Noah Hertz Reporter email
Noah Hertz is an award-winning reporter focusing on St. Johns County. Noah got his start reporting in Tallahassee and in Wakulla County, covering local government and community issues. He went on to work for three years as a general assignment reporter and editor for The West Volusia Beacon in his Central Florida hometown of DeLand, where he helped the Beacon take home awards from the Florida Press Association. A Florida State University graduate, Noah loves North Florida. When he isn't on the job — although, when isn't a reporter on the job? — Noah likes reading, baking and riding his bike around Northeast Florida.
Featured image for “Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine”
A statue of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass now sits in downtown St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
22 hours ago

Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine

Gov. Ron DeSantis dedicated the statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass near a plaza where slaves were once sold.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon”
St. Augustine's Treasury building, seen here from the Bridge of Lions, is the tallest in the historic downtown's skyline, standing six-stories tall. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon

More than 100 rooms are planned in the Treasury building along with a new parking garage.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks”
St. Augustine's St. George Street is one of the busiest streets in the historic downtown core. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks

The city says it will have to significantly cut services if the Florida Legislature reduces property taxes.…

Featured image for “Counties fear law would tie their hands on development”
Rep. Lauren Melo, R-Naples, discusses the latest version of her proposed "Blue Ribbon Projects" bill before the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. | The Florida Channel
February 20, 2026

Counties fear law would tie their hands on development

The “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill could allow developers to circumvent some local regulations.…

Featured image for “Registration opening for St. Johns County summer camps”
If you want your child to participate in one of St. Johns County's summer camps this year, you'll have to enter the drawing. | Photo courtesy St. Johns County
February 17, 2026

Registration opening for St. Johns County summer camps

The county’s lottery system for its popular summer camps will open Monday and continue to March 6.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail”
St. Johns County Public Works Director Greg Caldwell talks to residents about the controversial planned path along Shore Drive in St. Augustine South. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 12, 2026

St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail

County officials say a decision will come soon on the future of the controversial Shore Drive project.…

Featured image for “Nights of Lights judged a success, but cost still a concern”
St. Augustine's marquee Hotel Alcazar building glitters during the annual Nights of Lights event. | City of St. Augustine
February 10, 2026

Nights of Lights judged a success, but cost still a concern

City officials think they solved several problems with Nights of Lights, but more work remains.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | How affordable is ‘affordable housing’?”
Ability Housing has opened Village at Cedar Hills, an affordable housing complex on Jacksonville’s Westside. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
February 6, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | How affordable is ‘affordable housing’?

An apartment listed as “affordable housing” may not seem affordable at all. Here’s why.…

Featured image for “Popular burger food truck plans San Marco restaurant”
Hard Pressed Burgers is slated to take over a space on Hendricks Avenue in San Marco where Good Dough donuts once operated. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 4, 2026

Popular burger food truck plans San Marco restaurant

Hard Pressed Burgers will open its first brick and mortar location, but the food trucks will continue to roll.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine seeks to redevelop West City area”
Businesses like Blue Hen Cafe and Graet Goods vintage dot West King Street, the main commercial thoroughfare of the West City neighborhood in St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 2, 2026

St. Augustine seeks to redevelop West City area

A new program aims to help West City homeowners with costly repairs in the underserved area.…

Featured image for “3 measles cases in Northeast Florida feed vaccination debate”
The virus that causes measles is highly contagious. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
January 30, 2026

3 measles cases in Northeast Florida feed vaccination debate

Doctors are encouraging people to get accurate information about measles and immunization.…

Featured image for “Disputed Shore Drive trail reemerges in St. Johns County”
The trail may still be built along the curvy two-lane Shore Drive, near the Matanzas River south of St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
January 28, 2026

Disputed Shore Drive trail reemerges in St. Johns County

A public meeting and online survey will seek comments about the paved path planned along Shore Drive.…

Featured image for “Bridge of Lions to close as iconic statues are moved”
The twin marble lions that guard St. Augustine's Bridge of Lions are named Firm and Faithful. The lion statues were erected in the 1920s. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
January 26, 2026

Bridge of Lions to close as iconic statues are moved

The lion statues must be moved so the state can raise St. Augustine’s seawall to mitigate flooding.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County softens growth plan to satisfy state”
A sign welcomes people to St. Johns County, though many residents don't welcome more growth. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
January 20, 2026

St. Johns County softens growth plan to satisfy state

The state rejected an earlier version of the plan because it was too restrictive of growth and development.…

Featured image for “Meet Jon Marston, St. Augustine’s new police chief”
St. Augustine's new police chief, Jon Marston, is sworn in by his predecessor, Jennifer Michaux. | St. Augustine Police Department
January 16, 2026

Meet Jon Marston, St. Augustine’s new police chief

Marston joined the St. Augustine Police Department in 2008 after moving a few years earlier from Maine.…

Featured image for “Contagious horse disease reported in St. Augustine”
Horse-drawn carriages are a common sight in downtown St. Augustine, especially during the annual Nights of Lights holiday celebration. | Photo courtesy of Carly Zervis
January 14, 2026

Contagious horse disease reported in St. Augustine

Archie, a horse owned by Country Carriages, was diagnosed last week with a case of strangles.…

Featured image for “West Augustine residents celebrate withdrawal of opioid clinic proposal”
West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency Chair Robert Nimmons shares information about an axed opioid treatment clinic to a packed house audience during a community meeting. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
January 13, 2026

West Augustine residents celebrate withdrawal of opioid clinic proposal

A representative for clinic operator New Season says plans for the opioid treatment clinic in West Augustine are off the…

Featured image for “New Dunkin’ coffee shop brings more growth to Hastings”
An agriculture-themed mural adorns the side of a building along Hastings' historic Main Street. The mural was painted by artist Kelsey Montague in 2025. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
January 12, 2026

New Dunkin’ coffee shop brings more growth to Hastings

The Dunkin franchise in Hastings is part of a concerted effort to revitalize the once-bustling community.…

Featured image for “Utility work could snarl traffic on A1A on Anastasia Island”
Drivers traveling along this chunk of A1A South on Anastasia Island will see delays through January as county crews work on relocating a water main. | Google Maps
January 5, 2026

Utility work could snarl traffic on A1A on Anastasia Island

Crews will spend three to four weeks moving a water main on State Road A1A near the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.…

Featured image for “You may not know Picolata, but a couple is trying to preserve it”
Picolata is a small community along the St. Johns River in west St. Johns County. The area's history goes back centuries, but very little physical evidence remains of forts and other structures that once stood. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
December 19, 2025

You may not know Picolata, but a couple is trying to preserve it

Picolata was once a river crossing and the site of a Spanish fort, but much of the settlement is gone.…

Featured image for “St. Johns lawmaker backs changes to development bill”
Florida Rep. Kim Kendall, center, says she wants to see changes in a controversial state development law. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
December 16, 2025

St. Johns lawmaker backs changes to development bill

Rep. Kim Kendell says the state shouldn’t be dictating how local officials can regulate development.…

Featured image for “Meet the new mayor of St. Augustine Beach”
Beth Sweeny will serve as St. Augustine Beach's mayor through 2026. | Submitted, Beth Sweeny
December 15, 2025

Meet the new mayor of St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach officials elevated Beth Sweeny from the position of vice mayor. Hear her priorities in the new position.…

Featured image for “Nocatee man will climb Kilimanjaro for infant death fundraiser”
The Pucillo family are, from left, Marie, Giovanni, Elena Rose and Evan. Evan will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in February to raise money for a nonprofit organization that supports families, like the Pucillos, coping with the death of an infant. | Submitted, Evan Pucillo
December 12, 2025

Nocatee man will climb Kilimanjaro for infant death fundraiser

Evan Pucillo plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on Feb. 9, the day his son died hours after birth.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine police chief announces retirement”
St. Augustine Police Chief Jennifer Michaux will retire next month. | St. Augustine Police Department
December 5, 2025

St. Augustine police chief announces retirement

Police Chief Jennifer Michaux reflects on her 30-year career in law enforcement and her five years as chief.…