ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH

St. John’s County Marine Rescue came to the aid of multiple swimmers in distress at beaches from the State Park to Crescent Beach.

A child is in custody Friday after flashing what appeared to be a gun, causing panic at the St. Augustine Beach Pier.

The surf instructor who helped rescue one of the two people out of the water at St. Augustine Beach Thursday is talking about the traumatic experience.

One person was taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon after being recused by the St. Johns County Fire Rescue.

No matter where you are fishing or what you are fishing for, Fishbites Trading Post has you covered.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the November crash of a small plane into the surf at Anastasia Island.

News4JAX has compiled a list of the places planning to light up the sky on Saturday night.

Miraculously, no one was injured when a small plane surveying damage from Nicole made an emergency landing late Monday morning at Anastasia State Park’s beach and then flipped, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The City of St. Augustine is asking residents to limit their water usage as of Friday afternoon in an effort to relieve stress on the sewer system.

In efforts to begin recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, The City of St. Augustine officials are asking residents to separate yard debris and damaged items when preparing them for curbside pickup.

Mandatory evacuations were underway Wednesday for roughly 180,000 people in St. Johns County as Hurricane Ian approaches the state. People living near water are advised to go to higher ground and leave their homes.

St. Johns County officials said Tuesday they plan to issue an evacuation order for around 180,000 residents in areas around waterways starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The St. Augustine Beach Police Department and the St. Johns County Tax Collector’s Office will host a free car seat safety check event this weekend.

A local group that helps single mothers and their children avoid homelessness is a step closer to breaking ground on a new campus.

Those who wanted to catch the sunrise on the beach near Mickler’s Landing got the perfect parking spot Saturday for the first time in months.

The federal government is spending more than $60 million on projects to restore damaged St. Johns County beaches.

Local artists are helping veterans who are dealing with PTSD.

A St. Augustine Beach commissioner has resigned from his position following the arrest of his wife, who was charged with driving under the influence.

Steps from the St. Augustine Beach shoreline, the nearly 100-year-old building, bearing the address 370 State Road A1A, is living history. A history that helped change America forever.

Curbside recycling collection service will resume in St. Augustine Beach starting Jan. 3, the city announced on Friday.

Many New Year’s Eve celebrations are still a go despite COVID-19 cases surging across the country.

2021 is coming to a close, and soon it’ll be time to ring in the new year.

This past weekend’s nor’easter brought high tides, flooding, and strong winds to the first coast.

Coastal flood warnings are up along all of the Florida and Georgia coastal areas, including all inland tidal areas. Northeast winds continue to build into sunrise Saturday, then subside into Sunday.

Coastal flood watches have been issues along all of the Florida and Georgia coastal areas, including all inland tidal areas. Northeast winds continue to slowly build into Saturday, then only slowly subside into Sunday.

The city of St. Augustine Beach on Wednesday recognized a man who rescued a swimmer during rough weather almost a year ago.

Despite the fact that critical race theory is not taught in St. Johns County schools or any public schools in the state, residents who attended a St. Johns County School Board meeting Tuesday spoke out against the controversial idea.

It’s one of the busiest times at the beach. St. Johns lifeguards, deputies, and officers will be working together for Memorial Day Weekend to make it the safest experience for all beachgoers.

The St. Johns County School Board is meeting Tuesday morning to discuss possible changes to the dress code after calls from parents to make the enforcement more equitable have grown louder over the past three months.

The changes under consideration for the St. Johns County School District’s student dress code include doing away with a rule that girls’ skirts must be no shorter than four inches above the knee and making the dress code standards the same for boys and girls, according to an internal document obtained by News4Jax.

The changes under consideration for the St. Johns County School District’s student dress code include doing away with a rule that girls’ skirts must be no shorter than four inches above the knee and making the dress code standards the same for boys and girls, according to an internal document obtained by News4Jax.

Lifeguards on Sunday rescued four people from the surf at St. Augustine Beach near Ocean Hammock Park.

Outside an unassuming house in St. Augustine Beach, just blocks away from the ocean, a thin blue line flag hangs high in the wind.

This garden exercise helps your flowering and budding plants keep and produce more blooms.

Interim Police Chief Daniel Carswell has been selected to take on the permanent role for the city of St. Augustine Beach.

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – Driftwood Beach in Georgia is among the best beaches in the country, according to a new report. The location made #11 in the “Top 25 Beaches in the United States,” according to TripAdvisor. Last year, St. Augustine Beach made the list, but the local beach came up short this year. Ad[RELATED | Positively Jax: Volunteers rake in the trash at beaches clean-ups | Amelia Island Kayak Excursions voted Jax Best Watersports Rental]Florida made up two of the ten top beaches in 2021. These are the ‘Top 10’ beaches that travelers say are the world’s best:Saint Pete Beach, FLKa’anapali Beach, HIMoonstone Beach, CAWailea Beach, HICannon Beach, ORNapili Beach, HIOgunquit Beach, MEWaiʻānapanapa State Park, HIMadeira Beach, FLKailua Beach Park, HIDriftwood Beach, GAFor a full list of ‘Top 25 Beaches in the U.S.’ click here.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – An unidentified woman died Thursday south of St. Augustine Beach after she was hit by a truck on State Road A1A, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The woman was struck while crossing through a crosswalk by a utility truck near Dondanville Road, according to FHP. The truck driver, who failed to see the pedestrian in the crosswalk before the collision, remained at the scene, FHP said. “The guy who ended up just leaving the store, he was making a left to turn off Dondanville,” said Rafiel Emanuel who works near the crash site. So, you got to really be careful.”Stephanie Meyers owns a home on Dondanville Road and also bikes nearby.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – The St. Augustine Beach Police Department is investigating reports of women accused of trying to use ice cream to lure children into a car. Police said officers were called Tuesday to Lakeshore Drive in St. Augustine Beach in reference to a child who was approached by the women in a small silver car. In that incident, according to police, a different pair of women approached children in a small silver car and offered them ice cream, but the children were never lured into the vehicle. AdTim Connor told News4Jax his two sons, ages 7 and 9, were riding on scooters when that incident happened and they took off when the women tried to offer them ice cream. They need to be careful they need to walk in groups, do not go off the beaten path,” said News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson.

A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with a crash that killed a man who was walking home near Cresent Beach last News Year’s Day was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with vehicular manslaughter. According to the report at the time, Downey stopped and tried to help the person, later identified as Richard Noak. Results returned in April showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.129 -- well above the legal limit to operate a vehicle. Toxicology also showed Downey had amphetamines and methamphetamines in his system at the time of the crash. Nearby homeowners have since posted signs on their mailboxes reminding drivers of the speed limit and report speeders when they see them.

CRESCENT BEACH, Fla. – Florida has a visitor. Andromache, a 10-feet, 8-inch sub-adult female great white shark “pinged” at 8:43 p.m. on Tuesday right off Crescent Beach, Florida just south of St. Augustine Beach. Andromache’s movements are being tracked in real time by OCEARCH’s Global Shark Tracker app. According to OCEARCH, Andromache was named after a character in Greek mythology of the same name and who is a symbol of maternity, strength and courage. She was the first tagged during OCEARCH’s Expedition Massachusetts 2020.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – The city of St. Augustine Beach is promoting several socially responsible events to encourage visitors to come down to the beach during the holiday season. RELATED: St. Augustine Nights of Lights returns Saturday“This year, St. Augustine Beach staff and commissioners invite you to ‘Light Up the Beach’ during the holiday season. Visit St. Augustine said businesses will be staying open later through the holiday season, so locals and tourists can enjoy the spectacle while shopping and dining. “It feels so good to have St. Augustine having all these lights, hundreds of thousands all strung up for us to enjoy," Brandon Kellogg said. Events being held during the season:Nov. 28 from 4-8 p.m.: Art walk/Shop & Dine the Beach (In association with the Art Studio of St. Augustine Beach); Pope Road to A StreetDec. 5 from 4-7 p.m.: Surf Illumination (Put on by the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association); St. Augustine Beach Pier ParkDec. 12 from 4-8:30 p.m.: Holiday Night Market (In association with The Wednesday Pier Farmers Market); St. Augustine Beach Pier ParkDec. 19 from 4-8 p.m.: Art walk/Shop & Dine the Beach (In association with the Art Studio of St. Augustine Beach); Pope Road to A StreetFor more information on the events, contact Melinda Conlon, Communications & Events Coordinator.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. A teenager was recovering Monday after he was bitten by a shark while surfing this weekend off the coast of St. Augustine Beach. It didnt really hurt in the moment because I was just, like, shocked that it actually happened, the St. Augustine teen recalled. News4Jax spoke with McGinn at his home on Monday as his father was cleaning his wounds with water, soap and Neosporin. The teen will be a freshman at St. Augustine High School and plans to be there on the first day of school, which is next week. The odds are, like, super low.According to News4Jax records, this was the first shark bite this year in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia waters.

During a trip to St. Augustine Beach on Wednesday, a married Georgia couple was arrested on charges of child neglect and drug possession, according to police. Investigators said police found meth, LSD, a gun and pornography in the car that Tiffany Smith, 31, and Cody Smith, 32, were driving. Kimberly Hunley, Tiffany Smiths sister, said she was in disbelief when she got a call about the couples arrest. Police said they noticed the children, ages 9 and 10, in the backseat, with some of the collected items in plain sight. Authorities drove the girls back to Georgia where they were placed in the care of their aunt and uncle.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. Teachers in Clay and St. Johns counties on Tuesday returned to school campuses for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close in late March. In St. Johns County, Tuesday marked the first of three consecutive teacher pre-planning days that will be used to prepare them for the new challenges of the upcoming school year. Superintendent Tim Forson welcomed the teachers back to school during a school board meeting Tuesday morning. Teachers in the county have two more in-service days before Clay students are scheduled to return to classes Aug. 25. Students in St. Johns County will come back Aug. 31.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. In low-lying areas in St. Johns County, the track of Tropical Storm Isaias couldnt have gone any better. But this has St. Johns County residents, who are already well accustomed to severe weather, preparing in case more storms pop up in the Atlantic this hurricane season. Hurricane Dorian in 2019 grazed St. Augustine but didnt leave nearly the amount of flooding damage as Matthew and Irma did. High winds at St. Augustine Beach made for a choppy surf and double flags warned people to stay out of the water, as swimming is prohibited at St. Johns County beaches until Tuesday at dawn. But families still visited St. Augustine Beach and its pier on Monday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. On this edition of This Week in Jacksonville, St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Rob Hardwick talks about his run for St. Johns County sheriff. In addition, Chris Strickland, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, talks about his bid to be St. Johns County sheriff. And Collective Voice Partners previews two upcoming virtual forums for Duval County voters.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. Over 10,000 students in St. Johns County have signed up for school-based distance learning for the 2020-2021 school year, according to figures released by the school district Friday. As of 4:30 p.m., 10,323 students have enrolled in school-based distance learning or about 24% of the nearly 44,000 public school students in the county. About 630 students have already enrolled at St. Johns Virtual School with another 800 applications still to be considered, the district said. St. Johns County parents had the option to choose school-based brick-and-mortar learning, school-based distance learning, St. Johns Virtual School or homeschooling. The St. Johns County School District updated its school reopening plans this week following an executive order from the state asking schools to reopen at least five days a week this fall.

Masks will now be mandatory in St. Augustine Beach. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Masks will now be mandatory in St. Augustine Beach. Just days after opting to strongly recommend people use face coverings rather than mandate them within the St. Augustine Beach city limits, the City Commission instead passed a mask mandate during Monday night’s regular commission meeting. The vote was 3-2 with Commissioner Dylan Rumrell and Commissioner Maggie Kostka again declining to approve the resolution mandating face masks. A simple majority of 3-2 was enough during Monday night’s regular meeting, however, meaning anyone in St. Augustine Beach will now be required to wear a face mask indoors or face a fine. “I’m 66 and my husband is 67, and I don’t want to come down with it.”The news was still trickling out to business owners and residents in St. Augustine Beach on Tuesday.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson was ready Tuesday morning to present a detailed reopening plan to the School Board. But with the mandate to reopen school campuses in August handed down Monday evening, the presentation, and any reopening plans, have been put on hold. I really believe itd be wise for me today not to walk through a plan that we dont know if it will align with the state executive order that we received yesterday, Forson said. I dont want to present something and then unwind it, and present it again.School board members Beverly Slough and Patrick Canan were critical of the decision by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to issue the order with just over a month to go until the 2020-2021 school year begins on Aug. 10.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. Wendy Seth, like many other parents in St. Johns County, had a decision to make as the school year approaches. Some people view it as less of a threat.Wendy Seth, St. Johns County parent. The St. Johns County School District presented four options to parents, which include school-based brick and mortar learning and school-based distance learning. Parents also have the opportunity to enroll students in St. Johns Virtual School, a fulltime virtual school, or home education. The St. Johns County School Board and superintendent will meet Tuesday again to discuss plans for reopening schools further.

Masks are not mandatory in St. Augustine Beach. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Masks are not mandatory in St. Augustine Beach. Instead, the city of St. Augustine Beach is strongly recommending people use face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many people left Thursday night’s emergency meeting in St. Augustine Beach upset that masks won’t be mandatory. Commissioner Dylan Rumrell wouldn’t back down and was against imposing fines for not wearing masks. The commission ultimately decided to not make masks mandatory, but that people should wear them, but there won’t be any legal enforcement.

Man, dog die in house fire near St. Augustine BeachPublished: February 3, 2020, 5:32 pmA man and a dog were found dead Sunday after St. Johns County deputies and firefighters responded to reports of smoke coming from a home on Winward Way, between Mizel Road and State Road A1A.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – A man and a dog were found dead Sunday after St. Johns County deputies and firefighters responded to reports of smoke coming from a home on Winward Way, between Mizel Road and State Road A1A. A neighbor and her 21-year-old son were returning from the grocery store when they saw the smoke. Rescuers pulled a man and a large dog from the house, but they could not be revived. Wilkins said Savage and his wife Tami owned the house but he didn’t always stay there, so they were heartbroken when his body was brought out. Next-door neighbor Allan Schaefer said Savage was friendly and courteous and he’s upset he had to die this way.

Ethan Martin, 14, and his father, Andrew Martin, were vacationing from Illinois with their family in St. Augustine Beach. A St. Johns County sheriff's deputy, St. Johns County firefighters and two St. Augustine Beach police officers were nearby and sped to the scene. "It's part of the job," said Officer David Jensen, with the St. Augustine Beach Police Department. Lee Ashlock, with the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, who was on patrol at the pier when the 911 call came in. Ashlock added that the chief of police in St. Augustine Beach would be sending a letter to Allen's department to recognize him for his heroics.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - A proud mom posted to Facebook, saying her 16-year-old son saved two kids from a strong current on St. Augustine Beach. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. - A body washed up on Matanzas Beach on Tuesday morning, days after a swimmer was caught in a rip current and disappeared into the ocean off St. Augustine Beach. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office identified the missing beachgoer as 22-year-old Jacob Turner from Tampa. Deputies patrolling the shoreline Tuesday spotted a man's body in the Matanzas Beach area. The identity of the body will have to be confirmed by a Medical Examiner, who will perform an autopsy, deputies said. That's when Fire-Rescue responded, along with the Sheriff's Office and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. - Crews and marine units on Monday continued the search for a man who disappeared after going for a swim in the ocean off St. Augustine Beach. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office identified the missing beachgoer as 22-year-old Jacob Turner from Tampa. "It was really tragic to hear about it," said Angelo Caruso, who lives in St. Johns County. That's when Fire-Rescue responded, along with the Sheriff's Office and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department. Crews were patrolling the beach throughout the day and St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Robert Hardwick said the search will continue into Monday night.

VIDEO: Crews and marine units continued the search for a man who disappeared after going for a swim in the ocean off St. Augustine Beach. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - News4Jax is tracking the sea turtle count on St. Augustine Beach. First Light Insite, a Facebook page that posts magnificent videos and photos, caught the Sea Turtle Patrol evaluating a nest. You can see (in the video below) a woman digging down into the sand to help remove eggshells, unhatched eggs and hatchlings. Click here to view the First Light Insite Facebook page. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. - An ordinance was passed Monday night that prohibits the sale and distribution of Styrofoam containers and plastic straws. A second ordinance was also passed that prohibits the sale and distribution of single-use plastic bags by retail establishments. Both ordinances will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Just three months ago, St. Augustine Beach City Commissioners voted to discourage the use of single-use plastic, stopping short of voting on an all-out ban.PREVIOUS STORY: St. Augustine Beach discouraging use of plastic strawsEnvironmental groups have pushed for years saying these types of plastic harm marine life and cause more pollution. The following Florida cities have all created laws to ban plastic straws:SanibelFort Myers BeachMiami BeachSt. PetersburgFort LauderdaleCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

The debate over banning plastics is coming to St. Augustine Beach. Tonight, the city is holding a public meeting on plans to ban plastic straws, containers and disposable plastic bags.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – The city of St. Augustine Beach is seeking applicants for a vacant city commissioner position after the resignation of Commissioner Rich O'Brien. In a news release Wednesday, representatives said the city of St Augustine Beach is grateful for O'Brien's years of dedicated service. The city is seeking residents interested in serving on the City Commission to fill the vacancy. Citizens interested in serving are invited to send a letter of interest and resume to the city manager at mroyle@cityofsab.org or by mail at City Manager, 2200 A1A South, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080. For more information, visit www.staugbch.com, The City of St. Augustine Beach Facebook page, and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter by texting CITYOFSAB to 22828.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – St. Augustine Beach moved a step closer to banning plastic bags when the city commissioners approved a voluntary ban during Monday night's meeting. Attorney Jane West presented an ordinance that would prevent the use, sale and distribution of single-use plastic bags by retailers in St. Augustine Beach. That ordinance, as well as an additional ordinance to ban plastic straws and Styrofoam, will be reviewed and presented for a first reading in March. Several businesses in or near St. Augustine Beach are already choosing to go green and stop using plastic or Styrofoam. North Florida Coastal Caretakers said it’s pushed for a ban on plastic bags and straws in St. Augustine Beach before but it’s never been successful getting a permanent ordinance passed.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Parking at St. Augustine Beach could soon cost you. The St. Augustine Beach Commission unanimously voted to charge for parking on A1A Beach Boulevard. The goal for St. Augustine is to have pay-to-park systems set up at the pier, as long as the county approves. The commissioners say the parking system is expected to generate around $600,000 in revenue for St. Augustine Beach- before expenses, including hiring parking staff which would be about 100,000. We are really thinking outside of the box and I’m really excited we’re going to have a source of funds so that we can enhance other pedestrian parking services and facilities,” said Undine George, Mayor of St. Augustine Beach.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Two men are facing felony fraud charges for their connection with a card-skimming device found on an ATM in St. Augustine Beach, police said. The St. Augustin Beach Police Department said it was alerted to the device by management at Ameris Bank at 2060 A1A on Oct. 19. Police said additional charges are pending against the two men in the Oct. 19 crime as the investigation continues. Arevala is in custody on three fraud felony charges with his bail set at $250,000. Mendoza is in custody on three fraud felony charges and one count of attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – A family's day of fun in the sun turned serious this weekend when a small container of blood washed up on St. Augustine Beach. Spencer Milford said his 4-year-old daughter spotted the vial of blood and went to pick it up. Instead, Lily’s parents picked up the tube of blood and put it in a plastic bag. “One of our big concerns with that is potentially blood in a vial could still be contaminated with something,” St. Johns County Fire Rescue Capt. “It isn’t always, but there is that potential.”News4Jax handed the vial of blood over to the fire department.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – A billboard in St. Augustine Beach is drawing attention from all across the world for a message some people have called “discriminatory.”The billboard along A1A reads “Islam Bloody Islam, Doomed by its Doctrine,” and more than 9,300 people had signed a petition by Tuesday afternoon that called on the owner to take it down. “You can tell the community is not really behind that kind of fear.”At the shopping center across the street, News4Jax discovered he isn’t the only St. Augustine resident unhappy with the sign. An online petition asks St. Johns Outdoor Advertising, the company that owns the sign, to take it down. And while he believes in free speech, Benjelloun said the sign could lead to violence. It's just not appropriate for St. Augustine,” Poage said.