HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Historic City News has been published daily since March 2000. Reporting local news for St Augustine and St Johns County Florida, Historic City News is the county's only free press. Our mission is to hold public figures accountable to the public.
The St Johns County Board of County Commissioners announced to local Historic City News reporters Thursday that they have launched St. Johns County CARES, a program to help local businesses, residents, and nonprofit organizations to respond to and recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Historic City News was notified by the 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.
Early voting attracted almost 18,000 participants on Tuesday August 18 in St Johns County, according to information obtained by Historic City News from the elections office. However, more than 25,000 mail-in ballots were counted.
With 48 of 48 precincts reporting, Historic City News was informed by the Supervisor of Elections, Vicky Oakes, of the results of the following local elections. These are unofficial results and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. They include partial vote by mail, early voting and Election Day but do not include provisional ballots.
During last week’s St Augustine city commission video conference call, conducted in lieu of traditional public meetings in the Alcazar Room of City Hall, a simple question raised by Commissioner John Valdes concerning the condition of the 1879 Confederate Memorial to be moved, triggered an abrupt response from Nancy Sikes-Kline, leading her at one point to talking over the commissioner.
Jill Pacetti, St Augustine, provided Historic City News with this letter; originally sent to the mayor and four city commissioners and city manager John P Regan, Sr. Keep in mind as you read her letter to our elected public officials and the appointed city manager, Pacetti is a descendent of Eusebio Pacetti who is listed on the War Memorial. She is the lead plaintiff, joined by the Veterans Council of St. Johns County, and the Ancient City Chapter of the Military Officers Association, who sued the city to temporarily enjoin them from taking any action to move the cenotaph until such time as an qualified architect and licensed engineer could determine the fortitude of the 141-year-old masonry construction.
Vicky Oakes, St Johns County Supervisor of Elections, contacted Historic City News editor Michael Gold as she concluded all “early voting” activity at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening. She announced that there is no early voting on Sunday or Monday, the day before Election Day.
Pursuant to Section 403.077, F.S., the Florida Department of Environmental Protection informed local Historic City News reporters that they have received the following Public Notice of Pollution for a reportable release that occurred within St Johns County.