This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
A decision on rezoning some 70 acres of land around Palatka’s River Street to multi-family residential never got off the ground Tuesday. At the request of developer agent Colin Bingham the Palatka Planning Board decision was tabled until Nov. 1. One of the issues was that additional land was added to the request after the original advertising. Another was that several studies still need to be done and decisions made by state and federal agencies. Board Chair Ed Killebrew suggested the audience hold off on comments until the November meeting since no one was certain what the final version would be. That didn’t go over well with the audience that filled the commission meeting room and spilled over into the hallways. While some declined to speak others were quick to ask questions and raise issues including concerns over expected traffic, disapproval of closing River Street and issues with lowering the single-family zoning next to the South Historic District. Bingham said he would be willing to meet with residents and people took him up on it. One woman from the South Historic District wanted to have a meeting including only district residents. Representatives from VFW Bert Hodge Post No. 45, on the other hand, said they would open up their hall to the public and hold a meeting for everyone. When those meetings will take place will be announced.
St. Augustine Police Department reports a crash off San Marco Avenue Tuesday left one person dead. The crash was inside the parking lot of the Economy Inn at 94 San Marco Ave. and is under investigation.
A Satsuma man is in Flagler County jail on charges of lewd and lascivious battery on two girls under the age of 16. Jose Yair Flores Del Angel turned himself in Monday following an investigation into extortion threats that began in December. A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy received the tip that Angel made sexual threats toward a 14-year-old student. Flagler detectives assisted the Bunnell Police Department and discovered an alleged sexual relationship had taken place. They also linked the 21-year-old to another case in Flagelr involving a 13-year-old. Both girls said they met Angel through a social media site and thought he was 17-18 years old. Detectives said they got confessions from Angel who is in jail on a $50,000 bond.
Happy birthday to the Palatka Pilot Club. A great group who have been helping the area for more than 50 years.
River City Players opens Francine’s Will tonight at the Scarlett-Hill Theatre at the Larimer Arts Center in Palatka. The play continues through this weekend and next. You can make reservations for the murderous comedy by calling 386-337-8852, The Larimer is at 216 Reid St.
Get your tickets for the second week of Hello, Dolly! which opens Thursday at C.L. Overturf Jr. Center on South 18th Street in Palatka. Palatka High’s Musical Theatre will be putting on the production at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday and 2:30 on Sunday. Get tickets at Ralph’s House of Flowers 386-325-4734 or at the door.
On Thursday in St. Augustin historian David Nolan offers a free presentation on famous authors, artists and musicians who have visited or lived in St. Augustine. The presentation is at 1 p.m. at the St. Augustine Main Library. Also Thursday the main runway event for St. Augustine Fashion Week takes place at the Lightner Museum from 6:30 to 10 p.m
In Palatka Thursday a National Day of Prayer ceremony overseen by the Central Putnam Ministerial Association is set for noon at St. James United Methodist Church. In past years the ceremony has been held on the lawn of the Putnam County Courthouse, which is across the street from St. James.
And don’t forget this Saturday is the 68th Mug Race with sailors racing from Palatka to the Rudder Club in Jacksonville.
NATKIM Radio 