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 “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
1 day ago

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
3 days ago

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.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Airport takes back its old name”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure that changes the name of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport back to the St. Augustine Airport. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 11, 2025

St. Augustine Airport takes back its old name

The Northeast Florida Regional Airport is returning to the name it had 15 years ago: the St. Augustine Airport.…

Featured image for “Warning of property fraud, St. Johns Clerk pushes email alerts”
June 10, 2025

Warning of property fraud, St. Johns Clerk pushes email alerts

How to sign up for alerts that could save your home in the event of property fraud.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine restaurateurs to open two new eateries this summer”
St. Augustine restaurateurs Genie and Jeff McNally | Mallory Aussem, Evergold Photography
June 6, 2025

St. Augustine restaurateurs to open two new eateries this summer

St. Augustine restaurant owners Genie and Jeff McNally are launching two new eateries while construction is underway on the new…

Featured image for “St. Johns County teen’s death spurs federal language proficiency bill”
Connor Dzion | The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic
June 4, 2025

St. Johns County teen’s death spurs federal language proficiency bill

St. Johns County is supporting an effort in Washington D.C. that would permanently require truck drivers to pass an English…

Featured image for “St. Johns County puts the brakes on stricter e-bike rules”
The rear wheel of Ultra Motor's A2B electric bike. | Mark Lennihan, AP
June 3, 2025

St. Johns County puts the brakes on stricter e-bike rules

Instead of imposing stricter rules, the county will encourage riders to operate safely.…

Featured image for “Embattled St. Johns County administrator gets contract extension”
St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews | St. Johns County
June 3, 2025

Embattled St. Johns County administrator gets contract extension

County commissioners voted 3-2 to extend Joy Andrews’ contract by three years.…

Featured image for “Black history museum hits hurdle in Legislature, but it isn’t dead”
A historical display stands at the future site of the Florida Museum of Black History in West Augustine. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 28, 2025

Black history museum hits hurdle in Legislature, but it isn’t dead

A measure to back a state-run Black history museum in St. Augustine got sidetracked during budget discussions.…

Featured image for “As St. Johns County grows, house fires are increasing”
St. Johns County Fire Rescue has seen an increase in house fires compared to last year. | St. Johns County Fire Rescue
May 27, 2025

As St. Johns County grows, house fires are increasing

House fires, including one on Memorial Day, have grown 6.5% this year in St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “Lawmaker promises more steps to protect lands like Guana”
Local officials celebrate the announcement that a private company had withdrawn its request to take 600 acres of conservation land in Ponte Vedra. From left are St. Johns County Commissioner Clay Murphy; Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine; St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell; St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline; and St. Johns County Commissioner Ann Taylor. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
May 20, 2025

Lawmaker promises more steps to protect lands like Guana

State Rep. Kim Kendall wants to stop deals like one that would have traded away 600 acres of conservation land.…

Featured image for “St. Johns Schools finds new superintendent close to home”
Brennan Asplen is the next superintendent of St. Johns County Schools. | St. Johns County School District
May 20, 2025

St. Johns Schools finds new superintendent close to home

The School Board on Tuesday chose Deputy Superintendent Brennan Asplen as its next superintendent.…

Featured image for “Proposal withdrawn for Guana conservation land swap”
Protesters line State Road A1A on Saturday, May 17, 2025, near the site of the proposed land swap in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
May 19, 2025

Proposal withdrawn for Guana conservation land swap

The state says a proposed land swap deal that could have led to the development of conservation land near Ponte…

Featured image for “Another mosquito board member resigns in St. Johns”
This metal mosquito statue is the size of an adult human, not an adult mosquito, and it sits outside of the Disease Vector Education Center that the district operates in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
May 16, 2025

Another mosquito board member resigns in St. Johns

Trish Becker is the latest commissioner to resign from the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in just three months. …

Featured image for “Residents and businesses get their say on Nights of Lights”
The Plaza de la Constitución is lit up during Nights of Lights in downtown St. Augustine. l St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
May 16, 2025

Residents and businesses get their say on Nights of Lights

St. Augustine will host public workshops to get feedback on how to run Nights of Lights more smoothly.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County hires former Sen. Travis Hutson”
Former Florida Sen. Travis Hutson. | Phil Sears, AP
May 15, 2025

St. Johns County hires former Sen. Travis Hutson

Hutson reached his term limit in the Senate, but he has a new job working in the St. Johns County…

Featured image for “St. Johns conservation land could be developed under proposed land swap”
The Guana Wildlife Management Area is a state-owned conservation area north of St. Augustine where visitors can walk on paths and enjoy the great outdoors, but also hunt for waterfowl. | Flickr, Justin Ellenberger
May 15, 2025

St. Johns conservation land could be developed under proposed land swap

The state could swap 600 acres in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area in exchange for non-contiguous parcels, at the…

Featured image for “Meet the finalists for St. Johns County school superintendent”
Some 52,000 students are enrolled in the St. Johns County School District. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 12, 2025

Meet the finalists for St. Johns County school superintendent

Of four finalists, one has encoutnered controversy. Another has been a superintendent in another county.…