St. Augustine News

Kevin Kelshaw reported to Historic City News that one St. Johns County teenager was arrested and another is being sought in connection with an incident that occurred Monday afternoon in West Augustine.

Arrested was Ronald Eugene Sapp, 16, 675 Julia St. Sapp, who has been adjudicated as an adult, was charged with burglary to a conveyance, grand theft and battery.

Sapp was arrested early Wednesday evening and booked into the County Jail where he remains in lieu of bonds totaling $51,000.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/juvenile-arrested-and-another-being-sought-1437

Stephanie Lippincott reported to Historic City News that the Junior Woman’s Club is setting up for the Midnight Mad Hatter Volleyball Tournament to raise money for their club’s service projects.

The First Annual Midnight Mad Hatter Volleyball Tournament will start at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the St. Augustine Beach Pier.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/midnight-mad-hatter-volleyball-tournament-1436

This weeks featured artist: Greg Travous

Occupation? Artist/Graphic Designer/Street

Artist or Advocate? All artists should also be an advocate for other artists.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/artworthy-suvo-1435

For additional details on the cultural events reported to Historic City News by St. Johns Cultural Council, visit their website at www.stjohnsculturalcouncil.org

Please call ahead, as changing weather conditions may affect some events.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/cultural-events-july-8-16-1434

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement Unit reported to Historic City News that they will be conducting both Safety and Sobriety Checkpoints over the next two weeks at various locations throughout St. Johns County.

Deputies will be establishing safety checkpoints to conduct equipment assessments that cannot be easily observed while a vehicle is in motion on a roadway.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/upcoming-safety-and-sobriety-checkpoints-1432

Communications Director Jay Humphreys with the St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau updated Historic City News on this weekend’s entertainment events including fishing, art, music and exploration.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/fishing-art-music-and-exploration-this-weekend-1431

Historic City News has learned that the Florida Board of Governors is only a few days off from seeing the final list of applicants for the top job of running the state university system.

Rep. William Proctor, who chairs the House’s higher education budget committee, said he would like to see a candidate who knows his or her way around a big university system and also has considerable political skill.

The Legislature and Board of Governors have largely been at odds over the past few years. And this year, the university system has been desperate for funds, with several universities announcing layoffs and program cuts for the upcoming academic year.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/proctor-shares-ideas-on-university-chancellor-1429

Cash McVeigh reported to Historic City News that fundraising for the Lincolnville Community Garden (LCG) has been a tremendous success.

McVeigh said, “We still have a little ways to go, but are very close to reaching our objective. Support from St. Augustine¹s business community has been phenomenal and inspiring.”

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/lincolnville-community-garden-july-update-1424

Demolition of three historic buildings - including the former Casa de la Paz on our bayfront - is on the July 16th Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) agenda according to the St. Augustine Report received by Historic City News today.

Property owner George Arnold will be putting the city’s historic architectural guidelines to the test as he seeks permission to demolish two mid-1800s vintage buildings at 74 and 76 Spanish Street, along with the former Casa de la Paz he owns at 22 Avenida Menendez.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/arnold-properties-going-before-harb-1425

Historic City News has learned that the question of style goes to a City Commission public workshop at 3:30 p.m. July 13th, being held before its regular 5:00 p.m. meeting.

The workshop is the result of the commission recently overturning a 2003 resolution which allowed styles compatible with surrounding buildings in Historic Preservation (HP) District One, south of the Bridge of Lions.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/deciding-an-architectural-style-for-the-city-1426

According to an article reported to Historic City News and written by former Mayor George Gardner, the likelihood of city commissioners sorting out two major issues at one public workshop is remote.

In any event, the July 13th public workshop agenda for the commission includes discussion of a new ordinance for the Plaza de la Constitución as well as what architectural styles should go where in the historic district.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/plaza-ordinance-on-city-commission-agenda-1427

Photo credit: Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire

Amber Grafft-Weiss, Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, reported to Historic City News that this summer, there will be three Heritage Education teacher training sessions offered in northeast Florida.

These sessions are designed to familiarize educators with archaeology resources for the classroom that can enhance learning opportunities in math, science, art, and social studies. The workshops are open to educators of all kinds.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/archaeology-and-heritage-education-training-2-1428

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- St. Johns County sheriff's deputies have charged a second adult with child neglect after a 3-year-old boy knocked on a neighbor's door to complain about being hungry and hot.

The suspect in a fatal shooting last month in Putnam County turned himself into authorities over the weekend.

The St. Augustine Beach City Commission says you soon may be able to bring your dog to dinner in the St.

Today, The Record ran an editorial titled “Fish Island dock: End the debate”. Sometimes we agree with The Record’s opinions and sometimes we don’t.

In 2007, a Record editorial said the city’s decision must be based on facts, not emotions. On that point, we agree. Today’s editorial says “that’s still our view with a new twist. It’s time for the city to consider buying the property.”

That’s where they lose me.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/ending-the-fish-island-debacle-1420

U.S. News and World report is the latest to declare St. Augustine a great place to live. They found us to be affordable, with a strong economy, a highly educated workforce, and fun things to do. While some may quibble with those conclusions, most people I talk to love living here. Yet, many others remain dissatisfied.

A proposed settlement between the city of St. Augustine and Fish Island Development LLC over the size of a dock/marina on the Intracoastal Waterway is still on the table.

The United American Tea Party reported to Historic City news that the Historic St. Augustine Independence Restoration Reclamation Rally is being held today between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the fort green at Castillo De San Marcos.

According to Park Rangers’ official estimates, more than 1,200 citizens participated in the Tax Day Tea Party at the Castillo de San Marcos on April 15th.

The United American Tea Party is the St Johns County component of Tea Party Patriots and they are organizing today’s Independence Restoration Reclamation Rally.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/independence-restoration-reclamation-rally-1419

Historic City News is responding to a request from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office to help locate a man who is being sought for questioning in connection with a suspicious incident that occurred earlier last month in Vermont Heights.

The incident occurred shortly after 4:00 a.m. on June 8th when a 20-year old female told deputies that a male subject had pulled a gun on her and she ran away.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/man-wanted-for-questioning-by-sheriff-1418