HISTORIC CITY NEWS

Legislature considering a proposal to broaden the use of bed tax funds

01/22/202201/22/2022 Historic City News

Counties across Florida collectively bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in hotel bed tax revenue — but the uses for that money are limited. Historic City News has reported when controversial organizations have used pressure locally to influence who the recipients of that money will be in St Johns County and what percentage of their “ask” will be funded.

Government

FDOT Northeast Florida Road and Lane Closures Weekly Report

01/22/202201/22/2022 Historic City News

Florida Department of Transportation Community Outreach Specialist Allen Nelson has updated Historic City News with the weekly lane closure report containing information regarding ongoing construction projects and traffic impacts for the coming week. Our readers and subscribers will be updated every Friday by 5:00 p.m., with some unavoidable exceptions and state holidays.

Community

Troopers bring a safe end to the three-county chase of suspected kidnapper

01/22/202201/22/2022 Historic City News

Florida Highway Patrol Troop G Public Affairs Officer, Master Sergeant Dylan L Bryan, reported to Historic City News that, following a three-county long pursuit by law enforcement officers, Benjamin Cody Dirkhising, a 30-year-old resident of 11976 Arbor Lake Drive in Jacksonville, is in custody and being held in the St Johns County detention center without bond since 6:59 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022.

Public Safety

1964 Civil rights movement in St Augustine

01/20/202201/20/2022 Historic City News

In the Spring of 1964, St Augustine would be the final stage of what was called “The Great Moral Drama” leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Historic City News remembers the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Civil Rights movement in St. Augustine, aided by this compilation from the St. Johns Cultural Council.

Community

Limited access to Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center during construction

01/20/202201/20/2022 Historic City News

The St. Johns County Utility Department reported to Historic City News that for the safety of crews and the public, two access points to the Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center will be restricted during an underground pipeline project scheduled for completion in late February 2022.

Public Safety

Editorial: Former Mayor Shaver visits the town with an eye toward the future

01/19/202201/19/2022 Historic City News

Historic City News founder Michael Gold was invited to meet with former St Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver this week on a visit mixed with business and pleasure. The now-retired Shaver, like many Florida retirees, finds that although her life with her two children and granddaughter is abundant, with hobbies including photography and appearances as a washboard player in a local band, she misses her day-to-day involvement before leaving the public eye.

Editorials

Vilano Beach Main Street announces new officers and board

01/19/202201/19/2022 Historic City News

Sallie O’Hara, Executive Director of Vilano Beach Main Street, Inc., a Florida Main Street community, announced to local Historic City News reporters last week a “new beginning” for the organization; one of three community groups within the Vilano Beach and North Beach footprint that includes North Shore Improvement Association and the North Beach Community Alliance.

Community

Without opposition St Johns County adopts balloon release ban

01/18/202201/18/2022 Historic City News

Historic City News watched today’s meeting of the St Johns County Commission, as they considered and adopted in a unanimous vote to join the State of Florida in prohibiting the release of helium, foil, mylar, biodegradable or photodegradable balloons, establishing a maximum fine of $500.

Public Safety