Sept. 22 – 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).

Weather continues to be the news as people wait for the nor’easter to blow away. That’s supposed to happen today but meanwhile water levels are high and damage and flooding are concerns. St. Augustine’s City Manager John Regan says the flooding is the worst in 40 years. At least through today the city is offering free parking at the city parking garage on Cordova Street for residents and workers. Flooding has hit all the coastal areas including into Flagler County. The National Weather Service expects tides to start decreasing Wednesday and Thursday. People were using Facebook to try and find items missing because of the flooding. The owner of Corazon Cinema on Granada Street in St. Augustine sent out a plea – someone stole their reddish door customized to serve as a barrier . She’s hoping to get it back soon since Granada is one of the streets heavily flooded. The St. Johns River, creeks feeding into it and Crescent Lake in Putnam County all are experiencing flooding. The Rae family on Lake Crescent put up a request for help in case anyone found their boat – the Nautical Star 21 footer washed off its lift Sunday night due to rough weather and waves.

Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County reports one new coronavirus-related death. That brings total number of deaths since counting began in March to 67. St. Johns also reported 16 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 5,112. In Putnam County five new coronavirus cases and one transfer were reported Monday. Overall total is now 2,060 cases. Flagler County reported 10 new coronavirus cases. Their total is 1,662.

Putnam County School District is continuing its United States Department of Agriculture program that helps feed children. Waivers have been extended and any child, 18 and under, can be fed regardless of whether or not they’re enrolled in a district school. Pickups are on Mondays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at any school. The child does not have to be present for pickups.

In Flagler County a motion to censure a county commissioner over his behavior was blocked by two fellow commissioners. Commissioner Joe Mullins has been criticized for what has been described as abusive and threatening behavior to other commissioners, businesses and the public. A reprimand by the Flagler commission had been sought, but that was blocked by Commissioners Donald O’Brien and Dave Sullivan during a Monday meeting. It’s not the first time a censure of Mullins has been proposed although in the past the rest of the commission has joined in to decline the action.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is warning people of a scam involving an individual calling residents and impersonating a member of the Florida Power and Light billing department. The alleged employee says the victim’s bill is past due and service will be disconnected unless they pay immediately. The scammer instructs the victim to pay over the phone with a prepaid debit card, gift card, a third-party payment portal or by following a link in an email. FPL says they will never ask customers to use any of those methods. If you get a call, the Sheriff’s Office says hang up and call the company’s business office.

Explorer Post 995 is officially back to regular meetings and has a limited number of openings for new members. The post is sponsored by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and allows youths age 14-21 to explore a career in law enforcement. Email jherren@putnamsheriff.org or dkennedy@putnamsheriff.org for more information.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a white male who may have gotten more than he bargained for when he took a package from the Anastasia Cat Clinic Sept. 17. Video shows the man with backpack and skateboard walk up to the door of the vet office on Old Dixie Highway in St. Augustine, inspect the box and touch it before leaving. About 20 minutes later the same male came back in a black or dark-colored truck, approach the door and steal the box. Turns out it contained four vials of cat blood in an Antech Blood box. Total loss was about $600 worth of blood and the box. Imagine trying to explain that when you got home.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.