Blog – Page 12 – HISTORIC CITY NEWS

City police arrest public works director for drunk driving

City Manager David Birchim announced to local Historic City News reporters that effective Tuesday, June 20, 2023, former utility director Todd Grant replaced Reuben Franklin as the Public Works Director. Franklin vacated the post to become one of two Assistant City Managers.

Unfortunately, less than a year later, city police Sergent Brandon Embrey observed 56-year-old Grant unlawfully driving his 2017 silver Hyundai utility vehicle at St Augustine Beach. According to Embrey, Grant was driving at a high rate of speed, paced at 50mph in a 25mph zone, and weaving in and out of his lane. Grant also ran a stop sign and made a two-lane wide turn onto SR-A1A, failing to obey a traffic control device. Embrey cited Grant for the non-criminal moving infractions that carry a $166 fine. The judge has allowed Grant until March 12th to pay.

Community

Don Pedro Menendez de Avilés birthday celebration

Historic City News readers are invited to attend a brief wreath-laying ceremony this morning, Thursday, February 15, starting at 11:00 a.m. in Parque de Menendez located in front of St Augustine City Hall, 75 King Street.

Menendez, who founded the city on September 8, 1565, was born on February 15, 1519, in Avilés, a port city in the Asturias region of Spain.

Government

Legislative Achievement Award presented to House Speaker Paul Renner

Public Affairs Supervisor Tyler Jarnagin reported to Historic City News this week that St Johns County Emergency Management Deputy Director Kelly Wilson joined Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord at the Tallahassee office of House Speaker Paul Renner (R-19th District) to present him with the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s “Legislative Achievement Award”.

Editorials

Letter: I support the protection of historic Florida monuments

Harold K Edgerton, NAACP Past President
Asheville, North Carolina

Dear Historic City News readers:

I am now in my 70’s and old enough to have been called “negro”, then “colored”, then “Afro”, then “black”, and now “African American”. But, when it comes to color, I am simply red, white, and blue. I am a proud American. I served as a soldier in the US Army and today I fight for civil rights for all Americans.

Government

County Attorney Migut headed to Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach officials have moved to appoint the third city attorney in less than three years, according to reports received by Historic City News this week. This announcement coincided with drama in St Johns County that culminated in the resignation of County Attorney David M. Migut.

Public Safety

Ex-sheriff skips ticket after being caught driving with marijuana

Local Historic City News reporters learned that officers with the St Augustine Beach Police Department encountered ex-sheriff David B Shoar driving alone near Pope Road at A1A Beach Boulevard at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday after he failed to stop at a red traffic light.

Community

Obituary: Sgt Major Ray Quinn

Historic City News was notified by Bill Dudley, Chairman of the Veterans Council of St Johns County, that on Thursday evening, November 23, 2023, St Augustine lost one of the Council’s founding members, Sgt Major Ray Quinn, US Army (Retired). Quinn, who previously served as Chairman, was totally immersed in the organization’s non-profit operations, currently serving as the Vice Chair.

Editorials

Editorial: Thinking of my brother this Veterans Day

Michael Gold, Founder
HISTORIC CITY NEWS
St Augustine, FL

This weekend, my high school graduating class celebrated our 50th-year reunion with a Yellow Jackets football game. We stormed past Palatka, to complete a perfect regular season. We also enjoyed a dinner at the St Augustine Shrine Club and a potluck lunch Sunday at Faver Dykes State Park.