March 28 – Marcia Lane, roving reporter

This news bulletin is brought to you in conjunction with NATKIM Radio. Listen to WPLK (800 AM), WIYD (1260 AM) and WPLK FM (98.3 FM).

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam involving someone calling people, claiming to be a sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office and seeking financial and personal information. If you’re contacted, call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 386-329-0800. The office won’t ask for financial info over the phone. And, says the Sheriff’s Office, if you are wanted by law enforcement – they’ll find you. “We won’t make a phone call,” say officials.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was seeking and finding suspected drug dealers Wednesday during Operation Spring Mix. Felony arrest warrants were issued for 18 people for various narcotics-related drug charges. Ten of those wanted were found and about $15,000 worth of controlled substances including heroin, cocaine and THC oil was seized. Ten other individuals are still sought. Sheriff Rick Staly said concerned citizens alerted deputies to suspicious activity, leading to the investigation and sweep.

In Palatka early morning the Palatka Fire Department, Animal Control and FPL were at the riverfront dealing with a reported power line on fire. The line was by the proposed dock master’s quarters next to the large bass sculpture.

A Jacksonville woman reported missing from her home has been found safe in St. Johns County today. Minh Tam Swanner, 68, left home to run errands Wednesday morning and didn’t return home. A silver alert was issued because of memory and medical issues. Her 2016 silver Toyota Scion was seen in southern St. Johns County Wednesday afternoon and she was found this morning.

St. Johns County officials are keeping a close eye on the Porpoise Point area of Vilano Beach surveying possible damage to a concrete and sand barrier erected to protect a road that took a beating from a nor’easter last week. Another nor’easter hit the coast line overnight, causing erosion. Summer Haven in Flagler County also saw erosion. The weekend is expected to be clear but more nor’easters are predicted next week.

Palm Coast City Council is going ahead with an economic incentive project expected to bring in a new employer and more jobs. The council okayed the $90,000 incentive to CP Performance, a California based company that is a mail order marine superstore. They are located near Santa Rosa, Calif. and have another operation Hardin Marine Products in Palm Coast. The company plans to consolidate their businesses and move office to Industry Drive, adding a 20,000 to 30,000 square foot building. Some 20 new jobs will be created over the next five years. The company expects to invest $2 million plus.

Keith Bollum, Melrose civic leader, art patron and president of Historic Melrose Inc., has died after a battle with cancer. He was curator of Bellamy Road Art Gallery from its opening in 2005 to 2012. A memorial is planned for June 28 at Mossman Hall.

Flagler County Cattlemen are gearing up for the 63rd annual Flagler County Cracker Day this Saturday at the Fairgrounds in Bunnell. It’s a deal with $10 paying for parking, admission, rodeo and a barbecue dinner. Kids can take part in the egg scramble, boot race, chicken chase and pig chase.

Putnam County Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds in East Palatka. Today the Palatka Kiwanis Club will be cooking up barbecue. Livestock shows continue with the 4H/FFA heifer show. Congrats to Dathan Gutherie for his grand champion hog and to Tea Startz whose entry took reserve champion hog. It’s been a good fair for Startz who over the weekend was named Junior Teen Miss Putnam County Fair.