The Hammock Observer 08-28-25

Sticky sand problem — solved?

‘What we’re trying to do is be the “black car service,”’

Owner Pamela Orne said.

‘Our goal is to please, so you’re a repeat customer.’

Since moving to The Hammock, Pamela Orne has run several business ventures of varying sizes. She watches dogs and meal preps for her neighbors. Her and her husband John Orne ran a remodeling business called Pamela’s Projects for several years, too. All this after she spent 30 years in the psychology field.

All of these things started as something she enjoys doing for herself, she said.

“I think I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” Orne said.

Just three months ago, the Ornes started their new venture when she found a different niche to fill: an affordable, luxury car service, Pamela’s Coastal Car Service.

The service offers rides to and from a destination in one of their luxury vehicles, a Lexus sedan or a Mercedes SUV. They try to offer the types of amenities and services a higher-end company offers — such as professional dress and behavior, chilled water bottles for the drive, and loading luggage — at more affordable prices.

Orne said she wants to be the reliable service people are looking for.

“What we’re trying to do is be the ‘black car service’ or the luxury car service,” Orne said. “Our goal is to please so you’re a repeat customer.”

school.

Orne said this all started because she was driving neighbors to their doctor’s appointments, and more neighbors began asking for rides. Orne saw a need and decided to fill it.

“Anybody that puts their mind to anything can do it,” Orne said.

“You just have to figure out what the need is in the community.”

John Orne is the primary driver, with Pamela Orne filling in the

gaps. Their service became so popular in the area that they had to start turning away rides, Pamela Orne said.

“We’ve been in such demand, I can only imagine what the holidays are going to be like,” she said.

Pamela’s Coastal Car Service is a 24-hour service where customers can call and schedule a ride for anytime of the day. John Orne said his wife is constantly answering the phone for service requests — she likes to keep herself busy, he said.

“She’s always been super motivated,” he said.

The Ornes have recently hired two additional drivers, a man named Jim and a woman named Margaret, to take some of the pres-

sure off of John Orne’s driving. It was important that one of their hired drivers is a woman, Pamela Orne said, because one of the services they offer is allowing the customer to request a female driver if they are uncomfortable with a male driver.

In her experience, she said, there are women who need to order a ride service but are uncomfortable with the thought of being alone in a car with a strange man.

“So we accommodate, whatever it takes,” she said.

The two are still working out the kinks of a new business, like what their cancellation or no-show policy will be for customers, and the Ornes are still finalizing a formula for their rates. They’re also look-

ing to expand and purchase two or three more luxury, low-mileage vehicles for more available driving time and, hopefully, to accommodate larger parties.

But what they do know is they’re not going to leave people in the lurch and they’ll do their best to accommodate the needs of every customer. John Orne said he thinks people just want consistency.

“They want the same driver. They want to tell them, ‘Hey, I don’t like to be picked up at arrivals. I like to be picked up at departures,’” he said. “I’m like, ‘You’re the boss.’ Just tell me what makes you happy and I’m happy to do it. I mean, if it takes me 15 minutes longer, it’s no big deal.”

Pamela and John Orne, of The Hammock, have started their own luxury car service, called “Pamela’s Coastal Car Service.” Photo by Sierra Williams

Ormond Beach man training to be a Flagler firefighter dies

The Bunnell Police Department is investigating the death of a firefighter/EMT candidate who was participating in pre-employment physical agility testing with Flagler County Fire Rescue.

At approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, FCFR conducted its standard pre-employment physical agility testing at the fire tower located at 655 Justice Lane, Bunnell. The candidate, Fendrick Gabaud, a 40-year-old man from Ormond Beach, recently graduated from fire school and was seeking employment as a Firefighter/EMT with FCFR. He reportedly was in good shape had no prior employment as a firefighter. According to FCFR Fire Chief Michael Tucker and training staff, the candidate successfully completed the required physical agility test, which included climbing three stories of stairs with firefighting equipment, hose lifts, advancing charged

hose lines, spraying targets, and dragging a 150-pound manikin. Witnesses reported the candidate finished well within the allotted time. The temperature in Bunnell at 85 degrees at 10 a.m.

After completing the test and removing his gear, the candidate complained of shortness of breath and feeling unwell. Paramedics on scene immediately rendered aid, but the candidate became unresponsive. He was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, where he was later pronounced deceased. His family has been notified.

The Bunnell Police Department, along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Seventh District Medical Examiner’s Office, is conducting an investigation. At this stage, there is no indication of accident or foul play.

Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon said: “Our hearts go out to the family of this young man whose life was tragically cut short, as well as to the men and women of Flagler County Fire Rescue who stood beside him during his final moments. This is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by those who pursue a career in public safety.”

and saw that an unknown suspect had thrown “some sort of explosive or incendiary device” out the window of his or her car at 1:28 a.m.

JULY 30

BOMBS AWAY

7:44 a.m. — First block of Plaza Grande Avenue, Ormond Beach Explosives. Police responded to a local neighborhood after a resident reported she had been awakened by a loud explosion in the early morning.

The resident later checked her security camera footage,

The object “violently exploded, causing a large fireball” as the driver continued on, causing a scorched patch of ground. Charred fragments of torn electrical tape covered in duct tape were recovered. Police determined no homes were targeted.

AUG. 10

DUMPSTER DIVE LOSS

10:18 p.m. — 700 block of

Palm Coast larceny suspect and Vermont fugitive arrested Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Palm Coast woman as a larceny suspect and also a fugitive from Vermont.

Taylor Crowningshield, 27, was being investigated by FCSO detectives as a suspect for a string of larcenies targeting smoke shops. While investigating her, FCSO’s Community Policing Division and Fugitive Unit found Crowningshield had active warrants for her arrest on robbery, assault and probation violation charges from Vermont from May 2024, a FCSO press release said.

A joint investigation between the FCSO, the Barre City Police Department in Vermont and the Vermont Department of Corrections found that Crowningshield had recently moved to Bressler Lane Palm Coast.

On Aug. 18, deputies caught Crowningshield fleeing from a smoke shop in St. Joe Plaza in Palm Coast.

She was taken to the county jail where she is being held without bond, the press release said.

West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Petit theft. A 49-year-old Ormond Beach man was trespassed from a local retail pharmacy store after he called police to report his ebike had been stolen.

The man had been looking for boxes in the dumpster behind the store when he turned his back on his bike for about three to five minutes, according to a police report.

The store manager, who provided police with security footage that captured the incident, asked for the man to

Palm Coast man sentenced to 14 years in child sex offense case

A Palm Coast man has been sentenced to 14 years in a state prison after accepting a plea deal for multiple childsex offense charges. David Chenowith, 33, was originally arrested on 32 child sex offense charges, according to his original arrest records, including sexual activity with a minor, lewd and lascivious battery and promoting sexual performance of a minor and promoting sexual performance of a minor. As part of his plea deal, Chenowith has a time-served credit of 398 days and cannot have any contact with the victim or the victim’s family. Chenowith is being held at the Flagler County jail until he is transferred to prison. He will have to register as a sexual predator and will be on sex offender probation for 20 years.

Suspect in arrest warrant scam arrested, Flagler Sheriff says

A Palm Coast man running an arrest warrant scam has been

be trespassed, as dumpsterdiving was prohibited.

AUG. 22

FOOTBALL, FIGHTS AND BATH SALTS

11:45 p.m. - 3500 block of Pirate Nation Way, Flagler County Obstruct without violence, possession. A Palm Coast man attending a local football game ended his night in handcuffs after an argument in the stands led to his arrest and drug possession charges.

During a local football game, a school resource

arrested, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

A victim contacted the FCSO on Aug. 18 to report he was being scammed by someone claiming to be from the FCSO. The victim told detectives the scammer said there was a warrant out for the victim’s arrest unless he paid $5,000 to avoid jail, a press release said.

FCSO detectives assisted the victim in communicating with the scammer to catch the suspect. The suspect initially instructed the victim to pay using Bitcoin but, when the victim refused, instead told the victim to place cash in an envelope at a mailbox on Wellhaven Lane in Palm Coast, the press release said.

The detectives, pretending to be the victim, placed an empty envelope in the mailbox and a man, later identified as Tory Harvey, 24, walked up, removed the envelope, and walked away.

The person on the phone — believed to be someone other than Harvey — then began yelling at the victim for placing an empty envelope in the mailbox, the press release said. The victim told the suspect he would place the money in the mailbox this time, and again Harvey

deputy was called out to the stands when an argument broke out between several people in the stands. The deputy told the people they needed to leave, but one 35-year-old man refused.

The deputy managed to escort the man to the bottom of the bleachers, but the man stopped and refused to move again, so the deputy placed him under arrest.

When the deputy searched the man, he found 8.5 grams of bath salts, and another 1.6 grams of marijuana. The man was taken to jail.

walked out to retrieve it. Harvey was placed under arrest.

Lenny’s Pizza owner arrested again on six more drug charges

Lenny’s Pizza owner Leonard Fries Jr. was rearrested on six additional drug charges on Friday, Aug. 22, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported. Fries, who has two pizza restaurants in Ormond Beach, was originally arrested in May after detectives seized cocaine and almost a kilogram of marijuana at his home on Winchester Road. Detectives also seized seven firearms, three vehicles and over $5,000 in cash.

FCSO Special Investigations Unit detectives, who were working with the State Attorney’s Office, obtained two arrest warrants on Aug. 22 “based on the results of controlled narcotics purchases that occurred during the five-month investigation,” a press release stated. Fries, 50, was later released on a $95,000 bond. He currently faces 13 total charges, 11 of which are felonies.

test, she blew a 0.245 on the breath alcohol

the legal limit of 0.08. She was taken to the county jail.

Palm Coast, Flagler County prepare requests for state budget

Officials are looking at prioritizing a paireddown list of vital infrastructure and resiliency projects.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Infrastructure and resiliency are the goals, as Flagler County and Palm Coast are preparing their priority projects to bring to the Florida Legislature.

Assistant County Administrator Holly Albanese said the appropriation requests “need to show an impact.”

“It needs to be a good return on investment,” Albanese said.

At the Aug. 18 and 19 meetings for the Flagler County Commission and the Palm Coast City Council, the respective boards reviewed and, in the case of Palm Coast, approved, their lists of priority projects to send to the Florida Legislature for funding consideration. The sentiment shared at both meetings is that funding could be limited.

Flagler County submits a booklet with the summary of the community’s legislative requests and priority policy items to its representatives in the fall, and the counties and municipalities will be discussing how to approach appropriations, at the Aug. 27 joint municipality meeting.

Albanese said in discussions with Rep. Sam Greco and Sen. Tom Leek that infrastructure and resiliency should be the focus — “specifically storm resiliency.”

Flagler County has a short list of policies and projects it intends to ask Greco and Leek to continue to support. Policy priorities include support of home rule, affordable housing and infrastructure supportive programs for roads

and wastewater.

Only three projects have been selected to send for funding consideration, as of the Aug. 18 meeting:

„ $5 million request to expand the Florida Governmental Utility Authority for underserved areas along U.S. 1 into Volusia County;

„ $2.6 million project to construct the Black Branch North Drainage system along Old Haw Creek Road

„ $548,000 to help create disaster resilience staging sites on the west side of Flagler County.

The FGUA project would provide service to current and future businesses and homes in the area, Alabanese said. This is through a public-private partnership the county has with FGUA, and is utilizing a phased-in approach at the suggestion of Greco, she said.

“We’ve included this in

the past because we just have always seen this project as the only way to bring industrial,” Albanese said. “So this is just a different approach at it because our ask before was very large and almost unattainable.”

A fourth project that is in the works to upgrade the stormwater capacity of MalaCompra Canal in The Hammock was considered, but the price tag — a minimum of $13 million — and a concern about phasing in funding possibly delaying the project, put it on the back burner.

In Palm Coast, the city has eight projects it plans on asking for state appropriations for. Three of the projects are non-infrastructure related: Funding request for a Flagler County animal shelter, in partnership with the county; Funding for the saltwater canal dredging; A last minute request by

Mayor Mike Norris for funding for the old Fire Station 22 to become a cultural center.

Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said the city is seeking additional funding for Phases II and III of the Old Kings Road expansion and to fund three additional stormwater capacity projects.

The first stormwater project is also the highest priority item on the city’s list. Palm Coast would like to add a stormwater park along some undeveloped land on Burroughs Drive, near Bird of Paradise Drive. Johnston said it would function similarly to the London Waterway project and absorb the water that spills over onto the streets during storms.

Councilman Ty Miller said he knows the area frequently backs up with water.

City will still run golf course for now

Palm Coast City Council: Palm Harbor Golf Course has until March to ‘get in shape.’

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast’s City Council has decided to give the Palm Harbor Golf Course until March to get in shape before it considers outsourcing its operations or selling.

The other two projects are to build up stormwater capacity in the Woodlands neighborhood and to add a dry lake along Seminole Woods Boulevard. A lane of Seminole Woods Boulevard had to close temporarily due to flooding during Hurricane Milton, Johnston said.

Meanwhile, the Woodlands project would expand the stormwater capacity for Graham Swamp.

“All of Palm Coast storm water is draining that way towards Graham Swamp,” Johnston said.

The county will finalize its priority items at its Sept. 3 meeting, while Palm Coast approved theirs on Aug. 19.

“I think that would immediately improve hundreds of homes’ experiences during storms,” he said. “Especially with the hurricanes, the ones where we receive a ton of water.”

Rep. Greco tours plant, assesses Palm Coast’s utility needs

Florida House Rep. Sam Greco took a tour, a week after US House Rep. Randy Fine.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After touring Palm Coast’s older water treatment facility, Florida House Rep. Sam Greco said the facility’s upgrades are a “significant issue that’s going to require partnership from a number of levels, from the local government, from the state government, and from the federal government.”

On Aug. 20, Mayor Mike Norris, Councilman Charles Gambaro and key city staff gave Greco a tour of Palm Coast’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 1, which crossed over its 6.83 million gallon per day flow capacity for several months in 2024. Now, after diverting some flow to the recently expanded WWTP 2, the older plant averages a daily flow of 6.5 million gallons per day. The city is planning to add 4 million gallons in flow capac-

“Most of our funding comes from the state, and at least Sam’s taken notice of our issues, and he’s trying to help us out. We need somebody who’s going to go up there and fight for us for every dollar.

So every bit helps.”

MIKE NORRIS, Palm Coast Mayor

ity and then will need to complete an AWT conversion to become compliant with state requirements. Some 60% of Palm Coast wastewater flows through WWTP 1, according to a presentation by Palm Coast Wastewater and Reuse Manager Danny Ashburn. The city is also planning to build a third plant in the future to accommodate Palm Coast’s rapid growth, he said. Greco was just elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2024. He said he imagines the coming fiscal year 2027 budget will look similar to the 2026 budget, which followed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ initiative to cut back on state spending.

“But I do think that there’s certainly an opportunity to continue to get funding for

this project, but I would imagine for the wastewater projects in Palm Coast,” he said.

Greco said he was aware of the scope of the problem facing Palm Coast’s WWTP 1, but, he said, “It’s always helpful to come and lay eyes on it, see the facility, understand the challenges, understand the space.”

The previous week, Palm Coast also hosted Congressman Randy Fine for a tour at WWTP 1. Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said Fine and Greco’s presence in Palm Coast shows the city’s representatives are listening to their constituents and trying to help solve their problems.

Despite another prospective tight state budget, Johnston said she’s optimistic about the next legislative session.

She said she thinks the state is going back to a pre-COVID era of appropriations.

“I think our representatives are here to help us navigate the state system, whether that’s through direct appropriations or working through the various agencies,” Johnston said.

“Having these relationships helping us navigate the state agencies – that’s what we’re really looking forward to.”

Palm Coast, with the help of its state representatives, secured $5 million in state appropriations last spring for facility upgrades and a second equalization tank at WWTP 1.

Norris said the city is going to need all the help that it can get.

“Most of our funding comes from the state, and at least Sam’s taken notice of

our issues, and he’s trying to help us out,” Norris said. “We need somebody who’s going to go up there and fight for us for every dollar. So every bit helps.” Norris said the city is focusing on resiliency for the next round of legislative session requests. The city narrowed down its priority requests at the Aug. 19 council meeting, coming away with eight projects.

“Anything that can shore up our infrastructure, we’re going to fight for it,” Norris said.

Norris said the items approved at the Aug. 19 meeting are all needed by the city.

“We don’t have any fluff,” Norris said. “Every dollar is needed.”

The council reviewed options to either begin the request for proposal process to sell the golf course, to send out an RFP to outsource the golf course operations, or to keep the course under city management. Despite the course operating at loss for the majority of the years its been under city ownership, and multiple discussions on potentially selling the golf course, the council decided to keep the course under city management and review operations next March.

“My position is that we give staff that year. Let the new fees and the new hours and all of those things really have a chance to affect change,” Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said.

At the same time, the city will begin the bid process to see about changing outsourcing operations. In spring 2026, the council will evaluate both the RFPs and city management to decide on how to move forward.

Councilman Charles Gambaro pushed to begin the RFP process for selling the course to see what kind of bid the city might receive. He said the city could put in place restrictions on the sale to prevent the course from ever being developed and keep it a golf course.

“We have an opportunity to finally stop the bleeding of millions and millions of dollars while at the same time we collect uh additional taxpayer dollars,” Gambaro said.

Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri, Mayor Mike Norris, and Councilman Dave Sullivan were against selling the course. Norris and Pontieri both suggested the city wait and see how the new management and rate changes would affect the course’s losses before going with an RFP.

“To me, I’m never going to agree to sell the golf course,” Norris said. “It’s just not going to happen.”

Recreation Manager Dennis Redican said in September he intends to bring back a presentation that will propose increases to the green and cart rates.

This is after the city already increased the group rate this year from $43 to $46. In the spring, golfers at Palm Harbor also introduced a 3% credit card processing fee and, effective May 1, an increase to the summer rate and range token. But Redican has also added two extra morning tee times and three afternoon and twilight times to take advantage of the daylight hours. Redican is also proposing the city extend cart usage and range hours, possibly removing the league rate and adding additional programs for kids.

Pontieri said putting out an RFP for a sale of the golf course would be a blow to both the staff, who have been “working very hard to show us they can turn things around,” and the residents.

“They treasure this course,” she said. “Our community has treasured this course for a really long time and it’s almost like we’re putting a price tag on something that’s priceless.”

Flooding in the B Section near Burroughs Drive and the Bird of Paradise Drive waterway. Image from Palm Coast meeting documents

Florida Rep. Sam Greco (center) listens to Councilman Charles Gambaro (left of center) talk about Wastewater Treatment Plant 1. Photo by Sierra Williams

Flagler Schools officials present bus transportation improvements

Parents aired their grievances but at least one said she was encouraged.

When a handful of parents aired their grievances with Flagler Schools transportation at the Tuesday, Aug. 26, School Board meeting, they acknowledged that the district is listening. They also appreciated that the transportation department is working to make improvements.

Earlier in the day at the board’s information workshop, Director of Transportation OJ Walker presented a 2025-2026 plan that includes an improved communication system with real-time notifications; a standardized routing structure with fixed bus stops that will remain the same year after year for all three tiers — elementary, middle and high schools; and monthly route audits.

The fixed routes will simplify navigation for substitute drivers and provide better continuity for families with children in multiple grade levels, Walker said.

One idea that was popular among board members was preferential kindergartner seating. Kindergarten students who ride the bus will have magnets on their seats letting substitute driv-

ers know not to let off those children if they don’t have an adult waiting at the bus stop.

“That seems like a little thing, but it’s major,” board member Lauren Ramirez said. Walker said there are 78 allocations for bus drivers. His presentation listed 69 current bus drivers and four van drivers. The district now has 30 full-time bus aides and 12 substitute aides, he said, but only two substitute bus drivers. Walker said they would like to have 10-12 substitute drivers. One possibility would be to hire drivers without commercial driver’s licenses and help them get their CDL’s.

The district is looking into increasing driver allocations within the budget, Superintendent LaShakia Moore said. One problem, Moore said, is transportation is now doing all the training.

Moore noted that the district won’t tolerate adults walking onto a school bus. During an emergency, such as waiting for law enforcement or emergency medical services to arrive, drivers are instructed to keep the doors closed.

“If parents enter our buses, we will trespass them,” Moore said.

Ramirez noted that Dr. Kim Halliday, the district’s director of exceptional student education, has incorporated ESE training into instruction for drivers and aides.

But during the evening’s business meeting, one par-

ent of a child on the autism spectrum said training needs to be interactive and not just a slideshow. She also said drivers are not supplied with students’ IEP (individualized education program) information. But veteran driver Lakesha Ayres-White said all drivers and aides are made aware of IEPs.

Christy Butler said her children’s bus stop at Old Kings Road and Sugar Mill Lane is on a four-lane road with a 55 mph speed limit. Drivers regularly pass fully stopped buses illegally, she said, and on two occasions she has seen adults almost get hit by cars passing buses that have stopped.

In the past, the bus stop has been moved into the Eagle Lakes neighborhood after the first two weeks of school, but two days into the third week that hasn’t happened, she said.

“A preventable tragedy is waiting to happen,” Butler told the board members. “I invite each of you to sit with me at the bus stop one day. I’ll provide the chairs.”

The parents thanked Moore and Ramirez for responding to their emails. Karen Smith said the district has outstanding bus drivers and she was encouraged by the improvements that were brought up at the workshop.

“My ask is simple,” she said.

“Keep the momentum going.”

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@observerlocalnews. com.

Two state requests for School Board

Proposal to

seek

funding to improve Flagler Technical College dual enrollment failed, 4-1.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Flagler County School Board approved a local platform for the 2026 Florida legislative session to be included in the joint Flagler County priorities document.

The School Board unanimously approved two local priorities suggested by its legislative advisors from the Cerra Consulting Group:

„ Supporting the education package from the Rural Renaissance proposal passed by the Senate but not included in the final 2025 state budget. The package would include grants of $1.5 million to $2.5 million for Flagler Schools while also strengthening the North East Florida Educational Consortium that serves the district.

„ The second priority seeks to have all students served by the district to be counted for public education capital outlay (PECO) purposes, including adult education and voluntary Pre-K students. Charter schools get funded for all

NEWS BRIEFS

Ron Long files to run for Flagler County School Board District 4

Ron Long, an at-large member of the Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board, has filed to run for Flagler County School Board District 4 in 2026 against

of their students from the state’s PECO program and in sharing local funding sources for capital purposes. School districts do not get credit for VPK or adult career education students, which casues an underfunding of the district’s capital needs.

A third priority suggested by School Board member Janie Ruddy received a positive response by the other board members, but it required a local financial match of $1 million with no definite funding source.

Ruddy’s suggestion would ask for $1 million in state funds with the local $1 million match to be supplemented by federal funding. The money would expand dual-enrollment at Flagler Technical College by upgrading instruction, trade labs and equipment so more high school juniors and seniors can complete industry certifications and step into apprenticeships or employment.

The consensus at the Aug. 26 workshop was to not include it among the board’s priorities until matching funds could be identified.

It wouldn’t be included in the unified county document, which has to be submitted by early October, but John Cera said it could be added to the platform later.

At the board meeting

ers parents and uses our resources wisely,” Long said in the press release. “I’m running to make sure every child has access to a high-quality education, every parent has a voice in the process and every taxpayer can trust that our dollars are being spent effectively. No matter what that process and structure may look like.”

Three School Board seats are up for election in the August 2026 primary. So far, Chong and Long in District 4 are the only School Board

“I do love that platform. I wish we had more time to ask the right questions, because this is what our community needs.”

LAUREN RAMIREZ

that evening, Ruddy made a motion to add the FTC priority and pushed for it to be included in the county document.

“I do think it has great value,” Derek Barrs said at the workshop, but ultimately Ruddy’s motion was defeated 4-1.

“I do love that platform,” Lauren Ramirez said before the vote. “I wish we had more time to ask the right questions, because this is what our community needs.”

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@observerlocalnews. com.

Ron Long has announced he will run for the Flagler County School Board District 4 seat in the August 2026 primary. Courtesy photo

More substitute bus drivers are needed, the district says. File photo

Horses on the beach?

Volusia Council to hear options for a sixmonth trial at parks in Ormond-by-the-Sea or Neptune Avenue.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Should horseback riding be allowed on a portion of Volusia County Beaches?

The Volusia County Council discussed the matter during its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, directing staff in a 5-2 vote to bring back options for a six-month trial period to allow horses on a section of the beach. County Coastal Director Jessica Fentress presented the council with two areas for consideration:

Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea or at Neptune Avenue beach approach, utilizing the Grace Lutheran Church off-beach parking area. Both sections would span 9 miles.

While there is no recent history on horses on the beach in Volusia, there is a regional precedent, as horseback riding is permitted in the Canaveral National Seashore, which is located in Volusia, as well as areas of St. Johns and Flagler counties, the latter of which allows horses at MalaCompra Park.

Health and safety for the horse and rider, environmental sustainability, possibility for trailer parking and the recommendation for horses to be on a non-driving section of the beach were all factors the county used to choose potential locations.

Councilman Troy Kent, who proposed the discussion at the council’s meeting on May 20, said he “had no horse in this race,” but that adding horseback riding would contribute to the county’s offerings.

“I do think this adds something to Volusia County,” Kent said. “I think that there are people that, it is a bucket list item.”

But, he was only in favor of a trial period if horses were mandated to wear a bag to collect their droppings. He also had concerns with the proposed locations. Choosing Al Weeks North Shore Park would mean eliminating 19 parking spaces — per staff’s recommendation — to incorporate two trailer spaces, and choosing the Neptune beach approach would mean horses and riders would need to cross A1A from the Grace Lutheran parking lot.

Additionally, preliminary conversations with the church, according to Fentress, indicated that the church could ask the county for a higher fee to continue to offer their lot as off-beach parking with the needed horse trailer parking.

“They are not opposed to the idea,” Fentress said. “They would like some more information. They would like to limit the number of trailers.”

Kent said he’d rather go with Al Weeks North Shore Park, and only doing one trailer space (eliminating nine parking spaces), or using the grassy area in front of the parking lot next to A1A for horse trailers, therefore eliminating no parking spaces.

His preference, he added, was that horse riders use the

dirt ramp at Roberta Road to travel north.

Kent said he’s received some emails with “some fearmongering” about horses turning the sand over with their hooves or running through fishing lines.

“You’re just trying to scare people because you don’t want something like that,” Kent said.

If implemented by the county, there would be seasonal restrictions on horseback riding during sea turtle nesting season (May 1 to Oct. 31), as well as limited capacity, an online permit/reservation system, required wildlife protection training, restriction of use during only daylight hours and mandatory waste removal by horse owners.

Ormond Beach resident Jennifer Miko, owner of Equestrian Adventures of Florida, spoke before the council at the meeting. She has been offering horseback rides on the beach since 2011 in Flagler County, and said it would be advantageous for Volusia to allow horses on the beach as well.

“Volusia County is already a top tourist attraction,” Miko said. “People from all over Florida and the United States come to this county just for the beaches. Clientele that come ride with me are topnotch, very responsible, and they are amazing people. It could only add to the amount of people coming into Volusia County.”

Responsible horse owners, she added, will also take this seriously.

“No one wants to put their horses or community in dan ger,” she said. “I’m sure they would be willing to follow the rules that Volusia County puts in place for this privilege.”

Councilmen David Santi ago and Matt Reinhart voted against bringing options for a trial period.

“When we have some popular event and big holi days, those beaches are full and they’re jam-packed with cars,” Santiago said. “I don’t want to take away more beach from the folks.” He also didn’t think it would increase tourism substantially, and was concerned that horse manure may litter the beach, regardless if horses are wearing a bag or not.

Fake Gambaro and Fine websites redirect to Furry’s campaign site

US House race heats up, as Will Furry’s campaign manager says Furry’s campaign does not own or control the sites; Gambaro calls the tactic ‘deceptive.’

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Websites that appear to be from the congressional campaigns of Randy Fine and Charles Gambaro are not what they seem.

If you typed in the domains randyfineforcongress.com or charlesgambaroforcongress. com on Wednesday, Aug. 21, you were redirected to the site, willfurryforcongress.com.

Will Furry, the Flagler County School Board chair, and Gambaro, a Palm Coast city councilman, are both running against incumbent District 6 U.S. House Rep. Randy Fine in 2026.

Chase Russell, the campaign manager for Furry, said his candidate’s campaign does not own or control those websites and they do not know who does.

Gambaro released a statement accusing Furry’s campaign of being behind the false Charles Gambaro for Congress domain.

“These are the types of sleazy, deceptive political tactics that disgust all voters,” Gambaro said. “It is disappointing that a local public official would stoop to this level. It is a desperate maneuver that I personally find appalling by a man that claims to be a person

of faith.”

Randy Fine campaign spokesman Bryan Piligra later released this statement: “Certainly a bold move using a cheap trick on voters to increase your name ID — but that seems to be this guy’s only move whenever he runs for office. And since he’s a failed politician who can’t come close to matching Randy’s record, it’s not too surprising he feels the need to pretend he is him either. Maybe he’s taking a page out of Gavin Newsom’s playbook.”

But Russell denied that Furry or his campaign had anything to do with the fake domains.

“Anyone with a basic understanding of websites knows they can be redirected with ease,” Russell said. “This situation reflects the strength of our grassroots support, as individuals across the community are stepping forward in creative ways to show they stand with Will to be their next representative to Congress. At the same time, the fact that these domain names were not secured in advance by other campaigns suggest a lack of preparation and strategic planning.”

Fine’s real campaign website is voterandyfine.com. Gambaro said his real campaign site, gambaroforcongress.com is currently being designed. Clicking on that site will give you the message: “This site has not yet been published.”

Russell said he is unaware who purchased the domains that redirect to Furry’s site.

“To be clear, the Will Furry for Congress campaign does not own or control these other domains,” Russell said. “Our campaign is built on profes-

sionalism, excellence and organization at every level. As we move forward over the next year, voters will see these values consistently reflected in how we run our campaign and how Will intends to serve the people of Florida’s 6th Congressional District.”

When Furry ran for the School Board in 2022, his campaign at the time was also the subject of controversy.

A flyer produced by a political action committee supporting Furry appeared to come from supporters of his opponent, Courtney VandeBunte.

The mailer read, “Thank you Flagler School Board Candidate Courtney VandeBunte for standing against Ron DeSantis and his harmful education agenda.”

Furry told the Observer shortly after the November 2022 election that he did not know about the mailer. “That was sent out by a PAC which I have no control over,” he said at the time. “That’s their message.”

Furry announced he is running for the District 6 seat on Aug. 12. Gambaro announced his candidacy on July 31. Both are running against Fine for the Republican nomination.

Fine won a special election for the seat on April 1 by a margin of 14 percentage points over Democrat Josh Weil. Michael Waltz had vacated the seat to serve in President Donald Trump’s administration.

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@observerlocalnews. com. A letter to the editor from a local reader also addresses this issue. See Page 12A.

Scott A. Selis, Esq.

Scott A. Selis is an estate planning and elder law attorney with offices in Ormond Beach & Palm Coast. Mr. Selis was an Elder Law Attorney of the Year selected by the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section in 2016.

Estate planning doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, sometimes the simplest tools can save your family a lot of time, money, and stress. One of those tools is called a “Lady Bird Deed.” And no, it has nothing to do with birds or ladies.

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Then, when you pass away, the property automatically transfers to the person (or people) you named in the deed—without going through probate court. Probate is the legal process for settling estates, and while it sounds fancy, most families find it slow, stressful, and about as fun as waiting in line at the DMV. A Lady Bird Deed skips that headache. Another bonus: a Lady Bird Deed usually won’t mess up your Medicaid eligibility. In Florida, keeping your home out of probate can help protect it from certain Medicaid recovery claims. That means more peace of mind that your house stays with your loved ones instead of being sold to cover nursing home

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“I see the negative more than the positive, and I don’t see it as a necessity to the success of our tourism,” Santiago said.

Reinhart said he came into the meeting as a “firm no” on the issue, but after hearing Miko’s remarks, he thought she brought good points forward.

Still, she is one person. When the council brought the dog beach proposal forward, there were many people and community groups who spoke in favor of the initiative.

“I don’t see a group, per se, coming before us for this,” Reinhart said.

While County Council Chair Jeff Brower voted in favor of seeing options for the trail period, he remains on the fence on whether horses should be allowed on the beach.

“There’s a lot of variables that we would have to find a way to manage just for the safety of the people that are there enjoying the beach, and that aren’t for this,” Brower said.

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Patrick Gardiner leads his family at Mala Campra Beach during an Equestrian Adventures of Florida tour as Terry Marr watches over the group. Photo by Michele Meyers

United Way spotlights food insecurity at 22nd annual Power of the Purse

Provision Packs

founder Carrie Torres was the keynote speaker. She also announced the launch of Feeding Soles.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

EDITOR

MANAGING

As Provisions Packs founder Carrie Torres stepped up to the podium to give her keynote speech at the 22nd annual Power of the Purse, she took a moment to pause and look out at the 350 people in the audience.

Since 2015, Torres has been working to ensure local children do not go without food. Her nonprofit supplies food items to children and families in need on the weekends and during extended school breaks. It started with one school, Pathways Elementary.

Provision Packs now reaches over 1,000 children a week at over 20 schools in Volusia and Flagler counties. That equates to 10,000 meals a week.

But she wasn’t at Power of the Purse on Friday, Aug. 22, to just share her nonprofit’s story. Torres said she wanted to invite the community into their story.

“This mission is my heart, but it is not mine alone,” Torres said. “It has always been about this community, and what I knew we were able to do, and what we continue to do: Love our neighbor.”

It takes half-a-million dollars a year and countless volunteers to help fulfill Provision Packs’ mission, Torres said. The nonprofit doesn’t

“This mission is my heart, but it is not mine alone,”

CARRIE TORRES, founder

ask families to provide documentation for proof of need.

“Week after week, we’ve grown, feeding children, helping families, and doing it all without red tape,” Torres said. “... When a parent feels safe to say yes, they can say yes to food on the table, yes to peace of mind and yes to hope, and that’s why we exist.”

Earlier this year, thanks to help from the CF UWVFC, Provision Packs launched the Lightnin’ Legacy Endowment Fund.

“Once people know they do,” Torres said. “And the greatest thing about all of that is hunger may never disappear, but we can reduce it, and we’ll be doing it for as long as it takes.”

In 2024, 13.4% of people in Volusia County experienced food insecurity.

Every dollar raised at the Power of the Purse, held this year at The Shores Resort and Spa, and expected to bring in over $50,000, goes to help families who fall under United Way’s ALICE population — those who are asset limited, income constrained and employed.

“This event is more than a fundraiser,” said Power of the Purse co-chair Goddess Lawrence. “It’s a celebration of strength, resilience and a leadership of women in our community. Every dollar raised represents a step forward for someone who may

be struggling.”

As volunteers with Women United, Power of the Purse co-chai Carleen Leffler said the group isn’t just about charity work.

“It’s about creating lasting change in the lives of women and families right here in our community,” she said. “Power of the Purse is a celebration, but it’s so much more. It is a call to action.”

Last year, CF UWVFC invested over $2.4 million in 112 nonprofits in the community, including Provision Packs.

“We’re grateful that we’re able to invest in solutions for families right here at home, thanks to the support of local businesses, generous individuals and participants and events like today,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the CF UWVFC.

With Provision Packs having an endowment, Edgcomb

said that is a “giant leap” into their mission.

“By committing to their future and investing in an endowment, they’re making

sure that kids 10 years from now will still have the benefit of the work that Provision Packs is doing,” she said.

Thanks to community support, Provision Packs is taking another leap this year.

During her speech, Torres announced the start of a new umbrella organization, Feeding Soles, an initiative to provide well-fitting shoes to the children served by Provision Packs.

“A child who can walk into a classroom with shoes that fit will walk taller, learn better, dream bigger and all with a full belly of food, because each of you care,” Torres said.

European Village

Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the CF UWVFC.

Women United Committee Chair Emily Elliott speaks.

Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres.

Women United Co-Chairs Goddess Lawrence and Carleen Leffler. Photos by Jarleene Almenas

Resident solves sticky sand problem

The Sand Dude is a sand removal brush designed by local resident Lindsay Tietje.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler Beach resident Lindsay Tietje said she used to avoid going to the beach.

“Because the sand – it was just such a hassle to clean up,” she said.

It’s a common feeling in her family and in Florida. The Hammock’s iconic coquina sand is notoriously sticky and near-impossible to remove.

One day, Tietje said, she saw a man trying to remove the sand using a toilet brush.

The encounter stuck with her and led her to create The Sand Dude: a hypoallergenic, silicone-bristled sand removal brush designed.

The brush has two sets of bristles, Tietje said, one for hard-to-reach places like between the toes or in the cracks of the car and firmer bristles to remove the sand from larger areas. The Sand Dude retails at $24.99 and is multipurpose brush for people, car seats, mats, beach gear and even pets.

Despite only selling the brush since June 9, The Sand Dude is already in seven stores in or near Flagler County:

starting with Debra Jean’s in The Hammock, and then adding Ohana Food Co., the Beverly Beach Camptown store, the 7/11 in Flagler Beach, Sip & Surf Coffee Co., Big Al’s Bait and Tackle, The Inlet Beach & General Store and Yellow Dawg Fishing. Veterans Title in The Hammock even placed a bulk order to use as part of closing gifts, she said.

Now two months on, Tietje said she’s had orders through her website, thesanddude. com, from as far away as California and she’s already looking to expand with a distributor. According to her website, The Sand Dude made $2,000 in sales in its first week.

“It’s exciting to just see something through that you didn’t think that you would be able to do,” she said. “And people like it.”

Tietje said it started with a post on her personal Facebook page, which was shared by her friends, and then their friends and on to local Flagler Facebook pages until strangers were recognizing it.

“When I started going into stores, people already knew what it was,” she said. “Which was really cool.”

Tietje’s background is in real estate and teaching; She’d never tried her hand at something like this before. And it can be hard, she said, to go into stores to sell the product, but the Flagler County community has been very welcoming

Flagler issues PSA on MSBU notice

County is not levying a tax through the MSBU this year; notice was a requirement to keep the MSBU active.

OBSERVER STAFF

A public notice was mailed to Flagler County residents in the barrier island’s unincorporated area regarding the proposed Municipal Service Benefit Unit for Flagler County’s beach management.

Flagler County formally established an MSBU taxing district for beach management in December 2024, a county press release said. The legally required public notice was to inform residents that no tax is being levied this year at the Sept. 11 public hearing.

of the brush’s “smiling” face. Tietje said she doesn’t think The Sand Dude would have been this successful without God and The Hammock and Flagler Beach community.

“When I started this journey, I didn’t know anyone that I could talk to about the steps to take to make this become a reality,” she said. “It was a steep learning curve in so many ways, but God answered every prayer.”

The notice stated the MSBU will appear on property owners’ tax bills as zero dollars ($0.00). In order to keep the MSBU active, the county was required to send out the notice, the press release said.

The MSBU will be a future part of the county’s beach management funding strategy, but a required apportionment study will need to be completed first. An engineering consultant will “evaluate the appropriate cost allocation of the MSBU based on the needs of beach management,” the press release said.

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A separate public notice will be mailed affected homeowners in the future before any new tax is levied, stating the specific amount for that homeowner’s property, the date of the public hearing and how to object.

The beach management plan will be a “blend of potential sources” of funding, from dedicated ad valorem millage, the MSBU, grants, a sales tax and the tourist development tax.

Some portions of this funding may require a voter referendum, the press release said.

Over $8 million has been set aside for beach management in the 2026 fiscal year budget and the county will be reaching out to residents for feedback on “a sustainable, long-term funding stream.”

No final decisions have been made, the press release said.

Q: Why did I receive a public notice about a Beach Management MSBU?

A: The MSBU (Municipal Service Benefit Unit) district was created in December 2024. Even though no assessments are being levied this year, state law requires that a notice be mailed annually to keep the MSBU active.

Q: Does this mean I have to pay something now?

A: No. Nothing is being levied in 2025. The notice was informational only.

Q: WILL THE MSBU BE

USED IN THE FUTURE?

A: Yes. The MSBU will be part of the funding plan for Beach Management, but the amount to be assessed must be determined by an engineering study that is currently underway.

Q: HOW WILL BEACH MANAGEMENT BE FUNDED?

A: The plan has always been to use a blend of potential funding sources—including ad valorem (dedicated millage), tourist development tax, MSBU, local option sales tax, and state/federal grants. Some of these may require voter approval.

Q: HOW MUCH MONEY HAS THE COUNTY COMMITTED SO FAR?

A: The Board of County Commissioners has already set aside $8.1 million for Fiscal Year 2026 to support Beach Management efforts.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

A: Over the next year, the County will continue hosting public forums and discussions to shape the final funding strategy. No final decisions have been made—we want and value public input.

Q: WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

A: Protecting and preserving Flagler County’s beaches benefits residents countywide—supporting tourism, property values, storm protection, habitat, and quality of life.

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Debra Jean’s, a coffee shop in The Hammock, was the first place Lindsay Tietje placed The Sand Dude for sale. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Tietje

Nuisance wild hogs mar grave sites at Craig Flagler Palms cemetery

Director Sal Passalaqua is ‘committed to maintaining grounds,’ is working to trap the wild hogs.

OBSERVER STAFF

Wild hogs at the Flagler Memorial Gardens have upturned dirt across multiple grave sites on the cemetery grounds.

“It kind of happened overnight,” said Funeral Home Director Sal Passalaqua Jr. “They just hit like a bad hurricane.”

The problem has been ongoing for a few weeks as the hogs search for food in the soil, causing damage to the grounds in the process, according to a statement from Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home. The funeral home is working to fix the damage and trap the hogs.

“The damage has understandably raised concerns from families and the community who care deeply about this sacred space,” the statement said. “We share those concerns.”

Passalaqua said four of the eight Gardens sections have damage from the hogs, all along the original north side of the cemetery. He and his staff were on the grounds on Monday, Aug. 18, digging grave markers out from under the turned up dirt.

“This is something that does not get fixed overnight,” he said.

In the statement sent to the media, Passalaqua said Craig Flagler Palms “is committed

to maintaining our grounds with dignity, respect, and care. We take this issue very seriously and have already put solutions in motion.”

Craig Flagler Palms has hired a licensed trapper who was on site earlier in the week.

The trapper has begun baiting the hogs with corn outside of the cemetery grounds to draw them away from the burial sites, the press release said. Cameras are being used to monitor the hog activity to properly trap and relocate them.

Passalaqua told the Observer that for now the funeral home is waiting on the trapper to have a free trap available to eliminate the wild hogs.

The group of hogs around Craig Flager Palms seems to be composed of around 12-15 animals, he said.

“They [the trapper] are inundated,” he said, “because this is obviously an issue in the county.”

In the meantime, the Craig Flagler Palms team is working to restore the damaged areas “so the cemetery continues to

reflect the peace and respect it deserves.”

“We know how upsetting it is for families to see this type of damage, and we are being fully transparent about the challenges and the steps we’re taking to address them,” the press release said. “This is our community cemetery, and protecting it is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”

Passalaqua said there have been comments made that the cemetery does not care about maintaining the grounds or that the destruction is from vandalism.

Wild hogs have been a nuisance across Flagler County for years, causing property damage from across the county. The hogs have caused enough problems that Flagler County has looked into different methods of capturing and studying the invasive species. The county eventually created a dashboard so residents can report wild hog sightings, and most of the reported damage and sighting is centered on the neighborhoods along Colbert Lane.

Wild hogs are digging up dirt across dozens of graves at Flagler Memorial Gardens cemetery. Courtesy photo

Sex abuse allegations torment Riverbend Community Church

Elders of Riverbend Community Church have condemned the abuse, saying they had not been aware it.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

Ormond Beach Police have opened an investigation into Riverbend Academy and Riverbend Community Church after sexual allegations, some dating as far back as the early 2000s, recently came to light.

OBPD announced on Tuesday that an investigation was opened on Aug. 18 by its Criminal Investigation Unit on the church, located at 2080 W. Granada Blvd. Detectives are seeking to speak with anyone who may have information or believes they may have been a victim.

“Please remember this is an active and ongoing investigation,” Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said. “We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to supporting potential victims and protecting this community, all while conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.”

An open letter dated Monday, Aug. 25, to the victims from the Riverbend Survivors Coalition was submitted to the Observer

“For too long, Riverbend

NEWS BRIEFS

Private sector enhances Volusia emergency preparedness

Volusia County Emergency Management collaborates with the Private Sector Preparedness Group, a workgroup of the Volusia Community Organizations Active in Disasters, to strengthen community readiness. As part of that effort, the group recently received a donation from employees of Teledyne Marine to support shelter comfort initiatives.

When residents are rescued from high-water situations or evacuated from their

taught us to keep quiet,” the letter states. “They told us silence was holy, that obedience was survival. But silence only protected those who harmed us — never the children, never the truth, never the brokenhearted.”

The letter goes on to request victims come forward, saying they will be surrounded by other survivors.

The Elders of Riverbend Community Church published a public statement on the church’s Facebook page on Aug. 22, stating they had not been aware of the allegations and are “brokenhearted to learn about egregious sin in our church’s past.”

“We as elders, and we as a church, are deeply saddened and grieve for all who have been abused in any way,” the elders stated. “We condemn abuse, and we stand against any actions to cover up or conceal sin. We desire to humbly listen to anyone who would like to speak with us.

“We desire to know the truth and set things right,” the statement continues.

“We continue to pray for those who have suffered abuse. We are committed to keeping all in our ministry safe from abuse. We believe that the church above all should be a people who clearly demonstrate Christlikeness in every way. We acknowledge that the things we are learning do not reflect Christ. We condemn them with deep conviction.

homes, they could arrive at shelters with little more than the clothes they are wearing. The donated items, including clothing and basic hygiene supplies, will provide immediate comfort and reassurance to evacuees during disaster events.

Through COAD, the Private Sector Preparedness Group supports Volusia County’s efforts to ensure shelters meet the needs of its residents during difficult times.

The next Private Sector Preparedness Group meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center, 3825 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach. Businesses interested in supporting community preparedness are encouraged to attend or contact Volusia County Emergency Planner Holly Winhoven

These things are all very new to us, and we are humbly committed to truth, safety, transparency, and justice as we work through this.”

On Aug. 21, a letter was published on the media platform Substack which shared anonymous accounts of the abuse that victims say took place at Riverbend by church members in positions of authority. This letter, published anonymously, states that 63 women within the Riverbend community were surveyed. In the survey, almost 30% of the women reported they had been manipulated or coerced into sexual behavior by an adult male church member or youth leader when they were minors.

Over one third alleged they felt like they received romantic or sexual attention from an adult man at the church when they were minors.

Among the stories shared in the letter is one about a woman who, at age 16, was sexually assaulted by a member of the church six years older than she was; another who at age 17 says a youth leader groomed her into a sexual relationship; and a woman who said she was manipulated at age 15 into a physical relationship with a 26-year-old church member.

“We want to be clear: this is not an attempt to destroy the church,” the Substack letter states. “Some have even chosen not to name specific individuals, fully aware of the per-

at hwinhoven@volusia.org for more information.

sonal and social consequences that can follow. We also recognize that harmful behaviors often stem from systems that normalize and enable them, especially young men raised in these environments.

“Our compassion, though, is not incompatible with

accountability,” the letter continues. “It is because we care about the truth, about future generations of girls and boys, and about the integrity of the church that we are speaking out. Our hope is not to tear down but to help rebuild.”

In 2021, a former elder at Riverbend Community Church was arrested on child pornography charges. The elder, John Robert Griffin II, was relieved of his duties when the church discovered the allegations. He had been a “non-staff, non-vocational” elder of the church, Riverbend told the Observer in 2021. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Teledyne Marine employees make a donation for shelter comfort initiatives by Volusia Community Organizations Active in Disasters. Courtesy photo

Make yourself at home

Kennedy’s new fish and a gallon of holy water

had a 1-gallon tank at home, so in my mind a new tank was not part of the plan.

The employee explained that the water needs to be conditioned for the fish. How is that accomplished?

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

A few days after my 10-yearold daughter, Kennedy, asked if she could buy a pet fish at home, I found myself surrounded by floor-to-ceiling aquariums in the back corner of a local pet store. Our mission: Don’t leave until you have a fish in a plastic bag. Should be simple enough. Just pick out the least expensive betta and go.

“What you want to do,” a store employee explained, “is set up the tank — ideally about 5 gallons — and then wait for two weeks before adding the fish.”

“Two weeks?” Kennedy said in horror.

“Five gallons?” I asked in disbelief because we already

LETTERS

Sleazy campaign politicking emerges

Dear Editor:

The U.S. House of Representatives District 6 race is off to a start already, but not in a good way. Already, sleazy campaign politicking has emerged. And it’s not the first time concerning the campaigns of Will Furry.

In the race so far, Mr. Furry, our county School Board chair, is facing Randy Fine, currently holding the House seat, and our City Council member, Charles Gambaro. In 2022, Will Furry’s School Board opponent was mercilessly trashed with mass mailed campaign fliers of false information that may have actually cost her the election. Furry denied any responsibility for the mailings. Now, campaign websites that appeared to belong to Fine and Gambaro, were brazenly redirected to Will Furry’s official campaign site by someone or some entity unknown.

As disturbing and sordid as this is, Furry and his campaign manager offered little in the way of righteous condemnation. There was no appropriate outrage, only the expected denial of involvement.

But Chase Russell really crossed the line when he stated that the sordid incident “speaks to the power of the people that stand behind Will and are willing to help out where they can.” Russell, who is tasked with speaking on behalf of Will Furry,

Nitrites naturally turn into nitrates thanks to natural bacteria, if you just drop in some fish food and wait. One gallon of water is extremely difficult to keep clean and healthy for a fish, so a larger tank is the best practice.

The store was about to close, so I tried to help Kennedy see reality: No fish tonight.

But she wasn’t giving up.

Another employee walked by, and he reiterated the advice we’d already received, but he showed an alternative. The store does sell one-gallon jugs of pretreated water for $15.

I swallowed. I averted my eyes from Kennedy’s hopeful, plaintive expression. I tried to come to terms with what I was hearing: Our tap water, which costs about half a penny, was no good, so if we

actually seemed proud and pleased that it occurred.

Curiously, Chase Russell is not averse to some unsavory politics in his campaign management style with some tricks not dissimilar to this website commandeering matter. In a podcast interview, he explained and bragged about tactics he uses, aided by his tech savvy and marketing skills. For example, he took pride in harvesting and copying a political opponent’s Facebook page friends and inundating them with his guy’s ads to such an extent it became so mentally embedded, they were eventually convinced to switch sides. Chase Russell was not just offering a different view, he was wearing them down into submission. He conceded during the interview that some may question the ethics behind that kind of campaign tactic. Yes, we do. Even in the messy world of political campaign ethics, “the end justifies the means” has its limitations. Hopefully, Mr. Furry and his campaign gets that message, as well.

BOB GORDON Palm Coast

Editor’s Note: The 2022 mailer was not issued by Furry’s campaign but by a political action committee called “Flagler Forever,” which was linked to a Tallahassee address. The flyer was designed to look like it was sent out by supporters of Furry’s School Board opponent, Courtney VandeBunte, thanking her “for fighting against Ron DeSantis.”

wanted a fish, we needed this fishy holy water with built in bacteria, for $15? Meaning, we’re overpaying 3,000x?

And by the way, we also need a filter so the fish doesn’t die from stagnant water. And a heater so the fish doesn’t die from the temperatures dropping below 75. And aquarium pebbles so the fish doesn’t die from inadequate breakdown of bacteria. And enrichment elements such as silk plants, so the fish doesn’t die of boredom.

Let’s just say this was going to cost a lot more than my budget of $5.

But of course, if you’re a parent, you know that at this point, there is no turning back. At the checkout, the extremely kind and patient employee said, “You might want to keep this receipt. It shows the return policy.”

“Return policy?” I asked.

“If something happens in the next seven days, you just bring in the body, and a sample of the water, so we can test it to see what happened, and you can pick out a

Palm Coast mayor’s lawsuit is not noble

Dear Editor:

An assessment of the rationale for Mayor Mike Norris’ unprecedented lawsuit against the city and its eventual outcome, puts into question any altruistic or public-spirited motives for suing.

Less than two weeks after the City Council unanimously voted to censure Norris and went on record as having “no confidence” and moved towards getting him removed from office, the mayor reacted. In what appeared to be a “tit for tat” move, he struck back by suing the city for an alleged City Charter violation for what the mayor claimed was an illegal appointment of Councilman Gambaro.

And he did so with the added bravado that it was so righteous he didn’t care what it costs the taxpayers. Saving the city from Gambaro and upholding the sanctity of the City Charter was so important, so principled, even a million dollars of taxpayer money spent was OK.

Norris always contended his lawsuit was an altruistic gesture, strictly a matter of principle … a righteous, selfless act of civic duty and nobleness.

The lawsuit fizzled, as he was warned multiple times it would, but the mayor was not deterred and proceeded with an appeal process. However, his intention of continuing any such lawsuit appeal was swiftly dropped like a hot potato when the city’s attorney put Norris on notice that

replacement.”

I didn’t want to contemplate this fish’s chances of survival.

About 15 minutes after the store was supposed to have closed, we checked out, and I carried the bag of supplies to the car, while Kennedy carried a long, cylindrical plastic bag, filled two-thirds with air, tied in a knot on top. It was about the size of a long sleeve of carnival popcorn. The bottom third of the bag was full of water — straight from the store’s aquarium. And in that water was one blue-and-red betta fish happily frolicking, to Kennedy’s delight.

The delight was so pure and so wonderful that I felt rebuked for my anti-pet curmudgeonliness. With the exception of a fish, pets have never appealed to me because of the amount of work and money required. A pet can teach a child to be responsible, but I have always assumed that, in the end, the parent ends up getting stuck doing all the work. Indeed, I was the one to change the

the city would pursue financial sanctions against him if the lawsuit continued.

Norris ending the legal proceedings was not out of deference to taxpayers paying the ever increasing legal bills, which he refuses to reimburse, or to stop the unwelcome City Council drama it caused, or because he finally realized the lawsuit was simply a mistake. He quit because it could personally cost him big bucks to continue. His high road took an off-ramp when the tolls were too much. As such, is it reasonable to suggest that the whole affair was not a result of the selfless and noble civic duty after all, but rather was foremost a reprisal and a purposeful distraction from the council’s efforts to remove him from office?

ED GARDNER Palm Coast

Lack of leadership from Ormond mayor

Dear Editor:

For over a year I’ve been withholding judgment about our mayor. I assumed the coverage of his missteps, misstatements, and mismanagement was probably on target, but I was open-minded. I wanted to check things out for myself, so I attended the city Budget Workshop Aug. 19 and was blown away by his lack of leadership and budget skills. I had not been to an Ormond budget workshop in 28 years, when I was on the City Commission.

My quick take: The mayor is immovable and in way over his head. He clearly

water of the last fish Kennedy had.

But as we drove home, I felt some of Kennedy’s joy vicariously. Maybe, I thought, even if I do end up taking care of the fish sometimes, Kennedy’s joy was a good enough reason to have it. Maybe, when Kennedy is feeling alone or sad, she can sit in her room and feel some comfort emanating from the light in the tank.

At home, I helped Kennedy rinse the aquarium pebbles, and I poured into the tank the nitrate-rich gallon of water, and finally, after draining the store’s aquarium water, as instructed, we let the fish squirm out of the bag, ruffling its feathery fins, and plop into its new home. The fish also now had a name: Finny McCringle. Just like that, we had a new family member.

Before I went to bed, I stood outside Kennedy’s room and was about to knock when I overheard her saying, in a sweet, quiet voice, “Good night, little fishy.”

signaled what he plans to do in September when it is time to vote on the budget: He will vote no. He was asked many times at the workshop for new ideas or new solutions and he had nothing substantive to add.

The best way to deal with an immovable object is to just go around it and thank goodness in our city the mayor only gets one vote. If he wants to vote in September on symbolism instead of substance, that’s his choice. What he’s doing is a dereliction of duty.

When asked to provide practical solutions, he retreats to more sloganeering, sarcasm, and cagey, vague promises. He acts like he has a secret plan and will fill us all in when he’s ready.

In contrast, the rest of the elected officials and the senior staff could not have been more professional and thoughtful in their deliberations. To the four commissioners: Thank you for standing up for the city in a way that the Mayor just doesn’t understand. You were not afraid to make hard choices, but I felt you were doing so with compassion.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid the mayor is set in his ways and I don’t expect him to have any epiphanies anytime soon.

DAVID SCHECTER

Ormond Beach

Editor’s note: Mayor Jason Leslie was given a chance to respond. He wrote: “The city’s operating budget has grown from $110 million in 2022 to just over $170 million in 2025, according to the

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Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

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McMillan Ink LLC 50 Leanni Way, Unit C3, Palm Coast, FL 32137 CORRECTION

An article on 1A of the Aug. 21 Palm Coast Observer incorrectly stated the parameters of roadwork on Belle Terre Parkway; it will be from Royal Palms Parkway to Pritchard Drive.

city’s transparency portal — a jump of more than 55% in only three years. This comes despite less than 1% population growth and higher property tax revenues from rising values. Just three years ago, the city provided the same services with nearly a third less in the budget.

“As mayor, I hold one of five votes on the commission. At this year’s budget workshop, I suggested costsaving measures like leasing vehicles and carrying insurance to reduce litigation and replacement costs. Those suggestions were later followed by an extensive Q&A in the Observer. I also directed staff to identify ways to lower the millage rate. What came back was a 7.66% increase — with no actual reductions in spending. The rest of the commission was prepared to approve a 10.3% increase.

“Residents elected me to find solutions, build consensus, and resist unnecessary tax hikes. With the possibility of a statewide property tax repeal and proposed utility rate increases, we must act now to stabilize spending.

“I hope my efforts to reduce your tax burden are recognized and appreciated.”

Editor’s note: The city’s transparency portal reflects the current working budget, said Finance Director Kelly McGuire, which reflects adjustments for capital projects approved by the commission that were budgeted last year and need to be reappropriate to the current year. The commission will vote on a proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 of $143M in September.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Book drive

BRENT WORONOFF

EDITOR

ASSOCIATE

AdventHealth not only sponsors Erik Jones’ NASCAR Cup Series racecar, but Jones and the hospital group also form a perfect partnership.

The first pillar of the Erik Jones Foundation is igniting children’s passion for reading (the others are encouraging early cancer detection and care and promoting animal welfare). Jones has partnered with his sponsor in providing Inchy’s Bookworm Book Vending Machines to elementary schools.

Jones and AdventHealth joined forces again on Friday, Aug. 22, at Rymfire Elementary School in Palm Coast where they unveiled a new book vending machine in the cafeteria.

Jones was in the Daytona Beach area to race in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 23.

At two consecutive assemblies at Rymfire, Jones sat in a chair on stage and read “Goodnight Racetrack.” He then took some questions from students. His favorite book when he was a kid? “Dragons Love Tacos.”

His favorite racetrack? Daytona is pretty fun, Jones said, but Darlington (South Carolina) is his favorite. Those happen to be the two tracks where he’s won his three races. He won the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar

400, and he’s won two races at Darlington.

A boy asked, “Why do you do all this for us?”

“I’ve loved to read since I was your age,” Jones answered.

“I still love to read.”

Then it was time to reveal what was behind a black curtain against a wall in the cafeteria. Jones and Yuri Pashchuk, the associate chief of nursing at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, drew the curtain to reveal a vending machine filled with books.

“You put a token in the slot, choose a book and you take it home. You get to keep it,” Jones explained.

Students will receive tokens as rewards in the school’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports pro -

“They’ve gone above and beyond. We could not provide the Allied Health programs without AdventHealth.”

LASHAKIA

gram and use them to get a free book. AdventHealth will keep the vending machine stocked with books from Flagler Schools’ approved list, said Debi McNabb, Advent Health’s director of Community Advocacy in the East Florida Division.

“Reading levels for children in Flagler and Volusia are lower than statewide,” McNabb said. “They’re improving, and this is one of the activities to help.”

Rymfire becomes Flagler Schools’ third elementary school to have a book vending machine.

Bunnell and Belle Terre elementary schools have had book vending machines for the past couple of years, donated by other groups, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said, adding, “I’m sure this one won’t be the last one donated by Advent Health.”

Rymfire was a natural choice for the AdventHealth/ Erik Jones Foundation donation. AdventHealth supports Rymfire’s medical science program of study, providing all the equipment in the school’s medical lab. The program’s end-of-the-year field trip is a visit to the Advent Health Palm Coast sim lab.

AdventHealth also sponsors the Allied Health Assisting career education programs at Flagler Palm Coast and

Matanzas high schools, provides full-time athletic trainers to the two high schools and provides the district with mental health services.

“They’ve gone above and beyond,” Moore said. “We could not provide the Allied Health programs without AdventHealth.”

Jones said this was the ninth or 10th book vending machine his foundation helped to provide to schools in proximity to NASCAR racetracks.

Jones’ interest in children’s literacy began during the pandemic when he began to do virtual book readings as a way to stay connected with fans.

“They caught on,” he said of the readings. “Then I found out about the vending machines through my foundation.”

He said he likes to read biographies. He prefers paper to e-books. He likes having a book in his hand, he said. And he enjoys helping give the younger generation that opportunity too.

NASCAR driver Erik Jones reads “Goodnight Racetrack” to students in the Rymfire Elementary School cafeteria. Photo by Brent Woronoff

A Rymfire Elementary School student puts her hand up to ask NASCAR driver Erik Jones a question.

Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore introduces NASCAR driver Erik Jones in the first of two assemblies.

Rymfire Elementary School Principal Travis Lee

Yuri Pashchuk, the associate chief of nursing at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway presents the book vending machine to Rymfire Elementary School students.

Jedi Vanway became the first Rymfire Elementary School student to use a token to receive a book from the school’s new Inchy’s Bookwork Book Vending Machine. Jedi chose “SpiderMan: Spider-Verse — SpiderWomen.”

NASCAR racer Erik Jones presents book vending machine to Rymfire Elementary School

MOORE, Flagler Schools superintendent

THURSDAY, AUG. 28

ATLANTIC FEDERATION

REPUBLICAN WOMEN

MEETING, FEATURING

RANDY FINE

When: 11:30 a.m.

Where:The Palmetto Club, 1000 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Details:Attend the August meeting of the Atlantic Federated Republican Women. This month’s guest speaker will be Congressman Randy Fine. Meeting fee of $28 includes lunch. For more information, or to register, visit https:// www.atlanticrepublicanwomen.com.

RECIPES AND READS

CULINARY LAB: BASIC

COOKING —

SPICE LAB: VANILLA

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Learn all about vanilla and its uses in this cooking demonstration, presented by library staff. Free event.

PALM COAST

CONCERT SERIES

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: The Stage at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: See the Southern Rock Revival band perform. There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, yard games, beer and wine. Bring a chair.

FRIDAY, AUG. 29

JIMMY BUFFETT DAY OF SERVICE

When: 8-10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29 and 30

Where:Veterans Park, 105 S. 2nd St., Flagler Beach Details: Honor the life of Jimmy Buffett while helping to keep the beach clean.

There will be coffee and donuts each day at 7:30 a.m. at the lobby of the Compass Hotel, 111 S. Daytona Ave. Presented by Keep Flagler Beach Beautiful and Compass by Margaritaville.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30

LOW-COST

PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 9:30-11 a.m

Where: First Baptist Church Bunnell, 2301 Commerce Parkway, Bunnell

Details: Rabies shots will cost $5 for 1-year vaccinations. Other shots offered. All vaccinations are administered with a licensed veterinarian. No appointment needed. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 386-748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.

FLAGLER WOMAN’S

CLUB TRIVIA

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: Flagler Woman’s

Club, 1524 S. Central Ave.,

Flagler Beach

Details: Join the Flagler Woman’s Club for an evening of trivia with Travis Thomas, of Thomas Media Solutions. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A $10 per person donation is requested. Please bring an appetizer to share. For more information, contact Debbie at 312-607-8200 or Mary at 386-569-7813.

SUNDAY, AUG. 31

HAPPY WANDERERS

FLAGLER BEACH WALK

When: 8:30-10 a.m.

Where: Flagler Beach Library

Details: Join the Happy Wanderers for a walk around Flagler Beach. Costs $4. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

OVERDOSE AWARENESS WALK

When: 5:15 p.m.

Where: Wadsworth Park, 2200 Moody Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: The Flagler County Drug Court Foundation is acknowledging International Overdose Awareness Day with a walk over the bridge, starting at Wadsworth Park to Veterans Park. If you aren’t able to walk, join in for some fellowship at 6:15 p.m. at Veterans Park.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3

WET CYANOTYPE

PHOTOGRAPHIC

PRINTING WORKSHOP

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Art League of Day-

tona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto

Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: Attend this workshop with Janet Bernardini. For tuition cost and to register, visit artleague.org/ allworkshops.

ART AND WINE WALK

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: European Village, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Enjoy an evening of wine, live music, raffles and local art, with proceeds to benefit Family Life Center. Tickets/wristbands are $20. Includes a souvenir cup and 10 tasting tickets.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4

RECIPES AND READS

CULINARY LAB:

AFTERNOON TEA

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

Regional Library, 30 S. Beach

St., Ormond Beach

Details: Enjoy Lady Grey tea while learning more about the history of tea. Free event.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5

VFW AUXILIARY 8696

TACO BAR

When: 5-7 p.m.

Where: VFW Post 8696, 47 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Benefit local veterans and their families with this $10 taco bar.

FREE FAMILY ART NIGHT

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Memorial

Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Work with your family to make paper lizard sculptures. All art supplies provided. No art experience needed. All ages welcome.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6

ORMOND BEACH CIVIL AIR PATROL OPEN HOUSE When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Composite Squadron, 760 Airport Road, Ormond Beach Details: See Civil Air Patrol’s new facility and airplane, and learn

YOUR SCHOOLS

Matanzas High to host mattress fundraiser for chorus program

The Matanzas High School cafeteria will be transformed into a mattress store on Saturday, Sept. 6, as the chorus program raises money for a trip to New York in March to perform at the Lincoln Center.

Custom Fundraising Solutions will host the sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with mattresses, adjustable bases, mattress protectors and pillows for sale. CFS will also deliver.

This is the fourth year the Matanzas chorus program will hold a mattress sale fundraiser by CFS, chorus director Jens Oliva said. The mattresses are top quality and sold at a reduced rate, he added.

The Matanzas chorus has been invited to perform in the Octavo Series presented by Manhattan Concert Productions with other Central Florida high schools under the direction of Stetson University music professor Timothy Peter on March 16, 2026, at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center. Peter, one of the guest conductors in the series, will direct a 300- to 400- member choir including Matanzas students, Oliva said. The students will

depart for New York on March 13 and return on March 17. In addition to the concert and rehearsals, other activities will include sightseeing and a Broadway show.

Quantum Electrical Contractors, Girl Up! renews senior scholarships

The Flagler County Education Foundation has announced the renewal of senior scholarships to Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate Jill Prime from Quantum Electrical Contractors and the Girl Up! Foundation. Scholarship renewals are extremely rare, the Ed Foundation said.

Joseph Wright of Quantum Electrical Contractors said in an Ed Foundation press release: “The gift of the David Wright Scholarship is always heartwarming to me as my father’s love of flying can be seen in each of the recipients, but in Jill’s case it is especially emotional as Jill‘s positivity, work ethic and drive are the beliefs in our family and our company’s foundation. Jill is the first of the scholarship recipients to receive a second due to her dedication. We wish her the best moving forward and look

to continue to support her.”

A representative of the Girl Up! Foundation said, “Empowering girls through scholarships is more than support, it’s a statement of belief in their strength, brilliance and right to lead.”

Scholarship applications for the class of 2026 will open in November. Eligible seniors are encouraged to apply through the Flagler County Education Foundation’s scholarship portal at flaglerschools.awardspring. com.

“These scholarships are a powerful example of how community partnerships drive opportunities for students,” said Maryiotti Johnson, the Ed Foundation’s assistant director of finance and operations.

For more information, contact the Flagler County Education Foundation at asbillm@ flaglerschools.com.

Gold’s Gym

Ormond, Daytona raises $500 for local school

Gold’s Gym Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach raised over $500 for Champion Elementary as a result of the gyms’ recent Back-to-School Supply Drive and dance fundraiser.

The Gold’s Gym locations collected school supplies from July through August, and held a “Zumba-thon” workout fundraiser on Aug. 23.

“This community continues to show up strong on the dance floor and for a great cause,” Gold’s Gym Ormond Beach wrote on its Facebook page.

New B-CU president welcomes students back to campus

Bethune-Cookman University started the fall 2025 semester celebrating a new president along with an uptick in enrollment for another year, marking a “pivotal moment in the university’s ‘B-CU Rising: All of Us, All In’ strategic initiative,” according to a news release.

Classes started Aug. 18, marking Dr. Albert Mosley’s first full term as the university’s eighth president — a role he assumed on July 7. He brought students, faculty and staff together in prayer during his first Presidential Convocation on Aug. 20.

“We are writing a new chapter at Bethune-Cookman — one that honors the bold legacy of Dr.

and the

Mosley said.

Bethune-Cookman University also received nearly $900,000 from the National Science Foundation to upgrade its technology infrastructure.

FOCUS ON FAITH

Ormond Beach’s Prince of Peace celebrates garden groundbreaking Prince of Peace Catholic Church recently celebrated the groundbreaking for a new addition to its parish campus: A “Mary’s Peace Garden,” featuring a 5-foot-tall Virgin Mary statue on a 5-foot base.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Aug. 6, came after about two years of planning for the garden, which will also have 14 Stations of the Cross — pillars depicting the events that led to Jesus’

death. The garden will also be composed a 170-foot-long, 16-foot wide sidewalk and several benches.

“Mary is a big thing for Catholics,” said Dominic Bui, parishioner and project coordinator. “... The area that we’re getting ready to build is a very nice piece of property, and that’s why we looked into building a new one — a bigger, nicer one — so that everybody can come and reflect in themselves and pray, and don’t have to go inside the church.”

The garden will be located east of the church’s main parking lot, the same location as the existing smaller garden honoring Mary. The space will allow for the church to hold special services outdoors.

Bui said that, to his knowledge, there’s nothing like this garden project in the greater Volusia area.

Going through the city’s permitting process took about a year, and in the meantime, the church was also getting permission from their

diocese in Orlando. The garden project receiving significant financial support. Many of the components in the project, Bui said, have been sponsored.

The church asked for 14 sponsors of $5,000 each for the Stations of the Cross, as well as four sponsors for the base of the statue of Mary, at $2,500 each. Sponsorships for light poles and the walkway are still available.

The statue of Mary, made in marble in Italy, is ready to be installed. So are the Stations of the Cross, made from natural stone from Vietnam.

“We have it in-house,” Bui said. “So now, it’s just the construction process to put all the pieces together.

The church contracted Luxury Builders, of Daytona Beach, for the project, which Bui said is expected to be complete by the end of November.

Visit www.princeofpeaceormond.com/mary-peacegarden.

Mary McLeod Bethune while preparing the next generation of leaders to shape our communities

world,”

Gold’s Gym held a Zumba-thon fundraiser on Aug. 23 at its Ormond Beach location. Courtesy photo

B-CU President Albert Mosley greets students during campus move-in. Photo courtesy of Bethune-Cookman University

Jill Prime (center) received renewals for her senior scholarships from Quantum Electrical Contractors and the Girl Up! Foundation. Courtesy photo

Brought to you by:

Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates

Prince of Peace Pastor Justin Vakko (second from left) celebrates the groundbreaking of the new Mary’s Peace Garden.

Photo courtesy of Prince of Peace Catholic Church

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BUSINESS

Ocean Art Gallery leaves Ormond Beach

Owner Frank Gromling is still looking for a new location to house a downsized gallery in Flagler Beach.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After seven years in Ormond, Ocean Art Gallery is returning to its original home, Flagler Beach.

“We want to be a part of the vibrant rejuvenation that’s going on in Flagler Beach,” said owner Frank Gromling, a 26-year resident of Flagler County.

The gallery officially left the 3,000-square-foot space at Granada Plaza Shopping Center on Aug. 15 and is still searching for the right location for its new Flagler Beach home. But there is a possibility, Gromling said, that the gallery becomes 100% online.

“I need to find a space,” he said, adding that he should know for sure by October what direction the gallery is taking.

Ocean Art Gallery was first opened in 2012 and moved to Ormond Beach in 2018. Over the years, Gromling said, he and his wife Bibi Gromling have hosted over 300 artists, from local residents to those of international acclaim, ranging across a variety of mediums.

Gromling said it was time to leave the Ormond Beach space after seeing a decrease in visitors. In his first year at the Ormond Beach location,

he said, the gallery saw over 8,000 visitors.

“There were 2,300 last year,” Gromling said. “That’s a problem.”

In a press release sent out by the gallery, Gromling said he believes the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville was “the perfect opportunity for Ocean Art to return to its roots.”

“We want to be part of the vibrant rejuvenation of Flagler Beach,” he said.

But regardless of turning Ocean Art completely into an online business or finding a site suited to their needs, Gromling said the gallery will be downsized. He said he and his wife are looking for locations that are around 1,000 square feet in size, which would eliminate the space for workshops.

Gromling said he also intends to narrow his focus on the number of artists presented at the gallery at one time. He plans to focus on “greater talent” with artists and only host a few at a time.

It won’t be until the fall that Gromling said the gallery would reopen, in some capacity. For now, the gallery’s website — www.oagart.com — is available and the Gromlings are taking the time off to relax.

“I want this to be a part of my wife and I spending more time together,” he said. “We both came to the same agreement: We need to spend more time together, even if it’s just at the beach where we live.”

Frank Gromling can be contacted at frank@oagart.com or 386-317-9400.

BIZ BUZZ

Flagler Bike Shop under new ownership

After nearly a decade in business, Flagler Bike Shop has announced a change in ownership.

The shop is now owned and operated by manager Mark Vickers, who has been with the business almost from the beginning. Vickers has overseen the shop’s day-to-day operations for the last several years, a Flagler Bike Shop press release said.

Flagler Bike Shop, located at 109 Flagler Plaza Drive, was founded in 2016 by Tom and Kelli Nugent and serves bike riders of all skill levels. The shop has experts in repairs, bike sales, group rides and community event and is known for its personal service, knowledgeable staff and dedication to growing the cycling culture, the press release said.

Former owners Tom and Kelli Nugent said running the Flagler Bike Shop was “more than a business” but was a where friendships were formed, experiences shared and “a vibrant cycling community was built,” the press release said.

The Nugents intend to focus on spending more time with their two young children.

“We’ve had the unique opportunity to make a living doing something we love,” he said.

“We’ve learned so much, had a lot of fun, and met so many incredible people along the way.”

The Nugents may be stepping away from the business but will remain active in the local cycling community, the press release said. Vickers said he looks forward to continuing the shop’s legacy.

“This shop is special, and I’m honored to have the chance to carry it forward,” Vickers said. Pink Army 5K scheduled for Oct. 5 in Flagler

Early bird registration for the 2025 Pink Army 5K is open.

The annual event hosted by the city of Palm Coast and AdventHealth is scheduled for Oct. 5 at 7:45 a.m. at AdventHealth Palm Coast. The Pink Army 5K raises money for breast cancer awareness, education and screening.

All of the funds remain in Flagler County supporting residents with early dedication screening, cancer-related education materials and cancer diagnostics and screening. Additional will funds support the purchase of AdventHealth Palm Coast’s new da Vinci 5 robotic system that assists in complex cancer-related surgeries.

Participants and spectators alike dress in pink at the event, which also includes a petfriendly 1-mile fun walk and a pinkest pet costume contest.

“There’s something powerful about seeing a sea of pink winding through our streets,” said

John Subers, executive director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation. “It sends a message louder than words. It tells every person facing breast cancer that this community shows up, stands beside them and stays in the fight with them.”

To register, visit runsignup. com/Race/FL/PalmCoast/ pink5k. Those using the code “EARLYBIRD” will receive a $5 discount. A discounted student rate (18 and under) is $20 with the code “FlaglerParent.” Both codes are valid through Aug. 31. For sponsorship or group information, call 386-986-2323.

Coast’s

Esq.

A rendering showing the conceptual design for the new White Castle restaurant in Daytona Beach. Courtesy of White Castle

Mark Vickers the new owner of Flagler Bike Shop. Courtesy photo

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REAL ESTATE

House in Beach Haven tops sales list at

$1M

Ahouse at 5 Beach Haven Parkway in Beach Haven, was the top real estate transaction for August 9-15 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on August 15, for $1,050,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,883 square feet.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

A condo at 3600 South Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 320, sold on Aug. 15, for $147,500. Built in 1984, the condo is a 1/1 and has 693 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $80,000.

A condo at 20 Ocean Palm Villa North, Unit 20, sold on August 14, for $218,000. Built in 1979, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,184 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $175,000.

A condo at 102 Yacht Harbor Drive, Unit 470, sold on August 13, for $618,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,918 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $340,000.

FLAGLER BEACH

Painters Walk

A house at 3079 Painters Walk, sold on August 15, for $950,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 5/3 and has a fireplace and 3,622 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $900,000.

River Oaks

A house at 1511 Lambert Ave., sold on August 15, for $849,900. Built in 1998, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,938 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $530,000.

PALM COAST

Belle Terre

A house at 145 Palmwood Drive, sold on August 15, for $315,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,504 square feet.

Hammock Beach

A house at 647 Mahogany Run, sold on August 15, for $725,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a pool and 2,268 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $429,900.

Indian Trails

A house at 8 Burnham Lane, sold on Aug. 15, for $355,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,873 square feet.

A house at 11 Bannbury Lane, sold on August 13, for

$260,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,450 square feet.

Palm Harbor A house at 146 Fenimore Lane, sold on August 15, for $310,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,100 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $238,500.

A house at 12 Fernwood Lane, sold on August 15, for $365,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 1,709 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $72,000.

A house at 40 Cloverdale Court North, sold on August 14, for $665,000. Built in 1982, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a boat dock and 2,384 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $394,000.

Pine Lakes A house at 7 Westgate Lane, sold on Aug. 14, for $310,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,640 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $288,000.

A house at 42 Wentworth Lane, sold on Aug. 15, for $345,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 1,960 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $117,500.

Seminole Woods A house at 6 Seoane Court, sold on August 15, for $358,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,052 square feet.

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

Top sale: Neptune Ave. home sells for $1.3M

Ahouse at 113 Neptune Ave. was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Aug. 2-8. The house sold on Aug. 8, for $1.3 million. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3.5 and has two fireplaces, a pool, a spa and 2,869 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $1,175,000.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Ann Rustin Estates

The house at 92 Ann Rustin Drive sold on Aug. 6, for $740,000. Built in 1970, the house is a 6/3 and has a pool and 2,983 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $308,000.

Banyan Estates

The house at 106 Banyan Drive sold on Aug. 6, for $400,000. Built in 1963, the 4/3 house has a fireplace and 2,450 square feet. It last sold in 1992 for $125,500.

Cypress Trail

The house at 239 Cypress Trail Drive sold on Aug. 4, for $575,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,735 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $401,500.

Halifax Plantation

The house at 1491 Hohe Lane sold on Aug. 7, for $810,000. Built in 2005, the house is a

6/4 and has a pool, a spa and 3,530 square feet. It last sold in 2008 for $475,000.

Hunter’s Ridge

The house at 19 Abacus Ave. sold on Aug. 5, for $500,000. Built in 2014, the house is a 5/3.5 and has 2,809 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $244,829.

Lakes of Pine Run

The house at 300 Sawmill Creek Court sold on Aug. 6, for $285,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,086 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $180,000.

The Trails

The townhome at 7 Appaloosa Trail sold on Aug. 7, for $308,000. Built in 1983, the townhome is a 4/3 and has a fireplace and 2,401 square feet. It last sold in 1999 for $115,000.

Tomoka Oaks

The house at 320 Rio Pinar

Drive sold on Aug. 4, for $450,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 2,408 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $460,000.

Trails North Forty The townhome at 140 Deer Lake Circle sold on Aug. 7, for $380,000. Built in 1988, the townhome is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,591 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $260,000.

Trails South Forty The townhome at 210 Sage Brush Trail sold on Aug. 5, for $375,000. Built in 1984, the 3/2 townhome has a fireplace and 1,743 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $212,500.

Twin River Estates The house at 19 Twin River Drive sold on Aug. 6, for $493,363. Built in 1974, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,625 square feet. It last sold in 1996 for $165,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Ormond Beach Plaza The house at 8 Tarpon Ave. sold on Aug. 5, for $430,000. Built in 1956, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,288 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $340,000.

Peninsula Winds The house at 128 Peninsula Winds Drive sold on Aug. 8, for $355,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,496 square feet.

John Adams, of Adams Cameron, contributed.

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Hot Potato Bowl

previous wins in the series.

The 17th annual Potato Bowl game started over an hourand-a-half late because of lightning strikes in the area. It didn’t end until 11:42 p.m. The play was as sloppy as the muddy field with Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas combining for 29 penalties for 242 yards.

But the end result was familiar — another victory for the Bulldogs, though this one was closer than all of FPC’s

The Bulldogs’ 26-14 victory on Friday, Aug. 22, at “the Ship,” the Pirates’ stadium, was FPC’s 14th in the 17-year history of the rivalry. Of Matanzas’ three wins against its larger county rival, two have come on the field (in 2015 and 2016) and one was a forfeit (in 2022 after FPC selfreported an ineligible player).

“This game is for bragging rights, but we knew we were going to win,” said FPC quarterback La’Darius Simmons. “We’re worried about other teams right now, like Mainland, Spruce Creek and DeLand. We’re not really worried about them.”

But while everything seemed to be going wrong for the Pirates — a muffed punt snap at their 1-yard line on their opening possession, which led to an FPC field goal; two lost fumbles; and a second-quarter interception by FPC’s Dwayne Webb — they found themselves trailing by just six points at 20-14 until Simmons fired a 55-yard touchdown pass to junior speedster Logan Jacobelli with 8:30 left in the game.

“That game’s on me,” Matanzas coach Matt Forrest

players. They had the energy and the mindset to go out and win.”

PIRATES HANG TOUGH

The Bulldogs overcame some injuries early in the game, FPC’s first-year coach, Patrick Turner, said.

“We lost both our tight ends in the first three minutes of the game,” he said. “And we use a tight end on every single play on offense. So, that caused us to make some adjustments. We got up in our I-formation package, we used some defensive players, and that kind of slowed the game down and allowed us to get to halftime to where we could make some adjustments.”

FPC went up 10-0 on a 17-yard touchdown run by Ehimen “He-Man” Ajede early in the second quarter. Matanzas followed with a 75-yard touchdown drive ending with Jordan Schendorf’s 2-yard scoring catch

from Cole Walker. FPC stretched the lead to 17-7 later in the second quarter on Caden Burchfield’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Nolan Caliendo. The Bulldogs made it 20-7 on Garrett Tucker’s 37-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half.

But the Pirates followed with another long touchdown drive, this one for 86 yards that was kept alive by a pass interference penalty against FPC and another penalty against the Bulldogs for 12 men on the field that

The Matanzas band performs at halftime.

Jaylin Ricks. Photos by Brian McMillan

Matanzas running back James Peterson.

Photo by Brian McMillan

FPC kicks off.

FPC running back Darwin Harris (25) dives for yards.

Palm Coast.

The FPC color guard performs with the band. Photo by Hannah Hodge

FPC quarterback La’Darius Simmons runs a keeper. Photo by Brian McMillan

SIDE LINES

FPC’s Neal commits to DSC Flagler Palm Coast High School girls soccer goalie Natalie Neal has committed to play soccer next year at Daytona State College. Neal had 99 saves, seven clean sheets and a 1.795 goals against average last season. Matanzas ends preseason with Pirate Relays

Matanzas won the threeperson mixed relay at its Preseason Pirate Cross Country Relays on Aug. 16. Sara Van Buren, Brant Tarsitano and Matt Ciardi finished the 5K run in 17:10. Matanzas finished second in the girls two-person relay with Van Buren and Megan Rhee finishing with a time of 20:36. Do you have sports news? Email brent@ observerlocalnews.com

negated an FPC interception. Matanzas running back Wiley Conner ended the drive with a 1-yard scoring run to make it 20-14.

But Jacobelli’s touchdown catch seemed to take the wind out of the Pirates’ sails. Simmons said on the previous play, he saw the receiver was open.

“I was just looking over there, but I didn’t throw it,” Simmons said. “The next play, I gave him a nod, and I just threw it to him. I trusted him.”

“It’s kind of like they were on the same page; they were in sync,” Turner said.

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

Turner keeps a goal board

Matanzas grad named Pirates baseball coach

Homecoming has come early for Matanzas High School graduate Sean McManus.

McManus has been named the Pirates’ new head baseball coach.

He succeeds Jim Perry, who stepped down in June after leading the Matanzas program for 11 years.

“This is a homecoming for me,”

said McManus, who graduated from Matanzas in 2010. “I love coming back and helping out my alma mater.”

McManus pitched for four years for the Bellevue University (Nebraska) baseball team and remained at the school earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and then serving as an academic advisor for the past eight years.

He coached youth travel ball for Ultimate Baseball Academy in Omaha, Nebraska, for a few years and worked with Bellevue pitchers on the side unofficially last season.

This will be his first experience coaching high school players.

“It’s a happy medium,” he said.

“I’m excited for the new experience and new challenges. I’m ready to get going with fall ball — weight room and conditioning and on-the-field work as well.”

The Pirates have not had a winning season since 2018. They struggled last season with just four seniors on the team, finishing with just two wins.

McManus said he met three returning players as of Monday, Aug. 25.

“It will be a clean slate,” he said.

“I want to see what their goals and aspirations are. If any have goals and aspirations to play at the next level, then we’ll get them exposure and help them make the transition, not

just athletically, but academically as well.”

Tommy Ascone will return as an assistant coach, Matanzas athletic director Zach Rigney said. He hopes to bring in two other assistant coaches.

“We understand it will be a process,” Rigney said. “We’re looking to build the program. And I’m very excited to bring Sean aboard. Anytime you have alumni coming back, you know they want to see the school have success. Sean’s passion is not only for baseball but for Matanzas High School in general.”

that leads to his formula for success. One of the goals on the board is to rush for over 200 yards. The Bulldogs did that with Ajede rushing for 78 yards, Darwin Harris rushing for 72, Burchield for 47 and Simmons for 32. They also won the turnover margin 4-0 — the Bulldogs fumbled four times but recovered each one. Both teams struggled with penalties. FPC was penalized 18 times for 153 yards. Matanzas drew 10 yellow flags for 89 yards. Many of the penal-

ties were personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct, not unusual for this chippy rivalry.

Burchfield (86 yards) and Simmons (78 yards) combined to pass for 164 yards passing.

Caliendo caught six passed for 87 yards.

“I wanted to rotate the quarterbacks. They both have different strengths that they bring,” Turner said.

Conner rushed for 79 yards and caught three passes for 42 yards for the Pirates. Walker

Volleball season underway

Seabreeze’s volleyball team has opened the season with two victories heading into its home match against Father Lopez on Aug. 27. The Sandcrabs defeated Atlantic 3-2 and Deltona 3-0. Seabreeze visits Menendez on Thursday, Aug. 28, and hosts Pine Ridge on Tuesday, Sept. 2. After two matches, Haven Price led the Sandcrabs with 11 kills. Alexandria Dingman had nine kills, 21 digs and 16 serve receptions and Carley Bandell had 16 total blocks. Flagler Palm Coast began its season with a 1-1 record heading into the Nike Tournament of Champions in Gainesville Aug. 29-30. The Bulldogs return home Sept. 3-4 against Deltona and Seabreeze, respectively. Matanzas was scheduled to open its season on Wednesday, Aug. 27, against Mainland.

“We’re looking to build the program. And I’m very excited to bring Sean aboard. Anytime you have alumni coming back, you know they want to see the school have success. Sean’s passion is not only for baseball but for Matanzas High School in general.”

FPC wins AAU state lifting titles

FPC’s weightlifters have won boys and girls 2025 AAU state championships. “I’m so proud of these kids,” coach Duane Hagstrom said in a Facebook post. “These amazing athletes gave their all, every early morning, every tough drill, every moment when they could’ve stopped, and they didn’t. They pushed. They grew. They believed.”

passed for 124 yards.

“The defense was lights out,” Turner said. “We did a great job except for some foolish penalties. We still got to tighten some things up. But all in all, I love the effort. The defense flew around and did an absolute great job.”

Forrest was also encouraged despite the disappointing loss and a quiet locker room after the game.

“People didn’t think this was a rivalry before,” Forrest said. “It’s definitely a rivalry now, considering the JV score, a one-score game the last three years. And this was the most competitive (Potato Bowl) game in a long time. I’m proud of the fight of our guys.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Forrest said. “We’re here for the long haul. This program’s on the rise.”

Matanzas alum Sean McManus has been named the Pirates’ new baseball coach.

Courtesy photo

ZACH RIGNEY, Matanzas athletic director

Caleigh Walden

A Matanzas player attempts a flying tackle on FPC’s Darwin Harris. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Matanzas receiver Jordan Schendorf gets hoisted in the air after catching a touchdown pass.

FPC freshman Seth, senior Slaughter place second at Spikes and Spurs

Douglas Seth said he was trying to figure out how to pace himself in a 5K race at his first high school meet.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast freshman

Douglas Seth was running in his first high school cross country meet, and he said he was trying to figure out how to pace himself over a 5-kilometer distance.

“In middle school we ran 3Ks. I didn’t know how to work 5Ks,” he said.

It would be hard to convince his competitors of that as Seth placed second among 341 boys finishers in FPC’s 14th annual Spikes and Spurs Classic on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Flagler County Fairgrounds.

His time of 17:09.8 probably won’t remain his high school personal record for long as times were slow on the muddy course after about two inches of rain drenched the fairgrounds the night before.

What impressed FPC coach Dave Halliday was who Seth beat out to take the runnerup medal.

“Cross country is really about beating people, and that gets lost nowadays,” Halliday said. “Douglas beat out a couple of kids who ran 15s last year, kids who ran 16:10. He beat out some pretty strong kids.”

Told to hang back early, Seth bolted from seventh place at the first split to second place by the second split.

Creekside junior Eli Scharf won the race with a time of 17:01.0. Seth and sophomore Owen Stackpole (18th at 18:10.6) led the Bulldogs to a

fifth-place team finish behind Oviedo Hagerty, Creekside, Nease and Sanford Seminole.

FPC senior Arianna Slaughter finished second in the girls race behind Creekside’s Eva Delaney, who ran the only

sub 20-minute time with a 19:39.3. Slaughter’s time of 20:15.3 was less than a second off her 2024 Spikes and Spurs time of 20:14.7 when she finished third to help the Bulldogs win the team title and times in general were faster.

“Ari’s workouts have been lights out. In comparison to last summer, she’s improved a bunch,” Halliday said, adding that she had a head cold the night before Saturday’s race.

Two other FPC girls finished in the top 20 to help the girls match the boys with a fifth-place team finish. Creekside won the girls team title, followed by Beachside, Ponte Vedra and Hagerty.

FPC’s Anna Grigoruk placed eighth in the girls race in 20:49.6, while Audrey Bowman was 16th in 21:47.5.

“None of us PR’d, but we ran really well for the condition the course was in,” Grigoruk said.

“Going in I was not supposed to place anywhere near where I did,” Bowman said.

Halliday said he was really happy with the trio’s performance.

“I think Anna is going to surprise people this year. I think our top three can run with anybody’s top three in (Class) 4A,” Halliday said. “They’re probably all going to be improving by close to a minute this year.”

Slaughter said the Bulldogs knew the course was going to be tough after Friday’s downpour, but they weren’t daunted.

“We were mainly going after placing, and I think we all did

Matanzas’ Cerasi seventh at Cecil Field season opener

Matanzas sophomore Peyton Cerasi placed seventh out of more than 300 runners at the season-opening Cecil Field Summer Classic cross country meet in Jacksonville.

Cerasi ran a 19:09 in the Girls Elite 5K to break a school record that had stood since 2011.

Senior Megan Rhee ran a time of 21:26 for 101st place and Sara Van Buren ran 21:59 for 135th on the fast Cecil Field course.

Blaine Vogel led the Matanzas boys with a personal-record 16:24 for 35th place in the Boys Elite 5K to help the Pirates place 13th among 42 boys teams.

Freshman Dylan Ciardi ran a 16:36 in his varsity debut to place 43rd. Senior Brant Tarsitano was 89th in 17:05.

Junior Enzo McGovern ran a personal-record 17:27 for 120th place.

that,” she said. “We all tried the hardest and that’s what matters the most. We have a small team this year, but we’re definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Seabreeze placed 13th among 21 boys teams and 14th among the girls.

Senior Hunter Shuler led the Sandcrab boys with a time of 18:47.1 for 33rd place.

Freshman Karli Rybicki led the Seabreeze girls with a time of 26:41.3 to finish 101st.

Also finishing among the top 50 in the boys race were FPC freshman Brayden Murray (38th, 18:51.1); Seabreeze junior Joseph Davis (49th, 19:10.1) and FPC junior Evan Johnson (50th, 19:13.9).

FPC sophomore Mateo Almeida placed 53rd with a time of 19:16.5 despite slipping and falling on the wet course.

The Bulldogs were missing some runners due to sickness, minor injuries, SAT exams and other conflicts, Halliday

“For many of the Pirates, this was their

“The team’s performances against elite competition showed promising depth and potential for the season ahead.”

said.

Seth, who is team-oriented, was bummed about the Bulldogs missing some of their top runners, Halliday said. But Seth and Stackpole, close friends and former teammates with Imagine School at Town Center’s club team, were happy to be reunited.

“Last year, I was saying, ‘Next year we’ll have Douglas,’ Stackpole said. “I’ve been dreaming about this race since last year.”

“We want to be the best duo in 4A by the end of the season,” Seth said. Halliday said it was a successful meet with about 2,000 runners and spectators on and around the course for the high school and middle school races.

“I thought we pulled off a heck of an event,” he said. “Our coaches and parents put on a great meet. It was a huge turnout. Everyone was very appreciative. I think it was a good season opener.”

Seabreeze’s Madison Wilson.

Seabreeze’s Joseph Davis (711) placed 49th out of 341 boys finishers.

Seabreeze’s Hunter Shuler holds up his medal after leading the Sandcrabs with a 33rdplace finish.

FPC’s Arianna Slaughter (right) placed second overall and stands next to winner Eva Delaney.

FPC’s Audrey Bowman (right) placed 16th out of 245 finishers in the girls race.

FPC sophomore Owen Stackpole (left) and freshman Douglas Seth are middle-school club teammates back together on their high school team. Photos by Brent Woronoff

first official 5K,” Matanzas coach Katie Hoover said.

Matanzas sophomore Peyton Cerasi placed seventh with a school-record time at the Cecil Field Summer Classic on Aug. 22 in Jacksonville. Courtesy photo

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creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the 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 DATE OF 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 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 SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES 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. Jewa Lea, Personal Representative, 141 Rhode Island Street, Highland Park, MI, 48203 The first publication of this notice is August 28, 2025. /s/ Andrea Burns ANDREA BURNS, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 1031966 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone Attorney for Personal Representative stacygeigeresq@yahoo.com andreaburnsesq@gmail.com Aug. 28; Sept. 4, 2025 25-00203G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Case No. 2025 CA 000113

Truist Bank, Plaintiff, vs. Todd J. Cardillo a/k/a Todd Joseph Cardillo a/k/a Todd Cardillo, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2025 CA 000113 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein Truist Bank is the Plaintiff and Todd J. Cardillo a/k/a Todd Joseph Cardillo a/k/a Todd Cardillo; Kianna Leigh Edwards f/k/a Kianna L. Cardillo a/k/a Kianna Leigh Cardillo a/k/a Kianna Cardillo; Fifth Third Bank, N.A.; The Independent Savings Plan Company d/b/a ISPC, Inc.; ITT Community Development Corporation; Palm Coast Community Service Corporation are the Defendants, that Tom Bexley, Flagler County Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at, www. flagler.realforeclose.com, beginning at 11:00 AM on the 26th day of September, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 5, BLOCK 63, ROYAL PALMS - SECTION - 32, PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 10, PAGES 54 THROUGH 66, INCLUSIVE, PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA.

TAX ID: 07-11-31-7032-006300050 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. If you are a person with a disability

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION 48 File # 2025 CP 498 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BARBARA K. PLUMEZ, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of Barbara K. Plumez, Deceased, whose date of death was February 22, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 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 the 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 DATE OF 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 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 SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES 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. Michael J. Plumez, Personal Representative, 2637 White Fence Way, High Point, NC, 27265 The first publication of this notice is August 28, 2025. /s/ Andrea Burns ANDREA BURNS, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 1031966 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone Attorney for Personal Representative stacygeigeresq@yahoo.com andreaburnsesq@gmail.com Aug. 28; Sept. 4, 2025 25-00204G

FIRST INSERTION PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with Section 177.101 of the Florida Statutes and in accordance with Sections 336.09 and 336.10, Florida Statutes, Aaron J. Rounsavall, as the owner of the subject lands included within a plat and roadway vacation petition, requested that the Board of County Commissioners of Flagler County, Florida, consider its request to vacate that portion of the platted lands and platted road described below, and on August 18, 2025 the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2025-68 during its regular scheduled meeting in the Board Chambers at 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell, Florida, vacating and abandoning the portions of the platted lands and platted road described below: A certain portion of Smokerise Subdivision Unit 4, Flagler County, Florida, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 26, Page 38, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida, described as a strip of land 40 feet wide at the rear of Lot 11 dedicated to the perpetual use of the public, for the installation and maintenance of roads, public utilities and drainage facilities, as described on the aforementioned Smokerise Subdivision Unit 4, Flagler County, Florida plat. Aug. 28 25-00317F

FIRST INSERTION Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Long Hill Crafters, located at 300 Shady Oaks Drive, Apt 203, 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 this 25th day of August, 2025 Nicholas Coulstring Aug. 28 25-00318F

FIRST INSERTION

Fictitious Name Notice Notice is hereby given that Johanna Brooks, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Seek Truth Graphics located at 45 Comanche Ct, Palm Coast Florida intends to register the said name in Flagler county with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes. August 28, 2025 25-00205G

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000505 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF NAOMI S. COPELAND aka NAOMI BERNADIA COPELAND Deceased. The administration of the estate of NAOMI S. COPELAND also known as NAOMI BERNADIA COPELAND, deceased, whose date of death was May 18, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for FLAGLER County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. 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 August 28, 2025.

Personal Representative: Nancy L. Firfer c/o Legacy Law Associates, P.L. 313 South Palmetto Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Attorney for Personal Representative: W. Denis Shelley

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 273872 Legacy Law Associates, P.L. 313 South Palmetto Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Telephone: (386) 252-2531 Fax: (386) 258-0392

E-Mail: Shelley@legacylaw313.com

Secondary E-Mail: troy@legacylaw313.com Aug. 28; Sept. 4, 2025 25-00206G

FIRST INSERTION

Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of SOL Machine Shop, located at 2323 N. State St. Unit #140, in the City of Bunnell, Flagler County, FL 32110 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 24th day of August, 2025 Gagnon Solutions, LLC Aug. 28 25-00316F

site at: www.palatkaha.org A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for September 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the boardroom at the PHA main office. The PHA reserves the right to waive informalities in the bids received and to accept any which we consider to be in our best interest and to reject any and all bids. The PHA is an EOE/DFW. The PHA has a goal and policies encouraging participation of small, minority, and women owned businesses in the provision of goods and

FLORIDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold

a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 8th day of September, 2025, for the purpose of Second and Final Reading to consider entering into a development agreement for the Reserve at Haw Creek development, before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Bunnell Administration Complex located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, Florida 32110. NOTICE OF INTENT

IT IS HEREBY NOTICED THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL WILL HAVE SEC-

OND AND FINAL READING TO CONSIDER ENTERING INTO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE RESERVE AT HAW CREEK DEVELOPMENT

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for upto-date information rson to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed development agreement, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the development agreement at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this development agreement can be obtained at the

CREDITORS

THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION 48 File # 2025 CP 394 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM GARLDON RACKLEY Deceased.

The administration of the Estate of William Garldon Rackley, Deceased, whose date of death was May 5, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 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 the 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 DATE OF 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 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 SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES 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 first publication of this notice is August 21, 2025. Cynthia Ashley, Personal Representative, 365 Valverde Lane, St. Augustine, FL, 32086 /s/ Stacy Geiger STACY GEIGER, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 0015711 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone stacygeigeresq@yahoo.com andreaburnsesq@gmail.com August 21, 28, 2025 25-00196G

SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION 48 File No. 2025 CP 000417 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD JEROME LOCCHI Deceased. The administration of the estate of Donald Jerome Locchi, deceased, whose date of death was April 12, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building #1, 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. 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 August 21st, 2025. Personal Representative: Stacey Dawn Locchi 2091 North Central Avenue Flagler Beach, Florida 32136

Attorney for Personal Representative: Thomas J. Upchurch, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0015821 Upchurch Law 1616 Concierge Blvd, Suite 101 Daytona Beach, Florida 32117

Telephone: (386) 492-3871

Fax: (386) 492-3876 E-mail Address: tupchurch@upchurchlaw.com

Secondary E-mail: jackie@upchurchlaw.com August 21, 28, 2025 25-00197G SECOND INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000379 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN P. EICHLER, Deceased. The administration

OF 3 MONTHS AF TER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLI CATION 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 de mands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NO TICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the de cedent 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 Statues. 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 August 21, 2025 Personal Representative: Tina Louise Chalmers 26 Westridge Lane Palm Coast, FL 32164 Victoria C. Zinn, Esquire Attorney for Personal Representative Email Address: victoria@zinnlegal.com Florida Bar No. 1018293 P.O. Box 10016 Daytona Beach, FL 32120 Telephone: (386)256-9466 August 21, 28, 2025 25-00200G