Local News

Jarred Harrell Guilty in Murder of Somer Thompson

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The man accused of killing a 7-year-old Florida girl whose body was found in a Georgia landfill is scheduled for a court appearance Friday and a court spokeswoman says there's potential for a "significant development" in the case.

Tony Nelson Sentenced in Federal Court

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Jacksonville Port leader Tony Nelson was sentenced to 40 months in prison today in a federal court.

Source: Jarred Harrell Set to Plead Guilty

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- An anonymous source has confirmed to First Coast News that Jarred Harrell is set to plead guilty in a pretrial hearing Friday, February 3rd, in Green Cove Springs.

Tipster in Somer Thompson Case Speaks Out

Thousands of tips poured in after Somer Thompson disappeared, but it was just one that set justice in motion.

Now the family that came forward in 2009 is speaking out about their experience.

Bill Proposes Cameras on School Buses to Catch Bad Drivers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Florida Senator wants to put cameras on school buses to catch bad drivers and ticket them. It's a proposed bill that caught the attention of a local mother.

JEDC May Get New Focus, New Look

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Downtown Jacksonville will soon have a new recruiting organization with a new focus as the Jacksonville Economic Developement Commission is set for an overhaul.

Finder's Hope Helps Families Who Have Missing Loved Ones

College Tuition Hike on the Horizon in Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Florida for the past two years has increased tuition by 15 percent each year and the prospect for another increase is on the horizon.

Hedgehog, La Nina to Bring Spring

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville predict spring is already here.

3 Major Construction Projects Underway in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There's no shortage of cones, barrels, detour signs, and delays in Jacksonville. It seems like almost everywhere you go on the First Coast, there's something under construction.

Victim in Eastside Shooting Wednesday Identified, Still in Hospital

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Two Ga. Men Arrested in Traffic Stop Turned Meth Bust

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Two men were arrested after methamphetamine was found in their car during a traffic stop Wednesday night.

Jacksonville Morton's Changes Ownership, Closes Abruptly

FSDB Eminent Domain Bill Passes Legislative Committee

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A group of concerned neighbors boarded a van to Tallahassee shortly before 4:00 this morning to voice their opposition to a proposed bill that would give The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind the power of eminent domain.

Cristian Fernandez has Public Defender Replaced with Private Attorney

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Murder suspect Cristian Fernandez will have private counsel during his trial, a judge ruled today.

Veterans Farm Looking for a Few Good Vets

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  It's called a "prescription without medication".  A program in Jacksonville that aims to get veterans back on their feet is looking for a few good men and women.

Child Support Checks not Being Delivered - Still; Dept. Insists No Problems

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Despite insistence by the government that its check distribution is timely, some First Coast parents continue to complain that a new computer system used by the Florida Department of Revenue is not delivering child support checks.

Police Serving Warrant Find Drugs, Lab at Home

INTERLACHEN, Fla. -- Police have arrested two people after discovering drugs and drug items at a home while serving a warrant.

Victims in Triple Fatal Crash Identified by FHP

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that reportedly killed three people at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Main Street North, according to Lt. Bill Leeper, FHP spokesperson.

Man Arrested for Going after Man with Machete

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville police arrested 69-year old Joseph Dekle after police say he swung a machete at a man during an argument.

2 More Arrested in Fatal Fight at Northside Party on Haverford

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Two suspects with long criminal histories were arrested shortly after an incident that left one person dead and another unconscious.

11th Victim Found Days after Deadly Crash on I-75

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Highway Patrol says the body of an eleventh person has been found in a pickup truck days after a deadly pileup on Interstate 75.