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 “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.
24 hours ago

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.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County OKs watered-down tree regulations”
Debates about stricter tree preservation rules in St. Johns County have been raging for years. | Tim Mossholder, Unsplash
August 6, 2025

St. Johns County OKs watered-down tree regulations

Two tweaks to the county’s tree preservation rules are a far cry from what was initially proposed.…

Featured image for “Magic Beach Motel will be demolished after all”
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
August 5, 2025

Magic Beach Motel will be demolished after all

The St. Johns County Commission decided it does not have the legal authority to stop the demolition.…

Featured image for “Trash fees are going up in St. Johns County”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
August 5, 2025

Trash fees are going up in St. Johns County

Residents can expect to pay $200 more annually over the next five years.…

Featured image for “New Asian grocery in Jax will open next month”
The Tampa Lotte Plaza Market opened in 2023 | Lotte Plaza Market
August 4, 2025

New Asian grocery in Jax will open next month

The Lotte Plaza Market will offer products from all over Asia and will include a food court.…

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to reopen after renovations”
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in St. Johns County will reopen Friday after a yearlong shutdown for renovations. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 30, 2025

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to reopen after renovations

The much-loved concert hall is returning with a stacked concert lineup after a yearlong shutdown.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine still wants a carousel at Davenport Park”
The carousel at Davenport Park was dismantled nearly five years ago. | News4Jax
July 29, 2025

St. Augustine still wants a carousel at Davenport Park

Previous plans to bring back the carousel fell through, but the city is now seeking a private operator.…

Featured image for “After rocky rollout, St. Johns County keeps trash hauler”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
July 25, 2025

After rocky rollout, St. Johns County keeps trash hauler

County officials say FCC Environmental Services has cleaned up its act since a disastrous beginning.…