PALM COAST
City gets assurances before annexation
17 stormwater pipes need to be repaired, staff says.
BRIAN MCMILLAN
You know those big dips around the manhole covers on Belle Terre Parkway North? It’s going to cost about $1.5 million to fix them. At the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, staff explained the problem and the solution. A total of 17 stormwater pipes — including some that are 60 inches
YOUR TOWN
Blue Jeans and Bling raises $6,000 for Flagler 4-H and FFA
How much would you pay for a dozen of Melissa Terrell’s famous peanut-butter-cup cupcakes? The auction started at $25, and went up to $30 and then $35 — all the way to $105 — at the annual Blue Jeans and Bling fundraiser for 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth. Another half a dozen also was sold for $100, among dozens of other items and raffle baskets. The event was held Feb. 16 at
in diameter — have been failing at their joints, over about 1 mile. That’s causing dirt to be “sucked in,” Stormwater and Engineering
Director Carl Cote said. As a result, there are many dips in the road, especially in the southbound lanes, between Palm Coast and Matanzas Woods parkways.
“We’ve tried to put a couple of Band-aids on it,” Acting City Manager Lauren Johnson said, “but this is to repair.”
To fix the failures, expanding foam will be injected under the pavement. To prevent further
Cattleman’s Hall. Thanks in part to $2,500 donated by friends and family of the late John Dance, who accepted donations for 4-H and FFA in lieu of flowers, the event raised about $6,000, according to Penny Buckles, president of the Flagler County Fair and Youth Show’s 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Sale. To support the fair, visit http://www. flaglercountyfair.com/.
Palm Coast Woodcaver of the Year recognized The Palm Coast Woodcavers program recognized Dennis Xander,
issues, the pipes will be hardened through a process called spin casting, said Carmelo Morales, stormwater engineer. In the process, a layer of mortar coats the inside of the pipe.
“It’s a lot stronger than concrete,” Morales said, “almost like granite. It creates a pipe within the existing pipe.”
The solution should fix the problem for 40-50 years, he said.
“What are our residents going to feel?” City Councilwoman Theresa Pontieri asked. “What are the real life effects of this?”
The work will require closing one lane at a time, Morales said, but not both lanes. The project will take place primarily during the summer, with priority to get the work done nearest the schools first, but some work during the school year is likely unavoidable. There were seven bids for the project, and the lowest won: Atlantic Pipe Services, for $1,488,674.30 along with a 10% project contingency. Funds are already in the budget for this year. The City Council approved the project 4-0.
of Palm Coast, as its 2025 Woodcarver of the Year on Feb. 11. The award was presented during a luncheon hosted by the program at the Palm Coast Community Center. The Palm Coast Woodcavers program is a free program open to anyone over 18 years old, from beginners to whittlers to experienced woodcarvers. The public is invited to join the program every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. in Room 116 at the Palm Coast Community Center.
“It is a fantastic way to meet new people, build friendships, and enhance creativity while transforming ‘Wood into Art,’” the club
Waterfront Park wins Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award
The City of Palm Coast’s Waterfront Park was awarded the 2024 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association at a City Council meeting on Feb. 18. The park was one of three finalists for the award, which also included Lake Shore Drive in Lake Park, and Ringling Trail in the City of Sarasota.
The student directors: DeErra Jones, Rebecca Lodato, Lorelei Killmer and Marley Beams. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Nya Williams: 2nd in state 6B
stated.
Fair Board Vice President Dowlin Cody, FFA graduating senior Lacie Westbrook and Fair Board President Penny Buckles. Photo by Brian McMillan
Howard Hawrey, Dennis Xander and Jeff Kingdon. Courtesy photo
No new housing on SR 100
Developer commits to go full commercial between BJ’s and Planet Fitness, plans for a frontage road.
BRIAN MCMILLAN
PUBLISHER
After hearing assurances that a big box retailer — and not new housing — is the plan for the property, the Palm Coast City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to begin the annexation process of 38.8 acres on State Road 100.
But, those assurances aren’t guaranteed, which is why Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri voted no. “I’m nervous about this one,” she said. Mayor Mike Norris and City Councilmen Ty Miller and Charles Gambaro voted yes, while Ray Stevens was absent.
Flagler Pines Properties LLC owns the land, which is currently under Flagler County jurisdiction, and is entitled to develop a mix of commercial and 255 units of multifamily. According to representative Jay Livingston, the developer’s intention, should the land be annexed into the city, would be to change the land use from county designations to the city’s “mixed use” designation and rezone it to fully commercial. He said the developer won’t build any residential units.
Instead of multifamily, behind a row of retail along 100, there would be an undisclosed big box retailer between Planet Fitness and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Because the property is within the Palm Coast Service Area for water and sewer, the property must into annex into the city to receive services.
“We definitely don’t need multifamily housing backed up against the airport like that,” Norris said. He added: “We are very leery of approving any more housing in the situation we are currently in.”
TRAFFIC
The annexation creates an opportunity for a frontage road parallel
to State Road 100, just south of any future retail shops.
That could make traffic flow more efficiently between that stretch of commercial development: A car could travel from Planet Fitness to BJ’s without driving on State Road 100. For a comparison, Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston pointed to the frontage road the connects Joe’s New York Pizza to Chick-fil-A, north of Palm Coast Parkway.
Livingston suggested that a deal could be struck between landowners to connect the road all the way to Seminole Woods Boulevard, and attempt to relieve congestion around the Race Trac gas station.
According to the city’s staff report, State Road 100 still meets the city’s level of service standards, except for the stretch from Seminole Woods Boulevard to Interstate 95.
However, new development is required to pay its share of the increased traffic, should 100 need to be widened to six lanes.
ASSURANCES
Several steps are required after annexation before development can occur. Not until the rezoning stage would residential development legally be eliminated from possibility.
“There’s nothing forcing the applicant, once they come in, to convert to commercial,” Pontieri said. “It’s their choice. … I would really have preferred them to convert to zoning with the county prior to applying to annex in.”
Livingston countered that, if the land is annexed into Palm Coast first, the council will have control of every step of the process for the rezoning, rather than letting the County Commission make the decisions.
Considering that the annexation would not be finalized until a second vote, Gambaro argued that the city should approve the annexation on first read.
The council agreed to approve the annexation on first reading, with the understanding that the developer bring the land use and the zoning application to the second reading.
Ormond mayor under fire for media remarks
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
After Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie appeared on a Channel 6 news broadcast and issued statements in local newspapers that some fellow elected officials said misrepresent the city, commissioners directed staff to pursue a new ordinance “to prevent confusion.”
The ordinance, proposed by Ormond Beach City Commissioner Kristin Deaton at the city meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, would require a majority vote before an elected official, including the mayor, can take action on behalf of the city. Such ordinances are already in place in other municipalities, Deaton said, such as Daytona Beach Shores.
“This helps prevent confusion among third parties whether statements, including news segment commentary, made by elected officials reflect their personal opinions or official city positions,” Deaton said.
The Daytona Beach Shores ordinance states that the “mayor and the individual members of the City Council retain their first amendment rights while holding the offices of mayor or City Council member; provided, however, such rights can be subject to certain duties of disclosure to prevent issues that could cause confusion to third parties as to what matters expressed by the mayor or City Council member are personal in viewpoint, versus other matters that are being expressed on behalf of the City and City Council.” It was adopted in 2020.
The ordinance proposal came after three commissioners, including Deaton, voiced concerns from the dais regarding recent comments made by the mayor in recent news coverage. Deaton said she received multiple calls regarding a Channel 6 news broadcast where Leslie took reporters on a tour of the city to showcase the city’s “best-kept secrets.”
In the 4-minute broadcast, Leslie is seen taking reporters to the Magic Forest Playground at Rainbow Park
— which he said would reopen in 2-4 weeks, but city staff Tuesday reported renovations would take longer — as well as Andy Romano Beachfront Park, Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, the proposed Belvedere Terminals fuel farm site, the airport and the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
Deaton said that to her knowledge, city staff, including the public information officer, were not informed ahead of time about the news crew’s arrival.
“It is protocol for the commission and the mayor to contact the city PIO if approached by the media, and I want to ensure that is upheld,” Deaton said.
In a statement to the Observer, Leslie said his top priority is ensuring accurate and timely information reaches residents.
“It’s essential for me to fully understand the implications of this proposed ordinance before forming a definitive opinion and I am committed to thoroughly reviewing all the details when they are brought before us,” Leslie said. “I want to have an open discussion with the Commission on the dais to make sure that any action we take does not unintentionally prevent transparent communication with our community.”
Editor’s note: It has always been standard practice for the Observer to contact elected officials directly, usually via email or phone.
Commissioners Lori Tolland and Travis Sargent also voiced concerns over public statements made by Leslie. Tolland said it was essential that they work together as a body “to uphold the principles of our commission, rather than acting independently in ways that do not reflect our collective governance.”
The city operates under a commissioner-manager form of government, which according to the National Association of Counties, “establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected commission and where the commission hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.”
In the city, each commissioner’s vote, including the mayor’s, carries equal weight.
Tolland said that Leslie shared inaccurate information in the Channel 6 segment, as well as in a recent Q+A with the Observer. This affects the mayor’s individual credibility, she continued, as well as the reputation of the commission, city staff and residents.
“I understand, mayor that your time in the community has been relatively short, and I recognize that sometimes that institutional knowledge isn’t always there,” Tolland said. “However, that makes it even more critical that you use the professional staff that’s made available to us to get that information before making public statements. Our city’s representation in the media should be factual, balanced and reflective of the community’s true history and accomplishment.”
Sargent said that he had heard from a city employee that “someone on the dais,” (alluding to Leslie) was trying to get City Manager Joyce Shanahan fired.
“That kills morale — kills employees’ morale and how they work, and it’s just uncalled for,” Sargent said. “If you have a problem, call that person, sit down with them or discuss it up here. Don’t do it behind closed doors and think something’s going to happen. It’s very unprofessional.” Leslie said he never voiced any intent to fire Shanahan, saying he has a “great working relationship” with her.
“I respect the feedback from my fellow commissioners, and I want to emphasize that I’m still relatively new to this role,” Leslie said. “I value open communication and believe that collaboration is key to serving our community effectively. I recognize that at times, my eagerness to provide information quickly may have come across as speaking off the cuff. Moving forward, I am committed to working more closely with our city staff to ensure that the information I share is accurate and fully aligned with the city’s official stance.”
Pilot killed after plane crashes in wooded area in Flagler County
The 10-seat Cessna 208 Caravan crashed near State Road 11 close to the Volusia County line.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A private plane crashed in a densely wooded area in Flagler County near State Road 11 on Friday night, Feb. 14, killing the pilot, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. The pilot was identified as Thomas Russell Harvey, 75, of Jacksonville, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in a Monday, Feb. 17, press release.
The 2012 Cessna 208 Caravan flew out of Sebastian
Municipal Airport and was headed to Palatka Municipal Airport, Staly said during a press conference on Feb. 15 near the site of the crash in the vicinity of State Road 11 near the Volusia County line.
The plane is a 10-seater, but the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft.
Staly extended his condolences to Harvey’s friends and family.
The wreckage was discovered shortly after midnight on Feb. 15.
“It was pitch dark last night,” Staly said in the press conference. “There was no moon, a lot of cloud coverage. It was about the worst conditions you could imagine to try to find an aircraft. And how we found it was based on the general area … what Jacksonville authorities indicated on
their radar. We started walking this area and noticed the smell of fuel that allowed us to have the Volusia helicopter pointed in a smaller area. And they spotted one of the tires.”
Staly said there was not much of a glide path.
“It was more of a straight down impact,” he said.
Staly said the aircraft had filled up with fuel at the Sebastian airport, and he speculated that the cause of the crash was either a mechanical issue or a medical issue.
He said the investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will likely take months. The plane was destroyed and the debris field is “fairly significant,” Staly said.
“These smaller aircraft do not have a black box, so you
Hooting for native plants
Ormond Beach holds annual Great Backyard Bird Count event.
CONNOR MCCARTHY
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual event held to raise awareness of loss of native Florida birds, was held in Ormond Beach on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Environmental Discovery Center.
The event was presented by the city and the Halifax River Audubon, a local chapter of the over 100 year-old organization, Audubon. The event featured exhibitors, games, crafts, guided bird walks and the chance to see some birds up close, thanks to the Friends of the Marine Science Center.
Audubon.
The Halifax River Audubon’s focus for the event has been to inform the public that, by planting native plants, they can also help native birds survive, as they feed on the bugs that are attracted by native
according to the Feb. 17 press release.
Staly said the plane took off from Sebastian at about 5:30 p.m. Air Traffic Control lost contact with the plane at 7:30 p.m., and the FCSO was notified at about 8 p.m.
The 2012 Cessna 208 Caravan is typically used for parachute jumps and was planned for skydiving trips in the upcoming week, Staly said. The plane was leased from Eagle Air Transport, he added.
have to look at the technology that’s on the plane. I’m sure that the investigators will look at all the radar projections,” he said.
The investigation has been turned over to the NTSB,
Staly said the FCSO’s role in the investigation was to contain the site and photograph the evidence and turn it over to the federal investigators.
“Our emergency response team was activated to try to clear a path so we could get to the aircraft,” he said.
AACS holds Youth Black History celebration
Fourteen students presented stories of African American history through dance, poetry and song.
OBSERVER STAFF
The African American Cultural Society of Palm Coast presented its 22nd annual Youth Black History Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the AACS Cultural Center in Palm Coast. Through dance, poetry, monologues, dramatic skits and song, 14 young people ages 4-18 presented stories ranging from the ancient civilization of Kemet to African American culture and its enormous influences on American society.
Najee Monroe, in his final year in the Youth Black History program, served as the master of ceremonies. Monroe has stayed engaged in the program even after moving to the Kissimmee-St. Cloud area several years ago, said Melba McCarty, Youth Black History program committee member.
Imani Guillory, Sterling Taite-Headspeth and Aaliyah Reese — the youngest students — presented their trilogy, “My History.” Sheldon Headley, a member of Matanzas High School’s Blue Steel band, presented a video performance of Blue Steel in honor of his Trinidad heritage. Headley also guided a virtual tour af ancient Kemet as a historical point of entry for African heritage and culture. Key African concepts of Sankofa and Maat were described by Tamara Brown, Steele Sword, Caden Williams and Brianna Durry.
Houston White vividly described challenging situations and events from 1865 through today showing the urgent need for change to bring social justice for all people. To magnify the theme, “We are the Change We Seek,” White, Tamara Brown, Nyla Reese and Briana Durry were featured in a skit entitled “Change Makers,” characterizing several personalities whose lives inspired and influenced positive systemic change in our society.
Aminah Taite-Headspeth portrayed the character and music of Mahalia Jackson. Ashley Harrison, a senior at Matanzas, spoke about her perspectives of change citing personal examples of her journey from fear of change to embracing it and taking actions to make a positive change.
Other performances included vocalist Jaiyse Williams of Jacksonville, the Flagler County NAACP Youth Choir and the Youth Liturgical Dancers of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Palm Coast. Harriett Whiting chaired the Youth Black History program committee.
Wreckage of a 2012 Cessna 208 Caravan that crashed in a wooded area of Flagler County, killing the pilot. Courtesy photo
Master of ceremonies Najee Monroe (left) with fellow participants Ashley Harrison and Sheldon Headley at the African American Cultural Society’s 22nd annual Youth Black History Celebration. Courtesy photo
Lisa Necrason holds Razzle, a Cooper’s Hawk.
Melissa Lammers and Joan Tague, with the Halifax River Audubon. Tague is the organization’s president.
Katie Tripp sells native plants.
Mindy Ash and Bubba, a Great Horned owl.
Bob Kellogg holds Mr. Einstein, an Eastern screech owl. Photos by Connor
One monthly meeting? Volusia School Board, staff to discuss
School Board’s Donna Brosemer said one meeting a month would allow the board to examine issues, and it would give staff time to follow up.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Should the Volusia County School Board reduce its meetings to once a month?
two weeks takes up significant staff time.
“There are very successful school boards that do this once a month,” Goodrich said.
“There are very successful business boards that do this once a month and even once a quarter in those cases, and that gives our staff the time to go do the job that we want them to do, which is to help our students, not to educate us as board members on all the different agenda items every other week.”
At the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, Volusia County School Board member Donna Brosemer proposed the board have a conversation about holding one long monthly meeting in lieu of two meetings a month. Currently, the board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 4:30 p.m., with workshops at 12:30 p.m. on certain meeting dates.
The challenge of holding only one meeting a month, School Board member Ruben Colon said, would occur when timely items need approval to move forward in the process, such as change orders. He also said the board wasn’t a stranger to long meetings, even in its current format — in previous years, workshops have started at 9:30 a.m. and the board’s meeting would run until 10 p.m.
“That was our normal,” Colon said.
cussions to the extent that is reasonable. I like to have these discussions in public because I’m not the only one who doesn’t know the answer.” If the board wants to explore only holding one meeting a month, School Board Chair Jamie Haynes said she’d be open to the conversation. But, echoing some of Colon’s comments, she mentioned leaving School Board chambers in past meetings as late as 2:30 a.m.
After looking at Palm Beach County and seeing its school board meets monthly, Brosemer said she thought that format would allow for board members to examine issues more effectively and give staff time to follow up on directions given by the board.
“It might allow us to get more meat on the bones in our own discussions, because we don’t discuss a lot,” Brosemer said.
School Board member Krista Goodrich agreed with Brosemer, saying it was something she had been considering as well. She said putting the meetings together every
In regard to information, Colon suggested Brosemer to continue to reach out to department directors to get answers to questions.
However, Brosemer — who said she knows she is in the “early stages of a learning curve” — said that the questions she seeks answers to are often information the public needs to know as well.
“If we all get our answers privately, then we don’t need to have meetings because we’ll already have our questions answered and we don’t have to tell anybody anything,” she said. “I like to have these dis-
“I don’t know that I want to do that regularly,” Haynes said. “... You have to keep in mind, it’s not just us. It’s also all of the staff that would be here for all those hours too.” She also said she would like to avoid having to hold regular special or emergency meetings to get business done. But, one way to switch to a monthly meeting format, Haynes said, is to workshop more topics.
“By workshopping them, we already know how each of us feels on it,” Haynes said.. “We get our questions answered. The community hears us talking about it.”
BRIEFS
Bobcat 5K and Health Fair returns to Belle Terre Elementary
Despite a rainy Saturday, the Bobcat 5K and Health Fair at Belle Terre Elementary School made a return on Saturday, Feb. 15. A beloved event preCOVID, it returned last year as a 2K and fun run and was brought back this year with the full 5K race and health fair through the efforts of the BTES PE department and the PTO.
Paige Brammer, 18, of Palm Coast, was the first of the 148 participants to cross the finish line with a time of 20:21. Brammer was the overall female winner. Parker Jacob, 18, of Palm Coast, was the overall male winner with a time of 20:37.
The course wound its way along the trail between BTES and Indian Trails Middle School. A kids fun run followed the 5K.
The Health Fair featured a variety of community organizations and businesses promoting healthy living and activities for kids.
For full race results go to https://runsignup.com/Race/ Results/176007#resultSet Id-527599
Churches and other groups can join in Flagler Schools’ free summer meals
Last year, Flagler Schools served up almost 55,000 free meals to children during its Summer Food Service Pro-
according to this year’s theme — Clue Into School Breakfast — and there will be giveaways and prizes, Mounkes said.
“Last year, the theme was, ‘Surf’s Up with School Breakfast,’ and we served shark-shaped chicken nuggets with waffles,” Mounkes said. “We want to get the word out about our free breakfasts, because kids tend to perform better on tests with a good breakfast.”
gram. The program returns this summer from June 9 to Aug. 1 and is open to all children 18 and under.
The meals were served at 12 sites last year. In addition to school sites, community groups and churches also participate to serve meals to children in their summer programs.
“This is an option not just at schools,” said Matthew Mounkes, Flagler Schools food services community engagement specialist. “The food program is open to everybody. The schools supply the food. We want to make sure the community knows this resource is available, not just for the families, but for the community organizations (who want to participate).”
For more information, contact Mounkes at mounkesl@ flaglerschools.com or call 386-437-7526.
Flagler Schools also will participate in the School Nutrition Association’s National School Breakfast Week, March 3-7. Breakfast and lunch are free throughout the school year at all the schools in the district. During National School Breakfast Week, the cafeterias will be decorated
David Bossardet named Flagler Schools’ interim safety coordinator
Flagler Palm Coast High School PE teacher and coach David Bossardet has been named Flagler Schools interim coordinator of district safety in the Flagler Schools Superintendent’s Office. It is a position he held previously from 2019 to 2021.
Bossardet replaces Tommy Wooleyhan, who recently left the school district. Bossardet took over the position on Feb. 6 on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found. He will continue to coach the FPC wrestling team while serving as district safety coordinator, he said.
Bossardet served as an assistant principal at FPC in the 2021-22 school year and was named the school’s wrestling coach in June, 2022.
School Board member Donna Brosemer. File photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Red Cross table at the Bobcat 5k and health fair at Belle Terre Elementary School.
Courtesy photo
David Bossardet. File photo
Flagler County Teacher of the Year Brandy Anderson and School Board member Lauren Ramirez.
Fountain View to overcrowd Pine Trail
The developer will pay school impact fees in advance for Phase 1C of the Ormond Beach subdivision.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Once the latest phase of Plantation Oaks’s Fountain View subdivision is constructed, Pine Trail Elementary will be at an estimated 139% capacity level.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Volusia County School Board approved a school capacity mitigation agreement with Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach for Phase 1C of Fountain View, which will be composed of 141 single-family lots. Once all the phases of Fountain View are completed, the subdivision will add 447 homes to Ormond Beach.
In the agreement with the developer, the School Board acknowledged that overcrowding adversely impacts the educational services provided at schools, stating that it believed “that an increase in the number of non-age restricted residential dwelling units permitted for construction on the property may further exacerbate adverse conditions on public
BRIEFS
Nonprofits can now apply to FC3 for arts grants
Nonprofits can now apply for Palm Coast’s cultural arts grants through the Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3). The application deadline is Feb. 28. Finalists will be presented to the Palm Coast City Council on March 18. A total of $100,000 is available for programs and events occurring between April 1 and
school facilities within Volusia County.”
The developer has filed concurrency applications for Fountain View Phases 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F. In light of the current overcapacity issues — the district reported a 101% capacity level for Pine Trail, as well as a 125% capacity level for nearby Pathways Elementary, for the 2023-2024 school year — the district disagreed with the developer’s opinion that a conveyance of a 14-acre parcel next to Westside Elementary, a school over 10 miles away in Daytona Beach, satisfied the school impact mitigation needed for all Fountain View phases.
The compromise? The developer agreed to pay the school impact fees in advance for Phase 1C, to total about $987,000. The developer has also requested the School Board withhold its response on the concurrency applications for Phase 1D, 1E and 1F.
The item, which was included in the meeting’s consent agenda, was pulled by School Board member Donna Brosemer who inquired about the timeline of construction for the subdivision and the capacity level at Pine Trail. She said the paragraph in the agreement regarding mitigation bothered her.
“It’s like they’re buying the school concurrency approv-
Dec. 31, 2025. By shifting the management of the Cultural Arts Financial Assistant Grant program to FC3, the city frees up staff resources while ensuring continued investment in the local arts community, according to a city press release. Visit flaglerartsandculture. org/granting-program.
Volusia County summer lifeguard tryouts to begin
Volusia CountyBeach Safety is hiring summer lifeguards. Local swim tryout are
al,” Brosemer said. “I don’t know if there’s a better way to word that, but it just doesn’t sound good to me, especially because it’s so much money so far in advance.”
Staff reported to the School Board said the district is in the process of constructing a new building to add on to Pathways, as well as increasing the size of the parent pickup loop. Then, the district will look at increasing the pickup loop at Pine Trail and consider a building addition. The impact fees would go toward those projects. But in the face of design and architectural costs, the funds won’t be enough for a single project.
“A wing is going to cost us several million dollars,” School Board Jamie Haynes said.
Originally, Plantation Oaks was designed to be a 55-andolder age restricted community. The property was part of the National Gardens Development of Regional Impact, which required an over 21-acre school site be conveyed to the School Board.
In 2016, the School Board agreed to the 14-acre parcel next to Westside instead. In 2020, the developer sought a zoning amendment with the city of Ormond Beach to delete the age-restriction for the land that is now being developed as Fountain View.
scheduled for 8 to 11 a.m. Feb. 22 and March 8 at the Ormond Beach YMCA, 500 Sterthaus Drive.
Applicants must be at least 16 on or before June 1 and be able to swim 500 meters freestyle in under 10 minutes, swim 50 yards freestyle in under 30 seconds, and run a half mile in under 3 minutes, 15 seconds.
Starting pay is $18.50 per hour. Lifeguards who work a specified number of weekend days during their first summer will receive a $1,750 incentive. Visit volusia.org/ beach or call 386-239-6414.
FEB. 5
DINE AND DISRESPECT
9:17 p.m. — 800 block of South Atlantic Avenue, Ormond Beach
Disorderly intoxication. Police arrested a 70-year-old Ormond Beach woman after she flashed her middle-finger at restaurant staff when asked to pay for the two drinks and salad she had ordered.
According to a police report, the woman left the bar area and walked onto the patio of the restaurant, where she continued to make the offensive gesture at other customers as well as move patio furniture around.
Police made contact with the woman in the parking lot, where she was found laying down in mulch. Initially, she told officers she was “fine,” the report states, but then she also gave them the middle finger. She was taken to jail and trespassed. The restaurant did not pursue charges for the unpaid food.
FEB. 8
TEEN IS ‘GOING PLACES’
12:31 p.m. — Intersection of West Granada Boulevard and North Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Criminal mischief. A 17-yearold Palm Coast teen who interrupted a funeral procession showed up to the police department after he alleged one of the members of the procession dented his truck. The teen, who was driving with a 19-year-old Palm Coast woman, told police that they had been traveling northbound on U.S. 1 when they encountered a long line of vehicles that were going through intersections “running red lights” with their flashers on, according to a police incident report. The car at the rear of what they de-
scribed as a “convoy” would not let them pass. But the teen found an opening and got around the car. Once at the intersection with Granada Boulevard, he said the car’s driver, dressed in a suit, yelled at them with “a hammer or some type of blunt object in his hand.” This caused the teen drive away, but he said the man struck the rear driver side cab of his truck, denting the metal.
The teens also commented to police that, once they had gotten around the long line of vehicles, they saw a hearse in the front. The reporting officer noted that the teens were unaware of the traffic laws for a funeral procession, or “what a funeral procession even was.” The reporting officer had to explain that the teen driving the way he had been, and honking his horn, was a sign of disrespect.
The teen driver did not seem to care, the report notes. He told police that he “had places to go” and that he wished to pursue charges for the damage. The officer asked him for his driver’s license, to which the teen “sarcastically” stated, “Why do you need that?” the report states.
The officer explained she needed his driver’s license to file a report, noting that the teen was rude during the entire interview for the report.
FEB. 10
EVIDENCE CONCEALED
10:55 a.m. — U.S Highway 1 near County Road 304, Bunnell
Possession of marijuana
Deputies arrested a 22-yearold DeLand woman after she concealed a marijuana joint between her breasts during a traffic stop.
According to the arrest report, deputies pulled over the vehicle in which she was traveling in due to an expired vehicle registration. The driver told deputies that he would renew his registration, and during the conversation,
the reporting deputy noticed “an overwhelming smell of burnt cannabis.” The vehicle’s occupants denied having any marijuana in the car, saying they had just smoked before leaving the house.
But, the deputy noticed a bulge underneath the woman’s shirt between her breasts. When asked if she was concealing narcotics, the woman initially said no, but later retrieved a joint from underneath her shirt. A search of her person later led to the discovery of multiple bags of marijuana.
Deputies found the woman was carrying a total of 23 grams. She was taken to jail.
FEB. 15
DRUNK IN TROUBLE
3:52 p.m. — 1000 block of State Road 100, Bunnell DUI. “Lovely. So, I’m in trouble.”
That’s what a 43-year-old Middleburg woman told deputies after dropped pills on the ground during a traffic stop for driving under the influence. According to her arrest report, the sheriff’s office began receiving multiple calls about a vehicle where the driver was unable to maintain a lane and almost struck vehicles head on.
The reporting deputy was able to conduct a traffic stop,. When instructed to exit her car, the woman was unable to balance herself. She blamed her erratic driving on her car’s “bad alignment,” according to the report. She agreed to perform field sobriety exercises and agreed to be transported to a nearby business plaza for safety. She would need to be pat down, though, which she also agreed to. She told deputies she had money in her bra, and as she was retrieving it, she dropped a small plastic bag of pills on the ground.
The woman failed the field sobriety exercises. The pills were identified as prescription medicine. She was taken to jail.
FARMER’S MARKET
BRIEFS
Jacksonville man killed in five-car crash on I-95 in Flagler County
A 19-year-old Jacksonville man was killed when his car was struck head on in a fivecar crash on I-95 in northern Flagler County on Thursday night, Feb. 13, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.
The crash occurred at 10:41 p.m. The driver of the sedan was traveling north at mile marker 291, about two miles south of the Matanzas Woods Parkway exit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash began when a 24-year-old Jacksonville man’s car traveling north ran off the highway to the left then reentered traffic with his right front striking the left rear of the 19-year-old man’s car. The 19-year-old, who was not wearing a seatbelt, lost control of his vehicle and sideswiped a third sedan, rotating his car counterclockwise and facing south in the northbound lanes. His car was then struck head on by a pickup truck, driven by a 60-year-old Hialeah man.
A fifth vehicle suffered residual crash damage. The driver of the first vehicle and the driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries. No one else involved in the crash suffered injuries, including the driver and 11-year-old passenger in the third car, who are residents of St. Augustine.
Palm Coast man killed in Jacksonville crash involving ATV
A 53-year-old Palm Coast man was killed in crash in Jacksonville Sunday, Feb. 16.
Florida Highway Patrol reported that at around 9:45 p.m., the victim was standing
next to an ATV in the right travel lane of Normandy Boulevard, about a half mile east of Blair Road. The driver, a 34-year-old Jacksonville man, was traveling east on Normandy Boulevard in the right travel lane when he struck the victim and the ATV, which had no lights active, according to the FHP crash report. The Palm Coast man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ex-school nurse arrested after lewd conduct with a Volusia student
A former contracted nurse at New Smyrna Beach High School was rearrested on Feb. 12, following an investigation by the New Smyrna Beach and Ormond Beach police departments into the nurse’s relationship with a student.
Joshua Leggett, 50, of Daytona Beach, was first arrested in December 2024 by OBPD after traveling to Ormond Beach to meet a juvenile student after she got off work, according to a Facebook post shared by law enforcement. The student’s parents saw her get in his car and called police, who found them together in the vehicle. OBPD and NSBPD then launched an investigation, which led to additional charges of Offense Against Student by Authority Figure and Indecent, Lewd, or Lascivious Touching of Certain Minors by Authority Figure. He was transported to the jail, and his bond was set at $100,000.
Palm Coast
man arrested for sexual battery of 14-year-old girl
A 26-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested in Daytona Beach on Thursday, Feb. 13, for sexually battering a 14-year-old girl in May 2024.
The Flagler County Sher-
iff’s Office reports that its major case unit launched an eight-month-long investigation into Jordan Pittmon after the victim reported to her family on June 1, 2024, that she had been sexually battered after running away from home a day prior, according to a press release. The victim had contacted Pittmon on Snapchat, a social media app, who then picked her up at a gas station and brought her to his home where they had sexual intercourse multiple times. The FCSO reports he then dropped her off at a park the next day, where she was found by a family member.
The victim first met Pittmon on Instagram in November 2023. The two exchanged messages for a week. An adult family member discovered the messages and informed him the victim was 14. Pittmon was located in Daytona Beach. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, and later released on a $20,000 bond.
Paul Renner
appointed to State University System board
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Paul Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System. DeSantis made the appointment on Feb. 12, which becomes effective April 15, 2025, pending confirmation by the Florida Senate. Renner, of Palm Coast, is the former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 19 and is currently Of Counsel for Nelson Mullins. A public servant for most of his life, he is a veteran of the United States Navy and began his legal career as a state prosecutor. Renner earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College and his law degree from the University of Florida.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Hammocks Dunes condo sells for almost $1.3M
Acondo at 19 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 705, in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for Feb. 1-7 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Feb. 1, for $1,298,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 2,340 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $1,298,000.
Belle Terre
A house at 119 Park Place Circle sold on Feb. 7, for $385,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,071 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $405,000.
Lehigh Woods A house at 10 Ranston Place sold on Feb. 7, for $405,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,333 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $370,000.
Matanzas Shores
A house at 18 San Miguel Court sold on Feb. 7, for $350,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,840 square feet. It sold in 1995 for $155,000.
Palm Harbor A house at 7 Fortune Lane sold on Feb. 7, for $545,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,495 square feet.
A house at 72 Felwood Lane sold on Feb. 6, for $315,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,500 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $278,900.
Pine Grove A house at 42 Potterville Lane sold on Feb. 7, for $280,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,737 square feet.
Quail Hollow A house at 6 Karanda Place sold on Feb. 7, for $375,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,818 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $207,000.
Sawmill Branch A house at 126 Hulett Woods Road sold on Feb. 7, for $294,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,714 square feet.
A house at 14 Springwood Drive sold on Feb. 7, for $335,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,147 square feet.
Toscana home tops Ormond sales at $1.6M
Ahouse at 109 La Toscana Rotonda in the Toscana subdivision was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Jan. 25-31. The house sold on Jan. 31, for $1.615 million. Built in 2020, the house is a 6/4.5 and has a pool and 3,612 square feet.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
ORMOND BEACH
Archer’s Mill
The house at 338 E. Merimont Lane sold on Jan. 29, for $354,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,034 square feet.
Carrollwood
The house at 1304 Fairway Ave. sold on Jan. 28, for $256,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,140 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $234,000.
Creekside
The house at 106 Creek Forest Lane sold on Jan. 30, for $669,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,501 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $375,000.
Not in subdivision
The house at 27 Highland Ave. sold on Jan. 30, for $477,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 2,596 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $140,000.
The house at 533 N. Halifax Drive sold on Jan. 31, for $575,000. Built in 1965, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,160 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $176,900.
Seminole Woods
A house at 81 Sloganeer Trail sold on Feb. 7, for $286,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,377 square feet.
It sold in 2005 for $30,000.
A house at 36 Sleepy Hollow Trail sold on Feb. 7, for $319,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,500 square feet.
A house at 15 Seven Wonders Trail sold on Feb. 3, for $424,400. Built in 2024, the house is a 5/3.5 and has 2,793 square feet.
Condos
A condo at 5 Summer Terrace, Unit 45, sold on Feb. 5, for $279,000. Built in 2001, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,453 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $260,000.
A condo at 2 Broadmore Circle, sold on Feb. 4, for $230,000. Built in 1980, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,177 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $205,000.
A condo at 500 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 425, sold on Feb. 3, for $910,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,003 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $420,000.
BUNNELL
Grand Reserve and Golf Club
A house at 6 Pinnacle Place sold on Feb. 7, for $320,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $315,000. Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
Halifax Drive sold on Jan. 29, for $895,000. Built in 2024, the townhouse is a 3/3.5 and has 2,473 square feet.
The Trails
The townhome at 331 Timberline Trail sold on Jan. 27, for $292,500. Built in 1980, the townhome is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,724 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $275,000.
The townhome at 140 Pine Cone Trail sold on Jan. 27, for $230,000. Built in 1977, the townhome is a 2/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,664 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $179,900.
The house at 98 Hickory Hills Circle sold on Jan. 30, for $272,500. Built in 1977, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 1,389 square feet. It last sold in 1978 for $41,500.
Ocean Village
The villa at 205 Cardinal Drive, Unit A, sold on Jan. 27, for $245,000. Built in 1947, the villa is a 2/1 and has 675 square feet. It last sold in 1990 for $48,900.
Ortona Park
The house at 863 Marvin Road sold on Jan. 29, for $535,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,930 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $300,000.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1334 Redbourne Lane sold on Jan. 27, for $1.225 million. Built in 2005, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 4,109 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $750,000.
Shady Rest
The house at 1867 Myrtle Jo Drive sold on Jan. 27 for $210,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,040 square feet.
The Cupola The townhome at 90 N.
Tomoka Oaks The house at 111 Rio Pinar Drive sold on Jan. 28, for $578,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 5/3 and has a fireplace and 3,020 square feet. It last sold in 2009 for $191,000.
Village of Pine Run
The house at 27 Village Drive sold on Jan. 31, for $585,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,964 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $312,000.
Winding Woods
The house at 20 Winding Woods Trail sold on Jan. 30, for $241,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,483 square feet. It last sold in 1990 for $113,400.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Not in subdivision
The house at 41 Brooks Drive sold on Jan. 31, for $325,000. Built in 1951, the house is a 2/2 and has 808 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $155,500.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
PALM COAST
ORMOND BEACH
Why a water rate hike? City staff explains role of growth
OBSERVER STAFF
To fix the City of Palm Coast’s water and wastewater treatment capabilities, a consultant is recommending incrementally raising residents’ monthly bills by more than $30 per month by Oct. 1, 2027. Stormwater and trash pickup also go up automatically with inflation. Is there a choice?
WNZF’s “Free For All Friday” hosts David Ayres and Brian McMillan interviewed three city staff members — Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston, Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo and Stormwater and Engineering Director Carl Cote — on Feb 14, to understand why the $700 million of improvements are recommended. What follows is an edited transcript of the episode.
David Ayres: Are we in trouble right now?
Jason DeLorenzo: Yes and no, and more yes than no. We have two wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 is our original one. It’s on Utility Drive, and it has a capacity of 6.83 million gallons per day. That’s what we are permitted by the DEP to pass through the through the plant. We also have Wastewater Treatment Plant 2. It’s on Peavey Grade, which is off U.S. 1. It’s a 2 million gallon per day system with an upgrade that’s going to be completed in April, with an additional 2 million gallons. So if you think of it from system wide, we are OK. The problem is that our system is not completely interconnected, and we can only have so much of that flow go to Plant 2 because of how the city was built out. We inherited this system from ITT. To date, we’ve been able to change flows of 300,000 gallons to Plant 2. We have two more phases of that. We’re going to move another 550,000 gallons per day to Plant 2 once the upgrade is done.
But at Plant 1, we have about 300,000 gallons per day of capacity remaining right now, and for a city with our growth
Palm Coast an HOA? Get over it!
Dear Editor:
The mayor’s comment that Palm Coast is not an HOA has offended some of our long-term homeowners who would prefer that Palm Coast be an HOA. But the mayor spoke the obvious truth.
An HOA is a contractual association in which the residents give up some of their property rights in return for the supposed comfort of various rules as to house colors, vehicle restrictions, how to breathe, etc. OK, I slipped in that last one, but some HOA boards really are stifling.
A city is a government entity which, in this free country of ours, must accept the right of citizens to move where they wish, live as they choose, so long as they do not threaten the physical safety or property of others and control their own (not their neighbor’s) property.
A city has no legitimate right to impose property restrictions for merely esthetic reasons. When Palm Coast later incorporated as a city, it failed to understand that profoundly changed its nature. The rules as to paint colors on houses, commercial vehicle restrictions, etc., were apparently lifted direct from the HOA restrictions and inserted into city zoning restrictions oblivious of its new status and in violation of its new duty to protect its citizens’ rights.
Those long-term residents who imagined that their lovely, picturesque Palm Coast was going to remain a gigantic golf course forever, to be perfectly maintained
bills?
rate, that is roughly a year, maybe even a little bit less than a year of growth.
The upgrade of Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 is expected to be done in late 2028, so we may have a gap there still.
So the answer is, system wide, we’re kind of OK, but for the amount of flow that goes to Plant 1, which we have little ability to change beyond the additional 550,000, we are in trouble.
David Ayres: You guys have a $700 million price tag on what we need to do. So what’s the nut that we need to come up with to get this going?
Carl Cote: What was presented and recommended to council was a phase in of rates over the next four years: it would be four 8% increments. So it would be 8% in April, 8% in October, and then the two following Octobers would be 8% as well. And then from there, we would move on to just your regular Consumer Price Index, the inflation annual adjustment.
David Ayres: So everybody can expect their utility bill to go up no matter.
Carl Cote: Yes, for all parts of the bill and all customers.
David Ayres: How do we rank with other cities comparable to us around the state, as far as cost of living and utility
by newcomers whose proper role was to be servants and who were to disappear at night (along with their tawdry commercial vehicles) were never actually living in Palm Coast, but in Fantasyland. It was not only predictable, but inevitable that as the city grew into a larger, more complete community their mirage of social exclusivity would fade. Get over it! Those who love HOAs, and the promise of living under the reassuring restrictions of rules, are free to join an actual HOA.
And as to those “property values” endlessly cited by realtors/developers, I recognize their importance. However, it is profoundly unwise to exalt wealth above freedom. In fact, the greatest benefit of wealth is to enable and secure freedom, without which wealth can hardly be enjoyed. Now, let us all go to bed and dream of purple houses. And you will not have a nervous breakdown.
ANTHONY
B. TEAGUE Palm Coast
Say no to work vehicles in driveways
Dear Editor: As if the ongoing degradation to our neighborhoods wasn’t enough, now our elected officials want to allow the parking of commercial vehicles in our driveways. They don’t care about the impact it will have on our property values. If individuals did their due diligence before purchasing a house in our area, they knew there were common sense restrictions in place.
Lauren Johnston: We are very unique in that situation that our millage rate is only 4.18, and the City Council the past couple of years has continued to lower the millage rate. If you compare our utilities to other communities, just here locally, we’re still lower than Flagler Beach or Bunnell. Flagler Beach has a utility tax on top of their utility bill. So, and that’s one thing that Palm Coast does not have.
David Ayres: So we’ve been getting away with murder as far as on the other tax, and we’ve been living pretty cheap.
Brian McMillan: We haven’t really been getting away with anything because we’re almost to capacity. We got dinged by the state saying, “You have to do something.”
David Ayres: For the developments already approved, do we have that built into the capacity? We didn’t overpromise developers or builders?
Jason DeLorenzo: Yes and no. We have what you would call “paper capacity,” and we are over capacity, if you consider that paper capacity. But it’s not straightforward, because the paper might include a subdivision of a couple hundred units, but they don’t come on at one time. They come on one house at
If this is allowed, they won’t be able to say no to boats, trailers, campers and all other manner of unsightly items. As for ensuring compliance, the city is doing a poor job of that already.
Remember a few years ago, the resident who drove his truck plastered with vulgar and obscene comments all around the city? His right to free speech couldn’t be infringed. How would you like that parked next?
EDITH CAMPINS Palm
Coast
Channel 6 tour of Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
On Feb. 14, the 11 o’clock Channel 6 news broadcast a trip around Ormond Beach with Mayor Jason Leslie. The television reporter did a great job filming locations on a sun-drenched day. But the mayor’s narrative omitted important facts and raised questions.
The first two stops were at public parks currently closed for repairs. At the Magic Forest Rainbow playground, the mayor failed to mention its unique history, a park built entirely with citizen donations and resident sweat equity. At the Andy Romano Beachfront Park, the $20 parking fee was referenced as fair but viewers were not told the fee is waived for all duly registered Volusia County residents.
At the Performing Arts Center, we saw only the lobby, with no mention of the reconstructed interior or the significant donation of theater seats by a local developer, or the recent heroic second reopening after the center suffered fire and water
a time. So the number, if you count them in totality, would put us over capacity, but when they start actually flowing, then that reserved capacity, or committed capacity falls off of that table, because you’re just dealing with that one house at that point.
Brian McMillan: Was that an error from the city to promise that on paper, even though it would have put us over capacity?
Jason DeLorenzo: In 1970 ITT plotted 45,000 lots and had a wastewater treatment plant for 330,000 gallons, right?
Brian McMillan: So we have 7,000 or 8,000 undeveloped left in the traditional ITT lots, and if they all were built tomorrow, then we would be overcapacity.
Jason DeLorenzo: Yes. So what you’re trying to do is time the capacity. I would say we are late. You’ll remember that we brought a potential rate increase to City Council in November 2023 (which was rejected), so we’re behind.
David Ayres: You hear people say, “We’ve lived here in Palm Coast. Why do we have to pay for the sewer and water of people that haven’t moved here yet?”
Jason DeLorenzo: It’s a good question. A big chunk of what we need is to actually maintain the current system. But it’s just how it works, right?
damage.
On Hull Road, the crew visited the controversial site of the proposed Belvedere fuel terminal. Not mentioned: the site is in unincorporated Volusia County, not in the city. Our commission opposed the proposed location in communications to Belvedere and to state officials, denied water and sewer services, rallied hundreds of Ormond residents to voice protests at County Council, and allocated funds for a potential legal fight. $10 million in state funds have now been budgeted for relocation. But Mayor Leslie reported the issue as still unresolved with “no movement since 2023.”
The fifth stop was at a well-groomed ball field at the airport recreation complex. No mention of a city field maintained to major league standards for the Wendlestadt Umpire School, where big league umpires train future umpires from all over the world, students boosting the local economy during a six-week stay.
At the Ormond Airport, the mayor advocated “an executive golf course” and “a community center” on the former River Bend golf course property “with FAA approval.” These public statements are in conflict with carefully crafted city commission policy, dedicating a majority of the acreage to conservation and the remainder for potential business park expansion.
The televised tour failed to praise our city’s world class professional staff and proactive citizens.
Mr. Mayor, it’s time to unify us behind your leadership, to make Ormond Beach the best it can be, with accurate representations of our city. We stand ready to help you to
Someone has to pay for it.
Carl Cote: We do charge impact fees, and developers do pay a cost when they come in. But you can’t wait till you collect all the money and then build the expansion. They need it before hand. So you build up some kind of dollars to help contribute towards those expansion plans, but then you’re overbuilding for those future residents who will contribute towards the use of that.
Lauren Johnston: We did a rate analysis in 2018, and it had a growth projection in there, a stable growth projection of like 3 to 4% right. But nobody predicted the growth impacts to Florida from COVID, and nobody predicted the cost increases or supply chain issues from COVID.
Brian McMillan: So the costs have gone up, and that was unpredictable. But looking back, is it safe to say that we did not charge enough for the impact of new residents coming in?
Jason DeLorenzo: They’re always lagging, right? The timing of the payments?
Brian McMillan: Is development paying for itself, or is it not?
Lauren Johnston: You also have to consider that a lot of this is [governed] by state statute. There is a a limitation that we can only go and raise impact fees on minimum four year cycle, right? Council approved that last year.
Jason DeLorenzo: The impact fee law is not in the city’s favor, not in the citizens’ favor — it’s in the developers’ favor.
David Ayres: We’ve got to remind everybody: Look at your water bill; there’s a lot of things on there. It’s your trash, it’s the stormwater, it’s water, it’s sewer. What is the average bill?
Carl Cote: You have a smaller home, a two-person home at 2,500 gallons per month, and then we have a family home, at roughly 4,000 gallons a month.
The current bills now for the
help us.
JEFF BOYLE Ormond Beach
Editor’s note: The Observer gave Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie a chance to respond.
Leslie: “Mr. Boyle makes many good points. Maybe when Ch 6 wants to come back, they will give us the time to do a documentary about the history of Ormond Beach, rather than just an overview of our beautiful city as it is today, which was their ask along with resident questions.
“He is also correct about all the movement in 2023/2024 regarding the fuel farm. We look forward to a resolution, but we have not heard from the developer.
“With regard to the airport, Mr. Boyle appears to miss being a city policymaker. He can always run for office again but in the meantime, we welcome his input.”
Eliminating property tax
Dear Editor: I recently read that Gov. Ron DeSantis has stated he wants to eliminate the property tax here in Florida. I support the proposal to end government extortion of we, the people, via taxation of property.
As the son of immigrants, the American Dream is something that resonates in my perspective balance between the government and the people. True homeownership is a part of that dream. No one should fear the threat of force of government to remove them from their property if they don’t pay.
Soaring high prices on
Marketing Consultants Paula Losinger, Paula@ observerlocalnews.com; April Koehler, akoehler@ observerlocalnews.com; Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com
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smaller home is about $73 per month, and for the large ones, about $90. So at the end of the increases, the smaller home will see a $30 a month increase by Oct. 1, 2027, and then the larger home will see roughly a $37 increase a month by 2028. David Ayres: So that’s substantial for a lot of people. Also on there is trash with FCC, and their contract with the city calls for inflationary adjustments every year. Lauren Johnston: Stormwater rate is also on an index. Carl Cote: By the 2028 time, it will probably be $50 bucks more a month for everything.
houses and apartments is making even the historically cheaper rent option too high to afford. Think renters don’t pay property taxes? Think again. With the homestead exemption and Save Our Homes artificially keeping primary home taxes relatively lower than non-homestead, renters are paying their fair share plus the difference! Ultimately subsidizing primary homeowners.
I championed this idea for the last eight years as I campaigned for Florida State House three times. I encourage State Rep. Bill Partington and State Sen. Tom Leek to sponsor a bill to sunset property taxes.
JOE HANNOUSH Ormond Beach
CORRECTIONS
The utility improvements to be funded by bonds is $456 million of the total $701 million. The number was incorrectly reported as $413 million in the Feb. 13 edition. The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners will review an airport overlay ordinance for adoption at its meeting on March 3. The date was incorrectly reported as May 3 in the Feb. 13 edition. Additionally, the story reported that the Airport Protection Overlay Zone would have barred new residential homes from being constructed in some vacant residential lots in the U section off Seminole Woods Boulevard and the Z section off Belle Terre Boulevard. This is incorrect; because the FAA approved a noise study for the county, the New Residential Construction Zone now lies entirely within the airport property.
On WNZF’s “Free For All Friday,” David Ayres and Brian McMillan interview Carl Cote, Jason DeLorenzo and Lauren Johnston.
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Night of One Acts
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
For the first time, Flagler Palm Coast High School Thespian’s “A Night of One Acts” featured two student directed shows — one of which was written by two students.
FPC juniors Lorelei Killmer and Marley Beams began writing their show, “Historically Accurate,” in August of their sophomore year. It was initially written for a district festival, in which it received superior ratings. However, Killmer and Beams were unable to enter their show in states due to a rule change.
Then, during an officer’s meeting last fall, it was suggested by FPC theater president DeErra Jones that the show be part of “A Night of One Acts.” And, that its playwrights direct it as well.
“We immediately started rewriting some stuff, because we had ideas that we wanted to add in, we had things we wanted to fix,” said Beams, publicist of the FPC theater troupe. “So it’s been a project of over a year of perfecting the script.”
“Historically Accurate” is about two middle school students and their history presentation gone wrong.
“It’s been compared to an SNL skit over and over again, with how high energy it is, and it’s very inaccurate despite the name, but it’s a lot of fun,” Killmer said.
The joy of creating something is what Killmer, troupe secretary, said draws her to the art of theater.
“When I was younger, I saw a lot of shows at FPC and I was just amazed at how believable the characters were,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of that.”
Beam didn’t get a lot of opportunities to explore theater until he started attending FPC. But it’s been a lifelong passion, he said.
“It’s always been so amazing to me to be able to step into these different characters and become them, and get to hear people laugh in the audience ... and get to see their amazing reactions,” Beams said.
AN EMOTIONAL OUTLET
A Night of One Acts,” which ran from Feb. 13-15 at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, also featured “Superheroes,” a play by Ian McWethy. FPC Thespians Presi -
FPC students take charge in directing, playwriting
dent DeErra Jones and Vice President Rebecca Lodato, who are both seniors, directed the show.
“Superheroes” is a comedy about the daily lives of superheroes and mundane interactions.
Jones traces her love of theater to when she was 5 years old and watching the first episode of Disney Channel’s “Jessie.” She connected with the character of Zuri, played by Skai Jackson, because it was the first time she remembers seeing a girl that looked like her onscreen.
“There wasn’t a lot of people who looked like me who were big leads of a show,” she said. “... I didn’t realize that was something that I could do.”
She remembers talking to her mom about it, and her mom agreed to put her in acting classes. For Lodato, it’s thanks to her older brother that she got into acting. Their mom placed him in classes to help him come out of his shell, and extended the same opportunity to Lodato, who not only excelled, but went on to attend a performing arts middle school in New York. She moved to Palm Coast for her freshman year and has been part of theater here ever since.
“It’s just always been my emotional outlet,” Lodato said. “ ... It’s just a really big way for me to destress and just have fun — not think about anything else that’s going on.
‘IT’S SOUL FEEDING’ FPC drama teacher Kelly Rivera said she was very hands off as the students took over the “A Night of One Acts” show. From selecting costumes and envisioning the sets, to printing the programs, the four student directors took charge.
There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing the students describe their love and passion for theater, Rivera said. She looks forward to the end of the school day when she gets to see the students she calls her “hardcores.”
“It’s soul feeding,” Rivera said. “I can get through that day knowing I’m just going to see them and get to watch them grow — and not only grow, but literally take charge of a project.”
Being able to direct a show has given Beams a new perspective on being an actor.
“I can work with these people and see them do it next to me, but getting to see them do it on the stage while I’m in the audience has been such a great experience for inspiring me in different ways,” Beams said.
It’s also made him realize he wants to pursue directing and one day, write a musical.
Lodato used to want to become an acting teacher. Now that she’s gotten a chance to experience directing, she realized she prefers to be on stage.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she missed performing a lot. Art is beautiful, and it’s needed, she said.
“I think most people who like love movies or like stuff like that, forget that most of their favorite actors started as theater kids, because that’s where most people find their love for acting.”
ART MATTERS
Art is everywhere, Jones said. The music we listen to, TV shows, how someone chooses to decorate their room. Sometimes people look at programs like choir and theater and don’t see their value,” she said.
“When it comes to programs, it gets so overlooked and pushed aside because they don’t care, they don’t think people will do it, but I just don’t think that’s the case,” Jones said. “... It’s important to get the word out there and make people feel welcome because when you get to express yourself like that, it’s just so important.”
Killmer initially thought all she wanted to with theater was to perform. Now, she’s considering directing, teaching or writing. Having seen the other side of the craft, it’s inspired her to make new choices in her acting and to take new leaps.
FPC is lucky to have a variety of extracurriculars, she added. They provide students with an outlet and opportunities to get outside of their comfort zones.
“Our school would not be as amazing as it is without every single aspect, and that definitely includes theater,” Killmer said.
FPC Theater’s next production will be “Wizard of Oz,” to run May 15-17. There will be a 7 p.m. show on all dates, and a 2 p.m.
on May 17.
YOUR TOWN
Local youth invited to audition to sing on stage with Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez
Broadway powerhouse Mandy Gonzalez will perform in concert on Thursday, March 13, at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, and aspiring young singers will have the opportunity to audition for a chance to sing with her during her performance. Gonzalez is known for her electrifying performances in “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” and “Wicked.” Singers, aged 10 to 18, are invited to audition at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center auditorium, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast. If interested, RSVP at info@flaglerauditorium.org
Selected singers will also participate in a vocal workshop with the Broadway star on March 14. Singers planning to audition are asked to prepare a one-minute song of their choice that showcases their vocal ability and stage presence. Tickets for Gonzalez’s performance can be purchased at www. flaglerentertainment.com
Provision Pack’s Black and White Gala launches new endowment fund
Provision Packs held its inaugural Black and White Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach on Jan. 22.
The evening united over 200 attendees — community leaders, philanthropists and advocates — for a night dedicated to fighting childhood food insecurity. In addition to exceeding fundraising goals, the event also marked the launch of the Lightnin Legacy Endowment Fund, an initiative designed to provide sustainable support for students in need, according to a press release. The endowment is named in honor of Juanita “Lightnin” Epton, Daytona International Speedway’s longest-tenured employee. The endowment fund will provide sustained financial resources to expand Provision Pack’s reach.
Provision Packs, a nonprofit based in Ormond Beach, also recognized the following individuals and organizations:
Advocate of the Year: Shea Williams, executive director of Michelle and Group, for her leadership in recruiting donors to support Provision Pack’s mission.
Partner of the Year: Brittani Preschel, CEO of D2 Advertising, for her donation of services to amplify awareness and outreach.
“It’s soul feeding. I can get through that day knowing I’m just going to see them and get to watch them grow — and not only grow, but literally take charge of a project.”
KELLY RIVERA, FPC drama teacher
Golden Apple Award: Larry and Andrea Frank, local philanthropists, for their investment in Provision Pack’s mission and their role in launching the endowment.
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival to bring over 45 songwriters to town on April 30 to May 4
This year’s Palm Coast Songwriters Festival will bring over 45 hit songwriters to town from April 30 to May 4.
The festival lineup is composed of Nashville songwriters whose work has topped the charts and been performed by some of the biggest names in music, according to a press release. These include Jeffrey Steele, known for Rascal Flatt’s “What Hurts the Most” ; Jessi Alexander, known for Luke Comb’s “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” ; and Chris DeStefano, known for Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water.”
On Wednesday, April 30, celebrate the grand reopening of the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater with a special charity kick-off show from 5-9 p.m., headlined by Michael Ray, recording artist and songwriter with hits like “Think a Little Less,” “Her World or Mine,” and “Whiskey and Rain.” The concert benefits the Flagler County Education Foundation, supporting scholarships for DSC.
For a complete lineup of events and tickets, visit www.PalmCoastSongwritersFestival.com.
matinee
Alik Evensen, as Superman, and Makena Lukasik perform in “Superheroes.”
DeErra Jones performs in “Superheroes.”
The cast of “Historically Accurate,” a show written and directed by Marley Beams and Lorelei Killmer (front row). Courtesy photo
Lola Bell performs in “Superheroes.” Photos by Jarleene Almenas
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
FELIPE LOPEZ & STACI SWIDER EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Join OMAM in celebrating the opening of a new exhibition in the main galleries, featuring sculptures by Felipe Lopez and collage works by Staci Swider. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Free admission.
NINTH ANNUAL FRESH BOOK FILM FESTIVAL
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S Nova Rd, Daytona Beach
Details: See short film “The Signature” and feature film “Meet the Snows” at this year’s FRESH Book Film Festival. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. The screening will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit freshbookfestivals.net.
ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING When: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Attend the February meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. Activities will be planned to support Josh Weil in the Congressional District 6 special general election on April 1. Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education will present a panel discussion on the latest in book banning. Like-minded guests are welcome to attend. Club information can be found at ormondbeachdems.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
SONGWRITER’S SHOWCASE
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Hosseini Center, Day-
tona State College, 1200 W.
International Speedway Blvd.,
Daytona Beach
Details: The Daytona State College Foundation will host an evening of music and storytelling with Nashville songwriters Wendell Mobley and Lee Thomas Miller. Tickets cost $125 and include the show, dinner and complimentary beverages. Proceeds will support DSC student scholarships and programs. Visit https://bit.ly/DSCF_SongwritersShowcase.
1964 THE TRIBUTE
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
Details: See this Beatles tribute featuring Mark Benson as John Lennon, Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Doug Couture as George Harrison and Joseph Bologna as Ringo Starr. Tickets start at $54. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
TICKET TO THE MOON
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: See this Electric Light Orchestra tribute band perform. The band has worked with artists and groups including Jennifer Lopez, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli and Earth Wind & Fire. Tickets cost $55-$60. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
FLAGLER FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK AND BAKE SALE
When: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast
Details: Fiction, nonfiction, children’s and young adult books will be for sale, as well as puzzles, videos and more. Free admission.
PERMACULTURE — THE HOME FOOD FOREST
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Re-
gional Public Library auditorium, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower will present this free workshop. Brower, a farmer based in DeLeon Springs, has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. This is part of the ReGrow the Loop program.
10TH ANNUAL FLAGLER COUNTY NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23
Where: Princess Place Preserve, 2500 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast Details: Attend this year’s festival and enjoy trading booths, wildlife exhibits, children’s activities, arts and crafts, food and refreshments. There will also be a Luck of the Draw dance, encampment and displays. General admission costs $10, and $5 for veterans and children 5-12 years old. Kids under 5 are free.
FOURTH ANNUAL MERMAIDS & PIRATES & SEAFOOD
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell Details: Attend this festival featuring mermaids, pirates, vendors, artists, local businesses, entertainment, music and food trucks. Dress up in your best pirate garb or mermaid attire. Free admission.
HEALTHIER. WEALTHIER. WISER. SEMINAR
SATURDAY
When: 11:15 a.m.
Where: South Ormond
Neighborhood Center, 176 Division Ave., Ormond Beach
Details: This month’s theme is “Connecting Health and Happiness, women’s health care.” There will be panel discussions on wellness and self care, mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Complimentary health screening, lunch and resources.
16TH ANNUAL RACE OF THE RUNWAY 5K
When: 4-6 p.m.
Where: Flagler Executive Airport, 201 Airport Road, Palm Coast
Details: The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach is presenting its 16th Race of the Runways, a 5K where participants run or walk along illuminated airport runways under the searchlight of a circling helicopter. Participants are encouraged to wear glow-in-the-dark or light-up clothing and accessories. No glow sticks. Race costs $40 in advance or $45 the day of the race for adults; and $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race for children 12 and under.
Visit https://runsignup.com/ Race/EventsPalmCoast/5KR aceofTheRunways.
TRIPLEDEUCE ART SHOW
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Tennis Center, 38 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Attend this art show featuring Kelley BatsonHoward, Denise Corley, Maria Daas, Tom Fitzgibbon, Stacey Fletcher and Alexandra Franchella. Show curated by Maria Daas. There will be refreshments and games. Free.
SUNDAY, FEB. 23
PALM COAST BIBLE
CHURCH CAR SHOW When: 2-5 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Bible Church, 94 Whiteview Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Attend this “Show & Shine” car show. Free entry. Six trophies to be awarded. There will be a bake sale, children’s activities, a worship band, Elvis tribute performer, free food and door prizes. All donations help send children to church camp.
EXPLORE BULOW WOODS
NATURE WALK When: 2-4 p.m.
Where: Bulow Woods Hiking Trail, Walter Boardman Lane, Ormond Beach
Details: Join Tomoka Basin Parks Ranger Mark Adams for a nature walk at Bulow Woods. Event is hosted by Dream Green Volusia. Comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle are recommended. Meet at Bulow Woods hiking trail on Walter Boardman Lane, and park at the trail. This is a ReGrow the Loop event.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26
ARTWAVE When: 3:30-5 p.m. Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada
Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: This new art workshop is designed for ages 11-14, guided by Youth Curator Diamond Johnson. Workshop costs $16 for members; $19 for non-members. Visit ormondartmuseum.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 28
ACOUSTIC JAM When: 2-5 p.m.
Where: Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Campra Road, Palm Coast
Details: Do you sing or play an acoustic stringed instrument? Come jam with neighbors. No amplifiers. Free. Held every fourth Friday of the month.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
SPRINGFEST
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Joanne B. King Park, 300 Citrus St., Bunnell Details: SpringFest 2025 will feature local vendors, familyfriendly activities, live entertainment and food. There will also be a pet parade. Free.
ORMOND ART WALK When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.
NEFJA’S ‘SPEAKEASY’ When: 4-7 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway Northeast, Palm Coast
Details: The North East Florida Jazz Association presents “Speakeasy” featuring Amy Alysia Quartet in concert. Listen to jazz and R&B.; Wear your beads and glitter. Bring your own beverage. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets cost $35. Deadline to purchase is Feb. 25. Visit nefja.org.
SOLITARY MAN: A NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE When: 7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: Experience the music of Neil Diamond live with David Jericko, a tribute artist backed by The Crew, a band that’s played with industry legends. Tickets cost $35. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.
ON EXHIBIT A, ATTACHED HERETO AND FULLY INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF CITY BOUNDARIES TO CONTRACT THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM THE CITY BOUNDARIES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS, SEVERABILITY, AND 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
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AdventHealth to construct ER on U.S. 1 in Ormond
The hospital wants to build a 14,500 squarefoot emergency department in the North U.S. 1 corridor.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
AdventHealth is proposing the construction of an offsite emergency department on North U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.
Engineering consultants representing the hospital system met with Ormond Beach’s Site Plan Review Committee on Feb. 5, to discuss plans to construct a 14,500-squarefoot emergency department with a helipad at 1561 N. U.S 1, a property located on the northwest corner of the highway and Rosemary Street, next to the U.S. 1 and I-95 interchange. The one-story emergency department would have 12 beds, though no overnight stays will take place.
“Growing with our communities is a core priority for AdventHealth,” the hospital said in a statement to the Observer. “As we explore opportunities to create new access points to health care services, we often examine properties in various markets for a multitude of opportunities, both for the short term and long term.”
During the SPRC meeting, Jennifer Stickler, with engineering consultant KimleyHorn, said the off-site emergency department would provide residents with emer-
gency medical care beyond what an urgent care facility is able to do. If patients need further evaluation or treatment after being stabilized, they will be transported to a nearby hospital.
“It’s simply that in-between to get that emergency care closer to the neighborhoods and closer to areas where people would need that in a quick manner,” Stickler said.
For some residents in the north peninsula, the proposed off-site emergency department will provide an option for emergency medical care closer to home. Currently, the nearest emergency department for those residents is AdventHealth Daytona Beach. Residents have voiced a need for a new emergency department, particularly on the beachside, since the closure and demolition of Florida Hospital Oceanside in 2018 (Adventist Health System changed its name from Florida Hospital to AdventHealth in 2019).
According to the Volusia County Property Appraiser, AdventHealth Daytona Beach purchased the vacant 2.47 acre parcel on Jan. 6, for $2.375 million. The property used to be a truck stop, with a Mobil gas station and a Wendy’s. The building was in a blighted state for over a decade and demolished in 2022.
The emergency department is an allowed use under the property’s B-7 Highway Tourist Commercial zoning.
AdventHealth is proposing two road access connections to Rosemary Street, with the entrance facing North U.S. 1.
BIZ BUZZ
AdventHealth Palm Coast shares one team member’s story of growth
When John Read joined AdventHealth as a 20-year-old college student helping patients through the admitting process, he had no idea how this decision would propel his career.
Ten years later, he is a leader at AdventHealth Palm Coast, serves as a mentor and has returned to school to become a nurse.
Read, 31, of Palm Coast, is an example of how AdventHealth supports its team members to grow, thrive and achieve their dreams.
“AdventHealth has guided me and helped me build an incredible and fulfilling career while also obtaining my education,” he said. “This is a place where people are invested in and encouraged to grow.”
Read’s journey began in patient access as an admitting representative. Encouraged to apply for this role by a colleague at his retail job, he immediately fell in love with the culture at AdventHealth.
“I felt like my opinion mattered and that motivated me to grow and contribute in meaningful ways,” he said. With the help of Adven-
tHealth’s tuition reimbursement program, Read earned both a bachelor’s degree from Daytona State College and a master’s degree in business management with a focus on health care from Western Governors University — all without any student debt.
Outside of work, Read mentors youth in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, helping kids build confidence and discipline — values he also applies when leading his team at AdventHealth.
“Whether it is coaching athletes on the mat or team members at work, it is all about growth and transformation,” he said.
Governor appoints two to Halifax Health board
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Andrew Lupoli and reappointment of Glenn Ritchey Sr. to the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners on Friday, Feb. 14.
Governor appoints four to DSC board
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Nellie Lupoli and reappointed Randy Dye, Lloyd Freckleton and Robert Lloyd to the Daytona State College District Board of Trustees on Friday, Feb. 14.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Lifestyle Realty Group adds new real estate agent
Lifestyle Realty Group welcomes real estate agent Crystal Cottle to its growing Ormond Beach brokerage. She is a seasoned agent that enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two daughters, a press release
states, adding that “she loves the process of helping her clients achieve their dreams.”
PRC Alliance adds new physician
Dr. Neil Nagda joined PRC Alliance on Aug. 1, 2024. He practices at the locations in Palm Coast, (21 Hospital Dr., Suite 120) and Daytona (1671 N. Clyde Morris Blvd. Suite 100).
Nagda is a double board-certified interventional pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist at PRC. With expertise in interventional procedures including kyphoplasty, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion and minimally invasive lumbar decompression, he provides individualized care to address patients’ unique sources of pain.
Nagda is a member of the North American Neuromodulation Society, American Society of Anesthesiologists and American Society of Regional Anesthesia. He has presented novel work at multiple conferences including the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, American Society of Anesthesiologist Annual Meet-
ing and American Society of Regional Anesthesia.
The Bike Men of Flagler County has grand opening for new shop
The Bike Men of Flagler County held a grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 13, for their new shop at the Atlantis Business Plaza, 2323 N. State St., Unit 100, in Bunnell.
The Bike Men of Flagler County repairs and donates bicycles to people in need of transportation through more than 30 partner organizations. It previously shared space in the same plaza with Our Father’s Table, a meal program for people
John Read. Courtesy photo
The Bike Men of Flagler County volunteers at the grand opening celebration at their new shop: Joe Golan, Marc Catoggio (behind the grill), Paul Wiederholt, John Carbone, Phil Lear, Steve Bingle and Sean Gear. Photo by Brent Woronoff
YOUR TOWN
CLASH Endurance holds half marathon at Speedway
With a 7:15 a.m. start at Daytona International Speedway, approximately 1,100 athletes took their mark for the half marathon or 5K running events at CLASH Daytona on Feb. 8.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood welcomed and cheered on participants ranging in age from 6 to 82 with 37 states and seven countries represented.
Participants who raced the 13.1-mile course could compete in a team relay format with one or two other competitors. Awards and a finish line celebration took place at One Daytona.
“Congratulations to another unforgettable half marathon and 5K this morning past some of our most famous landmarks,” Chitwood said. “What a privilege to host so many runners who come from all over to take part in this unique experience. Thank you for bringing your passion and excitement to Volusia County.” Emmy-award winning reporter Molly Reed of WKMG was among the racers, in addition to professional Flat Track racers James Rispoli, Ryan Wells and Briar Bauman.
Liz Lopez and her daughter, Summer who was injured in a car accident, competed to raise awareness for safe driving.
Ormond Beach Historical Society to host exhibit at Anderson-Price
The American Revolution Experience pop-up exhibition is opening at the AndersonPrice Memorial Building in Ormond Beach on George Washington’s birthday, Saturday, Feb. 22.
The exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation, according to a press release by the Ormond Beach Historical Society. Created through a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the exhibit is also made possible by generous matching funds from the National Park Services American Battlefield Protection Program grants. The free exhibit will run through March 3, and it will be open to the public daily. The Ormond Beach Historical Society is among
the libraries, historical societies and museums that will host the American Revolution Experience in 2025. A longer-term mounting of the exhibit will remain at DAR’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In support of the exhibit, the historical society is planning a number of events, including programs on Florida’s role in the Revolutionary War, reenactors portraying George and Martha Washington and Alexander Hamilton, a Washington’s Birthday Party, and a Tea Party. The Capt. James Ormond Chapter of DAR and the DaytonaOrmond Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution are assisting.
Visit ormondhistory.org for a complete list of events.
Southern Recreation Center receives LEED Gold certification
The Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its design and construction. This marks the first building in Flagler County to receive this prestigious ranking. The Southern Recreation Center achieved all 64 points during the review process, underscoring the city’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
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CLASH Endurance held its half marathon and 5K runs on Feb. 8. Photo courtesy of CLASH Endurance/Jonny Nomad
Flagler Palm Coast’s girls wrestlers all win district championships for
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Winning the team title was not Flagler Palm Coast’s goal at the District 4 girls wrestling championships. The Bulldogs’ goal was for all nine wrestlers to win individual titles. They all did. As a result, the team title was a foregone conclusion.
“We never talked once about winning a district tournament,” FPC coach David Bossardet said after the host Bulldogs dominated the tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12. “At FPC, it’s an expectation to win the district tournament. And I’m not saying that to knock on our competition, but you talk about winning state titles, and that’s kind of where our mind is.”
The Bulldogs don’t need to set team goals, they say, because if they all reach individual goals, team rewards will take care of themselves.
“Once I win state, I’ll be helping our team win state,” said Mariah Mills, who is one of five FPC wrestlers who have previously won a state title. “If everyone does their job, (winning the team championship) will definitely happen.”
The Bulldogs placed second at the girls state championships last year with just four wrestlers qualifying. This year, they are a prohibitive favorite with all nine wrestlers having a good chance to advance out of the regional tournament Feb. 22 at Gainesville Buchholz.
“The goal here was to get through to the next weekend at Buchholz,”
Bossardet said. “And that’s the goal next weekend, to get through and make the state tournament. You want to put yourself in the best position for the following week, because that’s how they do seeding at the region and state tournaments based off your place in your district, your region.”
The Bulldogs won district with 223 points. Lake Mary was a distant second with 119 points with Oviedo (117) and Winter Springs (116.5) right on the Rams’ heels. Matanzas placed fifth out of 21 teams with 87 points. Seabreeze was 14th with 18 points, and Mainland was 17th with six points.
FPC’s district champions, all of whom will be moving on to the regional, are: freshman Juliana Mills (100 pounds), junior Joslyn Johnson (105), senior Mariah Mills (110), senior Christina Borgmann (130), senior Ana Vilar (135), sophomore Alisha Vilar (140), senior Tiana Fries (145), junior Alexa Calidonio (155) and senior Kendall Bibla (170).
Johnson, Mariah Mills and Borgmann won state championships last year, while Bibla won as a sophomore and Fries won as a freshman. Mills, Fries and Bibla won their titles when they were with Matanzas.
The Bulldogs celebrated their four seniors at the district tournament, holding their senior night recognition before the championship and consolation finals.
“It makes everything more realistic,” Mariah Mills said. “This is my last state run. All these girls, we’re back together for our senior run. Now we’ve got to win states.”
PAIR OF PIRATES WIN TITLES
Two Matanzas wrestlers won district titles — Cardy Michel at 120 pounds and Ani Brown at 190 pounds — while the Pirates’ Brianna Durry at 235 pounds also qualified for region with a runner-up finish.
Michel, a junior, was down 8-0 in the final against Raegan Hatch of Deltona. Michel took an injury timeout and came back to pin Hatch at 4:17.
“I was really dizzy. I couldn’t see, and everything was spinning,”
“At FPC, it’s an expectation to win the district tournament. And I’m not saying that to knock on our competition, but you talk about winning state titles, and that’s kind of where our mind is.”
BOSSARDET, FPC wrestling coach
Michel said. “I was like, ‘I need a second to calm down.’”
She said she felt better by the end of the injury time.
“Once she got calmed down from the injury, she got back to her normal self,” Matanzas coach Dennis Kitko said. “I’m proud of the way she came back.”
Michel said she knew she would have to make her moves late in the match.
“(Hatch) is a really good wrestler, and she is very strong,” Michel said. “She came out really heavy, so I knew if I rode her out — and I waited until almost the last period — she would get really tired, and I got the takedown and I pinned her, so I’m really proud of myself for that.”
Brown, a senior, is looking to make her third trip to state. She placed seventh last year.
“Ani is wrestling great right now,” Kitko said. “She has tons of confidence. If she stays healthy, she’ll finish pretty high on the podium.”
Brown was a first-year wrestler when she qualified for state as a sophomore. Now she feels like she has the experience to contend for a state title.
“My first year going to state was really fun,” she said. “I’d never done the sport before, so going to state to me was like, ‘I don’t know what this is.’ Now, this is my third year, I want first (place). That’s my goal, nothing less.”
‘STAY FOCUSED, AND STAY WRESTLING’
Seabreeze senior Sofia James advanced in her first season on the wrestling team. She placed third at 170 pounds with three pins. Mainland’s Eva Rojas placed sixth in the weight class. Bibla won the weight class with three pins, all in under 48
seconds. Calidonio was down 11-0 at one point in the 155-pound title match against Zaria Slater of Lake Mary, but while still down 11-4 she pinned Slater at 3:54.
“Alexa stayed focused, and I like how she wrestled back,” Bossardet said. “(Slater is)a girl we’re going to have to see again though, so we better be ready to go. She beat (Calidonio) about a month and a half ago. She’s very explosive, and good on her feet. The later in the match we get with her, the more I like our chances. Alexa’s pretty tough on top. She wore on (Slater) on top. We almost got a turn, but that call didn’t go our way, and then (Calidonio) got back on (her) feet, and hit an ankle pick to (Slater’s) back. And that’s one thing we talk about — no matter what the score is, stay focused and stay wrestling, because anything can happen, and Alexa proved that tonight.”
Johnson started with a bye and wrestled two matches, recording pins in 1:11 and 2:16. It was her first competition against female wrestlers since the Knockout Christmas Classic on Dec. 21.
“I was hoping to get on and off the mat faster, get a little bit faster pins,” she said. “Wrestling against the boys helps. I have to try to be on my ‘A’ game, and it showed me I’ve got to get a little bit stronger over the summer.”
Johnson expects to wrestle Gulf Breeze’s Camdyn Elliott at region and again at state. They have already wrestled seven times with Johnson winning four of the matches, including a 4-3 decision in last year’s 100-pound state final.
“We’ve been going back and forth,” Johnson said. “This would be her turn (to win). But I’m trying to win them both, to win it all. That’s the goal.”
Lopez’s Baliton wins two more state titles
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Father Lopez senior Begyn Baliton won two state weightlifting championships to give her a total of four state titles over her remarkable high school career, and Flagler Palm Coast’s Nya Williams placed second and fourth in the two-day state tournament Feb. 14-15 in Lakeland. Baliton, who is from Ormond Beach, dominated the 110-pound classification in the Class 1A championships, winning the Olympic competition (snatch and clean and jerk) by 40 pounds with a 280-pound total and the traditional (clean and jerk and bench press) by 35 pounds with a 295-pound total.
Last year, she placed first in Olympic and was runner-up in traditional. In 2023, Baliton won the 101-pound Olympic title and placed third in traditional.
“Bergyn has been a dedicated student athlete over the last four years,” Father Lopez weightlifting coach Leroy Fisher said. “She has trusted the process of training; learning to push when she should and to tone back when she needs to. She has a deep faith that has been instilled by her parents. That shows in her support of competitors and teammates.” Seabreeze senior Sofia James also reached the podium with a fourthplace finish in the 169-pound traditional competition in the Class 2A championships. The senior also placed fourth last year. But she lifted 20 more pounds this year with a 370-pound total. James also finished ninth in the Olympic competition this year with a 310-pound total. Williams, a sophomore, was the lightest lifter among 119-pounders in the Class 3A championships, weighing in at 111.6 pounds, so she was guaranteed to win in any tie, and she tied in both competitions, winning the tiebreakers by body weight.
Williams hit on eight of her nine lifts, totaling 320 pounds in Olympic to take the runner-up spot and also reaching the podium with a fourthplace medal in traditional with a 315-pound total. As a freshman last year, Williams placed fifth in Olympic at 110 pounds. Among other state qualifiers, FPC senior Madeline Brinker placed 11th in Olympic 101 pounds with a 195-pound total in the Class 3A championships, while Matanzas senior Ryann Parkinson placed 19th in the Class 3A 101-pound traditional with a 185-pound total.
Seabreeze’s Madison James was 11th in Olympic at 101 pounds in Class 2A with a 200-pound total. Father Lopez’s Alexa Galvedon placed eighth in Class 1A at 110 pounds traditional with a 280-pound total and 12th in Olympic with a 250-pound total. And Victoria Viera of Father Lopez placed 17th in traditional at 119 pounds (235 pounds total) and 19th in Olympic (235 total).
Father Lopez’s Bergyn Baliton won two more state weightlifting championships to give her a total four in three years. Courtesy photo
FPC’s Joslyn Johnson won the 105-pound district title.
Ana Vilar wrestles Addison Antonowicz of Sanford Seminole in the 135-pound semifinals. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Mariah Mills is honored with her family — sister Juliana, brother Jayden and parents Abe and Rachel — on FPC’s Girls Wrestling Senior Night.
DAVID
Matanzas district champs Cardy Michel and Ani Brown.
Kendall Bibla is honored on FPC’s Girls Wrestling Senior Night.
SIDE LINES
Young Pirates suffering growth pains early in baseball season
Matanzas has a young baseball team with five sophomores and a freshman in the starting lineup. Fortunately, it’s long season with room for growth. But through four games, it may already feel like a long season. The Pirates began the season with four losses. They’ve given up an average of 10 runs a game.
“We were behind in almost every count (in an 11-0 loss to Tocoi Creek on Feb. 13),” Matanzas coach Jim Perry said. “But Seth Avellar had good velocity and his breaking ball was pretty good. And Dios Cruz has been pretty effective so far. But across the board we have to increase our strike-to-ball ratios.”
Flagler Palm Coast was 1-1 a with a 7-3 win over Deltona Trinity Christian and a 4-3 loss to New Smyrna Beach. Nole Hemmerle had three hits and two RBIs against NSB. Logan Shudy went 2 for 3 with a double. Seabreeze is 1-1-1 after a 3-2 win in nine innings against Trinity Christian on Feb. 18. Mainland is 2-2 and scoring an average of 10 runs a game.
James competes in weightlifting and wrestling, and she’s successful in both
As soon as Seabreeze High School
senior Sofia James qualified on Feb. 12 for the regional wrestling championships, she texted her weightlifting coach, Tarisa Craig-Craggy, to tell her the news. Not that there was a big hurry. James was going to see CraigCraggy the next morning anyway — on the way to the state weightlifting championships.
James placed third at the District 4 wrestling tournament at Flagler Palm Coast, and then, two days later, placed fourth in her weight class for the second year in a row at the Class 2A state weightlifting championships in Lakeland.
At district wrestling, she suffered her first loss of the season in the 170-pound semifinals, as she was pinned by 2023 state champ Kendall Bibla. James followed that with two pins of her own in the consolation bracket.
“It’s a busy week, yeah,” she said between her wrestling matches. “But I get time off from school, and I get to do what I love. I don’t see any downsides.”
This is her first year as a wrestler, though she has done jiu jitsu before, she said. When weightlifting season was starting, Seabreeze wrestling coach Paul Shuler asked her if she would like to try wrestling too — in the same season. A few weeks later, James took him up on his offer.
“The weight room’s next door to the wrestling room, so I talked to her at the beginning of her weightlifting season and she came in a few weeks of wrestling starting,” Shuler said. “She’s a natural as far as picking up on technique and skill. She’s definitely an athlete.”
She was disappointed in her performance at the state weightlifting meet, though she won a fourth-place medal at 169 pound for the second year in a row in the traditional competition and also finished among the top 10 in the Olympic competition.
“She was proud of what she’s accomplished this season,” CraigCraggy said. “She wanted to hit lifts that she didn’t hit, but she was very
proud to get on the podium.”
James has been doubling up on training for the past few months, each day going from weightlifting practice to wrestling practice.
“Both of my coaches are amazing and so supportive,” she said. “I’m more competitive in weightlifting. Wrestling is definitely hard training, I’m leaving there sweaty and tired, but I’m having a lot of fun with it. I’m learning new things. Being bad at something, and seeing yourself become better, that’s my favorite.”
The state championships would be her final weightlifting competition, she said. Now, she wants to pursue wrestling in college. She hopes to earn a spot on the women’s team at the University of Central Florida, where she plans to major in aerospace engineering.
“She so badly wants to be a collegiate athlete,” Craig-Craggy said. “She has the determination. When she puts her mind to something, there’s no stopping that girl.”
“She so badly wants to be a collegiate athlete. She has the determination. When she puts her mind to something, there’s no stopping that girl.”
TARISA CRAIG-CRAGGY
Seabreeze girls weightlifting coach
But first James wants to accomplish something that probably no female has done in Florida, qualify for the state championships in both weightlifting and wrestling in the same season.
“She’s a rockstar,” Craig-Craggy said. “She’s been competing in two very physical sports at the same time. I told her, ‘you need be proud of yourself.’”
Seabreeze wins flag football opener against Matanzas
Seabreeze sophomore Rani Gupta threw two touchdown passes in her first varsity game to help lead the Sandcrabs to a 26-6 victory at Matanzas on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in both teams’ season opener.
“Rani Gupta will be our next star, I think,” Seabreeze coach Todd Barnes said.
Camryn Chiumento caught both touchdown passes as the Sandcrabs took a 13-0 halftime lead. Annabel Thistle added two touchdown runs in the second half.
Matanzas senior Aaliyah Jones-Boney ran for touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Pirates marched down the field after trailing 26-0. Jones-Boney, who played most of the game at slot receiver, took over at quarterback on the drive.
“We were trying to give our freshman, Yadielis Morales, some reps at quarterback,” Matanzas coach Phillip Haire said. “We wanted to see how she looks against Seabreeze, because Seabreeze is always good.”
The Sandcrabs travel to FPC on Thursday, Feb. 20. Matanzas returns home on Feb. 25 against Taylor.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Seabreeze’s Sofia James placed third at the district wrestling tournament to advance to regionals. Two days later she placed fourth in her weight class at the state weightlifting championships. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Seabreeze's Natalia Monde (right) attempts to pull Yadielis Morales' flag. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE OF RULE MAKING BY THE GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO STORMWATER RULES A public hearing will be conducted by the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (“District”) on March 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Creekside Amenity Building, 2 N. Village Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to address proposed amendments to the District’s Chapter VI rules governing the District’s surface water management systems, drainage easements, and encroachment on Districtowned property. Specific legal authority for the rule includes Sections 190.011(5), 190.012(3), 120.54 and 120.81, Florida Statutes (2022). Any person who wishes to provide the District with a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative as provided by section 120.541(1), F.S., must do so in writing within twenty-one (21) days after publication of this notice. The public hearing may be continued to a date, time and place to be specified on the record at the hearing. If anyone chooses to appeal any decision of the District’s Board with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person is required to have a verbatim record of the proceedings including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based and should ensure that such a record is made accordingly. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager at the address and number below. A copy of the proposed rule may be obtained by contacting the District Manager at 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, FL 32746, (321) 263-0132 ext. 193, or by email at dmcinnes@dpfgmc. com. Feb. 20 25-00040F
to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 2, Page 41, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida, together with a portion of Alabama Avenue, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Dallas Street, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Georgia Avenue, a 25 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Montgomery Street, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Tampa Street, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Syracuse Street (excluding those portions previously vacated through Resolution No. 88-65), a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Tampa Street, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Texas Avenue, a right-of-way of variable width, a portion of West Dixie, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, a portion of Wyoming Avenue, a 50 foot wide right-of-way, and an unnamed roadway running North to South adjacent to the East boundary of Blocks 14, 15, and 16, a 15 foot wide right-of-way, all as shown on said Fleetwood Terrace, Unit No. 1
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION 48 File # 2025 CP 34 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ALPHONE P. FRALLICCIARDI Deceased. The administration of the Estate of Alphonse P. Frallicciardi, Deceased, whose date of death was May 7, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.
INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW
Pursuant to F.S. §865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of TheStoryRibbon, located at 9 Old Kings Road #1016, in the City of Palm Coast, County of Flagler, State of FL, 32137, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
Dated this 17 of February, 2025. PLATINUM PEN, LLC 9 Old Kings Road #1016 Palm Coast, FL 32137 Feb. 20 25-00053F
line N 89° 14’ 31” E along the westerly extension of the northerly line of said Lot 12, Block A, 310.90 feet; thence N 17° 18’ 16” W, 690.36 feet; thence N 01° 07’ 55” W, 235.10 feet; thence S 89° 19’ 05” W, 280.00 feet; thence N 01° 07’ 55” W, 425.00 feet to the North line of said Section 8; thence S 89° 19’ 05” W along said North line, 152.45 feet to the West line of Lot 10, Block D, said Section 5, said Bunnell Development Company Subdivision; thence N 01° 02’ 20” W along the West line of said Lot 10, Block D and along the West line of Lot 3, Block D, said Section 5, said Bunnell Development Company Subdivision, a distance of 2338.83 feet to the North line of Lot 3, said Block D; thence N 89° 18’ 57” E along the North line of said Lot 3 and Lot 2, said Block D, a distance of 1328.19 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 5, Block C, said Section 4, said Bunnell Development Company Subdivision; thence N 89° 33’ 19” E along the North line of said Lot 5, Block C, a distance of 668.21 feet to the East line of said Lot 5, Block C; thence S 02° 54’ 51” E along the East line of said Lot 5, Block C, a distance of 660.00 feet to the South line of said Lot 5, Block C; thence S 89° 33’ 49” W along the South line of said Lot 5, Block C, a distance of 666.05 feet to the East line of said Section 5; thence S 03° 06’ 06” E along the East line of said Section 5, a distance of 1680.93 feet to the Point of Beginning. Being the same lands as described in that certain Property Information Report issued by Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, File #24084945, dated October 18, 2024. Said petition to vacate the lands and rights-of-way herein described shall be heard by the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners at its regular scheduled meeting on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the Board Chambers at 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida. All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing and be heard. Anyone wishing to express their opinion may attend, telephone 386-313-4009, or write to: Flagler County Planning and Zoning Department, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, Bunnell, FL 32110, or email to planningdept@flaglercounty.gov. Copies of the petition, supporting documents, staff reports and other pertinent information are available for review at the Flagler County Planning and Zoning Department, 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida 32110, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 286.0105, IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT, FOR SUCH PURPOSE, HE OR SHE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PERSONS NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING SHOULD CONTACT (386) 313-4001 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING. Feb. 20/27 25-00037F
All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate on whom a copy of this Notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The first publication of this notice is February 20, 2025. Anthony Frallicciardi, Personal Representative, Jl. Prof. Drg. Surya Sumantri No. 61, Sukawarma, Kec. Sukajadi, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40164, Indonesia /s/ Stacy Geiger STACY GEIGER, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 0015711 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone stacygeigeresq@yahoo.com andreaburnsesq@gmail.com February 20, 27, 2025 25-00045G
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a/k/a William L. Smith, deceased, whose date of death was January 21, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice
