PALM COAST
Observer
NFL PLAY 60 PAGE 12
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 26
FREE
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019
Uniforms revisited
A look at Flagler Schools’ dress code, seven years later. Are students complying? PAGE 3
City plans partnerships with county to tackle homelessness
SHE’S ON A ROLL City of Palm Coast employee Alyssa Roscoe can be found tearing up the track when she’s not problem-solving for residents.
After citizen input, the city will partner with the county’s Social Services staff.
PAIGE WILSON COMMUNITY EDITOR
A
lyssa Roscoe got her start in roller derby unexpectedly in July 2011 when she was asked to join the Beachside Brawlers, the Palm Coast Roller Derby team. She grew up playing sports; she was the only girl on the boy baseball team in her hometown of Orange City. She felt like sport teams were missing in the adult world, so she hopped on the track and never looked back. “I’m a pretty competitive person, so I saw something, and I wanted to do it,” she said. “I practiced off skates; I practiced on skates. There was one point where I was hip checking trees just to get the motions.” Known as Princess Leia U Out when she was on the Beachside Brawlers, Roscoe immediately fell in love with the sport, the showmanship and her teammates. “The organization really teaches you everything,” she said. “It’s for the skater, by the skater. So, you’ve got coaches and captains that are teaching you everything, and your league-mates are helping you grow and learn, and nurture you.” Roscoe became “derby wives” with Carla Owens about six months into her joining the Beachside Brawlers in 2013. “It’s like your best friend,” said Owens, whose derby name is Holy Scrap. “You become close to everybody in derby, but your derby wife is somebody that you know every move they’re going to make on the track. They’ve got your back; they’re right there for you all the time — not just on the track; it’s outside of derby too.” Owens said Roscoe is unstoppable on the track. “She’s like a boss; she’s a wrecking ball,” Owens said.
PAGE 9 INSIDE MORE SOFTBALL, LESS SOCCER The city may convert some soccer fields for baseball or softball. How will that impact future tournaments? PAGE 4
SHERIFF AND CLERK AGREE
They’re still working out the details, but Rick Staly and Tom Bexley have averted a lawsuit, according to the officials. PAGE 2
CUBAN FAMILY OPENS EATERY
The Gonzalezes had lived in Cuba their entire lives. They’d never really had the opportunity to travel outside of their own island. The family lived in Holguin — the fourthlargest city in Cuba. PAGE 10
PALM COAST BOXER REFLECTS Former world title champion Shelley Burton can’t box anymore, but now she’s set her sights on training the next generation of fighters. PAGE 11 Send story ideas to editor@ palmcoastobserver.com.
Photo by Paige Wilson
City of Palm Coast customer service specialist Alyssa Roscoe is a blocker on the New Jax City Rollers after spending seven years with Palm Coast’s Beachside Brawlers.
SEE DERBY PAGE 14