PALM COAST
The four candidates debated issues in three different forums on consecutive nights.
most about the July 29 Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition’s Flagler County School Board candidate forum was the civility among the four candidates.
“Sometimes you come to these and they’re more arguments than a forum,” Travis Sundell said.
“We got to hear where they stand without the negativity,” Leigh Anne Sundell added.
Two of the five School Board seats are up for grabs in the Aug. 20 primary. Both seats will be occupied by new members (current members Colleen Conklin and Cheryl Massaro are retiring in November).
Janie Ruddy is running against Derek Barrs for the District 3 seat. Ruddy, a former Teacher of the Year at Rymfire Elementary School, has 13 years of teaching experience and is currently the director of Professional Learning for n2y, which distributes special education software, curriculum and learning tools. Barrs, a former Florida Highway Patrol chief, has 33 years of experience in law enforce -
The forum, hosted by NAACP, was one of two held at the African American Cultural Center on July 30.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler County’s commission candidates got a chance to tell voters their thoughts at a local political forum, but not many attendees were able to ask candidates their questions during the forum. The Flagler County branch of the NAACP hosted two back-to-back forums on July 30 at the African American Cultural Center, one for Fla-
gler County Commission candidates and one for Flagler School Board candidates. Three of the five Flagler County Commission seats are up for election in August and November. Commissioner Andy Dance is the only commissioner running for reelection, while Commissioners Donald O’Brien and David Sullivan have decided to step down from their seats, leaving the district 3 and 5 seats up for grabs. Not all the commission candidates were in attendance, though candidates from all three district seats were invited. Both candidates for the district 1 seat — Dance and opponent Fernando
Palms SC women’s team players Madison Bost (left) and Caitlynn Lewis (right) run drills at the Indian Trails Soccer Complex.
Photo by Michele Meyers
Flagler Fish Co. to expand 5A
CITY WATCH
How to participate
in final budgeting review meetings
With Palm Coast closing in on the final meetings for solidifying the fiscal year 2025 budget, the city is inviting residents to follow along and participate in the process. There are five meetings remaining in the budget review process, according to a Palm Coast press release.
The city capital funds, fleet and special revenue budgets will be reviewed at the Aug. 13 workshop meeting, while the final proposed budget will be presented at the Aug. 27 special workshop meeting.
A public hearing will be held on Sept. 2. On Sept. 5, the council will cast its first vote to adopt a final millage rate and fiscal year 2025 budget. The second, and final vote, will be held on Sept. 18. Residents can review the budget at any point through the city’s Financial Transparency Dashboard online at palmcoastfl.finance. socrata.com or through a link on the city’s main website. The transparency dashboard is updated weekly to ensure the most current data is available.
City staff: ‘Life-stage housing’ needed
As Palm Coast wraps up its Imagine 2050 comprehensive plan update, the city is looking for ways to include more diverse and affordable housing in its future.
The comprehensive plan update began with gathering community input on what residents want to see for the future of their city. Consulting firm JBPro has been leading the process, and they are using that community feedback to frame the city’s goals.
When the city incorporated in 1999, state statute required cities to create a comprehensive plan. Palm Coast adopted its 2035 plan in 2004.
Now, Palm Coast is updating that comprehensive plan with “Imagine 2050.” The new plan will outline the city’s growth plans over the coming decades.
The plan’s outline for Palm Coast’s future housing — presented to the Palm Coast City Council on July 23 — primarily focuses on ways to promote diverse housing opportunities in the city, including incentivizing developers, allowing a variety of lot sizes and providing different types of housing options that are integrated into standard residential neighborhoods.
Deputy Chief Development Officer Ray Tyner referred to these housing opportunities as “life-stage housing.”
“It includes a spectrum of residential options tailored to meet the diverse needs and circumstances of individuals and families across various stages of life,” Tyner said.
The needs of an individual just starting out or as a retiree, he said, are much different from those of a family of three.
However it is described, Planning Board member Sandra Shank reminded the council during public comment that “affordable” just means that individuals are not spending more than 30% of their income on housing, regardless of how expensive the home is.
“Affordability does not mean low quality,” Shank said.
Integrating the more affordable housing into residential neighborhoods is also important, council
member Theresa Carli Pontieri said.
“When we cluster things, that’s kind of where you start to see a dip in the quality of life in certain areas,” Pontieri said. “I don’t want to see that for our workforce residents; they should be able to live in the same neighborhoods and have the same amenities as our other residents.”
Tyner pointed out that the comprehensive plan is a “35,000-foot” view of the city’s goals.
The comprehensive plan acts like a guideline and roadmap for how a city grows and develops, he said. Policies and regulations are then derived from these overarching goals, ideally shaping how the city grows in the following decades.
Once the comprehensive plan is finished, Tyner said, city staff will go through and update its land development code accordingly.
The LDC changes will be where the effective rules and regulations that enforce the ideas in the comprehensive plan will come from.
Council member Cathy Heighter pointed out that regardless of what it’s called, housing affordability needs to go hand in hand with economic development policies.
Discussing the changes to housing was one of the last items in the draft of the new plan to be reviewed, which also included sections on the city’s future land use designations, transportation goals and capital improvements.
Residents can review each section of the comprehensive plan and provide feedback by going to palmcoast.
BY THE NUMBERS
89% Of homes in Palm Coast are a single-family detached unit.
33% Of Palm Coast homeowners with mortgage spend more 30% on housing, including utilities.
62% Of all renters in Palm Coast earn less than 100% of the average median income.
9,544
Housing building permits were issued from 2019-2023.
6,871
Of those permits were for single-family homes.
— Source: city of Palm Coast
mysocialpinpoint.com which is the interactive website for the Imagine 2050 project.
Tyner said the Aug. 13 workshop will be an update on all of the responses the comprehensive plan team has received. Then, at the Aug. 27 meeting, the updated plan gets sent to the state for approval.
Around Oct. 15, the plan will be finalized and ready for the city’s adoption, pending any recommended changes from the state, Tyner said.
Supervisor
honored for helping special needs community
Palm Coast Community Center Supervisor Carrie Todd was honored at a ceremony on July 23 for her contributions to the special needs community, specifically those with Autism Spectrum Disorder social group.
The ASD social group is a Palm Coast Parks and Recreation program that allows those with ASD who have recently graduated high school to have a space for continuing socialization activities, a Palm Coast press release said. The co-founders of Cedar Bridge Foundation hosted the ceremony honoring Todd, who founded the group.
Cedar Bridge co-founder Maria Dowling said Todd exemplifies “compassion, resilience and vision.”
“Supporting individuals with exceptional needs is a journey filled with unique challenges and profound rewards,” Dowling said. “Her commitment to empowering those with disabilities and fostering a sense of community and inclusion has been inspirational.” Todd established the group after she was inspired by her own experiences as a parent of a son with autism, the press release said. The ASD social group will continue in the fall season. Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13, the social group will meet 6-7:30 p.m. every other Tuesday, at the Community Center. The group is open to those 18 and older. Register at parksandrec.fun.
“Carrie Todd’s dedication to empowering individuals who are differently abled and improving their lives has been truly inspirational,” Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst said.
Angel Pinkerton, CFP® Holland Adviser
Amy Wiliamson, CFP® Holland Adviser
Miranda Mumma, CFP® Holland Adviser
Homes under construction in Palm Coast. File photo
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Who terrorized Flagler Schools? An 11-year-old boy
‘This is an example of domestic terrorism,’ Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said. The Virginia boy has also been connected to swatting calls in six other counties, seven other states and Washington, D.C.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced the arrest of an 11-yearold Virginia boy in connection to over 20 swatting phone calls multiple Flagler schools received last May.
The 11-year-old, of Henrico County, Virginia, is facing multiple second-degree felony charges for the swatting calls — phone calls about a fake bomb or shooting threat — that occurred between May 14 and 22. Staly said the boy is not only responsible for the calls in Flagler County, but for swatting calls made in Volusia, Brevard, Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, too, as well as swatting calls made in seven other states and in Washington, D.C.
Staly called the boy an “online predator.”
“I want to emphasize that this is an example of domestic terrorism,” Staly said. “And the fact that the suspect responsible is only 11 years old is truly sad. It’s also evident that this was not a kid’s prank, but it was deliberate acts.”
All of the calls made in Flagler County are attributed to the 11-yearold, excepting the one made by a 13-year-old, who was arrested in May. That call, Staly said, was a copycat.
The FCSO held a press conference announcing the arrest on July 25 alongside State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Superintendent LaShakia Moore, Flagler School Board Chair Will Furry and Florida Rep. Paul Renner.
The boy was arrested on July 18 by Virginia authorities. He is facing the following charges: 14 felony counts of false reports concerning a bomb, 14 felony counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one felony count of tampering with physical evidence and 14 misdemeanor counts of disrupting a school function.
Staly and Larizza said a compact for juveniles is being used to bring the 11-year-old to Volusia County, where he will be held. Staly said the investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be pending.
“With school coming up in less than a month, I know that the status of this investigation was on the forefront of our community’s mind, which is why our detectives never stopped working to find the person responsible,” Staly said.
SUSPECT’S BEHAVIOR
‘WAS ESCALATING’
In one phone call, the 11-year-old, claiming to be a student at Flagler Palm Coast High School, told the FCSO dispatcher that he had shot his teacher in the head and was in the process of trying to hide the body.
“And if you don’t come quickly, they will all die,” the 11-year-old said in the call.
Staly said while investigating the
calls it was clear that the suspect, unknown at the time, knew how to somewhat disguise his location and, on some of the calls, his voice.
Using resources from the FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center and assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and the National Center for Audio and Video Forensics, the FCSO was able to track down and identify the 11-year-old as a suspect.
Law enforcement seized the boy’s electronics, and, after several electronic autopsies, Staly said, investigators found evidence that the boy was involved in other crimes, including sexual cyber harassment.
“What we learned was frankly shocking and alarming,” Staly said.
The boy’s mother told law enforcement that he had become more and more involved in social media and online since the COVID-19 pandemic. His online activity and “dark behavior,” Staly said, was concerning to the family, who said the boy had a dark side and liked to look at disturbing material.
In interviews with investigators, Staly said the 11-year-old admitted to making the phone calls on Flagler County, some made in Volusia County and a swatting call made to the Maryland State House. He also admitted to watching violent videos online: videos of animal torturing, videos of decapitation and murder, Staly said.
The 11-year-old also told investigators that every news media story about his calls was like “adding a trophy” to his online persona, Staly said.
Staly said not only did the boy not seem sorry for his actions but seemed proud; Staly further described him as a “very smart and articulate” kid. It was evident that without intervention, Staly said, the 11-year-old would have eventually hurt someone.
“This kid’s behavior was escalating and becoming more dangerous,” Staly said.
‘ACCOUNTABILITY IS GOING TO RULE THE DAY’ Larizza said that through the Interstate Juvenile Compact, the 11-yearold would be coming to Florida to face his charges. “It’s possible, Larizza said, that the 11-year-old could be charged as an adult, but that is far from certain. His office is still reviewing the charges.
“I certainly hope and pray that there are ways to reach this kid,” Larizza said, “but I can guarantee you, in the Seventh Circuit, and in the great state of Florida, accountability is going to rule the day.”
From a personal perspective, Larizza said, sometimes “you just have to get smacked in the face before you realize something. ...
“It’s time that people understand just how dangerous the internet can be.”
Rep. Paul Renner said that a case like this is why it’s important to have legislation similar to Florida’s House Bill 3, a law Renner spearheaded, that prevents minors under 14 from having social media accounts and requiring parental approval for 14and 15-year-olds to have them.
Similar federal legislation has “no teeth,” Renner said, and fails to protect society’s children from the dan-
gers of social media.
“This is yet another tragic story about why we have to act,” Renner said. “… For better or worse this young man is going to have to be held accountable.”
School Board member Will Furry likened social media to poison.
“I know that your kids are under pressure, under peer pressure, to have these social media apps and new things online,” Furry said, but if your children wanted poison, you wouldn’t give them poison.”
Staly said the boy’s parents seemed to ignore his odd behaviors. Parents, he said, “need to be their own sheriff” and say something and get help if they see concerning behaviors in their children.
Furry also had a message for children who would emulate these behaviors and actions: “It’s not worth the attention you’re seeking.”
“This is yet another tragic story about why we have to act.”
PAUL RENNER, Speaker of the Florida House
AHEAD OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR, ACTIVE ASSAILANT PRACTICE
During the July 25 press conference, a reporter asked Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore and Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly if the chaos of May’s 20 swatting calls changed any of the county’s active assailant policies.
“Each time those calls came in, we followed our safety protocols,” Moore said. “I’m confident in the safety protocols we have.”
On July 24, Flagler County first responders practiced the active assailant response in an exercise at Flagler Palm Coast High School to ensure as students and parents prepare for the new school year, which begins on Aug. 12. Staly said at the press conference that the active assailant in the exercise was neutralized in 36 seconds.
The policy and training works, he said.
“We pray that we never have to respond to a real event,” Staly said. “What the community should take away is that your school district and your law enforcement and your fire departments are prepared and ready.”
The training scenario was that of an armed assailant with school access firing indiscriminately in a crowded area of FPC and catching students, staff, and visitors off guard, according to a press release from Flagler County.
The exercise necessitated a law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services unified response, as well as practicing reuniting family members with students following a mass casualty event.
Flagler County Emergency Management Manager Ryan Simpson said a good exercise “is one that looks, sounds, and feels very much like a real situation.”
First responders and volunteers from the following agencies participated in the drill: AdventHealth Palm Coast hospitals; Bunnell
Police Department; Flagler County Emergency Management; Flagler Beach Fire Department; Flagler Beach Police Department; Flagler County Fire Rescue; Flagler Schools; Flagler County Sheriff’s Office; Palm Coast Fire Department; and Flagler Volunteer Services.
The agencies collaboratively worked to locate and neutralize the threat, while also treating mock victims, a Palm Coast Fire Department press release said. Volunteer actors played the roles of victims — from the injured to distractors — allowing for a more realistic environment during the exercise.
“Exercises like this are a great way to not only help us in being prepared for circumstances presented in the scenario but also great for helping to sow the seeds of collaboration between agencies that would be vital in handling a scenario like this in a real-life setting,” Palm Coast Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said. “Any time we can utilize our skills to protect our community better is a win-win, and we are thankful to Flagler Schools for their hospitality and collaboration.”
Though the practice assailant was neutralized quickly, one deputy did theoretically “die” during the practice exercise, Staly said.
“But that is how you learn and make sure that you are ready,” he said.
At the end of the exercise, participants debriefed, evaluating mission areas, core capabilities, and objectives, the county press release said. Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Mike Tucker said the debrief is an important part of the training.
“While everything went very well, it gives us an opportunity to see what the gaps are – or potential gaps – so that we can operate optimally during an actual deployment,” he said.
Sheriff Rick Staly at a press conference announcing the arrest of an 11-year-old suspect in connection to May’s swatting calls. Photo by Sierra Williams
First responders at the FPC practice active assailant exercise. Courtesy of Palm Coast
PROUDLY ENDORSED BY
Flagler Schools dives into AI initiative
The school district is adopting artificial intelligence policies and programs to enhance student
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
When the Flagler County School Board directed the district in March to start an artificial intelligence task force, Ryan Deising and Teresa Phillips — the technology officers charged with leading the initiative — had no idea how fast it would take off. But then, that’s the trend AI is following.
“AI is changing not even daily but by the minute,” Phillips, the district’s curriculum specialist for instructional technology, told the board.
Phillips and Deising — the district’s chief of technology and innovation — presented the board with a task force progress report at a School Board information workshop on July 23. Phillips has taken the lead in launching AI programs and trainings within the district, Deising said.
When they sent out an initial survey to employees asking what they’d like to see in AI regarding policies, guidelines, operations and education, 70 responded with 40 attending a half-day session just before spring break. Since May, 496 Flagler Schools employees have taken advantage of AIrelated training, Phillips said.
“It shows the vested interest from our team. It’s a great number for Flagler rolling into this. They took time out of their summer to be a part of this,” she said.
as well as enhance lessons for students, Deising and Phillips said.
“CoSN and ISTE (the International Society of Technology in Education) have great tools we’ve been able to take advantage of,” Deising said.
The website Teach AI has all the guidelines in place for teachers using AI and educating students about AI and using it as a tool, Phillips said. The district landed its focus on the MagicSchool AI platform, which is more user friendly than ChatGPT or Google Gemini, she said.
As an example, Phillips said, through MagicSchool, the chatbot can turn into a character from a book. With the book, “Sara, Plain and Tall,” the chatbot turned into the character of Sarah, and was shared with third grade students, answering students’ questions as the character.
“They actually did that during one of the summer reading courses,” Phillips said. “Kids are hard to get into reading sometimes, but they were like, ‘that’s so cool, she turned Siri into Sarah.’ It’s a great way for that engagement. They’d ask one question, and say, ‘Wait a minute she really did answer, maybe I can ask a harder question.’”
There are programs already aligned with Florida’s state standards, Deising said.
Phillips said. Guardrails are built in, so if the word, stupid, comes up, for example, a yellow flag pops up, she said. As far as tools for teachers, Khanmigo from Khan Academy helps them develop personalized tutors for their students. Because of a grant from Bill Gates, Phillips said, the platform is free for all teachers to use.
“Every student may be able to have a tutor specific to their needs,” Phillips said.
Through the platform teachers can also brush up on a topic and it will give them ideas on how to present the topic to a specific grade level.
“We’re making sure everything is appropriate and we’re rolling it out the right way,” Phillips said. “It’s here, it’s our future.”
Superintendent Moore said the district is taking a cautious approach before integrating each tool.
“Safety rails must (be in place), especially for our students,” Moore said. “At the conference in Colorado I was very proud of the work we’re putting in in Florida on data privacy. Some states didn’t have that.”
Digital literacy will continue to be a component of today’s education, Phillips and Deising said. The task force’s first implementation was to change the Student Code of Conduct’s plagiarism policy.
“It was kind of outdated and did not match what is available now with AI,” Phillips said. “We moved it to academic integrity, a broader umbrella to cover those things.”
The district sent several teams to state and national conferences, including the Future Educators Technology Conference in Orlando, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders. Superintendent LaShakia Moore joined Phillips at a conference in Colorado.
“You can ask AI to create a set of questions based off of Florida standards, and it will create those questions and incorporate those into our (learning management system), and now the time the teacher spends aligning them into standards and ensuring that is a click of a button, and a couple of seconds process. It’s impactful from a standpoint of efficiency.”
It’s like a creative assistant helping and guiding the teacher, Phillips said.
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With safeguards in place, AI can provide shortcuts for teachers in preparing lessons
Canva Magic is a graphic design platform that students can use to create posters. MagicSchool has an image generator that can generate an image from a student’s descriptor from a story, Pillips said.
Deising said the district is also beginning to work on an AI bot for Flagler Schools’ website to answer questions in a specific way in context. Staff members are also volunteering to develop procedures and policies for using AI to build efficiencies for instruction and also for food service, finance and operations.
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“If the image doesn’t look quite right, they can go back and add more descriptive,”
“It’s on a lot of our team’s minds already,” he said. “They’re willing to roll up their sleeves, because that’s not always the fun stuff.”
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All nine schools attain A or B grades
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Matanzas High School joined Old Kings Elementary and Indian Trails Middle as A schools.
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the momentum we need to go after being an A district. You hear it said, but now we get to see it. This is Flagler Forward.”
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BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
For the first time in nine years, all nine schools in the Flagler County School District have received an A or B grade from the Florida Department of Education.
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Three Flagler County schools received an A grade. Matanzas High School improved from a B grade in 2023 to an A, while Indian Trails Middle School attained an A grade for the sixth year in a row and Old Kings Elementary School received an A for the third year in a row.
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The district received an overall B grade for the third year in a row.
“I am so proud of the hard work of our faculty, staff and students and the amazing support of this community,” Superintendent LaShakia Moore said in a video released by the district. “I’m so excited to get started with this school year. This is exactly
Buddy Taylor Middle School and Bunnell Elementary School each improved from a C grade to a B.
The other county schools — Rymfire, Wadsworth and Belle Terre elementary schools and Flagler Palm Coast High School — maintained their B grades from a year ago.
The county’s charter school, Imagine School at Town Center, also maintained its B grade from 2023.
According to a Flagler Schools press release, learning gains and achievements in English, science and mathematics resulted in improved scores at Matanzas, Buddy Taylor and Bunnell. Flagler Schools was rated an A district in 2019 after receiving a B grade in seven consecutive years that the grades were released. Due to the pandemic school grades were not recorded in 2020 and districts were given the flexibility to have their grades recorded in 2021. Flagler was not one of the 11 districts to opt in that year.
According to the DOE’s Guide to Calculating School Grades, District Grades and the Federal Percent of Points Index, “a school’s grade may include up to 12 components. There are five achievement components and four learning gains components, as well as components for middle school acceleration, graduation rate and college and career acceleration.”
BUSINESS OBSERVER
Flagler Fish to expand, despite parking concern
The restaurant applied to increase its seating to 187. Calculations show it needs 28 more parking spaces.
SIERRA
WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler Beach’s Flagler Fish Company is getting an extensive seating expansion, despite concerns about a lack of parking available.
The Flagler Beach Commission unanimously approved the expansion request that would bring the restaurant’s available seating up to 187, according to the proposed site plan submitted to Flagler Beach. The restaurant is located at 180 S. Daytona Ave. and has 10 parking spaces.
The restaurant’s proposed plans, among other changes, move the spots so that all 10 parking spaces are on the restaurant’s south side. The east side of the building would become a paved and walled seating area, complete with a dog-friendly section.
According to the plans, this would add 50 seats outdoors.
According to calculations by the city, Planner Lupita McClenning told the commission that the Land Development Regulations would require 38 parking spaces to accommodate the 187 seats, including expansion.
Beyond the current 10 spaces, the remaining 28 would be reliant on city-owned parking spaces, including the two city spaces in front of the restaurant’s east side.
A 2018 ordinance allows businesses to rely on city parking spaces for new development.
But City Commissioner Eric Cooley said he had issues with continuing to approve parking changes that could impact the area’s quality of life without first updating the language in the code and parking calculations.
The code requires restaurants to have parking spaces of either one space per 150 square feet or of one parking space per three fixed seats.
Businesses in the downtown area who can’t meet the requirement can receive credit through using the parking pool.
Cooley said the code is reliant on how many “fixed” seats are in a restaurant when determining the ratio, instead
BIZ BUZZ
of just how many seats there are in total. He said the definition of “fixed seats” is arbitrary
“So we have staff interpreting plans as fixed or not fix seats, when it’s not shown [on the plans] to be fixed or not fixed seats,” he said. Cooley said using the vague language in the code to make these calculation means that the city will have inaccu -
rate numbers of how many city-owned parking spots are available in the parking pool program.
Ironically, he said, with these calculations, there should still be enough parking spaces in that area’s parking pool, but only because calculations for other developments were also done incorrectly. As of June 24, there are 135 total on-street
spaces available in the parking pool calculations.
“We cannot continue to make decisions that are going to have a negative effect on quality of life because of wording subjectivity,” Cooley said. “This potentially could have a negative effect on quality of life issues on that side of town.”
Email sierra@observer localnews.com.
For
A rendering of Flagler Fish Company’s proposed renovation. Image from Flagler Beach Commission
JULY 26
NERVOUS TICKS
6:48 a.m. — intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Braddock Lane, Palm Coast Drug possession. A man and a woman were both arrested after their nervous behavior tipped law enforcement that something was awry.
The two suspects were at a gas station filling up their truck when a Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled into a spot near them. The deputy immediately noticed the two kept looking at his squad car and acting nervous, which caused the deputy to pay closer attention to them, according to an arrest report.
As the two left the gas station, the deputy pulled them over when they did not stop at a stop sign, the report said. The deputy, and two officers who arrived for backup, talked to the couple and saw, through the truck window, meth crystals in a jar in the driver seat.
The deputies searched the truck and found over nine grams of meth, fentanyl, THC vape cartridges and other drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested.
JULY 23
BAGGED TO-GO
3:45 p.m. —Interstate 95, near mile marker 284, Flagler County Possession, intent to sell. A Florida Highway Patrol officer pulled over two men for the tint on their car’s window, only to find over 60 pounds of drugs in the car.
The officer pulled them over on I-95 and, while talking to the two men smelled an “overwhelmingly strong” odor of marijuana and saw marijuana residue on the driver’s shirt. This prompted a search of the car, according to the
men’s arrest reports. When a second officer arrived for backup, the two searched the car and found 129.5 grams of THC cartridges, cocaine, marijuana and LSD. In the trunk, the officer found a large cardboard box and a bag that were filled with separated, smaller bags of THC cartridges. The THC cartridges from the trunk weighed a combined total of 27,329 grams, or just over 60 pounds. Both men were charged with drug possession charges while the passenger — who owned the car — was also charged with trafficking and intent to sell.
JULY 16
SEEKING JUSTICE
10:15 a.m. — 1500 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Criminal mischief. Police arrested a 22-year-old Ormond Beach woman who spraypainted several areas of a big box store parking lot, causing $1,000 in damage. The woman was seen spray-painting the store’s sidewalk and sign, and was yelled at by an employee to leave the premises. And she did, but not before spraypainting some more, according to a police report.
Officers found her at a nearby gas station where she was arrested; she was seen by employees pouring motor oil on the concrete to spell out a sentence.
A police report notes the
woman told police that she was “trying to get her message out” regarding a prior incident where she felt nothing had been done. Her message? She was named someone as a pedophile and wrote down where he worked and what deputy handled his polygraph test, according to the woman’s arrest report.
Employees with both the big box store and gas station wished to press charges. She was taken to jail.
JULY 21
CURIOSITY AND LOCKCUTTING
3:55 p.m. — 700 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Burglary. Police responded to an active construction site after receiving a call that an unknown man was trying to break into the building.
Officers canvassed the area and found a 33-year-old Ormond Beach man crouching down behind construction supplies. He was detained and agreed to speak with police. According to a police report, he told them that he was resting on the property and looking for a place to hide his inoperable scooter.
But, he also admitted to cutting the lock on the building because he was curious as to what was inside. He told police he threw the lock in a 2-feet-deep puddle of water, which police never found.
Police believe the man was in the process of committing burglary on the building. When they conducted a search of his person, they found a gram of methamphetamine. He was taken to jail.
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BRIEFS
FCSO donates $21,520 to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees donated $21,520 to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, bringing FCSO employees’ total donations to the FSYR to almost $180,000 since 2017.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly presented the latest employee donation check to FSYR Executive Vice President Maria Knapp, and Levy County Sheriff and FSYR Board Chair Bobby McCallum on July 22, during the Florida Sheriffs Association semiannual meeting.
“Our agency and I have supported the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches for eight years,” Staly said. “I am very proud of the men and women of FCSO who not only support our children and youth locally but donate to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches as part of the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities. FCSO firmly supports and truly believes in the organization’s mission to support our youth by ‘mending lives, healing hearts.’”
Staly has served on the FSYR Board of Directors for the past seven years and currently serves as the immediate past board chair.
The FSYR was founded in 1957 and has been improving the lives of at-risk children through several different Florida locations and comprehensive programs. The FSYR is credited with helping more than 173,000 children and families in Florida. Their mission is to support needy and neglected boys and girls by establishing a warm sense of well-being, safety, and guidance.
The FSYR instills a sense of responsibility, strong work values, integrity, and quality by building the children’s characters, and by ensuring that they are given the same opportunities as their peers for school attendance and ex-
tracurricular activity participation. With these values in mind, the mission of the FSYR is to prevent delinquency and develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens.
To learn more about the FSYR, please visit www. youthranches.org. To support the FSYR with a taxdeductible donation, visit: https://www.youthranches. org/index.php/ways-to-give/ online-donation.html
Massachusetts man is suspect in Bunnell child molesting case
A man from Bridgewater, Massachusetts was taken into custody on July 29 after law enforcement suspects he molested a 15-year-old girl in Bunnell in June.
James Torello, 25, was in Bunnell visiting family in early June when the Flagler Sheriff’s Office reports he molested his young family member. He flew back home to Massachusetts early the next morning, on June 7.
Later that day, the girl told her parents that Torello had molested her, and they immediately contacted the Sheriff’s Office, according to Torello’s arrest report. The girl said Torello had sent her Snapchat messages the night before, asking to touch her chest, but she thought he was joking.
She said he came into her room while she was sleeping the night before his flight and fondled and kissed her breast. The girl said she woke up while he was touching her and saw him leave a vape on her nightstand as he left the room, the report said.
The mother told detectives that she knew Torello “had issues” but thought they had been resolved, the report said. In a recorded call with the girl’s father, Torello admitted to molesting the 15-year-old girl, according to the FCSO. Torello also said he knew he had an “incest addiction,” the report said.
After the investigation, the detective filed a felony molestation charge against Torello with the State Attorney’s
Office. An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest on July 26 and Torello turned himself in to the FCSO on July 29, according to court documents. Torello is being held at the Flagler County Jail without bond.
After recapture, FCSO to review inmate’s escape
For seven hours on July 27, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office inmate managed to escape custody while at the State Road 100 AdventHealth hospital.
Anthony Romine, 29, was brought to the hospital after he fell at the county jail, a FCSO press release said. At around 6:30 a.m., the FCSO notified the public through social media that Romine had escaped from the hospital. Romine took off on foot form the hospital and was tracked by FCSO’s K-9 unit to the woods by the Amoco gas station near the southbound ramp at Interstate 95 and S.R. 100, where he was hiding under foliage, the press release said. After seven hours, he was taken back into custody. Deputies investigating Romine’s escape later determined that Romine had faked an injury in order to attempt to escape back to Ohio, his home state, the press release said. Now that Romine is back in custody, Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said the FCSO will begin a review of the incident to determine both how Romine escaped and how the deputy assigned to Romine was distracted. Romine was originally arrested on July 3 on a felony warrant for petit theft, violation of release, and two counts of counterfeit, the press release said. He was apprehended the second time with an additional felony warrant for his escape, as well as additional charges of battery on an officer and resisting without violence.
Sheriff Rick Staly presenting the employee donation to Maria Knapp, FSYR Executive Vice President, and Bobby McCallum, Levy County Sheriff and FSYR Board Chair
School Board
ment and is currently an associate vice president at HNTB Corp., a transportation consulting firm. In District 5, Lauren Ramirez, owner of Salus Medical Training and a mother of four Flagler Schools students, is running against attorney Vincent Sullivan, a partner with Chiumento Law and a board member of the Flagler County Education Foundation.
The four candidates were not only polite at the July 29 forum but seemed to be in agreement on many of the questions that Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition Board Chair Marian Irvin tossed out.
“Most of them see eye to eye with each other,” Travis Sundell observed.
One issue that provided separation was when they were asked about the separation of church and state. Sullivan, Ramirez and Barrs are in favor of the new law allowing chaplains and patriotic organizations to host programs on campus. Chaplains can help students with mental issues, Ramirez said.
“Every student has different needs,” Ramirez said, noting that vetted volunteers can assist district professionals.
Barrs agreed. “Are we pushing religion on anybody? Absolutely not,” he said.
The program doesn’t promote one religion over another, Sullivan said.
But Ruddy said a government entity is not a place for church and wondered what instructional time would be sacrificed to accommodate those programs.
They are all in favor of a diplomaplus program in which high school graduates achieve industry certifications or dual-enrollment degrees in addition to their high school diplomas. Ruddy, Sullivan and Ramirez said the district should make sure that all classrooms have permanent teachers, and they all agreed that to retain teachers, the district should increase teacher pay.
“I have a friend whose son didn’t have a (permanent) teacher the whole year last year,” Ramirez said. “We are 11 teachers short. Even one teacher short is too short.”
They disagreed on leasing the his-
toric county courthouse to provide space for some programs.
“What’s the structural integrity of that building?” Sullivan asked, adding that the maintenance problems of an old building could become a burden. Ruddy agreed, while Ramirez and Barrs said the building should be utilized.
They were asked to suggest strategies that would help the district attain an A grade. It has had a B grade three years in a row since the pandemic.
Barrs said the key is attracting and retaining teachers. Ramirez said ESE, or exceptional student eduction, scores brought the district’s grade down and suggested help in that area. Ruddy said more students need to be involved in advanced academic programs — AP, IB, AICE — and certification programs. Sullivan noted that literacy and comprehension scores for third and fourth graders were low. That’s the age group that was learning to read during remote learning, he said.
“Let’s focus on these students. They had no choice in what happened,” Sullivan said.
Melendez — attended. The district
3 seat candidates Bill Clark and Nick Klufas attended the forum as well, with Kim Carney absent. None of the three district 5 commission candidates attended. They were presented two questions from moderator Danielle Anderson, and then had an opportunity to answer questions from the audience. Candidates had five minutes to answer each question.
Anderson asked two prepared questions for each candidate to answer: the first about what life experience has prepared the individual for the seat they’re running for. The second, in two parts, about the candidate’s positive outlook
for the county in 10 years and what concerns the candidate has for the county’s future.
Each candidate had a different idea of what the county’s future could look like, from needing to protect the natural resources to planning for the influx of traffic on roads like State Road 100 to planning for further economic development.
Flagler County resident Covita Grey said she has lived in Flagler County going on nine years, but, coming from Chicago, she said sometimes it’s difficult knowing which candidate is running for which seat or even how Florida’s closedprimary system works.
She said there should be more forums like this, and not just during election season, in order to address the community.
“It’s hard to get into the meat of
things in this little short snippet of an introduction,” Grey said, “and I probably won’t see or hear from him again, unless I go to the meetings.”
Grey also said that while the forum was good to get an idea of some of the candidates’ opinions, there wasn’t enough time to get into every topic. She was hoping to hear about the county’s changing traffic patterns and what can be done about them, but the topic didn’t come up.
“Everybody is complaining about the traffic,” she said. “So why are there not more cross streets being built to get around Palm Coast or some more major thoroughfares than just the Belle Terre and Palm Coast Parkways and 100?”
Because of the strict timeline, the forum did not allow much time for questions for the commission candidates. In fact, only three people in the audience got to ask a question, one of which was former Flagler Beach Commissioner Ken Bryan. For the most part, the candidates stuck to the time limits, but at the end of the forum during his closing remarks, Commissioner Andy Dance rebuked other candidates on the podium for spreading “misstatements and untruths.”
“It really doesn’t do anybody any good to scare people with untruths,” Dance said. “Let’s be realistic. Let’s use facts. And let’s play on an honest playing field.”
Flagler County Commission candidates, from left to right: Bill Clark, Andy Dance, Fernando Melendez and Nick Klufas.
Photo by Sierra Williams
Forum moderator Danielle Anderson.
Resident Covita Grey was one of the few who were able to ask candidates a question.
School Board candidate Lauren Ramirez.
candidate
Sullivan. Photos by Brent Woronoff
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Palm Coast Plantation home sells for
$1.19
Ahouse at 27 S. Riverwalk Drive in Palm Coast Plantation was the top real estate transaction for July 18-24 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The home sold on July 22 for $1,190,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,260 square feet.
GRANT MCMILLAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condos
The condo at 18 Veranda Way sold on July 19 for $279,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,369 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $160,000.
The condo at 3 Sherbury Court sold on July 24 for $230,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,338 square feet. It last sold in 2004 for $125,000.
The condo at 4600 E. Moody Blvd., Unit 4K, sold on July 23 for $155,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,050 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $122,000.
PALM COAST
Grand Haven
The house at 14 Blue Oak Lane sold on July 24 for $1,137,035. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/4 and has 3,045 square feet.
Pine Lakes The house at 69 Westbrook Lane sold on July 19 for $455,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, heated spa, one fireplace and 2,727 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $185,000.
The house at 53 Westridge Lane sold on July 19 for $460,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,305 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $221,000.
Sutton Place The house at 7 Vanderbilt Place sold on July 19 for $457,500. Built in 1994, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, one fireplace and 2,107 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $262,500.
Sea Colony The house at 6 Nantucket Drive sold on July 19 for
$509,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,622 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for 480,000.
Wynnfield
The house at 9 Winterling Place sold on July 19 for $589,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 2,485 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $230,500.
Palm Coast Plantation
The house at 156 Heron Drive sold on July 24 for $536,700. Built in 2013 the house is 3/3 and has a pool, heated spa and 2,395 square feet.
Ocean Hammock
The house at 26 Cinnamon Beach sold on July 24 for $1,015,000. Built in 2011, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool, heated spa and 3,294 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $700,000.
Palm Harbor
The house at 1 Clinton Court S. sold on July 19 for $755,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, boat dock and 2,740 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $450,000.
The house at 18 Clinton Court S. sold on July 23 for $505,700. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool, boat dock and 2,145 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $555,000.
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
House with music roots is Ormond’s top sale
Ahouse at 880 John Anderson Drive in Sunny Shores was the top real estate transaction for June 14-24 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. The home, formerly owned by an award-winning American songwriter and producer, sold on June 14 for $1,725,000. Built in 1950 by the late Thurman Gillespy, Jr. and his wife Elaine, who were instrumental in bringing the London Symphony Orchestra to town in the 1960s, the house is a 4/4 with two half-baths and has a pool, three fireplaces, a private dock, boathouse and 3,922 square feet.
GRANT MCMILLAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ORMOND BEACH
Hunter’s Ridge
The house at 33 Laurel Ridge Break sold on June 24 for $610,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/3 and has one fireplace, a pool, an outdoor kitchen and 2,305 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $405,000.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1288 Royal Pointe Lane sold on June 17 for $640,000. Built in 2006 the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, heated spa and $640,000. It last sold in 2014 for $295,000.
The house at 1307 Hans-
berry Lane sold on June 14 for $367,500. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,551 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $147,500.
Ocean Gardens
The house at 1715 John Anderson Drive sold on June 18 for $810,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,413 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $775,000.
Carrollwood
The house at 1808 Green Place sold on June 21 for $192,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 3/1.5 and has 1,352 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $125,000
Seaside Homes The house at Seaside Drive sold on June 14 for $409,500. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,266 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $300,000.
Park Ridge The house at 3 Park Meadow Circle sold on June 24 for $417,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace, a pool and 1,470 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $174,600.
Ormond Terrace The house at 200 Rosewood Ave. sold on June 21 for $460,000. Built in 1974, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,819 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $115,000.
Avalon By The Sea The house at 138 Via Madrid sold on June 14 for $519,000. Built in 2008, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,954 square feet.
Halifax Plantation The house at 1321 Cork Drive sold on June 14 for $348,990. Built in 2024 the house is 3/2 and 1,614 square feet.
Breakaway Trails The house at 5 High Bluff
The oceanfront home is Flagler County’s highest sale, so far.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
A luxury, oceanfront home in Hammock Dunes sold in June for $5.2 million, the highest sale in the county to date.
The home, a four-story, 8,900-square-foot property at 95 Calle Del Sur, closed on June 18. Sale associate Kate Kimberley-Gable, with One Sotheby’s International Realty, told the Observer that the home’s original owners built the home with its own amenities because they wanted to live like they were in “a fivestar hotel.”
“It’s a pretty magnificent property,” she said.
The seven-bed, eight-bath home was built in 2009. It features an indoor sauna, a home theatre, pool table room, Pilates studio, massage room, in-house spa and a meditation room, complete
with a steam shower and rock wall waterfall.
The home also has a pool on its second floor patio, built on pilings for an ocean view.
The living spaces, KimberleyGable said, were also designed so extended family could comfortably stay for visits.
The entire fourth floor, she said, was the owners’ suite.
“They wanted five-star living,” she said. After owners installed Cal-
ifornia closets, she said, the home’s listing was increased to $5.65 million, but sold at the $5.2 million.
One Sotheby’s sells all kinds of homes and properties, Kimberley-Gable said, but primarily specializes on luxury homes.
Most importantly, she said, One Sotheby prioritizes million-dollar service regardless of the property.
The home, if sold at or near the listing price, will “more than double” all previous sales in Palm Coast.
OBSERVER STAFF
An oceanview home for sale at 52 Northshore Drive has been listed at $13.5 million.
If it sells even near the asking price, that will double any other sale in the Palm Coast area, according to a press release from Monocle Public Relations. Brian Moorman and Christy Wenger, with The Moorman Group at One Sotheby’s International Realty, are representing the home.
The two-story home sits on a 3-acre lot in the Hammock Beach gated community. It has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms a six-car garage.
Among its many ameni -
ties are four private guest en suites, a 750-bottle wine storage area and a fire pit. The home’s heated outdoor pool is accessible from both floors through two spiral staircases.
The home also has its own putting green integrated into the turf backyard, the press release said. A walking path on the property provides direct access to the beach and ocean.
Wenger said the listing has already had interest from potential out-of-state buyers
who are arranging travel plans to come see the home in person. She said she and Moorman were very hopeful to get close to the asking price.
“It’s a completely unique property,” Wenger said.
“There’s we looked all up and down the coast when we’re working on pricing... that made sense. [We were] trying to find a property that has all the things that this does, including the size of that the lot was, and it’s nonexistent.”
Hammock Beach home is listed
The 95 Calle Del Sur home sold for $5.2 million. Photo courtesy of One Sotheby’s International Realty
The home on Northshore Drive has a listed sale price of $13.5 million. Photo courtesy of Monocle Public Relations
While watching the Olympics as a family this week, my 6-year-old son, Luke, asked my wife, Hailey, what I considered a very personal question: “Have you ever competed in the Olympics?”
“No, honey,” she said
patiently. “Most people don’t.”
I remained silent, hoping Luke would maintain the illusion that, maybe, while his mother had failed, his dad had made it but just never mentioned it before. As we followed the stars and stripes, Luke chanted, “Go A-mer-i-ca!” I’m working on teaching him the much simpler, punchier, “U-S-A!” Hailey clicked on another highlight reel in the Peacock app. My children were used to these tiles of video clips, but to me, it felt fractured — not like when I was a kid, when I clung to the belief that everyone in the world could be
watching the same Olympics event at the same time.
The pommel horse puzzled the whole family. As legs flew in every direction like a butterfly knife, it was hard not to wonder who had the idea to try pommelling, and then who had the idea to perform the first flip on dismount.
During the gymnastics events, I was mesmerized mostly by the chalk. Chalk on the hands, on the arms, the thighs — a terrific messy blizzard — chalk on the mats kicked up by gusts of wind as athletes flew over them in superhuman poses.
Skateboarding, surfing, diving, swimming.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Keep school board races nonpartisan
Dear Editor:
In an age where national politics often dominate the headlines, it’s easy to overlook the crucial impact of local elections. Among the most vital of these are school board races. As we prepare for upcoming elections, we must remember why these races are designed to be nonpartisan and why adhering to this principle is critical. Nonpartisan elections emphasize the importance of local issues. Our school boards are responsible for decisions directly affecting our children’s education, from curriculum choices to budget allocations. Keeping these races nonpartisan ensures that the focus remains squarely on the candidates’
positions on these issues rather than on their allegiance to a political party. This local focus lets voters choose candidates based on their specific plans and policies, ensuring that broader party politics do not influence our community’s needs. It is critical that we vote no in November on Amendment 1: Partisan election of members of district school boards. Voting in nonpartisan elections also encourages a merit-based approach. When party labels are absent, voters are more likely to evaluate candidates on their experience, qualifications and specific policies. This meritocratic approach ensures that the most capable individuals, regardless of their political affiliations, are elected to make decisions about our schools. Unfortunately, we have
seen how outside money has influenced past school board elections, often diverting the focus from educational quality to political agendas. This is why supporting candidates with some educational experience is essential. These candidates are better equipped to understand the complexities of our school system and make informed decisions that truly benefit our students.
If we are honest, we all know that in the past, we have had some outstanding candidates from both Democratic and Republican backgrounds for the school board. Unfortunately, the person elected is often not the most qualified but the one with the most money, the most publicity, and the best connections. Let’s prevent this from happening in the future.
“I really don’t want the remote,” Hailey said, feeling the pressure of everyone’s silence. “I don’t want to pick the wrong thing.”
For some reason, we watched Qatar vs. Sweden in men’s beach volleyball, but there are rewards in Paris: the sand and crowd bathed in a gorgeous golden sunset, the Eiffel Tower at center court, armchair tourism.
Luke found something to complain about with each event. He only wanted one thing: more swimming.
I suspect he likes it because it’s easy to understand: No judges, no puzzling critiques of form — just go as fast as
Our children are our greatest treasures, and we must entrust their education to the most capable individuals. Let’s elect school board members based on qualifications, not party affiliation.
RALPH LIGHTFOOT Palm Coast
Subsidizing abortions
Dear Editor:
Florida’s Amendment 4 is on the ballot supporting establishing a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability but worded in such a way that if you get a health care provider to agree, you can get an abortion anytime. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood support this initiative, which is probably the first step toward unlimited abortion.
I don’t believe in ballot initiatives which are an example of a pure democracy in which laws are made directly by the voting majority, leaving the rights of the minority largely unprotected. We live in a republic where laws are made by representatives chosen by the people and must comply with a Constitution that protects the rights of the minority from the will of the majority.
While doing some research for this letter, I was surprised to learn that 41% of American babies are born out of wedlock and my tax money is supporting them. I have been pro-life for years and (we) now have a woman running for president, Kamala Harris, whose stand on abortion is “we who believe in reproductive freedom will stop Donald Trump’s extreme abortion bans, because we trust women to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do.”
I agree, the government shouldn’t have to tell them what to do; the government should also not be subsidiz-
CORRECTION
The headline on a letter printed in the July 25 edition said School Board candidate Janie
HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS
you can. The drama is selfevident, as swimmers make a push to pass each other in the final stretch for a surprise victory.
“Go A-mer-i-ca!” Luke shouted at the TV.
As I watched him cheer, it occurred to me that, at 6 years old, he is a dreamer, so easily encouraged, so full of hope — a tabula rasa.
The next morning, I caught him breaking the rules, watching TV before anyone else was awake. But I couldn’t help but smile when I saw what he had chosen to watch: the Peacock Olympics app, the same swimming event we had watched the night before.
ing their behavior. The cost of an abortion is a lot less than 18 years of welfare payments!
DOUGLAS R. GLOVER Palm Coast
Keep eye open for tax increase
Dear Editor:
Re: City budget discussion, “4-1 vote keeps door open for tax increase,” in July 18 edition: I will bet that fewer than 1 in 10,000 residents of Palm Coast understand even half of the elected officials’ statements in this article. It is full of double talk, reverses, etc.
The bottom line is that they cannot agree on anything! And, nothing will get resolved! Then, the resolution will be what they agree on without plain discussion with the public. These are our elected officials, sad to say.
The summary of this article is the headline: “Keep the door open for tax increase.” That is their objective, and they will do it!
JESSE STONER Palm Coast
Vote for change
Dear Editor:
The time has arrived for Palm Coast and Flagler County residents to remove Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and prevent Nick Klufas from joining the Flagler County Board of Commissioners. These two politicians have a proven record of defying the wishes of residents and acting on their own personal beliefs of what is best for our community. Please exercise your right to prevent further degradation of Flagler County and Palm Coast by saying no to Alfin and Klufas!
DAVID MALMSTEN Palm Coast
Ruddy was letter writer Terri Smith's student. According to the letter, Smith actually taught Ruddy's daughter in seventh grade civics.
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 386445-1814 or visit flaglerhumanesociety. org. Tigger, 2
Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com
OBO Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com
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Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com
Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com
Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews. com
Marketing Consultants April Koehler, akoehler@ observerlocalnews.com; Jacob Boyd, jacob@observerlocalnews. com
Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com
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LETTERS
to brent@
VETERAN OF THE WEEK
Mark J. Schreiber
Branch: U.S. Navy
Service: 1980-2005
Rank/occupation: Captain / Chaplain
Hometown: Chicago Chaplain
Mark Schreiber graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a Master of Divinity degree in 1977 as an ordained Lutheran minister. He was commissioned a Naval Officer in May of 1980 and served continuously on active and reserve duty for 25 years retiring at the rank of Captain in 2005. Chaplain Schreiber’s first active-duty station was group chaplain to 2,000 Marines and their families at Marine Air Group 29, Marine Corps Air Station, Jacksonville, North Carolina, 1982-1985. His second tour of duty was aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN-71, Norfolk, Virginia, as ship’s company chaplain and plank owner from 1986 to 1988. He entered the reserve and one of his many assignments was as National Billet holder, Training and Operations chaplain for the 4th Marine Division, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1992-1995. Chaplain Schreiber was recalled to active duty for four years (2000-2004) to serve as the District Chaplain, 8th Marine Corps Recruiting District, New Orleans, where he ministered to 900 Marine recruiters and their families covering a 10-state area. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, June 2003 and was promoted to captain on Dec. 1, 2003. He resides in Palm Coast with his wife Connie of 47 years.
Chaplain Schreiber is the author of two books: “Nailed! Moral Injury: A Response from the Cross of Christ for the Combat Veteran,” and “One Ordinary Life — Extraordinary Grace.” He serve as a volunteer with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86. NEED HELP? 386-313-4014.
Deuce, 2
Apollo Majesty, 4 Sky, 3
YOUR NEIGHBORS
SUMMER IN THE PARK
Come together
Palm Coast’s first concert performance at The Stage turned out quite a crowd of Palm Coast residents.
Kaila Thrown, the recreation coordinator of marketing and events for Parks and Recreation, said the event was an over-all success and the department is already planning the next several concerts. She said she was excited to see the event appealed to residents of all ages.
“I really loved that this event was multigenerational,” she said. “It really just spread throughout the community.”
Southern Chaos — a country-rock band that plays up and down Florida’s northeast coast and is originally from Ormond Beach — performed at the first concert on July 25. Parks and Recreation will be hosting a concert at The Stage each month, and each concert will feature a band local to the area, Thrown said.
“Our focus is to highlight these local bands that are loved by the community,” she said.
The Parks and Recreation department was looking for ideas of how best to use The Stage for community events since it came under the city’s management. The goal was to make the events free and inclusive to everyone, she said.
“Live music is just something that I think we need in the community, especially as a free event, because there’s so many ticketed things that happen throughout the year,” Thrown said.
She said the city did get some complaints about the gnats that were flying around during the performance. While there isn’t much the city can do except wait out the rainy season, Thrown said, Parks and Recreation is brainstorming ideas of how to deal with them.
The August performance will also have more vendors and food trucks, she said.
“We were just testing the waters for the first one,” Thrown said. “We didn’t want to get all of these vendors and food trucks out there and it not be as successful as it was. So next time we’re trying to double up on food trucks, double up on vendors and kind of make it bigger and better.”
Parks and Recreation already has its next band at the Aug. 29 concert: Soul Fire. Soul Fire performs a blend of dance, disco and soul music.
“That’ll be different and maybe get some more people on the dance floor,” Thrown said.
As the concert series continues, she said the department will be looking to host a variety of music genres and is considering expanding the performance to include opening
acts for lesser-known musicians who are just getting their start.
Thrown said that Parks and Recreation team is definitely looking to grow is arts and culture events.
“It’s something that’s not necessarily missing, but that can be built on and improved,” she said. “We just want to continue that in our community, with the concert series, but also other activities as well.”
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A mom and her daughter dance in place to the music at the concert series.
Palm Coast’s new concert series kicks off with country band Southern Chaos.
Four-year-old Daphne Aust dances with family friend Yvette Allvman while her grandmother Lisa Love looks on.
Tammie Darlene and Chris Canyon of Southern Chaos.
The city’s first concert series at The Stage in Town Center.
Volunteers for the nonprofit S.M.A.R.T. of Flagler County. From left to right: Nicole Sheridan with Beau, Stephanie Lewis, Annie Lagana with Twinkie, Erin Blais and Caroline Johnson with King. Photos by Sierra Williams
Southern Chaos’ Lee Tasey on lead guitar.
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LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, AUG. 1
RALLY FOR WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
When: 4-5 p.m.
Where: Northwest corner of Belle Terre Parkway and Pine Lake Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Members and friends of the Atlantic Coast Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will gather to rally for women’s reproductive rights. They will protest Florida’s six-week abortion ban and urge voters to vote for Florida Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative. Rally is open to the public. All are welcome. Participants are invited to bring U.S. flags and their own signs promoting religious freedom, separation of church and state, and reproductive rights. For further information, email atlanticcoastau@ gmail.com or call 804-9144460.
ORMOND BEACH LIBRARY RECIPES AND READS CULINARY LAB
When: 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
Regional Library, 30 S. Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Details: Participants discuss the culture and history of food. At this meeting, the culinary library staff will share the history of iced tea.
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “The Bad Guys,” rated G. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 386-676-3216 for rainout information.
to take their creations home. This class will teach them to paint three balloons with string art on canvas while also learning about primary colors. Class costs $25. Visit artamongtheflowers.com.
ORMOND ART WALK
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
Main Street Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond
Beach
Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.
PIRATE’S PLUNDER
GAME NIGHT
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
Details: Join the Seawolf Privateers for an evening of games like Bounty Bunco, Blackbeard’s Blackjack, Pirate Bingo, and Pirates of the Caribbean Monopoly, with chances to win prizes. Evening is open to adults 21 and older. Tickets cost 50 for players; $40 for guests. Visit SeawolfPrivateers.org.
ESPANOLA LODGE BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR,
GIVEAWAY
When: 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Where: Carver Gymnasium, 206 Drain St., Bunnell
Details: The Espanola Masonic Lodge is hosting a free health fair and back to school giveaway. There will be free food, free backpacks and school supplies, free physicals and free hair cuts.
SUNDAY, AUG. 4
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
OPEN HOUSE
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Temple Beth Shalom, 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast
Details: The free Family Fun Day event is open to the community and will be held next to the Splash Pad. Children who come dressed like a pirate or a princess will receive a special prize and attendees can expect activities like musical entertainment, pirate and princess meet and greets, a treasure hunt and more.
NATIONAL BLACK BUSINESS MONTH When: 6-10 p.m.
Where: African American Cultural Society, 4422 N. U.S. Highway 1, Bunnell
Details: An event celebrating Flagler County’s black businesses, with business vendors and presentations. Business vendors are welcome to register for a free booth by emailing info@aaeassociation.org for more details, or calling 800-671-1397.
FRIDAY, AUG. 9
COMEDY DINNER SHOW
When: 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Second floor of the Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: A comedy and dinner theater show, hosted by Redefined Food Co. The headliner act is Mike Lee. Tickets to see the show are $25, not including dinner. Dinner prices vary.
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS FOR FLORIDA GARDENS.
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach Street, Ormond Beach Details: Learn about drought-tolerant plantings from library staff.
ONGOING ORMOND BEACH REGIONAL LIBRARY TODDLER TIME
When: Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29
SATURDAY, AUG. 3
CARRYING HOPE BACK 2
SCHOOL
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: South Ormond Neighborhood Center, 176 Division Ave., Ormond Beach Details: Access Senior Resources and Consulting presents this back-to-school backpack and school supply giveaway event. There will be educational sessions, free games and free food. Must be an Ormond Beach resident with a valid ID to participate.
SUMMER CLASSES FOR KIDS
When: 12-1:30 p.m.
Details: The congregational family of Temple Beth Shalom in Palm Coast cordially invites all parties interested in knowing about its religious, educational and social activities. Sisterhood and Men’s Club activities now include Bowling Nights, Poker, Mah Jongg, Movies ’n’Pizza Days, day trips and holiday festivities. For additional information, call 386-445-3006, or check the website www.tbspalmcoast.org for updated events.
MONDAY, AUG. 5
HALIFAX HEALTH
Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Details: An interactive, 21st Century literacy program designed for children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old. Children and caregivers are introduced to basic building blocks of literacy through stories, rhymes, and music; in a fun and educational environment. Programs may end with a brief S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math) activity.
Where: Art Among the Flowers, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite A114, Palm Coast Details: Looking for something fun for your kids to do this summer? Art Among the Flowers is offering classes for children ages 7-16. All classes will include a tour of the flower shop, exploring and learning about the different plants and flowers, and then hands-on learning a different technique with a professional instructor. Children also get
EDUCATION SERIES When: 1 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Details: Halifax Health Educator Annette Tracy, R.N., will discuss aromatherapy.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
TANGER OUTLETS PIRATE & PRINCESS PARTY
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Tanger Outlets, 1100 Cornerstone Blvd., Daytona Beach
REGISTRATION FOR ART CLASSES, WORKSHOPS
When: Times vary, most classes and workshops begin in October.
Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 South Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Register for fall classes and workshops at the Art League of Daytona Beach. Visit www.artleague. org or phone 386-947-7103. Workshops and classes vary in start time and duration.
Bunnell resident receives 2024 Inspirational Woman of the Year award
Jearlyn “Pastor J” Dennie is the third recipient of the award; Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and State Attorney Ashley Moody were the first two.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
For her work in ministry and community leadership, local pastor and activist Jearlyn Dennie was recognized as the 2024 Inspirational Woman of the Year by a South Florida, statewide awards program.
“I am humbled by this award,” Dennie said.
Dennie is only the third recipient of the award, following 2023 recipient Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and 2022 recipient Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.
The award was one of several Women of Distinction, a conservative organization, handed out at its
YOUR TOWN
First Baptist Christian Academy will hold ribbon cutting ceremony
First Baptist Christian Academy will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, for its newly renovated facility at 6052 Palm Coast Parkway NW.
The renovated building will serve FBCA’s pre-school, elementary and middle school students.
FBCA serves nearly 600 students and their families from infants through high school and is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Palm Coast at the adjacent property at 6050 Palm Coast Parkway. The high school students have moved into a new wing at the church, said FBCA’s
July 20 gala in Fort Myers. Women of Distinction is a scholarship and awards program of Republican women who recognize and support women who have “set the standard in their chosen profession and community endeavors,” according to the group’s mission statement.
Dennie was the gala’s keynote speaker as well, sharing her story of surviving sexual abuse and then turning to ministry service to be “the light in darkness” in her community.
Women of Distinction founder and President Missi Lastra said in a statement that the group was honored to have Dennie receive the award.
“[Dennie’s] story inspires women that they can achieve great things through God’s grace despite their circumstances,” Lastra wrote.
Aside from her local talk show news program “Today with Pastor J” on WNZF NewsRadio, Dennie runs Jearlyn Ministries, Inc, and is a member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. She is also the leader of the local chapter of Alliance for Safety and Justice, and founded statewide organization She Leads Florida, an
new Head of School Dr. Max Fernandez.
FBCA had occupied the historic Flagler County courthouse in Bunnell from 2015 through the 2023-24 school year. The newly renovated facility had previously served as the church’s preschool.
The church and school will now be all together on one property occupying the corner of Palm Coast and Pine Lakes parkways, Fernandez said.
Fernandez has been on the job for less than two months. He has served in Christian Ministry for 21 years and Christian education for 17 years. He has a PhD in biblical studies. Fernandez and his family moved to Palm Coast from Middletown, Ohio.
Community Foundation, United Way aid
southeast Volusia
In collaboration with the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties hosted a nonprofit “Lunch & Learn” on July 24, which highlighted HELP Southeast Volusia, a dedicated fund for the New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater and Oakhill areas that has provided more than $100,000 in grants to nonprofits in these communities.
Previous recipients were in attendance to be recognized and it was announced that this year, almost $40,000 in new grant funding would be made available through the program.
An anonymous donor created HELP Southeast Volusia, which is focused on providing financial support to initiatives in these communities that address the needs of at-risk children, or are to helping to break the cycle of poverty for homeless and economically disadvantaged students enrolled in the public school system.
“Every day, we witness individuals and families struggling to get by,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties. “It is because of the generosity of donors in our community that we can address some of these needs. Thanks to HELP Southeast Volusia, we can better serve the residents of Southeast Volusia and create a thriving community.”
Bev Johnson, CEO and president of Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida was a panelist at the event
and described how HELP Southeast Volusia had provided them with funds for mobile autism screening.
“The funds from this grant help us identify, diagnose, and treat children who would otherwise have fallen through the cracks,” she said. Since 2021, $108,954 has been distributed to 12 nonprofit agencies serving Southeast Volusia County. These agencies include Futures Foundation for Volusia County Schools, Halifax Health Hospice, Gifts of Love Food Bank, Help a Diabetic Child, Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, Easter Seals Northeast Central Florida, Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, Good for Girls Initiative, The Hub on Canal, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Avenue of Excellence Early Education Center, and Church Parish Nurse Ministries. Programs funded include a wide range of services such as food
affiliate of the national organization, She Leads America.
For years, Dennie said she also served her community at the local level, through memberships in her local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and, at one time, even sitting on the school advisory committees.
Dennie has had her share of pain — including the death of one of her daughters in 2022 — but, she said, “God never wastes a hurt.”
“I started serving in different areas of my community, just to be the light in darkness,” she said.
Dennie said she hopes her growth and success inspires how other women look at themselves. Other women going through difficult times might not have the same relationship with God as she does, Dennie said, but she said she hopes her story can help them continue to hope.
“As long as you have hope, as long as you begin to shine your light — and it doesn’t matter what the situation, whatever it is —if you have hope you’ll be able to get out of it,” she said.
banks, diabetic supplies for children, books for youth, autism screenings, period products for schools, and art classes for children.
Volusia Public Library Wins 2024 NEFLIN Innovation Award
The Northeast Florida Library Information Network Board of Directors has selected the Volusia County Public Library as the winner of the 2024 Innovation Award for their Pedal Forward Project, a press release announced Friday. “Pedal Forward Project is a new concept for Volusia County’s Social Workers in Libraries program; enhancing it by offering tangible support to program participants who have demonstrated determination and resiliency for reentering the workforce but identify reliable transportation as an obstacle in finding or maintaining newly found jobs,” said Melissa Reynolds, assistant director of VCPL. “Specifically, connecting participants with refurbished bicycles allows them a greater sense of self-reliance and independence, and affords them a wider search area for employment.”
The first set of bicycles to support the program came from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Foundation and the second batch came from VOTRAN. VCPL will accept the award at the NEFLIN Annual Meeting on Friday, Sept. 13, at the UNF Conference Center in Jacksonville.
Jearlyn “Pastor J” Dennie recently received the 2024 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award. Photo by Sierra Williams
First Baptist Christian Academy Head of School Dr. Max Fernandez. Courtesy photos
Jason Stewart, philanthropic advisor from Community Foundation United Way of Volusia Flagler Counties, Bev Johnson CEO/president of Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, and Tiffany Joubert philanthropic advisor from Community Foundation United Way of Volusia Flagler Counties.
THE FINE ARTS
MORE CHAIRS IN THE SUNROOM Palm Coast’s William B. Brant — artist, teacher and Navy veteran — was born in 1932 and enjoyed a long career in art and education. He died of cancer in October 2023, just days shy of his 91st birthday.
“My work is becoming more and more about
how few elements it takes to make a good painting,” Brant wrote on his website. “I wish to minimize the subject matter to emphasize the power of space and color. As a young man, I put it all in. As an older man, I’m taking it out, reducing the work to its basic elements. I want my paintings to have their primary voice through color.”
Brant earned art degrees from the Massachusetts College of Art and then from Syracuse University. He was professor emeritus from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 1999, and taught art to all ages, including in Flagler County, where he lived with his wife for many years. –OBSERVER STAFF
Non Sequitur
Nancy
Mother Goose and Grimm
The Duplex
In the Bleachers
Cornered
Ziggy
The Fusco Brothers
SPORTS
Season of success
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“It’s official — we won the league,” Royal Palms Soccer Club coach Ramtin Amiri said about his women’s team.
Amiri coaches the first Royal Palms Soccer Club women’s team in Palm Coast. They are part of the United Premier Soccer League. Royal Palms launched a men’s team in the league in 2019 and started the women’s team this year. Amiri committed to coaching the team in February.
“It’s new for me coaching girls— women,” he said. “I’ve always coached boys. With boys, it’s dealing with egos and a lot of it. With women, it’s a lot more learner-friendly. They don’t show their egos and they’re willing to learn. They show up to practice and work hard. They are not chatting about how good they are. Coaching them is actually easier for me because of their willingness to learn and get better.”
Tryouts were held on Wednesday, March 27, at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. Amiri said games were initially scheduled to start in May but were postponed until June 23 due to the lack of players or administrative issues that plagued other teams. Three teams competed this season — Royal Palms, Four Corners Football Club and Polk United Football Club. They played each other twice during
“...With women, it’s a lot more learner-friendly. They don’t show their egos and they’re willing to learn. They show up to practice and work hard. They are not chatting about how good they are. Coaching them is actually easier for me because of their willingness to learn and get better.”
a very short season.
The team played the last two games of the UPSL Southeast Conference Florida Central Division season in a double-header on Saturday, July 20 when they split the results. Royal Palms walked away with a 6-0 win in its first game against the Polk United in a blistering 93 degrees and a smothering 80% humidity. That evening the local team lost 2-1 to the Four Corners women.
The team traveled to Polk State College in Winter Haven for their first game. Amiri said it was stressful because of the hot weather and the lack of substitutes who were delayed due to an accident on I-4. For the second game against Four Corners, they traveled to the Northeast Regional Park in Davenport.
“We had to play two games in one day which is basically unheard of in UPSL,” he said. “The second game, unfortunately, we lost a really good defender (Eva Sites) during the warmup due to field conditions. Honestly, it felt like it was green concrete not green turf. We actually ended up losing another player (Caitlynn Lewis) later in the game doing the exact same thing. It was two non-contact injuries. We were already low on subs plus the girls had already played a whole game earlier in the day in 100-degree weather.”
Following the loss, Amiri said that Four Corners would need to win by 15 points or so, in their last game to win the division. Four Corners won 1-0 in their last game against Polk United on Saturday, July 27 which gave Royal Palms the central division championship.
Amiri’s younger sister, Saba, is a midfielder on the team. Both siblings played soccer at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Amiri went on to play one season for Daytona State College then Royal Palms Soccer Club where he played in over 43 games and scored over 30 goals.
Last year, he helped his team win the UPSL Florida State Championship. Amiri also is the FPC boys head soccer coach and has recently been hired to coach the Ormond Beach Soccer Club’s U17 and U11 boys teams.
Saba played for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while getting her bachelor’s then master’s degree in Human Factors Systems. She said she really enjoys playing with Royal Palms.
“It’s definitely a fun experience after playing in college and high school,” she said. “It’s like coming back to the sport that I love and the people I played with at FPC like Malia (Dalzell). It’s just a good environment. I have a good relationship with everyone regardless of whether it’s on the field or off the field. It
Palm Coast’s new women’s soccer team, Royal Palms Soccer Club, wins league title in first season.
makes it a lot more enjoyable that my brother is the coach. We both are out here playing the sport that we love. It’s both our passions.”
Twenty-three players make up the Royal Palms roster including three current and four former FPC players, three former Matanzas High School players and one player from Seabreeze High School. FPC graduate Savannah O’Grady helps coach the team while she rehabilitates her knee following surgery to repair a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus.
The youngest player on the team is 15-year-old Ivy Chen who will be an FPC sophomore in the fall. She plays midfield. Chen said she has learned from Royal Palms teammates who have played her position, including, Saba, Denise Davalos and Tori Martino.
“I feel like on this team there are a lot of older players, so it’s obviously better to learn from them just like from my high school team last year when I was a freshman. I had a lot of seniors I learned from,” she said. “It feels nice (being part of this team) but also I know I have to work harder because all of these girls are much better than me.”
The most experienced player on the team is former Matanzas player Miracle Porter who scored 238 goals during her high school career and was named Florida’s Miss Soccer in 2017.
Porter played at Florida Atlantic University before signing with the French Division 1 Feminine Stade de Reims professional team in 2021. In 2022, she played for the Lithuanian team FC Gintra then was signed by Glasgow City in 2023.
In August last year, Porter returned home to Palm Coast. She said she had not seen family for three years and, also, had not received a professional contract worth signing. She took six months off and knew she needed to get back into shape. That is when player Alexis Savage and Amiri reached out.
“Honestly, for me, I love it (being back), because I was overseas and my family really didn’t get to see me play at that level,” she said. “Just being home and being able to play in front of them, it’s just like when I was younger when I started playing. It’s really nice to be home. Friends and family come to the games that haven’t seen me play since I left home for college.”
Morgan Long is the lone Seabreeze player on the Royal Palms team. She graduated this year and will be playing soccer for Daytona State College in the fall. She said she wants to play two more years after she graduates from college but is undecided where she would like to go. Her DSC coach, Hope Clark, recommended the Royal Palms women’s team.
“With this team, a lot of the play-
ers are ex-college players so the competition is a lot higher (than in high school),” Long said. “High school is a lot of fun and I played with those girls for four years. When I went in, I only knew one player from FPC so it was kind of intimidating, but I got used to it. I had a lot of fun playing with them.”
She said the players made her feel better about herself. They brought her confidence level up in preparation to play at the college level.
“Before, I feel like I was lacking in confidence,” she said. “They’ve brought my confidence level up. I feel like that has made me a lot better. For them, I play center back and midfield so I like being in those diverse positions because I don’t know what I’ll be playing in college.”
Amiri said the women’s league is an important addition to the community and hopes people can see the progress that was made in a short amount of time.
“For the league, I’d like to see more teams,” Amiri said. “I hope people realize that we’re doing good things on our side for men and women. Our men’s program is the longest lasting UPSL team in Florida. Hopefully, the women will have that same success. The women won a trophy their first summer — the men took a little longer but they did as well. Royal Palms Soccer Club, as a whole, is doing good things and I hope when we start in the fall that we get more women to play for us after seeing what we were able to do over the summer.”
Former Matanzas player Miracle Porter
RAMTIN AMIRI, Royal Palms SC women’s coach
Royal Palms SC player Ivy Chen (center) fights Polk United FC for a shot on goal. Photos by Michele Meyers
Roayl Palms SC goalkeeper Laila Allen (right) warms up before the game
Royal Palms SC player Malia Dalzell, a former Flalger Palm Coast High School player, slide tackles a Polk United FC player.
Football primer: Newcomers and most improved players to watch
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Preseason high school practice started July 29, with kickoff classics just over two weeks away. Here’s a look at some players who can make their mark this season.
FLAGLER
PALM COAST
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Senior quarterback Hayden Hayes. Coach Daniel Fish said the Seabreeze transfer has a 4.0-plus GPA and two college offers. “He’s a great leader on and off the field,” Fish said. “The team really gravitates towards him and are excited about him leading our team. He brings experience and toughness to the position. He’s everything you want in a quarterback and in a human being.”
SEABREEZE
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Dylan Tocci, senior transfer from Father Lopez. The nickelback/ slotback/running back has lots of talent and a great attittude, first-year coach Mike Klein said.
“He’ll probably find his way onto the field in all phases of the game,” Klein said. Tocci was a member of the Orlando Top 100 Showcase for special teams as a long snapper.
him to be a play maker. He is one of our most explosive guys on offense,” Fish said. Nolan Caliendo is a freshman wide receiver and the younger brother of senior tight end Roman Caliendo. “He’s already a great route runner and possesses some of the best ball skills on the entire team. He will be a name to know in the years to come,” Fish said.
PLAYMAKERS
The Sandcrabs will continue to rely on prolific running back Marcus Mitchell and offense and defensive end Colby Cronk, a North Carolina State signee, on defense. With receiver Mikhail Zysek, outside linebacker Corinthians Watson and Romas Caliendo among the returning players, the Bulldogs should be much improved this season.
MOST IMPROVED OVER SPRING AND SUMMER
Will Roberts and Nolan Caliendo. Roberts is a junior wide receiver who has earned a starting spot. “We expect
KICKOFF CLASSIC
Aug. 16, home vs. Deltona, 7 p.m.
SEASON OPENER
Aug. 30 at Lake Howell, 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs start the season with a bye, after Atlantic canceled the Aug. 23 game, and then play 10 games without a break.
MOST IMPROVED OVER SPRING AND SUMMER
Junior Zachary Voltaire broke his hand early in the spring. He returned in the summer and now has a chance to be the starting quarterback in a revamped offense.
“We like him so much, his leadership and intangibles,” Klein said. “He’s been playing quarterback along with cornerback the latter part of the summer, and doing a great job in both positions.”
MATANZAS
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Wylie Connor, sophomore running back, linebacker. While some other freshmen were called up to varsity at the end of last season, Connor remained on JV. Now it’s his time to battle for a position, coach Matt Forrest said. “If he progresses like we think he can, can give us a solid rushing attack,” Forrest said.
QB COMPETITION
The Sandcrabs have had to pivot after senior Hayden Hayes transferred to FPC. Voltaire and Jayce Gainer are battling for the starting spot. Seabreeze, which has a new offensive coordinator in veteran coach Doug Pettit, is transitioning to a spread-option offense.
KICKOFF CLASSIC
Aug. 16, home vs. Astronaut, 7 p.m.
MOST IMPROVED OVER SPRING AND SUMMER
Senior Jeffrey Powell transitioned from wide receiver to defensive back during the spring. “We felt it was a chance for him to get on the field more consistently, and he’s taken advantage of that and has done really well in the offseason,” Forrest said. “We expect him to compete in the secondary.”
YEAR FIVE
“When I took this job, I looked for it to be long-
destination, to plant some roots and build something special,” Forrest said. “Now it’s Year 5 and our first big roster changeover (the Pirates return just three starters on offense and three on defense.) We’re starting new. It’s an exciting time for me, our staff and our players. We’re 21-20 and we felt like we had some successful seasons. I’m excited to see the process continue with a different core of players.”
KICKOFF CLASSIC
Aug. 16, at Orange City University, 7 p.m.
SEASON OPENER
Aug. 23, home vs. Bishop Kenny, 7 p.m.
SEASON OPENER
Aug 22, home vs. Spruce Creek, 7 p.m.
MAINLAND
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Senior wide receiver Jameil Patrick transferred from DeLand. The last two years, Patrick played behind Javon Ross, who tallied over 1,900 yard rushing and receiving last season. “He comes from the talented Patrick family,” Mainland first-year coach Jerrime “Squatty” Bell said.
MOST IMPROVED OVER SPRING AND SUMMER
Junior quarterback Sebastian Johnson ggrew into his own during the 7 on 7 season, Bell said. Junior Cole Walker, who transferred from FPC, could also see time at quarterback.
PRESEASON QUESTION
Bell said he is looking forward to see how the young offensive line jells. Three different offensive linemen — Chevin Davis, Ayden Lewis and Tab Bostic — finished in the top five group at the UCF big man camp. They are all sophomores.
KICKOFF CLASSIC
Aug. 16, at Eau Gallie, 7 p.m.
SEASON OPENER
Aug. 23, home vs. University, 7
August 14, 2024
announced Monday, August 15, 2024
Veteran coach takes over boys team
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Greg Shirley is the third head boys basketball coach that Flagler Palm Coast High School has hired in four years. The Bulldogs would like to see some stability with the program. In Shirley, they hired a veteran coach who has retired as a math teacher, but is not ready to hang up his whistle.
Shirley graduated from Lake Brantley High School in 1981 and began coaching in 1985. He will be in his 40th season as a coach, the last two as an assistant at Mainland High.
He coached for 30 years in the Orlando area, including 19 years at Evans High School (15 as an assistant, four as a head coach), and seven years in Tennessee and Georgia. He is a member of the Metro Conference Hall of Fame and the Evans High School Hall of Fame. He has 341 career wins as a head coach, including 132 in six seasons at Brentwood High in Tennessee.
How did you end up in Daytona Beach?
I spent one year in Georgia when my first grandson was being born in the Atlanta area. Then my wife and I decided to retire. We always
wanted to live on the beach, so we decided to buy a condo. But I still wanted to be involved in basketball. I have a love of basketball. I’ve done it my whole life. I talked to Coach Giddens at Mainland. I knew he ran a great program, and me and Joe hit it off. We’re still going to stay in close contact. We’re friends for life.
Mainland reached the final four two years in a row during your stint with the Bucs. Why did you decide to take over a team that went 12-13 last year?
I was very proud of what we did at Mainland, but I want to run my own team again. I’m very excited about the FPC job, This is the job I wanted. A long time ago, I was coaching flag football in Orlando, and we came to FPC, and
I thought it was a beautiful campus and a beautiful area. I love the area. And my youngest daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law live within two miles of FPC.
Now that you’ve hired a coaching staff and have had a chance to settle in, what’s your impression so far?
“Several seniors graduated, but they had a very, very strong sophomore class last year and a lot of freshmen in the program. They have very good athleticism, so I’m excited in what we have. In the past I’ve had teams that had great shooters and other teams with great size, so I’ve tried to maximize the potential of the players instead of running just one system. With this team I see a group of young men that really care about each other and have a great work ethic. But we’re still in the midst of getting to know each other. I’m also very excited about my coaching staff. Johnny Hampton (who is assisting his fourth head coach at FPC) is back. Kevin Leslie assisted me at Boone High and played at Flagler College, and Eli Emmanuel played at Ole Miss (1975-77). He played at Bunnell High School in 1973 and went to the state tournament. They’re good men who care about the players. We’re trying to build a family culture. I know there’s been transition each year, but I’m excited to be here and excited to stay here.
Name something about your coaching career that people may not know. One thing I’m proud of is I’ve coached over 50 players who are now coaches themselves.
Coaching Bucs a dream come true
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Under coach Brandon Stewart, the Mainland girls basketball team advanced to the Class 5A state championship game in each of the past two seasons, winning the title in 2023. Stewart leveraged his success to become the head coach at athletic powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale.
Zykia McNair, who was an assistant coach with the Bucs last season, takes over as the new head coach. McNair graduated from Mainland in 2011 after transferring from DeLand following her sophomore year. She went on to play basketball at Eastern Florida State College, Bishop State Community College in Alabama and Concordia College Alabama, where she won a small-school national championship.
Mainland is her first head coaching job, though she also coaches an AAU team — Global Not Local — out of DeLand. The Bucs graduated three seniors, all of whom will be playing college sports this year: Anovia Sheals (Austin Peay State) and Tia Dobson (North Carolina Wilmington) in basketball and Alexandria Key (Barry University) in track. A couple of key underclassmen also transferred, so McNair will be rebuilding the program.
Is it a dream come true to be named Mainland’s head coach?
Yes, but when you trust in God, anything is possible.
Have you always wanted to be a coach?
Yes I have. I’ve been playing ball since I was 5 years old. When I finished I wanted to get everything balanced so I could give back to the community and teach everything that has been taught to me.
Did you learn a lot in your one year coaching with Stewart?
We’ve known each other for a couple of years. He helped me adapt to how to deal with the new generation. He opened my eyes to lot of ways to teaching basketball. He had a big impact on me, so I’m excited.
Who were some of your other mentors in basketball?
Terrence Anthony (Mainland’s current athletic director), was my high school basketball coach (with the Bucs). Renee Bellamy, who is from DeLand, was my coach at Eastern Florida State. I
played for her my first two years in college. My dad said, ‘You’re going to go there and play for her.’ She’s been a mentor of mine ever since. And Derrick Powe, who was my coach at Bishop State.
With several key players gone, will expectations be tempered this year? We still breed basketball players here, so we’re going to be just fine this year.
Are you sorry to see the underclassmen leave the program?
They didn’t know who was going to be the head coach, so they did what was best for them. I’ll still love and support those kids from a distance.
By
Luis Campos
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
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OLYMPIC GAMES by Amie Walker and Rebecca Goldstein, edited by Jeff Chen
FPC boys basketball coach Greg Shirley. Courtesy photo
Zykia McNair is the new girls basketball coach at Mainland. Courtesy photo
FPC’s Hagstrom named to FACA Hall of Fame
Weightlifting coach joins fellow Bulldogs’ coaches David Halliday and Pete Hald in the coaches’ Hall of Fame.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
When Flagler Palm Coast weightlifting coach Duane Hagstrom was informed that he was selected to the 2025 class of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, he was taken aback.
“It’s a very big honor,” he said. “It’s kind of overwhelming when you look through the records of all the coaches inducted since the late ’70s. To think I belong with all those names is kind of humbling. Us coaches are always hard on ourselves and always think we can do better.”
Hagstrom will join one of his mentors and two of his FPC colleagues when he is inducted on Jan. 11 at the Drury Plaza Resort at Disney Springs.
He is the third Bulldogs coach to be selected to the FACA Hall of Fame. Track and cross country coach David Halliday was inducted in 2015 and girls soccer coach Pete Hald was inducted in 2020.
“We’re obviously so proud of him,” FPC athletic director Scott Drabczyk said of Hagstrom. “It’s one of the state’s biggest honors that a coach can get. For him to be recognized by his peers, it’s very special for him. It’s the culmination of his years of hard work, serving the students at Flagler Palm Coast. We’re very fortunate to have him as part of our staff.”
Drabczk said he thinks FPC is the only school in the state that will have three FACA Hall
of Fame members who are currently on the staff.
Hagstrom is one of a handful of coaches that have been voted into the Hall of Fame for weightlifting. The first was Dave Ramey of Spruce Creek, inducted in 1991. A year later, DeLand’s Bill Bradford joined him.
Bradford was the first person to teach Hagstrom how to lift weights when he was a young teenager.
“One of the things that makes it really special is to know that I’m included in the same category with those guys,” Hagstrom said. “Coach Bradford took me under his wing.”
Hagstrom played football and baseball at Taylor High School in Pierson. He went on to play football at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. One of his teammates had connections to DeLand and had met Bradford.
“My teammate asked me to come down to coach Bradford’s house because he had a detached garage in the back of his house where he trained people,” Hagstrom said. “Coach Bradford was a mentor to me. Later in life, when I was coaching FPC, he was still hanging around DeLand weightlifting and he’d come to our meets and we would talk.”
Hagstrom lifted weights for football. Taylor High did not start a weightlifting team, Hagstrom said, until a year or two after he graduated from high school in 1991.
“I never considered myself a weightlifter,” Hagstrom said. “I played college football. I played in the Arena Football League. A big part of football was weightlifting. I lifted all my life just for that one purpose. After graduating college, I coached weightlifting (at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville), and I didn’t
“It’s
kind of overwhelming when you look thorough the records of all the coaches inducted since the late ’70s. To think I belong with all those names is kind of humbling.”
DUANE HAGSTROM
know a lot about the sport at the time, so I had to learn a lot over the last 30 years.”
In three years at Sandalwood, his girls weightlifting team won three conference championships and never lost a match.
He moved to FPC in 2002 and coached football and the boys weightlifting team. He started a girls weightlifting
program at FPC in 2007. His boys team won a state championship in 2022.
Hagstrom has coached 15 high school state champs and 17 others who have won AAU and USA Weightlifting titles. After he began coaching weightlifting he became a competitor himself and was inducted into the Florida Strength and Power Hall of Fame a year ago.
Bradford passed away five or six years ago, Hagstrom said. However, Hagstrom said he expects his grandfather to be at his induction ceremony as well as Tommy Morris, his high school football coach.
“My grandfather is a big part of why I’m successful and he’s still alive and kicking, so he’s going to be there hopefully, and it’s going to be a special night,” Hagstrom said, “because this is not just me, it’s a credit to my family, my mentors, my coaches, my professional colleagues and the athletes that I’ve trained. They have all had a part in molding me into who I am today. Without them, I wouldn’t have this honor.”
FIRST
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 12th day of August 2024, for the purpose of First Reading of Ordinance 2024-15, before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110.
ORDINANCE 2024-15
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 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)
August 1, 2024
FPC weightlifting coach Duane Hagstrom. File photo
FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES
FIRST INSERTION
FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 410 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF BRUCE PHILIP MCCONAGHEY Deceased. The administration of the estate of Bruce Philip McConaghey, deceased, whose date of death was March 2, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 1, 2024. Personal Representative: Liliam Nohemy Hererra Carcamo 122 Park Place Circle Palm Coast, Florida 32164
Attorney for Personal Representative: Diane A. Vidal, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1008324 CHIUMENTO LAW 145 City Place, Suite 301 Palm Coast, FL 32164 Telephone: (386) 445-8900 Fax: (386) 445-6702 E-Mail: DVidal@legalteamforlife.com Secondary E-Mail: Proserv@legalteamforlife.com August 1, 8, 2024 24-00182G
NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 441 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF MARIO A. PETRELLA Deceased. TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE
ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of Mario A. Petrella, deceased, File Number 2024 CP 441, by the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, FL 32110; that the decedent’s date of death was March 23, 2024; that the total value of the estate is $8,160 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:
Name Address Lauren M. Ramoz 130 Valley Green Drive Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is August 1, 2024. Person Giving Notice: Lauren M. Ramoz 130 Valley Green Drive Pisgah Forest, North Carolina 28768
Attorney for Person Giving Notice
Diane A. Vidal, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1008324
CHIUMENTO LAW 145 City Place, Suite 301 Palm Coast, FL 32164 Telephone: (386) 445-8900 Fax: (386) 445-6702 E-Mail: DVidal@legalteamforlife.com Secondary E-Mail: Proserv@legalteamforlife.com August 1, 8, 2024 24-00183G
HUNTER’S RIDGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET; NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE IMPOSITION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, ADOPTION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL, AND THE LEVY, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAME; AND NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING.
Upcoming Public Hearings, and Regular Meeting
The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Hunter’s Ridge Community Development District No. 1 (“District”) will hold the following two public hearings and a regular meeting:
DATE: August 27, 2024
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Flagler County Government Services Bldg. 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2 Bunnell, Florida 32110.
The first public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, to receive public comment and objections on the District’s proposed budget (“Proposed Budget”) for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025 (“Fiscal Year 2024/2025”). The second public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapters 190, 197, and/or 170, Florida Statutes, to consider the imposition of operations and maintenance special assessments (“O&M Assessments”) upon the lands located within the District, to fund the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025; to consider the adoption of an assessment roll; and, to provide for the levy, collection, and enforcement of assessments. At the conclusion of the hearings,
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2023 CA 000540 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. MELISSA C. ROCKWOOD AND JOHN PARAGIOS, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated August 02, 2023, and entered in 2023 CA 000540 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and MELISSA C. ROCKWOOD; JOHN PARAGIOS; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; ENERBANK USA; GULF STATES CONTRACTOR SERVICES, INC. are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler. realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on August 23, 2024, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 9, BLOCK 89, SUBDIVISION PLAT ROYAL PALMS - SECTION 32 PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGE 54 THROUGH 66, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY,
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE No. 2024 CA 000331 CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff vs. EVELYN FOUNTAIN, et al., Defendants TO: EVELYN FOUNTAIN
24 BERKSHIRE LANE, PALM COAST, FL 32137
UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF EVELYN FOUNTAIN 24 BERKSHIRE LANE, PALM COAST, FL 32137 AND TO: All persons claiming an interest by, through, under, or against the aforesaid Defendant(s). YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described property located in Flagler County, Florida: LOT 51, OF BLOCK 2, OF PALM COAST, MAP OF BELLE TERRE, SECTION 11, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 6, PAGE 62, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 35, PAGE 528 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action, on Greenspoon Marder, LLP, Default Department, Attorneys for Plaintiff, whose address is Trade Centre South, Suite 700, 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, and file the original with the Clerk within 30 days after the first publication of this notice in Business Observer, otherwise a default and a judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. IMPORTANT
FLORIDA.
Property Address: 6 ROBIN HOOD LN, PALM COAST, FL 32164
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 in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
ACT. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 30 day of July, 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 23-107206 - GrS August 1, 8, 2024 24-00188G
provisions of Florida
A copy of the Proposed
2300 Glades
roll, and the agenda for the hearings and meeting may be obtained at the offices of the District
410W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Ph: (561) 571-0010 (“District Manager’s Office”), during normal business hours. The public hearings and meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the hearings or meeting. There may be occasions when staff or board members may participate by speaker
or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office.
Please note that all affected property owners have the right to appear and comment at the public hearings and meeting,
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. WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL OF SAID COURT on this day of 7/23/2024. Tom Bexley As Clerk of said Court (SEAL) By: /s/ Amy Perez As Deputy Clerk Greenspoon Marder, LLP Default Department Attorneys for Plaintiff Trade Centre South, Suite 700 100 West Cypress Creek Road Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (24-001080-01) August 1, 8, 2024 24-00184G
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2024 CP 000429 DIVISION: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSE MANUEL ORTEGA, Deceased. The administration of the estate of JOSE MANUEL ORTEGA, deceased, whose date of death was March 16, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 1, 2024. Personal Representative: DAVID ORTEGA 7501 Cornell Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63130 Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Horacio Sosa HORACIO SOSA, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 584029 Horacio Sosa, P.A. 2924 Davie Road, Suite 102 Davie, Florida 33314 Telephone: (954) 532-9447
E-mail Addresses: hsosa@sosalegal.com, eservice@sosalegal.com August 1, 8, 2024 24-00185G
will
via
to
auction
from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Tiffani Smith, Deputy Clerk File # 24-048 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00289F FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that LBAMNIA 14 LB-AMNIA 14 SB MUNI CUST FOR the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 191 Year of Issuance:2022 Description of Property: Block
FIRST INSERTION
FIRST INSERTION
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that BLACK CUB, LLC the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 1656 Year of Issuance:2022 Description of Property: LOT 21, BLOCK 37, LAGUNA FOREST - SECTION 64, SEMINOLE WOODS AT PALM COAST, AS PER PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 18, PAGES 36 THROUGH 43, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Name in which assessed: TRIBECA REAL ESTATE LLC All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Stephanie Tolson, Deputy Clerk File # 24-041 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00275F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that BLACK CUB, LLC the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 812 Year of Issuance:2022
TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PERSONS NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THESE PRO -
CEEDINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AT LEAST
48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
Aug. 1/2024 24-00274F
accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Tiffani Smith, Deputy Clerk File # 24-044 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00282F
Description of Property: Lot 13, Block 6, Subdivision Map Florida Park - Section - 7, Palm Coast, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Map Book 6, Page 18 through 27, inclusive, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Name in which assessed: JAMIE ABBOTT, VINCENT ACOSTA (DECEASED)
All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Tiffani Smith, Deputy Clerk File # 24-045 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00283F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION Date: Monday, August 5, 2024 Address: 275 Cemetery Rd, Bunnell, FL 32110 Time: 3:30 PM Local Time By virtue of default by IM4 Leasing LLC (Individually and collectively “Client”), under a Negotiable Promissory Note and Security Agreement(s), Security Agreement(s) Promissory Note(s), Lease Agreement(s) and related documents dated May 4, 2021; September 7, 2021; November 22, 2021; March 23, 2022; April 22, 2022; June 24, 2022, payable to Commercial Credit Group Inc. (“CCG”), which obligation is secured by the property described below (the “Equipment”), CCG will sell at Public Auction, to the highest bidder, ASIS, WHERE-IS, WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, all of its right, title and interest to the following Equipment: (1) 2023 Peterbilt 579 Sleeper tractor VIN: 1XPBD49X1PD810789 Terms: Successful bidder must pay 25% of purchase price at time of sale via cash, certified or acceptable bank check, with the balance payable in good funds on the next business day, unless: 1. The bidder has pre-qualified by presenting CCG with a written non-contingent, lending commitment from a source and in a form acceptable to CCG in its sole discretion, in which case we will entertain bids up to the amount of such written commitment; or 2. The bidder has obtained from CCG written credit approval in advance of the scheduled public sale. CCG reserves the right to bid at the sale. Contact Herb Orengo at (630) 718-4684 for additional information or to arrange an inspection of the Equipment. Aug. 1, 2024 24-00305F
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that TLGFY, LLC CAPITAL ONE, N.A., AS COLLATER the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 333 Year of Issuance:2022 Description of Property: Lot(s 10 in Block 122 of Daytona North, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 10 at Page 1-15 of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Name in which assessed: BARBARA S DASCOULIAS, GEORGE L DASCOULIAS All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that that LB-AMNIA 14 LB-AMNIA 14 SB MUNI CUST FOR the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 1617 Year of Issuance:2022 Description of Property: LOT 7, OF BLOCK 13, OF PALM COAST, MAP OF ZEBULAH’S SECTION 63, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 18, AT PAGE 27, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Name in which assessed: 7 ZODIACAL PL TRUST All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that JPL INVESTMENTS, CORP. AND OCEAN BANK the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 900 Year of Issuance:2022
Description of Property: Lot 54, Block 12, Palm Coast, Map of Belle Terre, Section 11, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 35, Page(s) 59 through 67, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Name in which assessed: HOANG THAI LOI, PHUONG THANH HUYNH, THAI LOI HOANG All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Jannet Dewberry, Deputy Clerk File # 24-050 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00299F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: JOHNS TOWING AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE, INC gives notice that on 08/26/2024 at 09:00 AM the following vehicles(s) may be sold by public sale at 1103 NORTH STATE ST 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.
1G6DV57V190142567 2009 CADI Aug. 1/2024 24-00301F FIRST INSERTION FLAGLER COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (RSQ) FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING & INSPECTION (CEI) RSQ# 24-042Q
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, Florida is seeking qualification proposals from qualified firms to provide Continuing Professional Engineering Consulting Services as needed for Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) and related services for construction of capital improvement projects.
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MEETING OF THE GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT
The Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) of the Grand Haven Community Development District (the “District”) will hold a meeting beginning at 3:00 p.m. and a public hearing beginning at 5:00 p.m. on August 15, 2024, in the Creekside Amenity Facility, located at 2 Village Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137.
The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comments on the proposed adoption of the District’s fiscal year 2024/2025 proposed budget. A meeting of the Board will also be held beginning at 3:00 p.m. on August 15, 2024, where the Board may consider any other business that may properly come before it. A copy of the proposed budget and the agenda may be viewed on the District’s website at least 2 days before the meeting or may be obtained by contacting the District Manager’s office via email at dmcinnes@dpfgmc.com.
The public hearing and meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. They may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the hearing or meeting. There may be occasions when staff or Board members may participate by speaker telephone.
In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s office at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY), or 1-800-955-8770 (voice) for aid in contacting the District Manager’s office.
Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the public hearing or meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.
David McInnes District Manager Aug. 1, 2024 24-00306F
The general objective is for the selected firms to provide CEI services which are required for contract administration, inspection, and materials sampling and testing for the construction of the projects in accordance with the design and contract documents and all Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Flagler County standards and requirements.
CEI consultants and will be responsible for monitoring the Contractor’s performance of construction contracts for compliance with contract documents, all regulatory permit requirements and project funding agreements.
Proposers shall provide documentation for FDOT Prequalification in the following work types:
8.1: Control Surveying
8.2: Design, Right of Way, and Construction Surveying
9.2: Geotechnical Classification Lab Testing
9.3: Highway Materials Testing
10.1: Roadway CEI
10.3: Construction Materials Inspection
10.4: Minor Bridge and Miscellaneous Structures CEI
The prequalification requirements may be met by either the Prime Consultant or a combination of Subconsultants to the prime as part of a CEI team. Any additional relevant FDOT CEI prequalification classifications that can be provided are encouraged.
Flagler County is seeking to contract with six (6) firms to provide services for various projects on an assigned, as-needed basis. Flagler County reserves the right to award to fewer or greater number of firms at its discretion. Interested parties shall submit proposals no later than Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM (local time).
Interested firms may secure proposal documents and all other pertinent information by visiting the website of VendorLink at www.myvendorlink.com. Flagler County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to award all or segments of the project, and to waive any informality in proposals received, all as may be in the best interest of the County. Aug. 1/2024 24-00303F
utes, to receive public comment and objections on the District’s proposed
and
beginning October 1,
(“Proposed Budget”) for the
(“Fiscal Year
”). The
September
is being
pursuant to Chapters 190, 197, and/or 170, Florida Statutes, to consider the imposition of operations and maintenance special assessments (“O&M Assessments”) upon the lands located within the District, to fund the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025; to
record. There may be occasions when staff or board members may participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office.
Please note that all affected property owners have the right to appear and comment at the public hearings and meeting, and may also file written objections with the District Manager’s Office within twenty (20) days of issuance of this notice. Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the public hearings or meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the District Manager’s Office. District Manager
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that JPL INVESTMENTS, CORP. AND OCEAN BANK the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 228 Year of Issuance:2022
Description of Property: Lot 1, Block 50, Daytona North, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 10, Pages 1 through 15, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Together with that certain 1964 Mobile Home VIN # FDMEXMF01053 Title # 1549422. Name in which assessed: LENISE LA’SHONA STURDIVANT All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 13th day of August, 2024 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Jannet Dewberry, Deputy Clerk File # 24-051 TDC Aug. 1/8/15/22 24-00300F
FIRST INSERTION
RADIANCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET; NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE IMPOSITION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, ADOPTION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL, AND THE LEVY, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAME; AND NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING.
Upcoming Public Hearings, and Regular Meeting
The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) for the Radiance Community Development District (“District”) will hold the following two public hearings and a regular meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn – 55 Town Center Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32164. The first public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, to receive public comment and objections on the District’s proposed budget (“Proposed Budget”) for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025 (“Fiscal Year 2024/2025”). The second public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapters 190, 197, and/or 170, Florida Statutes, to consider the imposition of operations and maintenance special assessments (“O&M Assessments”) upon the lands located within the District, to fund the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025; to consider the adoption of an assessment roll; and, to provide for the levy, collection, and enforcement of assessments. At the conclusion of the hearings, the Board will, by resolution, adopt a budget and levy O&M Assessments as finally approved by the Board. A Board meeting of the District will also be held where the Board may consider any other District business. Description of Assessments
The District imposes O&M Assessments on benefitted property within the District for the purpose of funding the District’s general administrative, operations, and maintenance budget. A geographic depiction of the property potentially subject to the proposed O&M Assessments is identified in the map attached hereto. The table below shows the schedule of the proposed O&M Assessments, which are subject to change at the hearing:
The O&M Assessments may be collected on the County tax roll or by direct bill from the District’s Manager. The O&M Assessments will only be imposed on lots sold to third parties, including lots sold during the Fiscal Year 2024/2025, and any portion of the District’s Proposed Budget not funded by the O&M Assessments will be funded by a developer funding agreement. Note that the O&M Assessments are in addition to any debt service assessments, if any, previously levied by the District and due to be collected for Fiscal Year 2024/2025. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY YOUR ASSESSMENT BECAUSE FAILURE TO PAY WILL CAUSE A TAX CERTIFICATE TO BE ISSUED AGAINST THE PROPERTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF TITLE, OR FOR DIRECT BILLED ASSESSMENTS, MAY RESULT IN A FORECLOSURE ACTION, WHICH ALSO MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF TITLE. Additional Provisions
The public hearings and meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with Florida law. A copy of the Proposed Budget and assessment roll, and the agenda, for the hearings and meeting may be obtained by contacting DPFG Management & Consulting LLC, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 321-263-0132 (“District Manager’s Office”). The public hearings and meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record. There may be occasions when staff or board members may participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office. Please note that all affected property owners have the right to appear and comment at the public hearings and meeting, and may also file written objections with the District Manager’s Office within twenty (20) days of issuance of this notice. Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the public hearings or meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the District Manager’s Office. District Manager
Flagler
Board of County Commissioners,
is seeking qualification proposals
sulting
of
and
to
for
firm(s) will be responsible for completion of preconstruction phase activities for the County’s Capital Improvement Projects, as assigned, in accordance with applicable design standards, regulatory permit requirements and project funding agreements.
The firm(s) must have engineers, surveyors, environmental professionals and other personnel that are registered and licensed in the State of Florida, as required to perform the duties necessary to complete the various services within the scope of work of various projects as assigned.
Proposers shall provide documentation for FDOT Prequalification in the following work types:
2: Project Development and Environmental (PD&E)
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File Number: 2024 CP 000373 IN RE: ESTATE OF TOUSSAINT L’OVERTURE FORBES, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of TOUSSAINT L’OVERTURE FORBES, Deceased, whose date of death was January 14, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative for said Estate and the Attorney for said Personal Representative are respectively set forth below. All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate upon whom a copy of this Notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NO -
TICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The Personal Representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the Decedent’s death by the Decedent or the Decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Florida Statutes Sections. 732.216 - 732.228 applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under Florida Statutes Section. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this Notice is July 25, 2024. Personal Representative: Cora Forbes 59 Westbrook Lane Palm Coast, FL 32164 Attorney for Personal Representative: BARRY A. DIAMOND, #471770 LAW OFFICES OF BARRY A. DIAMOND, P.A. Coral Springs Professional Campus 5541 N. University Drive, Suite 103 Coral Springs, Florida 33067 Telephone: (954) 752-5000 Jul. 25; Aug. 1, 2024 24-00176G
and
Group 15: Landscape Architect
The prequalification requirements may be met by either the prime consultant or a combination of Subconsultants to the prime as part of a design team. Any additional relevant FDOT preconstruction related prequalification classifications that can be provided are encouraged.
Flagler County is seeking to contract with six (6) firms to provide services for various projects on an assigned, as-needed basis.
Flagler County reserves the right to award to fewer or greater number of firms at its discretion.
Interested parties shall submit proposals no later than Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM (local time). Interested firms may secure proposal documents and all other pertinent information by visiting the website of VendorLink at www.myvendorlink.com.
Flagler County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to award all or segments of the project, and to waive any informality in proposals received, all as may be in the best interest of the County. Aug. 1/2024 24-00302F
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 2024 CA 000115 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, v. MITZI ANN MARTINEZ, ET AL. Defendants. TO: ADOLFO MARTINEZ, JR., Current residence unknown, but whose last known address was: 50 POTTERVILLE LN, PALM COAST, FL 32164-6731 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property in Flagler County, Florida, to-wit: LOT 29, BLOCK 19, OF PALM COAST, MAP OF PINE GROVE, SECTION 28, ACCORDING TO PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 9, PAGES 51 THROUGH 66, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on eXL Legal, PLLC, Plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is 12425 28th Street North, Suite 200, St. Petersburg, FL 33716, or within thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice of Action, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 East Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110-0787, 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 petition. 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. WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court on this day of 7/11/2024. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court (SEAL) By: /s/ Amy Perez Deputy Clerk eXL Legal, PLLC Plaintiff’s attorney 12425 28th Street North, Suite 200 St. Petersburg, FL
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 2024 CP 000562 Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF BILLY JOE LARSON a/k/a BILLY J. LARSON a/k/a BILLY LARSON Deceased. The administration of the estate of Billy Joe Larson, deceased, whose date of death was February 7, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building #1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The names and addresses of the Proposed Personal Representative and the Proposed Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 25, 2024.
Proposed Personal Representative: Sharon Larson 155 28th Street Edgewater, Florida 32141
Attorney for Proposed Personal Representative: /s/ Jessica L. Drenkhahn
JESSICA L. DRENKHAHN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 1048780 /s/ James C. Peterson JAMES C. PETERSON, ESQ. Florida Bar No.: 0076596 E-mail Addresses: jpeterson@plgnsb.com, dmroser@plgnsb.com PETERSON LAW GROUP, PLLC. 2650 N. Dixie Fwy., Second Floor New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168 Telephone: (386) 428-2464 Jul. 25; Aug. 1, 2024 24-00175G
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024 CP 524 Division : 48 IN RE: The Estate of: CELINE JACQUES, Deceased. The administration of the estate of CELINE JACQUES, deceased, Case Number 2024 CP 000524, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The name of the Petitioner and the name and address and the Petitioner’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH IN §733.702, FLORIDA STATUTE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of the first publication of this Notice is July 25, 2024. /s/ Nicholas Jacques, Petitioner WOODARD & FERGUSON, P.A. /s/ David L. Ferguson David L. Ferguson, Esquire FL Bar No.: 353655 10 Vining Court Ormond Beach, FL 32176 Telephone: (386) 677-0822 Primary Email: dferguson@ormondlawfirm.com Secondary Email: paralegal@ormondlawfirm.com Attorney