At this evening’s meeting of the St Augustine City Commission, a report will be provided from Buddy Schauland, City Building Official, in response to numerous inquiries and concerns related to the recent demolition of the 136-year-old historic residence located at 11 Bridge Street.  Historic City News has been following sources who have tracked many public complaints raised about the ostensibly “emergency” needs to allow the destruction of such a venerable and prominent house.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr Wendolyn Sneed reported to Historic City News that the cause of the death of Andrea Nicole Yarbrough was a gunshot wound.  The manner of death was determined to be homicide.  Her husband, St Johns County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Shawn Michael Yarbrough, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Dr Sneed.

On Friday evening, June 7, 2024, at approximately 5:10 p.m., the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News that they received a call from a concerned family member about a local man who left his residence with a firearm after making verbal threats to commit suicide.  According to the source, the man had been drinking.

Logan Parham, Storm Chaser
Historic City News 

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Saturday, June 1st, and won’t officially end until November 30th. This time of year contains the most storm activity and historically the most violent storms on the planet. Hurricane season typically comes to a peak around September 10th. 

City Manager David Birchim announced to local Historic City News reporters that effective Tuesday, June 20, 2023, former utility director Todd Grant replaced Reuben Franklin as the Public Works Director. Franklin vacated the post to become one of two Assistant City Managers.

Unfortunately, less than a year later, city police Sergent Brandon Embrey observed 56-year-old Grant unlawfully driving his 2017 silver Hyundai utility vehicle at St Augustine Beach. According to Embrey, Grant was driving at a high rate of speed, paced at 50mph in a 25mph zone, and weaving in and out of his lane. Grant also ran a stop sign and made a two-lane wide turn onto SR-A1A, failing to obey a traffic control device. Embrey cited Grant for the non-criminal moving infractions that carry a $166 fine. The judge has allowed Grant until March 12th to pay.

Local Historic City News reporters learned that officers with the St Augustine Beach Police Department encountered ex-sheriff David B Shoar driving alone near Pope Road at A1A Beach Boulevard at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday after he failed to stop at a red traffic light.

The Office of State Attorney R. J. Larizza released to Historic City News another session of his community outreach video newsletter for Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit.  Haley Harrison reported that Larizza’s on-camera message focuses on the ways the office has amplified its presence and resources dedicated to domestic violence cases.

Pursuant to Section 403.077, F.S., the Florida Department of Environmental Protection informed local Historic City News reporters that they have received the following Public Notice of Pollution for a reportable release that occurred within St Johns County.