In just over three hours, $10,000 was raised for the Sea Turtle Hospital at University of Florida Whitney Lab, in Marineland, thanks to Flagler Radio’s eighth-annual Taste of the Fun Coast event on Oct. 28, in The Hammock.
Later start times for middle, high schools would have major financial consequences, district official say.
Flagler Schools has been planning for two years on how to comply with a 2023 Florida statute that would mandate later start times for middle schools and high schools. Now, with the passage of Senate Bill 296 this year, the school district has another option. It can file a report by June 1, 2026, detailing its current start times, the strategies it considered to implement the later times and a description of impacts, including financial, and unintended consequences that a change would have.
Citing health, safety and academic impacts of sleep deprivation on teenagers, the 2023 law required middle schools to start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Flagler Schools starts times are currently 7:30 a.m. for middle schools, 8:10 a.m. for high schools and 9:10 a.m. for elementary schools.
While the new law effectively repeals the 2023 statute, districts are required to file the
report which also must include the number of board meetings, public hearings and opportunities stakeholders have had to discuss the impacts the later start times would have. Once the report is submitted, the district is considered in compliance with the 2023 law.
The later start times would have major financial impacts on the district, Superintendent LaShakia Moore told the School Board at its Oct. 28 workshop.
Assistant Superintendent Angela O’Brien told the Observer that a 2023 district analysis found that about seven additional bus routes would be needed to push up the start times, costing about $80,000 per route for maintenance, fuel and additional drivers. Now, it would probably be closer to $100,000 per route, she said.
The district could minimize the financial impact by changing from a tier level in transportation to combining older and younger school levels on buses. But parents typically don’t want that, O’Brien said.
“It would be very difficult to not put multiple grade bands on a bus (to comply with the later start times), because transportation needs an hour between routes for drop offs,” she said.
Other impacts would include extended day schedules, athletic schedules, child care and student jobs now that high school students would be getting out of school later. It would lengthen the middle school day
to accommodate bus tiers and move teacher planning periods from after school to during the school day, which would be an added expense. School employees’ schedules would be affected.
“Some employees choose to work at specific grade levels based on their schedule,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien and Louise Bossardet, the district’s director of information systems, told the board that stakeholder feedback will be collected through a survey that will be on the district’s website beginning in mid-November, public comment at board meetings and direct feedback to board members and administrators.
The survey has specific questions for district employees, parents, students and community members and business operators.
The intention of the latest legislation is for each district to have a conversation, Moore said.
“We’re hoping families and the community will provide input,” she said. Email brent@observerlocal news.com.
Bruce Vinnick (left), broker/owner of Realty Executives Oceanside, with Jennifer McGee, of McGee Law, and family. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Kat Eastman, Sea Turtle program manager, says to be on the lookout for “washbacks,” young sea turtles that are washed back on shore. If you see them, you can keep them dry and deliver them to the Sea Turtle Hospital, in Marineland. Call 904-461-4000.
Photo by Brian McMillan
NEWS BRIEFS
Flagler Sheriff’s Office K-9 Kyro honored in memorial service
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office honored K-9 Kyro in a memorial service at the First Baptist Church Bunnell on Oct. 24.
Kyro, who died on Oct. 14 of an undiagnosed heart condition, joined the FCSO in August 2024 as a dual-purpose K-9 in both patrol and narcotics detection. During his short but distinguished career, he aided in 37 arrests, the detection and seizure of 65 grams of illegal narcotics, and the recovery of 25 pieces of drug paraphernalia, a FCSO Facebook post said. Kyro’s partner was Master
COPS CORNER
MIDDAY BREAK-IN
3:42 p.m. — First block of Seville Street, Ormond Beach Burglary. A 16-year-old Ormond Beach teen called police to report that two men — dressed in all black, including ski masks — had just tried to break into his house.
The teen claimed to see one of the men trying to pick their lock; the teen said he kicked him in the face.
The armed suspect fled to a car, at the same time the second suspect, who had been “standing lookout” on the corner of the garage, got into the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The teen said their license plate had been blacked out as if it had been covered by black tape.
Deputy Marcus Dawson. Kyro was a 2-year-old German Shepherd. Kyro was inside Dawson’s air-conditioned patrol vehicle while Dawson oversaw the training of a new K-9 team. Dawson returned to the vehicle during a break and found Kyro unresponsive, a FCSO press release said. The patrol vehicle’s air conditioner and heat alarm were on and functioning at the time, and the heat alarm — which transmits a distress signal to a K-9 handler if there is a mechanical issue — did not go off, the press release said.
Sheriff Rick Staly asked everyone to Dawson and the FCSO in their thoughts. The K-9s are not just working dogs but trusted partners to their handlers and members of the FCSO family, he said.
“There’s a saying that ‘all dogs go to heaven,’ and Master Deputy Dawson did everything he could to save
The teen called his mom and then contacted 911 once she got home. His mom told police her son had never done anything like this in the past and that she couldn’t think of anyone who would want to break in.
Police noted both the teen and his mom “appeared calm as if nothing had happened,” the report states, citing a lack of fear or worry about the alleged armed burglary attempt while the teen was home alone.
The teen affirmed everything in his report was true and that he understood the consequences if it was fabricated. When asked about his demeanor, he told police he was “tired and not afraid to die.”
OCT. 3 BABY ON BOARD 10:52 p.m. — 1400 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach
his beloved partner, but sadly, just like humans, our fourlegged partners can also have undiagnosed medical conditions,” Staly said. “I guess God need a well-trained and beautiful K-9 in heaven.”
19-year-old
wanted for stolen credit cards turns herself in
A 19-year-old Palm Coast woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing and then using a credit card from a nail salon client.
On Aug. 9, a woman called the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to report that her credit card had been stolen and had 10 fraudulent charges totaling over $500 in purchases from stores and restaurants in Palm Coast. The victim told deputies that she had left her credit card at Palm Nails, a nail salon in Palm Coast, on
Child neglect. Police arrested a 37-year-old Ormond Beach woman and a 39-year-old St.
Augustine man after multiple calls came into dispatch about an unattended baby in a car parked in a local shopping plaza.
The callers reported the parents appeared to be under the influence and that the mother had fallen while getting out of the car.
After they were detained, the couple began arguing about who was supposed to watch the baby as the other went inside the store.
Video surveillance and witness testimony later contradicted the couple’s statement. Witnesses were concerned for their sobriety, having seen the woman bump into things and that the man could hardly stand straight or talk.
They were arrested for child neglect, and a search of their vehicle turned up a
Aug. 6, according to a FCSO
press release.
FCSO detectives obtained surveillance footage from the stores where the credit card had been used, showing a white female with long dark hair using the stolen card to make purchases, the press release said.
Unable to obtain any further identifying information on the suspect, the FCSO posted on social media on Sept. 23 asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. Later the same day, the suspect, Brynn Gifford, 19, called the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center and said she was the woman in the photo and asked to speak to the case detectives.
Gifford told detectives she had not done anything wrong, but admitted she was the woman in the surveillance footage shown purchasing items with the stolen card.
small plastic bag with cocaine residue.
OCT. 21
RUN DOWN
4:28 p.m. – 100 block of Cypress Point Parkway Petit theft. A 24-year-old Palm Coast man caught stealing$16.97 Iron Man sunglasses and a $34.92 watch led law enforcement on a half-mile foot chase.
A loss prevention officer at a store on Cypress Point Parkway watched the suspect steal a watch and called the Sheriff’s Office. A deputy made it onto the scene before the suspect had left the property and spotted the suspect leaving the store parking lot.
The suspect took off when the deputy approached him and led the deputy on foot chase through neighboring retail plazas, according to the man’s arrest report.
The deputy called for backup and chased the sus-
Gifford was a receptionist at Palm Nails when the card was stolen, the press release said.
On Oct. 15, detectives obtained a warrant for Gifford on the following charges: fraudulent use of personal identification information of a person 60 years of age or older, fraudulent use of a credit card more than two times in six months, and petit theft.
Three canals in Beverly Beach named after fallen deputies
Beverly Beach and two residential neighborhoods in The Hammock came together on Oct. 25 to rename three canals after three fallen Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The dedicated canals are in the Sunset Inlet subdivision and was organized by Beverly Beach and the Shelter Cove Homeowner’s Associa-
pect on foot across Cypress Point Parkway into another grocery store’s parking lot.
The suspect tried to hide in the bushes before running to the back of another property, making it around to a dealership on Palm Coast Parkway, the report said.
The deputy finally managed to detain the suspect and when he searched the man’s pockets, the deputy found the watch, the sunglasses and a $4.96 bicycle tire tube.
The items together with tax totaled $60.83.
The suspect admitted to stealing the tire tube and sunglasses, saying thy were intended for his job as eye protection and to commute to work. The watch he took because he liked it, the report said.
The man was charged with petit theft and for obstruction without violence, since he fled and hid from law enforcement.
tion for the FCSO deputies, according to an email from the FCSO. The three deputies honored were Deputy Charles T. “Chuck” Sease, Sgt. Francesco “Frankie” Celico, and Deputy First Class Paul Luciano.
Sheriff Rick Staly and members of the deputies’ families were each given a plaque that contained a map of the canals with a picture of the signs installed naming the canals. Each of the three canals has a name plate attached to the canal wall in honor of one of the deputies.
Staly joined members of the FCSO, local government officials, Beverly Beach residents, and the deputies’ family members to pay tribute to their legacies, a FCSO Facebook post said.
“The newly named canals will serve as lasting reminders of their courage, commitment, and sacrifice,” the post said.
OCT. 21
WRONG WAY
1:41 a.m. – Intersection of Royal Palms and Belle Terre Parkways, Palm Coast DUI. A Palm Coast woman pulled over for running a red light and driving in the wrong lanes had a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit, according to the FCSO. A deputy witnessed the woman go through a red light. The deputy followed the woman, but in the northbound lanes, with his lights and sirens going before the woman pulled over, still in the southbound lanes. When the deputy confronted her, the woman said she had just finished work at a bar.
The woman failed the field sobriety test and, and during the breathalyzer test, blew a .241 and a .232. She was arrested and taken to the county jail.
City’s first run at new food truck ordinance ‘misses the mark’
Ordinance required businesses go through a site plan application before allowing food trucks on their lots.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Palm Coast residents and TropiSoul Kitchen owners
Enock Elisme and his wife
Carty Caprice have only been operating their food truck in Palm Coast for the last four months.
The two typically camp out for lunch at Sizemore Welding in Bunnell. Coming to Palm Coast and starting a food truck, the two said they very quickly learned that Palm Coast was very restrictive on food truck use.
“If we didn’t connect with somebody that is parked on the other side [of Sizemore], we wouldn’t know where to even go,” Enock Elisme said.
But the Palm Coast City Council is looking to change that.
At its Oct. 28 workshop meeting, the council heard the first iteration of an ordinance that would allow some more access for food trucks, though the proposal was more geared toward building a “food truck park” than allowing the daily use of food trucks in Palm Coast.
For some food truck vendors in attendance, the proposal not only missed the mark but felt like “overreach.”
“The lack of knowledge of the industry and what’s required is astounding,” one man said.
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS
By Florida State Statute, municipalities are not allowed to entirely prohibit the use of food trucks, which are permitted and regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Palm Coast currently allows food trucks to operate within city limits only with special event permits, which satisfies the legal requirement, Community Development’s Michael Hanson said. Vendors have to pay for the permit and are restricted to the event’s location and the time outlined in the permits.
For over a decade, Palm Coast has hosted monthly Food Truck Tuesdays at Central Park in Town Center. The city uses the event to promote local nonprofits.
With the increased popularity of food trucks over the years, Hanson said, more and more “rogue” food trucks have popped up around the city.
Not all vendors brave Palm Coast’s city limits. With the restrictions in Palm Coast, vendors have to shift for themselves outside of city limits, often ending up grouped in several locations. Elisme said there are typically three food trucks that work out of the welder’s building parking lot where TropiSoul is parked.
“We have a lot of food trucks congested in this one location,” he said. “So if Palm Coast were to be open to that, we could kind of spread around the city.”
Elisme said that he has spoken to multiple Palm Coast business owners. They have told him they would like to see food truck vendors park in their parking lots.
“Some of the business owners are willing and open to have us,” he said. “But because Palm Coast is not willing to give us that opportunity to sweat around the city, we just can’t.”
THE PROPOSAL
The city’s proposal was far from geared to the daily use of food trucks, though. Typically, food trucks move around cities, going to different locations daily, sometimes multiple times a day.
The proposed ordinance outlined restrictions for the creation of so-called “food truck parks,” broad slabs of impervious concrete where its primary use is as a space for mobile food vendors. The restrictions include buffer requirements from parking
spaces and driving aisles.
“We’re just looking at making sure that we have the minimum safety buffers to make sure that people are driving through where customers are queueing or snacking.” Hanson said. It also identified five public parks or spaces that could be used by food trucks: Seminole Woods Park, The Stage at Town Center, Ralph Carter Park Holland Park and Indian Trails Sports Complex.
“It was the intent of the ad hoc committee to stay away from an accessory use in COM 2 and COM 3, so that way it would not directly compete with our brick and mortar restaurant stores that are buildings, that are paying impact fees and property taxes,” Hanson said.
The proposed ordinance, however, also applied similar requirements to local businesses that wanted to allow food trucks on their parking lots. The businesses would need to apply for a site plan application and meet similar requirements – five feet buffers from parking lots and driving aisles and pouring concrete slab – instead of just allowing food trucks to park in a business’ lot.
“I think the intent of this missed the mark,” Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said.
Mayor Mike Norris agreed. In a hypothetical situation, he pointed out that if a Home Depot wanted vendors, it would have to go through the application process, which
“I do find that particularly in industrial parks, there can tend to be a dearth of lunch places for folks to go. So, having the ability of a food truck (to) provide that might be useful.”
PONTIERI, Palm Coast vice mayor
THERESA
would cost the businesses and eventually the vendors money.
When asked how much it would cost to go through the application process, Hanson said, “ballpark, you’re looking at probably a few thousand or so.”
“I think we’re missing the forest for the trees,” he said.
“It’s a bit cumbersome.”
THE NEXT STEPS?
But the council wants to address the food truck issue, “yesterday,” Pontieri said.
After some discussion, Hanson was directed to review the permit fees and a reservation system; it was also requested that the food trucks not just be allowed on certain parks, but also on land zoned commercial 1 and 2 and Industrial 1 land.
“I do find that particularly in industrial parks, there can tend to be a dearth of lunch places for folks to go,” Pontieri said. “So, having the ability of
a food truck (to) provide that might be useful.” Pontieri also said that whatever the council did it would need to be fair across the board, whether that is allowing properties to rent and take up parking spaces or not. If the Big Red Bus — a traveling blood donation bus — can take up parking spaces at Walmart, she said, why can’t food trucks?
Once Hanson has made the revisions, the item will go to the Palm Coast Planning Board in November and, if approved, return to the Palm Coast Council for first and second readings in December.
In the meantime, Elisme is still located at Sizemore Welding in Bunnell for lunch, typically beside other food truck vendors, all trying to support themselves.
“Some days are good,” he said. “Some days are bad.”
Palm Coast holds off joining 25 other cities in SB 180 lawsuit
City Council, though concerned over the law’s impact on home rule, will await result of next legislative session.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
Palm Coast will not be joining 25 other municipalities in a lawsuit against a recent state law – for now.
Senate Bill 180 is a law that was passed last spring that restricts cities’ and counties’ abilities to pass land use regulations that are “restrictive or burdensome” until 2027 following a natural disaster in the area. The law has been seen by many at the local level as a deterioration of home rule.
“We can’t continue to allow for our home rule rights to be eroded by the legislature,” Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris said at the Oct. 28 council meeting.
Ty Miller gets leadership role in TPO
The city councilman also serves as a board member on the Volusia-Flagler TPO for Palm Coast.
CITY OF PALM COAST PRESS RELEASE
Palm Coast Council member
Ty Miller has been appointed to serve on the Executive Committee for the VolusiaFlagler Transportation Planning Organization. In addition to this leadership role, Council Member Miller also serves as a TPO Board Member, with Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri serving as an alternate on the Board.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to represent the City of Palm Coast on the VolusiaFlagler Transportation Planning Organization,” Miller said. “I’m passionate about building a transportation network that’s not only efficient and safe, but also forwardthinking. Working together across communities is how we can create lasting improvements that move our region toward a stronger, smarter future.”
The Volusia-Flagler TPO is the official body responsible for overseeing urban transportation planning and programming within the designated Metropolitan Planning Area. The TPO serves all of Volusia County and the developed areas of eastern Flagler County, including Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, and Bunnell.
Current Volusia-Flagler TPO priority projects for Palm Coast include:
Whiteview Parkway Corridor Safety Improvements (In Progress)
Old Kings Road Widening, Phases 2 and 3
Matanzas Woods Parkway Widening
Belle Terre Parkway Corridor Improvements
Graham Swamp Trail, Phase 2
The TPO Board is comprised of elected officials from local governments who work collaboratively to enhance the safety, efficiency, and connectivity of the region’s transportation system. Their work addresses all modes of transportation, including roadways, bridges, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and services for the transportation disadvantaged.
The Palm Coast City Council had asked City Attorney Marcus Duffy to look into what it would mean to join in a lawsuit against the bill. Norris said at the Oct. 28 meeting that, in a one-on-one discussion with Duffy, the attorney held the opinion the city should “entertain” the lawsuit.
“I would look for some consensus from the council to move forward with Mr. Duffy’s recommendation of contacting that firm and being part of that lawsuit,” Norris said. Duffy said it would cost the city $10,000 to join the lawsuit as a retainer fee. If the lawsuit were to lose and go to appeal, he said, it would be another $5,000 for each following appeal, all the way up to the Supreme Court.
“We are a prime example of when development has been too much for a community,” Norris said.
Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri didn’t disagree with the mayor about SB 180 but
suggested instead the city wait until after the upcoming legislative session to make a decision. She said she recently attended a Florida League of Cities event where SB 180 was discussed at length.
“I can tell you that there are a ton of lobbyists right now for the League of Cities that are really, really pushing to have SB 180, and also Live Local, amended,” she said.
She suggested the city give lobbyists and legislators time to review and amend the law
at the upcoming legislative session. The session is occurring earlier this year, too, she said, because of the upcoming midterm elections. The city will have an idea of what the proposed legislations are by March.
The lobbyists, she said, are “very confident” at least three aspects of the law will change: the geographic scope of 100 miles surrounding a disaster area, the two-year limitation and the “unduly burdensome language” that is “vague and ambiguous.”
“I think we save the taxpayer dollars, we keep our name out of it for now, and we just wait,” she said. “There’s been a ton of outcry on this thing –there will be changes to it.”
And if there are not, Pontieri said she would be on board: “I will say let’s take it to the helm.” But she said the “political capital” was something for the council needed to think about, especially if they have an idea of what is coming down the pipeline.
But that did not mean she didn’t agree something needed to be done about S.B. 180.
“Every single politician in Tallahassee signed SB 180. It’s a disgrace,” she said. “It’s an absolute disgrace, but they did it.”
Pontieri said the council has to consider the help Palm Coast may need from certain representatives in the future before joining a lawsuit that attacks those representatives.
Councilman Charles Gamabro said the cost was his main concern. Nothing stops them, he said, from having their own lobbyists join others against S.B. 180, either.
The council agreed to hold off on joining the lawsuit until after the upcoming legislative session. Norris said that he was okay with holding off on joining the lawsuit for now as well. But, he warned, the city needs to be prepared to stand up for the taxpayers.
“We can’t allow this to continue,” he said. “It’s not going to get any better.”
The Executive Committee of the TPO Board is responsible for setting meeting agendas and has limited budget authority within the adopted Unified Planning Work Program. The committee may also authorize contracts and budgetary actions as approved in the UPWP or adopted budget. For more information on the Volusia-Flagler TPO, visit www.r2ctpo.org.
Palm Coast Councilman Ty Miller.
Photo by Sierra Williams
TropiSoul Kitchen is one of a few food trucks out of Palm Coast that has to operate outside of the city because of Palm Coast’s strict food truck regulation. Pictured: Enock Elisme and his wife Carty Caprice.
Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris.
Photo by Sierra Williams
Bright Futures: Matanzas honors 49 graduates with AICE Diplomas
‘You make Pirate Nation very proud,’ Principal Mike Rinaldi said in his remarks.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Forty-nine Matanzas High School seniors earned their Cambridge AICE Diplomas based upon the results of their June 2025 exam series. They were honored on Thursday, Oct. 23, with the school’s first ever AICE Diploma presentation ceremony.
“We wanted to celebrate this momentous occasion sooner rather than have it blend in with all of the other end-of-the-year celebrations,” Matanzas AICE Coordinator Erin Davis said.
Students in the demanding program are required to pass at least seven college level courses within a 25-month period. The courses must include a science, a language, a humanities, a course called Global Perspectives and Research and any three addi-
tional courses, Davis said.
Earning the AICE Diploma guarantees students the full Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
“Your diploma is more than
“Your
MIKE RINALDI,
just a piece of paper,” Matanzas Principal Mike Rinaldi told the diploma recipients during his remarks at the ceremony.
“It’s a testament to your hard work, your character and your commitment to excellence. You have embraced challenges, pursued knowledge and curiosity and inspired all of us with your determination. You make Pirate Nation very proud.”
Assistant Principal Kara Minn and AICE teachers Shelley Tincher and Kyle Neisler also spoke during the ceremony. Amara Nagel, the AICE Student Advisory Council vice president, welcomed the students and their families and delivered closing remarks. Davis, AICE guidance counselors Laura Oliva and Yasmin Cuevas and School Board
member Lauren Ramirez participated in the diploma presentations.
Yeva Dermenzhy, Stephanie Ibarra Carreon and Ava Muldoon earned their diplomas with distinction. Twenty-six others earned their diplomas with merit.
“It is a monumental achievement that you reach,” Tincher told all of the diploma recipients. “Stopping to bask in the glow of your efforts is so well deserved, but I know you. I know that after tonight, you will not dwell on this accomplishment. You’ve conquered this obstacle and
CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
are already planning for the next. ... (eventually) becoming doctors, nurses, writers, graphic designers and engineers, tycoons of business and teachers.”
Minn praised the students for their hard work, their families for their support and their teachers for their dedication and commitment.
“I want you to all take some
time tonight as a family, as an individual and as an educator, and just remember that you’re doing amazing, great things. And thank goodness that you took the time over the last three years to get this accomplishment met,” Minn said. “You did it. You succeeded. And for that, we’re so proud of you.”
AREAS PROXIMATE TO THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION OF REAL PROPERTY/AMENDMENT OF CORPORATE/CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES RESULTING FROM ANNEXATION UPON LAND USES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON A VALOREM TAXES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
This notice is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 166 and 171, Florida Statutes, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Flagler Beach, Florida as amended and supplemented. Subject annexation meets the statutory criteria for annexation as established in Chapter 171, Florida Statutes. PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL, 105 S. 2ND STREET, FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M. 1ST READING: CITY COMMISSION: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE. 2ND READING: CITY COMMISSION: THURSDAY, NOVEMBNER 13, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE.
Copies of the proposed Ordinance and legal description of the property by metes and bounds are available and may be obtained from the office of the City Clerk at 386-517-2000 Ext. 233.
Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at these meetings/hearings, they will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, per Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 386-517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Location Map
The Matanzas High AICE Diploma recipients. Forty-nine students earned their diplomas based on the June 2025 exam series through Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas Assistant Principal Kara Minn speaks at the AICE Diploma Presentation.
Matanzas Army JROTC cadets present the colors at the beginning of the ceremony.
Underdog bidder wants Marineland park for dolphin-assisted therapy
Jack Kassewitz said this is an opportunity to bring ‘Marineland back to the greatness it once was.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A federal bankruptcy judge in Delaware has rejected a $7.1 million developer’s bid, giving a local nonprofit the chance to bid on and purchase Marineland Dolphin Adventure.
The tourist attraction in Marineland has been open since 1938 but has deteriorated and is thousands of dollars behind in property taxes. Its parent company, The Dolphin Company, filed bankruptcy earlier this year, and a mysterious company, Delightful Development, placed a $7.1 million bid to purchase the property.
The proposed sale of Marineland to a developer brought together a host of grassroots efforts to save the attraction. Jack Kassewitz, with the nonprofit Global Heart Inc., is leading the charge alongside an anonymous, private family that is
funding a $4 million bid to purchase the property.
“This is David and Goliath,” Kassewitz said. “We’re a bunch of people trying to save it, and we’re up against the developers. And we had a major change yesterday. I feel very confident that we’re going to end up with Marineland.”
Because of the bankruptcy proceedings, the sale must be approved by the judge, Laurie Selber Silverstein, District of Delaware United States Bankruptcy Court. Kassewitz and his team argued in the court hearing that it had been blocked from
the bidding process, and the judge, dissatisfied with the strictly real-estate transaction of the winning bid that did not answer her questions about the dolphins, halted the sale process. Another hearing in November is scheduled, to reconsider the sale.
Kassewitz said he believes his group has a real chance of winning the bids.
“The judge said they don’t have to take the highest bidder. That’s significant,” he said. “We have an opportunity to do something great for the dolphins.”
Those who wish to donate
TO ANNEX PROPERTY TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE CORPORATE AREA AND CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 514.06 ACRES OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A” TO THIS ORDINANCE AND LYING IN THE AREAS PROXIMATE TO THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION OF REAL PROPERTY/AMENDMENT OF CORPORATE/CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES RESULTING FROM ANNEXATION UPON LAND USES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON A VALOREM TAXES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
This notice is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 166 and 171, Florida Statutes, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Flagler Beach, Florida as amended and supplemented. Subject annexation meets the statutory criteria for annexation as established in Chapter 171, Florida Statutes. PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL, 105 S. 2ND STREET, FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M.
1ST READING: CITY COMMISSION: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE. 2ND READING: CITY COMMISSION: NOVEMBER 13, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE.
Copies of the proposed Ordinance and legal description of the property by metes and bounds are available and may be obtained from the office of the City Clerk at 386-517-2000 Ext. 233.
to help save Marineland and the dolphins can go to savemarinelanddolphins.org, which has information about the history of Dolphin Adventure, how to help and links to donate.
“The fight is not over,” Kassewitz said.
Kassewitz has over 20 years of experience working with dolphins and works alongside his wife, Donna Brewer Kassewitz, with the dolphin communication research group Speak Dolphin, run by Global Heart.
Kassewitz said he wants to keep the attraction opera -
FDOT to host open house for Nova Road improvements
The Florida Department of Transportation will host an open house next week to discuss a project that will
tional, with the goal to introduce an animal-assisted therapy program and bring in therapists and health care professionals and university researchers. He has already reached out, he said, and there is interest, if they can successfully purchase the oceanarium.
He also wants to begin bringing in nonprofit organizations like Wounded Warriors, which works with injured veterans, as well.
When asked, by the judge and the Observer, if he thought his ideas for Marineland Dolphin Adventure would be successful, he said “absolutely yes.”
“It will be financially sustainable, and we will bring Marineland back to the greatness it once was,” Kassewitz said.
Former Marineland Park Director Felicia Cook — who left the facility in February to ensure staff members who could care for the dolphins could stay on — said there are 17 dolphins at Marineland, many of which were born at Marineland and a few of which are third-generation Marineland dolphins. One such dolphin is Grandma Betty, whose daughter and granddaughter
resurface almost 4 miles of Nova Road, from Flomich Street in Holly Hill north to U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach. The open house will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive. According to a city notice, the project will include a raised median that will replace portions of the center two-way left-turn lane on Nova Road between Granada Boulevard and Willmette Avenue.
are also dolphins at Marineland. Kassewitz and Cook hope to ultimately run the attraction. They found an anonymous partner who is putting up $4 million to bid on the property and another $1.5 million for the cost of operations. But Kassewitz and his group were blocked from placing a bid, he said. After the judge’s decision on Oct. 27, Kassewitz and his group will have another chance to place a bid. If Marineland is sold to a developer, Cook said, when the dolphins are rehomed, the family units would likely be broken up. She said it would leave her brokenhearted to see the animals rehomed.
Cook believes Kassewitz’s vision of an animal-assisted therapy program could keep the oceanarium solvent as well: “It’s done in many places.” Overall, she said it was refreshing to hear the judge take up the interest of the dolphins’ care.
“It was like, ‘OK, somebody finally gets it,’” she said. “This is about the land that’s right there on the ocean, it’s about the animals that are living there.”
Email sierra@observer localnews.com.
The project will also add a new traffic signal at Old Kings Road and a directional median at Arroyo Parkway, which FDOT states will allow left turns onto Arroyo Parkway from Nova Road; traffic turning from Arroyo Parkway to Nova Road, however, will only be able to turn right. Other improvements include upgraded traffic and pedestrian signals, enhanced lighting at signalized intersections and the reconstruction of pedestrian curb ramps to comply with ADA standards. The design phase of the project is estimated to cost $2.6 million. The total construction cost is $16.8 million and construction is slated to start in summer 2026. Can’t attend the open house in person? FDOT is also offering an online webinar. Register at https://attendee. gotowebinar.com/register/6260663638790416219. To read more about the project, visit https://www.cfl
Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at these meetings/hearings, they will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, per Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 386-517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Location Map
Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Photo by Brian McMillan
Old Salt Park in Flagler County.
Photo by Sierra Williams
Ormond women raise over $10K for cancer research
Tara Hoppe Fowinkle and Kathy Shanahan’s annual effort is inspired by Terry Gorski, a friend battling stage 4 breast cancer.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
When Ormond Beach resident Tara Hoppe Fowinkle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, she had her friend Terry Gorski to lean on for support.
Fowinkle had gone in for a regular mammogram, which revealed a 1.5 centimeter nodule, so small Fowinkle said she couldn’t feel it, even after doctors showed her where it was.
After Fowinkle received her diagnosis, Gorski took her out to dinner with a group of girlfriends and gifted her a bag containing a blanket and other items to help her on her cancer journey. Gorski had gone through this before; she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was in remission at the time.
Due to carrying the BRCA2 gene, doctors recommended Fowinkle undergo a mastec -
tomy and a hysterectomy to ensure she remained cancerfree in the future.
Gorski was there every step of the way.
“She was my light and my biggest cheerleader,” Fowinkle said.
Shortly after that, doctors informed Gorski that her cancer was back. Today, Gorski is battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
Fowinkle and Kathy Shanahan, another friend of Gorski’s, wanted to honor her. Last year, they formed a virtual walk for their Plantation Oaks neighborhood to participate in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement. They put the virtual team together and raised almost $5,000 in two weeks.
This year, Fowinkle and Shanahan were able to raise double that — $10,103.91 — for their virtual team, Golden Warriors of Ormond Beach. The team ranked second in the nation for virtual teams raising money for the American Cancer Society. Fowinkle frequently participated in the walks in Orlando, where she previously lived. She thought about joining the Volusia walk in Daytona, but thought that an event in her neighborhood, one where
people could take part in a golf cart parade, would suit their needs better. So for the past two years, they’ve done just that. Over 100 people showed up for this year’s event on Saturday, Oct. 25, which also had a raffle, lunch and dessert. Gorski prepared all the food.
“She’s such a giver,” Shanahan said. “Anybody that moves into the community, she brings them a meal or flowers or something. Anytime someone’s sick, she’s the first one to ask them what she can do to help. It’s very hard to do things for her.”
A couple in the neighborhood donated tickets for luxury box seats for a Jacksonville Jaguars game. Their only stipulation was that another set of tickets go to Gorski and her husband.
Almost everyone that lives in their neighborhood knows Gorski, Shanahan said. She’s the type that is always looking to give back in any way that she can.
“She’s just such a real person,” Shanahan said. “She’s so interested in everyone’s story and she doesn’t brag. She’s just so genuine.”
Seeing all the golf carts, decked out in pink for breast cancer awareness, was heartwarming, Shanahan said.
Fowinkle agreed.
“I just want to freeze the moment — just to take it all in,” she said. “I truly do.”
“And just to know that we know how much it means to her,” Shanahan added.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Making Strides aims to raise awareness and funds to support breast cancer research.
That’s why Shanahan and Fowinkle have vowed to host a Making Strides event every year in Gorski’s honor.
“She always says that if they haven’t found anything to save her, she wants them to be able to keep finding things until it can save someone else,” Shanahan said.
Because decades of cancer research have helped women like Fowinkle become cancerfree.
“If the little annual thing that we do in our community every year is going to propel that even further, that makes me happy,” Fowinkle said. “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what Terry’s going through. So finding a cure is important.”
NEWS BRIEFS
Flagler Cares’
Carrie Baird receives News Service award
Carrie Baird, chief executive officer of Flagler Cares, has been recognized by the News Service of Florida as one of the state’s “Women Shaping Florida’s Future.” Baird received the organization’s Above and Beyond Award during a ceremony held on Oct. 8 in Tallahassee.
The award honors women across Florida who demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation in their fields. Baird is the first Flagler County leader to receive the distinction.
Baird said she was humbled and proud to see the organization’s efforts acknowledged at the state level.
“I was encouraged that our accomplishments were seen as significant and noteworthy,” she said. “It’s an honor to see Flagler Cares recognized for the impact we’re making right here in Flagler County.”
Former Flagler County commissioner and Flagler Cares co-founder Barbara Revels nominated Baird for the award, crediting her with turning an early community vision into a thriving organization. “We had the idea, but she did the work to make it real,” Revels said.
Flagler
School Board’s Lauren Ramirez named Emerging Leader
Flagler County School Board member Lauren Ramirez has been named to The Florida School Boards Association’s newest class of Emerging Leaders.
Of the 64 new School Board
members elected throughout the state in 2024, Ramirez is one of 16 to earn this distinction.
To be named an Emerging Leader, School Board members must complete and document a minimum of 48 hours of professional development within one year of election. These hours are earned through participation in FSBA’s New School Board Member Training, Parts I and II, along with attendance to at least two of the FSBA’s three forums — School Finance, Policy Governance and Bargaining 101.
“I am so excited to recognize Lauren as an Emerging Leader,” said Tina Pinkoson, FSBA’s director of leadership services. “Since her election in 2024, her commitment to the students of Flagler County has been evident through her dedication to professional growth. Lauren’s willingness to learn and her engagement in training opportunities have laid a strong foundation for her work on the board.”
Flagler inmates wrap up graphics on FTC trailer Inmates in the Flagler County jail’s Homeward Bound program vinyl applications class recently completed the graphics and wrapping of a 53-foot-long trailer to be used in the commercial truck driving program at Flagler Technical College.
The Homeward Bound program at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility is a collaborative effort between Flagler Schools and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Vinyl applications is the oldest class in the five-yearold program. Other classes offered through FTC are HVAC pre-apprenticeship, culinary food management, electrician pre-apprenticeship and basic auto body collision and prep for painting, which was added this past year.
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Plantation Oaks residents showed up on Oct. 25, to support their local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Courtesy photo
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Superior: Local high school marching bands get top marks in state tests
Matanzas, Mainland and FPC received straight superiors.
Seabreeze got its first superior in six years.
All four local high school marching bands in Flagler County and north Volusia County have taken home
superior ratings for their Marching Band Music Performance Assessments on Oct. 25.
The MPA is a competitive assessment in which marching bands perform their shows for judges and are scored across several categories: visual performance, general effect, two music scores and one score for auxiliary, or the color guard. Bands can receive a poor, fair, good, excellent or superior rating in each cate -
gory, with superior being the top rating a band can receive.
The Seabreeze and Mainland High School bands performed at Hagerty High School in Oviedo with 14 other marching bands in the District 6 group.
This was the Mainland High School marching band’s fourth consecutive year receiving superiors. The band has over 100 students who competed in the MPA, performing a medley of songs from the band Earth, Wind and Fire, featuring songs like “September,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “After the Love Has Gone.”
Gregory Dukes has been the Mainland band director for the last seven years. He said he and his assistant director arranged the music so that each section — percussion, brass and woodwind — were spotlighted in a portion of the score.
The Buccaneers received straight superior ratings across all five categories.
“The greatest joy of a director,” Dukes said, “is watching students grow. Seeing them where they started and watching them excel and then to reach these high achievements.”
Dukes said he works with the students on their fundamental skills in preparation
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - 9AM TO 5PM
for a performance like MPA.
That includes tone and ear training exercises, technical skills and music reading exercises.
“You can’t have a great band without great musicianship,” Dukes said.
Not only does marching band teach actionable skills and discipline the students will use for the rest of their lives, but there are also opportunities for some students to take leadership roles.
In Mainland, two seniors lead the band as drum majors: Kailyn Wilson, who plays alto saxophone, and Trent Riddick, from the percussion section.
Dukes said both students did well this year.
In Seabreeze’s case, this is the first superior rating they’ve received in six years, Seabreeze Principal Tucker Harris said in a morning announcements video message on Oct. 27.
“Greatness is no accident. Hope is not a strategy, luck is not a strategy,” he said. “Band, you’ve been working hard, and then, boom. Superior. It’s not accidental, it’s not luck.”
According to the Florida School of Music Association’s website with the MPA results, Seabreeze, with its 77 band students, received four of five superior ratings and one
excellent rating in the auxiliary category, for an overall rating of superior.
Dukes said that though his band received top scores, there is always room for improvement, from the overall sound to marching consistency. His students are success-driven and have high expectations, he said.
Dukes is teaching students a mindset that will stay with them for years to come.
“We have a thing that we say: ‘Superior is non-negotiable,’” Dukes said. “It’s not just in a score that we receive when we get evaluated, but it’s in everything that we do. It’s in how we rehearse, it’s in how we come to school. It’s in how we think. That’s the mindset that my students have taken.”
PIRATES AND BULLDOGS CONTINUE SUPERIOR RATING STREAKS
Both the Matanzas High School and Flagler Palm Coast High School marching bands also received straight superiors, continuing their streaks of success.
The MHS band has only been competing consecutively since the 2021-2022 school year, according to the FSMA website. It has consistently earned superior ratings, with all but one year’s performance taking home straight
superiors.
The FPC Marching Bulldogs have been competing consecutively for 22 years — with the exception of the 2020 MPA that was canceled — accord ing to the FPC Facebook page. The band has earned superiors every year. The two Flagler County marching bands competed with 15 other marching bands at the assessment in the District 21 group, performing at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns County.
An’jeli Seppala performs with the FPC band at halftime.
Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland High School band. Photo by Brian McMillan
The Matanzas High School band warming up before MPA. Courtesy photo
The Seabreeze marching band plays after the homecoming game win against Atlantic at the Daytona Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3. Photo by Michele Meyers
Deep roots: Garden Club at Palm Coast celebrates 50 years
The club celebrated during the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs district meeting at Hammock Dunes.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
In 1975, 12 residents of Palm Coast got together to establish a garden club. Fifty years later, the Garden Club at Palm Coast has 98 members with deep roots in the community.
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Hammock Dunes Club while also hosting the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs’ District VI fall meeting.
“We’ve been looking forward to the celebration,” FFGC President Christy Linke said before the meeting. “We’re lucky to be here for that.”
The FFGC has 153 clubs in 12 districts from the Panhandle to Key West, Linke said. District VI includes clubs in Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties totaling 950 mem-
bers. When the district was looking for a host for its fall meeting, Garden Club at Palm Coast President Denise Garcia said she raised her hand right away. “I said, ‘We’re doing it,’ because I knew it was going to be a special time for us,” Garcia said.
Over the years, the local garden club has grown and branched out like a Southern live oak. It hosts the annual Spring Festival the first Saturday in April at Flagler Palm Coast High School. The club’s Propagation Guild grows a lot of the plants that are sold at the festival. The club’s Arranger’s Guild focuses on floral design for homes, churches or flower shows and offers floral design classes.
The club hosts an annual competition for high school digital media students to design the cover of the Garden Club’s yearbook. It celebrates Arbor Day by planting a tree within the community. It celebrates a home’s landscape with the Selection of the Month.
The club offers agriculture,
horticulture or environmental sciences related college scholarships to high school seniors and sponsors two youngsters each year to FFGC’s Wekiva Youth Camp. And it sponsors junior garden clubs at Belle Terre and Rymfire elementary schools.
The club has funneled FFGC grants to the Palm Coast Historical Society and Museum to replenish their garden in 2021 and to families to rebuild their yards after storms.
“This club is awesome,” said Garcia, who has been club president for three years. “You don’t have to be a gardener to be in the club. You can come and learn how to garden.”
She said the first thing she did when she moved to Palm Coast 11 years ago was to find a garden club. She had belonged to the garden club previously in Needham, Massachusetts.
“That was where I actually learned about garden clubs,” she said “I grew up in Miami, Florida. I had my own flower shop, and I didn’t know about garden clubs.”
Club membership is $50 a year, $65 for couples. The club meets every second Monday from September to May at 11:30 a.m. at Club 51 in Palm Coast. Visit garden clubatpalmcoast.org.
Vohras earn November garden honors
The home of Gloria and Raj Vohra of Florida Park Drive is The Garden Club at Palm Coast’s Selection of the Month for November.
The Vohras have lived in Palm Coast for 24 years. Gloria is originally from Puerto Rico, and Raj from India. Raj owned an HVAC company for 22 years.
He serviced, repaired and installed heat pumps in the area. Gloria provides residential cleaning services and assists Raj with his business operations.
Raj’s retirement hobby is making wooden furniture, as well as wooden pictures and mirror frames.
Their front yard has curb appeal with Crossandra firecracker flowers, pink curcuma gingers, mammy crotons, canna lilies, Mexican heather, Egyptian star cluster pentas, agapanthus and dracaena.
There are two sabal palms, a European fern palm, a papaya tree, two crape myrtles — dark pink and light pink — as well as a Japanese photinia topi-
Sharon Smith, Debbie Lashinsky, Ann Fleming and Marinus Grootenboer volunteer at the plant sale at the Garden Club at Palm Coast’s 50th anniversary celebration and the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs’ District VI fall meeting at the Hammock Dunes Club.
Garden Club at Palm Coast President Denise Garcia poses next to the display of the club’s 50-year timeline, clippings, books and DVDs. Photos by Brent Woronoff
The yard of Gloria and Raj Vohra of Florida Park Drive is the Garden Club at Palm Coast’s Selection of the Month for November.
Courtesy photo
Flagler County Deputy Administrator Percy Sayles. Courtesy photo
MY VIEW RANDY FINE, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Explaining my ‘Path to Florida Springs National Park Act’
HR 4656 would commission a study to see whether Florida springs could become a national park.
RANDY FINE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I’ve been taking my family to the Florida springs for years. My sons grew up jumping into these waters, and like so many of you, we made unforgettable memories here. A lot of us have swam, hunted, and built our homes and businesses here. These places are not just part of our environment; they are part of who we are as Floridians. This is why I want to address some misinformation about HR 4656, the Path to Florida Springs National Park Act. Your voice and
input are important, so I want you to know what my bill really does and why I believe it is worth becoming law. Yellowstone has the largest collection of geysers in America, and Florida has the largest collection of natural springs in the world. Both are special and worthy of protection because they are unique. My bill does not turn the springs into a national park overnight. It is a proposal to commission a special resource study to see whether some or all of our springs merit a national park recommendation. The study would follow, which may take years, and would incorporate feedback from federal officials and local stakeholders like you. If that study determines part or all of the springs warrants a national park designation, that can be followed by an additional round of legislation changing the status of the springs to a national park. For anything to happen, each legislative step would still need to pass the House and Senate and then be
signed into law by the president. It would not be a hasty process. If I have learned anything in Washington, it is that there is no such thing as an easy bill.
A special resource study and two separate rounds of legislation are a high bar to hurdle for the springs to become a national park. For perspective, New River Gorge, the most recently added national park, by some accounts took more than 40 years to achieve that status. The springs are one of Florida’s crown jewels, and the rest of the country should see them for what they are: one of America’s greatest national treasures. I love our national treasures, which is why when my boys were born I promised to take them to every national park, a journey we are now close to completing. Having seen so many of them, I can say with certainty that Florida’s springs are just as worthy of the designation as Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. This bill does not close off land, ban hunting, or impose any new rules. Absolutely
nothing has changed or will change if it becomes law. There is no new land taken from the state, and it does not put up fences where none exist today. What it does is open a conversation and start a research process. This bill is an opportunity to examine the environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic pros and cons of making the springs a national park. It is an opportunity to look at whether national recognition would help bring tourism and federal resources to protect these springs for future generations, or whether the status quo is the best path forward. That determination will not be made in secret. It will be made through a transparent process with input from you. Some of you have called in and said Florida has done a good job protecting our parks already. I agree. Our state parks are the best in the nation, and the people who work there are second to none. Asking whether our springs deserve the recognition of being America’s next national park does not
MY VIEW CARMEN BALGOBIN, VOLUSIA SUPERINTENDENT
diminish what Florida has done. It builds on it. All I am doing is asking you, yes you, if we should share them on an even greater stage, so that when people talk about Yellowstone or the Everglades, they also talk about Silver Springs or Juniper Run.
I introduced this bill because I want to hear from you. I am grateful for every letter, email, and phone call my office has received. Even when you disagree with me, your input makes the idea better. If you have concerns, questions, or ideas about this bill, or anything else, I invite you to share them with me.
You can visit my website at fine.house.gov to leave your comments or reach my office by phone. My staff and I want to hear from you, because the voices of local residents are the most important part of this process. Together, we can make sure that the future of Florida’s springs reflects the love we all share for them, whether that’s as a National Park, a National Forest, or something in between.
Randy Fine represents District 6 in the U.S. House.
Community engagement ‘holds us accountable to the highest standards’
I’m writing today to share important information about the significant progress Volusia County Schools has achieved, to address questions that have been raised in our community, and to outline our ongoing commitment to every student we serve. Our community deserves transparent, fact-based communication about our schools — both our successes and our challenges. The passion and engagement I see from parents, teachers, and community members reflects how deeply you care about our children’s education. That commitment inspires us every day, and it holds us accountable to the highest standards.
CELEBRATING PROGRESS
The 2024-25 school year brought meaningful achievements that belong to our entire community: For the first time since 2008-09, Volusia County Schools earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. We showed improvement in 10 of 12 state accountability areas. The number of “A” schools increased from 17 to 29, and for the first time in more than a decade, 100% of our traditional schools earned an A, B, or C rating — with no D or F schools.
Our students are achieving at higher levels. Eighth-grade math proficiency jumped from 40% to 56%. Geometry proficiency increased from 47% to 62%. Critically, all major student subgroups — including Black and Hispanic students, students with disabilities, and English language learners — showed significant gains.
Our graduation rate reached 94%, the second highest among the 11 dis-
tricts in the Central Florida Coalition. Dual enrollment participation grew from 560 to 717 students, with graduates earning dual enrollment credentials increasing from 108 to 144. These numbers represent students who are better prepared for college and careers.
Our students’ talents extend beyond academics. For the second consecutive year, we were named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Our students have performed at Carnegie Hall and in London’s New Year’s Day Parade — representing Volusia County on international stages.
These achievements reflect the daily dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families. They are real, they are earned, and they matter.
GRADUATION RATES
I want to directly address questions that have been raised about our graduation
A brief history of Halloween
WRITER
Halloween is not an official federal holiday in the United States. It is a cultural holiday celebrated annually on Oct. 31, and is especially popular among children.
rates. Our 94% graduation rate represents real students who earned real diplomas by meeting Florida’s graduation requirements. I understand why stakeholders ask questions when rates improve — it’s a sign of healthy engagement and accountability. When students struggle to stay on track for graduation, we don’t adjust numbers — we adjust our support. Here are the steps we took to ensure progress for our students:
Credit recovery programs allow students who failed a course to demonstrate mastery of that content through additional instruction and assessment. Students must complete the required curriculum and pass assessments that verify they’ve learned the material. These aren’t shortcuts; they’re second chances with the same academic standards.
Alternative learning environments serve students whose needs aren’t met in traditional settings — whether due to work schedules, family
responsibilities, health issues, or learning differences. These programs maintain the same graduation requirements while providing flexible paths to meet them.
Targeted interventions include tutoring, mentoring, attendance support, and family engagement — all designed to keep students in school and on track.
Every one of these approaches is monitored for academic integrity. Course completion requires demonstrated mastery and diplomas represent our students’ genuine achievement of state standards.
OUR ESE COMMITMENT
I want to be direct about our work supporting students with disabilities, because this community deserves honesty about both progress and ongoing obligations.
Volusia County Schools is operating under a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that requires specific improvements in how we
serve students in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). This settlement exists because we needed to do better, and we have.
Here’s what we’ve done:
Reduced the number of state complaints related to ESE services through improved compliance systems and proactive problem-solving with families
Implemented new processes for evaluating students and developing individualized education programs
Increased training for staff on inclusive practices and legal requirements
Strengthened communication between ESE staff and families
Meeting all requirements of the DOJ settlement remains an ongoing priority. This work is complex, it takes time, and we’re committed to getting it right.
Read Superintendent Carmen Balgobin’s full op-ed online at observerlocalnews.com
The modern Halloween holiday evolved from the ancient Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, which marked a pivotal point in the agricultural year, and has been traced back over 2,000 years. It originated in Europe, specifically in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France.
The festival of Samhain celebrated the Celtic New Year and was observed on or around Nov. 1. It marked the end of harvest season (the lighter part of the year) and the beginning of winter (the darker part of the year), which is the time that Celts believed
Halloween is a day of widespread observance throughout the nation where activities such as carving jack-o’-lanterns, costume parties, decorating homes and businesses with festive and spooky items and trickor- treating are traditions enjoyed by the masses. The Halloween holiday season prompts some of the largest national sales of candy due to purchases for trick-ortreaters.
the boundary between the physical and spirit worlds could be breached allowing spirits to cross over. Included in the ancient celebrations were the honoring of family ancestors, preparing food for the living and the dead, dressing in costumes and wearing masks in an attempt to confuse and chase harmful spirits away, lighting communal bonfires to burn the bones of slaughtered livestock and the ritual of animal sacrifice.
In the 8th century, the Catholic Church led by Pope Gregory III gave rise to modern Halloween by creating a vigil on All Hallows’ Eve (a day of fasting and praying celebrated on Oct. 31 in preparation for
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Our president is Donald Trump
Dear Editor:
Thank you for printing
Ron Nowviskie’s letter to the editor, “No Kings protesters are out of touch.” On the
front page of the Ormond Beach Observer we see a sign saying, “Not my president.” Unless that person is a citizen of another country, they should know now, that the elected president of the United States is Donald Trump.
Those that do know, may wonder why the Ormond Beach Observer chose it necessary to print two pages about the protest alienating so many readers who voted for our president. I don’t always agree with our
All Saints’ Day). All Saints’ Day is a feast celebrated on Nov. 1 which honors all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown.
The name “Halloween” is an Old English term that evolved from “All Hallows’ Eve.” It was blended from ancient Celtic traditions and later Christian influences.
As Irish and other Catholic immigrants found their way to the United States (particularly during the 19th century), they brought their customs and traditions, including the Catholic celebration of Halloween. By the 1920s and 1930s Halloween was adopted into the culture of the nation as a community-centered holiday which features black cats, parades, parties, playing mischievous pranks, skeletons, trick-or-treating (which
president, but it is disturbing that the Observer printed a photo of a woman with a smile on her face that appears to encourage another assassination attempt on our president’s life.
BARBARA SANDBERG Ormond Beach
originated from the ancient Celtic practice of leaving food for spirits and evolved into the modern practice of groups of people dressed in costumes going door-to-door expecting treats to be handed out), and supernatural entities such as ghosts, the Grim Reaper, vampires, witches and zombies.
Over the past several generations, modern Halloween traditions have expanded to include watching horror movies and visiting creepy attractions like corn mazes, eerie cemeteries, haunted houses and spooky trails which are all designed to scare and thrill.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
The Palm Coast Fire Department’s Fire Station 21 hosts an annual haunted house event called “Hall of Terror” which features terrifying rooms inspired by horror films. The Hidden Trails Halloween Fest at the Hidden Trails Community Center in Bunnell is hosted by Flagler County Government and features carnival games, food, drinks, a DJ and a costume party for children. Halloween events in Ormond Beach include the Trunk or Treat at Prince of Peace Parish where children dressed in costumes walk from parked car to car to receive Halloween treats, unique Ghost Stories at The Casements which include a tale of ghost hauntings on the mansion’s third floor, and the Tanger Outlets Halloween Party which features costume contests, crafts, giveaways, musical entertainment and trick-or-treating at various stores.
Note to protesters: Trump presidency is democracy in action
Dear Editor: Note to No Kings protesters: What you are watching is democracy. Trump achieved a landslide victory less than a year ago based on his promise to do exactly what he is now doing. Most Americans voted for this and couldn’t be happier. More will vote for Vance in 2028 to continue the America first agenda to Make America Great Again.
ADAM LANGE Palm Coast
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Boo-ling for dollars
Third annual Boo-ling for Wishes at Palm Coast Lanes raises $30,000 for Make-A-Wish
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
They dressed up in Halloween costumes, bowled under cosmic lights and bid on elaborate gift baskets, all for a good cause — raising money for Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida.
Realty Executives Oceanside hosted the third annual Boo-ling for Wishes fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Palm Coast Lanes.
“This event gets bigger and more meaningful every year,” said Bruce Vinnick, broker/ owner of Realty Executives Oceanside, who founded the event with his wife, Shannon. “Seeing our community come together to support such an incredible cause is truly inspiring.”
This year’s event raised $30,000 for Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida. Make-A-Wish recipient Anna Smith and her family attended the event. The Smiths, who live in Port Orange, took a trip to Hawaii in April 2024 for Anna’s wish. Anna, 13, has had multiple surgeries to try to correct severe refractory epilepsy. She said chose Hawaii as her wish with the goal of relaxing on a beach and drinking out of a
coconut, and she got to do just that. But her real reason, she said, for choosing the getaway was to spend uninterrupted time with her parents, Chad and Rebecca, and her older brother, Liam.
“She’s been in the hos
pital quite a bit,” Rebecca Smith, said. “We traveled to Miami for her treatment, so it was kind of where we had to divide and conquer, and so older brother was at home with the grandparents, and we were down in Miami with her, and she was going through surgery, and for her, she just wanted to get away from it all, and she wanted to relax and spend time with the whole family, and it was absolutely incredible.”
Rebecca said they haven’t been able to get Anna’s epilepsy under control, but she has been doing pretty well under the circumstances.
“We have our challenges,” Rebecca said, “but she handles them beautifully with a smile, and we just do our best and give her happiness as much as we can.”
Jillian Wilson, the development and community engagement coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Jacksonville Region, attended the Booling fundraiser. Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri helped kick off the evening. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe Barile judged the costume contest. The event was a sell-out with all 24 lanes filled with bowlers wearing inflatables and costumes. Jennifer McGee’s family all dressed up as Star Wars characters. Andrew Trotter and
AWT Property Management dressed up as Scooby-Doo and friends with their Mystery Machine. Others dressed up as members of the rock band, Kiss; hockey players and refs; characters from a Wizard of Oz; and Minions. Stellar MLS served as event sponsor for the third straight year with 17 other businesses providing sponsorships and over 50 businesses and individuals providing support, organizers said. Email brent@observerlocal news.com.
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Chris Kocher (Wicked Witch) of LCI Taxes, with wife Rosanne (Dorothy) and daughter Annabelle (Glinda), his team with Yes You’re Invited, their nonprofit that hosts inclusive birthday parties. Courtesy photo
Flagler Palm Coast High School Student Government Association members.
AWT Property Management team, with Scooby-Doo (Andrew Trotter), flanked by Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe Barile. Courtesy photo
Gunner Spassoff of Flagler Palm Coast High School SGA couldn’t be missed at the third annual Booling for Wishes fundraiser at Palm Coast Lanes. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Make-A-Wish kid Anna Smith with parents, Chad and Rebecca, brother Liam, and grandfather Michael Smith.
Jeanne and Bill Nix are Minions. Courtesy photo
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF VOLUSIA COUNTY BEACHES?
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Volusia’s Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan, Coastal Director Jessica Fentress and representatives from Taylor Engineering, the county’s coastal engineering consultants, will discuss the ongoing Volusia County Beach Feasibility Study. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Volusia County and includes lunch. There will be complimentary parking in the south lot. Costs $20 per person.
AUTUMN IN PIEDMONT
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Join OMAM on the museum’s rooftop terrace for a four-course seasonal food and wine pairing inspired by Piedmont, Italy. Enjoy small bites and wine, courtesy of Beach + Vine and Chef Synaca from Homegrown Catering. Costs $45 for museum members and $55 for non-members. Register at www.ormondartmuseum.org/ classes-programs.
HALL OF TERROR
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30-31
Where: Palm Coast Fire Station 21, 9 Corporate Drive, Palm Coast Details: For the 24th year, the Palm Coast Fire Department is hosting this haunted house and show event. From 6-7 p.m. on both nights, there will be a sensory-sensitive hour. There will be food trucks on site. Free admission.
Details: Cirque de Paris, presented by Anouchka Bouglione, makes its debut in Daytona with a 90-minute show featuring an ensemble of European circus artists including BMX trick riders, illusionists, aerialists, acrobats and clowns. Tickets cost start at $30 for children and $35 for adults. Visit https:// cirquedeparis.com/city/ daytona-beach-fl.
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Where: Flagler Woman’s Club, 1524 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach
Details: Join the Flagler Woman’s Club for its Craft Extravaganza. Choose from the assortment of handcrafted items including home décor, holiday decorations, jewelry, children’s gifts, pet gifts and more. There will be a bake sale and raffles. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call Penny at 386-447-0399.
TRICKS & TREATS
When: 3-5 p.m.
Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast
Details: Start your Halloween celebrations with a free event at the Florida Agricultural Museum. There will be pumpkins, a costume contest for humans and pets, a candy cannon blast, games and more.
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: Tomoka United Methodist Church, 1000 Old
Tomoka Road, Ormond Beach
Details: Tomoka United Methodist Church is hosting a trunk-or-treat featuring candy, games, prizes, goodie bags, cookies, cider, juice and popcorn. A DJ will play Halloween tunes. Free event.
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
When: 5-6 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 6500 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Join Palm Coast United Methodist Church for a trunk-or-treat. Enjoy some Halloween fun, costumes and candy.
FCSO TRUNK-OR-TREAT
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Kim C. Hammond
Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, Bunnell
Details: Join the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on Halloween night for a drive-thru trunk-or-treat. Free event.
‘DANCE WITH THE DEAD’
When: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Where: Zanzibar Blu, 250 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Attend a tasteful burlesque show featuring Ormond Beach dancers, jazz singing and spooky ghost stories based on the book, “Haunted Daytona Beach.”
Guests will enjoy three complimentary cocktails during the hour-long performance. Attendees must be 21 and older. Tickets cost $47.93. Visit https://dancewiththedead2025.eventbrite.com.
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Parkview Church, 5435 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Grab a candy bucket and don your costume for this trunk-or-treat. Free. Visit parkviewlife.com/events.
LIFECOAST CHURCH
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Future Lifecoast Church site, Park Street, Palm
Coast Details: Lifecoast Church is inviting the community to a trunk-or-treat event at its future site, located in Town Center at the corner of Park Street and Central Avenue.
Where: Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Presented by Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill, this pickleball tournament benefits Flagler Strong for youth sports. Costumes encouraged. Costs $20 per player. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/mm7jyus6.
SECOND ANNUAL VETERAN HEALTH SEMINAR
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser Inc. is hosting its second annual Veteran Health Seminar. Guest speakers include Charles Fordham II, coordinator of Veterans Services at Daytona State College; Shirley Thompson, registered nurse, VA Volunteer and retired Bethune-Cookman University educator; Abriel Gardner, VA mental health specialist, and more. There will be health screenings and lunch. Free and open to the public. RSVP to investinhealth2022@gmail.com.
ORMOND ART WALK
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach MainStreet Arts District, 128
W. Granada Blvd., Ormond
Beach
Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.
FOR THE LOVE OF QUINCY JONES
When: 4-6:30 p.m.
Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Details: Attend this concert celebrating the musical legacy of Quincy Jones. Tickets cost $65 for general seating and $75 for VIP. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. Visit https:// www.adanteproduction.com/ event-details/for-the-love-ofquincy-jones.
Details: Sip & Bowl presents this dance party with DJ Big Mike Brown. There will be a costume contest, swag giveaways and free drink tastings. Admission costs $25 and includes two hours of unlimited bowling.
SUNDAY, NOV. 2
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
When: 8 a.m. to noon
MONDAY, NOV. 3
HALIFAX HEALTH
EDUCATIONAL SERIES:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton hosts mass for patron saint
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church recently celebrated its patron St, Elizabeth Ann Seton with a special mass, a candlelight procession and an Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Fifty years ago, on Sept. 14, 1975, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized by Pope Saint Paul VI. This was a historic moment as she was the first American-born woman to be declared a saint. The Thursday and Friday’s Jubilee mass was presided over by Father
SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Halifax Health educator Annette Tracy, a registered nurse, will discuss safety tips for seniors. Free event.
TUESDAY, NOV. 4 FILM SCREENING: ‘JAWS’ When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Southeast Museum of Photography, Madorsky Theater, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach Details: See a screening of “Jaws” in celebration of the movie’s 50th anniversary. Free and open to the public. Popcorn
WEDNESDAY,
Where: Social Hall at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: The Father Eamonn Gill Council 13018 Knights of Columbus will serve their famous pancake breakfast. The meal includes all the pancakes you can eat, scrambled eggs, a sausage link, orange juice and endless coffee. Costs $6 for adults; children under 12 eat free. All are welcome.
FOCUS ON FAITH
Brought to you by: Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
Robert Trujillo and Bishop Felipe J. Estevez. A Facebook post stated that “her journey to sainthood was marked by deep faith, perseverance, and love. A wife, mother, widow, teacher, and foundress of the Sisters of Charity, she gave her life to God’s service and became a true example of holiness in ordinary life.”
The Chapel to host fifth annual car show on Nov. 2 The Chapel in Ormond Beach is putting on its fifth annual car show on Nov. 2 at 1805 N. U.S. 1. The car show has free admission and will have awards, a barbecue potluck, children’s games and a bounce house.
The scream team: PCFD’s 24th Hall of Terror has Friday the 13th theme
Get spooked from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31 at Fire Station 21, located at 9 Corporate Drive in Palm Coast.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF
Palm Coast Fire Department
Lt. Dan Driscoll said he has been wanting to create a Friday the 13th themed Hall of Terror for years.
“It’s a passion for me,” he said. “It’s my favorite franchise, and we’ve never been able to pull it off in the past.”
The Hall of Terror is a free Halloween event put on by the Palm Coast Fire Department that is open for anyone looking for a good scare. It’s held on Oct. 30 and 31 from 7-10 p.m. at Fire Station 21, at 9 Corporate Drive in Palm Coast. Parking will be available at the lot adjacent to the station and across the street in the Kohl’s shopping center parking lot.
This year, the Fire Department can perform a Friday the
13th house, Driscoll said, primarily because of the number of volunteers who joined in.
Over 100 people have come together to create the 24th annual Hall of Terror, putting together better lighting and sound effects and creating a horror house themed with the
eight Friday the 13th movies.
Back again in its own sequel showing is the low-sensory hour from 6-7 p.m., providing a “more comfortable experience for individuals” who may need or prefer reduced lights and sounds, according to a Palm Coast press release. Driscoll said last year was the first time they had tried out a low-sensory time, and the kids who attended loved it.
“We walk them through and not as much smoke or lights, not as much jumping out and scaring,” he said. “Just so they can be in the environment and get to enjoy the show like everyone else.”
New this year are outdoor sets and improved light and sound effects, which Driscoll credits to volunteer Kaelum White. White is a professional DJ for his day job.
White said he joined around three years prior as part of the production team after attending the Hall of Terror for years. He runs all the lighting, audio
and visual for the show.
This year, White said, they have added more lighting and scenes in each room, similar to what someone might experience at Halloween Horror Nights. Each new section of the set incorporates different props, lighting and sounds from each of the eight Friday the 13th movies.
“The sound is going to be really good this year,” he said. “I’m really excited about it. Each room is going to have kind of its own sound effects and different things going on.”
Over 5,000 people attended the event last year, but Driscoll said he didn’t think they could “physically get any more people” through the line than in 2024.
Regardless, he said, the team will just cap the line at 10 p.m., not shut down the event at 10.
“We get everybody who’s in line by 10,” he said. “You got here on time, we’ll get you through.”
The 25th annual Palm Coast Fire Department’s Hall of Terror is themed after Friday the 13th. Photos by Sierra Williams
The 25th annual Hall of Terror depicts classic props and scenes from each of the eight Friday the 13th movies.
Patrick Appolonia and Lt. Dan Driscoll showcase discuss this year’s upgraded light and sound effects, designed to enhance suspense.
The 25th annual Hall of Terror depicts classic props and scenes from each of the eight Friday the 13th movies.
The 25th annual Hall of Terror depicts classic props and scenes from each of the eight Friday the 13th movies.
Victory Tattoo Ormond reopens after year-long hurricane closure
Victory Tattoo celebrated its reopening with a community event on Saturday, Oct. 25.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Hurricane Milton forced Victory Tattoo Ormond to close its doors last year.
Located across the street from the ocean, at 1496 Ocean Shore Blvd. in Ormond-bythe-Sea, the building sustained water and roof damage during the storm. There was a
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lot to repair, and it was happening at a time when many others were also dealing with similar storm damage, slowing the process, said Bobby Ellis, owner and lead artist at Victory Tattoo.
But after a year of work, Victory Tattoo Ormond is back in business and celebrated its grand reopening on Saturday, Oct. 25. The event was scheduled to feature seven bands, free food and alcohol, and tattoo and piercing specials.
“I’m excited to finally be reopening,” Ellis said before the event. “Obviously, we have two shops, but this is the shop that started it all.”
Victory Tattoo also has a location at 514 Main St. in Daytona Beach.
The building that houses the Ormond-by-the-Sea location was constructed in 1957, but it’s been operating as a tattoo shop since the 1980s. In 2009, Ellis became the owner, acquiring it from his mentor’s ex-wife.
That’s part of the sentimental value of the shop, said Ellis, who has been a tattoo artist for 19 years.
He initially tried to get into tattooing right out of high school, but it wasn’t until he was tattooed by Atlanta artist “Painless” Paul Nelson that
Ellis was able to get an apprenticeship. Ellis was in college at the time, and people generally either picked a tattoo off the shop’s wall or brought their artist a pre-made design.
“If you came in and asked them to draw something, it wasn’t happening,” Ellis said.
“So I would paint the designs, come in and get them tattooed. After doing that a few times, he asked if I wanted to learn.”
Drew McElveney is one of the other artists of Victory Tattoo. What got him into tattooing?
“There’s a shop in San Francisco called ‘Primal Urge’ — I think that’s the best description,” he said. “... There’s something in it that people are subconsciously driven toward.”
When Ellis first moved to the area, no one looked to beachside shops for tattoos. They were infamous for high prices and bad-quality art.
But the artists at Victory Tattoo are just that — artists, many of whom have had paintings displayed in galleries, Ellis said.
“It took a while to actually change that image and let them know, ‘We’re here. We’re serious about tattoos,’” Ellis said.
When it came to planning their grand reopening, tattoo artist Desmond Larmer said they wanted to let people know they were back in the community while giving back.
“It’s all community-funded,” Lamer said. “I just made some phone calls, brought them together. One restaurant or bar would find out that the other one was doing it and then they wanted to one up the other one. ... It was a really cool experience, honestly.”
All of the bands that agreed to participate — The Remembrance, Little Gracie, Still Pictures, Moth, Wings of Mercury, Umbrella and a surprise act — are local. The event sponsors included Fletcher’s Irish Pub, Rockefeller’s, Seadrift Sports Bar and Grill, Froggy’s Saloon, Frank’s Place and One Horse Saloon.
For Ellis, he was pleased to be able to see clients, both old and new. The shop used to host events like this frequently in the past, he said.
“It’s going to be amazing to have everyone banded together, supporting it to be reopened again in this new chapter,” Ellis said. Visit victorytattoodaytona. com.
BIZ BUZZ
Sprouts Farmer’s Market to open west of Tanger, in Daytona, in 2026
One of Daytona Beach’s new grocery store chains could open in a matter of months. There is no official opening date set for Daytona Beach’s new Trader Joe’s in Tanger Outlets, but the neighboring Sprouts Farmer’s Market will
open in 2026. A Sprouts PR representative said the new location at 1591 N. Williamson Blvd. will open in 2026, and a more exact date will be shared later on.
The Sprouts Farmers Market will be located in the shopping plaza, on the west side of the Tanger Outlets shopping center off of LPGA Boulevard. According to emails from public relations employees from both companies, neither grocery store chain is sharing grand opening dates.
Trader Joe’s Public Relations Manager Nakia Rohde said the company does not have either an exact date or an estimated
date for the Trader Joe’s opening. Rohde wrote that 70 crew members have been hired for the store.
Dominic’s Deli’s Daytona Beach location to close after seven years
The Dominic’s Deli & Eatery in Tomoka Town Center is closing. The Deli announced on its Facebook page on Oct. 27 that its Daytona location, at 1307 Cornerstone Blvd., was closing. The post did not state why the location was closing after seven years, but did share they are looking for a new location.
“We would like to thank all of our staff and customers for seven great years in Daytona,” the post said. “We will keep you posted on a new location as soon as we find the perfect spot.”
Dominic’s Deli also has a location in Palm Coast in the City Market Place plaza at 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite 101.
According to their website, Dominic’s Deli & Eatery was first established in 2008 by Pete and Deserie Tavolacci and Butch and Debbie DeCarlo.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Larmer and Drew McElveney, of Victory Tattoo. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Desmond Larmer, Bobby Ellis and Drew McElveney, of Victory Tattoo.
Courtesy photo
REAL ESTATE
Plantation Pines home tops sales at $690,000
Ahouse in Plantation Pines at 3782 Pine Cone Lane was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Oct. 4-10. The house sold on Oct. 6, for $690,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 5/4 and has a pool and 3,264 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $300,000.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Condos
The condo at 3180 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 511, sold on Oct. 6, for $295,000. Built in 1994, the condo is a 2/2 and has 876 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $220,900.
The condo at 2700 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 402, sold on Oct. 10, for $237,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 2/2 and has 925 square feet. It last sold in 1987 for $69,900.
ORMOND BEACH
Breakaway Trails
The house at 148 Deep Woods Way sold on Oct. 10, for $420,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,561 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $320,000.
Oak Trails West
The house at 30 S. Center St. sold on Oct. 6, for $400,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 3,274 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $177,000.
Ormond Ridge
The house at 360 Collins St. sold on Oct. 9, for $237,000.
Built in 1971, the house is a 3/1.5 and has 1,152 square feet. It last sold in 1986 for $8,000.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1297 Harwick Lane sold on Oct. 9, for $512,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,862 square feet. It last sold in 2009 for $233,000.
Riverbend Acres
The house at 229 Riverbend Road sold on Oct. 10, for $620,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace, a detached garage and 2,184 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $700,000.
The Trails
The house at 7 Rocky Creek Trail sold on Oct. 6, for $500,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,776 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $260,000.
The townhome at 235 Pine Cone Trail sold on Oct. 10, for $300,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and1,696 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $175,000.
The house at 3782 Pine Cone Lane sold on Oct. 6, for $690,000. Photo courtesy of Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors
WEST DAYTONA BEACH
Mosaic A house at 348 Mosaic Blvd. sold on Oct. 10, for $620,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,606 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $680,000.
Latitude Margaritaville
The house at 540 Good Life Way sold on Oct. 10, for $530,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,922
square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $384,400.
Legends Preserve
The house at 3117 Legends Preserve Drive sold on Oct. 9, for $390,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,190 square feet.
Lennar at Preserve at LPGA The house at 1216 Belle Isle Lane sold on Oct. 7, for $352,139. Built in 2025, the
Trails North Forty The townhome at 136 Deer Lake Circle sold on Oct. 10, for $364,800. Built in 1988, the townhome is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,939 square feet. It last sold in 1988 for $65,090.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
North Ormond Beach
The house at 38 Concord Drive sold on Oct. 8, for $481,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,796 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $533,000.
Not in subdivision
The house at 26 Island Cay Drive sold on Oct. 9, for $4989,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,571 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $190,000.
Oakview Heights
The house at 32 Morning Star Ave. sold on Oct. 6, for $546,500. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,149 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $565,000.
Ocean Aire Terrace
The house at 121 Ocean Aire Terrace S. sold on Oct. 6, for $400,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,626 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $178,700.
Ormond Shores
The house at 10 Juniper Drive sold on Oct. 9, for $444,900. Built in 1963, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,707 square feet.
Raymonde Shores
The house at 23 Briggs Drive sold on Oct. 10, for $405,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,462 square feet. It last sold in 1974 for $15,000.
Seabreeze Shores
The house at 21 Seabreeze Drive sold on Oct. 6, for $275,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 900 square feet. It last sold in 1988 for $67,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
house is a 4/2.5 and has 1,874 square feet.
LPGA
The house at 105 Hagge Drive sold on Oct. 10, for $432,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,104 square feet. It last sold in 2005 for $336,400.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
ORMOND BEACH
REAL ESTATE
Hammock Dunes condo
goes for $2.1 million
Acondo at 28 Porto Mar, Unit 403, in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for Oct. 11-17 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The condo sold on Oct. 15, for $2,100,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 4/4.5 and has 3,847 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $1,400,000.
Condos
A condo at 11 Surrey Court, Unit 11, sold on Oct. 17, for $150,000. Built in 1981, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,098 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $94,000.
A condo at 80 Surfview Drive, Unit 808, sold on Oct. 17, for $520,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,455 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $430,000.
A condo at 60 Surfview Drive, Unit 319, sold on Oct. 16, for $515,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 1,640 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $330,000.
A condo at 60 Surfview Drive, Unit 706, sold on Oct. 15, for $601,995. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 1,640 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $265,000.
A condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 606, sold on Oct. 15, for $660,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,676 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $937,500.
A condo at 46 Club House Drive, Unit 103, sold on Oct. 14, for $199,000. Built in 1977, the condo is a 2/2 and has 986 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $87,000.
A condo at 55 Riverview Bend South, Unit 2011, sold on Oct. 14, for $277,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,115 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $182,000.
PALM COAST
Belle Terre
A house at 23 Pebble Wood Lane, sold on Oct. 17, for $375,200. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,265 square feet.
A house at 13 Priory Lane, sold on Oct. 15, for $345,300. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,755 square feet.
Flagler Village
A house at 43 Wandering Creek Way, sold on Oct. 17, for $340,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,817 square feet.
Ocean Hammock
A house at 101 Ocean Way North, sold on Oct. 15, for
$1,500,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 6/6 and hasa pool, a hot tub, an elevator and 5,075 square feet.
Pine Lakes A house at 23 Woodborn Lane, sold on Oct. 17, for $350,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,068 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $260,000.
A house at 4 Sutton Court, sold on Oct. 17, for $485,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool and 2,122 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $485,000.
A house at 22 Weidner Place, sold on Oct. 17, for $203,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,192 square feet. It sold in 1995 for $163,200.
A house at 11 Wellstone Drive, sold on Oct. 17, for $339,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,858 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $215,000.
Sawmill Branch A house at 4 Mill Wheel Court, sold on Oct. 17, for $345,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,986 square feet.
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report
World Plate expands to Hammock
Local catering company opens gourmet grab-and-go, World Plate Market.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A local business in Flagler County is opening a new location in The Hammock after much demand from its customers.
World Plate Market, located at 2 Armand Beach Drive, Suite 1B, opens on Oct. 29 and is a new grab-and-go expansion on World Plate’s other services for catering and event planning. The new location will also house World Plate’s events services, owner Sue Wicklund said.
“We’ll be a true market,” Wicklund said. “An exchange of goods and services.”
Wicklund said World Plate has been looking to expand into a new location for a while, and they chose The Hammock after their Hammock customers sent “an abundance of emails” asking World Plate if they could open up a location in the area. Prior to this new location, the nearest World Plate — which has been operating for eight years — was in Bunnell.
The bulk of World Plate’s customers reside in The Hammock area, she said, and would commute to Bunnell for their services.
“So this is going to be really a nice treat for them, because now we’re pretty much in their backyard,” Wicklund said. “We’re going to be a lot closer to them. And I think it’s going to be a great thing.”
The Hammock location will have pre-packaged, gourmet grab-and-go food, with coldand hot-food options as well as snacks and platters.
The grab-and-go is an
extension of World Plate’s catering services, she said. Grab-and-go options include meails or hor d’oeuvres samplers. A “take and bake” option will also be available, Wicklund said.
Wicklund said not only will customers be able to grab World Plate’s recipes for lunch, but The Hammock location will now be the pick-up location for catering orders. This allows their Bunnell location to be strictly production, she said.
World Plate features flavors from seven different types of cuisine: Italian,French, German, Greek, Asian, Latin and Middle Eastern. Wicklund’s husband and co-owner Erick Wicklund is the business’ chef with over 30 years of experience. He has taken his experience with a variety of cuisine
and is bringing that “forward with this grab-and-go,” she said.
On Sundays, through the end of the year, Wicklund said The Hammock location will also offer to-go dinners for two that customers can order ahead of time. To-go dinner orders can be placed online by 11 a.m. on Sundays and picked up by 4:45 p.m. on Sundays. She said they plan to offer the to-go dinners on some weekdays as well in the New Year.
“We just want to kind of do a trial and see how that goes,” she said.
After eight years of operating World Plate, Wicklund said they are very grateful for the support of their customers over the years. World Plate started out of St. Joe Plaza in Palm Coast in September 2017, but quickly outgrew it, expanding into Bunnell, Orlando and, for a short time, St. Augustine. Now, Wicklund said, their production facility has the capacity to cater an event with over 500 guests.
“It’s been great, the support that’s been provided to us, and we look forward to being in The Hammock,” she said. Email sierra@observer localnews.com
PALM COAST
The new World Plate Market in The Hammock is located at 2 Armand Beach Drive, Suite 1B. Photo by Sierra Williams
Guiglotto channels passion to help in new business, Lotus Funeral Services
Owner Nina Guiglotto never thought she would get into the funeral business.
Now it’s become her passion.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nina Guiglotto never thought she’d be working in the funeral business, but she fell in love with it. Now she has opened her own business, Lotus Funeral Services at 460 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Suite 3, in Palm Coast.
After two years of planning and refurbishing the office space, Guiglotto hired Funeral Director Stephen Barreto and opened Lotus, holding a ribbon cutting on Oct. 10. “I wanted something that
could be affordable and unique, which is why this setup is the only one really around that isn’t the large funeral home, but offers all of the same services. But some of them are off-site,” Guiglotto said. “... My location is smaller, but I meet the standards to be a funeral establishment.”
Cremation has outpaced burials in the area, Guiglotto said, as well as throughout the country. According to a National Funeral Directors
Association report, cremation rate will more than double burial rate (63.4% to 31.6%) this year with cremations projected to rise to 82.3% by 2045.
Guiglotto has agreements to utilize local chapels in town and an agreement with Hillside Cemetery in Ormond Beach where it can offer space. It also has an agreement with Palm Coast United Methodist Church where Guiglotto is helping them offer columbarium space to the community. Lotus is also building a botanical memory garden there. It’s going to be the first one in town, Guiglotto said. Lotus offers a living urn, which includes a kit with special soil that can be comingled with the ashes of one or more loved ones and it will grow a living tree or flower, which can be planted in the memory garden, or in one’s yard or in a pot.
“They could do a little service in their backyard, and for much less money than having to use a traditional cemetery,” Guiglotto said. “I always say, Your memories can bloom on.”
Lotus offers keepsake urns and biodegradable urns, so they can be dropped into water instead of opening them and scattering the ashes. They also offer memorial videos.
Guiglotto said she got into the funeral business eight years ago, when she and her
family moved to Palm Coast. She posted her resume to a local job site, and a funeral home reached out asking if she would be interested in selling funerals in advance.
“One of the previous things I did was save people from foreclosure, and so they thought, ‘Oh, that must be a kind person,’” Guiglotto said. “I thought, ‘OK, this is
a scam,’ but I decided to go to the interview anyway. And when I went, I was pleasantly surprised.”
Guiglotto’s father died when she was 19, and she remembered her mother saying, “Well, what do we do?” She saw this as an opportunity to help people plan in advance.
“They sent me to a training course, and that was really very excellent. It was a great way to get an introduction to the industry, and I fell in love with it,” she said. “The more I helped people, and the more thank you cards I would receive from families that did the arrangements in advance and just how it touched them, made me so thrilled.”
She ultimately decided to open her own funeral business, and Lotus is the fulfill-
ment of that goal.
“And then I have the nonprofit, Coping with Colors, that is going to benefit families that can’t afford it,” Guiglotto said.
She said it is sad to see families spend and spend because of guilt or fear or sadness. Communication is key, she said.
“I want to make it a subject that people should feel comfortable talking about, if it’s OK to cremate me or scatter the ashes,” Guiglotto said. “Plan it, get excited. A lot of people did a lot of great things in their lives, and this is the moment to shine.” Barreto has been a funeral director since 1995. For more information on Lotus Funeral Services, visit lotusfuneralservices.com
Ribbon cutting at Lotus Funeral Services on Oct. 10. Courtesy photo
Lotus Funeral Services Funeral Director Stephen Barreto and owner and CEO Nina Guiglotto. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Ground control
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Matanzas football coach Matt Forrest sees the irony. A proponent of the pass-heavy Air Raid offense, Forrest’s team has been mixing in a heavy dose of the running game since it went into “playoff mode” a month ago.
“From an Air Raid guy, who’d have thought?” Forrest said of the Pirates’ trend toward a ball-control offense in recent weeks. “We’re going to put our kids in the best position we can to go win a game, whether that’s a spread offense or a ball-control offense or a mixture of both.”
On Friday, Oct. 24, the Pirates’ offense was on the field for most of the game in defeating host Pedro Menendez 14-0 on the Falcons’ Senior Night. For the third game in a row, Matanzas running back Wiley Conner had 28 or more touches.
The Pirates had just five possessions in the game, but they held the ball for 31 minutes, 1 second, compared to just 16:19 for the Falcons. Matanzas piled up 353 yards of offense — 215 passing and 138 rushing.
Conner rushed for 96 yards
on 28 carries with a touchdown and caught a pass for 18 yards. Quarterback Cole Walker completed 20 of 27 passes for 215 yards — his sixth game with over 200 yards this season. Ladarien Baker caught eight passes for 86 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception. Andrew Bass caught five passes for 68 yards.
Matanzas (6-3) won its third straight game and snapped a four-game losing streak to Menendez, which lost its third game in a row to fall to 3-6.
The Pirates have one game remaining on Thursday, Oct. 30, at home against Palm Bay.
“We’ve been in playoff mode for four weeks now. We won Round 1 against Mount Dora. We won Round 2 against Belleview, and we won Round 3 against Pedro. Round 4 of our playoffs is against Palm Bay on Thursday.”
MATT FORREST, Matanzas football coach
Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. The game was originally scheduled to be at Palm Bay on Oct. 31, but because of a conflict on Halloween, Palm Bay agreed to move the game to Matanzas on Thursday. Matanzas will have to win to have a chance to make the playoffs.
“We’ve been in playoff mode for four weeks now,” Forrest said. “Once we got beat by Mainland (on Sept. 25), and we knew the district championship was not going to happen, we were in playoff mode. We won Round 1 against Mount Dora. We won Round 2 against Belleview, and we won Round 3 against Pedro. Round 4 of our playoffs is against Palm Bay on Thursday.”
Matanzas had just two possessions in the second half against the Falcons, but those possessions combined to consume over 17 minutes of clock.
The Pirates drove 95 yards on 17 plays, consuming 9:01 and ending with Baker’s touchdown. And a 13-play drive consumed 8:08. That ended with an interception at the Menendez 5-yard line with 40 seconds left in the game, a result the same as a good punt.
The Pirates’ first-half drives ended with a missed field goal, Conner’s 1-yard touchdown run and an interception in the Falcons’ end zone.
“There were times where
I felt like maybe we could do this or that and try to break the game open, but kudos to our guys for just executing the game plan,” Forrest said.
Defensively, Matanzas held Menendez to 127 yards of offense. The Priates sacked the Falcons’ quarterbacks three times and totaled six tackles for loss. Jez McCoy had eight tackles, two for loss.
“It was all preparation,” said Matanzas defensive back Javonte Patton, who had seven tackles. “We watched a lot of film, and we knew what they were going to do.”
Playing ball control on offense allowed the defense to be fresh, Forrest said.
“When our defense is healthy and fresh, they’re good,” he said. “If we go three
and out and don’t take much time off the clock, they get winded. And that’s just a natural thing that happens in football. So, we were trying sustain long drives. And if we had to win the field position game, that was what we were going to do, just put them in spots they didn’t want to be in and force them to pass out of it.”
The Falcons completed just six passes for 67 yards.
“We had to win this game and the next game too,” Patton said, adding that he’s glad the Palm Bay game has been moved to the Pirates’ home field. “I really didn’t want to make the long drive, and now, as a senior, I have one more home game.”
Matanzas receiver Jordan Schendorf tries to evade Menendez’s Kayne Vona (3).
Matanzas captains Cole Walker, Jordan Schendorf, Kennith Roberts and Ladarien Baker.
Antoine Jenkins rushed for 48 yards on six carries.
Matanzas fans congratulate the players after the 14-0 win at Menendez.
Matanzas running back Wiley Conner rushed for 96 yards against Menendez. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas controls the clock in 14-0 win over Menendez
The Hawks rushed for 312 yards to improve to 7-1. FPC falls to 3-6.
an Nephew. On
the FPC 22-yard line, and on first down, the Hawks scored again.
Spruce Creek, the fourthranked team in Class 7A, went on to defeat FPC 35-13 on Friday, Oct. 24, as Hawks coach Andy Price won his 200th career game on Creek’s Senior Night. But the turning point came in that first-half sequence with a 7-7 tie turning into a 20-7 halftime lead for the Hawks.
Miller rushed for 117 yards as the Hawks (7-1) amassed 312 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs rushed for 194 yards with Simmons running for 115 yards including a 41-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The senior also tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Nolan Caliendo early in the second quarter to tie the score after Spruce Creek drove 99 yards for a touchdown on its first possession.
“I felt like we ran the ball really well,” FPC coach Pat-
rick Turner said. “The passing game struggled, but that was due to them applying pressure. They have a really good defensive line. We had opportunities, but we just couldn’t capitalize on them.”
The Bulldogs fell to 3-6, but because they’ve had one of the strongest schedules in Class 7A that included the Hawks as well as DeLand — the third-ranked team in the state — they were ranked 10th
in the region with eight teams going to the playoffs.
“If we beat Fleming Island, maybe it will boost us a little bit,” Turner said. “We’ll see.”
The Bulldogs host Fleming Island (5-3) in their final game of the season on Friday, Oct. 31, which will be Senior Night for FPC’s football players, cheerleaders, band, color guard and JRTOC.
FPC quarterback Bobby Starr looks downfield. The FPC band performs at Spruce Creek.
FPC quarterback La’Darius Simmons gets set to release a pass. FPC’s Shawn Smith breaks up a pass.
FPC defenders swarm Spruce Creek quarterback P.J. Miller. Photos by Keishia McLendon
SIDELINES
the District 3-3A tournament on Oct. 27 to qualify for regionals.
FPC senior Sophia Stiwich bridied the 18th hole at Cypress Head Golf Club in Port Orange to win the district tournament with a two-overpar 74. Stiwich topped Spruce Creek’s Vanessa Perry by one stroke to win the individual title. Spruce Creek won the team title. Matanzas was fourth.
FPC’s Ivey Tsouklaris placed seventh overall with an 86. The Bulldogs advance to the Region 1-3A tournament on Nov. 4 at Hawstone Country Club in Gainesville.
FPC girls, Seabreeze boys advance to golf regionals
Flagler Palm Coast’s girls golf team placed second at
Seabreeze’s boys team also advanced to regionals with a second-place finish at the District 6-2A tournament on Oct. 28 at the Country Club at Mount Dora. Nathan Yarian led the Sandcrabs wih a 71 to
place fifth. Ethan McBroom shot 76 and Sam Garewal shot 77. The Sandcrabs will compete at Drubsdread Golf Club in the Region 2-2A tournament
FPC’s boys placed fifth at district at Ocala Golf Club. Matanzas placed sixth with a 361. Caleb Zarraonandia led the Bulldogs with an 81.
Slaughter, Cerasi fast at Pre-state cross country
Flagler Palm Coast’s Arianna Slaughter won the girls select race, while Matanzas’ Peyton Cerasi set a school and personal record in the girls elite race at the FSU Invitational Pre-State cross country meet on Oct. 25.
The meet was held at Apalalachee Regional Park in Talahassee, the site of the state championships on Nov. 22.
second meet championship.
Matanzas senior Blaine Vogel ran a 16:00.9 to place 57th in the boys elite race. Among other Pirates in the elite race, Brant Tarsitano ran for 16:29.6 for 96th place; Dylan Ciardi ran a PR 16:31.2 for 98th place; and Matt Ciardi ran a 17:03.6 for 167th place.
Seabreeze’s Hunter Shuler led local runners in the boys select race with a 17:07.4 for 62nd place. FPC’s Mateo Almeida was 68th with a 17:15.0.
FPC’s Anna Grigoruk placed 25th in the girls select race with a time of 19:54.4.
In the varsity A race, Matanzas senior Megan Rhee placed 18th with a time of 21:10.5 with teammate Sarah Van Buren close behind with a 21:28.1 for 28th place.
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Gonzalez (154). Other traditional winners were: Matanzas Elaina Padilla (110) and Matanzas’ Addy Weigel (154).
Imagine Mile Series set for first three Saturdays in December
The Imagine School at Town Center cross county team is hosting the annual Imagine Mile Series, a series of three 1-mile races. The series will be held at the Flagler Palm Coast High School track at 8:30 a.m. on the first three Saturdays in December (Dec. 6, 13, and 20). It is open to all children in grades 4 to 8 from any
Cerasi placed 15th in the elite race featuring many of the fastest runners in the state. Her time of 18:16.80 not only broke her own Matanzas school record, but broke her own record of 18:19.2 that she ran at last year’s Class 4A state meet as a member of FPC’s team. She also owns FPC’s school record with that time. The sophomore currently ranks seventh in in Class 3A.
Pirates out-lift Sandcrabs in preseason
meet
When you plan ahead, you can make your final wishes known and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind.
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In a preseason girls weightlifting meet, Matanzas defeated Seabreeze 57-14 in Olympic competition and 5624 in traditional.
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Slaughter ran a time of 18:47.2, about six seconds off her personal record, to win the select race by 8.1 seconds. It was the senior’s
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Matanzas’s Chloe Cheek (101), Amara Nagel (119), Jordyn Crews (139), Eva Ossler (169)Katelyn Meade (183), Ella Raffo (199) and Amarianna Brown (unlimited) won both competition titles. Camila Arellano (129) was a double winner for Seabreeze.
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FPC’s Sophia Stiwich was the low medalist at the District 3-3A golf tournament on Oct. 27 with a two-under-par 74 at Cypress Head Golf Club. Courtesy photo
FPC’s Arianna Slaughter at the Spikes and Spurs Classic on Aug. 23, 2025. File photo by Brent Woronoff
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DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at
SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is October 30, 2025. Personal Representative: /s/ Mark W. Norberg
W. Norberg 244 Greenwich St. Davenport, FL 33896
for Personal Representative: /s/
A. McGee Jennifer A. McGee Florida Bar No. 1023165 McGee Law, PLLC 6 Meridian Home Ln., Suite 201 Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Telephone: 386-320-7300 E-mail:jennifer@mcgeelawfl.com, service@mcgeelawfl.com
INSERTION Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of FB Seaside Cottage, located at 409 S DAYTONA AVE, in the City of FLAGLER BEACH, Flagler County, FL 32136-3910 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 27th day of October, 2025. Patricia L King Revocable Trust Oct. 30 25-00410F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000606 IN RE: ESTATE OF LORRAINE M MAGOON, Deceased, The administration of the estate of LORRAINE MARY MAGOON, Deceased, whose date of death was August 24, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for FLAGLER County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building #1, Burnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the Co-Personal Representatives and their attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is October 30, 2025. /s/ WAYNE MAGOON, Co-Personal Representative /s/ CYNTHIA ERICKSON, Co-Personal Representative /s/ Scott R. Bugay, Esquire Attorney for the Co-Personal Representatives Florida Bar No. 5207 2501 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 206 Hollywood, FL 33020 Telephone: (954) 767-3399 Fax: (305) 945-2905 Primary Email: Scott@srblawyers.com Secondary Email: Jennifer@srblawyers.com Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 2025 25-00269G
Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of The Cookie Lady located at 21 Sand Wedge Lane, in the City of Bunnell, Flagler County, FL 32110 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 22nd day of October, 2025. Mama T’s LLC Oct. 30 25-00409F
The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Palm Coast 145 Community Development District (“District”) will hold Regular Meetings for Fiscal Year 2026 at 2:00 p.m., at the Flagler County Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, 1st Floor Conference Room, Bunnell, Florida 32110 on the following dates:
January 27, 2026 February 24, 2026
March 24, 2026 April 28, 2026 May 26, 2026 June 23, 2026 July 28, 2026 August 25, 2026 September 22, 2026
The purpose of the meetings is for the Board to consider any business which may properly come before it. The meetings are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provision of Florida Law for Community Development Districts. The meetings may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meetings.
A copy of the agenda for these meetings may be obtained by contacting the offices of the District Manager, Wrathell, Hunt & Associates, LLC, 2300 Glades Road, Suite 410W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 571-0010, during normal business hours or by visiting the District’s website, https://palmcoast145cdd.net/.
Pursuant to provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the meetings is asked to advise the District Office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meetings by contacting the District Manager at (561) 5710010. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 1 (800) 955-8770 or 1 (800) 955-8771, who can aid you in contacting the District Office.
A person who decides to appeal any decision made at the meetings with respect to any matter considered at the meetings is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
District Manager October 30, 2025
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000285 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JUDITH ARMSTRONG Deceased.
The administration of the ESTATE OF JUDITH ARMSTRONG, deceased, whose date of death was January 10, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The name and address of the personal representative is: Jeffrey Fisher, 86 Cobb Lane, Tarrytown, NY 10591; and the name and address of the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is October 30, 2025. UPCHURCH, BAILEY & UPCHURCH, A FISHER TOUSEY FIRM By: Michael A. Siragusa Florida Bar No. 0883905 780 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. St. Augustine, Florida 32084 Telephone No. (904) 829-9066 Fax: (904) 825-4862 Email: masiragusa@fishertousey.com
Attorneys for Jeffrey Fisher Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 2025 25-00270G
25-00267G
The City of Flagler Beach proposes to adopt the following ordinances entitled: Ordinance 2025-19
An Ordinance of the City of Flagler Beach, Florida, related to special events; amending the city requirements and processes for special events within the City; providing for codification, severability, conflict, and an effective date Ordinance 2025-20
An Ordinance by the City of Flagler Beach, Florida, amending the Flagler Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, creating Section 14-14, Public Access to City Buildings, providing recognition that certain areas of city buildings require regulation of public access to provide for the security and privacy of public visitors, city employees, city officials, and minimize potential disruptions of the work of city government; classifying certain forum areas within city buildings; authorizing the City Manager to manage public access to City buildings by classifying forum areas and implementing measures to separate forum areas, regulate access and ensure security and privacy, providing for violations for unauthorized access or disruptive behavior within nonpublic and limited public forums; providing the authority to issue trespass warnings; providing for codifications, conflicts, and an effective date.
Public Hearings will be conducted to consider the amendments as follows: City Commission: Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. or soon thereafter
The public hearings may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuance of a public hearing shall be announced during the public hearing without any further published notice. The request will be heard at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers located at 105 South Second Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. If a person decides to appeal against any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearings, he/ she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 386-517-2000
PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025 CA 000468 DIVISION: 49 JEFFREY EPHRAIM, Plaintiff, v. NUHA EPHRAIM; MOUFAK N. EPHRAIM; ADEL N. EPHRAIM; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST SELMA ABBULNOOR A/K/A SELMA ABDULNOOR; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST SALIM N. EPHRAIM; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST GHANIM N. EPHRAIM; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST RAINA HAYALY; ADEL EPHRAIM, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE OF THE TESTAMENTARY TRUST OF SALIM N. EPHRAIM CREATED UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SALIM N. EPHRAIM DATED AUGUST 27, 1987; SA’AD ELIYA A/K/A SAAD ELIYA, Defendants. TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST SELMA ABBULNOOR A/K/A SELMA ABDULNOOR; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING
BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST SALIM N. EPHRAIM; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST GHANIM N. EPHRAIM; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST RAINA HAYALY: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that the Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for the purposes of quieting title in favor of Plaintiff. The subject property is currently located in Flagler County, and which is more fully described as: Lot 1, Block 16, Palm Coast, Map of Royal Palms, Section-29, as recorded in Map
NOTICE OF SALE IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 2025-CA-000526 NATIONAL MAINTENANCE AND, BUILD OUT COMPANY, LLC. A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff, vs. RELATED DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC. A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to an Order of Final Judgement of foreclosure dated September 30, 2025, and entered in Case No.: 2025-CA-000526 of the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein the property will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www.flagler.realforeclose. com, the Clerk’s website for on-line auctions at 11:00 a.m. on the 14th day of November, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Order or Final Judgement, to wit: Property 1: UNIT A201, Grand Vista Condominium at Grand Haven, Phase 1, according to the Declaration of Condominium recorded in Official Records Book 2835, page 150, and all exhibits and amendments thereof, Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. PARCEL ID: 22-11-31-3995-00C10A201 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 455 RIVERFRONT DR. UNIT A201, Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Property 2: UNIT A104, Grand Vista Condominium at Grand Haven,
A. LONG AND ANNIE M SPELLS COMMUNITIES PALATKA HOUSING AUTHORITY PALATKA, FLORIDA Bids must be submitted to the attention of Ms. Willie Mae Thomas, Director of Capital Funds Operations in a sealed envelope, ‘AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT AT NORTHSIDE HOMES, PALATKA HOUSING AUTHORITY.’ Faxed bids will not be considered. All work shall be executed in accordance with the instruction and contract documents prepared by CRG Architects/Palatka, Inc., 216A St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177, Telephone No. 386-325-0213. Bid documents are available via email by calling CRG Architects/Palatka, Inc., 386325-0213. Bid Bond and Performance and Payment Bonds will be required. There will be a Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference on November 6, 2025 at 09:00 a.m. at the Palatka Housing Authority Main Office, located at 400 N. 15th St, Palatka, FL. Attendance is recommended and all bidders or their representatives are highly encouraged to attend. The Palatka Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities thereto. This is an Equal Opportunity Project. For the Palatka Housing Authority, Palatka, Florida Oct. 30, Nov. 6 25-00402F
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FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 10th day of November 2025, for the purpose of First Reading of Ordinance 2025-14, before the City Commission, in the Bunnell Administration Complex Chambers Meeting Room, located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2025-14
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA VACATING AND ABANDONING A SECTION OF NINTH STREET BETWEEN BLOCKS 213 AND 214 OF THE TOWN OF BUNNELL PLAT AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 2, IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR ATTACHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF EXHIBIT; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR RECORDING; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for upto-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this ordinance can be obtained at the Bunnell Administration Complex, 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.
NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)
FIRST INSERTION GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING
Notice is hereby given that a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (the “District”) will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Village Center, Grand Haven Room, 2001 Waterside Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss any topics presented to the board for consideration. Copies of the agenda may be obtained from the District Manager, Vesta District Services, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, Telephone (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. The meeting may be continued in progress without additional notice to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. There may be occasions when Staff and/ or Supervisors may participate by speaker telephone. Pursuant to provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting is asked to advise the District Manager’s office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting by contacting the District Manager at (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 711, for assistance in contacting the District Manager’s office.
A person who decides to appeal any decision made at the meeting, with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, is advised that a record of the proceedings is needed and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Grand Haven Community Development District David McInnes, District Manager (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193 Oct. 30 25-00408F
FIRST INSERTION INVITATION TO BID AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT AT NORTHSIDE HOMES AND MADISON COURT COMMUNITIES PALATKA HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sealed bids will be received by the Palatka Housing Authority, 400 North 15th Street, Palatka, FL 32177 until 11:00 a.m., November 25, 2025, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Board Room at the Palatka Housing Authority, for furnishing all labor and materials and performing all work necessary and incidental to the following project: AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT AT NORTHSIDE HOMES and MADISON COURT COMMUNITIES PALATKA HOUSING AUTHORITY PALATKA, FLORIDA
Bids must be submitted to the attention of Ms. Willie Mae Thomas, Director of Capital Funds Operations in a sealed envelope, ‘AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT AT NORTHSIDE HOMES, PALATKA HOUSING AUTHORITY.’ Faxed bids will not be considered.
All work shall be executed in accordance with the instruction and contract documents prepared by CRG Architects/Palatka, Inc., 216A St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177, Telephone No. 386-325-0213. Bid documents are available via email by calling CRG Architects/Palatka, Inc., 386325-0213. Bid Bond and Performance and Payment Bonds will be required. There will be a Non-Mandatory PreBid Conference on November 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Palatka Housing Authority Main Office, located at 400 N. 15th St, Palatka, FL. Attendance is recommended and all bidders or their representatives are highly encouraged to attend.
The Palatka Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities thereto.
This is an Equal Opportunity Project.
For the Palatka Housing Authority, Palatka, Florida Oct. 30, Nov. 6 25-00403F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO THE FLAGLER COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE Pursuant to Section 125.66, Florida Statutes, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners hereby gives notice of a proposal to adopt an Ordinance affecting the actual list of permitted, conditional, or prohibited uses within the unincorporated area of Flagler County and titled similar to: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FLAGLER COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND THE FLAGLER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE (APPENDIX C TO THE FLAGLER COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES) RELATED TO FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, BY AMENDING SECTION 8-32, AMENDMENTS, ARTICLE II, BUILDING CODE, CHAPTER 8, BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION, CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND AMENDING SECTION 6.04.26, SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DETERMINATIONS, AND AMENDING SECTION 6.04.97, SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, SECTION 6.04.00, FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, ARTICLE VI, RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, APPENDIX C, CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Public hearings on the ordinance will be held in the location listed below at the dates and times provided: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD – Review and Recommendation – Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the Flagler County Government Services Building, Board Chambers, 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida, 32110. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – First Reading – Monday, November 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the Flagler County Government Services Building, Board Chambers, 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida, 32110. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – Second Reading and Adoption –Monday, December 1, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible in the Flagler County Government Services Building, Board Chambers, 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida, 32110. All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing and be heard. Anyone wishing to express their opinion may attend, telephone 386-313-4009 or write to: Flagler County Planning and Zoning Department, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 2, Bunnell, FL 32110 or email to planningdept@flaglercounty.gov. Copies of the proposed ordinance, supporting data and analysis, staff reports and other pertinent information are available for review at the Flagler County Planning and Zoning Department, 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida 32110, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING, A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS MAY BE NEEDED AND, FOR SUCH PURPOSES, THE PERSON WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PERSONS NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THESE PROCEEDINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AT (386) 313-4001 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING. Oct. 30 25-00413F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO THE FLAGLER COUNTY CODE OF
25-00407F
FOURTH INSERTION
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000614 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN EDWARD DUFFY, Deceased. The administration of the estate of John Edward Duffy, deceased, whose date of death was August 17, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110.
The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 23, 2025. Personal Representative: /s/ Michael D Duffy Michael D. Duffy 7431 B Street Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Jennifer A. McGee Jennifer A. McGee Florida Bar No. 1023165 McGee Law, PLLC 6 Meridian Home Ln., Suite 201 Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Telephone: 386-320-7300
E-mail: jennifer@mcgeelawfl.com, service@mcgeelawfl.com October 23, 30, 2025 25-00264G
FOURTH INSERTION
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 10th day of November 2025, for the purpose of Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 2025-09 before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Bunnell Administration Complex located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2025-09 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 1.36± ACRES, BEARING PARCEL ID: 14-12-30-3750-000Q0-0011 LOCATED DIRECTLY AT THE END OF HIBISCUS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM “R-1, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT” TO “L-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for upto-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this Ordinance can be obtained at the Bunnell Administration Complex, 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.
If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2025 DR 000229 Division: 47 Savanna Watson, Petitioner, and Jesse Watson, Respondent, TO: Jesse Watson 7320 Lowery rd Fort Worth, TX 76120
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Savanna Watson, whose address is 86 Forsythe Ln Palm Coast, FL 32137 on or before Nov. 6, 25, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Bld. 1 - Bunnell, FL 32110 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.
The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: None
Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.
You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: 9/30/25 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By: Tabatha Strack Deputy Clerk October 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025 25-00241G
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2025-CP-000644 IN RE: ESTATE OF CYNTHIA LOUISE JEAN ROBINSON Deceased, The administration of the estate of CYNTHIA LOUISE JEAN ROBINSON, deceased, whose date of death was June 22, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court of D Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, Bunnell, F; 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representatives attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedents estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedents estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENTS DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 23, 2025. Personal Representative Elizabeth Ashley Goolsby Attorney for Personal Representative Douglas J. Milne, Esq. Florida Bar No. 112324 Milne and Buckingham, P.L. 1912 Hamilton Street, #203 Jacksonville, FL 32210 Telephone: 904-387-5400 Facsimile: 904-384-8215
doug@milnecorpjax.com October 23, 30, 2025 25-00261G
FOURTH INSERTION NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Robin J Kissel the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No:2022 / 43 Year of Issuance:2022 Description of Property: That portion of Section 24, Township 10 South, Range 28 East, Flagler County, Florida, described as follows: Commence at the Northeast corner of said Section 24; Thence run S0°-10’-00”E, along the East line of said Section 24, 2738.93 feet to the East 1/4 corner of said Section 24; Thence run S0°-04’-00”E, along the East line of said Section 24, 1044.74 feet; Thence run due West, 4004.46 feet to the Point of Beginning of the hereinafter described parcel of land; Thence continue due West, 330.00 feet; Thence run due South, 165.00 feet; Thence run due East 330.00 feet; Thence run due North 165.00 feet to the Point of Beginning. Less the East 30 feet for road, utility and drainage purposes. Also described as Tract 392 of Unit IV of the unrecorded plat of Flagler Estates. Name in which assessed: WANDA LEA SPINK All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https:// flaglerclerk.com/TaxDeedAuction on the 18th day of November, 2025 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By:Tiffani Smith, Deputy Clerk File # 25-039 TDC Oct. 9/16/23/30 25-00329F
LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NOTICE
Notice
NOTICE OF ACTIONCONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2024 CA 000541 CMG MORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF DIANNE F. JONES, DECEASED, et. al. Defendant(s), TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF DIANNE F. JONES, DECEASED, whose residence is unknown if he/she/they be living; and if he/she/they be dead, the unknown defendants who may be spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, assignees, lienors, creditors, trustees, and all parties claiming an interest by, through, under or against the Defendants, who are not known to be dead or alive, and all parties having or claiming to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the mortgage being foreclosed herein. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: LOT 9, BLOCK 125, DAYTONA NORTH SUBDIVISION, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OR MAP
