Mostly sunny KNUCKLES: MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL, 4A 20% chance of rain 82 | 66 For details, see 2A www.mypdn.com PALATKA DAILY NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 $1 Police: Little Caesars robbed at gunpoint Palatka officials say they ‘have a person of interest’ in Monday evening robbery Palatka Daily News “We were cleaning the store,” a garbage from the store. semi-automatic handgun and stole 17-year-old employee said in a phone “He had a T-shirt over his face. I about $275 in cash from the store. Palatka Police Department offi- interview Tuesday. “A man came in only saw his eyes,” the employee “We do have a person of interest,” cials said they are looking for a man the back door.” said. “It scared me. I’m still a little Newcomb said. who robbed Little Caesars at gun- The employee said the back door to bit shocked by it.” Newcomb said the suspect was point Monday evening after the busi- the business is normally locked at Palatka police Capt. Matt wearing a dark blue, long-sleeve ness had closed. night, but was unlocked to take out Newcomb said the suspect had a shirt and dark blue jeans. Submitted photo Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they found $14,000 worth of cocaine Trump in a cereal box Monday afternoon. campaign PCSO: One manager cereal box charged TIME IS OF contained GOP front-runner decries allegations THE ESSENCE a surprise Associated Press Palatka Daily News FORT LAUDERDALE — CRESCENT CITY — Law enforce- Police charged Donald Trump’s ment officials said they found more than campaign manager with simple $14,000 worth of cocaine hidden in a battery Tuesday as a video- breakfast cereal box Monday afternoon taped alterca- after conducting a traffic stop and tion with a searching a vehicle on U.S. 17. reporter Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Capt. transformed Joe Wells said deputies stopped a vehicle what was driven by 24-year-old another Jose Moreno, of Lake messy cam- Wales, for a cracked paign side- Want to know the ER wait time? Send a text and find out. front windshield. Wells show into a said 19-year-old Efren criminal court Zuniga was in the pas- Trump BY ASIA AIKINS summons. Palatka Daily News senger seat. Trump "We try to make the wait times prominent. “We believe (Zuniga) decried the charges. utnam Community We don’t want the perception of emergency is a Mexican national,” Jupiter police determined Medical Center Wells said. Moreno that probable cause existed to recently launched a waiting rooms to deter people from coming." Wells said during file a criminal complaint against texting service that the traffic stop, Deputy ~ Putnam Community Medical Center CEO Chris Mosley the Republican front-runner’s allows patients to James Heath walked most trusted political adviser, Psee emergency room wait times his K-9 around the before they arrive. vehicle. Patients can text “ER” to vide transparency to help Mosley said. The average wait “The K-9 alerted See TRUMP, Page 5A 23000 to see wait times at patients make informed deci- time for the emergency room that something was Putnam Community Medical sions about the hospital they Tuesday afternoon was five possibly in the car,” Center and other hospitals in choose to attend when an minutes. Wells said. WHAT DO the North Florida Regional urgent situation arises.” “We’ve had it get up to 40 Deputies searched Healthcare System, owned by According to Mosley, the wait minutes (wait) when we’re the car and found a Zuniga YOU THINK? Hospital Corporation of time is updated every 30 min- super busy,” Mosley said. “We Honey Grahams box America. utes, based on a four-hour roll- don’t like it. But you will see it stuffed inside a blue What do you think about the “We are very excited about ing average of the amount of flash outside on the billboard.” duffel bag. Inside the box was about 514 allegations against Donald launching this new texting ser- time it takes patients to see a Mosley said the emergency grams of cocaine, Wells said. Trump’s campaign manager? vice and know it will be very qualified medical professional room wait times can be viewed “That amount of cocaine has a street Email Letters to beneficial to residents in after arrival to the hospital. from the texting service, on the value of approximately $14,000 to the Editor to Putnam County and its sur- “We call it arrival to greet,” hospital’s website or on the digi- $16,000,” Wells said. publicforum@ rounding areas,” said Chris he said. tal sign in front of the hospital Zuniga and Moreno were arrested and palatkadailynews. Mosley, Putnam Community The average arrival-to-greet charged with trafficking in cocaine. They com. Letter writers Medical Center CEO. “This ser- time during the month of were taken to Putnam County Jail and must include full name, daytime vice aims to educate and pro- February was 15 minutes, See TEXT, Page 5A held on a bond of $150,000 each. phone number and address. There is a 350-word limit. HOME & STYLE SAFE Putnam in Hollister eyes top prize, but needs help from community Humane Society of Northeast Florida Rescue is in the running with Bandit’s BY BRANDON D. OLIVER WHAT DO Palatka Daily News in November, and the shelter chief Adoption and Rescue of K-9s of said the money from the contest would Ashland, Va., Salfid Rescue or YOU THINK? Animal Planet has $180,000 to give, help the group renovate the facility. Souderton, Pa., Dublin-Laurens and a local animal shelter is asking for “We have an empty shelter out there County Humane Society of Dublin, Do you want to help SAFE the community’s help to receive that (in the back of the facility) just waiting Ga., and Partners for Pets Rescue and Putnam in Hollister win a free prize. to be renovated,” SAFE Founder and Rehab Animal Shelter of St. Jacob, Ill. renovation for SAFE Putnam in Hollister is one of President Robin Kantner-Nordan. “We Kantner-Nordan said when SAFE the local five finalists nationwide in the TV net- were just about to raise money, and took over the Humane Society, SAFE shelter. To vote work’s Pet Nation Renovation contest, then we saw this (contest). We want to officials moved the dogs out of outdoor for SAFE Do you know someone the Palatka Daily and could win the grand prize if make an old dog retirement retreat dilapidated kennels to indoor kennels. Putnam, visit News should profile in our annual Home enough people vote for the local shel- because we have 10 acres out there.” animalplanet.com/petnation. and Style special section? If so, email ter. Public voting began March 21 and To learn more about SAFE, News Editor Allison Waters-Merritt at SAFE Putnam took over the will end 11:59 p.m. Monday. SAFE Pet See SAFE, Page 5A visit safe-pet-rescue-fl.com. [email protected]. By mail, 2 sections VOL. 128 • NO. 63 The Voice of Classified/Legals ............ 8A Obituaries ....................... 3A INDEX PALATKA, FLA. Putnam County Comics ............................ 2B Opinions ......................... 4A Advice ............................. 2B Horoscope ...................... 2B Sports ............................. 6A since 1885 Briefing ........................... 2A Lottery............................. 7A Sudoku ........................... 9A Public Notices on Page 8A 033016a1.indd 1 3/29/16 8:35 PM “We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.” — Eric Hoffer morning briefing American philosopher 2AWEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 (1898-1983) PALATKA DAILY NEWS Today in History www.palatkadailynews.com 1825 St. Johns Ave., Palatka FL 32177 MAIL: P.O. Box 777, Palatka, FL 32178 Today is Wednesday, March 30, the 90th day of 2016. There are 276 USPS 418-500 days left in the year. Periodicals postage paid at Palatka, FL, Palatka Daily News, est. 1885, TODAY IN PUTNAM is published daily Tuesday through In 1888, oil ignited on the floor of Saturday by the Palatka Daily News, Inc., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Federal Point, but heavy woolen Palatka Daily News, P.O. Box 777, rugs prevented a fire from getting Palatka FL 32178 out of hand. MAIN NUMBER ..... 312-5200 In 1935, Federal Emergency Relief Administration workers Business hours are 8 a.m. to began clearing underbrush and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. building roads in the Palatka ravine. They also landscaped the grounds Call about classified or display ads, questions about circulation or any and planted thousands of azalea other newspaper business. Call plants at Palatka Ravine Garden with news tips at any time. Just fol- State Park, which was owned by the low the instructions after business city of Palatka. hours. Advertising fax ....................312-5209 TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY Newsroom fax ....................312-5226 On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot and seri- CIRCULATION ously injured outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John W. Hinckley Jr. Please call 386-312-5200 by Also wounded were White House 10 a.m. to report problems with the press secretary James Brady, Secret delivery of your paper. Circulation office FILE PHOTO Service agent Timothy McCarthy hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you leave a King Catfish highlighted the 37th annual Rotary Club of Crescent City Catfish Festival parade last year. This year’s parade and a District of Columbia police message, please give your name, 911 begins noon Saturday along Summit Street in Crescent City. The annual Catfish Festival is Friday and Saturday at Eva officer, Thomas Delahanty. address and phone number. Lyon Park on U.S. 17. Friday’s events begin 5 p.m.