Palm Coast Observer 4-6-23

Hoppy Easter

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CITY WATCH

No invocation: Council to extend moment of silence instead

Palm Coast’s City Council will not add an invocation to its opening remarks. Instead, the existing moment of silence has been extended to a minute, the length of time the council had discussed using for an invocation.

Mayor David Alfin had said previously that he would insist on a unanimous consensus to add an invocation, because of the issue’s divisiveness. But the proposed invocation resolution didn’t even come to a vote at the April 4 meeting.

Council tables 62acre annexation application

The Palm Coast City Council has temporarily tabled a proposal to annex 62 acres into Palm Coast.

The land is owned by Geosam Capital Florida, LLC, and is slated to become a 213-lot Master Planned Development. It is east of Old Kings Road and about 2.5 miles south of State Road 100.

Matt Lahti, of Gulfstream Design Group, represented Geosam at an April 4 council meeting. He said Geosam wanted the land annexed into Palm Coast because the company prefers the city’s zoning regulations to the county’s.

But that preference might be because the developer would not be able to alter its plans with the county to remove a lot of preserved greenery, said Charlie Faulkner, who said he worked on the land’s original 2007 MPD. Faulkner was one of several residents of the nearby Flagler Beach Polo Club who cautioned the council from approving the annexation immediately.

The council unanimously decided to table the decision until city staff could learn more from the county.

When Vice Mayor Ed Danko motioned to approve the resolution, none of the other members seconded his motion, and the motion failed for lack of a second — to the vocal disappointment of Danko and the proprayer members of the public present at the meeting.

“The Supreme Court has already ruled this is legal,” Danko said. “We’re not reinventing the wheel here.”

After the resolution failed, council member Theresa Carli Pontieri motioned that the moment of silence be set to a minute-long time frame in lieu of the invocation “to allow people to — if they want to engage in a more meaningful prayer — to give them more time,” Pontieri said.

She said she agreed with one public commenter who said a handful of seconds was not enough.

That motion passed 4-1, with Danko dissenting.

Alfin and council members Pontieri, Cathy Heighter and Nick Klufas all decided against the invocation, saying the moment of silence was enough for personal prayer and reflection.

Pontieri said she used the moment

of silence to pray and that it is her way of abiding by God’s directive “to pray to my father unseen.”

“In this way, I’m following the teachings in my faith without also imposing my religion or faith on others,” Pontieri said.

Klufas pointed out to attendees that nothing was stopping them from using the public comment section of the meetings to read their own three-minute invocation.

“Anyone is allowed to give [a prayer] — you can come here and do an invocation yourself every single Tuesday,” he said.

Klufas said he had even heard from local religious leaders who felt the resolution would “open up a whole can of worms that we can’t accurately predict.”

During the April 4 meeting’s regular opening moment of silence, many members of the public recited the Lord’s Prayer, with four of the five council members seating themselves once the moment of silence was over and Danko remaining standing until the end of the prayer.

Palm Coast resident Frank Ehrhart said prayer was tied with the nation’s history, going back to the Founding Fathers.

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing in the Constitution that says there’s a separation of church and state,” Ehrhart said.

Danko was the one to initially suggest the invocation during a Feb. 1 workshop.

The Constitution prohibits discriminating against or excluding any religion from an invocation, and case law even says a secular invocation is allowed, City Attorney Neysa Borkert said.

But almost every pro-invocation speaker during the meeting’s public comment period spoke in support of opening council meetings with a Judeo-Christian prayer. Many even read scriptures from the Bible to make their points.

Borkert reminded the City Council — and the public — that opening the door to an invocation would mean allowing invocations of all kinds — Muslim, Hindu, Wiccan and more.

Palm Coast resident Charles Hanger said he would be happy to add prayer to the City Council meetings, but asked residents to consider if they were as adamant privately as they were in public.

“This is not the venue for religious challenges,” Hanger said. “For 15 or 20 seconds, right here [during the moment of silence], I had the opportunity of being alone with my Lord and savior.”

Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, past president of the board of trustees of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, spoke against a public invocation, instead urging the City Council to abide by the words of Jesus by praying in private.

“Hear the words of Jesus of Nazareth,” Shapiro said, “who — in chapter six of Matthew, verse six — says, ‘When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.’”

Shapiro told the Observer that the invocation proposal would disenfranchise some religious community members, not to mention cutting out agnostics, atheists and others.

Quakers, he said, believe everyone is equal and do not have religious leaders like clergy. Flagler County also has a Muslim community that worships in Daytona Beach, Shapiro said, meaning their religious leaders would not be able to read an invocation in Palm Coast.

“Different groups don’t have leaders, per se. ... [An invocation] would divide us into believers, nonbelievers,” Shapiro said. “There already is a division.”

Pontieri said she had heard from many residents — both for and against the invocation — leading up to the meeting. She agreed with their feelings that God needed to be brought back into government, but she felt an invocation was not the right way.

“That doesn’t mean that my choice to have a moment of silence over prayer is excluding God,” she said. “It’s not my job to preach when I’m here. It’s my job to prophesize through my actions and my words and my kindness and respect to others.”

Photo by Sierra Williams

Vice Mayor Ed Danko was the one to originally suggest adding an invocation to the meetings.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

“Anyone is allowed to give [a prayer] — you can come here and do an invocation yourself every single Tuesday.”

NICK KLUFAS, council member

Flagler School Board votes not to renew superintendent’s contract

The board voted 3-2 to look for a new superintendent with the three newest members opting to cut ties with Mittelstadt.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Schools’ district staff members stood in shock in the back of the room as the School Board voted 3-2 to not renew Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s contract, which expires on June 30.

They stood in silence as community members in the audience who had spoken in favor of retaining Mittlestadt shouted at the board, “Shame on you.”

Mittelstadt spoke to a few supporters, including the two board members who voted in her favor, and then walked past some of her senior staff members on her way out of the board chambers.

“Come on, stand tall,” she told them. “We’ve got the fourth quarter of the school year to focus on. There’s no other way to do it.”

The board held a special meeting on the night of April 4 to decide whether to renew Mittelstadt’s contract or search for a new superintendent. After more than two hours of public comment, board member Will Furry made the motion not to renew her contract. Board member Christy Chong seconded the motion.

The three newest board members — Furry, Chong and Sally Hunt — who all joined the board in November, voted not to renew Mittelstadt’s contract, while veteran board members Colleen Conklin and Cheryl Massaro were the dissenting votes.

After the meeting was adjourned,

Conklin and Furry briefly exchanged words before Conklin walked off the dais.

The five board members’ evaluations were attached to the meeting’s agenda on Flagler Schools’ website. Massaro gave Mittelstadt the highest ratings on a score of 1 to 5, while Hunt gave her the lowest scores among the five board members.

Hunt has spoken out against Mittelstadt’s performance, and, according to text messages, maneuvered with disgruntled Wadsworth Elementary School Principal Paul Peacock — who unsuccessfully filed a grievance against Mittelstadt and the district — to expedite a vote on Mittelstadt’s contract on Feb. 22, less than a week after Hunt asked former Flagler Palm Coast Principal Dusty Sims if he would be interested in the superintendent position should it open up.

Chong and Furry did not provide comments on some of the categories on the evaluation forms.

In the board’s discussion of his motion, Furry said there was no collusion among any of the board members, that the board has operated in the sunshine and that members provided their independent reviews.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that we’d be better fit to not renew this contract, and find a new superintendent to lead Flagler Schools,” he said.

In his evaluation, Furry wrote that he’s been getting many complaints that communication needs to be improved, that “community stakeholders have been very vocal about the lack of confidence they have in the superintendent’s leadership and academic results,” and that in his conversations with Mittelstadt, she seemed “guarded and calculated.”

Furry also pointed to a looming legal action as a result of the superintendent’s decisions, seemingly referring to Peacock’s stated intention to sue the district over his demotion from chief of operations and termination as a union negotiator.

Both Furry and Chong mentioned what they said has been a high turnover of district staff and school administrators over the last three years.

In her evaluation, Hunt said Mittelstadt “possesses many great attributes; however, the role of Superintendent of Flagler Schools requires strong business acumen and leadership courage due to the district’s

needs. We are not in a maintenance phase; we need a well-rounded leader to help lift and grow. There are skill gaps that need to be developed.”

While nearly all of the public comments were in favor of renewing Mittelstadt’s contract — including comments from representatives of Flagler County’s ESE Parent Advisory Council (EPAC) and the Flagler County NAACP — Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Blosé backed up with academic data his board of directors’ vote of no confidence in the superintendent.

Blosé said reading scores for eighth graders last year were 49% proficient and third grade reading scores were 58% proficient, down 10% from 2019. But Conklin said post-Covid data needs to be put in context, and noted that while Flagler’s numbers

have dipped, the county was still in the top 10 to 20 in the state among 67 districts in many categories.

“I’ve never seen anyone stay so focused on student achievement and not allow her team to get distracted with the noise,” Conklin said of Mittelstadt.

Massaro spoke most passionately in favor of extending Mittelstadt’s contract and warned the board of past mistakes.

“She’s a team builder. She thinks thorough everything before she does anything,” Massaro said. “We don’t have knee-jerk reactions we’ve had from superintendents in the past.”

Massaro said she’s witnessed five superintendents since she’s lived in Flagler County and the majority, like Mittelstadt, have served three years.

“How can you gain stability when you keep making changes? Flagler

County eats its own. It’s awful,” Massaro said. “There are no guarantees in this world that you’re going to get somebody better. You may get somebody 10 times worse.” Mittelstadt, who will be a lameduck superintendent for the next three months, was asked after the vote what might be next for her. Mittelstadt’s answer was similar to her remarks to her staff.

“We have the fourth quarter of school to focus on,” she said. “So what’s next for me is all about focusing on the students. That’s what I’ve always led with. So, we need to finish the school year strong. We’ve got high school graduation, we’ve got every other student that needs to continue working and be supported up until summer break. That’s the work that needs to be done, and that’s what I will continue to do.”

Board member, principal maneuvered to speed vote on superintendent

Wadsworth Principal Paul Peacock had filed a grievance against Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt and the school district over a demotion.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler County School Board member Sally Hunt and Wadsworth Elementary School Principal Paul Peacock maneuvered together to try to hasten a vote on Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s contract, text messages show.

Peacock — who filed a grievance against Mittelstadt and the district after a demotion, and has threatened to sue the district — messaged Hunt a “script” of specific instructions on how to make a board motion

to terminate Mittelstadt’s contract. Peacock had also introduced Hunt to Dusty Sims, former principal of Flagler Palm Coast High School, and Hunt had asked Sims about his interest in taking Mittelstadt’s position, should it become open.

On Feb. 22, the day Peacock texted her the “script,” Hunt pushed to expedite a discussion on the contract, telling her fellow board members without mentioning Peacock that she had been “hearing ... certain things” from staff and felt the district was running out of time to act on the contract.

But board members Cheryl Massaro and Colleen Conklin cautioned her against moving too fast, even though both had said at a Feb. 7 workshop that they wanted to start discussions about Mittelstadt’s contract, which expires at the end of June. Mittelstadt urged the board members to wait until after she provides them with her self-evaluation report.

The board decided on March 28 to vote on the contract on April 4. The board ultimately voted 3-2, with board members Massaro and Conklin dissenting, not to renew Mittelstadt’s contract.

TEXT MESSAGES

Hunt and Peacock had been exchanging texts since before Hunt was sworn in as a School Board member on Nov. 22.

The Observer received the texts through a public records request. They can be viewed through a link in the online version of this story.

Hunt did not immediately return a phone call requesting comment about the texts, but she did send an email to the Observer on the evening of March 31, after this story was initially published online earlier in the day.

She wrote that she reached out to the Florida School Board Association for guidance on School Board matters, which include the superintendent’s contract.

“I have a trusted peer advisor through FSBA who I speak with frequently. The majority of my conversations with Mr. Peacock have been on the topics of safety and operational efficiency,” Hunt wrote.

“There is no conspiracy here, only a dedicated school board member,” Hunt added.

Peacock has been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with Mittelstadt’s leadership.

His grievance concerned a $7,500 supplement he said was owed to him from when he was a chief negotiator with the district. The grievance was ongoing during his February messaging with Hunt. The board voted down his appeal on March 28.

In an interview with the Observer and again at his appeal hearing, Peacock said the grievance was primarily about restoring his reputation after a demotion and a termination as a negotiator.

Peacock acknowledged that he helped set up a meeting between Hunt and Sims, after which Hunt asked Sims if he would be interested in the superintendent position.

Peacock sent Sims’ contact information to Hunt as early as Nov. 7, and again on Feb. 10.

Sims, who is now the Florida Department of Education’s lead state executive director for school improvement, told the Observer that becoming a superintendent had been his goal when he became an administrator 14 years ago, though he said that might have since “changed a little bit.”

But when Hunt asked him, he said, he replied that “the conversation could go no further,” since the position wasn’t open.

Hunt’s conversation with Sims occurred Feb. 16, a week before the Feb. 22 workshop in which Hunt asked her fellow board members about accelerating the timeline for a vote on Mittelstadt’s contract.

On Feb. 17, she visited Wadsworth, noting in a log of her visits that she had “requested meeting with Paul Peacock for questions regarding Dusty Sims (from my 2/16 meeting with Dusty to discuss his possible interest in the Flagler Schools superintendent role should the board or Superintendent Mittlestadt not renew the contract).”

On Feb. 19, Hunt texted Peacock a screenshot of a news story that appeared to show Sims in the audience of a School Board meeting in Brevard County, which is seeking a new superintendent.

“Mornin,” she wrote. “Looks like Dusty at a Brevard school board meeting early Dec, so I’m guessing Brevard has been on the table for a while. Looks like that would be a big job. Flagler would be a cakewalk by comparison.”

A SCRIPT Hunt’s first text to Peacock on Feb. 22 came minutes before the 1 p.m. workshop, when she told him that School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin “advised I need a supermajority to officially place an item on the agenda” at that evening’s board meeting.

A supermajority would be four out of the five School Board members. At 4:01 p.m., Peacock sent Hunt a photograph of a computer screen showing an email or document that contained instructions on how she could bring up the contract discussion during the “old business” or “new business” agenda items at the meeting.

The email or document had been sent to Peacock by a third party, he said.

The image is difficult to read. At the top, it said, “Script,” and a few lines down, it said, “Under new or old.” That was followed by a list of five numbered steps. The first said: “Make motion to discuss and address Super’s contract. If second, then you can discuss and address.”

No. 2 on the list said, “After discussion, make motion to terminate and get the second. Once there is a second, it has to be voted on or withdrawn.”

In a phone interview on Friday, March 31, Peacock said the screen shot was an explanation of Robert’s Rules of Order to help Hunt get a vote on the contract as early as the Feb. 22 evening board meeting.

Because of legal reasons, Peacock said, he did not want to reveal who had sent him that message.

“I don’t know if legally I can divulge that information. That might put me in a situation. You know, like, again, illegally providing information from another … I don’t know. I don’t know if legally I can give that information.”

He said the object was to get the

Image from Flagler Schools livestream

School Board member Sally Hunt was outspoken about holding discussions on Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s contract renewal as soon as possible.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Flagler Schools staff members console Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt after the board voted not to renew her contract.

“How can you gain stability when you keep making changes?

Flagler County eats its own. It’s awful.”

CHERYL MASSARO

Ormond Beach names SONC after longtime community advocates

That

Bethune-Cookman.’

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Last month, the city of Ormond Beach held a ceremony at South Ormond Neighborhood Center to unveil the building’s new name, honoring two longtime Ormond Beach community advocates who, for decades, created opportunities for local Black youths. But if you ask honoree Joe Daniels,

the last thing he’s thought about since he started coaching young athletes at SONC in the 1970s was recognition. In fact, the 86-year-old Ormond Beach resident said he was caught by surprise when Ormond Beach Police Officer Greg Stokes, a regular at SONC, told him Daniels’ and Daniels’ late wife’s names were now on the side of the building.

“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,’” Daniels said. “It was good, but when you’re doing stuff ... if you have a goal in mind, you just don’t think about the impact that you make.”

And the Daniels have had an impact.

Described in the mayor’s proc -

lamation on March 4 as “pillars of Ormond Beach,” Daniels and his late wife, Elwillie, spent decades serving the community by being on boards, founding youth organizations and volunteering for numerous causes. They also helped drive the establishment of the Ormond Beach Housing Authority.

Among Daniels’ accomplishments are founding Boy Scout Troop 408 for Black boys, serving on the Police Athletic League and Ormond Beach Police Explorers, and most recently, in 2021, creating the first African American Community Celebration at SONC.

“There’s not one thing I would do differently,” Daniels said.

BASKETBALL BEGINNINGS

Daniels came to Ormond Beach in 1939. He was 3, and his family was traveling with another family down from Cordele, Georgia, in the hope of finding work in Pahokee, near Lake Okeechobee. Daniels was too young to remember the journey, but was told there were about 16 people traveling in one vehicle.

Daniels’ aunt lived in Ormond at the time, and the families planned to stop and stay overnight before continuing down the state. But their vehicle wouldn’t start the next morning.

“So we got stuck here,” Daniels said. “So Dad said we might as well stay in Ormond, and my aunt — that was my dad’s sister — convinced us to stay in Ormond.”

Sports played a big role in Daniels’ life growing up in Ormond. As a student at the Rigby School and then Campbell Street High School, which he graduated from in 1955, he played on the basketball team. He recalled playing the same teams over and over, no matter what grade he was in.

“That was before integration, you know,” he said. “Then, we had to play the schools that we could play.”

He also worked as a caddy at Oceanside Country Club, and recalls the days when the old bridge to the beachside would get stuck while trying to let boats pass through, and

he’d have to pay 25 cents for someone to bring him back to the mainland in a row boat.

“They would pay us $1.50 to carry one bag, and there were some days I would regret paying that 25 cents,” Daniels said. After graduating high school, Daniels moved to Buffalo, New York, where he met his late wife, Elwillie, at church.

Then, in 1974, he came back home.

MAKING SONC HISTORY

When he moved back, Daniels started volunteering to coach boys basketball at SONC. The building looked a lot different back then: It was a small facility with a single outdoor court, primarily used for volleyball. Most games were played at Nova Rec.

Daniels didn’t let that stop him. He formed the Ormond Bruins team and even met with Ron Rice, of Hawaiian Tropic, to get the program going.

“They came under Ormond recreation, the Bruins did,” Daniels said. “But in the meantime, when I started doing this stuff, I had Hawaiian Tropic to give me shirts and things when I would do camps and tournaments.”

He got with Fred “Curly” Neal of the Harlem Globetrotters and had him come for summer camps at Nova Rec for the kids.

Vince Carter was also part of that program, Daniels recalled.

“I knew he was going to be pretty good,” Daniels said. “People would come out to Nova to see him because he was a lot better than most other kids, and at the time people would come out there and he could play. He was so gifted.”

Daniels coached for 30 years.

‘THIS WAS HER DREAM’ After he married Elwillie, Daniels brought her to Ormond to meet his family.

One of the places he showed her was Bethune-Cookman University.

“She never had seen a predominantly Black school,” he recalled.

“... She said, ‘Eventually, we’ll move down here, and I want to work at that school.’ She said, ‘I want to work at

was her dream.”

About a week after moving to Ormond, she had a job at B-CU as an office manager.

According to the city’s proclamation, she also founded First Impressions, a youth social organization, and served as the chair on the board of directors for the Ormond Neighborhood Child Development Center. She was a deaconess and choir member of the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.

She and Joe were married for 61 years and raised three sons.

GOING TO COMMISSION MEETINGS

While Ormond Beach has certainly changed in the time Daniels has lived in the community, one thing, for him, has remained constant: His regular attendance at City Commission meetings since 1974.

He said he’s known every mayor and every commissioner since. His wife ran for office in the 1980s, but, he jokingly said, she only got around 20 votes.

He did, however, know late former Mayor David Hood rather well. The two met while Daniels was with the city’s T-ball program, in which Hood’s son participated. When Daniels found out that Hood, a commissioner at the time, was going to run for mayor in 1994, he campaigned for him.

When asked what he thought of Hood, Daniels said he was a “very fine fellow.”

It had been a mission of Hood’s to name SONC after Daniels, according to the city.

Several people have asked Daniels how he feels now that SONC bears his and his wife’s names.

He feels good about it, but he also feels like it hasn’t sunk in yet.

“Everybody thinks something of it other than me, but it hasn’t hit me yet,” Daniels said. “I don’t know why. Because see — it’s like going to the commission meetings. I feel like I need to go. ... Maybe it’ll eventually hit me that it’s a good thing I went.”

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Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach Joe Daniels was recognized during a city naming ceremony on March 4.

Joe Daniels and his late wife, Elwillie, dedicated decades to serving Ormond.

contract up for a vote, not necessarily to terminate Mittelstadt’s contract.

“There’s five people on the board, and it takes three votes,” he said. “But yes, get it before the board for a vote.

I can say this, no one gave me any indication of where they stood.”

When Hunt brought up the topic of Mittelstadt’s contract at the Feb. 22 workshop, board members Massaro and Conklin pushed back, noting that Hunt and board members Christy Chong and Will Furry are all new, first-term school board members, and urging Hunt to wait for more information on Mittelstadt.

After the workshop drew to a close, at 5:59 p.m., Hunt sent a text to Peacock asking, “Are you watching this?”

Peacock responded, “Yes I watch the whole thing I can’t believe they talked to you that way. We have to regroup.

Gavin totally represented Mittelstadt. We need outside counsel. Too many thoughts to put down in a text.”

At the School Board business meeting that evening, Hunt asked a procedural question about future board discussions of the contract. But she did not make a motion.

The following morning, Peacock asked Hunt in a text how she was doing.

Hunt answered, “Upset I wasn’t more assertive.”

Peacock responded, “Let’s re-group. That was an ambush all four of them were part of it.”

Later in the day, Hunt sent a text to Peacock that said in part, “I’m hearing at the working agenda we can request the vote be placed at the info workshop, board meeting or special meeting.”

While Hunt was not successful in having the board

suspend the rules and add the contract vote to the Feb. 22 board meeting agenda, she was successful on March 28 in adding an item to request her own removal as Wadsworth’s board liaison. “It’s a tremendous school. Unfortunately, because of certain narratives in the media, I believe it is in Wadsworth’s best interests to no longer serve as the liaison of that school,” she said. The board accepted her request.

SCHEDULED VOTE

In her March 31 email to the Observer , Hunt wrote that she’d left the Feb. 7 School Board workshop with the understanding that the topic of Mittelstadt’s contract would be placed on a March meeting agenda.

“It was also my understanding the superintendent’s assistant would be reaching out to schedule one-on-one meetings between Superintendent Mittelstadt and each board member for the purpose of discussing Cathy’s evaluation,” she wrote. “Not only did I not hear anything about the one-on-one, I was disappointed when I learned the contract was not on the March agenda, as discussed.”

At the board’s March 7 workshop, Mittelstadt reminded board members that she promised to provide her self-evaluation to them by March 17, with one-onone meetings to be scheduled thereafter.

School Board member Will Furry, at the time, agreed that a discussion on April 4 and a vote on April 18 would give the board members enough time to go over the documentation and meet with the superintendent.

“We have to do our due diligence,” Furry said.

But at a board meeting on March 28, Furry got a board

Dune holdout has yet to sign agreement

consensus, with the support of Hunt and Chong, to hold a vote on Mittelstadt’s contract on April 4, rather than the previously decided date of April 18.

Furry said he wanted to hold the vote earlier “In light of a lot of things going on in the media surrounding Superintendent Mittelstadt’s contract.”

Peacock said he believes Mittelstadt should not continue to be superintendent.

Although he believes he was wrongfully demoted from district chief of operations and terminated from his role as a negotiator, he said his opinion comes from his experience as a principal at two county schools and his service in the district office.

“If they asked me a question regarding (Mittelstadt’s) performance, I’d say, our ESE services, they’re horrible. We’re having all kinds of frustration. We’re getting teachers beat up, we’re getting kids that are being hurt. If Ms. Mittelstadt is going to be the superintendent, then let’s turn the page and let’s move on. … I don’t believe that she’s the right person to continue to lead Flagler County.”

Mittelstadt declined to comment on the charges.

Before the April 4 vote, Peacock said if Mittelstadt were to be retained, he would still like to continue as the principal at Wadsworth.

“I will pick up the phone (and say), ‘Cathy, congratulations. Let’s talk about where we are. Let’s bury the hatchet.’ I would want to have a conversation with her to be able to move forward and get all this drama and this other stuff behind us. So, if that’s how it ends up, that’s how it ends up.”

Managing editor Jonathan Simmons contributed to this story.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

For unknown reasons, the final dune easement holdout has yet to sign a hold harmless agreement with the county, despite the looming threat of a trial.

A planned Army Corps of Engineers project to shore up the dune in Flagler Beach requires signed easements from all property owners in the project area. Just one, Cynthia D’Angiolini, has not signed, delaying the project. D’Angiolini also had not disclosed her ownership of two beachfront parcels in a bankruptcy case, giving the county leverage to push her to sign.

County attorney Al Hadeed told the Flagler County Commission at an April 3 meeting that the county will be going to a pretrial hearing on April 4 for the D’Angiolini’s bankruptcy case. Hadeed and Scott Sprad-

ley, who is representing the county in D’Angiolini’s bankruptcy case, attended an initial bankruptcy hearing in Orlando on Jan. 31 in which D’Angiolini agreed to sign a hold-harmless agreement. The agreement does not pay D’Angiolini anything in return for the easement rights to the two properties, but is instead about rights assurance, Hadeed said at a February commission meeting.

Now, over two months later, D’Angiolini still has not signed the agreements, though her lawyer has repeatedly assured the county she would.

“We cannot simply rely on endless assurance that she is going to sign,” Hadeed said.

Hadeed discovered in early December that D’Angiolini had failed to disclose her ownership of the two beachfront properties when she filed for bankruptcy in 2019.

In the fall of 2022, she finished paying off her debts from the bankruptcy case without ever disclosing those two properties and their value.

The judge in the bankruptcy case indicated Jan. 31 that there would not be a trial if D’Angiolini signed the agreements, Hadeed told the Observer . Hadeed said he is sure the judge would ask at a future hearing why she has not signed. But until then, the county will prepare depositions for the possibility of a trial on April 17.

“We’re going to be taking depositions of potential witnesses on the issue of the fraudulent concealment,” Hadeed said, “because we want to be prepared on the day the trial commences.”

COUNTY COMMISSION REVIEWS DEMOLITION DETERMINATION PROCESS

Flagler County Commissioners are looking to change part of the county’s policy on how

“I’m speaking on behalf of the community here. It wasn’t the historical value so much; it was more along the lines of like, we like to eat there, we like the view.”

CHARLES COWART, Bunnell resident

county buildings are determined to be red-tagged for demolition.

The change follows the decision to demolish the Bull Creek Fish Camp restaurant after it sat in flood waters for months from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. For the Bull Creek building, the inspector used the value on the county property appraiser’s website, but Commissioner Leann Pennington said at a February commission meeting that that value was less than the building’s actual value.

At the April 3 workshop, the County Commission directed staff to investigate a process for getting an outside appraisal when deciding if a county building should be demolished. Vice Chair Andy Dance also suggested that if a building is selected to be demolished, the proposal should be brought to the board — and the public — for transparency.

“There’s a history to the buildings,” Dance said. “People have become so attached to the buildings that I think it’s part of the grieving process.”

The Bull Creek building is still going to be demolished. Now, residents in that area hope the county replaces the restaurant with something residents can still enjoy, Bunnell resident Charles Cowart said.

In a workshop, the County Commission also looked to explore changing the process for determining the value of county-owned condemned buildings.

Photo by Sierra Williams County attorney Al Hadeed

COPS CORNER

MARCH 17 SWINDLER ON THE ROOF

1:05 p.m. — 900 block of Buena Vista Avenue, Ormond Beach Fraud. An Ormond Beach resident called police after he paid a $2,500 deposit to a fraudulent roofing company.

The resident reported that he was quoted $4,600 to repair his roof and that the individual he spoke with asked for the rest of the money before beginning the roof repair. The resident refused, and was informed that the roof would be completed by March 4, according to a police report.

It was not. In fact, the resident told police, no work had ever been started, and he asked for a refund. However, each time he spoke with the roofer, he was given excuses for why the roofer couldn’t return the money.

Police were unable to find any information showing that the roofing company was a legitimate business, and that the listed address for the company was for a gas station. The resident wished to press charges.

ALL THAT FOR A TATT

3:44 p.m. — Old Kings Road, Palm Coast Disorderly conduct, threatening a public servant. A Palm Coast man was arrested after he entered a tattoo parlor and allegedly began threatening to shoot people when he was asked to wait.

Deputies were called but the man had left the parlor and was located two businesses down. The suspect was slurring his words and smelled of alcohol, according to the man’s arrest report.

The suspect was “highly argumentative” when deputies placed him in a patrol car, kicking against the door and rear window while deputies took statements from inside the tattoo parlor. On the way to jail, the suspect threatened to beat the officers.

The man was charged with disorderly conduct and threatening a public servant.

MARCH 20

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

11:51 a.m. — 600 block of North Nova Road, Ormond Beach Larceny. Police responded to a local condominium after a unit owner reported that someone had stolen all his door knobs, plus cabinet hardware and a dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave.

The owner suspected former tenants were responsible. The owner told police that they had also left the water running in the unit, causing about $3,500 in water damage to three floors, according to a police incident report.

The owner told officers staff had noticed the

water was leaking the night before and turned it off, only to return the next day to see the water had been turned on again, allegedly by the former tenants, as they were spotted on surveillance video leaving the property with the missing items.

MARCH 21 MOVING PROBLEMS

3:34 p.m. — Crossbar Way, Palm Coast Disturbance with weapons. A Palm Coast resident was so irate about a moving truck partially blocking his driveway that he allegedly grabbed his firearm.

Two employees from a furniture moving company were at a house and parked the truck while they worked. The neighbor came outside and began ordering the employees to move their truck, swearing at them, according to an incident report.

When the employees did not immediately move the truck, the man began yelling and lifted his shirt to show his firearm, grabbing the gun’s grip, according to the report.

Deputies were called to the scene. When they spoke to the man, he admitted to displaying his firearm and told deputies that the employees acted “arrogantly,” the report said.

Neither employee opted to press charges against the man. They finished their work to leave in peace.

False bomb threat had deputies searching Walmart’s bathrooms

A false bomb threat made at Walmart on March 29 had Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies searching the store’s toilets.

The threat was called into the pharmacy’s phone line at 4:18 p.m., according to the FCSO’s incident report for the bomb threat. A pharmacy technician who answered the call told the store’s general manager that the caller sounded like a juvenile male. The caller said, “I dropped a bomb in your toilet,” before hanging up.

The false threat prompted an immediate evacuation of the store according to Walmart’s policies, the report said.

When FCSO deputies arrived, the bathrooms were cleared of people and blocked off while the store was being evacuated. Once the store was cleared of people, FCSO K-9 units searched it.

The store was given the all-clear at 5:39 p.m., the report said, with nothing suspicious found.

The general manager gave deputies the caller ID information, a 904 phone number with a woman’s name. FCSO’s Intel Unit will be following up on the incident, the report said.

Second suspect arrested in threat against Chitwood

Another out-of-state 4chan user who posted an online threat to kill Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has been arrested in California.

Tyler Meyer, 30, was arrested Friday, March 31, by the San Diego Police Department.

Meyer’s anonymous post in the “Politically Incorrect” board on 4chan stated: “It’s too bad Mike Chitwood isn’t safe now that I’m planning to kill him. I’m going to shoot Mike Chitwood. I’m going to kill him by shooting him to death.”

The FBI flagged the threat, traced it, and identified and contacted Meyer, who was initially hesitant to admit to posting the threat. He ultimately admitted to writing the post after being shown an image of it.

Multiple firearms, ammunition and electronics were seized from Meyer’s home.

Meyer is charged with making a written threat to kill or injure, a second-degree felony which carries a bond of $100,000. He is in custody in San Diego pending extradition to Volusia County.

Sheriff Chitwood again thanked all the members of VSO, the FBI, the Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza and the San Diego Police Department who worked on the case.

Chitwood and his family have received threatening or harassing messages after he condemned neoNazi hate groups who have recently targeted Volusia County and other areas in Florida.

On March 13, a New Jersey man was arrested in New Jersey following a similar 4chan post about Chitwood. The suspect, 38-year-old Richard Golden, has since been extradited to Florida. Golden remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $100,000 bond.

OBMS given ‘all clear’ after bomb threat issued via AirDrop

A threat that caused Ormond Beach Middle School to evacuate students out of the cafeteria Friday was not credible, and law enforcement issued an “all clear,” according to Volusia County Schools.

Parents received a call from the school notifying them of the threat at around 10:42 a.m., based on a screenshot provided to the Observer. The voicemail told parents that a threat was AirDropped in the cafeteria before the start of the school day.

AirDrop is an Apple technology that allows Apple device users to wirelessly send photos, videos and other media to other Apple devices.

After evacuating students and staff from the cafeteria, the school was placed on a “hold.”

This incident followed a similar threat that had been AirDropped during an Ormond Beach Middle School basketball game against Campbell Middle School Thursday night.

Though VCS didn’t specify the nature of the threat, social media posts

by parents of students, along with emails sent to the Observer, said it was a bomb threat.

“Volusia County Schools takes all reports of threats seriously, and we thank our administration and law enforcement for quickly handling these situations,” the statement by VCS said. “We also appreciate our students, who continue to notify school officials when they see or hear any suspicious activity.”

Bunnell man, 73, charged with indecent exposure

A man has been arrested after he allegedly exposed his genitals to a woman and smelled her hair.

The incident happened March 27. The man, 73-year-old Donald George Argraves, was arrested by the Bunnell Police Department on April 2. Argraves lives in a community in Bunnell, and the victim works at the community’s clubhouse. The victim told BPD officers she was speaking to Argraves at the clubhouse while she worked on her computer when she began to hear him moaning behind her, the arrest report said. Without turning around, the victim looked at the surveillance footage on her computer and saw Argraves sitting in a chair, touching himself and exposing his genitals, the report said. Argraves then got up and walked up behind her to touch and smell her hair, telling the victim it smelled pretty.

The victim then told Argraves to leave the office, and she stepped out to call her supervisor and BPD.

Officers reviewed the footage, which showed Argraves touching his groin area through his pants and later walking behind the victim. Because of the camera’s angle, BPD officers could not see what Argraves was doing. He admitted to smelling the victim’s hair, the report said.

BPD discovered that Argraves had a criminal history in New Jersey: one felony lewdness conviction from 2002, and two 2020 stalking and lewdness charges that were later dropped.

Argraves was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he later posted bond.

He is charged with felony indecent exposure and misdemeanor battery.

STATE BRIEF BRIEFS

Volusia Sheriff’s Offices launches ‘Connect Volusia’

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office has launched Connect Volusia, a platform that lets residents and businesses add their security cameras to a countywide database to help detectives quickly track down video evidence, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced on March 30.

“Video cameras are helping solve crimes every day, from a theft at Walmart to a shooting in a residential neighborhood,” Chitwood said.

“With Connect Volusia, detectives will have one more tool to find crucial evidence and solve cases fast.”

Powered by Fusus, the camera registry serves as an online portal for citizens to register their security cameras. Registration does not give VSO access to live video. It only provides location information to track down cameras when an incident occurs. Those who want to be able to send live video to VSO during emergencies can upgrade their camera system to do so by installing a small device on their network. Register at connect.volusiasheriff.gov.

Hammock Dunes Cares donates $100,000 to PAL

Hammock Dunes Cares has donated $100,000 to the Flagler Sheriff’s Police Athletic League.

The money was donated after the FSPAL’s annual fundraising event, The RALLY, which is held in the first quarter of every year, according to a press release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Hammock Dunes Cares was the sponsor of the 2023 RALLY event and raised over $120,000 for FSPAL and other local charities.

The $100,000 will go toward the league’s new facility, the press release said. To donate for the facility, make checks payable to the Flagler Sheriff’s Police Athletic League and mail them to FSPAL/ FCSO District 2 at 14 Palm Harbor Village Way W., Palm Coast, 32137, or donate in person between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Senate passes major death penalty change

In an issue that emerged after Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to life in prison, the Florida Senate on Thursday approved eliminating a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences.

“Nikolas Cruz acted as judge, jury and, unfortunately, executioner also,” Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said. “If a monster like that, who commits heinous crimes like that, does not deserve and get the death penalty, then what do we have a death penalty for?”

The Senate voted 29-10 to pass a bill (SB 450), sponsored by Ingoglia, that would allow death sentences to be imposed based on the recommendations of eight of 12 jurors. Judges would have discretion to sentence defendants to life in prison after receiving jury recommendations of death sentences. But in such instances, the judges would have to explain in written orders their reasons for deviating from the death-sentence recommendations.

Thursday’s vote in the Republicancontrolled Senate was mostly along party lines. Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Plantation, Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, and Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, crossed party lines to vote for the bill. Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, and Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, joined most Democrats in voting against it.

If the Legislature and DeSantis move away from a unanimous-jury requirement, the change likely will face a constitutional challenge. During a committee meeting this month, Aaron Wayt, who represented the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, pointed to recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court and said he thinks the change would be found unconstitutional.

— JIM SAUNDERS, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

‘Diverging diamond’ proposed for US 1, I-95 interchange redesign

JARLEENE

ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

The U.S. 1-Interstate 95 interchange in Ormond Beach may be redesigned as a “diverging diamond” interchange. The Florida Department of Transportation says the redesign, expected to cost $215.4 million overall, will make the interchange safer and capable of accommodating heavier traffic.

FDOT identified a diverging diamond as its preferred redesign option on March 29 during the first of two public hearings as part of FDOT’s ongoing Project Development and Environment Study. A second public meeting will be held in person at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at The Chapel, located at 1805 N. U.S. 1. According to FDOT, a diverging diamond interchange design would be safer because vehicles turning left would not have to cross opposing traffic and drivers would be less likely to enter ramps in the wrong direction.

The redesign would also feature improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists, such as shared-use paths and signalcontrolled crossings, and could accommodate heavier traffic with fewer delays, according to FDOT.

“This (diverging diamond) configuration improves traffic flow while minimizing the number of potential crash locations and the potential severity of those crashes,” FDOT stated in its presentation.

FDOT would need to acquire 9.7 acres of rights-of-way for the reconfiguration, affecting 18 parcels of land and 15 property owners.

Two businesses — the Sunoco gas station and Florida Citrus World at 1576 N. U.S. 1 — would be displaced.

The project would also change the driveway access for seven businesses and change the median access for 10 businesses, including McDonalds and Dollar General.

FDOT anticipates impacting 2.4 acres of floodplain and 1.5 acres of wetlands, and stated in its presentation that it would provide 3.9 acres of floodplain compensation sites.

FDOT began studying the interchange in 2021.

The interchange, designed in the early 1960s, still has

some original elements — such as median openings, tight loop ramps and driveway connections — which no longer meet current spacing standards.

FDOT predicts that traffic will increase by over 40% on I-95 and will more than double on U.S. 1 by 2050. Since the interchange and the surrounding area are a hot spot for crashes, FDOT decided that the interchange could not stay in its current condition.

“As the approved-formixed-use developments within the area, like Ormond Crossings and Plantation, Oaks are built out, thousands of new vehicles will be added to the local roadway network, many of which will use the interchange on a daily basis. And with this, congestion will intensify,” FDOT stated.

In addition to the interchange redesign, FDOT is planning to widen U.S. 1 from four to six lanes and replace the I-95 overpasses over U.S. 1 and the nearby Florida East Coast railroad.

The next phase of the project, design, is expected to cost $3.3 million and is already funded. The construction phase remains unfunded.

To learn more or view the presentation, visit cflroads. com/project/419772-2.

The design would be safer and could handle more traffic, according to FDOT.

LETTERS

Recycle right

As I am on my daily 4-mile walk every day, it saddens me to see how many people do not know how to recycle the proper way.

Numerous people put their recyclables in small Publix or Walmart plastic bags, then throw them into their recycling bins. These plastic bags jam up the huge conveyer belts.

If everyone would Google the recycling process, they would see how these bags jam the machine up. Then there are people at both ends of the machine so that when they stop the machine, they have to sort out all the problems like plastic bags plus the items that aren’t recyclable.

Plus, I hate to say it, but I see the recycling bins getting put in the regular garbage trucks. I called up a couple of times asking how that is getting recycled when it’s thrown in a regular truck, and both times they really couldn’t give me a logical explanation.

PAT BARILE Palm Coast

Editor’s note: We asked Waste Pro about recycling bins being emptied into garbage trucks, and about proper garbage and recycling practice. Waste Pro Communications Manager Joy Kurtz emailed the following explanation:

“Waste Pro collects co-mingled recyclable material in rear-load collection vehicles. Rear-load vehicles can also be utilized for

Make yourself at home

trash services. The material inside the collection vehicle and not the type of collection vehicle is what determines the disposal location.

“All co-mingled recyclable materials are collected weekly via bins in Flagler County and Palm Coast and ultimately delivered to Waste Pro’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Ocala, Florida for processing.

“Once the items are processed at the MRF, they are sold via various brokers to end users who ultimately give the material its second life.

“Bins containing contaminated materials (including plastic bags, food waste, etc.) will be tagged for non-compliance. The tag program works as an educational outreach effort to assist with cleaning up the recycling placed in the bin weekly.

“A resident can clean up the contents of their bin and place it

A chilly trip to the beach with

est children to the beach in my own family van. It was chilly enough that I wore a jacket, zipped all the way up. My 4-year-old son, Luke insisted on a T-shirt only. I tucked his jacket into the van just in case.

My 8-year-old, Kennedy, wore her jacket.

out the following week with their normal recycling collection. If the resident does not choose to clean up the bin’s contents, the items will be collected in the trash truck for proper disposal.

“Plastic bags are not part of the program recyclables and therefore should not be placed in recycling bins for collection.

“Plastic bags and other contaminants can disrupt the belts and other equipment in a recycling processing facility or MRF. If plastic bags are found in a recycling bin, the bin will be marked with a non-compliance (tag) notice and collected with a trash truck.

“To view more on waste services and how to recycle right, please visit palmcoast.gov/customerservice/garbage.”

one rule: ‘Don’t get wet’

adding, in full honesty, “for me.”

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

According to a McMillan family legend, my parents brought me and my siblings to the beach on a cold day in Washington state in the 1980s, when I was about 5 years old. While we were there, the story goes, we were given strict orders: “Whatever you do, don’t get wet.”

Some time later, we cold and crying children trudged back to the family van, shivering, dripping, defeated. Over the years, it seemed, that legend came to symbolize to my parents the disobedience of all children everywhere.

I thought about that story last week, when I drove my two young-

YOUR TOWN

K-9 AXLE MAKES IT TO THE FINAL FOUR

After a “ruff” competition, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 made it to the final four of the Florida Sheriffs Association’s K-9 March Madness competition.

Sixteen sheriffs offices from across Florida competed for the title of K-9 March Madness Champion on the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s

When we got to the beach, near the pier, I told my children, sternly and with great enthusiasm, that this was not go-in-the-ocean weather. This was walk-along-theshore weather.

“You can get your toes wet,” I said. “That’s it. You may not get your shorts wet.”

My last line, repeated for emphasis was, “Whatever you do, don’t get your shorts wet.”

Luke’s eyes were wild with anticipation, looking past me at the waves. Raising his voice to my energy level, he shouted in response, “OK! I’ll try!”

“No, no, no, no,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You can’t just try, you have to do it. Please don’t get your shorts wet.”

“Why can’t we?” Kennedy asked.

“Because you’ll be wet and miserable, and it won’t be fun,” I said,

Facebook page over the course of March. The FCSO submitted Axle, who made it all the way to the top four before falling to Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Copper on March 31.

Copper will go head-to-head against Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Mako for the championship title. Nassau County’s Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Rip also made it to the final four, but fell to Mako.

The competition took place exclusively on the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s Facebook page, with participants voting for one K-9 over another by using specific Facebook reactions. Voting for the champion-

Probably with the same amount of optimism as my parents had in Washington years earlier, I released them. Luke inched toward the water. For him, it was not enough to observe the magnificence of the waves from a safe distance. If the surf foam slid toward him and stopped more than 1 inch away from his toes, he believed it was imperative to move 2 inches closer. When the next wave crashed and meekly stopped 12 inches in front of him, he moved 13 inches closer.

Finally, on the next wave, his tiny feet disappeared in the foam. He turned and ran away, squealing with delight, seemingly surprised with every sensation he was feeling, playing tag with Mother Nature.

Kennedy, too, was elated. “It’s so warm, Dad! It’s not cold at all!” she said.

“You still can’t go in besides your feet,” I said, making sure they didn’t let their joy get in the way of my convenience.

The truth is that I, unlike Kennedy and Luke, was perfectly content to watch the waves swell, to watch

the infinite variety of their crashing, shaving, grinding action, the relentlessness of their self destruction and renewal. Like Luke, I was eager to be surprised by Mother Nature.

As they played, I reflected on the temperature and knew the air wasn’t nearly as cold here in Flagler Beach as it had been that day in Washington. I knew I was being too uptight; it’s one of my character failings that I impose on my children. I guess I’m predictable.

Then again, so is Luke.

A few minutes later, my little boy was caught by a wave that came faster than he had expected, and it leaped up and splashed his shorts. He immediately looked at me, dripping wet. I folded my arms and cocked my head to the side to show my disappointment, but, in reality, I must have known it would happen all along.

He grinned a guilty grin, and I turned my frown into a smile of forgiveness. After all, I had lived this moment myself, nearly four decades ago, unable to resist the charms and thrills of the water.

DEATH NOTICE

VICTOR H. KEISER, JR.

Victor H. Keiser, Jr. died on Sunday, March 12, 2023, age 96, at his home in Palm Coast, FL. He is survived by family and friends, including his grandchildren, Daniel and Mindy. There will be a memorial service for Vic in Michigan this summer. For a full obituary, please go to NeptuneSociety.com.

ObserverLocalNews.com

PALM COAST Observer

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember 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

Media Director Holly Oliveri, holly@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Office Coordinator Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

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

VETERAN OF THE WEEK

ship will begins on the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s Facebook page on April 5.

GARDEN OF THE MONTH

Garden Club recognizes the Sewells’ garden

The Sewells’ colorful garden began with just two bromeliads.

NANCY IANDOLI

SELECTION OF THE MONTH

COMMITTEE

Deborah and John Sewell, of Cochise Court, have been recognized as the April 2023 Selection of the Month by The Garden Club at Palm Coast.

Originally from Utah, they moved to Palm Coast in 2015 to get away from snow.

They have created their colorful landscape with many bromeliads, starting with only two, and now they are climbing and multiplying on their queen palm tree.

They are grateful for the generosity of their friends and neighbors for sharing their plants.

They have several bird of paradise blooming throughout their landscape. The one near the front door entrance is well sheltered from frost and cold winds and blooms year round.

In the back patio area facing the

Richard Oexmann



Branch of military: U.S. Army

 Dates of service: 1969-1971

PETS UP FOR ADOPTION

2.5-year-old Bob, a terrier and pit bull mix, weighs 55 pounds.

Stella, a 7-year-old female terrier mix, weighs 55 pounds.

2.5-year-old Dexter is a 70-pound terrier-mix.

canal, they have much diversity of plants, including: blooming cactus, bright pink crown of thorns in a multi-color ceramic boot, flaming Katy orange kalanchoe, calla lily, several jade plants, snake plants, a dracaena (corn plant), variegated philodendron, a beautiful wooden

fish driftwood with air plants attached, pink amaryllis, other varieties of bromeliads, orchids, a stunning Alocasia polly (elephant ears) and even a money tree (Pachira aquatica). And it all started with just two bromeliads. Nice job, Sewell family!

Nova is a 4.5-year-old terrier mix weighing 60 pounds.

Anyone interested in adopting can apply online or contact the Humane Society at 386-445-1814 to inquire about the adoption fees.

 Rank/occupation: CW2/Aviator (Helicopter Pilot)  Hometown: New Haven, Indiana Richard Oexmann is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War who flew the Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter. He was assigned to the 7th Squadron of the 17th Cavalry, known as the “Ruthless Raiders.” Many of his missions were in three ship formations carrying seven-man special units into hostile enemy territory. Oexmann flew hazardous missions to help rescue fellow downed pilots and several times to sling-load their downed “Loach” (a small Army helicopter used for enemy observation) out of the crash site. One such mission was particularly dangerous, earning Oexmann the Silver Star Medal. He was also a flight leader and a battle control pilot for the combat commander. After his honorable service to his country, Oexmann returned home and resumed flying in a civilian capacity as a flight instructor, air taxi, air freight and a corporate pilot for a large real estate developer. Later he worked for Bell South and ATT for many years. Oexmann moved in 2009 to Palm Coast, where he still resides with his wife, Mary. He is a local Realtor and a professional drone pilot, conducting aerial photography. Oexmann is a longtime member of the Military Officers Association of America and serves on the board of directors for the Flagler County Chapter.

NEED HELP WITH VETERAN SERVICES?

For information about other support organizations and benefits available to veterans, call 386-313-4014.

‘You can get your toes wet,’ I said. ‘That’s it.’

Courtesy photo Deborah and John Sewell, of Cochise Court, have been recognized as the April 2023 Selection of the Month recipients by The Garden Club at Palm Coast.

Image courtesy of FCSO FCSO’s K-9 Axle

Modern Minds Learning robotics team’s energy idea wins first at states

The nine-student team presented its solution to the energy crisis: turning cow farts into power.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Is there a way to capture methane from cows and convert it into energy?

Nine students at Modern Minds Learning put their heads together to see if they could engineer a solution to that question — though, as a group of fourth through eighth graders, they phrased it a bit differently. They asked themselves, “What if we could make power from cow farts?”

Eighth grader Michael Meyer may have been the brains behind the suggestion.

“Everybody laughed, but then it became an actual idea,” Michael said. Six months later, the Modern Minds Mechanics team qualified for the FIRST LEGO League State Championship held at the University of North Florida on Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, where they competed against over 600 robotics teams from across the state for spots at the World Championship.

Every season, FIRST releases a real-world theme for its challenge, with this year’s being enegry, and the Modern Minds Mechanics won first place for its innovation project.

Through research and interviews with experts, students brainstormed a collection method similar to that of a greenhouse, where cows would roam freely, but a dome of polycarbonate sheet would help capture their methane.

The base of the farm would be composed of carbon bricks made of the excess carbon dioxide.

Seeing the students develop a concept and coaching them through how to bring it to fruition is amazing, said Morgan Phillips, STEM instructor at Modern Minds Learning in Ormond Beach. Children often come up with ideas that adults may dismiss at first, Phillips said, but it’s important to let

them think them through.

“Even if it’s not doable right now, 15 years from now, the technology that is out there now is going to be obsolete,” she said. “... What they envision for the future is possible, and if we tell that it’s not, then we won’t have people who are trying to build those opportunities.”

That’s part of why she left the public school system, where she taught for seven years and ran after school robotics clubs. She believes in the Modern Minds Learning program, which combines virtual online learning with a focus on STEM and outdoor education.

At the regionals held in Orlando, the Modern Minds Mechanics team won overall for robotic design — a

first for any of Phillips’ past teams.

“It’s a privilege to be their teacher and for them to allow me to be their coach and them to put their faith in me,” Phillips said.

Phillips also coaches an all-girls team, but they didn’t make it to states. They’re determined to work hard to change that next year.

For Rhyse Sukhija, the only girl on the Modern Minds Mechanics team, competing in robotics and working on the FIRST project has been a cool opportunity.

Before Phillips started teaching at Modern Minds, Rhyse said she didn’t know much about FIRST Lego League or robotics.

“I wasn’t sure if I would like it at

all, but it turned out this is probably one of my favorite things to do now,” Rhyse said. “I think you have so many opportunities and different things to learn from doing this and you can really just understand that no matter how old you are, you can solve worldwide problems, and you can actually have an impact on the world.”

Rhyse, one of the eighth graders on the team, said students have learned that coding in robotics is all trial and error.

“It can really help with life skills when you learn that nothing is going to be perfect the first time,” she said. “It could take you years to get one thing right, but the more you do it, the more skilled you become, and

the better whatever you’re working on gets.”

Michael agreed. He recently started coding.

“It takes perseverance and consistency to get it right,” he said.

Rhyse said she was looking forward to presenting the team’s Farms of the Future idea, which the team is also sharing with large dairy companies.

“I love having the ability to explain something that we created to others,” Rhyse said. “... It is the idea that we worked so hard to come up with. It is ours, and we are giving it to the world.”

Courtesy photo

Top row: STEM Instructor Morgan Phillips, Rocco Olivari, Michael Meyer, Brayden Hutto, Rhyse Sukhija, Ethan Strode, James Fleming, and Connor Burns. Bottom row: Luke Mclin and Nathaniel Kagan.

Tortugas mascot delivers meals to seniors

visited the Ormond Beach Senior Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21 and 22.

On Thursday, March 23, City Commissioner Lori Tolland assisted in the meal deliveries.

At the senior center, laughter filled the room as the playful Sheldon interacted with Meals on Wheels clients.

ABBIE PACE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Local celebrities delivered Meals on Wheels to seniors last month in a Council on Aging of Volusia County initiative in recognition of March as National Nutrition Month.

The celebrities included Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood, Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila and Sheldon, mascot of the Daytona Tortugas, who joined COA’s Meals on Wheels drivers for special deliveries to clients across the county, according to a press release.

In Ormond Beach, Sheldon

These meal deliveries are the only source of interaction for some seniors in the county, according to the COA.

“A good amount of [seniors] don’t have family living in the area or they have family that only come to visit a certain amount of time, because they work,” said Doreen Willett, Council on Aging of Volusia County community engagement liaison.

COA reports that 94% of Meals on Wheels clients live below the poverty line. One in four seniors live alone. Their food needs are often left unfulfilled, Willett said.

“Vulnerable seniors who have lived their lives and live full lives are in the position now where they need some help,” Willett said.

Beginning in 1967, the nonprofit Council on Aging of Volusia County has helped provide in-home care, help with light chores, and activities at senior centers in addition to its Meals on Wheels program, which provides meal deliveries and care to local vulnerable senior citizens.

Willett reflected on the rewarding moments she’s experienced through deliveries.

“There’s so many very organic moments, and seeing people’s smiles who might not necessarily have a lot to smile about makes a big difference,” she said.

The Volusia County Meals on Wheels team is composed of over 300 volunteers. Visit coavolusia.org.

The Council on Aging of Volusia County invited local celebrities to deliver Meals on Wheels.

Photo by Abbie Pace

COA Dining Site Coordinator Kathy Ingaharro, Daytona Tortugas Community Relation Manager Rachel Morton, Daytona Tortugas mascot Sheldon, COA Community Engagement Liaison Doreen Willett and COA Dining Site Coordinator Dawnmarie Mullins

Tomoka Elementary team wins first place at Battle of the Books

This year was the first that elementary schools in Volusia County participated in the quiz-bowl style reading competition.

OBSERVER STAFF

Tomoka Elementary’s Battle of the Books team won first place at the countywide reading competition at Daytona State College on March 24. This year was the first that ele

mentary schools in Volusia County participated in Battle of the Books, a quiz-bowl style competition where students are asked details about books that are part of the annual Sunshine State Young Readers Award list.

Middle and high schools in Volusia County have regularly competed in the competition.

Tomoka Elementary placed first out of 26 teams, making the school team the first to take the title at the elementary level, according to a statement supplied to the Observer

“We put a lot of effort in this

competition, and it all paid off,” said Hailey Lucas, fourth grade Tomoka Elementary student and Battle of the Books team captain. “I really enjoyed reading all the books, and thank my team for choosing me as team captain. We were a great team.”

Tionis Fordham, one of the team’s coaches and an academic coach at Tomoka, said in the statement that the competition was a “wonderful adventure.”

“It is truly amazing and invigorating to be part of such a wonderful journey,” Fordham said. “The commitment to excellence demonstrated

FROM THE STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

“Battle of the Books made me read books that I would not have chosen, but I liked them. Thanks to my teachers and my teammate friends for a great time.”

ELENA NUGENT, fourth grade

“I am very proud of Tomoka and all their hard work. It wasn’t scary, but it was intimidating at times.”

CARTER EDWARDS, fourth grade

“Life is like a ladder. You might fall, but you need to keep climbing to make it to the top.”

DEIRA RIVAS, third grade

by the student team, parent supporters and district staff truly showcased some wonderful work taking place within Volusia County schools. I’m extremely proud of our Tomoka team for the hard work and dedication that contributed toward this momentous achievement.”

Fourth teacher and team coach Lisi Brugone said she was beaming with pride at the team’s success, and that the competition ignited a love for books in many students.

“I am in awe of the determination and pride I saw from every school that participated in this Battle of the Books competition,” Brugone said.

“Every team has made their school proud! Volusia County did a phenomenal job making this competition a success.”

In addition to Hailey, the team was composed of fourth grade students Elena Nugent and Carter Edwards, as well as third grade students Valentina Alvorado and Deira Rivas.

“I love books and enjoy being competitive,” Valentina said. “Battle of the Books gave me the opportunity to thrive while reading and competing with friends. I can’t wait for next year.”

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Courtesy photo

Battle of the Books Coach Tionis Fordham, students Carter Edwards, Hailey Lucas, Valentina Alvorado, Deira Rivas and Elena Nugent, and Battle of the Books Coach Lisi Brugone

Hanns seeks his old commission seat

District

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Former Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns has announced that he will run again for the District 5 Commission seat in 2024.

Hanns served on the commission for 24 years, from 1992 to 2016. Before that, he served on the Palm Coast Service District Advisory Board for two years before Palm Coast was incorporated. He served as County Commission chair in 2009-10 and 2013-14.

Hanns lost his seat to Don-

BIZ BUZZ

DAYTONA STATE LAUNCHES CDL PROGRAM

Daytona State College leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, celebrating the launch of a commercial driver’s license training program in partnership with FleetForce Truck Driving School. The program will use part of a $1.3 million state allocation granted to DSC to address the need for commercial freight haulers. The state funding covers 77% of tuition for each student for the first year of the program.

The trucking industry projects a need for 1.1 million more drivers over the next decade.

ald O’Brien in 2016. O’Brien announced he will not seek re-election to the commission next year in order to run for the open District 19 Florida House of Representatives seat, as House Speaker Paul Renner will be finishing his final term.

Hanns, 76, a retired builder, said he has been volunteering, primarily as a tour guide at Princess Place Preserve, where the covered bridge on site is named in his honor.

“I have so much energy. I just wanted to throw my hat in the ring again,” he said.

Hanns cites several projects he helped bring to fruition during his years as a commissioner, including the Princess Place Preserve, Flagler County’s artificial reefs, the Florida Agricultural Museum, the Flagler County Youth Center and roller rink and the establishment of parks and nature trails.

“I’ve always been mindful of doing positive things that will help the majority of the

“This program gives students an opportunity to quickly learn new skills in a high-demand field and helps address the challenges to our transportation and supply chain issues,” DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso said.

The first class of eight students starts April 10 at DSC’s Advanced Technology College, and is already full. The college plans to start a new class every week and train 200 drivers annually. The four-week, 160-hour program consists of one week of classroom time and three weeks in a truck.

KISTEMAKER BUSINESS LAW HIRES FPC GRAD

Kistemaker Business Law Group and Erum Kistemaker

people,” he said.

Hanns, who had been a Democrat throughout his tenure on the commission, will run as a Republican.

“I’ve never been active in politics,” he said. “I’ve always voted for Republicans or Democrats, whoever I believe in, and I still do that. I changed parties two years ago. I just couldn’t see any connection with my thought process with the Democratic party and all that was going on.”

have hired Sydney Russell as a legal assistant. The Palm Coast local is a UCF student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in legal studies, with a minor in human services. She is applying to law schools and looking forward to pursuing her legal career. Kistemaker Business Law Group’s former legal assistant, Rima Suleiman, is now an attorney with the firm. “We are so fortunate to have found such a dedicated team member and quick learner in Sydney. It has given us a great opportunity to continue to grow the business,” Kistemaker said.

“Additionally, the training and teaching process is really exciting for us, and we have found so many strong future attorneys throughout the years.”

George Hanns will run for the

5 seat, which will open as Commissioner Donald O’Brien runs for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Courtesy photo George Hanns at the George Hanns Bridge at Princess Place Preserve.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Hoppy to be here

The Easter Bunny visited children of all ages in Palm Coast to deliver lots of candy and toy-filled eggs awarded as prizes at a variety of booths. Community partners and city staff hosted booths with activities like ring tosses, sack races, a pirate ship, fingerprinting with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and more. Popcorn, cotton candy and sugar cookies were free, while food trucks offered snow cones and lunch fare.

–CHRISTINE RODENBAUGH

Cam Derie, a fourth grader at Rimfire Elementary, crosses the finish line first in a sack race.

Ella, Liam, Flora, Mackenzie and Rylie Finn pose for an egg’stra special photo.

Ruby Ayuy, 5, hops across the finish line in a sack race. She said finding eggs was the best part of the day.

Lilian Dukes

Kenzly Wilson models bunny face paint near colorful spring flowers.

Maria Paiva, left, and Steven Chibante, right, pose with 5-year-old Lidia and the Easter Bunny.

Isabella Derie makes her second attempt at the ladder toss game.

Twin 4-year-olds Chloe and Hunter Boyle take turns tossing a bunny into the bucket.

Photos by Christine Rodenbaugh

The City of Palm Coast brings the fun!

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

FREE FAMILY ART NIGHT

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Instructor Linda King will lead a botanical spring collage during this monthly event. All art supplies are provided. The series is sponsored in part by the Women United Volusia Chapter. Visit bit.ly/ omam-ffan.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

THIRD ANNUAL PANTHER

Here at the City of Palm Coast, we value our natural resources and what better way to celebrate Earth Day than learning to protect our planet while protecting your pocketbook. Sign up for FREE at parksandrec.fun

Three to See

Movies in the Park Movies in the Park Friday, April 14 Friday, April 14

GOLF OUTING

When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Cypress Knolls Golf and Country Club, 53 Easthampton Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: Register for this golf outing presented by the Wadsworth Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. Sponsorships are available. Donations will be accepted. Visit wes-pto.com.

10TH ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL AND PLANT SALE

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 S.R. 100 E., Palm Coast

Details: The Garden Club at Palm Coast is hosting its annual spring festival and plant festival featuring arts and crafts vendors, specialty plant growers, educational exhibits, children’s activities, food, live music and more. Visit gardenclubatpalmcoast.org.

HISTORY OF AVIATION IN FLORIDA

When: 10 a.m.

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

Food Truck Tuesday Food Truck Tuesday

Tuesday, April 18 Tuesday, April 18

Details: The Ormond Beach Historical Society’s next Speaker Series meeting will focus on the early development of aviation in Florida. The presentation will be led by Stephen Craft. Free and open to the public.

MONDAY APRIL 10TH

American Legion Flagler Post 115 Monthly Meeting

When: 6:00pm

HELICOPTER CANDY DROP

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Wadsworth Park, 2200 Moody Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Join New Way Church for an Easter egg hunt straight from the skies. The church will be dropping 400 pounds of candy from a helicopter over Wadsworth Park. There will be face painting, free food and bounce houses.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

When: 9:30 a.m.

Where: Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Palm Coast United Methodist church will have a worship experience for Palm Sunday featuring music by the Praise Band and Voice of Faith. The service will be led by the new resident bishop in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. All are invited to attend. Visit palmcoastchurch.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 10

GARDEN CLUB MEETING

When: 11:30 a.m. lunch; 12 p.m. plant sale; 12:30 meeting

signup; and 1 p.m. meeting

Where: VFW Hall, 47 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: The Garden Club at Palm Coast meets the second Monday of each month from September to May. April’s guest speaker is Jeanne Long from the Flagler County Orchid Society. There will be a raffle for a floral design and door prizes. Visitors are welcome one time to preview the club. For information, contact info@gardenclubatpalmcoast.org or find The Garden Club at Palm Coast, Inc. on Facebook.

TUESDAY, APRIL 11

SIERRA CLUB GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

When: 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: The Trails Clubhouse, 201 Main Trail, Ormond Beach

Details: The Volusia-Flagler Sierra Club will meet to disccuss harmful environmental bills in legislature, as well as renewable energy and other local environmental issues. Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 AARP PRESENTS

‘UKRAINE: PAST AND PRESENT’

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Nadiya Lewytska is the guest speaker for this

meeting by AARP Chapter 1057, which meets monthly on the second Wednesday. A light lunch will follow. The public is invited. For information, call Jeff Boyle at 386-441-5934.

CFOB MEETING

When: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Library auditorium, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Citizens For Ormond Beach will be hosting Christy Miller, sustainability coordinator for Volusia County, at this meeting. Public is invited to attend.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

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.

SWING INTO SPRING CONCERT SERIES

When: 6:30-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: See Jordan Redding perform at The Casements as part of the first event in the city of Ormond Beach’s Swing into Spring concert series. There will be a food truck. Free. Call 386-676-3216.

ONGOING

ORMOND BEACH ART

GUILD SPRING EXHIBIT

When: through April 27

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Where: VFW Post 8696 47 Old Kings Rd N, Palm Coast, FL 32137

DETAILS: The Flagler Post 115 Monthly Meeting. Celebration of Veteran Mary German’s 100th birthday. Support the American Legion in donating unwanted property for our monthly meetings.

Spring Arts Festival Spring Arts Festival

Saturday, April 29 Saturday, April 29

401378-1

Details: See the Ormond Beach Art Guild’s spring exhibit at The Casements, featuring paintings of several mediums. Most are available for purchase. The Casements is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For information, call Marilyn Dorinson at 386-274-9963 or Maureen Bridger at 386-846-5517. For a preview of the works, visit The Casements’ Facebook page.

‘THE WAY I SEE IT’

When: through April 22

Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: See this exhibit featuring abstract, surrealist and impressionist art by Florida artists. Visit artleague.org.

VOLUSIA COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL

When: 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Where: Derbyshire Park and Sports Complex, 849 Derbyshire Road, Daytona Beach

Details: This 50-and-older men’s senior softball league is now forming. It’s both recreational and competitive. Call Joe Daly at 954-7320992 or visit nsbseniorsoftball.com.

File photo by Mia Striegel

THE FINE ARTS

CULTURAS Lisette Otero-Lewis’ “Culturas” has been accepted into the 2023 Florida in Focus: Juried Photography Show for Osceola Arts, April 14 to May 19. The image is part of Otero-Lewis’ thesis series, “El Tercero Espacio” (The Third Space), for her master in fine arts.

The Palm Coast photographer says the series combines “visual metaphors and symbolism delving into the experiences of a person navigating two distinct cultures.”

Otero-Lewis was born in Connecticut to parents who had moved from Puerto Rico when they were young. Her family moved to Miami when she was in third grade. In Florida, “I discovered I was Puerto Rican and not just American,” she writes in the bio on her website, lisettephotography.com.

People of a multi-cultural heritage do not live in one space or the other, they live in the middle, or the third space, she says.

“El Tercero Espacio,” she says, “explores the

* Haircuts, Colors, Styles for Women and Men

* Facials, Manicures and Pedicures

* Students perform all Services under supervision by Licensed Instructors

* Now Open Evenings and Saturdays

* Set an Appointment with us!

complexities of identity, gender, culture, family and self through the eyes of a person born to parents of the Puerto Rican diaspora and who grew up in the United States. … By bringing these important issues to the forefront, the project aims to spark meaningful conversations about the intersections of identity, culture, and heritage in today’s world.” –BRENT WORONOFF

Kids’ Wild Boar Run takes over Graham Swamp bike trails

The kids-only race was the first of three races planned for this spring, event founder Carrie Meng said.

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Flagler County kids ran the first of a new kids trail running series on Saturday, April 1.

The run was held at the Graham Swamp mountain bike trails for three different age groups: a less-than 0.5mile race for ages 3-5 years, a 1.5mile race for ages 6-9, and about a 3-mile race for ages 10-13. The Wild Boar Run was the first of three kids races that Elevate Events founder Carrie Meng plans to host.

Meng said she’s wanted to hold a

kids-only race series for a few years, but had problems pinning down dates for all three races. Finally, she decided to just start with the Wild Boar Run first.

“I said, ‘You know, I’ll put on one for now, I’ll just pick one day. I’ll see if the community is responsive to it,” Meng said. “I was like — I’ve just got to do it.”

The competition was a huge success for Meng.

She said she initially ordered only 30 finisher medals, hoping to get 30 registrants.

She quickly had to reorder more and more medals because of high demand, and even had a waitlist at one point.

In total, 70 kids signed up for the Wild Boar Run.

Meng’s kids trail run series has

two more races, with dates yet to be determined: a Deer Run at Princess Place Preserve, and a Hare Run at the Mala Compra trails.

Based on the success of the Wild Boar Run, Meng said at the race on April 1, she hopes to plan the next one soon. Every participant received a hand-crafted finisher medal. Meng also gave plaques to the top three boy and girl finishers in each age group.

THE WINNERS

In the 3-5 age group, the winners were: For the girls, Kinley Sterba, 4, first place; Aria Rodgers, 3, second; and Reegan Matuszczak, 4, third. For the boys: Victor Contino, 5, first place; Grayson Matuszczak, 5, second; and Luke Osypian, 3, third.

For the 6-9 age group, the winners were: For the girls, Ariana Gallagher, 9, first place; Evette Geroge, 8, second; and Evelyn George, 9, third. For the boys: Gavin Garrett Jr., 9, first place; Hunter Durrance, 8, second; and Leif Muchow, 8, third.

In the 10-13 race: For the girls, Kyleigh Davis, 10, first place; Alyssa Checho, 11, second; and Sera Morris, 12, third. For the boys: Brayden Murray, 11, first place; Owen Stackpole, 13, second; and Lucas Barros, 13, third.

Ariana Gallagher, 9, took first place in the girls 6-9 race. Evette Geroge, 8, took second place, and Evelyn George, 9, took third.

Korbin Purdy, 10, runs with a smile toward the finish line.

No. 11, Mason Jones, 4, runs next to No. 16, Adriana Chastain, 5.

Huckleberry FreisbergHickey, 11, was one of five girls competing in the 10-13 race.

The 3-5-year-olds

Liam Farrell, 7, competed in the 6-9 race.

Jeremiah Johnson, 9, races to the finish line.

Landon Farrell, 3, Luke Osypian, 3, and Kason Weber, 3, in the 3-5 race

Photos by Sierra Williams

‘This is their Indy 500’

The ChampCar 14-hour Endurance Race teams rolled into town with a record 130 entrants.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Every year, cars of all shapes and sizes roll up to the Daytona International Speedway for the ChampCar 14-hour Endurance Race. Sporting a variety of graffiti or gleaming from a professional paint job, they arrive in droves by trailer or driver in preparation for a day of competition, camaraderie and good oldfashioned racing.

This year was no different. Teams began arriving at the track on load-in day during the week before the April 1 race. It was a record-breaking event with 139 cars originally entered — the most interest in the event in ChampCar history — with 130 cars taking laps, which is a record at the speedway.

Bill Strong is the marketing director for ChampCar and is responsible for setting up the cameras for its show, which

streams live during the races. He started with the company part time in 2014, running its websites, and went full-time in 2017 when he retired from the University of Virginia, where he was the webmaster and handled e-commerce for the university’s bookstore.

“Even though we are a member club and we are just out here for fun, to a lot of these guys, this is their Indy 500, their Daytona 500,” he said. “For them, this is the highest in life they’re going to get when it comes to racing, so we want to give them the same show, the same importance as running the Indy or Daytona 500.”

The ChampCar Endurance Series, originally known as the ChumpCar World Series, was founded by John Condren in July 2009 as an effort to make endurance racing affordable. The name was changed in 2017 and an official registered trademark was granted in August 2018, making the series more appealing for corporate sponsors who associated a negative connotation with the word “chump.” The following year, TireRack. com became the series title sponsor.

Team owner Carl Goutell knows when it is time to get ready for the ChampCar race when his crew member, Matt Conway — otherwise known as “Fire Bottle” Matt — begins calling him every day.

“We love Matt, and Matt loves this race and being on our team more than anything,” Goutell said. “He is

like an alarm clock. When he starts calling me every day leading up to the race, about a month before, that is when I know it’s time to really get to work on the cars.”

In the fall of 2011, driver instructors Goutell, Peter London, Jimmy Bayles, Squeak and Bobby Kennedy were standing in a garage at the speedway during a threeday Ferrari event where they rode with drivers to teach them the nuances of driving the track, and more importantly, not to crash. Someone in the group brought up the upcoming ChampCar race, to be held for the first time in Daytona.

“We talked about it during lunch as we sat on stacks of tires in the garage,” Goutell said. “Liking the format of affordable, we agreed that we should form a team and enter the race. There was just enough enthusiasm from that point to manage to show up for that first race.”

The responsibility of picking the car was left up to Goutell, who chose a 1991 BMW 5 Series. They cut as much of the rusting metal off the chassis as they could to make it lighter, and ended up placing fourth.

The team kept returning and placing in the top three but could not crack the top spot until Goutell added a second car and some new drivers to the team. In 2015, champion race car driver Tommy Byrne joined the team after meeting Goutell at Squeak Kennedy’s 60th birthday party. They then won two years in a row.

“I started racing again because Carl asked me,” Byrne said. “I’m happy I did. That was the most fun I’d had rac-

ing in a long time.”

Ormond Beach resident

Bobby Kennedy was 18 when he began racing with the team. At 29, he is the still the youngest, but one of the most seasoned drivers. His dad, Squeak, put him in a Bondelero race car at the age of 8, then switched him to quarter midgets shortly after. This year he is passing down his family’s racing legacy to his 5-year-old son Cam, who will be racing quarter midgets for the first time.

“I like it because of the laid back atmosphere,” Bobby Kennedy said. “There’s not as much stress, but it is competitive. It’s nice, though, because it’s not a money game, so you don’t have teams outspending you and that’s why you’re not doing well. It’s more about the preparation and strategy and having good drivers that are similar and consistent.”

Goutell renamed his racing crew Team London after longtime friend and teammate Peter London died in a driver coaching accident at the Palm Beach International Raceway in 2019. The team honors him by racing the event every year.

“In 2019 we lost Peter, and I almost quit. But all of the other guys were counting on me to bring the cars, so I kept

coming back,” Goutell said. “The car prep is a lot of work and time and dollars. Every year I question myself, usually about a day or two before the race, and I’ll vow to never do this again. Each year I forget my vow. How much longer? We love Daytona. We love racing. We love our friends. We will see.”

Driver Tommy Byrne dives down on the inside during the ChampCar 14-hour Endurance Race.

Chris Camerote poses as she holds the pit number sign for a team during the ChampCar 14-hour Endurance Race.

Race car driver Bobby Kennedy relaxes in the pit before his second stint in the ChampCar 14-hour Endurance Race.

Tommy Byrne puts on his balaclava, Hans device and Bell helmet.

Team London crew member “Fire Bottle” Matt Conway and owner Carl Goutell goof around in the pit.

Team London takes a pit stop as owner/driver Carl Goutell swaps places with driver Jimmy Bayles.

Crew chief Toby Keppel checks the team’s status on Race Monitor during the ChampCar race.

Bulldogs’ perfect record halted by Hawks

The Flagler Palm Coast softball team suffered its first loss of the season as Spruce Creek defeated the Bulldogs, 8-1.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Spruce Creek Hawks pierced the Flagler Palm Coast softball team’s perfect 11-0 record with an 8-1 win at the Hawks’ field on Thursday, March 30.

FPC assistant coach David Vigo said the team made a few adjustments prior to the game to offset Creek’s hard-hitting batters. The coaches decided to change the pitching speed by having first baseman Madison Cercy step in as the starting pitcher. Freshman Sanai Figueredo played first.

“It sucks to lose,” he said. “But I will say this, we know that had we played our game, we would have been in a much different place. We hit the ball — we had seven hits, they had six, and we had five errors. They didn’t have any. Those are mistakes we can fix, and we can clean up. They were better than us today based on that. I want a second chance, because I know our girls can play better. They believe they can play better than they

“Nothing drops on my field. That’s my motto. Like, I’m getting everything. I’m diving into fences. I’m diving over the fence. I don’t care where it is. The loss sucks, but we’re going to come back the next time we play them. They better be ready. We have a fire under our bottoms.”

AUN’YALE HOWARD, FPC left fielder

did tonight.”

Shortstop Bailey Holmes brought in the lone run in the third inning for the Bulldogs. The Hawks scored five runs in the first inning and three in the third inning.

Julie Kelley pitched seven innings for Spruce Creek, allowing seven hits, one run and striking out 15.

The Bulldogs said they made mistakes that they hadn’t made all year.

“We had the full spectrum (of mistakes) — someone that’s just stepping in and someone that’s been there before,” Vigo said. “So what does that teach us? We are not flawless. We are flawed individuals.

FPC’s Madison Cercy made the start in the circle.

Spruce Creek catcher Isabella Caruso throws the ball to second base.

FPC’s Aun’Yale Howard gets advice from coach Yessy Paneto.

Spruce Creek pitcher Julie Kelley struck out 15 in the 8-1 win against FPC.

We got to do our best to keep those flaws off the field.”

This season, softball powerhouse Spruce Creek has lost to three top-ranked teams — Providence School of Jacksonville, University from Orange City, and Hagerty from Oviedo.

“I don’t think it was so much the pressure of facing Spruce Creek,” Vigo said. “The pressure was what they put on themselves. They believed that this was the year that they had the skill and the

talent to beat them.”

After a stunning, fencesmashing catch in left field, Aun’Yale Howard is undeterred by the loss.

“Nothing drops on my field,” she said. “That’s my motto. Like, I’m getting everything. I’m diving into fences. I’m diving over the fence. I don’t care where it is. The loss sucks, but we’re going to come back the next time we play them. They better be ready. We have a fire under our bottoms.”

32174

Future

FPC’s Hannah Kurek bats as Spruce Creek’s Isabella Caruso catches.

FPC’s Alexis Laura is safe at third as third baseman Alexis Minaberry catches the ball.

FPC catcher Sadie Schell catches a foul popl.

Photos by Michele Meyers

New FPC football coach has had swift rise up the coaching ladder

Fish said he is not interested in imposing his will or his system on the team.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

At age 28, Daniel Fish knows he is fortunate to be the new head football coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School, one of the top large-school programs in Northeast Florida.

But it hasn’t been just luck that has helped him ascend so quickly up the coaching ranks. Even the toughest battle a person could bear has been important in Fish’s meteoric rise.

Fish was named the Bulldogs’ head coach on Wednesday, March 29. He had been the head coach at Father Lopez for the past three seasons, getting the job just one year out of college at age 25, benefiting from a series of hiring missteps.

At FPC, Fish replaces Robert Paxia, who left after two seasons to become the head coach at WinderBarrow High School in Georgia.

FPC athletic director Steve DeAugustino said Fish stood out among the candidates.

“He came across as a very sincere person, very down to earth,” DeAugustino said. “He’s a player’s coach is the best way I can describe it. You know he’s got the players’ best interests in heart.”

Fish played linebacker at Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and continued his football career at Valdosta State University.

BEATING CANCER

After he graduated from college, Fish moved to Flagler Beach in 2019 to join his family. His brother and his family moved here when Fish was still in high school. Fish’s parents and two more siblings moved down when he was in college.

“Being close to my family and having the opportunity to be with them was crucial to me,” he said.

Matt Knauss, the head coach at Father Lopez at the time, is also from Gwinnett County, and he and Fish had mutual friends.

Knauss gave Fish a job on his staff in 2019, and before Fish coached a down, Knauss left the program and Fish moved up to defensive coordinator.

He held that position for one year before Knauss’ replacement, Chris Stephenson, was let go.

The Green Wave offered the head coaching job to one coach and then rescinded the offer.

Veteran Volusia County coach Rocky Yocam then accepted the position before he changed his mind when the arrangement fell through.

“I was the next option,” Fish said.

At the time, Fish was finishing up chemotherapy for Stage 3B testicular cancer, which spread to his abdomen and lungs. He finished the treatments in mid-2020, right around the

Covid shutdown.

“(The cancer) was pretty well along (when it was diagnosed),” he said. “I think I played some college football with it. It was really shocking, really tough. But ever since, I’ve been really healthy.”

The experience gave him a new appreciation on life.

“It taught me a lot about resiliency,” he said. “You appreciate waking up every day. You appreciate being able to go do what you love, and you appreciate not having any type of limitations on what you can eat, what you can do, the whole nine yards.” He said he’s learned not to take anything for granted, especially the opportunity to teach and coach.

“I think it helped me introduce adversity to (the players) and tell them, ‘You can overcome bad things

that happen in your life. You can’t let it get you down, you can’t let it defeat you, you can’t let it beat you.’ (They know) I’m not out here preaching something that I haven’t done or haven’t been through.”

PLAYERS’ COACH

After Fish interviewed with FPC administrators during spring break, he hung around and watched the Bulldogs’ softball game.

“He wanted to see what the kids were like,” DeAugustino said. “When we introduced him to the team (on March 29), one of his statements was, ‘I’m here to support you,’ not the other way around. It was actually pretty refreshing. At the end of the day, he just seemed like the type of guy our kids would be able to relate to.”

“I’m a players’ coach, 100%,” he said. “You got to come in and earn the respect of the players and build a good connection, a good relationship, with them. Once you do that, they’ll trust you, they’ll believe in you. They’ll buy into your system.”

Fish is excited about the Bulldogs’ returning talent, led by quarterback D.J. Murray, linebacker Rodney Hill and running back Marcus Mitchell.

“I knew who they were even before I knew the job was coming open,” he said. “I’m excited to work with those three dudes here. They’re awesome football players, and from what I’ve seen so far, they’re awesome kids as well. Obviously, they’re going to lead by example with their play, but we need them to lead with their voices and in their mentalities as well.”

Fish said that while Murray’s strength is his scrambling and running ability, he also has great arm talent.

“We trust in D.J. to lead the offense,” he said. “And I think with the quarterback coach that we’re targeting to bring in, he’s really going to help (Murray) elevate his game in a lot of areas.

“We’re going to run multiple sets. We’re going to spread the ball around to our talented athletes.”

Since 2010, the Bulldogs have not had a head football coach stay longer than four years.

DeAugustino believes Fish will be around a while.

“I know he wants to get involved with the community,” DeAugustino said. “I think he’s going to stay for an extended period of time. I feel like he’s on the verge of being a great coach.”

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Daniel Fish is the new head football coach at Flagler Palm Coast.

Daniel Fish is a ‘players’ coach, 100%,’ who says he has to earn his players’ respect in order to build trust.

“At the end of the day, he just seemed like the type of guy our kids would be able to relate to.”

STEVE DEAUGUSTINO, FPC athletic director

“You appreciate waking up every day. You appreciate being able to go do what you love, and you appreciate not having any type of limitations on what you can eat, what you can do.”

DANIEL FISH

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FPC TOPS FLEMING ISLAND

FPC’s baseball team ended a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-8 on the season with a 4-2 victory over Fleming Island on April 3 at the Bulldogs’ field.

FPC scored all four of its runs in the first inning against the Golden Eagles (11-5). Dalton Roberts doubled and drove in three runs for the Bulldogs. Connor May also drove in a run. Cody Clymer pitched 6.2 innings. Clymer scattered eight hits and did not walk a batter. He struck out five. FPC has three more home games over the next week beginning Thursday, April 6, against Winter Springs. The Bulldogs host Wheeler County, Georgia, on April 7 and Pine Ridge on April 10.

PIRATES EDGE PANTHERS

Matanzas’ baseball team held off Palatka 3-2 on March 31. The Panthers scored a run in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch, but pitcher Ben Apfelbach got the final batter to fly out to left field.

Gabe Breckenridge and Braden Russell each had three hits for the Pirates.

Breckenridge scored two runs.

Matanzas hosts Seabreeze at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7.

Joe Rizzo honored at Memorial Golf Classic SWEARINGEN

The 18th hole at the Joe Rizzo Memorial Golf Classic was designated as the Joe Rizzo Hole.

Organizers of the event felt there was no better way to honor the late executive director of the Flagler County Education Foundation than to have a heckler at the tee box.

Jeff Johnson, one of Rizzo’s best friends, took up the post with gusto.

“If I could make a living off heckling, I’d be a millionaire,” said Johnson, who works in tech support for Flagler Schools.

There is an art to golf heckling, Johnson said. It’s all about the timing. While heckling during the backswing is forbidden in golf, that’s not the case on the Joe Rizzo Hole.

“I’ll say, ‘You da man,’ or ‘Get in the hole,’ during their backswing,” Johnson said. “I take pride in the fact that I’m obnoxious.”

The Ed Foundation’s 33rd annual golf tournament is all about having fun and raising money for Flagler Schools. It is the biggest fund raiser of the year for the organization.

Teresa Rizzo, who replaced her husband as the Ed Foundation’s executive director, said the April 3 event at Grand Haven Golf Club raised over $100,000 for STEM programs and math and literacy nights.

Joe Rizzo took over the tournament when he was on the foundation’s board of directors, before he became executive director.

“Joe’s goal was to make this the best golf tournament in Flagler County, and I think we maintained that,” Teresa Rizzo said.

Joe Rizzo died on March 7, 2022, shortly before last year’s tournament, and the tournament was

renamed in his honor.

This year was officially the second annual Joe Rizzo Memorial Golf Classic. Eighty-eight golfers and 36 sponsors — including over 20 hole sponsors and over 20 annual partners — helped make the event a success.

The foursome of Tracy Baker, Allen Bertha, Terry Baker and Steve Allen won the tourney, which also included a silent auction.

The sponsors helped provide the players with food and drink on every hole and swag, Teresa Rizzo said.

“They’re pretty much outfitted when they come here,” she said.

The tournament is bittersweet for many of the participants who were friends of Joe Rizzo.

“Joe is sorely missed,” Johnson said. “I enjoy coming to this. It makes me remember Joe.”

RECOGNIZED

The Flagler County Rotary Club recognized Flagler Palm Coast senior Emma Swearingen as its Student Athlete of the Month at its regular meeting on March 28. Swearingen is a four-year varsity soccer player and also plays flag football. She will earn her International Baccalaureate degree in June. She has been nominated for an Air Force Academy appointment by U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz. Her community service includes raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network and tutoring students in math. Swearingen plans to play soccer in college and wants to become a pilot.

PIRATES 13TH IN THE NATION

The honors keep coming in for the Matanzas girls wrestling team which won the state championship March 4. USA Wrestling’s final high school rankings of the year lists Matanzas as the No. 13 girls team in the nation. The Pirates were an honorable mention in the previous top 40. Matanzas is the highest ranked team in the Southeast.

IT’S ACADEMIC FOR SANDCRABS

Seabreeze’s winter sports teams placed sixth among Class 5A schools in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Winter Academic Team Champions awards. The Sandcrabs’ girls basketball team was the 5A academic champion with a team GPA of 3.69. Seabreeze’s girls soccer team placed second with a 3.71 GPA. The boys basketball team was fourth with a 3.42 GPA and the boys soccer team was ninth with a 3.27 GPA.

By Luis Campos

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

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XNDBKU ZDNUMK

Puzzle One Clue: J equals X

“ALUUBVMT VY WVPS RUKBVMT XLU

YLESCGVMT CGKC BLZ OLM’C AKMC CL GKRRSM.” ULFSUC OLAMSB IU.

“NVXGM ASIRHC ID THCCGWLX ISTIRX PHNGWCX NH JY DOH NVXGM ASIRHC

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© 2023 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle Two Clue: W equals L Puzzle Three Clue: Y equals F

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Winners of the second annual Joe Rizzo Memorial Golf Classic: Tracey Baker, Allen Bertha and Terry Bertha. Not pictured: Steve Allen.

“Joe’s goal was to make this the best golf tournament in Flagler County, and I think we maintained that.”

TERESA RIZZO

Joe Rizzo Hole "heckler" Jeff Johnson with Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo.

CRACKING OPEN A BOOK by Guilherme Gilioli, edited by Jeff Chen

TRIBUTES

Ruth Caroline Mikulka 1927-2023

Local weightlifters move on to regionals

Matanzas qualified 19 lifters, while Seabreeze qualified four and FPC qualified eight, including returning state champ Nick Lilavois.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast junior

Nick Groth wasn’t at his best on March 29 when he finished second at the District 3-3A boys weightlifting meet.

Losing 13 pounds in five days will take something out of you.

Groth is one of eight Bulldog lifters who qualified for the regional meet Saturday, April 8, at FPC.

Matanzas qualified 19 lifters for the Region 2-2A meet on April 5. Seabreeze qualified four lifters for the Region 2-2A meet.

Ruth Caroline Mikulka, 95, of Bunnell, Florida passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023. Ruth was born in Korona, Florida and was a lifelong resident of Flagler County. She was a longtime homemaker and loved her family.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry Mikulka and a son, Michael Mikulka; parents James Crosin and Mamie Walski.

Survived by daughter

Donna Bubba, son James (Brenda) Akins, daughter

Debra (Jimmy) Flynt, son

David (Theresa) Mikulka and daughter-in-law Vanessa Mikulka; as well as 6 grandkids and 13 great-grandkids, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth’s family encourages you to consider a donation in her honor to either Vitas Hospice at https:// vitascommunityconnection. org/ or to a charity near and dear to your heart. Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service of Bunnell, FL is assisting the family with arrangements. www. HeritageFlagler.com.

Matanzas junior Cole Hash not only won district championships in both the Olympic and traditional categories in the 199-pound classification, but he also had the top qualifying totals in the region — 485 pounds in Olympic and 610 pounds in traditional with a 335-pound bench press.

Hash took home a thirdplace medal at state last year.

Groth took home two individual medals at state last season in the 169-pound weight

“His body was still adjusting, so that’s why he got second. Once he gets a chance to acclimate, that body weight levels off, he’ll be alright. He didn’t lose any strength.”

DUANE HAGSTROM, FPC coach on lifter Nick Groth

BOAT SUPER CENTER

class. This year, he had been lifting at 183 pounds. But five days before the district meet he asked coach Duane Hagstrom if it would be advantageous to drop back down.

“He texted me on Friday (March 24) during spring break,” Hagstrom said. “And he’s like, ‘Hey coach, do you think it would be in my best interest to drop to 169?’ I was like, ‘Well, how much do you weigh right now?’ He said 179.

I was like, ‘That’s 10 pounds, let me do some research.’

So I started looking at other results, and I saw 183 was pretty loaded.”

Hagstrom told Groth to give it a shot. Groth followed protocols, and three days later, on the first day back from break, he weighed in at 172. On Tuesday, the day before district, he was down to 166.

“As soon as he walked in the door (of the weight room on Monday afternoon) I could see his face was a little drawn. I could tell he’d been working really hard to cut the weight.” Hagstrom said.

After dropping 13 pounds in less than a week, Groth finished second in both Olympic (500-pound total) and traditional (545 pounds) to Creekside’s Brighton Hardeman at district.

“Some of these kids amaze me (in their ability to cut weight),” Hagstrom said. “And they’re doing it safely. It’s not like they’re not eating or they’re sitting in a sauna. They’re just following the protocols, which is basically just water manipulation, drinking a lot of water and cutting it off at certain times and cleaning up their eating.

“His body was still adjusting, so that’s why he got second. Once he gets a chance to acclimate, that body weight levels off, he’ll be alright. He didn’t lose any strength.”

Nick Lilavois won the only district titles for the Bulldogs with a 455-pound total in traditional and a 400-pound total in Olympic in the 129-pound class. Lilavois won a state title and a state runnerup medal in helping FPC win the Class 3A team championship last year.

This year, 16 of FPC’s 26 lifters are freshmen. Their other regional qualifiers were 139-pounder Richard Beltrami in both Olympic and traditional; 154-pounder Luke Laura in Olympic; 238-pounders Charley Perry (both) and Jeremiah Cange (Olympic); and unlimited lifters Kobe Murphy and Kevin Gall in both.

Matanzas had eight district champs, including Hash. Maison Leonard won both titles at 119 pounds; Jaden Sao won the 129-pound Olympic title; Aiden Schissler won the 139-pound tradi -

tional title; Seth Clarke won the 169-pound Olympic title; Herby Tima won the 183-pound traditional title, while Lane Chandler won the 183-pound Olympic title; and Daniel DeFalco won the 238-pound Olympic title.

The Pirates’ other regional qualifiers were: Aiden Try (129-pound class), Eddie Luna (139), Jayce Rajai (154), Aiden Langford (154), Shomarion Gaines (169), Bryce Petellat (199), Ahmad Louis-Charles (219), Luke Doner (219); Asim Tariq (238); Chaden Vickery (unlimited) and Peyton Ellis (unlimited).

All of the Pirates’ lifters qualified in the Olympic category. Leonard, Try, Luna, Gaines, Tima, Petellat, Hash, Louis-Charles, DeFalco and Vickery qualified in traditional as well.

Seabreeze’s regional qualifiers included Trip Zimmet (139, Olympic), Tyler Watts (154, Olympic), Luke Cloer (unlimited, Olympic) and Keith Arborgast (unlimited, traditional).

The home has 4 large bedrooms and 3 full baths plus a Florida room that is heated and cooled. The floor plan offers 2 large owner suites one on the first floor and the other upstairs. The upstairs bathroom has been updated with modern touches. MLS#1107368 $425,000 Call Rose Roberts & Pamela McCowen 386-852-1399.

THE PENDLETON CLUB

This 2 BR/2BA condo is within walking distance to beach. Floor to ceiling hurricane windows in LR gives view of intra-coastal. Pool is surrounded by tropical landscaping and over looks the intra-coastal. Boat slips are available for rent as well as boat trailer parking. Enjoy great fishing from the dock. MLS#1107355 $235,000 Call Virginia Waikins 386-405-6311.

LPGA golf community lakefront 3 bed/2 bath Model home will astonish you with upgrades and privacy. Located on a lake with conservation behind it. 100% tiled throughout. The master suite has a large bath with double vanity and a large walk-in closet. Just in the front door is a den/office with lots of natural light. MLS#1107407 $375,000 Call Thomas Caffrey 386-290-9233.

This 3 bed, 2 bath home has many updated features. Split floor plan and inside laundry room. Kitchen features SS appliances, plenty of cabinet and counter space, a pantry. There is a bonus room. Large fenced yard has a double gate for easy access. Hurricane panels, shed, and extra wide driveway. Move in ready. MLS#1107435 $385,000

Call Debbie & Wayne Carter 386-506-1810.

Welcome to this 23th floor luxury condominium w/ 3 elegant bedrooms & 3 full baths. The expansive central living space & inspiring views from every corner of this unit drench the residence with natural Florida sunshine. Bask in the beauty from the central balcony which overlooks the intracoastal waterway Atlantic Ocean. MLS#1107330 $549,000 Call Amy Kathryn Beals 386-852-1400.

Wonderful 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 car garage split plan. Nearly a half acre lot, w/ natural barrier at rear of lot for maximum privacy. This well kept homes boasts large eat in kitchen, formal dining & living rooms w/ amazing backyard sanctuary views. Huge screened lanai extends the living area outdoors via triple sliding doors. MLS#1107205 $474,900 Call Todd Hammond 386-233-5957.

WOODMERE SOUTH

She was a long-time homemaker and loved her family.

Nick Lilavois was successful on all three of his clean and jerk attempts at district.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

REAL ESTATE

House in Hunters Ridge is top seller in Ormond Beach

Ahouse in Hunters Ridge was the top real estate transaction for Feb. 19-25 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Brian and Susan Bogdanowicz, of Ormond Beach, sold 17 Foxhunter Flat to Amanda Oliver, of Ormond Beach, for $868,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 5/5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 4,050 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $650,000.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ORMOND BEACH

Condos

Robert Tango, of Longwood, sold 89 S. Atlantic Ave., Unit 1603, to Dean and Amy Kroger, of Ormond Beach, for $395,700. Built in 1979, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,200 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $182,000.

Paul Prece, of Ormond Beach, sold 679 Wellington Station Blvd., Unit 31, to Christine Hilliard, of Ormond Beach, for $219,800. Built in 1988, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,090 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $212,000.

Daytona Pines

Lou Etal Guttman, Valerie Guttman and Shalom Dadon, of Ormond Beach, sold 1106 Avenue K to Nikolay Todorov, of Ormond Beach, for $56,000. Built in 1968, the manufactured house is a 3/2 and has 924 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $18,000.

Alexander and Barbara Novack, of Ormond Beach, sold 1731 Avenue B to Dennis Jay Hartsfield, of Ormond Beach, for $179,900. Built in 2005, the manufactured house is a 3/2 and has 1,352 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $163,900.

Find your

Forest Grove Charles and Erin Reilly Eichler, of Ormond Beach, sold 460 Hammock Lane to John and Jacqueline Yetman, of Ormond Beach, for $360,000. Built in 20 00, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,574 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $186,000.

Halifax Plantation Vincent Alongi, of Houston, Texas, sold 1438 Carlow Circle to Robert and Joan Montrym, as trustees, for $342,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,684 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $74,500.

Richard and Michelle Beazley, of Deland, sold 3790 Carrick Drive to Christopher and Lori Worrell, of Ormond Beach, for $697,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 5/5 and has a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace and 3,374 square feet.

Elisa and Thomas Rogers, of Palm Coast, sold 4187 Sanora Lane to Robert Gordon Jr. and Loretta Bryant-Martinson, of Ormond Beach, for $670,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,753 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $86,600.

Lynne and Glyn Johnston, of Ormond Beach, sold 1321 Tullamore Blvd. to Kelly Corio Williams

and Thomas Lindsay, of Chester, Maryland, for $480,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,722 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $357,000.

Hunters RidgeKey West, LLC, of Daytona Beach, sold 118 Briargate Look to Paul Pedersen, of Ormond Beach, for $535,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,145 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $145,000.

Mamaroneck Red Door Premier Properties, LLC, of New Smyrna Beach, sold 599 E. Ridgewood Ave. to Rosa Coronado De Wilson, of Ormond Beach, for $315,000. Built in 1954, the house is a 3/1 and has 1,005 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $75,000.

Ormond Beach Manors

Dawn Rolland, of Hobe Sound, sold 216 Essex Drive to Christopher Sturgeon, of Ormond Beach, for $310,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 1,135 square feet. It sold in 2010 for $74,900.

Ormond Terrace Christopher and Lisa Babcock, of Deland, sold 292 Greenwood Ave. to Gail and Thomas White, of Ormond Beach, for $391,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 1,548 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $315,000.

Ortona John and Alena Pop, of New York,

New York, sold 87 Jamestown Drive to William and Lee Anne Arnold, of Ormond Beach, for $490,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,598 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $245,000.

The Trails Jean Anders, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, sold 1 Twelve Oaks Trail to Kenneth and Sharon Gordon, of Ormond Beach, for $525,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,386 square feet of space. It sold in 1993 for $140,500.

Village of Pine Run

Daniel Roach and Janice Zabara, as trustees, sold 313 Sawmill Creek Court to Heidi Reider, of Ormond Beach, for $275,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,207 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $147,300.

ORMOND BY THE SEA

Richard and Laura Callahan, of Ormond Beach, sold 1239 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 2-E-5, to Howard and Melissa Sacks, of Ormond Beach, for $429,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,699 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $307,500.

Anna Kerce, of Lady Lake, sold 50 Ocean Shore Drive to Beachlife Property Investments, LLC, of Miami, for $290,000. Built in 1956, the house is a 2/1 and has

882 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $190,000.

PORT ORANGE

Dunlawton Hills

Eric and Rebecca Zimmerman, of Port Orange, sold 913 Stonybrook Circle to Raul Rivera and Guylaine Croteau, of Port Orange, for $250,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,381 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $178,800.

Not in subdivision Crystal Fedele, of Port Orange, and Robyn Stevens, of Wichita, Kansas, sold 203 Cambridge Drive to James and Carol Bleckley, of Port Orange, for $289,000. Built in 1974, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,353 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $265,000. Sleepy Hollow Mark and Lee Anna Acton, of Daytona Beach, sold 710 Kristina Court to Shoreline Remodel Group LLC, of Ormond Beach, for $275,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,266 square feet. It sold in 1988 for $10,000. John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.

below. ALL CREDITORS of the decedent, and other PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE DECEDENT’S ESTATE, whether due or not, direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, or for funeral or burial expenses, for personal property in the possession of the personal representatives, or for damages, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 733.702 AND 733.710 FLORIDA STATUTES, THAT IS, THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, OR, IN AS TO ANY CREDITOR SERVED WITH A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO CREDITORS, THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF THAT COPY, EVEN

THOUGH THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE HAS RECOGNIZED THE CLAIM OR DEMAND BY PAYING A PART OF IT, OR INTEREST ON IT, OR OTHERWISE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING

the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE Seventh JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No.: 2023 DR 254 Division: 47 Giovanna Sharmel Lopez, Petitioner, and Reynaldo Jesus Mena, Respondent,

TO: Reynaldo Jesus Mena YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Giovanna Sharmel Lopez, whose address is 43 Rolling Sands Dr., Palm Coast, FL 32164 on or before 4/20/2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. Moody Blvd Blg #1 Bunnell, FL 32110 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: None Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: 3/13/23 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By: /s/ Deputy Clerk April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023 23-00053G

JACKSON, CATHERINE,

UNKNOWN SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITOR, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF CONSTANCE JACKSON, DECEASED, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE C. JACKSON AKA CATHERINE COMELY JACKSON, DECEASED 47 WOOD ACRE LANE PALM COAST, FL 32164 CORINA JACKSON, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF NORMAN JACKSON, SR., DECEASED, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE C. JACKSON AKA CATHERINE COMELY JACKSON, DECEASED and UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF CORINA JACKSON 15 STAGE COACH RD WINDSOR, CT 06095 ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A ADRIAN LOMAX, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CASSANDRA L. JACKSON, DECEASED, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE C. JACKSON AKA CATHERINE COMELY JACKSON, DECEASED and UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A

ADRIAN LOMAX 407 NE 17TH AVE APT 101 BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33435 2552

ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A ADRIAN LOMAX, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CASSANDRA L. JACKSON, DECEASED, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE C. JACKSON AKA CATHERINE COMELY JACKSON, DECEASED and UNKNOWN

SPOUSE OF ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A

ADRIAN LOMAX 47 MAGNOLIA ST 3 HARTFORD, CT 06112

ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A ADRIAN

LOMAX, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CASSANDRA L. JACKSON, DECEASED, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE C.

JACKSON AKA CATHERINE COMELY

JACKSON, DECEASED and UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ADRIAN D. WALKER A/K/A ADRIAN LOMAX 701 35TH ST, APT. 2 WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described property located in Flagler County, Florida: LOT 41, BLOCK 58A, AMENDED SUB-

DIVISION MAP WYNNFIELD SECTION 27-PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO PLAT OR MAP THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 28, PAGE 30 AND 31, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action, on Greenspoon

Marder, LLP, Default Department, Attorneys for Plaintiff, whose address is Trade Centre South, Suite 700, 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309,

The house has a pool, a hot tub and 4,050 square feet of space.

INFORMATION & RATES: 386-447-9723

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

Items Under $200

OAK FIREWOOD for sale, 1.5 truck size full load, $35 941-290-6979

OUTDOOR FAN, electric, standing, 3.5’+, weatherproof, great for pool $30 386-615-8230

THULE AUTO roof carrier, 18 cu. ft. with all hardware $199 like new (386) 446-8146

WHIRLPOOL MICROWAVE, wall mount, white, new, $125 386-597-3701

WHITE/GREEN STRIPED swivel chair and ottoman. Great condition $150 305-726-4884

joHelp Wanted

FULL SIZE Atherton Home convertible futon sofa bed, color chocolate, barely used. 914-980-4870.

FULL SIZE futon mattress & frame can be both sofa and bed excellent condition $60 904-377-7501

HOOVER 16 gallon, wet/dry vac. 12 pc. attached tools, blower $49 386-852-9116

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

LARGE DOG kennel, excellent condition, $65 OBO 386-437-7058

MEN’S 26” bike Panama Jack w/basket $75, Weber tabletop electric grill $50 386-263-7711

Announcements

EFFECTIVE MARCH 31, 2023, Sharrell Cooper, MD will no longer see patients at AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Palm Coast located at 120 Cypress Edge Drive, Suite 202, Palm Coast, FL 32164. Patients should have received communication regarding transition of care. If you are a patient and did not receive communication or have additional questions, please call the of ce at 386-586-4462.

General

Merchandise

LAWN TRACTOR & Portable

Pets