Shaun Ryan
Verified
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Shaun Ryan
New Meridian Fitness expands again
New Meridian Fitness just keeps growing. The gym at 820 A1A North, Suite W21, Ponte Vedra Beach, has added 1,059 square feet to its floor space, bringing its total area to about 5,000 square feet. But physical size is not all. New Meridian owner John DiPatre said he’s added a massage room, an IV room, a sauna, cardio equipment and lighter dumbbells and curl bars. In addition, there is a Booty Builder hip-thrust machine. DiPatre said the response has been good.
McClafferty, Kendall elected
Voter turnout was high in St. Johns County for the Nov. 3 general election. Of 243,889 active eligible voters, 64.37% cast votes, significant for a midterm election. Republican candidates prevailed in the county, with 57.4% of the ballots cast by registered members of the GOP. Incumbents were overwhelmingly re-elected. Here’s a look at the results. Note that, due to rounding and third-party challenges, the total may not always add up to 100%.
Florida aims to reduce serious crashes to zero
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 291,970 motor vehicle crashes in the Sunshine State so far for 2026. Of that figure, 2,039 lives were lost. Injuries numbered 187,622. In St. Johns County this year, there have been 3,169 crashes. Twenty-six people have been killed and 1,691 injured. Recognizing the critical need to address this issue, the state Department of Transportation adopted a goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries in 2012.
Autumn brings lots of fun activities to First Coast
We are entering a period of fun activities, great music and entertainment and plentiful food and drink. Here are some highlights celebrating autumn, Halloween and the early Christmas season. AUTUMN ATTRACTIONS Sykes Family Farms Crop Maze 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1 Nine-acre crop maze, hayrides, playgrounds, farm animals, live entertainment, food vendors and more.
JaxFuse offers weekend of creativity
Posted Thursday, October 22, 2026 10:08 am The creative economy was on full display last weekend when the link hosted JaxFuse Food, Art and Music Day (Oct. 17) followed by Film Day (Oct. 18). On the heels of a very successful Fashion Day (Oct. 10), creatives working across these diverse disciplines treated attendees — and each other — to an array of sensory experiences.
This is it! JaxFuse continues with 2 days of creativity
Posted Thursday, October 15, 2026 10:52 am Northeast Florida’s one-of-a-kind celebration of the creative economy kicked off last weekend with a dynamic and very successful Fashion Day, but the JaxFuse festival is just getting started. This weekend, Oct. 17-18, will be chock full of diverse creative discoveries for a wide range of tastes, all presented at the link in Nocatee. Saturday is Food, Art and Music Day and the talents of local chefs, artists and musicians will be the focus.
Fashion takes center stage at JaxFuse
JaxFuse attendees were transported to the runways of Paris on Saturday, Oct. 10, when the link hosted Fashion Day, a full expression of the couture culture on the First Coast. Fashion Day was the first of three festival days at the venue in Nocatee celebrating the creative economy, the other dates being: Food, Art and Music Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Film Day on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Sawgrass County Club Art Show features variety of exceptional works
The Sawgrass Country Club Art Show on Oct. 2-4 left visitors with one big question: How can so much talent be concentrated in a single place? In all, the members-only show featured 23 artists working in a wide variety of mediums. There were paintings in watercolor, oil and acrylic; photographs; pieces of jewelry; creations in glass; woodturning; scale wooden boat models and much more. While many were returning artists, five of those exhibiting were new to the annual show.
JaxFuse plans day of food, art, music
JaxFuse, Northeast Florida’s one-of-a-kind celebration of the creative economy, kicks off this Saturday with Fashion Day and concludes Oct. 18 with Film Day. Between the two is Food, Art and Music Day, arguably the most diverse of all three festival days. On Oct. 17, local chefs, artists and musicians will gather at the link, 425 Town Plaza Ave. in the Nocatee Town Center, to offer guests a unique mix of experiences for the eyes, ears and palates.
Northeast Florida could see some effects from Isaias
Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to move east before curving north as a category 2 hurricane. It is currently on track to make landfall Friday night (Oct. 9) or Saturday morning (Oct. 10) at or near to Florida panhandle. Though the storm isn’t expected to travel this far east, St. Johns and Duval counties could see 2-4 inches of rain through Friday.
Misdemeanor charges against local elected officials dismissed
Misdemeanor charges filed against three elected officials in St. Johns County were dismissed Friday, Oct. 2, by Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William E. Davis. Prior to the dismissal, St. Johns County commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst and former St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell had been charged with unauthorized voter guide violations, a first-degree misdemeanor, and criminal conspiracy, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Tennis fundraiser helps to save lives, raises money for Pink Ribbon Jax
The 2026 Marsh Landing Country Club Pink Ribbon Trio event continued Oct. 1 with Tennis for Tatas. Forty players in 20 teams of two took to the Marsh Landing tennis courts for some friendly competition and to raise critical funds to fight breast cancer. Tennis for Tatas was one of three related events benefiting Pink Ribbon Jax — the others were Mahjong for Mammos on Sept. 29 and Golf for the Girls on Oct. 6, though the golfing portion for the last event was hindered by rain.
JaxFuse Film Day changed to Oct. 18
The date for the JaxFuse Film Day has been changed to Sunday, Oct. 18. JaxFuse is a celebration of the creative economy held at the link in Nocatee; it will be conducted on three days over two consecutive weekends, with Film Day as the final installment. Filmmakers, attendees and judges will gather at the link at 4:30 p.m. for a period of networking and to enjoy food and beverages.
Fashion Day brings back JaxFuse in style
Posted Thursday, October 1, 2026 10:45 am Local fashion models will take to the runways Saturday, Oct. 10, during the JaxFuse festival to show off the collections of established and emerging North Florida designers, accompanied by music and full production. JaxFuse is a celebration of the creative economy held at the link in Nocatee; it will be conducted on three days over two consecutive weekends. Fashion is the focus of the first installment. The high-energy fashion showcase on Oct.
Crop maze and more opens Saturday
Posted Thursday, October 1, 2026 10:03 am Sykes Family Farms will re-open its annual crop maze on Saturday, Oct. 3. It will run through Nov. 1. The popular event also features sunflowers to pick, hayrides, playgrounds, races, farm animals and much more for a full day of autumn fun. The nine-acre maze is the centerpiece for this attraction, located at 5995 Brough Road, Elkton.
Film Day to kick off JaxFuse festival
The curtain goes up Sunday, Oct. 4, on JaxFuse, with Film Day. JaxFuse is a celebration of the creative economy held at the link in Nocatee; it will be conducted on three days over three consecutive weekends. Filmmakers, attendees and judges will gather at the link at 4:30 p.m. for a period of networking and to enjoy food and beverages.
Hungry seniors rely on Pie In The Sky
Ten years ago, four people gathered in Malea Guiriba’s front yard and divided up 122 lbs. of produce they’d purchased and then delivered it to a dozen senior citizens in need. From that humble beginning grew a grassroots nonprofit that today regularly delivers fresh produce to 965 seniors in all parts of St. Johns County. Last year, the organization’s volunteers — the number of which now exceeds 330 — delivered more than 72 tons of produce. And Guiriba expects that number to increase.
New Meridian Fitness continues to expand
What’s new at New Meridian Fitness? Plenty. The gym that John DiPatre opened five years ago has, like those who work out there, continued to improve. It has added a 400-square-foot outdoor exercise area DiPatre has named Muscle Beach. There are several pieces of equipment out there, and the floor is covered by the gym’s signature orange Astroturf. The expansion has added needed space as the popularity of New Meridian spreads and its membership grows. That membership base now stands at more than 100.
JaxFuse: Festival of creativity returns to the link
JaxFuse, Northeast Florida’s one-of-a-kind celebration of the creative economy, returns this October for its third year. The three-day festival, held on three consecutive weekends at the link in Nocatee, shines the spotlight on filmmakers, fashion designers, models, chefs, musicians and artists. The event offers these creatives a chance to connect with those outside of their own disciplines for expanded opportunities to collaborate.
St. Johns County to seek injunction against ag enclave law
St. Johns County will seek an injunction against a new agricultural enclave law as part of a strategy to forestall the proposed addition of 4,000 homes in Ponte Vedra. Such action has been characterized by legal experts as a likely “uphill battle,” but it may remain the only option for opponents. The decision to pursue an injunction was approved by the County Commission at a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Three agricultural enclave applications come before St. Johns County Commission
St. Johns County Commissioners voted to approve agricultural enclave applications for two large properties and rescheduled their decision for a third during a special quasi-judicial meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The issue has drawn much criticism from county residents, but the board had little or no choice but to approve the applications in keeping with mandates outlined in a new state law.
Some races settled in primary election
The races for two St. Johns County Commission seats were decided in the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 18, because all candidates were Republicans and there were no other challengers. Districts 2 and 4 were open to all registered voters in the county, regardless of party affiliation. Martin Valerian Pyszczymuka was elected to the St. Johns County Commission District 2 seat with 35.09% of the vote. The incumbent, Sarah Arnold did not seek re-election.
Found along the roadside: Stories
The latest book by prolific local author Edward Mickolus is actually an eclectic collection of stories and poems by 19 writers, including nine selections by Mickolus himself. “Stories by the Side of the Road” takes readers on a ride through America and beyond, stopping at places along the way to marvel at curiosities large and small. It is Mickolus’ 52nd book. A wide range of writing styles and forms can be found in this anthology.
Link offers teens a home base
What is there for teens to do in the greater Ponte Vedra area, especially if they want to meet others who share their interests? Raghu Misra, founder of the link, a multipurpose facility in Nocatee Town Center, devoted some serious thought to the issue. And the result will appeal to members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. “I built the link so founders in Nocatee had a place to build,” he explains in a note on the link’s website.
St. Johns County preps for possible revenue impact
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday, July 21, to approve the proposed millage rates for fiscal year 2027. The approval follows county staff’s recommendation for flat rates, essentially the same rates as in fiscal year 2026. Commissioners Krista Joseph and Ann Taylor voted no, the former citing her desire to see rates reduced.
New law opens door to thousands of new homes in St. Johns County
Posted Wednesday, July 29, 2026 10:58 pm A new law that expedites the approval process for developing land formerly deemed agricultural went into effect July 1. That same day, landowners applied to have six St. Johns County properties certified “agricultural enclaves” in keeping with the new rules, subject to a public hearing and approval process. The applications and law itself drew criticism from several citizens speaking at the July 21 County Commission meeting.
St. Johns County Commission candidates stake out positions at forum
The hot-button issues in St. Johns County are no secret. In fact, they are widely debated among residents and officials alike. But with two County Commission seats to be decided in the Aug. 18 primary election, voters want to know: Who would best address the challenges we face? Residents recently had an opportunity to hear from County Commission candidates for Districts 2 and 4 during a forum conducted at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach.
St. Johns County Commission adopts no-confidence vote for two commissioners
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday, July 21, to adopt a formal vote of no confidence regarding two board members charged in an unauthorized voter guide case and direct County Attorney Rich Komando to draft a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis requesting they be suspended. The vote was 3-2, with the dissenting votes cast by the commissioners in question, Christian Whitehurst and Sarah Arnold.
AdventHealth opens ER in St. Johns County
Posted Thursday, July 16, 2026 1:01 am Nearly 16 months after breaking ground at a site south of St. Augustine along State Road 207 near Wildwood Drive, AdventHealth officials cut the ribbon to open a new 12-bed, freestanding emergency department. The event was held Friday, July 10, and AdventHealth Treaty Oaks ER began accepting patients Tuesday, July 14. It is the health care system’s first such facility in St. Johns County and its northernmost location in Florida.
Elected officials among those charged in voter guide case
Three elected officials in St. Johns County have been charged in relation to an allegedly phony voters’ guide distributed in 2024 ahead of the Republican primary election.
Peace Corps volunteer grateful for experience
When Christopher Forbes was in his senior year at Providence College in Rhode Island, he was considering the next chapter of his life. He’d majored in international studies and was considering a career in corporate social responsibility, helping corporations reduce their environmental impact, for which he hopes to attend graduate school. But he’d also studied Spanish and wanted an opportunity to become more fluent. That might require living, at least for a time, in a Spanish-speaking country.
Declaration of Independence signatories imprisoned here
St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos played a role, little known outside Northeast Florida, in the American Revolution. Its absence from elementary school textbooks can probably be attributed to two factors: the more famous battles and stories of legendary heroism at places far to the north and Florida’s being a Loyalist bastion and not one of the 13 original colonies to comprise the United States at war’s end.
Northeast Florida plans Fourth of July celebrations
Many readers will celebrate this Independence Day at St. Augustine’s Fireworks Over the Matanzas, but communities across Northeast Florida will be having their own fireworks shows and other festivities. JACKSONVILLE It will be an unforgettable evening of live music, local art, great food and what organizers say will be the largest Fourth of July fireworks show in Jacksonville history. The fun will run from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Riverfront Plaza downtown.
St. Augustine celebrates America’s 250th
The Nation’s Oldest City will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in a big way with a variety of events. Here’s a look at some of the highlights. Patriotic Concert The patriotic fun begins Thursday, July 2, with “Yankee Doodle Dandy – America250 Concert,” presented by First Coast Opera and the EMMA Concert Association. The concert, which will feature early American music and patriotic favorites, will be held at 5 p.m. at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine.
St. Johns County Commission candidates present views on the issues
On Thursday, June 25, local residents had their first opportunity to hear county commission candidates address the issues in a forum presented by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. The event, held at Bartram Trail High School, was the first of two planned for this election season. Making the case for voter support were four District 2 candidates and two District 4 candidates. Seeking the District 2 seat were Heather Brofford, Tim Burres, Will McMullan and Martin Pyszczymuka.
Lightner exhibits work by Alex Devereux
Posted Friday, June 26, 2026 3:09 pm A lone automobile cruising a dark, quiet street. Huge diesel engines sitting dormant in a nighttime rail yard. A restaurant where diners are drawn like moths to the island of light in the surrounding darkness.
Angelwood a lifeline to many
Everyone deserves to live with dignity, with respect, with unfettered opportunity. To that, we can all agree. But intellectual and developmental differences can render such a simple, universal goal elusive. Those struggling with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and spina bifida, for instance, often require specialized services to ensure they have all they need. And finding that support is not always easy. Fortunately, since 1993, Angelwood has been there to fill that role.
New Christian School planned in Nocatee
Fifteen months from now, hundreds of children will be sitting in the classrooms and walking the halls of a new, independent Christian school in Ponte Vedra. Tuesday, June 9, Outreach Education unveiled plans for Kingsminster Ponte Vedra, which will be located behind St. Francis-in-the-Field church in Nocatee. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the site following a brand reveal ceremony at the link. Classes will begin in August 2027.
Sponsorships, tickets available for Denim and Diamonds gala
The Denim and Diamonds Gala returns in September and sponsorships and tickets are available now. The annual gala is the main fundraiser for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and supports its mission, benefitting the business community and the public at large. This year, the venue is Ancient City Farmstead, located at 395 St. Marks Pond Blvd., St. Augustine. The event, to be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.
Ayla’s Acres breaks ground for new center
Posted Thursday, June 4, 2026 1:01 am Fourteen years after Fran Charlson founded Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, the nonprofit is about to take a major step forward for animal welfare. On Saturday, May 30, representatives of the organization and local dignitaries broke ground for Ayla’s Acres Animal Resource Center, a $6 million, 10,000-square-foot facility that will provide a comprehensive suite of services benefitting cats and dogs in this area.
Local youth rescues angler in trouble on ICW
At age 11, Grayson Anderson has already made his first watercraft rescue. The son of Jennifer and Greg Anderson of Marsh Landing was riding his Williams MiniJet 280 on the Intracoastal Waterway, Friday, May 22, when he spotted someone in trouble. Grayson, who has earned his Florida Boating Safety ID Card, responded. The man had been fishing from his Hobie Passport kayak when he hit an oyster bed, breaking the prop on his trolling motor.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage begins in St. Augustine, continues up East Coast
Catholics from near and far gathered Memorial Day weekend at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine for the start of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage will travel north along the East Coast, with stops in 18 dioceses and archdioceses, concluding on or about Independence Day in Philadelphia. The pilgrimage is part of the Catholic Church in the United States’ observance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Gallery to feature works by Bettie Eubanks
On one wall of Bettie Eubanks’ studio — her “history wall” — a visitor can trace her journey as an artist: from a mosaic she made in college in 1963 through her years painting as a side interest, first, as a young mother and later while working as a teacher and then as a marketing professional all the way up to her retirement 35 years ago, at which point she was finally able to devote herself to her art full time.
New TV show highlights major attractions within a short drive
The team that brought you the Telly Award-winning TV series “Property Tours of NE Florida” is back with a new show, “Living on Vacation.” It’s an exploration of some of Florida’s premiere attractions – and great reasons to make the Sunshine State home. Brady and Alyssa Hammond of The Hammond Family Group host this new series. Floridians are fortunate to live in a place many people view as a getaway.
Jewelry event benefits local nonprofit
The annual Underwood Jewelers Trunk Show and Prize Draw Benefitting Angelwood, held April 30 through May 2, offered the community an opportunity to acquire stunning pieces of jewelry from two world-renowned designers while helping a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that has been serving individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1993.
Local woman to launch A.I. cartoons online
Jacqueline Fogg has had a rich and varied career: Montessori teacher, filmmaker, award-winning TV series creator and writer, U.S. government contractor and business owner. Now, add to that A.I. animation auteur. Two cartoon series, created wholly by Fogg using artificial intelligence applications, will soon debut on her YouTube channel in weekly episodes running approximately 15 minutes apiece.
St. Johns County schools work to avoid budget shortfall
When Dr. Brennan Asplen began work last summer as the new superintendent of St. Johns County Schools, he had an immediate crisis to solve; the district was already facing a budget shortfall of $3.5 million. He scrambled to answer that through cuts to the district office and applying some other strategies, taking actions that would avoid impacting classrooms. But the district’s funding woes were about to get worse.
Trasca & Co. to cease operations after April 13
Eleven years to the day that Trasca & Co. Eatery opened in Sawgrass Village, the iconic local restaurant, and its adjacent Ponte Vedra Tap Room, will close. The final day of operations will be Monday, April 13. Trasca has been popular with locals, particularly for its Panino sandwich, which was invented by owner Sara Frasca’s grandmother in 1974. The Panino starts with a secret family dough recipe made fresh each morning; to that is added high-quality meats, cheeses and vegetables.
Local author’s latest goes ‘Beyond Authorship’
Local author Ed Mickolus knows what he’s talking — or, shall we say, writing — about. He’s penned more than 50 books and, in the process, picked up a lot of information that would be useful to pretty much any other writer, both aspiring and seasoned, whether they are composing fiction, nonfiction, articles or something else. Now, with his 51st book, Mickolus reveals many of the insights he has accumulated along the way.
Event raises $21K for charities, scholarships
Several local charities and the people they serve will benefit from the efforts of a hardworking group of area women and a prominent local business that supports them. On Nov. 20, the Underwood Jewelers Ponte Vedra store hosted its annual trunk show to benefit charities and scholarships supported by The Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club. The event raised $21,200, the highest amount ever for this particular fundraiser. Store Manager John Rutkowski presented a check to the club on Thursday, March 19.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Shaun
Contact Shaun, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack