The Hammock Observer 4-30-26

Fern-damentals

Elayne Byrd, vice president of the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, lives in Sea Colony. Photo by Brian McMillan

Klevorn, Karen Leader (a resident of Matanzas Shores) and Susan Kelly,

with the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Right

blooming at the park.

Flagler Beach promotes Lance Blanchette to police chief

Longtime deputy chief selected following national search.

RICH CARROLL

MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

The City of Flagler Beach has promoted Deputy Chief Lance Blanchette to serve as the city’s next police chief following a nationwide search to fill the role.

City Manager Dale Martin announced the appointment after a selection process that drew nearly 30 applicants. Four candidates were ultimately interviewed before Blanchette was chosen for the position.

NEWS BRIEFS

34-year-old killed in Ormond Beach, on her way home from church

A 34-year-old Holly Hill woman was killed in a crash in Ormond Beach while on the way home from church on Sunday, April 26. Ormond Beach Police officers responded to the crash, at the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive, involving an SUV and a sedan. The SUV was driven by Rebekah Petrick, who died at the scene.

Petrick was a member of Harbor Baptist Church, where her father is the pastor. According to posts on social media by church members, Petrick was headed home after church with her grandmother.

“Our thoughts are with everyone involved,” Ormond

Blanchette has served as deputy chief since 2018 and brings nearly 25 years of prior experience with the Daytona Beach Police Department. He steps into the role following the retirement of former Police Chief Matthew Doughney earlier this year.

“It’s an honor that this community has put their faith and trust in me,” Blanchette said, adding that he is excited to lead the department into its next chapter.

An interview panel made up of senior law enforcement officials from across Florida unanimously recommended Blanchette for the position

Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said. Petrick was a marketing director for Chick-fil-A. She also taught a children’s class at her church and sang in a musical group with her family.

“Rebekah was truly the kindest, most generous woman I’ve met,” a GoFundMe page states. “She was so loved by all who met her, friends and strangers alike. She will be greatly missed by the Ormond Beach community, especially by those who regularly saw her smiling face at Chick-Fil-A.” Visit https:// gofund.me/c5a8204de.

after evaluating candidates on leadership, qualifications and vision for the department.

Blanchette said his path into law enforcement began during his time in the United States Coast Guard, where he worked in search and rescue and law enforcement roles.

“That’s where I got the bug,” he said.

Following his military service, he joined the Daytona Beach Police Department, where he spent 24 years.

Blanchette said working in a larger agency helped shape his leadership approach.

“It forced me to become a leader very fast,” he said.

Now leading a smaller

COPS CORNER

APRIL 19

SIGN OF A PRANK

1:23 a.m. — First block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Petit theft. Police arrested a 25-year-old Lake County man after he took a sign from a local restaurant and placed it in the path of incoming traffic, where it was destroyed soon thereafter.

According to a police report, witnesses said they saw the man drag the sign from in front of the restaurant to the grassy median in the middle of the road, and then into incoming traffic, where it was hit. When police initially spoke with the suspect, he said that he was unsure of what was going on but that he saw a car hit the sign.

Later, he admitted to police he did move the sign, saying, “he thought it would be funny to do,” but that he hadn’t

department, Blanchette said his focus will be on accessibility and community connection.

“In a smaller agency, you have to be more in tune with and accessible to your community,” he said.

Martin said Blanchette’s leadership will be key as the city prepares for future growth and increased activity, particularly with the ongoing reconstruction of the Flagler Beach Pier.

“Chief Blanchette will have the opportunity to implement programs and projects to enhance the wonderful quality of life and safety, especially pedestrian safety, in our com-

intended for it to be struck by a car.

He was taken to jail.

APRIL 20

NOT DRUNK, A STREETFIGHTER

12:45 a.m. — Intersection of Selma Trail and Sesame Boulevard, Palm Coast

DUI. A 62-year-old Ormond Beach man who got in a crash while drunk driving told police his injuries had been caused by “fighting Mexicans for money” and losing.

The Sheriff’s Office reports a deputy was on patrol when he encountered the crash.

The man’s car was partially in a swale, and the airbags had been deployed, but the man said the damage occurred in an incident a few days before.

The man appeared disoriented and was focused on finding his phone, the deputy noted in the report. He refused medical treatment and transport.

Deputies spotted open alcoholic beverages in the vehicle. After failing sobriety tests, the man was taken to jail.

munity,” Martin said.

Blanchette pointed to pedestrian safety and increased visitor traffic as key public safety concerns, noting the city’s steady flow of tourists and day visitors.

“We have people crossing A1A all the time, day and night,” he said. “We just want people to follow the rules of the road to keep everybody safe.”

The Flagler Beach Police Department includes 15 sworn officers, along with administrative staff and victim advocates.

Blanchette said he wants residents to view him as an approachable leader.

APRIL 23

PARKING LOT

DISTURBANCE

8 a.m. — 500 block of South Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Loitering or prowling. A 19-year-old Holly Hill man was arrested after he was confronted by employees of a local accounting firm who saw him trying to open car doors in their parking lot.

The man, who according to police was shirtless and dressed in his underwear, was seen by a witness talking back to the employees, waving his hands and flexing his arms, according to the police report.

During the investigation, police discovered he had also checked car doors at a parking lot for a business across the street, where he did enter a vehicle.

No one wished to pursue charges, but they did wish for police to trespass him from both properties.

When police spoke with the man, he also made statements about how he had killed his father and others. He was taken to jail.

“I

APRIL 24

CIGARETTE DISPUTE 6:35 p.m. — First block of Westchester Lane, Palm Coast Battery. Deputies arrested a 34-year-old Palm Coast woman who shoved and slapped her ex after he refused to buy her cigarettes. According to her arrest report, the couple had been broken up for a day when she demanded he go to the store to buy her cigarettes when he got home from work. When he declined, the woman stole his father’s medical marijuana card and refused to give it back unless he did what she asked.

The ex told police she then began yelling racial slurs at him, so he went outside to smoke. When he came back inside, she hit him. The woman denied the allegations, stating it had been a verbal argument. But due to her ex’s visible injuries — including a red mark on the side of his head — she was taken to jail.

Where New Homes Meet Trusted Guidance

want the community to know that I am their chief. I work for them,” he said. Blanchette is expected to begin his tenure by working to fill the now vacant deputy chief position.

Rebekah Petrick. File photo by Sydney Tevin

Lance Blanchette, newly appointed Flagler Beach police chief. Photo courtesy of the City of Flagler Beach

Mayor: ‘No one wants the rapid pace of development we’re seeing’

Westward expansion could shift costs to residents, Norris warns.

RICH CARROLL MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

As Palm Coast weighs a major westward expansion plan that could reshape the city’s future, concerns over infrastructure, water supply and developer responsibility are taking center stage. The proposal, tied to land west of U.S. 1 and a revised development framework, could significantly increase housing and population in the years ahead. To better understand the issue, I sat down with Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris at his home. What follows is a transcript of the conversation, edited for clarity and length.

A couple of weeks ago, Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri was talking about westward expansion and a lot of her concerns. And when she was finished with her statement, I noticed that you had said this is the most important issue facing the city right now. Norris: It’s been the most pressing issue for the city for some time now. They started the comprehensive plan review and rewrite back in 2023. And I picked up on it early: When you have a mayor that says he’s going to double the size of Palm Coast, you might want to take it a little bit serious. And I did at the time. So their initial allocation entitlements were out there for those two DRIs were 12,000 units. Now with this, their new MPD and the new comprehensive plan which allows more leniency, they are pushing for 22,000 units. This is a pressing issue for the city and I understand the vice mayor’s concern.

I tried to table the comprehensive plan when they first brought it to us because I knew full well —and Vice Mayor Pontieri knew, too — that we could do a lot of things out there with those DRIs. But the city got state funding for the road and now we’re stuck with what’s going to happen out there. The state has a specific reason why they gave the money for that road and that’s because they’re going to open up a corridor, County Road 2209, from Jacksonville to Orlando. So that’s the state’s focus. And I would say that I do feel the city lobbied for that money in part because they were trying to expand out west. And I think the old administration was fully behind that and they took the steps to change the comprehensive plan.

Vice Mayor, to her credit, she found in the DRIs where the developer was responsible for the road and the sports facility with a junior sized Olympic swimming pool. We were all taken aback by that, when I was running for the mayorship. And it became concerning to me then. They want to do what they want to do, build what they want to build. But it’s going to fall on the back of our community if we don’t hold them to the standards that were set in the DRI. So that’s what, $126 million just for the road alone. The loop road will go west from Matanzas Woods Parkway. They’ll do a flyover, which is an overpass, over the railroad tracks, and it will loop back around to Palm Coast Parkway, with another overpass.

Plus, we’re running into the issue with Flagler County about passing over the Old Brick Road on the west side of that property, which is a historic site. And I understand the county wants to preserve it, but the developer wants to

We are not ready for what they want to do out there.

MIKE NORRIS

with some funds to help our infrastructure.

Some of these things that were talked about, the sports complex and the swimming pool, the infrastructure, the roads — all should be paid for by the developer?

do at-grade crossings. And if you do at-grade crossings, you’re jeopardizing that historic site.

So. And the developers certainly don’t want to spend the money to put overpasses — that’s why they got the city to get the money from the legislature for the road in the first place. So we got a lot of things to do.

So our biggest concern is water. And I would hope that everyone understands the deal now with water. We just executed that bond for $330 million.

We have 19,000 houses that are at some point in development that, even with that $330 million, we’re not going to be able to sustain.

So unless the developers take drastic measures out there to handle that problem — I would say that we need another water treatment facility and wastewater treatment facility for that type of expansion.

Who would be responsible for that?

Norris: It would be us. The developers are trying to get off the hook. And we know full well that impact fees do not pay what they need to be paying. They have to come forward

Norris: Yes, our residents are taxed enough right now. We’re steadily bringing down the millage rate, but the cost to our residents right now is shifted over to their water rates. We had a over 30% increase in water rates. That is a lot of money for a family that’s on a fixed income.

I think like ours is like $170 a month just for two people, and it’ll also increase with the CPI after that.

So that developer has to take some major steps to fix this problem.

What are those steps? The vice mayor has made it clear she does not support the westward expansion proposal in its current form. And I think that’s what you’re saying right now.

Norris: We’re going to work it out. But it’s a pressing issue and we have to have the funding. We can’t just bend over backwards for developers.

These companies have been taking advantage of the city since its inception. And we need people in office that are going to hold them accountable and stop this from happening. Because there’s no one in this city that wants the rapid pace of development that we’re seeing now.

The one thing that we have done as a City Council

— this city council: We have not approved any major new developments in the time I’ve been in office.

Do you see westward expansion as a positive aspect of Palm Coast future?

Norris: I certainly do. I spoke with the staff because they were trying to get a feel of what each City Council member wants to come out of this deal. And my two main things I told them is industrial lands and water.

So we have less than 3% of our land mass, or 97 square miles, currently is zoned for industrial. That is way lopsided. We need to balance out our tax base and get more commercial industrial in here, paying higher rates because we can’t keep going like this with our residents.

I hate using the word fair, but it has to be fair for the residents that have put their lives into this community.

I have been trying since I came in office to get more property owners to pony up properties that we can rezone. None of them come forward.

Is there room for compromise?

Norris: Well, it’s going to be an ongoing process. I think they want to get this done before the end of the year, before that, probably before the elections. And I would rather push it further back. But we have. We have three elected officials leaving the city council, two of them are running for another office. So we have to hold them accountable and do what’s right for the city. They only need three votes to get this through.

Ty Miller and myself are the only remaining two that’ll be there into the next City Council.

So we have to keep pressure on everyone on the council.

I’m going to do my part. I would not vote for that. I will not ask for any more money for that westward expansion from the state Legislature until the developers fulfill their commitments. What is the good that can come out of westward expansion?

Norris: I think more land for industrial and commercial and more variety of housing. Young families can’t afford $370,000 houses. We need more variety, and I think we can get that out there. But I’m concerned about the resources they’re going to suck up: Sheriff needs nine new deputies over three years, and it’s just going to increase with the population. Well, that comes at a price. Impact fees do not pay for that. And we have to do the right thing by our citizens. I don’t want to put any more burden on our residents.

Say the deal gets pushed through. What’s the worst that can happen here?

Norris: Well, your taxes are going to go up, your resources are going to be strained — fire, rescue, police — all those things — parks and rec — everything is going to be more strained, and it’s going to fall on increasing our money towards salaries and benefits because we’re going to take on more staff to handle the load, and we’re not ready for it. I’ve been saying it for years now: We are not ready for what they want to do out there.

What would be your final message on this whole situation?

Norris: Keep the pressure on your elected officials. It’s an election year and they’re accountable for their actions. And we have to do the right thing for the city. I’m going to keep fighting.

Palm Coast Vice Mayor Pontieri calls developer’s plan ‘absolute garbage’

RICH CARROLL MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

Palm Coast Vice mayor Theresa Pontieri is raising concerns about the city’s proposed westward expansion, questioning both the financial structure of the plan and the level of responsibility placed on the developer.

Speaking during a recent City Council meeting, Pontieri said she was troubled after reviewing updated details tied to the project, particularly the use of public funding for major infrastructure tied to the expansion area.

“I literally got sick to my stomach when I saw one of the slides today: $126 million for the loop road in the form

of appropriations, which is just a fancy word for taxpayer dollars,” Pontieri said.

The westward expansion would open thousands of acres for a mix of residential, commercial and recreational development.

Most of the land targeted for the westward expansion is owned by Rayonier, which controls the bulk of the nearly 20,000 acres planned for development.

City officials have emphasized the need to expand west in order to create new opportunities for economic development, attract industry and reduce reliance on residential property taxes.

Pontieri acknowledged that need, noting the city

has limited land available for commercial and industrial growth, but said the current proposal does not strike the right balance.

According to Pontieri, earlier development agreements required the landowner to fund major infrastructure, including roadway improvements and community amenities such as a sports complex. She said the updated proposal shifts more of that burden to taxpayers while increasing the number of residential units allowed within the development.

“What they gave to us is 117 pages of absolute garbage,” Pontieri said during the meeting.

Pontieri also raised concerns

about the lack of enforceable requirements ensuring that commercial development and infrastructure are built alongside residential growth. She said previous agreements included benchmarks requiring certain levels of commercial development before additional housing could move forward, but those provisions are either weakened or absent in the current plan.

Without those safeguards, Pontieri warned that the city risks creating an imbalance that could strain infrastructure, limit job creation and fail to address long-standing concerns about the economy.

She also pointed to the broader financial implications, emphasizing that pub-

lic dollars should not be used to cover costs that were previously assigned to the developer. Pontieri said she has spent the past two years attempting to work with the landowner to reach a plan that benefits both the community and the developer, but said the latest version falls short of that goal.

Despite her criticism, she made clear she is not opposed to the westward expansion itself. Instead, she is calling for revisions that ensure the project delivers meaningful infrastructure, supports economic development and protects taxpayers.

“I will not accept this as it is. … Please make it right,” Pontieri said. The proposal remains under

review. Any final decision will determine how

approaches one of its most significant growth opportunities and how the costs and benefits of that growth are ultimately shared.

Palm Coast

Theresa Pontieri. File photo

Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris discusses westward expansion during an interview at his home. See the video on the Palm Coast Observer’s YouTube page.

Palm Coast aims for Town Center revival with new incentives

City leaders target multistory projects.

RICH CARROLL

MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

Palm Coast leaders are taking a renewed approach to redevelopment along the State Road 100 corridor, advancing an incentive program aimed at encouraging vertical, mixeduse projects in Town Center, before the Community Redevelopment Agency sunsets in 2034.

The proposal, presented by Community Development

Director John Zobler during the April 21 City Council meeting, outlines a strategy to spur multistory, mixed use development within the S.R. 100 CRA.

Zobler’s presentation centered on attracting projects that combine residential, retail and commercial uses in a single footprint, a model city leaders say is critical to activating Town Center and bringing long awaited momentum to the area.

Mayor Mike Norris emphasized the importance of focusing on true mixed-use development, not traditional residential growth.

“I mean, solely for mixed use, not single-family housing,” Norris said.

Norris also supported the concept of multistory development, including buildings around three stories, as part of a broader vision for a more walkable and economically active Town Center. He made clear the city does not want to incentivize additional single family home construction within the CRA.

Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri echoed that position, stating she does not support incentives specifically for residential development.

She also stressed the importance of preserving arts and cultural elements within Town Center.

Pontieri highlighted the need to better utilize the CRA itself, particularly in areas like Town Center that have seen limited progress over the years.

“I further want to commend you on kind of bringing life back to the CRA, or trying to, because this has kind of been a black sheep of our organization that has been neglected,”

Pontieri said.

The S.R. 100 corridor, and specifically Town Center, has long been viewed as a focal point for Palm Coast’s economic development strategy. However, Town Center has struggled to attract sustained investment.

THE PROMENADE

The city’s renewed push is now aligning with active private investment at the Promenade, a nearly 300,000-squarefoot, mixed-use development that will include 204 apartments and approximately 57,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space.

Cornelia Manfre, the leasing agent for the commercial portion of the project, said leasing activity is already underway with several tenants secured and more in negotiation.

According to Manfre, three businesses have signed leases so far, including Fleet Feet, 6th Street Deli and Enchanted Med Spa.

She said the project is also in active negotiations with a mix of additional tenants, including a veterinary provider, a pediatric practice, a tap room, sushi restaurant, ice cream shop, pizzeria, dry cleaner, fish market and a potential bagel shop. Manfre said the goal is to

The Promenade has three tenants so far: Fleet Feet, 6th Street

Deli and Enchanted Med Spa.

create a balanced, service oriented environment that supports both residents living on site and visitors to Town Center.

“We’re trying to bring all of the type of amenities and uses that a residential person would need,” she said, pointing to the project’s focus on convenience and walkability.

Originally planned for 12 commercial units, the layout is now expected to expand to as many as 16 to 18 spaces to accommodate demand for smaller, service oriented tenants.

Manfre said commercial spaces are expected to be delivered to tenants within the next several weeks, with buildouts to follow. While timelines will vary by business

type, she said the goal is to have tenants open by August, with residential units becoming available around July.

She described the Promenade as a catalyst project for Town Center, calling it a significant private investment that could help jumpstart long awaited development in the area.

“This is a $90 million project,” Manfre said. “This is almost a gift to the city.”

A LIMITED WINDOW

Councilmember Ty Miller reinforced the importance of keeping the program aligned with mixed use goals.

“I’m fine with mixed use,” Miller said during the discussion, supporting the direction while maintaining focus on how incentives are applied.

Councilmember Charles Gambaro made the motion to approve the program.

The measure passed unanimously.

City leaders say the timing of the initiative is critical. The CRA captures increases in property tax revenue within the district and reinvests those

funds into redevelopment efforts such as infrastructure, beautification and economic development. With the CRA set to expire in 2034, officials say there is a limited window to make meaningful progress, particularly in Town Center.

The incentive program is designed to address the higher costs and complexity associated with vertical construction, which often involves multistory buildings and mixed uses. By reducing financial barriers, the city hopes to attract developers willing to take on projects that could reshape the corridor.

Officials say the ultimate goal is to transform Town Center into a more active, walkable destination that blends living, shopping, dining and cultural elements.

With signed tenants, ongoing lease negotiations and new incentives now in place, city officials and developers say momentum is building toward finally turning Town Center into the hub it was originally envisioned to be.

Storage approved

UHaul project will be on 30-acres at Whiteview Parkway.

Palm Coast City Council approved a plan for a selfstorage facility, by UHaul, during its April 21 meeting, advancing a project planned for a 30-acre site at U.S. 1 and Whiteview Parkway. The proposal includes two buildings totaling more than 119,000 square feet. According to city staff, the primary structure will be a threestory storage building standing approximately 45 feet tall and containing around 950 storage units. A second, onestory building slightly taller at about 48 feet will serve as a warehouse and staging area for U-Haul operations.

The site is located on the western side of U.S. 1 at the terminus of Whiteview Parkway and carries a mixed-use and conservation use.

During discussion, council members acknowledged likely public concern over another storage facility in the area.

“This is a property rights issue,” Mayor Mike Norris said. “We’re going to get backlash, but we can’t stop people from building on their property if that’s what they want to do.”

Council member Ty Miller said the trend is largely driven by shared industry data.

“Multiple companies use the same market analysis,” Miller said. “What happens is that research shows a need for more storage facilities, and several companies act on it, which can lead to oversaturation in certain areas.”

The Promenade at Town Center, Palm Coast. Courtesy photo

FPC’s Fire Leadership Academy, launched in 2016, is helping to save lifes

Commissioner Andy Dance and Flagler Fire Chief Michael Tucker both helped create the academy 10 years ago.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A day after Flagler Palm Coast High School presented honor cords to 275 graduating seniors who earned the new Diploma Plus distinction, Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance shared how two FPC Fire Leadership Academy graduates helped save a life.

The story began in 2016 when Flagler Schools and Flagler County Fire Rescue began the Fire Leadership program at the high school. At the time, Dance was a Flagler County School Board member who helped lead the initiative to get the program started. Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker was then the superintendent of the Florida State Fire College. In that role, he was the state official who approved the program.

“This is a big deal, to read the report and see what Tyler did. This gentleman is alive today because Tyler knew what he was doing, so that when they got to the hospital, things were already in place. Tyler Allicee and Hunter Lank are true professionals.”

MICHAEL TUCKER, Flagler County Fire Rescue chief

Five years later, Tucker became the Flagler County Fire Rescue chief when the first graduates of the academy began joining the county’s fire department.

Two of the program’s grad-

uates were on duty recently at Fire Station 25 — a station shared by the Palm Coast and county fire departments — when they took a call from a resident in Palm Coast’s P Section.

Dance read a post from the resident on Facebook’s P Section Neighborhood Group. Dance, who shared the story during a School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 28, read the post:

“Shout out to station 25, who serves our neighborhood. I had a massive heart attack Monday night [April 20], and if not for them, I would have died. I actually did die on the

operating table that night, but because of their rapid response, I’m here today, so if you see them out and about, thank them for serving the community.”

Answering the call were Rescue Supervisor Tyler Allicee, firefighter/EMT Hunter Lank and paramedic Morgan Steyn. Allicee and Lank are both graduates of FPC and the Fire Leadership Academy.

“This is a big deal, to read the report and see what Tyler did,” Tucker said. “This gentleman is alive today because Tyler knew what he was doing, so that when they got to the hospital, things were

already in place. Tyler Allicee and Hunter Lank are true professionals.”

That is the power of career education, Dance said.

“What makes this meaningful to me is that the program was approved by the district in 2016 during my time serving on the School Board,” Dance said. “I remember the vision about creating stronger career pathways for students and building partnerships that connected education directly to public service and workforce development.”

Flagler County’s fire academy is a model for the entire state, Tucker said.

“It is the program of the Florida State Fire College. When another school goes to start the program they point them to Flagler County and say do what they do, and I will tell you that the schools that failed to do what we do, the programs are not successful,” he said.

The program’s instructor is Flagler County Fire Rescue Lt. Thomas Cope. The school district pays “a good portion” of his salary, Tucker said.

About 40 high school freshmen enter the program each year. Four years later, the graduates just need to finish up with the “immediately dangerous to life and health skills,” which they couldn’t

Flagler School Board opts not to sell portion of 1 Corporate Drive

However, board members were willing to consider selling the whole parcel or another property.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

do in high school. This final step takes about two weeks, Tucker said. As a Fire Rescue employee, Cope stays with the graduates through that training and sees them off to the state certification process.

Cope is always teaching, Tucker said. Dance said Cope provides the students “leadership, mentorship and guidance every day.

“Programs like this succeed because of dedicated people willing to invest in the next generation,” Dance said.

The freshmen in the program learn right from the start “that this is not a game,” Tucker said.

“They get their eyes open real quick,” he said. “They’re learning it’s real business. It is a very intensive investment on the part of the School Board. It’s a very intensive investment on the part of Flagler County Fire Rescue and it’s a very intensive investment on the part of the students.” Ten years after the program began, two of the people most responsible for getting it started were standing before the School Board praising the success of the program and two of its graduates.

“The academy is producing leadership, discipline, teamwork and future public servants who benefit all of Flagler County,” Dance said.

funds from such a sale would have to be used for capital projects. A pool would meet that requirement.

The Flagler County School Board voted 4-0 at its April 28 meeting to reject an offer to purchase a portion of the school district’s property at 1 Corporate Drive in Palm Coast.

The board, however, agreed to evaluate its land holdings during a future workshop, and see if any parcels would be at

peak value and would not provide an educational purpose.

Board Chair Christy Chong said she would like to look into selling the entire property “to see what offers we can get.”

Ryan Companies sent the letter of interest to discuss a purchase of a 4-acre portion of the 7.11-acre property for $1.9 million. The district received two appraisals for the entire property of about $6 million and about $4.5 million.

Will Furry said the board should only sell the property if it has a reason to do so. One possibility board members brought up would be to use the funds to build a new pool for student use. By statute, any

Janie Ruddy said she would like to explore the possibility of building workforce housing for district employees who are at the bottom of the pay scale. Furry said the board could also look into reserving a parcel that’s too small for a new school but might serve a specific educational purpose in the future.

Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance and Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker shared how two Fire Leadership Academy graduates, now with Fire Rescue, recently helped save a life. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Janie Ruddy. File photo by Brent Woronoff

Ormond artist upcycles Observers

Remaking the news:

Tamara Huth creates pieces of art through unexpected items.

ABBIE PACE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fashion — made out of newspapers?

That’s the idea that came to Ormond Beach resident Tamara Huth’s mind one day in her studio.

“As I sat in my studio with a whole bunch of recycled items wondering where to begin, an Ormond Observer copy caught my eye,” Huth said. “I began folding and taping what turned into a whimsical dress created solely from newspaper, tape and a bit of bubble wrap. The hat followed to complete the ensemble.”

On Saturday, April 18, Huth showcased her creations alongside her artist assistant Andrea Galvin, at her “Altered Art” booth at the 14th annual DeLandapalooza and inaugural Love, Earth, Music and Art Festival in downtown DeLand.

Huth’s booth featured many recycled items to be used in a plethora of crafts. She had copies of the Palm Coast, Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach Observer newspapers to create hats as a craft option for attendees. Huth also had a dress on display that she made entirely from copies of the Ormond Beach Observer Participants at the festival fabricated whatever their imaginations urged them to make, but the newspaper hats remained “the big hit of the day,” Huth said.

Huth is the community engagement coordinator at the Pace Center for Girls in Ormond Beach and also serves as the Songwriters Showcases of America Board of Directors Secretary. SSA puts on the Delandapalooza alongside Phil Weidner, the event’s coordinator.

The banner of the Altered Art booth was made from recycled, scrapped fabric and hand-sewn by the Pace students. You don’t need a lot of money to form something creative, Huth said.

“I believe every person is born with a creative spark and often this spark is snuffed out before adulthood,” Huth said.

“Creativity should be nurtured through the arts.” Huth also hopes that through using recycled items, she can bring awareness on keeping planet earth clean as each action can generate a much larger ripple-like effect.

My life fighting crime in Trenton, NJ

I, Donald F. Hunt Jr, entered the Trenton Police Force in Trenton, New Jersey in August of 1971, after serving in the U.S. Army.

My first assignment was working for the Chief of Police, John R. Prihoda, for six months. I had to investigate all 365 police officers concerning receiving $20 when the officers request a auto to be towed.

In 1972, I went to Patrol Division. I worked with bad cops and some good ones. In 1975 I was transferred into an elite squad, “The Vice Unit,” as a plain clothes detective for twelve years.

During this I faced; Gambling, Narcotics, Prostitution, Organized Crime and Police Corruption.

Speaking of drugs, a narcotic family from N. Carolina put out a contract to kill Vice-Cop, Don Hunt. The Trenton Times Newspaper put the hit on the front page.

Also during my 12 years in Vice, I was approached by numerous law enforcement officers and an agent from the Special Inv. Unit, of the Mercer County Prosecu-

Pace Center for Girls to close in June

Volusia and Flagler school districts to help current students enroll elsewhere. Pace is also starting a new program.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

The Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler in Ormond Beach will cease operations on June 26.

For the past 24 years, Pace has helped girls in the community obtain education while providing counseling, training and advocacy services. The closure was announced in a press release on Tuesday, April 28.

“This decision was incredibly difficult and made only after a thoughtful review of the program’s long-term sustainability, including enrollment trends, staffing, academic outcomes, and financial viability,” said Yessica Cancel, interim CEO of Pace Center for Girls. “We first shared this news directly with the girls and families we serve, our dedicated team members, trusted partners, and loyal donors — those closest to our mission. Their support and understanding have

NEWS BRIEFS

Flagler School Board incumbent Christy Chong meets petition requirement

Volusia-Flagler

meant a great deal during this transition.”

Pace is partnering with Volusia County Schools and Flagler Schools to help current students enroll in public or charter schools for next school year. The press release states that Pace will also work closely with impacted staff and community partners to connect them with employment opportunities in local schools and other organizations. The girls and their families will be connected to communitybased counseling and mental health resources.

Though the center will close, Pace plans to launch the new Pace Reach Program

Flagler County School Board Chair Christy Chong, who is running for reelection for the District 4 seat, has announced that she has met her campaign petition signature requirements.

in fall 2026. This will be a “therapeutic model designed to meet girls where they are and provide accessible mental health services, early intervention, and individualized support in the community,” the press release states.

“Our priority has always been the girls,” Cancel said. “We are committed to helping each girl continue her educational journey and access the support she needs to thrive. We are also encouraged to continue serving this community through Reach in a new and meaningful way.” The news of the center’s closure comes as Ormond’s Pace Center was gearing up for a new campus. Currently located at 208 Central Ave. in the former Rigby Elementary school building, Pace had plans to construct a $6.2 million school at 410 Clyde Morris Blvd. In February 2025, the Volusia County Council approved $3 million in federal disaster recovery funds to help Pace build its new campus, which was damaged in 2022 during Hurricane Ian. The local center’s closure also follows at least three others within the last year in the state of Florida: Pace Centers in Fort Pierce, Orange County and Marion County all closed in 2025.

“I’m proud of the work that has been done in our schools, and I remain committed to building on that progress,” Chong said in an email. “We will continue to focus on education, safety, and supporting our families.” Ron Long and former School Board Chair Trevor Tucker are running against Chong in District 4. According to the Flagler County Elections website, Chong has raised $10,285 in campaign contributions, with a $10,000 personal contribution from herself on Aug. 22, 2025.

Tucker, who filed to run on Feb. 11, has raised $4,150 in monetary contributions. Long has raised $3,276.21.

tors office. All these officer threatened to kill me and my family.

In 1997 I retired from the Trenton Police Department.

My wife and I built our Florida home in 19992000 in Palm Coast, and we moved here in January 2002. I’m still here. Six years ago, talking with my wife, before she passed, I let her know that I wanted to write about my life as a police officer in the 70’s - 80’s - 90’s dealing with

Police Corruption.

When you read my four books and my 5th book soon to be finished, you will see and feel what I felt. You will also understand the good, bad and ugly in Trenton law enforcement officers, in the Trenton Police Department.

My books can be purchased on Amazon, along with Kindle. Enjoy my journey.

Thank you, Donald Hunt

Artist assistant Andrea Galvin.

Josh Hoffman and Claire Zurstadt.

Natasha Azari from “Save the Arts Movement,” an organization in Daytona Beach. Photos courtesy of Tamara Huth

Pace Center for Girls

is located at 208 Central Ave., formerly home to Rigby Elementary, which used to be Ormond Beach’s school for Black students. File photo

MY VIEW GREG FELDMAN, FLAGLER CANDIDATE

Growth, heritage can coexist in Flagler County

‘Preserving history is not an obstacle to progress; it is a mutually beneficial commitment.’

GREG FELDMAN GUEST WRITER

I recently attended a Board of County Commissioners workshop where sev-

eral issues were discussed, including the preservation of Old Brick Road, also known as Old Dixie Highway, constructed in the early 1900s. The roadway was part of a larger network connecting the Midwest, including Illinois and Michigan, to South Florida and helped usher in the early era of tourism. For its time, it was considered a significant engineering achievement. Today, Old Brick Road is recognized by the state as a protected cultural resource. That resource is now under pressure from development. While these long-standing plans present real challenges to historic preservation, they are not insurmountable. To their credit, the County

Commission appears committed to preserving as much of the roadway as possible, and the developer has indicated a willingness, at least at this stage, to work with the county toward that goal. We are now facing a second challenge to Flagler County’s history. Reports indicate the ruins of the Hewitt Sawmill site, built in the 1700s, may have been significantly damaged during the ongoing development of Sawmill Estates. The full extent of that damage remains unclear, but there is still an opportunity to prevent further loss. Ideally, the developer will work with local historians to protect what remains and incorporate the site as a meaningful community

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chapter 163 and Volusia County’s growth problems

Dear Editor:

Most people have never heard of Chapter 163, but this single chapter of Florida law has controlled how our county has grown for the last 40 years — and its repeated weakening is one of the main reasons we face flooding, strained water supplies, and rising taxes today.

In 1985, Florida passed the landmark Growth Management Act. The centerpiece was a rule called “Concurrency.”

It was straightforward and powerful:

New development could not be approved unless the needed infrastructure — roads, drainage systems, water supply, schools, and other public facilities — was already in place or guaranteed to be completed at the exact same time the project opened.

The goal was to prevent the kind of runaway growth that leaves communities flooded, traffic jammed, and taxpayers stuck paying to fix problems later.

For many years, this rule helped protect Florida’s quality of life and environment.

2011: The rules were gutted, major deregulation took place and completely eliminated the Department of Community Affairs — the state agency that had enforced these growth rules — and dramatically weakened the concurrency requirements.

Local governments were given far more flexibility to waive the old standards.

The emphasis shifted from strong oversight and protecting communities to speeding up development approvals. Many experts warned at

the time that this would lead to growth without adequate infrastructure.

We are now living with those consequences.

2026: Chapter 163 is under review again. Major changes include expanding “administrative approvals” that would fast-track large projects with even less local review, fewer public hearings, and reduced oversight.

The devastation in Volusia County because concurrency was weakened in 2011, too many developments have been approved without adequate roads, drainage, or stormwater systems.

The results across Volusia County are clear and painful:

„ Increased flooding in neighborhoods that used to be dry.

„ Greater strain on our aquifer, threatening our drinking water supply.

„ Higher property taxes as residents pay to fix infrastructure problems that should have been prevented.

„ More dangerous roads — including Howland Boulevard, which recorded 730 total crashes and 33 killed or serious injury crashes between 2019 and 2023 alone.

This is not theory. These are the real, daily consequences Volusia families are living with.

We must stop the pattern of unchecked development.

Our county cannot continue paying the price with flooded homes, higher insurance costs, strained water resources, and neighborhoods that feel less safe.

An informed community is our best defense.

JULIO DAVID SOSA Deltona

Editor’s note: Sosa is a candidate for Volusia County Council, running to represent District 5.

Family Life Center is here to help

Dear Editor:

Thank you for featuring the article about Mrs. FarrellNelson and her walk. I would like to take this opportunity to expand on the importance of community awareness around sexual assault services.

Family Life Center is the Florida Department of Health–certified rape crisis center serving Flagler and Volusia counties. All services are free, confidential, and available not only to survivors but also to their impacted family members, including spouses, parents, and children. These services include crisis counseling, personal advocacy, support groups, and mental health support.

In 2025 alone, Family Life Center has accompanied 121 survivors through sexual assault forensic exams, responded to more than 980 sexual assault–related crisis calls, and provided nearly 1,930 hours of crisis counseling. Nationally, RAINN estimates that a sexual assault occurs every 68 seconds — more than 1,200 incidents each day — underscoring the critical need for accessible, local support.

We hope this information helps raise awareness of the resources available in our community. Survivors can reach the Flagler Sexual Assault Crisis Helpline at 866-456-HELP (4357) or the Volusia Sexual Assault Crisis Helpline at 800-503-7621.

There are many individuals in our community who need support, and we are here to help. Thank you for helping share this vital information.

DR. TRISH GIACCONE, LMHC CEO, Family Life Center

asset. Few places can offer residents the opportunity to live alongside and walk through a tangible piece of colonial-era history. This one can.

Local historians, as well as families who have lived here for generations, understand better than most what has already been lost. It is well documented that ITT Corp. bulldozed the remains of St. Joseph’s Plantation near Old Kings Road and Palm Coast Parkway. Once these resources are destroyed, they are gone forever.

Property rights have been a cornerstone of this country since the adoption of the United States Constitution, and they must be respected. But respect for property

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Multimedia Producer Rich Carroll, rich@observerlocalnews.com

Operation and Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

rights and preservation of history are not mutually exclusive. We can, and should, do both.

The decisions made today will shape what remains tomorrow. Once history is lost, it cannot be replaced.

Marketing Consultants April Koehler, april@observerlocalnews.com; Travis Hurlbut, travis@observerlocalnews.com

Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com

TO ADVERTISE

Call the office at 386-447-9723, or email April or Travis, above.

Locally Owned / Publishers of the Palm Coast Observer McMillan Ink LLC

50 Leanni Way, Unit C3 Palm Coast, FL 32137

Preserving it is not an obstacle to progress; it is a mutually beneficial commitment to Flagler County’s heritage and future.

Note: Greg Feldman is a candidate for Flagler County commission District 2. Candidates are encouraged to submit letters on issues of general interest. Email brent@ observerlocalnews.com.

Grace Miller: 104 years young

Mayor honors Grace Miller as friends and family celebrate her 104th birthday

RICH CARROLL

MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER

A Palm Coast resident celebrated a remarkable milestone this week, turning 104 years old surrounded by friends, family and community members.

Grace Miller marked her birthday April 21, at Sancerre at Palm Coast Assisted Living and Memory Care, where more than 50 people gathered to honor her life and legacy.

Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris attended the celebration, presenting Miller with a

letter from the city recognizing her longevity and impact on the community.

“Today we honor you, Grace Miller, and take great pride in celebrating this extraordinary 104th birthday with you,” Norris said. “May this special day be filled with laughter, love and the company of those who appreciate you most.”

Miller, who was born in Brooklyn in 1922, has lived a life her family describes as one defined by resilience, hard work and a sense of humor.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Miller kept it lighthearted.

“Oh, I can’t tell you that,” she said with a smile. “I led a very good life.”

The celebration highlighted not just her age, but the lasting impression she has made

PC Songwriters Fest donates $30K

Organizer Garry Lubi thanked ticket buyers and sponsors. Tickets for next year are already on sale.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

Garry Lubi brings hits to Palm Coast. He also brings heart.

on those around her over more than a century.

Miller also made it clear she still keeps up with the news and has her preferences.

“The Palm Coast Observer: good paper, good paper,” she said.

The Palm Coast Songwriters Festival founder and organizer celebrated this year’s event, which was April 23-26, with a series of checks to nonprofit organizations totaling almost $30,000.

Ticket proceeds and spon- sorships help to fund the event but also to provide the donations. The festival itself is a 501c3 nonprofit.

“We really appreciate everybody’s support,” Lubi said on the Daytona State College Amphitheatre stage, holding an oversized check.

“We do this to bring something unique to the area, and also to use it as a vehicle to raise funds for others.”

Then he presented the check, for $5,000, to the Flagler County Education Foundation, represented by Board of Directors President Maria Lavin-Sanhudo and Executive Director Teresa Rizzo. Other donations were as

follows: $5,000 for the Daytona State College Foundation; $2,500 for Neighbor to Family, which helps foster children; $12,500 for the Gold Star Mentors Foundation; and $4,375 for The Lori Fund, of which $2,625 is directed to Guitars For Veterans Palm Coast Chapter. The annual festival brings about 40 songwriters to town for several shows, during which songwriters tell the stories of the songs that went on to be recorded by the biggest stars in country music. Four-day passes to the 2027 festival are already on sale at www.palmcoastsongwriters festival.com.

Grace Miller celebrates her 104th birthday with a cake during a gathering at Sancerre at Palm Coast Assisted Living and Memory Care. Photo by Rich Carroll

Daytona State College President Tom LoBasso, with emcee Shawn Parr

Maria Lavin-Sanhudo and Teresa Rizzo, of the Flagler County Education Foundation, accept a donation from Garry Lubi and the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival. Courtesy photos

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Earth Day among the oaks

Community gathers at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for Earth Day.

BRIAN MCMILLAN

PUBLISHER

After retiring early, Elayne Byrd feels lucky to have quickly found a cause to put her heart into.

She lives in Sea Colony, in The Hammock, which hap -

pens to be right across the street from a historic state park. She began volunteering 25 years ago and is currently the vice president of the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., also known as State Road A1A.

The park started as the winter home of Owen D. Young, who was once the chairman of General Electric and was founder of RCA. He also

was a diplomat and was 1929’s Time magazine Man of the Year. He bought the property for $6,000 as a wedding gift for his wife, Louise P. Clark, whom he married in 1937.

Young died 25 years later, and Clark donated the grounds to the state in 1965, establishing it as a state park.

Byrd and 25 volunteers help put on two major events every year at the park, Holiday at the Gardens, and Earth Day, which draw thousands of people from surrounding counties.

This year’s Earth Day event, April 25, was busy, especially at the plant sale, Byrd said.

“Everyone has suffered through this cold weather, and

they all want plants,” she said. “... One thing we’re interested in is staghorn ferns.”

Some large specimens of staghorn ferns that hang from oak trees at the gardens have been alive for as many as 45 years, Byrd said. “We want to carry on that tradition.”

Among the local attendees of the event were Michael and Kimberly Inglis, who live in Connecticut part of the year, and also Palm Coast.

“I lost my staghorn in the cold weather,” Kimberly Inglis said, so she bought another one.

“What better way to spend Earth Day than among these beautiful trees?” she said.

“It brings me pain to see them being cut down in Palm Coast,” she added.

Palm Coast resident Eric Brown visited with his dog, Sky, and said he wanted to care for the earth “for the generations ahead of us.”

Carrie Clark, who was visiting with Diane Wasney (owner of The Chocolate Biz) said Earth Day is all about “taking care of the earth — taking care of where we live.”

Joe Jones and Renee Scarnechia visited the event so that Delaney Jones could get her

face painted — and to shop for plants. Joe Jones is the director of operations for nine Longhorn Steakhouse restaurants, including the new one in Palm Coast.

Ken and Diane Slesser were taking photos of native flowers in the gardens, to find ideas for what to plant in their own yard.

“It’s peaceful,” Diane Slesser said. “It’s quiet.”

Ken said he uses his phone to identify the species of the plants, “I’m not an expert,” he said, “but Google is.”

Kathleen Furmanek visited the rose garden, which was in full bloom. She was taking photos of the flowers and butterflies, she said, “Just for myself.”

The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. A pamphlet created by the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park states that Louise P. Clark “specified the gardens be maintained for the enjoyment of the public. Her generosity is greatly appreciated time again by those who visit this beautiful park.” Visit www.washingtonoaks. org, or call 386-446-6783.

The park started as the winter home of Owen D. Young, who bought the property for $6,000 as a wedding gift for his wife, Louise P. Clark. Photos by Brian McMillan

Eric Brown and his dog Sky, with Diane Wasney and Carrie Clark.

Delaney Jones.

Ken and Diane Slesser, of Palm Coast.

Alex Burnette, Matthew Burnette, Emmalee Burnette, Kristi Burnette, Abigail Ford and Anna Burnette, of Palm Coast.

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 1

RUMMAGE SALE

When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Care Cupboard Food Pantry, 205 N. Pine St., Bunnell

Details: Care Cupboard Food Pantry is having a rummage sale. Proceeds benefit the food pantry.

FIRST FRIDAY GARDEN WALK

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: Join a ranger the First Friday of every month for a garden walk. Learn about the history of Washington Oaks while exploring the gardens. Walk is approximately one hour. No registration required. Park entry fee applies.

ARTWALK AT BEACH STREET

When: 5-9 p.m.

Where: Beach Street, Daytona Beach

Details: Downtown Daytona Beach invites people to stroll along Beach Street for a night of art. Galleries include Aberrant Art Gallery, Boho Society 71, Galerie Elan, Starry Night Gallery and more.

FREE FAMILY ART NIGHT

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

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

Details: Take part in this free monthly event and create painted leaf prints. Instruction and supplies are provided.

DSC THEATRE PRESENTS

IMPROV SHOWCASE

When: 7-9 p.m.

Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach Details: Attend this free

improv showcase, presented by the Daytona State College Theatre department.

BRIAN EARL FOSTER MEMORIAL BULL RIDING

INVITATIONAL

When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 1-2

Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell

Details: Attend this bull riding event at the fairgrounds, held in memory of Brian Earl Foster, who died in 1998. Tickets cost $20. Children 5-12 are $10, and 4 and under are free. Buy tickets in advance for a discount of $2. Call 386-9315275 or 386-931-0170.

MOONRISE AT THE BEACH

When: 7:45-8:30 p.m. Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park, 3100 S Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler

Beach

Details: Take in the view of the moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring binoculars and a camera for photo opportunities. Entrance into the park is $5 per vehicle. Call 386-517-2086.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

ARBOR DAY

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Palm Coast’s Arbor Day is returning for the 21st year. There will be a free tree giveaway, a walk-through butterfly tent, family-friendly activities and educational opportunities. Free event.

52ND ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 2; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 2

Where: Rockefeller Gardens. 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond

Beach

Details: Attend this weekend featuring 100 artists and crafters, food trucks, live entertainment, kids’ craft zone and more. Presented by the

City of Ormond Beach and Ormond Memorial Art Museum. Free admission and parking.

GOD’S FAMILY BIBLE

CHURCH PANTRY FOOD

DISTRIBUTION

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Parking lot across Gods Family Bible Church, 256 Old Brick Road, Bunnell

Details: God’s Family Bible Church distributes food every first and third Saturday in this drive-thru event.

FOURTH ANNUAL PAWS FOR MUSIC

When: 2-4 p.m.

Where: 1405 Saloon, 1405 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell

Details: Help raise funds for Community Cats of Palm Coast, a local nonprofit. Enjoy music, food and raffle baskets. Costs $20. Includes beer or wine and a hamburger or hotdog with a side of chips. Visit communitycatspc.org.

FIRST SATURDAY

ORMOND ART WALK

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach

Details: Join Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.

BEL CANTO SINGERS: ‘WE

HOLD THESE TRUTHS’

When: 4-6 p.m.

Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona

Beach

Details: Join the Bel Canto Singers of Daytona for a celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, featuring the premiere of “Let Freedom Ring,” a newly commissioned piece by Dr. David Brunner. Tickets cost $33-38. Visit belcantodaytona.org. The group is offering 100 free tickets to veterans and first responders. Call 386-226-1927.

FOCUS ON FAITH

Pastor Jearlyn Dennie picked for nationwide Bible reading event

A local pastor is taking part in a nationwide effort to read the Bible from beginning to end in just one week.

Jearlyn Dennie, a Palm Coast pastor and media personality, is among more than 400 faith and civic leaders from across the country participating in America Reads the Bible, a seven-day event held April 18–25 in recognition of the nation’s upcoming

250th anniversary.

Dennie was selected alongside other influential Floridians, including President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio.

“America Reads the Bible — it’s historic,” Dennie said during an interview. “We’re coming up on the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.”

The event brings together national leaders, pastors and public figures to read Scripture in a continuous format, with portions streamed online and shared across multiple platforms.

Dennie said her involvement stems from years of work in ministry and media, including her radio program

“Today with Pastor J,” her role as host and executive producer of “The Vision TV Show,” and her leadership as founder and state director of She Leads Florida, an organization that recognizes women of faith.

She said she was surprised when she learned she had been selected to participate.

“I thought it was a prank, because there’s so many national leaders involved,”

SUNDAY, MAY 3

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

When: 8 a.m. to noon

Where: St. Brendan Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: The Father Eamonn Gill Council 13018 Knights of Columbus will serve its pancake breakfast in the Social Hall. Includes all the pancakes you can eat, scrambled eggs, a sausage link, orange juice and coffee. Costs $6 for adults; children under 12 eat free. All are welcome.

SOUND BATH

When: 12:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

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

Details: Join certified sound therapy practitioner Nicole Comenole for a relaxing sound bath experience with crystal bowls. This program is cosponsored by the Friends of the Ormond Beach Library. Registration is required. Free.

A TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN MUSIC

When: 3:30-5 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church, 105 Amsden Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Join the Daytona Beach Choral Society for a journey through the soundtrack of America — Elvis, Johnny Cash, a Broadway Ragtime medley, soulful spirituals, and more. $10 donation suggested. Visit daytonabeachchoralsociety.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 5

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS — TIPS AND STRATEGIES

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach

Details: Learn how to prepare for unexpected disasters. Anthony Luizzo, retiree from the New York Police Department, will share tips and strategies to stay safe. He represents Seniors vs. Crime Project. Registration is not required.

DSC DANCE SHOWCASE

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Dennie said. Despite her growing national profile, Dennie emphasized the importance of her local roots, saying it means a great deal to represent Palm Coast and Flagler County on a national stage.

“It has never been my ability — it has always been my availability,” she said. “Just saying yes is what has gotten me here.”

Dennie said the experience of reading Scripture as part of a national effort was both meaningful and humbling, calling it an honor to share her faith with a broader audience. The America Reads the Bible event is being streamed nationwide, featuring participants from across the country reading passages over the course of seven days. For more information, visit americareadsthebible.com. —

Details: Attend this free dance showcase. For more information, call the box office at 386-226-1888.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 MAKERLAB SCRATCH CODING

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach

Details: Students in grades 6-12 learn about coding through Scratch. Registration is not required.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 TRADEWINDS EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION

When: 5-7 p.m, Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Celebrate the opening of Tradewinds, an exhibit featuring artwork by Seabreeze High School students. Enjoy light refreshments plus hear live music. Art awards will be announced at 6 p.m.

Jearlyn Dennie reads Scripture during the national America Reads the Bible event. Photo courtesy of America Reads the Bible

YOUR SCHOOLS

Daytona gets book vending machine, at Beachside Elementary

Put in a token, get a book. Beachside Elementary unveiled a new kind of vending machine on Wednesday, April 22. The book vending machine was made possible thanks to an initiative by the Kiwanis Club of Daytona Beach and Family Health Source, and a $5,000 donation from Daytona Beach City Commissioner Ken Strickland.

“Literacy is a critical component of lifelong wellness, and we are honored to partner in fostering a love of reading and empowering students with the tools they need to succeed,” said A.J. Castro, director of Enabling and Outreach at Family Health Source. Students can earn tokens at the school as rewards for positive behavior and academic achievement, and use them at the vending machine for a book they can take home and keep.

“We are so grateful for the generous donation of books for our vending machine,” Principal Leigh Prokop said in a press release. “Giving students the opportunity to earn and choose their own books makes reading exciting and meaningful, and it is a powerful way to celebrate their hard work and positive choices. This will help us continue building a strong culture of literacy while also putting high-interest books directly into our students’ hands. It is more than just a reward; it is creating moments that inspire confidence, motivation, and a genuine love for reading.”

Kathy Lee, a member of the Daytona Beach Kiwanis board, said they are proud to support Beachside through this new initiative.

“By providing books for the vending machine, we’re helping place engaging, high-quality reading materials directly into

FPC, Matanzas hold proms

Flagler Palm Coast held its prom on Friday, April 24, at Hilton Daytona Beach. The theme was Bayou Bliss. Cody Mansel and Hailey Roman were named prom king and queen. Dominic Smith and Sophia D’Agostino were the prom’s prince and princess.

Matanzas held its prom at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach. Its theme was Secret Garden, “a night where elegance, enchantment, and unforgettable memories come to life.” Lukas Notaras and Mia Apfelbach were named prom king and queen.

students’ hands while reinforcing positive behavior, building confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love of reading,” she said.

Beachside, an A-rated school, has the third-highest number of students experiencing homelessness in the district, the press release states, and about 75% of Beachside’s students are considered economically disadvantaged.

“I’m always looking for ways to build confidence and excitement around reading,” said Jordan Kalkhurst, ESE support facilitator and a Volusia County Schools Teacher of the Year finalist. “This program provides a meaningful incentive for students to stay engaged and take pride in their progress while giving them books they can truly call their own.”

Rizzo Golf Classic raises funds for Classroom to Careers programs

The fifth annual Joe Rizzo Memorial Golf Classic honored the enduring legacy of the former Flagler County Education Foundation’s executive director and raised money for some of the Flagler Schools programs that were near and dear to his heart.

The event was held on April 20 at Grand Haven Golf Club. Funds raised will support the school district’s classroom to careers programs providing students with resources, certifications and higher education pathways.

“This tournament has become more than just a memorial; it is a catalyst for our local students,” said Teresa Rizzo, the Ed Foundation’s executive director. “Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners, we are ensuring every Flagler student has a funded, clear path from their high school classroom to a meaningful career right here in our county.”

A small army of 35 volunteers helped ensure a quality event.

“Joe’s mission was never about the bottom line; it was about ‘making it happen for kids,’” said Stephanie Ellis, the Ed Foundation’s assistant

Grand Villa rents limo for 5 prom couples

Grand Villa of Palm Coast Senior Living Community rolled out the red carpet, literally, for 10 Matanzas High SGA students on their prom night.

Grand Villa rented a limo to take the five couples to the prom in Daytona Beach on April 17. Before they left, the students spoke to the residents about their accomplishments and future goals. The residents voted on their own prom king and queen from the group — Lionel Penn and Morrigan Daly. Parents were invited to the preprom get together. Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri stopped by. Hors d’oeuvres were served, and the room was decorated in Matanzas colors.

The invitation was prompted by the school’s SGA visit to Grand Villa in December. The students sang holiday songs, made cards and handed out cookies to the residents.

Grand Villa offered to rent the limo for prom if the students would spend about an hour with the residents before the dance, said Shanna Graifer, Matanzas SGA adviser. Earlier in the day, the residents talked about their own prom memories.

director of marketing and communication. “By reaching our fifth year, we are celebrating the fact that hundreds of students will face fewer barriers to their dreams because this community chose to show up in Joe’s honor.”

For those who wish to contribute to the ongoing support of Flagler County students in Joe Rizzo’s memory, donations remain open at www.flaglered foundation.org. Send class notes to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.

Six Flagler Schools seniors entering military receive their honor cords

Six Flagler County high school seniors, who have committed to serving in the military after graduation, received their honor cords at the Robert J. Beck Military Service Honor Cord Ceremony. The honor cords are awarded to students enlisting in the

U.S. Armed Forces, attending a military service academy or participating in an ROTC program. This year’s honor cord recipients are:

„ Austin Gaydon, Coast Guard, Matanzas High School

„ Connor E. Jones, Army, Matanzas High School

„ Adrian Szarwacki, Army ROTC, Matanzas High School

„ Kaytrevion Harvey-Smith, Army, Flagler Palm Coast High School

at graduation.

was also recently awarded with a $180,000 Naval ROTC scholarship Marine Corps option. Flagler Schools’ Doug Glasco was the guest speaker at the honor cord ceremony.

„ Olivia Delgado, Marine Corps NROTC, Flagler Palm Coast High School „ April Goebel, Marine Corps, Matanzas High School The students will be able to wear their honor cords

Delgado

Flagler Palm Coast prom prince and princess Dominic Smith and Sophia D’Agostino, and queen and king Hailey Roman and Cody Mansel. Courtesy photos

Matanzas prom queen Mia Apfelbach.

FPC honor cord recipients Kaytrevion HarveySmith and Oliva Delgado with Air Force JROTC leaders Lt. Col. Melvin Baskerville and Master Sgt. Gardner Holland and Principal Bobby Bossardet.

Photo courtesy of Flagler Schools

Beachside Elementary students celebrate the unveiling of the new book vending machine. Courtesy photos

Volusia County School Board member Krista Goodrich.

Dillon Kalkhurst, Beachside Elementary School Advisory Council member.

Matanzas senior Morrigan Daly and sophomore Lionel Penn. Daly and Penn were voted prom queen and king by Grand Villa residents.

CLASS NOTES

New addition:

Little Free Library

Flagler Schools Language Arts

Specialist Kristin Frank and Rymfire Elementary students helped unveil the city of Palm Coast’s newest Little Free Library at Ralph Carter Park on April 23. The Little Free Libraries provide children and adults an easy way to take a book, leave a book and share the joy of reading with others.

Kiwanis’ Seniors of the Month

The Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club recognized its Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas Seniors of the Month from February through May at its April 22 luncheon meeting. Teachers and administrators from the two high schools select a student each month for the honor. Kiwanis Club board member Frank Consentino and new awards chair Stephanie Ellis presented the awards. . The students shared their individual accomplishments and

their college and career plans. They each received a stipend and certificate. The Matanzas Seniors of the Month: Eva Luis for February, Mia Katherina Apfelbach for March, Jordyn Crews for April and Madison Terry for May. The FPC Seniors of the Month: Syed Haider for February, Aasi Bharucha for March, Violet Radoncipi for April and Ava Mello for May.

Scholarship winner

Ta’Kyra Grimes, a member of Flagler Palm Coast’s High Tech program, has been selected for the Able Trust Foundation RISE Scholarship, covering a full year of tuition.

FPC’s Class of 2026 academic awards

Flagler Palm Coast High School celebrated its Class of 2026 at its Academic Awards Ceremony on Monday, April 27. A total of

275 seniors earned the new Diploma Plus distinction through industry certifications, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate. Among the students receiving honors were 80 Summa Cum Laude (GPAs of 4.5 and above), 55 Magna Cum Laude (4.0-4.49 GPA), 35 Cum Laude (3.75-3.99 GPA). FPC’s 10 Seniors of the Month and top 10 GPA achievers were also honored.

Musical honors

The Matanzas High School Wind Ensemble and the Flagler Palm Coast High School Symphonic Band 1 earned Superior ratings at the state Music Performance Assessment.

Three Matanzas chorus soloists performed at the state Solo and Ensemble with two earning Superior ratings and one Excellent. The school’s SSAB chorus earned a Central State Concert Superior rating. Eight Flagler Palm Coast soloists and the Tenor Bass Ensemble earned Superior ratings.

The FPC Formality Women’s Chorus earned a Superior rating and the Formality Singers Mixed Chorus earned an Excellent rating.

REAL ESTATE

Ocean Hammock home sells for $3.25 million

Ahouse at 512 Cinnamon Beach Lane, in Ocean Hammock, was the top real estate transaction for April 11-17, in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on April 16 for $3,250,000. Built in 2013, the house is a 5/5.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a private dunewalk, an elevator and 5,040 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $3,195,000. It was listed by Carlene Reardon and Matt Souza, of Coastal Gateway Real Estate Group.

FLAGLER BEACH

the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,098 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $722,500.

Ocean Hammock A house at 55 Cinnamon Beach Way sold on April 16, for $1,245,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 5/4.5 and has a pool, a summer kitchen and 3,770 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $849,000.

Palm Coast Plantation A house at 82 N. Lakewalk

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

A condo at 10 Chatham Place, Unit 10, sold on April 17, for $245,000. Built in 2001, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,544 square feet. It sold in 2001 for $123,900.

A condo at 19 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 705, sold on April 15, for $1,325,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 2,340 square feet. It sold in 2025 for $1,298,000.

A condo at 1 Viscaya Lane, Unit 2204, sold on April 17, for $517,500. Built in 1998, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 1,837 square feet. It sold in 2025 for $512,000.

A condo at 102 Rivers Edge Lane, Unit 102, sold on April 14, for $285,000. Built in 1989, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,230 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $335,000.

Kanaha Beach

A house at 3309 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on April 16, for $1,547,500. Built 2008, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a dunewalk, a fireplace and 2,068 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $1,177,500.

PALM COAST

Grand Haven

A house at 2 Chinier St. sold on April 17, for $650,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 2,729 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $425,000.

Marineland Acres A house at 5 Rollins Drive sold on April 16, for $675,000. Built in 2004,

FLAGLER COUNTY

Matanzas Kiwanis Seniors of the Month: Mia Apfelbach, Jordyn Crews, Eva Luis and Madison Terry.

Courtesy photos

FPC Kiwanis Seniors of the Month: Syed Haider, Ava Mello, Aasi Bharucha and Violet Radoncipi.

Ormond-by-the-Sea

coastal home: $1.4M

Ahouse with ocean views at 3662 Ocean Shore Blvd. was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of April 4-10. The house sold on April 10, for $1,419,600. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/4.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,866 square feet. The house was listed by Carly and Neal Krajewski, of Realty Pros Assured.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

Condos

The condo at 2600 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 201, sold on April 6, for $320,000. Built in 1982, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,344 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $140,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Breakaway Trails

The house at 18 Black Creek Way sold on April 7, for $515,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,151 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $369,000.

Fiesta Heights The house at 15 Colina Place sold on April 7, for $260,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,344 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $128,000.

Halifax Plantation

The house at 3254 Acoma Drive sold on April 8, for $650,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has an outdoor kitchen, a pool and

2,518 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $165,000.

The house at 2540 Kinsale Lane sold on April 8, for $300,950. Built in 2026, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,564 square feet.

Not in subdivision

The house at 59 Arroyo Parkway sold on April 7, for $320,000. Built in 1951, the 3/3 house has a fireplace, a pool and 1,677 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $300,000.

Oak Forest The house at 5 Ironwood Court sold on April 7, for $345,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,248 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $165,000.

Plantation Bay

The house at 820 Aldenham Lane sold on April 9, for $336,500. Built in 2016, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,562 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $247,900.

WEST DAYTONA BEACH

A house at 37 Lionspaw Grand sold on April 10, for $970,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool, a spa, an outdoor kitchen and 3,440 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $610,000.

The house was listed by Kelly Ferguson, of Simply Real Estate.

Latitude Margaritaville

The townhome at 426 Good Life Way sold on April 8, for $585,000. Built in 2021, the

Southern Pines

The house at 20 Ardisia Circle sold on April 7, for $400,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,909 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $415,000.

Tomoka Oaks

The house at 310 Rio Pinar Drive sold on April 10, for $468,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 5/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,703 square feet. It last sold in 1988 for $142,000.

Tomoka Park

The house at 40 Whippoorwill Lane sold on April 7, for $352,900. Built in 1977, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace and 1,870 square feet. It last sold in 1977 for $50,000.

Tymber Creek

The house at 342 Bent Creek Lane sold on April 10, for $490,000. Built in 1982, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,746 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $585,000.

Village of Pine Run

The house at 5 Village Drive sold on April 9, for $480,000. Built in 1986, the 5/4 house has a fireplace, two barns and 2,776 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $247,000.

townhome is a 3/2 and has a pool, a spa and 1,848 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $385,700.

The townhome at 306 Low Tide Lane sold on April 8, for $560,000. Built in 2022, the townhome is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,848 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $414,800.

The townhome at 336 Coral Reef Way sold on April 10, for $440,000. Built in 2018, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,616 square feet. It last

Winding Woods

The house at 10 Marjorie Trail sold on April 10, for $386,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,729 square feet.

sold in 2023 for $529,000.

LPGA The house at 3243 Legends Preserve Drive sold on April 6, for $640,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 5/4.5 and has 3,807 square feet. It last sold in 2025 for $665,600.

The house at 112 Berg Court sold on April 8, for $465,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,000 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $230,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Plaza Shores

The house at 15 Plaza Drive sold on April 6, for $295,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,097 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $242,500.

Mosaic The house at 113 Azure Mist Way sold on April 9, for $435,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,122 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $388,000.

The house at 278 Azure Mist Way sold on April 9, for $534,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,115 square feet.

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

Plantation Bay: Beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath corner townhome with a flexible bonus room and 1,529 square feet of well-designed single-story space. As a light-filled corner unit, with no neighbors on one side and a semi-private backyard, this home enjoys abundant natural light throughout, enhancing the open and airy feel of the spacious great room and functional layout. Located in a desirable, gated community with maintenance-free living. — $370,000

ORMOND BEACH

Why Your Hearing Care Should Start With a Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Indira Alvarez, Au.D., F-AAA

When people begin looking for hearing help, they often assume that everyone who sells or fits hearing aids has the same level of training. That is not the case. There is an important difference between a doctor of audiology and a hearing instrument specialist, and understanding that difference can help patients make a more informed choice about their care.

A doctor of audiology, or clinical audiologist, has completed extensive graduate-level education and clinical training in the hearing and balance systems. Audiologists earn a doctoral degree and are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and manage hearing loss, tinnitus, and related auditory conditions. Their education includes anatomy, physiology, acoustics, auditory processing, amplification, counseling, diagnostic testing, medical referral criteria, and evidence-based treatment planning.

A hearing instrument specialist has a much narrower scope of training. Requirements vary by state, but in many cases, hearing instrument specialists do not need a professional healthcare degree. Their training is generally focused on testing hearing for the purpose of selling and fitting hearing aids. Many hearing instrument specialists are kind and capable within that role, but their education and clinical preparation are not equivalent to that of a doctor of audiology. That distinction matters because hearing loss is not just a matter of turning up the volume.

Hearing is healthcare. Changes in hearing can be related to aging, noise exposure, ear disease, medication effects, sudden medical changes, genetics, or other underlying conditions.

Symptoms such as sudden hearing loss, one-sided hearing loss, dizziness, ear pain, drainage, tinnitus, or poor speech understanding may require deeper clinical evaluation or medical referral. A doctor of audiology is trained to identify these concerns and guide patients appropriately. Choosing hearing aids also requires more than selecting a device from a display case. Success-

ful treatment involves a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, careful interpretation of results, individualized technology recommendations, evidence-based programming, verification, counseling, follow-up care, and long-term management. A doctor of audiology considers the whole patient: hearing test results, communication needs, lifestyle, medical history, ear health, listening environments, and quality of life.

It’s important to understand the difference between the type of provider you see. Hearing instrument specialists are dedicated to helping people hear better. However, patients deserve to understand that the training is not the same, and the level of care is not the same.

At Palm Coast Hearing Center, patients are cared for by two doctors of audiology: Dr. Indira Alvarez and Dr. Dawn MacMillan who bring a combined 43 years of experience in helping patients hear and communicate better. That level of clinical experience matters, especially when patients are making decisions that affect their daily lives, relationships, independence, and longterm hearing health. When it comes to your hearing, choose the most comprehensive expertise from the beginning. Choose a doctor of audiology.

At Palm Coast and Ormond Hearing Centers, our mission is to provide the best quality hearing care possible, educate the community and help all patients make informed decisions so they can get the care they need and de serve. Want to learn more about hearing health? Visit our website at palmcoasthearingcenter. com and schedule an appointment online, or you can call us at 386283-4932. We also have a second location to serve you in Ormond Beach, go to www.Ormondhearingcenter.com to learn more!

BUSINESS

Coastlantic, Skyway earn top marks at Flagler Parade of Homes

The Flagler Home Builders Association awarded Coastlantic Home Builders its top score for entries over $500,000 in its 32nd annual Parade of Homes. Skyway Builders and Associates got the top score for the under $500,000 category.

“Since 1994, anyone looking to make a move or interested in seeing the latest home designs, neighborhoods, or colors and accessories for their own homes have found the Parade of Homes is a great resource,” the FHBA said in a press release.

The event ran from April 11 to April 19 throughout the county.

The showcase home was The Bay Breeze, built by Hulbert

Homes, at 127 Coronado Road in Flagler Beach.

The Showcase Community was Seminole Palms.

Palm Coast-Flagler Chamber recruits its 250th member

The Palm Coast-Flagler Chamber of Commerce signed up its 250th member on Friday, April 24: Good Vibes Nutrition of Palm Coast.

According to the chamber’s newsletter, business owner Mike Granam had challenged the chamber to grow the chamber, staking his claim to become the 250th.

“Mike is one of the most positive people you will ever meet and he is an amazing connector, always bringing people together for the common good,”

the newsletter states.

When he issued the challenge, the chamber had about 235 members. Early morning on April 24, the chamber secured its 249th members, and an impromptu celebration for the chamber’s 250th member was held later that afternoon.

Ormond’s Erick Palacios named to Gator100 for second year

Plan to Prosper Wealth Management and Founder Erick Palacios were announced to the Gator100 for the second year in a row.

The Gator100 honor recognizes Plan to Prosper as one of the 100 fastest growing businesses led by University of Florida alumni.

“It is absolutely an amazing blessing to be honored by the Gator100 again this year,” Palacios said in a press release.

“Ultimately the recognition goes to my amazing family, friends and of course, our wonderful clients — all of whom have helped make it possible.

Go Gators!” Palacios will also now have two daughters studying at UF. Plan to Prosper has been based in Ormond Beach since 2023. When not working, Palacios is volunteering with his son’s Boy Scout Troop 403, Prince of Peace Catholic Church and Hope Community Health Center, as well as with Ormond Rotary and the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, of which he is past president.

Spectrum launches ASL service

Spectrum in Palm Coast recently launched virtual American Sign Language interpretation services.

The service connects deaf customers and store employees through a live ASL interpreter, according to a press release, allowing for real-time communication. The service will expand to more than 90 stores nationwide by the end of the year.

In Palm Coast, the virtual ASL interpretation service is available at 250 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Suite 408.

Spectrum first launched a pilot of the virtual ASL interpreting service in Rochester, New York, in 2024 and expanded to Austin, Los Angeles and New York City in 2025.

New IT company for businesses

TeamLogic IT, a national provider of managed IT services and technology support for businesses, has opened an office in Palm Coast. The business is owned by Jose Carbia, who has over 25 years of experience helping organizations improve efficiency, reduce risk and use technology to support business growth, according to a press release.

“Thanks to our nationwide presence and hundreds of technicians around the country, we can offer businesses throughout the Palm Coast area and beyond more proactive services than most computer support companies,” Carbia said. “All our services are designed to meet today’s fast-changing technology demands, while helping businesses operate more securely, efficiently and prepared for future growth.”

Halifax Health — Cancer Center adds new doctor Halifax Health recently welcomed to its team Dr. Caren Wilkie, a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist with a focus on benign and malignant breast disease and highrisk breast conditions.

Wilkie brings decades of surgical experience, academic accomplishment and military service to Halifax Health, according to a press release. She earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine after graduating from Emory University. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Florida Shands Teaching Hospital, where she also served as chief resident, and later pursued advanced fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center.

In addition to her civilian medical career, Dr. Wilkie served with distinction in the United States Air Force Medical Corps,

Erick Palacios (second from left) and his family. Courtesy photos

Good Vibes Nutrition of Palm Coast becomes the 250th member for the Palm Coast-Flagler Chamber

Coastlantic’s Denise Crouch, with Jim Gonce, Frank Whalen and Luis Medeiros.

Matanzas wins regional tennis title

Pirates advance to state where Patsula will have double duty.

BRENT

WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Matanzas high School tennis player Daniel Patsula had already reserved his spot in the state championships. Now he will have his teammates joining him.

The Pirates won the Region

2-3A championship on Thursday, April 23, with a 4-1 victory on the road against district champ Ponte Vedra. With the victory, Matanzas advances to the Class 3A state team championships.

Patsula, who had already clinched a spot in the individual bracket with his district titleat No. 1 singles, will now be competing for the state team championship with the rest of his squad as well.

“It’s great having company,” he said.

“I have so much confidence in my team. I saw the team playing against Fleming Island and I thought if we could transfer this against Ponte Vedra we’ll do great. And we did.”

STANISLAV VALENTEYCHIK, Matanzas senior

Matanzas won both doubles matches against Ponte Vedra to take a 2-0 lead. Patsula at No. 1 singles and Stanislav Valenteychik at No. 3 singles won their matches to clinch the title. The Pirates are undefeated in dual matches this season at 17-0. Patsula and Valenteychik are both undefeated in singles.

Patsula and Owen Brady won their No. 1 doubles match against the Sharks and Valenteychick and Adam Stochel Polubiec won at No. 2 doubles.

“They all played with a desire to win,” Matanzas coach Jens Oliva said. It was the second time this season that Matanzas defeated Ponte Vedra — the Pirates also won 5-2 on March 25 .

But the Sharks won the district title at the Southern Recreation Center on April 16 in a tight three-way battle with

Ponte Vedra winning with 14 points and Matanzas edging Nease for the runner-up spot 12-11. The Pirates had to go on the road to win their regional semifinal 4-0 against Fleming Island on Tuesday, April 21, and then defeating Ponte Vedra in the final.

“I knew since Tuesday [we were going to win the region title],” Valenteychik said. “I have so much confidence in my team. I saw the team playing against Fleming Island and I thought if we could transfer this against Ponte Vedra we’ll do great. And we did.”

The Pirates were scheduled to play their first match at state at 8 a.m. April 29, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs. This is the third time Matanzas has advanced to the state championships as a team.

“We’re going to keep riding this wave as far as we can,” Oliva said. “There are some talented teams out there, and we’re looking forward to some good tennis.”

‘They left their mark on the program forever’

FPC baseball coach

Kyle Marsh bids farewell to seniors as Bulldogs see their season end.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The final game of the season always brings farewells. After Flagler Palm Coast’s loss to Spruce Creek in the Region 1-7A baseball quarterfinal, Bulldogs coach Kyle Marsh had to say goodbye to five seniors who helped build the program.

Marsh is in his fourth year with the team and most of the seniors came into the program with him. During that time, FPC has reached the playoffs three out of four years. But Marsh’s relationship with some of the seniors goes back much farther.

“Some of them I’ve coached since they were 10 years old,” Marsh said. “So it makes it a little harder.”

Third baseman Carson Flis and Jordan Gonzalez were on Marsh’s travel team, Florida Extreme, when they were 10. Nole Hemmerle guest-played with the team occasionally and Marion Clayton was on other travel teams that played against the Extreme.

The other senior, pitcher Reggie Bass, transferred from Matanzas after his sophomore year. Bass has signed to play for Florida A&M next season,

while Clayton has signed with Jacksonville University and Gonzalez and Hemmerle are headed to Brewton-Parker, an NAIA school in Mount Vernon, Georgia.

“This is probably the most in a year that we’ve had go on to play in college,” Marsh said. “It’s cool to see the program building and it’s all to these guys. They worked their butts off, and they’ve really turned this program around for the future.”

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 16-11 record, their most wins since 2023 when they were 16-14. Their season ended with an 11-1 five-inning loss at Creek on Friday, April 24. The Hawks (25-3) scored seven runs in the fourth inning. Creek’s Ryder Ritch hit two home runs to deep center field — a two-run shot in the fourth and a solo shot leading off the fifth.

“It wasn’t our night,” Marsh said. “We just got to get back on the grind and get ready for next year. [The Hawks] had a good approach. They hit the ball very well, and that pitcher [Evan Dyett] did a great job on the mound. They played the better game.”

Dyett allowed three hits in five innings. He struck out six. FPC’s only run came on Clayton’s seventh home run of the season. His shot to right field tied the score at 1-1 in the third inning.

Bass allowed 10 hits in 3.2 innings and struck out seven batters. He allowed nine runs but only four were earned.

Kameron Roberts relieve Bass with two outs in the fourth.

The Hawks won by the 10-run rule on Justin Cronin’s RBI single with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Creek will host Oviedo Hagerty in a best-of-three region semifinal series on May 1-2.

“The guys had a good year,” Marsh said. “They showed up every day and competed. And that’s the only thing you can ask for out of a team, is give everything they got. And they did that. They left their mark on the program forever. I’m just grateful to be able to coach the guys. I’m grateful that they had a chance to be part of the program, trusting in us. And there’s not much to hang your head about. They did a lot this year that we haven’t done in the past.”

Saying goodbye to the seniors, some Marsh has known for eight years, won’t be easy.

“It has been an honor to be able to coach them throughout high school and see them grow and become the men they are today,” he said. “I wish them nothing but the best, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds.”

SEABREEZE FALLS TO TOP SEED WINTER SPRINGS

Seabreeze’s baseball season ended on April 24 with an 11-1 five-inning loss to top seed Winter Springs in the Region 2-5A quarterfinals.

The Sandcrabs took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning as Nathaniel

“Some of them I’ve coached since they were 10 years old. So it makes it a little harder.”

Anderson and Wrigley Zweifel hit back-to-back base hits and courtesy runner Jacob McKinnon scored on a double steal.

But the Bears knocked seven hits, including three doubles, and took advantage of five Seabreeze errors and five hitby-pitches to score runs in four of the five innings. The host team scored three runs each in the first and fourth innings and ended the game with a four-run fifth.

Chance Baisden’s two-run single, his third hit of the game, pushed the winning run across with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Seabreeze starter Tommy Hayes gave up seven runs in 3.1 innings, but just two were earned.

The Bears will host Cypress Creek in a regional semifinal series on May 1-2.

Seabreeze ended its season at 11-15 but won its district championship for the second straight year and the third time in the past four years.

The Sandcrabs will return most of their team next year. They graduate four seniors — McKinnon, Hayes, JT Gilbert and Austin Upchurch.

Matanzas High School boys tennis players from left: Adam Stochel Polubiea, Owen Brady, Stanislav Valenteychik, Daniel Patsula, Tyler Lemmon and Alexander Engblom. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Kameron Roberts, Carson Flis and Jordan Gonzalez meet at the mound to start the bottom of the fifth inning.

Nick Pandich watches the pitch as he takes a lead off first. Pandich had two of FPC’s three hits. Marion Clayton had the other with a home run to right field in the third inning. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Spruce Creek’s Ryder Ritch (11) watches his second home run of the game clear the center field fence, out of the reach of FPC center fielder Marion Clayton, as Ritch runs to first base.

KYLE MARSH, FPC baseball coach

Mainland falls short for district flag football title

Oviedo intercepted three passes to keep the Bucs off the scoreboard.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With less than 18 seconds left in the game, the Mainland High School flag football team still had a chance to pull off an upset in the District 4-3A championship game.

Down 6-0, the Bucs had a fourth down inside the

“This is one of the top groups I’ve ever coached. The kids are so good. They’re all coachable. They love the game and they love each other. I’m going to miss them.”

ETHAN SIMPSON, Mainland coach

40-yard line and needed a touchdown and extra point to take the lead. But Natalie Williams’ heave ended with the Lions’ third interception of the night.

Oviedo quarterback Reese Sanderson took a knee to secure the Lions’ second consecutive district title with the 6-0 victory on Thursday, April 23, at district host Matanzas High School.

“They played their tails off and gave us a chance to win,” Mainland coach Ethan Simpson said of his players. “I’m just proud of them.”

Oviedo, which improved to 11-1, was held to six points for just the third time this season. The score was tied at 0-0 through the first half with Mainland stopping the Lions on fourth down at the

Mainland 8-yard line with 18 seconds left before halftime.

Mainland’s Zariah Blue intercepted a pass early in the second quarter, but the Bucs’ ensuing drive ended with an interception by Oviedo’s Julietta Decesare.

Oviedo broke the scoreless deadlock on Alyson Scharf’s short touchdown run with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Sanderson’s 1-point conversion pass fell incomplete.

After forcing a punt with less than two minutes left in the game, the Bucs drove from their own 10-yard line to just inside the 40 (midfield in flag football) with Vivienne Becker catching a long pass from Williams. But Scharf’s fourth-down interception clinched the district title for the Lions.

“Whenever you play a highlevel team like that, you can’t make mistakes,” Simpson said. “But the effort was there. We played to the last whistle. I can’t ask any more as a coach.”

The Bucs’ season ended with a 9-8 record. They defeated East River 20-0 in the district quarterfinal and Lake Howell 14-12 in the semifinal to advance to the championship game.

While the final game of the season is always tough, Simpson said this one was harder than most.

“This is one of the top groups I’ve ever coached,” he said. “The kids are so good. They’re all coachable. They love the game and they love each other. I’m going to miss them.”

Seabreeze hurdlers first to finish at district

Father Lopez boys and girls win District 6-1A titles for the sixth consecutive year.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Seabreeze’s boys track and field team utilized its talent and depth in the two hurdles events to finish second at the District 6-3A championships on Saturday, April 25, at Deltona High School.

Mainland placed third with Ethan Figueroa winning two jumping events. The Mainland girls also finished third. New Smyrna Beach won the boys title and Orlando Bishop Moore won the girls title.

Seabreeze won both boys hurdles events. Dominic Dowell automatically qualified for regional in both events with a first-place finish in the 400 hurdles and second place in the 110 behind teammate Drayton Brackett. Alex Schargen placed second in the 400 hurdles to automatically qualify, and third in the 110. Four Seabreeze runners placed in the top five in the 110 and three were among the top four in the 400 hurdles, including Brackett who was fourth.

Other automatic qualifiers for the Sandcrabs were Hunter Shuler, who won the 3,200-meter run and Schargen, who was also second in javelin. Shuler, who is also headed to the state tennis championships this week as a doubles player, placed third in the 1,600.

Figueroa won the high jump and the long jump and placed third in triple jump. Mainland’s Michael London placed second in discus to automatically qualify and was third in shot. The Bucs also placed second in the 4x400 relay.

Mainland’s Aquila Rivers won the girls 400 meters and ran the first leg of the Bucs’ winning 4x400 relay. Gabrielle Lett placed second in the 200 and also qualified in two relays — the 4x400 and the

4x100, which finished second. Makayla Doe placed second in triple jump and also has a chance to receive an at-large bid in long jump (third place) and high jump (fourth place). Lett was also third in the 100 and Sydney Noelien was third in discus and shot.

The Father Lopez boys and girls each won team titles for the sixth consecutive year in the District 6-1A meet at St. Johns Country Day. Roman Moore (100), Nathan Watkins (200), Finnegan Driscoll (discus) and Declan McNiff (javelin) won boys district championships. Moore (400), Lucas Paris (100), Christian Fotsch (400 hurdles), Stiles Minor (shot put) and the 4x800 relay automatically qualified for regional with runner-up finishes.

Lopez’s Lauren Lancing (100 meters and 100 hurdles), Caroline Curtis (800), Lucy Fulton (1,600), Erin Kealy (long jump and triple jump), Mia Bruno-Logwig (shot put) and Natalie Francis (discus and javelin) won girls events. Second-place finishers included Gabby Green (400), Fulton (3,200), Ellen Svajko (400 hurdles) and Bruno-Lodwig (javelin). The Lopez girls also qualified in all three relays (first in the 4x100 and 4x400 and second in the 4x800).

Rematch: FPC flag football receives playoff bid after loss to Ocala Forest

The Bulldogs lost to Forest in the District 2-4A title game after trouncing University earlier in the evening.

Flagler Palm Coast’s flag football team played two district

tournament games in one day. After dispatching District 2-4A tournament host University 41-13 in a semifinal on April 22, the Bulldogs sat and waited as Spruce Creek and Ocala Forest played in the other semifinal. Forest defeated Creek 14-13 in overtime and then soared out to an early lead against FPC on the way to a 26-7 victory in the final. The teams were scheduled

to play again in the Region 1-4A quarterfinals with fourth-seeded FPC (12-5) traveling to No. 5 Forest (11-3) on Wednesday, April 29.

The game was played after the Observer’s press deadline. For results, go to Observerlo calnews.com.

Despite the lower seed, the Wildcats were playing at home by virtue of their district championship.

“We were up [by five touch-

downs] at halftime against University,” FPC coach John King said. “We got a chance to get all of our young girls in, and then we sat a little while.”

King said it took a quarter and a half against Forest in the district final for the Bulldogs to get up to speed.

“They already had an advantage by then,” King said.

“They’re a very well-coached team, and they took care of business. They deserved to

win that game.”

The region tournament was wide open, King said. Three of the top four seeds, including No. 1 Jacksonville Mandarin and No. 2 Sanford Seminole, did not win their district championships. Mandarin was scheduled to play District 3 champ Ocoee, the eighth seed, on the road in the quarterfinals.

“Having played Tocoi Creek and Forest, I know we can

compete against anybody in the region,” King said. Tocoi Creek upset Mandarin 13-7 in the the District 1 championship game. FPC beat Tocoi 22-6 on March 12. Senior Nereyda Campos, who has committed to play flag football at Daytona State College next year, leads the Bulldogs with 529 yards passing, 305 yards rushing and 21 total touchdowns enter the regional playoffs.

Oviedo’s Julietta Decesare pulls Terri Williams flags as Williams stretches for more yardage.

Mainland’s Zariah Blue returns an interception as Natalie Williams follows. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Seabreeze’s Dominic Dowell (left) at the East Coast Classic on Feb. 20 at Flagler Palm Coast. Dowell won the 400 hurdles and placed second at the 110 hurdles at the District 6-3A meet on April 25 in Deltona. File photo by Keishia McLendon

Northeast Florida

Team Pickleball wins 10 gold medals at state

The Northeast Florida Team Pickleball League recently competed at the state tournament, April 17-19 at Pictona at Holly Hill.

Teams secured their place at the State Tournament by winning their regional competitions. Northeast Florida had a strong presence, sending 22 teams to the state tournament. Northeast Florida teams earned 10 gold medals and 10 silver medals.

Gold medal-winning teams will move on to compete at aationals this fall.

Northeast Florida Gold Medal Winners: Men’s Doubles: Fireballs (3.5, 14+). Vipers (4.0, 14+). Them DTP Boyz (4.5 14+).

Women’s Doubles: The Looney Tunes (3.0, 50+).

LOBstirs (3.0, 65+).

Mixed Doubles: Next! Hit Squad (3.0 14+). The Bench Warmers (3.5 14+). Dinking Under the Influence (3.5 50+). A-Team Summa (4.0 14+). Dink Responsibly (4.5 14+).

Riverbend wins

FCAPPS state soccer title

The Riverbend Academy of Ormond Beach boys soccer team won the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools state championship with a 2-1 victory over The Rock School of Gainesville. The Warriors finished the season undefeated with a 13-0 record.

Riverbend, which has a tournament remaining on its schedules is coached by Dave Brown and Gabriel Martinez. The Riverbend girls soccer team finished 6-3 and advanced to the FCAPPS semifinals.

FHSAA announces winter sports districts

The Florida High School Athletic Association announced the winter sports classifications and districts for the next two years. For girls and boys basketball as well as boys and girls soccer, Flagler Palm Coast and Mainland will be in the largest classification, Class 6A, competing in District 3 with DeLand, Spruce Creek, Gainesville Buchholz, Ocala Forest and Ocala West Port.

Matanzas will be in District 4-5A with schools from St. Johns and Duval counties: Bartram Trail, First Coast, Fletcher, Nease and Ponte Vedra.

Seabreeze will be in District 6-4A with New Smyrna Beach, Pine Ridge, Orlando schools Bishop Moore and Jones and Brevard County schools Rockledge and Satellite.

Averi Miller 3rd in nation in Elks Soccer Shoot

Palm Coast’s Averi Miller has placed third in the nation in the Elks Soccer Shoot U-8 contest.

Miller won the Southeast Regional in January, converting 24 of 25 shots on

Spikes 10U wins tournament

The Ormond Beach Spikes 10U baseball team won the USSSA Central Florida Main Event Tournament in Umatilla last weekend. The Spikes

goal. With other regionals taking place in the spring, the 8-year-old had to wait to find out where her score ranked nationally. Two participants in other regions made all of their shots.

Competitors shot at five goals that varied from 48 inches down to 18 inches wide. Miller won five competitions starting with the local Palm Coast Elks Lodge 2709 competition in October. She then went on to win district, regional, the state championship and the Southeast Regional.

Hybrid Muay Thai students collect wins

Several students from Hybrid Muay Thai and Kickboxing In Bunnell competed in the IKF

went 5-0 on the weekend, taking home the Gold championship. The team’s coach is Max Kops. Assistant Coaches are James Szumigala and John Holcomb. The players are: Knox Deaton, Rhett

Point Muay Thai tournament in Orlando recently. Chris Smeraldi Jr. and Asher Maccherone secured victories, Hybrid Muay Thai owner Vince Maccherone said. Other competitors included Ryker Bemusdaffer and Grayson Diaz.

“Beyond securing several victories, these students train consistently on a weekly basis, Vince Maccherone said. “Our primary objective at Hybrid Muay Thai is character development and raising children through the discipline and values taught in the sport — traits we believe are essential in life.”

Send sports news to Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com.

Bennett

The Ormond Beach Spikes 10U baseball team: Back row, Coaches James Szumigala, Max Kops and John Holcomb. Middle row, Knox Deaton, Rhett Workman, Bennett Gray, Mason Szumigala, August Schlaffer, Mason Parker and Eli Kendall. Front row: Carter Reardon, Eddie Watson, Beau Holcomb, Colton Parker and Cam Taylor. Courtesy photos

A-Team Summa Mixed Doubles 14+ of Volusia County.

Next! Hit Squad Mixed Doubles 3.0 14+ of Flagler County.

Hybrid Muay Thai students.

Vipers Men’s Doubles 4.0 14+ of Flagler County.

Workman,

Gray, Mason Szumigala, August Schlaffer, Mason Parker, Eli Kendall, Carter Reardon, Eddie Watson, Beau Holcomb, Colton Parker and Cam Taylor.

Flagler Palm Coast’s Cody Strawser aims for medals — and maybe records

Bulldogs qualify 10 lifters for state meet, Seabreeze qualifies five lifters, Mainland qualifies one.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast weight -

lifter Cody Strawser has been perfect since the postseason began. He’s won both the Olympic and traditional competitions at the Five Star Conference, district and regional meets. He’s gone 9-for-9 on his lifts at all three meets. And heading into the Class 3A state championship on May 7 in Lakeland, the junior is a prohibitive favorite to win

both titles in the 129-pound weight class.

“This season’s gone a lot better than I expected,” said Strawser who won the Region 2-3A championships on April 25 at FPC with a 455-pound Olympic total and a 485-pound traditional total. He has the best state qualifying totals by 35 pounds in Olympic and 25 pounds in traditional. And he hasn’t pushed for personal records yet.

“Today was kind of like just work up to heaviness,” Strawser said after the regional. His final snatch (195 pounds) and clean and jerk (260) were five pounds under his PR. His bench press (225) tied his PR.

“My snatches felt light. My clean and jerks felt light. My

“I would love to break state records, but the main focus is to win, and maybe break some records in the process.”

CODY STRAWSER, Flagler Palm Coast weightlifter

bench was a little wonky, but I think that’s just because I cut weight,” he said. “That just happens every time you cut weight.”

Strawser, who weighed in at 128.3 pounds, just under the 129-pound limit, is not only aiming for two state championships, he also has a couple of state records on his radar.

“I’m 10 [pounds] under to break the snatch record and I’m 15 under to break the cleanand-jerk record,” he said. “I would love to break state records, but the main focus is to win, and maybe break some records in the process.”

Strawser is one 10 FPC lifters to qualify for the state championships. Landon Gates (183 pounds) and Matt McFall (unlimited) each won the Olympic competition at regional. McFall has the highest Olympic state qualifying total in Class 3A at 625

pounds, 40 pounds more than the second highest. McFall and Gates were also regional runners-up in the traditional competition.

FPC’s Anthony Giacobbe (second, 119), Alex Huynh (second, 139), Jackson Fedun (second,169), Marlon

Alvarado (third, 183), Matthias Parker (third, 199) and Tyler Davidson (second, 219) also reached the podium at regional in Olympic. Giacobbe (third), Alvarado (third) and Parker (third) also reached the podium in traditional.

Giacobbe, Strawser, Huynh, Fedun, Parker, Joe Casanova (238) and McFall all qualified in both competitions. Gates, Alvarado and Wendell Weaver (unlimited) qualified for Olympic competition.

Mainland’s Ray Tatro qualified in the 129-pound class in traditional.

FPC finished second in both competitions behind regional champ Spruce Creek — 76-57 in Olympic and 73-39 in traditional). The Bulldogs were also the runner-up behind Creek at Five Star and district in both competitions.

FPC coach Duane Hagstrom has had only one team title in mind.

“The goal [at regional] wasn’t to win as a team. It was just to get as many through as possible,” he said. “That’s kind of the goal up until state.”

SEABREEZE QUALIFIES FIVE FOR STATE

Seabreeze qualified five lifters to the Class 2A state championship on May 6 in Lakeland. Guarinonex Rivera Seise won the 119-pound Olympic title at the Region 4-2A meet on April 25 in Leesburg. Dean Hayes won the traditional championship in the 139-pound class. Hayes and Ezra Williams (183 pounds) qualified in both competitions. Rivera Seise, Vincent Pendersen (129) and Ronald Zimmet (169) qualified in Olympic.

FPC’s Anthony Giacobbe placed second in Olympic in the 119-pound weight class.

FPC’s Cody Strawser (center) stands on the top step of the podium after winning the 129-pound Olympic title. The Junior was the only FPC Bulldog to win both championships at the Region 2-3A meet. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Jackson Fedun placed second in Olympic in the 169-pound weight class.

FPC’s Landon Gates (center) won the 183-pound title in the Olympic competition. Spruce Creek’s John Wheeler was second and FPC’s Marlon Alvarado (right) was third.

FPC 199-pound lifter Mathias Parker bench presses 290 pounds on his second lift.

FPC’s Matt McFall won the unlimited Olympic title with a 625-pound total in the snatch and clean and jerk lifts.

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Helene Mary Read, age 70, of Palm Coast, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. A devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, and community leader, she remained the steadfast heart of her family until the very end.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 13, 1956, to Norman Finnegan and Dorothy McLaughlin, Helene (Finnegan) spent her formative years in Greenwood Lake, New York. Her childhood was defined by the freedom of the outdoors – playing in the woods and by the water with lifelong friends. After attending Catholic school, she went on to study journalism at Rider College.

Her professional journey took her to New York City, where she built a successful career in advertising and media buying. However, it was a transition to her father’s restaurant in NYC that changed her life forever. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Read, a chef who had been hired by her stepmother, Maureen Finnegan. Family was the cornerstone of Helene’s life. Together with John, she raised three children – Rebecca, Alana, and Andrew. The family spent their years between New York

and Florida, operating several family-owned restaurants. Later in life, she found a special calling as a substitute teacher. She loved spending time with children, frequently volunteering to read to students in local elementary schools.

In Palm Coast, Helene was a pillar of Trinity Presbyterian Church, serving with purpose and heart as both an Elder and a Deacon. She raised her children within the church, teaching them the values of faith, service, and community. Helene spent many summers in the mountains of North Carolina, leading high schoolers in meaningful discussions at Montreat Conference Center.

To those who knew her, Helene was a force – a sharp mind who cared deeply about others and the world. She found joy in a perfect cup of coffee with a pastry, her signature Southern Comfort Old Fashioned, the music of Carole King and Billy Joel, and watching Lost and General Hospital. An adventurous traveler, she explored the world, from her honeymoon in Portugal to her favorite villages in the Cotswolds of England, and created lasting memories with her family on cruises. Above all, she wanted the world for her children and

grandchildren. She was their fiercest advocate, their steady support, and their greatest love.

Helene is survived by her husband, John Read; her children, Rebecca Read, Alana (and Eric) Nanz, and Andrew Read; her beloved granddaughters, Charlotte Read, Amelia Nanz, and Clara Nanz; and her brothers, Timothy and Norman Finnegan and their families. She is preceded

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 182026CP000051AXXX01 Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF MICHAEL P. KORMOS Deceased.

April 30, 2026 26-00132G FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 000721 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF ALVERO JAMES TERRY Deceased. The administration of the estate of Alvero James Terry, deceased, whose date of death was April 24, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 30, 2026. Personal Representative: /s/ C Walter Cynthia Y. Walter 16 Webb Lane Palm Coast, Florida 32164

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Jennifer A. McGee Jennifer A. McGee, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 1023165 160 Cypress Point Pkwy, Unit C213 Palm Coast, Florida 32164 Telephone: (386) 320-7300

E-Mail: jennifer@mcgeelawfl.com April 30; May 7, 2026 26-00133G

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025 CA 000356

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR TRESTLE TITLING TRUST-1, Plaintiff, v. BRITTNEY RENEE FORNARA; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF BRITTNEY RENEE FORNARA; MICHAEL PERRY COX JR.; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF MICHAEL PERRY COX, JR.; VICTORIA LANGELLO; VICENTE CARVAJAL; ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED; UNKNOWN TENANT #1; UNKNOWN TENANT #2, Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment dated April 8, 2026 entered in Civil Case No. 2025 CA 000356 in the Circuit Court of the 7th Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR TRESTLE TITLING TRUST-1, Plaintiff and BRITTNEY RENEE FORNARA; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF BRITTNEY RENEE FORNARA; MICHAEL PERRY COX JR.; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF MICHAEL PERRY COX, JR.; VICTORIA LANGELLO; VICENTE CARVAJAL; ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING INTERESTS BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST A NAMED

DEFENDANT TO THIS ACTION, OR HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED; UNKNOWN TENANT #1; UNKNOWN TENANT #2 are defendants, Tom W. Bexley, Clerk of Court, will sell the property at https://flagler.realforeclose.com

beginning at 11:00 AM on May 22, 2026 the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit:. LOT 6, BLOCK 88, LAKEVIEWSECTION 37, PALM COAST PARK AT PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGES 1 THROUGH 29, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 21 Lake Charles Ln, Palm Coast, FL 32137 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. THE COURT, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY ENLARGE THE TIME OF THE SALE. NOTICE OF THE CHANGED TIME OF SALE

The administration of the Estate of Michael P Kormos, deceased, whose date of death was July 11, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 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 ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME

PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 30, 2026.

Personal Representative: /s/ Donna Kormos Donna D. Kormos 1485 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 1P8, Canada

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/Steven Z. Garellek Steven Z. Garellek, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 0962480 Steinberg | Garellek 200 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 103 Boca Raton, FL 33432

Telephone: (561) 910-7860 Fax: (561) 391-3326

E-Mail: szg@steingarlaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: mc@steingarlaw.com April 30; May 7, 2026 26-00135G

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

DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS are Defendants.

The Clerk of the Court, Tom Bexley will sell to the highest bidder for cash at https:// flagler.realforeclose.com/ on June 19, 2026 at 11:00:00 AM EST the following described real property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 38, BLOCK 10, OF PALM COAST MAP OF BELLE TERRE, SECTION 11, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 6, PAGES 59 THROUGH 67, INCLUSIVE, AS AMENDED BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 35, PAGE 528, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 24th day of April, 2026. ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP Attorney for Plaintiff 401 W. Linton Blvd. Suite 202-B Delray Beach, FL 33444 Telephone: 561-392-6391 Facsimile: 561-392-6965 By: /s/ Kyle King Kyle King, Esq. FBN: 990248 Primary E-Mail: ServiceMail@aldridgepite.com 1221-15879B April 30; May 7, 2026 26-00134G