THE HAMMOCK
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 1, NO. 29
Celebrating seniors PAGE 7B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Luxury villas going vertical
New Hammock development Coquina Beach Villas, with prices around $3M, going vertical this month. PAGE 7A
Boat storage saga settled?
OUT WITH THE OLD
Flagler County and Hammock Harbour’s federal lawsuit may have agreement. PAGE 7A INSIDE ANNEXATION
Land conservation sale at heart of Summertown annexation. PAGE 3A
FORFEIT
FBCA girls basketball team forfeits 11 victories because of ineligible players. PAGE 3A
ICE PROTESTS
Flagler, Volusia residents join in protests: ICE Out for Good. PAGE 2A Construction continued this week on the Flagler Beach pier. Photo by Brian McMillan
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 3B Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner................PAGE 2A Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters........................ PAGE 8A McMillan..................... PAGE 8A Public Notices............ PAGE 5C Sports......................... PAGE 5B Tributes ...................... PAGE 4C Real Estate................. PAGE 6A
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ON NEWSSTANDS.
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Abra Seay honored as assistant principal of the year
Pirates beat Bulldogs Two goals in final 10 minutes clinches Matanzas’
And, how Champ brings peace to kids at Rymfire. 1B
3-0 boys soccer victory over Flagler Palm Coast.
PAGE 7B
Coastal living at its best offered by the best 54 Hammock Beach Circle S.
LISTED
LISTED
259 Yacht Harbor Drive
Stunning, light-filled waterfront home offers refined coastal living with quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Adjoining lot included. 3 / 3.5 / 2,704 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $1,149,000
215 Willow Oak Way Grand Haven
LISTED
Exceptional home in the Wild Oaks neighborhood has been elevated to a new level of sophistication. 3 / 2.5 2,584 sq. ft. LIST PRICE $975,000
Exceptional opportunity to build on this premier homesite offering an ideal setting with ocean and golf course views. 0.16 acres LIST PRICE $999,900
judy barnes
rich hottinger, sr.
krista libby
Judy@HammockDunesFL.com
Rich@HammockDunesFL.com
Krista@HammockDunesFL.com
386.931.5707
386.503.0509
612.298.4040
2 Camino Del Mar | Palm Coast CoastalProsFL.com
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Site plan is artist rendering, not to scale. Prices, plans and specifications subject to change without notice or obligation. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. One or more photos have been staged.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
NEWS BRIEFS Flagler inmate dies of apparent alcohol poisoning An inmate died of apparent alcohol poisoning on Jan. 9. Vadim Valenteychik, 54 of Palm Coast, was found unresponsive in a single-person cell at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility shortly after 6 a.m. FCSO detention deputies and medical staff immediately began lifesaving measures, including using an automated external defibrillator, while waiting for Flagler County Fire Rescue to arrive, an FCSO press release said. FCFR personnel later pronounced Valenteychik deceased. Sheriff Rick Staly has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the death for complete transparency. After the FDLE completes its investigations, the FCSO will conduct an internal review “to ensure all policies and procedures were followed.” A clinical medical review is also being conducted by the jail’s medical provider as required by FCSO’s contract. Valenteychik was being held on pending DUI charges. He was arrested on Jan. 8 after he crashed his car into a building at 2 Corporate Drive at around 9:43 a.m. and had a blood alcohol content of .340. Valenteychik told FCSO deputies he drove over the curb into the bushes and then hit the building, according to his arrest report. A 25-ounce beer can was found open and spilled in Valenteychik’s driver seat. Deputies brought Valenteychik to AdventHealth North Palm Coast for medical clearance. There, FCSO Master Deputy Faircloth administered a breathalyzer test and Valenteychik blew first a .325 and then a .340 at 11:44 a.m. That is over four times the legal limit, the report said. Valenteychik was cleared by the hospital and taken to the county jail and booked into the single-person cell where deputies “conducted regular checks” throughout the night, the press release said. Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert said that though Valenteychik’s exact cause of death is yet to be determined, research “has shown that blood alcohol content levels between 0.30% and 0.35% have an extremely high risk of coma or death.” “Sadly, it is not uncommon for local jails to house inmates with significant health issues related to illicit drug and alcohol use,” Engert said. “Losing a loved one is never easy, especially so unexpectedly. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Ormond American Legion leader arrested on child porn charges
The commander of the American Legion Post 267 in Ormond Beach has been arrested on 40 counts of child pornography charges. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office reports that 57-year-old John Delage was arrested the evening of Friday, Jan. 9, at Post 267, for 40 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child. VSO stated that Post 267 staff cooperated with deputies who arrived to make the arrest and that the case began with a tip to the VSO Child Exploitation Unit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. According to a VSO report, the agency received the tip on July 29, 2025. The tip originated from a sex chat room website. A VSO detective tracked the provided IP addresses to an Ormond Beach home in Breakaway Trails, owned by Delage and his wife. The VSO Child Exploitation Unit executed a search warrant on the home on Dec. 12, 2025. The repot states that Delage “answered some background information, however requested an attorney when asked about sex chat websites.” A total of 22 electronic devices were seized. During their investigation, detectives found over 200 pornographic images and almost 50 videos of children ages 1-12. Detectives also found sexually explicit messages exchanged on different applications. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded to Delage’s arrest on social media. “Sickening and disturbing is the only way to describe this,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “Thank you to our Volusia Sheriff’s Office CEU detectives who do all they can to protect kids from the worst of society. Thank you to the deputies who took this scumbag into custody. And thank you to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for staying vigilant and tipping off law enforcement about these sick cases all over the country!!”
22-year-old Palm Coast man exposed himself to teen, sheriff says A 22-year-old Palm Coast man has been arrested after he exposed himself to, and performed a sex act on himself in front of, a teenage girl walking on Rickenbacker Drive. Stephen Caputo, of Riddle Drive, was arrested on Jan. 9 and is being charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition by an offender over 18 in the presence of a victim under 16, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release. The incident occurred on Dec. 26. The victim told depu-
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
ties she was walking along Rickenbacker Drive when a black Kia hatchback pulled alongside her and the driver exposed his genitals to her, the press release said. The man then drove off but then returned, slowing down beside the victim a second time. The victim said the man then “made a sexually explicit comment toward her about his prior actions, asking her if she liked it,” the press release said. The victim reported the crime to FCSO the same day. FCSO deputies canvassed the area and, using the Real Time Crime Center and Criminal Intelligence Unit, identified the car and Caputo as the suspect. Caputo did not own the Kia but was involved in a crash in it weeks prior. FCSO Major Case Unit detectives took over the investigation and found Caputo at his work in Ormond Beach on Jan. 8 and interviewed him. Caputo initially said he was “fixing himself,” but then admitted to masturbating while driving, the press release said. Caputo said he did not know the age of the girl and that he had never done this before. He was arrested the next day. Caputo was transported to jail, where he was later released on a $7,500 bond.
Cuban national sentenced for child sexual abuse charges A Cuban national arrested in Flagler County in March 2025 on child sexual abuse charges has been sentenced to six years in prison. Jose Valerio-Rodriguez, 70, is in the United States illegally. He was sentenced by Flagler County Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols after ValerioRodriguez pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual activity with a minor and two counts of lewd or lascivious touching of a minor on Jan. 7. Once he is released, ValerioRodriguez will be on sex offender probation and registration for nine years, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release said. The Department of Homeland Security will also deport Valerio-Rodriguez. Valerio-Rodriguez, who was living in a tent at the time behind Circle K on Palm Harbor Parkway, was arrested after a 16-year-old girl contacted FCSO deputies in February 2025. She told deputies that the suspect had digitally penetrated her while she was with him in his tent, according to the original arrest report. The victim told deputies that she had visited ValerioRodriguez multiple times from December 2024 until February 2025 for cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. She said he had kissed her multiple times before the February 2025 incident. In exchange for pleading guilty on the three counts, prosecutors dropped one count of child abuse against Valerio-Rodriguez, the press release said.
Matanzas gets a scare, then all clear FCSO had been told that a vehicle was possibly connected to two recent ‘explosive incidents’ in the city. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Matanzas High School was put on hold status from 1 p.m. until dismissal on Wednesday, Jan. 7, as a vehicle parked on campus was being investigated for the presence of an explosive device. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called in during the afternoon. No explosive devices were located and the vehicle was cleared, according to a 5:20 p.m. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office post on Wednesday. During a hold status, students remain in the classroom they are in at the time. In a 4 p.m. press conference on school property, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said neither Matanzas High School nor any students were targeted. “I want to make one thing very clear, there was no threat to Matanzas High School or to any student here,” Staly said. “An investigation that we were conducting led us to Matanzas High School.” Staly, who was joined in the press conference by Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore, said his office had been investigating two “suspicious explosive incidents” the previous few days in the S and L sections of Palm Coast. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received information on Wednesday morning about a vehicle that was parked at the school and driven by a
COPS CORNER JAN. 1
NIGHT WALKER 2:38 a.m. — 200 block of Willow Place, Ormond Beach Possession of marijuana. A 27-year-old Daytona Beach man was arrested on drug charges after a woman called police upon seeing him walking through her backyard. According to the police report, the woman said the man appeared to be intoxicated. As police spoke with him, the reporting officer noted he couldn’t hold his balance. Upon searching him, police found 10 grams of marijuana. The man was taken to jail.
JAN. 8
WE HAVE THE MEATS 9:27 a.m. — 1400 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Petit theft. Police arrested a
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore hold a press conference outside of Matanzas High School on Wednesday, Jan. 7, regarding a student’s vehicle, parked on campus, that was connected to an investigation of two Palm Coast “explosive incidents.” Photo courtesy of the FCSO
suspect, a male student at Matanzas. Staly said the FCSO spotted the vehicle parked by the tennis courts, which are on the south side of the campus. Staly said when law enforcement talked to the student, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, “which is exactly his right to do,” Staly said. As a result, the FCSO obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. An FCSO K-9 trained in explosive detection had a positive hit on vehicle leading the Sheriff’s Office to call in the St. Johns EOD unit. Staly said a positive hit only means that “there was something chemical in the vehicle” that would prompt a positive response from the K-9. Staly said the St. Johns EOD unit used X-ray equipment before entering the vehicle. Moore said students were released under a staggered dismissal. Students whose vehicles were parked within 300 feet of the suspect vehicle could not approach their cars until the vehicle was cleared. They were allowed to return to school later in the evening to
pick up their cars. The FCSO’s first social media post of the incident, at 1:59 p.m. Wednesday, said, “The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received information about the potential presence of modified fireworks located inside a student’s vehicle parked near the tennis courts of Matanzas High School.” During the press conference, Staly said the student and his mother were at the school and no arrest had been made. On the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 9, an FCSO spokesperson said in an email that the investigation is still active and ongoing. “I just want to thank the Sheriff’s Office,” Moore said. “I also want to thank St. Johns Sheriff’s Office as well. And again, just reiterate that this had nothing to do with Matanzas High School outside of the individual being here and the vehicle being identified as here as well. And so we look forward to resuming normal activity (Thursday) here at Matanzas High School, as well as all of our Flagler schools.” Email brent@observerlocal news.com.
67-year-old Daytona Beach man who attempted to steal $390 worth of meat by placing it in a store trash can and covering it with a shirt. The store’s assistant manager notified police of the incident and provided surveillance footage that showed the man entering the store and placing food items and the meat into his cart. He then put the meat into the trashcan and then put a sandwich, bottle of tea and cup of popcorn chicken in his backpack. The store manager confronted the man about the theft, at which point, the man exited the store with his backpack, leaving the trash can behind. The prepared food items totaled $14.67. He was taken to jail.
A Bunnell man was arrested after he was caught stealing power tools from a residential neighborhood. A resident called 911 about a suspicious person walking around with a cooler full of power tools, according to an arrest report. Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the neighborhood and canvassed the area, finding the suspect as he threw objects from the road into the woods. The suspect had called a friend to come pick him up, but deputies detained the suspect before he could leave. The suspect was searched, and deputies found a knife, a cigarette carton with a meth-soaked cotton ball and a needle with fentanyl on the man’s person. The man was arrested.
JAN. 8
JAN. 10
TOOLS OF THE TRADE 2:31 a.m. — First block of Rockne Lane, Palm Coast. Burglary, drug possession.
BANGS FOR THE BUCK 4 p.m. — First block of Fernwood Lane, Palm Coast. Grand theft. A woman and her boyfriend are facing grand theft charges after they reportedly stole her father’s guns and pawned them. The victim called Sheriff’s Office deputies and reported that multiple guns, ammunition, a compound bow and a crossbow were missing. He said since there was no forced entry into the home, he believed his daughter and her boyfriend and stolen them, according to an arrest report. Using a law enforcement database, deputies found that both suspects had pawned multiple boxes of ammunition, a bow and multiple firearms on multiple occasions, the report said. The couple were located the next day at a separate service call, and, when questioned, admitted to stealing and pawning the items, the report said. The man had prior felony convictions for cocaine possession. The two are facing multiple grand theft charges, dealing in stolen property and more charges for possessing a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
ObserverLocalNews.com
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
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Uncertainty over land conservation shadows Summertown annexation The development’s unit count will be reduced by three units for every acre of conservation bought by Flagler County. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The 545-acre development Summertown has been approved by Flagler Beach for annexation, potentially adding over 3,400 to Flagler Beach’s population. The Flagler Beach Commission voted 4-1 on Jan. 9 to annex and rezone the land for the Summertown development, with just Commissioner John Cunningham voting against it. The development is approved for 1,640 residential units or 3 units per acres, whichever is less. It will also have 640,000 square feet of commercial space, including a 250-room boutique hotel, and 40% open space. Summertown is one part of what was a 2,700-unit, 900acre development known as Veranda Bay that has been undergoing the annexation process in Flagler Beach for two years. The Summertown development includes property that stretches from State Road 100 to two miles south
Flagler developer Ken Belshe at the Jan. 9 Flagler Beach Commission meeting. Screenshot of Flagler Beach meeting livestream
along the west side of John Anderson Highway. Thirty acres of the property is already within city limits, so the application to annex is for 514 acres, with supplemental applications to change the property’s zoning and land use. Developer Ken Belshe said Summertown represents an opportunity to “create a vibrant walkable town center that complements rather than overwhelms the unique character of Flagler Beach.” “This isn’t just a housing development,” he said, “it’s a complete community with internal road system, trails and parks.” Not only will annexing the development give Flagler Beach control over its future, Belshe said, it will also create
tax revenue in perpetuity for the city. But there are still concerns regarding the massive development: the future impact to traffic, infrastructure and city utilities, and questions on density, and buffers between existing properties. Flagler Beach resident and County Commissioner Kim Carney also questioned the city’s reliance on a submitted fiscal impact study, prepared by a company — Strategic Planning Group Inc. — that is no longer in operation. “According to SunBiz, this firm is currently inactive and has administratively dissolved,” Carney said. “Despite that, the city is relying on this study to support a major financial decision.” Flagler County Attorney Sarah Spector said that while the developer has met some of the county’s concerns, there are still others that need to be addressed, including the demands on water and wastewater capacity. As of now, she said, there are no specific plans to address capacity for water and wastewater beyond a commitment to do so in the future. Flagler Beach is currently financing an expensive expansion of its sewer plant. There was also the question of what would happen to wetlands on the property.
Since the November approval of Summertown, Flagler County and Belshe agreed for Flagler County to purchase 153 acres of floodplain from Summertown. That represents approximately 70% of the development’s wetlands, according to Flagler Beach city documents, and is still included in the 540 acres of development. If the sale is successful, the land will be a part of the county’s future Bulow Creek Headwaters Regional Park. The additional land will preserve wetlands and wildlife habitats that are vital to the health of Bulow Creek and the Halifax River estuary, expand recreational opportunities at the future regional park, safeguard the community from flood risks and protect open space in a rapidly growing area, a county press release said. During the Jan. 9 meeting, Commissioners Rick Belhumeur and Eric Cooley asked about the density of the remaining property and if it would go down with the sale of the wetlands. Belshe made the commitment to lower the development’s unit count by three units for every acre of land Flagler County purchases. “That only makes sense, it’s only reasonable,” Belshe said. “So we’re willing to do that.”
Attorney Michael Chiumento clarified that with City Attorney Drew Smith in the meeting, to change the annexation agreement to reflect “1,640 units or 3.0 units per acre, whichever is less.” If the county buys the 150 acres, for example, it would drop the number of units by roughly 450 units. Cooley asked if there was any language that could be added to affirm the sale of the land, though he acknowledged there was no way to lock in the sale. There’s a lot of variables, he said, but the public is looking for assurances. “The public would like to see conservation,” Cooley said. “The public would like to see that land sale happen.” Smith said Flagler Beach can not compel the two other parties to agree. Spector did reaffirm the county was working on the sale, and Chiumento confirmed Belshe’s commitment to it as well. “I was taken aback by the fact there was a question of whether the county was interested in purchasing this property,” Spector said. “There is no question.” Co m m i ss i o n e r Sco t t Spradley said the community is wanting that good-faith assurance. “These days there’s just a natural tendency to assume the worst,” he said. “So we’re
“I was taken aback by the fact there was a question of whether the county was interested in purchasing this property. There is no question.” SARAH SPECTOR, Flagler County attorney
looking for something to reassure the community that this sale will in fact happen.” Belshe said he understood their concerns, but he, too, had concerns that the county could change its mind before the sale is complete. “We’re one election away from maybe the appetite for ESL changing entirely,” he said. If they add in language that locks the sale in, he said, and the county changes its mind, that “would be a taking of our property,” keeping the developer from doing anything with the land. “The knife cuts both ways,” he said. Summertown’s sister development Veranda Bay is still being reviewed. Email Sierra Williams at sierra@observerlocalnews. com.
FBCA girls basketball team forfeits 11 victories because of ineligible players Wagner, the school’s elementary principal, stepped aside because of his expanding duties, admin says. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
First Baptist Christian Academy’s girls basketball team has forfeited its 11 victories this season due to using ineligible players. Coach Anthony Wagner, who is also FBCA’s elementary principal, is no longer the team’s head coach. The boys basketball team also forfeited its three victories because of ineligible players, the Palm Coast school confirmed. Dr. Max Fernandez, FBCA’s head of school, and athletic director Caleb Young said the issues involved eligibility documentation that was not fully compliant with Florida High School Athletic Association requirements. They said once the errors were discovered, the school
self-reported to the FHSAA and forfeited the wins that involved ineligible players. The girls team was undefeated at 11-0 through Dec. 29 before the ineligibilities were reported. The three leading scorers at that time are no longer on the team. The Crusaders have lost all four of their games since the forfeits. As of Jan. 13, the FHSAA has not responded to an email from the Observer requesting the nature of the ineligibilities. Fernandez and Young would not say what the issues were leading to the players being declared ineligible. “Out of respect for student privacy and in compliance with FHSAA guidelines, we are not able to discuss individual students or specific documentation,” Fernandez said in an email. “What we can confirm is that the issue involved eligibility documentation that was not fully compliant with FHSAA requirements at the time of competition. Once identified, the matter was self-reported, the affected contests were
forfeited, the student-athletes were removed from participation and corrective steps were taken to ensure full compliance moving forward.” Wagner’s removal as head coach was not in response to the discovery of the players being ineligible, Fernandez said. He said it had already been agreed upon that he would step down due to his expanding duties as the school’s elementary principal. “Mr. Wagner and I met at the beginning of the school year to discuss his workload and responsibilities. At that time, he shared that he was unsure whether he could fully commit to the basketball program due to the rollout of four new elementary electives — 4-H, Robotics, Game Strategy, and Journalism — for grades 5–6, along with the assumption of increased operational responsibilities at FBCA.” Fernandez said. “… When the semester was coming to a close and our internal review identified eligibility documentation issues, Mr. Wagner voluntarily stepped aside from coaching, so that
Anthony Wagner. File photo
he could continue focusing on his expanded administrative and operational roles. This was not a disciplinary action and should not be characterized as a removal.” But Wagner said he continues to be involved with the program. He is just no longer on the bench during games and is no longer the head coach. “Well before the season, before the school year even, there were already things that were going on this time of year where I was not going to be able to be on the bench,” Wagner said. “I’m still involved, I attend practices, still talk to
“When the semester was coming to a close and our internal review identified eligibility documentation issues, Mr. Wagner voluntarily stepped aside from coaching, so that he could continue focusing on his expanded administrative and operational roles.” DR. MAX FERNANDEZ, FBCA head of school
the families. It’s just not fair for the players if I’m not going to be able to be present at the times that they need me [to have] the distinction of head coach, that’s all.” Wagner’s last game as head coach, he said, was Dec. 30. A year ago, on Jan. 29, 2025, Wagner accepted a settlement agreement with the Education Practices Commission
Flagler Schools to cast wide net in HR chief search NEWS BRIEFS The district is revising chief of HR and Operations job descriptions. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
By next school year, the Flagler County School District’s leadership team will have a different look, with new chiefs of Human Resources and Operations. The School Board got a first look at minor changes to the job descriptions in both positions at an agenda workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in anticipation that both HR Chief Bob Ouellette and Operations Chief Dave Freeman will be retiring this year. Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the district plans to post the new positions as early as February whether or not the board agrees to the job description changes at its Jan. 27 business meeting. Board member Janie Rud-
dy initially asked about the possibility of hiring a search agency for the HR position. She also asked about adding specific certification requirements such as the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) certification to the job description. Joshua Walker, the district supervisor of Human Resources, said the intent of the adjustments is to cast a wide net that could then be narrowed after applications come in. For example, the qualification of having a minimum of five years as an administrator or supervisor would be changed to “preferred” under the new description. The changes are all about adding flexibility to searches, he said. “It’s about making sure you’re having an open mindset, and not putting yourself in a box,” Walker said. The required certifications, which would remain the same from the current job description, are not specific. Candi-
dates are required to have certification in “administration and supervision, educational leadership, human resource management or other leadership certification.” “This is only me individually,” Ruddy said. “But I would recommend to Ms. Moore and staff leadership that the certification is too broad and to include the highly valued HR specific certifications that we feel that somebody who’s trying to go for a high level role like this chief Human Resources officer would undoubtedly have earned.” Board member Will Furry said the bar should be set as high as they can, but he said that because they’re “looking at a field where there’s not a large pool of availability, I think it should be more broad. “Sometimes when you make things too detailed you may discourage a good candidate,” he added. Ruddy countered that the HR role is so common that there would be no shortage of applicants and adding spe-
cific certifications would limit unqualified applicants. “Even in our smaller Palm Coast area, we could potentially have a lot of folks who would apply but yet not meet the criteria that we’re really looking for, putting additional burden on the staff,” she said. Moore said the district expects the applicants to already have SHRM and other certifications and coursework. “However, if the individual came with the appropriate experience, and we believe that they were the best candidate, we would provide professional learning to them, as we have done with many of our staff members to get those certifications,” she said. In the Chief of Operational Services job description, coordinator of planning and intergovernmental relations was added. Moore said staff will get revised descriptions back to the board with the intention of getting them approved at the Jan. 27 meeting.
Florida Senators back revising growth law After getting hit with lawsuits and objections from local officials, a Florida Senate committee on Tuesday, Jan. 13, approved scaling back a 2025 law that included temporarily blocking cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans. The Senate Community Affairs Committee voted 8-0 to approve a bill (SB 840), sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, that would revise the law. The controversial growthrelated issues were included in a broader law passed after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton slammed into the state in 2024. The overall bill addressed numerous issues, such as debris removal, mutual-aid agreements and building-permit and inspection fees, with backers saying it was designed to help people
of the State of Florida stemming from allegations when he was a history teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School and the head girls basketball coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School. The allegations included twice using inappropriate comments as a teacher at BTMS and on an overnight basketball trip permitting an adult female, a girlfriend of an assistant coach, to stay in the same hotel room as a high school male student manager. According to the final order of the EPC, “the respondent neither admits nor denies, but elects not to contest the allegations set forth in petitioner’s [the commissioner of education] administrative complaint.” Wagner retained his educator’s certificate and agreed to accept a letter of reprimand and a probation period during two employment years. Wagner was not retained as a teacher at BTMS and as FPC’s head coach after the 2022-23 school year. He was the Bulldogs’ head coach for two seasons.
rebuild damaged homes. But the law, in part, effectively froze local landdevelopment regulations and comprehensive plans through Oct. 1, 2027, and was made retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024. DiCeglie’s bill would lead to that part of the law expiring on June 30, 2026, rather than Oct. 1, 2027. Another part of the law placed restrictions on local land-use regulations after hurricanes for one year after landfall. It applied to counties listed in federal disaster declarations or within 100 miles of hurricane tracks. The bill would make changes to the restrictions and narrow the areas that would be included. The proposal would apply the restrictions to areas that have received federal major disaster declarations and are within 50 miles of storm. The bill would need approval from two more Senate committees before it could go to the full Senate. Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, filed a similar House bill last week. 1000 Friends of Florida, in a legislative update last week, said the bill “makes some meaningful improvements” but that it is “not a full fix.”
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
CITY WATCH
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Registration opens for ‘Keep PC Clean’ event
Candidate Duarte escorted out of City Council meeting Palm Coast City Council Candidate Jeanie Duarte was removed from a City Council meeting for disrupting the meeting. Duarte, who has filed to run for the District 2 council seat, is a wellknown face at Palm Coast Council meetings, frequently participating in the meetings’ public comment portions of the meeting. At the Jan. 13 meeting, Duarte was removed when she continuously interrupted council members after the close of public comment. During her public comment at the opening of the meeting, Duarte, among other topics, repeated rhetoric that District 4 Councilman Charles Gambaro was illegally holding his appointed seat. “Our council seat, District 4, is seated by an unauthorized appointee,” Duarte said of Gambaro. “His appointment expired Nov. 5, 2024 per the charter.” These are statements Duarte has made multiple times before during City Council meetings. Gambaro was appointed to the District 4 seat by the previous City Council
Palm Coast Council District 2 candidate Jeanie Duarte was escorted out of the Jan. 13 City Council meeting. Screenshot from meeting live stream
in October 2024, following the resignation of Councilwoman Cathy Heighter. Some residents, including Duarte and Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris, felt Gambaro’s continued appoint-
ment in the seat after the November 2024 election violated the city’s charter. Norris even filed a lawsuit against the city to have Gambaro removed. A Flagler County judge disagreed, though, dismissing the lawsuit and stating: “Although the result is flawed, the charter was complied with to fill the vacancy.” Since the court ruling, Gambaro typically does not respond to comments on his appointment in the meeting. He did on Jan. 13. “On the matter you continue to bring up, it has been clearly, clearly, clearly settled by court,” Gambaro said. “And I will tell you that this council is focused on moving forward in a positive way, in a positive nature, to take care of the residents’ business.” Duarte walked up to the podium to respond to Gambaro, but was cut off by Norris and Attorney Marcus Duffy, who reminded Norris that residents who do not follow the meeting procedures could be removed by the council. According to the city’s proce-
dures on public participation, both public participation segments have a 30-minute time limit, and each speaker can only speak once during each segment for a maximum of three minutes. Specifically, the procedures state residents may not “speak more than once on the same subject” or “by speech or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the City Council.” “Any speaker failing to comply, as cautioned, shall be barred from making any additional comments during the meeting and may be removed, as necessary, for the remainder of the meeting,” the procedures state. Norris told Duarte that the council was moving on. “To keep beating at that dead horse really doesn’t do any justice to the residents of the city,” Norris said. Despite the warning, Duarte continued to speak from the audience seats and Norris asked the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office commander present at the meeting to escort Duarte out. Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.
City seeks to reestablish Parks & Rec Advisory Board Palm Coast could be reestablishing a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. The board would consist of five Palm Coast residents serving twoyear terms, appointed and confirmed by the Palm Coast City Council. The board will serve as a “crucial link” between the community and local government, Parks & Recreation Director James Hirst said. Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris said the city needs to work on its recruitment to get more people interested in the board. “It’s like we have the same people on everything. We need to have fresh ideas,” he said. “One of the main things you need to look at is age and demographic. For something like Parks and Rec, these need to be people with children, young children.” Hirst said he’s already received
email from some people interested in applying to the board. The board would provide advisory recommendations on parks and recreation priorities, projects, and initiatives, guided by the Parks Master Plan, focusing on arts, culture, history, recreation, park activities, and recreational space, Hirst said. The board would also advise on projects and funding opportunities, including public art, park capital projects, events, and advisory review of grant proposals. Instead of the initial seven proposed board members, Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri suggested five, one from each city district, plus two alternates. The council members felt it appropriate to have representatives from each district on the board.
“Who better to advocate for some specific neighborhoods? Because parks in general are kind of a neighborhood amenity,” Councilman Ty Miller said. “The board will establish community representation and input residents in Resident insight and strategic guidance, enhance department resources, support within initiatives and improve communication and transparency between the city and the residents.” The board would meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Palm Coast Community Center. The Palm Coast Council will need to approve a resolution establishing the board at the upcoming Jan. 21 meeting. If the resolution is adopted and the board established, staff
will begin taking applications and the City Council will select board members at a later date from a pool of applicants. Palm Coast has several boards and committees where the board members are citizens appointed by the City Council, and this would make the city’s 10th board. The other boards include the Residential Drainage Citizens Advisory Committee, the Beautification & Environmental Advisory Committee, the Code Enforcement Board, Planning and Land Development Regulation Board and the Citizens Advisory Committee. The Residential Drainage committee will sunset on Feb. 20, 2026, unless otherwise directed by the council.
421872-1
Registration is now open for Palm Coast’s “Keep PC Clean” event on April 11. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and volunteers will meet at the Public Works Department at 1 Wellfield Grade, just off U.S. 1, to gather necessary supplies. The last Keep PC Clean event had over 30 volunteers and collected over 750 pounds of trash, a City of Palm Coast press release said. Numerous roadways have been earmarked as focus areas for the event, including Palm Coast Parkway, Belle Terre Parkway, Belle Terre Boulevard, or volunteers can choose their own areas. Palm Coast will provide gloves, eco-friendly trash bags, refreshments and necessary safety measures. Participation is free, and students can earn volunteer hours during the event. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering can reach out via email to Solidwastedivision@ palmcoastgov.com. For additional information, contact the City of Palm Coast Public Works Department at 386-9862360.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
5A
Chelsea Herbert asks court to void approval of industrial park, in Bunnell SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A Bunnell resident has filed a case in court against the City of Bunnell over its approval of a 1,200-acre industrial park rezoning. Business owner Chelsea Herbert, who lives near the site, is represented by attorney David A. Theriaque. She has filed a petition asking the Flagler County Circuit Court to review the rezoning approval of the development known as US 1 Park. Herbert and her attorney, who could not be reached in time for the publication of this article, filed the case on Jan. 7. The lawsuit alleges that Bunnell’s decision “departed from the essential requirements of law” and “is not supported by competent substantial evidence.” Herbert and her attorney are requesting the court void the rezoning. The petition states the city’s approval “constitutes impermissible conditional zoning,” does not comply with Bunnell’s land use regulations, and is not supported by “competent substantial evidence.” The property comprises 1,259 acres of undeveloped land east of Old Haw Creek Road and west of U.S. 1. The applicant received approval from Bunnell to rezone the land to both Light and Heavy Industrial. Light Industrial allows for a mixture of businesses from cold storage, retail and wholesale businesses to include industrial equipment, electronic equipment assembly, auto detailing and adult entertainment businesses, according to Bunnell’s land development code. Approved Heavy Industrial uses include solid waste management facilities, junk yards,
large-scale manufacturing businesses, chemical production plants, boat building, truck and freight terminals and truck scales, and more. On Dec. 8, the Bunnell City Commission voted 3-2 to approve the developer’s future land use and rezoning application. The application did not include any specific uses for the 1,200 acres. The current application is a reduction from the originally proposed 1,842 acres, and the developer has agreed to self-imposed conditions of approval, “including limited use of processing and large quantity bulk storage of certain chemicals, prohibition of landfills and fuel farms from within the project area.” In a phone interview with the Observer, Bunnell City Planner Adrian Calderin
and Community Development Director Joseph Parsons described the review process Bunnell undertakes with large-scale applications. Bunnell does not have any specific criteria in its Land Development Code for analyzing large-scale applications, Calderin said, and when that happens staff defaults to the city’s comprehensive plan. An application must also be compatible with the surrounding area and have no adverse impact on the public facilities and services. Calderin said an “adverse impact” could be, for example, if the maximum potential of the site would exceed the city’s capacity for services. US 1 Park, he said, was showing it would exceed the public facility analysis, but because Bunnell is upgrading its current
infrastructure, by the time anything is developed, the infrastructure would be able to accommodate the growth. “And if that wasn’t the case, then we would probably have some type of condition saying a development agreement will be needed to ensure that there’s adequate public facilities in place,” he said. According to a city document for US 1 Park, titled “Rezoning Narrative Justification Statement,” the zoning was suitable for the land because “there are existing properties in the City with an Industrial FLU which are adjacent to County and City properties that have future land use designations of residential (in some instances, very dense residential) and ag [agriculture].” Herbert’s petition claims
her property will “be substantially affected” by the city’s decision, as her property is one of the residential properties located near the US 1 Park property. Calderin said the city analyzes public facilities, fire services, preliminary traffic counts. The rezoning stage of applications is for a “30,000-foot-level” overview. Parsons said more specific site-specific requirements are reviewed with development applications, not straight rezonings as in the case so far on US 1 Park. But, Parsons said, the US 1 Park developer has exceeded the city’s requirement for buffers around the perimeter. Instead of the minimum 30 feet, he said, the developer has committed to 100-foot buffer
from neighboring properties, with a six-foot high vegetative berm. It’s also important to note, Parsons said, the areas of US 1 Park that are heavy industrial also have a decrease in intensity. “That was intentional on the developer’s part,” he said. “And encouraged by the city.” There’s a lot of moving parts with large-scale applications, Parsons said. Calderin said while staff provides the analysis, the commissioners’ jobs are to weight the overall impact. “I would believe that what their duty is whether or not this is in line with the longrange planning efforts with the city,” Calderin said. Email Sierra Williams at sierra@observerlocalnews. com.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
REAL ESTATE FLAGLER COUNTY
A house at 2693 Beech Blvd. sold on Dec. 31, for $222,888. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,114 square feet.
Top seller: $1 million A
house at 2569 Palm Ave., in Cedar Island, was the top real estate transaction for Dec. 27, 2025, to Jan. 2 in Flagler County. The house sold on Dec. 29, for $1 million. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,985 square feet. The house was listed by Debra Meyer, of Compass Florida. ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Blvd. sold on Dec. 31, for $250,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,114 square feet.
BUNNELL
Daytona North A house at 5845 Mahogany
PALM COAST
Enclave at Seminole Palms A house at 34 Enclave Ave. sold on Dec. 30, for $565,900. Built in 2025, the 5/4.5 house has 3,059 square feet. Matanzas Woods A house at 15 Lake Placid Lane sold on Jan. 1, for $625,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, an in-law suite and 2,552 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $329,300.
Palm Harbor A house at 14 Fenwood Lane sold on Jan. 1, for $357,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,801 square feet.
A house at 15 Cold Spring Court sold on Dec. 29, for $620,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has a boat dock and 1,852 square feet.
A house at 26 Claymont Court S. sold on Dec. 31, for $506,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has a boat dock and 1,925 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $445,000.
Pine Lakes A house at 20 Wood Center Lane sold on Jan. 2, for $370,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,861 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $177,500.
A house at 17 Ferngate Lane sold on Dec. 30, for $438,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,306 square feet. A house at 3 Ferber Lane sold on Dec. 30, for $284,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,569 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $205,000.
A house at 39 Bird of Paradise Drive sold on Jan. 2, for $222,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,197 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $39,100. A house at 2 Woodborn Lane sold on Dec. 31, for $380,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,955 square feet.
It sold in 2018 for $230,000. A house at 3 Tucahoe Way sold on Dec. 30, for $402,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 1,923 square feet. It sold in 2002 for $143,400. Seminole Woods A house at 20 Selma Trail sold on Jan. 2, for $366,400. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,117 square feet.
A house at 27 Sea breeze Trail sold on Dec. 31 for $380,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,873 square feet. Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Site plan is artist rendering, not to scale. Prices, plans and specifications subject to change without notice or obligation. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. One or more photos have been staged. CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City Commission of the City of Flagler Beach on (1) January 22, 2026 beginning at 5:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible in the Commission Chambers at City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance No. 2025-21; and (2) February 26, 2026 beginning at 5:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible in the Commission Chambers at City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida the purpose of this hearing is to act upon and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-21; entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, TO ANNEX PROPERTY TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE CORPORATE AREA AND CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 210.70 ACRES OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A” TO THIS ORDINANCE AND LYING IN THE AREAS PROXIMATE TO THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION OF REAL PROPERTY/AMENDMENT OF CORPORATE/CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES RESULTING FROM ANNEXATION UPON LAND USES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON A VALOREM TAXES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance and legal description of the property by metes and bounds are available and may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. The subject property comprising of approximately 210.70 acres is located south of State Road 100/Moody Blvd, east of John Anderson Hwy and west of the Intracoastal Waterway, as depicted in the map below. This notice is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 166 and 171, Florida Statutes, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Flagler Beach, Florida as amended and supplemented. Subject annexation meets the statutory criteria for annexation as established in Chapter 171, Florida Statutes. Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at these meetings/hearings, they will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, per Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING MAP AMENDMENT CITY COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City Commission proposes to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-24 Entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 234 ACRES OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An application has been submitted to amend the Zoning Map designation for 234 acres of real property from Planned Unit Development (PUD), Reserved (R), and Single Family Residential (R1) Zoning Districts to the Master Planned Development (MPD) Zoning District. All lands are located as depicted in the Location Map provided below. The City Commission will hold a public hearing for the proposed Zoning Map amendment on (1) *January 22, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance 2025-24; (2) *February 26, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon and adopt Ordinance 2025-24. The public hearing may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuances of a public hearing shall be announced during the public hearing without further published notice. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. For further information about this request, please call the Planning and Building Department at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 231. The application file with more detailed information about the proposed Zoning Map amendment may be inspected by the public during office hours at the Planning and Building Department, 800 S. Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach, Florida. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearings, he/she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT CITY COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City Commission proposes to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-23 Entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 233.92 ACRES OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An application has been submitted to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation for 233.92 acres of real property from Flagler County Agriculture, Conservation, and Mixed Use: High Intensity and City of Flagler Beach Low and Medium Density to City of Flagler Beach Low Density Residential and Commercial. All lands are located as depicted in the Location Map provided below. The City Commission will hold a public hearing for the proposed FLUM amendment on (1) *January 22, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance 2025-23; (2) *February 26, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon and adopt Ordinance 2025-23. The public hearing may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuances of a public hearing shall be announced during the public hearing without further published notice. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. For further information about this request, please call the Planning and Building Department at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 231. The application file with more detailed information about the proposed FLUM amendment may be inspected by the public during office hours at the Planning and Building Department, 800 S. Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach, Florida. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearings, he/she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
LOCATION MAP
LOCATION MAP
LOCATION MAP
7763-331205 Jan. 8, 15, 2026 7763-331208 Jan. 8, 15, 2026
7763-331206 Jan. 8, 15, 2026
ObserverLocalNews.com
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
7A
Settlement for Hammock Harbour? Coquina Beach Villas to go vertical The case with Flagler County began with a plan for a boat storage facility next to Hammock Hardware. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler County has come to a tentative settlement agreement in the federal court case with Hammock Harbour LLC. At the Flagler County Commission’s Jan. 12 meeting, County Attorney Michael Rodriguez said the county’s and Hammock Harbour’s attorneys met on Jan. 7 in mediation. Rodriguez said that the settlement agreement, pending the approval of the Flagler County Commission, would avoid “what would have been very timely and very costly federal litigation.” “Based on just the course that this litigation was going to take and the amount of time, I believe that we probably got the best deal we could get out on the part of the county,” Rodriguez said. The details of the settlement will not be publicly available until after the judge closes out the case. The case follows a six-year dispute between the county and the property owner.
The case began when, in 2019, property owner Bob Million applied to build a 240-boat storage facility on the property, alongside a restaurant and retail space. The property is under 5 acres in size and located in the northern lot next to Hammock Hardware on State Road A1A. The lot had been used as a small boat-building operation for close to 40 years, which closed in 2018. Million’s proposal went back and forth between Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee, Planning Board and Commission. The Flagler County Commission did approve the dry boat storage facility, but that decision was reversed by a Flagler County judge after the Hammock Community Association appealed it in court. Since then, the application for the dry boat storage has gone through more appeals on Million’s behalf, HCA member Dennis Clark told the Observer the issue was that the county’s land development code doesn’t say anything about dry boat storage. The county’s LDC does explicitly ban warehouses in the A1A Scenic Overlay district, which includes the Hammock Harbour property, according to previous Observer reporting and Flagler County documents. Million called the project
The Hammock Harbour lawsuit against Flagler County has reached a tentative settlement. The property is located on S.R. A1A next to Hammock Hardware. Photo by Sierra Williams
was called a marina, which has allowed uses in the county’s LDC, but Hammock residents at the time argued it was essentially a warehouse. County staff did, in 2021, propose amending the LDC to include dry boat storage in the Scenic A1A Corridor, but that was denied by the Commission. Clark said that the previous boat-building operation was small-scale, instead of the more industrial use proposed by Million. “Our position all along is that it’s a warehouse, it’s more of an industrial use, and therefore has no place in The Hammock, in this area,” Clark said. Million filed a federal lawsuit against the county in February 2025, arguing that the county had placed an unfair burden on the property, according to federal court documents. The court case is being heard by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Jacksonville. Million’s filing requested the damages for all “costs, attorneys’ fees, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and that the Court grant such other relief as is appropriate.” The demand is listed as $9,999,000 on the U.S. Federal Judiciary’s case management website. Rodriguez told the Commission he hopes to bring the settlement to the February meeting. He will meet with the commissioners individually to discuss the settlement’s details. Rodriguez said it was an allday mediation. “We actually got him [the plaintiff] to agree to a settlement of the case,” he said. “So, I think it was a very worthwhile endeavor.”
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Prices are about $3 million per unit. Blue Oceans Realty broker Soares: ‘You can just see for miles and miles around the coast.’ SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Hammock’s newest development on the north end of Flagler County will begin vertical construction before the end of January. Located at 6656 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Coquina Beach Villas is 13, five-floor homes of over 5,000 square feet in size, including the rooftop level. Blue Oceans Realty owner and broker Jason Soares, the exclusive broker for the Coquina Beach Villas, said the residences prioritize the natural view. “You can just see for miles and miles around the coastline,” he said. “It’s amazing how many eyes have looked at this project to get it to this point. It’s been a labor of love.” Most of the homes will be $3.2 million, with the low-end price at $2.8 million and $3.9 million at the higher end for one of the stand-along single family homes. The property is at the north end of the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, on the east side of State Road A1A, with preserved land stretching for miles on the south end. Soares said even the beaches, though publicly accessible, will feel private to residents at Coquina Beach because it’s rare to see anyone on the beach in that area. “You really feel like you have the beach all to yourself,” he said. Soares said he has been working with developers in
The future Coquina Beach Villas will begin vertical construction this week, in The Hammock. Photo by Sierra Williams
the area for the last 15 years. He said he believes it will be impossible to replicate this development in the future because “there’s no more oceanfront left.” “We really feel like this is one of the last places that you can build new construction on the ocean,” Soares said. Each home will be five levels: That includes the roof, the garage and the three living spaces in between. The homes are designed to focus on “the timeless coastal charm,” Soares said, focusing on the ocean views with large, oversized windows on every floor. “The idea is that this will still be exciting many years from now,” he said. “The technology, the quality of materials, has really given us the opportunity to design one of the top waterfront-properties on the coast.” The homes will be semicustomizable for buyers, and the first floor — at 29 feet above sea level — has a showstopper kitchen and a living room area that opens straight onto the pool deck, with 20-foot high ceilings. The second floor has a loft area, two guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and the third floor will be the master suite with an additional “flex” space. “Every floor of the house
has ocean views,” Soares said. The properties already have interested buyers, he said. Out of the 13 homes, several already have reservations. Once vertical construction begins, they will begin taking contracts, he said. The first property will be finished construction in November, he said, with foursix properties completed by the end of 2026. Soares said the developer has had to go through a “strict” permitting process to build on the ocean, working with the local government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to meet the necessary requirements. “To build on the ocean now is much harder than it’s ever been, from a permitting standpoint,” Soares said. “We appreciate that because it’s all to keep the residents safe.”
A rendering of the future Coquina Beach Villas. Courtesy image
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
100 words (give or take) every day (or so) Or, How I learned to stop worrying and start writing about community, family and publishing. me at brian@observerlocalnews.com. A REAL LIVE PAPERBOY!
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
How about this contradiction? 1. Writing is a selfish act: Who am I to say that you should stop what you’re doing and listen to me? 2. Writing is a generous act: I have learned something, and it is my obligation to share it — especially if I’m a writer. Inspired by a Dec. 15, 2025, Calvin Tomkins essay in The New Yorker, I decided to make writing part of my 2026 goals. What follows is my attempt to write 100 words or so every day or so. If you’d be willing to share with me — and the Observer audience — something you learned or observed recently, in 100 words or less, email
Jan. 1, 2026 Every week in my driveway, I receive a bundle of 40 copies of the Palm Coast Observer. Or, rather, my daughter Ellie receives a bundle, and she delivers it to her school, Matanzas High, each week. Since school is out for winter break, she wasn’t able to make the Matanzas delivery, so I hired my two youngest children, Kennedy and Luke, to bag and deliver individual newspapers to all the driveways around our neighborhood. It was a fun way to spend an hour on New Year’s Day: I pulled our wagon, and Kennedy and Luke walked alongside, tossing the papers. A few times, the homeowner was in the driveway, and Luke hand-delivered the paper. The homeowner was delighted: A real live paperboy! I wonder if more kids in
the community would be interested in getting a bundle delivered to their driveway, so they could dish them out to their neighbors? MAKING MEMORIES IS HARD WORK
Jan. 3, 2026 Today, my wife and three youngest children helped the Rotary Club of Flagler County take down Fantasy Lights. Wow. That is a project! Hundreds of 6- or 10-foot poles, dozens of light display parts, and Bill Butler and Trevor Tucker doing some heavy lifting in the trailer. As my wife, Hailey, said afterward, all the effort makes you appreciate the event that much more. A highlight for me was putting our minivan to use. We put the seats down and drove piles of poles across Central Park so that they could be loaded into trailers and stored till next year — saving a lot of time and energy. My kids sat on the back of the van, laughing, their legs dangling over the grass, as I drove. Something I learned: It’s
easy to sit around and waste a Saturday on electronic devices. Making memories takes planning and work. PACE CENTER: ‘I’VE CHANGED A LOT’
Jan. 6, 2026 Accountability and hope are partners. Pace Center for Girls, serving 46 girls from Volusia and Flagler counties, provides both. Shinece Carr, development director for Pace, spoke to the Rotary Club of Flagler County on Jan. 6, and shared a video interview of several girls who transferred to Pace after struggling at their zoned public schools due to fighting, skipping class, lying or other struggles. Teachers at Pace are involved and aware of struggles at home, often asking, “How was your night?” before asking “Where is your homework?” Staff also escorts students to bathroom breaks so that no one can cut class. The students interviewed in the video Carr shared expressed gratitude for Pace and its financial supporters.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Three programs that threaten public education Dear Editor: We applaud the Observer for bringing stories and pictures that feature our students in the Volusia County School system. Teachers and administrators come in for their well-deserved share of accolades too, and our community’s pride in all of their accomplishments provides a warm, feel-good feeling that all is well in public education. However, the broader aspects of a new of political takeover in public education at the state level needs to be explored. At least three programs are gaining traction in Florida:
The Phoenix Curriculum, a thinly veiled parochial initiative; The LifeWise Academy, an offsite religious experience; and Schools of Hope, charter schools seeking to operate in existing public schools. On Nov. 13, 2025, the DOE voted unanimously to support the Phoenix Declaration, identifying the Phoenix Curriculum, a program developed and vigorously promoted by the Heritage Foundation, as approved for use in Florida public schools. If this curriculum is put into place, all subjects in Florida public schools will be taught within an Evangelical Christian framework, something which is antithetical to the non-discrimination require-
ments of any publicly funded education. Passage of the Phoenix Declaration was vigorously objected to by parents, community members and the Florida Education Association, who decried the “political pledge” made by the board to promote a blatant religious framework for public education in Florida. The LifeWise Academy is a program supported by the Southern Baptist Convention, which provides Christian religious instruction during the school day in offsite locations. Target audience is students 6-11 years old who, shockingly, seem to prefer leaving school to attend sociable, snack-generous activities to sitting in a classroom. How can teachers
get every student, whether in class or not, educated to the level required by state standards while some of the students are off in Sunday School? Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is adamant in their opposition to LifeWise Academy. Schools of Hope is a sneaky way for charter schools to drastically cut costs. Safe, clean and comfortable spaces to serve the students will be paid for with public school tax dollars. With this model, the charter school incurs very little in the way of overhead costs. The buildings, security and transportation are provided by the local school district, while educational content is unregulated. As a
Thanks to Pace, one girl said, she focuses on her strengths instead of her weaknesses. Another said that during her years at Pace, “I’ve changed a lot.” As Carr said afterward about the students, “They all hate it the first three months, but the stories they share — it’s just priceless.” SINCERITY AND A SMILE
Jan. 13, 2026 This morning, a woman about as old as my mom said to me, with sincerity and a smile, “I hope you have a great day, Brian.” It was a simple thing for her to say, but I felt blessed and seen. As we parted ways, though, I felt a sense of mourning because this woman's husband died suddenly several months ago, and I wondered if her day might not be “a great” one, but a lonely one. Later, I was doing the dishes, and my mind wandered to my children. Am I doing a good enough job of giving them encouragement and praise — with sincerity and a smile?
business model for a charter school, it is unassailable. For a neighborhood public school, it’s a travesty. A number of charter schools have tentatively expressed an interest in participating in this program in Volusia County. LAUREL ROBINSON Ormond Beach
Editor's note: Laurel Robinson is a co-founder of Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education, a local grassroots organization. Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com. Include first and last name, as well as city of residence. Editor may alter the letter for clarity and /or length.
We build community spirit and bridges of understanding through accurate and compelling journalism. We build the local economy by helping businesses strategically connect with our print and online readers. Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com Operation and Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com Marketing Consultants April Koehler, april@observerlocalnews.com; Travis Hurlbut, travis@observerlocalnews.com Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com SUBSCRIBE For driveway delivery, visit www.observerlocalnews.com/ subscribe. TO ADVERTISE Call the office at 386-447-9723, or reach out to a marketing consultant above. Locally Owned / Publishers of the Palm Coast Observer McMillan Ink LLC 50 Leanni Way, Unit C3 Palm Coast, FL 32137
CORRECTIONS Jan. 8: Speedi Sign's year of founding was incorrectly reported as 1989. The business opened in 1988. Jan. 8: Observer Standing O Armando Castañeda’s title with FCFR was incorrectly identified as lieutenant. He is a battalion captain. Jan. 8: Observer Standing O Jayla Long’s deceased grandfather’s name is Turline Long Jr. He was incorrectly identified as Eddie Butts. The founders of the Butts Miracle Temple are her great grandparents, incorrectly reported as her grandparents.
Locals rally for anti-ICE protests in Volusia, Flagler County Local communities protest fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis. MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach joined the hundreds of cities nationwide that held anti-ICE demonstrations on Saturday, Jan. 10, following recent shootings by federal immigration officers. Palm Coast demonstrators also gathered on Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Matanzas Woods Parkway I-95 overpass, according to AskFlagler. The demonstrators displayed a sign stating, "FIRE NOEM", calling for the termination of Kristi Noem, U.S. secretary of homeland security. In Ormond, residents stood at the intersection of Granada Boulevard and Beach Street chanting and holding signs for the ICE Out for Good protest. The Nationwide Weekend
of Action was a mass call by activist groups, including Indivisible and MoveOn, following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and the shooting of two people outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, Jan. 8. Ormond Beach resident Suzanne McCarthy joined the mass online call on Thursday and quickly organized the event through the Indivisible website. By Friday, the local protest was on the map and McCarthy said she already had 50 people signed up. “People want to do something,” she said. “So this weekend was just: Get out there and protest.” Carol Andrews, a snowbird from Maine, turned 90 years old the week before the protest. “I’m here to protest because I have children,” she said. “But mostly because I have great grandchildren that I don’t want to see in a civil war or worse. That’s why I’m here.
Congressional candidate Eric Yonce takes part in the Palm Coast demonstration. Photo courtesy of Chris Gollon/AskFlagler
“They (ICE agents) are causing so much unrest and fear. They’re criminals, they’re not trained and they’re not qualified. I’m here hoping to help abolish ICE and fight for democracy.” Sheila Zinkerman, co-founder of Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education.
LISA ELLIS, protestor
I’m also out here because I can be.” Also at the protest where mother-daughter duo Dawn and Jaya Hunter. Dawn said she believes in the importance of teaching her daughter about her rights. Jaya said they were there to protest those rights because they are indigenous. Both of them held signs with the words “No one is illegal on stolen land.” “This world is going to be
Lisa Ellis and Christy Howard protest in honor of Renee Good who was fatally shot by an ICE officer on Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Minneapolis. Photos by Michele Meyers
inherited by our children, and we’re not really leaving much good stuff here,” Dawn said. “I brought my child out here because they have a voice.
ICE Out for Good protestors gather in Ormond Beach.
They have rights and they need to be heard.” In Daytona, protestors rallied in front of City Hall. Christy Howard, 70, and Lisa Ellis were among the first to arrive. They met close to a year ago at a protest. “I did this during the Vietnam War,” Howard said. “Why do I have to keep doing this? I did this for the Iraqi war. Every Wednesday afternoon after work, we would meet on the corner of International and Nova. I’m tired of having to do this. I’m old, I’m a cancer survivor, I’m disabled — I am just tired.” Ellis joined Howard to honor the life of Good and to protest violent actions by immigration officers. “They (ICE agents) are causing so much unrest and fear,” she said. “They’re criminals, they’re not trained and
Michael Devine holds a sign.
they’re not qualified. I’m here hoping to help abolish ICE and fight for democracy.” On the sidewalk in front of the Ormond Beach City Hall, Monica played the song “War,” by Edwin Starr, on her portable speaker. “My parents immigrated here from Colombia,” she said. “I am proud I came to this country when I was 3 years old, but I’m 66 now and I never thought I’d see this (unrest).”
JANUARY 15, 2026
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Q +A ABRA SEAY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
At Rymfire, Seay and therapy dog Champ are a package deal also discuss the scientific research behind what a therapy dog is for, so they can understand why they’re so excited when they see him and how that makes them feel. Because it’s scientifically proven, being around dogs decreases blood pressure and heart rate and reduces feelings of anxiety and depression. As the year gets started, he comes in Wednesdays for “Read to Me Wednesdays,” and that’s been such a success, because the kids absolutely love to read to him, and so it promotes a love for reading. And then we use Fridays as a time for classroom visits, individual student visits for those students that have met their behavior goals. If Champ’s here, and we have a student in crisis, crying or just unregulated, I bring the student to my office, and instantly they calm down. They leave more focused, more refreshed. They leave happier. So Champ has an important job around here, and he keeps us all busy. And he loves to go to school. And then I’m also very respectful of anybody who either has allergies or may have a fear of dogs. All around, it’s been wonderful. He came at a time that I really feel like God just made it all happen, because he almost embodies the spirit of Mr. Russell, who was such a kind, loving, supportive person himself.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
R
ymfire Elementary School Assistant Principal Abra Seay will be recognized at Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year gala on Jan. 26 as the district’s Assistant Principal of the Year. Seay, a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School, has been with the district for 26 years as a teacher and administrator. She taught at Bunnell Elementary School for 13 years, moving to the district office as coordinator of early childhood education and then as a curriculum specialist with Teaching and Learning. Seay was an FPC assistant principal during a tumultuous time with COVID and the death of Principal Tom Russell. She adopted a bulldog to bring on campus, and the Flagler County Education Foundation helped pay to have Champ trained and certified as a therapy dog. Seay is now in her fourth year as Rymfire. She and Champ arrived at the school as a package deal.
How does it feel to be named Assistant Principal of the Year?
It was definitely an honor that I’ve never really aspired to. You don’t think of that kind of stuff. Our days are so busy that you always do what’s best for the kids, because that’s why we’re here. But also as a leader, you’re making sure that your teachers and your staff are well taken care of and well supported. So, it’s definitely an honor, but it’s also 100% team. Everybody that I work with, I feel, is part of this award. We have an amazing staff, and parents, families, and definitely students. So, I’m very honored to represent all of the administrators in our district, all of our assistant principals, but more so, the teachers and families here at Rymfire. Were you surprised when you found out?
Absolutely. It was first thing in the morning, and I was actually showing one of our parents a classroom. And I was asked me to come to the door, and that’s when the district staff came around the corner. I was in shock, really. It was a huge surprise. I was very humbled because there’s so many great assistant principals in our district. I’ve never really been one to want a lot of attention for what I do. I just do
what I do because I love children, and education is important. How did Champ become a mascot and school icon?
I applied and was hired [in 2020] to go to FPC as as assistant principal. I was so excited to go and work with Mr. Russell because I worked with him when I was at the district office, just on some school improvement things, and he was such a highly regarded and loved administrator. Unfortunately, it was a time that he had gotten COVID, and then got hospitalized and then tragically passed away. So, I never really got to work with him. It was a very sad time because so many people loved Mr. Russell so much. It was a rough year. Then a teacher friend of mine, Katie Kastner, we started talking, “What if we just got a real live bulldog, a real live mascot?” I started researching different breeds [of bulldogs] and they were so expensive, because he was also going to be my personal dog. Another friend said, there’s a lady on Facebook in Edgewater who has an old English bulldog, which is bigger. I went down and looked at the whole litter, and something just told me to pick him. We started introducing him to the high school. I went to the late Joe
YOUR TOWN
Palm Coast Lions Club President Shara Brodsky wins pin contest Palm Coast Lions Club President Shara Brodsky has won the Lions’ Multiple District 35 Pin Contest. Brodsky was selected alongside Lion Thomas Senger of the Davenport Lions Club as winners representing District 35-O. The contest drew 11 entries submitted for the MD-35 Convention Americana-themed pin and nine entries for the MD-35/LCICON 2026 pin. Both winners will receive Governors Banquet dinner tickets for themselves and a guest. “Lion Brodsky’s achievement highlights not only her artistic talent but also her dedication to service and leadership within the
Palm Coast Lions Club President Shara Brodsky’s winning pin. Courtesy photo
Shara Brodsky. File photo
Lions organization, further strengthening Palm Coast’s presence at both the district and international levels,” a press release stated.
Palm Coast Historical Society appoints new leadership team The Palm Coast Historical Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting local history, announced the appointment of its new leadership team and a nomination for the position of Palm Coast city historian.
Abra Seay and Champ. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Rizzo, and bounced the idea off of him. He said the Education Foundation would support [Champ’s training]. Champ passed his obedience classes and then we went through a certification process for him to be a certified therapy dog. How did Champ get his name?
We started introducing him to the high school kids when he was a puppy, and they voted on his name. Russell and Champ were the two top vote getters. He’s registered with papers, and on all of his certificates, his name is Russell the Champ. I actually had another dog named Russell. So, we just call him Champ, sort of like his middle name. He was very famous at FPC, of course. He loves the football games.
Peter Johnson has been appointed president, Reasa Pabst vice president, Richard Cooper treasurer and Mia Parada secretary. Tricia Aanderud and Alex Maller will serve as board directors. The historical society’s board unanimously approved Preston Zepp as its nominee to be city historian. The nomination requires approval from the Palm Coast City Council. “Our area is rich in history, and it’s essential that we continue to protect and share it,” Johnson said in a press release. “Our goals include building on the progress made to preserve Fire Station 22, expanding event programming and outreach, strengthening our speaker series and further integrating local history into our schools.” For more information about the Palm Coast Historical Society, its programs, membership, museum and volunteer opportunities, visit www. palmcoasthistory.org.
FPC is home of the Bulldogs. How is Champ fitting in at Rymfire?
I met with [Superintendent LaShakia Moore] and a couple other members at the district to get the permission to bring him in at the elementary school level. I had outlined how he was going to work with the students. And so, this is our fourth year now at Rymfire, and when I say he is a celebrity, like if we walk through the halls right now, you would see everybody [yell] “Champ, Champ!” The kids adore him. The staff really adores him too. What is Champ’s role at school?
At the beginning of the year, I introduce him to all the students. The teachers can sign up for 20-minute classroom visits. And with the older kids, especially, we discuss the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog. But then we
Palm Coast Utility Department hosts Scout Troop The Palm Coast Utility Department recently welcomed Scout Troop 281 for an educational tour of Water Treatment Plant 3 and Wastewater Treatment Plant 2, helping the scouts complete key requirements toward their Environmental Science and Sustainability merit badges. The visit provided scouts with an inside look at how drinking water is treated, how wastewater is safely processed and how the city’s utility systems protect public health and the environment. Twenty-three scouts participated. Troop Leader Tracy Rivera praised the experience, saying it was “very in-depth, interesting and a great example of career opportunities.” Wastewater Utility Systems Chief Operator Mike Baldwin said, “The kids were well behaved and had some good questions.” The Utility Department rou-
Did you always want to be an educator?
Education has always been a passion of mine. I dabbled with going into business, just because I thought there’d be more money. But with family [Seay has five children and now six grandchildren], the schedule of a teacher just coincided with raising a family. And I had wonderful teachers throughout my years growing up at all levels. When I was in elementary school, my father was incarcerated. Looking back now, it really affected me. And I had just amazing elementary teachers that loved me and supported me. In elementary school and high school, when you’re surrounded by loving educators and support staff who made a difference in your life, you want to give back. I hope I’ve done that over my 20-something years.
tinely hosts tours of its water and wastewater facilities for the public. They are posted at palmcoast.gov/events when they become available for registration.
Art celebrating Turtle Trail, at Expressions Gallery The Flagler County Cultural Council and Expressions Art Gallery on Colbert is partnering on a new exhibit, Turtle Trail Artists of Flagler County, celebrating the artists of the Flagler County Turtle Trail. The gallery is located inside Grand Living Realty, 2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast. The exhibit features new works by Turtle Trail artists, inspired by the turtle sculptures displayed throughout Flagler County. Curated by Nancy Crouch, the Turtle Trail has grown to include more than 20 installations across the county. “Working with the talented
Pam Coast Historical Society leadership team: Preston Zepp, Mia Parada, Tricia Aanderud, Patsy Moden, Reasa Pabst, Peter Johnson, Richard Cooper and Alex Maller. Courtesy photo
leadership team at Expressions Gallery allows us to showcase the Turtle Trail in a new way while celebrating the artists behind these iconic works,” Danielle Anderson, chair of the Flagler County Cultural Council, said in a press release. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 21.
Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club moves to new venue Duplicate bridge is alive and well and growing, as members of the Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club regularly compete throughout Florida and travel to national events in cities such as Las Vegas, San Francisco and Toronto. The club has recently relocated to the VFW Post 8696 at 47 Old Kings Road. The club hosts duplicate bridge games at 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 9:45 a.m. on Thursdays along with special events including sectional tournaments, the annual Bridge Brawl and the Battle of the Sexes tournament. The club offers lessons. Palm Coast is also home to the largest youth bridge program in Florida, which has been thriving for over 20 years. The youth players regularly compete in national tournaments, supported by the American Contract Bridge League. Visit www.palmcoastbridge. org or email PalmCoastBridge@gmail.com.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
LOCAL EVENTS THURSDAY, JAN. 15
ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING When: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach Details: The January meeting of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club will have a guest speaker: Bale Dalton, candidate for District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Like-minded guests are welcome to attend. Visit ormondbeachdems.org. GARY PUCKETT AND THE UNION GAP When: 7 p.m. Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast Details: Relive the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll with Gary Puckett and The Union Gap. Tickets cost $54-$64. Visit flaglerentertainment.com. ‘FROM MINISKIRT TO HIJAB’ When: 7:3-8:30 p.m. Where: Chabad Jewish Center of Palm Coast, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, A208, Palm Coast Details: Guest speaker Jacqueline Saper will share her personal account of faith, courage and survival. Born and raised Jewish in Tehran, she lived through the Islamic Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War. Free with RSVP; $10 at the door. RSVP at Chabadpalmcoast.com/Lecture.
FRIDAY, JAN. 16
FLORIDA ARBOR DAY IN THE OMAM GARDENS When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Members of the Cherry Laurel Garden Club will join OMAM’s gardeners throughout the day to educate visitors about native pollinator trees and the importance of planting trees. Garden club members will be planting a tree that attracts butterflies. Free event. EASTBOUND GETDOWN When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17; and 7:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18 Where: Destination Daytona, 1637 U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: Eastbound Getdown 2026 is returning to Destination Daytona for its fifth year, featuring a range of bespoke and high performance vehicles from across the U.S. $20 wristband for the weekend. Children 12 and under, and active military and first responders, are free. At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, an auction will benefit Sophie’s Circle. Bring donations of cat food, dog food, cleaning supplies. Visit www.eastbound getdownshow.com. FLORIDA ARBOR DAY PLANTING When: 2 p.m. Where: Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: The Friends of Tomoka Basin State Park along with the state park invite the public to join them in planting a Florida Native Mulberry Tree in the park’s native garden. FLAGLER FLICKS: ‘YANKEE DOODLE DANDY’ When: 7 p.m. Where: Veterans Park, 105 S.
2nd St., Flagler Beach Details: See the 1942 “Yankee Doodle Dandy” movie in the park. Bring a chair or blanket. Free event. CITY REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENTS ‘LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL’ When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16 and 17; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast Details: This Tony awardwinning play features Laniece Rose Fagundes as Billie Holiday. The play chronicles her great musical song book, as well as her struggles with drug addiction, and the difficulties of being a Black performer in the 1950s. Tickets cost $30 for adults; $15 for students. Visit https:// crtpalmcoast.com/lady-day.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17
SEASIDE HERB SOCIETY MEETING When: 9:30 a.m. Where: Bailey Riverbridge Gardens meeting house, 1 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: “An introduction to Food Forestry,” a gardening method where edible plants are grown to mimic the structures of a wild forest, using mostly perennial plants or ones that reseed themselves. Free to attend. Visit www. seasideherbsociety.com. ORBIT PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY SHOWCASES When: 10 a.m., 3 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: Competition team showcase at 10, Winter showcase at 3. Tickets $15. Visit https://ormondbeach performingartscenter.csstix. com/
BUTTERFLIES FOR BEGINNERS When: 10-11 a.m. Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Join Betty and Bill on a stroll down butterfly lane where you will learn butterfly basics, identification and field practices to earn your own butterfly recognition certificate. Park entry fee applies. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: G.W. Carver Center, 201 E. Drain St., Bunnell Details: Attend the annual breakfast and parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr., presented by The MLK Dream Keepers. The breakfast will start at 10 a.m. and the parade at noon. The parade will begin at the Carver Center, travel north on U.S. 1, east on Moody Boulevard, south onto South Bacher Avenue, west onto Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and back to the Carver Center. GOD’S FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION When: 10-11 a.m. Where: Parking lot across Gods Family Bible Church, 256 Old Brick Road, Bunnell Details: Every first and third Saturday drive-thru event. TWO OF A KIND When: 2 p.m. Where: Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach Details: This duet show will feature a blend of Motown songs with a jazz flavor, original compositions and a tribute to the Spinners.
FOCUS ON FAITH
Brought to you by:
Palm Coast churches to hold MLK program
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
Churches will come together in Palm Coast on Monday, Jan. 19, to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be held at 11 a.m. at Palm Coast Methodist Church, located at 6500 Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast. The keynote speaker will be Carol Love Coffie, first lady of
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The program is sponsored by New York Transit Retirees of Florida, Chapter 2. Call 386-503-9414.
Interfaith conference to be held on Jan. 24
An upcoming conference presented by the Interfaith and Community Resource Network will focus on human trafficking and domestic
violence. The conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, in the community center of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 201 University Blvd., Daytona Beach. A meet and greet will begin at 9:30 a.m. The theme of the conference is “What You Need to Know.” “Separating facts from fiction about human trafficking and domestic violence can be a first step toward help-
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ing those in the community who are affected by these crimes,” a press release by the IC Resource Network said. “Up-to-date information and advice for addressing these problems will be presented.” The IC Resource Network’s seasonal conferences are geared toward helping service providers and people of faith in and around Volusia County
BUNCO When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Flagler Woman’s Club, 1524 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach Details: Soup-themed buffet at 6 p.m. Bring an appetizer, dish or dessert to share. A $10 donation at the door is requested. Call Debbie at 312-607-8200 or Beth at 407506-6585.
SUNDAY, JAN. 18
SMOKEY ROBINSON PRESENTS: HUMAN NATURE When: 2 p.m. Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast Details: Motown artist Smokey Robinson is collaborating with Australian group Human Nature for this performance that promises to be a celebration of classic R&B.; Tickets cost $54-$64. Visit flaglerentertainment.com.
MONDAY, JAN. 19
ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BREAKFAST CELEBRATION When: 8:30 a.m. Where: South Ormond Beach Neighborhood Center, 176 Division St., Ormond Beach Details: Attend this celebration honoring Martin Luther King, hosted by the MLK Committee. Held in partnership with the City of Ormond Beach. Free hot breakfast for all attendees.
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
‘FOCUS ON OUR TREES” GARDEN CLUB PROGRAM When: 11 a.m. Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: The Garden Club of Halifax Country invites the public to attend its January program, featuring guest speaker Laura Ureta, environ-
learn from one another and identify opportunities for collaboration. Network leaders encourage houses of worship, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to send participants. The conference is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, including details for organizations interested in having a free table at the event, contact Sue Odena at 407-760-2304 or email news@icresourcenetwork.org. Send faith-related stories to alexis@observerlocalnews. com.
mental improvement officer for the City of Ormond Beach. Free and open to the public.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST When: 11 a.m. to noon Where: Cypress Knoll Golf & Country Club, 53 Easthampton Blvd., Palm Coast Details: A social club for for retired and semiretired. The guest speaker for this meeting will be Greta Daigle, who will present “An Introduction to Genealogy.” All are welcome. Probus has 345,000 members in 27 countries. Contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobusclub@gmail.com or at 386-597-3055. FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Hammock Dunes Club. 30 Avenue Royale, Palm Coast Details: Featuring Jeff Brandes on the influence of nonpartisan policy organizations. Costs $45 for members; $50 for non-members. Visit www.flaglertigerbayclub. com/event-6487106.
YOUR TOWN Peabody’s Young Audience Series to present ‘The Pout Pout Fish’ The Peabody Auditorium Foundation’s Young Audience Series is presenting TheaterWorksUSA’s family musical, “The Pout Pout Fish,” at the News-Journal Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. The musical features puppets and live performers in an oceanic adventure, according to a press release. The story follows Mr. Fish who sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, and discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout. The musical is recommended for children 3 years old and up, and is an adaptation of a book series. Tickets cost $25 per person. Kathy Berman is the executive director of the PAF; Rene Bell Adams is president. The PAF will also welcome another children’s musical — “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” — on April 18. Visit www.peabodyfoundation.org.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
BUSINESS Where the crowds are: Cristy B Comedy Club moves to downtown Daytona
in Palm Coast, and as much know what we have going the light on their day, their as she loves the city, Barrick on,” McMullin said, “they’re moment, and help to catapult said she needed to be in a not going to realize that we them to more success.” space with more vacationers have something incredible The Cristy B Comedy Club and traffic. right in our backyard, and will host a mixture of local “What I’m doing needs to that you don’t have to neces- talent and celebrities. Barrick be in a bigger city,” Barrick sarily travel outside of the area said she loves working with said. “Palm Coast, my baby to take part in things that you local talent and giving them a SIERRA WILLIAMS club, I’m very grateful. I did really love to do.” space to work out their craft. STAFF WRITER great there. It was wonderful. McMullin said the chamIt can be stressful work runBut I needed to expand and ber hosts ribbon cuttings for ning a comedy club, she said, Cristy B Comedy Club is ready grow my business.” members with new business- shows need a lot of preparato take the stage by storm at its The venue is owned by Pates, new business locations, tion and close attention. But new home in Daytona Beach. ti Miracle, who used to run a grand re-openings after ren- when the show is on and the Located at 242 S. Beach comedy club in Suite 100 for ovations and more. The idea, audience is laughing, they’re St., Suite 100, owner Cristy several years before it closed Cristy Barrick with her children — Hudson, Cristy, Raelyn and she said, is to help with the forgetting any problems they Barrick’s new club location down after the pandemic. Hayden — at her grand opening. Photo by Sierra Williams publicity and promotion to may have, she said. opened its doors on Jan. 9 Miracle said she has known the public. “It’s like an orchestra,” a business owner, I needthe to know that someone has my back. with a red carpet ribbon As cutBarrick since comedian “We’re here to help every- Barrick said. “It’s a beautiAdam team not only have my back, protect my business andexcited she’s edy Club for locals and visi- body with whatever they ful, beautiful thing to be in a ting ceremony. Barrick saidand his performed at her club. does. I’m really it may sound crazy most butBarrick is awatching comic, the Miracle here, andprocess I think—it’ll be a really tors to enjoy. need,” she said. “We want to room full of people laughing myselfto personally, do so while bottom line in the sharing people to open acost comedy andmeasures she hasthat a network strong asset Beach Street.” “If we don’t let people make sure that we can shine and having a good time.” savingclub. and risksaid, reduction helped me get through thetopast 4 years, “I’m betting on me,” she of comedians. With the work The ribbon cutting was if not 18 years and I hope we will continue to stand together as a team said. “It’s a huge risk, but this the city has done to renovate hosted by the Daytona the next 50and years.Beach I put allStreet my faith Regional in Adam! Chamber of Comis my passion, it’s what I’ve for downtown been doing, and I know that in Daytona Beach, she said, merce and attended by local this is where I need to be in it was a good time to try and residents, business owners my life.” reopen the club. | Brilliant Environmental and some elected Philip I. Brilliant, Founder/Owner Services, LLCofficials. Barrick has over 12 years of “I said, ‘I think it’s a good Lori McMullin, director of Puharic and A experience as a comedian and time for you to come back business development with “Committed to protect theand needs of his Inc. is a full service Puharic Associates, You Deserve Professional concierge-style club owner and has a follow- and open it and try it’. So she the Daytona Regional Cham“Committed to protectProfessional the needs of his You Deserve concierge-style risk management clients andfinding ability to coach you through finding firm designed for homeowners ing of VIP guests in the area did,” Miracle said. “It was a ber of Commerce, said it’s One-on-one Customer Service clients and ability to coach you through for homeowners seeking a sole remedy insurance One-on-one Customer Service around Daytona Beach. Pre- beautiful space, and she came important to highlight new the righthasplan ... Adam’s partnership has the right plan ... Adam’s partnership solution for Hom solution for Home,Agent Flood, Business and Health. with a Real Insurancewith Agenta Real Insurance viously, her club was located in and sparkled it up like she businesses like Cristy B Comhelped us further our mission.” helped us further our overtime mission.” We work to protect the enterprise Weyouwork overtim
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As a business owner, I need to know that someone has my back. Adam and his team not only have my back, protect my business and myself personally, but do so while watching the bottom line in the process — sharing cost saving and risk reduction measures that helped me get through the past 4 years, if not 18 years and I hope we will continue to stand together as a team for the next 50 years. I put all my faith in Adam!
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
YOUR SCHOOLS R.J. Longstreet Elementary’s Erika Kazma is Volusia’s Teacher of the Year Erika Kazma, a physical education teacher from R.J. Longstreet Elementary School in Daytona Beach, was named Volusia County Schools’ 2027 Teacher of the Year during a ceremony held Jan. 10. Kazma was selected from 70 nominees countywide, according to a press release by the school district. She was one of five finalists for the district award and will now represent Volusia County in the state Teacher of the Year program. The VCS Teacher of the Year ceremony was co-hosted by FUTURES Foundation for VCS and presented by AdventHealth at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Kazma has been teaching at Longstreet since 2015. She has worked for VCS since 2006, beginning as a fifth grade teacher at Chisholm Elementary and then teaching second through fifth grades at Cypress Creek Elementary School from 2007 to 2015. Through grants, partnerships, and creative programming, Kazma provides opportunities many students would not otherwise have, including bike riding, gardening, golfing, running clubs, and community
Erika Kazma. Courtesy photo
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
Seabreeze honors culinary founder June Bigham Faculty members at Seabreeze High School gathered on Dec. 19, 2025, to honor retired culinary teacher June Bigham with an engraved brick, a tribute to her decades-long impact on the school’s culinary program and its students. Bigham first joined Seabreeze High in 1988, teaching home economics/ consumer science. As the school’s academic offerings evolved, Bigham transformed her class into a culinary program in 2000, which was later established as the Academy of Culinary Design in 2001. To help launch the program, the National Restaurant Association sent Bigham to Johnson & Wales University for a chef certification. She taught for 32 years. Bigham’s influence resonated far beyond the classroom, according to former student and current culinary teacher Hannah Offenberg. “It impacted me tremendously on how I run this program,” Offenberg said. “I
bri events. “At Longstreet, I have made it my mission to lead in ways that ripple far beyond my classroom,” Kazma said in the press release. “When a child rides their first bike, plants their first garden, or proudly wears a medal on field day, their face lights up with joy. In those moments, I am reminded that authentic leadership is not about what I accomplish but about creating opportunities that leave a lasting imprint on a child’s life.” In addition to teaching, Kazma is the head coach for her school’s Girls on the Run and Run clubs. At the ceremony, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin also
Seabreeze High School Principal Tucker Harris, Administrative Assistant Jeanette Oberst, June Bigham, and teachers Jennifer Campanella, Hannah Offenberg and Kasondra Williams. Photo by Sydney Tevin was able to see every single day how she ran it.” During her tenure, Bigham established traditions that still define the program, including catering events for staff and sharing signature recipes like her tuxedo brownies. She helped cater community functions, including the Paul Rice Law Office, the opening dedication of Hinson Middle School, Thanksgiving meals for faculty and even a food parade for the Florida Senate. “I just felt, this is my community,” Bigham said. “The school is part of my community.”
presented awards, along with a $150 check from FUTURES, to the following three teachers: Amy Derstine, kindergarten teacher, Citrus Grove Elementaryl; Celena Tillman-Stephens, Intensive Academic Behavioral Learning Environment teacher, Riverview Learning Center; and Danyalle Miles, an ESE teacher in math and career placement at Spruce Creek High School.
Reserved for senior of the month The Matanzas High School National Honor Society has completed its senior legacy project — designing and painting a designated “Senior of the Month” parking spot
To recognize her legacy, faculty members created a commemorative brick, now placed in the school’s courtyard. Many of Bigham’s students have gone on to successful culinary careers, inspired by her guidance. After COVID-19, Seabreeze High School temporarily discontinued all academies, reclassifying them as programs. Now, the culinary program is set to reclaim its academy status for the 2026-27 school year, with plans underway for a student-led catering café. — SYDNEY TEVIN
Matanzas senior Rhee honored The first person who will get to use that parking spot is Matanas Senior of the Month Megan Rhee. Rhee received her AICE Diploma and she will graduate with both her high school diploma and an associate’s degree from Daytona State College. She has earned numerous honors, including AICE Marine Science Student of the Month, AP Statistics Student of the Month, Sunshine Scholar Alternate for Flagler County, Volusia/Flagler Athlete of the Week and Straight A Honor Roll from 2022–2025. Rhee is co-captain of the
Matanzas High School Senior of the Month Megan Rhee with Principal Mike Rinaldi.
cross country team, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Future Problem Solvers. She is also deeply involved in community service through her church, aerial arts and her work at Hammock Beach Resort in the recreation department.
Moore recommends that incoming high school students and their families visit both showcases to make an informed decision. Eighth graders will also get chance to explore careers and programs of study at the middle school career fairs. The Indian Trails Middle School Career Fair will be Jan. 20 at 8:30 to 10 a.m. for students and 10:15 to 11 a.m. for parents. The Buddy Taylor Middle School Career Fair will be Jan. 30 at 8:15 a.m. for students and 9:10 a.m. to 9:55 for parents.
Furniture for top Flagler teachers
Showcases and career fairs at Flagler Schools
The Matanzas Pirate Nation Showcase Night is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7:30 on Feb. 5, while the Flagler Palm Coast Showcase will be 5 p.m. to 6:30 on Feb. 10. Both showcases will give incoming ninth graders and other new students an opportunity to explore the schools’ programs of study, clubs and athletics and learn about the course selection process. Superintendent LaShakia
Rymfire Elementary School third grader Kingston Bass is presented with the FCSO’s Great Kids Award for elementary level.
Your Schools content is sponsored by the Flagler County Education Foundation and Arctic Breeze Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.
Flagler Schools Teachers of the Year received furniture to upgrade their workspaces through Meteor Education and the Flagler County Education Foundation. Pictured here is Indian Trails Middle School Teacher of the Year Shannon Russell (center), who teaches Health and Wellness and PE.
Great Kid Award for RES’ Kingston Bass Kingston Bass, a third grader at Rymfire Elementary School, received the elementary schoollevel Great Kids Award from the Flagler county Sheriff’s Office. According to the SRDs and teachers who nominated him, Bass “always tries his best and is an active participant in daily lessons. He works hard to maintain good grades and is an excellent student who sets a terrific example for his fellow classmates.” Send schools stories to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
JANUARY 15, 2026
SPORTS FIVE STAR CHAMPS No longer runner-up, the Flagler Palm Coast girls soccer team wins Five Star tournament championship. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
During the past two seasons, Flagler Palm Coast finished second in the Five Star Conference girls soccer tournament. On Friday, Jan. 9, the Bulldogs finally broke through the barrier, defeating New Smyrna Beach 2-0 for the Five Star championship and preserving their undefeated record. They lost their first game of the season on Jan. 13, 2-1 to
Providence to drop to 13-1-4. “We’ve been working since last May for this win,” junior forward/midfielder Hailey Sammons said of the Five Star title game. “I’ve been striving to win something. I don’t want to keep getting second.” FPC did not allow a goal in the three tournament games. They have one regular-season game remaining before districts, Jan. 15 at Matanzas. “Being undefeated and winning the Five Star tournament is just amazing,” goalkeeper Natalie Neal said. “And this being my senior year, it’s so nice. I feel like all my hard work has paid off.” Neal, a Daytona State College commit, recorded her third straight clean sheet and her eighth of the season. The top-seeded Bulldogs played
all three tournament games at home, defeating Pine Ridge 8-0 on Jan. 6, blanking Spruce Creek 4-0 in the semifinals on Jan. 7 and defeating New Smyrna Beach (10-3-2) for the second time this season. Junior Skyler Strickland scored the game’s first goal with less than three minutes left in the first half. Katherine Ouellette added a breakaway goal about 12 minutes into the second half. At that point, the Bulldogs felt the title was within their grasp. “I kind of got a little relief (after Ouellette’s goal),” FPC coach Pete Hald said. “Like, there’s no way Natalie’s giving up two goals. Just having her, you just feel comfortable.” Strickland was held out SEE FPC SOCCER PAGE 7B
Flagler Palm Coast players celebrate after defeating New Smyrna Beach to win the Five Star Conference girls soccer championship. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Seabreeze girls soccer team grabs third place in Five Star Conference The Sandcrabs defeated Spruce Creek 1-0 in after suffering a heartbreaking loss to New Smyrna Beach. MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After a heartbreaking, double-overtime, down-tothe-last penalty kick loss to New Smyrna Beach on Jan. 7, Seabreeze defeated Spruce Creek 1-0 two days later to finish third in the Five Star
Conference girls soccer tournament. The New Smyrna game was tied 1-1 through two overtime periods. “I felt like we dominated both 10 minute overtime halves and we ended up in [penalty kicks],” Seabreeze assistant coach Christine Goebel said. “We made our first three, as did they. Then we both missed our fourth, we missed our fifth and they made their fifth. So, we literally ended on the last PK possible. It was a heartbreaker.” Seabreeze head coach Eli Freidus said he knew going
Seabreeze sophomore Madison Opalewski (20) saves the ball from going out
Seabreeze sophomore Gabrielle Dioquino eyes the ball. Photos by Michele Meyers
into the Spruce Creek game that it was going to be difficult for his players after the tough loss. They played 100 minutes against New Smyrna Beach in an extremely physical game, he said. Madison Opalewski scored the only goal of the game against Spruce Creek off of an assist from Katie Clark to help the Sandcrabs secure third place in the Five Star tournament. Seabreeze had won the tournament four years in a row (2022 to 2025). “It’s physically and emotionally draining for the girls,” Freidus said. “Spruce Creek plays physical and everybody really, really wants to beat us. I don’t think the girls and I knew they were going to be tough. For us to squeak it out, I feel like it showed a lot of heart to keep playing, because our girls are really banged up. They need some time off.” Seabreeze won 8-0 in the Five Star quarterfinals against Taylor on Jan. 6. “We’re really young, so it’s good experience for these girls,” Goebel said. “Bright future ahead, for sure, because a lot of them have played club together since 4 or 5 years old. I know a lot of them from when they were little kids and that chemistry goes a long
way. They’re talented too. So you mix talent with chemistry and good things happen.” Seabreeze (8-5-1) has been riddled with injuries. Freidus said they have lost three starters and a player who would have been a major contributor. Sophomore Gyanna Nirschl tore her ACL 15 minutes into a preseason game against Creekside, freshman Avonelle Thomas tore her ACL in the Dec. 15 game against Nease, and striker Liv Chase suffered a sprained knee during the same game. Seven games into the season, goalie Kaia McFarland hit a goal post with her head during club training and had to get 19 stitches. She was recently released from concussion protocol. Chase is hoping to return for districts. She leads the Sandcrabs with 23 goals. Nobody else on the team has more than five. “That was a big point of emphasis after the game [against New Smyrna Beach],” Freidus said. “We feel like we’re getting better and we’re doing it without three starters and another player that would have contributed. I’m personally thrilled with how hard the girls have played. Didn’t look pretty, but they worked hard.” Wrapping up the tourna-
Seabreeze’s Ava Arnold takes off with the pass as Spruce Creek’s Addison Longstreet pursues i
Seabreeze sophomore Addison Sanders (24) and Spruce Creek junior Oceana Brooks (23) sprint toward the ball
ment, Freidus told his players that good teams gut out a win one way or another. He said it was time to prepare for the regular-season finale at Tocoi Creek on Jan. 13. Freshman Ana Bom Conselho scored the only goal
against New Smyrna Beach. Brieylle Long had two goals against Taylor. Bom Conselho, Clark, Ava Arnold, Gabrielle Dioquino, Opalewski and Long also scored against the Wildcats.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
Rami Amiri finishes hat trick with two seconds to spare; FPC beats ’Crabs The Bulldogs placed fifth, Seabreeze sixth, in the Five Star Conference boys soccer tournament. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Rami Amiri didn’t know how much time remained for his chance to score for the third time in the game, but he knew time was running out. He completed his hat trick with 2.7 seconds left as Flagler Palm Coast defeated Seabreeze 5-1 on Friday, Jan. 9, in a Five Star Conference boys soccer tournament consolation game at FPC’s Sal Campanella Stadium. It was the senior midfielder’s second hat trick of his high school career. His first came in an 8-0 victory against Deltona last season. With the game decided, the only order of business left for
Seabreeze’s Liam Piazza controls the ball.
the Bulldogs was to give Amiri a chance to score one more time. The Bulldogs finished fifth in the tournament with the victory and improved to 12-6 with two games to play before the district tournament. They FPC’s Rami Amiri (10) tries to dribble past Seabreeze players. Photos by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Dylan Hardesty (17) and Seabreeze’s Luke Clayton.
fell to rival Matanzas on Tuesday, Jan. 13 (see Page 7B), and will host DeLand on Friday, Jan. 16. Amiri’s first goal was on a penalty kick. On his second goal, at the 23-minute mark, he went around two players and booted it in, top right. “I’m happy for him,” FPC coach Ramtin Amiri said of his younger brother. “But overall, I’m really happy for the whole team. That was, in my opinion, the best performance we put out all season, and to do that against a rival in Seabreeze was even better.” Seabreeze finished sixth in the tournament. The Sandcrabs, who continue to have injury issues, fell to 4-7-4.
“I didn't even know how much time was on the clock. I just knew I had to hit it. I just went up the field, hoping I can get a last touch. My teammates just shielded the ball for me, and I got a last hit on it and it went in. And what a game from all of us, to be honest. It was a great game.” RAMI AMIRI
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defeating Atlantic 6-2 and Seabreeze topping Pine Ridge 5-1 — to advance to the fifthplace game. “I’m glad we found that energy,” Ramtin Amiri said. “It’s good that we’ve discovered that we can do that this late into the season, because this is when you’re going to need that energy. If they can play with that intensity going forward, we can do some big things.”
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can, but FPC has very good talent. They dominated the whole game. It wasn’t our night. Hopefully we can get strong enough, and some boys healthy for the districts. We’ll see if we can make something good happen.” Both teams lost their firstround Five Star games, with FPC falling to DeLand 3-0 and New Smyrna Beach shutting out Seabreeze 5-0, but they each won on Jan. 7 — FPC
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They finish the regular season with games at Tocoi Creek (Jan. 12) and DeLand (Jan. 14) and their Senior Night game at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 against University. “We have three players who were hurt and tried to come back and one of them hurt his ankle during the game, probably a fracture,” Seabreeze coach Alex Perez said. “The boys tried to do the best they
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Seabreeze’s Lane Meyer and FPC’s Rami Amiri.
FPC’s River Rodriguez (9) and Seabreeze’s Sebastian Mendoza engage an airball.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
7B
Two goals in final 10 minutes clinches Matanzas’ 3-0 boys soccer victory Jonathan Acosta, Matthew Ciminera and RJ Cerasi each scored for the Pirates, who won their fifth straight. BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
After Matanzas junior Matthew Ciminera chipped a shot over the Flagler Palm Coast goalkeeper’s head to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead, the celebration started. There was over nine minutes left in the game, but to the Pirates, the lead felt insurmountable as they swarmed the field with
FPC’s Garrett Tucker (2) with the ball.
the scrum of players spilling onto the track. RJ Cerasi added a rebound goal off FPC goalkeeper Teagan Paulo’s hands in the 78th minute for the dagger, and the Pirates celebrated again. When the buzzer sounded, they had defeated their rivals 3-0 to win their fifth game in a row and improve to 12-4-2 with one game left in the regular season. FPC fell to 12-7. “Everybody was ecstatic,” Matanzas senior Jonathan Acosta said about Ciminera’s goal. “We just put two past our rivals.” Paulo came out on Ciminera which gave the Matanzas player an open net to shoot at. “Teagan tried to run up on me,” Ciminera said. “I think we got in their heads after that goal.” Acosta gave Matanzas a 1-0 lead in the first half on a shot just outside the 18-yard box. “All I remember is the ball fell to my weak foot, my left, and honestly, I couldn’t hit it any better than I did,” he said. The Pirates kept the pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense but couldn’t convert again until the final 10 minutes. Matanzas avenged a 2-0 loss to FPC last year and improved
The Pirates celebrate after Matthew Ciminera scored their second goal with nine minutes left in the game. Photos by Brent Woronoff
to 12-5-4 overall against its county rival. “We kept their shots to a minimum,” Matanzas coach Beto Aguilar said. “A lot of emotions come into a game like this, but we need to try to stay composed, which is
what we would need to do in a championship game.” The Pirates played a man down in the final two minutes after Sergio Posada received a red card. The Bulldogs host DeLand on Thursday, Jan. 16, in their
final regular-season game and then will await the seedings for the District 1-7A tournament. Matanzas travels to St. Johns Beachside on Jan. 16, and then will host the District 3-6A tournament, which begins on Jan. 21.
SIDELINES FPC topples New Smyrna Beach
Flagler Palm Coast’s boys basketball team has won four games in a row to improve to 11-6 heading into a road game against Father Lopez on Jan. 14. Included in that streak was a 73-60 upset of New Syrna Beach on Jan. 6. The Barracudas (14-3) entered that game with just one loss. The Bulldogs had balanced scoring in the game with Nate Perry and Anthony Hampton each scoring 18 points and Nateshawn Royal and Siah Sanders adding 14 points apiece. Sanders had a doubledouble with a game-high 11 rebounds. Tony Coates added 7 points and 7 rebounds. FPC returns home on Thursday, Jan. 16, for a 7:30 p.m. game against Neptue Beach Fletcher.
Shuler breaks Senior Games record Seabreeze High School
Matanzas girls soccer team poses on Senior Night with seniors in the front. Photo by Brent Woronoff Paul Shuler broke a 31-year-old Florida Senior Games record in the 1,500 meters. Courtesy photo
teacher and coach Paul Shuler broke a 31-year old record at the Florida Senior Games on Dec. 14 in Pasco County. Shuler won the 1,500-meter run in the 60-64 age group with a time of 5:03.53, breaking Everett Crum’s 1994 record of 5:07.00 set in 1994. Shuler also had the fastest time overall in the event. He also placed second in his age
group and overall in the 800 meters with a time of 2:29.99.
Three sandcrabs undefeated at DeLand duals
The Seabreeze wrestling team went 6-3 at the DeLand Duals on Jan. 10. Three Sandcrabs went undefeated, led by senior Jayne Gainer, who was 9-0. Freshman Kaidin Lui and junior Casen MacDonald were each 5-0. The Sandcrabs improved to 10-5 in dual matches.
Gainer is 20-2 at 165 pounds on the season while Zane DePaula in 18-3 at 215 pounds. Seabreeze will compete in the Viper Classic at Space Coast High School on Jan. 17.
BMX racer Ortiz wins in naples Victor Ortiz of Palm Coast won for the second time in a row in the BMX State Series on Jan. 11 in Naples. He will try to wrap up first place in his division at the series’
FPC soccer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5B
of the Pine Ridge game and played sparingly against Spruce Creek after recovering from a bout with the flu. “I gave (the team) the whole (winter) break off, and it might have been the best decision I made because we came back healthy,” Hald said. “We got (defender) Marlee O’Fallon back. We got Skyler Strickland back. Marlee had a serious hamstring injury. They both had the flu.” Strickland scored her goal from the left side just outside
Matanzas girls soccer honors six seniors on Senior Night The Matanzas girls soccer team celebrated its seniors and their families on Senior Night, Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Pirates stadium. Matanzas recognized players Adrianna Dubon, Emma Skinner, Chloe Harp,
Caleigh Walden, and Addison Rio and team manager Milana Kulynych. Following the celebration, the Pirates defeated St. Augustine St. Joseph 3-1 with Skinner, the Pirates’ team captain, scoring two goals. Sophomore Carsyn O’Linn scored the other goal. The Pirates improved to 5-6-2. They travel to DeLand on Monday, Jan. 12, and then host county rival Flagler Palm Coast on Thursday, Jan. 15.
“Being undefeated and winning the Five Star tournament is just amazing. And this being my senior year, it’s so nice. I feel like all my hard work has paid off.”
of the 18-yard box. “It was definitely surprising,” said the midfielder, who had scored one goal this season coming into the game. “I saw Hailey down at the 6-yard box, and I saw no one was around me, so I called for it. She looked up, found me, and I just knew I had to hit it right away before there was pressure. And then I watched as it floated over the top.” She angled a shot that hit the crossbar and dropped in. “Opportunities like that, you just got to take and hope for the best,” she said.
NATALIE NEAL, FPC goalkeeper
FPC defender Makayla Barbel (7) moves to the ball. Photos by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Katherine Ouellette (9) and Hailey Sammons (17).
fourth event Feb. 20-22 in St. Augustine.
Hald moved Sammons to the front line to join wingers Lauralee Macleod and Ouellette to put pressure on the Barracudas’ defense, but New Smyrna goalkeeper Molly Andriola made several outstanding saves before Strickland put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. “I knew going into the game that we need to pressure their four backs, make them make mistakes.” Hald said. “I told
them at halftime I was super happy with Skyler’s late goal, because of the work we put in for 40 minutes, because Hailey should have had a goal, Lauralee should have had a goal.” Ten minutes into the second half, NSB put a ball in the net off a free kick, but the refs called offsides, waving the goal off. About three minutes later, Ouellette scored the Bulldogs’ insurance goal.
“Once we got up, we got more confident,” Sammons said. “But we knew we had to keep it up, we had to win this game. And we knew the last 40, 20 minutes, it’s all or nothing.” Neal preserved the shutout with several big saves of her own. Her biggest, she said, came early. “It was a 1v1. I think it was a very hard save,” Neal said. “I had to travel across the goal, because the girl was standing right there at the far post. My entire body was out. She hit it right to my legs. It was a nice shot.” The Five Star title is FPC’s first since the conference went to a tournament in 2021. The Bulldogs broke Seabreeze’s four-year title streak. FPC edged NSB in consecutive semifinals, winning a penalty-kick shootout in 2024 and in double overtime in 2025. But the Sandcrabs beat the Bulldogs in the final in both years by 3-1 scores. “This whole tournament has been a battle every year since I walked in as a freshman,” Strickland said. “So this feels amazing.” Assistant coach Cat Bradley
FPC assistant coach Cat Bradley and co-captain Skyler Strickland with the Five Star trophy. Courtesy photo
said the players are playing for each other, and they refuse to lose. “We have an incredible group,” she said. “When you’re having fun, your athletes enjoy working hard and you make sure they know you believe in them, really good things happen. We believe in all of them, and we try to make sure that they all understand how important their role is. Confidence is huge for athletes, especially female athletes. These girls deserve it.”
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
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Joann Ridaught O’Grady
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September 7, 1938 - December 28, 2025 JoAnn’s love extended beyond her immediate family to her beloved community at Nelsons Point. There, she cultivated deep friendships and embraced her neighbors as family. Her warmth and compassion were a beacon of light, and she delighted in participating in community gatherings and celebrations. Family was the heart of JoAnn’s world. She was a nurturing presence who delighted in family gatherings and took great pride in watching her family grow and succeed. Her generous spirit and love for others will be forever remembered. JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Susanna Sumpter (Rusty); granddaughter Joanna McKinney (Wes) and great-grandson Tanner Thornton; grandson George McKinney (Brittany); son Richard Barton Jr.(Amy); grandsons Wyatt Barton, Rick and Randall Grice; granddaughter Shaina Grice and great-grandchildren Zaine, Titan, and Shalin; granddaughter Ashlee Johnson (Steven) and great-grandson Landon; grandson Adam Dotson (Jennie) with great-grandchildren Oliver and Rosie. She is also survived by her brother Les Ridaught (Evelyn); sisters
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44% of the local Kathy Scates, Sandra Roberts (Perman), Vie Paul (Rodney), and June Cassala. Best friend Diana Combs; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John F. “Jack” O’Grady, her daughter Tonda Jo Dotson, and her sister Lee Johnson. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, January 10th, at Woodlawn Baptist Church, located at 818 Co Rd 20A, Hawthorne, FL 32640. In lieu of flowers, JoAnn has kindly requested that donations be made in her name to Woodlawn Baptist Church. “What we once enjoyed and loved so deeply, we can never lose.” — Unknown JoAnn’s enduring legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
PALM COAST
Ormond Beach Planning Board denies rezoning request for former Tomoka Oaks golf course property.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
‘The hole in the doughnut’ “We want an opportunity to have the same rights for our property. We’re entitled to have development rights for our property, just like everyone else, and what everyone is entitled to,
anyYEAR jurisdiction, is a zoning code that lists zoning districts, allowed uses and development TEACHERS OF in THE standards. We don’t have that anymore because the PRD expired, so we’re in limbo.” The developers of the proposed PAGE 1B Tomoka Reserve subdivision are MANAGING EDITOR
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MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS Two Flagler County middle school cross country runners were runners-up at the middle school state championships in Lakeland this season. Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Douglas Seth and Indian Trails Middle School’s Peyton Ceraci were honored at the Dec. 19 Flagler County School Board meeting. Seth set goals during summer team camp of breaking 10 minutes in the 3-kilometer distance and winning the state championship. At state, he placed second with a time of 9:58. While he achieved one of his goals, he’ll have the opportunity to reach the other at next year’s state championships when he will be an eighth grader. During the season, Seth won two meets, including the county championship, finished among the top five in seven meets. He finished the season ranked fifth in the nation among seventh grade boys. Ceraci won the girls county championship and finished second at state. She set a personal record of 11:08 and finished in the top four in all seven of her races, winning three times. She finished the season ranked 27th in the nation among eighth grade girls.
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Nadine King ...............PAGE 4A Laura Jenkins............ PAGE 5A Sue Packman ............ PAGE 6A Jeff Murphy ............... PAGE 6A Marty Feilder............ PAGE 11A Joseph Fajardo ........PAGE 12A Cole Hash .................PAGE 13A Ron Steinwehr .........PAGE 13A
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Have you ever known someone who you felt deserved a standing ovation? Extraordinary people are all around us, every day. This year, as we do every year, the Observer asked last year’s winners to nominate someone for a Standing O in our first edition in January. On these pages, you can read their stories and get to know some of your community’s unsung heroes — people who give of their time selflessly, never asking for praise. Who else should we write about throughout the year? Email me at brian@observerlocalnews.com.
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BRIAN MCMILLAN
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Good news from good people, in Flagler County.
development order state the land use will revert to R-2,” Davis said, citing the city’s 2006 PRD development order. That order was for a maximum of 119 units, and the 2006 developer was represented by Rob Merrell, who is also part of the legal team representing the current developers. If the Planning Board members inquire about an acceptable density, that’s what she would point to. “In fact, Rob Merrell described it as the poster child for smart development,” Davis said. “I could not agree more.” The PRD process was working, Tomoka Oaks resident Michelle Zirkelbach said. What failed is that it didn’t give the developers exactly what they wanted. “I have my daughter’s seventh grade citizenship project,” she said. “On here, what we want: Open land. We want space. What we don’t want: A bunch of junk jammed in a doughnut hole.”
KARL SANDERS, attorney representing the developers leaving another Ormond Beach Planning Board public hearing with a recommendation of denial. THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024 On Thursday, Jan. 11, the board reviewed a request to rezone the 147.94-acre former Tomoka Oaks 1 golf course property from a Planned Residential Development to R-2 “Single-family low density” during its meeting, held at Tomoka Christian Church. Developers Carl Velie, Ray Barshay, Sheldon Rubin and Emily Rubin are pursuing a rezoning since their previous plan to construct 272-homes was turned down by the City Commission last November. BOARD: WE TOLD DEVELOPERS The property was zoned R-2 prior WHAT WE WANTED to 2006, when it was rezoned PRD to Board member Mike Scudiero said allow a developer to build 35 townthat when he buys something, he homes and six condo buildings on 30 likes to know what he’s buying. acres of the golf course, a develop“It sure seems to me like the appliment that never took place due to the cant bought a piece of property with recession. no entitlements, as was said here But the board believed that, just tonight,” Scudiero said. “It’s like because it was previously zoned buying a car without an engine — R-2, doesn’t mean it should be today, seems like a bad idea to me.” voting unanimously to recommend Board member Barry du Mouthe commission deny the rezoning lin said he didn’t understand why request. the developer insists on building “Just because it used to be, to me, as many homes as possible on the is not meeting the burden of proof,” property. He raised concerns about Board Chair Doug Thomas said. infrastructure and traffic and said The golf course has been coined the the property could instead be devel“hole in the doughnut” by Tomoka oped similar to Broadwater, which Oaks residents and Dennis Bayer, the has large estate homes. attorney representing its homeown“If you develop these kinds of ers’ association, because it is comestates on that property, I think that pletely surrounded by the neighwould be a jewel for the developer,” borhood. Planning Board member du Moulin said. Troy Railsback said the developers If something is to be developed purchased the former golf course on the former golf course property, property knowing that it came with board member Al Jorczak said it a lack of entitlements since it was should be “above and beyond” anyzoned PRD for the last 17 years. a PRD zoning provides the oppor- status at about 4:50 p.m. Thursday. thing ever done in Ormond Beach. “If you fill the doughnut with a “We should be moving toward tunity to “harmonize the challenges The Planning Board meeting started non-conforming use, or bad ingreexcellence and not just whatever the presented by the proposed devel- at 6 p.m. dients, it’s going to taste bad and it’s Bayer said he didn’t want to fur- common practices are, even in other opment of the former golf course going to make us sick,” Railsback land in a manner that best satisfies ther delay the process, but that they communities,” Jorczak said. “It’s a said. “They’re looking for sweet the goals and objectives of the city’s would raise the issue when it came special community and it’s a special jelly to explode the whole doughnut comprehensive plan and land devel- before the City Commission as they spot.” hole.” Maybe, it requires a special zoning opment code regulations,” according believe they have sufficient evidence MISCOMMUNICATION OR to support a party-intervenor status. district too, he added. to a staff report. BULLYING? “My clients are the doughnut The developers and their attorneys “The actions taken by Triumph Planning Board members were on Oaks of Ormond Beach I, LLC, show that surround the hole,” Bayer said. kept telling the board at previous “It’s now time that we stand alert since the start of the meeting. an unwillingness by the applicant “They’re the hole that’s trying to hearings that the board needed to tell up to the land use attorneys Earlier that morning, they had to address concerns that have been come in now and affect substantially them what they wanted for Tomoka each received a letter from Karl and we work together instead Reserve, board member Angeline identified by the Planning Board, the our neighborhood.” Sanders, the attorney representing If the developers are given an R-2 Schull said. City Commission, and the residents of threaten us with words like, the developers, opposing that the “We did,” she said. “We told you of Tomoka Oaks subdivision,” the zoning, they can then “paint the ‘I’m going to go nuclear on HOA be granted “party-intervenor” canvas however they want,” Bayer less density and you weren’t willstaff report states. status, which allows them to present The board was not there to rehash said. A site plan review is all they ing — we had the slightest change of you.’” their case before the board and the the previous 272-home development would need to develop the property, like three or four homes, so it’s very City Commission. and that’s a technical process. frustrating for you to come back now order application, Sanders said. GG GALLOWAY, Planning Board The board saw it as an intimida“As your staff has pointed out, if and say, ‘Oh, well now we want R-2 All the developers are asking now, member tion tactic and said it was an examhe said, is that the city revert the that canvas is painted under a PRD so we can put more homes in there.’” ple of how developers are bullying Thomas said that when the develzoning district back to what it was designation, then you’re going to volunteer boards and commissions help pick the colors, you can help opers bought the property in 2021, historically: R-2. he deemed necessary, to provide a their way. “So to the extent that there are any pick the confines,” Bayer said. “We it was zoned PRD. In his opinion, it “I do not like getting an email at meaningful opportunity to present questions or concerns of any kind go through the same process that should remain zoned as such. 7:18 this morning with the applicant his clients’ objections and concerns,” about any proposed development was there before.” “Three times we have told them sending out a letter with all kinds of Sanders said. Tomoka Oaks resident Carolyn what we want, and three times they on this piece of property, we’re not objections and conditions and everygoing to talk about that tonight,” Davis said that the property isn’t in have just walked away and said, thing else,” Thomas said. “I look at ‘WE’RE ENTITLED TO HAVE Sanders said. “That was the pur- “limbo,” as the attorney argued. The ‘The heck with that, we’re not doing that as either being totally unpre- DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS’ pose of the prior hearings, where the developers can bring back a develop- that,’” Thomas said. “So here we are, pared or intimidation — and if you’re The previous 272-home develop- PRD development was an attempt ment order under a PRD zoning to be and it’s going to be ... a unanimous going to try and intimidate me, you ment order application was direct- to negotiate an agreement that was considered by the commission. decision.” might as well hit me upside the head ed by the City Commission to be acceptable to both the city and to the “Nowhere does the now-expired with a two-by-four, because you’re reviewed again by the Planning neighbors. That failed, so we move Board due to concerns about den- forward.” going to get my attention.” Thomas said he didn’t appreci- sity, traffic and irrigation in the bufThe property has no zoning entiate being notified at the last min- fer. Instead of continuing to pursue tlements under a PRD without a ute, saying it was unfair to both the this, the developers opted to ask for a development order, Sanders said. board members and the residents rezoning, which could allow them to There’s nothing the developers can build more homes than their previ- do on the property without a rezonwho attended the meeting. Board member GG Galloway said ous proposal. ing granting them new entitlements, Planning Director Steven Spraker he argued. coming to the board with threats or with the intent to bully the board to said there’s been a lot of numbers “We want an opportunity to have floating around regarding the num- the same rights for our property,” approve a project is inappropriate. “It’s now time that we stand up to ber of homes that could be built on Sanders said. “We’re entitled to have the land use attorneys and we work the former golf course. development rights for our proper“Quite honestly, we don’t know ty, just like everyone else, and what together instead of threaten us with words like, ‘I’m going to go nuclear until we see a site plan that’s been everyone is entitled to, in any jurisengineered, it’s taken into (consid- diction, is a zoning code that lists on you,’” Galloway said. Sanders apologized to the board, eration) tree preservation, natural zoning districts, allowed uses and saying that the letter he wrote was areas,” Spraker said. “So we’re not development standards. We don’t not written for the board, but for going to be able to answer it.” have that anymore because the PRD The city’s planning staff recom- expired, so we’re in limbo.” City Attorney Randy Hayes, and that the opposition has to be raised to be mended the Planning Board deny the developers’ rezoning request to PRD INSTEAD OF R-2 part of the record. “My communication was designed R-2, stating that the PRD should be Bayer said he was made aware that to ensure that Mr. Bayer had as much preserved because of the property’s the developers were opposing the time as this board deemed necessary, unique characteristics and because HOA be granted party-intervenor Doug Thomas. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
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Revive Fitness hosts grand reopening Located at 180 S. Yonge St. in Ormond Beach, the fitness studio has expanded by 1,800 square feet.
ed from 5,400 square feet to 7,200 square feet, allowing more members to join and more equipment and classes to be added. At the age of 24, Arnold Kolozsvari, owner of Revive Fitness, moved from Hungary ALEXIS MILLER to the United States in 1999 to CONTRIBUTING WRITER follow his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder Revive Fitness and Lifestyle like Arnold Schwarzenegger. hosted a grand reopening on “I saw a picture of him one Saturday, Oct. 28, to celebrate day, and it helped me create the renovation of the facility a path and goal for myself,” and workout equipment. Kolozsvari said, “FirstWilliams and FCSO Deputy Laura Jenkins with her trunk full of goodies that she keeps on hand for people in need. Photo by Sierra Revive Fitness first opened foremost, I wanted to become 13 years ago. Located at 180 S. a successful bodybuilder, and Yonge St. in Ormond Beach, I want to live from my knowlthe fitness studio has expand- edge and not from my physi-
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Christopher Bailey, Kelly Chanfrau and their trainer, Revive Fitness owner Arnold Kolozsvari
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JoAnn Ridaught O’Grady, aged 87, peacefully passed away on the afternoon of December 28th, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family and friends. Born on September 7th, 1938, in Palatka, Florida, JoAnn was the cherished daughter of the late Harold Leslie Ridaught and Winona Louise Ridaught. JoAnn, affectionately known as “Go Go Jo” for her vivacious spirit, lived life to the fullest. Her journey was marked by love, faith, and dedication. She built a rewarding career at the University of Florida, where she earned numerous accolades, including the distinguished Employee of the Year award. A devoted Christian, JoAnn was an active member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. She found joy in her service with the Ladies of the Church and cherished her Sundays in the nursery and Sunday School. Her love for plants, traveling, and spending time with her sisters brought her immense joy. Always up for an adventure, JoAnn recently fulfilled a dream by traveling and exploring nearly 20 states, visiting iconic landmarks such as Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone.
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Gina and Carlo Solorzano hold their son Danny, who’s repping a Revive Fitness onesie.
cal strength. I knew there was no better place to do that than in the United States, so I took the first opportunity I got and moved to the states.” Before he was able to open his own gym, he worked at other fitness facilities and did at-home personal training. In 2010, when Kolozsvari opened Revive, he had 13 clients follow him to Revive from the gym he worked at previously.
Revive trainers work with people 10-87 years old, and half of their clients are over the age of 50. They focus on creating strength, stamina, functionality and well-being on top of offering nutritional consultation and programs to each client. Each member of Revive receives a personalized fitness and nutrition plan based on their body, health, fitness
level, goals and concerns. A movement screening takes place before their plan is created to find exactly where the body is lacking and to see how the body moves. Kolozsvari said a big part of his and Revive’s vision is that knowledge is more powerful than physical strength. Carlo Solorzano has been an employee at Revive for four years and a manager for a little
over a year. He has a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. “Even with my background and experience, I have learned so much from Arnold,” Solorzano said. “He is constantly on us and himself about keeping up on our education and critiquing us so we can be better all around.”
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FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES 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. 2024 CA 000361 FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-1, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF KAREN D. JACKSON, DECEASED, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 06, 2025, and entered in 2024 CA 000361 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-1 is the Plaintiff and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF KAREN D. JACKSON, DECEASED; DAVID HAIRELSON are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on February 06, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit:
LOT 8, BLOCK 7, PALM COAST, MAP OF ROYAL PALMS, SECTION 31 ACCORDING TO MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 10, PAGES 43 THROUGH 53, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 29 RIPPLING BROOK RD, PALM COAST, FL 32164 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 in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 12 day of January, 2026. By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909 Service Email: flmail@raslg.com 24-196126 - ErS January 15, 22, 2026 26-00014G
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. 2024 CA 000228 U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. LINDA S. GREENE, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated March 06, 2025, and entered in 2024 CA 000228 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and LINDA S. GREENE are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on February 06, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 30, PLANTATION BAY 1-A, UNIT 3, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 27, PAGE(S) 40 THROUGH 48, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RE-
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2025 CA 000030 NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, vs. VITA KRAMARENKO A/K/A V KRAMARENKO, et al., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered December 04, 2025 in Civil Case No. 2025 CA 000030 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT in and for Flagler County, Bunnell, Florida, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is Plaintiff and Vita Kramarenko a/k/a V Kramarenko, et al., are Defendants, the Flagler County Clerk of Court, TOM W. BEXLEY, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash online via https://flagler. realforeclose.com/index.cfm in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 6th day of February, 2026 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: Lot 7, Block 17, ROYAL PALMS SECTION 33, PALM COAST, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 10, Pages 67 through 77, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 1 (800) 955-8770. By: /s/Robyn Katz Robyn Katz, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP Attorney for Plaintiff 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850 Fax: (321) 248-0420 Email: MRService@mccalla.com Fla. Bar No.: 146803 24-10608FL January 15, 22, 2026 26-00012G
CORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 30 LANDINGS LN #30, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 12 day of January, 2026. ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909 Service Email: flmail@raslg.com By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com 24-196649 - RaO January 15, 22, 2026 26-00015G
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000808 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN JOSEPH ROSS, Deceased. The administration of the estate of JOHN JOSEPH ROSS, deceased, whose date of death was May 24, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, 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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: January 15, 2026. JOAN BEATY Personal Representative Heidi S. Webb Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 73958 The Law Office of Heidi S. Webb 210 South Beach Street, Ste. 202 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Telephone: (386) 257-3332 Email: heidi@heidiwebb.com January 15, 22, 2026 26-00009G
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 26th day of January 2026, for the purpose of First Reading for Ordinance 2026-03, before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Bunnell Administration Complex located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2026-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CIT OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE BUNNELL LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 10 - FLOODS AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TO CREATE ARTICLE IV - EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL TO COMPLY WIT T E NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR T E CITY'S MUNICIPAL SEPARATE ST RM SEWER SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPAT 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 up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this Ordinance can be obtained at the Bunnell Administration Complex located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting. NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes) 7763-331948 Jan. 15, 2026 FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION: CASE NO.: 2025 CA 000184 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERTO ROTGER, JR.; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR SPRINGBOARD CDFI; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ROBERTO ROTGER, JR.; UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY, Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment entered in the above styled cause now pending in said court and as required by Florida Statute 45.031(2), TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.flagler.realforeclose.com at, 11:00 AM on the 06 day of February, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 1, BLOCK 18, PALM COAST, MAP OF PINE GROVE SECTION 26, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 9, PAGE(S) 20 THROUGH 35, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 30 PINE CREST LANE, PALM COAST, FL 32164 IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS REMAINING AFTER
THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER THE FUNDS ARE REPORTED AS UNCLAIMED, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 257-6096 Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 09 day of January 2026. By: /s/ Lindsay Maisonet Lindsay Maisonet, Esq. Bar Number: 93156 Submitted by: De Cubas & Lewis, P.A. PO Box 5026 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 Telephone: (954) 453-0365 Facsimile: (954) 771-6052 Toll Free: 1-800-441-2438 DESIGNATED PRIMARY E-MAIL FOR SERVICE PURSUANT TO FLA. R. JUD. ADMIN 2.516 eservice@decubaslewis.com 25-01123 January 15, 22, 2026 26-00010G
first insertion
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 Somex Systems located at 59 Flagler Drive in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler, FL 32137 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 9th day of January, 2026 James A. Sommer January 15, 2026 26-00011G
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 Painting Mamas Co located at 7 Poinsettia Lane in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler, FL 321646765 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 12th day of January, 2026 Christopher M Walden January 15, 2026 26-00013G
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 26th day of January 2026, for the purpose of Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 2026-01 before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Bunnell Administration Complex located at 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2026-01 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE CITY OF BUNNELL 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS PREVIOUSLY AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR THE SMALL-SCALE AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP IN THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATIVE TO CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 0.23+/- ACRES, BEARING PARCEL ID: 12-12-300650-000A0-0102 AND LOCATED AT 325 OLD BRICK ROAD IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM FLAGLER COUNTY “MIXED USE: HIGH INTENSITY” TO CITY OF BUNNELL “COMMERCIAL-MEDIUM”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; PROVIDING FOR ASSIGNMENT OF THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ACTS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CODE CODIFIER AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this Ordinance can be obtained at the Bunnell Administration Complex, 2400 Commerce Pkwy, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting. NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)
7763-331181 Jan. 15, 2026
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6C
Palm Coast
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Chia Pop Designs, located at 3 Ryken Ln, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL 32164, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated 1/7/2026. Chia Pop Designs 7763-331991 Jan. 15, 2026 Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Coastal Air Duct & Dryer Vent Services, located at 11 Buffalo Grove Dr, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL Boris Ruiz, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated 1/12/2026. Coastal Pro Ventures LLC 7763-332394 Jan. 15, 2026 NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE UNIT SALE Go Store It 4601 E. Moody Blvd Suite A7
Bunnell FL, 32110 hereby gives NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE of the storage space(s) listed below, containing household and other goods will be sold for cash on February 10, 2026 at 2:00pm with the contents being sold to the highest bidder. Owner reserves the right to bid. The sale is being held to satisfy a landlord's lien, in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 83.801-83.809, and will be held online at www.storagetreasures.com P29 John Rydell 58 Darrius Givens 62 Timothy King 104 Cynthia Hrnciar 141 Terrie Rising 298 Martin Nunez 7763-331189 Jan. 15, 22, 2026
4:30 to 6:15 and from 6:30 to 8 PM that will be open to all residents.
GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF INFORMATION MEETING WHICH INCLUDES MULTIPLE SUPERVISORS Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Florida Statutes §286.011 that two or more of the members of the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (“District”) may be in attendance at the following activity:
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025 CA 000160 DIVISON: 49 JAMES A. HOGAN, et al Plaintiffs V. KENNETH P. ASTON, JR., and LORI A. ASTON, Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION TO: KENNETH P. ASTON, JR. LORI A. ASTON 3147 N. Oceanshore Blvd. Flagler Beach, FL 32136 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an Amended Complaint for Nuisance
Two information sessions on the District’s Pilot Underground Utilities Threat Mitigation and Tree Relocation Project on January 28, 2026 at 2001 Waterside Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137 in the Grand Haven Room from
The information sessions are not a meeting of the District, and the Board will not convene for purposes of taking action on matters of District business, nor will the Supervisors present discuss District business between themselves. The matters that could be discussed relate to some future action to be considered by the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, this notice is given in compliance with Florida Statutes §286.011. David C. McInnes District Manager 7763-332596 Jan. 15, 2026
has been filed against you in this court and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Dennis K. Bayer, attorney for Plaintiffs, whose address is 109 S. 6th Street, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 and file the original with the clerk in the above styled court on or before February 9, 2026; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief prayed for in the complaint. This notice shall be published once each week for four consecutive weeks in The Observer, Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida on January 8, 2026; January 15, 2026; January 22, 2026; January 29, 2026. WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court on this day of 1/5/2026 TOM BEXLEY Clerk of the Court By: /s/ Deputy Clerk By: /s/ Dennis K. Bayer, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 0512737 109 S. 6th Street, Suite 200 Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Phone: 386-439-2332 Email: dennis@bayerlegal.com pleadings@bayerlegal.com ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS 7763-331747 Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Joy Opheim the holder of the following
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The Hammock
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Ormond Beach
certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2019 / 484 Year of Issuance: 2019 Description of Property: LOT 31, BLOCK 150, DAYTONA NORTH, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGES 1 THROUGH 15, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Name in which assessed: Janice Fike All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 17th day of February, 2026 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Jannet Dewberry, Deputy Clerk File # 25-040 TDC 7763-330222 Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
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Daytona Beach
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Joy Opheim the holder of the following certificate(s) has filed said certificate(s) for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number(s) and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2023 /293 Year of Issuance: 2023 Description of Property: LOT 4, BLOCK 88, DAYTONA NORTH, ACCORDING TO MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGES 1 THROUGH 15, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Name in which assessed: Albert M Esposito (deceased) All of said property being in the County of Flagler, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificate(s) will be sold to the highest bidder via an electronic auction accessible from https://flaglerclerk. com/TaxDeedAuction on the 17th day of February, 2026 at 9 a.m. Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Flagler County, FL By: Jannet Dewberry, Deputy Clerk File # 25-041 TDC 7763-330223 Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026
OFFICIAL
COURT HOUSE WEBSITES: FLAGLER COUNTY flaglerclerk.com VOLUSIA COUNTY clerk.org
ObserverLocalNews.com
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT CITY COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City Commission proposes to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-23 Entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 233.92 ACRES OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An application has been submitted to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation for 233.92 acres of real property from Flagler County Agriculture, Conservation, and Mixed Use: High Intensity and City of Flagler Beach Low and Medium Density to City of Flagler Beach Low Density Residential and Commercial. All lands are located as depicted in the Location Map provided below. The City Commission will hold a public hearing for the proposed FLUM amendment on (1) *January 22, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance 2025-23; (2) *February 26, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon and adopt Ordinance 2025-23. The public hearing may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuances of a public hearing shall be announced during the public hearing without further published notice. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. For further information about this request, please call the Planning and Building Department at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 231. The application file with more detailed information about the proposed FLUM amendment may be inspected by the public during office hours at the Planning and Building Department, 800 S. Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach, Florida. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearings, he/she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. LOCATION MAP
CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City Commission of the City of Flagler Beach on (1) January 22, 2026 beginning at 5:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible in the Commission Chambers at City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance No. 2025-21; and (2) February 26, 2026 beginning at 5:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible in the Commission Chambers at City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida the purpose of this hearing is to act upon and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-21; entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, TO ANNEX PROPERTY TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE CORPORATE AREA AND CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 210.70 ACRES OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A” TO THIS ORDINANCE AND LYING IN THE AREAS PROXIMATE TO THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION OF REAL PROPERTY/AMENDMENT OF CORPORATE/CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES RESULTING FROM ANNEXATION UPON LAND USES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON A VALOREM TAXES; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance and legal description of the property by metes and bounds are available and may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. The subject property comprising of approximately 210.70 acres is located south of State Road 100/Moody Blvd, east of John Anderson Hwy and west of the Intracoastal Waterway, as depicted in the map below. This notice is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 166 and 171, Florida Statutes, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Flagler Beach, Florida as amended and supplemented. Subject annexation meets the statutory criteria for annexation as established in Chapter 171, Florida Statutes. Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at these meetings/hearings, they will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, per Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING MAP AMENDMENT CITY COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City Commission proposes to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-24 Entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 234 ACRES OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An application has been submitted to amend the Zoning Map designation for 234 acres of real property from Planned Unit Development (PUD), Reserved (R), and Single Family Residential (R1) Zoning Districts to the Master Planned Development (MPD) Zoning District. All lands are located as depicted in the Location Map provided below. The City Commission will hold a public hearing for the proposed Zoning Map amendment on (1) *January 22, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon Ordinance 2025-24; (2) *February 26, 2026* at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Commission to act upon and adopt Ordinance 2025-24. The public hearing may be continued to a future date or dates. The times and dates of any continuances of a public hearing shall be announced during the public hearing without further published notice. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance may be inspected or obtained from the office of the City Clerk, 105 S. 2nd Street, Flagler Beach, Florida, (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233. For further information about this request, please call the Planning and Building Department at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 231. The application file with more detailed information about the proposed Zoning Map amendment may be inspected by the public during office hours at the Planning and Building Department, 800 S. Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach, Florida. If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearings, he/she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (386) 517-2000 Ext. 233 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. LOCATION MAP
LOCATION MAP
7763-331200 Jan. 8, 15, 2026
7763-331201 Jan. 8, 15, 2026 7763-331202 Jan. 8, 15, 2026
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 00728 IN RE: ESTATE OF ANDRE J. BOELE, II aka ANDRE J. BOELE, JR. aka ANDRE J. BOELE, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of ANDRE J. BOELE, II aka ANDRE J. BOELE, JR. aka ANDRE J. BOELE, Deceased, whose date of death was September 22, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Bldg. 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE 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 THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in § 732.16-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under § 732.2211. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this Notice is January 8, 2026. Personal Representative: Belinda L. Woythaler 6788 East Entwood Court Inverness, Florida 34453 Attorney for Personal Representative: R. Wesley Bradshaw BRADSHAW & MOUNTJOY, P.A. 209 Courthouse Square Inverness, Florida 34450 Telephone (352) 726-1211 FBN: 977845 January 8, 15, 2026 26-00007G
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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Palm Coast | The Hammock | Ormond Beach | Daytona Beach
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Flagler & Volusia County Homeowners Insurance Rates
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Email: tyce@mooreinsures.com 2729 E Moody Blvd Ste 105 Bunnell, FL 32110
Coverage Amount
2015 & Newer Home
2002-2014 Built Home
1994-2001 Built Home
1976-1993 Built Home
$300,000
$1024
$1253
$1442
$1522
$350,000
$1236
$1345
$1572
$1640
$400,000
$1327
$1439
$1656
$1762
$450,000
$1423
$1562
$1735
$1878
$500,000
$1569
$1625
$1841
$1939
$550,000
$1654
$1756
$1936
$2059
All rates assume a structurally sound roof with 5+ years of remaining useful life. 4pt and/or Wind Mitigation. Inspections may be required.