Ormond Beach Observer 2-16-23

moved to Ormond Beach. Her daughter, Ormond Beach resident Cathy Wharton, expressed best wishes to her mother in an email to the Observer. The family celebrated Buschman’s birthday with a small group of family and close friends.

“It was truly a joyful occasion, and a delightful gathering for all,” she said.

Ormond Beach firefighters gather in front of their department’s engines at a beach by the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk, in New Smyrna Beach, to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson.

Photo by Michele Meyers

CITY WATCH

Formal public comment period added

Members of the public seeking to speak on issues not included in the Planning Board’s agenda will now be able to speak at the end of board meetings. Based on city staff’s recommendation, the Planning Board unanimously voted to approve the policy change at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9. The Ormond Beach City Commission holds a period of public comments at the beginning of its meetings.

“I like it at the end,” Board member Mike Scudiero said. “I think it makes more sense.”

Rep. Tom Leek to

County seeks advisory board applicants

The Volusia County Council is seeking applicants to serve on county advisory boards.

Due to expiring terms, applicants are needed for the following 17 boards:

„ Agri-Business Inter-Relationship

run

for Senate

in 2024 Florida Rep. Tom Leek will run to represent District 7 in the state Senate in 2024.

Leek, of Ormond Beach, currently represents District 28 in the Florida House of Representatives. He filed to run for Senate on Jan. 4. Sen. Travis Hutson is the incumbent.

Essay contest for Enviro Camp 2023 is now open

If you could become one of the four natural elements, which would you become and how would you interact with the environment?

That is the prompt for the Joyce Ebbets Scholarship Fund essay contest, which will give two children the chance to attend one session of the Environmental Discovery Center’s Enviro Camp 2023 at no cost.

The contest is open to children ages 7-10. Enviro Camp is composed of two four-week sessions. The first session will run June 5-30; the second session will run July 10 to Aug. 4. For the contest’s official rules and more information, visit bit.ly/3E9HHlP.

He added that most people who come to the Planning Board meetings to speak do so in relation to an item on the agenda; this change would avoid having people comment on issues on the agenda outside of the public hearings.

“I do believe that we should do it, regardless of where it is,” Board Chair Doug Thomas said. “I think that we need to have the public input on items like that.”

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS

The board also unanimously approved an administrative amendment to the city’s Land Development Code concerning the Site Plan Review Committee. The amendment updates to the code to strengthen requirements for neighborhood meetings and assigns the city’s planning director as the coordinating liaison for applications.

The code updates include requiring written approval from city staff to hold a neighborhood meeting five business days before notices are mailed; requiring meetings be held Monday through Thursday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; requiring developers to post a sign informing residents about upcoming neighborhood meetings, and requiring that a

written summary of the meeting be provided to city staff.

“We’ve had other property owners try to hold meetings like on a Friday evening,” Planning Director Steven Spraker said. “This isn’t really in the spirit of trying to get people to come to neighborhood meetings.”

Thomas said the update also highlights a need to have a community center in town that can seat 500750 people. He mentioned the Feb. 8 neighborhood meeting for Tomoka Oaks, and how it had to be split up into two sessions because of the number of people expected to attend.

“I think that it’s time that we move into the modern-day age and have a community center that ... can service such a need,” Thomas said.

Board member Angeline Shull said she liked the addition of requiring a

site posting for neighborhood meetings because of the number of residents who come before the board to speak about a project and say they weren’t aware a neighborhood meeting had been held before the public hearing.

City staff suggested that the signs be 2 feet by 3 feet — smaller than the signs placed for Planning Board and City Commission hearings.

Shull suggested that they be bigger, and Scudiero agreed. After some discussion, the board moved to increase the neighborhood meeting sign requirement to 4 feet by 4 feet.

The board also approved a special exception for a garden shed at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum plus LDC amendments on fences and walls, and on utility installation fees.

3,550 square foot IHOP proposed for 675 W. Granada Blvd. Email Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@ ormondbeachobserver. com.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

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JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

“I think we’re all very excited that we’re at this point tonight, and we now get to move forward.”

Volusia County School Board Chair Jamie Haynes on ratification of bargaining agreement with ACFSME. See Page 5A

Love like Ethan

Family, friends of late Ormond Beach firefighter pay tribute to his memory

MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The American flag fluttered in the wind atop two firetrucks against a backdrop of gray skies at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk on Saturday, Feb. 11. Hundreds of people were gathered to honor, remember and celebrate the life of Ormond Beach firefighter Ethan Wilson, who died on Saturday, Feb. 4, after a surfing accident at New Smyrna Beach.

His brother-in-law, Bryon White, organized the ceremony that gave family and friends a chance to share stories about Wilson, as well as the opportunity to join a paddle-out immediately following the speeches.

“I wouldn’t have a beautiful wife and an amazing, adorable son if I hadn’t met Ethan,” White said. “It sounds like a crazy story — all the good things in my life that I have just because I met that guy, but through this, I realize that my story really isn’t that unusual. So many of you have stories like that because Ethan had an outsized impact on everybody that he met. All of this is proof of that.”

White met Wilson in a high school art class. Wilson was a freshman, and White was a senior. Eventually, the upperclassman began to give him rides home and was introduced to his sister Megan. They have been together ever since.

‘HE SAVED SO MANY LIVES’ Wilson, a firefighter and paramedic with the Ormond Beach Fire Department, dedicated his life to public service. He was the vice president of the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters Association and was previously employed by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Communication Center.

“He saved so many lives and gave comfort to so many while he was here,” said Ashley Wilson, his wife. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave his body so others could continue with their families.”

Ethan Wilson had wished to donate his organs to people in need upon his death. On Feb. 4, he did just that — AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach surgeons recovered his organs, and staff were able to find matches immediately.

Eight years ago, Ashley Wilson recalled how she arrived at The Gar-

WANT TO HELP?

A GoFundMe page has been set up to benefit Ethan Wilson’s wife, Ashley, and their infant son Coast. As of Wednesday, Feb. 15, over $114,000 has been raised. Visit gofundme.com/f/ help-ethan-wilson.

lic restaurant by scooter because she had a broken ankle. She was there to meet Ethan for their first date. She knew he was special after the staff moved her scooter and she couldn’t find it, and Ethan Wilson carried her to the bathroom.

The couple recently welcomed the birth of their son, Coast.

“My husband is the most perfect person I have ever met,” Ashley Wilson said. “So pure, kind, hardworking and always ready for a good time.”

LIVE LIKE ETHAN

C.J. Coccia became friends with Ethan Wilson in middle school. Growing up with him gave Coccia first-hand knowledge of the caring qualities Wilson possessed. Coccia asked everyone to make a promise.

“Try to live a little bit more like Ethan,” he said. “Be stoked like Ethan was. Love people like Ethan did. Help people like Ethan did. Treat strang-

ers, friends, family like Ethan did. He loved everyone. He always opened up his heart and opened up his arms. He was always there for you. I think the world would be so much better if we all followed the suit that Ethan did. Now it’s up to us to follow those guidelines and try to create a world that we know Ethan would be absolutely stoked for Coast to be growing up and living in.”

Following the stories about Wilson, the fire department announced his passing over the radio and struck the bell eight times for his last alarm. Flowers were given out to those who were paddling out.

“We are going to close this out the traditional New Smyrna way that we honor our own,” White said. “It’s time to get wet. If you have a board, a wetsuit, an inflatable flamingo, whatever the case may be, we are going to head east and pay our respects to Ethan.”

Photos by Michele Meyers

Firefighters, EMTs, police officers, family and friends gather at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in New Smyrna Beach to celebrate the life of firefighter Ethan Wilson.

Ashley Wilson speaks before firefighters, EMTs, police officers, family and friends during the celebration of the life of her husband, Ormond Beach firefighter Ethan Wilson.

“My husband is the most perfect person I have ever met. So pure, kind, hardworking and always ready for a good time.”

ASHLEY WILSON, wife of Ethan Wilson

Ethan Wilson's brother-in-law, Bryon White, organized the ceremony to celebrate Wilson's life.

Many people joined in the paddle-out after the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach

‘It’s your fault’: Flagler Beach city manager fired

William Whitson was voted out in a 4-1 vote on Feb. 9, with Commissioner Jane Mealy dissenting.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler Beach City Manager William Whitson has been fired.

City commissioners voted 4-1 at a Feb. 9 meeting to terminate Whitson’s contract on April 10, placing him on administrative leave effective immediately. Commissioner Jane Mealy was the only dissenting vote. Whitson’s contract allows for a 60-day phase-out period when terminated without cause, with 20

weeks of severance beginning after that.

City Attorney Drew Smith said Whitson was willing to stay on until the next commission meeting, but the commission decided instead to ask Rick McFadden — Flagler Beach’s chief building official and the former interim city manager — to temporarily step up until an interim city manager is appointed.

Chair Ken Bryan suggested that former Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron step in as interim city manager, but other commissioners weren’t ready to make that commitment without discussion.

“Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday,” Bryan said to McFadden.

“With the understanding that by Tuesday, we’ll have someone one

COMMISSION NARROWS SEARCH TO THREE

The Flagler Beach City Commission narrowed its interim city manager choices down to three candidates — Katrina Powell, John Drago and Michael Abels — at a workshop on Feb. 13.

The commission will hold a town hall at 4 p.m. Feb. 23 for residents to meet with the candidates before the 5:30 p.m. commission meeting. Rick McFadden, the city’s chief building officer, will serve as acting city manager until an interim is chosen.

OVER

CONTROVERSY

CAMERON

The commission heard from five candidates, including former County Administrator Jerry Cameron, at the Feb. 13 meeting.

Earlier that day, news service FlaglerLive.com had released an article stating Cameron had been lobbying for the city manager position and that the Flagler Beach Business Bureau, also known as FB3, had been assisting him.

FB3 acknowledged to the Observer that it had spoken with commissioners to advocate that they hire Cameron.

“We did express our frustrations with Mr. Whitson as city manager and we actively sought his termination when speaking with several city commissioners,”

FB3 President and Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill co-owner John Lulgjuraj said in a message sent to the Observer on behalf of FB3. “We also advocated that the commission hire former Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron as an interim city manager, during a critical time for the city.”

Lulgjuraj added in a later statement, “Furthermore, I have a right and a responsibility to voice my concerns to city commissioners and to directly communicate problems with solutions as our Flagler Beach Business Bureau has done in the past.”

But Chair Ken Bryan was the only commissioner to place Cameron among his top three candidates, with Powell and Abels as his other two choices.

Both Cameron and Bryan denied that Cameron had been reaching out and meeting with commissioners to replace Whitson, and at the start of the meet-

ing, Bryan denied that Cameron had been “lobbying” him for a job.

“Mr. Cameron did not lobby to me, I’m going to make that clear,” Bryan said. “I called Mr. Cameron myself. … I called him to ask him for help.”

Several residents and City Commission candidates asked the commission to take more time before choosing an interim, especially since some resumes for candidates who spoke were not available before the Feb. 13 meeting.

“I want this person to be successful,” Commissioner Deborah Phillips said. “I don’t want to rush anything.”

“I’ve never seen a position this important in which there wouldn’t be an opportunity to at least meet [or] look at the resumes,” said attorney Scott Spradley, a candidate for City Commission.

Commissioner James Sherman suggested holding a town hall with shortlisted candidates. Four of five commissioners and the mayor all listed Powell, Abels and Drago.

The three candidates will meet with department heads and commissioners before the Feb. 23 town hall and commission meeting.

Powell said she served as city manager in Longwood from 2009-2011, in Fort Meade from 2005-2007 and in Hamtramck, Michigan from 2014 to 2017. She was appointed to the Hamtramck position by the Michigan Department of Treasury after that city was declared to be in a state of financial emergency.

Drago — who said he is only interested in the interim position — was the city manager in Longwood from 1999-2009, just prior to Powell. He said he also served as city administrator for Winter Springs from 1997-1999 and for Okeechobee from 19861997. He serves on the vice chair of Orange County Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Abels has a doctorate in public administration and most recently served as city manager in DeLand, from 1999-2008. He then taught public administration at the University of Central Florida until 2016 and at Stetson University as an adjunct from 2016-2021.

way or the other.”

The City Commission later met in a workshop on Feb. 13 to speak with potential interim city managers, narrowing its choices to three.

Whitson had been hired as city manager in February 2021, after the position sat open for almost a year.

Since then, he has faced criticism for a series of city administration missteps: City staff this past year did not coordinate with the vendor who handles the city’s annual July 4 fireworks show early enough for the vendor to produce the show, which was ultimately canceled. The city also did not submit an application for a large annual grant program, and commissioners had criticized Whitson’s handling other initiatives, including the rollout of an employee pay raise.

Over the previous summer, the commission held a performance review for Whitson, and evaluated him as meeting standards, but with room for improvement.

Commissioners and Mayor Suzie Johnston on Feb. 9 reviewed their initial evaluations of Whitson, and most said they have seen some improvement.

“It takes the residents holding his feet to the fire and putting his job on the line to get that needle moved,” Johnston said. “I can see an improve-

ment, but I want to know why it takes so much clamor to get that done.”

Whitson’s response, like many over previous meetings, referenced a lack of staff and an overabundance of projects.

But Johnston said that although staffing had been thoroughly discussed at a recent commission meeting, the city’s website still advertises just three vacancies, while every department is understaffed — and none of those positions have been advertised elsewhere, either.

Whitson faced particular criticism from Bryan.

Bryan said he sees a lot of things around the city that are not getting done — projects like the renovation of the front of the commission building, and an employee pay rate analysis and raise. He called the lack of progress “inexcusable.”

“I don’t want to hear the excuse ‘I don’t have staff,’” Bryan said. “It’s your fault.”

Bryan said it was also inexcusable that job positions are not being filled or advertised, especially in such cases as the position vacated by former

City Planner Larry Torino, whose retirement had been in the works for a long time.

Projects will be delayed because of the lack of staff, Bryan said.

“We need to do better,” Bryan said. “I don’t care whose responsibility it is at this point, but the bottom line is, Mr. Whitson, it’s yours.”

Commissioner Eric Cooley spoke of several items he said needed improvement, but he and Commissioner James Sherman focused on the employee pay raise analysis delays. The commission had prioritized pay raises over the summer, but the analysis of market-competitive pay rates is expected to be finished at the end of February.

“That, I find to be egregious,” Cooley said.

Mealy, aside from supporting Whitson’s continued tenure, said she felt it would be a bad idea to remove the city manager amid all the work being done.

“I think we would be doing more harm than good,” she said.

Several others, including members of the public, felt otherwise. Sherman said the city needs someone in the city manager position to be assertive. The city has given Whitson tools and resources, Sherman said, but has not seen results unless he is in the hot seat.

“This is not a personal decision,” Sherman said. “This is just what I think is best for us to move forward.”

-David M.

Courtesy photos

City Manager William Whitson, left, and City Attorney Drew Smith

“It takes the residents holding his feet to the fire and putting his job on the line to get that needle moved. I can see an improvement, but I want to know why it takes so much clamor to get that done.”

SUZIE JOHNSTON, mayor

“I don’t want to hear the excuse, ‘I don’t have staff.’ It’s your fault.”

KEN BRYAN, Flagler Beach City Commission chair

Volusia County School Board ratifies agreement with AFSCME

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

The Volusia County School Board unanimously approved a one-year collective bargaining agreement between the district and the union representing support services employees on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

The agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 79, Local 850, also known as AFSCME, includes salary schedule changes and rate increases.

AFSCME treasurer Carol Sawyer thanked district staff for this year’s negotiations.

“We had two sides of the table that were working back and forth,” Sawyer said. “We were doing it together. We were cordial. There was no fighting.”

In addition to new salary schedules, the bargaining agreement also included an annual allowance or reimbursement for shoes for bus operators, attendants, custodians, School Way Cafe employees, transportation mechanics and other support services employees.

School Way Cafe employees who oversee certain programs will also receive more pay per hour, by between 50 cents and $1.

Mark West, chief human resources officer for VCS, said the agreement was ratified at an 89% rate.

School Board Chair Jamie Haynes said that by mid-April, the support services employees will receive allowances for their uniforms and shoes, as well as their retroactive pay.

“I think we’re all very excited that we’re at this point tonight, and we now get to move forward,” Haynes said.

Firefighters contain 130-acre wildfire

wildfire mitigation specialist for the Forest Service.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters and local fire departments contained a 130-acre wildfire in the area of Clyde Morris Boulevard, south of Hand Avenue, by 11 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

The Florida Forest Service does not know how it started, said Julie Allen, wildfire mitigation specialist for the Florida Forest Service. The Forest Service led the wildfire response and was continuing to improve containment lines around the area on Feb. 10.

“Now that it is safe to do so, we will have our wildland firefighters out here seeing if they can determine a cause of this fire,” Allen said.

According to the Florida Forest Service’s Facebook page, the fire was first reported as a 15-acre fire in the afternoon, and later in the evening as a 60-acre fire. Firefighters were able to protect 75 homes — the

wildfire occurred close to the rear of the Cypress Trail and Birchwood subdivisions off Clyde Morris Boulevard — with seven dozers, two brush units and local fire departments on the scene. Police and fire departments from Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and Volusia County Fire Rescue assisted.

Some incorrect claims circulated on social media that the wildfire was a result of a prescribed burn, in which officials intentionally set fire to an area to improve or maintain the natural habitat.

“This was definitely a wildfire,” Allen said, adding that the priority of the agency was to protect the homes nearby.

The fire was the second fire in the area within a week. Two fires burned about 28 acres of land between Cypress Trail Drive and Oak Street near Ormond Beach on Monday, Feb. 6. Those fires, however, were determined to have been human-caused, Allen said.

“However, we do not know if it was accidental or purposeful,” Allen said.

“So our agriculture law enforcement and our local law enforcement are investigating the cause.”

Unlike western states like California, Florida doesn’t have a “fire season.” The state can burn year round.

PRESCRIBED BURN VS. WILDFIRE

Florida is a fire-dependent ecosystem, said Julie Allen, wildfire mitigation specialist for the Florida Forest Service. When there was no development, the state would burn naturally, and the fire would help trees grow.

“Last night, I was telling some of the residents in the community — I said, ‘Listen, in the morning, I want you to grab a cup of coffee, sit on your back porch and watch the spectacle of all of these beautiful animals that will come and feed on the ash from that fire,’” Allen said. “Because it is filled with so many beautiful nutrients that they love, and that’s what they depend on.”

The state holds periodic prescribed burns to maintain the ecosystem.

“Just like when you go to your doctor, there is a prescription, there is a plan,” Allen said. “There are so many incredible details that go into planning a purposeful set of parameters into applying fire to the ground.”

On Feb. 6, the district had announced it had struck a bargaining agreement with the Volusia United Educators teachers union regarding instructional salaries.

VUE President Elizabeth Albert said at the School Board meeting that the agreement will be ratified on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Instructional personnel will be receiving a total package of $11.7 million.

“We do believe that package is a robust package, and we do feel that we met part of our goal of acknowledging the salary compression for mid-career and veteran teachers,” Albert said. “Of course, we can always do more, and so we’ll look to do that in the coming year. We’re eager to do the same thing for support.”

The agreement with the union includes salary schedule changes and rate increases.

“I think we’re all very excited that we’re at this point tonight, and we now get to move forward.”

JAMIE HAYNES, School Board chair

The Florida Forest Service does not know how the fire started, said Julie Allen,

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Local fire department and Florida Forest Service firefighters work to contain a 130-acre wildfire near Ormond Beach the evening of Thursday, Feb. 9.

COPS CORNER

JAN. 29

WOMAN REPORTS THEFT

MONTHS LATER

6 p.m. — 100 block of Matanzas Woods Parkway, Palm Coast Residential burglary. Three months after it happened, a woman who recently moved to Palm Coast reported several moving totes had been stolen from her truck.

The totes contained many items, the woman said, but the main valuables included a ham radio, two compact telescoping fishing rods, a double-edged, foldable fishing knife and the woman’s birth certificate and expired passport.

The woman said she believed the items were stolen three weeks after she moved to the area in mid-August, according to an incident report.

She said she’d arrived home and taken a nap; when she came outside a couple hours later, she found two plastic moving totes in her driveway that had been in her truck before she took her nap.

She said several other totes were missing from the truck as well. She did not remember if it had been locked. She told the deputy she had waited to report the theft because someone would have had to register the radio to use it.

FEB. 1

SODA ISN’T WATER

2:17 a.m. — 600 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach

Battery touch/strike. Police arrested a 39-year-old transient man who shoved a gas station employee after she asked him to pay for his soda.

According to a police report, the man was seen at the drink machine filling up a water cup with soda. After shoving the employee, he fin-

ished his drink, threw it away and left the store.

The employee flagged down police, who found the man. He told officers he hadn’t had money to pay for the drink.

He was taken to jail. The gas station supervisor declined to press charges for shoplifting.

FEB. 2

BURGLAR BLUNDER

5:18 p.m. — Intersection of Alabama Avenue and Maryland Avenue, Daytona Beach

False name given to law enforcement officer. A deputy spotted a man slumped over his bicycle in the grass. A second deputy was notified of the incident over the radio and responded.

The man wasn’t moving, deputies noted — at least, at first. When they got closer, the man woke up and told them he was under the influence of fentanyl. Deputies summoned medical personnel, who cleared the 36-yearold Ormond Beach man at the scene.

While waiting for the medical personnel, however, deputies asked the man for his name. The man gave them a false identity, then later admitted that it was false. He told them he gave them a fake identity because he believed his local police department was looking for him: The man had broken into a car and stolen a cellphone and cigarettes on Jan. 18.

He was taken to jail.

FEB. 5 MAN BREAKS INTO GAS STATION, LEAVES DEBIT CARD AS PAYMENT

2:25 a.m. — 100 block of Matanzas Woods Parkway, Palm Coast Armed burglary, petit theft.

A Cocoa Beach man was arrested by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies less than two hours after breaking into a gas station because he left behind his debit card — on purpose.

In surveillance footage from

the gas station, the man was seen entering from the back of the store and stealing dog food, water, antifreeze, oil, cigarillos and an electronic tobacco device, according to his arrest report.

One of the responding deputies also recognized the man from a vehicle fire that had occurred across the street from the gas station earlier that day.

When deputies found him, the man said he had wondered how long it would take them.

He admitted to breaking into the gas station’s back door with his knife, according to the report. He told deputies he had meant to get there earlier to buy food for his dog, but arrived after the gas station had closed.

He said he left the debit card behind so he could pay for the items when the store opened in the morning. He was arrested instead.

FEB. 11

PLAYING DEFENSE

8:22 p.m. — 1500 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Battery on a law enforcement officer. A 24-year-old Holly Hill woman pushed and attempted to restrain a police officer who was chasing her and a man for shoplifting $129 worth of merchandise from a local big box store.

The officer had “partial control” of the man when the woman placed a shopping cart in between the two, put her hands on the officer and told the man to run, according to a police report. She followed suit.

The woman and the man, along with a third man involved in the shoplifting, were all soon caught. The woman claimed that she hadn’t known that the person she pushed was an officer. The officer was wearing a uniform, the report notes. All three people were taken to jail.

Palm Coast man charged with rape of a child

An 18-year-old Palm Coast man has been charged with raping one younger relative and exposing himself to another.

Gabriel Figueroa was arrested by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Feb. 8 in connection with multiple sexual battery incidents between 2015 and 2019, all with a victim who was a minor. He was also charged with exposing his genitals to another minor in a 2020 incident.

Both victims are relatives of Figueroa, who was 12-16 at the time, while the victims were 7-10 years old, according to his arrest report.

Sheriff Rick Staly said he hopes Figueroa’s arrest will bring the victims closure.

“I commend the braveness of the victims to come forward, and I hope this arrest helps them heal from the trauma,” Staly said, according to a press release from the FCSO.

The FCSO began investigating in December when detectives received delayed complaints about the sex crimes.

The FCSO Major Crimes Unit and Problem Area Crime Enforcement Units worked with the State Attorney’s Office during their investigation of Figueroa, Staly said. Figueroa admitted to the crimes, according to the press release.

He has been charged with two

BRIEFS

Motorcyclist killed in crash on North Nova Road

A 60-year-old Daytona Beach man died after a minivan crashed into his motorcycle at the intersection of North Nova Road and Sterthaus Drive in Ormond Beach on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The minivan — which was being driven by an 88-year-old Ormond Beach man — was trying to make an illegal left turn from Sterthaus Drive to go southbound onto North Nova Road when it pulled out in front of the motorcyclist, identified as Rutledge Wayne Boushell, and crashed into him, according to the Ormond Beach Police Department.

Boushell was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center, but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The driver of the minivan sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to the hospital.

The crash investigation is ongoing, according to police. Those with information on the incident may contact

felonies: lewd and lascivious exhibition with offender under 18, victim under 16; and sexual battery with offender under 18, victim under 12.

Three teens arrested over December armed robbery

Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested three suspects in the armed robbery of an Ormond-bythe-Sea gas station convenience store in December. The final suspect was taken into custody on Friday, Feb. 10.

According to the VSO, a masked suspect entered the Speedy-Mart at the Chevron gas station at 1716 Ocean Shore Blvd. at around 9:47 p.m. on Dec. 19. The suspect brandished a gun at the clerk and demanded money, which he received before fleeing.

Detectives used surveillance video from the area, license plate readers, cell data and other evidence to identify 18-year-old Even Stidham and 19-year-old Tyler Evans and Bradley Fahey as persons of interest in the case.

The investigation revealed that the three men planned the robbery together, according to the VSO.

Stidham was arrested on Jan. 20, Evans was arrested on Jan. 27 and Fahey was arrested on Feb. 10. All three remain at the Volusia County Branch Jail on charges of principal to robbery with a firearm and pos-

Officer Rick Taylor at rick.taylor@ ormondbeach.org or 386-677-0731.

Man dies in car accident while holding open door

A 51-year-old man died in a car crash Feb. 9 while hanging onto the open side door of a pickup truck driven by a 14-year-old boy.

The crash happened at 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Clove Avenue and Rosewood Street in the Daytona North area of Flagler County.

The victim, from Budd Lake, New Jersey, was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 14-year-old driver, from Bunnell, was uninjured.

The pickup truck had been heading west on Clove Avenue with the man hanging on to the open driverside door while standing on the running boards as the truck was moving.

The 14-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle, driving onto the north shoulder of Clove Avenue.

The man was thrown from the truck, according to the FHP report.

session of a firearm by a delinquent. Stidham was also charged with providing false information to law enforcement during a felony investigation.

Man charged with beating child over candy

A Palm Coast man has been charged with felony child abuse after allegedly beating a child with a belt for eating candy.

The man, 25, was arrested from a home on Wellwood Lane in Palm Coast on Feb. 8 and charged with felony child abuse. He posted bail the following day, but an order of no contact was issued to keep him from the victim.

A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy had responded to a call from Rymfire Elementary School about a 5-year-old student with a large, red and swollen injury on his right cheek, according to an arrest report.

The anonymous reporter, who sees the boy every morning, said he did not have the bruise the day before, the report said.

The deputy and a child protective investigator interviewed the boy at the school. He told them his stepfather hit him in the face with the buckle of a belt when the stepfather caught him eating candy when he was not supposed to, according to the report.

The boy said he was in his parents’ room watching YouTube and eating candy on the bed when his stepfather caught him, the report said. The

The crash remains under investigation.

First responders rescue man from burning car

A man was pulled out of a burning car after it crashed into a semi-truck in the early hours of Feb. 12.

The crash occurred at 3 a.m. in front of the Tom Gibbs Chevrolet on State Road 100 in Palm Coast. The sedan caught fire from the impact, and Flagler County Sheriff Office deputies and bystanders worked together to get the driver out of the car, according to a press release from the FCSO.

One deputy used a fire extinguisher as another deputy and citizens helped free the driver before the car was engulfed, the press release said.

The driver and his passenger — found lying in the road next to the vehicle — were both taken to the hospital, one as a trauma alert.

“I commend our deputies and the citizens that assisted and likely saved the driver’s life,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. Flagler County Fire Rescue arrived

boy said his stepfather grabbed a belt and whipped him with it on his knees, backside and face.

The boy told the deputy he is frequently whipped by his stepfather. When the deputy interviewed the boy’s two sisters, one also said they are all “whooped” with the belt when they are disciplined; she said she was in the room with her brother during the beating but did not see it because she did not look.

The other sister denied the whippings and claimed she did not know how her brother was disciplined the night before, though she heard him crying.

The FCSO deputy met with the boy’s mother and stepfather at their home at around 3 p.m. The mother said she was not home the night before and did not know about the bruise on her son’s face, though she knew he had been in trouble. She said she had not seen him that morning.

When the deputy talked to the stepfather, he denied ever using a belt on the boy and said that the 5-year-old fell and hit his face two separate times. But he could not say when that was; the stepfather said the boy was clumsy, according to the report.

The stepfather arrested for felony child abuse and taken to the Flagler County jail.

Man charged with three felonies after shooting inside home

A man who fired a gun inside a home on Saturday, Feb. 11, has been

soon after the man was freed, and extinguished the flames.

Law enforcement teams up against distracted driving

Flagler County law enforcement departments will team up once a month in a coordinated effort called Operation: Wreck-LESS.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Flagler Beach Police Department and Bunnell Police Department are all participating in Operation: WreckLESS to address distracted driving, speeding and intersection violations, according to an FCSO press release.

High visibility, plus education and strict enforcement, are key to reducing crashes, according to the press release.

The first day of the operation was Feb. 9 and included 148 traffic stops. One hundred warnings and 50 traffic citations were issued, according to the press release.

“I want to thank our enforcement partners for their high visibility enforcement,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Sadly, we ended the day with a

charged with three felonies. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a SWAT team responded at about 5 p.m. to reports that a man had fired a gun inside a home on Cute Court in Palm Coast, according to a press release from the FCSO.

The man, 53, was later arrested and charged with two counts of shooting inside a dwelling and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.

The man’s wife had called the FCSO after he shot the weapon through the back of the house, according to his arrest report.

She told deputies that he had been upset about his mother’s death and had not threatened her with the gun.

Deputies were able to have her safely leave the home. When the man initially refused to comply with deputies, the FCSO’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiations teams responded.

Neighboring residents were told to shelter in place during negotiations.

The man eventually left the home, still refusing to comply with deputies.

Deputies used “non-lethal defensive weapons” to take him into custody without injury, the press release said.

“Great job by our deputies, negotiators and SWAT team de-escalating and ensuring this volatile and dangerous situation ended safely without anyone getting hurt,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.

traffic fatality that likely could have been avoided. Remember, don’t drive ‘wreck-less.’”

FCSO launches 911 live video technology

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is using new software that lets 911 callers connect a live video feed to dispatchers.

The software app is called “Prepared Live,” according to a press release from the FCSO. It lets dispatchers text a link to the caller, who can choose to let the application connect to their camera for a live video feed connection.

The software would also let dispatchers text a caller who may be in a hostile situation, according to the press release.

Callers could also share their GPS location from their phone.

Dispatchers have been trained on the program and can use it with cell phone callers’ permission.

“In an emergency, people may not be thinking clearly. This technology will allow for our dispatchers to get a more thorough understanding of what is going on in the field,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.

Residents question proposal for 300 homes on former golf course

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Three-hundred homes. Roughly 600 more cars. One shared entrance and exit.

“This is a community trying to be built within a community,” Tomoka Oaks resident Michelle Zirkelbach said. For the past two years, Tomoka Oaks residents have been paying close attention to what’s been happening on their former golf course, located at 20 Tomoka Oaks Boulevard.

When developers Carl Velie, Ray Barshay, Sheldon and Emily Rubin bought the property in April 2021 and indicated that they wanted to build houses on the approximately 147-acre golf course, residents went on high alert.

And on Wednesday, Feb. 8, as representatives of Triumph Oaks of Ormond Beach I, LLC presented preliminary plans for the Tomoka Reserve development during two neighborhood meeting sessions at Temple Beth-El, residents questioned the proposed density, how it would impact traffic, and claims from the project’s engineers that the proposed subdivision would be compatible with Tomoka Oaks, despite having smaller lot sizes.

“Compatible means to get along with in harmony,” Zirkelbach said. “And mathematically, compatible means to be congruent, and congruent means coinciding on all points.”

DENSITY DISPUTE

The developers are seeking a rezoning of the golf course property to a Planned Residential Development designation. The land is currently zoned Low Density Residential, which allows for 4.3 homes per acre. With the rezoning to a PRD, the developers said, the proposed unit count would become a maximum density of 2.03 units per acre,

according to the project narrative submitted to the city.

Jake Stehr, with Zev Cohen and Associates, said the proposed development is below the existing density of Tomoka Oaks.

“We feel like we’re really trying to match what’s around us, and we’re doing this in a couple different ways,” Stehr said. “Obviously, we’re not coming in with the same units that you’re seeing. We’re coming with a more modern footprint, coming with park spaces distributed throughout the development. We’re really trying to have a site that celebrates existing landscapes and allows for outdoor recreational opportunities.”

In addition to single-family homes, the development could have quadplexes.

Stehr added that the developers will be increasing the vegetation in the buffers, with the minimum buffer length being 50 feet.

A total of 17%, or 29 lots, will have that minimum buffer. The remaining 172 proposed lots along the development’s edges would have buffers of between 50 and 125 feet.

In addition, 22% of the site would be dedicated as open space, while another 11% would be used for dry retention ponds.

Residents, however, distrusted the developers’ numbers. One resident pointed out that the numbers in the project’s narrative submitted to the city, particularly concerning the Tomoka Oaks subdivision, were different than the ones presented during the meeting.

At the meeting, engineers said that Tomoka Oaks’ density, with about 550 homes, was 2.6. The project narrative said it was 2.82.

“So I don’t have confidence in your numbers,” resident Carolyn Davis

said.

Cobb Cole attorney Rob Merrill, representing the developers, directed residents to talk to Ormond Beach city staff about the numbers.

“Our intent in coming up with this plan in large part was based on trying to match the density you guys had, or be less than your density,” Merrill said. “That’s the plans we brought forth, the way we’ve calculated it. Everybody can differ about mathematics.”

The residents murmured in disagreement.

TOO MANY CARS

To address future traffic generated by the proposed development, the developer will add a new traffic signal at Tomoka Oaks Boulevard and North Nova Road.

“Do we really think a traffic light is the solution?” Tomoka Oaks resident Caryn Baker asked. “... I don’t think anybody here believes that a traffic light is going to solve the additional traffic that we’re going to have to deal with.”

Sans Lassiter, president of LTG Engineering and Planning, said yes: Based on simulations, a stop sign wouldn’t work at Tomoka Oaks Boulevard and North Nova Road, but a traffic light would, and simulations showed that queues to exit the subdivisions on Tomoka Oaks Boulevard wouldn’t extend past the Escondido condominiums.

Residents said that there would be too many cars using Tomoka Oaks Boulevard once the development is built out. If the developer constructs 300 homes, and each home has an average of two cars, there will be 600 more cars on the current two-lane residential street.

“You’ve got a rotary that you guys

are creating, then you are indicating to us that you’re going to have just a simple intersection, a crossintersection with stop signs right [at Tomoka Oaks Boulevard],” Tomoka Oaks resident Tom Fitzgibbon said. “Now, that will not handle the volume of traffic.”

The only other way to exit or enter Tomoka Oaks is through The Trails.

Lassiter said they are looking at existing traffic conditions as well as projected conditions, and that the traffic analysis isn’t complete yet.

“We’re going to have to do an updated analysis at the time that we come in for concurrency and final approvals,” he said.

Tomoka Oaks resident Mary Greenlees asked if the developers were sure they didn’t want to sell the former golf course property.

“You guys have a long road ahead of you,” she said. “The momentum is building. Your legal accounting, traffic engineering fees are building up.”

LOT SIZES CHALLENGED

When it comes to proposed lot sizes, engineers said the lots adjacent to the buffers will all be 80 feet by 140 feet.

Merrill said the developers were trying to be mindful of lot sizes, but several residents pointed out that the average lot in Tomoka Oaks is much larger, particularly in width.

Resident Missy Herrera said some lots in Tomoka Oaks could face two or three houses in their backyard.

She argued against the developers’ statements that their lot sizes are compatible because the square footage is similar.

“You guys are playing games with numbers,” Herrera said. “But the reality is, we’re talking about

100-foot lots (in Tomoka Oaks) and you’re manipulating things to say, ‘Oh, we’re less dense.’ The reality is it’s not less dense. We’re going to be looking at a solid wall of houses with 14 feet between them.”

Merrill responded that no one was playing games, and that the developers now understood width was more important, though he said Tomoka Oaks residents would likely not see into the backyards of the new development due to the buffer and setbacks.

“Although most communities, people do live in each others’ backyards, but we understand that in this case, it used to be a golf course,” Merrill said. “So we get it. We understand.”

Dennis Bayer, an attorney representing the Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association, said he felt like he was in “Groundhog Day” during the meeting.

“We’ve talked about the 100foot widths a year and a half ago when we first met,” Bayer said. “We talked about the design on Tomoka Oaks Boulevard. I really would like to emphasize we need to see some more specifics at this point in the game before going forward.” Issues the HOA had raised months ago, Bayer said, are still unaddressed. Picking up on the fact that the developers are proposing a pickleball court for the new subdivision, Zirkelbach asked the developers if a court measuring 30 feet by 60 feet would be just as suitable for the sport as one measuring 10 feet by 180 feet.

“Are they both compatible for playing pickleball? The answer would be no, Mr. Merrill, you and I both know that,” she said.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas Tomoka Oaks resident Tom Fitzgibbon speaks during the first session of a neighborhood meeting about the development of the Tomoka Oaks golf course.

The developers held two neighborhood meeting sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach

The developers are proposing to build 300 homes on the former Tomoka Oaks Golf Course property.

Flagler County & the City of Palm Coast invite residents to attend a public forum regarding the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Palm Coast Community Center from 5:30-7pm.

City OKs pre-annexation for BJ’s Wholesale

the Flagler Executive Airport. The intersection has drawn traffic complaints in the past.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin asked city staff at a Feb. 7 meeting to prepare an assessment of the traffic consequences of the development before the council agrees to annex.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Palm Coast City Council has approved a pre-annexation agreement for a 30-acre property slated to become a shopping center featuring a BJ’s Wholesale Club with its own gas station.

The shopping center — called Cornerstone at Seminole Woods — sits on the corner of State Road 100 and Seminole Woods, next to a Race Trac gas station and near

“I’m not asking for a traffic study, I’m asking for staff’s opinion,” Alfin said.

The land is now in the county government’s jurisdiction, and the developers are moving through the county’s review and approval process.

Palm Coast Planning Director Ray Tyner said the county and the developers are working through potential impacts in the site plan approval process.

The BJ’s will be the largest retail store in Cor -

nerstone, filling the main 102,004-square-foot lot. Five smaller storefronts will line S.R. 100, according to the development plans.

The Flagler County Planning and Development Board and the County Commission reviewed and approved initial development, signage, landscaping, lighting and parking space plans in September 2022.

The pre-annexation agreement that the council approved will let the development use city water before the annexation, Senior Planner Jose Papa said.

Once the property ownership is transferred from current owners Flagler Pines Properties and Flagler Airport Industrial to BJ’s and Seminole Woods Investments, the

new owners will file an annexation petition with the city.

The council can then consider that request, Papa said, after BJ’s and Seminole Woods Investments request a water service connection from the city.

The pre-annexation agreement is not a binding agreement to annex, City Attorney Neysa Borkert said.

The development’s use of city water is also dependent on the council approving a utility agreement with BJ’s and Seminole Woods Investments. Jay Livingston, an attorney representing both applicants, said that they had received the utility agreement for signing that morning.

“It’s in the process of being signed and returned,” Livingston said.

Construction starts on new trailhead, rec center

Palm Coast broke ground on a new Southern Recreational Facility and Lehigh Trailhead project on Sunday, Feb. 12.

The groundbreaking took place outside the tennis complex on Belle Terre Parkway.

Several City Council members attended, alongside Flagler County commissioners and members of the county’s Tourism Development Council.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin said the recreational facility would not be possible without the county’s help.

“Our coordinated actions created the foundation for this recreation center to unlock the growing potential for more leisure activity in our region, for both our own residents and for tourists and visitors,” Alfin said.

County Commission Chair Greg Hansen said there are 150 miles of trails in the county, and many of them are within the city of Palm Coast.

“The citizens of our great county don’t care if they’re in a city or county park,” Hansen said. “All it takes is coordination.”

The projects are on 63 acres.

The trailhead enhancements and new facility will serve as a source of revenue for the city and county — for instance, by hosting the city’s 12th annual tennis tournament, Tourism Development Director Amy Lukasik said.

“[This] will boost the local economy as we host events,” she said.

The facility and trailhead will feature: 12 pickleball courts, restrooms, locker rooms, a kitchen and dining space, a lobby/balcony space, a patio, two multi-purpose rooms available to the public, a community garden, a dog park, an exercise trail, trailhead rest-

LLC, LOCATED BETWEEN CANAKARIS STREET AND EAST CANAL STREET IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM “PUBLIC (PUB)” TO “INDUSTRIAL (IND)”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR ASSIGNMENT OF THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SERVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ACTS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CODE CODIFIER AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which

rooms and a new parking lot.

Alfin said the recreation center will be the “ultimate place to play” in Palm Coast.

The additional pickleball courts are a response to the demand the current facilities have seen since 2014, Alfin said.

“And right next door, the Lehigh Trailhead will offer the completely balanced blend of natural environment and superb recreation amenities,” he said.

The Southern Recreational Facility is expected to cost $10,597,858, according to the city’s capital projects dashboard. A $739,000 grant from the TDC will cover part of the project cost, according to a city press release. The rest will come from park impact fees and a contribution from the State Road 100 Community Redevelopment Agency.

The Florida Department of Transportation has approved

a $1.24 million grant for the Lehigh Trailhead project, which is expected to cost $2.75 million.

The Southern Recreational Facility and Lehigh Trailhead are a part of the second phase of the city’s recreation master plan, according to the press release. The first phase, built in 2008, included the tennis complex’s 10 clay courts. Gilbane Construction and Paul Culver Construction will be working on the Southern Recreational Facility and Lehigh Trailhead projects, respectively.

Alfin said the enhancements support Palm Coast’s “glorious lifestyle.”

“We’re strengthening family connection here. We’re strengthening our local economy here,” Alfin said. “[This is] a triumph for all of Palm Coast.”

ADMINSTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604

E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

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

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The projects are part of the second phase of Palm Coast’s recreation master latest plan.

Palm Coast and Flagler County officials and contractors use their gold shovels at the groundbreaking.

A 30-acre parcel of land is expected to shift from Flagler County’s jurisdiction to Palm Coast’s.

Photo by Sierra Williams

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Development, real estate + business news

Eat

to the beat: Blues and Brews is now open

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Ormond Beach has got the blues — delivered in the most delicious of ways.

In January, residents James and Rosie Yagielo opened Blues and Brews at the former beachside location of Dimitri’s Deck Bar and Grill at 790 S. Atlantic Ave. The couple sought to fill a need they discovered when they moved to Ormond from Key West two years ago: to have an in-town blues bar that consistently showcases local and traveling acts.

“The goal is to have [people] come in, eat dinner, see some great blues music and have a nice night,” Rosie Yagielo said. “We have a more mature neighborhood here, so the blues is right up their alley.”

It’s a business plan the couple had in mind for a decade.

The Yagielos purchased the building in August 2022. After about $200,000 in renovations, they celebrated opening their first restaurant with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 19.

Rosie Yagielo has been in the hospitality industry for 40 years, so when it came to opening her own business, she leaned on her experiences opening restaurants for others.

And part of that experience included finding the right chef. The Yagielos found him in Zachary Mims, the former chef at Frappes Italian Grille, which used to be their favorite restaurant.

On the restaurant’s final night before closing, they’d spoken to Mims and mentioned they had just bought the old Dimitri’s building.

Mims knew it well. He used to eat there after catching a few waves on the beach. After a short sabbatical, he reached out to the Yagielos and said he wanted to be a part of their vision for Blues and Brews.

“We filled a niche in the town that was itching to be filled,” Mims said.

Mims said he’s excited to be working at Blues and Brews, with its wide selection of food — from “flatbread beach pies” to crab legs and various sandwiches.

“This is a music venue on the

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beach,” he said. “It’s kind of like a dream come true for some chefs.”

Most bands play 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, though the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The Yagielos are focusing on catering to the locals — both residents and music acts — with Blues and Brews. One local band called Grindstone Sinners will play once a month at Blues and Brews.

BIZ BUZZ

BUSINESS BROKER HIRES NEW FRANCHISE DIRECTOR

We Sell Restaurants, a business broker franchise firm based in Palm Coast, has hired Brent Greenwood as its director of franchise development.

Greenwood, who previously served as franchise director for Firehouse Subs for 15 years, will identify franchisees for We Sell Restaurants and work with franchisors to establish relationships, according to a news release from the company.

GAS PRICES DOWN, BUT COULD GO UP

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Florida dropped 10 cents in the past week, but the trend might not continue as European sanctions on Russian oil take hold.

“Crude oil and gasoline futures prices jumped 9% last week, almost completely erasing the losses that led to the two-week drop at the pump,” AAA auto club spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement. “This could cause falling pump prices to plateau, or possibly inch higher in the coming weeks.”

AAA said the average price Monday in Florida was $3.39, below the national average of $3.42.

“We play the music through the speakers upstairs when the band is playing,” James Yagielo said. “And course, we have sunset and ocean views up there as well.”

Rose Yagielo said she’s been listening to blues music all of her life. It’s her genre.

“It’s got the beat,” she said. “Everybody has the blues. You either have the blues, you’re singing the blues or you’re listening to the blues.”

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis with the fuel-savings app GasBuddy, also cautioned that the prices could face an uptick in coming days.

“I’d expect increases to start again soon down the road with Russia cutting its oil production to retaliate against sanctions,” De Haan said in a Twitter post Saturday.

The lowest average prices in Florida were in the Panhandle, with motorists paying $3.20 in the Panama City area and $3.26 in the Pensacola area. The highest average price was in the West Palm Beach area at $3.61, according to AAA.

— The News Service of Florida

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Located in the Staples Shopping Center

Rosie and James Yagielo had dreamed of opening a blues bar for 10 years.

Chef Zachary Mims and Blues and Brews owners Rosie and James Yagielo

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

PalmCoastObserver.com

ORMOND BEACH

YOUR TOWN

BEACHSIDE KINDERGARTNERS CELEBRATE 100TH DAY

Beachside Elementary teachers

Julie Via and Melissa Heller recently celebrated 100 days of school with their kindergarten classes.

The students participated in a construction day activity, with each student building different kinds of objects while counting to 100.

The students also all received aprons courtesy of a donation from the Home Depot of Daytona Beach.

Want to showcase what’s going on in your classroom? Email Jarleene Almenas at jarleene@ormondbeachobserver. com.

CHAPTER GQ OF THE PEO DONATES BLANKETS

This month, members of Ormond Beach’s Chapter GQ of the Philanthropic Educational Organization donated blankets and socks to Christine’s Blankets, a local charity.

Christine’s Blankets helps te homeless people in five counties — Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Marion, Putnam and Alachua — by providing blankets, socks, toiletries and other essential items.

Christine’s Blankets was created in memory of Christine McCaleb, a 67-year-old Ormond Beach resident who was killed over a blanket she was using to sleep on a bench while she was homeless.

PEO aims to promote higher education and training for women through scholarships, grants and loans.

HALIFAX HUMANE SOCIETY RECEIVES DONATION

created a line of wines, donating the proceeds to charities.

Each bottle stands out with a wine label by Mimi’s Original Art.

In addition to HHS CEO Pam Clayton, Vonda Sullivan, an HHS board member, was also in attendance.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Michele Connors, S.R. Perrott, and Mimi’s Original Art,” Clayton said. “Without the support of our donors and business partners, we could not find forever homes for the animals in our care.

We are very grateful for the kindness extended to HHS.”

Several years ago, Michele Connors, president of S.R. Perrott,

“We humbly refer to these wines as “Wines with a Cause,” Connors said.

Six charities are receiving support through Wines with a Cause.

Each quarter, S.R. Perrott provides a donation to HHS, funded through the Wines with a Cause program, as well as a portion of sales of specific items at Mimi’s Original Art.

Additionally, Connors, through S.R. Perrott, donated an additional $10,000 to the organization.

‘ROMANCING THE STRINGS’ PLANNED FOR FEB. 26

The Daytona Solisti Chamber Orchestra’s annual “Romancing the Strings” concert will feature a work that one music scholar called an “Everest” — Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne in D minor.

“Romancing the Strings,” which Daytona Solisti presents every year around Valentine’s Day, will showcase baroque masterpieces this year.

The performance will include two works by J. S. Bach: his Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, featuring violinists Zoriy Zinger and Olga Kolpakov; and a string orchestra transcription of his monumental Chaconne in D Minor from Partita No. 2, BWV 1004.

Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter” Concerto from “The Four Seasons” will

be performed by violin soloist Paulo Torres.

The Overture Op. 2 No. 2, by English composer William Boyce, will open the concert, and German composer Georg Philipp Telemann’s Don Quixote Burlesque will conclude it.

Daytona Solisti is celebrating its 17th concert season this year. Music Director Susan Pitard Acree conducts the orchestra.

“Romancing the Strings” will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, located at 1035 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach. A $20 donation is requested at the door. For more information, call Acree at 386-562-5423, or go to daytonasolisti.com for additional information and directions.

FINE ARTIST BILL PATTERSON TO PAINT LIVE AT GALLERY500

Gallery500 will host internationallyacclaimed motorsports artist Bill Patterson as he creates a custompainted acoustic guitar for 14-time Grammy-nominated entertainer Dierks Bentley, the performing artist of the 65th Annual Daytona 500. The public is invited to join an evening of live art at Gallery500 on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5-7 p.m. The event is free to attend.

Patterson left the architecture profession 34 years ago to become a full-time artist. His masterpieces are owned by celebrities and international corporations. This is the second year Patterson will paint the custom guitar gifted to the performing musical artist of the Daytona 500.

Guests attending this event will also have the opportunity to view

Gallery500’s exhibit “Finer Things,” which is on display until Feb. 28. In addition to Patterson, the exhibition features Thomas Arvid, the world premiere painter of wine; mixed media collage artist Evo Love; digital artist and Daytona Beach local Mark E Lewis; motorsports fine artist Lyn Hiner; and internationally acclaimed seascape artist Jamie Travis.

Navy Outreach and Diversity leaders were at Spruce Creek High School Thursday, Feb. 2, in search of students who have what it takes to excel in high-demand Navy STEM fields, such as nuclear engineering, cryptology, IT and health care.

The Navy also shared information about its $180,000 ROTC scholarship program, which pays full college tuition for students with exceptional academic and leadership credentials. The main attraction was the Nimitz, a mobile, state-of the-art virtual reality experience that simulates an actual high-speed Navy SEAL mission.

“We were thrilled to spend time at Spruce Creek High School, meeting with the exceptional students and faculty, and discussing the great opportunities available in today’s Navy,” said LCDR Claudia Alday, with Navy Diversity and Outreach. “It is important for today’s high school students to understand that a Navy STEM career offers an exceptional future.”

ORMOND RESIDENTS TO STAR IN ‘REMEMBER ME?’ AT PLAYHOUSE

The Daytona Playhouse will open “Remember Me?” by Sam Bobrick at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. Love and laughter is in the air with this romantic comedy directed by Paul Prece.

The play features Ormond Beach residents Robin Bassett and Mike Mitchener, a husband-and-wife acting team. Bassett plays a bored married lady and Mitchener portrays the first love of her life, who reappears after almost 30 years. It was art imitating life that inspired Bassett and Mitchener to audition for this play.

“Mike and I dated in college but then went on to marry other people and have children,” Bassett said. “It was about 30 years later when we were single again that we reconnected and ended up together. This play is a lot of fun, and we certainly love sharing the stage together.”

Mitchener said the cast has great chemistry.

“Finding a show that is remarkably similar to your own life experience was the initial attraction,” he

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@palmcoastobserver.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com

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Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@palmcoastobserver.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@palmcoastobserver.com

Media Director Holly Oliveri, holly@ormondbeachobserver.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@palmcoastobserver.com

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Office Coordinator Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@palmcoastobserver.com

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said. “Marry that script with being on stage with my wife, two other fun and talented cast, the magic really starts to happen.”

Joe Firrantello and Ormond resident Sarah Neel round out the cast. Ormond Beach resident Linda Yackel is the stage manager.

“Remember Me?” runs through next weekend, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $19 for seniors. Visit daytonaplayhouse.org.

CHILDREN RECEIVE $5,000 IN DENTAL CARE

Ten Volusia County children received no-cost comprehensive dental care at DOH dental clinics in Volusia County on Feb. 3.

The Florida Department of Health uses the first Friday of February to turn a few frowns upside down by participating in the Give Kids A Smile program.

Dental staff in the Daytona Beach and Orange City clinics performed 10 exams, nine cleanings, four x-ray sessions, 42 sealant treatments, 10 fluoride varnish treatments and seven fillings.

All patients were also given new toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss and educational material on oral

hygiene.

The value of services provided during the event was over $5,000. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 14.

The Give Kids A Smile program was created by the American Dental Association in 2003 as a way for dentists to provide dental services and treatment to children in families that cannot afford it.

For more information about children’s dental health, visit the American Deltona Association’s website. Additional information about dental resources in Volusia County is available at volusiahealth.com/ dental.

Halifax Humane Society CEO Pam Clayton, Mimi’s Original Art’s Maggie Evan and Halifax Humane Society Board Member Vonda Sullivan

DOH-Volusia Dental Clinic staff members Charlotte Miller, Nichole Vega, Rebecca Granoski, Denise Orlando and Jamie Satterfield

Photo courtesy of Peter Gould Photography Joseph Firrantello, Mike Mitchener, Robin Bassett and Sarah Neel

Bill Patterson paints a guitar for last year’s Daytona 500.

Beachside Elementary teacher Julie Via, volunteer Chris Sands and Beachside Elementary teacher Melissa Heller

Sue Barry and Maggie Evans of S.R. Perrott and Mimi’s Original Art made a check presentation to the Halifax Humane Society on Jan. 26.

STUDENTS EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY NAVY SEAL MISSION

YOUR NEIGHBORS

The Pioneer Mile

At Pine Trail Elementary, race day carries a lot of weight.

Students of all grades work hard throughout the school year to qualify for the Pioneer Mile, an initiative created by Coach James Vollinger 29 years ago and one that he has introduced at each school in which he has taught. To qualify, girls must run a mile in nine minutes or less, and boys in eight minutes or less. They must demonstrate that they can do so before the race. One student this year qualified the morning of.

Coach Christina Wingard congratulated all 102 students who qualified — 52 girls and 50 boys — and hoped they would have fun during the race.

“We’re so proud of how hard they worked,” Wingard said.

This year’s Pioneer Mile was one of the largest in the school’s recent history. Competitors ranged from grades one through five.

WINNERS

GIRLS

First place: Lili Frerking, fourth grade

Second place: Carlee Wojcinski, third grade, Third place: Dakota Wisniewski, fourth grade

BOYS

First place: Maxwell Bosang, fourth grade

Second place: Espn Haines, second grade

Third place: Aaron Gunter, fourth grade

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

Ralani Williams, Brooklyn Vitello and Oakley Maloney, along with other girls, begin running the Pioneer Mile.

Coach James Villinger presents medals to the winners of the girls race.

Lyla Miller reaches the finish line.

Pine Trail Elementary students Isabella Donahoo, Charlie Sebza and Adelina Psofi cheer from the sidelines.

This year’s Pioneer Mile winners: Maxwell Bosang, Espn Haines, Aaron Gunter, Lili Frerking, Carlee Wojcinski and Dakota Wisniewski.

George Kaniaris

Avarie Winlock

Kindergartners cheer on their favorite runners.

Nazaire Sampson, Maverick Meyer, Carter Reardon and Maxwell Bosang

Photos by Jarleene Almenas

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, FEB. 16 NY NY DUELING PIANO

SERIES

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: MetroHealth Stadium at Pictona, 1060 Ridgewood

Ave., Holly Hill

Details: The Holly Hill Community Redevelopment Agency is presenting the NY NY Dueling Pianos series, a comedy-based, high-energy performance by pianists singing and playing tunes from Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Billy Joel, Tom Petty and more. Tickets cost $15-$25. This will be the first

of five shows at the Metro Health Stadium. Subscription packages are available. Contact the ticket office at 386-492-3277 or visit hollyhillevent.com.

‘NATURE’S ARTISTRY’

When: 6-8 p.m.

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

Details: The Flagler Beach Camera Club is hosting Mary Jean and Joe Campanellie for a discussion of photographic techniques. See their work at campanellies.com.

‘THE NEAR DISASTER OF JASPER AND CASPER’

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-

Saturday Feb. 16-18; 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Where: City Repertory The-

atre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast

Details: See this solo show performed by award-winning actor Jason Woods about a man named Jasper who seeks his true family, and while doing so, runs into a blunt witch, a talking dragon and a purpose. Tickets cost $30 for adults; $15 for students. Visit crtpalmcoast.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

WINTER 2023 INTERFAITH

SHARING CONFERENCE

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

Where: First United Methodist Church of Ormond, 336 S. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Join First United Methodist Church of Ormond for the Winter 2023 Interfaith Sharing Conference, whether you are looking for an opportunity to serve in the community, have a service to share or would like to learn more about available resources. For more information, contact Frank Johnston at Fjohnston@ firstunited.org, phone the church at 386-677-3581, Ext. 311, or contact Sue Odena at

407-760-2304 or at carepartneratourladyoflourdes@ gmail.com.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD

COUNT

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

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

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center and the Halifax River Audubon invite the community for The Great Backyard Bird Count. There will be games, challenges with prizes, information booths, bird count and viewing stations, guided walks and more.

MEET THE AUTHOR

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

Details: The Ormond Beach Historical Society welcomes local historian and author Robert Redd, who will share his latest book, “Hidden History of Civil War in Florida.”

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

TOUR DE FLAGLER RIDE

When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Bings Landing, 5862 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: Take part in Trek Bicycle Ormond Beach’s 33mile ride down the Mala Compra and Graham Swamp trails. Helmets are required. Lights are recommended. Recommended for intermediate and advanced riders. Free. Go to

TRIBUTES

Hermann Peter Paarmann

Hermann Peter Paarmann of Palm Coast passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the age of 74.

“Pete,” as he was called by his siblings, was born on November 14, 1948 in Palermo Italy – five years after the allied invasion. His childhood in Sicily shaped his many quirks, including his frugality and his unique taste in food (sardine sandwiches were a favorite snack). “Pete” and his siblings would cause mischief around town, making their way through the beaches of Mondello, mountain town of Monreale, and the morbid Capuchin Catacombs (where he and his brother Art may be responsible if some skeletal remains in the crypts lack their original skull). His intellect and curiosity were apparent at an early age when he taught himself to fix radios, to earn money for the family.

While Hermann was an American citizen from birth through his father, he did not move to the US until the age of 16. Speaking little English he found work at a local Italian restaurant in Clinton, Iowa. Through sheer determination, he taught himself English and joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served as both an enlisted and reserve Sailor for 12 years. He cherished his time traveling the world alongside Art on the USS Raleigh, USS John W. Weeks, and USS Power. During this time, he earned his bach-

elor’s degree from Illinois State University and upon his honorable discharge, he found his home in Virginia where he enjoyed his career with Dominion Energy as a skillful electrical engineer. He met his wife, Lynn, while bicycling in Maymont Park in Richmond, VA and they married on December 19, 1981.

Hermann had a deep love for his country, the sea, bicycling, literature (Mark Twain was a fan favorite), and tinkering with machines. He had questionable taste in music (the soundtrack at home typically cycled between operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti, a bargain bin album of ABBA’s greatest hits, and his own acapella rendition of “I’m Henry VIII I Am” by Herman’s Hermits). As a true Italian, Hermann had impeccable fashion sense, proudly donning bungee cord belts and sandals made

from velcro sneakers with cut out toes (please note the comment about frugality).

Hermann is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Paarmann, mother, Nella Gervasi, and sister, Flora Carrubba. He is survived by wife Lynn Paarmann, daughter Emily Paarmann, brother Arthur Paarmann (Diann), sister Dolores Paarmann, and nieces and nephews.

Hermann will be interred with military honors at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made in his honor to the Livestrong Foundation or the Wounded Warriors Project.

Heritage Funeral & Cremation Service of Bunnell, FL assisted with arrangements. www.HeritageFlagler.com

eventbrite.com/e/trek-ormond-beach-tour-de-flaglerride-tickets-431119980467.

20TH-ANNUAL YOUTH

BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

When: 4 p.m.

Where: The African American Cultural Society, 4422 N. U.S.

1, Palm Coast

Details: The African American Cultural Society is celebrating 20 years of making a difference in local youths. Free event. Call Youth Black History Committee Chair Jeanette Wheeler at 386302-0441 for donation and scholarship award information. Donations are also accepted at aacspalmcoast.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 20

STATIONARY BIRD

WATCHING

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Where: St. Joe Walkway/Palm

Coast Linear Park, 31 Greenway Court, Palm Coast

Details: Bring a chair and observe some local birds. Event is presented by the Flagler Audubon Society. A few spare binoculars will be available.

Free.

NARFE LUNCHEON

When: 11:30 a.m.

Where: Houligan’s, 1643 U.S.

1, Ormond Beach Details: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Ormond Beach Chapter 2247, will meet for lunch at Houligan’s. The program will provide information on federal income tax and answer questions and concerns. For more information email billdenny105@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

INTERNATIONAL QUILT

SHOW

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 22-24; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25

Where: Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: The American Quilters Association is having an international quilt show

at the Ocean Center, where international contest quilts in seven categories will be exhibited. Cash awards will total $54,000, with the Best of Show receiving $10,000. The show is sponsored by the Racing Fingers Quilt Guild. Admission for one day is $12 for an AQS member and $15 for a nonmember. Admission for two days is $21 for an AQS member and $27 for a nonmember. Multiday admission is $28 for an AQS member and $35 for a nonmember. Visit racingfingersquiltguild. com.

ONGOING EXERCISES FOR THE

MATURING

BODY

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

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

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

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

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

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

Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Every Girl Deserves Flowers,” “Minor Masterpieces: Porcelain Painted Scenes from the Collection,” “Magical: The Art of Susan Zukowsky,” and, “Selections from the MOAS Contemporary Art Collection.”

File photo

Children take part in activities during last year’s Great Backyard Bird Count at the Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center.

Prom night: Tomoka Christian Church hosts sixth annual Night to Shine

Around 654 sites hosted a Night to Shine event this year, and two of them took place in Volusia County.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tomoka Christian Church held its sixth annual Night to Shine prom event for people with special needs on Friday, Feb. 10.

Night to Shine is sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation and happens globally every year. This event is for students 14 and up.

“It’s to give recognition and honor to people that often get shoved aside,” Lead Pastor Joe Putting said. “It’s people of all ages, all special needs and it’s just a chance to love on those people.”

After weeks of planning, the big night event included a dance floor, buffets, candy bars, donut walls, balloon animals, professional photos, a red-carpet entrance, gifts and the crowning of kings and queens, along with a balloon drop and fireworks. There was also a parent and caregiver room with a buffet, live music, hair stylists, massages and nail stylists.

“We want this to not just be a onetime event, we want them to see that Tomoka cares, and we’re here for the long haul,” said Christina Moore, event coordinator and benevolence director at Tomoka Christian Church.

The event encourages participating Night to Shine sites to go out into their communities to encourage donations to support the prom.

“When you pour into your community, and you include them and not just ask them, it changes their perception of what you’re doing,” Moore said.

Around 654 sites hosted a Night to Shine event this year, with just two of them in Volusia County. Volusia usu-

“We not only market what we do here at the church, but also our love for special needs and how they are just a community of people that are underserved, because people don’t know how to interact for them and with them and sometimes, they feel the burden of their needs is not easily available for them,” Moore said.

Amanda and Elijah Keen perform in the parent room.

Brandon Smith makes balloon animals.

Father Lopez High School cheerleaders and their mascot, the Green Wave.

Camerin Fuehrer and Scotty Masters dance during Night to Shine.

Photos by Alexis Miller

Christina Moore, of Tomoka Christian Church, smiles with some light-up stilt walkers.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Seabreeze girls soccer coach Eli Freidus celebrated his birthday Friday, Feb. 10, with his team and a 1-0 win against the Horizon Hawks of Winter Garden in the Class 5A regional semifinal.

“That was not our best performance, but it’s a win and we got that monkey off our backs,” he said.

“We are in the final eight right now

Girls soccer team battles to

1-0 win.

Raining champions

— in the state. It’s a win; let’s go celebrate.”

But the district champion Sandcrabs’ hopes of advancing to the final four fell short on Feb. 14 with a double overtime loss to Cypress Creek.

In the regional semifinal, due to rain and soggy fields, the referees called the game with 14:54 left in the first half. Seabreeze athletic director Brad Montgomery contacted the Florida High School Athletic Association, which was able to get the

referees back on the field to finish the game.

With a score of 0-0 at the break, team captain and goal keeper Avery Dellinger and striker Brianna Chesley discussed what needed to happen to bring home a win.

“We said at the beginning, in our huddle, that we have to come out quick,” Dellinger said. “We need a goal early, because we knew the weather and situation that was going on. Me and Bri told them we have got to win this game. We are supposed to go further than this game. We prepared all season for this. We are not meant to stop here. We need to play our game, play strong, play physical.”

Going back into the game, the Sandcrabs kept their formation and style of play.

“Our main goal is to go to states and win the championship,” Chesley said. “They (Horizon) can give it what they want, but we’re going to work as a team and we are going to get the better outcome.”

At 9:10 p.m., the game was restarted. The intensity increased as both teams fought to keep the ball at their end of the field. Yellow cards were given to Horizon midfielders Caroline Kozlow and Janessa Crespo involving a slide tackle that injured Seabreeze player Annabel Thistle.

After several goal attempts that ricocheted off the framework, Brianna Chesley finally kicked the ball

SANDCRABS FALL IN REGION FINAL

Seabreeze’s season came to an end in the regional final on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Cypress Creek’s Allison Souers scored in the 90th minute and the visiting Coyotes defeated the Sandcrabs 3-2 in double overtime to advance to the final four.

Seabreeze’s Kylie Watson scored a goal to tie the score at 2 in the 58th minute.

The Sandcrabs ended their season with a 15-8 record, while Cypress Creek improved to 15-5 and will meet Plantation American Heritage in the state semifinals.

past goalie Ella Henderson’s outstretched leg.

“The game plan is we’ve got to play better,” Freidus said. “Every good run we have, I always noticed we have a game like this. Really good teams still have those games and get through. If you’re a bad team, you fall on those games. This is where they’ve got knocked out a bunch of years. We finally broke through, so that’s a big deal.”

But Seabreeze fell just short in the regional final.

Seabreeze’s Kylie Watson gets tripped up by Horizon’s Janessa Crespo (7) during the regional semifinal game.

Horizon’s Caroline Kozlow (2) and Seabreeze’s Kylie Watson (1) fight to win the ball in the regional semifinal game.

Striker Brianna Chesley battles for ball control against Horizon player Lily Dobson.

Photos by Michele Meyers

Mainland’s

Ballin’ Bucs

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Mainland girls basketball team crushed the Ed White Commanders of Jacksonville 72-28 in a class 5A region quarterfinal at Mainland’s Vince Carter Athletic Center on Thursday, Feb. 9.

“I think that our girls played with confidence and had fun tonight,” Mainland head coach Brandon Stewart said. “I think that if we can be confident and have fun, we can be the explosive team that we are. I am super proud of them.”

Power forward and Player of the Game Anovia Sheals jump-started the Buccaneers by scoring 10 points in the first quarter and finishing with a total of 16. Guard Jordan Boddie also had 16 points while 3-point shooters, point guard Tia Dobson and shooting guard Samantha Lecas, brought home seven 3’s between them, scoring 15 and 13 total points, respectively.

“It was exciting, for sure,” Sheals said. “Because it’s our first round of regionals and us pulling out the win by a big lead, it was just very exciting. We need to keep up the energy, play how we played tonight — as a team, keep it pushing. (Going forward) I’m going to be loud and vocal on the court and on the bench when I’m subbed out. Just going to be vocal all around. You’re going to see us in states.”

In a season-altering game against University on Jan. 14 when a scuffle broke out, both teams were forced to forfeit the tournament as well as their following game with the Titans being penalized an additional game on Jan. 26. Several Mainland players were suspended, including one starter. The team regrouped after losing two non-district games against Dr. Phillips and Master’s Academy following the incident, finishing the season 16-8 as District 4-5A champions.

BUCS WIN AGAIN

Mainland continued to roll in the playoffs with a 62-47 win over Pensacola Pine Forest in a Class 5A regional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Vince Carter Athletic Center.

Anovia Sheals led the Bucs (18-8) with 25 points. Jordan Boddie scored 21. With the win, Mainland returns home on Friday, Feb. 17, to face Ridgeview in the regional final. The winner advances to the state final four. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Bucs have now won four games in row by double figures. They avenged a regional semifinal loss to Pine Forest last year. Ridgeview (22-7) beat Fort Walton Beach 5243 on Feb. 14.

“I talk to my girls a lot about the North Star,” Stewart said. “For us, the North Star is the state championship. I just talk to them about no matter what happens, we always focus on the North Star. You’re going to go through things as a team. Every team goes through things. I think it’s about how you respond to it and right now, we are responding well.”

Mainland went on to defeat Pine Forest in the regional semifinal. Pine Forest beat the Bucs in the regional semifinal last year.

This is the first year for assistant coach Kevin Priccaciante to not only be with the team but experience the playoffs as a coach.

“I’m probably more excited than they are,” he said. “This is my first time doing this, so it’s everything I’ve ever dreamt it to be. This was by far one of the best games of the season.

“Everybody was shooting great, defense was great and they stayed out of foul trouble, which is a big thing for me.”

Stewart wants his players to focus on being who they have been all year.

“You don’t have to come to the regional playoffs and start to try to be somebody else,” he said.

“Continue to be the person you’ve been all year and I’ll be the same coach I’ve been all year, and we should be fine.”

girls basketball team downed Jacksonville Ed White 72-28 in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal.

Photos by Michele Meyers

Mainland’s Cadence Haley (35) and Ronneisha Thomas (5) prepare to rebound as teammate Anovia Sheals (4) goes up for a shot against Commanders Kyra Jackson (3) and Natalee Jenkins (33).

Ed Ehite’s Alaysha Williams dribbles down court as Mainland’s Yashaiya Yisrael (3) guards her during the region quarterfinals.

Mainland’s Samantha Lecas shoots a 3-pointer as Tymia Robinson (21) tries to block. Lecas hit three 3-pointers in the region quarterfinal game.

Mainland’s drumline entertained the crowd during halftime at the region quarterfinal game against the Ed White Commanders.

Shoulder surgery goes well for Mills

The three-sport star is expected to be out for at least six months.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Matanzas junior Jordan Mills was hoping to win a state wrestling championship this year. But that goal will have to wait for his senior season.

Mills underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair ligaments in his right shoulder on Thursday, Feb. 9, and is expected to be out of action for at least six months.

That means the three-sport star will also miss track and field season and all of the offseason activities for football, including spring and summer workouts and preseason camp. He hopes to be cleared in time to play in the first game of the 2023 season.

But Pirates football coach Matt Forrest said they won’t rush the defensive back/wide receiver onto the field.

“The No. 1 thing on our minds is we’re doing right for Jordan’s future, because he’s got a bright future when he leaves here,” Forrest said. “When he’s ready to compete safely, we’ll put him out there.”

Mills, who watched his sister, Mariah, win a district

wrestling title on Feb. 8, was optimistic about his surgery the next day.

“I feel everything happens for a reason,” he said. “The only thing we can control is attitude. So I try to keep a good attitude.”

Mills originally dislocated his shoulder during football practice in October. Hoping to avoid surgery, he had his shoulder immobilized and sat out the rest of football season and the beginning of wrestling season.

He finished second in the 170-pound class at the Class 2A state championships last season, matching his brother, Tyson, a senior last year who also finished second at state.

Hoping to take the next step this season, Jordan Mills returned to the mat on Jan. 7 for the Marine Corps Challenge tournament in Jacksonville. He won 14 matches without a loss heading into the 170-pound final at the Flagler Rotary tournament on Jan. 27 at Flagler Palm Coast. But he dislocated the shoulder again in the title match

FPC tennis team holds onto city trophy

with some talent.”

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Matanzas’ boys tennis team defeated Flagler Palm Coast 5-2 on Monday, Feb. 13, at the Bulldogs’ tennis courts. But Matanzas needed to be perfect to tie FPC for the City Championship Cup.

That’s because FPC’s girls were perfect, defeating the Pirates 7-0.

The Bulldogs’ combined 9-5 victory allowed them to retain the Cup for the eighth consecutive year.

Four of the Pirates’ five boys singles players are freshmen. Three of them won their matches, including Stan Valenteychik, who defeated Josh Thorpe at No. 1 singles, 8-3. Matanzas also won both doubles matches. Valenteychik and Daniel Faraj at No. 1 won the closest match of the day, beating Thorpe and Aaron Leiberman 9-8 (10-8).

Matanzas’ Owen Brady and Bradd Humphrey — the Pirates’ lone senior — won at No. 2 doubles.

against undefeated Elijah Penton of Winter Springs. The match was supposed to be a preview of this year’s state final.

Mills had a torn labrum as well as an uncommon humeral avulsion glenohumeral ligament lesion, know as a HAGL lesion.

Rachel Mills, Jordan’s mother, said the surgery lasted longer than expected, but the doctor said the repairs matched up nicely.

“We’re very pleased about that,” she said.

Jordan Mills said he had wanted to finish wrestling season, but his doctor told him he was almost guaranteed to dislocate the shoulder again and suffer additional damage if it wasn’t repaired.

“It’s better for him and his family’s peace of mind that it is reconstructed and fixed correctly,” Forrest said. “He’s going to have a lot of options when he leaves (Matanzas), because he’s not only a talented athlete, he’s great academically and he’s a great kid.”

Still, the coaches can’t remember the last time the Matanzas boys beat the Bulldogs.

“The boys finally beat FPC,” Pirates coach Jens Oliva exclaimed. “It’s been a long time. We’re lucky enough to have some freshmen come up

FPC’s Aaron Lieberman and Jack Mikutel won at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, respectively, for the Bulldogs’ only points. Brady won at No. 4, and FPC, which was missing three of its seven players, forfeited the No. 5 match.

The FPC girls had an easy time, losing just four games in seven matches. Ania Martynuk (No. 2), Taiana Leontayva (No. 4) and Marina Carlisi and Leontayva (No. 2 doubles) all won 8-0.

Anya Subachev (No. 1), Carlisi (No. 3) and Subachev and Martynuk (No. 1 doubles) all won 8-1.

The Bulldog girls improved to 3-0 on the season.

“From 1 to 8 we’re very strong,” said FPC girls coach Javier Bevacqua.

Matanzas won the boys match, but FPC’s girls swept the Pirates.

FPC No. 2 singles player Aaron Lieberman

Matanzas No. 1 singles and doubles player Stan Valenteychik

FPC senior Anya Subachev, the Bulldogs’ No. 1 singles player

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Jordan Mills in good spirits

Courtesy photo

“I feel everything happens for a reason. The only thing we can control is attitude. So I try to keep a good attitude.

JORDAN MILLS, Matanzas

junior

Pat Brown resigns as Seabreeze football coach

LINES

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Bucs’ season ends at 14-4

Mainland’s outstanding girls soccer season came to an end with a 4-0 loss to Winter Gardens Horizon in the regional quarterfinals.

The Bucs finished with a 14-4 record with two of the losses coming to Seabreeze, the sixth-ranked team in Class 5A.

This was the Bucs’ best season since they went 164-1 and won district in 2005.

Mainland will return top goal scorer Lauren Abrahams, a sophomore who netted 25 goals this season. But they will have to replace senior Annabelle Dougherty, who had 15 goals and 14 assists.

Horizon knocks off Pirates, ’Crabs

Horizon not only ended the Mainland’s girls soccer season, the Horizon boys soccer team also booted Matanzas and Seabreeze from the playoffs.

The Hawks defeated Matanzas 2-0 Feb. 8 in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals. The Pirates finished with an 8-6-2 record. Horizon (14-3-4) then beat Seabreeze (13-4-3) on penalty kicks in regional semifinals. Neither team was able to score through regulation and two overtime periods.

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Seabreeze athletic director Brad Montgomery said that Pat Brown is such a quality coach that it was only a matter of time before he would take the next step and get a college job.

After four years as the Sandcrabs’ head football coach, Brown is taking that next step. He is expected to be announced as Valdosta State’s new receivers coach early next week.

Brown resigned at Seabreeze on Feb. 6, and Seabreeze placed an advertisement for a new coach in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s job listings.

Montgomery said he is accepting applications through Feb. 25 and hopes to hire a coach by March 2.

“We definitely want to have a new coach on campus as soon as we can,” he said.

Brown, who compiled a 20-21 record with the Sandcrabs, turned around a program that won a total of six games in the three seasons before he took over.

Brown’s first Sandcrabs team went 5-5 in 2019, a year after it won just one game. He led Seabreeze to the playoffs in 2020 with an overtime play-in victory against Gulf Breeze and was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s District 9 Coach of the Year.

In 2021, he led Seabreeze to its first district championship in 14 years.

“When Pat interviewed with us, he was a standout,” Montgomery said. “Everything Pat said he’d do with the program, he did. He said he would make sure the kids in (our) zone would want to play for Seabreeze, he would get good coaches in and he would establish the program as one of the best in the county. He did all of those things.”

Brown said he is most proud about getting ineligible players when he got Seabreeze back on the football field and eventually in graduation gowns.

“There were 13 players who were academically ineligible who were already here or transferred in when I got here,” Brown said. “We put a plan in place to get them eligible, and most of them graduated. Two of them graduated early. If these kids aren’t graduating, their chances for success diminish significantly.”

Brown said he informed his players he was leaving on Feb. 6.

“That was the toughest part,” he said. “The positive thing was a lot of the kids were real understanding. I built a lot of relationships here. I coached several brothers, such as the Campbells — Dimitri, Eli and Denali. I’m not going to see Denali all the way through (high school), but possibly I’ll see him as his college coach.”

Twenty-one of Brown’s players at Seabreeze have gone on to continue their football careers in college, including three players who signed letters of intent on Feb. 1. More play-

ers are expected to sign in upcoming weeks, he said.

Brown is a former receiver at Rutgers and Bethune-Cookman universities. He played at B-CU in 2010 and returned to Daytona Beach after playing pro football for a couple of seasons in the Canadian Football League and overseas in Germany.

Before he was hired at Seabreeze, he was the defensive coordinator at Father Lopez for two seasons.

He is looking forward to the next stop in his coaching career.

“I’m definitely excited to have a new and different challenge,” he said. “Valdosta State has a rich history of winning championships and contending for championships year in and year out. I want to have the best wide receiver room, and I want to recruit the best players to our program.”

Battle for Daytona

Mainland’s boys wrestling team went 3-0 at the inaugural Battle for Daytona duals tournament on Feb. 7 at the Bucs’ gym.

Mainland defeated Florida School for the Deaf and Blind 40-39, Seabreeze 42-36 and Atlantic 66-0. Seabreeze went 2-1 with wins over Atlantic, 75-0, and FSDB, 42-36. Mainland and Seabreeze each had three wrestlers win all three of their matches. Brian Harris (132 pounds), Josh Stubbs (170) and Josh Newman (182 and 195) all went 3-0 for the Bucs. Newman had three pins. For Seabreeze, River Gray (126), Carson Frasier (138), Jackson Pruett (195) and Pedro Sierra Bonilla (220) won all three matches. Pruett had three pins.

Region qualifiers

Mainland qualified five wrestlers to the Region 1 girls wrestling tournament Feb. 18 at Matanzas, while two Seabreeze wrestlers qualified. Mainland’s Cheyene Wigley, ranked fourth in the state at 235 pounds, won the District 4 title. Katherine Meza Perez (190) and Jah’Mya Hill (155) were runners-up; Jazlynn Golder (115) took third. Ariel Workman (130) also qualified for the Bucs. Islene Gonzalez placed third at 190 pounds for Seabreeze. Caitlyn Cavalluzzo (125) also qualified for Seabreeze.

Matanzas prevails

Matanzas defeated Tocoi Creek 46-40 in a home boys weightlifting match on Feb. 7. Cole Hash, lifting at 199 pounds, totaled 600 pounds in traditional competition, the highest of the night. Aiden Schissler totaled 465 pounds in the 139-pound class. Maison Leonard (119) and Aiden Try (129) also won titles for the Pirates, who improved to 3-0.

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File photo by Michele Meyers

Pat Brown resigned as Seabreeze’s football coach to take a college assistant’s job with Valdosta State.

“When Pat interviewed with us, he was a standout. Everything Pat said he’d do with the program, he did.”

BRAD MONTGOMERY, Seabreeze AD

SPLIT PEAS by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos

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REAL ESTATE

A condo on the ocean leads the pack in sales

Acondo in Ocean Hammock was the top real estate transaction for the week of Jan. 5-11 in Flagler County in the Multiple Listing Service. Wesley Key, of Bloomington, Indiana, sold 700 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 633, to Julie Cancilla, of Buford, Georgia, for $695,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,344 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $635,000.

GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

Condos

Rachelle Dodson, individually and as trustee, sold 140 Avenue de la Mer, Unit 1701, to Robert and Cheryl Swanson, of Palm Coast, for $680,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 2,014 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $410,000.

Belle Terre

Robert and Lauren Gibbs, of Afton, Virginia, sold 66 Pebble Beach Drive to Jonathan and Taylor Lewis, of Palm Coast, for $290,000. Built in 1979, it is a 2/2 and has 1,041 square feet. It sold in 2016 for$89,900.

Fairways Russell and Amu Hewitt, of Palm

Coast, sold 12 Lyndenhurst Lane to Antonio and Variuce Pacheco, of Palm Coast, for $339,500. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,607 square feet.

Grand Reserve

Gail and Henry Olcott, of Palm Coast, sold 50 Lob Wedge Lane to Jean Breton and Carole Germain, of Ontario, Canada, for $430,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,042 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $310,000.

Grand Reserve and Golf Club D.R. Horton Inc. Jacksonville, of St. Johns, sold 764 Grand Reserve Drive to Jimmy Tirado, of Bunnell, for $356,990. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,206 square feet.

Huntington Woods Donald and Jean Hunt, of Daytona Beach, sold 14 Huntington Place to Gregory and Grace Williams, of Ormond Beach, for $360,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 3//2 and has 2,235 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $272,000.

Indian Trails Alan Timmerman and Debra Kidd sold 57 Bickford Drive to Stephen and Lauren Zoutman, of Palm Coast, for $395,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,044 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $238,900.

Palm Coast Communities LLC sold 8 Ballenger Lane to Edward and Persie Gonzalez, of Palm Coast, for $358,900. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,821 square feet.

Lehigh Woods Brynn Vrabel, of Palm Coast, sold 20 Rocking Horse Drive to Randolph and Mary Burke, of Palm Coast, for $319,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 1,377 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $137,000.

Not in Subdivision

Herbert Mulack, individually and as trustee, sold 18 Favy Lane to Anthony Bonavita IV and Alexandrea Townsend, of Poughquag, New York, for $449,900. Built in 1995, the house is a 4/2 and has a swimming pool and 2,192 square feet.

Charles and Janice Barone, of Palm Coast, sold 9 Port Royal Drive to Lynne and John Kaprocki, as trustees, for $380,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,833 square

feet. It sold in 2019 for $234,600.

Jose and Maria Bento, of Palm Coast, sold 31 Fircrest Lane to Gary and Paula Preston, of Palm Coast, for $375,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,104 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $213,000.

Southern Impression Homes LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 35 Birchwood Drive to John Scott, of Meridian, Idaho, for $354,900. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,617 square feet.

Southern Impressions Homes LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 73 Pickering Drive to Joe and Aida Goncalves, as trustees, for $320,368.

Roger Leverton, of Palm Coast, sold 58 Bennett Lane to Joshua and Kelliann York, and Jennifer York, of Palm Coast, for $315,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,074 square feet.

Brenden and Mary Rittenberry sold 65 Pritchard Drive to Sonly Ken, of Palm Coast, for $315,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,901 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $280,000.

OP Gold LLC, of Chandler, Arizona, sold 32 Buffalo Bill Drive to Amanda Reardon, of Palm Coast, for$308,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,677 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $288,000.

Marcio da Costa and Marcia Olinda, of Southington, Connecticut, sold 9 Reidel Lane to Rad Pad Rentals LLC, of Jacksonville, for $273,000. Built

in 2004, the house is a 5/2.5 and has 2,928 square feet. It sold in 2008 for $155,000.

Angelo and Lucy Turano, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, sold 60 Folson Lane to Rocco Castellano, of Palm Coast, for $264,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,353 square feet. It sold in 1987 for $88,500.

Palm Harbor

John and Josephine Glennon sold 11 Feilding Lane to Darren and Trisha Block, of Palm Coast, for $449,900. Built in 1989, the house is a 4/3 and has a swimming pool and 2,128 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $400,000.

Pine Lakes

Robert and Gladys Hannweber, of Palm Coast, sold 9 Wagner Place to Kennie Howard, of Palm Coast, for $320,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, swimming pool and 2,393 square feet.

Sawmill Creek Holiday Builders Inc., of Melbourne, sold 9 Ridge Road to Lawrence LeSage and Larry Mack, of Palm Coast, for $334,379. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,885 square feet.

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

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REAL ESTATE

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation pool home tops the sales list

Ahouse in Halifax Plantation was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-theSea for the week of Jan. 1-7 in the Multiple Listing Service. William and Janice Glennie, of Burlington, Vermont, sold 3621 Galway Lane to Iwona Pawezka, Janusz Pupiec and Angelika Pupiec, of Staten Island, New York, for $614,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 2,059 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $287,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Cypress Trail

Michael and Jennifer Colman, of Valdosta, Georgia, sold 225 Cypress Trail Drive to Dennis and Martha Ogburn, of Ormond Beach, for $528,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,735 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $450,000.

Brian and Gloria Donley, of Tucson, Arizona, sold 283 Cypress Trail Drive to Barak and Lisa Baker, of Ormond Beach, for $495,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,308 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $340,000.

Find your notices online at: PalmCoastObserver.com, FloridaPublicNotices.com and BusinessObserverFL.com

Not in Subdivision

Stetson University Inc., of DeLand, sold 1635 U.S. 1, Unit 217, to James and Karen Robey, of Daytona Beach, for $156,000. Built in 2005, the condotel is a 2/2 and has 1,117 square feet. Park Place

Armstrong Family Properties One LLC, of Sanford, sold 19 Park Terrace to Victor and Yelena Geppert, of Glenview, Illinois, and Aleksandr Polevoy and Irina Polevaya, of Morton Grove, Illinois, for $260,000. Built in 1985, the townhouse is a 2/2.5 and has 1,429 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $235,000.

Rio Vista Gardens David and Martha Blumenauer, individually and as trustees, sold 605 Orchard Ave. to NDTCO, as trustee, for $362,470. Built in 1976, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,318 square feet.

Tomoka OaksRoss Manella, as representative, sold 42 N. St. Andrews Drive to Robert Cook and Donna Klein, of Ormond Beach, for $340,500. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,694 square feet.

Tomoka Oaks North

Heather Hanley, of Ormond Beach, sold 640 N. Nova Road, Unit 513, to Anna Balogh and Tamas Miklos, of Ormond Beach, for $140,000. Built in 1976, the condo is a 1/1 and has 748 square feet.

Village of Pine Run Albert Marzilli, of Ormond Beach, sold 1 Needles Lane to Trista Anderson, of Ormond Beach, for $540,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, swimming pool and 1,665 square feet.

Woodmere South Amanda and Russell Klotz, of Ormond Beach, sold 711 Lindenwood Circle to Eliessa Caplan and Ruth Kruger, of Ormond Beach, for $369,900. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,758 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $240,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Danaland Development LLC, of Ormond Beach, sold 6 Friendly Circle to Rich and Julie Anderson, of North Branch, Minnesota, for

$525,000. Built in 1962, the house is a 2/2 and has a swimming pool and 1,621 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $240,000.

Michael and Linda Sherm, of Belle Mead, New Jersey, sold 124 Sandpiper Ridge Drive to John and Olena Elsea, of Orlando, for $515,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 1,524 square feet.

Gilberto Caquias-Gonzalez and Carlos Caquias, of Ormond Beach, sold 63 Margaret Road to Cheryl and Milton Howard, of Ormond Beach, for $305,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 2/1 and has 729 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $129,900.

PORT ORANGE

Michael and Antoinette Wagoner sold 1893 E. Spruce Creek Blvd. to Ruth Johnson, of Port Orange, for $590,300. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace, swimming pool and 2,120 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $469,900.

D.R. Horton Inc., of Orlando, sold 48 Bella Lago Circle to Tamaris Irizarri and Francisco Guzman, of Port Orange, for $321,720. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 1,624 square feet.

Ginny Cutter, individually and as trustee, sold 1439 Chamale Lane to Phillip Dwinal, of Oak Hill, for $265,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,096 square feet.

Louise Gagnon, of Port Orange, sold 4483 Hidden Village Drive to

PUBLIC NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION

Judgment, to wit: LOT 4 AND THE NORTH 20 FEET OF LOT 5, BLOCK 54, MOODY’S SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 1, PAGE(S) 24

answered regarding the Bidding Documents for this Project. Attendance at the pre-bid conference is encouraged but not mandatory.

All bids shall be submitted electronically to the FGUA via the DemandStar website (demandstar.com). Paper copies of bids hand delivered to the FGUA shall not be considered.

Toni Brinklow and Tandi Kennison, of Port Orange, for $235,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,134 square feet.

William and Joyce Clark, of Thomasville, Georgia, sold 3552 Forest Branch Drive, Unit A, to Yuliya Marinova, of Brooklyn, New York, for $160,000. Built in 1988, the townhouse is a 2/2 and has 1,144 square feet.

Michael and Gabrielle Sergent, of Port Orange, sold 980 Canal View Blvd., Unit K4, to Stephen Slowinski, of Port Orange, for $150,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/1.5 and has 1,024 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $88,000.

South DaytonaShawn and Heide Hurd, of Daytona Beach, sold 2839 Regent Crescent Drive to Ronald Mirabel, of Daytona Beach, for $310,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,344 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $110,000.

Altered Properties LLC, of Daytona Beach, sold 715 Steele Ave. to Stacey Rhodewait, of Daytona Beach, for $302,500. Built in 1960, the house is a 3/1.5 and has 1,400 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $195,000.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY D. MOORE, DECEASED; MARK D. MOORE; GREGORY I. MOORE; HALIFAX HUMANE SOCIETY, INC are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on March 17, 2023, the following described property as set forth in said Final

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2023 CP 000082 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSE M. LOPEZ (A/K/A

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, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 6 day of February, 2023.

By: \S\Danielle Salem

Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248

Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 20-083431 - MaM February 16, 23, 2023 23-00021G

No bid shall be considered unless it is made on the Bid Form which is included in the Bidding Documents. The Bid Form will be provided electronically as both a PDF document and an Excel spreadsheet. Bids may be submitted on either the PDF document or the Excel spreadsheet.

One contract will be awarded for all work to be performed pursuant to this invitation to bid. Bidding Documents may be examined in the office of: Florida Governmental Utility Authority Operations Office, 280 Wekiva Springs Road, Suite 2070, Longwood, FL 32779-6026, Telephone (407)629-6900.

Or FGUA LADY LAKE OFFICE, 510 HIGHWAY 466, SUITE 104, LADY LAKE, FL 32159, Telephone (352) 633-9700.

Prospective bidders may obtain the Bidding Documents in downloadable PDF file format, from the DemandStar website at https://www.demandstar.com/app/buyers/bids/408705/ details Bid Documents will be made available by the close of business on Monday, February 20, 2023.

Each bid submitted via DemandStar shall include a photocopy of a cashier’s check or a Bid Bond in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total Bid to be retained as liquidated damages in the event the successful Bidder fails to execute the Agreement and file the required bonds and insurance within ten (10) calendar days after the receipt of the Notice of Award. Original Bid security shall be submitted separately to Florida Governmental Utility Authority Operations Office, 280 Wekiva Springs Road, Suite 2070, Longwood, FL 32779-6026, Telephone (407) 629-6900 and received prior to the deadline for receipt of Bids identified above.

The successful Bidder shall be required to furnish the necessary Performance and Payment Bonds, as prescribed in the General Conditions of the Contract Documents. All Bid Bonds, Performance and Payment Bonds, Insurance Contracts and Certificates of Insurance shall be either executed by or countersigned by a Florida licensed agent of the surety or insurance company doing business in the State of Florida. Further, the said surety or insurance company shall be duly licensed and qualified to do business in the State of Florida. Attorneysin-fact that sign Bid Bonds or Performance and Payment Bonds must file with each bond a certified and effective dated copy of their Power of Attorney. In order to perform public work, the successful Bidder shall, as applicable, hold or obtain such contractor’s and business licenses, certifications and registrations as required by State statutes and local ordinances.

Before a contract will be awarded for the work contemplated herein, the FGUA shall conduct such investigations as it deems necessary to determine

postpone the award of the contract for a period of time which, however, shall not extend beyond 90 days from the bid opening date.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND

Improvements, Flagler County

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding project plans on State Road (S.R.) 11 on Wednesday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will include information about two projects: 439156-1 involves intersection improvements at the intersection of S.R. 11 and County Road (C.R.) 304, and 447082-1 is a project to repave S.R. 11 from the Volusia County line to U.S. 1 in Bunnell. The purpose of the projects is to enhance traffic operations and safety. The Department is evaluating a roundabout as a potential safety solution at S.R. 11 and C.R. 304. FDOT is offering multiple ways to participate in the live meeting.

Virtual: Join from a computer, tablet, or mobile device for free and listen to the live presentation over the internet. Advance registration at http://bit.ly/3GYYhXk is required. Participants will receive an email with information about joining the meeting online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this webinar. If joining online, please allow adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

Phone (Listen Only): Join the meeting in listen-only mode by dialing 1-866-901-6455 and entering the passcode 246-541-017 when prompted.

In-Person Open House: Attend in person at the Haw Creek Community Center, 9257 C.R. 304, Bunnell, FL 32110 anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to view a looping presentation and project exhibits. If attending in person, please remember to follow all safety and sanitation guidelines. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the meeting virtually or by phone.

All meeting materials and the presentation will be available on the project website at www.cflroads.com/project/439156-1 before the meeting. Information on the resurfacing project is also available at www.cflroads.com/project/447082-1.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or persons who require translation services (free of charge), should contact Joseph Fontanelli by phone at (386) 943-5234, or via email at Joseph.Fontanelli@dot. state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-9558770 (Voice).

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

For more information, please contact FDOT Project Manager Joseph Fontanelli at (386) 943-5234, email at Joseph.Fontanelli@dot.state.fl.us, or U.S. mail at Florida Department of Transportation, 719 S. Woodland Blvd., MS 542, DeLand, FL 32720. February 16, 2023 22-00021F

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

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

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

Items Under $200

ROADMASTER MT FURY bicycle, 15 speed, purple, $70 wheelbarrow $40, Kenmore Vacuum cleaner $10 814-574-6387

TARGUS TSB 212 Laptop Backpack. New, tags, 12 compartments, warranty, $65. (386)316-9990.

TEETER INVERSION table, nearly new, blue/grey with extras $195 386-445-4136

Announcements

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 21, 2023, Chiamaka Iheme, MD will no longer see patients at AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Palm Coast located at 120 Cypress Edge Drive, Suite 202, Palm Coast, FL 32164. Patients should have received communication regarding transition of care. If you are a patient and did not receive communication or have additional questions, please call the of ce at 386-586-4462.

SALE & BAZAAR

St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church 303 Palm Coast Parkway NE

Friday, February 17th 8am-3pm Saturday, February 18th 8am-2pm

Clothing, tools, jewelry, household items, books, crafts, Silent Auction.

Autos for Sale 2015 CATERPILLAR 420F

vinyl couch with cushions, 8’, indoor or outdoor $200 386-627-4792

EXERCISE MACHINE, small elliptical, like new $50, Flat steel cart w/5 spare wheels $40

386-346-5117 or 239-671-2580

FREE LARGE 2 piece dining room hutch, assembled height 74”

386-445-7714 leave message

LEAF BLOWER, mulcher, vac, powerful $30, jigsaw $30, leave message 386-615-8230

TABLES 3 VINYL TOP DESK OR WORKBENCH $50 EACH (937)470-2631

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

4 WINDSOR DRIVE, Tomoka Oaks, Multi-family 2/17&2/18, 9am-3pm, bikes, mens clothing, rugs, furniture, jewelry, sports equipment, Michael Jordan tennis shoes, tools, household.

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD Sale, Commander Court, PC, 2/18, 9am-2pm, stained glass, shing & boating supplies, small appliances, christmas decor and much more!