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The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties Release Update on Historic Peace Deal
Agreement reached on a permanent end to the war in Gaza
Under the agreement, a Palestinian “technocratic” government will be formed, sidelining both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. This will avoid a power vacuum in Gaza.
Iran, previously seen as a spoiler, has reportedly “blessed the deal.”
FDOT and Volusia-Flagler TPO’s Smart Driving College Challenge Wins Big at AASHTO’s TransComm Awards
DELAND, Fla. – Launched earlier this year by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in partnership with the Volusia-Flagler Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the Smart Driving College Challenge received the Interactive Marketing Skill Award at the American Association of State Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Transportation Committee (TransComm) Awards for steering students toward safer driving. The annual skill awards competition, hosted this year in Chicago on September 23, honors excellence in transportation communications from across all 50 state DOTs plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
The Smart Driving College Challenge targeted college students across four Volusia County campuses: Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Stetson University to encourage safer driving habits and reduce distractions.
“We used a social marketing approach to this project. This helped us learn more about reaching college students in a manner that would be well received. Students were very eager to speak with us, especially when they learned that participating in the Smart Driving College Challenge could win them prizes,” said Stephanie Phillips, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator for FDOT District Five’s Office of Safety.
The six-week pilot program turned safe driving into a friendly competition using the Safe Roads Challenge (SRC) app, which tracked driving behaviors like phone use, acceleration, and speeding. Over 750 students and community members participated through social media, digital displays, and outreach events, earning prizes such as gift cards. Daytona State College won the $1,500 grand prize and earned the title of Volusia County’s Safest College.
“By engaging the students through competition and technology, challenges like this transform safe driving from a rule they ‘should’ follow into a choice they ‘want’ to make,” said Pam Blankenship, Community Outreach Coordinator for Volusia-Flagler TPO.
The Smart Driving College Challenge began as a joint project for Phillips and Blankenship and their collaboration was key to the program’s success. This award highlights the joint mission of both agencies to promote safer driving habits.
“It reaffirms that the work we’re doing to educate young drivers and encourage safe driving habits is making a real impact, said Blankenship “It motivates us to keep pushing forward—because every life that we can protect on our roadways is the greatest reward.”
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. When we work together as partners, we can do more to further a positive traffic safety culture,” added Phillips. “I’m humbled for our project to be recognized by TransComm. It’s great to know we are making a difference, and I hope the award brings inspiration to other transportation professionals about innovative ways to connect with people.”
To view the full list of TransComm winners, visit: transportation.org/communications/skills-awards-winners-2025/
TransComm First Place Award: Pictured left to right holding the award- Pam Blankenship, Community Outreach Coordinator, Volusia-Flagler TPO;
Stephanie Phillips, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, FDOT District Five Office of Safety.
Smart Driving College Challenge Winners: Daytona State College won the grand prize. Pictured left to right- Melissa Castorino, Student Life Coordinator; Elijah Houser, Dean of Student Development; Cerese Ramos, Vice President of Student Development; Freddie the Falcon; Dr. Tom LoBasso, President of Daytona State College; Stephanie Phillips, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, FDOT District Five’s Office of Safety; Pam Blankenship, Community Outreach Coordinator for Volusia-Flagler TPO
The Big Five … with Nina Guiglotto, Lotus Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens
1.Tell readers about yourself and how you discovered Palm Coast/Flagler County.
I moved to Palm Coast 8 years ago after selling a business in NY and looking to move to a warmer climate with my family. That decision was the best decision we ever made, and my family agrees.
2. How did you get into the field of end-of-life planning/cemetery services?
I used to save families from Foreclosure in one of my previous endeavors so that role caught the eye of a local funeral home that called me in for an interview after reading my resume. I actually thought selling funeral plans in advance was not a real job, but I went to the interview out of curiosity. I am so glad I did because after receiving extensive training and passing a course to sell insurance products I fell in love with selling in advance. As a planner myself I thought it was such a great idea to be able to protect your loved ones from having to make these decisions on one of the worst days in their lives.
3. You have a knack for making a difficult subject easy to digest. Why is this service so important to you?
When I was 19 my father died at age 47 and we had no idea what to do. My mother didn’t have enough money to cover the funeral, and folks started helping us. Even worse than the financial burden was the task of going to the funeral home to pick out the casket and make such decisions. To this day I can remember the lonely feeling we all felt. I want to help families avoid that. I created a peaceful environment where folks can come in and pre plan with me while they are young and healthy enough to make their own decisions. Pre-planning is for the survivors that people love. It is for their loved ones to know they made the right decisions, and to know they can afford their loved ones wishes. It truly is a gift.
4. Tell readers about Lotus Funeral Services and Memorial Gardens. How does it work?
I have also incorporated an affordable unique way to memorialize loved ones. Many people are cremated, but they do not have a final resting place. I will be releasing details of our first Botanical Memory Gardens pre-construction sales very soon. That is an affordable garden like space that you can plant your loved one as a flower so their memories can bloom on. In addition if someone would like to plant their loved ones at their own home we can do that too or in a potted plant. We offer living urns on our website and we can help commingle the cremated remains of their loved ones to provide an affordable way to offer a lasting memory. The need for a traditional cemetery is decreasing so we need to focus on affordability and practicality so their loved ones can also memorize them online instead of spending thousands on a headstone that you can’t see if you don’t live here.
5. What makes you different from the other funeral services in the region?
Aside from price as I am substantially more affordable than most corporately owned funeral homes, I am offering unique services. I am providing a space that people can be comfortable in when they are making plans either in advance or at the time of need with an extensive coffee bar selection. When someone loses a loved one they need to know they are going to be okay. My environment helps them feel peace and know that they can take their time choosing the best way to memorialize their loved ones. I also offer unique ways to leave loved ones with a gift of sharing their legacy in video format and memory boxes. I can’t share too much, but I encourage people to come in and find out what I mean. Also, the Botanical Memory Gardens offer such an affordable and unique way to remember their loved ones. It really is something I am thrilled to share. The best feeling is helping families feel like they did the right thing for their loved ones, and I offer options so they can do that. I am happy to serve our community with ideas that were not accepted in a corporate environment. As the only owner, I can make decisions that can benefit families in many ways.
Paul Renner for Governor Campaign Amassed $3.7 Million in Just 35 Days
PALM COAST, FL- Today, the Paul Renner for Governor campaign announced an extraordinary fundraising haul, amassing $3.7 million in just 35 days.
For the quarter ending September 30th, Renner will report over $3 million. He continues to build momentum in the new quarter, underscoring his surging popularity in the race for Florida Governor. The race is wide open and primed for a true conservative, like Renner, to take the lead.
This impressive fundraising success highlights Renner’s ability to galvanize support across Florida. With this financial foundation, Renner is well-equipped to build a top-tier campaign team and amplify his proven conservative message to every corner of the Sunshine State.
Renner, the former Florida House Speaker, has earned widespread support for his steadfast leadership and commitment to advancing an agenda that has made Florida a beacon of freedom in the nation. The race for Governor is just beginning, and Renner’s record of principled governance and proven results make him the only true conservative in the race who can protect and advance the Florida we know and love.
“Paul Renner’s unprecedented $3.7 million haul in just 35 days sends a clear message: Floridians trust him to carry forward the legacy of freedom and prosperity that has defined the Free State of Florida,” said Campaign Chief Brett Doster. “With plenty of runway ahead, Paul Renner is the proven conservative leader ready to unite Republicans and always put Florida First.”
Media Release: Paul Renner, Republican, for Governor.
Packing with Purpose: Bunnell Church Embraces Operation Christmas Child
BUNNELL, Fla. – Over 250 million children have received gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child over the past 32 years. For many, it’s the first—and only—gift they’ve ever received. For Basit, who shared his story on Sunday, September 26th, it was exactly that.
Growing up in a Christian family in a country where Christianity was a persecuted minority, Basit offered only a few personal details, but his story resonated deeply with those in attendance. Poverty and exclusion defined much of his early life. He recalled bartering chocolate bars for minutes on a neighbor’s bicycle and sneaking in moments of playtime with a friend’s video games, even as that friend’s parents disapproved of him.
“I had friends in my school, my neighborhood, receiving all these fancy gifts, celebrating birthdays, and enjoying a life that I didn’t have,” he said. “Before that, I had never received any gift in my life. I always wanted to have something that I could call my own.”
That changed when he received a shoebox gift at the age of 13.
“It was on a Friday. I was in school, and afterward we were supposed to go to church to receive our shoebox gifts,” he said. “I was a little bit late, the distribution had already started. As I entered the church, I saw a huge pile of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and was just so happy—very excited.”
Inside the shoebox were school supplies, a toothbrush, gloves, socks, and small toys he could share with his siblings. But one item stood out above all: a picture Bible.
“The most precious thing I received in my shoebox was a picture Bible. Growing up, going to Sunday school, our teacher used to teach us from one—and I always wanted to have my own,” he said. “At that time, they were very few and very hard for us to get. My mom always told us to pray, and that God would provide at the right time.”
Taking the box home, he was overwhelmed.
“It was just so amazing for me,” he said. “The one thing that has always stayed with me is that somebody actually took time from their busy day and schedule to pack a shoebox for someone like me. It was not just a shoebox. It was a symbol of hope and love.”
First Baptist Church of Bunnell Joins the Mission
Founded in 1993 by Franklin Graham under the Samaritan’s Purse umbrella, Operation Christmas Child continues to grow in reach and impact. This year, First Baptist Church of Bunnell is thrilled to join the mission as an official shoebox drop-off location.
Pam Sobolesky, area coordinator for the Ormond and Flagler teams, welcomed the new site.
“This is the first year the First Baptist Church of Bunnell is participating as a drop-off location,” said Sobolesky.
The church will host a range of activities, including packing parties and a prayerful send-off for the completed shoeboxes. The logistics of collection and distribution are critical, said Sobolesky, with the boxes eventually reaching more than 100 countries worldwide.
“Our logistics network is extremely important because that’s what we rely on to collect the boxes and get them to a plant in Atlanta, Georgia,” she explained. “Operation Christmas Child sends boxes to over 100 countries. One box could be a gospel opportunity for a child to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and that’s why I do it.”
“A Heart Mission”
Jody Payne has been involved with the program for more than 20 years, and her passion hasn’t dimmed.
“This is a heart mission for me,” said Payne, who is leading the effort at First Baptist Church as drop-off and project leader. “It’s not the contents of the box. It’s the message that goes through the box—that they are loved. Not just by people from another country that they don’t know, but that God loves them.”
She’s seen firsthand how prayers are answered in the simplest, most personal ways.
“There are many stories out there where children have been praying for things—and they’re in their box. It’s a true, God-ordained miracle,” she said. “These children have nothing. Their parents may have nothing. This is a tangible way for them to see Christ’s love—the hands and feet of Christ coming to them. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and this still melts my heart.”
How to Get Involved
Community members are invited to pick up empty shoeboxes or drop off filled ones any time the church office is open. The goal this year is to collect 500 boxes.
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Packing Party: November 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
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National Collection Week: November 17–24, 2025
For more information or to learn how you can participate, visit:
samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child
Governor Ron DeSantis Awards the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Coach Lee Corso
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— On October 4, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded Coach Lee Corso with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, one of the highest honors in the state of Florida, in recognition of his impact on college football, sports broadcasting, and his alma mater Florida State University.
“For decades, Lee has been an essential part of the college football experience,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “From his time as the ‘Sunshine Scooter’ at Florida State, to his coaching career, to his iconic headgear picks each Saturday morning, Lee has been a fixture of college football. He has devoted his life to the game he loves, and he has made all Floridians proud.”
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the state of Florida and its citizens, and Lee Corso has exemplified that achievement and beyond.
Lee Corso moved to Florida at the age of 10 and came to Florida State from Miami in 1953 as one of the most highly recruited players in Florida history. Four years later, he graduated leaving a record for versatility rarely matched in collegiate sports. He starred on both offense and defense on the football field, leading the Seminoles in interceptions in 1954, rushing in 1955, and passing in 1956, He was the FSU career interception leader with 14 until Deion Sanders tied him in the late 1980’s. He was honorable mention All-America (Associated Press) as a senior in 1956 and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game. Corso was also an outfielder on the Seminole baseball team.
After graduation, Lee became an assistant football coach at Florida State, Maryland, and Navy before becoming head coach at Louisville and Indiana. He became a household name as an ESPN analyst on the College Football Gameday television show, which he was part of for 38 years, retiring in 2025. He visited Florida State University with College GameDay 11 times and made 19 FSU headgear picks out of 28 games involving Florida State.
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom was established in 2020 under Section 14.35, Florida Statutes, which allows the Governor to recognize any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the interests and citizens of the state, its culture, or other significant public or private endeavor.
The legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden was the inaugural recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom on April 7, 2021. Other recipients of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom include Felix I. Rodríguez-Mendigutía, who received the award on September 16, 2021, Barbara Nicklaus, who received the award on February 25, 2022, and Benjamin Ferencz, who received the award on April 7, 2022. In August 2025, Governor DeSantis posthumously awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Jimmy Buffett, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Bob Graham, Buddy MacKay, and John Thrasher.
Media Release: Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Tragic Car Crash Takes the Life of Deputy County Administrator Jorge Salinas and Wife
October 6, 2025 – Flagler County has recently learned that our Deputy County Administrator Jorge Salinas died in a horrific crash. There are no additional details available to be released at this time.
“Jorge was a very strong partner in leading Flagler County,” Administrator Heidi Petito said. “I can’t even imagine the depth of his loss to our community or the pain his children and family must feel. He is already missed.”
The Board of County Commissioners share that sentiment.
“I am very saddened,” said Chair Andy Dance. “A significant void has been created in our Flagler County community. He was a trusted and respected member of the leadership team. My heart goes out to his children and family. Thank you, Jorge, for your service to us and your country.”
Follow Flagler County Government on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment.
Butterfly Talk Draws Local Author to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Carol Ann Aldinger knows a lot about the Eastern Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. So much so that she wrote a book called “The Eastern Giant Swallowtail Butterfly … Nature’s Transformation”, but she doesn’t know too much about the other varieties of butterfly that call Washington Oaks Gardens State Park home.
Attending a talk on butterflies on Saturday, September 26th, the author was among dozens who had gathered for the ranger-led presentation by Joe Woodbury on butterflies.
New Life Brings New Interest
“I got into butterflies in 2016 and I decided to come here to see what the talk was about,” said Aldinger. “I brought my book, and I hope they share them in gift shop.”
Carol’s fascination with butterflies started after her mother passed away and she found a caterpillar. Unable to find the information she was looking for, she became a citizen scientist.
“I decided to set up cameras and I took video 24-7, watched what they did, put it into a book and put the videos with it,” she said.
Her work focused on the swallowtail, while the rangers’ presentation encompassed a wider variety of butterflies.
Ranger Woodbury led the discussion offering a primer on the lifecycle of butterflies before delving deeper into a discussion on the five or six main kinds of butterflies known to frequent the property. Showing examples, local butterflies ranged from the colorful Long-tailed Skipper and Gulf Fritillary to the Monarch, Cloudless Sulphur, and the Zebra Heliconian.
The talk touched on the best types of plants for local gardeners interested in hosting and feeding the delicate wildlife and included a discussion on multi-generational migration patterns.
“What I do want to do is instill a love for butterflies so you guys all go out and become conservationists for butterflies,” shared Ranger Woodbury.
A storm rolled in just as the group began to explore the gardens, and Ranger Woodbury invited attendees back another day for butterfly watching.
Tips from the Ranger Station by Ranger Joe Woodbury
Nectar Plants
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Lantana, the native variety
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Pentas flowers, must be the tall growing variety
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Buddleia
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Firebush, the Zebra Longwing prefer these
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Milkweed
Host Plants
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Milkweed, for the Monarch Butterfly larva
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Passion Flower, for the Zebra Longwing and Gulf Fritillary larva. It’s very important to plant the purple passion flower, not the red.
*Note: Stay away from Dutchman’s Pipe as a host plant. It can become invasive in this part of Florida.
