Florida
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North West Burglaries and Arson in St. Johns County
Jul 23rd
A witness learned of one of the incidents through Facebook and notified the Sheriff’s Office that she saw a vehicle traveling in Jacksonville with music equipment that matched items allegedly stolen from a St. Johns County School.
As detectives followed up on the tip, they began working with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to locate the vehicle and property. The suspect vehicle was located on Race Track Road, where deputies conducted a traffic stop. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver told deputies he was on probation and he did not want to go to jail. As deputies spoke with the driver, they were able to see several items in plain view inside the vehicle, which they recognized as possible items stolen during the recent burglaries.
Detectives continued to identify and interview additional suspects in this case based on the roadside investigation. Today, three of the suspects were arrested on charges relating to a burglary at Cunningham Creek Elementary School on June 28, 2012. Additionally, information was obtained regarding two of the suspects’ involvement in the arson of two buses at local daycare on June 12, 2012, totaling in $74,000 worth of damage.
The suspects are identified as Shane Michael Havlik, 16, 860 Brookstone Court St. Johns, FL (arrested and charged with burglary theft, trespass, dealing in stolen property and criminal mischief); Montgomery Sinclair McCaffrey, 18, 104 Findhorn Court St. Johns, FL (arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and trespassing); Samuel Lee Maxey, 15, 200 Leese Drive St. Johns, FL (arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and trespassing). Charges have been filed against the two suspects identified in the arson.
The investigation continues into similar crimes in the area and additional charges are pending. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Mike Smith (904)-209-2142 or Crime Stoppers.
Source: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
Bridge of Lions 5K necessitates traffic re-routing
Jul 20th
The Bridge of Lions 5K Run, set for Saturday, July 21 at 7:30am, will necessitate brief traffic re-routing along St. Augustine’s Bayfront, the Bridge of Lions and on streets throughout Davis Shores on the north side of Anastasia Blvd.
Scheduled to start at the north end of Avenida Menendez near the Castillo de San Marcos, the participants will run south on Avenida Menendez using the northbound lane and cross the Bridge of Lions during which the bridge will be closed to all vehicular and boat traffic.
The race then continues north on Gerado St., west on Arpeika Ave., north on St. Augustine Blvd, east/south on Inlet Drive, west on Arpieka Ave., south on Zorayda Ave., east on Oglethorpe Blvd., south on Comares Ave., west on Flagler Blvd., north on Alcazar to the finish line at Oglethorpe Park.
Traffic along Avenida Menendez and the Bridge of Lions should return to normal by 8:00am and the entire race concluded by 9:00am. To avoid delays, the public is advised to avoid these areas during the race.
Source: City of St. Augustine
The 450th Commemoration asks
Jul 20th
Know the easiest way to start a conversation with another St. Augustine resident? Just ask “So, how’d you get to St. Augustine?” Without a doubt, the story will be interesting for it seems that our city has residents who can boast a host of origins, adventures, and simply great stories about how they arrived in The Nation’s Oldest City or what has made life here special for them.
As part of the city’s 450th anniversary commemoration, the city has launched a contest inviting the public to use their skills at photography, videography or the written word to answer one question: What is your St. Augustine story?
And for telling your story, there is the possibility of winning cash prizes.
Organized under the banner of The Story of Us, the three categories are meant to share what contest organizers describe as “the story of the people and families who have given their heart, soul, sweat and tears to shape not only St. Augustine, but Florida and the United States. It is the story of the making of America, which started in St. Augustine almost 450 years ago.”
Of course, it is not just St. Augustine residents who have a St. Augustine story. Lots of people do and so the contest is open to photographers, videographers, and writers regardless of age, residence, citizenship, or ability level.
For the photography category, entries are limited to one photo with an accompanying title and 25 word or less caption, and for the videography category, the submission must be no more than two minutes in length. Those entering in the essay category are limited to 150 words or less to tell their story. While one person may enter more than one category, only one entry per category is permitted.
First place winners in each category will receive $450, second place received $350, third place $250 and fourth and fifth each being awarded $100.
Entries may be submitted anytime between Monday, July 16 and Thursday, August 16 after which the judging panel will select five entries based on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, artistic merit, and depiction of the contest theme. The work of the finalists will be posted on-line allowing the public the opportunity to vote for its favorite work in each category during the two week period of September 7-21. The winners will be announced by September 28.
Complete contest details and guidelines are available at www.staugustine-450.com, or by calling the 450th Commemoration office at 904.825.1053.
Source: City of St. Augustine