A Few Showers 50% rain chance THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE | Palatka HS Theater’s show opens May 8. CURRENTS, Inside 75 58 For details, see 2A www.mypdn.com PALATKA DAILY NEWS SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 $1 Weekend RELAY WALKERS DELIVER MESSAGE OF LIFE Happenings Republic 61st Annual Mug Race ready to be Starts 7:25 a.m. Saturday, St. Johns River at Memorial Bridge, Palatka. Deadline for presented mid-course gate, Shands Bridge, Green Cove Springs, 7:30 p.m. deadline for finish, 8:05 p.m., St. Johns River, southeast corner of as landfi ll Buckman Bridge, Jacksonville. 8-9:45 a.m., post-race breakfast and tro- phy presentation at Rudder Club of Jacksonville. Details: suitors rudderclub.com BY BRANDON D. OLIVER Palatka Daily News Photos by CHRIS DEVITTO / Palatka Daily News Birding Hike at Carl Cancer survivor Sophia Smith, center, walks with other cancer survivors during the opening ceremonies for Putnam County officials will host a Relay for Life Friday at the Putnam County fairgrounds in East Palatka. public meeting Tuesday to formally Moore State Forest recommend the private company that they believe should purchase the local 8-10 a.m. Saturday, 400 landfill. West St., Interlachen. Led by The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Carol Foil. Sponsored by ‘ ... I’m still here’ at the Board of County Commissioners Putnam Blueways & Trails. chambers, 2509 Crill Ave. in Palatka. Hiking trail has two viewing BY ASIA AIKINS At the meeting, the Landfill areas of Up & Down Lake. Palatka Daily News Proposal Selection Committee will Details: putnamblueway- give the commissioners its recommen- sandtrails.org. It’s been 10 years since dation for Republic Services Inc. to Sophia Smith was diagnosed purchase the Putnam County Central with stage 3 C ovarian cancer Landfill. and told she would only have a “What I will do Tuesday is to para- 120th Founders 5-15 percent chance of living phrase the written recommendation five more years. from the committee,” said Rick Leary, Day, Pomona Park Last night, Smith shared her county administrator and member of story, her faith and her source of the selection committee. “The primary 11 a.m., opening ceremo- strength as the featured speaker focus of the meeting is for the selec- nies, Saturday at Morgan at the 2014 Relay for Life of tion committee to present its recom- Park. Short speeches from Putnam County at the Putnam mendation to the board.” local dignitaries, residents County Fairgrounds. There will also be a short presenta- 85 and older will be recog- “Don’t die because someone tion by county Solid Waste Director nized. Free hot dog lunch told you that you were supposed Larry Gast, a question and answer with birthday cake. Local to,” she said. “I’ve lived to see portion for the commissioners, a pre- music groups provide enter- four more grandchildren. I’ve sentation from Republic officials and tainment throughout the day. seen a lot of people come and go, Cancer survivor Sophia Smith speaks to cancer survivors during a portion of time for community mem- Pulled pork competition but I’m still here.” opening ceremonies for Relay for Life Friday. bers to speak about the privatization Kids’ events planned such Smith, who lived in Putnam matter, Leary said. as pickleball and more. County as a child, returned to In a series of meetings, the selec- Details: putnamfamilyfit- Palatka in 1997 when her hus- Between 1996 and 2000, Smith only four years later. tion committee has chosen Republic’s nesscenter.net. band Darrell became the pastor said she went through “the most “There was no pain, no warn- first payment option, which would of Palatka Church of God of horrible wonderful experience” of ing signs,” she said. “I was diag- have the company pay the county Prophesy. She is an administra- her life, teaching her to trust God nosed on Nov. 29, 2004 — my $55.6 million in purchasing, permit- Author book tive assistant to the Palatka Fire and maintain an upbeat attitude 50th birthday.” ting, host and other fees. Chief, a mother of three and a no matter what. She didn’t know Tuesday’s meeting will be a chance signing Saturday grandmother to six children. that she would be facing death See RELAY, Page 5A for not only the public to hear infor- mation directly from Republic repre- Bob Lee, author of sentatives, but also the county com- “Backcountry Lawman,” will missioners. be featured at a book signing Until the last selection committee from 5-6 p.m. Saturday at meeting, commissioners and other Welaka Lodge and Resort, Planning board to consider staff report on VA nursing home county officials were not allowed to 1001 Front St., Welaka. have any contact with Republic Seating begins at 4 p.m. with BY ASIA AIKINS Putnam County Planning Director but is now being considered as a confir- because of one of the county’s request cocktails and conversations. Palatka Daily News Brian Hammons applied for a con- mation of a staff interpretation,” docu- for proposals conditions that the com- Details: 467-7171 and www. firmation of administrative inter- ments state. “The Putnam County mittee refers to as the “cone of welakalodge.com. The Palatka Planning Board will pretation for the proposed nursing Commission voted to pursue this silence.” consider a staff recommendation home, which would be developed on development, which is a competitive Committee members Leary, Gast Tuesday to consider a 120-bed veter- city-zoned planned industrial dis- process targeted at specific sub-regions and County Attorney Russ Train Layouts Running ans nursing home in Putnam County’s trict. around the state.” Castleberry said during the April 24 business park on St. Johns Avenue. “The request was originally filed as 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Palatka According to city documents, a conditional use for a nursing home, See VA HOME, Page 5A See LANDFILL, Page 5A Union Depot, 222 N. 11th St. Free and open to the public. INDEX 200 collect SJR Possible landfi ll Advice ............................. 2B Briefing ........................... 2A State College Classified/Legals ............ 8A sale generates Comics ............................ 2B Horoscope ...................... 2B Lottery............................. 7A diplomas Friday Obituaries ....................... 5A bridge protest Opinions ......................... 4A Special to the Daily News Sports ............................. 6A St. Johns River State College cele- Sudoku ........................... 9A BY BRANDON D. OLIVER brated its Spring Commencement on Palatka Daily News May 2, honoring students who are can- The Voice of didates to earn bachelor’s degrees, Submitted photo Residents took to the Palatka river- Putnam County associate’s degrees or college credit Putnam County graduates of St. Johns River State College gather before spring front Friday afternoon to protest the certificates for the 2014 spring and commencement ceremonies Friday at Thrasher-Horne Center. potential privatization of the Putnam since 1885 summer terms. County Central Landfill. Friday’s commencement represent- Grasping picket signs and metal VOL. 126 • NO. 89 ed generations of dreams realized and For some, their collegiate journey County resident and dual enrollment trash can lids, a handful of people PALATKA, FLA. stories of personal growth, persever- was completed in months; for others, student Brigid Morgan, 17, was pre- stood at the foot of the Memorial ance and second chances – success sto- after years of determination and sacri- sented with the Valedictorian Award. Bridge, urging passing vehicles to ries for more than 525 graduates. More fices. The audience cheered on a She is the youngest student to ever honk in support of their cause. Public Notices than 200 students from the St. diverse class of graduates ranging receive the award. The award is given County officials are considering on Page 8A Augustine, Palatka and Orange Park from 19 dually-enrolled high school based on grade point average, difficul- selling the 340-acre landfill to By mail, 2 sections campuses participated in the ceremo- seniors completing their A.A. degree ty of courses and involvement in extra- Republic Services Inc. for anywhere ny held at the Thrasher-Horne Center coursework to a 59-year-old earning curricular activities. from $55.6 million, which includes for the Arts on the Orange Park cam- her bachelor’s degree. pus. During the ceremony, St. Johns See COLLEGE, Page 5A See PROTEST, Page 5A 050314a1.indd 1 5/2/14 8:53 PM 2A PALATKA DAILY NEWS • SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 TaTer Diggin’ At left: Putnam County 4H Club Kountry Kids leader Krystal Sweat, front left, helps some of her clubbers dig potatoes last Putnam AM Saturday at the Blue Sky Potato Farms in Hastings. Pictured with her are Paxton Sweat, Morgan Wiggs and standing, Hunter Grey, 1953. She starred in several TV right. The event was part of the shows filmed at Marineland in the annual Farm Stroll 2014 in Local 1950s and was featured in a Timex Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns watch commercial in 1961 that aired counties where area residents CorreCtion were invited to experience farm on Frank Sinatra’s special “Welcome life first hand. Below: A guest Interlachen website Home Elvis.” stops to look at the variety of A public celebration of Nellie’s life potatoes at Blue Sky Potato A news story about Interlachen’s is planned for May 15. More infor- Farms during Farm Stroll 2014. updated website in Wednesday’s mation will be announced on the Daily News erroneously named the website, www.marineland.net . company assisting the town. The company’s correct name is C&D bunneLL Services. Settlement ends postcard PALAtKA only policy at jail Cinco-de-Recycling Regatta sched- Inmates at the Flagler County Jail uled for today at the Palatka will be able to receive mail other Riverfront Park has been canceled.