Aug. 4 – 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).

Putnam County’s Class of 2020 finally gets a chance to celebrate beginning tonight with graduation exercises at Interlachen High School at 8 p.m. Guests must have a ticket to get into the stadium, wear a face covering and practice social distancing. In another change from past years people will not get to gather on the stadium field. People unable to attend can view the ceremony live online. Changes are due to coronavirus, which has already caused plenty of odd times for the Class of 2020. And in keeping with the odd times neither IHS Principal Bryan Helms nor School Superintendent Rick Surrency will be attending – they’re under quarantine for coronavirus. Later this week Palatka High, Crescent City High and Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr.  will hold their ceremonies.

A 66-year-old man has died in Flagler County due to coronavirus complications. Bruce Garrison, a longtime supervisor in Flagler Beach’s sanitation department, is being remembered for his generous nature and willingness to help. His death was announced Monday by the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County along with 10 new cases of coronavirus bringing the total since counting began to 945 cases. Putnam County reported 12 new coronavirus cases Monday for a total of 1,379. St. Johns County announced 39 cases for a total of 3,362.

Coronavirus testing centers reopen today after being closed due to concerns tied in with the recent hurricane. The testing site in St. Johns is at Flagler Hospital in Parking Lot B from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday or until maximum number of daily tests are collected. Call 904-824-5550 for more. In Flagler County community testing site is at Cattleman’s Hall at the Flagler County Fairgrounds in Bunnell. The site is open 9 a.m. to 3p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment. For more, call 386-313-4200. You can schedule a no-cost test through the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County by calling 386-329-1904.

Two kayakers escaped serious injury Monday in Crescent Lake in Putnam County. Crescent City Fire Department, Putnam County Fire Rescue and two marine units responded. The two kayakers were found in the water near Bear Island. They reported being knocked over in the rough waters. The Crescent City Marine Unit returned them to shore.

An unauthorized event at a restaurant-bar in Bunnell left a 15-year-old shot and wounded Saturday night. The youth was among some 400 people who turned out for what was billed as the Bunnell Hood Affair at The Place restaurant on South State Street. No permit was pulled and the gathering apparently was in violation of a state order shutting down bars because of coronavirus concerns. The shooting took place while people were partying outside in the area of 45 Martin Luther King Boulevard and Southern Table on South State Street. Several shots were fired, according to witnesses, and the 15-year-old was shot in the buttocks and hip area. If you have information on the shooting, contact Detective Kyle Toten at 386-437-7508 or the Crime Stoppers TIPS line.

In St. Augustine the Planning and Zoning Board today hears proposals for a winery in West Augustine and a townhouse subdivision on Lewis Speedway. Maestro Winery is planning on going into an existing building at 213 King St. They want to have less parking than currently required in an area where parking is already an issue. A preliminary subdivision plan is up for approval for 102 townhouses in an area south of Woodlawn Road and north of St. Augustine High. D.H. Horton has an option  to purchase the property.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.