Julington Creek Community News

Sixth HND scholarship winner wants to be a nurse

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Wednesday, May 15th, 8:37 pm

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- In a field of five brothers, Mary Kate Truss has grown up knowing how to stand out. "It's really fun. I mean, at first when I was like seven, I was like I would love a sister anytime," she joked. The 18-year-old senior at Bishop Kenny High School is as devoted to her studies as she is volunteering. She maintains a high grade point average while also holding down a job...

Fourth Hero Next Door student scholarship winner revealed

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Monday, May 13th, 8:01 pm

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - Another superb student on the First Coast is $1,000 richer. On Monday morning during Good Morning Jacksonville, First Coast News handed out another Hero Next Door student scholarship. It was the fourth of 11 total scholarships that are being handed out to a field of finalists that were narrowed down from more than 500 applicants. The final scholarship of $5,000 and...

Julington Creek Police Blotter - May 2013

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Wednesday, May 1st, 11:20 pm

No police reports at this time.

Retired cop gets involved in catching speeders

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Saturday, March 23rd, 8:39 am

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Old habits are dying hard for a retired cop in West Jacksonville. Michael Liptrap has 20 years of experience as both a state and military police officer. He retired in Jacksonville in the Ortega area. One of his areas of specialty while he was on the job was traffic enforcement. Liptrap wrote First Coast News concerned about a traffic issue in his neighborhood, specifically...

Ending the 'R' word in Florida

Ken Amaro — Wednesday, March 20th, 6:57 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mora Rossi, 25, has down syndrome and hates the 'R' word. "People get pushed around a lot because they're different," she said. Rossi, who completed high school and a transition program at UNF, said her disability does not define her. "I don't think as myself as a person hearing the 'R' word," said Rossi, "I think of myself as a person who want to change the world."...

Group pushing for new speed limit on Argyle Forest Blvd.

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Wednesday, March 20th, 12:52 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A west Jacksonville neighborhood is trying to get the city to change the speed limit on Argyle Forest Boulevard. Right now, a stretch of the road is marked with three speed limits in less than three miles. The beginning of the stretch begins at Blanding Boulevard, where the speed limit is 35 M.P.H. It rises two more times to 40 M.P.H. and 45 M.P.H. the farther you drive west...

Teacher of the Week: Laurie Menefee

Amanda Zitzman — Wednesday, March 6th, 9:51 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- She provides an environment where children want to come to school and strive to succeed. That's why Laurie Menefee was nominated as our Teacher of the Week! "Kids are absolutely amazing," Menefee said as we visited her fourth grade classroom at Timberlin Creek Elementary in St. Johns County. "They find the humor in life and they enjoy learning." Menefee has been a teacher...

Don't get burned buying a used car

Ken Amaro — Wednesday, February 6th, 9:48 pm

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Buying a used car can save you money, but it can also cost you money. Last October, Stoonie Powell bought a used car. He paid $4,000. "It was a very good car," said Powell. "That's basically what I was told, it was a good car." It is a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. It looked like a cream puff on the outside, but under the hood it was a lemon. "Everything started happening," said...

Suspect sought in vehicle burglary

FirstCoastNews Web Staff — Friday, February 1st, 8:04 pm

JULINGTON CREEK, Fla. -- Deputies with the St. Johns Sheriff's Office are seeking the public's help identifying a woman allegedly connected with a car burglary. According to a release from the St. Johns Sheriff's Office, the victim reported her vehicle window was smashed, which allowed the suspect to steal her purse, along with assorted credit and ID cards. The female suspect allegedly used one...

Retail prescription price battle

Jeff Marcu — Monday, January 21st, 6:46 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- While medical costs are rising, the price of prescriptions are falling. Like many people in their 60s, Pat Sena takes her share of prescriptions. "Six," she said. Years ago, that would have been cost-prohibitive for a lot of people, but now, thanks to the retail battle of the bottle, people are having an easier time following doctor's orders and taking their...