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 “Vilano Beach, Jax played key roles in TWEN’s new album”
TWEN band members Ian Jones and Jane Fitzsimmons on the beach in St. Johns County | Mego Lockett
6 hours ago

Vilano Beach, Jax played key roles in TWEN’s new album

TWEN says Vilano Beach and Jacksonville played a pivotal role in their forthcoming album’s production.…

Featured image for “How can St. Johns County create more affordable housing?”
Nonprofit leaders and others discuss affordable housing during an event in St. Johns County. From left are Bill Lazar with the St. Johns Housing Partnership, Bob Porter with D.R. Horton, Malinda Everson with Habitat, Aliyah Meyer with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and Erick Saks with Operation Lifeline. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
October 24, 2025

How can St. Johns County create more affordable housing?

Local leaders outline solutions for affordable housing at a time when it’s desperately needed.…

Featured image for “Purple Olive restaurant moves to former Gypsy Cab space”
In taking over the space that used to house the Gypsy Cab Co., Purple Olive owners Kristen White and Peter Kenney renovated the space. | Old City PR
October 23, 2025

Purple Olive restaurant moves to former Gypsy Cab space

Purple Olive will open Friday on Anastasia Island after 21 years in St. Augustine Beach.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Airport Authority loses another commissioner”
The St. Augustine Airport, which is overseen by the St. Johns County Airport Authority. | St. Augustine Airport
October 23, 2025

St. Augustine Airport Authority loses another commissioner

Jennifer Liotta is the fourth Airport Authority board member to resign this year.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County will not join lawsuit over development law”
St. Johns County's entryway on State Road A1A. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
October 21, 2025

St. Johns County will not join lawsuit over development law

More than 20 municipalities are suing Florida over a new law that restricts local development.…

Featured image for “State CFO visits First Coast to reimburse police for ICE costs”
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia delivered reimbursements checks from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to sheriffs from Northeast Florida Wednesday afternoon. From left are Putnam County Sheriff H.D. "Gator" DeLoach, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, Ingoglia and Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
October 21, 2025

State CFO visits First Coast to reimburse police for ICE costs

Local law enforcement received payments for the costs of helping ICE arrest illegal immigrants.…

Featured image for “Pedro Menendez field may be named after first principal”
The Menendez football program won its first district title in 2019. The Falcons hosted Ocala Vanguard on November 8, 2019, in their first home playoff game in school history. | Photo by Will Brown
October 10, 2025

Pedro Menendez field may be named after first principal

The football field at Pedro Menendez High School may be named for Bill Mignon, a longtime School Board member.…

Featured image for “State development law hits home in St. Johns County”
St. Johns County Commissioner Ann Taylor wears handcuffs to illustrate what she says is an attack on home rule. | Screenshot from St. Johns County livestream.
October 8, 2025

State development law hits home in St. Johns County

A new law in Florida limits how local governments can respond to development after hurrricanes.…

Featured image for “Neighborhood grants now available in St. Augustine”
The Lincolnville Community Garden got its start with funding from St. Augustine's Neighborhood Grant Program. | Lincolnville Community Garden
October 3, 2025

Neighborhood grants now available in St. Augustine

Groups can apply for up to $3,000 in neighborhood grants to spruce up their communities.…

Featured image for “Amany Youssef: From refugee to rare female contractor”
AY Luxury Designs owner Amany Youssef is the youngest female contractor in Northeast Florida. When licensed at age 23, she was the youngest female contractor in the state. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
October 3, 2025

Amany Youssef: From refugee to rare female contractor

A Jacksonville business owner is the area’s youngest female contractor, and a trailblazing small business owner.…

Featured image for “DeSantis appoints 3 to St. Augustine Airport Authority”
The St. Augustine Airport, which is overseen by the St. Johns County Airport Authority. | St. Augustine Airport
October 1, 2025

DeSantis appoints 3 to St. Augustine Airport Authority

Gov. Ron DeSantis filled three vacancies after a controversy involving the Airport Authority board.…

Featured image for “Flagler College rolls out interactive historical exhibits”
Flagler College's main building originally opened as Henry Flagler's Hotel Ponce de Leon on Jan. 10, 1888.
September 29, 2025

Flagler College rolls out interactive historical exhibits

Flagler, St. Augustine’s private college, is enhancing its courtyard and rotunda areas with new exhibits.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Making sense of billion-dollar budgets”
One factor fueling St. Johns County's budget for the 2026 fiscal year is the need to keep the county's fire rescue services out of the red. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 18, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Making sense of billion-dollar budgets

Jacksonville and St. Johns County officials both talk about their $2 billion budgets, but what do the numbers mean?…

Featured image for “Tax rate falls in St. Johns County, but bills could rise”
September 17, 2025

Tax rate falls in St. Johns County, but bills could rise

The St. Johns County Commission approved a budget Wednesday that has a lower tax rate than last year.…

Featured image for “Two companies vie for World Golf Village development”
This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine
September 16, 2025

Two companies vie for World Golf Village development

The two companies have distinct visions of what to do with World Golf Village, and St. Johns County wants to…

Featured image for “Sing Out Loud music fest shines on local artists”
Norah Jones plays during last year's Sing Out Loud headline showcase in St. Augustine. | Melissa Marcarelli, St. Johns County Cultural Events Inc.
September 15, 2025

Sing Out Loud music fest shines on local artists

One goal since the festival began nine years ago has been boosting the local music scene.…

Featured image for “Castillo leader Gordon Wilson closes 50-year career”
Retiring Superintendent Gordon Wilson is pictured here, at middle, during his first stint working in St. Augustine in the late 1970s. | Courtesy Gordon Wilson
September 5, 2025

Castillo leader Gordon Wilson closes 50-year career

Wilson is retiring as superintendent of Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County trims budget and taxes further”
St. Johns County's entryway on State Road A1A. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 4, 2025

St. Johns County trims budget and taxes further

County commissioners approved a tentative cut earlier, but they made it clear they intended to go further.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County kicks in more money for 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
September 2, 2025

St. Johns County kicks in more money for Nights of Lights

The county will chip in $650,000 more than last year to help make sure Nights of Lights runs smoothly.…

Featured image for “Indie film studio eyes St. Augustine for production”
Lion statues guard St. Augustine's iconic Bridge of Lions. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 22, 2025

Indie film studio eyes St. Augustine for production

Cardinal Flix is seeking financial help to shoot “the Batting Cage” in St. Augustine starting in April.…

Featured image for “Heritage Trail spotlights St. Johns County’s Black history”
Protests against segregated beaches were just some of the demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement in St. Johns County. | St. Johns Cultural Council
August 18, 2025

Heritage Trail spotlights St. Johns County’s Black history

A new self-guided trail connects 20 local Black history landmarks from the pre-colonial era to the present.…

Featured image for “Did you know? The St. Johns County Courthouse has a private space to nurse a baby”
Ingrid Osborn, president of the St. Johns Association for Women Lawyers, and Circuit Judge Howard Maltz cut the ceremonial ribbon on a space for nursing and taking care of babies in the St. Johns County Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2025

Did you know? The St. Johns County Courthouse has a private space to nurse a baby

The association for female lawyers is publicizing a room where women can nurse or change a baby.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County teachers are making more, but is it enough?”
Some 52,000 students are enrolled in the St. Johns County School District. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 11, 2025

St. Johns County teachers are making more, but is it enough?

Voters agreed last year to raise teachers’ pay, with senior teachers getting the biggest boost.…

Featured image for “St. Johns airport officials quit to avoid criminal charges”
The St. Augustine Airport, which is overseen by the St. Johns County Airport Authority. | St. Augustine Airport
August 8, 2025

St. Johns airport officials quit to avoid criminal charges

Three members of the Airport Authority Board were accused of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law.…