Palm Coast Observer 03-07-24

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

OMAM ROOFTOP DANCE SOCIAL

When: 6-8 p.m.

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

Details: The Arthur Murray Dance

Studio will lead a partnered dance social on the rooftop terrace. Cocktail hour will start at 6 p.m. with dancing from 7-8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per couple for museum members; $35 per couple for nonmembers. Visit ormondartmuseum. org/calendar-events.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

YOGA OUTDOORS

When: 10 a.m.

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

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center is hosting a free outdoor beginner level yoga class by Kim Latford. Chairs available. Mats recommended. Space is limited. Call 386-615-7081.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

BRIDGES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PANCAKE BREAKFAST

When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Bridges United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 205 N. Pine St., Bunnell

Details: Join Bridges United Methodist Church for a pancake breakfast benefitting the Soul Cafe, which hosts free community meals at the church every Wednesday. Breakfast costs $8 per person. For more information, call 386-437-3258.

INDIGENOUS FORT CAROLINE:

THE MOCAMA SIDE OF THE

STORY

When: 9:30-11 a.m.

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

Details: Denise Bossy, a history professor at the University of North Florida, will present this program on the Mocama side of the story during the 1565 battle between the French and Spanish to control Florida. This

is a free program sponsored by the Florida Humanities Speakers Bureau and hosted by the Ormond Beach Historical Society.

SEVENTH ANNUAL STRAWBERRY

FEST

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10

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

Details: Enjoy strawberries, family festivities, arts and crafts, beer and wine, vendors, live music and more. Admission costs $7.

STORYBOOK VILLAGE

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Hometown Room at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: This free event for children and their families offers activities and a scavenger hunt based on five popular books by Laura Numeroff, including, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “If You Give a Pig a Pancake” and more. Each book will be read aloud by one of the following community leaders: FCSO Commander Jennifer Nawrocki; Darla Sanchez, of Paws to Read; JB Birney, of JBirney

Financial; Observer Publisher Brian

McMillan and Flagler County Librarian Heather Chalmers. Families will receive free copies of the books while supplies last

LOW-COST PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 9-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. (two locations)

Where: Ice House Saloon, 810 State St., Bunnell; and Astro Skate, 251 N. US 1, Ormond Beach.

Details: Get your pet vaccinated at a lower cost. Rabies shots will cost $5 for 1-year vaccinations. Other shots offered include dog distemper/ parvo combo, dog flu, cat distemper combo, feline leukemia and more. Heartworm prevention and flea control products will be available for purchase. All vaccinations are administered with a licensed veterinarian. No appointment needed. The first clinic is at Ice House Saloon, the second at Cuddle Pet Grooming and the third time slot is at Astro Skate. Clinic is open to everyone. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 386-748-8993 or visit spcavolusia. org

‘CROWS AND RAVENS: MYSTERY, MYTH, AND MAGIC OF SACRED

CORVIDS’ BOOK SIGNING

When: 2-4 p.m.

Where: Vedic Moons, 4984 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Unit 4-6, Palm Coast

Details: Palm Coast writer Rick de Yampert will hold a book signing and meet-and-greet for his new book, which explores some of those many myths and scientific findings about corvids, and the birds’ spiritualmetaphysical side. The event also will feature de Yampert’s Mr. Crow art for sale. For more information, visit vedicmoons.com, or call 386585-5167.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

HAPPY WANDERERS

PALM COAST WALK

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Hobby Lobby, 250 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast Details: Join the Happy Wanderers on a Sunday walk/bike event. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. The walk/bike begins at 1 p.m. Come walk either a 5K or a 10K. Costs $4. Meet in parking lot at Hobby Lobby, next to Publix. The group also goes out for lunch after the walk/bike. All are welcome.

LEGENDS OF BROADWAY CONCERT

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church, 105 Amsden Road, Ormond

Beach Details: The Bel Canto Singers of Daytona — under the direction of David Redman and accompanied by Alessandro Fonseca and Quinn Moss — will present this concert featuring dozens of legendary Broadway classics, including “My Fair Lady”, “South Pacific”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Carousel”, “Sound of Music”, “Oklahoma”, “The King and I” and “Showboat.” Tickets cost $15 for adults, students with ID are free. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at BelCantoDaytona.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

AARP MEETING, CHAPTER 1057

When: 10 a.m. to noon

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

Details: The meeting’s guest

speaker will be Robert Carolin, Ormond Beach Leisure Services director. There is an optional $5 light lunch that will follow. For more Information, call Chapter President Jeff Boyle at 386-341-9013.

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Social Club of Palm Coast, 51 N. Old Kings Road, Palm Coast Details: Join this social club retired and semi-retired men and women who meet on the second Wednesday of each month with a guest speaker of interest and social activities for members with specific interests. The guest speakers for March are Mona McPherson, of Advance Care Planning; Jenny Simonsen, of Concierge Care; and Jane Norton, of Senior Resources. For more information contact Larry Wright at Palmcoastprobusclub@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

YOGA OUTDOORS

When: 9:30 a.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach Details: The Environmental Discovery Center is hosting a free outdoor beginner level yoga class by Victoria Bennett. Chairs available. Mats recommended. Space is limited. Call 386-615-7081.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

BLUES BROTHERS TRIBUTE

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond

Beach Details: See the Jake and Elwood Blues Revue, Blues Brothers impersonators that have been performing for over 15 years. Tickets cost $34 in advance; $39 at the door. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter. csstix.com.

‘VINEGAR TOM’

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, March 15, 16, 22 and 23; and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Pkwy, B207, Palm Coast Details: See this musical by Caryl Churchill telling the story of Alice and her mother Joan who are confronting accusations of witchcraft.

Tickets cost $30 for adults; $15 for students. Visit crtpalmcoast.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

ENVIRO CAMP OPEN HOUSE

When: 10 a.m. to noon

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

Details: Families interested in registering their children for Enviro Camp are invited to tour the EDC, meet the animal ambassadors and ask questions. The camp will run from June 3-28 (Session 1 for 10-12 year olds) and July 8 to Aug. 2 (Session 2 for 7-9 year-olds).

THIRD ANNUAL MILLION DOLLAR FOOD-A-THON FOOD TRUCK

PALOOZA

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast

Details: This annual event will kick off with a Food Truck Palooza featuring over 40 food trucks, live entertainment, a kids fun zone, street vendors and a car show. The FoodA-Thon helped feed 4,500 families each month last year. A $5 parking donation is requested, to benefit the Grace Community Food Pantry.

PALMETTO CLUB’S ‘MAGICAL’

CANCER LUNCHEON

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Palmetto Club, 1000 S. Beach St. Daytona Beach

Details: Join the Palmetto Club for its annual cancer luncheon, featuring a presentation by the Daytona Magic Company and a lunch prepared by GEI Catering & Events. The luncheon costs $40 per person. Reserve a spot by Friday, March 8. Call 386-341-0479.

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach

Details: Experience two hours of ‘50s and ‘60s hits during the production of “Shake Rattle Roll” by the NY Rockabilly Rockets. This Vegasstyle show features the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Johnny Cash and more. Tickets start at $53. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.

THE STATE OF RENT

Report shows rents have decreased in Florida, but it’s still not affordable for many residents in Flagler, Volusia.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Karen Smith, 67, said she never expected to be renting a room out of a stranger’s home at her age.

“It’s a shame, you know? I thought I had planned and planned and planned,” Smith said. “Not as well as I should have.” Smith is retired and receives Social Security, which is not enough for her to even rent an apartment on her own in Palm Coast, which has a median rental price of almost $2,000, according to several real estate reports. She moved back to Florida in 2021 when she retired but quickly found that renting a home or an apartment was out of her price range.

The one bedroom Smith rents costs over half of her Social Security, utilities included, and she spends several hundred more each month in medical expenses. The room is a master bedroom in the house, with a private bathroom. She has a full-size refrigerator inside, a microwave and a hot plate to cook on.

The family she rents from is very nice, she said, but she tries to spend as much time as possible outside.

“That one room gets small,” Smith said.

FLORIDA RENT IS DOWN

Smith’s story is not unique. A recent report from Rent.com, a national rental website, said data over the last year shows a 9.41% decrease in rent prices in Florida, but despite the decrease the median rent is still $2,095.

Another report from the rental website Zumper.com which lists over 300 Palm Coast properties for rent, showed prices in Palm Coast have decreased 11% from January 2023 — but the median price of a rental property is still $1,950 per month.

In Ormond Beach, the median price of a rental property is $2,350, based on the 90 rentals listed on Zumper. Overall, rent has gone up 2% from January 2023, though that is largely due to the price of studio rental properties, up 80% from last year, according to the website. Rent for one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom properties are all down from last year — 17%, 6%, 1% and 27%, respectively.

Joseph Palmer, broker and owner of Sunrise Property Management of Volusia County, said the rent decreases are a result of supply and demand. Fewer people are inquiring on rental properties listed at over $1,800 a month than they were a couple years ago.

BRIEFS

from the motorcycle. The deputy was transported to Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville as a trauma alert, but was alert and conscious when Sheriff Rick Staly visited him in the emergency room, the post said. The Florida Highway

The listings that would generate between two and three dozen inquiries within days started to decrease to about three or four only around August or September 2023.

“It stayed that way all through last fall and carried also into this year where we’re not getting the volume of inquiries that we’ve had,” Palmer said.

He believes it could be a result of fewer people moving into the area compared to immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless, the decrease in inquiries led many of his property owners to drop rent by at least 10%.

Now, properties priced under $1,800 a month — what Palmer described as the breaking point — still generate dozens of inquiries. But, those properties account for about 20% of the total rentals his company manages.

Palm Coast real estate agent Toby Tobin said just because the rents have decreased some over the last year, it does not mean that prices are more affordable. The prices of the housing and rental markets are both driven by supply and demand, he said.

“Our market is undersupplied at every level,” Tobin said. “There aren’t enough condominiums or apartments. There aren’t enough duplex homes for rent, single family homes for rent ... or homes to buy ourselves.”

Tobin said the decrease in prices shown in the two reports Flagler County and Palm Coast are likely from the additional multifamily housing that has been added to the market or is under construction.

“Landlords don’t lower the rent to benefit the tenant,” Tobin said. “They lower the rent to make their property more attractive for new tenants.”

Palmer said he could see the rental market continue to decrease — until a certain point, as rising property taxes and insurance costs means the dollar amount for rental property owners and landlords to break even continues to rise as well.

“I think it’s a big factor,” Palmer said. “Even HOA dues have gone up, especially with condos.”

If properties sustained hurricane damages and the cost of the repairs wasn’t covered by either insurance or funds in reserve, HOAs had to raise fees, Palmer said.

The number of apartments being constructed is also a contributing factor. A resident looking at renting a condo may opt to rent a unit in a new apartment complex instead, as those may come with more amenities.

“There’s always going to be owners that have single family homes and condos for rent, and they just need to price it accordingly,” Palmer said.

RISING COSTS AFFECT FAMILIES

About 42% of full-time workers in Volusia County and 46% of full-time workers in Flagler County do not earn enough for household survival, said Lawrence Anderson, commu-

Patrol is investigating the crash. Stamps has several serious injuries and will require surgery on his elbows, but the FCSO post said Stamps is expected to make a full recovery and be released from the hospital in a few days.

Motorcycle rider injured in Ormond Beach crash

A motorcycle rider was transported to the hospital as a trauma alert on Friday, March 1, after a crash involving an SUV in Ormond Beach. The crash took place near Wawa at 600 W. Granada Blvd. It was reported at 12:15 p.m., on the first day of Bike Week 2024.

Ormond Beach Police spokeswoman Pauline Dulang said the motorist is not believed to have sustained a life threatening injury at this time. OBPD is working to clear the road to allow traffic flow to resume.

nity partnerships manager for the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties. United Way refers to these individuals as ALICE, or the “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” population.

Of the 42% of ALICE households in Volusia, 74% are considered rentburdened or severe rent-burdened, meaning they are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

“That’s extremely worrisome,” Anderson said. “While our United Way or other nonprofit partners cannot change the market rate for all rental properties and for housing properties in the area, what we are looking to do is make sure that we advocate for the decrease of rental costs, for the increase of employee incomes and making sure that there are additional resources brought into our community to ensure that this population ... have affordable housing options in the area.”

Plus, while rents have decreased a little bit compared to last year — United Way is seeing 1% decrease in median rental costs in Port Orange, 3% decrease in Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, and 2% decrease in Daytona Beach Shores, for example — families are dealing with cost increases outside of housing, such as health care, child care and food expenses.

“So families are still experiencing increased costs of living across the board,” Anderson said.

And while median rental costs are down compared to 2023, United Way is seeing rent increases today compared to last month’s. Median rent for a four-bedroom apartment in Palm Coast is up 16% from last month. In Daytona Beach, threebedroom apartments are up 4%.

PRICING OUT LOCALS

According to the U.S. Census Bureau data from 2018 to 2022, Flagler County’s median income was $69,000. In Ormond, it was $65,238. A home is considered affordable, Tobin said, if a person is not spending more than 30% of their income on rent or a mortgage payment.

The problem is most properties in Flagler County and Ormond Beach — to purchase or to rent — are out of the median income price range.

Someone making the median income would qualify for a home purchasing loan of around $225,000. In January or February 2024, 355 homes were sold — Tobin said only five of those properties were $225,000 or

less. The average home in Palm Coast is over $300,000. Examining rental properties shows similar results. Tobin reviewed all 177 rental properties in Flagler County on the Multiple Listing Service.

The cheapest rental was listed for $950, he said, but that is an outlier. The second cheapest was $1,350 per month while the median price of the 177 properties was $2,000, on par with the averages from Rent.com and Zumper.com.

There used to be a time where local families could find properties for rent within their budget that were adequate for their household size — they may just not have been as updated as they would have preferred, Anderson said.

“Now, that’s not quite the case,” he said. “Families are looking for the bare minimum, as long as they’re able to afford it. It’s just not there. The need is a bit greater than what we currently have available.”

There is a lot of development coming to Volusia and Flagler counties, Anderson added. That creates options for housing solutions — nonprofits and businesses have to advocate for that.

“We understand that not all employers can pay $60,000 for their employees to live in our community,” Anderson said. “But if employers can provide supports and resources for their employees, it will allow us to better maneuver the housing crisis that we’re experiencing around the country.” Smith said she didn’t have a lot of options when looking for housing last fall. She applied a low-income housing voucher almost two years ago and has been wait-listed for it: if she goes back to work, she will make too much money to receive that housing, should a spot opens up.

Even without the voucher to consider, she said, it would be difficult to work full time with her health problems.

Tobin said the high prices have made for an “under the radar” real estate market where renters sublet space without telling landlords or homeowners will rent out a room, either to short-term vacationers or people like Smith. For her, Smith said her situation is what it is and her health will only get worse as time goes on. Mostly, she said, she’s disappointed that the housing situation in the United States is like this, leaving many people like herself overlooked.

“I don’t see me ever getting out of that little bedroom,” she said.

MEDIAN MONTHLY RENTAL PRICE

Pennsylvania man dies after motorcycle crash near Ormond

A 66-year-old man from Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, was killed on Sunday, March 3, after he ran his motorcycle off the road near Ormond Beach.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 9:31 p.m. and took place on the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail on Highbridge Road and Walter Boardman Lane. After he ran off the road, he overcorrected, causing him to overturn on the road’s outside shoulder. The man was thrown from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

FDOT launches safety campaign for Bike Week 2024

The Florida Department of Transportation, in collaboration with its

statewide Motorcycle Safety Coalition, is launching the Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign, aimed at ensuring the safety of all participants during the 2024 Daytona Beach Bike Week, which ends March 10. This campaign promotes safe riding through educational initiatives, enforcement efforts, and community engagement. By encouraging all road users to prioritize safety and mindfulness while navigating the roads, Ride SMART 2 Daytona endeavors to make sure everyone gets home safely. For more information on the Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign and motorcycle safety tips, visit https:// ridesmartflorida.com/smart.

Palm Coast woman dies in motorcycle crash near DeLand

A 39-year-old Palm Coast woman was killed on March 2 when an SUV turned into a motorcycle’s path near

DeLand.

The woman was a passenger on the motorcycle and the driver, a 39-year-old Palm Coast man, was also seriously injured in the crash, a Florida Highway Patrol press release said. The accident happened at around 6:11 p.m. at the intersection of Spring Garden Avenue and State Road 11 as the SUV was driving east on Spring Garden.

The SUV did not stop at a stop sign as it turned left onto S.R. 11, turning directly into the path of the motorcycle, the report said. The motorcycle, going south on S.R. 11 collided head-on with the SUV.

The 39-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the 39-year-old man was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center with serious injuries. The driver and the passenger of the SUV — a 78-yearold man and a 75-year-old woman, both from Ormond Beach — had minor injuries and were transported to AdventHealth Daytona.

CITY WATCH

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast launches Phase 2 in comprehensive plan update

Palm Coast is launching the next phase of its Imagine 2050 comprehensive plan update.

Phase 1 launched in October with public engagement events. Phase 2 of Imagine 2050 comprises two community conversation workshop meetings March 13.

The discussion with attendees will be held in the community wing of City Hall, the first from 1-3 p.m. and the second from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The discussions will delve into the community’s themes and core planning values and include a presentation from the city.

A comprehensive plan is essentially a roadmap that guides the future growth and development of a community, a city press release said, giving the big-picture plan for new homes, businesses, parks, roads and more.

Mayor David Alfin encourages all residents to join the conversation. “Your input is crucial in ensuring that our comprehensive plan reflects the aspirations and priorities of our diverse community,” he said.

Water, wastewater impact fees increase

Palm Coast has voted 4-1 to increase the city’s water and wastewater impact fees. For now, the monthly utility rates that residents pay will stay the same.

The impact fees for new connections would increase by 35.71% for water capacity fees and by 24.98% for wastewater.

Per state statutes, capacity fees cannot be increased more than 50% of the current fee, and not more than once every four years. Additionally, increases greater than 25% must be phased in over four years.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin was the lone dissenting vote at the Feb. 20 meeting, and again voted no at the March 2 vote. Alfin addressed his vote, likening smaller increases to the utility rates — even to impact fees — to “death by a thousand cuts.”

“I am not fully confident that investing more money in the Utility Department that suddenly claims extreme circumstances to justify increases is worthy of an immediate approval,” Alfin said.

Alfin said he will support future capital improvements to the utility systems, but that good governance dictates the council consider increases as part of an “all-inclusive, comprehensive program” for a conservative city budget.

“Good governance requires guts to stand up and lead towards a wellplanned and managed future above the noise of short-term campaign preferences,” he said.

Council member Nick Klufas said he was concerned that only increasing impact fees would delay needed funding for operational costs. Impact fees, Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo said, can only be used on new infrastructure, not on the maintenance of existing infrastructure or on the operational costs.

Klufas also pointed out that Palm Coast is around 60 years old and most infrastructure starts to deteriorate at that point. If a water main were to break, he said as an example, impact fees could not legally be used to fix it.

Impact fees and a volumetric increase like the one previously proposed for the monthly bills serve two

different purposes, he said.

“There’s two separate things we’re looking at here,” Klufas said. “One is the cost to run our system, and impact fees are only able to uses in a future manner … whereas a volumetric approach would have been able to supplement [the cost to run the system].”

The operational costs of the Utility Department are funded through the monthly rates residents and existing businesses pay. The original proposed increase included an 18% increase to monthly bills, spread out over three installments, which would support operational costs, such as materials, staffing, maintenance and administration costs.

The council had previously directed staff to return with more information on a potential monthly rate increase, which will happen return to council at a future meeting.

Multiple residents in attendance felt the impact fees were not enough, and felt the council needed to max out the impact fees, instead of the suggested increase.

“Please motion and max the impact fees,” resident Bran Burley said. “Developers can pay this.”

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said the city is limited to how much it can increase impact fees, based on the predicted cost of

IMPACT FEE HIKE

35.71% increase to water Capital Facility Fees, or more commonly known as impact fees, for four years: 8.93% in May 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.

24.98%

increase to wastewater Capital Facility Fees, or more commonly known as impact fees, for two years: 12.49% in May 2024 and in May 2025. The council preliminarily approved this increase.

growth to the city will be.

“We are at the max,” Pontieri said. Alfin said increasing the impact fees for businesses would just pass the cost increase along to residents.

Flagler Home Builder’s Association Executive Officer Annamaria Long said the HBA would not oppose an impact fee increase, though the HBA typically oppose fee increases across the board. “The builders do recognize the need to continue to pay for and support the growth we create,” she said.

Palm Coast asks for feedback through survey

Palm Coast is participating in a citizen survey to gather feedback from residents on various city services.

The National Citizen Survey will launch in two phases, a Palm Coast press release said. The first is a scientifically selected group of residents who will receive mailed survey materials beginning the week of March 4. Following that on March 30, an online link will be made available for all residents.

Free business consulting services to return

No-cost business consulting services are returning to its satellite office in Palm Coast from the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida.

The FSBDC first established in 2011 and is returning after a brief hiatus thanks to renewed funding from Palm Coast, a press release from America’s Small Business Development Center said. The FSBDC provides small and mediumsized business owners with management and knowledge resources.

Palm Coast Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo said the renewed partnership demonstrates the city’s dedication to small businesses.

The Palm Coast office of Florida’s SBDC will provide business consulting, business training, access to help securing financing, market research, export assistance, disaster recovery assistance, networking and other specialized services.

The services at Florida’s SBDC are free of cost. Palm Coast resident Michael Oppenheim will lead the Palm Coast office, the release said.

Planning ahead is simple. The benefits are immense.

When you plan ahead, you can make your final wishes known and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind.

Council member Nick Klufas. Photo by Sierra Williams

Plan signals county ‘serious about stormwater’

‘We can take the steps to mitigate the volume and degradation caused by stormwater.’

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

As the Flagler County Commission wraps up the design of its first Stormwater Management Plan, county attorney Al Hadeed said the commission has an opportunity to mitigate future stormwater problems with this maintenance plan.

“We can take the steps to mitigate the volume and degradation caused by stormwater,” Hadeed said. “It signals to the public that we’re going to start getting serious about stormwater.”

The Flagler County Commission is wrapping up the design of its first Stormwater Master Plan, which outlines a proactive response to stormwater management concerns in Flagler County. The county hired the firm Geosyntec Consultants in December 2021 to study Flagler County and create the plan alongside county staff.

The study identified 60 potential capital improvement projects and further narrowed that list to a top 20 projects to allow the county to begin implementing a 10-year plan. Of the identified top 20 projects, 10 are in the Flagler County’s Daytona North area.

Geosyntec consultant Mark Ellard presented the master plan to the commission at a March 4 workshop meeting.

The master plan will be on the Flagler County Commission’s March 18 agenda, where the commission will vote on adopting it.

“Public support for it is going to be very critical,” Hadeed said.

Some of the county’s stormwater issues “scream for coordination” between Flagler and neighboring counties, Hadeed said. It’s important the county addresses stormwater and continues to adopt standards that treat “stormwater as a serious matter.”

“Failure on this score,” Hadeed said, “imposes the responsibilities on the local government to correct.”

Ellard said the county’s response to stormwater is currently “reactive,” meaning the county responds to complaints and maintains safety needs. A proactive response implements more inspections and fixing issues before they become larger problems, he said.

To be more in line with the proactive approach, Ellard said the study recommends an additional three stormwater personnel, bringing it up to 10 dedicated stormwater staff, and adding additional equipment.

To support the additions, the county would need an estimated stormwater budget of $2.3 million per year, he said. Stormwater now has a budget of $1.1 million which is funded in part by the county’s gas tax. The $2.3 million per year allows for a five-year maintenance schedule, Ellard said.

The county will need to implement a revenue source, Ellard said, like an additional sales tax or adding a stormwater utility fee. The county can also apply for grant funding to help pay for some of the projects.

The county already has $2.2 million in grant funding from the American Rescue Plan Act that must be designated for a project by the end of 2024 and used by 2026. The AARPA funds must be used on either the design or construction of a stormwater improvement project or undertaking a “thorough analysis” of funding solutions, Ellard said.

Commission Chair Andy Dance said he would like to see a detailed list of where more potential grant funding could come from.

“I want to know exactly which agency we go refer to and call to, I want to know what the grant is called, and how it applies to our list of

20 projects,” Dance said. “We need to be able to have a more detailed follow through on grant opportunities.”

Ellard said it could cost

around $70 million to complete the top 20 projects over the course of 10 years.

Commissioner Leann Pennington said she was concerned about some of the top 20 projects.

Some of them, she said, were not in areas that are heavily populated, referencing Rima Ridge, which has three projects identified in the top 20 list. Adopting the plan does not limit the county from reorganizing which projects are tackled first.

“Once the plan is implemented, we can move projects as, you know, based on more need, necessity, population, property, value life, all that,” she said.

Lent calls for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter. Observing Lent involves such practices as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, aiming to deepen one’s relationship with God and strengthen personal discipline. Through self-examination and acts of kindness, Lent helps believers journey towards Easter, embracing its message of redemption and hope.

Jose Panthaplamthottiyl, pastor

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

The Ormond

Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed. File photo

COPS CORNER

State Road A1A, Flagler Beach

Resisting an officer. As a man was arrested on a DUI charge, his wife was also arrested after interrupting the field sobriety exercises.

Two police officers had pulled the car over and were trying to conduct the field sobriety tests on the driver when the driver’s wife began yelling out the car window for him not to complete the tests, the report said. Officers repeatedly told the woman not to interrupt the tests, an arrest report said.

The two officers placed the man in handcuffs and walked over to speak to the woman. She was “noticeably” intoxicated, the report said, smelling of alcohol and slurring her words.

FOR WORSE

2:23 a.m. — 500 block of

Because she was also intoxicated, the officers told her she needed to exit the car and either allow them to take her to her hotel or she could call

someone else to take her.

The woman refused to exit the car and ignored the officers. After multiple attempts to reason with her, the officers opened the car door and pulled her from the car. She and her husband were both taken to jail.

FEB. 27 ONE EARRING, TWO BRACELETS

12:43 p.m. — 5100 block of State Road 100, Palm Coast Shoplifting. An 80-year-old Flagler Beach woman was arrested for stealing one single gold earring from a department store.

A loss prevention employee saw the woman, who had previously been trespassed from the store, and called the Sheriff’s Office while he followed her around the store. The woman shopped, placing items in her cart until she reached the jewelry section,

her arrest report said.

The employee watched the woman pick up a box with three sets of earrings in it, the report said. She removed two gold earrings, dropped one in her purse, dropped the other on the ground and replaced the box with the other sets in it back on the display.

The woman continued to shop and even went through the checkout, purchasing all her other items, except the singular gold earring. As she was leaving, the employee and a Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled her aside.

The deputy arrested the 80-year-old for shoplifting and violation of a trespass order. The earring set was worth $8.

FEB. 28

CLUB HOUSE

9:31 p.m. — 700 block of Alcazar Avenue, Ormond Beach Noise. Police arrived to a

neighborhood after receiving a noise complaint, and the reporting officer noted that, even at a distance of 150-175 feet, he could hear the sound of dance and club music coming from a home’s open window. He could also see rotating shining lights.

According to the report, it took the officer several moments to get the resident’s attention.

The resident, a 53-year-old Ormond Beach man, told him that he turns the music off at 10 p.m. and that he uses it to make social media videos and livestreams. He argued that there were other loud sounds in the area, including motorcycle noises.

However, the officer informed him that the noise levels violated a city ordinance. The neighbor who complained to police said she would pursue a code enforcement violation.

OBITUARIES

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Volusia could eliminate four advisory boards Flagler School Board’s Hunt suggests she will step down

The Code Enforcement Board, Library Advisory Board, Animal Control Board and the Business Incubator Advisory Board are on the chopping block.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Four advisory boards could be dissolved by the Volusia County Council in the near future.

The council voted unanimously to direct staff on Tuesday, March 5, to bring back recommendations that could eliminate the county’s Code Enforcement Board, Library Advisory Board, Animal Control Board and the Business Incubator Advisory Board. The county currently has 30 advisory boards, and was directed by the council on Dec. 5, 2023, to bring them a list of boards that could be sunset or consolidated with another.

Over 30 people signed up to speak at the March 5 meeting, largely concerning a handful of boards placed on the agenda item summary for possible elimination or consolidation: the Cultural Council of Volusia County, the Environmental and Natural Resource Advisory Committee and the Volusia Forever and ECHO boards.

Former County Councilwoman Pat Northey said she called “BS” on this agenda item as someone who sat on the dais for 20 years, and asked the board to kill it entirely.

“Advisory boards are an important part of Volusia County government and represent the most engaged citizens in our communities,” Northey said.

Northey was particularly concerned about the possibility that the council could consider merging Volusia Forever and ECHO’s boards, which oversee the voter-approved programs.

After hearing from Northey, Councilman David Santiago said that the council never discussed combining the Volusia Forever and

ECHO boards, despite it being part of the agenda item summary. County Council Chair Jeff Brower said that the summary included staff’s suggestions on what boards could be eliminated or consolidated, and not recommendations on what the council should do.

“Apparently, everybody has read the item, which is really encouraging,” Brower said. “I’m glad that you’re paying attention — we need that.”

The council reinstated ENRAC in 2022 to work with county staff to recommend minimum standards for environmental protection. The board was previously active from 1987 to 2003.

Ormond-by-the-Sea resident Melissa Lammers, chair of 14-member ENRAC, told the council that if some committees are struggling, they should address those individually. The ENRAC has only had two replacements in a year and a half, and its members come from a wide range of backgrounds, from agriculture and commercial development to accounting and land use laws.

“What we have in common is a commitment to our work to balance the needs of development with protection of the environment by thoroughly examining the questions before us, making sure that each of us is heard,” Lammers said.

ENRAC won’t be eliminated. Instead, the council voted to direct the board to focus on stormwater issues.

As for the Cultural Council, that board is also not going away.

“Advisory boards are an important part of Volusia County government and represent the most engaged citizens in our communities.”

PAT NORTHEY,

former Volusia County Council member

Last June, the County Council heard pleas from the public asking the council to keep the board active — which also meant continuing to fund local arts and culture organizations, as the council provides over $600,000 in grants each year.

At the March 5 meeting, the public support for the board didn’t change. Ormond Beach resident Kathy Thompson, president of the Daytona Playhouse, said that while programs like ECHO are great (the playhouse received $600,000 in ECHO funding last year for its renovation), those funds cannot be used for maintenance or supporting programs. The Cultural Council’s grants can. The playhouses uses its funding from the Cultural Council to put on the children’s musical production every summer.

“The cultural advisory board serves this county so well,” Thompson said. “They are all passionate and knowledgeable about the arts. They may have their own personal preference for a particular art, but they never let that override their decision of how they support all of us.”

The council asked staff to come up with recommendations on how to enhance the Cultural Council, including how to bring in new organizations. Because staff is already working on this, an official motion providing direction was withdrawn.

As for the Code Enforcement Board, the council is interested in replacing it with a special magistrate process due to lack of participation.

“I’m not happy with the Code Enforcement Board process,” Brower said. “That doesn’t mean I’m unhappy with any of the people — it’s just a cumbersome process for our residents to deal with. I would like to see it improved.” Council sought more information on the other three boards — Library Advisory Board, Animal Control Board and the Business Incubator Advisory Board. The members voted to have staff bring back information on what their elimination would look like, and in the case of the Animal Control Board, how to get expertise on the subject without an official advisory board.

Amid her school workshop safety concerns, Sally Hunt says she won’t be on the board much longer.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler County School Board member Sally Hunt has said she does not expect to finish out her term, which does not end until November 2026.

At a board workshop on Tuesday, March 5, Hunt gave a hint to when she might step down.

When board member Cheryl Massaro suggested the board do away with having a School Resource Deputy on duty at the workshops which are usually sparsely attended, Hunt said she would be OK with it if the rest of the board agreed.

“It’s well known that I’m not going to be on the board for that much longer, relatively,” she said. Hunt and Colleen Conklin were not in the room during the workshop. They were both connected to the meeting by phone. Hunt has said that she will eventually be moving. She told the Observer on March 6 that she and her husband will be putting their house on the market. She said the way the housing market is, it’s a fluid situation.

“I know I’m not completing my term,” she said, adding, “I thought I’d be gone by now.”

The SRD was added to workshops after Hunt indicated she felt uncomfortable when a speaker during public comment singled her out as a swing vote on an issue. Massaro said paying extra for a deputy at the workshops is an unnecessary expense. But Massaro, Hunt and Board Chair Will Furry did agree that a deputy can be added if a “hot-button” topic is on the agenda.

Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the board would need to give the district at least 72 hours notice

FOUR ITEMS TO WATCH

Other items the board decided to add to the next workshop:

„ A discussion on an attorney structure for the board and district. Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the district is prepared to make a recommendation in April.

„ An update on the investigation of the $700,000 fraudulent account transfer.

„ A further discussion on the status of the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. Board Chair Will Furry also asked to have the item added to that night’s business meeting to possibly make a decision on the facility earlier than the July date that was agreed to.

„ A discussion on allowing the public to speak about any topic during public comment at the beginning of business meetings. Currently, the first public comment is limited to agenda items with comments on any issue allowed after the business portion of the meetings.

and they should be careful “not to get too specific on topics as contentious, because that could also be a slippery slope.”

But Furry said the number of people expected to attend a meeting would be the consideration a board member would have to ask for a deputy in attendance. Hunt said it does make her uncomfortable being in a room with only one access point without added security and asked if a door could be locked. Moore said the meetings have to be accessible to the public.

“Ultimately, I don’t want a gun to come into that room and be aimed at anybody,” Hunt said.

WIN Mortgage celebrates grand opening on A1A

Flagler Beach

residents Rick and Jennifer Vaders launched WIN in August 2023.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After 10 years in the industry, mortgage broker Rick has decided to open his own mortgage company.

Vaders and his wife Jennifer launched WIN Mortgage together in August 2023 and on Feb. 29, the two celebrated the grand opening of WIN’s first location at 316 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. with a ribboncutting ceremony. The storefront, located next to the Waffle Cone Ice Cream shop, was filled with local residents supporting the new business.

Rick Vaders said the support from the community was “humbling.”

“For everybody to be out here and support us — you get emotional,” he said. “It’s really crazy. The fact that people take time out of their day to [support us.]”

The Vaders have been in Flagler Beach since 2009. Jennifer Vaders said they love the

Flagler Beach community.

“We’re for local, buy local, and we just love being a part of Flagler,” she said. Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston cut the ribbon for the grand opening. She said she has known the Vaders for years, and the two are an active part of the Flagler Beach community.

“Seeing WIN mortgage win in the industry is important,” she said. “To see [Rick Vaders] step out and start his own company— it’s exciting for those that have already done business with him to now be able to take see him take his business to the next level.”

Including Rick Vaders, WIN Mortgage has five total brokers to help residents with their home loans, including refinancing options. The other loan officers are Thomas Stickels, Stephen Swarner, Danielle Desousa and Medjine Kulesa, according to WIN’s website, but WIN is continuing to expand its office staff, Jennifer Vaders said. Rick Vaders said residents should support their local lending businesses.

“By coming to us over, say, a ... big box lender,” he said, “you’re supporting a local business, who’s going to give back to the community.”

Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen marks milestone

The Flagler Beach restaurant is celebrating its first year in business.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen & Bar has been open for just over a year in Flagler Beach, and store manager David Rodriguez said business has been going strong.

“Everything that we do, we do it with a lot of pride,” Rodriguez said. “Everything is always made fresh every single day. We’re not one of those restaurants that will open up a can of beans and feed you with that.”

The restaurant opened Dec. 11, 2022, and Rodriguez said the restaurant has seen a steady increase in new customers. The Flagler Beach establishment, located at 422 Beach Village Drive, is Margarita’s second location; the first is in Merritt Island, which opened in February 2022.

Margarita Island is a Mexican food restaurant that showcases Mexican recipes in a relaxed, beach-style setting. Rodriguez said one of the things Margarita Island does differently than other places is it makes all its food and ingredients fresh. Even for the drinks, he said, the restaurant uses freshly squeezed limes instead of sour mixes and agave nectar instead of simple syrup.

Rodriguez, who has 10 years of food service experience, said he was one of the first

employees when the Merritt Island location opened. He started as a bartender, and, in August 2023, moved to become an assistant manager at the Flagler Beach location. In December, he was promoted to store manager.

He said the best part of the Flagler Beach restaurant is the customers. Flagler Beach is more relaxed than the Merritt Island location, he said, which has a larger surf community.

“Here, it’s a little more laid back, whereas over there it’s like more of a [beach] party atmosphere,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said Margarita Island tries to tailor its menu to the clientele and even recently updated its menu in January.

But since the store opened, he said, the favorite dish has been Margarita’s molcajete: a combination of skirt steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, chorizo, onions, peppers, cactus, and ranchero sauce, that is served on fire on a wood pallet to customers.

BIZ BUZZ DAYTONA AQUARIUM IS NOW OPEN

The Daytona Beach area has its first aquarium offering with the opening of the Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure, which provides an interactive educational experience with animals from both land and sea.

The 55,000-square foot facility is located on the northwest corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road, in the heart of Daytona Beach. Visitors can explore close to 40 separate exhibits including a 100,000-gallon shark exhibit and two touch pools, including a 12,000-gallon stingray touch pool. There are also habitats for alligators, frogs and lizards. In addition, the attraction, throughout the day, will have animal meet and greets with reptilian animal ambassadors and guests.

“We’re excited that this moment has arrived,” said Lori Campbell Baker, executive director for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The destination’s first aquarium is going provide another great must-do experience when visiting Daytona Beach area.”

Phase 2 of the attraction, The Rainforest, is scheduled for opening in 2025 and will feature multiple species including primates, sloths and tropical birds.

Daily adult admission tickets are $28.95 and $24.95 for children ages 2-12. College students, military/police, and senior admissions (65 and over) are $27.95. Annual memberships are $100 for adults and $80 for children ages 2-12.

The Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last admis-

sion available at 5:15 pm. For more information, visit daytonaaquariumandrainforest.com.

NURSE APPRENTICE COMPLETES PROGRAM

Halifax Health is celebrating a milestone in its Registered Apprenticeship Program for Registered Nurses with Meghan Barry, the first to complete the program, according to a press release.

Barry began 14 months ago as one of the inaugural student nurse interns to enroll in the program, recognized as the first in the state. She pursued her degree from Daytona State College and following her graduation, she transitioned into Halifax Health’s medical/surgical registered nurse residency program, where she became a part of the clinical team within the orthopedics department. Barry plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

“My decision to join Halifax Health stemmed from the robust experience I gained as a student nurse intern,” Barry said in the press release. “The program provided me with invaluable exposure to many hospital departments and allowed me to shadow accomplished registered nurses across multiple units. Halifax Health’s nurse residency and mentorship programs further solidified my commitment to professional growth and my choice of Halifax Health.”

The WIN Mortgage team with Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston.

Photo by Sierra Williams Meghan Barry

Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen & Bar store manager David Rodriguez. Photo by Sierra Williams

Saving Veda: Palm Coast family fundraises for clinical trial of rare illness

Four-year-old Veda Ulrich has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a degenerative, terminal illness, which affects just 1 in 70,000 births.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Parents Christin and Jericho Ulrich began noticing problems with 4-year-old Veda’s development when she was just 14 months old.

Veda was not developing at the same rate as some of her older cousins, nor as their older daughter Elise, 11, did at Veda’s age. For months, the Ulrichs took Veda to doctor after doctor, searching for a diagnosis, without success.

The answer unexpectedly came from the social media platform TikTok and the account @haidynshope, which follows Haidyn Fowler, a child in Georgia with Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Christin Ulrich was scrolling through videos when she came across the little girl who looked just like Veda. “I still think that there is a possibility that we wouldn’t have known right now if it wasn’t for the video of Haidyn that popped up on Tik Tok,” she said.

The Ulrichs said they spent every spare moment trying to find information that disproved their theory. The more they learned, Christin Ulrich said, the more Veda’s symp -

WANT TO HELP?

Make a donation at https:// curesanfilippofoundation.org/

YOUR TOWN

FLAGLER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER S.R.

100 WINS NATIONAL ENGINEERING AWARD

Flagler County was notified Tuesday morning that the Flagler Greenways Pedestrian Bridge over State Road 100 has earned the “National Recognition Award” from American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) competition – the “world’s greatest celebration of engineering excellence.” The award will go to Kisinger Campo and Associates, the engineering company that designed the bridge for the county.

“Kisinger, Campo, and Associates did an excellent job designing a unique, one-of-a-kind structure that would enhance the State Road 100 corridor leading to Flagler Beach,” said Flagler County Engineering Department Project Manager Amy Stroger, who oversaw the project.

“The inspiration for the design was drawn from the A-frame shape of the Flagler Beach Pier.”

The Flagler Greenways Pedestrian Bridge is situated between Colbert Lane and Old Kings Road. It added more than two miles of added trails

toms matched.

Haidyn and Veda almost looked like twins at that age, Jericho Ulrich said.

“I kept trying to tell myself that she didn’t have it,” he said. “But in the back of my head, I kind of felt like she did.”

At 2 years old, in September 2022, a genetic test confirmed the worst: Veda had Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Sanfilippo Syndrome is a terminal neurodegenerative genetic illness, caused by a missing enzyme, according to the nonprofit Cure Sanfilippo Foundation’s website. It affects 1 in every 70,000 births.

It’s like Alzeihmer’s, but in children, Christin Ulrich said. Children diagnosed with Sanfilippo reach a peak in learning new skills — usually around 2 or 3 years old, the Foundation’s website said — and then begin to decline, losing their skills and mobility until they are unable to walk and need a feeding tube.

Children with Sanfilippo typically die of the disease in their early teens, Christin Ulrich said, though it varies. There is no cure, and no FDAapproved treatment — not even the geneticist had any information to give them, she said.

“They handed us a pamphlet, and were basically like, love her while you can,” she said.

SAVING VEDA FUNDRAISER

After living two years with Veda’s diagnosis, the Ulrichs have partnered with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation to launch a fundraiser for a new clinical trial treatment, called “Saving Veda.” The treatment is still in the preclinical stages, Christin Ulrich said.

Treatments for Sanfilippo are few and far between, and some, she said, have high risks to go with them. One

to serve as a multimodal connection for the robust trail system that already exists in Flagler County. Benefits to the community are that it provides pedestrians and bicyclists with a safe way to cross a major, high-speed, four-lane thoroughfare.

The ramps on and off the bridge are ADA compliant. Stroger is thrilled about the accolades the bridge is receiving. This is its third award in as many months.

The Northeast Florida Regional Council in December 2023 announced that the Flagler Greenways Pedestrian Bridge was the recipient of its Annual Regional Awards for Excellence in the category of Transportation. Later that same month, it was one of seven “top tier” projects that took the “Grand Award” at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Florida Engineering Excellence Awards – making it eligible to enter the national ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards competition, which honors projects worldwide.

“This is amazing,” Stroger said. “Every project is important, and excellence is always our (Flagler County Engineering Department’s) goal. We are humbled and honored by this recognition.”

The National Recognition Award is a prestigious distinction honoring projects demonstrating exceptional engineering excellence at the national level. Kisinger Campo and Associates, Flagler County, and the Flagler

treatment involves stem cell injections, she said, but comes with a 20%-40% risk of death.

The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation and the Ulrichs began the “Saving Veda” fundraiser campaign to raise a minimum of $500,000 to help fund the treatment’s clinical trial, which would pay for a select few children to receive it.

Advocating to raise the funds does not guarantee Veda a spot, Jericho Ulrich said, but it gives her a chance.

“She doesn’t get a shot at all if we don’t get the money for the trial,” he said.

LIVING WITH SANFILIPPO

The day Veda’s diagnosis was confirmed, Jericho and Christin Ulrich said it was the worst outcome they could have imagined.

Two years after the diagnosis, Veda

Greenways Pedestrian Bridge will be recognized at the ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards dinner and program – a black-tie event – held on May 15 in Washington D.C.

“This is a wonderful project that adds so many benefits to our community,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “What an honor it is to be recognized nationally for this project. Everyone who worked on this project did a great job.”

RICK DE YAMPERT WILL HOLD BOOK SIGNING AT VEDIC MOONS ON MARCH 9

Palm Coast writer Rick de Yampert will hold a signing and meet-andgreet for his new book, “Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth, and Magic of Sacred Corvids,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Vedic Moons,

is more like a big 2-year-old than a 4-year-old. She loves the water and going to the beach, Jericho Ulrich said — the family often goes to the beach to watch her enjoy the waves.

One of the more difficult things has been watching Veda interact with her cousins, Christin Ulrich said, and knowing that her cousins might one day forget Veda, when they get older and Veda does not.

Typical childhood development is an upward progression. With Sanfilippo Syndrome, children start losing learned skills around age 2 or 3 and losing mobility around 10, the Foundation website said.

Jericho Ulrich said Veda has hit a plateau — where she forgets one word or skill, she’ll pick up another. There’s no way to know how long Veda will hold at that plateau before she begins declining, or how rapid

that decline will be.

The Ulrichs have found a close support group with other Sanfilippo diagnosed children and families, including Haidyn Fowler.

“It’s like a double edged sword,” Christin Ulrich said. “We go there and we see this beautiful little girl, and Sanfilippo Syndrome is taking her away, and we know that that’s what our future is going to look like if Veda doesn’t get any treatment.”

She hopes people will share Veda’s story and either donate to or spread the word on the Saving Veda fundraiser. Even if Veda is not chosen for the clinical trial, she said, it will help other children just like her.

“Raising this money does not guarantee Veda a spot,” she said, “but we love these kids like they’re our kids ... Even if Veda doesn’t get [it], we want another child to have a shot at it.”

4984 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Unit 4-6. The event will also feature de Yampert’s “Mr. Crow” art for sale. De Yampert’s book will be released March 8 by Llewellyn, one of the world’s major metaphysical publishers.

“Crows are expressive creatures whose intelligence has been welldocumented by science,” de Yampert said in a press release, adding that ravens are not found in Florida.

DeYampert said crows recognize human faces, use tools and hold “crow funerals” for their deceased. Crows and ravens figure prominently in myths and legends of cultures around the world, he said in the press release.

WOODCARVER OF THE YEAR: JOHN STILLMAN

The Palm Coast Woodcarvers presented a plaque to John Stillman, honoring him as the 2024 Woodcarver of the Year, at a luncheon Feb. 24, at the Palm Coast Community Center. Casey Ryan, of Halifax Health, also presented pins to the veterans in the group, thanking them for their service to their country. Jeff Kingdon created the plaque.

DEATH NOTICE

Bishop Serge Saintasse, 68, of Palm Coast, entered the sunset of life Saturday, February 17, 2024 at AdventHealth, Daytona Beach.

Rick de Yampert with his artwork, “Mr. Crow Dreams He’s Van Gogh.” Courtesy photos

Jeff Kingdon, John Stillman and Howard Hawrey.

Four-year-old Veda with her parents Christin and Jericho Ulrich and sister Elise, 11. Photo courtesy of the Ulrich family

Habitat buys building for Restore

Executive Director

Lindsay Elliott said Flagler Habitat was able to give the Palm Coast building a face lift and make the store their own.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After over seven years of renting, the Flagler Habitat for Humanity Restore has purchased its Palm Coast store building at 5 Hargrove Grade.

The store is one of two Habitat Restore locations in Flagler County, the other is located at 2 West Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. Flagler Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Lindsay Elliott said Habitat was renting the building until next year.

“We learned that the owners were going to sell and so we asked if they would entertain us first,” Elliott said. “And they did and we were able to come to an agreement and purchase the building.”

After purchasing the building, Elliott said Flagler Habitat took the opportunity to

give the store a face lift and really make it their own, inside and out.

Flagler Habitat is celebrating the reopening of its Palm Coast location with an open house 5-6:30 p.m. on March 12.

“Now that it’s ours, we feel like we’re never going to move from here,” Elliott said. “So we can start to really put our touch on it.”

Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit that works to build homes for people in need. Flagler Habitat works locally, Elliott said, within the community and with community volunteers.

Store manager Paul Hunt said a Habitat Restore has been in Flagler County in some form for close to 30 years. It was important to everyone at Flagler Habitat and the Restore, he said, that the store’s aesthetic and curb appeal should match the nonprofit’s mission.

“The biggest challenge here was trying to put a retail organization in a place that maybe doesn’t have the best visual appeal,” Hunt said. “Our mission is so strong that we felt that we would draw the public and fill a need.”

Hunt said the Restore

accepts a broad band of donations, from furniture to home items to even a bronze statue someone once donated. The goal is to diversify the Restore’s services and goods, he said, and offer more to their customers.

Profit from the Restore goes directly into Flagler Habit’s administrative costs and local projects, Elliott said. All the money benefits the same community from which people are donating.

Flagler Habitat representative Kim Lohta said Flagler Habitat hopes to bring more awareness to the community through the open house about what Habitat and the Restore locations can do for Palm Coast and Flagler County residents.

“It’s just letting people know that this facility exists here in Palm Coast,” Lohta said. “It’s just an awareness and letting people know that we’re here and we’re open for business.”

Community is a main part of Flagler Habitat’s goals. Elliott said Habitat for Humanity is well known for its work building and repairing homes for people in need, but the nonprofit does much more.

In south Bunnell in 2016, Elliot said, Flagler Habitat was a driving force in getting mail boxes installed and delivered to when Flagler Habitat found residents were not having their mail delivered. Flagler Habitat has also worked on neighborhood revitalization projects, like installing a walking trail at the Carver Gym and a community garden, she said.

“What we’re able to do now, especially through the Restore, is working to tie the restore with the Habitat mission,” Elliott said. “We are not separate entities. We are one.”

A house in Island Estates sells for over $2.7 million

Ahouse in Island Estates was the top real estate transaction for Jan. 11-17 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Claire and Roderick Burke, of Palm Coast, sold 7 Capri Court to Stephen Paul Whittle and Kimberleigh Jill Whittle, of Montgomery, Texas, for $2,720,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/4 and has 2 half baths, a boat dock, a boat house, a pool and 4,479 square feet.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

Jeffrey Griffith, of Raleigh, North Carolina, sold 15 Ocean Crest Way, Unit 1344, to SWH Holdings Group, LLC, of Jacksonville, for $550,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,264 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $240,700.

Michael Zelfand, Rimma Zelfand and Alexander Zelfand, of Palm Coast, sold 102 Club House Drive, Unit 207, to Jeffrey and Melissa Griffith, of Raleigh, North Carolina, for $595,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,414 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $525,000.

William and Gail Privitar, of Ormond Beach, sold 2450 North Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 216, to Albert Parker Sheppard, of Naples, for $807,900. Built in 2007, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,919 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $535,000.

Casandra Jones, Eddie Brian King and Timothy John Jones, of Lebanon, Tennessee, sold 13 Marina Point

Place to Helen Zohar, of Palm Coast, for $265,000. Built in 1991, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 1,565 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $318,000.

Donald and Marjorie Van Vliet, as trustees, sold 200 Cedar Cove, Unit 206, to Pamela Kaye King, of Palm Coast, for $460,000. Built in 2011, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 2,501 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $459,900.

PALM COAST

Forest Grove

Judith Sklar, of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, sold 24 Fellowship Drive to Jonathan Barlie, of Palm Coast, for $244,900. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,729 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $200,000.

Grand Haven

John James Durkin, Jr., as trustee, and Judy Durkin, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, sold 36 North Park Circle to Amy Marie Klicker and Dennis Anthony Zanghi, of Palm coast, for $548,900. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,152 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $505,000.

Grand Landings

Michael Eugene Lowery and Frances Karen Lowery, of Dade City, sold 120 Wood Stork Lane to Shane Alexander Hanvey and Joyce Elizabeth Hanvey, of Anderson, South Carolina, for $434,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,903 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $327,900.

Matanzas Shores

Tyce and Jaclyn Moore, of Ormond beach, sold 36 Los Lagos Blvd. to Scott and Robin Bell, of Palm Coast, for $578,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,527 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $439,200.

Matanzas Woods INB Fund 1 LLC, of Orlando, sold 47 La Mancha Drive to Blackbird Hollow LLC, of Corrales, New Mexico, for $400,800. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,903 square feet.

Pine Lakes

Nalda Rodriguez and Jose Rodriguez Jr., of Freeport, sold 10 Waterford Place to Monica and Melissa Santos, of Palm Coast, for $250,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,481 square feet.

Seminole Woods

Samantha Adams and Sean Miller, of Palm Coast, sold 82 Smith Trail to Jacob Rohloff, of Palm Coast, for $300,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,846 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $87,000.

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

The Palm Coast Habitat for Humanity Restore at 5 Hargrove Grade.

Photo by Sierra Williams

My view

Palm Coast is growing fast. Now what?

Home prices are up $140,000 in four years, while 1/3 of jobs remain in tourism and retail.

GREG BLOSE GUEST WRITER

Editor’s Note: Greg Blose is the president and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Flagler County is standing at an important crossroads on many fronts. From the need to diversify our economy, to investing in infrastructure and the rising cost of housing, it’s now more important than ever to recognize where we are as a community.

Beginning with population growth, here are the facts:

 Over the past 10 years, Flagler County has been the 8th fastest growing county, by percentage, in Florida (28.7% population increase).

 Over the next 10 years, Flagler is expected to grow at a similar rate.

 Between 2020 and 2030, Flagler County’s population of residents aged 65 years and older is expected to increase by 12,000 total residents. Simply put, population growth has been happening for years (decades even) and will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce was created, in part, to work collectively build a better economy, create a

more prosperous future for our residents and businesses, all while maintaining our region’s high quality of life.

The chamber believes we can seize upon the opportunities provided by a growing community. However, investments must be made.

The growth of the 65+ age demographic indicates investments must be made in local health care services, for example. Investments, such as AdventHealth’s Palm Coast Parkway hospital, have been made in our region. The result has been an additional 1,000 local health care jobs have been added in Flagler since 2019. These high skill, high wage health care jobs pay the type of salary that result in residents being able to afford to live in our community.

Historically, Flagler County’s economy is built on tourism. Today, tourism and retail jobs make up 1/3 of all jobs in our community. Both the tourism and retail industry rely on people spending money. And when people don’t feel good about spending money, or simply don’t have money to spend, our local economy suffers significantly. Tourism will always be a strong part of our economy; however, we need to focus on increasing employment in industries that offer higher wages so our local workers can afford to live locally. Tourism and retail jobs offer among the lowest wages of any local industry sector.

Speaking of living locally, the median price of a single-family home in Flagler County has increased by $140,000 in just the past four years. Thanks to Internal Revenue Service and moving van company data, we know residents that move from out of state bring significant wealth with them. From 2020-2021, Florida led the nation in net income migration. During

Ask the mayor

that time, new residents brought to Florida $39.2 billion of wealth. Led by residents from New York ($9.8 billion), Illinois ($3.9 billion), New Jersey ($3.8 billion) and California ($3.5 billion), new residents are extremely important to our local economy. Here’s why:

 Approximately 90% of local government ad valorem property tax collections come from residential properties.

 Existing residents’ taxes are capped at a 3% increase each year

 New residents, typically pay the full tax amount on their property upon purchase.

Because of state law, after a resident has lived in Florida for several years, their capped taxes result in them not paying their fair share of the local tax burden. This is, in part, why new residents are needed. More important, this is why new businesses and investments in our community are needed. After all, commercial properties do not have a tax cap, like residential property. Otherwise, the only way for local governments to gain more revenue is to consider property tax and fee increases.

Infrastructure, and many other public costs, are going up much faster than the 3% tax increase we pay per year as existing residents.

So, what does all this mean?

Our community is changing and growing. We know and can track how it’s changing and growing. If we fail to better position our economy and local governments for the future, our region will continue down a dangerous path that ignores the realities of what’s happening around us. The chamber believes the path to prosperity in our region is better achieved through partnership, planning, strengthening education and investing in our infrastructure.

Why allow so many apartments?

VETERAN OF THE WEEK

Sandra Shank

 Branch of military: U.S. Army

 Dates of service: 1986-1987

 Rank/occupation: Private Second Class / Soldier

 Hometown: Miami, Florida Sandra Shank served honorably in the U.S. Army. She was awarded the Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Grenade Bar. Following her military service, Shank earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida International University and a master’s degree in urban education. She formerly worked for the Miami-Dade County Public School system as a classroom teacher and assistant site administrator. In 2003, she co-founded Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc. The organization operates residential group homes for teen boys in need of a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment to call home. Under her leadership as chief executive officer, and with dedication and efforts of its board of directors, the operation has expanded with Phoenix Community Services, Phoenix Primary Care and Phoenix Crossings. This will include a 28-unit permanent supportive housing, scheduled to break ground this year in Flagler County, and has been approved as a Medicaid community behavioral health and primary care provider.

Shank is also the principal organizer of “A Christmas to Remember,” which for the last seven years has brought joy and gifts to Flagler County children who may not have received them otherwise. She is a realtor, a Rotarian and belongs to many other local civic organizations. Shank also serves as the vice chair of the Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Regulation Board.

kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

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DAVID ALFIN PALM COAST MAYOR

Editor’s Note: After the Palm Coast Observer published a story about a new Town Center development called The Promenade on Feb. 22, dozens of comments were posted on Facebook, including this one:

“... As for this little entertainment district, we need to find the original plans, and compare it to what it is now. Because I don’t even think all those apartments that are built back there, and still being built, were planned. Even those houses back there.”

Here is Mayor David Alfin’s

Please allow me to give you a little bit of history about the planning and development of Town Center in Palm Coast: In 2005, Palm Coast Holdings, a subsidiary of Allete Properties, purchased and prepared infrastructure for our 1,550 acre “Town Center” area as a massive mixed-use development. Major improvements were created to transform the area into a neo-traditional downtown. Its original construction plan included retail shops, residential and commercial development, restaurants, parks and entertainment venues— all within proximity to walking, biking and sharing work and play experiences in one location. The recession hit Palm Coast in 2008, and many developers held off on their plans to expand here. After 14 years, several have come back to our community, building rent-

Mayor David Alfin addresses resident questions on city government in the Observer Email your questions to Brian McMillan at brian@ observerlocalnews.com.

als and single-family homes. And now, PC Town Center Development has introduced The Promenade, with their proposal to addressing the original vision for mixed-use expansion.

The Promenade will have six four-floor buildings on 17 acres with a mix of commercial, retail and institutional spaces available to lease on the first floor and 204 apartments spanning floors 2-4.

The developer also wants to offer “attainable” housing for teachers and school employees and rental

space for medical purposes.

City staff has examined and approved their site at the corner of Bulldog Drive and Central Avenue, based on its designation as “DRI –Urban Core and Conservation on our Future Land Use Map,” intended to be developed as walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

The Promenade is also aligned with our Future Land Use objectives to preserve the character of residential communities, prevent urban sprawl, protect open spaces and environmental resources, provide a mix of land uses, housing types, services and job opportunities for residents to work, shop, engage in recreational activities, and attend school and religious services, reasonably close to residential dwellings. So yes, homes, apartments and townhomes were always planned

for construction in Town Center, giving residents alternatives for how they want to live. And now that more people are moving to Town Center, businesses are looking to operate close by. The city is presently working with several owners of retail stores and restaurants to replicate this mixed land use plan. Town Center is now becoming the spot for which it was originally intended: a desirable, livable location where residents can live, work and play with convenience and quality. This is a functional concept for everyone.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the author in his personal capacity and do not necessarily represent the opinions or the views of the city of Palm Coast or the Palm Coast City Council.

Play Ball!

Palm Coast Little League holds Opening Day ceremony

Palm Coast Little League’s baseball and softball players, ages 4 to 16, were grouped by their teams’ colorful uniforms as they waited beyond the outfield fence for the March 2 Opening Day ceremony to begin.

When the gates opened, the players and coaches, representing 10 divisions, paraded onto Field One at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. They lined up with their teammates at the edge of the infield making a colorful ring around the diamond.

The national anthem was played. Warren Scales, the children’s pastor at Parkview Church, gave the invocation. PCLL President Tiffany Schmidt introduced the league’s Board of Directors. And several dignitaries threw ceremonial first pitches.

The first pitches were thrown by:

Tyler Wilson, a former college baseball player from Gaffney, South Carolina, who was drafted by the National League’s San Diego Padres in 2014 and went on to play minorleaue baseball.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, who also said a few words about how organizations such as the PCLL are the glue to the community.

City Council member Nick Klufas.Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alex Wolfe.Dan Whitling, a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation maintenance crew at the sports complex.

And board member and coach Chris Kinsella who is also the PCLL’s umpire manager, social media coordinator, uniform coordinator and machine-pitch baseball coordinator. Kinsella also planned Movie Night in the Park. “He is always asking me if he can help me with anything,” Schmidt said. “He is very much appreciated.”

Softball and baseball players Emily Warren and Nolan Schmidt, who are aging out of the league, served as catchers for the first pitches.

The season runs through the end of April. Fifteen games were played on Opening Day.

After the morning ceremony, the teams that were scheduled to play in the early games began to warm up. It was time to Play Ball!

The event featured well over 100 local businesses,

and a Kids

Keishia McLendon (left), of

Photography, with DeSean and DeNay. Their DX360 Photo Booth made videos for Springfest participants.

Palm Coast City Council member Nick Klufas throw a first pitch.

Palm Coast Little League President Tiffany Schmidt ran the Opening Day ceremony. Warren Scales, the Parkview Church’s children’s pastor, gives the invocation.

Teams walk onto the field for the Palm Coast Little League’s Opening Day ceremony.

The Generals coached by Kevin Sosa are ready for Palm Coast Little League’s Opening Day. Photos by Brent Woronoff

SEE LITTLE LEAGUE FOR MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 2B

Springfest Little league

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

TRIBUTES

Claudia Ruth Archer

February 7, 1945 - November 23, 2023

Claudia Ruth Archer,78, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1023. She was preceded in death by her only child, son, Stephen Jeffery Butler, her mother Ruth Borer Archer Janetos, her father, Clyde William Archer, step-father George Janetos and brother Thomas Archer.

She was born Feb 27, 1945 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. She graduated from Seabreeze High School and enjoyed the Sandcrabs Alumni Group Lunch Bunch. Claudia was very proud that her father graduated from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.

Claudia is survived by her sisters, Michaelyn Persuad, Kathy Demmons, and Vicky Perham. And 2 brothers Bill Archer and Ricky Janetos, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren: Stephen

TRIBUTES

Ed Manen

August 8, 1945 - January 26, 2024

Ed Manen, 78, of Palm Coast passed away Friday January, 26, after a long illness related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. His wife of 47 years, Trudy, and service dog Molly were by his side. He is survived by Trudy and daughter Erica, sons Eddie (Jami), Michael (Kimmy), and grandchildren Jaden Harlow and Emmitt Manen.

Ed was born August 8,1945 in Irvington NJ, to Dorthy and Edward Manen Sr. He resided in West Orange, NJ prior to moving to Palm Coast in 2004 following his retirement from Verizon, where he worked for over 30 years.

Ed was a US Army veteran and served in the Honor Guard prior to his deployment to Vietnam. He was an Occupational Specialist E-5 serving as co-pilot, door gunner and mechanic on Huey helicopters during his 2 tours of duty. His service to his country meant so much to him and was something he was immensely proud of.

He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Jim Bowie Chapter in Palm Coast and he worked tirelessly to support other veterans. He was a founding member of the non-profit organization, Pop Smoke K9 for Veterans, and also a member of Old Glory Service Dogs 4 Veterans. Both organizations train service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. In his retirement, Ed enjoyed traveling, boating, fishing, golf and antique cars. He was a past President, Director

L. Butler, Garrick Butler, and Jessica Butler.

She was especially close with Sandy Archer and Sandy’s 3 sons, Claudia’s nephews: Caleb David King, Sean Archer and Matt Archer. She was apart of their celebrations: birthdays, graduations, marriages and birth of their children. She was a proud aunt of all. Notre Dame, rocks, her cats, genealogy, plants, Seacrabs, and family were just a few of the many interests in the life she created for herself. She will be missed by many.

and Special Events Coordinator for the Wheels in Motion Antique Auto Club, which was one of the greatest joys of his retirement. He and Trudy visited over 40 countries by cruising around the world and he loved to tell the tales of his and Trudy’s adventures at the monthly car club meetings.

A memorial service will be held Saturday March 9th, 11 am at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Wheels-In-Motion Car Club Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 1656, Flagler Beach Fl. 32136 or to the veterans service dog charities: popsmokek9forveterans. org or oldgloryservicedogs.org.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

Marcus Mckinnon, known on social media as Black Guy White Violin, performs at SpringFest.

Caroline Johnson (right), founder of SMART (Saving Missing Animals Response Team) holds up Oscar at 2024 SpringFest, while Libby Taddiken holds Felix. Luke Hille, 9, enjoyed SpringFest.

Yonette Turner of Yonette’s Beauty Den in Bunnell.

Michael Baker of the Stingers in the Major Baseball division warms up before the game against the Rhinos.

Kyra Crawford and Emily Warren. Warren and Nolan Schmidt served as the catchers for the ceremonial first pitches.

Daytona Tortugas mascot Shelldon was on hand for the festivities. Shelldon takes a picture with Tanner Goodwin, 5.

Teams line up for the opening day ceremony.

Tyler Wilson, a 20th-round draft pick of the National League’s San Diego Padres in 2014, throws out one of the ceremonial first pitches.

SPORTS

Historic day

Mariah, Jordan Mills become first brother, sister to win state wrestling titles

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Mariah Mills woke up Sunday morning, March 3, and had to remind herself that she was now a state wrestling champion. Her brother, Jordan, couldn’t forget. His season, culminating in a championship match that will be recounted for years to come, has been unforgettable.

The siblings became the first brother and sister to win FHSAA state wrestling championships. The Matanzas High wrestlers won their respective titles on Saturday, March 2, at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

After undergoing shoulder surgery last season and missing the postseason, senior Jordan Mills had a season to remember, going undefeated with a 52-0 record and winning the Class 2A title at 190 pounds.

Mariah Mills, ranked 11th in the nation, was almost perfect herself, winning the girls 110-pound title

and finishing with a 37-1 record. Her only loss was to the No. 10-ranked wrestler at the Wonder Woman tournament in Missouri.

Matanzas junior Tiana Fries, placed second in the girls 140-pound bracket, and Ani Brown placed seventh at 190 pounds to help the Pirates place third in the girls tournament, a year after they won the championship. Hernando won the team title with 104.5 points. Flagler Palm Coast was second with 84 points with Matanzas finishing third with 68 points.

The Pirates would have scored more points, but defending 145-pound state champ Kendall Bibla hyperextended her elbow in her quarterfinal match, ending the junior’s season.

It was the third year in a row that Fries placed at state. She won the 110-pound title as a freshman in 2022 and place fifth at 125 pounds last year.

Mariah Mills also medaled for the third year in a row. She placed third in both 2022 and 2023. This year, she pinned all four of her opponents at state, including Ponte Vedra’s Erin Rizzuto in the final. Mariah also defeated Rizzuto in the district and regional finals.

“It feels really awesome,” she said. “Waking up the next morning, I’m like, ‘Wow, it’s kind of weird thinking that I’m a state champ right now. Maybe I should wear my medal at home, so I can remember it every time I look at my neck.””

Jordan said he told her she should wear a crown.

“She’s a two time state champion now,” he said. “She was a state champion with her team, and she won individually, so I’m really proud of her.”

Mariah hugged her brother after he won.

“As cool as it is to win a state championship,” she said, “it’s even cooler to do it as siblings, because you always want the best for your sibling, obviously. And so it was awesome to finally see him win a state championship in his senior year, and then for us to be able to make history together.”

Jordan Mills and older brother Tyson both placed second at state in 2022. Last year, Jordan was undefeated when he re-injured his right shoulder at the Flagler Rotary Tournament and underwent surgery to repair ligaments. He returned for football season, but repeatedly dislocated his shoulder and had it

popped back into place. But he never suffered a dislocation during wrestling season until one minute into his state championship match.

He called for injury time, but the referees apparently did not hear him right away, and wound giving his opponent, Sawyer VanRider of New Smyrna Beach, five points, judging the situation an immanent near fall.

“Jordan’s trying to signal from underneath, and when they finally stopped the match and Jordan’s got his arm dangling, they turn and put five points on the board (for VanRider), a takedown, two back points and a point for injury time,” Matanzas coach T.J. Gillin said. Trainers popped Mills’ shoulder back in place, and he continued the match.

“I was a little bit confused at first when I saw the 5-0, because I thought they were going to start us again on our feet, 0-0, because my shoulder was dislocated on the shot,” he said. “But my coach told me don’t worry about it. Just get up and get it done. So there’s nothing I could do to change that. I knew I could get it done. My mindset from then on out was just to score as many points as I could to win the match.”

Mills had already defeated VanRider three times this season. And by the end of regulation, the Matanzas wrestler tied the score 7-7.

“It was a struggle,” Gillin said.

“Every time Jordan got to Sawyer’s legs, he wasn’t able to really truly lift that leg up in the air. He just hunched over, trying to take Sawyer down from the mat. But he battled and battled and battled.”

After neither wrestler prevailed in sudden victory time, VanRider chose bottom in the first 30-second overtime period, and Mills held his opponent down. Mills chose bottome in the second overtime period.

Gillin said VanRider and his coaches knew he could not keep Mills down for 30 seconds, so he let Mills up right away, giving him the escape point, with the intention of taking him down for the win.

“Jordan was able to hold off a barrage that came close to scoring, but Jordan’s a very hard person to take down,” Gillin said.

Mills won the match, 8-7, his fourth victory over VanRider this season.

“It was more stressful watching his match than wrestling in mine,” Mariah Mills said. “When his shoulder popped out, I knew that was going to be tough for him to wrestle through. But I believed in him still. It was awsome to finally see him pull it off at the end.”

Gillin said that while girls wrestling has been sanctioned for only three season, a brother and sister winning titles on the same day is still a remarkable feat.

“Mariah was in one of the most competitive weight classes in the girls division,” Gillin said. “And we’ve had only one state champ on the boys side before Jordan (Tyrone Jones in 2018).

“But now to have a kid put together a perfect, undefeated season and end it the way he did where he just had to fight through with his arm dangling. And being down 5-0 just didn’t seem to stop him. If that was how we were going to end the year with those two winning state titles, then that’s pretty cool.”

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerloclnews.com

Borgmann, Johnson make history in FPC’s storied wrestling program

The duo became the first FPC girls to win state titles and helped lead the Bulldogs to the state runner-up trophy.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

In Flagler Palm Coast’s storied wrestling program, there’s not much that can be achieved that hasn’t been done already. State team championships? The Bulldogs have won three. Individual titles? FPC wrestlers had collected 12 over the years.

But on Saturday, March 2, FPC added two wrestling achievements that had never been done before in school history. Junior Christina Borgmann and sophomore Joslyn Johnson became the first Bulldogs to win girls state championships.

Two other girls, Ana Vilar and Alexa Calidonio, placed fourth at the wrestling championships. And with just four wrestlers in the girls tournament, the Bulldogs won the team runner-up trophy with 84 points, 20.5 points behind state champ Hernando.

FPC also had four boys win medals at the championships held Feb. 29 to March 2 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Toryion Stallings placed fourth, Trey Twilley placed sixth and Kelton Howard and Ethan Laupepa each placed seventh.

“Our boys and girls all wrestled well all weekend,” FPC coach David Bossardet said. “We have six girls on our roster and four qualified for state, and we finished second. Last year we had nine points and I think we were 65th in the state.”

While Borgmann won in dominating fashion to earn the 125-pound

championship, Johnson needed to score an escape with three seconds to spare to win the 100-pound championship, 4-3 against Camdyn Elliott of Gulf Breeze.

“I think Joslyn’s very strong at that weight, and that definitely played a big part,” Bossardet said. Johnson ended the season 33-5 and avenged a loss to Elliott in the regional final. Johnson was on the bottom and leading 3-2 as the third period was coming to a close. Then she heard the referee charge her with stalling, giving Elliott a point to tie the score.

“I feel like i could have been doing a little bit more on bottom, so I would understand why they would give that point up, but it got turned around really quickly,” Johnson said. “I heard the ref give me another stalling point, and in my head, I’m hearing everybody just yelling, ‘Stand up.’”

So she did, avoiding the sudden victory round by seconds. As her hand was raised for the victory, emotions caught up to her. Back at school two days later, she still had trouble believing she won the title in her first trip to the championships.

“I think it’s still a surreal feeling,” she said. “I was just kind of running around in a circle, because I didn’t really know what to do or where to go. It felt nice knowing that all the work that I’ve been putting in this year and a half has paid off.”

Johnson started wrestling last year and came within one win of qualifying for state. Having Borgmann as her workout partner this year made a big difference, she said.

“She helped me learn a different style of wrestling because everybody has their own technique. I feel like she played a major part in me getting to the point that I’m at right now.”

Borgmann was a state runner-up at 120 pounds last year when she was

with Matanzas High. On March 2, she pinned Lahela Turquist of Pace in 3:48 to win the 125-pound title and complete an undefeated season at 25-0. But it wasn’t an easy year. Borgmann was out about a month after suffering a shoulder injury in a tournament and went through rehab to get back.

“She’s been through a lot since October, personally and obviously changing schools,” Bossardet said. “And then to have an injury. She handled all that and went out and won the state tournament. There was no question in my mind that she was the best girl in that weight in the state. There’s definitely pressure when you

came close the year before and you didn’t get the job done. I’ll tell you this, it means the world to her and her family. It was just very exciting to see the joy on her face and her family’s face when she won.”

Borgmann said she went into the final thinking about all of the hard work it took to get there and that no one was going to take it away from her. “You just have to overcome adversity,” she said. “And once you overcome it, I think you can do anything you believe in. The people around me helped me too, like Coach and everyone else. Just the support of everyone helped me overcome the challenges.”

“It means the world to (Christina Borgmann) and her family. It was just very exciting to see the joy on her face and her family’s face when she won.”

DAVID BOSSARDET, FPC wrestling coach

Vilar (130 pounds) and Calidonio (170 pounds) both advanced to the consolation finals. Vilar, who placed sixth last year, finished her season at 36-3. She won the consolation semifinal in sudden victory.

“After losing her semifinal and then coming back in the morning to wrestle back speaks a lot about her character and her drive,” Bossardet said. “It’s tough to bounce back when your goal is to win a state title.”

Calidonio had perhaps the biggest comeback of all. The first-year wrestler was pinned in 23 seconds by Jikayla Hutto of Orlando Jones in her first match and then won four matches in a row to advance to the consolation final.

“She got caught in a headlock (by Hutto) and we knew that was going to be a tough match, style-wise,” Bossardet said. “But for her to battle back, I couldn’t be more proud of her. It was a good way to end her season for her first year wrestling.”

In the Class 3A boys championships, Stallings finished his senior season at 45-4 with a fourth-place finish at 132 pounds. After losing 2-1 in the semifinals, he won a 5-4 decision in the consolation semifinals. Twilley, a freshman, placed sixth at 126 pounds. Howard finished his senior season with a 41-6 record, placing seventh at 165 pounds. And Laupepa finished his senior season at 42-4, placing seventh at 215 pounds.

FPC’s first girls state wrestling champs — Christina Borgmann and Joslyn Johnson — with coach David Bossardet. Courtesy photo

Jordan Mills (right) pinned Jett McCauley of Charlotte High in 2:32 in the semis.

Mariah Mills stuffs her opponent’s head in the 110-pound girls quarterfinals at the state wrestling tournament. Photos by Abe and Rachel Mills

No hits, no runs in Gonzalez’s first start as FPC wins

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Sophomore right-hander Jordan Gonzalez was striving for perfection in his first varsity start for Flagler Palm Coast. He didn’t quite get there, but his first start was still a memorable one as he threw six innings of no-hit ball to help the Bulldogs defeat DeLand 1-0 at home on Friday, Feb. 29.

Senior Dalton Roberts pitched a perfect seventh inning to complete the combined no-hitter and sophomore Marion Clayton drove in Cody Clymer in the bottom of the sixth with the only run of the game.

“You can’t beat a game like that,” FPC baseball coach Kyle Marsh said. “The guys stayed together and they got the win.”

Gonzalez and DeLand’s Bryson Treichel, who will pitch for the University of North Florida next year, were locked in a scoreless pitching duel into the sixth inning

when pinch hitter Clymer reached first base on a walk, stole second on a pitch in the dirt and ran all the way home on Clayton’s single to center field.

Clymer slid under the tag attempt by catcher Derek De Jesus, who had to leap high to catch the throw home.

Gonzalez, who held the game ball in the Bulldogs’ post-game huddle, seemed unfazed by it all, joking that the ball “will probably go in the bucket in a few days.”

“He did a great job,” Marsh said. “He kept guys off balance and gave us a chance to

It’s cool we won. (Clayton’s) hit was probably the best part of the night.”

JORDAN GONZALEZ

win.”

Gonzalez said he had nerves at the start of the game, but it didn’t take long for him to settle down.

“With the first batter I was a little nervous, but I struck him out, so I wasn’t too nervous after that,” he said. But he felt his control could have been better.

“My slider was my best pitch. My fastball, I couldn’t really locate it,” Gonzalez said. He gave up two walks and hit two batters, but those were the only DeLand batters to reach base. He had three strikeouts and was able to preserve the shutout without the benefit of a double play.

“It’s cool we won,” Gonzalez said. “(Clayton’s) hit was probably the best part of the night.”

Clayton had two of FPC’s four hits against Treichel, also

smacking a two-out double to center field in the fourth but was left stranded on base. In the sixth, the first baseman laced a liner to center on a 2-2 count to score Clymer.

“He worked that count. He kept battling,” Marsh said. “It was a great at-bat. He kept his composure and fought off a couple of tough pitches.”

Clayton said he hit a fastball.

“It was middle, in. I stayed through it,” he said. “It felt great. My teammates had my back the whole game. My first at-bat I got out, but they stayed behind me. And Gonzo balled out on the mound today.”

FPC improved to 2-1. The Bulldogs will visit Matanzas on Friday, March 8, two days after traveling to Clay County to face Fleming Island.

Bulldogs hope tough early schedule pays off

First-year softball coach Brooklynn Jimeson is happy with the team’s depth at pitcher and catcher.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast first-year softball coach Brooklynn Jimeson purposely assembled a top-heavy schedule this season.

“We’re excited to play the tough teams early, so we’ll know what to work on,” she said.

So far, the results have been mixed. After opening the season with a 13-3 win at St. Augustine, the Bulldogs lost 1-0 to 2023 Class 2A state champ University Christian of Jacksonville and 9-1 to 2023 regional finalist Spruce Creek.

In a home game against University High of Orange City on Thursday, Feb. 29, FPC gave up six runs in the third and seventh innings and fell to the Titans 15-4.

Jimeson still came away with some positives.

“We put the ball in play,” she said. “We only had two strikeouts.”

They followed the loss with wins against Seabreeze (12-0) and St. Augustine (18-4) to imrpove to 3-3.

Jimeson was an assistant coach with the Bulldogs last year when they went 13-5 and earned a playoff berth. This year’s team has more depth, she said.

“We have three catchers this year and two pitchers. We have tons of options,” she said.

Matanzas transfers Skylar Ludovici and Ashleigh Pigeon have been sharing time in the pitching circle with senior Alexis Laura, who has signed to play at Florida State College at Jacksonville next year. All three pitched against the Titans.

Freshman Mackenzie West has been sharing time behind the plate with junior Sadie Schell. Through four games, West is leading the Bulldogs with a .700 batting average and 14 RBIs. She went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and a double against the Titans, while Pigeon went 2 for 3 with three runs scored.

“We’re pretty new together,” Jimeson said. “I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

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

“UWIA WBH’S DAXIAOS. TEAH PZK JAS Y VHZOV,

WITTY REMARKS by Howard Neuthaler, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Marion Clayton’s base hit drove in Cody Clymer with the only run of the game.

FPC third baseman Kevin Maya gets ready to catch a fly in the seventh inning.

Cody Clymer steals second base in the sixth inning. Clymer went on the score the winning run on a base hit by Marion Clayton.

Jordan Gonzalez did not allow a hit in six innings pitched. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Alexis Laura leads the Bulldogs with a 1.48 earned run average and 23 1/3 innings pitched.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

are also available for public review at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/assessment/frp-tupelo-solarproject.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project will consist of the construction of a new 74.5-Megawattsolar power generating facility with the electric generated onsite delivered to Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL’s) existing Korana-Putnam 230 kV transmission line via a new, 0.68-mile overhead gen-tie line located on the east side of Yelvington Road. The availability of the EA for public review was announced on November 4 and 9, 2023 in the Palatka Daily News, published in Putnam County, Florida, with circulation Putnam County. The availability of the EA for public review was also announced on November 9 and 16, 2023 in the Palm Coast Observer, published in Flagler County, Florida, with circulation Flagler County. A 14-day comment period was announced in the local newspaper notices which ended on November 17 and November 22, 2023, respectively. The EA was also available for public review at the USDA Rural Development office and website athttps://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/assessments. Two comments were received but were determined to be non-substantive.

Based on its EA, commitments made by FRP, and public comments received, RUS has concluded that the project would have no significant impact to water quality, wetlands, floodplains, land use, aesthetics, transportation, or human health and safety. The proposed project will have no adverse effect on resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Announcements

FEMALE ARMY Veteran in Palm Coast looking for writer for Memoir charleebrazier@gmail.com

MARCH MILITARY/VETERANS HOLIDAY & OBSERVANCES

Women’s History Month-March Navy Reserve Birthday-March 3rd Hug a GI Day-March 4th Seabee Birthday-March 5th K-9 Veterans Day-March13th American Legion Birthday-March15th

Rosie the Riveter Day-March 21st Medal of Honor Day-March 25th National Vietnam War Veterans Day-March 29th

Courtesy of Flagler County’s Veterans