HAMMOCK
A shift in focus for local Baliker Gallery
Paul Baliker looks to increasing events at his gallery — and creating art to promote environmentalism.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Baliker Gallery in The Hammock is broadening its horizons by adding a wine bar and event space.
Gallery representative Theresa Cirelli said the gallery is already able to rent out for events now, but the additional space will allow it to host up to 75 people, utilizing both the indoor and outdoor space — perfect for small events, from weddings to corporate gatherings, she said.
Once licensing is in place — likely sometime in October — Cirelli said guests will be able to sip wine while looking at the art, she said.
“We’re going to be offering a wine bar and a wine club,” Cirelli said.
Located at 5928 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., the gallery is owned by Paul Baliker, a sculptor artist whose work focuses on environmentalism. Baliker said as he gets closer to his retirement, he wants to shift his focus to the environmentallyfocused work he wants to create.
“Right now I take a lot of commissions that are not environmentally oriented, but I do them because I have to support what I have [created],” he said. “My retirement is simply doing exactly
“It’s amazing what a sculpture can do. I’m thinking every artist needs to step up to the plate. ... Make a statement.”
PAUL BALIKER, artist
what I want to do.”
While that transition happens, the gallery needs to stay alive, Cirelli said. The Baliker Gallery has already hosted several events there, including a murder mystery fundraiser for Vincent’s Clubhouse.
But there’s more Baliker has on the horizon, too. Baliker said he plans to eventually feature other, like-minded artists. Cirelli said the key word there is “like-minded.”
“Meaning that we want to keep it an upscale art venue,” she said.
For Earth Day on April 22, the Baliker is hosting an event featuring singing bowls musician Sarah Lantier who will perform at the Baliker at 6:45 p.m. Though the event is free, reservations are required as space is limited.
The gallery itself will be open to the public throughout the day, Baliker said — typically, the gallery is only open to the public on the weekend, and by appointment
during the week.
“We’re just going to help try to make people more aware of what Earth Day is all about,” he said.
“And just show off some sculpture and perhaps some paintings that are doing the same thing.”
Nature and art are Baliker’s two passions, he said, and he tries to incorporate messages promoting environmentalism into his pieces.
One of his more recent pieces is a large sculpture titled “Running out of Time: Your Choice.” It depicts marine life around a globe of the Earth, with man in the center.
The sculpture is split down the middle with a thriving oceanside and Earth on one half, and dead marine life tangled in trash on the other.
“It depicts actually what the ocean can be and what it is becoming, because we’re not paying attention,” Baliker said. “It’s just offering up a choice for those who
are observing it.”
Beyond advocating for nature, Baliker has made his own contribution to protecting the Earth: he’s purchased 27 acres in Costa Rica that he plans to keep “totally preserved,” and one turn into a kind of environmental education center. He said he hopes also to offer more visual education opportunities at the Baliker Gallery, too. Home in Flagler County, Baliker said he tries to change people’s minds on the environment visually through his work.
Baliker said he believes sending a message through art is one of the most important parts about being an artist.
“It’s amazing what a sculpture can do,” he said. “I’m thinking every artist needs to step up to the plate. Makes a difference. Make a statement.” Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.
Artist Paul Baliker with sculpture, “Running out of Time: Your Choice.” Photo by Sierra Williams
Flagler deputy arrested last year in Ormond sues the city
Ardit Coma’s federal lawsuit claims he was falsely accused and unlawfully arrested for fleeing and eluding.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was arrested by Ormond Beach Police in December on fleeing and eluding charges — which were dismissed within a week of his arrest — is suing the City of Ormond Beach and the officer who arrested him. Ardit Coma filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida on Wednesday, April 8. The law-
NEWS BRIEFS
Candidate for Florida governor taken into custody
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Palm Coast man, who is currently running for governor and previously ran for mayor, following a domestic disturbance with a weapon in the C-Section of Palm Coast.
On the morning of April 10, deputies responded to a residence on Cleveland Court after the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a report that a man had battered two elderly victims in the home — hitting one with a cane and throwing a cellphone at the other — and allegedly had a gun. The 911 caller, who was one of the victims, further reported the suspect, Kevin Cichowski, had threatened to kill them multiple times and stated he would kill law enforcement if they were called.
Deputies arrested Cichowski, 46, of Palm Coast. While
COPS CORNER
APRIL 9
FAMILY FEUD
5 p.m. — 1500 block of San Marco Drive, Ormond Beach
Aggravated assault. Police arrested a 28-year-old Daytona Beach man who threatened his uncle with a machete over apartment keys. When speaking to the nephew, the reporting officer noticed a black handle peeking out from his backpack. The nephew told police that the argument began after he
suit alleges that Coma was falsely accused and unlawfully arrested by Sgt. Caleb Braun, stating that “instead of conducting a routine traffic stop, Sergeant Braun, frustrated at the distance between Plaintiff’s vehicle and his own, decided to treat the situation as a felony stop for ‘fleeing and eluding,’ despite the absence of probable cause that Plaintiff had committed any infraction beyond the minor traffic infraction of speeding.”
According to the Ormond Beach Police Department’s report, Coma fled for 1.9 miles after Braun initiated a traffic stop for speeding in the 1400 block of North U.S. 1. OBPD states Coma was driving 88 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Coma, who began work-
being transported to jail, Cichowski made suicidal statements and was placed into protective custody under a Baker Act.
During the incident, deputies were assisted by an FCSO drone and the Real Time Crime Center.
Cichowski was previously arrested in 2024 for domestic battery, domestic battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment.
Cichowski is running for election for governor of Florida. He previously ran for Palm Coast mayor in 2021.
Volusia County rescues cats from DeLand property
Volusia County Animal Services responded to an animal
was dropped off by a friend to grab the keys to an apartment, at which point his uncle became aggressive.
The nephew said that, while he did pull out the machete from his backpack, he never unsheathed it. After this, he said his uncle retrieved a firearm from his car.
The uncle told a different story. He said his nephew walked up and demanded the keys to the apartment as he was changing the lightbulbs for his car’s headlights. When he requested he wait until he was done, his nephew went “nuts” and pulled out the machete. The uncle did grab a firearm, but said he did so out
ing with the FCSO in 2023, also drove around stop sticks deployed at North U.S. 1 and Pine Tree Drive, at which point a felony stop was conducted by OBPD and Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies. The Flagler deputy had been on his way to work and told police he had been unaware that a traffic stop had been initiated.
The Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s office dismissed the charges against Coma on Dec. 9, with Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly saying in a press release that he had personally reviewed the arrest report and “was surprised that an arrest was made based on the lack of evidence showing he was intentionally trying to flee, while driving an agency vehicle.”
In a statement released after
welfare call Wednesday, April 8, at a property in unincorporated DeLand, where animal control officers encountered 19 cats, three of which were found deceased. The remaining 16 cats were rescued and transported for care, with several in critical condition.
Upon arrival at the AtHome Express Tangerine Inn, on U.S. 17, animal control officers observed thatmany of the animals required urgent medical attention.
Two more of the cats have since died, and two continue to receive urgent care. The remaining 12 are being cared for at the Volusia County Animal Shelter as they remain under further evaluation.
The three cats found deceased on the property will undergo a forensic necropsy conducted by the University of Florida to help determine the cause of death and provide additional information as the investigation continues.
Woman who posed as nurse is sentenced to probation
Autumn Bardisa, 29, of Palm Coast, who was arrested by
of fear.
A witness corroborated the uncle’s story, saying she overheard the nephew state he was going to cut his uncle into pieces.
The nephew was arrested.
APRIL 10
ELDER EXPLOITATION
3:19 p.m. — First block of Cardinal Drive, Ormond Beach Grand theft. An officer returned to the home of a 70-year-old Ormond Beach man after another one of his vehicles was stolen. Police had recently spoken with him after his truck was stolen, and the culprit behind that theft was arrested two days prior.
the charges were dropped, Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey defended Braun and his department.
“The facts in the arrest report supported the Sergeant’s actions,” Godfrey’s statement read. “The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, our Sergeant activated his emergency lights and siren, other motorists yielded, and the vehicle continued driving recklessly for a significant distance before stopping. Based on these observations, our Sergeant followed established policy, used appropriate methods to gain compliance, and executed the stop safely and professionally.”
The lawsuit states that due to the arrest, Coma was “detained for a period of time,
the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in August 2025 for posing as a nurse and treating over 4,400 patients without a license, pleaded no contest on April 7 and has been sentenced.
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols withheld adjudication and sentenced her to five years’ probation and 50 hours of community service. She will also be required to send a letter of apology to the nurse whose license number she stole.
As part of the plea agreement, Bardisa also forfeited her own nursing license, which she earned after her arrest, to the Florida Department of Health. She is prohibited from practicing medicine during her probation.
“Nursing is a noble profession about caring for those in need, but ... she ruined her career, and she potentially endangered patients,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.
Flagler fugitive captured in Texas
A fugitive from Palm Coast has been arrested in Texas on a Flagler County warrant after the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension
The man’s daughter told police that since moving to Florida last September, he had been spending all of his money, drinking and “inviting undesirable people” into his home, who have stolen from him.
When police approached, the man told them that a 31-year-old man stole his motorcycle. The Ormond Beach man wished to press charges.
APRIL 11
CLOCKED OUT
11:32 p.m. — first block of Harbor Center Drive, Flagler County Battery. A restaurant owner told Sheriff’s Office depu-
booked in jail, incurred costs, and suffered emotional distress, reputational harm, and economic losses.”
Following his arrest, Coma was suspended without pay for two days and had the use of his agency vehicle suspended for 90 days due to unbecoming conduct. The FCSO announced on Dec. 12, three days after the charges were dropped, that an internal investigation found Coma violated two of the agency’s Standards of Conduct policies. According to the FCSO, Coma lost $851.48 in wages and benefits. In addition to suing the city, Coma is also seeking punitive damages against Braun as an individual.
Unit tracked him to Texas and coordinated with local law enforcement to apprehend him.
The fugitive, Gage Sleap, 22, of Palm Coast, had been wanted since March 27 after the FCSO Major Case Unit investigated written threats to kill. During the investigation, detectives identified that Sleap had made multiple threats to the victim through Facebook Messenger, including telling the victim that he would burn her house down, kill her, and had a knife with her name on it. Sleap also tagged the victim in a Facebook post stating he was going to put her in a grave. Through investigative means, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit determined that Sleap had recently left Florida and was residing in Independence, Missouri. He was then traced to Dallas and then Gainesville, Texas, on April 10, when local police apprehended Sleap at a bus stop. Sleap was arrested on his fugitive warrant from Flagler County for written or electronic threats to kill. He was transported to the Cooke County Detention Center in Gainesville, Texas, where he is awaiting extradition to Flagler County.
ties that an employee had been hanging out at the bar all day, disturbing the other employees while drinking at the bar. The owner eventually cut the suspect off from more alcoholic drinks, but the suspect stayed at the bar to drink water, continuing to bother the staff, according to the arrest report.
The owner told the suspect to leave multiple times. The final time, the suspect punched the owner in the face. Other employees pulled the suspect, still swinging at the owner, outside until deputies arrived. The suspect was arrested and trespassed from the bar.
Kevin Cichowski (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
Megan Farrell-Nelson walks 600 miles to raise awareness of sexual violence
Walk across Florida brings attention to survivors and the path to healing.
RICH CARROLL MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER
A Flagler Beach real estate agent and local business owner is taking on a more than 600-mile journey across Florida, turning a deeply personal experience into a mission to raise awareness and support for survivors of sexual violence.
Megan Farrell-Nelson began her walk on April 1 in Amelia Island and plans to finish in Key West on June 7, traveling down the state’s east coast over the course of 67 days. Along the way, she is averaging about 10 miles per day, stopping in communities like Flagler Beach to share her message and connect with others.
“I am walking to raise awareness on sexual violence
against women and what it’s like to report those crimes in the United States,” FarrellNelson said.
Farrell-Nelson said the journey is rooted in her own experience as a survivor of sexual assault, whoccurred during a work-related function. Her story is now part of an ongoing lawsuit involving eXp Realty. While that legal process continues, she said her focus remains on advocacy and community.
“I have a personal story that lends itself to this cause, and that is the piece that inspires me to stand up for other women,” she said.
As she moves south through Florida, Farrell-Nelson said the response from both her personal network and strangers has been overwhelmingly positive. She described support from friends, family and local communities who have joined her along portions of the walk or offered encouragement along the way.
“My personal community has just rallied around me,”
she said. “I’ve had so many people show up and offer support. It’s been amazing.”
Farrell-Nelson said the journey has also opened the door for conversations about the prevalence of sexual violence and the challenges survivors often face when reporting those crimes.
“One in six women will experience a rape or attempted rape in their lifetime,” she said. “That’s a lot of people. I just want to spread awareness and help people understand that we can survive through something difficult and make it to the other side.”
Physically, the walk has been demanding, with Farrell-Nelson focusing on recovery each day to maintain her pace. But emotionally, she described the experience as healing.
“It’s been very beautiful. It’s been very healing,” she said. “There’s not one piece of this that has been a sad experience.”
She has titled the effort “Walking on Tired Legs,” a
phrase she said reflects both the physical challenge of the journey and the emotional toll survivors often carry.
“It’s just walking on tired legs,” she said. “Every day you get up and you just keep doing it, no matter how hard the day before was.”
Farrell-Nelson said her ultimate goal is to help others feel less alone and more empowered to share their stories.
“My ultimate goal with this journey is to let other women who have been through something like this know that they’re not alone and that there is life on the other side of it,” she said.
She also hopes her message resonates beyond survivors, encouraging broader community support and understanding.
“Your story matters and your voice matters,” she said. “What happened to you is not your fault.”
As Farrell-Nelson heads down to Key West, she continues to share her message along the way.
Write On: Josh Crews Writing Project celebrates 2026 student writers
This year’s student anthology contains a record 297 pages with contributions from 159 student authors.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Josh Crews Writing project’s “Write On” anthology gets bigger and better every year, the project’s district coordinators say.
The Flagler County Education Foundation held its 14th Book Launch on Wednesday, April 8, in the Buddy Taylor Middle School cafeteria. Flagler County students in grades 4-12 who participated in their schools’ before- or after-school writing clubs, were invited to have their work published in the anthology. This year, a record number 159 students from 10 schools produced the project’s largest anthology yet, totaling 297 pages.
“I’ve been impressed with how many kids we’ve been able to expand it to,” said April Adams, one of two district coordinators — the other is Julie Hald.
“In the past we’ve had trouble getting kids to write anything, but this year was amazing,” Adams said.
Indian Trails Middle School club sponsor Sierra Salza and Buddy Taylor Middle School sponsor Tegan Gardner were honored for expanding their school’s clubs. The number of BTMS students participating
years for writing,” she said. “Every year the quality gets better and better.”
The project’s mission is to give all students a chance to express themselves through creative writing and “be heard and praised, both as individu-
in the school year. Carla Cline and the late Joe Rizzo created the program in memory of Crews, a local resident who was known for his passion for reading and writing. Crews died in a car crash in 2010 at age 34.
Rizzo and Cline were both childhood friends of Crews. At Crews’ memorial they talked about starting a creative writing scholarship in Crews’ name, Cline said. That evolved into the creative writ-
“There was so much energy and love around Josh,” Cline said. “I don’t think I have a memory of him not holding a book or quoting an author.”
She said she was inspired by the Tommy Tant Memorial
“There was so much energy and love around Josh. I don’t think I have a memory of him not holding a book or quoting an author.”
CARLA CLINE, Josh Crews Writing Project co-creator
Surf Contest. Tant was also a friend of Cline’s.
“It was how they took a tragedy and turned it into something good for the community,” Cline said.
At the Book Launch, the student authors sat with their school clubs along the back wall of cafeteria. They signed each other’s books. They
signed their parents’ books and their friends’ parents’ books.
An author from each school stood on the stage and read their contribution to the anthology. Bunnell Elementary School’s Haylee Rodbourn and Madison Flynt and Rymfire Elementary’s Payton Jackson and Aria Trinkle each shared the reading of their collaborative stories.
The other readers were Belle Terre Elementary’s Joy Rodrigue, Old Kings Elementary’s Catherine Mangal, Wadsworth Elementary’s Kyle Abreu, Imagine School
At Town Center’s Teagan
Castaldo, Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Ezra Greenhalgh, Indian Trails Middle School’s Oliver Custer, Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Anthony Yearling and Matanzas High School senior Dani Terrell, who thanked Matanzas club sponsor Ollie Jordan and Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo for all they have done for the project.
FPC sophomore Michael Melton designed Write On’s cover in his digital media class. It features a dragon slithering between the pages of an open
book and is full of color.
“I said, ‘Let’s see how colorful I can get,’” Melton said. The Education Foundation, which runs the project, used to send the anthology out to a publisher. But now it is selfpublished.
“We use publishing software, reformatting, making final edits,” Hald said. “I love doing it. I love proofreading and editing.”
The project is a labor of love for everyone involved. Crews’ brother, Adam, and his nieces and nephews were in attendance as they always are, touched by Josh’s long-lasting impact on Flagler County students’ lives.
Megan Farrell-Nelson during her statewide awareness walk. Photo courtesy of Megan Farrell-Nelson
Rymfire Elementary School fourth graders Payton Jackson and Aria Trinkle read their story, “The Magic Pen.”
Bunnell Elementary School fifth graders Haylee Rodbourn and Madison Flynt read one of their collaborative stories.
Belle Terre Elementary School fifth grader Joy Rodrigue reads her story, Penobscot Tribe.
Old Kings Elementary School fifth grader Catherine Mangal
Imagine School at Town Center sixth grader Teagan Castaldo read her story on stage.
From left: Josh Crews Writing Project school district coordinators Julie Hald and April Adams; Carla Cline, who helped start the project with the late Joe Rizzo; and Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo.
Flagler Palm Coast digital media student Michael Melton designed the cover of the 2026 Write On anthology. Melton, a sophomore, said he tried to make the design as colorful as possible.
Buddy Taylor Middle School seventh grader
Ezra Greenhalgh read his poem on stage at the Book Launch.
Flagler Beach approves new impact fees with mind to make city ‘mobile’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler Beach, with a mind to reimagine itself as a multimodal city, has approved a new mobility impact fee for new development.
The City Commission voted 5-0 at its April 9 to implement these mobility impact fees for new development with a vision to redesign Flagler Beach into a more multimodal-friendly city.
The April 9 meeting started with an update to the Flagler Beach City Commission from the Volusia-Flagler Transportation Planning Organization’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Flagler Beach’s representative, Ed Fendley, said the City Commission needs to continue implementing and encouraging safe and walkability designs and initiatives. While Flagler Beach has done a great job doing so in recent years, he said, there is still more work to
be done.
“Flagler Beach is a historic, traditionally designed, walkable small town. That is gold,” Fendley said. “Slowing down traffic, making our streets more walkable as they were designed to be, and increasing golf cart access. That plays to our history. It plays to our strengths.”
Reducing the speed limit on State Road A1A has also been a key initiative, as well as on State Road 100, which, he said, is the biggest remaining threat to pedestrian safety.
“The design should say and tell drivers, ‘Slow down, stop for a while, have some fun, spend some money,’” Fendley said. “And right now, the design and operation of State Route 100, Moody Boulevard from Colbert Lane to the [S.R. A1A], it says the opposite. It says, ‘Go fast.’” With that in mind, the commission approved a new mobility impact fee later in the meeting. Impact fees are
only charged to new development and can only be used to address infrastructure demands created by new development.
A “multi-modal” design would make the roadways of Flagler Beach more accessible and safe for pedestrians, cyclists, golf carts and drivers. Jonathan Paul, with the urban planning firm NueUrban Concepts, presented a multimodal reimagining of Flagler Beach to the commission.
“The idea is, as you come into Flagler Beach, there are different changes to the geometry of the roadway to the point where you ultimately get to slower speeds when you’re in the downtown core near the pier,” Paul said.
The mobility plan included redesign options for State Road 100, narrowing streets through roadway striping, medians or even expanding sidewalks.
“The big part of it is, we provided money for funding,
design, and upgrades to the corridor,” Paul said. “Ultimately, what those [upgrades] are, that’s going to be a lot of community discussion.”
Commissioner James Sherman said these designs show the city can find alternative ways for people to get around safely without using cars.
“We don’t have a people problem, we have a car problem,” he said.
The impact fees are charged based on building size, per
1,000 square feet, for new construction: For residential homes, $2,981; hotels and short-term rentals would cost $3,843; while retail would vary from $10,621 to $29,931, depending on the type of business.
Commissioners Eric Cooley and R.J. Santore and Mayor Patti King did have concerns about how these additional fees would affect new small businesses wanting to come to the area.
But King pointed out that the fees would provide a real benefit to the community.
“We’re about walkable and bicycles and golf carting. And we want everybody to travel together safely,” she said.
“And if we all have to pay for it in this fashion, that makes the most sense.”
Cooley added: “If anyone needs massive amounts of money put into improving mobility, it’s this city.”
Should School Board sell land on Corporate Dr? $25K raised for SMART
Board will also consider a city partnership to build a new pool that the YMCA would operate.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Flagler County School Board is expected to vote at its April 28 meeting on whether to pursue an unsolicited letter of interest to purchase a portion of the school district’s property at 1 Corporate Drive in Palm Coast. The 7.11-acre parcel on the corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Corporate Drive is within a high visibility commercial corridor zoned for institutional medical, retail and professional office use. In 2014 the School Board declared the property surplus inventory and unnecessary for educational purposes. In the 2025 five-year Educational Plant Survey, the board recommended discontinuing the property’s use for ancillary purposes.
Ryan Companies sent the letter of interest to discuss a purchase of a 4-acre portion of the property for a proposed purchase price of $1.9 million. Lisa Divina, the school district’s coordinator of planning and intergovernmental relations, told the board at its April 14 agenda workshop that the real estate development company would build a 40-bed rehabilitation facility on the property. After receiving the letter, the district requested two appraisals for the entire 7.11-acre property. Huffington and Associates’ appraisal was $6,015,000. Cooksey and Associates’ appraisal was $4,460,000.
The board seems likely to vote against consideration of the sale. Board member Will Furry said if the board agrees to sell the property, he would prefer to sell the entire parcel to receive maximum value. Lauren Ramirez said she would be fine to see if someone is interested in purchasing the whole parcel. But the unsolicited interest did bring up a wide-ranging discussion about what the
board would do with the funds if it sold this property or any of the district’s other properties that are unsuitable for building a new school. By statute, any funds from such a sale would have to be used for capital projects. If they keep the property it might be used as a headquarters in the future, Furry said. Ramirez proposed building a youth center for the northern part of the county.
Superintendent LaShakia Moore noted that the letter of interest was the second the district received in the past year for a portion of the property. The other, she said, was with the intention to build a Waffle House. Proceeds from a sale could expedite projects on the fiveyear capital plan or could provide funds for a new pool in partnership with the City of Palm Coast. Moore said the district will soon be bringing forward to the board a Memorandum of Understanding from the city for a partnership to build a new pool that the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA would operate.
School Board member Janie
Ruddy said she would like to see what deferred projects could be escalated with a sale.
“I think we should plan so we’re better prepared,” she said.
While the board seems poised to reject consideration of selling a portion of the Corp. One property, a decision on putting a property up for bid could be looming.
“We currently partner on two pools right now,” Moore said. “With the MOU, we go in together with the city to build this pool. If it’s yes, it’s a pool students can use. If no, the board has to decide what’s next for the dying pool we have [at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club], and when the Frieda Zamba pool [at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center] is no longer available. Sell to expedite the five-year plan, use for a pool or for emergencies that come up.”
Moore said the district will provide information on the Board Docs for the April 28 workshop that will include a link to all of the district’s properties and their possible uses, and the updated capital plan and deferred projects.
‘From the bottom of my heart, thank you Flagler County,’ S.M.A.R.T.’s Caroline Johnson wrote.
OBSERVER STAFF
Palm Coast and Flagler County residents raised $25,000 at a charity music festival for the animal rescue nonprofit S.M.A.R.T. of Flagler County. The nonprofit rescues dogs who have been abandoned or found as stray in Flagler County, covering their medical and rehabilitation costs. It had its second annual Jam’n 4 Paws charity music festival fundraiser on April 11 at the Palm Coast Elks Club.
Three bands — The B.Y.E. Band, The Cat. 4 and Soul Fire — performed live while festival attendees could treat themselves to drinks and food trucks.
“This is what community looks like,” founder Caroline Johnson wrote on the S.M.A.R.T. Facebook page. “Live music donated with
love. Volunteers and fosters giving their hearts. Vendors and sponsors stepping up. And our community friends coming together for the animals who need us most.”
In a text to the Observer , Johnson thanked the bands, sponsors, volunteers and donor. The funds raised will support operational and medical costs for rescued dogs, like Shelly. That support is lifesaving, she said.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you Flagler County,” she wrote. “Thank you for showing up when it matters most.”
Caroline Johnson reported that S.M.A.R.T. raised $25,000 at its April 11 Jam'n 4 Paws charity music fundraiser. Photo courtesy of S.M.A.R.T.
A rendering of how Flagler Beach could redesign its roadways to be multi-modal. Courtesy of Flagler Beach
Drone wars: Flagler deploys new tech
Sheriff Rick Staly said crime rates are down 30%; domestic violence and fraud cases are trending up.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is in the process of using drones as first responders, said Sheriff Rick Staly.
“We will be one of the first agencies in the state of Florida and, frankly, across the country, that has drones as a first responder,” Staly said.
Staly announced the plans for these drones at the April 9 Addressing Crime Together Community Meeting, held at the FCSO Operation Center.
The meeting reviewed crime data for 2025, new assets and trends within the FCSO, as well as crime trends to date for 2026.
The FCSO has five portable drones with licensed pilots, Staly said, and they are in the final stages of being able to deploy them.
Two drones will be placed in Palm Coast — one in the north end and the other in the south end of the city, though Staly did not say where exactly. When the drones are needed, analysts from the Real Time Crime Center will be able to remotely launch drones and send them to a call.
Though the program has not been officially implemented, the FCSO recently deployed a drone for a call, Staly said.
“The drone got there before the first deputy was on the scene and was beaming back,
if you will, video of what exactly was going on into our real time crime center,” he said. “That was being relayed to the deputies as they were responding.”
Staly said the drones will be used alongside the FCSO’s new helicopter to aid deputies. He did not say when the drones would be officially deployed.
The FCSO’s helicopter should be operational mid July.
NEW JEEP GLADIATOR
The FCSO is also adding a new 2025 Jeep Gladiator to its Special Operations Unit.
The Jeep sits 30 inches off the ground and will be marked with FCSO’s “ghost marking” decals. Taxpayers did not pay for this Jeep, Staly said, but instead the money came from seized drug-related assets.
Staly said the new edition will be used for high water rescue during floods or delivering bottled water or food during emergency situations, as well as responding to the rural and wooded Flagler Estates area, which he called “the Wild West area of Flagler County.”
CRIME DOWN 30%
During 2025, the FCSO received over 126,000 calls for service, culminating in over 3,000 arrests. Despite that, Staly said the crime rate is down 30% from 2024.
Staly said the crime reporting methods and definitions
“If you’re embarrassed and don’t report it right away, it makes it much harder for us to recover that money.”
RICK
STALY, sheriff
27,067 Traffic stops made 27,067 Traffic stops made 6,820 Traffic citations issued 3,369 Crashes reported 3,019 Arrests made 106 DUI arrests made
NEWS BRIEFS
Flagler
School Board candidate Moon gets final petitions
Cathy Moon, candidate for the District 1 seat on the Flagler County School Board, announced on Thursday, April 9, that her candidate petition has been certified by the Supervisor of Elections office, confirming that campaign signature requirements have been met.
“I’m grateful to every resident who signed my petition and to the volunteers who helped make this certification possible,” Moon said in a press release. “This step confirms that our campaign has real momentum, and I’m ready to keep listening, learning, and earning the community’s trust.”
Moon is running against former School Board member Jill Woolbright for the District 1 seat.
In her press release, Moon said her campaign will focus on meeting with families, educators and community stakeholders to discuss student achievement; a safe and supportive school environment, responsible and transparent budgeting; teacher recruitment, retention and respect; and parent and community engagement.
Send new tips to jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.
changed between 2023 and 2024. Until 2023, the FCSO reported data to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Now the FCSO must report to the National IncidentBased Reporting system. The NIBR captures more detailed information about the crime, victims and suspects, according to the FCSO’s 2025 annual report.
VICTIM LOSES $1 MILLION, IN FRAUD CASE
In the first three months of 2026, Staly said the county is seeing trends in fraud cases and domestic violence cases. There have 124 fraud cases reported.
Most of the fraud cases are scams, Staly said. Flagler County had one victim that lost a million dollars, others that have lost thousands of dollars. The Cyber Crimes Unit is the FCSO’s fastest growing unit, he said. Victims should report scams right away, he said.
“Once you realize that you have become a victim,” Staly said, “if you’re embarrassed and don’t report it right away, it makes it much harder for us to recover that money.”
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’ FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Domestic violence cases and violations of injunctions are the biggest issues seen in Flagler County so far this year, Staly said, with 154 reported domestic violence cases.
Heidi Petito to join Flagler Clerk of the Circuit Court’s
Office
Former Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito will be joining the team at the Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.
Petito, whose final day at the county was April 10, served as county administrator for five years. Flagler Clerk and Comptroller Tom Bexley announced she was joining his team late in the afternoon on the same day.
Bexley said in a statement that Petito’s “experience, integrity and steady approach will be a tremendous asset” to the Clerk’s Office. Petito will assist in maintaining accountability for county resources and help “engage and build relationships throughout the county and beyond.”
Petito announced she was leaving the county administrator on March 3, just weeks after her deputy administrator also resigned, after several Flagler County Commissioner voted for her firing in January. Growth and Management Di-
“A lot of domestic violence is not reported,” Staly said. “We have a zero tolerance policy. So if we can prove probable cause when a deputy’s on the scene who the primary aggressor is, that person is going to get arrested.”
rector Adam Mengel has been appointed the interim county administrator until a permanent replacement is found.
Volusia County opens registration for summer camps
Volusia County’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Division has opened registration for its summer day camp program, open for ages 5-12. Running from June 8 through July 24, the program spans 12 locations across the county, with hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff-led activities will include indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts and field trips. Online registration is open through June 1 at https://tinyurl. com/volusiasummercamp. The weekly fee is $90, plus a one-time $25 registration fee. Families who have received summer camp scholarships through Volusia County should email a copy of their voucher to recreationcamp@ volusia.gov before registering. Call Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture at 386-736-5953.
Sheriff Rick Staly. File photo
Cathy Moon’s candidate petition for Flagler County School Board District 1 has been certified. Courtesy photo
18th annual Turtle Fest promotes sea turtle protection in Flagler Beach
Turtle Fest blends entertainment with a message of environmental responsibility.
RICH CARROL MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER
The 18th annual Turtle Fest brought crowds to Veterans Park in Flagler Beach on Saturday, April 11, for a day of family fun, all centered around a serious mission: protecting sea turtles.
The event, which serves as a fundraiser for Volusia Flagler turtle patrols, featured tortoise races, children’s activities, food, music and environmental exhibits designed to educate the public about conservation.
“We are here to celebrate everything turtles and to educate our community about the importance of keeping the beach clean and dark and flat,” said Stephanie York, a park services specialist at Gamble Rogers State Park. “And to educate them all about sea turtle nesting season here in Flagler Beach.” That message comes at a critical time. Sea turtle nesting season in Flagler and Volusia counties runs from May 1 through Oct. 31. As nests begin appearing
along local beaches, most will belong to loggerhead sea turtles, the most common species in Florida. The state is considered the epicenter for loggerhead nesting worldwide.
Longtime turtle patrol volunteer Lori Ottlein said education is key to protecting nests along the shoreline.
“We do the turtle patrols on the beach,” Ottlein said. “We find the nests, we mark them off, and then we protect them. And then when they hatch, we do the evaluation.”
Ottlein said community involvement also plays a role, with residents able to adopt nests and follow their progress throughout the season.
While the event is filled with entertainment, organizers say the goal remains focused on conservation and awareness.
“It’s really important that we educate about our sea turtles, so we can conserve them and help those populations continue to grow,” York said.
As nesting season gets underway, officials say simple steps like keeping beaches clean, avoiding lights at night and filling in holes can help ensure sea turtles have a safe place to nest.
For organizers and volunteers, Turtle Fest is more than just a community event. It is a reminder that protecting sea turtles starts with the public.
Volusia’s first sea turtle nest of 2026 is in Ormond Beach
Volusia County’s sea turtle nesting season is off to an early start, with the first nest of 2026 confirmed along the county’s shoreline — 20 days ahead of the official May 1 start of the season. The nest was laid the evening of Thursday, April 9, in Ormond Beach, by a leatherback sea turtle, marking the first confirmed nesting activity of the year. Leatherbacks only occasionally nest along Volusia County’s beaches. County staff and environmental partners have begun proactive patrols in advance of the official season. As the season approaches, nesting activity is expected to increase. Sea turtle nesting season
runs May 1 to Oct. 31, and residents and visitors are encouraged to take simple steps
Flagler County to close on 3,800 acres in largest environmental land buy
The 3,800 acres will become the Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve, on the west side of Flagler County.
JULIE MURPHY
FLAGLER COUNTY PIO
Flagler County has plans to close on the largest single Environmentally Sensitive Lands acquisition in the program’s history. The county has been work-
ing for more than a year to purchase 3,800 acres in central Flagler that will become the Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve and encompasses almost the entirety of the swamp. The swamp is a regionally significant wetland system that constitutes the headwaters of White Branch — a tributary that flows into Crescent Lake and the St. Johns River.
Flagler County was scheduled to close on the $6.05 million 3,800-acre purchase on April 9. The location is a critical part of long-term regional conservation efforts, securing an important link between thousands of acres of natural lands in the Ocala-to-Matan-
zas Conservation Corridor.
“The preserve contains upland and wetland habitats including mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, basin swamp, hydric hammock, and freshwater marsh — which provides foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of wildlife species including rare and imperiled species such as the wood stork, the eastern black rail, and the eastern indigo snake,” said Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Natural Resources Manager Erick Revuelta. “The site is also home to a large population of
the Florida black bear.” The acquisition is a partnership between Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Funding for the project was provided by the State of Florida as part of a “Florida Wildlife Corridor Initiative” championed by former House Speaker Paul Renner. The Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve will be managed by the county’s Land Management Department.
Stephanie York, park services specialist at Gamble Rogers State Park.
A competitor in the tortoise race. Photos by Rich Carroll
The 3,800 acres in central Flagler are slated to become the Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve. Courtesy photo
The nest was laid April 9, in Ormond Beach. Courtesy photo
Daytona Checkers
unveils remodel
Checkers at 898 N. Nova Road in Daytona Beach has completed a full remodel.
The fast food restaurant is celebrating 35 years in town.
Checkers is transitioning from its classic black-and-white look to a red color palette with a dimensional checkered façade. The Daytona Beach location also sports a racing-inspired finish line graphic at the drivethru windows.
Russ Romeo, senior director of Marketing Activation of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants.
said in a press release: “Daytona Beach is an important market for us, and this updated restaurant reflects everything our guests love from the energy of the new design to the affordable, craveable menu that makes it easy to enjoy more for less.”
New glaucoma specialist expands access in Volusia
Florida Eye Specialists has added Dr. Ronald P. Swendris to its Ormond Beach team.
Swendris is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist, specializing in glaucoma care and anterior segment surgery, according to a press release. He has over 35 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions, with a clinical focus on glaucoma management, cataract surgery and advanced surgical techniques.
“Glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms until vision loss has already occurred,” Swendris said.
“That’s why early detection and ongoing monitoring are so important. I look forward to helping patients better understand their condition and providing treatment options
that preserve their vision and quality of life.”
He and his wife, Cate, a registered nurse, recently relocated to Ormond Beach. They have one son, Christopher.
Kistemaker selected to Gator100
Erum Kistemaker, managing attorney and shareholder of Ormond Beach’s Kistemaker Business Law Group, was recently announced to the 2026 Gator100 list, an honor recognizing her law firm as one of the 100 fastest-growing businesses led by University of Florida alumni.
“This Gator100 recognition is incredibly meaningful to myself, my firm and my family — especially this year, as our son will be entering his freshman year at the University of Florida! I am so proud of this and am
so excited to share this with other wonderful Gator entrepreneurs,” Kistemaker said in a press release.
Kistemaker is an expert in condo, construction, HOA, real estate, business law and landlord and tenant law. She has had an influential and active role in new and changing legislation regarding Florida condo law and is consistently featured as a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation authority on multifarious statewide panels discussing the latest regulatory changes and legislative updates.
Gili’s Kitchen closes in Ormond Beach, on Granada Gili’s Kitchen, a kosher restaurant on the beachside at 188 E. Granada Blvd., has now closed.
The restaurant announced its closure in a Facebook post on Sunday, April 12.
“After much thought, we have made the difficult decisions to permanently close our Ormond Beach location,” the post reads.
“We are incredibly grateful for your support, your loyalty.”
Gili’s Kitchen in Ormond Beach opened in July 2023. Its owner continues to operate a location in Jacksonville, at 126 W. Adams St., Unit 102.
Paradise Pointe residents donate treat bags to Humane Society
Paradise Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care residents recently came together to create “Puppy Love treat bags” in honor of National Puppy Day on March 23.
Residents decorated treat bags and filled them with rope chew toys, tennis balls, dental sticks and dog treats during a “Made with Meagan” activity, and on April 3, Paradise Pointe CEO Darlinda Copeland and Marketing Director Meagan Arrington delivered the donation to the Halifax Humane Society, according to a press release.
“This was truly a full-circle moment,” Arrington said. “Our residents were able to create something with love, knowing it would bring comfort and happiness to both the animals and the families adopting them.”
Their donation came just as HHS was hosting a 50% adoption fee event, and the treat bags were gifted to families as they took home their newly adopted pets.
“At Paradise Pointe, we believe our residents still have so much to give,” Copeland said. “Creating opportunities for connection, creativity, and contribution is essential to living a happy and meaningful life.”
Jobless rate is up in Florida
Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5%, a jump of 0.2% from December, according to data released last week from the Department of Commerce.
The state added 23,800 private sector jobs over the month, but the trend for the last 12 months shows the state still down 9,000 positions.
While jobs in education and health services, along with manufacturing, increased in the past year, all other major industry sectors shed jobs. Financial activities lost 9,200 positions, construction lost 8,800 jobs, and leisure and hospitality lost 4,800 workers.
The monthly report comes a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis joined business leaders at the Pérez ArtMuseum in Miami to promote the Texas Stock Exchange. The event touted the region from Texas to Florida as an economic “Boom Belt,” attracting job creators and young workers. In brief remarks, DeSantis talked of the “very healthy competition” Florida has for business with states including Texas, Tennessee and Georgia.
The January figure represents 499,000 people qualified as out of work from a labor force of 11.12 million. The jobless mark is 1 percentage point higher than a year earlier. Even with the revisions, the U.S. Department of Labor noted
that Florida was the only state with any unemployment rate change in January. The national rate currently stands at 4.3%, reflecting mid-March conditions. A year earlier, the U.S. rate was at 4%.
Florida’s rate was at 3.7% in July and has now grown in five consecutive reports. There was no October report due to a federal government shutdown. The health care sector is adding the most jobs, gaining 38,000 over the last 12 months. Manufacturing, up by 4,300 over the month, had an increase of 800 positions over the past year. In the area of trade, transportation, and utilities, the number of jobs was down 6,200 for the year. But while retail lost 14,700 positions, wholesale trade jobs were up 2,700 for the year and transportation, warehousing, and utilities jobs were up 5,800. Also, under financial activities, all 9,200 positions lost in the past year were in finance and insurance. There was no change reported in jobs tied to real estate. Among the decline in leisure and hospitality jobs, 17,000 were tied to hotels and food service jobs. Jobs involving arts, entertainment and recreation were up 12,900 over the year. The state also reported that while local governments added 3,000 workers in the past year, state government jobs declined by 2,100 and positions with the federal government were down 12,500.
Checkers at 898 N. Nova Road in Daytona Beach. Courtesy photo
Sean Hawkins, Halifax Humane Society CEO; Meagan Arrington, director of marketing at Paradise Pointe; Goober, Chris McDuff, Open Paw volunteer manager at Halifax Humane Society; and Darlinda Copeland, CEO of Paradise Pointe, pose with 50 Puppy Love treat bags made by Paradise Pointe residents for local shelter dogs. Courtesy photos
Paradise Pointe resident Mary with her daughter Paradise Pointe resident Dennis and his daughter-in-law
Paradise Pointe resident Vera
Power of compliments
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
I recently told a family member that I believed in her abilities. I was surprised at how much the compliment was appreciated. And I realized that I should be more intentional about giving sincere praise.
Ezra Taft Benson once wrote: “Once you determine that a high priority in your life is to see that your wife and your children are happy, then you will do all in your power to do so. I am not just speaking of satisfying material desires, but of filling other vital needs such as appreciation, compliments, comforting, encouraging, listening, and giving love
and affection.”
SUPER VOLUNTEER: ED SIARKOWICZ
April 10, 2026
This morning I drove by the Holden House, which will be hosting Bunnell History Day tomorrow, and who did I see with a weed whacker, beautifying the grounds?
Ed Siarkowicz, president of the Flagler County Historical Society.
When you need something done, and you’re in a small organization, and you care about your cause, you just go and do it.
Thanks for making Flagler County a better place, Ed. You made me think: What are the little things that I can be doing to pitch in at home? At church? At my business?
HUMAN ERROR
April 11, 2026
My friend Tim Baker recently posted about baseball’s ABS system, which uses 3D renderings to confirm or
overturn ball-strike calls. That got me thinking: Does the system ruin some of baseball’s charm?
My take is this: I would rather get the calls right, even if it means umpires are eliminated completely.
LITTERBUG
April 12, 2026
The other day, I saw someone throw a paper cup out the window while he was driving down the road. Just thought I should tell someone.
The impulse to litter is hard for me to understand.
IN THE KEEPSAKES
BUSINESS
April 13, 2026
From an Ormond Beach Observer reader, when he was given some extra copies of the newspaper that featured a picture of his grandson:
“Thank you sooo much! Not many of today’s memories are being preserved with actual hard printed copies, and I wanted my grandson to have this as a memory of his young man days.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Judge ‘coddled’ woman posing as nurse at hospital
Dear Editor: I thought I had heard everything when I read about a 29-year-old woman who completed nursing school and got a job at the AdventHealth Hospital in Palm Coast without having passed her nursing exam. She used another woman’s nursing license, without her knowledge, to prove she had passed the exam to be a nurse. She had the same
first name as the other nurse, which was Autumn, but not the same last name. She told the hospital her last name on her license was different because she had gotten married.
Shockingly, AdventHealth Palm Coast never did ask for her marriage license to verify the last name on her nursing license and Autumn posed as a nurse there, overseeing approximately 4,486 patients over a seven-month period.
The charge Autumn could have faced for unlicensed practice of health care carries
a minimum mandatory sentence of one-year incarceration and a $1,000 fine.
Let’s see what actually happened to her: Autumn Bardisa was sentenced to 60 months of probation which can be terminated after 30 months. She can never work in the medical field again in “Florida.”
From what I read, the judge did her best to coddle her, complimenting her at times and chastising the woman whose license was stolen by this imposter. Autumn Bardisa’s attorney blamed
Johnson for Gambaro
Former Volusia Sheriff has endorsed Charles Gambaro for US House District 6.
Retired Volusia County Sheriff and County Councilman
Ben Johnson has announced his endorsement of Charles Gambaro, Republican candidate for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, in the upcoming Aug. 18 primary, according to a press release from the Gambaro campaign.
Gambaro, a U.S. Army Reserve brigadier general, is currently a Palm Coast city councilman. In Johnson’s endorsement, he praised Gambaro’s leadership, military service and commitment to law and order.
Johnson served Volusia County for over 46 years, including 43 years at the Sheriff’s Office and 16 years as sheriff. He served four years as a Volusia County councilman.
“General Gambaro has served his community and his country with honor for over
the jealous nurses in the hospital for checking up on her license when she was selected for a promotion.
Being a registered nurse myself, I doubt the other nurses chose to check her license because they were jealous she was getting a promotion. That makes no sense. And thank God, for whatever reason, they checked her license!
The victim whose license was stolen chose to talk to Autumn directly during the hearing saying, “Why would you put countless lives on the line” saying it was appalling and scary to her.
The judge asked her to stop
Charles Gambaro. Courtesy photo
26 years,” Johnson said in his endorsement. “He is one of us. He has lived in our community for decades, he understands the issues, and he has the track record and courage to drive positive change on issues that are important to our residents. General Gam
baro is a highly decorated combat veteran who has led our troops in battle and has the unyielding support of law enforcement and first responders.”
Gambaro expressed gratitude for the endorsement.
“I am deeply honored to receive the support of Sheriff Ben Johnson, a true legend in Florida law enforcement,” he said. “He is a true man of character and integrity.”
with the personal attacks, saying “There is absolutely zero evidence that countless lives were on the line. Zero evidence. As a matter of fact the information that has been presented is that she was excellent in her job and she excelled at her job.”
The words of this judge should shock us all to the core, complimenting Autumn Bardisa for actions that warranted her being a felon.
DARLA WIDNALL Ormond Beach
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Then & now
Bunnell celebrates second annual History Day, highlighting city’s new museum.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE
EDITOR
The second annual Bunnell History Day on Saturday, April 11, began in Flagler County’s newest museum, the 1926 Vault Room at the old county courthouse building, 200 E. Moody Blvd. The Flagler County Historical Society used the venue to present $2,000 college scholarships to Sierra Schattner, who is pursing her master’s degree, and Flagler Palm Coast High School senior Aasi Bharucha. Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson and City Manager Alvin Jackson assisted with the scholarship presentation. The Vault Room museum was busy throughout the day, historical society President Ed Siarkowicz said.
“Everybody seems excited about the new museum and the content of the exhibits,” county records were kept from 1926 to 2007. Now it contains seating for 50 on original courthouse benches and exhibits along the walls, including: A women’s rights exhibit, sponsored by the Flagler
our volunteers worked extremely hard,” he said. Visitors enjoyed tours of the 1917 Holden House and the Sisco Deen Research Library, Siakowicz said. During the festivities, Brook Page was busy at work on the 1,100 square-foot Wel
come to Bunnell mural on the east wall of the former Bunnell Library, which now houses SMA Healthcare. The mural includes a re-creation of a painting by R.L. Lewis of nearby Lake Disston. Lewis, who died this year, was one of the original Florida Highway-
men artists. Another Highwaymen artist, Curtis Arnett, attended the Highwaymen art show at Poppy’s True Market, down the road. Arnett is one of two surviving members of the original Highwaymen.
Siarkowicz thanked the Bunnell Police Department, the city of Bunnell and the event’s corporate sponsors for making History Day a success. Email brent@observerlocal news.com.
Barret Manfre
Lodge advisor Jerry Dickens Sr.;
Pete Lehnertz; retired Marine Corps Col. Jack Howell; District Deputy Nick Skibba; Kathy Skibba, Merritt Island Elks Lodge No. 2650. Courtesy photo
Brook Page works on the Welcome to Bunnell mural during History Day. Photo courtesy of Dan Fuchs/Flagler County Historical Society
Alan Owen and Bill Spada
Holden House Museum
Duck Daughtrey, Donna Easterling and Mamie Godfrey
History reenactor Susan Baird in the Vault Room museum at the Flagler County historic courthouse.
Curtis Arnett, one of two surviving Florida Highwaymen artists, holds up one of his paintings at Poppy’s True Market in Bunnell.
Charlie Cracker with a display of an old moonshine still at Bunnell History Day. Photos by Shauna McIntosh
Flagler County Historical Society presented $2,000 scholarships to Aasi Bharucha and Sierra Schattner. From left:
Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson, Bharucha, Historical Society President Ed Siarkowicz, Susan Baird, Bunnell
Mayor Catherine Robinson and Schattner.Photo courtesy of Dan Fuchs/Flagler County Historical Society
Paxton Miller rides the mechanical bull.
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
LECTURE: SINKING OF THE
USS THRASHER SSN 593
When: 1-2 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway
NW, Palm Coast
Details: Program on the loss of the USS Thresher (SSN593), the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear submarine lost at sea. Contact phbf81@gmail.com.
FILM SCREENING:
‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY’
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Madorsky Theater at the Daytona State College campus, Hosseini Center, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
Details: See this 2014 Marvel action-adventure space opera. Search for this event on eventbrite.com to reserve a spot.
ORMOND BEACH AREA
DEMOCRATIC CLUB
MEETING
When: 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive
Details: Join the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club for its April meeting. The guest speaker will be Eric Yonce, a candidate for Florida House District 6. Like-minded guests are welcome. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.
DSC MUSIC PRESENTS
A SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT
When: 7-9 p.m.
Where: Daytona State College News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Details: Attend this Symphonic Band Concert. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and Volusia and Flagler County students. Free for DSC students, faculty and staff with a college ID.
FLAGLER PALM COAST HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS CONCERT
When: 7-9 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, Palm Coast
Details: Support the FPC Formality Singers. Tickets: $10/$5. Visit flaglerentertainment.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 EARTH DAY TREE
GIVEAWAY
When: 8-11 a.m.
Where: Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach
Details: The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail will give away native trees sponsored by Volusia County. The City of Ormond Beach will also be distributing native trees.
FIFTH ANNUAL TUNNEL TO TOWERS 5K RUN/WALK
When: 8-10:30 a.m.
Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: The city of Palm Coast is hosting the fifthh annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk. The previous two events raised nearly $100,000, with all proceeds going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Visit https:// runsignup.com/Race/FL/ PalmCoast/TunneltoTower s5KRunWalkPalmCoastFL.
OCEAN TO ESTUARY GUIDED NATURE WALK & CITIZEN SCIENCE
When: 9-11 a.m.
Where: River to Sea Preserve, 9805 N. Ocean Shore Blvd, Marineland
Details: Free guided walk with a Master Naturalist from ocean to estuary, plus a hands-on citizen science activity. Register at http:// gtmness.org/calendars.
SEASIDE HERB SOCIETY
When: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Bailey’s Riverbridge Meeting House, 1 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Join the Seaside
Herb Society for a presentation titled, “Medicinal Herbs” by Momma G Farms in Eustis. First meeting attendance is free. Visitors welcome. Visit www.seasideherbsociety.com.
SPEAKER SERIES: TALKIN’ TURPENTINE
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Palm Coast Community Center
Details: Presented by Peter Johnson, president of the Palm Coast Historical Society. Free. Preregistration encouraged. Visit parksandrec.fun.
15TH ANNUAL ORMOND BEACH CELTIC FESTIVAL
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19
Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond
Beach
Details: Celebrate Celtic heritage with five music stages, highland games, and a gathering of clans. There will also be bagpipers, draft beer, a jam tent, a dog parade and free parking. Presented by Ormond MainStreet. Tickets cost $12 in advance for adults; $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under, free. Visit ormondbeachmainstreet. com.
FOURTH ANNUAL AUTISM AWARENESS FESTIVAL
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: European Village, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Presented by Vincent’s Clubhouse. Enjoy bounce houses, vendors, performances and more.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
GIANT PLANT SALE
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Temple Beth Shalom, 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast Details: Browse a selection of indoor and outdoor plants. There will also be books, jewelry and art. All are welcome.
Good Soil Scholarship Fund is founded in Ormond
The husband and wife duo of Mitch and Sarah Adams recently founded Good Soil, a Christian nonprofit based out of Ormond Beach, created to assist families afford a wide array of educational needs through the use of scholarships for students in grades K-12.
“It’s one of those moments that we felt like God is calling us to step in to the need in our community, and I think that we’re both equipped for it, and hopefully God can do big things in not just Ormond, but also in Volusia County,” said Mitch Adams Sarah is an Ormond Beach native, and her husband, Mitch, moved to the Ormond area his junior year of high school, which has now been about 20 years. The Adamses are now working on marketing of their scholarship fund for the 2026-2027 school year.
Good Soil’s mission is, “We exist to help families access Christ-centered education by providing financial support for private school and co-op tuition, homeschool curriculum, and other essential educational needs in a variety of learning environments – including tutoring and supplemental support for students across different educational settings.”
Sarah and Mitch have five elementary aged children together, and have heavily relied on the Step Up scholarships for the past two years. Step Up is funded by the state of Florida, and works to provide scholarships to grades Pre-K-12. Having gained more popularity in recent years, and its influx of received student applications, Step Up was unable to provide scholarships to every child, and ultimately, sparked the conception of Good Soil from the Adams family.
“Our goal is to help fill the gap for families who were not approved due to capacity limits,” Adams said.
The Adams’ youngest daughter is 7 years old, and she recently asked her parents if Good Soil will still be around when she is an adult, so she can then run the organization.
As of now, Good Soil is being run out of the Adams couple’s home in Ormond Beach.
“Good Soil comes from the biblical idea that when something is planted in good soil, it has the ability to grow and to flourish,” said Sarah Adams.
Applications for scholar-
ships are expected to open this summer.
If a child is approved, the funds will be distributed to either an approved school, or educational provider.
To donate, visit www.goodsoilfund.org/support.
For families interested in assistance from Good Soil for their students, visit www. goodsoilfund.org/interest.
Trinity Presbyterian Church of Palm Coast hosts Blessing of Pets
On Sunday, April 12, Trinity Presbyterian Church of Palm Coast hosted a Blessing of the Pets ceremony, following the second to last event in the church’s Community Lecture Series.
A total of 37 dogs and one bunny were blessed during the ceremony.
At the beginning of the pet blessing ceremony, Rev. Joe Albright and retired Rev. John Huff welcomed all guests and spoke about animals’ unconditional love.
Brought to you by:
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
Trudy Manen — a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Palm Coast and vice president of a nonprofit that trains service dogs for disabled veterans, Pop Smoke K9 for Veterans — said, “Whether it be a service dog, an emotional support dog, or just a plain pet, they care for us as much as we care for them.” Manen said to the Observer that the ceremony was the vision of Kellie Jebbia.
“God created these animals and furry friends and feathered friends and scaly friends. He expects us to take care of them,” Manen said. The next event in its Community Lecture Series is scheduled for Sunday, May, 3. Titled “Pets, People, Practice,” it will feature guest speaker Dr. Mary Ann Vande Linde. Visit trinitypalmcoast.org.
Women of God in Unity Working Together conference
Women of faith are invited to the second-annual Women of God in Unity Working Together conference on Saturday, June 20 from 12-5 p.m. at Deltona High School, located at 100 Wolf Pack Run in Deltona. The conference will be held by Christians Merging Together Ministry, which is based out of Daytona Beach. The event flyer states: “Women who are not afraid, because they know God will calm down the storm no matter what the situation is.”
Each pet and its owner came up to the front, where their pet was then blessed by name. A prayer card and charm were distributed after each blessing to the pet’s owners. In addition, a memorial basket was placed on a separate table with the names of pets who have doed. Albright also blessed the memorial basket before the ceremony concluded.
Speakers include Pastor Tiffany Ware, Minister Pauletta Singleton, Rev. Latiska Powell and Dr. Pam Powell. Tickets are $20. Visit WomenOfGodIUWT.com. — ABBIE PACE
The Adams Family. Courtesy photo Carol and Dave Corson with Stella. Courtesy photos Carrie.
Doug and Chris Baron with Annie and Emma.
YOUR SCHOOLS
Wadsworth Elementary’s
Margaret Reiter wins at science fair
When the isotopes settled, at the annual Flagler Schools Fifth Grade Science Fair and Expo on Thursday, April 9, at Buddy Taylor Middle School, there would be a Panther atop the medal stand.
Margaret Reiter of Wadsworth Elementary School took first place in the districtwide competition, while two Old Kings Elementary School students took second and third place. Leon Krawczyk earned the second-place trophy and Levi Borg took third place.
Forty-eight fifth graders entered science projects in the competition. The Flagler County Education Foundation sponsored the event.
Five Flagler seventh graders to attend AAUW Tech Trek camp
The American Association of University Women Flagler County Branch has announced that five Flagler County seventh graders have been selected to attend the AAUW Tech Trek
camp in June.
Karolina Grinde and Isabella Weasley, both students at Buddy Taylor Middle School, will attend the week-long Tech Trek camp at Florida Atlantic University’s campus in Jupiter.
Michelle Ervin a student at Indian Trails Middle School and Kendall Miller and Leila Worley, both students at Buddy Taylor, will attend the camp at Stetson University in DeLand.
All of the campers will live on campus and attend hands-on problem solving workshops led by women role models in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and math.
AAUW’s curriculum is designed to make STEM fields exciting and accessible to middle school students at a time when research indicates that girls’ participation in these fields statistically drops. The weeklong camp often sparks their curiosity and helps place them on a path toward success.
Sixty-three Flagler County middle school girls have been selected to attend AAUW Florida Tech Trek since the program’s inception in 2013. The $1,500 cost per camper is covered by the AAUW Flagler County Branch. A $50 registration fee is the only cost to the family.
Donations to help support future Tech Trek scholarships are greatly appreciated. Checks can be mailed to: AAUW Flagler (Tech Trek) P.O. Box 354873, Palm Coast, FL 32135-4873.
Online donations may be made through a secure payment portal at: https://flaglercountyfl.aauw.net.
Bethune-Cookman
marks president’s inauguration with
Day of Service
More than 1,000 BethuneCookman University students, faculty, staff and alumni took part in a Day of Service initiative on Monday, April 13, in honor of the inauguration of Bethune-Cookman University’s new president, Albert Mosley. The volunteers lent support to dozens of local nonprofits across Volusia County, including Food Brings Hope and the Emory L. Bennett Veterans’ Nursing Home, according to the university. B-CU volunteers also helped pack food bags and restock the food pantry at Campbell Middle School in Daytona Beach for the Children’s Home Society.
Mosley visited these sites, helped clean the area around Rose Avenue in Daytona and also spoke to students at Mainland High School, according to BC-U.
According to a press release, the Inauguration Day of Service “complements the university’s ‘B-CU Rising: All of Us, All In’ campaign — an initiative focused on raising $1 million for student scholarships — by reinforcing Bethune-Cookman’s
belief that service and access to education remain inseparable.”
Volunteers gathered at Daisy Stockton park before and after the service day, which concluded with a cookout.
Following the Day of Service,
B-CU held its Inauguration Scholarship Gala, where its $1 million scholarship fundraising goal was exceeded. Mosley was officially inaugurated as the eighth president of B-CU during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 14.
Volunteers supported Food Brings Hope during the Day of Service. Photo courtesy of BethuneCookman University
Flagler County seventh graders who have been selected to attend the AAUW Tech Trek camp in June: Leila Worley, Isabella Weasley, Michelle Ervin, Karolina Grinde and Kendall Miller. Courtesy photo
Flagler Schools’ Fifth Grade Science Fair winners: First place — Margaret Reiter, Wadsworth Elementary School; Second place — Leon Krawczyk, Old Kings Elementary School; Third place — Levi Borg, Old Kings Elementary School. Courtesy photo/Flagler Schools.
CORPORATE OFFICE - 386-677-SOLD (7653)
900 West Granada Blvd., Ste. 3, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
BEACHSIDE OFFICE - 386-441-SOLD (7653)
2110 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ste. B, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
PORT ORANGE OFFICE - 386-767-SOLD (7653)
301 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL 32127
COMMERCIAL OFFICE - 386-253-8565
140 S. Atlantic Ave., Suite 202, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES OFFICE - 386-766-SOLD (7653)
3118 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
Custom estate 4BR/4.5BA Ormond Beach home with Tomoka River views on 0.5+ acre cul-de-sac lot. 4,208 SF with office, 690 SF bonus room and 3 car garage. Chef’s kitchen, fireplaces and Brazilian cherry floors. Saltwater pool and 2 story screened lanai. Metal roof, impact windows and solar. #1220905 $1,125,000. Patti McKinley 386-235-0462.
Charming 3BR/2BA bungalow that is move-in ready. Light & bright interior with granite countertops, stainless appliances, washer and dryer, modern fixtures and laminate floors. Enjoy a spacious backyard with entertaining deck and storage shed. Full of character and ready from day one. #1221591 $345,000. Roger Maynard 386-562-5307.
Brand new 4BR/2.5BA home on quiet no thru street. Open floor plan with covered back porch and large downstairs flex or 4th BR. Upstairs laundry and primary suite with dual vanities. Close to colleges, shopping and outlets. Less than 10 minutes to the beach and easy access to Orlando or Jacksonville. #1221162 $325,000. Tom Caffrey 386-290-9233.
in ready 3BR/2BA concrete block home in Hunters Ridge. Split plan with spacious primary suite, dual walk-in closets, jetted tub and shower. New AC, new appliances and fresh paint. Screened porch overlooking preserve and fenced yard. Community pools. Less than 10 miles to beach. #1222046 $389,900. Katie Brousse 386-566-3155. HUNTERS
Like-new 4BR/3.5BA contemporary home built in 2024. Heated saltwater pool, covered lanai, outdoor shower, 2 car garage, and fenced yard. Two living areas with modern kitchens, quartz counters, KitchenAid appliances, balconies, impact windows, dual HVAC, and smart home features. Minutes to beach and Intracoastal. #1222705 $948,000. Amy Beals 386-852-1400.
REAL ESTATE
Top sale: $1.25 million
Ahouse in Ocean Hammock at 42 Kingfisher Lane was the top real estate transaction for March 28 to April 3, in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on April 2 for $1,250,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/3.5, has a pool and 2,903 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $1,125,000. It was listed by Marcelle Miller, of Hammock Real Estate Group.
ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condos
A condo at 17 Sherbury Court, Unit 17, sold on April 3, for $179,000. Built in 1985, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,098 square feet. It sold in 1986 for $76,800.
A condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 605, sold on April 3, for $710,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,435 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $695,000.
A condo at 2129 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 2129, sold on April 3, for $387,750. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,300 square feet. It sold in 1998 for $118,000.
A condo at 100 San Juan Drive, Unit A203, sold on April 1, for $249,000. Built in 2002, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,113 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $185,400.
FLAGLER BEACH
Atlanta Subdivision
A house at 2700 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on March 28, for $995,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/3 and has 1,860 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $900,000.
Sugar Mill Plantation
A house at 7 Bulows Landing sold on March 31, for $1,175,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, a fireplace and 4,456 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $1,350,000.
PALM COAST
Palm Harbor
A house at 9 Clear Court sold on April 3, for $700,000. Built in 2004, the 3/2 house has a pool, a boat house, a dock and 1,999 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $720,000.
A house at 1 Clearview Court S. sold on April 2, for $660,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a dock, a boat house, a
square feet. It sold in 2025 for $645,000. A house at 9 Crow Court sold on April 1, for $765,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace, a dock and 2,226
Halifax Repertory Theatre presents ‘I HRT Broadway’ at Ormond PAC
Halifax Repertory Threatre is hosting a new musical revue show.
“I HRT Broadway” will grace the stage at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center for two weekends, opening with a 7 p.m. show on Friday, April 24. The production features a cast of 22 performers — professional artists and rising young talent — celebrating hit songs, stories and the spirit of Broadway, according to a press release.
The show will also feature two guest artists, appearing through special arrangement with Actors’ Equity Association.
Ormond Beach native Chelsea Turbin returns to her hometown stage after a successful professional career spanning international touring and regional theatre. A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, Turbin toured in the international Broadway production of Green Day’s “American Idiot” and has ap-
peared in productions including “Hairspray,” “Gypsy,” and the off-Broadway production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The second guest artist is Jennifer McGill, recent recipient of the 2026 Arts Voco Artist of Distinction award which recognized her outstanding contributions to the local performing arts scene. McGill first gained national recognition as a Mouseketeer on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club and has performed internationally with renowned artists including Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Celine Dion. She currently serves as Director of Arts Education for HRT.
Also appearing in the show are: Jack Cook, Sandy Cook, Brett Ricci, Jill Kachanouskaya, Adam Campbell, Nathan Juliano, James Garcia, Mackenzie Urquhart, Adrian Piottrowicz, Emily Odom, Chase Cook, Amedea DeGraide, Sophia Hodges, Emily Robinson, Maya Rice, Emma Duncan, Lorelei Cook, Sarah Duncan, Jack Hayes and Ransom DeGraide.
In addition to opening night, “I HRT Broadway” will be performed at the PAC at 7 p.m. April 25, May 1 and May 2; and 2 p.m. April 26 and May 3. Tickets cost $35.
Visit ormondbeachperform ingartscenter.csstix.com.
Cultural Awareness Fund launches STEM learning program
Ormond Beach nonprofit Cultural Awareness Fund Inc. recently launched a new STEM learning program designed to bring hands-on education to elementary school students, particularly those in low-income and underserved communities.
The Chef Koochooloo program blends cooking, cultural exploration and science, technology, engineering and math concepts.
“Chef Koochooloo is about opportunity,” said William J. Sanchez, executive director. “We are focused on reaching students who may not otherwise have access to innovative STEM programs and giving them an experience that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and opens doors.” Cultural Awareness Fund is offering scholarships to: Elementary schools After school programs Community-based organizations Nonprofit educational initiatives
Email Sanchez at william@
Steven Simmons leads the cast in singing “Lullaby of Broadway.” File photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Bulldogs sweep
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The goal for the Flagler Palm Coast girls track and field team at the Five Star Conference meet was to put up enough points to wrench the trophy from Spruce Creek’s tight grasp. Fast times and stratospheric leaps were not a priority. Those could wait for next week’s district meet.
The plan worked. The Bulldogs won their first Five Star Conference girls championship in 11 years on April 10, at FPC. They ended the Hawks’ streak of eight straight titles.
FPC also won the boys championship for a Bulldogs sweep. But the boys title was not unexpected. It was the Bulldogs’ 10th Five Star title in the past 12 meets. And they won in dominating fashion, defeating second-place Seabreeze, 201 points to 96. New Smyrna Beach was third with 89 points. Mainland and Spruce Creek tied for fourth place with 81 points.
“The boys, we figured we were going to do well, and we did even better,” FPC coach David Halliday said.
The FPC girls, however, had to battle to the end. They secured the title in the next-to-last event, the 3,200-meter race, where the Bulldogs’ Arianna Slaughter and Anna Grigoruk finished first and second, respectively. FPC edged second-place Creek 187 to 176. Mainland was third with 105 points. Seabreeze was eighth.
After the final points were tabulated, FPC girls coach Alycia Williams and the team danced and cheered with their new trophy.
“It’s great,” said Halliday, who oversees FPC’s track and cross country programs.
“Coach Williams and the girls deserve all the accolades. Spruce Creek has been really strong, and they’re still really strong this year. But, our girls ... I mean, Karina Marcelus is an amazing athlete, Ariana Slaughter is an amazing athlete and Anna Grigoruk — we asked them to do a lot today, and I felt a little guilty about it. But once we ran the numbers, and we thought we could beat Spruce Creek, you want to win that local grudge match. That’s what the girls pulled off today.”
Marcelus won the long jump, triple jump and 100 hurdles and finished third in the 100-meter dash, setting two personal records (in long jump and 100 meters).
Slaughter won the 3,200and the 1,600-meter distance races and finished second in the 800. She was also on the 4x800 winning relay team with Everly Mucciolo, Audrey Bowman and Grigoruk.
Grigoruk also placed fourth in both the 1,600 and 800 in addition to her runner-up finish in the 3,200.
“Getting a first and second in the 3,200 definitely helped to get those points back up to where they needed to be,” Grigoruk said. “The plan was to kind of sit on Spruce Creek’s back and then kick at the end. We were just going for place, not time, because at the end of the day, the place is what’s going to get us the points.”
Spruce Creek’s Cameryn and Channing Irby finished third and fourth.
Slaughter said the heavy workload was not easy, and
their times were slower as a result, but the strategy paid off.
“This was definitely a team effort,” she said. “We knew that if we wanted to win Five Star, we were going to have to struggle. And we were going to have to place high in all of our events. So that is what we did. We have such a small team, so we kind of got all loaded up with events, but no one backed down. At district, regionals and states, we’ll be back with some good times.
Don’t worry.”
TWO TITLES FOR JACOBELLI, FIGUEROA
FPC’s Logan Jacobelli had a big meet for the FPC boys, winning both the 200- and 400-meter races and setting PRs in both. His time of 21.23 seconds in the 200 is the fourth-fastest time among Class 4A athletes this season and is just off the school record of 21.01.
Jacobelli led a parade of four FPC runners to the finish in the 400 with Mikey Najpaver placing second, Justin Goings third and Gaige Herndon fourth.
Mainland’s Ethan Figueroa won the high jump and triple jump and placed second in the long jump. He set a PR in the triple jump with a 42 foot, 7-inch leap. FPC’s Zac Murphy was second in triple jump and fourth in long jump.
Seabreeze’s Aidan O’Brien won the 100-meter dash with a PR time of 10.70 seconds.
O’Brien also placed second to Jacobelli in the 200.
FPC’s Najir Eddins won the boys 400 hurdles and finished second in the 110 hurdles behind Seabreeze’s Drayton Brackett, who broke his own school record with a time of 15.16 seconds.
Brackett also placed fourth in the 400 hurdles. Seabreeze’s
Dominic Dowell finished second in 400 hurdles and fourth in the 110. FPC’s Tonly Coates was third in the 400 hurdles.
FPC freshman Douglas Seth won the 1,600-meter race with a PR time of 4:29.13, winning by 5.6 seconds. But it was not the time he was shooting for.
“We were going for a 4:20,” he said. “And we were on pace to lap 3. We tried to stick to the plan and couldn’t give up on the third lap, and then the fourth lap, we just paid for it. I won Five Star in cross country, so I got to win Five Star for the second time.”
Seth also ran a PR in the 800, finishing fourth. FPC sophomore Mateo Almeida placed second in the 3,200 and third in the 16,000.
New Smyrna’s Brison Sullivan and FPC’s La’Darius Simmons, the top two javelin throwers in the state, placed first and second, respectively, at Five Star. FPC’s Earnest Fingers won boys pole vault. Rhett Opalewski of FPC won the boys 800 with a PR time of 2:00.09.
Mainland’s Michael London won discus and was second in shot put. The Bucs’ Dominic
Torres, Liam Ciferri, Terris Gaines and Maddox Howe placed first in the 4x800. Mainland’s Javon Estes, Javaris Estes, Shawn Holmes and Elijah Canidate finished second in the 4x100. And the Bucs were leading the 4x400 before dropping the baton.
BUCS’ LETT SPRINTS TO A FIRST AND SECOND
Among girls, Mainland’s Gabrielle Lett won the 200 with a time of 25.80 seconds and placed second in the 100.
The Bucs’ Sydney Noelien won discus, Makayla Doe placed second in long jump and third in triple jump and Aquila Rivers placed third in the 400.
The Bucs also won two relay. events — the 4x400 (Rivers, Jalissa Rodney, Lett and Yasmin Polk) and the 4x100 (Tyler Darius, Arriana Kroytor, Rodney and Lett).
The Bulldogs’ Danteria Rankin and Laniyah Walker were second and third in shot put. Walker also placed third in discus and Grace Taylor was third in javein. Seabreeze’s Tabitha Hick placed third in both girls hurdles events.
Schwartz qualifies for gym nationals
BRENT WORONOFF
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE
Anna Schwartz of Palm Coast Gymnastics has become the first gymnast in the local gym’s 20-year history to become a Level 10 national team qualifier.
Schwartz will compete with the Region 8 team at the USA Gymnastics Level 10 Development Program National Championships on May 6-10 in Oklahoma City. Level 10 is the highest level in USA Gymnastics’ Development program.
Schwartz, 17, an Ormond Beach resident and junior at Seabreeze High School, finished among the top eight at the Region 8 championships in Bradenton on April 10-12 to advance to nationals as a member of the region’s national team.
Eight regional teams will compete at nationals. Region 8 covers the Southeast.
“It’s pretty much every Level 10’s dream to be on the national team, so it’s very exciting for her,” said Kelly Flagler, Palm Coast Gymnastics owner and head coach.
“To get to this level, it’s not for the weak. Getting there, staying there and doing well on top of it is a pretty amazing feat. We’re going to celebrate this.” At the beginning of preseason, Schwartz hurt her calf and wasn’t sure if she would be fully healthy for the rigors of the competition season.
“I didn’t know what I could do fully until December, and the season began in January, so it was definitely about trusting the process this season,” she said. “I got better each meet, and everything came together at regionals. I made all my routines and felt more comfortable than I have at a meet all season.”
Schwartz advanced through six meets to reach nationals. She said she concentrated on her vault routine leading up to the season.
“I worked really hard on vault and this year I added a twist,” she said. “And that’s become one of my favorite events.”
Schwartz started gymnastics right after her fifth birthday, she said.
“I did both gym and dance for a while until my mom said I had to pick one, and I immediatley picked gymnatics,” Schwartz said. “I just loved it from the time I started.”
FPC girls track coach Alycia Williams (center) celebrates with her team after winning the Five Star Conference girls championship. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Anna Grigoruk and Arianna Slaughter each earned points for FPC in four distance events.
Seabreeze’s Kai Shirley (left) and FPC’s Evan Johnson run in the 1,600 meters. Johnson placed sixth, edging Shirley by less than a second.
Seabreeze’s Kjon Willis and Mainland Kristian Willams run in the 400-meter race.
FPC girls upend Spruce Creek; boys cruise at Five Star Conference track championships.
Anna Schwartz with Palm Coast Gymnastics owner/coach Kelly Flagler. Courtesy photo
Pirates double up with district wins
The Matanzas boys defeated Flagler Palm Coast 10-5, while the girls won their first district tournament game in 10 years.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Matanzas boys and girls
lacrosse teams both won their first-round district tournament games on Friday, April
10, to advance to the District 4-2A semifinals.
The Pirates played a doubleheader at home. In the first game, the Matanzas boys defeated Flagler Palm Coast 10-5. In the nightcap, the Matanzas girls defeated Sanford Seminole 13-7.
The Matanzas boys last won a district tournament game two years ago, also against FPC, 8-7. They lost to Gainesville Buchholz on April 14 in the semifinals.
The Matanzas girls won their first district tournament game in 10 years. They lost to
Lake Mary (15-3) on Monday, April 13 in a semifinal. The Rams are ranked fifth in the state overall and second in Class 2A.
Junior Addison Alred scored seven goals against Seminole.
Senior Mia Apfelbach had three goals and two assists.
Sophomore Trinity Johnston had two goals and seven ground balls, and senior Taylor Openshaw scored a goal, recovered seven ground balls and caused five turnovers.
Goalie Taylor Basiger had five saves.
The Pirates improved to 7-5, clinching a winning season for the first time since 2016.
“We played [Seminole] in the preseason, when we won 14-6,” Alred said. “We knew they were going to be better, but we also got better. Their defense improved, but we
were able to power through. In the preseason we didn’t know where we stood. We improved our stick skills and our pass-
ing, and we’re utilizing every single player.”
Vinny Ferrugiaro scored seven goals for the Matanzas boys team, while Michael Lamonica, Rylee Roberts and CJ Schouten each scored one goal for the Pirates’ second victory this season against the Bulldogs.
Matanzas improved to 4-10 with the quarterfinal win, while FPC ended its season at 2-12. The Bulldogs collected their two victories in the their final two regular-season games on April 1-2.
Senior Ryan Zapata scored three goals for the Bulldogs, while freshman Garrett Winkler scored twice.
Senior goalie Aiden Comendatore ended his high school career with over 700 saves in this three seasons with FPC. He will play lacrosse next sea-
“We played [Seminole] in the preseason, when we won 14-6. We knew they were going to be better, but we also got better."
son with Savannah College of Art and Design. Matanzas attacker Ferrugiaro has committed to play for Oglethorpe University.
FPC closed to within 6-3 in the third quarter before the Pirates outscored the visitors 4-2 the rest of the way. The FPC girls also saw their season end on April 10 with a 14-4 district quarterfinal loss to Lake Brantley on the road on April 10. Brianna Long scored three goals for the Bulldogs (4-11), while Sofia Fretterd scored one goal. The two juniors each scored 32 goals this season.
Matanzas’ Trey O’Janovac (99) scoops up a ground ball in front of Garrett Winkler. Photos by Keishia McLendon
Zane Dailey (left) and CJ Schouten battle for possession.
Matanzas goalie Liam O’Connor nabs a high shot.
FPC goalie Aiden Commendatore makes a save.
BRANDIE ALRED, Matanzas girls lacrosse coach
Bulldogs qualify 21 weightlifters for boys regional championships
Seabreeze qualifies 12, Mainland eight and Matanzas five for regionals.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Flagler Palm Coast did not have the depth to win the Five Star Conference or district boys weightlifting championships. The Bulldogs did not have the depth to win conference, district or region in 2022 either. But they went on to win the 3A state championship.
Spruce Creek handily won the District 4-3A championship in both competitions on April 8 at FPC. The Hawks defeated the second-place Bulldogs 91-66 in the Olympic competition and 97-54 in the traditional competition. But winning team titles was not the goal for the Bulldogs at the district meet.
“I told the guys before the meet started, it’s not about winning this meet today,” FPC coach Duane Hagstrom said. “It’s about advancement. I’m just trying to get them the best opportunity to advance to
regionals, and then just keep qualifying as many as we can.”
When the regional qualifiers were announced on April 13, the Bulldogs had 21 lifters moving on. They will be joined at the Region 2-3A meet at FPC on April 25 by eight Mainland lifters and five Matanzas lifters. Seabreeze qualified 12 lifters for the Region 4-2A meet on April 24 at Leesburg High School.
Four FPC lifters won district titles. Cody Strawser (129 pounds) and Landon Gates (183 pounds) won titles in both competitions. Matt McFall (unlimited) and Jackson Fedun (169 pounds) won the Olympic competition.
“We performed well,” Hagstrom said. “We just just don’t have the depth to keep up with Spruce Creek in a meet like this. I feel like it was one of our better meets as far as consistency and not missing lifts.”
The Bulldogs had the best percentage of successful attempts at the meet with 84.3% successful lifts in Olympic and 85.4% successful lifts in traditional.
McFall matched his school record clean and jerk with a 360-pound lift and benched
pressed a personal-record 370 pounds. He won the Olympic competition by 100 pounds (640 to 540) over Spruce Creek’s Jeremiah Hall. But Hall bench pressed 415 pounds on his final lift to tie McFall with a 730-pound traditional total. Hall won the traditional title because of his lower body weight.
“He weighs 30 pounds less than me,” the 306-pound McFall said, noting that he is not likely to win any ties.
McFall placed fourth at state in the Olympic competition last year with a 535 total.
Gates achieved personal records in the clean and jerk (285 pounds) and bench press (250. pounds). Joe Casanova had a PR in clean and jerk
(310 pounds) in placing third in both competitions in the 238-pound class.
Unlimited weight-class lifter Wendell Weaver bumped up 20 pounds to 295 pounds in his third clean and jerk attempt and completed the lift for a new PR. He received a bear hug from Hagstrom after the lift. Weaver placed third in Olympic competition and fifth in traditional.
Three Seabreeze lifters won district championships at the District 8-2A meet at New Smyrna Beach. Guarinoex Rivera Sise won the 119-pound Olympic title. Vincent Pedersen won both titles in the 129 pound class. And Dean Hayes won both titles in the 139-pound class.
REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
FLAGLER PALM COAST
119: Anthony Giacobbe both competitions; Logan Iacovelli Olympic; John Banko traditional.
129: Cody Stawser both; Isaiah Del Valle both; 139: Alex Huynh both; Memphis Hambly Olympic; Khaidyn Steward, traditional.
154: Aidan Bull both; Chris Lightsey both.
169: Jackson Fedun both; Brian Martinez both.
183: Landon Gates both; Marlon Alvarado both.
199: Mathias Parker both.
219: Tyler Davison both; Ethan Mancini both.
238: Joe Casanova both; Reagan Melland both.
Unl.: Matt McFall both; Wendell Weaver both.
MAINLAND 119: Christian Robinson both.
129: Ray Tatro both.
139: Dylan Bonanno both.
169: Jeremiah Richardson
both.
199: Benjamin Grove traditional; 219: Mason Durrance traditional.
238: Wyatt Ayoub both.
Unl: Tommy Bostick traditional.
MATANZAS
154: Brody Whitmore both.
183: Wiley Conner traditional; Cole Dockhorn traditional. 219: Anthony Sanchez both.
238: Jake Patton, both.
SEABREEZE
119: Guarionex Rivera Seise both; Logan Seid both.
129: Vincent Penderson both; Finn Zimmet Olympic.
139: Dean Hayes both; Darin Fazio traditional.
154: Jace Perez both.
169: Ronald Zimmet both; Rhett Albrecht both.
183: Ezra Williams both.
238: Zebediah Martin both. Unl: Miles Venables Olympic.
Flagler Palm Coast flag football team finds its identity on defense
The Bulldogs posted their seventh shutout of the season with a 19-0 victory over Seabreeze.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
If Flagler Palm Coast’s flag football team is going to advance in the postseason, it will likely be with its defense.
The Bulldogs (10-4) have seven shutouts this season, and their 13-7 loss to Menendez at home on Monday, April 13, was just the third time that they allowed more than nine points in a game all season.
On April 9, in a home game against Seabreeze, neither team could put the ball in the end zone until 2:18 remaining when Tori Spann broke the ice
with a 20-yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Nereyda Campos.
Spann went on to pick off a double-option pitch and return it for a touchdown and then completed an extra-point pass to Serenity Maynard. In the final seconds, freshman Malaysia McKay intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 19-0 victory.
“Everything was last minute, last minute,” Spann said. The late scoring flurry that included two defensive touchdowns was no surprise to first-year head coach John King.
“This is the kind of team we have,” he said. “We can do that. Defensively, we’ve been smothering people all year.
That’s our seventh shutout, so it’s just a matter of time till we score on defense, and if we score on defense, we’re going
to win the game.”
Spann, a junior playing her first season of flag football, has been a difference maker on both sides of the ball all season.
“We’ve come a long way,” she said. “With this being my first year and Nereyda’s last year, everybody on the team is connecting. We’re doing good. I’m proud of my team.”
The first time FPC and Seabreeze met this season, on Feb. 19, Seabreeze won 9-6.
“It was a sloppy game,” King said. “You can see how far we’ve come just based on those two results, I’m extremely proud of them.”
If the most recent rankings hold, the Bulldogs will be the top seed in District 2-4A and will receive a bye in the district quarterfinals. They would play in the district semifinals on April 22 at University in Orange City.
Matanzas boys tennis: undefeated
The Pirates’ boys and girls teams hosted the district tournament at the Southern Recreation Center.
The Matanzas boys tennis team rested two of its top players in its final match of the season. Without them, the Pirates still completed a perfect 15-0 season with a 5-2 victory against St. Augustine on Thursday, April 9, at the Matanzas courts.
“It feels great to be undefeated,” said Owen Brady, one of five seniors on the team. “This is the first time we’ve done that in my four years. We came close my freshman year — we lost one match. But this year we had a really strong season, and we closed it out.
The Matanzas girls lost their final regular-season match to a strong St. Augustine team, 5-2. The St. Augustine girls finished the season with a 13-2 record, while Matanzas finished at 10-6.
The Pirates hosted the District 4-3A boys and girls tournaments on April 14-15 at the Southern Recreation Center.
The Matanzas boys have played every team in the district except Nease, which should be their top competition.
“They’re very good,” Brady said. “On paper, it should be a
really close match, but, we’ll see how it plays out. Hopefully, a couple of their players get knocked out in the early rounds, but I doubt it. We’ll see what happens.”
The top two teams at district advance to regionals. The No. 1 team will host the District 3 runner-up in the first round, while the No. 2 team will go on the road.
“As long as we beat Ponte Vedra out for the No. 2 [spot], we should be good,” Brady said. “But we’re aiming for No. 1.”
The No. 1 singles and doubles champs at district advance to the state tournament. Matanzas sophomore Daniel Patsula will be in the running at No. 1 singles. Patsula and Owen Brady are also aiming for the state berth at No. 1 doubles.
Patsula and senior Stanislav Valenteychik did not compete in the St. Augustine match. Adam Stochel Polubiec moved up from No. 2 to No. 1 singles and won 8-1 over Brady Bratic. The Pirates’ Brady moved up from No. 4 to No. 2 singles and also won his match 8-1. Alexander Engblom and Tyler Lemon won at Nos. 4 and 5 singles respectively. Brady and Lemmon won at No. 1 doubles; Daniel Faraj and Engblom won at No. 2.
Madelyn Haté (No. 2) and Elizabeth Patsula (No. 3) won their singles matches in the girls match.
With a No. 3 ranking in the region, FPC would likely receive a bid to the playoffs no matter what happens in the district tournament.
“The region is wide open,”
SIDELINES
committed to play soccer at Warner University in 2027.
The junior is Warner’s first women’s soccer commitment for 2027. She had two goals and four assists for the Pirates this past season.
FPC’s Perry, Hampton commit
Flagler Palm Coast seniors Anthony Hampton and Nate Perry both committed to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, to play basketball.
Botha sisters win state sculling title
Twin sisters Yahna and Meraldi Botha of Palm Coast took first place in the Junior Lightweight Doubles at the 2026 Florida Scholastic Rowing Association Sculling State Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
Yahna and Meraldi train under coach Christine Powers at Halifax Rowing Association in Daytona Beach. The twins balance a rigorous training schedule with a dual-enrolled high school and college academic schedule.
Pirates’ Hopkins commits to Warner U. Matanzas soccer player Isabella Hopkins has
The two guards were the Bulldogs’ leading scorers this season with Perry averaging 15.4 points per game and Hampton averagin 14.0 points per game.
quarterfinal on April 21.
Florida Dairy Farmers FHSAA Academic All-State Team. The award is the FHSAA’s most prestigious honor a student-athlete can receive, with only 24 seniors (12 boys, 12 girls) statewide being chosen each year.
Mariah Mills 8th at USA Wrestling World Team Trials Former Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast wrestler Mariah Mills placed eighth at the World Team Trials, officially becoming a USA Wrestling All-American. Mills, a former high school state champion, is a freshman at West Liberty Univerisity in West Virginia. She placed among the top 12 in the 124-pound weight class at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships last month. Her brother, Tyson Mills, has been named the West Liberty University men’s wrestling team’s Freshman of the
Slaughter named to FHSAA AllAcademic Team
FPC cross country and track runner Arianna Slaughter has been named to the 2026
FPC unlimited weight class lifter Wendell Weaver cleans 295 pounds at district. Photo by Brent Woronoff
King said. “We absolutely could be playing for a regional championship in a few weeks.”
The Sandcrabs (2-10) were scheduled to visit DeLand on April14 for their final regular-
season game. They will play in a District 7-2A
Daniel Faraj won No. 2 doubles with Alexander Engblom.
Madelyn Haté serves in the No. 1 doubles match. Madelyn and her sister, Mia, lost a close 8-6 match to St. Augustine’s Lauren Siari and Hallie Johnson. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Seqouia Jackson rushes Seabreeze quarterback Rani Gupta. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Twin sisters Yahna and Meraldi Botha took first place in the Junior Lightweight Doubles at the 2026 FSRA Sculling State Championships.
Matanzas junior Isabella Hopkins is the Warner University women’s soccer team’s first commitment for 2027. Courtesy photos
Former Matanzas and FPC wrestler Mariah Mills placed eighth at the World Team Trials. Courtesy photo
PLACE
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William “Bill” Henry Klinkenberg, Jr. November 24, 1929 - April 10, 2026
William “Bill” Henry Klinkenberg, Jr., left this earth and danced into heaven on April 10, 2026, with his loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by his side. He peacefully entered into the presence of God, whom he had served his entire life, reunited at last with his beloved wife, Frances. His faith was not a chapter of his story—it was the story, the thread that ran through every decade, every decision, and every relationship he held dear.
Born on November 24, 1929, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Bill was truly a force of nature. He had a way of walking into a room and making everyone in it feel like they mattered, and that gift never left him. The eldest of five brothers, he stepped up early, playing a key role in raising his siblings into the men that they became.
In 1951, Bill answered the call to serve his country and joined the U.S. Marines, serving during the time of the Korean War as a mortarman and received an honorable discharge. After his time in the Marines, Bill met his beautiful bride-to-be, Frances, in New York City. One first date at a hockey game sealed the deal and the two were inseparable. Bill and Fran were married on January 30,1954, and enjoyed each other’s company and partnership for 53 years. Together, they built a life and a family that would become their greatest legacy: five sons, Bill, Paul, Phil, Thomas, and John, whose families have since grown into 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He served New York City as a police officer, retiring as a sergeant after 21 years. In 1976, Bill and Fran packed up and moved south, settling in the small town of Palm Coast, Florida. He and his family played an essential role in the foundation and ground-
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breaking of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where he remained a devoted parishioner until his passing. Bill also helped establish the parish’s Knights of Columbus council. His faith was always strengthening, growing closer to his Lord and Savior with each passing year. Bill was a man who never sat still. He and Fran treasured their cross-country road trips, exploring America together as a family. He traveled the world, from Amsterdam to Alaska, from Thailand to Central America, and his love of adventure was infectious, including ziplining in his mid eighties!
Beyond his travels, Bill gave back wherever he went. As a Member of the Kiwanis Club for 53 years, he attended conferences across the world and volunteered at elementary schools teaching young children to read. Bill was instrumental in founding the local library and served on the Friends of the Library board for 20 years. He remained deeply involved in the Marines through the Marine Corps League Detachment 876 and was named the oldest living Marine in the Northeast Florida area, a distinction he carried with the same quiet pride he brought to everything he did. But for all the lives he touched beyond his front door, his greatest impact was felt right around his own dinner table. His happiest moments were when his family gathered together, Frank Sinatra playing in the background, a pan of lasagna on the patio table, and kids running around everywhere. His faith was never separate from any of it. He lived it plainly and gave it freely, sharing the love of Jesus with everyone around him. For Bill, a life close to God was not something you kept to yourself, and the people around him were
better for it.
The hole Bill leaves is deep, but the legacy he leaves is bigger than any of us can fully measure. He lived unapologetically with purpose, joy, unwavering faith, and with a love for his family that touched everything he did. He is home now, truly home, and that legacy lives on in every person he shaped. We can only hope to live half as fully as he did.
Bill is survived by his five sons, Bill, Paul (Tina), Phil (Martha), Thomas, and John (Wendi), and his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday April 19th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd. N., Palm Coast, FL 32137 and on Monday April 20th, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32164. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, at 1:00 p.m., on Monday April 20, 2026 in the church.
The Klinkenberg family have entrusted arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd. N., Palm Coast, FL 32137.
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2023-CP-000404 DIV: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES ALLEN KERR JR, Deceased. The administration of the estate of JAMES ALLEN KERR JR, Deceased, whose date of death was February 7, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for FLAGLER County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E Moody Blvd, 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 16, 2026.
VERONICA KERR, Personal Representative Attorney for Personal Representative: Scott R. Bugay, Esquire Florida Bar No. 5207 Citicentre, Suite P600 290 NW 165th Street Miami FL 33169 Telephone: (305) 956-9040 Fax: (305) 945-2905 Primary Email: Scott@srblawyers.com Secondary Email: angelica@srblawyers.com April 16, 23, 2026 26-00113G
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. : 2024 CA 000192 DIVISION : 49 JUDGE : Andrea K. Totten ALEXANDER BELL and JEANEEN M. BELL Counter Plaintiffs, -vs.KERLANDE LORDEUS, and PAUL LUCO, Counter Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 2, 2026, Tom Bexley, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash beginning May 29, 2026 at 11:00 am via electronic sale at https://flagler.realforeclose.com the following described property: LOT 14, BLOCK 16, PALM COAST, MAP OF ZEBULAH'S TRAIL, SECTION 63, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OR MAP THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 18, PAGES 24 THROUGH 35, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Also known as 3 Zorro Court, 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 before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. /s/ Michael S. Slick MICHAEL SLICK, ESQ. Michael@DaytonaLawOnline.com Florida Bar No.: 0161276 200 Magnolia Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 257-0606 Phone (386) 257-0885 Fax April 16, 23, 2026 26-00118G
FIRST INSERTION
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-000386 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, v. JAMES A. SOUCIE, JR., et al., Defendants.
NOTICE is hereby given that Tom Bexley, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Flagler County, Florida, will on May 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET, via the online auction site at www.flagler.realforeclose.com in accordance with Chapter 45, F.S., offer for sale and sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the following described property situated in Flagler County, Florida, to wit: Lot 13, of Block 6, of Palm Coast, Map of Belle Terre, Section 13, according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Map Book 7, Pages 1 through 10, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida and as amended by instrument recorded in Official Records Book 35, Page 528, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Property Address: 119 Bren Mar Ln, Palm Coast, FL 32137 pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in a case pending in said Court, the style and case number of which is set forth above.
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 the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.
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. SUBMITTED on this 13th day of April, 2026. TIFFANY & BOSCO, P.A. /s/ Kathryn I. Kasper, Esq. Anthony R. Smith, Esq. FL Bar #157147 Kathryn I. Kasper, Esq. FL Bar #621188 Attorneys for Plaintiff OF COUNSEL: Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. 1201 S. Orlando Ave, Suite 430 Winter Park, FL 32789 Telephone: (205) 930-5200 Facsimile: (407) 7 12-9201 April 16, 23, 2026 26-00114G
INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION 48 File # 2026 CP 171 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JACQUELYN SUSAN MURRAY KACZMARSKI A/K/A JACQULEYN M. ZIEGLER, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of Jacquelyn Susan Murray Kaczmarski a/k/a Jacquelyn M. Ziegler, Deceased, whose date of death was February 12, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate on whom a copy of this Notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. Ashley Gonzalez, 805 4th Street, Bunnell, FL, 32110 The first publication of this notice is April 16, 2026. /s/ Andrea Burns ANDREA BURNS, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 1031966 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone Attorney for Personal Representative andrea@386lawfirm.com April 16, 23, 2026 26-00121G In partnership with the Palm Coast and Ormond Beach Observers, we offer our client families handsome, elegant options to memorialize your loved one with a keepsake Tribute in print and online. Once you select the style that meets your family’s needs, we will handle the details, giving your loved one a deserving life Tribute and one that your family can cherish. Honor your loved one with an
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 000513 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. NIKOLAS ALEXIOU, JR., et al. Defendant(s).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 01, 2026, and entered in 2024 CA 000513 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD is the Plaintiff and NIKOLAS ALEXIOU JR.; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF NIKOLAS ALEXIOU JR.; GRAND RESERVE SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. 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 May 15, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 27, GRAND RESERVE PHASE 4, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 40, PAGES 15 THROUGH 19, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Property Address: 754 GRAND RESERVE DR, BUNNELL, FL 32110
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 13 day of April, 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 24-231094 - MaS April 16, 23, 2026 26-00116G
NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2026 CA 000019 CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF DANIELE A. SANTOPADRE A/K/A DANIELE ANDREA SANTOPADRE, DECEASED; STEPHEN SANTOPADRE; DANIELA LEE; CHRISTINA SANTOPADRE A/K/A CHRISTINA HACKENBURG; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, Defendant(s). TO: Unknown Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, Assignees, Lienors, Creditors, Trustees, and all other parties claiming an interest by, through, under or against the Estate of Daniele A. Santopadre a/k/a Daniele Andrea Santopadre, deceased 633 North Orange Street Bunnell, Florida 32110 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that
FIRST INSERTION HUNTER’S RIDGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 NOTICE OF BOARD MEMBER ATTENDANCE AT WORKSHOP Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Florida Statutes §286.011 that two or more members of the Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Hunter’s Ridge Community Development District No. 1 (“District”) may be in attendance at an HOA Workshop on May 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., at Hunters Ridge Clubhouse, 100 Shadow Crossing Blvd, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 for discussion regarding maintenance and
members discuss District business between themselves. Any facts being gathered may relate to some future action to be considered by the Board.
District Manager Hunter’s Ridge CDD No. 1 April 16, 2026 26-00115G
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