PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 16, NO. 9
YOUR TOP SCIENTISTS! PAGE 6B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025
Debate about fuel terminal begins Belvedere Terminals proposes fuel storage facility in Palm Coast. Residents, officials weigh pros, cons PAGE 3A
Flagler is among top 3 finalists for 1,200 jobs
Calf pint Flagler County Cracker Day celebrates cowboy culture and tradition PAGE 1B
Project X-Ray could land near airport. PAGE 5A SPECIAL ELECTION: Randy Fine wins U.S. House district 6 race Republican Florida Sen. Randy Fine has been to represent Congressional District 6 in the U.S. House. Fine beat his Democratic opponent and public school educator, Josh Weil, in the April 1 election, earning 56.66% of the vote. Weil earned 42.71%. While Fine won comfortably in Flagler, Putnam, Lake and St. Johns, he won Volusia’s vote by a margin of just over 1,000 votes — 31,878 to 30,702. In Flagler County, Fine won 56.97% to 42.38%. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Fine in the competitive race, celebrated Fine’s win on X. “Because of you, Mr. President,” Fine responded on the social media platform. “I won’t let you down.”
INSIDE PICKED BY TRUMP
Flagler’s Derek Barrs is nominated for federal role in traffic safety. PAGE 4A
SPORTS PLAN
Flagler County, Palm Coast to host joint workshop on potential $110 million sports complex. PAGE 5A
Lucas Copsey. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh
CHANGE-UP
New pitch helps Seabreeze starter in eight-inning win over Matanzas. PAGE 8B
SENIOR NIGHT
Flagler Palm Coast’s girls lacrosse team wins on Senior Night. PAGE 9B
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 8A Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner............... PAGE 6A Letters.......................PAGE 10A Public Notices...........PAGE 10B Sports......................... PAGE 8B Real Estate................. PAGE 9A
YOUR TOWN SMART pet rescue’s fundraiser nets nearly $20,000 S.M.A.R.T. of Flagler County pet rescue raised nearly $20,000 at its March 23 music festival fundraiser. The “Jam’n 4 Paws” festival brought together music lovers, animal advocates and the local community in support of S.M.A.R.T., a press release from the nonprofit
said. The festival featured live performances from the local bands Soulfire, Southern Chaos and The Bye Band. S.M.A.R.T. also showcased many of its adoptable dogs and puppies, allowing attendees to meet and play with them. Some animals were adopted at the event, underscoring S.M.A.R.T.’s mission to connect dogs with loving homes, the press release said. S.M.A.R.T. founder and Executive Director Caroline
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Johnson said the fundraiser “showcased the power of community and the importance of supporting our rescue efforts.” “We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support Smart and help us continue our work,” Johnson said. “The turnout was amazing, the music was fantastic, and seeing so many of our adoptable dogs finding new homes or connecting with potential adopters was incredibly rewarding.” For more information or to learn more about how to adopt, donate, or volunteer, please visit smartflagler.com or visit the Lost Pets of Palm Coast & Flagler County on Facebook
SMA Healthcare to offer primary care services in Flagler beginning in April
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SMA Healthcare will begin offering primary care services in Flagler County beginning in April. The services will include health assessments, diagnosis and treatments through the Flagler County Health Department, located at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell, an SMA
Healthcare press release said. The collaboration with the Flagler DoH for primary care services will also include collaboration with other community partners for additional health services like OB-GYN, dental, and chiropractic care. “The purpose of SMA’s expansion of primary care services is to provide greater health care access for citizens in the community,” said SMA Healthcare CEO Ivan Cosimi. “It is our mission to provide exceptional substance abuse, mental health, and primary care services, and this expansion will open another door for individuals to receive quality care.” Flagler County has been designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration as an underserved area for primary care, the press release said, and the clinic will help to serve the county’s uninsured or underinsured population. The clinic will also later add a pharmacy delivery program. SMA Healthcare currently operates out of two facilities in Flagler County: The Flagler Access Center is at 103 E. Moody Blvd, and the outpatient services and Women Assisting Recovering Mothers, at 301 Justice Lane.