This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.
World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum north of St. Augustine will be moving at the end of 2023, according to the World Golf Foundation. The announcement puts the end to rumors that have been floating around for more than a year about the 35,000 square foot structure built more than 24 years ago. A drop in attendance figures may be one reason for the closing that will see the facility move to the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The land the museum is currently on belongs to St. Johns County. Still in place will be Renaissance Hotel, St. Johns County Convention Center, Caddyshack restaurant, the two golf courses that are surrounded by World Golf Village housing and the PGA Tour Golf Academy.
A Putnam County man remains in jail without bond after his father reported he made threats to kill entire family Monday. After his arrest in Interlachen Andrew Longarzo Jr. allegedly threatened deputies, promising to “cut off” their heads and kill their wives and children. He faces three felony charges including assaulting a deputy, possessing a controlled substance without a prescription and threatening a public servant or family. Deputies reported methamphetamines on him. According to Longarzo’s father, his son showed him a rifle-style gun and threatened to kill family members. The two were at a Kangaroo convenience store on State Road 20 and County Road 315. The father called deputies after returning to his Interlachen home. Longarzo Jr. reportedly was released from Duval County jail less than a week ago.
Flagler Beach didn’t hold Fourth of July fireworks this year after a series of snafus. However, the Flagler County Tourist Development Council Wednesday suggested that at least a portion of the $25,000 allocated could be spent on a “Dodge the Dunes” campaign. That’s the program that began several years ago and is a sort of community education project centered on being sure people use walkovers rather than beach dunes to get to and from the ocean. The beach dunes are the eco-system that holds the sand in place. The Council also voted to give Palm Coast a $739,000 grant for a Southern Regional Recreation Center. That’s the new name for the city’s tennis center off Belle Terre Parkway. Money would go for pickleball courts. The courts, a community center and a new park trailhead are among plans for the recreation area. Final approval will be up to Flagler County Commission at an August meeting.
Although chances of thunderstorms and rain in the Putnam, Flagler, St. Johns counties area are only 30 percent today, weather officials are reminding people of the potential for injuries due to lightning. On Wednesday one soldier was killed and nine other injured at Fort Gordon outside of Augusta when a thunderstorm moved through while they were involved in an outdoor training exercise. A number of strikes have been reported in the tri-county area. Ponte Vedra Beach’s public library has just reopened after a lightning strike on July 1 caused damage to that facility. Remember while lightning is spectacular it can also be deadly. So can the heat. Today the temperature is expected to reach 95 degrees and heat index may reach 105 degrees.
July is almost over so it’s time for the annual Christmas in July show and sale put on by the Palatka Art League. Coming up Friday through Sunday the show and sale will feature more than 20 artists and crafters who have filled four rooms at the Tilghman House with their creations. The Tilghman is at 324 River St. in Palatka. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
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