By Alex Bonus | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Kelly Gray says eating her cupcakes is a guilty pleasure for customers, and new federal dietary guidelines won’t change that fact.

“In this economy, people aren’t paying to go out,” Gray, the manager of Luli’s Cupcakes at 82 San Marco Ave., said. “But for $2.50 they’ll buy a little treat even if it isn’t healthy.”

By Caroline Young | cyoung1@flagler.edu

St. Augustine Chik-fil-A manager Janette Manning has no idea about last week’s controversy when a gay rights group lashed out about the fast-food chain’s support of an anti-homosexual organization in Pennsylvania.

“I haven’t heard anything about it,” Manning said. “No guests or anybody have said anything about that.”

But Flagler College junior Adam Krell is aware of the controversy. Krell, who is gay, will not be changing his tri-weekly trips to the St. Augustine Chik-Fil-A.

By Lindy Almony | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Planned Parenthood may soon be denied all government funding and Staci Fox, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of North Florida, is distraught about the possibility. “At a time when more and more women and families are facing difficulties in accessing health care due to increasing costs and a struggling economy, it is disappointing that one of the first bills introduced in Congress would undermine women’s access to health care,” Fox said.

By Lauren Belcher | cbelcher@flagler.edu

A proposed house bill that is meant to clear up language may indirectly affect tobacco smokers in Florida.

Walking down St. George Street you will see a sign that says it all: tobacco, cigars and cigarettes. One right turn, a walk down the hall and another left and you’ve arrived at the St. Augustine Tobacco Company. Inside, you’ll see another sign. This one is a flashing neon sign that reads: “Sign the petition to defeat new HB 211.”

By Amber Jurgensen | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget will affect an area he promised to protect during his campaign, education.

By Cal Colgan | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The parking lot in front of M&M Market has been mostly bare for the past few months, save for the patrons of the Chill Grill restaurant next door. But before the St. Augustine Police Department and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office helped to close down the corner store, many Lincolnville residents knew it as a hub for the community’s criminal activity.

By Lauren Belcher | cbelcher@flagler.edu
Photos by Lauren Belcher

Jerry Kass, 96, is a retired Marine and long time Jewish resident of St. Augustine. He first visited the city in 1930, moved there in 1937 and has lived across the street from Flagler College, then Ponce de León Hotel, ever since.

Kass’ house has a large front porch. The mat at the door has a picture of a dustpan and a broom that says Schmootz, and he has a banner nailed into the door frame that says Shalom. Kass spends most of his time sitting on this porch.

By Caroline Young | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Canadians Sharon and Basil Gribbon were dedicated to helping save whales long before the 2-year-old endangered North Atlantic right whale was pulled to shore dead on Feb. 2.

“We have loved whales since the first time we saw the sea,” Sharon, a retired employee of the Health Agency of Canada, said. “They’re such a spectacular mammal.”

By Amber Jurgensen | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Contributions by Lauren Belcher

The two-story building across from the communications building on Cuna Street may potentially house new faculty offices, according to Flagler College Director of Business Services Larry Weeks.

The structure, located at 66 Cuna Street, was purchased by the college over the summer.

NEWS: Update on St. Johns real estate market
By W. Andrew McDaniel

SPORTS: Men’s Tennis Preview
By Michael Potkay

By Emily Hoover | ehoover@flagler.edu

For Joe Tringali, owner of Carmelo’s Marketplace, the drainage repair construction on King and Malaga streets has made his store a little less convenient this winter.

“Setting it Straight” is a radio talk show on Flagler College Radio WFCF, 88.5 FM “Radio With a Reason.” Every week, Communication major, Kelly Gibbs brings St. Augustine locals in to discuss important issues.

The show is produced by Managing Editor of The Gargoyle Lauren Belcher. The show airs every Thursday morning at 8:30.

This episode Kelly spoke with Commissioner Errol Jones, former vice-mayor of the city of St. Augustine, about the future of M&M market in Lincolnville.

Written and Photographed by Phillip C. Sunkel IV
gargoyle@flagler.edu
For Carl Halbirt, finding hidden treasures isn’t only his passion, it’s his job.
As the city archeologist of St. Augustine— the nation’s oldest permanent European city — Halbirt has a …

By Lauren Belcher | cbelcher@flagler.edu
Photo Illustrations by Josh Weaver

The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization is funding a comprehensive St. Augustine bicycle study.

“The plan is three major intended outcomes,” said Chris Fellerhoff, a hired consultant of the TPO from Sprinkle Consulting. “The first, and probably the most substantial is, a recommendation of bike routes that could be signed throughout the city of St. Augustine.”

By Cal Colgan | jcolgan@flagler.edu

Howard Lewis is frustrated that while the city of St. Augustine has started to recognize the importance of the civil rights movement in shaping the town’s history of race relations, most tour guides have left out 400 years of black influence in the nation’s “Oldest City.” He said they do not even acknowledge that Augustine of Hippo, the famous philosopher and theologian who is the town’s namesake, was an African.

“If you look up St. Augustine, you’ll see that he was born in Médéa, and the Internet will tell you that that is now Thagaste, Algeria,” Lewis said.

By GianLouis Thompson and Caroline Young | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Original story:“Truck-sized whale washes up on Crescent Beach”

A 2-year-old dead female North Atlantic right whale was towed ashore at 7:30 to 8:00 last night at the Mary Street vehicle access ramp on Crescent Beach. A necropsy conducted by a partnership of NOWA, FWC and veterinarians from the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution began around 7:30 this morning.