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 “Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge”
St. Johns County School Board District 1 candidates Kevin Allen and Beverly Slough. | Photos courtesy of the candidates
2 hours ago

Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge

St. Johns County voters will decide whether to retain the longest-serving member on the School Board.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands”
The Fish Island Preserve is a natural wildlife area within St. Augustine's city limits. The city owns a chunk of the 62-acre passive park. The state owns the rest. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands

The City Commission may require a unanimous vote to remove a parcel’s conservation protection. …

Featured image for “Florida House candidate says she was attacked at World Golf Village polling place”
Florida House of Representatives candidate Diana Jordan-Baldwin says she was attacked this week at a polling place in World Golf Village. | Photo courtesy of Diana Jordan-Baldwin
2 days ago

Florida House candidate says she was attacked at World Golf Village polling place

Diana Jordan-Baldwin says she was attacked by a man who supports her opponent in the election.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons”
Romanza-St. Augustine's St. Patrick's Day Parade in St. Augustine has been drawing visitors since 2011. The organization does not plan any future Celtic festivals or parades. | Old City Public Relations
3 days ago

St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons

Romanza-St. Augustine’s annual celebration of Celtic culture was recognized nationally.…

Featured image for “St. Johns teens charged with cache of homemade guns and explosives”
Sgt. Gene Tolbert with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office demonstrates a makeshift gun confiscated during an investigation into two local teenagers. The gun, made of piping and wood, was part of a cache that included other makeshift firearms and explosive material. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 7, 2026

St. Johns teens charged with cache of homemade guns and explosives

The boys, ages 13 and 14, made guns from standard hardware and espoused racist philosophies.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Beach bans smoking and vaping at beaches and parks”
Smoking and vaping will be prohibited at the Ocean Pier when it reopens this year in St. Augustine Beach. | St. Johns County
August 5, 2026

St. Augustine Beach bans smoking and vaping at beaches and parks

The action this week brings St. Augustine Beach into line with the county’s rules on smoking and vaping.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development 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
August 4, 2026

St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development law

County commissioners want to know if it would be worth the time and money to challenge the law in court.…

Featured image for “Developer withdraws proposal for Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove”
Speakers oppose a proposed Daily's gas station, convenience store and car wash in Fruit Cove. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

Developer withdraws proposal for Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove

Daily’s parent company has put forth the plan three times, and residents have opposed it from the start.…

Featured image for “School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances”
Three candidates are running to represent northeast St. Johns County on the School Board | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances

Three candidates are running to represent District 4 on the St. Johns County School Board.…

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
July 28, 2026

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
July 27, 2026

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.…