This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
More changes may be coming to the St. Johns County landscape. St. Augustine Outlets could see a major change, according to an application mall owners LVP St. Augustine Outlets LLC submitted to St. Johns County Development Growth Management. The plans include revamping the outlets but closing the shops while 350 multi-family units are built. In addition, up to 99,500 square feet of retail and office space could be constructed. Also shown a hospital on what is currently an empty lot. Baptist Medical Center has bought the land from LVP’s parent company for $6.8 million. This is the enclosed mall at Interstate 95 North and State Road 16. Meanwhile, Gatlin Development Co is moving forward with plans for a $250 million development at the former greyhound racetrack and poker room site on the northern edge of St. Johns at southeast U.S. 1 and Race Track Road. Gatlin Development Co. Inc. says the mixed used development to be called Grand Cypress will include a grocery store-anchored shopping center, a 588-unit luxury multi-family complex and a 256-uunit upscale boutique multi-family complex.
In Putnam County graduations continue to be the big news. Crescent City High School held ceremonies Thursday at Wiltcher Stadium in Crescent City. Tonight Palatka High School graduates at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Palatka at 8 p.m. Friday Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High graduates in a 7 p.m. ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Don’t forget students in Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns counties are all out of school. You won’t have to deal with buses but remember lots more students will be out and about for summer vacation. In St. Johns and Putnam counties, today is the last day for most teachers. Expect restaurants to be crowded at lunchtime.
A North Flagler resident who in May stormed up to the dais where Palm Coast City Council members were seated will be allowed back at meetings. Mark Phillips had appealed the decision to banish him from meetings. Wednesday interim city manager Denise Bevan canceled his appeal hearing, lifting the trespass warning. However, she told him in a letter that he would need to understand and follow the rules of the council.
Turns out the St. Johns County man sought by authorities for crimes including grand theft auto and felony criminal mischief and arrested in Bradford County is facing more charges. Tyler Anthony Hillegas, 29, apparently was attempting to hide in Starke but while there allegedly committed burglaries at numerous businesses. Wednesday afternoon he was identified, possibly because of the numerous tattoos on his face, and Starke Police went in pursuit. A taser shot stopped Hillegas who was taken into custody and then to the hospital to be checked. He was later booked into the Bradford County Jail with several new charges added to those from St. Johns. In the words of the Starke Police, “If you come to Starke and commit crimes we will find you and you will find your way to the Bradford County Jail.”
Lots to do in the area this weekend. Tonight in St. Johns County folk and reggae performer Colton McKenna will perform during an Evenings on Airstream Row concert at 6 p.m. That’s in Vilano Beach. At 9 p.m. tonight at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center, St. Johns County Parks and Recreation holds a free Movie in the Park event featuring Moana. Tracy Byrd is in concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheater. “Godfather of the British Blues” John Mayall will be performing Sunday at 8 p.m. at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The 2021 St. Johns County Torch Run is Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at Francis Field. A 1.9 mile charity run, vendors and other fun are on the schedule.
In Flagler County Saturday Flagler School of Dance holds what they’re billing as The Comeback 2021, a post-Covid production, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Flagler Auditorium. Flagler County Humane Society is holding their 16th annual spay-ghetti dinner at 5 p.m. at Elks Lodge No. 2709.
Flagler County Historical Society holds a ribbon cutting and dedication for the Deen Dollhouse, an icon on Moody Boulevard for nearly 66 years. The doohouse has been moved to the society’s Holden House Museum at 204 East Moody Boulevard. The party runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a car show, rummage sale, dunk tank and free tours of the museum.
Don’t forget Monday is Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States. Fly the flag.
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