PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 17, NO. 19V
SEVEN V. SEVEN PAGE 7B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Budgets trending toward ‘austerity’ Palm Coast feels pressure. PAGE 4A | Flagler clerk gets pushback, as county also forecast cuts. PAGE 6A
Identifying opportunities
Project’s ‘The Lion King Jr.’ I just can’t wait to be king! Penguin featured actors with special needs, alongside mentors on stage. PAGE 1B
City Council’s Charles Gambaro on water, data centers, westward expansion. Q+A PAGE 3A INSIDE ALLESEE RETIRES
Old Kings Elementary School’s Nancy Allesee retires after teaching for 39 years. PAGE 3B
CANDIDATES DEBATE Flagler County School Board candidates debate school choice and its budgetary challenges. PAGE 5A
COACHING CHANGE
Flagler Palm Coast baseball coach Kyle Marsh steps down. PAGE 8B
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 6B Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner................PAGE 2A Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters.......................PAGE 10A Public Notices............ PAGE 6C Schools....................... PAGE 3B Sports..........................PAGE 7B Real Estate................. PAGE 4B
FREE
ON NEWSSTANDS.
$1/WEEK
ON YOUR DRIVEWAY.
The Penguin Project’s “The Lion King Jr.,” June 2026. Photo courtesy of Mike Kitaif
A new era at Split Oak New owners expand Flagler’s agritourism. PAGE 6B Neftali and Nicole DeJesus pose at Split Oak Ranch, new gathering place in Flagler County. Photo by Rich Carroll
What does the Spirit of America mean to you? Write to us! To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, we are asking our readers to submit a short essay, anything from 100 words to 400 words, to answer this question: What does the Spirit of America mean to you? Responses may be published online or in print.
EMPLOYEE PRICING. YOU PAY WHAT WE PAY.
American Value. For American Values. Available on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2025 or 2026 Ford or Lincoln vehicle from a participating dealer. Excludes: 2025
Lincoln Corsair® 2025 cars, Nautilus®; 2025and Fordvans Escape®, 2025Coast Explorer®, 2026 Super Duty® Lariat®, Ranch®to and Platinum® The bank ownsand these trucks - Palm Ford is the site they haveKing selected sell them. models; all Chassis Cab and E-Series Bronco®These Stroppeare andbrand all Raptor® except 2025 Bronco Raptor; Mustang Remember, THESE ARE NOTmodels; BANK2026 REPOS! newmodels and pre-owned vehicles shipped Dark Horse® SC, Mustang GTD™ models, Ford GT; Transit Wagon. U.S. residents only. Prior purchases not eligible. Other exclusions here theorder country, possible bank, to dispose of immediately! may apply. Mustfrom placearound a new retail or takemade new retail delivery by fromthe an authorized Ford or Lincoln Dealer’s stock by 7/6/26. Bring ONE DOLLAR for the bank and bring your trade to our store! See dealer for details.
CALL US: (386) 447-3380 VISIT US: PalmCoastFord.com
PALM COAST FORD – THE EXCLUSIVE DEALER IN THE COUNTY FOR THIS EVENT! 1150 Palm Coast Pkwy, SW • Palm Coast, FL 32137