Flagler County, FL – On Thursday, April 29th at 6:00 p.m., Sheriff Rick Staly will hold the fourth annual public Addressing Crime Together (A.C.T.) meeting. This hybrid meeting will take place in-person at the Palm Coast Hilton Garden Inn, on WNZF NewsRadio, and virtually via the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
At the meeting, Sheriff Staly will discuss crime in Flagler County, the initiatives the Sheriff’s Office has made to improve public service, and agency plans for 2021.
Palm Coast, FL – On Wednesday, April 28, Mayor Milissa Holland delivered the City’s fourth annual State of the City address. This year’s theme highlighted the connections that have helped the City navigate through, and overcome, complex challenges in a year of uncertainty.
“This year your city leaders conquered complex challenges and celebrated strategic successes all through a year of unprecedented uncertainty,” said Mayor Milissa Holland. “We stayed focused – paying close attention to the needs of our developing community, we strengthened partnerships and stayed attuned to ever-changing opportunities to deliver on your priorities.”
This year’s address was broadcast via the City’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Mayor Holland highlighted the City’s collaborative and innovative response to the COVID-19 crisis; the City’s financial status; economic developments; work that has been and is being done to maintain and improve our infrastructure and amenities; and more.
“Today I proudly share with you how our efforts on attracting industries with economic foundations based on education, healthcare, technology and manufacturing have led to the creation of over 1,000 new jobs this year,” said Mayor Holland.
The broadcast is available for viewing on-demand on the City’s YouTube channel (@palmcoastgovtv) and Facebook page (@palmcoastgov) or by visiting the State of the City page on the City website at palmcoastgov.com/council/state-of-the-city.
Mayor Holland also presented the Mayor’s annual awards for Citizen of the Year, Public Safety and Next Generation.
Citizen of the Year – Greg Peters, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church. Peters was honored for his partnership and efforts in mobilizing the community behind the successful ‘Feed Palm Coast’ initiative. Peters also continued efforts to support food drives, brought the community together with the Palm Coast Unites event, and other charitable work. You can watch the video of the award presentation here: https://youtu.be/Afe-ioFT0OQ.
Public Safety Award – Bob Snyder, Florida Department of Health in Flagler County – Administrator; Dr. Stephen Bickel, Florida Department of Health in Flagler County – Medical Director; Jonathan Lord, Flagler County Emergency Management Director; and Gerard Forte, City of Palm Coast Fire Chief. The local response to the COVID-19 crisis was a collaborative response between the DOH-Flagler, Flagler County Emergency Operations Center, and the City of Palm Coast Fire Department. The coordination and strong teamwork among the agencies helped keep the community informed as well as aiding the City leadership to make sound informed decisions throughout the crisis. You can watch the award presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRTY8SZ91i8.
Next Generation Award – Brandy DeMarco, City of Palm Coast Firefighter. DeMarco has shown a strong commitment to her family, community and nation. She is a graduate of the Fire Department’s intern program and moved on to become a career firefighter while also holding an additional job. She also served in the U.S. military. You can watch the award presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7fdQfFkH98.
In addition to watching the State of the City video, residents can read the 2020 Annual Progress Report. The City produces the annual report to provide citizens an overview of accomplishments, achievements and progress based on the goals set by the Palm Coast City Council. The report is accessible via the City’s State of the City page on the City’s website www.palmcoastgov.com/council/state-of-the-city.
For more information please contact Brad West, Sr. Communications Officer, at 386-986-2484 or bwest@palmcoastgov.com.
Media Release: City of Palm Coast
Palm Coast, FL – Local organizers of the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival are pleased to announce that the festival kicks off on Thursday, April 29th at 5:00 pm with a free kick-off show at European Village, located at 101 Palm Harbor Pkwy, Palm Coast.
“This year’s music festival will showcase 31 HIT singer/songwriters at Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater,” said Garry Lubi, PCSF Committee Chair. “Our seating chart for the shows at Daytona State College have been amended to allow for greater spacing between ticket buyers,” Garry added.
The free kickoff show at European Village on April 29 is on a first come, first serve basis. There is also a Bloody Mary Brunch Bash at Oceanside Bar & Grill in Flagler Beach on May 1st. This is a ticketed event for upper deck reservations at $30 per ticket that includes a free mimosa or Bloody Mary. Those interested in attending can email oceansidebg@gmail.com to make a reservation. And for guests staying at, or members of, the Hammock Resort, there is a pool party concert on May 1st.
There will be an autographed guitar signed by all of the performers auctioned off with proceeds going to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Flagler County. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at www.PalmCoastSongwritersFestival.com.
Unlike other musical festivals where audience members just listen to songs, the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival provides a unique, more intimate experience between the artist and the listener. The songwriters will often not only perform the songs they’ve written, but often share the meaning behind their lyrics. These songwriters have over 125 #1 HITS. Ticket buyers so far have come from states like Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, as well as many other cities around Florida and local residents.
The show will go on rain or shine. Coolers and pets are not allowed. Refreshments, including food, beer and wine, will be available to purchase at the event. The Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater is located at 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE, Palm Coast, Florida 32137.
The event is presented by Flagler Health+ and Beutlich Pharmaceuticals, along with additional presenting sponsor Spectrum; plus Platinum sponsors: Zander Property Group, CenterState Bank, Florida House Representative, Paul Renner, Z Music Room, Observer Media, Flagler Broadcasting: KIX Country 98.7 and St. Augustine Country 106.3.
For more information, including a full schedule of shows, visit www.PalmCoastSongwritersFestival.com. Connect with the festival at PalmCoastSongFest on Facebook, @PalmCoastSongFest on Instagram, and @PalmCoastFest on Twitter.
Media Release: Marketing 2 Go
Palm Coast – The City of Palm Coast’s fourth annual State of the City address will be available for residents to watch from the comfort of their own home or office.
What: State of the City video address
Who: Mayor Milissa Holland outlines the City’s accomplishments of the past year in a 30-minute presentation.
When: April 28, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Where: Tune in to the City’s YouTube (@palmcoastgovtv) and Facebook (@palmcoastgov) channels for the video release from your phone or desktop.
Provision Packs founder and CEO Carrie Torres is pleased to announce that the 501(c)3 organization’s fundraiser, The River Scramble Par-Tee on the Halifax, presented along with Preferred Business Group, is seeking volunteers to assist at the fundraiser. The golf experience is sold out, but there is still space available to attend the kick-off party on May 7th at 6:00pm at Broken Spoke Saloon.
“We need more volunteers than we’ve ever needed before,” said Provision Packs Board Member, Casey Epton Roush. “We are looking for 60 volunteers for all areas of our event,” Casey added.
Businesses are invited to get involved with this fun event and showcase their business, all while feeding local kids with hole sponsorships, event sponsorships, signing up for a vendor space, volunteering, or donating a raffle item(s). Those interested are asked to contact events@provisionpacks.org or JeToyaMobley@mgncontracting,com.
For more information and to volunteer for the event online, visit: https://www.provisionpacks.org/events.
Palm Coast, FL (April 27, 2021) Fancy a new red hat? They have them. Rolls of wrapping paper? Those too. A summer romance novel or the one of the classics? Rows of them.
Hosting their annual 3-day rummage sale, with 120 women in their group, the Elks 2709 Auxiliary Women don’t play around when it comes to providing the community with bargains while raising money for their lodge along with the state’s Florida Elks Children’s Therapy program and the Harry Anna trust fund according to president Georgia Hall.
A seven year member of the local organization, she said there are lodges all over the state that lend a hand.
“We all contribute to (the Harry Anna trust fund helping to support) the camp for underprivileged children and the physical therapists that go out and service the children, for families that cannot pay,” she said.
Collecting items throughout the year for the big sale, event co-chair Beverley Kronen is no nonsense about the whole affair and when she and co-chair Ilse Wilhelm put out the call for volunteers to prep and set up, many hands made light work.
“This year we had quite a few women help us,” shared Kronen. “Within one day they had this whole thing set up. They did a fantastic job this year.”
Scanning the newly renovated ballroom of the Elks Club, it’s a testament to where the fundraising in past years has gone. New carpet, new curtains and freshly painted walls, the women of the Elks keep a tidy house, so to say.
“Yes we are,” said Hall. “They can’t do without us.”
The sale continues Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and shoppers headed in early on Tuesday morning to get some of the best picks from the ladies’ purses and shoes in the boutique, fine and costume jewelry, clothes to fit every size and budget, along with home décor, and sports equipment.
A member since 2007, Kronen loves co-chairing the event and helping the community.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie, the women here and doing functions like this,” said Kronen.
The Elks Club Lodge 2709 is located at 53 Old Kings Road, in Palm Coast. Doors open at 8 am Wednesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 29.
Featured Photo: The ladies in charge. Event co-chairs Beverley Kronen, Ilse Wilhelm are joined by Elks Lodge 2709 Ladies Auxiliary President Georgia Hall, during the Elks Lodge 2709 three day rummage sale starting on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
Flagler County, FL (April 27, 2021) Vans and motorcades zipped around Flagler County on Tuesday, filled with area business owners, civic organization members and elected officials, all with a predetermined mission – to deliver nearly half a million dollars in scholarships to students in Flagler County as part of “Surprise & Drive”.
Staging at the parking lot of the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, excited adults paired up with their school representatives and set off with great anticipation, timing the visits to coincide with students’ arrivals home from school.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt and Colleen Conklin headed off with members of the United Caribbean Cultural Association to personally deliver three scholarships for $500 each.
“This is an incredible day for our seniors, and it’s monumental in terms of scholarships that they have been awarded and recognized by our community business partnerships with our Ed Foundation. It’s fantastic and I’m excited to get out there and see some smiling faces,” she said thanking the supportive businesses and individuals.
“It’s all about community involvement and engagement, and this opportunity allows those business partners to step forward and support our future leaders. Our kids are going to be the next generation of what stands up our country, so to me that’s important,” said Mittelstadt.
Even with COVID, locals were generous when it came to the students according to Joe Rizzo, executive director of the Flagler County Education Foundation, whose own daughter Caroline Rizzo is part of the Class of 2021.
“We’ve had some amazing organizations and when we’ve reached out to them about doing this, they’ve actually come to the table with more,” shared Rizzo. “You could just tell that the giving and the caring of the community it’s been really good.”
While scholarship awards varied from modest to thousands of dollars each, Bethune-Cookman University professor Dr. Kideste Yusef said no amount of support via scholarship was too small.
“They’re vital. Often time students may not have enough funds to go into the institutions they want, so every little bit helps,” said Yusef.
On behalf of the Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club, president Lisa Schulten said the club – a top contributor, was set to award multiple scholarships, two of them for $8,000 each.
“Today we have the privilege of awarding 10 scholarships to students across this county,” she said.
On the road during her first stop and bearing the scholarship from Flagler Technical College, student services manager Lynn Taillon said the $3,600 award presented to Christian Harrington combined $1,000 from the Flagler County Education Foundation and $2,600 from the college to ensure Harrington could complete the heavy equipment operator program.
“Christian is awesome. He’s one of the seniors in our heavy equipment operations technician program this year. He has learned and grown so much while he’s been in the program, and he wants to actually work locally and put to good use his education. He applied for the scholarship and we’re just honored to award that to him,” said Taillon.
Surprising Harrington at his workplace, customers and staff at the Winn-Dixie in Palm Coast applauded the soon-to-be graduate.
“I would like to say thank you. It was very nice of them to help. I didn’t know what to do because I would have to up my hours here and stuff, just to pay,” he said humbly.
Driving the van to shuttle around the Flagler Technical College and Flagler Tiger Bay Club representatives, it was a proud dad moment for Flagler Palm Coast High School U.S. government and economics teacher Tim Whitfield as he arrived at his own home to deliver a scholarship to daughter Brianna Whitfield and see her already surrounded by others delivering scholarship news.
“I could not be more proud. Not only is she an excellent student, she’s a good kid,” shared Tim Whitfield. “I was lucky enough to be her father, is the best way I could put it.”
Headed for the University of Central Florida, Whitfield put a promising athletic opportunity on hold to attend her choice school after being accepted to places like the University of Miami. The aspiring law student hopes to put The U in her future, down the line.
“I am super blessed and super grateful,” she said. “I got accepted to the University of Miami and I had a really tough decision. Hopefully I can defer my enrollment and pursue law and go to law school there once I’m done with my Bachelor’s.”
Tearfully accepting a hug from her Matanzas High School principal Jeff Reeves, he was as moved by the moment as she was.
“I’ve known Brianna for four years, met her at volleyball, and this year she was our school board representative,” said Reeves. “She and I spent a lot of time this year talking together and working through problems. It’s very special to me and I’ll never forget her.”
Picking up a scholarship from the Flagler Tiger Bay Club and the Palm Coast Historical Society, Reilly Maresca said that receiving $5,000 in scholarships in addition to Bright Futures ensures he’ll be able to devote his attention to scholarly endeavors at Florida State University.
“It’s definitely a massive burden taken off to be able to really focus on academics as I’m going into the next couple of years, and not having to worry about the financial side of it, which is something that unfortunately inhibits so many people,” said Maresca.
After delivering the final scholarship on his run, Jake Scully said recalling the days of his own children’s college experience was one reason he was motivated to give.
“Having put two children through college, I get it,” he said. “It means all the more to me personally to contribute to the kids coming through the school system as my children did.”
Palm Coast, FLA. Tobacco Free Florida will use the upcoming Tobacco Free Florida Week to draw attention to the root causes of tobacco’s deadly toll on Flagler County’s Black population. With social justice issues being at the forefront of recent public discussion, the week of action will be themed Uproot the Truth: Tobacco Use in the Black Community.
Beginning Sunday, April 25 and coinciding with the conclusion of National Minority Health Month, the local and statewide campaign will examine the deep, institutional reasons for the inequality in health outcomes associated with the Black community and tobacco use.
Tobacco’s deadly health effects play a major role in nearly all leading causes of death among African Americans in Florida, including heart disease, cancer and stroke.[i],[ii],[iii]
During Tobacco Free Florida Week, we will work to Uproot the Truth by exposing some of the underlying reasons for this health disparity. Statewide, data shows that that non-Hispanic Blacks in Florida are less likely than the overall population to have healthcare coverage and more likely to report not seeing a doctor in the past year due to cost.[iv]
African-American communities are also disproportionately targeted by predatory marketing, advertising and sponsorship campaigns from Big Tobacco.[v],[vi] These initiatives often promote products such as menthol cigarettes, which are proven to be even more addictive and more toxic.
“All across Florida, health organizations are coming together for Tobacco Free Florida Week to Uproot the Truth, and at Tobacco Free Flagler we’re proud to be part of this critical campaign to raise awareness of this serious social justice issue, “We urge everyone in the community to learn more about tobacco’s deadly effects on the Black population in our neighborhoods and across our state.”
Aligned with concerns regarding the lack of access to healthcare, Tobacco Free Florida offers a wide array of medically proven cessation services completely free and regardless of insurance. “Quit Your Way” services include Phone Quit, Group Quit, Web Quit, text support and more. Those interested in quitting or helping a loved one quit can call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (877-822-6669) or visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/quityourway.
Tobacco Free Flagler encourages people across the state to use Tobacco Free Florida Week, beginning April 25, to learn more and share information on the social justice issues connected to tobacco as a leading preventable cause of death and disease throughout Florida’s Black community. More information regarding the campaign can be found at www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/uproot.
About Tobacco Free Florida
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 254,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida’s free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs.[vii] To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
[i] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups—African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, 1998. Accessed September 14, 2020.
[ii] Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Tejada-Vera B. Deaths: Final Data for 2014 pdf icon[PDF–2.95 MB]. National Vital Statistics Reports, 2016;vol 65: no 4. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Accessed September 14, 2020.
[iii] Heron, M. Deaths: Leading Causes for 2010 pdf icon[PDF–5.08 MB]. National Vital Statistics Reports, 2013;62(6). Accessed September 14, 2020.
[iv] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence and Trends Data, 2019. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. Accessed March 3, 2021.
[v] National Cancer Institute. The Role of the Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 19, NIH Pub. No. 07-6242, June 2008. Accessed July 21, 2020.
[vi] Food and Drug Administration. Preliminary Scientific Evaluation of the Possible Public Health Effects of Menthol Versus Nonmenthol Cigarettes [PDF–1.6 MB]external icon. 2013. Accessed September 14, 2020.
[vii]Mann, Nathan M, Nonnemaker, James M., Thompson, Jesse. “Smoking-Attributable Health Care Costs in Florida and Potential Health Care Cost Savings Associated with Reductions in Adult Smoking Prevalence.” 2016.
Media Release Provided by Tobacco Free Florida
Contact:
Communications Office
media@tobaccofreeflorida.com
850-245-4111
The Tuesday Talks by the Palm Coast Historical Society & Museum have become quite popular, attracting some of the county’s most interesting residents.
You never know if he’ll ride into town on a horse, in an antique vehicle or with sirens blaring in hot pursuit of would-be criminals. He’s the co-host of Friday Fugitive Bingo and the Chairman of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
This week, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly will be the guest, sharing stories from the frontlines about the work being done by the brave men and women of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Tune in to these free talks to learn more about Palm Coast and the fascinating people who call this community home.
Tuesday Talk with Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly
April 27, 2021
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Flagler/St. Johns (April 26, 2021) The Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway are proud to announce the 12th annual Kids Ocean Day Florida, Environmental Education Fair for elementary school students on Friday, May 7th at Bay Drive Park in Palm Coast/The Hammock.
This special event promotes awareness, education and the encouragement of good stewardship for the protection of the environment for students.
The Fair, which includes hundreds of elementary school students, is by special invitation to area school children who will participate in environmental learning stations and aerial art at Bay Drive Park in Palm Coast/The Hammock, for a morning of fun learning about environmental conservation and wildlife.
The theme for the day is “Be An A1A Scenic Byway Sea Star” and the highlight will be the creation of students forming an aerial art piece in the sand, taken by photographer, John Merriam of Merriam Multimedia. Activities will feature demonstrations and learning fun for all, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Friends of A1A appreciate the support of the sponsors and exhibitors who help defray the expenses of T-shirts, buses, and other miscellaneous costs for the students associated with this event, which is free of charge to the children. The majority of these students will be from Bunnell Elementary School in Flagler County and joined by homeschool students from across the community.
Adding additional opportunities to engage students, Mr. Ed Beckett’s digital design students at Flagler Palm Coast High School submitted 23 poster concepts for the event. The Friends of A1A are pleased to recognize sophomore Canon Mullen as the Official Selection for this year’s event. Sophomore Natalia Crandall was voted as the People’s Choice selection. Recognition and prize awards will presented to both of the winners.
“After cancelling last year’s in-person event, we are thrilled to see the smiles on the faces of students participating in the annual Kids Ocean Day Florida event,” said Friends of A1A vice president Adam Morley. “Countless children have benefited from the educational programming of this event, and we’re grateful to our partners who give their time to be educators for the younger generations, and help to create byway super stars,” he said.
The Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway is a non-profit organization that protects, preserves, promotes and enhances resources along the A1A All-American Road. This citizen’s advocacy group partners with municipalities, governmental agencies and other civic groups to maintain and improve resources along the corridor.
Designated in 2002, the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Florida’s second All-American Road (2021), is rich in history, nature, archaeology, culture, scenery and recreation. The Friends of A1A’s efforts benefit residents and travelers alike maintaining identified intrinsic resources while allowing economic development.
Featured Photo: Flagler Palm Coast High School sophomore Natalia Crandall and sophomore Canon Mullen, digital design students of Mr. Ed Beckett, receive their prizes from Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway director Danielle Anderson as part of the Kids Ocean Day Florida 2021 Poster Contest, on April 26, 2021.
