Palm Coast Observer 8-24-23

CITY WATCH

Pipe project to finish after 10-month delay

After a year of delays, major work on the city’s Belle Terre construction project near Buddy Taylor Middle School is projected to finish in September.

The project is one of two for which the city contracted with Custom Built Construction, Inc., city Stormwater Engineer Carmelo Morales said. The Belle Terre project to stabilize pipes, build a swale and reconstruct sidewalks began in June 2022 and was expected to finish that December, but storm damage delayed it.

Palm Coast approaches final budget meetings

Three City Council meetings remain in the city’s budgeting process for the next fiscal year.

The council has two public meetings scheduled — on Wednesday, Sept. 7, and Wednesday, Sept. 20 — to adopt the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Both final two budget meetings are scheduled for 5:15 p.m. at City Hall.

On Aug. 29, staff will present the proposed final budget to the council at a workshop meeting.

The City Council voted 3-2 on July 18 to adopt the rolledback millage rate of 4.2570 — or $4.2570 per $1,000 in taxable property value — as the city’s maximum millage rate, with council members Ed Danko and Cathy Heighter dissenting.

Adopting the rolled-back rate meant staff had to cut $2.8 million from the budget proposed in early July.

On Sept. 7, the City Council will cast the first vote to tentatively adopt a final millage rate and budget for the next fiscal year.

The final vote will occur at the council’s Sept. 20 meeting.

The City Council awarded a third project — expanding the stormwater treatment capacity of the London Waterway at London Drive and Leaver Drive — to Custom Built Construction at an Aug. 15 City Council meeting, but council members expressed concern about the Belle Terre project’s delays and the fact that Custom Built Construction’s London project bid came in at two times the estimated project cost.

City engineers had expected the project to cost around $4 million, but Custom Built was awarded the contract for $8.23 million, which was the lower of two bids the city received.

The city will use two grants, totaling $7 million, to help pay for the project.

Council members, concerned about the cost, asked city staff to let them know any time the contractor needs to withdraw $50,000 or more from the contingency fund for change orders.

“I feel like we’re getting pricegouged,” Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said. “... I think it needs to be known that we’re not just going to rubber stamp contracts.”

But the cost reflects demand and the increased cost of labor and materials in the industry, Morales said. He also warned the council that micromanagement, such as insisting on a council review of each $50,000-plus withdrawal, could have a chilling effect on future contracts with the city.

Morales told the Observer that the delays in the Belle Terre project began last September with Hurricane Ian when a Florida Power and Light team was sent to the devastated coastline

in Southwest Florida. When a disaster like that happens, Morales said, FPL sends everyone to help.

It just so happened that the Belle Terre project needed the FPL team to move forward: The next stage involved moving light poles.

Not long after the FPL teams returned, Hurricane Nicole hit the east coast in November. The storm caused significant delays, the pipes in the area failed and stormwater washed out the west side of the project. The damage became a public safety problem, Morales said.

“Once [the pipes] started to fail, there was always a potential the whole road could have started caving in on itself,” he said, “[Custom Built] actually started doing some work before we even approved some of the changes, because there was just emergency stuff they needed to do.”

For expediency, the city altered its contract with Custom Built Construction to include fixing the damage caused by Hurricane Nicole — a project within the original Belle Terre project.

The delays and extra work extended the project’s timeline and increased its budget, adding over $1 million to the original projected cost of $2 million, for a total of $3.2 million.

“Because this was partly caused by a disaster, we are also trying to get some disaster recovery from FEMA,” Morales said. “It’s probably shy of $1 million that we’re trying to get back.”

The major work will finish in September, and final checks and spot work by October, Morales said.

In contrast, Custom Built’s other project — a weir replacement at Royal Palms Parkway and Town Center — is coming in under budget, dropping from a projected total of $2.08 million to $2.04 million. It will finish in September, too.

Morales said the weir’s September date is a month over schedule, but that the city, not the contractor, caused the delay: An electrician needed to update to the weir’s wiring and programming to allow the city to open or close it remotely. Custom Built does not have electricians for that work, he said.

BY THE NUMBERS

$4 million

the original projected cost of the London Waterway project

$8.23 million

contract awarded to Custom Built Construction for the London Waterway project on Aug. 15

$2 million

originally budgeted for the Belle Terre construction project

$3.2 million

latest projected cost for the Belle Terre project, including emergency work due to damge from Hurricane Nicole

10 months of delay affected the Belle Terre project

$904,000

grant awarded to the city from the St. Johns River Water Management District for the London Waterway project

$6.1 million in grant money from the American Rescue Plan Act will help fund the London Waterway project

The London Waterway project won’t begin until after the Belle Terre project is complete. Morales said he plans to update the City Council on all of the projects, including the London Waterway one. He told the council he understands that council members need to stay informed — and he’s happy to run any London Waterway project change orders past them, as requested — but the city already has a robust process for awarding contracts.

“There’s already a lot of steps and red tape [contractors] have to go through to make sure it all goes right,” he said.

Council approves 275-townhome development

The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 on Aug. 15 to approve a 275-townhome development called Belle Terre Estates. Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri voted against the application, citing concerns that the city was prioritizing residential development over commercial.

“This has been my express concern,” Pontieri said.

The application will return to the council for a final vote on Sept. 5.

The developer wants to rezone the 40-acre parcel at Citation and Belle Terre Boulevards from commercial land to a master planned development with residential and commercial space. The master planned development zoning would let the developer build townhome interiors to the proposed 19 feet wide by 90 feet deep, smaller than the city’s land development code would allow in standard residential development zoning.

The city’s Land Development Code requires interiors to be at least 25 feet wide, Senior Planner Bill Hoover said, but master planned developments are allowed some exceptions if the MPD provides a public benefit. The public benefit from Belle Terre Estates would be a 1-acre public dog park that the developer would deed to the city when construction ends.

Hoover said the townhomes’ smaller footprint is a design choice for lower maintenance homes, ideal for young families or older people.

Just under 2 acres of land will remain commercial, similar in size to the Town Center Publix plaza, Hoover said. The commercial space will likely be taken by neighborhood businesses. The commercial land in that area has been sitting for over 15 years, Planning Director Ray Tyner said.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

FCSO hosts first annual educational summit for seniors

Almost 200 Flagler County residents attended the Summit to Protect and Serve Seniors.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office hosted its first Summit to Protect and Serve Seniors at the FCSO Operations Center’s training room on Aug. 22.

Almost 200 Flagler County residents attended the summit, which lasted from 3-5 p.m., packing the room and spilling into the hallway. FCSO Commander Michael Lutz organized several expert presentations for residents on computer safety, scams, fraud and county health resources.

“This was just strictly for seniors,” Lutz said. “And as you can see, it was a great turnout. I’m very happy with the turnout.”

The FCSO was inspired to create the summit after Sheriff Rick Staly heard about a similar one hosted in a different county. That summit had focused on training other agencies.

But Lutz said the FCSO decided that educating seniors directly would work well in Flagler County.

“We sat around and talked about it [and] said it would be good here, since we have a large senior community, to do something just for seniors,” Lutz said. “So we put it all together with different speakers.”

Lutz said hearing from the experts and not just law enforcement can sometimes help hammer safety information home.

The FCSO invited WOM Technology Management Group, a cybersecurity organization, to talk about computer safety and the most common types of phone and online scams residents might come across.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedics Rob Errett and Tracy Farmer reviewed the symptoms of heat-related illnesses with residents and spoke about how community paramedics serve as health care resources.

U.S. District Attorney’s Office Outreach Specialist Khalilah Escalera gave residents information on how to identify a scam and provided contact information for reporting fraud.

The State Attorney’s Office’s Seniors vs. Crime team also participated. The volunteer-led program helps residents combat fraud, such as cases where contractors seek pay upfront, then leave a job before completing the work.

Flagler County Seniors vs. Crime Manager Ken Seymour said the program’s volunteers recovered $1.6 million for Flagler County residents.

Seniors vs. Crime volunteers help residents before they might need to hire a lawyer, Seymour said.

“Our job is to get remuneration for the victim,” Seymour said.

Lutz said he often gives similar, more detailed presentations on scams and fraud to smaller groups and organizations throughout the year.

Education, he said, is the key to stopping scams and fraud.

“A lot of this stuff cannot be arrested away,” Lutz said. “Education is the way we’re going to solve this.”

COMMUNITY RESOURCE INFORMATION

n Seniors vs Crime

Available on Thursdays at the FCSO Operations Center at 61 Sheriff EW Johnston Drive. Go to seniorsvscrime.com or call 386-586-2634.

n Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedicine A community resource that can provide information, education and high-quality in-home care to residents. For information, call 386313-4260.

Seniors vs. Crime volunteer Kathy Romanac hands a flier to Palm Coast resident Phyllis Wahl.

Photos by Sierra Williams

Palm Coast resident Lee Wessell asks a question after a technology presentation.

Citizen Academy volunteer April Healey and other volunteers line a table with informational pamphlets for residents.

The FCSO’s first Summit to Protect and Serve Seniors filled the Operation Center’s community room, spilling over into the hallway.

WOM Technology Management Group CEO Derreck Ogden gave examples of scams residents may come across.

Bunnell Elementary School assembly targeted African Americans

The presentation said 32% of students in the group performed at or above grade level; Black and biracial students performing at or above grade level were included in the assembly.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

On Friday, Aug. 18, African American students in the fourth and fifth grade at Bunnell Elementary School were called to an assembly in the cafeteria to discuss the group’s underperformance on standardized assessment tests and how they can do better in the future.

Parents were upset about the presentation for several reasons. They weren’t informed about it beforehand; they only heard about it from their children after they arrived home that afternoon. Low-scoring students in other ethnic groups were not included in the assembly.

And the group not only included African American and biracial students who were performing below grade level, but also those who achieved passing grades and even high-scoring grades.

Parents complained to BES Prin-

cipal Donelle Evensen and Flagler Schools Interim Superintendent LaShakia Moore over the weekend and on Monday, Aug. 21.

Moore told the Observer on Monday that the intentions of the presentation, which included a PowerPoint, were good in that the purpose was to motivate students, but the approach was not successful and will “definitely” not be used again.

“There are many things that we could have done differently in order to eliminate some of the frustration that our families are experiencing right now,” Moore said.

The PowerPoint presented the problem that “AA” (African Americans) have underperformed on standardized tests for the past three years.

“We only have 32% of our students who are at a Level 3 or higher for ELA/ Math. We are supposed to have at least 41%,” according to the PowerPoint.

The solutions included each student committing to earning a Level 3

or higher on all standardized assessments, concentrating on scoring 75% or higher on all curriculum-based assessments and committing to maintain high iReady scores within their individual track.

The FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) Challenge was presented, in which students would be matched up against an opponent; the student achieving the higher English Language Arts and Math scores on the FAST test would be rewarded with a meal from McDonald’s.

Three parents informed the Observer that the group was told that students who are not responsible in school are in danger later in life of being shot and killed or going to jail. That statement was not included in the PowerPoint and the parents were told by Evensen that she did not approve that beforehand.

Moore said the district will be investigating that portion of the presentation.

Nicole Aviles, whose child was included in the group, said, “The situation is way crazy. None of this would have been a big deal if they brought everyone into the cafeteria.”

Aviles said she has contacted a lawyer.

One parent who did not want her

name used in this story said her fifth-grade daughter was one of six students brought on stage who had scored fours or fives on their assessments.

“That is targeting, making it seem they’re better (than the others),” the parent said.

Danielle Brown, whose fourth grader was included, said she met with Evensen, who told her the presentation was born out of good intentions: to reach out and encourage the group to do better.

“To me, it set up a chance for them to get bullied,” Brown said. “We should never take one race out. I don’t think you should tell children, ‘Statistically speaking, your race isn’t doing as well as other (ethnicities).’ My meeting went well with (Evensen). She realizes it was not executed properly. But I’m not confident it won’t happen again if not every parent knows what went on. It’s taking 100 steps backward.”

Moore said the district reports how all of its students are doing on assessments, as well as subgroups such as students with disabilities, African American students and students for whom English is not their first language. She said the district reviews how students are perform-

“The situation is way crazy. None of this would have been a big deal if they brought everyone into the cafeteria.”

ing and identifies strategies that can help them perform better.

“After speaking with Ms. Evensen on Saturday, this came from a good place,” Moore said of the presentation. “We could have done better with how we approached this, though.” Moore said a teacher at BES “came up with the idea of, can we do something we hadn’t done before? ... Can we try just speaking to those students directly? Great intentions, however, when we think about the perception of many of the families that I’ve spoken with, as well as how we typically do things, it does bring alarm to many of our families.

“It’s obvious that that approach was not successful for all of our students or their families,” she said.

Volusia County reports record-breaking sea turtle nesting season

Last year, sea turtles laid 1,427 nests on Volusia County beaches. This year, 1,482 nests have been laid so far.

PAT KUEHN VOLUSIA COUNTY COMMUNITY

INFORMATION

With six weeks left until nesting season ends, sea turtles have laid a record-breaking 1,482 nests on Volusia County beaches. This beats last year’s record of 1,427. Staff and volunteers have also counted more than 33,000 hatched eggshells. Loggerheads have laid 1,251 nests so far. Green sea turtles have scored a personal best with 231 nests, up from

the previous record of 98. Turtle monitors have observed five leatherback nests and four Kemp’s Ridley nests. As the nests are beginning to hatch, thousands of hatchlings are making their way to the ocean, a trek that can be fraught with perils. Bright lights can discourage adult sea turtles from nesting and confuse hatchlings. By redirecting lights away from the beach and turning them off when not in use, beachfront residents can allow moonlight and starlight to guide nesting females

and hatchlings away from danger.

If you have questions about turtlefriendly lighting, call 386-238-4773.

Help save turtles using these tips:

n Leave sea turtles and nests alone.

n Avoid walking on the fragile dune system and native plants.

n Minimize use of lighting at night.

n Do not use cellphones to light your way at night.

n If lights are needed, use only red LED flashlights.

n When leaving the beach, remove obstacles by flattening sandcastles,

Breaking The Stigma Around Hearing Aids

Dr. Indira Álvarez, Clinical Director & Owner Palm Coast Hearing Center

According to Healthy Hearing, 30 million people in the United States suffer from hearing loss, yet only about 15 percent of that group have ever worn a hearing aid. This is definitely true in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach. From my experience, about 1 in 10 patients who have treatable hearing loss refuse treatment.

Most of the time it is not cost, it is because hearing aids have unfair stigmas attached to them.

Below are the top five hearing aid stigmas that I see and the truth that breaks them.

They are ugly - This is by far the biggest deterrent people have when considering hearing aids. Many people think that hearing aids are bulky, uncomfortable and embarrassing. However, this is far from the truth. For years now, hearing aid manufacturers have been able to create smaller, less visible amplification devices that sit comfortably within the ears. Although hearing aids have not become as trendy as glasses (yet!), they are also not ugly and most aren’t even noticeable!

They are expensive - Another common worry I hear from

patients is the price of their hearing aids. Although hearing aids can be expensive-ranging from $2000 to more than $6000 for a pair if you don’t have insurance-consider their worth. Your hearing is important! You want to hear and understand your children and communicate confidently. If cost is your biggest worry, consider pursuing payment options. We partner with a company that offers loans, allowing patients to make small monthly payments for their hearing aids.

They are easily damagedPeople don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars on devices that may or may not work and that might easily break. Palm Coast Hearing Center ensures that your aids are not only reli-

able and durable but also fit to your individual prescription. All our devices come with comprehensive warranties as well as loss and damage insurance coverage included in their price.

They aren’t worth it - Some people worry that they won’t use their hearing aids or that wearing them won’t make a difference. Both ideas must be addressed

separately. First, hearing aids are so worth it! They not only amplify sound for better hearing, but they also discourage brain atrophy. Hearing loss deprives the brain of certain stimuli, causing cognitive decline. According to a 2019 study, hearing loss is associated with a significant increase in the risk of dementia, especially in patients aged 45 to 64 years. Their findings suggest that implementing early hearing protection, screenings, and the use of hearing aids may help reduce this potential risk factor for dementia. Of course, hearing aids can be a benefit to you only if you wear them every day! You decide whether to abide by the rule or not. By wearing them inconsistently, you make it more difficult for your brain to readjust to normal hearing once you use your aids again.

They make me look oldWe already covered that hearing aids are smaller and less noticeable than they used to be, but we should also mention that they are also used by people of all ages. In fact, a WHO report from 2015 forecasted that 1.1 billion teens and young adults would injure their hearing permanently due to excessive use of headphones and louder and louder music festivals. Also, people with hearing loss

filling in holes, and taking chairs.

n Dispose of trash and recyclables in proper receptacles.

n Do not use fireworks.

If you see a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings, stand far away and quietly enjoy this special experience. If a turtle appears to be in immediate danger, notify a lifeguard or Beach Safety officer or call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922. At night, call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777, Ext. 3.

who avoid amplification seem older because they are constantly asking others to repeat themselves or are struggling to keep up a steady conversation. I often ask my patients, what do you think makes you look older? Constantly asking others to repeat or wearing barely noticeable amplification that allows you to enjoy AND keep up with the conversation?

At Palm Coast Hearing Center, our mission is to not only provide the best quality hearing care possible, but also to educate the community and help all patients make informed decisions so they can get the care they need and deserve. Want to learn more about hearing health? Visit our website at palmcoasthearingcenter.com and click the “About” button, then “Helpful Articles”. You can also schedule an appointment online. We also have a second location to serve you in Ormond Beach at www. ormondhearingcenter.com.

NICOLE AVILES, parent of a Bunnell Elementary fifth grader.

Photo by Jaymie Reneker Loggerhead hatchlings emerge from a nest.

Kayak launch, rental kiosks open at Waterfront Park

The city also added QR code information stations, built a patio and reinforced the park’s shoreline.

Paddling enthusiasts can now rent kayaks and paddleboards at Waterfront Park and access the Intracoastal Waterway using the park’s new concrete boat ramp and floating dock launching pad.

“The community has spoken, and today, their dreams are realized,” Palm Coast Parks & Recreation Director James Hirst said during an Aug. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park’s latest enhancements. Visitors can paddle to or from the park in kayaks, canoes and rowboats. Workers have also added QR code information stations and new landscaping and updated the Children’s Memorial Garden. The $1.2 million park renovation began in November 2022 with funding from a three-part FIND grant, city-generated impact fees and capital funds, according to a news release from the Palm Coast city government.

“It’s beautiful. Can’t wait to use

it,” Palm Coast resident Aloha Van Jasinski said at the ceremony.

Mayor David Alfin highlighted key features of the expansion.

“We’ve included a beautiful patio area with endless opportunities for recreation,” Alfin said. “And we’ve

fortified the shoreline with upgraded landscaping and added updated QR stations throughout the trail so you can learn more about the park on your cell phone.” Watercraft rentals from self-service PADL rental kiosks start at $25

per hour. Paddlers also can sign up for a $30 monthly membership.

PADL, a watercraft rental company based in Key Biscayne, has entered a revenue-sharing agreement with Palm Coast: PADL will receive 80% of rental revenue, while the city will receive 20%, according to the news release. The city plans to add a second PADL rental station at Long Creek in the next two to three months.

Waterfront Park’s newly renovated Children’s Memorial Garden, created in 2010, serves as a memorial for parents to remember children who have died.

“It is one of the purest spots in Palm Coast, a place to soften the sadness for visitors looking for a quiet place of peace,” Alfin said.

Mike Pino of Saboungi Construction, the job site superintendent for the Waterfront Park renovation project, has also worked on the Indian Trail Sports Complex, Heroes Memorial Park, Ralph Carter Park and Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park.

“I built this park from day one, and am also a resident of Palm Coast,” Pino said. “I put a lot of love into this project, and I’m very proud of how it turned out.”

Photos by Dori Umansky

The Florida Inland Navigation District funded $533,000 of the $1.2 million project. Another $462,000 came from impact fees, while $205,000 came from the city’s capital funds. From left to right: Saboungi Construction’s Mohammad Mounir Khabazeh, FIND Commissioner Randy Stapleford, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, City Manager Denise Bevan, City Councilman Nick Klufas and Stormwater and Engineering Director Carl Cote.

Florida Inland Navigation District Commissioner Randy Stapleford speaks at an Aug. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for renovations at Waterfront Park. Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin is at right.

A new kayak launch will help paddlers access the water.

COPS CORNER

AUG. 14

FREELOADER

9:45 a.m. — 100 block of East Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Fraud. A local public bus driver contacted police after suspecting that one of his passengers stole his checkbook.

The driver told police that he had let the passenger, who had been riding the bus for about six months, move in with him after the passenger fell on hard times, according to a police report.

About a week before he spoke with police, the driver noticed that a reloadable debit card was missing from a drawer in his home.

He confronted the passenger about it, but the man denied taking it.

Then, the next day, the driver got a phone call from a local bank representative who said someone was trying to cash a check in his name. The suspect matched the passenger’s description.

The driver then noticed that his checkbook had also been stolen from his home. He gave police the 47-yearold passenger’s physical description, which included a “shiny bald head,” and said he wanted to pursue charges.

AUG. 18

TAPPING IN

6:16 p.m. — 200 block of South Ocean Shore Boulevard, the Flagler Pier in Flagler Beach Trespass, petit theft, burglary. A homeless man was arrested when

surveillance footage caught him jumping a fence to steal a cup of beer from a restaurant’s outside tap.

Another local homeless man spotted the suspect, who had been camping under the pier, jumping the barricade to the closed section of the pier, then hopping a fence into the restaurant’s outdoor seating area.

The witness told the restaurant manager about the incident the next day, according to the suspect’s arrest report.

The surveillance footage showed the suspect pouring himself a cup of beer from the tap, then jumping the fence again to leave. A police officer arrested the suspect underneath the pier.

The suspect admitted he’d stolen the beer but said he didn’t see why it was a big deal, since he’d had a bad week and intended to pay it back later.

AUG. 19

SIBLING DISCORD

12:01 a.m. — 100 block of North State Street, Bunnell Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest. Two intoxicated sisters were separated — and one was arrested — after the two began fighting outside of a bar for no apparent reason.

Two police officers on patrol noticed a group of people trying to separate the two women, according to an arrest report.

One woman broke free and charged at the other again as police arrived.

Officers secured the woman in the back of the police car, where she continued to scream at the other woman. The other woman, crying, told officers that the two

were sisters and asked the officers not to arrest her sister.

When officers asked why they were fighting, the crying woman said she didn’t know how it started.

No one in the crowd or the bar knew, either: The two women were drinking inside and getting along fine until they stepped outside to leave and began to fight, according to the report.

Because the first sister continued to scream and fight the restraints, officers arrested her for disorderly conduct.

AT A GLANCE

7:50 a.m. — First block of Broadriver Road, Ormond Beach Loitering. After receiving a call about a suspicious person looking into the windows of homes in a gated neighborhood, police spotted the suspect walking eastbound on Broadriver Road.

Officers asked the man, a 36-year-old from Ormond Beach, what he was doing. The man said he used to live in the neighborhood and wanted to check in on his old house, according to a police report.

He told police that his home had been “stolen from him” and that he had moved out three years ago to “avoid conflict.” He said he wanted to look inside and see if he recognized any of the belongings.

The reporting officer asked the man what he intended to do if he did recognize anything in the house.

“Are you asking if I was going to break in?” the man responded, according to the report.

Police spoke with the owner of the house the man claimed he used to live in. She said she didn’t recognize him and that she had lived in the home for 10 years.

Officers arrested the man and took him to jail.

Make way for the legends! Registration is open for Senior Games. Adults over 50 can compete in thirteen events, including tennis, pickleball, bowling, surfing, and more. To register visit palmcoast.gov/seniorgames.

CRIME REPORT

Murder victim ID’d after 26 years

A homicide victim found in the Intracoastal Waterway in 1997 has been identified by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit.

The victim is Robert Bruce McPhail, 58. He was from the Kenora and Winnipeg regions of Canada, but moved to South Florida in the mid1990s, according to a press release from the FCSO.

FCSO deputies found the body of an unknown white man floating in the Intracoastal Waterway, northeast of then-Sea Ray Boats, now Boston Whaler, on Sept. 10, 1997. They pulled the body from the water and found that the victim was bound and had been shot and stabbed multiple times.

Cold Case Unit Detec-

BRIEFS

Bunnell library branch changes operating hours

In Loving Memory of Edward

tive Sarah Scalia identified McPhail with help from Othram, a private forensic genetic genealogy corporation, the press release said. A facial approximation of McPhail, created in 1997, was the only known image of him until a tipster sent the FCSO photos of McPhail last week.

If anyone has any informa-

to 7 p.m. beginning in September to accommodate after-school needs.

The library will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and closed Friday through Sunday.

The new hours will begin Tuesday, Sept. 5, after the Labor Day holiday, according to a press release from the Flagler County government.

“The Bunnell Branch Library has received many comments from library users asking us to offer our services into the evening,” Assistant Library Director Joe Saloom said.

The Bunnell branch currently operates MondayFriday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Marvin’s Garden Plaza, 4601 E. Moody Boulevard, Suite F1. The phone number is 386437-7390.

The Flagler County Public Library Palm Coast Main Branch — located at 2500 Palm Coast Parkway — is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

City launches tax info website

Palm Coast has launched a new webpage to help explain property tax notices residents are receiving in the mail.

The Flagler County Property Appraiser has begun mailing out Truth in Millage — or TRIM — notices explaining

tion about McPhail’s life or his murder, they can submit a tip through email at TIPS@ flaglersheriff.com, directly to Cold Case Detective Sarah Scalia at SScalia@flaglersheriff.com or call 386-3134911.

Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida by calling 1-888-277-TIPS (8477), and could be eligible for a reward of up to $9,500.

Man gets 10 years for gas station robbery

A Volusia County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after the armed robberies of a Palm Coast gas station and a Volusia County store.

Collin Calvert, 21, was sentenced for the Dec. 19 armed robbery of a Mobil gas station on Pine Lakes Parkway in Palm Coast and a Dec. 22 armed robbery in Port

Orange, a press release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.

Calvert stole around $4,700 from the Palm Coast gas station and stole the AR-15 used in the robbery from a home in Port Orange, according to his arrest report. He pleaded no contest to all charges, in both counties.

If the case had gone to trial, he could have been sentenced to life in prison, according to court documents.

Instead, after his 10 years in prison, he will face five years of probation. The 242 days Calvert has been in custody since his arrest will be credited toward his sentence, the documents said.

Between Flagler and Volusia Counties, he was charged with robbery with a firearm, four counts of grand theft with a firearm, two counts of dealing in stolen property, armed burglary of an unoccupied structure and criminal mischief.

essential information about property assessments, proposed property tax rates and upcoming public hearings.

The city’s new platform at palmcoast.gov/finance/ property-tax is designed to help residents understand the information, according to a press release from the city.

The webpage contains detailed information about the property tax notices, including how tax revenues help fund essential public services and infrastructure projects, the press release said.

The goal of the webpage is to demystify the property tax

process and keep residents informed as part of the city’s commitment to transparency, the press release said.

Follow Emergency Management for storm updates

As the tropics become more active with disturbances and hurricanes, the Flagler County government is encouraging residents to follow the Emergency Management department on social media to stay informed.

Emergency Management has social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, under the social media handle “FlaglerEOC,” a press release from Flagler County said.

Preparedness is part of the department’s mantra, Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said.

“Always have preparedness measures in place, and make sure you are accessing accurate, verified information,” Lord said.

Residents can ensure they are prepared by staying informed, making a plan for evacuation and communication with loved ones and building a a disaster supply kit that includes food, water, medications, flashlights and batteries, and clothing to live “off the grid” for a full seven days.

Another Disaster Supply Sales Tax Holiday will take place from Saturday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Sept. 8.

The county reminds residents that the peak of hurricane season is still ahead and runs until the end of November, the press release said.

Images courtesy of the FCSO

This photo, recently sent to the FCSO, is one of the first images law enforcement officers have received of Robert Bruce McPhail.

Courtesy photo

The Flagler County Public Library Bunnell branch is extending its operating hours to 7 p.m. beginning in September to accommodate after-school needs.

Ormond Beach resident opens new bookstore

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Ormond Beach resident Rayna Dunlop’s lifelong dream was to own a bookstore.

She’s always been a big reader, and as a mom of three, Dunlop said, her love of reading has continued to evolve over the years — beyond reading as a hobby, she’s passionate about making books accessible and finding a way to spark community connections.

That’s her mission for Fern and Fable, located at 600 S. Yonge St. Suite 7B.

“We have just spent our summer putting this together as a family,” Dunlop said. “My kids were helping to build book shelves and stocking up all the books, and just sharing our family love of reading.”

Dunlop opened her bookstore last week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Fern and Fable offers both new and used books, and Dunlop plans to provide story times and host book club meetings and special events for the community. Dunlop is working with the Early Learning Coalition

BIZ BUZZ

LIFESTYLE

Kathy Johnston has joined Lifestyle Realty Group’s Ormond Beach brokerage as an agent. Johnston comes to Lifestyle Realty Group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was an agent for

of Flagler and Volusia in October to promote children’s literacy and raise money for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Dunlop — who previously worked for the Observer — decided last fall to open a bookstore. At first, she toyed with the idea of a mobile bookshop, but ultimately felt a brick-and-mortar business was a better fit.

The space at Palm Plaza was the “perfect little spot,” she said.

“Living in Ormond, growing up in Ormond, I love our small business community and I really wanted to be part of that,” Dunlop said.

The recent discourse on school book bans, she said, also pushed her to make books accessible for all at

Fern and Fable. She wants to be an advocate for reading and accessibility to reading, she said.

“That’s a big piece of our heart and why we’re here,” Dunlop said.

One author that shaped her life? Jane Austen.

“As a teenager, there were a lot of

PHYSICIANS TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES

The Florida College of Emergency Physicians has appointed Halifax Health physicians Dr. Zach Terwilliger and Dr. Stephen Viel to its board of directors for the 2023-2026 term.

books I wasn’t allowed to read, but Jane Austen gave me a picture of a strong woman,” Dunlop said. “And also the sweet romances, and that is really a big part of my love for reading.”

In addition to books, Dunlop loves gardening and house plants, which

is designed to cultivate the next generation of physician leaders,” he said. “Through mentorship, education, and hands-on experience, we aim to empower emerging leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of healthcare.”

are reflected in her store’s name.

Plus, she’s loved the name Fern ever since she read Charlotte’s Web. “I always was like, ‘Maybe I’ll have a little girl named Fern one day,’ but this is my baby too,” Dunlop said. Visit fernandfablebooks.com.

Lifestyle

Viel chairs the FCEP Leadership Academy, according to a press release from Halifax Health.

“Our Leadership Academy

Terwilliger expressed his enthusiasm for his co-chair of the Leadership Academy position.

“I am honored to take on this responsibility alongside Dr. Viel,” Terwilliger said. “We

are dedicated to fostering a culture of growth and innovation within the emergency medicine community, ultimately leading to enhanced patient care.”

Both physicians are members of the American College of Emergency Physicians, according to the news release.

Kathy Johnston

Fern and Fable is located at Palm Plaza, at 600 S. Yonge St., Suite 7B.

Dr. Zach Terwilliger

Dr. Stephen Viel

Photos by Jarleene Almenas Fern and Fable has a dedicated children’s book section.

Rayna Dunlop opened her new bookstore in Ormond Beach last week.

300-unit apartment building designed for lot next to Imagine School

Lake Avenue.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A 300-unit apartment complex could become Imagine School at Town Center’s new neighbor.

The development, called The Legacy at Palm Coast, sits on the 27-acre lot next to Imagine School, with Lake Avenue splitting the two lots. The Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Regulation Board approved a technical site plan for The Legacy at its Aug. 16 meeting in a 5-0 vote. The site plan will next go before the City Council for review.

The complex will have eight buildings: four three-story and four fourstory buildings, according to Planning Board documents. It will also have two entrances: a main entrance on Town Center Boulevard and a secondary entrance onto Lake Avenue.

The 300 units will consist of 128 one-bedroom apartments, 140 twobedroom apartments and 32 threebedroom apartments. There will be 520 parking spaces. Only 18 acres of the land will be developed, while the remaining 9.5 — on the north side furthest from the school — will remain a wetland preservation area.

The complex will also have a centrally-located clubhouse with a pool, and, within walking distance of the clubhouse, pickleball courts, a gazebo, a fire pit and a kayak launch. The property will have two dog parks.

Alliant Engineering engineer Adam Oestman, representing the owner, MC Palm Coast, LLC, said that while there is not yet a set price, the apartments could cost around $2,000 a month for a three-bed -

Commission decides against raising Daytona North special assessment fee

BUNNELL POLICE CHIEF ORGANIZES VETERANS PARADE

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Daytona North Special Assessment fee will not double for the next fiscal year. In July, the County Commission voted 4-1, with Commissioner Leann Pennington dissenting, to double the fee. But County Administrator Heidi Petito at an Aug. 21 meeting asked the commission for consensus to keep the fee at 58 cents per foot of property fronting the road instead of raising it to $1.16 per foot.

COUNTY APPROVES TWO FINAL PLATS IN VERANDA BAY

room, based on similar properties the developer built in Kissimmee.

“It’s more high-end [housing],” Oestman said.

Planning Board member Larry Gross said he had concerns about the lack of affordable rentals in Palm Coast. Gross said he wondered if the city was setting itself up for disaster by having so many high-priced condos and apartments.

“I love these great, beautiful new projects coming in here,” he said.

“But do we really have people that can afford [that price]?”

Vice Chair Sandra Shank also expressed concerns about affordability. Shank asked the developer to consider setting aside some units as affordable, citing affordable-housing incentives in place that could speed development.

Oestman said that often, renters split an apartment among friends to reduce the cost.

“But there goes our parking,” Gross said. An apartment split between two couples could have four cars, he pointed out. On the other hand, Gross said, hopefully the developments will attract new, young families.

“There’s a fine line here of overgrowth,” he said.

Community objections to the proposed doubling had made commissioners somewhat reticent to go through with it, so Petito suggested the county go ahead and set the fee at 58 cents for the upcoming year’s budget before the first public budget hearing. That way, she explained, “When we come into the first public hearing, we’re not having to have staff [make changes] in between first and second public hearing.”

The Daytona North special assessment fee pays for the maintenance and paving of roads in the Daytona North area, also known as the Mondex.

Petito suggested the county rework the five-year capital project work plan for paving streets, potentially decreasing the amount of maintenance in that area to negate the need for more funding.

The commission — sans Chair Greg Hansen, who was absent — agreed unanimously during the Aug. 21 meeting to keep the 58-cent rate.

Vice Chair Andy Dance said he wasn’t ready to approve an increase without more information.

“I’ve got a lot of questions, and I think we have to keep it until we answer a lot of those questions,” he said. “We need to spend some time on that.”

The County Commission approved two final plat applications for the Veranda Bay development in two 4-1 votes on Aug. 21, despite a discrepancy between the final plats and previous versions.

Veranda Bay, on the east side of John Anderson Highway within the larger Hammock Beach River Club development, is split into six phases: Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2C, with the Phase 1A and 2A final plats already approved. Commissioners on Aug. 21 approved the final plats for phases 1B and 1C, encompassing a total of 89 residential lots.

Growth Management Director Adam Mengel said a 5-foot drainage and utility easement note written on the Phase 1A and 2A plats was not included on the plats for Phases 1B and 1C.

County staff had read the note as a 5-foot side-lot drainage easement and platted it as such in the final 1A and 2A plats.

But lawyer Michael Chiumento, representing the developer, said the note does not designate an easement. Developer Ken Belshe said a surveyor included the note from an older, previous plat, and it was accidentally left on the submitted Phase 1A and 2A plats.

No one noticed the problem until contractors began to build homes within the easement. The county

Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon is working to bring back the county’s Veterans Day Parade.

Brannon said he has received approval from Bunnell city leadership and the county’s Veterans Advisory Board.

“We’re working, as we speak, to put a Veterans Day parade for Flagler County together again,” Brannon said.

Brannon said the parade will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, Veterans Day, and extend along State Road 100 from Bunnell City Hall to the County Government Services buildings.

Veterans Services Officer David Lydon will then host a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Government Services Building. Brannon said he is working with the Sheriff’s Office for traffic control and hopes to involve high school bands and ROTC programs.

prohibits a developer from building in an easement — even so much as the eaves of a roof, Mengel said — so if the area remains a marked easement, the developer would need to make the homes smaller to accommodate it. Other municipalities, Palm Coast included, do not have that restriction, Mengel said. After realizing the problem, the developer removed the easement note for the 1B and 1C plats. Mengel said staff recommended it be added back into the plat.

The commission voted 4-1 to approve the plats without the easement note. Commissioner David Sullivan, the dissenting vote, said he did not support leaving the easement out of the 1B and 1C plats after it was included in the 1A and 2A plats.

The 27-acre lot sits at the corner of Town Center Boulevard and

The County Commission also approved the next two final plats for the Veranda Bay development.

County Administrator Heidi Petito

City recognizes young photographers in first youth photo contest.

Pixels for Pizzo

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

The city of Ormond Beach celebrated the four winners of its first Young Adult Photography Contest on Aug. 5.

The contest, themed around the city’s parks, nature and green spaces, was created in memory of city photographer David Pizzo, who died in January at 73 years old. Pizzo — who, according to his obituary moved to Ormond Beach from New York in 2007 — had worked for Eastman Kodak Company for more than 20 years.

“He was proud to hold the distinguished reputation of being the professional photographer for the city, as well as for local businesses and the community,” a Jan. 21 mayor’s proclamation in honor of Pizzo reads.

“... His work was an art, he did it well and with much zeal,” the proclamation states.

And art was created during the contest, which was open to all children ages 12-17 living in Volusia County.

Gabriella Rosa, of Ormond Beach, won best of show for her photograph, titled “Flowers.” She heard about the contest from her dad, who saw the city’s post about the contest on Facebook. She’d gotten a GoPro camera for Christmas and has spent the last couple months exploring photography.

Rosa, a freshman at Seabreeze High School, said she took her camera to a field with her sister one day, just for fun.

“I decided to take my camera for some sky pics, and then I noticed the flowers,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Hey I can get a really cool shot with this.’”

She wasn’t expecting to win the contest.

“It was incredible to see every-

body’s artwork too,” Rosa said.

Evan Doane, an Ormond Beach 17-year-old, got a camera in June and started taking pictures.

The Mainland High School senior won first place for his photograph, titled “Transparent.”

“For the past year and a half, I’ve taken photos on my phone, and I’ve always wanted a camera for myself so I can take photos like that,” Doane said.

Winning first place in his first contest caught him by surprise, he said. Everybody’s work was amazing, he added.

“It’s really cool to see a photo that you’ve taken be hung up around everybody else’s that has had experience with photography, and it kind of just looks like it fits in with everybody else’s,” he said.

DC Pickering, of Ponce Inlet, won second place for her photograph titled “Incognito.” Pickering has been interested in photography for a couple years and saw the local contest as an opportunity that doesn’t come very often — there aren’t that many competitions in the area, the Spruce Creek High School sophomore said.

This was Pickering’s first time placing in a competition.

“It was really awesome to see my photo in The Casements,” Pickering said. “And for future people who want to enter the competition, I would say it’s a great opportunity, even if you don’t win anything; it’s just a cool experience.”

Pickering’s mother Tara found the competition online.

“I think that having different organizations allow youth in our area to show their skillset and show their creativity is fantastic,” Tara Pickering said.

The third place winner was Lily Chiofalo, a seventh grader from Port Orange. Her photograph was titled “Orange Wings in Yellow Flowers,”

and Chiofalo said she knew once she spotted the butterfly that it would make a great photograph.

“It really stood out against the flowers, and I love animals and taking pictures of them,” she said.

This was her first contest too. When she found out she’d won, she said, she was “really excited and surprised.”

Her mother, Shannon Chiofalo, added that the setup at The Casements was very professional.

“Everybody’s entries were so beautiful,” she said. “I felt really proud to see her work up there on the wall.”

The art will remain on display through Friday, Aug. 25. The prize ribbons were sponsored by The Casements Camera Club.

BEST IN SHOW Gabriella Rosa, left, won Best in Show for “Flowers” in the city’s first Young Adult Photography Contest.

THIRD PLACE “Orange Wings in Yellow Flowers,” by Lily Chiofalo

SECOND PLACE “Incognito,” by DC Pickering

FIRST PLACE Evan Doane won first place for his photo “Transparent” (above) in the city’s first Young Adult Photography Contest.

Courtesy photos

Make yourself at home

The greatest 3-point-shooting dad?

Given my age, not to mention my height, an NBA contract is, shall we say, unlikely anyway.

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Hall-of-Famer Ted Williams once said, “All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, ‘There goes the greatest hitter that ever lived.’” My goal is similar, but it’s related to basketball instead of baseball, and maybe on a smaller scale: I want my children to say, “There goes my dad, the greatest 3-point-shooter in the neighborhood.”

This summer, I shot baskets all by myself just about every morning, before anyone else in my family was awake. At first it was just for fun, and because my doctor said I should

LETTERS

Audit, canal proposals require discussion

The City Council has had a busy time lately. Apartments and housing developments flooding in, budgetary issues, saltwater canals, and even accusations of criminal activity requiring what is called a “forensic audit” of city finances.

But I think residents are confused about the nature of a forensic audit. It will not reveal mistakes, poor choices, or incompetence by city staff. A forensic audit is looking for crimes such as fraud and embezzlement. This extremely expensive audit is conducted by a team of specially trained accounting professionals whose only purpose is to examine financial records in detail to determine if crimes have been committed. This audit wouldn’t even discover if bribes have been paid in cash “under the table.”

Palm Coast has an audit done every year by an outside firm. Last year it was done by James Moore Associates in Daytona, which determined everything was in order. People are so negative. No evidence whatsoever was presented. There has to be something more than a resident having a “suspicion.”

The condition of the saltwater canals was on the agenda when a consulting firm presented the results of their investigation.

The firm determined the canals to not be in as bad a condition as believed, with 13 miles in need of any attention, rather than the entire 26 miles. They determined the deteriorating condition of many residents’ bulkheads to not be a source of silting. However, only three silt samples were analyzed for hazardous wastes; this is way too few to conclude that dredged material is safe for a landfill. The bad news for canal homeowners was that since the system is utilized almost completely by them, public funding is going to be hard to get for the $10-to-$20-million price tag. Both of these issues are still very much up in the air, and both need much more discussion by all of us.

JEFFERY C. SEIB

Palm Coast

Editors’s note: The city has now analyzed silt from six locations and expects to analyze more if the canal project moves on to permitting, according to the city’s stormwater engineer.

get more exercise. But as I started tracking my attempts in sets of 50, I noticed that I was making more and more of them. I started averaging about 17 makes and felt proud when I made 20 out of 50. Then I hit 25, and I was so thrilled I smiled on my entire drive home, and I barged into the house to tell my sleepy wife and children all about my personal record. Each set of 50 contained many moments of drama, as I sometimes had to make my final shot just to reach my goal. I told my 8-yearold daughter, Kennedy, about one such moment: “So I’m sitting at 29 out 49, and I’ve never hit 30 out of 50 before. I jog over to the top of the arc, and I let the ball fly, and it’s soaring through the air — remember, if I make this, it’s a new personal record — and there it goes toward the rim — and in! Thirty! Can you believe it?! Isn’t that exciting?”

YOUR TOWN

TIGER BAY CLUB PRESIDENT GREG DAVIS STEPS DOWN

As the Flagler Tiger Bay Club celebrated its fifth annual meeting, it also celebrated Greg Davis, the club’s president for the last five years.

Davis stepped down as club president at the club’s Aug. 17 meetand-greet. Davis had been president since he and his friend Don Madden co-founded the club in 2018. He said it was time for new leadership to ensure Tiger Bay remains nonpartisan.

“It goes back to our foundational promise to the community when we established Flagler Tiger Bay club,” Davis said. “I think we’ve built a fantastic organization that’s ready for the next leadership.”

SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to the winners of the Observer’s Back to School Sweepstakes! The contest, which was live from July 20 to Aug. 9, received more than 700 entries and awarded over $1,000 in prizes.

GRAND PRIZE

 Courtney Berrios, of Palm Coast

Our grand prize winner was Palm Coast resident Courtney Berrios, who won a $500 check for a local back-to-school shopping spree provided by KIX Country, dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast and a back-to-school-themed bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

In addition to Berrios, the winners were:

SECOND PLACE PRIZE

 Lander Joissin, of Palm Coast Award: $250 check for a local backto-school shopping spree sponsored by by D.R. Horton, dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast and a back-to-school bundt cake.

THIRD PLACE PRIZE

 Lazara Davis, of Palm Coast

Award: Backpack plus school supplies, with a photoshoot session for 24 photos plus edits by Distinguished Creative, LLC; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm

miss out on helping with the kids in the morning. Doctor’s orders, right?

Still, it was starting to feel like this routine was going to have to end.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, I went to shoot at the hoop at my church. For the first time in months, I didn’t count my attempts.

And partway through, I saw that I was not alone in the building anymore: Some of my friends from my congregation were there, too, because it was their turn to do the vacuuming and scrub the toilets.

I couldn’t very well keep shooting and let them do all the work. So I paused my timer, grabbed a vacuum and cleaned a hallway and a few rooms.

A thought came to mind: I want my children to say, “There goes my dad, the kind of person who would help clean the church even when it wasn’t his turn.”

Kennedy responded with one word: “Boring.”

My quest for the admiration of my children was hitting a major road bump. As the summer ended, it has become harder to keep my schedule, and, a few times, I shot baskets instead of helping with the morning routine as my younger children prepared for the first few days of school. Not ideal, but my wife, Hailey, encouraged me to keep up with my basketball workouts. She knows it makes me happy, and the exercise is still important, even if I have to

Davis, a Republican, said the next president must be registered as a Democrat or No Party Affiliation.

The club is supposed to cycle through leadership between election cycles, but Davis said he was asked to remain because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he’s stepped down from the club’s board to give the new leadership space to lead, but will remain involved in the club.

“Now, it’s really about being of service,” Davis said. “Being of service, to me, is contributing and giving and doing things with no expectation of anything in return.”

MAN TO SPEND 45 HOURS IN BOOM LIFT FOR FUNDRAISER

A Flagler Beach man has committed to spending 45 hours 40 feet in the air to raise money, school supplies and food for Bunnell Elementary School students.

Chris Dalessio, 49, will be suspend-

That’s not to say that my basketball days are over. But I will probably be more selective when I take time away from my children to play. Given my age, not to mention my height, an NBA contract is, shall we say, unlikely anyway.

In the end, giving my children hugs before school is more important than tracking my stats. But for what it’s worth, if you’re curious, my all-time high is 35 makes out of 50 attempted 3-pointers. Are you smiling? I’m smiling.

ed in a boom lift at Veterans Park in Flagler Beach from 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27.

Local volunteers and business have come together to help make this Perch-A-Thon possible, he said, with several donating time or materials.

Residents can donate to the fundraiser in person during the Perch-AThon or at its GoFundMe: “Perch-AThon for Bunnell Elementary School.”

Dalessio said his church, Salty Church in Flagler Beach, adopted BES as its project school, but it wasn’t until he talked to the former BES Principal Marcus Sanfilippo about the school’s $15,000 in unpaid lunches he knew how to help.

“Being a Christian, I just felt in my heart that I needed to do something,” Dalessio said. “I’m ready to go.”

Dalessio said the GoFundMe has a $25,000 goal and he hopes to fill a U-Haul with nonperishable food and school supplies. While Dalessio stays aloft, his wife, Ann-Marie, will run other events in the park.

sponsored by Hammock Beach Resort; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast; and a back-to-school bundt cake.

 Janet Stevens, of Palm Coast Award:$150 toward tuition or camp, sponsored by SunCoast Community School; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast; and a back-to-school bundt cake.

 Lauren Colwell, of De Leon Springs and Ormond Beach

Award: Catering party valued at $150, sponsored by Palm Coast Chick-fil-A; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast; and a back-to-school bundt cake.

 Karissa Garret, of Flagler Beach Award: Backpack plus school supplies, valued at $120, sponsored by Orthodontic Specialists of Palm Coast; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast; and a back-toschool bundt cake.

PALM COAST

“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.”

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

Circulation Coordinator, Draven Owens, dowens@observerlocalnews.com

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VETERAN OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

Six-year-old Cupcake is a male cat who is friendly and very vocal. He enjoys playing with other cats.

Grand prize winner Courtney Berrios and her family

Coast; and a back-to-school bundt cake.

 Candice Hutcherson, of Palm Coast Award: $150 gift card to Target,

Kenneth R. Boehm

 Branch of Military: U.S. Army

 Dates of Service: 1970-1971

 Rank/Occupation: Specialist 4/ Military Policeman

 Hometown: North Babylon, New York

 Yissel Guzman, of Palm Coast Award: $150 Visa or Mastercard gift card, sponsored by Waste Pro; dinner for four at Texas Roadhouse in Palm Coast; and a back-to-school bundt cake.

SOCIAL MEDIA WINNERS

 Tina Phelan, of Ormond Beach Award: Back-to-school bundt cake.

 Jessica Tarver, of Palm Coast Award: Back-to-school bundt cake.

Kenneth Boehn is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After his honorable service to his country, Boehm was hired by Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Long Island, New York, and was trained as a quality control inspector. He was proud to inspect what he says is still his favorite aircraft: the U.S. Navy’s F-14 Tomcat. Boehm and his wife of 35 years, Eileen, moved to Palm Coast in 1998, where Boehm continued to work for Northrup Grumman in Saint Augustine. Now retired, Boehm likes to enjoy the fruits of his labor and the benefit of being able to take walks at Flagler Beach with his Golden Retriever.

NEED HELP WITH VETERAN SERVICES?

For information about benefits and support organizations for veterans, call 386-313-4014.

Chico is a 6-year-old male dog who is very laid back and loves to be near people. He is house-trained.

Fendy is a 3-year-old female dog weighing around 50 pounds. Fendy loves playing fetch, is very friendly and loves meeting new people.

Dippy, a 3-year-old female cat, was seized by Animal Control for being neglected. She can be a bit cautious around new people.

PETS UP FOR ADOPTION

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Plantation Oaks group holds butterfly release.

Monarch metamorphosis

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Five years ago, Colleen Anderson could not touch a caterpillar. She thought they were gross.

But her love of monarch butterflies has led her to found Kaleidoscope Butterflies, a Plantation Oaks-based group that raises, tags and releases monarchs. Kaleidoscope members held their most recent release at the Plantation Oaks clubhouse in Ormond Beach on Aug. 17.

“We would just love to get other people aware of how much help these beautiful creatures need to stick around,” Anderson said. “In a few generations, they’re only going to see pictures of monarchs in books. They are not going to see them flying around. They won’t know what that is. They will be gone.”

Monarch butterfly populations have declined by 85% because of climate change, urban development and pesticides that kill the milkweed plants on which they rely, according to the conservation nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity.

Migrating populations are less than half the size necessary to avoid extinction.

Anderson wants to bring awareness to the monarchs’ plight and teach people about the butterflies’ importance to the environment. As

community on Facebook, writing that she enjoyed raising monarch butterflies. She added a date when she could teach people who were interested.

“All of a sudden, all of them responded with, ‘Yes, yes, I would love to do that,’ and that’s how we got started,” she said.

Raising monarch butterflies begins with buying pesticide-free milkweed plants. The butterflies lay their eggs on the bottom of the leaves. In three to four days, a caterpillar chews through the egg casing and begins eating the milkweed leaves.

After the butterflies emerge, Kaleidoscope members tag them for tracking purposes and release them outside.

Anderson said the tags are a circular white sticker, lighter than a butterfly’s wing. She encourages anyone who sees one to take a picture. The photos can be posted at monarchwatch.org, where butterfly enthusiasts, environmentalists and people who want help fight the monarch butterflies’ extinction can learn about the species.

Anderson is proud of her group’s contributions to saving the species and amazed at group members’ stories.

“We started out wanting to help the butterflies,” she said. “I’m telling you, I think the butterflies are helping us more.”

Member Diane Wieboldt’s husband Doug died almost two years ago. Raising monarch butterflies has been fun for her and her cat — a Russian blue who watches intently as the insects move around their habitat. She said her husband would have enjoyed the entire process.

“It’s such a positive thing in this negative world,” she said. “It’s been really good for me. I really enjoy it.”

Before Anderson arrived in the community, 81-year-old Gail Schuck had a butterfly tattooed on her ankle in California for her 70th birthday. She is thankful Anderson brought the monarchs to Plantation Oaks.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

For more information on monarch butterfly conservation, go to:

n monarchwatch.org

nfacebook.com/ groups/ 314581071041586/

nbigleaguelandscape. com

natural pollinators, butterflies sustain ecosystems, helping flowers and certain foods thrive.

Before she began raising butterflies, Anderson lived in Dade City, where she would visit her friend Pat Hendricks. Every time she went to Hendricks’ house, butterflies were fluttering to and fro.

“Finally, I asked what was happening over there, and she showed me her whole setup,” Anderson said. “She taught me how to do the same and took me to get my first milkweed plant that had caterpillars on it. I couldn’t touch a caterpillar. She had to come over every time I had to move a caterpillar. She helped me a lot.”

So Anderson joined Hendricks on her mission to help save the monarchs from extinction.

They recruited more people in their community and taught them how to set up an environment that would accommodate all stages of a monarch butterfly’s metamorphosis.

When Anderson moved to Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach in December 2022, she was leery about posting her butterfly-saving aspirations online. Her husband thought people would think she was weird. But she introduced herself to the

“She came into this neighborhood like a ball of fire,” Schuck said. “She was full of adventure and love and kindness. For me, it was one of the most inspirational feelings to watch that metamorphosis from the notvery-pretty caterpillar to the absolutely God-given beauty of the butterfly.”

Her butterflies Aurora and Angel emerged together. She named Aurora after her mother, who is deceased. She renamed Angel after her father, whose middle name is Angelo, when she discovered the monarch was male. Both butterflies visit her every day around 12:30. They are the only released butterflies that have returned to her.

“They just stay, and I talk to them,” she said. “Then they go back to heaven. They’re the only two that I’ve seen since I’ve been raising the butterflies. The come religiously, every day. Isn’t that so amazing?”

At the Aug. 17 release, Kaleidoscope members released all of Sandra Swart’s butterflies. Swart has become one of the most prolific monarch butterfly raisers in the group.

“Every morning, I sing to them, ‘Good morning to you, good morning to you,’ like I did with my kids, and they all start flapping their wings,” Swart said. “They walk all the way up to the top of the habitat. Sometimes they come back (after a release) and land on my shoulder.”

“We started out wanting to help the butterflies. I’m telling you, I think the butterflies are helping us more.”

COLLEEN ANDERSON founder of Kaleidoscope Butterflies

Above: A monarch caterpillar will pupate after approximately two weeks and hang in chrysalis form until it becomes an adult. The wings and some of the details of the butterfly become visible in the dark chrysalis before it emerges. Right: Once the monarch caterpillar emerges from the egg, it eats constantly for about two weeks, only stopping to shed its skin as it grows, according to the Monarch Butterfly Life website.

Photos by Michele Meyers

The monarch caterpillar spends its time eating the leaves of milkweed plants, growing and shedding its skin.

This monarch was raised in a butterfly habitat by a Kaleidoscope Butterflies member.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30

HAPPY WANDERERS

ORMOND BEACH WALK

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Tom Renick Park, 1565 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: The Happy Wanderers are hosting a 5K fun walk. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Walk starts at 7 p.m. Socialize with ice cream after the walk. Visit happywanderersfl.org.

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

GUIDED KAYAK TOUR

When: 9-11 a.m., Friday, Aug.

25; and Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler

Beach

Details: Register for a twohour guided kayak tour benefitting the Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park. Tour costs $45 with rental of a single kayak, tandem kayak or canoe; or $20 per person if you bring your own. Cash or check only. Park entry fee is separate.

MOSAIC DOG DAYS OF SUMMER FUNDRAISER

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Mosaic IC subdivision, 715 Mosaic Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: The Taylor Road Band is donating a percentage of its performance fee to Halifax Humane Society. Free event, but donations are appreciated. Visit taylorroadband.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27

HAPPY WANDERERS PALM COAST WALK

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Island Walk at Palm Coast, Publix Shopping Center, 250 Palm Coast Parkway Northeast, Palm Coast

Details: Join the Happy Wanderers for

a 5K or 10K walk or bike ride.

Costs $3. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and walk begins at 8 a.m. Visit happywanderersfl.org.

LOCAL ARTS AND CRAFTS

When: 12-5 p.m.

Where: Coquina Coast Brewing Company, 318 Moody Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Enjoy live music, food and crafts at Coquina Brewing Company. Free event.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1

MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX

When: 8-10 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “13 Going on 30,” rated PG-13. Movies are weathersensitive. Call 386-676-3216 for rainout information.

ONGOING MOMS OF PRE SCHOOLERS

When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month

Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faith-based program for moms, momsto-be and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is pro vided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts.

Playtime offered for children, with

adult supervision. Call 386255-2588.

‘THE CHOSEN’

When: 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, through the end of November

Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: “The Chosen,” a TV series on the life of Jesus, will be aired at Central Baptist Church every Thursday, beginning with Season 1. Free admission. Discussion and light refreshments will follow the showings. Call 386-2552588.

EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING BODY

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

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

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

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

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

Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope” and “Visions of Visionaries: Beaux Arts of Central Florida.”

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

Register for a two-hour guided kayak tour benefitting the Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park on Friday, Aug. 25.

Courtesy photo

The Taylor Road Band will donate a percentage of proceeds from the Mosaic Dog Days of Summer fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 25, to the Halifax Humane Society.

END GAME

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

While Flagler Palm Coast’s offense appears to be a work in progress, the Bulldogs’ defense looks like it’s ready for the start of the 2023 high school football season.

Atlantic Coast scored both of its touchdowns off turnovers on the first two possessions of the game as the Stingrays defeated FPC 14-9 in three varsity quarters in a kickoff classic Aug. 18 at Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville.

“I thought the defense played pretty well. They were pretty consistent all night. I thought we did an awesome job flying to the ball, playing good assignment football,” said Daniel Fish, FPC’s first-year coach.

Fish was especially impressed with the Bulldogs’ defensive line, led by ends Colby Cronk and Ethan Laupepa. Cronk had three sacks and was a constant presence in the Stingrays’ backfield.

“He has a relentless motor,” Fish said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in the weight room, in the classroom. You can compete with him for anything and he’s going to go as hard as he can. He’s going to try to give his team a competitive edge. He’s the epitome of everything you want as a football player, as a human being, as a leader on and off the field.”

Cronk and Laupepa teamed up on the play of the game for FPC. After a muffed third-quarter punt gave the Stingrays the ball on the Bulldogs’ 17-yard line, Cronk sacked Stingrays quarterback Sean Speed to force a fumble, and Laupepa picked the ball up and returned it all the way to FPC’s 45-yard line.

“I (saw) Colby Cronk coming from the other side,” Laupepa said. “And when (Cronk) hit him, I knew that ball was coming loose, and all I could think about is picking that ball up and just running as far as I could.”

FPC’s potential go-ahead drive ended with an Atlantic Coast interception — the Bulldogs’ fifth turnover of the game. But that play will surely capture the attention of Live Oak Suwannee, FPC’s Week 1 opponent.

“(Laupepa’s) not scared of the big moment,” Fish said of the senior. “That’s a kid that’s going to make

plays all year long for us, put pressure on the quarterback, and when the ball’s on the ground or in the air, he’s going to go after it and he’s going to be as aggressive as he can.”

On the flip side, FPC headed into its first game week without a clearcut starter at quarterback.

Running back Marcus Mitchell, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, was not on the sideline. He should be ready to play this week, Fish said on Aug. 21.

Two of FPC’s five turnovers came on special teams, including a mishandled snap on a second-quarter field goal attempt. And the news on the defensive side of the football wasn’t all good. Safety Carson Kato left the game with a knee injury in the first quarter. He was scheduled to see an orthopedic surgeon on Monday, Aug. 21, Fish said.

“We’ll hear more then, but that’s a tough loss for us,” Fish said. “He’s our best tackler on the back end there at (defensive back), where we don’t really have a lot of depth; we’re young. He’s also our long snapper, and sometimes he punts for us.”

The game didn’t start out well for the Bulldogs as they found themselves trailing 14-0 after their first two possessions ended with turnovers deep in their own territory. Quarterback Caden Gonzales slipped on the first play from scrimmage as he was releasing a pass and the ball was intercepted and returned for a 13-yard touchdown.

On their second possession, the Bulldogs fumbled on their 24, and Atlantic Coast scored six plays later. FPC got on the scoreboard with 4:13 left in the first quarter as Jai’Quan Grimes scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs closed the gap to 14-9 with a second-quarter safety as Atlantic Coast QB Speed was called for a grounding penalty in his own end zone.

Sophomore quarterbacks Cole Walker and La’Darius Simmons were both able to move the offense, but neither of them separated themselves from the pack.

“I thought La’Darius came in and led a pretty good drive. Cole led a couple of pretty good drives, but we just couldn’t finish. So we got to work on finishing,” Fish said. “I still believe it’s a three-man battle. Obviously, you don’t want it to be three going into the first game. Hopefully, someone will jump ahead and solidify (the starting spot) and earn the respect of the team.”

FPC will travel to Suwannee for the opener, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.

“He has a relentless motor. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the weight room, in the classroom. You can compete with him for anything and he’s going to go as hard as he can.”

SEASON OPENERS

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

n FPC at Live Oak Suwannee, 7:30 p.m.

n Matanzas at Groveland South Lake, 7 p.m.

n Seabreeze at Spruce Creek 7 p.m.

n Mainland at DeLand, 7 p.m.

Defensive ends lead the way for FPC in kickoff classic.

Photos by Jake Montgomery

FPC receiver Zyquan Neal (1) leaps for the catch.

FPC junior defensive end Colby Cronk (34) and sophomores Elijah Dorman (45) and Zaiden Greene (32) break through blocks to make the tackle.

FPC sophomore quarterback Cole Walker (17) hands the ball off as Zach Farrell (77) blocks.

DANIEL FISH on junior defensive end Colby Cronk

FPC junior Rozario Watkins (23) makes the tackle as teammate Colby Cronk (34) comes in to help.

OPERATION GET BACK

Mainland unleashes energy on Matanzas in kickoff classic win.

MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After weeks of hitting each other in camps and preseason practices, Mainland unleashed a barrage of energy against Matanzas in the kickoff classic at Daytona Stadium on Friday, Aug. 18. The Bucs tested “Operation Get Back” with a 42-0 win against the Pirates.

“We are excited about the future,” Mainland head coach Travis Roland said. “I’m just glad the kids came out here with a lot of energy. That’s the part I want to see. And we’re physical. We look big, but I want to make sure we play big.”

The Bucs’ defense held Matanzas to minimal yardage in the first few minutes of the game, forcing a fourth down kick. E’zaiah Shine returned near the 30-yard line, where quarterback Dennis Murray Jr. took over with a handoff to Rodney Hill, who bulldozed his way up the middle. A long pass to wide receiver Marquis McCants sealed the first touchdown of the game with 9:13 remaining in the first quarter.

“I saw leadership in my quarterbacks,” Roland said. “They made the right decisions and didn’t put us in any bad situations. That’s the biggest piece of the quarterback — taking care of the football.”

Matanzas hosted Mainland last year for the kickoff classic which started the teams’ two-year contract. Pirates head coach Matt Forrest said they would like to continue to play against the Buccaneers.

“In my opinion, you want to get a really tough opponent or somebody that’s going to challenge and see where your program is at,” he said. “It’s always a good test to play teams like that, especially for your kickoff classic. It gets you ready for the regular season.”

Mainland players

Demond Noelien (left) and Rodney Hill (right) take down a Matanzas player.

Quarterback Jackson Lundahl started for the Pirates. He played in seven games last season after starter Dakwon Evans broke his collarbone.

Forrest said he wants to work with Lundahl to get him more comfortable and increase his confidence level while Evans recovers from a wrist injury. Forrest said he’s taking no chances with his starting quarterback.

“I feel like our offensive line has come a long way since last season,” Forrest said. “I think they gave us some time to throw the football. I have to do some things within our offense to make him (Lundahl) feel a little bit more comfortable. I use the NASCAR reference — try to get him in clean air. If we get him in dirty air, back in the pack, he doesn’t perform as well. I’m going to try to get him some clean air — do some things from a protection standpoint to make him feel like he’s in the front.”

Murray and Jhavin “Bubba” Westbrook — Mainland running backs coach Arthur Westbrook’s son — both had pick sixes for the Bucs. Defensive back Zavier Mincey said those were his favorite plays of the game.

“It was good to see my teammates make plays,” he said. “Really, I just want to encourage them. For some of them, it’s their first time out here, and they have jitters. I want to help them build their confidence by running drills and stuff. Ya’ll boys just keep grinding, your time is going to come.”

Mincey has close to 40 college offers. He has not made a decision yet but has a top-four list: the University of Florida, Florida State, Miami and Alabama.

Mainland safety Eli Gilyard transferred from Flagler Palm Coast High School and is thankful to be welcomed by his new teammates. He has been playing football since he was 4 and comes from a family of athletes, including an uncle who plays professional football.

“Really, we just played as a team and played as a brotherhood,” he said. “We did not take them (Matanzas) lightly. (This season), everybody needs to buy into the system to try to

go back to states.”

Roland said he is excited for the new season to start.

“We’re excited and hope that Daytona Beach continues to come out and support us,” he said. “Operation Get Back to Fort Lauderdale (for the state championship game) starts (this) week.”

Mainland kicks off the season at DeLand on Friday, Aug. 25, as Matanzas takes a two-hour trip to South Lake High School in Groveland.

“In my opinion, you want to get a really tough opponent or somebody that’s going to challenge and see where your program is at. It’s always a good test to play teams like that, especially for your kickoff classic. It gets you ready for the regular season.”

MATT FORREST, Matanzas head football coach

SEABREEZE SPLITS

Seabreeze split in its two halves of play at a jamboree in New Smyrna Beach on Aug. 18.

The Sandcrabs fell to Viera 27-12 and then defeated New Smyrna 9-6.

Drew McNerney booted a 48-yard field goal against the Barracudas, while Hayden Hayes fired a 57-yard touchdown pass to Denali Campbell.

Campbell also scored on a long touchdown run against Viera. Tyrone Cordare also ran for a touchdown in the Viera half.

The Sandcrabs will travel to Spruce Creek for their season opener on Friday, Aug. 25.

Photos by Michele Meyers

Mainland’s E’zaiah Shine runs for a touchdown during the kickoff classic against Matanzas at the Daytona Stadium.

Matanzas quarterback Jackson Lundahl hands off to Micah McGuire during the kickoff classic against the Mainland Buccaneers.

Mainland assistant coach Dennis King motivates his players on the sidelines during the kickoff classic.

The Mainland High School marching band, drum majors, Lady Buc dance and drill team and majorettes walked the drum line for the crowd during halftime.

Mainland fans cheer during the kickoff classic at Daytona Stadium.

Mainland wide receiver Ryan Allen goes up for the pass at the kickoff classic against Matanzas High School.

FPC names new girls basketball coach

George Butts won 546 games with Atlantic and Calvary Christian.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

For George Butts, sitting out a basketball season would be like not conducting Sunday service at the New Heart Christian Center. Both would be unthinkable.

Butts thought he was retiring from coaching for the second time after stepping down at Calvary Christian Academy last season. But he will be back on the sidelines to coach girls basketball for the 28th consecutive year, this time at Flagler Palm Coast High School. He takes over for Anthony Wagner, who coached the Bulldogs for the past two seasons.

“I thought I might as well do it,” said Butts, whose wife works at FPC. “It’s November to February. I think I can handle that. I just have to put my fishing poles back up.”

Butts, 61, has a career record of 546-187. He won 515 games at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, where the gym now bears his name.

New-look Pirates set bar high

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Matanzas Pirates are a young volleyball team with lofty goals.

Goal 1 this season is to win 18 games, two more than last year. Goal 2 is to win the district championship. With reigning state champ New Smyrna Beach standing in the way in District 4-6A, reaching that goal would send shock waves around the state.

The Pirates got off to a good start, winning five straight games in their preseason tournament on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Matanzas gym. But it won’t be long before they get their first major test. They host New Smyrna Beach on Thursday, Aug. 24.

Matanzas has just three seniors on the roster, but they also have three talented underclassmen who start — sophomore libero Rylan Miller, freshman setter Grace Taylor and freshman outside hitter/setter Keri Petro. They also have seven juniors with experience.

“The freshmen look really good, and Rylan is just a solid player. She’s always in the right position,” coach Dawn Moses said.

Miller, one of the top young liberos in the country, has been invited to participate in USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program Fall Training Series on Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Colorado Springs.

While the young players will be key to the team’s success, the Pirates are led by a pair of seniors in Francesca Good and team captain Senna Thayer. They led the team in kills last season. Thayer, and outside hitter, had 210. Good, a 6-foot-tall middle blocker, had 150.

Thayer provides energy, while Good provides power. They both provide leadership.

“The second Senna sees someone down, she picks them up,” Good said. “She’s full of energy.”

Thayer led the Pirates with 16 kills in the preseason tournament. Matanzas beat St. Joseph 2-0 in the opening match and then beat Gainesville Buchholz 3-0 in the championship match. They trailed Buchholz 22-17 in the first set before rallying to a 25-23 victory. Matanzas won the next two sets, 25-15 and 25-18.

“It was nice to see that they can dig themselves out of a hole,” Moses said.

The key, Thayer and Good said, was communication.

“We have a lot of fresh faces and a lot of new rotations,” Thayer said. “But it’s good to see everybody’s come together. We all do a good job talking to each other.”

Good has been on the team since she was a freshman, but she said she got serious around the middle of her sophomore season, when she realized she had the potential to play college volleyball. Now, after two years of playing club volleyball, she has become a Division I prospect.

“She’s crazy,” Thayer said. “She’s a beast. She gets so pumped now.”

Moses, who is beginning her second season in her second stint as the Pirates’ head coach, said there are no egos on the team.

“The nice thing about this group is they don’t care who gets the credit,” she said.

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW MATANZAS

Last season: 16-9.

Coach: Dawn Moses.

Opening week: vs. St. Joseph, Aug. 22; vs. New Smyrna Beach, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.

SEABREEZE

Last season: 12-9.

Coach: Janet Bruce.

Opening week: vs. Matanzas, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.

FPC

Last season: 5-16

Coach: Nicole Puritis.

Opening week: vs. Mainland, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.; at Orange Park, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.

MAINLAND

Last season: 7-10.

Coach: Lauren Valle.

Opening week: at Father Lopez, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.; at FPC, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.

“He’s one of the best,” FPC athletic director Scott Drabczyk said. “He truly does it for the right reasons. He’s student-centered, which is what we’ve said we wanted, and he runs an entire program. He understands from the offseason to the inseason to all the things that circle around it. And he said he’s still got a bunch of years in him, so we feel really lucky.”

Butts was a campus advisor in the Volusia County School District for 35 years. With his retirement set for January, 2022, he stepped down as Atlantic’s coach in 2021 after 25 seasons with the Sharks. He led Atlantic to three Final Four appearances (1998, 2011 and 2013).

He compiled a 31-9 record at Calvary over the past two seasons, stepping down in March and leaving the program in the hands of his greatest player at Atlantic — Ronni Williams — who was Volusia-Flagler’s first and only McDonald’s Girls AllAmerican in 2013 and went on to become a star player at the University of Florida.

Butts also has been the pastor at New Heart Christian Center for 28 years. Both jobs are a ministry, he says.

FPC hired him in July, but it took four weeks for Flagler Schools, which has been busy hiring new teachers and staffers, to clear him. Butts had his first meeting with his new players on July 20.

“They said they were excited. We have a lot of young players coming up from middle school,” he said. “I explained my philosophy: If you work hard, it will start to show up on the court. The light came back on. I told them I will give everything I have.”

Butts’ basketball philosophy of pressure defense and pushing the ball up the court is similar to that of former FPC coach Javier Bevacqua, who stepped down in 2021 after winning 239 games and four district titles in 13 seasons with the Bulldogs.

“Playing disruptive defense, that’s the name of the game now,” Butts said.

“You hear him talk, he’s not in the twilight of his career,” Drabczyk said. “He’s got a bunch of energy. You mix experience with basketball knowledge, with program building, with truly doing it for the right reasons, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Senna Thayer and Francesca Good provide senior leadership to young team.

Courtesy photo George Butts, who won 546 games in 27 seasons with Atlantic and Calvary Christian, will be FPC’s new girls basketball coach.

“The nice thing about this group is they don’t care who gets the credit.”

DAWN MOSES, Matanzas volleyball coach

Matanzas volleyball players line up before their match against Gainesville Buchholz in the preseason tournament championship game.

Abby Eckelsen serves in the first match.

Photos by Brent Woronoff

The Pirates’ Senna Thayer bumps the ball in a preseason tournament on Aug. 17.

Matanzas middle blocker Francesca Good (left) hits over the net against Gainesville Buchholz.

REAL ESTATE

House in Hidden Hammock tops sales list in Flagler

Ahouse in Hidden Hammock was the top real estate transaction for July 6-12 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Joan and Tim Dougherty, of St. Augustine, sold 135 Hidden Hammock Lane to Karen Matthews and Joseph Gulotta, of Palm Coast, for $1,550,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a boat dock, a boat house, an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace and 2,797 square feet of living space.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

Daniel and Kristian Densmore, of Palm Coast, sold 35 Riverview Bend South, Unit 1834, to Theresa Andreoni-Conwell, of Palm Coast, for $370,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,254 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $315,000.

Dawn Marie Martino, of Palm Coast, sold 200 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 152, to Anne and Delbert Besece, of Adena, Ohio, for $729,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,682 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $395,000.

William Myers, of Palm Coast, sold 104 Surfview Drive, Unit 2105, to Jason Jones, of Talbott, Tennessee, for $450,000. Built in 1992, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,158 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $432,000.

Kristi Elaine Bode, as trustee, and Jeffrey Donald Bode, of Flagler Beach, sold 3580 South Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 307, to Sara Sowersby, of Flagler Beach, for $472,500. Built in 1982, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,476 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $290,000.

FLAGLER BEACH

Atlanta Beach

Stephen Michael Pratt and Debra Ann Pratt, as trustees, sold 2710 South Daytona Ave. to Eusebiu Ofileanu and Monica Necula, of Flagler Beach, for $790,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,164 square feet.

Ocean Palm Jerry Hartsock and Carole Evans, of Ormond Beach, sold 248 Ocean Palm Drive to 248 Ocean Palm, LLC, of Tequesta, for $945,000. Built in 1972, the house is a 3/2 and has a boat dock, a fireplace and 1,990 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $527,500.

PALM COAST

Bayside

George and Virginia Banks, of Palm Coast, sold 60 Barrington Drive to Nellie Hartfield and Floyd Walter Hartfield, of Gulfport, Mississippi, for $310,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,530 square feet of space. It sold in 2020 for $199,000.

Belle Terre

LGI Homes — Florida, LLC, of The Woodlands, Texas, sold 2 Pebble Beach to Christopher and Kristina Wessley, of Palm Coast, for

$378,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 5/3 and has 1,984 square feet.

Forest Grove Karen Rosemark, of Golden Valley, Arizona, sold 12 Fernmill Lane to Wayman and Kimberly Benford, of Winston, Georgia, for $380,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,461 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $280,000.

Opendoor Property Trust 1, of Tempe, Arizona, sold 21 Fitzgerald Lane to Elisabeth and Johnathan Dias, of Palm Coast, for $415,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,884 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $464,500.

Grand Haven Clifford and Laraine Hoffman, as trustees, sold 39 Jasmine Run to Vanessa LaForte, of Palm Coast, for $759,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,862 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $439,300.

Hamptons David Divito, Jr., of Palm Coast, sold 13 Montauk Lane to Peter and Mary Jablonsky, of Palm Coast, for $440,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool and 2,244 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $310,000.

Indian Trails INB Fund 1 LLC, of Orlando, sold 142 Birchwood Drive to Danielle Ramirez and Sally Smith, of Palm

Coast, for $308,400. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,243 square feet.

Lehigh Woods

Cynthia Mare Capuano Bradley, Richard Dennis Bradley and Andrew John Bradley, of Palm Coast, sold 17 Rockwell Lane to Beth Kramer, of Palm Coast, for $406,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,826 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $287,900.

Seagate Homes, LLC, of Palm Coast, sold 9 Renfro Lane to Marie Allison, of Palm Coast, for $361,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,832 square feet.

Harold Searcy and Justin Jarrod Searcy, of Old Hickory, Tennessee, sold 30 Rolling Fern Drive to Bruce Alan Hadden and Charlotte Carey Mason, of Palm Coast, for $302,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,535 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $115,000.

Matanzas Woods Derek and Shirley Arthurs, of Birmingham, United Kingdom, sold 5 Lake Placid Place to Toan Van Ta and Xuan Thi Nguyen, of Bloomington, Minnesota, for $458,850. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/4.5 and has 3,627 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $471,000.

Palm Harbor Beth Kramer, of Palm Coast, sold 49 Christopher Court South to Frank

Anthony Mirando and Neva Jane Mirando, of Blue Point, New York, for $545,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 2/2 and has a boat dock, a boat house and 1,750 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $334,900.

Pine Lakes Robert and Kymberley Schneider, of Palm Coast, sold 35 Woodhollow Lane to June Barnard, of Palm Coast, for $493,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,086 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $385,000.

Village at Palm Coast Jeffrey and Martha Curran, of Clarksville, Georgia, sold 54 Longview Way North to Lynette DeSouza, of Palm Coast, for $725,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,534 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $277,000.

Whiteview Village

KB Home Jacksonville LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 32 Willow Street to Elizabeth Moore and Joshua Dongilli, of Palm Coast, for $360,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,618 square feet.

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

Luxury meets comfort in this magnificent custom pool home! Offering 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this residence boasts 2,800sq feet of living space bathed in natural light. The soaring architectural double tray ceilings add a touch of grandeur, while the expansive chef’s quality kitchen is a culinary enthusiast’s dream.

MLS#1110528 $619,000 Call Buck Adams 386-566-3722.

Sip your morning coffee and soak up the sunrise at this beautiful oceanfront studio, which is being sold completely furnished w/ 2 queen beds, 2 distinct seating areas, a dining room, & updated kitchen. This turnkey unit is your next getaway or investment property! MLS#1110295 $300,000 Call David Zalutko 386-872-2126.

Charming Ormond By The Sea home. Newly stuccoed & painted exterior with a newer roof. (2017) Featuring 3 bedrooms & 1.5 baths. Office or den area, large pantry and laundry space including new washer and dryer. The backyard features a patio and beautiful garden space with outdoor shower. This cozy bungalow has never flooded! MLS#1109038 $355,500 Call Jeff Dillard 386-214-0254.

Highly desirable Glenwood area of DeLand with 3/2/2 Custom built pool home plus bonus room on just under one acre of land. Great move-in ready family home with over 2100 s.f. of living space, spacious new kitchen in 2021, new bathroom & windows & lighting in 2023. Plenty of room to store boats or RVs!

MLS#1112770 $479,000

Call Maureen France 386-479-2151.

Freshly painted this 11th floor unit is the perfect height to relax on the couch & enjoy views of the Intercoastal & watch the boats go by. Large Primary Suite has lots of closet space, bathroom w/ walk-in shower & jacuzzi style tub. Low utility costs are just an added joy.

MLS#1112100 $394,000

Call Matthew Renshaw 386-566-1233.

This FULLY renovated 3 bed/ 2 full bath/ 2 car garage home on just under 3/4 acre! The home is nearly all brand new construction completed late 2022 conforming to all current hurricane codes. The huge backyard offers endless possibilities and is extremely private and enclosed via 6’ white vinyl fencing.

MLS#1104735 $519,000

Call Amy Beals 386-852-1400.

Photo courtesy of Realty Exchange LLC The house at 135 Hidden Hammock Lane has 2,797 square feet of living space.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

File No. 2023-CP-000425 Division 48

IN RE: ESTATE OF KARL LEONARD SZULC, SR. a/k/a KARL LEONARD SZULC

Deceased.

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

MORE

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Sole Custody/Termination of Fathers Parental Rights IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE Seventh JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2023DR00754 Division: 47 Gerda Korneev, Petitioner and Ahmed Alobaidi, Respondent.

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.:2023 CP 000351 DIVISION 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF: ELIE BANKER Deceased.

The administration of the estate of ELIE BANKER, deceased, whose date of death was September

OR

ON

claims with this court

All

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY GRAND HANOTICE OF RULE MAKING BY THE GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO AMENITY RULES

A public hearing will be conducted by the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (“District”) on September 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Room, Grand Haven Village Center, 2001 Waterside Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to address proposed amendments to the District’s Rules, Policies and Fees for All Amenity Facilities and including policies and procedures related to automatic suspension of privileges for certain violations. Specific legal authority for the rule includes Sections 190.011(5), 190.012(3), 120.54 and 120.81, Florida Statutes (2020).

Any person who wishes to provide the District with a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative as provided by section 120.541(1), F.S., must do so in writing within twenty-one (21) days after publication of this notice. The public hearing may be continued to a date, time and place to be specified on the record at the hearing.

If anyone chooses to appeal any decision of the District’s Board with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person is required to have a verbatim record of the proceedings including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based and should ensure that such a record is made accordingly. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager at the address and number below.

A copy of the proposed rule may be obtained by contacting the District Manager at 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, FL 32746, (321) 263-0132 ext. 193, or by email at dmcinnes@dpfgmc.com.

August 24, 2023

23-00207F

FIRST INSERTION

Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Flagler Beach Club located at 2220 S. Oceanshore Blvd., in the City of Flagler Beach, Flagler County, FL 32136 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated this 21st day of August, 2023.

Kristen Maiocco August 24, 2023 23-00209F

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORFEITURE

A 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 with VIN#JKBVNCAIOVA053160 was seized for forfeiture by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on July 9, 2023.

The item(s) was seized at or near Canal Ave/Sherwood St Bunnell, FL. The Flagler County Sheriff is holding the property for purposes of a current forfeiture action 2023 CA 000781 in the 7th Circuit Court. August 24, 31, 2023 23-00205F

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

more of the defendants sued reside; (6)

TO: Ahmed Alobaidi 1053 S Zeno Way Aurora CO 80017 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for termination of parental rights has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Gerda Korneev, whose address is 16 Preston ln Palm Coast Fl 32164, on or before 10 days after the last 4th consecutive weekly post, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E Moody Blvd building #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. 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 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 pleadings.

THIRD 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 000750 JOSEPH B. BRANNON, Petitioner, and ELIZABETH ANN BURGESS, Respondent. TO: ELIZABETH ANN BURGESS 7205 Fillyaw Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28303

MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES OR OTHER CLAIMANTS ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Foreclosure of Mortgage on the following described property: LOT 11, BLOCK 159, DAYTONA NORTH SUBDIVISION, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OR MAP THEREOF DESCRIBED IN PLAT BOOK 10, PAGES 1 THROUGH 15, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; TOGETHER WITH THAT CERTAIN MOBILE HOME WITH ID NUMBERS N18622A AND N18622B AND TITLE NUMBERS 89840219 & 89840369 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of you written defenses, if any, to it, on McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Sara Collins, Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155, Orlando, FL 32801 on or before 30 days after first publication, a date which is within thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice in and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demand in the complaint.

WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this day of 8/4/2023. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Court (SEAL) By: Margarita Ruiz As Deputy Clerk

Submitted by:

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155, Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850

CASE NO.: 2023-SC-000212

KAILEY FOSTER, Plaintiff v. BUNNELL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC; STEPHEN WOODIN SR; STEPHEN WOODIN SR,

Defendants

To: Stephen Woodin, Sr. dba SLS Foundation Trust at 200 N. Railroad St., Bunnell, FL 32110; Stephen Woodin, Sr. dba Safety Services dba Mazuma Assets at 200 N Railroad St., Bunnell, FL 32110.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order dated July 25, 2023, entered in Small Claims Civil Case No.: 2023-SC000212 in the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, which case involves legal, equitable, and declaratory relief related to unreturned security deposit. Copies of all court documents in this case, including the original summons, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office.

You are required to appear in person or by attorney at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. #1,

in Courtroom 403, located in BUNNELL, FLORIDA, on 9/15/2023 at 2:30PM for a PRETRIAL before a judge of this court. If you fail to appear, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The case will not be tried at that time. Do not bring witnesses. Appear in person or by attorney. A written Motion or Answer to the court by any party shall not excuse the personal appearance of a party or its attorney in the Pretrial Conference.

The date and time of the pretrial conference cannot be rescheduled without good cause and prior court approval.

RIGHT TO VENUE. The law gives the person or company who has sued you the right to file in any one of several places as listed below. However, if you have been sued in any place other than one of these places, you, as the defendant(s), have the right to request that the case be moved to a proper location or venue. A proper location or venue may be one of the following: (1) Where the contract was entered into; (2) If the suit is on an unsecured promissory note, where the note is signed or where the maker resides;

(3) If the suit is to recover property or to foreclose a lien, where the property is located; (4) Where the event giving rise to the suit occurred; (5) Where any one or

Any location agreed to in a contract; (7)

In an action for money due, if there is no agreement as to where suit may be filed, where payment is to be made. If you, as defendant(s), believe the plaintiff has not sued in one of these correct places, you must appear on your court date and orally request a transfer, or you may file a written request for transfer in affidavit form (sworn to under oath) with the court seven (7) days prior to your first court date and send a copy to the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney, if any.

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

DATED this 28 of JULY 2023.

(SEAL) /s/ Sydney Willer Clerk of Court Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023 23-00113G

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 JOSEPH B. BRANNON, whose address is 65 Flamingo Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32137 on or before 10 days after the last 4th consecutive weekly post, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 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: 8-7-2023 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT By: /s/ Deputy Clerk Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31, 2023 23-00121G

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

The Observer delivered to your driveway Call 386.447.9723

Email: AccountsPayable@mccalla.com 21-02955FL August 17, 24, 2023 23-00124G

THIRD

Palm Coast YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Temporary Custody of Minor Child has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Danielle and Paul Summa, whose address is 36 Fallen Oak Lane Palm Coast Fl 32137, on or before 9/2/2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E MOODY BLVD, BLDG #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.

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 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 pleadings.

VOLUSIA COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

JOSHUA

NO:

BY: Sean N. Walsh, Esq. Gurwitch & Walsh, PLLC 1512 S. Horner Blvd. Sanford, NC 27330 (919) 352-2649

FOR

ESTOS NUMEROS TELEFONICOS NO SON PARA OBTENER INFORMACION JUDICIAL Dated this 15th day of August, 2023. BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 2001 NW 64th St, Suite 130 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: (954) 618-6955, ext. 4766 Fax: (954) 618-6954 FLCourtDocs@brockandscott.com By /s/Justin J. Kelley Justin J. Kelley, Esq. Florida Bar No. 32106 File # 21-F00087 August 24, 31, 2023 23-00184I FIRST INSERTION

ADES Si usted es una persona con discapacidad que necesita una adaptación para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sinincurrir en gastos. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración Judicial (Court Administración), 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 2576096, con no menos de 7 días de antelación de su cita de comparecencia ante el juez, o de inmediato al recibir esta notificación si la cita de comparecencia está dentro de un plazo menos de 7 días; si usted tiene una discapacidad del habla o del oído, llame al 711.

If

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

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

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

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

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

DON'T MISS THIS YARD SALE Down Sizing NO JUNK! Saturday August 26th

8:00 AM -1:00 PM - Rain or Shine 401 Windwood Pl. Ormond Beach FL

- Size Small Mens ¾ wet suit

- 22 Inch Blackstone Grill with lid and carry

warranty, $65 (386) 316-9990.

TOOL BOX with tools $25, miscellaneous tools $1 or less 386-672-5545

TWIN BOX springs, $15 for both or $10 each 386-283-9782

Furnishings

WHOLE HOUSE Full of Furniture For Sale! One stop shopping for everything you need for your home or vacation rental! $25,000 (386) 445-7556

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

5 & 8 Bowling Lane, 8/26/23, 8am-2pm, 2 family estate/moving sale, antiques, clothing, all kitchen items, wheelchair, shower seat, walkers, 15,000 watt generator, Hallmark ornaments, Steiff, Goebel collectibles, linens, hiking bags, CD’s, trail bike, RV power cord and levelers, tools.

in Flagler County. Good Pay. Need transportation and tools. Call 386-931-2272. PARISH BUSINESS Manager (part-time) Position responsible for accounts payable, payroll, nancial statements, parish inventory and bulk mailings. Successful candidate will be experienced with Microsoft Of ce 365 software. Experience with ACS church software a plus. 18 hrs/week. $14-$16/hr based on experience. Send resume to: info@stechurch.org www.stechurch.org

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