Palm Coast Observer 5-11-23

District champs

Photos

Photos by

Marcella Warner Emma Swearingen

CITY WATCH

City Council approves budget priorities

The Palm Coast City Council has finalized its priorities for the next fiscal year.

The City Council approved the new priorities list unanimously during a May 2 meeting.

City staff will present the council with a budget breakdown for those priorities on June 27, Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnston told the council.

There will be several presentations as part of the budgeting process.

BY THE NUMBERS

Important upcoming dates in the City Council’s budgeting process include:

May 23 — The council will hear fund accounting and revenue restriction presentations for several departments, including public works and stormwater management.

Countywide celebration planned for July 4

July 18 — The City Council will adopt the maximum millage rate.

July 11-25 — The council will hold a workshop on the general fund and proprietary funds, including water and wastewater utility and stormwater.

Aug. 8 — Staff will give presentations on internal services, capital funds and all other funds.

Aug. 29 — The council will hear its final budget presentation.

All of Flagler County’s residents are invited to celebrate July Fourth at the United Flagler 4th Community Celebration.

The day-long celebration will feature several events, including a parade and fireworks show, according to a press release from the city of Palm Coast.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

City approves agreement with Radiance CDD

The Palm Coast City Council has approved an agreement with Radiance Community Development District.

The interlocal agreement gives the CDD — located along the west side of southern Old Kings Road — the right to design, issue bids for and construct water and pump infrastructure.

The City Council approved the agreement unanimously at a May 2 meeting.

The city already has an agreement with the Florida Governmental Utility Authority for pipe and water service.

The new agreement transfers the city’s responsibilities under the FGUA agreement to Radiance, City Attorney Neysa Borkert said. Radiance will be required to abide by the requirements laid out in the agreement between FGUA and the city.

The city will work with Radiance during the construction, and, alongside FGUA, will pay a portion of the infrastructure costs.

The city-funded portion totals $1.1 million and is provided for in the city’s fiveyear capital plan. The council approved the amount at the May 2 meeting.

On May 23, the City Council will hear a presentation on fund accounting and revenue restrictions, while another presentation will give an overview of the utility, public works and stormwater departments.

On June 13, the City Council will hear a presentation on the city’s property taxes and the Truth in Millage report, also known as the TRIM report. The TRIM report states the maximum millage amount that the City Council can levee for the next fiscal year.

The council’s priorities are divided into four “pillars”: strong resilient economy, safe and reliable services, civic engagement, and sustainable environment and infrastructure.

These pillars and the priority items that fall under them are intended to guide the City Council during the budgeting process from year to year.

STRONG RESILIENT ECONOMY

This pillar directs staff and the City Council to find ways to diversify and support the city’s economy.

The council has added three new priority items, modified four and moved two to operations.

The new priorities are:

„ Staff to conduct an analysis of commercial solid waste hauling.

„ Mill age rate should be revenueneutral for taxpayers.

„ Conduct analysis of new and untapped revenue sources to help lessen reliance on residential property taxes.

The City Council asked staff to modify the priority for developing economic opportunity tools by looking at incentives to draw business and ways to decrease red tape for new local businesses.

June 13 — Staff will give a presentation on property taxes and the Truth in Millage report.

SAFE AND RELIABLE SERVICES

The safe and reliable services pillar focuses on maintaining uninterrupted and quality services. There are five fiscal year 2024 priorities under this umbrella. One is to continue ensuring that the Maintenance and Operations Complex is a top facility project and stays on schedule.

The other four priorities are new:

„ Identify local recreation demands to balance the need of regional activity centers.

„ Continue to focus on residential safety and conduct a comprehensive approach to neighborhood safety. This priority includes working with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and looking at options for lowering speed limits and adding speedtracking devices.

„ Seek opportunities for the Community Center to help relieve parking pressures through approaches that include evaluating parking options at the historic Fire Station 22.

„ Evaluate hiring a dedicated grant writer or contracted consultant for the city to identify and secure the multitude of grants from federal and state agencies.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

This pillar only has two priority items, both geared toward encouraging public participation.

In the last year, staff marked one item — identifying potential locations to name after former Mayor Jon Netts — as complete. Another item — redesigning the blue and white

Sept. 7 and 20 — At meetings on these dates, the council will adopt the millage rate and budget.

neighborhood signs in the city — was removed because the City Council felt it should not be a priority during fiscally stringent times.

The two priorities for fiscal year

2024 are:

„ Create an opportunity for residents to participate in town hallstyle meetings. Evaluate options for in-person and virtual formats.

„ Encourage residents to learn more about their community and our history.

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

This priority focuses on future sustainable infrastructure. Funding for the city’s roadways and stormwater departments falls under different parts of the budgeting process, and is not included in the Strategic Action Plan priorities.

Two of the previous priorities from fiscal year 2023 have been completed, including conducting a solar feasibility study for current and future facilities and encouraging city lobbyists to push the Florida Department of Transportation to include the Old Kings Road widening project in FDOT’s five-year work plan.

The two remaining priorities for the next fiscal year are:

„ Collaborate with Florida Power and Light and community partners to provide electric vehicle fastcharging stations in multiple locations in the city.

„ Develop a plan for maintenance of the city’s saltwater canals.

It will be hosted jointly by all of the county’s municipalities — Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Beverly Beach and Marineland — alongside the Flagler County government.

“This is what a community celebration should look like,” Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin said. “This is a unique opportunity for everyone in our city and our community to unite and commemorate our great nation’s history and celebrate our freedoms together.”

The day will start at 10 a.m. with a Stars and Stripes parade hosted by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. The parade will begin at North 6th Street and go to South 6th Street along State Road A1A. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., DJ Vern from Surf 97.3 FM will provide music and entertainment at Veteran Park in Flagler Beach.

The fireworks show will be held at the Flagler Executive Airport at 201 Airport Road. Gates will open at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., officials will read the Declaration of Independence, with the fireworks display following at 9 p.m.

The events have free parking, entry and participation. Parking will be available on Fin Way off Belle Terre Parkway South. Overflow parking will be at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Residents who park in overflow will need to walk about half a mile from FPC to the airport entrance.

1 Florida Park Dr. N, Suite 104, Palm Coast, FL 32137

PHONE: 386-447-9723

WEBSITE: www.ObserverLocalNews.com

TO EMAIL US

Email press releases, announcements and Letters to the Editor to: Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

TO ADVERTISE

Display Advertising: To obtain information, call 386-447-9723 or email advertising@observerlocalnews.com

Classified Advertising / Marketplace: Call 386.447.9723, email redpages@observerlocalnews.com or place your ad online, classifieds@observerlocalnews.com

TO SUBSCRIBE

To subscribe: Please call 386.447.9723, email subscribe@observerlocalnews.com or visit observerlocalnews.com/subscribe

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

AUDITOR INFORMATION

Circulation Verification Council

12166 Old Big Bend Road Suite 210 | Kirkwood, MO 63122 Phone: (314) 966-7711 | www.cvcaudit.com

INDICTED

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Nine people have been indicted in a crosscountry drug trafficking investigation spanning from Arizona to Flagler County.

Eight of the nine arrestees are from Flagler County, and five have been charged with drug trafficking conspiracy. The investigation — called Operation: Ice Man — began with Volusia County’s Investigative team in early 2022 and involved six agencies, including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, over 15 months.

“This is the largest drug trafficking investigation in the history of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Operation: Ice Man is proof that while you

“This is the largest drug trafficking investigation in the history of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.”

might not see it, or know what we are doing, we are always working to get to the top tier of the drug trafficking organizations.”

Staly held a joint press conference at the FCSO’s Operations Center May 8 with Sherri Onks, special agent in charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jacksonville field office; and Roger B. Handberg, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Agents seized fentanyl, cocaine and meth during their investigation, Handberg said. Those are the first, second and third-leading drugs in drug-caused deaths in Florida.

“Investigators estimate that this drug trafficking organization has shipped over 300 kilograms of drugs into Flagler County and Volusia County since 2021,” Handberg said. “But not any longer.”

On Oct. 31, law enforcement agents served warrants at six locations in Palm Coast, Bunnell and Daytona Beach, seizing 98 pounds of meth and 6 pounds of cocaine.

One man’s home in Bunnell also contained nine guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, Staly said.

The drugs have a street value of $2.9 million, he said.

The indictments were for two men from Phoenix, Arizona; two people

FCSO works with FBI, DEA to arrest high-level, cross-country drug trafficking suspects.

from Palm Coast, one person from Green Cove Springs and three family members from Bunnell.

The Flagler County arrestees were 55-year-old Tryone James Jones and 20-year-old Zara Adriana Mascarella, of Palm Coast; and 48-year-old Alfred Lamar Shavers, 23-year-old Camarie Dontre Shavers and 26-year-old Alfred Lamar Shavers Jr., of Bunnell. All six were arrested May 5-6 and identified as drug distributors in Central Florida, Staly said.

“A father and his two sons,” Staly said of the Shavers. “Obviously, the poison-peddler apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

The FCSO coordinated with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the DeLand Police Department and the Daytona Police Department on the case.

The agencies were investigating an organization trafficking narcotics from Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California to Central Florida, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.

The organization used commercial trucks to ship the drugs from Mexico to the United States, Handberg said.

The Green Cove Springs man — Jimmie Lee Bizzell, 53 — was one

of the commercial truck drivers, according to the press release.

On April 25, the two Arizona men — Luis Miguel Hernandez, 36, and Saul Sandoval, 39 — were arrested.

Sandoval was arrested in Phoenix.

Officers found 2.46 pounds of fentanyl pills, 18 firearms, four firearm suppressors and more than $5,000 in cash in his home.

“These pills had a street value of over $600,000, and the potential of killing 670,000 people,” Staly said.

Hernandez was arrested in Los Angeles during a drug trafficking deal for almost 80 pounds of meth, Handberg said.

Hernandez, Sandoval, Jones, Mascarella, Bizzell and Alfred Shavers Sr. could all face life in prison, according to the press release. Shavers’ two sons face up to 40 years in prison.

The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation, according to the press release. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Gardella.

The case is still under investigation, Handberg said.

“Today proves that our team and our partners are relentless in getting drug traffickers, at all levels, off the street,” Staly said. “These cases take time, but we are all relentless.”

BY THE NUMBERS

9

the number of people indicted as a result of the investigation. Eight have been arrested; five were from Flagler County

15

the number of months

the investigation has been ongoing

6 pounds

the amount of cocaine seized in Palm Coast, Bunnell and Daytona Beach on Oct. 31

98 pounds

the amount of meth seized in Palm Coast, Bunnell and Daytona Beach on Oct. 31

$2.9 million

the street value of the 98 pounds of meth and 6 pounds of cocaine

2.46 pounds

the amount of fentanyl pills found in the home of suspect Saul Sandoval.

$600,000

the street value of the fentanyl pills

300 kilograms

the amount of drugs this criminal organization is estimated to have shipped into Flagler and Volusia counties since 2021

Wadsworth Principal Paul Peacock placed on administrative leave

The former district chief operations officer had filed a grievance and threatened to sue the school district.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Wadsworth Elementary Principal and former Flagler Schools Chief Operations Officer Paul Peacock, who filed a grievance against the school district last December, has been placed on administrative leave.

A letter delivered to Peacock on Monday, May 8, informed him that he was being placed on administrative leave with pay “pending the final resolution of the current investigation being conducted by the outside law firm at the direction of the School Board.”

The letter was signed by LaShakia Moore, the district’s assistant superintendent for academic services.

The Observer emailed district officials requesting information on the nature of the investigation.

School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin responded that she could not comment because it is a personnel matter.

“It’s something that will need to go before the board, so I really can’t comment,” she added.

Peacock also declined to comment.

He filed a grievance last December seeking $7,500 he said was owed to him in his former role as a district chief negotiator with the unions.

The dispute had hinged on whether a stipend for the role was based on the calendar year or the fiscal year.

The grievance went all the way to the School Board, which agreed with the district’s position that the stipend was paid by the fiscal year, and that Peacock had already received it.

But Peacock also sent the School Board a notice to sue based on what he called a demotion from his district position as chief operations officer, his termination as a district negotiator, and School Board member Colleen Conklin’s emails and texts to Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt concerning Peacock’s role in forging a tentative agreement with

the teacher and support unions on a health insurance rebate for staff members.

Peacock had approved the tentative agreement before the School Board discussed the rebate. When the board later resisted the rebate, union members accused the district of reneging on the agreement. Peacock obtained Conklin’s emails and texts through a public records request.

In one text, Conklin had called Peacock “an idiot.” Her text went on to say, “Our emails are blowing up and social media is a mess.”

The board ultimately approved the rebate. Peacock was reassigned to Wadsworth in June. He has said that he has received positive district reviews for his performance as the school’s principal.

The letter informing Peacock of his administrative leave said that during the leave, “You are not to discuss this matter or any other school related business with any colleagues, parents or students.”

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly speaks at a joint press conference alongside Sherri Onks, special agent in charge at the FBI’s Jacksonville office; Roger B. Handberg, the United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida; and Marcus Anderson, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA’s Orlando office.

Photo by Sierra Williams

Principal Paul Peacock

RICK STALY, Flagler County sheriff

AdventHealth Palm Coast partners with JU for nursing program

The Dedicated Education Unit pairs a Jacksonville University nursing student with an AdventHealth nurse for weekly 12-hour shifts.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When AdventHealth Palm Coast nurse Aimelys Berrios was a nursing student, she decided to work in a hospital as a nurse tech to gain hands-on experience.

Now, Berrios is a nurse mentor in the hospital’s new Dedicated Education Unit in partnership with Jacksonville University’s accelerated nursing degree program.

The DEU pairs one nurse, known as a preceptor, with one student from JU’s Palm Coast campus. The students work an entire 12-hour hospital shift once a week with their preceptors, and they stay with the same nurse throughout the yearlong program.

“This is a big difference from traditional programs,” said Mary Brady, the chief nursing officer of AdventHealth Palm Coast. “They come in and actually work a full shift. They have that same preceptor week after week after week, and they go from initially shadowing that preceptor to carrying a full caseload of patients with the preceptor overseeing them.”

It’s a step forward from the traditional training program, Brady said, in which students come in for shorter periods of time, and the training focuses on specific skills.

“They don’t get the whole experience of what it’s like to be that nurse for an entire shift,” Brady said.

Berrios can see the difference from when she was a nursing student, even with her nurse tech experience.

“This is a great way for them to see time management and how things are done throughout a 12-hour shift versus just a few hours on the floor, like when I was a nursing student,” she said.

When something unexpected

It’s been really wonderful to have that same person every single week with her learning what my competencies are and growing those skills alongside her.”

ERIKA BARTRAM, JU nursing student

comes up, the student learns how to handle it, Berrios said.

“They actually follow my patients and what is happening with them, what things they can look out for,” Berrios said. “And then also be there when the doctors (are making rounds) and actually listen in and figure out what the plan of care is for the patient.”

JU nursing student Erika Bartram has been working with AdventHealth Palm Coast nurse Dawn Evans for about five weeks now.

Bartram said when she was entering the program, she didn’t know she’d be partnered with one nurse for the entire program.

“It’s been really wonderful to have that same person every single week with her learning what my competencies are and growing those skills alongside her,” Bartram said. “I’ve really enjoyed every single week that I’ve gotten to come here.”

Jacksonville University started the accelerated nursing program in 2021 in response to the nationwide nursing shortage accentuated by the pandemic.

The program expanded to Palm Coast in January of this year with 10 students. All of the students in the accelerated program are required to have a bachelor’s degree as well as complete prerequisite courses in microbiology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry and statistics.

Bartram has a background in child psychology and worked in a children’s hospital for four and half years.

“This is my second degree,” she said. “There’s obviously been a really big attrition in nursing fields through

the pandemic. And I saw that firsthand. I think it’s a really important time to go into nursing. So, I felt the need to change careers.”

Brady said the DEU is already popular with the students as well as their mentors.

“I talked to quite a few of the students, and they were just glowing. They’re loving it,” Brady said. “The preceptors are really enjoying it because they typically just get a student for a few hours and check their work. But in this case, they feel like they’re really growing that next generation that’s coming in.”

Bartram said the hands-on experience is giving her the confidence that she will be ready to be a full-time nurse when she graduates in a few short months.

“Accelerated programs, I think,

HAPPY NURSES WEEK

are becoming more available,” she said. “I think it’s really, wonderful to be able to put our nurses into the workforce faster, but to be able to give them enough skills and experience to safely put them into the work force faster.

“I’m really fortunate to be able to join a program that has kind of figured out a way to give us both classroom experience and clinical skills quickly to be able to fill the need for nurses in the local area.”

Brady said AdventHealth is in better shape with its nursing staff than some hospitals in other parts of the country.

“We currently have no agency nurses working for us, so we are doing well with our hiring,” she said.

The new AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway hospital, which is slated to

open in early August, is almost fully staffed, Brady said. With all of the preceptors staying at the current hospital, there are no plans to expand the DEU to the Parkway hospital.

“But there’s no reason we can’t do it at Parkway,” she said.

The graduates of the program will have a head start when they join the workforce, Brady said.

“They’re getting that great benefit of critical thinking, prioritizing, organizing their days. And that’s something that we spend 12 weeks training when we get a new grad nurse on the floor,” Brady said.

“But this group of nurses will have such an advantage, because they’re getting this as part of the DEU, so it is a fabulous program.”

Courtesy photo

Erika Bartram works a 12-hour shift once a week with her preceptor, Dawn Evans, at AdventHealth Palm Coast.

The American Nurses Association is celebrating national nurses week , which began on May 6 and will run through May 12.

FDOT, Sheriff’s Office promote bicycle safety

May is National Bicycle Month, and FDOT is reminding drivers to watch out for cyclists.

ABBIE PACE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Transportation held a press conference on Monday, May 1, to promote bicycle safety. May is National Bicycle Month. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, an avid bicyclist, has been in more than one crash while biking.

“I think if there’s anybody who can talk about bike safety, it would be me,“ Chitwood said. “I’ve been run over twice in the past couple years.”

There were 1,147 crashes

BRIEFS

Diesel spill shuts down SR 100; cause unknown

A diesel spill temporarily closed down State Road 100 from the Publix by Roberts Road to the new pedestrian bridge on May 8. The spill was reported at 7:21 a.m. and both lanes were reopened by 9:50 a.m. The spill was contained to the outside, westbound lane

involving bicyclists in Central Florida in 2021, according to a news release from FDOT. Of those, 37 crashes resulted in a bicyclist fatality; 1,070 bicyclists sustained injuries. Though traffic crash statistics from 2022 have not been finalized, FDOT stated, initial data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles showed about a 9% increase in bicyclist fatalities on Central Florida roads.

More than 40% of traffic crashes in Florida involving bicyclists happen at intersections, according to FDOT. The news conference highlighted the importance of looking both ways, and, when in doubt, looking twice. FDOT noted that motorists must give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing them.

“Bicyclists have the same rights on the road as drivers, and the only way we’re going to improve bicycle safety is by making sure everyone understands that,” FDOT Safety Administrator Loreen Bobo said. Although it is legal to bike on roads, the many trails in Volusia County offer a more secluded ride among nature. For instance, the Spring-toSpring Trail stretches from

and did not get into swales or the broader environment, according to Stephen Cox, the operations captain at the Flagler Beach Fire Department.

Cox said the department notified the Florida Department of Transportation, which sent a crew from Holly Hill to clean up the spill.

Most of the diesel was absorbed by the roadway.

The cause of the spill is still unknown, Cox said, but is most likely due to a leak from a vehicle driving on S.R. 100.

Gemini Springs to DeLeon Springs State Park.

“Volusia County trails provide a wide variety of opportunities for cyclists, as well as walkers and joggers,” said Tim Bailey, Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture director. “Our trails provide recreational opportunities that meet the needs of all people, regardless of age, economic status or physical ability.”

In Florida, more than 60% of bicycle fatalities take place at night. But night crashes can be avoided with proper lighting. Speakers at the news conference said it is crucial to avoid wearing dark clothing when biking at night. Reflective vests offer additional safety.

“Volusia County Public Works maintains over 1,000 miles of roadways in the county,” Volusia County Public Works Director Ben Bartlett said. “Our staff work hard to ensure that we maximize the safety of all the users from these roads, whether they are motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists.”

To learn more about bicycle safety, go to fdot.gov/agencyresources/bicyclesafety.

Photo by Abbie Pace Mike Chitwood

File photo Flagler County Fire Rescue

APRIL 26

5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE

4:26 p.m. — 100 block of Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast Disorderly intoxication. A deputy was called out to two disorderly conduct calls featuring the same man in under an hour.

The deputy was first called to a supermarket where employees said a man was running around the store yelling, according to the man’s arrest report. The man smelled of alcohol and told the deputy he would “probably blow a 0.2.”

The deputy trespassed the man from the store and escorted him from the premises. The man then stood at the edge of the parking lot and “screamed unintelligibly” for five minutes before leaving for a nearby gas station.

The same deputy was called to that gas station less than 30 minutes later because the same man was “yelling and screaming and throwing rocks at vehicles.”

The deputy arrested him.

APRIL 30

PUNCH DRUNK

12:12 a.m. — First block of Old Kings Road, Palm Coast Disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer. A Palm Coast woman was arrested

when her night out ended with her punching a deputy. Deputies were called to the local bowling alley when two women were seen grappling with each other, according to the woman’s arrest report. One of the women told deputies that there had not been a fight, and that she was just taking her intoxicated friend to the bathroom.

When they were on their way out, the drunk friend tried to punch a man she knew.

Her friend and a deputy tried to pull the woman off the man, and the woman punched the deputy when he tried to restrain her.

She was arrested and later taken to the county jail.

The man told deputies that the woman was mad at him for giving her friend a ride on his motorcycle.

MAY 1

MINING A SCAM

12:36 p.m. — First block of Coquina Point Drive, Ormond Beach Fraud. All that glitters is not gold. A 71-year-old Ormond Beach man discovered that the hard way when he was scammed out of over $50,000 by a so-called “Belgian miner.”

The man met the suspect in an online chat room a month prior, according to a police report.

The suspect convinced the man that the suspect was a miner who needed money to

send gold bars to America from Belgium.

The suspect sent the man a contract and photos of the alleged mining. The man sent him significant sums of money three times. The man wants to pursue charges if the suspect’s identity is discovered.

MAY 3

NEED FOR SPEED

12:14 p.m. — 200 block of South Atlantic Avenue, Ormond Beach DUI. A 72-year-old man from Georgia was arrested for drunk driving after a police officer spotted him going about 15 mph over the speed limit.

The man was swerving and striking the curb of the road prior to being stopped, according to a police report.

The man, who smelled of alcohol, immediately told the reporting officer that he had gotten caught in the sand and had to get home to use the restroom. He apologized for speeding.

As he waited for the man to hand over his vehicle’s registration, the officer saw the man move a bottle of what he later discovered was vodka from the passenger seat to the floor. When the officer asked to see the bottle, the man initially showed him a water bottle instead. He eventually handed over the bottle of vodka, but said he hadn’t drunk any of it that day.

The man failed sobriety exercises and was taken to jail.

For

Volusia School Board updates its book policy

Principals are not allowed to remove books from libraries, the board clarified.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

The Volusia County School Board voted 4-1 on Tuesday, May 9, to adopt amendments to the board’s policy on book selection, verbally clarifying that principals may not remove materials from library shelves.

One sentence among the amendments had caused concern among community members and media specialists, many of whom spoke at a March 28 meeting. The sentence, contained in the section titled “Responsibility for selection of materials,” states, “Upon review, a principal may direct the removal of material he/she deems in violation of

Florida law.”

But School Board Attorney

Kevin Pendley said that the language refers to principals consulting with media specialists during the selection process for print and nonprint materials — meaning principals could remove materials from a purchasing list. But if the book was already on a library’s shelf, it would have to go through the district’s challenging process.

School Board member Ruben Colon voted against the policy amendments, saying the sentence was unclear.

“A lot of times, perception is everything,” Colon said. “We wouldn’t be having this conversation if everybody understood that it was in that section. ... For me, it’s still very ambiguous, and I don’t think it provides the clarity that we intend it to, personally.”

Colon asked if words could be added to the sentence to clarify that the removal would happen during the purchasing

part of the process, but Pendley said “substantive change to the length of the text” would require the district to formally advertise the policy changes, which would delay their adoption.

School Board member Carl Persis also sought clarification, asking if legislative changes could bring the policy back to the board for more amendments in the near future. Pendley said no.

“I wish we would have spent as much time on discussing how to get children to read, or how to teach children to read, or how to encourage children to read as we have spent trying to figure out what books they shouldn’t read,” Persis said.

Board Chair Jamie Haynes said she was frustrated that misinformation has been circulating in the community. Some teachers have called her and asked why the district is removing Dr. Seuss, asking teachers to take down classroom libraries, or banning

them from talking about civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. None of those accusations are true, Haynes said. She added that a year ago, she “naively” believed school libraries didn’t carry a single book that contained sexually explicit material.

“I do believe if you as a parent want your child to read sexually explicit material, you have that right,” Haynes said. “But you have the right where you can oversee and make that selection. I believe having unfettered access to children, who are not adults yet, and without their parents knowing what they have access to — that’s why there are laws.”

The only changes made to the policy, Haynes said, are to ensure the district is in compliance with Florida law. The policy now specifies that materials selected must be in compliance with state statutes and details the composition of a book review committee.

County backtracks on discussion to vet library books

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

The Volusia County Council is reversing its decision to discuss the public library system’s book challenge process, per a unanimous vote on Tuesday, May 2. The council had voted on April 18 to hold a future discussion about “inappropriate materials” in the chil -

dren’s sections of libraries.

But County Councilman Don Dempsey, who made that motion at the April 18 meeting, said on May 2 that he had just been concerned about the Volusia County Library Advisory Board’s scope of duty when the council had discussed appointments to the board.

He’s since been informed that the advisory board

doesn’t make decisions on vetting books, and that there have been no complaints about books on library shelves.

Dempsey said on May 2 that he wasn’t interested in getting into “book banning.”

“I don’t want to create a fear with the public,” he said. “... I know we voted unanimously to look at this, but I don’t think any of us intended to create any type of scenario.

We just wanted to see how the library was running.”

While the council will not hold a discussion on the county’s book challenge process, it will still hold a discussion about the Library Advisory Board.

County Councilman Jake Johansson said he is interested in eliminating the board because he wants to have “less government.”

Businessman Randy Dye to run for County Council chair

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Former race car driver and longtime Volusia County businessman Randy Dye is running for Volusia County Council chair in 2024.

Dye, who filed to run on May 4, lives in DeLand and owns two auto dealerships — Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Maserati Alfa Romeo of Daytona. As one who has been involved with organizations and civic boards for about 20 years, he said, he views elected leadership as an extension of community service.

“I think our community has obvious assets and they

deserve protecting, and they have some challenges,” said Dye, 62. “Being here for a long time and seeing how that’s worked, all of the experience I’ve gained along the way, I think that we line up together pretty well, honestly.”

A Volusia County resident since 1982, Dye is a trustee and past president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties, a trustee at the Museum of Arts and Sciences and member and past chair of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors. He is also a board member of the CEO Business Alliance, Team Volusia’s executive committee and the

LOCATED DIRECTLY ABUTTING COUNTY ROAD 200 AND FAVORETTA ROAD IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM FLAGLER COUNTY “MH-1, RURAL MOBILE HOME” TO CITY OF BUNNELL “AG, AGRICULTURE”; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINSTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in

48-business hours prior to the meeting.

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

thropist

(AG)”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR ASSIGNMENT OF THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SERVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ACTS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CODE CODIFIER AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Photo by Jonny Nomad Media Randy Dye

BRIEFS

Man dies in single-car crash in Palm Coast Landing parking lot

A 57-year-old man died in a singlecar crash in the Palm Coast Landing shopping plaza on May 5.

The crash happened at 12:08 p.m. in the shopping plaza’s parking lot. No one else was injured.

The man’s sedan was going east in the parking lot when it ran off the roadway, hitting a curb, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The sedan then hit a stop sign.

The man, from Crescent City, was taken to AdventHealth Medical Center in Palm Coast. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the report.

The FHP is still investigating.

Palm Coast man, 57, dies in motorcycle crash

A 57-year-old Palm Coast motorcyclist died in a crash in Putnam County on May 3.

The crash happened at 8:30 p.m. on State Road 20 east of County Road 20A, according to an incident report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle east on S.R. 20 when he crossed the centerline into the westbound lanes, according to the report.

The motorcycle hit a pickup truck on the truck’s driver side and overturned. The motorcyclist was thrown from the motorcycle, which came to a stop in a lane that was closed for construction, according to the report.

The pickup truck came to a stop in the westbound lanes. Its two occupants were not injured.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet that did not meet Department of Transportation requirements, according to the FHP report.

SUV hits dump truck, no major injuries

An SUV collided with a dump truck early in the morning on May 3 in

west Flagler County. The crash happened at 7:55 a.m. on County Road 304.

The dump truck driver was the only one injured, according to the report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The SUV was going east on C.R. 304 when it crossed the centerline.

The dump truck was heading west, and the SUV hit the truck’s front left wheel, according to the report.

The SUV came to a stop on the eastbound shoulder while the truck overturned on its right side and slid across the eastbound lane, off the roadway and into the grass.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office temporarily shut down C.R. 304 for several hours following the crash, according to the FCSO’s Twitter page. The road was reopened just after 11 a.m.

Volusia County Council confirms new EMS director

since December 2018, including three years as community information director.

Before joining the county government, Captain was a registered nurse, field EMT and paramedic.

He was previously the trauma program manager at Halifax Health and the emergency department manager at AdventHealth-Daytona Beach. He also served in various emergency care roles in Wisconsin.

As EMS director, Captain will oversee an ambulance system that handles nearly 80,000 calls and more than 60,000 transports annually.

He also will manage the system’s $44.2 million budget and supervise more than 250 EMS employees.

John Bailey named Volusia County IT director

tions. He was previously director of information technology and network administrator for National University College from 2010 to 2019.

Bailey has also served as an adjunct IT professor for Florida Technical College and assistant regional IT manager for Pomeroy IT Solutions.

He has a master’s degree in information technology management from Western Governors University and holds nine IT certifications from Microsoft, Cisco and other organizations.

Bobbie King to head Volusia’s Transit Services Division

CRIME REPORT

Sex offender arrested after allegedly waving rifle around in public

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man who was allegedly waving a rifle around as he walked along an open road in the Mondex area on May 4.

Manuel Almeida, 72, was arrested on multiple charges, including openly carrying a firearm and discharging a firearm in public.

Almeida was also charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon: He was convicted of burglary and sexual battery of a victim under 16 in 1997.

The May 4 incident began at around 8:30 a.m.

FCSO deputies responded to several calls about a man “swinging around” a rifle around as he walked along Mahogany Boulevard in Bunnell, according to a press release from the FCSO.

Volusia County’s ambulance transport system is under new leadership, and Community Information Director Kevin Captain is assuming a new role in county government.

Captain is bringing his background in pre-hospital, emergency and trauma care to Volusia County Emergency Medical Services.

The County Council unanimously confirmed him on Tuesday, May 2, as the county’s new EMS director.

Captain replaces former EMS Director Michael Colman, who stepped down in November 2022.

“I am truly honored by this opportunity and the faith and support that the county manager and County Council have placed in me,” Captain said, according to a news release.

Captain has been with the county

The Volusia County Council has approved the appointment of John Bailey as director of the county’s Information Technology Division.

Bailey replaces Brian Whiting, who will be retiring after 15 years with the division, according to a news release.

The division provides IT services to the Volusia County Council and county departments, as well as various IT services to county-elected offices and several outside agencies, including the Clerk of Court, Court Services, Judicial Services, and the State Attorney and Public Defender’s offices.

Bailey has served as the county’s assistant IT director, infrastructure manager and network services/ communications manager since 2019.

In that time, he managed a $5.3 million budget and led a 48-member team that supports critical infrastructure and enhances network security across more than 80 loca-

Bobbie King, a 25-year Volusia County government employee, will head the county’s new Transit Services Division.

The division oversees Votran’s administrative functions, including finance, grants, accounting, planning, marketing, outreach, routes, scheduling, purchases and contract management, according to a Volusia County news release.

First Transit, a transportation management firm based in Ohio, will continue to handle bus operation, customer service, maintenance, dispatch and safety.

King, a New Smyrna Beach resident, began her career working for Volusia County as a paralegal in the Sheriff’s Office in 1997.

She then served as an activity project manager for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Division from 2001 to 2014, overseeing environmental and outdoor recreation, the Volusia ECHO program and operations of maintenance and park facilities.

She joined the Public Protection Department in 2014 as activity project manager, assisting with key

The FCSO deputy first on the scene used the office’s Real Time Crime Center as a “virtual backup,” live-streaming the interaction to provide real-time updates until other deputies arrived, according to the press release.

Almeida did not cooperate with deputies.

He fired one shot into the air before running into nearby woods, according to the press release. Deputies de-escalated the situation and arrested him.

His gun was found in the woods with a shell casing jamming the rifle.

projects in the Corrections and Fire Rescue divisions and submitting successful grant awards.

Since 2020, she has served as the county’s operations manager for Votran.

Volusia County Council members approved her appointment unanimously during a May 2 meeting.

Kevin Captain

John Bailey

Bobbie King

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Development, real estate + business news

New owners to take over

Owners of Beachfront Grille and Anthony’s Pizzeria are partnering to run a restaurant at the county airport.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Two local restaurateurs are taking over the lease for the county-owned restaurant facility now known as High Jackers at the Flagler Executive Airport.

At a May 1 County Commission meeting, Flagler County commissioners approved the reassignment of the lease from current lessee Flagler Tailwinds, Inc., to Quantum Cowboys, LLC, owned by James Bourdeau and Joseph Wright.

Bourdeau already owns two restaurants in Flagler County: Beach Front Grille in Flagler Beach and Loopers Par and Grille, which opened in March

High Jackers

at the Palm Harbor Golf Club, replacing the Green Lion Café. Wright owns Anthony’s Pizzeria — which has one location in Palm Coast and another in St. Augustine — as well as a myriad of other businesses, including Quantum Electrical Contractors, Quantum Air Conditioning and Quantum Auto Repair.

The lease reassignment was part of the commission’s consent agenda, which was approved unanimously.

The commission’s approval is required for any subletting or reassignment of the lease. The new contract did not include information on potential changes to the restaurant.

“I know this is important for the airport,” Vice Chair Andy Dance said.

High Jackers has rented the location at the airport through the county since 2001. The restaurant’s grounds are 41,447 square feet, with the restaurant taking up approximately 5,200 square feet,

according to the 2021 lease renewal contract.

The county renewed its lease with Flagler Tailwinds

— owned by Flagler Beach residents Gail Holt and Richard Bancroft — in June 2021, for a monthly rate of $3,000, to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, and with alterations to the restaurant and grounds required at certain dates across the 10-year lease.

Quantum Cowboys will be assuming the lease as-is.

Just like the previous lessees, to renew the lease in 2031, Bourdeau and Wright must finish the required facility improvements, which totaled $165,000 on the original lease in 2021.

Bourdeau and Wright created Quantum Cowboys on Feb. 14, listing High Jackers’ Airport Road address as the company’s principal address.

“I know they’ll do a good job operating that restaurant,” Commission Donald O’Brien said.

Bourdeau’s Beach Front Grille, which opened in 2014, has averaged $2.25 million in sales annually, according to commission meeting documents. Wrights’ Anthony’s Pizzeria locations have brought in more than $10 million in revenue over the last seven years, according to the documents.

“I’m grateful to the new owners, because I know it’s a professional team,” Commission Chair Greg Hansen said. “I look forward to it, and I think it’s going to be a big step upward.”

BIZ BUZZ ADVENTHEALTH DAYTONA BEACH NAMES CMO

the team,” Sinclair said. “My passion for improving patient outcomes and advancing health care aligns perfectly with AdventHealth’s commitment to whole-person care. I look forward to working with the talented staff and physicians to improve the health and well-being of our patients and community.”

Sinclair fills the role that was previously held by Dr. Joe Smith.

SOLAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTS BUSINESS OWNER

AdventHealth Daytona Beach has named Dr. David Sinclair as chief medical officer, effective May 21.

Sinclair has 25 years of clinical experience as a physician, including 20 years in progressive leadership roles. He has spent nearly half of that time in chief clinical roles for large acute care systems.

Since 2020, Sinclair has served as the CMO at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs where he led the medical staff, helped launch a local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and oversaw the addition and expansion of numerous clinical programs.

Sinclair has served as the Patient Safety Officer for AdventHealth Central Florida Division – South since January 2022, leading the successful execution of the hospital-wide Quality Assurance Performance Improvement program and working closely with Quality Outcomes, Risk Management and Safe and High Reliability teams to ensure maintenance of an effective Quality Management System.

“AdventHealth Daytona Beach has a strong reputation for providing high-quality care, and I am honored to join

Solar-Fit founder and CEO Bill Gallagher was inducted this week into the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Hall of Fame at a recent FlaSEIA Solar Summit in Sarasota.

The award was presented for Gallagher’s contribution to the solar industry as previous president and current board member of the association, his work in Tallahassee to help teach legislators about the benefits of solar use for residents and business owners in Florida, and his continuing efforts to promote the use of renewable energy.

“I am proud and humbled to accept this lifetime achievement award on behalf of the entire Solar-Fit team,” Gallagher said. “Their individual and

collective dedication to helping our customers enjoy the benefits of solar is awe-inspiring, and watching them do what they love to do is just icing on the cake.”

The Holly Hill-based company will also celebrate its 48th anniversary in May.

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN OPENS

SECOND LOCATION

Elements of Design has opened a second location at One Daytona in Daytona Beach, according to Karen Holmay, proprietor of Elements of Design and Cates Lighting at Elements of Design.

“Our Ormond Beach location offers gifts, home decor and small accent furniture,” Holmay said, according to a news release. “Our new location at One Daytona carries lighting, furniture, home decor, and gifts.”

The new location is a master showroom with 6,500 square feet.

It is located in Suite B220 at One Daytona, on the corner across from Donnie’s Donuts.

Holmay originally opened Elements of Design on April 19, 2007, at 500 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach.

With the help of her team and support from customers, the business prospered and moved to a new location at 62 E. Granada Blvd. in April 2010, according to the news release.

Holmay bought Cates Lighting from Bob and Mary Cates in 2011 and moved the lighting showroom to the Granada location.

The public is invited to the store’s ribbon cutting from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 12. Light refreshments will be served. Visit shopelementsofdesign. com and cateslighting.com.

Photo by Sierra Williams High Jackers Restaurant has been at the airport for over 20 years.

Dr. David Sinclair

Photo courtesy of Daryl LaBello Solar-Fit founder and CEO Bill Gallagher.

Flagler Memorial Gardens to expand, adding hundreds of burial spaces

The Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home has opened Flagler Estates, an extension to the 100-yearold cemetery.

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Flagler Memorial Gardens cemetery is expanding for the first time in 100 years. The cemetery was originally established in 1923 as Hope Cemetery and is the final resting place of many Flagler County families. On May 5, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the addition of Flagler Estates, which will be on one section of an additional 6 acres of land.

Salvatore Passalaqua Jr., the funeral director for Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, said this cemetery is one of the oldest in the county and the only perpetual care cemetery in the area.

“This new expansion will allow us to introduce more custom private family estates, with personalized burial and cremation options,” Passalaqua said.

The new Flagler Estates has 333 burial spaces, including 32 private hedged estates, 180 raised monument lots, 120 flat bronze lots, 72 free-standing columbariums for cremated remains and the first private, free-standing, walk-in mausoleum.

“Our county is growing,” Passalaqua said, “and as it grows, so are we to meet the needs of our Flagler County families.”

The original cemetery is landlocked, Passalaqua said, with private land bordering one side and the Old Kings Elementary School along the other.

“We were running out of ground space,” Passalaqua said. “And the only other way to go is to build up, you know, build mausoleums. But we also needed to expand the actual grounds in the cemetery, too.”

The additional land was purchased

in 2017, but COVID-19 and the discovery of a gopher tortoise on the land delayed development.

Alan Whetsell, who retired as Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home’s general manager in January, said the expansion was a long time coming.

“This has been a vision of ours to expand in Flagler County for many years,” he said. There are three other cemeteries in Flagler County, Whetsell said, but none are perpetual care cemeteries. Florida law requires perpetual care cemeteries to have a care maintenance fund to maintain the cemetery for years to come, he said.

Whetsell said that Craig-Flagler had to bring in a cremation product because cremation rates in the county are somewhat high.

“People want to do something with the cremated remains rather than take them home and put them in a closet,” Whetsell said.

The newly opened Flagler Estates encompasses just over 2 of the 6 acres.

Passalaqua said the funeral home

will develop more of the acreage once Flagler Estates begins to fill up.

“We have enough to last quite a while,” he said. The funeral home is also undergoing a full renovation, Passalaqua said. It is adding a covered outdoor venue — complete with fireplace and ceiling fan — for families to gather during or after services.

“We’re renovating the funeral home so it’s not the typical funeral home anymore,” Passalaqua said. “We’re trying to make it more inviting — make it a little bit brighter, not darker, and more accommodating for families.”

Passalaqua said the funeral home is also expanding its services, now

TRIBUTES

Christine Strickland Deal

1925-2023

CHRISTINE (CHRIS) S.

DEAL, 98, entered the Kingdom of God on Sunday, April 30, 2023, and joined members of her loving family who have passed before her into paradise.

Chris was born on February 12, 1925 in Baxley, Georgia to Marcus C. Strickland, Sr., and Sadie Stone Strickland. She was the oldest of five children and grew up in Favoretta, Florida. Chris graduated from Bunnell High School and obtained her B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Chris majored in home economics and volunteered as a server in the University’s cafeteria. One day in the cafeteria line, with over 400 Army cadets behind him, a man named Don would not move the line forward until he secured Chris’ telephone number and address.

On this day, Chris met who would later become the love of her life, Donald L. Deal, Sr. Shortly following Don’s return from the WWII, he and Chris were married on October 15, 1946, a union that spanned 71 years until Don’s passing in 2017.

In the early days of their marriage, Chris taught elementary school. Later, Don and Chris started a family construction-related business together in South Flor-

ida. While Don ran the Sales Division, Chris managed the Office, Parts, and Service Divisions. During the 7 or 8 years they represented Universal Rock Crushers, their dealership was number one in world sales and received numerous awards.

The couple raised two children, Shyla and Don, Jr., and made their home in Miami. Together they instilled in their children the importance of helping others less fortunate as a way of daily life. While her children were growing up, Chris was a Children’s Sunday School Teacher for many years and worked tirelessly with children’s activities and special events. The three most important things in her life according to her children were God, family and helping others.

God: When Chris and Don retired to Flagler Beach in the early seventies, the first thing Chris did was seek out a church to attend. She decided on First Baptist Church of Bunnell and became an active member there. As Flagler County grew, Chris saw the need for a worship facility in the area of Korona which had the potential for the building of residential housing developments nearby. With the help of family members and other individuals in the community, this vision was realized in the early 2000s.

She and Don had previously donated approximately 18 acres of property for a new church site off Old Dixie Highway. They were founding members in what now stands as the Community

Baptist Church.

At Community Baptist “Miss Chris”, as she was lovingly called by the church members, continued activities with the children’s choir and special events. She was also the church organist. Prior to the completion of the new church, the Fire Station leaders in Korona were very gracious in allowing Chris to use their facilities to conduct activities for the children living in the area. Chris so appreciated their willingness to help.

Family: One of the most important things in Don and Chris’ lives was spending time with family.

They both loved family get-togethers of all kinds no matter where they were held. They cherished time at their lakehouse in Keystone Heights where they would have frequent parties for their extended family and friends. Having acquired the lakehouse when their children were small, the lake was a source of many wonderful summer memories while their children were growing up. One of Chris’ favorite things to do at the lake was making hand-churned ice cream. She followed in the tradition of the Strickland sweet-tooth. She also enjoyed picking wild blackberries around the lake with her children.

Helping Others: Chris’ daily calendar was filled with the names of those in need and exactly what was needed. She would spend hours each day calling on those people and making arrangements for provisions. Whether it was a meal for

those who were sick or bedridden, a ride to the doctor or to the church, she was there for them. She would help those who had fallen on hard times with clothes, home items, or whatever was needed.

Chris was known for her kindness, generosity and genuineness. She was a devoted wife, mother, motherin-law, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. One of her greatest pleasures in life was bringing happiness to others. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Wilda Hargett and Odell Clegg; brother, M.C. Strickland, Jr.; and her son-in-law, Dr. Fred E. Meece. She is survived by her brother Marvin Strickland (BettyJo); brother-inlaw, Frank Clegg; and her children, Shyla Deal Meece (Fred), Flagler Beach; and Donald L. Deal, Jr., (Terri), Flagler Beach; grandchildren: Wendy Meece Simp-

offering catering for services and life-story celebrations.

“We still do traditional funerals for those folks that are interested in that,” he said. “But we’re also kind of doing some things that are out of the box.” Whetsell said the expansion is a fulfillment of his dream when he came to the county 22 years ago. He said the expansion will serve not just the current residents, but the ones who move to Flagler County in the future.

“The county’s going to do nothing but continue to grow,” Whetsell said. “As it continues to grow, there’ll be more people putting their roots full time in the year. … This becomes home.”

son (Wayne), Cordova, TN, James Michael Meece, Bowling Green, KY, Cara Meece Karner (David), Palm Coast, and Matthew Donovan Deal (Ashley), Flagler Beach. Six great-grandchildren: Isaac and Abby Simpson, Desmond and Miles Meece, Mikayla and Dylan Karner, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Chris’ life will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Community Baptist Church, 956 Old Dixie Highway, Bunnell, Florida beginning at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the celebration, will be a graveside service at the Strickland Family Cemetery in Korona. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at the

Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, at 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, Florida - http://craigflaglerpalms. com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who wish to honor Chris’ life and memory may make a donation to any one of the following organizations whose work she valued: Village Partners International, 217 S. Matanzas Avenue, Tampa, FL 33609, www. villagepartnersinterational. org. Community Baptist Church, 956 S. Old Dixie Highway, Bunnell, Florida 32110. First Baptist Church of Flagler Beach, Post Office Box 839, Flagler Beach, FL 32136. The family requests noting on any donation “in remembrance of Christine S. Deal.”

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:

Saturday, May 13, 11AM Community Baptist Church 956 Old Dixie Highway Bunnell, Florida

One of her greatest pleasures in life was bringing happiness to others.

Photo by Sierra Williams

Salvatore Passalaqua Jr., the funeral director for Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, and Alan Whetsell, the funeral home’s retired general manager, cut a ribbon marking the opening of the cemetery’s new section.

“Our county is growing, and as it grows, so are we to meet the needs of our Flagler County families.”

SALVATORE

PASSALAQUA JR., funeral director, Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

LETTERS

Protecting American coot birds’ habitats is crucial

Dear Editor:

The American coot bird is a unique species that has been facing challenges in recent years.

These birds are known for their distinctive appearance, with black

YOUR TOWN

SECOND GRADERS FROM IMAGINE PICK UP LITTER FOR CLASS PROJECT

Second graders at Imagine School at Town Center picked up litter at Town Center’s Central Park as part of a service learning project on Wednesday, May 3.

Over 100 second graders participated in the field trip, setting out at 9 a.m. and returning to the school by 1 p.m. Five teachers and 10 chaperones escorted the students as they walked from the school to the park.

Second-grade teacher Danielle Starr wrote in an email to the Observer that the field trip supported a unit on responding to injustice and helping others. The students worked in groups and researched problems in the community and ways to help.

The groups planned out the projects, including materials. Cleaning up litter was the project presented the most frequently, she wrote.

“The students chose this project from an activity we did in class,” Starr said. “They wanted to show good citizenship and help clean up our community.”

A1A BYWAY RECEIVES 2023 AWARD FOR PARTNERSHIP

The A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway was awarded the 2023 Byway Organization Award for partnership in April.

The award is from the National Scenic Byway Foundation and is one of the Foundation’s eight annual, national awards, according to a press release from the foundation.

The A1A Byway was honored for hosting the Building Better Byways Conference in March 2022.

The Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway brought together representatives of Florida byways, state agencies, elected officials and national nonprofit and business partners, according to the press release.

The multi-day conference featured educational opportunities on

PETS UP FOR ADOPTION

The Flagler Humane Society is located at 1 Shelter Drive on U.S. 1 in Palm Coast. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adoption fees vary based on the animal, and the shelter has both dogs and cats up for adoption.

Anyone who is interested in adopting or has questions about the process can contact the Flagler Humane Society at 386-445-1814 or apply online at flaglerhumanesociety.org.

feathers, white bills and red eyes.

Unfortunately, their habitat is being destroyed due to human activities such as pollution and development.

Saving the American coot is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of wetlands and marshes.

Flagler County is just one of the places across the world where these birds play an essential role in.

They help maintain aquatic vegetation and provide food for

other animals. Without them, the ecosystem could collapse.

To save these birds, we need to take action by protecting their habitat from further destruction. This can be achieved through conservation efforts such as creating protected areas and implementing regulations on industrial activities that harm wetlands.

Additionally, educating people about the importance of these birds

can raise awareness and encourage individuals to act to protect them. Saving the American coot requires collective effort from everyone who cares about preserving our environment. By working together, we can ensure that these unique creatures continue to thrive for generations to come.

MALIK MURRAY Matanzas High School student

‘BEST PARTY IN TOWN’ ANTONIO AMARAL FOUNDATION PRESENTS $30,000

After a three year hiatus, the Antonio Amaral Foundation returned on April 23 to party and present 12 students of Portuguese descent with scholarships.

Over 800 people attended the event, including Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and Vice Mayor Ed Danko, County Commissioner Donald O’Brien and Sheriff Rick Staly. Singer Ze Amaro — known as the “Portuguese Cowboy” — even flew in from Portugal to entertain, ac-

cording to a press release from the foundation.

The party was a full celebration, according to the press release. Alfin presented Amaro with a key to the city of Palm Coast during the festivities. The students received a combined $30,000 in scholarships. The Antonio Amaral Foundation has provided 237 scholarships, totalling $386,500.

The scholarships ranged from

$2,000 to $3,500, except for two $500 scholarships to two students at Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School.

The 2023 scholarship winners are Trista Mendes from New Port Richey, Brittany Sebastião from North Lauderdale, and, from Palm Coast: Annalisa Pereira, Alexander Camacho, Briana Esteves, Destiny Gonçalves, Edwin Moncayo, Natalie Kehle, Emily Madalena, Liana Fernandes, Marissa Jesus and Raquel Torrão.

PALM COAST

that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

Circulation Coordinator, Draven Owens, dowens@observerlocalnews.com

SUBSCRIBE

The Palm Coast & Ormond Beach

Observers are published every Thursday. To subscribe for driveway delivery, visit www.observerlocalnews.com/subscribe, call 386-447-9723, or email subscribe@ observerlocalnews.com.

TO ADVERTISE

Call the office at 386-447-9723.

Locally Owned / Publishers of The Palm Coast Observer Palm Coast Observer, LLC P.O. Box 353850 Palm Coast, 32135

VETERAN OF THE WEEK

best practices for byway leaders to implement.

A highlight of the conference was the ribbon-cutting celebration for the A1A Byway’s 2021 All-American Road status designation by Florida Highway Administration, according to the press release.

The A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway is a 72-mile stretch of coastal corridor.

DEATH NOTICE

Annemarie Kohler of Palm Coast, Florida passed away on Wednesday, May 4. The celebration of life will be held at Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 18. A reception will follow. She will be laid to rest at St Mary’s Cemetery in Bunnell.

Lawrence “Larry” Rekart

 Branch of military: U.S. Army

 Dates of service: 1962-1972



The

Road

Treat is a 9-year-old female exotic shorthair cat.

Gator is a 5-year-old 70-pound catahoula hound mix.

Gloria is a 2-year-old terrier mix.

Rank/occupation: Staff Sergeant/Combat Medic and Recruiter  Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Larry Rekart was assigned to the 9th Logistical Command in Southeast Asia from 1963 to 1964. He married his wife, Patricia, in 1967, just before receiving orders to report to Vietnam, where he served as an advisor to the Vietnamese Army in the Mekong Delta. He and a handful of other soldiers lived with locals in an outpost south of Can Tho. Rekart was responsible for his teammates’ medical care, as well as training Vietnamese Army medics. Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Medical Badge. Following his honorable service, he worked in retail and raised three daughters with his wife, Patricia.

Photo courtesy of Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira

Palm Coast City Council member Ed Danko, singer Zé Amaro, Wendi O’Brien and County Commissioner Donald O’Brien, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, Sheriff Rick Staly and Tony and Carla Amaral.

The 2023 Antonio Amaral Foundation scholarship recipients

Photo courtesy of the National Scenic Byway Foundation.

A1A All-American

designation ribbon cutting in 2022

At the of our care

Happy Nurses Week

Our nurses bring health care to life, leading with extraordinary expertise and healing with a loving heart that provides comfort.

We thank them for living out our mission in such a personal and meaningful way.

YOUR NEIGHBORS Power chords

Among the 125 No. 1 hit songs performed by 35 songwriters at the annual Palm Coast Songwriters Festival last weekend, at least one brought festival founder Garry Lubi to tears.

Casey Beathard cowrote “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Ed Hill, and the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs in 2007.

When Beathard performed the song during the free kickoff show May 3 at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheatre, Lubi thanked Beathard personally. He said the song reminded him of the value of true friends — those who have supported him through recent health struggles.

“Everybody wants to slap your back, wants to shake your hand/ When you’re up on top of that

mountain,” the song goes, “But let one of those rocks give way, then you slide back down/ Look up and see who’s around then.”

Lubi has developed close friendships, as well, with many of the songwriters who have come to the festival since it started five years ago. Artists this year included Deana Carter, Darryl Worley, Ira Dean (formerly of Trick Pony), Matraca Berg, and Anthony Smith.

The festival supports charitable organizations including the Gold Star Mentors Foundation, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library/Early Learning Coalition for Flagler and Volusia Counties and the Daytona State College Foundation.

Visit www.palmcoastsongwritersfestival.com.

–BRIAN MCMILLAN

Left: Former DSC Dean Kent Ryan with Flagler Broadcasting President David Ayres

Right: Angie and Andy Churney have been the drivers for the artists for the past four years in Palm Coast.

Casey Beathard has written many hit songs, including “Boys of Fall,” “No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problem,” Hot Mama,” and “Why We Drink.”

Kix Country host Kandi Lowe and emcee Shawn Parr have some fun on stage with a Dolly Parton Imagination Library cutout. Parr has been nominated for National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, where Parton will also be performing. Parr’s show can be heard on 84 stations, including Kix 98.7.

Master Deputy Nancy Malheiros and Deputy Derek Logsdon

Casey Beathard and festival founder Garry Lubi

Elisa and Aurelio Sampaio, of Palm Coast

Tina Chalmers and Grace Chalmers

Photos by Brian McMillan

LOCAL EVENTS

TRIBUTES

Carmelo Juan Figueroa

FRIDAY, MAY 12

ANNUAL ARBOR DAY

MEMORIAL TREE

PLANTING CEREMONY

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Linear Park, 31 Greenway Court, Palm Coast

Carmelo Juan Figueroa, 93 of Palm Coast passed away April 28, 2023 at Orlando Health Dr. Phillips Hospital.

He was born March 30, 1930 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, a son of Pablo and Mercedes Figueroa.

At the age of four, Carmelo and his parents immigrated in Brooklyn New York. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy, where he proudly served for 5 years. Following his honorable discharge, he worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and also worked as a welder on the USS Nautilus.

Carmelo then went to work for the City of New York Transit Authority, where he worked for 37 years, retiring as a Deputy Superintendent.

After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Palm Coast. He enjoyed playing

Elizabeth

“Betty” (Gough)

Rhatigan

1936-2023

Elizabeth “Betty” (Gough) Rhatigan, 86, quietly passed away in her sleep early in the morning of April 26, 2023, in New Paltz, NY.

Betty was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, George Rhatigan, her siblings, Maureen (Gough) Bosnich and George Gough, and two of her beloved children, Robert and Richard Rhatigan. She is survived by her children and their families: Michael Rhatigan, Patricia (Rhatigan) Doran, Ellen Rhatigan Teatum, and Daniel Rhatigan; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was famously kind and generous of spirit, inspiring great affection in all those who knew her.

Betty was born in Staten Island, NY, to the late George and Helen (O’Brien) Gough, on June 7, 1936, and grew up in the Port Richmond neighborhood. She married George Rhatigan on June 14, 1958, and with him raised six children in Staten Island, before retiring together to Palm Coast, FL. Shortly after George passed in 2014, Betty returned to New York to live in the continuing care retirement community at Woodland Pond at New Paltz, near to her daughter, Patti.

A devout Christian, Betty volunteered a great deal of her time and her considerable energy to her commu-

tennis, handball, traveling, going to casinos, watching bull fighting, and most of all, bowling. His wife of 52 years, Marian Figueroa passed away in 2007.

He leaves three children, Mariana (John) Moore of Orlando, Carmelo (Maria-Cristina) Figueroa of Palm Coast and Antonio (Sulai) Figueroa of Orlando, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Family and friends were received Friday, May 5, 2023 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home, where services were held Saturday at 1:00 PM. Interment followed at Flagler Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.

Condolences may be sent to www.craigflaglerpalms. com

403667-1

Details: The Garden Club at Palm Coast will hold its annual Arbor Day Memorial Tree planting ceremony in memory of three members who died in 2022: Linda Thiele, Norma Rizzo and Donal March. A redbud tree will be planted and a memorial plaque placed in the members’ honor. Speakers will include Garden Club President Denise Garcia and Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst. All are invited to attend. For more information, email info@gardenclubatpalmcoast.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 13 13TH

ANNUAL MAYDAY

MEMORIAL SURF CLASSIC

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Flagler Beach Pier, 105 S. 2nd St., Flagler Beach

Details: This annual surf event is present-

ed by Halifax Health and aims to raise awareness of heart disease. It is held in memory of Dollie Sue Watson, a former ICU nurse who died of heart disease. The proceeds benefit Halifax Health’s Center for Cardiology Foundation. Visit facebook.com/maydaymemorial.

U-BOATS, SABOTEURS, AND ORANGE GROVES: FLORIDA IN WORLD WAR II

When: 9:30-11 a.m.

Where: AndersonPrice Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Ryan Lowery, owner of Patriot Preservation LLC, will discuss Florida’s role in World War II. The program is presented by the Ormond Beach Historical Society thanks to a Florida Humanities grant. Free.

MUM’S DAY CRAFTS

When: 11 a.m. to noon

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

Details: Head over to the EDC for a Mother’s Day themed craft event. Activity is recommended for ages 4-11. Space is limited. Call 386615-7081 to sign up.

FOURTH ANNUAL ORMOND BEACH BEER FEST

When: 12-5 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The Rotary Club of Ormond Beach will host its fourth annual Ormond Beach Beer Festival, featuring over 100 different beers from more than 35 breweries. Tastings will take place from 1-4 p.m. Tickets cost $35 in advance and $40 the day of the event. Visit ormondbeachbeerfestival.com.

Elaine M. Morgan 1932-2023

SUNDAY, MAY 14

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH 2023

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast

Details: Celebrate Mother’s Day at Hammock Beach Golf Resort. Tickets cost $85 for adults and $32 for children ages 4-6. Reservations are required. Call 386-246-5676 or email Christine Losagio at christine. losagio@hammockbeach.com by May 11.

MONDAY, MAY 15

NARFE LUNCHEON

When: 11:30 a.m.

Where: Houligan’s, 1643 U.S.

1, Ormond Beach

Details: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 2247 of Ormond Beach. The program will feature a financial adviser who will provide a market update. For more information, email billdenny105@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 16 FOOD TRUCK TUESDAY

When: 5-8 p.m.

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

Details: Enjoy a variety of foods from local food trucks as part of Food Truck Tuesday in Palm Coast, presented in partnership with the Palm Coast Observer

THURSDAY, MAY 18

SPRING BIRD WALKS WITH JOAN TAGUE

When: 8 a.m.

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

Details: Join Master Naturalist Joan Tague, of Halifax River Audubon, for a casual bird walk along the

trails in Central Park. Bring water. Walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended.

VOLUSIA-FLAGLER SIERRA CLUB SOCIAL GETTOGETHER

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Hidden Treasure Rose Bay Grill, 5993 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange

Details: Join the Volusia-Flagler Sierra Club for conversation, food, and drink at Hidden Treasure in Port Orange. Visit sierraclub.org/florida/ volusia-flagler.

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Attend the May meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. Social visiting and check-in will begin at 6:30 p.m. There will be updates for presentation and discussion to promote informed activism, such as voting registration and changes in election law. Like-minded nonmembers are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

ONGOING THE CASEMENTS CAMERA CLUB’S 10TH-ANNUAL SPRING EXHIBIT

When: May 10-24

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: Come out to The Casements to see the club’s annual spring exhibit, featuring both black and white images as well as colored photographs, and vote for your favorite. The image with the most votes will win a “public choice” ribbon. The Casements is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING BODY

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

nity in Staten Island, even while working part-time in the Office of Student Activities at the College of Staten Island. She helped to organize a folk group that provided music at St. Sylvester RC Church in Concord, and was involved for many years with the Lamb of God prayer group that gathered at Mount Manresa, the Jesuit retreat house in Fort Wadsworth.

After Betty and George moved to Palm Coast, already the home of many of their long-time friends, she continued to devote time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Flagler Beach, FL, alongside her participation with Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church. With more time to herself in Florida, Betty began to take painting classes, tapping into a love of art that too often fell by the wayside during those busy years of raising her family.

During the fifteen years she

lived in Palm Coast, Betty became a prolific painter of watercolors, creating a legacy to be shared with friends and family.

There will be a mass for Betty at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and mail it to Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 North Central Ave., Flagler Beach, FL 321360130.

MASS: Wednesday, June 7, 9AM Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic Church Flagler Beach

A tribute to Elaine, 90, as her walk on this earth has ceased (April 2023) but she lives on through the many lives she impacted.

Elaine was born in August 1932 and grew up in the northeast. She worked in the accounting industry she enjoyed while being married to the love of her life Jim (who predeceased her in 2005) and spent the latter part of her life in Florida.

Continually sharing her accomplishments as a skilled pianist and painter to enlighten other people’s lives. She had a great love for God’s nature and marvelled in all its aspects. A loving and kind-hearted lady...a caregiver to many throughout her life. Never hesitated...was always there to give.

Everyone that met her fell in love with her. She was a beautiful person inside and out and added a little sparkle to all who knew her. Her quirky hats...her smile... her laughter and gentle soul. Her adopted family members in Palm Coast as well as her goddaughter, cousin, friends, aides, physicians, extended family members and anyone who encountered her will always carry her in their hearts. There will be no memorial services.

If you wish to honor Elaine please donate to the Flagler Humane Society in Palm Coast, Florida.

Where: First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Attend upbeat classes presented by Synergy Senior Fitness and taught by Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella. Classes are ongoing. Insurance that covers fitness accepted, or a donation for those with no coverage. Visit Synergyseniorfitness.com.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

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

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

Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “It’s a Kite Thing: Florida Women’s Arts Association,” “A Treasury of Indian and Persian Miniature Paintings” and “Curiosities from the Collection.”

Seabreeze alumnus starts music production label

Cole Sirbu, 20, is studying production at Daytona State College.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The first time Cole Sirbu picked up an instrument, he knew it would be for more than just high school band. Music became his passion, he said.

Sirbu has always loved music. His father and grandfather were musicians in Nashville, Tennessee. He began learning music his freshman year at Seabreeze High School, and his band teacher played a big role.

“He definitely showed me the passion that comes with music and what it means,” Sirbu said. “I remember in high school, in orchestra, how he helped you actually feel things through the music you’re playing.”

Sirbu plays almost anything with strings: guitar, bass, piano, violin, viola, cello, and upright bass. He plays percussion and is learning how to play brass instruments.

That range of skills allows him variety in his music career and lets him connect with dif-

ferent aspects of music, he said.

“He is naturally a good musician and has the right mind for producing,” said Scott Velazco, associate professor of Music Production Technology at Daytona State College. “The thing he does that most people don’t is being a combination of a music producer and a therapist. He brings out the best in people.”

In December 2022, Sirbu created his own music label, Coda Lens Studios. The name Coda Lens is a mash-up of his name, his brother’s name and his sister’s name.

TRIBUTES

Patricia Elizabeth Dunn McNutt was born on May 29, 1935 in Norwalk Connecticut to Donald and Lucille (Hendricks) Dunn. She departed quietly in Palm Coast, Florida on December 31, 2022 at the age of 87.

Patricia earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Howard University. Years later, as a wife and mother, Patricia (Pat) took graduate courses at Danbury State College and General Education classes at the University of Maryland. Pat taught elementary school in Prince George’s County Maryland for twenty-six years; her students loved her. After retiring, she moved to Palm Coast, Florida with her husband James R. McNutt, Jr., who went home to the Lord in 2013. In 2016, Pat began private art lessons with award winning artist Beatrice Walter. A passion for drawing emerged and continued the rest of her life. Pat marveled every day because God had fulfilled her lifelong desire to draw. Her favorites were portraits, animals, and trees. By 2021, Pat had made hundreds of greeting cards with her drawings, Bible verses, or her poetry. Anyone who received a card “by Pat” was delighted!

Patricia deeply loved Jesus Christ, her Lord. She

read and studied the Bible fervently and prayed for her family daily. Members of Palm Coast United Methodist Church will recall Pat’s joyful spirit, a willingness to serve, her generosity, and her profound faith. Pat trusted and rejoiced in the Lord! Patricia is survived by her adoring children Pamela Leslie Hampton Idriss, Donald Thomas Hampton, and Diane Patricia Hampton (their father, Walter Rivers Hampton, passed in 2001); her son-in-law

Samir Farouk Idriss and her daughter-in-law Angela Clyburn Hampton; her dear twin grandchildren Kendall Thomas Hampton and Karley Elizabeth Hampton born to Donald and Angela; her stepson Kevin McNutt, his wife Desiree, and their children Monica McNutt and Melanie McNutt.

Stepdaughter Kim McNutt passed suddenly in January 2023. Other survivors are

close cousins David, Robin, Rory, Sandy, Karen, and Lynn; extended “family” and caregivers, Ida Harris and Lewis C. Johnson; numerous brothers and sisters in the Lord, and cherished neighbors and friends from Prince George’s County, Palm Coast, and throughout the East Coast.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 19, at 10 AM, Palm Coast United Methodist Church, Palm Coast, Florida. Colorful attire is welcome. To livestream, choose “WATCH” at https://palmcoastchurch. org/. Memorial donations can be sent to Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725 or at https:// www.fumch.org.

CELEBRATION

Creating the new label was harder than he thought it would be, Sirbu said, because he didn’t realize how much needed to be done before he could start producing.

“The biggest challenges for me would be the entry into the industry, as it is a very hard one to get into,” he said. “Managing my health and gastroparesis while still learning, growing, having time to create and just finding a way to start a plan was hard. When I first thought I wanted to do this, I knew I needed to start the record

“The

VOLUSIA HISTORY EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT OCEAN CENTER

The Ocean Center’s ECHO Gallery will soon feature art highlighting the Volusia County history.

SCOTT VELAZCO, associate professor of Music Production Technology, Daytona State College

label and then bring artists in to work with me, because I couldn’t do it all by myself.”

The 20-year-old Ormond Beach resident is attending DSC to receive his bachelor’s degree in music production. Until he graduated high school, he planned on being a musician, but as he started college, his goals changed.

“The difference in quality and output between the stuff Cole brought me when he first showed up a year ago and the stuff he’s doing now feels like years of improvement,” Velazco said.

Sirbu’s goal is to create an outlet and voice for artists who don’t have one.

The first song released under the label is called “Lovers” and was released on Jan. 1.

Since then, 10 more songs have been released. He plans to release three songs a month: one of his own, and two from artists under the label. He currently has three artists signed with his label.

“I get to create all the music that goes into the background of someone’s voice and the story they’re telling,” Sirbu said, “We create an atmosphere for the song and how we want the listeners to feel.”

Sirbu said his goal is to open a studio in Atlanta in the next five years. He believes Atlanta has a lot to offer a musician and a producer.

The exhibit will displays work by seven local artists: Bobbi Baugh, J. Walker Fischer, Fred Peace, Clare Radigan, George R. Thomas, Marianne Verna and Robert Wince.

Meet the artists behind the new exhibit in the Ocean Center’s ECHO Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.

The artists will be available to discuss their techniques and inspiration during this free reception sponsored by Volusia County’s ECHO Gallery Committee. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees can also take a guided tour through the Ocean Center and enjoy the art that is part of the county’s Art in Public Places program. Complimentary parking is available in the Ocean Center surface lots and garage.

To RSVP for the event, contact Cultural Coordinator Robert Redd at rredd@ volusia.org or 386-736-5953, ext. 15872. The ECHO Gallery, which faces A1A, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule a visit, call 800-858-6444.

“There’s no money in music

“Is Like a Day Without Sunshine,” by Bobbi Baugh

FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS

Marijuana Plus (MJ+)

Yes! We secure your marijuana state license, but we don’t stop there. We realize there are times and circumstances where you will not want to consume a marijuana product. And yes, sometimes our products work better than marijuana, because we make them super strong!!!

Yes! We provide Doctor-formulated proprietary alternatives to marijuana and for a limited time will give our new patients one of these products free with the card! Yes! We provide alternatives to all of our customers and discounts to our clients. Fill out the form: https://www.grpsinc.com/medical-marijuana-card/ by June 1 or text (RELIEF) to 317-617-8385 for a free relief product valued at up to 89$! These products are potent, doctor formulated and designed for relief!

Yes! You will like the way you feel.

Refer a friend and receive another Relief Product!!!! www.grpsinc.com

Medical Marijuana signup page: https://www.grpsinc.com/medical-marijuana-card/

If you have issues with pain, sleep, addiction, anxiety, PTSD, chronic Lyme, chronic Covid, inflammatory or neuromuscular disorders, or questions about your specific issues, please:

Text for a free Consultation: 317-617-8385

Free Dr. Bond’s product with your Application:

•

•

•

•

too!

Cole Sirbu plays the bass.

Photo by Alexis Miller Cole Sirbu

thing he does that most people don’t is being a combination of a music producer and a therapist. He brings out the best in people.”

Title holders SPORTS

FPC captured the district baseball championship.

Tristen Miller pitched six shutout innings as the Bulldogs won their first district title in eight years.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kyle Marsh, Flagler Palm Coast’s firstyear baseball coach, has watched his team progress from Day 1.

All the hard work led to a celebration on May 4 on Atlantic Coast High School’s baseball field as the Bulldogs raised the District 1-7A championship trophy.

Senior left-hander Tristen Miller pitched six shutout innings and freshman second baseman Caysen Nobles smacked a three-run double to deep center field to propel the Bulldogs to a 9-0 win over Creekside High School for the district championship.

It is FPC’s first district baseball title since 2015.

“It feels great,” Marsh said. “For this to be my first year taking over the program, I couldn’t ask for a better year. These guys gave everything they had on the field throughout the whole year, stayed together as a family, and I really couldn’t be more proud of them. I’m just lucky enough to be able to coach them.”

The Bulldogs (16-12) won three games in four days to win the district tournament. They defeated tournament host Jacksonville Atlantic Coast 15-5 on May 1, Sandalwood 5-3 on May 2 and the top-seeded Knights in the championship game.

“It feels amazing,” said Miller, who scattered three hits, walked two and struck out five.

“From last year to this year to the start of the fall to the beginning of the spring, these guys work their tails off,” Marsh said. “Anything I threw at them, they ran with it. I

challenged them (with a difficult schedule), and I told them every day that I’m preparing them to be ready for districts, and they stepped up to the plate.”

The district championship guaranteed FPC a spot in the playoffs. But the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new playoff process no longer guarantees district champs a home game in the regional quarterfinals. As the eighth seed in Region 1-7A, FPC is scheduled to travel to Lake Mary on Wednesday, May 10 for a first-round game.

MILLER KEEPS HITTERS OFFBALANCED

Miller (3-3) pitched six innings for the second time this season. In the most important game he’s pitched this year, he had his best stuff against the Knights (18-8).

“I struggled most of the year, but today I knew I had to lock it in and get it done,” he said. “My changeup was working. I got them all off-balanced pretty good.”

Miller and Creekside left-hander

Roman Bascelli were locked in a pitching duel for five innings. The Bulldogs left four runners in scoring position through the first four innings but couldn’t get a runner around until the sixth, when they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs.

Dalton Schell opened the inning with a double to right field. After a single and an error loaded the bases, Connor May was hit by a pitch to drive in the first run of the game.

Pinch hitter Ayden Normandin walked to make it 2-0, and Nobles cleared the bases with a double over the center fielder’s head off reliever Logan Duprey.

“I saw it out of his hand. It was a fastball down the middle,” Nobles said, adding that he didn’t realize how deep he had hit it.

“I thought I popped it up,” he said.

Normandin stayed in the game in left field and made the catch of the night. Miller, after sitting for a long

stretch during the six-run inning, loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with two walks and a hit batter. After Miller struck out Denis Cory for the second out, Michael Bysheim crushed a long fly to left field that looked like it would go for extra bas es. Normandin ran down the ball and made the catch at the fence.

“The bases were loaded, so I’m thinking, ‘I’ve got to track it down. If it gets past me, it will probably score three runs,’” the sophomore said. “I’m running and my hat’s moving up and down, so I flip the hat off, and I’m just camped under it, and I catch it in the palm.”

The Bulldogs scored three more runs in the seventh as Nobles collected his fourth RBI with a single, and Brayden Stuart added a tworun triple.

Dalton Roberts pitched the seventh for FPC, stranding runners on second and third to preserve the shutout. Fittingly, Normandin caught a fly for the final out.

“That one was hit right to me,” he said. “I didn’t really have to move.”

FPC first baseman Dalton Schell tosses the ball to pitcher Tristen Miller for the out at first.

FPC’s coaches celebrate the district title as they are dumped with ice water.

FPC senior Tristen Miller tossed six shutout innings against Creekside.

Dalton Roberts pitched the seventh inning for the Bulldogs.

FPC left fielder Ayden Normandin (10) runs the ball in after making a catch against the fence to end the sixth inning.

“These guys gave everything they had on the field throughout the whole year, stayed together as a family, and I really couldn’t be more proud of them.”

KYLE MARSH, FPC baseball coach

Dalton Schell, Emma Swearingen, Cristina Calidonio and Marcella Warner signed.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Four Flagler Palm Coast seniors recently signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college.

Dalton Schell will wrestle and play baseball at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. Emma Swearingen will play soccer at Florida Tech in Melbourne. Cristina Calidonio will play lacrosse at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. And Marcella Warner will play tennis at the College of New Jersey in Ewing Township, New Jersey.

Quincy, Florida Tech and Newberry are all NCAA Division II schools. The College of New Jersey is a Division III school.

STICKING WITH TWO SPORTS

When Jimmy Eggemeyer, Quincy’s director of wrestling, offered Schell a wrestling scholarship, Schell reached out to baseball coach Matt Schissel before scheduling a visit. “I asked if it would be possible to play two sports for them,” Schell

said.

He got the answer he wanted. Baseball has always been his favorite sport, and he didn’t want to give it up.

“I felt anywhere I go, I’d be able to compete (in both sports),” he said.

Schell said he’s come a long way as a wrestler since his freshman season. This year, he placed eighth at state at 195 pounds.

broke her collarbone during her senior season, she said.

“I missed a three-day showcase in January,” she said. “But I did a visit and practiced with the team, and they saw one of my club games. The coaches are very nice, very welcoming.”

Swearingen, who plays multiple positions, scored nine goals in 12 games for the Bulldogs this season. She will graduate with her International Baccalaureate diploma.

Courtesy photo

A COMPLETELY NEW GAME

Calidonio said she didn’t know she wanted to play college lacrosse until the end of her junior year.

“It was too late to join a travel team, and I did not have much film, so my friend and I found a club team in Jacksonville that played in the fall and traveled to showcases,” she said. “We played in Orlando, Maryland, Dallas and New Jersey. I felt like I learned a completely new game.”

proud of her, and I can’t wait to go watch her play at Newberry.”

Calidonio committed to Newberry in February.

She comes from an athletic family. Her older sister, Gabby, is a soccer goalie at Franklin Pierce University. Her brother, Brandon, is on FPC’s lacrosse and wrestling teams, and her younger sister, Alexa, is on FPC’s lacrosse and weightlifting teams. Cristina also played volleyball for the Bulldogs.

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

TENNIS

Warner said she was looking for a non-scholarship Division III athletic program to focus more on academics.

“They have a really good finance program, which is what I’m looking to do,” she said.

Warner was the Bulldogs’ No. 1 singles and doubles player as a sophomore and junior. She skipped high school tennis her senior year to concentrate on improving her forehand and other parts of her game.

AVIATION AND SOCCER

Swearingen, whose goal is to become a pilot, chose Florida Tech for its aviation program and because the soccer coaches kept in contact with her. They remained patient after she

She said she has wanted to be a pilot since she was selected to participate in Embry-Riddle’s Women in Aviation Day when she was in sixth grade.

“They had flight simulators there, and I’ve wanted to be a pilot ever since,” she said.

FPC basketball coach Derrick Williams resigns

Williams, who coached the Bulldogs for two seasons, plans to move to Alabama to be closer to his family.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast High School boys

basketball coach Derrick Williams has resigned to move back to Alabama and be closer to family, he told the Observer

“My daughter will be turning 2, and we want to raise her around family,” Williams said. “All of our parents are right there in the Birmingham area.”

Williams compiled an 18-31 record in two seasons with the Bulldogs.

FPC went 11-13 and was the Five Star Conference runner-up in 2021-22. But the team had a rough offseason. Sophomore shooting guard Keymarion Hall and fellow FPC student Noah Smith, both 16, were killed in a double shooting on May 3, 2022. As the team and the school were grieving, six players — including Karl Knighten, who would have been the leading returning scorer — trans -

As a senior, the midfielder led the Bulldogs with 38 goals, 7 assists, 56 ground balls, 20 caused turnovers and 43 draw controls.

“She’s a great athlete, and she has just gotten better every year,” FPC girls lacrosse coach Katie Kastner said. “To have girls go and sign on the next level is huge for us. I’m super

ferred. Knighten went on to average 26.6 points per game at Matanzas.

“We lost seven players, one to gun violence,” Williams said.

He said school choice in Florida makes team hopping routine.

“Florida is the wild, wild West with open enrollment. You don’t know what you’re going to have,” he said.

Featuring mostly freshmen and sophomores, FPC went 7-18 this past season.

“The ninth grade class got valuable minutes,” Williams said. “I feel like the future will be pretty good.”

Williams was a head coach at

“After I committed in late November, I wanted to work on some things,” she said. “I wanted to fix my forehand now, and I got a lot better. It comes from doing the same motion over and over again. I wish I could have played my senior year, but I think it was a good move.”

Minor High School in Adamsville, Alabama, and Blount High in Prichard, Alabama, for a total of eight years. He led his teams to four sweet 16s and one elite eight appearance. After moving to Florida, Williams spent two years at Atlantic High, serving as an assistant in 2019-20 and the head coach in 2020-21 before he became the Bulldogs’ coach. FPC athletic director Steve DeAugustino said the school has posted the job opening and hopes to have a new head coach in place before summer basketball workouts.

By Luis Campos

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

“UOXWBABK DGC ZG WG FXHL ECTTBEE, DGC OXAB WG OXLF HL WOBKB XLZ

OGJB FGGZ WOHLFE OXJJBL. XVUXDE WOHLI JGEHWHAB.” ZGL KHTIVBE I

82 Car that rhymes with “see it” in “Jiggle Jiggle”

83 Book ID

84 Tennis player’s headwear

88 Genetic messenger (Abbr.)

89 Switch from a GR86 to a Prius, say

90 Agent Jimmy Woo’s org.

91 One can be drawn, figuratively or literally

93 Baking soda amt.

98 Gumbo vegetable

99 Composure

100 Chip dips

101 Bit of ink

103 Operatic solos

107 Stockholm citizen

108 Hathaway and Rice

109 Constellation component

110 Word before “vault” or “dance”

111 Slid into an inbox (Abbr.)

112 One of the seven deadly sins

113 “May It Be” singer

114 ___ in (join a Zoom call)

116 Actress Moore

118 iPhone purchase

119 Cavs, on scoreboards

120 Chinese philosopher

Lao-___

122 ___ and downs

“K’T EVARORPN YVKZKSF THGKJ SAY UAV ZXB GOTB VBOGAS OG K GZOVZBC

YVKZKSF GASFG YXBS K YOG 14 -- ZA

TBBZ YATBS.” MSLXNPCJ MKLLANN

Puzzle One Clue: U equals W Puzzle Two Clue: J equals C Puzzle Three Clue: J equals D

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS by May Huang, edited by Jeff Chen

Cristina Calidonio, center, signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse for Newberry College. From left: Calidonio’s sister, Alexa Calidonio; mom, Kim Calidonio; dad, Elli Calidonio; and brother, Brandon Calidonio.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Following an FPC tradition at all college signings ceremonies, Dalton Schell signs the Bulldog after he signed his letter of intent.

Four Flagler Palm Coast athletes sign with colleges

SIDE

LINES

Bulldogs hope to be in the hunt for a state track title

If everything falls into place for Flagler Palm Coast at the Class 4A boys track and field championships on May 20, the Bulldogs could win their third state championship.

FPC won state titles in 2007 and 2009 and finished third in 2008 and second in 2019.

“I would say our team is just as talented as we were in 2019,” FPC coach Dave Halliday said.

The track championships will be held on four consecutive days, May 17-20, at the University of North Florida.

BULLDOGS AT LAKE MARY

FPC’s softball team will travel to Lake Mary on Thursday, May 11, for a regional quarterfinal game. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The fifth-seeded Bulldogs finished the season with a 13-4 record. It was their first winning season since they went 14-12 in 2017, which was also the last time they reached the playoffs.

Fourth-seeded Lake Mary enters the playoffs with a 1213 record, but the Rams had played a tough schedule.

The Bulldogs’ top hitters are senior Bailey Holmes (.556, 27 runs), Aun’yale Howard (.545, 25 runs).

The quarterfinal winner will travel to top-seeded Lake Brantley or play host to No. 8 Winter Park in a regional semifinal on Tuesday, May 16.

Based on regional times, Halliday and his coaches project the Bulldogs to finish in a three-way tie for second place with Sanford Seminole and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas — 14 points behind three-time state champ Niceville. But track meets are not decided on paper.

“We could end up sixth or seventh or win the whole thing,” Halliday said.

The Bulldogs finished second with 68 points behind Niceville (97.5 points) at the Region 1-4A meet on May 5. To knock the Eagles off their perch, the Bulldogs will have to knock off a bunch of personal records.

Many of them did that at region. They’ll try to do it again at state.

Ashton Bracewell (discus) and Gerod Tolbert (long jump) won district titles. Bracewell, a first-year discus thrower, broke his PR by 5 feet, launching the disc 162 feet, 6 inches.

“He’s only two to three feet away from the school record, which could be nothing in discus,” Halliday said.

“He was the best discus thrower of all four regions. But you just have to do it on the day.”

Tolbert, who placed fourth in triple jump at state last year, did not qualify in that event, but he did win long jump at region with a PR of 22 feet, 8.5 inches. Robert Harris finished third with a PR of 22 feet, 0.75 inches.

Zach Spooner ran a PR of 9:15.40 to finish second in the 3,200, two seconds behind Class 4A top-ranked Matt Ryan of Nease.

The 4x400 (Isaiah Joseph, D.J. Murray, Brandon Kalasnik and D.Z. Steward) and 4x800 (Kamron Davis,

STATE QUALIFIERS

CLASS 4A

FPC

BOYS

400: 5. D.J. Murray, 48.75

3,200: 2. Zach Spooner, 9:15.40

400 hurdles: 4. Isaiah Joseph, 55.84

4x400: 2. Isaiah Joseph, D.J. Murray, Brandon Kalasnik, D.Z. Steward, 3:17.00

4x800: 2. Kamron Davis, Isaiah Joseph, Peyton Woodward, Brandon Kalasnik, 7:55.85

Discus: 1. Ashton Bracewell, 49.53 meters (162 feet, 6 inches)

Joseph, Peyton Woodward and Kalasnik) relays both placed second.

Three FPC shot putters qualified with at-large bids, led by sophomore Colby Cronk (fifth), who threw a PR of 51 feet, 6.5 inches. Mainland’s boys team won Region 2-3A with 96 points. Lake Minneola and Ocala Vanguard tied for second with 60 points.

The Bucs won three events and finished second in two others. Jonathan Williams (110 hurdles), Cameron Boatright (400 meters) and the 4x400 relay (Seth Sawyer, Logan Camara, Boatright and Drayden Wood) all took home gold medals. Boatright ran a PR in the 400 of 47.84 seconds.

The 4x800 relay (Sawyer, Khalil Wilmore, Jack Mathis and Camara) finished second. High jumper Zavier Mincey also placed second. Seabreeze’s girls placed fifth at Region 2-3A. Mackenzie Roy broke her own school record with a 5:05.02 to win the 1,600.

The Sandcrabs placed second in the 4x800 with Nickole Dane, Kirsten Glaenzer, Arianna Roy and Mackenzie Roy running 9:46.44.

On the boys’ side, Seabreeze’s Zeli Hayworth and Chandler Mitzo placed 1-2 in javelin with Hayworth throwing a PR 177 feet, 4 inches. Mitzo threw 173 feet, 5 inches. Klellan Lubbe ran a PR of 1:58.08 in the

Javelin: 5. Elijah Tero, 48.42 (15810) Shot put: 5. Colby Cronk, 15.71 (51-6.5); 9. Jake Blumengarten, 14.84 (48-8.25); 11. Drew Droste,

14.61 (47-11.5)

Long jump: 1. Gerod Tolbert, 6.92 (22-8.5); 3. Robert Harris, 6.72 (22-0.75)

GIRLS Shot put: 5. Maya Tyson, 10.99 (36-0.75).

Class 3A

SEABREEZE

BOYS

800: 2. Klellan Lubbe, 1:58.08

Javelin: 1. Zeli Hayworth, 54.05 meters (177 feet, 4 inches); 2. Chandler Mitzo, 52.86 (173-5)

400 hurdles: 7. Charles (Grant)

Scrabis, 52.23 (pending appeal of DQ of Miami Northwestern hurdlers).

GIRLS

1,600: 1. Mackenzie Roy, 5:05.02

1,600: 5. Arianna Roy, 5:13.69

4x800: 2. Nickole Dane, Kirsten Glaenzer, Arianna Roy, Mackenzie Roy, 9:46.44.

800 to finish second.

At the Region 1-3A meet, Matanzas’ girls broke a couple of school records. Sierra Howard, Jordan Youngman, Luise Sommer and

MAINLAND

BOYS

400: 1. Cameron Boatright, 47.84

110 hurdles: 1. Jonathan Williams, 14:35; 3. Damarcus Creecy, 15.04; 4. Emmanuel Yisrael, 15.15

400 hurdles: 4. Damarcus Creecy, 56.64.

4x400: 1. Seth Sawyer, Logan Camara, Cameron Boatright, Drayden Wood, 3:22.88

4x800: 2. Seth Sawyer, Khalil Wilmore, Jack Mathis, Logan Camara, 8:14.56

High jump: 2. Zavier Mincey, 1.92 meters (6-3.5); 3. Zion Noralus, 1.87 (6-1.5) Discus: 3. Demond Noelien, 43.97 (144-3)

MATANZAS BOYS

Discus: 3. Ayden Cox, 150 feet, 7 inches. GIRLS

4x400: 2. Sierra Howard, Jordan Youngman, Luise Sommer, Evanne Miller, 4:01.66 (school record)

400: 3. Evanne Miller, 58.91

800: 5. Sierra Howard, 2:20.41

400 hurdles: 4. Jordan Youngman, 1:05.23. (school record)

CLASS A FATHER LOPEZ BOYS

800: 5. Andrew Gazzoli, 2:01.85

4x800: 4. Matthew Gazzoli, Felipe Paredes, Talan Spires, Andrew Gazzoli, 8:15.57.

Girls

High jump: 3. Caroline Theriault, 1.47 meters (4-9.75).

400 hurdles: 5. Caroline Theriault, 1:11.76

Pole vault: 2. Angelina Stable, 2.85 (9-4.25) Javelin: 2. Hailey Bruce, 127-7.

Evanne Miller broke the school mark in the 4x400 with a 4:01.66 to place second. Youngman broke the school mark in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:05.23.

3BR, 2BA home features formal dining room, formal living room & spacious kitchen w/ breakfast nook. Master suite w/ private master bath and large walk in closet. Family room opens to your covered lanai, inground swimming pool and private wooded area behind home. Located on a quiet culde-sac. 600 SF heated garage. MLS#1104064 $425,000 Call Buzzy Porter at 386-405-1000.

Beautiful 3 bed 2.5 bath family home. Located on a large corner lot w/ gorgeous golf course views!! New windows in 2023, laminate flooring in 2021, and a new screen porch in 2021. The bright open kitchen has plenty of cabinets and counter space. $425,000

There is also a detached 3-CG. Oak hardwood floors throughout entire home, large living area, dining room, office/den area, kitchen with granite countertops and tons of cabinet and counterspace. Home also has a fenced in backyard. MLS#1106664 $489,000 Call Buzzy Porter at 386-405-1000.

The oceanfront home of Hawaiian Tropic founder Ron Rice, this 12,000 sqft oceanfront estate is now on the market for the first time! A commanding presence on A1A, the grounds encompass a full acre lot with 200 feet of beach frontage. Situated on a highly desirable stretch of Ormond Beachside along with other multimillion-dollar residences, the home sits high on the no-drive beach making it your private oasis. Expansive outdoor decking links 3 pools, 2 oceanfront owners suite and more. $4,999,900

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

File photo by Brent Woronoff FPC senior Zach Spooner (168), here running at the Five Star Conference meet on April 12, ran a personal record

in the

at the Region

meet on May 5.

File photo by Brent Woronoff Bailey Holmes

House in Island Estates tops sales list in Flagler County

Ahouse in Island Estates was the top real estate transaction for March 22-28 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. William Welker and Jessica Miller, of Palm Coast, sold 11 Island Estates Parkway to Patrick and Michele Kirse, of Palm Coast, for $1,515,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 4/5.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a boat dock, a hot tub and 4,412 square feet of living space. It sold in 2020 for $912,500.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos John Bader, as trustee, sold 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 233, to John and Kristine Percoskie, of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, for $315,000. Built in 2003, the condos is a 1/1 and has 678 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $156,000.

Pasquale Casale, Angela Casale, Domenico Casale, and Giovannina Casale, of Winter Park, sold 800 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 722, to MarStac 722, LLC, of Palm Coast, for $750,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,682 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $635,000.

David and Eileen Ballman, as trustees, sold 50 Palm Harbor Parkway, Unit 32, to Robert and Judy Bemmels, of Palm Coast, for $509,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,149 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $390,000.

PALM COAST

Belle Terre

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 264 Parkview Drive to Luis Font Lugo, of Palm Coast, for $314,100. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Elfriede Mary Perkins, as trustee, sold 42 Bayside Drive to Kevin and Kelli Nesselhauf, of Palm Coast, for $340,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,941 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $212,000.

Maronda Homes, LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 24 Post Tree Lane to Osvaldo Sanchez and Migdalia Viera, of Palm Coast, for $420,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,427 square feet.

Grand Landings

Dream Finders Homes, LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 162 Wood Stork Lane to Shawn and Tiffany Harmon, of Palm Coast, for $420,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,213 square feet.

Hammock Dunes

Daniel and Sheryl Kuznar, of Muskegon, Michigan, sold 16 Corte Del Mar to Nigel and Jacqueline Sopp, of Palm Coast, for $1,056,500. Built in 1990, the house is a 4/4.5 and has a pool, a hot tub and 3,531 square feet. It sold in

Home in Ormond-by-the-Sea is top seller, at $2 million

Ahouse in Ormond-by-the-Sea was the top real estate transaction for March 26 to April 1 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea.

Jason and Melanie Penney, of Port Orange, sold 1786 John Anderson Drive to Chaney Bruce Gordy, Jr. and Gina Louise Zeiger, of Ormond, for $2,000,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/5.5 with a pool, hot tub, fireplace, boat dock and 5,077 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $1,250,000.

2006 for $650,000.

Indian Trails Ashley Bronwynn and George William Peto, of Palm Coast, sold 7 Beacon Mill Lane to Lior Weinstein, of Atlanta, Georgia, for $395,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,968 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $420,000.

Richard and Lynn Nicholson, of Ellington, Connecticut, sold 16 Bronson Lane to Artem Vassiouk and Julie Dejesus, of Palm Coast, for $327,800. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,993 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $105,000.

Rostislav Gleyberman, of Brooklyn, New York, sold 23 Barkwood Lane to Ricky Lee Robinson and Nina Zemlianskaya, of Palm Coast, for $300,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,631 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $110,000.

Lehigh Woods

Clark Rodano and Elizabeth Trehey, of Bishopville, Maryland, sold 161 Ryan Drive to George and Patricia Stumpf, of Palm Coast, for $442,500. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 1,798 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $420,000.

Lisa Singh and Christine Walker Singh, of Palm Coast, sold 1 Round Tree Drive to Andrew Michah Russ and Brittani Russ, of Ormond Beach, for $266,900. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 with a pool and 1,422 square feet.

Matanzas Woods

Seagate Homes, LLC, of Palm Coast, sold 81 Lindsay Drive to David Fleming and Wilma Colby-Fleming, of Palm Coast, for $446,900. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,208 square feet.

Not in a subdivision Holiday Builders, Inc., of Melbourne, sold 33 Sea Flower Path to Ursula Ann and Michael John Paszkiet, of Palm Coast, for $311,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,552 square feet.

Ocean Hammock

Preston and Kathryn Richards, of Martinsville, Indiana, sold 64 Oak View Circle West to Jonathan and Marcella Arnett, of Palm Coast, for $1,075,000. Built in 2015,

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MAR. 22 - 28

the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 3,209 square feet.

Pine Lakes Robert and Dana Mack, of Jacksonville, sold 6 Willard Place to Michael and Nikol Avella Keith, of Palm Coast, for $248,500. Built in 1987, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,305 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $125,500.

Joseph, John, and Michael Dimon, of Palm Coast, sold 9 Woodholme Lane to Alexander Oznobkin, of Fairview, New Jersey, for $450,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,284 square feet.

Quail Hollow Florida Sun Partners, LLC, of Orlando, sold 9 Zorro Court to Jeffery Davis and Karen Mowery, of Palm Coast, for $445,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,306 square feet.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 9 Zollinger Place to James Lloyd Walker and Alexandria Luisa Soto, of Palm Coast, for $317,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Sawmill Creek Holiday Builders, Inc., of Melbourne, sold 18 Oakleaf Way to Timothy and Allison Kisner, of Palm Coast, for $370,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 1,973 square feet.

Seminole Woods

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 223 Underwood Trail to Bryan Mitchell Welsh, of Palm Coast, for $318,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Woodlands Sheri Stambaugh and Thomas Cassilly Rogers, of Kettering, Ohio, sold 17 Blasdell Court to Deborah Pelatti Roche, of Palm Coast, for $279,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,154 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $290,000.

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

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos Ashley and Katherine Schubert, of Ormond Beach, sold 210 Lemon Tree Lane, Unit 210J, to Wayne and Shawndra Wahlgren, of International Falls, Minnesota, for $236,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,196 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $142,500.

Jan Erik Skrefsrud and Nina Alm Odegard, of Ormond Beach, sold 1 John Anderson Drive, Unit 6160, to Elise and James Bieksha, of Ormond Beach, for $485,000. Built in 1996, the condo is a 2/2/5 and has 1,745 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $152,000.

Thomas and Sheridan

Schilawske, Tracy Kaye Beck and Kelly Kathleen Kosky, of Milford, Michigan, sold 1183 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 701, to DBR Associates, LLC, of Hanover, Maryland, for $475,000. Built in 1995, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,200 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $220,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation 3957 Acoma Drive Land Trust, Asila Holdings, LLC, as trustee, sold 3957 Acoma Drive to Kristi Lee Schatz and Matthew James Beyrer, of Ormond Beach, for $610,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,106 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $400,000.

Martin Heesacker, as trustee, sold 3045 Monaghan Drive to Lawrence and Linda Scovotto, of Ormond Beach, for $399,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,253 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $370,000.

Charlene Crooks, of Ormond Beach, sold 3400 Rexford Circle to Daniel Lee and Karen Hutchins Mulder, of Ormond Beach, for $625,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool and 2,915 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $630,000.

William Haussmann, of Ormond Beach, sold 2920 Monaghan Drive to Donna Kahle, as trustee, for $495,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,107 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $396,000.

Hunters Ridge

Loretta McConnell, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, sold 3 Meadow Ridge View to Kurt and Deborah Spain, of Ormond Beach, for $375,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,730 square feet. It sold in 1992 for $130,000.

Janice Cox, of Lebanon, Tennessee, sold 90 Abacus Ave. to Stephanie Olin, as trustee, for $464,500. Built in 2014, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,983 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $230,000.

Not in a subdivision

Debra Christine Isaacs, as trustee, sold 1291 Fernway Drive to Keith Gardner, of Ormond Beach, for $265,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,292 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $202,500.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 205 Sandoval Drive to Maria Eduarda Lima, of Ormond Beach, for $375,500. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,828 square feet.

Oakview

Justin Ray, of Ormond Beach, sold 41 Oakview Circle to Mehrdad Nesari and Atosa Hakimpour, of Gordonsville, Virginia, for $375,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 1,327 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $120,000.

Ormond Lakes Leonard Morreale, Jr. and Kristie Spadaccini, of Ormond Beach, sold 10 Sherrington Drive to Kent and Patricia Shepard, of Ormond Beach, for $398,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,596 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $162,000.

Park Place

Lori Lynn Rebuck, of Ormond Beach, sold 22 Park Place to Tammy and Ian Kemp, of Ormond Beach, for $243,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 1,430 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $146,000.

Rosemont Michael and Leanne Kratofil, of Ormond Beach, sold 216 Ponce De Leon Drive to Bromley Westberry and Diana Fritz, of Ormond Beach, for $659,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 3/3

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MAR. 26 - APR. 1

and has a fireplace and 2,546 square feet.

The Trails Mallen Zabinski, as trustee, sold 620 Main Trail to Kristin Nichole Straley, of Ormond Beach, for $235,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 1,737 square feet. It sold in 1980 for $67,300.

Village of Pine Run Tami Williams, of Ormond Beach, sold 24 Walnut Lane to Dallas and Carrie Moore, of Ormond Beach, for $517,500. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,140 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $450,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Chaney Bruce Gordy, Jr. and Gina Louise Zeiger, of Ormond Beach, sold 1672 John Anderson Drive to Robann and Donald Cunningham, of Ormond Beach, for $1,690,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a fireplace, a dock and 2,900 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $1,550,000.

John and Laura Kraus, of Ormond Beach, sold 10 Palmetto Drive to Powersports Properties, LLC, of Loveland, Colorado, for $222,500. Built in 1954, the house is a 2/1 and has 700 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $155,000.

Jo Ellen Milano and Barbra Tancredi, as trustees, sold 1 Seacrest Drive to Sunny Dog D, LLC, of St. Augustine, for $290,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,335 square feet. It sold in 1983 for $47,000.

Tyler Dean, as trustee, sold 26 South Sea Island Drive to Kristy McCann and William Flynn, of Ormond Beach, for $685,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool and 2,425 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $360,000.

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

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, FL 32110. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. The estate is testate and the date of the Will is August 31st, 2018.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE

NOTIFIED THAT:

That any interested person on whom the notice is served who challenges the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of the court is required to file any objections with the court in the manner provided in the Florida Probate Rules within the time required by law or those objections are forever barred;

That interested persons are required to file with the court any objection by an interested person on whom the notice was served that challenges the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of the court within 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on the objecting person.

That any person entitled to exempt property is required to file a petition for determination of exempt property within the time provided by law or the right to exempt property is deemed waived;

That a surviving spouse seeking an elective share must file an election to take elective share within the time provided by law.

That all creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file claims against the Estate with the Court within the time periods provided by law and set forth in Sections 733.702 and 733.710, Florida Statutes, or be

VOLUSIA COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION

IN POSSESSION. Sale to be at LEGACY HCE LLC DBA HIGHLAND COUNTRY ESTATES MHC, 830 NORTH HIGHWAY, DEBARY, FL 32713. 813-241-8269. May 11, 18, 2023 23-00062V

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

ONE DAYTONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

The Board of Supervisors of the One Daytona Community Development District (“District”) will hold its regular meeting on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at International Motorsports Center, located at One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. A copy of the agenda for the meeting can be obtained from the District Office at PFM Group Consulting LLC, 3501 Quadrangle Boulevard, Suite 270, Orlando, FL 32817 or by phone at (407) 723-5900. Additionally, a copy of the agenda, along with any meeting materials available in an electronic format, may be obtained at www.OneDaytonaCDD.org.

The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law. There may be occasions when one or more Board Supervisors or staff members will participate by telephone. The meeting may be continued in progress without additional notice to a time, date, and location stated on the record. Meetings may be cancelled from time to time without advertised notice.

Any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise the District Office at (407) 723-5900, at least 48 hours before the meetings. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Office.

Any person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the meeting is advised that the person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.

Jane Gaarlandt District Manager

May 11, 2023

22-00063V

COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO

RED

INFORMATION & RATES: 386-447-9723

redpages@palmcoastobserver.com palmcoastobserver.com/redpages

or

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

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

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

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