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First Coast News
'Architectural history is at stake': Contractor warns of voracious termites in St. Augustine
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A tiny terror has John Valdes troubled. He is a contractor in St. Augustine who specializes in restoring historic buildings. Tuesday, he took First Coast News on a tour of a 100-year-old house he is working on. "This is termite damage right here," he said....
At least 4 construction projects to be built at the same time on Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — How much construction can happen in one area?. That answer is 'under construction' as multiple large projects are planned along East Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville. The new Museum of Science & History is now a little closer to being built along the Northbank in Lot...
Jacksonville Beach mayor talks Fourth of July preparations
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville Beach is preparing for thousands of people to be out at the beach this Fourth of July, and safety is top of mind for many after shootings on two holidays earlier this year. Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman said the Jacksonville...
Jacksonville inspector general report questions how Clara White Mission spent millions in taxpayer dollars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s inspector general is cracking down on the relationship between the city and a nonprofit helping the homeless community. A new report from the inspector general found “significant deficiencies” in oversight of the way Clara White Mission is using grant funding. Back in...
Florida Supreme Court revokes former St. Augustine mayor's law license
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The former mayor and attorney of St. Augustine cannot practice law in Florida for the next five years. The Florida Supreme Court revoked Joseph Lester Boles Jr.'s law license citing misconduct, alleging Boles drafted documents to name himself as a "personal representative or successor" to receive parts of a client's estate or trust.
Dr. Christopher Bernier sworn in as DCPS superintendent
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — A new Duval County Public Schools superintendent was sworn in Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Christopher Bernier was sworn in as superintendent around 3 p.m. in front of the Duval County School Board. The school board officially voted 6-1 in favor of the contract for Bernier in mid-June.
Homecoming at Naval Station Mayport as USS Mason returns after deployment
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of families shared a warm embrace Tuesday morning in a Naval Station Mayport homecoming, as the USS Mason returned to its home base following a nine-month deployment. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) was deployed in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden...
JEA inspecting water service lines at homes in Jacksonville's older areas for lead
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA is taking on a project that involves inspecting water service lines for lead. The utilities company says it launched the project to comply with a newly passed addendum to the Lead and Copper Rule that was established by the Environmental Protection Agency. JEA says customers...
Florida cattle ranchers, duck hunters, marine conservationists joined forces to ban balloon releases
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — As of Monday, July 1, it is against Florida law to intentionally release a balloon outside. The legislature passed the balloon release ban this year, aiming to protect wildlife from getting entangled in or mistakenly eating deflated balloons that eventually fall back to earth.
Here's what to know about Jacksonville's new Riverwalk open container program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Adults looking to beat the heat with an ice-cold alcoholic beverage can do so while enjoying a stroll along the St. Johns River, thanks to a new program. The City of Jacksonville's new Open Container Riverwalk Cup Program officially launched July 1, 2024. This means people...
Southside neighbors chop up trees, 2 businesses remain closed after EF-1 tornado in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Business owners and neighbors are still cleaning up after an EF-1 tornado ripped through Jacksonville's Southside Friday. On Beach Boulevard, a blue tarp covers part of a shopping plaza's building. The Forgotten Toy Box is open, but there's a hole in their ceiling and a fan on the floor to dry out the carpet after their roof was ripped off.
Leave trash cans out, hang up a clothesline: New Florida law restricts HOA authority
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hang a clothesline in your backyard, start a vegetable garden or park a work truck in your driveway. Florida lawmakers granted homeowners in homeowners associations new freedom with a law cracking down on their authority that took effect July 1. A local real estate attorney says...
Jacksonville leaders launch 'Miracle on Myrtle' study to revitalize Durkeeville neighborhood
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville is spending thousands of dollars to revitalize one of the oldest African American communities in our city. But, before the city spends the money, they are asking the community for input in a study titled the 'Miracle on Myrtle.'. On Monday, city...
MOSH meets $40 million fundraising goal for Northbank relocation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The relocation of Jacksonville's Museum of Science & History is one step closer to becoming a reality. MOSH announced Monday that it surpassed the $40 million fundraising requirement to build its future home on the Northbank. The fundraising goal was outlined in MOSH's development agreement with the City of Jacksonville.
4 arrested in Nassau County for Stanley cup and Winn Dixie food 'heist,' sheriff's office says
YULEE, Fla. — Four individuals were arrested in Nassau County for allegedly stealing 24 Stanley cups from an Ace Hardware and various expensive food items from Winn-Dixie, according to the sheriff's office. The four arrested are 46-year-old Stacey Sullivan, 51-year-old Kaneki Hickson, 23 year-old Montavia Sullivan and 46-year-old Tracy...
Weather Impact Alert Day: Thunderstorms to move through Monday afternoon, evening
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The First Coast's Most Accurate Weather Team has issued an Impact Alert Day for Monday, as storms are expected to roll through the region this afternoon and into the evening. WHEN: Monday, July 1, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. IMPACT: 60% coverage of rain and...
What is a Weather Impact Alert Day at First Coast News?
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Weather Impact Alert Day is how the First Coast's Most Accurate Weather Team identifies and alerts the community to specific times when weather events could have a widespread impact on daily routines, plans or lives. Weather that can cause First Coast News to issue Weather...
Here's when Nassau County deputy killer Patrick McDowell will be sentenced
NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — The man who confessed to killing a Nassau County Sheriff's Office deputy during a traffic stop in 2021 will be sentenced later this month, court documents obtained by First Coast News on Monday show. McDowell pleaded guilty to killing Deputy Joshua Moyers on March...
Man recovering from Nassau County shark bite in state's third attack in a month
NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — A man on Florida’s northeast coast was bitten by a shark this weekend but is now recovering, authorities said Sunday, in the third shark attack in state waters over the past month. Officials from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit responding to...
Marine speaks on having Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society as resource after suffering terrible fire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Few, The Proud, The Marines. There is an image of perseverance with which most Marines view themselves, and that image rarely involves asking for help. In this week's Stories of Service, First Coast News introduces a Marine who went through a devastating experience and it was his willingness to ask for help that proved to be his greatest strength.
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