Latest news with #StAugustinePolice
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
The City of St. Augustine is making changes ahead of its 'Fireworks Over the Matanzas' event.
In response to the record-breaking 2024-2025 Nights of Lights season and community feedback, the City of St. Augustine is making changes to its Fireworks Over the Matanzas operations as a test run for proposed operational changes for the upcoming Nights of Lights season. The following changes will be made on Friday, July 4, 2025: There will be an additional 134 public portable toilets placed in the parking lot at the corner of St. George Street and Cathedral Place, and 20 portable public toilets added near the Visitor Information Center. View the map here. Pedestrian barriers will be installed along Cathedral Place on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitución as a barricade, preventing pedestrians from crossing Cathedral Place in the middle of the block. Pedestrians must cross at the intersection of Cathedral Place at St. George Street and Charlotte Street. It is important to note that Cathedral Place will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 4:00 pm, between Avenida Menendez and Cordova Street. Barricades will be placed at critical intersections in the historic downtown area to block vehicular access. Public Safety Assistance and St. Augustine Police officers will be stationed at critical intersections to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The American Red Cross will be stationed at the intersection of Cathedral Place and Charlotte Street, near Anderson Circle, distributing water while supplies last and helping as needed to passersby. The Broudy's Lot, located at 198 W. King St., will be open for free parking from 5:00pm until midnight; however, shuttles will not be available. The Broudy's Lot is within walking distance to downtown, so those who choose to park there may walk to the historic downtown and bayfront. As a reminder to those who plan to attend Fireworks Over the Matanzas: Before you arrive, have an exit strategy. Plan to stay downtown after the fireworks display. Allow traffic and people to disperse. Be patient. Expect long delays when exiting downtown following the fireworks. It takes all day for people to arrive, and everyone tries to leave at the same time. The Historic Downtown Parking Facility is expected to reach capacity early and will be closed. There will be long exit lines when leaving the garage after the fireworks.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Watch: Bear spotted roaming streets of nation's oldest city
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A black bear was spotted roaming the streets of the nation's oldest city on Tuesday morning, prompting law enforcement to warn residents to keep an eye out for the creature. The St. Augustine Police Department released video showing the bear scaling a wall around the historic St. George Street corridor before disappearing, likely through one of the city's many alleyways. Many of the sightings occurred in the downtown region, a heavily visited area by tourists, which celebrates the city's founding by European explorers in 1565. Animal specialists say the bear is not considered a threat to the community but emphasized that the sighting serves as a reminder of the season. Bear spotted in St. Augustine, Florida on 5/6/2025 Suspected Florida Bear Attack Leaves Man, Dog Dead This time of year, young bears begin to disperse in search of new territory, often bringing them into more urban areas. "It's important to keep a respectful distance and never run. Black bears prefer to avoid people and will usually move on quickly," police stated. The sighting in St. Johns County came just one day after a deadly black bear attack in Southwest Florida, where a man and his dog were killed in what officials believe is the first documented fatal bear attack in the state's history. In response to the reported incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that three bears were euthanized in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area and DNA analysis will be conducted to determine if any of the animals were involved in the fatal encounter. While wildlife officials stressed that bear attacks on humans remain extremely rare, encounters are becoming increasingly common, with populations of humans and black bears on the increase. The state's black bear population has rebounded significantly over the last few decades and is now estimated to exceed 4,000. According to FWC, adult male bears in Florida typically weigh between 250 and 450 pounds, while adult females range from 125 to 250 pounds. Because of the growing population and increased sightings, the FWC is currently considering reinstating the state's annual black bear hunt, which has faced public backlash. War Trophy From George Washington's Army Discovered Amid British Shipwreck As for the bear spotted in downtown St. Augustine, officials believe it has since left the immediate area, but they will continue to monitor it and will set out traps, if needed, for relocation. According to FWC officials, residents can help deter bear sightings by keeping garbage secure and keeping pet food inside. Anyone who sees a bear in an unusual setting in Florida is encouraged to contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Original article source: Watch: Bear spotted roaming streets of nation's oldest city
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Black bear sighting in St. Augustine, seen on video climbing wall and roaming the street
St. Augustine learned it has a new tourist Tuesday morning with the a black bear spotted in the downtown/Lincolnville area. The St. Augustine Police Department posted a video and image of the bear on its Facebook scaling a wall and roaming the street in the early morning. A black bear is spotted on video in St. Augustine's downtown/Lincolnville area May 6. "Law Enforcement is currently on scene with the bear in a secluded area in south Lincolnville," the department stated." Residents and visitors are urged to use caution if they encounter the bear. A black bear is spotted on video in St. Augustine's downtown/Lincolnville area May 6. 'It's important to keep a respectful distance and never run," police said. "Black bears prefer to avoid people and will usually move on quickly.' This follows a three-day scare in Atlantic Beach where a rabid coyote initiated five attacks before being shot and killed by an officer. (This story will be updated.) This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Video shows bear climbing wall and roaming St. Augustine street
