Darrell Locklear, Assistant Administrator of Operations for St. Johns County, announced to Historic City News that he is ready to ask the Board of Commissioners Tuesday to approve an $8 million-dollar agreement that will pave the way for Lowes to open a major home improvement store in St. Augustine.

Since November 13, 2006, residents of St. Augustine and St. Johns County have heard Global Wrap’s technical officer and local activist Edward A. Slavin, Jr., harp on the importance of federal management of public lands in our area — Tuesday morning, he’ll make another pitch.

Beginning Tuesday November 1, Historic City News readers who own property in St. Augustine and St. Johns County can expect to find their tax bills in the mailbox as the 2011 tax season begins.

In a show of party unity, St. Johns County Republican leaders, voters and other dignitaries converged on the St. Augustine Shrine Club yesterday afternoon to rally support for next year’s election season — which, for many races, campaigning has already started.

Historic City News will report to our readers on a total of six potential new ordinances that come before the St. Augustine City Commission Monday night during their regular business meeting.

Lawmakers learned yesterday that the state’s budget gap might reach nearly $2 billion, according to updated revenue estimates; however, some legislators remain leery of betting on casinos to bankroll the budget — while others are eyeing the gambling halls for scarce new revenue.

St. Augustine and St. Johns County will be watching for a ruling in a lawsuit scheduled for trial next month between Orange County and the online travel website, Orbitz — however, yesterday, their Internet competitor, Expedia, reached a voluntary settlement with the county for an undisclosed amount.