Ormond Beach Observer 07-10-25

BRIEFS

Two drug houses shut down in two days, in Flagler

Drug houses on Rosecroft Lane and Bruning Lane, in Palm Coast, have been shut down.

In the early morning of July 1, Sheriff Rick Staly, FCSO’s Special Investigations Unit, and SWAT team served a search warrant at 21-A Rosecroft Lane. There, they located and apprehended Ryan McArthur, 37, a fugitive with an active warrant from Volusia County for trafficking in fentanyl.

McArthur initially refused to comply with orders to exit the residence through the front door, and SWAT team members located him through a bathroom window, where they saw him actively trying to destroy narcotics by flushing them down the toilet.

The SWAT team breached the window and again ordered

COPS CORNER

23

12:08 p.m. — First block of South Beach Street, Ormond Beach Disturbance. A 40-year-old Ormond Beach woman appealed a trespass warning she had been issued several months ago, which was ultimately upheld. According to an incident report, her case was the final hearing of the day, and though city staff were preparing to leave, the woman refused to leave and continued to yell at the magistrate, saying he had violated her “14th Amendment right.” The 14th amendment con-

McArthur to exit the residence, which he eventually did.

During the search of the residence, detectives located and seized fentanyl, as well as various drug paraphernalia items, seven cell phones, and $2,840 in cash.

McArthur was arrested and is being held in jail without bond.

The following morning, Staly, SIU, and SWAT team served another search warrant at 45 Bruning Lane. There, they apprehended Eric

cerns citizenship and equal protections under the law.

Officers told her she would be subject to arrest if she didn’t leave, but the woman remained.

At one point, the incident report notes, she took steps toward one of the officers and repeatedly yelled, “Am I a psycho?”

She was secured in handcuffs and led out of the building while the magistrate was escorted to his own vehicle. The woman was released on the scene in lieu of being arrested.

COMMUNITY ‘NUISANCE’

12:43 p.m. — 100 block of North Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Suspicious person. Police received a call about a man dancing in a local store’s

Lamb, 38, on the patio behind the house.

During the search of the residence, detectives located and seized methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with cocaine residue.

Detectives arrested Lamb, and he is also being held without bond.

During the search on Bruning Lane deputies observed a door mat that said, “Come back with a warrant.”

“They asked us to come back with a warrant, so we did,” Staly said.

parking lot while exposing his genitals, with the caller adding that the suspect, described as “sunburned,” was shirtless and whipping his shirt around, possibly as a result of substance use..

When officers arrived, they did see a 47-year-old transient man that matched the description, but he had his pants on. He denied ever exposing himself and said he was just walking through the parking lot.

Officers contacted the original caller to see if she would come back to identify him, but she refused.

Police noted in the incident report that the man is known to be a homeless sexual predator, and that he has been trespassed from numerous businesses and all city-owned parks.

Palm Coast woman killed as she was exiting moving vehicle

A Palm Coast woman, 78, was killed Saturday afternoon, July 5, after she began exiting the SUV she was driving as she was turning right, onto Orion Drive, from the northbound lane on Roberts Road.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol press release, the SUV was headed toward a dumpster with the driver partially inside and outside of the vehicle.

The left side of the SUV sideswiped the dumpster, causing the driver to become trapped between the dumpster and driver-side door frame. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene.

Flagler man dies after motorcycle overturns on John Anderson

A 68-year-old Flagler Beach

JULY 1

BONFIRE BRAWL

9:21 p.m. — 4000 block of Old Kings Road, Palm Coast Firing a weapon on public property. A citizen contacted the Sheriff’s Office after spotting multiple cars parked near the roadway, along with smoke billowing into the sky and fireworks coming from the tree line.

Knowing this area is common for underage drinking incidents and bonfires, deputies responded to the scene, walking into the wooded area. They came across a witness who said someone had been spotted in the woods with a gun, and that the suspect, an 18-year-old Palm Coast man, was headed in the deputies’ direction.

Once deputies made contact with the suspect, who

man died from injuries incurred when his motorcycle overturned Saturday evening, July 5, as he was riding on John Anderson Highway in unincorporated Flagler County.

The man failed to negotiate a curve, and his motorcycle ran off the road onto the right grass shoulder and overturned, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release. He was not wearing a helmet.

Florida makes permanent

sales

tax exemption for disaster supplies

A permanent statewide sales tax exemption is now in effect for disaster preparedness supplies.

The tax exemption applies to a wide variety of commonly used emergency supplies, including batteries, portable generators, fire extinguishers and waterproof tarps, a Volusia County press release said. The new Florida law allows

was in a car, the man “began to visibly shake and [breathe] heavily,” the report states. He was placed in handcuffs and a firearm was recovered from under the front passenger seat.

Witnesses told deputies that they saw the man fire his gun into a crowd of people who had gathered for a bonfire. Everything was fine, one witness said, until they heard law enforcement was on their way, at which point a fight broke out and people “began to leave the area in a manic fashion”

The man told police that he was celebrating his birthday at the bonfire and that after an hour, the crowd tripled and a different group showed up and caused issues. He admitted to to firing his gun into the tree line because of the

commotion, but that he was not trying to shoot anyone. Deputies noted, however, that there was a residential neighborhood about 675 feet north. He was arrested.

JULY 4

SAFEKEEPING

9:37 p.m. — 4000 block of East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell

Possession of amphetamine, marijuana. During a traffic stop for an inoperable traffic light, a 27-year-old woman was found to have her sister’s prescription medication. She told deputies she simply wanted to “hold on to it.” She also admitted to having marijuana in the car.

The FCSO made two drug-related arrests while serving two search warrants. Photo courtesy of the FCSO

Palm Coast to anchor Sol, Google Cloud’s undersea cable

‘We are not just putting Palm Coast and our community on the map; we are building a direct route to the world’s digital economy,’ Vice Mayor Pontieri said.

OBSERVER STAFF

A new undersea transatlantic cable system connecting the United States, Bermuda, Azores and Spain will be anchored in Palm Coast, Google announced on Wednesday, July 9.

The cable system — named “Sol,” which translates to sun in Spanish and Portuguese — will extend to Santander, Spain, and once operational, is aimed at bolstering capacity and reliability for the growing network of 42 Google Cloud regions around the world, according to Google’s announcement. This will help meet growing customer demand for Google Cloud and artificial intelligence services across the U.S., Europe and beyond.

“This is a landmark moment for Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Flagler County, and it’s a clear signal that we are a community of the future, investing in our economic development

and vitality,” said Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri in the announcement.

“The Sol subsea cable is more than just infrastructure; it’s a gateway to unprecedented global connectivity that will attract further high-caliber industries that our residents deserve. We are not just putting Palm Coast and our community on the map; we are building a direct route to the world’s digital economy, ensuring a prosperous and dynamic future for our community.”

Once complete, Sol will be the only in-service fiber-

optic cable between Florida and Europe, according to Google. Sol will be manufactured in the U.S. and will complement Google’s Nuvem, an undersea cable anchored in South Carolina in 2023.

Google Cloud will partner with digital infrastructure provider DC BLOX to land the cable and establish a new connectivity hub in Palm Coast. The company also plans to develop a terrestrial route linking Palm Coast to its South Carolina cloud region.

“DC BLOX is proud and honored to expand the foundational digital infrastruc -

ture that is vital to Florida’s growing economy,” said Chris Gatch, Chief Revenue Officer for DC BLOX. “Supporting Google’s Sol cable, along with the capacity for additional cables, the new Palm Coast Cable Landing Station campus enhances Florida’s position as a nexus for global communications.”

Google said Sol will complete its “unique investment in transatlantic resiliency — with the two systems interconnecting terrestrially in the U.S. and in Iberia, as well as in Bermuda and the Azores.”

“Sol will add capac -

Ormond to review Walmart expansion

Proposed expansion for store located at 1521 W. Granada Blvd. is now estimated to span 5,101 square feet.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

ity, increase reliability, and decrease latency for Google users and Google Cloud customers around the world,” the announcement states.

“Alongside cable systems like Nuvem, Firmina, Equiano, and Grace Hopper, Sol further establishes key locations across the Atlantic as connectivity hubs, strengthening local economies and bringing AI’s benefits to people and businesses around the world.”

Google will partner with telecommunications infrastructure company Telxius to land the Sol cable in Santander, Spain.

Ormond asks FEMA to help pay for Fleming Ave pump project

The city applied for a $9.4 million grant for the new stormwater pump station, next to the southernmost Central Park lake.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

The City of Ormond Beach has applied for federal funding for a pump station to reduce flooding in the neighborhoods surrounding Fleming Avenue.

In need of $12.5 million for the project, the city applied

for a $9.4 million FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for the new stormwater pump station, to be located next to the southernmost Central Park lake. According to a public notice, the pipe would be installed along the Fleming Avenue corridor to Ridgewood Avenue, commencing south along Ridgewood Avenue to Reynolds Avenue, and then east to the Halifax River.

“The pump station would allow for pre-storm drawdown of the lake system and discharge to the Halifax River via a pipe located along the Fleming Avenue corridor,” the public notice states.

Last year, the city received $5.35 million from the state for the Fleming Avenue pump station project. This was first identified as a need after a 2009 storm brought 30 inches

of rain to the city in two-anda-half days, causing historic flooding in the Central Park neighborhoods.

Since then, the city has interconnected the five lakes

in Central Park, upgraded the existing Bennet Lane pump station and enhanced its pumping system.

The Fleming Avenue pump station would alleviate the flooding risk to 500600 homes in the area, as it would have the ability to pump 45,000 gallons a minute, Assistant City Manager Shawn Finley told the Observer last year. That is equivalent to three swimming pools.

The city’s match for the project is $3.14 million, but it is working to secure grant funding to cover that as well.

Email jarleene@observer localnews.com.

Faced with deadline, Flagler may re-adopt Humane Society

A joint meeting with Palm Coast may take place in late August, which could cut it too close for Flagler County’s deadline.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

With questions remaining over how, when and to what extent Flagler County will launch its own animal control services, county commissioners directed staff to proceed with renewing the county’s contract with the Flagler Humane Society — for now.

Commissioners discussed the issue at a workshop on Wednesday, July 2, a week after telling staff at a previous workshop that they wanted to move forward with bringing animal control in-house.

That sentiment hasn’t changed, but before making a decision, commissioners wanted to know how much it would cost in future years, sans initial startup costs, if it contracted the City of Palm Coast instead for animal control. They also had questions about background checks for volunteers associated with the FHS.

However, County Administrator Heidi Petito wasn’t able to get answers to these

questions in time to present them at the July 2 workshop. Palm Coast staff members previously in communication with Petito were either sick or on vacation, and the FHS responded late the previous night.

“I think that at this point, because we don’t have all of the pieces, I don’t know that we can really move forward with it,” Petito said.

Palm Coast did want to schedule a joint meeting on the issue, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 27. That would cut it close to when the county would need to make a decision on whether to renew its contract with FHS; the current contract runs through the end of September.

What Petito was able to provide the commissioners with was a breakdown of the estimated $419,953 budget to create an in-house animal control service: $187,339 in personnel costs for two animal control officers and a technician, $54,000 in operating costs and $178,614 in capital costs for equipment and three vehicles.

The delivery of a truck, Petito added, takes 14-16 months.

“It just appears to me that this is almost designed for failure,” Commissioner Kim Carney said.

Carney questioned the need for a technician if the county

chose to contract Palm Coast for animal control, saying the proposed budget was “way too beefed up,” using the presented $3,000 cost of uniforms, $3,000 in training and $163,000 for three vehicles as examples.

“I just can’t believe it’s a half million dollars to get started in the animal control business,” Carney said. “... Thank you for the detail. It just makes me have more questions, just like you have more questions.”

It’s hard to create a budget not knowing the scope and magnitude of services, Petito said.

“Because I did not get a response to some of the questions and some of the concerns, as I stated, it’s a shot in the dark,” she said.

County Attorney Al Hadeed addressed some of Carney’s concerns regarding the training needed. Animal control officers deal with dangerous dogs, animal abuse cases and a slew of infraction citations, he explained.

Petito also presented the commission with a breakdown of what it would cost to contract the city of Palm Coast for animal control, a $392,660.14 cost based on the estimated 500 dogs a year picked up in the unincorporated areas of the county.

That’s less than two dogs a day, Carney said.

“This is not even fathomable,” she said. “This isn’t

believable.”

Commissioner Leann Pennington agreed — it’s too much. She said she’d rather start the county service with one animal control officer, one manager and one vehicle.

Be careful, warned Commissioner Greg Hansen, who said the county can’t run animal control from “an accounting standpoint” and say they can only intake a certain number of dogs a day.

Animal control officers are on call, he added.

“They don’t know where the strays are going to show up,” Hansen said. “They get a call, they react to the call.”

Carney said she would like to see Flagler County cooperate with Palm Coast for animal control, rather than create a new department.

“I’d like to see some sharing or integrating,” she said.

If the commission decided to renew its contract with the FHS, it does have a termination clause to give a 120-day notice.

Pennington said they have “no choice” now but to renew because of the timing.

“I thought that was pretty clear when we went into contracts last year that we wanted to see other options and clearly, the year got the best of everybody, but we will not let up our foot on the pedal,” Pennington said. “We will keep going forward on this.”

Commissioner Pam Rich -

ardson said she didn’t understand why the county couldn’t partner with grassroots groups in the meantime and said she felt like a “little hamster on a hamster wheel.”

“It’s too ginormous right now, and that’s why it’s going nowhere,” she said. “We have to figure out small ways of making a difference now, as soon as possible.”

Hadeed said that a couple of lines were being blurred between animal control and sheltering animals. Animal control, he explained, is closely aligned with law enforcement and controlling nuisance behavior.

“There isn’t a publicly owned or a nonprofit animal welfare site,” Hadeed said.

Pennington said that the board has separated the issue (though Richardson had mentioned kennels during her comments) by placing an animal shelter project on a future capital improvements project list.

“The consensus from everyone was we wanted to see animal control in a place, whether it was here or with the city, where we had more control and input over the animal control agents and activities, particularly since we were swearing them in, and we just didn’t feel like we had that,” Pennington said.

What’s the solution? Email letters to jarleene@observer localnews.com.

The Ormond Beach Planning Board will review an amendment to allow Walmart to construct a building expansion to serve its grocery pickup area at its meeting on July 10. The expansion for the store at 1521 W. Granada Blvd. is now estimated to span 5,101 square feet. It was previously tabled by the board back in March due to concerns about the store’s aesthetics, security and presence of transients. According to a staff report, this is the eighth amendment to Walmart’s Planned Business Development, originally approved in 1993.

Staff noted that, since the March 13 Planning Board meeting, they have met with the Walmart project team to address the stated concerns. As a result, the greenbelt buffer fronting West Granada Boulevard has been cleaned, which included complete removal of several areas that had invasive Brazilian pepper trees.

Additional work is coming soon to further thin out the landscape buffer, the city staff report states. Also, during this process, staff noted that a Florida Department of Transportation fence was in disrepair. Debris and trash in the FDOT right of way has been picked up; FDOT also repaired broken sidewalks from Williamson Boulevard to I-95.

As part of the replanting plan for the greenbelt buffer, a new 6-foot vinyl coated chain link fence will be installed. The existing masonry wall will be pressure-washed and repainted.

In response to concerns about transients, city staff wrote in its report that “the intent of the cleaning and lifting of the landscape buffer is to provide view corridors for the Police Department.

Walmart has engaged a private security company, and the store manager has reported to staff that the buffer area is being checked regularly.” Walmart submitted a new site plan to the city on May 27, which included revisions to the exterior architecture to upgrade aesthetics.

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.”

The Planning Board will also review two other Land Development Code amendments at its upcoming meeting: One to allow private tattoo studios as a conditional use in the B-4 “Central Business” zoning district” and an administrative update that marks the renaming of the city’s Leisure Services Department to the Parks and Recreation Department, first by amending its LDC under its mobile food dispensing vehicles subsection.

The Walmart in Ormond Beach is located at 1521 W. Granada Blvd. File photo

A truck drives through floodwaters at Fleming Avenue on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Sol is a transatlantic subsea cable system that will connect the U.S., Bermuda, the Azores and Spain. Flagler Beach granted easement rights to build the cable landing site in August 2024. Courtesy of Google Cloud

Palm Coast debates tax rate

Keeping the current millage rate would free up funding for an in-house animal shelter and further economic development.

SIERRA WILLIAMS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Palm Coast City Council could retain its 2025 millage rate as the maximum rate to free up funding for city initiatives.

On July 8, city staff presented a general fund budget based on a reduced millage rate of 4.0893, reducing the budget by $1 million over the 2025 fiscal year’s adopted budget. That millage rate would generate $43.7 million in property taxes, with an overall budget of $69 million.

But placing the budget cap at the current millage rate – 4.1893 –could free up that $1 million difference for funding as the city moves forward with two of its priorities: purchasing land for a new animal shelter and purchasing the building entitlements for a city-owned parcel known as Tract 17. The reduced budget does not allocate funding for either initiative.

The council is working with Flagler County to potentially create an in-house animal control and shelter. Palm Coast currently has its own animal control service, but no shelter and works with the Flagler Humane Society for the animals its officers pick up. Flagler County contracts its animal control services entirely with the Flagler Humane Society.

While the city and county will discuss its options in a joint meeting in August, the Palm Coast City Council was also looking to set aside funding to purchase building entitlements on Tract 17 in an effort to prioritize economic development in the city. Tract 17 is ideal for building pad-ready sites that could draw more businesses to the area, diversifying the tax base and relieving homeowners of some of the tax burden.

While the reduced budget did include a 3% increase for its economic incentives, it does not include funding to purchase those entitlements, which could cost between $3-4 million.

Council member Charles Gambaro suggested the council set the maximum millage rate for 2026 at the current rate of 4.1893 and set the $1 million aside for these projects.

“We’re being responsible with our millage rate but it’s a decision point on the maximum millage rate,” he said. “We still have some other priorities that fit in within our strategic action plan, things that we still need to get done.”

Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said that while she would support the consensus to see the budget based on the 4.1893 millage rate as a maximum millage at the next meeting, but she personally would not vote for any maximum above millage rate above 4.0893.

The council, she argued, has no “concrete plan” yet for moving forward with either the animal shelter or the entitlements.

“It’s my opinion,” she said, “that in the good years — and this is a good year, last year was a good year [because] we’re bringing in money — that the property tax rate should get as low as we can get it without sacrificing level of service and quality of life.”

Council members Dave Sullivan and Ty Miller also supported the reduced millage rate, as the council did not have a solid plan. However, Miller said, he would support capping the millage at 4.1893 and then having the discussion again later on in the budgeting process.

“We have the leeway to remove it, and that way we know, the residents know, we’re not raising the tax rate at all,” Miller said. “That’s the max it can be, which is the same tax rate as last year.”

The council will vote on the maximum millage rate at its July 15 meeting, but the final millage rate is not adopted until the end of the budgeting process in September.

Broken elevator leaves some seniors stuck

Las Palmas Sky Active Living, in Palm Coast, has replaced its faulty elevator. Resident’s daughter said a second elevator is needed.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

There is one small elevator at Las Palmas Sky Active Living and it has been out of service for most of the past three weeks.

The three-story independent senior living apartment complex at 70 Town Court, off Town Center Boulevard in Palm Coast, currently has 104 residents, according to a spokesman for the facility’s operator, Priority Life Care of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

On Jan. 19, residents and their families were informed that the faulty elevator was being replaced beginning June 23 and would be out of service for 10 days, according to a Las Palmas statement.

But on the evening of Tuesday, July 8, a resident’s daughter said the elevator was out of service again. Earlier that day, Priority Life Care spokesman Kevin Erb wrote in an email to the Observer that “the elevator was up and running and there was and no word of any delays after it was installed.”

Erb said on Wednesday, July 9, that the elevator was down for a brief period on Tuesday morning, so the elevator contractor, TKE, could replace a part. “It was back up and running by mid afternoon,” he said, and the contractor was back on the site on Wednesday to make sure everything was operating correctly.

Patrick Juliano, public information officer for the Palm Coast Fire Department, said the fire marshal and the city were aware of Las Palmas’ plans, and provisions were in place to get the residents downstairs in case of fire or another emergency.

But Karen Roberts, whose mother lives in an upstairs apartment, said the elevator is overworked because

there is no service elevator and so

many of the residents rely on it “as a lifeline.” For many of the residents who use walkers or “motorized vehicles” to get around, she said, the stairs are difficult at best to get down to the first floor to eat meals, take part in activities or leave the facility. Las Palmas said in its statement that was emailed to the Observer on July 2 that, “We communicated directly with residents on June 19 informing them of the pending elevator replacement to begin on June 23, as well as our plans to minimize any disruption it may have on their day-to-day lives at Las Palmas Sky Active Living. This includes providing meal service and activities directly to residents located on the second and third floors, as well as careful, proactive coordination with first responders to assist residents who may need to access the first floor for important appointments or

obligations.”

Roberts said her mother had a doctor’s appointment to get a cortisone shot in her knee while the elevator was being replaced and she had to cancel because, while she uses a walker, she could not negotiate the stairs. Roberts said they couldn’t reschedule until they knew when the elevator would be back in service. Having it be out of service again was frustrating, she said.

“Some (residents) have two walkers, one at the bottom of the steps to use when they get downstairs,” Roberts said. “Some people can’t get out, One lady told me she feels like they’re in a prison.”

Some residents have pets that need to be walked, Roberts said. “The staff has to run up and down the stairs like chickens,” she said. “They need to have a second elevator.” Email brent@observerlocalnews. com.

Las Palmas Sky Active Living senior living community in Town Center. Photo by Brian McMillan

BRIEFS

‘Giving Volusia back to residents’

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

One of the main reasons Troy Kent wanted to serve on the Volusia County Council was to “give Volusia back to the residents.”

He didn’t mean it as a soundbite, the District 4 representative told the Observer. As a lifelong resident, he remembers how things were in the past.

Like the beach. The Ocean Center. Giving Volusia back to the residents is about making life easier, and more streamlined, Kent said. The Observer recently spoke with Kent about priorities and how to address current issues.

Tell me about your inlet proposal.

We have an inlet at Matanzas Inlet, and we have an inlet to the south of that at Ponce Inlet, and nothing in between.

My thought is just north of Highbridge, we could put an inlet there, and it would do a couple of things.

Number one, it would clean out and flush the Halifax River, the Intracoastal, in that area. Number two, I believe, after big rain events and storms, it would [give] the Halifax River and the Tomoka Basin ... an exit.

I think that this would get the water out into the ocean quicker. Then, from a recreational standpoint, it would be incredible for boaters and fishermen.

I want to make it clear, I’m not proposing about building anything new — no housing developments, no marinas, nothing like that.

This is a huge, heavy lift. This is not something that’s just going to be done locally. This would have to have huge state involvement, and it would have to have a tremendous push from the federal government.

What can Volusia do to address its lifeguard shortage?

I think we’re doing it. They have offered more classes for lifeguard recruits. They are offering more money.

I think we’re doing just about everything we can from a financial incentive type of thing. And I’ve got to tell you, I’ve been, for lack of better terms, barking about this at the council meetings. I’ve been bringing it up because my district has, historically, the past several years, been underserved with lifeguards in Volusia County, and it’s not fair.

It wouldn’t be fair if it was happening in Daytona Beach or New Smyrna or Ponce Inlet, and it’s not fair that it’s happening up in Ormond Beach, up in Ormond-bythe-Sea. When the chief of our

Beach Safety, our lifeguards, Tammy Malphurs says, and I quote, “No one should swim in the ocean unless they’re in front of a lifeguard.” Then, basically what we’re saying is that no one should swim north of Granada. And that’s not acceptable. That’s not okay. These are some of the core government responsibilities that we as a county need to provide, and I’m pleased to tell you that I think that we’re moving in the right direction with that.

Are there tweaks to ParkVolusia that you’d like to see?

I’ll say this, we, for the first time in 37 years, have Volusia residents driving on the beach for free. We have streamlined the process with automation, and we’re bringing in, minimum, a million new dollars this year than we had last year. To me, that is a huge, successful win, but I think we need to let the trial period play out before we start looking at changing anything and tweaking anything.

Are there some things we can do? Probably. I’m not exactly sure what they are at this time. I think we really need to see the numbers after July and August.

What is the best way to prevent future flooding and mitigate areas currently experiencing it?

The county and state and federal government needs to come in to places that continuously flood and we need to purchase those lowlying homes, and give fair market value, and turn those low-lying areas — those those bowls, as they call them – into retention ponds because the people that live there, they don’t want to live in a house that continually floods.

This isn’t about taking something, the government strong-arming anybody. I don’t want to put it out that way. This is about giving fair market value for your

home that continually floods, and giving you the financial means to look at purchasing a home elsewhere.

And how do you stop that from happening? ... You say no to over-development and you have to say no to development until the infrastructure is in place.

I’m not talking on both sides of my mouth, but what we had last year with, I believe, over 20-someodd inches of rain in less than 24 hours — that’s like a 500-year event. Well, no government I know of has a stormwater [system] that can handle that.

I think sometimes you’re going to have anomalies like that, and then you’re going to have dry spells. It’s a delicate dance.

Several signed legislative bills targeted Home Rule, including Senate Bill 180. Where does Volusia County go from here?

The power is always with the people, and it’s important to know that the government closest to you has the largest impact on your everyday life.

It’s a shame when legislators that control the state and federal level start taking away the powers at the local level, because nobody knows what they need more than the people at the local level. So it’s disheartening.

But the good news is, like I said, the power is with people, and the people can make decisions and changes at the ballot box every November.

Has the county heard anything from Belvedere Terminals lately?

I have not been updated with any news from the county that they have had any communication with Belvedere. I know that the county has reached out several times in the past to speak with them, and they have not had any communication back with them.

If you had to sum up in one word what you think the next year for Volusia will look like, what word would you use?

I think it’s “exciting.”

I think that Volusia has an exciting opportunity in front of it with, not only giving Volusia back to the residents of Volusia County, but I’m looking forward to our flooded areas getting some much needed relief by drying up, hopefully, and allowing our residents to participate and enjoy the great things that Volusia County has to offer with our beach, our Ocean Center and our fairgrounds, etc.

A permanent statewide sales tax exemption is now in effect for a wide range of disaster preparedness supplies, allowing residents to save money while preparing for hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergency events. The new law helps Floridians offset the cost of essential items and encourages early preparation for emergencies.

The exemption applies to many commonly used emergency supplies, including batteries, portable generators, fire extinguishers, and waterproof tarps, among others. By removing the sales tax burden, the measure supports families looking to build or replenish their disaster supply kits, not just during hurricane season, but year-round for any emergency situations that may arise.

The list of tax-exempt items includes:

„ Batteries (AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt)

„ Fire extinguishers

„ Insect repellent

„ Life jackets

„ Portable gas or diesel cans (5 gallons or less)

„ Portable generators

„ Smoke detection devices and carbon monoxide alarms

„ Waterproof tarps (1,000 square feet or less)

„ Sunscreen

„ Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits

Residents are strongly encouraged to prepare well in advance, before a storm is on the horizon or another unexpected emergency occurs. High-demand items like gas cans, tarps, batteries, and generators often sell out quickly, leaving many scrambling in the final days leading up to a hurricane. By taking

advantage of the sales tax exemption early, families can avoid last-minute stress and ensure they have the critical supplies needed to stay safe and self-sufficient during and after a storm.

To build or update a disaster supply kit, visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s resource guide at www.floridadisaster.org/kit.

Volusia County to host twoday lifeguard competition

Volusia County Beach Safety and the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association will host the 2025 James P. “Mac” McCarthy Regional Surf Lifesaving Championships on July 23 and 24 — a high-energy, twoday competition spotlighting the skill, endurance, and lifesaving expertise of Florida’s top lifeguards.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23 and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 24, more than 200 lifeguards from over 20 teams across the state will go head-to-head on the beach outside the Hard Rock Hotel, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. In addition to co-hosting the event, Volusia County

Beach Safety will field its own team, joining fellow lifeguards in a series of water-based challenges, beach sprints, and relay races — all designed to mirror the real-life demands of professional lifesaving.

Some of the featured events include the Board Relay, Surf Ski, Board Race, and Surf Rescue.

Spectators are invited to watch for free and are encouraged to bring chairs, drinks, and snacks to enjoy from the sand. The nearest beach access ramp is at University Boulevard, located at 940 N. Atlantic Ave. Off-beach parking is available just down the road at University Boulevard Beach Park, 834 N. Atlantic Ave. Volusia County residents registered with ParkVolusia may park at no cost. For those unable to attend in person, every competition will be livestreamed on the Volusia County Beaches Facebook and YouTube pages. Viewers can expect play-byplay commentary, enhanced coverage of featured events, and exclusive pre- and postrace interviews with competing lifeguards — bringing the energy and excitement of the championships directly to their screens.

Lifeguard Jacob Hucka graduated from Seabreeze High School in 2024. File photo by Michele Meyers

Volusia County Schools is now an ‘A’ district, Mainland earns its first ‘A’

Of the nine Ormond Beacharea schools, six either attained or retained their ‘A’ grades for the 2024-2025 school year.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

For the first time in 16 years, Volusia County Schools is an A rated district.

The Florida Department of Education released the 2024-2025 school and district grades on Monday, July 7. Grades are calculated using the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Progress Monitoring and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking assessment results, as well as achievements in reading, math, science, and social studies, acceleration and graduation rates, according to FDOE guidelines.

The last time VCS attained an A grade was the 2008-2009 school year.

“This A is more than a measure of academic success; it is a reflection of a district and a community that chose to come together — with purpose and with heart — to ignite a passion for learning in all students,” said Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin in a press release. “When our School Board, families, staff, and community partners stand together and work hard, our students and

community excel.”

In a video address, Balgobin added that this was a “special moment more than 15 years in the making.”

“An achievement of this magnitude didn’t happen by accident,” she said. “It truly happened by design. It took a lot of heart, hard work, intentionality and a strong belief in our mission of igniting a passion for learning in all students.”

The 2024-2025 school year also marked the first time all of the district’s schools earned an A, B or

VCS TO OFFER FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Volusia County School District will continue to operate the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2025-2026 school year.

All school sites in Volusia County School District qualify to operate CEP. This program eliminates the collection of family income applications for free and reduced-price meals and ensures all students

receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day at no charge.

Students attending Pace Center for Girls, Richard Milburn Academy West, and Richard Milburn Academy East will also continue to receive meals for free.

Directly Certified families enrolled in state assistance programs will still receive their eligibility letter for after-school care and VPK benefits.

C grade outside the baseline year, Balgobin said, and this year had the highest number of schools that attained an A or B rating in over a decade.

This includes Mainland High School, which earned its first A grade.

The school celebrated the success with a post on its Facebook page.

“This moment is the result of hard work, focus, small groups, dedication, and a beautiful belief in our students and one another,” the post stated. “To our amazing teachers and staff, you showed up every day with heart, purpose, and commitment to excellence. ... To our phenomenal students—you believed in yourselves, pushed through challenges, and proved what Buccaneer pride is all about!”

Two other Ormond-area schools are also celebrating becoming A graded schools: Tomoka Elementary and Beachside Elementary. Both thanked their faculty, staff, students and their parents for their efforts on their respective Facebook pages.

Additionally, three other Ormondarea schools kept their A grades for the 2024-2025 school year: Pine Trail

Elementary, Ormond Beach Elementary and Seabreeze High School.

Two schools went from an A to a B grade: Pathways Elementary and Ormond Beach Middle School.

Hinson Middle School remained a B school.

Overall, VCS had 11 more schools earn an A grade for 2024-2025 compared to 2023-2024, going from 17 to 28. It also had two less schools earning a B (from 25 to 23) and seven less schools earning a C (from 24 to 17). In the 2023-2024, the district had two D schools; now it has none.

One of its elementary schools — Starke, located in DeLand — went from a D to an A this year. It was one of two schools in the state to achieve this.

In the video address, Balgobin also shared that of the 11 districts within the Central Florida Coalition, VCS had the second highest graduation rate at 94%.

The district also saw academic performance increases across all major student subgroups, including white, Black, Hispanic, student with disabilities and English language learners.

“All district grades components

have increased over the past three years,” Balgobin said. “Seven components reached their highest performance levels since 2015. Every person in this district played a role, as did our amazing community, from our families and volunteers to our partners in education. Thank you, all of you, for being a part of this journey, which we’re excited to continue.”

SCHOOL GRADES

Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin announces the district’s “A” grade alongside district staff and School Board member Krista Goodrich (front, left), School Board Chair Jamie Haynes (front, third from left) and School Board member Jessie Thompson (front, third from right). Screenshot courtesy of VCS

Neverland on stage

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

How does Capt. Hook feel about losing his hand to a crocodile?

Well, it’s all Peter Pan’s fault. So, in Ormond Beach resident Kathy Thompson’s musical comedy, “Peter Pan and The Hook,” the infamous pirate is out for revenge.

Featuring a cast of 24, the show will open at the Daytona Playhouse at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, with shows also scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 13, 19 and 20. This is the third time Thompson, who is the president of the Daytona Playhouse Executive Board, has put on this production.

“It’s different every time because of what [the cast] brings to it,” Thompson said.

Starring as Capt. Hook is Anthony Azarello, of Port Orange. This is his first theatre production.

Several Ormond Beach residents are in the cast as well, including Maya Rice (Wendy Darling), Joseph Kaney (Peter Pan), Max Steinberg (John Darling), Iliana Pffefer (Mrs. Darling/island princess), Juliana Herrin (island princess), Sadie Steinberg (pirate) and Daliangy Manzano (lost child).

Maya, a rising seventh grader at Hinson Middle School, said she originally didn’t have a preference for what part she played when she auditioned. But after reading Wendy’s lines, she really wanted the role.

“She’s very dainty,” said Maya, who has been in theatre for four years. “She’s very girly, and I’d say, it’s very fun paying Wendy. I like her.”

The role of Peter Pan gives Joseph, a rising sophomore at Father Lopez Catholic High School, a chance to play a character who is happy all of the time.

“He’s very positive, and he doesn’t really let anything get to him too much,” Joseph said. “Even when he’s

faced with really big danger from Hook trying to really just get him back, he doesn’t really let it get to him, and I think that’s a really cool character.”

He’s been in theatre since the second grade.

Some changes Thompson made from the original Peter Pan story include incorporating a Polynesian theme and the island princesses. Her production was first performed in 2013, and then again in 2018.

There’s too many scenes she looks forward to seeing audiences enjoy, but a crowd favorite is typically the crocodile, Thompson said.

“I always wait with baited breath when the crocodile first comes out,” she said, and with a laugh, added, “The audience always freaks out because of what he is carrying when he comes out.”

Tickets for “Peter Pan and the Hook” cost $15 for adults and $10 for youth. Visit daytonaplayhouse.org.

Daytona Playhouse presents ‘Peter Pan and The Hook’

The cast of “Peter and The Hook.” Photos by Jarleene Almenas

The pirates, lost children and island princesses perform an opening number.

Anthony Azarello stars as “Capt. Hook.”

Danielle McNamara as “Nana,” Max Steinberg as “John,” Maya Rice as “Wendy,” Eli Waters as “Michael” and Joseph Kaney as “Peter Pan.”

The lost children: Cycle Carson, Daliangy Manzano, Sophia Koepp and Stephen Andrews.

As human population grows, black bears need our help

New poll: 81% of Florida voters do not want a bear hunt.

AMY CAROTENUTO GUEST WRITER

Once abundant across our beautiful state, black bear populations declined significantly until becoming listed as threatened in the 1960’s. Conservation efforts helped populations recover, and the Florida black bear was removed from the threatened species list in 2012.

Now, with an expanding human population, the bear’s habitats have shrunk. Bears are pushed into smaller, disconnected areas, making runins with humans more likely. Black bears are smaller than

LETTERS

Flock of problems with allowing backyard chickens

Dear Editor:

Our City Council is considering allowing backyard chickens (no roosters) and coops in Palm Coast residential neighborhoods. There are a myriad of reasons why this is an ill-conceived notion unless you just really love chickens.

There is the likelihood of a predator parade of Florida’s fowl-loving foxes, raccoons, coyotes, hawks, snakes and even dogs and cats. Chicken droppings, especially when wet, stink, and flies like them. The cage and nesting material can harbor fleas. And rats and mice like chicken feed. The CDC notes the risk of salmonella and campylobacter, especially important for children under 5.

Then you have to consider the upfront costs associated with building a coop and its on-going maintenance, the chicken feed, the nesting material, cleaning supplies, the possibility of a veterinary bill, a permit fee … and if you don’t already have one, per the rules, you have to fence in your yard.

Given that one hen, if you’re lucky, will produce one egg per day and since a limit of only four hens is allowed, will those maximum four daily eggs feed your family? Overall, when you put a pencil to it, and toss in the time spent maintaining your little chicken farm, there is little if any benefit. Eggs are now selling for around $3 a dozen and they can even be delivered.

There are a couple of other considerations. Are your neighbors going to be OK

most species of bear, and their preferred diet is mostly plants, saw palmetto berries, acorns and insects. When there are natural food shortages, as happens in nature, bears end up coming closer to people and foraging for food. So when people leave food or trash out, it draws the bears. It is essential that we all take easy, commonsense steps to eliminate food attractants by securing garbage cans with bear proof straps (found for as little as $20 on Amazon, Walmart and more).

Florida’s black bear population is less than 4,000. To put that in perspective, Florida has 1.3 million alligators, 65,000 coyotes and 300,000 bobcats, and let’s not forget the ever-increasing human population of 23 million. Last month in Ocala, The

with what you are doing? Neighborhood harmony is a big deal. And, it’s not unreasonable to expect that a hurricane could substantially relocate your poor chickens and their rather flimsy coop to parts unknown. But, heck, with some foresight, you might be able to save your hens and house them in your guest bedroom for a month or two until you can rebuild their coop. The city actually considering this is surprising and seems lacking in downside research and realities. The council apparently is catering to a few in our town that might be interested in a backyard chicken farm. And those few that think it might be nifty, fun and cost saving may be in for a “brood” awakening.

BOB GORDON Palm Coast

Editor’s note: Palm Coast has launched a Permit Portal for a Backyard Chicken Pilot Program. The City Council recently reached consensus to begin the program which will allow for a maximum of 50 permits that will be valid for two years. Permits will cost $50. Applicants must live in a single-family home that is not part of an HOA and must first complete a Care and Raising Chickens educational course. After two years, the City Council will review the data and findings of the pilot program.

Paint it black? Palm Coast mayor, council happy to oblige

Dear Editor: Tossing sensibility to the

Florida Wildlife Commission voted 4-1 in a preliminary approval to hold a Florida black bear hunt. It will be the first in 10 years. In 2015, only three years out from being on the threatened species list, a bear hunt was held. Hunters killed 304 bears in just two days, including 179 females. Sadly, 38 of them were mother bears still nursing cubs, which means dozens of baby bears undoubtedly died, too.

In the 2015 hunt, permits for anyone who could pay for them led to a chaotic event that was shut down days early. This year’s proposed bear hunt is planned in December and annually into the future, allowing hunters the use of up to six dogs to corner the bears or chase them up into the trees to be shot. Methods could include bowhunt -

wind and perpetuating the many controversies attributable to this City Council, Palm Coast residents will be able to paint their house in any color they want [upon the finalization of a new ordinance]. It was a notion heralded by the mayor when he first arrived on the scene. It was a way over-the-top idea then and remains as such even though the council has fallen in line.

On the council’s pending table are considerations of even more controversy bound to also tick off a lot of neighbors — backyard residential chicken coops and the forever parking of potentially colorfully decorated commercial vehicles in residential driveways. The commercial vehicle idea is the mayor’s baby, as well.

Combined with anythinggoes house colors, it conjures up a whole new aesthetic feel for our town and not at all in a good way — more like a rural traveling carnival scene than a Florida neighborhood. Only the carnival won’t be traveling on.

You want a black house with purple trim, a paisley pink commercial truck parked in your driveway, with chickens roaming in your yard, you got it. You want even more freedom for your little castle? Maybe a little more tackiness? Just ask the apparently “happy to oblige” mayor and the council.

After witnessing, in a mere seven months, the unacceptable and almost unbearable array of chaotic divisive nonsense and bad behavior emanating from our City Council, but more particularly the mayor, the legacy of this council is panning out to be one for the history books.

MARY ZITO Palm Coast

ing and bear hunting in baited feeding areas.

It’s a hunt almost no one in Florida wants. A new poll shows that a supermajority of Florida voters, 81%, do not want a bear hunt, and even more, 89%, oppose hounding, and 86% oppose baiting bears at “feeding stations.”

With bow and arrow hunting, the massive bones and thick coat of a bear make it hard to achieve a quick kill. All too often, bears wounded by bow-and-arrow hunters flee, only to die slowly from blood loss or infection.

This time, hunters will be allowed to field dress as well, leading to possible deception: A female can be reported as a male or hunters may misreport the weights. We have one more chance for FWC to hear the voice

Don’t change Palm Coast’s house color ordinance

Dear Editor:

Leave the city’s paint ordinance as it is. While individual artistic tastes should be sanctified and protected inside a home, neighbors should not be required to accept and often endure them.

If that “colorful” house in Bunnell popped up next to any council member’s home, I doubt repeal of local paint standards would be so important. Also, [Annamaria] Long’s statement that house paintings in Flagler Beach have not affected property values is simply false. Flagler’s overall value comes from its beachfront location and great restaurants, without which those cute but mostly unattractive houses would surely reduce values of neighboring properties.

Hint to council: move on to an important issue. Buy a used dredging machine for $60,000 and scoop out the canals just as you did so efficiently with the storm drainage swales. Don’t waste $25 million with an outside contractor who expects to come back in 10 years. Finally, we, the vast majority of Palm Coast citizens do not need a YMCA. Put that issue on an election ballot and it will fail 90-10. Note: The best cities in America are run as a business, not a charity.

JW GARFIELD Palm Coast

Lifeguard shortage still not addressed

Dear Editor:

On July 3, 2024, at 2 p.m., a West Virginia man vaca-

of animal lovers to plea for education instead of lethal means of limiting humanbear encounters. A final vote is scheduled for Aug. 13 in Tallahassee. I plan on attending and speaking for the black bears. You may write to the commissioners (be polite) here: Preston Farrior, Preston. Farrior@myfwc.com; Rodney Barreto, Rodney.Barreto@ myfwc.com; Steve Hudson, Stephen.Hudson@myfwc. com; Gary Lester, Gary.Lester @myfwc.com; Albert Maury, Albert.Maury@myfwc.com; Gary Nicklaus, Gary.Nicklaus @myfwc.com; Sonya Rood, Sonya.Rood@myfwc.com.

Better yet, join me for a field trip to Tallahassee. Perhaps we could rent a bus! Carotenuto is the executive director of the Flagler Humane Society.

tioning with his wife and two children drowned while swimming in an unguarded area just north of the Bandshell. Beach Safety Chief Tammy Malphurs: “Do not go into the water if there’s not a staffed lifeguard tower.”

The drowning was one of nine on unguarded Volusia County beaches in 2024; 13 drownings in 2023, eight drownings in 2022. A study by Simmrin Law identified the 10 most dangerous beaches in America, factoring storms, lightning, shark attacks, and surf-related fatalities. Ranked: New Smyrna Beach (1), Daytona Beach (3), Ormond Beach (6), and Ponce Inlet (7).

Media reports document 90-100 seasonal lifeguard vacancies in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In the past year, County Councilman Troy Kent made numerous inquiries into Volusia’s ongoing lifeguard shortage. The Ormond Beach City Commission recently sent a letter to the county questioning unstaffed lifeguard stations.

Specifically, Neptune Avenue, with a large countyleased parking lot and an A1A traffic light for pedestrian crossings, has a lifeguard only on weekends and some Mondays. That means Ormond Beachgoers north of Granada should never go into the water on weekdays. Yet many of them do, at Neptune, Amsden, and Standish approaches.

Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan has responded: The county is budgeted to staff all towers seven days a week, but there have been fewer numbers of seasonal lifeguards available during the spring/summer season. (Historically, lifeguards were staffed every half mile, within sight and sound of each other’s calls for

Honoring Life's Journey with Grace Cremation & Traditional Funeral Services

We are pleased to partner with Hillside Cemetery in Ormond Beach, a tranquil and welcoming location that offers a comforting setting for visiting your loved ones. Surrounded by peaceful natural beauty, Hillside Cemetery provides a serene environment where you can reflect, remember, and feel close to those you hold dear. The cemetery offers both traditional burial plots and urn placement options, allowing families to choose the most meaningful tribute for their loved ones. Additionally, we are honored to collaborate closely with the Palm Coast Memory Gardens Situated on their beautifully maintained grounds, the garden offers pristine columbarium spaces that are now available to the public. These thoughtfully designed niches provide a dignified, affordable option for those choosing cremation. Together, Lotus Funeral Service and the Palm Coast Memory Gardens off of Belle Terre Pkwy are proud to introduce the Botanical Memory Gardens. a dedicated outdoor space on their property for cost-effective urn burials. Surrounded by lush greenery, these gardens offer a peaceful, nature-filled setting for families to honor their loved ones. Double niches are also available for couples who wish to remain together forever. With prices kept accessible and affordable, it’s an ideal time to plan ahead and ensure your final wishes are in place. We believe that serving our community extends far beyond funeral care. We want to be a supportive presence that empowers you to make thoughtful, informed choices well before they’re needed. Taking the time to plan ahead provides invaluable peace of mind — relieving your loved ones of difficult decisions during an emotional time and allowing them the space to grieve. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with the people and organizations around us, creating a sense of belonging and comfort that will continue for years to come. We are here to support you and your family every step of the way, ensuring that your legacy is honored and your wishes are respected with the care and compassion they deserve. Our mission is to remain accessible to all who may need our support - whether you are making funeral arrangements for a

emergency backup.) Today, mobile units patrol extensive stretches of beach to cover the gaps. The lifeguard shortage has been addressed with increased recruiting and training, increased salaries, benefits, and bonuses. Scheduling strategies have been updated. Proactive efforts now encourage the return of lifeguards from previous years.

Lifeguard deployments are based on data analysis of historical crowds and rescues, placing resources in areas of high beachgoer density with off-beach parking availability. A tiered priority system considers rescue history, environmental conditions, and swimmer density patterns. But if fewer beachgoers go to unguarded beaches, low counts on those beaches become a self-fulfilling prophecy. And after years of high vacancies, new recruitment strategies are needed. The beach is our greatest natural, recreational, and economic resource. Solving the lifeguard shortage should be Volusia County’s No. 1 priority. Lives are at risk.

JEFF BOYLE Ormond Beach

Send letters up to 400 words to jarleene@observerlocalnews.com.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Red, white & BOOM

Ormond Beach celebrates Independence Day

SUZANNE MCCARTHY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The City of Ormond Beach held its annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4, at Rockefeller Gardens.

The free event began at 8 p.m. and included live music by the band Stealing Vanity, food vendors and a fireworks display over the Halifax River. Mayor Jason Leslie delivered a proclamation before the fireworks began.

The fireworks show started at 9 p.m. and lasted approximately 20 minutes. Fireworks were launched from the south side of the Granada Bridge. Shuttle service across the bridge was provided starting at 7:30 p.m. Road closures and designated parking areas were in place to accommodate attendees.

The event is organized by the City of Ormond Beach and is held annually to mark the Fourth of July.

Cindy from Ormond Beach dances to Stealing Vanity.

Ormond Beach presents the annual Independence Day fireworks over the Halifax River. Photos by Suzanne McCarthy

Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie (third from left), City Commissioner Kristin Deaton (center), City Commissioner Travis Sargent (third from right), family and friends start the annual fireworks show over the Halifax River.

Anaya, 10 years old from Palm Coast, is ready for fireworks.

Stealing Vanity entertains the crowd before the Ormond Beach fireworks show.

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JULY 10

RECIPES AND READS

CULINARY LAB: THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF FOOD — AFTERNOON TEA

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Enjoy rooibos tea while learning more about the history of tea, presented by library staff.

MOONRISE AT THE BEACH

When: 8:30-9:15 p.m.

Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park, 3100 S Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler

Beach

Details: Take in the view of the moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring binoculars and a camera for photo opportunities. Entrance into the park is $5 per vehicle. Call 386-517-2086.

GENTLE YOGA

When: 6-7 p.m.

Where: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this all-levels, gentle Christ-centered yoga class designed to nurture body, mind, and spirit. This class is open to all ages, genders and body types. Bring a yoga mat. A $5-$10 donation is suggested. Proceeds support St. Thomas Episcopal Church ministries.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

TURTLE TALK

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Learn about the role sea turtles play in Florida and how your actions can help preserve these animals for generations. All ages welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Park entry fee applies.

SUMMER SOUNDS

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: See the Black Velvet

Duo perform. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy live music with the city of Ormond Beach’s Department of Leisure Services. Free.

A TRUE CRIME COMEDY NIGHT

When: 8:30-10 p.m.

Where: Cristy B Comedy: The Club, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite A110, Palm Coast

Details: Attend a night of stand-up comedy featuring Daisy Tackett and Casey Skinner, who will share the story on how he unknowingly spent two months living at the infamous Cecil Hotel. Tickets cost $24.80. Visit cristybcomedy. com.

‘THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’

When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 20 and 27. Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Unit B207, Palm Coast Details: See this Tony and Drama Desk award-winning play telling the story of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Tickets cost $32.70 for adults and $17.17 for students. Visit crtpalmcoast.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 12

LOCAL AUTHOR

SPOTLIGHT: ERIKA BARGER

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Novel Tea Book Shop, 150 Tomoka Ave., Ormond

Beach

Details: Local author Erika Barger will host a book signing for her book, “Scholarship Hacks: Insider Tips for Winning College Money.”

MONDAY, JULY 14

CAMP PAW PRINT

SUMMER CAMP 2025

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, July 14-18; and July 28 to Aug. 1.

Where: Flagler Humane Society, 1 Shelter Drive, Palm Coast

Details: Join Flagler Humane Society for a summer camp where kids will explore the world of animal care, meet shelter pets and enjoy a variety of interactive activities. Camp costs $250 per child. A $25 off discount is available for a family’s second child enrolled. Call 386-445-1814.

TUESDAY, JULY 15

THE AMERICAN RED

CROSS: PILLOWCASE

PROJECT & HANDS-ON CPR

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach

St., Ormond Beach

Details: The Pillowcase Project is a preparedness education program for grades 3-5 that teaches students about personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards, and basic coping skills. Red Cross volunteers lead students through a “Learn, Practice, Share” framework to engage them in disaster preparedness and survival skills. Families will also learn how to perform hands-only CPR.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Cypress Knoll Golf & Country Club, 53 Easthampton Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: This social club for retired and semiretired men and women meets monthly with a guest speaker on a topic of interest with other social events during the month. This month’s guest speaker is Mike Lutz, commander with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. He will discuss “Fraud Activity in Palm Coast.” All are welcome. Lunch is optional. For more information, contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobusclub@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

When: 6:30-8:15 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Attend the July meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. The guest speaker will be Charleen Smith, secretary of the Volusia County Democratic Executive Committee. She will discuss immediate and future initiatives to promote member and citizen involvement in response to “What can we do?” Like-minded guests are welcome to attend. Club information can be found at ormondbeachdems.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 18

SUMMER SOUNDS

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: See Derek Trull & EasyStreet perform. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy live music with the city of Ormond Beach’s Department of Leisure Services. Free.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

PEDAL IN THE PARK

When: 8-10:30 a.m.

nity Center, 3005 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: Formerly known as Tour de Palm Coast, this bike ride will begin at 8 a.m. and take participants through Linear and Waterfront Parks. Bring a reusable water bottle. All riders must wear a helmet. Light refreshments will be served afterward. Free event.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Granada Boulevard, from A1A to Orchard Street, Ormond Beach

Details: Support local businesses and celebrate summer with a holiday vibe. There will be visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a family-friendly “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt beginning July 12, live entertainment and more. Visit ormondbeachmainstreet. com/christmasinjuly.

RUMMAGE, BAKE AND DOLL SALE WITH CAR SHOW

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast

Details: Rummage of all kinds will be available. Dolls will be 75% off. Event includes the Wheels in Motion antique car show. Free admission.

BOOK SIGNING BY LUSINE TOROSSIAN

When: 12-3 p.m.

Where: Vedic Moons, 4984 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Unit

4, Palm Coast

Details: Lusine Torossian will sign her novel, “Light Weaver,” a young adult dark fairy tale woven with mythology. There will be author swag for the first 15 arrivals. Call 386-5855167 for more information.

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach Details: Paint along with watercolor artist Bibi Gromling. All supplies are included in the $75 class fee. No drawing is required. Call 386-3179400.

SALVE REGINA

ORGAN RECITAL

When: 3-4 p.m.

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

Details: See “Salve Regina: Organ Devotionals to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” an organ recital featuring Caleb R. Klinzing on the magnificent Cornel-Zimmer Organ. Free event.

ONGOING MEMORY MAKERS

QUILT GUILD

When: 9:30 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday of each month

Where: UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County Education Center, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell

Details: Join the Memory Makers Quilt Guild. All are welcome.

BAM SENIOR FITNESS CLASS

When: 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays

Where: Palm Coast First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast Details: Join this Balance and Motion class and develop strength and endurance, core stability and balance. Taught by senior fitness specialist Artie G, the class is open to all fitness levels and free with most insurances. A donation is accepted for those without coverage. See full schedule at synergyseniorfitness.com or call 386-931-3485.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

When: 12:30-2 p.m. every Tuesday Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Join this book club, which meets in the Marchman Building, room 117. Contact Sylvia Meincke at 386-451-5223.

MOMS OF PRE SCHOOLERS When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faith-based program for moms, moms-tobe and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is provided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts. Playtime offered for children, with adult supervision. Call 386-255-2588.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Bugs Outside the Box: Discover the Art Within the Sciences” ; “Shoosty Bugs: An Art Infestation” ; and “It’s a Ship Show: Florida’s Maritime Canvas.”

Where: Palm Coast Commu-

Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif

FOCUS ON FAITH

Epic Church in Palm Coast sends missionaries to Guatemala

“Columpios! Columpios!”

Those were the words that long time Epic Church member Will Furry heard as the children of San Lucas, Guatemala, gathered around him while on his service mission there last month.

Seventeen missionaries from Epic Church in Palm Coast flew in the early morning hours of June 14 to help in Guatemala. This week long mission focused on ministering to the women and children of this impoverished area. Furry, a Flagler County School Board member, shared one instance that impacted him.

“The men were going to serve (the women) lunch,” Furry recallled. “All of sudden these kids came up to me… They were asking me to do

been praying for a water filter for years.”

Epic Church has been providing relief to this area in Guatemala for many years. Furry was able to reconnect with a young woman who he had previously met as a young girl and who, through the efforts of Epic Church, had been able to receive an education. She is now married and having her first child. During the mission, they were able to give her a baby shower and still show their support for her and now her new family.

Parkview supports creation of new church in St. Johns County New City Church, led by Trent and Andrea Griffith with the support of Parkview Church in Palm Coast, is trying to establish a new church in St. Johns County.

“Our goal as a church is to not increase our seating capacity, it is to increase our sending capacity,” Pastor Greg Peters of the Parkview Church said in a Facebook video.

The Griffiths’ goal is to make “strong marriages and healthy families” through “enduring ministry…(with) intentional support and guidance.”

No building yet has been established for the congregation, but prayer meetings are being held to determine the next steps. The first prayer meeting was held on June 29.

“Before God plants a church in any location, he plants that church in the heart of church planters,” Trent Griffith said.

—ELIZABETH MOORE

Send your faith-based news and announcements to jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com

Seventeen missionaries from Epic Church in Palm Coast traveled to Guatemala last month for a mission. Courtesy photo

Brought

Late Mainland principal ‘a shining star’

Tim Huth, a Volusia educator for over 36 years, has died at 74.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Tim Huth was Charles Brinkerhoff’s driver’s education teacher at Mainland High School in 1976-77. Years later, when Huth was the principal at Mainland, he hired Brinkerhoff to be the school’s head basketball coach, even though Brinkerhoff had no prior head coaching experience.

Huth, 74, an educator for over 36 years in Volusia County, died of a heart attack on July 2. Brinkerhoff, now a social studies teacher at Spruce Creek High School, got a chance at the end of May to tell Huth how much he’s meant to him as a teacher and mentor.

“He came to my classroom one last time,” Brinkerhoff said. “(Spruce Creek Principal Todd Sparger) brought him to my room. The seniors were already gone, so it was a quiet time. And I got to tell him to his face that he was the best principal I ever worked for, right in front of Dr. Sparger, but (Sparger) laughed. He knows how much Tim means to me.”

A funeral mass was held for Huth at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach on Wednesday, July 9.

Huth was Mainland’s principal from 1990-1995 before moving up to the Volusia County School District office, first as an area superintendent and then as deputy superintendent from 1997-2010. He was a finalist for the superintendent’s position twice, getting edged out by a 3-2 School Board vote in 2003 and then was a finalist in 2019

to be interim superintendent. He retired in 2010 but returned to Mainland as interim principal in 2019 after a testing scandal at the school.

“Going back to Mainland, after he was out of the system, that’s a commitment to education,” Brinkerhoff said.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, a Mainland graduate who also was a teacher and coach under Huth at Mainland, posted on Facebook that Daytona Beach and Volusia County “lost a mountain of a man.”

“Tim Huth, an educational giant and a community titan for over 50 years, has been the most impactful public school administrator of his generation,” Henry posted. “Most specifically, more than any person in the illustrious history of Mainland High School, he has embodied the expression ‘Buc Pride Never Dies.’”

After retiring, Huth remained active in the community as chair of the Checker Flag Committee at Daytona International Speedway, a member and former chair of the Halifax Health Public Relations Committee and a member of the board of directors of Vince Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation among other local organizations.

Huth received presidential recognition for educational excellence from President George H.W. Bush in 1992, President Bill Clinton in 1995 and President George W. Bush in 2002.

Huth graduated from the University of Cincinnati and became a teacher at Mainland in 1974. He taught several subjects and was also a swim coach, tennis coach, department chair, athletic director and dean of students at Mainland before becoming assistant principal (1987) and then principal at Holly Hill Junior

High/Middle School before returning to Mainland.

Brinkerhoff said Huth let his application sit on his desk for a couple of months before he hired him as head boys basketball coach.

“Finally, he said, ‘I’m going to do what’s best for the students of Mainland High School,’” said Brinkerhoff, who would take the Bucs to four Final Four appearances and win three state championships in the 1990s.

“He was a shining star,” Brinkerhoff said. “He remembered every single student’s name when I was around him. He made us as students believe we belonged to Mainland. And he made people around him better. He made me a better teacher.”

Central Florida area swim coach Darl Bonemma who swam for Huth at Mainland and on Huth’s club team, posted on Facebook that Huth “is the main reason I became a swim coach. I will always appreciate and love his special gift of caring and helping kids when they needed it, including me. Rest in peace Coach Huth. We will miss you.”

Huth is survived by Charmaine, his wife of 52 years, his children Timmy and Heidi, his grandchildren Joey and Minh and his siblings Barbara, Jerry, Chris and Tracy.

Grief journey leads to cookbook

‘Recipes for Healing’ tells Palm Coast woman’s story about finding joy after spouse’s death.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After her first husband, David, died 32 years ago of colon cancer, Patti ComeauSimonson’s life journey took a turn. She became a volunteer for hospice care which led her to becoming a bereavement assistant, earning a certificate in thanatology, becoming a peer-grief specialist and developing a peer-grief training program.

Now, she has written a book, “Recipes for Healing, Working Through Grief One Plate at a Time (Just Not Lasagna!).”

It’s a teaching memoir chronically her experiences coping with grief along with 40 comfort-food recipes.

“I’ve always wanted to write a cookbook,” said ComeauSimonson who has lived in Palm Coast for eight years. “I love to cook. During my husband’s illness I was cook-

YOUR TOWN

FPC graduate receives two Lions Club scholarships

Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate Emily Effort received two Lions Club scholarships — one from the Palm Coast Lions Club and one from the district — totaling $2,000.

Skin Cancer

95% of skin cancers are non-melanoma squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers. Surgery is not required to treat them, non-invasive treatments can provide excellent cure rates in line with surgery. We specialize in non-invasive treatments and screening using state of the art technology. No cutting, bleeding, wound healing issues, scarring, skin grafts, numbness, or cosmetic failures.

Patti Comeau-Simonson holds up her book, ‘Recipes for Healing, Working Through Grief One Plate at a Time. (Just Not Lasagna!)’ Courtesy photo

ing like crazy. After he died, I wasn’t interested in anything like that. This is my story about working through grief and finding joy again.”

At first, she didn’t want to cook at all. Her husband’s death followed the deaths of her brother-in-law and her mother — all in a threeyear span. During mourning, friends and family would bring by food.

“We were inundated with lasagna. After David’s loss I was so filled with anxiety, and whenever I thought of lasagna, all I thought of was

Effort is the past president of the FPC Leo Club. She has been a Leo since her sophomore year. She helped lead marketing efforts for her club’s events throughout the school year and plans to major in pre-marketing at UCF.

According to a press release, Effort said one of her favorite service events was the school’s Halloween tradition, “Walk the Halls,” where students dressed up and handed out candy. Effort said she is excited to continue developing her leadership and service skills.

Incoming Palm Coast Lions Club President Shara Brodsky said in the press release that she loves “that the camaraderie begins at such a young age through the Leos. Our Lions still live by the, ‘We Serve’ motto. It’s more than a phrase — it’s a way of life centered around love, support and community.”

The Palm Coast Lions Club plans to launch a new community-based Leo Club, creating more opportunities for local youth.

the little tin-foil wrapped containers in the freezer,” she said.

Eventually, she regained her love for cooking after she joined a support group with some older women who had gotten through their grief by cooking for their grandkids and families.

“Very slowly, I got back into wanting to cook for me,” she said. Each recipe has a story. Some of the recipes are her own, some are from her mother, some from her two mothers-in-law. ComeauSimonson is from Massachusetts, so some of the recipes, such as her mother’s New England clam chowder, originated from that region. While the recipes are in the back of the book, food is talked about throughout one way or another, she said.

“Recipes for Healing,” published by Balboa Press, took her two-and-a-half years to write. It has been out since May 1 and is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble. com. She will have a book signing on July 13, 2-4 p.m., at Cimarrone Golf Club in St. Johns County.

B-CU’s annual day of giving raises over $800K

Bethune-Cookman University’s annual Day of Giving recently shattered records by raising $801,905 — nearly 39% more than was collected during last year’s event. On June 18, about 415 individual donors pledged their financial support for student scholarships, educational opportunities and campus improvement projects. This year’s Day of Giving also sparked friendly competition among organizations and alumni chapters. Out of five distinct categories, two Alumni Greek Life organizations led the way: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated raised more than any other group with $16,210, followed closely by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated with $12,484. Men’s football, the Marching Wildcats, and the South Florida Alumni Chapter also topped fundraising in their respective groups.

Tim Huth. Courtesy Lohman Funeral Home Ormond

FPC graduate Emily Effort (center) received two Lions Club scholarships. Courtesy photo

BUSINESS

BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT

Two things: ‘Don’t procrastinate’ and ‘Do the right thing.’

If you buy a Miller Lite (or other brands on a long list of beverages — alcoholic and nonalcoholic) at a store or restaurant in Volusia or Flagler counties, you have likely been served by S.R. Perrott. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes family businesses with a big impact on the community: Now with 180 employees, S.R. Perrott was founded in 1962.

The beverage distribution company is named for Samuel

BIZ BUZZ

Kistemaker Business Law Group welcomes summer interns

The Kistemaker Business Law Group Summer Internship program has welcomed a new class of students for its 13th year. Three new interns have joined the program, which is available to prospective law students looking to gain legal experience and insight into the practice of real estate, business, condo/HOA, and construction law as well as landlord and tenant law, according to a press release. The interns are:

„ Mackenzie Allen, secondyear Stetson University College of Law student. She is part of the business law concentration program and was born and raised in Central Florida.

„ Morgan Gurtis, rising sophomore at Florida State University. She is an Ormond Beach local and Spruce Creek High School grad, and plans to attend law school after graduating from FSU.

„ Zavier Kistemaker, rising senior at Seabreeze High School. An Ormond Beach local, he is dual enrolled at the University of Florida and plans to pursue a degree in political science and attend law school.

It’s amazing to think we are in the 13th year of this program,” said Erum Kistemaker, the firm’s managing attorney and shareholder. “We love welcom-

Ralph Perrott; his granddaughter Eva McMullin is currently the assistant general manager and corporate secretary. She is also a former president of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, and she said her parents gave her the best advice she ever got.

“I’ve taken different pieces of advice from each of them,” McMullin said, while sitting in the conference room in late June 2025, close to the one-year anniversary of her father’s death, which was June 22, 2024. McMullin’s father, R. Gary Connors, was very involved in

ing students each year and it’s tremendously exciting for us to help them as they build strong foundations for their futures in the practice of law.”

The students may participate in professional development workshops and are provided with opportunities to interact with the local legal community, in addition to assisting in the day-to-day business of the firm, the press release states. They also receive an attorney mentor for the duration of the internship. Most of the firm’s interns

the day-to-day operations of the business. “He checked in with everybody,” she said, “so he’s missed a lot.”

The advice he always gave was, “Do the right thing.” That means being honest and truthful (“like the Bible says”) with suppliers, but McMullin remembers him applying that saying especially when it related to employees.

“If he saw an employee who was struggling, he wanted to do the right thing for that person, not just for profit,” she said. He gave second chances. And more than once, he helped pay bills or

have gone on to pursue law degrees and are practicing attorneys.

For more information, visit daytonabusinesslawyers.com.

Intracoastal

Bank’s Kim Brown receives dual recognition

Intracoastal Bank team

member Kim Brown-Crawford recently received dual honors at the 2025 Juneteenth Festival, presented by the Juneteenth Committee, earning both the Community Recognition Award and Community Leader of the Year recognition.

The event was held on Thursday, June 19, at the Mori Hosseini Student Union Building at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. The awards recognize Brown-Crawford’s dedication to making a positive impact in the local community through her volunteer efforts and public service initiatives, according to a press release.

“We are incredibly proud of Kim Brown-Crawford’s achievements and the way she represents Intracoastal Bank’s commitment to our community,” said Ryan Page, Intracoastal Bank president & CEO. “Her dedication to service exemplifies the values we hold dear as an organization that serves individuals and businesses throughout the Northeast and East Central Florida area.”

Email business press releases to brent@observerlocalnews. com.

even loaned cars to employees. He’s no longer in the office, but, that spirit of giving remains in the company, McMullin said.

The advice from her mother — Michele P. Connors, president and owner of S.R. Perrott — is equally simple: “Don’t procrastinate.”

In McMullin’s roles, she’s often presented with fresh challenges daily, disrupting any routine. But if she doesn’t respond to those surprises quickly, they pile up, and it gets harder and harder to catch up.

“I don’t like waiting on people, so I try to put myself in their shoes,” McMullin said. “I want to get it done right away.”

Michele Connors; McMullin;

and her sister, Colleen ConnorsTimko, who is the vice president of sales and the corporate treasurer, are all helping S.R. Perrott to evolve, expanding to new beverages as the market evolves. For example, sales of “functional beverages” have

Alliance Financial celebrates 15th anniversary with ‘Day

of Giving’

Alliance Financial Partners, a locally-owned financial consulting firm, marked its 15th anniversary milestone this year with the launch of its inaugural “Day of Giving” community service initiative.

The celebration brought together the firm’s team and community members to support four local charities through volunteer work and donations.

On Friday, June 20, Alliance Financial Partners team members and clients volunteered their time with Grace Food Pantry, preparing food packages for families in need,

coordinated donation drives for Alpha Women’s Center and Flagler Humane Society, and providing yard work services for two local veterans through Veterans Coffee Social.

“As we celebrate 15 years of serving our community, we wanted to give back in a meaningful way,” said Eddie Herrera, CEO of Alliance Financial Partners. “Our Day of Giving reflects our commitment not just to our clients’ financial well-being, but to the overall health and prosperity of Flagler County.”

Alliance Financial Partners, founded in 2012, has built its reputation on personalized financial advisory services, wealth management, retirement income strategies, and comprehensive financial planning. The firm’s team averages

15 years of financial experience and over 30 years of local residency, demonstrating deep roots in the Palm Coast community.

“This Day of Giving represents our values in action,” Chief Financial Officer Dave Fowler said. “We’re proud to establish this as an annual tradition, selecting new charities each year to support different aspects of our community’s needs.”

The donation drive accepted store-specific gift cards and essential items, with contributions collected at the firm’s office through June 18. Alliance Financial Partners is affiliated with LPL Financial and is located at 1 Florida Park Dr. N. Suite 105-B, in Palm Coast.

Faith in Flagler

Epic church

• Buddy Taylor Middle School (4500 Belle Terre Parkway)

• Sunday 8:45, 10:15, 11:45 a.m.

• 386-243-0113

Building faith strengthens our community.

Many people in our world today think, “If God exists, He’s probably mad at me or disappointed in me.” But Romans 8:31 says, “Since God is for us who can ever stand against us?” So God is for you not against you! He loves you and demonstrated that love when Jesus died on the cross so you can have eternal life.

Brought to you by: Faith in Flagler

Trent Schake, Pastor

Mackenzie Allen

Morgan Gurtis

Zavier Kistemaker

grown, so they’ve added Moss (promoted by soccer star Lionel Messi) to their roster. Where does S.R. Perrott have a presence? “Every store in Flagler and Volusia,” McMullin said. —BRIAN MCMILLLAN

Eva McMullin. Photo by Brian McMillan

From left to right: Honey; Kaitlyn Holling, Humane Society development coordinator; Eddie Herrera, CEO of Alliance Financial; Bonnie Binns, client service associate, Alliance Financial; Faith Ichart, senior client service associate, Alliance FInancial; Dave Fowler, chief financial officer, Alliance Financial; Harley; and Jessica Otaviano, client operations specialist, Alliance Financial. Courtesy photos

Dave Fowler, chief financial officer, Alliance Financial; Jennifer Thomann, director, Alpha Pregnancy Center; Faith Ichart, senior client service associate, Alliance FInancial; Bonnie Binns, client service associate, Alliance Financial; Lenora Gambrell, Alpha Pregnancy Center; and Eddie Herrera, CEO of Alliance Financial.

REAL ESTATE

Grand Haven home tops sales list at $1.18M

Ahouse at 187 Willow Oak Wa, in Grand Haven was the top real estate transaction for June 21-27 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on June 25, for $1,180,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 3,445 square feet.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

A condo at 3600 South Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 317, sold on June 27, for $159,900. Built in 1984, the condo is a 1/1 and has 693 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $142,000.

A condo at 15 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 2406, sold on June 26, for $1,125,000. Built in 1996, the condo is a 3/3.5 and has 2,745 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $550,000.

A condo at 900 Canopy Walk Lane, Unit 921, sold on June 27, for $528,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,712 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $480,000.

A condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 552, sold on June 27, for $1,125,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 4/3.5 and has 2,177 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $1,539,000.

A condo at 104 Club House Drive, Unit 209, sold on June

25, for $565,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,414 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $610,000.

A condo at 102 Club House Drive, Unit 208, sold on June 23, for $585,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,414 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $600,000.

FLAGLER BEACH

Kanaha Beach A house at 3365 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on June 23, for $1,100,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a dunewalk and 1,855 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $725,000.

Morningside A house at 2434 S. Flagler Ave. sold on June 27, for $520,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a boat dock, a boat lift and 1,588 square feet.

PALM COAST

Belle Terre A house at 32 Prince Anthony Lane sold on June 27, for

Ormond riverfront home sells for $1.75M

Ahouse along the Halifax River at 600 John Anderson Drive was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormondby-the-Sea for the week of June 14-20. The house sold on June 17, for $1,750,000. Built in 1966, the house is a 5/4 with two half baths and has three fireplaces, a pool, a boat dock, a boat house and 4,740 square feet. It last sold in 1978 for $67,500.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

Condos

The condo at 2860 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 105, sold on June 16, for $195,000. Built in 1990, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,056 square feet. It last sold in 1998 for $78,500.

The condo at 1415 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit D07, sold on June 16, for $265,000. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,225 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $138,000.

The condo at 640 N. Nova Road, Unit 212, sold on June 18, for $117,600. Built in 1976, the condo is a 2/2 and has 932 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $77,800.

The condo at 2222 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 303B, sold on June 20, for $377,000. Built in 1981, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,150 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $135,000.

$419,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,208 square feet.

A house at 344 Parkview Drive sold on June 27, for $313,823. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,467 square feet.

Palm Harbor

A house at 6 Cayuse Court sold on June 23, for $1,000,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a boat dock, a boat house, a boat lift, a fireplace and 2,411 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $450,000.

Pine Lakes A house at 26 Westbrook Lane sold on June 27, for $380,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool and 2,019 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $239,000.

A house at 3 Waser Place sold on June 27, for $396,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 1,879 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $147,500.

A house at 5 Woodholme Lane sold on June 27, for $379,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,044 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $278,400.

Seminole Woods

A house at 24 Squirrel Place sold on June 27, for $445,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,431 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $366,000.

Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report

house is a 2/1 and has 952 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $71,100.

Riviera Manor

The house at 609 Johnson Drive sold on June 20, for $345,000. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,791 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $106,000.

The Trails

The house at 9 Iroquois Trail sold on June 16, for $500,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,856 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $339,000.

Timbers Edge

ORMOND BEACH

Fountain View

The house at 1491 Fountain View St. sold on June 18, for $402,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,490 square feet. It last sold in Halifax Plantation

The house at 1309 Wicklow Lane sold on June 18, for $539,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,267 square feet. Not in subdivision

The house at 1725 Hope Drive sold on June 16, for $259,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,400 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $172,500.

The house at 1718 Maryland Ave. sold on June 16, for $110,000. Built in 1946, the house is a 3/1 and has a fireplace and 1,209 square feet. It last sold in 1995 for $45,000.

The house at 1304 Par Ave. sold on June 16, for $206,000. Built in 1976, the

The townhome at 110 Timberline Trail sold on June 16, for $240,000. Built in 1977, the townhome is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,555 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $192,500.

Standish Shores

The house at 787 Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on June 16, for $1,600,000. Built in 1953, the house is a 2/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,394 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $1,270,000.

Village of Pine Run

The house at 2 Walnut Court sold on June 17, for $625,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,829 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $625,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Not in subdivision

The house at 70 Ocean Shore Drive sold on June 17, for $374,000. Built in 1954, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,054 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $300,000.

The house at 46 Camellia Drive sold on June 18, for $225,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 2/2 and has 807 square feet. It last sold in 1981 for $43,000.

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

Magical ending

Palm Coast’s Carrie Meng completes the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run during Golden Hour.

The perk of completing the 100.2-mile Western States Endurance Run during the Golden Hour — the final hour before the cutoff — is you get to run around the Placer High School track in Auburn, California, with the bleachers, sidelines and infield filled with thousands of spectators cheering for you as you summon those last few ounces of energy to finish.

By the time Carrie Meng, of Palm Coast, got to the final 400 meters of her quest on June 29, tears of joy were streaming down her face. And not just because she finished the world’s oldest 100mile trail run in 29 hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds — with time to spare before the 30-hour cutoff — but

because she got to experience the intoxicating scene from a runner’s perspective.

“I cried the entire lap,” she said. “It was a good cry, a happy cry, hearing everybody cheering for me. I got to experience the magic of the Golden Hour. Some people call it the best hour in trail racing. It’s like nothing else.”

Experiencing the race from a runner’s viewpoint is why Meng ran. She has been the WSER’s assistant race director since February 2023. Gaining a spot in the field on her own would have been nearly impossible. There are 369 spots in the field with about 275 going into a lottery. About 10,000 people applied for those spots, Meng said.

Race Director Craig Thornley reserved a spot for Meng. He told her she needed to experience the race as a runner. It was only her second 100mile ultramarathon. Her first was her qualifying race to get in. But the 100-miler in Florida hardly compared to the rugged terrain of the Western States course which starts in Olympic Valley, California,

SIDELINES

Matanzas to hold softball camp

The Matanzas Lady Pirates Summer Softball Camp is scheduled for July 15-16 at 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school’s softball field. The camp will be led by former Matazas softball coach Sabrina Manhart, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association 3-star certified coach, as well as current college softball players Emma Wood (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Chloe Baker (Southeastern University) and Leah Stevens (University of Florida). All three are Matanzas alumni. Stevens, who graduated in May, led the Pirates to the regional finals this past season. She was selected as the Florida Dairy Farmers 2025 Class 5A Softball Player of the Year and was the runner-up for the Florida Miss Softball award, presented to the state’s overall player of the year. Cost for the camp is

$125 with sibling and team discounts available. For more information, contact Coach Manhart at manharts@ flaglerschools.com.

All-star teams shine at tournaments

The Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball 11U All-Star baseball team placed second at the

climbs more than 1,800 feet and descends nearly 2,300 feet.

Meng performed her duties as assistant race director up until the night before the race.

As a result, she said, she was tired from the start.

“I think my level of fitness was better than my finish time,” she said. “There were a lot of challenges, which is part of ultra running. But I couldn’t ask for a better race experience. Coming in, I didn’t know what to expect or what I was capable of.”

She fell twice within the first 25 miles, banging up her knee and ankle. She was nau-

seous for at least the last 45 miles, she said. And throughout the night she battled the urge to sleep. She took twominute doze offs, she said.

“Even though I was trouble shooting, there was a community helping me along the way, whether it was my crew, my pacers or the volunteers at the aid stations,” Meng said.

As Meng finished, her crew members jumped for joy and recorded her achievement on their cell phones.

Meng finished 245th out of 285 finishers. There were 92 runners who finished in under 24 hours, winning a handmade silver belt buckle. Meng

won a handmade bronze belt buckle, which is now occupying a shelf in her office.

Meng doesn’t plan to run the WSER again.

“Hopefully, I’ll be working the event for a very long time,” she said. “It’s very difficult to be the assistant race director of the event and run it. If you’re running, it needs to be your primary focus. I still had work responsibilities.”

She is looking forward to running slightly shorter trail races, 100 kilometers and less.

“But I’m not writing off 100-mile races all together,” she said.

District 4 tournament. Registration is now open for the league’s fall season with evaluation day Aug. 16 and opening day on Sept. 20. For more information, go to flaglerbaseball.com.

The Palm Coast Little League Senior League Softball team won the District 19 championship with a 12-5 victory over DeLand.

Flagler Beach Celebration 5K winners

Matanzas track and cross country runner Blaine Vogel of Palm Coast won the Celebration 5K run in Flagler Beach on July 4. Vogel, 18, had a chip time of 17 minutes, nine seconds. Ryan Jones, 20, placed second with a time of 17:52, while Flagler Beach’s Luke Williams, 41, was third in 19:12.

Peyton Reid, 16, of Owensboro, Kentucky, was the female winner and placed fourth overall with a time of 19:33. The top male masters winner was Jacob Reid, 44, of Owensboro, in 19:37, while Palm Coast’s Paul Pais, 53, was second in 19:57. Angelika Grubel, 54, of Ormond Beach, was the female masters winner with a time of 21:36.

Kitty Musante, 68, of New Smyrna Beach, was second in 22:39.

Three hundred and fiftyeight runners, from age 7 to 81, finished the race.

Mainland has a new volleyball coach

Stephen Young is adapting his baseball and analytics background to the volleyball court.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

New Mainland High volleyball coach Stephen Young held his first open gym on Monday, July 7, and 17 players participated.

“I did not expect that many,” Young said later that evening. “I think that was a great number to gauge the interest. Volleyball is such a quickly growing popular sport.”

Young’s enthusiasm for the sport should attract greater numbers. The 2006 DeLand High grad played baseball for the Bulldogs and played baseball, football and basketball during the two years he attended Deltona Trinity Christian as a sophomore and junior. His wife Katie did play volleyball in high school. After their 13-year-old daughter began playing the sport four or five years ago, Young began helping out at Rise Elite Volleyball Club. Last year, he became a head coach, leading a Rise Elite 14U team to a 7-4 record, a year after the team went 1-9, he said.

“I fell in love with volleyball strategy,” Young said. And he found similarities with volleyball and the sport he knew best.

“Throwing a baseball is almost the same as hitting a volleyball,” Young said. “It’s the same mechanics. It’s easy for me to teach hitting and serving, it’s almost identical mechanics to throwing a baseball.”

Young’s life revolves around sports. Since 2011, he’s been writing about sports for RotoGrinder.com, focusing on betting and fantasy analysis for NASCAR, baseball and football. He also hosts a podcast for the website.

His No. 1 requirement for his players is something that also translates from baseball and other sports.

“My biggest thing is effort,” he said. “If you have effort, you’re coachable, you can do anything. Hard work pays off.” Young would like to see club players join his Buccaneers’ team.

“Club volleyball is fantastic,” he said. “It really challenges players. The talent is incredible in club volleyball right now, especially in Florida.”

Young is hosting tryouts for the Mainland volleyball team on July 28-29 with open gyms continuing on July 10, 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.

“I think we have lot of talent,” he said after the first day. “I’m genuinely excited about the season and the future.”

The Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball 11U All-Star team placed second at the District 4 tournament.

Carrie Meng’s crew celebrates as she runs on the Placer High School track in Auburn, California, to complete the 100.2-mile Western States Endurance Run. Photo courtesy of Gary Wang

The Palm Coast Little League Senior League Softball team won the District 19 championship. Courtesy photos

CLASSIFIEDS TRIBUTES

For Sale 2005 LeSabre, pearl white, loaded, 144k miles, good condition. $2,800 or best offer. Call 386-517-7062

Handyman

HARPER’S HANDYMAN SERVICES AND POWERWASHING Count on us for all your handyman services and powerwashing needs. Licensed and Insured happyharpers@att.net 386-843-5906

Paul McLaughlinHandyman. Residential Remedies. No Job Too Small. Licensed and Insured. Low Prices. Reliable 386-503-3219

Lawn Care

Trimming Specials “Everything but the Lawn” Trimming, Weeding, Maintenance, Mulch, Rocks, Design, Pressure Washing & More Palm Coast Only 631-565-5203 or 386-263-2680

Real Estate

Carters Lake - Ellijay, Georgia

Tan And Black Adjustable Bar Stool. In Box Never Opened, $25.00. 386-346-5117 /C-239-671-2580 For Rent

3BR/2BA Palm Coast Intracoastal front gated community, the top floor unit. Walking paths, a heated pool, spa, gym, and basic cable and Wi-Fi are included. 12-month or longer lease only. (386) 503-1896

Duplex For Rent 3/2 $1500/ mo Non Smoking, No Pets, Discounts Available. 404-428-1556

Room For Rent. Female Only. Large Room w/ Cable TV. No Smoking. No Drugs. No Excess Alcohol. Share Bathroom, Refrigerator w/ 1 P. Kitchen Privileges. $700/mo 386-283-2663

Help Wanted Online Merchant (Ormond Beach): Compose images of products and upload images to online website. Prepare and organize online marketing material. Fill customer orders, receive and process payments. Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices. Maintain online communications with customers. Must have high school diploma or GED (or foreign equivalent), 2 years of experience as Retail Salesperson with experience in profitability and revenue margins, virtual marketing, and data analysis, and 6 months training in Statistical Analysis System, a software developed for data management, advanced analytics, multivariate analysis, and business intelligence. Mail resume: TK Distribution Inc., Attn: T. Kalter, 71 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Housekeeping

Ana’s Personal Housekeeping. One Time, Weekly, Or Monthly Service (PC) anaspersonalhousekeeping@gmail.com 386-868-9662

Over 480+/- feet on cold Bubbling Mountain Creek! Perfect location: Near downtown Ellijay & steps to Carters Lake!

Amazing Fort Mountain Range view: Cohutta Mountain views!

Near multiple boat ramps, parks and hiking trails: What a paradise! Close to everything!

All this with beautiful private gate, wide paved roads. Easy build or perfect for RV/camping! Dream spot! Call for info. $40,000 (706) 981-8486

4BR/2.5BA Omond-by-theSea A view of the Intracoastal Waterway & 1 block from the Atlantic, this 1956, beautifully restored, corner-lot home, is on prestigious John Anderson Drive. 2 en-suite bedrooms make this a perfect purchase for owner and guest privacy. $698,000 (305) 726-4884

Wanted

We Buy Cars and Trucks, Any Condition!

We Buy Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUVs, Classic Cars, Commercial vehicles and more. Seriously, if it’s got wheels and an engine, we want it! Call or text 407-366-0000

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 12112 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF DON EVANS LEWIS Deceased. The administration of the estate of Lewis,

FIRST INSERTION

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 32407 CICI Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff, vs. The Unknown Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, Assignees, Lienors, Creditors, Trustees, and all other parties claiming interest by, through, under or against the Estate of Robert Allman Taylor a/k/a Robert A. Taylor, Deceased, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2023 32407 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein Freedom Mortgage Corporation is the Plaintiff and The Unknown Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, Assignees, Lienors, Creditors, Trustees, and all other parties claiming interest by, through, under or against the Estate of Robert Allman Taylor a/k/a Robert A. Taylor, Deceased; Amber Lea Jones a/k/a Amber L. Jones a/k/a Amber Jones a/k/a Amber Lea Taylor a/k/a Amber L. Taylor; Destiny Tyra Taylor a/k/a Destiny Taylor are the Defendants, that Laura Roth, Volusia County Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at, www. volusia.realforeclose.com, beginning at 11:00 AM on the 13th day of August, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 6, BLOCK 5, RIVIERA OAKS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 35, PAGE 58, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. TAX ID: 424277050060

Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed.

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025-11623-PRDL IN RE: ESTATE OF GERALD W. DOUGLAS, Deceased

The administration of the estate of Gerald W. Douglas, deceased, whose date of death was April 12, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is: Clerk of the Circuit Court, 101 N Alabama Ave, DeLand, Florida 32724. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is July 10, 2025. Personal Representative: Tammy Feimann 136 Spencer Rd Burke, New York 12917 Attorney for Personal Representative

CATHERINE E. BLACKBURN Florida Bar Number: 940569 BLACKBURN LAW FIRM, PLLC 5230 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33707 Telephone: (727) 826-0923 E-Mail: Cathy@lifeplanlaw.com July 10, 17, 2025 25-00304I

REQUESTS FOR ACCOMODATIONS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at not cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the appearance is less than 7 days;if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. THESE ARE NOT COURT INFORMATION NUMBERS SOLICITUD DE ADAPTACIONES PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDADES Si usted es una persona con discapacidad que necesita una adaptación para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sinincurrir en gastos. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración Judicial (Court Administración), 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096, con no menos de 7 días de antelación de su cita de comparecencia ante el juez, o de inmediato al recibir esta notificación si la cita de comparecencia está dentro de un plazo menos de 7 días; si usted tiene una discapacidad del habla o del oído, llame al 711. ESTOS NUMEROS TELEFONICOS

NO SON PARA OBTENER INFORMACION JUDICIAL

Dated this 2nd day of July, 2025.

BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 4919 Memorial Hwy, Suite 135 Tampa, FL 33634 Phone: (954) 618-6955 Fax: (954) 618-6954 FLCourtDocs@brockandscott.com By /s/Justin J. Kelley

Justin J. Kelley, Esq. Florida Bar No. 32106 File # 23-F01378 July 10, 17, 2025 25-00302I

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 11740 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES STEVEN BROWN Deceased.

The administration of the estate of CHARLES STEVEN BROWN, deceased, whose date of death was March 6, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for VOLUSIA County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Post Office Box 6043, DeLand, FL 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.

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. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 10, 2025.

Personal Representative: Kelly Cook Lehman

c/o Legacy Law Associates, P.L. 313 South Palmetto Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Attorney for Personal Representative: W. Denis Shelley

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 273872 Legacy Law Associates, P.L. 313 South Palmetto Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Telephone: (386) 252-2531

Fax: (386) 258-0392

E-Mail: shelley@legacylaw313.com

Secondary E-Mail: troy@legacylaw313.com July 10, 17, 2025 25-00313I

40910 2014 Ford VIN#: 1FMCU0J95EUA04992 Repair Facility: Gary Yeomans Ford 1420 N Tomoka Farms Rd Daytona Beach 366-253-7031 Lien Amt $1,294.64 Jul. 10 25-00077V

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023 31910 CICI SELENE FINANCE LP, Plaintiff, v. UNKNOWN HEIRS, CREDITORS, DEVISEES, BENEFICIARIES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL GAITHER, DECEASED, ET AL., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment dated June 20, 2025 entered in Civil Case No. 2023 31910 CICI in the Circuit Court of the 7th Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein SELENE FINANCE LP, Plaintiff and UNKNOWN HEIRS, CREDITORS, DEVISEES, BENEFICIARIES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL GAITHER, DECEASED; MICHAEL STEVEN GAITHER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF MICHAEL GAITHER, DECEASED; JAMES MARION GAITHER, JR., AS POTENTIAL HEIR OF MICHAEL GAITHER, DECEASED; JENNIFER RICHARDSON A/K/A JENNIFER ANNE RICHARDSON; HALIFAX SHORES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; THE CLERK OF COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA; ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HERE-

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE N THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2024 10171 CICI U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR GS MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2021-RPL1, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY OWENS, DECEASED, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 05, 2025, and entered in 2024 10171 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR GS MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2021-RPL1 is the Plaintiff and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY OWENS, DECEASED; ROBERT OWENS; CASANDRA MILLER; ALICIA BOYD; THE TRAILS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; RAMBLEWOOD OF THE TRAILS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 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

Contact the

IN DESCRIBED are defendants, Laura E. Roth, Clerk of Court, will sell the property at public sale at www.volusia.realforeclose. com beginning at 11:00 AM on August 1, 2025 the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit:. UNIT 104, HALIFAX SHORES, A CONDOMINIUM, ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 2113, PAGE 839, PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS APPURTENANT THERETO ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS AND EXHIBITS THERETO. Property Address: 405 N Halifax Ave, Daytona beach, FL 32118 ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMED. THE COURT, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY ENLARGE THE TIME OF THE SALE. NOTICE OF THE CHANGED TIME OF SALE SHALL BE PUBLISHED AS PROVIDED HEREIN.

Kelley Kronenberg 10360 West State Road 84 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324

Phone: (954) 370-9970

Fax: (954) 252-4571

Service E-mail: ftlrealprop@kelleykronenberg.com /s/ Taji S. Foreman Taji S. Foreman FBN: 0058606 File No: 5296.000022 July 10, 17, 2025 25-00303I

AM, on August 01, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: THE WESTLY 28.51 FEET OF LOT 18, AS MEASURED ON THE SOUTHERLY LINE, RAMBLEWOOD REPLAT, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 37, AT PAGE 17, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 300 TIMBERLINE TR, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174

Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 7 day of July, 2025. By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909 Service Email: flmail@raslg.com 22-007971 - NaC July 10, 17, 2025 25-00308I

for Philanthropic advertising opportunities.

MICHAEL CLEMENTS is the Defendant; I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at Volusia.RealForeclose.com, on the August 18th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure: Lot 109, Port Orange LandingsPhase 1, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Map Book 53, Pages 116122 Public Records of Volusia County, Florida Parcel ID No. 631805001090 The physical street address of said property is: 3874 Esplanade Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32129 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administrator at Suite 300, Courthouse Annex, 125 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114; Tel.: 386-257-6096 within two (2) working days of your receipt of the NOTICE OF SALE; if you are hearing impaired, call 1-800-9558771; if you are voice impaired, call 1-800955-8770. THIS IS NOT A COURT INFORMATION LINE. DATED this 8th day of July, 2025. /s/ Robert Robins ROBERT ROBINS, ESQUIRE P.O. BOX 1649 DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32115 (386) 252-5212 (386) 252-5713 (FAX) FLORIDA BAR NO.: 356026 RobertRobinsLaw@hotmail.com ATTORNEY FOR: PLAINTIFF July 10, 17, 2025 25-00311I

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 11132 PRDL Division 10 IN RE: ESTATE OF James A Taylor Deceased. The administration of the estate of James A Taylor, deceased, whose date of death was January 23rd, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for VOLUSIA County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 101 North Alabama Avenue, Deland, FL 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 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 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. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is July 10, 2025. Petitioner: SHARON KAY TAYLOR c/o Law Offices of Mark F. Moss, PLLC 12276 San Jose Blvd., Suite 520 Jacksonville, FL 32223 /s/ Mark F. Moss Attorney for Petitioner MARK F. MOSS, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 119573 Law Offices of Mark F. Moss, PLLC 12276 San Jose Blvd., Suite 520 Jacksonville, FL 32223 Telephone: (904) 329-7242 E-Mail 1: Service@markmosslaw.com E-Mail 2: mark@markmosslaw.com July 10, 17, 2025 25-00312I FIRST

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

NOTICE OF SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 N THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO. 2024 11866 CIDL THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-BC3, Plaintiff, vs. NANCY L. TARECO; ET AL, Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Summary Final Judgment of foreclosure dated June 12, 2025, and entered in Case No. 2024 11866 CIDL of the Circuit Court in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-BC3 is Plaintiff and NANCY L. TARECO; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR THE CIT GROUP/ CONSUMER FINANCE, INC.; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 1; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 2; and ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED, are Defendants, LAURA E. ROTH, Clerk of the Circuit Court, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash www.volusia.realforeclose.com, 11:00 a.m., on September 11, 2025 , the following described property as set forth in said Order or Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 5, BLOCK 697, DELTONA LAKES, UNIT THIRTY, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 27, PAGES 92 THROUGH 95, INCLUSIVE OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMED. THE COURT, IN ITS DESCRETION, MAY

ENLARGE THE TIME OF THE SALE. NOTICE OF THE CHANGED TIME OF SALE SHALL BE PUBLISHED AS PROVIDED HEREIN. Pursuant to Florida Statute 45.031(2), this notice shall be published twice, once a week for two consecutive weeks, with the last publication being at least 5 days prior to the sale. REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. THESE ARE NOT COURT INFORMATION NUMBERS SOLICITUD DE ADAPTACIONES PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACID-

ADES Si usted es una persona con discapacidad que necesita una adaptacin para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sin incurrir en gastos. Comunquese con la Oficina de Administracin Judicial (Court Administration), 125 E. Orange Ave.,

https://davidruth7.wixsite.com/website-54/patricia-kearns

10 REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE

creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 10, 2025. Adam Costello Co-Personal Representative 7120 Riverwood Drive NE Fridley, MN 55432 Justin Costello Co-Personal Representative 1341 NW Maple Lane Camas, WA 98607

Attorney for Personal Representatives: ALVARO C. SANCHEZ Attorney for Petitioners 1714 Cape Coral Parkway East Cape Coral, Florida 33904 Tel 239/542-4733 FAX 239/542-9203 FLA BAR NO. 105539 Email: alvaro@capecoralattorney.com Email: courtfilings@capecoralattorney.com July 10, 17, 2025 25-00305I

THE TO-DO DUDES