🏴 SPECIAL EDITION LOWDOWN | August 21, 2024

Good Morning, St. Augustine!

I’m James and this is a SPECIAL EDITION of the Old City Lowdown - because sometimes you need to know the important stuff as it happens.

In today’s Special Edition:

• SWAT Training Exercise TODAY 🚨

• Music & Art by the Sea Begins 🏖️

• FCC Environmental Gets Canned 🚛

• Anastasia State Park Threatened 🏗️

Now, let’s get to the Lowdown.

-James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

Want to get your business in the Old City Lowdown? Let’s talk.

THE RUNDOWN

Local news that matters

🚨 St. Augustine Police Department Training Exercise Today

Today between 8AM-4PM, St. Augustine Police Department SRT/SWAT Team will be conducting a training exercise in the Davis Shores neighborhood of Anastasia Island - specifically in the vicinity of 191 Inlet Dr. Expect to see a heavy police presence.

🏞️ Major changes, development proposed at Anastasia State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is proposing drastic changes to several State Parks, including our very own Anastasia State Park. These plans would introduce golf courses, pickleball courts, and resort-style hotels, developments that could fundamentally alter the natural beauty of these spaces.

The Florida Wildlife Federation warns that these proposals may violate existing state laws designed to protect our natural resources, specifically Florida Statute 258.037.

The parks affected include:

• Anastasia State Park

• Oleta River State Park

• Camp Helen State Park

• Grayton Beach State Park

• Honeymoon Island State Park

• Jonathan Dickinson State Park

• Hillsborough River State Park

• Topsail Preserve Hill State Park

• Dr. Von Mizell - Eula Johnson State Park

FDEP has arranged public meetings statewide on Tuesday, August 27th, from 3-4PM. These meetings will include a presentation and a brief comment period, but likely no Q&A session. Concerned citizens are strongly urged to attend.

For St. Augustine, the meeting will be held at:

The First Coast Technical College - The Character Counts Conference Center, Building C at 2980 Collins Ave, St. Augustine, FL, 32084.

If attending is not possible, you can still make your voice heard by contacting state representatives through the Florida Wildlife Federation website.

🎸 Music & Art by the Sea Begins Today

The 22nd annual Music & Art by the Sea concert series returns TODAY, August, 21, running weekly through October 2 at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion.

Enjoy free live music from 7-9PM alongside local art displays and delicious food trucks. Bring your beach chairs and coolers for a fun evening by the ocean! Coolers and chairs are permitted! Parking is limited, but a free shuttle is available from St. Augustine Beach City Hall and Ron Parker Park. More info at freebeachconcerts.com.

Music Schedule:

• Aug 21 • Contact Buzz

• Aug 28 • Slang

• Sep 4 • Jamology Music Showcase

• Sep 11 • US Navy Pop Music Band

• Sep 18 • LPT Latin Band

• Sep 25 • Paper City Hustlers

• Oct 2 • Jim Stafford & Friends

🚛 FCC Contract Terminated

At its August 20 regular meeting, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) addressed concerns about FCC Environmental Services, leading to a unanimous decision to declare a local state of emergency and begin terminating FCC’s contract. The county will immediately seek interim providers to assist with waste collection.

However, the agreement with FCC allows the contractor up to 12 months to continue service after termination, which has caused some concern. This clause ensures FCC remains responsible for service while a new vendor is found, protecting the county.

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👋 Thanks for reading! I thought these items were super important and you’d want to know about it. I hope you found today’s special edition helpful.

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🎂 Have a great Wednesday - and Happy Birthday to my better half, Johanna, today!