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Palm Coast Historical Society to Unveil Historical Mural In Honor of Jon Netts
FCSO: A 12-Time Convicted Felon is Back Behind Bars
A 12-time convicted felon is behind bars once again today after attempting to burglarize a home his estranged wife was inside of. Andre Darrell Harvey is being held in the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $45,500 bond on nine felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies, an FCSO K-9 unit and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) AirOne unit took part in a manhunt for the 44-year-old Palm Coast man in the W-Section of Palm Coast shortly after 2 a.m., Monday morning.
The search began after Harvey broke through a bedroom window of a Wellesley Lane home shortly after 1 a.m. Moments later, in the backyard of the home, Harvey would confront his estranged wife and point a gun at her chest. A short struggle would result in Harvey fleeing the scene in a gray Nissan.
Andre Darrell Harvey photo on file with the Florida Department of Corrections.
Deputies spotted the car and pursued it onto Whetstone Drive where Harvey would park near a residence and flee on foot throwing an unknown object into an open garage and then run on the side of the home. A later search of the garage would result in the recovery of a handgun reported stolen in Miami. A further search near Harvey’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of a plastic baggy containing 11 grams of fentanyl on the ground, near his abandoned car.
Deputies requested the assistance of an FCSO K-9 unit and VCSO’s AirOne helicopter to help in the search. AirOne observed to see Harvey’s heat signature on their FLIR system as he made his way through the neighborhood, eventually helping deputies track him down behind a Wheeling Lane home.
With convictions dating back to 1997, Harvey has been convicted 12 different times for various felonies including possession of cocaine, felony larceny and burglary.
“A team effort between our deputies on the ground and AirOne helped capture this dirt bag yet again,” Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This incident could have turned deadly to the victim or our deputies with a convicted felon armed with a stolen handgun. My question is what the hell is he doing free to prey on society once again with his criminal record? He needs to be put away for a very long time before he kills someone next time.”
Harvey faces charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, Armed Burglary of a Dwelling, Fleeing and Eluding at High Speed, Trafficking Amounts of Fentanyl, Grand Theft of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon, Tampering with Evidence and Resisting without Violence.
Watch the video of the pursuit and capture now: https://bit.ly/CatchingAFelon
Good News Community Clip: FCSO COPs Promoted
Sheriff Rick Staly was on hand to officially promote five Citizen Observer Patrol (C.O.P.) officers in a ceremony this morning at the Palm Coast Community Center. Since 2005, C.O.P. officers have worked approximately 260,000 hours, saving the county nearly $5 million.
Information: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Garden Club at Palm Coast Welcomes In (Almost) Spring Festival
Palm Coast, FL – While it may have seemed this weekend that winter was still upon us, it didn’t deter those ready to dive into their spring landscaping projects from heading to the 9th Annual Spring Festival and Plant Sale, hosted by The Garden Club at Palm Coast on Saturday.
The festival’s expansive layout provided easily navigable booth space on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School where everything from garden art to propagated plants were available to shoppers.
Elayne Byrd, a member of the propagation guild for the past three years shares her love of plants and gardening as a member of the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park group, as well, and was more than happy to take shoppers on a walk and talk of the guild’s offerings.
“We all try to save up plants for this event every year and there’s over 25 or 30 of us in the propagation guild growing,” she shared, showing off air plants, herbs and a variety of succulents. “We’re always known for our bromeliads, but those are totally gone.”
The festival provided clubs like the Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park and the Flagler County Orchid Society opportunity to learn more about joining club meetings and onsite activities, while offering tips on caring for the delicate flowers or eradicating invasive species. Also offering tips, the garden club’s arranger’s guild shared their expertise through demos to a fascinated audience.
Port Orange crafters like Charles and Diana Moore used the festival as an avenue to display their handiwork – carved cedar tables and hand-painted custom tables, during the show.
“The tops are plain tile, and one day I’m out in my shop making a table. I made a table with one of the slates, she looked at it and said I’m going to put a painting on it,” he said. “We started and have been doing it ever since, 15-20 years.”
Draped Hypertufa artist Carol Brown, kept busy talking with attendees about her unique plant pots and the upcoming art show ‘Face of Ukraine’ to benefit World Central Kitchen at the Gallery of Local Art in Flagler Beach, set for April 23rd.
“When I was a kid I loved playing in the mud. Now people pay me for the mud I play in,” said Brown, who hoped to inspire other artists to join in the fundraiser and raise awareness of the upcoming benefit among festival traffic.
Closing out the show with the presentation of the club’s poster contest winner, Matanzas High School student Sophia Martinez was on hand to be recognized for her artistic skills and receive her prize – a $100 gift certificate and framed copy of her work.
“I kind of started out, I didn’t really know what to do. I was just thinking about flowers and then I put the flowers in the background and went and put more flowers around the words and put a whole bunch more flowers and really like how it came out, so I added color and everything,” she said excitedly.
Studying digital media, it was her first foray into an art contest, and she was surprised to learn her entry had been selected.
“I was so surprised. My teacher announced it to the class and I saw my name in first place, and I was like ‘what’!” she said.
Martinez’s parents commemorated the moment with photos and video.
“It was just such an honor and we’re so proud of her,” said mom Heather Martinez. “It’s just so exciting for her to be recognized.”
Festival chair Denise Garcia beamed as she posed with Martinez for the award, deeming the day a success.
“This was a beautiful year because the committee is so committed that everybody knows their jobs,” said Garcia. “We got here, the school was outstanding, the tables were set up, everything was ready for us, our students that do our posters have done a beautiful job and we’ve been busy all day long.”
See the full photo gallery on here.
How Sweet It Is – Christmas Come True Fundraiser Showcases Flagler’s Finest Dessert Makers
Palm Coast, FL – It was a Food Network lover’s dream come true as more than a dozen bakers and sweet artists from around Flagler County pulled out their favorite recipes and signature dishes to wow the judges for the inaugural Dash of Delish Bake-Off.
Co-hosted by Charming Sisters Events and Elite Dance and Travel Studio, the elegant afternoon event was created by event planner Ashley Skaer-Tilley and Christmas Come True founder Nadine King to benefit the beloved nonprofit organization assisting Flagler County residents in need all year long.
From chocolatier Diane Wasney’s springy mint chocolate marshmallow bars to Leann Pennington’s mini lemon soufflé, Michele Collins’ apple cinnamon whoopee pies – breakfast and dessert in one, and Lee Ann Vogel’s raspberry crumb shortbread bars, the offerings were packed with flavor.
Chocolate lovers found no shortage of delights as they visited with Irene Beissel for a taste of authentic Black Forest Cake, a recipe that earned her second place in the competition, surrounded by the likes of Melinda Rivera’s signature Triple Chocolate Cake, Patti Comeau-Simonsen’s Single Layer Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Jen Caia’s exquisitely designed floral cupcakes with an expresso pop and Becca Johnson’s Tiramisu cupcakes with lighter than air frosting.
Bringing their Oreo cheesecake, Mrs. Confections Co. had judges going back for more and Angelica Rosado’s dainty raspberry lemon samples were perfect for tea with the Queen.
Presentation was also part of the overall event, and Jessica Steckert pulled out all of the stops for her display, winning a nod of approval from guests and the first place award – a three day, two night stay at the Hammock Beach Resort, while the event’s other stunner, the chocolate covered strawberries, over-sized, sweet and hand decorated by April Cardenas were festive showstoppers, earning her third place.
“I’ve been doing this about seven years,” shared Cardenas. “It’s my dream to one day have a storefront. It’s just my passion to bake and make my strawberries and show people.”
Hostess Magdalena Piekarz was excited to open her professional dance studio and ballroom for the event.
“Working with Nadine has just been wonderful. To know that we can now in having the facility, be able to hold this event and support them in a way that is possible to help the children, the families in need, it’s just a wonderful thing,” said Piekarz, who has been generous to charitable organizations since opening her doors in Palm Coast’s Roma Court.
“I think that now, for the first time in my life, I have this opportunity. You always want to give, and while financially I cannot help yet, I can help with space, resources and time, so that’s a way for me to help,” she said.
King was humbled by the support for Christmas Come True as the organization officially begins fundraising for a permanent building to house operations for the nonprofit, with a $4 million goal.
“It’s (been) extremely successful,” said King appreciatively.
“The bakers here have done a phenomenal job displaying their wonderful food and we have so many wonderful people that are showing up to support this. Magdalena has been such a gracious hostess.”
Excited to work with King and her bevy of volunteers on this event, Charming Sisters Events owner Ashley Skaer-Tilley is set to host her next event, a Spring Fling at the Fairgrounds on April 30th with over 70 handcrafted and direct sales vendors.
“It is awesome. I love that she is willing to help everybody in the community,” said Skaer-Tilley. “To be able to take my 10 years in event planning and be able to help her come up with something like this is truly amazing.”
Winners: Jessica Steckert (1st Place), Irene Beissel (2nd Place), April Cardenas (3rd Place)
Judges: Quinn Bui, Heather Turdo (Flagler Auditorium), Sarah Foster Davis (Author, “Confession”), Danielle Anderson (Flagler News Weekly)
The Big Five … with Nate Monsanto
Tell readers a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Palm Coast, FL with my Mom, Dad and older brother Nick. I attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School before going to FPCHS. I continued my journey in the 386 to Stetson University where I graduated in 2019. I was lucky to be born into a big family that supported my brother and me with all our endeavors. My grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and other extended family all live in Palm Coast as well so the family gatherings were always fun and memorable. Ever since I can remember we were outside playing all types of games and sports but there was always one ball we’d find ourselves playing with the most…and we weren’t using our hands.
You’ve just signed your first professional contract for soccer. How did you get into the sport?
My Opa played professional football (soccer) and played for his country’s national team, Suriname, a Dutch speaking country in South America. Seemingly enough the love for the beautiful game was passed down two generations to my father and aunt, and then my brother and me. Being the youngest of the family, I loved competing against my brother and the other bigger kids. I couldn’t have made it this far and signed my first professional contract without the constant time spent with my brother and my best friends in the street, at the park, and even inside the house (RIP to the many things we broke…sorry Mom). Soccer is all we knew: we would wake up and watch games, talk/think about it all day, practice outside when we got home from school, and even cry when the rain would cancel our club team training at night. I have to thank soccer for helping me make friendships that will last a lifetime.
For young aspiring athletes, what does it take to become a professional level athlete?
Becoming a professional athlete is all about working on yourself when no one is watching. Every day is a blessing. If you can get better every day, then you are headed in the right direction. Even losing a game or making a mistake can be important in the long run; learn and compete with yourself to be the best version of yourself. Having a checklist every day and trying your best to get as many things crossed off as possible: getting good sleep, eating healthy, working hard on something (even when you don’t want to), and most of all having a balance. For me, life isn’t only about soccer. I spend time with loved ones and enjoy the little things off the field so that when I return to it, I remember why I’m doing it…because it makes me happy. Finding happiness through hard work is the key!
What’s been your biggest challenge and your biggest accomplishment so far?
My biggest challenge has been leaving the only place I’ve ever lived, my hometown. Moving to Phoenix has been eyeopening and adjusting to the new environment has given me a boost of confidence. I am proud to be a professional and represent a new community of soccer-lovers. I want to continue to give back to the beautiful game what it has given me. My biggest accomplishment so far would probably be the fact that I have been able to enjoy the best things in life as well as accomplish my dream. I am a man of faith who has graduated with an IB diploma, an integrative health science degree, traveled the world, met extraordinary people and learned many things…but I’ve also been able to wear the jerseys and colors of my community and and be a leader for the next generation.
How has your family helped you achieve your dreams and where do you go from here?
Without my family, I would not be the young man I am today. The feeling of looking into the stands and seeing a crowd who have dedicated so much to my journey means the world. Even thousands of miles away they tune into every game and wish me luck each day. In all seriousness, I am the luckiest boy in the world to be a Monsanto. The only place for me to go from here is up! I am excited for my journey to take me to new places that I’ve never even imagined.
Raise A Glass: Cheer at the Pier Makes a Splash with Beachside Celebration
Flagler Beach, FL – Sending the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier off in true style, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum welcomed more than 400 guests for what is likely to be the final Cheer at the Pier – on the existing pier, that is.
Slated for an overhaul beginning next year, it’s bon voyage to what’s standing, and fans of the signature Cheer at the Pier event couldn’t wait to return and celebrate together after a hiatus lasting several years.
Greeting guests at the gate, Flagler Beach Historical Museum board president Robbie Creal was pleased to see the turnout in support of the museum, having help oversee new projects for the museum as it reached the 20 year milestone in 2021.
“All proceeds go to support the Flagler Beach Historical Museum,” he said. “This very much helps us with improvements and we’re always trying to improve the museum. I’ve always been interested in history and lived in the county all my life, so this is my thing.”
Flanked by volunteers with a big smile on her face, Flagler Beach Historical Museum director Kathy Wilcox expressed her gratitude for the support from the local restauranteurs to bring the event back to the community.
“We have 14 of our Flagler Beach restaurants participating and a wonderful group of sponsors that are helping put this event on,” said Wilcox. “We are just tickled pink that the weather is beautiful.”
Whipping up delicacies and customer favorites, a dozen or so restaurants donated dishes and drinks to entertain guests of the museum for the afternoon. From Uncork’d wine bar to Romero’s Tuscany by the Sea and Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, it was a breakfast-to-dinner peek at some of the best of the Flagler Beach foodie scene.
Getting out of the house and enjoying the fresh air, Richard Hamilton and Leo Motivans made the rounds, starting off at The Garden Club at Palm Coast’s annual spring festival that morning, with a mid-day stop at Cheer at the Pier to sample, deeming the salmon from Beach Front Grill and the pastries from SunBros Café among their favorites.
“It’s wonderful to be able to see everybody. It’s been, what, three years and this is the last one until the do the new pier,” mused Hamilton.
Supporting events that attract not only the local community, but visitors to the area, Flagler County’s destination development officer Debra Naughton spoke with various attendees as they came to and from the event.
“We are absolutely delighted to have this back,” said Naughton. “It’s bringing a lot of people into Flagler Beach, seeing what we have to offer. It’s good for tourism, giving visitors something else to do and how great our community is.”
See the photo gallery here.
FCSO: Armed Domestic Situation Ends After Standoff
Editor’s Note: Help is available 24 hours a day by calling the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.
𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧-𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐟𝐟
After attempting for seven hours to help end a domestic violence situation peacefully, a Palm Coast Plantation woman sadly committed suicide.
It all began just before 8 a.m., today, when the Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call in regards to an armed domestic violence situation that was occurring inside a home in Palm Coast Plantation. It would come to an end when the woman was seriously injured with a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before 3 p.m.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Deputies, FCSO SWAT and Crisis Negotiation units worked with Flagler County Fire-Rescue, Palm Coast Fire Department and Palm Coast Technology throughout the day at the Emerald Lake Drive scene in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
The husband was initially held at gunpoint by the woman, but he and a child were able to be rescued by deputies shortly after the standoff began. However, for the next several hours, attempts to communicate with the armed woman through various means were unsuccessful.
“She was refusing to communicate. So we used our robot, drones and other technology in hopes of communicating with her,” Staly added. “Based on our technology, we observed her holding the gun in a suicidal manner. We knew from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in a prior nine-hour standoff with her that she would not communicate and a tactical resolution would be the only solution.”
Because of the threat to the neighborhood, and her lack of responsiveness to communicating with the Crisis Negotiation team, tactical gas was deployed. The woman went into the home’s lanai holding a gun to her head and started to walk into the pool. Deputies used non-lethal weapons in an attempt to disarm her, but she shot herself in front of deputies while in the pool. Deputies immediately pulled her from the pool and began emergency first aid. Flagler Fire-Rescue, who was already on the scene, immediately began performing life-saving measures and transported her to Advent Health-Palm Coast. She was later flown to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach where she would later die from her self-inflicted injury.
“We did all we could to end this incident peacefully without injury,” Staly said. “I’m proud of our team that did everything they could to resolve this situation peacefully. This is not the outcome we were hoping for. But in these situations, we do not control the outcome.
Fortunately, no deputies, neighbors or the family members were injured during this almost eight-hour incident. Our prayers go out to the family as this is a sad and difficult time for everyone involved.”
Media Release: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
A Hoppin’ Friday Night as Flagler County Fair & Youth Show Returns
Flagler County, FL – Dressed in their finest, proudly representing their organization, youth from across Flagler County headed to the Flagler County Fairgrounds on Friday evening for the culmination of a year’s worth of work.
Showcasing their projects – livestock they have raised and cared for over the course of the season, students offered a look at the rabbits, pullets, goat, heifer, steer, and swine, up for auction during Friday night’s sale, setting up early in the week during a downpour.
“All week long, they’ve had shows every night,” said Flagler County Fair & Youth Show President Penny Buckles. “The dedication of the kids and the parents, they came out in that storm to bring their animals, it was awesome. I love these kids and their parents.”
Olivia Denino, President of the Flagler Palm Coast High School 4-H Club was among those at Cattleman’s Hall on Friday evening to meet with attendees and help oversee the event’s success.
“It’s amazing. I’ve spoken to some of the little kids and it’s just fun talking with them and helping them with their animals. They love telling us about their animals. They all have names for them. It’s so much fun and I love little kids, seeing them light up about something that they’re passionate about,” she said.
Denino has used the opportunity to lead as a chance for teambuilding during her time in leadership.
“I was always interested in seeing what the other kids wanted to do,” she said, incorporating photography and gardening into the projects while learning leadership skills as part of the organization.
The projects have earned special places in the hearts of their students, and while the steer and swine usually draw big numbers during the auction each year, it was one rabbit, shown by 13-year old Rylie King that ended with murmurs of appreciation for dedicated mother Brittany King and family, who paid $1,300 for her daughter’s rabbit after a heated bidding war in the arena.
“She fell in love honestly,” said King. “This is her first year doing 4-H and she just grew a bond to him, and couldn’t let him go.”
As part of the Bunnell Homesteaders Cloverbud 4-H Club, the seventh grade student has a vision for her future that includes animal care.
“She wants to be a large animal vet when she grows up, so this is her stepping stone in her career,” shared King. “That’s what she sees it as. This has opened her up and we’re just really proud of her.”
The Flagler County Fair & Youth Show traditionally coincides with a large carnival at the fairgrounds, and while less boisterous this year, Buckles, who oversees the event as fair manager was glad to have a return to the in-person show and sale for the students, who benefit from the sale of their projects and display their club entries for recognition.
“The money actually goes to each and every kid that owns the animal,” said Buckles. “Most of these kids use it for their scholarships, it goes into a savings account. Some kids use it for next year’s projects as well, because this is a project. This is a business venture for these kids,” she said.
10th Annual Roscolusa Headed to Ponte Vedra Beach April 23rd
