Dec. 19 – 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).

Some people are determined to make Santa’s naughty list.

In Flagler County a woman already facing grand theft charges following an alleged shoplifting spree now faces two additional charges since she used her sister’s ID when arrested. A stolen tag caused Flagler Sheriff’s deputies to stop a car that turned out to contain $6,000 of stolen electronics, about $1,000 of which was taken from the Flagler Walmart. The passenger in the car identified herself as Amber Phillips. Turned out she was Gabrielle Trotam, Phillips’ 23-year-old sister. She was using her sister’s driver’s license as ID. “Trying to get your sister in trouble by using her name is not what I would call ‘sisterly love,’” said Sheriff Rick Staly.

A narcotics warrant executed at 7A Buttonwell Lane in Palm Cost Wednesday morning led to the arrest of seven times convicted felon Jarian Rahsaun Webb, 39, and seizure of drugs and $4,000 in cash. Citizens’ complaints first alerted authorities who put the house under surveillance and confirmed drugs were being sold from the residence. Webb, who had a gun and ammunition, is being held without bond and additional charges are pending.

Palatka police are seeking two suspects in a robbery of a downtown gas station Saturday. Video shows the two suspects wearing black hoodies and white gloves bursting through the door at the station at 900 Reid St. around 9:30 p.m. Both appear to be holding handguns. One of the suspects is seen pushing a customer to the floor before grabbing something from out of view behind the counter and running out the door. The entire incident took place in about 20 seconds. If you have information or can ID the two, call Det. Sgt. Colten Lee at 386-329-0115.

Some people, on the other hand, know the meaning of Christmas. An anonymous donor has given the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office $10,000 in $100 gift cards for deputies to hand out to people in need. This is the fourth year the donor has given the money. The donor also gives $10,000 to Clay County deputies and $30,000 to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to hand out.

In Putnam County you can help out the community’s hungry by joining in the Got Food? food drive going on through Friday. Drop off canned or non-perishable food at Beck dealerships, Palatka Daily News, Health Department, Watson Realty, Oasis Auto Sales, Putnam County Tax Collector offices, Putnam Sheriff’s Office or State Attorney’s Office. If you want to make a monetary donation, check with the Palatka Daily News.

Students, teachers and school personnel are getting a present too – schools are letting out for Christmas. Putnam County students are out as of today and won’t return until Jan. 7. Teachers, however, have to be back Jan. 6 for two in-service days. In Flagler County students are out beginning Friday although it’s a workday for teachers. Schools are out for everyone beginning Dec. 23 with classes resuming Jan. 6. In St. Johns County schools are out beginning Monday with classes resuming Jan. 6. Teachers will be working Jan. 3.

First Baptist Church of Interlachen is host site for a community food give-a-way Friday. The event begin at 9 a.m. and continues until the food is gone.

If you’re looking for Christmas spirits, check out the Purple Plum Playhouse performances of A Christmas Carol on Friday and Saturday in Crescent City. Actors will be doing a radio play of the Charles Dickens classic at Howe Memorial United Methodist Church fellowship hall.

In Welaka  residents are looking forward to a Christmas parade and a lighted boat parade on Saturday. The parade is at noon with a toy giveaway at City Hall afterward. At 6:15 a lighted boat parade travels from River Bend to Sportsman Harbor.

In St. Augustine the St. Augustine Ballet offers The Nutcracker ballet on Saturday and Sunday. Two performances each day at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Lewis Auditorium.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.