Noah Hertz Reporter email
Noah Hertz is a Jacksonville Today reporter focusing on St. Johns County. From Central Florida, Noah got his start as an intern at WFSU, Tallahassee’s public radio station, and as a reporter at The Wakulla News. He went on to work for three years as a general assignment reporter and editor for The West Volusia Beacon in his hometown of DeLand, where he helped the Beacon take home awards from the Florida Press Association. A Florida State University graduate, Noah is happy to be back up in North Florida. When he isn't writing, Noah likes reading, baking and playing video games.
Featured image for “Heritage Trail spotlights St. Johns County’s Black history”
Protests against segregated beaches were just some of the demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement in St. Johns County. | St. Johns Cultural Council
2 days ago

Heritage Trail spotlights St. Johns County’s Black history

A new self-guided trail connects 20 local Black history landmarks from the pre-colonial era to the present.…

Featured image for “Did you know? The St. Johns County Courthouse has a private space to nurse a baby”
Ingrid Osborn, president of the St. Johns Association for Women Lawyers, and Circuit Judge Howard Maltz cut the ceremonial ribbon on a space for nursing and taking care of babies in the St. Johns County Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2025

Did you know? The St. Johns County Courthouse has a private space to nurse a baby

The association for female lawyers is publicizing a room where women can nurse or change a baby.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County teachers are making more, but is it enough?”
Some 52,000 students are enrolled in the St. Johns County School District. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 11, 2025

St. Johns County teachers are making more, but is it enough?

Voters agreed last year to raise teachers’ pay, with senior teachers getting the biggest boost.…

Featured image for “St. Johns airport officials quit to avoid criminal charges”
The St. Augustine Airport, which is overseen by the St. Johns County Airport Authority. | St. Augustine Airport
August 8, 2025

St. Johns airport officials quit to avoid criminal charges

Three members of the Airport Authority Board were accused of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County OKs watered-down tree regulations”
Debates about stricter tree preservation rules in St. Johns County have been raging for years. | Tim Mossholder, Unsplash
August 6, 2025

St. Johns County OKs watered-down tree regulations

Two tweaks to the county’s tree preservation rules are a far cry from what was initially proposed.…

Featured image for “Magic Beach Motel will be demolished after all”
The Magic Beach Motel, located just minutes from the water in Vilano Beach, has been featured in several TV shows since it opened the better part of a century ago. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 5, 2025

Magic Beach Motel will be demolished after all

The St. Johns County Commission decided it does not have the legal authority to stop the demolition.…

Featured image for “Trash fees are going up in St. Johns County”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
August 5, 2025

Trash fees are going up in St. Johns County

Residents can expect to pay $200 more annually over the next five years.…

Featured image for “New Asian grocery in Jax will open next month”
The Tampa Lotte Plaza Market opened in 2023 | Lotte Plaza Market
August 4, 2025

New Asian grocery in Jax will open next month

The Lotte Plaza Market will offer products from all over Asia and will include a food court.…

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to reopen after renovations”
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in St. Johns County will reopen Friday after a yearlong shutdown for renovations. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 30, 2025

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to reopen after renovations

The much-loved concert hall is returning with a stacked concert lineup after a yearlong shutdown.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine still wants a carousel at Davenport Park”
The carousel at Davenport Park was dismantled nearly five years ago. | News4Jax
July 29, 2025

St. Augustine still wants a carousel at Davenport Park

Previous plans to bring back the carousel fell through, but the city is now seeking a private operator.…

Featured image for “After rocky rollout, St. Johns County keeps trash hauler”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
July 25, 2025

After rocky rollout, St. Johns County keeps trash hauler

County officials say FCC Environmental Services has cleaned up its act since a disastrous beginning.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County Commission signals lower property tax rate”
St. Johns County's entryway on State Road A1A. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

St. Johns County Commission signals lower property tax rate

Some commissioners want to cut taxes even further, but administrators say services would suffer.…

Featured image for “St. Johns fire union warns tax cut could jeopardize service”
St. Johns County's fire union is urging against cutting taxes for local property owners. | News4Jax
July 18, 2025

St. Johns fire union warns tax cut could jeopardize service

The union is concerned that county commissioners will cut taxes at a time when the fire department needs to grow.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine mayor bolsters city’s ties with Israel”
St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline smiles for a photo with a group of Israeli Boy Scouts during her trip to the country in June. | Courtesy Nancy Sikes-Kline
July 17, 2025

St. Augustine mayor bolsters city’s ties with Israel

St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline says the city’s relationship with Israel is stronger than ever after a recent trip there.…

Featured image for “Property taxes may be on the rise in St. Augustine”
Lion statues guard St. Augustine's iconic Bridge of Lions. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 15, 2025

Property taxes may be on the rise in St. Augustine

Property values are still increasing, so bills could go up even if the tax rate stays the same.…

Featured image for “In St. Johns, North Beach residents mobilize around resilience as federal funding dries up”
Not long after Debbie Dickinson moved to North Beach in 2022, Hurricane Ian flooded their neighborhood. | Debbie Dickinson
July 7, 2025

In St. Johns, North Beach residents mobilize around resilience as federal funding dries up

The future of the federal agency that counties like St. Johns rely on for rebuilding is uncertain, at the same…

Featured image for “The story behind criminal charges at St. Augustine Airport”
The St. Augustine Airport, which is overseen by the St. Johns County Airport Authority. | St. Augustine Airport
July 2, 2025

The story behind criminal charges at St. Augustine Airport

Three elected members of the St. Johns Airport Authority Board have been charged with Sunshine Law violations.…

Featured image for “Magic Beach Motel building gets a reprieve for now”
The Magic Beach Motel, located just minutes from the water in Vilano Beach, has been featured in several TV shows since it opened the better part of a century ago. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 30, 2025

Magic Beach Motel building gets a reprieve for now

Plans to demolish the 75-year-old building in Vilano Beach are off the table, but that could change in the next…

Featured image for “It’s been 60 years since St Augustine debuted the ‘Official State Play’”
Florida's State Play, Cross and Sword, debuted 60 years ago in 1965. This performance took place in 1967. | Jacksonville Public Library
June 26, 2025

It’s been 60 years since St Augustine debuted the ‘Official State Play’

Cross and Sword became a staple at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and ran for more than 30 years…

Featured image for “St. Augustine sets its sights on neglected West City”
Recently opened businesses, like Blue Hen Cafe, dot West King Street, the main commercial thoroughfare of the West City neighborhood in St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 26, 2025

St. Augustine sets its sights on neglected West City

A new Community Redevelopment Agency has a plan to bring life and money to the growing section of town.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s new noise ordinance is louder and clearer about enforcement”
St. Augustine officials hope nights are quieter under a new noise ordinance passed on June 23, 2025. | Vicki Palombo Kirby
June 23, 2025

St. Augustine’s new noise ordinance is louder and clearer about enforcement

New rules in St. Augustine will make it easier for police to crack down on loud and disruptive noises at…

Featured image for “Garbage fees may rise in St. Johns County”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
June 17, 2025

Garbage fees may rise in St. Johns County

The County Commission is considering whether to raise fees by $80 this year plus additional increases over five years.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County may kick in $1M more for Nights of Lights”
Hundreds of people crowd downtown St. Augustine in November 2024 to see the annual Nights of Lights. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 16, 2025

St. Johns County may kick in $1M more for Nights of Lights

St. Augustine has asked for more money to help the holiday event run more smoothly this year.…

Featured image for “New law requires bus routes for students near highways”
Some 52,000 students are enrolled in the St. Johns County School District. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
June 13, 2025

New law requires bus routes for students near highways

A St. Augustine legislator sponsored a law that lists highways as a dangerous condition for students walking.…