PTOO August 2020

PORT ORANGE

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE LOOP PAGE 3 FREE • AUGUST 2020

VOLUME 3, NO. 12

Judicial candidates address residents in forum

From animation to publication

Four candidates spoke in a virtual forum hosted by the Tiger Bay Club July 9.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

Four candidates for 7th Judicial Circuit judge positions — Bryan Robert Rendzio, Dan Hilbert, MaryEllen Osterndorf and Mike Orfinger — addressed residents in a virtual forum hosted by the Flagler Tiger Bay Club July 9.

A few other candidates who had signed up for the forum were not able to participate.

Responding to a question about strategies for dealing with the backlog of cases caused by COVID-19 shutdowns, all four candidates who were able to participate spoke about the importance of technology.

Rendzio said he is currently in a 14-day quarantine himself due to potential exposure, but has been maintaining his docket over Zoom.

“It’s very effective,” he said.

“It has done a great job of keeping up and adapting to the unfortunate circumstances that have occurred. ... We’re moving full steam ahead and we’re doing everything that we can to make sure that everyone has equal

Gabby Byle reads a book from Tucker's "The Adventures of Harry and Friends" series.

Ormond-by-the-Sea resident publishes children’s book series JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Harry the Redheaded Lizard has been a part of Sarah Beliza Tucker’s life since she was in ninth grade.

The Ormond-by-the-Sea resident first created the character when she wrote a Christmas story for her creative writing class.

Years later when she met her husband, Stan Lee, she told the story to his martial arts students.

“The kids fell in love with it, and [Lee] asked me if I would be interesting in developing something for the martial arts industry along the lines of character,”

Courtesy photo

Tucker recalled.

And so, the “Harry and Friends Black Belt Principles Character Education Program” cartoons were born. Tucker, who owns Ocean Aire productions, began as a Fox Kids Club actress and producer, before moving on to theater, animation and video game production, according to a press release. Her company has been helping teach character development in the martial arts industry since 2006, and she wanted to bring that to life in a print format.

Inspired by all the children, teachers and parents she has worked with in the last two decades, her new book series, “The Adventures of Harry and Friends,” is a passion project. All these years, she’s been trying to make a difference with Harry.

SEE PUBLICATION PAGE 7

SEE CANDIDATES PAGE 5

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447

More than 100 new laws signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis

Local Postal Customer

Teacher salaries, school choice, Everglades, budget cuts

Photo:flgov.smugmug.com

Ron DeSantis

JIM TURNER NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

More than 100 new laws hit the books from the 2020 legislative session, with issues ranging from expanding school vouchers to increasing fines for bear poaching.

Out of 156 bills Gov. Ron DeSantis had signed into law as of June 30, 112, including the state’s new $92.2 billion budget, took effect July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year.

Other measures, such as a bill (SB 140) that helped clear the way for people to legally set off fireworks on July 4, New Year’s Eve

and New Year’s Day, took effect immediately after being signed

by DeSantis, or shortly thereafter.

Ormond Beach’s state representative, Tom Leek, sponsored HB 333, which was also signed. The bill “added sexual offenses against minors to the list of crimes that upon conviction do not qualify for bail pending appeal,” he said. “In short, it will ensure that no mom will ever again be forced to see the man, who was just convicted by a jury of his peers of sexually abusing her little girl, standing in the line at Publix next to her buying groceries.”

Here are some other key bills:

BUDGET AND TAXES

HB 5001: The record $92.2 billion budget increases public-school funding by $137 per student and provides 3% pay raises for state workers. Also, it includes $500 million to increase teacher salaries, $625 million for the Everglades and other waterrelated projects and $100 million for the Florida Forever conservation program.

HB 7097: A $47 million tax package includes a pair of salestax “holidays,” with back-toschool shoppers able to avoid paying sales taxes from Aug. 7 SEE LAWS PAGE 4

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers This week’s Sudoku answers Puzzle One Solution: Puzzle One Solution: 2 PORT ORANGE OBSERVER | AUGUST 2020 “The actor creates with his own flesh “The actor creates with his own flesh and blood all those things which all the and blood all those things which all the arts try inPORT some way to describe.”

ORANGE arts try in some way to describe.” answers – Lee Strasberg This week’s week’s Celebrity Celebrity Cipher Cipher answers nswers This – Lee Strasberg Puzzle One Solution: Puzzle Two Solution: Puzzle One Solution: Puzzle Two Solution: “The actor with his own “The person you are is a thousand times “Theperson actor creates creates own flesh flesh esh “The you arewith is a his thousand times and blood all those things which all the more week’s interesting than the best actor you and interesting blood all those things which all the Celebrity Cipher answers than the best actor you This all the more “If we are hope to build better world, arts try in some way to describe.” could ever toabe.” arts try in some way to describe.” ” could ever hope to be.” – Lee Strasberg Puzzle One Solution: we must remember that the guiding C. Stanislavski ‘If a parent would like to have their child in a brick-and-mortar nswers Lee Strasberg “The actor creates with –his own flesh Stanislavski rasberg Puzzle Two Solution: ––C. principle ©2020 NEA, Inc. is this — a policy of Puzzle Two Solution: classroom ... they absolutely should have that option,’ official says. and blood allthe those things which This week’s Sudoku answers “The person you are is a thousand times freedom for individual is the onlyall the esh “The person you Sudoku are is a thousand times This week’s answers arts try in some way to describe.” d times more This week’s Crossword answers truly progressive policy.” all ll the more interesting interesting than than the the best best actor actor you you said.

– Lee Strasberg ANA CEBALLOS tor you could ever hope to be.”

FRIEDRICH HAYEK could ever hope to be.”

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Corcoran, however, said the “So, the Puzzle Two Solution: – C. Stanislavski “Road to Serfdom, ” 1944 rasberg – C. Stanislavski “The provision will not be removed person you are is a thousand times islavski ©2020 ©2020 NEA, NEA, Inc. Inc. more interesting than the best actor you More than a week after Edu- because parents need flexibility to question is: This week’s Sudoku answers d times This week’s Sudoku answers Publisher / John Walsh, cation Commissioner Richard send their children back to school could ever hope to be.” ers This week’s Crossword answers tor you jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com – C. Stanislavski Corcoran ordered schools to campuses, which were shuttered How do we Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, reopen in August, members of in March after the pandemic hit bmcmillan@palmcoastobserver.com islavski This week’s Sudoku answers the State Board of Education on the state. Children finished the weigh a clear Associate Editor / Jarleene Almenas, Wednesday, July 15, said his order spring in online classes. jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com ers has sparked confusion, fear and “Part of the flexibility is, if a threat to a Page Designers / Hailey McMillan, angst. parent would like to have their Jennifer Edwards Advertising Manager / Jaclyn Centofanti, Corcoran deflected blame to child in a brick-and-mortar young child’s jaclyn@palmcoastobserver.com week’s Celebrity Cipher answers the media and said his order was classroom with a teacher in This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers This Senior Account Manager / Susan Moore, designed to offer parents and front of them five days a week, education Puzzle One Solution: Puzzle One Solution: susan@palmcoastobserver.com school districts “complete flex- they absolutely should have that “The actor creates with Senior Account Manager / his own flesh “The actor creates with his own flesh ©2020 NEA, Inc. against a and blood allhallie@ those things which all the ibility” about returning students option, and it will not come out Hallie Hydrick, and blood all those things which all the to classrooms. of the emergency order,” Corcopalmcoastobserver.com arts tryweek’s in someCrossword way to describe.” ©2020 NEA, Inc. This answers 2020 arts tryweek’s in some way to describe.” murky risk to But the order, which Corcoran ran said.

This Celebrity Cipher answers Front Desk Associate / Bonnie – Hamilton, Lee Strasberg – Lee Strasberg bonnie@palmcoastobserver.com issued July 6 as coronavirus cases Olenick, an appointee of forPuzzle One Solution: Puzzle Two Solution: This week’s Crossword answers their health?”

Puzzle Two Solution: Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, “The actor creates with his own flesh “The person you are is a thousand times soared in Florida, said all school mer Gov. Rick Scott, also criti©2020person NEA, Inc. “The you are is a thousand times maureen@palmcoastobserver.com ©2020 NEA, Inc. ©2020 blood NEA, Inc. all those things which all the and more interesting than the best actor you districts must reopen brick-and- cized Corcoran for rolling out the TOM GRADY, state Circulation Manager / David Brooks, more interesting than the best actor you mortar schools at least five days order without first discussing it arts tryweek’s in someCrossword way to describe.” could ever hope to be.”

This answers david@horizonroad.com Board of Education 2020This week’s answers 2020 could ever hope Crossword to be.” – Lee Strasberg – C. Stanislavski a week starting in August, unless with the board. He added that the member – C. Stanislavski local and state health officials timing of the order appears to be Puzzle Two Solution: DELIVERY: To suspend or stop ©2020 NEA, Inc. wers direct otherwise. “political in many people’s eyes.”

This call week’s Sudoku answers delivery, Circulation Manager “The person you are is a thousand times This week’s Sudoku answers David Brooks, at 338-5080.

Board of Education memCorcoran, a former House This week’s Crossword answers more interesting than the best actor you ber Michael Olenick offered the speaker who was tapped by Gov. could ever hope to be.” wers TO ADVERTISE: Call the office at sharpest criticism July 15, saying Ron DeSantis to serve as com– C. Stanislavski 386-447-9723. For Classifieds or there appeared to be a “discon- missioner, issued the emergency Business Directory, call 386-492nect” between what Corcoran was order on the same day President This week’s Sudoku answers 2784 or email pcoclassifieds@ saying and what the order stated Donald Trump tweeted that, palmcoastobserver.com. and called on him to rescind the “SCHOOL MUST OPEN THIS Locally Owned / Publishers part of the order that requires FALL!” Corcoran retweeted of The Palm Coast Observer brick-and-mortar schools to Trump’s message that day, but on Palm Coast Observer, LLC 2020 reopen next month.

Wednesday he told board memP.O. Box 353850 “If, in fact, they have flex- bers the order was “weeks in the Palm Coast, 32135 ibility, and we’re acknowledging offing” and was not coordinated 2020 their statutory role to determine with the president, a close ally of (reopening decisions) in their DeSantis.

2020 2020 district, then let’s say clearly that Board member Tom Grady, a 2020 there is no brick-and-mortar former House member, said he ©2020 NEA, Inc. requirement and that we are leav- thought the order was “timely” ing it up to the districts,” Olenick and “spot on.” ©2020 NEA, Inc. 2020This week’s Crossword answers

Observer

Confusion over Florida’s ‘flexible’ order to

Beautifully updated home in a great location. Within minutes to the beach, river and highway! This concrete block home is settled on a quarter acre lot, giving you plenty of room to park your toys. Not to mention, there is no HOA! MLS#1073356 $250,000 Call Jourdan Blouin 386-301-3552.

POWERS ALLOTMENT

Great Find in the Heart of Ormond! This Spanish Style home has tons of Character and Charm. Enter through the arched courtyard into this 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2-car garage home. Downstairs find the formal dining room, living room, family room with double doors and wood burning fireplace. MLS#1070603 $325,000 Call Leanna Galliher 386-507-1917.

HANDYMAN SPECIAL! Looking for a project? This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is a blank slate waiting for your creativity. Home sits on large lot. MLS#1072400 $100,000 Call Gail Quinteros 386-316-3267.

WELL MAINTAINED, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in a great neighborhood! This corner lot home features hardwood flooring throughout the home, an open floor plan and great natural light.

The updated kitchen offers granite countertops, 42 inch cabinets, breakfast bar and eat-in area. MLS#1071927 $249,900 Call Jane Lilyander 386-566-7101.

IMMACULATE RESIDENCE in gated Portifino Estate section of Venetian Bay. This ample estate has been beautifully appointed inside and out, offering one of the most amazing outdoor living spaces. MLS#1073060 $949,900 Call Gabriele Sessions 386-846-7996.

OLIVER REMODELED BEACHSIDE FIND! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has been completely renovated inside and out and sits on a corner lot. Updates include New Roof, New HVAC/DUCT, updated plumbing, updated electrical. MLS#1069991 $275,000 Call Samantha Braden 386-506-7585.

LPGA

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN LAND IN ORMOND BEACH! This 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathroom home sits on approximately 9.5 acres of land & is perfectly situated close to town yet tucked away in a secluded oasis complete with a screened-in pool, spa & a FULL pool bathroom! BRING YOUR TOYS! MLS#1072863 $650,000 Call Nancy Meseroll 732-496-6674.

LPGA Lakefront Beauty! This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home sits on a one of a kind lot in the highly sought after subdivision of LPGA. As you walk inside you will find a formal dining room, family room with high ceilings and tons of natural light. MLS#1068866 $280,000 Call Jacklyn Gonzalez 386-295-5442.

BRISTOL BAY

TWIN RIVER ESTATES

Live the Florida Lifestyle in your beautiful 3 bedroom 3 bath waterfront townhome in the desirable LPGA Grande Champion Community and enjoy ‘’maintenance free living’’. Covered, screened front and back patios, spacious master suite with walk in closet, ceiling fans, inside laundry, and more. MLS#1071770 $220,000 Call Cammie Rosa 386-383-3448.

TOMOKA ESTATES

2020

VENETIAN BAY

2020

LPGA

2020

Nice 2 Bedroom 2 full bath condo less than 10 min drive to the beach!

Owner forced to sell due to job relocation. Condo features a large kitchen with lots of cabinets, a breakfast bar, newer laminate flooring, new hot water heater and washer dryer. MLS#1067479 $79,900 Call Elena Scott 386-566-6984.

BEACHSIDE BEAUTY BEACHSIDE BEAUTY in a NO flood zone! Enjoy picturesque sunrises and sunsets from this cozy retreat located in the most highly sought area of New Smyrna Beach. Just one block to the ocean and the river, every day will feel like a vacation. MLS#1072329 $545,000 Call Jessica Paugh 386-566-7582.

ORMOND TERRACE

ORMOND BEACH

BEACHSIDE OFFICE - 386-441-SOLD (7653) 2110 Oceanshore Blvd., Ste. B, Ormond Beach, FL 32176 PORT ORANGE OFFICE - 386-767-SOLD (7653) 840 Dunlawton Ave., Ste. D, Port Orange, FL 32127 COMMERCIAL OFFICE - 386-253-8565 211 E. International Speedway Blvd., Ste. 104, Daytona Bch, FL 32118

Surrounded by Multi-Million-Dollar homes and with spectacular riverviews, this property sits on almost an acre on the Halifax River. It offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bath, over 4500 sq ft of living space and an incredible opportunity to transform it into your dream home.

MLS#1051993 $899,900 Call Lindsey Wolf 407-432-3849.

SCREENED IN POOL

CORPORATE OFFICE - 386-677-SOLD (7653)

This week’s Crossword answers900 West Granada Blvd., Ste. 3, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

3 BR 2 BA 2 CG POOL home just off Beach St in Ormond! Entering the home from the long, cozy, covered porch, you’ll find a light & bright foyer leading into the large living room featuring Stylish beams along the ceiling & natural light floods in thru the large windows. MLS#1072807 $275,000 Call Gina Dennison 814-541-2450.

ROSS HOMESTEAD

©2020 NEA, Inc.

PALM GROVE

337775-1

This week’s Crossword answers

SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE RIVER! This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with a detached 2 car garage is in a great location. Short walk to park. Inside of the home features large windows for tons of natural light. Living room with wood floors. Separate dining room.

MLS#1067543 $299,000 Call Connor Feasel 386-846-2608.

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

AUGUST 2020

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail was designated a scenic highway by the state in 2007.

PRESERVING THE LOOP While there are parcels of land still available for development along the Loop, the chances of development are low, according to the county.

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

W

ith a petition to “save the Loop from deforestation” still floating around and a City Commission meeting scheduled later this month to discuss amendments to the Plantation Oaks development order, should residents be concerned that the Loop — a coastal scenic highway road system spanning over 30 miles to the north — could lose its natural beauty due to more development in the near future?

The short answer is no. The chances of new development happening along Old Dixie Highway, Walter Boardman Lane, High Bridge Road or John Anderson Drive are low, said Clay Ervin, Volusia County director of growth and resource management. There

are parcels of land along those roads, and some are privately owned, but the majority of the land belongs to the state.

“Some of these parcels have the capability of being developed, but the probability of them being developed is very, very slight because they do not have dedicated public access to Old Dixie Highway and they are basically within some conservation areas we would be looking at,” Ervin said.

Many of the parcels, particularly the ones scattered along Old Dixie Highway before Plantation Oaks Boulevard, are not contiguous and are relatively small. If the owners of one of those parcels decided to build a house on that land, getting a building permit would not be an easy process, Ervin explained.

“They’re soaking wet,” he Privately held parcels

The Loop and potential development

Halifax Plantation Private land held

by John Collins

Multiple small parcels interspersed in stateowned lands

This map represents the northern portion of the Loop, which is where most of the greenest areas are found.

said. “There’s no paved access.

These really have an extremely, extremely low potential for development.”

The largest adjacent parcels are about 35 and 14 acres respectively, and are located between Plantation Oaks and Halifax Plantation. They are owned by John Collins, one of the original developers of Halifax Plantation.

Ervin said there are no plans for that land.

OBTAINING A DESIGNATION

In the early 2000s, the “Save the Loop” group emerged due to concerns about the intensity of Halifax Plantation. The grassroots effort accomplished two things: reduced development and a greater natural buffer along Old Dixie Highway, said Joe Jaynes, chairman of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail Scenic Byway corridor management entity board.

The group was also instrumental in the removal of 407 acres of land from the National Gardens Development of Regional Impact — approved by the county in 1986 and allowing for 3,930 residential units on 2,009 acres, from which both Ormond Lakes and Halifax Plantation were born.

The land was donated to Tomoka State Park, said Jaynes, who also served on the Volusia County Council representing District 4 from 1999-2004.

In 2005, the group learned of the Department of Transportation’s scenic highway program.

“What we saw was a better way to try and protect and preserve the Loop,” Jaynes said.

The Loop obtained the state designation in 2007, and, two years later, in 2009, the highway system was declared a national scenic byway. This was a “springboard” to get comprehensive plan amendments adopted at both the city and county level to further protect the Loop, Jaynes said.

A1A, North Beach Street, Pine Tree Drive and Granada Boulevard are also part of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail.

At the same time, he described it as a “double-edged sword.” The designation also drew more visitors to see the Loop, increasing traffic. But ultimately, Jaynes said the designation was a good thing.

THE LAST BIG DEVELOPMENT?

The first City Commission hearing on the three Plantation Oaks

amendments will occur at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. The first two amendments are administrative changes to the development order and zoning as a result of the development’s annexation into the city in October 2019. The third amendment seeks to delete the 55-and-older age restriction for phase 1 of the project, and allow for single-family dwellings rather than manufactured housing.

Many residents spoke out about this in the June 13 Planning Board meeting, citing concerns about increased traffic, destruction of the natural beauty of the Loop and overcrowding of schools.

In the end, the Planning Board unanimously recommended the commission approve the amendments, with members of the volunteer board saying they could not stop the development of Plantation Oaks since it was approved by the county in 2002.

Plantation Oaks will likely be the last new large-scale development on the Loop, Ervin said, though he added that there have been conversations about more residential development within Halifax Plantation.

“The early lessons we learned with Halifax Plantation have been applied to Plantation Oaks to ensure that the development potential of that project had minimal impact on the actual corridor of Old Dixie Highway,” Ervin said.

If not zoned for residential development, the remaining parcels are zoned for conservation or as an environmental system corridor.

Jaynes voted against the Plantation Oaks development when he was on the council, but said that the proposed amendments are a positive thing for the city. The new homes will pay a higher tax rate if the commission votes in favor of the amendments.

Jaynes and others involved in the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail have been working to preserve the Loop for over a decade.

If someone wants to truly save it, he said, they should “get the facts” and get involved.

“Why not volunteer and join a group that’s already formed, that has a wealth of information and knowledge about the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, and take a look at the work that we’ve done for the last 15 years to try to understand what we’re doing to protect and preserve the Loop?”

Jaynes said.

3

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

AUGUST 2020

More than 100 new laws in Florida CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

through Aug. 9 on clothes costing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less and on the first $1,000 of the cost of personal computers. The bill also includes a disaster-preparedness tax holiday that was held around the June 1 start of hurricane season.

HB 7067: Lawmakers took a series of steps to increase school choice, including dramatically expanding the Family Empowerment Scholarship voucher program. The program, which was created last year, provided 17,724 vouchers as of February — a number that will be able to jump to more than 46,600 during the 2020-2021 academic year.

HB 641: Coupled with $500 million in the budget, the bill sets the stage for public-school teachers to get pay raises. It also eliminates the controversial Best and Brightest teacher bonus program.

HB 1213: The bill will lead to public-school students learning about the 1920 Ocoee Election Day riot that involved attacks on black residents and requires the Department of Education to develop standards and curriculum for teaching the history of the Holocaust.

HB 7011: The Florida High School Athletic Association will be required to take a series of steps to protect high school athletes from suffering heat strokes.

For example, the association will have to establish requirements for “cooling zones,” which could

HEALTH CARE

HB 389: Pharmacists will be able to play an expanded role in providing health care to patients.

In part, they will be able to enter “collaborative” agreements with physicians to treat patients for chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, Type 2 diabetes, HIV, AIDS and obesity.

Rules still need to be finalized to carry out the bill.

HB 607: Advanced practice registered nurses will have authority to practice independently of physicians, a top of priority of the legislative session for House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes.

SB 1344: The bill will help clear the way for building new “intermediate care” facilities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

SB 698: Health-care providers will not be able to conduct pelvic exams on women without written consent. The measure also seeks to prevent misconduct by doctors who provide fertility treatment.

HB 743: The bill revises a 2019 law meant to crack down on opioid abuse by allowing health care practitioners to discuss nonopioid alternatives with patients’ representatives rather than just the patients. The measure also requires practitioners to provide people with a state-published pamphlet on opioids.

ENVIRONMENT

SB 172: Lawmakers moved to block Key West and other local governments from imposing bans on certain types of sunscreens that contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Key West approved such a ban because of concerns that the chemicals could damage coral reefs.

SB 712: Dubbed the “Clean Waterways Act,” the bill sets new rules for septic tanks, increases fines for environmental violations and imposes requirements on agricultural fertilizer.

HB 1061: Lawmakers created the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve, which is aimed at protecting about 400,000 acres of sea grass habitat along Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. The protections will include restrictions on such things as dredging, seawall construction and sale of submerged lands.

HB 327: People who poach Florida black bears during a closed season will face increased penalties. Poaching stems, at least in part, from the animals being killed for their gallbladders.

Bear bile, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, can bring in hundreds or thousands of dollars on the black market, where it is promoted as a cure for numerous ills.

HB 659: Non-law enforcement employees of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be allowed to operate aerial drones for eradication efforts of invasive plants and animals on public lands, and the Florida Forest Service will

Among the bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis were a measure blocking insurance companies from using genetic information in making policy decisions and a measure reducing regulations on a variety of professions.

The genetic-information bill (HB 1189) was a top priority of Rep. Chris Sprowls. It will prevent life insurers and longterm care insurers from using customers’ genetic information in making decisions about policies.

Federal law already prevents health insurers from using genetic information in under-

be able to use drones to mitigate the threat of wildfires on public lands.

IMMIGRATION

SB 664: All government employers — such as local schools, public universities and state agencies — and their contractors will be required to use a federal electronic system, known as E-Verify, to check the immigration status of new workers.

TRANSPORTATION

HB 969: Under the measure, up to $5 million a year will be set aside for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to develop broadband infrastructure as part of projects to spur new or expanded toll roads from Collier County to the Georgia border.

SB 7018: The Florida Depart-

writing policies and in setting premiums. But that prohibition doesn’t apply to life insurance or long-term care coverage.

Sprowls and other supporters of the bill pointed, at least in part, to privacy concerns.

DeSantis, meanwhile, issued a statement touting his approval of the deregulation bill (HB 1193), dubbed the “Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act.” “For two years, we’ve pushed for regulatory reforms,” he said — JIM SAUNDERS, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

ment of Transportation will plan and build staging areas for emergency response along the turnpike system, with a priority in “counties with a population of 200,000 or less in which a multiuse corridor of regional significance is located.” Such multi-use corridors are new or extended toll roads backed last year by the Legislature The measure also requires the Public Service Commission to work with the transportation department and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to develop electric vehicle charging stations along state highways.

HB 971: Electric bicycles will be regulated in the same manner as pedal-powered bicycles, instead of as motorized vehicles.

8:30am Shotgun Start

4 Person Scramble Format

$75 per player Registration Includes: Range Balls - Goodie Bags - After Play Reception

 Delivering Jobs to Volusia County  Keeping Communities Moving Forward  Leading with Integrity  Keeping Your Taxes Low

Many Prizes!

Closest to the Pin - Long Drive - Straight Drive - Hole-in-One Raffles - 50/50 - Putting Challenge

Sponsorships Available!

Contact the Chamber for more information.

386-761-1601 www.pschamber.com

337838-1

SCHOOLS

include such things as cold-water immersion tubs.

GENETIC INFORMATION, DEREGULATION BILLS

337170-1

4

All proceeds benefit the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce, furthering their efforts in offering programs that provide opportunities for business growth, building relationships and enhancing the quality of life in our communities.

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

AUGUST 2020

5

Judicial candidates address residents in forum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

access to the court.”

Osterndorf said the 7th Circuit is doing what it can with the orders coming from the Florida Supreme Court and from health agencies, using video and telephonic hearings.

“One of the most important things to remember is we have litigants that are represented by counsel and those litigants that are represented by themselves,” she said. “And those self-represented litigants don’t always have the same resources that law firms have. So you have to ensure that there’s equal access to all of those individuals. I think we’ve been very creative. I would continue with that creativity.”

Orfinger said his civil division has adapted quickly, using Zoom for everything but jury trials, and is starting a trial project next month to use Zoom for jury trials, too.

In the mental health division where he presides over Marchman Act hearings on substance abuse, Orfinger said, nonjury trials, evidentiary hearings and other hearings are being held

by Zoom or telephone.

“Those hearings have gone on without interruption,” he said.

“The difficulty has been getting people admitted to treatment. ... But as far as the court is concerned, we will be dealing with getting jury trials back on track. I haven’t had a jury docket since

March, and I won’t have one in August. ... So we will have a lot of case management to do to stay on track.”

Attorney Dan Hilbert said that dockets had been crowded even before COVID-19, which has exacerbated the problem.

“To move forward ... we need judges who have two things: They have a strong work ethic, and they’re innovators,” he said. “I’ve handled dockets with thousands of cases on them before, and I like to work. ... As it relates to innovation, technology really is the key. ... I have tried to be ahead of that curve a lot in my practice.”

Asked about life experiences that do or could impact them as judge, all four candidates spoke about community service.

“My folks instilled in us that we were privileged to be where we were, and the responsibility of that privilege was to give back to the community,” Osterndorf said. She added that she works with a high school youth group, and that making a difference in young people’s lives has also affected her life. “I recognize the smallest thing that we do can impact someone, so treating the with civility and respect, and hearing them and communicating to them that you have heard the, makes a huge difference.”

Renzdio noted his involvement with the West Volusia NAACP Youth Council. “I think it’s important for me, as a delinquency judge, to be involved with

“To move forward ... we need judges who have two things: They have a strong work ethic, and they’re innovators.

I’ve handled dockets with thousands of cases on them before, and I like to work. ... As it relates to innovation, technology really is the key. ... I have tried to be ahead of that curve a lot in my practice.”

Dan Hilbert

Bryan Robert Rendzio

MaryEllen Osterndorf

Mike Orfinger

the community and be involved with the whole community, and get everyone’s input,” he said.

Orfinger spoke of community, but also the importance of family: Two weeks ago, he said, he’d presided over his son’s wedding.

“I can’t begin to tell you how helping to perpetuate my family impacted me,” he said. “It was a wonderful feeling; it was one that I hope more people could experience. I know we experience it as parents, but it was extra special to experience as a judge.”

Hilbert said that his mother, a retired nurse who’d served as a county commissioner, instilled in him a sense of community pride

and of the value of community involvement.

He’s president of his local Rotary Club, serves on the St. Augustine Police Department Retirement Board, was formerly the president of the St. Johns County Sports Club, and is also a pro bono lawyer for St Johns County and the Putnam County Veterans Court, representing veterans for free to aid them through the court process, he said. “I have to thank my mother for instilling in me this sense of community involvement, community pride and that work ethic,” he said. “My goal is to take that to the bench as well.”

SUPPORT PRIVATE PRACTICE PHYSICIANS

JUDGE DAN HILBERT

LIMITED TIME SAVINGS!

COLLECTIVELY OVER 100 YEARS OF SURGICAL EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE COUNTS! James T. Sutton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

William H. Johnson, III, M.D. F.A.C.S.

Atlantic Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons, LLC (ACTS) is focused on providing high quality surgical services in a multitude of specialties that include cardiac, thoracic, vascular surgery and offer interventional services, as well as on-site vascular ultrasound services and treatment for medically necessary varicose veins.

Beautiful, Spacious New Homes in Port Orange Be the first to purchase one of our new homes and you can take advantage of limited time savings and special offers!

CALL

(844) 809-0110

OFFICE/VEIN CLINIC HOURS:

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

2 bedroom/2 bath Walk-in closet

New appliances

For an appointment, please call

386-672-9503

https://www.actsllc.org

337853-1

588 Sterhaus Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Cal-Am.com/communities/Tanglewood 5100 Orange Avenue, Port Orange, Florida 32127

337860-1

John B. Holt, M.D., F.A.C.S

6

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

AUGUST 2020

DeSantis promotes donations State Dems push for scaled-back reopening Will another broad of ‘convalescent plasma’ closure be needed to stop OneBlood’s CEO said they have seen a 500% increase the spread of the virus? in demand for plasma to treat COVID-19 patients.

JIM TURNER

Protestors yelled and banged on the windows outside the OneBlood headquarters in Orlando for over 10 minutes during a COVID-19 press conference by the governor on Monday, July 20, all the while Gov. Ron DeSantis ignored the commotion and continued to ask Floridians with COVID-19 antibodies donate plasma to help treat current patients.

The group of protestors were escorted outside by law enforcement shortly after beginning to interrupt the governor’s statements by shouting phrases such as “shame on you.” DeSantis acknowledged the protestors briefly before carrying on with his statements.

“And we will not be defunding the police, so don’t worry about that,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to be supporting our men and women in law enforcement.”

More than 10,000 new coronavirus cases were reported on Monday, July 20, a trend since July 14. The state currently has an overall positivity rate of 11.79%.

Volusia County is reporting 5,297 total cases of COVID-19, and Flagler’s count is at 659. Volusia’s positivity rate has been trending down since July 16, going from 17.1% on July 15 to 8.9% on Sunday, July 9. Flagler’s positivity rate has been wavering up and down between 3.6% and 8.9% for the two weeks, with July 19 reporting a 4.3% positivity rate.

DeSantis said the state has been seeing an increase of positive antibody test results, and that the demand for convalescent plasma has increased in hospitals.

“The success has been promising,” DeSantis said. “I think if you look at a hospitalized patient now

SYMPTOMATIC LANES? All 16 mayors of Volusia County cities and Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 20, asking he open expedited symptomatic lanes in testing centers in Volusia, as he has done in four other counties include Duval and Orange counties.

The lanes, according to an email by Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via, will allow for people showing COVID-19 symptoms to be tested immediately and receive test results within 72 hours.

In the email and letter to the governor, Via shared that he and his wife were tested but have yet to receive their test results. “This is just one story,” Via said. “There are a growing number. ... This is unacceptable.”

given treatment early, they’re doing better than patients were doing in March and April when the pandemic really first hit.”

George Scholl, president and chief executive officer of OneBlood, said the blood donation center is collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma — meant to boost the immune systems of coronavirus patients through introduction of antibodies — 24/7 as they experience a 500% increase in demand.

“It’s all hands on deck at OneBlood,” Scholl said. “As quickly as donations come in, we process, we test and we distribute them and get them out the door because the demand is currently unprecedented.”

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Florida Senate Democrats want to scale back economic-reopening efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as Gov. Ron DeSantis maintains his approach has been taken with an “eye towards what’s sustainable.”

In a conference call Wednesday, July 15, with reporters, Democrats continued to push for a statewide mandatory mask requirement as they offered a “Step Back to Safety” plan.

Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, warned that without a cautious rollback of the economic reopening, the state will need another broader closure to stop the spread of the virus.

“The people of Florida don’t want that. The people of Florida can’t handle that,” Braynon said.

“But if we don’t take the necessary actions right now, to step back, to let bars remain closed, go back to the 25% occupancy rules, (if) we don’t go back right now, it’s only going to get worse.”

The plan, in part, seeks to revert retail and restaurant maximum occupancy from 50% allowed in most of the state to 25%, which was the level under an initial phase of reopening in May. Also, they said bars should remain shuttered.

SCHOOL CAMPUSES

Instead of forcing schools to reopen campuses, Democrats said the state should ensure all students have computers and internet access. In addition, they said each county should delay reopening classrooms until the local coronavirus test-positivity rate is 5% or less for 14 consecutive days.

“While the governor tries to figure out what to do, his hands-off approach is not working,” Senate

THE NUMBERS

The Democrats’ requests came as the state Department of Health on Wednesday reported 10,181 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing Florida to 301,810 cases since March. The virus also claimed 112 more lives, bringing the death toll in the state to 4,521.

Over the past seven days, the state has recorded an average of 92 deaths, nearly triple the 31 daily fatalities a month ago as DeSantis pushed most of the state into the second phase of his economic reopening.

VULNERABLE VS. SUSTAINABLE

Asked if there might be a need for changes, DeSantis told reporters later Wednesday at the Capitol that most people are following health guidelines.

“When we were going through this in March and April, a lot of folks were focused on what is being restricted or shut down or all that,” DeSantis said. “I think if you look at it, most of the behavior was changing before a lot of that was happening. And I think what we’ve seen recently, as the cases have become more of a center-stage issue again, is we’re seeing changes in mobility data. We’re seeing people do the social distancing. We’re seeing folks who are vulnerable making the extra effort. And I think, ultimately, that is what’s going to do it for us.”

On July 14, DeSantis said the reopening approach has been done with an “eye towards what’s sustainable” for businesses that started to close in mid-March and were mostly shut down through April as unemployment spiked.

“We did what we had to do. But I think from a public’s perspective, at some point I think that they lose interest in kind of still being

in this fight,” DeSantis said during a roundtable discussion with a group of South Florida mayors.

“And so, as we’re doing this, calibrating it in a way that allows us to have society function, businesses operate as best we can with the protections, you know, I’ve just thought that’s a more sustainable approach. And I think you see that in the different parts of the country and different things that have been tried.”

UNEMPLOYMENT

Meanwhile, Florida cruised past the $10 billion mark this week in the amount of unemployment benefits paid out since midMarch.

More than 3 million jobless applications have been filed in the state, with about 2.88 million considered “unique,” according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The peak of first-time claims was in midApril.

Of the unique claims, more than 2.62 million had been processed as of Tuesday, with 1.7 million claimants paid. The state had distributed $10.13 billion in state and federal benefits, of which $2.36 billion was state money.

DeSantis has expressed optimism that Florida will see “positive” job numbers on Friday, when a June unemployment report is released.

However, several members of the group of South Florida mayors who met with DeSantis on Tuesday said many businesses have learned during the pandemic to operate from outside their offices and with fewer people.

“We’re going to have people that are not going to go back to work,” said Doral Mayor Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez. “This is not a short-term issue.”

Some of the mayors also expressed concerns that any economic revival will be slowed without a unified message from the federal, state and local levels regarding social responsibility for “aggressively non-compliant” people.

RIVIERA

The Place Where Friends are Family

THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY!

We have practices in place to ensure the continued well-being of our residents.

We are moving towards beginning the re-opening process of our community cautiously. Many restrictions remain in place, in an effort to ensure continued health of our residents and staff.

Under the new procedures we have put in place to safeguard our residents: • Riviera provides weekly shopping service to our residents to ensure their safety.

• Our residents enjoy chef prepared meals which are now delivered daily to be enjoyed in the comfort and safety of their homes.

• Modified outdoor entertainment is provided twice weekly. Residents can enjoy live musical performances from the comfort of their balconies!

• Community elevators and common areas are sanitized continuously throughout the day with hospital grade sanitizer.

1825 Ridgewood Avenue | Holly Hill, FL 32117

386-677-5000 www.RiveraHollyHill.com *Assisted Living Only. | LIC# AL9473

337857-1001

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

338422-1001

JARLEENE ALMENAS

Minority Leader Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said. “He’s losing the war against the pandemic, and that means the people of the state of Florida are losing the war against the pandemic.”

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

7

AUGUST 2020

From animation to publication CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“It’s like a parent seeing their child get their black belt,” Tucker said. “It’s a lot of hard work. They see what they’ve gone through to receive that achievement and it’s the same thing with me with these books.”

Sarah Beliza Tucker.

Courtesy photo

“It’s a calling,” Tucker said.

“It’s definitely a passion because I have other ideas and different stories, and different aspects that I wanted to do, but everything kept coming back to Harry.

I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to focus on Harry, because this is where I’m supposed to be.’”

Lee, United Martial Arts chief instructor and founder, said the books have been a “big hit” because children, especially those ages 3-5, are visual learners.

“One of the things that I think is amazing is that because of Sarah’s background in film production and cartoons, the books read differently than just a regular children’s book,” Lee said.

The children at United Martial Arts are familiar with Harry and Friends, as they’ve read each of the three new books Tucker has recently self-published on Amazon. They’re her beta group, Tucker said.

One of the characters in her books is Ringo, whom Tucker described as the “mischievous child who sometimes learns the hard way.” One time, when a student began to misbehave, Tucker witnessed another student telling him, “Don’t be a Ringo.” The student apologized for his behavior shortly afterward, Tucker recalled.

“So I know that these books are making a difference in these kids lives just from that experience.”

The books are illustrated

by Adam Ihle, who voices one of

Luke Gildon reads a book in “The Adventures of Harry and Friends” series, written

by Tucker.

the characters in the cartoons.

Tucker and Ihle met over 10 years ago because of this.

Being able to hold a physical copy of her new book series — she hopes to publish two more books by the end of the year — brings Tucker an “overwhelming feeling of joy.”

“It’s like a parent seeing their child get their black belt,” Tucker said. “It’s a lot of hard work. They see what they’ve gone through to receive that achievement and it’s the same thing with me with these books.”

Her goal? She hopes to get her books in the hands of 100,000 kids.

WATER DAMAGE? MOLD?

Earning Your TRUST On Every Job! Exceptional Customer Service to Homeowners for Over 20 Years!

Insurance Company Preferred Vendor

$10 Tuesdays for the month of July!

• 24-Hour Emergency Response Flager-Volusia, Brevard

386-255-4440

RYTECHinc.com/north-central-fl

• Professional IICRC Certified Technicians

It’s Not Dry Until It’s Rytech Dry.

337827-1

RYTECH

20Lb

Cunningham’s Daytona Gas & Grills 201 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, FL 32117 (386) 255-7705 | Cunninghamoil.com

CONTRACTOR LICENSE # CAC1815644

337835-1

• Water Damage & Mold Specialists

United Way fights for the Education, Financial Stability, and Health of every person in our community.

337883-1

unitedwayvfc.org

Join the Fight.

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

AUGUST 2020

Volusia COVID-19 cases still rising, county continues to stress importance

AdventHealth: Don’t skip ER out of COVID fear

Over 600 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the last three days.

Also, state data shows 1 in 3 children are testing positive for COVID-19.

“Please, protect yourself when you leave your home and do the mitigation measures necessary to protect others.”

JARLEENE ALMENAS

It took Volusia County 100 days to reach 1,000 positive COVID-19 cases. Then, 12 days to reach 2,000 cases, nine days to reach 3,000 cases and finally six days to exceed 4,000 cases.

Volusia County Florida Department of Health Administrator Patricia Boswell shared this statistic during a COVID-19 press conference on Friday, July 17, explaining that the county has reported over 600 cases of coronavirus in the last three days alone. Volusia currently has 4,768 cumulative cases of COVID-19, and the average positivity rate for the past 14 days is now 11.75%.

Last Friday, June 10, the average positivity rate was 11%.

“Please, protect yourself when you leave your home and do the mitigation measures necessary to protect others,” Boswell said.

A total of 79 people have died from COVID-19 in Volusia, seven of which were reported in the last week. Of the 79, Boswell said 49 were related to longterm care facilities.

Boswell also reported that the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations has doubled in Volusia since the end of June.

According to a COVID-19 dash-

JARLEENE ALMENAS PATRICIA BOSWELL, Volusia County Florida Department of Health Administrator

board created by Rebekah Jones, a data scientist fired by the Department of Health after she claimed she was being pressured to alter coronavirus data to aid in the state’s reopening, Volusia County — as of Friday, July 17 — has 24% of its intensive care unit hospital beds available. AdventHealth Daytona Beach has 12 open adult ICU beds. Halifax Health Medical Center has 21 adult ICU beds, 4 pediatric ICU beds and 3 isolation beds open. The dashboard reports 143 people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in Volusia, with 59 total beds available.

Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley again urged residents to wear masks as part of the county’s Step Up Volusia campaign. The county is still giving away masks.

Visit volusia.org for locations.

Kelley also said funding is still available to help small business with grants as well as rent and mortgage assistance for Volusia families.

“This is not a government mandate,” Kelley said. “This is a request for you to take some personal responsibility.”

INITIALS by Wren Schultz; CROSSWORD ALPHABETIC Edited by David Steinberg

34 Hotel room amenity stocked with drinks 36 NBA team in the Big Easy 42 ___-pitch softball 43 Haul 44 Ruffles alternative 45 Fly smoothly 48 Flaming projectile in Mario games 52 Waders with long bills 54 Not bad at all?

56 Is curious 57 Have good intentions 59 It comes before X, Y and Z 60 Pointy pub projectile 61 Beauty mark

62 Game-match connector 63 Bad way to go 66 Refrain before “With a moo moo here” 68 Minotaur’s island 70 Loch near Inverness 71 Through 72 “___ be OK” 73 Sound at the start of many MGM movies 74 What I can follow?

76 “Psych!”

80 Mongol leader Khan 84 Hiccup, for one 85 Descendants 86 College athlete whose

While your first reaction should be to self-assess for COVID-19 and potential risk factors, AdventHealth doctors don’t want you to bypass an emergency room visit if you’re feeling like your symptoms — whether related to COVID-19 or not — are putting you in danger.

In a morning briefing on Thursday, July 16, Dr. Ademola Adewale, emergency medicine physician at AdventHealth East Orlando, said the hospital is still here for citizens should they have concerns about their health.

“I do not want our population to try to play doctors,” Adewale said. “You know your body more than anybody else and if you feel like something is not right, then please come. Let’s check you out.”

COVID-19 cases in the state of Florida increased by 13,965 on Thursday, July 16. Of those, 215 were reported in Volusia County with a positivity rate of 15.2%.

Flagler County reported 19 new cases and a 9.8% positivity rate.

During the stay-at-home order issued by the governor back in April, Adewale said the hospital’s emergency department visits dropped by 70% because people were scared of being infected with the coronavirus if they came to 112 Late-night ABC show 116 Last letter on Lesbos 117 Counsel 118 The emperor’s new clothes, ultimately 119 Word before car or machine 120 Emceed 121 Professional grp.

122 Kentucky Derby hrs.

©2020 Universal Uclick

1 FedEx competitor 4 Beer or coffee 8 Like slanted type 14 Lie in a hammock, say 18 Most mushy 20 “Uncle!”

21 Call off 23 Goes downhill 25 Latin land?

26 One often has a red power button 27 Seven, in Spanish 28 Lao-___ 30 Place for a check mark 31 Pastry that may be filled with beef

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

eligibility is extended 87 Complete and utter 89 Egyptian snakes 90 Weasel’s home 91 SeaTac overseer 92 Creamy, tangy salad topping 98 Plant whose blooms die by nightfall 100 Pasta cooker’s phrase 101 TV host Stewart 102 Grammy winner DiFranco 103 Judi of “Cats” 106 Grape leaf appetizers 110 “The Biggest ___”

51 Will who voiced Lego Batman 52 “The shortest-lived profession,” per Will Rogers 53 Chimney sweeper’s target 55 Allows 57 ___ tai 58 Showed off one’s biceps 60 Truffle, say 63 Rental car company 64 Chickens (out) DOWN 65 Punjabi prince 1 The Beatles’ “Back in the 67 Types ___” 68 Negative aspects 2 Spread spelled with two 69 Piece of material for a diacritics certain doll 3 Type of email filter 70 Nearby, poetically 4 Resentful 72 “Something is fishy!”

5 Close again 73 Instruction after lather 6 “C’___ la vie!”

75 Helpful connections 7 Global commerce grp.

77 Lead-in to an ice cream 8 Navels for 90% of us date?

9 Sped 78 Spread, like dirt?

10 End of a Latin trio 79 “Awesome!”

11 Affectionate email signoff 80 Humor or horror 12 Provoked feeling 81 Bygone sound system 13 Bird, once 82 Tehran Times’ country 14 Long after one’s salad days 83 Unaccompanied at prom 15 Tallest prez 86 Foxx in films 16 Greek in a 1964 film 88 Destroy 17 Crossword clue problem 90 New ___, India 19 Kind of code that gives a 93 Frodo protrayer Wood discount 94 Fired 22 Landowner’s onus 95 “___ Game” (sci-fi novel) 24 Applying 96 Like hot goods 29 Glitch 97 Flies off the shelves 32 Poker players’ giveaways 98 Ensures the failure of 33 Singer Simon 99 Adams known for his 34 “Jellyfish” or “white Yosemite pictures chocolate” 101 A-Rod’s fiancee 35 “Unchained Melody,” 103 Places known for long originally waits (Abbr.)

36 (Don’t click on this at the 104 Give off office) 105 NASDAQ alternative 37 “Call Me by Your Name” boy 107 Lapel clip-on, informally 38 Unlike new clothes 108 Like Beliebers 39 Dress shirt fold 109 Folder for emails that 40 Make, as interest have gone out 41 France’s “capital of gas111 Big head tronomy” 113 Swear words?

46 Packed tightly 114 George W. Bush’s deg.

47 Enters slowly, with “in” 115 “Live ___” (Taco Bell 49 On pins and needles slogan) 50 Busy buzzer

Screenshot

Dr. Ademola Adewale, emergency medicine physician at AdventHealth East Orlando.

the hospital. AdventHealth is taking the precautions to prevent that from occurring, Adewale reassured.

Dr. Ramon Nunez, medical director at AdventHealth Celebration, said citizens should continue to take preventative precautions against COVID-19, such as wearing masks while in public.

“My mask protects you and it is your mask that protects me,” Nunez said. “So hopefully after all of this, we’re all a little more thoughtful and more considerate and kinder to each other.”

A pediatric report by the state showed that children accounted for 31% of coronavirus cases Florida. That data said 1 in 3 children tested for the coronavirus were positive, “Usually, thank God, the pediatric population, because they’re so young and healthy, are resilient and recover well,” Nunez said.

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“OIK VPOWD PDKVOKM ATOI ITM WAG LRKMI VGZ JRWWZ VRR OIWMK OITGNM AITPI VRR OIK VDOM ODX TG MWUK AVX OW ZKMPDTJK.” – RKK MODVMJKDN “PZJ KJVRDT MDB SVJ OR S PZDBRSTI POYJR YDVJ OTPJVJRPOTC PZST PZJ AJRP SFPDV MDB FDBXI JLJV ZDKJ PD AJ.”

– F. RPSTORXSLRNO

Puzzle Two Clue: N equals K

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Puzzle One Clue: U equals M

8

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

07-16-20