Government

As of 11:10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Historic City News editor Michael Gold became aware that Raye Brutnell had surrendered to authorities at the Flagler County Jail in Bunnell. The defendant was answering a warrant for her arrest, alleging numerous crimes committed in the process of carrying out, then concealing, her theft of more than $700,000 of public funds over a period of several years.

Historic City News local reporters were informed of meetings for the investiture of new commissioners in St Johns County and the City of St Augustine, as well as holiday closing schedules and meetings that have been rescheduled or canceled.

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners celebrated eight years of service by outgoing District 4 Commissioner Jay Morris today during its regularly scheduled county commission meeting in the auditorium of the county administration building.

Historic City News has learned that Andrew Gillum ended his bid to become the first African-American governor of Florida this evening, conceding the race to his Republican rival, former Congressman Ron DeSantis. The contest was one of the most closely watched in the country.

In Florida’s gubernatorial contest, Historic City News has learned that Republican Ron DeSantis appears headed to victory over Democrat Andrew Gillum after a machine recount did not significantly narrow the margin in that race, according to Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

By 7:00 p.m. the members of the Commission of the City of StAugustine had adopted a new ordinance; one that makes it clearer and easier for city police to preserve the peace during times of protest while protecting the safety of protesters, counter-protesters, and event goers within the Plaza de la Constitution.

Governor Rick Scott’s Senate campaign filed a lawsuit late Thursday against the Broward County elections supervisor asking that she turn over records regarding how ballots are being counted.  Despite protesters gathered outside Broward Board of Elections Headquarters, Judge Carol-Lisa Phillip said Supervisor Brenda Snipes must allow inspections of records detailing the counting and collection of ballots cast in Tuesday’s election.

With his margin of victory in the Florida Senate race narrowing, Gov. Rick Scott phoned in the lawyers. Addressing reporters in Tallahassee, on Thursday night, Scott charged he was suing to stop Democrats from stealing away his midterm victory over incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. His ire in particular zeroed in on two South Florida counties.