April 17 – 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).

Local county and city commissioners are in Tallahassee today and tomorrow with many making pitches for the smaller counties. This morning some educators and supporters were taking part in “walk ins” at schools throughout the state. It was a reminder to legislators to fund public schools over charter. In Flagler County eight of the nine public schools took part before the school day began.

A Putnam County man died Tuesday afternoon in a tractor accident near Melrose. Florida Highway Patrol said Josef Szafraniec was using a Ford farm tractor to level dirt at a private residence on Paran Church Road off State Road 100, east of Melrose. He was backing up the tractor which had a box blade attached as he approached a hill. FHP says the tractor went backward down the hill and Szafraniec wasn’t able to get it back on level ground. The tractor overturned, trapping him underneath.

Increased law enforcement is on hand today at Flagler Palm Coast High School. That comes after a reported threat of violence last night directed at the school. The threat was reportedly in retaliation for the killing of student Curtis Gray, 18, over the weekend. Officials said the threat was unfounded.

The death of a man involved in a fight at a long-term care and rehabilitation facility in St. Augustine is under investigation by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. The unidentified man, 71, got into an altercation with an 84-year-old at St. Augustine Health and Rehabilitation Center on State Road 207 last week. The 71-year-old was later taken to a Jacksonville medical center where he died. An autopsy is being performed to determine if the man died because of pre-existing conditions or from injuries from the fight, say law enforcement officials.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly holds the second annual public A.C.T. or Addressing Crime Together meeting Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Coast. Staly will discuss crime in Flagler County, the initiatives the Sheriff’s Office has made to improve public service and agency plans for this year.

This Saturday enjoy the 2019 Palatka Chalk Explosion in downtown Palatka. Arts Council of Greater Palatka will host five professional chalk artists, live bands throughout the day and a free street chalking competition with prize money. The chalking contest will have divisions for children, youth and adults. Chalk is provided and registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. at the riverfront. Prizes will be handed out at 5 p.m. The event is a chance to see what’s happening downtown and spend time with family, says Denise Aiken, executive director for the Arts Council.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.