Tom Wills retires from WJXT on May 31, 2024 after 49 years. He writes his final article for News4JAX.com

Tom Wills, Our Newsman, Retirement

Tom Wills shares the most memorable news stories he's covered as the longtime lead anchor for WJXT - Channel 4.

There are many words that could be used to describe WJXT Chief meteorologist, George Winterling — a veteran of the United States Air Force. A beloved husband and devoted family man. A pioneer in the field of TV meteorology.

For 50 years on WJXT, forecasting temperatures, rainfall and storms was the biggest role of this legendary meteorologist who “lived and breathed” weather. George Winterling was also known, both to his television fans and to his neighbors in Beauclerc, for his love of gardening.

1992....the year Bill Clinton was elected president, the Olympic games were held in Barcelona, Jay Leno debuted on the Tonight Show and John Gaughan and Mary Baer joined the team at WJXT-TV, Channel 4 in Jacksonville.

In an official proclamation, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has declared May 31, 2023, as Mary and John Day! Today is Mary and John's last day at News4JAX.

We are celebrating Mary and John, who have spent the last three decades on your TV. 30 years of telling your stories, sharing what's going on in your neighborhood and more. Now it's time for us to hear their stories.

The News4JAX Creative Services Department put together some special ads spreading the news of John and Mary’s retirements on May 31.

I'd like to share with you a couple of my John and Mary memories. I want to start with some of the very first comments that former news anchor Deborah Gianoulis and I made about Mary 30 years ago--and we stand by them today. "Mary Baer has fit into our newsroom from the first day she got here. It seems like she's been here all along."

Mary Baer and John Gaughan have belonged to this community for 30 years, and it's a big sacrifice to work until 11:30 at night -- or, come into work -- when you're telling everyone else to shelter in place during a storm. Also, to share, in the joy and the sadness in the stories you tell. They have served you so well. But Mary and John also belong to us here at News4JAX, as colleagues and friends. The conversations that happen OFF AIR -- have created relationships that will last a lifetime.

By now you may have heard that both Mary Baer and John Gaughan are retiring from Channel 4 after 30 years. John and Mary started within months of each other in 1992. Now, there's a podcast where Mary and John answer your questions.

Lead anchor Mary Baer and Chief Meteorologist John Gaughan will retire together at the end of May after 30 incredible years at WJXT-Channel 4. They sat down with lead anchor Tom Wills to talk about their time together at The Local Station, some stories you've never heard about and what the future holds for both of them.

After 30 years of incredible careers at WJXT-Channel 4, Mary Baer and John Gaughan sat down with Tom Wills to talk about their impending retirement and life during and after The Local Station.

After 30 years of incredible careers at WJXT-Channel 4, Mary Baer and John Gaughan sat down with Tom Wills to talk about their impending retirement and life during and after The Local Station.

After 30 years of incredible careers at WJXT-Channel 4, Mary Baer and John Gaughan sat down with Tom Wills to talk about their impending retirement and life during and after The Local Station.

By now you may have heard that both Mary Baer and John Gaughan are retiring from Channel 4 after 30 years. John and Mary started within months of each other in 1992.

It feels like the blink of an eye; 30 years at Channel 4! It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, reflecting on the countless stories I’ve had the honor to bring to our viewers.

1992....the year Bill Clinton was elected president, the Olympic games were held in Barcelona, Jay Leno debuted on the Tonight Show and John Gaughan and Mary Baer joined the team at WJXT-TV, Channel 4 in Jacksonville.

Several members of the News4JAX family took home some well-deserved awards after the Suncoast Emmys this weekend.

News4JAX had a team of reporters on the scene throughout various counties in Florida and Georgia covering the candidates hoping to win their races. Anchor’s Kent Justice, Mary Baer, and Tom Wills also sat down at a roundtable with other political experts to give insight on the midterm election.

News4JAX anchor Mary Baer details her personal journey with osteoporosis, the same thinning of the bones that her mother experienced.

Lithium "button" batteries can pose a deadly threat to young children if swallowed.

Lithium "button" batteries can pose a deadly threat to young children if swallowed.

The iconic American actress and comedian Betty White died Friday morning at age 99, just weeks before what would have been her 100th birthday, TMZ has reported.

The final delivery in our Positively JAX series “Merry & Joy” takes us to a family of seven.

We are continuing our Positively JAX series “Merry & Joy,” with Mary Baer and Joy Purdy delivering donated surprises to local families just in time for the holidays.

We are continuing our Positively Jax series “Merry & Joy” in the hopes of inspiring you to pay it forward this holiday season.

We are continuing our Positively Jax series “Merry & Joy” in the hopes of inspiring you to pay it forward this holiday season.

“I want to talk to you people for just a minute,” he began. “Not as Tom the newsman.”

A discussion over a proposed ordinance to protect historical monuments in Putnam County stirred up a crowd Tuesday evening during a meeting of the county commission.

Trump tweeted shortly after her letter was made public: “We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail! Portman, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, also said Biden should receive high-level briefings on national security and the coronavirus vaccine distribution plan. Alexander and Portman, who have both aligned themselves with Trump, joined a growing number of Republican officials who in recent days have urged Trump to begin the transition immediately. Murphy's ascertainment will free up money for the transition and clear the way for Biden’s team to begin placing transition personnel at federal agencies. Trump administration officials had said they would not give Biden the classified presidential daily briefing on intelligence matters until the GSA makes the ascertainment official.

Pence said President Donald Trump directed that Thursday’s briefing be held. He made his first appearance at the White House podium in many weeks in his role as head of the White House coronavirus task force. Pence said America “has never been more prepared to combat this virus than we are today.”During his appearance at the podium, Pence said the task force does not anticipate another U.S. shutdown. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, also spoke during the meeting. Pfizer and BioNTech will seek emergency government approval for their coronavirus vaccine, as the U.S. aims to begin administering doses by the end of the year.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner, according to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hubbard House continued its work to combat the ongoing problem and hosted its annual breakfast Thursday morning. For the first time, the 26th annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast was free and virtual. Press play below to re-watch the event:Local leaders and other members of the community took part in the event to learn about domestic violence and hear from strong survivors who have found safety. Hubbard House is a full-service certified domestic violence center providing prevention and intervention to domestic violence survivors and their families in Duval and Baker counties in Northeast Florida.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Our WJXT family continues to mourn beloved executive producer Sharon Siegel-Cohen, who lost a courageous battle this month with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. Her accomplishments and life are being recognized in a resolution that will be introduced Tuesday night to the Jacksonville City Council by Councilwoman Joyce Morgan, who was an anchor at WJXT in the 90s and early 2000s. READ | City Council resolution to honor Sharon Siegel-CohenA Jacksonville native and a friend to hundreds, Sharon, 62, shaped countless lives in her work with WJXT, including scores of interns who came through our doors. Many of them eventually came to work for WJXT themselves, among them anchor and reporter Vic Micolucci. The day Sharon passed, Micolucci posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, calling Sharon his dear friend, mentor, work mother and fearless leader.

Longtime executive producer Sharon Siegel-Cohen lost a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. Full Screen 1 / 24 Sharon leads her team and more than 1,000 others Saturday in the Jacksonville Walk to Defeat ALS. “Sharon’s Day, Sharon’s Day, her birthday is today.”One of a kind: caring, compassionate, comical, Sharon even attempted a short rap career with her son, Martin, for his high school prom. In recent weeks, with the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, those who loved Sharon resorted to sending videos and uplifting messages. “Five days a week, Sharon and I were together, she was family,” anchor Bruce Hamilton said somberly after her passing.

That's how a Bahamian man describes what he's enduring after Hurricane Dorian, stranded in the Abaco Islands, living out of his boss's pickup truck with two gallons of water, a bag of chips, a package of Oreo cookies and a knife to protect himself. Lorenzo Davis Jr. works at Cherokee Aviation, a private jet company at Marsh Harbour International Airport in Abaco. "I've tried to help as much people as possible, but I can only do so much." No wallet," Davis Jr. said. I'm sure no 175 mph breeze did that alone," Davis Jr. said.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry officially began his second term Monday morning. Mary Baer sat down with him and his wife as they looked forward to their next chapter. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.