Florida Legislation Proposes Safeguards for Confederate Monuments

Posted on By Historic City News

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.

Read More “Florida Legislation Proposes Safeguards for Confederate Monuments” »

Government

City police arrest public works director for drunk driving

Posted on By Historic City News

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.

Read More “City police arrest public works director for drunk driving” »

Public Safety

Don Pedro Menendez de Avilés birthday celebration

Posted on By Historic City News

Historic City News readers are invited to attend a brief wreath-laying ceremony this morning, Thursday, February 15, starting at 11:00 a.m. in Parque de Menendez located in front of St Augustine City Hall, 75 King Street.

Menendez, who founded the city on September 8, 1565, was born on February 15, 1519, in Avilés, a port city in the Asturias region of Spain.

Read More “Don Pedro Menendez de Avilés birthday celebration” »

Community

Legislative Achievement Award presented to House Speaker Paul Renner

Posted on By Historic City News

Public Affairs Supervisor Tyler Jarnagin reported to Historic City News this week that St Johns County Emergency Management Deputy Director Kelly Wilson joined Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord at the Tallahassee office of House Speaker Paul Renner (R-19th District) to present him with the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s “Legislative Achievement Award”.

Read More “Legislative Achievement Award presented to House Speaker Paul Renner” »

Government

Letter: I support the protection of historic Florida monuments

Posted on By Historic City News

Harold K Edgerton, NAACP Past President
Asheville, North Carolina

Dear Historic City News readers:

I am now in my 70’s and old enough to have been called “negro”, then “colored”, then “Afro”, then “black”, and now “African American”. But, when it comes to color, I am simply red, white, and blue. I am a proud American. I served as a soldier in the US Army and today I fight for civil rights for all Americans.

Read More “Letter: I support the protection of historic Florida monuments” »

Editorials

Obituary: Sgt Major Ray Quinn

Posted on By Historic City News

Historic City News was notified by Bill Dudley, Chairman of the Veterans Council of St Johns County, that on Thursday evening, November 23, 2023, St Augustine lost one of the Council’s founding members, Sgt Major Ray Quinn, US Army (Retired). Quinn, who previously served as Chairman, was totally immersed in the organization’s non-profit operations, currently serving as the Vice Chair.

Read More “Obituary: Sgt Major Ray Quinn” »

Community