This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
Thunderstorms whipped through the tri-county area Easter Sunday in the early evening with hail reported in St. Johns County. Rivertown, Nocatee and Ponte Vedra Beach residents posted photos of pea-sized, nickel-sized and golf ball-sized hail. In Putnam County Palatka reported an inch of rain while East Palatka had 3/4 of an inch on Sunday. Chance of rain today is at 30 percent, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 50s tonight.
It’s Tax Day — the federal deadline of individual tax filings and payments. Normally the 15th, the extension to today is because the Washington, D.C. offices were closed that day in observance of Emancipation Day. Tens of millions of last-minute filings are expected electronically and on paper forms. As of April 8, more than 103 million returns had been turned in. An estimated 40 percent taxpayers will be filing today or seeking more time.
Public schools are back in session today in Putnam and Flagler counties. Students and teachers in St. Johns County have an extra holiday today, but schools will reopen Tuesday.
Pilot Club of Palatka gives you a way to blow off a little steam — or spend some of your tax refund — tonight as they hold Bunco at Putnam County Shrine Club in East Palatka. Delayed by Covid-19, the popular game night has doors opening at 5 p.m. and bunco rolling at 6 p.m. Donations is $25 and includes heavy appetizers and cash prizes. Profits help the civic club provide for the community.
In St. Augustine Florida Department of Transportation holds public hearings Wednesday and Thursday for the King Street Bridge Replacement Project. Under discussion also is transfer of jurisdiction of State Road 5A from the state to the City of St. Augustines. 5A is also known as King Street and Cathedral Place. Also scheduled to be shown are design plans for the King Street Bridge Replacement over San Sebastian River. And, yes, that’s one of the entry ways to the downtown. A virtual hearing is set for Wednesday from 11;30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can register at www.nflroads.com/yph. On Thursday there will be an in-person public hearing at First United Methodist Church fo St. Augustine, 118 King St. from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Public comments start at 6 p.m.
City of Palatka and the Putnam County School District are moving forward with a youth ambassador program. Nine students who reside in Palatka and attend Palatka Jr.-Sr. High, Peniel Baptist Academy, Putnam Edge High, Hillcrest Academy or Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences will be chosen. The program is to bridge the gap between youth and city government, according to organizers. Ambassadors will be tasked with developing and implementing education and awareness programs designed to create safer communities. Students can apply in the summer after the eight grade and applications are available through the high school principals and the Putnam School District.
Tuesday is the Putnam County Entrepreneur’s Social hosted this month by Atmosphere Boutique Day Spa, 710 St. Johns Ave. in Palatka. Putnam County entrepreneurs and small business owners have the opportunity to network with peers. You can register by going to www.sbdc.unf.edu or call 386-268-1311 for form information.
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