Aug. 29 – 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).

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials report the body of a man was recovered in the San Sebastian River in St. Augustine Wednesday morning. St. Augustine Police are seeking identification of the person who made the 9-1-1 call reporting the body in water off Nix Boat Yard Road on U.S. 1. The white male was found wearing swim trunks. Police don’t suspect foul play and say they do know the identification of the man.

What a difference a day makes. Tropical Storm Dorian is now Hurricane Dorian. However, where Dorian will come in is still up in the air. Emergency management personnel are urging people to be prepared, but don’t panic. Some stores in Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties were running low on water and as Wednesday but expected to be ready for customers today.

That cone of uncertainty about where Hurricane Dorian will make landfall has people facing their own cone of uncertainty when it comes to events. Putnam County’s Palatka High School was scheduled to play North Marion on Friday. Because of possible weather issues, the game has been moved to tonight at North Marion. WIYD will cover the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. on 1260AM and 104.9 FM. St. Augustine, citing preparations for the storm, cancelled  a planned public meeting on a quality of nightlife strategic plan on Wednesday and also cancelled a meeting today to re-examine plans for entry corridors.

Governments in Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Palm Coast and Flagler County officials are expected to declare a local state of emergency today. SAFE, the animal rescue group in Putnam and St. Johns counties, has two facilities on Anastasia Island and is looking for temporary foster homes for dogs and cats through Tuesday. In Putnam County sand bags become available this afternoon. Limit is 15 bags and bring your own shovel. Locations are at Huntington Pit on County Road 308 in Crescent City, Chesses Pit on West Washington Street in Hawthorne and the Putnam Public Works facility on Putnam County Boulevard in East Palatka.

For people planning on going to the beach over the Labor Day weekend, officials are suggesting re-thinking destinations. Remember one red flag means dangerous surf and two red flags up at the same time mean the water is closed to swimmers.

With Labor Day this Monday, government offices from the federal to the local level are scheduled to be closed. That will mean changes to garbage and trash pickup schedules, which resume Tuesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed one new trustee and reopened another to the St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees. Jan Conrad of St. Johns County is senior vice president of commercial banking at Ameris Bank and is appointed for four years. Samuel Garrison is being reappointed for four years. He’s from Clay County and is an attorney with Bradley, Garrison and Komando, P.A. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

If you want a relief from hurricanes, go to tonight’s Concerts in the Plaza series at the Plaza de la Constitucion in St. Augustine. Gladys Hodge’s boy Bert and the Skinny Lizards are playing beginning at 7 p.m. This is the next-to-last concert of the free summertime series.
This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.