HISTORIC CITY NEWS

Manhunt on for runaway driver in West Augustine

Florida Highway Patrol Troop G headquarters informed local Historic City News reporters at approximately 10:17 p.m. Monday night that troopers engaged a 25-year-old white male driving a reportedly stolen 1998 Toyota Tacoma near the intersection of SR-A1A and SR-312, in St Augustine. During the felony traffic stop, the driver, Joseph Porter Sembower, whose last reported…

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Public Safety

City allows Rawls First Amendment protection but not residents

Historic City News has found occasion to criticize “legal advice” given by the city attorney, Isabelle Lopez, that is often blindly followed by members of the St Augustine City Commission without question or obtaining a second, independent opinion. Although Lopez was quick to lead the city to a “constitutional attorney” to re-write our local panhandling…

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Government

Lightner: Cheers to National Bourbon Month

Lightner Museum curator Barry Myers told local Historic City News reporters that the liquor we call bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century. Bourbon is a type of American whiskey and was declared to be a distinctive product of the United States in 1964. For whiskey to be called Bourbon it must come from…

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Community

Letter: Can’t get help from City Manager on mowing

Jill PacettiSt Augustine, FL Note: This letter is from a Historic City News reader who has complained to the city manager, without success, after the city stopped cutting grass on sidewalks and other public areas at her business. A privately-owned company now contracts with the city for mowing and this reader is asking the mayor…

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Editorials

One brother dead one in custody charged with felony murder

Historic City News has been able to finally decipher the cryptic bits and pieces of information coming from St Johns County undersheriff Matt Cline and the department’s civilian media spokesman, Chuck Mulligan. The actual sheriff, David B. Shoar, has not been seen or spoken in public about the felony murder that occurred yesterday in a…

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Public Safety

Florence: Final Flash Update

St Johns County Emergency Management spokesperson Kelly Wilson issued Historic City News the final Flash Announcement on Hurricane Florence as of 2:00 p.m. today. The Emergency Operations Center is currently in Level 3 “monitoring” status. Current Situation: Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Florence is moving toward the west at 6 mph…

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Public Safety

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…

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Community

Florence makes land at Wrightsville Beach

Hurricane Florence is making landfall in North Carolina, creeping ashore at 6 mph – but bringing winds of 90 mph, a massive storm surge, and a rain system that will soak much of the state and South Carolina for days. Forecasters warn of “life –threatening, catastrophic flash flooding”.

Community