Florida Legislation Proposes Safeguards for Confederate Monuments

Florida Legislation Proposes Safeguards for Confederate Monuments

Historic City News has been following a move that has ignited a fierce debate in Florida’s Senate, focusing specifically on Confederate memorials.  The proposed legislation seeks to prevent the removal of historic state monuments as occurred in St Augustine in August 2020.  The local cenotaph, currently on loan at the Trout Creek Fish Camp in northwest St Johns County, is the second-oldest memorial of its type in Florida.

City police arrest public works director for drunk driving

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.