Jan. 30 – 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).

In Putnam County the big news is the announcement by Clerk of Court Tim Smith that he won’t seek re-election. For the past 35 years he’s been a force in Putnam’s political scene including serving as mayor of Palatka and then clerk of court. Smith is giving his endorsement to Kenny Downs, who’s served as his right hand man.

Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a wreck Wednesday that left one person dead and a second hospitalized. State Road 207 was tied up for hours after the crash at 11 a.m. on 207 near Deerpark Boulevard. According to reports, a smaller vehicle was making a U-turn and pulled into the path of a tractor-trailer. Firefighters had to cut one person out of the smaller vehicle, which flipped on its side after crushing the front of the semi. All lanes were finally reopened shortly before 5 p.m.

A wreck in Putnam County on Dunn’s Creek bridge on U.S. 17 South Wednesday reportedly injured several. Law enforcement and fire rescue responded to the accident, which involved multiple vehicles. The wreck sent one vehicle into the woods. Another was reported on fire in the roadway.

Palatka City Manager Bill Shanahan meets with various community economic development partners tonight at the Price-Martin Community Center next to the train depot on 11th Street in Palatka. The meeting is at 6 p.m. One or more Palatka city commissioners may attend.

Residents in Palm Coast are raising concerns about a planned 300-home development plus commercial phase proposed for the Matanzas Woods Golf Course in the L section. The course is not in use currently. At a Palm Coast City Council meeting Tuesday the issue came up again. Developer Alex Ustilovsky in December held a public hearing required before he could submit a rezoning application. So far the application hasn’t been submitted, council members told the audience.

A grant from Clay Electric will mean Putnam County’s Florahome-Grandin Volunteer Fire Station gets a new roof. The $12,300 grant presentation was made Friday. Volunteers are in the process of refurbishing their station.

On Saturday A Women’s Resource Center holds an open house at their new location on Crill Avenue. Since its inception the Center has provided aid from a location St. Johns Avenue. The move to 219 North Palm Avenue will provide the non-profit with more office space and parking. The open house begins at 11 a.m.

St. Augustine is looking at receiving grants totaling more than $400,000 to help with historic preservation projects in the nation’s Oldest City. The projects focus on mitigation of future impacts of disasters to historic resources and are in part due to several years of hurricanes. Areas impact will include the St. Augustine Town Plan National Historic Landmark District and the National Register Historic Districts which include the Abbot Tract, Model Land Company and Lincolnville.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.