Noah Hertz

Noah Hertz is a Jacksonville Today reporter focusing on St. Johns County. From Central Florida, Noah got his start as an intern at WFSU, Tallahassee’s public radio station, and as a reporter at The Wakulla News. He went on to work for three years as a general assignment reporter and editor for The West Volusia Beacon in his hometown, DeLand. Noah won an award for his breaking news coverage at The Wakulla News and he went on to help The Beacon take home awards from the Florida Press Association. A Florida State University graduate, Noah is happy to be back up in North Florida. When he isn't writing, Noah likes reading, baking and playing video games.

Featured image for “Hotelier has big plans for St. Augustine high-rise”

An illustration shows Cathedral Place as it may look if a luxury hotel is approved at the property. | City of St. Augustine.

Hotelier has big plans for St. Augustine high-rise

Jalaram Hotels of St. Augustine wants to turn the historic Cathedral Place into a luxury hotel with a parking garage.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County to sell off surplus property this weekend”

St. Johns County is selling off surplus property. | Frederick Warren, Unsplash.

St. Johns County to sell off surplus property this weekend

Items for sale include a number of pickup trucks and other vehicles as well as office equipment.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Affordable housing plan denied near World Golf Village”

An affordable housing complex was proposed on this land near County Road 16 and Silverleaf Parkway in St. Johns County. | Google

Affordable housing plan denied near World Golf Village

Citing traffic concerns, the St. Johns County Commission voted against a 288-unit affordable housing proposal called The Preserve at Ward’s…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Amelia recognized as ‘best island’ in US ”

Sailboats are moored on the Amelia River in Fernandina Beach's historic waterfront district. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Amelia recognized as ‘best island’ in US

Amelia Island was selected in a survey by Global Traveler Magazine. It topped destinations like Maui and Hilton Head.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Carousel might soon return in St. Augustine”

Davenport Park sits near San Carlos and San Marco avenues in St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

Carousel might soon return in St. Augustine

One man’s journey to restore a carousel to “Carousel Park” got a step closer to reality Thursday.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County to host public budget workshops”

St. Johns County to host public budget workshops

The county aims to make its budget-setting process more transparent this year by making public workshops more accessible.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns charity raises money to buy healthy food for seniors”

These are some of the custom birdhouses up for grabs as part of Pie in the Sky's For the Birds fundraiser. Proceeds will help fund the group's efforts to deliver healthy food to seniors.

St. Johns charity raises money to buy healthy food for seniors

Pie in the Sky is auctioning off artistic birdhouses in its annual For the Birds fundraiser.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Augustine civil rights landmark wins $750,000 grant”

The St. Augustine Beach Hotel was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement. | St. Johns Cultural Council

St. Augustine civil rights landmark wins $750,000 grant

Wade-ins at the St. Augustine Beach Hotel contributed to the passage of the national Civil Rights Act.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Sea turtle nesting season begins this week”

A leatherback turtle leaves Crescent Beach in St. Johns County. | St. Johns County.

Sea turtle nesting season begins this week

Local governments and environmental agencies are asking people to take precautions so nesting turtles aren’t deterred.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to close one year for renovations”

The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, pictured this year. When it reopens next year, it will look different on the outside and will accommodate more people. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall to close one year for renovations

Work will begin soon on $11 million worth of renovations that will enlarge the stage and seating.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns invites residents to learn about local government”

St. Augustine, including the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse, as seen from the air. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

St. Johns invites residents to learn about local government

The county is starting SJC 101, a citizen’s academy to educate people about how their government works.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Roger Bansemer and Lynyrd Skynyrd join Florida Artists Hall of Fame”

Roger and Sarah Bansemer of St. Augustine work on a shot for their public television program "Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer." They are near the Portland Light historic lighthouse in Maine. | Roger Bansemer

Roger Bansemer and Lynyrd Skynyrd join Florida Artists Hall of Fame

Bansemer is renowned for his public television series “Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer.” Skynyrd is known as…

By Noah Hertz and Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Augustine breathes life into neglected West City”

West King Street is one of West City's main thoroughfares. New businesses have cropped up along the road in recent years, like Buena Onda Cafe, pictured here, filling in once-vacant spots. | Noah hertz, Jacksonville Today.

St. Augustine breathes life into neglected West City

The City of St. Augustine agreed April 22 to give some TLC to West City, a part of town that…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “One benefit of ‘attainable housing’ in St. Johns? Less traffic”

Traffic on St. Augustine's Bridge of Lions. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

One benefit of ‘attainable housing’ in St. Johns? Less traffic

High home prices are forcing St. Johns County workers to live further from where they work. That inflates traffic, experts…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Black history museum backers escape bus fire on I-10”

Passengers flee a bus that caught fire Friday, April 19, 2024, as St. Johns County residents traveled to Tallahassee. | Photo provided to News4Jax.

Black history museum backers escape bus fire on I-10

No one was seriously hurt as the group headed to Tallahassee to lobby for a Florida Museum of Black History…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County needs four new fire stations”

This illustration shows St. Johns County Fire Station 23 planned for construction near Nocatee by 2028. | St. Johns County

St. Johns County needs four new fire stations

County commissioners approved plans Tuesday to build four new fire stations and other public safety buildings.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County to buy World Golf Village property”

The World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater sit near St. Augustine. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

St. Johns County to buy World Golf Village property

The St. Johns County Commmission voted to buy a chunk of World Golf Village for $5.5 million, but plans for…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County considers buying World Golf Village”

This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine

St. Johns County considers buying World Golf Village

The County Commission on Tuesday will discuss a $5.5 million plan to buy the majority of the property.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County residents pick up pieces after tornado”

Martin Newman, a resident of the TrailMark neighborhood in St. Johns County, cleans up his lawn Friday, April 12, 2024, after a tornado touched down not far from his home. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.

St. Johns County residents pick up pieces after tornado

A 100-mph tornado blew through two neighborhoods Thursday, damaging roofs, window and trees.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “DeSantis in St. Augustine to sign law enforcement bills”

Flanked by law enforcement officers and legislators at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Gov. Ron DeSantis shows bills he signed Friday, April 12, 2024. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.

DeSantis in St. Augustine to sign law enforcement bills

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed laws that govern police review boards and prevent people from harassing police officers.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Girls can be firefighters too; new day camps show the way”

A day camp aims to get girls interested in firefighting. | St. Augustine Fire Department.

Girls can be firefighters too; new day camps show the way

Registration will be Saturday for two one-day camps in St. Augustine, designed for middle school girls.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Live in St. Johns? Your kids may be Terrapins or Sasquatches”

The new logos for two new St. Johns County Schools. Lakeside Academy and Trout Creek Academy will open for the 2024-25 school year. | St. Johns County Schools.

Live in St. Johns? Your kids may be Terrapins or Sasquatches

Two new K-8 academies are opening in St. Johns County next school year, and the schools finally have mascots.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “HGTV ‘Dream Home’ finally gets OK in Anastasia Island”

A 3,300-square-foot home on Anastatia Island is part of HGTV's Dream Home contest. | St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board.

HGTV ‘Dream Home’ finally gets OK in Anastasia Island

After months of back and forth with the builder, the St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board approved the HGTV ‘Dream…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County spends big on parks”

Alpine Groves Park in St Johns | Steven Browning

St. Johns County spends big on parks

One of Florida’s fastest growing counties is making a big investment in new parks and trails.…

By Noah Hertz