Dec. 18, 2020 The Roving Reporter

Posted on December 28, 2020 by mlane1950 in Flagler, Local Events, Location, MARCIA LANE, YOUR ROVING REPORTER, Putnam, St. Johns // 0 Comments

Putnam County residents will rally at the courthouse today at 4 p.m. for a drive-thru thank you to Clerk of Court Tim Smith, who will be leaving office. In a twist, Smith and his longtime deputy clerk Kenny Downs will be driving through the courthouse lots waving to residents who will be parked. They hoped to avoid any traffic congestion that way.

Florida Department of Health reported one new coronavirus-related death each in St. Johns and Flagler counties on Thursday. Flagler County now has 47 deaths since counting began in March. In addition 39 new cases were reported in Flagler Thursday, bringing the year’s total to 3,179. St. Johns County now has recorded 108 coronavirus-related deaths. Another 170 cases were reported in St. Johns bringing their total of cases to 10,868. Putnam County reported 68 new cases, bringing the total to 3,386.

Today’s the last day of school for students in Putnam and St. Johns County. St. Johns’ schools will be letting out an hour early. In Flagler County Monday is the last day of school. Schools resume Jan. 4, 2021.

A 25-year-old Palm Coast man is looking at a 50 year jail sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his mother. Nathaniel Shimmel stabbed his mother numberous times during an argument Aug. 23, 2017. Circuit Court Judge Terence Parker sentenced him Thursday. Shimmel originally was charged with first-degree murder. He will receive credit for the more than three years he’s been in jail awaiting trial.

Three armed robberies reported Thursday in Putnam County. The first was at Lucky Pearl Internet Café on Reid Street in Palatka around 10:30 p.m. where the store was robbed at gunpoint. The second was at Adam & Eve, an adult merchandise store on U.S. 17 in East Palatka where a man threatened the clerk with a knife and grabbed money. A third robbery at the Boost Mobile store in Interlachen was reported Thursday evening.

A protest at the Putnam County Courthouse to push for immediate removal of the Confederate statue from the site is still planned for Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., according to authorities. Putnam Alliance for Equity and Justice is calling for the protest. Planning a counter protest is the Stand Your Ground Putnam County group. They’ll be at the same location from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Crescent City commissioners heard from residents and law officials Thursday night during what was often a contentious meeting. At issue is whether to keep the police department or have the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office take over duties. Commissioners didn’t take a vote, saying they will continue to look into the issue.

In St. Augustine Nights of Lights continues. Special today through Sunday at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall will be the Apex Theatre Studio performance of A Christmas Story with little Ralphie Parker and is quest for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun. Tonight through Sunday the St. Augustine Bllet presents their 12th annual performance of T’s The Nutcracker at Flagler College’s Lewis Hall. In Elkton tChristmas Bright Lights are on at the Sykes Family Farms off State Road 207.

In Flagler County the Florida Agricultural Museum tonight opens their week-long Twinkle!! drive through holiday light display. Ongoing are the 15th annual Fantasy Lights Festival at Central Park in Town Center and Starry Nights in Flagler Beach.