PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IMPROVED BULLDOGS PAGE 4B
VOLUME 14, NO. 31
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023
McMillans District apologizes, investigates acquire Observer Bunnell principal, teacher on leave in aftermath of segregated assemblies. PAGE 3A
Photo by Lauren Newman
OBSERVER STAFF
John Walsh and his brother Matt Walsh have sold the Palm Coast Observer and Ormond Beach Observer. The buyers may be familiar to readers: Former editor Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, will take over as co-owners, effective immediately. “I couldn’t be more comfortable, or more proud, with Brian and Hailey McMillan carrying the Observer forward,” said John Walsh, who will be retiring as co-owner and publisher. “We’ve built this together, and we know that quality local news will continue to serve our communities.” Seeing a need for hyper local news in Palm Coast, in 2010, John Walsh partnered with Matt Walsh and Lisa Walsh, co-owners of Sarasota-based Observer Media Group Inc., to start the Palm Coast Observer, with Brian McMillan as editor. The Ormond Beach Observer was founded in 2012. The newspapers went on to win dozens of awards as members of the Florida Press Association. Brian McMillan left the Observer in 2022. When the opportunity arose, the McMillans formed McMillan Ink LLC and bought the Observers this week. Hailey McMillan, 41, will continue as the newspaper’s awardwinning page designer. “I’m back because I believe in the mission of these newspapers,” said Brian McMillan, 43. “The Walshes have been gracious and wise mentors, and Hailey and I consider them to be family.” “It’s a sad day and a great day — sad because my wife and business partner, Lisa, and my brother, John, are sad to be selling the Palm Coast and Ormond Beach Observers. But it’s a great day because we could not be happier to have Brian and Hailey McMillan as the buyers,” Matt Walsh said. “Family and health circumstances made Lisa and me reach this tough decision to sell. But we do so with great pride in what John, Brian and our Palm Coast and Ormond Beach colleagues contributed to Palm Coast and Ormond Beach over the past 13 years of our ownership. “They helped make their communities better by keeping people informed and helped make the local economies better by helping local businesses promote their products and services — the essential roles of a local newspaper. “I know, because of Brian’s and Hailey’s talents and values, they will take the Observers and Observerlocalnews.com to new, higher and better levels,” Matt Walsh said.
Photo by Brent Woronoff
Debbie and James Bellino, pastors with Church of the Rock, and Rev. Terry Wines of First United Methodist Church of Bunnell hold encouraging signs as students arrive at Bunnell Elementary School
Flagler prepares for the storm
BUILD OR NOT?
Schools, government offices and parks closed ahead of Hurricane Idalia.
BOMB SCARE
PAGE 2A
Big lift for school
ILA Oversight Committee cautious in face of school district’s projected growth. PAGE 4A
No explosives found at home of Blare Drive homicide after chest of ammunition sparks investigation. PAGE 11A
HALL OF FAMER
NEW WEAPON
FPC’s Duane Hagstrom inducted into Florida Strength and Power Hall of Fame. PAGE 6B
Mainland transfer Micah McGuire ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns in Matanzas’ 30-8 season-opening win at Groveland South Lake. PAGE 6B
Perch-A-Thon raises $7,000 for Bunnell Elementary School. PAGE 1B
Trophies for FPC The Bulldogs’ boys were second and the girls were third at the Spikes and Spurs Classic cross country meet.
PAGE 5B TURTLE TRACKS
INDEX
Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner............... PAGE 6A Letters.......................PAGE 12A Public Notices............ PAGE 8A Sports......................... PAGE 4B Real Estate..................PAGE 7B Veterans....................PAGE 12A
Photo by Jake Montgomery
Bunnell Assistant Principal Eron Riley and former Principal Marcus Sanfilippo stand with Chris Dalessio prior to him being lifted up.
New nests: 7 Total nests: 854 Loggerhead nests: 577 Kemp’s Ridley Nests: 0 Green sea turtle nests: 271 Leatherback nests: 6 Beverley Beach: 63 Flagler Beach: 248 FNFS: 543