News February 11, 2022

to marcia, me

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

Palatka City Commission and the Palatka Boathouse Marina group apparently have finally come to an agreement on a contract for operation of city docks and operation of city touring boats. Terms now call for a two-year contract with a three-month mirror clause at the end allowing either party to exit the agreement. Negotiations have been on and off for about 10 years. 

A Flagler County School District bus driver is out on bond after reportedly driving dozens of middle school students Wednesday while intoxicated. A co-worker reported to supervisors that Mark McNeil, 60, arrived for the afternoon shift smelling of alcohol. McNeil wasn’t allowed to pick up his regular bus, but did drive off in another bus and proceeded to Buddy Taylor Middle School to pick up about 40 students and began dropping them off at the regular bus stops. He ignored efforts by school transportation to get him on the radio, but finally called in to say he had a medical emergency. His supervisors found him near the intersection of Kara Trail and Karat Path. When he exited the bus, he fell down, complaining he couldn’t breath and Fire Rescue took him to Advent Health. When deputies confronted him at the hospital, he attempted to flee. After being booked into jail shortly before 5 p.m. alcohol content levels tested at .32 and .31. That’s almost four times the legal limit in FloridFishing’s king in Palatka this weekend as the Bassmaster Elite Series takes over the riverfront and anglers take over the St. Johns River. John Crews Jr. from Virginia has the lead after Thursday’s opening where he caught a five-fish limit totaling 28 pounds. Crews and 93 other anglers headed out again this morning. On Saturday the field will be reduced to 47 and on Sunday it’s down to the top 10. John Vogt, who lives in the Southside area, posted Facebook pictures of the early morning busyness noting “non stop activity by hospitality volunteers transporting participants… Exciting times here in Palatka.” While anglers were looking for the bass, WPLK/WIYD’s own fishing expert in South Putnam Captain Gator is predicting a great weekend for fishing with maybe a little bad weather Sunday afternoon. He was headed out to do some fishing himself this morning.

You can be part of the action in Palatka at 3:30 each day as the weigh-in takes place. ESPN is set to be here so a full audience will show the area’s appreciation of Bassmasters coming.. On Saturday and Sunday a Kids Zone sponsored by Georgia-Pacific will give families a great opportunity and B.A.S.S. Expo is set up on the riverfront with a number of vendors. One fun event on both days about 3 p.m. will be catch and release for cash. They’ll be tossing out toy bass with prizes.

On Saturday the 11th annual Palatka Fly-In and Classic Car Show takes place at the Palatka Municipal Airport off State Road 100 from. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friends of the Airport are running this year’s event that includes war planes among a variety of aircraft. Paid rides are available and pilots will be happy to talk aviation. Several car clubs will be showing off their pride and joys at the airport. Admission per car is $10 with money going for increasing interest in aviation. 

Palatka Art League opens an Artisan Gift Boutique today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tilghman House 324 River St. in Palatka. A coffee bar and desserts will be available in addition to jewelry, home decor and gifts created by local artisans. On Saturday craft classes for kids and an art class for adults also will be offered. 

At Ravine Gardens State Park join in an Owl Prowl and learn about the Barred Owl tonight from 5:45 to 7 p.m. The brown and white owls have a call that sounds like Who who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-alll? Wear sturdy shoes and find out the role humans play in the Barred Owl’s survival.

River City Players presents the comedy Skin Deep tonight through Sunday at the Scarlett-Hill Theater in the Larimer Arts Center in Palatka.

St. Monica’s Catholic Church hosts a Music Fest from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Pianists Zane Price and Ziaoyi TIan perform.

In St. Augustine on Saturday it’s the St. Augustine Lighthouse annual 5K Run Walk and Fun Run from 4-8 p.m. The annual event benefits the Junior Service League and includes free family activities and live music. 

At the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Saturday American troubadour Don McLean appears in his 50th Anniversary of American Pie Tour. Concert begins at 8 p.m.

American troubadour Don McLean will stop by the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall on his 50th Anniversary of American Pie Tour Saturday, February, 12, 2022.