Extended Search People raise their hands in prayer Thursday as they participate in the National Day of Prayer at St James Independent Methodist Church in Palatka Premium Content is available to subscribers only. Please login here to access content or go here to purchase a subscription Read Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida PALATKA will distribute food to Floridians in need on Saturday morning in Lake City Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods Distributions are drive-thru only and attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed Click here to find you nearest food pantry Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WJXT / WCWJ Closed Captioning / Audio Description WJXT Public File WJXT EEO Report WCWJ Public File WCWJ EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group An official website of the United States government The Palatka Veterans Affairs Clinic provides general medical services for the primary care patient Select a service on this page to check the hours Wheelchair availability:  Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits The registered nurses on our Nurse Advice Line provide you and your family with helpful medical advice and free confidential answers to many of your health care questions View more details about COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, as well as our Operational Plan/Safety Precautions Vaccines are available at the following NF/SG Veterans Health System locations: "Boots" Thomas VA Clinic - 2181 East Orange Avenue Tallahassee We offer many medical and support services to help you manage your diabetes Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services Our laboratory and pathology services include: Our medical center and clinics provide consultation and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for: Same day access: A Veteran Walk In to be assessed/triaged by a Provider for non-life threatening/non-emergent needs within any clinic location (during regular business hours) Primary care is the preferred entry point for accessing mental health services at the VA to enhance coordination of care a Veteran may also be seen in any of the Mental Health clinics Contact the Veterans Primary Care Provider to inquire as to PCMHI (Primary Care Mental Health Integration) care (If unsure of Veterans Primary Care Provider The PCMHI Team may be a separate specialty clinic of providers or may be within the Veterans Primary Care team or Mental Health Clinic Veterans may be seen within PCMHI for 4-8 weeks of services at this access point Additional referrals can be made from PCMHI to MH Clinic services and Other Specialty Clinics Learn more and connect with a care coordinator Our registered dietitians can help you maintain or improve your health with good nutrition tailored to your needs we provide nutrition education and counseling in areas such as: Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care Internal medicine doctors (internists) prevent Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as: If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help We offer treatment and support such as therapy alternative treatments  and medications when needed Good mental health is a vital part of your overall wellness and treatment to help you with a range of mental and behavioral health problems alternative treatments and medications when needed and treatment to help with a range of mental and behavioral health problems like: If you are trying to quit smoking or want to stop using tobacco Our goal is to provide support and strategies to add to optional nicotine replacement therapy prescribed by your primary care doctor Learn more about how to quit We can help you and your family manage stress-related problems due to injury or illness and find VA community resources to meet your needs like: All Veterans enrolled in VA health care can receive a toxic exposure screening at an upcoming appointment or sooner by contacting a Toxic Exposure Screening Navigator All enrolled Veterans should receive the screening at least once every five years Learn more about Toxic Exposure Screening Whole health puts you at the center of care We work with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values Our whole health approach empowers and equips you to take charge of your health It includes self-care and complementary therapies along with conventional medical care Learn more about Whole Health at https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/programs/whole-health compassionate diagnosis and treatment for Veterans with acute or chronic wounds or those who need ostomy care Healing your wounds is an important step in your recovery and rehabilitation Our wound care team will assess your wound determine where you are in the healing process and provide a treatment plan for your care If you’ve had ostomy surgery and are living with either a temporary or permanent stoma (a surgical opening to allow urine we can help you manage the care of your stoma and cope with the effects of ostomy surgery serves as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and Director of Human Resource Management performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Administration for the Department of Commerce (DOC) Palatka is responsible for overseeing management and administrative service functions for the Department while providing leadership and directing programs in all aspects of human resources and human capital management and administration for all bureaus of the DOC covering nearly 58,000 employees located in all 50 states Palatka is a member of the Office of Personnel Management Chief Human Capital Officer Council Executive Steering Committee Palatka is an Adjunct Associate Professor for the University of Maryland where she teaches undergraduate courses in Human Resources and Business.  Palatka earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Management Science and Statistics Decision and Information Technology in 2000 and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management in 2006 from the University of Maryland she earned a post graduate certificate from Cornell University in Human Resources in 2007.  Palatka served as the Chief of the Human Resources Operations Center (HROC) for U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Palatka also served as a Senior Leader (SL) while working as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and Director Human Resources Directorate (HRD) for the National Defense University (NDU) She also served as the Director of Human Capital Strategy for Sustainment for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).  Palatka holds the Human Resources Certification Institutes’ (HRCI) certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) license Palatka also holds a Level III certification in Life Cycle Logistics a Level II certification in Program Management a Level I certification in International Acquisition and a Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification.  To receive the latest updates from the Department of Commerce We offer a complimentary email subscription service through GovDelivery Johns River State College commencement ceremony in Orange Park on Friday to celebrate reaching another milestone in his quest to carry on a family tradition of teaching of Palatka enrolled to earn his bachelor’s degree in early childhood education he said the decision to become a teacher soon became more than just a career path “Teaching runs deep within my family,” Mills said “Both my mom and my sister have dedicated much of their lives to educating young children When my mother (Darlene) tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer during my sophomore year of college in 2022 I truly felt God was leading me to carry on the legacy she left behind.  “She poured so much love and light into the students of Putnam County for years and I knew I wanted to continue making that same impact by walking in her footsteps with purpose and passion.” Mills is among more than 600 to graduate this spring from St Among the 360 graduates who participated in Friday’s ceremony on the Orange Park campus were 150 dual enrollment/early college program students representing Clay Mills said it was more than an academic path It was a journey that helped shape him as an individual in many ways.  Use that failure to grow and challenge your thinking Among the dual enrollment students were Palatka Junior-Senior High School seniors Lauren Novak and Lexington Hansford The two enrolled in SJR State’s early college program as high school freshmen working toward their associate degrees for the last four years.  They credit their academic journey for preparing them for the real world Novak appreciates her growth as a student while balancing college and high school.  “From my first class in my freshman year compared to my senior year I can say I have grown tremendously in the factor of time management,” Novak said “I realized that I was stronger and more capable than I had thought Novak will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton this fall to continue her journey in agriculture technology and leadership She ultimately looks forward to “helping farms with their future of sustainability and mentoring youth and giving back to my community,” she said.  SJR State has provided a strong academic foundation and countless opportunities for personal growth.  “The dual enrollment program allowed me to challenge myself academically while professors encouraged me to think critically and explore my interests in law and public service,” she said I’ve not only gained college credits but also clarity in my career goals.” Hansford will transfer to the University of Florida this fall to major in political science She chose that path she chose after participating in the Florida Page and Messenger program where students visit the Capitol and observe legislators in action.  “This experience opened my eyes to the way our government works and how policies are made and has since changed my perspective and has drawn me in,” she said Handsford plans to ultimately become an attorney or work in foreign service as a diplomat or policy adviser.  “I hope to be making a meaningful impact — whether that’s advocating for underserved communities through law or representing the United States abroad,” she said.  A portion of the ceremony was dedicated to the Paul “Dee” Causey President’s Award the award honors the memory of an SJR State alumnus whom SJR State President Joe Pickens described as not only his mentor but a fearless athlete dedicated family man and successful businessman.  and he loved nothing more than helping the underdog succeed,” Pickens said a dual enrollment student and senior attending the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.  Cake lost most of his vision at the age of 10 due to a cancerous brain tumor and spent the rest of his childhood adapting to visual challenges and a new way of learning forcing him to again adapt to a new set of challenges an SJR State dual enrollment adviser who nominated Cake for the award.  “One of the things that got him through was the drive to be back at school in the fall when classes resumed and to not let his circumstances get the best of him,” Clinger said “Not many people thought Logan would be able to make as quick of a recovery from something so detrimental Cake is graduating from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind at the top of his class and from SJR State with his associate degree.  Cake will transfer to the University of North Florida this fall and enroll in the college’s honors program to major in business SJR State English professor Jay Engelbrecht was the commencement speaker Police said 42-year-old Leo Alfonzo Parker was arrested Wednesday and is currently being held on a $100,000 bond in the Putnam County Jail. Palatka police said officers responded April 10 after they received a call reporting an inappropriate relationship between Parker and a minor child. Detectives quickly took over the investigation, conducting multiple interviews and collecting physical evidence that backed up the report, police said. Investigators said the evidence and interviews revealed that Parker, the pastor of a church in East Palatka, had a sexual relationship with a minor child between the ages of 12 and 18. Police said the investigation also revealed the relationship lasted for an extended period of time. Parker surrendered to police after they got a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday. Police said because of the sensitivity of the case, they can’t share any more information, but they are asking any parents who believe there has been inappropriate contact between Parker and their child or children to contact police right away. Putnam County residents gather on the Putnam County Courthouse lawn Thursday as part of a nationwide protest to mark the end of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office Brad and John Allen Eubanks hold a picture of their respective dad and grandfather at Putnam Feed & Farm Supply in Palatka Two Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial along the St The mood at Riverfront Park in Palatka was solemn as the crowd that had gathered Tuesday night remembered Florida law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2024.  Officials from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Florida Highway Patrol and Jacksonville Police Department were on hand to salute the 10 fallen officers at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial.  Sheriff Gator DeLoach the law enforcement officers who died paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities.  “We all know this job is dangerous,” he said “Everyone in law enforcement understands that when they take the oath to protect and serve.” announced the names of the 10 late law enforcement officers while 10 officials from the agencies in attendance placed a rose on a wreath one by one.  The following were honored for their commitment to serve: – Madison County Sheriff’s Office K9 Archer – Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link – West Palm Beach Police Department Officer Jeremy Boykins – Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Bradford McNew – Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Buddy” Waller Jr. – Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diez Two Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies performed a ceremony where the wreath of roses and a second wreath were placed in the St Johns River to honor the fallen officials.  who led the crowd in opening and closing prayers said when someone makes the ultimate sacrifice To not remember these officers goes against the rules of respect Being a chaplain for the sheriff’s office is Flagg’s way of doing his part to honor law enforcement officers I’m speaking from the perspective of humility … I believe it’s a special calling to be in law enforcement.” One of his brothers is a retired veteran and a former Palatka police officer so the Flagg family has a profound respect for law enforcement.  “The level of stress is unimaginable that they go through,” Flagg said we should commemorate and reflect upon their life and how they really a nonprofit that helps Putnam County law enforcement officials and their families in times of need Individuals interested in learning more about the organization can visit ten24foundation.org.  Lucas Bergen will play the role of con man Dmitry in the Palatka Junior-Senior High School Musical Theatre Department’s production of “Anastasia,” which opens at 7:30 p.m Friday at the Jim Pignato Theater in Palatka The story of the Russian Revolution of 1917 will come to life when the Palatka Junior-Senior High School Musical Theatre Department cast takes the stage Friday for the opening performance of their new production The students’ first performance of “Anastasia” will be at 7:30 p.m the show tells the story of when the Bolsheviks took over and assassinated the royal family A rumor was circulated that the youngest Romanov daughter two con men try to find a young girl to train and pass off as the princess so that they might receive the large reward offered by the grandmother,” Pignato said incredulous con man torn between love and money “The creative outlet in being in a show like this is my favorite part,” he said “I enjoy finding myself in the characters.” Pignato said the show was part of the 2017–2018 Broadway season and had rave reviews before being shut down due to COVID the show never opened on Broadway again,” he said “There are national and international tours of it Pignato compares “Anastasia” to other powerful musicals “It is beautiful visually and musically,” he said “It is comparable in style to other historical stories ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Ragtime,’” he said Other Palatka High performances of “Anastasia” will be at 2:30 p.m There will be no Saturday performance this weekend due to prom Tickets are $15 each at Ralph’s House of Flowers Pignato said two seniors in the show – Bergen and Peter Fisk who plays Vlad – have been with the musical theater group since their freshmen years who are totally committed to their roles,” he said “They are a joy to work with and have truly become true to their parts as two con men.” who plans to attend the University of North Florida to major in kinesiology has enjoyed his time in the Musical Theatre Department P is great and always has a clear view of what he wants,” he said “He pushes us to execute it to the best of our abilities He has shown me how to become the character I am trying to portray.” Bergen has been a part of theater since elementary school because of his sister’s involvement “But I truly fell in love with it in the ninth grade when I did my first show with Mr Pignato remembers Bergen’s start in theater and his sister begging him to help out when the cast needed more boys “He is such a hard worker and has learned to love theater,” he said “He has matured so much as a performer and totally embraced the role of the romantic lead in ‘Anastasia.’ I’ve told him that he is not allowed to graduate.” Other shows Bergen has been a part of during his four years at Palatka Junior-Senior High School include “Hello Dolly,” “Aladdin,” “Titanic” and “A Christmas Carol.” “‘Titanic’ was the closest I’ve been with a cast,” Bergen said and the show itself was very heavy with operatic music It was unlike anything I had done up to that point and was a catalyst for my growth as a performer.” Bergen who sings and dances has fond memories of being on stage but the worst was in ‘A Christmas Carol’ when I got on my knee to propose and they ripped all the way down the inseam and I still had two more scenes before I could go off stage,” he said Bergen admits to still getting nervous when on stage even though he’s been rehearsing for about three months But once I get out to the stage and get the response from the audience 4 Putnam schools locked down as calls went out nationwide was placed on lockdown Tuesday after receiving a threatening call (Photo courtesy of the Putnam County School District) A threatening phone call put Melrose Elementary School and other schools in the area on alert Tuesday morning with security measures to be in place for the rest of the day The Putnam County School District and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office put Melrose on lockdown immediately after the school received a call at 11 a.m saying someone would be bringing a gun to school which all contain a portion of the town of Melrose Authorities traced the caller’s phone to the Miami-Dade area according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office Tuesday.  similar phone calls were made to communities across the state and nationwide,” sheriff’s office officials wrote on Facebook.  Johns County schools also received the same call at 11 a.m. The full lockdown at Melrose was lifted at 11:59 a.m. but the school will remain on a modified lockdown for the rest of the school day the sheriff's office conducted two sweeps of Melrose Elementary,” sheriff’s office personnel said on Facebook.  Ochwilla Elementary School and Interlachen Junior-Senior High School went into modified lockdowns at 11 a.m. but those lockdowns had been lifted by 2 p.m. Superintendent Rick Surrency said he is thankful for the help Putnam received from law enforcement officers in Putnam and nearby counties because student safety is the district’s top priority.  “We are thankful that all students and staff are safe,” he said in a statement Tuesday “And we will continue to take every precaution to ensure our schools remain secure learning environments.” Parents can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence throughout the day and during parent pick-up “All students and staff remained safe throughout the duration of the lockdowns,” Cahan said in the email Any parents whose students attend west end schools and did not receive a call or text are encouraged to update their contact information with their school’s data clerk to ensure they receive timely alerts in the future bass tournament occurring in tandem in downtown Palatka A man attending last year’s Florida Azalea Festival in Palatka asks a vendor about tips to take care of the plants he just purchased Everything’s coming up azaleas this weekend when the annual Florida Azalea Festival comes to Palatka for its 76th year Festivities will kick off Saturday at 9 a.m The celebration of the flowering shrub will continue Sunday from 10 a.m the festival chairwoman for the second year it’s going to be bigger and better than before “We’ve got up to 75 vendors between the merchants the sponsors and participating vendors,” she said “Guests can expect to find arts and crafts and food vendors shop in the downtown businesses or have lunch at one of our restaurants Azalea plants will also be available for purchase for those looking for a special souvenir.” the two-day festival is being held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series which the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is hosting at the Palatka riverfront Other major sponsors of the festival include iHeart Realty and Visit Palatka.  Griffin said the Bassmaster tournament has helped generate interest for the downtown festivities by combining their tournament with the festival.  “We are piggybacking off each other,” she said “The Chamber has helped with this and has been great to work with.” Johns Avenue will be closed from the riverfront to Seventh Street and visitors with children will not want to miss the kiddie carnival at Ameris Bank in the 600 block of St lemonade and more – everything to keep kids happy and entertained,” she said The festival will also run along the banks of the St One of two entertainment stages will be located at the Palatka City Dock while the other will be at the Putnam County Courthouse For those eager to take their four-legged friends with them for all the downtown festivities “Pets in costume are a traditional part of the Azalea Festival.” the festival is one of the longest-running celebrations in Florida Griffin hopes people will attend to continue the tradition of celebrating the azalea “This two-day outdoor festival will include lots of vendors selling their wares and “We hope those who come out will shop our downtown businesses The winners of the 2025 Miss Azalea Scholarship Pageant will be at the festival to meet festival-goers Griffin said the family-friendly festival will offer diverse activities for an enjoyable day out “Our expectations are to have an exceptionally good outcome at this year’s Florida Azalea Festival,” she said “My committee and I are staying positive about the turnout for the festival and expecting the weather to be great.” For details about the Florida Azalea Festival The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (File photo) Vehicles travel along State Road 100 just west of Palatka one of the roadways a new task force wants to make safer in light of serious 1st of 2 construction phases to start next month An architectural rendering shows the planned 400,000-square-foot $83 million warehouse at Georgia-Pacific’s Palatka mill Georgia-Pacific announced Monday it will invest tens of millions of dollars to build a new 400,000-square-foot warehouse at its Palatka mill in a move officials said underscores the company’s commitment to regional expansion The $83 million project is expected to create 20 new jobs improve retailers' product storage and shipping capabilities and boost operational efficiency through the use of advanced automation technologies Construction will be completed in two phases with site work on a new trailer yard set to begin in May which will enhance our operations and help us better serve our customers,” Vin Webster the vice president of manufacturing at the Palatka mill “This expansion and investment in Putnam County will positively impact the entire region.” will accommodate up to 500 truck trailers and include a dedicated entrance from County Road 216 to reduce traffic congestion Phase 2 will begin with the construction of the warehouse which will connect to the mill’s existing warehouse.  The new facility will feature automated guided vehicles an automated trailer entry and exit system and vertical dock levelers designed to improve safety and streamline operations Construction of the warehouse is expected to begin in February 2026 and take about one year to complete the vice president of economic development at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce said the project will bring lasting benefits to the community “This warehouse is more than just a building; it represents a substantial investment in our community,” Litten said “The creation of new jobs and improved infrastructure will attract further investments and unlock new opportunities for our region.” The expansion is the latest in a series of improvements GP has made at the Palatka mill over the past decade including the installation of a new paper machine the largest private employer in Putnam County employs more than 1,000 people and supports an estimated 2,426 additional jobs in the community GP is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of bath tissue The mill produces consumer brands such as Brawny and private label paper towels and bath tissue It also manufactures kraft paper used in recyclable mailers butcher paper and linerboard for corrugated boxes A local pastor surrendered to Palatka Police Department detectives Wednesday amid an investigation over his alleged inappropriate relationship with a child was charged with sexual battery of a minor the police department reported on a Facebook post Parker is the pastor of Emerge Church of Palatka officers received a call from someone reporting the alleged relationship leading detectives to begin investigating the accusations “Detectives conducted multiple interviews and collected physical evidence which validated the information obtained through the interviews,” police officials said on Facebook.  Authorities said the investigation revealed Parker engaged in a sexual relationship with a child between the ages of 12 and 18.  “The investigation also revealed the relationship lasted for an extended period of time,” the police said on Facebook.  Officers obtained a warrant for Parker’s arrest Wednesday He is being held in the Putnam County Jail on a $100,000 bond “This investigation is still active and ongoing,” police officials said “Parents are asked to contact the Palatka Police Department if they believe there has been inappropriate contact between Parker and their child or children.” The police provided no additional information Wednesday Newspaper to start operating at new location Monday Former Pressroom Manager Keith Williams begins removing the “Palatka Daily News” lettering Wednesday from the building the newspaper had been operating out of since the 1970s After more than five decades in the same building the Palatka Daily News is relocating.  The Daily News will be open for business at 220 Second St The change in location is not bringing about a change in the paper’s printing schedule.  owner of the newspaper and Bass Capital Radio said he wanted the Daily News to return to its original riverfront home The Daily News used to operate in downtown Palatka but moved to the 1825 location around the 1970s the Palatka Daily News started in the 200 block,” Douglas said Friday in a text message “And we are excited for the newspaper to return to its roots in the heart of downtown.” The Daily News no longer needed such a large building especially after the printing press was removed in July.  Newspaper employees spent Friday putting together the final edition of the Daily News to come from the 1825 building working in a nearly bare newsroom after spending most of the week transferring desks filing cabinets and other items to the new location.  The letters spelling out “Palatka Daily News” were struck from the building Wednesday but the outline could still be seen on the front entrance at the end of the week.  As employees stood together outside for photos and ate lunch together inside they recalled significant events they witnessed such as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986 or the Sept they witnessed while working for the newspaper.  who has been a Daily News employee since 2012 said the change in location should inspire optimism about the future.  but instead of fretting about what will be different I’m looking forward to all the good that will come from this move,” he said.  The Daily News will have a front-row view of festivals Newspaper employees will also be within walking distance from numerous government facilities the Putnam County School District headquarters and the Putnam County Courthouse but our commitment to covering the news in Putnam County will not diminish,” Oliver said.  Police: 3rd person in stable condition; 4th person possibly involved Law enforcement officials work the scene of a Christmas night shooting that took place at the Palatka Daily News A child is among the two people authorities said died in a Christmas night shooting at the Palatka Daily News Palatka Police Department officials said via Facebook that Crescent City resident Tyree Gilyard was pronounced dead at the scene during the shooting that took place at 9:40 p.m died from his injuries after being taken to a nearby trauma center is in stable condition at an unnamed trauma center.  Assistant Chief Matt Newcomb said he did not have any additional information to share by 11:54 a.m “Detectives with the Police Department are continuing to follow all leads,” police officials wrote on Facebook Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about the shooting to call Lt David Lazo at 386-329-0115 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-8477 Police believe many of the people at the scene prior to the shooting were originally at a St Johns County Party that had been shut down many of those attendees moved to Palatka to continue the event Newcomb said he didn’t know the exact location of the St He said the shootings took place in the Daily News parking lot and under the building’s awning near the front door Newcomb said the crime scene extends past the newspaper to behind Palatka Flooring Center “I don’t believe there’s a threat to the community,” Newcomb said.  He could not confirm if the shootings were gang-related but the police hope to release more information about the ongoing investigation later this evening.  Numerous vehicles believed to belong to some people gathered by the building at the time of the shooting were parked in the Daily News parking lot and towed away Thursday Not all of the vehicles belonged to the victims There were at least 73 evidence markers at the scene to pinpoint firearm rounds,  a bullet hole through the Daily News mailroom and other pieces of evidence.  Officers had already been near the scene at the time of the shooting Wednesday evening to try to disperse crowds gathered at Dollar & More Detectives are considering the possibility of a fourth person involved but Newcomb said that information has not been verified.  “If there is another person that’s involved we’re working to identify that person,” Newcomb said The Daily News building will be closed today to foot traffic The office is closed until further notice as the building is an active crime scene and part of the ongoing investigation The business will reopen to phone calls only as soon as we can Daily News Publisher Jennifer Moates expressed her sadness over what transpired Wednesday night While newspaper employees were not at the building during the shooting the events that occurred are no less tragic "No Palatka Daily News employees were working at the time,” Moates said in the statement “Our prayers are with the families who tragically lost loved ones and we are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to assist all involved we will continue to follow this investigation closely and provide updates to our community Superintendent’s grandson’s results flagged via district Palatka Junior-Senior High School freshman Bryson Helms stands between Putnam County School District Health Services Coordinator Kena Foster A new Putnam County School District initiative to screen students for hidden heart conditions is already proving its value by helping identify a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder in a local high school student the district offered free electrocardiogram screenings to students in grades seven through 12 through a new partnership with the Who We Play For Foundation a Florida-based nonprofit that helps detect undiagnosed heart conditions in students a 15-year-old freshman at Palatka Junior-Senior High School and grandson of Superintendent Rick Surrency was one of 500 Putnam County students who took advantage of the voluntary program The testing led to Helms being diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome a heart rhythm condition that can cause dangerously fast heartbeats and lead to sudden cardiac arrest if left untreated Helms was shocked at the test results.  “I thought I was really in good shape,” he said “We were just getting out of basketball season And I felt great and was getting ready for spring football The foundation was founded in memory of Rafe Maccarone a 15-year-old soccer player at Cocoa Beach High School who died suddenly in 2007 from an undiagnosed heart condition after soccer practice The school district partnering with the foundation was born from a broader effort by district officials to enhance student health and safety and catch silent conditions before they become emergencies “Even when a student looks like the picture of health there can be something going on you can’t see,” Surrency said “This was a decision based on care and prevention and Bryson’s experience shows exactly why that matters I never would have thought that my own grandson would be one of the first students helped by this program.” Helms’ cardio results were flagged for immediate follow-up — labeled a “red” by screening standards — and he was referred to a pediatric cardiologist A subsequent procedure showed the extra electrical pathway in his heart was in a low-risk area and didn’t require surgery.  After a brief period of rest and monitoring Palatka High experienced the sudden death of a student-athlete earlier this school year.  a 15-year-old Palatka High student who participated in football and other Panthers athletics programs died in August on the second day of classes for Putnam County Gillon had experienced chest pain before football practice at the school attended practice as scheduled and was found dead at home before school began Surrency said Gillon’s death made nurses and educators start to think of what else could be done for students.  “There is a saying that students must be healthy to learn,” Surrency said “I think the school district is taking the lead in making sure that for the students under our care we’re giving them every opportunity to be healthy and whole.” the registered nurse who serves as the district’s health services coordinator oversees the screenings and case management for flagged students.  She said Helms and another student have received high-risk results through the program which has become part of a growing emphasis on preventive care in Putnam County schools but the last few years have shown how much more we need to do,” Foster said “From heat protocols to seizure response to mental health and these screenings are now part of that effort.” The electrocardiogram screenings are painless take just a few minutes and are reviewed by pediatric cardiologists.  Students are categorized by risk level: green which recommends a cardiologist follow-up within 90 days; and red demanding an immediate suspension from physical activity.  “Some parents assume that a sports physical checks for everything but ECGs aren’t part of those exams,” Foster said Another member of the school district team involved in the effort to provide the screening to students is District Administrator Sarajean McDaniel who knows personally how important the tests can be.  was 46 when he died from sudden cardiac arrest while running in Ravine Gardens State Park in 1992.  “He was healthy and active; he ran every day,” she said “Had this kind of testing existed back then But this condition doesn’t always show itself through symptoms.” McDaniel attended a sports physical event last week at Palatka Junior-Senior High School one of several taking place at each high school as part of the district’s health initiative our health care students helped and everything ran like a well-oiled machine Parents and students came through in the evening Who We Play For was there offering the ECG screening.”  McDaniel said the district plans to continue offering screenings and is considering purchasing an electrocardiogram machine so school medical employees can conduct the tests themselves electrocardiogram screenings are offered during scheduled events for students in grades seven through 12 including virtual and home-schooled students Parents are encouraged to visit putnamschools.org for information on the next clinic and to register Parents with concerns about their children’s health can contact Foster at 386-329-0538 The next scheduled electrocardiogram event will be Monday for athletes at Crescent City Junior-Senior High School Screenings will also be available during athletic physicals at Interlachen Junior-Senior High School with the date to be announced on the school’s social media pages.  The district is working on scheduling electrocardiogram clinics for the 2025-2026 school year and will notify parents of the dates While sudden cardiac arrest in high school athletes is rare with national estimates averaging 1/65,000 per year health officials say even a small number of preventable incidents should be cause for alarm “One death from this is too many,” Surrency said We want to lead the way in preventing them.” According to the Journal of the American Medical Association where mandatory electrocardiogram screenings have been in place since the 1980s show an 89% reduction in athlete cardiac deaths over three decades said he’s thankful the district took the initiative “It’s kind of scary to think about what could have happened,” he said Palatka natives to appear on popular game show are seen on the set of “Family Feud,” which they filmed with host Steve Harvey in April at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta most people look forward to special gift-giving to celebrate their love for their family and friends on Valentine’s Day all of whom are natives of Palatka and graduates of Palatka High School The Marshall clan wanted to celebrate the memory of a beloved aunt who was a passionate viewer of the TV game show “Family Feud” and who often dreamed of being on the show but never had the chance Pauline Lee is that aunt who lived in Palatka and died of cancer in August 2022 shortly before her family got word they had been selected to audition for the show hoping to fulfill her dream of being on the show,” Gainey said Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at the time the family participated in a virtual audition energy and enthusiasm as if they were there in person will air on WJAX and WNBW at 7 and 7:30 p.m “It was a long wait before we were finally booked to tape for season 26,” Gainey said Other airtimes on Valentine’s Day include 5:30 and 7:30 p.m visit familyfeud.com and type in a zip code for additional station information.  was a part of the family team and remembers how much his aunt loved watching “Family Feud” every day.  and we wanted to honor her by being on the show,” he said Traveling to Atlanta to visit the Tyler Perry Studios and meet show host Steve Harvey in person was an incredible opportunity “When Steve introduced us as The Marshall Family from Palatka we felt immense pride even though he couldn’t help but think the city’s name and location was quite amusing,” she said “Everyone will have to tune in to see how he reacted to that unforgettable shout-out.” those representing the Marshal family on the game show were Leonard E When asked how the family fared in winnings She also couldn’t remember the name of the family they were up against “We had to sign an agreement with Family Feud that prohibits us from sharing specific details about the show until it airs,” she said Gainey recalls submitting one of her late aunt’s funny Christmas videos as part of the application packet to demonstrate the humor in the family “Our aunt was the life of every party and she would have been thrilled about our appearance on the show,” she said she would have been right there cheering us on.” Gainey can’t wait to watch the show on Valentine’s Day saying she feels she may need to pinch herself to remind herself she’s not imagining it.  Gainey knows she and her family were given a rare opportunity to honor their aunt when they were selected for the show “Being under the lights and in a real live studio was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said “I know it will be real when I hear those famous words The investigation into the triple shooting on Christmas night in Palatka has determined two of the young men killed in the crowd had guns recovered next to them at the scene and "the investigation has led investigators to believe additional suspects were involved in the shooting and played a significant role in the incident Several individuals have been identified," the department posted Wednesday on its Facebook they heard several gunshots coming from the area of the newspaper building at 1825 St of Crescent City was being treated in critical condition but has since been released Wednesday they said the investigation has revealed that McKinnon had a rifle at the time of the incident The gun was recovered on the ground next to him before he was transported to the hospital A handgun was also recovered from the scene that was on the ground near Gilyard Both firearms are being tested for forensic evidence at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Detectives continue to receive leads and ask anyone who may have information on the shooting to contact Lt contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at (888) 277-8477 Information that leads to the arrest of a suspect may pay up to $5,000 had a rifle at the time the incident occurred was found lying near a handgun that was recovered from the scene Gilyard also died as a result of the shooting RELATED: Jacksonville man suing JSO after being shot in the leg when an officer tried to take his gun during a traffic stop A third person, Dazial Dennis, 21, was hospitalized but has since been released and is expected to “make a full recovery,” police said. “Multiple items of evidence including the two firearms listed in this release were recovered and are being processed,” Palatka police said. “At this time the investigation has led investigators to believe additional suspects were involved in the shooting and played a significant role in the incident.” Police added that officers have already identified “several” persons of interest. The incident began the night of Christmas when Palatka police said a party in St. Johns County spilled over into Palatka as an afterparty, and officers were called around 9:40 p.m. to clear a parking lot of people on North 19th Street. Officers at the scene reportedly heard several gunshots coming from across the street in front of the Palatka Daily News on St. Johns Avenue. Gilyard was declared dead at the scene, but Dennis and McKinnon were taken to the hospital where McKinnon later died. A News4JAX source said the Palatka Daily News building was riddled with bullet holes, but thankfully no employees were inside the building during the shooting. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Palatka Police Department at 386-329-0115 or contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477. Aydian joined News4JAX as a digital producer in September 2024. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, he is excited to provide coverage on a variety of topics like sports, politics, health, and breaking news to the Jacksonville area. Local officials cut the ribbon to relaunch Ride Solution services to the general public Tuesday Palatka officials are hoping thousands of residents will benefit from the restarting of a public bus service across the city.  buses took off again Tuesday morning and are making 27 stops around Palatka from 10:30 a.m Like the last time the service was in operation Palatka’s Community Affairs Department Director Eddie Cutwright other city employees and Ride Solutions representatives cut a blue and gold ribbon Tuesday and watched as the first two buses headed out of the Palatka Train Station to pick up the service’s first customers.  “This is a team effort to give the community something back that they need,” Cutwright said Tuesday Ride Solution buses stopped serving the general public Dec but the service continued to help only people who had medical appointments Those riders could use the bus system but had to make appointments with Ride Solution to use the buses When Ride Solution first served the general public the buses helped about 2,000 people a year “(I’m) so grateful for the city of Palatka’s support and championship City Manager Marcia Carty agreed to have the city pay Ride Solution $25,000 from the city’s general fund She informed elected officials of the decision during the March 13 Palatka City Commission meeting Thompson said $20,514 of that payment would go toward the cost of fuel while the remaining $4,486 would be for fixed costs.  The buses will go to each of its 27 stops four times per day A schedule is featured in this story.  Cutwright said he’s glad the city put some “skin in the game” and helped fund a needed resource He would like to help expand Ride Solution to other municipalities.  organizations to help with this because it’s needed,” he said “(There’s) a lot of people that need to get places that just can’t afford it shows a family the types of items an 18th-century trader in Florida would sell in his store Aleesia Hatcher PALATKA, Fla. – Two people were killed and a third was critically injured Wednesday night in a shooting near the Palatka Daily News parking lot, the Palatka Police Department said. According to Palatka police, a party in St. Johns County spilled over into Palatka as an after-party, and officers were called around 9:40 p.m. to clear a parking lot of people on North 19th Street. The officers at the scene heard several gunshots coming from across the street in front of the Palatka Daily News on St. Johns Avenue. Officers said when they got to the property, they found three people shot: Dazail Dennis, 21, and Tyree Gilyard, 23, both from Crescent City and Dorrion McKinnon, 17, of Palatka. Gilyard died at the scene and both Dennis and McKinnon were taken to the hospital where McKinnon died but Dennis is in critical condition. Our source said as many as 60 shell casings were found at the scene, and police remained on the scene Thursday morning processing all the bullet holes inside the building. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit and the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Investigative Unit were also called and are assisting Palatka PD detectives. Palatka PD said more information will be released as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Colten Lee or Sgt. David Lazo at 386-329-0115 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477. Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience. – An independent investigation into the City of Palatka’s former interim city manager revealed he concealed certain business relationships while serving in that position detailed in a report obtained by News4JAX on Thursday question Griffith’s transparency and his use of city position to benefit businesses he was associated with RELATED: State attorney says JEA board did not violate Florida’s Sunshine Law The final report references an interim report on Griffith from September That’s when the investigator says Griffith failed to disclose “his outside business interests” as the “Crill Avenue” property moved through rezoning The report also reveals his financial interests “were greatly enhanced by actions required from the Commission a Commission kept in the dark by false or misleading documents.” The Final report focused on a land swap deal involving a property known as “River Center” and another one called “Port Consolidated.” entered an agreement with the City of Palatka to swap the Port Consolidated land Blue Crab purchased the properties located at 100 and 102 Reid St despite the same properties selling for $45,600 in 2023 the City of Palatka deeded the River Center property to Blue Crab Development While appraisals valued the River Center at $1.6 million the Port Consolidated property was appraised at $1.325 million This meant Blue Crab paid an additional $275,000 to even out the deal the investigator said there was a hidden conflict of interest: Griffith and the attorney who owned Blue Crab Development were business partners at the time of the transaction The report asserts Griffith had an obligation to disclose his partnership with Blue Crab’s owner to city officials The final report said the omission prompted concerns and states citizens should ask the city if they could have acquired the Port Consolidated land for significantly less Like buying it in 2023 when it was $45,600 Griffith intentionally concealed his business interest.” News4JAX reached out to Griffith and received a response from him Sunday morning He sent a statement that reads: “I received the report on December 20 The report is factually incorrect and includes misleading statements for the purpose of harming my professional reputation It is my understanding the report is to be sent to the Florida Commission on Ethics I will address these unfounded allegations with the Commission on Ethics.” News4JAX also contacted Palatka’s mayor and city commissioners for their perspectives on the findings In a recent commissioner meeting, commissioners discussed this final report and asked their attorney if further action by Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the State Attorney’s Office, would take place. It’s unclear what those next steps would be by those departments, but in the meeting it was discussed Jane West the city attorney, has been tasked with giving the commissioners a recommendation of what to do next. The investigator will present these findings in person to the Palatka City Commission on Jan. 9. This meeting is to provide an opportunity for the Commission and the public to better understand the report’s details, allegations, and conclusions. Khalil Maycock joined the News4JAX team in November 2022 after reporting in Des Moines, IA. Palatka’s voters will have two choices for the Group 1 seat on the City Commission in November: Annie Henderson Davis The winner will replace Commissioner Tammie McCaskill Valentine The two-term incumbent filed to run last year according to the Putnam County Supervisor of Elections Another candidate, Vito Russo, qualified by petition but withdrew on June 3, just a week before the qualifying period. Russo, 63, did not respond to calls, texts or email. He donated to Kitchens’ campaign in September That leaves Henderson Davis and Kitchens on the ballot Here’s what voters should know about each candidate before heading to the polls for most of her adult life before returning to her hometown last year She filed to run on March 20 and qualified by petition according to the supervisor of elections office Henderson Davis has been a healthcare project management professional for over 30 years, according to her campaign website She has been on the board of several community and civic organizations in both cities she serves on the Palatka Charter Review Committee She has raised $6,730 and spent $4,393 as of Oct small-town community we can proudly call home,” her website says and connect our commUNITY for manageable and sustainable growth.” Henderson Davis’ website lists four of her main issue areas: improving citizens’ quality of life creating meaningful public-private partnerships to strengthen the local economy and allocating public dollars to support essential services Highlighted initiatives include developing affordable housing projects that meet different income level needs maintaining a well-trained and responsive police force supporting small business development programs and promoting efficiency in city government operations she worked at the Putnam County Property Appraiser’s Office for 36 years prior to being elected and served on numerous civic volunteer boards Kitchens is endorsed by the Professional Firefighters of Palatka Local 2992 “I had not intended to run for office again,” Kitchens said having supported McCaskill Valentine and then Russo until their respective withdrawals from the race but Kitchens said a friend helped her pay the qualifying fee to become a candidate “I got the money kind of dropped into my lap and I kind of thought it was a sign from God that He intended for me to run,” she said “I wasn’t going to look a gift horse or God in the mouth so to speak.” Kitchens filed to run on June 7 One of Kitchens’ priorities is retaining city employees who she said are leaving because of “a toxic workplace in the city of Palatka.” Kitchens is looking forward to helping select the next city manager who can help to solve the issue  “I need to make sure as a commissioner,” she said he or she has to treat the employees well.” She also wants to make road projects in the city more efficient and transparent Kitchens cited the ongoing years-long work on St John’s Avenue as an example of poor planning and use of funds She said she would push for all necessary construction to be done simultaneously instead of in stages that extend the project timeline and disrupt transportation Kitchens has raised $4,795 for her campaign and spent $2,210 Public safety is another focus for Kitchens particularly in keeping the police department fully staffed She said police officers are training in Palatka but choosing to work elsewhere and she believes this is a result of low pay and conflict with city government “I would like to see us be able to get some patrol officers back to handle traffic situations,” Kitchens said “We need to make sure they have everything that they need to run well The two candidates running for the Group 3 seat — Elizabeth van Rensburg and Will Jones — did not respond to WUFT's request for an interview this fall Jones has raised $2,212 and spent $1,866 so far in his campaign van Rensburg has raised $7,347 and spent $5,216 A volunteer prepares to launch someone down an ice slide during Snow Day in 2023 The Palatka Daily News’ latest forecast reports snow is expected Monday in East Palatka.  This extraordinary turn of events will be a chance for Putnam County residents and visitors to step into a winter wonderland in celebration of the new year it turns out the anticipated snow is of the man-made kind The Daily News’ annual Snow Day will take place from 4–7 p.m “Our goal is to give kids in the community a chance to play in the snow something they may not otherwise have a chance to do,” said Jennifer Moates family-friendly event for everyone to enjoy.” last year’s event drew between 1,500 and 2,000 people Snow Day continues to grow with more fun activities for families to enjoy,” she said “The event occurs during the cold weather season so the snow will last and the cold weather makes it feel like real snow weather letting the kids know what playing in the snow is like.” The Palatka Daily News is sponsoring the event in conjunction with the Putnam County Fairgrounds & Expo Center and the newspaper’s Positively Putnam FL sponsors: Beck Automotive Group Johns River State College and the Putnam County Board of Commissioners Snow Day would not be possible,” Moates said food for purchase and bounced houses with an unlimited bouncing wristband for $7 The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office will also have its helicopter on display Moates is hoping for a good turnout for the newspaper’s third edition of Snow Day “This event is designed to give children and families the opportunity to have a fun-filled and unique experience,” she said “We hope everyone will come and play in the snow.” A plane that crashed in rural southwest Flagler County killing the pilot was being flown to Palatka from Sebastian where it had been used by a local skydive business was the only person on the 10-seat capacity Cessna 208 that departed Sebastian Municipal Airport just before 6 p.m where it was planned for use at a skydiving business according to local and federal transportation authorities “We used it for the past two months,” said Brandon Radcliff He said the plane operated without problems during that time which is just outside the town of Pierson roughly 60 miles north of Orlando and just under 40 miles south of Palatka and that he did not fly for Skydive Sebastian The pilots for the skydive flights at Sebastian and Palatka are employed through Illinois company Eagle Air Transport Inc The plane transfer occurred after Skydive Sebastian business hours Friday It was scheduled for use in skydiving jumps at Skydive Palatka The federal agency investigating the crash said it disappeared from radar amid a right turn and was found crashed in a heavily wooded area around 6:40 p.m “The wreckage has been recovered and has been transported to a secure facility in Jacksonville for further examination," according to an emailed statement from the National Transportation Safety Board The heavily damaged remains of the aircraft were found by deputies with Flagler County Sheriff’s Office who noticed a heavy smell of fuel during a search of a wooded area near Lake Disston according to recorded news conference posted on the agency's social media page The find was communicated to a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter deputy who then spotted a tire from the plane Sheriff Rick Staly said at the news conference “We had a pretty big area to search because we didn’t really have an exact location,” said Staly “It dropped off the radar at about 900-feet high and we were told it was descending rapidly.” Staly said the plane had filled up with fuel at Sebastian Staly said the descent appeared to be “straight down” with little visible glide path which led him to suspect mechanical failure or that the pilot experienced a medical problem Attempts to reach the pilot by air traffic controllers in Jacksonville and by deputies who called a phone number believed to be the cell phone of the pilot were unsuccessful Findings of an NTSB preliminary investigation are expected within 30 days of the crash More: Sanctuary cities: What they are and why they're targeted in Trump's immigration crackdown More: Expensive fishing technology turns novice anglers into pros, but results in overfishing More: Are banks, schools and mail closed on Presidents Day? Here's what's open, closed Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm Children frolic in one of the snow patches Tuesday at the third annual Snow Day at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in East Palatka Snow Day was made possible by Positively Putnam FL a partnership among numerous local entities EAST PALATKA – There was a 100% chance of snow Tuesday in Putnam County but it wasn’t because of the dipping temperatures.  The third annual Snow Day took place at the Putnam County Fairgrounds where people partook in the Florida version of sledding and snowball fights got their faces painted and stayed warm in the near-freezing weather with cups of hot chocolate More than 1,000 people attended Snow Day – which was hosted by the Palatka Daily News and Positively Putnam in conjunction with fairgrounds and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office – with attendees coming as far as Clay Johns and Duval counties to see Florida snow.  One parent said they wanted to take their kids to the event because they moved from the northern part of the country and hadn’t seen snow in a while.  moved from Canada to Palatka about five years ago Strutridge said her three young children have never seen snow and while her children enjoyed Tuesday’s event “I just wanted them to be able to experience some snow since we never get it,” she said It seems like we always miss where there’s snow Whenever we tried to make a trip to somewhere where there’s snow while Bella’s brothers played in the snow pits.  Also practicing his snowball-making skills was Jasper Sheptock of Interlachen He played in the freshly churned snow and showed his mom just how far he could throw his snowballs.  “Putnam County doesn’t really have a whole lot of fun things for kids to do,” Lisa Sheptock said a company specializing in bringing snow to Florida about three hours to lay down the snow for the two snow play areas and the dual sledding slide which was half metal and half fresh snow.  Plenty of families returned to this week’s event after attending in December 2023 It was some children’s first time trying the snow slide but others picked up where they left off from previous years.  But people who wanted a break from the sledding and snowball fights grab snacks from local vendors or get their faces painted Sheriff’s office deputies brought a special utility vehicle for people to explore and flew in a helicopter for kids to see.  Many people at the event explored and took pictures with the special utility vehicle and helicopter that sheriff’s office deputies took to the fairgrounds Daily News Publisher Jennifer Moates said she is thankful to the sheriff’s office and all other sponsors from Positively Putnam who made the event possible Although Moates volunteered while trying to stay warm in a full coat she thought the 40-degree weather added authenticity.  “What a great time we had at Snow Day,” she said “Thank you to everyone who came out to play in the snow check out the sheriff department’s helicopter or just throw a snowball or two.”  was arrested early yesterday morning for allegedly having sex with a young teenage girl a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle parked outside a vacant house in the 6500 block of NW 29th Terrace (the Northwood area) The officer reported that when he approached the car Matson was lying on the victim’s lap in the back seat and the victim was not wearing pants The age of the victim was redacted from the arrest report Matson reportedly said he thought the victim was 18 years old and that he had met her about a year ago on Instagram when he thought she was 17; he said he and the victim had had sex just before the officer arrived Matson also reportedly told another officer that he’d had intercourse with the victim about five times over one to two years The victim reportedly told the officer that Matson knew her true age and she confirmed that they’d had sexual intercourse She reportedly said she had smoked a little marijuana with Matson The officer reportedly found a used condom on the ground just outside the car an open condom wrapper on the floorboard of the car The arrest report notes that ignorance of a juvenile’s age even if the juvenile misrepresents her age cannot be raised as a defense in the prosecution in a case like this Matson has been charged with lewd/lascivious battery on a girl under 16 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor but he has a felony conviction in Flagler County for illegally carrying a concealed firearm and he recently served 200 days in jail after violating probation Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law Hopefully he got a ticket for the Hazmat litter he left outside the car Something tells me that this is not the only victim I’m sure the police are taking applications instead of creating another fatherless child It’s sad because you truly don’t know which one of them is telling the truth about her age but she honestly likes him as he likes her These kids and grown folks I am telling you just nasty Things like this ruins someone else’s life no matter what Cause this young man is going to prison and will always have a label following him the rest of his life no matter where he goes!!!! I bet her momma ain’t happy she sneaked outta the house for a car date… gonna end up with a baby from a useless criminal and it will become a burden on society <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('login_submit_comment') #> <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('commenting_as',ThriveComments.current_user.display_name || ( ThriveComments.social_user && ThriveComments.social_user.name ) ) #> <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('guest_comment') #> Florida Highway Patrol officials announced the deaths of two people involved in a crash along State Road 100 Two adults died and a preteen was seriously injured in a Tuesday morning head-on crash near Carraway Florida Highway Patrol confirmed a 34-year-old Live Oak man and a 38-year-old Palatka woman died from injuries sustained in the crash A 12-year-old Palatka boy who was in the vehicle with the woman from Palatka was hospitalized with serious injuries had been traveling eastbound on S.R.100 east of Roberts Lane a sedan driven by a 30-year-old Palatka man a sports utility vehicle carrying the Palatka woman and child was traveling westbound behind the second vehicle “The driver of (vehicle one) exited the eastbound lane and traveled into the westbound lane,” the agency reported “(Vehicle one’s) left side sideswiped (vehicle two’s) left side.” The front of the first sedan then struck the front of the SUV and the first car came to a stop in a position that obstructed traffic in the eastbound lane of S.R The second vehicle stopped in the grass of the north road shoulder tree line facing southeast and the third car also stopped on the grass of the north shoulder but faced northwest The Palatka man driving the second vehicle received minor injuries The crash blocked both lanes of traffic on S.R according to a Facebook post from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office expected the area to be blocked for at least five more hours.  “Traffic is being diverted to Springside Shortcut Road to Carraway Mail Route Road,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook “Avoid the area if at all possible as there is a large fire and law enforcement presence.” A student at Palatka Junior-Senior High School faces a felony gun charge over a pistol found in a pickup on school grounds Deputies searched the teen’s truck on Monday and located a revolver and 17 shotgun shells but the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office was unable to confirm any details about the case and said it was an active investigation The 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property according to a press release made by the sheriff’s office The sheriff's office identified him and published his photograph on its Facebook page but WUFT is withholding his name because he is facing a criminal charge in juvenile court The truck was searched to “ensure there was no firearm on school grounds,” according to a statement by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office The statement also said that the suspect’s truck was searched “following a Friday off-campus fight.” Sheriff Homer ‘Gator’ DeLoach said that guns on a school campus will not be tolerated you will be arrested and charged,” said DeLoach you won’t do well on the big boy side of jail.” The suspect was taken to the Putnam County Jail and transferred to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Daytona Beach it is illegal for a minor to possess a firearm unless actively hunting Going to school is not a part of actively hunting according to the statement from the sheriff’s office Putnam County School District's administrative offices will also be closed Wednesday Putnam County School District announced its schools and other buildings will close Wednesday as the county could face treacherous conditions brought on by cold weather.  A freeze warning for Putnam County is in effect through 10 a.m The agency cautioned drivers to look out for slippery road conditions Superintendent Rick Surrency said all students and district employees will have the day off so no one tries to drive to or from any district facility.  “Out of an abundance of caution due to the icy roads and hazardous driving conditions we want our students and employees to remain home off the road for their safety,” Surrency said in a text message.  Individual schools should let families know if after-school activities for today are canceled according to a district press release.  Students and employees are expected to return to the district Thursday Despite district facilities reopening Thursday Surrency advised parents to make sure their children are prepared for the frosty temperatures that are expected throughout the week.  “Please ensure students are dressed warmly for bus rides and outdoor activities,” district officials said in a press release The Putnam County Parks and Recreation Department announced today via Facebook that all recreational events had been canceled for the evening.  The Weather Channel predicted rain to start around 5 p.m today and last through Wednesday morning.  “Appropriate action should be taken to ensure tender vegetation and outdoor pets have adequate protection from the cold temperatures,” Weather Channel officials said in an alert today.  “Young children the elderly and the homeless are especially vulnerable to the cold Some parts of the Panhandle received snow this afternoon but no snow has been forecasted to fall in Putnam County.  one local organization is preparing to keep vulnerable people warm as temperatures plummet.  The Putnam County Caring Coalition is opening a cold-weather shelter at First Presbyterian Church’s Westminster Hall Executive Director Georgia Mitchell said the shelter will be open from 7 p.m she estimated as she echoed The Weather Channel’s warning about protecting the young it makes it difficult for unhoused people to stay warm She said people who lose heat in their homes this week are also welcome to take shelter at Westminster Hall snacks and hot showers will be provided.  “We want to make it as easy as possible to keep people comfortable,” Mitchell said.  call Mitchell at  609-865-6706.  Commission cuts live stream while discussing who they want to hire who was eventually chosen as the new city manager speaks during his interview with the Palatka City Commission on Wednesday afternoon After it undergoes a near-total renovation Kelley Smith Elementary School will be known as Palatka Primary School the vast majority of kindergarten through second grade students enrolled in traditional public school in Palatka will be attending one school by the 2027-2028 academic year Putnam County School District officials announced Kelley Smith Elementary School will become Palatka Primary School by that academic year but will no longer cater to grades three through six.  the city’s only other general public elementary schools,  will close at the start of the 2027-2028 school year The Children’s Reading Center Charter School will continue to accommodate students from kindergarten through sixth grade will continue to cater to preschool students and students with developmental differences Students in third through sixth grade will start attending Palatka Intermediate School The intermediate school will open at the site of the former E.H Construction on the intermediate school began last year and district officials said construction at the Kelley Smith property will begin in July or August and take place during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years Surrency acknowledged the primary and intermediate schools are only 1.6 miles away from each other the district’s associate superintendent for support services said one reason the district and Public Schools Advisory Committee chose the sites is because they are both on the same side of town.  “It’s conveniently located (next) to the (the) intermediate school,” Bolling said if parents have younger kids at the primary school … they could drop those kids off and then go over to the intermediate school.” Long and Moseley sparked concern at a past meeting of the Bond Oversight Committee which is made up of Putnam residents to oversee the district’s use of a general obligation bond to build new and renovate existing elementary schools.  54.8% of Putnam voters approved the district using a $300 million general obligation bond to fund the construction of six new elementary schools throughout the county Putnam voters will pay back the bond over 30 years via an additional property tax Long will be the second school to close on the north side of Palatka having closed at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.  with the way school zoning in Palatka is configured not every student who lives on the north side attends James A there’s a number of students who are already transported to Kelley Smith Long apartments and some of those,” Surrency said “ It’s not like those students are not familiar with that area.” Another reason officials chose Kelley Smith is because the district needed to keep the sixth-grade wing of the school The wing will be remodeled but will continue to serve as the county’s hurricane shelter for people with special needs The Florida Department of Education required the wing to be kept intact because it is newer than other parts of the school.  which is at the southernmost part of the facility Finances were also a factor in choosing the locations of the primary and intermediate schools Long and Moseley would each cost at least $4 million more to reconstruct than Kelley Smith Surrency and Bolling would not release the exact cost – or even an estimate – for the near-total reconstruction of Kelley Smith “I don’t necessarily want to put that out right now because it’s not exact pricing,” Bolling said and we have to get construction firms to – well The district plans to post its request for architects to submit their qualifications for the project within the next week Kelley Smith students will not have to change schools during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years Students will need to transfer from Kelley Smith to James A The district bought an extra 5.5 acres of land south of the school to add to Palatka Primary “The biggest reason that we bought that piece of property was to be able to have more room on that campus and pull traffic off of the road because Kelley Smith traffic is a bit – well it’s not the best right now,” Bolling said “We want to make sure we pull that traffic onto the actual campus itself to get it out of the neighborhoods and off the highway.”  While Surrency understands the district might receive backlash because of these decisions he said the district has had to make many difficult decisions since the plans for revitalization were introduced four years ago.  “That bond thing was a very tough one because – we’ve said this many times – this bond election happened when the economy tanked All of this is taking place because of that.” When all of the school construction is complete which includes reconstruction of most junior-senior high schools being paid for with state funds Putnam residents will benefit from the outcome Roberts Junior-Senior High School does not require renovations because it is the county’s newest school Passionate Palatka Junior-Senior High School Panthers might also be happy to know the primary and intermediate Palatka schools will adopt blue and gold school colors and the panther mascot “I think to see … construction taking place and actually having some plans of our students actually moving into the building is very gratifying,” Surrency said “It’s great to see a plan come to fruition.” State Road 100 west of Palatka is one of the sections of road a new task force is trying to make safer to travel Gainesville-headquartered Radiant Credit Union announced Thursday a merger with Palatka-based First Coast Community Credit Union with goals to expand resources while keeping the community feel of both institutions Radiant Credit Union said completion of the merger is anticipated for December when it gets membership and regulatory approval First Coast Community Credit Union will get absorbed into Radiant as a result First Coast Community has nearly 12,000 members and Radiant Credit Union has 48,000 members.  but pavement-pounding journalism is not free Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible told Mainstreet that the next step for the merger will be a vote by First Coast Community members (anyone who has an account) He said the vote will likely happen in August the credit unions will then file the proper paperwork with state regulators and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) said the company is thrilled to welcome the members and employees of First Coast Community Credit Union to the Radiant family “This merger represents a significant milestone in our combined mission to help more of our members achieve financial success,” Barnard said in the release “By expanding our footprint and combining our resources we can enhance the financial well-being of our overall membership while maintaining the personalized service and community commitment that define both organizations.” Both institutions have their roots in North Central Florida Radiant Credit Union began in 1957 with members chipping in $5 each to give Florida USDA Federal Credit Union its first assets The credit union only served United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees at first but the company morphed into a not-for-profit financial institution that serves anyone First Coast Community Credit Union offered services to the employees of Hudson Pulp and Paper Mill starting in 1948 The mill’s employees launched the credit union that evolved over the years including a merger with the Putnam County Teachers Credit Union in 2008 president and CEO of First Coast Community Credit Union “Our two credit unions share a common vision—putting our members first and fostering strong local connections,” Lunsford said in a press release “This merger allows us to maintain the small-town community-based credit union feel that our members love while benefiting from the additional resources and locations of Radiant.” The press release said members of both credit unions can expect regular updates as the merger moves forward and employees of First Coast Community Credit Union will transition to roles with Radiant Credit Union Strickland said the merger allows Radiant to expand into a new area of Florida where it currently lacks branches He said Radiant plans to keep all First Coast Community employees both to serve this new area and to ensure the same service members are used to Strickland added that the merger will give more internal opportunities to First Coast Community employees First Coast Community branches will eventually rebrand to Radiant but Strickland said it’ll be a steady process want to make sure membership and folks in the communities are aware of the correlation between the two organizations so it’s not…‘Hey you’re this today and you’re this tomorrow,’” Strickland said “It’s definitely a little more tactical in how we make that transition over time and introduce Radiant into the markets where First Coast is The benefits to current First Coast Community members will be enhanced online banking services and more ATM and location options Strickland said Radiant members will also see a change Adding members will give Radiant more size to offer services currently out of reach Join your neighbors who make this work possible Tate and Jessie Miller are pictured on the front porch of their Grand Gables Inn Bed & Breakfast which will be featured on the Woman’s Club of Palatka’s Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday The countdown is on for area residents to get a chance to go inside five private historic homes and one home-turned-bed and breakfast throughout Palatka Sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Woman’s Club of Palatka will see all of the participating locations decorated for the holidays participants will pick up their wristbands and programs The tickets are $25 while they last and will be available at the door Tickets can be purchased at www.gfwcpalatka.com/event-tickets by emailing gfwcpalatka@aol.com or by calling 386-937-3196 The tickets are also available at Lemon Street Market & Mercantile Proceeds from the event will support local charities and future community projects.  One of the featured places on the tour is Grand Gables Inn Bed & Breakfast owned by Tate and Jessie Miller The house has been described as perhaps the most palatial home in all of Florida according to a news release from the Woman’s Club.  “This three-story house has eight bedrooms six-and-a-half baths and is a stunning example of Queen Anne architecture by famed New England architect Rufus Sargent,” according to the news release “The bed and breakfast also has 12-foot ceilings a grand staircase and a sweeping veranda where guests can luxuriate in rooms steeped in American history.” The Millers purchased the property in 2017 from the late Pauline Pellicer and opened the inn in November of that year The property was the inspiration for what the Millers have turned it into today “It called out for someone to open it as a bed and breakfast,” Tate Miller said.  There is nothing in the state quite like the bed and breakfast house which still has its 140-year-old solid cherry wood China cabinet still fully intact.  “All rooms are decorated in period-correct style,” he said.  Another point of interest in the house is an underground tunnel which at one time went all the way from the basement to the St “It originally went 150 yards from the house to the river,” Tate Miller said.  He believes it was in 2000 that Pellicer took on a nine-year remodel and she had workers fill in the tunnel and seal it up “It took us nine months to find the location of the tunnel,” he said “We opened up the first 10 feet so visitors could see this interesting feature.” This is the first time the bed and breakfast has been in the Tour of Homes “This house is a very important part of Palatka history,” said Tate Miller who lives next door to the bed and breakfast with his wife “People are stunned when they see the house and hear its history.” those on the tour will be able to see the six showcased historic places that will immerse them in the charm and history of Palatka.  “This tour of homes has a wealth of information and history that Putnam County residents will especially find interesting,” she said “It’s amazing to hear about all of the interesting facts.” Another place on the tour is a home that was owned by well-known local residents who was the namesake for Crill Avenue in Palatka and later a chief engineer with Hubbard Hart’s steamship line Tour-goers might also want to take note of another home that was owned by a funeral home proprietor who served as a city commissioner which was owned by a man who was a partner in the Palatka-Jacksonville Steamboat Line is one of the oldest buildings in Palatka and was remodeled as a Colonial Revival-style home.  the tour will showcase a home that dates way back to the 1800s a superintendent of the Putnam County School District a local sheriff and the owner of the Howell Theatre.  May hopes the public will take time to visit these historic places through the self-guided walking tour “We are looking for another successful home tour this year,” said May “Most of the homes on the tour are located in the North (Historic District) and South Historic District and are decorated for the season to get everyone in a festive This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Authorities say a gun and 17 rounds were found in a truck at Palatka Junior-Senior High School on Monday the vice president of economic development for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce speaks at the Elevate Putnam launch in June A local business official is celebrating Putnam County’s status as the Florida county that saw the most per-capital job growth last year.  informed the Daily News there had been a 4.1% increase in jobs gained last year.  The figures come from the Florida Scorecard which said Putnam gained 1,103 jobs last year.  While other counties may have added a higher number of primary jobs Putnam topping the rankings on a per-capita basis is amazing Putnam is estimated to have 77,301 residents as of July 1 Putnam having a population that pales in comparison to its six neighboring counties makes it even more special that the county was listed as the largest per-capita job generator “The impact of a rural county leading the state in job growth by per capital is huge,” he said “And it really shows that Putnam County is growing who began working for the county in August 2022 1 is a far cry from when he arrived in Putnam County He is enjoying Putnam’s “monumental” ascension in the job rankings and wants to continue the trend.  Now you understand why I said ‘monumental.” There are numerous factors that contributed to Putnam’s No the five-year effort local business officials thought up in 2023 and publicly launched in June 2024 Elevate Putnam officials said the goals for the campaign included creating 750 near primary jobs and more than 220 indirect support jobs securing $500 million in new capital investment generating more than $65 million in new annual earnings and adding $36 million in new local annual consumer expenditures officials noted $3,033,750 had been raised and they set a new stretch goal of $3.5 million to secure jobs attract more people to live in Putnam and otherwise improve the local quality of life.  Litten boasted of Putnam exceeding its 750-job goal by more than 350 jobs saying it was proof Elevate Putnam is living up to its name.  Litten also cited Florida’s increasing population as a reason Putnam added the highest percentage of jobs At least 1,000 people move to Florida every day and local companies have had to hire more people to meet the demands CertainTeed in Palatka needs more workers to manufacture drywall for the increasing number of homes being constructed Georgia-Pacific is making more paper products to go in those homes and in businesses and Veritas Steel is making more beams for bridges being built in Florida.  “There’s a demand; there’s a buildup,” Litten said “There’s a lot of construction going on in Florida So that’s why these projects are happening here Litten would like to see more people moving to Putnam County and more businesses setting up shop or expanding considering how much more expensive it is to build in neighboring counties.  Business officials are learning 1 acre of industrially zoned land we’re a lower-cost option that makes sense for them and helps their bottom line,” Litten said why pay $150,000 an acre when you can pay ($50,000)?” (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)  A Christmas night triple shooting in a Palatka parking lot left two people dead and a third in critical condition It started with a large crowd gathering in a parking lot in the 100 block of North 19th Street they heard several gunshots coming from the area of the Palatka Daily News at 1825 St of Crescent City was being treated in critical condition No other information about what may have led up to the shooting or a description of the shooter or shooters was released as the investigation continues About 75 evidence markers were at the scene The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office are assisting detectives Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Lt David Lazo at (386) 329-0115 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at (888) 277-8477 Owner Aashton Hodge sits inside his new location at the St Johns River Center is under the ownership of Charlie Douglas The smell of roasted coffee beans wafted along the Palatka riverfront Tuesday as an established business settled into its second day operating in a new location in the city.  Owner Aashton Hodge said having the coffee shop at the River Center “It feels like we’re on the ground level of bringing life back to downtown Palatka,” Hodge said and (we’re) very happy to be part of that.” The river center location is open from 7 a.m but Hodge said that after the Florida Azalea Festival The riverfront branch of Palatka Coffee Co Hodge plans to sell the Hastings location next month but it will remain a coffee shop under the new ownership Hodge said his family is supportive of the company’s new venture He opened the Crill Avenue location about five years ago because establishing a coffee shop was something he always wanted to try.  and because he and his wife used to own Tangles Hair Salon at the Crill Pointe Plaza they thought it would be a good fit to open a coffee shop next door to the salon.  “Two of my kids are employees,” Hodge said When he found out in March about the opportunity to open a new location in the river center locals continued to flow in and out of the center to get their coffee with Hodge estimating he had about 50 customers at that location on opening day Patrons were treated to music from Blue Crab Development employee Sandy Robinson said she has been a frequent Palatka Coffee Co customer since the Crill Avenue location opened in 2020.  who was getting coffee at the river center Tuesday morning and I think they’d just be a good asset downtown.” and the Palatka shops are known for ham and cheddar scones The river center location has tables inside for patrons to enjoy their coffee and Hodge said they are also working to make rooftop access available to customers.  said the city’s downtown used to be bustling when he was younger He remembered JCPenney and a popular drug store along St Johns Avenue and said there always used to be much to do in the 1970s and 1980s.  He hopes more businesses like his will draw people back to the area.  “I always felt like the river was just underutilized in this town because of how beautiful it is down here,” Hodge said.  will hold a food distribution Saturday morning in Palatka Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed What: 76 Strong Palatka Free Food Distribution To find a food pantry near you, please visit www.farmshare.org/food-pantries. Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism. A sign at the Putnam County Government Complex in Palatka points the way to the early voting polling place at the Supervisor of Elections Office Early voting for an upcoming special election will soon be open for all eligible voters to choose their next congressional representative.  The purpose of the April 1 election is to find someone to replace former U.S the Republican who represented Florida’s 6th Congressional District While Election Day is more than a week away early voting will begin Saturday and will run through March 29 and last from 8:30 a.m People can vote early at one of three locations: the South Putnam Government Complex in Crescent City; the Interlachen Community Center County Road 315; and the Supervisor of Elections Office Libertarian Andrew Parrott and no party affiliation candidate Randall Terry are competing for the congressional seat Counties have the option of extending early voting beyond the required eight days and the Supervisor of Elections Office normally does so before primaries and general elections Elections Supervisor Overturf III decided to stick with the minimum for the special election because he didn’t think the voter turnout would be high based on the turnout for the special primary in which only Republicans and Democrats could participate drew only a 10% voter turnout in Putnam County according to Election Office records.  Overturf hopes more people make their way to polling locations during the special general election in Putnam had submitted their mail-in ballot “It’s better than what we were before,” Overturf said Today is the last day to request a mail ballot from the Elections Office For more information on the special election Kathy Melton holds the keys to her new home after she closed on the Palatka property April 4 (Photo courtesy of Azcarate Consulting Group)