Palm Coast Observer 09-12-24

Does Palm Coast have enough borrowing power?

Photo by Brent Woronoff

CITY WATCH

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

City Council approves $421 million budget

In the first of two votes, the Palm Coast City Council has approved the 2025 fiscal year budget of $421 million, a 17% increase over 2024’s budget. The second vote will be held on Sept. 18. The budget’s $61 million general fund will be primarily funded by a millage rate of 4.1893, slightly reduced from the current rate of 4.2154.

Both the tentative budget and millage rate votes passed with a 3-1 majority, with Vice Mayor Ed Danko dissenting, at the Sept. 5 business meeting.

Danko suggested dipping into the city’s $20 million in reserve to avoid a tax increase. City policy requires a $6 million minimum reserve fund balance be maintained at all times.

“We got a lot of leeway there,” Danko said. “We can find $2 million there to do the full millage rate rollback without cutting a thing.”

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said, “I think that the reserve fund should be for emergencies, and it should also be for one-time cost [projects],” Pontieri said.

Council balks at $500,000 price tag of ‘forensic audit’

Although some residents have called for a “forensic audit” to analyze the city’s finances and build trust, the Palm Coast City Council is not inclined to spend $500,000 in tax dollars to do so. But, another option may be possible, at a fraction of the cost: a city-wide risk assessment.

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri suggested the risk assessment in lieu of a forensic audit after a presentation from the firm MSL CPAs & Advisors on what a forensic audit would entail. At the council’s Sept. 10 meeting, CPA Joel Knopp said that a forensic audit needs to have a narrowed scope of where there might be fraud and investigates to either prove or disprove fraud.

As an estimate, to do a forensic audit going back five years, it would cost city taxpayers around $50,000 per department, Knopp said, or close to $500,000 across the city. The scope of the analysis would change the price, he said.

“So we could be looking at a half a million dollars, full nine yards, approximately,” Vice Mayor Ed Danko said. “I think it’s important the public understands that it would be half a million dollars, plus, coming out of their tax dollars … Do they trust us that little, or not?”

Knopp said there’s a public and professional misconception of what the term “forensic” means. The public might use the term forensic to mean an investigation but professionally, he said, it’s used for a specific investigation.

“It’s a very narrow focus, like: Here’s a very specific concern we have of fraud being committed somewhere and we want somebody to investigate that,” Knopp said.

“What we see in the public is it’s a term thrown out of, ‘We think money’s being mismanaged by the city or county. We think there’s abuse going on, but we don’t know what it is.’”

Knopp said often that is because the public doesn’t have trust in the municipality’s elected officials. A forensic audit was first brought up in Palm Coast in 2023 over distrust in the city’s management.

Pontieri said that while she doesn’t believe a forensic audit is necessary or that any funds were misappropriated, she said the entity-wide risk assessment would be a way to scratch the surface and find any areas within the city that are higher risk.

“I don’t think we can make any decisions about what is required or what is reasonable without doing that [the risk assessment] first,” she said.

A risk assessment would run the city around $45,000, depending on the firm the city bids with and the scope of the assessment, Knopp said. The report for that would not be very detailed, but it would identify the areas or departments in the city as either high-, medium-, or low-risk.

The “risk” could be wrongdoing, he said, but it could also be a situation of employees feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with the workload in a city that is growing as quickly as Palm Coast is.

“Maybe some departments feel understaffed, so there’s a higher risk of something going wrong,” Knopp said. “It might not be intentional. It could be errors due to being overwhelmed.”

After receiving the risk assessment analysis, the council would decide what areas need further review, and in what ways, including potential forensic audits of specific departments or reviewing the departments for efficiencies. Knopp said the report typically includes what projects were recommended to address the identified risk areas.

“Let’s scratch the surface and see if a risk assessment does say, ‘Hey, this is a high risk for you,’” Pontieri said. “If everything comes back as

low risk, then I can’t justify spending further tax dollars looking into it. But we have to start somewhere.” Pontieri said she would like to use that assessment to try to identify areas in the city that could be improved for efficiency as well as identify the vulnerable areas.

Council member Nick Klufas remained skeptical of committing taxpayer funds to these assessments. He said a lot of the distrust is coming from “individuals on our council now,” and that could go away with the new council members’ inductions. He also suggested that staff be asked to perform an internal risk assessment, instead going to a third party.

But Danko pointed out that asking staff to conduct an internal assessment would not address the lack of public trust that started the demands for a forensic audit in the first place.

“It’s basically saying to the public, ‘Let’s have the fox guard the henhouse,’” Danko said. “And I think that’s the perception we’re fighting and we want to change.”

Before sending out for an official request for proposals from different firms, the council decided to wait to review an example of a risk assessment performed in another municipality.

Chamber of Commerce president Greg Blose steps down

Greg Blose has led the chamber as its CEO and president since the chamber was founded in 2020.

The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce president is stepping down from his position. Greg Blose, chamber president and CEO, has led the Palm CoastFlagler Chamber since it was founded in August 2020. Blose and Chamber Chairman Michael Chiumento confirmed to the Observer that Blose is stepping

down to pursue other opportunities.

“We’ll certainly miss his leadership,” Chiumento said. “He is an incredible advocate for the business community, and I think he will be successful in whatever his next steps are.”

The current chamber was founded in 2020 after the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce dissolved because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chiumento said that Blose’s decision became official on Monday, Sept. 9, and now the board is evaluating its next steps.

“We have conversations about

where we would like to see the chamber in three to five years, and what characteristics of our leader are necessary to get us there,” he said. “That’s a discussion we’re having as we speak.”

Chiumento said the Palm CoastFlagler Chamber has grown in the four years since it was founded. It now has over 200 members, partnerships with state and local agencies and “significant” annual revenues, he said.

“In a small town like this, in three and a half years — even after half of the first year was in COVID — I think it’s pretty impressive where we’ve

gotten to,” Chiumento said. “And what’s on the horizon is even more exciting.” Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

Angel Pinkerton, CFP® Holland Adviser

Amy Wiliamson, CFP® Holland Adviser

Miranda Mumma, CFP® Holland Adviser

Greg Blose

BORROWING POWER

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Just two months ahead of the November general election, Palm Coast is launching an education program about a charter amendment that would expand the city’s financing abilities.

In the last several weeks, in part because of comments made by Vice Mayor Ed Danko at recent City Council meetings, residents have been reaching out to the city about the amendment’s vague language and the intent behind the amendment.

In an effort to set the record straight about the amendment, Palm Coast Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo and Communications Director Brittany Kershaw met with local media outlets on Sept. 6 to announce the launch of a new educational website to help explain to residents more about the proposed charter amendment. The website, palmcoast.gov/ shapingourfuture, launched on Sept. 9. DeLorenzo said the genesis of the charter amendment was when the council asked for a presentation about financing tools other communities are using that Palm Coast is not.

“In our research, we haven’t found a lot of communities that work under the same limitations that we do,” DeLorenzo said.

WHAT IS THE CHARTER AMENDMENT?

By limitations, DeLorenzo was referring to a specific section of the charter. Palm Coast’s Charter Article VI,

Palm Coast to release educational website on ballot amendment

section (3)(e), outlines limitations to the council’s contracting authority.

It states: “Unless authorized by the electors of the City at a duly held referendum election, the Council shall not enter into lease purchase contracts or any other unfunded multiyear contracts, the repayment of which: extends in excess of 36 months; or exceeds $15,000,000.00.”

What that means, in essentials, is that the city cannot borrow more than $15 million at a time nor enter into contracts that take longer than 36 months to repay, without a referendum.

On the Nov. 5 ballot, Palm Coast voters will be asked to decide whether to strike the entire (3)(e) section.

The language on the ballot is as follows: “Shall Article VI of the Charter be amended by removing provision (3)(e) related to fiscal Contracting Authority that limits the City’s ability to enter into publicprivate partnerships, have the ability to address growth by having future residents contribute to infrastructure costs, respond to emergencies and use available financial instruments including, but not limited to, bonds.”

DeLorenzo said the charter amendment was proposed in the first place at the behest of the council last spring.

“The City Council is trying to have more tools when it comes to funding projects within the city,” he said.

Currently, Palm Coast uses a “pay as you go” system, Kershaw said, which means that the city saves up the money — through impact fees, grants and state appropriations — before beginning a project. On the new website, the process is likened

to a family saving up all the funds it needs before it buys a house, instead of taking out a mortgage.

“It takes about 20 years to save up those impact fees to be able to build a new fire station, where the need is much sooner,” Kershaw said.

Removing the amendment does not remove all checks and balances, DeLorenzo said. The city’s debt management policy outlines guardrails the city must adhere to when managing its debt.

Regardless, the $15 million limitation does not allow much in the way of purchasing power. DeLorenzo said that, according to the city finance department, once funds that are already obligated to projects are taken into account, the city’s actual borrowing power is only $10 million.

That $10 million would get the city “almost nothing,” he said.

“You can’t build anything with $10 million,” he said. “That sounds crazy, but really, everything is astronomical.”

IS THE AMENDMENT FOR A SPORTS COMPLEX?

At the Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Ed Danko — who had previously approved adding the charter amendment to the November ballot — said he was changing his mind on the ballot amendment. He said that he had since learned the amendment was to allow a sports complex to be built in the west of the city.

“I did not know when we voted on this language. I did not know what this was specifically for,” Danko said. “It’s for a $90 million stadium in the westward expansion”

DeLorenzo and Kershaw said that while the sports complex was the impetus for considering changing the charter amendment, it is not the only reason city staff presented the option.

“It’s not only for that. That is a potential use,” Kershaw said. “I would be hesitant to say that that is the sole reason that they’re doing this, because there are other implications.”

The city is not pushing the charter amendment on behalf of the company, DeLorenzo said. Staff was directed by the City Council to work on a youth sports complex as a potential economic driver. A youth sports complex has been a council priority for three years, he said, though the feasibility studies were only presented last December and February.

In that study, it was estimated to cost $93 million for a company to build the complex, but it was estimated that it would also bring in $79 million in economic impacts in just the first year of operations.

It would take 17 years for the city to pay off the lease if it reinvested the complex’s extra revenue into the leaseback payments. The sports complex would be self-sustaining in three years, DeLorenzo said.

Through discussions with council for the sports complex, he said, bloomed the idea to amend the charter.

Primarily, the amendment is so the city can enter into these lease-purchase agreements and partnerships, and not just for the sports complex, Kershaw said.

When asked why the amendment doesn’t just strike the language prohibiting the lease-purchase agreements — which would allow the partnerships but not increase the amount the city can borrow without voter approval — DeLorenzo said staff discussed several ways to amend the charter, including just striking some of the language, but ultimately opted to present the full section removal to council.

“City Council could have changed that at any time,” DeLorenzo said. If the amendment is approved, it wouldn’t mean the city would borrow money for the sports complex, Kershaw said. Instead, it would allow

the city to enter into a partnership for “a private company to spend $93 million on our behalf” to build it, DeLorenzo said.

WHY CHANGE IT?

DeLorenzo said that having to go out for a referendum every time the city needs to enter into a contract outside of the charter limitation isn’t practical.

DeLorenzo said: “That’s not a way to run a business.”

According to the education website, public-private partnerships would allow the city to enter into agreements for infrastructure projects as well as commercial projects and spread the cost out over time.

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri, in the Sept. 3 meeting, said that she was hesitant to remove the amendment from the ballot because of the benefits it would bring for additional infrastructure projects. Regardless, she said, the charter section needed to be updated.

“The pay as you go system is not working. It is not tenable. It is not sustainable. We have to be able to borrow money to fix infrastructure before it breaks,” she said.

But beyond the sports complex, DeLorenzo said, municipalities across the state have been using lease-purchase agreements and partnerships to fund infrastructure projects. Locally, staff has even had to turn away projects that could have benefited residents because of the charter limitations. One such project proposal was for a fire station, he said.

“We’re falling behind,” he said. “Just in general, we don’t have some of the great things that other communities have.”

Email Sierra Williams at sierra@ observerlocalnews.com.

Palm Coast city manager search delayed until new council is sworn in

The firm will ideally meet with newly elected council members after election and by their inaugural Nov. 19 council meeting, the firm will be seeking approval from the council to begin the search.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The search firm for Palm Coast’s new city manager is ready to hit the ground running — once the new City Council members are elected and sworn in in November.

“I don’t want to rush the process. We haven’t had the best stability at the city manager position the last few go arounds.”

THERESA CARLI PONTIERI, Palm Coast City Council member

Strategic Government Resources Executive Vice President Doug Thomas told the current council that once the four new council members are elected — or selected, in the case of the District 4 seat — after the Nov. 5 election, SGR will be reaching out to meet with them to see what their priorities are in a city manager.

Thomas said he encouraged the city’s human resources department to wait until the new council is seated before beginning the search. Most candidates, he said, would be skittish about applying for a job with a high turnover and where the majority of the council members would soon be changed out.

“Realistically, most qualified city managers are not going to want to step into that uncertain landscape of who their direct reports are going to be, the five that are going to be sitting at this dais,” he said.

SGR was hired by Palm Coast for the city manager search back in June when the council decided to piggyback on a city manager search contract SGR had with New Smyrna Beach. It is a national search firm that has over 450 local government recruitment clients in over 37 states.

Most of the candidate pool will statistically come from Florida, though, Thomas said.

“Realistically, most qualified city managers are not going to want

to step into that uncertain landscape.”

DOUG THOMAS, SGR executive vice president

The first step is gathering information about the city of Palm Coast and what are its unique issues and dynamics, he said. That includes learning the city’s goals and backgrounds, meeting with staff, interest groups and stakeholders, the size of the city budget and key responsibilities and projects facing the candidates.

All this information, plus the compensation range, potential challenges facing a city manager and what “hard and soft skills” the council members believe a candidate should have, will be compiled into a brochure that will be advertised across the nation for qualified candidates. Ideally, he said, the brochure would be finalized and ready for the council’s approval at the Nov. 19 business meeting, the same meeting that the newly elected candidates will be sworn in. That will depend on if Thomas is able to meet with the newly elected members ahead of time.

Once the brochure is approved by the council, there is a 30-day advertising period, which would place the application window closing directly before the Christmas holiday, he said. Most candidates won’t apply around the holidays, he said, so if the City Council waits any longer than the Nov. 19 meeting to approve the brochure, it would mean a longer advertising period before SGR returns with a list of candidates.

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said she was concerned the timeline Thomas laid out didn’t leave enough time to find qualified candidates.

“Timeline wise, I don’t want to rush the process,” Pontieri said. “We haven’t had the best stability at the city manager position the last few go arounds.”

Thomas said that SGR will only close the advertising period if there is a good pool of candidates and that he will remain in touch with the council throughout that 30-day advertising

process.

“Before we get to the end of the 30 days, you’ll know whether I think we’re in good shape or if we may need some more time,” he said.

Based on some of the challenges the council is facing — including a council where four of the five members will be completely green at the job while the fifth will have only two years of experience — Thomas said the city will likely want to attract “really well qualified candidates.” To get those candidates, he said, the city should have a salary range of $190,000 to $240,000 for the position.

Former city manager Denise Bevan’s salary base salary was $175,000 when she was promoted to the position in 2022.

Council member Nick Klufas also pointed out that city managers have higher turnover rates, which impacts the salary demands of candidates. Thomas agreed with him: City managers have an average of five- to seven-year tenures, he said.

“You’re probably looking for a fairly well experienced member,” Thomas said. “It’s like anything else, you pay for talent.”

Palm Coast Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo. Photo by Sierra Williams

Flagler Cares approaches 10th anniversary of facilitating the safety net

The organization takes on big projects like suicide prevention and opioid recovery and also helps people navigate Medicaid, Medicare and other social services.

Flagler Cares, a nonprofit organization focused on a providing an

and

services in Flagler County, is poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.

Chief Executive Officer Carrie Baird has been with the organization since before it became a nonprofit in June 2015. At the time she was the only staff member as a part-time employee.

Now Flagler Cares has a staff of 16 and has expanded from a cramped office space to 10,000 square feet at City Market Place in Palm Coast. Flaagler Cares shares the space with seven other partner organizations under the umbrella of the Flagler County Village.

Ten years ago, Flagler Cares was the brain child of Barbara Revels, then a Flagler County commissioner; Ken Mattison, then the CEO of Florida Hospital Flagler (now AdventHealth Palm Coast); and Patrick Johnson, then the administrator of the Florida Department of Health-Flagler. Revels continues to be the vice president on Flagler Cares’ board of directors.

“They thought the health and human services sector could work better together,” Baird said. “And try to make sure that people didn’t fall through the cracks because there wasn’t an organization that could meet their needs.”

One of the first projects Flagler Cares took on was suicide prevention because at the time Flagler County was No. 1 in the state in per capita suicides.

“The school system said, ‘Please,

can you help us?’ — because it’s not a school issue, it’s a community issue,” Baird said. “So we did some work around that, convening people, sharing data, talking about solutions. And that turned into a formal project that was funded by a grant to do a whole year-long planning process around what do kids need, what are their behavioral health needs so they don’t end up in deep end services or Juvenile Justice?

“And then we turned that year of planning into an implementation grant, and we were able to bring $400,000 a year to the community to focus on youth behavioral health services. So that was kind of our first win in capacity building.”

DR. BICKEL’S GAME-CHANGER

That grant is still active today with the award of a third three-year grant cycle that starts next month. Flagler Cares partners with Flagler Schools and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office along with a network of pro-

viders. The grant pays for coordination and monitoring of kids who have severe needs. It also funds two positions in the Sheriff’s Office known as the Behavioral Response Unit who go out with deputies to de-escalate crisis situations and follow up with care coordination for substance use, mental health or other services.

Through the grant, over 1,000 students a year are screened for mental health issues, Baird said.

Two years ago, the game changer for Flagler Cares came in the form of a $1 million a year donation for 10 years from Flagler Cares board member Dr. Stephen Bickel, who also pledged an endowment that would follow the funding at the end of the 10 years.

“He gave us an opportunity to amp up our desire to try new things,” Baird said. “I think that we are not a risk adverse organization. If there’s a problem and we think we have a solution, we’re going to try it. We did that before Dr. Bickel provid -

ed additional funding — through grants. So Dr. Bickel’s funding gave us an opportunity to do that with less risk where we could try to build new programs, new strategies, new initiatives based on the problems we are presented with daily by people who come to the office.”

Flagler Cares’ expanded office now provides mental health services and Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORe). They host quarterly help nights where several organizations come in and provide their services on the spot.

“They’ll screen you, enroll you and provide services that night,” said Rachel Gerow, Flagler Cares’ chief operating officer.

One Voice for Volusia has merged with Flagler Cares and now that organization is able to provide substance prevention programs in both counties, said Kristy Amburgey, One Voice for Volusia’s executive director.

Besides taking on big projects,

Flagler Cares helps people navigate Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Even the Department of Children and Families, which manages Medicaid and food stamps, sends people to Flagler Cares because they can use their computers and scan documents with help from the staff.

Flagler Cares even helps people through Social Security disability applications, a process that can take longer than a year.

“I think it’s a unique thing that we’re doing in this kind of general support of people,” Baird said. “Most agencies don’t do that. They have a niche, they have an eligibility criteria, a population they work with. And if you don’t fit into that, they can’t help you. We don’t set those parameters. We’re going to help anybody who comes in as long as we have the resources to do it.”

Visit www.flaglercares.org.

Flagler Cares has grown from one part-time employee (Carrie Baird, top left, now CEO) to a staff of 16 in 10 years. Courtesy photo

13 residences at Bulow RV resort still face eviction

The structures all have permanent additions that are attached and must be removed.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Thirteen residents of the Bulow Plantation RV Resort could still be facing eviction at the end of January.

These 13 residents are the remaining residents whose structures violate county code because they have attached permanent additions to the structures that are illegal in an RV campground — like decks or additional rooms. The additions, however, were built over the years, with management’s knowledge.

Some residents had even purchased the structures with the illegal attachments already in place. After Flagler County notified Bulow’s management that the structures violated the county code, dozens of residents were facing evictions for being noncompliant until the Flagler County Commission stepped in last January.

County administrator Heidi Petito said at a Sept. 4 commission workshop meeting that the site’s development order allows accessory structures for the campground, like a clubhouse or meeting hall, but not for the individual campsites.

The permitted accessories that can be on the RV structures — like a deck or stairs into the structure — must stand alone and cannot be physically attached to the structures, she said.

The Flagler County Commission granted Bulow Plantation’s management six months to work with the residents to get all of the structures into compliance. That extension expired in July, but the commission granted another extension to the end of January 2025, with a threemonth check in.

In January 2024, there were 62 structures that were not in compliance, Petito said. That number had been reduced to 20 by July.

Stan Martin, representing Bulow LLC, told the commission that the number was at 18 now, and another five would be brought into compliance by the end of October. Of those five, Martin said, two residents were evicted over nonpayment of rent, and their structures will be removed. Management has reached agreements with the other three, who will also be removing their structures from the campground, he said.

Those numbers have not been verified by the county. He said Bulow has invited the county out to inspect the properties but was told staff would not be coming out to do that yet.

Attorney Sean Moylan said now that the number of noncompliant structures has been whittled down, the county should go in and confirm. Martin said January likely wouldn’t end with 100% of the structures in compliance.

“We’re probably down to the people who just aren’t going to comply,” he said. “And then we have really one remedy under the law, and that’s eviction.”

Bulow RV campground

resident Barbara Paige owns one of the remaining noncompliant structures. She said she bought her home in the campground section with the deck and additions already installed.

To remove them, she said it would cost her $9,000, and that would also leave a large hole in her home that she would then need to pay to have filled in. It isn’t something she can afford, she said. Instead, she is working on finding someone to pur-

COVID-era grants boost Flagler Schools budget

chase the home from her. It’s been up for sale for five or six months, she said. Most potential buyers say it would be too expensive or difficult to move the home.

“I’m holding out because I have nowhere else to go,” Paige said. “… It breaks my heart. It’s killing me to live through this.”

Martin said that while Bulow had made agreements with residents who had purchased noncompliant structures from the company, Paige was not one of them.

Martin compared the situation to a homeowner who had purchased a home with a code violation — it was up to the owner to fix the violation and comply with county code.

Moylan said this situation isn’t quite the same as that example. While the management is working to come into compliance, the situation only got to this point because “they allowed it to happen and turned a blind eye.”

“They don’t have completely clean hands, but at the same time they’re trying to work this out,” Moylan said. “This is an intractable problem of local government that we’re trying to wrestle with.” Regardless, Moylan said, once the January deadline is reached, “you have this hard decision to make.”

Due to the last of its COVID-era ESSER grants, the district ended the fiscal year with a fund balance of $3 million more than what was expected.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Utilizing the last of its COVID-era ESSER grants, Flagler Schools had a larger general fund balance for the 202324 fiscal year than expected, Chief Financial Officer Patty Wormeck reported.

At a special meeting on the morning of Sept. 10, the School Board unanimously approved the Annual Financial Report and Cost Report for 2023-2024.

The good news in the reports, Wormeck said, was a general fund balance on June 30 of $13,015,000. The district had expected a balance of about $10 million, she said.

The general fund is the district’s key operating fund.

Board policy is to have an unassigned general fund balance of 5%-8% of next year’s revenues. The district’s unassigned balance is at 9% of total revenues for next year, Wormeck said.

“We are very pleased at this result,” she said. “We are in a good place right now. We were able to do this through the ESSER grants.”

ESSER grants are the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds available to school districts as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ESSER grants expire at the end of this

month.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to utilize the grants to the full extent we could by backfilling positions in our general fund that were allowed and approved by (the Department of Education),” Wormeck said.

All of the other funds, including capital funds, stayed the same in the budget, Wormeck said. The 1.5 millage rate revenue ended with about a $20 million fund balance. And the sales tax and impact fees remained the same, she said.

Wormeck and Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the district’s unions had been apprised of the changes. Board member Cheryl Massaro noted that during bargaining the district did not know it would have a larger than expected general fund balance.

“We typically don’t end much differently than what we budget for,” Wormeck said. “The budget process started in June. The close-out for the fiscal year is at the end of August. The changes were due to ESSER grants which will not occur again. We told the unions where we ended up and why we ended up there.” Moore said as amendments were being approved by the DOE, district administrators communicated with union representatives.

“We always want to be completely transparent with our stakeholders including our unions,” she said. “We want to stay within the board direction on how much to have in reserve but also give great wages to our employees. We’ll continue to peel back every dollar we can in order to help us be in the healthiest place going forward.”

Email brent@observerlocal news.com.

A park model home with an attached accessory structure. Image from Flagler County presentation

Maryland man arrested after domestic argument turns violent

A Maryland man was arrested after police say he choked and imprisoned his girlfriend after an argument about money became violent.

Steven McSwain, 47, had been living with his girlfriend in Bunnell for just over a month. On Sept. 6, the two began arguing over money when the argument became violent, according to an arrest report.

The girlfriend broke up with McSwain, telling him if he was not going to look for a job then he could find another place to leave. McSwain grabbed a bag and went out onto the porch. When the girlfriend asked him if that was all he needed so she could lock the door behind him, McSwain came back in the home and grabbed the girlfriend by the neck, the report said.

COPS CORNER

9:35 a.m. — 300 block of Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach Vandalism. Police suspect a disgruntled 67-year-old Ormond Beach man dropped a palm tree in his neighbor’s U-shaped driveway after his neighbor refused to let him use the driveway to turn around on their dead-end street the day before.

According to a police report, officers had responded to the home on Aug. 24, when the neighbor called police to ensure his argument with the man didn’t escalate. Police report the man had driven to the end of the street and wanted to use the neighbor’s driveway to turn around, but was unable to as his neighbor was using it to take photos of his car.

The following day, police received another call from the neighbor when he found the large palm tree laying

The girlfriend later told Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies that McSwain began choking her before he threw her to the ground and dragged her back to the bedroom, the report said. McSwain kept her from leaving the room, repeatedly slamming her head into the floor, wall and bed every time she tried to leave. He took her cell phone and unplugged her Amazon “Alexa” device so she couldn’t call 911.

The girlfriend said she tried to escape over 15 times before managing to crawl out of the attached bathroom window. She got in her van and left her home for a neighbor’s house to call 911.

When Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the girlfriend’s home, McSwain was not inside, a FCSO press release said. Deputies eventually found McSwain at a nearby Dollar General, where he was arrested and charged with domestic battery, kidnapping and tampering with a victim.

He is being held on $75,000 bond at the county jail.

across his driveway. A large tarp was also left on his vehicle, with dirt inside, and a tree stump leaning up against it. The officer could see where the palm tree had been uprooted and followed the tire tracks to the man’s property, which had a fork lift parked in plain view. The fork lift’s tires, according to police, were a match for the tracks.

The man was having a conversation with someone over the phone when police were there investigating, and officers determined the other person on the line to be his mother.

One overheard her say, on speaker, “I heard you were drunk yesterday and did something down the street,” the police report notes.

Police had the fork lift towed.

AUG. 30

REPEAT OFFENDER

8:59 p.m. — 300 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach DUI. A 54-year-old Ormond Beach man was arrested after police received a tip that he was drunk driving.

Officers conducted a traffic stop

Daytona man arrested for traveling to Palm Coast to meet with a 16-year-old girl for sex

A Daytona Beach man was arrested in Palm Coast on Sept. 9 after deputies say he traveled into the county to have a sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Alfred Smith, 25, of Daytona Beach, believed he was meeting an underage girl at the Circle K at 1500 Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast, but was instead met by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies, an FCSO press release said. FCSO deputies were contacted by private individuals who had been messaging Smith on social media while pretending to be the underage girl, according to Smith’s arrest report.

Smith has been charged with traveling to meet/lure a child and unlawful use of a communication device. Additional charges are pending and he is being held at the county jail without bond.

Smith admitted to deputies he believed he was talking to a teenage girl who invited him to Palm Coast to

and smelled alcohol on his person, soon discovering that the man’s license had been previously suspended after he was arrested for driving under the influence in July while in Hillsborough County. The man showed police a temporary driving permit, which allows him to travel to maintain livelihood, according to a police report. He said he was headed to a local grocery store.

The tipster told police that the man had consumed two bottles of vodka prior to getting behind the wheel of his car. “He drives drunk every day,” the tipster told police, according to the man’s arrest report.

The man declined to perform field sobriety exercises or provide a breath sample. Police found that he had three prior DUI arrests, including the most recent one.

He was arrested and taken to jail.

SEPT. 7

BLOOMING LOVE

9:57 p.m. — Intersection of Palm Coast Parkway, Belle Terre parkway, Palm Coast Criminal mischief. A local homeless

have sex with her, the press release said, and admitted to sending sexually explicit photos. Deputies found an unused condom in his pocket.

Smith was on sex offender probation for a previous lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12, offender under 18 charge, the press release said.

Palm Coast man arrested on child molestation charges

A Palm Coast man was arrested on Sept. 4 after deputies say he repeatedly molested a young girl over the course of two to three years.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been investigating Joseph Thomas Horovsky, 21, of Palm Coast, for the last 15 months after the victim reported him in June 2023. Horovsky is being charged with molesting a child under 12 by a person 18 years of age or older, a FCSO press release said. He is being held at the county jail without bond.

man was arrested after a Sheriff’s Office deputy caught him drawing a flower on a traffic sign in honor of his girlfriend.

The homeless man, 54, was known locally to the deputy, as well as his on-again, off-again relationship with his girlfriend, according to an arrest report. The drawing included a message to his girlfriend, saying the flower was hers and “only blooms once in a lifetime.”

The deputy approached the man to ask about the graffiti and the man originally denied drawing it, but then admitted to drawing on the sign.

The man said that as a taxpayer, he owns the sign and could draw on it if he wanted to, the report said.

SEPT. 9 ON BAD BEHAVIOR

1:43 a.m. — 400 block of South Ocean Shore Boulevard, Flagler Beach Disorderly conduct. A Beverly Beach man who refused to cooperate with police went from being trespassed from a store to arrested for disorderly conduct.

The victim told FCSO detectives that there were five incidents over the last several years where Horovsky “touched her in a sexual manner,” the press release said.

Ormond Beach man convicted of recording underage girl in bathroom

An Ormond Beach man was sentenced to five years in prison on Sept. 3 after a jury found him guilty for recording a girl under the age of 12 while she was in the bathroom. Tyler Habdas, 32, will serve five years in prison and then eight years on the sex offender probation. He was found guilty of five counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication devices, three counts of video voyeurism of a victim under 12 and child abuse, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release. Habdas was arrested by FCSO deputies in May 2023 after the victim’s mother — a Flagler County resident — reported him.

The police were called out to a gas station because of a man yelling at the store clerk about store’s cooked food. The clerk told police that the suspect began calling her a racist when she told him to leave, according to an arrest report.

She said another patron even had to get between her and the suspect when he lunged at her as she was calling 911.

When the officer spoke with the suspect in the parking lot to file a trespassing report, the suspect refused to cooperate and attempted to leave with his uncle. The officer told him he had to stay, but the suspect instead said the officer would lose his qualified immunity because the suspect works at the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The suspect continued to yell at the officer and try to leave and the officer placed the man in handcuffs and had to forcefully put him in the back of the patrol car, the report said.

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BUSINESS OBSERVER

Military packaging company to open in Palm Coast

The manufacturing and testing facility will be Astor Defence’s first in the U.S. and is expected to initially bring in 30 new jobs to the community.

OBSERVER STAFF

An international military packaging company will make Palm Coast the home of its first U.S. manufacturing, production and testing facility. The global company Astor Defence is currently the sole-source supplier of metal ammunition containers for the British Army and provides critical services for armed forces across the NATO alliance, including France, Germany, and Italy, a press release from Palm Coast said.

The Palm Coast facility of Astor Defence’s U.S. branch — called Astor Defense USA — will be fully operational by January and will be located at 15 Hargrove Grade in Hargrove Industrial Park. Astor Defense USA will produce a wide range of military packaging solutions, improving supply chain operations and meeting the evolving needs of its U.S. clients. The Palm Coast facility will streamline operations and provide “a one-stop solution

NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE

The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy.

Last year’s property tax levy:

A. Initially proposed tax levy...........................$ 116,500,077

B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes ................................................................ $ (354,622)

C. Actual property tax levy ............................ $ 116,854,699

This year’s proposed tax levy ...................... $ 131,736,017

All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on: Monday, September 16, 2024 5:01 p.m. at Flagler County Commission Chambers 1st Floor of the Government Services Building 1769 East Moody Blvd Building #2

Bunnell, Florida 32110

A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.

for defense contractors,” the press release said. This state-of-the-art facility represents a major expansion for the Astor Defense USA. The facility will bring new jobs, industry growth and enhanced business activity to Palm Coast.

City Communications Director Brittany Kershaw said in an email to the Observer that the facility will initially bring 30 jobs to the community, six of which will be relocating with the company from England. Astor Defence is also pursuing additional contracts that will need additional staffing, if secured, she wrote.

According to available data, manufacturing jobs in Flagler County currently offer a salary of $65,944, Kershaw wrote.

“Astor Defence choosing Palm Coast for its first U.S. facility is a testament to our city’s business-friendly environment,” Mayor David Alfin said. “This development not only strengthens our local economy by creating new, high-paying jobs but also highlights Palm Coast as an emerging hub for advanced manufacturing.”

Flagler Fish Company will close for renovations

The Flagler Beach restaurant announced that it will be closed for about six months but will have a food trailer on site with a limited menu.

OBSERVER STAFF

The Flagler Fish Company announced on Facebook on Thursday, Sept. 5, that it will be closed for approximately six months after September because of construction relating to renovating and expanding the restaurant.

“With a heavy heart but bright anticipation ... we want to share that September will be the last month our restaurant will be open as we prepare for an exciting future. As we celebrate out 19th anniversary, we also embark on a significant journey, closing the restaurant for renovations and expansion.” the Flagler Beach restaurant announced on the Flagler Foodie Groupies Facebook page.

In July, the Flagler Beach Commission unanimously

approved the expansion request that would bring the restaurant’s available seating to 187.

While it is closed, the Flagler Fish Company will serve from a food trailer on the property, at 180 S. Daytona Ave., offering a very limited menu and outdoor seating, according to the announcement.

“This wasn’t how we planned to approach the renovation, but it’s the best way to ensure the work is done quickly and with the highest quality. We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting this remodel, and we’re committed to bringing you an even better dining experience when we reopen,” the announcement said. The restaurant also asked that if anyone has job openings or opportunities for its team members to reach out.

“Our team members are talented, dedicated, and would be an asset to any business,” the announcement said.

“Thank you for your lover. loyalty and patience. The future is bright, and we’re excited to continue serving you for many years to come, the announcment concluded.

Angelina’s Diner now open in Ormond

Angelina’s, opened by Javier and Jeannie Alvarez, aims to provide a New Yorkstyle diner experience, with a Florida twist.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

New York diners have always held a special place in Javier and Jeannie Alvarez’ hearts. So when the opportunity arose to open a restaurant — the couple’s first — that’s what came to their minds: A diner, and one named after their 10-year-old daughter, Angelina.

“I just felt that it stands out,” Javier said. “Angelina’s Diner — it really stands out. It’s a nice name and customers love it.”

His wife Jeannie wasn’t 100% on board with the name at the beginning, but then she started seeing signs. While watching TV, she’d see a cafe named Angelina. She visited New York and saw other businesses with the same name.

“Maybe, it’s meant to be for it to be Angelina’s Diner,” Jeannie said. “So I was like, ‘OK, let’s go with it.’”

Angelina’s Diner opened on Aug. 30, at the former IHOP location at 190 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach. The Alvarez family redesigned the interior of the building to have the upscale modern feel they were striving to achieve for their diner, complete with the blues and neutral colors of St. Brendan Catholic School, where their children attend.

They wanted the diner to feel bright and beachy to pay tribute to their location.

Opening Angelina’s took about a year and a half.

“So far the experience has been amazing,” Javier said. “The feedback, the guests, they’re returning back. They like what they see. They like what they eat.”

Angelina’s offers breakfast all day, including omelets, hot cakes, french toast and waffles, as well lunch and dinner offerings such as burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and meatloaf dinners. All of their food is made in-house, said Chef Tyler Dees.

“A lot of people around here, they don’t have anybody to cook for them,” Dees said.

“They like to have a diner they can go to — maybe if it’s not every day, five days a week — where they feel at home and they know the food’s good, the food’s fresh,” Dees said.

Javier Alvarez, originally from Long Island, New York, has been in the restaurant industry for 33 years. He grew up working at his uncle’s restaurant from when he was his daughter Angelina’s age, refilling the sugar caddies on

the tables and being paid $2 per milkshake by the servers who didn’t want to make them.

“I hear it all the time when I go to New York,” Jeannie said. [They’re] like, ‘I can’t believe you (Javier) own restaurants and you used to do the sugar caddies for me.’”

The couple, who live in Daytona Beach, have been together for 26 years, and when they lived in New York, they had diners they used to frequent often. In a recent trip, they returned to those diners to try and gain inspiration for Angelina’s.

And they found that they did want to bring a New York diner to Ormond Beach, but, the kind that they grew up going to in the ‘90s.

“The food was different,” Javier said. “Diners used to make their own stuff. Now they don’t. ... It’s a different feeling if you go to a diner now than when you went 20 years ago, and I guess in my mind, that’s what I’m trying to replicate. That same feeling.”

Angelina’s menu is not set in stone. If there’s anything the community would like to see on it, Javier said, he’d like to hear what it is. Jeannie agreed.

“Basically, we want to cater to our customers,” she said. “What they want is what we want to bring to the table.”

The Alvarez family hopes to host a grand opening event in December, once they finish adding a patio to the building for more seating.

Angelina’s Diner is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Javier and Jeannie Alvarez, with their four children: Emmie, Nicolas, Lucas and Angelina. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Hammock Dunes condo

tops Flagler’s sales list

Acondo at 85 Avenue De La Mer in Flagler County was the top real estate transaction for Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The condo sold on Sept. 3, for $1.1 million. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/3 and has ocean views, a private elevator and 2,110 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $519,000.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Condos

The condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 443, sold on Aug. 30, for $1,040,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 3/4 and has 2,245 square feet.

The condo at 309 Ocean Marina Drive, Unit 309, sold on Aug. 30, for $357,500. Built in 1987, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,140 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $240,500.

The condo at 1100 Canopy Walk Lane, Unit 1111, sold on Aug. 30, for $300,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,712 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $232,000.

The condo at 1000 Canopy Walk Lane, Unit 1013, sold on Aug. 29, for $265,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,238 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $182,000.

PALM COAST

Hamptons

The house at 8 Montauk Court sold on Aug. 30, for

$545,000. Bult in 1996, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,158 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $459,900.

Fairways The house at 24 Leaver Drive sold on Sept. 3, for $559,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 5/3 and has a pool and 2,926 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $550,000.

Grand Haven The house at 23 Lagare St. sold on Sept. 4, for $580,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,397 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $525,500.

No subdivision

The house at 54 Westridge Lane sold on Aug. 30, for $620,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 3,027 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $200,000.

The home at 29 Flagler Place sold on Aug. 29, for $660,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,562 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $465,000.

The house at 96 Cimmaron Drive sold on Aug. 30, for

$960,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool and 2,480 square feet.

Hammock Dunes

The house at 25 Marbella Court sold on Aug. 29, for $760,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 3,022 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $478,000.

Hidden Lakes

The house at 153 Arena Lake Drive sold on Aug. 29, for $647,000. Built in 2012, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool and 2,956 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $384,900.

Beach Haven

The house at 18 Shady Oak Lane sold on Aug. 29, for $650,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/2 and has an outdoor kitchen, covered lanai and 2,365 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $402,800.

Plantation Bay

The house at 489 Stirling Bridge Drive sold on Sept. 4 for $722,752. Built in 2024, the home is a 4/3 and has 2,402 square feet.

FLAGLER BEACH

Rio Mar The house at 1421 N. Central Ave. sold on Aug. 30, for $815,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 5/4 and has an outdoor shower, a covered deck and 2,737 square feet. It last sold in May 2024 for $475,000.

Golden Beach

The house at 3073 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on Sept. 2 for $901,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 4/4 and has 2,880 square feet.

Toby Tobin contributed to this report.

Ormond-by-the-Sea pool home is top seller

Ahouse at 940 Margarita Circle was the top real estate transaction for Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea.

The house sold on Sept. 6, for $825,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 4/2 with two half baths and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,689 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $485,000.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Condos

The condo at 1155 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 402, sold on Sept. 4, for $435,000. Built in 1971, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,065 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $350,000.

The condo at 1575 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit K050, sold on Sept. 4, for $485,000. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,227 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $264,000.

The condo at 10 Lynnhurst Drive, Unit 2010, sold on Sept. 4, for $140,000. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/2 and has 930 square feet. It last sold in 1996 for $66,000.

The condo at 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 87, sold on Sept. 4, for $110,000. Built in 1973, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 1,252 square feet. It last sold in 2000 for $23,000.

The condo at 2290 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 3060, sold on Sept.5, for $340,000. Built in 1991, the condo is

a 2/2 and has 1,121 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $204,500.

The condo at 2700 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 509, sodl on Sept. 6, for $235,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,025 square feet. It last sold in 2009 for $175,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Hunter’s Ridge

The house at 34 Laurel Ridge Break sold on Sept. 3, for $595,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 5/3 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,809 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $162,500.

Not in subdivision

The house at 14 Country Club Drive sold on Sept. 6, for $480,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,141 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $485,000.

Oak Forest The house at 1506 Poplar Drive sold on Sept. 6, for $290,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,595 square feet. It last sold in 2000 for $124,500.

Ocean Village The villa at 19 Oriole Circle, Unit C, sold on Sept. 3, for $225,000. Built in 1947, the villa is a 1/1 and has 872 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $121,000.

Ormond Terrace

The house at 517 N. Yonge St. sold on Sept. 6, for $275,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,960 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $134,900.

The Trails The house at 32 Choctaw Trail sold on Sept. 3, for $540,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,669 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $262,500.

Twin River Estates The house at 1 Bayberry Drive sold on Sept. 5, for $425,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,248 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $235,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Brendale Heights

The house at 122 Brendale Drive sold on Sept. 4, for $326,000. Built in 1965, the house is a 2/1 and has 1,149 square feet. It last sold in 2002 for $86,000.

Sunny Shores

The house at 65 Sunny Shore Drive sold on Sept. 6, for $465,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,858 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $166,000.

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

Seminole Palms

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘How Palm Coast became a city’

Dear Editor:

Sept. 14 marks the 25th anniversary of the election scheduled to determine whether or not the citizens of Palm Coast would vote to incorporate as a City. Due to the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Floyd, then Governor Jeb Bush ordered an emergency postponement. The outcome of the contentious debates between the Palm Coast Home Rule Coalition (PCHRC) promoting incorporation and the Not A Done Deal Association (NADDA) opposed to the new charter would have to wait another week.

Finally, on Sept. 21, 1999 more than 60% of the nearly 12,000 voters who cast ballots on the referendum voted YES! Winning the final election on Dec. 14 were Jim Canfield, mayor; and Ralph Carter, Jerry Full, James Holland, and Bill Venne, city

councilors. The group began meeting immediately and dubbed Palm Coast a “Millennium City” even though the official birthdate was still two weeks away. For more information about “How Palm Coast Became A City” and other historical information, visit www.palmcoasthistory.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. All are encour-

aged to visit the Palm Coast Historical Society and Museum in Holland Park, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. or by appointment to learn about the past and help keep history alive!

KATHY M. REICHARD-ELLAVSKY

Palm Coast Historical Society President

Benefit set to raise money for Ed Foley in his battle with ALS

The All Love and Support Benefit for Ed Foley and family will be Friday, Sept. 13, at the 1405 Saloon in Bunnell.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

me.com/f/stand-withthe-foleys-in-their-battleagainst-als, has raised $19,240 for the family as of Sept. 10 with a goal of $200,000 to help the Foleys pay mounting medical bills. The benefit aims to raise additional money for the family.

Staff

Marketing

Losinger Paula@observerlocalnews. com;

Koehler, akoehler@ observerlocalnews.com; Travis Hurlbut, Travis@observerlocalnews. com; Jacob Boyd, jacob@ observerlocalnews.com Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com

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YOUR TOWN

Turtle Trail provides educational opportunity for students

The journey to share Flagler’s public art Turtle Trail has evolved into an educational endeavor. The Flagler County Education Foundation and Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3) have partnered to introduce Flagler County students to the science, art, culture and history of the Turtle Trail.

This initiative began in the summer with the “Great Minds Summer Literacy Program” at the G.W. Carver Community Center, made possible by the Ed Foundation and Flagler Schools.

The program is designed to prevent learning loss during the summer for students in grades K-5, focusing on literacy, math and science based on Florida standards. In its second year, the program

Ed and Sheila have three teenage children — Taylor, who is in college, and Aidan

Three years ago, Ed Foley drove his wife, Sheila, to chemotherapy. Sheila is doing well now, but Ed recently has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Friends of the Foley family have organized the All Love and Support Benefit for Ed Foley and family at 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the 1405 Saloon, 1405 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. ALS is a fatal neurological disease that destroys the nerve cells which control voluntary muscle movement. When the cells die off, the muscle tissue wastes away, eventually affecting swallowing and breathing and causing respiratory failure. The average life expectancy for people diagnosed with ALS is two to five years. About 5% live 20 years or longer, according to the ALS Association.

was enriched with art and science activities, attending theater productions and visiting several turtles on the Flagler Turtle Trail. Students had the opportunity to meet various artists at each site while exploring the art pieces. The program received support from an anonymous donor.

Building on the success of the program, Old Kings Elementary School, known for its marine science program, is continuing to integrate the Turtle Trail into its curriculum through the Classroom to Careers program provided through funding from the United Way of Volusia and Flagler. Pablo, Turtle No. 4, is located at the front entrance at Old Kings Elementary.

“The art club drew inspiration from Picasso’s works to design Pablo, and students from Flagler Palm Coast High School brought the design to life through painting,” OKES art teacher Ambur Carter said.

OKES science teacher Matthew Araujo is enthusiastic about incorporating studentdriven activities aligned

with the school’s focus, and Principal Jessica Fries and her leadership team are embracing this partnership.

Nancy Crouch, chair of the Flagler County Cultural Council, said, “FC3 is truly honored to have the Turtle Trail integrated into the Flagler County schools allowing children to learn of and respect public art and artists. Fostering collaborations is part of our mission and education is a key element in our initiative.”

The Education Foundation, Flagler Schools, and FC3 plan to contine the programs in the years ahead.

Flagler County paramedic awarded medal during Commission meeting

Members of the Sons of the American Revolution on Sept. 3 awarded Flagler County Firefighter Paramedic Andrew Shook with the Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal during the regular meeting of the Board of

WINTER GALA

THURSDAY, DEC 12, 2024

HILTON

and Bristol who are in high school. Bristol plays volleyball at Matanzas High, and Ed and Sheila never miss a game.

Ed said he has lost 40 pounds of muscle since his diagnosis. When he started having symptoms, he said he knew what he had because he watched his grandfather die of ALS.

A gofundme page, gofund-

County Commissioners. Flagler Chapter Secretary Randall Morris spoke of the tradition of presenting the award as “descendants of our great nation’s very first public servants.” Regional Vice President Charlie Hayes presented the award to Shook, who has worked for Flagler County Fire Rescue for 10 years.

“He is an outstanding Firefighter Paramedic,” Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker said. “I look forward to seeing him take on some leadership roles here in Flagler County.”

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized on April 30, 1889. The award was established in 2005 to honor community service.

The medal is presented for accomplishments or an outstanding contribution in the emergency medical services field. Shook was nominated for the award for a 2023 water rescue in which he was part of a team that rescued three people who were being pulled out to sea by an ocean rip current.

Commission Chair Andy Dance asked whether Shook had ever been a lifeguard to which he answered no.

Shook accepted the award – a certificate, a medal and a bar for his uniform – while holding his son Maverick and flanked by his wife, Ali, who was holding their daughter Teagan.

MEET THE HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS

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

Ed was a transmission lineman for FPL and made a pretty good income, he said, but now he’s on Social Security disability.

The benefit will include live music by Jordan Redding, guest DJ Lefteye, a cash bar, 50-50 raffle and an auction. No donation is too small, according to the benefit poster.

Ed said he is looking forward to the evening.

“Hopefully it will be a good turnout,” he said. “I’m still walking. I’m very weak, but I’m still speaking, still eating. This will probably be one of the last times I’ll be seeing a lot of these people. It will be a big night for me anyway.”

“We like when we have these opportunities to brag on our team,” Tucker said.

Flagler Sportfishing Club, Matanzas High School form fishing club partnership

The Flagler Sportfishing Club ‘kids4reel’ has formed a fishing club partnership with Matanzas High School. The club made a financial donation and donated fishing equipment to the school’s Pirate Bounty Fishing Club at a ceremony at the school on Aug. 29. Matanzas Principal Kristin Bozeman and teacher Kim Hall thanked kids4reel and said that they are eager to add the fishing club program to their existing marine science curriculum. Science, safety and conservation, as well as fishing techniques and regulations will be emphasized to students during fishing outings and in the classroom.

CORRECTION

An article in the Sept. 5 edition headlined 'Remember: 9/11 Ceremonies' incorrectly stated Flagler County Fire and Rescue hosts the 9/11 memorial stair climb in Flagler County. It is actually hosted by Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa and Lacy Martin, marketing director at Chiumento Law.

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David Campbell

 Branch of military: U.S. Navy (retired)

 Dates of service: 1973-199

 Rank/occupation: Petty Officer 1st Class / Operations Specialist

 Hometown: Yonkers, New York

David Campbell enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. During his 20-year career he served in a variety of capacities and aboard many different ships. He was designated a “Shellback” on July 4, 1976, upon crossing the equator while aboard the U.S.S. Capodanno, and a second time on Aug. 9, 1991, while serving aboard the U.S.S. Alywin.

He also earned the title “Blue Nose” on Aug. 29, 1986, when he was aboard the U.S.S. El Paso as it crossed the Arctic Circle. Campbell was qualified as both a Surface Warfare and Aviation Warfare Specialist. Among his many awards are the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Campbell is the current chairman of the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council and is actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 115 and the Sons of the

Chloe, 9 months Missee, 6 Bart, 8 Shiba,

Sheila, Aidan, Bristol, Taylor and Ed Foley. Courtesy photo

The

*It

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Misc. Items

Help Wanted

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Ride to remember

Flagler County motorcycle clubs host 18th annual 9/11 Memorial Ride and Ceremony

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Joe Vece, the Palm Coast chapter president of the Knights of the Inferno Firefighters Motorcycle Club, has helped organize the 9/11 Memorial Ride and Ceremony in Flagler County for the past 18 years.

“Everybody was doing fund raisers for 9/11, but nobody was remembering those we lost,” Vece said on the eve of the 18th annual event. “We decided we wanted to do a memorial. And the way to do a memorial is you don’t charge for it.”

The 18th annual event on Sept. 8 began with a ceremony outside of the Flagler County courthouse. The 65to 70-mile police-escorted ride followed with hundreds of motorcycle riders participating. The ride began at the courthouse, went north to St. Johns County and south into Volusia County before returning to Flagler County and ending at 1405 Saloon in Bunnell.

The local Knights of the Inferno

club presented the event with the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Flagler chapter, also participating. Flagler County partnered with the clubs. Politis and Matovina Attorneys at Law, Monster Motorcycles and 1405 Saloon were among the sponsors.

Vece said the ride had its largest participation on the event’s 10th anniversary when an estimated 4,500 riders began the trek with a line of bikes stretching 13 miles long.

Former WKMG meteorologist Tom Sorrells emcee’d the ceremony for the ninth straight year. Speakers included Vece, Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson and Commissioner John Rogers, Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon and Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin.

Alfin’s daughter and Matanzas High School graduate Melanie DiMartino sang the national anthem as well as “God Bless the USA,” and “God Bless America.”

John Krieger, vice president of the Knights of the Inferno Palm Coast chapter, recited the Firefighters’ Prayer, FCSO Division Chief David Williams recited the Law Enforce-

ment Prayer, and Tucker recited the Emergency Medical Services Prayer. John Gayle, representing the Flagler Punishers club said, “We will continue to do this every year to show we will not forget.”

“Let us never forget,” Rogers said. “(The terrorist attack) brought us to our knees for a moment, but our spirit was never broken. Let us never remain silent.”

Staly said we should also not forget the impact the tragedy continues to have on the families of the victims and the many first responders and volunteers who later suffered severe symptoms from breathing in toxic fumes from the rubble.

Palm Coast Fire Department Lt. Patrick Juliano, also known as the Paddy Piper, played bagpipes, closing the ceremony with “Amazing Grace.”

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies present the colors.

Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance speaks.

Joe Vece, Palm Coast chapter president of the Knights of the Inferno Firefighters Motorcycle Club, opens the ceremony with host, former WKMG Meteorologist Tom Sorrells (center), and John Gayle (left), Flagler chapter treasurer of the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Matanzas High School graduate Melanie DiMartino sings the national anthem.

PCFD Lt. Patrick Juliano, the “Paddy Piper,” plays the bagpipe.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin speaks.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker speaks.

Michael Mullen rode with his chihuahua, Mylo.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Division Chief David Williams recites the Law Enforcement Officers prayer.

A glass act

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast artist Pat Conway likens working with stained glass like solving a jigsaw puzzle.

“If you don’t like doing puzzles, you’re not going to like doing stained glass,” she said.

She said she first fell in love with the work after she took a mosaic class when she lived in Texas. Conway said the class was supposed to complete a mosaic over the course of six weeks, but she loved it so much that she finished her project in just the first week.

From there, the teacher began introducing her to more and more techniques and projects, eventually leading to her first art class on using glass. At first, Conway made small crosses and angels to give away. She said she had no intentions of becoming a professional artist, until a friend offered her $500 for a stained glass mirror she was making.

From there, Conway began taking more commissions

“A lot of people have categorized stained glass as not an art, but a craft. I take exception to that. There’s a lot of artistry that goes into making stained glass.”

PAT CONWAY

from friends and family. That was 20 years ago.

“It just kind of blossomed,” she said.

Since diving into the professional art field, she has owned and operated two art galleries in Texas and sold multiple pieces of her works.

Now, her newest stained glass exhibit at the Ocean Art Gallery in Ormond Beach — called “Glass, Lead, Design and Light” — is open through Sept. 30 and features both typically hanging stained glass pieces and smaller designs that can be displayed on stands.

The exhibit opened on Sept. 7. Ocean Art Gallery is located at 197 E. Granada Blvd.

The typical stained glass pieces that people see in church windows are a mixture of painted glass and leaded frames holding the pieces together, Conway said. She uses a different technique: Conway sketches out her designs, careful to mark each piece of her glass puzzle, and then cuts out the glass pieces to fit using special tools. Once every piece is laid out, she then uses copper foil to attach it all together. Depending on the size, it could take her days to months to finish a piece, she said. A lot of her inspiration typically comes from flowers and animals, she said, and often she’ll use a mix of materials and different types of glass to achieve a certain effect.

“I love the tradition of doing this, and then I get a little ‘quirk’ that tells me, ‘Oh, I need to do this,’ or, ‘I need to make it 3D,’” she said. Conway said she is excited about her exhibition, which emphasizes the more 3D elements in her work. One of her pieces at the gallery of a dragon has a stainless steel koi fish embedded amongst the dragon’s curving 3D body. In past pieces she’s made, Conway said she’s used real deer antlers and broken pottery.

Her favorite part of working with stained glass, she said, is sitting with her design and playing with the different colors of glass that could go into it.

“A lot of people have categorized stained glass as not an art, but a craft,” she said. “I take exception to that. There’s a lot of artistry that goes into making stained glass.”

Artist Pat Conway recreated the mirror that was the first art piece she sold.

Artist Pat Conway’s exhibit at the Ocean Art Gallery is a mix of hanging and 3D display pieces.

One of artist Pat Conway’s hanging stained glass pieces.

Stained glass artist Pat Conway is often inspired by animals and flowers. Photos by Sierra Williams

Palm Coast artist Pat Conway has spent the last 20 years creating unique stained glass art.

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12

HALIFAX

When: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library auditorium, 30

S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Miles Meyer will present a program titled, “Adding Social History to Your Family History.” Meyer is a scientist by training and has been active in genealogy for over 25 years. This presentation will provide information on how to research social history and how it helps us understand how our ancestor’s lives and decisions were affected by events of their times. Guest registration is free.

‘THANK YOU AND HELLO’ RECEPTION

When: 4:30-6 p.m.

Where: St. James Episcopal Church, 44 S. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The Ormond Beach Lions Club is inviting the community to its reception for supporters and prospective members. Refreshments

‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ MUSICAL

When: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 13,14, 20, 21, 27 and 28; and 3 p.m. on Sundays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29

Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Pkwy B-207, Palm Coast

Details: See this musical by lyricist Tim Rice and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, to be shown in Palm Coast for the first time. Featuring an all-female cast, this rock musical is loosely based on the Gospels’ story of the Passion of Christ centering on the relationship and viewpoints of Jesus and Judas. Tickets cost $30 and $15 for students.Visit www.crtpalmcoast.com or call 386-585-9415.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

EPIC JOURNEY OF NATURALIST/BIRD

PAINTER JOHN JAMES AUDUBON

When: 9:30-11 a.m.

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

Details: Joseph Vetter, longtime educator, will present this program on John James Audubon’s history, in character. Celebrate his illustrated masterpieces and legendary life. Free and open to the pub

GENEALOGY IN THE LIBRARY

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Sand Piper room, Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond

Beach

Details: This is a free, one-onone research assistance program offered by volunteers from the Halifax Genealogical Society.

LET’S BOOGIE ’70S DISCO PARTY

When: 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where: Palm Coast Lanes, 11 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Local Flagler County residents Mark and Theresa Mistie are joining forces with The Live Like Cameron Children’s Cancer Foundation to host the First Annual Let’s Boogie “For a Cure” ‘70s Disco Party. Attend a night of bowling, dancing and fun. Dress in your favorite decade’s attire and enjoy DJ Copperhead playing the classic hits. There will also be raffle giveaways.

SONGBIRDS MUSIC

PRESENTS: THE KALEY BISHOP SHOW

When: 7-10 p.m.

Where: The Bank, 701 Main St., Daytona Beach

parvo combo, cat distemper combo, feline leukemia and more. Heartworm prevention and flea control products will be available for purchase. No appointment needed. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.

MONDAY, SEPT. 16

CANDIDATES’ FORUM

When: 6 p.m.

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

Details: The Flagler County NAACP Branch 5147-B is hosting this forum, inviting the public to meet the candidates for state and Palm Coast city races.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 17

FOURTH ANNUAL FIRE

TRUCK PULL AND FOOD

TRUCK TUESDAY

When: 5-8 p.m.

Where: Central Park, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Watch Palm Coast and Flagler County first responders go head-to-head and compete to earn a championship belt. This month’s Food Truck Tuesday event supports the AdventHealth Pink on Parade 5K and 1-mile pet-friendly fun walk. Order appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. Registration is not required. Presented in partnership with the Observer.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB

LUNCHEON

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

Where: Hammock Dunes Club, 30 Ave Royale, Palm Coast

Details: U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg will be the luncheon’s keynote speaker. He will discuss the roles and responsibilities of a U.S. Attorney within the federal system. Tickets cost $35 for

members and $40 for nonmembers. Advance registration required. Visit Flaglertigerbayclub.com.

BRIDGE AND GAMES When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Flagler Woman’s Club, 1524 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach

Details: The Flagler Woman’s Club invites you to come and play Bridge (progressive and non-progressive) or other games. Call Nancy at 386986-8392 to reserve a spot or for more information.

NOVEL TEA BOOK SHOP

BOOZY BOOK FAIR

When: 5-9 p.m.

Where: Ormond Brewing Company, 301 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: Spend an evening with Novel Tea Book Shop and Ormond Brewing Company. There will be local authors showcasing their works, artisans, vendors, beer and more.

Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, pastor

THE FINE ARTS

GAIA

A solo exhibit featuring Ormond Beach artist Margaret Schnebly Hodge is now on display at the Art League of Daytona Beach.

The exhibit, titled “Bits & Pieces,” features over 30 of her 2D and 3D figurative, abstract and atmospheric artwork and opened on Aug. 25. Hodge began creating abstract works in 2000 and her art “often demonstrates her interest in the fundamental nature of existence,” according to a statement supplied to the Observer.

“In her most recent artworks, Hodge does not reference any specific topic other than what automatically forms from her past and present experiences and an inherent knowledge of future possibilities,” the statement reads.

Hodge will lead an artist talk at the Art League, located at 433 S. Palmetto Ave., from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 22.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

HIRING EVENT!

Register Today for the Hammock Dunes Club Hiring Event 30 Avenue Royale, Palm Coast, FL 32137

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•Increased dementia risk

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*By Appointment Only

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September 16, 2024 2:30 – 6:00 PM

Hammock Dunes Club is the premier private club in Northeast Florida offering world-class amenities and services to its members. If you’re in the service industry and ready to elevate your career experience, Join the Team in an Oceanfront Private Club work environment for an organization that truly cares about its employees and their families.

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THE FINE ARTS

Non Sequitur

Nancy

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered

Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

Mother Goose and Grimm

SPORTS

Flagler Palm Coast sloshes its way to 7-2 victory over Mainland

SLIPPERY WHEN WET

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast senior Colby Cronk has been waiting two years to get another crack at beating Mainland. Quarterback Hayden Hayes has been waiting a lifetime.

“I’ve been trying to beat them for too long,” said Hayes who transferred from Seabreeze during the summer. “It’s been one of my goals since I was a kid. They’ve always been a rival, even through Pop Warner days.”

On a soggy, sloppy, slippery Bulldogs field, Hayes scored the only touchdown of the game to lift FPC to a 7-2 victory over the Buccaneers

“I’ve been trying to beat them for too long. It’s been one of my goals since I was a kid.”

HAYDEN HAYES, FPC quarterback

on Friday, Sept. 6.

Several days of relentless rain drenched the field. On Wednesday, Sept. 5, FPC administrators decided to move the game up a day to Thursday, but after a full day of rain, they moved it back to Friday. A lightning delay pushed kickoff from a scheduled 7 p.m. start to 8:15.

“Obviously, it was a real messy game,” Bulldogs coach Daniel Fish said. “In those situations you’re just proud of your kids for overcoming the adversity.”

Hayes, a senior, said beating Mainland for the first time was one of his goals this season.

He scored on a 7-yard run with 1:30 left in the first half to give FPC a 7-2 lead. The play call was a pass, but catches were tough to come by with a soaking wet football. In fact, both teams had trouble with their shotgun snaps with the slippery ball often darting left or right or whizzing over the quarterbacks’ heads.

On this play, Hayes was given the green light to run.

“It was supposed to be a pass, a lot of reads to go through, but I didn’t love it with the rain conditions,” he said. “So, I saw green grass and I scored. (Offensive coordinator Jake Medlock) did a great job giving me the keys, giving me control. He said, ‘If you see it, just go, pull the trigger.’ And once I saw nobody between me and the goal line, I knew I was getting it.”

Neither team could sustain a drive in the second half. With 4:56 left in the game, Grant Winkler, playing in his first game since last season, intercepted a pass. Mainland got the ball back one more time, but defensive lineman Stacy Mitchell tackled running back Kwasie Kwaku in the backfield on fourth down with 1:21 remaining and the Bulldogs (2-0) ran out the clock.

“I was so ecstatic, I was so hap-

py,” Cronk said of Mitchell’s gameclinching tackle. “They put Kwasie Kwaku in the backfield (to take a direct snap), so something funky was going on. So I went up field, (Kwaku) took the B Gap and then Stacy was right there and tackled him.

“I love it,” Cronk said. “My sophomore year, I had a bad taste in my mouth when we lost to them 22-16. I was really mad after that game. We weren’t able to play last year and I was a little bit (disappointed), because they were state champions, and I wanted to see what we could have done. But that’s in the past.”

Cronk had 3.5 sacks. Sophomore Lucas Sirahaj intercepted his third pass of the young season early in the second quarter. And running back Marcus Mitchell ran for 99 yards on 23 carries.

“It was a great performance by the guys,” Fish said. “I’m just really proud of the resiliency. We stayed together, we didn’t talk trash, we didn’t get personal foul penalties. We focused on what mattered and we just got a great team win. We did great things on defense all night long. They controlled the field position, but we were able to overcome that and make plays when it mattered the most.”

The Bucs, who fell to 0-3 for the first time in 31 years, tackled Marcus Mitchell in the end zone for a safety to take a 2-0 lead midway through the second quarter. But Mainland couldn’t sustain a drive in the rainy conditions.

“Listen, 0-3 or not, Mainland is a very talented team,” Fish said. “They’re well-coached. They’ve hit a lot of adversity, but they fought really hard. They had plenty of chances. We just made more plays than they did. Those guys are still going to make the playoffs.”

Mainland coach Jerrime Bell said the Bucs committed too many pen-

THIS WEEK

JACKSON AT MATANZAS

When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

Records: Jackson 1-2, Matanzas 2-1

Tickets: presto.mhspirates.com

Radio/stream: listen — WZNF 94.9 Fm; flaglerbroadcasting.com; flagler radio app. Watch — flagler radio youtube channel; WNZF facebook page. Saturday: Rich and Mike show, 7:30 a.m. WNZF Podcast on website and app.

LAKE BRANTLEY AT FPC

When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

Records: Lake Brantley 1-2, FPC 2-0

Tickets: presto.fpcbulldogs.com

SEABREEZE AT ROCKLEDGE

When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

Records: Seabreeze 0-1, Rockledge 2-1

MAINLAND AT RAINES

When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

Records: Mainland 0-3, Raines 3-0

alties.

“We’ve got to eliminate the penalties. That’s been our problem since the spring,” he said. “They’re trying to do too much. Everyone’s trying to make the hero block and then we get a hold. Everybody’s trying to be the hero. We’re just trying to do too much.”

Bell said the Bucs wanted to play at a quicker tempo, but the officials kept switching the wet balls out, slowing down the pace.

Hayes said because of the muddy field he had to switch his cleats out after halftime for the first time in his football career. Cronk said the sidelines “were just straight mud. It was definitely hard to run in that part of the field.”

Mainland will try to snap its losing streak on Friday, Sept. 13, in a road game against Jacksonville Raines (3-0), while FPC will try to remain undefeated in a home game against Lake Brantley (1-2). More rain was expected in Flagler County leading up the game.

“We’ll practice snapping the ball in the rain this week,” Fish said.

Mainland running back Edward Williams runs down the right sideline. Photos by Brent Woronoff

FPC’s color guard members catch their flags during the Bulldog Marching Band’s halftime show.

FPC’s Grant Winkler (5) intercepts a pass with 4:36 left in the game.

Roman Caliendo runs down the left sideline after making a catch.

Seabreeze, Halifax hope to finish game called because of lightning

The Sandcrabs led 7-6 when the game was suspended in the second quarter.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Seabreeze was up 7-6 against Halifax Academy when the football game was called due to lightning on Friday, Sept. 6 at Daytona Stadium.

Seabreeze athletic director Anthony Campanella said the schools are in the process of setting a date to finish the game.

The Sandcrabs are currently 0-1 on the season, while Halifax is 2-0.

Seabreeze head coach Mike Klein said it would be unfortunate if his players did not get to finish the game.

“I just hate it for the guys that they didn’t get to play that game (on Sept. 6),” he said. “You work really hard all year to only play a 10-game regular season, so to lose an opportunity is unfortunate. But we can only control what we can control and we have a tough district opponent in Rockledge this week (Sept. 13 on the road), so we will turn the page and get ready

for the next one.”

Halifax Academy was coming off a 50-0 win against Cornerstone Charter Academy on Aug. 30, while Seabreeze lost its season opener 50-0 to Spruce Creek on Aug. 22.

Seabreeze senior Brogan Kelly had a strong opening kickoff return of about 25 yards against Halifax. After running back Jeremias George had multiple charges up the middle, Seabreeze quarterback Zachary Voltaire zig-zagged through traffic for a touchdown. Drew McNerney’s extra point gave the Sandcrabs a 7-0 lead.

The Knights closed the gap when Jordan Jones returned McNerney’s punt for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.

With 6:20 left in the second quarter, everyone was ordered off the field to the locker room or underneath the bleachers until the game was called after 8:30 p.m.

Campanella said he is appreciative of Klein and what he has done so far with the football program.

“Coach Klein and his staff are doing an amazing job with our young, inexperienced group,” Campanella said. “We are so happy he is here guiding our young men on and off the field.”

TRIBUTES

Steven Mark Popok

December 6, 1956- June 19, 2024

Steven Mark Popok, M.D. passed away on June 19, 2024 at the age of 67, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Steve graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University in 1978 where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his education at Emory University School of Medicine where he also completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. He then completed his fellowship in Cytopathology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He was board certified in both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology. Steve moved to Ormond Beach, Florida in 1987, where he began practicing with Volusia Pathology Group (later a division of Ameripath), and became Managing Director from 19972003. Continuing to practice pathology, he then became President and Managing Director of Halifax Pathology Associates from 2003 - 2014, when he retired. During his career he was published nearly a dozen times and conducted numerous lectures and research projects. Outside of his prestigious career, he was a theatre actor at the Daytona Playhouse where he starrred in My Fair Lady (Colonel Pickering), Fiddler on the

(Tevye), 1776 (Ben Franklin), God’s Favorite (Joe Benjamin) and many more. He was a true Renaissance man - a lover of the arts and the world around him. He and his wife Linda took over 100 cruises allowing them to visit every continent. Steve is survived by his wife of 34 years Linda Godeau. He is also survived by his stepmother Harriet Popok of West Long Branch, NJ; his brother Douglas Popok (wife Susan) of Barnegat, NJ; sister Ami Parker of Long Branch, NJ and nieces Paula Popok of Miami and Jamie Dorner of Atlantic Highlands, NJ (husband Fernando Gonzalez). Condolences may be made at lohmanfuneralhomes.com

“Coach Klein and his staff are doing an amazing job with our young inexperienced group. We are so happy he is here guiding our young men on and off the field.”

ANTHONY CAMPANELLA, Seabreeze athletic director

Roof

Seabreeze cheerleaders and football players stand at attention as the national anthem is played before the game.

Seabreeze quarterback Zachary Voltaire (1) celebrates his touchdown.

Seabreeze drummer Ryan Burley walks through the gates before playing with the Marching 100 during the game.

Seabreeze quarterback Zachary Voltaire (1) hands off to Jeremias George (11) in the game against the Halifax Academy Knights. Photos by Michele Meyers

Seabreeze’s Logan Smith gets set to tackle Halifax Academy quarterback La’Darius Simmons.

Seabreeze seniors participate in the Spirit Club’s color wars by wearing black.

Palm Coast man to run London Marathon for uncle

Philip Whalen of Palm Coast ran in the New York City Marathon last year. On April 27, 2025, he plans to run in the London Marathon in honor of his uncle, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

Whalen is running in support of Project Purple, a pancreatic cancer foundation dedicated to research and patient support. His goal is to raise at lease $7,500 for the foundation.

“I am determined to do everything I can to contribute to this vital cause,” he said.

Whalen was raised in Palm Coast and ran track at Matanzas High School, where he graduated in 2011.

His uncle is a professional body builder and has always been a pillar of strength, Whalen wrote on his Project Purple fundraising page.

“Despite his diagnosis, his spirit remains unbroken, and his determination to fight this battle has inspired me to take action,” Whalen wrote.

As of Sept. 11, Whalen has raised $2,388. To donate to Wahlen’s cause, go to givengain.com/project/philipraising-funds-for-project-purple-79148

Running in the marathon, Whalen says, “is a challenge that symbolizes the endurance and resilience needed to combat this disease.”

SHUTOUTS FOR

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

“PKUCD TYWRN BWP W LKT CKON, KS OJ

MDKERDAAR, AG DAAFP WSR GYKNSRPDKF, WSR MAOKST XF BKCD GXSSJ CDKSTP.” WRWO PWSRENY

“PNLPGC NSCKDY KU GUXF ULY SYCKSYAKC. GUX APY YDHDF ID SYKSJSVPKDV IG KBD ZDUZND GUX LUFM LSKB.” TSNJJPMDF ABFSC AUNXJIXC

“ZPS ZGSS IR DYVSGZH TKJZ VS GSRGSJPSL RGIT ZYTS ZI ZYTS CYZP ZPS VDIIL IR MNZGYIZJ NUL ZHGNUZJ.” ZPITNJ OSRRSGJIU

LOWER-LEVEL FUNCTIONS by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Matanzas High graduate Philip Whalen plans to run in the London Marathon and

money for Project Purple, a pancreatic cancer foundation. Courtesy photo

Powell’s first career interception like an ‘out-of-body’ experience

Matanzas defeated Deltona 14-7 on a rainy night as Burchfield, Connor scored touchdowns.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Matanzas senior Jeffrey Powell never played defense before this season. Unless you count a little bit in practice.

So intercepting a pass in a key moment to help the Pirates secure a victory was something out of a dream. It almost didn’t feel real, he said. Powell was a running back as a freshman and a reserve receiver as a sophomore and junior who came into this season with six total receptions for 48 yards.

“I was learning, developing, getting stronger, getting bigger,” he said. “Obviously, Jordan Mills, Andre Andrews, all those guys were playing (ahead of me) and I learned a lot.”

This year, with several seniors graduating, Powell was asked to switch to defense. He said he would play anywhere the team needed him, and for the first time in his career, he earned a starting spot. His big moment came with 5:25 left in the game against Deltona on Sept. 5. With the Pirates leading 14-7 and the Wolves driving into Matanzas territory, Powell picked off a pass and returned it 37 yards.

“We had been talking about squeezing the slants all week,” he said. “And when it happened, I think the quarterback kind of overthrew it and I just drove on it. As soon as I caught it, it was like surreal. Like, I was out of body. I was running and I got up and everybody was pushing me around, and I got to the sideline. I was looking up at the sky, lying on the ground and everyone was surrounding me. It was so crazy.”

But Powell’s night wasn’t over. The Wolves got the ball back, and Powell broke up a pass on their final drive allowing Matanzas to run out the clock with the 14-7 victory on a rainy night at the Ship.

Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said before the season that Powell was the team’s most improved player over the spring and summer.

“We felt (moving him to defense) was a chance for him to get on the field more consistently, and he’s taken advantage of that,” Forrest

said. The Pirates won their second game in a row to improve to 2-1, while the Wolves fell to 1-1. The game was moved up a day to Thursday in an effort to avoid three consecutive days of rain, but the field was already soaked by kickoff. And the rain continued throughout the night.

“It rained all game. That ball could have bounced either way,” Forrest said. Sophomore running back Wiley Connor ran for more

Kathleen Heeter Halberg

September 2, 1930 - September 1, 2024

than 100 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 7-yard run with 6:27 left in the game.

“It was raining out and everything,” Connor said.

“We needed to run that thing. Our O-line was executing really well.”

According to WNZF stats, Matanzas amassed 334 yards, including 190 on the ground,

to her catcher’s mask she wore while playing baseball.

Kathleen loved to host parties, cook, draw, and paint. She fell in love with the game of Bridge while attending Seton Hill College in Pennsylvania. Afterwards she worked for the National Security Agency, raised her four children in the DC/ Baltimore area before retiring and moving to New Bern, NC. Later she relocated to the Palm Coast area, was active in Golf, and became an instrutor in the Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club. It

After initill apprehension, she Learned to love cross country flying without the problems of commercial aviation. Kathleen continued the quest to improve her Bridge game and became a life Master during a cruise to Hawaii in 2023.

The Memorial was held on Friday, Sept 6th, at 11:00 AM in the Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach, where she was a long-time member and in the past often was a Greeter at the door.

while holding Deltona to 164 yards. But the Pirates had trouble getting the ball into the end zone.

Following a Matanzas pick by Javonte Patton, Deltona’s Damarion Phillips intercepted a Caden Burchfield pass at the Wolves’ 7-yard line in the first quarter. And a Pirates’ touchdown pass was called back just before halftime because of an illegal man downfield.

The Pirates went into halftime with a 6-0 lead on Burchfield’s 14-yard touchdown run with 2:42 left in the second quarter. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Matanzas found out just how slim that lead was on the first play of the second half when Deltona’s Desean

Fludd ran 65 yards down the right sideline for the gametying touchdown. The Wolves kicked the extra point to take a 7-6 lead.

“That was something that we hadn’t seen,” Powell said. “But we got to correcting it. They ran it a couple more times, and it was nothing like that first time that they ran it.”

Burchfield passed for 144 yards and ran for 60. Once the rain began to subside, he completed his final 10 passes for 134 yards, including a 43-yard strike to Andrew Bass to help set up Connor’s touchdown.

Burchfield ran in the 2-point conversion.

“I think our mentality was keeping our foot on the gas and just not stopping,” Burchfield said.

“As soon as I caught it, it was like surreal. Like, I was out of body. I was running and I got up and everybody was pushing me around. ... It was so crazy.”

“That was a hard win,” Forrest said. “Deltona is a much improved football program from last year. I think that’s where our program’s come to where we can battle and win games like that. We can have some things not go our way. We can recover and then drive to score and win in the fourth quarter.”

It was a game Powell will remember for a long time.

“Nothing in my high school career compares,” he said. “I feel like (the interception) was such a big moment. It was a one-score game and that was almost like the dagger. It feels awesome.”

Wiley Connor (34) gets blocking up front from Jaylon Owens (71), Kelin Scott (76) and KJ Roberts (52). Photos by Brent Woronoff

Ladarian Baker goes airborne to pick up extra yards.

Caden Burchfield (7) runs a quarterback keeper.

JEFFREY POWELL

Jeffrey Powell returns a punt against Bishop Kenny in the Pirates' season opener on Aug. 23. File photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Boulevard, MS 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, Agency_Clerk@dep.state.fl.us, before the

constitute a waiver of that person’s right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to intervene in this proceeding and participate as a party to it. Any subsequent intervention (in a proceeding initiated by another party) will be only at the approval of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C. A petition that disputes the material facts on which the Permitting Authority’s action is based must contain the following information: (a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agency’s file or identification number, if known; (b) The name, address, any email address, telephone number and any facsimile number of the petitioner; the name, address any email address, telephone number, and any facsimile number of the petitioner’s representative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how the petitioner’s substantial interests will be affected by the agency determination; (c) A statement of when and how each petitioner received notice of the agency action or proposed decision; (d) A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so state; (e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action; (f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action including an explanation of how the alleged facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and, (g) A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action the petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency’s proposed action. A petition that does not dispute the material facts upon which the Permitting Authority’s action is based shall state that no such facts are in dispute and otherwise shall contain the same information as set forth above, as required by Rule 28-106.301, F.A.C.

Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the filing of a petition means that the Permitting Authority’s final action may be different from the position taken by it in this Public Notice of Intent to Issue Air Permit. Persons whose substantial interests will be affected by any such final decision of the Permitting Authority on the application have the right to petition to become a party to the proceeding, in accordance with the requirements set forth above.

Extension of Time: Under Rule 62-110.106(4), F.A.C., a person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, or via electronic correspondence at Agency_Clerk@dep.state.fl.us, before the deadline for filing a petition for an administrative hearing. A timely request for extension of time shall toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon.

Mediation: Mediation is not available in this proceeding. September 12, 2024

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 000625 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF HERMAN GREELEY ELLIOTT JR. , aka HERMAN GREELEY ELLIOTT Deceased. The administration of the estate of HERMAN GREELEY ELLIOTT JR. , also known

NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO. 2019 CA 000699 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-PR2 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. HECTOR GALARCE; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF HECTOR GALARCE; GABRIELA ALEJANDRA FRANCIS; ROBERT STUART COULTER; ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, CREDITORS, DEVISEES, BENEFICIARIES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MARINA FRANCIS, DECEASED; GRACE FRANCIS; CHARLES FRANCIS; MATANZAS SHORES OWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC.; LAKESIDE BY THE SEA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; UNKNOWN PERSON(S) IN POSSESSION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY; Defendant(s) To the following Defendant(s): ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, CREDITORS, DEVISEES, BENEFICIARIES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MARINA FRANCIS, DECEASED (RESIDENCE UNKNOWN) 2 SAN LUIS LN PALM COAST, FLORIDA 32137 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Foreclosure of Mortgage on the following described property: LOT 114, SUBDIVISION PLAT OF LAKESIDE AT MATANZAS SHORES, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 28,

PAGE 63, PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA.

BOARD

REGULAR MEETING Notice is

of the Board of Supervisors of

Community Development

) will

(the

September 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Creekside Amenity Center, 2 North Village Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss any topics presented to the board for consideration. Copies of the agenda may be obtained from the District Manager, Vesta District Services, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, Telephone (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. The meeting may be continued in progress

24-002224G

a/k/a 2 SAN LUIS LN, PALM COAST, FLORIDA 32137 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it, on Kahane & Associates, P.A., Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 1619 NW 136th Avenue, Suite D-220, Sunrise, FLORIDA 33323 (thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice in the BUSINESS OBSERVER and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. This notice is provided pursuant to Administrative Order No.2.065.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to provisions of certain assistance. Please contact the Court Administrator at 200 East Moody Boulevard, Rm. 125, Bunnell, Fl 32110, Phone No. (904)437-7394 within 2 working days of your receipt of this notice or pleading; if you are hearing impaired, call 1-800-955-8771 (TDD); if you are voice impaired, call 1-800-995-8770 (V) (Via Florida Relay Services). WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court this day of 8/19/2024, 2024. TOM W. BEXLEY As Clerk of the Court (SEAL) By /s/ Amy Perez As Deputy Clerk

Submitted by: Kahane & Associates, P.A. 1619 NW 136th Avenue, Suite D-220 Sunrise, Florida 33323 Telephone: (954) 382-3486 Telefacsimile: (954) 382-5380 Designated service email: notice@kahaneandassociates.com

File No.: 17-00290 SPS V1.20140101 September 12, 19, 2024 24-00222G FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (summary administration) IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 24-CP-0697 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF GAIL LEE WILLISS 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 GAIL LEE WILLISS, deceased, File Number 24-CP-0697, by the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110; that the decedent’s date of death was July 22, 2024; that the total value of the estate is exempt homestead property and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:

Name Address

ADAM JASON WILLISS

18 Zonal Court, Palm Coast, FL 32164

ASHLEE EVE WILLISS

4 Augusta Trail, Palm Coast, FL 32137

ASHLEE EVE WILLISS Successor Trustee of THE GAIL LEE WILLISS REVOCABLE TRUST dated March 19, 2018 4 Augusta Trail, Palm Coast, FL 32137 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NO -

TIFIED THAT:

The personal representative 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 Statute ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. 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 September 12, 2024. Person Giving Notice: ADAM JASON WILLISS 18 Zonal Court Palm Coast, FL 32164 Attorney for Person Giving Notice: Heather S. Maltby HEATHER@EPPGLAW.COM Florida Bar No. 116571 E.P.P.G. Law of St. Johns, PLLC 200 Malaga Street, Suite 2 St. Augustine,

FLORIDA PARK, SECTION 1, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE(S) 90, 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 Property Address: 24 Felter Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if

to it on Sokolof Remtulla, LLP, the plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is 6801 Lake Worth Road, Suite 100E, Greenacres, FL 33467, on or before 30 days after first publication, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. DATED on 8/19/2024. TOM W. BEXLEY

561-507-5252 Facsimile: 561-342-4842

E-mail: pleadings@sokrem.com

Counsel for Plaintiff September 5, 12, 2024 24-00216G

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2024 CP 000564 DIVISION: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF RICHARD MICHAEL HARVEY, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of Richard Michael Harvey, deceased, whose date of death was September 15, 2023, 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 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 WITHIN 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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 September 5, 2024.

Personal Representative: Katherine Marie Harvey c/o: Bennett Jacobs & Adams, P.A Post Office Box 3300 Tampa, Florida 33601

Attorney for Personal Representative: Linda Muralt, Esquire Florida Bar No.: 0031129 Bennett Jacobs & Adams, P.A. Post Office Box 3300 Tampa, Florida 33601 Telephone: (813) 272-1400 Facsimile: (866) 844-4703 E-mail: LMuralt@bja-law.com September 5, 12, 2024 24-00218G

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 2024 CP 518 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF DENNIS KEITH LIBERTY Deceased. The administration of the estate of Dennis Keith Liberty, whose date of death was October 7, 2023, 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 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 WITHIN 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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 September 5, 2024

Personal Representative: Michelle Dawn Meade

Attorney for Personal Representative: Jason R. Mosley Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No.: 386650 6706 Plantation Rd., Suite C, Pensacola, FL 32504 Telephone: (850) 696-1196 jmosley@mosleyestatelaw.com September 5, 12, 2024 24-00219G

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE NO.: 2022 CA 000641 JON CHISHOLM, Plaintiff, vs. PALM COAST ONE GROUP, LLC, Defendant(s ). Notice is given that pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure for Plaintiff dated July 29, 2024, filed in Case No. 2022 CA 000641, in the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida. The Clerk of this Court, Laura E. Roth or her successor, shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.flagler.realforeclose.com at 11:00 a.m. on September 20, 2024, the followingdescribed property as set forth in the Final Judgment of Foreclosure, to wit: Lot 1, Seminole Pointe, according to the plat thereof recorded in Map Book 35, Pages 69 and 70, Public Records of Flagler County, Florida ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS, MUST FILE A CLAIM BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMED. If 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 Administrator in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administrator, Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, FL 32110 (386) 2576096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Signed this 3 day of September, 2024. /s/ James Skow James Skow Attorney for Plaintiff 139 Executive Circle Suite 103 Daytona Beach FL 32114 (386) 310-4894

jskow@skowlaw.com FL Bar No. 113190 September 5, 12, 2024 24-00220G

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER MEETINGS AND NOVEMBER ELECTION

Dear Members: Please note the following General Membership meetings of Flagler County NAACP, Branch 5147-B, for the purpose of election of officers and at-large members of the executive committee.

1. On September 24, 2024 at the African American Cultural Society at 6:00pm, there will be an election of the Nominating Committee(between 5-15 members). All members whose memberships are current as of 30 days prior to the meeting date may be elected to the Nominating Committee (not more than 2 being officers of the unit).

2. On October 22, 2024 at the African American Cultural Society at 6:00pm, there will be a report of the Nominating Committee, receipt of Nominations by Petition, andelection of the Election Supervisory Committee. All members whose memberships are current as of May 1st of the election year, who’s memberships have remained continuous throughout the election process, and who live and/ or work within the unit’s jurisdiction, may be nominated for office or as an at-large member of the Executive Committee. In order to sign a nominating petition, or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the October meeting.

3. On November 9, 2024, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will be administered using our electronic voting platform. Voting will open from 10am to 4pm. In order to vote in a Branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior to the election. Should a run-off election be necessary, that election shall occur on the following date at time certain (at least 1 hour) , Run-off elections shall be conducted not less than ten (10) days after the original election.

We look forward to your participating in these activities.

Gail Danhoff (Secretary) Sep. 5/12 24-00361F

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA FAMILY LAW DIVISION CASE NO.: 2024-DR-000210

DIVISION: CIRCUIT FAMILY DIV 47 IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: MALLORY BETH BARKER, Petitioner/Wife, and DARYL JOSEPH BARKER, Respondent/Husband. YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage with Children has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Jennifer A. McGee, Esq., Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is 6 Meridian Home Lane, Suite 201 Palm Coast, Florida 32137, on or before 10 days after last posting*, and file the

FOURTH INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024-CA-0159 Division: 49 JOEL FALLON, Plaintiff, v. ROBERT G. FITZHUGH, ROBIN L. IFITZHUGH, JOSHUA ROSA, TABITHA ROSA, CITY OF PALM COAST, and HORACE SMITH, JR., P.A. Defendants. TO: TABITHA ROSA & JOSHUA ROSA YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to quiet title to the