📣Hear ye Hear Ye says Commissioner Dean

Welcome to a hot🌡and sticky 🥵 Thursday — no surprise there — with a feel like factor hovering in the "we will sweat again today" degrees 🤬 with no sun and no rain.

Continuing with this week's theme of protecting our cherished wildlife, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding Floridians that it's illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests and eggs, or to pick up hatchlings. Remain at least 50 feet away from a nesting sea turtle. If the turtle ceases to nest or changes course, you’re most likely too close.

Never enter posted/signed areas in the water or on land. Signs designating Critical Wildlife Areas on the beach or coastal islands prohibit public access to protect high concentrations of wading birds and shorebirds nesting and/or raising their chicks.

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Commissioner Henry Dean addresses his critics 📣

St. Johns County Commissioner Henry Dean openly discusses the reasoning behind public comments made during a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting.

The St. Augustine Record: During a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting, you addressed those who hold you responsible for what’s being described as the over-development of St. Johns County. Please explain the genesis of your remarks.

Henry Dean: As a county commissioner running for a third term, I would like to state the facts without opinions, false premises, or false narratives surrounding allegations directed at me and my colleagues, two of whom are also on the ballot, that leave us responsible for the county’s exponential growth.

Click here to read the interview in its entirety.

What else you should know today: 🔊

🎨Learn from the pros: St. Augustine’s Martha Ferguson will demonstrate her skills and secrets for still life painting at the Lightner Museum on Thursday, July 11. Supplies are not provided. Wine, nonalcoholic beverages and light snacks will be available. Click here for details.

🚧Project update: Widening Longleaf Pine Parkway into four lanes (extending four miles from Roberts Road to Veterans Parkway) with a traffic light installed at the intersection of Shetland Drive and Longleaf Pine Parkway is scheduled for completion in October.

🎬Live theatre is back: The Apex Theatre showcases Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” at the Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium July 12-27. Ticket information can be found here .

Fun things to do in July! 🛶

With so many fun things to do in St. Augustine, we're treating you to a list for one-stop shopping for July events hosted by the St. Johns County Parks & Recreation Department . Registration details can be found here .

• Veteran Archery: Wednesday, July 17, 7-8:30 p.m. at the St. Johns County Fairground. Previous archery experience is not required. Reservations required.
• Nature Book Club: Wednesday, July 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Canopy Shores Park to discuss "What A Bee Knows" by Stephen Buchmann. Reservations recommended but not required.
• Sunset Paddleboard Trip: Friday, July 18, 6:30-9 p.m. launching at Moultrie Cree. Paddle boards will be provided. Registration and fees are required.
• All Abilities Sunset Kayak Trip: Saturday, July 19, 6:30-9 p.m. launching at Trout Creek. Adaptive equipment and staff certified in adaptative paddling will be present. Pre-registration required.
• Parks and Crafts: Wednesday, July 24, 7-8:30 p.m. at Nease Beachfront Park.
• Veteran Art: Friday, July 26, 10-11:30 a.m. at Beluthahatchee Park. The book binding class includes a tour of the Stetson House by the Stetson Kennedy Foundation. Reservations required.

Share your favorite St. Augustine moments with us via pictures and stories of family celebrations, friends, and solo days brimming with funny, historical or simply pleasant moments as well as the "Hey, I have an idea; and did you know; and why is this happening in St. Augustine?" and of course, Tuesday's, "I've got a question" notes to Lviti@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: 📣Hear ye Hear Ye says Commissioner Dean