Government

Twenty new judges have been appointed in Florida and Historic City News was informed that one of those new judges is coming to the 7th Judicial Circuit for St Johns County.  Altogether, nine of the twenty judges will fill new vacancies created by the Florida Legislature, bringing to 150 the total judicial appointments made by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Historic City News readers who live and are registered voters in St Johns County, Volusia County, Flagler County, or Putnam County, are being informed that the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Seventh Judicial Circuit is distributing a “Request for Applications” to fill the new County Court judgeship created by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Secretary Maureen Long has invited interested Historic City News readers to attend the next meeting of the St Johns County Roundtable on Monday, June 14th.  The special guest speakers for this Zoom call will be Florida Representative Cyndi Stevenson and Paul Renner.

St Johns County Communications Division, Director of Communications Michael Ryan, reported to Historic City News the official closings for all departments of county government in observance of Memorial Day.

Raye Annette Brutnell will appear at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon to enter a felony plea and sentencing in the criminal matter of the State of Florida vs Raye Annette Brutnell that began three years ago, on November 20, 2018. The case will be heard before Circuit Court Judge R. Lee Smith in courtroom 328.

Pursuant to the governor’s Executive Orders 21-101 and 21-102, the City of St. Augustine announced to local Historic City News reporters that members of the public can no longer be required to wear masks when coming into City facilities.

Melinda Conlon reported to Historic City News the official appointment of St Augustine Beach Police Chief Daniel Carswell from the interim position he has filled since November 9, 2020.  The decision of the City Commission was unanimous.

Melissa Wissel, Communications Director for the City of St Augustine, informed local Historic City News reporters that former mayor, George M Gardner, died yesterday, Tuesday, April 6, 2021.  Gardner would have turned 84-years-old next month on May 23rd.  Flags at City Hall will be lowered to half-staff to honor the life of this mayor of the people, on a date to be determined.  George Gardner came into office as mayor and served the citizens from 2002 until 2006.  He concluded his six-years in elected office at the City of St Augustine as a commissioner from 2006 until 2008.