News

Tuesday is final chance to register for November election

Submitted by Claire Simms, Reporter

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, 6:54pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tuesday is the final day to register to vote ahead of the November election. Many Supervisor of Elections offices will have extended hours to help accommodate the last minute rush.

"We see this always in a Presidential cycle," explained Jerry Holland, Supervisor of Elections for Duval County. "We'll probably have between 30 and 40,000 people that will have registered in the last 30 or 40 days and so, it's exciting to see this many people get involved in it."

Extended Hours:

Duval County-open until 7:30 p.m.

St. Johns County-open until 7:00 p.m.

Clay County-open until 5:00 p.m.

According to Holland, voters do not need to bring identification to register, but they will need a photo I.D. on Election Day. As of Monday, the number of voters registered reflected a more conservative population than in the 2008 election cycle.

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345th Combat Support Hospital unit to deploy

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Thursday, October 4th, 2012, 1:19pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The 345th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) will host a ceremony before they deploy to train the Afghan National Army.

The CSH will host a deployment before leaving for 71 Army Reserve Soldiers. The soldiers are deploying to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

During the deployment, soldiers will be responsible for training the Afghan National Army on detainee health care operations.

The 345th CSH is an Army Reserve unit headquartered at Naval Air Station Jacksonville with subordinate medical units located in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Prior to this deployment, the 345th CSH deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm.

The deployment ceremony will be held October 5 at 8:30 a.m. at NAS Jacksonville's Armed Forces Reserve Center, Building 938.

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Parents remove child from school due to teacher's behavior

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Monday, October 1st, 2012, 7:37pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Christophers made a decision that seems extremely dramatic, but after observing how their child's special education teacher interacts with children, they say they had to do something.

"We're not happy the way the teacher is handling the kids in the autistic classroom. We feel it is inappropriate," said Roderick Christopher.

The Christophers have removed their nine-year-old from Pinedale Elementary and are reluctant to send him back to school.

"These children are our children. Other people may not care because they are quote unquote not normal. They still deserve the best," said Shaunita Christopher.

Their child has autism. It is a disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior.

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Homeowner stuck with JEA availability fee

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012, 7:30pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Walter Suslak is in the middle of a major home renovation, and he's in a fight with JEA over four years of billing for a service he has yet to receive.

"For the last four years, according to JEA records, I've paid $70 a month for water," said Suslak, "and $75 a month for sewer with a listed consumption of zero."

Suslak, who owns several properties, recently discovered he is paying for sewer service, even though the house under renovation is not connected to the JEA sewer system.

"They have verified that the sewer is not hooked up at all," he said.

Why is he paying a sewer charge of $75 month? Suslak was told that it is an availability charge, even if he never uses it.

"That's fraud," he said, "I guess you can euphemistic and call it chicanery, but I got nothing," said Suslak.

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Teen accidentally shoots himself, in life-threatening condition

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Saturday, September 15th, 2012, 12:38am

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 16-year-old is in life-threatening, serious condition after Jacksonville Sheriff's Officers says he accidentally shot himself Friday evening.

Police say the incident took place while the teen had a couple of friends over to his house while his parents were gone.

JSO believes it was a handgun that was used in the accident.

The victim has been transported to a local hospital. His identity has not been released.

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Gov. Scott visits First Coast to talk education

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, September 10th, 2012, 12:41pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Governor Rick Scott will be on the First Coast Monday to talk to teachers and parents about education.

Governor Scott is touring across the state to listen to teachers, students and parents voice their ideas on how to improve Florida's education system.

Monday afternoon from 3:45 - 5 p.m. Governor Scott will meet with teachers at Pinedale Elementary School.

He will then meet with parents for a roundtable discussion from 5:30 to 6:30.

The school is located at 4229 Edison Avenue.

For more information, visit the Governor's Education Listening Tour website.

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