Spirit of the Season

Presented by
Video
IPAD VIDEO | SUBMIT VIDEO
Photo Galleries
SEE MORE PHOTOS | SUBMIT PHOTOS
Spirit of the Season News

10-year-old hopes to reach goal of 700 cans in holiday food drive

Hunter Strouds mission began last year when he went to an angel tree event. There was no more kids names and I still wanted to do something, Hunter said. So this 10 year old began a food drive.
8:32 PM, Dec 21, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Hunter Stroud's mission began last year when he went to an angel tree event. "There was no more kids' names and I still wanted to do something," Hunter said. So this 10 year old began a food drive.

Christmas toy giveaway helps Jacksonville family ease pain

The Cason family is celebrating Christmas a little differently this year to keep alive the spirit of a family member murdered earlier this year.
7:50 PM, Dec 21, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Cason family is celebrating Christmas a little differently this year to keep alive the spirit of a family member murdered earlier this year.

Last-minute shoppers might get best deals

12/21/2012 GMJ Report.
1:34 AM, Dec 21, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Move over Black Friday. There's another sale season in town. "The weekend before Christmas is essentially the second busiest Saturday of the year," said Lindsey Von Hoven, Director of Marketing for the Avenues Mall.

Back from Debby's flooding: Light show goes on

A Suwanee County couple decides to keep the Christmas light displays going after a rough year of flooding from Tropical Storm Debby.
1:22 AM, Dec 21, 2012

MCALPIN, Fla. -- It has been a tough year for many folks in the Suwannee County town of McAlpin.

Secret Santa steps up to help Jacksonville family

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- A secret Santa is coming forward and is helping to save the holidays for a local family. Monday, First Coast News told you about a grinch who stole a familys Christmas presents.
3:21 PM, Dec 19, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- A secret Santa came forward following a December 17 story about a grinch who stole a family's Christmas presents.

Dozens of children adopted into homes before the holidays

In Courtroom 407 in the Duval County Courthouse, families were made on Friday.
1:41 PM, Dec 15, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In Courtroom 407 in the Duval County Courthouse, families were made on Friday.

Holiday on the Avenue traffic advisory

4:28 PM, Dec 13, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The first Holiday on the Avenue parade is being held Saturday by the The Power Group in Gainesville.

House hopping statue a neighborhood legend

A holiday statue passed around from neighbor to neighbor began as a prank that led to a community mystery and finally to a neighborhood legend.
11:49 PM, Dec 12, 2012

MABLETON, Ga. (WXIA) -- It was almost one year ago when Cobb County Fire and Emergency was called out after a caller said he saw a body in the middle of Sope Creek. Two river rescue squads found out it wasn't a body, it was a statue. The statue appeared to be St. Joseph from a holiday Nativity scene.

Hanukkah begins at sundown Saturday

12/07/2012 GMJ Report.
8:33 AM, Dec 7, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As Jewish people on the First Coast prepare for the beginning of Hanukkah, a local Rabbi is reminding people of all faiths the meaning behind the celebration.

Mailing to overseas military members? Better hurry

The deadlines are fast approaching for holiday mail to arrive in time for Christmas, and if you are sending to fleet post offices or air and Army post offices, the post office is your only option.
6:11 PM, Dec 6, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The deadlines are fast approaching for holiday mail to arrive in time for Christmas, and if you are sending to fleet post offices or air and Army post offices, the post office is your only option.

J.P. Hall Charity Christmas Party scheduled for December 15

10:58 PM, Dec 5, 2012

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Carrying on a 31 year tradition, Clay County children will receive gifts at the annual J.P. Hall Children's Charity Christmas Party December 15.

"Operation Santa Cause" granting Christmas wishes

The Florida Department of Children and Families is kicking off Operation Santa Cause and there are several families in Jacksonville that need your generosity.
7:15 PM, Dec 4, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Department of Children and Families is kicking off "Operation Santa Cause" and there are several families in Jacksonville that need your generosity.

Arlington house turns the lights on for the holidays

Tomorrow, we turn out calendars to December, and many across the First Coast are ready for the holidays.
12:23 AM, Dec 1, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tomorrow we turn out calendars to December, and many across the First Coast are ready for the holidays.

JT Townsend Foundation Christmas Tour coming Thursday

The JT Townsend Foundation is holding a holiday open house in Ponte Vedra on Thursday to help people in need like Emily and her family.
7:40 PM, Nov 28, 2012

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. -- JT Townsend, the Jacksonville resident paralyzed in a high school football game, continues to give back.

Kaitlyn Hunt booking photo from the Indian River County Sheriffs Office

Girl, 18, faces prison over sex with girl, 14

The case started in February, but has since garnered national attention for what some media portray as a gay rights issue.

4:32 AM, May 21, 2013
A First Coast couple trying to adopt a child from South Carolina say they feel like their baby has been taken from them by the system.

First Coast couple faces roadblocks in adopting baby from South Carolina

Hours in travel, thousands in legal fees, and all the heartache one family can handle. A First Coast couple trying to adopt a child from South Carolina say they feel like their baby has been taken from them by the system.

10:41 PM, May 20, 2013

75-year-old man Gustafo Loli may have been found

The extensive search for missing 75-year-oldGustafo Loli is now over.

10:54 AM, May 21, 2013

Clay County Sheriff's Office reopen 10-year-old cold case after receiving tip

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Clay County Sheriff's Office deputies searched a house in the 200 block of McClelland Road and the surrounding property Tuesday.

3:54 PM, May 21, 2013
PROFESSIONAL PYTHON WRANGLER MIKE GEE

18-foot-8-inch python caught in South Florida

Wildlife officials say a Burmese python nearly 19 feet long has been captured in South Florida. 

4:48 AM, May 21, 2013

Child, 2, in critical condition after being found in pool at daycare

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A two-year-old child is in critical condition at a local hospital after being found in a pool at a day care center.

7:22 PM, May 21, 2013

Two Baker County teens ejected, seriously injured in ATV crash

Two teens ejected from an ATV Monday evening suffered serious injuries.

10:36 AM, May 21, 2013
Nika Williams, 24, earns less than $15,000 a year, and loves her pets. Williams said given her small income, the decision of when to buy pet food for her four pets gets difficult.

Pet Food Stamps, Jacksonville Pet Food Bank available to help feed your pet

JACKSONVILLE,Fla. -- Nika Williams, 24, earns less than $15,000 a year, and loves her pets. Williams said given her small income, the decision of when to buy pet food for her four pets gets difficult.

7:01 PM, May 20, 2013
University of Florida students line up next to the 18-foot python. (Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation) Commission

Killed 18-foot python is state record

(NBC News) -- A Miami man pulled an 18-foot Burmese python out of roadside brush and wrestled with it for 10 minutes before cutting its head off with a knife.

5:45 PM, May 21, 2013

Tonight at 6 and 11 p.m.: Ben Bowersox recovers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Last week First Coast News covered a story about a five-year-old boy spending time in a hyperbaric chamber to keep his fingers alive.

7:31 PM, May 21, 2013

More Deals

Click here to view more weekly deals and coupons

Spirit of the Season Archive

right left