St. Augustine News

The 208-foot-tall stainless steel cross at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Fla., was erected in 1965 to mark the 400th anniversary of the city, which is the location of the nation's first Thanksgiving in 1565, according to Florida historians.

A 17-year-old girl working undercover with police Wednesday was sent to 26 restaurants, bars and convenience stores to attempt to buy alcohol, leading to charges against five clerks.

When Ann and I moved here in 1994, we marveled at the circumstances. My mother was born here in 1915.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A speeding car crashed into a building in St. Augustine overnight, according to the St.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - After a jury deliberated for more than five hours Wednesday night, Omar Long was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of his 23-month-old daughter.

Wailing echoed down a corridor outside the St. Johns County courtroom Wednesday night as a jury found that Omar Donte Long was responsible for the heat-exhaustion death of his 23-month-old daughter this summer.

The prosecution went to great lengths Tuesday in arguing that a father's "gross" negligence caused his 23-month-old daughter's death and that he should be found guilty of manslaughter.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - St. Johns County deputies said a man and woman were arrested Tuesday morning as they tried to sell dozens of brass vases stolen from graves at a St.

Tim Hines, evangelist and author of "The 3rd Day " will speak at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the St.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Omar Long's trial starts today. The 30-year-old is in court facing a manslaughter charge in the death of his infant daughter.

Sometimes even a white linen table cloth girl craves the relaxed vibe of a lovely view and a basket full of goodies.

Historic City News has learned from the Supervisor of Elections Office that former St. Johns County Commissioner James E. Bryant has registered as a Republican candidate for the District 4 seat.

Twice chairman of the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners, Bryant has been in St. Johns County since 1972 when he began working as a pharmacist at Hays Pharmacy on Anastasia Boulevard. Bryant purchased the store in 1984 and sold it in 1997.

He served as District 5 commissioner for 12 years from 1996 until 2008.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/jim-bryant-makes-return-bid-as-commissioner-2088

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Traffic in downtown St. Augustine may be congested Saturday morning and early afternoon, because of the St.

Historic City News has learned that a young man who was in custody at the Hastings Youth Academy has filed a lawsuit claiming that he was brutally assaulted by a female employee in February, 2008.

Kutanna Woods was fired for using unnecessary force against Anthony Vessels, now 18, when he suffered a broken shoulder during a dispute at the academy; but the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/lawsuit-abuse-at-hastings-youth-academy-2085

Dan Larson reported to Historic City News that the third annual Winter Wonderland festival will return starting November 20th and will be running through January 3rd.

The majority of the construction to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre will take place November 16th through November 19th. As one who has attended for the last two years, I will tell you that the transformation will be remarkable.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/come-back-for-winter-wonderland-iii-2080

Photo credits: © 2009 Historic City News contributed press photo

The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News that a Hastings woman has suffered serious injuries after being ejected from her vehicle and that she has been flown by TraumaOne to Shands Hospital - Jacksonville.

26-year old Marsha McLeod of Hastings was driving southbound this afternoon on County Road 13 North when she says that an incoming message made her cell phone start to vibrate.

McLeod said that she went to check the message when she drove off the roadway, over-corrected, lost control of her vehicle and hit a tree.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/driver-seriously-injured-answering-cell-phone-2077

Photo credits: © 2009 Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire

Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw reported to Historic City News that on Veterans Day, the Youth Services Unit of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office conducted an alcohol compliance detail as part of “The Party’s Over” campaign.

A 17-year old female investigative aide attempted to purchase alcohol at 26 local establishments throughout the county. The Aide was served alcohol at 5 out of the 26 businesses; representing a 19% non-compliance rate.

http://www.historiccity.com/2009/staugustine/news/florida/5-alcohol-sales-violations-cited-2082

Photo credit: © 2009 Historic City News staff photograph

A St. Augustine man charged with a life felony in a five-year-old sexual battery case is tentatively scheduled to go to trial in January.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Legendary performer Aretha Franklin will be coming to the St.

The City of St. Augustine is changing those annoying two-hour time limits on street-side parking to three hours starting soon.