Rick Lofgren, President of the St Johns County Civic Association Roundtable, reported to Historic City News that Ron DeSantis, who represents Florida’s 6th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives, will be the special guest speaker during the organization’s May meeting.

Summer Herd informed Historic City News that local citizens will be joining hands on Saturday, May 18th, at the St Augustine Beach Pier to stand in solidarity against offshore drilling, in Florida and throughout the world, as part of an annual global event — “Hands across the Sand”.

St Johns County Republican Party Chairman Sean Mulhall reported this month’s activities to local Historic City News reporters, with an invitation for interested citizens to get involved with the county’s largest political organization.

Northeast Region Public Information Coordinator, Joy M. Hill, reminds Historic City News readers that, as trees and flowers are blossoming, birds are building nests and critters are being born; so resist the temptation to rescue animals — that don’t need rescuing.

A project begun by local supporters and volunteer craftsmen, which was first reported by Historic City News in September 2011, is nearing its final phase of completion — an authentic replication of a 17th century Spanish caravel; made from a 30-year-old retired shrimp trawler named “Apple Jack”.

The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C., announced to Historic City News in St Augustine that Will Miller, a professor of public administration at Flagler College, has been named an academic fellow for 2013-14.

Adam Shockey, Owner of Tour Saint Augustine and City Walks, reported to Historic City News that the host of “Python Hunters” on NatGeo WILD, Shawn Heflick, will be visiting St Augustine on May 1 as part of a Chamber of Commerce event.

Yesterday evening, the Executive Office of Governor Rick Scott announced to Historic City News that the House and Senate’s agreement to implement $480 million in teacher pay raises has been passed.