Sept. 15 – 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).

Two men were shot to death in separate incidents in Putnam County Monday. The first shooting, described as a domestic disturbance, left 39-year-old Timothy Anderson dead in East Palatka Monday morning and the alleged shooter, 59, at the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Name of the shooter, who is cooperating with Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives, has not been released. The two men were related. Deputies were called to the house at 115 Bangor Ave. in July of this year but no arrests were made. A registered sex offender, Timothy Anderson served a year for child molestation in Bradford County in 2008, one of three jail terms including his latest in 2015, a three-year sentence for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. He had been arrested for burglary, drugs and assault. On Monday evening Palatka Police were called to Main and Ninth streets on Palatka’s northside around 9:21 p.m. when the body of a 38-year-old black male was found.  Police officials released a statement saying cause of death appeared to be a single gunshot wound. The victim was not identified and no information on a suspect has been released.

Florida Department of Health for Flagler County reported one new coronavirus-related death and 11 new cases of coronavirus on Monday. Since counting began in March, Flagler has reported 19 deaths and 1,571 cases, Health officials in Putnam County reported six new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 1,964. St. Johns County reported 16 new cases, bringing their coronavirus case total to 4,902.

Putnam County School District reports food waivers have been extended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means the district can feed any child 18 and under whether or not they’re enrolled in a district school. Pick-ups are Mondays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at any school. The child does not have to be present during the drive thru.

Saturday a Farm Share Food Giveaway with First Responders will be held at the Putnam County Government Complex at 2509 Crill Ave. in Palatka. Hours are 8 to 11 a.m.

An arrest by the Florida Highway Patrol Saturday led to a suspect trying to flee and becoming involved in a scuffle with troopers. After the chase through a swampy area, suspect Rashad Hills was caught and taken to an area hospital to be cleared. A woman identifying herself as Hills’ sister called area media to say deputies had cut off some of the man’s toes. While HIPAA privacy laws prevent law enforcement from releasing any patient information, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Allison Waters Merritt noted any medical procedures were done at the hospital and the arrest was by FHP not the Sheriff’s Office. Hills is in the Putnam jail with six charges from FHP ranging from cocaine and drug possession to resisting officers. No bond has been set. Hills, who has been arrested before, was wanted on several warrants for violation of probation.

Fruitland  Peninsula Historical Society of Crescent City goes online tonight to hold their first virtual meeting. Closed down by coronavirus restrictions, the group is going to ZOOM to present a program on Florida’s First Automobile Filling Stations by James Stege, owner/operator of Stegbone Fish Camp. The presentation is at 7 p.m. To get the link, email Tim Earle at tearle1296@aol.com.

Putnam Community Medical Center has named Sean McAfee as chief nursing officer. McAfee begins the job Sept. 21. Most recently he’s served as assistant chief nursing officer at Orange Park Medical Center. Both facilities are part of HCA Healthcare.

Reports of a lioness and her two cubs on the loose in west Putnam County had the Internet on fire over the weekend. As it turned out, somebody was “lying about a lion” as the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office put it. A prank among friends got way out of hand and had people calling law enforcement. A photo making the rounds added to concerns. During the investigation, the Sheriff’s office contacted Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and a known animal sanctuary. No big cats were missing but deputies did make contact with the person who originally posted the photo. On Facebook, the Sheriff’s Office said: “We want to assure the community there is no danger. This is also a good lesson on how fast social media works when spreading gossip, misinformation or pranks that involve lions.”

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.