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, DeLand. Noah won an award for his breaking news coverage at The Wakulla News and he went on to help 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 “Outback Crabshack is back in St. Johns County”
Diners sit out back of the Crabshack during its soft reopening. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 9, 2024

Outback Crabshack is back in St. Johns County

Eight years after suffering major hurricane damage from Hurricane Matthew, Outback Crabshack will reopen this weekend.…

Featured image for “4 school districts target substance abuse and violence”
August 8, 2024

4 school districts target substance abuse and violence

Putnam and St. Johns County schools are teaming with other school districts to increase awareness and support for students.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | How can you ‘run’ as a write-in candidate?”
August 7, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | How can you ‘run’ as a write-in candidate?

A Jacksonville Today reader wants to know more about how qualifying as a write-in candidate works in our elections.…

Featured image for “St. Johns may ditch new trash hauler after ‘disastrous’ start”
FCC Environmental Services took over trash pickup in St. Johns County on Aug. 1, 2024. | FCC Environmental Services
August 6, 2024

St. Johns may ditch new trash hauler after ‘disastrous’ start

The county estimates that more than 2,000 residents’ trash wasn’t picked up on time Aug. 1 and 2.…

Featured image for “Straw poll hints at election surprises in St. Johns County”
More than 500 people attended a meet and greet with election candidates in St. Johns County on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. | Photo courtesy Carly Zervis
August 2, 2024

Straw poll hints at election surprises in St. Johns County

More than 500 people voted in a straw poll sponsored by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County makes it easier to get a passport”
The St. Johns County Clerk’s Office will host a passport event Saturday. l St. Johns County Clerk of Courts.
August 1, 2024

St. Johns County makes it easier to get a passport

The St. John’s County Clerk’s Office will host Passport Saturday this weekend to help people who can’t get to weekday…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Are Winn-Dixie stores still becoming Aldis?”
Aldi bought Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of Winn-Dixie. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Are Winn-Dixie stores still becoming Aldis?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders when Aldi will convert Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores to the Aldi brand.…

Featured image for “‘Ghost candidates’ in St. Johns Commission races? ”
Four employees at McGraw, (from left): Chip McGraw, James Higbee, Taylor Ohntrup and Weston Ferguson, are either running for St. Johns County Commission or are related to candidates, none of whom are actively campaigning. | Images: McGraw's website
July 30, 2024

‘Ghost candidates’ in St. Johns Commission races? 

Four of the most quiet candidates in the hotly contested races for St. Johns County Commission have connections to each…

Featured image for “St. Johns County offers free sandbags to residents”
Sandbags are stacked before a storm. | News4Jax
July 29, 2024

St. Johns County offers free sandbags to residents

With hurricane season in full swing, St. Johns County will offer free sandbags to residents on Wednesday.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine residents may get higher tax bills”
Lion statues guard St. Augustine's iconic Bridge of Lions. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2024

St. Augustine residents may get higher tax bills

City commissioners are proposing to leave the tax rate the same, but rising property values would lead to higher taxes.…

Featured image for “Higher taxes likely for St. Johns County residents”
St. Johns County's entryway on State Road A1A. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 16, 2024

Higher taxes likely for St. Johns County residents

The county plans to keep its tax rate the same, but rising property values mean homeowners would pay more.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County to pay $6.3M for deputy’s crash”
Julia "Jenny" Perez says her life was shattered after a St. Johns County sheriff's deputy hit her motorcycle. | Provided by Julia Perez, via Fresh Take Florida
July 16, 2024

St. Johns County to pay $6.3M for deputy’s crash

Motorcylist Julia Perez was severely injured when Deputy Brandon Hetzler ran into her while answering his phone.…

Featured image for “Volunteer researchers unlock secrets of nesting sea turtles”
Volunteer researcher Jeff Finnan prepares a sea turtle egg for genetic testing at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 12, 2024

Volunteer researchers unlock secrets of nesting sea turtles

Northeast Florida is about half way through sea turtle nesting season, and volunteers are working hard to keep track of…

Featured image for “St. Johns County commissioner cleared of meeting violation”
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph waves an American flag as she begins her comments during a meeting Nov. 21, 2023. | St. Johns County
July 12, 2024

St. Johns County commissioner cleared of meeting violation

A federal judge ruled that Krista Joseph did nothing wrong when, during a meeting, she encouraged people to vote against…

Featured image for “These St. Johns County elections will likely be decided in August”
St. Augustine | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 9, 2024

These St. Johns County elections will likely be decided in August

The general election isn’t until November, but a handful of races in St. Johns County will be as good as…

Featured image for “St. Johns County finishes beach restoration early”
Beach restoration stretched over more than 9 miles of coastline from the St. Johns-Duval county line south to the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. | St. Johns County
July 8, 2024

St. Johns County finishes beach restoration early

Crews have been shoring up 9 miles of beach since March to fortify it against future storms.…

Featured image for “Former St. Augustine mayor loses law license ”
St. Augustine | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 1, 2024

Former St. Augustine mayor loses law license 

Joseph Boles Jr. was a prominent elder law attorney and former eight-year mayor of St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “Postmortem for a historic St. Augustine home”
11 Bridge Street, pictured at left June 5, and the rubble of the building days later. | Carly Zervis
June 26, 2024

Postmortem for a historic St. Augustine home

One day it was there, and the next day it was gone. City leaders question whether 11 Bridge Street in…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Commission kills parking rule update”
One of St. Augustine’s busiest intersections, the modified traffic circle at San Marco Avenue and May Street | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 24, 2024

St. Augustine Commission kills parking rule update

It was not immediately clear why the parking measure was shelved at the last moment. …

Featured image for “St. Johns County explores North Beach seawall”
Piers like these in St. Johns County's North Beach community are easily inundated when high storm surge floods the area. | St. Johns County
June 21, 2024

St. Johns County explores North Beach seawall

The surge from flooding is getting higher in the North Beach and Vilano Beach community, and a seawall may be…

Featured image for “Historic St. Augustine rectory to get refresh”
This historic photo shows the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine's rectory as it has stood since 1965. | Diocese of St. Augustine
June 18, 2024

Historic St. Augustine rectory to get refresh

Housing for clergymen of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine will receive a much-needed renovation.…

Featured image for “Federal St. Augustine flooding study expected to yield solutions in 4 years”
The seawall along Avenida Menendez near the heart of Downtown St. Augustine will soon be raised up. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 17, 2024

Federal St. Augustine flooding study expected to yield solutions in 4 years

How do you keep St. Augustine from flooding? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hopes to give answers, eventually.…

Featured image for “Baptist opening emergency room in St. Augustine”
The new Baptist/Wolfson Children’s Emergency Room and Imaging Center will open Monday, June 17, 2024. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
June 14, 2024

Baptist opening emergency room in St. Augustine

Baptist Health officials say the new ER will bring emergency care closer to home in St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “St. Johns moms speak about their lawsuit over schoolbooks”
School library books, like these at R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy in Jacksonville, remain a controversial issue in Florida. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 11, 2024

St. Johns moms speak about their lawsuit over schoolbooks

The two parents are suing for equal rights when the public challenges books in Florida’s schools.…