Greetings!

Hey there, amazing readers! 👋

Happy November 24, 2025! We hope your day is going splendidly. Dive into this month's edition as we bring you exciting updates, and, of course, sprinkle some joy into your inbox! Don't forget to stay curious and inspired! ✨

In today’s Palm Coast Insider

The Local Lowdown

• Flagler Palm Coast's Slaughter and Seth, Matanzas' Cerasi Shine at State Cross Country Championships
  
• Flagler County Breaks Ground on New Crisis Stabilization Center
  
• Eight Children from Volusia and Flagler Counties Find Forever Homes on National Adoption Day
  
  

Get Out & Go!

• Leads Into the Future — Networking
  
• Chair Yoga (Library)
• Wine Down Wednesday — Cork & Pint

Business Buzz

• Flagler Schools' College and Career Fair Connects Students with Future Opportunities
  
• The Root Cause of Palm Coast’s Infrastructure Problems Is Beneath Your Feet

Stay connected for more updates this week — let’s work together to make it a great one for Palm Coast, Florida. 🌴

Which Palm Coast farm lets visitors pick seasonal fruits—will you taste one fresh off the plant?

Discover local gems! This newsletter is sponsored by Palmcoast Zaarhub, your go-to online directory for finding the best local businesses in your community. Find everything from restaurants and shops to services and more. Visit Palmcoast Zaarhub today!

Monday Motivation

The Local Lowdown

Weekend Recap...

This Week...

Arianna Slaughter of Flagler Palm Coast High School shined with a 10th-place finish at the state cross country championships in Tallahassee, capping her senior year with an All-State honor after setting a school record at regionals.

Peyton Cerasi, a Matanzas High sophomore, claimed 11th in the Class 3A girls' race, marking her second consecutive All-State medal and reinforcing her status as a local standout.

Freshman Douglas Seth made an immediate impact for FPC’s boys, earning 13th place in Class 4A and becoming the school's first male state medalist in a year.

The Matanzas boys finished strong in the team competition, led by Blaine Vogel, Dylan Ciardi, and Brant Tarsitano, reflecting the program’s ambition and depth.

Flagler County's strong performances signal a promising future for local cross country talent.

Flagler County has broken ground on a new crisis stabilization center, marking a major step forward for local mental health and substance abuse care.

Previously, those in crisis had to look outside the county for urgent help, creating critical barriers for vulnerable residents.

The 23,000-square-foot facility at 101 Old Haw Creek Road will offer 48 beds and serve both the public and law enforcement with 24/7 access.

This project is a collaborative effort, combining $10 million in legislative appropriations with an additional $4 million from SMA Healthcare, which will operate the center.

Flagler County’s demand is urgent, with involuntary assessments and suicide and overdose rates exceeding state averages.

The new unit is expected to provide hope and healing close to home, ensuring services reach all residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

New grants will also boost support for local law enforcement, strengthening the area’s behavioral health safety net.

Eight children from Volusia and Flagler Counties found their forever families during a moving National Adoption Day ceremony at Daytona Beach’s Hard Rock Hotel on November 21.

Five Circuit Court judges, including Christopher France and Joan Anthony, presided as children of all ages, once part of the foster system, celebrated the end of their journey to stability.

Adoptive parent Jeremiah Moore shared his joy, calling the moment a promise fulfilled.

Karin Flositz, CEO of Community Partnership for Children, spotlighted the region’s continued need—over 50 children are still awaiting adoption in local courts.

Some children were welcomed by relatives, others by long-term foster parents, highlighting the diversity of new families.

Flositz stressed that anyone over 21 with an open heart can help, as new children enter the system daily, making the call for foster and adoptive parents urgent and ongoing.

Today's Weather Outlook 

🌳GET OUT  & GO

Get out & go today - embrace the thrill of the outdoors and let every step be an adventure! 🌍✨

• Leads Into the Future — Networking
  
• Chair Yoga (Library)
• Wine Down Wednesday — Cork & Pint

Business Buzz!

We are thrilled to announce Palm Coast, Florida's latest business addition! 🌟 Stay tuned for exciting updates on community initiatives and opportunities in the heart of Palm Coast!

• Flagler Schools' College and Career Fair Connects Students with Future Opportunities
  
• The Root Cause of Palm Coast’s Infrastructure Problems Is Beneath Your Feet
  

The Palm Coast Community Center came alive as more than 800 Flagler County juniors and seniors explored the second annual College and Career Fair on November 14.

Hosted by the Flagler County Education Foundation, the event aimed to connect students with future opportunities in education and local industries.

Students eagerly gathered stamps at 79 tables, chatting with college, business, and government representatives—those who collected nine stamps qualified for $100 gift card drawings.

Superintendent LaShakia Moore praised the community’s support and highlighted efforts to welcome all students, including those from charter, home, and private schools.

The fair spotlighted everything from Palm Coast Public Works job training to high-tech drone demonstrations by county officials.

Military branches and local businesses, especially Chick-fil-A, drew keen interest from students eager to map out their futures.

The fair’s inclusive, hands-on approach is helping shape Flagler’s next generation.

ITT Corporation originally planned Palm Coast in the late 1960s to support 600,000 residents, but projections were later lowered to 225,000.

The city’s infrastructure was built on this massive scale, including hundreds of miles of roads, water, and sewer lines.

Today, Palm Coast’s population is about 112,000—leaving a small community to maintain far more infrastructure than it needs.

This challenge is intensified by aging clay sewer pipes, which become overwhelmed during heavy rains and force the treatment system to operate beyond its limits, as seen in September 2024.

To address these issues, the city expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 in August 2025 and approved a $696 million budget with significant funds to upgrade water and wastewater systems.

Residents will see water and sewer rates rise by 36% by October 2027, adding financial stress but aiming to secure long-term sustainability for a growing Palm Coast.

Business Spotlight✨

🌟 Hammock Hardware & Supply – 45 Years Strong!

This spotlight honors a true Palm Coast staple that’s been keeping our community supplied and supported since 1980. Congratulations to Hammock Hardware & Supply for 45 years of dedication and service!

🔧 Where Community Meets Tradition
Founded by Margaret and John Russell, this family-owned, women-led business has grown from humble beginnings into The Hammock’s go-to hardware store. Today, under the leadership of Robyn Jennings, the store continues its promise: if they don’t have what you need, they’ll get it for you.

💬 What Customers Are Saying:
“Thank you for providing our community a well-stocked store so we didn’t have to go 30 miles for supplies.”

🎉 Visit Hammock Hardware & Supply
Discover a local business built on family, community, and trust for more than four decades.

📍 5652 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL
📲 facebook.com/Hammockhdwe

Thanks for supporting the businesses that make Palm Coast strong!
#PalmCoastProud #SupportLocal #BusinessSpotlight #HammockHardware

the city set aside a significant amount of land as natural preserves? This forward-thinking decision not only protects local wildlife and ecosystems but also provides residents with scenic green spaces for recreation and enjoyment

💡The Savvy Spender’s Guide

 Welcome to The Savvy Spender's Guide, where we equip you with smart strategies and the latest insights to optimize your spending habits and maximize savings. 🎯 Whether you're navigating through the complexities of personal finance or seeking simple tips for everyday savings, we're here to empower you on your journey to financial freedom. 💡

🛍️ Smart Shopping Strategies for Black Friday & Holiday Sales 💡✨
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to drain your wallet! With the right approach, you can score amazing deals, stretch your budget, and make the most out of seasonal sales.

📝 Make a List & Set a Budget – Know what you need before browsing so you don’t get pulled into impulse buys.

🔍 Compare Prices Ahead of Time – Use price-checking tools or compare across stores to confirm the “deal” is really a deal.

📦 Monitor Early Sales & Pre-Black Friday Events – Many retailers start markdowns weeks early—grab deals before stock runs out.

💳 Use Cashback & Rewards Wisely – Stack store rewards, cashback apps, and points to maximize savings.

📱 Download Store Apps – Exclusive app-only coupons, flash sales, and early access can give you first pick on discounts.

🛒 Add Items to Your Cart in Advance – Many websites show price drops or apply auto-discounts when sales go live.

🎁 Buy Essentials in Bulk – Holiday sales are great for stocking up on household needs at a fraction of the price.

🚫 Ignore “Doorbuster” Pressure – Some limited-time offers aren’t actually the best value—research before rushing.

🎫 Look for Coupons & Stacking Deals – Promo codes, email sign-ups, and bundle deals can lower prices even more.

✅ Takeaway: With a clear plan and smart tools, you can navigate Black Friday and holiday sales confidently—saving money while still getting everything you need (and maybe a little extra!

Palm Coast Snapshot

Happiness is a warm cup of coffee and a cat on your lap.” 🐾☕ Join Coffee with Cats today, 1–4 PM at Flagler Humane Society, Palm Coast ❤️ (Credit: Flagler Humane Society Inc.)

Hammock Honey & Fruit Farm.

Challenge yourself to pick and eat one fruit right there..

🌐 Stay connected by visiting our website at https://palmcoastinsider.com
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See you tomorrow,

- Palm Coast Insider Team