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First Coast News
Jacksonville World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday on July Fourth
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A World War II veteran and current Jacksonville resident will be celebrating his 100th birthday on Fourth of July Thursday. VFW Post 5968 in Orange Park will be holding the special celebration for Fred A. Long Jr., a 30-year highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy.
'Very hard decision': Popular Murray Hill pub closes after 7 years
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After seven years, an Irish pub in Murray Hill served its final pint of beer and last order of fish and chips on Sunday. The Stout Snug, 1190 Edgewood Ave. S., closed its doors after being sold by its owner, a veteran Jacksonville restauranteur who told the Times-Union that he's taking a hiatus to spend more time with his family.
Fastest teenager in the country denied spot on Team USA
ST JOHNS, Fla. — It seems unfair. Christian Miller went into the track and field Olympic trials with specific goals. He ended up not finishing in the top three in the 100-meter sprint, and therefore did not earn an automatic spot on the Olympic team. Miller and his coach,...
Special fireworks? No, the 'light in the sky' over the First Coast is actually a space jellyfish 🪼
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Many people on the First Coast woke up Wednesday morning allured by the "light in the sky." That light, captured in several photos, some shared in First Coast News' Weather Watchers Facebook page, is a phenomenon sometimes known as a 'space jellyfish.' It was caused by a SpaceX launch that happened just before 5 a.m.
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 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.
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...
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...
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