The Break Room

November 10, 2026  |  In this episode of The Break Room, Melissa Wissel welcomes Kristin Odom, the City of St. Augustine’s Events and Venue Coordinator, to discuss preparations for the upcoming Nights of Lights season. Kristin shares details about Light-Up! Night festivities, street closures, pedestrian safety, portable restroom locations, and enhanced cleaning efforts to help residents and visitors enjoy the holiday season.

November 3, 2026  |  In this episode of The Break Room, Mobility Program Manager Marcus Pinson to discusses the return of St. Augustine’s bike share program, launching November 6. He also explores the expanded STAR Circulator service, including new stops along Anastasia Island and service changes during the upcoming Nights of Lights season. Learn how these transportation options make it easier for residents and visitors to get around St. Augustine.

In this episode of The Break Room, host Melissa Wissel sits down with St. Augustine Police Department Marine Operations Officer Pat Harvey as he reflects on his years of service and prepares for a new leadership role with the Flagler Beach Police Department. Harvey shares memorable experiences, discusses the importance of teamwork in law enforcement, and offers seasonal boating safety tips.

October 20, 2026  |  FDOT Community Outreach Specialist Jacob Pickering joins Melissa Wissel on The Break Room to explain how transportation projects are planned and share updates on the King Street Bridge rehabilitation, upcoming pedestrian safety improvements near the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, and traffic changes following the bridge’s reopening.

October 13, 2026  |  Communications Specialist Rachel Murphy joins Melissa Wissel on The Break Room to preview Florida Cities Week, including discussions with department directors, a Fish Island walking tour, and a police vehicle show-and-tell. She also shares how residents can stay informed through the City’s social media and News and Notes newsletter.

St. Augustine Fire Marshal Abby Pedigo joins Melissa Wissel for Fire Prevention Month to discuss lithium-ion battery safety, safe charging practices, and warning signs of battery damage. She also shares reminders about smoke alarms, home escape plans, and holiday cooking safety.

In this episode of The Break Room, host Melissa Wissel talks with St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes about preparing for the upcoming General Election. They cover voter registration deadlines, vote-by-mail, early voting, Election Day polling locations, sample ballots, and how voters can check or update their information at VoteSJC.gov

September 22, 2026  |  In this episode of The Break Room, Events and Venue Coordinator Kristin Odom highlights the City of St. Augustine’s rentable public spaces, including Francis Field, the Plaza gazebo, Galimore Center, Eddie Vickers Park, Lightner Courtyard, and the Municipal Marina. She also explains updated event fees, photography and film permitting, and new online reservation and payment systems designed to streamline the process for event organizers.

September 15 2026 | Community Services Director Jaime D. Perkins returns to The Break Room to celebrate Redevelopment Week and highlight the work happening across the City of St. Augustine’s three Community Redevelopment Areas: Lincolnville, Historic Downtown, and West City.Jaime explains how Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) work, how redevelopment areas are established, and how CRA funding supports projects and programs tailored to the needs of each community. She also shares updates on Lincolnville’s residential rehabilitation programs, the Historic Area’s sign diet and Cordova Street Improvement Project, and West City’s Revive and Restore Program.The conversation wraps up with a look at improvements underway at Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park, including Hayling Plaza, new trees and seating areas, and the planned installation of a statue honoring Dr. Robert B. Hayling.

September 8, 2026 | Events and Venue Coordinator Kristin Odom discusses her first year with the City of St. Augustine and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into coordinating events such as Light-Up! Night and Fireworks Over the Matanzas. She also highlights the City’s newly updated Terms of Use for Public Property Events Manual, how it streamlines the event planning and application process, and plans to move applications online through Cityworks. Kristin also explains the City’s role in supporting events held on public property and shares more about her work coordinating City events, ribbon cuttings, and community celebrations.