The Roving Reporter, Jan. 7, 2021

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

More than 4,000 people have signed up in Putnam County for coronavirus vaccinations. While the allotment from the sate isn’t anywhere near that number yet, people who have gotten the shots are praising the smoothness of the operation at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. As of this morning about 500 vaccinations have been given. People will have to come back in three weeks for the second shot required to make the vaccination effective.

St. Augustine’s Planning and Zoning Board has given the OK for changes to a massive development to go off King Street in the historic downtown. More protests than positive reviews came from the public with density issues a major concern. The development’s tried to get off the ground since 2004 and is surrounded by Riberia Street, King and the San Sebastian River. It’s projected to add an additional 4,200 plus trips a day to the area and includes a hotel, apartments, shops, marina and two parking garages all surrounding San Sebastian Winery. The review now goes to the St. Augustine City Commission. 

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has a new director of the jail. Sheriff Gator DeLoach appointed Major Scott Surrency head of corrections following the retirement of former director John Valdes. Surrency, who began his new job Monday, is a 15-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office.

Three teachers are finalists for St. Johns County Teacher of the Year.  Murray Middle School’s Allison Birbal, Durbin Creek Elementary’s Andrea O’Brien and Creekside High’s Ali Pressel were named Tuesday during special ceremonies at each school. Still to come are the selections for Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Drivers along State Road 100 in Flagler County saw lots of smoke and fire in wooded areas Wednesday. The fire was the result of a controlled burn near the Putnam County line. Deputies and Forestry officers were stationed at the burn sites.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported the closing of an alleged drug house in the B-Section of Palm Coast. Undercover operations led to a warrant and search of the residence at 12 Big Bear Lane early Tuesday morning. Michael Tyrone Jackson, 34, who was the focus of the investigation, was found inside the house as well as a variety of drugs including Alprazolam and THC concentrate. Jackson faces several drug-related charges with more possible. He is the Flagler jail on a $5,500 bond.

Expansion of a popular restaurant and a RV park are on tonight’s Crescent City Planning and Zoning Board agenda. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Three Bananas at 11 S. Lake St. is seeking expansion outdoors. A concept review request for a RV resort and campground at U.S. 17 and Prospect Street also is on the agenda.

Palm Coast Commission has given the go-ahead to a controversial development at Matanzas Golf Course although it took five motions before it passed. Excluded from development is what is known as Tract 3 in the development proposal for what is now called Lakeside Estates. Tract 3 is the area that officials have argued putting up development would block existing residents view of the fairway and would be in violation of their rights. The golf course is no longer in existence. The issue still must go back before the commission for a second and final vote.

While most swearing-in ceremonies Monday and Tuesday were held in conventional settings such as commission chambers, newly-elected St. Johns County Sheriff  Robert Hardwick chose another route. Hardwick, who had the support of outgoing sheriff David Shoar and won easily, took his oath of office at Castillo de San Marcos – at sunrise.