Sunny MEET TRUMP’S MAXED-OUT DONORS, BELIEVERS IN THE CAUSE, 7A 0% chance of rain 81 | 56 For details, see 2A www.mypdn.com PALATKA DAILY NEWS TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 $1 Fight to keep gay marriage ban could be costly WHAT DO YOU THINK One attorney says his firm estimates legal battle cost $300,000 in fees What do you think of a judge’s ruling that attorneys can receive state funds to pay for the fight over a gay who declared the prohibition uncon- pay. One attorney representing gay Liberties Union of Florida and which BY GARY FINEOUT marriage ban? Email Letters Associated Press stitutional nearly two years ago, has couples challenging the law filed an represented several couples, said to the Editor to ordered the state to pay the fees of initial estimate last year that his firm attorneys undertook a “substantial publicforum@ TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s fierce attorneys who filed federal lawsuits was eligible for more than $300,000 amount of work” during the lengthy palatkadailynews.com. fight to keep intact a voter-approved challenging the ban. in fees. Another legal team has yet to legal battle. Letter writers must include full name, ban on gay marriage is going to wind Hinkle issued his ruling Friday, come up with a figure. daytime phone number and address. up costing taxpayers. which will start the process to deter- Howard Simon, the executive There is a 350-word limit. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, mine the final amount the state must director of the American Civil See BAN, Page 8A Satsuma man Ahead of the game accused of burning down his home Five children, ages 16, 13, 10, 7 and 2, lived in the house; no injuries reported Palatka Daily News was on fire. The victim said she gathered SATSUMA — A 67-year-old all the residents, including five Satsuma man was arrested children ages 16, 13, 10, 7 and and charged with arson after 2. the state fire marshal said the The victim told deputies the suspect set his home suspect was in a bar on fire early Sunday and “came home morning, displacing a extremely intoxicat- family with five chil- ed,” the report said. dren living in the resi- Deputy Mark dence. Henry said the sus- A Putnam County pect appeared Sheriff’s Office report “extremely intoxicat- said deputies respond- ed,” the report said. ed to a structure fire Adkins The suspect told and saw the residence deputies after he at 240 Pamela Ave. returned home, he “fully engulfed in flames.” entered his room, sat on his One of the victims told depu- bed and saw smoke coming ties William Adkins was from under the bed, the report responsible for setting the fire, said. the report said. Adkins was arrested and CHRIS DEVITTO/Palatka Daily News In the sixth grade, Brittany Stanley told her mother she wanted to earn an associate degree before graduating from high The victim told officers she taken to the Putnam County school. Next month, Stanley will achieve that goal, one month prior to securing her high school diploma from Palatka High. was in her bedroom when one Jail. He is being held without of her sons told her the house bond. Palatka High senior will snag two degrees before summer begins River State College almost a month “I asked her, ‘Are you sure?’” said BY ASIA AIKINS before she receives her high school Amy Stanley, Brittany Stanley’s Florida’s top teachers Palatka Daily News diploma. mother, “but when she sets a goal, Palatka High School senior Brittany Stanley decided in sixth will graduate with her associ- grade she wanted to earn her associate A ate degree from St. Johns degree before graduating high school. See DEGREES, Page 5A found at affl uent schools Associated Press Sentinel reported Sunday. The report highlights how ORLANDO — New bonus the bonuses have failed to payments aimed at attracting address the state’s long-stand- and keeping good teachers in ing goal of more equitably dis- Earth Day celebration at Dunns Creek park includes variety of activities Florida have gone dispropor- tributing quality educators. tionately to those who work The newspaper’s analysis of with students from affluent education data on the state- “If you want to come out and camp, you hike would begin 8 a.m. Saturday. families, an analysis by a wide program found that for BY BRANDON D. OLIVER Palatka Daily News can on the 22nd and leave the 24th,” said Carr said there would be bike rides, Florida newspaper has found. every 954 students in a high Sam Carr, the president of the Friends of bug demonstrations, boat rides, nature Teachers who received poverty Florida school this Local park officials hope this weekend’s Dunns Creek’s board of directors. “The tours and other activities. There will even bonuses under the $44 million year, there was only one bonus- Earth Day celebration in South Putnam actual celebration is on the 23rd.” be pony rides that will span the park, he “best and brightest” teacher winning teacher. But the ratio County will become an annual occur- On Saturday, the state park will be the said, rather than in circles like at most scholarship program that was far less for those schools rence. site of numerous activities to highlight fairs, carnivals and circuses. started last year were more with students from more afflu- Dunns Creek State Park and Friends of the park’s waterways, trails, animals and In addition to the numerous activities than twice as likely to work ent homes, one “Best and Dunns Creek will host their inaugural other aspects of nature. with students from affluent Earth Day celebration Saturday with Activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to families than with students camping Friday through Sunday. 5 p.m. Saturday, but Carr said a birding See DUNNS, Page 5A living in poverty, the Orlando See TEACHERS, Page 8A By mail, 2 sections VOL. 128 • NO. 76 The Voice of Classified/Legals ............ 4B Obituaries ....................... 3A INDEX PALATKA, FLA. Putnam County Comics ............................ 6A Opinions ......................... 4A Advice ............................. 6A Horoscope ...................... 6A Sports ............................. 1B since 1885 Briefing ........................... 2A Lottery............................. 2B Sudoku ........................... 5B Public Notices on Page 4B Your Tax Dollars are Serious Business Your Tax • 2016 Installment Payment Plan application due April 30, 2016 Collector Team... Proudly Serving • Pay your taxes in quarterly payments and receive a discount Putnam County! • A convenient, budget friendly plan to pay for current Property Taxes Please Call 386-329-0272 or 329-0276 for more details. Linda Myers 041916a1.indd 1 4/18/16 8:33 PM “The crisis you have to worry about most is the one you don’t see coming.” — Mike Mansfield American statesman morning briefing (1903-2001) 2ATUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 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 Tuesday, April 19, the 110th day of 2016. There are 256 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 1912, J.B. Austin instructed Saturday by the Palatka Daily News, Inc., yard crews of Georgia Southern and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Florida Railway to not make repairs Palatka Daily News, P.O. Box 777, during church hours on Sunday at Palatka FL 32178 their “old” yard in Palatka in order MAIN NUMBER ..... 312-5200 to not interrupt church at the Presbyterian Church. The repair Business hours are 8 a.m. to yard was about where the city dock 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. parking lot is now. In 1922, an announcement was Call about classified or display ads, questions about circulation or any made that the bricks from the other newspaper business. Call Putnam House being razed would be with news tips at any time. Just fol- used to construct a two-story brick low the instructions after business building on the corner of Lemon and hours. Seventh streets by the Palatka Advertising fax ....................312-5209 Development Co. Newsroom fax ....................312-5226 TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY CIRCULATION On April 19, 1966, Bobbi Gibb, 23, became the first woman to run the Please call 386-312-5200 by Boston Marathon at a time when 10 a.m. to report problems with the only men were allowed to partici- delivery of your paper. Circulation office pate. Gibb jumped into the middle of hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you leave a CHRIS DEVITTO/Palatka Daily News the pack after the sound of the start- message, please give your name, 911 Florida School of the Arts students Amari Hollins and Daniel Ortega rehearse “Breathing,” one of the dances featured during ing pistol and finished in 3:21:40. address and phone number. the school’s annual performance, “An Evening of Dance.” Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. Each year, the dance, costume and stage design programs join together to create a colorful ON THIS DATE and exciting evening of imagery and movement at the school’s main stage on the Palatka campus of St. Johns River State For home delivery subscription, In 1775, the American College. The ensemble will include a diverse selection of dances, including contemporary, classical ballet and contemporary Revolutionary War began with the including tax ballet works choreographed by nationally recognized faculty and guest artists. For details, call 312-4300. 13 weeks ................................ $24.62 battles of Lexington and Concord.