News 11-13-2020

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

Tropical Storm Eta ended up as basically a non-event for Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns counties Thursday. Strong winds were noted in St. Augustine. Two inches of rain were recorded at NatKim radio in Palatka. FPL and Clay Electric reported some power outages in the area but by afternoon, just as the weather forecasters predicted, bits of blue sky and sunshine were coming out.

A 32-year-old Palm Coast woman is in jail on a $5,500 bond for a variety of misdemeanors and felonies after the alleged theft and death of six koi fish from a home on Malacompra Road. An individual who bought a house in the Hammocks had moved in and was doing repairs when sometime between Nov. 9 and 10 an individual broke the fence and fence post, removed the lock and chain and took an extension ladder, the six fish, the water pump system for the pond and several trash cans. Value of the fish — $200 each. The new owner reported he suspected Mary L.M. Cohill of Primrose Lane, who had allegedly broken a window in the house before he bought it. When Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies went to Cohill’s house, she told them she had only gone to the house to get her things, then wouldn’t say anything more without a lawyer and left. As a deputy passed a partially open black tub in the front yard, he noticed a foul smell. Inside were six dead koi fish. Next to the tub was the water pump, which apparently had not been hooked up so the fish could breathe. When Cohill returned, deputies told her she was under arrest and she locked herself in her car eventually getting out to face criminal mischief and resisting arrest charges, both misdemeanors, plus burglary, grand theft and animal cruelty causing death, all felonies.

Efforts to prevent flooding of residences in South Davis Shores now include building a berm. The City of St. Augustine hopes that will make the area more flood resilient as potential high tides are expected this weekend. The berm is one of several recent efforts to deal with flooding in Davis Shores. Other flood mitigation plans call for a resiliency study and a meeting with homeowners to look at a federal flood mitigation assistance program.

St. Augustine is getting the holiday spirit this weekend with the lighting of three million plus lights in the downtown area. Now in its 27th year, Nights of Lights has become an annual event that draws tens of thousands to the Oldest City to enjoy the light show, trolley rides, walks and shopping downtown. On Saturday night the lights go on but no ceremony is planned in the Plaza de la Constitucion as city officials strive to follow safe health practices to fight coronavirus concerns. Nights of Lights is also the start of Nights of Pints, a charitable event put on by four St. Augustine breweries who will be helping raise funds for several causes.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported 11 new resident coronavirus cases and one transfer out of county on Thursday bringing their total number to 2,520 cases since counting began in March. Flagler County reported 112 cases, bringing their total to 2,337. St. Johns County reported 87 cases, bringing their total to 7,304 cases.

This Saturday St. Monica Catholic Church holds its second Sunday Music Fest to support the arts. The concert is at 2 p.m. at the church at 114 S. Fourth Street in Palatka and features Zane Price, Gabriel Johnson and Steve Camarda. A freewill offering will be taken. For details, call the church office at 386-325-9777.

District football games are being played this weekend. In Palatka tonight is the district meet between the Palatka High Panthers and South Sumter from Bushnell. You can catch tonight’s game beginning at 7:30 p.m. on WIYD 1260-AM or 104.9-FM. The Interlachen Rams host Jacksonville Episcopal. Coach for Jacksonville is Mark Brunnell, formerly quarterback with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Peniel Baptist is playing Geneva Classical High in Lakeland.