June 4 – 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 School Board met Tuesday to look at goals for the district. Superintendent Rick Surrency said the 1 p.m. workshop included a review of past goals and then a discussion of short term and long term goals for the future. The workshop is followed by the board meet at 3:30 p.m.

A Flagler County man sought by the Flagler Sheriff’s Office turned himself in Monday night after striking a deputy and sending officers on a two-hour manhunt Monday. The incident began earlier in the day after a traffic stop of a silver Mercury driven by Ty-Lee Austin, 19, at the intersection of Palm Harbor Parkway and Farmsworth Drive. While deputies waited for the driver to provide his proof of registration and insurance, another deputy with a K-9 arrived to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted and Austin and his passenger Rahim Booker were told to exit the vehicle for a probable cause search. Booker got out and began reaching into his pockets. Told to stop, Booker grabbed a small backpack out of the car, struck a deputy and fled on foot. That led to the manhunt including K-9 and helicopter support. Booker had previously been arrested on possession and intent to sell charges. Monday evening Booker turned himself into the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. He was accompanied by a bail bondsman and after being processed on three charges, posted an $11,000 bond. Austin was arrested during the traffic stop and charged with drug possession.

A 20-year-old St. Augustine man died Sunday evening after hitting a Jeep that turned into his path on U.S. 1 just north of County Road 206, reports the Florida Highway Patrol. Brandon Carter was headed south shortly before 9 p.m. when a northbound SUV made a U-turn at Moses Creek Boulevard into the southbound lane of U.S. 1. Carter’s Kawasaki struck the Jeep and caught fire with Carter dying at the scene. The Jeep driver, Keven Adams, 55, of St. Augustine, and a 22-year-old passenger were taken to Flagler Hospital with minor injuries. FHP says charges are pending.

Putnam County Property Appraiser Tim Parker is seeking re-election. He filed his intent to run in 2020 with the Putnam County Elections Office Monday, according to Supervisor of Elections Charles Overturf III.

Flagler County Commission voted Monday to take over all construction responsibilities for whatever building a barbecue restaurant will occupy at the Bing’s Landing County Park. They also voted not to extend the current lease for Captain’s BBQ past 2026. Then it would be up the county to decide whether to write up a new lease with the restaurant or turn the building into a county use facility. Residents in the Hammock area have been fighting any expansion of the restaurant in the county-owned park. The commission will decide whether to build a new restaurant or repair the current one.

A multiple alarm fire in Crescent City Monday nights brought out firefighting units from several departments. A brush fire with one home involved was reported at 129 Shoreside Trail.

Hot weather continues to dominate. You can help out the elderly and/or very low income people by buying a fan and donating it to Putnam Habitat for Humanity. Habitat will dispense the fans to local service agencies. Habitat’s office is at 1605 Westover Drive in Palatka. Other agencies accepting fans Catholic Charities in Palatka, St. Vincent de Paul in Interlachen and the South Putnam Christian Service Center in Crescent City. Donations also can be made to buy fans. For more, call Habitat at 386-325-5862 This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.