Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR celebrates its 60th anniversary.
The Eleanor Daytona Beach is a ‘build-to-rent’ apartment community of single family homes, at 1901 N. Williamson Blvd.
The Eleanor Daytona Beach, a new luxury apartment neighborhood, celebrated its grand opening on May 14. The neighborhood is located at 1901 N. Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach. According to its website, The Eleanor is a “build-torent” community of single-family
homes with amenities like a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center with 266 homes of varying floor plans.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Eleanor team on May 14, as the neighborhood opened for leasing. The Eleanor Daytona Beach “blends comfort, style, and the coastal charm visitors and locals love,” a Chamber Facebook post said.
“On behalf of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, thank you for being a valued Chamber member and part of our thriving business community,” the post said. “Your investment in Daytona Beach brings new energy, elevated
hospitality, and exciting opportunities to our region.”
The grand opening and ribbon cutting for The Eleanor Daytona Beach was attended by community leaders, Chamber members, and guests, the post said.
The Eleanor was not the only ribbon cutting the Daytona chamber hosted. Salty Dog Vacations, owned and operated by a local woman, is a long term rental property man-
agement business that opened its doors on May 14.
Salty Dog’s passion for creating “unforgettable vacation experiences along Florida’s beautiful coast brings excitement, hospitality, and opportunity to the Daytona Beach area,” a Daytona Chamber post said.
Salty Dog Vacations is located at 1426 S. Atlantic Ave.
The Eleanor-Daytona Beach, a luxury apartment home neighborhood, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its grand opening on May 15. Photos courtesy of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BRIEFS
Volusia hosts blood drives during EMS Week
As part of National EMS Week, May 17-23, Volusia County Emergency Medical Services will hold two community blood drives with OneBlood and the Volusia Ambulance Association.
The first blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 18, at 112 Carswell Ave. in Holly Hill. A second blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, in the parking lot of the Historic Courthouse, 125 W. New York Ave. in DeLand.
Donors will receive a $20 eGift card and sunshade from OneBlood, along with a complimentary wellness checkup that includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening. Through OneBlood’s donor platform, participants may also receive updates when their donation is delivered to a hospital to help patients in need.
Blood donations ensure lifesaving resources are available for trauma patients, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other medical emergencies. A single donation can help multiple patients.
Donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Sixteen-yearold donors must provide a signed parental or guardian consent form, and all donors must present a photo ID at the time of donation. Health insurance is not required to donate blood, and donors do not need to provide proof of insurance.
Residents planning to donate are encouraged to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy meal beforehand, avoid fatty foods, consume iron-rich foods in the days leading up to the donation, and bring a list of current medications. Visit www.oneblood.org.
COPS CORNER
MAY 13
KITCHEN PREP
3:30 a.m. — 100 block of North Nova Road, Ormond Beach Criminal mischief. Upset at being denied a sheet pan, an unknown man tipped a display case over inside a local gas station convenience store, causing about $400 in damages. According to an incident report, the man had asked a store employee for a sheet pan to help him make a cheesecake. When the
Vigil honors fallen Flagler law enforcement
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service, honoring Flagler County, state, and national law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. During the ceremony, Sheriff Rick Staly, FCSO employees, family members, and members of the community held a candlelight vigil in honor of the agency’s six fallen law enforcement officers and one fallen K-9, as well as three other fallen law enforcement officers from other agencies with connections to Flagler County.
The names of FCSO’s six fallen heroes were read aloud as Sheriff Staly and family members in attendance placed a single rose in a five-point star flower arrangement. They are:
Sheriff Perry Hall | End of Watch: Aug. 21, 1927
Deputy George “Son” Durrance | End of Watch: Aug. 25, 1927
Sheriff Homer Brooks | End of Watch: March 23, 1965
Deputy Charles T. “Chuck” Sease | End of Watch: July 5, 2003
Sergeant Francesco L. “Frankie” Celico | End of Watch: Sept. 9, 2011
Deputy First Class Paul Luciano | End of Watch: Aug. 26, 2021
In addition to the fallen heroes, FCSO’s first K-9 to die in the line of duty, K-9 Kyro, was honored. This was the first
year Kyro — who passed away on Oct. 14, 2025, following an undiagnosed heart condition from birth — was honored during the memorial service. Alongside the members of FCSO, three other law enforcement officers with ties to Flagler County were also honored. They are:
Florida Highway Patrol
Trooper Darryl Haywood Sr. | End of Watch: Oct. 2, 2004
FBI Special Agent Daniel Alfin | End of Watch: Feb. 2, 2021
Bunnell Police Department
Sergeant Dominic Guida | End of Watch: Nov. 9, 2021
The FCSO Honor Guard, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, FCSO Chaplains, and family members of the fallen heroes all participated in the ceremony.
The memorial service was held during National Police Week. Established in 1962 by a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
FCSO, Flagler fire crews train for flood rescues
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office recently participated in a Florida Urban Search and Rescue Swiftwater/Flood Rescue training hosted by Flagler County Fire Rescue. This course is designed to strengthen the ability of first responders to respond to flooding and water-rescue emergencies.
The training was developed following flooding impacts from recent hurricane seasons. FCFR has purchased equipment including two 14-foot Jon boats, swiftwater personal flotation devices, chest waders, and additional flood-response gear. FCFR and FCSO also each received two Jon boats from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at no cost to the county to support flood rescue readiness. FCSO is also prepared for high water rescues with an airboat and several high-water vehicles,
MAY 15
employee said they couldn’t give him a sheet pan, the man became agitated and took a piece of wax paper instead from the chili and cheese dispenser area.
The employee told him that she would have given that to him if that was what he was looking for. In response, the man gave her the middle finger and said profanities to her. She told him he was no longer welcome in the store, at which point he damaged the display case. The employee told police the man shouted at her, “be careful in there alone” before he left. The store wishes to press charges and would like the suspect trespassed.
RIDE-ALONG
6:08 p.m. — 100 block of South Atlantic Avenue, Ormond Beach Drunk person. Police gave a 60-year-old Ormond Beach man a courtesy ride home after he consumed three gin and tonics at a local restaurant.
The restaurant manager told police that the man, who had paid his tab, tried to pay it several more times. When the bartender found out the man intended to drive home, the manager offered him a ride instead. The man refused but soon fell asleep inside the restaurant.
When he woke up, he at-
including a new Jeep Gladiator paid for by seized assets from drug dealers.
For the final scenario, FCFR and FCSO worked together to locate missing kayakers in the Intracoastal Waterway. Teams navigated Jon boats in shallow water, over and around oyster beds, and searched for the subjects while operating with limited and imperfect information — conditions intended to reflect the challenges responders can face during real-life incidents.
Approximately 45 personnel are expected to be trained by the completion of the three-class series, strengthening the county’s overall response capability.
The goal of this joint training effort is to ensure FCFR and FCSO can operate seamlessly during flood events alongside Flagler County Emergency Management—reducing duplication of efforts, improving response coordination, and delivering the best possible outcome for Flagler County residents.
“It’s important to train before a rescue response is needed as it is proven the way you train is the way you will respond in and emergency, but you pray you never need to use it,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. Residents can sign up for ALERTFlagler—Flagler County’s free emergency notification system.
Ormond fire likely caused by attempted theft
Ormond Beach firefighters responded to an electrical fire in the basement of the blighted Makai Beach Lodge on the beachside on May 8, and police report it was likely caused by someone trying to steal copper wire.
According to a police report, witnesses came forward after the fire was extinguished to report the sighting of a suspect fleeing from the lodge, located at 707 S. Atlantic Ave., shortly after the fire started. The man left the scene in a black sedan.
Florida Power & Light personnel responded to the lodge and informed police that the fire started in the
tempted to get in his car, but the manager called 911. When police arrived, he was still sleeping in his car. Police eventually woke him up and asked him to perform field sobriety tests to see if he was fit to drive; the man refused but took the officer up on the courtesy ride instead.
PAR FOR THE COURSE
11:31 a.m. — First block of Easthampton Boulevard, Flagler County Battery. A 75-year-old golfer got upset over the number of golfers on a golf course on Thursday morning and ended up pushing over an employee. The incident occurred on May 14, but the employee did
utility/mechanical room in the basement. They advised that it was likely caused by an individual attempting to steal copper wire from an energized main feed line, the report states.
The firefighters’ union, the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters, reported the following on Facebook:
“Upon arrival, crews encountered challenges extinguishing the fire due to active electrical hazards that required additional precautions before suppression efforts could safely continue,” the post stated. “Working carefully and efficiently, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and fully extinguish it. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.”
Ormond man sentenced on drug charges
Leonard Fries Jr., a target of Operation: Summer Slammer who was arrested twice in 2025 following exten-
sive investigations by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, has been convicted and sentenced.
Fries is the owner of Lenny’s Pizza, in Ormond Beach. On Feb. 18, Fries pleaded no contest to multiple drug charges. On May 19, following his plea agreement, Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols adjudicated him guilty and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in state prison.
“This guy put on a façade as a reputable business owner and law enforcement supporter but detectives and prosecutors proved that it was an act,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. Prior to his plea agreement, Fries faced 13 total charges. He was originally arrested on May 16, 2025, during a narcotics-related search warrant at his residence, then arrested again on additional charges on Aug. 22, 2025, after further investigation. Email news tips to jarleene@observerlocalnews. com.
not report the incident until the next day, according to the suspect’s arrest report. The 78-year-old employee told a Sheriff’s Office deputy that the suspect was angry there were five golfers ahead of him for one tee time.
After completing the first nine holes of the course, the suspect drove back to the clubhouse and began complaining to a different employee. Then another entered and the suspect walked up to him and started swearing at the other golfer, before leaving to grab his clubs out of his golf cart.
As the suspect walked past the employee’s podium outside the clubhouse, the
suspect screamed at the employee and then shoved him in the chest, nearly pushing the employee over.
The suspect left the golf course and while the employee did not have any visible injuries, he said his back had been hurting him since the incident.
When deputies arrested the suspect at his home, the man admitted to losing his temper and pushing the employee “because he was angry at him,” the report said.
MAY 16 NO FREE RIDES 10:09 a.m. — 200 block of Palm Coast Parkway northeast, Palm Coast Petit theft. A Palm Coast man was arrested after he admitted to Sheriff’s Office deputies that he stole a bicycle to go buy drugs.
The bicycle owner told a deputy his bicycle was stolen the night before while he was working at a bar. The bike was outside the back door and surveillance cameras caught the thief taking the bike around 9:50 p.m., according to an arrest report.
The next day, a different deputy was sent surveillance footage from a neighboring restaurant that had previously trespassed the suspect. That restaurant management was able to identify the suspect from their camera footage, which showed the suspect hiding in the bushes and then taking the bicycle.
The suspect was later found riding the bicycle on Palm Coast Parkway and arrested. He admitted to stealing the bicycle and riding it into Bunnell to buy drugs.
Ormond Beach Firefighters respond to the Makai Beach Lodge fire.
Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters/Facebook
FCFR and FCSO conduct swiftwater/flood rescue training in preparation for hurricane season.
Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office honors its fallen heroes. Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Milestone of service
Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR celebrates its 60th anniversary.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
In the same year that the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the local chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has reached a significant milestone of its own — 60 years in Ormond Beach.
The Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR celebrated its 60th anniversary on Monday, May 18, at the AndersonPrice Memorial Building. The chapter paid tribute to its legacy, inducted its new officers for 2026-2028 and hosted a reenactment presentation of Capt. James Ormond by retired Col. William Ashmore, president of the DaytonaOrmond Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Susan Demorsky, chapter regent for 2024-2026, thanked members for their support of the organization and the community.
“Only through your efforts can we achieve great things and I am humbled to have served as your regent for the past two years,” Demorsky said. “It has truly been a pleasure, an honor and a privilege.”
The Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR was founded in 1966 by Pauline Hamilton Schrager. She was born in 1903 in Iowa, but grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Her mother and sister were active in their local DAR chapter, and Schrager later joined.
Schrager enlisted in 1945 at the rank of sergeant with the Aviation Women’s Reserve Squadron at the U.S. Marine Corps Airport Base in California. She later married Col. Arthur Schrager and they spent most of their married life in Arlington, Virginia.
Schrager was very active in the National DAR during that time, serving on several committees, said Demorsky. After her husband retired in 1963, they moved to Ormond Beach.
A close friend later suggested a chapter be formed in Ormond Beach.
On June 9, 1966, the Capt. James Ormond Chapter was established. They had 18 founding members and Schrager served as the orga-
nizing regent.
“In its first year, the chapter set remarkable standards of achievement at both the state and national level,” Demorsky said. “Membership grew from the original 18 members to 49 and four associate members. The chapter strongly emphasized the three DAR objectives of historical, educational and patriotic service.”
Throughout the 1970s, the chapter’s membership continued to grow, reaching 79 members. In the 1980s, membership increased to 102, and in the 1990s, to 135.
The chapter continues its
mission in the 21st century, Demorsky said. They celebrate Constitution Week, participate in Wreaths Across America and Memorial Day ceremonies, and award ROTC medals to cadets at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University.
“We have a strong foundation on which to continue our exceptional service to the DAR and the community,” Demorsky said. “I know our daughters will continue shining in extraordinary ways in the years to come.”
Present at the celebration was Florida State Society DAR Regent Kim Zeman, who reminisced about pop culture in the 1960s — from the Civil Rights Movement to the introduction of the Chevy Camaro and the popularity of the Beach Boys.
Who can imagine what the next 60 years will look like, she asked.
“Whatever the future holds, you can be sure DAR will be there,” Zeman said. “... The impact you have today will be celebrated by those who follow in your footsteps.”
2026-2028 officers
Regent: Billie Remsa
First Vice Regent: Carol Burchard
Second Vice Regent: Dawn Byrd-Beresovoy
Treasurer: Liz Collins
Responding Secretary: Mary Jane Hurst
Corresponding Secretary: Deb Lovett
Registrar: Denise Sikes
Chaplain: Greta Daigle
Historian: Cathy Greenblum
Librarian: Andrea Hoy
Parliamentarian: Susan Darden
“We have a strong foundation on which to continue our exceptional service to the DAR and the community. I know our daughters will continue shining in extraordinary ways in the years to come.”
SUSAN DEMORSKY, DAR chapter regent
Tomoka Oaks HOA files appeal of city approval for homes on golf course
The appeal, filed on April 23, seeks to reverse the commission’s 3-2 vote for Tomoka Reserve.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
The Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association, along with 14 individual residents, have filed an appeal of the Ormond Beach City Commission’s recent approval for a 254home development on their former golf course.
The appeal, filed on April 23, seeks to reverse the commission’s 3-2 vote on March 24, that OK’d a development order to Triumph Oaks of Ormond Beach for the proposed Tomoka Reserve subdivision. The main argument? The threat of a multimillion lawsuit strong-armed the City Commission into approving the development. In an op-ed to the Observer,Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland, who approved the project, wrote that she felt they were making the decision
as a commission “with a virtual gun to our heads.”
“You should not be under that much duress when you are trying to make decisions about whether or not they are meeting the land development code,” said Michelle Zirkelbach, a Tomoka Oaks resident and volunteer HOA president. “And the land development code is very clear that we, as existing residents, are also offered protections.”
Zirkelbach, a local teacher and real estate agent, is one of the individual residents named in the appeal. The project has been a contentious one from the start.
Developers Carl Velie, Ray Barshay and Sheldon and Emily Rubin purchased the former 147-acre golf course in 2018. They held preliminary neighborhood meetings and approached the city in 2021. For the next five years, several meetings to discuss the project were held, including three public hearings at the Planning Board level, which ultimately resulted in a recommendation to deny the project in 2023. Then at a City Commission
public hearing that year, the project was remanded back as officials asked the developers to decrease density.
The developers then filed an application to rezone the property from a Planned Residential Development to its original residential zoning of R-2, “Single-Family Low Density.” The commission denied the rezoning in 2024 and the developers filed an appeal with the Seventh Judicial Circuit later that year.
In December 2024, the developers also filed a federal lawsuit, alleging that the city had violated the developers’ property rights by declaring that the golf course has no allowed zoning uses by right and refusing to issue a new development order.
The HOA’s appeal states the federal lawsuit “tainted” the development’s approval.
“Without the approval, the City Commission was told that they would face monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and damages amounting to millions of dollars for which they would have to assess residents, including Petitioners as citizens of the City of
Ormond Beach,” attorney Ralf Brookes writes in the appeal.
Due to the matter being a pending litigation, City Attorney Randy Hayes declined to comment.
The appeal further argues that the application’s approval ignores land development code standards as well as bypassed the city’s own policies by skipping a Planning Board hearing. At the recent hearings, Hayes stated a Planning Board hearing was not necessary because the commission was reviewing an existing application that had already come before them for approval in the past.
The Tomoka Oaks HOA argues otherwise; the first proposal consisted of 276 lots, which was later reduced to 272 lots.
The approved development order was for 254 lots and included other provisions, such as a different type of buffer to the one originally proposed.
In the initial application, the city wanted a “type six” buffer — seven trees, 70 shrubs and 70 ground cover plants per 100 linear feet. The
developers’ new plan is for a “type four” buffer —five trees, 50 shrubs and 50 ground cover plants per 100 linear feet.
“The plan wasn’t the same,” Tomoka Oaks resident Missy Herrero said. “And if it was a continuation of the same plan, that plan was recommended for denial by city staff and the Planning Board.”
Herrero also is named in the 63-page appeal, which cites concerns with site access, the traffic study, lot sizes and neighborhood conformity, stormwater and environmental impacts.
More residents wanted to join the appeal as individuals, Zirkelbach said, but were unable to because they hadn’t spoken at the public hearings. (It should be noted that the March 24 meeting had over 50 people participating in public comment.)
“We wanted to see the process,” Zirkelbach said. “This thing was so rushed, the city commissioners asked, ‘Can we table this? Can we read? Can we come back? Can we get answers to some of these questions?’ And they were shut down by the city attor-
ney. ... That’s a really heavyhanded stance for a city employee to take in regards to the commissioners who are supposed to be the ultimate decision-makers, and it’s frustrating.”
Herrero said that it was clear from the tone in the chambers that commissioners felt pressured to approve the project, not based on its merit, but on the litigation.
“What changed?” she asked. “Did the plan change to meet what city staff recommended the last time they looked at this project? Not, it didn’t. It actually came back at a lesser plan. That’s what’s so hard.”
The homeowners aren’t saying “no” to all development of the golf course, Zirkelbach said.
“We’re not asking to turn back the hands of time,” she said. “We’re not asking that nothing be built. We’re asking that the land development code be followed.”
Editor’s note: The Observer reached out to the developer’s attorney Karl Sanders for comment, but he did not respond in time for publication.
The Daytona-Ormond Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution prepare to present the colors at the Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the DAR’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Karen Knowles inducts the new officers.
The officers for 2026-2028. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Mayor Jason Leslie and Chapter Regent Susan Demorsky.
Members of the DAR and the Sons of the American Revolution enjoy lunch.
Members of the DAR enjoy lunch.
Plans include $1.6 million in downtown improvements and $19.7 million in stormwater upgrades.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Maintaining and upgrading
existing city facilities is the focus for the City of Ormond Beach as it begins to plan for capital improvement programs in the upcoming fiscal year, a continuation of priorities outlined during the last budget season.
The city is planning to include about $35 million in capital improvement projects for fiscal year 20026-2027,
which starts on Oct. 1. Included in the CIP are $1.6 million in downtown improvements, $19.7 million in stormwater upgrades and $2.5 million for sports fields projects. The five-year CIP, extending through fiscal year 20302031, totals $200.8 million.
A new police station and emergency operations center account for about 23% of the CIP — $48 million. This project, however, is still a couple years in the future, as the city has it on the books for fiscal years 2027-2028 and 20282029.
The City Commission discussed the CIP during a workshop on Tuesday, May 19. Here are some of the projects discussed for the upcoming fiscal year.
CRA PROJECTS
The city is planning for $1.6 million in improvements to the downtown Community Redevelopment Area, including $680,000 for the new Fortunato Park fishing pier.
The fishing pier was deemed unsafe after Hurricane Milton and the city received a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District for the design of the project in the current fiscal year. Finance Director Kelly McGuire said the city had hoped to obtain some FEMA funds to help replace the pier, but was unsuccessful.
To fund the $680,000 construction, the city has applied for a 50% match for another FIND grant.
“If we don’t get that FIND grant, irrespective of what
happens, we are going to have to do this project,” McGuire said.
Commissioners also discussed improvements to the Granada Bridge. Originally the city was going to budget $200,000 for concept upgrades; the commission directed that these funds be used more broadly — to include concepts for the future use of the parking lot at 56 N. Beach St. — and that the budget be reduced to $100,000.
“I think right now the timing is bad, personally, but I do think this ... is something all of our residents wanted at one point, so I hate to just scratch it,” City Commissioner Lori Tolland said. “But let’s talk about all the other things that might be prioritized higher at this point.”
Other projects in the CRA to be funded include $40,000 for a public art initiative, $624,716 for the design of a trail at Thompson Creek (from Division Avenue to Wilmette Avenue) and an annual allocation of $110,000 to upgrades and improvements to the downtown.
THE ‘BIG’ PROJECT
One project accounts for almost half of the upcoming fiscal year’s CIP: the construction of the Fleming Stormwater Pump Station, at $17.5 million.
million in legislative funding for the new pump station, as well as $8.8 million from the county’s Transform 386 program, meaning the city is only footing the bill for 3.4 million of the project cost. Also included in the CIP is $250,000 for stormwater construction, a $1.5 million stormwater piping replacement project and $454,000 for vehicle replacements.
GREEN MAST ARMS
A bulk of the City Commission’s discussion at the workshop revolved around traffic signal maintenance.
The city is budgeting $88,200 toward this project, which is an annual commitment to paint mast arms in the color green.
“Once we do it the first time, it’s our responsibility to continue to maintain it,” said Finley, who explained the policy has been in place for about 20 years.
Commissioners mulled keeping the mast arms unpainted.
“When I pull up to an intersection, I don’t say, ‘Oh, what a pretty mast arm. Nice signal,’” Commissioner Harold Briley said. “It doesn’t catch my eye. It’s not important, as long as the traffic light does its job, that’s all that matters.”
City Commissioner Travis Sargent said. “I think we have to be consistent. ... To me, it’s not about beautification, it’s about maintaining and getting that longer lifespan of 25 years out of these things, and this is not one area I’m willing to compromise on.”
SPORTS FIELDS
“This is the big project,” Assistant City Manager Shawn Finley said. “This is the final project in the plan that was put together following the May 2009 storms to get the Central Park ponds a large pump station that will break ponds down pretty quickly, pretty efficiently, and there may be some other benefits as well.”
The city has obtained $5.3
BRIEFS
County names Pierre Louis as inaugural Veteran of the Year
Volusia County has named retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Pierre Louis as its inaugural Veteran of the Year – the first recipient of the honor established through the county’s Volusia Values Veterans Program to recognize those who continue serving their community long after leaving the uniform.
Louis served more than two decades in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising from the enlisted ranks through the Limited Duty Officer program and distinguishing himself as an aircraft maintenance data analyst, helicopter pilot, and aviation maintenance engineering officer. His service
To save money, Briley suggested the city keep the mast arms painted in the downtown but phase them out outside of that district.
But city staff explained that the paint also extends the life of the mast arms, and the majority of commissioners voiced wanting to keep things consistent.
“This is not one area that I’m willing to have one that looks like steel, one that’s green, one that’s peeling,”
earned numerous decorations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and multiple Navy Commendation Medals, reflecting his superior performance and dedication to mission readiness.
His commitment to service did not end with retirement.
Louis has served multiple terms as president of the Halifax Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, guiding it to the prestigious Five-Star Level of Excellence Award. He also served as legislative lead for the Florida Council of Chapters, traveling to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of veterans at the federal level.
Closer to home, Louis leads the Volusia County Toastmasters Club, volunteers as a mentor at the Volusia County Jail, and provides compassionate advocacy for veterans navigating VA benefits and senior care.
The Volusia Values Veterans Program’s Honor a Veteran
Two sports fields are also in the pipeline for upgrades in the upcoming fiscal year. The city is budgeting $2 million for the reconstruction of its softball quads at the Sports Complex, a project McGuire explained is in the design process. The city will apply for an ECHO grant for construction, slated to start next fiscal year.
The CIP also includes $500,000 to rehab Nova Field 1, which is located atop an old landfill across from Nova Community Center. Construction of a new baseball field would take place in fiscal year 2027-2028, estimated at $900,000.
The next budget workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at City Hall. A tentative millage rate will be set on July 21.
Ormond Beach City Hall. Photo by Brian McMillan
Pierre Louis. Courtesy photo
Church members discuss the new median impacting one of their entrances with Councilman Troy Kent.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
As construction continues on Hand Avenue in Ormond Beach, Prince of Peace Catholic Church parishioners continue to ask the county to remove a median that blocks access to the church.
Parishioners attended District 4 Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent’s open community dialogue meeting on Monday, May 18, at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, to discuss the $5.1 million road project. The project impacts the section between Clyde Morris Boulevard and Nova Road. On the eastern end, the road will be widened from two to four lanes; on the western side, it will be reduced from five to four lanes with dedicated turn lanes for safety.
The county has also added a median, which is now preventing Prince of Peace parishioners and visitors to its Like New Shop thrift store from making a left turn onto the grounds from the eastbound lanes.
“I don’t think any of us would dispute that safety is important,” said Deputy Mayor and parishioner Lori Tolland, who attended Kent’s meeting.
She and the parishioners in attendance asked for the county to meet with the church onsite to discuss the median issue, and perhaps come up with a solution for access.
Kent, who holds these meetings on a quarterly basis, brought County Engineer Tadd Kasbeer to speak about the project.
Kasbeer said that making that corridor safer was the priority when designing the road project. Within a fiveyear period, the section of Hand Avenue between Clyde Morris and Nova had 31 crashes, one of which was a fatality.
The majority of the crashes, Kasbeer said, were caused by people trying to make left turns.
“Obviously, when we take a look at medians, I’d love to give everybody a full opening — that’s just the way I would like for it to be,” he said. “Unfortunately, we don’t always have the space or the ability to do so. In this case, we were limited by the amount of space we have, and so we had to make choices.”
County policy dictates that left turn access — and when possible, a full median opening — be prioritized for residential areas, Kasbeer explained.
In the case of Prince of Peace, access to the nearby Shady Oaks, Coquina Cove and Pinewood Estates mobile home communities, as well as Wellington Station condominiums, was prioritized. These communities only have access from Hand Avenue.
The church, on the other hand, has an additional entrance at Nova and Division Ave., with a traffic light.
“So when we looked at the different options for getting into and out of the sites, the church had the best opportunities to use the existing access points safely, such that we could give the access points to the other residential areas without negatively impacting as much as it would for those residential areas,” Kasbeer said.
But parishioners in attendance said that most people aren’t using the entrance on Nova Road, and because of the new median, are making unsafe U-turns on Hand Avenue.
Kent received a petition at
the meeting signed by about 1,000 of Prince of Peace parishioners asking the county to restore access. Parishioners plan to submit a copy to the Volusia County Council at its meeting on Tuesday, May 19, as well.
Worried about making a recommendation that goes against the county engineer’s design to improve safety, Kent said he wasn’t keen on asking the council to restore the lefthand turn onto the church campus from Hand Avenue.
“I don’t want it on my conscience if there are more crashes there,” he said.
Kent said it would take some time to get used to a new traffic pattern, but that he didn’t understand why people were so opposed to using the entrance on Nova.
“I’ve really been trying to wrap my head around — you all are good, hardworking people,” Kent said. “You got 1,000 people to sign a petition, and I’m like, ‘Is this all because people don’t want to drive 100 extra feet at a light and turn left?’”
“They’re really mad,” a parishioner responded.
According to data shared to the council in late April, Prince of Peace serves 2,000 registered families. Its food pantry saw over 10,081 visits last year. The church expects to see 11,600 visits by the end of 2026.
Construction on Hand Avenue is slated to be complete by February 2027.
Volusia County to purchase 14 acres to expand Highbridge Park
The county’s $2.705 million purchase will add more parking, enhance connectivity to nearby state park.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING
EDITOR
Highbridge Park in Ormondby-the-Sea will expand by 14 acres, following a unanimous vote by the Volusia County Council to acquire a $2.705 million riverfront property. The parcel, located at 4310 John Anderson Drive, fronts the Halifax River and is adjacent to the current 1-acre Highbridge Park. It also borders North Peninsula State Park to the east and south, and according to a county staff report, the property is the
final privately owned parcel within the state park’s optimum boundary. “This is exactly what Volusia County residents want,” County Councilman Troy Kent said. “They want this type of project in their backyards and when you talk about the right location, this is the perfect location.”
According to the county staff report, Highbridge Park regularly reaches capacity on weekends as well as during peak fishing and boating seasons, leading visitors to park alongside the road shoulders, creating safety concerns.
The county will fund the initial acquisition of the property using countywide park impact fee funds. Then, it will use $150,000 of impact fees for design and engineering. The expansion would allow more parking. A draft concept
included in the agenda packet for the acquisition outlined using the property as a dedicated kayak/watercraft area, with amenities to enjoy the park, including pavilions, swing seating, and community gathering and birdwatching areas. A public meeting will be held at a later date to discuss a concept plan. The acquisition will also preserve estuarine marsh and Red Cedar upland habitat.
“It is a beautiful, tranquil experience, and I just can’t say enough about how positive this is going to be for Volusia County,” Kent said.
County staff also recommended applying for a Florida Communities Trust grant for an up to $1.082 million reimbursement; if awarded, the state would contribute to the acquisition, but the county would retain ownership.
The parcel, located at 4310 John Anderson Drive, fronts the Halifax River and is adjacent to the current 1-acre Highbridge Park.
The county expects the project on Hand Avenue to be complete by February 2027. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Army Corps: Daytona Beach’s Midtown flooding has no easy solution
One option? A $200 million plan to direct excess stormwater to
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
A two-year study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showed that fixing the chronic flooding problems in Daytona Beach’s Midtown area will be an expensive fix with no easy solution.
The results of the study were presented to the Daytona Beach City Commission at its May 6 meeting, just weeks ahead of the 2026 hurricane season. The study encompassed the area within Orange Avenue, Beville Road, Nova Road and Ridgewood Avenue.
The issue facing Daytona Beach is multi-faceted. Not only does Daytona Beach’s Midtown area have little green space to promote water absorption, but Midtown sits in a low-lying area that collects stormwater and is mostly flat.
“In layman’s terms,” said
NEWS BRIEFS
Threatened shorebirds nesting along Volusia beaches
Since shorebird nesting season began March 1, Volusia County Environmental Management staff has been conducting surveys along county-managed beaches and on Disappearing Island to locate well-camouflaged nests.
Two least tern colonies and six Wilson’s plover nests have been observed on Disappearing Island and near Bethune Beach Park, Smyrna Dunes Park, and two vacant beachfront properties in Daytona Beach.
Because shorebirds are protected under state and federal law, Volusia County has posted barriers and “Do Not Enter” signs around nesting areas. Shorebirds lay their eggs directly on the sand, and
Jason Levecchia, a USACE engineering technical lead, “there’s not enough slope, topography wise, to force the water to drain quickly back to the Halifax River and essentially back to the ocean.”
Two major canals — the Nova and Navy canals — also meet along the west side of the area, and spillover from those canals impact the area, too. Additionally, those canals were not designed for the amount of stormwater runoff the receive now, according to the Army Corps study.
Not only does water drain slowly into the Halifax River, but during high tides, the water can get pushed back into the streets.
“You have brought to us the worst news,” Mayor Derrick Henry told the Army Corps representatives. “Our biggest dream was we’d have a solution. If I said I was anything less than heartbroken now, I’d be lying.”
Despite the chronic flooding problems, funding is likely to be in short supply. The USACE team told the City Commissioners Daytona Beach would likely be at the “bottom of the
newly hatched chicks remain flightless for weeks — no match for beachgoers and offleash dogs that can destroy a nesting colony in moments. If adult birds are frightened, they may flee and leave eggs exposed to predators and prolonged sun.
Those who witness disturbances should report them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888404-3922 or by textingTip@ MyFWC.com.
Wilson’s plovers are sandy brown with white undersides
“Our
biggest dream was we’d have a solution. If I said I was anything less than heartbroken now, I’d be lying.”
DERRICK HENRY, Daytona Beach mayor
list” for project funding, and compete against other more justifiable projects.
Despite the engineering team’s best efforts — “We have tried every step of the way to get around it,” USACE project manager James Lagrone said — they could not find a good solution for Midtown’s flooding.
USACE engineer Tom Gesture said they looked at multiple options, many of which
and heavy bills. They hunt fiddler crabs and rarely stray far from ocean coastlines, making them especially vulnerable to habitat disturbance. Their eggs incubate for 24 to 25 days, and chicks take flight in 31 to 35 days.
Least terns, listed as threatened in Florida, have grayishwhite bodies, black-capped heads, narrow wings, and yellow bills and legs. They nest in colonies and are known to defend their nests aggressively. Eggs incubate in 19 to 25 days, with chicks fledging in another 19 to 20 days. Disappearing Island is accessible only by boat and emerges daily at low tide in the inlet between Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach.
County Council member receives Valor Award from Hispanic Chamber
Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhart was recently recognized with the Valor
were not feasible or effective or were cost prohibitive to the amount of help it would offer.
The best they had to offer was to direct excess stormwater to the golf course using sluice gates, using the course as a retention pond and then pumping the stormwater out.
“That is a very robust plan. The one that is most likely to be able to actually address all flooding in the city,” Gesture said. “It is a very expensive plan.”
That plan would cost an estimated $200 million, and would be unlikely to reserve federal funding. The project would require updating the city’s stormwater system to
Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida.
The award honors his 38-year legacy of dedication to Volusia County as a corrections leader and elected official, a county press release stated.
“Whether he is advocating for a domestic violence database or serving at The Vine Church, his work proves that true leadership is a lifelong calling to improve the systems and the lives of the people they serve,” said Lourdes Leon, the chamber’s chief executive officer.
Reinhart serves as the vice chair on the council and represents District 2. From 1986 to 2017, he rose through the ranks of the Volusia County Branch Jail and Correctional Facility from corrections officer to warden. During his career, he oversaw hundred of staff and thousands of inmates, and served as past president of the Florida Model Jail Standards Jail Inspection Team.
He was elected to the County Council in 2022 and began his term in January
direct he flow of the water to the golf course.
Levecchia said that the team looked into whether the existing underground pipes needed to be upgraded to larger sizes to accommodate the water flow, but their analysis showed that wasn’t the case.
“I think you need a way to get the canals themselves, Nova [and] Navy and all the outlets, to get the water out a lot faster than it is currently,” he said. “I think they’re under sized from width and from depth.”
Depth would be the more difficult problem to fix, he said, as the groundwater table is very high because it is near the beach. Lagrone said they have one more course of action the Army Corps would like to try. TOM said their last resort is for the city to request for the Army Corps to conduct a larger study due to the complex nature of the problem. That study would cost additional money, but if a solution is found through it, Army Corps policy would allow USACE to potentially cost-share the project. But, he said, he doesn’t think that would be the case. The additional study would cost $1.2 million and a result would not be available until summer 2027.
2023. He has championed the Second Chance initiative, a program that equips inmates with real-world vocational skills and also serves the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board as chair of the Quality Assurance Committee and Grievance Committee.
Beyond the dais, Reinhart volunteers on several community boards, including the Domestic Abuse Council, the School Crossing Evaluation Committee, and the Georgetowne Homeowners Association.
Sargent, Tolland and Shanahan recognized as ‘Home Rule Hero’ recipients
The Florida League of Cities recently recognized three Ormond Beach officials with Home Rule Hero awards for their work and advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative session.
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent,
Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland and City Manager Joyce Shanahan were among this year’s recipients.
“Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook in a press release. “By engaging early, often, and thoughtfully, they helped elevate the municipal perspective and reinforce the importance of local decision-making. We sincerely appreciate their dedication and are proud to recognize their advocacy on behalf of Florida’s cities.”
According to the FLC, Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, elected and non-elected, who consistently respond to the request to engage with members of the Legislature and provide a local perspective on key issues.
This is the second consecutive year Tolland and Shanahan have received the award. This is Sargent’s first Home Rule Hero recognition.
Matt Reinhart recently received a Valor Award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Courtesy photo
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent and Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland. Courtesy photo
A Wilson’s Plover. Photo courtesy of Riverwalker/Adobe Stock
USACE engineers Jason Levecchia, James Lagrone and Tom Gesture at the May 6 Daytona Beach meeting. Screenshot courtesy of Daytona Beach City Commission livestream
City, county should meet with Prince of Peace on road access
‘Good government requires more than construction plans and traffic studies.’
JASON LESLIE
ORMOND BEACH MAYOR
I have recently heard concerns from residents and members of Prince of Peace Catholic Church regarding traffic changes caused by ongoing county construction along Hand Avenue. The concerns specifically involve restriction access to the church property from the westbound Hand Avenue and preventing drivers from exiting the church driveway by making a left turn onto Hand Avenue — a movement that had been permitted for many years. Residents and church members have expressed understandable concerns involving traffic flow, acces-
sibility, safety during church services and events, and access to the church’s charity store, which serves members of the community. While infrastructure improvements are important and often necessary for long-term growth and public safety, it is equally important that we listen to the people directly impacted by those changes. Good government requires more than construction plans and traffic studies — it requires communication, responsiveness, and a willingness to address unintended consequences.
Even though this is a
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Endorsement for Leslie
Dear Editor: Conservative Citizens of Ormond Beach is glad to formally endorse Mayor Jason Leslie for reelection. His motto is the “People’s” Mayor and he has really grown in his first term. Join us in supporting him for reelection, thank you and God bless you!
AL STEWART Ormond Beach
Endorsement for Tolland
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the members of International Union of Police Associations Local 6075, I am proud to announce our endorsement of Commissioner Lori Tolland for mayor of the City of Ormond Beach.
As union president, I work closely with city leadership on matters that directly affect public safety, officer welfare, and the quality of service we provide to our community. Throughout this work, Commissioner Tolland has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of these priorities and a genuine commitment to supporting the men and women who serve on the front lines.
Commissioner Tolland has been a steady and reliable partner in advancing policies that strengthen public safety while ensuring officers have the resources, training, and equipment necessary to perform their duties effectively and safely. Equally important, she recognizes the importance of fair working conditions, open communication, and mutual respect between city leadership and law enforcement personnel.
What distinguishes Commissioner Tolland is her accessibility and straightforward leadership style. She listens, she shows up, and she engages honestly — even when the conversations are difficult. That approach builds trust not only within our department but across the broader community we serve. Our members have seen firsthand her commitment to balancing accountability with meaningful support for law enforcement. She understands that strong, safe communities depend on both effective policing and strong community relationships, and she has worked to advance both.
For these reasons, the members of IUPA Local 6075 fully support Commissioner Lori Tolland and appreciate her continued leadership and partnership.
RHETT
county project, it is still our concern because it directly impacts the people of Ormond Beach.
I have already asked city staff to coordinate with county officials and church leadership to arrange a meeting as soon as possible so these concerns can be openly discussed and potential solutions explored. My goal is to ensure that the voices of residents, parishioners, and visitors are part of the conversation moving forward.
Quality candidates in short supply in Flagler County
Dear Editor: Reflecting back on the last few years and the cast of characters who ran for office or were elected in Flagler County raised a red flag. It suggests there was a shortage of quality candidates or that our local electorate was not as discerning as it should have been — or likely both. Some candidates had resumes that lacked basic qualifications, some had troubling pasts and were not vetted well, others had extremist views or anger management warning signs that were ignored or weren’t discovered until it was too late.
We came way too close to actually electing as mayor and as council member, a declared “sovereign citizen” handyman who had a past disavowing his U.S. citizenship and not paying income taxes.
We elected a council member despite her resignation from our sheriff’s department, after the depart-
Flagler Beach commissioner endorses Gambaro for Congress
Flagler Beach City Commissioner R.J. Santore III, a fourth-generation pyrotechnician and vice president of his family’s pyrotechnics manufacturing business, has endorsed Charles Gambaro for the Republican nomination in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
Santore praised Gambaro’s record of service to both his community and his country. In his endorsement, Santore stated: “I generally keep my focus on the work in front of me here at home, but this race is one I felt I needed to weigh in on. Charlie is a man I know from our parish and from the Knights of Columbus, and his wife is deeply involved with our youth ministry. That is the measure of a family that shows up for the people around them.
ment described her racially charged podcast comments as “divisive and controversial.”
A county commissioner called for the beheading of liberals and later became a nationwide embarrassment by claiming “I run the county” at a traffic stop.
We also elected an ultrapartisan City Council member, who was later censured.
We had a barber shop owner elected to the City Council who later was accused of shoplifting and, as reported by our county sheriff, had outstanding charges of kidnapping and extortion in Costa Rica, a matter that remains a mystery.
A former School Board member, running again for the position, once stated that God placed her on the board to combat “satanic warfare” and believed she was battling “evil spirits” in the school district. And she actually filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office against school district staff for allowing a book on the shelf that she deemed pornographic.
As for our sitting mayor, the list of controversies, bad
“Charlie has spent more than 26 years in uniform, has led American soldiers in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rose to brigadier general. He has served on the Palm Coast City Council, where he has done the unglamorous work of reading the agenda packets and asking the hard questions. He sits in the room with the people he represents and answers to his neighbors face-toface. That matters.
“Charlie is approachable, responsive, and prepared. His commitment to protecting our beaches, investing in critical infrastructure, and building real coastal resiliency makes him the right choice to represent us in Congress. I am proud to endorse him.”
Gambaro thanked Santore for the endorsement.
“It is an honor to receive the support of a proven community leader,” Gambaro said. “R.J.’s support is a big deal for our campaign, and together we will continue to fight for protecting and improving our beaches, investing in critical infrastructure projects, and placing our fellow residents first.” Flagler Beach
R.J. Santore III.
Infrastructure projects should improve quality of life, not create difficulties.
Infrastructure projects should improve quality of life for the community, not create unnecessary difficulties for residents trying to safely attend church, volunteer, or support charitable efforts that help others in need.
behavior and missteps has grown so long that for the sake of brevity, it suffices to say simply, “Oops.”
This is not to imply that all our candidates and public officials should be as pure as Caesar’s wife, but at least they should offer, and we should require, a semblance of public service norms that include competence, honesty, integrity, decency, inclusiveness and, of course, sanity.
Hopefully, the last few years was an anomaly and is not suggestive of a trend.
MARY ZITO Palm Coast
What’s the big secret, Ormond?
Dear Editor: Ormond Beach currently is and has always been confronted by controversial situations. It’s just a government
As mayor, I will continue advocating for practical and balanced solutions that prioritize both public safety and accessibility while ensuring our residents feel heard throughout the process.
thing.
But things have changed. There is now very limited media, Ormond Beach Observer excepted, and the population is forced to pretty much rely on social media for local information as incredibly dangerous as that is.
So who should be putting out the facts on city issues? I say it is the responsibility of city staff to do so. The current policy of abdicating that role and leaving up to the elected commissioners is just bad policy.
My question to city management is, so what’s the big secret? You have an extremely talented public information officer. Why not use that talent to help answer the residents’ concerns, before things get blown all out of proportion by social media and the bomb throwers.
Under the spirit of openness and transparency, I invite a reply by city staff.
Luxury 4BR/3.5BA
Commissioner
Charles Gambaro. Courtesy photos
ORMOND BEACH
PONCE INLET
27 nations represented at Daytona cultural fest
Festival was hosted by Ormond ’s Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc.
SYDNEY TEVIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Daytona Beach International Festival took place on Manatee Island on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17.
Hosted by Ormond Beach
nonprofit Cultural Awareness Fund Inc., the event was free and open to the public.
Attendees experienced live music performances from a variety of artists, including
Mexican and Hindu musicians, highlighting the area’s cultural diversity. The festival also features activities for children, as well as food vendors representing cuisines from around the world.
A total of 27 nations were represented. This was the second year the festival was held. The inaugural year was held in Ormond Beach.
Local author Lucky Boren, of Ormond Beach, was also present at the festival. A senior at Seabreeze High School, Boren showcased her children’s book, “Toby Saves the Night” and offered a facepainting activity to help readers connect with her story.
“Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to spark curiosity and confidence in young readers,” said William Sanchez, managing director of Cultural Awareness
History and traditions of Memorial Day
Memorial Day falls on May 25 this year. The celebration originates from Decoration Day, first observed in 1868.
RANDY JAYE HISTORIAN
Memorial Day is distinct from Veterans Day because it is specifically dedicated to U.S. military personnel who died in service.
Act which made the name Memorial Day official and moved the federal holiday to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend. The Act’s provisions, including the Memorial Day changes, took effect in 1971.
In 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance which encourages all Americans to voluntarily pause for one minute at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor American service members who died in service.
Fund Inc, in a press release.
“Lucky’s work — especially at such a young age — reflects the creativity and initiative we aim to nurture through our educational and cultural programming.”
On May 5, 1868, General John Alexander Logan, American soldier, politician and leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Union veterans group), issued General Orders No. 11 dedicating a day, initially observed on May 30, called Decoration Day (now Memorial Day). This special day was intended for nationwide remembrance to honor military service members who died in the line of duty in the American Civil War.
Soldiers of the Confederate States of America who are buried in national parks and cemeteries are also honored with small American flags placed on their graves. Occasionally, with park superintendent permission, small Confederate flags to supplement, not replace, the American flag can be placed on Confederate graves by groups such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Following World War I, the focus of the holiday expanded to include all U.S. military personnel killed in all conflicts, and the name “Memorial Day” gradually replaced Decoration Day.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS
Daytona Beach Bandshell
Concerts: The Memorial Day weekend launches the summer concert series. The Saturday night concert features fireworks.
Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony (Bunnell): This annual event is held in front of the Government Services Building and features guest speakers including retired Maj. General Wilfred Hessert.
Memorial Day Ceremony in Flagler Beach: This annual event is held in Veterans Park and features a wreath presentation and color guard.
Palm Coast Memorial Day Ceremony: This annual event is held in Heroes Memorial Park. The event will begin a new tradition to read aloud the names of fallen service members.
Ormond Beach Memorial Day Remembrance: This annual ceremony is held in Rockefeller Gardens. The event features a ceremonial laying of wreaths, a concert band performance and guest speakers.
For the full version of this article, see observerlocalnews. com.
Florida Falun DAFA Association members, Roz Malonson and Katie Mai.
The Iranian American Society group poses for a photo.
Pastor Al Stewart of the Greater Grace Chapel of Daytona Beach.
Rachel Harness performs her original music.
Naomi and Dean Spiked, and Logan and Luke Moehring, of Pack 436, all promote scout snacks to fund their next camping trip. Photos by Sydney Tevin
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in Ormond Beach
SUZANNE MCCARTHY
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For its 44th year, the Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop brought young performers to the stage for a youth production of “The Wizard of Oz” on May 15-17 at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center.
The production featured two separate casts made up of students ranging from kindergarten through high school seniors from local schools. During a recent dress rehearsal, performers rehearsed musical numbers, choreography and scenes from Dorothy’s journey through Oz.
“I love when we double cast how we get to see totally different versions come to life and see how they each interpret the characters,” director Crisi Simmons said.
Founded more than four decades ago by Cindy Simmons, CMTW continues to introduce children to live theater through annual productions focused on acting, singing and dance. Simmons served as artistic director for this year’s production.
“Former performers come back to work tech again for CMT because we are a family,” Simmons said. “A lot of our alumni — or their parents and grandparents — have been part of CMT.”
As part of the organiza -
Follow the yellow brick road
tion’s 44th season, the summer theater camp production of “Between the Lines Jr.” is scheduled for June 26-27.
Simmons also announced productions for CMTW’s upcoming 45th year: Mary Poppins for students in sixth through 12th grade and “’Twas One Crazy Night Before Christmas” for kindergarten through fifth grade performers.
Ormond Beach recognizes National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22
On May 5, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 44 were issued a mayor’s proclamation designating May 16-22 as National Safe
Boating Week. The proclamation recognizes Flotilla 44’s commitment to education, vessel inspections and maritime safety within the local community. Flotilla 44, a volunteer branch of the U.S. Coast Guard, has been a staple in Ormond Beach since 1941, according to a press release.
During the meeting, Flotilla Commander James Hans accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Flotilla, reinforcing their mission to reduce
accidents through proactive outreach.
During Safe Boating Week, Flotilla 44 will be amping up its local presence by offering:
Free Vessel Safety Checks: Ensuring all required safety gear — like life jackets and fire extinguishers — is on board and functional.
Educational Workshops: Briefing new and experienced boaters on local navigation and “Rules of the Road.”
Life Jacket Awareness: Reminding the public that “Life Jackets Worn… Nobody Mourns.”
“According to recent maritime data, a significant majority of boating accidents involve operators who have not received formal safety instruction,” tthe press release states. “Flotilla 44 aims to change that statistic one boat at a time.”
Quick tips for Safe Boating Week:
Check your gear: Ensure there is a U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket for every person on board.
File a Float Plan: Always let someone on land know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Check the forecast before leaving the dock; Florida storms can develop in minutes.
Stay sober: Operating a vessel under the influence is just as dangerous, and illegal, as driving a car.
Live
music photographer Sayre Berman to host artist event at Gallery500
Gallery500 invites the public to a Meet the Artist event with acclaimed live music photographer Sayre Berman from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Berman, hear her share behind-thescenes stories from years of photographing some of the most recognizable figures in music, and gain insight into
she captured authentic images that viewers can almost hear. Her striking photographs feature legendary
Flotilla Commander James Hans (center) alongside members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 44, Bob and Patricia Femia. Courtesy photo
Photo courtesy of Gallery500/Sayre Berman Photography
Joey Titus and Gabby Hitt as Miss Gulch and Aunt Em.
Sarah Duncan as Toto, Lorelei Cook as Dorothy and Kilee White as Glinda. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Madi Williams, Lillian Tacinelli and Avery Perri as the Lollipop Guild.
Jack Hayes as Scarecrow and Lorelei Cook as Dorothy.
Kenzie Urquhart as the Wicked Witch.
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, MAY 21
EVACUATION SHELTER
TRAINING
When: 1-5 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Details: Flagler County
Emergency Management and Flagler Volunteer Services invite residents to learn how to support our community during emergencies or disasters, to participate in their Disaster Volunteer Training Series.
Details: Learn about the history of bacon during this cooking demonstration, presented by library staff. Free.
CRISIS CLEAN UP
TRAINING
When: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Details: Disaster Volunteers are invited to join for a training on how to be a call taker for Crisis Clean Up. This training will also show you how to make calls to local residents and update their information in the system. Visit flaglervolunteer.org.
COMMUNITY MEETING
WITH THE MAYOR
When: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Ormond Beach
Mayor Jason Leslie will meet with residents at the Sandcastle Auditorium to discuss city updates and issues.
ORMOND BEACH AREA
DEMOCRATIC CLUB
When: 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Attend the May meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. The guest speaker will be Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, candidate for District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Likeminded guests are welcome. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
RUMMAGE SALE
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Same times on Saturday, May 23
Where: St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Benefits outreach ministry.
TURTLE TALK: A SEA
TURTLE’S JOURNEY When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Learn about sea turtles and why they matter to our local coastal ecosystem. Park entry fee applies.
BEACHSIDE GARAGE OPEN HOUSE When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Birthplace of Speed Park, 21 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: The Motor Racing Heritage Association is hosting this open house. Volunteers will be on hand for tours and information. The Garage holds the two replica race cars that competed in the first sanctioned race on the beach in March of 1903. Call 386-676-7675.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
SPEAKER SERIES: ‘NOT
A NORMAL PLACE, NOT A NORMAL HISTORY’
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Join the Ormond Beach Historical Society for a presentation by Mark Lane, author, columnist and Daytona Beach native. His presentation will highlight some of the themes from his books, “Roaring Reptiles, Bountiful Citrus and Neon Pies: An Unofficial Guide to Florida’s Official Symbols” and “Locals of Daytona Beach.” Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Coffee and sweets will be served. Free to Historical Society members; $10 for non-members.
‘WEST OF THE TRACKS: A STORY OF THE PAST’
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway, NE, Palm Coast
Details: Attend this free speaker series event by the Palm Coast Historical Society. The topic will be presented by Preston Zepp.
PALM COAST FIRE STATION
26 GRAND OPENING
When: 11:30 a.m.
Where: Palm Coast Fire Sta-
FOCUS ON FAITH
Christmas Come True launches new prayer bracelet initiative
Christmas Come True, a local nonprofit based out of Bunnell, was founded in 2009 by Nadine King. While the nonprofit and its volunteers work extra hard around the holiday season, they also look after Flagler County families all year long.
Christmas Come True recently announced the launch of its new community outreach initiative, “A Circle of Hope,” which is described as a
prayer bracelet program. The bracelets are to stand as a daily reminder that hope and support are all around in the community.
“We wanted to create something simple that allows people to carry hope with them every day,” said King. “Each bracelet represents a commitment to pray for and support families who may be facing financial hardship, illness, domestic violence recovery, housing instability, or other life challenges.”
Christmas Come True invites the community in the distribution of the prayer
bracelets as a means of spreading awareness of the many hardships of life.
As stated in the press release provided by Christmas Come True, “Community members can support the initiative by: wearing a bracelet as a reminder to pray for families in need, sponsoring bracelets for outreach events, hosting bracelet distribution opportunities, sharing the mission on social media and donating to help support local families year-round.”
Christmas Come True is located at 2729 E. Moody Blvd., Ste 103 in Bunnell. For
tion 26, 72 Airport Commerce Way, Palm Coast
Details: Join the City of Palm Coast and the Palm Coast Fire Department to celebrate the opening of Fire Station 26. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to tour the new facility and meet Palm Coast firefighters.
POOL SAFETY DAY
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Aquatic Center, 339 Parkview Drive, Palm Coast
Details: Palm Coast is hosting a pool safety day featuring pool games, mini swim lessons and hands-on demonstrations. Learn the steps for basic first aid, CPR, water rescues and more. Costs $1 for kids 2-17 years old and seniors; $2 for adults. Visit parksandrec.fun.
HEATWAVE — DANCE FACTORY’S 25TH SPRING RECITAL
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: See dancers of all ages take the stage for Dance Factory’s 25th Spring Dance Recital. Tickets cost $25-$30. Visit https://ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix. com.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
MEMORIAL CONCERT
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center
Details: See the Daytona Beach Concert Band perform a free patriotic-themed concert.
more information regarding the prayer program or future events, visit ChristmasComeTrue.org, or call 386-3465650.
Father Jose reflects on 2026 national eucharistic pilgrimage
Father Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, lead pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, recently reflected on the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
Here is an excerpt of Father Jose’s thoughts, submitted to the Observer for publication:
“This pilgrimage is part of a larger spiritual movement that has been growing in our
MONDAY, MAY 25
PALM COAST MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: The City of Palm Coast invites residents to honor men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to the nation. This year, the city is beginning a new tradition: reading aloud the names of fallen service members. To submit a name, visit https:// form.typeform.com/to/ oBY8kXaP.
Details: Join the City of Ormond Beach for its annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service. Honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. All are welcome. Free event.
Details: Preschoolers and their caregivers will construct crafts from a variety of materials provided in the children’s section. Supplies may be limited. Free.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
VETERANS CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS WORKSHOP
When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Memorial Art
country through the National Eucharistic Revival. Its purpose is simple yet profound: to renew our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In a world often marked by division, confusion, and uncertainty, the Eucharist remains our source of unity, peace, and strength.
“But this movement will bear fruit only if we respond personally. Each of us is invited to become a pilgrim—not necessarily by traveling long distances, but by deepening our relationship with Jesus. We can do this by participating in Mass more faithfully, spending time in Eucharistic adoration, praying for our nation, and living lives of charity and service.
“Even if you are unable to
Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd.
Details: Artist Mary Wentzel will guide participants in creating a monochromatic, abstract painting on board. All materials are provided and no art experience is necessary. Open to veterans and current service members, but a family member or friend age 16 and older may also register. Free program. Registration required. Visit www.ormondartmuseum.org/classesprograms.
Details: Learn about Stranger Things, including little known facts, bios, and histories. The librarian will share some reading recommendations similar to Stranger Things. Registration is not required.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
BUTTERFLY GARDEN TALK
When: 11 a.m. to noon
Where: Ormond Memorial Art
Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd.
Details: Join guest speaker Beth Heron in the garden gazebo to discover the world of butterflies and their transformation from tiny egg to winged adult. Explore the essential host plants that provide the foundation for their survival and how you can support these pollinators. Free. Registration is requested due to limited seating. Visit www.ormondartmuseum.org/ classes-programs.
attend the events in person, you can still take part spiritually. Offer your prayers, your sacrifices, and your intentions for the success of this pilgrimage and for the renewal of our country. In doing so, you become part of this national effort to bring hearts back to Jesus.”
Submit your faithrelated news
Abbie Pace at abbie@ observerlocalnews.com.
Brought
YOUR SCHOOLS
Pirate’s art
on
display at Kennedy Space Center
Three works from Matanzas High School art students were selected to be in The Drive to Fly aerospace art competition.
Chloe Dotson, Noraly Dominguez and Lina Makhmutova had their work on display at the Starry Night Gallery in Daytona Beach with each receiving a monetary award.
Makhmutova was the overall third-place winner and received an additional scholarship. Her work — along with the other winners, Olivia Massalone of DeLand and Maya Chebaro of Spruce Creek — has been placed on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Daytona State College graduates
more than 4,000 students in 2026 Daytona State College awarded more than 4,000 degrees during three commencement ceremonies Tuesday, May 12, at the Ocean Center.
The ceremonies featured remarks from DSC President Dr. Thomas LoBasso, and District Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Randall Howard and Vice Chair Robert Lloyd.
“The great baseball player
Jackie Robinson — who made history right here in Daytona Beach — once said, ‘Life is not a spectator sport.’ Each of you has proven that,” LoBasso said. “You made the decision to continue your education. You faced challenges. You pushed through obstacles. And today, you are stronger for it. Wherever your journey takes you, know this: we are here for you.”
Daytona State’s Class of 2026 included 4,026 graduates — one of the largest graduat-
ing classes in the college’s history. This year’s graduates included 329 Bachelor of Science degrees, 220 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, 1,845 Associate of Arts degrees, 735 Associate of Science degrees, 895 certificates, 172 graduates from the School of Adult Education and 325 dual-enrolled students who also attend local high schools.
The college has a long history of serving multiple generations of families and 2026 was no different. The family of Volusia County Tax Collector Will Roberts celebrated three generations graduating from Daytona State during the early afternoon ceremony. His daughter, Carlina Roberts, graduated
during the 2 p.m. ceremony with her Associate of Arts; Roberts’ mother-in-law, Paula Morton, also graduated from DSC in 2001 at 54 (the oldest in her graduating class) with a nursing degree and went on to teach at DSC for many years. Morton has been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and made it her mission to attend Carlina’s graduation.
Matanzas AICE presented with Small District of the Year Award
Donald Meyers from Cambridge Assessment International Education visited Matanzas High
School on May 14 to present the school’s Cambridge AICE program with Cambridge International’s U.S. Small District of the Year award.
Matanzas has offered the Cambridge AICE program since the 2018-19 school year. The AICE program is a three-year curriculum offering specialized courses designed to prepare students for honors degree programs.
“This award reflects the dedication of our educators and the ambition of our students,” Flagler School Superintendent LaShakia Moore, said when the award was announced.“Programs like Cambridge help our students think deeply, explore new ideas, and graduate ready for the opportunities ahead.”
Senior Walk the Halls: a happy, emotional time at Flagler Palm Coast
The annual Senior Walk the Halls event at Flagler Palm Coast High School is a little taste of what graduates, families, school administrators and faculty will be feeling on graduation day May 31, FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet said.
The graduating seniors gathered in the school’s 800 gym on the afternoon of May 15 and walked the hallways for the last
time, stopping along the way to say goodbye to teachers, staff and administrators.
“Everybody gets choked up,” Bossardet said. “It hits home when it’s their last walk through the halls. They turned in their computers, so it gets real.
Seeing all that hard work and investment on both sides — the students and teachers and staffers — is rewarding.”
FPC’s graduation will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Matanzas High School’s graduation will be 2 p.m. May 31 at the Ocean Center.
Volusia County Schools aids in transition for Pace Center for Girls
In light of the closure of the Pace Center for Girls VolusiaFlagler, Volusia County Schools has begun coordinating individual transition plans for students, the district announced on Wednesday, May 13.
In partnership with Pace
Executive Director Sheila Jordan and her staff, the district is making plans for students to meet with school principals, tour their new campuses and meet with school counselors.
“No student will walk through the door on day one without a team already in their corner,”
Superintendent Dr. Carmen
Balgobin said in a press release. Pace, located at 208 Central Ave. in Ormond Beach, will close on June 26, a decision announced in late April. The interim CEO of the nonprofit cited the closure came after “a thoughtful review of the program’s long-term sustainability, including enrollment trends, staffing, academic outcomes, and financial viability.”
Pace has served girls in Volusia and Flagler counties for 30 years by providing counseling, training and advocacy services alongside education to lead girls on a path to obtaining their high school diplomas.
VCS stated it is “committed to carrying that mission forward and ensuring these students continue to feel seen, supported, and empowered.”
“Every student who walked through the doors of Pace did so because she had the courage to ask for something different,” Balgobin said. “Volusia County Schools will make sure that courage is met with the right support, structure, and people to help her thrive. We are not waiting for these young women to come to us; we are going to them. That is what it means to be a public school district that believes in every single child.”
Pace will launched the Pace Reach Program in the fall. The program is a therapeutic model to support girls.
It was the last walk through the halls at Flagler Palm Coast High School for these graduating seniors. Courtesy photos
Donald Meyers of Cambridge Assessment International Education presented the Cambridge AICE program at Matanzas with its U.S. Small District of the Year award. From left: Matanzas Principal Mike Rinaldi, Meyers, Matanzas AICE Coordinator Erin Davis and Flagler Schools Assistant Superintendent Angela O’Brien.
Astronaut Nicole Stott, left, served as the competition’s judge at the Kennedy Center Visitor Complex. Local winners included Lina Makhmutova of Matanzas High School and Maya Chebaro of Spruce Creek High School.
Graduating senior Makoto Jimbo participates in Flagler Palm Coast’s Senior Walk the Halls event
Investors Are Returning to Jacksonville Apartments— Carefully
By Jamie Cuzzocreo, Global Real Estate Advisor | ONE Commercial Real Estate
Investor sentiment in Jacksonville’s multifamily market has shifted from cautious to constructively selective. Over the past year, operating fundamentals have begun to stabilize, and that stabilization is showing up in buyer behavior: capital is re-entering the market, but it is concentrating in deals where underwriting is clear and financing can be executed with confidence.
As of second quarter 2026, trailing 12-month multifamily sales volume reached $1.1 billion—up nearly 40% year over year. The rebound is meaningful, yet Jacksonville still trails Florida’s other major multifamily metros in overall transaction volume, reflecting the market’s continued “qualityfirst” posture and the ongoing bid-ask work that defines today’s pricing environment.
In our day-to-day conversations with buyers, sellers, and lenders, the pattern is consistent: stabilized assets in established submarkets are drawing the deepest demand. Lease-up and non-stabilized opportunities can trade, but typically only when pricing offers a discount—or when going-in yields are widened enough to compensate for near-term operational and execution risk. That selectivity is visible in what is actually trading. Roughly 65% of recent volume has been tied to 4- and 5-Star properties, with another 20% attributed to 3-Star trades. Lower-tier assets account for the remainder, and they often require more creativity around business plans, reserves, and (critically) insurance and capital expenditures.
Cap rates have remained relatively stable, generally pricing 30 to 40 basis points below the national average. Still, price discovery is not “done.” Many buyers are underwriting to second-year performance rather than relying solely on in-place income—an approach that acknowledges lagging rent growth, higher expense loads, and the reality that operational improvements take time to translate into durable net operating income.
One tailwind is beginning to materially influence deal economics: declining insurance costs. Insurance has been one of the most volatile—and consequential—operating expenses for Florida multifamily assets, often constraining leverage and eroding cash flow. Recently, increased competition among carriers and new market entrants have improved pricing and underwriting flexibility, including for assets that were previously difficult to place.
For a typical Florida multifamily portfolio, year-over-year insurance cost reductions of 30% to 40% are increasingly achievable. Practically speaking, a top-tier asset that may have carried insurance near $1,000 per unit a year ago can now be insured closer to $700 per unit—or less— depending on loss history, construction, wind mitigation, and deductible structure. While risk remains uneven (particularly for older vintage properties, frame construction, and coastal affordable housing), this premium relief is improving net operating income, supporting loan proceeds, and strengthening bid competitiveness.
Timing, however, still matters. With hurricane season beginning in June, active storms can delay or restrict policy binding, which adds yet another reason investors are prioritizing certainty and clean execution.
Within the metro, Southside continues to command the greatest share of investor interest, supported by strong population and employment growth and the highest median incomes in the region. Over the past year, Southside led the market in sales volume and ranked among the top 10 submarkets statewide. Across 66 trades recorded over the trailing 12 months, the average sale price approached $19 million, with typical marketing periods ranging from four to five months and some compression in bid-ask spreads.
The year’s headline transaction underscored the point. In December 2025, Waterton acquired the 555unit Country Club Lakes community in Southside for $94.4 million—about $170,090 per unit—at a reported 5.3% cap rate
For owners considering a sale and investors evaluating acquisitions, the takeaway is straightforward: Jacksonville’s multifamily market is improving, but today’s buyer is paying for durability. In this cycle, the highest liquidity remains with stabilized assets, verifiable expense structures, and a clear path to insurable—and financeable—cash flow.
Strategize Your Next Smart Move.
Thinking of buying, selling, or repositioning a multifamily asset?
Contact me, Jamie Cuzzocreo at ONE Commercial Real Estate for insight-driven guidance backed by real market data. Get the same information today’s top investors are using to make smarter moves.
386.415.3577
jcuzz@onecommercialre.com
REAL ESTATE
PALM COAST
Home in
The Hammock sells for almost $1.4M
Ahouse at 505 Cinnamon Beach Lane in Ocean Hammock, was the top real estate transaction for May 2-8 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on May 8, for $1,399,000. Built in 2012, the house is a 4/3 and has two half baths, a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace, an elevator and 3,231 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $1,150,000.
The house was listed by Luke O’Reilly, of Hammock Real Estate Group.
ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condos
A condo at 4600 E. Moody Blvd., Unit 5N, sold on May 8, for $115,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,050 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $96,500.
A condo at 54 Club House Drive, Unit 102, sold on May 8, for $149,000. Built in 1977, the condo is a 1/1 and has 665 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $118,000.
A condo at 200 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 163, sold on May 6, for $700,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,344 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $400,000.
A condo at 1100 Canopy Walk Lane, Unit 1125, sold on May 7, for $325,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,712 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $435,000.
A condo at 18 Ocean Palm Villa North, Unit 18, sold on May 6, for $226,000. Built in 1979, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,184 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $300,000.
A condo at 104 Surfview Drive, Unit 1403, sold on May 6, for $435,000. Built in 1992, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,158 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $257,000.
A condo at 102 Yacht Harbor Drive, Unit 566, sold on May 4, for $400,000. Built in
2006, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,351 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $240,000.
A condo at 3500 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 204, sold on May 4, for $395,000. Built in 1976, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 1,201 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $185,000.
PALM COAST
Indian Trails
A house at 6 Bolling Lane
The house at 505 Cinnamon Beach Lane sold on May 8, for $1,399,000. Photo courtesy of Luke O’Reilly/Hammock Real Estate Group.
House on the Halifax River sells for $1.375M
Ahouse on the Halifax River at 22 Tiffany Circle was the the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-theSea for the week of April 25 to May 1. The house sold on April 30, for $1,375,000. Built in 1967, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa, a boat house, a boat dock, a boat lift and 2,609 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $1,300,000. The house was listed by Buzzy Porter, of Realty Pros Assured.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Condos The condo at 640 N. Nova Road, Unit 213, sold on April 29, for $80,000. Built in 1976, the condo is a 1/1 and has 748 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $105,000.
The condo at 203 S. Orchard St, Unit 10-D, sold on April 30, for $200,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,083 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $118,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Aston Park
The house at 8 Aston Circle sold on April 30, for $350,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $272,000.
Bosarvey Estates
The house at 156 Bosarvey Drive sold on April 30, for $337,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,204 square feet. It last sold in 2025 for $120,000.
David Point The house at 410 S. Beach St. sold on April 30, for $540,000. Built in 1950, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a boat dock, a boat lift and 2,297 square feet. It last sold in 1986 for $110,000.
Hunter’s Ridge The house at 7 Foxfords Chase sold on April 27, for $788,900. Built in 1994, the house is a 4/3 with two half baths, a pool, a spa and 3,647 square feet. It last sold in 2000 for $330,000.
The house at 59 Westland Run sold on April 29, for $369,900. Built in 2007, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,021
square feet. It last sold in 2025 for $345,000.
Not in subdivision
The house at 33 Rodeo Road sold on April 27, for $565,000. Built in 1992, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a barn and 1,462 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $214,900.
Plantation Bay
The house at 402 Long Cove Road sold on April 30, for $430,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a spa and 2,658 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $300,000.
The Trails The house at 26 Twelve Oaks Trail sold on April 27, for $685,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a boat house, a boat dock and 3,372 square feet. It last sold in 1998 for $269,000.
Tomoka Oaks
The house at 32 Pebble Beach Drive sold on April 28, for $475,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,865 square feet.
The house at 7 Oakmont Circle sold on April 29, for $499,900. Built in 1988, the house is a 5/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,523 square feet.
WEST DAYTONA BEACH
A house in Latitude Margaritaville at 781 Attitude Ave. was the top real estate transaction in Daytona Beach’s 32124 zip code for the week of April 25 to May 1. The house sold on April 27, for $820,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,415 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $501,300. The house was listed by Kelley Sarantis, of Bob Hodges and Sons Realty.
Latitude Margaritaville
The house at 126 Coral Reef Way sold on April 28, for $805,900. Built in 2019, the house is a 2/2.5 and has a pool and 2,339 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $550,000.
The house at 825 Margaritaville Ave. sold on April 29, for $540,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 2/2.5 and as 1,748 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $495,200.
The house at 203 Gypsy
Village of Pine Run
The house at 103 Oak Lane sold on April 30, for $538,000. Built in 1983, the house sits on 1.6 acres, is a 3/3 and has a fireplace, a detached garage, a pool, a spa and 2,431 square feet. It last sold in 1997 for $162,000.
Whispering Oaks
The house at 4 Fernery Trail N. sold on May 1, for $435,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,460 square feet. It last sold in 2009 for $215,000.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Aqua Vista Circles
The house at 15 Aqua Vista Drive sold on April 27, for
Palace Lane sold on April 30, for $522,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,563 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $406,700.
The house at 136 Red Lighthouse Point sold on April 30, for $595,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,114 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $399,900.
Legends Preserve
The house at 1121 British Circle sold on April 30, for $350,000. Built in 2026, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,908 square feet.
Links Terrace The house at 129 Lost Ball Drive sold on April 27, for $355,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,708 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $392,100.
Mosaic The house at 441 Mosaic Blvd. sold on April 30, for $735,000. Built in 2024,
$409,150. Built in 1960, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,584 square feet. It last sold in 2025 for $236,000.
Fairwinds Estates
The house at 16 Julie Drive sold on May 1, for $850,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool and 3,409 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $525,000.
Not in subdivision
The house at 28 Camellia Drive sold on April 30, for $285,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 2/1 and has 1,058 square feet. It last sold in 2009 for $60,000.
and
Ormond Shores
The house at 40 Palmetto Drive sold on April 27, for $272,500. Built in 1954, the house is a 2/1 and has 800 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $162,000.
The house at 29 Palmetto Drive sold on April 30, for $272,500. Built in 1954, the house is a 2/1 and has 940 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $333,000.
Seabridge
The house at 22 Seabridge Drive sold on April 29, for $430,000. Built in 1982, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,735 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $160,000.
Daytona Beach 3BD/2BA/2CG (1,454 SF Living) Move-in ready Florida gem, only 8 yrs young, with a bright open layout, spacious galley kitchen, split plan for privacy, and stylish porcelain plank tile throughout—plus partial furnishings for an easy start. Unwind on the screened patio and enjoy peace of mind with major upgrades including a solar attic fan, whole-house surge protection, water filtration system, and hurricane shutters. Low HOA with lawn care and hedge trimming only. $365,000.
closet. $479,900.
Daytona
Ormond Beach 3BD/2BA/2CG (1,631 SF Living)
Just 1/10 mile from the beach, this well-maintained concrete block pool home offers a move-in ready Florida lifestyle with major updates already completed, including roof, A/C, water heater, appliances, and screened solar-heated pool. Backing to Bicentennial Park and close to both the ocean and river, enjoy easy access to tennis, trails, fishing, dining, shopping, live music, and more in this golf cart-friendly beachside location. $499,900.
Photo courtesy of Buzzy Porter/ Realty Pros Assured
A house at 781 Attitude Ave. was the top real estate transaction. Photo courtesy of Kelley Sarantis/Bob Hodges and Sons Realty
BIZ BUZZ
Mimi’s Original Art hosts fundraiser for the Pregnancy Crisis Center
Mimi’s Original Art in Ormond Beach hosted a “Sip, Shop and Support” fundraiser benefiting the Pregnancy Crisis Center on Thursday, May 14.
In February, the restaurant announced its rebrand as the Grind at Kona Tiki Bar on its Facebook page. Wakefield and his team renovated the interior of the restaurant to complement its tiki bar, rebuilt the tiki bar roof and refreshed the menu — keeping favorite dishes while introducing new items.
“People want knew and they want change and they want to see things that are fresh and exciting,” Wakefield said. Visit grindatkona.com.
Maggie Evans, curator for the local art gallery, said her passion is giving back. The gallery, founded by Michele Connors, has about 15 nonprofits they support and showcases the works of local artists.
“When they walk in here, I want them to find joy,” Evans said. “Life is hard enough. I want you to find beauty, just find calmness.”
The Pregnancy Crisis Center, located at 416 N. Ridgewood Ave., helps expecting mothers by providing resources to support their pregnancy, including clothing and helping them obtain health insurance for prenatal care.
Joanne Roberts, director of pregnancy crisis center, said Evans reached out to them for the fundraiser. She emphasized their mission to lead with love.
“We just try every day to answer the age old question ‘What would Jesus do?’ And the reality is that he would love first.”
Mimi’s Original Art is located at 1385 N. U.S. 1.
Tomoka Outpost wins visitor’s award
Tomoka Outpost at Tomoka State Park was recently voted as the runner-up for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s 2026 Visitors’ Choice Awards for “Best Water Excursions.”
According to a press release,
the fifth annual Visitors’ Choice Awards recognizes businesses and attractions that vacationers enjoyed the most, determined through a survey.
Among the other honorees in 2026 were Daytona International Speedway and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Daytona Beach Bike Week, the Riverfest Seafood Festival in Ormond Beach and the Daytona Beach Bandshell.
Ormond Brewing Company also won in the “Best Locally Crafted” category.
“We’re proud to recognize the events, attractions and businesses that make the Daytona Beach area such a memorable destination for visitors,” said Lori Campbell Baker, Executive Director for the CVB. “What makes the Visitors’ Choice Awards meaningful is that they’re driven by the people who experience our destination firsthand.”
Winners and honorable mentions attended the recent Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week breakfast at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach.
Local gallery celebrates 5 years
ARTique Local Arts & Accents in Ormond Beach celebrated its fifth anniversary on April 30.
The gallery, located at 600 S.
Yonge St., Unit 10, is owned by a mother-daughter team — Carrie Jepsen and her mom Renata Holder.
“The past five years have been such a fun ride, and we super appreciate the Ormond Beach community for the support of our boutique and 30 local artisans we proudly feature,” Jepsen said in a statement to the Observer. “One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching our artists feel inspired to keep creating after someone falls in love with a piece they poured their heart into.”
The art gallery combines the words “art” and “unique” in its name.
White Castle breaks ground on LPGA, in Daytona White Castle broke ground on its upcoming Daytona Beach restaurant at 1944 LPGA Blvd. on May 12. Opening is set for late fall 2026.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured a “sprinkling of the onions” on the spot where a future grill will be placed.
“We’re excited to welcome White Castle to Daytona Beach as its first location in our area,” said Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher.
“We’re always filling our relaxed little gallery with original contemporary and ocean-inspired art, handpainted upcycled furniture and unexpected gifts like handmade jewelry, candles, purses, pottery and more,” Jepsens said. “We are so excited for what’s ahead and thankful to continue sharing this adventure with the community!” Visit artiqueormondbeach. com.
Kevin Wakefield, owner of Grind at Kona Tiki Bar. Photo by Rachel Mills
Scott Cornelius, of the Tomoka Outpost, celebrates his award from the CVB.
Carrie Jepsen and her mom Renata Holder are the owners of ARTique. The mother-daughter duo is celebrating five years in business. Courtesy photos
Joanne Roberts, director of pregnancy crisis center. Photo by Rachel Mills
Maggie Evans, curator for Mimi’s Original Art. Photo by Rachel Mills
White Castle breaks ground on its Daytona Beach restaurant at 1944 LPGA Blvd. on May 12. Courtesy photo
SPORTS
Balance & depth
FPC’s scrimmage ends in a tie. Nei’cco Murphy’s performance could be a sample of what’s to come.
When a football player is adept at more than a couple of positions, he is often listed on the team roster as an “ATH” for athlete. A better description for Flagler Palm Coast rising junior Nei’cco Murphy might simply be “FP” for football player.
That’s how Bulldogs coach Patrick Turner describes him. “Nei’cco can play quarterback and play in the slot,” Turner said. “He plays safety. He plays running back. He’s just a football player. And that shows up every single time, at practice and the games. He just loves football.” Murphy showed up at the Bulldogs’ Green and White
intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, May 15. Neither team wore green or white. The “Combat Grey Team” and the “Seal Team Black” finished in a 21-21 tie. Murphy, playing for the Grey team, scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion and intercepted two passes, including a pick with no time left to halt Team Black’s final drive.
“I was close to bringing that back [for a touchdown], but I just caught two cramps,” he said. “I just got to stretch and drink my water throughout the day.”
Turner saw Murphy’s performance as a microcosm of what he might do this fall. Turner said Murphy is “going to play all over the place.”
“I’m ready for that big part in our offense and defense,” Murphy said.
He has goals on both sides of the ball. He wants to score at
College bound
Fourteen Flagler Palm Coast athletes recognized at college signing ceremony.
least five all-purpose touchdowns, and he wants to break teammate Lucas Siharaj’s single-season team interception record of seven, which Siharaj set as a sophomore in 2024.
“I want to come for that record,” Murphy said. “If I’m able to break that, it’ll be a big accomplishment on my journey.”
Murphy was hurt early in the third game last season against Mainland. He returned for Game 8 against Yulee and caught a 25-yard pass. He had four catches for 58 yards in the season finale against Fleming Island to finish the season with six catches for 83 yards and 15 total tackles.
“Just as soon as I got back, I was just trying to make an impact wherever I could fit in,” he said. “I just want to help my team out wherever I can.”
FUN, PRODUCTIVE SCRIMMAGE
Rising senior Ehimen “Heman” Ajede scored on two long touchdown runs for Team Black. Tight end Ethan Ruiz caught a touchdown pass from Bobby Starr for the Black team’s other score. Trace Paffrath caught a 30-yard pass from Team Grey quarterback Reid Pritt with 24 seconds left. Murphy’s 2-point conversion run tied the score at 21-21.
Kicker/punter Garrett Tucker, who kicked for both teams, booted field goals of 40 and 36 yards for the Gray team and was 4-for-4 on extra points.
“I thought [the scrimmage] was fun,” said Turner, who served as the referee. “It was very passionate and competitive on both sides, We let our two quarterbacks [Starr and Pritt] draft the offense, and we let our two senior linebackers [Josiah Hathaway and Mathias Parker] draft the
defense, so we thought they were pretty even teams.”
The final score was a testament to that.
“We came ready,” Ajede said of Team Black. “We came with the sauce, the fire that was needed to possibly win this game. But they knew what they were doing when they drafted the teams. It shows you that we don’t just have talent at our one’s, we’ve got talent at the two’s and the three’s, and that’s what really makes a good team.”
Turner was pleased with both quarterbacks who got the chance to show off some trick plays.
“I thought they both played really well,” he said. “They mixed it up, hit some fun shots. We did some reverses, reverse passes — all that stuff’s fun right there.”
Both Tucker and long snapper Brady Gerling showed that they can be major factors this fall, Turner said.
“Their numbers in the weight room have skyrocketed, and I think you’ll see that transfer onto the football field,” Turner said. “Garrett is booming the kicks. He’s got a lot of leg. He’s going to help us tremendously on defense this year in our kickoffs and then with his leg scoring extra points and field goals. So, our distance of striking is going to be phenomenal.”
The Bulldogs will end spring practice with a game against Seabreeze at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, at FPC.
The intrasquad scrimmage, Turner said, was a good indicator of how far the players have progressed.
“I’m super proud on how far they’ve come,” he said. “I feel like we picked up right where left off in the season. We’ve got a lot of competitive balance, offensively and defensively. So I’m excited.”
SPRING GAMES
May 14: Mainland 35, Coconut Creek 27, at Palm Beach Gardens May 21: Matanzas, Eustis at Pine Ridge jamboree, 6 p.m. May 22: Seabreeze at Flagler Palm Coast, 7 p.m.
Seabreeze strives for consistency heading into spring football game
The Sandcrabs ended their scrimmage with a long TD pass from Michael McDonough to Jeremias George.
Jeremias George closed Seabreeze’s annual red and white spring football scrimmage with a long touchdown catch from rising junior Michael “Bearhog” McDonough. The quarterback had been long on a couple of deep passes before hitting George in stride.
“He got it right,” coach
“It’s been a very productive spring. We’ve come a long ways going into our second year of our offense with our offensive coordinator being here, coach Matt Dickmann. Our [players are] really starting to get comfortable with the plays and the formations.”
MIKE KLEIN, Seabreeze football coach
Mike Klein said. “He missed a couple, and that’s what I told the guys at the end, we got to get consistent in what we’re doing, because football is all about eliminating mistakes more than it is making plays.
So that’s going to be our big theme going into our last week, consistency.”
Seabreeze held the red and white scrimmage on its practice field at the school on Saturday morning, May 16. Drills and the scrimmage followed a picnic pancake breakfast. The offense wore red jerseys and the defense wore white. There were big plays made on both sides of the ball.
The Sandcrabs will see how much progress they’ve made this spring when they meet
Flagler Palm Coast at 7 p.m.
Friday, May 22, at FPC’s stadium.
“It’s been a very productive spring,” Klein said. “We’ve come a long ways going into our second year of our offense with our offensive coordinator being here, coach Matt Dickmann. Our [players are] really starting to get comfortable with the plays and the formations.”
George, entering his senior year, will be a weapon for the Sandcrabs. He rushed for 501 yards and four touchdowns and caught four passes for 67 yards last season.
McDonough is competing at quarterback with rising sophomore Noah Bagdonowicz.
“They are both playing pretty well,” Klein said. “And we’ve got a couple of great tight ends in the mix and some good skill players. Danny Spada at the receiver position has taken a huge step this off season, and our O-line’s improved.”
They have a couple of athletes from other sports who are performing well in the defensive backfield, Klein said. Sprinter KJon Willis from the track team, and basketball player AJ Brown are both playing cornerback.
Free safety Jace Perez has been the Sandcrabs’ most consistent player in the secondary this spring, Klein said. But the team’s defensive strength might be up front.
“Our defensive line is playing very strong right now,” Klein said. “And we’ve got linebackers that are playing very smart with great understanding of their fits, playing physical.”
Perhaps the Sandcrabs’ biggest improvement so far came before spring practice even started.
“Physically, we weren’t
quite as strong as a lot of teams we played [last year],” Klein said. “But we had a great offseason. Everybody got stronger. Everybody put on 10 to 20 pounds. Now, we’ll be able to match up. We have plenty of work to do, but I’m really excited. We’ve improved a lot.” Seabreeze was 5-5 in Klein’s second season last year. This year, the Sandcrabs are aiming to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2021.
Brady Walters (14) tries to break out of safety Zevon Morgan’s grasp. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Quarterback Michael McDonough looks to a receiver.
Quarterback Bobby Starr looks for an open receiver. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Bryce Murray turns the corner for the grey team.
Nei'cco Murphy (4) leaps for an interception.
14 FPC athletes recognized at signing ceremony
Two pairs of teammates headed to the same school; three athletes following in siblings’ footsteps.
WORONOFF
BRENT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Fourteen Flagler Palm Coast athletes participated in the Bulldogs’ spring college signing ceremony on Wednesday, May 13.
Among the seniors celebrated were two pairs of teammates who will continue to be teammates in college and three athletes who are following in the footsteps of older siblings.
Anthony Hampton and Nate Perry have played basketball together for about 12 years in recreation leagues, travel ball and high school. They both received basketball scholarships to Fisk University, an NAIA school in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Playing together in college is something we always talked about as kids,” Hampton said.
“We made sure it would work out.”
Baseball players Nole Hemmerle and Jordan Gonzalez both signed with NAIA school Brewton-Parker University in Mount Vernon, Georgia.
“Playing together in college is something we always talked about as kids. We made sure it would work out.”
ANTHONY HAMPTON,
Swimmer Matilda Noble will follow her sister, Lucy, as the second college swimmer in the family. Lucy Noble swims at Eastern Michigan University. Matilda will swim at NCAA Division II Florida institute of Technology in Melbourne.
Matilda Noble joined Lucy in FPC’s record books this past season, breaking the school record in the 100yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.05. Matilda qualified in three events at the Region 1-4A swim meet.
Alexa Calidonio, who three years in a row placed among the top five at the state girls wrestling championships, joins her three siblings as a college athlete. Calidonio was the runner-up in the 170-pound class this year. She will continue her wrestling career at NAIA New College
of Florida in Sarasota.
“I’m grateful to all of my coaches,” she said. “Without them I wouldn’t be in this position.”
Alexa’s sister Gabriela played soccer at Franklin Pierce University and ColbySawyer College. Her other sister Cristina graduated this month from Newberry College in South Carolina, where she played lacrosse. And Alexa’s brother, Brandon, played lacrosse at Coker College and is now in the transfer portal.
Flag football player Nereyda Campos, FPC’s four-year starting quarterback, will continue her career at Daytona State College. Campos has said that her brother, Tyler Irigoyen, an FPC defensive lineman who went on to play at Ohio Northern University, inspired her to play flag football when she was young.
FPC girls soccer goalie Natalie Neal, who set a school record with 550 career saves, will also play at DSC. The Falcons’ women’s soccer team is the two-time defending junior college national champion.
“It feels like all my hard work has paid off,” Neal said.
FPC boys soccer goalie Teagan Paulo is headed to Andrew College in Cuthberth, Georgia. Andrew will begin play in NAIA this year. Paulo, who also received offers as a football kicker, will play soccer for coach Carnell Learmond. Learmond started recruiting Paulo when the coach was at his previous school, Fort Lauderdale University. Paulo said he chose Andrew from among 30 offers.
Another FPC soccer player, River Rodriguez, signed with NCAA Division II Georgian
Court University in New Jersey.
Football safety Kenneth Robinson will continue his career at NCAA Division III Brevard College in North Carolina.
La’Darius Simmons, who placed fourth in javelin at last week’s Class 4A state track championships, has accepted a track and field scholarship at NCAA Division I Florida International University. Simmons, the Bulldogs’ quarterback last season, will also be a preferred walk-on to the Panthers’ football team.
Caden Burchfield, who shared time at quarterback with Simmons last season before getting hurt in the third game of the season, signed with NAIA Warner University in Lake Wales.
Track and field star Karina Marcelus, who won the Class 4A state championship in the girls triple jump and was the state runner-up in the 100 hurdles, will continue her track career at NCAA Division I Florida A&M University.
“It feels like all my hard work has paid off.”
FPC
SIDELINES
DSC wins Rocket League Esports title
Daytona State College’s Rocket League Esports team captured its third consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association Esports national championship on May 5, defeating Heartland Community College 4-0 in the grand finals of the NJCAAE Spring Premier Series National Championship.
The Falcons entered the postseason as the tournament’s No. 1 seed after completing an undefeated regular season and closed out the championship run in the title series. The DSC Rocket League team included Donald Walton (Sulace), Noah Leal (Smoove) and Nathanael Boyer (Geo).
“Our players have put in an incredible amount of work this season and stayed focused through every challenge,” Esports Coordinator Sebastian Morales said.
In just three years since its launch, DSC’s Esports program has earned four national championships –three in Rocket League and one in Super Smash Bros. DSC’s Rocket League team is also ranked No. 32 nationally by the Collegiate Selection Committee.
Matanzas
Athletes of the Year
Cross country and track
athlete Blaine Vogel was named Male Athlete of the Year and two-sport athlete McKenzie Manhart was named Female Athlete of the Year at the Pirates’ annual awards ceremony.
Vogel placed 25th at the Class 3A state cross country meet in the fall and advanced to regionals in the 1,600and 3,200-meter races in track this spring. Manhart, a standout swimmer and softball player, will continue her softball career at Pensacola State College.
Megan Rhee, a four-year cross country and track runner, was named Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.
The dual-enrolled student has earned her associate degree
at Daytona State College. Tennis player Stanislav Valenteychik was named the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Valenteychik helped the Pirates advance to the Class 3A state semifinals with his only singles loss of the season coming in the state semifinals to Wiregrass Ranch, which went on to win the state championship. Valenteychik will attend the University of Florida.
Pirate grads in the postseason
Two former Matanzas softball players are playing in the college postseason. University of Florida pitcher Leah Stevens pitched the final inning in the Gators’ 12-0 win in their NCAA regional opener against Florida A&M; on May 15. UF will host a Super Regional this weekend against Texas Tech at 11 a.m. Friday, May 22 (on ESPN2), and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 (on ABC). A third game if necessary will be on Sunday, May 24.
Juliet Fogel is playing in the NJCAA Division II World Series with St. Johns River State College. The freshman infielder is third on the team with a .315 batting average. A third Matanzas softball alum, Emma Wood, has ended her college career at Embry-Riddle with a third consecutive selection to the All-Sunshine State Conference Team. Wood was named second-team at first base and was also selected to the All-SSC Defensive Team. She finished her senior season with a team-leading .361 batting average and started all 50 games for the Eagles. She ended her career as Embry-Riddle’s all-time leader in doubles with 42. Ortiz second in BMX state series Palm Coast resident Victor Ortiz placed second in the USA BMX Florida State Championship Series in the age 50-60 intermediate class. Ortiz placed third at the series finale May 15-17 at St. Cloud BMX to secure the runner-up spot for the series title.
NATALIE
Palm Coast’s Victor Ortiz (left) placed second in the USA BMX Florida State Championship Series in the age 50-60 intermediate class. Courtesy photo
Nole Hemmerle, Brewton-Parker University
La’Darius Simmons, Florida International University River Rodriguez, Georgian Court University
Kenneth Robinson, Brevard College
Jordan Gonzalez, Brewton-Parker University
Caden Burchfield, Warner University
Karina Marcelus, Florida A&M University
Nate Perry, Fisk University
Teagan Paulo, Andrew College
Nereyda Campos, Daytona State College
Matilda Noble, Florida Tech
Anthony Hampton, Fisk University
Alexa Calidonio, New College of Florida
Natalie Neal, Daytona State College Photos by Brent Woronoff
FPC basketball player
NEAL,
girls soccer goalie
With another large freshman class, the future looks bright for Matanzas
‘I can’t think of a spring where I’ve had more fun coaching football,’ Coach Forrest said.
With 46 rising freshmen and 34 rising sophomores partic-
ipating in Matanzas football practice this spring, the future appears bright for the Pirates.
“Just with the influx of youth and the way our program is moving along, this is the most excited I’ve been at spring practice since I’ve been here,” head coach Matt Forrest said. “I can’t think of a spring where I’ve had more fun coaching football.”
The Pirates will compete in the Pine Ridge spring jamboree at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The 46 eighth graders are not allowed to participate in drills or games with players already in high school, but Forrest expects at least a few of them to challenge for spots on the varsity team when they become freshmen this fall.
Overall, the Pirates have 122 players on their roster. Forrest said the number of incoming freshmen was such a surprise
they’ve had to borrow helmets from another school. But the varsity team won’t be bustling with veterans this fall.
Matanzas is losing 23 seniors who helped lead the Pirates last season to a 7-4 record and a bid to the new Florida Invitational Tournament. But while many of the rising juniors and seniors have not received that much playing time, they’ve shown this spring that they are invested in the program, Forrest said.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the retention they’ve had in our offense and defense, even though they were in backup roles and weren’t playing very much,” Forrest said. “It’s always scary when you replace that many seniors, but for this group to be as committed as they have been this spring, it’s a real positive for our program going
forward.”
Quarterback Cole Walker set school passing records last year with 2,387 yards and 22 touchdowns. Walker is graduating this month along with his top four receivers — Ladarien Baker, Jordan Schendorf, Andrew Bass and Thomas Larywon — who caught a total of 200 passes for 2,174 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
“Basically, every offensive yard through the air, graduated,” Forrest said.
Rising junior Cole Hardy, who threw just three passes last year as Walker’s backup, and rising sophomore Mari Arneaud will be the two quarterbacks on the field at Pine Ridge. Rising senior Brady Putis and sophomore Lukas De Freitas have been stepping up at receiver, Forrest said.
But the offense this fall will
largely be generated by rising senior running back Wiley Conner behind an experienced offensive line that lost only St. Thomas University signee Kenneth Roberts. Conner rushed for 1,108 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 144 yards and two more TDs last season.
Several experienced defensive players are also returning, but the holes will be filled by last year’s JV players or some select freshmen.
“We have a lot of talent in our ninth grade class — they are going to be sophomores,” Forrest said. “I also believe that there are some eighth graders that I’ve seen practice over the last two and a half weeks that are going to be fighting for some playing time on a Friday night, too. Since I’ve been here, these are by far the two biggest fresh-
man classes that we’ve had, and the numbers are not even close. And they look like really good football players.”
The eighth graders have been coming to practice throughout spring drills, Forrest said. Despite the large numbers, the JV staff, led by coach Dell Arneaud, has kept everybody engaged.
“It’s easy to get frustrated when you come out with that many,” Forrest said. “I think that’s a great job by our JV staff of getting everybody coached and everybody participating. They’re all learning our offense, our defense. [Our graduating seniors] did really well for us, and to be able to have a class to come in behind them of 46 right now, is unbelievable. It’s obviously a really positive time over here for Pirate football.”
Simmons’ touchdown catch from Miller gives Mainland varsity victory
Braylyn Simmons’ touchdown gave the Bucs a one-point win in the varsity portion of the spring game.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Just before the final play of the third quarter of Mainland’s spring football game, Bucs receiver Jaden “Melo” Parks made a suggestion to offensive coordinator AJ Mallory. The suggestion turned into a touchdown that gave Mainland a 28-27 varsity win over Coconut Creek during a spring football jamboree on Thursday, May 14, at Palm
Beach Gardens High School.
In the fourth quarter, with the teams playing backups and JV players, the Bucs scored the only touchdown to drive home with an overall 35-27 victory.
In the varsity portion, Coconut Creek scored a touchdown to take the lead with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
“It looked like we let it slip away,” Mainland head coach Jerrime Bell said.
But Mainland responded with quarterback PJ Miller completing three straight passes for a 75-yard touchdown drive. Braylyn “Juice” Simmons scored the winning touchdown on a 35-yard catch out of the backfield.
“He made a couple of players miss and got into the end
zone,” Bell said.
With 34 seconds left, Miller completed a first-down pass to Parks, who got out of bounds. Kadin Flores then a caught a pass down the middle. A roughing-the-passer penalty moved the ball to Coconut Creek’s 35-yard line. That’s when Parks made his suggestion.
“Melo told AJ, ‘Their guys are following me. If we run Braylyn out of the backfield, he might be open,’” Bell said. “And that’s exactly what happened.”
Miller, a rising senior, is a transfer from Spruce Creek, where he passed for 1,602 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for another 571 yards and four TDs last season.
“He commanded the
offense very well,” Bell said.
“He led four scoring drives with two touchdown passes.”
Simmons scored three of the touchdowns and rushed for more than 100 yards in two quarters. He sat out of the second quarter with “hydration issues,” Bell said.
The Bucs’ defense held the Cougars to under 100 yards rushing and and totaled five sacks but couldn’t keep Coconut Creek’s talented receivers out of the end zone.
“We stuffed the run the majority of the night without Tamaj Woodard, but Shawn Holmes stepped up and played well at linebacker,” Bell said. “They’re a good football team. Their receivers are all highly recruited guys, and they made plays. It will help us for the fall
schedule we have.”
The Bucs have another daunting schedule next season, starting with a kickoff classic at Kissimmee Osceola on Aug. 14. Mainland opens the season at home on Aug. 21 against Miami Carol City.
“Carol City is probably the most talent public high school in the state with all of their transfers,” Bell said.
From there, the Bucs will play six 2025 playoff teams — at Nease, Sanford Seminole, at Class 7A state runner-up Vero Beach, at Spruce Creek, Class 7A state champ Lake Mary and DeLand. University and Seabreeze round out the Bucs’ schedule. Mainland finished 9-3 and advanced to the Class 5A regional finals last season.
Mainland quarterback PJ Miller. Courtesy photo
Matanzas quarterback Cole Hardy. Photo by Brent Woronoff
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Richard “Robin” Foote, 76, of Jamestown (and formerly Quonochontaug) RI passed away March 17, 2026 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love and presence of his family. Robin was born in Windham CT, the third born of five children to Helen and Dick Foote and grew up in the close knit “Hill” neighborhood of Willimantic CT.
Robin was survived by his beloved wife Maryann (Bransford), and was the loving father of Dr. Christoper C. Foote, (Dr. Katie Foote) and the late Colin B. Foote. He was
Kate Mashamesh
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November 20, 1932 - April 23, 2026
Kate Osborn Bromley Hitchcock Mashamesh, 93, of Palm Coast, FL, passed away peacefully in her home on April 23, 2026. She was surrounded by the love of her family. Her daughters will cherish her memory. Kate was born and raised in Nyack, NY. Growing up her hobbies were singing in her church choir and performing with choral groups and drama clubs. She graduated from Plattsburgh State Teachers College and began a career that spanned almost 50 years. She taught in the Islip Public School system in Long Island, NY for 25 years; then after moving to Florida she became a full-time substitute teacher in Flagler County. She loved her students and they loved her back.
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Kate loved to entertain and throw dinner parties where there was always good food, laughter and singing. She was known for her wit, her spunk and her ability to make people laugh. She will be greatly missed by her friends, neighbors, church family and fellow choir members.
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Dr. Milton Oliver Vassell
May 8, 1931 - May 14, 2026
Dr. Milton Oliver Vassell of Palm Coast passed away the evening of May 14, 2026. He was surrounded by the love and presence of his children, Sheldon Vassell and Karyn Velez. Milton was born in Buff Bay, Jamaica, West Indies on May 8, 1931 and lived his formative years there. He immigrated to the United States to attend New York University in 1955 where he received his doctorate in Theoretical Physics and met his beloved wife, Dorine (Black). Dorine passed away in 2019.
In Loving Memory of Debra Jean Drope Today, we honor and remember Debra Jean Drope, a devoted wife, mother, sister, and a woman whose love and presence left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her.
Milton is survived by his beloved children, Sheldon Vassell and Karyn Velez, his son-in-law, Daniel Velez and granddaughter, Amelia Velez and other loving family and friends. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family on Thursday, May 21, 2026 for a homegoing celebration at the Palm Coast United Methodist Church located at 6500 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida, 32137. Viewing will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the service will be
She had a special love for animals and a natural warmth that made everyone feel welcome. Nowhere was that more evident than in the home she built alongside her husband, Bruce James Drope.
She is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth (Betsy) Bromley Jones of Palm Coast and Robyn Bromley Schaper (Timothy D. Schaper) of Concord, NH, four grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.
Debra was small in stature, but larger than life in personality. She was deeply loving and caring, especially toward her family, always putting their needs before her own. She worked tirelessly to provide and gave everything she had to ensure her children felt supported, safe, and cared for.
A Celebration of Life will be held July 18, 2026, at 11am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Flagler Humane Society.
Debra’s strong work ethic was evident throughout her life. She first met her husband, Bruce James Drope, while working at Wendy’s. She later built a long and dedicated career with JCPenney, where she worked in management across various departments for several decades.
Debra found joy in cooking and baking, especially during the holidays she loved so much. Christmas and Thanksgiving were her time to shine, filling the home with warmth, laughter, and the unmistakable smell of her homemade meals and desserts. She was known for her Christmas cookies and the way she made every visit feel special. No one ever left without feeling loved and appreciated, and often with several to-go containers filled with food.
She is survived by her
NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Formal Administration) IN THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2026-10818-PRDL DIVISION: 10 IN RE: The Estate of RICHARD D. CALABRESE A/K/A RICHARD D. CALABRESE, Jr. Deceased. TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE
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INSERTION Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09
of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 14th day of May, 2026 Tiffany Hamilton May 21, 2026 26-00346I
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 ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this Notice is May 21, 2026.
/s/ Laurie A. Calabrese LAURIE A. CALABRESE, As Personal Representative Attorney and Personal Representative Giving Notice: /s/ Steven E. Gurian . STEVEN E. GURIAN, ESQ., Attorney for Personal Representative EASY ESTATE PROBATE, PLLC 2601 South Bayshore Drive, 18th Floor Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 Tel: 1-833-973-3279 Fax: 1-833-927-3279
E-mail: SG@EasyEstateProbate.com Florida Bar No. 101511 May 21, 28, 2026 26-00344I
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2023 32475 CICI PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. FRANK HENRY MCFAYDEN A/K/A FRANK H. MCFAYDEN, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 10, 2026, and entered in 2023 32475 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and FRANK HENRY MCFAYDEN A/K/A FRANK H. MCFAYDEN A/K/A FRANK HENRY MCFAYDDAN; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF FRANK HENRY MCFAYDEN A/K/A FRANK H. MCFAYDEN A/K/A FRANK HENRY MCFAYDDAN; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT are the Defendant(s). Laura E. Roth as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www.volusia. realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on June 10, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT ELEVEN (11) OF ROLAND Y. STILLMAN’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT THIRTY-SIX (36) OF BLOCK THREE (3) OF COLEMAN’S DAYTONA ACCORDING TO MAP THEREOF, RECORDED IN MAP
REYES Deceased. The administration of the estate of Hernan Manuel Reyes, deceased, whose date of death was
25, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is
North Alabama Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724. 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 NOAll 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 NO -
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in 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 CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this noPersonal Representative:
CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026 11080 PRDL IN RE: ESTATE OF SHERRIE A. HOBBY Deceased. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have
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 May 14, 2026. Personal Representative: Kathryn Odierno 1408 Areca Palm Drive Port Orange, Florida 32128 Attorney for Personal Representative: Thomas J. Upchurch, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0015821 Upchurch Law 1616 Concierge Blvd. Suite 101 Daytona Beach, Florida 32117 Telephone: (386) 492-3871 Primary Email: service@upchurchlaw.com Secondary Email: clutes@upchurchlaw.com May 14, 21, 2026 26-00325I
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026 11194 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. CLARIDA, JR., aka WILLIAM BURTON CLARIDA JR. Deceased. The administration of the estate of William B. Clarida, Jr., also known as William Burton Clarida Jr., deceased, whose date of death was March 10th, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Post Office Box 6043, DeLand, Florida 32721. 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. The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any
property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by
