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First Coast News
Slow down! Florida law enforcement is looking for speeders and aggressive drivers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Law enforcement in Florida is cracking down on speeding and aggressive driving. It is part of a week-long speed enforcement campaign with the Florida Department of Transportation known as "Operation Southern Slowdown." Its purpose is to remind drivers to safely share the road. The campaign, in...
JSO: Duval County inmate dies in hospital after experiencing hallucinations during arrest
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrestee died in the hospital Sunday, one day after experiencing hallucinations and getting into an altercation with an officer and firefighter, officials said Tuesday. Joseph Roy Lawson, 43, was in jail on two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, firefighter,...
Search for missing 12-year-old Georgia girl now spanning several states
HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The search for a missing 12-year-old Gainesville girl is now stretching across several other states, including as far away as Illinois and Texas. The Hall County Sheriff's Office posted an update last Friday on the search for Maria Gomez-Perez. She was reported missing on May 30, a day after she was last seen in the driveway of her home, and her family and community have been making extensive search efforts since then.
CrossFit fundraiser in Clay County making dreams come true for children with terminal illnesses
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Levi Shepherd was just nine years old when he passed away from Lennox-Gastaut Epilepsy and IHPRF syndrome in 2022 — a severe, inherited neurological disorder that affects children at birth or early in infancy that leads to a life with constant seizures, speech impairment and developmental delays.
Jacksonville City Council president forms special committee to review Community Benefits Agreement
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council President Randy White announced Monday the formation of a special committee tasked with reviewing the highly debated Community Benefits Agreement Monday, marking his first move as council head. The committee will review and identify any "necessary" amendments to the Community Benefits Agreement legislation,...
'Please, please don't do this': Opening statements underway in Jacksonville murder trial
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The trial of a man accused of killing a Jacksonville radio personality started Monday. Bursey Armstrong faces two charges of second degree murder for the death of Tasheka Young, known professionally as TySheeks, and her unborn child. This all started just under two years ago, when...
How a Jacksonville Army drill sergeant found love for education through service
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Every 'Story of Service' is different, as is every person's reason for joining the military is different. In this week's Stories of Service, First Coast News introduces a staff sergeant in the Army who has turned his life around on multiple fronts. And his path to the future started with the most unlikely of steps.
Dream deferred: Millennial, Gen Z adults moving back with parents to save up to buy first house
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — As the price of owning a home continues to climb, there are two groups getting squeezed out of the American Dream. Millennials and Gen Z adults are moving back home with their parents, hoping to weather the storm of inflated home prices and stagnant wages. The goal is to save up for a day when their dream is affordable again.
Ways JEA says you can conserve water, save money on your utility bill during the summer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA is asking its customers to use water only when they need to. The Jacksonville utilities company says customers will save money and it's possible one doesn't have to sacrifice their comfort or lawn. JEA officials told First Coast News consumers use more water during the...
Where is my tax money going? Here is Mayor Deegan's proposed budget for new fiscal year
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan presented her proposed $1.9 billion budget to city council Monday, which outlines where your tax dollars could be spent in fiscal year 2024 - 2025. The proposed budget, which is $165 million more than last year's, outlines key investments on city infrastructure,...
Man killed in traffic crash at the intersection of State and Jefferson streets in Downtown Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man was killed in a traffic crash at the intersection of State and Jefferson streets early Sunday morning, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. A woman in her mid-20s was driving westbound on State Street and collided with a man in his mid-60s was driving a Mini Cooper southbound on Jefferson Street around 8:35 a.m. Both drivers were transported to local hospitals for treatment, police said, with the victim dying shortly after arrival.
FHP: Missouri motorcyclist dead in Flagler County after striking back of truck on I-95
PALM COAST, Fla. — A 40-year-old Ballwin, Missouri man has died following a collision with a truck near Palm Coast on Interstate-95 Saturday evening. The crash, where both vehicles were traveling in the center lane, occurred around 11:40 p.m. near mile marker 285 on I-95 northbound, a Florida Highway Patrol report said.
Crew from Fernandina Beach ready to row 360 miles through ocean for neurofibromatosis
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — One woman's mission to help children with a debilitating disease will take her into the open ocean for more than a week. On Monday, Fernandina Beach's Michele Holbrook will begin rowing with four other people nonstop from Miami Back to Fernandina Beach to raise money and awareness for the Children's Tumor Foundation.
Missing man last seen on Jacksonville's Northside found safe, police say
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said John Copeland, 74, was located safe. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing, endangered man last seen on the city's Northside Saturday morning. Police said John Copeland, 74, was last seen walking near the 500 block of East...
Wells Fargo sign to be removed from Downtown Jacksonville building
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Wells Fargo name will be removed from the downtown skyscraper at 1 Independent Dr. this weekend, causing road closures. Wells Fargo Center, now known as 1 Independent, is in the process of being replaced as the primary tenant for the 37-story building after the banking company downsized its leased space earlier this year. Part of that undertaking is the removal of the building's current signage.
Small businesses shine during annual 'Duval Day' celebrations in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Community members gathered Saturday to celebrate what makes Duval great. The annual "Duval Day" celebrations took place Saturday on Myrtle Avenue in Jacksonville. Food vendors and business owners who lined the sidewalk of Myrtle Avenue said they came out for one reason. “Support, love, hometown people...
Lanes reopen after vehicle fire snarls traffic on I-95 southbound near State Road 206
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The cause of a vehicle fire is under investigation after it sent plumes of smoke over Interstate 95, blocking multiple lanes of traffic Saturday morning, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue. Fire crews were dispatched around 9:30 a.m. to put out flames coming...
Famous TikTok food critic Keith Lee is visiting Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Restaurants in Jacksonville could be seeing crowds in the next few days. Viral TikTok star Keith Lee, who reviews food around the country, was spotted in the Jacksonville International Airport Friday. He shared a fan's photo on his Instagram story, confirming that he's come to the River City.
Where is your tax money going in St. Johns County?
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — You pay taxes, but how is the government spending that money?. St. Johns County's Clerk of Court just published a financial report for fiscal year 2023, showing where your money is going. It notes the county's population was 315,317. First Coast News has determined...
Jacksonville nonprofit still looking for thousands of dollars in promised grant funding
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The goal was to fund programs that keep kids off the streets during the summer and hopefully reduce crime in the process. The City of Jacksonville set aside $300,000 as grant money for non-profits to fund summer programs, but one of those non-profits said the money never came.
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