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First Coast News
St. Augustine city commissioner wonders if city can require staff take breaks from the heat despite new Florida law
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A city on the First Coast is stepping into the conversation about employers providing staff breaks from the excessive heat. This comes after Florida’s new law restricts what local governments can do when it comes to requiring breaks during the job. And now the federal government is approaching the topic too.
JSO: Child drowns in pool during Fourth of July gathering off San Pablo Road
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 3-year-old boy drowned in a pool during a Fourth of July gathering in a neighborhood off San Pablo Road Thursday afternoon, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. The incident occurred on Blackbeard Drive in a neighborhood off San Pablo Road between Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard.
Mother, young daughter among 6 killed in Wisconsin house fire
POWELL, Ohio — A mother and daughter from Powell died in a Wisconsin house fire along with four other family members on Sunday. According to the Juneau County Sheriff's Office, 38-year-old Charis Kuehl died during an apparent accidental house fire on June 30. A joint statement from the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod President Mark Schroeder identified three of the other five family members as 5-year-old Stella Kuehl, Charis' daughter; 66-year-old Steve Witte, Charis' father; and 35-year-old Lydia Witte, Charis' sister. Two nieces, ages 2 and 8, also died.
Fully-involved boat fire put out in St. Johns County
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A boat became fully engulfed in flames in St. Johns County on Fourth of July. St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the boat caught fire in the intercoastal waterway off North Roscoe Boulevard on Thursday afternoon. Multiple agencies responded, including St. Augustine Fire Department...
Stories of Service: Jacksonville men and women who wear the uniform of our armed forces
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — We are honored to share the stories of the brave men and women who wear the uniform of our armed forces. First Coast News is proud to present this Stories of Service special. Throughout this special we’ll meet men and women who are currently serving in the military and hear the stories of what they do on a daily basis to serve our country.
AP: Man suffers severe shark bite during July Fourth celebrations on Texas beach
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — Multiple shark attacks were reported Thursday on South Padre Island during Fourth of July celebrations. A man suffered a severe shark bite to his leg Thursday around 11 a.m., South Padre Island City Secretary Nikki Soto told The Associated Press. It reportedly happened near Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill.
JSO: Man found dead in Southside residence
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a man was found dead on the Southside Thursday morning. JSO said officers were dispatched 9:30 a.m. Thursday, and found a man dead inside a garage at 10500 Glenwood Court. Police said family members discovered their son dead when coming back from vacation, which police needed review by the medical examiner's office to confirm.
Be mindful that fireworks can be traumatic reminders to Jacksonville veterans and families
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — While fireworks are meant to be entertaining during the Fourth of July, for many, it can be a reminder of past trauma. Often times, it impacts those who served in combat or went through a fire, explosion or gun violence. Whether it is expected or unexpected,...
Jacksonville Navy veteran asking people to be mindful of those with PTSD during July Fourth celebrations
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As people around Northeast Florida get set to celebrate the Fourth of July, a Jacksonville Navy veteran wants people to be mindful of those struggling with PTSD. John Tappen said loud noises, like fireworks, still bring back past trauma from his deployment in the Navy. Tappen...
St. Johns County volunteers give American flags a proper send-off
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — For a lot of folks, the Fourth of July could be a reason to get a new American flag, but that raises the question: “What do you do with your old, worn-down flag?”. In St. Johns County, they’re providing drop boxes to make...
Police: 16-year-old shot in head, 20-year-old shot in back in Palatka
PALATKA, Fla. — A 16-year-old girl and 20-year-old woman are in critical condition on the Fourth of July after they both were shot Wednesday night in Palatka, the Palatka Police Department said in a Facebook post. At approximately 11:15 a.m., officers responded to the 700 block of North 16th...
New coffee shop on a mission opening in Murray Hill
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lifework Leadership is launching its second brick-and-mortar coffee shop location. The new Cup of Jōb Community Café will open its doors to the public this weekend in Murray Hill. The Christian nonprofit coffee house will focus on helping employ women who have come out of sexually abusive environments. It plans to partner with three local organizations: Rethreaded, Hadassah’s Hope and Girls of Virtue.
Brunswick business destroyed after truck crash
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Brunswick business was left destroyed after a truck crashed into the building Wednesday afternoon. According to the Brunswick Police Department, around 12:30 p.m., the driver of a white pick-up truck was heading north on Norwich Street when it ran a red light. A commercial truck had the green light while driving west on Norwich Street when the two trucks collided.
Blue Angels are not returning to Jacksonville Beach for 2025 air show
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The Blue Angels won't be back to Jacksonville Beach for its air show next year. A City of Jacksonville spokesperson told First Coast News that despite submitting its annual request for next year's air show, "the Blue Angels selected a different city during our [ the city's] desired date."
Safety tips for Fourth of July after deadly rip currents in Florida
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla — The Fourth of July is expected to be the busiest day of the year at Jacksonville Beach and the rip current risk could be moderate, according to First Coast News meteorologists. In the last two weeks, eight people have died in rip currents in Florida...
'It feels like there's more hope': Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan reflects on 1 year in office
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This week marks one year since Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan took office, and she is reflecting on some of her biggest accomplishments. Deegan said she is proud of all the work her team has done in the last year, including her healthcare program, the 'Stadium of the Future' deal and the launch of her River City Readers initiative. But, Deegan said her biggest priority is setting up the city for long-term success.
In the fight against Alzheimer's 'This medicine gave me my life back,' Jacksonville woman says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's a disease that robs an individual of memory, but there's a new weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's. On Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration approved a second drug for patients to slow the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Kisunla is not a cure, but clinical...
Where will Jacksonville's newest drive-thru Chick-fil-A be?
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Chick-fil-A is expanding its Jacksonville footprint with a new drive-thru-only location. The Georgia-based chicken sandwich chain acquired a permit Monday to initiate the construction process at a location in East Arlington. The job cost is $800,000 for the 2,468-square-foot building. There will be two lanes and...
Go for the gold on the mound at the Jumbo Shrimp 'Salute to the Olympics' game on Friday, July 19
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — First Coast News, On Your Side and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp want you to win the chance of a lifetime! We want you to have the opportunity to toss out the first pitch in front of your friends or family. Enter to win the First Coast...
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