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Latest reporting from the Community desk.
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View MoreSt. Johns County parks renew autism center certification
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation has renewed its Certified Autism Center designation from IBCCES, with at least 80% of staff completing updated sensory training as the county works toward becoming Florida's first certified autism tourist destination.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns P&Z backs retail expansion at Mill Creek Forest
The St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency unanimously recommended converting 120,000 square feet of office space to retail at the Shoppes at Mill Creek Forest and also heard a request to rezone 9.16 acres on CR 210 West to Commercial General.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns-area mortgage rates hit record 7.28%
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 7.28% as of Oct. 1, the highest since late 2023, adding roughly $300 per month to borrowing costs compared to a year ago and squeezing buyers in St. Johns County's already expensive housing market.
Community
View MoreHabitat for Humanity builds 200th home in St. Johns County
Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County dedicated its 200th home on Sept. 16, welcoming a substitute teacher and a carpenter to the Volusia Woods neighborhood as the county's median home price tops $546,000.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns County reviews agritourism ranch plan near Tocoi
A pre-application filed with St. Johns County proposes turning a 7.21-acre property near Tocoi Landing into an agritourism resort with cabins, treehouses, horseback riding, pick-your-own produce and guided St. Johns River fishing trips.
Community
View MoreJEA board names Jody Brooks interim CEO after Cavey exits
JEA's board unanimously appointed Jody Brooks as interim managing director and CEO on Friday, Sept. 25, replacing Vickie Cavey. The municipal utility serves more than one million residents across four Northeast Florida counties, including St. Johns County.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns County commits $125,000 to Black History Museum effort
St. Johns County commissioners allocated $125,000 to the Foundation for the Museum of Black History, providing seed money for the nonprofit raising funds to build the Florida Museum of Black History on the former Florida Memorial University campus in West Augustine.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns County survey backs beach wildlife protections
More than 1,000 St. Johns County residents backed nighttime driving restrictions, expanded wildlife education and dune protections in a survey shaping the county's next 20-year Habitat Conservation Plan.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns libraries end Sunday hours, raise fees in October
The St. Johns County Public Library System will end Sunday hours at all six branches and raise overdue fines for the first time in over a decade, effective Oct. 1 and Oct. 4.
Community
View MoreBartram Trail marks 9/11's 25th anniversary with ceremony
St. Johns County School District leaders joined a remembrance ceremony Friday, Sept. 11, at Bartram Trail High School, where a courtyard sculpture made from World Trade Center debris has stood since 2002.
Community
View MoreSt. Johns mortgage costs jump as rates hit 14-month high
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.76%, its highest since June 2025, adding roughly $115 a month for buyers financing a typical $450,000 St. Johns County home as affordability pressures mount.
Community
View MoreCash-heavy boomers outbid younger buyers in St. Johns County
National Association of Realtors data shows 46% of homebuyers ages 71 to 79 pay cash, giving them a significant edge in St. Johns County, where the median home price hit $589,030 in July and the affordability index signals most families can't qualify for a mortgage.
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