academic and athletic events on campus. “She goes above and beyond and demonstrates our school motto: ‘Make good choices, hold yourself accountable, strive for excellence,’” the school’s nomination states.
The White House first proclaimed March as National Social Work Month in 1984, and social workers continue to impact countless lives today. In Florida’s child welfare system, they advocate for the well-being of vulnerable children and their families.
Case managers and other child welfare professionals in our community exemplify effective social work. They strive to strengthen families to prevent abuse before it starts whenever possible. When children must enter the foster care system for their safety, these professionals connect the youth with the resources needed to thrive. They also help parents whose children have been removed work toward reunification, help find forever families for children eligible for adoption, and much more. Truly, child welfare social workers are everyday heroes who deserve our thanks – this and every month.
If you would like to make a difference every day, National Social Work Month provides the perfect opportunity to consider a fulfilling career in child welfare. There is an urgent need for dedicated case managers and other social workers to help vulnerable children and families heal, flourish, and reach their full potential.
While working with vulnerable families, children who have experienced trauma, and the demands of the system bring real challenges, those who feel called to serve others find the job uniquely rewarding. The impact you can make extends far beyond individual cases, contributing to the well-being of entire communities and future generations. And for those driven by compassion, this career path can be a calling.
Your passion and commitment can create a brighter future for countless children and families.
Visit CommunityPartnershipForChildren.org today to learn more about local child welfare and browse open positions. The first life you change will be your own.
Community Partnership for Children is the nonprofit lead agency that cares for abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Volusia, Flagler, and Putnam Counties.
Visit CommunityPartnershipForChildren.org today to learn about working in child welfare and explore open positions. Discover work that is truly worthwhile!
Gianna Capri, a fifth grader at St.
Brendan’s Catholic School in Ormond Beach, is collecting new teddy bears for Kada’s Promise, a program that delivers the stuffed animals and blankets to foster care children, hospitals, homeless and women’s shelters throughout the country.
Kada’s Promise was founded by Kadance Fredericksen, who died at 18 years old in a car crash on Feb. 17 in Baker. A senior in high school, Fredericksen was the Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA titleholder, and daughter of the Miss North Florida pageant director Lisa Fredericksen.
Gianna and met Kadance through her time in pageantry with the Miss North Florida Organization.
“I’m collecting teddy bears in memory of my friend and to deliver hugs to kids in need,” Gianna said in a press release. “Sometimes all you need is a hug from your favorite bear to make the day better. Kadance always made my day better.”
Over 12,000 teddy bears have been delivered to children in need since Kadance founded Kada’s Promise in 2017, a program inspired by the comfort a stuffed animal brought her as a child before she was raised by her biological father and adoptive mother. On March 6, Kadance was named Forever Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA. Gianna is the founder of Michael’s ‘Ohana, a local nonprofit named after
her uncle Michael Alberico. She said she hopes that Kada’s Promise will continue to grow throughout Central Florida. St. Brendan’s will be collecting teddy bears until March 28.
Attention all golfers, 18 and older. The First Baptist Christian School’s Parent Teacher Fellowship will hold a golf fundraiser on April 26 at Grand Reserve Golf Club, 400 Grand Reserve Drive in Bunnell.
Entry fee is $150 and includes 18 holes of golf, range balls, lunch and dinner and a swag bag. Check-in is at 12:30 p.m. The shotgun start is at 1:30. Prizes include: longest drive, holein-one, opposite hand drive, closest to the pin and best and worst teams. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The hole-in-one prize is a new car from from Tom Gibbs Chevrolet. To register, go to FBCAPTF.com and click on Golf Tournament.
The Rotary Club of Flagler County presented a $12,000 check to the Flagler County Education Foundation to support student scholarships during a club meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Matanzas Theater Company at Matanzas High School will present the hit Broadway musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” in the Pirate Theater on April 3-5 at 7 p.m., with a special matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. The Matanzas production is directed by James Brendlinger, with musical direction by Jens Oliva and choreography by Matanzas senior Leah Lehnertz. Tickets are on sale now at TeachTix. com/PirateTheater. General admission seats are $10, while special VIP seating is available for $25. The theater is located at 3535 Pirate Nation Way.
“We have a window of opportunity to have a positive impact on these children.”
Friday, May 16, 2025 • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Join us at our annual Believing in Girls Breakfast on May 16, 2025, at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to raise awareness about the challenges girls face today and how Pace Volusia-Flagler, is helping them succeed. Come learn, share, and be part of a community that is changing lives one girl at a time.
Reserve your spot today! Seating is limited.
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Kistemaker Business Law Group in Ormond Beach was recently recognized as an award recipient of Florida Community Association Journal’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Award winners in the journal’s March issue.
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A second Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa location has opened in Palm Coast. Local franchise owners Pam and Gene O’Neill opened their second location at 1272 Palm Coast Parkway SW. The massage and spa parlor introduces self-care through “highquality professional massage services, including Swedish,
Himalayan Salt, Sports, Deep Tissue, Oncology and Prenatal massages” to Flagler County residents, a Hand & Stone press release said. “Being able to bring a second Hand & Stone location to the community of Palm Coast allows us to help more people prioritize self-care habits in their lives,” Pam O’Neill said. “I love that we can help people take an hour out of their busy lives to focus on their wellbeing.” Pam O’Neill began as a Hand & Stone employee and manager in Orlando before becoming a franchise owner, the press release said. The O’Neill’s first franchise is located at 5200 E. Highway 100. The Palm Coast locations are
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to Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from Sunday 10 a.m. to
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Palm Coast Lions Club raises $500 at bowling fundraiser
The Palm Coast Lions Club raised $500 with a bowling fundraiser on Feb. 16, at Palm Coast Lanes to support Lions Club International Foundation charities.
This initiative aims to impact humanitarian services and grants and will benefit the missions that help the visually impaired, disaster relief and hunger in our communities, a press release stated.
“We are thrilled to bring fun engagement-based fundraising activities to our community and make a lasting impact,” said Amy Dumas, Palm Coast
Lions Club president in the press release. “With the support of our community, we can work towards matching grants for eye surgeries and disaster relief when needed.”
The Palm Coast Lions Club celebrated 51 years of service in November 2024. The club’s local initiatives include cleaning up its adopted road, a section of Old Kings Road North, on Saturdays; working with and awarding two scholarships for Leo Club members at Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high schools; conducting vision and diabetes screenings for migrant farm workers in Bunnell and at Palm Coast Community Center; plus many more.
“We have reported service hours for feeding the hungry and cleaning tables and picking up trash at the St. Augustine Seafood Festival, where we also earned $1,100 for our club,” the press release said.
Ahouse at 3747 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for March 8-14 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on March 10, for $2,800,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 5/5.5 and has a pool, a fireplace, an elevator and 5,713 square feet.
Cedar Island
A house at 2560 Palm Ave. sold on March 13, for $1,475,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3.5 and has pool, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen, a 175 foot boat dock and 2,906 square feet.
PALM COAST
Cypress Knoll
A house at 1 Essex Lane sold on March 14, for $430,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,892 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $280,000.
Condos
A condo at 190 Riverview Bend South, Unit 1013, sold on March 14, for $312,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 1,824 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $190,000.
A condo at 1200 Canopy Walk Lane, Unit 1225, sold on March 12, for $346,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,712 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $376,500.
A condo at 114 Club House Drive, Unit 306, sold on March 12, for $469,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,414 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $262,300.
BUNNELL The Reserve
A house at 20 Deer Park Drive sold on March, 14, for $1,250,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,969 square feet.
A condo at 3600 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 615, sold on March 14, for $200,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 1/1 and has 719 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $222,000.
Ahouse at 297 N. Beach St. in the Ormond Terrace subdivision was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormondby-the-Sea for the week of March 1-7. The house sold on March 7, for $1,900,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa, a boat dock, a boat house, a boat lift and 4,614 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $850,000.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Condos
The condo at 89 S. Atlantic Ave., Unit 901, sold on March 6, for $380,000. Built in 1979, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,200 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $132,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Daytona Shores
The house at 822 N. Beach
St. sold on March 4, for $475,000. Built in 1974, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,779 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $336,000.
The house at 772 N. Beach
St. sold on March 7, for $400,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,096 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $157,000.
Melrose
The house at 30 Division Ave. sold on March 5, for $598,500. Built in 2007, the house is a 3/2 and has a detached garage and 2,104 square feet.
Not in subdivision
The house at 215 Grove St. sold on March 3, for $323,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,821 square feet. It last sold in 1989 for $117,000.
Indian Trails A house at 62 Birchwood Drive sold on March 14, for $369,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,301 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $225,500.
Sawmill Branch A house at 138 Hulett Woods Road North, sold on March 14, for $451,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,498 square feet.
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
Southern Trace
The house at 6 Southern Trace Blvd. sold on March 5, for $435,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 1,921 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $189,500.
The Trails The townhouse at 5 Timberline Trail, Unit D, sold on March 5, for $113,000. Built in 1977, the townhouse is a 3/2 and has 1,616 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $92,500.
The house at 137 Shady Branch Trail sold on March 7, for $539,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,960 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $294,500.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Breakers
The house at 46 Kathy Drive sold on March 7, for $436,000. Built in 1966, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,471 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $297,000.
The house at 5 Kathy Drive sold on March 7, for $510,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 2/2 and has a pool and 1,689 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $290,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
FPC softball field goes dark with Matanzas leading 2-1 in the sixth.
MICHELE MEYERS
The Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas softball teams arrived at their annual rivalry game Tuesday, March 25 on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Pirates are 9-1 after a 10-6 loss to Palatka before spring break and the Bulldogs are 1-8 with a 15-0 win against New Smyrna Beach.
Matanzas held a 2-1 lead over FPC when the lights went out midway through the sixth inning. An electrical crew was called to fix the issue, but after a substantial amount of time, the umpires called the game, leaving the details about its completion pending.
The game may be continued where it left off in the bottom of the sixth inning with FPC’s Skylar Ludovici, Mackenzie West and Lily Delbuono leading off the inning.
Shortstop Ludovici tripled in the fourth inning and scored after West singled to right field. She scored the lone run for FPC. Ludovici said she was hoping to get another good hit, if and when the game is restarted.
“It’s really exciting that it’s such a close game,” Ludovici said. “It felt really good running in, especially, playing our rival.”
Matanzas’ Mckenzie Manhart hit a single in the third inning and advanced to second on an eror on a ball hit by Ruby Fogel. Ashley Sampselle doubled on a line drive to score Manhart and Fogel.
Leah Stevens pitched three innings for the Pirates before being relieved by Ashley Sampselle in the fourth inning.
Stevens faced 11 batters, threw 46 pitches, 31 for strikes, and struck out nine batters. Sampselle faced nine batters, with 23 of her 25 pitches for strikes. She struck out two. FPC’s Ashleigh Pigeon threw 99 pitches
with 59 strikes. She struck out 11 in six innings.
Matanzas head coach Sabrina Manhart attributes the strength of their team culture for their successful season. She said she enjoys teaching her players the little things that they may not have learned prior to playing high school softball.
“We put a lot of effort in being good teammates, not taking plays off and working really hard for each other,” she said. “Our girls really buy into that. That helps them trust each other on the field and be willing to work hard for each other. The work that they put in pays them back on game day which is why they are seeing the success they are having so far.”
In the late 1990s, early in Narayana Hines’ teaching career, Ormond Beach Middle School held a field day that included a teachers vs. students 4x100 relay race.
At the time, the students didn’t know that the former Narayana Hall had been a college track star just a few years earlier. But, “boy did they find out,” she says now.
Hines will be inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame on April 26. She was the top jumper in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1992-95 and also excelled in sprint events. She won the conference triple jump title all four years, setting the school record in the process. She won the long jump title twice.
In 1993, she became Wesleyan’s first female athlete to qualify for the NAIA national track and field championships. She went on to compete at nationals three years years in a row in triple jump. She placed 10th twice, coming within inches of becoming an All-American, according to the Buckhannon, West Virginia, Record Delta newspaper and the Wesleyan athletics website.
Before her first trip to nationals, she told the student newspaper that she had reservations about making the trip to British Columbia, Canada, because she was afraid of flying. Now, she says, it’s her husband, Anthony Hines, who is afraid to fly. But he will be joining her on the flight to Buckhannon, next month for her Hall of Fame induction.
After graduation, Hines became
a teacher. She taught social studies, history, geography and civics at OBMS for 21 years and then became an ESE support facilitator at the former Osceola Elementary School, where she worked for three years. She said she transferred to Osceola because it was near Seabreeze High School, where her daughter, Amaraiah, was a student at the time.
For the past three years, Hines has been a behavior interventionist at Buddy Taylor Middle School in Flagler County.
Before she began her Hall of Fame career at Wesleyan, Hines was a track star at Seabreeze, competing in five events — the 100, 200, 4x100, triple jump and long jump. A typical high school meet for Hines meant competing 15 times, she said, because in those days they had prelims, semifinals and finals in each event.
But her track career almost ended with her final high school meet in 1991. She nearly enlisted in the Air Force, she said, but her grandmother wouldn’t hear of it.
“My grandmother kept pushing me to go to college, and I ended up getting a scholarship,” Hines said.
Academics became her priority. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education at Bethune-Cookman University. Her daughter, Amaraiah, earned her Cambridge AICE degree at Seabreeze where she was also a swimmer and first string bass in the school’s orchestra, Hines said. Amaraiah earned a nursing degree at Florida State last year and is now an
Narayana Hall was a sprinter and jumper who set the school triple jump record and qualified for NAIA nationals three times at West Virginia Wesleyan.
ICU nurse at Halifax Medical Center.
Hines’ Buddy Taylor Middle School students won’t have to learn the hard way about her athletic accomplishments. She might talk about them before she leaves for the Hall of Fame induction.
“They’ll be shocked,” she said.
But the accomplishment she’s most proud of, she said, is touching the lives of thousands of students over the years, many she remains in contact with who have families of their own now.
Reflecting on her career, she said, “It’s a life pretty well-worth lived. I am blessed.”
Daytona State College’s flag football team opened its inaugural season on Feb. 28 with a win, 27-0 over PascoHernando State College. The 800-seat stadium was nearly filled to capacity for the team’s historic first game which was also televised live by WDSC-TV, Channel 15. Mainland grad Ava Colubiale threw a touchdown pass and ran and threw for extra points. The Falcons were 4-3 with a 3-0 home record entering its home game against Florida Gateway College on Mach 26. FPC, SEABREEZE BASEBALL BACK IN ACTION
Flagler Palm Coast’s baseball team celebrated seniors Adam Kleinfelder, Brenin Striplin, Logan Shudy and Ryan Penton on Senior Night on March 24. The Bulldogs lost the game 9-3 to University to
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
at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is March 20, 2025.
Personal Representative: Elizabeth (Betsy) Mallicote 607 Riverbend Blvd Longwood, Florida 32779
Attorney for Personal Representative: Kristen M. Jackson, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 394114
JACKSON LAW PA 5401 S KIRKMAN RD, Ste 310 ORLANDO, FL 32819
Telephone: (407) 363-9020
E-Mail: kjackson@jacksonlawpa.com
Secondary E-Mail: jjackskon@jacksonlawpa.com
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT
Deceased. The administration of the
of Vishnukartik Nitta,
whose date of death was November 14, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 101 North Alabama Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32721. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are
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. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 10777 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF THELMA ELAINE MARQUEZ, Deceased. The administration of the estate of THELMA ELAINE MARQUEZ, deceased, whose date of death was February 6, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 101 N. Alabama Ave., DeLand, FL 32724. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: March 20, 2025. AVA ELAINE LAPHAM AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE THELMA ELAINE MARQUEZ REVOCABLE TRUST DATED JULY 15, 2021 Heidi S. Webb Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 73958 Law Office of Heidi S. Webb 210 South Beach Street, Suite 202 Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 Telephone: (386) 257-3332 Email: heidi@heidiwebb.com March 20, 27, 2025 25-00114I
March 20, 27, 2025 25-00125I SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 10604 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF JONATHAN JAY CAMPOS, Deceased. The administration of the estate of JONATHAN JAY CAMPOS, deceased, whose date of death was January 29, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 125 E Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. 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 NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is March 20, 2025. Personal Representative: MICHELLE PEREZ GONZALEZ HC 1 Box 5250 Hatillo, PR 00659 Attorney for Personal Representative: ELLEN L. REGNERY, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 863769 Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A. 3001 PGA Blvd., Ste. 305 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 Telephone: (561) 686-3307 Email: eregnery@nasonyeager.com March 20, 27, 2025 25-00126I
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2025 10461 PRDL DIVISION: 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF DAVID ALLEN NORMAN, Deceased.
The administration of the estate of DAVID ALLEN NORMAN, deceased, whose date of death was January 6, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Post Office Box 6043, DeLand, FL 32721. 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.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is March 20, 2025. Signed by: Diane Barneski Personal Representative 1639 San Jose Blvd. Holly Hill, FL 32117 /s/ Fred B. Share FRED B. SHARE, ESQUIRE Florida Bar No. 256765 1092 Ridgewood Avenue Holly Hill, FL 32117 Telephone: (386) 253-1030
Fax: (386) 248-2425
E-Mail: fredshare@cfl.rr.com
2nd E-Mail: brobins@cfl.rr.com
Attorney for Personal Representative March 20, 27, 2025 25-00128I
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2023 32231 CICI
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, vs. CAROL A. BOILEAU, et al., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered February 24, 2025 in Civil Case No. 2023 32231 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT in and for Volusia County, Deland, Florida, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is Plaintiff and CAROL A. BOILEAU, et al., are Defendants, the Clerk of Court, LAURA E. ROTH, ESQ., will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www. volusia.realforeclose.com in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 11th day of April, 2025 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 7, PELICAN BAY, PHASE III, UNIT II, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 37, PAGES 50 THROUGH 55, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed.
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 1 (800) 955-8770. By: /s/Robyn Katz
Robyn Katz, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney for Plaintiff 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850 Fax: (321) 248-0420
Email: MRService@mccalla.com Fla. Bar No.: 146803
23-07170FL March 20, 27, 2025 25-00111I
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 2025 10040 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD ROBERT KIERNAN III Deceased.
The administration of the estate of Donald Robert Kiernan III, deceased, whose date of death was October 27, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is PO Box 6043, Deland, FL 327216043. 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.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is March 20, 2025. /s/ Lynn Kiernan Lynn Kiernan Personal Representative 61 Westcedar Lane Palm Coast, Florida 32164 /s/ Wendy A. Mara Wendy A. Mara, Esq. Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 0069872 Mara Law. P.A.
E-Mail: wamara@maralawpa.com
E-Mail:
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2021 11383 CIDL FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. KAREN AYTES-ROCHESTER, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated July 28, 2022, and entered in 2021 11383 CIDL of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and KAREN AYTES-ROCHESTER are the Defendant(s). Laura E. Roth as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www.volusia. realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on April 10, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 9, DELEON OAKS SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 40, PAGE 122, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Property Address: 5025 DELEON OAKS CT, DE LEON SPRINGS, FL 32130
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. Dated this 17 day of March, 2025. ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487
Telephone: 561-241-6901
Facsimile: 561-997-6909
Service Email: flmail@raslg.com
By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com 20-011065-MaM March 20, 27, 2025 25-00124I
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
same level and assuming similar efforts dedicated to ensuring dog stations are supplied with bags would represent a continued annual cost of nearly $100,000,” the report states. “However, adjustments to staff coverage and greater use of volunteers could reduce the estimated annual cost. For instance, the lack of rule violations in the dog beach would indicate the potential for adjustments to the staffing from Animal Control Officers to a 50% parttime basis matching the level of service provided at each of our inlet park dog beaches, focusing enforcement during peak periods.”
Kent said he hopes the dogfriendly beach in Ormond becomes permanent, and that other dog-friendly sections are opened up in the other coastal cities: Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach.
“I’ll be anxious to hear from my fellow council members to see if any of them agree with me,” Kent said.
If the council wants to add other sections of dogfriendly beach, Daytona Dog Beach Inc. would be in support. Petrella has submitted a proposal to the county already to continue to pay to supply and maintain the dog waste bag stations — and should the program expand, the nonprofit has vowed to pay for more stations and to have volunteers cover those areas. Adding more dogfriendly beach areas would be good for tourism and would be embraced by county residents who would rather not have to travel to Ormond.
“I’m a block off the beach here in Daytona,” Petrella said. “I would love to be able to walk down, take a bucket, clean up and take one of my dogs and walk that area. We think it’s a real benefit to the people that live here.”
OPPONENTS OF THE DOGFRIENDLY BEACH
In March 2024, a petition emerged to end the program, citing dog owners failing to keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after them, both in and outside of the dogfriendly beach area.
Part-time Ormond Beach resident and former City Commissioner David Schecter created last year’s petition. The pilot program, he said, has been a “failure,” and no elected official seems to care, as his concerns, delivered via calls and emails have largely been ignored. Schecter lives in a condo north of the dogfriendly beach, and said he sees dogs there every day.
“This is a travesty, plain and simple,” Schecter said.
“The county has not done its job in protecting the citizens for regular beach use. The areas outside of the pilot zone continue to have dogs running around all the time. There is no enforcement outside of the zone.”
The beach code is clear, he added: No animals allowed on the beach.
Volusia has prohibited dogs on the majority of the beach since it took over beach regulation in 1987. Before the pilot program, dogs were only
allowed on two beach parks: Smyrna Dunes Park, in New Smyrna Beach; and Lighthouse Point Park, in Ponce Inlet.
The county’s staff report notes that “the presence of dogs on the beach has historically been a persistent issue.” During the 18-month pilot program, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Coastal Unit issued 58 citations and gave 714 verbal warnings to dog owners. A total of 749 dogs were removed from the beach. These offenses, the county states, occurred outside of the dog-friendly pilot program area.
“During this reporting period for the pilot program (November 2023—October 2024), Beach Safety staff made 1,017 contacts regarding dogs outside of the dog beach area,” the report states. “Although this seems high, it constitutes less contacts about dogs not allowed on the beach than in prior years.”
On Feb. 11, Schecter reached out to the Ormond Beach City Commission and Kent, asking for the program to be reconsidered.
“The hope was that the city would be a partner with us and not just go along with what the county has stated,” Schecter said.
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie, on behalf of the City Commission, submitted a letter on Feb. 19 to the County Council in support of making the dog-friendly pilot program permanent.
“Since its inception, this initiative has significantly enhanced the quality of life for our residents and visitors, fostering a sense of community and promoting responsible pet ownership,” the letter states. “While we acknowledge the concerns raised by a minority of residents regarding potential rule violations, it is important to note the positive feedback we all have received and the overall broad community approval and success of this pilot.”
Kent said it’s noteworthy to him that the most vocal opposers to the dog-friendly beach either live in a home or condo on the beach.
“It’s just interesting to me how certain people feel entitled once they buy a property on the ocean, that they think that their backyard is only truly for them and that no one else can enjoy it,” Kent said. “... You’re never going to make everyone happy and there’s always one curmudgeon in the group.”
A dog-friendly beach is what Daytona Dog Beach Inc., was founded on, Petrella said. But there are other things they would love to do to enhance the community.
“We just see this as the first step of what could be something really special in our area, again, for residents and tourists, and visitors and for businesses too,” Petrella said. “... We think there’s a lot of positive that has come from it, and that can continue to come from it, if we’re just given the chance to let it be.”
