Daytona Beach Observer 3-5-26

DAYTONA BEACH Observer

Art grants released after four-month tug-of-war

County Council votes to award over $570K of cultural funds, on one condition: This is

Brower: ‘Preserve local control’

County Council chair delivers annual State of the County address. PAGE 3A

‘You

remember the characters,’ said Echo Carras, a volunteer with the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Echo Carras has volunteered at the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce ’s Bike Week Welcome Center tent for nine years. “People, for the most part, are

just real friendly,” Carrras said. “They’re here because they come every year, they love the area, their bikes are beautiful. It’s a fun event.”

Carras said the Welcome Center tent has drawn hundreds of bikers and visitors. The tent, located on South Orange Avenue right before the bridge to the beachside, is open daily during Bike Week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a final shift from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 7.

The chamber’s annual treasure hunt begins at the tent, and participants who visit all 10 locations and receive a stamp on the treasure hunt can return to the tent to receive their limited edition commemorative coin for Bike Week 2026. Visitors can also pick up an official Bike Week poster.

The Daytona Regional Chamber has a key role in the operational planning, marketing, community outreach, and coordination with local and national partners, a Chamber newsletter said. The event has a sizeable impact to the area’s culture and economy and it “unites riders of all ages and back-

grounds and to showcase the best of Daytona Beach’s hospitality and lifestyle.”

The treasure hunt is a partnership with local businesses, with participating businesses ranging from Tanger Daytona Beach, Copper Bottom Craft Distillery and the sponsor AMSOIL.

The Welcome Center also features a map of the United States and a map of the world. Carras said people who show up at the tent can add a pin to the map to show where they’re visiting from. Carras said they’ve had people from all around the world.

“We got some folks here from England, Norway, all over,” she said. “And people have been coming for years and years and years.” Her favorite part about Bike Week is getting to know the characters, she said.

“You remember the characters,” she said. “It’s fun to see people come back.”

Email Sierra Williams at sierra@ observerlocalnews.com.

Burn ban in effect in Volusia County

Volusia County, including the cities of Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, are under a burn ban.

The ban went into effect on Feb. 20, and is ongoing due to elevated drought conditions and increased wildfire risks. A 227-acre brush fire in Daytona Beach was contained on Feb. 24, the second fire in the area in recent days.

Under the burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Florida Forest Service, including burning of yard debris, household waste, bonfires, campfires, warming fires and open cooking fires, according to the Ormond Beach Fire Department.

“This ban is in place to protect our community, prevent wildfires, and ensure the safety of residents and first responders,” OBFD wrote on its Facebook post. “Violations may result in fines and other penalties.”

Additionally, the National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a Red Flag warning from 1-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Daytona area. A Red Flag Warning, explained the Daytona Beach Fire Department, means “critical fire weather conditions are occurring and any fires that develop have the potential to spread quickly.”

VoRide expands to east Volusia, adds night service in Daytona VoRide, Volusia County’s on-demand rideshare public transit service, has expanded to areas on the east side of the county, increasing trans-

portation options for residents in North Ormond and Southeast Volusia, including New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill. The expansion also includes night service in the mainland Daytona Beach area. Fares begin at $2 for trips up to five miles. An additional $1 per mile applies for trips beyond five miles, up to 10 miles. Reduced fares for disabled and youth are available. VoRide began in 2023. To book a ride, download the VoTran On Demand app, or call 386-761-7700.

TASER deployment, Williams complied and deputies secured him.

COPS CORNER NEWS BRIEFS

“Our deputies displayed extreme restraint in dealing with this violent and armed drunk,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “... I commend our deputies for using less-lethal weapons when legally they could have used deadly force. This is exactly why we train extensively in de-escalation tactics.”

After Williams was medically cleared from the hospital, deputies transported him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond.

Ormond man

pulls knife on deputies during domestic incident

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Ormond Beach man Feb. 27 following a domestic disturbance during which the suspect pulled a knife on deputies inside the home, resulting in one deputy being cut with the knife during the struggle, the FCSO reported.

At approximately 8:58 p.m. on Feb. 27, deputies responded to an Ormond Beach residence after receiving a report that a woman and her elderly mother had been locked out of the home by Andrew Mark Williams, 36, of Ormond Beach, who was inside the home and reportedly intoxicated. The 90-year-old homeowner was distraught and worried about her 91-year-old husband who was also inside the home and suffers from dementia. While deputies attempted to secure Williams, a struggle ensued and Williams cut one of the deputies on the palm of his left hand with the knife. Deputies used a TASER, and Williams fell to the ground and dropped the knife; however, he continued to resist deputies’ efforts to place him in handcuffs, the FCSO reported. Following a second

Illegal gambling busted at bowling alley and three bars, FCSO says

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in coordination with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), recently conducted an undercover operation – dubbed “Reels of Fortune” – which focused on reports of illegal gambling at Flagler County businesses, seizing illegal gaming machines and cash.

The undercover operation was part of a multi-agency investigation across Brevard, Duval, Flagler and Volusia counties. The Flagler County businesses raided during the Feb. 24 operation include Palm Coast Lanes (11 Old Kings Road), 1405 Saloon (1405 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell), Ike’s Saloon (801 S. State St., Unit 10 and 11, Bunnell) and Crossroads Tavern (111 N. State St., Bunnell).

In total, detectives seized 20 illegal gaming machines and $16,856.80 in cash as a result of the raids.

“These unregulated machines rarely pay out because they are set for the house to win,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.

“Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime. Often, it fuels other crime and preys on resi-

dents who are often elderly and on a limited income in the hopes of a big win.”

No arrests were made, and the investigation continues in partnership with the Florida Gaming Control Commission. The business owners could face up to $10,000 in fines per machine.

‘Career criminal’ from Volusia caught by K-9 in Palm Coast

Deputies arrested a Volusia County man after he fled a traffic stop in a stolen pickup truck and hid under someone’s house. He was eventually found by a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office K-9, who “took a bite out of crime,” an FCSO press release stated.

Around 2 a.m. on March 2, a Flagler deputy responded to the area of Mahogany Boulevard in Bunnell to reports of a stolen vehicle in the area. The deputy located the vehicle as it ran two stop signs on the dirt road at a high speed. Radar indicated the stolen vehicle was traveling 92 mph in a 30 mph area.

At this point, the deputy

activated his lights , but the driver, later identified as James Myers, 33, of DeLand, did not pull over but sped up instead. Myers drove the truck at high speeds though a yard on County Road 2006 and while trying to get back onto the roadway, Myers crashed in a ditch.

The deputy observed Myers and a female passenger exit the vehicle and run south on Cheryl Elaine Drive.

K9 Uno and partner Deputy Towns quickly located Myers hiding under a home on Cheryl Elaine Drive. Myers crawled out to deputies with K9 Uno attached to his arm.

He was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast for medical clearance and then transported to the Flagler County Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on no bond.

“Myers thought he could hide, but you can’t fool Uno,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.

Aggravated assault charges without intent to kill were filed March 1 with the 7th Judicial Circuit State against Myers by the Bunnell Police Department stemming from a separate incident.

driver’s seat at the time of the crash. When he awoke, he refused to answer any questions or provide samples of his breath, blood or urine. He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance before he was sent to jail. Police report the man was out on probation; he was arrested in 2024 on battery by strangulation charges.

FEB. 26

911, I HAVE AN ‘EMERGENCY’ 8:43 p.m. — 100 block of South Nova Road, Ormond Beach Misuse of 911 system. Police arrested a 49-year-old Washington man after he called 911 to report that an officer who was questioning him about an expired tag was “wasting his time.”

According to an arrest report, the officer had been dispatched to a local fast food restaurant after the man said his cardboard was taken by another man at the scene. The man told the officer he had “made the sign for some ladies.”

The man was detained and told the officer he was afraid he was going to get a ticket for his tag, which is why he called 911. Instead of a ticket, he was taken to jail.

MARCH 1

REPEAT TRESPASSER

1:49 p.m. — 200 block of Pine Lakes Parkway

Trespass. A gas station manager, fed up, pressed charges against a man who would repeatedly litter at a gas station.

The suspect had been trespassed from the gas station multiple times in 2022 and 2025, and had most recently received a trespass warning on Jan. 11. The gas station manager told a Sheriff’s Office deputy that the suspect was “constantly violating the [trespass] warnings,” according to the arrest report. She said the suspect would show up to the gas station daily, idle in the parking lot and leave litter. The suspect was arrested and taken to the county jail.

According

Local issues, local control

Chairman Jeff Brower said local officials are in the best position to make the best decisions.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Volusia County Council

Chairman Jeff Brower called for more local control in governance during the 2026 State of the County address.

“Our republic was designed as a bottom up government,” Brower said. “Not a top pressing down government.”

With a theme of “Driving the future. Honoring Tradition,” the 2026 State of the County address celebrated 2025’s successes across transportation, public works, fiscal responsibility, conservation and more. But Brower, the sole speaker during the Feb. 25 event at the Center at Deltona, said the theme reflects Volusia County’s “deep roots” and values of “stewardship, independence and common sense.”

“At the same time, we understand that responsible government means planning ahead,” he said, “anticipating challenges and making decisions that serve both today’s residents and future generations.”

The United States was designed, he said, to be accessible to the people through a system built on balance.

“The government closest to you is best suited to make local decisions,” Brower said. “Local leaders understand those conditions. Volusia, cities and county governments, understand our communities, our environment, our economy and the real world effects

of policy decisions.”

Even well intended policies can produce unintended consequences. While the county regularly engages with its state and federal partners, he said, it is local officials’ jobs to ensure “decisions made beyond our borders are informed by local realities.”

Brower said they need the help of Volusia County residents and stakeholders to continue to use their voices to ensure good governance.

“We continue to face preemption by new legislation,” Brower said. “We need your help to preserve local control.”

‘WATER IS LIFE’

Brower said water quality is one such issue where local control matters.

“Protecting water quality is one of the most important responsibilities we have, and it is also one of the clearest examples of why local understanding matters,” he said.

Water quality has been a recent hot-topic discussion at the Volusia County Council. Residents and elected officials have been speaking out against toilet to tap water initiatives. Toilet to tap water is recycled toilet wastewater that could be injected back into the aquifer, otherwise known as “blackwater.”

Volusia residents have been urging the council over recent weeks to prohibit the use of blackwater in Volusia County. But at its Feb. 17 meeting, the County Council voted 4-3 against an ordinance that would prohibit it and against placing it on the ballot in the fall.

Because many municipalities in Volusia have their own water utility service area, each municipality would need to pass its own ordinance or charter amendment to pro-

“The government closest to you is best suited to make local decisions. Local leaders understand those conditions. Volusia, cities and county governments, understand our communities, our environment, our economy and the real world effects of policy decisions.”

JEFF BROWER, Volusia County Council chair

hibit the use of blackwater.

Daytona Beach is considering an ordinance prohibiting blackwater.

Water in Volusia County is not abstract, Brower said.

“Water is life,” he said.

“Decisions about how that water is managed, protected and used should be shaped by the people who live here and understand those systems.”

The issues of water are not just on water quality, though. Brower said flooding mitigation in Volusia County requires an understanding of water sheds, infrastructure, and collaboration with the county’s municipalities.

‘WE MUST CUT SPENDING’

As the Florida Legislature considers several proposals to cut back or remove property taxes, many local municipalities are looking to tighten budgets in preparation.

Brower said that while Volusia County is already proud of its efforts to maintain or reduce millage rates last year,

the council is already “taking a deeper, more rigorous look at how the county government operates.”

“I believe we must cut spending everywhere we can, while preserving essential, core public services,” Brower said.

Regardless of what happens at the state level, it’s “the right thing to do,” he said, examining core operations and responsibilities “more carefully than ever before.”

In a video presentation during the event about the county’s financial state, Council member David Santiago said the county reduced the fiscal year 2026 budget by $1.6 million in the general fund.

The county’s fiscal year 2025-2026 budget was $1.4 billion, with a general fund tax rate of 3.2007 mills. It maintained the same taxing rates for the Law Enforcement, Municipal Service District, Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever funds while rolling back the millage rates for five

NEWS BRIEFS

Florida Senate passes bill preparing for penny’s parting Florida is preparing for the end of the penny.

A bill (SB 1074) that would allow retailers to round to the nearest nickel following the federal government’s decision last year to cease production of the 1-cent coin passed unanimously through the Senate Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, would only apply to cash transactions. It “prepares the Florida economy for a time without pennies, which is coming very quickly,” Gaetz said.

Rounding to the nearest nickel would not alter the sales price, the amount of tax collected, or any surcharges, assessments or fees imposed on the sale, according to the bill analysis by legislative staffers.

other taxing funds.

Those state discussions about property tax reform will affect local governments across Florida, Brower said, and the County Council is committed to being prepared, whatever comes.

The County Council members may not always agree but “the debates are more critical than ever,” he said, and the county needs the voice of residents to join the conversation. The county is committed to honoring the traditions that shape good governance and stewardship, he said, while driving the future with thoughtful planning and “ deep respect for the frame-

work that make local government work.”

“When decisions stay closely connected to the people and places that they affect,” Brower said, “we are better able to protect our water, our farms, our families. Not just for now, but for generations to come. It’s a tremendous responsibility.”

The price to create the zinc and copper plated piece jumped from 1.42 cents to 3.69 cents per penny, according to the U.S. Treasury. The penny was first created in 1792 and was one of the first coins authorized under the Coinage Act.

Lawmakers to leave state out of Trump’s tax breaks

On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address spoke of how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act he signed last year features tax cuts just now reaping dividends for Americans during tax season.

On Wednesday, Florida lawmakers moved forward with a tax cut bill that doesn’t apply the new federal changes to the state’s corporate income tax.

The GOP-led Legislature often links the state’s corporate tax code with changes in the federal tax code each year in

The House version of the bill (HB 951) is ready for a floor vote in that chamber, too. The United States Treasury minted its last penny in late 2025 after deciding it was “no longer necessary to meet the needs of the United States.”

what is colloquially known as the “piggyback” bill. Instead, lawmakers will “decouple” from the federal tax law.

State economists projected the “piggyback” bill could cost the state up to $3.5 billion in revenue next year, and with the state estimated to run shortfalls of up to $7 billion in future years, legislative leaders are looking to limit spending, not add billions of dollars in tax cuts.

“Every year we try our best to be kind to the job creators and we’ll continue to do so,” said Senate budget chief Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, noting that lawmakers passed a $1 billion cut for businesses by eliminating the commercial lease tax last year.

“But this was a lift that seemed in an area where the experts say our revenue is slightly declining … it’s not the post-COVID years where we were flush,” Hooper added.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, an influential business lobby, wants lawmakers to reconsider the move.

“The Chamber, respectfully, does have some concerns with the bill as its currently drafted,” said French Brown, a tax expert and lobbyist for the Chamber. “This isn’t just

about tax relief for corporate taxpayers in 2027. It’s also about the choices that are made in this bill, and some in the House proposals, truly provide additional administrative burdens on businesses that Florida just hasn’t done in the past.”

The decoupling bill (SB 7048) passed unanimously through the Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Wednesday, but another bill (SB 7046) with modest tax cuts passed on a 5-2 vote.

That measure contains a grab-bag of cuts and other tax changes, including a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula.

The proposal would use sales taxes instead of directto-home satellite service taxes, a declining revenue source, to boost funds to rural counties without large property tax bases. In state law they are known as “fiscally constrained counties,” and the bill would provide $50 million for the 29 counties that qualify each year.

It’s part of Albritton’s ‘Rural Renaissance’ bill (SB 250) which passed the Senate in January but hasn’t moved in the House.

Other parts of the bill would exempt hunting, fishing and

camping products – including firearms, ammunition and related accessories – from sales taxes from Sept. 7 to Dec. 31, saving consumers an estimated $34.1 million but costing state coffers $26.4 million and depriving local governments of $7.7 million.

Two Democrats, Sens. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens and Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach, voted against the measure over a provision that directs school districts to distribute funds from local property tax referendums to more charter schools.

“I can’t stomach the fact that we will be taking money

from our neighborhood public schools,” Jones said. The House version of the tax package (PCB WMC 26-01) was released Tuesday, containing $251 million in cuts, mostly in sales tax exemptions. But it also decouples the state from the federal tax law. It has the hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday, as well as a one-year exemption for firearm accessories, worth an estimated $14.1 million to consumers. Other provisions include cuts to cardroom and slot machine taxes – slated to cost the state $14.2

Young business owner runs for Ormond mayor

Damien Curry, owner of Garden Boys Landscaping, filed to run for the open seat on Feb. 13.

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A new candidate for Ormond Beach mayor has entered the race.

Damien Curry, owner of Garden Boys Landscaping, filed to run for the open seat on Feb. 13. This is the first time the 26-year-old U.S. Navy veteran is running for any political office. He decided to run because he wants to be involved in his community, he said.

“We live in a beautiful area,” Curry said. “I just want to have conversations and tell my story and positively impact my community.”

Curry spent his early childhood in Volusia County before moving to Mississippi when his mom joined the U.S. Air Force. He later lived for a few years overseas in England before returning to Volusia County and graduating from DeLand High School in 2018. He then served in the Navy, returning to Volusia County after three years of service. Curry has been a Volusia County lifeguard since he was 18 years old. An active member of Oasis Church, he and his wife purchased a home and moved to Ormond Beach in 2024.

He currently serves on the board of his homeowners association, saying he was asked to join when he and his neighbors were facing a fee increase. Curry said he helped

to balance the budget and is now leading a major construction project on behalf of the board.

Fiscal responsibility, Curry said, and keeping in mind seniors on fixed incomes are some of his priorities as a mayoral candidate.

He’s also concerned with development and infrastructure. But, he said, he has no “political agendas” and is nonpartisan. His views, he said, don’t align with either major political party.

Curry is viewing his run for mayor through the lens of a young homeowner impacted by local decisions, he said.

“I’m just the voice of someone that lives here in Ormond Beach — that is working here, that represents all these different people because of my upbringing, because of my experiences,” Curry said. “I can say when something’s wrong and I don’t feel comfortable with it. I’m going to speak what I believe in.”

So far, Curry is the second candidate to file for the mayoral seat. Zone 1 City Commissioner Lori Tolland filed to run last October. Current Mayor Jason Leslie is running for Florida House District 29.

Daytona shoreline is at greatest risk, study says

Beach tourism in Volusia County generates $4.3 billion annually.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Out of Volusia County’s beaches, Daytona Beach is at the greatest risk, according to a beach management study.

Volusia County Coastal Division Director Jessica Fentress is making the circuit through Volusia County’s beach towns, presenting each city with how its beaches rank on the risk assessment scale and the best ways to tackle those issues.

“So that we know which community along our 47 miles of coastline is at the most, highest risk, to help us identify who gets first priority on that funding,” Fentress said.

Nine beach areas in Volusia County — North Peninsula, Ormond-bythe-Sea, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores, Wilbur-bythe-Sea, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach south and north and Silver Sands — were assessed for risks to shoreline encroachment, infrastructure exposure, armoring exposure, historical shoreline change and storm response. Each area was rated low, medium or high risk for each municipality, and then those scores were added together for a total risk.

Some areas of Volusia are losing eight feet of shoreline every year, Fentress said.

Daytona Beach received a “one” ranking on the risk assessment, with three of the five risk areas rated as high risk and the others medium risk. Daytona Beach Shores and Wilbur-by-the-Sea also ranked a one.

“That’s not good,” Fentress said. “That means you’re the highest city, along with Daytona Beach Shores and Wilbur-by-the-Sea. So you are at the highest risk county wide.”

Ormond Beach rated a low score of six on the risk assessment — shore line encroachment having a “low” risk assessment and the others all medium risk. Ormond-bythe-Sea is at the bottom of the risk assessment scores with a seven.

Fentress said Daytona Beach’s high risk means it will have the first grab at sand funding for repair and damage to the shorelines, if it decides to go that route.

And beach nourishment is what Fentress recommended for Daytona Beach.

There are several options available to the county for beach management. Beyond the “no action” approach, preventative and repair alternatives include: nearshore sand placement, relocating buildings away from the shore, beach nourishment,

seawalls, revetments, artificial reefs, breakwaters, groins and structural elevation.

Of the options best for Daytona Beach, Fentress suggested beach nourishment as the best way to go.

Beach nourishment is adding sand to the beach to expand the recreational width of your dry sand. While beach nourishment is expensive, it is also eligible for grant funding as a sand placement initiative, Fentress said.

A $4.3 BILLION INDUSTRY

Volusia County has 47 miles of coastline, Fentress said, and in the 2022 hurricane season lost over 6 million cubic yards of sand on the beach.

From that loss and impact, the county received an $82 million grant, a requirement of which is for the county to adopt a beach management plan. The county’s new beach feasibility study delves into the best methods of shoreline protection for each area.

And the county needs to protect its beaches, she said,

BY

THE NUMBERS

47 Miles of coastline 95% Of Volusia County’s visitors visit Daytona’s beaches

31,400 Volusia jobs generated by beach tourism

161 million Day trips per year are made to Volusia beaches

$4.3 billion Is generated from beach tourism

because it is a huge economic driver, especially in Daytona Beach.

Some 95-98% of Volusia County’s tourists visit Daytona Beach, she said, and the beach tourism industry across the county generates $4.3 billion annually. Residents and tourists alike make 161 million day trips to the county’s beaches, and over 31,400 jobs are generated by the beach tourism economy.

“Volusia County’s employment is dominated by beach tourism,” Fentress said.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said the data proves what Daytona Beach residents and officials know: that the beach is the city’s greatest resource.

“It’s our greatest natural resource in terms of its aesthetic beauty, but it’s also our greatest financial resource,” Henry said.

Fentress will be presenting the study to the Volusia County Council in June.

Arts prevail: Volusia votes to release over $500K in cultural grant funds

In a 5-2 vote, County Council agreed to award $571,926 of its grant dollars, reversing a decision from the fall.

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

The Volusia County Council will release grant funds to 31 local cultural groups after withholding them for over four months.

In a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, March 3, the council agreed to award $571,926 of its Community Cultural Grant program dollars, reversing a decision made last fall. Tuesday’s vote comes after arts leaders persistently asked the council to reconsider their vote at council meetings, citing looming program cuts and a decrease of community programs.

Originally, there were 33 arts and cultural groups slated to receive grant funds. But two organizations — DeLand’s Athens Theatre and Lake Helen’s Shoestring Theatre — pulled their applications after Councilman Danny Robins voiced his concern for their hosting of third-party drag shows and Pride events, a contributing factor for the council’s vote to withhold funding in October 2025. At the recent council meeting, Robins said he was a firm believer that “cool minds prevail” and that the council should be working toward

NEWS BRIEFS

Ormond to review new site plan for Tomoka Oaks development

In the middle of a federal lawsuit and circuit court appeal, the development of the Tomoka Oaks Golf Course will once again be reviewed by the Ormond Beach City Commission later this month.

The city has scheduled two public hearings — 6 p.m. Friday, March 13, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 — to discuss a new application by Triumph Oaks of Ormond Beach I LLC. The developers are seeking the issuance of a development order to allow the construction of 254 single-family homes on the 147-acre golf course property at 20 Tomoka Oaks Blvd.

The lot number is a decrease from the previously proposed 272-home subdivision, which was reviewed by the City Commission in November 2023; the commission sent the development proposal back to the Planning Board for review, wanting less

a compromise, while alluding to negative comments made toward the assassination of Charlie Kirk last fall by a “large group of folks in the arts community.” Robins then mentioned municipalities that help fund the arts with taxpayer dollars, through their general funds or CRA funds.

“To say that we don’t care about funding the arts, simply to me, is not true,” Robins said. “I’ve supported the arts for the last five years — fully funded. But times are changing. We’re facing new obstacles, in my opinion.” He, along with Councilman Troy Kent, voted against releasing the grant dollars.

‘THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR COMMUNITY’

Over 40 people spoke before the County Council on Tuesday regarding restoring the cultural grants, which are overseen by the Cultural Council of Volusia County, an advisory board created in 1989.

Cultural Council board chair Lloyd Bowers, as he has in past meetings, reminded the council that they voted to modify the grant program in February 2025. Under the new guidelines, organizations applying for funding were asked to outline what programs the grant would help fund. The list submitted to the county by the organizations — which include the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach

density and more conformity with the existing Tomoka Oaks neighborhood.

The developers — Carl Velie, Ray Barshay, Sheldon Rubin and Emily Rubin — opted to pursue a zoning map amendment instead, seeking to have the property revert back to its original R-2 “Single-family low density” zoning from its current zoning of Planned Residential Development. This was unanimously denied by the commission in April 2024, a decision the developers later appealed in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

In December 2024, the developers filed a federal lawsuit with the U.S. District Court’s Orlando Division, alleging the city’s declaration that the golf course property has no allowed zoning uses by right, and refusal to issue a new development order is a violation of the developers’ rights.

On Feb. 20, Triumph Oaks filed a notice and joint motion with the Circuit Court regarding a preliminary settlement.

The latest site plan proposes a density of 1.72 units per acre, down from the 1.84 units per acre proposed in 2023. Lot sizes will be reduced, and a 50-foot vegetative buffer will be added, according to the site plan.

Historical Society, Daytona Playhouse, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society and the Museum of Arts and Sciences (now renamed The Brown) — showed art exhibits, children’s plays, community concerts, veteran and history programming, and summer camps for kids.

“When we talk about cultural arts, we’re not talking about something extra or something nice to have,” Bowers said. “We’re talking about the heartbeat of our community.”

By the council choosing to withhold funds, Bowers said they risk breaking a promise to the community and losing their trust.

“Right now, across the country, people are asking themselves, ‘Can we trust our leaders? Do their words mean anything?’” Bowers said. “You have the power to answer yes, today, right here, right now. Approving these funds is not just about supporting the arts. It’s about proving that when this council makes a commitment, it follows through.”

If the vote to restore the grant funds failed, the council was scheduled to consider allocating those dollars to upgrade or construct new sidewalks in the county.

Ormond Beach resident Dorothy Featherston, treasurer of the Volusia Arts Education Association, said the county does have “serious infrastructure issues that must be addressed.” But, that doesn’t mean the county

should stop investing in the arts.

“What’s the value of a beautiful road if it doesn’t take you anywhere you truly want to go?” Featherston said. “What’s the value of a city building that does not display the beauty of our community? What’s the value of clean water if it never nourishes your soul?”

A petition for the council to restore funding by the Volusia Cultural Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group, was signed by more than 3,000 people.

ArtHaus Executive Director Cameron Vintson, who also serves as the vice president of the VCCA, shared a letter of support from Sheriff Mike Chitwood on how art programs help reduce youth crime, and benefit the mental health and behavioral challenges impacting children today.

“The support they’re requesting today is not a handout; it is an investment that will pay dividends for years,” Chitwood’s letter said.

COUNCIL RECONSIDERS

The council had a chance to reconsider their vote to withhold funding following a motion made by County Councilman Matt Reinhart on Feb. 17.

At Tuesday’s meeting, he spoke about the importance of art in the county and its presence in county buildings, including its administration building, the Ocean Center and the Daytona Beach Inter-

national Airport.

“We have a lot of fine, great art that’s here in this community — small but mighty,” Reinhart said.

Kent thanked the arts community for showing up, describing them as consistent, tenacious and passionate. But, while he said he values the arts, the issue was about “priorities and responsible use of taxpayer dollars” for him.

“County government exists to provide essential services,” he said. “Its primary responsibilities include public safety, emergency response, infrastructure, public health and maintaining core county operations. These services affect every resident, every day. When we talk about allocating public funds, especially in tight budget environments, we have to ask a basic question, ‘Is this a core government function?’”

Chair Jeff Brower also delivered a passionate speech about being conscious of the county budget, speaking about the possibility of the state’s property tax reform.

“The best way for this County Council to support the arts is to support the things that support every business in Volusia County,” he said. “And if you don’t have a road to get to your business, you’re out of business.”

However, County Councilman Jake Johansson pointed out that the funds were already set aside for the grant program in the 2025-2026

budget. “Is there something looming on the horizon? You bet there is,” he said. “If property taxes go away, arts isn’t the only thing that’s going to suffer. But right now, we’ve already taxed you for that money.”

The councilmen discussed an amendment to Reinhart’s motion to say definitely the funding would be granted for this year, with no council support to do so in the future, but Reinhart said he wanted to have that discussion at a future date. Johansson said that if the council doesn’t want to fund the program next year, they can take the line item out of the budget.

The council also discussed eliminating the Cultural Council altogether, an option Robins said he could support but one that Johansson cautioned against. This is not a new idea; the council previously floated the idea in 2024, but changed course when met with pushback from the community.

The council will receive information about the roles the advisory board plays in a future meeting.

By the end of the discussion, Brower had come around to supporting releasing the funds for this year only.

“I want a clean break on this,” he said. “I don’t want to hold these people hostage.”

Email Jarleene Almenas at jarleene@observerlocalnews. com.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Florida’s property tax reform, if approved by voters, would cause the City of Ormond Beach to lose $11.2 million in revenue.

House Joint Resolution 203 proposes amending the state constitution to make homesteaded property exempt from all property taxes, with the exception of school taxes. It would eliminate 44% of the total property taxes currently collected by the city.

The potential impacts of property tax reform were discussed during a commission workshop on March 4, where the city’s Finance Department outlined how Ormond Beach could slash future budgets. Any property tax reform would impact budgets for 2027-2028, giving local governments — which largely

rely on property tax revenue for core operations — a year to prepare.

“However, if we lose $11.2 million, we have to start thinking about that now because that’s a lot to make up,” Finance Director Kelly McGuire said.

Under its current millage rate, the city collects about $25 million in property taxes.

Non-homesteaded and commercial property accounts for about $5.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Other taxable property brings in about $3.5 million.

Looking at hypotheticals, McGuire said some options to offset the loss of homesteaded property tax revenue include an increase in sales tax, which would have to be done at the state level. The city currently receives about $3 million in sales tax revenue a year.

Ormond Beach could also increase the tax rate for commercial and non-homesteaded property. The increase would likely need to be double the current tax rate for businesses.

“You’d be putting people

out of business,” Commissioner Travis Sargent said.

The city could look at implementing new fees or increasing existing ones.

Options include:

„ Raising building and permit fees.

„ Raising fees for parks and recreation.

„ Creating a fee for police and fire.

„ Placing a tax on the city’s water and wastewater utilities.

McGuire explained that many of these dollars are generated by a specific fee cannot be used for another purpose.

Regarding parks and rec, current fees only cover 6% of the department’s cost; 94% of parks and rec is funded through property tax dollars.

Additionally, several core government departments do not provide services directly to citizens, making implementing a fee challenging.

“So we all can see, right, that this is just a movingaround game,” McGuire said.

The other option on the table is to cut the budget by $11.2 million.

Options include: „ Eliminating services the city has no legal requirement to provide, which would largely impact parks and rec.

„ Eliminate capital projects in transportation, facilities maintenance and police vehicle replacements.

„ Reduce services and hours of operation at City Hall, recreation centers and Public Works (streets maintenance and stormwater).

“When you start to get into those conversations about reducing services, then you start to get into issues that have to do with collective bargaining,” McGuire said. “So it’s not a simple, ‘City Commission says City Hall is only going to be open now Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It’s a much more in-depth conversation.”

The city has three budget discussions later this year. On May 19, the commission will discuss the Capital Improvement Program. On June 2, there will be a discussion on the preliminary tax rate and budget. The commission reviews a draft budget July 21.

Santore, Spradley are in

Incumbent Rick Belhumeur lost with 21% of the vote.

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Flagler Beach has elected R.J. Santore and incumbent Scott Spradley to serve on its City Commission.

Incumbent Commissioner

Rick Belhumeur lost with 21% of the vote, while Spradley took 37% and Santore led the way with 41% of the vote, according to the Flagler Supervisor of Elections website. Flagler Beach has 4,647 registered voters.

Spradley and Belhumeur were first elected in 2023, replacing Commissioners Ken Bryan and Deborah Phillips. This reelection marks Spradley’s second term on the board.

Flagler Beach had 537 mailin ballots. In addition, 1,355 people — 29% of Flagler Beach voters — turned out to vote on election day.

Beverly Beach and Bunnell would have had their elections on March 3 as well, but their candidates ran unopposed.

Carney calls Veranda Bay an ‘illegal annexation’

‘They’re using every loophole they can find to get this property annexed,’ Flagler commissioner says.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After wrapping up one possible lawsuit with Flagler Beach, the Flagler County Commission is considering its legal options over the Veranda Bay development.

Michael Chiumento have told the Flagler Beach City Commission that they do not need the individual signatures of the property owners, as they have deed restrictions for annexation written into the closing contracts of those homes.

Carney disagrees that this is sufficient.

Now, Flagler County will discuss its options at a March 16 workshop. A special meeting will follow immediately after the workshop should the county decide to file another dispute resolution.

In Bunnell, John Rogers and Peter Young were reelected by default at the end of the qualifying period in January. In Beverly Beach, James Howard and Jeffrey Borges will join the commission.

The Flagler County Commission, the Flagler County School Board and the Palm Coast City Council do not have their primary elections until August. The Flagler Commission’s District 2 and 4 seats — representing The Hammock and west side of Flagler County, respectively — are up for election in 2026. School Board Districts 1, 2 and 4 are up for election as are Palm Coast City Council Districts 2, 3 and 4. The qualifying period ends in June.

The Veranda Bay development is one of two controversial and large properties being annexed into Flagler Beach from Flagler County. Flagler County just closed out dispute resolution negotiations over the Summertown development’s alignment with the Flagler County and Beach comprehensive plans.

In the March 2 meeting, Flagler County Commission Kim Carney said that, in her opinion, the Veranda Bay annexation is illegal.

“They’re using every loophole they can find to get this property annexed,” Carney said.

The Veranda Bay development, 234 acres of land located on the east side of John Anderson Parkway, will have a 150-slip marina with retail, restaurants and fuel, surrounded by 157 condominium units. There will also be 98 new homes built near the existing 122 homes.

The issue stems from existing homes in the Veranda Bay development. State statute, she said, requires all existing property owners to agree to an annexation and the Veranda Bay developer does not have that.

Developer representative Ken Belshe and attorney

Dispute resolution is a legal process two municipalities must enter into before a lawsuit can be filed in the courts, per state statutes. Flagler County cited five areas of concern with the Summertown development, chiefly around environmental land preservation, the maintenance of John Anderson Parkway, and who will be providing water and reuse water to the development.

The county began the dispute resolution process in January and finalized agreements with Flagler Beach on Feb. 23.

With the seeming end of potential lawsuits from Flagler County, the Flagler Beach City Commission went forward with approving the Veranda Bay development and annexation applications.

The City Commission voted 4-1 with Commissioner John Cunningham dissenting, on Feb. 26 to approve the Veranda Bay applications.

The City Commission had specifically delayed the second vote on the Veranda Bay applications until the Summertown dispute with Flagler County was worked out.

At the Feb. 26 Flagler Beach meeting, several members of the public and Cunning -

ham brought up the signature issue. Though Belshe and Chiumento maintain the have the authority through a declaration of covenant, City Attorney Drew Smith said, “It is a litigable issue.”

At a January meeting, Smith said this would be a novel issue the city would have to litigate, with no court precedent to fall on.

But the County Commission’s hesitation to file another lawsuit is tied to the 153 acres it is attempting to purchase from the developer. So far, Belshe has said they are a willing seller, and in the Summertown dispute negotiations, has agreed to a period of three years to work out price negotiations and give the county time to gather potential grant funding.

But some commissioners are leery that willingness will dissolve with another dispute resolution against Veranda Bay.

“Worst case scenario, if we go into this agreement, we say, ‘Show us the signatures,’” Commission Chair Leann Pennington said, “[and] the developer may at that time pull those houses out of the

agreement and still continue to annex, just leaving those folks there, but also we lose the ability to purchase [the land].”

Pennington said does not feel the county has strong enough language to guarantee the continued sale of the property to Flagler County. She said she felt the state statutes were clear in that there needs to be a voluntary position for annexation. But there is no case law that decides that based on deed restrictions, like the Veranda Bay developer has. It is also, she said, on Flagler Beach to ensure the signatures are there, not on Flagler County.

“It is very foolish, in my opinion, what Flagler Beach is doing,” Pennington said. Ultimately, she said, this might not be a case for the county, but for the existing property owners within Verdana Bay. Carney said it is a difficult situation the county is in, but, ultimately, she swore an oath to uphold state statutes.

“If I, or we as a board, decide to overlook this, we are basically in violation,” Carney said.

Leek’s Senate bill may be last hope to help Flagler County fund the beach

“We have a chance. Slim, but a chance,”

Commissioner Greg Hansen said.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

One of the bills in the Florida legislature designed to aid in beach management has died, leaving Flagler County with one last hope for help with its county program.

A Florida bill to help rebuild beaches after major storm events died on the Florida House floor, according to County Administrator Heidi Petito, though its sister bill in the Senate is still being discussed.

HB 1297 was proposed by

Flagler’s Rep. Sam Greco, and now, the Flagler County Commission is bidding just on Senate Bill 636, proposed by Sen. Tom Leek, who represents Flagler County as well. Both bills propose making it easier for counties to declare a beach critically eroded, which helps those counties apply for, and obtain, funding for beach nourishment projects.

SB 636 would also reduce the local match requirement for state funding, down to as little as 25%.

Flagler County needs all the help it can get. It has the funding to finish the initial beach renourishments for its fourphase beach management program, but not funding to continue maintenance. And, should a large storm wipe out a portion of the county’s dunes,

it would have a difficult time putting together the standard 50% local match requirement.

Commissioner Greg Hansen, who has championed the county’s beach renourishment plan, asked the board for consensus to represent the county in the legislature over SB 636, if need be.

“I don’t know whether that’ll be in committee or whatever, but I would like your permission if it looks like it would help that I would drive to Tallahassee and speak,” Hansen said.

Dance said they don’t need to give Hansen their permission.

“You’re our most wellversed beach commissioner,” Dance said. “So it would make sense if you wanted to go, that you would go.”

SB 636 is in its last week on the Florida Senate’s floor. On Feb. 12, the bill received unanimous support from the Fiscal Policy Committee, according to the Florida Senate website. Hammock Dunes Owners Association’s Greg Davis said they are backing SB 636. As an organization, he said, the HDOA has had to spend “over $10 million” in beach renourishment.

“It’s one of the most important things you can do,” Davis said. “... The economic benefit to the county is substantial.”

Today’s Palm Coast would probably not exist as it does without the shoreline community, Davis said.

“We are fully committed to doing anything we can do to get 636 in,” Davis said.

But there may not be much the commission can do. Commissioner Kim Carney asked what the commission could do to help out the bill as its considered on the Senate floor. There’s not anything, Hansen said, as the commis-

community

• The chance to meet our leadership team, caregivers, and residents

• A themed prize wheel with fun green goodies and giveaways

• Cheerful decor, friendly conversation, and a little Irish charm

Come see why our residents feel so lucky to call Paradise Pointe home!

YOUR TOWN

Honors for Museum of Black History, Seeking Insights

Solutions

Civic, business and community leaders gathered at Palm Coast United Methodist Church on Friday, Feb. 27, for “A Day of Celebration,” a special morning event honoring the Florida Museum of Black History and Seeking Insights for Solutions Inc.

The event, which was presented by Dwyer & Knight Law Firm and Evolve Communications Group, recognized the work of organizations and leaders who are shaping education, culture, and opportunity throughout Florida and beyond.

Joy Andrews, the St. Johns County administrator, and Greg White, the president and founder of the West Augustine Community Development Corporation, were honored on behalf of the many contributors who played a role in St. Johns County’s selection

in June 2024 as the site for the Florida Museum of Black History. Seeking Insights for Solutions is an organization committed to help build a society empowered by racial equality, social justice and mutual respect. Accepting the recognition on behalf of its members were Trish Lenet and Dr. Barbara Holley, co-presidents of SIS.

The celebration included a special tribute to former Flagler County School Board member Dr. Jim Guines, who died last year at age 93.

“Through decades of service, (Guines) worked to ensure every child is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed,” a tribute on the church’s giant

video screen read.

Howard Holley, founder and CEO of Evolve Communications Group and Mark Dwyer of Dwyer & Knight, organized the event.

“Marc Dwyer and I created A Day of Celebration to honor extraordinary leadership and accomplishments,”

Howard Holley said. “It is both powerful and inspirational to see business, civic and community voices in one room, united around legacy, impact and purpose.”

Ormond Beach cadet to represent Florida Wing in Washington, D.C.

Ormond Beach Civil Air Patrol cadet Lt. Col. Brenden Mues-

sig was chosen to be part of the Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol delegation on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. National Legislative Day is the CAP’s opportunity to educate elected national representatives on CAP’s mission, community

support and stewardship of annual appropriated funds.

The cadets chosen to represent the Florida Wing visit Washington for three days. In addition, the cadets tour D.C. and have an opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Flagler

Literacy Endowment Fund established to help

kids learn to read

A new endowment has been established to support children’s literacy in Flagler County.

Founded by local resident Linda Mahran in partnership with the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, the Flagler County Early Literacy Endowment aims to deliver free, age-appropriate books every month to children from birth to age 5. The endowment supports the local Dolly Parton Imagination Library program and will be coordinated locally by the Early Learning Coalition, which raises donations and grant funding to cover monthly operating costs exceeding $6,000.

Mahran said reading at a young age prepares students to enter the work force later.

“It has a multi-generational effect — literacy can help break poverty cycles,” she said.

To support the Flagler County Early Literacy Endow-

ment, visit https://bit.ly/ FlaglerLiteracy.

Community Foundation, United Way is accepting grant applications

The Community Foundation and United Way of VolusiaFlagler Counties recently announced it is accepting grant applications for its 20262028 Community Impact Grants, in the following priority areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Healthy Community and Community Resiliency. Applications must be submitted by March 13 and are available through CF/UWVFC’s online grant database system at ConnectVFC.org/our-impact/grantseekers.

Announcement of the application process follows CF/ UWVFC’s $800,000 investment across 25 nonprofit partners during the 20252026 funding cycle.

“The challenges facing our neighbors in Volusia and Flagler Counties are real and evolving — from economic insecurity to health disparities,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of CF/ UWVFC. “Our Community Impact Grants are designed to meet those challenges

head-on.”

“I have seen firsthand how transformative these grants can be — for the nonprofits that receive funding and for the thousands of individuals and families whose lives are changed as a result,” said Jan Miller, board chair of CF/ UWVFC.

Ormond Beach Lions offer free vision, blood sugar screenings

The Ormond Beach and Port Orange Lions Club provided free vision and blood sugar screenings during a recent seminar hosted by local nonprofit Healthier. Wealthier. Wiser. Inc. The Lions will offer free screenings again from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 14 at the fourth annual Family Health and Business Expo at 5111 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. The Lions will also collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids.

Plantation Bay to host 22nd

art show

Plantation Bay will host its 22nd annual Art Show and Sale from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 at the Founders Club.

The show will feature original oil, acrylic and water-

Decades in the making, Ormond Beach Founder’s Day set for April 25

Road around Sports Complex paves way for what Doug Thomas hopes

will be a new community tradition.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Ormond Beach resident Doug Thomas has always been intrigued by the idea of large community events.

They run in his blood, as his family is from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a town known for its annual Groundhog Day celebration, which his family has been a part of in the past. Twenty years ago, when the city started planning to construct a perimeter road around the Ormond Beach Sports Complex, Thomas thought that would create an avenue to hold a community celebration in the sports fields.

One, he said, that would bring unity to the community while celebrating history.

“My hope is that it makes people stop for a moment to realize how wonderful of a community that Ormond Beach seems to have always been and still is,” Thomas said.

But such a celebration needed to wait. Logistically, Thomas knew that the perimeter road needed to be completed first.

Which, it is today.

The first Ormond Beach Founder’s Day event will be held from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Sports Complex, located at 700 Hull Road. The event will feature food trucks, a kids zone, fire-

works, live music, vendors and more, with proceeds benefiting the Ormond Beach Police Athletic League; Thomas chairs the nonprofit’s board.

In addition, the Ormond Beach Youth Baseball and Softball Association will host T-ball games. There will also be baseball and soccer games going on.

“We started planning over a year ago — officially started our group, and it’s made up of members throughout the community and about two or three board members from PAL,” Thomas said. “We’ve relied on the expertise of some past city commissioners for advice on how to do this. We’re truly trying to make this a total community [event].”

The celebration will commemorate the date Ormond Beach was incorporated: April 22, 1880.

Businesses including S.R. Perrott and community groups like Ormond MainStreet, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and the Ormond Beach Historical Society have been major supporters. So has Seabreeze High School, Thomas said, with performances planned by the school’s marching band, theater group and chorus.

Seeing the event come together has been great, he said, though many years have passed since he first thought of the idea.

“I’ve had to sharpen a skill that I’m not very good at, and that’s called patience,” Thomas said with a laugh. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Thomas has been involved in championing recreation in Ormond Beach for almost 50

“My hope is that it makes people stop for a moment to realize how wonderful of a community that Ormond Beach seems to have always been and still is.”

DOUG THOMAS

years. When asked why, Thomas said it’s because his father and grandfather instilled a certain principle in him.

“One of the most important things that they ever told me was to always give back more than what you get from your community — than what your community gives you,” Thomas said.

Thomas is entering his 36th year on the city’s Planning Board, of which he serves as chair. He’s served on the OBPAL board since around 1996. He’s served on the city’s Parks and Recreation board since 1994. His service to the community, he said, would not have been possible without the support of his late wife.

In January 2025, the city celebrated the opening of a 2,150-feet road extension connecting Hull Road to the Sports Complex. They named it Doug Thomas Way. But Thomas never refers to it as such. To him, it’ll always be the “perimeter road.”

“What I tell people is that I’m just lucky because they picked that name out of the phone book,” Thomas said. Email jarleene@observer localnews.com.

Ormond Beach DAR chapter memorializes slice of history at Sanchez Park

Historical marker is part of national effort to honor lesser-known patriots in the U.S.

In celebration of the United State’s 250th anniversary, a national nonprofit has been helping the Daughters of the American Revolution uncover — and memorialize — the stories of lesser-known patriots. Ormond Beach’s Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the

DAR received a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for one of these markers: One for Francisco Xavier Sanchez, the namesake behind Sanchez Park at 329 Sanchez Ave. “We wanted to bring recognition to the American Revo-

lution to that area,” said Stacey Simmons, a DAR member who serves on the historic preservation committee.

Sanchez was a Spanish soldier born in St. Augustine on Dec. 3, 1736, who aided American patriots during the Revolutionary War. His fam-

ily ran a cattle ranch north of St. Augustine for 200 years, according to the foundation.

The DAR discovered his history when a member was doing research on her genealogy. She had looked more into his attributions and saw that there was no spotlight on his legacy. The DAR wanted to commemorate his impact.

During the American Revolution, many Americans were held in the prison by the British, and Sanchez helped supply them with food and clothing. He was one of the only Spanish residents who remained in St. Augustine after the Seven Years War, and sold meat to the British.

The DAR and the William F. Pomeroy Foundation dedicated the historical marker during a ceremony held on Nov. 15, 2025. It was one of the first markers in the state for the group’s “Revolutionary America 1775–1783” partner program, and the 19th overall application.

The memorial service and

dedication of the marker was attended by two of Sanchez’s descendants, Rev. Dee Graham and Diana Sanchez Zimmerman, both members of the Los Floridanos Society.

“It’s so special to have an ancestor of honor and to hear you all speak so warmly about him and the things he did,” Graham said.

The dedication ceremony was presided over by DAR Chapter Regent Sue Demorsky and featured the Daytona Ormond Sons of the American Revolution color guard.

“This is like what real revolutionary patriots dressed like,” Demorsky said. Future plans by the Daughters of the American Revolution include a “Patriots in the Park” event to further commemorate the area’s revolutionary history. The event will spotlight local soldiers who impacted history around Ormond Beach, giving locals the opportunity to meet reenactors and learn about the cities’ patriots.

Princess Place Preserve Pow Wow celebrates Native American culture

11th annual festival brought together families, performers, and artisans.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The 11th annual Princess Place Preserve Pow Wow brought Native American culture, tradition and education to Flagler County during the twoday Native American festival held Feb. 28 and March 1 at Princess Place Preserve.

The event featured traditional dancing, drum performances, weapon demonstrations, wildlife exhibits and historical encampments. Dancers in colorful regalia performed throughout the weekend, drawing large crowds to the central arena.

Visitors explored trading booths showcasing handmade crafts, jewelry and artwork, while food vendors and refreshment stands added to the festival atmosphere. Children and families participated in interactive activities, and several demonstrations

encouraged audience involvement, including the “Luck of the Draw” dance.

100 WORDS (OR SO) A DAY

Wisdom of Bob Ross

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

For the past couple of weeks, my 7-year-old son, Luke, and I have been watching YouTube clips of Bob Ross painting landscapes. Calling a few dabs of paint a “happy little

accident” is, on one hand, goofy, and on the other hand, his soothing voice is so boldly supportive and friendly that you can’t help but feel empowered, not just in art, but in being yourself. And so, when I have seen Luke with a pen and sketch pad in his hand lately, I have to think that he is developing much more than drawing skills — he’s learning to love creating, and he’s learning to be confident that the way he sees the world matters.

‘OBSERVER NOW’

Feb. 25, 2026

Today, I met up with some talented people to try a test of our new TV-style news show, “Observer Now.” More details to follow, but as we’ve been preparing, I have learned an important lesson: Hire people who can do things better than you can.

THIS REQUIRES MY FULL ATTENTION

Feb. 26, 2026

In the ongoing quest to make peace, I have noticed that it often requires my full attention. As soon as I get distracted, the peacemaking stalls. The most common

reason it stalls is this: trying to prove who was right and who was wrong.

INTEGRITY AND PEACE

Feb. 28, 2026

Jay Scherr recently posted about integrity, encouraging people to “live and lead in a way that if everything became public, nothing would need to be explained.” That got me thinking about the relationship between integrity and peacemaking. Political peace depends on armies and rulers having integrity, which includes honoring truces and treaties. Peace in a household depends on family members having

integrity, which includes being honest, and being humble when others are being honest. Personal peace depends only on oneself and not on outside circumstances — it depends on doing what makes us feel whole. The Latin root suggest as much: integritas means wholeness and soundness (an integer is a whole number).

LUKE ASKED ME TO GUESS ... March 2, 2026 ... a number between 1 and 100. I guessed right on the first try: 67. Email brian@observerlocal news.com.

MY VIEW DERRICK CHUBBS, CEO OF SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Hunger in 2026 is worse than it was a year ago

DERRICK CHUBBS GUEST WRITER

Frank and Gloria did everything right. They took their finances seriously — saved money, earned an education, and put their kids through school. But now, retired from their careers as teachers, they find themselves struggling to stretch their income to the end of every month. And they’re not the only ones. You’ll find people like Frank and Gloria in lines at food banks across Central Florida. Retirees. Parents with fulltime jobs. Folks who worked

hard and earned enough to make ends meet — or used to. Now their income isn’t keeping pace with the cost of living, and they have to decide which necessities they can survive without, which bills they can afford not to pay, and what meals they can skip to make up the difference.

As 2026 gets underway, hunger in Central Florida is in a worse state than it was a year ago. More people are missing meals. Prices are still increasing, as tariffs drive up the retail cost of clothing, groceries and other essentials. The cost of health insurance is going up — and while the House is passing an extension of subsidies to soften the blow, it will take time to go into effect.

For families who already need help, it’s become that much harder to find food

assistance. While many of the SNAP benefits that were revoked last year have been restored, it will take time for families to re-certify. At the same time, the increase in senior work requirements will leave many retired Central Floridians — including family caregivers and those living with health issues — without access to benefits.

At nonprofits like Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, we are working hard to narrow the gap. Second Harvest’s network currently distributes enough food for 330,000 meals a day, and we have the capacity to expand our services to meet the growing need. But we can only distribute as much food as we can source, and we rely heavily on the support of volunteers and donors.

But the real challenge —

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Would Randy Fine return campaign contribution from a developer? Not likely

Dear Editor:

Palm Coast City Council

Vice Chair Theresa Pontieri plans to return $5,000 in campaign contributions from entities associated with real estate developer ICI Homes. Irrespective of what she claims is an altruistic gesture or whether it was more a purely political move, she has ended up buckling to the pervasive local hysteria that such donations, regardless of size, automatically suggest something sinister is at foot, a notion that has not been substantiated, at least not in Palm Coast. However, such a notion, that corporate donations are inherently corruption prone and are raw influence peddling intended to priori-

tize profit rather than some societal ideology, does have merit, at least from a perception standpoint. And in politics perception is everything. So, from that standpoint, Pontieri did the savvy thing regardless of motive.

It’s noteworthy that home building related companies, including ICI Homes and its complex web of subsidiaries, are top-tier donors funneling hundreds or thousands of campaign donations to highranking Florida Republicans like Randy Fine, who is vying to represent our district in Congress, and even our governor.

The owner of ICI is widely considered one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes figures in Florida politics due to his vast real estate holdings and the money he dishes out to broker that power. It’s little surprise then that Randy Fine’s legislative voting

record aligns with a broader trend in the Florida GOP that prioritizes streamlining development and curbing the power of local governments to block new construction, a voting record that runs counter to what so many in our town loudly rail about at our City Council meetings and in social media.

Among those masses in Palm Coast who hold strong the belief that there is some evil pact with developers in play, it’s reasonable to assume that there is a large percentage that are also fans of Randy Fine. But, will those same folks hold him, and his consistent support of developer friendly legislation, to the same standard come election time? Especially since from a dollar amount collected perspective, Pontieri’s relatively tiny donation should present little in the way of influence peddling

and one we’ll need to learn to live with — is that we don’t know what’s coming next. The past year of shifting priorities in funding and policy for hunger relief has proven that unpredictability is the only constant. We can’t count on having the same options tomorrow as we do today. All we can do is continue to pursue our mission, day by day, using what resources we have.

As grim as that sounds, it’s worth it — because we are making a difference.

We’re making sure neighbors like Frank and Gloria can bring home groceries. We’re expanding service for our meal delivery program for seniors and disabled Central Floridians. We’re partnering with over 80 schools — and counting — through our School Markets program, so

concerns compared to Randy Fine’s haul.

Would Fine, as Pontieri did, ever buckle to a call to return his even much bigger developer donations? Not likely.

MARGARET MINUTAGLIO Palm Coast

What has changed in development of Tomoka Oaks golf course, in Ormond?

Dear Editor:

It’s time for Ormond Beach residents to come out again to witness two commissioners meetings in Ormond Beach, one on March 13 at 6 p.m. and the other on March 24 at 7 p.m. at the City Commission Chambers at City Hall in Ormond Beach.

The meeting on March 24 will be a regular commissioners meeting with the Tomoka Oaks Golf Course issue on the agenda. The

all kids can have fresh, nutritious meals at school and at home.

We’ll continue fighting hunger and feeding hope in 2026, but we can’t do it alone. Hunger is with us 365 days a year. The need for volunteer support is at its highest right now, in the first quarter of the new year — and whether you’re delivering meals, sorting donations, or packing grocery boxes, every shift puts food on the tables of neighbors who would otherwise go without.

If you can lend a hand, please do – and don’t wait. Learn more about our mission and volunteer opportunities at www.feedhopenow. org/get-involved.

Derrick Chubbs is president of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. As the region’s largest emergency food provider, Second Harvest secures and distributes enough food for 330,000 meals a day to more than 800 nonprofit feeding partners.

meetings will focus on the developers’ five-year fight to convince everyone that their idea of building homes on the golf course is not a safety or a quality-of-life issue.

I assume that the developers who want to build on the golf course in the middle of the Tomoka Oaks Development will present their case to the city, and the public, about what has changed that makes this the right time to build 254 homes on the golf course. Could it be that since we last met with the developers that sidewalks have been put in on the sides of the roads leading to the proposed new development or perhaps roads have been widened?

Have the 119 species of wildlife packed their bags and moved out of harm’s way?

Maybe the residents have convinced themselves that their property values will increase despite the incompatible new homes that would be built in the middle

CORRECTION

The Feb. 26 edition of the Ormond Beach Observer incorrectly identified Samantha Monahan.

of their long-established neighborhood?

Will the developers be able to convince us that the inevitable traffic congestion accompanying the new homes will not be a public safety issue? Not only would Tomoka Oaks Development be affected, but its four surrounding communities of Escondido, Tomoka Oakwood North, Tallaquah and The Trails.

Many of us who attend the meetings will be waiting to hear the answers to these questions and using our three minutes to voice our concerns as we have for five years. I hope to see everyone there. I’ll be wearing my red shirt.

DARLA WIDNALL Ormond Beach

Submit letters up to 400 words to jarleene@observerlocalnews.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or length.

Run, pioneers, run!

Results

BOYS

1. Espn Haines, 5:54

2. Richard Yanez, 6:03

3. Carter Reardon: 6:08 GIRLS

1. Breckland Haines, fourth grade, 6:17

2. Brooklyn Vitello, fourth grade, 6:23

3. Adalynn Tabb, fifth grade, 6:33

Over 160 Pine Trail

Elementary students participate in annual 1-mile race tradition.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Shattering a school record, 162 Pine Trail Elementary students took on the Pioneer Mile race on Friday, Feb. 27. It wasn’t the only record broken. Fifth grader Espn Haines, who won last year’s race, finished this year with a time of 5 minutes and 54 seconds. The previous school record for the fastest Pioneer Mile was 5 minutes and 57 seconds.

His sister, fourth grader Breckland Haines, also placed first in the girls’ race and broke school record with a time of 6 minutes and 17 seconds. She finished the race over 30 seconds faster compared to last year.

The race was introduced at Pine Trail eight years ago by retired Coach James Vollinger, who launched the concept of the race over 30 years ago while working at another school. To qualify, boys have to be able to run a mile in eight minutes or less and girls in nine minutes or less.

A total of 168 students qualified for the Pioneer Mile this year, with 162 — 102 boys and 60 girls — finishing the race. This is an increase from last year’s 139 total qualifying students. The number of boys meant they were split into two heats.

This year’s winners were the same as last year’s, with an overall improvement on run times. A Seabreeze track student also kicked off the race, impersonating Forrest Gump.

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

COFFEE AND CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR CITY MANAGER

When: 9-10 a.m.

Where: Panera Bread, 5880 State Route 100, Palm Coast

Details: The City of Palm Coast invites residents to grab a cup of coffee with City Manager Mike McGlothlin. Ask questions, share ideas, and discuss what matters most to you. Free event. Registration required. Visit www. parksandrec.fun.

HER STORY, IN COLOR OPENING RECEPTION

When: 5-7 p.m.

Where: Gallery 500, 1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach

Details: In conjunction with Women’s History Month, this exhibition by the Florida Women’s Art Association challenges local women artists to explore their identity, memory, resilience and heritage.The artists will express their visions from classic realism to bold abstracts in various media. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display through April 26. Visit flwaa. com.

FREE FAMILY ART NIGHT

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

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

Beach

Details: This month’s art night event invites families to make a faux quilt hanging collage with instructors Linda King and Emma Dennison. Free. All art supplies provided.

‘SHIRLEY CHISHOLM: UNBOSSED & UNBOWED’

When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: African American Cultural Society, 4422 N. U.S. 1, Palm Coast

Details: New York awardwinning writer and performer Ingrid Griffith will present her acclaimed solo play, “Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed.” This is a one-woman show about the first African American woman to win a seat in Congress and the first to run for president in the U.S. Tickets cost $35. Visit https:// www.zeffy.com/en-US/ ticketing/womens-historymonth-opening-event-shirleychisholm-unbossed-and-unbowed-by-ingrid-griffith..

FLAGLER BEACH FIRST FRIDAY

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: Veterans Park, 105 S. 2nd St., Flagler Beach Details: Enjoy community, music and vendors. Entertainment will be provided by Anthony Wild.

CONCORDIA CHICAGO KAPELLE CHOIR

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church, 101 Pine Lakes Parkway, Palm Coast,

Details: Attend this free concert featuring the Concordia Chicago Kapelle Choir. Under the direction of Dr. Charles P. Brown, the choir will be performing classical Christian music with piano and organ accompaniments. A freewill offering will be collected to support the Kapelle Choir. For more information, visit www. sotcpc.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

GLADIUS

When: 2 p.m.

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

Details: Experience Gladius, an award-winning composer and classical/flamenco style guitarist. This event is cosponsored by Volusia County Public Library and Friends of the Daytona Beach Regional Library. Registration is not required.

RECIPES AND READS

CULINARY LAB: BASIC

COOKING — SPICE LAB: JUNIPER BERRIES

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

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

Details: Learn all about juniper berries and their uses in this cooking demonstration,

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.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

PLANTATION BAY 22ND

ANNUAL ART SHOW AND SALE

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Founders Club, 301 Plantation Bay Drive, Ormond

Beach

Details: See original oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, photography, jewelry, sculptures, prints and more by professional and amateur artists of all ages. Free and open to the public.

FIRST MUSEUM MEMBER

BEACH BONFIRE

When: 5-7 p.m.

Where: Beach at 10th St. North, Flagler Beach

Details: Hosted by the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, this beach bonfire is open to museum members and their families. Bring blankets or chairs.The Eastern Surfing Association is sponsoring marshmallows and drinks for the event. Non-members can attend for $15. Visit flaglerbeachhistoricalmuseum.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 9

ORMOND BEACH LIONS

GIVEBACK EVENT

When: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: PopStroke, 1283 Cornerstone Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Lions Club for a fundraiser at PopStroke in Daytona. Mention the Lions at checkout and 20% of the golf pass sales will be donated.

LA HORA DEL CUENTO

When: 11 a.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

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

Details: Children and their caregivers are introduced to basic building blocks of literacy, in English and Spanish, through stories, rhymes and music. Free program. Registration is not required.

THE GARDEN CLUB AT PALM COAST MONTHLY

MEETING

When: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Club 51 Social Club, 51 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Join the Garden Club at Palm Coast for its monthly meeting. Arrive early and buy lunch, mingle and check out the plant sale. The gathering begins at noon for registration and raffle tickets. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. This month’s guest speaker is Master Gardener Sharon Smith.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

AARP MEETING

When: 10 a.m. to Noon

Where: Ormond Beach Unitarian Universalist Church, 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: This month’s guest speaker is Jan Gillespie, Regions Bank branch manager, who will speak about protection from scams, identity theft and financial exploitation. The public is invited; A $5 optional light lunch to follow. for more information, call Jeff Boyle at 386-341-9013.

PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP IN THE GARDENS

When: 12-3 p.m.

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

Beach

Details: Priscilla Humay will lead this outdoor painting workshop where she will teach composition, perspective, color, value, form, line and texture in nature and will provide individual assistance, demonstrations and handouts. Workshop includes an open critique and discussion of the finished pieces. Students may use any medium of their choice [dry, wet, or both] and are responsible for bringing their own supplies. Workshop costs $45 for members; $55 for future members.

WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TOURS

When: 2-4 p.m.

Where:

Details: Take a behind-thescenes tour of the Palm Coast water and wastewater treatment operations. Sign up at parksandrec.fun.

THE HUNGER GAMES TRIVIA HANG OUT

When: 4 p.m.

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

Details: Compete in The Hunger Games trivia, held at the

teen area. This program is for those in grades 6-12. Registration is not required.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

HALIFAX GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

When: 1:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

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

Details: This is the monthly meeting of the Halifax Genealogical Society. All are welcome. This month’s topic is “Using Technology to Organize Your Research,” presented by Miles Meyer.

54TH ANNUAL VOLUSIA STUDENTS CREATE 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 this student art reception. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and music. Free admission.

DSC MUSIC TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION PRESENTS ‘MPT ROCKS!’

When: 5:30 p.m.

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

Details: This is a free event. For more information, call the box office at 386-226-1888 or email boxoffice@daytonastate.edu.

TOBY — THE EXPERIENCE When: 7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: See this Toby Keith tribute concert, featuring Hollywood Yates performing classics like “How Do You Like Me Now,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” and “I Love This Bar.” Tickets cost $40-$60. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 THE LUCK OF THE PICKLE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, March 13-15

Where: Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Open to all skill levels and features double elimination format. Singles are on Friday, March 13; men’s and women’s doubles are on Saturday, March 14; and mixed doubles are on Sunday, March 15. Participants must be 13 years and older. Registration fee is $50. Visit parksandrec. fun.

FOCUS ON FAITH

Chabad of Palm Coast celebrates ‘Purim in Paris’

Chabad of Palm Coast’s Purim in Paris celebration on Monday, March 2, took participants to another time and place.

Celebrants dressed like Parisians, listened to the reading of the biblical book of Esther from a megillah, or scroll, in Hebrew, and danced and partied at the Palm Coast Community Center.

The story of Purim, which was celebrated this year on March 2-3, takes place in ancient Persia. The evil Haman, an advisor to King Ahasu-

erus, plotted to kill the Jews. But his plans were foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin, Mordecai.

Every time Haman’s name is mentioned in the reading of the book, it is drowned out by noisemakers.

Rabbi Levi Ezagui said Purim is more relevant now than ever, because ancient Persia is present-day Iran.

“Haman was an evil man, but we prayed to God and we prevailed,” Ezagui said.

— BRENT WORONOFF

Cars and Cookies draws crowd at Oasis Church in Ormond Beach

Engines weren’t the only things revving at Oasis Church on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as families gathered for the church’s first “Cars and Cookies” event — a combination of Pinewood Derby-style racing and a cookie bake-off. Planned in less than two months, the event followed the success of the church’s

2025 Fall Fest Trunk-or-Treat and chili cookout. Encouraged by strong community turnout last fall, leaders at Oasis Church decided to bring families together again.

Children’s Ministry Director Kaylee Morgan said the event was designed with community in mind.

“We are hoping this will become an annual event,” Morgan said. “But obviously the goal is it is something that is well received and it just meets a need for our people of community and fun.”

The church’s midweek children’s program, Midweek Kids, gave participants several weeks to design their Pinewood Derby cars. To help bring the children’s ideas to life, a volunteer came in to cut the wooden blocks into each child’s chosen shape before paint and customization began.

By race night, 77 cars were ready to compete across two divisions. The kids division included racers as young as 2 years old through fifth grade, while the adult division

welcomed participants from sixth grade and up.

Cheers erupted as cars sped down the track in heat after heat. Winners from each division advanced, with the top three finishers in both the kids and adult categories racing for the overall championship. The grand prize winner received a gift card to local restaurant Ormond Garage.

Meanwhile, the sweet smell of competition filled another corner of the church, where 24 cookie stations showcased homemade creations. To ensure fairness, the church appointed “cookie commissioners” of varying ages to secretly judge the entries.

The bake-off champion was awarded a whimsical “Spoon Award” in recognition of their culinary skills.

—ALEXIS MILLER

First Baptist Palm Coast to celebrate senior pastor’s 10th anniversary

First Baptist Palm Coast will mark a milestone on Sunday, March 8, as the church gathers to celebrate 10 years of leadership by Senior Pastor Kevin Lautar and First Lady

Ann Lautar. Following the noon third service, members and guests will meet in the church’s Activity Center for a special anniversary luncheon. The event will focus on fellowship, gratitude, and reflecting on the impact the Lautars have had on the congregation since arriving in Palm Coast. Over the past 10 years, the Lautars have devoted themselves to shepherding the church community, emphasizing spiritual growth, unity and service. Church leaders say the celebration will thank and recognize their leadership.

“This celebration is a time for our church family to express love and appreciation for Pastor Kevin and Ann and to thank God for the blessing they have been to us over the past decade,” the church shared in a statement announcing the event. The gathering will include a covered-dish luncheon, with attendees encouraged to bring a favorite main dish, side dish, or dessert to share. Those planning to attend are asked to register in advance through the church’s website at fbcpc.org.

—ALEXIS MILLER

YOUR SCHOOLS

Matanzas concert bands receive straight superior ratings at MPA

Matanzas High School’s wind ensemble and concert band each achieved straight Superior ratings while the symphonic band received an overall Excellent rating on a very demanding program at Concert MPA (Music Performance Assessment).

“The program has grown so much in six years and I am

proud of the culture we have created,” said Ryan Schulz, the school’s director of bands.

“These kids love music but most of all will help each other in any way possible.”

Seabreeze custodians lend helping hand to Beachside

Last week, Beachside Elementary found itself with no custodians on campus, just as the school was preparing to welcome community leaders for its African-American ReadIn event.

Seabreeze High School

stepped in to help. On Feb. 26, after receiving a call from Beachside, a team of Seabreeze custodians came out to the elementary school to clean the school.

“That’s what collaboration, leadership, and community truly look like,” a Beachside Elementary Facebook post read.

Volusia County Schools recognized the collaboration on its own Facebook page, saying the Seabreeze team “showed up with heart, hustle, and leadership.”

“Your willingness to jump in speaks volumes about the culture we are building across Volusia County Schools,” VCS stated.

History comes to life at Rymfire Elementary School

Walmart confirmed as new retailer for SR 100, west of BJ’s Wholesale

The 185,500-squarefoot store is expected to generate around 1,100 traffic trips.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

BIZ BUZZ

Halifax Health named a top place to work in health care

Halifax Health was named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “165 Top Places to Work in Healthcare” in 2026, a press release announced Monday.

Becker’s Hospital Review highlighted the hospital’s scope of employee benefits, promotion of diversity through annual training and community partnerships, investment in professional development and employee appreciation programs, such as the “Halifax 100 Club” for team members with over 30 years of service.

“Being named one of the top places to work in healthcare is a meaningful affirmation of the culture we work tirelessly to uphold,” said Jeff Feasel, president and CEO at Halifax Health. “Our team members are the foundation of Halifax Health. Their dedication, compassion, and resilience inspire us every day, and we remain committed to providing an environment that supports their growth, wellbeing, and passion for serving our community.”

Boss Lady group launches first Women in the Workplace survey

The Boss Lady Women’s Leadership Community recently launched its Volusia-Flagler Women in the Workplace Survey, inviting women in both counties to share insights on opportunities, pressure, confidence, leadership, support and belonging at work.

“Women in the region navigate complex workplace realities and balance work and home responsibilities,” said Teresa Rand, founder of the Boss Lady Community. “Their voices are essential to understanding what support systems, policies, and cultural shifts are needed to help them thrive.”

The anonymous survey is open to women at every stage of their career, across every industry. To participate, visit https://www.laddernetwork. org/women-in-the-workplace.

A new 185,500-square-foot retailer recently approved by the Palm Coast City Council for State Road 100 will be a second Walmart. In October, the Palm Coast City Council approved an application for the retail store, which is expected to generate around 1,100 peak pm-

Flush Fasteners wins gold for product design

Flush Fasteners, a Daytona Beach-based manufacturing company, was recently awarded a 2026 gold iF Design Award for its F-Head Flush Fastener.

The F-Head Flush Fastener was one of 75 to be awarded gold from over 10,000 submissions from 68 nations vying for the global design award.

“The high-caliber jury, consisting of 129 independent design experts from all over the world, was particularly impressed by the complete innovation to such a common item like a screw to solve an existing problem,” a press release stated. “The award-winning F-Head Flush Fastener was convincing in the Product Design discipline and was awarded gold in the category Industry/ Tools/Machinery.”

Flush Fasteners was founded in 2022 by Brandon Serle, of Daytona Beach, and Jeff Serle, of Ormond Beach.

hour trips, according to city documents. The 38.8-acre lot, owned by Flagler Pines Properties LLC, is the west lot adjacent to BJ’s Wholesale Club, and will share the McCormick Drive-BJ’s Wholesale Club turn signal in and out of the parking lots.

The plan on city documents

Smart Technologies certified as a Microsoft partner

Smart Technologies of Florida, a Daytona Beach-based managed technology services provider, has been designated as a Microsoft Solutions Partner, a certification placing the company in the top 5% of all Microsoft providers worldwide, according to a press release.

“Our designation as a Microsoft Solutions Partner reflects years of dedication to providing our customers with the best solutions,” said Robert Doucette, president at Smart Technologies. “It means we’re not just using Microsoft tools; we’re maximizing their potential to help businesses succeed.”

Kistemaker Business Law Group receives platinum award

Ormond Beach’s Kistemaker Business Law Group received a platinum award from the Florida Community Association Journal’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award winners in its March issue.

The firm received the publication’s gold award in 2025, according to a press release.

Erum S. Kistemaker is the managing attorney and shareholder of the local firm, founded in 2007.

“Being recognized by FLCAJ’s audience and receiving the Platinum Award this year for our expertise within this very important category of professionals in the state of Florida is incredibly meaningful and appreciated,” Kistemaker said.

This year, over 13,000 ballots were cast and more than 250

at the Oct. 21 meeting showed a 171,000-square-foot retailer, smaller than plans submitted to the city later on.

A second, 55,000-squarefoot retailer will also be located in the southwest corner of the lot, according to city documents, next to a 253,000 square foot stormwater pond.

companies were recognized as award recipients.

New Sprouts Farmer’s Market opens in Daytona, near Tanger

The new Sprouts Farmer’s Market has opened in Daytona Beach.

Located at 1591 N. Williamson Blvd. near the Tanger Outlets shopping center, Sprouts opened its doors on Feb. 27, celebrating with a ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.

“This is such a great addition to our community, especially for those who are passionate about health, fresh produce, and quality food options,” Henry wrote on a Facebook post.

“Having access to more wholesome grocery choices makes a real difference for families and individuals who prioritize wellness.”

The store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. According to Sprouts’ website the grocery store chain offers fresh, natural and organic food to shoppers. There are more than 440 store locations across 23 states in the the United States.

One of Sprouts’ direct competitors recently opened near the Sprouts Williamson Boulevard location. In November, Daytona Beach’s first Trader Joe’s opened in Tanger Outlets.

New businesses like Sprouts do not just offer products, Henry wrote in his post.

“They create jobs, strengthen our local economy, and give residents more choices,” he wrote. “This is the kind of growth that moves Daytona Beach forward.”

That area of North Williamson Boulevard and LPGA Bou-

A 24-pump gas station is positioned in the northeast corner of the property.

According to design plans, two turn lanes off of eastbound S.R. 100 will provide entrance into the parking lot, as well as two entrances on the east side of the property along BJ’s intersection. A total of 899 parking spaces take up the majority of the lot with an additional 44 pickup order spaces, city documents show.

levard has

The project is still under review by city staff. What lots do you see under construction? Email Sierra Williams at sierra@observer local news.com.

REAL ESTATE

Hammock

Dunes

home is top sale at $2.7M

Ahouse at 17 Rue Grande Mer, in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for Feb.14-20 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Feb. 20 for $2,749,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and 4,686 square feet. The house was listed by Krista Libby, of Coastal Gateway Real Estate Group.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

A condo at 60 Surfview Drive, Unit 803, sold on Feb. 20, for $660,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 3/2.5 and has 1,640 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $290,000.

A condo at 35 Riverview Bend

S., Unit 1825, sold on Feb. 20, for $380,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,575 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $400,000.

A condo at 4600 E. Moody Blvd., Unit 9E, sold on Feb. 20, for $145,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2 and has 951 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $38,500.

PALM COAST

Belle Terre

A house at 186 Palmwood Drive sold on Feb. 20, for $219,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,247 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $82,000.

A house at 11 Robin Place sold on Feb. 20, for $385,000.

Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,200 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $262,300.

Cypress Knoll A house at 102 Evans Drive sold on Feb. 18, for $718,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 5/4 and has a pool, a hot tub and 3,483 square feet. It sold in 2025 for $372,000.

Indian Trails A house at 70 Burbank Drive sold on Feb. 20, for $462,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,187 square feet. It sold in 1993 for $28,000.

Lehigh Woods A house at 12 Ryecrest Lane sold on Feb. 20, for $309,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet. It sold in 2024 for $301,700.

A house at 3 Ripley Place sold on Feb. 18, for $336,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,596 square feet.

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

Low-maintenance 3BR/2BA POOL home in Plantation Bay with whole-home solar ($159/mo electric incl. pool heat!). Split plan with quartz kitchen, SS appliances & huge island. Opens to screened heated pool & large lanai with conservation views. Impact windows, 4-yr roof, 5-yr AC. Gated golf community amenities! #1223321 $559,900. Alex Bittner 386-299-0590.

Ormond Beach 3BR/2BA home with river views just 4 homes from the Intracoastal! Bright split plan with 500 SF owner’s suite & spa-like bath. Large lot with huge backyard, deck & room for pool. 1-car garage with mudroom, wine cooler & RV-friendly

Oceanfront luxury 3BR/3BA condo at Dimucci Twin Towers with milestone report completed. 7thfloor unit with 2,000+ SF, stunning Atlantic views & private balcony. Fully furnished with spacious layout. Resort amenities include oceanfront pool, fitness center, clubroom & secure access. Turnkey coastal living! #1220197 $679,000. Roger Maynard 386-562-5307.

Plantation Bay home is Ormond’s top sale

A

house in Plantation Bay at 596 Aldenham Lane was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Feb. 7-13. The house sold on Feb. 13, for $695,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,608 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $660,000. The house was listed by Mark Polakovich, of Deuces Realty.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Condos

The condo at 2780 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 9S, sold on Feb. 9, for $188,000. Built in 1968, the condo is a 2/1 and has 837 square feet.

The condo at 203 S. Orchard St., Unit 3D, sold on Feb. 11, for $182,500. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,083 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $126,000.

The condo at 1239 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 7E5, sold on Feb. 13, for $450,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,699 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $400,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Daytona Shores

The house at 752 N. Beach St. sold on Feb. 11, for $470,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 5/3 and has 2,266 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $277,000.

Halifax Plantation

The house at 3203 Galty

Circle sold on Feb. 12, for $485,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,412 square feet.

The townhome at 1510 Kinnard Circle sold on Feb. 12, for $360,000. Built in 2017, the townhome is a 3/2 and has 1,717 square feet. It last

WEST DAYTONA BEACH

Grande Champion

The townhome at 104 Aston Grande Drive sold on Feb. 13, for $222,500. Built in 2007, the townhome is a 4/3 and has 1,310 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $223,000.

Latitude Margaritaville

The house at 597 Lost Shaker Way sold on Feb. 9, for $530,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a spa and 1,848 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $675,000.

sold in 2017 for $230,200.

Hickory Village The house at 48 Aaron Circle sold on Feb. 12, for $325,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,389 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $309,900.

Laurel Oaks The house at 507 Laurel Drive sold on Feb. 9, for $318,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,299 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $315,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Ocean Shores

The house at 25 Ocean Shore Drive sold on Feb.9, for $275,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/1 and has 844 square feet. It last sold in 1989 for $45,000.

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

The house at 613 Good Life Way sold on Feb. 12, for $338,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,204 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $248,400.

The house at 745 Landshark Blvd. sold on Feb. 13, for $610,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,922 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $387,800.

The house at 488 High Tide Lane sold on Feb. 13, for $375,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,308 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $282,300.

PICK-OFF SPECIALISTS

Flagler Palm Coast’s flag football team improved to 3-1 behind a stifling defense

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

John King, Flagler Palm Coast’s first-year flag football coach, said his players are starting to understand the “why” behind what they are doing. By the end of the season, he said, he hopes the Bulldogs will be pretty tough to deal with. After four games, however, their defense has already proven to be tough to deal with.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 with a 14-0 win against Palatka on Feb. 25 at Sal Cam-

panella Stadium. It was their second shutout of the season. They also blanked highly regarded Spruce Creek 6-0 in overtime in their season opener. In four games, FPC has allowed a total of just 12 points.

The Bulldogs intercepted four passes against Palatka and six passes in a 25-6 win against Matanzas on Feb. 24. Freshman cornerback Stephanie Turner had three interceptions aganst the Panthers and has six picks in four games. Linebacker Tori Spann intercepted three passes against Matanzas, one against Palatka and one in the Bulldogs’ 6-0 loss at Seabreeze on Feb. 19.

“Our defense has just been lights out,” King said. “Tori Spann has been a basketball player. But she is just a special

athlete. She is who you want in the middle of the defense.”

Spann scored on a 19-yard touchdown run and tossed an option pass to Turner for the extra point against Palatka. Four-year starter Nereyda Campos scored the other touchdown.

Four FPC players, including Spann, Campos and Turner, were also on the basketball team and got a late start to flag football with the Bulldogs reaching the basketball playoffs.

“The basketball girls had only two or three practices before we played Spruce Creek and Seabreeze,” King said. “Now, our spacing is getting better. We’re getting the timing down.”

FPC has a completely new coaching staff this year with

King and assistants Marisa Kong and Charlie Washington. Kong, an FPC graduate, played flag football in college.

King has been coaching co-ed flag football with the Mad Dogs league for the past three or four years, he said.

While many of FPC’s players have never played flag football before, King is familiar with Campos and Makayla Barbel, who both compete in the co-ed league. Campos is the team’s primary quarterback, but she moves around in different situations.

“We’re maximizing Nereyda’s abilities,” King said. “I never had her on my team in Mad Dogs, but I know what she’s capable of, and I’m pretty excited I finally get to coach her.”

The Bulldogs fell to 1-3 with

FPC’s fab four ready for state girls wrestling championships

The reigning state champion Bulldogs are reminiscent of the team that placed second two years ago,

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE

Flagler Palm Coast returns to the girls state wrestling championships on March 5 as the defending state champion. The Bulldogs graduated their two individual state champs and three other medal winners but return three state qualifiers.

Joslyn Johnson placed third last year, while Alexa Calidonio placed fifth. Juliana Mills qualified for state as a freshman. They all qualified again along with junior Alisha Vilar, who placed third at region after missing state qualification by one match each of the past two years.

“We’re bringing four girls to the state tournament,” FPC wrestling coach David Bossardet said. “We brought four girls to the state tourna-

ment two years ago when we finished second. This group is very similar to the group we brought two years ago. They have their individual goals, and if they go out and meet those goals, I like our chances from a team standpoint, too.”

Calidonio, a senior, won the region title in her weight class for the third year in a row. She has never lost a regional match. She has placed at state two years in a row — she was fourth as a sophomore. This year, she is the No. 1 seed at 170 pounds.

“I do think Alexas is the best wrestler in that weight class,” Bossardet said. “I tell her that every single day. She’s got to believe that. When Alexa is confident and getting to [her] attacks, I don’t think there’s anybody that could beat her. And when I say anybody, I mean anybody in the country.”

Calidonio pinned topranked 170-pounder Tor’Ina Rushing of Lynn Haven Mosley in the region final.

“I took her down in the first period,” Calidonio recalled. “In the second period she chose top, got four back points and I almost got pinned, but I

didn’t. And the third period, I took her down again and pinned her.”

Winning a state championship would be amazing, Calidonio said.

“It’d be like a dream come true,” she said.

Johnson won a state championship two years ago as a sophomore. She is the No. 1 seed at 105 pounds after winning a region title for the first time in her career. She finished third at state last year in a loaded weight class.

“[As a sophomore], I was the underdog and it kind of showed in my wrestling,” Johnson said. “That was my only my second year in wrestling. Now, being in the room for two more years, having good wrestlers to practice with, I feel like I have the experience to go out there and win it again.”

Bossardet said he would never bet against her.

“Jocelyn wrestles best when the stakes are high,” he said. “I think a state tournament her senior year, the stakes couldn’t get much higher.”

Vilar placed third at region in the 145-pound weight class.

After losing in the semifinals, she found herself back in wrestlebacks for the third year in a row. The previous two years, she lost in the blood round. This year, she won that match to clinch a spot at state and then won the third-place match to improve her seeding.

“In the past, I felt like there was a lot of pressure and I went out and started doing crazy things, and it just made me wrestle bad, and then I lost,” she said. “It was definitely mental. This year, I had to regroup going back to the blood round. I just felt a lot better going into the match. I

just knew I had to get the job done.”

Mills placed second at 110 pounds at the regional, losing in the final to Gulf Breeze’s Camdyn Elliott, who won the state title at 105 pounds last year. Johnson and Elliott had battled the past two years with Johnson winning a 4-3 decision over Elliott in 2024 in the 100-pound championship match. Now, Elliott is aiming for her second title, this time in Mills’ weight class.

“My goal is to meet Camdyn Elliott in the finals,” said Mills, who is seeded seventh and is in the other side of the bracket

from No. 1 seed Elliott.

If Mills wins a medal at state, she will become the fourth member of her family to do so. Her brother Jordan and sister Mariah each won state championships, while her brother Tyson placed second as a senior.

“Obviously, Juliana comes from a wrestling family,” Bosardet said. “And she’s kind of finding her way her sophomore year. We got her down to her right weight class. She started at 120 [this season], went down to 115. Now she’s at 110 [where she’s] had some success. Juliana’s going to wrestle as hard as she can every single match, and she’s going to get on top, and she’s going to try to pin you, and that’s what we need her to do this weekend.”

Matanzas’ Cardy Michel and Briana Durry have also qualified for state for the second straight year. Michel, a senior, placed fourth at region and is seeded 13th in the 125-pound weight class. Durry placed third at region in the 235-pound bracket and is seeded 10th at state.

HOME COURT

The Sandcrabs swept the Pirates on their new on-campus sand courts.

MICHELE

MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Seabreeze opened the beach volleyball season with a 5-0 sweep of Matanzas on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Sandcrabs’ new sand courts.

Matches were played simultaneously across three courts. Sandcrabs’ No. 1 duo Lilli Litz and Baylee Brown defeated Pirates Sanigh Arneaud and Carly Owens, while Seabreeze No. 2 Alex Dingman and Pearl Kelly beat Matanzas’ Sofia Kubler and Lazara Kenny, and the No. 3 Sandcrabs pair of Abigail Mai and Sienna Dixon defeated Julisia Wheeler and Myranda Valdes.

Seabreeze coach Janet Bruce

ADVANTAGE

said the majority of her team plays indoor volleyball but lacks the experience playing beach volleyball. They are adjusting to the different rules and the sport’s difficulty, Bruce said.

“Everybody had a great time,” she said. “Both teams came out and did a great job. Everybody’s smiling, and that’s the best part. It’s very relaxed in comparison to indoor, and it’s fun to watch them just smile, even if they make a mistake, because they know it’s a very difficult sport.”

Beach volleyball became a sanctioned FHSAA sport in the spring of 2022. Sara Swayze was the Sandcrabs’ coach at the time. Bruce became Seabreeze’s beach volleyball coach in the spring of 2024 after taking over the indoor volleyball program earlier that school year.

Last year, Bruce knew it would be advantageous to

have beach volleyball courts installed on campus. The team had played their matches at a local park with only one court and at rented courts at DME Academy, which is about 30 minutes from the school.

Following the installation of sand courts at DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, and Spruce Creek high schools in 2023, there was sufficient funding remaining to install sand courts at one additional school.

Seabreeze principal Tucker Harris reached out to Volusia County Schools Chief Operating Officer Patricia Corr to inquire about funding availability for the courts. He said his “why” for the request was for the kids, his community and its beach culture.

“We are a beachside institution,” he said. “It just fits our lifestyle. It fits us and what we do. Patty Corr and the district willingly listened and made it happen. It was super smooth — amazing.”

Harris said Bruce has solidified the volleyball program over the past couple of years, and with the on-campus sand courts, more girls have been drawn to the sport. Seabreeze can now host indoor and beach volleyball tournaments, along with regular-season games.

“Having the three new courts on campus has been a game-changer for all of the players,” Bruce said. “They are getting more court time for practicing, and they are all improving their skills faster than in past seasons.”

This is Matanzas coach Sharell Arneaud’s first year coaching the Pirates’ beach volleyball team. She was the head indoor volleyball coach for four years at First Baptist Christian Academy and decided to “step back” from the position last year. When volleyball coach Julie Menendez left Matanzas after taking over the indoor team this past season, Arneaud returned to coaching.

“I am here, and I’m looking forward to working with the girls,” she said.

The Pirates have two players with beach volleyball experience. Like the Sandcrabs, the remaining athletes have only played indoor volleyball.

“I think it’s definitely just an adjustment of recognizing how the passes are different, how the strategy is different compared to indoor, and the rules are different,” Arneaud said. “We’re all learning. I think it’s about them learning how to adjust and read differently than they would do indoor. Where indoor you might have more power, here’s a lot more strategy.”

Seabreeze lost to New Smyrna Beach in District 6-2A championship and in the regional quarterfinals last season. New Smyrna, the local beach volleyball power, advanced to the state championship match last season.

The Barracudas won the state championship in 2022 and

2023.

“I would love to beat New Smyrna Beach, one day,” Bruce said. “They’re a great athletic school, and that’s a goal for everybody. We’re going to work hard to beat them.”

Arneaud said hopefully her players maximize their mental toughness, which will enable them to work through the adversities of a new sport.

“They did say they were having fun,” she said. “At the end of the day, we’re not winning any prizes, so have fun. I don’t like to lose, but y’all don’t like to lose, so let’s figure out how we move forward

“Having the three new courts on campus has been a game-changer for all of the players. They are getting more court time for practicing, and they are all improving their skills faster than in past seasons.”

JANET

Six Flagler Palm Coast wrestlers qualify for boys state championships

Kevin McLean and JoJo Foalima won region championships.

Six Flagler Palm Coast boys wrestlers qualified for the state championships at the Region 1-3A meet on Feb. 28 at DeLand High School.

Sophomore Kevin McLean and freshman JoJo Foalima each won region champion -

ships. McLean won a 3-0 decision against DeLand’s Kaiden Olavarria to win the 120-pound title. He pinned his first three opponents to get to the final. Foalima won the 165-pound championship with a 17-1 technical fall over Benjamin Wolgamuth of Oviedo Hagerty in the final. Both McLean and Foalima also won Five Star Conference and district championships to start the postseason. They will be joined at state by teammates Jacob Hald (106

pounds), Trey Twilley (132 pounds) and Michael Fries (150 pounds), who all placed second at regional, and Braden Dailey, who placed third at 113 pounds.

Twilley lost to Hagerty’s Brentley Crawley by a 3-1 decision in the final. It was the third time the two wrestled this season. Crawley won 4-2 at state duals while Twilley won 4-2 at the Flagler Rotary Tournament.

McLean placed third at state at 113 pounds last season, while Twilley placed fourth

at 126 pounds. Three other Bulldog wrestlers lost in the blood round (one spot away from qualifying): freshman Buster Bossardet, junior Ronden Ricks and senior Doyvonne Leadon.

The Bulldogs placed second as a team at regional with 157 points. Hagerty won the team trophy with 216.5 points. The state championships are March 5-7 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

SIDELINES

FPC

wins boys weightlifting dual meet against Matanzas

Heavyweight Matt McFall was one of five Flagler Palm Coast lifters to win double titles as the Bulldogs defeated Matanzas in both Olympic and traditional competitions in a boys weightlifting dual meet on Feb. 25 at the Pirates’ gym.

FPC won Olympic 55-34 and traditional 54-35.

McFall had the top lifts on the night with a 265-pound snatch, 320-pound clean and jerk and 330-pound bench press. He had a 585-pound Olympic total and 650-pound traditional total.

FPC’s other double winners were 119-pound Anthony

Giacobbe (290-pound Olympic total, 300-pound traditional total), 139-pound Memphis Hambly (270 Olympic, 310 traditional), 169-pound Jackson Fedun (475 Olympic, 495 traditional) and 238-pound Joseph Casanova (480 Olympic, 500 traditional).

Matanzs had two double winners: 129-pound Joshua Schottey (210 Olympic, 265 traditional) and 219-pound Jack Ferguson (440 Olympic, 515 traditional). The Pirates’ other winner was 183-pound Wiley Conner (495-pound traditional).

The Bulldogs’ other winners were 154-pound Chris Lightsey (335 Olympic), 183-pound Landon Gates (460 Olympic), 199-pound Marlon Alvarado (420 Olympic) and 199-pound Mathias Parker (480 traditional).

Matanzas 219-pounder Jack Ferguson won the Olympic title with a 440-pound total and the traditional title with a 515-pound total.

Matanzas, Seabreeze, FPC track standouts

Matanzas distance runners

Peyton Cerasi and Dylan Ciardi each broke school records at the Craig Speziale Track and Field Invitational on Feb. 28 at Ponte Vedra High School.

Cerasi won both the girls 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, setting a new school record of 10:55.53 in the 3,200. Her time in the 1,600 was 5:11.91.

Ciardi set a new school record in the boys 3,200 with a time of 9:42.53, leading a trio of Pirates to third-, fourth(Brant Tarsitano) and fifthplace (Blaine Vogel) finishes. Jayden McCoy placed third in boys triple jump (40 feet, 9¾ inches).

Seabreeze’s Dominic Dowell

placed third at the meet in the 400 hurdles (1:00.06).

Drayton Bracket place fourth in the 110 hurdles (16.48 seconds) and fifth in the 400 hurdles. Aiden O’Brien placed fourth in both the 100 (11.18) and the 200 (22.91). Zach Wilson placed fourth in long jump (18 feet, 9.75 inches) and the boys 4x100 relay placed second.

Flagler Palm Coast won 18 events at the Cocoa Invitational. Boys winners included Logan Jacobell (50.11) in the 400, Douglas Seth in the 800 (2:07.15), Mateo Almeida in the 1,600 (4:39.78), Evan Johnson in the 3,200 (11:35.02), Ernest Fingers in the 110 hurdles (18.16), Isaiah Chatman in the 400 hurdles (1:02.63), Mekhi Joes in the shot put (42 feet, 0.5 inches), Ethan Ruiz in the discus (114 feet, 7 inches) and La’Darius Simmos (163 feet, 0 inches).

FPC girls winners were:

Matanzas sophomore Peyton Cerasi and freshman Dylan Ciardi broke distance records at Ponte Vedra’s track meet. Cerasi won two events.

Jayden Wright in the 400 (1:01.43), Arianna Slaughter in the 800 (2:24.80), Anna Grigoruk in the 1,600 (5:35.16), Favour Jageda in the high jump (4 feet, 9.75 inches), Karina Marcelus in the long jump (17 feet, 6 inches), Jazmin Tishenko in the triple jump (31 feet, 2.5

inches), Danteria Rankin in the shot put (34 feet, 5.5 inches), Laniyah Walker in the discus (93 feet, 10 inches) and Grace Taylor in the javelin (99 feet, 11 inches). At the Carl Friedland Invitational at Orlando Bishop Moore, Father Lopez’s Lauren Lancing set a school record in winning the 100 hurdles in 15.63 seconds. She also placed third in the 100. Borgmann, Mills qualify for NCAA championships Former Flagler Palm Coast wrestlers Christina Borgmann and Mariah Mills qualified for the first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships as freshmen. Borgmann of Felician University in Rutherford, New Jersey, placed first in her region at 131 pounds. Mills placed third in her region at 124 pounds.

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TRIBUTES

Stephanie Nicole (Tallarico) Pace

March 14, 1973 - February 25, 2026

Stephanie Nicole Tallarico was born on March 14, 1973 in Columbus, Ohio to Barbara and Ralph Tallarico. She suddenly passed away on February 25, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Stephanie grew up in a loving Catholic home, and was the youngest of six children. She graduated from Bishop Ready High School in 1991. Following her graduation, she enlisted in the United States Army, and served as a Medical Lab Technician. She completed a six-year rotation. In 1997, Stephanie met the father of her children, Robert Pace in Virginia Beach. Soon after, she began residing in Florida, particularly the Ormond Beach area. In 2004, she earned her nursing license from Daytona Beach Community College. She began serving as a registered nurse, and ultimately, spent the remainder of her career as a project manager at Fortrea Clinical Trials. In 2002,

Stephanie welcomed her first child, Abigail (Abbie) Pace. In 2007, her second child, Evan Pace was born. In Stephanie’s loving nature, she brought another child into the family years later, Caleb Cameron. Stephanie always had a love for sports, and she especially excelled in basketball and softball. She was a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye football fan. She loved a beautiful sunrise/sunset, a lover of flowers, animals, cooking, painting, crafting, and most of all, her children. She had two beloved dogs, Rocco and Milo, as well as two beloved cats, Cosmo and Ollie.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Dominic Tallarico, her nieces Dallas and Kimberlynn Tallarico, her inlaws Gene and Sylvia Shields. In addition to her children, she’s survived by her siblings: Tamara Pleasants, Michael (Tara) Tallarico, Ralph (Kym)

Rose Marie Rothrock

April 20, 1936 - February 10, 2026

Rose Marie Rothrock, age 89, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Virginia Beach, VA, on Feb. 10, 2026, after a short illness. A successful business entrepreneur, loving wife, proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Rose Marie was born in Weatherly, PA, on April 20, 1936, to Michael and Anna Hallahan. She is pre-deceased by her two older sisters, Anna May (husband Jack) Dodge and Evelyn (husband Richard) Long.

A natural leader with boundless energy, a can-do attitude and the ability to remove obstacles through her sharp intellect and tactical negotiations, Rose Marie met the love of her life, Charles Edward Rothrock while she attended Weatherly High School. They married in 1954 and had three daughters: Judith Rothrock (Viera, FL), Jane Bohrer (Virginia Beach, VA) and Jacqueline (Jacquie) Vealey (Augusta, NJ). They were married for 66 years until Charles’ death in 2020 and owned homes in Newton, NJ; Lake Wallenpaupack, PA and Ormond Beach, FL. While Charles was growing his successful engineering career, Rose Marie pursued various business interests before earning her real estate and insurance licenses in North Jersey during a time of

active home building and land tract growth in the late 1970’s through 90’s. She achieved a real estate brokerage license, opened her own agency (Rothrock Realty), taught real estate license classes at accredited academic sites and was a dynamic member of the Andover, NJ, Planning Commission. Her leadership expanded to hold various positions on real estate regulatory boards and she became a multi-year President of the local Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) chapter. She was the consummate deal maker: If a deal seemed impossible –Rose Marie had a reputation for making it possible!

Determined to ensure that all three of her daughters attained university degrees and realized their own professional dreams, Rose Marie continuously coached her daughters to reach for the stars and mirror her own personal philosophy of hard work, grit and determination through her example and loving support. No one was prouder of her children and their accomplishments than Rose Marie, who kept a plaque on her desk that read, “Ask Me About My Daughters.” She had a wonderful sense of humor throughout her life, continued coaching her grandchildren in later years to ensure they all achieved university degrees

Tallarico, and Anita Snack, nieces and nephews, Alyssa Ball, Madison (Mickenzie) Leuth, Monica Pleasants, Charlie (Jessica) Oxier, Jennifer Tallarico, Macy Tallarico, Katelynn RamosHiles, and Courtney Pace, her brother in-law, Donnie Pace, As well as her step-mother, Frances Tallarico and the following close friends: Erin (Roy) Champlin, Lynnette (Brent) Toomey, and Penny Toomey.

as well, and started fitness classes in her retirement community in Ormond Beach, FL, where she made many friends. Rose Marie and Charles were world travelers to places like Saint Petersburg, Russia; Tahiti and Europe. In addition to her three daughters, Rose Marie is survived by Judith’s son Curtis Scholz (wife Liz) and great grandchild Cayden; Jane’s (husband James) daughter Jessica Hippert (husband Matt) and son Matthew Bohrer; and Jacquie’s (husband Danny) son Steven Vealey (fiancée Heather). A memorial will be held this Spring in north New Jersey where she will be interred with her husband Charles at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sparta, NJ. Donations can be made to memorialize her life at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Harry Franklin (Frank) Clegg

February 5, 1928 - February 27, 2026

Harry Franklin “Frank” Clegg went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 27, 2026. Frank was born in the Haw Creek community of west Flagler County, Florida on February 5, 1928, and there he grew up on the family farm. He loved the country life, the woods and fields where he spent much of his time in his younger days. His family also spent summers at their Flagler Beach house. He graduated from Bunnell High School in 1945 as Salutatorian and president of his class before going into the U.S. Army, training to be a cryptologist in Intelligence, but World War II ended while he was still in training. He then graduated after three years at the University of Florida in 1950 with a degree in Agriculture. In September of 1951, Frank married Odell Strickland, a pretty and spirited girl he had known from childhood days when he was a farmboy and she was a young cowgirl (and fellow Bunnell High School graduate) from the Favorita area. Frank worked on Clegg Farms with his father Harry and brother George, then worked as a forester in Hastings and New Smyrna where he was tract manager. Frank loved hiking the timber tracts, and hiking the woods

remained a favorite pastime for him long after he retired. He returned to farm work for several years before becoming a “punch list” carpenter, working with Bob Danner and Bobby Sizemore, favorite local builders. He later used his skills to help Rev. Shelton Brooks start mission churches out of First Baptist of Bunnell.

The two most important areas of Frank’s life were faith and family. He was involved in the Methodist church as a boy, and in later years, in several Baptist churches he volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, sang in the choir, or served as a deacon. Frank and Odell used their camper to volunteer in construction projects with Campers on Missions around the USA. Frank was preceded in death by his wife of almost 66 years, Odell; his father, Harry Clegg; his mother, Julia Ferguson Clegg; sisters Elizabeth Clegg Gatlin and Ruth Clegg Townsend; and brothers John A.”Jack” Clegg and George F. Clegg. He is survived by two children, Marvin (Melissa) Clegg; and Dale (Tracey) Clegg; also three grandchildren : Hailey and Keeton (children of Marvin and Melissa), and Keira (daughter of Dale and Tracey), along with his sister-in-law Kathy (George)

Clegg, and many nieces and nephews in the Clegg and Strickland families. Celebration of Life: Flagler Beach Community Church, at 3pm Thursday, March 5, 2026; visitation at 2:30 pm. Graveside service : 4:45pm at Seville Cemetery, followed by supper nearby. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home ( https://onemorechild. org/give/ ) , the Methodist Children’s Home program ( https://residinghope.org/ donate/ ) or the Annie Armstrong missionary programs ( https://anniearmstrong.com/ checkout/ ) in memory of Frank Clegg, Box 233, Pierson, FL 32180. Johnson-Overturf Funeral Homes of Palatka, 386-3254521 is in charge of arrangements.

FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025 12521 CICI NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff, v. APOSTOLAS P. BOUZAS A/K/A APOSTOLOS P. BOUZAS; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF APOSTOLAS P. BOUZAS; DANA N. SANDERS; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF DANA N. SANDERS; COQUINA COVE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ON BEHALF OF SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; 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 February 11, 2026 entered in Civil Case No.