HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Historic City News has been published daily since March 2000. Reporting local news for St Augustine and St Johns County Florida, Historic City News is the county's only free press. Our mission is to hold public figures accountable to the public.
Historic City News local reporters were informed of the upcoming public meetings by the City of St Augustine. Always check with the office of the City Clerk to be sure that no last-minute changes have occurred before completing plans to attend. If it is difficult to attend in person, many public meetings are broadcast live online at CityStAugTV.com.
Brandon J. Patty, St Johns County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller has announced to Historic City News this morning that beginning this Friday, May 24, 2024, he has requested a leave of absence from Governor Ron DeSantis and has appointed a designee to fulfill his responsibilities through the remainder of this year.
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.
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”.
Jacksonville Beach officials have moved to appoint the third city attorney in less than three years, according to reports received by Historic City News this week. This announcement coincided with drama in St Johns County that culminated in the resignation of County Attorney David M. Migut.
Communications Director Melissa Wissel reported to Historic City News that Wade Giddens has been appointed Deputy Director of the St Augustine Utilities Department by City Manager, David Birchim. Giddens, formerly the Utility Field Operations Manager, will report to the department director, Stephen Slaughter, P.E.
As many Historic City News readers predicted following the ouster of former St Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad, Joy Andrews, the Deputy Assistant County Administrator for the last seven years, has been selected to continue in her position permanently. She has been serving as Interim County Administrator since July 2023.
According to Public Affairs specialist Joey Pellegrino, an exciting event is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning. St Johns County officials will be celebrating the start of a significant renovation and expansion project for the Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park. This much-anticipated endeavor is set to last for four months and has been allocated a budget of $1.8 million. The aim of this project is to provide the community with a revitalized outdoor recreation area, fostering a sense of unity among its residents.