Oct. 14 – 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).

The stabbing death of a person Tuesday evening inside a residence in the Flagler Estates area near Hastings is under investigation. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reports the victim is dead and a suspect has been arrested. Names have not been released. The stabbing may be the result of a domestic incident in a home on Irving Street off State Road 13. The suspect, apparently from Clay County, was arrested during a traffic stop near State Road 207 and Morrison Road.

Late September rains helped shrink a yearlong rainfall deficit in Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. However, those rains also caused flooding from Astor throughout the Lower St. Johns River Basin. Districtwide, September rainfall averaged 7.7 inches, nearly an inch above the long-term average for the month. Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns had more than 9 inches of rain.

Three people were arrested at a Palm Coast residence that Flagler County Sheriff’s Office called a “problem house” during an early morning raid Tuesday. Investigation over a lengthy period led to search warrants and the seizure of what was described as “trafficking amounts of Fentanyl” as well as a loaded shotgun, marijuana, prescription medication and various drug paraphernalia including more than 100 used hypodermic needles. In addition a safe in the residence contained jewelry valued at more than $1,000 and previously reported stolen in Palm Coast. Other stolen property also was recovered, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Convicted felon John William Iles, 24, who faces a variety of charges including trafficking Fentanyl, had 42 grams of the drug. The Drug Enforcement Agency considers two milligrams of Fentanyl to be a lethal dose; so 42 grams would equal about 21,000 lethal doses, according to Sheriff Rick Staly. Arrested on other charges were Daniel Clark McIntyre, 29, and Tylor Whitaker, 25.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported one new coronavirus-related death on Tuesday. The victim was an 88-year-old woman. Five new coronavirus cases with two transfers out of county were reported bringing the total since March to 2,214. Flagler County reported a 63-year-old man died on Sunday. On Tuesday 33 new coronavirus cases were reported bringing the total number of cases to 1,883. In St. Johns County 30 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 5,756.

More than 250 volunteers, mainly students helped with a clean-up of beaches in South Ponte Vedra Beach Sunday. The beaches are part of the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Eight bags of trash, two bags of recycling and more were collected. Students came from schools including Ponte Vedra High School, Nease High School, Greenwood High School, Landrum Middle School, Fletcher Middle School, Palm Valley Academy and Ocean Palms Elementary. Also helping out Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Know a young artist who likes animals or the outdoors? Urge them to take part in a contest put on by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Wildlife Forever. State and national honors and prizes are available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade taking part in the Florida State-Fish Art Contest. Competition will be by four grade categories and state winners advance to a national competition. The contest is part of an effort to increase youth participation in freshwater and saltwater fishing. Deadline is March 31, 2021. Go to http://www.StateFishArt.org for more information.

Drivers in downtown St. Augustine will find fewer parking spaces along Cathedral Place Thursday through Sunday. That’s because the parking is reserved for motorcyclists visiting the area for Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach. Bikers using the spaces, which are marked with traffic cones, need to know you must pay to park.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is on the lookout for a guy who decided to relieve himself at Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School. The man, who rode in on a bike, relieved himself in a drain pipe outdoors, then broke into the school cafeteria and stole drinks. His actions were captured on security cameras. School staff found the mess on Monday. Photos are posted on the Sheriff’s website and a reward may be available through CrimeStoppers of NE Florida. Breaking in is a third-degree felony.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.