Oct. 15 – Roving reporter

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A 41-year-old man is in St. Johns County jail charged with murder after allegedly killing his wife Tuesday night, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Derrek Perkins was arrested in the area of State Road 207 and Morrison Road minutes after the attack. The woman he’s accused of killing was reportedly his wife who family members identified as Brandi Brooker, 35. On Monday Brooker secured an injunction against Perkins but deputies hadn’t yet served the papers when she was killed. According to the Sheriff’s Office report, Perkins also is accused of attempting to run her down with a car Friday and earlier Tuesday stole her wallet containing $500 from the restaurant where she worked. A witness who picked up Brooker from work and drove her to where she was staying said when they drove up Perkins’ car wasn’t visible and they were walked up to the house. Apparently Perkins was at the house and attacked Brooker on the porch  with a knife. Witnesses heard her screaming for help and one reported seeing Perkins run away. In addition to first-degree murder, Perkins was indicted by a grand jury on burglary of a dwelling with assault/battery while armed and aggravated stalking with a weapon.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported 16 new coronavirus cases and one transfer out on Wednesday. Total number of coronavirus cases since counting began is 2,229 in Putnam. In Flagler County, nine new coronavirus cases were reported for a total of 1,892. In St. Johns County, 59 new coronavirus cases were reported for a total of 5,814 cases.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office continues the investigation of a man found dead on the edge of Graham Swamp Sept. 28. The victim has been identified as Giovanne Sylvain, 18, who went missing Sept. 25. Cause of death is awaiting test results from toxicology and anthropology. Suspicious circumstances and the autopsy results have FCSO Major Crimes investigating but the Sheriff’s Office says exact cause of death hasn’t been determined. Sylvain was at Advent Health Sept 25 and acting erratically. He left shortly after 7:30 p.m. on his bicycle and is believed to have died a few hours later. Information relating to his death or activities after leaving Advent Health is sought.  Call 386-586-4823 or e-mail Tips @Flaglersheriff.com.

A football game between two St. Johns County middle schools was postponed Wednesday after at least seven players on Freedom Crossing Academy’s team came into close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus. Freedom Crossing was to play Mill Creek Academy before St. Johns Middle School Athletics Association decided to postpone the game.

Palm Coast Historical Society in Holland Park has a spruced-up look thanks to an Eagle Scout candidate. Philip Cangialosi with Troop 402 in Flagler County came up with the idea of a garden to go in front of the building. He designed and planted the property along with input from The Garden Club at Palm Coast and the Palm Coast city staff.

The City of St. Augustine is seeking members for its newly created Building Code Advisory Committee. A five-member committee has been approved to help update the city’s flood mitigation code, building code and zoning code. Commissioner John Valdes will chair the committee. Deadline to apply is Oct. 28.

Florida School of the Arts opens its theatrical season Friday on Zoom. She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, a play by Qui Nguyen will be streamed live Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. To see the free virtual performance, you must register. For details, call FloArts at 386-312-4300 or visit www.floarts.org.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.