People walk across Rockefeller Gardens in memory of Charlie Kirk on
Sept. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
NEWS BRIEFS
Palm Coast student, 11, arrested for threat at Rymfire
An 11-year-old Rymfire Elementary School student is facing a felony charge after he sent a picture of a pellet gun and a threatening message to other students.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about the threat by a Rymfire Elementary School administrator on Sept. 15. The threats were sent by the suspect student to another student over a group chat with multiple other Rymfire students, according to an arrest report.
In the group chat, one student called the suspect names and told him to “do something about [it]” at school. In return, the suspect sent a picture of a pellet gun with the message “See you at school tomorrow bye” along with a skull emoji.
The other students in the chat told the suspect not to
COPS CORNER
SEPT. 1
WHEREFORE ART THOU
9:41 p.m. — 100 block of Rockefeller Drive, Ormond Beach Animal complaint. A police officer was driving down a residential street when he observed a”white wolf dog” wandering free, with no leash. He told the owners they needed to bring their dog back home. The couple told police that the dog, named Romeo, didn’t listen to them so they were
bring a gun to a fist fight or to school, the report said. But later on, the suspect student told the other student it would be his “last day breathing,” among other threatening statements, and sent more pictures of other BB guns. The suspect admitted to sending the texts and photos but said he wrote them to deescalate an argument and that he had no intention of actually carrying it out, the report said. He is now facing a felony charge for sending written threats to kill.
Ormond woman killed in head-on crash caused by fleeing vehicle
A 71-year-old Ormond Beach woman was killed on Tuesday, Sept. 16 when burglary suspects fleeing Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies crashed head-on with her car.
The suspects — a 40-yearold Miami man, a 22-year-old Miami woman and a 38-yearold Pompano Beach man — crashed their SUV into the victim’s car as they turned onto the Interstate-95 exit ramp at U.S. 1 in Ormond
unsure as to how to catch it. The officer noted that they slowly got their belongings together and got in his patrol car to retrieve the dog, which by then, had traveled to a nearby park. Once there, the officer reported the “couple nonchalantly attempted to catch the dog, but failed.”
The officer told them that they needed to find a way to control Romeo or find a faster way to rehome him.
SEPT. 4 BAGGED CARCASS
9:02 p.m. — 200 block of Railroad Street, Ormond Beach Animal complaint. Two black trash bags containing the remains of a dead animal
Beach in an attempt to escape FCSO patrol vehicles. No names have been released by either the FCSO or the Florida Highway Patrol. The victim died at the hospital. The suspects were wanted out of St. Johns County. At 12:30 p.m., FCSO deputies spotted the SUV on Old Dixie Highway and unsuccessfully attempted to use stop sticks; the vehicle had anti-deflating tires, according to the FCSO. After the crash, the suspects fled on foot but were soon apprehended.
Edgewater police officer shot and killed in Ormondby-the-Sea
An off-duty Edgewater police officer was shot and killed in an Ormond-by-the-Sea gas station on Monday, Sept. 15.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reports that the victim, 45-year-old David Jewell, had walked into the Circle K gas station at 2460 Ocean Shore Blvd. around 4:08 p.m. The shooter, identified as 24-yearold Eduardo Machado, was an employee at the gas station. He was seen on surveillance
triggered a police response, as initial reports claimed the remains belonged to a decapitated dog. It was actually a deer, according to a police incident report. When police arrived to the scene, they noticed one of the bags was still tied and the other was split open, with a partial carcass of a large animal visible. Inside the other bag were two of the animal’s legs, “appearing to be removed from an intense impact.”
A community service officer supervisor advised police to leave the carcass in place because there was no way to store it, and due to its “overwhelming stench.”
footage exiting the store soon after Jewell walked in, going to his car to retrieve a jacket and then returning to the store, where he shot Jewell in the head multiple times.
“The video is probably something that in 38 years of law enforcement, that I can tell you — it’s unbelievable what you see in that video,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. Jewell previously worked for VSO as a telecommunicator.
VSO reports that Machado told deputies he’d seen Jewell in the store several times and believed he had an argument with him in the past.
Machado said he was having a “bad day on his drive to work,” according to VSO, and thought about shooting Jewell earlier. Upon seeing him, he told deputies he used a handgun he recently purchased to shoot him multiple times at close range, saying nothing to Jewell beforehand.
VSO reported that interview’s with Machado’s family revealed he’d been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and had indicated “he was hearing voices.” Family members said they weren’t aware of any homicidal threats or anti-law enforcement ideolo-
SEPT. 12
COLLECTING CHARGES
5:28 p.m. – 5100 block of State Road 100, Flagler County Grand theft, drug possession. A Bunnell man is facing a felony shoplifting charge after he allegedly stole almost $1,700 in basketball and football trading cards.
While searching the suspect’s car, one deputy found a “small white rock substance” in the back seat which fieldtested positive for methamphetamine. The suspect was taken to the county jail.
SEPT. 14
‘EGGS’-ILED TO JAIL
7:08 a.m. – 2400 block of
gies held by Machado, a legal U.S. resident.
Warrants issued for three suspects connected to vehicle burglaries
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for three suspects in a string of August vehicle burglaries in rural west Flagler County. Lucas Rebolledo, 19, Dwayne Ryan, 18, and Angel Jaramillo-Hernandez, 18, all of Live Oak, Florida, are suspected to have stolen wallets, purses, a cellphone and five firearms from unlocked cars overnight between Aug. 28-29, an FCSO press release said. These three are also suspects connected to vehicle burglaries that occurred in Pierce County, Georgia.
68-year-old Palm Coast man with knife accused of chasing teens
A 68-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested after he allegedly chased two teens in the Palm Coast Walmart with a knife.
North Ocean Shore Boulevard, Beverly Beach
Possession of eggs of a marine turtle. An Ormond Beach man was caught with drugs and sea turtle eggs in his truck when he was found loitering outside a home he had an injunction against.
A Sheriff’s Office deputy passing by on patrol recognized the man’s truck from an August incident where the suspect was arrested at the home.
The deputy found the suspect inside it, asleep. When the deputy got the man out of the truck, he found, in a plastic container on the floorboard, five sea turtle eggs.
While taking the eggs out
Thomas Edward Ohl, of Palm Coast’s W Section, was arrested on Sept. 13 and is facing four felony charges, two counts each of child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. According to Ohl’s arrest report, no one was injured in the incident.
The two juvenile boys were in Walmart in the fishing section when they encountered Ohl, the report said.
The two minors told deputies that Ohl took something the teens said as though it was meant for Ohl and shoved his cart at the boys, who left. They said Ohl then followed them, threatened to kill them and chased them with a fillet knife, the report said.
The two ran away and found an employee for help. Ohl, who has a tracheostomy, told deputies the three boys bumped into him with their elbows and made comments about the voice box he uses to speak with, the report said. Ohl did not admit to chasing or pointing the knife at the boys; the knife was found in a shopping cart. Ohl was taken to the county jail. He was released on a $30,000 bond.
of the truck into evidence bags, the deputy noticed a marijuana bowl on the ground that was not there when he first pulled up, the report said.
A search of the suspect’s person and truck turned up a THC vape pen, a glass jar with fentanyl powder in it, another bowl and a handmade metal pipe. The man told the deputy he found the eggs and the fentanyl jar washed up on the beach.
The suspect is facing 10 misdemeanor charges for possessing the eggs and illegally taking and disturbing them, several drug possession charges and a violation of injunction charge.
‘A huge influence’
About 300 people attended a memorial walk and candlelight vigil in Ormond Beach on Friday, Sept. 12, for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed during an event on a Utah college campus on Wednesday.
The event was organized by Markala Oman and Travis Limbocker and began at Rockefeller Gardens. Despite some rain, the crowd then marched across the Granada bridge to hold the vigil at Cassen Park.
For Oman, the event was about providing something for the community to come together to remember Kirk, his legacy and freedom of speech.
“I know he was a huge influence on a lot of people,” Oman said.
“He was a huge influence on myself. I think it’s important that we can share that and be civil.”
Seeing the turnout, she said she believed Kirk would be proud — as she was.
“Violence is never the answer,” Oman said. “I think we need to come together as a whole. We deserve to live in a world where you can speak your truth or your beliefs without harm ... Regardless of whether you agree, or someone else disagrees, I want a world for my children and my future grandchildren to be able to have a conversation with someone, whether it’s agreement or disagreement and that not turn to violence or hate.”
–JARLEENE ALMENAS
People walk across Rockefeller Gardens in memory of Charlie Kirk.
Debbie Kruck-Forrester and Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie.
People attend a vigil in memory of Charlie Kirk at Cassen Park.
Markala Oman, who organized the event, speaks to the crowd at Rockefeller Gardens before walking the Granada bridge in memory of Charlie Kirk on Friday, Sept. 12. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
People gather at Rockefeller Gardens to prepare for a walk across the Granada Bridge in memory of Charlie Kirk.
$1.4 billion budget: County Council adopts flat millage rate for 2026
The council voted to keep the general fund tax rate flat at 3.2007 mills, while going to rollback on five other taxing funds.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
The Volusia County Council has unanimously adopted a $1.4 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
Following the second budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the council voted to keep the county’s general fund tax rate flat at 3.2007 mills, while going to rollback on five other taxing funds: the Library, Ponce De Leon Inlet & Port District, Silver Sands Bethune Beach Municipal Service District, East Volusia Mosquito Control and Fire Services funds.
In addition to the tax rate for the general fund, four other funds — Law Enforcement, Municipal Service District, Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever — were unchanged as well.
Officials toyed with the idea of going to rollback or reducing the millage rate in the general fund, but going to rollback would mean $10 million in cuts.
“You really got to think about what you want and don’t want,” Councilman Jake Johansson said. “Is it less taxes or quality of life that’s at the service level that you’re getting now, or better?”
CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS’ BUDGETS
Councilman David Santiago said he had been hopeful that some of the constitutional officers would help the county with budget cuts. Only County Clerk Laura Roth and Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis attended the budget hearing.
“I’m sad to say that the other ones didn’t come to the table with any additional help for us to lower your millage,” Santiago said.
TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE RENOVATIONS
The Volusia County Council tabled on Tuesday awarding a $935,000 contract for the interior renovation and restoration of the Volusia County Tax Collector’s office.
The contract was part of the meeting’s consent agenda. Facility Management Director Jim Corbett said this renovation has been in the works for a couple of years after Tax Collector Will Roberts approached staff about increasing efficiency — which include adding more service counters, an expanded waiting area, improved vault room and dedicated check-in station.
authority to change how the notices for property taxes, known as Truth in Millage or TRIM notices, are structured. He wanted the county to spell out the budgets for each constitutional officers, including previous, current and proposed budgets.
The county, however, doesn’t have legal authority to do that.
“Which is sad, because I think clarity on the TRIM notice would be very, very good,” Santiago said. “So we can’t do that based on state law, but I think at a minimum, some of my colleagues also mentioned at the last meeting that maybe we should send a notice to taxpayers, explaining in greater detail what the changes are this year versus last year, and where that money went and exactly detailing what we did also as an elected body.”
WHERE TO CUT OR GO TO ROLLBACK?
Included in the next fiscal year’s budget is $10 million in increases for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. At the last budget hearing, Santiago raised concerns about the Volusia County property appraiser’s budget, which included a $1.5 million building renovation, employee bonuses, and health care for employees and their families.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved a written request to the state’s Administration Commission for a review of the property appraiser’s budget.
Santiago said he asked staff to see if the county had legal
NEWS BRIEFS
SMA Healthcare’s BEACH House Program awarded $25K grant
The SMA Healthcare Foundation announced that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation in support of SMA Healthcare’s BEACH House Program.
The $25,000 award aligns with the OMYF’s mission “to help children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, health and wellness, arts, and homelessness prevention.” This funding marks only the second time OMYF has made a grant to a nonprofit located in Volusia
Councilman David Santiago said it seemed like a lot of money.
“The county ran this for years and it ran it efficiently and it worked,” he said. “It may not have been perfect and pretty and comfortable feeling for everything, but are we to budget to make everyone feel ... comfortable? Adding 20 seats is not worth a million dollars for me.”
Councilman Jake Johansson suggested they table it until the council got more information on the project from the tax collector, who was not at the meeting.
“Let’s just table until Will Roberts can come in and give us a lay down on what’s going on,” he said. The contract was tabled until Oct. 21.
funds aside.
“You’ve got to have safe streets,” Councilman Troy Kent said. “You’ve got to have police protection. You have to have drivable streets. You have to provide water and wastewater. These are core responsibilities of government.”
Santiago also suggested going to rollback on both the Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever funds.
“Those program are running well,” he said. “There’s no need for additional monies right now. I know they do great work, but people need tax relief, and I’m going to give it to them wherever I can.”
Councilman Don Dempsey said he originally felt the same way, but had a change of heart after talking with county staff.
According to county staff, the county is also facing $4.1 million more in external expenses due to increases for the Department of Juvenile Justice, state Medicaid contributions, SunRail and Community Redevelopment Area payments. County departments submitted a net decrease of $1.6 million in budget requests, despite $4.2 million in increases for 4% wage increases, health insurance costs and retirement system increases.
Among the ideas considered by the council for possible tax savings included doing away with a recent initiative to set aside $5 million for roads, a suggestion made by Santiago. But the majority of the council thought the county should continue to set those
County. The BEACH House Program, operated by SMA Healthcare, provides short-term residential respite for youth ages 10-17 who are truant, runaway, ungovernable, or homeless, offering shelter, meals, individual and group counseling, educational activities, and family therapy. Its goal is reunification with the family and strengthening communica-
County Community Services Director Brad Burbaugh said the county has several Volusia Forever land purchases on the horizon, which he said will deplete the fund’s reserves. As for ECHO, the program is doing well, but it’s also helping the general fund through the direct county expenditure program.
“That was really what the plan was for initially, is to see how we could look at ECHO and supplement projects in the general fund,” Burbaugh said.
Both ECHO and Volusia Forever were renewed via a voter referendum, Johansson reminded.
“We have to understand, or take our best guess based on input, what our public wants,” he said.
This year, Burbaugh said the county spent $27 million in land acquisitions. Of that cost, $5.3 million came from local dollars and $21.7 million were state and federal dollars.
tion and relationships within the family unit.
“With this generous grant from the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, we can enhance the support SMA Healthcare provides to young people in crisis in Volusia County,” said Jennifer Secor, Executive Director, SMA Healthcare Foundation. “BEACH House works to stabilize lives, restore hope, and build the foundations for stronger family connections.”
Ivan Cosimi CEO, SMA Healthcare; Jennifer Secor, executive director, SMA Healthcare Foundation; Pam Palmer, director of Adolescent Services, SMA Healthcare; Laura Cutchens, executive director of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation; Larissa Sanders, development director, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation; Denise Davalloo, executive assistant to the CEO, SMA Healthcare.
Flagler County OKs $10M of visitor funds for Eco-Discovery Center on 100
The new attraction aims to drive eco-tourism and environmental education.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Flagler County Commission has chosen the company that will build its new EcoDiscovery Center. Collage Companies will be taking over the design and build of the Eco-Discovery Center, which will connect to the State Road 100 Pedestrian Bridge and the future Bulow Creek Headwaters Regional Park. The Flagler Commission voted 5-0 to approve the con-
tract with Collage Companies as part of the Sept. 15 meeting’s consent agenda.
“We have a unique opportunity to really talk to the public about what an eco-discovery site is,” Commission Chair Andy Dance said. “I think we have an award-winning project in how we integrate the existing site with the architecture and being able to demonstrate all kinds of either water gardens or native plants.”
A presentation from Collage Companies and the architecture firm about the center’s design was held earlier on Sept. 15 during a commission workshop. The Discovery Center will function as a source of tourism revenue and environmental educational center for Flagler County, Tourism Development Direc-
tor Amy Lukasik said.
“This facility will not only serve as a visitor center, but also an education facility, recreation rentals, locally sourced gift shop, bathrooms, additional parking and event and meeting space, and permanent office space for the tourism and economic development office,” Lukasik said.
The Discovery Center will be located on the west side of the S.R. 100 Pedestrian Bridge. The site will have two stormwater ponds, parking, the Discovery Center building, trails and an outdoor venue site. There are also ideas to use the Discovery Center as a spot for bus transportation to Flagler Beach, to help alleviate some of the parking issues for beachgoers.
The Discovery Center has
been in the works since 2022, and is funded, Lukasik said, entirely through visitor revenue. The county has set aside $10.3 million for its design and construction.
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This is the first of several projects in the area, including trailheads, a shared use path along Old Kings Road South, and the massive 1,160-acres Bulow Creek Headwaters Regional Park, which will extend from the Discovery Center to the north property line of the Polo Club Development.
The Bulow Creek park will have multi-mile trails, water access points and observation areas for visitors, as well as ecosystem enhancement and restoration areas.
County engineer Hamid Tabassian said the Discovery Center, which is fully funded, is estimated to be complete by 2028.
The center will be self-sustaining and 100% paid for by visitors, Lukasik said.
“The visitors are paying for a visitor center,” she said. “No local ad valorem taxes are used, ever.”
Collage Companies’ Bob Gilbert, who is a Flagler County resident, said the company will be utilizing several local
NEWS BRIEFS
Flagler, Volusia won’t enforce open carry ban
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly issued the following statement on Sept. 11:
“Yesterday, Florida’s First District court of Appeal ruled that the state’s law prohibiting the open carrying of weapoins, as outlined in Florida Statutes Section 709.053 is unconstitutional and violates the Second Amendment.
“Given the court’s ruling, I have directed that deputies do not enforce this statute, and they cannot make arrests solely based on an individual
companies to help with the project. Collage Companies is the company that has worked on the recently-opened Bunnell Public Safety Complex and is undertaking the Bunnell Coquina Historic City Hall restoration project and the Flagler County Nexus Center.
“Our motto is to build projects that strengthen the foundation and the fabric of the community,” Gilbert said. “And we couldn’t think of a better project that meets our motto.”
Rhodes+Brito Architects, an architecture firm working with Collage Companies, has designed a low-profile footprint for the site that prioritizes Florida ecology.
“That’s a big consideration for us on this site,” firm founder Ruffin Rhodes said. “We want to minimize the footprint of everything and leave this environment as natural as possible, and get people to appreciate the ecology of it.”
The preliminary designs show the Discovery Center will have a little under 100 parking spaces, with additional bus parking, an outdoor venue lawn, and trails and bathrooms, with connections to the pedestrian bridge and
openly carrying a firearm.
“This means that persons who can legally possess a firearm are not restricted from openly carrying in most public places. This excludes, however, any prohibited area outlined in Florida Statutes Section 790.06, including, but not limited to, police or sheriff’s office, courthouses, government meetings, bars, and school property.
“This ruling does not prevent private property owners from prohibiting open carry on their premises.
“While open carry in now permitted in Florida, lawful and responsible gun ownership is still required at all times.”
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a similar statement, saying “it’s important to remember open carry
other trail systems planned for the area.
The outdoor area will also have space for sustainability initiatives like solar trees for outdoor lighting, rainwater harvesting and green stormwater infrastructure.
“I’m very excited about this project,” Commissioner Pam Richardson said.
The building itself, in addition to the permanent office spaces, will have room for exhibits and multipurpose rooms with moveable partitions. Rhodes+Brito’s Adel Shalaby said their team has an on-staff exhibit designer.
“This is going to be an amazing experience,” Shalaby said. “Not just a blip, but a destination.”
Lukasik said a benefit of focusing on ecotourism is that it would support the county’s “shoulder season,” from August to February, when children are in school and the weather is not as sunny.
“Without a visitor center, you may only visit one or two main points of interest or attractions in the community before leaving,” she said. “But with a visitor center, you have staff that’s able to recommend hidden gems, maybe events around town.”
is not absolute.”
“As your aheriff, I ask you stay informed about this change or any new legislative developments, exercise sound judgment and be responsible,” he said.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, pointing to U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Second Amendment issues, said on Sept. 10 that the open-carry ban is incompatible with the nation’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said on X: “This decision aligns state policy with my long-held position and with the vast majority of states throughout the union.”
L-R Hannah Leonard, PA-C, Dr. Billy Bethea, Beth McDonough, PA-C
A rendering of the future Eco-Discovery Center in Flagler County. Courtesy of Flagler County meeting documents
Ormond Beach Fire Department promotes two to battalion chief roles
Joe Dupree and Jeremiah Ingraham were among the firefighters promoted.
ALMENAS
JARLEENE
MANAGING EDITOR
Last month, the Ormond Beach Fire Department said goodbye to four longtime firefighters. The department is also ushering in the next generation, with two new battalion chiefs onboard.
Joe Dupree and Jeremiah Ingraham were among the firefighters promoted to the rank of battalion chief in August. Dupree is the battalion chief of operations for B shift. Ingraham’s position is brand new; rather than follow the standard firefighter work schedule, he will work
Monday through Friday to be a “go-between” in fire service administrative matters.
Ingraham has been with the department for 18 years and Dupree for 21.
Dupree said that the four retirements — Driver Engineer Eric Sommerlad, Capt. Tommy Bozeman, Capt. Lynn Taylor and Battalion Chief
Keith Crockett — allowed for internal promotions that hadn’t been possible in OBFD in years prior. Altogether, the four retirees had a combined total of just under 100 years in fire service.
“There was a long time where there wasn’t many [promotions], because it’s such a great place to work —
nobody was leaving,” Dupree said.
As the department looks toward the future, Dupree said OBFD is looking to focus on more training and expanding the department.
“Our area and population is growing so much,” Dupree said. “We’re still operating with the same number of stations that we did 21 years ago.”
They make do, Ingraham added. But they are looking to make sure the new recruits are trained well and capable.
With a new fire station and emergency operations center in the horizon for the west side of the city, Dupree said the city isn’t getting any smaller.
“More citizens means more calls,” he said. “More assisted living facilities mean more calls. So we’re going to have to expand in order to keep up
European Village
with the sheer volume of calls that keep coming in every day.”
OBFD is composed of 42 firefighters, four battalion chiefs, a deputy chief, a fire chief, a fire marshal, and a fire inspector — making up a 50-person department.
The department responded to over 8,500 incidents in 2024, saving $29.1 million in property value through fire suppression and emergency response efforts, according to city data.
At last month’s ceremony at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, the fire department also welcomed six new recruits: Ben Lloyd, Clay Carn, Drake Goodman, Jack Reynolds, Kayla Traylor and Nick Duh.
“As we usher in this new generation of firefighters, we want to be able to take what
they (the retirees) left here and instill it into those new firefighters and really hone in on that training,” said Pauline Dulang, city public information officer. “And give our city the best quality of service, which not only includes fighting fires, going into buildings, but also the highest quality of medical care in emergency situations.”
The new recruits, Dupree said, bring in a vast experience in different fields, from the military to construction work background. Ingraham said that’s a big help in the career. “A lot of the stuff we do requires manual labor, requires understanding how and why things go together,” Ingraham said. “Not that sitting in a classroom and learning stuff isn’t helpful, but ... being able to work with your hands is a big part of this job.”
Battalion Chiefs Jeremiah Ingraham and Joe Dupree. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Tribute to the fallen
One-hundred-and-ten flights. Sixteen local firefighters.
Thursday, Sept. 11, marked the 24th anniversary since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
To pay tribute to the 2,996 people who died that day in the World Trade Center — a figure that includes 343 New York City firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers — the Ormond
Beach Fire Department held a memorial stair climb at the Marina Grande on the Halifax condominiums.
“Twenty-four years ago, the most horrific terrorist attacks in U.S. history happened,” said Ormond Beach Fire Capt. Hunter Ramirez, who organizes the stair climb every year. “...Threehundred-forty-three people went into the building that day knowing there was a
chance that they may not come out.”
The firefighters, dressed in their gear, climbed 110 flights, the same number NYC firefighters had to during the 9/11 attacks in the twin towers.
“We’re going to feel just a small portion of what those firefighters felt that day,” Ramirez said.
–JARLEENE ALMENAS
Ormond Beach firefighters Evan Loveless and R.L. Durham
Ormond Beach probationary firefighter Clayton Carn takes a breather
The Ormond Beach Fire Department and local officials: City Commissioner Lori Tolland (sixth from left) and Florida Rep. Bill Partington (center). Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach probationary firefighter Ben Lloyd
Driver Engineer Robert Zalewski and his son, Gunnar.
Ormond Beach Capt. Nick Nates, firefighter Braden Hansard and probationary firefighter Jack Reynolds listen to instructions.
Capt. Hunter Ramirez
Probationary firefighter Drake Goodman
Hammock Beach Food & Wine Classic grows in scope and numbers
The third annual Hammock Beach Food & Wine Classic was held on Sept. 12 and 13 and featured 21 wines, five beers, two spirits and 11 different food options.
CHRISTINE
RODENBAUGH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
What began three years ago as a single-day, members-only event, the Hammock Beach Food & Wine Classic has expanded to a multi-day celebration showcasing the culinary diversity of the resort’s dining outlets and attracting vintners from around the globe.
Woody Mitchell, director of food and beverage, will gather his team in November to start planning the 2026 Classic. Each year, they recount what they loved about the Classic, what can be done better and how the event can get bigger.
“And bigger doesn’t just include numbers,” Mitchell said. “It’s the experience as a whole that needs to grow.”
Still, he’s quick to point out that the inaugural event consisted of 27 wine tasting tents and eight food options serving about 185 club members; by year three, the 2025 Classic increased to 41 tents and 11 culinary experiences drawing an anticipated 600 members and guests.
The Classic expanded in scope as well. Friday, the event kicked off with a members-only golf tournament conceived by a self-described fun-loving food and beverage director who, by the way, is not a serious golfer.
“We had 11 games and it was just a blast,” Mitchell said. The long drive contests replaced golf balls with food items like marshmallows and grapes. “Just imagine hitting a grape with a driver,” Mitchell
said. “It would disintegrate!”
Chipping a wiffle ball into a giant wine glass proved amusing, as well as replacing a tee with a cork. Prizes included magnums of wine provided by the vintners who would host tastings at Saturday’s main event.
More serious enthusiasts could attend seminars Friday including a focus on Spanish wines.
New to the 2025 Classic was a Florida-German Beer Garden with samples of an Octoberfest brew, some IPAs, and lagers paired with warm pretzels and accoutrements, German bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut and pickled red cabbage.
A spirited table featured an Angel’s Envy Manhattan and a Patron Reposado Paloma. Direct from Jalisco, Mexico, Mitchell selected barrel #62 tequila as an homage to the Ocean Course record — 62.
A highlight of each Classic for Mitchell and his team is watching a guest experience the property for the first time, seeing the palm-lined entrance to the elegant lobby, then the expansive view of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Where else,” Mitchell said,
“can someone have an opportunity to sample 121 wines, five beers, two spirits and 11 food options in a coastal atmosphere?”
Lauren Light, Lucero Lawhun, Lisa Smith, DeeDee Leverett, Andrea Palmer, and Jennifer Smith enjoy meeting up from cities around Florida to relax, sample unfamiliar wine and taste the fare presented by resort eateries.
Scott Downs, chef de cuisine at Hammock Beach’s Atlantic Grille, serves up a pan-seared scallop on crawfish etouffee with flash fried spinach leaf. Photos by Christine Rodenbaugh
Cheryl Lulli and Bob Winterhalter enjoy roasted lamb lollipop with herbed couscous and tzatziki sauce while attending their second Hammock Beach Food and Wine Classic.
Volusia’s young conservatives will carry on Kirk’s legacy
is a tragedy. This attack is not only on one man but on everything we hold dear as Americans. Violence must never be tolerated, and
those responsible must be held fully accountable. Kirk was not just a political organizer; he was a cultural force. He built Turning Point USA into the most effective youth movement in American politics. He spoke boldly on campuses where conservative voices were often silenced. He inspired countless young people, including here in Volusia County, to stand up for liberty, faith and family. His work changed the lives of thousands, perhaps millions, who otherwise may never have been introduced to conservatism.
If the perpetrator of this violent act intended to silence Charlie Kirk, they have failed. His message is now carried by young conservatives across America with even greater determination. The next generation of leaders trained and inspired by his organization will carry the torch he lit.
What does that look like in practice? It means campaigning for conservative candidates who promote the principles of freedom. It means holding universities accountable when they silence free speech or push
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tragedies invite us to reflect on our shared values
Dear Editor:
In the aftermath of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and as we mark the anniversary of 9/11, we are reminded once again of both the vulnerability and resilience of our nation. These moments call us to reflect on our shared values, the choices we make in the face of tragedy, and the example we set for others.
At Flagler Tiger Bay Club, our guiding principles are simple yet profound. We believe in civility in our conduct and discussions, respect for all, and the ability to bring passion to issues without anger. We commit to seeking understanding from others’ points of view, fostering open communication, and maintaining our non-partisan foundation.
Now more than ever, these principles matter. Difficult conversations are necessary. When approached with civility and respect, they keep the door open to understanding and progress. In a time of increasing polarization, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to lower the temperature, model constructive dialogue, and unite around the many values and hopes we share.
Let us continue to be an example for our community and beyond: a place where ideas can be exchanged openly and respectfully.
JAY SCHERR President, Flagler Tiger Bay Club
We are Charlie Kirk
Dear Editor:
Like so many in our community and across our nation, I mourn Charlie Kirk. I mourn him as if he were a friend. I have heard many say that and have seen many post
that on social media. Why are we so affected by this death, his assassination?
Charlie was a beacon of free speech. He was of bold character. He did what many of us cannot do, and we took notice. He gave a voice to our thoughts, to our values, to what we know is right. Charlie loved our country; even more so, he loved our Lord.
He saw what is happening to our youth. He started this journey while he was still a teenager, because of his own experiences in school. He dropped out of college, because he recognized the indoctrination. Dropping out of college had no impact on his intelligence. No, he was as intelligent and thoughtful as anyone could be. He wanted to awaken other students to what was being done to their minds. He spoke truth. And he was killed for it.
As Christians we know we must take up that bloody microphone and become like Charlie. We must speak boldly of the truth. We must fight evil with love. Fight evil on our knees.
As I say this though, remember: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13.
It is not people we have to battle against, it is the evil which holds influence over them. For those who wish to laugh and mock, look around you, really look at what the enemy has brought to our great nation. Look to Charlie, who was assassinated for speaking the truth.
Many wonder what they can do to continue Charlie’s work. What I say to you is read your Bible if you haven’t
done so recently. Pray to God for guidance. Pray for a spirit of boldness. Pray God to use you, to speak through you. Join a church if you haven’t already. Enjoy fellowship with other believers. Seek counsel from your pastor.
But remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:22: “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” If you do this, you will hear the words Charlie heard on Wednesday, “Good and faithful servant. Well done.”
Rest easy, Charlie, we will take it from here.
Peace and love to you all.
TRACEY NORRIS Palm Coast
Growing rift between public will and political action
Dear Editor:
The recent approval of a 6,100-home development in Bunnell has stirred deep frustration among residents, many of whom feel their voices were sidelined in favor of developer interests.
While growth is inevitable in a state adding over 1,000 new residents daily, the scale and speed of this project raise serious concerns about environmental impact, infrastructure readiness and democratic accountability.
Any rational observer would recognize that a development of this magnitude carries unintended consequences, many of which have already been flagged by the community. From stormwater runoff and traffic congestion to strain on emergency services and school capacity, the risks are tangible. Yet despite vocal opposition, elected officials moved forward, echoing a pattern seen across Florida.
Since 2020, nearly 30 major developments have followed a similar trajectory: initial resistance, intense
one-sided ideologies. It means debating professors and peers respectfully but confidently. It means worshipping God openly, raising families who love their country, and working tirelessly to restore our nation.
Charlie Kirk understood that America’s future rests not in Washington but in the character of her people. He devoted his life to preparing young people for the battle of ideas. Now it falls on us to continue that work.
The tragedy of his death must not weaken us. It must embolden us. We will not
public outcry, and eventual approval. In North Jacksonville, the Broward Pointe project saw residents fight for over five years, citing both state and federal laws. They organized, filed lawsuits, and proposed alternatives only to watch the project proceed. Their experience underscores a troubling reality: many environmental and zoning regulations lack enforceable teeth, and some officials appear more responsive to developers than constituents.
This disconnect between public will and political action is eroding trust. Elected representatives are expected to reflect the interests of those who put them in office, not to override them. When community input becomes a procedural formality rather than a guiding principle, the system fails.
Florida’s Legislature must step in. Comprehensive land-use reform is overdue. Laws protecting wetlands, endangered species, and flood-prone zones must be strengthened, not diluted. These protections should be immutable, with no room for discretionary waivers or quiet amendments. Violations, whether by developers or officials, should carry real consequences.
The Bunnell decision is not just a local issue. It’s a warning signal for communities statewide. Without stronger safeguards and genuine public engagement, Florida risks
allow violence to silence us. We will live out the values
Charlie Kirk taught, proving through action that his legacy endures. Let it be known: Charlie Kirk’s torch burns brightly in the hearts of young conservatives here in Volusia County. His life was cut short, but his vision for America remains alive. We will carry it forward.
Duncan DeMarsh is the vice chairman of the Volusia County Republican Party. He is also the past chairman and founder of the West Volusia Young Republicans.
trading long-term resilience for short-term growth. And once the concrete is poured, the environmental, civic, and cultural damage is often irreversible.
MICHAEL CELENZA
Flagler Beach
Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
Include first and last name, as well as city of residence. Editor may alter the letter for clarity and/or length.
FACEBOOK FEEDBACK
These stories and lightly edited comments were posted on Observer Facebook pages.
Flagler County Commission approves contract to begin design, build for Eco-Discovery Center Marge Forella-Depresco For a county that is killing every tree they see. JOKE
Andy Dance I want to assure you that the County Commission has been actively working to protect Flagler’s natural environment. In the past year alone, we have invested in significant land acquisitions to preserve sensitive lands and expand conservation areas, including:
5.2 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Coast for future parkland.
3,800 acres in the Florida
Wildlife Corridor for long-term conservation.
35 acres in Marineland for preservation (ongoing) 25 acres adjacent to Princess Place Preserve (Kelly Parcel).
27.5 acres at Bull Creek to expand recreational and conservation opportunities.
307 acres in Pringle Forest, protecting critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.
Zoee Foster, an FPC student and leukemia patient, helps raise childhood cancer awareness
Jennifer Laura Zoee is an inspiration to us all. Sending lots of prayers her way! Keep up the fight!
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Founder of Turning Point USA,
A name in a headline in a Sidelines sports brief in the Sept. 11 Observer was incorrect. Sophia Stiwich led Flagler Palm Coast in the Volusia-Flagler
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Healing frequencies Ormond woman opens sound bath studio
Following the loss of her husband, Nancy DeLuca discovered sound baths as a source of peace.
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A session at 7th Heaven
Sound Baths is an immersive experience that surrounds the participant— suspended on a zero-gravity chair — in the tones of nature through Koshi chimes, ocean drums, Chakapas or leaf rattles and crystal singing bowls. Each individual’s journey is unique, with the thread of commonality aimed at providing a sense of well-being, emotional healing and inner peace.
That’s what sound baths brought to Ormond Beach resident Nancy DeLuca when she discovered them in 2023, two years after her husband’s death.
“It really gave me a sense of purpose again because now I’m 71 years old, but when I lost my husband, I was 67 and I felt like that was too young not to do anything,” she said. “I love to read and do cre ative stuff but I felt like I was too young to not continue in some type of work capacity. But I couldn’t figure out what
I wanted to do. So it was exciting to me to learn about the practice of sound healing.”
Nancy met her husband Paul in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, in 1979. She said they knew immediately that they were soulmates. They moved to Ormond Beach that year and a couple years later, got married and moved to Orlando. They returned to Ormond in 2009, continuing to run their promotional travel business, First Priority Travel, until they closed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
While vacationing in North Carolina, Paul died in his sleep.
“He was everything to me,” she said. “He was not only my husband and my lover but also my best friend and my business partner. We spent — I know this sounds unbelievable to people — but we spent 24 hours a day, seven days a week together and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
In March 2023, Nancy asked a friend to go with her to the Sound Bath in the Garden Gazebo event at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens. Morgan McManus was her first teacher.
“It was just such a great experience that I started seeking them out in other places and from other practitioners,” she said. “At that point, I decided I wanted to learn from the first one I went to. I wanted to learn from her teacher and that’s what I did.”
After attending a few more sound baths from different teach -
ers and having mixed expe -
riences — one that hurt her ears during the session with the pain continuing the next day — DeLuca decided she needed to learn more about sound therapy. She sought out McManus’ teacher Barbara Spaulding, who resides in Stewart.
Spaulding is a Certified Master Sound Healer and Clinical Sound Therapist with over 250 hours of training and over a decade of experience in Sound Healing Therapy, according to her website. She utilizes an arsenal of approximately 65 instruments to guide sound bath practitioners toward their own repertoire.
“There’s a certain order you’re supposed to do things, to relax people and get them to the point of the crystal singing bowls which really are the healing part of it,” DeLuca said. “Healing frequencies help to down shift your brain waves.”
This year, DeLuca started offering sound baths in her community clubhouse at Trails North Forty. Karen Koenig lives in the neighborhood and began attending the sound baths in February.
“I guess she wanted to see how people felt about sound baths,” Koenig said. “Once the word got around in the development, all her chairs were taken and she expanded it to one in the morning and one later in the day.”
Koenig said when DeLuca first started doing the sound baths, her mind would wander. After a few sessions, she said she was able to stop her mind from wandering.
“It’s not an easy task but the more you do it, the easier it gets,” Koenig said. “I get a refreshed, calm, relaxed feeling and it lingers for a couple
Holland Financial CEO writes new book
The book addresses topics like emotional decision making, money relationships and financial scams.
ALMENAS
JARLEENE
MANAGING EDITOR
When David Holland started writing his new book in February 2022, he envisioned one that would help people with their finances as they planned for retirement.
Having worked with different clients for almost the last 30 years, the Holland Financial CEO wanted to put in writing some of the learning lessons he and his team have seen through past experiences. As he continued writing, he realized he had enough content for three different books, each with a specific theme.
The first book in his PlanStronger book series, “Smart Over Heart,” has now been published.
“The book is not about how to invest; it’s not about how to build a financial plan,” Holland said. “It’s really about how to be smart over your heart. It’s how to make good choices in the areas of money that deal with people and relationships.
of days afterwards. Little things don’t seem to bother me as much for a few days afterwards and I definitely sleep better.”
Currently, people can reserve a zero-gravity chair in any of the three group sound baths — the 45-minute Nature Soundscape, a 25-minute Stress Buster Sound Bath and the 65-minute Chakra Rebalancing Sound Bath. For a private experience, there is also the Vibro-Acoustic Sound Lounge.
Kim Latford met DeLuca after her father died in 2024. She said the days before his death all ran together and were a “doozy.” She was still trying to wrap her head around it when she came upon DeLuca’s flyer for the sound baths. Latford became a regular attendee.
“It’s a different kind of feeling — better than you get from, say, talk therapy,” Latford said. “It just seemed like a different bit of shaking out the negativity in a more physical way than you could with talk.”
She said she is leveraging her skills in marketing to promote 7th Heaven Sound Baths.
YOUR TOWN
The Casements Camera Club presents annual show winners
The Casements Camera Club has announced the winners for its 45th annual show.
The show drew 48 entries that were judged by David Swoyer, former museum curator with the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach and current private curator for the Brown collection.
Best of Show was won by Janet Bernardini with “World Without End;” Sylvia Rohmer earned First Place for “Pastoral Vista;” Second Place was taken by Gloria Lotzer for “Fruit Splashdown;” and Vicki Payne secured Third Place with “Majestic Roseate Spoonbill.”
“I did get in the vibroacoustic chair yesterday and that was nice,” Latford said. “That was really cool. It was one of those things when you’re like, ‘How long have I been in here?’ I was pretty conscious because I wanted to experience that at a conscious level the first time. I felt fantastic afterwards.”
DeLuca opted for zerogravity chairs because she has a physical disability that makes it difficult for her to lie on the floor then get up from that position.
“I know that sound baths are popular with the group of people who do yoga and meditation but I would really like for sound baths to be something that the rest of the community is interested in,” DeLuca said. “... While I absolutely embrace the yoga community, I would like this to be approachable for everybody.”
7th Heaven Sound Baths is located at 725 W. Granada Blvd., Unit 11. Visit 7thheavensoundbaths.com.
The book addresses topics like emotional decision making, money relationships, financial scams, debt and how to plan for the next generation. Holland said his goal was to write a book for everyone, not just those with significant savings. Why is it the first in the series of books? Holland said it’s because he has found over the years that most financial difficulty experienced by clients was caused by “their heart taking precedence over their smarts.” The book contains real-life stories, and some stories inspired by real people, to help others avoid financial mistakes others have made.
land would take every Friday to work on his book. He’d hole himself up in his home office and spend hours writing.
Holland said he considers himself an author, rather than a professional writer. There are people that can write better than him, and he surrounded himself with editors to help him along the way, including his wife Toni and Holland Financial Creative Director Christina KohlMerklin.
Wes Collier took the coveted “Casements Award” with his image of “Dawn in the Tetons.”
“Our members really
“I’ve never ever seen a client benefit from an emotional decision, but I’ve seen them be hurt by one,” Holland said. “That’s that’s what I’m trying to help them with.” In the last three years, Hol-
“It was very difficult, but the end result is worth it because I think it will help a lot of people,” Holland said. To learn more about Holland’s book, visit smartoverheart.com.
David Holland holds a copy of his new book, “Smart Over Heart.”
Photo by Jarleene Almenas
“World Without End” by Janet Bernardini.
“Fruit Splashdown” by Gloria Lotzer. Courtesy photos
”Pastoral Vista” by Sylvia Rohmer.
Ganesha — the god of beginnings — has a spot on the shelf at the 7th Heaven Sound Baths.
Nancy DeLuca, owner of 7th Heaven Sound Baths. Photos by Michele Meyers
Sound bath seekers get comfortable in the zero-gravity chairs before the session begins.
FOCUS ON FAITH
One Spark Worship band debuts single
One Spark Worship, a praise band based out of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach, is releasing a debut single, titled “Love Lives Here,” on Sept. 19 during the National Back to Church Weekend.
The band, which plays live for around 2,000 people a week, was inspired to “create original music that uplifts and encourages” after producing five cover albums, according to a press release. “Love Lives Here” will be released on all major streaming platforms.
Salty Church gives to families
On Sept. 11, Salty Church of Ormond Beach held its annual Salty Family Services celebration.
The organization “exists to rescue, serve, and empower families, preventing child abuse and neglect,” according to a post on Facebook.
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
Ormond Beach Presbyterian partners with Habitat
One Spark Worship leads weekly worship at Our Lady of Lourdes in Daytona Beach: Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
When: 5-6 p.m.
11 rolling acres in DeLeon Springs! Updated 3BR/3BA (opt 4th BR) w/office, indoor laundry, LVP & Pergo floors, vaulted tongue & groove ceiling, double-sided fireplace, new A/C ’21, WH ’24, water system, paint & lighting. Kitchen w/butcher block, SS apps. Includes 4 block stalls & 1100 SF detached garage w/220V. #1216030 $750,000. Kevin Rybicki 386-547-9445.
Completely remodeled 3BR/2BA in sought-after Seabridge, steps from Ormond-by-the-Sea! Features new roof, HVAC, windows, electrical, quartz island kitchen w/SS KitchenAid apps, LVP floors, soft-close cabinets & fresh paint. Beautiful landscaping, turnkey & move-in ready coastal retreat! #1217657 $580,000. Terri Wilkinson 386-341-1967.
Turnkey 2BR/2BA beachside retreat in Ormondby-the-Sea! BRAND NEW roof, offered furnished & just steps to beach/river. Features remodeled kitchen w/granite counters, gas stove & upgraded SS appliances, updated baths, flex room, 1-car garage & washer/dryer. Perfect coastal getaway or full-time home! #1216757 $379,000. Lindsay Lockhart 850-545-5520.
LET’S TALK PALM COAST — A TOWN HALL SERIES
Where: Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Meet Council member Charles Gambaro as he hosts a town hall.
ISEA OPENING RECEPTION
When: 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Innovations 2025, the 34th annual exhibit by the International Society of Experimental Artists, features almost 90 works all of an experimental nature from artists worldwide. Free and open to the public. Learn more at bit.ly/isea2025.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
RUMMAGE SALE
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20
Where: Palm Coast Bible Church, 94 Whiteview Parkway, Palm Coast
‘AVENUE Q’
When: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 19, 20, 26, 27, and Oct. 3, 4; and 3 p.m. on Sundays, Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5
Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, B-207, Palm Coast
Details: See this Tony Award winning laugh-out-loud musical. Tickets: $30/$15. Visit crtpalmcoast.com.
The celebration included a guest speaker: Singersongwriter Mandy Harvey, America’s Got Talent golden buzzer winner, shared her music and story.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
Details: Help the City of Palm Coast collect trash within developments, city paths, walkways and waterways. Pre-registration is encouraged. Lunch will be served to all participants at 11 a.m. To register, visit www.palmcoastgov.com/waterwaycleanup.
INFLATABLE COSTUMES PICKLEBALL GAMES
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Holland Memorial Park Courts, 18 Florida Park Drive N., Palm Coast
Details: Help support Saving Missing Animals Response Team and take part in this fundraiser. Donations accepted. Visit https://donorbox. org/pickleball-fundraiser.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FLORIDA HIGHWAYMEN ART SHOW
Where: Poppy’s True market, 802 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Details: Attend this art show featuring the work of artist R.L. Lewis. Meet the artist and view original paintings. Free.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Parking lot across Gods Family Bible Church, 256 Old Brick Road, Bunnell
Details: God’s Family Bible Church distributes food every first and third Saturday in this drive-thru event.
ELKS DUCK DROP
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Elks Lodge No. 2193, 285 Wilmette Ave., Ormond Beach
Details: Enjoy music, food, fun and games. A helicopter will drop 1,500 rubber ducks onto the parking lot. This is a community event; proceeds will benefit Elks charities.
Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, joining the organization at the recent groundbreaking for Legacy Woods in Daytona Beach. The church stated on its Facebook page. “We look forward to being able to help build beautiful homes in the months to come.”
— ELIZABETH MOORE
Beach
Details: Starting at 1 p.m., there will be special guests including illustrator Mary Wentzel and a storytime with children’s author Robert Provan. There will be free activities and stickers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CRUIS’N 4 PAWS
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Central Park at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: Presented by SMART, this car show features family-friendly activities, games, raffles, and a kids zone. Bring your dogs. Cars entering the show have a $10 registration at the gate.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
COLORED PENCIL EXPRESSIONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
When: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Expressions Art Gallery, 2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast
Details: Celebrate 20 years of colored pencil art with this opening reception for this exhibition by the local chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America. Winners for the 2025 exhibition to be announced; founding members Hanneke Jevons and late Bill Shoemaker will be honored.
MONDAY, SEPT. 22
NINTH ANNUAL MEZZALUNA’S GOLF TOURNAMENT
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Conservatory Course, Hammock Beach Resort, 300 Conservatory Drive, Palm Coast
Marquee 4BR/2.5BA in Tomoka Oaks on corner lot w/2022 roof, new windows, updated kitchen/ baths, wood floors & open plan w/exposed beams. Features screened pool/lanai, flex room (studio/office/guest suite), 3-car garage & lush landscaping. Prime central location in soughtafter neighborhood! #1212176 $647,000. Todd Hammond 386-233-5957.
Spacious 3BR/2.5BA on Riverside Dr between river & ocean! Nearly 2,000 sq ft on over a quarteracre w/2020 roof, 2021 solar, updated windows & skylights. Features indoor laundry, oversized 2-car garage, screened porch & large yard. Walk to Granada, shops, dining, dog beach & enjoy river views in top school district! #1212296 $410,000. Bonnie Karet 386-295-2109. acre Riverfront Esplanade. Near colleges, dining, events & minutes to the beach. Property has flooded multiple times. #1217694 $135,000. Tom Caffrey 386-290-9233.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
18TH ANNUAL
INTRACOASTAL
WATERWAY CLEANUP
When: 8 a.m. to noon
DREAM BIG DAY
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Fern & Fable Books, 51 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond
Details: Proceeds to benefit Christmas Come True. Fourperson scramble. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Shotgun at 10 a.m. Awards, dinner and music to follow at 4 p.m. Registration costs $185 per player; $740 per foursome. Visit christmascometrue.org/ events.
Brought
Ormond Collective: new downtown artisan spot
Fern & Fable bookshop
owner Rayna Dunlop and her husband, Sam, are hosting about 30 local vendors.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
A new boutique artisan market is now open in downtown Ormond Beach.
Ormond Collective celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 13. Located at 58 W. Granada Blvd., the market and community space will feature about 30 local vendors — selling art, music records, vintage clothing, wine and more. Fern & Fable bookshop owner Rayna Dunlop and her husband, Sam, are the faces behind Ormond Collective. Through their travels, they often frequented similar vendor-based markets in cities across the U.S, and in the last 10 years, the number of popup markets as well have been growing.
“People get really excited
about these small makers and these individual groups — whether it’s the world at large being more thoughtful of where your money goes and also supporting people that you know and love is really powerful,” Dunlop said. “I think that this gives more of an anchor to that downtown.”
Among the vendors inside Ormond Collective are Spinning Records, a record store based in New Smyrna Beach; Beach + Vine, a wine bar located in Ormond-by-theSea; and Rock Paper Supply, an art and stationary store by Ormond Beach artist Beth O’Connor.
Many of the vendors came to Ormond Collective as a result of existing community relationships. For example, O’Connor painted Fern & Fable’s mural last year and often works with Dunlop out of the bookshop on art initiatives and events.
Plus, as Fern & Fable’s customer base continues to grow in the downtown, Dunlop said she was in need of a community space to hold events.
It’s been a joy to have her bookshop in the downtown,
Dunlop said, and they wanted to be able to contribute more retail while creating a space where makers, artists and small business owners, who normally may be priced out of a storefront in the corridor, could have a presence in the downtown.
“That was a big vision for us — creating a space that we could all come together and do this together, and be able to create that spot,” she said.
The Dunlops signed the lease for the space, which formerly housed a kickboxing gym, in July and completed a full buildout.
Ormond Collective is already at capacity. Dunlop said that shows that downtown Ormond is growing and thriving.
“We are just so, so grateful,” she said. “Everybody came in, and it was a blank space that was hard to see the vision and they embraced it with us and everybody’s been making their spaces their own, which has been incredible.”
BIZ BUZZ
Frida’s closes in downtown Ormond
Frida’s Mexican Kitchen & Cantina in Ormond Beach has closed its doors.
The restaurant, located in the downtown at 195 W. Granada Blvd., announced its closure on Facebook on Monday, Sept. 15.
“The time has come for us to permanently close our doors as we begin a new chapter,” the posted statement reads. “It’s hard to put into words how we feel, but above all, we want to say thank you. Since day one, this community has shown us incredible love and support, and for that we are forever grateful.”
The restaurant opened its doors five years ago and its team said this “decision was not an easy one, but wee be lieve it is the right step forward.”
“This isn’t goodbye, just see you later,” the post continues.
RAYNA DUNLOP
They hosted a vendor preview on Wednesday, Sept. 10, where vendors came in and brought their families to celebrate the opening of Ormond Collective. There were a lot of tears and hugs, Dunlop said.
“Seeing each person’s hard work from start to finish has been really, really incredible,” she said. “Just those organic connections. Someone is my neighbor. Another one, their kids are in school with my kids. So that is the biggest thing that’s affected me — is that connection between our community.”
Ormond Collective is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
“As we look ahead to expand ing Frida’s into the Orlando and South Florida markets, we hope to welcome you again at one of our future locations. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for everything, Ormond.”
Boeing opens new Engineering Center at Embry‑Riddle Research Park
Boeing opened its new Boe ing Engineering Center in the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park.
The facility is now operation al, expanding the company’s commitment to the region.
“This day represents an important milestone for Boeing,
Embry‑Riddle and the broader Daytona Beach community,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager, Boeing Air Dominance. “This engineer ing center will accelerate Boe ing’s work on critical defense programs and deepen our partnership with Embry‑Riddle, giving us access to an ex ceptional talent pipeline and enabling collaboration to drive aerospace innovation.”
The Boeing Engineering Center spans 65,000 square feet and supports engineering design, research, development and prototyping for Boeing Defense, Space & Security Air Dominance programs, as well as advanced technology ef forts. The center is anticipated to create approximately 400 high‑paying jobs in Daytona Beach and Volusia County as hiring continues.
“In addition to creating high paying jobs, these col laborations cultivate a dynamic exchange between students, faculty and industry leaders, ensuring innovation thrives at the intersection of education and enterprise,” said P. Barry Butler, Embry Riddle Aeronauti cal University president. Boeing is also investing $100,000 to support new STEM programing for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler coun ties, as well as to provide food for students in need through the Second Harvest Food Bank.
The Embry‑Riddle Research Park has created nearly 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs to date and generating more than $372 million in total economic impact in Florida. The addition of Boeing further strengthens the Research Park’s technology ecosys tem, which brings university researchers and students to gether with businesses, entre preneurs and start‑ups across
Among the vendors are Spinning Records and Rock Paper Supply.
The Dunlop family. Photos courtesy of Rebekah Noel Photography
REAL ESTATE
Tomoka Oaks pool home sells for $815K
Ahouse in Tomoka Oaks at 89 N. St. Andrews Drive was the top sale real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormondby-the-Sea for the week of Aug. 23-29. The house sold on Aug. 29, for $815,000. Built in 1967, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 3,849 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $500,000.
JARLEENE ALMENAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condos
The condo at 60 N. Halifax Drive, Unit 105, sold on Aug. 27, for $295,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,775 square feet. It last sold in 1984 for $99,000.
The condo at 2850 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 21, sold on Aug. 28, for $215,000. Built in 1980, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,184 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $118,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Chelsea Place
The house at 361 Nottinghill St. sold on Aug. 25, for $520,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 2/2 and has 2,109 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $490,000.
David Point
The house at 120 N. Arbor Drive sold on Aug. 28, for $298,000. Built in 1953, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,426 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $340,000.
Forest Hills
The house at 1284 Vanderbilt Drive sold on Aug. 28, for $267,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,367 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $252,000.
Halifax Plantation
The house at 2604 Kinsale Lane sold on Aug. 25, for $294,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,608 square feet.
The house at 1357 Liam Circle sold on Aug. 26, for $565,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,252 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $375,000.
The house at 3428 Rexford Circle sold on Aug. 26, for $545,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,329 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $435,000.
Hunter’s Ridge
The house at 85 Levee Lane sold on Aug. 25, for $285,000. Built in 2009, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,489 square feet. It last sold in May 2025 for $305,000.
The house at 8 Dormer Drive sold on Aug. 25, for $490,000. Built in 2008, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,733 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $400,000.
The house at 98 Pergola Place sold Aug. 25, for $380,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,983 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $224,200.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1091 Hampstead Lane sold on Aug. 25, for $800,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,563 square feet. It last sold in April 2025 for $689,900.
The house at 718 Dolphin Head Lane sold on Aug. 28, for $440,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,567 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $246,495.
Spring Meadows
The house at 50 Spring Meadows Drive sold on Aug. 27, for $360,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,551 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $184,900.
Tomoka Oaks The house at 113 N. St. Andrews Dive sold on Aug. 25, for $385,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,833 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $252,500.
The house at 59 N. St. Andrews Drive sold on Aug. 28, for $425,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,706 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $400,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
“This was supposed to hurt. Everything you want to accomplish is still in front of you. You cannot let this beat you two or three weeks in a row because Coffee (high school) doesn’t care about these results and it’s a long bus ride. ”
The Mainland band took the field for a pre-game performance.
Spruce Creek eked out a 20-16 win over Mainland, scoring the winning touchdown with 18 seconds left on Friday, Sept. 12. With the Hawks on the Bucs’ 3-yard line with less than a minute left in the game, Spruce Creek quarterback P.J. Miller handed the ball off to Keenan Nephew who was stopped at the 1-yard line by Mainland’s Stephone Ross and Kiarin Sullivan.
The ball popped out of Nephew’s grasp, but officials ruled he was down before he lost the ball. Nephew finished the job on the next play. The 2-point conversion failed.
With seven seconds remaining, Mainland’s Damarion Phillips took the ensuing kickoff and sprinted 71 yards to Creek’s 13-yard line. After pass interference by the Hawks moved the ball closer, Sebastian Johnson’s pass attempt to Chris Butler was halted by Creek’s Davern
The Bucs fell to 2-1, while the Hawks improved to 4-0 in a battle of Volusia County Mainland coach Jerrime Bell addressed his players following the loss at the Daytona Stadium.
“You can’t leave it close,” he said. “When you leave it close, you let other people decide the fight. When the
SIDELINES
Ormond Beach Soccer Club represents city in Portugal
opportunity presents itself, you have to take advantage of it. This was supposed to hurt. Everything you want to accomplish is still in front of you.”
Junior running back Braylyn Simmons got the Bucs’ first drive rolling with a long run early in the first quarter. Johnson followed up with two passes to sophomore Kadin Flores — the second for a 2-yard touchdown.get it done.”
Bell said he thought the Bucs’ defense did a good job containing Miller. He said Sullivan had an exceptional game in the secondary.
“As always, I thought our quarterback, Sebastian Johnson, managed the game well,” Bell said. “I thought our O-line did pretty well, at times. We’ve got to get a little bit more push when we’re in the red zone. When people know we’re running the ball, we still have to be able to execute it. So we’ve got to get better in that aspect.”
Late in the first quarter, Miller tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cameron Oxendine. The extra point tied the score until Johnson launched a 59-yard touchdown pass to Butler. The extra-point kick failed.
The Bucs held onto the 13-7 lead until three minutes into the fourth quarter when Nephew ran in from the
Mainland’s Lady Bucs, drill team and majorettes join the band for a
1 on third down. Buccaneer David Aponte answered with a 30-yard field goal to put Mainland back on top, 16-13. Butler ended the game with five receptions for 124 yards. Simmons finished with 88 yards rushing on 14 carries. Mainland travels to Douglas, Georgia, to play Coffee High School (2-2) on Friday, Sept. 19. Last season, Coffee finished 11-3 and advanced to Georgia’s Class 5A final four. Coffee has been to the semifinals four times in the past eight years.
“... All our goals are still right there,” Bell said. “We just got to get this out of the way. On Monday, it’s all about Coffee — single track mind. We’ll get it done.”
The Ormond Beach City Commission honored the Ormond Beach Soccer Club on Sept. 3 for representing the city at the IberCup international youth soccer tournament in Portugal earlier this summer.
The Ormond Beach Soccer Club, through its partnership with Future Captain Sports, joined a USA group with soccer clubs from Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Los Angeles to compete in the tournament in Lisbon and Estoril, Portugal. Twenty-two Ormond
Beach Soccer Club players participated in the tournament, joining other USA players on the girls and boys 2015 (year of birth) teams and 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009 boys teams.
The players also got to train at the SL Benfica Academy and do some sightseeing, said Dylan Reed, the Ormond Beach Soccer Club’s director of coaches.
The boys 2013 American team with OBSC players won its division, beating a team from London in the final.
The tournament included over 500 teams from 50 countries, including South Africa, Portugal, Britain, Brazil, Spain, Egypt and the Philippines, Reed said.
Next summer, the club is planning a trip to Barcelona, Spain, Reed said.
“I think it’s important to give the players a view of soccer from around the world,” he said.
OBSC 2012 wins title at shootout
The Ormond Beach Soccer Club’s boys 2012 team (age 13), won its division at the Jacksonville FC Labor Day Shootout on Aug. 29-31.
The club’s boys 2015 team also made the final in its division.
Palm Coast senior games golf
Adults 50 and older participated in the Palm Coast and The Flagler Beaches Senior Games golf tournament on Sept. 13 at the Palm Harbor Golf Club. Here are the medal winners in each age category:
Men 50-54: Tony Arlaud –Gold.
Men 55-59: Mike Spradling – Gold; Mark James – Silver; Scott Perry – Bronze.
Men 60-64: Kirk Wascher – Gold; Chris Bierwagen – Silver; Scott Newton –Bronze.
Women 60-64: Carol Wascher.
Men 65-69: Michael Baker – Gold; Dean Buxman –Silver; Tom Woods – Bronze.
Women 65-69: Kelly Biele — Gold; Laura Williamson –Silver.
Men 70-74: Mark Gregoire – Gold; George Goodin – Silver; James Melton –Bronze.
Men 75-79: James Urbanski – Gold; Herbert Degan –Silver; Jerry Layton – Bronze.
Men 80-84: Howard Preston – Gold; Les Perry –Silver.
Men 85-89: Earl Dehart — Gold.
Women 85-89: Ruby Owens - Gold.
Father Lopez’s Lucy Fulton shatters PR at Embry-Riddle
Father Lopez sophomore Lucy Fulton broke her personal record by almost a minute to finish third in the girls race with a time of 23 minutes, 51.5 seconds at the EmbryRiddle Cross Country Classic on Sept. 13. Fulton ran her previous PR just a week before on Sept. 6 at Run Matanzas with a time of 24:46.7. A second Green Wave runner finished in the top 10 as Savannah Cox placed eighth in 24:50.5 to help lead Lopez to a third-place team finish. Mainland placed fourth with Azauriah Smith finishing sixth with a time of 24:42.5. On the boys’ side, Mainland placed third with Maddox Howe, (17th, 20:36.1) and Dominic Torres (19th, 20:37.3) leading the way. Father Lopez placed fifth with Eldin Rankin (20:19) finishing 14th and Jackson Jiloty (20:37.0) finishing 18th, three-tenths of a second ahead of Torres. Send your sports news to Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
pre-game performance.
Ormond Beach Soccer Club players wave American flags at the IberCup tournament in Portugal. Courtesy photo
Mainland’s Kadin Flores (center) grabs the pass and a first down as Spruce Creek’s Kameren Giddens (left) and Baron Kocchi try to put the squeeze on him.
JERRIME BELL, Mainland head football coach
Shell Shocked: Rockledge’s second-half explosion too much for Sandcrabs
The Raiders scored six touchdowns in the second half to wipe out a 7-6 deficit and defeat Seabreeze 47-7.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Seabreeze’s football coaches were pleased with their team’s first-half performance against Rockledge. The Sandcrabs went into halftime leading 7-6, and the Raiders’ only touchdown came off a blocked punt. Seabreeze’s defense was playing well. Then came the second half. Rockledge opened the third quarter with Robert Blalock completed a long touchdown pass. Then came another, followed by another touchdown. And another. And two more.
By the time the game clock mercifully ticked down to zero, Rockledge had scored 41 second-half points to defeat Seabreeze 47-7 in a District 6-4A game Friday, Sept. 12, at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
“We had a great game plan. We had a great first half, and you just hate to see it get out of hand,” Seabreeze coach Mike Klein said.
“Whatever it is, whether it’s missed tackles or missed assignments or whatever it is, we’ve got to come out and play better in the second half. We played a great first half against (Spruce) Creek. We didn’t have a good second half against them. We had a great first half against Rockledge tonight. We didn’t have a great second half. We’ve been working on a lot of things at practice to continue to build our conditioning and
get things right. We just got to continue to work.”
The Sandcrabs dropped to 1-2 after defeating Halifax Academy 24-0 on Sept. 5. Rockledge won its first game of the season after losing three straight.
The Raiders’ high score before the Seabreeze game was 21 points in a one-point loss to Viera in their season opener.
The Sandcrabs will face another team capable of putting up a lot of points when they travel to Matanzas on Friday, Sept. 19. The Pirates (3-1) defeated Jacksonville Jackson 36-14 on Sept. 12 and have won three in a row scoring an average of 39.7 points.
The Sandcrabs will try to put two good halves together. They won the first half against Rockledge despite finding themselves in a hole early. The Raiders blocked Seabreeze’s first punt and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
Seabreeze took the lead in the second quarter when quarterback Jace Gainer fired a 22-yard pass to Zach Voltaire to set up Logan Smith’s 1-yard touchdown run. Luke Zboch booted the extra point.
But Voltaire had cramping issues and left the game in the second half. Without the senior at safety, the Raiders were able to hit receivers over the top. Voltaire had
intercepted a pass in each of the ’Crabs’ first two games. Seabreeze’s offense, meanwhile, struggled to move the ball all game.
“They’re a really good football team,” Klein said of the Raiders. “They’re a very athletic football team, and we knew we had to stay on top of their receivers. We had opportunities to get off the field. There were some times there we had them in the backfield. We just didn’t tackle. There were a couple of times we let them get behind us.”
The Sandcrabs have allowed a total of 20 first-half points in three games. But with a lot of two-way players, they’ve struggled after halftime.
“We’ve shown that we can play with anybody,” Klein said “There’s just still some things that we got to work on to be at that level. We’re close. We’re not there yet. We’ll come back to work and continue to try to improve week by week. Then we’re going to keep getting better.”
“Whatever it is, whether it’s missed tackles or missed assignments or whatever it is, we’ve got to come out and play better in the second half.”
MIKE KLEIN, seabreeze coach
Seabreeze’s Logan Smith chases down Rockledge quarterback Joseph Watkins Jr.
Seabreeze’s Simeon Daffin (bottom) makes the tackle on Rockledge quarterback Joseph Watkins Jr. as Matthew Wells (9) closes in.
Photos by Brent Woronoff
Pirates hand the Sandcrabs their first volleyball loss of the season
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Going into their home volleyball match against Seabreeze on Thursday night, Sept. 11, Matanzas outside hitter Sanigh Arneaud and her teammates looked over the Sandcrabs’ record. What they saw was a zero in the loss column.
The Pirates already had motivation for winning this match. It was Senior Night. Handing Seabreeze its first loss of the season only added to their incentive, especially after losing a match in straight sets to Father Lopez a week earlier.
Arneaud’s 16 kills
helped Matanzas (4-2) end Seabreeze’s eight-match winning streak with a four set victory — 25-11, 12-25, 25-12, 25-21.
Matanzas honored seniors Olivia Chochev and Nevaeh Walker before the match.
“My goal tonight was to win for my seniors,” Arneaud said. “I love my team. We’ve definitely hit a few bumps, but we’ve been able to work through it.”
Chochev and Walker played the entire first set and helped the Pirates take a 1-0 lead, Matanzas coach Julie Menendez said.
“I am more than proud of
this team,” Menendez said. “They’ve fought sickness and fatigue, but they wanted to win for the seniors.”
“It’s hard to play against a team on their Senior Night,” Seabreeze coach Janet Bruce said. “They were hyped up.”
Bruce said Arneaud was the best hitter the Sandcrabs have seen this year.
The junior repeatedly leaped high off the ground to put away shots, but she also showcased her all-around game.
“She’s a great passer too,” Bruce said. “She has the whole package.”
Menendez agrees.
“This was Sanigh’s best game with her defense, passing, all-around,” Menendez said. “But our player of the game was our libero — Aliyah Lugo-Navas. She was all over the court. She saved our team a lot. When it should have been Seabreeze’s point, she was there to get it.”
The Sandcrabs have shown resilience all season, winning three of their matches in five sets. After the Pirates stormed out with a decisive first-set victory, Seabreeze bounced back to tie the match at 1-1.
But the Pirates kept up the pressure, winning the final four points of the fourth set
to win the match.
“They’re very skilled and very conditioned,” Menendez said of the Sandcrabs. “And we’ve never been to five sets.
I think the girls did a great job adjusting to the changing ways they were playing.”
Arneaud said the Pirates tried to end each play fast.
“Fast hits, smart plays,” she said. “We were playing at our own speed, not their’s. They were a very scrappy team. We just had to hit where they weren’t, hit it fast so they
couldn’t react. We had to work through a lot of silly plays and mistakes, but we didn’t want to go to a fifth set.” The Sandcrabs are off until Sept. 23 when they visit Mainland. The Pirates were scheduled to host three games in three nights this week. They beat St. Augustine 3-2 on Sept. 16, with Pedro Menendez (Sept. 17) and Atlantic (Sept. 18) following. Matanzas will play its fifth home match in a row on Sept. 23 against Flagler Palm Coast.
Sanigh Arneaud racked up 16 kills as Matanzas won in four sets to end Seabreeze’s 8-match win streak.
Matanzas’ Analise Smith passes. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Seabreeze’s Brianna Dicks quick hits over the net.
Seabreeze’s Isabella Tedesco
Matanzas JV players dress up like Pirates for the varsity match.
Matanzas’ Sanigh Arneaud gets set to serve.
Bonnie J. Kudrick
December 15, 1944 - September 11, 2025
Bonnie J. Kudrick, age 80, of Palm Coast, FL, passed away on September 11, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL, after a long battle with dementia.
Bonnie was born on December 15, 1944, in Woodbury, NJ, to the late William C. Tull and Viola Tull. She graduated from South Broward High School in 1962. On July 1, 1978 she married Jack Kudrick in Hollywood, FL.
Bonnie served her community with dedication, working as a police officer and dispatcher for 22 years. In 1998, she relocated from South Florida to Palm Coast, where she embraced a vibrant life filled with friendship, faith, and service. Bonnie was a member of Epic Church in Palm Coast. She adored her grandchil-
dren—Ariel, Allie, and Evan— who were the light of her life.
Bonnie also loved spending time with her close circle of girlfriends, gardening, volunteering at her church, and helping others in any way she could.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Kudrick. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Padgett and son-in-law, Jeff Padgett; her brother, William Tull, and sister-in-law, Janet Tull.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the chapel of Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd. N., on Saturday September 20, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 11:00 -12:00, prior to the celebration. All who knew and loved Bonnie are welcome to attend.
The family of Mrs. Kudrick has entrusted her arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations. Condolences may be left at www. clymerfuneralhome.com
immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint or petition filed herein. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court at Volusia, Florida on this 5th day of Sept., 2025. LAURA E ROTH CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) BY: /s/ T. Lowe DEPUTY CLERK
HARRIS S. HOWARD, ESQ. HOWARD LAW Plaintiff’s attorney 4755 Technology Way, Suite 104 Boca Raton, FL 33431 September 18, 25, 2025 25-00436I
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2024 11607 CICI FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. JOELEEN MCINTYRE, et al., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered August 27, 2025 in Civil Case No. 2024 11607 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT in and for Volusia County, Deland, Florida, wherein FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is Plaintiff and Joeleen Mcintyre, et al., are Defendants, the Clerk of Court, LAURA E. ROTH, ESQ., will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.volusia.realforeclose. com in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 3rd day of October, 2025 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: Condominium Unit 901, of YORKTOWNE ESTATES, a Condominium, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, as recorded in Official Record Book 3350, Page 1720, and all amendments thereto, of the Public Records of Volusia County, Florida, together with an undivided interest in the common elements and limited common elements appurtenant thereto as set forth in said Declaration. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 1 (800) 955-8770. /s/ Robyn Katz Robyn Katz, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP Attorney for Plaintiff 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850 Fax: (321) 248-0420 Email: MRService@mccalla.com Fla. Bar No.: 146803 24-09349FL September 18, 25, 2025 25-00437I
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Case No. 2024 10464 CIDL Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Peter A. Gallucci, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2024 10464 CIDL of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC is the Plaintiff and Peter A. Gallucci; Katie M. Lewis; United States of America on behalf of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 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 6th day of November, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOTS 4, 5 AND 6, BLOCK “O”, 2ND ADDITION TO ORANGE CITY TERRACE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 23, PAGE 93, PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA.
TAX ID: 800902150040
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.
REQUESTS FOR ACCOMODATIONS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate
NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 2025 12230 CIDL HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-2, Plaintiff, vs. DAVID W. SEVERANCE; CHRISTY E. SEVERANCE A/K/A CHRISTY SEVERANCE A/K/A CRISTY E. SEVERANCE, ET AL.
Defendants
To the following Defendant(s): UNKNOWN TRUSTEE OF THE 1586 FERGASON AVE REVOCABLE LAND TRUST (CURRENT RESIDENCE UNKNOWN)
Last Known Address: 1586 FERGASON AVE, DELTONA, FL 32725 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Foreclosure of Mortgage on the following described property: LOT 13, BLOCK 1851, DELTONA LAKES, UNIT SEVENTY-TWO, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 28, PAGES 161 THROUGH 167, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. A/K/A 1586 FERGASON AVE, DELTONA FL 32725 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to J. Anthony Van Ness, Esq. at VAN NESS LAW FIRM, PLC, Attorney for the Plaintiff, whose address is 1239 E. NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE #110, DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33442 on or before OCT 27 2025 and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. This notice is provided to Administrative Order No. 2065. 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
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 10th day of September, 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 # 24-F00034 September 18, 25, 2025 25-00433I
contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. 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) 2576096, 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 person con discapacidad que necesita una adaptación para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sin incurrir en gastos. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración Judicial (Court Administration), 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096, con no menos de 7 dias 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 WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court this 11th day of Sept, 2025. Laura E. Roth VOLUSIA COUNTY CLERK OF COURT (SEAL) By /s/ Shawnee S. Smith As Deputy Clerk J. Anthony Van Ness, Esq. VAN NESS LAW FIRM, PLC Attorney for the Plaintiff 1239 E. NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION: CASE NO.: 2024 12244 CIDL PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. JUSTIN JARNAGIN; ISPC A/K/A INDEPENDENT SAVINGS PLAN COMPANY; LOANPAL, LLC; UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY, Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment entered in the above styled cause now pending in said court and as required by Florida Statute 45.031(2), LAURA E. ROTH as the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.volusia.realforeclose.com at, 11:00 AM on the 09 day of October, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 7, BLOCK 786, DELTONA LAKES UNIT THIRTY-TWO, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 27, AT PAGES 101 THROUGH 118, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2649 E JULIET DRIVE, DELTONA, FL 32738
IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS REMAINING AFTER THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER THE FUNDS ARE REPORTED AS UNCLAIMED, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS.
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 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 257-6096 Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 08 day of September 2025. By: /s/ Lindsay Maisonet Lindsay Maisonet, Esq. Bar Number: 93156
Submitted by: De Cubas & Lewis, P.A. PO Box 5026 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 Telephone: (954) 453-0365 Facsimile: (954) 77 1-6052 Toll Free: 1-800-441-2438 DESIGNATED PRIMARY E-MAIL FOR SERVICE PURSUANT TO FLA. R. JUD. ADMIN 2.516 eservice@decubaslewis.com 24-01846 September 18, 25, 2025 25-00434I
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION: CASE NO.: 2025 10941 CIDL LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. WARREN A. THACKER; RIVINGTON HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
