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Alarmed by fake posts
BRIAN MCMILLAN
I’m eagerly awaiting news on where LeBron James will play next season in the NBA. Three times in the past week, I have seen Facebook posts from accounts that seem convincing, saying things like, “LeBron has decided to play in Cleveland.” Or Golden State. Or Miami. Gullibly, I have clicked on these posts, only to learn that they are incorrect. So let me get this straight: Someone took the time to post a false announcement, just to get clicks?
MY VIEW
That’s scary and sad. I’m guessing those false pages are monetized, and the engagement helps the creators of that content get paid. Scammers have always been among us, but their “job” is getting easier and easier. This is a good reminder to me of how important quality journalism is in our society. I shouldn’t have to say this, but I guess social media makes it relevant to declare: The Observer will never make up stories and present them as real.
(Except for our April Fool’s front page.)
HYPOTENUSE COMES IN HANDY
July 14, 2026 Kennedy and Luke accompanied me on a walk around the neighborhood recently, and on the way home, a little sibling rivalry played out,
with the older and wiser geometry student winning the race.
As Luke, 8, started to speed walk toward our driveway, turning a leisurely walk into a competition, Kennedy, 11, saw her opportunity. Rather than follow Luke and take the sharp left turn into the driveway, she cut across the yard, taking the hypotenuse instead. Luke, who has not taken any geometry yet, was stunned, as he suddenly found himself in second place.
It was a geometry lesson, never to be forgotten!
WHEN THE NEWSPAPER IS PART OF SOMEONE’S LIFE
July 16, 2026
Someone recently bought a Tribute (that’s what we call obituaries in the Observer) online and wanted to make sure it was going to appear specifically in print, in the Ormond Beach Observer.
“It was Mom’s favorite newspaper for many years,”
Debate Amendment 3 on its merits
The voters will decide whether they want property tax reform. Then it’s up to local governments to adjust.
ROLAND CLEE GUEST WRITER
Regardless of outcome, Amendment 3 has sparked vital civic engagement. On both sides of the discussion, I salute Lacy Martin and Chad Raymond for their insightful guest editorials recently in the Observer. However, three things are clear:
First, Amendment 3 has left the Florida Legislature, and, despite three lawsuits, the language has been established, and the matter, at this point, is completely up to the voters.
Second, we need to debate this amendment exclusively
on its merits and tradeoffs.
Third, the boards of directors of both the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) and the Florida League of Cities (FLC) consist overwhelmingly of local elected officials. Both are 501(c)(3) organizations that are completely funded by general fund dollars generated from ad valorem property tax dollars. If that isn’t a huge conflict of interest, it most certainly is a huge power imbalance between the politicians and the voters.
The FLC website contains a toolbox of resources 100%
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We, the people, oppose banning books
Dear Editor:
Jill Woolbright’s recent letter to the editor (“In classroom or on School Board, I put students first”) in the July 9 edition of the Observer leaves out some important information.
Yes, while Woolbright “puts students first,” she is eager to have them understand the U.S. Constitution, ordained and established to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” At the same time she was at the forefront of the movement to curtail students’ liberties to read whatever they wish to read, at the forefront of the effort to ban books from our schools that didn’t meet with her personal approval.
Woolbright does correctly note that she has been there to “stand up for parents and students.” She goes on to point out that “Parents now have greater rights.”
In so doing, she totally ignores the fact that families with children cover, through their taxes, no more than 20% of the cost of maintaining and operating our schools. The remaining taxpayers cover the other 80%.
Flagler County schools belong to we, the people! And, we, the people overwhelmingly oppose the banning of books!
MERRILL SHAPIRO Palm Coast
Respecting parents’ roles in education was always the goal, not ‘banning books’
Dear Editor: I appreciate Mr. Shapiro
taking the time to share his opinion. While we disagree on some issues, I believe we both want the very best education for the children of Flagler County.
For 28 years, I had the privilege of teaching children in Flagler County. I encouraged my students to read because I know books can open minds, inspire dreams, and change lives. I also learned that children are most successful when schools and families work together.
I never saw parents as obstacles. I saw them as partners. If I couldn’t reach a parent, I kept trying. I called grandparents, relatives, neighbors, or anyone who could help me make that connection because every child deserved adults working together on their behalf. That belief didn’t end when I left the classroom. It shaped how I served on the School Board, and it still guides me today. Florida has strengthened parental rights and transparency in education. Those principles aren’t new to me. They reflect the way I taught throughout my career because I believe parents should always be informed, involved, and respected.
This has never been about preventing people from reading books. It has always been about ensuring that materials in our school libraries are age appropriate for the students while respecting the important role parents play. Reasonable people will disagree on education policy. But looking back on my years as an educator, I’ve learned one simple truth: When parents and schools work together, children thrive.
JILL WOOLBRIGHT
Candidate for Flagler County School Board, District 1
the man wrote. It was a good reminder to me that this newspaper is part of people’s lives in a meaningful way. I am so grateful to the very small army of journalists, marketing professionals, photographers, editors, designers, delivery drivers and support team that makes it possible.
GUIDED, FROM TIME TO TIME
July 19, 2026
This morning I was reading about Nephi, a prophet in about 591 B.C., who was commanded by God to build a ship. He worshipped, he worked, and then it says this: “And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.”
I’ve always been struck by the idea that God would command him to do something — something Nephi didn’t know how to do — and only gave guidance “from time to time.” (See 1 Nephi 18,
in The Book of Mormon.)
To me, it shows that God believes we will grow more — especially our faith — if we keep puzzling out our problems on our own, too, rather than waiting for every single action we take to be dictated by God. I have felt this way about the Observer newspapers.
Hailey and I tried, as we do in all aspects of life, to receive divine guidance. Ultimately, we felt like we should embark on this journey, and build the newspaper into a new ship, unsure what it would look like in the next 10 years. Ever since then, from time to time, we have received guidance that we felt was inspired.
We have a long, long, way to go. It would be nice if we could achieve our goals faster, with more guidance!
But as with anyone in any career, or as with Nephi building a ship, we trust that God will provide, and things will work out. Don’t be afraid.
We build community spirit and bridges of understanding through accurate and compelling journalism.
We build the local economy by helping businesses strategically connect with our print and online readers.
Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com
Operation and Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com
Marketing Consultants April Koehler, april@observerlocalnews.com; Travis Hurlbut, travis@observerlocalnews.com Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com TO ADVERTISE Call the office at 386-447-9723, or reach out to a marketing consultant above.
Locally Owned / Publishers of
Fed up with lack of enforcement on fireworks ordinance
Dear Editor:
Continuing the time honored tradition of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office never citing illegal fireworks lawbreakers, there were 48 complaint calls received by them over the July 4th weekend with again not a single citation or arrest.
It’s safe to assume that the equally time honored response from the sheriff is that they are unable to witness the lighting of the fireworks, a legal requirement to make a misdemeanor charge stick. Over the many years of lack of enforcement with many hundreds of complaints, the credibility of that excuse is running thin.
It’s getting more and more likely that there is little interest in enforcing our local ordinance given the sheriff’s commendable track record of catching the bad guys. Maybe the crime isn’t sexy enough, not felonious enough. A portion of his budget includes ordinance enforcement and he doesn’t get to pick and choose what laws he enforces and those he doesn’t.
It’s way past time to exert more enforcement effort, employ the fine tactical law enforcement the sheriff is good at and pay attention to the masses in Palm Coast that are fed up.
PAT RHODES Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: The FCSO shared the following rebuttal: State law dictates law enforcement response. Every year during the holiday season, some residents choose to celebrate with fireworks. While many enjoy
opposed to Amendment 3 passing. As expected, no mention of any taxpayer benefits.
It crosses the line when education becomes advocacy — when an organization presents one-sided arguments under the guise of education, selectively omits or emphasizes facts to persuade rather than inform, or encourages citizens to vote for or against a particular measure.
To respond to Lacy Martin’s guest editorial, the answer is, and will be until the measure passes or fails, on local government to adjust their budgets. I want a fully funded mosquito control district, a fully funded property appraiser, a fully
Observer shouldn’t have published Weader’s letter on Jason Leslie
Dear Editor:
It takes a lot to build a credible reputation, and the Ormond Beach Observer had done that; it takes one wrong decision to destroy that reputation, and the Observer has now done that, sinking itself into the mire of muckraking and tabloid journalism with the publication of the “Who Is Jason Leslie?” letter on July 17.
In every political campaign, the candidates will attempt to keep their hands clean and find people who are willing to do the dirty work to tarnish the image or reputation of the opposition. It appears Ms. Tolland and her campaign staff have found just such “hitmen” in Derrick Weader and James Powers, both hyper-active on social media criticizing Mayor Leslie. And now, we can add the editorial staff of
these festivities, others find the noise disruptive or concerning. Because of this, questions often arise about what the Sheriff’s Office can and cannot do to enforce fireworks rules in Palm Coast.
The City of Palm Coast limits the use of fireworks year-round within city limits. Unless someone has a special permit, setting off fireworks is not allowed. Violating this ordinance can result in a misdemeanor charge.
Under Florida law, fireworks violations are classified as a first-degree misdemeanor. For deputies to make an arrest or issue a citation for a misdemeanor, the law requires the violation happen in the deputy’s presence.
funded tax collector, and fully funded public safety, just as you do. If we elect our former house speaker as governor, negative effects will be minimal. If we elect the current lieutenant governor, impacts will be more pronounced, and it will take longer to stabilize, but I have nothing negative to say about him or anyone else in the race.
On two occasions over the last 25 years, I was the public safety government employee in the crosshairs during fiscal corrections. During the most recent occasion, we had to cut $11 million out of a $110 million budget overnight. We did it and reduced crime by double digits while doing it.
the Ormond Beach Observer to that list.
The first thing folks need to do is look into the backgrounds of these two critics. I will let that advice serve for itself. But I’m also pretty sure the Tolland campaign felt they hit the motherlode when Derrick Weader became available to them: someone with a familial background with Mayor Leslie who could dredge up all manner of muck on him, real or perceived (the old “so, when did you stop beating your wife Mr. Jones?” ploy).
Now, the Tolland campaign will do its best to distance themselves from these people (“Oh, we don’t know anything about these gentlemen and certainly don’t coordinate with them”), but they shouldn’t have to do that because the Ormond Beach Observer should have done that the minute it was revealed to them that there was a prior-existing relationship
This rule is set by Florida Statute § 901.15, which only allows warrantless misdemeanor arrests when the offense is committed in front of the deputy and the arrest is made immediately. There is no special exception in state law which allows deputies to make arrests or issue citations for fireworks violations unless they witness the offense themselves.
If a deputy does not personally see someone setting off illegal fireworks, they cannot arrest or cite the individual. However, deputies can act if a witness is willing to sign a sworn statement and testify in court. In those cases, the deputy will take a report and submit a charging affidavit to the State Attorney’s Office, which
Gov. Ron DeSantis is right: If we do nothing and let trends continue, property taxes will be 40% higher in 2031. I think the real question is, during the town halls, locally and statewide, whether the proponents of Amendment 3 will be welcomed on the dais or relegated to public comment. That may answer every undecided voter’s question on how to vote for their own tax cut. Roland Clee served in law enforcement for 26 years. He writes the American Peace Officer newsletter and helps local governments and public safety agencies via CommandStaffConsulting.com.
between Weader and Leslie. I encourage Ormond Beach residents to look into the background of the accusers before putting too much credibility in what is being said. And to take the judgment of the Ormond Beach Observer editorial board with a grain of salt going forward. If readers didn’t think the Observer was already a part of the Lori Tolland campaign, they sure would after this.
DOUG PETTIT Ormond Beach
Editor’s note: At the Observer, our goal is to build bridges of understanding. We do not endorse, protect, support or contribute to political candidates or campaigns. In running Mr. Weader’s letter, we followed our standard protocol: Claims were fact-checked, the family relationship was disclosed, and Mayor Jason Leslie was given a chance to respond.
will decide whether to file charges. If you believe fireworks laws or enforcement procedures should be strengthened, the best pathway is to contact your state and local elected officials. They have the authority to change the laws that determine how deputies may respond. Until state law is updated, our deputies are legally limited in how they can address these quality-of-life concerns. We remain committed to doing everything allowed under the law to support and protect our community.
— JOE BARILE, CHIEF DEPUTY FOR FCSO Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
YOUR NEIGHBORS
To the rescue
Junior lifeguards optimize life-saving skills and sharpen their competitive edge at camp.
MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A blur of yellow and red rash guards and baggies flew toward an orange cone strategically placed on Ponce Inlet beach. The junior lifeguards and beach scouts were there to participate in the Volusia County Lifeguard Program’s
“I like to run the program (because) I like to see the impact it has on the future generations of lifeguards. It’s really important to have lifeguards out on our beach in Volusia County ... It’s pretty cool to see kids that were nine and 10 years old that started with me, and now they’re my helpers.”
final day of the competition training camp on July 10. The program was started 46 years ago and has been used to educate local youth about water safety, lifesaving techniques and ocean ecology, according to the Volusia County website. Every summer, 300 to 400 kids try out, then, once qualified, attend one or more of the four camps.
Camp-goers must be 9 to 15 years old, be able to swim 100 yards in two minutes and 15 seconds or less, tread water for five minutes and swim underwater for 10 feet.
Junior lifeguard coordinator and EMT Hailey Monahan, who is also one of the public information officers, said the summer program serves as a major recruiting tool for the county and is one of the largest water safety programs in Florida.
Monahan is a Volusia County native. Born in DeLand, she was raised in boating, fishing and going to the beach with her family. She was on the swim team in high school when some of her friends decided to try lifeguarding.
Monahan said she knew that helping people was important to her, so she tried out and got the job at 16. This is her sec-
ond summer as the program coordinator.
“I like to run the program [because] I like to see the impact it has on the future generations of lifeguards,” she said. “It’s really important to have lifeguards out on our beach in Volusia County. I’m getting to inspire these kids that want to come to work for us. It’s pretty cool to see kids that were 9 and 10 years old that started with me and now they’re my helpers.”
Tryouts are held on multiple dates in May, followed by four camps scheduled for three weeks in June and the second week of July. The competition training camp is scheduled last and helps junior lifeguards prepare for the United States Lifesaving Association’s Junior Regional and National competitions. Regionals were held in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on July 13, and junior nationals will be at Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 4.
The last day of camp is a plethora of lifeguard-racing staples: the iron guard, runswim-run, rescue relay and beach flags. These combine the core elements of surf lifesaving techniques and hone competitive skills.
Auggie Lindemann competed in A Group, 13- to 15-year-olds, and placed first in three of the events and third in beach flags. He said he comes from a family of swimmers. His brother Eli was an ocean rescue lifeguard in District 4 in New Smyrna Beach, where his sister, Maddie, is currently a lifeguard.
“I just love being at the beach, hearing the waves and just being in the water,” he said. “Sometimes I feel more comfortable in the water than on land.”
Monahan said 10 to 20 of the junior lifeguards will be heading to junior nationals to compete. As the event approaches, she said the exact number of athletes attending will be known.
“I think we have some really incredible athletes,” she said. “We’ve got a handful of them that we’ve been coaching on the side, and we’ve been inviting them to some lifeguard practices. We have a team tryout to get some more work in before nationals, but this week was the big push to get ready.” Lifeguards Gavin Ziegler and Faith Neal helped Monahan run the four-week program. Ziegler wants more kids to learn about becoming junior lifeguards at a younger age. He started lifeguarding
at 18, but said he would have loved to start earlier.
“The focus of this camp is to bring more eyes to the sport and help spread interest,” Ziegler said. “Start kids at a younger age; that way, they grow up and are inspired to be lifeguards.”
Neal said Fourth of July weekend proved to her that there is a shortage of lifeguards.
“This camp’s important for competition, and as a summer camp for our community, but at the end of the day, it’s really important that we get lifeguards out of it because we’re short-staffed,” she said. Monahan said she is motivated to introduce kids to a new sport and inspire them to get involved in the junior lifeguard program.
Fourteen-year-old Gabby Chavez said she has been going to the camp for three years and hopes to follow in her dad’s footsteps. Her father, Manuel Chavez, was a lifeguard in Volusia County for three years and went to the USLA National
Competition with the team in the late 1990s.
“Lifeguarding was a great part of my life growing up,” he said. “I was lucky enough to be able to guard with great people. One of the best things I’ve ever done. I hope that all these kids get to enjoy it. They’re out in the ocean learning about everything from animals to the currents to the waves. They’re in shape. They’re out in the sun, and they’re not on some kind of phone or iPad.”
Monahan hopes the junior lifeguards take away a passion for lifeguarding and a healthy respect for the ocean.
“Being able to have an impact on them, to teach them about the dangers of the ocean and how to recognize and help someone in distress is really cool and also very important,” she said.
Junior lifeguards race at the competition training camp on July 10 at Ponce Inlet beach. Photos by Michele Meyers
Junior lifeguard coordinator Hailey Monahan (left) encourages one of the junior lifeguards to finish strong in the run-swim-run race.
Junior lifeguard Emmy grabs a board in the ironguard race.
Lifeguard Faith Neal (left) keeps track of where the junior lifeguards finished in one of the races.
HAILEY MONAHAN, Jr. Lifeguard Program Coordinator, EMT
Lifeguards
Daytona Beach resident Matthew Neal runs in during one of the races.
Junior lifeguards pose for a photo at the competition training camp.
Volusia County resident Ansley Chard races in the ironguard event.
Junior lifeguards battle in the run-swim-run race.
A junior lifeguard heads into the ocean during the rescue relay
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, JULY 23
PABLO CRUISE AND ORLEANS
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N.
U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: Presented by Elko Concerts, see Pablo Cruise and Orleans perform their Yacht Rock summer tour. Tickets cost $75-$85. Visit https://ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com/.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
WELLNESS PAINT PARTY
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Gina Bickish will lead this step-by-step painting instruction. All supplies provided. Bring an apron, smock or old shirt. Class costs $40. Call 386-956-6891 to register.
Details: Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free concert by Stealing Vanity, a Daytona Beach rock band.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
HOLIDAY HUNT
When: 8 a.m. to noon
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive
Details: Take part in a hunt for hidden beach balls during a self-guided tour of The Casements. Pick up a tally sheet at the front desk and return it for a prize. Free for ages 16 and under.
NINTH ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Granada Boulevard, from A1A to Orchard Street,
Ormond Beach Details: Join Ormond MainStreet for its annual shopping and dining event in the downtown. Santa and Mrs. Claus will spread holiday cheer at participating businesses. Take part in an “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt. Visit www.ormondbeachmainstreet.com/ christmasinjuly.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT OMAM
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd.
Details: OMAM will celebrate Christmas in July alongside Ormond MainStreet. Enjoy the summer art exhibitions, light refreshments, and the Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt. Free admission.
Details: Attend this free seminar, featuring Dr. Aneesah N. Farris of Helping Hands Family Chiropractic as guest speaker. Summer health tips for kids. A complimentary lunch will be served. Free health screenings and take home snack packs for children, while supplies last. RSVP to investinhealth2022@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
5K FUN ICE CREAM WALK
When: 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Public Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: Join the Happy Wanderers for a 5K walk and then ice cream. Free walk. Pay for your own ice cream. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Walk starts at 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 30
PENINSULA WOMENS CLUB
GAMES When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Peninsula Womens
Club, 415 S. Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach Details: Play Bridge, Samba, “Hand, Foot and Elbow” players. All ladies who enjoy cards welcome. Call Betsy Patton at 386-843-1061.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
WELLNESS PAINT PARTY
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Gina Bickish will lead this step-by-step painting instruction. All supplies provided. Bring an apron, smock or old shirt. Class costs $40. Call 386-956-6891 to register.
SUMMER SOUNDS
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive
Details: Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a free concert by the Black Velvet Duo, who will perform a variety of classic hits from different genres.
HALIFAX REPERTORY
THEATRE PRESENTS
‘HADESTOWN: TEEN
EDITION’
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 31, Aug. 1, 7 and 8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1
Details: See this performance by the Halifax Repertory Theatre. Tickets cost $25 for students; $35 for adults. Visit https://ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.
SATURDAY, AUG. 1
FIRST SATURDAY ART WALK
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond
Beach
Details: Join Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.
REAL ESTATE
ORMOND BEACH
House on Ormond’s Riverside Drive: $2.6M
Ahouse on the Halifax River at 70 Riverside Drive was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of June 26 to July 3. The house sold on June 26, for $2.6 million. Built in 2000, the house is a 5/5.5 and has two fireplaces, a pool, a dock, a boat house, a boat lift and 5,001 square feet. The house was listed by Jordan Farrell, of Florida Beaches Real Estate Company.
ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ORMOND BEACH
Archers Mill
The house at 3385 Arch Ave. sold on June 29, for $479,990. Built in 2026, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,787 square feet.
Brooke Station
The house at 9 Brooke Station Drive sold on June 30, for $315,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 2/2.5 and has a fireplace, a spa and 1,388 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $220,000.
Chelsea Place
The house at 436 Nottinghill St. sold on June 29, for $475,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,039 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $460,000.
Country Acres
The house at 251 Barrell
Turn sold on June 30, for
$650,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,552 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $360,000.
Halifax Plantation
The house at 1418 Dolph Circle sold on June 30, for $650,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a spa and 2,374 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $343,800.
Hunter’s Ridge
The house at 160 Pergola Place sold on June 30, for $445,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and 2,850 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $519,000.
Northbrook
The house at 1114 Parkside Drive sold on June 29, for $375,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,625 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $99,000.
Ormond Shores
The house at 89 Ormond Shores Drive sold on July 1, for $270,000. Built in 1927, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,475 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $236,500.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1459 Hohe Lane sold on June 29, for $565,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,864 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $325,000.
Southern Trace
The house at 7 Traceway Court sold on July 1, for $570,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,309 square feet. It last sold in 2025 for $389,000.
The Trails
The house at 20 Choctaw Trail sold on July 1, for $345,000. Built in 1977, the
A house in Mosaic at 405 Mosaic Blvd. was the top real estate transaction in Daytona Beach’s 32124 zip code for the week of June 26 to July 3. The house sold on June 29, for $828,881. Built in 2026, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,437 square feet. The house was listed by Ali Kargar, of ICI Select Realty Inc.
Bayberry Lakes The house at 232 Thornberry Branch Lane sold on June 30, for $355,000. Built in 2011, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,537 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $139,000.
Grande Champion
The house at 140 Prestwick Grande Drive sold on July 2, for $338,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,983 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $238,000.
The house at 1116 Morfontaine St. sold on June
house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,008 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $262,500.
Tomoka Park
The house at 70 Timberlake Lane sold on July 2, for $400,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2.5 and has two fireplaces and 1,706 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $299,900.
Trails South Forty
The townhome at 95 Cotton Seed Trail sold on July 2, for $294,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,588 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $247,500.
29, for $449,990. Built in 2026, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,490 square feet.
Latitude Margaritaville
The house at 128 Red Lighthouse Point sold on June 29, for $619,900. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,922 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $402,200.
The house at 821 Bama Breeze Drive sold on June 30, for $625,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 2,394 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $552,500.
The house at 345 Hang Loose Way sold on July 1, for $375,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,308 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $406,600.
Mosaic The house at 416 Mosaic Blvd. sold on June 30, for $713,875. Built in 2026, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,565 square feet.
Woodmere The house at 731 Lindenwood Circle E. sold on June 30, for $362,500. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,368 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $460,000.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Colonial Realty The house at 21 Sunset Blvd. sold on June 29, for $407,500. Built in 1972, the house is a 3/4 and has 1,611 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $255,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
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Chiropractor in downtown Daytona Beach marks five years in business
Dr. Jesus Ortiz, of Be Healthy Chiropractic, has relocated to 101 S. Palmetto Ave., Suite 1.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Be Healthy Chiropractic in downtown Daytona Beach is in its fifth year in business — and for Dr. Jesus Ortiz, the last year has been a celebration of growth. Ortiz relocated his office to
BIZ BUZZ
JetBlue to leave Daytona Beach International Airport in September
Seven months after officials and community business leaders celebrated the return of JetBlue to the Daytona Beach International Airport, the airline is making an unexpected departure from the local market.
In a statement provided to the Observer, JetBlue announced it will end service to DAB on Sept. 9, stating routes to Boston (BOS) and New York City (JFK) have not performed as expected.
“We returned to Daytona Beach with the expectation that the market could support renewed JetBlue service; however, demand has not developed as anticipated, and the financial performance of
101 S. Palmetto Ave., Suite 1, in April 2025. When he first opened, Be Healthy Chiropractic started like many other new business: they started small. But Ortiz knew eventually they would need more space to fulfill his vision.
“We grew to the point that we needed to find something bigger,” Ortiz said. “We found this place and it’s been a blessing for us. We’ve been able to do what we wanted to do.”
Moving to larger location has allowed Ortiz to expand his office’s services beyond
chiropractic care. Today, Be Healthy Chiropractic offers sports physicals, treatment and rehab for sports injuries, auto accident care and cold laser therapy.
Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico, holds a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and a master’s degree in public health. Becoming a chiropractor, he said, allowed him to combine what he learned from both degrees.
But chiropractic care, he found, wasn’t as prominent in Puerto Rico. That’s what
the flight has been worsening,” JetBlue’s statement reads. “Ending service will allow us to redeploy aircraft into markets with stronger demand.”
The news comes days after the airline announced its would expand services at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where it is launching eight nonstop destinations, with another six coming in the future.
In a statement on Facebook, DAB expressed its disappointment at JetBlue’s decision to end services.
“The notification was unexpected, and our team immedi-
ately reached out to JetBlue to explore whether there are ways to preserve some level of service—whether through fewer weekly flights or by maintaining service to New York (JFK),” the airport’s post reads. “We remain hopeful those conversations will continue.”
“While we understand airlines must make business decisions based on their network needs, this news is especially disappointing because of the incredible support our community showed for JetBlue,” the statement continues. “From day one, residents, businesses, and visitors embraced the
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prompted him moved to Florida to study at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Ortiz has now been a chiropractor for 11 years, and he hopes to continue to expand his business. For the last six months, he’s been working to develop the sports rehab and performance side of his practice, including setting up a partnership with a basketball youth programs based in Kissimmee.
“With sports, we’re having a lot of kids now that they ... start having issues with
convenience of nonstop service to Boston and New York, and that support demonstrated the strong demand that exists in our market.”
High speed internet added in Flagler Estates
Xfinity and Comcast Business services are now available to more than 1,500 homes and businesses in and around Flagler Estates, a development at the border of St. Johns and Flagler counties, including more than 1,100 previously unserved locations, according to a Comcast press release.
Flagler Estates now joins the 65 million homes and businesses nationwide with access to the network.
“Infrastructure investments such as broadband expansion strengthens communities and supports economic resilience,” said Christine Valliere, Director of Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs for St. Johns County. “Expanding reliable Internet service into Flagler Estates will create opportunities for entrepreneurship, remote work, business growth, and increased workforce participation. These investments help establish a stronger foundation for longterm prosperity throughout St. Johns County.”
Residents can visit Xfinity. com and businesses should visit ComcastBusiness.com to see if services are available at their specific location. They can also visit the Xfinity store in St. Johns County located at 115 Jenkins St. Suite 101, St. Augus-
the way that they’re moving, because they’re young and they have a big bulk of training,” Ortiz said. “So we’ve had to fix movement patterns. We’re doing that a lot.”
The best piece of advise he’s ever gotten? To love what you do for work.
“When you love what you do, you’re not really working,” Ortiz said. Visit behealthy-chiropractic.com.
Send business news to jarleene@observerlocalnews. com.
tine, FL 32086 for assistance.
The broadband infrastructure project was made possible through a public-private partnership with the state of Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program and was completed ahead of schedule, according to the press release. Comcast’s expansion in Flagler Estates is part of the company’s latest investment in Florida, which also includes expansions to Lake County. Leon County, and Nassau County.
Florida’s jobless rate drops for first time since 2024
For the first time since the end of 2024, Florida’s unemployment rate went down last month.
A report released Friday by the Department of Commerce shows the state’s jobless rate for June at 4.7 percent, a reduction from 4.8 percent the prior two months. The rate is still 0.5 percentage points higher than the national average.
Driven by increases in restaurant, hotel, health care, transportation and warehousing jobs last month, the state saw an 11,100 increase, 0.1 percent, in overall new positions from May to June.
The June numbers show 525,000 Floridians qualified as out-of-work, up 107,000 from a year earlier, from a workforce of 11.14 million, up 56,000 in the same time.
The state’s unemployment rate had been on a gradual upward trend since ticking down from 3.5 percent in November 2024 to 3.4 percent in Decem-
ber 2024.
Nationally, the jobless rate stands at 4.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent a year earlier. Even with the one-month decline, the state’s unemployment rate stands 0.9 percentage points higher than a year ago.
Construction jobs have decreased by 3,200 over the past year, including a 900 drop from May to June. Positions in the retail trade were up 100 from May to June but still are down 5,900 from a year earlier.
The field of finance and insurance reported adding 1,600 positions in the past month, but is still down 8,700 over the year.
Real estate jobs dropped by 1,000 and are down 4,200 over the last 12 months.
Governments in Florida shed 900 jobs in the past month and 10,500 over the year, with the federal government accounting for 7,700 of the decrease.
The biggest gain over the past year involved health care and social assistance, adding 5,500 in the past month and 32,400 on the year. The area of transportation, warehousing, and utilities grew by 4,100 in June, which put the field at a positive 900 over the past year.
Manufacturing is up 400 on the year.
Educational services, which are up 6,600 jobs on the year, posted a drop of 500 jobs. Hotel and food service jobs grew by 4,000 in the June report but remain down 2,700 from a year earlier. Daytona Beach’s unemployment rate is 5.3 percent. The Wildwood region, including The Villages, has the highest at 7.8.
A JetBlue flight lands at the Daytona Beach International Airport. File photo by Sierra Williams
Dr. Jesus Ortiz, of Be Healthy Chiropractic. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Beachside’s new principal wants to continue positive ripple effect
Meet Christina Donohue, Beachside
Elementary’s new principal.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Christina Donohue wants to help Beachside Elementary’s Sea Turtles continue “making waves.”
That’s the school’s motto for next year. To Donohue, as Beachside’s new principal, that means they will continue creating positive momentum.
“Sometimes it’s a child reading independently for the first time,” she said. “Sometimes it’s a teacher trying an innovative lesson and sometimes it’s a family becoming more involved in the school community, and that makes a tremendous impact on our students, and those small ripples create waves.”
Donohue has been in education since 2005, having started as an elementary school teacher. In 2010, when she was teaching fourth grade, she was named the Brevard County District Teacher of the Year.
Shortly after, she decided to become an administrator and worked at both the middle and high school levels in Brevard.
What brought her to Volusia County Schools? She was impressed by the district.
“That positive momentum in Volusia County last year — them earning an A, and then again keeping that momentum for another A this year,” Donohue said. “They’ve had tremendous work that they have been doing.” Plus, she added, when there’s a change in your pro-
fessional career, she believes that helps you become a better educator.
She’s been passionate about professional development since she was named Teacher of the Year in 2010. While in Brevard County, she founded and led a Teacher Leadership Council for seven years.
“I started to question, like, how can we build our network of teacher leaders?” she said. “How can we strengthen and continue to build on that capacity? Because here’s the important part: We have to have strong teachers who want to stay in the classroom. We need strong teachers that also want to work outside of the classroom and support other teachers and build our new teachers. But we also need strong teachers that want to become administrators.”
Her goal for the next school year is to build on Beachside’s academic excellence, while making it “the heart of our community,” where children, their families, educators and community partners work
together for student success. She’s also proud that Beachside is an A-rated Title 1 school, because that is a signal collaboration is present among these groups.
But an A grade is not the finish line, Donohue said.
“That A represents the hard work that our teachers and our students — all of our faculty and staff and our community — are doing,” she said. “But it tells the summary of individual students’ successes, and so in there, we still have students that need to reach their highest potential, and so that’s the work.”
Donohue is excited to be at Beachside. From the moment she arrived, she has felt welcomed, both at the school and district level, she said.
“Community members are already reaching out, and that tells me they care about the children at Beachside,” Donohue said. “That has developed a strong foundation, and I want to be a part of helping that continue the story.”
Daytona’s ‘Cheers to 150 Years’ street party set for Main Street
The family-friendly festival is part of Daytona Beach’s sesquicentennial celebration weekend.
CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH
The City of Daytona Beach invites residents and visitors to continue celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary at “Cheers to 150 Years,” a free community street party from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 25, on Main Street between A1A and Peninsula Drive.
As part of Daytona Beach’s sesquicentennial celebration weekend, the family-friendly festival will transform Main Street into a lively destination featuring live music, local food trucks, interactive community activities and entertainment for all ages.
Guests are encouraged to stroll along Main Street,
sample a variety of local flavors, connect with community organizations and enjoy an evening celebrating the people, places and traditions that have shaped Daytona Beach over the past 150 years.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
The evening will feature activities and attractions throughout Main Street, including:
Live music
Battle at the Beach Food Truck Challenge featuring 25 food trucks competing for People’s Choice, Best Entrée and Best Dessert
Complimentary community birthday cake celebrating Daytona Beach’s 150th anniversary
“Why I Love Daytona Beach” interactive community wall
“Letters to the Future,” where attendees can share hopes and messages for future generations
NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar
400 promotional vehicle on display
Family-friendly activities and entertainment
Whether attending with family or friends, the festival offers something for everyone while highlighting the spirit and history of Daytona Beach.
CONTINUE THE CELEBRATION AT THE BANDSHELL
Just a short walk from Main Street, continue the celebration at the historic Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell for the Star Spangled Summer Concert Series, beginning at 7:15 p.m.
In honor of Daytona Beach’s 150th anniversary, the evening’s concert will feature Beautiful Loser: A Tribute to Bob Seger and The Allman Revival, celebrating the music of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. The performance holds special significance as the Allman brothers grew up in Daytona Beach and launched their iconic Southern rock sound right here in the city.
The Star Spangled Summer Concert Series is a longtime Daytona Beach tradition.
Guests can make an evening of it by parking in the Ocean Center garage, taking the pedestrian crosswalk to the bandshell in Oceanfront Park, renting a chair, enjoying refreshments and ending the night with a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean following the concert.
Together, the Main Street festival and bandshell concert create a full evening of entertainment celebrating Daytona Beach’s rich history, vibrant culture and enduring community spirit.
Principal Christina Donohue comes to Beachside with over two decades of experience in education. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
In 2004, Dan Lundy was a senior kicker for the University of Miami football team. His career had been plagued by an inner adductor injury sustained during a warmup for a game against Boston College. He kept reaggravating it and tore it again the following spring. By that point, he hated football.
One Sunday afternoon, roommate and Hurricanes punter Freddie Capshaw asked him to be the kicking coach at a youth clinic in South Florida. Lundy told Capshaw he would go but only once. He went more than once and never looked back. For 23 years, he has been coaching kickers, punters and snappers.
“I did it reluctantly, and I fell in love (with coaching),”
Lundy said. “I think my mission shortly after that was, if I could have done it all over again, how would I fill the voids? That defines who I am. I was always given gray answers (as a kicker). I never really had a good process. I never really knew how to talk to myself. No one ever told me not to focus on others’ performances. These things add up.”
Lundy played soccer at Seabreeze High School his freshman year, when Sebastian Janikowski, a soccer player-turned-NFL kicker, was a senior. They played one soccer season together. He watched as Janikowski turned down a multi-million dollar offer to play professional soccer with San Lorenzo of Argentina’s First Division, opted to be a kicker on the Florida State University football team, and was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2000.
“That appealed to me,” Lundy said. “Because of him, I got to train in the summers. He’d come to the Ormond Beach Sports Complex; that was our training ground … It
was just really surreal because he was a hero to me. I didn’t think there was anyone better in the NFL at the time, and then he proved it to me.”
Lundy transferred to Mainland in the spring of his junior year, where he played football and soccer. He was getting offers to kick at big Division I football schools, offers to play soccer at Division II schools, and from larger schools in the north, where Lundy said the cold weather was a deterrent. He graduated in 2000, then attended UM, where he double-majored in finance and management with a minor in English.
Then Mainland assistant coach and former Daytona Beach mayor Bud Asher became Lundy’s mentor when he moved home in 2006. Lundy started working at Mainland, where he taught Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) courses. He took over Asher’s position as assistant football coach focusing on special teams.
“I used to go eat with Bud on Tuesday nights, pretty much till the end,” Lundy said. “He
was getting pretty rough with health, but he lived on Riverside Drive and just lived a great life. Coach was around football for 61 years.”
The Bud Asher football camp was founded by Lundy in 2014, while working with One On One Kicking, in memory of Asher following his death in 2013. Lundy said the camp was sponsored by adidas and grew so large that one year, over 500 kids attended. He continued to work with One On One Kicking until he officially launched his business, 4th Down University, in 2016. Lundy retired from teaching in the fall of 2019 before in-school instruction was shut down due to COVID-19. The Bud Asher football camp did not survive.
Transitioning from teaching to coaching was tough, Lundy said. He started a podcast and did a myriad of things to get his name out to the public, including clinics. Coaching coaches, he discovered, was definitely his niche.
“I tried to get my name in the hat at these big clinics,” Lundy said. “Finally someone bit on a big clinic. You give me 51 minutes on the stage. I get a PowerPoint, and I get to have a football and grab someone out of the audience to model good behavior versus bad. I killed it.”
Lundy currently offers private, semi-private, virtual, and small group training for kickers, punters, and snappers through 4th Down University. His website scrolls the message: “we’re all about instruction, details, and preparation,” and Lundy backs it with extensive knowledge and technology.
“Football has gotten exponentially smarter, and that’s what I’m more concerned with,” he said. “I don’t want you to think I have a strong opinion; I want you to know that I’ve done the due dili -
gence and research enough to know that this is objectively the best decision in this situation.”
Trackman football analytics are part of Lundy’s on-site training. Trackman technology uses Doppler radar to track ball flight in real-time. For kickers and punters, the system provides data on metrics such as ball velocity, launch angle, hang time, spin rate and apex height.
Recently, Lundy teamed up with Bethune-Cookman University football coach Raymond Woodie Jr. to train the team’s punter, Isaac Gallagher, long snapper Cole Hash and new kicker Ryder Goodwin. Lundy held a small-group training session for the specialists, which also included Albany State University long snapper and Seabreeze alumnus James Lyons, as well as Cypress Creek kicker Keenan Santiago.
Santiago started playing soccer at age 4 and has been kicking for his high school team for a year. Lafayette kicker Jack Simonetta, who was trained by Lundy, got Santiago interested in 4th Down University.
“I went to one of our football games and said, ‘This kicker sucks. I can do so much better,” Santiago said.
“I showed up to one of the spring practices, and the coach said, ‘This kid can kick.”
He quit soccer and started playing football full time. He said that in training with Lundy, he has gotten a lot quicker off his punts and is working on his kickoff tempo.
“I’m trying to go to Lundy as much as I can to get ready for my senior season,” Santiago said. “I like how his sessions are strict but fun. He’s a nice guy, but he wants to help you improve. It was cool having the B-CU guys out here.” Matanzas graduate Cole Hash is B-CU’s long snapper.
“We have to tone everything down to each minute and fine detail to the point where it can sometimes be stressful,” Hash said. “But that’s why I come out here daily and rep it.” Lundy said the one thing missing from his career was guidance. He said he is determined to change that for specialty teams everywhere.
“One thing I know for a fact is that I’ve changed people’s lives,” he said. “I’ve really made an impact with not only the athletes but the parents. Do I think I’m a good businessman? ... No. I’m a good football coach.” Lundy resides in Ormond Beach with his wife, Aryana, and their children, Blake, Leighton and Max.
Behtune-Cookman University punter Isaac Gallagher (left) holds the ball for B-CU kicker Ryder Goodwin during a 4th Down University Saturday session at B-CU on July 18. Photos by Michele Meyers
4th Down University founder Dan Lundy fills the void for football’s specialists.
4th Down University founder Dan Lundy (right) takes some footage of Keenan Santiago (left).
Dan Lundy (left) demonstrates positioning
M. EVANS; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 1; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 2; and ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED, Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Summary Final Judgment of foreclosure dated June 24, 2026, and entered in Case No. 2025 14775 CICI of the Circuit Court in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is Plaintiff and MONTE L. CROSBY, III; BLAIR KENDALL GRUSKIN; JUDITH M. EVANS; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JUDITH M. EVANS; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 1; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 2; and ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED, are Defendants, LAURA E. ROTH, Clerk of the Circuit Court, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash www.volusia.realforeclose.com, 11:00 a.m., on September 23, 2026 , the following described property as set forth in said Order or Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 23, THE SOUTHERLY 35 FEET OF LOT 22 AND THE NORTHERLY 2 FEET OF LOT 24, BLOCK 4, DAYTONA OAK RIDGE, UNIT ONE, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 10, PAGE(S) 143, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS
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NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024 CA 000649 WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST 2024 RM5, UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, SURVIVING SPOUSE, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEE, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF THOMAS BERNAL A/K/A TOM BERNAL, DECEASED; THOMAS MATTHEW BERNAL; SEAN MICHAEL BERNAL; NINA MARIE NAHMIAS F/K/A NINA MARIE
Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sale will be made pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment. Final Judgment was awarded on April 29, 2026 in Civil Case No. 2024 CA 000649, of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS
INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST 2024 RM5 is the Plaintiff, and UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, SURVIVING SPOUSE, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEE, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF THOMAS BERNAL A/K/A TOM BERNAL, DECEASED; THOMAS MATTHEW BERNAL; SEAN MICHAEL BERNAL; NINA MARIE NAHMIAS F/K/A NINA MARIE BERNAL are Defendants. The Clerk of the Court, Tom Bexley will sell to the highest bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com/ on August 21, 2026 at 11:00:00 AM EST the following described real property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 28, BLOCK 14, SUBDIVISION MAP, PINE GROVE, SECTION 26, PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 9, PAGES 20 THROUGH 35, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Any person claiming an interest in
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TRIBUTES
Kathlyn A. Stafford May 1, 1926 - April 28, 2026
Kathlyn A. Stafford (known affectionately as “Kay”) passed away in her apartment at The Windsor of Palm Coast in Florida on April 28, 2026, just three days shy of her 100th birthday. Kay was born May 1, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, the state where she lived most of her life until retiring with her husband, Carl, in 1985 to Palm Coast, FL. Carl’s death preceded hers by more than a quarter century.
Kay worked outside the home as a young mom long before “working moms” became fashionable. She worked for a number of companies in a variety of clerical and secretarial functions over the years. She and Carl traveled extensively around the country where she took massive numbers of photos, mostly capturing the mountains, waters, and landscapes that moved her. Those images were a great source of pleasure in her later years.
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Upon moving to Florida after retirement, Kay set about, in her 60s, learning Adobe InDesign software so she could put her secretarial skills to good use. And that she did! She was an avid volunteer for years as editor of the Flagler County Historical Society Newsletter and a volunteer at the Palm Coast Library. During her years in the area, the library opened doors to worlds she could not visit in reality, but it gave her great joy to let her imagination take her to places and times she’d not been able to visit. Her greatest satisfaction, however, came
from her involvement with the Palm Coast United Methodist Church community where she created and served for many years as the editor of the church newsletter. She used her dedication and creativity to keep the church community informed and connected, sharing church events, celebrations, and moments of care within the community. Her work became a meaningful ministry that strengthened the life of the church. She loved the time spent with the children, particularly as Sunday School teacher, shared meals, and also connecting with other adult members in the Bible Study program.
Until a head injury some years ago challenged her voice, she loved singing in the church choir, both for the music and the friendships she gained.
After suffering a severe head injury just before Christmas in 2014 resulting in surgery for a subdural hematoma and a long recovery process, Kay was undaunted. While her activities certainly slowed, her smile and kindness never wavered. She remained in the home she and Carl had built until late into her 90s when health and safety made a move to Assisted Living advisable. During her time at The Windsor, she made new friends with residents and staff. Her last days were quiet and joyful as she and family and friends anticipated her approaching 100th birthday celebration.
However, in the week or so before her passing, she’d made comments to several people that she didn’t think she’d be around for the party. Something within her was letting her know the end was near. She passed amid compassionate care at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway Hospital. Kay loved well and was much loved in return. She is survived by her daughter, Judith M. Bryan of Bloomingdale, IL, her granddaughter, Shannon K. Bryan of South Portland, ME, grandson, Clifford E. Bryan (deceased), married to Elizabeth A. Bryan of Bolingbrook, IL, their children Rebecca and Samantha, along with stepdaughter, Gayle D. Etter married to Paul A. Etter of Alcoa, TN, grandson Matthew Etter, married to Jennifer King, their children Erik and Devon, and granddaughter Julie Murray, married to Keith Murray, and their children Luke and Aaron. Per her wishes, Kay rests eternally with her husband at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio. Arrangements are in the care of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home www.craigflaglerpalms.com
