WEATHER ALERT
On-off girlfriend named person of interest in case of missing man found buried in rural St. Johns County: investigators
Read full article: On-off girlfriend named person of interest in case of missing man found buried in rural St. Johns County: investigatorsThe family of a man who was reported missing in September told News4JAX he was found buried in rural St. Johns County Tuesday, and investigators confirmed his on-again/off-again girlfriend is a person of interest in this case.
Body found buried in rural St. Johns County could be man reported missing in September
Read full article: Body found buried in rural St. Johns County could be man reported missing in SeptemberThe Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday it may have found the body of a man who was last seen by his family in September.
Juveniles attacked guard, choked him unconscious before escaping from Hastings detention center: SJSO
Read full article: Juveniles attacked guard, choked him unconscious before escaping from Hastings detention center: SJSOThe St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage Thursday that shows when deputies located and took back into custody four juveniles who had escaped from a facility in Hastings.
Deputies search for 4 juveniles who escaped from facility in Hastings
Read full article: Deputies search for 4 juveniles who escaped from facility in HastingsThe St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office warned residents Monday morning that deputies were searching for four juveniles who had escaped from a facility in Hastings.
Chest-high flood waters cover roads, surround homes in Hastings, Flagler Estates
Read full article: Chest-high flood waters cover roads, surround homes in Hastings, Flagler EstatesHastings, a rural area west of I-95 not far from the St. Johns River, was dealing with extreme flooding in some areas with water going chest-deep.
Hastings library to reopen at W.E. Harris Community Center
Read full article: Hastings library to reopen at W.E. Harris Community CenterThe Hastings Branch Library will reopen in early September at its temporary location inside the W.E. Harris Community Center, according to a spokesperson for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
Storm damage in Hastings ‘likely’ caused by straight-line winds from microburst: NWS
Read full article: Storm damage in Hastings ‘likely’ caused by straight-line winds from microburst: NWSSeveral homes and vehicles in Hastings were damaged by a severe thunderstorm that brought strong winds and heavy rain Friday evening, according to Putnam County Fire Rescue.
Infant, 21-year-old woman killed in head-on crash when driver tries to pass on 2-lane highway: FHP
Read full article: Infant, 21-year-old woman killed in head-on crash when driver tries to pass on 2-lane highway: FHPA 21-year-old Hastings woman and an infant were killed Thursday night when their van was hit head-on by an SUV that was trying to pass another vehicle on State Road 19, a two-lane highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
St. Johns County deputies raid convenience store in drug, gambling investigation
Read full article: St. Johns County deputies raid convenience store in drug, gambling investigationA convenience store in Hastings was raided Friday as investigators searched the business for drugs and gambling-related items.
2 missing canoers found dead in Hastings
Read full article: 2 missing canoers found dead in HastingsSt. Johns County Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and several other agencies are searching for two missing canoers on a pond on George Miller Road in Hastings Saturday afternoon.
What a beautiful sight! St. Johns County now home to a brand-new botanical garden
Read full article: What a beautiful sight! St. Johns County now home to a brand-new botanical gardenFamilies and volunteers came out for the official grand opening of the St. Johns Botanical Garden Nature Preserve on Saturday just off County Road 13 in Hastings.
SnapJAX Stories: Nature photographer hopes to inspire others to see ‘the real Florida’
Read full article: SnapJAX Stories: Nature photographer hopes to inspire others to see ‘the real Florida’SnapJAX Stories is back and this week we were blown away by one of our snapper’s pictures. Turns out he’s a nature photographer and he’s been capturing images for almost 50 years.
St. Johns County schools working on plans to turn Hastings library into technical college
Read full article: St. Johns County schools working on plans to turn Hastings library into technical collegePlans are now in the works to turn the historic Hastings library in St. Johns County into a technical college.
New Zealand declares emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle eases
Read full article: New Zealand declares emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle easesThe New Zealand government has declared a national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country’s north in what officials described as the nation’s most severe weather event in years.
DNA evidence frees California man imprisoned for decades
Read full article: DNA evidence frees California man imprisoned for decadesA man who spent more than 38 years behind bars for a 1983 murder and two attempted murders has been freed from a California prison after long-untested DNA evidence pointed to a different person.
16-year-old bicyclist in serious condition after collision with car in Hastings
Read full article: 16-year-old bicyclist in serious condition after collision with car in HastingsA 16-year-old St. Augustine boy who was riding a bicycle is in serious condition following a collision with a car Wednesday morning in Hastings.
How St. Johns County plans to spend millions in American Rescue money, and what could come next
Read full article: How St. Johns County plans to spend millions in American Rescue money, and what could come nextThe medical center is part of St. Johns County’s plan for more than $51 million of federal funding it is getting from the American Rescue Plan.
Leaders honor late Rep. Hastings as an outspoken fighter
Read full article: Leaders honor late Rep. Hastings as an outspoken fighterCongressional leaders and colleagues have used a memorial service for Rep. Alcee Hastings to remember him as a straight-talking champion for the disadvantaged who overcame hurdles in his own life.
US Rep. Alcee Hastings dies at 84; was impeached as judge
Read full article: US Rep. Alcee Hastings dies at 84; was impeached as judgeRep. Alcee Hastings, the fiercely liberal longtime Florida congressman who was dogged throughout his tenure by an impeachment that ended his fast-rising judicial career, has died at 84.
Man accused of fatally stabbing wife in St. Johns County charged with first-degree murder
Read full article: Man accused of fatally stabbing wife in St. Johns County charged with first-degree murderST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A 41-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a woman Tuesday night in a domestic incident has been charged with murder, according to a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. The report indicated the victim recently got an injunction against Derrek Perkins on Monday, but Perkins had not yet been served the injunction. The victim’s gender and exact relationship to Perkins were redacted from the murder arrest report, but according to the State Attorney’s Office, the victim was his wife. The second witness said Perkins was on the porch and ran down the stairs and away from the house. If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, there are resources available:
St. Johns County PAL opens boxing program for kids
Read full article: St. Johns County PAL opens boxing program for kidsST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Police Athletic League unveiled a new program this week: boxingThe program is officially open and they held a ribbon cutting at the new facility. Harris Center in Hastings will allow kids who want to have fun and exercise a chance to hone their skills. PAL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the social development of youth. Its mission is to provide positive programs to youth in the community through athletic, educational, social and wellness programs. If you’d like to sign your child up for boxing, registration is open on stjohnspal.org.
14-year-old reported missing from Hastings is safe, deputies say
Read full article: 14-year-old reported missing from Hastings is safe, deputies sayHASTINGS, Fla. – A 14-year-old returned home safely Thursday morning and was reunited with her family after she was reported missing Tuesday afternoon, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said. The girl’s mother said she began to worry when her daughter didn’t come home after she was dropped off from the school bus. The family had offered a $2,000 reward for information on her whereabouts. A spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office said the girl returned home Thursday. Note: Because the girl is no longer missing, News4Jax has removed her name and photograph from this article to respect her family’s privacy.
Saint Johns County woman claims $2 million top prize playing $10 scratch-off game
Read full article: Saint Johns County woman claims $2 million top prize playing $10 scratch-off gameST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A St. Johns County woman came up with a winning ticket in a Florida Lottery scratch-off game and is now two million dollars wealthier. Debra Tice, 56, of Hastings, claimed a $2 million top prize from the 100X Scratch-Off game using a secured drop box located at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,605,000.00. Tice purchased her winning ticket from Circle K, located at 4205 U.S. 1 South in Saint Augustine. The retailer will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
Putnam County Sheriff's Office employee hurt when PAL vehicle flips
Read full article: Putnam County Sheriff's Office employee hurt when PAL vehicle flipsST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - A Putnam County Sheriff's Office civilian employee was injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon in St. Johns County, authorities said. The single-vehicle crash happened about 12:30 p.m. on State Road 206 at Hamilton Avenue, just south of Elkton and east of Hastings, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol said the employee, identified by a Sheriff's Office spokesperson as Barry Stewart, was driving a Police Athletic League vehicle when it flipped on SR 206. He was flown to Orange Park Medical Center with serious injuries, troopers said. Stewart is the executive director of the PCSO Police Athletic League, the spokesperson said.
Man arrested for pretending to be officer, pulling over deputy
Read full article: Man arrested for pretending to be officer, pulling over deputyHILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - A Hillsborough County, Florida deputy sheriff arrested a 35-year-old man on Fourth of July after being accused of pretending to be a law enforcement officer. Hastings told him "he was a law enforcement officer and his credentials were at the office." He told the deputy he could follow him back to the "station" so he could obtain and show him his credentials. Shortly after exiting on Branch Forbes, Hastings was stopped by a Hillsborough County deputy, where he was detained while they interviewed the off-duty deputy. No handcuffs or firearms were located in the vehicle," the Sheriff's Office said.