HISTORIC CITY NEWS January 2020

Supreme Court disciplines 13 attorneys

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced to Historic City News reporters that the Florida Supreme Court disciplined 13 attorneys in recent court orders; disbarring two, revoking the licenses of two, reprimanding one and suspending eight. One attorney was also put on probation. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.

Community

Obituary: Michael Dennis Hiers

A funeral is scheduled at Craig Funeral Home for Michael Dennis Hiers; at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 4th with a reception to follow at the St. Augustine Shrine Club. Mike, who was 61-years-old, died peacefully on January 28, 2020 at home after a long battle with cancer.

Community

FDOT road repairs and maintenance report

Historic City News was notified by Florida Department of Transportation Public Information Officer, Allen Nelson, that traffic will be impacted at the following St Augustine and St Johns County locations where roadwork is being conducted.

Be alert to lane closures and temporary detours, as well as increased congestion in these areas. FDOT employees and contractors will be working on the roadways and need your full attention.

Community

Two volunteers recognized with Point of Light awards

Patrician Price reported to Historic City News that two Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve volunteers have been honored with a Daily Point of Light Award. Ruben Allen and Jeff Finnan were recognized for their outstanding community service.

Government

Someone in the Florida legislature finally gets it

Historic City News’ long advocated position that state law unreasonably protected a monopoly in the area of publishing public notices is finally gathering support in Tallahassee; finding that this could be the year governments are no longer required to post public notices in newspapers.

Government

Property Appraiser gets help combatting exemption fraud

St Johns County Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer reported this week that his office now has another intelligent tool to protect local taxpayers from homestead exemption fraud through a new partnership with the private data-mining company, The Exemption Project.

Business

Odd Birds relocating to Anastasia Island

Odd Birds Bar and its adjacent restaurant Odd Birds Loft are combining and relocating to 200 Anastasia Boulevard in mid- to late-February according to Cesar Diaz, co-owner of Odd Birds Group. Historic City News learned that the last day of operations at 33 Charlotte Street will be Wednesday, February 5th.

Public Safety

Shoplifting arrest leads to felony weapons charges

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News that deputies arrested a St Augustine man seen walking on the side of SR-16 Friday as they were responding to a retail theft call from a store inside the Outlet Mall on Friday.