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 “State Black history museum is still a long ways off”
A historical display stands at the future site of the Florida Museum of Black History in West Augustine. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

State Black history museum is still a long ways off

For the second time, a bill regarding the Black history museum in St. Johns County failed to pass the Legislature.…

Featured image for “Sing Out Loud festival will scale back this fall, with a big move coming”
Sing Out Loud headliner Hozier performs during the 2025 event. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 17, 2026

Sing Out Loud festival will scale back this fall, with a big move coming

This year’s Sing Out Loud music festival will offer a smaller presence that still promises lots of performances.…

Featured image for “Sarbez! owner plans new restaurant, venue Alfred’s in west St. Augustine”
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
March 11, 2026

Sarbez! owner plans new restaurant, venue Alfred’s in west St. Augustine

Alfred’s, a new restaurant and venue, is targeting a spring opening in St. Augustine’s West City neighborhood.…

Featured image for “New exhibit explores St. Augustine’s ancient Irish ties”
A new museum exhibit in St. Augustine explores the city's connections to Ireland that date back centuries. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 9, 2026

New exhibit explores St. Augustine’s ancient Irish ties

St. Augustines’ Irish connections date to 1600 — more than 100 years before the first St. Patrick’s Day celebration.…

Featured image for “Divisive Shore Drive project in St. Augustine is dead”
A proposed path path along Shore Drive in St. Augustine South is officially off the table. St. Johns County officials had proposed building a trail to get pedestrians and cyclists out of the winding two-lane road. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 3, 2026

Divisive Shore Drive project in St. Augustine is dead

St. Johns County commissioners have officially nixed the walking path proposed along Shore Drive.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator”
Country Carriages has operated its horse and carriage business in St. Augustine since 2004. | Courtesy Country Carriages
February 27, 2026

St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator

The action comes after pressure from animal welfare activists and a history of rules violations.…

Featured image for “Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments”
Randy Fine speaks at the Florida Capitol in 2022 | Phil Sears, AP
February 27, 2026

Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick says he does not plan to rescind his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine.…

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
February 25, 2026

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
February 25, 2026

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
February 24, 2026

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…