Oct. 22, 2020

Posted on October 22, 2020 by mlane1950 in Community, Flagler, Local Events, Location, MARCIA LANE, YOUR ROVING REPORTER, Putnam, St. Johns // 0 Comments

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported two new deaths in Wednesday’s report on coronavirus. Deaths of a 65-year-old man and a 90-year-old man were coronavirus-related, according to the Department. Total deaths since counting began in March is now 50 in Putnam County. Also announced Wednesday 16 new cases of coronavirus bringing the total in Putnam to 2,294. Flagler County reported six new cases Wednesday bringing their total number of cases to 1,998. St. Johns County announced 50 new cases, bringing total case number to 6,084.

Some fatality counts for coronavirus-related deaths may be changing. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees announced the Department of Health will conduct a more thorough review of all fatalities reported to the state. The Surgeon General said “fatality data reported to the state constantly presents confusion and warrants a more rigorous review.” Authorities said of the 95 fatalities reported Wednesday, 16 had more than a two-month separation between the time the individuals tested positive and passed away, and 11 of the deaths occurred more than a month ago. On the list was the 65-year-old Putnam man whose death was reported Wednesday. A number of cases were from Palm Beach County.

Flagler Beach Police Department plans a unique Halloween event this Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Wickline Park. They’re calling it the Beach Boo Drive and it offers a socially distanced way to trick-or-treat. Beach Boo replaces the usual trunk-or-treat the police department holds annually.

Putnam County Environmental Council will be celebrating World Fish Migration Day Saturday and once again seeking to free the Ocklawaha River. The group is planning a get-together to free the fish and free the river this Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon on the west side of Rodman Dam. People are urged to bring their own boat and gear. PCEC plans to take a socially distanced group photo and shoot footage along the river with people holding homemade cardboard fish or wearing manatee costumes and holding signs.

Palatka City Commission holds an in-person meeting tonight at Palatka City Hall at 6 p.m. The meeting also can be seen via Zoom. On the agenda is a return to the monthly recognition for outstanding students. Also on the agenda a resolution calling for constructing a $2 million public works facility to house garbage trucks and other city work trucks. The new location is at the Palatka airport property next to the Putnam County Business Park.

Coming up Friday at Rodman Plantation is a Civil War re-enactment. Friday will be a school day open only to students. Saturday and Sunday the re-enactments are open to the public. Cannon firings and battles will be held for the event called The Fight for Dixie’s Land, which is being put on by some local re-enactors. Admission is $5.

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre’s Farmers Market will be open again this Saturday after being closed due to coronavirus. A reduced number of vendors is planned to accommodate CDC physical distancing guidelines. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A food giveaway is this Saturday on the Palatka campus of St. Johns River State College. Farm Share, Epic Cure, St. Johns River State College and United Healthcare are sponsoring the event from 10 a.m. to noon. Food will be distributed at the college parking at at the corner of St. Johns Avenue and College Road..