May 7 – Roving reporter

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Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reports no new coronavirus cases as of the Thursday morning count and the total remains at 120 cases. St. Johns County is at 222 reported cases, up six. Flagler is at 145 cases, up three.

A St. Johns County school administrator won’t soon forget a phone call she received Tuesday. Melissa Lime, assistant principal at Freedom Crossing Academy, got a call from the White House Monday asking if she’d be available Tuesday for a phone call. When she got the call it turned out to be First Lady Melania Trump.  The First Lady called educators across the country during National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Week to say thanks. Lime said the first lady wanted to know how struggling students were being helped. In a post later Lime tweeted her thanks for the call and the First Lady responded. More than 20,000 likes have since been posted.

While trying to protect himself from an attacking pit bull mix a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy Wednesday shot himself in the foot. After a Facebook post by an individual at the scene apparently made light of the incident the Sheriff’s Office put out what they called the rest of the story. They say the deputy was checking at a residence on Arrowhead Drive about 7 p.m. for a missing juvenile. Deputies in the past have responded to the house numerous times, the last time in reference to a methamphetamine bust. On Wednesday the deputy knocked on the door, heard barking and then a woman’s voice telling someone to get the dog. Before the deputy could get out of the yard a medium-sized pit bull mix came around the corner of the house, charged the deputy and bit him, attempting to take him down. The deputy fired down, hitting his own foot. The dog let go. According to the Sheriff’s Office the man who posted a version of the story on Facebook didn’t offer help to the deputy. Sheriff Gator DeLoach said deputies “have a right to protect themselves and owners of aggressive dogs have a responsibility to control them or face consequences.”

A domestic dispute may have been at the heart of an argument Wednesday morning that led to an apparent murder-suicide at a home on North 19th Street in Palatka. Palatka Police Department is not releasing any additional information but is confirming two men were shot. “We’re still trying to figure out the motive,” said Capt. Matt Newcomb today. Names of the victims are not being released with authorities citing Marcy’s Law, which allows them to withhold the name of victims. The two men were apparently neighbors on North 19th Street between Ocean and Washington streets. The shootings took place inside 902 North 19th St.

A lumber truck driver was killed and an 18-year-old woman seriously injured in a crash early Wednesday morning on Interstate 95 in Flagler County. Names have not been released. The woman from Palm Coast was headed south when she lost control apparently distracted by her phone, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She over-corrected, veered back toward the center lane and her sedan struck the rear side wheel of the truck causing the truck to lose control. The trucker, 56, of Jacksonville crashed and the truck containing construction lumber overturned. The trucker was ejected through the windshield and died. The woman was seriously injured in the wreck just north of Matanzas Woods Parkway intersection.

In Putnam County two new candidates have filed for political office, according to Supervisor of Elections Charles Overturf III. John R. Morbitzer has filed his intent to run for Pomona Park mayor/councilman. Pamela Henderson Brown of San Mateo has filed her intent to run for Putnam Superintendent of Schools.

Today is National Day of Prayer. Normally that would mean gatherings around the area but the coronavirus is putting a damper on that. However, some organizations including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are hosting virtual gatherings. Some people are holding their own individual prayer ceremonies.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.