LOCAL NEWS 12/3/2021

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
Four Palatka High School students were arrested Wednesday in two separate incidents at the school, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed. Three students were arrested on felony charges following fighting in the commons area where, first, two girls got into a fight and, then, two boys. The incident was filmed by another student, a violation of school policy. One school official was shoved and one Sheriff’s deputy by students. A second incident led to another felony arrest.
A man charged with first-degree murder in Flagler County in the drug death of a customer pleaded no contest as the charge was dropped to manslaughter. Michael G. McIntyre was sentenced by Circuit Judge Terence Perkins to 20 years Thursday in the death of Chelsea Lenore Price, 33, on Aug. 11, 2020.  McIntyre is one of several Flagler County residents who have been charged with murder after selling drugs that killed their clients.  McIntyre had faced a first-degree murder charge, which has a maximum penalty of death. That charge was reduced to manslaughter, a second-degree felony. He also pled guilt to trafficking in meth and possession of a controlled substance.
Florida School of the Arts offers three days of dance during their Dance Choreography Gala “Tension/Release” that opens tonight at the school on the campus of St. Johns River State College in Palatka. Tonight and Saturday’s performances are at 7:30 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.On Saturday Palatka Porchfest will fill the city’s Southside Historic District with music as musicians perform on 17 porches in the city’s historic district. The free concert includes a wide variety of music including bluegrass, Celtic, country, jazz, gospel, zydeco, reggae, rock-and-roll and jazz. First performance is at 11:30 a.m. at Hammock Hall Community Center, 429 Kirby St., with Porchfest continuing through 6 p.m. 
Don’t forget Pomona Park is holding their town wide garage sale on Saturday.
Christmas events are back throughout the area as Covid restrictions ease. Crescent City is in the second day of a three-day Christmas in the Park event at Eva Lyons Park. Tonight it’s a Gospel Hour Jubilee from 5-8 p.m. On Saturday events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. around the South Putnam town including a Christmas Bazaar and Silver Tea at First Presbyterian Church, Christmas Craft Show and Sale at the Crescent City Woman’s Club and Christmas Car Show and Block Party on Central Avenue. A Christmas Parade begins at noon and fireworks are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. over the lake. In West Putnam, Downtown Interlachen holds their 25th annual Christmas Celebration with “A Heartfelt Christmas” from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and includes a lighted Christmas parade. Enjoy everything from fresh baked cookies from the Interlachen High School culinary department to putt-putt golf to an Ugly Christmas Outfit Contest. Christ Independent Methodist Church in Palatka brings back their Christmas concert and orchestra with a Saturday performance at 6:30 p.m. and a Sunday performance at 10:45 a.m.
St. Augustine swings out Saturday morning with the annual Christmas parade beginning at 9 a.m. Organizer Linda Abbot says expect everything from pirates to the St. Augustine Royal Family as the parade follows the traditional route leaving from the Mission Nombre de Dios and heading south on San Marco Avenue, along the Bayfront and then onto Cathedral Place, ending by Francis Field. Throughout the day the Colonial Night Watch group will be offering activities in the downtown area. In Palm Valley it’s the annual lighted boat parade and lighted dock contest Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. St. Augustine Beach hosts Surf Illumination Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. at Pier Park. The Dance Company of St. Augustine presents its Winter Spectacular at Lewis Auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Sykes Family Farms offers Elkton’s Bright Nights of Drive Thur Lights today through Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. Tonight it’s the Jingle Bell Jog 5K at St. Johns Golf Club beginning at 6 p.m. And don’t forget it’s First Friday Art Walk in downtown St. Augustine tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. 
In Flagler County tonight kicks off Starry Nights In Flagler Beach as Christmas lights come on at 6 p.m. at the pier. On Saturday at 1 p.m. Flagler Beach offers Rotary’s Holiday at the Beach Parade beginning on State Road A1A.