June 21, 2021 News

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

Contractors are putting in new pipes on St. Johns Avenue in Palatka and that has traffic being rerouted. Probably for the rest of the week expect 14th Street to be closed on St. Johns with traffic rerouted to 15th or 13th streets. This is an ongoing project as new lines are put in the area.

Today the Florida Department of Transportation begins diverting traffic on a portion of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as a maintenance and stabilization project gets underway. Northbound traffic will be affected Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the road that runs along the coast. The sloping rock structure used to stabilize the shore line is being reinforced and stabilized itself. Large boulders will be added and dune plantings put in place.

Combined efforts by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue helped save a 17-year-old girl on Father’s Day. The juvenile left the family home in the B section of Palm Coast telling her father “I can’t do this anymore” and ran down the street. The father called the Sheriff’s Office and deputies were told the girl was probably headed for the overpass bridge of Palm Cost Parkway and Interstate 95. They found her holding onto the outside railing and inching her way toward the highway. A woman deputy was called in to negotiate with the girl who reportedly doesn’t like males. During the talks the girl let go of the rail to
jump but Deputy Jenkins was able to grab her hand and then secure her to the rail with handcuffs. A fire engine ladder was used to get her down. She was Baker-acted and taken to Halifax Hospital for further medical evaluations.

Stormy weather and thunderstorms over the weekend changed some people’s plans. At WPLK/WIYD studios, gauges showed an inch-and-a-half of rain on Sunday. On the coast southeast of Marineland a small waterspout was spotted Sunday around 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Some isolated thunderstorms are expected this week with a decreasing chance on Tuesday although evening showers and thunderstorms are expected later in the week. Tropical Depression Claudette reportedly is regaining strength.

Virtual job fairs begin today as stores at St. Augustine Premium Outlets and The Avenues Mall look for more workers. The Avenues has 60 retailers with more than 70 positions open. Premium Outlets is looking to fill about 100 positions. Jobs range from full-time management to part-time sales.

St. Augustine is looking for input about what to do with the Project S.W.I.N.G. playground next to Francis Field off Orange Street. The southern section of the playground, built with community support in 1997, was closed May 24 by the City of St. Augustine due to its age and condition. City staff is evaluating the structure and determining options for a future playground or other possible use. Deadline to have a say is June 30. You can fill out an online survey or send an email to the city. SWING, by the way, stands for St. Augustine’s Wish for Its Next Generation.

Young entrepreneurs continue to make their mark in Putnam. At Crystal Cove off U.S. 17 just north of the Palatka city limits, Gina Gillman has opened Gina’s @ Crystal Cove down in the marina area. She’s serving up made-as-you-wait meals. You get a view of the St. Johns River while you wait. You may have had a chance to try her food when she ran a small food truck downtown by the riverfront park. Hours at Gina’s are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 3 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Go and enjoy.