Documents: Aiden Fucci got into jail fight, threatened to kill inmates, officers
Jail reports obtained Thursday from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office show Aiden Fucci, the teenager charged in the murder of 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, has been involved in multiple disturbances while incarcerated at the Duval County jail, according to a report from News 6 sister station News4JAX in Jacksonville.
Florida zookeeper ‘viciously’ attacked by bear, report shows
The 35-year-old zookeeper who was “viciously” attacked Wednesday by a 5-year-old North American black bear at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens suffered many lacerations on her head, back and thighs, according to a police report obtained Thursday by News 6 partner News4JAX.
AMBER Alert issued for missing 7-year-old Jacksonville girl
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an AMBER Alert for a Jacksonville girl. Police said 7-year-old Kaitlynn La Rocca was last seen in the 5400 block of Los Santos Way in Duval County. Kaitlynn may be in the company of Heaven Ulshafer, 26 according to FLDE. Read: Osceola sheriff releases surveillance video of missing 73-year-old; family asks for public’s helpAnyone with information on Kaitlynn is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or 911. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comMan with ax who tried to enter Jacksonville elementary school shot by DCPS officer, police say
A man carrying a large ax attempted to gain entry Friday afternoon to Ruth N. Upson Elementary School, according to the Duval County school superintendent, and the DCPS police chief said that person then left the campus and was later shot by a DCPS officer after refusing commands to drop his weapon.
Driver fleeing hit-and-run crash dies after trying to ram gate at Naval Air Station in Jacksonville
A driver who attempted to crash through the Birmingham Gate at Naval Air Station Jacksonville died after gate sentries deployed the protective barrier that stopped the vehicle from entering the base, Navy officials said.
Local parents feel impact of nationwide baby formula shortage
Now, it’s affecting a vital need for new parents: baby formula. “We go to five or six stores sometimes to find it!”'Devon Davito is talking about baby formula for her 9-month-old daughter, Ellie. “She was a NICU baby — she was on NeoSure Similac, and that was one of the ones that was recalled,” Davito explained. The average cost of the most popular baby formula products is up as much as 18% over the last 12 months. Pace said baby formula is the item that they usually give away right away.
wftv.comFDLE issues AMBER Alert for 8-year-old Jacksonville boy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Florida Amber Alert has been issued out of Duval County for 8-year-old Ja’rell Lewis. FL AMBER Alert for 8yo B/M Ja'rell Lewis, last seen 2600 block University Blvd N, Jacksonville. May be w Terrell Lewis, 2006 black Suzuki Forenza, FL tag 72BEYB. #FLAMBER pic.twitter.com/WKAIUo6Y3L — FDLE (@fdlepio) April 29, 2022FDLE said Reed was last seen in the 2600 block of University Boulevard in Jacksonville. Amber Alert for Ja'rell Lewis Amber Alert for Ja'rell LewisClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comFLORIDA AMBER ALERT: 8-year-old boy from Jacksonville missing
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Florida Amber Alert has been issued for an 8-year-old boy from Duval County. Ja’rell Lewis was last seen in the 2600 block of University Boulevard North in Jacksonville. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Ja’rell may be with 37-year-old Terrell Lewis. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]They may be traveling in a 2006 black Suzuki Forenza with the Florida tag number 72BEYB. This is a developing story, refresh this page and watch CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax for updates.
wftv.comHouse members discuss bill that would make ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ a national hymn
The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties met Friday to discuss a bill that would make “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” the national hymn of the United States, News 6 partner WJXT-TV reported.
Citizens, activists removed from Gov. DeSantis’ news conference in Jacksonville
A group of activists and citizens who are unhappy with Gov. Ron DeSantis' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic were removed from the Florida Department of Health building in Duval County ahead of a news conference being held by the governor.
Gov. DeSantis proposes anti-immigration laws for Florida’s next legislative session
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference at the Jacksonville International Airport Friday to propose a series of legislative reforms meant to deter contractors and private entities from relocating people to Florida who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Latest: AP-NORC poll: Vaccine requirements favored in US
___ANKARA, Turkey — The highly infectious delta variant accounts for more than 90% of all COVID-19 cases in Turkey, the country’s health minister said Friday. Sri Lanka has experienced an unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the last three weeks. In recent months, as vaccine uptake at home has waned, the Eastern European country has sold or donated several million vaccine doses to numerous countries. About 5.9 million people of Israel’s 9.3 million population have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Some eateries reportedly voiced concern due to high daily virus cases.
wftv.com'Bracing for the worst' in Florida's COVID-19 hot zone
But the patients at Baptist Health’s five hospitals across Jacksonville are younger and getting sick from the virus faster than people did last summer. Hospital officials are anxiously monitoring 10 forecast models, converting empty spaces, adding over 100 beds and “bracing for the worst,” said Dr. Timothy Groover, the hospitals' interim chief medical officer. That 1960 conflict was a turning point for equal rights in the city, but mistrust of government officials still lingers. He rotates between emergency rooms at two other Jacksonville hospitals, working on his days off because they are so desperate for staff. The predominantly young, Black megachurch of 6,000 has a hipster vibe, with contemporary music, and jeans and sneakers welcome.
wftv.com‘The virus has a new target’: Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations quadruple in a month
ICU hospital beds Less than 7% of intensive care unit beds in Seminole County are currently available, state health officials said Wednesday. “The virus has a new target: the unvaccinated and younger people,” wrote Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of Florida Hospital Association, in a release on Wednesday. “Previously healthy people from their teens to their 40s are now finding themselves in the hospital and on a ventilator. “We’re definitely seeing a pickup in hospitalizations statewide,” said Justin Senior, the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. READ: Here’s where & when face masks are required, recommended in Central FloridaAs the virus spreads, county leaders across the state are redoubling efforts to push vaccinations.
wftv.comJacksonville mayor opts to end city’s coronavirus mask mandate
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has opted to allow Duval County’s mask mandate to expire this week, News 6 partner News4Jax reported. AdCurry said that even though he decided to lift the mandate, businesses can still require customers to wear masks. “So I think that we maintain our vigilance and continue to wear a mask. The Fernandina Beach City Commission voted March 2 to extend its mask mandate until April 7. News4Jax did not find any other local city with a current mask mandate in effect.
Donald Smith Appeals Death Sentence in Murder of Cherish Perrywinkle
The June 2013 murder of Cherish Perrywinkle drew huge amounts of news coverage and public attention in Jacksonville, with a jury in 2018 finding Donald James Smith guilty and a judge sending him to Death Row. Smith told Rayne Perrywinkle that he would take her and her daughters shopping at a Walmart. While at Walmart, Smith said he would buy the family cheeseburgers at a McDonald’s at the store but left with Cherish Perrywinkle in a van. Smith was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping of a victim under age 13 and sexual battery on a victim under age 12. In addition to the death sentence for the murder, he received life sentences on the kidnapping and sexual battery charges.
flaglerlive.comIn Florida's Old South, a new political battleground emerges
“Black voters in this part of the state are critical to winning statewide,” said Adrianne Shropshire, the executive director of BlackPAC. Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 40,000 registered voters in Duval County, and more than half of the county's Democrats are African American. That was not the case when Hillary Clinton lost in Duval County to Trump in 2016. The area has also been a proving ground for Trump's attempt to peel off some Black voters — especially Black men — from Democrats. In Duval County, she won by a margin of fewer than 3,000 votes.
Orange County COVID-19 testing site to offer self-swab lanes to reduce wait time
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A self-swab lane will be available to patients with coronavirus symptoms at the Orange County Convention Center to reduce the wait times to get a test. This program will be available at four different sites in Florida:The War Memorial Auditorium in Fort LauderdaleRegency Square Mall in Duval CountyOrange County Convention CenterHard Rock Stadium in MiamiAppointments can be made at this link for the Orange County Convention Center and the Regency Square Mall sites. The department of health said results of the self-swab tests will be sent to a separate lab will be available within 72 hours through email. The DOH said the Orange County Convention Center will be able to administer 500 self-swab tests a day. Health officials said if this program works they will expand it to more state testing sites.
Governors who quickly reopened backpedal as virus surges
(Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)AUSTIN, Texas When Texas began lifting coronavirus restrictions, Republican Gov. He pointed out that the White House backed his plan and gave assurances there were safe ways to go out again. Doug Ducey, also a Republican, did the same, declaring the state on pause as hospitals accelerate toward capacity. But the Republican governor has resisted calls to require them, arguing that it would be difficult to enforce in a rural state. Hutchinson also says hes concerned such a mandate could spark a backlash, with people refusing to wear masks.
Authorities search for escaped Florida inmate
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A Florida prisoner escaped during a work release program, authorities said Tuesday. Steven Jacob Matthews-Bull, 31, was convicted of burglary and sentenced to a private program that allows Duval County jail inmates to work during the day and attend substance-abuse treatment, education and vocation courses at night, according to the Sheriff's office. Proram officials said they found drugs on Matthews-Bull when he reported back to the facility. He then fled from corrections employees into some nearby woods. The Florida Times-Union reported Matthews-Bull was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and silver and black athletic shoes, and has multiple tattoos on his body, arms and hands.
Girl, 11, disappeared in Jacksonville, may be headed to Orlando, officials say
ORLANDO, Fla. Authorities believe an 11-year-old girl who disappeared Monday from the 9800 block of 103rd Street in Jacksonville may be traveling to Orlando. Officials described Kimberly Aguilar-Cruz as Hispanic with brown eyes and black hair. Kimberly was last seen wearing a gray shirt with a picture of SpongeBob, gray tights with a pink striped shirt, and white and gray shoes. Officials said Kimberly was last seen getting into a small model SUV. Anyone with information on Kimberlys whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the Jacksonvilles Sheriffs Office at 904-630-0500.
LIST: Damaged COVID-19 tests came from these testing sites in Florida
Published: May 21, 2020, 5:56 pm Updated: May 22, 2020, 10:11 amORANGE COUNTY, Fla. The Florida Department of Health has released a list of coronavirus testing sites where tests were damaged. The Department of Health said 1,702 tests were damaged in transit. Anyone who used a damaged test will have to be retested. Someone who used a damaged test will be contacted as soon as possible, according to the Department of Health. More than 90,000 tests were administered at these sites above in May.
Suspected gunman charged in Volusia BB shootings on I-4, I-95
A man now jailed in Duval County is charged in connection with a series of BB gun shootings that damaged 19 vehicles on Interstate 4 and Interstate 95 in Volusia County earlier this year, officials said. Anderson is wanted on principal charges in connection to each of Jones charges, according to the release. On Jan. 1, deputies responded to several reports of shots fired at vehicles traveling along I-4 and I-95 in Volusia County. During the joint investigation, detectives confirmed Jones used a BB gun to randomly shoot at 19 occupied vehicles, while Anderson drove. His listed bond on his Volusia charges is $100,000.
news-journalonline.comPennsylvania murder suspect among the Florida beach crowds this weekend
Police decided to have a chat and, according to thediscovered a warrant had been issued for Gatti's arrest in Pennsylvania for criminal homicide.Sgt. I watch my grandkids wake up crying, unable to sleep at times, or they climb in my bed," she wrote. "Gatti was arrested on the beach Saturday without incident and was held in a Duval County jail over the weekend. JBPD posted a photo of the arrest on Twitter on Sunday, adding, "This morning while officers patrolled the beach proper they captured a Fugitive from Justice, wanted in Arnold, Pennsylvania for Homicide. "Duval beaches reopened for limited daily hours on Friday, and nearby St. Johns County reopened on Saturday, leading to the hashtag #FloridaMorons trending at No.
orlandoweekly.comIn the absence of state leadership, some Florida counties are reopening their beaches
In the past 24 hours in Florida, cases are up 5 percent and deaths are up 8 percent. Florida reported 24,119 total positive cases on Friday, and the number of deaths increased to 699, up 53 from Thursday morning's numbers. On Twitter, the city also clarified : "When Duval County beaches & parks open today from 5pm to 8pm it is for exercise only - No chairs, coolers, sunbathing, or towels/blankets laid out to sit on. "Activities now permitted on St. Johns County Beaches include walking, running, exercise, surfing, biking, fishing, swimming, surfing, and other uses that require physical activity," said the city in a statement . Ron DeSantis.Only time will tell if the Sunshine State's beaches become the best new places to catch a little 'rona with your rays.
orlandoweekly.comCoronavirus: State will use National Guard to help test at nursing homes
The state will use the Florida National Guard to help with testing at long-term care facilities. As Clay County and Suwannee County deal with escalating COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities, Gov. Ron DeSantis is deploying the Florida National Guard to help with testing at facilities around the state to identify residents and staff who are infected but not showing symptoms. Florida has a total of 1,179 cases among residents and staff of long-term care facilities, according to state Department of Health figures released Tuesday evening. Northeast Florida has not suffered as much from the spread of COVID-19 in the general population, but some counties have faced outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
news-journalonline.comCoronavirus: State will use National Guard to help test at nursing homes
The state will use the Florida National Guard to help with testing at long-term care facilities. As Clay County and Suwannee County deal with escalating COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities, Gov. Ron DeSantis is deploying the Florida National Guard to help with testing at facilities around the state to identify residents and staff who are infected but not showing symptoms. Florida has a total of 1,179 cases among residents and staff of long-term care facilities, according to state Department of Health figures released Tuesday evening. Northeast Florida has not suffered as much from the spread of COVID-19 in the general population, but some counties have faced outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
dailycommercial.comCoronavirus: State will use National Guard to help test at nursing homes
The state will use the Florida National Guard to help with testing at long-term care facilities. As Clay County and Suwannee County deal with escalating COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities, Gov. Ron DeSantis is deploying the Florida National Guard to help with testing at facilities around the state to identify residents and staff who are infected but not showing symptoms. Florida has a total of 1,179 cases among residents and staff of long-term care facilities, according to state Department of Health figures released Tuesday evening. Northeast Florida has not suffered as much from the spread of COVID-19 in the general population, but some counties have faced outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
ocala.comPalm Coast OKs site plans for 285-unit apartment complex
The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a multi-family complex near the intersection of Matanzas Woods and Belle Terre parkways. PALM COAST A Duval County developer plans to erect a dozen three-story apartment buildings at a busy intersection in Palm Coast and council members on Tuesday approved site plans for the proposed master-planned residential community. The multi-family complex, coined "Matanzas West," is poised to bring 285 homes to the corner of corner of Matanzas Woods and Belle Terre parkways. Palm Coast officials presented the conceptual plans for Matanzas West during the boards meeting Tuesday night. Tierra Linda plans to put six three-story apartment buildings on either side of the wetlands.
news-journalonline.comPalm Coast OKs plans for 285-unit apartment complex
The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a multi-family complex near the intersection of Matanzas Woods and Belle Terre parkways. PALM COAST A Duval County developer plans to erect a dozen three-story apartment buildings at a busy intersection in Palm Coast and council members on Tuesday approved site plans for the proposed master-planned residential community. The multi-family complex, coined "Matanzas West," is poised to bring 285 homes to the corner of corner of Matanzas Woods and Belle Terre parkways. Palm Coast officials presented the conceptual plans for Matanzas West during the boards meeting Tuesday night. Tierra Linda plans to put six three-story apartment buildings on either side of the wetlands.
news-journalonline.comOcala man among 22 arrested in Jacksonville internet sting
Jose Luis Rivera, 31, was picked up by Ocala Police Department on a warrant out of Duval County. One of 22 men arrested as part of Operation Safe Summer, an internet child sex solicitation sting by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, is an Ocala man. Jose Luis Rivera, 31, was picked up by Ocala Police Department officials in southwest Ocala on Tuesday. Authorities also identified him as Jose Luis Rivera Acevado. Marion County Jail records show he had warrants from Duval County for four counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor and one count of unlawful use of a two way communication device.
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