This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
The Putnam County Zoning Board of Adjustment holds a public hearing at 3 today at the government complex on Crill Avenue in Palatka to consider a permit application to spray biosolids on property off Old U.S. 17 near Lake Como. This is the proposal that’s inspired the “Don’t Poop on Putnam” signs around Putnam and roused up a variety of Putnam citizens. Jennigirl, LLC, out of Volusia County wants to bring five truckloads of biosolids to dump in Putnam every day. Opponents say while the county already has two such facilities this one would go on a high and dry piece of property that during rains would send the semi-treated human waste down into wetlands and eventually Crescent Lake. They say it will affect property values, wildlife and drinking water.
By 4-1 the St. Johns County Commission gave the go-ahead Tuesday to drawing up an ordinance that will add another penny to the county’s sales tax. Commissioner Paul Waldron voted against the ordinance that will be heard March 1 and if approved go on the November general election ballot. If approved it would be for 10 years raising about $50 million a year. Proponents say it will help with backlogged infrastructure project needs which total about $500 million. According to the county $220 million is needed for roads, $55 million for a new sheriff’s office command center, $30 million for two new fire stations and relocation of a third station, $88 million for five new parks and $49 million for libraries.
A Crescent City man is in Flagler County jail on $98,000 bond after being arrested Friday following a three-day crime spree. An armed and dangerous BOLO went out on Jason Gray, 38, after Putnam issued the alert he was wanted for aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, shooting into an occupied vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted in-state felon. Deputies found Gray driving a white four-door Cadillac around 11 p.m. Friday in the area of U.S. 1 and Matanzas Woods Parkway. Stop sticks were deployed and Gray was caught. In addition to the warrant from Putnam he faces charges from Flagler for possession of marijuana (under 20 grams) and driving while license suspended — habitual.
Palm Coast City Council member Victor Barbosa has announced he won’t be running for the Flagler County Commission but will be in the race to keep his seat on the council. In the county race he would have faced incumbent Joe Mullins and candidate Bonnie Pennington in the Republican primary. Barbosa’s announcement Tuesday came after a long meeting that saw Mayor David Alfin propose offering interim Palm Coast City Manager Denise Bevan the job permanently. Barbosa seconded the motion. The vote for Bevan was unanimous. Council members have said they were disappointed in the lack of candidates and the quality but liked the job Bevan was doing.
If you encountered smoke in Putnam County Tuesday, chances are you were near one of two controlled burns. Florida Forest Service conducted a 155-acre prescribed burn on Etoniah Creek State Forest north of Florahome. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a 95-acre prescribed burn at Caravelle Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Rodman. This is the time of year prescribed burns are used to clear out undergrowth thus cutting down the fuel that helps feed forest fires.
On Thursday San Mateo Presbyterian Church holds their monthly dinner. The eat-in or take-out meal is available from 4 p.m. until they run out at the church off State Road 100 in San Mateo. Cost is $10.
Among special Valentine Day gifts in Putnam County this year — Sam Carr’s to his wife Lorraine. He had a barbershop quartet to sing for her.
It was an awards filled meeting at the Putnam County School Board Tuesday. Among those honored Charles Overturf III from the Azalea City Kiwanis who was saluted for his dedication to the Terrific Kids program. The program has served students in the county’s elementary school or 28 years and recognized more than 20,000 students. Overturf, who is also Putnam County Supervisor of Elections, has been present at every program during that time. On hand at the ceremony was Danny Hood, a fellow Kiwanian who began the Terrific Kids program.
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