THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Special to Historic City News

Easter Vigil Mass in the basilica is among the Vatican’s more evocative ceremonies. Celebrants enter in darkness, except for candlelight. The pontiff holds a tall Easter candle, which is lit for him. Then the basilica’s lights are turned on, in a sign of joy. But this night, when the basilica was illuminated, all its emptiness was painfully visible, and the footsteps of the pope and his small entourage on the marble floor could clearly be heard as they walked in slow procession toward the altar.

Historic City News was notified by the 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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic challenges Florida families, officials with Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans have deferred payments for April, May, and June.  The move will help longtime plan-holders and those who just signed up during the 2020 Open Enrollment Period that started on February 1st and runs through April 30th.

William M Manley, spokesman for the St Augustine Public Affairs Office of the Florida National Guard, reported to Historic City News that the Guard continues to respond to the needs of the state; alongside interagency partners, helping to protect citizens, and guests throughout this crisis.

Historic City News was informed yesterday that Governor DeSantis issued an executive order suspending home foreclosures and evictions for 45 days.

The City of St. Augustine has announced to Historic City News that they will honor the Voice of Lincolnville by renaming Bravo Street to Carrie Johnson Way in a future ceremony.  The proposed name change was aired during the Monday January 13, 2020 meeting of the St Augustine City Commission.  Johnson, known as “Miss Carrie,” to almost everyone who knew her, passed away at 7:00 a.m., November 27, 2018. She was 83 years old.

Christina Parrish Stone, St. Johns Cultural Council Executive Director, is inviting all Historic City News subscribers to participate in a series of online concerts featuring St. Johns County based artists during the month of April.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Historic City News has reported extraordinary actions that have been ordered by our government at the local and statewide level.  Those include restaurant and bar provisions covered by Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order last week.