February 9, 2021 The Roving Reporter

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting of a trucker Monday afternoon along Interstate 95 North. The trucker, who was hit in the shoulder, said two men in a silver or gray sedan pulled alongside his semi and fired shots shortly before 1 p.m. The driver’s girlfriend was asleep in the back of the cab and called authorities after the two pulled into a truck stop near County Road 210 about five miles down the road. If you have information, call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-824-8304.

Putnam County commissioners today are looking at a major revamping of their internet café ordinance. If passed it will mean cafes must close at 9 p.m. nightly and put in a number of security measures at their businesses. In other action, a group of citizens was expected to be on hand to express support for Commissioners Jeff Rawls and Paul Adamczyk after the former vice chair of the Putnam County Democratic Party, Joshua Mast, called for censuring the two for reposting internet jokes that he characterized as inappropriate. 

For the fourth time in as many weeks a Flagler County student has been arrested for making threats in school. This time the suspect is an 11-year-old at Bunnell Elementary School. He was arrested Friday after a teacher reported he had come in class singing a song about guns and shooting people, and after being told to stop spent his class time looking up information on guns and ammunition online. The next day he pointed his iPad at the teacher, said “I am going to shoot you up!” and made gun noises. The teacher said the incidents had put her in fear of her life. Based on all the combined incidents, the juvenile was arrested and booked into the county jail on a charge of false report concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner. He was later turned over to Department of Juvenile Justice, which turned him over to his parents until a court date.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported over the weekend two new coronavirus related deaths — a 93-year-old woman and a 79-year-old woman. That brings the death total in Putnam to 106 since counting began in March of last year. In addition 12 new cases including two transfers out of county were reported Monday, bringing the total to 5,628. Flagler County reported two new coronavirus related deaths, bringing their total to 75. In addition10 new cases were reported on Monday for a total of 5,503 cases. St. Johns County reported 66 new cases, bringing their case total to 19,089.

As the Crescent City Commission prepares to vote on an ordinance to end the local police department and turn law enforcement operations over to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, residents are planning a rally in support of the department. The rally is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall before the 6 p.m. meeting. The move comes as the Save Crescent City Police Department group has submitted a petition to recall City Commissioner Judith West for “neglect of duty” and meeting illegally with other commissioners. Putnam County Supervisor of Elections Charles Overturf III is verifying names on the petition.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, local businesses and residents are stepping up to help two deputies injured last month when their vehicles collided while responding to an emergency call. Over the weekend Sheriff’s office employees built a temporary ramp at the residence of one of the deputies that will allow him to come home while continuing rehab therapy. Home Depot and Lowman Fence Company provided materials for the ramp. Authorities also thanked members of the public who have sent cards, goodie bags and donations to the Ten-24 Fund for Deputy John Gogan and Corporal Christian Maysonet.

In Flagler County people are paying close attention to this year’s Australian Open tennis tournament. Former Palm Coast resident Reilly Opelka, who attended Indian Trails Middle School in Flagler, is playing this year and defeated his first opponent Sunday in Melbourne. Today he’s set to take on his best friend Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 27 in the tennis world.