Palm Coast Observer 06-06-24

Jake Medlock passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback victory against the West Texas Desert Hawks.

Jimmie Robinson is leading the Indoor Football League in rushing for the second straight season. Courtesy photos

CITY WATCH

Rymfire Drive, Royal Palms, Pine Lakes Parkways to be resurfaced

Several of Palm Coast’s arterial roadways will be undergoing resurfacing in the coming months.

The Palm Coast City Council approved a milling and resurfacing contract with Masci Construction, Inc. at its June 4 City Council meeting. The work includes replacing 1.5 inches of asphalt, including striping and manhole adjustments.

The work is slated for Royal Palms Parkway, Rymfire Drive and Pine Lakes Parkway, according to city meeting documents. Stormwater and Engineering Director Carl Cote said the work of this project is only scheduled for arterial, or nonresidential, roadways.

The project is budgeted from the fiscal year 2024 Street Improvement fund.

The project will cost $3.2 million and has a contingency fund of $328,000.

“This is another step forward in playing catch up with the roads.,” Mayor David Alfin said. “So I’m glad to see that we’re moving forward.”

Grant sought for lighting at park fields

Palm Coast is working on applying for grants with Flagler County’s Tourism Development Council to hopefully add more lighting to Palm Coast parks.

The topic of lighting came up during a presentation to the Palm Coast City Council on the upgrades Ralph Carter Park is undergoing. The park’s fields were closed on June 3 for a multi-month repair project to regrade and resod the fields.

The Ralph Carter Park fields are two of only 11 city parks with lighting, Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst said. Palm Coast has 26 fields in all.

Ralph Carter’s fields are the second-most popular fields, according to city data on field-use permits, and residents nearby had been issuing complaints on the noise and light pollution for years. The Indian Trails Sports Complex receives the most, but in 2023, Palm Coast issued almost 500 permits for Ralph Carter Parks’ field use, according to city meeting documents.

All the city’s unlit fields combined received almost as many permits issued, the data shows. In total, Hirst said, 98% of all permits the city receives are for the lighted parks.

Hirst said the department works to mitigate the noise and light pollution. At the same time, the city’s youth and adult sports organizations are growing.

“They are using a lot more space, and it’s, you know, we try our best to alleviate and take them to different parks,” he said. “But ultimately, these are the only other two lit fields, other than Indian Trails.”

When council member Theresa Carli Pontieri asked staff about plans to add lighting to the other city parks — she and Vice Mayor Ed Danko attended the June 3 meeting virtually, while the remaining members were present in person — Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said that the city is working on the applications for grants.

“We will actually be submitting for field lighting at the [Indian Trails] Sports Complex, not only for baseball, softball, but for also our multipurpose fields out there for a tourism

enhancement,” she said.

The Indian Trails Sports Complex does already have nine lighted fields on site, but has a total of 16 fields within the complex. Five of the lighted fields at the complex are multi-purpose fields similar to those at Ralph Carter Park, according to meeting documents.

The applications are due next week, Johnston said.

The field work is just the latest of improvements being conducted at Ralph Carter Park, Hirst said. In response to resident comments, the multi-purpose fields’ bulbs now have longer visors, and the lights have been redirected to lessen light pollution.

The park also has new hours, effective immediately: The field lights will be shut off at 9 p.m. while the basketball and skate park lights will remain on until 10 p.m.

SOUTHERN RECREATION CENTER

HAS OVER 1,300 PASS HOLDERS

SINCE OPENING IN FEBRUARY

Since opening in February, Palm Coast’s new Southern Recreation Center has over 1,300 pass holders using its facility.

The facility offers three types of passes, not including the single-day passes. In just under four months, there have are 784 tennis pass holders, 608 pickleball pass holders and 44 combination pass holders, according to Brittany McDermott, the deputy director of Palm Coast Parks and Recreation.

The facility has seen use from the city’s younger residents as well through its youth memberships, she said.

“It’s just been really fun to see the kids getting out and playing both tennis and pickleball,” McDermott said.

McDermott told the council in a presentation at the May 28 meeting that Parks and Recreation’s goals for the first year of the Southern Recreation Center is meant to focus on establishing its programs and building up the pass holder and customer base.

The Recreation Center has 12 pickleball courts, locker rooms and event spaces for residents to use. The city is also in the process of building five new clay tennis courts to the site as well.

As the center moves into its second year of operations, she said, the goal will be to host more social events and expand the center’s tournaments while continuing to build the available recreation programming.

McDermott also said that because of the locker rooms and other enhancements, the new facility has drawn interest from the professional women’s tennis circuit tournaments. Before, the city did not meet the requirements to host a women’s tournament because of its lack of dedicated locker space.

The Southern Recreation Center is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., MondayFriday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Mayor David Alfin elected as 1st vice chair, treasurer at River to Sea TPO

Mayor David Alfin has been unanimously elected as the 1st Vice-Chair/ Treasurer of the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning on July 1. The River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization is responsible for planning and coordinating transportation projects and funding within Volusia and Flagler counties. The TPO works with local governments, transportation agencies, and the public to develop a comprehensive, multimodal transportation system that meets the region’s current and future needs

The TPO works to address the transportation needs and infrastructure planning for the region, ensuring reliable infrastructure growth and connectivity across counties. In addition to Alfin’s election, the TPO has approved a reapportionment plan that extends the TPO’s membership to include all of Flagler County. This expansion reflects the growing importance of Flagler County within the regional transportation framework and ensures comprehensive representation in future planning initiatives.

“I am honored to have been elected,” Alfin said in press release. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our regional partners to advance our transportation infrastructure and support the needs of our communities. The inclusion of all of Flagler County in the TPO will enhance our collective ability to address transportation challenges and opportunities.”

Palm Coast’s new Southern Recreation Center. Photo by Sierra Williams

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Paying our

share for

the shore

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Flagler County Commission is looking to implement a countywide special assessment tax to fund a beach management program.

A survey reviewing the several major renourishment projects plus annual project costs to then maintain the beaches shows the county would need between $7 million and $10 million annually to fund the program. The proposed special assessment tax is based on the lower end of that scale and is tiered, with residents along the shoreline paying more than residents in west Flagler County.

“In order to fully implement the beach management plan, we have to develop a local funding source,” PFM Consultant Stan Geberer said. The County Commission heard a presentation outlining the county’s future beach management plans and the prospective costs to residents at its June 3 workshop meeting. Geberer said the beach management plan would cost, on average, $9 million to 10 million per year to maintain. But, factoring in financial aid from state or federal sources, the county needs to raise $7 million annually to cover the costs, Geberer said.

“We hope to have over nine miles or half of Flagler County’s coastline renourished with the dredge project by next summer.”

ANSLEY WREN-KEY, Flagler County Coast Engineering administrator

Flagler County leans toward special assessment tax to fund beach renourishment program

BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN

The special assessment, if approved, would be implemented by September and pay for the county’s portion of the U.S. Army Corps beach renourishment. That program requires Flagler County to pay 50% of each renourishment after the initial project, unless a storm occurs, in which case the Corps would fix it at no cost to the county.

But Flagler County has also begun steps to implement a four-phased beach management plan for the county’s entire shoreline, which would be funded by the assessment.

A secant wall that is currently under construction by the Florida Department of Transportation extends from South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach to the Volusia-Flagler County line.

Phase 1 is the 4.3 miles along the south end of the county which is already under way. The Army Corps projects account for 2.6 miles of that surrounding the pier. The Corps has agreed to do more on either side of its project, but at the cost of the county.

The north end of this project ends at Seventh Street North in Flagler Beach.

Phase 2 is a 5.8-mile stretch from Seventh Street North to Varn Park.

The county is slated to have the permits ready by early 2025, according to Flagler County’s coastal engineering administrator Ansley Wren-Key.

Similar to the Army Corps project, she said, the county will be dredging sand to restore this stretch, with a similar end result.

“We want to get started on construction as soon as possible,” WrenKey said. “... We hope to have over nine miles or half of Flagler County’s coastline renourished with the dredge project by next summer.”

Phase 3 stretches from Varn Park

to Washington Oaks State Park. That area, Wren-Key said, needs more studies conducted on how best to approach the rocky shoreline, but the county hopes to begin a project there in 2026.

Washington Oaks State Park is Phase 4, which will have truckhauled sand deposited as needed. The goal of these projects, she said, is not beach restoration.

“We won’t be talking about dune restoration for most of the county; this is beach restoration,” she said.

“The people on the beach were generally willing to pay more than the people further west.”

STAN GEBERER, PFM consulstant

THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT

In 2021, the county hired PFM Group Consulting LLC, to conduct a survey on what residents thought about funding a beach management program and to outline a possible funding source. Geberer said the survey sent out showed that, on the whole, the county residents did value the beach and think the county should maintain it.

But, he said, how much importance residents placed on the beach declined the further a respondent lived from the shoreline.

“The people on the beach were generally willing to pay more than the people further west,” Geberer said.

Based on the survey data, he said, PFM broke the county into four zones for a tiered pay scale for the special assessment tax.

Zone 1 is the barrier island to the Intracoastal Waterway. Zone 2 is from the Intracoastal to Interstate 95. Zone 3 extends from I-95 to Highway U.S. 1, while zone 4 is the remainder of the county.

Geberer further broke Zone 1 into 1A and 1B: 1A includes the properties that are oceanfront while 1B properties are not.

The special assessment also would not only apply to residences, but businesses, too.

“There’s a lot of ways you can make an assessment,” Geberer said.

“It needs to be fairly apportioned, fair and reasonable, and it needs to reflect the benefit received.”

Geberer presented two options based on these tiers. The first would charge Zone 1A $578 per household based on the needed $7 million-per-

BY THE NUMBERS

THE COUNTY'S BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN

Phase 1

Of the county's beach management plan includes the 4.3mile U.S. Army Corps Beach renourishment project and the FDOT's buried secant wall.

8 months

The estimated time frame for the Army Corps renourishment, with staging beginning July 5, 2024 and work completing by March 2025

19 feet the height of the dunes for the federal section of the Army Corps renourishment. The width will vary along S.R. A1A.

Phase 2

extends from the end of the Army Corps at th Street North up to Varn Park. The county is slated to have the permits for this project by early 2025.

Phase 3

extends from Varn Park up to Washington Oaks State Park. The county hopes to begin this project in 2026.

Phase

4 is Washington Oaks State Park. This section of the shoreline will receive sand from trucks on an as-needed basis.

THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

$10 million is how much, annually, it would cost the county to maintain its beaches, not accounting for any state or federal grants to help fund it.

$7 million is how much the county is planning to annually levy in a special assessment to fund the beach management program. This is cost takes into account federal or state grants that would potentially cover part of the work.

4 zones the proposed special assessment breaks up the $7 million price tag across four zones. The zones would be tiered in the assessment with those along the shoreline paying more than residents in the west.

$550-578 is how much, minimum a household in zone 1A could expect to pay, based on the two proposed special assessments presented.

year special assessment revenue. All the other zones would pay less on the tiered scale.

The second option takes into account private property owner associations along the beachfront, like Hammock Dunes. This assessment would charge the private property owner associations per linear foot of dune and beach property.

“There’s a lot of people who are just barely making it over there, and I don’t think we need to tax them that amount.”

GREG HANSEN, Flagler County Commissioner

THE NEXT STEPS

To get this off the ground without delaying it another year, the county will need to move quickly. County Administrator Heidi Petito told the commissioners that not only do the zones and costs for the zones need to be finalized, but each municipality will have to approve the change as well. But first, commissioners said,

some of the details on the assessment need to be worked out more clearly. Commissioner Greg Hansen noted that, particularly in Zone 1B, the assessment would not be fair to people who own homes valued at $500,000 versus residents who live in mobile homes.

“There’s trailers, there’s tents,” Hansen said. “There’s a lot of people who are just barely making it over there, and I don’t think we need to tax them that amount.”

Delaying the tax revenue past this year, Petito said, would mean not only delaying the future renourishment projects but could also end up costing tax payers more.

Greg Davis, president Hammock Dunes Homeowners Association, said their association would need more information about the potential cost to the property owner associations. In Hammock Dunes, he said, it may require a vote to the HOA’s charter to implement. But regardless of what needs to be done to get the program funded, he said: “Our beaches are in such a condition today that we cannot afford a delay.’

Flagler Schools

Vilano Beach in St. Johns county prerenourishment. Images from County Commission meetings

County Administrator Heidi Petito told the commissioners that not only do the zones and costs for the zones need to be finalized, but each municipality will have to approve the change as well. Courtesy photo

Vilano Beach in St. Johns county postrenourishment. This is an example of what Flagler County beaches will look like after the implementation of its beach renourishment phases.

Flagler County’s repaired dunes. Photo by Sierra Williams

Flagler School Board member indicated she decided against resigning in time to hold an election.

occasions that she and her family will be moving out of the county, and she won’t be finishing her term, which ends in November 2026. At the June 4 agenda workshop, she was more specific. Hunt said she won’t be on the board by November, which likely means Gov. Ron DeSan-

tis will appoint a new board member to complete her term.

According to Florida statute 114.04, the governor shall fill by appointment any vacancy of an elected official other than state legislators if there is less than 28 months remaining in the term.

Hunt currently has about 29 months remaining in her term. The filing deadline for candidates running in the School Board primary is June 14. She nonchalantly brought up her resignation during a discussion about board member requests.

“We’re about to have three new board members,” Hunt said.

Colleen Conklin and Cheryl Massaro are retiring this year, but the other three board

member terms all end in 2026.

“Are you definitely resigning, Sally?” Conklin interrupted.

“Oh, yeah,” Hunt replied.

“When is that?” Conklin asked.

“That is when I’m able to,” Hunt said. “But I will not be here in November.”

“The reason I guess I’m surprised,” Conklin responded, “is I didn’t believe that was the case because there could have been an election for that third seat.”

“Right,” said Hunt. “I did consider that.”

Conklin let out a “whew,” and added, “OK.” Massaro, away from her mic so it was barely audible, said, “Now there will be an appointment.”

Conklin questions reliance on NEFEC

Can Flagler Schools handle the services that it is contracting with regional group?

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler County School Board member Colleen Conklin has an annual message every time the district’s contract with the North East Florida Educational Consortium comes up for renewal.

At the board’s June 4 agenda workshop, she began by stating that this would be the last time she brings up this point. Conklin is retiring in November after serving on the board for 24 years. She complimented the district’s negotiating team for holding down an increase in NEFEC’s services to just $8,204 one year after it increased by over $560,000. The cost of renewing the NEFEC contract for 2024-25 is $3,216,757.

But Conklin questioned if the district has outgrown many of the services NEFEC provides, services the district can handle itself.

NEFEC was created in 1976 to pool resources of small districts in Northeast Florida to provide for better purchasing power and more extensive services than each district would be able to provide individually.

“When NEFEC originally came into being, we were a small county,” Conklin said. “A lot of these services we couldn’t provide. Now I look at some of the contracted services, and we’re rockstars — the technology department, the instructional department. ... I encourage the district to take a look at these services and say, ‘Are we grown up enough?’”

Conklin suggested that, moving forward, the district scale back some of the services in the contract.

The most expensive of NEFEC’s services which Flagler Schools is contracting is risk management at a cost of $2,511,100. That is the service that benefits the district the most, Superintendent LaShakia Moore said. That service is tied together with some other services that the district would be required to include, Moore said.

“I love the folks at NEFEC,” Conklin said. “It is a critical element we’ve needed over the years, but at what point do we say, ‘We got it’?”

FHSAA will allow high school athletes to earn money via NIL

The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday, June 4, opened the door for student-athletes to earn money from business agreements such as endorsement deals, with the organization’s president calling the move a “good starting point.”

The FHSAA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a seismic change in the organization’s bylaws to allow athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness, or NIL. The changes will be in effect for the upcoming school year.

BRIEFS

City Council

member Klufas runs for County Commission

District 3

Palm Coast City Council member Nick Klufas is running for the Flagler County Commission District 3 seat after eight years on the City Council.

Klufas said he is “eager to extend his commitment to Flagler County” as his term as a council member comes to an end. Klufas said he wants to make a positive impact in Flagler County through continuing his City Council track record in “responsible growth, technological innovation, and fiscal responsibility,” according to his press release on the Flagler Elections website.

As a council member, Klufas said he has advocated to maintain the city’s tax rate while championing several technology-based programs like Fibernet and Metronet and the city cellphone wireless master plan to improve connectivity and growth in the city.

Klufas also said he has always supported public safety, voting to fund addi-

tional deputies to Palm Coast since 2016 and supporting upgrades to the fire stations.

As a commissioner, Klufas said on of his priorities will be restoring the county’s dunes.

“In 2016, I chose to be the change, becoming the youngest elected official in Flagler County history,” he said. “Today, I stand before you, ready to bring my experience, my dedication, and my proven track record to the Flagler County Commission.”

Former Flagler Beach Commissioner Carney runs for County District 3

Kim Carney, a longtime resident and former three-term Flagler Beach City Commissioner announced that she will run for the Flagler County Board of County Commission District 3.

“I have found that many times our government officials act as a separate entity. I try to focus on the needs and wants of the people that elected me,” Carney said. Carney moved to Flagler Beach with her husband in 2000, according to her Flagler Elections website biography and statement. She served on

the Flagler Beach City Commission from 2011-2020.

Carney is currently selfemployed as an independent contractor and Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens RE/Synergy in Flagler Beach. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Western NE College in Springfield, Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Public service, she said, is her passion, and Carney has committed her time to several local organizations, including the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. According to her election website, Carney said she believes Flagler County needs well-planned development.

She said she is motivated to serve in a leadership role to help better manage growth and hold taxes in line.

“We have to protect our special quality of life here,” she said.

Blue-green algae alert issued for Dead Lake at Bull Creek boat ramp

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful bluegreen algae toxins in Dead Lake at the Bull Creek boat ramp.

The alert is in response to a water sample taken on May 28. The public should exercise caution in and around Dead Lake. DOH-Flagler advises residents and visitors to take the following precautions: Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom. Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, discolored water or water that smells unpleasant.

do not get discouraged. Trusting God is wisdom calling you to faith. You show faith in God and community by choices you make, that impact people. Every detail of your life can bring glory to God.

Rev. Dr. Ophelia Beier, chaplain with the American Legion, Department of

Palm Coast council member Cathy Heighter (right) helped Karen Green cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Island Flavaz restaurant at City Market Place. Photo by Brent Woronoff

City Council member Nick Klufas is running for the Flagler County Commission District 3 seat.

Kim Carney is running for the Flagler County Commission District 3 seat. Courtesy of the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections

COPS CORNER

Boulevard, Ormond Beach Drunk person. A 65-year-old Ormond Beach man was so drunk, he fell asleep several times on the ground in front of a local restaurant, leading to police intervention.

The man, who had not purchased alcohol from the restaurant, had been on the property for a few hours, the property manager told police upon the officer’s arrival. The man had also urinated on the side of the building, according to his arrest report. He was unable to answer police’s questions; he told officers the wrong date, that there were 25 quarters in a dollar and that the president of the U.S. was a local police officer, according to the report. He was transported to the hospital and issued a trespass warning.

MAY 24

REPEAT OFFENDER

10:53 a.m. — 1400 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Loitering or prowling. Police arrested a 38-year-old Miami man who was seen opening, and attempting to open, doors of cars parked at a local fast food restaurant lot.

When officers arrived, and asked the man to identify himself, the man said that law enforcement was harassing him again — and that he had just gone “through all this” the other day, according to his arrest report. The man denied opening any car doors and said he was only at the restaurant to get his morning coffee and cigarettes. He had neither on his person, the report states.

Police spoke with the man’s

friend, who had driven to the location in a separate vehicle and parked at the other end of the lot. The friend said they couldn’t park next to each other due to the man’s allergies. The man was taken to jail and trespassed from the shopping plaza.

MAY 29

UNBE-LEAF-ABLE

9:05 p.m. — First block of Big Buck Trail, Ormond Beach Vandalism. One potted palm. Two neighbors. An ongoing feud.

Police were dispatched to a local neighborhood after a 78-year-old Ormond Beach woman reported that she suspected her 83-year-old neighbor had trimmed her potted palm plant without permission, resulting in $56 of damage, according to an incident report. The woman said her neighbor has been “aggressively” doing random acts to their shared planter and intimidating her since she moved in. However, the officer noted that the woman couldn’t give concrete examples of this, other than her neighbor standing with crossed arms and staring at her in passing from their respective yards.

The woman told police other neighbors had complained about his behavior in the past as well.

Police spoke with the neighbor, who said there have been issues with the woman since she moved in, and, that he’s made numerous complaints to the homeowner’s association. He denied trimming the potted palm.

The woman wished to press charges, but police found criminal charges to be unfounded. They did issue the neighbor a trespass warning at the woman’s request.

JUNE 2

WATER FUN

9:31 p.m. — 1200 block of Palm Coast Parkway Southwest, Flagler County

Battery. A homeless man was arrested after he used a water gun to spray a woman in the face outside of a grocery store.

The woman told a Sheriff’s Office deputy that she and her husband were leaving, driving through the shopping plaza in their car, according to an arrest report. She was in the passenger seat with her window down when the suspect aimed a water gun at her open window and sprayed her in the face.

She and her husband both told the deputy that the suspect began laughing at them, and the woman said her eyes began to sting as well. As the husband called dispatch to report the incident, he said that is when the suspect began to follow their car through the plaza, the report said.

The suspect told the deputy he was not intentionally aiming for the couple, but instead was spraying the water gun in the direction of a fire hydrant and did not see their car pass by. He told the deputy there was only water inside the toy, but the deputy suggested the woman get her eyes checked at the hospital just in case. The man was arrested.

JUNE 2

PERMANENTLY PARKED

10:20 a.m. — 2500 block of North State Street, Bunnell Trespass. A man temporarily staying at an RV park refused to leave.

A manager at the park told Sheriff’s Office deputies that the man had been creating arguments with his neighbors, according to the man’s arrest record. She said the office gave him until June 2 at 11 a.m. to leave the site.

The man refused and so the park manager had him trespassed. When deputies tried to force the man from his RV and the property, the man got in their faces and refused to leave, even sitting “weighing” himself down at his kitchen table. He was arrested.

BRIEFS

Ralph Carter Park fields to be regraded

Ralph Carter Park will be undergoing several enhancements to its fields beginning on June 3.

The upgrades will include regrading and sodding the fields, a Palm Coast press release said. The field upgrades are expected to be completed by late 2024.

Effective immediately, Ralph Carter Park’s field lights are set to turn off at 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. The basketball court and skate park lights will remain on until 10 p.m. and will remain open to the public as the the fields are regraded, the press release said.

Palm Coast man arrested for child pornography

A Palm Coast man has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of possessing child pornography after the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was alerted via a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

James McGill, 33, was arrested on Thursday, May 30, after an investigation conducted by the FCSO Cyber Crimes/Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

On Jan. 11 detectives served a search warrant at McGill’s home where he was interviewed and multiple electronics were seized. During the investigation, 10 electronic files of videos and photos were located that portrayed children in sexually exploitative situations. The victims were estimated to range from as young as 5 years of age to 11 years old.

McGill was taken into custody without incident by the FCSO Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit and trans-

ported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is currently being held on $150,000 bail.

Volusia School Board candidate withdraws

A candidate for the Volusia County School Board District 4 seat has withdrawn from the race.

Daytona State College student Merrick Brunker, of Ormond-by-the-Sea, submitted a withdrawal letter to the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections on May 7.

“After careful consideration, I believe this is the best decision moving forward,” Brunker wrote in the letter. “I want to express my gratitude for the assistance I have received from the Supervisor of Elections office along the way.”

Brunker had filed to run for the District 4 seat on March 20. The Ormond Beach Observer reached out to him for comment regarding his withdrawal, but did not hear back in time for publication.

Three candidates remain active in the race: Incumbent Volusia County School Board member Carl Persis, Pine Trail Elementary art teacher Sarah Marzilli and former lobbyist Donna Brosemer.

Qualifying for the 2024 elections runs from noon, June 10 to noon, June 14.

Two arrested in impersonation phone scam

On Thursday, May 30, the Bunnell Police Department and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men in connection with a fraud scheme involving phone calls impersonating an FCSO employee. The agencies are working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate multiple scam calls from the same day and are seeking additional

victims. Throughout May 30, FCSO received multiple reports of scam calls impersonating an agency employee. The callers claimed to be Sgt. Miley — a real FCSO employee — and told victims they had an active warrant for their arrest, but that their arrest could be prevented by making a payment.

Through investigative means, Shawn Dufeal, 25, and Jameil LaBennett, 28, were arrested outside the Flagler County Government Center in connection with the fraud scheme.

Woman jailed for car theft attempt in Ormond Ormond Beach Police arrested a 36-year-old Jacksonville woman on Saturday, June 1, after she tried to steal an elderly couple’s car by force at an Ormond Beach gas station. Police report that Marvette Perry pushed a 74-year-old Virginia man from his car after he parked at the gas station to use the restroom at around 10:48 a.m. at the Exxon gas station at 1622 N. U.S. 1. Perry got in the driver seat of the victim’s car — with the victim’s 76-year-old wife still inside — and the victim held on to her leg until police arrived.

When police arrived, the victim was still preventing Perry’s escape, according to a press release. One of the witnesses also drew his firearm and held her at gunpoint until he confirmed Perry was not armed, at which point he lowered his gun; police report he continued to stand by the scene until officers arrived. The elderly couple was not injured.

Perry was charged with several offenses, including carjacking, burglary with assault and resisting and officer, OBPD stated.

Lack of lighting at Hunters Ridge causes concerns

The Flagler County Commission OK’d lit signage for a roundabout with a split vote.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A lack of lighting at a roundabout on Airport Road and Hunter’s Ridge Boulevard caused some debate about whether adding lit signage to the dark area would be safe.

At its June 3 meeting, the Flagler County Commission approved two separate applications relating to the Hunter’s Ridge development known as Ormond Station in south Flagler County. One of the applications was approval for a lit sign at a roundabout leading into the Ormond Station developments.

“It’s a very dark, very winding road out there,” Commissioner Leann Pennington said.

“... It’s really, really bad.”

The request is for two lit signs reading “Ormond Station” at the roundabout, one facing east on Airport Road and one facing west. The roundabout has a circular wall in the center which surrounds a small pond.

Commission Chair Andy Dance said the roundabout was not the appropriate location for signage and said he felt it could cause a distraction for drivers. Pennington presented images of a recent crash at the roundabout that allegedly happened recently where a driver crashed into the roundabout’s walls. The Observer was not able to find details about the crash in time for this publication.

“I would urge that we get some proper lighting out there, not just the sign,” Dance said.

DR Horton Forward Planner Sydney Kendrick said that, while the lighting on the signs is not meant as a sole solution to the lack of lighting in the area, their team does believe the lighting will help prevent accidents in the future.

Commissioner Greg Hansen agreed, pointing out that the signage lighting would be placed where roads are meeting the roundabout.

“So they’re going to see the wall. They’re not going to be able to miss that,” he said.

The commission approved the signage 3-2, with Dance and Pennington dissenting.

The commission also unanimously approved the final plat application for the second phase of Ormond Station’s Gardenside.

Gardenside is located on Airport Road, west of the Hunter’s Ridge Boulevard roundabout and extension.

Phase 1 of the development, which is underway, will have 76 single-family homes on 29 acres. Phase 2 of Gardenside, if approved by the commission, will add an additional 89 homes on 39 acres on the north side of Phase 1.

The plat for the 89 homes outlines a mixture of different sized lots, ranging from .21 acres and .10 acres.

Jake Beren, owner of US Capital Alliance, said the different sized lots allows for multiple home design models for each lot size.

“It looks more like a fully functional, real community,”

Beren said. “I think that they [DR Horton] are looking to make this a really nice community.”

Residents urged to prepare for active hurricane season

The National Hurricane Center has predicted between 17 and 25 named storms between June 1 and Nov. 30.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Hurricane season is here and the National Hurricane Center has predicted between 17 and 25 named storms, four to seven of which could become major hurricanes.

A major hurricane is a Category 3, a hurricane that reaches above 110 mile-per-

hour winds. Hurricane season officially kicked off on June 1 and goes through Nov. 30, and Volusia and Flagler counties are urging residents to prepare for storms early.

The increased activity is because of the change in sea surface temperatures, according to a presentation Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord gave to the Flagler County Commission on May 20.

In 2023, there were 19 named storms, but 96% of all major hurricanes impact between mid-August and mid-October.

Sea surface temperatures are predicted to be above average this summer, Lord said, which fuels hurricanes.

QUALIFYING SALES TAX HOLIDAY ITEMS

SELLING FOR $10 OR LESS

Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case

SELLING FOR $15 OR LESS

Manual can openers; collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets; cat litter pans; pet waste disposal bags; hamster or rabbit substrate.

SELLING FOR $20 OR LESS

Reusable ice packs; leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets; pet pads

SELLING FOR $25 OR LESS Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds

SELLING FOR $40 OR LESS Candles; flashlights; lanterns; pet beds.

SELLING FOR $50 OR LESS

Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weatherband radios; gas or diesel fuel tanks; batteries, includ-

ing rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only — a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt.

SELLING FOR $60 OR LESS

Nonelectric food storage coolers; portable power banks

SELLING FOR $70 OR LESS

Smoke detectors or smoke alarms; fire extinguishers; carbon monoxide detectors

SELLING FOR $100 OR LESS

Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting; ground anchor systems; portable pet kennels and carriers; ratchet straps; tie-down kits; dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds.

SELLING FOR $3,000 OR LESS

Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage.

FOR FLAGLER COUNTY RESIDENTS

Flagler residents are urged to sign up for its emergency alert system, AlertFlagler. Residents can go to flaglercounty. gov/emergency to register their phone number for the alert system or call the Emergency Management at 386-313-4200 during normal business hours for assistance registering.

In the fall of 2023, the county changed simplified the county’s evacuation zones into two primary evacuation zones: one along the shore line over to the east side of Interstate 95, and one in the southwest corner of Flagler County, near the lakes. Residents can check where their evacuation zone is by going to the flaglercounty.gov/ emergency website and clicking on the link titled “Hurricane Evacuation Zones” and then searching their address.

“It’s definitely a concern for us this year,” he said.

A predicted increase in the amount of dust coming from the Sahara Desert in Africa could counteract some of the predicted storm activity, he said, as well as if there are any volcanic eruptions in Central America. Lord said it is something to watch as the hurricane season progresses.

The state of Florida has implemented a two-week sales tax holiday in order to help residents prepare for the hurricane season ahead. It began on June 1 and will end on June 14, according to a Fla-

FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY RESIDENTS

Residents are requested to download the Volusia County Emergency Preparedness app through either the Google Play store or the IPhone App Store on their phones, according to a Volusia County press release. The app will contain weather alerts, current conditions, preparedness checklists, links to county sites, shelter locations and statuses and more. Residents can also register for AlertVolusia online by inputting their phone number or calling Volusia County Emergency Management at 386-258-4088 for assistance. Residents can go to www. volusia.org/emergency or call Volusia County Emergency Management at 386-254-1500 for more information on disaster preparedness.

gler County press release. A second sales tax holiday will be held at the peak of hurricane season, from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6.

“As with food, water, and medications, we recommend having seven days’ worth of supplies at the ready — not just for hurricanes, but all emergencies,” Lord said. “Use this sales tax holiday to buy essentials as your first step in preparedness.”

According to information from both counties, residents should decide early on where they will go if an evacuation order is given.

Ormond teen pushes through health complications to graduate

Eli Havens has been hospitalized since April 12. He didn’t let that stop him from obtaining his high school diploma.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

EDITOR

MANAGING

A total of 365 Seabreeze High School grads crossed the stage at the Ocean Center on May 24. For one Sandcrab, the journey to experiencing that milestone involved an ambulance and medical team from the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. Eli Havens has been battling a health complication for the past two months due to his Crohn’s Disease, which he was first diagnosed with at age 10. On April 12, Havens was

experiencing a 105-degree fever, believed at first to be caused by the flu, when his mom decided to take him to the emergency room. Once at the hospital, doctors performed a chest X-ray and decided to send him to Arnold Palmer, where they discovered he had bowel perforations because of the type of Chron’s he has. The perforations, his mother Andrea Bussell said, led to sepsis and infected his liver.

In the first week he spent in the hospital, his kidneys also started shutting down, requiring him to go on dialysis.

“He spent three weeks in the ICU,” Bussell said. “But the entire time, as long as he was able to, he focused on trying to get his schoolwork done online.”

Because Havens really wanted to cross that stage with his fellow classmates. He had even done physical therapy at the hospital to be able to

build up enough strength and stamina for the ceremony.

He spent his 18th birthday and prom night at the hospital. Bussell said she decorated his room for his birthday and they celebrated with a little bit of ice cream cake. The hospital’s staff signed a big posted board for him.

As graduation approached, the family asked his doctors if it would be a possibility for him to attend the ceremony. They initially didn’t know if he would be discharged in time — Haven’s health complications were being tackled on a day by day basis.

Three weeks before the ceremony, doctors presented Havens and Bussell with two options: If his health improved enough, they could grant Havens a day pass for his mom to take him to graduation, or, they could arrange a hospital transport team to escort him personally.

“Ironically, it was the same trans-

port team that transported him here to the hospital that night on [April 12],” Bussell said. “They transported him to the Ocean Center, sat there during the ceremony and then transported him back here to the hospital. When he came back that night, they had decorated his room congratulating him ... for his graduation.”

Havens couldn’t walk on his own across that stage, but his brother Caleb pushed him in a wheelchair. He stood to receive his diploma, and the entire crowd clapped, Bussell recalled.

“I get very emotional thinking about it, there and because nobody — none of his classmates, none of his friends, none of the parents, nobody — knew what all he’d gone through to that point, to be able to even still be here with us and be able to participate with graduation.”

Seabreeze High School Principal Tucker Harris said he loved watched Havens cross that stage.

“I loved seeing his grit and resilience,” he said. “It was honorable to see him come across there and his brother pushing him.”

It’s an example of the culture of the school, he said — that Havens, despite all he’d gone through — wanted to be there.

“To me as principal, that’s the most profound thing,” Harris said.

In a statement to the Observer , Havens said that he wanted to thank the transport team for “helping to make it special for him,” as well as to his doctor, Dr. Lawrence Spack, and the critical care nurses and team for allowing him to go.

Havens was also thankful for his teacher, Tonya Wilhelm, for helping him have access to his schoolwork while in the hospital.

Havens’ counselor John Conforti, Seabreeze Assistant Principal Stinamay Lagrotta and Harris also were supportive, Bussell said.

“They were all just amazed and astounded that, being as sick as he was, he managed to be able to get his schoolwork done while being in the hospital, so that he could push forward to graduate,” Bussell said.

UNF MedNexus expands programs in Palm Coast

UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast’s Town Center is adding three innovative academic programs, the University of North Florida announced. MedNexus is a UNF initiative that offers learning and research experiences to prepare future healthcare providers and leaders.

The new programs include: „ Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration, a program for nurses who want to advance their administrative careers to become nurse managers, directors of nursing or chief nursing officers. „ Master of Science in Health Informatics. In an era where data plays a crucial role in healthcare decisionmaking, this program prepares students to use information technology to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 22% in the next 10 years.

„ Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This is an online program for RNs to further their education and expand their career opportunities by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“The expansion of UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast is a significant milestone for our city,” Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin said in a press release. “These innovative programs will not only enhance educational opportunities for our residents but also address critical workforce needs in the healthcare sector, fostering a stronger, healthier community.”

Dr. Julie Merten, associate dean of UNF MedNexus, expressed her enthusiasm for the launch of these new programs.

“We are excited to expand our academic offerings in Palm Coast and provide working professionals with the opportunity to pursue careers at the forefront of healthcare innovation,” Merten said in the press release. “These programs reflect our commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to address the evolving needs of our communities.”

Seabreeze Principal Tucker Harris presents Eli Havens with his diploma as his older brother Caleb supports him on stage during the commencement exercises at the Ocean Center. Photo by Michele Meyers

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

A house in Sea Colony tops Flagler sales list

Ahouse in Sea Colony was the top real estate transaction for April 11-17 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Bryan and Debbie Perfetti, of Palmetto, sold 46 Sea Vista Drive to John Andrew Breuer and Amy Padgett Breuer, of Fayetteville, New York, for $1,920,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace, an elevator and 2,600 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $810,000.

FLAGLER BEACH

Dolphin Cove

Vedra Beach, for $1,015,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 3/3.5 and has 2,246 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $470,000.

George and Lois Cornell, as trustees, sold 42 Club House Drive, Unit 205, to Symeon and Morfydd Gum, of Richfield, Ohio, for $158,000. Built in 1977, the condo is a 2/2 and has 986 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $89,900.

Isidore and Elizabeth Tabyanan, of Bemidji, Minnesota, sold 4600 East Moody Blvd., Unit 12C, to Emiliano Robles, Lilliam Robles, Miguel Angel Robles Riviera and Angeles Robles Rodriguez, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for $170,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2 and has 951 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $150,000.

Edward Scott Babrich and Mary Ann Babrich, of Inverness, sold 201 North 19th St. to Alex Michael Parker and Kara Hewitt Parker, of Gainesville, for $670,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,731 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $455,000.

PALM COAST

Country Club Cove

Sheila Hasday, as trustee, sold 31 Cheyenne Court to Michele Marie Blakeman, of Davie, for $675,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool, a boat dock and 2,216 square feet.

Cypress Knoll Robert Campbell and Deborah Askin, of Palm Coast, sold 42 Edge Lane to Keith Dylan Lederman, Diana Lederman and Thomas Lederman, of Palm Coast, for $335,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,868 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $212,500.

Grand Haven 7 Grandview LLC, of Greenwich, Connecticut, sold 7 Grandview Drive to Glenn and Joanne Fairchild, of Palm Coast, for $540,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 4/3 and has two half baths, a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 3,958 square feet. It sold in 2002 for $413,000.

Lehigh Woods

Eduard Volkov, a trustee, sold 27 Renfro Lane to Bonn

Michelle V Bacus and Arvic Rhoid Guleng Roda, of Palm Coast, for $290,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,546 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $175,000.

Los Lagos

Matanzas Shores

Domenico Guglielmo Cella and Lisa Morales, of Miami, sold 13 Los Lagos Blvd. to Arthur and Eleanor Foss, of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, for $500,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,845 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $520,000.

Pine Lakes John and Floescent Wright, as trustees, sold 2 Windover Place to Louise Martling and Keith Hertzog, of Palm Coast, for $390,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,752 square feet. It sold in 2001 for $166,000.

Rivergate Robert and Patricia Thomasey, as trustees, sold 114 Raintree Circle to Nancy Lagana, of Palm Coast, for $368,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,752 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $226,500.

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

Riverside Drive home sells for $1.15 million

Ahouse in Ormond Shores was the top real estate transaction for April 21-27 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Carl Shoemaker and Elizabeth Ann Shoemaker, of Ormond Beach, sold 544 Riverside Drive to Andrew and Andrea Branoff, of Ormond Beach, for $1,150,000. Built in 1951, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, two fireplaces and 2,454 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $405,000.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ORMOND BEACH

Cameo Point

Sandra Martin, of Ormond Beach, sold 18 Cameo Circle to Bradley and Rachel Kubin, of Sanford, for $1,050,000. Built in 1965, the house is a 3/2 and has a boathouse, a dock and 2,175 square feet. It sold in 1984 for $175,000.

Hunters Ridge

Mark and Nicole Dowd, of Wasilla, Arkansas, sold 83 Pergola Place to Thomas Bowles and William Addonizio, of Ormond Beach, for $440,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,503 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $300,000.

JoAnn and Marcus Buckley, as co-trustees, sold 4 Lonetree Look to Chet Anthony and Amy Louise Anthony, of Ormond Beach, for $370,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,777 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $219,000.

Northbrook

Kathleen Moore, of Chuluota, sold 1116 Northside Drive to Mary Waters, of Ormond Beach, for $365,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,496 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $255,000.

Samuel and Sharon Mize, of Ormond Beach, sold 1115 Wandering Oaks Drive to Stephen Keen, of Ormond Beach, for $502,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 1,849 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $349,000.

Plantation Bay

Varian Kimbro Doheny, as trustee, sold 1022 Hampstead Lane to Patrick and Tonyia Avery, of Orland Park, Illinois, for $839,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 3,009 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $490,000.

River Oaks Joshua Roberts, of Ormond Beach, sold 231 River Vale Lane to Hari Prasad Adhikari

and Binash Adhikari, of Ormond Beach, for $405,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,054 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $275,000.

Standish Shores William and Jenny Corso, of Ormond Beach, sold 213 Standish Drive to Russell Mathews, of Ormond Beach, for $489,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,362 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $399,000.

Tropical Mobile Home Village Daniel Kidder, of Daytona Beach, sold 1311 Myrtle Jo Drive to Orlando Dole and Rebecca Maiden Dole, of New York, New York, for $139,900. Built in 1983, the house is a 2/2 and has 960 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $31,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Ocean Breeze Janet and Robert Ecochardt, of Ormond Beach, sold 19 San Jose Circle to Janelle and Justen Susuras, of Broomfield, Colorado, for $429,900. Built in 1969, the house is a 2/2 and has a pool and 1,266 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $400,000.

Seabridge

Cynthia Ellen Gauntz and Patrick Andrew Gauntz, of Flagler Beach, sold 23 West Sea Harbor Drive to Steven and Stephanie Holliday, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, for $570,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 1,662 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $475,000.

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

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

Make yourself at home

Blissful innocence of a leaking spigot

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

I was walking out of my bedroom the other day when I heard a low hissing sound: Someone had left the water on outside.

I quickly learned that my two youngest children, 9-year-old Kennedy and 6-year-old Luke, had invited a friend over that day. The three of them had been summer-

vacation resourceful: They wanted to play in the water, so they found the hose, attached it to the spigot all by themselves, and then, on the other end, they screwed on the nozzle so they could create rainbows and run through the spray. But, when they were done, apparently they forgot to turn off the hose. It’s all fun and games until someone’s water bill gets hurt.

I rushed outside, peeked around the corner of the house, and I saw that the connection between the hose and the spigot was, shall we say, incomplete. The spray was intense, like a mushroom cloud, an it had going for hours. I couldn’t imagine much water pressure had ever made it through the hose to the spray nozzle.

MEET THE HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS

is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 Shelter Drive in Palm Coast. Adoption fees vary based on the animal, and the shelter has both dogs and cats up for adoption. Contact FHS at 386-445-1814 or visit flaglerhumanesociety.org.

TRIBUTES

Eileen Mae Thome

Eileen Mae Thome, 77, of Palm Coast FL, passed away on May 27, 2024, under the compassionate care of Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Apparently, Kennedy and Luke’s friend had approved of the connection, despite the leaking spray.

“She said that’s normal,” Luke recalled, trying to sound wise and helpful.

“Actually, it’s not,” I said.

I felt that parental twinge of guilt for not having been there to play with them — but also that parental twinge of annoyance that here was yet another unnecessary problem to be dealt with.

At my urging, Luke, having long since gotten dressed in dry clothes, ran to the spigot and valiantly tried to turn it off. With his eyes squinting into the spray, he twisted the spigot valve, like a ship captain at the helm of a tiny wheel in a storm.

I realized he was turning it the

wrong way. “Turn it toward the street!” I shouted. I imagined waves crashing onboard, and Luke in a drab, stiff raincoat, shouting back lines of dialogue that had no chance of being understood without subtitles. He was unsuccessful. He ran back to dry ground, out of the storm.

Kennedy tried next, and she was able to turn the tiny wheel enough to close the valve. The water was finally off. All was now quiet. Water dripped from noses and eyelashes. The adventure was over.

In the days since, I have thought about Luke’s erroneous assessment of the leak: “That’s normal.”

Although it had led to water being wasted, I saw that their ignorance — I’ll call it innocence — also had provided enough space for something to be created: They had purchased time, a memory of the three of them, blissfully united, the hose wildly spraying forever, as they giggled in the misty rainbows, a great summer day to remember.

LETTERS

Tax won’t solve deputy shortage

Dear Editor:

Flagler County is going to need many more deputies than being proposed right now.

Department. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? As to what I want, I want to hire a hatchet man, a person employed to carry out disagreeable (but necessary) tasks such as dismissal (firing) of a number of slackers from employment.

“If

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 PALM COAST Observer

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

OBO Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Design

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews. com

Marketing

She was born on February 17, 1947, in Summit, New Jersey to the late Robert V. and Ellen M. Kelly. She graduated from Summit High School in 1965. Eileen worked as a beautician before working at the FAA center in Palm Coast. Eileen obtained her Real Estate License, working for Coldwell Banker Realty before retiring in 2015. Eileen was an avid bowler and roller-skater in her younger years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, going to the beach, cruising the world, going to casinos, watching her grandkids grow up and drinking all the beer her heart could enjoy.

Eileen is survived by her daughter, Karen Eyler and her husband Nathan; son, Kevin Thome and his significant other Ritchelle Lamb; grandchildren, Devin Thome, Logan Eyler, Lily Eyler; aunt to Shannon Smith, Sammantha Smith, Sarah Flateau, Genaro “Jerry” Zendt.

Eileen was preceded in death by her three loves, Roger Thome, Ole John Hansen, George Jahn; her parents Robert and Ellen Kelly; sister, Patricia Kelly; niece, Lori Russo.

Eileen was loved by many. She was not only an amazing mother and role model of what a true caregiver is, but always

The University of North Florida study, “A Mixed Methods Analysis of Immediate & Near Future Staffing Needs of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” gets it wrong in a couple of ways. On pages 16 and 17 the researchers dismiss the percapita model citing two prestigious international organizations, but they eventually return to a population-based ratio in their final conclusions on page 35.

The first school I went to in 1939 had about 300 students, six teachers, one principal and his secretary and a janitor; we had no psychologist or librarian or administrators or any kind of support or aides, but we managed to learn how to do math, read and write, and they didn’t feed us and it was in the Great Depression. Have your teacher look it up!

DOUGLAS R. GLOVER Palm Coast

February 17, 1947 - May 27, 2024 VETERAN OF

put others before herself. She loved hard and was stubborn as a mule. Her unconditional love for her grandchildren and undeniable bond with Devin will live on, as we will remember her always. She is no longer in pain and is dancing on the beach, drinking beer with all our loved ones who have left us too soon. Fly high Mom! Til we see each other again….. Eileen wanted us to have a party in her memory, which will be arranged at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Eileen’s name to Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House.

Eileen’s family entrusted her arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.

While their conclusions support an increase of (rounded up) between 75 and 79 additional deputies over the next five years, based on either a 5% or 10% population growth model, their estimate is about 20% low. The other missing factor is the most significant challenge on the horizon, generational shift.

Generation Z are not responsible for the current recruiting and retention crisis, though they get blamed for it too often, but how are public safety agencies, including firerescue, corrections and law enforcement, working to accommodate them? They are a generation that values enhanced training and earning specializations but have little attachment to a job that mandates overtime and cancels days off. Without the additional staff, training gets treated like a reward and minimum manning will extend shifts.

If we can’t keep them past three years, who are going to be the future leaders? They’ll leave and take their agency’s investment with them. A sales tax doesn’t sound like a permanent solution considering that it is likely that we will have this same conversation a decade from now. Smart growth should pay for itself and sustain itself.

ROLAND CLEE Flagler Beach

Establish a Palm Coast police department

Dear Editor: Leave it to the local politicians to overlook a simple solution to a problem. Sheriff Rick Staly says we will become Chicago south if he doesn’t get a half-cent sales tax increase. We just got a half-cent sales tax for the schools that they no longer need. The schools were bleeding money. They no longer have that problem because they shut down the gym at the Belle Terra Swim and Racquet Club. Instead of giving it to the sheriff, let us do something we should have done years ago: Palm Coast Police

Our most basic resource needs to be managed

Dear Editor: What ya gonna do when the well runs dry? The story in the May 15 Observer regarding the city’s water supply should be a giant red-light alert for residents. If, as they tell us, due to the current warm spell and increased consumer water usage, the city has had to switch to alternative supplies including lowering water pressure to conserve what is going out to users. This bodes ill for a city undergoing a massive growth surge. It seems it’s business as usual for the city.

The fact of the matter is that if we are struggling to provide the most basic resource, water, to residents right now, what will happen in a dry spell five years from now when our city has thousands more thirsty residents? The St. Johns River Water Management District has declared our area “at risk” for water resources, citing the huge increase of wells pumping out enormous amounts of water every day that may be damaging the aquifer due to allowing saltwater intrusion to fill the void. Our water purification plants do not deal with saltwater. Many of our water wells are located right in the path of the new areas the city is developing west of U.S. 1. Draining, filling, and paving over the wetlands and other now natural areas will deal a heavy blow to the capacity of water wells there. Think this is alarmist? Think this is extreme? We can take a trip out west to see many “ghost towns” that died for lack of a consistent water supply. This is Florida with an endless supply of water, we think, so no one cares. Thirst is a sad, yet powerful mechanism to promote attention to a resource that has to be managed to provide a long-term supply for everybody.

JEFFERY C. SEIB

observerlocalnews.com/ calendar.

LETTERS Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com. Include first and last name and city of residence. Locally Owned McMillan Ink LLC 50 Leanni Way, Unit C3 Palm Coast, FL 32137

Rank/occupation: Captain / Communications & Electronics Operations Officer

Hometown: Merritt Island, Florida Alan Thornton is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, class of 1984. He completed the Airborne Course at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia, and went on to earn his Senior Parachutist Badge.

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

YOUR NEIGHBORS

The family that plays together

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jennifer McGee’s granddaughter has been looking for a facility where she can receive more advanced cheerleading training. McGee’s son has been looking for a facility where he can train kids in basketball skills. They decided to put the two together with the opening of Palm Coast Athletics at a brand new building at 2323 N. State St., Unit 70, in Bunnell. They held a grand opening on Sunday, June 2. The facility includes a 40x40-foot cheer court, a basketball half-court and a large unfinished multipurpose room. They are offering free basketball and tumbling classes in the month of June.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive response. A couple of hundred people have signed up,” McGee said about an hour into the grand opening.

Palm Coast Athletics combines cheer and basketball training

McGee is one of four owners with her son, Matthew Martinez, and Michael Scavo and Shawn Timper. Martinez is known as Matthew

Mar-Three-nez because of the high school 3-point shooting records he set in South River, New Jersey, he said.

Scotty Mason, who coaches Martinez’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament team, is helping out as the basketball side’s director of player development. Mason is a full-time skills coach who has worked with college and NBA players, including former NBA star Allen Iverson. McGee has coached cheerleading herself for 28 years. Her daughter, Cassandra Martinez, is one of the coaches for the facility’s Galaxy All Stars cheer team.

The multipurpose room will eventually have a second basketball halfcourt, cheer tumbling mats and exercise equipment, McGee said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call 386-800-1875 or go to marthreenez.com or galaxycheer.org to book a class or sign up for a camp.

Adoption event highlights Humane Society’s senior dogs

In 2023, 1,737 pets were adopted from the shelter. So far in 2024, 728 pets have been adopted.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

For the first time, the Flagler County Humane Society has had an adoption event that was sponsored by a national company.

Simparica Trio is a pet medication company that the Flagler Humane Society works with, FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto said. The event, held on June 1 at the Flagler Humane Society, offered halfprice adoptions for any pet that had been at the shelter over 30 days and focused on the shelter’s long-time resident dogs.

So far in 2024, the Flagler Humane Society has adopted out 728 pets. In 2023, 1,737 pets were adopted. Carotenuto said that even though the event did not get as much attention as she’d like from locals, she was glad for the opportunity to work with the company. Charlie was the shelter’s featured dog at the adoption event, the Flagler Humane Society’s longest resident. Charlie, 4 years old, has lived at a shelter most of his life, Carotenuto said. Before coming to the Flagler shelter in May 2021, she said she believes he was at the Halifax Humane Society for a while, too.

He’s already house-trained, making him a perfect companion for a home without other pets or small children. Charlie’s waiting for a home where his playful spirit and loving heart can shine.”

County in 2020, is on her way back to the Flagler shelter after a Texas shelter found her as a stray.

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

ATLANTIC COAST CHAPTER AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE RALLY When: 4-5 p.m.

Where: Northwest corner of Belle Terre and Pine Lake parkways, Palm Coast

Details: Members and friends of the Atlantic Coast Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will gather to rally for women’s reproductive rights. Rally is open to the public. All are welcome. Participants are invited to bring US flags and their own signs promoting religious freedom, separation of church and state, and reproductive rights. For more information, email atlanticcoastau@gmail.com or call 804-914-4460.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

THIRD HANG 8 DOG SURFING EXTRAVAGANZA

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

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

Details: Hang 8’s third annual dog surfing competition in Flagler Beach will raise money and awareness for local animal charities and dogs in need. There will also be a costume contest, children’s activities, vendors and a dog kissing booth. Funds raised will benefit K9s for Warriors, Flagler County Humane Society, and Saving Missing Animals Response Team of Flagler County.

SAVE OUR BOATING RIGHTS

FLORIDA FLEA MARKET AND BENEFIT DINNER WITH CONCERT

When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: The Rhythm Ranch, 24223 W. State Road 40, Astor Details: $20 per person. Visit sobrfl. org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Social Club of Palm Coast, 51N. Old Kings Road, Palm Coast

Details: This is a social club for retired and semi-retired men and women that meets monthly with a guest speaker on a topic of interest, with other social events during the month. This month’s guest speaker is Holly Albanese, director of the Flagler County Public Library. All are welcome. Free event. Contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobusclub@ gmail.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE SUMMER JAZZ CONCERT

When: 7-9 p.m.

Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Details: Kickstart the summer with a jazz concert. Free event. Open to the public.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Unfortunately, Carotenuto said, Charlie was again overlooked at this event.

“He’s just kind of misunderstood,” Carotenuto said. “It’s just kind of luck of the draw.”

In a press release from Simparica Trio, Charlie is described as “a young, vibrant spirit with a zest for life. His intelligence is striking, and his playful demeanor is infectious. His goofiness will surely bring a smile to your face, while his friendly nature makes him a joy to be around.

Unfortunately, size, breed and weight limits for dogs on rental properties and the negative stereotypes some breeds have mean breeds like Charlie often have a hard time getting adopted, Carotenuto said.

“People always say, all you all you have is pitbulls, and it’s like, no, we get tons of other dogs,” she said.

“They just get adopted really fast.”

Other times, the dogs are returned to shelters: like Lady Bird, a hound dog who was adopted in Flagler

The Flagler Humane Society hosts adoption events and discounts throughout the year, but it isn’t often that companies reach out to sponsor adoption costs. Adoption events like Simparica Trio’s are key to highlighting all of the shelter’s great dogs, Carotenuto said, even the older and bigger dogs.

“Everybody typically, you know, wants a puppy, or a little small breed,” she said. “Sometimes, they can be the very nicest ones that just get looked over ... we just have to campaign for them a bit more.”

When: 12-6 p.m.

Where: African American Cultural Society, 4422 U.S. 1, Palm Coast

Details: Celebrate Juneteenth with the African American Cultural Society. The event will feature bounce houses, games, music, entertainment, vendors and food. Free event.

Kids practice their tumbling at the Galaxy All Stars cheer court at Palm Coast Athletics’ grand opening.

Scotty Mason and Matthew Martinez at the grand opening of Palm Coast Athletics. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Kids take turns shooting baskets at the grand opening of Palm Coast Athletics.

FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto shows off a puppy at the adoption event. Courtesy of Flagler Humane Society

Charlie, Flagler Humane Society’s longest resident (since May 2021), was at the adoption event. Courtesy photo

High school and beyond

High school graduates have been all over the Observer’s pages the past two weeks. But what about the nontraditional students? Some were home schooled and didn’t walk across the stage — but they accomplished great things. This week, we asked on social media for submissions of photos from students we missed (including a few beyond high school). Congratulations to all the hard

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in

Leilani

Non Sequitur

Nancy

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

SPORTS

Swell idea

Her Turn Surf Festival provides a platform for women and girls

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Two years ago when Heather Tran was surfing in Flagler Beach one day, she noticed that half the surfers in the water were women. That gave her an idea. She decided to put on a local surfing contest exclusively for women and girls, and Her Turn Women’s Surf Festival was born.

The second annual Her Turn festival was held this past weekend with the kickoff party Friday, May 31, at Wadsworth Skateboard Park and the surfing contest at the Flagler Beach pier on Saturday, June 1.

Mother Nature cooperated with a beautiful, sunny day on Saturday as scores of surfers and spectators swarmed the beach. All of the vendors were women. All of the contestants were women and girls.

“We’re giving women a platform and showing little girls that it’s OK to do hard things,” Tran said. “Sports help women feel strong and empowered. That’s what the day is all about.”

And it only makes sense that Flagler Beach, the town where Frieda Zamba grew up, should host a women’s surf festival, Tran said.

Zamba, a four-time world surfing champion and one of the greatest women surfers of all time, now lives in Costa Rica, but is still very influential in the Flagler surfing community, Tran said.

“Being the home of Frieda Zamba, we should have a day all about us,” Tran said.

Most tournaments only have one or two female divisions, Tran said. The Her Turn contest had divisions for all levels.

Trans said it can be intimidating for women to paddle out with all men in the water. In this contest that was

not a worry.

There were prizes in several divisions. East Coast Acupuncture, owned by Lisa Sweeters, sponsored the Shortboard Pro Division with a $1,000 purse. Carla Cline’s Please Don’t Make Me Cross the Bridge t-shirts and accessories sponsored the Longboard Pro Division. Ohana Food Co. sponsored the Express Yourself: My Board, My Choice Division, in which competitors on longboards, shortboards and bodyboards all paddled out together with a $350 purse.

There were also longboard, shortboard and bodyboard open divisions and six age divisions from 10U (Future Division) to 45-plus (Goddess Division). The event’s premier sponsor was WIN Mortgage. The Her Turn festival also had raffles to raise money for the Flagler Board Riders scholarship program and the Family Life Center. The kickoff party included a skate jam, artists, vendors, music and a food truck.

Results: https://liveheats.com/ events/224117

Heather Tran calls Mimi Munro a legend. Munro was one of the judges at the second annual Her Turn Women’s Surf Festival on June 1. Munro had a daughter and a granddaughter competing in the all-female surfing contest at the Flagler Beach pier.

The Ormond Beach native has four children and 12 grandchildren. But before she raised a family she was a two-time East Coast Surfing champion at age 14.

Munro learned to surf at 10 years old. Two years later, she was watching the 1964 Florida State Surfing Championships at the Ormond Beach pier when her friends encouraged her to enter the contest.

“They didn’t have enough wom en and my friends kept pushing me, but I didn’t have a surfboard,” she said.

Somebody loaned her a surf board and she wound up winning. At that time, she said, there were

heat.

only 9-foot longboards and no leashes.

Sponsored by the Daytona Beach Surf Shop, Munro went on to win the East Coast Surfing Championships in Virginia Beach in 1965 and 1966. She earned a spot in the 1966 World Surfing Championship in San Diego and placed third behind two of her heroes — women’s surfing

won the women’s pro longboard division at the Cocoa Beach Easter Surfing Festival at age 49. She is a member of several surfing halls of fame including the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California. Munro lives in Ormond Beach and has been a massage therapist for 39 years. Three of her children and two of her grandchildren surf, she said.

Elouise Pearsall, 8, of Jacksonville Beach, is excited for her

Heather Tran with her husband, Matt Tran, began the Her Turn Women’s Surf Festival last year. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Leia Miles, 17, of Jacksonville exits the water after her heat.

‘LEGEND’ MIMI MUNRO JUDGES EVENT

Coaches thriving as indoor football players FPC player travels to Europe

Jimmie Robinson and Jake Medlock are having big seasons while keeping an eye on their FPC players.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jake Medlock’s typical day during the month of May began at 5:45 a.m. He’d wake up and get ready for practice with the Arena Football League’s Albany (New York) Firebirds. After practice, he’d write up scripts for his Flagler Palm Coast High School offense.

Then he’d watch his practice tape, eat lunch and break down FPC’s practice tape.

Medlock, FPC’s offensive coordinator, has a summer job. He’s the starting quarterback for the Firebirds. And he’s not the only coach on Daniel Fish’s FPC staff playing professional indoor football. Receivers coach Jimmie Robinson is the

starting running back for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League.

Both Medlock and Robinson are leading their leagues: Medlock in passing with 812 yards and 11 touchdowns and Robinson in rushing with 484 yards. They still find time to keep up with the players they coach, even though they’re miles away. They keep up with each other too, even though they’re playing in different leagues.

“Me and Jake call each other before our games and after our games, and we watch film on the FPC kids,” Robinson said.

Medlock broke down the film of FPC’s 38-7 spring game victory again Pine Ridge.

“They looked good,” he said. “There were a lot of good things and a lot of things we have to work on.”

Medlock’s Firebirds are undefeated. They scored 11 points in the final 20 seconds to keep their perfect record intact with a 47-46 victory over the West Texas Desert Hawks on May 24. Down 46-36, Medlock

career. The former FPC and Bethune-Cookman star led the IFL in rushing with 915 yards last season. He had signed with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers for this season before the league scrapped half of its teams, including the Breakers. After not getting picked up by another USFL team, the IFL’s Pirates asked him if he wanted to come back.

“The way football goes, you have to keep your film relevant,” he said.

threw a touchdown pass followed by a long 4-point conversion pass to tie the score. On the ensuing kickoff, the Firebirds scored the winning point by tackling the returner in the end zone.

“It was pretty crazy,” said Medlock, whose team won again on June 1, holding off the Nashville Kats, 32-24, to improve to 6-0. This is the fourth indoor football team Medlock, 32, has played for, but he hasn’t played in six years.

Firebirds coach Damon Ware, who coached Medlock in 2018 with the Cedar Rapids Titans of IFL, asked Medlock to come back.

After a bit of negotiating, the former college quarterback accepted an offer.

“I got the money I was asking for and a couple of little things,” Medlock said. “I have’t lost much. I did some scout teams at FPC and I got to show the young bucks that the old bull has still got it.”

While Medlock is nearing the end of his playing career, Robinson is trying to advance his young

He doesn’t know where his next stop will be as a player, but he’d ultimately like to get another shot at the NFL. He participated in the Cincinnati Bengals’ rookie minicamp in 2019.

“Whatever God’s plan is, that’s what my next step will be,” he said. “I’m not fully locked in on playing arena the rest of my career.”

Medlock said he and Robinson have an informal competition on which one will have the most touchdowns. Robinson has 15 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in 10 games, while Medlock has rushed for eight touchdowns and passed for 11. Both teams will be playing in Florida this month. Robinson’s Massachusetts Pirates will be at the Jacksonville Sharks on June 22, while Medlock’s final regular-season game with Albany will be at the Orlando Predators on June 29. “I know a bunch of (the FPC players) are coming to that game,” Medlock said. “Hopefully we’ll get them out on the field and do a group picture with them.”

Ivy Chen played with Florida Olympic Development soccer team in Germany and in the Cordial Cup in Austria.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast soccer player Ivy Chen traveled to Germany and Austria with the United States Youth Soccer Florida Olympic Development Program’s U15 girls team last month and played in the prestigious Cordial Cup tournament.

“It was my first time visiting Europe. It was really cool to experience the difference in cultures,” said Chen, whose highlights of the trip included scoring a pair of goals against a Bayern Munich Academy team in a friendly and recording two assists in the Cordial Cup games in Austria.

“She was texting me while she was there,” said Cat Bradley, FPC’s assistant girls soccer coach. “I think the overall experience for her to be able to do that is pretty fantastic.”

Chen, who will be a sophomore in August, had been selected as one of 60 players for Team Florida’s ODP pool training for the second straight year. She did not make the Florida team but was one of a handful of players invited to join the team for the European trip on May 10-20 to complete the roster.

All the players on the trip received equal playing time. Team Florida played three friendlies in Germany and seven 30-minute games in the Cordial Cup in Austria, Chen said. Chen and her teammates won their group. They lost in the quarterfinals to another USYS team — Regional ODP, which was the eventual tounament champ. Team Florida placed eighth.

On thing that stood out to Chen on the trip was the drinking water.

“The tap water was drinkable and really clear. But they didn’t provide ice. That’s not really a big thing in Europe,” she said. She knew a few of her teammates

from pool trainings, but she said they all got closer during the trip. She and her teammates also got to meet a lot of European players their age.

“After the games we would take a group picture and exchange Instagrams to keep in touch,” she said. She played a winger position on the trip with Team Florida, but her preferred position is attacking midfielder. As a freshman, she scored 10 goals for FPC last season.

“She puts a lot of time and energy into the game of soccer,” Bradley said. “She’s an impact player for us.

Ivy has some energy to bring.” Chen, who is an International Baccalaureate student at FPC, has a busy summer planned: Conditioning and summer workouts with the Bulldogs and her club team, Florida Elite; plus FPC’s soccer camp, a North Florida Soccer Academy camp, a University of North Florida soccer camp and a college ID camp at Harvard University.

Last year she participated in Princeton’s ID camp.

“Every year I want to do a camp at one of the Ivy League colleges,” she said. “Going to an Ivy League school has always been my goal, and I still want to play soccer. So, it’s nice to be able to talk to coaches and get to know the schools more.”

celebrity cipher

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “P ITGF NTZNFSPZA TZHGIPZA, P’J ‘GIF MIEX JCMG AE EZ’ JFZGTSPGH. PL HEC NTZ NUTXS, HEC NTZ GTBF GIF MGTAF.” MCKP YCTGUE

“UGAL CEZR WBEDWLF GXR UGAL UDFJGALF. DJ’F GZZ JBEFL JBDXNF JBGJ GRR TV JE JBL VLPFEX OET CLWEUL.” GXNLZDXG SEZDL

“VHPN ZHJMZ RNS TKIS VHPN OFKTLNSJ. VHP LHJ’G URJG GH FSRN, ‘VHPN IKL KZ PMTV.’” OHBDHZSN ENKRJ BOIJKMFG © 2023 NEA, Inc.

EMERGING PRIDE by Owen Bergstein and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

Ivy Chen, left, poses with a teammate during Team Florida ODP's trip to Germany and Austria for the Cordial Cup.

Courtesy photo

Former Flagler Palm Coast and Bethune-Cookman star

Jimmie Robinson has rushed for 15 touchdowns for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League.

Jake Medlock is the starting quarterback of the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League and the offensive coordinator of the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs. Courtesy photos

said

and as required by Florida Statute 45.031(2), TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.flagler.realforeclose.com at 11:00 AM on the 28 day of June, 2024, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit:: LOT 8, BLOCK 11, SUBDIVISION PLAT WYNNFIELD - SECTION-21, PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK

7, PAGES 43 THROUGH 49, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 17 WELLER LN, PALM COAST, FL 32164 IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS REMAINING AFTER THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER THE FUNDS ARE REPORTED AS UNCLAIMED, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 257-6096 Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 24 day of May 2024. By: /s/ Lindsay Maisonet Lindsay Maisonet, Esq. Bar Number: 93156 Submitted by: De Cubas & Lewis, P.A. PO Box 5026 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 Telephone: (954) 453-0365 Facsimile: (954) 771-6052 Toll Free: 1-800-441-2438 DESIGNATED PRIMARY E-MAIL FOR SERVICE PURSUANT TO FLA. R. JUD. ADMIN 2.516 eservice@decubaslewis.com 23-02129 May 30; June 6, 2024 24-00125G

demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is June 6, 2024. Personal Representative: /s/ Debra Hagan 5 River Oaks Way Palm Coast, Florida 32137

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Gregory Herman-Giddens, Esq.

GREGORY HERMAN-GIDDENS, ESQ.

Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 957968 TrustCounsel 1415 Panther Drive, Suite 534 Naples, Florida 34109 Telephone: (239) 933-2097 E-Mail: ghgiddens@trustcounselpa.com June 6, 13, 2024 24-00129G

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024-CP-0335 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF RITA ANN DUNN Deceased.

The administration of the estate of Rita Ann Dunn, deceased, whose date of death was March 18, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Bldg. #1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is June 6, 2024.

Personal Representative: Patrick Edward Dunn 5058 Homestead Court SW Wyoming, MI 49418

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ John R. Crawford John R. Crawford Florida Bar No. 210358

Janice B. Richardson Florida Bar No. 036403

Attorneys for Personal Representative Marks Gray, P.A. 1200 Riverplace Blvd., Suite 800 Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Telephone: (904) 398-0900

E-mail Addresses: jcrawford@marksgray.com, jrichardson@marksgray.com, probate@marksgray.com June 6, 13, 2024 24-00130G

SECOND INSERTION

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Section 177.101 of the Florida Statutes and in accordance with Sections 336.09 and 336.10, Florida Statutes, Kyle R. Hall, Kevin S. Hunter, Jr., Kevin S. Hunter, Sr., Manuel Marcal, Curtis Lee Weaver, and Shirley Leto, together as contiguous owners to the subject lands included within this plat and roadway vacation petition, have requested that the Board of County Commissioners of Flagler County, Florida, consider their request to vacate that portion of the platted lands described as follows: That portion of the platted 12’ alley lying between Lots 1-22, Block 3, the Town of Espanola, as recorded in Map Book 2, Page 25, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. That portion of a platted 60’ road being Palm Avenue between Lots 1 and 2, Block 4, and Lots 21 and 22, Block 3, the Town of Espanola, as recorded in Map Book 2, Page 25, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. That portion of the platted 12’ alley lying between Lots 1-10, Block 4, the Town of Espanola, as recorded in Map Book 2, Page 25, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Said petition to vacate the lands herein described shall be heard by the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners at its regular scheduled meeting on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the Board Chambers at 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida.

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 286.0105, IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL

ANY DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT, FOR SUCH PURPOSE, HE OR SHE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. May 30, June 6, 13, 2024 24-00180F

THIRD INSERTION

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2024 CP 000156 IN RE: ESTATE OF PAUL V. SCAVETTA, a/k/a PAUL VINCENT SCAVETTA, Deceased. The administration of the estate of PAUL V. SCAVETTA, deceased, whose date of death was January 5, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE,

office notified of your current address. Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the Clerk’s office. DATED: 5/16/2024 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By /s/ Jo Rios Deputy Clerk May 30; June 6, 13, 20, 2024 24-00127G

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Temporary Custody IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE Seventh JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024 DR 000439 Zakiya Wright, Petitioner and Roshanti Thomas, Mark A Stokes Respondent. TO: Roshanti Thomas {Respondent’s last known address} Lee Conlee House of Domestic Center Palatka FL 32177 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Civil Family Temp Custody has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Zakiya D. Wright, whose address is 53 bud field drive palm coast FL 32137, on or before 7/6/24, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E Moody Blvd Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 2023 CA 000644 LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC Plaintiff(s), vs. SHERRI CERALDI; et al., Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, pursuant to Plaintiff’s Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered on May 20, 2024 in the above-captioned action, the Clerk of Court, Tom Bexley, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash www.flagler.realforeclose. com in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 28th day of June, 2024 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment of Foreclosure or order, to wit: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF FLAGLER: LOT 12, BLOCK 9, FLORIDA PARK-SECTION-10, PALM COAST, A SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 6, PAGE 43, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property address: 17 Firethorn Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. Pursuant to the Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.516, the above signed counsel for Plaintiff designates attorney@padgettlawgroup. com as its primary e-mail address for service, in the above styled matter, of all pleadings and documents required to be served on the parties. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS AN ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO ACCESS COURT FACILITIES OR PARTICIPATE IN A COURT PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. TO REQUEST SUCH AN ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CONTACT COURT ADMINISTRATION IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE THE SERVICE IS NEEDED: COURT ADMINISTRATION, 125 E. ORANGE AVE., STE. 300, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114, (386) 2576096. HEARING OR VOICE IMPAIRED, PLEASE CALL 711. Respectfully submitted, PADGETT LAW GROUP HEATHER GRIFFITHS, ESQ. Florida Bar # 91444 6267 Old Water Oak Road, Suite 203 Tallahassee, FL 32312 (850) 422-2520 (telephone) (850) 422-2567 (facsimile) attorney@padgettlawgroup.com Attorney for Plaintiff TDP File No. 23-004578-1 May 30; June 6, 2024 24-00128G

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