Ken Hearda, 80, is one of the 135 veterans who were experiencing homelessness in 2024. Now, he's got a life-changing opportunity, thanks to Operation Barnabas and Operation Lifeline in Clay County.

Burnout, trauma, and high stress are significant factors threatening the mental health of firefighters, and Florida lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill designed to combat the growing number of suicides among firefighters.

Burnout, trauma and high stress are significant factors threatening the mental health of firefighters. To combat an increase in firefighter suicides, Florida lawmakers are considering a new bill.

STARKE, Fla. – A Clay County deputy who died in September from complications of COVID-19 was honored Saturday at the Krawl’n for the Fallen event in Starke. The event was overshadowed by tragedy Friday night when a skydiver died after his parachute didn’t deploy properly during a fun jump after practice. Despite the tragic death, the event carried on as law enforcement agencies and families of fallen officers gathered to honor those who have been lost. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said it was honored that Sgt. He started with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in the 90s before joining the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in 1998.

Former President Jimmy Carter turns 96 years old on Thursday and continues to add to his record as the oldest living president. Carter planned to celebrate at his home in Plains, Georgia, with his wife of 74 years, Rosalynn Carter, according to a spokeswoman for the Carter Center in Atlanta. The Carter Center, the not-for-profit organization founded by the Carters nearly 40 years ago, is encouraging people to post a birthday message. Join the fun and send him a birthday wish on the below birthday board. Carter had been a Naval officer, peanut farmer Georgia senator and Georgia governor when he was elected president in 1976.

A 23-year-old motorcyclist is in life-threatening condition after crashing into a pick-up truck on Hendricks Boulevard Saturday night. The motorcyclist was traveling south near 3900 Hendricks Boulevard around 5:55 p.m. when another man was leaving the GATE gas station turning onto Hendricks. That’s when the motorcyclist crashed into the truck. The motorcyclist was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Hendricks Boulevard was reopened at 9:30 p.m.

"10/Six Grille" is opening in Sweet Pete's historic downtown building. The eatery encourages guests to enjoy American-style eats in a fanciful atmosphere that provides a nostalgic trip down the rabbit hole. "Take time out of your busy day and allow yourself to escape to Wonderland," the website says. "Enjoy one of our handcrafted dishes and let yourself get lost in the pages of Lewis Carroll's greatest work." Location: 400 N. Hogan St. Click HERE to visit the 10/Six Grille website.

Sumter County is embroiled in a court fight over voting rights and redistricting that challenges the composition and credibility of its school board. Like many other Southern communities, it was run by whites until courts overturned Jim Crow laws and ordered desegregation during the civil rights era. At least two African American board members during that time say their employers received threatening letters, advocating they be fired. Under the Voting Rights Act, the county’s plan previously would have been cleared in advance by the Justice Department to guarantee it didn’t harm minorities. Alice Green, one of the two remaining African American board members, said she hopes the litigation ends soon.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The remains of several dead whales drew large crowds to the St. Simons Island shoreline Wednesday morning, a day after a viral video captured a massive rescue effort for about 25 pilot whales. The video, which was shared on News4Jax's Facebook page, shows the more than two dozen whales that had beached themselves along the shore. People who saw what happened all got together and helped get the whales back in the water. The Wildlife Resources Division from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said most of the whales were successfully pushed back out into the water but three of the whales did not survive. The Wildlife Division said pilot whales are the most common type to strand in large numbers.

KINGSLAND, Ga. – Family and friends of a 33-year-old Georgia man who was shot and killed by a now former Kingsland, Georgia, police officer gathered Thursday night for a prayer vigil to remember Tony Green one year after his death. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation determined Zechariah Presley killed Green by shooting him multiple times from behind as Green ran from the officer during a traffic stop. After the shooting, Presley was fired from the department and indicted on a charge of manslaughter. "We believe the only way justice will be served is if Zechariah Presley receives the maximum sentence allowed for the charges he's been given." Benefield said even if Presley is convicted, Green's family and friends won't feel closure for a long time.

Oftentimes when you reel a fish up to the surface, they experience an expansion of gas in their swim bladder, and will not be able to swim back down to their environment. Continue your role as a conservationist by looking out for fish with signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond. Barotrauma is a condition seen in many fish caught in waters greater than 50 feet that is caused by expansion of gases in the swim bladder. Descending devices should only be used when fish show one or more signs of barotrauma and cannot swim back down on their own. Never insert venting tools into a fish’s belly, back or stomach that may be protruding from the mouth.

FWC biologists will survey anglers and take biological samples during the 2018 recreational red snapper fishing season. The FWC will provide information collected to the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) for the next red snapper stock assessment. In 2017, the Atlantic red snapper season was open two weekends in November. These surveys are used to determine how many boats participate in the red snapper season, the numbers of red snapper harvested, and important biological information that will be used in future population assessments. HeadboatsHeadboats are already required to report all fishing activity to National Marine Fisheries Service and are not surveyed by FWC during the red snapper season.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – School boards and the state are sparring about whether a challenge to a controversial 2017 education law should move quickly to the Florida Supreme Court. Cooper’s ruling led 11 school boards to appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal. It also set the stage for adding new charter schools -- dubbed “schools of hope” -- that will serve students whose traditional public schools have been considered low-performing. The school boards contend in the legal challenge that the law usurps their constitutional authority to operate public schools. In the filing last week seeking to move quickly to the Supreme Court, the school boards said they need to make decisions about issues such as their budgets.