Yesterday, a federal jury found 36-year-old Frank Freitas Higginbotham of Hastings guilty of one count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

Historic City News has learned that representatives from the State Attorney’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the St Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia County sheriff’s offices joined Congressman Ron DeSantis in St Augustine yesterday to discuss law enforcement services.

St Johns County Sheriff’s Public Information Sergeant, Chuck Mulligan, informed local Historic City News reporters that an air TASER, or other electronic incapacitation device, has provided deputy sheriffs with a less lethal alternative to shooting since 1999.

Historic City News readers in St Johns County will have one final opportunity to provide input for the North Florida Regional Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Study being conducted by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization.

Shortly before 6:00 a.m., Historic City News received word that Deputy Joey Romer and Deputy Gerald Thompson approached a 2012 KIA Sorento in the parking lot of the Quality Inn located at 2310 SR-16, to investigate a report that the vehicle was stolen.

Laurie Sanderson reported to Historic City News that last week the Florida Department of Transportation began a project to re-establish a wetland along SR-16 at Lewis Speedway.

A 74-year-old man, one of five who was arrested in Palatka yesterday, has been released from jail after posting a $504.00 appearance bond; but, for Emanuel G. Koutelas, Jr., the ride back to his Ponce Harbor Drive home in St Augustine was surely a long one.

Starting on Monday, February 18, and continuing for the next four weeks, the City of St Augustine has informed Historic City News that Anderson Circle, between Charlotte Street and Cathedral Place, will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.