On Wednesday night, Jan. 1, Melrose Bay Park was busy with a heavy police and fire rescue presence as an active search and rescue operation is underway.

Melrose is a charming and quiet town rich in history. Although small, one of its staples is set to transform.

A two-year-old boy was transported to the hospital in serious condition after being mauled by a family dog in Putnam County on Tuesday.

A United States Postal Service office in Melrose is being renamed Monday in honor of a mail carrier who was fatally mauled by a pack of dogs in Putnam County in 2022.

The owner of Rooterville Animal Sanctuary was arrested by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Friday and is facing several fraud charges.

A postal office in Melrose will be renamed to honor the life of a mail carrier who was fatally mauled by a pack of dogs in Putnam County in 2022.

In this week's SnapJAX stories, it was a picture of a smile that got my attention, but it wasn't human. I went to Melrose Florida to get the story behind the picture and that's when things got wild.

This month's PositivelyJAX winner is really doing something unique at Rooterville Animal Sanctuary. The owner, Elaine West is saving animals and creating an experience we can all learn from and enjoy.

Farm Share, Florida’s largest food bank, will host a drive-thru food distribution on Saturday in Bradford County.

Mark Wilson Jr. was found guilty earlier this month on two counts of first-degree murder for killing 12-year-old Robert Baker and 14-year-old Tayten Baker.

The sentencing phase for convicted killer Mark Wilson Jr. begins Monday, Oct. 24.

The sentencing trial for a man convicted of murdering two young Putnam County brothers in 2020 begins in two weeks, and he could face the death penalty.

A man was convicted Thursday of killing two young brothers in 2020 in Putnam County.

Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing two young brothers in 2020 in Putnam County.

Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of killing two young brothers in 2020 in Putnam County.

A high-profile murder trial in Putnam County was delayed Monday because of an issue with the jury, but shortly after 6 p.m., a jury was selected.

A man accused of murdering two boys in Putnam County is scheduled to appear in court Monday for the beginning of his trial.

Jury selection is underway in the trial of a man charged in the murders of two boys in Putnam County.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on a July 30 crash of a gyroplane in the Melrose area of Clay County that killed two people.

Family and loved ones on Thursday said their final goodbyes to Pamela Rock, the mail carrier who died from injuries after she was attacked by dogs while on her route in rural Putnam County.

A postal worker died Monday after being mauled Sunday by several dogs in the Interlachen Lake Estates area, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

Two people are dead after an experimental helicopter crashed and caught fire on private property in Clay County.

Two people died Saturday morning when an experimental helicopter known as a gyrocopter crashed and caught fire on private property off County Road 214 in the Melrose area of Clay County, authorities said.

A woman was killed in a boating accident Tuesday in Clay County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 43-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash Saturday morning in Melrose.

A home in Massachusetts seriously damaged by fire has been listed on the market with an asking price of $399,000.

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A 47-year-old man from Melrose has lost his life after a three-car wreck on State Road 100 near the intersection of Bardin Road in Putnam County. Crash investigators with Florida Highway Patrol said a 59-year-old woman from Palatka and a 72-year-old woman from Florahome were traveling west at State Road 100 when the driver lost control. The vehicle swerved right hitting a guardrail and then swerved left hitting an oncoming vehicle traveling eastbound, head-on. A 46-year-old female passenger, also of Melrose, is critically injured. A third vehicle was involved in the crash when it hit the back of the vehicle carrying the Melrose passengers.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Friends and loved ones gathered Wednesday evening to remember two brothers who were killed last week in their Melrose home. The vigil in honor of Robert Baker, 12, and Tayten Baker, 14, was held in Mulberry in Polk County, where the family lived before recently moving to Putnam County. The vigil was organized by the family’s former neighbors, including Chelsea Coyner. Dozens of former teammates, classmates and neighbors attended the vigil. Mark Wilson Jr., 30, who was identified as the boyfriend of the boys’ aunt, is charged with first-degree murder in the boys’ deaths.

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Putnam County deputies have been suffering from what’s described as a form of post-traumatic stress disorder after the murders of two children. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Wilson Jr., 30, used a knife and a hammer to kill Robert Baker, 12, and Tayten Baker, 14, last week inside their Melrose home. And it’s definitely that something that can stick with them for a long period of time if not properly managed,” said Col. Joe Wells, with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. “I have scenes in the back of my head that I have experienced during my 24-year career in law enforcement. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson is being held without bond and is heavily guarded in isolation.

MELROSE, Fla. – A 30-year-old man charged with murder in the killings of two young brothers in Melrose was ordered to be held without bond Saturday morning when he appeared before a Putnam County judge. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Wilson is accused of using a hammer and a knife to take the brothers’ lives. The boys’ mother found their bodies when she woke up on Wednesday morning, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said. Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach said the Baker family had moved from Polk County to Putnam County just over two weeks ago to be closer to family and allowed Wilson, the boyfriend of the boys’ aunt, to live in a shed on their property. On the Putnam County jail website, Wilson’s last address is listed as Newberry, Florida.

Investigators with the Putnam County Sheriffs Office say 12-year-old Robert Baker and his 14-year-old brother Tayten were murdered in their Melrose home. Both heartbroken, they spoke with News4Jax on Friday, saying their younger brothers were thick as thieves and always had each others backs. It was the first time Ive heard my dad cry in all my life, Kolton Baker said after talking with his father. He had scholarships to go to private schools, and he turned them all down because he wanted to stay with his brother, Kolby Baker said. I think one way or another, justice will be served, said Kim Rigney, mother of the older brothers.

‘Sick monster’ arrested in murder of 2 Putnam County boysPublished: August 28, 2020, 6:37 pmSheriff says a hammer and a knife were used to kill boys, ages 12 and 14.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced that Mark Wilson Jr. is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 12-year-old Robert Baker and 14-year-old Tayten Baker. The boys’ mother found their bodies when she woke up on Wednesday morning, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said. On his Facebook page, Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach wrote: “...The sick monster responsible for Tayten and Robert’s brutal murder was arrested last night. !”On the Putnam County jail website, Wilson’s last address is listed as Newberry, Florida. DeLoach said the Bakers had moved from Polk County to Putnam County just over two weeks ago to be closer to family.

MELROSE, Fla. – An autopsy conducted Thursday confirmed the deaths of two boys at a Melrose home as homicides, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said. A man, who identified himself as the boys’ grandfather, originally told News4Jax the boys were ages 13 and 14. The man said the boys’ mother was sleeping in the back room of the home, and when she woke up, she found the boys’ bodies. Deputies said the mother and the younger sibling then went to her father’s house, where she left the younger child. The Sheriff’s Office released the slain boys’ names, but News4Jax has chosen not to name them at this time without the family’s permission.

Putnam County deputies: 2 teens found dead inside Melrose homePublished: August 26, 2020, 10:22 pmTwo teenage boys were found dead Wednesday inside a home in Melrose, according to family and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

MELROSE, Fla. – Two teenage boys were found dead Wednesday inside a home in Melrose, according to family and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. “This is being investigated as a double homicide,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the community.”Putnam County deputies responded Wednesday to Shiloh Road. Deputies said multiple people will be interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Gator DeLoach said his office is aware that the home had just been purchased around the time when the family moved in.