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 “St. Johns County residents pick up pieces after tornado”
Martin Newman, a resident of the TrailMark neighborhood in St. Johns County, cleans up his lawn Friday, April 12, 2024, after a tornado touched down not far from his home. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.
April 12, 2024

St. Johns County residents pick up pieces after tornado

A 100-mph tornado blew through two neighborhoods Thursday, damaging roofs, window and trees.…

Featured image for “DeSantis in St. Augustine to sign law enforcement bills”
Flanked by law enforcement officers and legislators at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Gov. Ron DeSantis shows bills he signed Friday, April 12, 2024. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.
April 12, 2024

DeSantis in St. Augustine to sign law enforcement bills

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed laws that govern police review boards and prevent people from harassing police officers.…

Featured image for “Girls can be firefighters too; new day camps show the way”
A day camp aims to get girls interested in firefighting. | St. Augustine Fire Department.
April 11, 2024

Girls can be firefighters too; new day camps show the way

Registration will be Saturday for two one-day camps in St. Augustine, designed for middle school girls.…

Featured image for “Live in St. Johns? Your kids may be Terrapins or Sasquatches”
The new logos for two new St. Johns County Schools. Lakeside Academy and Trout Creek Academy will open for the 2024-25 school year. | St. Johns County Schools.
April 4, 2024

Live in St. Johns? Your kids may be Terrapins or Sasquatches

Two new K-8 academies are opening in St. Johns County next school year, and the schools finally have mascots.…

Featured image for “HGTV ‘Dream Home’ finally gets OK in Anastasia Island”
A 3,300-square-foot home on Anastatia Island is part of HGTV's Dream Home contest. | St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board.
April 3, 2024

HGTV ‘Dream Home’ finally gets OK in Anastasia Island

After months of back and forth with the builder, the St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board approved the HGTV ‘Dream…

Featured image for “St. Johns County spends big on parks”
Alpine Groves Park in St Johns | Steven Browning
April 2, 2024

St. Johns County spends big on parks

One of Florida’s fastest growing counties is making a big investment in new parks and trails.…

Featured image for “Tell St. Johns County what’s on your mind”
St. Augustine | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
April 1, 2024

Tell St. Johns County what’s on your mind

St. Johns County and the St. Augustine Police Department want residents to share their opinions this month in two online…

Featured image for “Sheriffs tout arrests by sex trafficking task force”
Roger Handberg, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida, discusses the work of the Intercept Task Force during a news conference last week. He is joined by Northeast Florida sheriffs, nonprofit partners and Florida Rep. Sam Garrison. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.
April 1, 2024

Sheriffs tout arrests by sex trafficking task force

A multicounty sex crimes task force has made 31 arrests and investigated hundreds of tips since it was created a…

Featured image for “St. Augustine seeks a name for new park”
An illustration shows what the park now known as Weeden Park will look like once construction is finished. | City of St. Augustine
March 25, 2024

St. Augustine seeks a name for new park

Work is continuing to create a park on an empty city lot at Weeden and DeHaven streets. The question now…

Featured image for “St. Johns County beach renourishment delayed”
Bulldozers build up part of Vilano Beach during a renourishment project in 2021. | News4Jax
March 21, 2024

St. Johns County beach renourishment delayed

Closures will start soon at Mickler’s Landing as part of St. Johns County’s $40 million beach renourishment project.…

Featured image for “Now you can take the kids to the mosquito museum in St. Augustine”
Exterior – The Anastasia Mosquito Control District’s Vector Education Center and Science Museum officially opens to the public March 26. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.
March 20, 2024

Now you can take the kids to the mosquito museum in St. Augustine

The Anastasia Mosquito Control District is ready to welcome families to the Vector Disease Education Center in St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “Sean McGee is St. Johns County’s new fire chief”
St. Johns Fire Rescue Chief Sean McGee | St. Johns County
March 19, 2024

Sean McGee is St. Johns County’s new fire chief

The County Council appointed McGee on Tuesday to replace Scott Bullard, who left the job last year.…

Featured image for “Two new schools get names in St. Johns County”
March 18, 2024

Two new schools get names in St. Johns County

The new schools are Trout Creek Academy and Lakeside Academy. Seven more schools are planned in the next five years.…

Featured image for “Tips for getting to the Players Championship this weekend”
A crowd packs the Players Championship on Friday, March 15, 2024. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 15, 2024

Tips for getting to the Players Championship this weekend

Parking is sold out for Friday and Saturday, but passes could still be available on the Players’ resale site. Or…

Featured image for “World Golf Village IMAX to remain open”
The World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater sit near St. Augustine. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 13, 2024

World Golf Village IMAX to remain open

Despite concerns that it would close, St. Johns County confirmed the IMAX theater at World Golf Village will remain open…

Featured image for “Artwork coming to busy St. Augustine traffic circle”
One of St. Augustine’s busiest intersections, the modified traffic circle at San Marco Avenue and May Street is going to get spruced up with an art installation. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 11, 2024

Artwork coming to busy St. Augustine traffic circle

The city is on the hunt for an artist or a team of artists to create an outdoor installation at…

Featured image for “St. Johns County shuts down wood recycler over smoke”
Smoke rising near Ancient City Wood Recycling is visible near Palencia. | News4Jax
March 8, 2024

St. Johns County shuts down wood recycler over smoke

Residents near Ancient City Wood Recycling have complained about plumes of smoke rising from the business.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine asks voters to streamline police pensions”
St. Augustine police cars. | St. Augustine Police, Facebook
March 8, 2024

St. Augustine asks voters to streamline police pensions

St. Augustine residents will decide March 19 whether police pensions should fall under the municipal code, which would make it…

Featured image for “Scholarships open for St. Johns high school seniors”
Graduating seniors Aidan Bryant, left, and Horace Taylor are shown in 2022 with James Wheeler, operations and student programs director for INK!
March 7, 2024

Scholarships open for St. Johns high school seniors

March 23 is the deadline to apply for more than $50,000 in scholarships that are up for grabs for graduating…

Featured image for “St. Johns Commission OKs divisive waterfront trail”
March 5, 2024

St. Johns Commission OKs divisive waterfront trail

The commission approved a roughly $1.8 million bid to construct the 8-foot-wide trail connecting two boat ramps on Shore Drive…