Polk County child ‘swatted’ in consecutive days after out-of-state teens get upset with how he played Fortnite: deputies
Read full article: Polk County child ‘swatted’ in consecutive days after out-of-state teens get upset with how he played Fortnite: deputiesThe Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced the arrests of two out-of-state teenagers accused of swatting a Poinciana kid in back-to-back days after they became upset with the way he played Fortnite.
San Marco residents’ frustrations with flooding continue after heavy rain moves through area
Read full article: San Marco residents’ frustrations with flooding continue after heavy rain moves through areaSan Marco residents are frustrated as heavy rains and flooding continue to be an issue.
16 years after a teen was killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside, a family holds out hope for justice
Read full article: 16 years after a teen was killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside, a family holds out hope for justiceIt’s been nearly 16 years since 17-year-old Derrell Baker was shot and killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside.
Simon Helberg Talks Season 2 Finale of Peacock’s ‘Poker Face’
Read full article: Simon Helberg Talks Season 2 Finale of Peacock’s ‘Poker Face’The critically acclaimed mystery-comedy series Poker Face is returning for its season 2 finale on Peacock, and actor Simon Helberg said viewers can expect plenty of action, laughs, and surprises.
Owner of river tour boat that was stopped by Coast Guard says he’s taking classes to get proper certifications
Read full article: Owner of river tour boat that was stopped by Coast Guard says he’s taking classes to get proper certificationsCoast Guard Sector Jacksonville ended the voyage of an illegal vessel traveling on the St. Johns River on Friday.
Former volunteer dog walker who spoke out about shelter conditions reaches $75K settlement with city over free speech
Read full article: Former volunteer dog walker who spoke out about shelter conditions reaches $75K settlement with city over free speechA former volunteer dog walker for Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services settled with the city for a $75,000 price tag after dropping her lawsuit over a violation of her First Amendment rights.
Jacksonville councilman talks Emerald Trail funding loss, Duval schools HQ debate
Read full article: Jacksonville councilman talks Emerald Trail funding loss, Duval schools HQ debateJacksonville City Councilmember Matt Carlucci said he was “upset” when he learned a federal funding request for the Emerald Trail was removed from Trump’s budget bill. But he remains optimistic about the project’s future.
San Marco residents’ frustrations with flooding continue after heavy rain moves through area
Read full article: San Marco residents’ frustrations with flooding continue after heavy rain moves through areaSan Marco residents are frustrated as heavy rains and flooding continue to be an issue.
16 years after a teen was killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside, a family holds out hope for justice
Read full article: 16 years after a teen was killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside, a family holds out hope for justiceIt’s been nearly 16 years since 17-year-old Derrell Baker was shot and killed while walking on Jacksonville’s Westside.
Inmate, 30, dies in JSO custody after suffering medical emergency ahead of court appearance
Read full article: Inmate, 30, dies in JSO custody after suffering medical emergency ahead of court appearanceA man who was in the custody of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office died in a hospital on Wednesday after experiencing a medical emergency, according to JSO.
Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possible
Read full article: Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possibleAs part of bridge maintenance activities, lane closures with a flagging operation will be in place on the Shands Bridge starting at noon on Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Burned Out: St. Johns County Fire Union pushes for healthier work-life balance
Read full article: Burned Out: St. Johns County Fire Union pushes for healthier work-life balanceOn Wednesday, the St. Johns County Firefighters Union is meeting with county officials to continue to push for a major change: a healthier work schedule. This will be the second meeting between the two sides in the contract negotiation process.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue receives nearly $100,000 to address mental health and substance abuse cases
Read full article: St. Johns County Fire Rescue receives nearly $100,000 to address mental health and substance abuse casesSt. Johns County Fire Rescue secured a $99,580 federal grant to expand mental health and substance use disorder response capabilities while addressing a paramedic shortage in the region.
St. Johns County offers free shuttles to ease 4th of July beach traffic
Read full article: St. Johns County offers free shuttles to ease 4th of July beach trafficFourth of July weekend is one of the busiest holiday weekends on St. Johns County beaches. In order to reduce traffic congestion, the county is offering three free shuttles.
Florida sees rise in fires linked to cheap chargers for lithium golf cart batteries; expert gives tips to avoid them
Read full article: Florida sees rise in fires linked to cheap chargers for lithium golf cart batteries; expert gives tips to avoid themKnowing how to properly charge your golf cart is not just about keeping it powered—it’s also about preventing potentially devastating fires at home. The St. Johns County Fire Department has seen a rise in fires linked to golf carts, especially those with lithium batteries. Chris Naff of St. Johns Fire and Rescue said, “We are seeing about a 6 to 7% increase on our fires for golf carts over the last few years.”
City of St. Augustine files eminent domain lawsuit against property owners amid flood mitigation project dispute
Read full article: City of St. Augustine files eminent domain lawsuit against property owners amid flood mitigation project disputeThe City of St. Augustine has filed an eminent domain lawsuit against the owners of two properties over a dispute involving a flood mitigation and drainage improvement project in the city.
Glynn County police arrest 1, searching for another suspect accused of attempted car break-in
Read full article: Glynn County police arrest 1, searching for another suspect accused of attempted car break-inThe Glynn County Police Department is searching for a suspect following an attempted vehicle break-in.
5 Georgia counties call for investigation into district attorney, saying he mismanaged money and isn’t doing his job
Read full article: 5 Georgia counties call for investigation into district attorney, saying he mismanaged money and isn’t doing his jobGlynn and Camden are among five counties in Georgia accusing District Attorney Keith Higgins of badly managing the finances of his office and not doing his job properly. Higgins denies all the accusations and says the counties are actually the ones at fault.
Biggest Buc-ee’s in Georgia officially opens in Brunswick ahead of the busy 4th of July travel weekend
Read full article: Biggest Buc-ee’s in Georgia officially opens in Brunswick ahead of the busy 4th of July travel weekendBuc-ee’s celebrated the grand opening of its newest store Tuesday in Brunswick.
Waycross police seek suspects after patrol car struck by gunfire during chase
Read full article: Waycross police seek suspects after patrol car struck by gunfire during chaseThe Waycross Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of two suspects involved in a violent incident early Saturday morning. Around 2:15 a.m. June 28, officers attempted to stop a vehicle linked to multiple felony crimes in Waycross.
Glynn County’s hotel/motel tax rises to 7% in July
Read full article: Glynn County’s hotel/motel tax rises to 7% in JulyGlynn County’s Hotel/Motel Tax will rise from 5% to 7% beginning July 1, 2025, following the signing of House Bill 732 by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 1. The new rate applies to all qualifying room nights starting July 1, even if reservations were made or prepaid before that date.
Nearly 7,000 in Clay County dealt with power outages as storms passed through, outage map showed
Read full article: Nearly 7,000 in Clay County dealt with power outages as storms passed through, outage map showedAs Wednesday afternoon storms rolled through Northeast Florida, the impacts were felt in parts of Clay County, with nearly 7,000 power outages reported by the county’s utility.
Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possible
Read full article: Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possibleAs part of bridge maintenance activities, lane closures with a flagging operation will be in place on the Shands Bridge starting at noon on Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Unauthorized pop-up party at Orange Park Mall, ‘disorderly conduct’ led to 1 civil citation, multiple kids detained
Read full article: Unauthorized pop-up party at Orange Park Mall, ‘disorderly conduct’ led to 1 civil citation, multiple kids detainedThe Clay County Sheriff’s Office cleared hundreds of juveniles from the area around the Orange Park Mall on Saturday after reports of disruptions inside the shopping center.
State is selecting vendors for construction of Camp Blanding’s ICE detention site, DeSantis says
Read full article: State is selecting vendors for construction of Camp Blanding’s ICE detention site, DeSantis saysConstruction is expected to begin soon on a new ICE detention center in Clay County. The site at Camp Blanding near the Clay County-Bradford County line is being developed to hold about 2,000 people awaiting immigration hearings or deportation, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office clears hundreds of juveniles from Orange Park Mall after disruptions
Read full article: Clay County Sheriff’s Office clears hundreds of juveniles from Orange Park Mall after disruptionsClay County sheriff’s office clears hundreds of juveniles from Orange Park Mall after disruptions
Construction for Camp Blanding’s ICE detention site could start next week. Here’s what needs to get done before it opens
Read full article: Construction for Camp Blanding’s ICE detention site could start next week. Here’s what needs to get done before it opensAfter the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center officially opened on Tuesday, attention has shifted to the planned facility at Camp Blanding in Clay County, which could begin construction as early as next week.
2 seriously injured after truck pulling camper flips off bridge on I-95 South in Nassau County
Read full article: 2 seriously injured after truck pulling camper flips off bridge on I-95 South in Nassau CountyTwo people were seriously injured Wednesday in a crash involving an overturned camper on I-95 South in Nassau County, near the Duval County line.
Local nonprofit using Amazon Prime Deal Days to help kids in foster care secure essential school items
Read full article: Local nonprofit using Amazon Prime Deal Days to help kids in foster care secure essential school itemsWhile Amazon Prime Days offer consumers an opportunity to find cost-effective deals on everyday items, a local nonprofit is using the four-day window to give the North Florida community a chance to support local kids in foster care.
All 14 schools in Nassau County received an ‘A’ rating for the 24-25 school year; district ranked No. 1 for entire state
Read full article: All 14 schools in Nassau County received an ‘A’ rating for the 24-25 school year; district ranked No. 1 for entire stateThe Nassau County School District made history in the 2024-2025 school year. Based on the latest rankings released by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Nassau County was ranked the number one school district in Florida, earning an “A” rating for every single school in the district.
Baker County Clerk of Court files lawsuit against county commissioners over financial control
Read full article: Baker County Clerk of Court files lawsuit against county commissioners over financial controlTensions are rising in Baker County as Clerk of Court Stacie Harvey has filed a lawsuit against the County Board of Commissioners. The lawsuit accuses the board of obstructing her duties by not granting her control over the county’s financial system.
2 charged with murder after 19-year-old injured in double shooting in Baker County dies
Read full article: 2 charged with murder after 19-year-old injured in double shooting in Baker County diesTwo men are facing first-degree murder and other charges after a 19-year-old who was injured in a double shooting on June 26 in Macclenny died in the hospital, court records show.
Man accused of setting fire to Putnam County home during argument over missing alcohol faces arson charge
Read full article: Man accused of setting fire to Putnam County home during argument over missing alcohol faces arson chargeA woman told News4JAX that a mobile home fire that sent her, her fiancé and their roommate to the hospital Sunday night started in the laundry room.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduces program that lets inmates care for foster kittens
Read full article: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduces program that lets inmates care for foster kittensThe Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduced a program that allows inmates to care for foster kittens at its detention facility.
Cybercrime investigation leads Flagler County detectives to seize, return money to victims of cryptocurrency scams
Read full article: Cybercrime investigation leads Flagler County detectives to seize, return money to victims of cryptocurrency scamsThe Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday it was able to trace, seize and return stolen money to two local victims of cryptocurrency scams.
Columbia County inmate dies in hospital after being found unresponsive inside cell
Read full article: Columbia County inmate dies in hospital after being found unresponsive inside cellA Columbia County Detention Facility inmate died in a hospital Thursday night after deputies found him unresponsive inside his cell, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Sex offender sentenced to life in prison in death of 18-year-old girl found in Columbia County field in 2023
Read full article: Sex offender sentenced to life in prison in death of 18-year-old girl found in Columbia County field in 2023A man convicted of second-degree murder in the death of a Columbia County teenager was sentenced this week to life in prison.
Man found sleeping in car on side of Columbia County road; leads to seizure of 45 pounds of marijuana
Read full article: Man found sleeping in car on side of Columbia County road; leads to seizure of 45 pounds of marijuanaThe Columbia County Sheriff’s Office found a man sleeping in his car on the side of the road, which led to the seizure of over 45 pounds of marijuana and his arrest.
MORE LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Inmate, 30, dies in JSO custody after suffering medical emergency ahead of court appearance
Read full article: Inmate, 30, dies in JSO custody after suffering medical emergency ahead of court appearanceA man who was in the custody of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office died in a hospital on Wednesday after experiencing a medical emergency, according to JSO.
1 week after being denied access, local state rep gets invite to tour Alligator Alcatraz amid reports of poor conditions
Read full article: 1 week after being denied access, local state rep gets invite to tour Alligator Alcatraz amid reports of poor conditionsAbout one week after Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) said she was denied access to the controversial immigration facility in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” the local politician said she has now been invited for a “tour” of the facility.
75% of kids who rely on this local nonprofit face homelessness or housing instability. Their state funding was just cut
Read full article: 75% of kids who rely on this local nonprofit face homelessness or housing instability. Their state funding was just cutThe Giving Closet Project has quietly become a safety net for thousands of Jacksonville students facing homelessness and housing insecurity. But after losing $150,000 in state funding through Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget vetoes, the organization is now leaning heavily on the community to survive.
Rainbow crosswalk in 5 Points area could be in jeopardy after federal initiative calls for removal of ‘political’ roads
Read full article: Rainbow crosswalk in 5 Points area could be in jeopardy after federal initiative calls for removal of ‘political’ roadsA rainbow crosswalk in Jacksonville’s 5 Points area could be in jeopardy after a new federal initiative is calling for all roads with political messages or artwork to be removed, citing safety concerns.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduces program that lets inmates care for foster kittens
Read full article: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduces program that lets inmates care for foster kittensThe Flagler County Sheriff’s Office introduced a program that allows inmates to care for foster kittens at its detention facility.
A man used fraudulent money to buy a membership at luxury club in Ponte Vedra. He just pleaded guilty in COVID-19 scheme
Read full article: A man used fraudulent money to buy a membership at luxury club in Ponte Vedra. He just pleaded guilty in COVID-19 schemeA Ponte Vedra Beach man pleaded guilty to several charges in connection with a fraud scheme involving COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE), according to the Department of Justice.
Traffic on King Street to be reduced to 1 lane overnight as crews work on water main improvement project
Read full article: Traffic on King Street to be reduced to 1 lane overnight as crews work on water main improvement projectThe City of St. Augustine announced on Thursday there will be overnight traffic pattern changes next week on King Street as crews continue work on the water main improvement project.
This Week in Jacksonville - Business Edition: Navigating the Florida real state market in transition
Read full article: This Week in Jacksonville - Business Edition: Navigating the Florida real state market in transition“This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition” host Kent Justice recently spoke with Tim Weisheyer, president of Florida Realtors, the largest realtor association in the United States. He offered a nuanced perspective on what homebuyers and sellers can expect.
How to protect packages from thieves
Read full article: How to protect packages from thievesOnline shoppers are scoring hot summer deals right now with retailers like Amazon offering big discounts. But all those purchases mean packages piling up outside your door and it’s an opportunity for thieves to steal your stuff.
Flooding woes continue in San Marco as city works on Phase 2 of drainage project and neighbors remain frustrated
Read full article: Flooding woes continue in San Marco as city works on Phase 2 of drainage project and neighbors remain frustratedNeighbors had to wade through water on Wednesday afternoon just to get to their cars as rain once again turned streets into rivers in the flood-prone area. Residents say they are beyond frustrated, especially with a multi-million dollar project already underway to try to fix the problem.
Suspect shot and killed after shooting officer in leg had stolen about $100 from Family Dollar, JSO says
Read full article: Suspect shot and killed after shooting officer in leg had stolen about $100 from Family Dollar, JSO saysThe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has released the name of an armed robbery suspect who shot an officer and was killed with return fire Wednesday morning following a foot chase in Northwest Jacksonville.
Kindred Care EMS: A beacon of trust and cultural connection in Jacksonville’s health care landscape
Read full article: Kindred Care EMS: A beacon of trust and cultural connection in Jacksonville’s health care landscapeHandling non-emergency medical transport, Kindred Care’s personnel don’t just show up with a stretcher – they show up with understanding and a focus on care that connects to the community.
Could first ‘A’ grade for DCPS bring more families to Jacksonville? A realtor thinks so
Read full article: Could first ‘A’ grade for DCPS bring more families to Jacksonville? A realtor thinks soThe Duval County School Board’s recent achievement of its first-ever “A” grade could be the beginning of potential growth for Jacksonville’s housing market.
$4.3M will fund three projects to improve public safety, infrastructure in Jacksonville
Read full article: $4.3M will fund three projects to improve public safety, infrastructure in JacksonvilleThe City of Jacksonville received over $4 million to fund three projects that will enhance efficiency, address traffic concerns and provide public safety improvements and infrastructure needs.
JSO officer who was shot in leg by armed robbery suspect in Northwest Jacksonville released from hospital
Read full article: JSO officer who was shot in leg by armed robbery suspect in Northwest Jacksonville released from hospitalThe officer who was shot in the leg by an armed robbery suspect on Wednesday morning in Northwest Jacksonville was released from the hospital.
Over 4 inches of rain falls in St. Augustine in just over an hour, leaves many downtown areas ‘flooded’
Read full article: Over 4 inches of rain falls in St. Augustine in just over an hour, leaves many downtown areas ‘flooded’The National Weather Service for Jacksonville is reporting on Wednesday that over 4 inches of rain fell in St. Augustine in just over an hour, which has caused flooding in much of the city’s downtown area.
Nearly 7,000 in Clay County dealt with power outages as storms passed through, outage map showed
Read full article: Nearly 7,000 in Clay County dealt with power outages as storms passed through, outage map showedAs Wednesday afternoon storms rolled through Northeast Florida, the impacts were felt in parts of Clay County, with nearly 7,000 power outages reported by the county’s utility.
Stalled cars, submerged streets left behind after heavy rains from storms
Read full article: Stalled cars, submerged streets left behind after heavy rains from stormsDrivers are urged to use caution and avoid water-covered roads across Jacksonville after Wednesday afternoon showers poured down.
Robbery suspect killed by officer marks 10th JSO officer-involved shooting this year, surpassing last year’s total
Read full article: Robbery suspect killed by officer marks 10th JSO officer-involved shooting this year, surpassing last year’s totalWednesday morning’s officer-involved incident, in which an armed robbery suspect died in Northwest Jacksonville, marked the 10th shooting involving an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Baker County Clerk of Court files lawsuit against county commissioners over financial control
Read full article: Baker County Clerk of Court files lawsuit against county commissioners over financial controlTensions are rising in Baker County as Clerk of Court Stacie Harvey has filed a lawsuit against the County Board of Commissioners. The lawsuit accuses the board of obstructing her duties by not granting her control over the county’s financial system.
Judge partially blocks law that ‘imposes severe burden’ on Florida’s ballot-initiative process
Read full article: Judge partially blocks law that ‘imposes severe burden’ on Florida’s ballot-initiative processA federal judge has blocked a key part of a new law that imposed additional restrictions on the state’s ballot-initiative process, saying a ban on non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens collecting and delivering petitions “imposes a severe burden on political expression that the state has failed to justify.”
Celebration Church holding annual free grocery giveaway this week. Here’s what to know
Read full article: Celebration Church holding annual free grocery giveaway this week. Here’s what to knowCelebration Church has announced the details for 2025’s annual Serve Day, a grocery giveaway event that helped thousands of families in Jacksonville last year.
I-95 ramp at MLK Parkway to remain closed for overpass repairs
Read full article: I-95 ramp at MLK Parkway to remain closed for overpass repairsThe ramp from Interstate 95 northbound to Marin Luther King Jr. Parkway westbound will remain closed due to repairs, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
2 seriously injured after truck pulling camper flips off bridge on I-95 South in Nassau County
Read full article: 2 seriously injured after truck pulling camper flips off bridge on I-95 South in Nassau CountyTwo people were seriously injured Wednesday in a crash involving an overturned camper on I-95 South in Nassau County, near the Duval County line.
Watch parties and a local connection: Jacksonville captivated by reality show ‘Love Island’ as finale nears
Read full article: Watch parties and a local connection: Jacksonville captivated by reality show ‘Love Island’ as finale nearsWhether you love — or hate it — you’ve probably heard of the reality show that has turned into a cultural phenomenon and that has prompted many bars and restaurants to host watch parties across the country, including in Jacksonville.
Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possible
Read full article: Shands Bridge lane closures expected to cause major traffic headaches; use alternative route if possibleAs part of bridge maintenance activities, lane closures with a flagging operation will be in place on the Shands Bridge starting at noon on Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Local nonprofit using Amazon Prime Deal Days to help kids in foster care secure essential school items
Read full article: Local nonprofit using Amazon Prime Deal Days to help kids in foster care secure essential school itemsWhile Amazon Prime Days offer consumers an opportunity to find cost-effective deals on everyday items, a local nonprofit is using the four-day window to give the North Florida community a chance to support local kids in foster care.
Jacksonville man pleads guilty after selling fentanyl, crack to undercover JSO officer for months
Read full article: Jacksonville man pleads guilty after selling fentanyl, crack to undercover JSO officer for monthsA Jacksonville man pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl and crack cocaine while armed to an undercover Jacksonville sheriff’s officer six times, according to the Department of Justice.
HealthScreen program aims to bridge health care gaps in North Central Florida’s rural communities
Read full article: HealthScreen program aims to bridge health care gaps in North Central Florida’s rural communitiesThe University of Florida’s new HealthScreen program will use mobile health vehicles to send community health workers and nurses throughout North Central Florida to conduct critical health screenings for heart issues, prediabetes and diabetes.
How you can help protect Atlantic Beach from invasive plant threatening dunes
Read full article: How you can help protect Atlantic Beach from invasive plant threatening dunesThe city of Atlantic Beach is working to combat the spread of Beach Vitex, an aggressive invasive plant threatening the vital dune ecosystems.
Fleeing armed robbery suspect killed after shooting officer in Northwest Jacksonville: sheriff
Read full article: Fleeing armed robbery suspect killed after shooting officer in Northwest Jacksonville: sheriffAn armed robbery suspect who shot at an officer was killed Wednesday morning following a foot chase near Soutel Drive and Norfolk Boulevard in the Sherwood Forest area of Northwest Jacksonville, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sick of having to take off your shoes in airport security? We’ve got some good news
Read full article: Sick of having to take off your shoes in airport security? We’ve got some good newsAfter nearly two decades of having to remove your shoes before going through security at airports, you no longer have to do so. The nationwide policy change is now in effect at all airports, including JAX.
Burned Out: St. Johns County Fire Union pushes for healthier work-life balance
Read full article: Burned Out: St. Johns County Fire Union pushes for healthier work-life balanceOn Wednesday, the St. Johns County Firefighters Union is meeting with county officials to continue to push for a major change: a healthier work schedule. This will be the second meeting between the two sides in the contract negotiation process.
Motorcyclist dies after missing curve, hitting median in Orange Park crash: FHP
Read full article: Motorcyclist dies after missing curve, hitting median in Orange Park crash: FHPA 61-year-old motorcyclist died Tuesday night in a crash on Wells Road west of Eldridge Avenue in Orange Park, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A local mom thought the car seat she picked out for her daughter was cute. She later found out it was an unsafe knockoff
Read full article: A local mom thought the car seat she picked out for her daughter was cute. She later found out it was an unsafe knockoffA Jacksonville mom learned a lesson the hard way when she unknowingly buckled her newborn into a fake car seat, thinking it was safe.