Jan. 6 – 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 Crescent City man has been charged with first degree murder in a shooting death Sunday afternoon in Crescent City. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced Ahmad Rashard Williams, 29, was charged today with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Tykey Nixon, 28, of Crescent City, died around 1 p.m. in an empty lot near Main Street and Florida Avenue. The lot is about a block from the Crescent City Police station and people frequently hang out there. Authorities say a man who left in a vehicle before they could talk to him later had a woman call and arrange to turn himself in at the Pomona Park fire station. The arrest was without incident and a photo line-up for witnesses is to take place today. Nixon and the suspect reportedly knew each other since childhood. Crescent City police asked the Sheriff’s Office to take the lead in the case and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement worked the crime scene. The suspect’s identity is being withheld until charges are filed.

South Putnam fire rescue was busy Sunday first with the shooting and then with the rescue of two individuals in a small powered boat on Lake Crescent. The boat overturned around 5 p.m., shortly before sunset. The boaters were able to contact authorities. Marine units from Georgetown Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department, support staff and Putnam County Fire Rescue responded and took the two back to shore in Pomona Park.

Schools are open today in St. Johns and Flagler counties after winter breaks. Putnam County students will continue on holiday until Wednesday. Putnam teachers, however, are back at work using today as an in-service day and Tuesday as a planning day.

A reminder the St. Augustine Beach Pier is scheduled to close today for repairs and renovations. It’s not expected to reopen until May.

Putnam County Commission meets Tuesday at 9 a.m. in a special meeting to consider a funding agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation. The agreement is for repair of the Bardin Bridge off State Road 100.

A joy ride turned out not to be so joyful for an antiques shop owner in St. Augustine Sunday morning. Authorities say kids were joy riding around 3 a.m. and realized police were following them. They tried to get away but the driver failed to negotiate a turn at San Marco Avenue and Cincinnati Avenue and struck the building housing Antiques and Things. The youths ran off leaving a Toyota Venza stuck half way in the building. Reportedly the teens have been arrested.

The Palatka Police Department is asking the public to be on the lookout for 14-year-old Edwin Font. He was last seen leaving his house near Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka Saturday night around 9 p.m. Font was wearing a black jacket with white under shirt, gray sweat pants with “Tommy” written down the side and black socks. Police say Font has a medical condition that causes him to have seizures when injured. Contact Palatka Police at 386-329-0800.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.