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 “Democrats and Republicans have options in District 18 state House race”
The Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. Four candidates are running to represent District 18, which covers northern St. Johns County. | Phil Sears, AP
2 days ago

Democrats and Republicans have options in District 18 state House race

Both parties have candidates in House District 18, which covers the northern half of St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County Commission candidates cite varied experience level”
St. Johns County Commission candidates speak at a forum hosted by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce in June. From left are District 4 candidates Sam Williams and James Galloway and District 2 candidates Martin Pyszczymuka, Will McMullan, Tim Burres and Heather Brofford. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
3 days ago

St. Johns County Commission candidates cite varied experience level

Four candidates are competing to represent the county’s southwest area on the St. Johns County Commission.…

Featured image for “6,500-plus acres in St. Johns County could be developed under new state law”
St. Johns County has received six proposals to develop agricultural land under a new state law. One large residential development would be just north of Nocatee. | Google Maps
July 23, 2026

6,500-plus acres in St. Johns County could be developed under new state law

The law treats some agricultural land as though it has already been zoned for single-family housing.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County asks governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes”
St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst are criminally charged in connection with a fake voter guide scheme in 2024. | St. Johns County
July 22, 2026

St. Johns County asks governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes

Three members of the St. Johns County Commission took a no-confidence vote against their peers.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue”
St. Johns County is eyeing a $1.46 billion budget for the next fiscal year | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 21, 2026

St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue

The county is considering a budget with a flat tax rate, but many people could pay higher taxes anyway.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County commissioner defends her seat against 2 election challengers”
Candidates for St. Johns County Commission District 4, from left: James Galloway, Krista Joseph and Sam Williams | Photos submitted or shared from candidate's campaign social media page.
July 16, 2026

St. Johns County commissioner defends her seat against 2 election challengers

Voters in northeast St. Johns County will decide next month whether to retain Krista Joseph as a commissioner.…

Featured image for “St. Johns lawmaker suggests replacement for accused commissioners”
Florida state Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine. | Florida House of Representatives
July 10, 2026

St. Johns lawmaker suggests replacement for accused commissioners

State Rep. Kim Kendall has written to the governor in the event he removes the two commissioners from office.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide”
County Commissioner Sarah Arnold, former St. Augustine Beach Mayor (and current City Commissioner) Dylan Rumrell and County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst. | St. Johns County, St. Augustine Beach
July 7, 2026

St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide

Three elected officials are accused of circulating a fake Republican voter guide ahead of the 2024 election.…

Featured image for “From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine”
The Karpeles Manuscript Museum recently opened in St. Augustine's historic downtown | Karpeles Manuscript Museum
July 6, 2026

From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine

The new Karpeles Manuscript Museum is the home base for more than 1 million historical documents.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history”
Cynthia Garris is poised to become the first Black person to serve as mayor of St. Augustine in the city's 461-year history. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 2, 2026

St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history

Cynthia Garris will make history when she is sworn in Dec. 7 as the city’s first Black mayor.…

Featured image for “Family homeless shelter opens in St. Augustine to keep loved ones together”
The new Goff Family Shelter in St. Augustine has space for up to nine families who are experiencing homelessness. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 29, 2026

Family homeless shelter opens in St. Augustine to keep loved ones together

The 37-bed shelter opened in the former headquaters of the Florida SCLC in Lincolnville.…

Featured image for “DeSantis vetoes e-bike regulations, warning about government surveillance”
Two e-bike riders talk with a police officer. | News4Jax
June 26, 2026

DeSantis vetoes e-bike regulations, warning about government surveillance

The bill would have limited e-bikes to a 10 mph speed limit on paths shared with pedestrians.…

Featured image for “Hardcore venue Hard Love ready to reopen after permit problems”
The Murray Hill music venue Hard Love first opened its doors last year. Now, after a monthslong closure due to permitting problems, the venue is set to reopen with a bang. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 24, 2026

Hardcore venue Hard Love ready to reopen after permit problems

Hard Love in Murray Hill was closed for months, but it is set to reopen this weekend with a bang.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County principal sues over her removal in yearbook controversy”
Former Trout Creek Academy Principal Katherine O'Connell smiles with flowers she received from rapper Fetty Wap | News4Jax
June 17, 2026

St. Johns County principal sues over her removal in yearbook controversy

Principal Katherine O’Connell was placed on leave after rap lyrics appeared in the school’s yearbook.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County is latest to consider moratorium on data centers”
Fans that are part of a cooling system are seen on the roof of a data center April 27, 2026, in Hillsboro, Oregon. | Jenny Kane, AP
June 16, 2026

St. Johns County is latest to consider moratorium on data centers

County Commissioner Ann Taylor said moratoriums in other counties make St. Johns a “sitting duck” for a data center.…

Featured image for “Civil rights rabbi to visit St. Augustine, 60-plus years after his arrest with MLK”
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at a rally at St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine on June 11, 1964. | AP
June 15, 2026

Civil rights rabbi to visit St. Augustine, 60-plus years after his arrest with MLK

Rabbi Allen Secher is the last surviving rabbi in a group arrested for protesting segregation.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County announces new program for young professionals”
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Scott Maynard talks business with young professionals. | St. Johns County
June 10, 2026

St. Johns County announces new program for young professionals

The county and chamber of commerce hope to increase networking and educational opportunities for young professionals.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County leaders warn property tax cuts could decrease service”
St. Johns County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst holds up a sign reading "$113" in reference to the estimated $113 million in tax revenue the county could lose by 2029 if voters approved property tax cuts. | Screenshot, St. Johns County
June 3, 2026

St. Johns County leaders warn property tax cuts could decrease service

Property tax cuts are headed to Floridians’ ballots in November, and St. Johns County’s leaders are concerned.…

Featured image for “Michelin Guide adds 8 restaurants in Northeast Florida”
Eggboy in Mayport is one of the new restaurants added to Florida's Michelin Guide. Owner Nick Presti and his team are overjoyed. "Mayport is on the map!" he says. | Nick Presti, Eggboy
May 29, 2026

Michelin Guide adds 8 restaurants in Northeast Florida

Michelin’s Florida guide expanded this year to cover the entire state, not just South and Central Florida.…

Featured image for “Flagler College tennis team takes home national championship trophy”
Flagler College's men's tennis team celebrates its national championship victory. | Flagler College
May 28, 2026

Flagler College tennis team takes home national championship trophy

The men’s tennis team claimed the Division II championship, its first national title since the 1980s.…

Featured image for “Debate hits high gear over SUN Trail segment in St. Johns County”
A cyclist rides at night in the bike lane of A1A Beach Boulevard. The local SUN Trail project will replace a sidewalk. | Courtesy Brayan Krepley
May 28, 2026

Debate hits high gear over SUN Trail segment in St. Johns County

Years into the project, debate continues over whether the SUN Trail is planned for the correct spot.…

Featured image for “DeSantis comes to Ribault High to sign bills supporting high school coaches”
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas joined Gov. Ron DeSantis at a bill-signing event at Jean Ribault High School on Friday, May 22, 2026. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
May 22, 2026

DeSantis comes to Ribault High to sign bills supporting high school coaches

The bills will supplement coaches’ salaries and also allow coaches to spend their own money to help players.…

Featured image for “Marineland rebounds from dark days. Now staff say the park is thriving.”
A dolphin leaps from the water at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
May 20, 2026

Marineland rebounds from dark days. Now staff say the park is thriving.

Six months ago, all signs pointed toward bankruptcy for Marineland Dolphin Adventure.…

Featured image for “Siding with church, St. Johns County rejects alcohol at Hastings pizza parlor”
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
May 19, 2026

Siding with church, St. Johns County rejects alcohol at Hastings pizza parlor

Main St. Pizza & Ice Cream had sought permission to sell beer and wine across from First Baptist Church.…