News

Sand filled walkover frustrates man looking for help

Submitted by Roger Weeder, Reporter

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 2:00pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Jim Breland is no stranger to the beach, but making it to the water he says is something different.

Next to the Jacksonville Beach pier is a sand filled walkover that gives access to the ocean's edge. Plowing through sand without benefit of a solid foundation frustrates Breland who is 62 years-old and challenged.

"I am a disabled veteran. I don't have any knees. I cannot get back to the beach without going through a lot of pain and suffering and I am in better shape than most handicapped people," said Breland.

The Jacksonville man said he has been trying to get answers and something done to improve the walkover for the past four years without success.

A call to Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation yielded no answers on what if anything is planned for the walkover.

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Man identified in Jacksonville Beach water rescue

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 1:38pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Sunday afternoon the Jacksonville Beach Lifeguards and Fire Department rescued a man from the water near the Beach Boulevard beach access.

According to a Jacksonville Beach Police press release, the man has been identified as Sydney Graham, 43.

Graham was participating in the Never Quit event when he was pulled unconscious from the water, the release detailed. He was transported to Baptist Beaches Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m.

The press release said Graham is from Huston, Texas, where he lived with his family.

The cause of his death has not been determined at this time.

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One dead, 2 arrested in Jacksonville

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:34pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A home intruder was killed early Thursday morning after allegedly breaking into a home and getting shot by Donald Palmer, 23, who lives at the residence with his mother.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to 2200 block of Cypress Landing Drive, where Austin Glendenning, 24, was found shot on the floor inside the home, according police.

JSO's investigation revealed that Glendenning and Cameron Tallon Smith, 21, went to Donald Palmer's residence to allegedly commit burglary.

According to police, the two suspects jumped the fence in the backyard of the residence and once they were inside the fence, Glendenning entered the home via a rear sliding door that he knew was open based on previous visits. Smith remained outside near the sliding door.

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Species, Part 2: Lionfish eat native fish

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 10:54pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- From coyotes to feral hogs to nutria, there are all kinds of non-native invasive species on the First Coast, but of the fiercest predators is one you don't see on land ... lionfish.

Joseph Kistel, Executive Director of TISIRI, a marine conservation organization, said lionfish likely ended up off the coast of Florida when aquarium owners turned them loose in rivers, canals and the ocean because they either got too big for the tank or ate all the other fish.

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Resident shoots home intruder in Jacksonville

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 10:49pm

MAYPORT, Fla. -- Cypress Cove was a quiet working class neighborhood in the Mayport community until Thursday morning when a gunshot rang out.

Alex Damiani lives on Cypress Landing Drive, a few houses from the crime scene and said she was scared.

"I had just left the house and as soon as I left, this happened. It could have been me at home," she said.

About 8:50 a.m. Thursday, police received a call about a burglary in progress. When they arrived, it had become a homicide scene.

"It appears that the homeowner shot an intruder," said Sgt. Michael Paul.

Paul said the suspect was carrying a bag of backpack and was dead on the floor in the house.

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Sudden death cancels cruise and possible refund

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 8:25pm

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. -- Carnival Cruise Lines has seen its share of problems this year, but that did not stop Frances Prince and Mollie McCall from booking a seven day cruise.

"She wouldn't go without me and I wouldn't go without her," said Prince.

But on May 9 Herb Green, McCall's fiance', was killed in an accident on State Road 16 near Starke. Prince is still trying to cope with the loss.

Prince, McCall and Herb Green were good friends.

"Tragedies happen," she said. "You can't schedule them."

On May 10, the day before they were to set sail, they contacted their travel agent with the bad news.

"Their big suggestion was see if you can find somebody else to take your place," Prince said.

Prince said she also called Carnival Cruise to try and reschedule the cruise.

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Boa constrictor on the loose in Jacksonville Beach

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 11:25pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- There's no fear of snakes for Stephen Brezil, even as a 6 foot 15 pound boa constrictor wraps around his body.

A boa constrictor feeds off of small mice and rats and it's on the loose in Jacksonville Beach.

"Somebody's going to notice, especially at the beaches. People are out 24-7 they're walking around, riding their bikes. You're going to end up hearing the screams, but somebody will find it," said Brezil, who owns a reptile shop.

Jacksonville Beach Police say a Colombian red tail boa constrictor has been missing for the last 5-days from the 700 block of 5th Avenue.

But if you talk to the neighbors, it's no big deal.

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