People rally for peace

Peace Rally
St. Augustine People for Peace and Justice, Grandparents for Peace and Veterans for Peace held a rally at the east end of the Plaza de la Constitución, this evening from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

About 30 people attended representing grassroots organizations who wanted to show their support as well as gain additional exposure for their various causes.

Shoar announces re-election bid

David B. Shoar
I met with St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar yesterday on the heels of his announcement to seek re-election.

He told me that, after much personal thought and reflection with his family, he has decided to seek another term to serve again as our Sheriff.

Naming State veteran’s nursing nome

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
In a news release available here, the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs is soliciting your nominations for the name of the newest State Veteran’s Nursing Home to be built in St. Johns County.

The Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs plans to break ground this June and anticipates the home to open for occupancy in December 2009.

CRA’s boost community redevelopment

Vilano Beach workers
The staff at The St. Augustine Record published an editorial rightfully supporting CRA’s that allow a local government to target an incremental increase in property taxes from an area for a certain period of time to erase blight.

In fact, CRA’s may well provide the biggest ever boost to much needed community redevelopment in many St. Johns County neighborhoods.

Registration of Sexual Offenders

LAROCQUE
We continue to read of the arrest of registered sexual offenders and predators who have failed to “properly register” in violation of FS 943.0435(9).

One such instance is 49 year old George Hector Larocque who is a registered sexual offender that was arrested at 9:30 Wednesday morning by deputies with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

Filling more than your tank

Carmelo's
Conner’s Shell Station is a landmark in downtown St. Augustine. It has occupying the corner of Malaga and King Streets for many years and today it stands as the last downtown service station — offering both gasoline and automotive repairs.

For over ten years, Joe Tringali has owned and operated the Shell station, still known as “Conner’s”, and recently he has decided to take his investment in the neighborhood to the next level.

“Shopping Cart Gang” apprehended

Shopping cart
It’s no April Fool’s joke!

Looks like St. Augustine’s finest was hard at work before the close of the midnight shift yesterday.

According to booking records, at about 11:25 last night, SAPD officers arrested three drifters with no known address who now find themselves guests of the St. Johns County taxpayers at the Cross-Bar Hotel.