Sandy paws Volusia County celebrates new dog
NEWS BRIEFS
Flagler detective arrested in Ormond; charges dismissed
A Flagler County deputy was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 4, after he fled for 1.9 miles from an Ormond Beach Police officer who had initiated a traffic stop. The Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s office has dismissed the charges. According to OBPD’s report, 28-year-old Ardit
Coma was seen speeding at 7:44 a.m. in the 1400 block of North U.S. 1. Coma was driving at a speed of 88 mph; the posted speed limit is 55 mph.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that Coma was on his way to work in his unmarked assigned agency vehicle.
The police officer attempted to pull Coma over, activating his emergency lights and siren, but Coma continued northbound to the area around Wall Avenue, where he merged into the outside lane and accelerated around traffic. Instead of pursuing, the officer turned off his emergency lights and siren and notified other OBPD officers
COPS CORNER
NOV. 16 WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO
3:54 a.m. — 600 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach
of the fleeing vehicle. Coma was spotted by another officer further north at Ormond Lakes Boulevard and North U.S 1; he was traveling at about 90 mph, the report states.
Stop sticks were deployed at North U.S. 1 and Pine Tree Drive. Coma drove around them and stopped in the turn lane, at which point, officers and Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a felony stop.
When informed that he was being arrested for fleeing and eluding, Coma “laughed and stated, ‘When did that happen?’” according to the police report.
Coma told police he had been unaware that a traffic stop had been initiated. He was taken to jail and has been suspended without pay.
Coma joined the FCSO in June 2023. The Sheriff’s Office states he serves in the major case unit and has received numerous commendations, including a Life Saving Award in 2024.
The FCSO reported in a press release on Tuesday, Dec. 9, that the State Attorney’s Office filed an order of no information in the case against Coma.
The FCSO will now conduct an internal investigation to determine if there were any violations of their general orders, policies, procedures,
rules or regulations, according to the press release; Coma had been on his way to work when he was arrested.
“We believe in the criminal justice system,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the press release. “The case was dismissed just like it would be for any citizen based on the evidence and facts of the case presented to the State Attorney’s Office by the Ormond Beach Police Department. I personally reviewed the arrest report and was surprised that an arrest was made based on the lack of evidence showing he was intentionally trying to flee, while driving an agency vehicle. Although the criminal charge was dismissed, the facts appear clear that Detective Coma was speeding in an agency vehicle. I believe in accountability for everyone in our agency and transparency with our community, and our internal investigation will determine what policies were violated, and he will be held accountable. In fact, he will likely be held accountable to a higher standard than an average driver committing a traffic infraction.”
Coma has been reassigned to administrative non-law enforcement duties while the internal investigation is completed.
Man who caused fatal crash sentenced to seven years
The man who killed a 26-yearold Pathways Elementary faculty member in a 2024 vehicular crash was sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday, Dec. 1. Wyatt Dickerson, 27, was charged with vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence with damage to person or property for the fatal crash that happened on A1A in Ormond Beach on May 1, 2024.
Ormond Beach Police report Dickerson was traveling at 110 mph on A1A between Harvard Drive and Milsap Road when he crashed into the sedan. The victim, Mary Pezza, was in the passenger seat of the sedan and was pronounced dead twice: once at the scene and again at the hospital, due to injuries sustained in the crash.
A toxicology report showed Dickerson had been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
In addition to his prison sentence, Dickerson was given eight years of probation, to be completed after his release.
“This sentencing underscores the deadly dangers of high-speed and reckless driving,” Ormond Beach Police
NOV. 28
Chief Jesse Godfrey said in a press release. “This senseless crash negatively impacted many people’s lives. A life was lost, and a family forever changed.”
Teen indicted on first-degree murder in Daytona shooting
A Volusia County Grand Jury has indicted a suspect on first-degree murder charges in the April 13 shooting in Daytona Beach.
Jamarcus Summerall, 18, was charged with first-degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle, according to a State Attorney’s Office press release. Summerall is accused of shooting into a parked vehicle outside of a large party in Daytona Beach.
One victim was shot in the chest and died at the scene.
The indictment was handed down on Dec. 8.
Palm Coast woman ignores school zone, hits Bunnell officer
A Palm Coast woman was arrested on Dec. 9 for running through a school zone and hitting a public safety officer.
Tiffany Marie Goyzueta, 29, has been arrested by the
Bunnell Police Department after she struck Bunnell PSO Heather D’Arcangelo with her Toyota Hyundai at 9 a.m., while the 20 mph school zone beacons were active. D’Arcangelo, dressed in uniform and wearing a traffic safety vest, was stopping traffic to allow students and parents to cross the crosswalk at East Moody Boulevard near Chapel Street, according to a BPD press release.
Goyzueta stopped her Hyundai “only inches from” D’Arcangelo and then shouted at the PSO, “Don’t you ever f-----g step out in front of me again,” the press release said. Goyzueta then accelerated, hitting the PSO in the upper right leg and driving away.
D’Arcangelo was uninjured and reported the incident.
A BPD detective found Goyzueta at a Palm Coast residence, where she admitted to the incident. She said she should have stopped, but became angry and drove off.
A charging affidavit and criminal traffic citations have been prepared and forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office to charge Goyzueta with reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash, the press release said.
BPD Chief David Brannon said the safety of “children and those protecting them must never be compromised.”
and other customers.
NOV. 18 CONTEST ‘WINNER’
12:16 p.m. — First block of Cypress Grove Lane, Ormond Beach Information.A 77-year-old Ormond Beach woman was defrauded out of about $60,000 after she received an email claiming she had won an $8.5 million sweepstakes contest.
Suspicious incident.Police responded to a local gas station convenience store after its store manager reported a man trying to urinate in an empty field across their parking lot. No charges were filed; the store’s bathrooms were closed.
Police report that the woman received the email in mid-September and that she was then contacted by a man who alleged he was an associate of the contest, as well as a bank employee. The victim declined to press charges. She told police that she had received a call from an FBI agent and was told not to proceed with completing a police report “due to the concern of interference in their existing FBI case,” the report states.
MEDICATED MISTAKE
11:48 p.m. – first block of Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast DUI. An Orlando woman who was initially arrested for driving under the influence with a minor in the car found herself in worse trouble after attempting to hide anti-anxiety medication in her genitals.
The woman has been charged with drug possession, tampering with evidence and introducing a contraband into a secure facility, as well
as issued a DUI traffic citation and a citation for refusing to provide a urine sample.
DEC. 5
DRUNK AND BELLIGERENT
7:25 p.m. – 300 block of State Road 100, Flagler County Disorderly conduct. A Palm Coast woman was arrested after she tried to slam a Sheriff’s Office deputy’s hand in a bar door.
The woman was drinking at a local bar when she began yelling and swearing at staff
As they stood in the bar’s doorway, one deputy tried to calm the suspect and get her to leave while holding onto the metal doorframe. The suspect suddenly lunged forward and attempted to slam the door on the deputy’s hand.
The woman was eventually placed in the back of a deputy’s cruiser and taken to jail, continuing to scream, yell and curse during the entire ride.
Oh, what fun!
Ormond Beach Police host annual Shop with a Cop, giving 34 children $100 at Walmart.
Ormond Beach Police officers took on the roles of Santa’s helpers on Saturday, Dec. 6, as they helped 34 local children cross a few things off their Christmas wish lists.
Pushing shopping carts decorated in tinsel, Ormond Beach Police officers participated in the agency’s annual Shop with a Cop event. Together with their assigned child, they scoured store aisles, boxes of toys, stuffed animals
and dolls making their way into their carts. The holiday shopping spree grants each of the participating children $100 to spend in the store.
The children are typically chosen by local schools to participate in the event, which is held in partnership with Walmart. This year, the kids were from Pine Trail Elementary, Ormond Beach Elementary, Tomoka Elementary and Pathways Elementary.
–JARLEENE ALMENAS
Lucas Collins looks up at Ormond Beach Police Lt. Michael Garner
Ormond Beach Police Cpl. Carlos Ortiz and Leo Gabaud. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Mia Marino and Ormond Beach Police Officer Marc Pedevillano show off her new Barbie motorcycle.
Ormond Beach Police Officer Justin Hyatt and Velouria Kroll.
Ormond Beach Police recruits Eli Daly and Andrew Spell with Alexander Gross.
Aaliyah Gabaud and Ormond Beach Police Officer Courtney Grimes.
County to scrutinize Volusia Forever
Bond discussion led to questions by County Council over the priority list of acquisitions.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
The Volusia County Council was set to vote to allow staff to explore the issuance of $30 million in bonds to finance the purchase of conservation lands through the Volusia Forever program on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
But some councilmen questioned whether the properties being considered for acquisition meet the criteria of being “environmentally sensitive,” worried that the program will result in taking properties off the tax rolls to avoid future development.
“We can’t control the market,” Councilman Danny Robins said. “We can’t control the amount of people that move here ... But what I’m interested in is making sure that if we’re paying premium for this, that we’re getting something that’s environmentally sensitive.”
Councilmen honed in on one specific property: the 605-acre Talmadge Gardens property in DeLand, a $27
million purchase. According to the property’s Volusia Forever ranking report from 2024, the property is split into two portions, one spanning 527 acres and the other spanning 77 acres. The land has a future land use designation of industrial and Urban Low Intensity.
The report states that the northern section of the property consists of uplands and a wetland freshwater marsh. The southern portion appears to be a wet prairie habitat.
Councilman David Santiago said the county already has existing ordinances that protect building on wetlands, and highlighted that the property has no connectivity to other conservation lands. It is surrounded by development.
“I’ll bet there’s probably a lot more environmentally sensitive areas that we could buy,” he said.
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously for staff to bring back a future agenda item to discuss the funding process and intent for the future of the Volusia Forever program, as well as a list of properties for acquisition.
Community Services Director Brad Burbaugh said to the council that he was caught off guard about the focus on the Talmadge Gardens property, and asked for an opportunity to sit down with Santiago
and talk about how the property serves Volusia Forever’s objectives.
County Manager George Recktenwald told the council they had gone “down a rabbit hole” in their discussion, as the agenda item didn’t list specific properties — it was an item to allow staff to set up for the bonds. Land purchase approvals would come before the council at a future date.
“All you’re doing is saying, ‘Hey, if we go forward with these five or six major properties, are you OK with us issuing a bond as the way to pay for it?’” Recktenwald said. In the Volusia Forever ballot initiative, it was stated that the county would borrow money through bonds to purchase land acquisitions, Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower said. Staff also explained that the council’s preliminary authorization on bonds would allow the money to be available when a purchase is approved.
Councilman Don Dempsey disagreed with this approach.
“I don’t like the fact that we can borrow into the future to buy more conservation land,” he said. “We’re already number two in the state. It scares me that we’re rushing towards a 50% acquisition rate, that we are going to basically encumber half of the property in the county.”
VCS contracts therapy to fill need
The $1.8M contract was criticized by the district’s speech language pathologists, citing their low wages.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
The Volusia County School Board approved a $1.8 million two-year contract for outside speech language therapy services, a decision criticized by some of the district’s speech language pathologists who say Volusia County Schools is not paying a livable wage.
VCS is piggybacking off a contract with the Seminole County School Board, setting aside $900,000 a year to bring in outside speech language pathology assistants and SLPs to fill positions when needed. According to the two price schedules included in the contract, the companies would be paid $62 or $75 an hour to bring SLP assistants to VCS; bringing SLPs would cost $69 or $85.
Meanwhile, the district’s SLPs are compensated between $36.58 and $48 an hour, depending on how long they’ve worked for VCS, according to Freedom Elementary SLP Joanne Strick-
land during the School Board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
“We keep hearing that recruiting and retaining SLPs is difficult, but when you look at the numbers, it’s not difficult to understand why,” Strickland said. “The district is willing to pay contract companies rates that are far higher than what the highly trained, long-serving SLPs working for VCS are paid.”
The contract, which was pulled from the meeting’s consent agenda, was approved in a 3-2 vote, with School Board member Donna Brosemer and School Board Chair Ruben Colon voting against.
“I feel like this is a subject that requires a little more conversation among the board,” Brosemer said.
Five SLPs spoke before the School Board during the meeting about the district’s low wages compared to contracted speech therapists, citing them as a reason many in their profession are leaving education to work in the medical field. The SLPs added that during the recent bargaining sessions, a stipend for their positions to make compensation more competitive was rejected by the district.
Robyn Perkins, an SLP at Volusia Pines Elementary, shared a statement from Beachside Elementary’s SLP,
Sara Ambrosio, who is resigning in January. Ambrosio, who was her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2021, said she had been contacted by a contract company within 48 hours of her resignation. The company offered her $20 more per hour to work in the same school, in the same role.
“The situation is not unique,” Ambrosio’s statement read. “It is a symptom of a larger systematic issue. We are constantly underpaid, underappreciated and overworked.”
District staff explained to the board that the $1.8 million for the contract wasn’t asking for more funding; rather, it is using funds from a prior contract to pay for SLP assistants. It also doesn’t mean the district will use all those funds in the two years.
School Board member Krista Goodrich said she agreed that conversations about salaries for SLPs should be continued but supported the contract.
“I don’t think stopping this today will fix the immediate need of what we have,” she said.
Colon opposed the contract because it lacked a clause preventing the companies from hiring VCS employees.
“I don’t want to be their recruiting grounds,” he said.
Beach bone-anza: Volusia County celebrates
The 1.7-mile dog beach is located between the Williams Avenue and the Seabreeze Boulevard approaches.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Sandy paw prints are about to become a whole lot more common at University Boulevard Beach Park in Daytona Beach.
Volusia County and Daytona Dog Beach Inc. celebrated the opening of a new dogfriendly section of beach in Daytona with a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The 1.7-mile stretch, located between the Williams Avenue and the Seabreeze Boulevard approaches, is the county’s second dog beach, with the first being located in Ormond Beach.
“Today is more than the opening of a new section of dog beach,” Daytona Dog Beach President Nanette
McKeel Petrella said at the ceremony. “It is a celebration of a community that dreamed, spoke up, worked hard, volunteered, donated and believed that our beautiful coastline could be shared with dogs and their families.”
Volusia County established a pilot program in November 2023 for the first dog beach in Ormond. The program was made permanent in April of this year. Expanding the program to include a section of beach in Daytona followed soon thereafter, with the council unanimously approving a location in October.
County Public Protection Director Randa Matusiak said the success of the Ormond dog beach made the county feel confident in expanding access.
“When we first introduced the dog-friendly beach in Ormond Beach as a pilot program, we approached it with careful planning and a focus on safety for people, pets and for wildlife, and what we saw was a community that stepped up,” Matusiak said. “Dog owners followed the
rules and demonstrated that this type of program could work extremely well.”
Dogs on the beach must be leashed, and owners are required to clean up after their pets. Daytona Dog Beach paid the startup costs for signage, dog bag dispensers and water bowls. The nonprofit will also foot the bill for the $2,500 annual costs and supply dog waste bags and volunteer efforts to keep the beach clean.
Since opening, volunteers in Ormond have removed 9,512 pounds of trash from the dog beach, a 0.6-mile stretch located between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive.
Petrella thanked her volunteers and board members for their work with Daytona Dog Beach.
“You showed up again and again, and this beach stands today because of your dedication,” she said. “You are the heart of Daytona Dog Beach.”
Petrella repeated that this was about “more than a dogfriendly beach.”
Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent, who has
spearheaded the dog beach efforts, also thanked Nancy Lohman and her late husband, Lowell, for their support of the Ormond dog beach. The proposal was about to “die a slow death” when it first came up at the County Council in 2023. But then the Lohmans pledged $100,000 on the spot to get it started.
“The reason that we have this new dog-friendly section of the beach today is because the first one in Ormond Beach was wildly successful,” he said. “And I will challenge anybody that the cleanest section of beach in all of the 47 miles of Volusia County are in Ormond Beach, that .6-mile section, because Daytona Dog Beach is walking it three times a day.”
Dogs on the beach — which had been previously largely banned on Volusia beaches since 1987 — was one of Kent’s campaign promises when he ran for County Council in 2022. That’s how he met Petrella, he said. She had seen one of his mailers.
“I looked at her — and I wasn’t even elected yet — and
I said, ‘I’m telling you right now, put it in the bank: When I get elected, we are getting a dog-friendly section of the beach,’” Kent said. “I don’t know if she thought I was crazy or what, but here we are with number two.”
Daytona Dog Beach board members Jami Gallegos, director of advocacy and partnerships, and Debi Coursey, treasurer, with her dog Duchess.
Daytona Dog Beach and Volusia County representatives wave to a drone after cutting the ribbon for the new dog beach in Daytona. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Daytona Dog Beach Nanette McKeel Petrella with her pups, Mac, Delilah and Samson.
JetBlue back at Daytona airport as its 5th commercial airline
The airline will run two daily, nonstop routes: Daytona Beach to Boston (BOS) and New York City (JFK).
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
JetBlue has returned to the Daytona Beach International Airport, making it the fifth commercial airline to fly in and out of the airport.
The airline will run two daily, nonstop routes: Daytona Beach airport to Boston (BOS) and New York City (JFK). Officials from Volusia County, JetBlue and the DAB airport celebrated the airline’s return on Dec. 4 with a ribbon cutting ceremony as the inaugural flight from JFK Airport in New York City landed in Daytona Beach at 9:20 a.m.
Volusia County Council
Chair Jeff Bower said it was his pleasure to welcome JetBlue back to Daytona Beach.
“We are glad that you’re here. We couldn’t ask for two more exciting routes,” he said.
JetBlue’s inaugural flight was made on its Airbus A220 plane, which seats 140. The flight from JFK — with its 124 passengers — was met with a water cannon salute on the
tarmac of DAB. The return flight to JFK had 97 passengers.
Alongside JetBlue, DAB has commercial flights from Delta, American Airlines, Avelo and Breeze. They offer 11 nonstop destinations and connections to cities around the nation and worldwide.
Brower said he remembers when, as a child, DAB was a “dingy little one-story air-
port” where passengers had to board planes from the tarmac, even in inclement weather. Now, he said, DAB is set to celebrate a “record-breaking year” of over 745,000 flights in 2025.
DAB Aviation & Economic Director Cyrus Callum said he’s never seen the terminal as busy as it has been lately. The return of JetBlue is a “significant win” for the airport and
the local economy, he said. The new flights will lead to increased international destinations, an increase to the local tourism and also contribute to an increase in job opportunities.
“What I tell everyone is, ‘Get used to it,’” he said. “‘Get ready for it,’ because we plan on carrying on that momentum.”
The Florida Department of Transportation last measured DAB’s annual economic impact at $3.2 billion in 2023. Callum said with the JetBlue flights, DAB’s “economic impact is going to be significantly more.”
“These flights are going to bring in 560 passengers per day,” he said, “and they’re going to contribute to our local economy as well.”
JetBlue Capt. Richard Fetchik said driving a plane through a water cannon salute was a first for him. Fetchik graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990 and has flown for JetBlue for 21 years.
The last time time he has flown a plane at DAB, he said, was in March 1995. Now, 30 years later, he and JetBlue have returned to the Daytona Beach airport.
He said he had no idea that it was the inaugural flight until he showed up at JFK that morning.
“It’s nice to be Embry Riddle alumni and be part of the festivities today,” he said. “And I actually got to cut the ribbon in New York for the first flight coming down. So that was nice.”
He said he’s next scheduled to fly back to Daytona Beach for two flights in January.
Mary Hammel, her wife
Eileen Cunningham and their friends Catherine Varanock and Catherine Kennedy were among the first off JetBlue’s inaugural flight to Daytona Beach. The four of them have been coming to Daytona Beach every year for the last 13 years to stay in Varanock’s Ormond Beach condo for Hammel’s birthday.
During JetBlue’s sevenyear absence from Daytona, Hammel said the four of them would have to commute from the Orlando airport, taking an hour and a half or longer to get to the condo.
“This is excellent; we love JetBlue,” Hammel said. “... JetBlue, thank you for listening to people.”
Volusia County residents Roslyn and Ernie Bennett were at the Daytona Beach International Airport before 8:30 a.m., holding a sign that read “Welcome, JetBlue.” For them, JetBlue’s return to DAB represents an opportunity to see their son more.
Roslyn Bennett said their son works for JetBlue and when the airline was previously at DAB, they saw their son more frequently than they have in the last seven years.
The Bennett said they bought the JetBlue crew and staff Swillerbee’s doughnuts to celebrate and to let them know “we’re happy you’re here.”
“We’re excited that Jet Blue has returned to Daytona Beach,” Roslyn Bennett said, “because now it makes it easier for us to travel to Boston or New York, but also to see our son and maybe have them come more often to see us.”
Flagler sheriff to lead state private investigation council, PIRSAC
Council members of Florida’s Private Investigation, Recovery and Security Advisory Council have elected Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly chairperson for 2026. This is the first time the council’s law enforcement representative has been elected to serve as chair. In 2023, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson appointed Staly to fill the law enforcement representative position on the PIRSAC board for a four-year term, which expires on June 20, 2027.
Staly previously served on PIRSAC as an owner of a Palm Coast-based security company, which represented small security companies. He and his wife later sold their company to a national security firm in May 2012.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected to serve as chairperson of PIRSAC,” Sher-
iff Staly said. “I am grateful for the trust and confidence council members have placed in me to fill this role, and I am committed to serving with the same level of integrity and transparency that I have had throughout my law enforcement career.” The volunteer council is required by Florida law and meets at least four times a year to advise and make recommendations to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the regulation of the private investigative, recovery and security industries
Volusia County officials, JetBlue and Daytona Beach International personnel celebrate the return of JetBlue to DAB. Photo by Sierra Williams
Campus cooks: Seabreeze, Mainland compete in DSC’s culinary competition
Seabreeze placed third in the gourmet meal contest. Mainland placed third in the waiter relay.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Culinary students from Seabreeze and Mainland high schools dished their best during Daytona State College’s annual “Sharpen Your Skills” culinary competition on Friday, Dec. 5.
The students faced other high school teams, including DeLand and New Smyrna Beach high schools, in three contests: gourmet meal, edible centerpiece and the waiter relay. Seabreeze placed third in the gourmet meal contest. DeLand placed second and Mainland placed third in the waiter relay.
Seabreeze culinary arts teacher Hannah Offenberg
said her team put a lot of time and effort into the competition. Last year, Seabreeze placed first in the gourmet meal contest.
“What I love about this
competition is, apart from the cooking skills, there’s so many genuinely good life skills that they all benefit from — working under that time pressure, working as a team, making sure that they have all their checklist, they’re organized, time management,” she said. “... I’ve just watched them grow and develop these skills that they didn’t have before this, so it’s really cool to watch that.”
Seabreeze’s team went with a Mediterranean theme, preparing a squid ink pasta tossed in a spicy garlic scampi sauce with rock shrimp for an appetizer, a seared swordfish on top of a chickpea salad for their main dish, and a steamed lemon olive oil cake with vanilla bean and dragon fruit diplomat cream for dessert.
“The kids have worked so hard over the last three months developing the menu, developing recipes — trial and error,” Offenberg said. “So, it’s been a really long road, but they’re ready.”
For Mainland, the DSC event marked their school’s return to culinary competitions after over a decade.
Culinary teacher Jade West is in her second year as an instructor, and after learning about the competition, she spent all summer studying up
on the rules and how it worked to make sure her team was ready to compete this year.
“We used to be a very wellknown culinary program, and that’s just something I want to start again,” West said.
The team went with a Latin American theme for its gourmet meal, composed of a Mexican street food appetizer of elotes, mashed potatoes and steak with a chimichurri sauce for a main dish, and
churros with chocolate and raspberry sauces.
As a new teacher, West said it’s heartwarming to see her students’ progress. Two of the four team members have expressed wanting to seek a career in the culinary field.
“Everybody back at school has given them all the love and support,” West said. “And, it’s just a trial run. It’s just to get our name back out there.”
Izaiah Taylor prepares the churros during the gourmet meal competition at DSC on Dec. 5.
Mainland’s waiter relay team (front) Kijuan Smith, Virginia Preston and Dasiree Denson, with (back) Kayja Stephens, Leslyan Brown and Destina Simmons. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Seabreeze junior Jillian Trainor competes in the edible centerpiece contest.
The Seabreeze team: Ady Doherty, Daytona Allen, Caley Linzmayar and Stephen Coltharp.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Florida immigrants: Documented and undocumented
Dear Editor:
It is not a crime for an immigrant without permanent legal status to live in the United States, unless such person has been previously deported.
We have seen a dramatic rise in Florida’s number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of people who have no convictions or criminal charges. ICE raids have sparked fear in Florida towns and immigrant communities, arresting individuals with no warrant, criminal record, or evidence of gang membership.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature were quick to comply with executive orders and rules which have thrown immigrants into the deportation process. “Operation Tidal Wave” resulted in 780 Florida arrests between April 21 and 26.
Detentions surged in Florida while deportations have not, resulting in overcrowded detention centers and inhuman conditions. Six immigrants have died in Florida custody this year. In 2023, ICE detention centers held over 36,000 adults at a daily cost of $6.9 million taxpayer dollars.
Family separations continue. Immigrant children born in the United States with full citizenship have been placed
in federal detention centers and confined for months. Sixhundred children are presently in custody. Spouses of U.S. citizens have been arrested and held for deportation.
Florida immigrant families live in fear, afraid to drive to work, go to the hospital, or take their children to school.
Latino communities have canceled events, and businesses have closed.
Communities have lost trust in local law enforcement agencies. Immigrants are afraid to go to the police if they are victims of, or witnesses to, crimes. The Florida Attorney General has warned cities that “sanctuary policies are not tolerated in Florida.”
The ICE raids have major economic consequences for Florida’s agriculture, fern, and construction industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor. Local cities have maintenance contracts with companies that employ immigrants, hard workers, not criminals. There is documented evidence of ICE arrests of U.S. citizens and others who have legal immigrant status.
Except for indigenous natives, we are a nation of immigrants. All people living in the United States, regardless of legal status, have a right to due process and fair and speedy hearings. Our brave military fought and died for these rights. There is no justice for
YOUR TOWN
Caroling on the Canals to spread holiday cheer
The Flagler Beach Yacht Club will spread holiday cheer on the water with its annual
Caroling on the Canals event Sunday, Dec. 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Club members will travel through the F- and C-sections of Palm Coast, bringing festive music and colorful deco-
people who have peacefully lived and worked in our communities for years but now face new rules. We need to demand legislation that provides a sensible path to legal immigrant status and stop terrorizing immigrants.
LINDA KALADJIAN
REBECCA CASHETTE
JEFF BOYLE
VIVIAN LORD Members of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ormond Beach
DeSantis Is right to restore local control over our fisheries
Dear Editor:
For too long, Florida’s Atlantic fishermen have been subject to arbitrary federal limits that make little sense for the realities of our waters or the livelihoods of our coastal communities. That is why Gov. Ron DeSantis’s announcement to seek full state management of the Atlantic red snapper fishery is not just welcome news; it is long overdue. Florida has already proven that state-level management works. Since taking control of Gulf red snapper seasons in 2018, our state expanded fishing days from a mere three under federal control to 127 days in 2025, all while maintaining healthy fish
rations to residents along the canal system. The event will feature a fleet of decorated boats with club members singing holiday classics.
“This event has become something we look forward to all year,” organizers said.
“It’s a wonderful way to bring the community together and
stocks and rigorous conservation standards. Florida’s success did not come at the expense of sustainability; it came through data-driven management, strong local partnerships, and a deep respect for both the resource and the people who depend on it. By contrast, the federal system has failed to reflect those same values. For years, Washington bureaucrats have imposed one-size-fits-all rules that reduced Atlantic red snapper seasons to one or two days a year. Families who invest thousands in boats, fuel, and gear were given a single weekend, if that, to enjoy the very waters that define our coastal identity. That is not sound management; that is suffocating overregulation.
Gov. DeSantis’s proposal, backed by coordination with Georgia and South Carolina, would finally restore balance to our federalist system by returning management authority to the states that know their waters best. His administration’s exempted fishing permit application to the U.S. Department of Commerce is a sensible step toward that goal. It allows Florida to set its own 39-day Atlantic red snapper season, with 30 days in the summer and three weekends in the fall, starting in 2026. That is a common-sense plan that supports conservation and strengthens our economy.
The benefits will ripple far beyond the docks. Extending the season means more busi-
celebrate the season from the unique perspective of Palm Coast’s beautiful waterways.”
The yacht club encourages canal-front residents to join in the fun by wearing holiday colors, waving from their docks or even decorating along the shoreline. The boats will proceed at a slow, safe
ness for tackle shops, marinas, hotels, and local restaurants that thrive on tourism and weekend anglers. It means more work for charter captains and deckhands. And it means that coastal families from Ormond Beach to New Smyrna to the Keys can once again enjoy the traditions that built our state’s proud reputation as the Fishing Capital of the World.
The governor’s leadership reminds us that conservation and commerce do not have to be enemies. When decisionmaking happens closer to home, with local knowledge and accountability, we get better results. Federal agencies should take note: Florida does not need Washington to micromanage our reefs and wrecks. We have the science, the expertise, and the will to manage our resources responsibly.
It is time to trust the people who live here. By restoring fishery management to the states, we are not just protecting red snapper; we are protecting our way of life.
DUNCAN S. DEMARSH DeLand
Vice chairman of the Volusia County Republican Party
Send letters to jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com. Include first and last name, as well as city of residence. Editor may alter the letter for clarity and/or length.
pace to ensure residents have plenty of time to enjoy the parade. Weather permitting, the event is expected to run through early afternoon.
Send Your Town stories to Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
On Page 1A in the Dec. 4 Palm Coast Observer, Beth Keer, a permanent guardian of Leaders 4 Life Fellowship winner Remy Battles was incorrectly identified. To read the full story of Matanzas High School senior Battles winning the award, go to https://bit. ly/4q0QjRt
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Volusia County awards over $8.7M in Transform386 dollars to Ormond
This will help fund a new pump station on Fleming to reduce flooding in the Central Park neighborhoods.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Ormond Beach’s Fleming Avenue pump station project was among six flood-mitigation and stormwater initiatives that received disaster recovery funding on Tuesday, Dec. 2, following approval by the Volusia County Council.
The $17 million project, which also includes the construction of a force main, is designed to reduce flooding in the city’s neighborhoods surrounding Central Park. The County Council awarded over $8.7 million in funding from its Transform386 Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program.
“This is a transformative grant,” Assistant City Manager Shawn Finley said at the county meeting. “This is one that was a long time coming.”
The project would construct a pump station at 601 Fleming Ave., and the force main pipe would be installed along the Fleming Avenue corridor to Ridgewood Ave-
nue, commencing south along Ridgewood Avenue to Reynolds Avenue, and then east to the Halifax River.
Last year, Ormond Beach received $5.35 million from the state for the project, which was first identified as a need after a 2009 storm brought 30 inches of rain to the city in two-and-a-half days, causing historic flooding in the Central Park neighborhoods.
Since then, the city has interconnected the five lakes in Central Park, upgraded the existing Bennet Lane pump station and enhanced its pumping system.
The Fleming Avenue pump station will have the ability to pump 45,000 gallons a minute, an amount equivalent to three swimming pools.
“I am pleased to hear that a grant was awarded through the Transform 386 program by the County Council,”
Mayor Jason Leslie said to the Observer. “This project has been a long time in the making, and city staff has worked diligently to bring it to this point. It’s great to see it moving forward. The station is expected to protect hundreds of homes, especially in floodprone neighborhoods along the Fleming Avenue corridor.”
In July, the city applied for a $9.4 million FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for the
“This project has been a long time in the making, and city staff has worked diligently to bring it to this point. The station is expected to protect hundreds of homes, especially in flood-prone neighborhoods along the Fleming Avenue corridor.”
JASON LESLIE, Ormond Beach mayor
project, but Finley told the council it had been stuck in this process for a long time. He commended the county for its Transform386 program, which was created in 2023 after the county received $328.9 million in disaster relief funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the critical infrastructure and flooding mitigation projects. The funding is available for projects initiated by the county, its cities and nonprofits.
Ormond’s project was part of the third round of funding. In November 2024, the county awarded over $63 million in grant funds to 20 projects. Another 13 received funding in October, totaling almost $50 million in grant funds.
“This is a substantive project in the city of Ormond Beach,” said Donna Butler, county Recovery and Resiliency Department director.
“This was their first time coming to us, so almost all of the cities now have come forward with projects in these three rounds.”
The third round of funding also included $585,000 for the town of Ponce Inlet, for the acquisition of two vacant lots for a revised stormwater project.
The county also approved four stormwater initiatives at the meeting: studies for the Spruce Creek watershed and the Rhode Island and Graves Avenue Basin in Orange City, as well as a stormwater and future resiliency master plan for Daytona Beach Shores and a flood-mitigation alternatives analysis for Lake Helen.
Email news tips to Jarleene Almenas, at jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.
Flagler pier demo set for January
The project has been delayed 40 day and incurred $144,000 from sea turtle nests and other delays.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler Beach’s pier reconstruction project could be moving forward with demolition of the existing pier in January.
In an email sent to Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin on Dec. 5, EnglandThims & Miller engineer Maksim Milovidov wrote the “work schedule is a little fluid,” due to the recent and upcoming holidays, but “we’re anticipating demolition of [the] existing pier to start next month.” Disassembly of the existing pier will start from the A-frame and deck and work out to the end of the pier, according to city documents.
Milovidov wrote that contractors Vecellio & Grogan were working on unit 10 of 16 on the trestle, which runs parallel to the pier, and completed a side-platform used for storage.
Though the project is moving forward, it has also seen a 40-day delay and $144,000 cost increase from a combination of sea turtle nests, inclement weather and other hurdles, according to Flagler Beach City Commission documents.
The project, which began in June, is now estimated to be “substantially completed” by Jan. 15, 2027 and fully completed by Feb. 14, 2027. Flagler Beach city staff will present a contract adjustment resolution to the Flagler Beach City Commission at its Dec. 11
meeting. According to city documents, the new project costs will be $14.325 million, up from the original amount of $14.142 million. This is the second adjustment for the pier construction contract. One active turtle nest located within the trestle’s footprint on July 27 cost the city $94,784 and 36 days of work as trestle installation had to be completely stalled until the nest hatched or the project could go around it in a 20-foot berth, according to the city documents. The other four days of delay were incurred from October’s inclement weather and the remaining $50,000 in additional costs from permit restrictions, insurance adjustments and almost $11,000 from a struck city-owned power line in July. According to the city docu-
ments, the powerline was unmarked in utility documents. The contractors were driving an H-Pile into the sand on July 23 when an employee at the 98.7 Surf Radio station alerted the team that the station had lost power. Florida Power & Light was able to de-energize the line, and the next day came back and separated the unmarked line out to return power to the other surrounding powerlines. The contractor states in a letter of intent notice to Flagler Beach that as “the issue is not the fault of V&G, V&G shall not be responsible for any claims from the City or the nearby businesses, directly resulting from the line being hit, including the ensuing emergency response and the loss of power on July 23, 2025.”
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Disassembly of the Flagler Beach pier could begin in January. Pictured is drone footage of the project from Nov. 22. Courtesy of Flagler Beach
YOUR NEIGHBORS
A Crystal Christmas
Revelers turned out in droves to enjoy a night of Christmas spirit at the Casements Guild’s annual Christmas Gala.
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Casements and Rockefeller Gardens bustled with sounds of the holidays as families and friends gathered for the 47th annual Christmas Gala: “A Crystal Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 5. The Casements Guild has organized and hosted the free community event each year.
Kids ran the grounds with their favorite characters painted on their faces. They decorated wreath cookies and slowed down just long enough to watch Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by train in front of the historic winter home of John D. Rockefeller.
The Moonlighters band leader, Dr. Joseph Mirante, did the Christmas light countdown, and the house and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Gardens were illuminated with thousands of glimmering lights.
The Moonlighters played Christmas classics while people grabbed some eats at Reese’s Weenies & More and the Southern State of Mind food trucks. Revelers could sip a cup of hot cocoa and ride the train around the gardens. At the Rockefeller Gardens stage, kids lined up to crawl on Santa’s lap and whisper Christmas lists in his ear while parents snapped photos.
Gala Chair Becky Panknin was pleased with the atten -
dance.
“It was amazing,” Panknin said. “Everyone in the community showed up and supported us. Sometimes you could hardly get through the house which was wonderful. The weather cooperated and we really appreciate the support.”
Inside The Casements, the Gift Shoppe was surrounded by handmade crafts and Christmas decorations for purchase. Cookies, cakes and a myriad of other sweet treats covered a table that ran the length of the dining area.
Twenty Christmas trees, decorated by local organizations, graced a section of the lower floor of The Casements, including the “Grounded in Gratitude” tree by Ora Yoga, the “America 250!” tree created by the Captain James Ormond Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ormond Beach Regional Library tree whose staff invited people to contribute by making ornaments out of book pages.
Associate guild member Jean Gregory welcomed gallery perusers in to see the Christmas trees and tell their origin stories.
Gregory was a guild member when she lived in Ormond Beach before moving back to her home in Tennessee. She returns every year for the Christmas Gala.
“It’s a loving, wonderful group of guild members that make you feel so loved and cared for,” she said. “We have fun together decorating for Christmas and also giving tours year round. We just love it. Watching the excitement in people’s eyes when they see the glitter of all the lights and the love, well, I just love it. It’s amazing.”
“... Watching the excitement in people’s eyes when they see the glitter of all the lights and the love, well, I just love it. It’s amazing.”
Odin Reign, Anevay Goodman, Macy McGinnis and Maverick McGinnis walk through the gallery of Christmas trees.
Ormond Beach residents Mark and Lori Spada
Sue Hansen (left) and Marilyn Kovach give out the remainder of the sweet treats.
Families and friends gather for the festivities at The Casements Guild’s 47th annual Christmas Gala on Friday, Dec. 5. Photos by Michele Meyers
Six-year-old Beachside Elementary student Cal Staton is overjoyed to see his friend Luke at The Casements.
Gala Chair Becky Panknin
JEAN GREGORY, associate Casements Guild member
Three-year-old Max Roche (left), mom Karen Roche (center) and 18-month-old Miles Roche start the festivities with some hot cocoa.
Delane Malpass, Paul Ricci, Gerry Amatucci and Debbie Amatucci hang out before Paul and Gerry perform with The Moonlighters.
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, DEC. 11
KAYAK TOURS OF CENTRAL PARK
When: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 11, 16 and 18
Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach
Details: Take part in this free guided tour, open to ages 18 and up. Single kayaks available, or bring your own. Space is limited. Registration restrictions apply. Call 386-6100615 to reserve your spot.
BINGO FUNDRAISER FOR TOYS FOR TOTS
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Association of Realtors, 4101 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Details: The Flagler County Association of Realtors and the Women’s Council of Realtors are hosting this fundraiser. Bring a new unwrapped toy to be entered in a prize drawing. Entry includes $25 and includes five bingo cards plus a meal ticket. All proceeds will benefit Flagler County Toys for Tots.
CHRISTMAS AT THE OPRY: A NASHVILLE FAMILY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach
Details: Enjoy a festive evening with timeless classics and the sounds of fiddle and steel guitar. Before the show, there will be a photo opportunity with Santa, his elf and a cup of hot cocoa. Tickets start at $47.72. Visit www.peabodyauditorium.org.
‘YOU BETTER WATCH OUT’
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11 and 12; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday,
Dec. 13 and 14
Where: Flagler Playhouse, 301 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell
Details: This is a festive comedy about a theater group who tries to pull off their Christmas pageant, and mishaps, mixups and madness take over. Tickets cost $31.50. Visit flaglerplayhouse.org. Friday, Dec. 12
DSC THEATER PRESENTS
‘HOLIDAZZLE: A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD’
When: 10:30 a.m. and 6
p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Details: Some shows include a holiday dinner. Visit https:// njc.ludus.com/200497255.
BUNNELL CHRISTMAS
When: 5-9 p.m.
Where: JB King Park, 300 Citrus St., Bunnell
Details: Music, games, crafts, an obstacle course, the Grinch, and Santa. Free.
THE BRONX WANDERERS
HOLIDAY SHOW
When: 7 p.m.
Where: The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
Details: The Bronx Wanderers return to the Fitz for a night of rock and roll, holiday cheer and classics. Tickets: $54$64. Visit flaglerentertainment.com.
SATURDAY, DEC. 13
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
When: 8-11 a.m.
Where: Matanzas High School cafeteria
Details: Meet Santa and the Grinch and enjoy some breakfast. There will be a photo booth, raffle baskets, cookie decorating, face painting, arts and crafts, games and music. Costs $5 per person.
HOLIDAY IN THE GARDENS
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N.
Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast
Details: Enjoy music, art, craft vendors, food trucks and kids activities. Santa will be in attendance. The state park will be collecting donations of non-perishable food and toys for local families. Entry fee is $5 per vehicle.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 North Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: The Ormond Beach Historical Society presents its annual Holiday Tour of Homes, a mix of historic and modern homes. The tour begins at the Anderson-Price Memorial Building. Complimentary buses will run throughout the day. Tickets cost $50 in advance; $60 at the door. Visit www.ormondhistory.org/tour-of-homes.
ARTWAVE YOUTH WORKSHOP
When: 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Artists ages 11-14 will learn about digital photography with guest instructor Suzanne McCarthy, an awardwinning fine art photographer and photojournalist. Students should bring a smart phone or digital camera. $16 for members and $19 for non-members. Visit ormondartmuseum.org/classesprograms.
34TH ANNUAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS PARADE
When: 6 p.m.
Where: West Granada Boulevard, between Ridgewood Avenue and Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Details: This year’s theme is “A County Christmas.” The parade will include walkers, vehicles and floats and will start at Division Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue, go north until turning east at West Granada Boulevard. The
Palm Coast hosts 42nd annual boat parade Dec. 13
Palm Coast invites residents to join the 42nd annual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13. The boat parade will begin at 6 p.m. from the Cochise Waterway/North Cut on the Intracoastal Waterway and travel south beneath the Hammock Dunes Bridge toward Grand Haven. The parade of boats will turn around at the Grand Haven Gazebo to make the return trip. Spectators can enjoy the best views of the illuminated boats from Waterfront Park, St. Joe Walkway, and Canopy Walk, a Palm Coast press release said. The parade will be held rain or shine, but will be canceled in the event of severe weather or lightning.
parade will then turn south on Beach Street and end in front of City Hall.
HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast
Details: See box above.
JINGLE LASER ROCK
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Peabody Auditorium
Details: This is a holiday rock spectacle, a laser light show choreographed to Christmas and holiday favorites. Tickets start at $61.92. Visit peabodyauditorium.org.
CRT PRESENTS ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’
When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, B-207, Palm Coast
Details: City Repertory Theatre is putting on “It’s a Won-
Palm Coast is again offering a complimentary shuttle service from EuropeanVillage nd the Daytona State College Palm Coast Campus parking lot, the press release said. The shuttles will run from 4-9 p.m.
Parking at Waterfront Park is limited. The event schedule is as follows:
4 p.m. – Shuttles begin
5 p.m. – Boat staging
6 p.m. – Parade begins
8 p.m. – Event ends
9 p.m. – Shuttles conclude
A live stream of the parade will be available on the City of Palm Coast YouTube channel for those watching from home, the press release said. The Palm Coast Historical Society will also be selling limitededition Boat Parade shirts at Waterfront Park.
derful Life,” a holiday classic reimagined as a 1940s radio broadcast that tells the story of George Bailey on Christmas Eve. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for students. Visit https://crtpalmcoast. com.
SUNDAY, DEC. 14
WREATHS ACROSS
AMERICA
When: 11:45 a.m.
Where: Craig Flagler Palm Coast Memorial Gardens, at 511 Old Kings Road S., Flagler Beach; and Volusia Memorial Park, 550 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach
Details: The event’s mission: remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach our children the value of freedom.
THE SALTY GRASS BAND
When: 2 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library
Details: The Salty Grass Band will perform “A Bluegrass Christmas.” Free.
CHRISKANZUUKAH
When: 2-4:30 p.m.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Society Congregation, 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: The Creative Happiness Institute celebrates traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the winter solstice. Music, poetry, an open mic session and refreshments. Free, but donations encouraged.
ORMOND BALLET PRESENTS ‘UNDER THE MISTLETOE & NUTCRACKER’ When: 3 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center
Details: See Ormond Ballet perform jazz, ballet and contemporary numbers, including excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” a Christmas ballet exhibition and a holiday showcase. Tickets $35. Visit https://ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com/.
MONDAY, DEC. 15
DSC THEATER PRESENTS: ACTING SHOWCASE When: 7 p.m.
Where: News-Journal Center
Details: Watch DSC acting students take the stage in this free showcase.
TUESDAY, DEC. 16
DSC DANCE PRESENTS: DANCE SHOWCASE
When: 6 p.m.
Where: News-Journal Center
Details: Free event featuring DSC dance students.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17
CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY
When: 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center
Details: Irish Christmas celebration featuring dancers, musicians and choirs. Tickets $54-$64. Children 12 and under are $5. Visit flaglerentertainment.com.
FOCUS ON FAITH
Bunnell churches and Rotary clubs expand food pantry
A faith-driven partnership is strengthening the fight against hunger in Flagler County as the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, its Bunnell Satellite Club, and the Care Cupboard Food Pantry — housed at the United Methodist Church in Bunnell — come together to expand the pantry’s ability to serve the community.
Supported by a $5,180 collaborative grant, the project has resulted in the installation of a new 10-by-15-foot outdoor storage shed at the Care Cupboard Food Pantry located at 205 N. Pine St. Funded equally by the two Rotary clubs, Rotary District 6970, and the Rotary Foundation, the shed increases the pantry’s capacity to store donated food and meet growing community needs.
Delivered on Nov. 1 and dedicated during a ribboncutting ceremony on Nov. 12, the shed symbolizes a shared mission rooted in service.
On Nov. 16, the First Baptist Christian Academy of Palm Coast boys’ soccer team did the landscaping around the new structure.
Operated every Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Bunnell, the Care Cupboard Food Pantry relies heavily on the support of congregations, volunteers, and
community organizations. The new storage space has expanded the pantry’s indoor capacity by 27%, enabling it to serve 1,495 people weekly — an increase of 195 individuals from previous numbers. Among those served are 375 children.
Bob Snyder, president of the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, said: “By working together with our Bunnell Satellite Club and the Care Cupboard, we’re creating a sustainable solution that will help feed 195 additional community members each week.”
Sandra Shank, of the Bunnell Satellite Club, added: “This project serves as our club’s first tangible project,” she said. “This grant represents our shared commitment to ensuring no family in our community goes hungry.” Visit www.flaglerbeach rotary.org.
Chanukah celebration returns to European Village Chabad of Palm Coast will host a community Chanukah celebration Dec. 15 at European Village, featuring a public menorah lighting, live music and family activities.
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
The event begins at 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly are scheduled to speak and participate in the lighting of a large outdoor menorah.
Dr. Laz & His Band, known as “The Rockin’ Reggae Rabbi,” will headline the evening with a live concert. The festival will also include a petting zoo, train rides, a dreidel mascot, dancing rabbis, face painting, balloon twisting, a Judaica gift booth and traditional Chanukah foods such as doughnuts and latkes. Starbucks coffee will also be available.
Rabbi Levi Ezagui, director of Chabad of Palm Coast, said the celebration aims to bring families together and highlight the message of Chanukah.
“Chanukah reminds us that a little bit of light can change an entire environment, and we’re excited to bring that light to the center of Palm Coast,” Ezagui said.
The European Village celebration has become one of the most prominent Jewish events in Flagler County, drawing hundreds each year. Organizers say it reflects the area’s growing Jewish community and provides children with a visible and joyful way to experience Jewish tradition.
The Palm Coast event is part of a global initiative by Chabad centers, which host thousands of menorah lightings and holiday programs worldwide during the eightday festival.
— ALEXIS MILLER
Brought to you by:
The shed’s ribbon cutting was held on Nov. 12. Courtesy photo
You’re invited to HQ’s Cookies with Santa holiday market featuring local vendors, HQ giveaways, seasonal treats, and plenty of merry moments. Perfect for snagging gifts, sipping something sweet, and getting that Santa photo!
BUSINESS
Aldi to open new store in Ormond Beach on Dec. 18
The new Aldi in Ormond Beach, located at 353 W. Granada Blvd., will open on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Aldi announced the grand opening of the new store on its website. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held 30 minutes before the store opens, at 8:45 a.m.
The first 100 customers will receive a “golden ticket,” which could be worth up to $100, as well as a free goodie bag.
The Aldi replaces the former Winn-Dixie, a result of Aldi’s acquisition of Southeastern Grocers in 2023.
Daytona Beach’s new Panda Express opens
Daytona Beach’s new Panda Express celebrated its grand opening with 20 local residents on Dec. 9.
The restaurant is located at 1950 LPGA Blvd. and a ribboncutting ceremony was organized for the grand opening by the Daytona Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In honor of its new location, the Panda Express team also donated $1,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank, a Panda Express press release said.
The store hours are Sunday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Daytona Beach community by providing nearly 40 new jobs and supporting local organizations through various fundraising opportunities,” said Jose Alvarenga, Panda Express Area Coach of Operations. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into
REAL ESTATE
WEST DAYTONA BEACH
Highridge Estates
The house at 1470 Colin Kelly Ave. sold on Nov. 21, for $280,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,289 square feet.
Latitude Margaritaville
The house at 356 Parrot Lane sold on Nov. 17, for $399,900. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,464 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $306,100.
The house at 621 Hang Loose Way sold on Nov. 20, for $680,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 2,338 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $640,500.
The townhome at 329 Good Life Way sold on Nov. 18,
our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.”
The location will also be serving limited-time menu item of crispy sesame shrimp and beef, which has shrimp, beef and veggies wok-tossed in a savory sesame glaze with toasted sesame seeds.
The first 88 guests in line received a special gift and 40 panda headbands were handed out to guests under 18.
The Daytona Beach Panda Express features the new “Panda Home” restaurant design.
for $469,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,563 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $299,400.
The house at 713 Landshark Blvd. sold on Nov. 19, for $619,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,939 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $364,000.
Legends Preserve
The house at 1225 Pampus Drive sold on Nov. 20, for $373,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,908 square feet.
Lennar at Preserve at LPGA
The house at 1235 Belle Isle Lane sold on Nov. 18, for $344,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 1,874 square feet.
The house at 1215 Belle Isle Lane sold on Nov. 19, for $354,990. Built in 2025,
the house is a 5/2.5 and has 2,112 square feet.
Links Terrace
The house at 105 Pitching Wedge Drive sold on Nov. 17, for $315,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,483 square feet. The house at 109 Pitching Wedge Drive sold on Nov. 20, for $335,455. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,687 square feet.
Lionspaw
The house at 232 Gala Circle sold on Nov. 21, for $315,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,836 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $307,500.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
Sud Stop Car Wash: 2742 LPGA Blvd. Photo by Travis Hurlbut
The new Panda Express in Daytona Beach opened on Dec. 9, 2025. Courtesy of Panda Express
REAL ESTATE
Breakaway Trails home sells for
$1.275M
Ahouse in Breakaway Trails at 23 Tomoka Cove Way was the top estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Nov. 15-21. The house sold on Nov. 21, for $1,275,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/4.5 and has a fireplace, a pool with a slide, a spa, an outdoor kitchen and 4,300 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $1,350,000.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Condos The condo at 2220 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 201A, sold on Nov. 21, for $355,000. Built in 1981, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,150 square feet. It last sold in April 2025 for $325,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Breakaway Trails
The house at 79 Shadow Creek Way sold on Nov. 18, for $656,500. Built in 1990, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,772 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $260,000.
Brookwood
The house at 62 Mayfield Circle sold on Nov. 18, for $346,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,598 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $118,500.
Forest Hills
house is a 3/2 and has 1,931 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $248,133.
The house at 1453 Sunningdale Lane sold on Nov. 18, for $495,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a spa and 1,782 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $210,000.
The Trails
The townhome at 149 Pine Cone Trail sold on Nov. 18, for $179,900. Built in 1977, the townhome is a 2/2.5 and has 1,664 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $173,000.
Village
The house at 1285 Buckeye Road sold on Nov. 21, for $240,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,352 square feet. It last sold in 1982 for $37,500.
Halifax Plantation
The house at 1113 Glengad Run sold on Nov. 19, for $295,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,627 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $196,000.
The townhome at 2599 Kinsale Lane sold on Nov. 20, for $294,990. Built in 2025, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,608 square feet.
Lincoln Park The house at 27 Lincoln Ave. sold on Nov. 21, for $290,000.. Built in 1947, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 1,289 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $275,000.
Oak Forest The house at 1411 N. Beach St. sold on Nov. 18, for $280,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,021 square feet. It last sold in 1980 for $83,500.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1324 Harwick Lane sold on Nov. 18, for $520,000. Built in 2010, the
The house at 931 Old Mill Run sold on Nov. 20, for $435,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace and 2,192 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $110,000.
Winding Woods
The house at 5 Marjorie Trail sold on Nov. 17, for $335,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,822 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $294,900.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Barrier Isle
The house at 105 Barrier Isle Drive sold on Nov. 20, for $470,000. Built in 1992, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace and 2,762 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $208,000.
Ocean Crest
The house at 37 Sunset Blvd. sold on Nov. 21, for $372,900. Built in 1959, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,849 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $135,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
Ormond By The Sea, Ormond Beach
Ormond By The
ORMOND BEACH
BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT
‘It’s your fault.’
Before Brett Snider got into the air conditioning business, he was a pastor.
One person he visited often while leading Trinity Lutheran Church, in Holly Hill, was a homebound woman. They got to know each other, and he confided that he was struggling to lose weight. She gave some simple advice: “Just eat one less cookie.”
That resonated with Snider, and he eventually saw that it was the same message he had learned from a social media influencer and author, Gary Vaynerchuk: “It’s your fault.”
“It’s my fault,” Snider said during a recent interview with the Observer, at the Arctic Breeze office, in Palm Coast.
“It’s my fault when I eat too much food, and that causes weight gain. It’s also my fault when I reel it back in and put the cookie down. And so, when you have that mentality, you know that there are controllables in this life. And so the things I can control are my fault. They’re my responsibility.”
Snider has lived in Palm Coast for 20 years and loves it because it’s the “perfect middle spot” between larger cities.
He still is connected to Volusia County, as he is a part-time associate pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, in South Daytona; and his children attend Riverbend Academy, in Ormond Beach.
Mark Eidman Jr. has owned Arctic Breeze since 2002, with his daughter, Erin, who is Snider’s wife. Today, it has grown to 30 employees and 16 trucks, serving Flagler and Eastern Volusia counties. Arctic Breeze, which does 90% of its business in residential installation and service, recently became a Carrier dealer, to go along with American Standard.
Snider is involved with many aspects of the business at Arctic Breeze: accounting, marketing, human resources. In all of those areas, he has learned to say to himself: “It’s your fault” — whether the outcome is good or bad.
He also preaches it to his children: Bad outcomes often feel like a crossroad. If we can use that moment as an opportunity, we can find peace about future outcomes.
“Find that crossroad,” Snider said. “And then when you look back and say, ‘Yeah, that was my fault; I caused that to happen,’ take some credit for it.” Visit arcticbreezeair.com or call 386-270-0375.
—BRIAN MCMILLLAN Email brian@observerlocal news.com.
YOUR TOWN
European Performing Arts group presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ European Performing Arts Conservatory will present its semi annual ballet production, “A Christmas Carol,” on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Seabreeze High School Theatre.
During the two shows — to be held at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. — EPAC will transform Charles Dickens’ holiday classic into a ballet experience, according to a press release.
The production features over 80 cast members, including dancers as young as 4 years old to professionals.
“We love creating performances that allow dancers of all ages to shine,” said artistic director and choreographer Kaley Marshall in the press release. “’A Christmas Carol’ is such a meaningful story to tell through movement. Watching our students grow, learn, and bring this classic to life has
been incredibly inspiring.”
In addition to Marshall, the production is choreographed and directed by Alex Reiter, Karyn Ruddy and Patricia Santamarina.
“Being part of EPAC for so long has been a true joy,” said Karyn Ruddy, who has been a part of EPAC for more than 15 years. “Watching our dancers grow year after year — both as artists and as individuals — is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.”
“Seeing our dancers connect with such a powerful story reminds us why we do what we do,” Santamarina added. “The community will
be moved by the magic that we have all created.”
EPAC, which has been around for 48 years, also announced it plans to expand.
The press release states that the conservatory will be enlarging its current space at 128 N. Nova Road in Ormond Beach by taking on the unit next door. This will allow for more classes and more students. Enrollment begins in January. Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” cost $31.95. Visit https://www.epaconservatory.com.
FCSO employees, community give over $40K for Shop with a Cop
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will be able to take 145 children to its annual Shop with a Cop event thanks to the $40,000 donated by FCSO employees and other community members.
The 145 children who have been selected to participate — the most in the event’s history — will each receive a $275 gift card to spend during the shopping trip, a FCSO press release said. This is also the most the FCSO has been able to provide to participating kids.
Shop with a Cop is an annual event that helps disadvantaged children facing
economic hardships, are in foster care or are victims of domestic violence to experience a happy holiday, the press release said. The children are nominated by FCSO and Flagler Schools staff.
FCSO employees alone donated $26,020 to the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities for Shop with a Cop. The remaining funds were donated by local community organizations, businesses and individuals, the press release said.
“Shop with a Cop is an amazing event that we look forward to every year. This will be our biggest event yet, and we set new and exciting marks every year because of the generous support we receive from our team and our incredible community,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “To everyone who donated this year, big or small, I cannot thank you enough for supporting our mission to help children in need during the holidays.”
The 2025 Shop with a Cop will be held on Dec. 12. Deputies and police officers from across Flagler County and state law enforcement agencies will pick up children from their homes and bring them to the FCSO Operations Center for games and holiday activities. The kids will then ride in a motorcade to Walmart Supercenter in Palm Coast.
OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Brett Snider. Photo by Brian McMillan
Mr. Cratchit and Mrs. Cratchit with their kids including Tiny Tim. Photo courtesy of Jen Sabatini photography
Seabreeze is on a roll with four consecutive wins, with three juniors leading the way in scoring.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Seabreeze boys basketball coach Ray Gaines had a hunch that this would be a pretty good season for the Sandcrabs.
“I saw it from the beginning of summer workouts,” Gaines said. “One of our better kids transferred to another school, and it actually brought our other kids closer together.”
After starting the season with two losses in their first three games, the Sandcrabs have won four in a row, with three juniors leading the offense. Since Dec. 1, Seabreeze (5-2) defeated Matanzas (76-55), University (62-38), The Master’s Academy (58-46) and Father Lopez (64-44).
During the streak, junior guard Jeremiah Outler has averaged 18.25 points per game, while classmates AJ Brown has averaged 17 points and Jordan Anthony has averaged 11 points per game.
While the junior trio has handled the bulk of the scoring, seniors Jayden Dixon, Evan Bailey and Tharon Lewis have provided leadership, Gaines said.
The seniors came into the program with Gaines when he was hired four years ago. They’ve had their struggles. Bailey sat out last year with an ACL tear, Lewis broke his leg his sophomore year. Dixon didn’t make the JV team as a freshman and hurt his knee as a sophomore. He became a
Surging Sandcrabs
starter later in the season last year, and this year he is the Sandcrabs’ unsung hero, Gaines said.
“He’s the glue that holds our team together,” Gaines said.
“He does all the dirty work for us. He doesn’t score a lot but does everything else for us. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for him.”
Seabreeze is not the most athletic team, Gaines said. Anthony, at 6-foot-5, is the only player on the taller than 6-3. He’s also the best shooter, hitting 38% of his 3-point shots (15 of 39). The 6-3 Outler leads the team in rebounding with 6.5 per game. The second best rebounder is Brown, who stands 5-9, but he showed off his jumping ability with a dunk against University.
“During a timeout, he said, ‘Coach, if I get a break-
away, can I dunk it?’ Gaines said. “We were up 20, so I said, ‘Go ahead and dunk it.’ Right away, they passed him the ball and he got a great one-handed dunk.”
The Sandcrabs have made up for their deficiencies by speeding up the game, Gaines said.
“We’re playing a lot faster,” Gaines said. “Turning up defensive pressure allows us to get a lot of our offense from our defense.”
Gaines said that while many Volusia County schools have multiple transfers, all of the Seabreeze players, except one, have been in the Sandcrabs’ program since they were in ninth grade.
“It’s a super close unit,” he said. “They hang out in school and out of school, and it’s really shown up on the basketball court.”
Email Brent Woronoff at brent@observerlocalnews. com.
“During a timeout, (the 5-foot-9 AJ Brown) said, ‘Coach, if I get a breakaway, can I dunk it?’ We were up 20, so I said, ‘Go ahead and dunk it.’ Right away, they passed him the ball and he got a great one-handed dunk.”
RAY GAINES, Seabreeze coach
Christian Simmons puts up a layup against University.
Seabreeze’s Jordan Donohue (right) goes up for a layup against Univesity’s Jojo Houlker.
Seabreeze freshman Jordan Donohue (1) guards University’s Cruse Richard. Photos by Keishia McLendon
Seabreeze’s Jordan Anthony shoots a 3-pointer against University.
FPC girls team has teeth — just like its coach’s Sharks teams of the past
Bulldogs dominated Matanzas Pirates.
FPC’s smallest margin of victory this year is 14.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Veteran girls basketball coach
George Butts said his Flagler Palm Coast team is finally reminding him of his dominating squads at Atlantic High School.
Butts and his longtime assistant Mike Ebert are in their third year at FPC, and the Bulldogs are looking like playoff contenders. They dispatched Flagler County rival Matanzas 64-17 at home on Friday, Dec. 5, to improve to 3-0.
It was the 580th career win for Butts, who is in his 30th year coaching high school girls basketball. He is just four wins behind former DeLand boys coach John Zeoli for the most wins by a Volusia-Flagler high school coach, Ebert said.
FPC’s closest margin of victory so far this season is 14 points (62-48 over Oviedo on Dec. 4). The Bulldogs are averaging 63 points per game while holding their opponents to 26 points per game.
“We’re not there yet. (The players) think that they are there, but they’re not there yet.”
Junior guard Ava Works
drained four 3-pointers and scored 20 points in the win against the Pirates (3-2) — FPC’s fourth straight against Matanzas. Tori Spann, who missed most of last season with an ACL tear, scored 12 points, all in the first half, and Calvary Christian transfer Lexi Brown added 11 points. Kaylina Vitt led Matanzas with eight points. FPC led 44-9 at the half. With a 35-point margin, the second half was played with a running clock.
Works, who has been with the Bulldogs since Butts arrived, is excited about the new-look team. Freshman Stephanie Turner has taken over the point guard position allowing Works to move to shooting guard. And the addition of Brown and Spann’s return have given the Bulldogs an inside presence.
“The chemistry is amazing,” Works said. “Everything just snapped together. It was super quick considering our circumstances. We work together very, very well.”
Spann hasn’t missed a beat, Butts said.
“She’s come back, like she’s never been hurt,” he said. Brown, Butts said, “is something to deal with.” And he compared Turner to former Atlantic point guard Destiny Woodard, who helped lead the Sharks to the 2013 final four.
Works, who averaged 12.4 points per game last season, said having Turner running
the offense, has allowed her to set up for her shot.
“It’s really nice because I’m a shooter at heart,” she said.
But when her shot’s not falling, the Bulldogs have other options. Nine players scored against the Pirates.
“(Against Oviedo), Ava only had one point. She did more on the defensive end and assisting,” Butts said. “You can’t watch her now, because we got other scorers. If you pick her up, the other ones can score, so that makes a difference. Basically, there are five that are able to score on the floor.”
That includes senior Nereyda Campos, the Bulldogs’ flag football star who joined the basketball team last year.
“Last year was her first year playing basketball, ever,” Works said. “She works really hard. If you were to go to war, you would take her with you. She’s very strong and dependable.
“It’s just all working together,” Works added. “We have all the parts that we need. I think we can go far this year. I know we can go far this year. I’m very confident in our team.”
“When I got here, I wanted to implement the type of basketball we played at Atlantic. We wanted to play up tempo, pressure basketball, and push teams to do what they don’t want to do. And we’re getting there.”
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
If the Flagler Palm Coast High School boys wrestling team is to have a successful duals season, it will likely need contributions from its freshmen.
Four freshmen were in the Bulldogs’ lineup against Fleming Island in FPC’s first competition of the 2025-2026 season, and three of them won their matches.
“Those guys are pretty tough wrestlers, but you come in, it’s your first high school match where you got friends and family in the stands, and it’s a whole different envi -
ronment. They handled it very well,” FPC coach David Bossardet said. FPC defeated Fleming Island 64-12 at the Bulldogs’ main gym on Wednesday, Dec. 3. FPC won 12 of 14 matches. Freshmen Buster Bossardet
(8-5 decision at 126 pounds), Jacob Hald (17-2 technical fall at 2:00 at 106 pounds) and Jojo Foalima (pin in 33 seconds at 175 pounds) all began their high school wrestling careers with a victory. Foalima had the most antic-
ipated debut.
“He could be the best one to ever come through this program,” David Bossardet said without a trace of hyperbole, while recognizing the parade of state champs that the Bulldogs have produced over the years.
“He’s come up through our kids club,” Bossardet said. “When I took over this program, there were a lot of coaches after him to come wrestle somewhere else, and he stuck it out with me. He was a fifth grader at that point. He, Buster and Jacob all came up together. And now, hopefully, we’ll see the benefits of that.
175-pound match with a pin in 33
JoJo Foalima did what he was expected to do, and I’m excited for his high school career.”
The Bulldogs’ other winners in their opener were: Robert Twilley (pin in 1:34 at 132 pounds), Lenny Fries (5-4 decision at 138 pounds), Michael Fries (pin in 1:35 at 150 pounds), Gabriel Moy (pin in 3:27 at 157 pounds), Ronden Ricks (18-3 technical fall at 4:24 at 165 pounds), Doyvonne Leadon (pin in 2:31 at 190 pounds), Aidan Korth (pin in 31 seconds at 285 pounds), Joseph Dailey (pin in 33 seconds at 113 pounds) and Kevin McLean (pin in 1:10 at 120 pounds).
FPC went undefeated in the Friday Knight Lights duals tournament at Oakleaf High in Clay County on Dec. 5, defeating Camden County Georgia in the championship match 47-25. On the way to the final, the Bulldogs defeated Oakleaf B 68-5, Orange Park 69-6, Mandarin 77-6 and Oakleaf 59-23. The Bulldogs will wrestle in the District 2-3A duals championships on Dec. 11 at Gainesville Buchholz.
“We’re usually competing with Buchholz for a district title or a region title, so I think it’s going to be the same way this year,” Bossardet said.
FPC’s Tori Spann drives between Matanzas players. Photos by Keishia McLendon
GEORGE BUTTS, FPC girls basketball coach
FPC’s Ava Works (1) shoots a jumper from the elbow.
Freshman Jojo Foalima won the
seconds.
Jacob Hald won by technical fall in the 106-pound match. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Michael Fries pinned David Charles in 1:35 at 150 pounds.
opener.
SIDELINES
won the 155-pound championship at Freedom High with a 7-4 decision in sudden victory overtime against Lake Mary’s Zaria Slater. She pinned her three opponents en route to the final. Calidonio won the 170-pound championship in Orlando with a 7-2 decision in the final against Aurora Edwards of Brantley County, Georgia. Calidonio pinned her first three opponents.
Joslyn Johnson, who won the 105-pound title at the Flagler Rotary, placed second at Let Freedom Ring. Breanna Higgins of Camden County, Georgia, pinned Johnson at 5:44 in the championship match. Johnson pinned her first three opponents.
Matanzas’ Cardy Michel placed third at 125 pounds at Let Freedom Ring. Michel came back from an opening loss with four wins and a technical fall. She pinned Jada Williams of Aquilla Morgan High School in 51 seconds in the consolation final.
New football classification S
The Florida High School Athletic Association set tentative classifications and district assignments for the 2026 and 2027 football seasons. There will be one fewer classification next year for a total of seven — Rural and 1-6A. Flagler Palm Coast and
Mainland have been placed in the District 2-6A with DeLand, Ocala Forest and Spruce Creek. Matanzas was placed in District 3-5A with Belleview, Gainesville Buchholz, Orange Park Oakleaf, Ocala South Marion and Ocala West Port. Seabreeze has been placed in District 6-4A with Orlando Bishop Moore, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach, Pine Ridge, Seabreeze and winter Springs. The schools will have a chance to appeal their placements.
Matanzas, FPC win weightlifting matches
Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast hosted girls weightlifting tri-matches on Dec. 3. Matanzas won both the Olympic and traditional competitions against DeLand and Bartram Trail. Amara Nagel won both titles at 119 pounds, and Katelyn Meeks swept the titles at 183 pounds for the Pirates. Chloe Cheeks (101), Elaine Padilla (110) and Jordyn Crews (139) won traditional titles. Ella Raffo (unlimited) won the Olympic title. FPC defeated Palatka and
Menendez in Olympic and finished two points behind Palatka in traditional. Alexcia Lilavois (101), Angelis Rosa (110) and Lillian Ames (139) won both titles. Nya Williams (119) competed only in Olympic, winning with a 260-pound total. Aaradhana Moluguri (119) and Brianna Long (169) won in traditional.
Bulldog achievers
FPC senior swimmer Matilda Noble set a school record this past season with a time of 1:00.05 in the 100 butterfly.
FPC graduate Colby Cronk, a freshman defensive end who was redshirted this year at North Carolina State, was one of three Wolfpack players named Swole Patrol Development Squad Players of the Year.
Record numbers for Mad Dogs Flag Football
Mad Dogs Flag Football
President Jay Maxwell said he’s always wanted to see the league surpass 400 players. But registration for the upcoming winter season has been more than a pleasant surprise. A total of 455 players registered surpassing the league’s record of 393 and blowing past the winter
season average of 295, Maxwell said.
Here are some other notable numbers for the winter season: The 13U division typically has 65 players. This season it will have double that. There are typically 22 teams in the winter. This season, there will be 50. A total of 115 volunteers signed up for the season.
“It’s unbelievable,” Maxwell said. “We weren’t expecting it at all.”
The winter season runs from Jan. 9 to March 7, 2026, on Friday nights at Ralph Carter Park in Palm Coast with divisions for 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U, 13U and 17U. Games will start at 6 p.m. with six fields going at once, Maxwell said.
“The high school kids will start last. We’re hoping to be out before the lights go out at 10:15,” he said.
The men’s and women’s adult leagues have also expanded. The adults will play on Wednesday nights at Ralph Carter Park beginning Jan. 7. This is the second season that Mad Dogs will have a women’s league and it has grown from two teams to four to six teams for the winter, Maxwell said.
Mad Dogs will host a free all-girls flag football clinic for ages 5-17 on Jan. 10, 9 a.m. to noon, at Ralph Carter Park.
The winter season’s growth follows a record year with a total 1,300 registrations and over 333 volunteers for the
winter, spring and fall seasons in 2025, Maxwell said. Mad Dogs began in 2018.
For more information, go to maddogsfootball.net/info/ Swim Across America, at Speedway
Nearly 3,000 athletes participated in one or more CLASH Endurance events Dec. 5-7 at Daytona International Speedway. More than 1,200 participated in the Jingle Jog 5K on Friday, Dec. 5, at One Daytona. The course included more than 1 million holiday lights and cookies-and-milk
stations from Halifax Health. Saturday’s activities included competitive and recreational triathlons and duathlons.
On Sunday, swimmers of all ages dove into the speedway’s Lake Lloyd in a Swim Across America event to raise money for pediatric cancer research and the NASCAR Foundation. Olympic swimmers Jarrod Shoemaker (2008), Craig Beardsley (1980) and Paige Zemina Northcutt (1988) served as “swim angels” for anyone that wanted a swim buddy. Email sports news to Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com
FPC’s Alexa Calidonio, here winning the 170-pound championship at the Flagler Rotary Girls Invitational on Nov. 25, won a second title along with teammate Alisha Vilar at the Let Freedom Ring tournament on Dec. 6. File photo by Brent Woronoff
Swimmers complete their swim in Lake Lloyd at Daytona International Speedway on Dec. 7 in a Swim Across America event as part of a CLASH Endurance weekend. Courtesy photo
Ownership
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corporation, Plaintiff, v. MATTHEW STUBITS, Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY given pursuant to a Final Summary Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 22, 2025 and entered in Case No. 2024 30373 COCI, in the County Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida wherein PLANTATION BAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., is the Plaintiff and MATTHEW STUBITS is the Defendant, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www.volusia.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 a.m. on the 26th day of January 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 3, PLANTATION BAY SECTION 2E-V, UNIT 3, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 55, PAGES 6 THROUGH 10, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. Parcel Identification Number: 312308000030. 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. Dated this 24th day of October, 2025. McCabe & Ronsman /s/ Michael J. McCabe Michael J. McCabe, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0021108 Edward Ronsman, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 60060 110 Solana Rd., Suite 102 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Phone: (904) 396-0090 Fax: (904) 396-0088 Email: service@flcalegal.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff December 11, 18, 2025 25-00628I
Proposals must be clearly marked –“Architectural and Engineering Services” and sent to:
Palatka
Thomas, Procurement
N. 15th St., Palatka, FL 32177. A copy of the proposal packet will be on available Thursday, December 11, 2025 for pickup at the PHA office and on the PHA website: www.palatkaha.org
The PHA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any informality thereto and to select the proposal that is in the best interest of the PHA. The PHA is an EOE Employer and DF Workplace. The PHA has a goal and policies encouraging participation of small, minority, and women-owned businesses in the provision of goods and services. 7764-328668 Dec.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025 13601 COCI SEA HAVENS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-for-profit corporation., Plaintiff, vs. JENNIFER BUCHANAN MITCHELL, individually; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JENNIFER BUCHANAN MITCHELL; and ALL UNKNOWN TENANTS/ OWNERS, Defendants.
NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Award of Attorneys Fees and Costs, dated November 12, 2025, and entered in Case Number: 2025 13601 COCI, of the County Court in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein SEA HAVENS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. is the Plaintiff, JENNIFER BUCHANAN MITCHELL, individually; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JENNIFER BUCHANAN MITCHELL; and ALL UNKNOWN TENANTS/ OWNERS, are the Defendants, the Volusia County Clerk of the Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, by electronic sale on-line at www.volusia. realforeclose.com, beginning at 11:00 o’clock A.M. on the 29th day of December, 2025 the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Award of Attorneys Fees and Costs, to-wit:
Property Address: 228 Florida Shores Boulevard, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118
Property Description: Lot 228, Building Number 13, Sea Havens, according to the map or plat thereof,
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 13074 PRDL Division Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF SHERRY LYNN FULLER
A/K/A SHERRY L. FULLER Deceased. The administration of the estate of SHERRY LYNN FULLER a/k/a SHERRY L. FULLER, deceased, whose date of death was June 4, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 6043, DeLand, FL 32721-6043. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 4, 2025.
Personal Representative: Gabrielle Bitto 1476 Bermuda Ave. Merritt Island, Florida 32952 Savannah Bitto 1907 Magnolia Ave., Sanford, Florida 32771
Attorney for Personal Representative: BETH TEARDO PRINZ, ESQ.
Attorney Florida Bar Number: 0786462
SPRAKER & PRINZ 819 Southwest Federal Highway, Suite 106 Stuart, FL 34994
Telephone: (772) 220-0212
Fax: (772) 220-0422
E-Mail: bethprinzlaw@gmail.com
Secondary E-Mail: sprakerandprinzedward@gmail.com
December 4, 11, 2025 25-00602I
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2025 12407 CIDL ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. EMMA LOVETTE, et al., Defendant. To the following Defendants: ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST ESTATE OF GLORIA M STRINGER A/K/A GLORIA STRINGER, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARITIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GR.ANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS - 3404 Heath Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST ESTATE OF JASON TERRELDYNE STRINGER, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRAN-FEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS - 3404 Heath Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST ESTATE OF TRISTAN RASSEAN WILLIAMS, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIM-
AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 4, 2025. Personal Representative: David John Wall 1589 Lewis Lane New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168 Attorney for Personal Representative: Thomas J. Upchurch, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0015821 Upchurch Law 1616 Concierge Blvd. Suite 101 Daytona Beach, Florida 32117 Telephone: (386) 492-3871
Primary Email: service@upchurchlaw.com
Secondary Email: clutes@upchurchlaw.com December 4, 11, 2025 25-00607I
