In today's Digest:
🏛️ Reuben Franklin takes over as interim St. Augustine city manager Dec. 17.
💧 Tour Elkton's $191.8 million water reclamation plant at Thursday's ribbon cutting.
📷 County commissioners will discuss permits for Flock cameras on Oct. 20.
🇬🇷 The Greek Festival returns to Holy Trinity this weekend, Oct. 17-18.
🍕 Alfred’s brings pizza, pasta and arcade games to the old Sailor’s Exchange.
🍕 Pizza, Pasta and Arcade Games on West King
Pizza, housemade pasta, and salads are on the menu at Alfred’s, located at 222 W. King St. in St. Augustine. Housed in the former Sailor’s Exchange building, the restaurant was opened in June by owner Ryan Kunsch, who also founded Sarbez!.
Beyond the food, Alfred’s brings a little extra fun to the dining experience with arcade games, local art, and a stage for live music. Planning to grab something to go? Takeout orders must be placed at the counter, as the restaurant doesn't accept phone or online orders.
Read more here.
🏛️ Franklin named interim St. Augustine city manager
The Gist: The St. Augustine City Commission voted unanimously October 12 to appoint Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin as interim city manager. He will take over December 17, the day after David Birchim retires.
Why It Matters: The city manager oversees St. Augustine's departments and daily services. Franklin will run them while a newly seated commission chooses a permanent manager.
What's Next: Franklin starts December 17. The new commission plans to choose a permanent manager in early 2027.
Read more here.
💧 Elkton's $191.8 million water plant opens for tours Thursday
The Gist: St. Johns County will hold a ribbon cutting and public tours Thursday, October 15, at its State Road 207 Water Reclamation Facility in Elkton. The $191.8 million plant began operating May 11 and can treat 3.25 million gallons of wastewater a day.
Why It Matters: The plant produces reclaimed irrigation water, reducing demand for drinking water. The county expects it to keep more than 1 million pounds of nutrients out of the Matanzas River over 20 years.
What's Next: The ceremony starts at 9 a.m. at 3055 State Road 207. Wear closed-toe shoes for the tour.
Read more here.
🚗 $42.5 million CR 210 widening is complete
The Gist: St. Johns County widened about three miles of CR 210 from two lanes to four between Old CR 210/Greenbriar Road and Cimarrone Boulevard. The $42.5 million project also added bridges, sidewalks on both sides, drainage work and traffic signals.
Why It Matters: The widened road joins the existing four-lane section at Cimarrone Boulevard. Sidewalks now run on both sides, and three new signals serve Stillwater, Shearwater and Greenbriar Road.
Read more here.
📷 County to debate permits for Flock cameras Oct. 20
The Gist: St. Johns County commissioners agreed October 6 to put Flock Safety license plate readers on their October 20 agenda. They will discuss permits for cameras on county rights-of-way after residents raised the issue during public comment.
Why It Matters: The permits determine whether the cameras can occupy county roads. Residents have raised privacy concerns about the sheriff's use of the system.
What's Next: Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the camera permits October 20th.
Read more here.
🌧️ St. Augustine reports stalled cars after rain and king tides
The Gist: Rain and king tides left standing water on Oglethorpe Boulevard in Davis Shores last week. St. Augustine officials said several cars stalled on flooded roads, while city and county crews checked drains and road conditions.
Why It Matters: The city is designing a seawall at Maria Sanchez Lake and planning a pump at its south end to address flooding near downtown.
Read more here.
🎃 Tricks and Treats Halloween Festival | St. Augustine Beach Police Department and City Hall parking lot | St. Augustine Beach | Fri, Oct 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | More
See police and fire vehicles, play Halloween games and collect treats for free.
👻 Monster Mash Dance Party | Ketterlinus Gymnasium | St. Augustine | Fri, Oct 16, 6-9 p.m. | More
Drop off K-5 kids for pizza, dancing and a haunted-house walk; pay $5.
📚 Storytime at the Lightner | Lightner Museum | St. Augustine | Sat, Oct 17, 10-11 a.m. | More
Kids ages 3-6 hear a story and make a craft; free registration required.
🎨 Lightner Museum Family Day | Lightner Museum | St. Augustine | Sat, Oct 17, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | More
Decorate pumpkins, make pinecone bats and play games; museum admission required.
🇬🇷 St. Augustine Greek Festival | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | St. Augustine | Sat-Sun, Oct 17-18; Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | More
Greek food, pastries and dancing; free admission and a Murray Middle School shuttle.
🎸 Anastasia BLVD Block Party | Nobby's, Sarbez and The Flamingo | St. Augustine | Fri, Oct 16, 6 p.m.-midnight | More
A $20 wristband covers bands, art vendors and roller skating across three venues.
🎭 War of the Worlds Radio Play | St. Augustine Waterworks | St. Augustine | Fri-Sun, Oct 16-18, 7 p.m. | More
Catch a staged version of the 1938 radio drama; tickets cost $20.
🎷 Seafood and Jazz Festival | St. Paul Park | St. Augustine | Sat, Oct 17, 1-5 p.m. | More
Live jazz and a seafood dinner in Lincolnville; $25 admission includes the meal.
🎤 Danny Johnson Stand-Up Comedy | Limelight Theatre | St. Augustine | Sat, Oct 17, 7-9 p.m. | More
Danny Johnson's PG-13 set draws on two decades of observational comedy.
🎶 An Evening with CAKE | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Wed, Oct 21, 8 p.m.; doors 6:30 p.m. | More
CAKE plays its genre-blending rock; tickets start at $72.07.
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