Archive for the ‘Bad News’ Category

Bad news for St. Johns County commuters who regularly use the S.R. 206 bridge at Crescent Beach. The county is about to begin a 300 day job to give the bridge a fresh coat of paint, which will warrant some complete closures of the structure. According to a press release from the FDOT today, the bridge will be closed for 15 days at some point during the process (it has not been stated yet when the dates of the closures will be).  On those days the bridge will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., allowing for some rush hour traffic to pass through. Traffic will otherwise be diverted north to the S.R. 312 bridge.

The FDOT promises to put out signs advertising the closures at least two weeks beforehand. Additionally, the project may require some one-lane closures not restricted to specific times and possibly even channel closures or restrictions for the water below, as much of the work will be conducted on the underside of the bridge.

Take this into account over the next few months and remember to drive safely out there!

- OldCity.com

Just a little over 900 miles from St. Augustine, the island nation of Haiti has fallen into the claws of a nearly unimaginable catastrophe on the heels of a massive earthquake. Millions of people have been affected by injuries, casualties and loss of shelter. As the world comes together to lend a hand, you may be wondering what you can do as one individual to assist a nation of people in such dire need. We have gathered here a few examples of reputable organizations who could use your help and how you can give it to them today.

- The American Red Cross: By simply texting “Haiti” to 90999 you can give $10 to the Red Cross, applied to your next cellphone bill. Already, the organization has raised $3 million through this text campaign. They estimate that 91 cents of every dollar donated to the Red Cross is actually invested in humanitarian aid. You can also donate redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

- UNICEF: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is also working around the clock to bring aid to the citizens of Haiti. You can donate in any amount to their cause at unicefusa.org. Every little bit helps get much needed supplies to the desperate island nation.

- Yele & The Haiti Earthquake Alliance: Haitian native and world renowned recording artist Wyclef Jean is on the ground in his home country helping to rescue survivors from the rubble. In the meantime, his organization Yele, a foundation for raising money for Haiti, has formed an alliance of networks that have already been able to send four airlifts worth of supplies to Port-au-Prince. You can donate to the alliance through yele.org or text “Yele” to 501501 to make a $5 donation.

Internet technology is also offering the world a unique way to get closer to what’s going on and get a better understanding of how bad this devastation is. Two high school graduates from Jacksonville who have been doing some missionary work in Haiti have a blog that you can check out for their first hand accounts of the earthquake.

For more ways that you can help the relief effort, take a look at this article from CNN.com.

Our prayers continue to rest with the citizens of Haiti and the rescuers working tirelessly to help them.

- OldCity.com

Skaters around St. Augustine will have to find another place to practice their grinds and flips somewhere else for the next three weeks. From November 30th to December 21st, the city will be working to add a sound attenuation wall to the Hamilton Upchurch Skate Park, located on the corner of Red Cox Road and Anastasia Blvd. (near the lighthouse and R. B. Hunt Elementary).

The $370,000 skate park was just opened in April of 2009 after a collaborative effort between the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County and several private contributors. It includes multiple skate ramps, picnic tables, a fitness walk and a playground.

For those skaters still looking for a park to hang out in, head over to the 28,000 square feet of concrete known as Robert-Laryn Skate Park at the Treaty Park complex off of Wildwood Drive until the renovations at the beach skate park are completed.

George W. Alford III, “Big George”, 61, Port Orange, went to meet our Lord on June 23, 2009 after fighting a long battle with Leukemia. Services will be announced at a later date. George was born in Daytona Beach on December 26, 1947, and was a member of Port Orange Christian Church. He attended Mainland High School and D.B.C.C. and was a Sergeant in the Army National Guard. As a young man, he worked at his family’s business, Alford Electric Motor Repairs, for a number of years. Being the “shade tree mechanic” that he was, he then opened his own consulting and ground water rehabilitation company, Alford, Rogers, Cullimore Concepts, Inc. George was the holder of seven U.S. Patents and was a consultant for the E.P.A., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Overseas Companies and International Governments. Since the early 90’s, George was an enthusiastic participant in Alafia River Rendezvous, which is a pre-1840 living history event in Florida where he made many friends. He was also a participant in British Night watch in St. Augustine each year. Those who knew George would say he was truly “larger than life.” He had a wonderful sense of humor, had many friends and never met a stranger. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and a dear friend to all. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Barbara to whom he was married 33 years; daughters, Sherri DeCoudres, Port Orange, Cindy Ciresi, Port Orange; brothers, Julian Leslie (Becky) Alford, Minden, LA, James (Linda) Alford, Port Orange; nieces, Tracy (Jeff) Moore, Pensacola, FL, Alicia Queally, Easton, CT, Michelle Pawlish, Rockville, MD; nephew, Julian Leslie Black, Dearing, GA; great niece, Taylor; great nephews, Zachary and Christopher; and Goddaughter, Tabatha Carwise, Daytona Beach. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Port Orange Christian Church, 904 Taylor Road, Port Orange, FL 32127 or to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.

Michael  Jackson, the “King of Pop”,  apparently died this afternoon of massave coranary failure.
Various news sources reported earlier today that Michael Jackson suffered a heart attack this afternoon at a home on the 100 block of Carolwood Drive off Sunset Boulevard in Bel Air that Jackson rented. He was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Paramedics responded to a call at Jackson’s home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital.

A Jackson family member, who was not identified, had told TMZ.com that Michael was in “really bad shape� as the brothers headed to the hospital.

TMZ later reported “We’ve just learned Michael Jackson has died. Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.�

Affects Boaters, Shellfish Harvesting, Fishing

A 10� sewage main break occurred Saturday at the mouth of Oyster Creek. The City of St. Augustine has been diverting the sewage and working on repairing the break since since it occured.  

Because of  the break, the public is advised that boating, fishing, the harvesting of shellfish and swimming is prohibited in and around Oyster Creek and the San Sebastian River. When these waterways are clear for the aforementioned activities, the city will issue an advisory. 

For more information call John Regan, Chief Operations Officer, at 669.1873.