ORMOND BEACH
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City holds third annual father-daughter dance. This year’s was all about the ’70s . PAGE 1B
Volusia County School Board to streamline meetings
Board to move to one monthly meeting. Less time spent on recognitions and administrative appointments.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Following majority rule during a workshop on Tuesday, June 24, the Volusia County School Board will restructure their calendar to hold one regular meeting a month, rather than two.
On June 3, School Board attorney Gilbert Evans had recommended a series of changes to the board’s meeting structure for efficiency and time management. These included eliminating the board’s opening remarks and limiting board member comments to five minutes during discussions. The monthly School Board meeting will be composed of both a workshop and regular business meeting, and a second meeting for consent agenda items only can be held if needed. Currently, the average Volusia County School Board meeting lasts three-and-a-half hours, according
to district staff. A workshop averages about three hours.
“The numbers speak loud and clear that we’re not being efficient,” School Board member Krista Goodrich said.
To shorten meetings, the amount of time spent on recognitions and administrative appointments may be reduced.
Two School Board members weren’t on board with this. School Board member Ruben Colon said the recognitions may be “very Volusia” but it is a good thing.
“People get to give really heartfelt words of encouragement,” Colon said. “They get to thank everybody, starting from God to the last person that impacted their lives, appropriately so.”
Could that go away? Absolutely, Colon said. Administrative appointments could be placed in the consent agenda.
“Or, is it a very Volusia thing that makes a world of difference to their families, to their community, to the community they’re leaving, to the community they’re going to,” he said.
School Board member Donna Brosemer said the district could decide which recognitions should continue to happen at the board meeting, like statewide achieve -
ments, and which can be done at schools. As for administrative recognitions, she asked if they could be made more efficient.
“Maybe all we have to do is tighten up our process for doing that so that we limit how much time we’re spending on them,” she said.
Goodrich said that sometimes it feels like the district is holding an “assembly” at the board meeting. Some families struggle to be present for the recognition, she added, and students often have to sit for an hour or two before they’re called up.
“The board meetings are for the business of the board, not for award ceremonies and recognitions,” Goodrich said. “And while that may be something Volusia has always done, as we can see by the times that we’re looking at, it’s not efficient.”
She said she’d rather do the recognitions in schools, or holding an east and west side recognition event twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall.
“Very few people actually watch these meetings,” Goodrich said.
“Very few people get to see them recognized by the board, but in their communities, that’s a great place to recognize them. So I do think that should be scaled back.”
School Board Chair Jamie Haynes countered that people do listen to the meetings, particularly to administrative appointments to find out who is coming to their schools and who is leaving.
“When we are putting people up and they’re being promoted into a position — they’re going to be an [assistant principal] for the first time, we have them here,” Haynes said. “If they’re going to be a principal for the first time, if they’re moving into a district position for the first time, we have them here. This is the right place to do it.”
She’s OK to streamline the process, but doesn’t want to see that go away.
School Board member Jessie Thompson suggested rather than vote on individual appointments, the district could read them into the record.
On recognitions, Haynes said they’re the positive part of the meeting, and “the why.”
“That’s why we’re here,” she said. “We’re here to show community the wonderful and great things that are happening here on our campuses.”
District staff will be evaluating the board member recommendations and bring back an action item at a future board meeting.
Casey Herring (right) spins his daughter Kayden (left) on the dance floor at the “Saturday Night Live” Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, June 21, at The Casements. Photo by Michele Meyers
Palm Coast family to be reunited with missing son
Sam Vengrinovich, 44, had been hiking for nine days, surviving on insects, grass, and even drinking his urine.
SERENA PIPER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Samuel “Sam” Vengrinovich, a 44-year-old American and Israeli citizen, has been found alive after going missing on Friday, June 6, during a hike near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, northern India.
A resident of Jaffa, Israel, Samuel had last been seen trekking on Mount Triund, a popular hiking destination known for its scenic vistas.
Samuel is the son of Vlad and Tina Vengrinovich, longtime members of the Jewish community residing in Palm Coast. Samuel’s sister Natasha Vengrinovich said he had been in India for about eight or nine months, after first seeking asylum in Hungary after tensions in Israel escalated with Iran.
“He had been traveling and trying to figure out where he was going to live while the country he [lived] in was at war,” she said. “This journey was going to be one of his last before returning home to figure out what he wanted to do next.”
Samuel went missing on June 6, and according to fellow hikers, he left his belongings, including his cell phone, at the overnight campsite and continued toward the snow line — a higher and more perilous section of the trail — despite deteriorating weather conditions.
Hagai, an Israeli hiker who encountered Samuel on the trail, noted that the conditions were tougher than usual and expressed concern that he might be stranded and in urgent need of rescue.
When Samuel failed to return to the campsite or make contact with friends, fellow travelers alerted local authorities and the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Israeli Embassy in
after he went missing during a hike in India. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe
India also coordinated with police and rescue officials in the region.
Additionally, a number of Israeli backpackers joined the search efforts, along with Chabad of Dharamshala and Magnus International Search & Rescue, a private Israeli firm specializing in emergency response.
Samuel’s father launched an online fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to help cover search and rescue expenses, including a potential helicopter operation.
Natasha received the news that her brother had been found — alive — in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 15.
Samuel had been walking toward a city in the distance for nine days, surviving on insects, grass, and even drinking his own urine.
Natasha credits her brother being found to many sources.
“We hired local trekkers, I contacted newscasters and senators, and posted on every social media channel I could think of,” she said. “It was really an international effort.”
Samuel is currently recovering in Fortis Hospital Kangra in India. His father plans to fly to India after his visa application is approved.
Funds from the GoFundMe will go toward surgeries for Samuel’s wrist and knee, as well as physical therapy and travel expenses. To help, search for “Help find my missing son in India” on GoFundMe.
Volusia group calls for peace in Middle East
Just Us Volusia is a peaceful, non-partisan action group formed in April.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
About 30 people gathered at the base of the Granada Bridge on Friday, June 20, to protest U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran, just one day before the U.S. launched a strike on three nuclear sites in Iran.
The protest was organized by Just Us Volusia, a peaceful, non-partisan action group formed by Kelly Czajkowski in April.
“We’re not an organization,” she said. “We’re just scrappy, grassroots concerned citizens that want to speak up and speak out, and maybe stand up and show up for people that maybe don’t feel safe doing that at this time.”
Just Us Volusia organizes protests on various issues, national and local, at the Daytona Beach City Hall every other weekend, and participants come from all over the political spectrum, Czajkowski said.
After the U.S. administration’s threats of getting involved in a war against Iran, several group members contacted Czajkowski to ask if they were going to do something, shar-
ing stories of loved ones currently enlisted who could be sent overseas.
“We do not support any wars,” Czajkowski said. “We are anti-war, and with that, the president ran on a policy of no wars and ending wars, and not starting wars. ... He said he was going to stop the policy of regime change and put America first, and here we are.”
National news outlets reported that Trump had planned to wait up to two weeks to decide on striking Iran. The strikes happened two days later, on June 22.
Czajkowski hasn’t always been an activist. But as a teacher who works with children with severe physical, mental and cognitive disabilities, she said she couldn’t stay silent as government policies began impacting their daily lives.
Attendance at protests organized by Just Us Volusia have been steadily
“We’re not an organization, we’re just scrappy, grassroots concerned citizens that want to speak up and speak out, and maybe stand up and show up for people that maybe don’t feel safe doing that at this time.”
KELLY CZAJKOWSKI
rising since their first official one held on the National Day of Action on April 5. The group recently held a “No Kings” protest in Daytona Beach which was attended by about 3,000 people. The group keeps track of attendance using stickers, and despite printing 2,500, they ran out within the first hour, Czajkowski said.
Just Us Volusia is fighting for free speech, she said. She hopes the protest encourages people to call their representatives.
“I feel like regardless of political affiliation, regardless of what party you’re aligned with when you go to vote, nobody voted for this,” Czajkowski said. “Nobody voted to go to war. Nobody voted thinking this was a good idea and I feel like we need to find common ground if we’re going to make any change.”
Samuel “Sam” Vengrinovich was found on June 15
Liz Whalen protests U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war at the Granada Bridge.
Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Joe Czajkowski’s sign calls for peace.
The protest was organized by Kelly Czajkowski, founder of Just Us Volusia.
‘This is a generational project’
‘I DO WHAT I LOVE’
ing project,” he said. “... It kind of fell by the wayside for a number of years.”
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
When the City of Ormond Beach demolished the former bait shop at Cassen Park, longtime operator Ike Leary stood at the window of his new building and cried.
Since 1999, Leary had run his business, Granada Pier Bait and Tackle, out of the tiny 350-square-foot building. He had been approached by the city back then after the previous operator quit mid-lease.
At the time, Leary was helping his son run his bait shop, the Happy Fisherman, in Holly Hill after walking away from a career in pipe fitting.
“On my 50th birthday, I said, ‘That’s it. No more,’” Leary recalled.
“So I went to work helping my son out down there at the Happy Fisherman.”
Cassen Park hadn’t changed much since he started operating the bait shop 26 years ago, but that’s no longer true.
The $2.8 million park redesign project — which included a new building for Leary — is nearing completion. Workers are currently completing the final hardscape and native landscaping elements, and the city hopes its contractor finishes all work within the next week.
Just in time for the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.
“Construction is really in the home stretch,” Assistant City Manager Shawn Finley said.
A COMMUNITY PROJECT
The city started the redesign effort for Cassen Park with a series of public meetings in February 2022. Based on feedback from residents and city board members, design plans were drafted by Zev Cohen and Associates and presented to the City Commission in October 2023.
The project was then awarded in December 2024 to Coleman Goodemote Construction, Inc., of Daytona Beach, and construction began in January 2025.
However, talks about redesigning the park probably began sometime in 2010, Finley said.
“At that time, it was a simple pav-
The official redesign project came at a time when the city was ramping up public involvement, Finley said, and it received a lot of input on the park from the public and groups like Ormond MainStreet. It’s a good example of what can be done when everyone works together, he said.
“I think there’s a lot of people who are going to feel ownership of this project, and a lot of people are going to look at it and see one little corner of it and where their contribution was,” Finley said. “I think that’s what’s important about a community project like this — is that it’s something that everybody can feel part of.”
The redesign increases the number of parking spots from 39 to 53, with 48 designated for boat trailers. The new bait shop building spans 1,096 square feet and includes public restrooms.
ALL FOUR CORNERS
This is a generational project, said City Commissioner Travis Sargent, who represents Zone 2, in which the park is located. Community input was key.
“I think this is a great enhancement to our community,” Sargent said. “And it took a lot of hands. A lot of people were involved in it.”
Now that the redesign is almost complete, Sargent said it’s great to see how the contractor has brought the community’s vision to fruition. The park will be more user-friendly for boaters now, he added, and the relocation of the bait shop will alleviate it from flooding, which it experienced in past storms.
Once ready for the community, people will be able to walk across all four corner parks by the Granada Bridge. Next thing on the list? Sargent said it’s repairing the Fortunato Park fishing pier.
“Then, I think all four corners will be 100%,” he said.
Having four corner parks — Cassen, Bailey Riverbridge, Fortunato and Rockefeller Gardens — is unusual, Finley said.
“This really gives us something that a lot of communities don’t have, and that’s four corners of a bridge that are all public features and really are there for everybody in the community,” Finley said.
“I think there’s a lot of people who are going to feel ownership of this project, and a lot of people are going to look at it and see one little corner of it and where their contribution was. I think that’s what’s important about a community project like this — is that it’s something that everybody can feel part of.”
SHAWN FINLEY, Ormond Beach assistant city manager
“Once they get done, it’s going to be beautiful,” Leary said. “If you look out there now with all the native plants and the palm trees — beautiful.”
When the city asked him to take over the bait shop at Cassen Park in 1999, he had one condition: He didn’t want to simply finish up the previous operator’s lease. He wanted to be guaranteed the next year’s too.
Did he know he would continue to hold the lease 26 years later?
A resident of Ormond since he was 7 and a named “Goodwill Ambassador” for the city, Leary moved into the new bait shop building about two weeks ago. It took him, his wife and his two sons about three days.
He’s still setting up shop.
“I had no idea that I had this much inventory in that tiny little building,” Leary said.
Business was slow during construction, but he’s hoping it picks up once the park opens. May to August is typically his peak season, he said.
“I was hoping,” Leary said. “And I hope I’m here for another 26 years.”
And if he is, he’ll still be offering his famous hot dogs and the “best collard greens in the county” — a recipe passed down from his mother.
He’s at the bait shop by 5 a.m. every day. His favorite memories over the years are being up early enough to see the sunrise over the Halifax River.
“It comes up right there,” he said, pointing to the east-facing window.
“I do what I love. I love what I do.”
“Once they get done, it’s going to be beautiful. If you look out there now with all the native plants and the palm trees — beautiful.”
IKE LEARY, GRANADA PIER BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP OPERATOR
Workers complete the final hardscaping for Cassen Park.
Cassen Park redesign in Ormond Beach nears completion.
A bird’s eye view of what Cassen Park is proposed to look like after its redesign. Rendering by Marquis Latimer + Halback
Work at Cassen Park is expected to be complete in time for the Fourth of July.
Ike Leary and his dog Olive stand inside his new bait shop building at Cassen Park. Photos by Jarleen Almenas.
Palm Coast’s taxable value increases 9%
As the city prepares to adopt its maximum millage rate for the 2026 budget, Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said she’d like to see it set to a tenth lower than last year’s rate. ‘We can always go lower.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Taxable property value in Palm Coast is up by over 9%. Of that, 5% is attributable to new construction, Financial Services Director Helena Alves said.
The June 1 initial assessment of Flagler County’s assessed, nonexempt property values sets the stage for budget discussions in Palm Coast for 2026. The 9.29% increase in taxable property value is an increase from $9.9 billion to $10.9 billion. Based on that value, if the city keeps the same millage rate from fiscal year 2025 of 4.1893, that would generate approximately $43.8 million in ad
BIZ BUZZ
Tomoka Eye Associates adds new optometrist
Tomoka Eye Associates has announced the addition of optometrist Dr. Charlotte Fae to its team of eyecare professionals.
Fae is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry with experience in community service through optometry. During her studies, she served as president of the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, providing eye care to underserved communities. Fae earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences from UCF Burnett Honors College (2016-2019).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr.
valorem revenue for the city’s budget, Alves said. That is a $3.7 million increase from fiscal year 2025.
The final values and projected revenues for the budget will be available after July 1.
Vice Mayor Theresa said she would like to see what the budget would look like with a tenth of a mill rollback.
“I’m not saying that we can’t entertain a full rollback, but I’m saying that at the very least, we’re looking to set the max millage rate.
The max I would like to see is a tenth rollback,” she said. “We can always go lower.”
Compared to other cities in Florida with a population between 95,000120,000, Palm Coast has the second lowest millage rate, Alves said. Of its neighboring cities, Palm Coast’s millage rate is lower than Flagler Beach’s 5.450, Daytona Beach’s 5.930, Port Orange’s 4.975 and Bunnell’s 7.930.
Flagler County has a millage rate of 7.9945 and Ormond Beach, which has a population of 45,140, has a millage rate of 4.0960.
“In comparison to our neighboring communities, Palm Coast does have the third lowest millage rate with one
Fae to the Tomoka Eye Associates family,” CEO Bill Watson said in a press release. “Her passion for patient care and community service aligns perfectly with our mission of providing personalized, professional eye care to our patients.”
Fae’s addition expands service by increasing availability for comprehensive eye exams at both the Ormond Beach and Port Orange locations.
of the highest populations,” Alves said.
Once the maximum millage rate is adopted — which will happen at the July 15 meeting — the council can only change the millage rate by going lower, per state statute. The final millage rate and the budget for fiscal year 2026 will be adopted on Sept. 10 and 24. Palm Coast’s budget for fiscal year 2025 was $451 million, with a general fund of $61 million. If the council adopts a rollback of any sort, it will be the third budget in a row that the city has adopted a lower millage rate than the previous year’s budget.
Lifestyle Realty Group adds Karin Dent as new agent in Ormond Beach Lifestyle Realty Group has added agent Karin Dent to its Ormond Beach brokerage.
Dent is a longtime Florida resident, a real estate agent since 2006, and a former educator in both Orange and Volusia County.
Ormond man arrested for death of 18-month-old son
VSO reports that Scott Allen Gardner left his son in his truck for three hours while he got a haircut and drank at a local bar.
OBSERVER STAFF
A 33-year-old Ormond Beach man who left his 18-month-old son inside his truck for three hours while he got a haircut and went to a local bar earlier this month was arrested on aggravated manslaughter and child neglect charges on Thursday, June 19.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reports that Scott Allen Gardner called 911 on June 6 at about 2:45 p.m. to report that his son, Sebastian, was not breathing. Ormond Beach Police responded to the residence of Gardner’s mother on Standing Drive, and the responding officer attempted to perform CPR, but according to Gardner’s arrest report, “was unable to due to the child’s jaw being in a rigid state and unable to move,” indicating rigor mortis, or the stiffening of muscles and joints after death, had set in.
“My hope for him (Gardner) is every night when he closes his eyes and every morning when he opens his eyes, his son Sebastian sits there and says, ‘Dad, why did you do this to me?’” Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a news conference on Friday, June 20. “Because there is no reason for this little boy to be dead.”
Gardner told police that Sebastian had a low-grade fever earlier that day, but that they had eaten lunch, played and laugh. He said they had been driving to the park when he noticed something was wrong, and he reached back and “started slapping him in the face,” the report states. Gardner claimed the child opened his eyes after he attempted to perform CPR.
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Gardner’s mother told police that
her son had show up with Sebastian and told them he wasn’t breathing. Her boyfriend, who was at the home, tried to perform CPR but couldn’t open the boy’s mouth, and noted his skin was “hot.”
Sebastian was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. An emergency room doctor noted that he had likely been dead for over an hour and a nurse estimated that his body temperature was likely at 111 degrees when police first arrived.
On June 9, detectives learned that Gardner had gotten a hair cut at Classic Cuts at around 11:30 a.m. and stopped at Hanky Panky’s Lounge afterward around noon while Sebastian was under his care on June 6. The day’s temperature was about 90 degrees.
Surveillance footage showed Gardner’s vehicle traveling south on Ocean Shore Boulevard, away from Hanky Panky’s, at 2:43 p.m. Gardner admitted to detectives that he had left Sebastian in his truck during both stops, saying the windows had been rolled down and he had a battery-operated fan pointed in the child’s direction.
A medical examiner determined Sebastian died of hyperthermia.
During the news conference, Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey extended his department’s condolences to the family. This is one of the worst kind of call law enforcement responds to, and Godfrey said mental health resources are being provided to his officers.
“When a child’s life is lost like this, there has to be accountability, and that’s what’s happening right now,” Godfrey said.
There are instances where parents forget their kids in the backseat, Chitwood said. This was intentional.
“Anybody with a lick of common sense would say, ‘Why would I leave my child in the car while I get my hair cut and then go drinking with a little mini-fan blowing on them and think that that somehow is going to be a good thing,” he said.
When you plan ahead, you can make your final wishes known and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind.
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Theresa Pontieri. File photo by Brian McMillan
Karin Dent. Courtesy photo
Dr. Charlotte Fae
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
Kyle
BRIEFS
FPL announces planned upgrades for Ormond Beach
In 2025, FPL plans to make the following upgrades in Ormond Beach as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce outages and restore power faster following major storms:
Walmart submits new plan for remodel
included a letter from CPH Corp, its civil engineering firm, outlining the interior upgrades to the store, as well as addressing the board’s feedback.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Continuing its pursuit of a 4,752-square-foot building expansion, Walmart has resubmitted a new site plan to the City of Ormond Beach.
Located at 1521 W. Granada Blvd., Walmart’s request to amend its Planned Business Development for the additional building in the northeast corner — proposed for more space for online grocery pickup service area — was tabled by the Ormond Beach Planning Board on March 13. Board members shared concerns about the store’s aesthetics, security and presence of transients, and asked store representatives to return with an improved project.
The store submitted a new site plan on May 27, and
“Based on the comments made by the public and the Planning Commission, we have revised the exterior architecture in order to upgrade the aesthetics at this store,” the letter stated. “We appreciate the initial city comments on the exterior of the store.”
Walmart plans to improve the existing façade to include new branding of signage and logos, and paint the store to match a “Mediterranean Beach style.”
Previously, Walmart was planning to paint the store “Gauntlet Gray,” the existing color and one based on its “New Enterprise Brand.”
Based on the site plan, the new color scheme includes tans, browns and Walmart’s “true blue.”
The additional building will be used solely by Walmart employees to serve its online pickup and delivery.
Interior upgrades, the letter states, include expanded offerings in pharmacy and food, technology integration and energy-efficient changes.
The civil engineering firm’s letter also addressed the concerns about the greenbelt buffer and transients.
Since the board meeting, Walmart has cleared dead and invasive vegetation in the buffer, which fronts Granada Boulevard.
“The removal of the vegetation and debris in the greenbelt buffer has significantly improved the issues with individual trespassing in this area,” the letter states.
The store has also spoken with law enforcement and enacted an agreement to remove individuals without involving employees. It also plans to add new exterior lighting on the building and in the buffer between the store and the Bermuda Estates apartments to the north.
The project is tentatively scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning Board at its July 10 meeting.
Essentially all structures in the city that support main power lines are hardened with reinforced wood, steel or concrete, or underground.
148 miles of power lines will undergo inspection or vegetation trimming – addressing one of the leading causes of power outages.
286 power poles in Ormond Beach will be inspected, strengthening or replacing those that no longer meet
FPL’s industry-leading standards.
Three intelligent devices will be installed as part of smart grid technology upgrades on main, neighborhood and underground power lines. These automated smart switches help identify outages and reroute power to prevent more widespread interruptions.
The new site plan aims to address Planning Board concerns regarding aesthetics and security.
Walmart plans to improve the existing façade to match a “Mediterranean Beach style.” Rendering courtesy of the City of Ormond Beach
BRIEFS
Palm Coast launches risk assessment to drive efficiency
In response to City Council direction and residents’ calls for continual ad vancements, the City of Palm Coast will conduct an Entity‑Wide Risk Assessment this summer. National consulting firm Plante Moran has been selected through a competitive Request for Proposals process to lead the effort.
“The services that this firm is go ing to provide are unique in nature –they’re first going to do a deep dive into our organization before they offer any recommendations,” Tim
COPS CORNER
JUNE 9
DEBIT OR CREDIT
1:32 p.m. — 400 block of South Yonge Street, Ormond Beach
Fraud. Responding to a call about a suspicious person, police located the suspect — a 37 year old Ormond Beach man — and asked him if they could search his backpack. The man agreed, and when police found 11 debit cards, each with a different name, he said he had found them in Daytona Beach. But, he didn’t provide a specific location. Then, he asked if he was going to
Wilsey, Risk & Safety Administrator for the City of Palm Coast, stated.
“From an outside perspective, you have a firm that has experience in this, and they’re going to give their expertise in developing a matrix that can be used for years to come.”
Plante Moran will conduct inter views with key stakeholders to iden tify operational, strategic, financial, and compliance related risks. Based on those findings, the firm will work with city leadership to make recom mendations. Additionally, the City will receive guidance to can enhance operational efficiency and improve services across all departments.
The assessment is expected to give City Council a clear, data driven understanding of current and poten tial challenges.
jail for the cards.
Police discovered he had an active warrant out of Tennessee for the possession and fraudulent use of credit and debit cards. He was taken to jail.
JUNE 11
CLAIM OF OWNERSHIP
4:01 p.m. — 700 block of South Nova Road, Ormond Beach Trespassing. A 45 year old Daytona Beach Shores woman was arrested after she loitered inside a local laundromat, smoking cigarettes and rubbing the burning end on a table. When officers arrived, the woman didn’t have a lit cigarette, nor did they see any burn marks on a table. But, while speaking to police, the woman said “the owners of this busi
Flagler Executive Airport to join ‘Florida First Sites’ program
Flagler County Economic Develop ment and Executive Airport staff welcomed on June 11 the economic development teams of Global Loca tions Strategies and Florida Power & Light to start the vetting process for the Florida First Sites program.
The Florida First Sites program utilizes GLS – an independent source that verifies whether a site is ready to go or is shovel/pad ready –which means a lot of different things. It answers questions for developers with commercial and light industrial projects like the following:
Does the site have water and
ness are going to pass this down to me,” and that she owned it.
Police report the woman had an active trespass affidavit for the shopping plaza and the laundromat. She was taken to jail.
JUNE 18
SHOT FIRED
11:50 p.m. — 2000 block of North Ocean Shore Boulevard, Flagler Beach
Use of firearm under influence of alcohol. Flagler Beach police arrest ed a 63 year old woman after her lot neighbors reported a loud bang and the presence of a bullet hole and de bris in their home, according to the arrest report. The reporting officer noted that the home in the lot next door had a broken glass window.
sewer?
Does it have electricity and fiber?
Does it have roads, drainage, and water retention?
In short, does it have all the hori zontal infrastructure in place for site development?
“Selection for the Florida First Sites program allows this indepen dent assessment of the commer cial and light industrial property within the Flagler Executive Airport jurisdiction,” Economic Develop ment Manager Dolores Key said.
“In doing so, the airport will have increased site visibility and improves its chances of landing an economic development project.”
This process highlights the Air port’s 130 acres of light industrial and commercial land that may be of
When contacted by police, the woman admitted she’d had an “in cident” with a firearm, stating that she had been in her living room and picked up her firearm, at which point it was discharged by accident. A second person inside her home was unharmed.
As police spoke with the woman, they noted her breath smelled like alcohol. The gun was found in a box on the living room floor next to a recliner chair.
The woman was taken to jail.
JUNE 19
PEDESTRIAN STOP
11:29 p.m. — Intersection of South Chapel Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Avenue, Bunnell Obstruction without violence. A
interest to companies interested in relocating to the region.
Flagler County will receive an example of how the site selection process works, as well as marketing materials that will include a video of the Flagler Executive Airport. In ad dition, FPL’s economic development team will host the airport on its spe cialized website that features Florida First Sites while they are on trade missions, including international air shows held in France and England.
“This is another strategic alliance brought together for the betterment of our community,” Key said. “Work ing together makes us all stronger.” Send news story ideas to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
35 year old Bunnell man was tased three times by a deputy after he didn’t comply with a deputy’s order to approach his patrol car for a traf fic stop because he was walking on a roadway.
The deputy said he saw him pull his hand toward the area of his lower abdomen, and because he was uncooperative and unsure if he had weapons, the deputy conducted a takedown maneuver.
While on the ground, the man was tased three separate times as he resisted the deputy. After he was arrested, the deputy asked if he needed medical attention, and the man said he did but refused to tell the deputy why, the report notes. He was transported to the hospital and then to jail.
This June, make the move to Paradise Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care and take advantage of our exclusive summer special designed to welcome you in true Paradise style.
Move in during June and receive:
A $2,000 MOVE-IN CREDIT – APPLIED TOWARD YOUR RENT OR COMMUNITY FEE
A PERSONALIZED WELCOME HOME SUNSET PARTY – hosted on our patio, gazebo or Sandbar with refreshments, music, and golden-hour views for your family and friends.
Whether you’re downsizing or beginning a new chapter with extra care and comfort, Paradise Pointe is where vibrant living meets peace of mind. Make your move this June and start your next chapter with sunshine, support, and celebration
Make yourself at home
‘We don’t take fake money’
overheard these plans while we sat on the couch, working on our laptops. It was unclear at first whether Luke was trying to poke fun at his mother’s boot, which she has been wearing since she had surgery a month earlier.
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
With a friend over on a Saturday, the game of choice for my 7-year-old son, Luke, was “Shop.” That means toys and books of all varieties were hauled from his bedroom to fill all corners of the living room, and price tags were about to be created in a garage-sale-style makebelieve venture. In other words, the mess was spreading like the coronavirus.
In addition to the advertising sign that was posted in the kitchen to attract the family’s attention, Luke also had one more sign to make.
“We need a disabled parking space,” he told his friend. My wife, Hailey, and I
LETTERS
City should have full control of approving developments
Dear Editor:
When the former Palm Coast mayor was defeated, residents were encouraged to believe that unrelenting approval of building requests would abate. Unfortunately, the problem has only grown. The current City Council members must take action. Adding to the issue is Florida Senate Bill (SB) 784 (which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Friday, June 20). SB 784 strips City Council of the authority to review and determine the fate of each application for development.
(See Editor’s Note.)
Concern must be given to the deteriorating quality of life for residents of Palm Coast. The cost of controlling crime has increased. And, since virtually all east/
But he seemed pretty sincere when he tried to impress upon his friend how important it was.
“In our shop, if we don’t have a disabled parking space, we’ll get arrested,” Luke said.
A few minutes later, apparently the business had fulfilled as many legal requirements as Luke could think of, and the shop officially opened. Unfortunately, no customers.
So, as with most new stores, the first customers were friends and family who were guilted into it.
“Dad, can you be a customer?” Luke asked.
“Probably,” I mumbled, still staring at my laptop.
west traffic is on Palm Coast Parkway and State Road 100, the increase in vehicles is very apparent. Adding vehicles exacerbates the issue, adding choke points. Despite any delegation of responsibilities to administrative departments, the members of the City Council, current and future, need to have total control of land use. The tail should not wag the dog. Granted, the initial planners of Palm Coast designed a development plan. However, as with any plan, it is not sacrosanct. Residents of Palm Coast live here because of the quality of life. City Council members have a mandate to guard conditions that promote quality of life for residents.
JOHN (JACK) HARTSOCH Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: SB 784
“Right now?” he added. I dutifully walked into the living room and surveyed the wares, all of which Hailey and I had purchased for him in the past, of course. In one “aisle,” he had placed a stack of books. In another “aisle,” also known as a quadrant of the rug in front of the coffee table, I saw some action figures arranged neatly, side by side. It was surprisingly moving to see the amount of work they had put into this store. They had come up with this idea on their own and then executed it without any help. I could see how proud they were of it, and, by some miracle of parenting, I felt that same pride, as if it were a gift they, or perhaps God, had given me, a multiplication of their accomplishment, allowing me to generously take part in their harvest even though I hadn’t done the sowing.
Luke’s friend was sitting on the couch with an old
requires county or city governing bodies to designate an “administrative authority” to review plat or re-plat submissions. If the administrative authority finds the submission meets the legal standards, it would be the one to issue a “final administrative approval,” not the city or county governing body itself.
Parents need choices, such as Montessori, not just public schools
Dear Editor: In response to a recent letter to the editor regarding public schools and the education of teachers, I would like to point out the following. Montessori teachers are required to attend specialized classes, learn lessons in the Montessori method and graduate with either a twoyear or four-year certification in addition to a college
Easing pet anxiety during fireworks
Even if your dog isn’t scared during thunder storms, fireworks can terrify them.
With July 4th fast approaching, let’s keep animals in mind as we celebrate. Studies suggest that 50% of dogs have a significant fear of fireworks.
Dogs are able to hear up to 60,000 hertz, while humans can’t hear anything above 20,000 hertz. This acuity is one of the reasons the sound of fireworks can be harmful to dogs.
Even if your dog isn’t scared during thunder storms, fireworks can terrify them. The main difference is the warning signs. Thunderstorms come with changes in wind, temperature and barometric pressure, allowing animals to anticipate and plan. Fireworks are sudden and intense, leaving animals no time to prepare.
Fireworks also can be louder than thunder. Professional displays can reach 150 to 175 decibels, while thunder ranges 100 to 115 decibels.
I have multiple dogs. Only one, Lilly Lou Pickles, is afraid during thunderstorms, but all of them panic when neighbors set off fireworks. If your pet has severe reactions to fireworks, there’s still time this
year to consult your veterinarian to determine if anxiety meds should be prescribed. If you don’t want to go that route, there are still ways to help ease your dog’s fears. You may purchase a calming wrap for your dog. The most common brand name is “Thunder Shirt” (they’re made for humans, too). The idea is that the compression is a bit like a hug. White noise like calming music or a loud fan can help. Make sure your scared dog has a safe spot like a covered crate that they can come and go from. Some dogs will squeeze under the bed or hide in the closet. I mentioned my dog Lilly Lou Pickles; my husband took an odd shaped wall in our bedroom and built Lilly Lou her own apartment. I always know way ahead of time if a storm is coming: It’s when she goes in her apartment. I call her our little meteorologist.
Dogs aren’t the only animals affected by fear of fireworks. The effects of fireworks on cats are less obvious, but their responses
laptop keyboard that didn’t work. I surmised that she was the cashier, so I brought my selected items to her for checkout: an Iron Man action figure, a miniature plastic can of fruit cocktail, and a composition book of Luke’s kindergarten grade assignments, with misspellings galore.
“That’s 32,” the cashier told me. Then, almost as an afterthought, she said, “Dollars.”
“Here you go,” I said, miming a fistful of cash. I was playing along, entering their world of make believe like a great dad who—
“We don’t take fake money,” Luke’s friend said with a straight face.
For a moment, I felt that I had just entered a mobster’s lair, gotten myself into a real predicament. What would happen to me if I couldn’t cough up the cash?
I offered my credit card instead, as a peace offering.
Overseeing this “transaction,” Luke was wise to my ruse. I might have been imagining it, but I believe that in his smile — that good
degree. As a trained Montessori teacher, I have seen the results of this teaching method first hand with students having excelled scholastically far beyond what is offered in public schools at their grade level.
Given the news coverage of the state of public education in the United States, the ideology taught and sadly the lack of students to perform at grade level is not a stellar recommendation for parents to leave their children in public schools. COVID and the education systems’ response to it are a prime example of what not to do. In my opinion the teachers union appears more interest-
are similar. Horses can feel threatened by fireworks due to their hypervigilance since they are constantly on alert for possible predators. It is estimated that 79% of horses experience anxiety from fireworks.
Wildlife may have severe reactions too. The shock of fireworks can cause wildlife to flee, ending up in unexpected areas or roadways, even abandoning nests, leaving young to die of dehydration or starvation. The effects on wild animals are challenging to document. Researchers expect that millions of birds and other wildlife are affected around the world every year. There is a growing acceptance of alternatives, such as laser light shows. There are also “silent” fireworks, which aren’t completely silent but are not nearly as loud. So, it is possible to enjoy fireworks without causing stress.
This is a good time to ensure your pet’s microchip information is current. Or, if your pets are not microchipped, contact your vet or come see us at Flagler Humane Society and get your pet microchipped. July 4-5 are some of the busiest days of the year for shelter intake, with pets getting lost during Independence Day festivities. Amy Carotenuto is the executive director of Flagler Humane Society. Visit 1 Shelter Drive, Palm Coast Call 386 445-1814.
natured, everpresent smile — I also saw a fleeting disappointment, which revealed that he had at least an inkling of hope that all of this work would pay off with actual money.
Was this store makebelieve, or was it a real business in his eyes?
Whatever his true vision had been, as soon as he saw that I didn’t intend to pay the $32 in cash, he immediately accepted it, by some miracle of childhood, in perfect humility to accept that his father’s will would be done.
Hailey, hobbling past the handicapped parking spot (aka a kitchen chair), approached the cash register next. Her total price showed the extent to which Luke and his friend had yielded. They had given up on real money, and it was now pure fun.
“That’ll be $1 billion,” Luke told her with a laugh that was completely without guile. The two friends giggled, no hard feelings, no expectations, no disappointment.
For Luke, getting his parents to play was payment enough.
ed in politics than education as well as maintaining their revenue.
As a parent I want the best for my child. Scholastic education should not be limited to public schools. This is not in any way degrading the Flagler County public school system but simply pointing out there are other options that parents may choose that are not poor decisions.
ELIZABETH HOBBS
Palm Coast
Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com. Include first and last name, as well as city of residence.
CORRECTIONS
In the article titled “Bunnell to consider rezoning 1,800 acres to industrial” on page 4A of the June 19 edition, the article incorrectly stated Bunnell’s road improvement budget is $500,000. It is $15,000 for road repairs. A photo on the Ormond Beach Observer ’s Page 3A in the June 19 edition listed Judit Glant as Arnold Kolozsvári’s girlfriend; she is his fiancé.
STUFF Bus Drives
June 23rd-27th- Kara King Esthetics
July 7th-11- Palm Coast Chiropractic th July 11- 13th- Publix @ Island Walk th July 14th -18th- Chiumento Law
July 21- Space Coast Bank st July 26- Italian American Club th July 30- FCAR th August 1- Coastal Intergrative st August 2 Back to School Jam nd-
WISH LIST
Lilly Lou Pickles’ apartment. Courtesy photo
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Dads and daughters don sequins and polyester knit at The Casements.
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A trio of girls dressed in sequined outfits, boots, headbands and funky sunglasses jumped onto the dance floor as soon as they heard the opening guitar riff of “Love Rollercoaster” by the Ohio Players.
The sounds of the ’70s filled the octagonal-shaped atrium at The Casements as fathers and daughters decked out in their disco finery joined the trio at the third annual fatherdaughter dance on Saturday, June 21.
For the third consecutive year, Ormond Beach Cultural Center Coordinator Siobhan Daly organized the event with a team from the city’s Leisure Services department. This year, the group opted for a ’70s themed dance, naming it after the successful pop culture movie “Saturday Night Fever”, released at the end of 1977.
“We have a lot of fun. It’s a great time. They enjoy the music, they enjoy the dancing. We always leave with smiles on our faces, for sure. Pencil me in (for next year). I’ll buy the tickets right now.”
GREG DZIGA,
I don’t think we would need to change anything for next year — just come up with another theme.”
The Vibe DJ Alyssa Engdahl kept the dancers grooving with tunes and Chick-fil-A provided the food. Daly said the company has helped with several “Once Upon A Storytime” programs this year by visiting with their cow mascot. Dancers could also treat
“Staff thought this would be a fun night with some year and strut their stuff on the dance floor. It was a hoot.
couple and best dancing duo. Dustin and Leia Waldrop, took the Best Dressed award and won a two hour kayak trip for four at Tomoka Outpost, Larry’s Giant Subs gift cards for lunch and a gift card to Hershey’s Ice Cream. For the second year, Steven and Ella Carbonell grabbed the Best Dancers award and won a $50 Dave & Busters gift card, a Larry’s Giant Subs gift card and a gift card from Hershey’s Ice Cream.
Greg Dziga has attended every father-daughter dance with his son-in-law Graham Parsons and his granddaughters Kaylie Shaw, Mallory and Aria Parsons. He said they ordinarily do not practice dances because when they get there, the girls are usually all over the place and he “dances like a bug on a hot sidewalk.”
“We have a lot of fun—it’s
a great time,” Dziga said. “They enjoy the music—they enjoy the dancing. We always leave with smiles on our faces, for sure. Pencil me in (for next year). I’ll buy the tickets right now, if I have to.”
Leia and Dustin Waldrop win the Best Dressed award.
Stayin’ Alive table (from left to right) Greg Dziga and Kaylie Shaw, Aria, Mallory and Graham Parsons and Steven, Avery and Hazel Lockhart.
David (right) and Hannah (left) Zalutko have some fun at the “Saturday Night Fever” Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, June 21.
Saturday Night Fever Father Daughter dancers (left to right) Isabelle Bartolotta, Emily Perry and Lorelei DeMay.
Kailei Renick dances at the “Saturday Night Fever” Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, June 21, at The Casements. Photos by Michele Meyers
grandfather
Gigi Grimm dances to “Roller Coaster”
Piper McClafferty won the limbo contest and is crowned Dancing Queen.
YOUR TOWN
Casements Camera Club announces exhibit winners
The Casements Camera Club has announced the winners for its 12th annual spring exhibit at reception held June 17, in the gallery at The Casements.
The show entries were judged by the club members.
A “People’s Choice Award” was chosen by a vote by the general public.
The winners were:
Best of Show: “Double Vision” by Donna Armstrong
People’s Choice Award: “Into Africa” by Virginia Rice
First place: “Upward” by Nancy Munier
Second place: “Bowing Beauties” by Ans van Beek
Third place: “Village Woman” by Gloria Lotzer
The show will remain on display through the morning of June 26. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Local quilters aid effort to donate 50,000 pillowcases to hospitals
The Jacksonville/Daytona Chapter of Ryan’s Case for
Smiles is celebrating the delivery of 50,000 colorful pillowcases for children, thanks to volunteers from local quilt guilds.
Sewers from Quilters by the Sea in Ormond Beach and Sewing with Heart in Palm Coast are part of the network of the local chapter of Ryan’s Case for Smiles, according to a press release.
Every other month, over 400 individually packaged pillowcases are delivered to are delivered to Nemours and Wolfson’s Children’s Hospitals in Jacksonville, Halifax Health and Adventhealth Hospitals in Daytona, and Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville. They are also delivered to Pedscare Hospice, Ronald McDonald House and Begin Again Children’s Grief Counseling.
Ryan’s Case for Smiles aims to help children “feel better to heal better through
pillowcase smiles,” the press release states.
In addition to the local quilt guilds, quilt shops Cut Up and Sew, in Palm Coast and St. Augustine, and the Sew N’ Quilt Co. in Holly Hill have held “charity days” for where hundreds of pillowcases are
sewn in a day. The stores also serve as drop-off locations.
At the national level, Ryan’s Case for Smiles is celebrating the deliver of 3 million pillowcases.
Want to help? The Jacksonville/Daytona chapter invites you to make pillowcases and drop them off at one of its locations. You can also donate fabric or other sewing materials, and organize a group effort through your church, guild, workplace or other service group. To donate, visit caseforsmiles.org, and designate the Jacksonville/ Daytona chapter. All donations are tax deductible.
For more Information, contact Jacksonville/Daytona Chapter Coordinator Sheri Muth via email at case4smilesjaxdaytona@gmail.com.
Halifax Repertory Theatre to perform ‘Guys and Dolls’
Halifax Repertory Theatre will perform the iconic Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls,” running July 25 through Aug. 3 at the DSC News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach.
“We’re thrilled to bring this timeless crowd-pleaser to life with a fresh, comic-bookinspired visual style and an extraordinary local cast,” said Sandy Cook, artistic director of Halifax Repertory Theatre.
For tickets: call 386-2909963 or visit www.halifaxrep. com.
EVENTS
THURSDAY, JUNE 26
PALM COAST CONCERT SERIES
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Stage at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: See the band Half Step Down at this free community event. There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, yard games, and beer and wine. Bring a chair.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
BARBECUE AND JAZZ
When: 4-7 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
Details: The North East Florida Jazz Association invites the community to listen to jazz while enjoying some barbecue at its annual Barbecue and Jazz event. The music will feature NEFJA scholarship winner and popular local Jazz percussionist Ethan Grussgott and his quintet. Tickets $45. Visit NEFJA.org or call Muriel McCoy at 386-4451329.
‘BEETLEJUICE JR.’
When: 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop is cel-
ebrating its 43rd year with this show. For tickets, visit ormondbeachperforming artscenter.csstix.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast Details: Local youth vendors sell and showcase their products and/or services. Visit childrensbusinessfair.org/ palmcoast.
PRIDE IN BUNNELL
When: 12-5 p.m.
Where: 2K Ranch, 6067 Tangerine Ave., Bunnell Details: Artists, vendors, food trucks, live music, a kid’s fun zone with a bounce house, and a drag performance. Free admission. Adults-only after party begins at 6 p.m., $10 per car. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ share/1ShjqKf3rp.
ARRL FIELD DAY
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29
Where: Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Road, Palm Coast
Details: Ham radio operators from the Flagler Palm Coast Amateur Radio Club, Flagler Emergency Communications Association, Flagler County Assist, and Flagler County Amateur Radio Emergency Service in Flagler County participating.
“Double Vision” by Donna Armstrong. Courtesy photos
Doris M. from the Memory Makers Quilt Guild.
BUSINESS OBSERVER
From one room to a full suite
BRIAN MCMILLAN
PUBLISHER
Rhonda Richardson had no intention of starting her own business when she moved to Palm Coast in August 2022.
A licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, at first she continued working for a company based in South Florida, seeing patients remotely in Palm Coast. But when she started seeing local patients, she learned there was a great need for more mental health care providers.
“When I first came here, people were saying, ‘I’m so happy I found you. I’ve been driving all the way to Port Orange,’” Richardson recalled.
She had a growing family, and she had no prior experience as a business owner, but she decided to launch Sunshine Psychiatric Care, in April 2023.
“That was a leap of faith,” she said. She rented out a small office on the third floor, next to Flagler Cares, in City Marketplace. “I bet on myself, and things have just been going great for my business.”
According to the Florida Department of Health, Flagler is underserved in behavioral and mental health care providers, with about 128 professionals per 100,000 people, compared with 142 as a state average.
‘I SHARE HER STORY’ Seven months later, in November 2023, Richardson’s older sister died of a drug
overdose, in South Florida. Her sister had struggled with mental health for many years.
“I share her story any time I can,” said Richardson, who often played a “mother hen” role to her siblings when they were children. Now, when her own patients flirt with opioid addiction, Richardson warns them about illicit drug use.
“You always think it can’t happen, but it can,” Richardson said. “It happened to my family. There’s no safe experimenting with drugs.”
BUILDING A RAPPORT
So far, Richardson’s decision to start her own business has been a success. As of Monday, June 9, she expanded. Sunshine Psychiatric Care has moved to Suite D102 in City Marketplace, on the first floor. That means she now
has her own suite, with more options for patients.
“I know I’m making a positive impact in the community, because patents are telling me that they’re happy I’m here, that I actually listen,” she said. While some mental health care providers see 25 patients per day, to help with medication management, she limits her load to 12 per day so that she can spend more time with each patient.
“They tell me, ‘Thank you for listening.’ That feels really good,” Richardson said. “I build a rapport with them, laugh and cry with them.”
NONMEDICATION OPTIONS
But managing medication is not her only goal. She has invested in three nonmedication options that are now available in her new suite,
thanks to the extra space:
Exomind uses a magnet to stimulate areas of the brain that affect mood regulation. “It repaves the highways so the neurons can better communicate with one another,” she said. That process can stipulate the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, but without the side effects of medication.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the delivery of oxygen to the brain, which can help with brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, depression, PTSD.
Biosound therapy “is really cool,” Richardson said. “It’ s basically a bed with seven subwoofers in it, so it hits your body with these vibrations, and guided meditation. It’s a multisensory experience that puts your body into a meditative state. It relaxes your nervous system.”
SHE LISTENS
‘PROFOUNDLY’
Amanda Redwine, owner of Congruence Counseling, refers clients to Richardson and is excited about the expanded nonmedication options she provides. The two of them collaborate for the best care on shared clients, even when it means connecting with clients before their next scheduled appointments.
“She is a provider that I really like working with,” Redwine said. “She is concerned about her patients’ wellbeing and listens to them profoundly.” Richardson is happy with her own business progress, but also with progress made in society related to mental health.
“It’s becoming less taboo, which is awesome,” she said. “People are more likely to seek care.”
Rhonda Richardson, owner of Sunshine Psychiatric Care, in Palm Coast. Photo by Brian McMillan
REAL ESTATE
Plantation Bay pool home sells for $1.7M
Ahouse at 1319 Redbourne Lane in Plantation Bay was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of May 31 to June 6. The house sold on June 3, for $1,725,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 6/4 and has a pool, a spa, a four-car garage and 5,566 square feet.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
ORMOND BEACH
Breakaway Trails
The house at 5 Fawn Pass Way sold on June 4, for $380,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 5/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,991 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $265,000.
The house at 80 Deep Woods Way sold on June 6, for $615,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,601 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $495,400.
Forest Hills
The house at 1259 Vanderbilt Drive sold on June 2, for $320,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,617 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $225,000.
Halifax Plantation
The house at 2975 Arranmore Drive sold on June 6, for $604,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,748 square feet.
Hunter’s Ridge
The house at 46 Canterbury Woods sold on June 2, for $375,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,907 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $255,000.
Knollwood Estates
The house at 163 Laurelwood Lane sold on June 2, for $769,900. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool, a spa and 3,709 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $218,000.
New Britain
The townhome at 24 Chippingwood Lane sold on June 2, for $270,000. Built in 1979, the townhome is a 2/2.5 and has 1,386 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $85,000.
Plantation Bay
The townhome at 1128 Kilkenny Lane sold on June 4, for $355,000. Built in 2015, the townhome is a 3/3 and has 2,081 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $335,000.
The house at 1155 Kilkenny Lane sold on June 6, for $362,500. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,617 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $228,000.
Riviera Estate
The house at 9 Timber Trail sold on June 4, for $333,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,644 square feet. It last sold in 1983 for $66,888.
Royal Dunes
The house at 151 Royal Dunes Blvd., sold on June 5, for $359,000. Built in 1962, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,706 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $345,000.
Tomoka Oaks
The house at 6 Waterfront Court sold on June 2, for $975,000. Built in 1982, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a boat house, a boat dock and 3,325 square feet.
Tomoka Park
The house at 35 Nightingale Lane sold on June 2, for $295,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,731 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $130,000.
Tymber Creek
The house at 300 Gatewood Court sold on June 3, for $275,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,096 square feet. It last sold in 1984 for $65,000.
Woodgate
The house at 5 Woodgate Court sold on June 6, for $245,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,680 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $109,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
SPORTS
National champ
Flagler Palm Coast’s Nya Williams wins three gold medals at USA Weightlifting National Championships.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Flagler Palm Coast High School weightlifter Nya Williams is a national champion.
Williams dominated her weight category to win three gold medals at the USA Weightlifting National Championships on Sunday night, June 22, in Colorado Springs.
Williams competed in the Youth National Championship women’s U17 age group in the 53-kilogram (116.8-pound) weight category. She won all three titles in the Olympic competition — snatch, clean and jerk and total weight.
As she prepared to fly to Colorado Springs last week, Williams, an incoming junior at FPC, admitted she was a little nervous.
She had never flown before. She had never competed on the national stage before. And she wasn’t sure what it would be like to compete in the thin air of Colorado Springs with an elevation over 6,000 feet.
“I’m a little nervous,” she said on Wednesday, June 18, the day before she and FPC weightlifting coach Duane Hagstrom flew to the championships. “It’s more like, I’m anxious. I’m excited to be there and see everything and have the opportunity to go out there and compete. I’m ready, but I’m excited and a little nervous. A little bit of everything.”
But it turned out she had no reason to be nervous. She was the top seed by a total of 53 pounds among 22 competitors, and she won by over 50 pounds.
She hit all six of her lifts with a max of 63 kilograms (138.89 pounds) in the snatch and 82 kilos (180.78 pounds) in the clean and jerk for a total of 145 kilos (319.67 pounds). Her closest competitor for total weight was Taylyn Slater of Team Houston with 122 kilos (268.96 pounds). Williams also won the Best Athlete award with a calculated score of 230.972.
Williams competed as a member of the Florida Elite team. Only eight lifters in all categories were selected for Florida Elite, Hagstrom said. There was one other area lifter at nationals on the Florida Elite team — Olivia Bond-West of New Smyrna Beach, competing in the 77-plus kilogram weight category.
Williams could have qualified for nationals with her high school state championship totals. She placed second in Olympic lifts in the 119-pound class at the Class 3A championships on Feb. 15. She snatched 140 pounds and clean and jerked 180 for a 320 total.
But she also competed in a qualifying meet — the USAW Florida championships — winning the title in her weight category with a 321.9-pound total.
“It was just to give her experience of actually doing a USA weightlifting meet versus a high school meet, because it’s completely different. And that qualified her for nationals,” Hagstrom said.
They flew out on June 19, three days before her competition, so she could get acclimated to the altitude and the two-hour time difference.
“We were very fortunate that we had some people that donated money and sponsored the trip,” Hagstrom said.
Williams said she was looking forward to competing on the national level for the first time and meeting
lifters from other states.
“I know my com petition in Florida,” she said. “But I don’t know what’s outside of Florida. I would say one of my favorite things about being at a meet is hav ing fun with the other girls, because we all have something in common. We all love weightlifting.”
Winning at the USAW nationals gets Williams’ name out there.
“This is where they choose the USA teams from,” Hagstrom said. “She could potentially make a Pan American Games team in the future, and then eventually possibly get an opportunity to go to the Olympic Trials.”
Making the U.S. Olympic team someday is her goal, Williams said.
“We’ll make it there eventually — the 2032 Olympics,” she said. “It’s the goal.”
Williams is the first weightlift er Hagstrom has taken to USAW nationals since the early 2000s and the first female lifter he has ever taken to the competition.
“I was really involved in USA weightlifting for a long time, and I’ve probably been out of it now for about 12 years, and I’m trying to get back into it again,” he said. “Our goal, hopefully, is to get more kids involved and potentially take a much larger group next year.”
Williams weighed in at 111.6 pounds for the 119-pound class at the high school state champion ships, but maintaining weight is harder during the summer, she said. Hagstrom said it was his job to make sure she drank plenty of water and didn’t eat the wrong stuff, but “she always takes care of business when she needs to,” he said.
“Just don’t stick a doughnut in my face, and we’re good,” she quipped.
Because the weights are in kilos instead of pounds, Hagstrom said Williams wouldn’t necessarily know how much weight she was lifting, which could be a good thing.
“He just throws numbers at me,” she said, “and I’m like, OK…”
But setting personal records wasn’t the point anyway, Williams said. Her qualifying total was 321.9 pounds, but she didn’t need to match it.
“The goal is to win. If a (personal record) is needed and if it’s there,
we’re going to go for it most likely, but the goal is to win,” she said. “I know I’m good, but I don’t consider myself good until I’m the best. Winning is a step forward, but there’s always more (competitions) to go.
There’s someone always stronger than you.” At the 2025 national championships, she was the best. Send sports story ideas to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
Palm Coast senior softball player Doreen Chase: Back in the game
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Since her husband, Mark, died two years ago, softball hasn’t had the same appeal for Palm Coast’s Doreen Chase.
“I went through some depression,” she said. “It’s pretty hard when you lose your best friend, your soulmate.” Chase, 61, has played softball in the World Masters Games in Canada, Australia, Italy and New Zealand, winning three bronze medals. But she’s only played in a few tournaments the past couple of years.
“I’ve played in some tournaments in Florida, one in Georgia,” she said.
“But softball is still something I love to do. That’s my passion. I’m ready to get back into it.”
Her first major tournament back will be the National Senior Games on July 24-Aug. 4 in Des Moines, Iowa. Chase, a shortstop, will play for the Sluggers 60-plus, a team consisting of players mostly from around Florida. She has played in tournaments
with the Sluggers the past three years. Her last tournament was the 2024 World Tournament of Champions in Tampa. Her team finished in third place and Chase was selected “All World.”
The last time Chase played in the National Senior Games was in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale. Her tournament
ended early when she pulled a hamstring.
This year’s National Senior Games will be the second largest in the event’s history with over 12,400 athletes in 25 sports representing all 50 states and 10 countries.
To get back in softball shape, Chase has been going to the gym and taking
grounders from a friend she knows from a senior softball league.
“I feel pretty strong. I have confidence. I’ve played since I was 6 years old, and I know how to play my position,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it. I like playing teams we’ve never played. A great part of it is the friendships you make.”
Doreen Chase (front row, center) with her Sluggers teammates. Courtesy photo
Doreen Chase gets ready for a pitch from her late husband, Mark, as she prepared for the 2022 National Senior Games. File photo by Brent Woronoff
Chase will play in the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, next month.
Nya Williams and coach Duane Hagstrom outside of the FPC weightlifting room the day before they flew to Colorado Springs for the USA Weightlifting National Championships. Photo by Brent Woronoff
SIDE LINES
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Lacrosse tourney breaks records
Palm Coast welcomed more than 150 lacrosse teams and an estimated 7,500 people to the 22nd annual Father’s Day Invitational Lacrosse Tournament.
The tournament, hosted by Florida United Lacrosse, was held June 14-15 at multiple locations, including the Indian Trails Sports Complex, Matanzas High School and Wadsworth Park. This year’s event broke attendance records and generated an estimated $1.85 million in economic impact to Flagler County, making it the most successful year in the event’s history, according to a City of Palm Coast news release.
“This tournament continues to showcase not just incredible athletic talent, but also the unbeatable hospitality and top-tier sports facilities Palm Coast has to offer,” said James Hirst, Palm Coast’s director of parks and recreation. “We love seeing our fields filled with young athletes and their families. Hosting events like this is exactly why we invest in our parks and sports complexes — it’s about community and showing visitors what makes Palm Coast a worthy destination.”
Pirates’ Perry latest Flagler coach to step down
Matanzas High School baseball is the latest sport with a head coaching vacancy in Flagler County with Jim Perry announcing that he is stepping out of the dugout after 33 years.
“The physicality of the game itself has become harder and harder. I felt it best to step away and give it to someone else,” said Perry, who has been the head baseball coach at Matanzas for 11 years and also coached at Flagler Palm Coast High School for 10 years, seven years as the Bulldogs’ head coach.
Matanzas posted the baseball position on Monday, June 23. The Pirates have also been looking for a new girls basketball coach, wrestling coach, boys lacrosse coach and boys and girls golf coaches. Athletic director Zach Rigney said boys golf and lacrosse coaches have been selected, and the Pirates are waiting for district approval.
FPC is also waiting for approval for its new wrestling coach, athletic director Scott Drabczyk said. The Bulldogs also have openings for head coaches for tennis, girls bowling and flag football.
Drabczyk said that while the district is making certification and background checks for the school’s choice to replace wrestling coach
David Bossardet, the program has been in good hands with T.J. Gillin, Steve DeAugustino and FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet running the offseason program. They are all former head wrestling coaches.
“They have the wrestling room open five days a week, so the program is in good hands,” Drabczyk said.
Matanzas, meanwhile, is looking for a head wrestling coach for the second year in a row. Dennis Kitko is returning to Japan, Rigney said. Kitko had been a youth sports coordinator at a Marine Corps air station.
PERRY WON 93 GAMES WITH PIRATES
Perry has won 93 games at Matanzas and led the Pirates to the 2022 district championship game, the only time in school history that the Matanzas baseball team advanced to the district final. He also was an assistant football coach during his
10-year stint with FPC (1992-2002), an assistant baseball coach at St. Augustine High for three years, the head baseball coach at Menendez High for a year, the vice president for baseball operations for Palm Coast Little League and field supervisor for Flagler County Pop Warner football.
Perry battled cancer two years ago and his father passed away during this past season.
“I don’t know anything but going to school and practice every day,” said Perry who plans to continue as a PE teacher at Matanzas for at least two more years.
Perry said in addition to baseball season in the spring, the Pirates had a fall baseball program in September and October and an arm conditioning program in November and December.
As a coach, there is no time to relax, he said.
Drabczyk said the demands put on coaches and other stipend positions are higher than they’ve ever been.
“Not just coaches, but band directors, color guard, student activities, club sponsors, they play an unbelievable role in the lives of our stu -
dents and the time commitment is difficult for a supplemental position,” Drabczyk said. “Twenty years ago, a coach would leave the field and he’d be done for the day. Now there is a constant need for connection with cell phones, emails and texts, which is positive but also increases demand. For any of our student life positions, it’s like having a full-time job within a full-time job.”
There is a coaching shortage throughout Florida, which pays coaches less than surrounding states. Two area head football coaches — FPC’s Robert Paxia and Mainland’s Travis Roland — left the state in recent years to take coaching jobs in Georgia.
FPC tennis coach Javier Bevacqua and flag football coach Tony Coates have stepped down partially to have time to watch their own children play high school sports, Drabczyk said. Bevacqua coached FPC girls basketball for 12 seasons, winning 239 games before stepping down in 2021. Coates will move over to the boys football side where he will be an assistant coach, Draczyk said.
FPC wrestler Baert signs
Flagler Palm Coast graduate Carson Baert has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia.
Baert is a three-time state wrestling qualifier, placing fifth as a senior this year at 157 pounds in the Class 3A tournament. He compiled a 51-8 record for the Bulldogs this past season. Davis & Elkins is an NCAA Division II athletic program competing in the Mountain East Conference.
FHSAA adding basketball shot clock
The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Governors approved the implementation of a basketball shot clock for postseason play beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The board also tweaked the baseball postseason best-of-three format that was adopted this past season. The regional quarterfinal will return to a single-elimination game, while the best-ofthree format in the regional semifinals and finals will be played at the higher seed on Friday and Saturday with a doubleheader Saturday if necessary.
Bucs, Pirates at FSU 7v7
Mainland advanced to the semifinals of the Florida State 7v7 football tournament June 18. The Bucs lost to Raines in the semis on the last play of the game. Matanzas went 4-2 in the tourney. After going 3-1 in pool play, the Pirates advanced to the second round of elimination games with a loss to Class 4A Alabama state champ Jackson.
Jim Perry, right, was the head baseball coach at Matanzas for 11 years. He also coached at FPC. File photo by Brent Woronoff
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