November 30, 2020

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

Winter blows in today with a drop of about 30 degrees. Highs in the area are expected to be around 67 degrees in the morning but by tonight it will be 37 degrees. When you wake up in the morning, temperatures are predicted to be a low of 33 degrees and only getting up to 53 degrees according to the National Weather Service. Dig out that winter coat now.

A stabbing Thanksgiving evening left a woman in critical condition and a Palatka resident charged with attempted homicide. Tramayne Grant, 45, remains in Putnam County Jail without bond facing charges of attempted homicide and obstruction. The stabbing happened shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday in the 3000 block of Twigg Street near the intersection of Twigg and South Palm Avenue. She was found collapsed outside a residence that was not hers after neighbors’ dogs started barking. The woman, whose family identified her as Yvonne Griffin, was flown to Orange Park Medical Center. Grant reportedly was the woman’s ex-boyfriend. He turned himself in to the Palatka Police Department and they contacted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office since the stabbing took place in the county.

Area auto accidents left two people dead over the holiday weekend. In Putnam County, an 18-year-old Florahome man died Friday on State Road 207 in a single-vehicle crash that left three others seriously injured. The crash happened around 4:45 p.m. near County Road 207A. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that injured three others – an 18-year-old Jacksonville male, a 17-year-old Jacksonville girl and an 18-year-old St. Augustine girl. Only the St. Augustine girl wearing a seatbelt, according to FHP. In Flagler County a 55-year-old Palm Coast woman was struck and killed late Saturday on U.S.1, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The woman whose name has not been released walked into the path of the car possibly while trying to cross the road, according to the report. The 33-year-old Palatka woman driving the car stopped and was cooperating with law enforcement. The accident happened around 9 p.m. on U.S. 1 south of Royal Palms Parkway in Palm Coast.

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County reported 67 new coronavirus cases between Thursday and Sunday for a total of 2,744 cases since counting began in March. Flagler County reported 107 cases bringing their total to 2,729. St. Johns County reported 515 new cases during the four-day period, bringing the total to 8,727.

Palatka residents were taking advantage of Shop Local Saturday in downtown Palatka. The annual promotion is a kick-off to remind people to buy from local merchants, who help them out year round. Local artist Sally Jan Smith was painting in front of Ladybug’s Gift Shoppe and Home Décor at 110 South Second St. On Seventh Street Azalea City Brewing Company, which held its grand opening on Thanksgiving, was open for business and drawing in people. The Golden Pineapple Salon on St. Johns Avenue was holding its grand opening Saturday with proud proprietor Tiffany Parker Flanders welcoming guests.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palatka today holds a St. Andrew’s Day Compline Service and Fish Fry today at 6 p.m. The fish fry is a to-go meal for $10. Proceeds benefit the St. Mark’s Organ Fund to help repair and renovate the church’s organ, now 94 years old. Also being held is the Compline service which features sung prayers. Music Minister Kate Patterson and bass-baritone Julio Perez will be singing and organist Gavan McVey will provide music. The church is at 200 Main St.