July 12 – your 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).

Turns out it was as simple as A-B-C as Florida Department of Education released school grades for 2019. St. Johns County drew an A rating and reportedly once again was named top district in the state. Flagler County turned an overall B rating in 2018 to an A rating this year. Putnam County came in at C. St. Johns County had 31 schools scoring A, seven with a B, one C school and one D. Flagler County had three A schools, six B schools and two C. Putnam County had two A schools, one B, 15 C, two D and one F. The F went to Putnam Edge, a charter school that had to move out of space supplied by the district and into new quarters. That delayed start of the school year and led to longer sessions. Good news came as Moseley Elementary School went from a D to a C which means the school district will take back operation from the state.

If you’re in downtown St. Augustine Saturday morning be prepared for some detours as runners take to the streets for the Bridge of Lions 5K. The annual race begins at the Castillo de San Marcos, heading along Avenida Menendez, across the bridge and through North Davis Shores ending at Oglethorpe Park. Vehicular and maritime traffic will be affected from 7:30 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m., according to city officials.

The family of a 19-year-old whose body was found floating in a canal off Big Lake Santa Fe in April is offering an $800 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the death of Mathew Ryan Cemer. Cemer’s body was found April 7 in a canal in the Melrose area where four counties meet. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has been in charge of the investigation. A stolen car also was found in the area. If you have information, contact investigator Charles Beveridge at 352-367-4179.

Putnam Edge school begins a two-month recruitment drive Saturday at their Campbell School building site on South Seventh Street in Palatka. The school is offering new resources and programs and seeking to increase enrollment. Past and present students as well as parents and community members are invited to the celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free food, prizes and games will be offered.

Putnam County Supervisor of Elections office reports David Buckles has filed his intent to seek re-election to the  Putnam County School Board. Buckles, who is also a former Putnam school superintendent, is seeking to retain his District 2 seat in the 2020 election.

A 36-year-old Georgia man is under arrest in St. Johns County charged in two vehicle burglaries and under investigation for a subsequent credit card fraud outside of St. Johns County jurisdiction. Deputies found video of Brandon John Hicks of St. George, Ga., allegedly using a burglary victim’s credit card. Later they found a social media post with a computer for sale that turned out to have belonged to one of the burglary victims. Detectives set up a meeting with Hicks about possible purchase. At the meeting they determined the computer was stolen, informed the man of their identities and arrested him. They are now investigating Hicks in 10 additional burglaries in northwest St. Johns County and believe he may be involved in burglaries in other areas.

You can enjoy a night out with the family for free tonight at Movies in the Park at Central Park in Town Center in Palm Coast. Tonight’s movie features The Lego Ninjago Movie beginning at 8:45 p.m.

The 1974 classes of Palatka Senior High and Palatka Central High schools hold their 45th reunion this Saturday. The gathering has been changed to Palatka Lions Club at 318 Osceola St. In Palatka. Family and Friends Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Reunion Banquet is 7 to 11 p.m.

Sometime there’s not just enough time. St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Upchurch has proposed city commission meetings be limited to four hours. The item was up for a vote Monday but due to long discussions involving an amphitheater request and an outdoor dining plan the time limit item had to be tabled – in order to save time.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.