Palm Coast Observer 04-10-25

PALM COAST

City unites vs. Belvedere fuel terminal

‘This is not our brand,’ Pontieri says. Without city support, county pulls $10M state grant from agenda. PAGE 3A

County

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Buddy Taylor Middle School counselor Randi Fasnacht lost her long battle with cancer in the early morning hours of April 7. Fasnacht, 61, had been a school counselor in Flagler County since 2005. She worked at Indian Trails Middle School, Bunnell Elementary School and, for the last seven years, at Buddy Taylor Middle School. She continued to work at BTMS until spring break last month, Principal Cara Cronk said. She was named Bunnell Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2015 and Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2021.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m. at Palm Coast United Methodist Church.

In a message sent to district staff and faculty, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore shared the news of Fasnacht’s passing.

“Ms. Fasnacht was a dedicated and compassionate educator who poured her heart into supporting students, particularly the eighthgrade students she served with unwavering care and commitment,” Moore wrote. “She was not only a trusted counselor, but also a source of encouragement, wisdom, and strength for so many within the school community. Her absence will be felt deeply — not only at Buddy Taylor Middle School, but across our entire district by those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Please join me in keeping Ms. Fasnacht’s family, friends, and the entire Eagle community in your thoughts and prayers.”

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Dozens of parents, teachers and former students posted tributes to Fasnacht on the Flagler Schools Parents Facebook group. “She was amazing,” Cronk said in an interview with the Observer. “I

wish everyone got to know her. She had time for everybody. She was concerned about people. If Randi could help and be supportive, she was always there. It is a tough loss for all of us.”

Fasnacht had been battling cancer for 10 years, but it never diminished her spirit and dedication to helping students with their problems, Cronk said.

“She would go into remission and come back,” Cronk said. “The whole time she was battling (cancer), except seeing her lose weight, you wouldn’t know it. She was here for the kids, here for the staff and nothing was going to deter her from that. From outside appearances you would not know what she was going through. She always puts everybody else first.”

One former student who

responded to the Flagler Schools Parents post said, “Ms. Fasnacht was the absolute reason why I was able to graduate high school. My heart breaks. This amazing woman literally stood by my side (Way above and beyond) through the hardest time in a teenage girl’s life when others turned away or looked down. She will greatly be missed.”

Fasnacht is survived by her wife, Sara Riley, and their adult daughters, Rose and Mae. Riley said it has been amazing to see the deluge of tributes from community members.

“I didn’t know her impact was to this extent,” Riley said. “I’m very grateful. It helps in dealing with all of this. And this is even beyond schools. I’ve got friends who are working on a memorial scholarship in her name and a pickleball tournament in her name. We’re

“I wish everyone got to know her. She had time for everybody. She was concerned about people. If Randi could help and be supportive, she was always there. It is a tough loss for all of us.”

CARA CRONK, Buddy Taylor Middle School principal

heartbroken, but we are so grateful for the outpouring of support and love. It’s been wonderful for all of us.” Fasnacht began her teaching career in Minnesota in 1987. In an Observer article about her nomination for Flagler Schools Teacher of the Year in 2015, she explained why she transitioned into school counseling after teaching in a classroom for 13 years.

“When you are teaching you can do some counseling, and believe me, our teachers do a lot of counseling already,” Fasnacht said.

“What attracted me to counseling was being able to talk to them individually, and do classroom guidance with them about issues bothering them.” Cronk said Fasnacht hated attention placed on herself.

“She was not in it for herself at all,” Cronk said. “She truly was in it to help everybody. She was a role model for a lot of the counselors because of her experience. She was well-loved. This is hitting hard. Her kids she was working with are definitely feeling it too. I’ve gotten quite a few emails from parents, saying she was always kind and patient and always helpful. That is our Randi.

“I wish everyone got to know her,” Cronk added. “She had time for everybody. She was concerned about people. If Randi could help and be supportive, she was always there. It is a tough loss for all of us.”

Cars park on the beach in Flagler Beach, circa late 1920s. Photo courtesy of Randy Jaye

School counselor Randi Fasnacht was named Bunnell Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2015 and Buddy Taylor Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2021. File photo by Jacque Estes

Council: Benefits outweigh light pollution Purchasing power increased

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

Jarrod Maxwell walked forward, flanked by four boys, as if lining up for a play in a football game.

Rather than being on a field, however, Maxwell and the boys were in front of a crowded Palm Coast City Hall, on April 8, to make the case for the Mad Dogs Flag Football league’s continued use of Ralph Carter Park, despite the league’s noise, parking and use of lights that bother some neighbors.

Thinking back over the years, Maxwell said, “it’s hard not to get emotional about a field.”

Maxwell, who helped found Mad Dogs, has watched his own son grow up at Ralph Carter Park, where the league practices. He and many others, including the members of the City Council, extolled the contributions youth sports in general make to the community.

And yet, said City Councilman Charles Gambaro, who had requested that the matter be added to the agenda, the disruptions to the neighbors should be addressed. “It’s not OK,” he said more than once. Gambaro expressed his own support of Mad Dogs, but also said the City Council should be consistent in its policy making.

THREE FINALISTS FOR CITY COUNCIL

At the April 8 meeting, Dave Sullivan, Dave Ferguson and Candace Stevens were selected as finalists to be appointed to finish the first two years of Ray Stevens’ term. Stevens was elected to the City Council in November 2024 but resigned for health reasons. Sullivan was elected twice to the Flagler County Commission before retiring last year. Ferguson, a volunteer business coach with SCORE, served for two years on the City Council after being ap-

In recent meetings, the council has restricted short-term rentals, advocated for reduced noise at the airport, and has considered other matters that were negatively impacting the quality of life of some residents. If the city wants to defend others’ quality of life, why not the residents of Richardson Drive, with homes 22 yards from the park?

“We can’t have a double standard for quality of life,” Gambaro said.

He said Ralph Carter Park is being treated like a sports complex, when it’s actually designated as a neighborhood park by the city.

The city needs a larger sports complex, but in the meantime, he said, “If these lights were in my front yard, I’d be screaming louder than Ms. Petruzzi.”

Marian Petruzzi has been petitioning the city for 14 years to put a stop to the lights, which now can be on till 8:30 p.m. The park also has a skate park and basketball court. Petruzzi successfully persuaded the city to put a fence between the park and Richardson Drive in years past, and some of the lights have been angled, but not enough has been done, she says.

After City Councilman Ty Miller said that he didn’t want to “throw any more money” at the park just to

pointed in 2012. Stevens is best known for involvement in recent City Council meetings, particularly for advocating for people who have been impacted by flooding. Stevens was selected over others who had recently run for office but lost: Mark Stancel and Cornelia Manfre. Whoever is appointed on April 15 will vote on city business that same day, so Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston will make sure each is briefed on the agenda.

appease one person — Petruzzi — she spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting as well.

“The noise and light pollution are unbearable,” she said, calling the conditions “inhumane.”

Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri said, on the contrary, that it would be ideal for the lights to be allowed till 9 p.m. to help Mad Dogs continue their good work in the community.

She said she would be open to doing further study of options for lighting modifications, but, she said, “I’m going to be pretty hard pressed to make any changes.”

Pontieri said it was a chance for the City Council to decide that it was on the side of young families.

“We should be in the news for encouraging these things,” she said.

In past years, according to Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst, the city has already completed several lighting improvements to Ralph Carter Park, totally over $800,000.

Mad Dogs serves about 400 players, making it one of the biggest sports leagues in Palm Coast.

Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said she would have staff look into prices for lights that could be more easily dimmed or timed, as well as looking into the hours of operation of the park.

Threshold for city staff was last modified in 1994.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Ormond Beach city staff will now be able to move forward with purchases up to $75,000, without requiring approval from the City Commission.

In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, April 1, the Ormond Beach City Commission approved the modification to its purchasing ordinance, increasing the threshold for purchases needing to go through a formal bidding and approval process from $25,000 to $75,000. According to a city staff report, this would help staff expedite repairs, needed services as well as the purchase of things like replacement vehicles and public safety equipment. Commissioner Harold Briley and Mayor Jason Leslie voted against.

The purchasing threshold increase will eliminate about 50 agenda items a year, said Chris Byle, city assistant finance director.

“Most items would still require a public advertisement and all expenses would ultimately end up on the city transparency portal,” Byle said.

Only one citizen spoke on the agenda item at the meeting. Jennifer Bright, who opposed the increase, said the current $25,000 cap was implemented to “ensure responsible fiscal practices and maintain accountability to the taxpayers.”

Keeping the existing cap would help to control overspending and prevent budget deficits, she said.

“The cap can be adjusted for unforeseen events, but the approval process guarantees a controlled approach,” Bright said.

The city last modified its purchasing threshold in 1994. Adjusted for inflation, $25,000 in 1994 has the same buying power as about $54,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic.

For comparison, staff pointed out

that the City of Port Orange has a purchasing threshhold of $100,000.

Expenditures between $25,000 and $75,000 will be publicly advertised on the city’s procurement portal, DemandStar, for no less than 10 days.

While commissioners were in favor of increasing the purchasing threshold, Briley and Leslie expressed some hesitation.

“We’re blessed right now with great city staff — a very good finance director, an assistant finance director and city manager,” Briley said. “My concern is what happens when we don’t have those folks on board anymore.”

Commissioner Lori Tolland said she understood their concerns, but with the safeguards in place proposed by staff, she was comfortable with increasing the threshold to $75,000.

The threshold increase is for efficiency. City Manager Joyce Shanahan said that, in the past, the city has lost the opportunity to buy public safety vehicles because of needing to go through the formal bidding process.

“What happens is sometimes dealers get vehicles and we have to bring it to you before we can get in line for that, so we miss the opportunity,” Shanahan said.

As the commission typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month, Leslie asked if the delay for these kinds of purchases was significant. Byle mentioned the roof replacement for the historic house at Ames Park. The city had to go out for bid for that project.

“That took over a year when we could have had it when everybody’s fighting for roof contractors,” Byle said. “We could have had that repaired within a month.”

According to city staff report from Sept. 6, 2023, the accepted bid totaled over $35,500, with FEMA paying the majority of the cost.

“So our residents got to look at a beautiful blue tarp for over a year when it could have been done a lot sooner,” Commissioner Travis Sargent said.

What about long-term care? Do I need a plan to pay for it?

We can provide solutions.

Mad Dogs founder Jarrod Maxwell spoke to the City Council, surrounded by players. Photo by Brian McMillan

$100 million sports complex draws warm response in Flagler County

The idea of a sports complex was explored in 2024 in Palm Coast, but received loud public backlash as it was tied to both the city’s westward expansion plans and a proposed charter amendment.

SIERRA WILLIAMS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A $100 million sports complex, previously proposed at the Palm Coast City Council, was met with cautious positivity from the Flagler County Commission.

The facility would be built through a public private partnership. The landowner — Rayonier, a global forester company — has offered to donate the land to the county, which would then lease it to a private company for $1. That company would then build the facility out of its own pocket and lease the facility back to the county, until the county eventually pays it off.

“We essentially pay it back like a mortgage on a home,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said. “It’ll be paid back by users of the facilities [and] tourism, and that way it lessens the cost on the taxpayer. In other words, it’s not your property tax dollars paying it back.”

Jason Boudrie, Synergy Sports’ owner, presented the idea to the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners at an April 7 workshop meeting. Boudrie said the complex would begin returning revenue to the county by its third year.

“After year two, the facility is able to support its own operating expenses and its own debt, and it will return a modest amount back to the county,” Boudrie said. “$170,000, $500,000, $800,000, over the years, three, four and five.”

The facility would comprise an outdoor grass stadium, a mix of 20 grass and turf flat fields (all with lights, bleachers and scoreboards) and more facilities indoors: pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts and a 200 meter indoor track. The track would be only the second indoor track in the state, Boudrie said. The site would also contain plenty of parking and amenities like playgrounds, food and hospitality spaces and leasable spaces.

The land proposed for the facility is in unincorporated Flagler County west of U.S. 1, at the apex of where the state’s proposed loop connector road will go. The loop connector road will connect Matanzas

“When the economy is good, parents travel with their kids for youth sports. When the economy is bad, parents travel with their kids for youth sports. It is year round. It is not going to go away.”

JOHN PHILLIPS, president of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce

and Palm Coast Parkways in a semicircle.

Palm Coast Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo told the Observer that Palm Coast has loop road funding for phases 2 and 2A, 3 and 4 from state appropriations, and the Florida Department of Transportation is reviewing those funding agreements. Once that is done and the City Council accepts them, the loop connector road will go out to be rebid. DeLorenzo said how much of the road is built in that bid will depend on how much money the city has for it. It will likely only get them to the halfway point, he said.

But the sports complex is not dependent on the loop road beginning construction, Boudrie said. The two can even be built concurrently.

The commissioners, and those Flagler County residents in attendance, were overall receptive to the idea of the complex.

“This is a gift to the community,” Commissioner Pam Richardson said. “Every person in here — I haven’t seen anybody going ‘ew,’ and that’s a wonderful thing.”

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Boudrie said Synergy Sports estimates the sports complex will have an economic impact of over $79 million in direct and indirect spending in just its first year. By year five, the company projects that will go up to $117 million.

But supporting the facility once it is open will depend mainly on the naming rights, he said.

Synergy Sports estimates there is around $33 million in revenue to be had just from the naming rights. Boudrie sug -

gested the county use funding from the naming rights to create a $3 million reserve fund to help support the facility in the first two years.

“In this situation, the county doesn’t have to come out of general revenues to pay any of the expenses for the sports complex,” Boudrie said.

But just in the first year, he said, the county could expect to generate just over $1 million in county and tourism tax revenue.

Commissioner Greg Hansen asked what kind of impact the facility would have on Palm Coast’s fields. Boudrie said the new facility would in fact support Palm Coast’s fields and potentially provide additional opportunity.

John Phillips, the new president of the Palm CoastFlagler Regional Chamber of Commerce, said a sports complex like this — including the indoor track and outdoor facilities — is in high demand.

“When the economy is good, parents travel with their kids for youth sports. When the economy is bad, parents travel with their kids for youth sports. It is year round. It is not going to go away,” Phillips said. “If we don’t act quickly, someone else might beat us to the punch.”

THE PROBLEMS IN PALM COAST

The City of Palm Coast began showing an interest in building the sports complex in December 2023. Because of the previous City Council’s interest in the project, and the lack of alternatives to fund large projects like it, the city began working toward amending a section of the city’s charter that restricted how much the city could borrow at once and for how long to allow the city could enter into this partnership.

The city placed the charter amendment on the November 2024 ballot, and residents voted against it. In many council meetings leading up to the election, residents told the council they felt the language in the amendment was “misleading.”

Petito told the Observer she believed the issues with the sports complex in Palm Coast were based mainly on the City Charter amendment and on a misconception of how a public private partnership would work. The money to build this facility will not come from tax payer dollars, she said, but instead from private investors who will develop the project on the county’s land.

NOT JUST TOURNAMENTS

For some, one of the major

upsides of the facility will be the ability to host other large events there. Boudrie pointed out in his presentation that the indoor courts could be used for a myriad of events, even high school graduations.

Both the Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high schools hold their graduations at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.

“We have to take our parents and our kids to another community to graduate, because we don’t have the capacity of building facilities for that,” Agnes Lightfoot said. “This will answer one of the questions.”

County Commission Chair Andy Dance asked the county to discuss the potential needs of a facility for the high school graduations with Flagler Schools. Dance said the county has two large high schools, which means big crowds.

“If we can nail a seating capacity that meets the requirements of holding graduation, here in the county, I think that just kind of seals where everybody can kind of get behind the project,” Dance said.

Resident Lori Ratto said she sees many possible benefits from a facility that large. In her work experience, she said, they depended on facilities like the sports complex for

Parking Area

Multi-Use Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Football)

Natural Turf

5. Maitenance Complex

6. Multi-Use Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Football) - Synthetic Turf 7. Preservation Area

events and fundraisers.

“The need for this far extends that of a sports complex, because it will be used for other areas all throughout here,” she said.

One Flagler County resident expressed concern about residents being unable to either use or afford to use the facility. Boudrie said that wouldn’t be the case; the sports complex will be split between sports tourism and local community use. Monday through Thursday, for example, he said, would likely just be the community using the facility, while tournaments come in on the weekends.

“It’s not designed or intended to be an elitist kind of facility where you can’t get in if you don’t pay,” Boudrie said.

Ormond mayor tours Barracks of Hope, is questioned on offer of city funds

When asked if he offered city funds to HUM, a faith-based charity, Mayor Jason Leslie denied the allegation and said he was looking to expand options to address homelessness in the community.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Leslie expressed surprise when he first read the email, responding to Sargent at the meeting that funds were never discussed. As the commission’s representation on the First Step Shelter board, he was prompted to tour Barracks of Hope to see the work they do with homeless veterans.

in order to participate in the Barracks of Hope program, which opened a new facility in 2023. If the commission were in agreement, Leslie suggested they direct staff to bring them information on the program as another option to reduce homelessness.

that he voiced while there. I also invited him to our Emergency Housing Program on Wright Street. To date, he has not responded to the correspondence.”

On March 12, the Ormond Beach City Commission members were all copied on an email from Halifax Urban Ministries’ interim executive director Donna Dooley. Dooley thanked Mayor Jason Leslie for visiting the faith-based nonprofit’s Barracks of Hope, a homeless shelter for veterans in Daytona Beach. She also mentioned that the shelter’s program manager “noted the possibility of available funds from the city of Ormond.”

City Commissioner Travis Sargent brought the email up at the commission’s meeting on April 1, asking the mayor to elaborate on what was discussed during his tour.

“I don’t know that we have available funds to donate to anyone,” Sargent said.

“Could you please advise us on the next steps? We are very interested in continuing our partnership with Ormond Beach,” Dooley wrote.

“But as you know, with these nonprofit organizations, they think that because I’m going there to tour, that we’re giving them a check,” Leslie said. “I made it very clear to the director that we’re not giving a check. I’m just here to look at it because I thought maybe it would be something that we can recommend, at least our officers and people that do our outreach, to any homeless vets out there in our community that can go there.” He said the city isn’t required to provide any funds

In an email to the Observer, Dooley said that the mayor stopped by Barracks of Hope and asked for a tour, which was provided by the program manager. Dooley and Leslie didn’t meet, and was told about the tour later and given his card.

“It was reported by the manager that he stated he loved our program and there may be funds available from the City of Ormond,” Dooley said. “I did send correspondence to him on March 12, 2025, thanking him for stopping by and the compliments

The mayor declined to comment on this story, saying he’d rather focus on the overall issue of solving homelessness in the community. At the April 1 meeting, Sargent mentioned that the city already donates $85,000 a year to First Step and he wasn’t willing to use taxpayer dollars to help fund another program.

“I’m a disabled veteran myself,” Sargent said. “I think they do great services there, but if the residents want to donate their money and get a tax write-off, that’s what they should be able to do. We should not be doing that with taxpayer money.”

A rendering of the proposed $110 million sports complex. The road on the right side of the image will be Palm Coast’s loop connector road. Courtesy of Flagler County

Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie is sworn into office by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Flagler Beach to celebrate 100th anniversary on April 16

As the city prepares to celebrate its centennial birthday, here’s a look at what Flagler Beach was like in its early years.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

“Flagler Beach Incorporation

Carried Easily.”

That was the headline printed in the April 9, 1925 edition of the Flagler Tribune, announcing the results of the recent election.

“Incorporation for Flagler Beach has been agitated for some months, and at a meeting of the Civic League recently, an election was planned for the purpose of settling the problem for all time,” the article reported.

Voting was orderly and very few seemed dissatisfied with the results, according to the article.

“It was stated that a few people living within the prescribed incorporated limits raised dissenting voices, but they were in such small minority that the number were insignificant,” the article states. “The greater number of citizens of Flagler Beach were heartily in favor of the measure, it was said, they believing that this move will prove to be one of the outstanding features of the town’s early history.”

And now, Flagler Beach will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on Wednesday, April 16, the official incorporation date. (It wouldn’t become a city until 1963, when it met the milestone of 500 residents.)

The centennial anniversary will be marked by a birthday block party, held at 2nd Street and Central Avenue from 4-7 p.m. The free community event will feature live music, snacks guest speakers, arts and crafts for kids, as well as a cake cutting in Veterans Park at 6 p.m. The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach will also form a “100” on the beach at 5 p.m. to mark the occasion.

The celebration is presented by the city and the Flagler Beach Historical Museum.

Flagler Beach Mayor Patti King, who is also the director of the museum, said she’s

looking forward to having people come out and celebrate the centennial birthday of their town.

“A hundred years — that’s a long time,” King said. “I’m just excited that to be a part of it, I’m honored to be the mayor and director of the museum, and to be a huge part of it is amazing to me.”

OCEAN CITY Before the city got its present name, it was known as the town of Ocean City. It’s first resident was William Archie Cookman, who purchased 7 acres of land from the Bunnell Development Company in 1909, according to an article by local historian Randy Jaye. By 1912, Cookman had 300 orange trees growing on his property and an article from the St. John’s Tribune in 1913 remarks that he also had “two large ripe pumpkins and plenty of green ones,” adding that he was clearing more land to plant grapefruit, tangerines, king oranges, lemons, figs and other fruits.

According to “A New Beginning: A Picturesque History of Flagler Beach, Florida” by Catherine P. Wickline Wilson — a descendant of the Wickline family who operated a mercantile business and led the effort to open a local post office, with Esther Wickline becoming the first postmaster in 1915 — Ocean City’s beach became a popular spot for family picnics, “surf bathing,” camping and fishing.

Around the same time, George Moody, younger brother of Isaac Moody, who is known as the “Father of Flagler County,” homesteaded 169 acres and built the first two houses on the beach in 1913.

“George Moody had a vision for the development of the coast line as a beach resort,” Wickline Wilson wrote.

Moody built a ferry boat to cross the canal and in 196, built the Ocean City Beach Casino. In 1920, the ferry was replaced by a swing-bridge.

MOODY, THE HOTEL AND CHARLES LINDBERGH

After Flagler Beach was incorporated, the first public officials were named.

Moody was elected mayor, and he was joined by councilmen Charles Parker, Harry Wallace Sessions, Robert W. Raulerson, Dewey D. Moody

and Luther O. Opson.

“George Moody is the pioneer of the beach town, he having lived at Flagler Beach many years ago,” the Flagler Tribune reported. “He has been identified with the town’s activities since its inception. Other members of the new officials have lived in the town for varying periods of time, but all are familiar with its needs and have given assurance that they will strive to make Flagler Beach one of the best resort cities on the east coast of Florida.”

On July 4, 1925, the 30-room Flagler Beach Hotel opened its doors.

“Its architectural style was American Colonial Type and featured fire protection and electrical lighting throughout,” Jaye wrote in his article. “As more people moved into Flagler Beach various other businesses were built including a pharmacy, churches, hotels and restaurants.”

The hotel was built by Moody and D.F. Fuquay, who later donated a block of property in lieu of taxes — a property that was designated to be a park forever, and is now known Veterans Park.

In 1931, famous aviator

a gorgeous hotel, a nice place for people to stay,” she said.

THE ICONIC PIER

In 1927, the Flagler Beach Pier was constructed by the Weir & Benson Company, of Jacksonville. It was 656 feet long, and work on the pier continued in 1928 after its opening.

The existing A-frame carrying the city’s name is original — and is staying that way as the city plans to rebuild the pier, which has sustained significant damage from storms in recent years.

Construction for the new $14 million pier is scheduled to start at the end of May.

This time around, it will be made out of concrete and constructed 10-feet higher, in hopes that it will be able to sustain better during storms.

King said the city is looking for the pier to be completed by July 4, 2027.

‘LAST TOWN OF ITS TYPE’

If King had to describe Flagler Beach’s 100 years of history in one word, it would be “eclectic.”

YOUR TOWN

Flagler Beach historian publishes fifth book

On March 18, Flagler Beach author and historian Randy Jaye released his fifth book titled, “Florida Flashpoints: Extraordinary Moments From Spanish Colony to the Space Age.”

“I wanted to highlight Florida’s long, interesting and sometimes turbulent history with what I consider to be 36 of the state’s most important historic moments, some of which are nearly unknown to a large number of people, including Florida natives,” Jaye said in a press release.

Charles Lindbergh made an emergency landing at the Flagler Beach Airport due to low visibility and heavy fog. He stayed at the Flagler Beach Hotel for over a week.

“Isla Fuquay Kester remembers serving him hot biscuits with his meal and how he enjoyed them,” Wickline Wilson wrote, adding that Lindbergh would slip out of the back door of the hotel and go to the rocks north of town to fish and swim.

“It seems that Mr. Lindbergh preferred to be away from crowds,” Wickline Wilson wrote.

The hotel was torn down in the early 1970s.

Today, a new hotel is in the works on the very same property: The Margaritaville Hotel.

“That property had always been earmarked and designated and zoned for a hotel, so we were always hoping one day it would come back to that again, and now it has, which is extremely exciting,” King said.

Plus, the Margaritaville Hotel will open almost a 100 years to the day that the Flagler Beach Hotel opened.

“What better way to have a beautiful downtown area than

People flocked to the city from all over, she said. She moved to Flagler Beach in 2011 and fell in love with the welcoming and laid-back community, she said.

When asked what she would like the next 100 years to look like, King said she’d love it to stay the same.

“However, change is inevitable, and either change controls us, or we control change,” King said. “And I just want to see the growth that is occurring, and will occur into the future, to be done in a manner that all of our forefathers would be proud of.”

That means mom-andpop businesses and a sense of community that is “alive and well,” she said. No more highrises, just a simple way of life.

“We’re the last town of its type in Florida, as things have grown and taken off,” King said. “We’re just about grown up now. There’s not too much more we can do in terms of land mass, so what you see is pretty much what you get.” Centennial events will continue throughout the year. For a list of events, visit www. cityofflaglerbeach.com/348/ Flagler-Beach-Celebratesits-Centennial.

Stories contained in his book include early Spanish and French explorations, the founding of Pensacola and St. Augustine, the decimation of Florida’s original indigenous people, Fort Mose, intricate connections to slavery, the British Period, rise of the plantations, the American Revolutionary War, the New Smyrna Colony, the Three Seminole Wars, Black Seminoles, secession and the American Civil War, Florida’s Confederate “Cow Calvary,” Jim Crow-era struggles, Henry Flagler, Henry Plant, Winter silent film capital of the world, Florida’s World War II U-Boat war, population growth since 1945, the Space Race, Cuban migration, Walt Disney World, Hurricane Andrew and presidential election quagmires. Jaye has previously published four books on Florida history.

“Florida Flashpoints: Extraordinary Moments From Spanish Colony to the Space Age” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Target and several other distributors. The book is also available on the bookshelves of several retailers.

Randy Jaye. Courtesy photo

The Flagler Beach Hotel in the early 1950s.

Charles Lindbergh in Flagler Beach on Nov. 29, 1931. Photos courtesy of Randy Jaye

Flagler County backpedals on half-cent sales tax

Commissioners cited concerns with enacting a new sales tax as the governor proposes cutting the state’s.

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

As Flagler County continues to draft interlocal agreements for a half-cent sales tax to fund a beach management plan, County Commissioners are voicing opposition to the plan, questioning whether now is the right time to raise taxes.

Flagler County Manager Heidi Petito gave the commissioners an update on interlocal agreements at the end of their meeting on Monday, April 7, explaining that the county legal department is implementing guidance given by Palm Coast and Bunnell city staff on how the sales tax revenue will be split — rather than keep 50% for their own infrastructure needs, the inland cities are more interested in contributing a set dollar amount.

“They’re trying to cap it so that it becomes a steady contribution,” Petito said. “... It doesn’t change the amount that they’re contributing, it’s just that it’s flat over the entire six-year period.”

Then, Commissioner Leann Pennington, who announced she was not in favor of the half-cent sales tax, asked if county staff had a contingency plan in case the board didn’t approve it.

Petito said no.

“There was no direction or guidance from this board to staff that you want to look at something different,” she said.

County Commission Chair Andy Dance said the “alternative fallback” was to fund a beach plan for the unincorporated area only, which didn’t receive a lot of support because it leaves Flagler Beach in a bind.

“We spent all those months doing just the unincorporated to lay the groundwork for how this all was going to work,” Dance said. “A set fallback would have to come back to us, but it leaves our other municipal partners without any coverage.”

That’s the problem, Commissioner Greg Hansen said.

“If we don’t do the halfcent, it really, really hurts Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach,” Hansen said. “... It just cripples them. So we’d have to come up with something pretty unique and some kind of agreement with Flagler Beach if we don’t do the half-cent, because Flagler Beach will not be able to survive.”

But, in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announcing he wishes to cut the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, Commissioner Kim Carney said the board should “look at the atmosphere that we’re in right now.”

“I’ll go out there and say that, what looked as something to be an answer, is not

Palm Coast opposes Belvedere fuel farm

‘This is not our brand,’ said Theresa Pontieri, who first put the brakes on the fuel terminal proposal.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

After Mayor Mike Norris announced on Facebook that he had reversed his stance on Belvedere Terminals’ plan to build fuel storage tanks near a residential community, the rest of the Palm Coast City Council on April 8 confirmed its unanimous opposition to the plan as well.

those who call this an antibusiness decision: This is not anti-business. We’re just not desperate.”

City Councilman Ty Miller pointed out that the Flagler County Commission is the entity that would be required to take the next step, which is to accept a $10 million load from the Florida Department of Commerce.

But, he said, “if it were to come before us, I would not be in support of it.”

City Councilman Charles Gambaro agreed. He also thanked the community for sending emails, which helped to persuade him, although he said he had been skeptical from the beginning.

looking like an answer on April 7, 2025,” Carney said. “I know there’s lots of energy going into this being our only option, but I can guarantee you that there’s other options.”

She hasn’t found them yet, she said, but she’s working on it.

“I’m not convinced that this county is going to look strong and unified if we put a half-cent as Gov. DeSantis brings us down,” Carney said. “I’m not saying that’s going to pass — I’m not saying that. But we’re not thinking the same way as our governor is thinking.”

Commissioner Pam Richardson agreed, saying that it’s been a “constant battle,” with people in the barrier island advocating for the necessity of funding the beach as those in the country see no need for it. The county would be adding taxes while “everybody else is cutting them,” Richardson said.

“The governing is DOGEing, and we need to start DOGE-ing too,” Richardson said.

Dance countered that DOGE is all about efficiency. This is an investment on beach infrastructure.

Pennington said she didn’t feel confident about the county taking on funding the beach as a recession looms.

“This is a huge undertaking, all 18 miles in one gulp for for this little board,” Pennington said. “This, to me, is a fiscally constrained county that is trying to create its own social security plan almost for a beach.”

She said the county would be more successful if it worked on funding a beach management plan for small stretches of the beach at a time, and suggested using funds from the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program, which sunsets in 2028. Perhaps the county could restructure that program and use that millage for the beach management plan, if approved by voters to continue.

“You want to sunset probably the most popular referendum that we’ve had?” Dance said.

“We are not finding land ... that we can buy,” Pennington responded.

While Dance said ESL funfunds were not an option, based on the referendum’s language, Richardson said she was told by people in other counties that ESL funds could be used for beach management. So without a legal opinion, she said she can’t make a decision on the halfcent sales tax.

Based on the commissioners’ comments, Dance said the funding plan has to go on a future agenda. He directed staff to place it for discussion at the board’s first workshop in May.

“We can’t have staff continuing to do this,” he said. “This is not helpful at all, and we’re going to have to put the the beach renourishment on the agenda and continue to either do it or not.”

The plan would build enough tanks to store 300,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel and a 1-mile railroad spur along the tracks west of homes — too close to homes and a city water treatment facility for many residents.

Norris, who had advocated for the facility as a “strategic asset” for the state’s fuel supply, acknowledged in his Facebook post that the city lacks industrial development, but yielded to the “quite vocal rejection” of the plan by residents.

Referring to Belvedere Terminals and its CFO Tim Schwarz, Norris suggested: “Maybe they can find other properties adjacent to the rail, south of the city, for consideration, but that would be for county to consider whether or not they would want to keep that project in the county.”

Most of the public commentary has been negative. Ormond Beach officials also fought the project when it was proposed near their city two years ago.

At the April 8 City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri praised Norris for changing his stance on the facility. She had led the way in the April 1 meeting to slow down the process and challenge Belvedere to considering another option instead.

“I’m very grateful that you were able to reverse course,” Pontieri told Norris. “That’s a hard thing to do, so I want to give you credit for that. …

“The decision to not move forward, I believe, is unanimous,” she continued. “This is not our brand. This is not what Palm Coast wants to bring for economic development. And I want to make a statement to

$10M STATE GRANT APPROVAL ON HOLD IN FLAGLER COUNTY

The Flagler County Commission was set to consider a $10 million Florida Department of Commerce grant on Monday, April 7, to help with the relocation of Belvedere Terminals’ proposed fuel farm development to Palm Coast.

But on Wednesday, April 2, the item was pulled by staff from the agenda.

According to an email sent at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday from Palm Coast Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnson to the Palm Coast City Council, the item’s removal was due to the City Council’s desire for a site selection analysis.

“During our discussions, we also engaged with Timothy Schwarz to outline the needs of this analysis and explore ways to provide additional information to the public,” the email states. “As a result of these conversations, Ms. Petito has decided to remove the item from Monday’s BOCC agenda.”

Schwarz is Belvedere’s chief financial officer.

Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito said in a phone call with the Observer that the grant comes with a 180-day window to acquire a site for the fuel farm. So, the city needs to make a decision on whether proposed parcel — located near the end of Somerset Avenue, about 0.7 miles south of a water

treatment facility on Peavy Grade — is an adequate location for the project.

“We need the city to complete the site analysis and determine the best location — if it’s the one being proposed, or another,” Petito said.

The county is only involved with the grant agreement, as it dictates the funds can only be awarded to a county, not a city. Accepting the grant now, when there is a question about the fuel farm’s location, could make meeting the 180-day window requirement a challenge.

The email to the City Council was sent a day after Councilwoman Theresa Pontieri proposed the site selection analysis, at Belvedere’s expense, instead of accepting the proposed site outright.

Amid resident opposition, Pontieri wasn’t convinced that the project — which is slated for a property near the end of Somerset Avenue, about 0.7 miles south of a water treatment facility on Peavy Grade — would be built in the proper location.

“If this is the spot, this is the spot,” Pontieri said at the April 1 meeting, “but I don’t think we need to sell ourselves short.”

— JARLEENE ALMENAS

A beach renourishment project in Flagler County. File photo by Paige Wilson

Theresa Pontieri. Photo by Brian McMillan

BRIEFS

Matanzas student arrested after punching SRD

A 16-year-old Matanzas High School student was arrested on April 2 after he punched the school’s resource deputy in the face.

At 2:50 p.m., as school was being dismissed for the day, the deputy saw a fight between two male students, a FCSO press release said. The deputy, John Landi, got between the two teenagers and one of the students punched the deputy in the face. The student was arrested and has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. Landi was unharmed, the press release said. Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said she was glad the deputy was not seri-

COPS CORNER

MARCH 28 ONLY WORKS IN THE MOVIES

10:52 a.m. — 1600 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Fraud. A delivery driver called police after she noticed she had been paid with a fake $100 bill — one that specifically said, “For Motion Picture Use Only.”

ously injured. “We have a zero-tolerance policy and will not tolerate this kind of behavior on our campuses,” she said.

Man who shot 18-month-old niece in 2023 sentenced to 15 years in prison

A Palm Coast man who inadvertently shot and killed his 18-month-old niece in September 2023 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. C.J. Nelson Jr. pleaded to manslaughter with a firearm in February and was sentenced on April 3, a State Attorney’s Office press release said. At the time of the shooting, Nelson was on probation from previous improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon and cannabis possession

Police report that during the previous evening, the delivery driver, whose company recently started allowing cash payments, delivered three pizzas to a local motel room, where the guest paid her in cash. It wasn’t until later in the night that she noticed it was fake. After reporting the incident to her company, she was instructed to call police, according to an incident report.

When police arrived at the motel and inquired about the suspect, a 30-year-old woman, the front desk clerk informed the officer that she had extended her reservation and attempted to pay with the same kind of fake $100 bills. Police spoke with the woman who said she was having financial troubles. Upon looking into her room, the reporting officer saw the three pizza boxes as well as a stack of the fake $100 bills, which he seized.

Because the woman cooperated, and had three small toddlers in her custody, the officer filed a complaint affidavit in lieu of an arrest.

MARCH 30 KEY SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE

10:24 a.m. — 300 block of Cypress Edge Drive, Palm Coast Criminal mischief. A 31-year-

charges. As part of his probation, Nelson was prohibited from possessing, carrying or owning a firearm. On Sept. 3, 2023, Nelson was handling a rifle. He inadvertently pulled the trigger and the bullet went through the wall and hit his niece in the head where she was playing in the hallway, the press release said. The shot killed the toddler.

April 11 is deadline for residents to apply for Elevate Florida

Volusia County residents interested in strengthening their homes against flooding and other storm-related impacts through the Elevate Florida program must act soon. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has announced that applications

old Palm Coast man was arrested after he keyed a man’s car in the parking lot of a local home improvement store.

Deputies report that the man “aggressively” pulled into a parking spot next to the victim, who was backing his truck into a space, and almost struck his vehicle. The victim had trouble opening his door to get out, as the man parked very close to him. While exiting his truck, the victim and the man exchanged words before he entered the store.

After shopping, the victim returned to his truck and was pulling out when the man held his keys in his hand rand it down the entire driver’s side.

The man told deputies he saw the victim spit on his truck, and that his body had bumped into the truck as the victim tried to drive away.

When asked if he used his key to scratch the victim’s truck, the man said “it must have

will no longer be accepted after 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Draft applications not submitted by the deadline will not be considered for funding.

Elevate Florida is a statewide residential mitigation program offering financial assistance for projects such as home elevations, wind retrofits, and reconstruction. Interested property owners who have not yet submitted their applications are encouraged to take the following steps:

Create or log into an account on the Elevate Florida Portal at fdem-resmit.my.site. com/Elevate.

Once submitted, applicants will be contacted by an assigned case manager using their preferred contact method. For more information or to apply, visit fdem-resmit. my.site.com/Elevate or call 877-353-8835.

been his body,” the report states.

Security footage refuted the man’s claim. He was taken to jail.

APRIL 2

BOLO FOR SUSPECT

2:15 p.m. — 300 block of Ocean Shore Boulevard, Ormond Beach Battery. A 67-year-old Holly Hill man working as a flag man for a road construction company was pushed into thick shrubs by an unknown man, causing his ear to almost sever from his head. According to a police incident report, the victim was standing on a sidewalk near a local church when he recognized the suspect waking toward him. Five days prior, the suspect — a white man in his 60s with facial hair and approximately 6 feet tall — tried to steal his lunch.

On the day of the recent in-

Volusia County to host free SKYWARN Spotter training session

Volusia County will host a free SKYWARN Spotter training session on May 6. The training session is open to anyone interested in becoming a certified SKYWARN spotter. The session will train residents to accurately identify and report critical weather conditions to the National Weather Service, a Volusia County press release said.

The session will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center on 3825 Tiger Bay Road in Daytona Beach. Residents who take the course will become a certified SKYWARN spotter and learn about thunderstorm dynamics, key features

cident, the suspect walked up to him to make a comment, but the victim didn’t hear what was said and asked him to come closer. That’s when the suspect pushed him into the shrubs, causing his right ear to scrape against a tree.

Police and Sheriff’s Office units searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim wished to pursue charges if the suspect is identified.

APRIL 5

RIDE ALONG ARREST

3:56 p.m. — First block of Kaiser Place, Pam Coast Possession of methamphetamines. Deputies responded to a residence after a woman reported that her 21-year-old son had run away and allegedly threatened to jump in front of moving vehicles. According to an arrest report, deputies spoke with the man at a nearby intersection,

of severe storms and best safety practices for observing and reporting severe weather conditions. Through this program, Volusia County aims to bolster community resilience by equipping residents with the skills to provide critical weather reports during severe events.

Flagler County Cultural Council announces second round of grant funding

Local arts, culture or history nonprofits have a second opportunity to apply for grant funding from the Flagler County Cultural Council this fiscal year. Applications opened on March 28 and are available online at www.flaglerartsandculture.org/granting-program until April 30.

who told them he was upset that his mom was kicking him out of the house because he failed a drug test. The man asked deputies give him a ride back home to gather his belongings, at which point the deputies told him “he would be separated from his property for officer safety reasons,” the report states. The man mentioned he had a weed pipe in his backpack, but that it was for medical marijuana. He also said he may have a small pocketknife somewhere. Because of these claims, deputies patted him down, finding a pill container with several small plastic bags containing Xanax and other different pills and another plastic bag containing about .85 grams of meth. While he had a prescription for two of the kinds of pills deputies found on him, he didn’t have one for the Xanax pills. He was taken to jail.

Hearing connects us. It makes us feel a part of our world. Whether it’s laughter at the family dinner table, a rousing debate at work, the eclectic energy of a live concert or even the quiet rustling of leaves on a warm summer night, hearing is so much more than a simple sense. It is simply part of who you are.

At AudioNova, we want to restore your sense of hearing so that you can get back what you’ve been missing. So you can feel like you again. If you’ve been putting off getting your hearing checked for another day, there’s never been a better time to take that important first step.

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1017 3rd St South (Next to Starbucks)

ORANGE CITY / DELAND (386) 327-7329

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TAVARES (352) 423-8285

500 W Burleigh Blvd (In betweeb CVS and Bank of America)

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PALM BAY (321) 286-7978

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Ocean Center celebrates 40th anniversary

Volusia County is looking to invest $40 million over the next 10 years to reimagine the Ocean Center.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Cher. Jimmy Buffett. Stevie Nicks. Elton John. Journey.

All big name artists that once graced the stage at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. In celebration of the Ocean Center’s 40th anniversary, Volusia County is planning to invest $40 million in facility upgrades over the next decade, with the vision to host major acts again one day soon.

Reimagining the Ocean Center was one of the charges given to Lynn Flanders when she became the facility’s director in 2023. During a news conference on Friday, April 4, Flanders said that included bringing in new events, programming and entertainment.

“As a result, we are undergoing a transformative reimagining during our 40th anniversary, and it includes the county’s new vision for us,” Flanders said.

The Ocean Center first opened its doors on Oct. 5, 1985. The late American singer-songwriter John Denver was the first performer in the arena. Through the decades, other acts such as AC/DC, Britney Spears, Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, KISS, Bob Dylan, the Jonas Brothers, Tina Turner and the London Symphony Orchestra performed at the Ocean Center, which was also home to the Daytona Beach Sun Devils Ice Hockey Team, World

Championship Wrestling and the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Then in 2009, Volusia County completed a $76 million expansion that added an exhibit hall and meeting spaces, shifting the focus away from music performances to conventions, conferences and sporting events.

“It sort of established our why — why do we exist and we exist for this community,” Flanders said.

The Ocean Center is primarily funded through Tourist Development Taxes. In 2024, the TDT — a 3% tax on lodging such as hotels and vacation rentals, which is also part of a 6% lodging tax in the county — generated $16,187,000.

Last year, the Ocean Center generated a $114 million economic impact on the county with its 118 events, which had a total attendance of about 513,000 people, up 16% from 2023’s event attendance. Of the 118, 14 were entertainment events, which included

comedians like Katt Williams and Bert Keischer, as well as the Harlem Globetrotters and 90s Con. The Ocean Center also hosted performances by boy band O-Town and rappers Big Boi, Muni Long and Yung Loc.

Flanders said their goal is to host four concerts for its 40th year.

According to the county, the events at the Ocean Center attributed to 88,000 hotel nights, up 17% from last year. The Ocean Center brought in $11.5 million in revenue, up 20% from last year. The Ocean Center also supported 980 jobs and contributed $1.9 million in sales tax.

Some of the planned $40 million capital improvements include a refreshed logo and brand colors, a 40th anniversary concert series and Celebrate Volusia event, new arena seating, a new arena basketball court, infrastructure upgrades and a new executive chef and menu.

Matt Dye, the district general manager for Oak View Group, said at the news conference that in honor of the Ocean Center’s 40th anniversary, they will be reimagining the entire food service program.

“This includes new menus, new flavor pairings and visual presentations,” Dye said. “Our main focus is on a few key areas that include local partnerships, which is super important to us, and sustainability, which is even more important. “

Three new Daytona Beachbased businesses will be showcased on their catering menus and concession stands, he said.

Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower said he’s traveled for the past 30 years

to conventions around the country. The Ocean Center has the best food, he said.

“This needs to be the convention center of Central Florida,” Brower said. “I’m looking forward to the next 40 years.”

Volusia County Councilman and Vice Chair Matt Reinhart said the 40th anniversary “not only marks a significant moment in our history, but it also paves the way for a bright and innovative future.”

“The true gem of Volusia County — you’re in it right now,” said Reinhart, who represents District 2, which includes Daytona’s beachside.

“... It has been more than just a venue, a place where memories are made.”

“Heads and beds” — visitors and hotel occupancy — is what brings dollars to Volusia County, Reinhart said. That brings more job opportunities and is what the county wishes to continue to build up.

“This new vision of the Ocean Center brings back the entertainment roots, while also in continuing to serve conventions, conferences and other events that puts those heads in beds,” Reinhart said.

Flanders may have just started working at the Ocean Center in 2023, but she said she watched as a child how it all came together. Her family used to vacation in Daytona Beach.

“Our mission is ... to go beyond the boundaries of hospitality with the best of class service and innovative approaches that ensure our clients are valued and strengthen the community that we proudly serve,” Flanders said. “That’s what we do every day and hope we meet that mission.”

3 drop out of Palm Coast manager search; 2 remain

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

Palm Coast is down to two.

The only candidate with city manager experience has dropped out of contention to be the next city manager of Palm Coast. Sonia AlvesViveiros informed the city, through a consultant, on April 7 that she had withdrawn.

Alves-Viveiros had been the No. 4-ranked choice out of five.

Less than a week ago, the top-ranked candidate dropped out of contention: William Lee Smith has been hired as the city manager in Nome, Alaska. (That’s about 4,218 miles away.)

The news was reported to the City of Palm Coast on April 1 by Doug Thomas, executive vice president over recruitment and leadership development for SGR, the firm the city has hired to guide its city manager search.

Thomas also reported that another candidate, Michael Reese, also dropped out “to focus his energies on another opportunity,” Thomas wrote. He had been ranked fifth at the City Council’s March 11 meeting.

The two candidates that remain are Paul Trombino and Richard Hough. They will be flown into Palm Coast and checked into a hotel, at the city’s expense. They will meet with city staff and City Council members one-onone, have a public meet-andgreet, and participate in 1.5hour public interviews. The schedule had been planned to stretch over two days, but may be shortened to one day, likely April 24 or April 25.

Thomas spoke via video at the April 8 City Council meeting to verify that the city wanted to go through with the search. In his 300 past searches, only two had as many as three finalists drop out. The City Council was agreed that they wanted to proceed, although Theresa Pontieri said she wouldn’t be shy about voting against both if she didn’t feel the city had the right person for the job.

WHERE DO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS STAND?

Mayor Mike Norris gave the two remaining candidates the lowest possible score of 3 out of 3 in the ranking exercise March 11. He had given Smith a top score of 1, as well as a 1 to his former boss, Lee Eureste, who finished sixth in the ranking and was therefore eliminated. Eureste has threatened to sue the city. The other City Council members gave Trombino and Hough each a 1 or 2. Based on the rankings, Trombino is the remaining favorite, followed by Hough.

MATT MORTON

Thirty-eight candidates applied for the Palm Coast position.

Meanwhile, in similarly sized Palm Bay, 114 candidates applied for the position of city manager, which most recently paid about $260,000. By a vote of 4-1 on March 31, that city selected Matt Morton. Morton served as the city manager of Palm Coast from March 2019 before resigning in June 2021. He was succeeded by Denise Beaven and now, Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston.

Ocean Center Director Lynn Flanders speaks during the news conference. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

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REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Hammock Dunes home tops Flagler’s sales list

Ahouse at 30 Island Estates Parkway, in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for March 22-28 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on March 26, for $1,675,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace, a boat dock, an outdoor kitchen, a boat house and 3,658 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $1,025,000.

CONTRIBUTING

Condos

A condo at 5 Ocean Crest Way, Unit 1441, sold on March 28, for $620,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,696 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $312,500.

A condo at 455 Riverfront Drive, Unit 102-A, sold on March 26, for $895,000. Built in 2023, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,779 square feet.

A condo at 5 Ocean Crest Way, Unit 1445, sold on March 27, for $575,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,696 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $559,000.

A condo at 1107 Ocean Marina Drive sold on March 24, for $315,000. Built in 1988, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,140 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $230,000.

PALM COAST

Flagler Village

A house at 22 Wandering Creek Drive sold on March

28, for $329,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet.

A house at 22 Sandy Lane sold on March 28, for $324,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,607 square feet.

A house at 21 Wandering Creek Way sold on March 27, for $364,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,193 square feet.

Grand Haven A house at 26 North Village Parkway sold on March 28, for $1,150,000. Built in 2012, the house is a 4/4 and has two fireplaces, a pool, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen and 3,527 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $755,000.

A house at 21 North Village Drive sold on March 27, for $500,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,289 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $307,000.

Hidden Lakes A house at 17 Arena Lake

Drive sold on March 28, for $385,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,670 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $234,300.

Pine Grove A house at 24 Ponce De Leon Drive sold on March 28, for $305,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,552 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $296,000.

A house at 8 Pittman Place sold on March 28, for $268,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet.

A house at 6 Pickwood Place sold on March 28, for $309,340. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet.

Sawmill Branch A house at 12 Springwood Drive sold on March 28, for $350,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,499 square feet.

Seminole Woods A house at 9 Smokehouse Place sold on March 28, for $427,500. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,992 square feet.

A house at 287 Montgomery Court sold on March 27, for $393,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,835 square feet.

A house at 16 September Place sold on March 28, for $308,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,626 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $207,200.

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

PALM COAST

House on John Anderson sells for

over $1.6M

Ahouse on the Halifax River at 1778 John Anderson Drive was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormondby-the-Sea for the week of March 15-21. The house sold on March 20, for $1,655,000. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a spa, a boat dock, a boat lift, an outdoor fireplace and 2,460 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $650,000.

Halifax Plantation

Condos

The condo at 640 N. Nova Road, Unit 510, sold on March 17, for $140,000. Built in 1976, the condo is a 2/2 and has 932 square feet. It last sold in 1995 for $44,000.

The condo at 2470 Ocean Shore Blvd. Unit 1080, sold on March 18, for $279,000. Built in 1998, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 980 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $173,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Archer’s Mill

The house at 3254 Arch Ave. sold on March 17, for $440,745. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,361 square feet.

The house at 3008 Target Trail sold on March 21, for $384,490. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,034 square feet.

Carrollwood

The house at 1309 Golf Ave. sold on March 17, for $245,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,420 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $85,400.

Coquina Point

The house at 12 Sandpoint Circle sold on March 20, for $380,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,822 square feet. It last sold in 1997 for $135,000.

Fountain View

The house at 1200 Big Bass Drive sold on March 18, for $339,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,828 square feet.

The house at 3266 Bailey Ann Drive sold on March 17, for $339,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,687 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $269,200.

The townhome at 1113 Athlone Way sold on March 19, for $275,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,627 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $169,000.

Ocean Village The house at 64 Cardinal Drive, Unit A, sold on March 18, for $229,000. Built in 1947, the house is a 2/1 and has 755 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $171,000.

Plantation Bay The townhome at 1055 Kilkenny Lane sold on March 18, for $335,000. Built in 2014, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,510 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $173,800.

The house at 501 Oyster Bay Drive sold on March 20, for $800,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 3,202 square feet.

The house at 990 Downshire Lane sold on March 21, for $1,550,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool and 3,597 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $948,700.

Tomoka Oaks The house at 3 Waterfront Court sold on March 21, for $255,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 1,729 square feet. It last sold in 1989 for $117,000.

Village The house at 903 Village Drive sold on March 19, for $345,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,206 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $112,900.

Village of Pine Run

The house at 115 Addison Drive sold on March 18, for $573,775. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,711 square feet. It last sold in 1982 for $98,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Fairwinds Estates

The house at 29 Julie Drive sold on March 21, for $640,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,029 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $350,000.

Ocean Shores

The house at 29 Ocean Shore Drive sold on March 18, for $315,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/1 and has 882 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $235,000.

Raymonde Shores

The house at 12 Raymonde Circle sold on March 21, for $369,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1 and has 830 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $155,000.

Peninsula Winds

The house at 111 Peninsula Winds Drive sold on March 17, for $420,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,450 square feet. It last sold in 1995 for $111,500.

Sunrise Cove

The house at 205 Sunrise Cove Circle sold on March 21, for $375,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,405 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $304,900.

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

The house at 1778 John Anderson Drive sold on March 20, for $1,655,000. Photo courtesy of Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Officials should have done their research

Dear Editor:

Even though it was a flip flop, the Palm Coast mayor garnered a 5-star rating for reversing his stance on the Belvedere fuel farm. However, he and the City Council, as well as Flagler County, get big time demerits for entertaining this project in the first place.

Blinded by the prospect of tax revenue, they all failed to do the most basic of research into a company they were considering entering into a multi-million dollar arrangement with. It’s very troubling that our local residents, with just a few computer keystrokes, were able to come up with enough evidence about Belvedere and its troublesome past to have quickly sunk the proposed project. It is clearly a failure of good governance and leadership when vetting and due diligence is left up to the people to do. We pay our city officials to make well researched educated decisions, not to be schooled by the public. The credit for derailing this bad idea lies solely with the public’s research and outcry. And the failure of responsible governance lies mostly with the mayor who was the loudest advocate of the fuel tanks.

BOB GORDON Palm Coast

Let’s look at fuel terminal objectively

Dear Editor: Here we go again, ladies and gentlemen. The pitchforks are out, the torches are lit, and the mob is growing. That can only mean one thing — someone wants to build something. Whether it’s a residential community, a commercial plaza, an industrial site or even a fastfood joint, Palm Coast has a real issue with welcoming anything new.

To be fair, there are reasons for this resistance. Palm Coast’s infrastructure is in dire need of upgrades. Wastewater treatment plants are outdated, new wells and processing facilities are overdue and stormwater management is a growing concern. The situation got so bad that Mayor Mike even proposed a residential moratorium until the water crisis was addressed — an idea that was met with cheers from frustrated residents.

Now, onto the latest socalled “threat”: Belvedere Terminals’ proposed fuel storage facility. A $75 million, 12.6-million-gallon gas and diesel depot, originally planned for 78 acres near Peavy Grade by the railroad and wastewater plant. Now, rumors suggest it may move further south, closer to the Bunnell city limits. Wherever it ends up, one

thing is certain — it belongs in Flagler County. That’s right, I said it. Bring it on. I’ve read the articles, the complaints, the violations, and the controversies surrounding Grupo México and Belvedere. I know this project has sparked debate in other communities, but here’s the reality: it’s happening. Even if the fuel terminal isn’t built here, the trains will still carry fuel straight through the heart of our county. Like Florida’s growth, it’s inevitable. We can’t stop it — but we can decide how we handle it. Instead of reacting with blanket opposition, let’s approach these opportunities with an open but critical eye, ensuring strict oversight every step of the way. If done right, this kind of development could elevate Flagler’s standing in the business world, making us more attractive to highquality projects while giving us the leverage to be more selective. More importantly, expanding our commercial and industrial tax base helps reduce the financial burden on residents.

If we can set emotions aside and look at this objectively, we have a chance to guide Flagler’s growth in a way that benefits everyone. Smart, strategic development can strengthen our economy, improve infrastructure, and create opportunities for future generations. Let’s not waste it.

RON LONG Flagler County

This is the wrong business

Dear Editor: Please do not allow Belvedere Terminals to build a fuel facility in Palm Coast.

I recently moved to Palm Coast with my husband and 10-week-old son. We live in Sawmill Branch, a new-build community that will be right next to this fuel facility. The parent company has been cited for oil and chemical spills and this facility will be too close to our well/drinking water supply. This is not worth the $800,000 in taxes.

I am all for Palm Coast expanding into industrial businesses, but this is the wrong business. If this facility is built, myself and many other families will be moving to St Augustine and taking our tax dollars with us which would far exceed the revenue from the fuel farm.

Studies have shown that children who live near fuel facilities may have an increased risk of leukemia. You could literally save lives by not approving of this build.

KATHERINE FRIBORG Palm Coast

This is no ‘farm’

Dear Editor:

I can’t help but wonder why the proposed Belvedere Terminals gas depot is referred to as an “oil tank farm.” Why are rows of huge unsightly tanks filled with toxic, highly flammable petrochemicals called “farms?”

To most of us, farms bring up bucolic visions of corn fields and amber waves of grain. Is this some public relations ploy to put the proverbial lipstick on a pig? It seems to be since Belvedere and other such companies facing controversy for their type of business or questionable activity employ crisis management PR companies to spin, dodge, obscure and even gaslight (pun intended) the truth.

And in the case of any oil tank farm, obscuring the reality isn’t that easy to do because you can’t fool all the people all of the time unless, of course, you happen to be the Palm Coast mayor and city council who were poised to approve the Belvedere “farm” in our town.

DANA GRAVES Palm Coast

Protests are good

Dear Editor:

This Saturday, I saw many people exercising our 1st Amendment right to publicly redress grievances of the government. I loved it. There were many issues folks were expressing on the public square. Hopefully those in government took notice. Peaceful assembly is an important exercise whether we all agree on an issue or not.

In many foreign counties, publicly speaking out against the perceived tyranny by the government results in incarceration by that government — more tyranny against peaceful people. I found myself agreeing with as many things I read on the protesters signs as I disagreed with. Most I’m sure were intending different actions than the way I would prefer, but that can be debated another day.

I’ve also seen some folks mock those protestors. That is OK so long as we don’t use government to silence the voices we disagree with. It is paramount we stand up for one another‘s right to protest. I hope to see more of this along with civil discourse.

JOE HANNOUSH

Ormond Beach

Send Flagler Countyrelated letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com; send Ormond Beachrelated letters to jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com. Editor may alter the letter for clarity and/or length.

Make yourself at home

‘I want to keep it’: a dead lizard in a Ziploc baggie

Or: The quest for closure meets YouTube.

“Did he just … ?”

Without waiting for me to respond, she jumped off the couch to investigate, although no matter why the toilet had flushed, there was no going back.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

While I was playing a game of basketball with my 6-yearold son, Luke, in the backyard, I failed to notice a lizard until it was too late.

I might have stepped on it? No way to know for sure. But it was a gory sight: leaking black goo from its side, its right hind leg shriveling before our very eyes. Dead.

“Whoa,” Luke and I said in unison, hovering over the lizard.

Then Luke grew quiet. His shoulders slumped. He went inside, his high tops clomping with a clumsy mournfulness.

I followed him in and tried to forget about the lizard. I sat on the couch with my 10-year-old daughter, Kennedy. I was answering emails on my phone when I heard Kennedy, in her best bigsister scolding voice: “Luke!” she said. “Go wash your hands!”

There he stood, smiling. He thought he had done a grand thing: In his hand, he held the dead lizard, in a Ziploc baggie. A strange, tragicomic gesture of respect toward this unliving thing.

“Yes,” I said, agreeing with Kennedy, “go wash your hands.”

He disappeared down the hallway, toward the bathroom. A few minutes later, we heard the toilet flush.

Kennedy and I looked at each other.

She said, in a hushed voice:

But he hadn’t flushed the lizard; he had just used the bathroom himself. He had put the lizard, in its flimsy, transparent body bag, on a shelf in his bedroom.

“I want to keep it,” he said.

“I don’t think so,” I said.

“I want to keep it,” he repeated. “It’s so sad.”

I imagined the dead lizard rotting for years on his shelf, stinking up the house.

“Go get it and dump it in the woods,” I said.

Dutifully, he walked away, head down. At the edge of the far end of the yard, he opened the baggie and dropped the lizard into the tall grass. He slowly walked back and sat next to me on a patio chair.

I thought about the many ways we lose our innocence as we grow up. Was this a moment he would remember forever? Or perhaps a moment that would impact him in ways he might not ever realize? I knew the sick knot he had in his stomach; I had one too. How could I help him to transform that feeling into something more manageable?

“How about if we learn about lizards?” I asked.

He agreed, and we went back inside. He chose a YouTube video about chameleons and cast it on the TV.

In slow motion, the exotic lizard crouched and launched its tongue out into space, snatching an insect off a branch.

To Kennedy, it was not a learning experience but a pure gross-out. “That’s awful,” she said.

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

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TO ADVERTISE Call the office at 386-447-9723. Locally Owned / Publishers of the Palm Coast Observer McMillan Ink

“Do you feel some closure?” I asked Luke. He nodded. “A little bit.” I felt that I had accomplished something great as a parent. I had helped my son turn his mysterious grief into a quest for knowledge. On second thought, I asked: “Do you know what closure means?”

“No,” he said.

But apparently it was OK. He had found another source of comfort and wisdom: The next suggested YouTube video, come what may. Email brian@observer localnews.com.

‘Hands Off’ rallies in Volusia, Flagler

According to a press release from Hands Off! 2025, over 1,300 rallies were held.

OBSERVER STAFF

Joining thousands across the nation, locals denounced President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency at protests held in Daytona Beach, Pam Coast, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange on Saturday, April 5. The Daytona Beach protest was held at its City Hall. The Palm Coast rallies took place at Island Walk and the Target

on State Route 100.

According to a press release from Hands Off! 2025, over 1,300 rallies were held, with more planned for the coming days.

“What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary. Across the country and around the world, people came together to say: we will not be silent while our rights, our futures, and our democracy are under attack,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn in the press release. “This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people — nurses, teachers, students, parents — who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.”

BIZ BUZZ

Flagler Fish Company moves into temporary home at the Topaz Motel

Flagler Fish Company is now open for business at the former Island Grille in the Topaz Motel at 1224 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach.

The restaurant had been closed since October for renovations and expansion of its building at 180 S. Daytona Ave. It had been operating a mobile food unit since then. But, instead of expanding the building, owner Carolyn Casper said they have now decided to demolish the current building and construct a new one.

“We thought we’d be permitted by now, but there were challenges that the architect uncovered and it might be more cost effective to take the whole building down,” she said. “It will take a year and a half to two years to rebuild, so we needed something more sustainable (than a mobile unit).”

Casper said they are working with new contractors and the city of Flagler Beach. They have been planning to renovate the building for six years but put the plan on hold after COVID.

The Topaz space had been vacant for eight months.

Flagler Fish Company announced on March 30 on its Facebook page that it is officially open for business at the Topaz Motel. Casper said they were doubling their staff. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Phemotron Systems becomes first African American space startup to win

Phemotron Systems Corps became the first African American space startup company to win a national pitch competition, in last March.

Phemotron Systems is a pioneering aerospace technology company that specializes in advanced systems and solutions for the satellite and space industries. The company won the Startup Space pitch Competition, held during the SATELLITE 2025 Conference and Exhibition, a Phemotron press release said.

Leslie F. Giscombe, a Palm Coast resident and Phemotron Systems’ president and chief business officer, attended the competition, held in Washington D.C.

Phemotron Systems was founded by Femi Ishola, who presented Phemotron’s innova-

tive AI-MotherBox-1 for the competition.

The technology promises to revolutionize satellite communication and data processing, the press release said. Ishola dedicated the award to aspiring innovators from Africa. “This is a testament that you can do it,” he said.

Bee Well wins People’s Choice at Volusia Innovation Challenge

Online game development company Beyond Bounds Studios won first place in the 2025 Volusia Innovation Pitch Competition and Innovation Challenge, with Mr. Market taking second. The final prize was the People’s Choice Award, with a prize of $2,000, for Ormond Beachbased Bee Well Therapeutics, a manufacturer and distributor of a beeswax-infused topical therapy system.

Donations from Warbirds and drone show

Nexus360 donated its proceeds from its SkyGlow Drone Show at Warbirds Over Flagler to two local nonprofits: TeensIn-Flight received $1,000 while the Hispanic American Cultural Society received $500.

The SkyGlow Drone Show was Flagler County’s first-ever drone show, drawing approximately 3,000 to 4,000 attendees, the press release said. Visit www.hispanicamerican culturalsociety.org and www. teensinflight.org.

AdventHealth Palm Coast ER designated ‘Age-Friendly’

AdventHealth Palm Coast has earned the Age-Friendly Emergency Department designation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

CLASSIFIEDS

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Help Wanted

Title Agents

Pioneer Title Services is growing. If you have experience in the title industry and are looking for an

exciting opportunity, we want to hear from you! -Experienced Processors -Experienced Closing Officers -Licensed Title Agents Send your resume to michelleh@ pioneertitleservices.com

WATERLINE PERSON needed to help clean boats in local waters. a.ginger.diver@gmail.com

Lawn Care

SILVA SERVICES Lawn Service mowing, trimming, edging, blowing, aeration. Meticulous and professional work at fair and reasonable prices! Call for appointment (386) 530-9636

Trimming Specials “Everything but the Lawn” Trimming, Weeding, Maintenance, Mulch, Rocks,

The designation recognizes AdventHealth’s commitment to meeting “the unique needs of seniors,” a AdventHealth press release said. The designation is a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation and means the ER has specialized equipment, staff trained in senior care and processes in place to screen for conditions like dementia.

“When an older adult comes to the ER, they often have different needs than younger patients. They may be on multiple medications, have mobility challenges, or be dealing with memory loss,” said Dr. Terry Livingston, who oversees emergency medicine for the age-friendly designation at AdventHealth Palm Coast. “This designation shows that we’ve put the right people, training and equipment in place to care for them in the best way possible.”

Adults 65 and older is Flagler County’s fastest growing age group.

AdventHealth has served Flagler County for over 20 years and invested over $200 million in the county’s healthcare infrastructure in recent years,

including a new hospital and a new cancer treatment center, the press release said.

Hounds Town USA celebrates grand opening of first Palm CoastBunnell location

Jackie Rector, left, and The Hounds Town USA Palm Coast-Bunnell location’s team. Photo courtesy of Hounds Town USA

Palm Coast resident Leslie F. Giscombe (second from the left) is Phemotron Systems’ president and chief business officer. Courtesy photo

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Starring Ms. Marie

Ormond Beach resident dedicated her career to acting, modeling.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

For Ormond Beach resident Marie McKenzie-Cortez, starring in movies was not about the glitz and the glamour. It was true, hard work — a job.

Being part of the 1994 movie, “Guarding Tess,” featuring Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage, was no exception. McKenzie-Cortez played a nurse in the movie.

“I had to drive from Washington D.C. to Baltimore,” 92-year-old McKenzie-Cortez recalled. “When I got to Baltimore, we were in a snowstorm. So the following day, everything was snowed in. I was there a week to do this little bitty part in ‘Guarding Tess.’” And yet, 31 years later, people continue to enjoy the movie, she said. Last month, the movie was shown to her fellow Paradise Pointe Assisted Living residents.

“They cut out a little bit,” McKen-

zie-Cortez said of the movie. “I did have lines, but they cut them out, and so it’s a very short, bitty piece, but I’m still in it. I still get residuals.”

McKenzie-Cortez worked as a day player for movies. But before all that, modeling is what kickstarted the

It takes a village

Third annual Autism Awareness Festival in Palm Coast provides families with help and information.

Brooklyn, New York native’s career.

She was 18 when she started mod eling. If you were a model in the 1950s, McKenzie-Cortez recalled, “you were somebody very special.”

“My mother, of course, was focused on me getting an educa tion,” McKenzie-Cortez said. “There was no money for me to go to col lege — Forget that. So I had to go to work.”

She worked doing garment shows for wholesale houses on 7th Avenue in New York City for some time, and later went to work with Central Casting. That brought her into the film industry.

And in the middle of all that, she met her late husband James in 1956. James was a cadet at West Point, and they married after he graduated in 1957. The couple traveled to Germany for his first tour of duty in the army, and in the three years they were there, they had two sons, Michael and Stephen.

They were married for 50 years. James, who suffered from Parkinson’s, died in 2015, 16 years after the couple moved to Ormond Beach.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful man,” McKenzie-Cortez said. “I’m grateful for the fact that I had him in my life.”

She returned to modeling and acting — including working at the Shakespeare Theater in DC for one year — once she came back to the U.S. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, McKenzie-Cortez has six credits on her IMDB page, including “Guarding Tess,” “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” and the 1994 “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes” TV mini series.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

While vendors were showcasing their services at the third annual Autism Awareness Festival in Palm Coast, an author who has nonspeaking autism presented her published books at the Vincent’s Clubhouse Enrichment Center.

Shayna “Shana” Stipakov and her mother, Bella Stipakov, sat next to a table displaying Shayna’s books — three children’s books and her poetry book: “A Chance To Spread My Wings: Poetry and Philosophy of Autism.

The Stipakovs live in Palm Coast. Shana was diagnosed with severe autism at age 2. Bella helps Shana put sentences on a page through a painstaking process in which Shana forms words by pointing to letters on an alphabet stencil. “A Chance to Spread My Wings” took a couple of years to write, Bella said. She doesn’t even know how Shana learned how to read, though she has always read to her.

“I have no idea how she learned, but she can (read),” Bella Stipakov said. “She uses words (in her writ -

McKenzie-Cortez has lived at Paradise Pointe for about three months, having had a stroke last year. Her life has changed since, and she’s had some memory loss.

Still, she has her eyes set on what she’ll do next in this new phase of life.

“A lot of [my memory] has come back,” McKenzie-Cortez said. “I’m grateful for that, but at the same time, I still have a life that I want to live.”

ing) that I have to look up.”

Erica Flores, the executive director of festival sponsor Vincent’s Clubhouse, said Shana “can show people that anybody can accomplish anything.”

The Autism Awareness Festival was held on Saturday, April 5, at the European Village, site of the Vincent’s Clubhouse Enrichment Center, which opened in November.

The festival included a performance from the Downright Dancers of the Funcoast Down Syndrome Association of Palm Coast and the signature Penguin Project performance to the song, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

The Flagler Playhouse will present the Penguin Project production of “Aladdin Jr.” on June 6-8 at Bunnell Elementary School.

Vendors at the festival provided information on services for families. Vendors included the Funcoast Down Syndrome Association; Able Academics; Florida Autism Center — Palm Coast; Flagler Schools Exceptional Student Education; the Family Life Center; the Therapeutic Learning Center at The Arc of the St. Johns; SkillSprouts OT; Easter Seals Northeast Central Florida; the Braille and Talking Books Library; Positive Behavior Supports Corporation of North Florida; the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office; the Florida Department of Education; The

Joy Advantage; Water Safe; Coastal Speech and Language Center; Tender Care PPEC medical daycare; and the Flagler Palm Coast High Schools’ Friends For All Abilities club.

Anna Machiz-Dillon, the community outreach coordinator for the Therapeutic Learning Center at The Arc of the St. Johns, said with parents’ advocacy great strides have been made for people with special needs in Florida.

“This year 68 bills have been introduced in the state legislature (helping people with disabilities),” she said. “Not all them have made it through, but we’re making progress through parents sharing their stories.”

Drew, Jennifer, Lauren and Jay with the Funcoast Down Syndrome Association. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Stephanie Abrantes and her sons Seth (left) and Ethan helped run the information table at the entrance to the Autism Awareness Festival.

Lacy McKampson and Cindy Guldenschuh. Lacy is participating in the Flagler Playhouse Penguin Project production of “Aladdin Jr.” to be presented June 6-8 at Bunnell Elementary School.

Erica Flores, the founder and executive director of Vincent’s Clubhouse, hosted the third annual Autism Awareness Festival.

Marie McKenzie-Cortez holds a photo of herself in costume for “Guarding Tess.” Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Marie McKenzie-Cortez modeled for advertisements during her career. Courtesy photo

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

FASHION SHOW

When: 11:30 a.m.

Where: Flagler Woman’s Club, 1524 S. Central Ave., Flagler

Beach

Details: The Flagler Woman’s Club invites the community to its fashion show and luncheon. The “Spring Fling” theme features fashions by County Road Boutique and lunch will be catered by Craves. Bring your own beverage. Tickets are $35. Visit flaglerwomansclub.org/ events or call Lonnie at 904377-9842.

THE DALLAS STRING QUARTET: STRINGS

UNLEASHED

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast

Details: The Dallas String Quartet performs a fusion of contemporary classical and pop music and has been compared to artists like like Lindsey Stirling, Vitamin String Quartet, Brooklyn Duo and 2Cellos. The core group is composed of violist Ion Zanca, violinists Valory Hight and Melissa Priller and bassist Young Heo. Tickets costs $54-$64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

29TH ANNUAL SPRING CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

When: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m,

Where: Herschel King Park, 1000 Grady Prather Jr. Cove, Palm Coast

Details: Flagler Sportfishing Club is hosting its annual spring classic tournament, benefiting Disabled American Veterans. There is a mandatory captains meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. The tournament check-out will take place from 7-8 a.m. and weigh-ins from 3:30-5 p.m. Entry fee is $95 per angler and includes one raffle ticket. Visit flaglersportfishingclub. com.

PYRAMID PLAYERS GOLF TOURNAMENT

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Pine Lakes Golf Club, 400 Pine Lakes Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: The African American Cultural Society, Inc. is inviting golf enthusiasts to participate in this tournament. Entry fee costs $100 per player, or $400 per foursome. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Hole sponsorships are $50. Participants will receive goodie bags and may purchase a $20 game day pass for Mulligans, raffle tickets and a forward tee advantage. Prizes will be awarded. A luncheon and awards ceremony will follow the tournament at the Clubhouse Restaurant. Call the AAC office for more

information on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 386447-7030.

EASTER PARTY AND EGG HUNT

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Tomoka United Methodist Church, 1000 Old Tomoka Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Tomoka United Methodist Church will host its Easter Party and Egg Hunt. This event is free for children in preschool through fifth grade. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children will be divided into three age groups for the egg hunt.

FLAGLER-PALM COAST

HOUSING FAIR

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: Housing officials from throughout Flagler County are hosting the annual Flagler-Palm Coast Housing Fair, “The Act in Action,” in conjunction with National Fair Housing Month. The event will be led by the Mid Florida Housing Partnership. There will be exhibitors, workshops and local assistance programs.

14TH ANNUAL ORMOND

BEACH CELTIC FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Saturate your senses in the sights, sounds and tastes of Celtic heritage at Ormond MainStreet’s Celtic Festival, which is returning to Ormond’s two downtown parks along the Halifax River. There will be live music, Highland Games, clans and Celtic societies. Admission costs $12 each day for adults in advance; $15 at the festival gate. Children 12 and under are free. Two-day passes are available for $18. Free parking. Visit ormondbeachmainstreet.com.

EGG’STRAVAGANZA

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: The City of Palm Coast invites residents and visitors to its annual Egg’Stravaganza. There will be arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games, and more. The Easter Bunny will be available for photo opportunities, and there will be booths from local businesses and organizations where children can earn Easter eggs.

LOW-COST

PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 9:30-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Ace Hardware, 225 Saint Joe Plaza Drive, Palm Coast (first time slot) and Astro Skate Ormond, 250 N. Yonge St., Ormond Beach (second time slot)

Details: Get your pet vaccinated at a lower cost. No appointment needed. Clinic is open to everyone. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.

ARTS AND CRAFTS WALK

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Beach Front Grille, 2444 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. Flagler Beach

Details: See over 20 vendors and enjoy live music at this free monthly event.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

NEED IDEAS FOR NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING?

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: Attend this Regrow the Loop workshop, presented by Katie Tripp, of Natural Beauty Native Florida Landscapes. Hosted in partnership with Dream Green Volusia. There will be classroom learning and a native garden walk.

ORMOND BALLET PRESENTS ‘PROMETHEUS’

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach

Details: Choreographed and directed by Jeremiah Garner, with music from the motion picture “The Fountain” by Clint Mansell. Tickets cost $35. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN

UNIVERSITY 48TH ANNUAL

SPRING CONCERT

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: The Concert Chorale and the Symphonic Band will perform. Doors open at 3 p.m.; performances start at 4 p.m. Free admission, but donations to support student scholarships are welcome.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

FOOD TRUCK TUESDAY

When: 5-8 p.m.

Where: Central Park, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Supports the Saving Missing Animals Response Team.

TAB BENOIT ‘I HEAR THUNDER’ TOUR When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach

Details: Enjoy the music of four-time Grammy-nominated artist Tab Benoit, known for his guitar tone and OtisRedding-esque voice. Tickets cost $45-$65. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter. csstix.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

SPRING BIRD WALKS

When: 8-10 a.m.

Where: Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Master Naturalist Joan Tague, of the Halifax River Audubon, for a casual bird walk along the trails of Central Park. Bring water. Walking shoes and sunscreen recommended. Free event.

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 11 a.m. to noon

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

Details: This is a social club for retired and semiretired men and women that meets monthly with a guest speaker on a topic of interest, with other social events during

the month. This month’s guest speaker is Jonathon Lord, Flagler County emergency management director. All are welcome. Stay for lunch if you like. Explore the benefits of joining Probus, a worldwide organization with 350,000 members in 4,500 clubs. Meet new friends, new activities and social events. For more information contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobusclub@gmail.com.

FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB LUNCHEON

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Hammock Dunes Club, 30 Ave Royale, Palm Coast

Details: The April luncheon will feature guest speaker Brian London, an expert in tourism economics, destination marketing and public policy. Luncheon costs $35 for members; $40 for guests. Advanced registration required.

FLAGLER BEACH CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY BLOCK PARTY

When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: 2nd Street and Central Avenue, Flagler Beach

Details: Join the City of Flagler Beach and the Flagler Beach Historical Museum in celebrating the first 100 years of Flagler Beach. There will be a kids area and crafts, live music, guest speakers and a cake cutting at 6 p.m. in Veterans Park. Also, at 5 p.m. the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach invites the community to form a “100” on the beach for a photo. Free community event.

BLUES LEGEND LARRY MCCRAY AND SPECIAL GUEST SELWYN BIRCHWOOD When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: American blues vocalist and guitarist Larry McCray. Florida bues artist Selwyn Birchwood will open. $30-$45. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix. com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

THE OLIVIA SHOW When: 7 p.m.

Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast

Details: Tribute to Olivia Newton-John. The show features live vocals, costumes, chart-topping hits, and a singalong section. $54-$64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.

YOUR SCHOOLS

MedNexus Challenge: Students present health solutions

The winning teams received scholarships for their projects on how social media can be used to positively influence teens’ mental health.

OBSERVER STAFF

Four teams of students, all from Flagler Palm Coast High School, competed in the 2025 MedNexus Innovation Challenge on April 3 at the Palm Coast Community Center.

The competition was presented by the University of North Florida, AdventHealth, the City of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools.

This year’s theme was, “Becoming a Mental Health influencer,” with the students exploring how social media can be used for positive change in adolescent mental health.

Each team had a UNF pro-

CLASS NOTES

FEED ME

Matanzas Troupe 7108 performed “Little Shop of Horrors” on April 3-5 in the Pirate Theatre. The play follows Seymour Krelbourne (played by Eric Shoemaker), Audrey (Leah Lehnertz), and Mr. Mushnik (David De Oliveira) as Seymour finds a mystical plant that brings acclaim to a failing plant store. The plant grows and grows and requires more than Seymour bargained for. Directed by James Brendlinger. Have school news and events to share? Email jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.

fessor as a mentor. The students showcased their projects before a panel of judges offering social media campaigns and peer-to-peer initiatives aimed at improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and promoting wellness among teens.

The team of Academic Athletes Unite — Natalie PatelHolmes, Joy Prime, Makaylla Williams and Alessandra Caballero, mentored by Dr. Rachel Achorn — won first place with each team member earning a $1,000 scholarship.

Team Inner Peace — Brosna Seth, Meliyah Lumpkins, Eryka Damas and Hannah Melton, mentored by Dr. Cristy Cummings — was awarded second place with each member receiving a $750 scholarship.

The other teams were Aida Moghanaki, Prem Prakash Patel, Madison St. George and Antonia Perez, mentored by Professor Stephanie Hooper; and Liliana Rosa, Kacie Jones and Persia Hughes, mentored by Dr. Martin Luytjes.

“The level of creativity and problem-solving displayed by

these students is truly inspiring,” Palm Coast Acting City Manager Lauren Johnson said in a city press release. “The MedNexus Innovation Challenge provides a platform for young innovators to explore groundbreaking solutions that could shape the future of healthcare.”

Dr. Julie Merten, associate dean of UNF MedNexus, said, “We are so grateful to Palm Coast for their vital partnership in fostering innovation and community engagement in healthcare. The success of

this evening highlights the incredible potential of our students to drive meaningful change in the industry.”

AdventHealth Communications Manager Michelle Bartlome noted that the MedNexus Innovation Challenge empowers area high school students to investigate healthcare solutions.

“We are excited to see their ideas come to life and witness how their passion for innovation can positively influence the world of health,” she said.

Pine Trail Elementary Principal Charlie Bynum was slimed for a cause on Friday, April 4. The “Slime The Principal” event was a fundraiser for the Pine Trail PTA. Participating students had the opportunity to pour cups of green slime on their principal in the school courtyard.

“Slime the Principal was a huge success!,” The PTA wrote on its Facebook page. “Thank you everyone for supporting the PTA!”

Academic Athletes Unite: Natalie Patel-Holmes, Joy Prime, Makaylla Williams and Alessandra Caballero, mentored by Dr. Rachel Achorn, took first place with each team member earning a $1,000 scholarship. At left, Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo and Palm Coast Acting City Manager Lauren Johnson. Courtesy photo

A Pine Trail Elementary student slimes Principal Charlie Bynum. Courtesy photo

Audrey 2 voiced by Zachary Doyle, played by puppet team Tyler Bellows, Logan Blanton, Adianna De Oliveira, and Thomas Neel. Eric Shoemaker playing Seymour and Leah Lehnertz playing Audrey. Photos by Grant McMillan

Jaden Jones, Kendall Blais, and Jayla Sanchez. They play Crystal, Chiffon, and Ronnette respectively.

Tyler Miller played Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS

Mr. Mushnik (left) played by David De Oliveira and Seymour (right) played by Eric Shoemaker

Zachary Doyle is the voice of Audrey 2.

Violet Ochrietor, senior, was the stage manager

Turtle Patrols hold annual Turtle Fest

The Volusia and Flagler Turtle Patrols held their 17th annual Turtle Fest on Saturday, April 5, at Veteran’s Park in Flagler Beach. The event, which is the organizations’ primary fundraiser, featured live music, vendors, turtle races and kids’ activities. The 2025 turtle nesting season will begin on May 1.

To learn more about turtle patrol, visit turtlepatrol.com.

–OBSERVER STAFF

“This is not your grandmother’s string quartet” - The Wall Street Journal

The Dallas String Quartet (DSQ), also known as DSQ Electric, is a Billboard-charting American Classical Crossover ensemble founded in 2007 by composer and violist Ion Zanca. Known for blending contemporary classical with pop music, they are often described as “Bach meets Bon Jovi” and compared to artists like Lindsey Stirling and 2Cellos. With both traditional and electric strings, DSQ performs as a quartet with drums and guitar, covering everything from Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Señorita.” They’ve performed for Presidents Obama and Bush, collaborated with stars like Ed Sheeran and Luke Combs, and even entertained at Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s wedding. DSQ’s album Love Always debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts, and they are featured on the 2023 GRAMMY-nominated album The Passenger by Cheryl B. Engelhardt. The group consists of Ion Zanca (viola), Valory Hight and Melissa Priller (violins), and Young Heo (bass).

Sandy Alfaia, Ginny Mcleod, Kelly Borowski, Kim Barker, Maria Allgeier and Chris Twelves.

Heidi Bauer goes to pet a turtle. Photos by Hannah Hodge

Two tortoises were present during Turtle Fest.

Right time for REVENGE

Seabreeze finishes third in Five Star Conference flag football tournament

MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Seabreeze flag football team finished third in the Five Star Conference Tournament with a 13-0 win in the consolation final against Pine Ridge on April 3 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Sandcrabs beat Mainland 6-0 on April 2 after falling to Deltona 13-7 in a first-round game on March 31. Spruce Creek claimed the championship with a win over Deltona in the title match.

Seabreeze coach Todd Barnes said the consolation round gave all of the teams a chance to continue playing

in the tournament. After the Sandcrabs’ first-round loss to the Wolves, he said his team was able to play two revenge games. Both Mainland and Pine Ridge had beaten Seabreeze in overtime earlier this season.

After the win over Pine Ridge, Barnes told his players, “What have I told you all year — get better every game and get better at the right time of the season. This is the right time of the season to start winning games.”

Seabreeze was scheduled to hold Senior Night at its final regular-season game Monday, April 7, against Deltona. District tournaments are scheduled to begin on April 14.

“I’m so proud of you all,” Barnes told his team. “Keep working hard and let’s keep winning.”

The Sandcrabs dominated the first half in the game against Pine Ridge. With 18 seconds left in the second quarter, wide receiver Camryn Chiumento snatched the handoff and sprinted in for a touchdown. The senior finished the game with an interception in the third quarter, three solo tackles and a 20-yard punt return.

“I’m really proud of my team,” she said. “We’ve had a little bit of a losing streak but we never gave up. We always played our hardest no matter what our streak was. These past two games, my teammates have shown up and given it their all. It’s great to see everyone working together in tandem and lifting each other up.”

Chiumento has been playing flag football at Seabreeze since her sophomore year and on Ormond Beach Leisure Services teams since she was 7 years old with her brothers Mac and Carson. Mac is currently a junior at Florida State University where he is a punter on the football team. This is Carson’s first year attending the

University of Florida where Camryn said she will be going in the fall and majoring in mechanical engineering.

“You have to be tough growing up with two older brothers,” she said.

Four minutes into the third quarter, Seabreeze’s Amira Ferguson intercepted a pass by Pine Ridge quarterback Keyrielys Roman Burgos. Two minutes later, the Panthers grabbed an interception and three minutes after that, Chiumento intercepted the ball, finishing her return close to the end zone. Sandcrabs’wide receiver Ylan Phan scored just seconds into the fourth quarter followed by an extra point by Natalia Monde.

Phan had 10 carries for 97 yards, received three passes for 34 yards and had one solo tackle. Barnes said the Daytona State College head flag football coach, Brian Colubiale, contacted him about Phan trying out for the Falcons.

Barnes said his team has had it share of close battles this season.

“This season has been tight all year,” he said. “A lot of teams are really close to each other. We lost three overtime games and five games total by six points or less. We’ve struggled a little bit with offense, but it’s starting to click now.”

Chiumento said that before the Senior Night game against Deltona, she and her teammates planned to review past errors and plan out their defense against the Wolves’ talented quarterback, Tasha Williams.

“Senior Night will get us (the seniors) emotional because it is our last season game,” she said. “A lot of us have been playing for a while, so it definitely makes us want to win especially since there will be a lot of family there. We will play with heart and put the last two losses against them behind us. This is a new game.”

FPC qualifies seven lifters for state; Seabreeze, Lopez qualify three each

Matanzas’ Jayden Sao and FPC’s Cody Strawser are among the top lifters at 129 pounds in Class 3A.

Seven Flagler Palm Coast lifters qualified for the Class 3A state boys weightlifting tournament April 11-12, while three Seabreeze lift -

ers qualified for the Class 2A state tournament, and three Father Lopez lifters qualified for the Class 1A tournament.

Matanzas 129-pounder Jayden

Sao and Mainland 129-pounder Ray Tatro also qualified for the 3A state tournament.

The state championships will be held at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Sao and FPC’s Cody Strawser placed third and fourth, respectively, in the 129-pound traditional compe-

tition at the Region 1-3A championships on March 2, and those are the spots where they are seeded at state with Sao totaling 450 pounds and Strawser totaling 440 pounds at region.

Sao, Strawser and Tatro have qualified in both the traditional and Olympic competitions in the 129-pound weight class. FPC’s Matt McFall (unlimited) also qualified in both competitions.

Seabreeze’s Ezra Williams qualified in both competitions in 183 pounds, while 139-pounders Dean Hayes and Vincent Pedersen both qualified in Olympic.

Father Lopez 169-pounder Maverick Grimm won the regional championship in Olympic and is tied for the top total among qualifiers at 500 pounds. He is also tied for the fourth-best

FPC’s Anthony Giacobbe (119), Jackson Fedun (154), Dylan Bennett (169), Landon Gates (183) and Joseph Casanova (238) all qualified in Olympic.

total among qualifiers in the traditional competition at 535 pounds.

Father Lopez’s Joseph Abrantes has the second highest total in the 139-weight pound class among qualifiers in both competitions with 395 pounds in Olympic and 445 in traditional.

Lopez’s Teddy Loach qualified in Olympic in the 169-pound class.

Seabreeze wide receiver Annabel Thistle gets the most out of her run.

Pine Ridge linebacker Angela Rizner (left) pulls Seabreeze senior Ylan Phan’s flag in the consolation final of the Five Star Conference flag football tournament at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. Photos by Michele Meyers

Seabreeze’s Camryn Chiumento sprints with the ball after the hand off.

Seabreeze’s Natalia Monde (left) gains some yardage before being stopped by Pine Ridge’s Kailey Dangleman.

WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast’s Cronk is throwing again

Flagler Palm Coast senior Colby Cronk is back competing in track and field after undergoing surgery in November to repair a torn labrum. Cronk, who has signed to play football for North Carolina State, won the Class 4A state shot put championship last season and was the state runner-up in discus. He returned on April 2 for the Bolles Sprint/Field meet where he won shot put and finished second in discus and then competed in the Florida Relays two days later, placing second in shot put with a toss of 60 feet, 6.25 inches. His state championship shot put throw was 63-feet-0.75.

Matanzas defeats Flagler Palm Coast 3-2 in beach volleyball

The Matanzas beach volleyball team defeated county rival Flagler Palm Coast for the third time in two days. This time on common sand.

The Pirates and Bulldogs played their annual match at Wadsworth Park on Monday, April 7, with Matanzas prevailing 3-2.

Matanzas had defeated FPC twice on April 5 by identical 4-1 scores at the Spruce Creek invitational.

Matanzas clinched the victory at Wadsworth with wins at No. 1 (Keri Petro and Olivia Chochev), No. 2 (Aliya Lugo-Navas and Carly Owens) and No. 3 Nevaeh Turner and Haley Stewart).

FPC won at No. 5 with Eliza Goco and Addison Landers winning 21-16, 21-13. And the Bulldogs came from behind in the final match with No. 4 pair Elsie Marks and Taylor Ralston winning in three sets, 15-21, 21-13, 15-11.

The Bulldogs also won at No. 4 in their two matches against the Pirates at Spruce Creek.

FPC (1-9) has not won a match since its opener on Feb. 27 against Burns Sci-Tech of Oak Hill. The Bulldogs play Burns again in their

final home match on April 15.

“We’re getting better and better every day,” said first-year FPC coach Lindsey Stewart, who also coaches the indoor team.

Matanzas improved to 5-6.

Andrea Puckrein is in her second year sharing coaching duties with the Pirates’ beach team, this year with Julie Menendez. They returned seven players from last year’s team.

“I never played beach, so it was a new experience last year,” Puckrein

said. “Me and the girls have learned a lot. I see a lot of growth. What’s cool about this group is they’re pretty flexible. We can change partners around and they’ve been pretty good at adapting. All of them are pretty good friends.”

Seabreeze finished second at the Spruce Creek tournament behind the host Hawks. The Sandcrabs (5-7) beat FPC and Matanzas. Both scores were 4-1.

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Matanzas’ Aliya Lugo-Navas.

Above: FPC’s Addison Landers, Eliza Goco, Ava Sheifer and team manager Mia Reynolds. Right: FPC’s Addison Landers passes. BRENT

Matanzas’ Fiona Vadurro dives for the ball. Photos by Brent Woronoff

FPC’s Alyssa Cruz serves.

FPC’s Colby Cronk won the 4A State Championship. File photo by Micele Meyers

Shuler sets two personal marks, wins team gold at Worlds

The Seabreeze High teacher and coach competed in two long-distance events at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Paul Shuler is known for zipping in front of the bowling lanes on his hands after his Seabreeze High bowling teams win a state championship. But the 59-year-old teacher and coach is pretty fast on his feet too. Shuler has only been running seriously for three years. On March 23-29, he competed in his first world competition and won a team gold medal. Shuler ran in two events at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships at the Alachua

County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville and ran personal-record times in both.

The competition drew 3,700 track and field athletes from 97 countries, including 1,400 from the United States.

Competing in the men’s 55-59 age division, Shuler placed 14th overall and fourth among U.S. runners in the 3,000-meter race with a time of 10:44.44 on March 23.

On March 29, he placed fifth overall and third among U.S. runners in the 10,000-meter road race with a time of 38:58.95. As one of the top three Americans in the race, he shared the team gold medal in the event for the U.S. It was just the second time Shuler ran a 10K in competition.

U.S. athletes collected 557 medals including 185 gold medals at the championships. Americans set 21 world age-division records. Flo Meiler of Vermont set four world records

in the women’s 90-94 division.

Shuler said he was fortunate to be able to compete in a world masters event so close to home. He ran the 3,000 meters on Tuesday, March 25, drove home and then returned on Friday, March 28, and stayed over one night before running the road race on Saturday.

“It was my first ever world world event. I felt proud wearing that USA uniform,” he said. “There was a lot of talent there. It was a good experience seeing my old friends and meeting new people from around the world.”

Shuler is the head wrestling and bowling coach and an assistant track coach at Seabreeze. He ran track for two years at Carter High School in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, and wrestled in high school and college at Carson-Newman University. He ran a lot as a wrestler, he said, but took the sport up as a past time just three years ago.

“It was my first ever world world event. I felt proud wearing that USA uniform. There was a lot of talent there. It was a good experience seeing my old friends and meeting new people from around the world.”

At 59, and setting personal records,

he feels like he’s just getting started. He said he would like to try another world event. If he wins a world individual gold medal, he just might do a handstand.

Paul Shuler runs in the 3,000-meter race. Courtesy photo by SaggysPhotos.com

SIDE LINES

Walkoff in the park for Seabreeze baseball team on Senior Night

Seabreeze’s baseball team celebrated Senior Night on Friday, April 4, with a walkoff victory against Matanzas at Wendelstedt Field at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The Sandcrabs scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the Pirates 4-3.

Freshman Nathaniel Anderson had the walkoff hit.

Sebreeze honored nine seniors: Roan Rasmussen, Malachi Morgan, Rustin Hurley, Noah Katsikos, Jack Barron, Parker Bauknecht, Jake Deising, Craig Robbins and Brody Harris.

The Sandcrabs, who improved to 14-10 with a 5-1 win over Father Lopez on April 8 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, placed second in the Five Star Conference tournament.

Seabreeze beat Pine Ridge 7-1 in the first round on March 31 and defeated Atlantic 9-6 on April 2 in the semifinals before falling to Spruce Creek, the sixth-ranked team in the state, 5-2 in the championship game on April 3.

Florida Atlantic signee Garrett Grant pitched six innings for the Hawks (21-2), allowing two runs on five hits.

Matanzas baseball honors its four seniors on

Senior Night

The Matanzas baseball team honored its four seniors on Senior Night, April 3, at the Pirates’ baseball stadium.

Seth Avellar, Alonso Quintana, Dioz Cruz and Chris Camarena were celebrated

with their families before the Pirates’ game against Father Lopez.

Cruz, Quintana and Avellar all had a hand in the three runs Matanzas scored in a loss to the Green Wave. Cruz and Quintana each scored a run, while Avellar had a double and an RBI.

Pine Lakes Par 3 Tournament returns

The fifth annual Par 3 Tournament at Pine Lakes Golf Club was held on Saturday, April 5. All 18 holes were converted into par-3s with the tee boxes set up to play greens from different angles and views.

The Pine Lakes Men’s Golf Association sponsored the tournament. The tournament had not been held for a few years.

Results: Men’s Gross — First, Timur Ruona, 58.

Second (tie), Sam Labansa, 61, Rich Mallery, 61, Raul

Hernandez 61. Men’s Net — First (tie ), Raul Hernandez, 47, Pete Lindsay, 47. Second, Don Allen, 50.

Women’s Gross — First, Stefanie Hernandez, 73. Women’s Net — First, Mickey Debello, 36.

Best in Track and Field

FPC’s Karina Marcelus broke her school-record time in the 100 hurdles, winning the event at the Florida Relays in 14.23 seconds. Last month she broke the record that had stood for 45 years.

Mainland’s Amyah Watlington placed seventh in the 100 hurdles at the Relays and won two events (long jump and 4x100 relay) at the Embry-Riddle meet.

FPC’s Maya Tyson won shot put at Embry-Riddle with a PR of 38-feet-7.75. Mainland’s Jameil Patrick won the boys long jump with a PR leap of 20-feet-9.

Pirates win softball tourney

The Matanzas softball team won the gold bracket championship at the 33rd Roger Jones Kissimmee Klassic on April 3-5 in Kissimmee. The Pirates (16-1) defeated Okeechobee, 9-1; University, 2-0; West Nassau, 2-0; and St. Cloud, 14-1.

Matanzas pitchers allowed just two runs in the four games. Leah Stevens, who has signed with the University of Florida, got the win in all four games. She struck out 40 batters in 19.1 innings while giving up just one run on three hits and a walk.

Stevens improved to 9-0 on the season with a 0.52 earned run average and 122 strikeouts in 54.1 innings. At the plate, senior shortstop Juliet Fogel tore the cover off the ball. Fogel went 9 for 14 with three doubles, two triples, 5 runs scored and 5 runs batted in. Fogel, who has signed with St. Johns River State College, raised her batting average to .457.

Matanzas, which beat University for the first time earlier this season, is now 2-4 alltime against the Titans. The Pirates entered the Kissimmee tournament ranked fifth in the state in Class 5A. They head down the season stretch with three of their final four regular-season games at home, including an April 16 showdown with Atlantic Coast, whic is 16-2 and ranked 11th in Class 7A.

After traveling to district foe Beachside (11-4) on April 17, the Pirates will close out the regular season at home on April 22 against West Nassau.

The Matanzas baseball team honored seniors Seth Avellar, Alonso Quintana, Dioz Cruz and Chris Camarena on Senior Night, April 3.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Matanzas’ Juliet Fogel. File photo by Michele Meyers

Rhonda Richardson, APRN

Rich Mallery, Don Allen, Ron Dacuk and Robert Ulis at the fifth annual Par 3 Tournament at Pine Lakes Golf Club.

Mary Jane Holland, Pinky Wulf and Mickey Debello at the fifth annual Par 3 Tournament at Pine Lakes Golf Club. Courtesy photos