Beach business brings hope for local economy

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. -- The city of Neptune Beach is hoping new business will bring in big profits after several years of a stalled economy.

"I had some of the businesses over the last three years tell me that if it wasn't for Thanksgiving Day and having everybody come stand in the street, have a drink and talk to their friends the several hundred, thousand people that come down here that some people couldn't make the rent," said Neptune Beach Mayor Harriet Purette.

City Officials tell First Coast News the old Neptune Beach location for Sun Dog Brewing Company for more than 20 years is turning into an upscale Mexican restaurant, run by Al of Al's Pizza.

But the changes don't stop there: The former Caribee Key has changed hands and is now North Beach Fish Camp.

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Parents of dyslexic child: 'There is definitely hope'

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Many families are working with children who have dyslexia. Their children spend hours at night trying to do homework or struggling to read a book.

First Coast News Consumer Reporter David Williams sat down with one family still going through the struggle. It is still a struggle for the Davis family and one of their girls. But they tell FCN things are getting much better and there is hope.

The Davises love all 3 of their daughters. But this story focuses on one; 11-year-old Megan. She was at school during the interview with her parents.

"She is one of the kindest people you would ever meet," Megan's mother, Teri said.

From birth, they've watched her grow. But around age 2, they noticed something as other children's vocabulary developed.

"Megan was still grunting at two-year-old," Teri said. "Not really saying words."

How would you like a $6.15 electric bill?

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. -- The Florida sunshine state has the folks at the city of Neptune Beach excited to pay their electric bill because it's dropped to $6.15.

"We had electric bills that were topping $1,100 for a 5000 square foot building." said Don Ford, city of Neptune Beach Building Official.

It turns out Neptune Beach City Hall is an energy hog, but that was until Don Ford the Building Official had the bright idea to upgrade light bulbs and air conditioning units to more energy efficient models.

The self-proclaimed hippie took his energy conservation one step further and turned to the sun and solar panels.

A look inside HGTV's Jacksonville Beach smart home

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Earlier today, First Coast News cameras got an inside look at HGTV 2013 Smart Home in Jacksonville Beach.

Smart home technology allows the resident to connect home appliances to a portable device.

The technology allows residents to monitor energy use and control things like heat, air-conditioning, lights and security.

One lucky family will be able to win this HGTV smart home by entering its online contest.

"This monitor that shows real time energy monitoring in the house. This monitor that has security screens all around the house," said Jack Thomasson, HGTV smart technology planner.

The home officially opens on April 24th. Money made from tours there will go to a local charity.

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Motorcycle crash seriously injures rider

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- A motorcycle crash in Ponte Vedra critically injured a man Saturday afternoon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year-old Taylor Austin Ryan was riding a motorcycle when he did not see a car stop in front of him at a red light on A1A and ATP Tour Boulevard.

Troopers say Ryan's motorcycle struck a sedan and he was hurled into the intersection. Ryan was airlifted by TraumaOne to Shands Jacksonville with serious injuries. The driver of the car was treated at the scene.

Charges are still pending further investigation.

Divers hunt invasive lionfish for cash prizes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If the Atlantic Ocean had a "most wanted" list, one fish in particular would probably be at the top.

The lionfish is native to the Indo-Pacific, but in recent years it has made its way to southern and northeastern Florida.

Experts believe people are dumping the lionfish in the ocean after it becomes too big for their aquariums.

"While they might think that is the right thing to do, that is actually the worst thing they could do," said Joe Kistel with Think It Sink It Reef It, a wildlife non-profit in Jacksonville.

The problem is the lionfish has no natural predator, meaning no other animal is eating it.

Instead, it is eating a lot of baby fish other animals and humans depend on in many ways.

For instance, Kistel said the lionfish likes to prey on baby grouper. That interrupts the ocean's food chain, the species' reproductive cycle and the ability for fishermen to stay in business.

New challenges for St. Johns sea turtles

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Four-year-old Rainer Eastman loves sea turtles for a simple reason.

"Because they are so awesome," said Rainer.

He and his mom, Catherine Eastman, help search the beach for sea turtle eggs during nesting season. The sea turtles aren't just popular with locals, they are also a sight for tourists too.

"My sons decided to come back because they like the beach so much and they keep hoping we will come back in time to see the sea turtles," said Becky Heabel from Illinois.

Last year, St. Johns County had a good year of around 650 loggerhead turtle nests, according to Katherine Eastman with Eastman Environmental.

"We are hoping to see an upward trend, but it is still kind of early to say things are improving," says Eastman.

But this year, the nests could face a setback.