Palm Coast Observer 06-20-24

PALM COAST

Flagler County and state and local officials broke ground

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project on June 17. Photos by Sierra Williams

CITY WATCH

Palm Coast to host Town Halls, ‘Share with the Mayor’ events

Palm Coast will be holding two Town Hall events with Mayor David Alfin and other city leaders on June 28 and July 10. The Town Halls are designed to encourage open dialogue with residents, a city press release said. The first event, hosted with Alfin, on June 28 will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center, located at 1290 Belle Terre Parkway. The June 10 event will be held at 4 p.m., also at the Southern Recreation Center. This Town Hall will have Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo available to answer questions about the upcoming budgeting session. After these events, the city will continue to host monthly Town Halls for the remainder of the year, the press release said.

Alfin is also inviting residents to “Share with the Mayor” events, beginning July 6, every Saturday from 8-9 a.m. at the outdoor seating area at Palm Coast City Hall, located at 160 Lake Ave.

Public to decide on future franchise fees

Going forward, should a Palm Coast City Council want to consider implementing a franchise fee, the idea will have to first be approved by residents in a referendum vote.

The City Council passed a resolution on June 18 requiring any future City Council to place any potential utility franchise fee up for public vote before that City Council can begin negotiating a contract. The language in the resolution was changed during the council’s meeting to make the outcome of that vote binding.

City attorney Marcus Duffy said a “binding” referendum vote simply means the council will be bound to follow through with the majority vote. If residents vote no, he said, that’s the end of it; if they were to vote yes, the council could then begin negotiations on a contract.

A non-binding referendum vote would still have allowed a council to move ahead with a contract, regardless of the public’s choice on a referendum

Vice Mayor Ed Danko said residents had a right to decide on whether a franchise fee is ever implemented in the city.

“This doesn’t prevent a franchise fee,” Danko said. “This just puts the burden on us to convince the public that it is necessary, and to me, that is just so important.”

The council voted 3-1 approving the resolution, with council member Nick Klufas dissenting and council member Cathy Heighter absent from the meeting. Though he voted in favor, Mayor David Alfin pointed out that the referendum requirement might push away Florida Power & Light in the future. The power company had backed away from a previous fee discussion in 2023 because of a possible referendum vote.

The resolution that was passed on June 18 was not tied to a particular franchise fee. Instead, the item is 10 months in the making: Vice Mayor Ed Danko first motioned to require a referendum vote for future franchise fees after a FPL franchise fee contract was not approved last August.

Over the summer in 2023, the council was considering a franchise fee contract with FPL that would add a fee of between 0.5% to a maximum of 6% to residents’ utility bills. After much heated debate, council member Theresa Carli Pontieri proposed the FPL franchise fee contract go up for a referendum vote during every general election.

Reviewing the July 25, 2023, meeting on Palm Coast’s YouTube where it was discussed, former City Manager Denise Bevan told the council “for FPL, [a referendum] is not feasible for them.” Bevan, upon questions from Danko and Pontieri, clarified that FPL specifically took issue

“This doesn’t prevent a franchise fee. This just puts the burden on us to convince the public that it is necessary.”

ED DANKO, Palm Coast vice mayor

We are going to have to figure out a way to fund our priorities.”

THERESA CARLI PONTIERI, Palm Coast City Council member

with the contract’s rate going to the voters.

Klufas said he had concerns about the accuracy of information residents had regarding franchise fees. Using the FPL contract as an example, Klufas said that because the fee is a percentage based on usage, big box stores, businesses and even hospitals would pay much more than a family in a single-family residence would.

Combined with lowering taxes in another area to accommodate the increase on the electric bill, he said, residents could actually end up paying less.

But he said he felt the information that came out of the previous franchise fee discussion was “misrepresented a lot.” He said he doesn’t feel residents understand how much an electric franchise fee could offset the difference between residential and commercial taxes.

“I don’t trust the communication that happened, and the educational moment that has occurred, to be the most truthful,” Klufas said. Pontieri said she had faith residents can and would make educated choices for themselves if given the opportunity and information, just as county residents did when they approved the half-cent sales tax for Flagler Schools in 2022.

At the same time, she said, the city needs to find ways to fund its infrastructure projects.

“We need to be very mindful of the fact that, yes, while we are entering into this agreement, money doesn’t grow on trees,” Pontieri said. “So we are going to have to figure out a way to fund our priorities.” Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

City unveils swale program, new webpage

Palm Coast’s new swale maintenance pilot program continues spot regrading in the W Section, while full regrades will continue in the P Section.

The spot regrading program was launched in May. In July, work will continue with targeted regrading in the B and L sections.

The initiative was designed by the Stormwater and Engineering departments and is meant to help improve swale maintenance across Palm Coast. This phased approach allows the city to address specific problem areas, so that swales with minor issues are maintained while optimizing overall functionality, the press release said.

The program targets specific problem areas by selectively regrading and resodding high spots in swales, providing solutions without the need for complete overhauls.

The pilot program will expand to other parts of the city in the coming months, though some areas will still need full regrading and resodding.

Palm Coast has 1,222 miles of swales. In 2023, maintenance crews completed 40 miles of swale maintenance work.

Alongside the pilot program, Palm Coast has launched a new webpage called “Palm Coast Progress,” the press release said. The webpage — www.palmcoast. gov/pcprogress — keeps residents informed weekly about capital improvement projects, including: roadways, utilities, parks, stormwater and engineering, and fire projects.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A shore improvement

After 20 years, Flagler County, agency partners break ground on Army Corps beach renourishment project

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After over 20 years, Flagler County officials, alongside multiple agency and state and local representatives, broke ground on the county’s beach renourishment project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Army Corps will be restoring a 3.5-mile stretch of Flagler County’s beaches over the summer months. County Commission Chair Andy Dance said the beach renourishment project was the result of local officials, multiple state agencies and the county’s state representatives working together.

“This really is a monumental project for Flagler County,” Dance said. “It really exemplifies the collaboration that it takes for projects like this to come to fruition.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Flagler Beach at Veteran’s park on June 17.

Representatives from the county, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, the Army Corps, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management all attended the ceremony.

Dance also thank the county’s state representatives — including State Rep. Paul Renner, Sen. Travis Hutson, Rep. Tom Leek and Congressman Mike Waltz — for their help securing funding for the project. Waltz was also attended the ceremony.

THE SCOPE

The Army Corps first began a shoreline study of Flagler County back in 2002 which was not completed until 2014. The study showed a 2.6-mile

“We all agree that is an amazing benefit to beach nourishment projects, but the Army Corps of Engineers sees an infrastructure project.”

area that would receive the renourishment.

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit. The Corps secured funding for the project in 2018, and, in 2019, adjusted its plans to allow for more sand: a total of 595,000 cubic yards.

In March 2020, the Army Corps of Engineers was ready to move forward, but the county government was still struggling to get beachfront property owners to sign easements that would let the workers access their land.

Flagler Beach Commission Chair

Scott Spradley, in his capacity as a bankruptcy lawyer, was hired by the county to help secure the final easements needed for the renourishment. Those easements were secured in February 2023.

Because it had been almost 10 years between the study and design of the project, the Army Corps reevaluated how much sand the renourishment would require in January 2023.

The 140 feet does not include the sand the Army Corps will add that extends into the surf.

The sand will be pumped from an approved site around eight miles offshore by a hopper dredge. The dredge works like a vacuum to suck sand up into the hull of the ship and then the sand is sent through a pipeline to the beach.

Working with the Army Corps, the county negotiated to have an additional mile of beach renourished with sand, though not as much sand as the Army Corps’ 2.6 miles. The Army Corps project is the first in the county’s four-phase beach renourishment and management plan.

With the groundbreaking, the project is almost ready to go. FDOT project manager Jason Harrah said the project contractor’s will begin work at the southern-most section of project at Pebble Beach and work north in 1,500-foot sections. Harrah said 11 gopher turtle burrows have been found in the Pebble Beach area that need to be relocated.

The first leg of the project could begin sometime in the next few weeks, Harrah said, once the gopher turtles have been relocated.

“Once that’s done they can mobilize at the staging area, most likely start pumping sand sometime in late June and then work their way north,” he said.

Harrah said the contractors have an obligation to be finished with the areas surrounding the Flagler

Beach pier before October, as that is when the pier’s restoration project is expected to begin.

Barring weather complications, he said, the contractors could be done with sections surrounding the pier by September.

Additionally, he said, Veteran’s Park in Flagler Beach, located across from the pier, will no longer be a staging area for the project. Instead, Harrah said, the contractor has agreed to use a vacant lot south of Snack Jack’s restaurant in Flagler Beach for the sections on the south side of the pier, then at 6th Street when they get to the pier.

While the 1,500-foot sections are under construction, the section under construction will be closed to the public while the rest of the beach areas will remain open, he said. The contractor will also either have a security team or work with local law enforcement to remind people in the water to stay clear of the area.

A public meeting providing details on the renourishment project — including showing sand samples of what will be on the beach after the project is complete, Harrah said — will be held at the Santa Maria Del Mar Church at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25.

PREPARING FOR HURRICANES

The 2024 hurricane season is projected to be much more active than the average, according to data from the National Hurricane Center.

Harrah said should a hurricane hit Flagler County’s shores, the vessels dredging the sand will be moved to the harbors there during any storms.

As for the beaches, Harrah said, if the project is still under construction when a storm hits, an analysis of how much sand is washed away will take place.

Depending on how much sand is lost, the Army Corps would then go to the county and review if it would be feasible to restore that washed away sand while the project is still in the works. In that case, Harrah said, the cost would be split 65% on the federal side and 35% on the county’s side.

Once the construction is completed, he said, any major erosion reconstruction is covered at 100% federal cost, he said.

The contract with the Army Corps covers major renourishments after storms at 100% federal cost for 50 years. Also within that 50-year period, the Army Corps will periodically conduct surveys on the 2.6-mile stretch to ensure additional renourishment isn’t needed.

The sand added to the beach from the Army Corps project will drastically extend the width of the beaches available for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

But the project is more than that, U.S. Army Corps Col. James Booth said.

“We all agree that is an amazing benefit to beach nourishment projects,” Booth said, “but the Army Corps of Engineers sees an infrastructure project.”

He said the reconstruction of the dunes and beach will provide necessary protection to the businesses, residences and the environment along Flagler County’s shoreline. It will also, he said, protect State Road A1A — a critical hurricane evacuation route.

“A $27 million project that — is a significant chunk of money that we all give as citizens of the United

“The Army Corps’ renourishment project will build the dunes up to 19 feet high — one foot taller than the pier’s current elevation — and build a sloped berm, the “towel space” portion of the beach, to 140 feet wide. This really is a monumental project for Flagler County.”

ANDY DANCE, Flagler County Commission chair

States,” he said. “[This project is] going to provide the protection that the members of our nation have invested in it.”

BY THE NUMBERS

2.6 miles

Total length of the Army Corps project in Flagler Beach.

1,300,000

Cubic yards of sand needed to bring the dunes to 19 feet in height and add a 40- to 60-foot berm down to the sea level.

19 feet

Height of the dunes for the federal section of the renourishment. The width will vary along S.R. A1A.

140 feet of berm, or the “towel space” of the beach, is planning for the federal portion.

FCSO and U.S. Army become partners for soldier workforce program

The Sheriff’s Office is the first in Flagler County to partner with the Army’s Partnership for Your Success program.

CHERYL EDELSTEIN

FCSO PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Army and Florida National Guard have joined forces as part of the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program — the first of its kind in Flagler County.

At a ceremony held at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office headquarters on June 12, Sheriff Rick Staly and Major William Wiseman, Deputy Commander of the Florida Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, signed the memorandum of agreement establishing the collaboration.

During the ceremony, the National Anthem was sung by FCSO Deputy Lauren Littak, and the colors were posted by the Florida Army National Guard and the FCSO Joint Color Guard. Remarks were given by Allie Braswell, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Florida (Central) and Major William Wiseman, Deputy Commander, Florida Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and Sheriff Rick Staly.

A strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross section of U.S. industries and public sector agencies, the Army PaYS Program aims to help soldiers prepare for careers after the Army. The program connects them with employers – like the FCSO – who understand the skills, discipline, and work ethic that military service members bring to an organization. It provides five guaranteed job interviews for soldiers who are seeking to transition into the civilian workforce. This, in turn, provides employers with a

pool of highly skilled, motivated, and responsible job candidates.

“The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is very proud to be a PaYS Partner, and I want to thank our Army National Guard partners for making this outstanding program possible,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I know our Human Resources Director, Christopher Wagner, and his team worked hard to get this accomplished, and I appreciate their hard work. We have always been a veteran-friendly agency since I’ve been Sheriff, and this takes it to the next level. There are lots of opportunities here, and the projected future growth in Flagler County means plenty more to come.”

The FCSO is the program’s first partner in Flagler County. To date, the PaYS Program has partnered with 60 businesses and organizations in Florida, including 19 law enforcement agencies.

Major William Wiseman and Sheriff Rick Staly pose with a plaque presented during the U.S. Army PaYS Program Signing Ceremony. Courtesy of the FCSO

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. James Booth.

Flagler Beach Commission Chair Scott Spradley.

Congressman Mike Waltz

JAMES BOOTH, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers colonel

Flagler County and state and local officials broke ground on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project on June 17. Photos by Sierra Williams

Flagler Schools also named Kara Minn assistant principal at Matanzas High.

“I’m

time as principal,” Fries said.

She replaced Nicole Critcher, who held the principal’s position at OKES for the past three years.

“Ms. Critcher set the tone for measurable success at Old Kings these past few years,” Moore said in a Flagler Schools press release. “After a thorough review of all the potential candidates for this important role, it was clear that Ms. Fries was the right candidate for the slot.”

This spring, the Florida State Board of Education recognized OKES as a School of Excellence.

Fries was an Exceptional Student Education teacher in Volusia County before becoming an assistant principal at Old Kings. She has a bachelor’s degree in ESE

(K-12) from Daytona State College and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Stetson University.

“Ms. Fries is a strong decision maker, an active listener and a great assessor of any situation allowing her to create a course of action that benefits all parties involved,” Buddy Taylor Middle School Principal Cara Cronk said in the press release. “Her ability to make every child, every parent and every employee feel heard and respected makes her a great selection. From her daily demeanor to her ability to build and help orchestrate educational plans, Jessica is a true leader.”

Minn replaces longtime Matanzas Assistant Principal Fred Terry, who retired earlier this month. Minn most recently has been the AICE program coordinator at Matanzas.

Flagler County will pay 50% of the costs for 10 of the 11 school resource deputies.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler County will continue to share the costs of school resource deputies for Flagler Schools in the upcoming school year. But the school district’s cost will be almost $200,000 more than last year.

The district’s share of the cost for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to supply 11 SRDs, a commander, a sergeant and nine crossing guards will be $1,376,678.

Tom Wooleyhan, the district’s director of school safety, presented the numbers to the School Board at an information workshop on June 18.

The district will share 50% of the cost with the county for 10 SRDs, the commander and the sergeant. For the district, that’s a cost of $1,162,391. The district will be charged the full cost of $142,389 for an additional SRD for the Rise Up alternative school program and 100% of the cost of the nine crossing guards at $214,287.

Costs include salaries, benefits and equipment. The numbers do not include overtime costs, however.

One of the reasons for the higher costs this year, FCSO Chief Mark Strobridge said, was that the presentation for last year’s costs for crossing guards were inaccurate.

The three-story building in Bunnell would house several programs and free up classroom space.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Schools is interested in leasing the historic Flagler County Courthouse building in Bunnell. The building could house several programs that would free up classroom space due to growth.

The programs that could be relocated to the old courthouse include the Rise Up alternative school, iFlagler’s administrators and teachers, the TRAIL transition program, Flagler Technical College child care and classrooms, the Step Up program for adults with special needs, federal programs and storage for the Education Foundation’s STUFF Bus.

The Flagler County Historical Society has also indicated it would like to lease at least part of the courthouse, Dave Freeman, the district’s chief of operations, told the School Board at a June 18 workshop.

The board requested district staff to ask Historical Society representatives to come to the board’s next workshop on July 9 to discuss their interest.

The board asked the district to come up with a plan and a time frame. The two-story courthouse was built in 1924, with a third story added in 1985. It has about 50,000 square feet of space with 30 classrooms and 14-plus offices.

First Baptist Academy is currently leasing the old courthouse but is moving to a new location on Palm Coast Parkway in August. The cost of $92,000 annual rent to the county plus $120,000 for utilities would be cheaper than replacing aging portable classrooms and would increase the district’s capacity by 10 classrooms, according to a staff report.

New Matanzas Assistant Principal Kara Minn (left) and Old Kings Elementary School Principal Jessica Fries pose with Flagler County School Board members and Superintendent LaShakia Moore (center, back row). Photo by Brent Woronoff

The Flagler County School Board honored Flagler Palm Coast’s High School’s state athletic champs on June 18. Pictured are girls wrestling champ Joslyn Johnson and boys shot put champ Colby Cronk with FPC throws coach Paul Spegele (left), the school district’s Tommy Wooleyhan and FPC athletic director Scott Drabczyk. Another wrestling champ, Christina Borgmann, was out of town for a competition. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Flagler, Palm Coast get $132 million in state budget

Flagler Schools’ one budget request for expanding Flagler Technical College was vetoed. “We will just continue to work within the funding that we have,” Superintendent LaShakia Moore said.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Gov. Ron DeSantis has passed a $116.5 billion state budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, after line-item vetoing almost $1 billion from the state legislature’s proposed $117.46 billion budget.

Among the vetoed items were appropriations requests from Flagler County governing bodies. Beginning in October, the county and its municipalities jointly filed for over $460 million in appropriations requests. Many of the requests did not make the cut.

Flagler County sent nine project for its funding requests, Chief of Special Projects Holly Albanese said. Only three made it past both appropriations and DeSantis’ veto, but Albanese said the funding it did receive were for “three great projects.”

“We’re appreciative for anything that we receive,” Albanese said. The county will be looking at grant opportunities for the other projects that did not receive state appropriations In total, she said, the county had requested roughly $136 million in state appropriations and has ended up with $25 million for its three approved projects. But, Albanese said, each of the three projects also received the full amount the county requested.

The first project has been on the county’s radar since Hurricane Matthew hit in 2016. Albanese said the scope of that disaster made it clear to the county that using only schools as emergency shelters would not always work out. During Matthew, she said, it took longer to close the shelters — particularly the special needs shelter, held at Rymfire Elementary School — and therefore delayed the reopening of normal school activities.

The Multipurpose Emergency Preparedness project, she said, will essentially rebuild Cattleman’s Hall. It will be used as an emergency shelter for residents when needed and still serve as a community center the rest of the time, she said.

“Having a non-school shelter for special needs will really help this community in a big way,” Albanese said.

The county requested and received $10 million each for that project and for its land acquisition and conservation program. The county’s land acquisition program is used to purchase sensitive lands from local landowners to “conserve, preserve, protect, and utilize existing natural floodways” to store and move water, according to a March email from Flagler County General Services Assistant Director Mike Lagasse.

The county also requested and received $5 million toward building a general aviation terminal at the Flagler Executive Airport.

Palm Coast’s City Council members, on the other hand, were less sanguine about the city’s results with its state appropriations request at the June 18 meeting. After receiving only $82 million of the city’s $150 million requests, council member Theresa Carli Pontieri motioned to not renew the contract with its lobbyist company, the Southern Group, this upcoming October. Pontieri, who made the

motion, said the number of infrastructure projects that were vetoed showed the group did not prioritize or communicate properly with the council. Palm Coast needs to prioritize its infrastructure, she said.

“Either they didn’t do their jobs efficiently, or they took it upon themselves to prioritize things that they shouldn’t have,” she said.

Ultimately, the council decided to table Pontieri’s motion until the June 25 workshop meeting, both to give Southern Group a chance to appear and for staff to present information on the group’s previous success rates.

Among the major city projects that were vetoed were funding for a YMCA in Town Center, several drainage and water treatment projects and road expansion projects.

The city’s westward expansion projects expanding and connecting Matanzas Woods and Palm Coast Parkways received around $80 million.

One rapid infiltration basin project received $2 million of the requested $4 million.

DeSantis also vetoed a $1.6 million building expansion project for Flagler Technical College, which is under Flagler Schools’ umbrella.

“It definitely came as a surprise to not get that, but we understand that every year there will be items that are vetoed,” Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said. “We will just continue to work within the funding that we have in order to continue to expand the programs that we offer through Flagler Technical College.”

The school district had planned to expand the current facility to add additional programs and additional program sessions, Moore said.

“So, we will have to look at other options for us to continue to do the great work that

they’re doing there at Flagler Technical College,” she said. “We may not be able to do that and we may not be able to do it in the current time frame that we had established as we look at other options.”

The FTC expansion was the school district’s only request for local funding.

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff contributed to this story.

“Having a non-school shelter for special needs will really help this community in a big way.”

HOLLY ALBANESE, Flagler County chief of special projects

in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2024-10 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA, ANNEX-

ING BY VOLUNTARY PETITION CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 0.28± ACRES, OWNED BY JM PROPERTIES X LLC, LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 0.2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF CAULEY LANE AND COUNTY ROAD 65, BEARING PARCEL IDS: 13-12-29-1250-00100-0360 AND 13-12-29-1250-00100-0380 WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY OF BUNNELL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND OTHER CONTROLLING LAW; REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORIDNANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE OF FLAGLER COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore. File photo

FCSO honors employees, partners, citizens at 2024 first quarter award ceremony

The 15 Life Saving Award recipients included a Flagler citizen who saved a newborn’s life.

OBSERVER STAFF

Employees who providing life-saving CPR, rescued a missing person hiding under a dock, and solved lengthy investigations are among those who were honored during the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s 2024 First Quarter Awards Ceremony, held on June 17 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center.

“All of our employees that were honored today went above and beyond the call of duty and I was honored to recognize them,” Sherif Rick Staly said.

One Life Saving Award was given to Communications Specialist Lucas Santos for saving a man by providing CPR directions over a 911 call.

COPS CORNER

In December 2023, Santos answered a 911 call about a woman’s husband who was not breathing. For seven minutes, Santos walked the caller through CPR compressions until emergency services arrived on scene. EMS arrived and took the man to the hospital, leaving his status unclear, the press release said.

In February, the patient made a surprise visit to the FCSO Communications Center to thank Santos. Dan, the patient, and his wife Carol told Santos that Dan would not be alive if CPR had not been started as quickly as it was.

Dan and his family attended the award ceremony on June 17.

Flagler County resident Love McLaury was the only citizen given a Life Saving Award at this ceremony. McLaury saved a newborn baby’s life by giving CPR to an infant she noticed was not breathing. After calling 911, McLaury began giving CPR under the direction of a dispatcher and continued to do so until emergency services arrived.

The officers soon discovered he had an open warrant for his arrest on a fraud charge out of Georgia.

Police knocked on the door for the home, but no one answered. There was a lot of blood in the backyard, according to the police report. Police noted that the broken window was very small and no one would be able to fit through it, nor gain access to a locked door.

The man was taken to jail.

on the scene, they found a 40-year-old Ormond Beach man with his shorts falling down and blood running down his right arm.

The man told him that two people had been chasing him, according to a police report, and that he decided to hop a residential fence and knock on a window to try to get the homeowner’s attention.

He said he broke the window in the process, and that he then fell in the pool in the backyard. When he got out, he took off his shoes so no one would hear him moving around, he told police.

JUNE 8

CAMP DISPERSED

2:39 p.m. — 600 block of South Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Trespassers. Transients in the woods? Open flames and prostitutes?

Police walked into a wooded area after receiving a call about the presence of a homeless camp, according to a police report. The officers did find transients, but no prostitutes or non-cooking flames.

Each of the transients were trespassed from the property and

LIFE SAVING AWARDS

„ Communications Specialist Lucas

Santos

„ Cmdr. Glenn Davis Jr.

„ Deputy First Class Laura Jenkins,

„ Deputy Caleb Tassy

„ Deputy Lauren Liptak

„ Deputy Cameron Punsky

„ Communications Specialist

Whitney Zuazua

„ Deputy Aaron Clay

„ Deputy Hayleigh Prentiss

„ Detective Bryan Denker

„ Lt. Dan Driscoll

„ Firefighter Joshua Gilliam

„ Citizen Love McLaury.

UNIT CITATIONS

Two groups received Unit Citation awards.

„ Cmdr. Scott Vedder, Sgt. Paul DeSousa, Cpl. Adam Barkoskie, Master Deputy Marcus Dawson and Deputies Marx Rexford and Ardit Coma.

„ Sgt. Jacob West, Cpl. Troy Cavas, Cpl. Joseph Barnett, Master Deputy

given one day to collect all their belongings from the camp, which the report states was longstanding.

The officers took photos and submitted them to the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Division.

ORDER UP

4:05 p.m — State Road 100 and Old Kings Road, Flagler County Possession. An Orlando woman caught napping in a fast food restaurant’s parking lot was found with three prescription bottles that did not belong to her.

An employee called Sheriff’s Office deputies when they noticed a car parked in a mobile order spot for close to an hour, according to a press release. The black BMW was running but no one had gone in or out of the car.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a woman sleeping behind the wheel of the car with a prescription pill bottle in the passenger seat. Deputies woke her up and she told them she was headed out of state

Jeff Turner, Deputy First Class Philip Kotowski and Deputies Kyle Somers, Matthew Mortimer, Cameron Punsky, and Kayleigh Perkins.

CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

„ Cmdr. Jonathan Dopp

„ Sgt. Franklin Gamarra

„ Deputy Dominic Quintieri

„ Sgt. David Edmonds

„ Deputy Kayleigh Perkins

„ Master Detective Daniel LaVerne

„ Master Detective James Crosbee

„ Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon.

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

„ January: Deputy Cameron Punsky

„ February: Communications Specialist Lucas Santos

„ March: Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon.

YEARS OF SERVICE

„ 5 years: CCTV Operator Andrew Crowley, Detention Deputy Douglas Evans, crossing guard Lisa Hanson, Detective Stacy Kusek, Deputy

and had pulled over to rest, the report said.

The pill bottle was for Gabapentin and was prescribed to a man; when deputies asked her about it, she said it was her father’s that he left in her car.

After searching her car, deputies found two more prescription bottles, but for methadone and prescribed to the woman’s sister.

The woman was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance.

JUNE 15 UNDERDRESSED

10:56 p.m. — first block of Beacon Mill Lane, Palm Coast Battery on law enforcement. A naked Palm Coast couple was arrested in their home after they hit several Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Michael Lane, public service officer Kenneth LaVerne, Detention Deputy Abd Lulu, Deputy Christopher Nguyen and Deputy Jonathan Schmidt

„ 20 years: Cmdr. Glenn Davis Jr., records clerk Mera Kozlenko, Sgt. Chris Ragazzo, Cmdr. Scott Vedder and Cmdr. Bernard Woodward

„ 35 years: records clerk Sandra Terrell

2023 PERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

„ Detention Deputy of the Year: Cpl. Peter Descartes

„ Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year: Deputy First Class Jennifer Prevatt

„ Professional Support Staff of the Year: Communications Specialist First Class Megan Burton

„ Volunteer of the Year: Citizen Observer Patrol Chief Roberson Brown Jr.

„ Citizen of the Year: Carol Nitopi

„ Kiwanis Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Cpl. Peter Descartes.

and hung up immediately.

When deputies knocked on the home’s door, a drunk woman who was not wearing pants answered the door, according to an arrest report. She said she was the one who called, but would not explain what happened or why she had called.

The woman was yelling at the officers when a man, the woman’s husband, walked out of a back room, completely naked, the report said. The man and woman then began to tell the officers to leave, the report said. The woman joined in, but kept trying to get her husband to go back to the bedroom. When an officer attempted to keep her from shutting the bedroom door, she slapped his arm away.

The woman was arrested for battery on an officer.

When she was placed in handcuffs, the man tried to pull her away from the officers and began fighting with them. He was also placed under arrest.

The deputies arrived at the home because they had received a suspicious call from a woman who said she was hiding in the home’s closet.

The woman did not give her name

Approved plat won’t have apartments

With plans for more than half the land up in the air, commission approves plat by new BJ’s with restrictions.

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

A developer has received restricted approval from the Flagler County Commission to continue with its planned future shopping plaza, despite having unknown plans for over half of the lot’s 38 acres. Originally, the development — located on State Road 100 on the west side of the new BJ’s Wholesale plaza and called Flagler Landing — was meant to be split into 11 commercial lots over almost 10 acres that would line S.R. 100, with an apartment complex planned for the rear 23-acres tract, called “Tract D.” Development representative Kimberly Buck, with Alann Engineering Group, said the apartment owner has since walked away from the plans.

The commercial landowner, though, is happy to continue, she said. County Attorney Al Hadeed said that the developer did not fulfill requirements to identify how the developer will handle wetland mitigation plans for the property.

“Specifically, that the areas that were going to be preserved are not identified,” Hadeed said.

The commission voted 3-2 to approve the plat, with Commissioners Leann Pennington and Greg Hansen opposing.

The following restrictions were attached: the wetland mitigation requirements for the entire 38-acre lot will be met in the future development plans for Tract D, no construction can begin on the site until a land development permit is issued and potable water and sanitary sewer extensions are installed, and, to mitigate the loss of tree canopy on the site, the developer will meet tree replacement requirements with 2.5inch shade trees, larger than the standard requirement.

The original plan, Buck said, was that the wetland mitigation was going to be on the residential portion of the development — designs for the lot from a May 2023 Flagler County Commission meeting showed a large pond in the center of the apartment complex, and a smaller one behind some of the commercial buildings.

The developer does plan to keep the retention to Tract D. When the developer is ready to develop that lot, Buck said, the tract and plans will need to return to the commission for approval anyway to change Tract D from its residential designation to commercial.

Ken Atlee, one of the development’s partners, said they have decided to eventual develop Tract D as more commercial, instead of residential.

“I’m asking you to show us favor, to start the completion of these 11 lots … knowing we still have to come back to you for that Tract D,” Atlee said.

Commission Chair Andy Dance said he has been concerned about wetland mitiga-

BY THE NUMBERS

38 acres total lot size for the Flagler Pines Property development.

23 acres of the lot are a part of “Tract D” where the original planned apartment complex, and wetland mitigation plans, were meant to be.

10 acres of the property will have commercial development.

11

commercial lots are divided across the front 10 acres of property lining S.R. 100.

tion on the lot from the beginning. In this development, he said, “there’s plenty of wetland impacts that could have been avoided in the original concept design.”

“I don’t know that I’m following that all of a sudden we’re going to be sensitive to wetlands in the back,” Dance said.

Atlee said that not all of the water mitigation issues on the lot is from the Flagler Pines Property’s lot. The raised lots of developments surrounding this lot, including BJ’s, Atlee said, sends runoff onto their lot.

“We’re in a bowl,” he said.

BRIEFS

Constitutional officers win in unopposed elections

The candidate qualifying period has closed and Flagler County’s five consv titutional officer seats have been won in unopposed elections.

Candidate qualifying with the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office ended at noon on June 14. Sheriff Rick Staly, who has been sheriff since 2017, is one of the five constitutional officers to win his seat, four of which were incumbents.

The following candidates have also won their seats for county offices: James Gardner Jr. the county’s Property Appraiser Office, Tom Bexley the Clerk of Court, Shelly Edmonson the Tax Collector’s office and Kaiti Lenhart the Supervisor of Elections office.

Edmonson is the only new officer, replacing Suzanne Johnston, who has served as the county’s Tax Collector since 2004.

Gardner has held his office since 2005, Bexley since 2016 and Lenhart since 2015.

Former Florida Highway Patrol chief files to run for School Board

Both of the candidates for Flagler County’s District 3 School Board seat filed shortly before the June 14 deadline. Derek Barrs will run against Janie Ruddy for the seat that Colleen Conklin has held for the past 24 years.

Barrs, who has 33 years of experience in law enforcement, said he was asked by community members to run for School Board and decided to pursue the opportunity “after careful consideration, prayer and discussions with my family and friends.”

Barrs is currently an associate vice president at HNTB Corporation, an employee-

owned firm that designs and advances transportation infrastructure. He was Florida Highway Patrol chief, the third highest ranking official in the agency, from 2011 to 2022. He began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a deputy sheriff in Madison County. One of his roles in the sheriff’s office was to serve as a School Resource Officer.

“I aim to ensure Flagler County Schools reach their full potential, fostering an environment where students thrive and teachers and staff are fully supported,” he said.

“I seek to bring a sensible voice to School Board discussions and decisions, aiming to elevate our educational standards and outcomes.”

Barrs is a fourth-generation Floridian. He and his family have lived in Flagler County for three years.

“I am a motivated, disciplined, relationship builder with strong character and a passion for serving,” he said.

“I know what it takes to put on the uniform and protect our children. I’m ready to bring my experience to the board in order to give our kids a brighter future.”

Former Flagler Schools teacher running for School Board

Janie Ruddy is one of two new candidates for Flagler County’s District 3 School Board seat. Ruddy and Derek Barrs each filed to run last week. There had been one candidate in the race — AdventHealth ER medical director Paul Mucciolo — but Mucciolo has since withdrawn his candidacy.

Ruddy hopes to succeed Colleen Conklin, who is stepping down after holding the seat for 24 years. Ruddy has 13 years of teaching experience and eight years in educational technology. She has been a resident of Flagler County for over 20 years, according to her candidate statement and her website,

ruddyforschoolboard.com.

Her husband, Tim Ruddy, is an assistant principal at Belle Terre Elementary School. Janie Ruddy is the director of Professional Learning for n2y, which provides special education software, curriculum and learning tools. Previously, she was a teacher at Indian Trails Middle School and Rymfire Elementary School. She was Rymfire’s Teacher of the Year in 2014. Ruddy said she would like to see more opportunities created for graduating students to be recruited for direct-to-career opportunities and college scholarships. She’d like to see increased strategic collaboration between schools and district curriculum departments. She sees the retention of teachers as a critical issue and said a positive culture “founded on mutual respect, trust and assumption of positive intent is required for progress to be made.”

Man arrested for failure to reregister as sex offender

Darin Lemon, 58, of Bunnell was arrested on June 12 for failure to properly re-register as a sex offender in the State of Florida in April 2024. Lemon is required to reregister quarterly throughout the year in January, April, July, and October. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sex Offender/Predator database indicated that Lemon’s most recent sex offender registration was completed on January 31, 2024.

Master Detective Crosby was able to obtain an arrest warrant for Lemon regarding his failure to properly re-register as a sex offender. The warrant carried a bond amount of $50,000 with nationwide extradition, as well as holding him on no bond, due to the fact he is currently on probation for unrelated charges. Deputies were able to locate Lemon at his residence the night of June 12. When deputies informed Lemon that he was under arrest, Lemon refused to cooperate by physically and verbally resisting deputies while they tried to restrain him. In addition to the warrant arrest, Lemon was also arrested for Resisting Arrest without Violence.

Derek Barrs. Courtesy photo

Janie Ruddy. Courtesy photo

BRIEFS

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle returns to Volusia nest

A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the rarest and smallest of the sea turtle species, was observed nesting in Ponce Inlet on Monday, June 10. This turtle, first tagged in 2005 by the Marine Science Center, has returned to Volusia County to nest eight times since then. She laid her first clutch of eggs this season in Ponce Inlet a few weeks ago.

Kemp’s ridley turtles are unique among Florida’s sea turtles because they usually nest during daylight hours. They primarily breed in Mexico, making their nesting in Florida a rare occurrence. Since 1996, only 26 Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded in Volusia County. This season, the county hosts four of these nests — three in Ponce Inlet and one in

New Smyrna Beach, matching record counts from 2017 and 2023. Across the state, only 13, including the four in Volusia County, Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded as of May 31.

Overall, 283 sea turtle nests have been recorded in Volusia County this year, including four Kemp’s ridley, six leatherback, one green and 272 loggerhead nests. Hatchlings are expected to start emerging in the coming weeks.

Beachgoers should flatten sandcastles, fill in holes, and remove chairs and equipment at the end of the day to avoid obstructing nesting and hatchling sea turtles. Beachfront lighting poses a threat by deterring nesting females and disorienting hatchlings, drawing them toward danger instead of the ocean. Residents can help by redirecting lights away from the beach and turning them off when not in use, allowing natural moonlight and starlight to guide the turtles.

The sea turtle nesting season extends from May 1 through Oct. 31. For more information on Volusia County’s sea turtle protection efforts or how to implement turtlefriendly lighting, call 386-2384773. Additional details are available at www.volusiaseaturtles.org.

Ormond Beach mother-son duo helps with free sports physicals

Ormond Beach resident Jill Piazza never gave much thought to the sports physicals she took her children to each year.

“My kids are healthy, and I went into the screenings thinking we were just checking a box,” said Piazza, who has two sons.

In 2021, she took her son Ethan to AdventHealth’s annual free sports physical event at the Daytona International Speedway. The free

physical also included an optional cardiac screening.

The screening revealed the Seabreeze High School soccer player had a congenital heart condition called WolffParkinson White syndrome.

“The diagnosis was just a big shock, especially since I had been playing sports for so long,” Ethan said.

After undergoing treatment, Ethan returned to life as normal and is now an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida.

“Unfortunately, other families have had children with undiagnosed heart conditions that had tragic outcomes because they didn’t know about their condition,” Piazza said. “As I learned about what could have happened to us, it became personally important to me to give back.”

Piazza and Ethan were among the 500 volunteers who helped AdventHealth perform nearly 1,800 free sports physicals for Volusia County and Flagler County

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Beachwalk home is Flagler County’s top sale

Ahouse at 12 Moana Court E. in the Beachwalk subdivision was the top real estate transaction for April 25 through May 1 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on April 26 for $614,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3, and 2,600 square feet.

GRANT MCMILLAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PALM COAST

Beachwalk

The home at 45 Moana Court S. sold on April 30 for $544,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,676 square feet.

Belle Terre

The home at 124 Persimmon Drive sold on April 30 for $323,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,552 square feet.

Indian Trails The home at 40 Briarvue Lane sold on April 26 for $296,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,272 square feet.

Lehigh Woods

The home at 15 Ripcord Lane sold on April 29 for $320,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Matanzas Lakes

The house at 17 Tideway Trail sold on April 26 for $408,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,813 square feet.

No subdivision The home at 22 Seminole Ave. sold on April 30 for $500,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,509 square feet.

Pine Grove

The home at 36 Pineapple Drive sold on April 26 for $315,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Pine Lakes

The home at 28 Westgrill Drive sold on April 29 for $314,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Reverie at Palm Coast The home at 16 Jackson Blue Place sold on April 26 for $461,191. Built in 2023, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,967 square feet.

Sawmill Branch

The home at 41 Lumber Jack Trail sold on April 30 for $359,098. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,044 square feet.

The home at 28 Hulett Woods Road sold on April 30 for $329,990. Built in 2023,

the house is a 4/2 and has 2,147 square feet.

The home at 13 W. Sawmill Court sold on April 29 for $371,440. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,988 square feet.

Seminole Woods

.The home at 137 Pine Grove Drive sold on April 30 for $309,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,270 square feet.

The house at 70 Sloganeer Trail sold on April 26 for $322,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,500 square feet.

Whiteview Village The home at 8 Waverly Lane sold on April 25 for $320,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,618 square feet.

BUNNELL

Daytona North

The home at 1322 Sherwood St. sold on May 1 for $328,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,373 square feet.

Grand Reserve

The home at 52 Bogey place sold on April 30 for $305,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet.

The home at 7 Caddy Court sold on April 26 for $299,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2, and has 1,655 square feet.

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

student athletes, JROTC cadets, fire academy students, and band members in April and May.

Every year since Ethan’s diagnosis, his mother has volunteered at AdventHealth’s annual event. And after Ethan’s recovery, he joined his mother and began volunteering too.

“I plan on continuing to pay it forward and give back,” Ethan said. “The screenings are a 10-minute process and it’s a potential lifesaving procedure.”

Across both counties, nearly 50 students were flagged for follow-up cardiac care this year. Of those, five needed immediate follow-up care.

“This is a powerful reminder of why we do this every year,” said Erik Nason, AdventHealth manager of sports medicine and partnerships. “While five students out of 1,800 might seem like a small number, it is important to keep in mind that this number represents five local lives.

Pool home tops Ormond Beach’s sales list

Ahouse at 200 Royal Dunes Circle was the top real estate transaction for May 5-11 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea.

The house sold on May 6 for $740,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 1,967 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $332,000.

GRANT MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation

The house at 3105 Bailey Ann Drive sold on May 7 for $420,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $271,400.

The home at 1333 Cork Drive sold on May 10 for $359,240. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,614 square feet.

The house at 2884 Monaghan Drive, sold on May 10 for $440,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,839 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $406,500.

Hidden Trails

The house at 45 Bramblewood Lane sold on May 8 for $460,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,732 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $259,900.

Hunter’s Ridge

The house at 36 Meadow Ridge View sold on May 9 for $343,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,815

square feet. It sold in 2000 for $128,000.

Ormond Lakes The house at 15 Deerskin Lane sold on May 9 for $485,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 2,391 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $323,500.

Park Place

The townhome at 37 Park Place sold on May 10 for $268,900. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,436 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $60,000.

Rio Vista The house at 926 S. Beach St. sold on May 7 for $545,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,876 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $340,000.

Silver Pines

The house at 1749 Valencia Ave. sold on May 10 for $282,500. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,179 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $89,000.

The Trails The house at 146 Pine Cone Trail sold on May 8 for

Identifying potential health issues like this early on can lead to timely interventions, which can truly save lives. Jill and Ethan’s experience is a testament to the immense impact of these annual screenings and serves as an example of why we are committed to this effort year in and year out.”

Goodwill opens Donation Xpress center in Ormond

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has opened a Donation Xpress in Ormond Beach at 1425 W. Granada Blvd. The company also opened a location in Orlando in early June, and according to a press release, both donation centers will add “just over a half-dozen jobs to the local workforce and provide a more convenient way to drop off gently used items.” Employees will meet people at their vehicle to pick up donations, which will be sold at Goodwill retail stores in Orange, Volu-

$200,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 2/2.5 and has one fireplace and 1,664 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $180,000.

Tomoka Estates The house at 1036 Shockney Drive sold on May 8 for $435,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/1.5 and has a boat dock, a boat lift and 1,124 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $232,000.

Tomoka Oaks The house at 57 S. St. Andrews Drive sold on May 8 for $620,000. Built in 1968, the house is a 5/4 and has one fireplace, a pool and 4,310 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $400,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Seabridge South The home at 47 Seagull Drive sold on May 8 for $680,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,571 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $635,000.

The home at 2860 Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on May 10 for $343,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, no fireplace and 1,056 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $210,000.

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

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

The house has 1,967 square feet. Photo courtesy of Katie Brousse/Realty Pros Assured

CareNeeds Platinum (HMO D-SNP): These plans are available to anyone receiving both Medicare and Medicaid: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB/QMB+), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB/SLMB+), Qualifying Individuals (QI), Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) and other Full Benefit Dual Eligibles (FBDE). Sponsored by CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. and the State of Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration. Important: At CarePlus, it is important you are treated fairly. CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, age, marital status, religion, or language in their programs and activities, including in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs and activities. The following department has been designated to handle inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies: Member Services, PO Box 277810, Miramar, FL 33027, 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). Auxiliary aids and services, free of charge, are available to you. 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). CarePlus provides free auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters, video remote interpretation, and written information in other formats to people with disabilities when such auxiliary aids and services are necessary to ensure an equal opportunity to participate. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our Member Services number at 1-800-794-5907. Hours of operation: October 1 - March 31, 7 days a week, 8 a.m.

Going yonder makes the heart grow fonder

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

Last week as I attended a wedding in Idaho, I was able to get reacquainted with my youngest niece, Rose, whom I’ve only seen a few times, so far, in the two years since she was born. Wearing a navy blue dress, blond curls dangling to her eyebrows, she sat on her mother’s

LETTERS

Speed bumps hinder emergency services

Dear Editor:

I am writing in reference to the subject of speed bumps on local roadways. I originated from West Orange, New Jersey, and have relocated to Palm Coast. One of the reasons I relocated, other than N.J. being one of the highest tax rates in the country was because of all of the speed bumps.

It may seem trivial, however response times to municipal and emergency services had been compromised due to speed interruptions from the bumps. The police were at a disadvantage in pursuing criminals and emergency medical situations due to decreased time elements.

In making your decisions, I would advise you to strongly consider these factors.

JOHN RENZULLI

Palm Coast

Enforcement of speed limits is the answer

Dear Editor:

Too many people are going to speed no matter what the speed limit is. What is needed is a lot more enforcement.

YOUR TOWN

Flagler County Leadership Academy graduates 14

Fourteen executives, managers and professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a special ceremony June 13 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center.

The graduates were: Nancy Anderson, Flagler Schools; Dammie Bembry, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office; Lisa Catalano, Flagler County; Tammy K. Conkey, Tax Collector’s Office; Christopher Crawford, city of Palm Coast; Don Foley, Flagler Schools; Alyssa Gross, Tax

lap during the reception dinner, waiting impatiently for her mother to offer another spoonful of blueberries.

It was not going well. The plastic spoon was much too large for her, and one of the blueberries kept eluding her, so Rose got both hands involved and attempted to doublepalm it toward her mouth. Still, the blueberry rolled off the table and plopped onto the floor.

I remembered my own experiences in the past, being on the other side of that spoon, getting more and more frustrated by my own children’s unsuccessful attempts to eat food without making a ridiculous mess. The more baby food that ended on up on their cheeks and in

Paying $200 for a speeding ticket and points on their license will slow most people down.

BILL SIMPSON Palm Coast

Praising Sheriff’s Citizens Academy

Dear Editor: I recently graduated from the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy along with about 20 other participants. It was an honor and a privilege to get an in-depth, hands-on overview of all the departments and operations of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The FCSO personnel were extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of their duties as well as the entire FCSO operations. They shared their knowledge and expertise with us; they presented their material in a friendly, informal manner. They all seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with the citizens and welcomed questions, shared some laughs and were unbelievably “down to earth,” making these classes not only super informative, but also interesting and fun.

The FCSO personnel displayed an overwhelming sense of pride, and rightfully so, for their departments and the entire FCSO. They talked about their advanced technology and resources, allowing them to be safer and more proficient at their

their hair, the faster I wanted dinner to be over.

Not to mention the diapers and the tantrums. Being a parent of small children can be thankless and exhausting.

So why, when I was watching my sister take care of Rose, was I so mesmerized by those tiny fingers and that determined frown — so much so that I was perfectly willing to accept the mess and the inefficiencies without any annoyance?

Surely, some of my patience was due to my freedom to walk away from the mess; I was just the observant uncle, not the responsible parent.

When I returned home, I tried to be more of an observant uncle

jobs. They all showed great respect and appreciation for their co-workers and superiors.

Last, but definitely not least, it was a pleasure and an honor to see Sheriff Staly at several of these sessions. He was also very welcoming and attentive to our questions and comments. Before beginning this Academy, I had the utmost respect for Sheriff Staly, after seeing the interest in the community that the FCSO displays. After completing the Citizens Academy, I am more convinced that Sheriff Staly is a great leader. The FCSO personnel praised him often during their presentations. Earning the respect and admiration of your colleagues and staff is surely a true testament to great leadership. Thanks to everyone involved in organizing and presenting the Citizens Academy and to all law enforcement personnel for their commitment to the safety and well-being of all Flagler County residents. I would recommend this Academy to all Flagler County residents.

PATRICIA MCLAUGHLIN

Palm Coast

Hotels, beach users should pay more

Dear Editor:

Wow. It’s obvious the Flagler politicians have no clue what they

with my 6-year-old son, Luke, rather than a stressed-out parent.

I watched him fail to spread butter on his toast, and I didn’t take away the knife but instead talked him through it.

On Sunday, he handed me a nickel and three pennies.

“Happy Father’s Day,” he said with a proud smile.

“Why did you give Dad 8 cents?” his 9-year-old sister, Kennedy, asked, clearly disapproving.

“It was in one of my pockets,” Luke said.

Maybe it was the travel and the time away, making my heart grow fonder. Maybe it was Rose. Whatever it was, I looked at those little faces and felt rich.

are doing and are in over their heads with this one. In a previous article, it stated that part of the plan was to assess a fixed fee on businesses as well as homes to pay for beach renourishment. So is it fair that a hotel that draws hundreds, if not thousands of families to the beach each year pay the same assessment as a hardware store? Of course not. Funding the sand renourishment should not be separate from the other beach operations. Flagler’s beaches need some serious upgrading. The lack of parking at Flagler Beach and the restroom at Varn Park come to mind. All of this should be funded by a combination of the general fund paid by all Flagler residents and additional funds paid by those who use the beach the most. The additional funds could come from a special tax on hotels within walking distance of the beach and paid parking with discount annual passes for Flagler residents. In Pinellas County, where we just moved from, the three county beaches charge $5 a day to park.

Annual passes for Pinellas residents are $55 and are good for two cars at the same residence. I would advise our county officials and any Flagler resident who is interested, to take a trip to Sand Key Park in Pinellas County and see what a well managed beach looks like.

JOHN ORLANDO Palm Coast

Collector’s Office; Regan Hansen, Tax Collector’s Office; Lou Miceli, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office; Katherine Monroy, city of Flagler Beach; Jennifer Nawrocki, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office; Maeven Rogers, city of Palm Coast; Steven Scarselli, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office; and Richard Zion, Flagler County. The keynote speakers were Flagler Schools Superintendent Lashakia

Moore and Assistant Tax Collector Rae Nescio.

Daytona State College partners with the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office and local governments to provide the leadership academy which now has several dozen graduates, who receive a certificate of completion from DSC.

“We celebrate your commitment to being the leaders who exemplify the very best in public service,” Dr.

“If

Joe Saviak, who taught the leadership academy, said at the ceremony. This was the last graduation during Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston’s five-plus decades in public service as she is scheduled to retire after the November election. Johnston organized and hosted the classes at the Tax Collector’s main office.

MEET THE FLAGLER HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS

The Flagler Humane Society 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 386-4451814 or visit flaglerhumanesociety. org.

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 PALM

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

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VETERAN OF THE WEEK

William Green

 Branch of military: U.S. Navy  Dates of service: 2013-2018  Rank/occupation: Petty Officer 3rd Class / Aviation Ordinanceman

 Hometown: Bunnell, Fl William Green joined the Navy and went to boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois. He is credited with almost 4½ years of sea duty aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS George Washington, both nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

Green is a veteran of the Gulf War and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon among others before his separation from honorable service to our country. He resides in Palm Coast with his wife Hannah and two children. Green works as a sales representative for a nationwide company that provides heavy equipment to construction and industrial companies.

NEED HELP WITH VETERAN SERVICES? For information about benefits and support organizations for veterans, call 386-313-4014.

Fourteen professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a ceremony on June 13 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center. Courtesy photo

Chevy, 5 Guapo, 1 Flash, 2 Bill, 3

The

The Price of Freedom

tion, was “Our history: The Price of Freedom.”

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast’s African American Cultural Society spent Saturday, June 15 celebrating the country’s third annual Juneteenth holiday.

“Our goal was, as it always is, to have an affair that is fun, educational and really enjoyable for the community,” said Imani Kinshasa, the AACS Cultural Committee chair.

The Juneteenth holiday is on June 19. and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. The AACS’ planning for the holiday event begins in February, Kinshasa said. The theme for this year’s celebra-

Kinshasa said she and the committee members worked with the community and sponsors to provide a bounce house outside for the children, food trucks, live music performances, line dances and several speakers who read poetry or spoke on the significance of Juneteenth.

The event also featured tables from local small business owners, celebrated the graduation of several high school seniors and even had a fashion show.

“We do a lot of other things during the year, but [the Juneteenth and Kwanza celebrations] are our major productions, if you will,” she said.

Kinshasa said she felt the celebration was a success. The local mayors of Palm Coast

Beach, Bunnell and Beverly Beach were all invited to help open the celebration, she said, as was Sheriff Rick Staly.

Kinshasa said the committee even put together a booklet for everyone to take home that highlighted notable figures in the African American community, both historic and modern.

She said one of her favorite part of the day was seeing the community join in the celebration, even spontaneously getting up and dancing along with several of the music performances throughout the day.

Seeing the success of the event felt good, she said.

“We did a good job,” Kinshasa said. “We’ve accomplished what we wanted to do.

Flagler

African American Cultural Society celebrates Juneteenth

L.R. Corbett is a children’s author. She designs travel-inspired children’s stories that are also coloring books.

Membership Committee Chair Mamie Godfrey with merchandise salespersons Claude Nick Larece and Michele Knox.

Author Allaina Maria was a guest speaker at the celebration.

Thea Smith and Leona Fowlkes. Fowlkes and other AACS members like Smith have brought back the AACS quilting and needlepoint craft group.

Wanda and Craig Vatchelor had a table showing off Wanda’s custom jewelry designs.

Amber Embers owns The Cosmic Hippie, a holistic wellness business, and the nonprofit, Cosmic Assembly of the Divine Spirit.

Husband and wife Naseem and Naseema Maat own Nefertiti book store, which features a variety of African cultural items.

AACS members who helped organize the Juneteenth celebration. Photos by Sierra Williams

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club for its June meeting. Checkin and socializing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Information and activities for the Aug. 20 and Nov. 5 elections will be presented, discussed and planed. Like-minded non-members are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

‘BIRDLAND: COASTAL FLORIDA VIEWS’ OPENING RECEPTION

When: 4-6 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery for its mid-month exhibition, “Birdland: Coastal Florida Views,” featuring artists Kenneth Fasnacht, Bibi Gromling, Patricia Conway and Stewart Jones. Light refreshments will be served. Call 386-317-9400.

‘PLANT IT AND THEY WILL COME’ EDUCATION FORUM

When: 5-6 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: As part Ocean Art Gallery’s eduction forum, hear Melissa Lammers, of the Halifax River Audubon, speak about what can be done to help bird populations by planting native plants. Free event. Open to the public. Reservations required. Call 386-317-4900.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

MOONRISE AT THE BEACH When: 8:15-9 p.m.

Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Take in the view of the moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring binoculars and a camera for photo opportunities. Program included with paid park entry fee of $5 per car.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

SUMMER BOOK AND BAKE SALE

When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Flagler County Public Library, 25500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast

Details: The Friends of the Flagler County Public Library are hosting a book and bake sale.

LOW-COST PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: A Pampered Pooch Groomer, 295 S. Yonge St., Ormond Beach

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

REMEMBERING HEROES COUNTRY BBQ

When: 12-4 p.m.

Where: 2K Ranch of Bunnell, 6067 Tangerine Ave., Bunnell

Details: Remembering Heroes and 2K Ranch are hosting a fundraiser to support veterans, first responders, Gold Star military families and local community heroes. There will be food, games, vendors and raffles. Donations of $25 per person re-

quested; children 6 and under are free.

AMERICAN RADIO RELAY

LEAGUE’S ANNUAL

FIELD DAY

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Where: Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Road, Palm Coast

Details: Local Amateur Radio operators will be representing the community in the American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day. Hams associated with the Flagler Palm Coast Amateur Radio Club, Flagler Emergency Communications Association, and Flagler County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) will operate multiple Ham Radio stations for 24 hours. The public is welcome to visit. Opportunities will be available to operate radios. Free event.

FLAGLER FREE CLINIC

CASINO NIGHT When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Italian American Club, 45 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Join the Flagler County Free Clinic for a night of casino games, for entertainment purposes only. The funds raised will benefit the clinic. Tickets cost $100. Visit flaglerfreeclinic.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 24

SCUBA VACATION

BIBLE SCHOOL

When: 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday June 24, to Friday, June 28

Where: Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, 1035 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach

Details: Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church will host a Scuba-themed vacation Bible school, where kids will participate in Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play games and make crafts. The school is open to children entering kindergarten to graduating fifth graders.

Registration costs $10 per student or $25 for a family, which includes all materials, a T-shirt and snacks. Scholarships are available. Call 386-677-4076 or email aia@ lighthousecpc.org.

BREAKER ROCK BEACH

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

When: 6-9 p.m. Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28

Where: Flomich Baptist Church, 1305 Flomich St., Holly Hill

Details: Flomich Baptist Church is inviting children from first to 12th grade to attend its annual free vacation Bible school. Visit http://www. flomichbaptist.org/vbs-vacation-bible-school-2024-intro.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

ALOHA SUMMER LUAU

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Tanger Daytona Beach, 100 Cornerstone Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: Celebrate the summer season at this luau, presented by Halifax Health. The event will take place next to the splash pad, so bring your swimsuit. There will be face painting, musical entertainment, sand creations, Polynesian dancers, crafts, games and giveaways. Free event.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB 2024 CANDIDATE MEET

AND GREET When: 5-8 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: Flagler Tiger Bay Club is hosting a candidate meet and greet. Get to know the candidates running for Flagler County’s local races and state representatives. Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart will conduct a straw poll from 6-8 p.m. The results will be announced immediately after the poll closes. Free event.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

BARBECUE AND JAZZ When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 3005 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: The North East Florida Jazz Association presents this event featuring the Melvin Smith Quartet. Tickets cost $40 for members, $45 for non-member. Visit nefja. org.

ONGOING

BAM SENIOR FITNESS CLASS When: 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays Where: Palm Coast First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast Details: Join this Balance and Motion class and develop

strength and endurance, core stability and balance. Taught by senior fitness specialist Artie G, the class is open to all fitness levels and free with most insurances. A donation is accepted for those without coverage. See full schedule at synergyseniorfitness.com or call 386-931-3485.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB When: 12:30-2 p.m. every Tuesday Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Join this book club, which will study “Love Stories of the Bible Speak” by Shannon Bream. The book club will meet in the Marchman Building, room 117. Contact Sylvia Meincke at 386-451-5223.

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

Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faithbased program for moms, moms-to-be and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is provided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts. Playtime offered for children, with adult supervision. Call 386-255-2588.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Tide Pools: Exploring Coastal Communities” ; “The Lure of Florida Fishing” ; and “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived.”

Art by Bibi Gromling and Ken Fasnacht. Photo courtesy of Ocean Art Gallery Facebook page

Indian Trails Middle School students are Future Problem Solving world champs

Tyson Landon and Project BOSS placed first in their Community Problem

Solving divisions at the international competition.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Two Community Problem Solving projects, each created by Indian Trails Middle School students, have been judged to be the best in the world at the Future Problem Solving Program’s International Conference.

Tyson Landon for his Arrive Alive project and the Project BOSS team of Wesley Kopach, Kendall Willis, Liam O’Connor, Arlo Bottinelli, Jorge Guerrero, Dempsey Manhart and Paris Milton took home firstplace trophies in the Middle Division at the international competition on June 5-9 at Indiana University. Gavin Albertson was also on the Project BOSS team, but did not make the trip to internationals.

Rymfire Elementary School’s Vocab Lab project also won an award. The team of Kenan Davis, Elissa Griffin, Evelyn Sheifer, German Kabaloev and Elisei Volkovskiy placed fourth in the Community Problem Solving Junior Team Division.

Thirty-four students and 14 chaperones and coaches from Flagler County traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the competition. All of the Flagler students received invitations to the International Confer-

ence based on their performances at the state competition in April. They were among 1,263 student competitors representing 243 schools from 44 states and 12 countries.

“We had an amazing trip. The campus was beautiful,” said Amy Kopach, Flagler Schools’ instructional technology specialist and an FPS board member and coach. “Other than the official competitions, the students were able to participate in a scavenger hunt around the campus, a variety show, a dance, a memento exchange and many workshops offered by the FPSPI Conference.”

The memento exchange on the first night was a highlight with students from different states and nations trading souvenirs. Florida competitors brought inflatable pink flamingos, Florida flags and other trinkets to trade for mementoes such as a Wisconsin cheese head, a Texas cowboy hat or a toy koala bear from Australia.

“It’s a really cool event,” Kopach said of the exchange. “It’s meant to get the kids engaging with each other and get everyone a little loosened up, talking to each other.”

The Community Problem Solving teams submitted a 5,000-word report, a three-minute video and a visual portfolio. They were interviewed by evaluators and presented their projects during a two-hour showcase with peers and adults walking up to their tables.

“They have people from all over the world — New Zealand, France, Alaska — visiting their tables,” Kopach said.

Project BOSS, which stands for Bring On Student Start-ups, was created by the eight ITMS students to help young students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. They hosted a youth business fair, started an entrepreneurial club for students and applied for and received a grant to buy materials for lessons. They placed first in the CmPS Team Middle Division.

Landon placed first in the Individual Middle Division. His purpose with Arrive Alive is to improve safety measures and knowledge for students walking, biking or riding a bus to school. His presentation to the

Palm Coast City Council prompted the city to install new beacon lights and signs.

“I think in the middle division, there were 18 projects total. So, these two projects were the best out of 18 in the world,” Kopach said.

Vocab Lab instituted theme days with teachers’ support to improve language skills throughout the school. Rymfire has a large number of students who are English Language Learners. By the end of the year, the school improved its English Language Arts test scores significantly.

There were seven other Flagler County teams and individuals competing at internationals.

“We always try to tell the kids that they worked hard for this and their prize is this trip, and it is an amazing experience just being able to see things that they’ve never been able to see before,” Kopach said. “We tell them, if you win and you get something, great, but if you don’t, it’s also OK, because this is stiff competition when you’re competing against the top 12, 16, 18 projects in the entire world.”

FLAGLER COMPETITORS

RYMFIRE ELEMENTARY —

(Coaches, Caryn Taylor and Judy White)

Community Projects: Vocab Lab (fourth place Junior Teams) — Kenan Davis, Elissa Griffin, Evelyn Sheifer, German Kabaloev and Elisei Volkovskiy.

Community Projects: WINS — Jaycob Griffin, Gia Rego, Alijah Pressley.

INDIAN TRAILS MIDDLE SCHOOL — (Coaches Beth Blumengarten and Neil Kopach)

Community Projects: BOSS (first place Middle Teams) — Wesley Kopach, Kendall Willis, Liam O’Connor, Arlo Bottinelli, Jorge Guerrero, Dempsey Manhart and Paris Milton (Gavin Albertson did not make the trip).

Community Projects: Arrive Alive

(first place Middle Individuals) — Tyson Landon.

Global Issues: Bella Glasco, Brenden Scarbough Sanders and Emily Rhee

Multi-affiliate Global issues: Mary Grace Seward

MATANZAS HIGH SCHOOL — (Coach Amy Kopach)

Community Projects: Spill the TEA —Megan Rhee, Lily Lisowski, Brianna O’Malley, Eva Luis and April Goebel (Olivia Chochev did not make the trip).

Community Projects: WON — Tony Pacilli, Landen Cangialosi, Dmytro Savchenko and Carter Ives (Cline Hansen and Will Wells did not make the trip)

Scenario Writing: Ava Muldoon Flagler Palm Coast High School: (Coach Melissa Castaneda) Global Issues: Ava Mello, Arianna Slaughter, Victoria DaSilva Carvalheira and Liam Lafferty.

Flagler Habitat awards scholarships BTMS team competes internationally

The organization distributed over $9,000 in scholarships to three of its Prep Club students.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler Habitat for Humanity gave out over $9,000 in scholarships to its Prep Club students at its June 11 awards ceremony.

The Prep Club has been around since 2019, but has had its largest group of participating students this past school year, Community Outreach Coordinator Maureen Crompton said. In total, 48 children participated in the program in the 2023-2204 school year.

These students, she said, are the children of Flagler’s 131 Habitat for Humanity homes. The club, in conjunction with Intracoastal Bank, provides the students with bank accounts and the students earn money based on their academic performance throughout the year.

“The program was started to teach [kids] financial responsibility, getting good grades, and then giving back to the community,” Crompton said.

At the end of the year, Flagler Habitat for Humanity hosts an award ceremony celebrating the students’ success and awarding scholarships to Prep Club seniors.

Three students won the Prep Club’s scholarships: Flagler Palm Coast High School seniors Aun’Yale Howard and Richard Sligh, and Prep Club alum Gerod Tolbert. Howard and Sligh each won a $500 Coast Title Insurance book scholarship, plus Howard won the $5,000 Nancy Katz Scholarship and Slight the $3,000 Hildegard Lash Foundation Scholarship.

Tolbert, who received the Coast Title Scholarship in 2023, received the $500 Prep Club Alumni Scholarship for continuing his education. The awards ceremony rec-

ognized the students who earned the most over the year for their grades and bonuses and the top earners in each grade.

Some students also received Community Services Awards, these students earned bonuses for the community service work they’ve performed and for saving at least some of their Prep Club funds throughout the year.

The goal of this program is to set the students up for success and encourage them to continue their education.

Some Habitat homeowners, Crompton said, were not able to graduate high school or attend college themselves.

“So we’re trying to break that cycle, so that the children see the value in school,” she said.

The underwater robotics competition featured teams from around the U.S. and five countries.

OBSERVER STAFF

Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Team Manta Rays competed in the International SeaPerch Challenge held May 30 to June 2 at the University of Maryland and got to meet other top competitors from around the world.

SeaPerch is an underwater remote operated vehicle, similar to a remote controlled submarine. BTMS had nine students participate in its SeaPerch program this year.

“The goal of this program is to help students learn engineering skills in a fun and creative environment,” said

Tracy Jones, the school’s SeaPerch advisor. “Students must design and build their ROVs from scratch using the given supplies in their kits.”

The students practiced during the school year at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center. Buddy Taylor’s four teams competed in the Greater Jacksonville SeaPerch competition on April 13 with the Manta Rays team of Lucas Strunk, Sophia Costa and Nathan Cabrera Delombard placing first and receiving an invitation to the international competition.

According to the SeaPerch organization, the students that were invited to internationals are considered to be among the top 5% in the world, Jones said.

The Manta Rays placed 66th overall out of 71 middle school teams, finishing 61st for the technical design report, 63rd in obstacle course and 58th in challenge course.

“The kids had an amazing time,” Jones said. “They have a ton of new ideas. They networked with other students from all over the world. There were a total of 174 teams from 32 states and U.S. territories, five countries and four continents. They met students from New Zealand, China, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Puerto Rico and all over the United States. They are eager and excited to start building a new robot with their new ideas. It was a wonderful and exciting learning experience for all of us.

“We are looking forward to starting again in August.”

“Internationals was a great trip,” she said. “We did not do as well as we had hoped. We had some buoyancy issues with our ROV. The students were able to complete the challenge and obstacle course but did not score as well as they have done in practice.”

Matanzas’ Lily Lisowski of Project Spill the TEA and Ava Muldoon, who competed in Scenario Writing at FPS International Conference.

Indian Trails Middle School’s Project BOSS brought home the first-place trophy in the Community Problem Solving Team Middle Division at the Future Problem Solving International Conference at Indiana University. From left, Kendall Willis, Paris Milton, Wesley Kopach, Liam O’Connor, Jorge Guerrero, Arlo Bottonelli and Dempsey Manhart. Courtesy photos

The Flagler Habitat for Humanity Prep Club students.

Graduating FPC seniors Aun’Yale Howard and Richard Sligh were each awarded several thousand dollars in scholarships. Photos courtesy of Flagler Habitat for Humanity

Team Manta Rays — Lucas Strunk, Sophia Costa and Nathan Cabrera Delombard — meet and network with students from the Experimental School of Beijing University, Beijing, China. Courtesy photo

Mrs. 88 Keys joins her partner in heaven

Blanche London, who was half of the act, Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys, died in Palm Coast at 103.

BRENT WORONOFF

EDITOR

ASSOCIATE

Marva Jones fondly remembers her childhood, growing up as the daughter of Blanche and Sim London — Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys.

Blanche and Sim toured the Eastern part of the United States from the 1940s through the ’70s. They played side-by-side on the same piano, sang songs together and teased each other. Marva and her brother Sim Jr. lived with their grandparents while Blanche and Sim toured in the winter and then they’d spend the summer with their parents in Ontario, Canada, where Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys would play at a resort.

“They gave us a good childhood, a good life,” Jones said. “All of us have the music in our souls.”

Blanche London died on May 14 at 103 years old. She was full of life and loved being

around young people, which in her later years included just about everyone in her estimation. She was a stylish dresser and smoked until she broke her hip at 99 years old. A Celebration of Life will be held for Blanche at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Palm Coast United Methodist Church.

“She had a crazy sense of humor that everybody loved,” Jones said. “We used to eat at the Golden Corral after church on Sunday, and she would go outside and smoke. And one time, one of our dear friends, Jim Sims, told her, ‘You shouldn’t be doing that.’ And she said, ‘I’ll tell you what you do. You go downtown and buy yourself a business, and stay out of mine.’”

After Blanche and Sim retired from the road, they bought a nightclub named Mardi Gras in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In later years, she worked for the Cleveland Council for the Aged and at Collinwood High School. She worked until she was 86, but continued playing piano in church.

In 2012, after Blanche turned 90, Jones told her

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

When: 10 a.m., Saturday, June 22 Where: Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 1 Torrino Drive.

Blanche London was born on Dec. 26, 1920. She died at 103 on May 14. She was the mother of Marva Jones, grandmother of James E. McMillan, Heather McMillan, Dorian McMillan and Sim London III. Blanche was a professional musician who entertained from the 1940’s to the ’70’s with her husband, Sim London, as a piano duo named “Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys.” She was a member of the Palm Coast United Methodist Church.

it was time that she moved down to Palm Coast where Jones and her late husband, BJ, lived.

Blanche quickly made

TRIBUTES

Patricia Ellen McGovern

February 28, 1934 - April 2, 2024

Patricia Ellen McGovern, age 90, of Palm Coast Florida passed away on April 2, 2024 as a result of complications from a fall suffered at her residence.

Pat was born on February 28, 1934 in Brooklyn New York to Phillip and Sarah McGovern. She was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College for Women in Brooklyn New York receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in 1955. While at Saint Joseph’s she served in the Navy Reserve.

After graduation she began a long career teaching primary grades in the Valley Stream, NY school system. She did not have any children of her own but considered herself to be incredibly lucky to call hundreds of children through the years her “kids” and many of them stayed in contact with her years after their graduation.

Upon her retirement from teaching, she moved from New York to Palm Coast where she lived for over thirty years until her death. She was very active in Palm Coast Little Theater and appeared in numerous stage productions well into her seventies. She was also very involved in the Flagler County Democratic Party and loved hosting fundraisers for longtime friend Jim Darby as well as other local candidates.

Pat was predeceased by her sisters Marilyn Moynihan and Milli-

cent McGrath. She is survived by her former husband, Edward Walsh of New Jersey, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Pat lived in the Las Palmas community for the last five years and her family would like to thank the staff there for the support they provided. A special thank you also to her caregiver of the past few years, Amy Burt, for the love and care she gave to Pat.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton on June 22, 2024 at 1pm with inurnment following at the Columbarium at the church.

The family of Ms. McGovern have entrusted arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd. N., Palm Coast, FL.

and found a home at

would take Blanche to get her nails done at Sofia Nails.

“Everybody at Sofia’s embraced her,” Jones said.

After Blanche broke her hip, Sofia would come to the Flagler Health and Rehab Center and give Blanche a manicure and pedicure there. When Blanche went into assisted living, they would come do her nails there, Jones said.

Because of Sim and Blanche’s influence, music and art infused into the family’s genes over three generations. Sim Jr., who died unexpectedly in 2012, played

drums for R&B artists such as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and the Spinners, and he also painted, Jones said.

“His paintings and drawings are all over my house,” she said.

Jones’ son, James McMillan, is an entertainment lawyer, representing successful musicians. Her other son, Dorian McMillan, plays guitar and sings.

In her 90s, Blanche performed at Flagler Auditorium for Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Black history program.

“She talked to the children, and they all enjoyed listening to her play,” Jones said. And Blanche continued playing in church.

TRIBUTES

Etta Miller Blonsick May 16, 1933 - April 15th, 2024

Etta Miller Blonsick, of Palm Coast, passed away April 15th at 90 years of age following a brief illness.

Born Etta Francis Miller in Amelia, Virginia, she was raised on their Depression era tobacco farm on Miller Hill with her eight siblings. She lived variously in Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Peru, Washington state as well as Miami and Palm Coast. She was a two-time cancer survivor and donated regularly to the American Cancer Society.

A retired Administrative Secretary for Miami-Dade County Schools, PTA President of Coral Reef Elementary School, she enjoyed membership in the Palm Coast Orchid Society, Red Hat Society and the Palm Coast Garden Club. She was very active in VFW Post 8696 Women’s Auxiliary. Etta loved her outings with her friends in the “Lunch Bunch.”

Etta was married 55 years to her late husband, Captain Jack Blonsick, USMC/USN, Eastern Airlines. Etta is survived by daughter Barbara Hersh and

Those who celebrate her life at the Palm Coast UMC will hear her play and sing again with her late husband, Sim, as the church will show a video from 1947 of a 27-yearold Blanche London and a 30-year-old Sim London tickling the ivories and singing, “Wherever There’s MeThere’s You.” At the end of the video, which can be seen on YouTube (youtube.com/watch?v=vVgSyonIMA), a 93-year-old Sim and 90-year-old Blanche can be seen jamming together on the piano again. Watching the video one can’t help but to tap their toes or snap their fingers and smile.

her husband Paul McKune; daughter Donna Kuhl and her husband Gary; son Capt. John Blonsick and his wife Sonia; her grandsons Greg and Stephen Hersh and Jonathan Kuhl; granddaughters Ashley Blonsick and Nicole Stearns. She had five great grandchildren, Calvin, Russell, Jackson and Eliza Hersh and Jackson Stearns.

A memorial service will be held at the VFW Post 8696, 47 Old Kings Rd N, Palm Coast, FL, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Etta will be interred at the Cape Canaveral Military Cemetery in a private ceremony.

friends

United Methodist Church where she became a favorite of Pastor Kevin James. Jones

Blanche and Sim London, Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys, in 1947. Courtesy photos

Blanche London celebrates her 103rd birthday with Rick and Pearl Jones, Pastor Dr. Kevin James and Marva Jones.

After five years, a local premiere

New musical “Riding Time with No Hands” now showing at Seabreeze High.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A new, original musical written by Volusia County residents graced the Seabreeze High School auditorium stage for the first time on Friday, June 14.

The premiere of “Riding Time with No Hands” marked the culmination of a five-year production journey. Written by composer and lyricist Mary Beth Koplin and her husband Ed Koplin, of Edgewater, the play tells the story of an aspiring songwriter named Ellie Turner, who pursues her dream while dealing with the challenges of living in a working class, steel town community.

“It’s an old-fashioned story about personal heroism and being successful in the face of overwhelming odds against you,” said Producer Gary Broughman, of Positively Florida Theater Company.

New Smyrna Beach resident Shirey Brown plays the lead role of Ellie Turner. Broughman said Brown was made for the role.

“It’s great to watch her taking on a role that really has to carry this show,” he said. “I’ve seen her grow as she’s been doing it.”

The show, inspired by a true story, is composed of a cast of 18 — professional actors, community theater veterans and a couple Seabreeze High School students. The cast has been rehearsing since April, meeting four nights a week.

Director Harriet Winokur, of New Smyrna Beach, said it’s exciting to finally be able to premiere the show, which she believes has the potential to be shown in other theaters in the future.

The music is outstanding, Winokur said. Her favorite number is “Treasure Hunting,” and it’s one

IF YOU GO “RIDING TIME WITH NO HANDS” When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday June 21, and 22; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23

Where: Seabreeze High School auditorium, 2700 N. Oleander Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: See this original musical by Mary Beth and Ed Koplin. Tickets cost $25. Visit positivelyflorida.com.

that may bring some members of the audience to tears, she said.

“It’s a story about memories, about when your children grow up, or your family grows up and leaves,” Winokur said. “... The first time two of the cast members heard it, they cried.”

The show features 19 original songs in the pop and soft jazz genres.

The musical director is Leigh Ann Singleton, and Tosha Williams of the Orbit Academy in Port Orange choreographed the show.

“Riding Time with No Hands” was originally supposed to premiere

at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, but due to the fire that occurred less than a month after its reopening following a $1.7 million renovation, the show was relocated to Seabreeze’s 700-person audito rium.

pany has been hosting live theater in the area since 2015. Broughman said he loves being involved with the ater. To put on “Riding Time with No Hands,” his arts organization launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised $10,000 in two days.

audiences to finally see the show, and believes the mes sage will resonate.

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AUTO BIOGRAPHIES by Aidan Deshong, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast; Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, and Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach. Photos by Jarleene Almenas

Larry Schnabel, of Palm Coast, stars as Mr. Manicotti.

Riley Barnes, of Daytona Beach, stars as Mike, alongside Kirsten Lindemulder, of Orlando, as Sophie, and Riley Sparks, of Palm Coast, as Jimmy.

THE FINE ARTS

ROSEATE SPOONBILL IN FLIGHT

John Costin said he’s always been fascinated by birds, and his detailed portraits are now on display at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.

His interest in art began at a young age, when he used crayons on the walls of his grandmother’s house, according to his artist statement. Costin, of Ybor City, studied art history and printmaking in college, and has been a professional artist since 1979.

“I think I was born with a pencil in my hand because the act of drawing

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is one of my earliest pleasant childhood memories,” Costin said. “My imagination was overactive and drawing seemed to be the perfect vehicle to express myself, and has always been an activity in my life.”

He creates his art using multi-plate etching; he individually hand paints each print. His solo exhibition, “Wings of Splendor,” will run through Sept. 22.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

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Non Sequitur

Nancy

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered

Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

SPORTS

All about love

Coach Joe Giddens hosts summer basketball league

MICHELE MEYERS

WRITER

CONTRIBUTING

Mainland High School head basketball coach Joe Giddens said starting the summer basketball league was all about love.

This is his sixth year he’s hosting the summer league. He said he started his own league when he began coaching at Mainland where there is plenty of space for multiple games to be played simultaneously. The school is home to the Vince Carter Athletic Center which houses a main court and three additional courts on the second floor.

“You don’t win championships in the summer, but you get a chance to build up to become champions,” he said.

Giddens has been coaching at his alma mater since 2017, and the Buccaneers have since been reigning district champions, playing in every regional tournament and blazing through top-tier opponents to the state final four the past two years. In 2023, Mainland lost 49-30 to Belen Jesuit in the Class 5A state championship and fell to Blake 53-40 in the Class 5A state semifinal round in 2024.

He said when he was in high school, his team played summer league at Father Lopez High School’s original location east of Nova Road between Madison and Mason Avenues in Daytona Beach.

“When I was in high school, we got better in the summer time,” he said.

“I just thought it would be great to get teams in here so we can get better. This is a great way to build character and for teams to come together. It’s good for my kids and for the community. They get a chance to see teams from different places.”

Eleven varsity and junior varsity teams are playing this year in addition to the host team including Atlantic, Deltona Trinity, Matanzas, Olympia, Pine Ridge, Seabreeze, Spruce Creek and Viera. The games are fast-paced with four 10-minute quarters, three 30-second timeouts, a three-minute warm-up and halftime.

The Seabreeze JV team lost 60-59 to Matanzas on Thursday, June 13.

The Sandcrabs led 31-26 at the half but could not reclaim the lead following the Pirates’ 17-point run in the third quarter.

Seabreeze JV coach Chris Wilson said most of his squad played of which a few will be selected to play for the varsity team.

“We only play varsity teams in these tournaments because we want to get them better,” he said. “I like that they’re able to compete against high-level teams that automatically get us better and gives us more confidence. Today we lost by one, but that gave them the confidence to say, ‘We can still hang with these big boys.’”

Jordan Anthony scored 19 points for the Sandcrabs with Jeremiah Outler and Christian Simmons each adding eight. Outler led the team with eight rebounds and Simmons

“The main thing the summer league does, like I told my principal, it keeps the kids out of trouble. If they’re in the gym, they’re doing something right. If I can keep kids here Tuesdays and Thursdays from five o’clock to eight o’clock then they won’t get in any trouble ... You never know whose life I’m going to save by having kids come here.”

JOE GIDDENS, Mainland head basketball coach

dished out five assists.

Incoming freshman Roman Sword said he played pretty well but turned the ball over too many times down the stretch. He scored six points, had four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

“The Mainland summer league is a great league,” he said. “It gives me more reps against bigger, stronger players.”

Seabreeze varsity coach Ray Gaines took over the Sandcrabs’ program in the summer of 2022 and changed the culture of the team. The Sandcrabs went from a 1-19 in 202122 to 10-13 the following season. He said it is about teaching the kids to have pride in the program and pride in themselves. This year, six of his seniors graduated. He said he has six open spots and the summer league gives the coaches a chance to evaluate the players in a competitive environment.

“It’s good because a lot of times, these younger guys don’t get a chance to play varsity competition,” he said. “We make sure that every game they play has to be a varsity game because a lot of those guys that played tonight have aspirations of playing varsity next year.”

Henry Robinson is going into his fourth year as Matanzas’ head coach. Overall, he has been coaching for 19 years. The Pirates’ summer league team includes three rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

“It’s a huge benefit (to play in the summer league),” he said. “They are getting varsity minutes. Most of them have only played middle school basketball. It’s a big jump. Them getting to see it now is beneficial for us instead of us going into the season and that be the first time they see real competition.”

Giddens said he is excited to see all of the young talent coming out of the middle schools. The summer league is an opportunity for coaches to evaluate their players and for players to

increase their skills in a positive environment.

“The main thing the summer league does, like I told my principal, it keeps the kids out of trouble,” he said. “If they’re in the gym, they’re doing something right. If I can keep kids here Tuesdays and Thursdays from five o’clock to eight o’clock then they won’t get in any trouble. They’ll be too tired. They’ll go home. You never know whose life I’m going to save by having kids come here.”

A Matanzas player closely guards Seabreeze’s Jordan Anthony as he drives to the basket. Photos by Michele Meyers

A Mainland player drives to the basket against the Olympia Titans.

Matanzas center Alex Davis, with the ball, gets triple-teamed in the lane by Seabreeze players.

Mainland guard Kade Manley (right) pivots to pass.

Matanzas’ Jermelle Guerrero drives to the basket past a leaping Jake Anderson (30) of Seabreeze.

Matanzas’ Jermelle Guerrero goes up for the shot as Seabreeze’s Jeremiah Outler defends.

First to commit: Matanzas volleyball player Rylan Miller chooses Georgia

Miller, one of the top liberos in the 2026 recruiting class, accepted the Bulldogs’ offer on the first day coaches can contact rising juniors.

Matanzas volleyball player Rylan Miller didn’t waste any time in deciding her college destination. Miller was the first player in the 2026 national recruiting class to commit to a school, telling University of Georgia coach Tom Black that she will sign with the Bulldogs.

Black contacted Miller at midnight on June 15, the earliest date that NCAA coaches can recruit incoming juniors. They arranged for a 7:30 a.m. phone call, and Miller immediately accepted the offer.

SIDE LINES

FPC-sponsored surfing team places third at national championships

A surf team sponsored by Flagler Palm Coast High School placed third in the nation at the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s High School National Championships June 14-16 at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point, California.

The team included:

„ Benji Lacy, a freshman at FPC, NSSA regional finalist and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

„ Braeden Kopec, the team’s captain, a senior in Florida Virtual School, who will be attending Stetson this fall. Kopec is a long-time Flagler County resident. He is a current USA Surfing Jr. National Team member, has won 10 NSSA regional championship titles and was a 2023 NSSA High School National Championship runner-up.

„ Corbin Akers, a junior at Spruce Creek High School. He is an NSSA regional competitor and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

„ Cash Nipper, a freshman in Florida Virtual School, is an NSSA regional championship finalist and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

The team’s coach and coordinator is Dr. Ben Lacy of Palm Coast.

“He was the first person I talked to and the last person I talked to,” Miller said. “Georgia just felt right. I went to their camp on (June 13) and I just loved it, the coaches, the campus, the players, the commits. They were so nice to me, and I just knew that’s where I wanted to go. When he called and offered, I said yes. It was awesome.”

In two years, Georgia will be getting one of the best volleyball liberos in the nation. Miller was recently ranked as the top libero in Florida by Prep Dig. The libero is a defensive specialist that exclusively plays in the back row and wears a different color jersey.

Some of Miller’s accolades include a selection to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program, an invitation three years in a row to the Under Armor Next camp and inclusion in Prep Volleyball’s 2026 Top 150. She is also on the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-America Watch List for 2026, and she has been named an AVCA Phenom.

Signing with a Division I college team is the culmination of a dream she’s had since she started playing volleyball at 10 years old, Miller said.

“Ever since I was able to pick up a volleyball, I wanted to go as far as I can and be the best I can be,” she said. “It’s a dream come true.”

Matanzas volleyball coach Dawn Moses has been coaching the sport for 40 years and said Miller is by far the best libero she has ever seen.

“Her ability to read the court and her ability to react is crazy. That makes her so special. She gets to balls everyone thinks is hitting the floor. And she came to us like that,” Moses said.

Miller joined the Pirates as a freshman when her family moved to Palm Coast from Texas.

“When she first walked into the Matanzas gym, I said, ‘Holy cow, this kid is a freshman,’” Moses said. “It does not take long to see how special that kid is. She stays on her feet as much as she can, but she pursues every ball like it’s the last one she’s ever going to touch. She makes these phenomenal plays.”

Miller has played for two of the top club teams in the nation in Texas Advantage Volleyball and, since moving to Florida, OTVA Jacksonville. In addition to playing volleyball year-round, she trains with a speed and agility coach, a skills coach and mental performance coach.

“She’s homeschooled so she can be trained daily,” Moses said. “I think we’re seeing more and more of that for kids who have this goal of being the best they can be and playing on the collegiate level.”

Miller is also a great teammate and is very humble, Moses said.

“I’ve had special kids come along in my career, probably 10 that I can

“Ever since I was able to pick up a volleyball, I wanted to go as far as I can and be the best I can be. It’s a dream come true.”

RYLAN MILLER

name that were special in work ethic and ability on the court and made everybody around them better including us coaches, Moses said.

“Rylan stepped in and we had two winning seasons (16-9 in 2022 and 21-6 in 2023). This year we’ve really upped our schedule. It’s important for her growth. We’re going to make sure Rylan takes a little bigger leadership role in our defense.”

Miller said she loves playing for the Pirates.

“I like the girls, the trainer. They’re all super nice people. And I love Coach Moses,” she said.

Miller said she has attended five college camps between June 2 and June 13. The last one turned out to be the right fit.

“I feel so good about it,” she said. “I have my Georgia shirts on and everything. It’s awesome.”

Ormond Youth Baseball teams head to state Palm Coast Little League teams win districts

The Ormond Beach Youth Baseball and Softball Association is sending two all-star baseball teams to the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth state championships. The 11U team beat the West Volusia Athletic Club for the District 4 championship to advance to the

state tournament June 27-30 at the Flagler Babe Ruth Fields at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, 1120 County Road 13. The 10U team beat Flagler for the District 4 title to advance state tourney in Lake City.

The Palm Coast Little League’s Junior League all-star softball team and Senior League all-star baseball team won District 19 championships to advance to the sectional tournaments. The sectionals begin Saturday, June 22, at the PCLL fields at the

in the deciding game.

Ormond Beach 11U All-Stars. Front row: Cannon Parsons, Dominic Amato, Henry Jones, Gavin Beach, Jaxon Tremblay and Jacob Cornett. Middle row: Loudon Trosan, Rylie Georg, Andrew Elston, Chase Rivera, James Caputo and coach Will Jones. Back row: Coaches Jeff Caputo, Chad Parsons and Brian Trosan.

Palm Coast Little League’s Senior League All-Star baseball team won the District 19 championship.

Ormond Beach 10U All-Stars. Coaches: Colin Gray, John Holcomb, Tom Reardon and Justin McLeod. Players: Blake Gray, Luke Holcomb, Dominic Santoianni, Espn Haines, Madden Weisman, Beckett Reardon, Nick Miller, Barry Kral, Shamus Lafferty, Carson McLeod, Declan Tran and Luca Jegede. Courtesy photos Palm Coast Little League’s Junior League All-Star softball team won the District 19 championship.

Matanzas libero Rylan Miller (left) gets ready to receive a serve in a game against Gainesville Buchholz on Oct. 16, 2023. File photo by Brent Woronoff

June 20, 27, 2024 24-00138G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-000634 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, v. PATRICK DAVID PROPST, et al., Defendants. NOTICE is hereby given that Tom Bexley, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Flagler County, Florida, will on July 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET, via the online auction site at www. flagler.realforeclose.com in accordance with Chapter 45, F.S., offer for sale and sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the following described property situated in Flagler County, Florida, to wit: Lot 10, Block 73, Zebulah’s TrailSection 63 Seminole Woods at Palm Coast, according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Map Book 18, pages 24 through 35, inclusive, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Property Address: 54 Zebulahs Trl, Palm Coast, FL 32164 pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in a case pending in said Court, the style and case number of which is set forth above. 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. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. 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, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. SUBMITTED on this 12th day of June, 2024. TIFFANY & BOSCO, P.A. /s/ Kathryn I. Kasper, Esq. Anthony R. Smith, Esq. FL Bar #157147 Kathryn I. Kasper, Esq. FL Bar #621188 Attorneys for Plaintiff OF COUNSEL: Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. 1201 S. Orlando Ave, Suite 430 Winter Park, FL 32789 Telephone: (205) 930-5200 Facsimile: (407) 712-9201 June 20, 27, 2024 24-00139G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 6:00 P.M. on the 2nd day of July 2024, for the purpose hearing Ordinance 2024-XX Amending Chapter 18 and Chapter 34 in the City’s Land Development Code before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2024-XX AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE CITY OF BUNNELL LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENT TO SECTION 18-52 WETLANDS; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENT TO VARIOUS SECTIONS WITHIN CHAPTER 34 –ZONING; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48 business hours prior to the meeting. NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes) June 20, 2024 24-00207F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTIONCONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2024 CA 000278 NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff, vs. LEOKADIA SADICK, et. al. Defendant(s), TO: LEOKADIA SADICK, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF LEOKADIA SADICK, whose residence is unknown and all parties having or claiming to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the mortgage being foreclosed herein. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: LOT 12, BLOCK 10, PALM COAST, MAP OF ROYAL PALMS, SECTION 29, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGE 17 THROUGH 29, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on counsel for Plaintiff, whose address is 6409 Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Boca Raton, Florida 33487 on or before 30 days from first publication/ (30 days from Date of First Publication of this Notice) and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition filed herein. THIS NOTICE SHALL BE PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEK FOR TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court at County, Florida, this day of 6/11/2024. Tom Bexley CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) BY: /s/ Margarita Ruiz

DEPUTY CLERK Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 PRIMARY EMAIL: flmail@raslg.com 24-199918 June 20, 27, 2024 24-00140G

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

Pursuant to the Florida Self Service Storage

Facility Act, the owner of a self-storage facility has a lien upon all personal property located at the self-service storage facility for rent or other charges incurred for the storage of the personal property. Due to the failure to pay the rent, the owner is enforcing its lien and intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the personal property located in the rented spaces listed in this notice. THIS NOTICE IS BEING PROVIDED PURSUANT TO Fl SS.83.801-83.809. BEFORE the sale, the tenants listed may pay the amount necessary to satisfy the lien and the reasonable expenses incurred to redeem the personal property. ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE: Notice is hereby given that on 07/16/2024 on or after 6:00PM, the personal property located in the following storage units will be sold by competitive bidding with reserve at: Go Store It Bunnell. Each unit contains household, recreational and/or misc. goods unless otherwise noted. Start: 07/02/24 9:00 am EST End:07/16/24 6:00 PM EST Location 4601 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Fl. 32110

Description: Nelson Hall #109 & Michael Peterson #065 Bidding: All bidding will take place online at www.storagetreasures. com June 20, 27, 2024 24-00219F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORFEITURE A 2007 Volvo S60 with VIN#YV1RS592X72618048, $2,880.00 USD, and a Glock 19 Firearm serial #BNKK490 was seized for forfeiture by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on August 10, 2023. The item(s) were seized at or near Fruitwood Ave, Bunnell FL. The Flagler County Sheriff is holding the property for purposes of a current forfeiture action 2024 CA 000328 in the 7th Circuit

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024 CA 000188 CITIZENS BANK NA F/K/A RBS CITIZENS NA, Plaintiff, vs. JASON ROWE; JESSICA ROWE, Defendant(s). TO: Jessica Rowe Residence Unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described property in Flagler County, Florida: LOT 13, BLOCK 58A, OF PALM COAST, MAP OF WYNNFIELD, SECTION 27 ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 28, PAGE 30 AND 31, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA.

Street Address: 25 Wood Ash Lane, Palm Coast, Florida 32164 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, Plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is 3222 Commerce Place, Suite A, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, within 30 days after the date of the first publication of this notice and file the original with the Clerk of this Court, otherwise, a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. B-206, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Dated on 6/12/2024. Tom Bexley Clerk of said Court (SEAL) By: /s/ Margarita Ruiz As Deputy Clerk

McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC 3222 Commerce Place, Suite A West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Telephone: (561) 713-1400

FLpleadings@MWC-law.com

File#:24-400050 June 20, 27, 2024 24-00141G

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF SOLICITATION

The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting interest for the following: RSQ 24-036Q-Concessionaire Services at Flagler County’s Bull Creek Campground located at 3861 W CR 2006, Bunnell, FL. The Concessionaire will be expected to operate a restaurant that provides a quality, unique food service that compliments the campground and Bull Creek Park atmosphere, as well as sell bait and packaged goods. The due date and time for submission of responses to this solicitation is 2:00 p.m. E.T., on Tuesday, July 8th, 2024, at the address below. Responses received after the due date and time will not be considered.

Flagler County Purchasing 1769 East Moody Blvd. Building #2, 3 rd floor Bunnell, FL 32110

This solicitation is available for download at www.VendorLink.com, from the link on the Purchasing by contacting Purchasing directly at purchasing@flaglercounty.gov or by phone at 386.313.4008. Questions should be posted on VendorLink. June 20, 2024 24-00227F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: JOHNS TOWING AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE, INC gives notice that on 07/02/2024 at 09:00 AM the following vehicles(s) may be sold by public sale at 1103 N STATE STREET BUNNELL, FL 32110 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78.

5FNYF184X6B014836 2006 HOND June 20, 2024 24-00225F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: JOHNS TOWING AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE, INC gives notice that on 07/03/2024 at 09:00 AM the following vehicles(s) may be sold by public sale at 1103 N STATE STREET BUNNELL, FL 32110 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78.

1G1ZD5ST0JF209536 2018 CHEV June 20, 2024 24-00224F

FOURTH INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: 2024 DR 000421

DIVISION: 47 Judge France IN RE: The Marriage of: ALIYA ROSE ANDERSON, Petitioner/Wife, and TITO IRAN BRITO, Respondent/Husband. TO: Tito Iran Brito 905 Richardson Vista Rd. Anchorage, Alaska 99501 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Aliya Rose Anderson c/o her attorney of record, whose address is 10 Vining Court, Ormond Beach, FL 32176, on or before June 29th 2024, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bld. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. 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

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, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 6 day of June, 2024. ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909 Service Email: flmail@raslg.com By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com 23-107174 - MiM June 13, 20, 2024 24-00132G

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