Issuu

PALM COAST

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 17, NO. 6

STICK SEASON PAGE 10B

FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

‘One of the saddest cases I’ve seen in my entire career’ Flagler Sheriff confirms Palm Coast woman stayed in the bathroom while baby drowned in toilet. PAGE 3A

State of affordability in Flagler County Local rent and child care costs are way up, data show. PAGE 4A INSIDE SIGN OF CHANGE

Palm Coast considers allowing digital signage PAGE 4A

COMEBACK

Matanzas baseball team rallies from 10-3 deficit to win 11-10 in eight innings on Senior Night PAGE 9B

Ready for a close up SpringFest returns to Central Park with Chamber of Commerce weather PAGE 1B

FIGHT IS OVER

Flagler Commission will not fight Veranda Bay annexation PAGE 6A

INDEX

Business..................... PAGE 9A Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner................PAGE 2A Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters.......................PAGE 12A Public Notices............ PAGE 5C Schools....................... PAGE 3B Sports......................... PAGE 8B Tributes ...................... PAGE 4C Real Estate................. PAGE 4B

Ella Grace, Oakley, Sophia, Aubrey, Marley and Everly of Galaxy All-Stars Cheerleading. Photo by Shauna McIntosh

Alexa Calidonio Second in state FPC’s placed second, four placed third at for Calidonio others state wrestling. 8B

Flagler Palm Coast gets a home run from Marion Clayton but lost to Providence 10-6.

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$1/WEEK

ON YOUR DRIVEWAY.

Game on for FPC

FPC’s Alexa Calidonio (left) wrestles Tampa King’s Isabella McFarlane in the 170-pound title match at the girls state wrestling championships. Photo by Abe Mills

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026 Paid Advertisement

Putting your aging parents’ wishes first Andrea Gulliksen, CFP®

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

Flagler deputy saves former Ormond official from choking Deputy Joe Oliva Jr. performed the Heimlich maneuver on Susan Persis; it was a ‘life saving event.’ JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

As your parents grow older, it may be time to talk with them about financial and aging issues, which may involve difficult conversations. You’ll want to be careful how you approach this. Mention ahead of time that you’d like to talk to them about their future plans and reassure them that you want to understand their wishes, so their affairs will be taken care of as they would like. If your parents are agreeable, choose a comfortable location and ask whom to invite (or not invite). Then, think about how to open the conversation, preferably not with what they want to do with their money, as this could be interpreted as your seeking information about your inheriance or being skeptical about their financial decisions. Instead, build a broader discussion about their vision for their aging years. A series of shorter conersations may allow you to cover topics more comfortably rather than trying to solve everything at once. Try to address these areas: • Health care – Seek to learn whether your parents have established appropriate health-related legal documents such as a health care power of attorney, which gives someone the authority to make decisions about their medical care if they become unable, and a living will, which spells out the extraordinary medical treatments they may or may not want. • Independence – As people age, they may begin to lose their independence. Have your parents considered options for longterm care, such as an assisted living community, a nursing home or a home health aide? If they plan to receive support from family members, do your parents’ expectations match yours? • Financial goals – Focusing on the personal and financial aspects of the legacy your parents want to leave can be a valuable conversation. Have they updated their will or other estate documents, such as a living trust? Have they created a durable power of attorney for a trusted family member to make financial decisions for them if they become incapacitated? Do they have the proper beneficiary designations on their insurance policies, retirement plan and bank accounts? If you position these issues around your parents having control over transferring their assets, rather than curiosity over “who will get what,” you’ll more likely have a productive conversation. • Last wishes – You’ll want to learn whether your parents have instructions in their will about their funerals and last wishes. Express that you or another close family member should know who is responsible for making sure their wishes are met in a timely fashion. Money, independence and aging can be sensitive topics. You don’t have to go it alone, though — enlist help from another close family member. Or, if your parents work with an attorney, financial professional or other trusted advisor, consider asking if they’re interested in having them participate in your talks. You might even be able to introduce your parents to one of your advisors. In any case, keep talking. These conversations can be challenging, but if handled correctly can be of great benefit to your parents and your entire family. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC. Proud sponsor

Proud sponsor Andrea Gulliksen CFP® Financial Advisor 386-298-7024 andrea.gulliksen@edwardjones.com Andrea Gulliksen CFP® Financial Advisor 386-298-7024

At the end of December, former Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis was having dinner with her husband and a few friends at Alexander’s. While eating an appetizer, a piece of meat got lodged in her throat. She couldn’t breathe. Her attempts to cough were not working. As she stood up, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joe Oliva Jr., who was off-duty, recognized the signs that she was choking. “They always say we’re never really off duty,” Oliva said. “I don’t know who else

NEWS BRIEFS Motorcycle passenger dies in Ormond crash A 57-year-old Wisconsin woman died after being thrown from a motorcycle in a crash at High Bridge Road and Walter Boardman Lane in Ormond Beach on March 5. Florida Highway Patrol reported that the woman was a passenger in a motorcycle driven by a 64-year-old man, who failed to negotiate a curve in the road and entered into the eastbound path of a truck hauling a trailer. The motorcycle crashed into the

COPS CORNER MARCH 3

MECHANICAL MISFUNCTION 10:24 p.m. — 100 block of Lehigh Drive Burglary. A Flagler Beach mechanic is under arrest for trying to take a boat mechanic’s tools in the dead of night. A boat mechanic’s shop alarm sounded after 10 p.m. that night, alerting Sheriff’s Office deputies of a suspected crime in progress. When deputies arrived on the scene, the suspect was nowhere to be seen, but the back door had been kicked open and wiring pulled out of the wall, an estimated $600 in damages. Security footage shows a man jumped onto the shop’s roof from a neighboring rooftop, before falling down and landing on one of

Former Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joe Oliva Jr., and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. Courtesy photo

was in the restaurant at that time ... Not saying that I was in the right place at the right time, but if nobody else knew how to do it, you can’t go that long without breathing.” So he rushed over and began performing the Heimlich maneuver, and Persis was able to dislodge the food in her throat. She couldn’t believe what just happened — or

trailer, causing the occupants — both from New Berlin, Wisconsin — to be ejected. The man was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Neither he nor the woman, who died at the scene, was wearing a helmet. The truck was driven by a 65-year-old Palm Coast man, FHP reports he initially was not aware the motorcycle had crashed into his trailer. He was uninjured.

Heiser Foundation donates $4,000 for memorial The Heiser Foundation has donated $4,000 to support the creation of a Gold Star Families memorial planned for installation at Heroes Memorial Park in Palm Coast.

the stored boats. The suspect got up and began searching through the shipping containers before kicking open the shop’s door and ripping out the wiring. The man fled the scene through neighboring yards before deputies arrived, and nothing seemed to be missing, according to an arrest report. Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to identify the suspect from a bystander at a local convenience store, and arrested the man at his own mechanic shop. He was taken to the county jail.

MARCH 4

MISSING TAXES 3:03 p.m. — 400 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Fraud. A local restaurant owner called police after he received a notice from the IRS about payroll taxes owed dating back to the first quarter of 2025. The restaurant owner told

almost had happened. “If he hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would have happened,” she said. “I don’t know if anybody else was trained to perform that procedure or help somebody. It was just so frightening.” That night, she was in shock. But as time went on, she wanted to make sure Oliva was recognized for his quick

action that night. “It was just a life saving event for me, and so I felt like the best way for me to thank him is just let people be aware of what he did, and he needs to be congratulated and thanked,” Persis said. “I just don’t want it to happen to somebody else.” Oliva is a regular at Alexander’s, as his father runs the restaurant and his sister works as a hostess. Because of this, he gets to know some of the frequent customers, which include the Persises. On Valentine’s Day, Sheriff Rick Staly came out to the restaurant for dinner, too. Oliva said the sheriff asked him why he hadn’t let the FCSO know of how he had helped Persis. Oliva said it’s because anybody who wears a badge would do the same. “It’s honor to save somebody, but we don’t do it for that,” Oliva said. He was put in to receive an

David Lydon, Flagler County Veterans Services; Cathy Heighter, Florida Gold Star Families; Tom Heiser, The Heiser Foundation; Jeff Kingdon, chairman Veterans Advisory Council; and Larry Rekart, Veterans Advisory Council. Courtesy photo

The donation, announced by Tom Heiser, president of the foundation, will help fund the memorial, which awaits final approval for placement in the park. The Florida Gold Star Families organization supports

families who have lost loved ones in active-duty service with the U.S. Armed Forces. Founded in 2000 by the late Fran and Gary Heiser of Palm Coast, the Heiser Foundation memorializes their son, Master Sgt. Michael G.

police he had contracted an accountant 10 years ago for general bookkeeping services, including tax filing, according to an incident report. He would forward the payroll tax funds to the accountant, who was then responsible for submitting the funds to the IRS. Then, he received a notice stating he owed over $41,000 in delinquent payroll taxes. The restaurant owner had already paid these to the accountant, whom he tried to contact several times, receiving responses that she was unavailable or “in a meeting,” according to the incident report. He later got an email from his accountant stating it was her intention “to get this paid.” Police are continuing to investigate.

$200 pair of headphones because he left his debit card on the counter. The suspect initially walked into the video game store to sell his used came console controller. When the store employee told the suspect he needed his identification on him, the suspect went out to his truck to grab it, but left his debit card on the table, according to an arrest report. The employee went into the back of the store and when the suspect returned to a seemingly empty store, he grabbed a $199 pair of headphones from the shelf and took off, the report said. Because the store had security cameras and the debit card, Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to quickly track the man down to his home. He was taken to jail.

CARD LEFT BEHIND 1:31 p.m. — 5200 block of State Road 100, Palm Coast Shoplifting. A Palm Coast man was caught stealing a

MARCH 6

ONE MINOR CRACK 7:06 p.m. — 800 block of West River Oak Drive, Ormond

FCSO life saving award later this year. It will be his second; in 2023, he was recognized with the award after helping a man who was trying to save his boat from a vehicle fire. Oliva moved him to safety when he passed out from smoke inhalation. According to the National Safety Council, choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death. In 2022, over 5,500 people in the U.S. died from choking. Persis said she’s grateful that Oliva knew what to do. “After he performed the Heimlich maneuver on me, he was just very humble ... but for me, it was a big deal,” she said. The second O l i va announced he was a cop and started helping, her husband, Carl Persis, felt relief. “We’re just so grateful that Deputy Oliva was there at the right spot, at the right time for us,” he said.

Heiser, who was killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. The nonprofit the foundation provides economic assistance and support to individuals and organizations facing tragic losses, with a special focus on military-connected families. It also awards scholarships, including to ROTC students in Flagler County, and honors legacies through memorials and community aid. The push for the Gold Star Families memorial in Heroes Memorial Park is led by Jeff Kingdon, chairman of the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council, and Larry Rekart, a council delegate. Cathy Heighter of Florida Gold Star Families has also played a key role in advancing the project.

Beach Criminal mischief. Three young adults were walking home when a pickup truck sped past them. They told the driver to slow down on the residential street. In response, the driver hurled profanities at them and ran over one of their skateboards — multiple times, according to an incident report. The owner of the skateboard — a 23-year-old Ormond Beach man — said they got into a verbal altercation due to the profane language used. The three adults had been standing on the sidewalk at the time of the incident, with the skateboard about 30 feet away on the road. The skateboard’s owner wished to pursue charges. Police located the skateboard and found it had “a minor crack in the center.” No charges were filed.

XXX

ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Sheriff: Palm Coast woman stayed in the bathroom while baby drowned Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, is facing an aggravated manslaughter charge. The State Attorney’s Office is filing for her not to receive bail.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly has confirmed that a 20-year-old Palm Coast woman stayed in the bathroom as her newborn baby girl drowned in the toilet. “Its just a very, very tragic, and, frankly, sad case,” Staly said. “Frankly, it’s one of the saddest cases I’ve seen in my entire career.” Anne Mae Demegillo, of Florida Park Drive, was arrested on March 6 on an aggravated manslaughter charge after the body of her newborn baby was discovered in a shallow grave in her backyard. Demegillo told deputies she gave birth to the baby on the toilet in the early hours of March 5. A preliminary report from the medical examiner states the infant was born alive and drowned, Staly said.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly speaks during a news conference on Monday, March 9. Screenshot of news conference

“Its just a very, very tragic, and, frankly, sad case. Frankly, its one of the saddest cases I’ve seen in my entire career.” SHERIFF RICK STALY

“We know she spent the time cleaning up the bathroom while the baby was dying,” he said. He said Demegillo told Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she wished “the baby would hurry up and die.” Demegillo was arraigned on March 9. The State Attorney’s Office also filed a motion on that day that Demegillo be held instead of being allowed out on bail. ‘SHE CLEARLY KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING’

The FCSO began investigating a death at a residence on Florida Park Drive at 4 a.m. on March 6, after the FCSO received an anonymous call for a welfare check at the home. According to a timeline established by the FCSO, after the baby died on March 5, Demegillo wrapped the infant in a towel and hid the body in a duffle bag in her closet. Demegillo then went about her day, FCSO Chief Deputy Joseph Barile said during a March 6 press conference. She attended her classes at Daytona State College and, according to a FCSO press release, attended a theater performance in New Smyrna Beach. She returned home around 10 p.m. on March 5. Demegillo then buried the baby in a corner of her backyard under 4-5 inches of dirt. At some point, the 20-yearold then messaged someone on social media about the baby, and that person later called 911. The preliminary medical examiner’s report does not say how long the baby was alive, Staly said. But they knew the baby was alive and crying at birth and inhaled water. The baby weighed just 3

Safe haven boxes

Anne Mae Demegillo mugshot. Courtesy of FCSO

pounds, 6 ounces and was 18.7 inches long. Demegillo’s mother was the only other person at the home at the time the suspect gave birth. Demegillo told deputies she did not know she was pregnant until she gave birth. Staly said the FCSO investigating team didn’t believe Demegillo was not aware about her pregnancy, in their personal opinion. “We need to be able to prove it,” he said. The FCSO has served digital search warrants to go through Demegillo’s search history, and any evidence will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office. Based on any evidence collected, the manslaughter charge could change, Staly said. Demegillo was detained early on March 6, and will be facing an aggravated manslaughter charge of a child. She was arrested later in the evening on March 6. When asked if the 20-yearold showed any sign of remorse for her actions, Barile said she had not shown any signs of

Safe Haven For Newborns

Florida law allows a baby 30 days old or younger to be anonymously left at a hospital, fire station or police station without repercussion to the parents. A safe haven is defined as a fire station, hospital, police station or other similar location. Palm Coast’s Safe Haven Baby Box is located at Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Parkway. The data below is from the nonprofit, A Safe Haven for Newborns.

427

Were abandoned at a safe location, like a firehouse, police station or hospital

Newborns were abandoned in Volusia County between 2000-2026, and only one of those was not abandoned at a safe location

Newborns were abandoned in Flagler County between 2000-2026, and only one was not left at a safe haven location

494

Babies were abandoned from 2000-2026 in Florida, according to data from A

remorse but knew her actions were wrong. He described her as “oddly calm.” Staly said in the March 9 update that Demegillo’s mental state seemed fine. “She clearly knew what she was doing,” he said. “She clearly knew she had given birth.” In a statement in an earlier FCSO press release, Staly said this “is a heartbreaking tragedy” for the community and the FCSO team. “I want to remind our community, especially our expectant mothers: Florida law allows you to bring a child at birth to a local fire station, hospital or law enforcement agency and surrender the child,” Staly said. “That is a much better solution than what we are investigating today — for everyone involved, but most importantly the infant who was prevented from the life they deserve.”

Under Florida’s Safe Haven Law, parents who cannot care for a newborn may safely surrender the child at any fire station, hospital or police station, the press release said. Palm Coast’s Safe Haven Baby Box allows for complete anonymity and is located at Fire Station 25 which was activated on Sept. 30, 2025. Parents can quietly and safely place their newborn inside the secure, climate-controlled box without having to interact with anyone face-to-face. Demegillo attended high school in Palm Coast and performed in multiple productions for the Flagler Playhouse, with her last performance being “The Fantasticks” in June 2025. She has no prior criminal history that the FCSO is aware of, Barile said. The incident is still under investigation. Email sierra@observerlocalnews.com.

Dog shot by deputy during Palm Coast animal complaint now recovering Bear was rushed to East Coast Animal Hospital by SMART Animal Rescue RICH CARROLL MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

A Palm Coast dog is recovering after being shot by a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy while responding to an animal complaint at a home on Farraday Lane. According to sheriff ’s reports, deputies were called to the residence on March 8 regarding concerns about two dogs being kept outside in poor conditions. When a deputy arrived and checked the backyard, he reported seeing two dogs confined inside wire crates. Inside the crates

were scattered food and dried dog feces, and the water bowls were empty. Both dogs were also barking aggressively, according to the report. The deputy then instructed the homeowner’s 15-year-old son to bring the dogs inside the house. However, the situation quickly escalated when the animals got loose. Witnesses told investigators the dogs ran out of the backyard and toward the deputy as he walked down the driveway. According to witness statements in the report, the black dog ran toward the deputy aggressively and jumped at him. The deputy then fired two shots. One woman on Facebook reported: “I witnessed this entire incident as it occurred while I was standing on my front porch across the street.

If that deputy had not fired at Bear, the officer would have most probably been taken to the ground by those two dogs and mauled. He did exactly what anyone would do to protect themselves.” After the shooting, the wounded dog identified as Bear ran inside the residence. Deputies later located the animal in a bathroom and called for assistance to get the dog to emergency veterinary care. Caroline Johnson, director of the Saving Missing Animal Response Team (SMART) Animal Rescue, responded Bear is recovering. For video of the body camera from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, see the reel on the Palm Coast Observer’s Facebook page. Courtesy of Caroline Johnson

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to the scene and transported Bear to East Coast Animal Hospital. Johnson described Bear’s condition when she first arrived: “Bear was in the tub, a lot of blood, struggling to breathe, a lot of heavy breathing and gasping,” Johnson said. “He was very weak.” Johnson and others attempted to move the injured dog from the bathroom to a transport vehicle so he could receive treatment. During that effort, the dog bit one of the deputies who was helping lift him. Despite the severity of his injuries, Bear has shown encouraging signs of recovery since arriving at the animal hospital. Johnson said the dog’s condition has improved significantly thanks to the care he

has received. “I’m so happy to see the progress he’s made in the last 48 hours,” Johnson said. “He was up walking around. His strength is coming back.” Bear is still recovering from injuries that included a lung injury, but Johnson said his attitude and spirit remain strong. Veterinary bills for Bear’s care have already climbed to about $7,000. According to Johnson, the dog’s family cannot afford the cost of treatment, so SMART Animal Rescue has stepped in to cover the expenses while appealing to the community for help. Bear’s recovery remains ongoing as veterinarians continue to monitor his injuries and progress. Email Rich Carroll at rich@ observerlocalnews.com.

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

CITY WATCH

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast, Health Alliance partner on new walk-a-thon Palm Coast has partnered with the Palm Coast Flagler Health Alliance to host the first-ever “Loving Life Walk-athon,” a community wellness initiative taking place March 28 through May 2. The Loving Life Walk-athon encourages residents of all ages to stay active while supporting a healthier community, a city press release said. Participants are invited to walk throughout the five-week event at their own pace and on their own schedule. The initiative was created to honor Nelson Sastoque, founder of the Palm Coast Flagler Health Alliance, who died on Sept. 19, 2025. His personal motto, “Loving life,” inspired the name of the walka-thon. Residents can join the walk-a-thon and participate in several community events. Registration is free. Participants can sign up at runsignup.com/ Race/FL/PalmCoast/ LovingLifeWalkathon At the end of the walka-thon, awards will be presented to participants in several categories, to be announced at the city’s Arbor th May 2. Day event on

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

City considers allowing digital signage For the first time since the city’s inception, the Palm Coast City Council is considering allowing digital signage for commercial business. The update to the city’s land development code provides regulations for factors like how bright a sign may be and how fast one message can switch between another message. Economic vitality seems to be the driving force behind the code change. City planner Estelle Lens told the council on March 10 that studies have shown digital signs increase sales for a business. If approved, she said, the city would like to place two digital signs, one at the Bulldog Drive entrance and one at the Center Avenue entrance to Town center. “I think the main driver for this whole thing is Town Center,” Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris said. “I don’t have any problem with it.” The proposed change is part of the update to the city’s land development code, where the council is reviewing proposed changed to the LDC. Other changes to Chapter 12 of the LDC, which covers signage, would include increasing the maximum sign height from 7 feet to 10 feet in nonresidential areas, adding language to address commercial banners at sports fields and events and extending the temporary commercial signs from 30 to 60 days. The brightness of the digital screens, measured by the standard of “foot-candles,” can be no more than 0.3 foot candles for ambient light, Lens said. Foot-candles can be easily measured through specific devices or even apps on the phone, she said. Messages can transition for no more or less than eight seconds, and must either instantly change or fade in and out. Flashing, strobing and blinking

I think the main driver for this whole thing is Town Center. I don’t have any problem with it. MIKE NORRIS, Palm Coast mayor

A rendering of a proposed sign for Palm Coast’s Town Center. Courtesy of Palm Coast

signs would still be prohibited. “I just don’t want ... Palm Coast to be looking like Las Vegas,” Councilman Charles Gambaro said, though he liked the idea as an economic driver. Overall, the idea of digital signage was positive for the Palm Coast City Council. Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri was leery of the signs being allowed either too close to residential houses, or allowed to saturate an area, where every small business has a digital sign. “I would just look for limitations,” Pontieri advised Lens. The digital signs would also be prohibited on some roads and restricted to smaller sizes on other roads. The proposal requires the signs to be 150 feet away from a residentially zoned property but Pontieri asked that be increased to closer to 300 feet. The largest digital displays can only be up to 75% of the sign. These

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larger signs would be allowed on major arterial roads such as Highway U.S. 1, Matanzas Woods Parkway, Palm Coast Parkway and State Road 100, Lens said. The small displays, up to 50% of a sign’s face, would be allowed on minor arterial roads. That would include Belle Terre Parkway, Seminole Woods Boulevard, south of State Road 100, Florida Park Drive, Cypress Point Parkway, and more. Digital signs would be prohibited on major collector roads that include Royal Palms Parkway, White View Parkway, Rymfire Drive and East Hampton Drive. The Palm Coast Planning Board will review any proposed changes to this chapter of the LDC on April 15, and the council is tentatively scheduled to vote on it on May 12.

Palm Coast seeks letters of support for Fire Station 22 restoration grant Palm Coast is asking for support from city residents to help restore the city’s historic Fire Station 22, the oldest building in Palm Coast. The city is applying for a grant to help pay for the restoration work through Lowe’s. As part of the grant application, Palm Coast is seeking letters of support from residents, a Palm Coast press release said. “Fire Station 22 represents where modern fire service began in Palm Coast,” Palm Coast Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said. Residents who wish to support the project can submit a short letter describing why restoring Fire Station 22 is important to them and the community. Letters must be submitted by March 16 and can be emailed to communications@ palmcoastgov.com Located at 307 Palm Coast Parkway, Fire Station 22 was constructed in 1977 and played a central role in the early development of emergency services in Palm Coast. Once restored, Fire Station 22 will serve as a museum and community gathering space. For assistance drafting the letter, you may download a letter-of-support template, available on the city’s website.

Splash Pad reopens at Holland Park The Splash Pad at James F. Holland Memorial Park reopened on March 7 for the spring and summer season. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset. Maintenance is scheduled every Tuesday morning until noon.

ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

School Board gets first look at strategic plan The new plan, which will steer Flagler Schools’ goals for the next three years, has five pillars. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With Flagler Schools’ current strategic plan expiring in June, district staff presented the School Board with an outline for a new plan. “This is going to steer the work we do over the next three years,” Superintendent LaShakia Moore told board members at their Tuesday, March 10, workshop. A development task force led by senior district staff with input from internal stakeholders developed an outline with five goal areas: academics; safety and resiliency; talent; organizational efficiency and fiscal responsibility; and communication

and engagement. The board was presented with suggested priorities for each goal area. The outline, with added targets suggested by board members, is scheduled to be released to the public with the ThoughtExchange engagement platform at the end of the month. Moore will lead a community input session tentatively scheduled for April. A board workshop dedicated to strategic planning will follow in late April. Additional drafts will be brought to the board from May to July with final board approval planned for August or September. Kindergarten readiness, a topic at a recent board meeting, would become Early Learning/Early Literacy through the VPK accountability system under the academics goal. Board member Janie Ruddy suggested adding executive function readiness for students in higher elementary school grades. She said some students when they hear the

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Angela O’Brien and Scott Reynolds present the preliminary outline for Flagler Schools’ three-year strategic plan. Screen shot from meeting video.

word “no” will rip the room apart. “We need school readiness [strategies] for students who have not been in an organized setting prior to joining us here,” Ruddy said. “Some things that will help them make that transition to a classroom.” Assistant Superintendent Angela O’Brien, who presented the plan’s outline with assessment coordinator Scott Reynolds, suggested that priority be added to the safety and resiliency goal. Other suggested priority targets for academics are core academic achievement, graduation rate, college and career acceleration rate, focus on components of the federal index for students with disabilities and diploma designations and seals. One of the targets under safety and resiliency is chronic absenteeism, which under the current plan is defined as 21 or more days but under the new plan will use the state definition of 15 unexcused days, Reynolds said. Reynolds said the district has an attendance dashboard so schools can more easily track students. Moore said the district has also hired staff members to locate students and get them back to school. “As we move into this process we’ll identify what are the specific strategies we want to use to move forward,” Moore said. Ruddy suggested adding combating tobacco use and vaping and adding mental health programs. Will Furry suggested adding substance abuse and possession. Moore suggest moving improved efficiency and utilization of bus rider ID scans from organizational efficiency to safety and resiliency. Board Chair Christy Chong suggested adding improved communication with parents on bus route changes.

“As we move into this process we’ll identify what are the specific

Rezoning Application PRZ26-0001/Ordinance 2026-04. An application has been submitted to rezone the subject property from Medium Density Residential (MDR) to Recreation (REC). The subject property is identiﬁed by the Flagler County Property Appraiser as Parcel ID No. 29-12-32-0000-01010-0010 pictured in Exhibit A. Applicant: City of Flagler Beach. A PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL, 105 S. 2 ND STREET, FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026, AT 5:30 P.M.

strategies we

FIRST READING CITY COMMISSION: THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026, AT 5:30 PM OR SOON THEREAFTER.

want to use to

SECOND READING CITY COMMISSION: THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026, AT 5:30 PM OR SOON THEREAFTER.

move forward.”

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

LASHAKIA MOORE, Flagler Schools superintendent

Target areas under talent include the vacancy rate and retention for paraprofessionals, bus drivers and aides and high demand teacher areas; and quality professional learning. Timely communication on crises is among the communication and engagement targets. Ruddy suggested adding K-5 parent-teacher conferences and tracking percentage of parent attendance at their student’s IEP meetings and the number of guidance counselor sessions with students to plan their college and career preparations. Another communication and engagement target is increasing positive responses regarding “trust” and transparency” on annual stakeholder perception surveys. Furry suggested adding maintaining the general fund balance under organizational efficiency and fiscal responsibility. That goal has been in the current plan but since it has been met consistently it was not added to the new priority list, Reynolds said. “I think it’s important that we need to keep the fund balance within the board policy limits,” Furry said.

PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH AT 386517-2000 EXT. 231. The public hearings may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuances 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 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 386517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. For further information about this request, please call the Planning & Zoning Department at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 231. More detailed information may be inspected by the public at the Planning & Zoning Department, 800 S. Daytona Avenue, Flagler Beach, during oﬃce hours. EXHIBIT A

7763-335796 Mar. 5, 12, 2026

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

Daytona reviews ‘toilet to tap’ ban Flagler County won’t fight annexation An ordinance banning treated reclaimed water from being used as potable water to be discussed March 18. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Daytona Beach City Commission is considering banning “toilet to tap” in Daytona Beach. An ordinance for a charter amendment to ban the use of reclaimed blackwater — recycled and treated wastewater — for potable water was introduced at the March 4 City Commission meeting. The first public hearing and vote on the ban will be at the March 18 meeting. The ordinance would also prohibit injecting treated blackwater into the aquifer. If the Commission approves the ordinance, the measure would then go before voters on the November ballot. A similar charter amendment prohibiting blackwater was killed by the Volusia County Council on Feb. 17. That charter amendment

likewise would have prohibited recycled wastewater from being injected into the aquifer and used as drinking water. But it would only have applied to Volusia County’s utility service, not areas served by local municipalities and their utilities. Eric Smith, Daytona Beach’s deputy utilities director, said using potable reuse is not in the city’s 20-year outlook. Underground injection is highly regulated in Florida, Smith said, with strict treatment requirements, extensive monitoring requirement and oversight and control of well locations and constriction. This is done through the Aquifer Protection Program. “Its sole purpose is to protect the drinking water and the drinking water sources,” Smith said. Reclaimed water, as defined by Florida Statutes, is water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic level disinfection. Smith said Dayton Beach treats to advanced wastewater treatment standards. The city’s process, according to a memo Smith included with the ordinance in the agenda, removes high levels of

Daytona Beach City Hall. Photo by Sierra Williams

nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, along with any remaining solids and pathogens. The city has been treating its influent wastewater to these standards since the late 1990s, the memo said. “This is an important distinction to make as the water produced by the treatment process no longer contains ‘blackwater’ but instead meets the definitions of reclaimed water,” the memo said. The city currently uses reclaimed water at golf courses, for landscaping, irrigation in both residential and commercial areas, and wetland rehydration at Bennett Swamp. In 2025, Daytona Beach produced an average of 14.11 million gallons per day of reclaimed water. An average of 8.41 MGD was discharged into the Halifax River and 5.7 MGD was reused. Smith said Daytona Beach is working to meet new reclaimed water regulations that require municipalities to eliminate non-beneficial surface water discharges by 2032 — the 8.41 MGD the city discharges into Halifax River. To meet those requirements, the city will need to find another use for the reclaimed water, and some of the programs are cost-prohibitive. This ordinance would ban three options to eliminate reclaimed water discharge. “What we want to make clear is that if one of those options is found to be cost effective,” Smith said, “eliminating it through this ordinance could lead to the need for a rate increase in the future if a less cost-effective option is chosen.”

Flagler Beach ‘will bear the burden’ of proof in Veranda Bay case, Pennington said. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Flagler County Commission voted 4-1 on March 9 against disputing the annexation of the Veranda Bay development into Flagler Beach. Commission Chair Leann Pennington was the sole dissenting vote. “[Flagler Beach] are the ones, at the end, who will bear the burden of proving that they’re right,” Pennington said. “At the same time, I’m not comfortable with it. I’m not comfortable that we’re doing the best thing in the interest of the people that currently reside in there.” The issue at hand was specific to the 121 existing homes in the 234-acre development. When those homeowners purchased their homes, the deed included a covenant agreement that outlines the rights of the developer to annex into another municipality. County Attorney Michael Rodriguez said the declaration in the deeds signed by the homeowners explicitly gives the developer the right to annex into any of the Flagler County municipalities. “They don’t need to give the developers a consent annex; they’ve already done so,” he said, explaining the covenant. Florida Statutes state that developers need signatures showing the agreement of existing homeowners in a development before that development can be annexed. Flagler Beach and the developer’s opinion is that the covenant is sufficient agreement

from the homeowners. In annexations, Rodriguez said, the Attorney General’s opinion is that the statute should be interpreted very narrowly. No Florida court has ruled on a statutory interpretation similar to this before. If the residents were to sue, it would be against Flagler Beach, not Flagler County. Commissioner Kim Carney, who is opposed to the annexation but ultimately voted to drop the dispute process, said the project was pure “over development.” She said she did not feel the covenant was in line with Florida Statutes on annexation. She said it’s important to ensure the spirit of the Attorney General’s opinion is being followed: Are those impacted signing off on the annexation? “I don’t think it [the covenant] says they agree to annexation,” Carney said. Commissioner Greg Hansen said that, in his understanding, if the existing property owners knowingly signed a document agreeing to the annexation, there is no need to go forward. “If that’s the case, then this whole discussion is moot,” Hansen said. Commissioner Andy Dance agreed with Hansen and said the county shares the opinion of Flagler Beach and developer attorneys that this meets the legal requirements. Going forward with the dispute could further alienate the developer. “There’s a lot of dominos to this,” Dance said. Dance also said that alienating the developer could put the purchase of 153 acres of environmentally sensitive lands at risk. Flagler County is trying to purchase that land from the Veranda Bay sister development, Summertown,

to preserve it. The two parties have thus far worked out a deal to allow Flagler several years to get the funding together to purchase it. “I think we’d be naive to not think that taking 164 action doesn’t affect the negotiations that we have worked out with the developer,” Dance said. But developer Ken Belshe unequivocally said he would not be going back on the agreement made with Flagler County. “I will not, will not back out of that agreement,” Belshe said during public comment. “I want to state that right here today. It would be unreasonable. It would be unfair on my part, and it would be, I feel, unethical on my part to do that.” Carney also said she did not feel the two decisions should be intertwined, and to do so was “quid pro quo.” “It should not be the way we do deals in Flagler County,” Carney said. During public comment, Flagler Property Appraiser Jay Gardner pointed out that none of the 120 homeowners in question were present at the meeting. “The fact that we don’t have 120 something people waving their fingers at us,” Gardner said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for our commission to step on the city of Flagler Beach.” Though the commission decided against going forward with a dispute and potential lawsuit against Flagler Beach, the board requested Rodriguez send out for the Attorney General’s opinion on the matter, for future reference. “It would be there as a guidance in the future for other people,” Pennington said.

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

36% of households in Flagler, Volusia counties face financial hardships With rising rent and home prices, families are priced out of living in the communities they work in. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Some 36% of households in Flagler and Volusia Counties face financial hardships, according to data from a research database on affordability. ALICE — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — measures financial insecurity in households, taking into consideration factors like regional costs of living. According to data in the 2025 report, a family of four needs to bring in a salary of $86,688 to meet the basic household requirements in Florida, from food, utilities and housing to child care, taxes and health care. That’s the state average. In Flagler County, that same family would need to make $92,604 and in Volusia County $90,948. Childcare alone averages $1,500 monthly for two children in Flagler County and $1,600 in Volusia County. But most essential workers are not making that amount

of money. In Volusia County, the average median household income is $66,273 while in Flagler County it is $71,682, according to the ALICE report. Based on that median income, to be considered affordable — where rent or mortgage payments are 30% or less of the household income — housing costs should not be more than $1,600-$1,800 a month. Meanwhile, the costs of rent and home prices have skyrocketed, pricing out many essential and frontline workers from living in the communities they work in. PRICED OUT

The average sale price of single family homes in the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach areas has more than doubled from 2016 to 2025. An average home in 2016 sold for $205,000 while in 2025, it would sell for $426,000, according to data from Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors. But why have homes increased in cost so much? Tony Amaral Jr., owner of Amaral Homes & Pools, is a local builder in Flagler County and is a candidate for the Palm Coast City Council. In his experience, housing costs pre-covid had a natural cycle of ups and down and because of inflation and from seasonal

demands on goods. Post-covid, he said, is a different story. Lumber prices alone keep climbing because of the increased costs to ship the load of wood, between tariffs and, now, the United States’ war with Iran and the disruption to oil and shipping supply chains. Other materials also change frequently enough, he said, that some buyers have to adjust their budget while the home is being built. “It’s just not stable,” Amaral said. Not only have material costs increased, he said, the number of tests required to be performed during the building process, plus other involved fees, have increased. Labor shortage is also a factor. All these little things together, he said, add into the price of a home. Amaral said he looks for ways to keep the price of his homes down, even swallowing some of the cost increases for a lower profit margin. But that is difficult to do when the costs have jumped 15-20%. According to ALICE data, a two-person home, without children, would need to make $52,100 a year to meet their needs, assuming a $1,200 rent. In Volusia County for the same couple, its $50,700, assuming a rent of $1,188.

But there are no apartments to rent for $1,200, said Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Chairwoman Valerie Clymer and a mortgage broker. And there’s no mortgage for that rate, either. The reality is the average person in Flagler County cannot afford to buy a home on their own income, she said. “Typically, you have to have two incomes,” she said. The gap in the system, she said, is that there are not enough resources available for affordable housing. The municipalities need to incorporate more affordable housing initiatives, she said, like pushing more for the Live Local Act with developments. Amaral said the larger and national companies of developers may have a better chance of being able to build affordable, price-restricted housing than local builders like himself. Clymer said there are multiple pieces to the puzzle in obtaining more affordable housing, from rent control, working with banks that will lend money for affordable housing projects, grant opportunities, and more. “If we don’t do something,” Clymer said. “What do we do five to 10 years from now? Who’s going to serve us at a restaurant? Who’s going to be a cashier, if they’ve got no place to live.” ‘ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS’

In unincorporated Volusia County just outside of Daytona Beach city limits, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Volusia County has begun construction on its first-ever development, a neighborhood of affordable, Habitat for Humanity homes. These homes are sold to Habitat for Humanity program participants at an affordable mortgage rate that

The first home in the first development Habitat for Humanity in Volusia County is being built. Photo by Sierra Williams

is 30% of their income, interest-free for a fixed 30-year period. CEO Lori Gillooly said this regional Habitat for Humanity has built 200 homes over the last 40 years. The recipients fall in an income bracket between 40-80% of the median income. While the people Habitat for Humanity builds homes for are in a lower income bracket, it isn’t just one kind of demographic. Most first responder households would exceed the income requirement, she said, but people in all other kinds of industries apply and need help becoming homeowners. Bus drivers, phlebotomists, manufacturers, cashiers: all these people are essential workers, too, Gillooly said, and deserve the chance to become homeowners. “The homeowners that we work with are also people doing very essential jobs in this community, and they work very hard,” Gillooly said. “It’s just that the income level that they have would not allow them to walk into a bank and to be approved for a conventional mortgage.” FAITH Volusia is a nonprofit in Daytona Beach that is working toward affordable housing in Volusia County. In 2025, the Daytona Beach City Commission approved a linkage fee with new commercial development projects

that will go into a Housing Trust Fund. That fund will be used exclusively for affordable housing initiatives. “It took us six years to get that going,” FAITH member Patty Santopadre said. The fund has already raised $150,000 in three months. “It’s very important that they can be able to afford where they live, especially when they work here,” Santopadre said. “We don’t want them to have to live somewhere else.” FAITH Volusia’s next project is to get a similar program to the linkage fee in operation with Volusia County’s Community Redevelopment Agency money. There are not many other options available for help with affordable housing in Volusia County, she said, and people need help. Santopadre said she has watched young families, veterans and the elderly struggle and be priced out of their rentals. People are working multiple jobs just to afford rent. More and more people, whether renting or attempting to buy homes, need help, she said. “That makes me feel like something needs to be done,” she said. “We need to do something to stabilize this before people become homeless.”

ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

BUSINESS Dunn’s Attic gets in Southern Living Being recognized in Southern Living is a form of validation that business is going in the right direction. JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Dunn’s Attic in Ormond Beach was recently spotlighted by Southern Living magazine. The article, published on Feb. 26, praises the 12,000-square-foot consignment store for its curation of vintage finds, local reputation — and the store’s $1 mimosas. Owner Wes Dunn said that all goes back to one the found-

BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT

The best piece of advice for small businesses is two-fold, said Wes Dunn. You have to be optimistic, and you have to be willing to change and adjust to the market. Dunn’s Attic has done that, he said, by expanding to online sales and acquiring a license to consign and sell firearms. “What gives us an advantage over the bigger box stores and the bigger businesses is the willingness, the desire and the need to be nimble,” Dunn said. “If something is not working, adjust a little bit, change it, go do something else. Find what will work to keep yourself relevant and in business.”

‘‘

d — sharing st 4 years, m

Nick and Wes Dunn. File photo

ing ideas of Dunn’s Attic: making shopping an experience, like it used to be before the era of big box stores. “Part of the experience is that you can walk around and just have a great time, and many people do,” Dunn said. “They’ll spend sometimes hours in the store.” By combining Dunn’s Attic with Rosie’s Cafe, which seats 80 people, the store at 136 W. Granada Blvd. is able to provide customers with a onestop place to eat and shop. Dunn’s Attic has over 4,800 consigners today. Some customers come in almost every day, Dun said. The store sells an average of 2,000 items a month, including online sales. One of the comments Dunn hears often from consigners is that they’re not too concerned with how much an item sells for; they just want someone else to enjoy it. “That’s been an eye opener for me because you realize that these things that have meant so much to somebody else ... they became a part of them,” Dunn said. “They enjoyed it and it will often-

times do the same thing for somebody else.” In the 13 years Dunn’s Attic has been open, the store has handed checks to consigners approaching $4 million. Where did the $1 mimosa idea come from? Dunn remembers visiting a store many years ago that offered cookies and something to drink at the door to welcome shoppers. It occurred to him that was the kind of interaction only small businesses can have with customers. But, he wanted to bring it up a notch. Thus, mimosas. Dunn’s Attic is one of the largest buyers of champagne in North Central Florida. The store goes through about 250 cases of champagne a year — about 3,000 bottles. Being recognized in Southern Living is an honor, Dunn said. It’s also a form of validation that business is going in the right direction. “If nothing else, it just makes us feel good at a time when we all need good news to know that we’re doing something right, and that other people enjoy and like what we’re doing,” Dunn said.

BIZ BUZZ New Palm Coast retailers include Barnes & Noble, 7Brew coffee

Two upcoming shopping plazas at the State Road 100 and Belle Terre Parkway intersection will bring major retailers to Palm Coast, including a Barnes and Noble and a 7Brew coffee shop. In October, Palm Coast approved a mixed-use commercial development on the southwest corner of the intersection, near the Starbucks. The technical site plan for the 6.65-acre included space for a mixture of fast food restaurants, office space, retail and flex/industrial space. According to development plan documents on Palm Coast’s website, several of those spaces now have tenants. So far, the lots include a 7Brew coffee shop, an Avecina Urgent Care, a Stanton Optical, medical offices, and more, with other spaces still available for lease. A development order was issued in December, and the first phase of the plaza — the buildings on the north end of the property — is now under construction. Meanwhile, across the street at the Palm Coast Landing shopping center, an almost 50,000-square-foot addition is being planned for the empty lot behind the roundabout at Landings Boulevard. The new addition includes three retailers: a Barnes and Noble, a Home Goods and a Five Below. The Home Goods will be the larger space in the center, with 25,000 square feet of space set aside. Barnes and Noble is planned for the west side of the building and has 15,000 square feet, while the proposed Five Below will be at the east end, at 8,500 square feet in size. Almost 250 parking spaces are already in place, with three

entrances and exits into the lot. The new retailers will bring in an estimated additional 1,636 net new daily trips, according to the traffic report. The project is still under review by the city.

Realty Executives Oceanside welcomes two real estate pros Realty Executives Oceanside has added Zach Wirth and Louise Fitzgerald to its team serving Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Security First Insurance hosts Storm Response Showcase Security First Insurance hosted its third annual Storm Response Showcase on Feb. 26, with 46 vendors. According to a press release, the event was shaped by the principle that Florida homeowners judge storm preparation by how well it performs before, during and after a storm.

Epic Spa and Wellness moves from Daytona back to Ormond

Gretchen Klein. Courtesy photos

Ormond Beach residents Gretchen and Donnie Klein have moved Epic Spa and Wellness back to Ormond Beach from its location in Daytona. Now at 800 Sterthaus Drive,

Suite A, the new provides the spa with a larger space. Gretchen Klein has over 20 years of experience. She celebrated the grand opening of the new spa location on Jan. 30, during which the Rice to Meet U food truck donated a portion of their proceeds to Matthew’s Gift, a nonprofit that supports hospital complex care units and medical research for children, as well as impacted families. Visit epicspaandwellness.com.

Theresa’s Garage celebrates 14 years in business, in Daytona Beach

Theresa Klaus and Fred

Theresa’s Garage, located at 388 N. Nova Road in Daytona Beach, recently celebrated its 14th anniversary in business. On Friday, March 6, business owner Teresa Klaus hosted a Customer Appreciation Day where she provided hot dogs, chips, potato salad, baked beans, coffee, cookies, cupcakes. “She is very knowledgeable, appreciates her customers and people and she is such a blessing and a gift to not just me but to her customers, the community, her employees, family, friends and everyone she meets,” said her friend Laura Helfrecht to the Observer. “... She even gives rides for her customers to work, school, back home, etc., and picks up people when their vehicles are being repaired.” Helfrecht added that she calls Kalus “a younger Mother Theresa.” Visit theresasgarage.us.

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10A

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

Your brand starts with you.

Permanent gates have been installed at European Village’s overflow parking after a dispute with the Dunes CDD. Photo by Sierra Williams

Uncertainty lingers over Hammock Dunes-European Village dispute Follow me!

Shauna McIntosh Branding Photographer shauna@kreativstudios.net

603 • 858 • 0962

The Hammock Dunes CDD increased rent, and when the HOA did not pay on time, blocked the parking. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Uncertainty remains with business owners in European Village in the wake of a recent license disagreement with the Dunes Community Development District. “[There’s been] a lot of questions, really a lot of uncertainty,” Turtle Shack owner Danny Niday said. The issue began several months ago in October, according to Dunes CDD meeting minutes. The Dunes CDD owns the land directly underneath the Hammock Dunes toll bridge, including the overflow parking lot for European Village. For years, the Dunes CDD has leased the use of the parking lot to European Village. Over the last several years, the Dunes CDD increased the annual rental amount from $20,000 to $35,000, said Scott Campion, a member of European Village Commercial Home Owner’s Association. Campion said the HOA sent a partial payment to Dunes CDD asking for documenta-

tion and reasoning behind the increase. But, he said, the Dunes CDD did not send any information over. Instead, according to the Dunes CDD minutes, the CDD rejected the payment and placed first temporary, then permanent, gates at the entrances to its parking lot. (Editor’s note: The CDD did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the online version of this story will be updated when a response is available.) Without that parking lot, European Village customers can only use a limited number of spots surrounding the buildings or the public parking available across the street, at St. Joe Walkway Trailhead. European Village made the payment in full before a February deadline set by the CDD, and the gates were opened. Mezzaluna Pizzeria Store Manager Lisa DiBitetto said they noticed an impact to business while the gates closed that lingers with the installation of the new gates. The lack of parking especially impacted the guests who are elderly, she said: Many of them can’t walk the extra distance from the other available public parking spaces. “I think it scared a lot of people away,” DiBitetto said. The new permanent gates, she said, also make people nervous that their cars will

be locked in. But, she said, her understanding is that the gates will only be locked if the European Village’s HOA does not continue to pay rent. “It’s there as a warning to the HOA, basically, but it’s scaring our patrons away,” DiBitetto said. “They’re nervous. It’s definitely a deterrent.” Most of Mezzaluna’s customers are regulars, but, DiBitetto said, now that they’ve entered the busy season, she hopes people will quickly get used to the new gates. Niday said the appearance of the gates has impacted their business at the Turtle Shack, too, though it’s hard to tell by how much. He’s had a lot of questions from customers about what is going on, but Niday said not a lot of information has been passed on to the businesses inside European Village. The whole issue, he said, seemed “pretty greedy and selfish” to him. With the way everyone is getting squeezed by the economy, he said, the scary part is there’s no way to know whether the rate will increase again. He’s worried that could mean an increase to the HOA fees he pays. “What’s to stop them [Dunes CDD] from saying $100,000, $200,000, $300,000,” he said. “There’s a lot of uncertainties.”

ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

11A

Petito calls process ‘sloppy,’ as Flagler begins search for her replacement ‘If we could continue to act as professionals ... that would be wonderful,’ she said. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler County has decided to start the process of finding a new county administrator to replace Heidi Petito, forgoing an interim administrator for now. The county will go through the Florida Association of County Managers and the process will be led through Flagler County’s Human Resources department. The process could take several months and Commissioner Greg Hansen said the county

YOUR TOWN New traffic signal installed at U.S. 1 and County Road 13 in Bunnell Drivers traveling through Bunnell will soon see a change at the intersection of U.S. 1 and County Road 13, where

New traffic signal at U.S. 1 and County Road 13 in Bunnell

should just start the search. “Why do we need an interim? Why don’t we just go start the process and find somebody?” he said. “We have Heidi here to run the show while we’re doing that.” Petito has served as the county administrator for five years, but on March 3, she submitted a separation agreement with the Flagler County Commission. In recent months, she has been at odds with several members of the board. Her resignation means county administration will have no seasoned personnel serving as county or deputy administrator; former Deputy Administrator Percy Sayles’ final day was March 3. Petito said the discussion at the March 9 meeting was “unnecessary” when it was

already scheduled on the March 16 workshop. “It continues to display a very sloppy approach to trying to find a transition,” Petito told the board. Commissioner Andy Dance suggested asking Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge to step in and fill the deputy position, similar to what Strobridge did for Palm Coast over the summer in 2025. But, Dance said, Strobridge would have to completely break from the FCSO to take over the position. Hansen said he did not see that happening. In a switch from her arguments on March 3, Commissioner Kim Carney said she was not for filling either position with an existing staff

member and instead using a professional service for the county administrator position. Carney did point out there is a possibility of Petito pushing the county’s hand if she found another job before July. Petito said that wasn’t a concern. She said she already stated her willingness to stay on until July 14, through the tentative budget. “I still feel that way because the budget is the most important thing that you guys are responsible for in county government,” Petito said. Several commissioners were leery of the deputy administrator position remaining empty. Commissioner Leann Pennington said she would like to see the deputy position filled soon, not just in case

Petito decides to leave sooner, but for a balance of work responsibilities and to fill and gaps should Petito need to take time off. But the County Commission cannot direct Petito to fill the position. The hiring and firing of county staff falls under the purview of the county administrator, while the board can only hire or fire the administrator and the county attorney. Petito referenced the March 3 meeting where comments were made to “rip the bandaid off” and have an “immediate separation” between Petito and the county. Carney and Richardson were the primary advocates of finding an immediate replacement for the county administrator position.

“This is sloppy. This is not a professional look,” Petito said. “I’m here as a professional. I will stay on. But if we could continue to act as professionals and move forward with the budget while you all search for a permanent replacement, that would be wonderful.”

a new traffic signal has been installed to improve safety and traffic flow. The Florida Department of Transportation recently completed installation of the signal, which is currently operating in flash mode while motorists adjust to the new traffic pattern. Officials say the signal is expected to become fully operational within about two weeks. During the flash phase, drivers should approach the intersection carefully, yield to vehicles already in the intersection and remain alert for pedestrians and bicyclists. County officials say the signal will be especially helpful for traffic heading to the Flagler County Fairgrounds, which hosts several large events throughout the year. County Administrator Heidi Petito said the improvement should make it easier for residents and visitors to access the fairgrounds during events

such as the Flagler County Fair and Youth Show and the rodeos held there each year. The intersection also serves residents attending programs offered by the UF/IFAS Extension office nearby. The new signal is part of a broader Florida Department of Transportation project focused on safety improvements along nearly six miles of U.S. 1 that runs through Palm Coast and Bunnell. That project is expected to be completed in early 2026, depending on weather and other conditions.

Brevard Counties. The Culler Center, located at 2364 LPGA Blvd. in Daytona Beach next to the Halifax Humane Society building, is a dedicated emergency shelter for pets belonging to domestic violence victims. The Halifax Humane Society organized the shelter in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County, a Halifax Humane Society press release said. The Halifax Humane Society will provide a 24/7 emergency response hotline for law enforcement, first responders and DAC advocates. The Culler Center will provide animals free housing, food, veterinary care, behavioral support and daily enrichment services for up to 30 days, the press release said. Halifax Humane Society CEO Sean Hawkins said this is not just about animals.

“It is about breaking cycles of abuse, protecting entire families, and ensuring that compassion is stronger than violence in our community,” Hawkins said. The Domestic Abuse Council, which helps domestic violence victims, will provide continuous case management and survivor support for the human family members, the press release said. The ultimate goal is to reunite pets with their families once safety and stability have been secured. A ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening was held on March 4. For families fleeing a domestic violence situation, call 800-799-SAFE (7233) for 24-hour assistance. The connection between domestic violence and animal abuse is well documented, the press release said. Up to 70% of victims have bets and of those between 48% and

71% report their pets have been abused or killed. Between 20% and 65% delay leaving abusive situations because they do not know how to protect their pets, the press release said. “For many survivors, a pet is not just an animal — it is family, a source of unconditional love, and sometimes the only comfort in an unsafe home,” Hawkins said. “No one should have to choose between personal safety and the life of a beloved companion. The CPR Center ensures they don’t have to.” Buck James, CEO of the Domestic Abuse Council, said this program fills a gap in the region’s services. “It was not uncommon for women and children fleeing abuse to live in their cars because they refused to give up their pets,” he said. “This partnership changes that reality. We are profoundly grateful this program now exists.”

Halifax Humane Society opens first shelter for animals of DV victims

The Halifax Humane Society has opened a first-of-its-kind emergency shelter for pets of domestic violence survivors across Flagler Volusia and

County Administrator Heidi Petito. Screenshot of Flagler County Commission meeting livestream

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12A

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

100 WORDS (GIVE OR TAKE) EVERY DAY (OR SO)

Gathering for the arts

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

I got to attend the Neil Diamond tribute show at the

Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center last week, and there wasn’t an empty seat in the building, thanks to the planning of Amelia Fulmer. The size of the crowd impressed me and somehow made me feel like I was in the right place. It got me thinking about the importance of physically gathering under one roof for the arts. How might that

night have been different for all those local residents if they had watched TV at home, alone, instead? As Mother Theresa once said, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness.” As Neil Diamond once wrote: “Me and you are subject to the blues now and then/ But when you take the blues and make a song/ You sing them out again.” GRIEF BECOMES LOVE

March 5, 2026 A friend of mine had a

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR With Flagler’s growth, sheriff may need more deputies than he’s asking for Dear Editor: Flagler County has seen its share of public disagreements between the current sheriff and a former one. That debate produced more heat than light. Let us step back from the personalities for a moment, and two measurable outcomes stand out today: Crime has fallen dramatically, and our current sheriff operates one of the most progressive and forward-thinking jail systems in Florida. Recently, a consulting client shared a University of North Florida study that Sheriff Rick Staly cited when requesting additional deputies. The study had some methodological quirks, including criticizing population-to-officer ratios before ultimately relying on them. Even so, after reviewing the data, I came away with a very different conclusion from many critics (and my client): The sheriff may be asking for fewer deputies than the county will ultimately need.

Does every community throughout Florida deserve a full-service sheriff’s office like we have, with cutting edge capabilities, investments in advanced personnel training, dedication to victims with full-time cold case detectives and a harmonious relationship with other agencies? Yes, but precious few have what we have. A young, now-retired police chief once explained the challenge to me this way: Law enforcement agencies do not have a “research and development” budget. Everything they receive must be deployed immediately to protect the public. Running a sheriff’s office has always been like building an aircraft in flight. Consider the reality facing law enforcement in Flagler County today. Since 2016, the county has grown by roughly 27% — adding nearly 30,000 new residents. Policing a county of 136,000 people is not the same job as policing a county of 107,000. Growth changes everything: call volume, traffic enforcement, investigative workload, jail operations and

community expectations. Debates about budgets and staffing will continue, and they should. That is how healthy communities govern themselves. Growth is not slowing. Neither should our commitment to public safety. Safe and successful communities plan for the future before it arrives. ROLAND CLEE Flagler Beach

Roland Clee writes for AmericanPeaceOfficer.com.

Randy Fine’s concerns are outside of his district Dear Editor: In response to the article by Sierra Williams published on Thursday, Feb. 26, I whole-heartedly agree with Sheriff Chitwood in rescinding his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine. Fine would probably get my vote if I lived in Washington, D.C., or Israel, since his primary concerns seem to be either annexing Greenland (H.R. 7012), repealing

death in the family recently, so I bought flowers. What does it mean to mourn with someone? Why does sharing grief help turn it into love? I don’t know, but it’s reassuring to know that we are all in this together. A PARENTING RITE OF PASSAGE

March 9, 2026 We are still working out the technical issues, but my daughter Ellie and I are planning to start a podcast in which we analyze Taylor

the Affordable Care Act, bringing a passport or birth certificate in order to vote, repealing corporate transparency (H.R. 425), prohibiting the use of materials that use the term “West Bank“ in the case of Israel and enhancing bilateral defense pact with Israel (H.R. 1229). Also, a bill (H.R. 5512) to prohibit Sharia law in the USA and the recent gem, protecting puppies from Sharia Law (H.R. 7611). We are paying him a salary and good benefits so that he can spend his time like this? In the next few weeks and months you will see a lot of signs and adds promoting all he has done for us. We should try to analyze all this before voting for Fine again just because he has an “R” next to his name. HUGO ROJAS Palm Coast

No new fees. Trim the budget. Dear Editor: Florida homeowners are rightfully excited about the push for meaningful property tax relief, including the House-passed proposal (HJR

Swift lyrics. We are both Swifties to the extreme. I also have bonded with Ellie recently as she has studied Macbeth at school. I read her essay on culpability not as a dad looking over her homework, but as a fellow Shakespeare lover. Children have many rites of passage. One that I didn’t expect as a parent is the change in my relationship with my children, from strictly parent to that of collaborator and fan and friend.

203) to phase out non-school taxes on homestead properties. If voters approve it in November 2026, families across Volusia County and the state could see substantial savings — potentially thousands of dollars annually — easing the burden of skyrocketing assessments and insurance costs. But let’s be clear: This relief must come from genuine fiscal discipline, not from backdoor maneuvers that replace one tax with another. According to your article, local officials warn that losing millions in property tax revenue (estimated t $11.2M) will force Ormond Beach to hike fees—for permits, utilities, trash collection, impact fees, or even new assessments—or raise other taxes like sales taxes. That isn’t relief; it’s a shell game that shifts the burden onto the same residents, especially renters and lower-income families who pay indirectly through higher costs. The solution isn’t inventing new ways to extract money—it’s cutting government spending. Leaders at the city level should prioritize trimming waste, eliminating redundancies, streamlining bureaucracy, and focusing

We build community spirit and bridges of understanding through accurate and compelling journalism. Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com Multimedia Producer Rich Carroll, rich@observerlocalnews.com Operation and Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com Marketing Consultants April Koehler, april@observerlocalnews.com; Travis Hurlbut, travis@observerlocalnews.com Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com TO ADVERTISE Call the office at 386-447-9723. Locally Owned / Publishers McMillan Ink LLC 50 Leanni Way, Unit C3 Palm Coast, FL 32137

taxpayer dollars strictly on essential services: public safety (police, fire, EMS), roads and infrastructure, and education. Proven approaches—like strict spending caps tied to inflation and population growth, performance audits, and zero-based budgeting— have delivered real relief in other states without resorting to fee increases. The county and the city can do the same. True reform means living within our means. LUZ HARSHMAN Ormond Beach

Send letters to jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.

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Spring into fun

pringFest, a familyfriendly event hosted by the Palm CoastFlagler Regional Chamber of Commerce, returned to Central Park in Town Center on March 7 to Chamber of Commerce weather. SpringFest 2026 included over 150 local vendors, a Kids Zone sponsored by the Learning Experience, a Pet Zone sponsored by Wilton Palm Coast Apartments, live music and entertainment, bounce houses and food trucks. “Today was a great day,” John Phillips, president of the Chamber, said in his message to vendors after the event. “I loved seeing the interaction with our business community and was thrilled to see so many families out enjoy-

Andy and Luci Dance

ing the beautiful day.” Phillips said he made multiple laps around the lake during the event, logging 23,527 steps, according to his watch. He thanked gold sponsors Minuteman Press, Palm Coast Ford, American Civil Construction, The Windsor of Palm Coast, Florida Health Care Plans, CH-Trailer Rental, WM (Waste Management) and Progressive Medical Research and neighborhood sponsors

Steve and Brittny Rubin and Faith Skodmin

Puharic & Associates, Adams Homes, Monica Clean, AdventHealth Palm Coast, EZ Access Communications, To-Do Dudes, KB Home and Waste Pro. Phillips also thanked the City of Palm Coast staff for their help in the planning and execution of the event. – BRENT WORONOFF

Russ and Mary Ann Erdmann

Heather Marino, Greg Dotson and Elias

Jayden and Bubbles the Elephant. Photos by Shauna McIntosh Terry Cintorino and Bonnie Lemberg

John, Sharna and Eli Granger

YOUR TOWN AdventHealth’s Moonlit Gala raises more than $150,000 The AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation raised more than $150,000 during its annual Gala Golf Classic on Feb. 27 and Moonlit Gala dinner on March 1, welcoming more than 275 attendees. Proceeds will support surgical services and nursing initiatives at AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast

Parkway. Funds from the event will contribute to the hospital’s $2.5 million campaign for the da Vinci 5 robotic system, which was introduced last year to expand access to minimally invasive surgery in the community. Philanthropic support helps strengthen and sustain the program as it continues to grow. “Our community helps bring the best tools in medicine to Palm Coast,” said Denyse Bales-Chubb, president and CEO for AdventHealth Palm Coast and the Flagler/ St. Johns market. “But just as important, these gifts strengthen the caregivers who walk alongside patients

Jack and Denyse Bales-Chubb, president/CEO, AdventHealth Palm Coast and Flagler/St. Johns market; Dr. Teresa Herbert, chief medical officer, AdventHealth Flagler/St. Johns market; and Mark Rathbun, chief financial officer, AdventHealth Flagler/St. Johns market. Courtesy photo

every day. Technology matters and so does the team using it.” A portion of the funds will also support the hospital’s

efforts to earn Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The initiative includes investment in nurse

development and programs aimed at strengthening the hospital’s nursing practice environment. Hospital leaders said those efforts are

designed to support nurses in their work and improve the overall patient experience. “When nurses have the resources and support they need, patients feel the difference,” said John Subers, executive director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation. “This is about strengthening the environment where care happens.” Since 2010, the Moonlit Gala has raised more than $1.85 million for hospital initiatives, including technology upgrades and expanded clinical programs. The Foundation’s next Moonlit Gala is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2027.

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

FOCUS ON FAITH

LOCAL EVENTS

Brought to you by:

St. Mark By the Sea mission team volunteers at Give Kids the World

St. Mark By the Sea Lutheran Church in Palm Coast recently sent a mission team to volunteer at Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre nonprofit resort for critically ill children located in Kissimmee. The mission team — composed of team leader Sherri Hunter, Darla and Rick Allison, Donna Calvani Theresa Pisano and Kay Schlegal — volunteered from Feb. 2-6. Over the past 11 years, the church has sent nine mission teams to volunteer for five-day periods, according to a press release. Families at Give Kids the World spend a week at the storybook-themed resort while visiting Orlando attrac-

tions and theme parks, at no-cost to the families. It was founded in 1986 and has welcomed more than 200,000 families from all 50 states and 77 countries. To learn more about how to serve with the church, visit https://www.stmarkbythesea. org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates

Matanzas grad to serve church mission in Brazil

Keila Brouse, a graduate of Matanzas High School, opened her mission call in front of family and friends on March 6, a tradition among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brouse committed to serve a mission for 18 months but didn’t learn where in the

Team leader Sherri Hunter, Theresa Pisano, Donna Calvani, Kay Schlegel, Darla Allison and Rick Allison. Courtesy photo

Keila Brouse, a graduate of Matanzas High School. Screenshot of Observer reel

world she would be assigned until reading her letter. Her mission assignment is Maceio, Brazil, a beach city of 1 million, and she will begin Portuguese training in June. Her father, mother and older sister — Eddie, Christina and Abbie — have also served missions for the church, all at their own expense. “I can’t wait to meet the people,” Keila Brouse said. “I have already been praying for them. And I’m excited for the tropics — to see all the plants and trees.”

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54TH ANNUAL VOLUSIA STUDENTS CREATE OPENING RECEPTION When: 5-7 p.m. Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Celebrate the opening of this student art reception. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and music. Free admission.

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DSC MUSIC TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION PRESENTS 'MPT ROCKS!' When: 5:30 p.m. Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach Details: This is a free event. For more information, call the box office at 386-226-1888 or email boxoffice@daytonastate.edu. TOBY — THE EXPERIENCE When: 7 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: See this Toby Keith tribute concert.. Tickets cost $40-$60. Visit ormondbeach performingartscenter.csstix. com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

THE LUCK OF THE PICKLE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, March 13-15 Where: Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Open to all skill levels. Double elimination format. Singles are on Friday, March 13; men's and women's doubles are on Saturday, March 14; and mixed doubles are on Sunday, March 15. Participants must be 13 years and older. Registration fee is $50. Visit parksandrec.fun.

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YOUTH WORKSHOP When: 2-3:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Jeff Evans, Agent Combine Beachhome and auto and 50 Cypress Point Pkwy Students ages. 5-12 Palm Coast, FL 32164 saveDetails: an average of $965* I’m Bus: 386-446-9594 Fax: 386-449-0114 are invited to create a polka ready to help you get the right www.jeffevanspalmcoast.com dot painting inspired by the Jeff Evans, Agent coverage the rightofprice. “Spotat Paintings” Damien 50 Cypress Point Pkwy, Ste C-3 Call me for a quote. are inHirst. All supplies Palm Coast, FL 32164 cluded. Seats are limited, so sign-up is encouraged. Bus: 386-446-9594 Fax: 386-449-0114 Like early a good neighbor, $15 for members; $20 Located near Palm Coast Walmart StateCosts Farm is there.® *Average annual per household savings based on a 2020 for non-members. Visit www. ® national survey by State Farm of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. ormondartmuseum.org. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company State Farm Fire and Casualty Company State Farm General Insurance Company Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas State Farm Lloyds Richardson, TX State Farm Florida Insurance Company Winter Haven, FL 2001299

AN EVENING WITH WISHBONE ASH When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: Featuring Argus Live, see classic rock legends Wishbone Ash perform in Ormond Beach. Tickets cost $40-$50. Visit ormondbeachperformin gartscenter.csstix.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

BUTTERFLIES FOR BEGINNERS When: 10-11 a.m. Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Join Betty and Bill to learn butterfly basics, identification and field practices. Park entry fee applies. COUNTRY MARKET When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast

Details: Browse through over 70 vendors, food trucks, a bounce house and more. Free and open to the public. SECOND SATURDAY PLANT SALE When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Washington Oaks Garden, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast Details: Join the Friends of Washington Oaks for a plant sale. Proceeds benefit the park. Free with admission into the park. 'WOMEN OF THE AMERICA REVOLUTION: LOST VOICES OF AMERICA'S FIRST GENERATION' When: 11 a.m. Where: Cypress Knoll Golf Club, 53 Easthampton Blvd., Palm Coast Details: Roger Smith, historian and adjunct professor of American History at Flagler College and the University of Florida, will be the guest speaker. Email aauwflagler1984@gmail.com to register. Seating for non-members is limited to 35 participants. Attending the presentation only costs $5; lunch is $20. SMOKIN' AT THE HOUSE When: 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Flagler Beach Fire Station 11, 320 S. Flagler Ave., Flagler Beach Details: Join the Flagler Woman’s Club for an open house at Station 11. Tom Snow of the Parrothead Porkers will be serving up pulled pork and the Woman's Club will provide sides of beans, coleslaw and rolls. Call Mary at 386-5697813 or Barbara at 215-2099332 for more information. VAULT ROOM MUSEUM OPENING When: 2-4 p.m. Where: Historic Flagler County Courthouse, 201 East Moody Blvd., Bunnell Details: The Flagler County Historical Society is celebrating the opening of the Vault Room Museum in the Historic 1926 Flagler County Courthouse. The event will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the courthouse. ULTIMATE GARTH AND SHANIA TRIBUTE When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: Kip Sweeny and Cristi Vale will bring Garth Brooks and Shania Twain to life during this tribute concert. Tickets cost $45. Visit ormondbeachperformin gartscenter.csstix.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

SPRING BREAK FAMILY KAYAK PADDLE When: 10:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30-2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15; and 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 16 Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Costs $20 per person per tandem vessel; single vessel for ages 14 and up are $30 per person. Bringing your own kayak? Tour costs $20 per person. Park entry fee is separate.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

TWIST, WEAVE & WOW! DIY GRAPEVINE WREATH WORKSHOP When: 10-11 a.m. Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Bring your own decorations or use the supplies provided to make a grapevine

wreath. There is a $5 material fee. Cash requested. Space is limited to 10. Park entry fee applies. Registration required. Call 386-517-2086. NARFE ASSOCIATION ORMOND BEACH CHAPTER 2247 MEETING When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Houligan's, 1643 U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: This month’s speaker will be chapter treasurer Don Murphy, who will speak on the chapter's new micro-site and NARFE Florida's FEDHub portal. All active and retired federal employees are invited.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

LEPRECHAUN HUNT When: 10 a.m. to noon Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Look for a leprechaun and snap a photo. Show the staff at the Ranger Station to receive a goodie bag. Available for the first 30 people. Park entry fee applies. OMAM ART BOOK CLUB When: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: This is a new program at the museum. The book is "The Secret Life of Sunflowers" by Marta Molnar. The group will meet every six weeks to discuss an artthemed book.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST When: 11 a.m. to noon Where: Cypress Knoll Golf & Country; Club, 53 Easthampton Blvd., Palm Coast Details: A social club for the retired and semiretired that meets monthly with a guest speaker, with other social events during the month. Guest speaker will be Troy Van Pelt, with the FCSO Community Policing Division, Canine Unit. All are welcome. Lunch is optional. Contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobus club@gmail.com or at 386597-3055. 'THE RAT PACK TOGETHER AGAIN' STARRING TONY SANDS When: 7 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: Enjoy a night filled with the golden era of music with this tribute to the Rat Pack. Tickets cost $40. Visit ormondbeachperformin gartscenter.csstix.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING When: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach Details: Attend the March meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club. The guest speaker will be Rob Cooper, candidate for U.S. House District 6. Like-minded guests are welcome. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

ANNUAL TEMPLE BETH SHALOM RUMMAGE SALE When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21 Where: Temple Beth Shalom, 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast Details: Cash only rummage sale. Call the temple at 386445-3006 to arrange drop-off and/or item pickup for the sale.

FARMER’S MARKET

THURSDAY 8 AM - 1 PM CITY HALL PLAZA

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ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

YOUR SCHOOLS Tomoka Elementary’s Living Museum

CLASS NOTES

ten to second grade, brought Gifted students from historical figures, notable kindergarten to second Florida icons and national to life during the grade brought history to landmarks school’s Living Museum. Held on Monday, March 9, life on March 9.

Flagler Palm Coast’s Student Government earns top state awards

OBSERVER STAFF

Tomoka Elementary’s gifted students, from kindergar-

parents and students were invited to the school to tour the museum, where students dressed up as part of their project and presented facts

about their topic or person. Kindergartners researched symbols of America and Florida, first graders researched influential African Americans and second graders researched and wrote biographies about famous Americans. Send Volusia school news to jarleene@observerlocalnews. com.

First grader Jack Caputo dressed up as Chuck Berry.

Second grader Lincoln Kuczmera dressed up as Thomas Edison. Coutesy photos

Kindergartner Madison Henion dressed up as the Statue of Liberty.

Second grader Zara Antoine dressed up as Mary Kay Ash.

Kindergartner Savannah Rowell dressed up as a Florida panther.

Second grader Andrew Ascik dressed up as Babe Ruth.

Second grader Violet Stowell dressed up as Rosa Parks.

Second grader Wilder Singhal dressed up as Henry Ford.

Second grader Sorphea Sey dressed up as Harriet Tubman.

Experience the power and passion in this spectacular tribute

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CELEBRATING

CELINE WITH

JENENE CARAMIELO APRIL 4 7:00 PM

Get ready to relive the magic and emotion of Celine Dion – one of the world’s most iconic vocalists – in “Celebrating Celine,” a stunning new tribute production dedicated to the unparalleled artistry of Celine Dion set to grace the stage of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center. This breathtaking show promises an unforgettable journey through Celine Dion’s legendary discography – featuring powerhouse vocals, dazzling visuals, and an immersive concert experience that carefully works to capture the essence of a live Celine performance. To quote the brilliant team behind this performance, “We aim to deliver an authentic and heartfelt tribute that will resonate deeply with long-time fans and introduce a new generation to the timeless music of this global superstar.”

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The Flagler Palm Coast High School Student Government Association recently traveled to the Florida Association of Student Councils State Conference at Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School in West Palm Beach, where members showcased their leadership skills, earned top honors and secured a major opportunity for the program’s future. FPC’s SGA members presented seven student-led workshops for peers from across Florida. The sessions focused on such topics as innovative school projects, time management strategies, parliamentary procedure and the courage required to step outside one’s comfort zone in leadership. FPC once again earned a gold rating in the Medallion Coun-

cil Book competition, which evaluates a comprehensive portfolio of projects completed throughout the school year. FPC’s parliamentary procedure team captured first place for the second consecutive year. The award-winning team included Caleb Hart, Ava Pascale, Valentina Cannesa and Lennix Sackman-Ruggiero. FPC also submitted 10 projects for state-level judging. Five placed among the top three: School Service Project, “Merry Memories with Your Bulldog Buddies,” third place Membership Motivation Project, “Holiday Extravaganza,” third place State Project, “Tiny Toes,” second place Faculty and Staff Project, “Super Staffulty,” first place School Spirit Project, “50 Years of Bulldog Pride: Door Wars,” first place The conference also highlighted student talent and leadership beyond competitions. Caleb Flinn performed “Santa Fe” during the talent show. Ava Pascale and Sofia Fretterd delivered speeches and were inducted as co-treasurers for the

Florida Executive Board. They will serve on the state board in the upcoming year, representing FPC and student leaders statewide. In another exciting announcement, FPC’s SGA was selected to host the 2027 FASC State Conference. The theme for the event will be “The Heart of Leadership.”

Flagler Palm Coast Formality Singers receive straight superior ratings The Flagler Palm Coast High School Formality Singers received straight superiors at the Florida Vocal Association District 6 Concert Music Performance Assessment in Casselberry. Both the women’s chorus and mixed chorus earned straight superior ratings in both stage performance and sightreading. The performers spent hours of after-school rehearsals and ear-training. Send Flagler school news to brent@observerlocalnews.com.

Flagler Palm Coast SGA members at the state conference. Courtesy photo

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

Daytona OKs rezoning for 175 acres REAL ESTATE Property could have up to 773 residential units, 1.6 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Daytona Beach City Commission has approved a rezoning for a 175.6-acre

property on the west side of the city. The application is for a future residential and commercial development, to be located between West International Boulevard and Interstate 4. A small portion of the north corner of the property is also going through an annexation application, as it lies in unincorporated Volusia County. The City Commission unanimously approved both

A new future development located between Interstate 4 and the International Speedway. Courtesy of the City of Daytona Beach

comprehensive plan and rezoning amendments for the project, called the Northshore of Daytona Beach Planned District. The land use was changed from low impact urban to mixed use, and the rezoning to a Planned Unit Development. According to city documents, the developers are three different parties: Career Com Partnership, Trident Land Trust and Tomoka World Center Land Trust No. 164. The developers plan to build a mixed-use development for commercial, residential, industrial and natural areas. At a maximum, 25% of the development will be residential, 20% industrial and 15% commercial. The remaining 40% will be preserved natural areas, to include wetlands and unimproved lands. The Planned Development will include a maximum of 773 residential units, a mix of multifamily and single-family homes, 826,000 square feet of commercial and 800,000 square feet of industrial. With this first vote of approval, the application has been sent to the state legislature to review. Once the state has signed off on it, it will return to Daytona Beach on May 20 for a final vote.

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Palm Coast Plantation New To The Market! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to view this lovely 3 bedroom home on a cul de sac with water and conservation views in the gated community of Palm Coast Plantation. Offered at $499,000.

PALM COAST

Ocean Hammock home sells for $4.9 million A

house at 354 Ocean Crest Drive in Ocean Hammock was the top real estate transaction for Feb. 21-27 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Feb. 27, for $4.9 million. Built in 2011, the house is a 5/5 and has 2 half baths, a pool and 6,117 square feet. The house was listed by Carlene Reardon, of Coastal Gateway Real Estate. ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PALM COAST

has a fireplace, a pool and 1,489 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $240,000.

Belle Terre A house at 28 Pepper Lane sold on Feb. 27, for $300,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,570 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $140,000.

A house at 31 Radcliffe Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $359,900. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,284 square feet. It sold in 2025 for $155,000.

Colbert Landings A house at 46 Oconee Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $419,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,055 square feet.

A house at 73 London Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $382,500. Built in 2004, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,928 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $310,000.

Grand Haven A house at 59 Lagarde St. sold on Feb. 26, for $575,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 2,185 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $360,000.

Palm Coast Plantation A house at 14 Heron Drive sold on Feb. 23, for $925,000. Built in 2013, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a hot tub and 3,390 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $790,000.

A house at 8 N. Village Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $525,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,799 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $287,000.

Pine Lakes A house at 102 Waverly Lane sold on Feb. 24, for $316,831. Built in 2026, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,632 square feet. A house at 29 Westgrill Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $365,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,117 square feet.

Lehigh Woods A house at 1 Ricker Place sold on Feb. 27, for $325,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2 and

A house at 97 Westhampton Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $300,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,896 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $167,000. A house at 9 Waldron Place sold on Feb. 26, for $325,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,681 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $330,000. A house at 1 Woodbury Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $437,400. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,648 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $260,000. Sea Colony A house at 7 Bristol Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $645,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 1,906 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $407,000. Toscana A house at 54 New Water Oak Drive sold on Feb. 27, for $825,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,754 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $539,900.

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

The house at 354 Ocean Crest Drive. Photo courtesy of Coastal Gateway Real Estate

ObserverLocalNews.com

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Coastal Living By Your Coastal Pros! LISTED

113 Calle del Sur

Newly built, extraordinary oceanfront estate where timeless elegance meets modern coastal luxury. This architectural masterpiece offers 100 feet of direct ocean frontage in the coveted Playa Del Sur neighborhood. Panoramic views of the Atlantic are seen from nearly every space. 4 Br, 4.5 Ba - 4,667 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $3,699,000

LISTED

PENDING

13 Anastasia Court

Experience refined coastal living with designer finishes and soaring ceilings. This recently renovated home is on an oversized cul-de-sac lot featuring spectacular golf course and lake views. 4 Br, 4.5 Ba - 4,652 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $2,199,000

Portofino #605

Recently renovated oceanfront condo with open floor plan gracefully connecting all the living spaces. From almost every room, you will experience stunning ocean views. 3 Br, 2.5 Ba - 1,944 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,099,000

LISTED

SOLD

PENDING

59 Calle del Sur

La Grande Provence #2204

16 Island Estates Parkway Expansive living areas and lanai with pool all overlooking the ICW. 4 Br, 4 Ba 4,533 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $2,200,000

Exceptional home with breathtaking ocean and golf views. 4 Br, 4 Ba 4,686 sq. ft. SOLD $2,749,000

LISTED

PENDING

SOLD

54 Hammock Beach Cir. S.

29 Sandpiper Lane

5 Avenue Monet

215 Willow Oak Way

100’ direct oceanfront and views of Lake San Gabriel. No timeframe to build. 0.35 acres LIST PRICE $1,250,00 0

This premier homesite offers an ideal setting with ocean and golf course views. 0.16 acres LIST PRICE $999,900

Light-filled condo with open-concept layout and timeless finishes. 2 Br, 2 Ba 1,458 sq. ft. SOLD $560,000

Build your coastal retreat on this prime lakefront lot in Ocean Hammock. 0.24 acres LIST PRICE $330,000

Beautifully appointed home with elegant architectural details. 4 Br, 3 Ba 2,948 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,124,000

SOLD

17 Rue Grande Mer

Exceptional home in Grand Haven elevated to a new level of sophistication. 3 Br, 2.5 Ba - 2,584 sq. ft. SOLD $975,000

PENDING

LISTED

259 Yacht Harbor Drive

Stunning, light-filled waterfront home offers refined coastal living with quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Includes adjoining lot for the utmost privacy. 3 Br, 3.5 Ba - 2,704 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,149,000

228 Yacht Harbor Drive

Custom built, ICW home with high-end finishes, pool area with summer kitchen, and private elevator. Enjoy dolphin and manatee watching, and gorgeous sunsets all from this stunning location. 4 Br, 4.5 Ba - 4,487 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,699,000

LISTED

12 Crain Court - Palm Harbor

Custom waterfront home on a tip lot offering approx. 220' of water frontage with sweeping canal views. Stunning great room with dramatic 22' ceiling and magnificent curved staircase. 4 Br, 3 Ba, 2 Half Ba - 4,111 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,699,000

4 Cedar Hollow Court - Palm Harbor

Exceptional waterfront home in the desirable Sailboat Country neighborhood designed to maximize natural light and water views. Features two primary suites – one overlooking the canal. 4 Br, 3 Ba - 2,526 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $585,000

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CP COASTAL PROS P OW E R O F E X P E R I E N C E

One or more photo(s) has been virtually staged. Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. These materials are not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy a unit in the new development condominium. Such an offering shall only be made pursuant to the prospectus (offering circular) for the condominium and no statements should be relied upon unless made in the prospectus or in the applicable purchase agreement. In no event shall any solicitation, offer or sale of a unit in the condominium be made in, or to residents of, any state or country in which such activity would be unlawful. Many communities have membership programs and fees, and ownership of a home in such community does not, in and of itself, include access to or use of any particular amenity.

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

REAL ESTATE ORMOND BEACH JARLEENE ALMENAS

Chelsea Place home is Ormond’s top sale A

MANAGING EDITOR

house in Chelsea Place at 116 Chelsea Place Ave. was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Feb. 14-20. The house sold on Feb. 18, for $550,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,232 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $464,700. The house was listed by Kirsten Finle, of Fiv Realty Co Florida LLC.

Condos The condo at 111 S. Atlantic Ave., Unit 803, sold on Feb. 19, for $330,000. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,131 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $103,500.

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation The house at 4121 Salina Lane sold on Feb. 19, for $422,500. Built in 2000, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,317 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $204,000. Ormond Beach Park The house at 468 Grandview Ave. sold on Feb. 17,

for $495,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 1,368 square feet. It last sold in 2013 for $197,000. Ormond Terrace The house at 530 N. Yonge St. sold on Feb. 20, for $249,000. Built in 1969, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,457 square feet. It last sold in 1997 for $75,000. Park Place The townhome at 5 Park Place sold on Feb. 17, for $220,000. Built in 1984, the townhome is a 2/1 and has 919 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $66,000.

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Trails North Forty The townhome at 151 Deer Lake Circle sold Feb. 18, for $325,000. Built in 1985, the townhome is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,662 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $220,000.

The townhome at 108 Wentworth Ave. sold on Feb. 19, for $260,000. Built in 2014, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,288 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $168,000.

$422,000. The house at 519 High Tide Lane sold on Feb. 17, for $418,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,464 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $311,300.

Latitude Margaritaville The townhome at 899 Margaritaville Ave. sold on Feb. 17, for $450,000. Built in 2023, the townhome is a 3/2 and has 1,771 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for

The house at 224 Flip Side Lane sold on Feb. 19, $872,500. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool, a spa and 2,542 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $642,400.

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

The townhome at 142 Aston Grande Drive sold on Feb. 20, for $221,500. Built in 2014, the townhome is a 3/2.5 and has 1,288 square feet. It last sold in 22014 for $141,600.

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Rivocean The house at 33 Rivocean Drive sold on Feb. 17, for $336,600. Built in 1989, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,470 square feet. It last sold in 1989 for $81,000.

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Grande Champion The house at 133 Formby Grande Ave. sold on Feb. 17, for $337,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,056 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $307,500.

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Plantation Bay The house at 1157 Kilkenny Lane sold on Feb. 18, for $375,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,910 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $234,000.

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SPORTS Medal collectors Flagler Palm Coast’s Alexa Calidonio placed second, four others placed third at state wrestling. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The state wrestling championships were a roller coaster ride for Flagler Palm Coast High School with heartbreak and tears at their lowest point and redemption and celebration at their peak. When the three-day tournament was all over on Saturday, March 7, the Bulldogs left the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee with a runner-up finish by Alexa Calidonio, four third-place medals by Alisha Vilar, Kevin McLean, Trey Twilley and JoJo Foalima, and eighth-place team finishes in both the girls and boys tournaments. Calidonio ended her high school wrestling career with a silver medal after placing fifth as a junior and fourth as a sophomore at the girls state championship. But her second-place finish was bittersweet after losing a 2-1 decision in the second 30-second tiebreaker in the 170-pound championship match. “Alexa wrestled a great tournament,” FPC head coach David Bossardet said. “She wrestled a great match in the finals. But her goal was to win a state championship, and she was that close to meeting her goal and just came up short in the 30-second ride-out.” After three two-minute

“It’s very hard to wrestle back, and (Alisha Vilar, Kevin McLean, Trey Twilley and JoJo Foalima) all did that. It was a cool experience on the third day to see the joy on their faces and the joy on their families’ faces. And all four are coming back next year.” DAVID BOSSARDET, FPC wrestling coach

periods and a one-minute overtime, Calidonio and Tampa King’s Isabella McFarlane were tied at 1-1. In the first 30-second tiebreaker, McFarlane chose bottom and scored a one-point escape before time ran out. Calidonio then chose bottom for the second 30-second period but couldn’t score a point. “Alexa wrestled this girl a lot and we’ve never taken her down but we have gotten away from her,” Bossardet said of the decision to choose bottom. “All of our guys and girls work extremely hard, but Alexa is the only kid I’ve ever coached who has done every single thing I have asked her to do, whether it’s an optional practice or extra workouts after practice. Because of that, it makes it a little harder. You want it for that girl.” Calidonio and McFarlane have wrestled several times during their high school careers, Bossardet said, and all of the matches have been close. Bossardet said the championships were an “emotional roller coaster.” Day 2, he said, wasn’t a great day for the Bulldogs. Calidonio won her semifinal by a 4-1 decision over Niceville’s Brooke Arbic, but the six FPC boys in the Class 3A tournament and the three other FPC girls in the overall girls tournament all dropped into wrestlebacks. Joslyn Johnson, who won a state title as a sophomore and placed third as a junior, had her title hopes dashed with a pin at 3:28 in the 105-pound quarterfinal by Hernando’s Emerson Webber with Johnson leading 7-3 at the time. “That was a girl I had concerns about. She’s very good on top and pinned Joslyn with an armbar,” Bossardet said. It was a very quick turnaround before Johnson’s second-round consolation match, and she was still reeling from the quarterfinal loss, Bossardet said, when she was pinned by Tiffany Francisco of Davie Western to end her tournament. “It wasn’t in the cards for her, but that tournament didn’t define Joslyn as a wres-

Alisha Vilar (left) placed third at 145 pounds

FPC’s Alexa Calidonio (left) wrestles Tampa King’s Isabella McFarlane in the 170-pound title match.

FPC freshman JoJo Foalima (left) placed third at 165 pounds.

FPC sophomore Kevin McLean (left) placed third at 120 pounds. Photos by Abe Mills

“Alexa wrestled a great tournament. She wrestled a great match in the finals. But her goal was to win a state championship, and she was that close to meeting her goal and just came up short in the 30-second ride-out.” DAVID BOSSARDET, FPC wrestling coach

tler,” Bossardet said, adding that he told her clear her head and taker her time before deciding on her wrestling future. Sophomore Juliana Mills (105 pounds), freshman Jacob Hald (106 pounds), junior Braden Dailey (113 pounds) and senior Michael Fries (150 pounds) were also eliminated in the consolation rounds by the end of Day 2. All of them had great seasons and lost tough matches, Bossardet said. FOURSOME PLACES 3RD ON DAY THREE

Day 3 began with a reversal of fortunes with Vilar, McLean, Twilley and Foalima all winning their consolation semifinals and finals to place third in their weight classes. “It’s very hard to wrestle back, and they all did that,” Bossardet said. “It was a cool experience on the third day to see the joy on their faces and the joy on their families’ faces. And all four are coming back next year.” Vilar, a junior wrestling in her first state tournament, advanced to the girls’ 145-pound semifinals where she faced two-time state

champ Ailee Briggs of Lemon Bay. Briggs pinned Vilar and went on to win her third consecutive state title. Vilar went on to pin both of her opponents in the consolation semis and the third-place match. “Alisha had a great tournament,” Bossardet said. “She works extremely hard, and the result finally showed the work she puts in, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Now, everyone knows how good Alisha Vilar is, and more important, she knows how good she is.” McLean, a sophomore, placed third at state for the third year in a row. Wrestling for St. Johns Country Day as an eighth grader in 2024, he placed third in Class 1A, and placed third for FPC in Class 3A last year at 113 pounds. On Friday, McLean lost to eventual champ Lazaro Soto of Southwest Miami in the 120-pound semifinals. On Saturday, McLean won with a late pin in the semifinals and a 9-3 decision in the thirdplace match. Twilley, a junior, also placed for the third year in a row. After losing in the 132-pound quarterfinals, he won four straight consolation matches

Trey Twilley (left) placed third at 132 pounds.

including a 14-1 major decision over top-ranked Porter Daniels of Palmetto in the consolation quarterfinals and a 2-1 ultimate tiebreaker win over Hagerty’s Bentley Crawley in the semifinals. It was the fourth time Twilley and Crawley wrestled this season with each wrestler winning twice. Twilley won the thirdplace match by a 4-3 decision. “Trey and Kevin, I often overlook, because you expect results from them,” Bossardet said. Foalima, a freshman, lost in the 165-pound semifinals against eventual champ Tyree Graham of South Dade. Foalima went on to win the thirdplace match by a pin in 5:29. “I think JoJo could be one of the best to ever do it here,” Bossardet said. “He’s wrestling at 165 pounds as a freshman. That’s a grown man’s weight. He’s very powerful and he’s only going to get stronger. He was able to show how good he is this weekend.” Matanzas had two wrestlers in the girls tournament. Briana Durry lost two matches at 235 pounds. Cardy Michel lost two matches at 125 pounds.

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Game on FPC sidearm pitcher Jordan Gonzalez throws to the plate in a game against Jacksonville Providence on March 5. Photos by Keishia McLendon

Marion Clayton had given the Bulldogs a 6-4 lead with a two-run homer in the fifth, but the Stallions stormed back. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FPC’s Nole Hemmerle swings at a pitch.

arion Clayton’s tworun homer gave Flagler Palm Coast a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning against Jacksonville Providence. But the Stallions scored six unearned runs in the sixth to defeat FPC 10-6 on Thursday, March 5, at the Bulldogs’ field. It was the third loss in

FPC catcher Clayton Lamb chases Providence’s Preston Ricchini back to third base in a rundown. The Bulldogs eventually tagged Ricchini out at home plate to end the top of the third inning.

three days for the Bulldogs, who started the season with five consecutive wins. It was the second straight game in which FPC gave up six runs in an inning. “[Pitcher Jordan Gonzalez] started the game off well and gave us a chance to win,” FPC coach Kyle Marsh said. “But at the end of the day, we got to play all seven innings. Right now, we are not playing all seven innings. And it’s showing.” The Bulldogs rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie the score with two runs in the third inning on Gonzalez’s two-run double and one in the fourth. Gonzalez left the mound after five innings with the Bulldogs ahead. But errors kept the Providence sixth inning alive as the Stallions sent 10 batters to the plate against Nole Hammerle. FPC reliever Brody Youngman struck out the side in the seventh after allowing a leadoff single to Brody Kraft. Kraft was left stranded on third after stealing second and advancing on a wild pitch. But Providence pitcher Jaxson Strough, who entered the game after Clayton’s homer with no outs in the fifth, shut the door on the Bulldogs with three no-hit innings. Clayton’s homer was FPC’s first of the season. He drove in Hemmerle who led off the fifth with a single. “Marion got a good piece of it, a good swing,” Marsh said. “The pitching was good. We had opportunities. We just didn’t capitalize. We just got to get back to it.”

FPC’s three losses came to teams with a combined 25-6 record as of March 5. Spruce Creek (9-1) defeated the Bulldogs 6-4 on March 3 with FPC scoring all four of its runs in the bottom of the seventh. Host West Orange (8-3) knocked out 13 hits in an 11-1 five-inning victory on March 4. Providence improved to 8-2 with the 10-6 victory. The Bulldogs bounced back with a 7-2 victory over Christ’s Church Academy of Jacksonville.

FPC’s Marion Clayton gets set to bunt.

FPC first baseman Paul Bowen (right) is prepared for a possible pickoff throw.

Matanzas baseball rallies from 10-3 deficit to win 11-10 in eight innings The Pirates scored five with two outs in the seventh to send the game to extra innings. on Senior Night. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Matanzas baseball team was losing 10-5 and down to its final out against Belleview on Friday, March 6. The Pirates went on to score five runs in the seventh to send the game into extra innings and then scored the winning run in the eighth to defeat the Rattlers 11-10 on the Pirates’ Senior Night.

“It had been quite the slide recently,” said Matanzas firstyear coach Sean McManus, whose team had lost six in a row heading into the game. “A lot of guys were starting to get down. Seeing them pushing to extras was awsome to see as a coaching staff.” In the eighth, Zach Seifert scored the winning run from third base on a hard grounder by Wiley Conner that scooted off the third baseman’s glove for an error. The fielder recovered in time to throw to first, but Conner beat it out. Winning pitcher Daniel Reyes gave up one run in three innings. The junior held Belleview off the scoreboard in the seventh and eighth innings.

Matanzas honored its six seniors before winning in extra innings on March 6. From left: assistant coach Tommy Ascone, Monte Strickland, Nigel Sejda, Nolan Schmidt, head coach Sean McManus, Roberto Reyes, Damian Paulsen, Tate Conner and assistant coach Robert Bell. Courtesy photo by Zach Rigney

“I’m real proud of the pitching to keep it tied going into the bottom of the eighth,” McManus said. “It was our longest game all season. Just to stay locked in and push to the end and get that last run in was huge.” The Pirates trailed 10-3

going into the bottom of the sixth when P.J. Trettner hit a two-run homer, which McManus said he “smoked” over the left center field fence. It was Trettner’s second home run of the season. Before the game, the Pirates honored seniors Monte

Strickland, Nigel Sejda, Nolan Schmidt, Roberto Reyes, Damian Paulsen and Tate Conner. Matanzas (2-8) has a tough week of games heading into spring break. The Pirates lost on the road 13-3 to St. Joseph Academy (7-2), the eighth-

ranked team in Class 1A, on Monday, March 9. They lost to University Christian 16-6 on March 10, and are scheduled to visit county rival Flagler Palm Coast at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12. Email brent@observerlocalnews.com.

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

Matanzas boys lacrosse has reason to celebrate amid tumultuous season Vinny Ferrugiaro scored seven goals in the Pirates’ 15-4 win against Flagler Palm Coast. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Vinny Ferrugiaro and CJ Schouten have played on Matanzas High’s lacrosse team for four years. Though the Pirates have not finished with a winning record during that time, they’ve won at least six games in each of the past three seasons. But this season has not turned out to be the year they had hoped for as seniors. A new head coach hired in the summer was let go in the middle of the season. And the Pirates began the year with six straight losses. “We’ve worked really hard, and this year’s been pretty rough,” Schouten said.

Assistant coach Dominic Tavolacci, who was playing high school lacrosse himself just three years ago, has stepped in as Matanzas’ interim head coach. On Friday, March 6, Tavolacci won his first game against equally struggling Flagler Palm Coast. Ferrugiaro, who reached 100 goals in his career on Feb. 26, scored seven goals against FPC as the Pirates defeated the Bulldogs 15-4 at home. FPC, which graduated 14 seniors last year, fell to 0-7 with the loss to Matanzas and a 10-0 loss to Ocala Forest on March 9. “We have a lot of new players,” said second-year FPC coach Michael Commendatore. “Generally speaking, nine players that get on the field during a game have never played lacrosse before this year. We only have six seniors and not all of them have a lot of experience, so definitely, we are in a rebuilding year.” Shouten added three goals in the win and won every

Matanzas middie CJ Schouten

faceoff he was in to help the Pirates maintain possession of the ball for most of the game. “I practice at home every day to get my hands faster, just to win faceoffs and help Vinny get 100-plus goals,” Schouten said. “It’s been a long journey since freshman year.” Two other Matanzas seniors have been on the team for four years — middie Case Britton and Nick Yacono, who is out for the season with an injury. While Schouten has only been playing lacrosse since he was a freshman, Ferrugiaro, who grew up in New Jersey,

has been playing lacrosse since he was in the fourth grade. Reaching the 100-goal milestone, he said, has been on his mind for a long time. “I’ve been working on that for four years,” Ferrugiaro said. “Ever since I was a young kid I always wanted to have 100 career goals.” Cole Cabrera, Cooper May, Nick Ferrugiaro, Atticus Sims and Michael Lamonica all added a goal for the Pirates against FPC. Tanner Young and Ryan Zapata each scored two second-half goals for the Bulldogs. The four goals are the most FPC has scored in a game this season. The Bulldogs have more experience on defense, especially at goalie with senior Aiden Commendatore, who will play lacrosse at Savannah College of Art and Design next year. Aiden Commendatore, the coach’s son, has played at FPC since he was a sophomore and has over 500 saves in just two and half seasons.

CHANCE TO CELEBRATE

Tavolacci played lacrosse as a freshman and sophomore at Matanzas and then transferred to FPC where he played as a junior and senior. He went on to play one year at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York, before moving back home last year and joining former Matanzas head coach Adam Frys’ staff. “I didn’t like the cold. I’m definitely a Florida boy,” he said. Tavolacci said the Pirates are working out some kinks. “We’re definitely getting there,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of new kids moving around. Our goalie (Liam O’Connor), this is his first year playing goalie.” For the first time this season, the Pirates had something to celebrate. “Losing the head coach, that was not planned. That was a culture shock to us,” Vinny Ferrugiaro said. “We’re very grateful that Dom stepped in, helped out, to coach us. To get

our first win over FPC, that’s big for us.” Said Schouten: “This is going to help a lot with our team chemistry, because as we saw today, everyone’s happy, and they know what it feels like to win. All we knew this season was losing. So this is going to push us forward and give us some more motivation to get some more wins.” Both Tavolacci and Michael Commendatore said they would like to return next year. Commendatore stepped in last season after the previous FPC coach left. While his son will be playing in college next year, he feels committed to rebuilding FPC’s program. “I definitely want to be here,” Commendatore said. “I’ll speak for [assistant] coach [Andrew] Smith, whose son graduated last year, and he’s come back. We love being here with the players, and we both really want to work to continue to build a program at FPC and get it to be a strong program from year to year.”

Matanzas softball coach encouraged by team’s fight in eight-inning loss Sabrina Manhart was pleased and concerned when Destiny Clanton and Sophia Staub dove for a pop up. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A play in the field in Matanzas High School’s eight-inning softball loss to Spruce Creek on March 9, was an example of what coach Sabrina Manhart is looking for from her team as well as what she never wants

to see. In the top of the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 9-4 home loss, second baseman Destiny Clanton and freshman shortstop Sophia Staub both dived for a popup with the two colliding, Staub catching the ball and Clanton ending up flat on the ground until trainer Michael Doersch helped her up. “They are both very passionate players and are going to be a good pair in the middle of the infield, and they both want the ball,” Manhart said. “I’m not sure if somebody

called it, or maybe they both called it, but they were both going to make sure it didn’t hit the ground, and I was impressed at their effort, but a little taken aback by the fact that they took each other out, almost.” Manhart said Staub did a good job checking on Clanton after the catch. When Manhart got out on the field, she asked Clanton if she was OK, and after she said she was good, Manhart told the infielders there were two outs. “Destiny said, ‘What? She caught the ball?’ So we all got

a good laugh at that,” Manhart said. “That really made that really scary moment for a second, very light-hearted. And [Clanton is] like, ‘I’m ready to play then.’ So that’s just a little bit of her personality. She’s a fighter for sure.” Clanton started in the pitching circle for the Pirates (4-3), who took a 2-0 lead in the first inning against the Hawks (4-3). Creek went ahead 3-2 in the top of the sixth against freshman Payton Zuromski. Matanzas tied the score in the bottom of the seventh with two unearned runs.

SIDELINES Sandcrabs win Five Star boys tennis title

Seabreeze won the Five Star Conference boys tennis championship on Friday, March 6, at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. All five Seabreeze singles players reached the finals with the Sandcrabs winning three singles titles and one doubles title. Winning singles championships for Seabreeze were Tej Patel at No. 3 (6-2, 6-2 over Spruce Creek’s Aarav Desai in the final); Jordan Anthony at No. 4 (6-0, 3-6, 10-7 over Creek’s Aiden Cappiello in the final); and Benjamin Upchurch at No. 5 (6-0, 6-1 over Creek’s Brayden Kim in the final). Patel and Anthony won No. 2 doubles over Creek’s Desai and Kim,

6-4, 6-2. The Sandcrabs’ Jeffrey Martin at No. 1 and Hunter Shuler at No. 2 also reached the singles finals. The Sandcrabs entered the tournament with a 4-1 record with their only loss coming to Spruce Creek, 4-3. Patel and Anthony are both undefeated in singles. Patel is 7-0 at No. 3 singles and 1-0 at No. 1. Anthony is 4-0 at No. 4 singles. Shuler is 6-1 at No. 2 singles. Kai Campbell is 4-1 at No. 5 singles. In the Five Star girls tournament, Flagler Palm Coast placed second behind Spruce Creek, while Seabreze was fourth. FPC’s Tatiana Leontyeva (No. 1) and Aasi Bharucha (No. 3) and Seabreeze’s Karma Candelaria (No. 2) and Habiba Nadim (No. 5) reached the singles finals.

But the Hawks scored six runs in the eighth against Zuromski and Clanton. The Pirates added a run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double by Camryn Williams, who went 4 for 4 in the game. “Tonight was an exciting night, because we have such a young team this year and we came out with a new intensity that we’ve been trying to pull out of them at practice,” Manhart said. “... I’m really proud of the effort that they put forth to push this game into extra Innings.” The Pirates host Flagler

a freshman at West Liberty University, won two matches and placed among the top 12 in the 124-pound weight class. Borgmann, a freshman at Felician University, placed among the top 18 in the 131-pound weight class. Seabreeze won the Five Star Conference boys tennis championship on March 6. From left: Coach Tom Kelly, Jeffrey Martin, Hunter Shuler, Tej Patel and Jordan Anthony. Courtesy photo

FPC’s Leontyeva and Bharucha reached the No. 1 doubles finals, and Seabreeze’s Hailey Roush and Candelaria reached the No. 2 doubles final.

FPC lifters win tourney title

Flagler Palm Coast won the Olympic competition at the King of the Platform boys weightlifting tournament on March 6 in Leesburg. Five FPC lifters won Olympic

titles: Anthony Giacobbe (119 pounds), Cody Strawser (129), Alex Huynh (139), Jackson Fedun (164) and Matthew McFall (unlimited).

Local wrestlers at NCAAs

Former Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast wrestlers Mariah Mills and Christina Borgmann competed at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships on March 6-7 in Coralville, Iowa. Mills,

Matanzas boys win track meet; FPC athlete breaks mark Matanzas won the boys title at the Deltona Wolves Showcase track and field meet on March 7 with Blaine Vogel winning the 800-meter run in 2:08.14 and the 1,600-meter run in 4:33.38. The 4x400 relay of Matt Ciardi, Kevin Gilpin, Jayden McCoy and Jez McCoy won with a time of 3:41.57. On the girls’ side, Megan Rhee won the 1,600 meters in 5:51.88. Rena Carlton won the 200 in 2:46.98.

Payton Zuromski throws pitch as a Spruce Creek player runs from second base in the fifth inning. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Palm Coast on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m.

FPC won three events at the Bolles Bulldog Classic on March 6: Grace Taylor won the girls javelin with a new school record of 117 feet, 5 inches. La’Darius Simmons won boys javelin with a throw of 167 feet, 9 inches. And Karina Marcelus won the 100 hurdles in 14.66 seconds. Jordan Haymon placed second in the boys 200 with a PR time of 21.70 seconds. At the George Janan Spruce Creek Invitational on March 7, Seabreeze’s Drayton Bracket won the 110 hurdles in 16.09. Dominic Dowell won the 400 hurdles in 59.98 seconds. Mainland’s Sydney Noelien placed second in girls discus with a throw of 161 feet, 1 inch. Father Lopez’s Lauren Lancing placed second in both the 100 meters (12.48) and the 100 hurdles (15.43) setting school records in both events. Email brent@ observerlocalnews.com

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TRIBUTES

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being with his family—moments that brought him joy, peace, and connection. Paul was a man of faith and a true believer. Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Diane, and by the family he cherished so deeply. He leaves behind his Son Christopher and his Wife Jamie, along with their children Lexi, Luke, and Lindsay, who brought him endless pride and joy. He is also survived by his Daughter Jillian and her fiancé David, and by his youngest Daughter Danielle, her partner Amani, and his beloved Granddaughter Violet. A proud and loving father and grandfather, Paul found immense happiness in each of them and held his family at the center of his life. He is preceded in death by his Father Pasquale D. Chambery. He is also survived by his mother, Beryl Chambery, his three Brothers, Sister in laws as well as many Nieces and Nephews who will forever hold his memory close. Paul will be remembered for

his kindness, his humor, his loyalty, and the steady, comforting presence he offered to everyone who knew him. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his family and friends, who will miss him deeply. Private services are under the direction of Lotus Funeral Services, 460 Palm Coast Pkwy, Ste 3, Palm Coast. For flowers or charitable contributions, visit: lotusfuneralservices.com

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Paul Leonard Chambery Paul Leonard Chambery, born June 4, 1958, passed peacefully at home with his family by his side on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Paul grew up in Smithtown, New York, alongside his three brothers, Keith, Robert, and Vincent. As a teenager, he was an active member of the PJ Folksingers at St. Philip and James Catholic Church, where his love of music took root. He especially enjoyed playing the drums, a passion that remained a meaningful part of his life. Paul pursued his education with dedication, earning an A.S. in Mortuary Science from Florida State College at Jacksonville and later a Bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University. He approached his work and studies with pride, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility. A devoted sports fan, Paul had an unwavering love for the New York Yankees and the New York Jets. He also cherished time as a Little League Coach and Youth Religious Instructor. Paul also enjoyed time spent fishing and

Tomato slicer. Like new! Used twice Sells for $120 can send pics $50 Call 386-793-3155

386-447-9723 observerlocalnews.com/tributes

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HARPER’S HANDYMAN SERVICES AND POWERWASHING Count On Us For All Your Handyman Services, Powerwashing Needs and Windows Too. Licensed and Insured happyharpers@att.net 386-843-5906 Construction Cleanup Derrick The Clean Up Man. Haul Trash, Clean Flower Beds, Honey Do’s, Pressure Wash, Construction Cleans. No Job Is TOO BIG or TOO SMALL. Licensed. Insured 386-503-5536

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Find your notices online at: ObserverLocalNews.com, FloridaPublicNotices.com and BusinessObserverFL.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Additional Public Notices may be accessed on ObserverLocalNews.com and the statewide legal notice website, FloridaPublicNotices.com

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES 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 The Heron of Palm Coast , located at 3830 Old Kings Road, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL 32137, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated 3/4/2026. 1031CF Palm Coast MT, LLC 7763-338280 Mar. 12, 2026 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 Salty Sunshine Cleaning, LLC, located at 18 Portia Ln, in the City of Palm Coast , Flagler County, FL 32164, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated 3/5/2026. Saltwater Rose Ventures, LLC 7763-338440 Mar. 12, 2026 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 Rivera Tools LLC, located at 79 Roxboro Drive, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL 32164, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated 3/5/2026. Rivera Tools LLc 7763-338453 Mar. 12, 2026 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN and GAYLE ZIMMERMAN, Plaintiffs, V. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST VICTOR CLA VIZZAO DECEASED; JACQUELINE A CLA VIZZAO; FLORIDA PACE FUNDING AGENCY; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. I; UNKNOWN TENANT NO. 2, Defendants.

CASE NO.: 2024-CA-000605 NOTICE OF ACTION TO: The Unknown Heirs, Beneficiaries, Devisees, Grantees, Assignees, Lienors, Creditors, Trustees, And All Other Parties Claiming by, through, under, or against Victor Clavizzao deceased 1 Pennsy Place Palm Coast, Florida 32164 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to enforce and foreclose a Mortgage and to foreclose any claims which are inferior to the right, title and interest of the Plaintiffs in the following property: Lot 6 and 7, Block 23, Pine GroveSection 25 Palm Coast, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 9, Pages 1 through 19, inclusive, Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Street address: 1 Pennsy Place, Palm Coast, Florida 32164. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Yasin Daneshfar, Esq., Plaintiffs' attorney, whose address is: BECKER & POLIAKOFF, P.A. 1 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1900 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 987-7550 Fax: (954) 985-4177 Primary email: ydaneshfar@beckerlawyers.com on or before 30 days from the first date of publication and to file the original of the defenses with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiffs' attorney or immediately thereafter. If a Defendant fails to do so, a default will be entered against that Defendant for the relief demanded in the Complaint. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said Court 1/23/2026 TOM BEXLEY, as Clerk of said Court /s/ Margarita Ruiz As Deputy Clerk 7763-338285 Mar. 12, 19, 2026 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, March 19, 2026, 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 7763-338698 Mar. 12, 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR Flagler County Beach Nourishment Project - Reach II FPN 429573-1-38-01 Sealed bids for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment and supervision for nourishment of portions of the Flagler County beach and dune system in conformance with the project plans and contract documents. The project will consist of constructing and an elevated beach berm, dune and vegetation in accordance with the project plans and specifications. The scope of work includes but is not limited to the following: mobilization/demobilization; preparation and restoration of the work site and access points, mechanical screening of dredge material; structural inspection and vibration monitoring; beach tilling/decompaction; endangered species monitoring and observation; sea turtle trawling; sand fencing and post & rope; and placement of sand and dune vegetation, performance of all operations and surveys in connection with the construction and other related items incidental to the

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026 CP 000117 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF EVELYN MONTELBANO, Deceased. The administration of the estate of EVELYN MONTELBANO, deceased, whose date of death was 12/04/2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for FLAGLER County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Flagler Clerk & Comptroller, Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E Moody Blvd, Building 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. 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. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is March 12, 2026. Personal Representative: Heather Marie Manto 402 Pine Tree Loop Bastrop, TX 78602 Attorney for Personal Representative: Eric T. Preston, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 92513 The Preston Law Firm 605 South Orange Street New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168 Telephone: (386) 424-9200 Fax: (386) 423-8099 E-Mail: eric@theprestonlawfirm.com kathy@theprestonlawfirm.com March 12, 19, 2026 26-00071G

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 26-CP-000123 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF EUGENIA BLANTON Deceased. The administration of the estate of Eugenia Blanton, deceased, whose date of death was January 4, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 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. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. 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 March 6, 2026. Personal Representative: James Blanton 4856 Walnut Ave Bunnell, Florida 32110 Attorney for Personal Representative: Larry Michael Maddox E-mail Addresses: lmmaddox@2119lawyers.com, lmmaddox@2119lawyers.com Florida Bar No. 0905800 2119 Riverside Ave Jacksonville, Florida 32204 Telephone: (904) 384-8770 March 12, 19, 2026 26-00072G

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT To: Kenyanna L. Stubblefield Case No.: CD202509671/D 3529772 An Administrative Complaint to revoke your license(s) and eligibility for licensure has been filed against you. You have the right to request a hearing pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, by mailing a request for same to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, Post Office Box 5708 Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5708. If a request for hearing is not received by 21 days from the date of the last publication, the right to hearing in this matter will be waived and the Department will dispose of this cause in accordance with law. March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 2026 26-00073G

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FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000797 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS JOSEPH O’BRIEN JR., Deceased. The administration of the estate of Thomas Joseph O’Brien, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was July 21, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 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. 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 March 12, 2026. Personal Representative: /s/ Kevin O’Brien Kevin O’Brien 9 Billingsport Drive Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Tonya D. Cromartie TONYA D. CROMARTIE Florida Bar Number: 143839 TONYA CROMARTIE PA 648 South Ridgewood Avenue DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114 Telephone: (386) 615-9521 Fax: (386) 615-9523 E-Mail: tonya@daytona-law.com Secondary E-Mail: service@daytona-law.com March 12, 19, 2026 26-00074G

work as the Bid in accordance with the Contract Documents. All work shall be constructed in accordance with the Contract Documents. The project covers a distance of 5.5 miles with a total estimated fill requirement of 1,800,000 CY. A Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting for all interested parties will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 10:00am at 3rd Floor Engineering Department Conference Room 1769 East Moody Blvd Bldg. 2 Bunnell, FL 32110 Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device https://www. microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/ join-a-meeting Meeting ID: 285 772 381 372 71 Passcode: CP7LN9BY. Although the Pre-Bid Meeting is not mandatory, it will offer potential bidders the only opportunity to ask questions and discuss the project directly with staff. Interested Bidders may secure proposal documents and all other pertinent information by visiting the website of OpenGOV at www.procurementopengov.com/ signup. Interested firms are to submit a proposal to provide this service and/or product(s), please provide the requested information in this solicitation, complete the included forms, and submit these documents with your response through OpenGov Procurement, at https://procurement.opengov.com/ portal/f laglercounty by the date and time posted. Bids must be accompanied by a certified check, bank draft, or satisfactory Bid Bond, drawn in the favor of Flagler County in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total bid as shown on the Bid Form. No Bidder may withdraw his Bid after the scheduled closing time for receipt of Bids. All Bids must be firm for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the time set for opening Bids. Invitation For Bid #25-ITB-078 No person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendors list following a conviction for a public entity crime may submit a Bid for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish and pay for satisfactory Contract Bonds (Performance and Payment) and appropriate Warranty Bond. Upon award of contract, a Certificate of Insurance must be provided indicating compliance with the criteria and for the coverage(s) in the Standard Terms and Conditions of the Agreement between the County and the selected Contractor. Interested firms are to submit bids through OpenGov Procurement at https://procurement.opengov.com/ portal/flaglercounty. Bids must be received on or before 2:00 pm, Thursday,

April 16, 2026, after which time they will be publicly opened via Opengov and read aloud. Bids received after the specified date and time will not be accepted. Mailed, Faxed or E-mailed Bids will not be accepted. Flagler County reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to award all or segments of the project and to waive any informality in Bids received, as may be in the best interest of the County. NOTICE TO BIDDERS/ PROPOSERS To ensure that your Bid is responsive, you are urged to request clarification or guidance on any issues involving this solicitation before submission of your response. Your point-of-contact for this solicitation is purchasing@flaglercounty.gov 7763-338723 Mar. 12, 2026 LEGAL NOTICE Effective May 10, 2026 Dr. Joseph McKinley will no longer be seeing patients at AdventHealth Medical Group Gastroenterology Palm Coast located at 3 AdventHealth Way Suite 120 Palm Coast, FL 32137. If you are a patient and have questions about your transition of care or any additional questions, please call the office at 386-586-1995. 7763-338755 Mar. 12, 19, 26, Apr. 2, 2026 IN THE COUNTY COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY FLORIDA CASE NO. 2025 CC 000753 DIVISION: 61 ELEMENTS U.S.A. ADJUSTING, INC. a Florida Profit Corporation, Plaintiff, v. JESSICA M. BONTEMPO, an individual, Defendant. AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION To: Jessica M. Bontempo YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for a complaint for money owed that has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on Barry E. Hughes, the Plaintiff 's attorney, whose address is 900 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, FL 32119, on or before April 2, 2026, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on the Plaintiff 's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. 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. This 18 day of February 2026.

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, CIVIL ACTION CASE NO.: 182025CA000483AXXX01 2025 CA 000483 EQUITY ALLIANCE GROUP, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, Plaintiff vs. ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAIN A/K/A ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAINTTEE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE TO HOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TRUST TITLED ARC FAM TRUST, et. al., Defendant(s) TO: ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAIN A/K/A ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAINTTEE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE TO HOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TRUST TITLED ARC FAM TRUST Last Known Address: 354 Stirling Bridge Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32174 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described real property in FLAGLER County, Florida: LOT 71, PLANTATION BAY SECTION 2 A-F UNIT 8, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 39, PAGES 44 THROUGH 51, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Property Address: 354 Stirling Bridge Dr, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Parcel ID: 09-13-31-5120-2AF080710 This action has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses within 30 days after

the first publication, on Legal Advocates, PLLC, c/ o William C. Slabaugh, Esq., attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 1275 S. Patrick Drive, Suite H1, Satellite Beach, FL 32937, United States, and to file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff ’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. This action was instituted in the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit Court for FLAGLER County in the State of Florida and is styled as follows: ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAIN A/K/A ANITA ROBIN CHAMBERLAINTTEE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE TO HOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TRUST TITLED ARC FAM TRUST. This notice shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the Business Observer. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration at 386-257-6096, 101 N Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, DeLand, FL 32724 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Dated on 3/9/2026. Clerk of the Court (SEAL) By: Amy Perez As Deputy Clerk LEGAL ADVOCATES, PLLC, 1275 S. Patrick Drive, Suite H1, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 March 12, 19, 2026 26-00075G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION CASE NO.: 2022-CA-000631 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE1, Plaintiff, vs. SUSAN E. MUNGERSON-MALONE A/K/A SUSAN E. MUNGERSON, et al, Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN Pursuant to an Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale dated February 10, 2026, and entered in Case No. 2022-CA-000631 of the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida in which U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, successor in interest to Bank of America, National Association, as Trustee, successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-HE1, is the Plaintiff and Susan E. Mungerson-Malone a/k/a Susan E. Mungerson, Laddy Cyril Malone, are defendants, the Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash in/on online at www.flagler.realforeclose.com, Flagler County, Florida at 11:00AM on the April 10, 2026 the following described property

as set forth in said Final Judgment of Foreclosure: LOT 21 OF OAK RIDGE ACRES UNIT 2, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 26, AT PAGE 37, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. A/K/A 354 BRIDLE PATH LN, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim before the Clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, 386-257-6096, within 2 days of your receipt of this notice. If you are hearing impaired, call 1-800955-8771; if you are voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8770. THIS IS NOT A COURT INFORMATION LINE. To file response please contact Flagler County Clerk of Court, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110, Tel: (386) 313-465; Fax: (386) 4371928. Dated this 05 day of March, 2026. ALBERTELLI LAW P. O. Box 23028 Tampa, FL 33623 Tel: (813) 221-4743 Fax: (813) 221-9171 EService: servealaw@albertellilaw.com By: /s/ Charline Calhoun Florida Bar #16141 IN/18-013634 March 12, 19, 2026 26-00076G

As Clerk of the Court By: /s/ Sara Proffitt 7763-336586 Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Section 177.101 of the Florida Statutes, David Lesser and Nancy F. Lesser intend to petition the Board of County Commissioners of Flagler County, Florida, on March 16, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible during its regular scheduled meeting to vacate the rear 20 foot wide grading, drainage and utility easement within Lot 15 of Sea Scape Subdivision, as recorded in Map Book 28, Page 62, in the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 286.0105, EACH BOARD, COMMISSION, OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF SHALL INCLUDE IN THE NOTICE OF ANY MEETING OR HEARING, IF NOTICE OF THE MEETING OR HEARING IS REQUIRED, OF SUCH BOARD, COMMISSION OR AGENCY, CONSPICUOUSLY ON SUCH NOTICE, THE ADVICE THAT, IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD, AGENCY, OR COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT SUCH MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT, FOR SUCH PURPOSE, HE OR SHE 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. 7763-337148 Mar. 5, 12, 2026 NOTICE TO PATIENTS OF AMANDA VERA, APRN Effective March 13, 2026 Amanda Vera, APRN will no longer be seeing patients at AdventHealth Medical Group Gastroenterology Palm Coast located at 61 Memorial Medical Parkway Suite 2815 Palm Coast, FL 32164. Patients should have received communication regarding their transition of care. If you are a patient and did not receive communication or have additional questions, please call the office at 386-586-1810 7763-335264 Feb. 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 2026

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SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024 CA 000393 CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2017-6, Plaintiff, VS. UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, SURVIVING SPOUSE, GRANTEES, AS; RACHEL REYES; MICKEY REYES; MICHAEL REYES; CHRISTOPHER REYES; UNKNOWN TENANT #1 N/K/A SHELLSEA MONGE; UNKNOWN TENANT #2 N/K/A WILLAM CRUZ; ALBERTO MIGUEL REYES; ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S) WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sale will be made pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment. Final Judgment was awarded on January 13, 2026 in Civil Case No. 2024 CA 000393, of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein, CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2017-6 is the Plaintiff, and UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, SURVIVING SPOUSE, GRANTEES, AS; RACHEL REYES; MICKEY REYES; MICHAEL REYES; CHRISTOPHER REYES; UNKNOWN TENANT #1 N/K/A SHELLSEA MONGE; UNKNOWN TENANT #2 N/K/A WILLAM CRUZ; ALBERTO MIGUEL REYES; ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S) WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS,

DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS are Defendants. The Clerk of the Court, Tom Bexley will sell to the highest bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com/ on April 24, 2026 at 11:00:00 AM EST the following described real property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 38, BLOCK 10, OF PALM COAST MAP OF BELLE TERRE, SECTION 11, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 6, PAGES 59 THROUGH 67, INCLUSIVE, AS AMENDED BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 35, PAGE 528, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 26th day of February, 2026. ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP Attorney for Plaintiff 401 W. Linton Blvd. Suite 202-B Delray Beach, FL 33444 Telephone: 561-392-6391 Facsimile: 561-392-6965 By: /s/ Zachary Ullman Digitally signed by Zachary Ullman DN: CN=Zachary Ullman, E=zullman@aldridgepite.com Reason: I am the author of this document Location: Date: 2026.02.27 10:41:32-05’00’ Foxit PDF Editor Version: 13.1.7 FBN: 106751 Primary E-Mail: ServiceMail@aldridgepite.com 1221-15879B March 5, 12, 2026 26-00069G

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000796 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF NATALE JAMES BALLATO Deceased. TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of Natale James Ballato, deceased, File Number 2025 CP 000796, by the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 East Moody Blvd., Bunnell, FL 32110; that the decedent’s date of death was September 30, 2025; that the total value of the estate is $10,000 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are: Name Address Angela Ballato 13 Whetstone Lane Palm Coast, FL 32164 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, 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 March 5, 2026. Person Giving Notice: Angela Ballato 13 Whetstone Lane Palm Coast, Florida 32164 Attorney for Person Giving Notice Diane A. Vidal Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1008324 CHIUMENTO LAW 145 City Place, Suite 301 Palm Coast, FL 32164 Telephone: (386) 445.8900 Fax: (386) 445.6702 E-Mail: DVidal@legalteamforlife.com Secondary E-Mail: Proserv@legalteamforlife.com March 5, 12, 2026 26-00070G

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026 CP 000086 IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS HAROLD KONEN, Deceased. The administration of the estate of THOMAS HAROLD KONEN, deceased, whose date of death was October 6, 2025; File Number 2026 CP 000086, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, PROBATE Division, the address of which is 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The name and address 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 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. 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD 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: March 5, 2026. Signed on February 19, 2026. SANDRA ANN KONEN Personal Representative Sean F. Bogle, Esq. Email: sean@boglelawfirm.com Florida Bar No. 0106313 Douglas A. Cohen, Esq. Email: doug@boglelawfirm.com Florida Bar No.: 124063 Attorneys for Petitioner BOGLE LAW FIRM 101 S. New York Ave., Suite 205 Winter Park, FL 32789 Telephone: 407-834-3311 Fax: 407-834-3302 March 5, 12, 2026 26-00068G

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-0056 Division Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF VIVIAN DIANE MOSES Deceased. The administration of the estate of Vivian Diane Moses, deceased, whose date of death was December 25, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Boulevard 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, 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 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 March 5, 2026. Personal Representative: Rachel Moses Ryals 67 Woodlawn Dr. Palm Coast, Florida 32164 Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Michelle A. Berglund-Harper, Esq. Michelle A. Berglund-Harper, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 0084028 Murphy & Berglund, PLLC 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1006 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 Telephone: (407) 865-9553 Fax: (407) 865-5742 E-Mail: michelle@murphyberglund.com Secondary E-Mail: eservice@murphyberglund.com March 5, 12, 2026 26-00067G

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach

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