North
Jazilyn pose with Santa Claus for Shop with a Cop. Photo by Sierra
CITY WATCH
Palm Coast Open to expand with USTA women’s pro-circuit tournament
The annual Palm Coast Open tennis tournament will now include a women’s tournament, as well as its men’s tournament.
The Palm Coast Open is a USTA pro-circuit event and the city has hosted the men’s 15k tournament for over 13 years, a city press release said. The tournaments will be held at the Southern Recreation Center in January.
The women’s 35k tournament will be held from Jan. 13-19, with the qualifiers taking place on Jan. 13 and the main draw beginning Jan. 14. The tournament will have both doubles and singles divisions.
The men’s 15k tournament will be held from Jan. 27-Feb. 2, with the wildcard draw taking place from Jan. 22-26 ahead of the tournament. The qualifier rounds would begin Jan. 27 and the main draw beginning on Jan. 28. The tournament will also have both doubles and singles divisions.
The tournaments this year
Short-term rental policy gets first OK
After over four months of amending and tweaking, the Palm Coast City Council has approved the first of two votes needed to install its new shortterm vacation rental policies.
“We’re coming in the middle. We’re coming to a compromise,” Mayor Mike Norris said of the ordinance.
The council voted 4-0 to approve the ordinance on Dec. 17, with council member Ray Stevens absent from the meeting. The ordinance, once approved in a second vote, will go into effect March 3.
The policy requires STRs to file for rental licenses through Palm Coast and outlines policy requirements that owners, operators and renters must abide by, including parking requirement, trash disposal, occupancy standards and background checks.
The background check requirement was one item that had seen several revisions over the last several months. While initially the previous council wanted to require background checks for every individual staying in a STR, STR owners pointed out they had no realistic way to complete that requirement.
Operators also said often times they get as little notice as just one day to prepare for renters, which is not enough time to perform a background checks.
After researching and connecting with rental platform representatives and STR owners, city staff and the council instead narrowed the background checks to just the individual renting out the property and accepting the background check performed by the rental platform as sufficient.
The person renting the property, though, does need to certify that no one else in their party is a registered sex offender, according to the ordinance.
Parking, occupancy and noise ordinances have been another sticking point for residential neighbors who have had issues with STR properties. The new ordinance limits occupancy to two people per sleeping space with a maximum of 10 peo-
BY THE NUMBERS
March 3
when the new regulations will go into effect
10
maximum occupancy allowed for STRs, regardless of the number of rooms in the home. The standard of two people per sleeping room, excepting 1-year-olds or younger, is applied for rental parties under 10 people.
2
maximum hours before a shortterm vacation rental owner would have to respond to a complaint at any point in time. This is consistent with current city requirements for rentals.
$400 Flagler County’s charges to register a short-term rental. Palm Coast will be proposing its own registration fee schedule in 2025.
ple total, regardless of the number of bedrooms in the home. Babies under the age of 1 are exempt.
The ordinance limits the number vehicles at an STR as equivalent to what is available on the property and prohibits parking in the streets. Similar to Palm Coast’s existing ordinances on parking boats and trailers in front of a home, the ordinance also states that boats and trailers may only be parked in front of a home for “temporary loading, unloading and cleaning.”
Some STR owners said this will cut down on their income during popular events like Bike Week, as will limiting occupancy to 10 people.
“We are not limited in space,” STR owner Kathy Davidson said. “I think it’s unfair to tell us we can’t rent out our final two rooms, because you want to be fair across the board, and that takes down our income.”
Council member Ty Miller said the council needs to consider what is fair for the STR’s neighbors, too.
“Once we exceed 10 [people] — you may have signed up for it, but your neighbors didn’t necessarily sign up for it,” Miller said. “I think it becomes difficult when there’s that amount of people in a residential neighborhood.”
As much as there have been complaints against STRs in Palm Coast, Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said she wanted to point out that businesses have their benefits to the community, too.
Palm Coast does not have many good hotels, she said, so STRs are an additional way for the city to collect a bed tax.
“That money goes directly to our Tourism Development Council, which is really important in our community,” she said. “So I don’t want there to be some stigma on short term rentals.”
City’s holiday hours for parks and recreation
For the holiday season, Palm Coast city offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 and again on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Regular
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris. Photo by Sierra Williams
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Starlight, star bright
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Starlight Parade returned to Town Center on Saturday, Dec. 14 after a four-year hiatus.
Palm Coast celebrated hours before the start of the parade as Central Park in Town Center was turned into a winter wonderland — the parade’s theme — with food trucks, live band Soul Fire, performances by The Dance Method and Girl Scout Troop 2413, Santa’s Village and Merry Train Ride, and of course, the Rotary Club of Flagler County’s nightly Fantasy Lights Festival.
There were 60 registered floats in the parade. Grand Marshal Randy Stapleford, a retired U.S. Navy captain and Flagler County’s Florida Inland Navigational District commissioner, led the parade.
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris and City Council members Ty Miller and Charles Gambaro and their families followed the grand marshal in vehicles supplied by Palm Coast Ford.
Awards were presented in six categories:
Best Decorated Vehicle: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Best Float: City of Palm Coast
Public Works
Best School Pride: Imagine School
Best Local Business: VerdeGo
Best of Parade: Flagler County
Holiday parade returns to Palm Coast after four-year hiatus
Government Best Marching Band: Flagler Palm Coast High School
“The Starlight Parade is a shining example of what makes Palm Coast such a special place,” Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said.
“This event brings our community together to celebrate the holiday season with joy, creativity, and a shared sense of pride.”
A livestream replay of the parade can be found at the City of Palm Coast YouTube channel.
Imagine School at Town Center won the Best School Pride award. Courtesy photo
Girl Scout Troop 2413 of Palm Coast pose before their performance of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during the holiday festivities. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Lucas Luz, 8, poses for a photo at the Angel Wings display at Santa’s Village.
MaKenna visits Santa.
Best Float: City of Palm Coast Public Works. Courtesy photo
Flagler County Rotarian Yvonne Pedersen was the engineer for the day, alternating with her husband, Andy Priszkin, for Santa's Merry Train Ride.
John and Jen Kelly with their children James, Jemma and Jackson.
Soul Fire lead singer Nicole Marie Dolison
Veranda Bay votes are postponed
An attorney warned that the annexation would violate state law by creating a ‘pocket’ of Flagler County land inside Flagler Beach.
SIERRA
WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The controversial annexation of the 899-acre Veranda Bay development will wait until the New Year after the Flagler Beach City Commission received a letter arguing the annexation would violate state statutes.
On Dec. 11, the Tallahassee and Orlando-based law firm
Theriaque & Spain sent the Flagler Beach City Commission a letter stating that adding the 899 acres to Flagler Beach would create an enclave — or “pocket” — of unincorporated Flagler County land within Flagler Beach city limits. Florida law prohibits the creation of such pockets through annexation.
Theriaque & Spain attorney Steven Brent Spain, on behalf of his client — the nonprofit Preserve Flagler Beach & Bulow Creek Inc. and Stephen Noble, a Flagler Beach resident and member of the Preserve — requested the commission deny the Veranda Bay application.
Flagler Beach City Commission Chair Scott Spradley asked the board at its Dec. 12 meeting to postpone its final votes on the Veranda Bay annexation until after the city attorney has had more time to review the letter. The commission had just received the letter the day before. “We haven’t had a chance to study it, to determine whether
limits in the green stripes. The red outlined area is allegedly where a “pocket” of Flagler County land would remain. Image from Flagler Beach legal document
there’s merit to it, whether it will be an actual lawsuit,” Spradley said. He said he felt “it would be unwise for the city to move forward” until it does.
The Veranda Bay developer is simultaneously applying to annex the 899 acres into Flagler Beach as well as to change the acreage to an appropriate land use and zoning application. Each application requires two majority votes from the commission, and the final votes were set to be made at the Dec. 12 meeting. Instead, the commission unanimously voted to table all three Veranda Bay items until its Jan. 23 meeting. According to the map provided by Spain in his letter, if the Veranda Bay development were annexed, it would create a pocket of eight properties in unincorporated Flagler County’s jurisdiction amidst Flagler Beach’s city limits. These eight properties are listed in the letter by their parcel identifications and, according to the Flagler County Property Appraiser’s website, all eight do belong under Flagler County’s juris-
diction, despite having a Flagler Beach mailing address.
Florida State Statute 171.044 requires a property to be “contiguous to a municipality and reasonably compact” to be legally annexed. Section 171.031(2) defines “compact” as a property that does not “create enclaves, pockets or finger areas in serpentine patterns.”
Spain also states in his letter that his client and its members believe “they will suffer material injury” if the city were to approve the annexation of such a large development. He writes the annexation will have “an adverse impact on utilities, school facilities, transportation facilities, stormwater management facilities and floodplains” and more.
Flagler Beach has been working to annex Veranda Bay since the beginning of 2024. Originally, the Veranda Bay was planned to be over 2,700 residential units — a mix of single-family home, townhomes, apartments and condos — and 472,000 square feet of commercial space.
At the Nov. 14 city workshop meeting, developer Ken Belshe agreed to increase the amount of commercial to 600,000 square feet and reduce the number of residential units to a maximum of 2,400 units.
The Flagler Beach community has been very vocal about the Veranda Bay annexation. Regularly, residents fill out the commission meeting rooms when the items come up on the agenda, and the Dec. 12 meeting was no different. Spradley hopes everyone who showed up on Dec. 12 would return in January.
“I appreciate your interest in the community, whether it’s support or oppose Veranda Bay.”
Imagine you’re on a utilities board ...
Palm Coast invited residents to play Wateropolis, a scenario-driven board game designed to help people understand how a utility company makes budgeting decisions.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
As Palm Coast prepares to increase its utility rates in 2025 in order to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility, the city is looking for ways to involve and educate its residents on how its utility department functions while gaining feedback on what residents want to see in the future.
“There’s a lot going on that — if you haven’t been through Citizens Academy, or if you don’t sit through our marathon council meetings — you may not be familiar with,” Communications Director Brittany Kershaw said.
The first step to that was Wateropolis, a scenariodriven board game meant to help people understand how a utility company makes budgeting decisions. The game night took place on Dec. 11 and Kershaw said because of the limited space, the city did not advertise the event widely. There was a limit of 40 people, divided across five groups.
The game was hosted by Raftelis Vice President of Strategic Planning Catherine Carter and principal consultant Jackie Jarrell. Raftelis is a local government and utility management consulting firm. “Wateropolis, at its core, is
a budgeting game,” Carter told the groups.
Jarrell said Wateropolis is a game the firm commonly plays with client staff or city residents. The players function as a generic utility company’s “board” — as the Palm Coast City Council functions as the city’s utility board — and, based on a given budget, have to make decisions on how the company functions to keep the budget balanced.
Those decision could be raising rates, using reserve funds or even making other cuts, she said.
“Everything costs something,” Jarrell said. “Letting people just kind of go through some scenarios and exercise and doing that kind of helps them to understand that it isn’t just like this very straight line, direct thing.”
Resident Anna Gibson and her mother were two of the residents who attended Wateropolis. Gibson said the experience left her with more confusion than before, especially as the event was not well advertised or explained online.
Before Wateropolis, Gibson said her concerns centered mainly around her PEP tank functioning.
“I definitely learned stuff from attending the event,” Gibson said. “As an outsider who doesn’t work in the utility department, there wasn’t a lot of explanation.”
She said she wished that
the city had filled more of the seats with city residents instead of having one or two city utility employees at each table.
Kershaw said Raftelis asks city utility employees to participate at each table so there are knowledgeable people available to answer any questions from those who have less experience with utilities.
But Gibson said, even with the employees, she felt her table made arbitrary decisions because the different line items, fees and parameters were not well explained. She said it also wasn’t clear what Palm Coast was trying to achieve in the first place from hosting the game.
“If your goal is to get input from the community, then you should really limit how many people are there from the actual utility department,” Gibson said. “What were the goals? If it was to educate me, great, I did learn quite a bit. But I have probably more concerns now than I did before about utilities.”
Kershaw said the city won’t likely be hosting more Wateropolis games but instead plans to host several other events, including an open-house event, beginning in January.
“That will be one where everyone will be invited and included, and we’ll be able to hear feedback from the community on what they want to see for the future of the [city’s] utility,” Kershaw said.
A map of the Veranda Bay development, in orange, and Flagler Beach’s current city
Shara Brodsky and Peter Roussell participate in Wateropolis.
Photo by Sierra Williams
2025-26 school calendar released
Flagler Schools’ spring break schedule will align with St. Johns and Volusia schedules.
BRENT WORONOFF
Flagler Schools district staff presented the School Board with a proposed 2025-26 instructional calendar. By design, the calendar committee’s draft is similar to the proposed calendars of St. Johns and Volusia counties.
“We took into consideration a lot of the feedback we heard last year,” Louise Bossardet, the district’s director of Information Systems, told the board at its information workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
“Last year, we brought a calendar before the School Board and there were concerns about alignment with spring breaks and days that Volusia and St. Johns and Flagler all have off, so we really tried to reconcile the three calendars to try to have as much commonality as possible, because we do understand that we have
employees who work here but have children in other districts and vice versa.”
In 2025, spring break is the same week for Flagler and Volusia: March 17-21.
The spring break scheduled for March 16-20, 2026, falls on the same week as the spring breaks for the neighboring counties as well as the break for Daytona State College where the bulk of Flagler County’s dual-enrolled students participate, Bossardet said.
There are just two days in September when Flagler County students won’t be off and one of the other counties will have an off day, she said.
The first day of school will be Aug. 11, 2025. The earliest first day allowed by state statute is Aug. 10, which falls on a Sunday. The last day of school for students is May 28, 2026. May 27-28 are designated early-release days.
Thanksgiving break will be a full week, Nov. 24-28. Winter break will be Dec. 22-Jan. 2.
Six hurricane days are built into the schedule: Oct. 13, Nov. 24-25, Dec. 22, Jan. 5 and March 13. They fall on teacher
work days, the first two days of Thanksgiving break and the first day of winter break.
Aug. 4-8 are designated as three pre-planning days and two professional learning days. Jan. 6 and April 3 are also professional learning days with students getting the days off. Oct. 13, Jan. 5, March 13 and May 29 are teacher work days.
Holidays fall on Sept. 1 (Labor Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Feb. 16 (Presidents’ Day) and May 25 (Memorial Day). The quarters end on Oct. 10, Dec. 19, March 12 and May 28.
None of the School Board members voiced any concerns with the calendar. Derek Barrs and Lauren Ramirez said they were glad to hear the dates were coordinated with the other counties.
The calendar committee consists of 10 people: two each appointed by the teacher and employee unions, four district staff members appointed by the superintendent and two parents — one appointed by the superintendent, one appointed jointly the unions.
YOUR TOWN
First Baptist Christian Academy students spread Christmas joy to seniors
First Baptist Christian Academy students in second, third and fifth grades recently brought Christmas joy to local senior living communities. They shared holiday cheer by singing Christmas carols and delivering handmade holiday cards to brighten the days of the residents. This heartfelt outreach is a part of the academy’s commitment to teaching students the importance of serving others and spreading God’s love, especially during the Christmas season. The children’s uplifting visit brought smiles, laughter and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
First Baptist Christian Academy students sing Christmas carols to residents of Sancerre at Palm Coast. Courtesy photo by Jessica Detro, FBCA marketing director
First Baptist Christian Academy students visit with residents of Sancerre at Palm Coast.
Off-duty Flagler County deputy performs CPR on young boy at Dollywood
Sgt. Paul DeSousa said all the glory goes to God for putting him in the right place to breathe ‘life back into that little boy.’
OBSERVER STAFF
GUEST WRITER
A Dec. 6 social media post by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office described how Sgt. Paul DeSousa helped save the life of a young boy while DeSousa and his family were recently visiting Dollywood in Tennessee. The post said DeSousa was “out of uniform, out of state, and enjoying his time at the theme park … but a first responder is never truly off duty.” News sites and TV stations as far away as Hawaii reported the FCSO post. The Florida Sheriff’s Association reposted with the introduction, “Heroes never take a day off.”
COPS CORNER
DEC. 3 RARE SPECIMEN
12:04 p.m. — 300 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Vandalism. Police responded to a local storage unit owned by a 52-year-old Daytona Beach man who reported damage to his rare two-headed skeleton taxidermied calf. According to the incident report, the man arrived to his unit to find that a purple 8-pound medicine ball had been thrown over his unit fence, damaging the taxidermied calf and an oil painting. He wished police to document the incident to help with his insurance claim.
DEC. 7 100 PROOF
7:05 p.m. — First block of Trailmark Court, Ormond Beach Suspicious incident. A 42-year-old Ormond Beach woman took a swig of rum in her home, only to realize after swallowing that the liquid in the bottle smelled strongly of gasoline, and leading her to become sick.
The woman contacted police and reported the incident, which she suspected was her soon-to-be-ex-husband’s doing, according to an incident report. When she showed the reporting officer the bottle, he could smell the gasoline without the bottle leaving the bag it was wrapped in.
In an email to the Observer, DeSousa said he doesn’t feel like he deserves credit for what he did.
“Although I am very grateful and humbly appreciate all the recognition, I believe all the glory for this one goes to God for putting me in the right place at the right time and breathing life back into that little boy!” DeSousa said. DeSousa and his family were vacationing in Tennessee over the Thanksgiving holiday. On the morning of their visit to Dollywood, just after they entered the park, DeSousa’s wife heard someone yelling for help in the distance. They looked around and saw a small crowd of people.
“I could see a park employee was yelling to the crowd asking for a doctor or nurse,” DeSousa said. “So we started walking toward the crowd. And as I got closer, I noticed that someone was holding a young child about 4 or 5 years old. The child was completely limp and very pale, and his lips and eyelids were completely purple, indicating that he was not breathing. I
EGGED
8:33 p.m. — 1300 block of Northside Drive, Ormond Beach Vandalism. A 36-year-old Ormond Beach woman was watching TV in her living room when she heard “loud crashing sounds” coming from her front door.
The woman waited a while to find the source, as she was worried there was someone on the other side, according to a police incident report. But when she did open it, she didn’t find anybody: Only broken egg shell and egg yolks. They were on her sidewalk and on her front door. When she walked around to her car, she discovered her car had also been egged. She wished to press charges.
DEC. 11
FAMILY TROUBLES
7:21 p.m. — Slogan Court, Palm Coast Obstruct without violence. A 30-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested after his mother called Sheriff’s Office deputies on him for playing loud music.
The woman told deputies that she had repeatedly told her son to turn down the volume of his music. He did at first, she said, but then immediately turned the volume back up after she left the room, according to an arrest report. She yelled at him to turn it down again, and he began calling her “derogatory names,” so she called 911.
Though nothing physical happened, she told deputies he had “in recent past” threatened to hurt others with an empty glass vodka bottle he
don’t know how long that he wasn’t breathing for, but as I went over, I told the employee I was a first responder and to give me the child to me, which they did.”
The boy’s parents told him they thought their child was choking on a cough drop or hard candy. DeSousa did not seen anything in the boy’s mouth but could see that he had bitten his tongue which indicated to DeSousa that the boy might have also been having a seizure. He laid the boy down and immediately started performing CPR. He instructed an employee to call 911 and get an ambulance immediately.
As DeSousa continued chest compressions, a park medical employee arrived with with a medical bag containing an AED and other medical equipment. A paramedic who was there with his family, also arrived and started to assess the boy’s condition.
“As I continued with chest compressions and looked down at this little child’s face, all I could do in my head was pray that God would just
had in his room.
She asked the two deputies to check out her son’s room, the report said. The deputies went to do so, but the son, who had been outside talking another deputy, refused to stay outside and tried to go back into his bedroom.
Because he wouldn’t stay outside, deputies placed the 30-year-old under arrest and in the back of a patrol vehicle, where the man threw up over the seat and on the ground outside. Deputies found the empty vodka bottle and eight hard lemonade cans in the man’s room.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
5:59 p.m. — South State Street and Hibiscus Avenue, Flagler County Fentanyl possession. A Bunnell man was arrested for drug possession after he volunteered to be searched.
Two deputies were driving north on Highway U.S. 1 in the left lane when they pulled a car over because, despite the deputy approaching behind him “at a higher rate of speed,” the car stayed in the left lane.
As one deputy spoke to the driver about the traffic violation, another spoke to the passenger, who he knew was a former criminal. The Bunnell man said he’d turned his life around and consented to having his person search when the deputy asked, the report said.
As he was emptying his pockets, the deputy saw a plastic container with white powder that turned out to be fentanyl. The man was placed under arrest.
breathe life back into this little boy’s body, because we were trying so hard to resuscitate him,” DeSousa said. “After a
BRIEFS
House fire in Ormond results in death of pet
A structure fire in the 300 block of Roosevelt Drive on Monday, Dec. 9, resulted in the death of one pet at the scene.
Ormond Beach Fire Department crews responded to the fire, which started in the kitchen, around 6:45 p.m., according to a Facebook post.
The homeowners were unharmed. Two pets were transported to an emergency animal hospital for treatment.
‘Quit Smoking Now’ sessions for new mothers to begin Jan. 7
A four-week “Quit Smoking Now” course, available to pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding mothers and their family members, will be offered at the Flagler County Health Department, 301 Dr. Carter Blvd., Bunnell.
The free sessions will run once a week 5:30-6:30 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays, Jan. 7-28, 2025, and will cover reasons and benefits of quitting, your quit plan, becoming tobacco/nicotine free and preventing relapse.
This course will offer gift cards to all attendees, with a total value up to $125. Additionally, diapers and wipes will be distributed each week along with other baby-related incentives for all participants.
few more compressions, the little boy took a huge gasp of air and started breathing again. His breathing was a
very labored breathing, and it was obvious that he was having some kind of a medical emergency and was very lethargic, and his eyes were rolled back in his head.
“It wasn’t too long after that a firetruck and ambulance showed up to the back gate and several paramedics came in with a gurney and took over. They were able to take the little boy and stabilize him for transport to the hospital. I spoke with the parents for a few minutes afterwards saying that I was so thankful that he was breathing again and tried to assure them that he would be fine and he was in good hands.”
That was the last that
DeSousa saw the boy or his parents.
“I do not know the outcome of his visit to the hospital or any other information about him,” DeSousa said. “I just hope and pray that everything was OK and that he made a full recovery and is back doing what he loves!”
Nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges will also be distributed for ages 18 and older if medically appropriate.
Register at tffact.com/c/ jqrkv. For more information, call the Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center at 904-482-0189
Votran, VoRide
to adjust schedule for holidays
Votran and VoRide will adjust their services and administrative operations on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025.
On both holidays, Votran buses will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. Routes and services that do not typically run on Sundays, such as the New Smyrna Beach Flex and the DeLand
SunRail Circulator, will not operate. Votran Gold Service will provide limited service in East Volusia only, and VoRide services will not be available on these dates. Volusia County Transit Services administrative offices and Votran’s customer service center will also be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2025. Regular service and administrative operations will continue as usual on all other days, including Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. For detailed route and service information, riders can visit www.votran.org or use the myStop mobile app. For questions about the holiday schedule, contact Votran customer service at 386761-7700. VoRide-specific inquiries can be directed to 386-210-9861.
Ormond Beach Firefighters Cannon Tarnow and Garrett Fiske help a dog on the scene of the fire on Roosevelt Drive. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Fire Department/Pauline Dulang
While on vacation with his family at Dollywood, Flagler County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Paul DeSousa performed CPR on a young boy until paramedics could arrive on the scene. Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Ragga Surf Cafe must go, as Flagler County faces threats from FDEP
The cafe must vacate its location at 9700 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. at the River to Sea Preserve by the end of the year, state says.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Ragga Surf Cafe must pack its bags, as Flagler County is facing noncompliance issues from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for allowing the cafe to operate at the River to Sea Preserve.
“No good deed goes unpunished,” Vice Chair Leann Pennington said.
The county and the town of Marineland jointly own and manage the River to Sea Preserve, where Ragga Surf has been allowed to operate since September. But in the rush to help support a local business that benefits a nonprofit, the county and town are now at risk of losing the River to Sea Preserve.
The issue started at the Aug. 19 Flagler County Commission meeting when, during commissioner comments, Commissioner Greg Hansen brought up Ragga Surf’s eviction from a site on property owned by JDI Marineland, just north of the café’s current location at the River to Sea Preserve at 9700 N. Ocean Shore Blvd.
Typically, to lease land to a for-profit business, the county is required to send the prospective site out for an official bid process. County Attorney Sean Moylan, at the Aug. 19 meeting, said Florida Statutes allow the county to lease land to nonprofit corporations without going out for bid.
Ragga Surf’s nonprofit is Inter-United, which supports a local soccer group of 700 Palm Coast children and a school in Kenya, Ragga Surf owner Jim Powell told the commission.
County Administrator Heidi Petito said at the time that the commission would have to review the lease agreement again that September, but, according to Flagler County Commission meeting documents, the item did not return to the commission for review.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, Pennington explicitly asked why the item never came back before the board.
“I thought that legal told us that this was going to be requiring a resolution to be brought back,” she said. “We should have known that the DEP was going to require action there before we put someone there.”
No one at the Aug. 19 meeting brought up the fact
that Preserve was purchased through grant funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida’s Community Trust grant program. The grant’s contract requires the county and town to follow certain criteria when operating businesses on the preserve’s land.
In November, Flagler County received a notice from the FCT that the River to Sea Preserve was in noncompliance with the county’s contract with FCT. At the Dec. 16 meeting, Petito said the noncompliance items included the 5K events, the monthly Marineland Market event and Ragga Surf’s presence on the Preserve.
“FCT did not weigh in on that approval,” Petito said. Ragga Surf was notified in November that it would need to vacate the premises by the end of the calendar year.
Ragga Surf co-owner Jim Powell thanked the commission on Dec. 16 for allowing the cafe to stay on the site for the last four months. He pleaded with the county to find a way to extend the endof-year deadline.
“I’m here tonight just to ask you to come through for this community of people again,” Powell said. “In the holiday season, it is near impossible to relocate and keep our people employed beyond Dec. 31.”
‘SAVE RAGGA SURF’
On Dec. 11, Ragga Surf reached out to the public on social media asking for the public’s support to help save Ragga Surf Cafe.
The campaign included a petition for Flagler County and Marineland to extend the business’ temporary use permit. Since launching the petition on Dec. 11, it has received over 8,000 signatures.
But Flagler County said its hands were tied. In a statement released in response to the online campaign, the county said when FDEP learned Ragga Surf was on the Preseve, it immediately
“Ragga Surf Cafe and their subsidiary organizations have built a bridge that brings community together and a place for us all to sit at the same table. That is a gift without a price tag.”
LISA HOGAN
instructed Flagler County and Marineland to remove Ragga from the premises.
Though the county has had no choice but to comply, it said, it plans to continue working with Marineland and the FDEP to “hopefully allow for a concessionaire” at the Preserve in the future.
“The county does not question the value of Ragga Surf as an asset to the community, or that it has been a good steward of the Preserve,” the statement read.
Once the noncompliance issues are taken care of, Petito told the commission, it plans to continue the bid process so that Ragga Surf and other businesses can compete to be a concessionaire on the site.
Local residents have called Ragga Surf “a community hub” and have pleaded with Flagler County to bring the FDEP and FCT to the table before the end of December to figure out a solution.
Marineland resident Lisa Hogan said Ragga Surf has reached “iconic status” in the community in a very short amount of time.
“Ragga Surf Cafe and their subsidiary organizations have built a bridge that brings community together and a place for us all to sit at the same table,” Hogan said. “That is a gift without a price tag.”
Ragga Surf made several posts on its Facebook page about the situation. In one recent post, the cafe said that it is focusing now on Marineland’s Dec. 19 meeting where “we believe a plan can be put in place that is good for all.”
AdventHealth Palm Coast hosts interns from Project Search
AdventHealth Palm Coast has partnered with Project Search to provide interns and students hands-on experience.
Project Search partners Flagler Schools with local businesses and provides students with real-world job experiences to build skills for future careers and confidence in navigating the workplace. Through a collaboration with Project Search, students with disabilities are gaining opportunities to help them transition from school to meaningful employment and, for the first time, seven Project Search interns are thriving in various hospital departments at AdventHealth Palm Coast, an AdventHealth press release said.
The interns contribute in a variety of ways, such as delivering linens, managing supplies, and keeping the hospital clean and welcoming.
Flagler’s Barile becomes third FCSO member to graduate from FBI National Academy
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Cmdr. Joe Barile became the third active FCSO member to graduate from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Barile graduated from the 292nd Session of the academy, joining the ranks of Sheriff Rick Staly who graduated from the 177th Session and Division Chief Jon Welker, of the 286th Session, a FCSO press release said.
“This is an honor for Cmdr. Barile and for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” Staly
said. “Less than 1% of all law enforcement officers worldwide are invited to attend the FBI National Academy. This is truly a remarkable achievement for our community and agency.”
The program’s 10 weeks of coursework includes intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science, the press release said. The FBI pays all costs for participants to attend, including travel, training, meals, and lodging.
Barile began his law enforcement career in 2007 as a deputy sheriff and currently oversees FCSO’s Homeland Security and Investigations Section, the press release said.
Barile is also a graduate of the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Commanders Academy and the 25th Session of the FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar.
Paramedic’s pet Welsh Corgi is Flagler Fire Rescue’s first therapy dog
There’s no better way for Flagler County Fire Rescue to embrace the holidays than with a pint-sized, — or Taco-sized — therapy dog to be its ambassador for public outreach events, as well as to provide comfort during traumatic circumstances.
Community Paramedic Rob Errett and his Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Taco took all the steps to be ready when duty calls and the call came on Wednesday, Dec. 11. They are graduates of Paws and Stripes College — created in 2006 by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office — that teaches handlers and their K-9 partners to provide emotional support to those in stressful
situations, whether to first responders themselves or those they serve.
“The usage of therapy dogs within emergency services is a growing trend to ensure the mental health of our citizens and our first responders,” Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker said.
“Taco is a rock star,” Errett said. “He was already very well trained. He always makes me look good. I was a little worried about my own abilities.”
Officially, Errett and Taco are members of the Flagler County Fire Rescue Peer Support Team and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.
“Taco won’t come to work every day,” Errett said. “If the need arises, I can go home and get him. I live within 10 minutes (of the Government Services Complex).” He added: “All I want to do is to ease everyone’s burden. Flagler County is taking the mental health aspect of its employees and residents head-on. It is something to be reckoned with.”
Christmas Day Brunch
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Ocean Ballroom • 11:00am - 3:00pm
This year, let our culinary team take care of the cooking. Featuring a farmer’s market salad, charcuterie boards, omelet and waffle stations, prime rib, fresh seafood, traditional breakfast entrées, assorted dessert selections and more!
To make reservations, please call 386.246.5676 or email christine.losagio@hammockbeach.com by December 22, 2024.
Image from Ragga Surf Facebook page
Courtesy photo
Make yourself at home
A sixth sense for gift giving? I don’t have it
Whatever my shopping cart bumps into next, I’m buying it.
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
When my wife, Hailey, and I walk into a store, she has a spreadsheet open on her phone.
“Our mission — ” she begins.
I helpfully finish her sentence: “— should we choose to accept it … “
But this is no Tom Cruise movie.
“Haha,” she says with neither mercy nor mirth, “you have no choice.”
Our mission is to purchase several small gifts for our children to fulfill the expectations of quantity that have been established over the years, thanks to spreadsheets. I am to scour the shelves and identify which items will cause the widest smiles on our children’s faces. I add another criterion: for the least amount of money.
None of the gifts are to be embarrassing in any way, nor
noisy.
Hailey has a supernatural ability to discern the worthiness of a gift. All I can do is guess. Most of the time, when I pick up an option, I turn to Hailey, hoping for an approving nod.
“How about this?” I say. “For Grant?”
No, she indicates with her eyes, that is not correct. But, she says, “It’s up to you.”
Back on the shelf it goes. Amazing! I think. How does she know?!
Next: an alien on a magnet. No, Hailey suggests gently, with malice toward none.
I find myself wandering the store, looking to the bounteous shelves for guidance, trying to feel something, like
Inigo Montoya closing his eyes and following his sword through the forest in “The Princess Bride.” Whatever my shopping cart bumps into next, I’m buying it.
I call out to the ghosts of Christmas presents: Which cheapo toy is speaking to me?
Well, lots of them do, is the thing. Let’s face it: My gift-giving sense is underdeveloped, like the Grinch’s heart in the first act of that one great heist movie.
At one point, about 14 hours into our shopping expedition, I see a coffee cup, half consumed, on a shelf. It was garbage, plain and simple, left by some past husband as an offering for some future husband. To be
LETTERS
Wellness Center for employees only?
Gym members still left out in the cold
Dear Editor:
This being the season of “good will toward our fellow man,” I thought I would give some advice to some people I’m really not too fond of. Three members of the (Flagler County) School Board shut down the (Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club) gym that some elderly Palm Coast taxpayers had enjoyed using for many years because working out at this gym made them feel better and may have prolonged their lives.
But the threesome made false statements about the gym costing enormous amounts of money to operate and shut it down.
The School Board can find $450,000 to build sensory rooms to keep themselves and their students calm and
helpful, I look around for a garbage can. Seeing none, I leave the cup on the shelf. We walk through aisles upon aisles of brightly colored candy goo, candy juice, candy that looks like hamburgers and fries. Willy Wonka would faint in this store.
Last, but not least, is the checkout: the sentry, the place of payment, Michael at the pearly gates, the last obstacle between me and The Outside.
On the sidewalk, I fall to my knees, hands toward the sky, like Tim Robbins at the end of “The Shawshank Redemption.” Christmas is upon us! And we are ready!
cool; they can lose $710,000 through carelessness (in a cybertheft scam) and nobody gets fired, and now they want to turn the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club into a wellness center to be used by employees of Flagler Schools only.
The cost of running this center will be enormous compared to the alleged pittance it cost to run the gym. If you think a wellness center will improve the quality or knowledge of those in our third-rate schools you probably voted for the half cent sales tax (raising $8 million) per year for 10 years. From the gullible to the greedy; throw money at it.
DOUGLAS R. GLOVER Palm Coast
Editor’s note: The school district’s reported deficit for the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club for the 202223 fiscal year was $175,184, which included revenue from
swim and gym memberships. The sensory rooms were funded through federal COVID funds. The wellness center was approved in May with the objective of reducing employee insurance claims and thus keeping the district’s self-insurance plan’s reserve fund from dwindling and future health insurance premiums from spiraling out of control. The School Board chose the swim and racquet club last month as the site for the wellness center because the district already owns the facility and other options would have required rent.
Matanzas soccer players bring cheer to Brookdale
Matanzas High School’s three boys soccer teams — varsity, JV 1 and JV 2 — visited the residents of Brookdale Palm Coast Senior Living on Dec. 4. The soccer players brought pastries and cookies and a Christmas tree to decorate. They spent the time enjoying conversations with some of the residents. Some of the students visited the residents in their rooms. The seniors were so happy to see so many boys and asked them to come back.
Kiwanis Club presents Moore with Legacy Book Award
The Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club presented Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore with its Legacy Book Award in recognition of her service to the community.
The award was presented at the club’s annual December meeting and holiday party on
Dec. 11. Five children’s books labeled with Moore’s name will be added to the library at Bunnell Elementary School. Club President Ed Pruitt welcomed members and guests. Past President Warren Mudd highlighted the club’s projects from the past year including: participating in the Marine Science Literacy Night at Old Kings Elementary School; recognizing High School Seniors of the Month; assisting member Anthony Wild, founder of Kids Rock the Nation, in distributing free musical instruments to students; advising K-Kids in Flagler County’s elementary schools; running the Terrific Kids program which rewards good behavior to elementary school students each quarter; Earth Day celebration in April; sponsoring Kid Zone at Washington Oaks State Park with members participating in hands on learning experiences for kids; scholarships awarded for academics and now trade schools; recognized firefighters and law enforcement members as chosen by their departments; working with Daytona Beach Kiwanis Club on various projects.
In addition, the club con-
tinues to support the Flagler Playhouse and the Penguin Project, the Police Athletic League, the Flagler County Education Foundation’s STUFF Bus and the Carver Center.
Parkview Church’s Living Nativity celebrates 15th year Parkview Church of Palm Coast’s Living Nativity event told the story of Jesus Christ’s birth for the 15th year from Dec. 11 to 14. Church volunteers dressed in period costumes, while guests walked through the immersive scenes. The celebration included live animals, a petting zoo and food trucks.
Matanzas soccer players visit residents of Brookdale Senior Living Palm Coast. Courtesy photo by Lesley De Leon
INFORMATION & RATES: 386-447-9723 info@observerlocalnews.com classifieds.observerlocalnews.com
The
$199, A New Adult Wheelchair $99, Washer and Dryer $99 386-8529116
Last minute HOLIDAY GIFTS & GARAGE SALE! 27 ROCKET LANE Fri- Sun 12/21- 12/23, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM Tons of Brand new unopened items for kids & adults, Name brand clothing, along with housewares, scrubs, furniture, tv’s, 2007 mustang and some free items. Too much to mention, MOVING & MUST SELL EVERYTHING. NO OFFER REFUSED! 27 Rocket Lane Palm coast. Rain or Shine.
Lora@LoraFickett.com
READY. SET. SHAVE!
Did you know facial hair has value? At Fletcher’s Irish Pub’s Shave for the Brave event, it does.
The annual event raises money for the Live Like Cameron foundation to help spread holiday cheer to pediatric oncology patients.
Proper Barber Co. of Ormond
Beach shaved participants’ facial hair for charity. Thirty partici-
pants were shaved, including the owner of Fletcher’s Irish Pub, Bill Fletcher. Donations, along with 10% of all tips from the pub, will go to the foundation.
Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance and gave children a chance for last minute wishes. A raffle with multiple prizes, a bake sale and a corn hole tournament took place at the event, as well.
– ALEXIS MILLER
‘We crushed it’
Professional Women of Flagler County celebrate $25,000 in grant giving.
BRIAN MCMILLAN
PUBLISHER
In her final moments as president of the Professional Women of Flagler County, Diane Vidal got a chance to brag a little about the women in the room.
“This isn’t just an event, it’s a movement,” Vidal said at the soldout annual gala, held Dec. 12, at the Hilton Garden Inn. “We set out to make history, and guess what? We crushed it.”
The organization gave out $25,000 in Go Girl Grants this year, plus $2,500 in scholarships.
Just as important, Vidal said, is
the network of women supported by other women.
“We dream big, we work hard, and then we show up looking fabulous,” she said.
The Executive Board for 2024 comprised Vanessa Cole, Dr. Erika Equizi, Tracie Cotto and Nina Guiglotto. Directors were Kara King, Sarah McPherson, Lora Fickett, Kathleen Rivera and Kelly Chapman. Chairs: Diane Campbell, Michelle Gordon and Christine Sullivan.
The incoming board is as follows: President Cole, Vice President Equizi, Secretary Chapman, Treasurer Cotto, Immediate Past President Vidal, Director of Events Lisa Byer, Director of Membership Amy Dumas, and Director of Marketing Stephanie Ellis.
Go Girl Grant recipients are as follows: Allyson Rucci, Anna Wieczorek, Monica Necula, Michelle Martin, Dr. Margaret Lessig, Tiffany Rufino, Kay Click, Caroline Johnson,
Lauren Ramirez, Michelle Bartome, Derin White, Cheri Routzahn, Amy Dumas, Lacy Martin, Erica Flores and Andrea Williams.
Kay Click also won the Rising Star award. April Koehler and Stephanie Ellis were also nominated.
Business of the Year went to Teresa Rand Consulting, led by Teresa Rand. Also recognized: Tiffany Rufino Agency, led by Tiffany Rufino; and Salus Medical Training, led by Lauren Ramirez.
Woman of the Year was Lacy Martin. Also recognized: Erica Flores and Caroline Johnson.
Martin said it was an honor to receive the award.
“It means that the values I hold dear — integrity, perseverance, and commitment to service — are seen and valued by others,” she said in an email to the Observer. “This recognition is not just for me; it’s for the many women who work tirelessly to
“We dream big, we work hard, and then we show up looking fabulous.”
DIANE VIDAL, immediate past president
create positive change and break barriers.”
She said she hopes other women hear the same message: “Your voice, your skills, and your presence matter. Never underestimate the impact you can have. … When one woman rises, we all rise together.”
Jim Smith gets shaved by Julius Calder.
Barbers Johnny Sutliff, Julius Calder and Tristian Smith with Proper Barber Co.
Keith “Chappy” McBride plays corn hole in the tournament.
Santa and Mrs. Claus spread holiday cheer at Shave for the Brave.
Dan and Melisa Fulling, of Live Like Cameron, and Fletcher’s Irish Pub Owners Jeanine and Bill Fletcher. Photos by Alexis Miller
Tristian Smith makes sure to get every spot on Mike Graham's face.
Alicia Ramirez, Kelly Chapman, Carmen Komninakis and Trang Dang.
PWFC President Vanessa Cole, Emerging Star Kay Click and Immediate Past President Diane Vidal. Photo courtesy of Son of the Sea Productions
LOCAL EVENTS
show features songs such as “Sleigh Ride”, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The show hosts special guests, The American Sirens. Tickets start at $54. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
JINGLES & JAMMIES
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20 and 21
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Claus.
ORMOND BEACH AREA
DEMOCRATIC CLUB
HOLIDAY GATHERING AND MEETING
When: 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Attend the December meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. There will be a holiday gathering social time with refreshments, followed by a brief meeting with updates on activities and a time for group sharing. Likeminded guests are welcomed. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.
SLEIGHBELLS AND THE ‘60S
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 S.R 100, Palm Coast
Details: PBS star Chris
Ruggiero’s new Christmas
Details: Halifax Repertory Theatre will host this festive fundraiser for its 2025 season. The HRT singers will perform holiday favorites while dressed in Christmas pajamas. Guests are encouraged to wear their own Christmas pajamas or holiday sweaters. Tickets cost $35. Visit ormondbeach.org/267/ Performing-Arts-Center.
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
DONUTS WITH SANTA When: 8-11 a.m.
Where: Serendipity Marketplace, 5 Commercial Court, Palm Coast
Details: Join for pictures with Santa, donuts, muffins, cookies, drinks and shopping. Costs $10 per child. Call 386264-6256.
ART IN THE PARK
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Join Vincent’s Clubhouse for its “Art in the Park” program hosted by Allie Langan and Erica Mendes. All ages are welcome. Admission costs $10. All supplies and refreshments are included.
GOD’S FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: God’s Family Church parking lot, 256 Old Brick Road, Bunnell
Details: God’s Family Church distributes food to the com-
munity every first and third Saturday of the month. This is a drive-thru event.
COOKIES WITH MRS. CLAUS HOLIDAY SOCIAL
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: The Enrichment Center at Vincent’s Clubhouse, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Unit 120, Palm Coast
Details: Join Vincent’s Clubhouse for a morning of festive treats, cookies, holiday crafts and a singalong with Ellie the Elf. Event costs $10 per person. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/543020911691366.
HONEYBEE BUZZ: HEROES OF OUR PLANET, MAKING HONEY HAPPEN
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Join beekeepers Bill and Barry for an educational program about the importance of honey bees, Florida native bee-friendly plants and what is involved in raising honeybees and harvesting their honey. Park entry fee of $5 per vehicle applies.
WINTER WONDERLAND
FAMILY EDITION
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: The Leo’s Club is transforming the upstairs of the Southern Recreation Venter for this holiday event, featuring family-friendly dining with food from Redefined Food Co. and crafts for kids. Free event.
FLAGLER BEACH GOLF
CART PARADE
When: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 N. Central Ave., Flagler Beach
Details: Decorate your golf cart and join Flagler Strong for a parade that will travel north on North Daytona
Avenue and then south down
South Central Avenue. At 10th Street North, the parade will turn down North Flagler Avenue, cross State Road 100, pass South 3rd St and then go onto South Central Avenue to Beachfront Grill. Tickets cost between $10-$50 and include lunch. Ribbons will be awarded to the best decorated carts. All proceeds will benefit Christmas Come True.
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Learn to paint in watercolor with artist Bibi Gromling. All supplies included in the $75 class fee. No drawing required. Class is limited to six students. Call 386-3179400 to reserve a spot.
MONDAY, DEC. 23
FIRST COAST METAL
DETECTIVE CLUB MEETING
When: 7-8:30 a.m.
Where: Palm Coast VFW 8696, 47 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast
Details: This meeting is for beginners and experts and consists of member displays of old and new finds. Learn about the newest metal detectors, current local and state rules and local history. Each month, a hunt is held at the beach or old land permission. We also cooperate with the Flagler County Historical Society. Visitors welcome.
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
RECIPES AND READS
CULINARY LAB
Where: Ormond Beach
Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Learn about the history of “lucky” foods, presented by library staff. Free and open to the public. Registration not required.
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
CHRISTMAS TREE
RECYCLING EVENT 2025
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Fuel Depot, 22 Utility Drive, Palm Coast
Details: Recycle your undecorated Christmas tree and receive a free 3-gallon tree or shrub, while supplies last. Recycled trees will be turned into mulch for parks and trails. There will also be free paper shredding services.
ONGOING
POINSETTIA SALE
When: Saturday, Nov. 23, until supplies last Where: St Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, 1000
Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond
Beach
Details: The annual Christmas poinsettia sale, sponsored by the Father Eamonn Gill Council 13018 Knights of Columbus, will take place in the church parking lots on Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., until supplies last. Fresh, locally grown flowers in sizes from 6-14-inch pots are available in various colors. Advance orders are not required, but you may order any quantity for pickup by calling Vince at 386-795-4260. The proceeds support thecharitable works of the Knights of Columbus in the community.
MEMORY MAKERS
QUILT GUILD
When: 9:30 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday of each month Where: UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County Education Center, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell Details: Join the Memory Makers Quilt Guild. All are welcome.
BAM SENIOR FITNESS CLASS When: 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays Where: Palm Coast First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast Details: Join this Balance and Motion class and develop strength and endurance, core stability and balance. The class is open to all fitness levels and free with most insurances. A donation is accepted for those without coverage. Visit synergyseniorfitness. com or call 386-931-3485.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB
When: 12:30-2 p.m. every Tuesday Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: The book club meets in the Marchman Building, room 117. Contact Sylvia Meincke at 386-451-5223.
MOMS OF PRE SCHOOLERS
When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month
Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faith-based program for moms, moms-tobe and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is provided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts. Playtime offered for children, with adult supervision. Call 386-255-2588.
YOUR TOWN
L.R. Corbett’s latest children’s book takes flight
Flagler County author L.R. Corbett has released her latest children’s book, “Don’t Be Late, The Plane is at the Gate,” expanding her collection of travel-inspired stories for young readers.
The book follows Joey, a young boy whose procrastination and distractions lead to a chaotic airport adventure, teaching lessons about responsibility and time management.
Corbett also writes adult romantic suspense novels under a pen name. Her travelthemed collection — which includes stories about New York City, National Parks and road trip adventures — also features companion coloring books with activity books in development.
For more information about her books and appearances, visit Travelcolorrepeat.com.
First Baptist Christian Academy hosts college and career fair
First Baptist Christian Academy hosted its first High School College and Career Fair for high school students on Dec. 5.
The event provided FBCA students with valuable opportunities to explore higher education and career options and to connect with college representatives, local businesses and professionals from various industries, according to a press release. Students engaged with local colleges and organizations and gained insights into various careers.
L.R. Corbett with her children’s book, “Don’t Be Late, the Plane is at the Gate.” Courtesy photo
Waterways aglow with Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade
The 41st annual Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade ended a weekend of local holiday events.
OBSERVER STAFF
Palm Coast celebrated the 41st annual Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade’s on Dec. 15. Palm Coast had a weekend of holiday-themed events
from Dec. 13-15, culminating with the Palm Coast Yacht Club’s annual holiday boat parade. Residents were able to view the parade for free either as it meandered up and down the Intracoastal Waterway either live from several city parks and locations or through a live by Flagler Broadcasting on KOOL-FM, 100.9
The 2024 parade was held in honor of Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher Megan Burton, who was named Florida Sheriff Association Dispatcher of
the Year. Burton served as the parade’s grand marshal.
“As always, Palm Coast boaters threw in their all to make this a special event for the city,” Parade Chairperson
Sarah Ulis wrote in an email to the Observer
Ulis wrote that several events coincided so that num-
ber of participants was down from the 2023 parade, which had 108 registered participants, with even more boaters joining in last minute and unregistered. This year, the parade was on a Sunday, she wrote, so most people had work or school the next, and there was big game on that night. “But by all accounts, it still impressed and we continue to be proud of this wonderful parade,” Ulis wrote over email. “I have established that the 2025 parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, and the mayor is supporting that. Thank you, Palm Coast.”
Local officers help 125 children shop for Christmas
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Children’s Charities nonprofit was able to give each child a $225 gift card to spend.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Christmas has come for 125 children from struggling Flagler County families thanks to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Shop with a Cop. FCSO and other local law enforcement deputies, officers and employees were each assigned a child and given a $225 gift card for their child to spend at Palm Coast’s Walmart Supercenter on gifts for themselves and their families. The gift card money was raised through FCSO employees, community organizations and individuals who donated over $35,000 to the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities for the event, a FCSO press release said.
FCSO employees alone donated $24,200 through voluntary payroll deductions in 2024. Sheriff Rick Staly thanked everyone who donated to help support the county’s children in need. “Shop with a Cop is an event that we look forward to every year, and it would not be possible without the gracious support of our employees and these great people and organizations in our community,” Staly said.
On Friday, Dec. 13, law enforcement officers and employees picked up the children enrolled for Shop with a Cop from their homes and brought them to the FCSO Operations Center for holiday-themed games and fun, including the opportunity to meet Santa Claus and
the Grinch. Afterwards, law enforcement officers escorted the children across town to the store in a police motorcade to begin Christmas shopping. The goal of Shop with a Cop is to help children and families who are struggling and experiencing situations like economic hardships, victims of domestic violence or are children who have been placed in foster care, the press release said. FCSO employees and Flagler Schools staff nominate children to participate in event.
The Flagler Sheriff’s Childrens Charities also received donations from A Morea Group; AMVETS Post 113, AMVETS Lady’s Auxiliary 113, and Sons of AMVETS 113; the Bunnell Police Department; Christ Lutheran Church; the Douglas family; Environmental Land Services; the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office; Hammock Hardware; JMB Quality Construction; Knights of the Inferno Firefighters Motorcycle Club; Mark Dyberg with Seniors vs. Crimes; Pioneer Guns &
Jake Sullivan, Casey Jennings and Dr. Holly Richmond.
Brittany Rogers and Blu.
Scenes from the Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade. Photos by Danny Broadhurst
Capt. Art and his crew, at the Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade.
The Fitzpatrick family, at the Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade.
Sienna Kohlbrecker and her friend Emily Cintron were Glinda and Elphaba on the “Defying Gravity” boat themed after “Wicked.”Photo by Ian Swaby
Deputy Hayleigh Prentiss helps Olivia Reed load stuffed animals into their basket.
Cmdr. Althea Civil helps siblings Zaine and Laya pick out toys for Shop with a Cop.
Santa Claus greets children and law enforcement alike. Photos by Sierra Williams
Dr. Daniel Warner MD, MS, AAHIVS has proudly partnered with Midway Specialty Care.
REAL ESTATE
Hammock Dunes home sells for $1.5 million
Ahouse at 167 Island Estates Parkway in Hammock Dunes was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Dec. 3, for $1,500,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace and 3,105 square feet.
ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER PALM COAST
on Dec. 5, for $444,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has 3,002 square feet.
A house at 84 Westbury Lane sold on Dec. 5, for $445,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,928 square feet.
Plantation Bay A house at 642 Woodbridge Drive sold on Dec. 5, for $989,777. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, an outdoor kitchen and 3,020 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $799,000.
and has 1,640 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $300,000.
Indian Trails
A house at 7 Ballenger Lane sold on Dec. 6, for $307,500. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $243,100.
Ocean Hammock A house at 24 Blue Heron Lane sold on Dec. 2, for $1,151,000. Built in 2012, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace and 2,990 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $750,000.
Dr. Warner comes to us with extensive experience in Infectious Disease and HIV care. His passion for his patients, commitment to excellence, and collaborative approach align perfectly with the values we uphold here at Midway. We are excited to see how his expertise will enhance our services and help us continue to provide the highest level of care to our community.
Expert care for HIV and related conditions from Florida’s Infectious Disease Specialists
Daniel Warner MD, MS, AAHIVS
Condos A condo at 60 Surfview Drive, Unit 512, sold on Dec. 4, for $817,500. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has two garage spaces and 1,792 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $810,000.
A condo at 18 Salisbury Court sold on Dec. 6, for $193,000. Built in 1987, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,098 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $130,000.
A condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 331, sold on Dec. 5, for $310,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 1/1 and has 678 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $185,000.
A condo at 60 Surfview Drive, Unit 717, sold on Dec. 2, for $630,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2.5
Lehigh Woods
A house at 4 Ricker Place sold on Dec. 6, for $429,015. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,337 square feet.
Matanzas Cove A house at 38 Matanzas Cove Drive sold on Dec. 2, for $399,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,623 square feet.
Palm Harbor A house at 9 Fordney Place sold on Dec. 3, for $335,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 1,832 square feet. It sold in 1991 for $78,500.
Pine Lakes A house at 1 Rivera Lane sold
House on A1A is Ormond’s top sale
Ahouse at 3010 Ocean Shore Blvd. in the Avalon By The Sea subdivision was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. The house sold on Dec. 5, for $1,140,000. Built in 2008, the house is a 4/4 and has 3,300 square feet.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Condos
The condo at 1 John Anderson Drive, Unit 6120, sold on Dec. 2, for $455,000. Built in 1996, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 2,230 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $210,000.
The condo at 120 Limewood Place, Unit F, sold on Dec. 6, for $165,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,110 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $68,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Breakaway Trails
The house at 6 Shadowcreek Way sold on Dec. 2, for $800,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 3,412 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $419,000.
Daytona Oak Ridge
The house at 56 Oak Ave. sold on Dec. 6, for $410,500. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, standalone studio and 2,356 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $260,000.
Halifax Plantation
The house at 1406 Dolph Circle sold on Dec. 2, for $634,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,348 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $350,000.
The townhome at 3121 Kailani Court sold on Dec. 2, for $315,000. Built in 2002, the townhome is a 3/2 and has 1,684 square feet. It last sold in 2002 for $149,000.
The house at 1400 Kinnard Circle sold on Dec. 2, for $750,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, spa and 3,185 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $160,000.
The house at 2644 Kinsale Lane sold on Dec. 5, for $299,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,608 square feet.
The house at 1325 Antrim Circle sold on Dec. 6, for $570,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 2,501 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $345,000.
Ormond Lakes The house at 8 Grackle Lane sold on Dec. 2, for $465,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,169 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $435,000.
The house at 10 Deerskin Lane sold on Dec. 6, for $439,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,284 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $270,000.
Park Ridge The house at 4 Parkview Lane sold on Dec. 2, for
Sawmill Branch A house at 5 Mill Wheel Court sold on Dec. 5, for $371,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,986 square feet. A house at 11 Springwood Drive South sold on Dec. 6 for $318,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.
Seminole Woods A house at 6 Senseney Path sold on Dec. 6, for $400,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 1,800 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $151,400. Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
$295,000. Built in 1992, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,596 square feet. It last sold in 1992 for $91,100.
Pineland The house at 309 Sandoval Drive sold on Dec. 6, for $429,250. Built in 2020, the house is a 5/3.5 and has 2,838 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $321,200.
Tomoka Estates The house at 1153 George Anderson St. sold on Dec. 4, for $355,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,640 square feet. It last sold in 1994 for $87,000.
Tymber Crossings
The house at 31 Clydesdale Drive sold on Dec. 6, for $415,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,039 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $199,900.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Atlantic Shores
The house at 124 Marlin Drive sold on Dec. 3, for $386,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,311 square feet. It last sold in 1994 for $76,800.
Not in subdivision
The house at 45 Berkley Road sold on Dec. 5, for $233,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 2/2 and has 754 square feet. It last sold in 1971 for $12,500.
Ocean Crest The house at 5 Sunset Boulevard sold on Dec. 2, for $430,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/1.5 and has 1,596 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $115,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
PALM COAST
ORMOND BEACH
COMICS
Non Sequitur Nancy
Mother Goose and Grimm
The Duplex
In the Bleachers
Cornered
Ziggy The Fusco Brothers
SPORTS
FPC, hot at the line, rallies from 12 points down to defeat Matanzas
The Bulldogs hit 25 of 33 free throws to defeat the Pirates 5648 in rivalry game.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Flagler Palm Coast basketball player Zac Murphy was unable to play against rival Matanzas on Friday, Dec. 13, because of an injury, but he had a role in the Bulldogs’ 56-48 comeback victory, FPC leading scorer Anthony Hampton said.
Murphy’s motivational speech at halftime helped FPC rally from a 28-16 deficit at a packed Pirates’ gym, said Hampton who scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the second half.
“Zac talked to us in the locker room,” Hampton said. “He uplifted us. He gave us confidence. He told us to pick our heads up and be aggressive.”
The Bulldogs (4-4) won their fourth game in a row after starting the season at 0-4. Matanzas fell to 2-6. The win snapped FPC’s two-game losing streak against its rival.
Nateshawn Royal, who added 14 points, hit a free throw at the end of the third quarter to pull the Bulldogs within a point at 36-35. After Matanzas freshman Jezrahiah McCoy scored on a driving layup, Royal knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the score at 38-38.
The teams battled battled back and fourth until FPC pulled away in the final two
minutes. The difference came at the free throw line.
The Bulldogs hit 25 of 33 foul shots, including 11 of 14 in the fourth quarter. Hampton was a perfect 6 for 6 from the line in the game. The Pirates, meanwhile, struggled from the line, hitting 9 of 23 free throws. They were 4 of 10 in the fourth quarter.
Six-foot-8 junior center Alex Davis led Matanzas with a game-high 25 points. Davis was playing in just his fourth game of the season and his second game since Nov. 20. He missed most of the second half after getting called for his fourth foul. He and McCoy (11 points) both eventually fouled out. LaDarian Baker and Nate Perry (10 points) each finished with four fouls.
“We lost a lot of momentum when we had four out of five starters (leave the floor) with
four fouls,” Matanzas coach Eric Guerrero said. “That kind of hurt us little bit and (FPC) took advantage of every opportunity. By the time, they were able to get back in and get warmed, (FPC) already had too much momentum.”
R.J. Watson added 12 points for the Bulldogs and also went 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
“Give their coach credit,” FPC coach Greg Shirley said.
“They came out in something that we hadn’t seen. We made some adjustments at halftime.”
FPC also battled with foul trouble. Watson, Siah Sanders and Roman Caliendo all fouled out.
“All three of our bigs fouled out, but other guys stepped up,” Shirley said. “I’m so very proud of them. We kept making stops, even in the first half when we were really struggling to score. We adjusted and hit some big shots and made all of our free throws.”
Bulldogs’ girls soccer team honors seniors, then wins by mercy rule
FPC trounced Mainland 8-0 and then defeated Matanzas 4-1.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
a sophomoredominated team, honored their two seniors — co-cap-
tain Erin Hughes and forward Nichole Dickinson — before the game. Hughes went on to score the first goal of the game, her 10th of the season. She came into the contest leading the team in goals scored.
FPC went on to defeat Menendez 6-0 on Dec. 16 and Matanzas 4-1 on Dec. 17 to improve to 9-4-1. The Bulldogs host Spruce Creek at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 in their final game before spring break.
Matanzas, which fell to 6-4, hosts Crescent City at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.
FPC’s Devin Mahler looks for an open teammate. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas’ Alex Davis (0) and FPC’s Roman Caliendo (21) battle under the boards as a player’s shot goes in.
FPC’s R.J. Watson (0) shoots over Nate Perry. Courtesy photos by Keishia McLendon
FPC’s Anthony Hampton drives hangs in the air for a layup.
Matanzas’ Jamel Guerrero looks to pass. Photo by Brent Woronoff
The Flagler Palm Coast girls soccer team celebrated senior night with a 8-0 mercy-rule victory against Mainland on Friday, Dec. 13, at Sal Campanella Stadium. The Bulldogs,
FPC’s Nichole Dickinson, with family, is honored on FPC girls soccer senior night. Photos by Brent Woronoff Erin Hughes honored on FPC girls soccer senior night.
FPC’s Taci Cook controls the ball against Mainland.
Hat trick gives Sandcrabs a ‘claws up’ over Hawks
Seabreeze striker Olivia Chase scored three goals in the 4-1 win against Spruce Creek on Dec. 16.
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Seabreeze girls soccer team beat rival Spruce Creek 4-1 on the road Monday, Dec. 16. The win put a halt to the Sandcrabs’ two-game losing streak, bringing their record to 3-53. Spruce Creek fell to 8-4-1.
Within the first few minutes of the kickoff, forward Olivia Chase was fouled inside the penalty box by Creek goalkeeper Payton Drexler which resulted in a penalty kick and the Sandcrabs’ first goal. Ten minutes later, Annabel Thistle drove the ball into the back of the net. The score was 2-0 at halftime when Seabreeze head coach Eli Freidus talked to his team.
“Top to bottom, good first half,” Freidus said. “You guys know what to do. After 20 minutes, it doesn’t change — they get a goal, it’s game on; we get a goal, it’s game over. I want you guys to win so bad, more than you do, probably.”
Chase started the second half with another goal. Spruce Creek answered to make the score 3-1.
With 49 seconds left, Chase scored again to complete the hat trick.
Chase is the team’s top scorer with eight goals and three assists. Thistle has four goals and three assists. Last season, the pair racked up a com-
bined 28 goals — 17 for Chase and 11 for Thistle. They were key to taking Seabreeze to the Region 2-5A final where they lost 1-0 to Horizon. Freidus said Spruce Creek did not have a response for his attackers.
“Creek is a big rivalry for us,” Freidus said. “They have beaten a lot of good teams and I know they want to beat us pretty bad. They just didn’t have an answer for our players up top and our midfield was finding them.”
Last school year, eight starters graduated, leaving Seabreeze to battle a tough schedule this season with eight freshmen with a few of the nine seniors out with injuries. They have played five teams ranked in Florida High School Athletic Association’s top 75 — Edgewood, Nease, Lake Mary, Oviedo and Spruce Creek. The second match of the season was a 2-0 loss against 16th-ranked Lake Mary.
Freshman Ava Arnold started at midfield against Spruce Creek, sharing time with fellow freshman Gabby Dioquino. Freidus also played freshman Hunter Byers, who he said is having an exceptional season playing in the outside back position.
“Throughout the year, I could name all of them as having shown improvement,” Freidus said. “This is really the first time for all these girls being the main players. Liv and Annabelle have been good for several years. For our defense, Sophie Fabulich has been really good back there and Kayla Fredericks has been strong.”
Freidus said his team will be preparing for their next game against New Smyrna Beach on Thursday, Dec. 19. Seabreeze will face Skya Hoth who has scored 16 goals and has had 11 assists this season for the Barracudas (8-3-1).
“Now we’re into our local phase,” Freidus said. “I’ve got two goals. I want to be the best team locally and that means winning the Five Star (Conference) and I want to make a run into the postseason. I think our schedule helps us. We see teams that play fast all the time. It helps us play fast.”
After the game, Freidus told his players to celebrate the win then think about what they did well and what they need to work on.
“Good stuff,” Freidus said. “We needed the win, we got the win. They had a good performance.”
Seabreeze player Cora Clayton (13) kicks the ball away from Spruce Creek’s Brynna Buckler (4).
Seabreeze player Gabrielle Dioquino (18) fends off Spruce Creek’s Jade Erickson (left).
Seabreeze’a Annabel Thistle (right) kicks the ball back toward a teammate
Seabreeze player Anna Buckmaster passes the ball.
Olivia Chase watches after she heads the ball in between Spruce Creek players Kate Montgomery (left) and Oceana Brooks (23).
SIDELINES
Perez coaches team hours after knee replacement surgery
Seabreeze boys soccer coach Alex Perez underwent knee replacement surgery on Thursday, Dec. 12. That
evening he coached the Sandcrabs from a truck in a corner between fields at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
Perez was in pain. He couldn’t walk. He went over the game plans ahead of time with his players and assistant coaches with the intention of missing a few games and practices. He changed his mind. He convinced his son, Franco, to drive him to the sports complex.
“I just decided to go out there. I didn’t want to let the team down,” Perez said. “I asked Franco to drive me down there. (During the game) I was screaming and yelling the best I can so they could hear me. I was on the phone with my assistant coaches sometimes, saying we should do this, we should do that. At halftime, the
players came to me.”
Seabreeze defeated University 5-1. After the game, the players ran to Franco’s truck and celebrated with their coach.
“Not many of the parents knew I was there,” he said. “They were wondering why all the players ran to the corner.”
After losing six straight games, the Sandcrabs have won three in a row to improve to 5-6 heading into a Dec. 16 game at Deltona. Last year, Seabreeze won just four games. Perez took over the team this season.
Perez missed the 4-1 win at Atlantic on Dec. 13. He was in too much pain to make the trip, but he planned to ride with his assistants to the Deltona game and attend practice on Dec. 17 to prepare for the Dec. 19 contest at Spruce Creek.
“I’m trying not to miss anything,” he said. “I need (the players) as much as they
need me, and I can’t stay in bed; I’m a very active person. I can survive the pain. The players give me the energy to keep moving forward.”
Perez, 47, said he suffered knee injuries in 2011 and 2017 while playing soccer and he has been in pain ever since.
“The cortisone shots weren’t working anymore,” he said. “The doctor looked at my MRI and thought I was in a motorcycle accident. My wife, who is a nurse, said I can either have surgery at the end of the year or end up in a wheel chair. I decided to have the surgery.”
Hammock Beach men’s golf group raises money for charity
The Hammock Beach
Saturday Morning Men’s Golf Group held its third annual Christmas tournament and
lunch on Dec. 1 at the Ocean Course, raising funds for Christmas Come True. The group raised $11,705.
Former Matanzas kicker Landon Grover commits to B-CU
Former Matanzas High School kicker Landon Grover has announced he is transferring to Bethune-Cookman. As a freshman at Division II Kentucky State this season, Grover was good on five of seven field goal attempts with a long of 37 yards. He also converted 20 of 24 extrapoint kicks, hitting 17 in a row before his first miss. As a punter, he landed 10 punts inside the 20. Grover announced on “X” in November that he was entering the transfer portal. He will join former Matanzas teammate Cole Hash at
B-CU. The Wildcats have been recruiting more local players. Mainland seniors Kwasie Kwaku and Phillips Moore signed with B-CU on, Dec. 4, joining former Bucs teammate Marquis McCants.
First Baptist Christian girls basketball team improves to 6-0
First Baptist Christian Academy’s girls basketball team improved to 6-0 with a 56-28 victory over Washington Classical Christian on Dec. 17. Julia Rose scored 19 points. FBCA defeated Father Lopez 52-47 on Dec. 16. Paiden Hickman scored 29 for the Crusaders. They defeated Life Christian 75-22 on Dec. 12. Jay Rose scored 22 points. Email at brent@ observerlocalnews.com
Email your Legal Notice legal@palmcoastobserver.com
FIRST INSERTION
STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONSENT ORDER
The Department of Environmental Protection (“Department”) gives notice of agency action of entering into a First Amendment to Consent Order with Arrow Materials and Excavating, Inc., Jam 2018, LLC and John Arrigoni pursuant to section 120.57(4), Florida Statutes. The First Amendment to Consent Order addresses the unauthorized storage and processing of solid waste (yard trash) at 379 County Road 200, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The First Amendment to Consent Order is available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast District Office, 8800 Baymeadows Way West, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.
Persons who are not parties to this First Amendment to Consent Order, but whose substantial interests are affected by it, have a right to petition for an administrative hearing under sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the filing of a petition concerning this First Amendment to Consent Order means that the Department’s final action may be different from the position it has taken in the First Amendment to Consent Order. The petition for administrative hearing must contain all of 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 e-mail address, any facsimile number, and telephone number of the petitioner, if the petitioner is not represented by an attorney or a qualified representative; the name, address, and telephone 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 the petitioner received notice of the agency decision;
d)A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so indicate;
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 rever-
sal 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 petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency’s proposed action.
The petition must be filed (received) at the Department’s Office of General Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS# 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 or received via electronic correspondence at agency_clerk@floridadep.gov within 21 days of receipt of this notice. A copy of the petition must also be mailed at the time of filing to the District Office at Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast District, 8800 Baymeadows Way West, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256. Failure to file a petition within the 21-day period constitutes a person’s waiver of the right to request an administrative hearing and to participate as a party to this proceeding under sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. Before the deadline for filing a petition, a person whose substantial interests are affected by this Consent Order may choose to pursue mediation as an alternative remedy under section 120.573, Florida Statutes. Choosing mediation will not adversely affect such person’s right to request an administrative hearing if mediation does not result in a settlement. Additional information about mediation is provided in section 120.573, Florida Statutes, and Rule 62- 110.106(12). Florida Administrative Code. 29.Rules referenced in this Order are available at: http//www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/rules/mlelist.htm. Dec. 19
said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 13th day of December, 2024 Victoria Ferguson Dec. 19 24-00469F FIRST INSERTION Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Home Remodeling by Walber located at 4500 N US Highway 1 Ste 205B, in the City of Bunnell, Flagler County, FL 32110 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 14th day of December, 2024 Walber Enterprise Inc. Dec. 19 24-00470F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024-CP-000618 IN RE: ESTATE OF EUSEBIO MANUEL DELGADO, a/k/a E. MANUEL DELGADO, a/k/a EUSEBIO M. DELGADO Deceased. The administration of the estate of Eusebio Manuel Delgado, a/k/a E. Manuel Delgado, a/k/a Eusebio M. Delgado, deceased, whose date of death was May 4, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110-0787. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is: December 19, 2024.
Personal Representative: Omar Delgado 50 Points of View Warwick, New York 10990
FAMILY FIRST FIRM
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Ryan J. Saboff
Beth Roland, Esquire
Florida Bar Number: 103764
Ryan J. Saboff, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 1010852 1030 West Canton Avenue, Suite 102 Winter Park, Florida 32789 Telephone: (407) 574-8125
Fax: (407) 476-1101
E-Mail: beth.roland@fff.law
E-Mail: ryan.saboff@fff.law
Secondary E-Mail: probate@familyfirstfirm.com December 19, 26, 2024 24-00284G
NOTICE TO CREDITORS (summary administration) IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 24-CP-902 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF ANDREA T BIMONTE, 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 ANDREA T BIMONTE, deceased, File Number 24-CP-902, 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 15, 2024; that the total value of the estate is Stocks less than $75,000 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are: Name Address PATRICIA V. REIGER 17995 West Amber Ridge Way Goodyear, AZ 85338 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
32117. The name and address of the Petitioner’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Florida Statutes Sections 732.216-732.228,
732.2211. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: December 19, 2024. /s/ James M. Flick James M. Flick Florida Bar Number: 91075 Christian Bonta Florida Bar Number: 1010347 WALKER | FLICK 3700 S Conway Rd, Ste 212 Orlando, FL 32812 Telephone: (407) 745-0609 Service E-Mails: james@thefloridalawyers.com christian@thefloridalawyers.com kflick@thefloridalawyers.com service@thefloridalawyers.com
Attorneys for Personal Representative December 19, 26, 2024 24-00287G
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
