A new program called Seniors vs. Crime has been launched in St. Johns County, Florida, to protect senior citizens from scams and frauds. The initiative, announced by Attorney General Ashley Moody and St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick, will operate from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s South Regional Operations Center. The program will be staffed by volunteers, known as Senior Sleuths, who will educate seniors about scams and help those who have been scammed. The program has already secured an estimated $2.4 million in financial relief for seniors statewide last year, and $7.9 million since 2019. The program also provided…
Continue ReadingDay: December 19, 2023
7,400 Essential Workers in St. Johns County Struggle to Afford Homes
Over 7,400 workers in education, healthcare, and law enforcement in St. Johns County, Florida, cannot afford to buy a home in the county, according to a study presented to the county’s Board of Commissioners. The county, which has the least affordable housing in the area, has a median home price of $510,000 and a median rent for a three-bedroom home of $2,290. The St. Johns County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) has recommended focusing on five key priorities to address the issue, including flexible densities, modification of impact fees, public land inventory, impact fee credit transfers, and accessory residential dwelling…
Continue Reading51% of St. Johns County High School Students Have Used Alcohol, 33% Have Used Illicit Drugs – Program Highlights Warning Signs
A program in St. Johns County, Florida, called ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’, is educating parents on preventing substance misuse and addiction among young people. The Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County showcased the program, which teaches parents how everyday items like umbrellas, markers, and car keys can indicate substance misuse. The program, which started in May, uses a cargo trailer staged as a child’s bedroom to demonstrate potential indicators of risky behaviors or mental health issues. It also educates kids on safe driving by simulating alcohol and drug levels with goggles. According to the coalition, about 51% of St. Johns…
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St. Johns County switches trash service providers after two decades
St. Johns County, Florida, has awarded a $28.2 million contract to FCC Environmental Services for trash pickup, replacing the two companies that have provided the service for the past 20 years. The change, which was approved by a 4-1 vote, will result in a $170 increase in costs to residents over the next five years. The current contracts with Republic Services and Waste Management, which serve the northern and southern parts of the county respectively, will expire in July 2024. FCC’s bid was significantly lower than those from Meridian Waste, Waste Pro, and Waste Management. FCC will begin its seven-year…
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