Oct. 11 – 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).

A wrong-way crash that killed a Putnam County man dead and a Clay County woman seriously injured is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. According to FHP, a Jeep Cherokee driven by a 42-year-old East Palatka man was traveling west in the eastbound lane of State Road 100 around 315 p.m. Thursday. A Kia Optima driven by a 51-year-old Orange Park woman was also in the east lane of 100 and veered off the road trying to avoid the Jeep. The front of the Jeep struck the side of the Kia and the Jeep overturned throwing the driver from the vehicle. He died at the scene. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. FHP says he was not wearing a seat belt. The Kia driver was taken to UF Health Shands in Gainesville. The accident happened near County Road 309D/Bardin Road.

If you’ve got a boat and captain skills, you can help a veteran this Saturday as Bass Capital BassMasters of Palatka puts on their 10th annual Veterans Tournament. So far 26 veterans have signed up for a free day of fishing but only six boats are available. The tournament offers veterans a chance to have some bass fishing fun. To volunteer your services along with your boat, contact Chuck Foster at 386-336-6818 or Rick Jackson at 386-937-3659.

The family of a 16-year-old killed in a hit-and-run three years ago remembered him during a candlelight vigil Thursday at the site where his body was found. Dalton Kuhn was riding his skateboard on State Road 312. His body was found Oct. 10, 2016, by a woman on a bicycle who first spotted his broken skateboard, then his backpack and finally the youth. It happened in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, and law enforcement believes an older truck may have struck the youth. The driver who hit him has never been found.  If you have information contact the St. Augustine Police Department or CrimeStoppers.

It’s homecoming weekend for many. In Putnam County, Interlachen, Crescent City and Palatka high schools all hold their homecomings this Friday. And it will be a special weekend for the 1969 classes of Palatka High School and St. Augustine High School as they hold reunions. Separately. PHS grads were spotted Thursday night at Angel’s Diner, the place to hang out for teens.

Another busy weekend.

In Putnam, Francis Volunteer Fire Department holds a barbecue fundraiser  today at Palatka Church of God on Crill Avenue in Palatka. South Putnam Christian Service Center holds a fish fry dinner fundraiser today from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Howe Memorial Fellowship Hall in Crescent City. Today and Saturday it’s the Q.I. Roberts FFA Haunted House from 7 p.m. to midnight at 430 West River Road. On Saturday at 7 p.m. at Larimer Arts Center 216 Reid Street in Palatka it’s the second in the Chuck Hardwicke & Sweet William’s Songwriters Showcase Series.

In St. Johns County, it’s time for the Greek Festival at Francis Field in St. Augustine today through Sunday. Everything Greek rules. In Elkton the St. Ambrose Catholic Church Fall Festival is Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The family-friendly festival includes music, yard sale, hay rides and Minorcan clam chowder.

In Flagler County don’t miss the annual Creekside Music and Arts Festival Saturday and Sunday at Princess Place Preserve. Great music and numerous food vendors.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.